The previous day had ended without major incidents, except for the near stampede of cows from Sweet Apple Acres that—according to Stella—was about to swallow half of Ponyville. I, on the other hoof, was far too busy cleaning my laboratory and adapting an old human arcade cabinet to make it more "pony-friendly."
Nothing out of this world: just a few height adjustments, sturdier buttons for hooves, and one or two minor enchantments to simulate the electric bounce. "The ultimate arcade," in my words.
Time flew by.
----—=============—----
The second day as a teacher began right on time: 6:45 a.m. My morning routine flowed as always and, afterward, I decided to walk a bit around town.
The air was fresh, pleasant. Early enough that I wouldn't run into too many ponies. Or so I thought.
As I passed in front of Sugarcube Corner, I heard a racket of trays, mixers, and something that was unmistakably Pinkie humming while she whisked. Curiosity got the best of me. I went in.
"Well, I didn't know you worked here, Applejack!" I exclaimed, seeing the farm pony covered in flour up to her ears.
"Howdy, Wizzy! What a joy to see you so early!" replied Pinkie, her face smudged with flour, sprinkles, and a line of frosting she wiped off with one lick, as naturally as a cat grooming itself. "Mmm, delicious!"
Applejack, resigned, was holding Pinkie by the mane just before she could launch herself at a chocolate cake.
"I promised to help Pinkie yesterday and today I'm keeping my word. Just a few more dozen, it's not hard. The tricky part is keeping this pony from eating half the order under the excuse of being Sugarcube Corner's 'certified taster.'"
"BUT I AM CERTIFIED! LOOK!" shouted Pinkie, showing a badge with a frosting star… made of cookie. It didn't last three seconds before she devoured it in one bite.
I only raised an eyebrow.
"Better give her a muffin… something to distract or satisfy her. You should know that 'restrain, stop, seal, resist, hold back' don't go well with Pinkie. It only makes her explode with more joy… or with more Pinkie-energy."
I pointed with my hoof. Pinkie was trembling like a badly wound spring, mumbling through her teeth: cupcakes… muffins… cupcakes…
I wasn't sure if she was playing along with me or really about to hit her limit.
"Eh… I don't think it's that serious, Wizbell," said Applejack, though she didn't sound convinced. "Nothing bad can happen to her from not eating a few cakes."
"CAKE!!"
The shout was the signal. Pinkie tackled Applejack with the force of a lightning bolt, took an epic bite out of the chocolate cake, and hugged the plate with the tenacity of an earth pony in full harvest.
"Bad pony! Drop the cake! Pinkie! You're not like this!" protested Applejack, tugging on the pink pony's tail while she growled 'CAAAKE!' as if defending an ancient treasure.
The scene turned into adorable chaos within seconds.
I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing. "HAHAHA!"
Seeing Applejack pulling on Pinkie like she was a rebellious calf, and Pinkie clinging to the cake as if her life depended on it, was simply hilarious.
And in the middle of that laughter, a memory struck me.
The image of Twilight in one of her anxiety attacks, throwing herself at me in search of chocolate as if it were her only anchor. Oh, Celestia… those were the days.
One of the few times Twi dares to invade my personal space. Only to raid my pockets for chocolate. At first I felt really uncomfortable, with Twilight squeezing me as if that would summon candy out of thin air… or sticking her hoof straight into my bag while I was distracted with some spell. Yes, she was way too invasive.
The good thing is that now she controls herself more. She doesn't knock me over in the hallway anymore, she just flattens me with demands. And I sincerely hope those episodes don't repeat… my body is no longer that of a colt.
To avoid any misunderstanding (and possible broken ribs) I decided to always keep a stash of chocolate for Twilight. Or failing that, a couple of Death Muffins. Even a Death by Chocolate. You never know when you'll have to throw one as bait to placate the princess of anxiety.
Back to reality, after spacing out as always… I saw Pinkie licking the tray where the cake had been a minute ago. The only thing left of that dessert was its scent still filling Sugarcube Corner… and a few frosting smudges on Pinkie's snout.
Forget it. That doesn't exist anymore either.
"Upsy-woopsy! BURP… sowwy~!" Pinkie brought a hoof to her mouth, trying to cover the blush on her cheeks after burping so loudly the display cases vibrated.
Applejack pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head.
"Knew about your mule-headedness already… it's fine, Pinkie. We can bake more cakes."
"Oki dokki loki~!" Pinkie sang, recovering her smile as if nothing had happened.
