Branded - Chapter 5

>You are Anon, of Barbaria.

>The walk to Sugarcube Corner is a quiet one. Nop0ny in sight as far as the eye can see.

>As you approach the entrance of the bakery, you pause.

>Pinkie Pie works here.

>You remember what you just experienced at Rarity's…

>The aftertaste still lingers on your tongue.

>It would be safe to assume that Pinkie is going to be worse.

>You take time to collect your thoughts before going through the door, readying yourself for the coming storm.

>Don't Panic.

>With those reassuring words echoing in your mind, you open wide the door.

 

>Pastries there, and nothing more.

>You walk up to the counter and ring a small call bell near the register.

>You hear somep0ny approaching the counter.

>As the the sound reaches the doorway to the kitchen, you throw your arms up in a defensive position, cradling your head and clenching your eyes shut.

>…

>"Um, Anon, what are you doing?"

>Huh?

>You lower your arms to see Mr. Cake standing at the register.

>Phew...

>Wait…

>MR. Cake?

>But Twilight said that all the stallions are sent away during Estrus…

>Was she mistaken?

>Wait again…

"I came to get food, but can I use your bathroom first?"

>"Uh, sure. It's right over there."

>Mr. Cake looks at you, confused, then points to a door on the far side of the room.

>You thank him and dash into the restroom, locking the door behind you.

>You look in the mirror.

>The brand had mirrored Fluttershy's cutie mark this morning, when you were alone with her.

>And it had shown Rarity's after seeing her…

>Was your earlier theory true?

>Could it change to reflect the p0nies around you?

>You hold your breath as you stretch the neck of your shirt down.

>…

>Three diamonds stare back at you.

>Last you checked, Mr. Cake was a baker.

*Sigh*

>You release your new shirt's neck.

>So much for that theory...

>You unlock the door and return to the counter.

>Mr. Cake walks back out of the kitchen and glances nervously at you.

>"Are you ok, Anon?"

>…

>You don't know how to answer…

>You break out the awkward smile.

"Ye- yeah…"

>The two of you stand in silence for a brief moment. Neither of you were the particularly chatty type.

"I heard that you were having a sale on ice cream?"

>Mr. Cake perks up at this.

>"Oh yes! What flavor would you like?"

>You think.

>Vanilla is your favorite…

>Rarity flashes across your mindscape.

>Her scent… Vanilla…

"Chocolate would be nice."

>You hate chocolate ice cream.

>Mr. Cake smiles at you.

>"Coming right up!"

>As he gets your cold dairy treat, you decide to get some information.

"Hey, Mr. Cake?"

>"Hmm? What is it, Anon?"

"…"

"Don't take this the wrong way, but why are you here?"

>He leans his head to the side.

>"What do you mean?"

"Twilight told me that all stallions are sent away during Estrus, but if you're here, that can't be true."

>He laughs.

>Oh~ that. Well, it's because I'm married."

"What?"

>You are about to press him further when the kitchen door is thrown open.

>Reflexively, you cover your head and try to defend yourself.

>…

>"Um, Anon, what are you doing?"

>Huh?

>You lower your arms to see Mrs. Cake standing beside Mr. Cake.

>Phew…

>You exhale in relief.

>Then you take a sharp breath as a pang rings through your chest.

>Mr. Cake smiles at you and lets out a small chuckle.

>"Oh, nothing dear. We were just joking with each other."

>Nice cover Carrot.

>"Well, sorry to interrupt you stallions."

>Mrs. Cake looks at her husband.

>"Dear, when you get the chance, I need your help in the kitchen."

>She slaps Mr. Cake on his flank and walks out.

>Mr. Cake watches his wife's flank as she leaves, biting his lip.

>"Anon, when a stallion enters a relationship, his mare can 'claim' him."

>"Claim?"

>"Yes, it's a scent that lets other mares know that a stallion is spoken for."

>Mr. Cake looks like he's having a hard time not running after his wife. He continues to stare at the kitchen door while he talks.

>"Because of this, stallions who are married or in a long-standing relationship are allowed to stay at home during Estrus."

>The amber earth p0ny gives you your ice cream.

"Thanks…"

>You still have no bits on you.

"How much do I owe you?"

>Mr. Cake is already blasting through the kitchen door.

>"On the house, Anon!"

>You'd say it was your lucky day…

>But it wasn't.

>As you exit the bakery, something collides with your stomach, pushing you back inside and causing you to lose your grip on the ice cream.

>You fall to the ground, something heavy resting on your chest.

>"Hey Anon. What are you doing?!"

>Shit, so close.

>You chest burns as you open your eyes, becoming aware of the mink menace shaking excitingly on top of you.

"Hey Pinkie I-"

*Splat*

>Your ice cream lands on your face.

>You wipe your eyes and see an ice cream smudge on the ceiling.

>"Ohmygosh, Anon. I'msososososososososososorry!"

>Pinkie leans down and begins to lick your face, cleaning some of the confectionary treat off.

>"Mmm!"

*Gulp*

>Pinkie swallows audibly.

>She speaks in a sultry voice.

>"Salty~."

