>The sun shines brightly as you close your eyelids tighter, swearing that the sun princess herself was conspiring to blind you each morning.
>Finding it impossible to go back to sleep, you shield your eyes with your hand before opening them.
>A typical sunny morning here in Ponyville, but you didn't care.
>You got out from under your sheets and went into the bathroom to ready yourself for the day.
>Coming out, you sluggishly made your way down the stairs of Sugar Cube Corner, greeted by the friendly townsponies who came in for a quick breakfast.
>"Hiya Anon!" came the usual greeting from Pinkie, your co-worker.
>You managed your short wave and put on your apron, heading into the kitchen to help the Cakes with the morning rush.
>The pink pony bounced alongside you and smiled.
>"Sooo, how ya doin'?"
"You ask me this every morning, Pinkie."
>"That's cuz I want to know how you're doing, Anon!~"
"...the same as always, Pinkie," you solemnly replied.
>"Aw, why are you always so glum, Anon?" the party pony asked as she hopped to a counter with you.
>"Anon, thank Celestia!" came Mr. Cake's voice. "We've got orders for a dozen blueberry muffins, six donuts, and two apple strudels!"
"On it, Mr. Cake."
>You set to work grabbing bowls and ingredients of varying shapes and sizes, doing what you did best.
>"Oh, forget I asked, Anon," Pinkie said with a sly grin, "you're always happy when you're bakin'!"
"Not as happy as when I have a certain pony to help me get some orders out."
>Pinkie was at your side in a heartbeat, mixing ingredients herself.
>As you tossed some flour into a bowl and mixed it with other things, your world suddenly got a lot brighter.
>Gone was the odd, dreary air around you, as long as you were allowed to just bake.
>Time barely registered to you anymore, and the next thing you knew, all the orders sat finished on the range, the smell driving the ponies outside mad with hunger.
>Mr. Cake, with a mouth-mitt, grabbed the tray the treats sat on and rushed out to the waiting ponies.
>And just like that, things got gray again.
>Even as Mrs. Cake came in from the dining room smiling at your work, you didn't really feel much pride.
>"Oh Anon, Pinkie, what would we do without you two?"
"Probably be overwhelmed by angry customers."
>Always the blunt one, you were.
>"Heh heh, well, it's a good thing you're here to stop that!"
"Sure."
>Even Pinkie wasn't able to break the awkward silence that followed.
>Thankfully, Mr. Cake barged back in to fix that.
>"A dozen cinnamon rolls, four bagels, and a chocolate chip muffin with EXTRA chips!"
>Suddenly, you were back to work.
 
>As things wound down after the rush, you found yourself munching on an extra donut you had made in the fray.
>With the ponies outside satisfied, you now had time to talk to your co-worker some more.
>Or rather, SHE had time to talk to YOU.
>"So Anon, we never got to finish what we were talking about earlier!"
"...what were we talking about?" you asked, mindlessly munching your pastry.
>"Well, you're always so sad. Why?"
>You shook your head.
"I'm not always sad."
>"Yes you are! I tried to talk to you the other night and you didn't even notice because you were so glum and sitting in the rain and looking down at the ground and-"
>She took a deep breath.
>"I was all, 'Anon, can you hear me?' and you just had this big ol' frown on your face! What's the matter, Anon?"
>That was quite the retelling.
"That..." You sighed. "I don't know, Pinkie. I've been like this for a while now."
>"Exactly! And you never even laugh at any of my jokes! See, lookit this!"
>She grabbed a lemon and a measuring cup.
>"Hey there, you big hunk," Pinkie said, doing her best impression of Mrs. Cake and wiggling the lemon, "I haven't seen you around these parts."
>"I'm new in town," she said as she tried to mimic Mr. Cake and wiggled the measuring cup. "Lookin' to give me a grand tour?"
>She looked at you for a reaction.
>You felt nothing.
>"Aw come on! Twilight and the girls are usually rolling on the floor at this part!"
>To be honest, it wasn't really that funny, but you couldn't even manage to fake smile to at least make her feel good.
>You just felt...dull.
"Sorry Pinkie, I guess your humor just isn't my thing."
>She gets up, disappointed.
>"But everypony else laughs! And then there's also-"
>Pinkie is interrupted by Mrs. Cake entering the kitchen once more, giddy and jumpy.
>"O-o-oh my..."
>She sets a scroll on the counter with a shaky hoof.
>Looking at the scroll, you find it's tied with a golden rim, a royal seal used to keep the bow together.
>The most telling thing is the one it's addressed to, which is indicated by a small note in the folds.
>"A-Anon, I think you oughta open that," Mrs. Cake says, pointing at the scroll.
>You take a look at your boss, then the unopened message, and find yourself reaching for it slowly.
>If even royal messages addressed to you didn't have your heart thumping, maybe Pinkie had a point.
>But now wasn't the time to dawdle on that.
>Untying the bow and unrolling the scroll, you begin to read the message aloud, so that Pinkie and Mrs. Cake can at least know what's going on.
 
