Silver took note at the mention of the word "red-velvets".  Red velvet cakes were one of his favorites.  ”Red Velvet cupcakes sound absolutely amazing… I’m sure they’d go splendidly at the par-“

Silver stopped short and his ears shot straight up as he heard a small, squeaky voice behind him comment on the selection of sweets in an unmistakably Trottish accent.  No… That couldn’t possibly be… He turned to face the young pirate colt head on as he shouted a pirate’s oath and ordered him to ready himself.

”YOU?!?.... How in Celestia’s name did you find me here?!?!....”

A sword was pitched at him, which he caught in his magic before gripping it with his hoof.  A grin flashed to Silver Bolt’s face.

Silva’s comment on “odd pony culture” didn’t go unnoticed.  Silver simply widened his grin and replied ”Don’t let his appearance fool you… This is the Infamous Pirate Captain, Dread Roberts…. One of the fiercest pirates to ever sail the Seven Seas of Equis….  His crew fear him, and obey his every command… He has toppled governments, captured the hearts of fair maidens the world over, and tamed the legendary sea serpents of Marelantis…. ”

His introduction was cut off as the tiny pirate lord before them pointed his sword at him and called him to arms with a direct, ‘Have at ye!’  Silver adjusted his grip on the sword and brought his grin back to face his adversary.  ”Alright… so you want to play It rough then, eh?”  He cut the air with the sword, making a “swish-swish” sound before dropping into a well-rehearsed stance, ready for action.

”En Garde!”

"Ohh~... my... Red... velvet... cupcakes... they look sssooo..." For a few seconds, Faux was totally lost as she stared at the cupcakes, her eyes widening to the size of saucers as she leaned her chin down to her hooves up on the glass display case. Just before she started drooling, she snapped her head up and blinked several times as if coming out of a hypnotic trance. "Um, I mean, yes! I mean, those would be okay, but I need a lot of them! You see, I'm throwing a party! A Saddle Hawkins party, where the colts ask the fillies out! It's kinda spur of the moment... It's tonight! Well, it's going to be a pot luck suggestion, but I think it's only good hosting to bring at least SOME kind of refreshments, just in case somepony forgets! So, a variety of stuff would be best. Just a few dozen... dozen or so should be fine... I mean, if you have time to get an order out like that by sundown, of course!"

The commotion of Pip and Silverbolt drew her attention away from the Cakes and the cupcakes, looking startled but immediately drawing her into a big smile. It was utterly adorable! "Uh oh, Mrs. Cake! It seems you have a pirate infestation on your hooves," she giggled.

Pip regarded the green unicorn as he tossed his wooden sword between his hooves.  "Yarr, Silver of Trotsley.  The hooded hero of Sherhoof forest.  I knew this day would come when we'd finally meet face to face.  Now enough talk!  Let our swords show who is truly the best!" The colt's hoofwork was almost flawless as he stepped across the floor closing the distance between the unicorn and himself.

"Any last words before I run ye through?" The pirate asked as he made a few slices through the air in front of him as he eyed Silver carefully.

Mrs. Cake was perfectly happy to set up a rush order, especially since the nature of such a party meant that it all didn't have to be done immediately on time.  They could bring out treats in waves, serving one batch while the others were still baking, and then restocking in rounds so that every new serving was still fresh and warm from the oven.

"Alright, this shouldn't be too much trouble.  And if you want a buffer, I could always set you up with some of the day-end cookies.  They're perfectly tasty, but they won't keep until the next day.  Normally Pinkie Pie eats everything we don't sell at the end of the day, but she's out of town right now and we'd just have to throw them out otherwise.  I could give you a discount on the whole order for taking them off our hooves."  the plump mare offered as she jotted down pricing and order specifications on a pad of paper.

It was right about then that the sweets shop got a little more lively.  Pinkie would surely be disappointed to find out she missed a pirate uprising while she was gone, though Mrs. Cake just giggled once she got past the initial surprise of Pipsqueak's bombastic arrival.  She recognized the little colt from Nightmare Nights prior.  Nodding politely to Faux Paws, the Earth Pony trotted around the counter to come up in between the two duelists.

"Excuse me boys, but if you're going to be battling each other to the death, could you do it outside?  We just polished the floors." she cleared her throat, smiling with good humor over the silly display of the two.  "Though maybe we can set aside our differences over some fresh cookies and some milkshakes, hmm?"

Silver buffed his hoof against his chest at the tiny pirate’s introduction, but held his form.  He didn’t let the threats spouted off by his opponent get to him either.  His gaze was steeled, and his muscles tensed to leap forward and strike.

