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Organised by
RogerDodger
Word limit
400–750
The Court Jester
The last of the six dignitaries from the Saddle Arabian delegation dipped their heads in a bow, and as one they spoke. “It is with great honor we greet you, Princess.” The Grand Galloping Gala had coincided with their visit, and their Queen was quite pleased that this year, the entire affair had been made to incorporate Saddle Arabian culture. “I am quite pleased by the Burning Blossoms you have obtained. They add a lovely ambiance to the area.”
“I quite agree. When I suggested to my various staff that I desired to change things up a little, they were very enthusiastic. And I know that Burning Blossoms are quite the culinary delicacy, once they finish radiating their light and warmth. Green Shoots took care arranging each bouquet so that as the night wears on, they will dim one by one, providing an extra delicacy even as the lighting dims to a more nocturnal calm.”
“A sensible way to let their volatility flow away. By your leave, then,” the Queen said, and the dignitaries broke away to mingle with the many guests, and soon after Celestia joined them.
The night was still young, however, when Ambassador Firehoof stepped into place beside the Princess and the baron who was vying for her attention. “Your highness,” he started, “I have a question for you, if I may. I apologize for interrupting you, Baron Redwing, may I borrow her for but a moment?”
Redwing grimaced, but nodded his head. “Of course, Firehoof. Princess, I shall eagerly await your return.”
As the pair broke away, Celestia dropped her voice, “Thank you for getting me away from him, Firehoof. He was going on, again, about wanting funds for yet another wasteful vanity project.”
“Of course, Princess,” Firehoof chuckled. “Yet my motives are not purely altruistic. I cannot help but notice how many Burning Blossoms are about, and they have an unmistakeable flavor. One that concerns me, for I seem to have tasted that same flavor in the desserts available, and I know how...enthusiastic your Head Chef can be in trying to please a guest. I would hope, however, that he had the good sense not to use Burning Blossoms as a baking ingredient, given their penchant to...cause such things to explode.”
“We can ask him, if you wish,” Celestia said, and walked with Firehoof towards where the chef was supervising the arrival of more platters of delicacies. “Chef Good Taste, a moment? Firehoof here is concerned you may have used Burning Blossoms in your desserts tonight.
“A course I did, Princess!” he chuckled jovially, “Heard they were right loved by the Saddle Arabians, and so obtained a great order of them. The cookies have them, the pastries, and of course, the cake.”
“The...cake?” Firehoof echoed, and turned his gaze to the towering multi-leveled cake that was the centerpiece of dessert. “The entire thing?”
“Oh, yes! Whole lot of it!”
“Princess…” Firehoof warned, but Celestia was no longer there. She had stepped away, and was watching as one of the apprentices leveraging a platter into place stepped on a sweet roll that had somehow fallen on the floor. The sweet roll went out from under her, and though she struggled valiantly to remain aloft, she ended up falling backwards, the platter spilling to the ground with a great crash.
As the pastries spilled free, they began to glow, and in a series of rapid pops, they burst, showering those nearby in goopy, sugary sweetness. Surprised cries of shock and dismay went up as suits and dresses were suddenly sodden with burst desserts. In the panic, some unfortunate pony blinded by a burst pastry backed into the dessert table, and went down in a tangle of limbs.
The great cake atop it wobbled, jiggled...and then tipped, spilling forwards towards the floor below. It struck, and there was a thunderous boom as the magic of the Burning Blossoms therein burst forth, and the entire room was covered in a shower of icing.
Celestia looked at the mass of ponies, herself included, who had found themselves covered in food. And then she burst out laughing, unable to contain her mirth at the ridiculous sight. She would pay for it tomorrow, she knew. And she would pay even more if anypony ever realized just who had told Good Taste about Burning Blossoms without warning him of their...risks. But in the moment, seeing another puffed up Gala ruined by a ridiculous catastrophe, she had no room for regret.
“I quite agree. When I suggested to my various staff that I desired to change things up a little, they were very enthusiastic. And I know that Burning Blossoms are quite the culinary delicacy, once they finish radiating their light and warmth. Green Shoots took care arranging each bouquet so that as the night wears on, they will dim one by one, providing an extra delicacy even as the lighting dims to a more nocturnal calm.”
“A sensible way to let their volatility flow away. By your leave, then,” the Queen said, and the dignitaries broke away to mingle with the many guests, and soon after Celestia joined them.
The night was still young, however, when Ambassador Firehoof stepped into place beside the Princess and the baron who was vying for her attention. “Your highness,” he started, “I have a question for you, if I may. I apologize for interrupting you, Baron Redwing, may I borrow her for but a moment?”
Redwing grimaced, but nodded his head. “Of course, Firehoof. Princess, I shall eagerly await your return.”
As the pair broke away, Celestia dropped her voice, “Thank you for getting me away from him, Firehoof. He was going on, again, about wanting funds for yet another wasteful vanity project.”
“Of course, Princess,” Firehoof chuckled. “Yet my motives are not purely altruistic. I cannot help but notice how many Burning Blossoms are about, and they have an unmistakeable flavor. One that concerns me, for I seem to have tasted that same flavor in the desserts available, and I know how...enthusiastic your Head Chef can be in trying to please a guest. I would hope, however, that he had the good sense not to use Burning Blossoms as a baking ingredient, given their penchant to...cause such things to explode.”
“We can ask him, if you wish,” Celestia said, and walked with Firehoof towards where the chef was supervising the arrival of more platters of delicacies. “Chef Good Taste, a moment? Firehoof here is concerned you may have used Burning Blossoms in your desserts tonight.
“A course I did, Princess!” he chuckled jovially, “Heard they were right loved by the Saddle Arabians, and so obtained a great order of them. The cookies have them, the pastries, and of course, the cake.”
“The...cake?” Firehoof echoed, and turned his gaze to the towering multi-leveled cake that was the centerpiece of dessert. “The entire thing?”
“Oh, yes! Whole lot of it!”
“Princess…” Firehoof warned, but Celestia was no longer there. She had stepped away, and was watching as one of the apprentices leveraging a platter into place stepped on a sweet roll that had somehow fallen on the floor. The sweet roll went out from under her, and though she struggled valiantly to remain aloft, she ended up falling backwards, the platter spilling to the ground with a great crash.
As the pastries spilled free, they began to glow, and in a series of rapid pops, they burst, showering those nearby in goopy, sugary sweetness. Surprised cries of shock and dismay went up as suits and dresses were suddenly sodden with burst desserts. In the panic, some unfortunate pony blinded by a burst pastry backed into the dessert table, and went down in a tangle of limbs.
The great cake atop it wobbled, jiggled...and then tipped, spilling forwards towards the floor below. It struck, and there was a thunderous boom as the magic of the Burning Blossoms therein burst forth, and the entire room was covered in a shower of icing.
Celestia looked at the mass of ponies, herself included, who had found themselves covered in food. And then she burst out laughing, unable to contain her mirth at the ridiculous sight. She would pay for it tomorrow, she knew. And she would pay even more if anypony ever realized just who had told Good Taste about Burning Blossoms without warning him of their...risks. But in the moment, seeing another puffed up Gala ruined by a ridiculous catastrophe, she had no room for regret.