>She assails your face with renewed vigor, slurping and sucking.

>Oh God, no…

>Her flat tongue laps at the sweet treat, covering you in spit.

>Not again…

>You struggle against Pinkie's efforts, but are held down.

>"Just wait Anon, I'm al~most done."

*Thump-thump*

>You relax as she continues her assault.

>…

>But why?

>…

*Slurp* *Slurp* *Sluuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrp*

>…

*GULP*

>"Ahhh~~~"

>It sounds like she just came.

>Pinkie sits on your chest, staring at the ceiling.

>"Anon…"

"Ye-Yes?"

>"There's still ice cream on the ceiling…"

>You blink in disbelief.

>THAT is what she wants?!

>Somewhere deep inside, you feel your pride crack.

>You pick Pinkie Pie up and pitch her precariously at the ceiling.

*Slam*

>Pinkie's face sticks to the spot where the ice cream was.

>Her body dangles limply, like some kind of glow worm hanging from a cave.

*Pop*

>Pinkie releases her suction on the ceiling.

>She falls to the ground, performing several summersaults and landing on all fours.

>"Ta-da!"

>Confetti explodes out of nowhere and covers the room as Pinkie strikes a dramatic pose.

>You just stare.

>...

*Beep* *Beep*

>The noise causes you to glance at your phone.

>10:31 AM

>…

>15% Battery left.

>Shouldn't have played those games in an attempt to alleviate your depression last night.

>Especially since it didn't help...

>"Hey, Anon."

>Your eyes snap back to the pink p0ny.

"Yeah?"

>"Are you OK? You look pretty bad… Oh no! Is it because I ate your ice cream?!"

>She looks like she's about to cry.

>You rush to calm her down, her tears are renowned for their plentious nature.

"No, no. I just have a lot to do today is all."

>You let out an exasperated sigh.

"And I need to go see Twilight again, but…"

>"But what?"

>She stares intently at you.

"She told me to stay away while she's… you know..."

>Her head tilts quizzically to the side.

"In Estrus."

>Pinkie giggles.

>"Oh right, I almost forgot! That is this week!"

>Almost forgo-

"Are you not-?"

>"N~ope!"

>She strikes another pose.

>"My cycle isn't until next week!"

>There's some kind of bizarre shuffle dancing going on in front of you.

>Because Pinkie.

>...

"I'm done."

>You walk to the door.

>Pinkie follows talking about pickles and trying to draw stuff for you.

>Before you exit she shoves a piece of paper into your face.

>A lone "O" is displayed in the center.

"I- I don't-"

>She draws a slash through the "O" at an angle.

>A Zero, maybe?

"…"

"I don't understand, Pinkie. I'm sure someone will, but I just don't get it."

>With that you're bound for the library.

 

>You arrive at the library a few minutes later.

>You reach up to knock on the door, but stop yourself.

>Will she be mad?

>Was it just an emotional episode, or something more…

>You knock on the door.

>…

>No answer.

>You knock harder.

"Twilight! Are you home?"

>…

>Still nothing.

>You ready your fist for another round of knocking, but are halted by the sudden appearance of a blue pegasus.

>"What's cookin', good lookin'?"

"Rainbow…"

>This pain in your chest…

>Again?

>Dash grins at you.

>"Aren't you supposed to be helping AJ? She's going to tear you a new one!"

"Right…"

>You take one last longing look at the library, then leave.

 

>Rainbow accompanies you on the trek to the farm.

>Though you are talking, you pay little attention to what is said.

>That pain has afflicted you whenever you were alone with another p0ny…

>No…

>MR. Cake didn't give you that pang.

>…

>But MRS. Cake did.

>Could it be…

"Mares?"

>"What's that, Anon?"

>Rainbow Dash hovers in front of you, staring into your eyes.

>The smell of fresh rain washes over you.

"Nothing, sorry."

>You end your internal queries, choosing to converse with Dash for the rest of the journey.

 

>"TWO CELESTIA DARN DAYS!"

>Applejack was not happy about you being late again.

>"IS IT SO HARD TO GET HERE ON TIME?!"

>Not happy at all.

"I'm sorry, Applejack. I've had a rough morning…"

>"Well so have Ah."

>She jabs your stomach, knocking the wind out of you.

>"Ah have th' entire south orchard ta buck before next week. If Ah had your attitude, Sweet Apple Acres 'd be bankrupt quicker than a timber wolf chasing a little filly."

>She stares you down.

>You avert your eyes and smile awkwardly.

"I- I'll just get to work."

>"Yes ya will, and ya WON'T come back up from that there room till Ah say you can."

*Thump-thump*

>You have a sinking feeling that today is only going to get worse.

>"Hey AJ, got a sec?"

>Rainbow Dash talks to Applejack as you head to the cellar.

>As you descend the stairs, you hear AJ shout.

>"That prissy p0ny said she did WHAT?!"

>You can't hear the rest as you close the cellar doors and head to the small office.

>Your phone displays the time.

>11:15 AM

>To preserve power, you decide to shut off your phone for the time being.

>You sigh as you sit down and begin to work.