    "Dear Anonymous,
       I've heard many a pony speak of your outstanding baking ability, from common citizens to even traveling nobles. As someone who greatly enjoys sweets, I find that I can no longer resist the urge to try one of your products for myself. It may seem a bit extravagant to place an order like this, but I found it was the best way to do so. I would like a red velvet layer cake coated with cream cheese frosting, topped with white chocolate shavings, and baked so that the frosting in between the slices is gooey, but the outer coating is firm. With the good words I've heard about you, I'm certain this task will be a cakewalk, pardon the pun. I would like if you could deliver the cake at least by Friday.
               Sincerely,
                   Princess Celestia."
 
>You lower the scroll to find Mrs. Cake slack jawed in disbelief.
>Pinkie, having met Celestia on numerous occasions, wasn't as shocked, but still was intrigued at the request.
>"Wow, Anon! Princess Celestia wants you to bake for her! How's that make you feel!?"
"Ehhh...." you sound out with a hint of disinterest.
>Pinkie frowns, upset that you still haven't found happiness.
>"Do you think you can manage that cake, Anon?" Mrs. Cake asks, nervous.
"Of course, boss. Don't worry about me making a bad impression on the princess. I'll take the hit if it happens."
>Mrs. Cake, still in shock, finds it difficult to nod at your answer and leave, her hooves still shaky.
>"So Anon, want some help on that cake?"
>You shake your head.
"I think it'd be best if I tried this on my own. Celestia's definitely issued a challenge with that frosting detail."
>Speaking of the order seemed to uplift you.
>Turning around to the counter, you grab what you need to make a red velvet cake and the accompanying frosting and toppings.
>Pinkie hops out of the kitchen, likely to go meet up with her friends and talk about how to cheer you up.
>It was always what they talked about, it seemed.
>At least, whenever you were around.
 
>As the second layer of the cake sat in the oven baking, you prepared the frosting as the recipe told, adding love and care as you did so.
>Mr. Cake entered the kitchen to make a few orders himself, using an oven by the one you used.
>As he preheated the oven, he spoke to you.
>"So Anon, excited to make a cake for Princess Celestia herself?"
"You heard, too?"
>He chuckled. "Are you kidding? The whole building knows!"
>You looked through the open window to the dining room, where a few ponies made eye contact with you.
>"Good luck, Anon!"
>"Give her the best cake for Ponyville!"
>You looked back at Mr. Cake, who smiled.
>"See? Isn't this just exciting?"
>You thought on it, then shrugged your shoulders.
"It's just another order, boss. Nothing special about it."
>He's in disbelief at your answer, his eyes wide.
>"Really?"
"Yes. Really."
>"But it's Princess Celestia!"
"So?"
>He stares at you for a moment before his oven beeps, indicating its readiness for the treats.
>After he sets his tray in, he looks at you with a lifted eyebrow.
>"No offense, Anon, but you are oddly calm about this."
>You sigh, slightly irritated.
"I'm just baking. Doesn't matter who the cake's for, boss."
>Though he looks concerned for you, Mr. Cake says nothing else, going back to his work.
>As your cake finishes baking, you bring it out to place it on the bottom layer.
>You had an idea as to how to get the frosting the way Celestia wanted.
>Frost everything but the middle, leaving a gap of non frosted cake between the layers.
>Set the frosted cake in the fridge and let the frosting harden and form something of a shell.
>Bring it out later, lift the top layer since the gap didn't force the cake together, and hit the middle with soft, gooey frosting.
>In theory, it sounded good.
>As for in practice, it was something you were going to find out.
 