Until Mrs. Cake mentioned cookies and milkshakes at least.

The “Hooded Hero of Sherhoof Forest” grinned at the “Dread Pirate Captain Roberts”.  ”So… what’ya say, Cap’n? … Shall we Postpone our Pilgrimage for Pride to Parley over Pralines and Petit Fours?”  He grinned at his intentional alliteration as he tentatively lowered his sword, but held ready just in case.

Years of experience fighting the Dread Pirate Lord had taught him as such.

Silva paused as Mrs. Cake spoke up.  Her stomach normally would revolt at the offer of food, but the earlier meal shielded her from the temptation.  That didn't mean she couldn't play along for the sake of the 'show'.

"Yes, Captain.  You did come here for sweets, and it would be quite a shame if the well-cleaned floors got scuffed." The slender griffon couldn't muster the accent to save her life, but she did chuckle lightly as she stepped forward.  Her paws didn't have any trouble with the floor she was so kind to comment on.  However, they didn't keep her claws from slipping.  They also did nothing to stop the once composed griffon from letting out an unladylike squawk as she took a dive.

"A cookie buffer sounds like the best kind of buffer," said Faux eagerly as Mrs. Cake suggested them. The more snacks she could get in such a short amount of time, the better the party would be. Then she wouldn't have to make anything herself except about a hundred little hoofling sandwiches and a few barrels of her famous Apricot, Fennel, and Black Cherry punch, which, while sounding repulsive, actually somehow tasted exactly like licorice sarsaparilla. "Thanks a lot, Mrs. Cake, I really appreciate the help~!"

She looked on as Mrs. Cake acted diplomat between the two arch nemesis-es (Nemesi? Nemeses?) and nodded sagely in agreement. "Sweets tend to have a way of solving all life's problems, from hurt feelings to scraped knees, and everything in between," she said quite seriously. She held a firm belief that all diplomatic and negotiation proceedings should include chocolate milk and cake as mandatory supplies. A lot more things would get straightened out in the world that way.

Silva's squawk and the scraping sound of claws on well waxed floorboards startled Faux from her daydream about Princess Celestia talking to the princess of Saddle Arabia over a huge slab of chocolate fudge brownie cake, and she looked up to see the griffon tumble in a flurry of fur and feathers. "Looks like Silva might need some right now... Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.

Silva coughed and propped herself up into a proper laying position.  She did her best to smile even as she felt a little pain while taking in her next breath and turning her head to face Faux Paws. "Nothing worse than what happened at the competition: just took a little spill.  I am fine."

She chose to remain on the well waxed floor for the moment, despite her reassurance.  Instead of rising, she contemplated the decision to walk this far into a room that would be less than hospitable to half of her legs.  It was not often that she regretted somepony's choice to engage in proper cleanliness.

Pip looked from Mrs. Cake to Silver, to the floor, to the treats, to his sword, then back to the hooded bandit -who wasn't currently hooded obviously- "You are proposing a parley so that we might dine on decadent dishes whilst our foray of furry of swordsmithery be put on hold?  Let me say this to you, oh hooded one, this battle might yet be over, but the war has just begun.  I shall show you the true way a pirate can pester."

The colt lowered his sword slowly, eyeing the green unicorn carefully, though he knew his word was good, and finally slipped the wooden weapon upon his back.  With a quiet yar, he turned to Mrs. Cake, "Ye say that ye have milkshakes and cookies, do ye?  I'm mighty parched after my long journey here."  Pip neighed softly as his ears flicked around and he shot another quick glance to Silver that was mixed with a grin.

Silver had to stifle a snicker of his own as the young colt vowed that although they would stop for snacks, their fight wasn’t over.  The “Hooded Bandit” returned the “Dread Pirate’s” vow.  ”I wouldn’t have it any other way, Captain … But when that day comes, you best watch your back… for you never know when the fabled Robin Hoof and his band of Merry Mares intend to strike….”

Silver grinned as he matched the Pirate’s stare and they each carefully, cautiously re-sheathed their swords along their backs.  Finally, the colt accepted Mrs. Cake’s offer, neighed quietly and flashed Silver a quick grin.

Silver couldn’t keep up his “heroic” image any longer.  His face broke out into a wide beaming grin, and with a laugh he caught the colt in his magic aura and pulled him closer.  ”Com’ere you little Pipsqueak…”  He snatched the colt with one hoof, holding him in place and ruffled up his mane with the other.  After a few seconds of the rough-housing treatment, he sat him down again and immediately looked puzzled.

”I thought the lot of you were staying in Trottingham? …”  His accent became considerably thicker as he spoke.  ”Mum and Dad change their minds?”  He began looking around for any signs of the aforementioned parents.  ”Where are they, anyway?”

