Stardust Balance

It only took one step into the store.

"Waaaaaaah!"

I could only watched in confounded dismay by the two foals of Cupcake and Carrot Cake wailing in fright and proceed to run off further into the bakery, leaving me alone with Spike and a blinking Pinkie Pie. The former sent me a reassuring glance, but that was far from enough to soothe the growing ache all day. First Flurry, the town, now two more foals.

Let's hope it'll cease from there... Probably not.

"Wow!" The bouncy Earth Pony commented as though impressed. "They normally don't get that scared so easily!"

Yeah, thanks Pinkie.

Rolling my eyes, I strode up towards the mare and made the order. "I'm here to get the cupcakes for the sick class at the hospital." Pinkie saluted, pulling out a tray right the [BEEP] out of nowhere, and I nodded. "Cheers. How much?"

The purchase was made, and Spike added brightly. "So far so good. At least we're not getting delayed by any of the usual shenanigans, huh?"

...When he puts it like that, I suppose that was a decent point... Actually, one look at the cupcakes and a glance to my son. "Spike, do we still have time before the hospital?"

"Erm..." He checked the long list. Surprised he hasn't tripped over it or anyone else yet. "Since we're getting everything done on time, we've got an extra five minutes to spare."

Perfect. "Pinkie." I looked back to the positive party mare. "Would you mind getting a cake ready after we're done?"

"Sure! Who for?"

"Flurry." Spike snapped a glance to me in surprise, but Pinkie released an excited gasp and nodded wildly.

"No problem! I'll check with Twilight what kind of cake she likes and get everything ready in no time! B.R.B!"

"Wait, how do you know that Flurry's... Here?" I finished flatly to the cloud dust which was once the Earth Pony, looking to Spike helplessly. The dragon shrugged-

"I'm back!" Gah! I gripped my own chest in shock, Pinkie returned to her station with a happy beam. "Mashed Pea Cake will be ready in no time! Luckily we have some spare normally reserved for Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake! Not the first time I ever made a Mashed Pea Cake mind you, it'll be a snitch!" Pinkie then paused, blinking curiously. "Shouldn't you be going to Ponyville Hospital by now?"

"Doing so now!" Picking up the edges of the warm tray, I proceeded to hurry outside, Spike following quickly. And as we walked down the path past more staring ponies, something just occurred to me.

"Spike?"

"Yeah?"

"Did Pinkie Pie literally just say 'B.R.B?'"

"She did. Why?"

"...No reason." I sighed wearily. "No reason at all."