>After hours of preparation, the time of judgement had come.
>This frosting would make or break this cake for you.
>Taking the cake out of the fridge, you set the plate it sits on on the counter, grabbing the icing dispenser next to it.
"Here goes nothing."
>Carefully, with (recently washed) hands, you slip your fingers into the gap between the cake layers.
>Successfully getting through without breaking the outer frosting shell, you lightly lift the top layer with your index and middle fingers.
>It rises as you push, your fingers thankfully not going through the cake.
>Once there's enough room to frost, you take the dispenser and fire the gooey icing into the middle of the cake, coating it enough that the layers will stick together.
>Carefully maneuvering your fingers, you slide the tips out without disturbing the overall structure of the cake.
>With a quick pull, your fingers leave the cake and allow the top layer to fall on the iced bottom layer.
>Success.
>A light applause comes from behind you.
>Turning to look, you find Pinkie clapping with a grin on her face.
>"Woo hoo! Good job, Anon! That was really really tense, but I knew you could do it!"
"...I'm sure you did."
>She rolls her eyes with a smile.
>"You did good, Anon!"
>You close the gap with more frosting then take the cake over to the fridge, setting it in to let it harden.
>You'd be sure to take it out sooner though, so as to prevent the center from hardening.
>"So, now that the cake's pretty much done, what're you gonna do now?"
"Talk to Mr. and Mrs. Cake about delivering it."
>"And you're gonna ask if I can come along, aren'tcha?"
"No."
>The pink pony stops dead in her tracks.
>"Why?"
"I think this is something I have to do alone, Pinkie. Besides, the Cakes still need help with meeting orders."
>"I...hm..."
>She thinks as you walk through to the back of the front counter, the store now dead as the day moved on.
>Mr. Cake sweeped the floor while Mrs. Cake tended to the Pound and Pumpkin at a nearby table.
"Boss," you say, getting Mr. Cake's attention.
>"Yes, Anon?" he responds, continuing his sweeps across the floor.
"I'll deliver Celestia's cake if that's fine with you and your wife."
>"Of course, dearie," Mrs. Cake tells you as she rocks her babies to sleep in her hooves, "And since you've gotten our profits up tenfold, the least we can do is pay for a train ticket to Canterlot for you."
"You alright with that, Mr. Cake?"
>He nods.
>"Oh, I guess you're right Anon," Pinkie finally says as she emerges from the kitchen.
>Took her long enough to say something.
>"I just hope YOU'RE able to get the cake to the princess safe and sound!~"
"You can trust me with that."
>Once again, your short answer leaves the rest of the room in awkward silence.
>"...uh, yeah. Anyways, when did she say it needed delivered, Anon?"
"Friday. Since today's Tuesday, I'm gonna need that ticket really soon."
>Mr. Cake heads back into his and Mrs. Cake's room, coming out with a small, burlap bag.
>He gives it to you, the clinking inside indicating the bag carried money.
>"That should cover it, I think."
"Thanks."
>You were always great with words.
 
>Thursday came, and you waited at the station, cake in hand.
>You would make the trip to Canterlot today, find an inn to stay at for the night, then deliver Celestia's cake and leave by tomorrow.
>Whatever happened in between would be easy to deal with, you'd be sure.
>*CHOO!*
>"All aboard for Canterlot! All aboard!"
>Right on time, too.
>You shuffled amongst the crowd, showing the conductor your ticket and hopping on the train.
>As you took your seat, you looked out the window.
>You'd never actually been outside Ponyville before, so this was a bit of a new experience.
>You looked down at the cake, which was kept safe under a plastic dome, and hoped it would stay that way.
>As the train jumped forward and began leaving the station, you felt something you haven't felt for quite some time.
>Excitement.