"Ack!" Was all the colt managed to get out before he was pulled into a brotherly moment of rough-housing.  When Silver finally let him go he neighed and smiled.  "First off, who you callin' Pipsqueak?  Secondly, I was supposed to stay in Trottingham," Pip said as he tilted his head slightly and tapped one of his hooves on the floor, "But apparently I whine a little too much for mum and dad and they rather quickly sent me off after you." His pirate accent now gone, the slight slur in his speech was identical to that of Silver's.

The colt giggled softly to himself as he thought about the couple days prior as he whined and gripped about the house, complaining up a storm.  "I finally convinced them that you might get in over yer head here and that you needed backup."  Yeah...that sounds much better than what actually happened!

Mrs Cake found it easy to 'vanish' during the excitement and to prepare some fresh treats for all present.  Between a squawking, clumsy griffon and excitable colts, she would probably need enough milkshakes to go around to begin with anyway.  She had not done this well for herself and managed to keep Sugarcube Corner in good shape without some quick hooves and tricks of the trade.  When she returned with a platter of milk shakes, she knew she needed no words to get everypony's attention as she set them down on the counter.

The ever so light clinking of glasses was enough to betray her return, though.  The smell of fresh cookies wafted out into the bakery proper, too.

[Enter from Summersong Cafe]

Diamond Tiara was many things.  As she observed the bakery from the outside, she realized that she was not really a ninja.  It was probably her best idea to look around the back to see if there was some sort of back door she could sneak in through.  Scoping the place out would give her a chance to choose something better than just knocking on the front door and asking politely...

Ah, so the little pirate must be Silver Bolt's younger brother. It made Faux feel soft inside, honestly... She missed her own siblings quite a bit. It had been a while since she had seen them. She hadn't even noticed Mrs. Cake leave to gather the promised baked treats and milkshakes, and immediately felt a little guilty. She had fully intended to help her bring them, but she apparently got lost in her head again... She smiled guiltily at Mrs. Cake and turned back to the boys. "You can actually do me a super huge favour, Dread Pirate... you know, if you don't have anything super important to do, no more plundering or anything. I need word about town about my Saddle Hawkins party tonight. I want as big a turn out as I can get! I'll pay you in baked goods... and I'll help you against the fabled Robin Hoof next time. I'm not too bad with a sword! What do you say, Dread Pirate? Deal?"

Diamond Tiara did her best to creep through the front entrance of Sugarcube Corner and past the ponies (and griffon) inside.  Worse come to worst, she would have a lot to hear about from her Daddy later.  If she succeeded, though, the best party in all of existence would be hers to enjoy...

Failure was not an option!
This message was last edited by the player at 23:42, Tue 11 June 2013.

As Diamond Tiara went around the back of the sweets shop, she'd find there was indeed a back door that led straight into the fantastic-smelling kitchen.  However, it was also very much occupied by Mr. Cake as he bustled about, busily working at different projects and orders.  There was no way she could sneak through without him catching her even if he was so busy... thus the front was the only option.

Thankfully, there was such a commotion from all the others in the room (and a batch of other kids also loitering around) that Diamond Tiara would be able to slip in without raising much notice at all.  Incidentally, Sugarcube Corner was one of the few places that her pink coat actually served as camouflage amid all the other bright colors and sweet treats on display.  It was pretty much a straight-shot to the stairwell and Pinkie Pie's room laid at the very top in the highest floor...

In the meantime, Pipsqueak was all too happy to hear about the sort of offer Faux Paws had to make.  He brightened considerably and looked about ready to go scampering off immediately, were it not for the quick arrival of snacks via Mrs. Cake.  "Can do, my good lady!  I'll be sure to get the word out low and high!  It'll give me a chance to see some of my friends from last Nightmare Night again too."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:24, Thu 13 June 2013.

Diamond Tiara went slowly once she got to the stairs, trying not to make too much of a ruckus as she sought out her destination.  She needed to accomplish her mission and retrieve the party supplies.  She just hoped that Pinkie Pie left enough in her room to make this journey worthwhile.  Silver Spoon was counting on her, and Meadow Lark's efforts to find all of the party guests would be for nothing if she failed...

Silva got back on her paws before putting her talons back on the floor and rising to her full height again.  The Saddle Hawkins Dance seemed like a good investment of her time.  If nothing else, there would be more free food there...

Silver didn’t have any trouble believing the first half of his brother’s explaination for his presence.  Pipsqueak had a talent for getting his way.  The second half however, Silver didn’t believe for a second.  Sending Pipsqueak along as “backup” was just about the last thing their parents would have done.

