Sweat slowly oozed down Rarity’s face, leaving a track behind it in her normally pristine coat. “Twilight, I—I cannot choose!”

“Choose what?” Twilight asked absently. Her eyes scanned over the menu propped on the table before her. “Oh, this chocolate ice cream looks good.”

“On the surface both options look delightful, but—” Rarity whimpered.

Twilight laid her menu down. “What’s wrong?”

“You see, I’ve always been a cheesecake connoisseur of sorts,” Rarity said, chewing on her lower lip. “And supposedly they serve a cheesecake here that is to die for.”

“Then get the cheesecake.” Twilight shrugged. “I don’t see the problem.”

Rarity whimpered again. “But the cherry pie would be a much healthier option. What if I’m gaining weight?”

“Then pick the pie.”

“But then I might miss out on the greatest dessert of my life!” Rarity said, wringing her hooves. “Think of the missed opportunity!”

“Then get the cheesecake.” Twilight snorted and picked up her menu again. “I like the ice cream—”

“Twilight, you aren’t taking this seriously!”

“Fine.” Twilight’s horn flashed and a sheet of parchment, a quill, and an ink bottle appeared on the table out of thin air. “We’ll write out the pros and cons for each choice. Okay?”

“O-okay,” Rarity said, wiping at her eyes.

“We’ll start with the cheesecake.” Twilight flourished the quill. “Pros—cheesecake connoisseur—”

“Connoisseur of sorts,” Rarity corrected.

“Cheesecake connoisseur of sorts.” The quill scratched furiously on the parchment, flecking the tablecloth with spots of ink. “And ‘best cheesecake ever’. How’s that sound?”

“Perfect.”

Twilight nodded. “Now, cons—you’re putting on weight—”

“So it’s true!” Rarity wailed, throwing a foreleg across her face. “I’m hideous!”

“No, I’m sorry!” Twilight said quickly. She grabbed her friend’s shoulders. “I just meant that you thought you might be!”

“B-b-but, you said—”

“Nopony thinks you’re overweight.” Twilight settled back into her seat.

Rarity sniffled loudly. “Are you s-sure?”

“Positive.”

“M-maybe you’re right.”

“I am,” Twilight said, heaving a sigh. “Let’s finish this list then, okay?” She returned to the parchment. “Threat of gaining weight, unwanted rumors.”

“Oh very good, dear.” Rarity wiped at her eyes. “I hadn’t even considered rumors.”

“Now, the pie. Pros—healthier.”

“Delicious as well, I’m sure,” Rarity said. “And easier on my purse.”

“Delicious, cheap,” Twilight added, ignoring Rarity’s grimace. “Cons—missing the cheesecake.” She glanced up. “This is a pretty short list. Can you think of anything else?”

“I—” Rarity fell backwards. “I can’t! I’m doomed!”

“Why not flip a coin?” Twilight asked.

“Twilight!” Rarity gasped. “How can you be so callous? So cruel? Can you comprehend my mental anguish?”

“You can pick something at random,” Twilight said. She closed her eyes and jabbed a hoof at the menu, almost spilling the ink jar. “Look, I happened to pick the brownie sundae, so I’ll order that. You try, now.”

Rarity chewed on her lip, then glanced away. She tapped her hoof on the menu.

“What did you get?” Twilight asked.

“Don’t rush me,” Rarity said. She glanced at her menu and let out a deep breath. “I suppose the cheesecake shall suffice.”

“Oh, thank Ce—” Suddenly a mustachioed stallion in black materialized from the gloom, making both guests shriek. Twilight put a hoof over her pounding heart. “Don’t do that!”

The waiter bowed. “Pardonnez moi, mademoiselles,” he said. “Our stores have run a bit dry tonight, so for dessert, we have for you a dish of frozen cream on the house.” He set a small bowl of ice cream in front of each of them before ghosting away.

Still shaking, Twilight took a small bite. “See, Rarity? You were worried over noth—” She paused when she saw her friend’s scowl.

“All that suffering.” Rarity sniffed indignantly. “All that torment, and for this?” She scooped a spoonful into her mouth.

“Do you like it?” Twilight asked.

“I will accept it,” she answered, nose in the air. “Although not without—”

“Mademoiselles,” the waiter said as he slid back into view, and they shrieked again.

“You fiend!” Rarity said, hoof over her heart.

“I only wished to ask if you would prefer coffee or tea,” he said.

Twilight glanced across at her friend. “Tea sounds fine to—” she began, but her mouth snapped shut. Sweat rolled down Rarity’s forehead as her eyes darted back and forth.

“Coffee?” she mumbled. “No, tea! But, perhaps coffee would be nice. Oh but the cream and sugar would be awful for my complexion! Although...”

The dull thud of Twilight’s head striking the table echoed throughout the entire restaurant.