Whatever the reason, he was glad to see his little brother.  Even though he’d never admit it out loud, leaving Pip behind was the one part of moving away he had dreaded the most.

Mrs. Cake’s timing couldn’t have gotten any better as she delivered the milkshakes and snacks just as Silver was on the verge of getting a little misty eyed along the edges.  Shaking the feeling off quickly, he grabbed two milkshakes in his magic and set them in front of Pip and Faux before grabbing a third for himself and dividing the cookies amongst them as well.

Faux’s request for Pipsqueak to spread the word about her party drew a smile from Silver.  If he knew the little colt well enough, which he did, there wouldn’t be anypony who happened to set hoof in a public area that day who didn’t hear of the Saddle Hawkins party.  Faux’s offer to help the “Dread Pirate” battle the fabled “Robin Hoof” didn’t go unnoticed either.  He knew there’d be no winning that battle whenever it came.  He had his hooves full enough with just Pip.

Pipsqueak excitedly accepted the offer, which prompted Silver to lay a foreleg on the small colt’s shoulder.  ”Easy now, Pip…. Let’s not let Mrs. Cake’s generosity go to waste now…”

”And while you’re doing that… Maybe Faux and I can go on that walk we had planned…”  He cut his eyes up to Faux with a hopeful grin.  She had taken almost immediately to his little brother’s antics and even played along like he did, which gave him all the more reason to be curious about this curious mare.

”That is…. If she still wants to…”

"Heehee~ Absolutely!" said the Earth pony with a brilliant smile at her unicorn companion, her lavender eyes gleaming at the prospect. "I've been ready to go for, like, ever! Thanks, Pipsqueak! I appreciate your help!" She turned to look at the Cakes and beamed at Mrs. Cake still nearby. "I'll be by about an hour before sunset to grab the goods, Mrs. Cake, but I'm sure you'll see me wandering in the square long before then. Thank you again!"

She bumped Silver Bolt playfully with her flank and grinned at him. "Well? Shall we?" she said eagerly.

"They'll be ready for you by then, dearie.  See you soon." Mrs. Cake smiled, bowing her head lightly.  She was quick to head back to the kitchen to get back to work.

Silver staggered slightly as Faux bumped him playfully with her flank.  His eyes shot wide for just a moment as their rumps made contact.  The flirtatious gesture caught Silver off guard.  If he had suspected she was showing an interest in him before, now he was all but certain.

Emboldened by her boldness, he grinned back at her as he leaned over toward her and bumped her back with his own flank.  ”Then what are we waiting for?”

He turned towards the perplexing mare and bowed as gentlemanly of a bow as he ever bowed, and reached out to take her hoof and kiss it lightly before looking up and smiling genuinely.

”Let’s go…”

==>Whitetail Woods==>EDIT: By way of Town Square==>
This message was last edited by the player at 00:56, Fri 21 June 2013.

Pipsqueak was all too happy to wave his brother and friend off to have their fun... especially since it meant he'd get to have their snacks!  The colt set himself at a table to dig in to what was entirely too much sugar for such a little Pony, though he did curiously eye Silva every now and then.

Upstairs, Diamond Tiara would find the living quarters of the sweets shop owners.  The entire ground floor was dedicated store-and-kitchen space, but upstairs it was as cozy a home as any one could find.  Of course, by her refined and expensive standards, it was quite rustic... not quite as rough as Appleloosa, but it sure wasn't anything like her lavish native environment.  Still, it was hard to pass by a wall full of happy family photos featuring the Cakes, their children, and Pinkie Pie all together without feeling at least a little at-home in such a loving atmosphere.

At the end of the hall was the staircase that led up to Pinkie Pie's loft apartment at the very top of the building.  Even better, the door was ajar and there was nopony in sight!

Diamond Tiara did stop a few moments to marvel at the pictures.  Everypony seemed happy.  She had quite a few pictures like that, back home, though they would seem so small next to the portrait that would be finished in the coming weeks.  This house had no need for a special portrait, though.  There was love enough here for everypony, even if the home was a bit of a dump compared to her father's estate...

Shaking her head, she crept up toward the door.  She could only hope that Pinkie Pie would have left the desired party supplies behind...

The kiss on her hoof gave her pause, but she at last grinned and followed. What a funny pony Silver Bolt was! She felt most lucky indeed to have run into him... or more appropriately, that he ran into her! He was fun!

Assured by Mrs. Cake that everything would be ready, she waved farewell to Pipsqueak and Silva, and made her way out of the shop at Silverbolt's side.

>>> TO: Town Square