"I give you both a ten for the show, you made my morning," I said calmly as I settled at a table. "I'd like a strawberry milkshake and a vanilla muffin, please… without a Pinkie bite."
"Aaww!" Pinkie puffed her cheeks, offended but resigned. "Fine… in a pinkie-instant."
I sat near the main window, with my strawberry milkshake and my intact muffin—still without Pinkie's dental marks, which was already a victory.
Outside, Ponyville was waking up. I saw several ponies starting their morning with that calm I still struggle to understand: some barely dipped their heads in greeting, others, more cheerful, raised a hoof and threw a "good morning!" with so much energy I wondered if they'd had pure sugar for breakfast.
A group of foals passed in front of the window. The moment they saw me, they stopped and shouted in unison:
"Good morning, Professor Bell!!"
Some even tossed their manes as if I were part of a parade.
I lifted my hoof in a brief gesture. I'm not the kind of teacher who grins exaggeratedly to return greetings, but I couldn't ignore them either: it was already enough to carry the title of "professor" in a town where everyone seems to know everything about everyone.
I sighed and turned back to my muffin.
…Maybe teaching wouldn't be so bad after all.
I nudged away the curious Pinkie, who was far too close to my muffin.
"I don't know what that muffin tastes like, Wizzy."
"Vanilla."
"I know it's vanilla… but I don't know what that specific muffin tastes like. Because you have that weird gift of making everything you eat look so delicious, Wizzy! You should be punished. That's why… let me taste that muffin you're savoring and enjoying so much!"
Pinkie lunged like the muffin-and-cake predator she is.
"It's just that I know how to enjoy food. With every bite I try not to finish too quickly… and yes, it's delicious. That's why I always come back here. You bake well." I said calmly, sipping my milkshake through the straw.
"Thanks for the compliment, but what I wanted to hear was: 'Go ahead, Pinkie, you can try my muffin and share the same delicacy I'm enjoying.'"
Pinkie planted herself in front of me, across the table, pinning me with an intense stare. The rest of the customers were being served with her absurd speed and professionalism… just so she could return to me without missing a detail.
"Keep dreaming, Pinkie."
The whole time I kept the muffin floating with my magic, dodging each attempt at a bite as if it were a silent duel.
"You're extra playful today, Pinkie… way more than usual."
"I don't know what you mean." She shifted her eyes sideways but never left my side. And instantly, she tried once more to snatch the muffin.
In fact, I had felt it for a while now: the stares on me had increased. Was it because of my new profession… or because of this public spectacle with Pinkie drawing so much attention?
"Well, the most I can offer you is this."
I tore off a tiny piece of the muffin and tossed it. Pinkie caught it midair with impressive agility.
"Tch!" I heard it clearly. Pinkie clicked her teeth.
"What's wrong, Wizzy?" she said right away, with that cheerful smile that hid her frustration far too well, while wagging her tail energetically.
"Eh… nothing. Just that I'm about to finish. Here are the bits. Thank you very much, it was delicious."
"Good luck with your work, Wizzy!" Pinkie shouted before blasting off to handle another wave of hungry customers.
When I left Sugarcube Corner, there was a moment of silence. Very brief… but I felt it.
And even more so when dozens of gazes fixed on me at once, making my coat bristle.
Now, with my magical sensitivity more refined, I recognized certain emotions—admiration was warm, envy had a cold edge, friendship was light, rivalry was rough, affection was enveloping… but this… this I couldn't label.
A sticky undertone. Like honey spilled across the mind. It didn't last long. But as I turned the corner, the sensation returned just as intense… this time concentrated on my flanks.
"Well… this is getting weird. Ponies are never this bold," I thought, frowning.
My distraction broke when I saw a yellow earth pony, with brown mane and tail, walking half-hidden among the shadows. His posture… was strange. He avoided gazes, as if he didn't want to be seen.
That was odd. Very odd.
"Hey, you! Uh… W–Wizbell!! What are you doing walking around like that?"
The stallion stepped out of his hiding place and pointed at me with an expression of confusion and… worry?
Curious, I blinked forward to appear by his side. The shock on his face was brief, but it didn't stop him right away: Caramel recovered instantly and launched into a lecture as if I were his apprentice.
I recognized him immediately. Caramel. Pinkie had introduced him at one of her parties, among games, balloons, and so much confetti I'm still finding pieces in my books.
"Bro! You should be more aware of yourself," he fired off without pausing. "Even if I'm forgetful, I know well there are days when we stallions can't just walk around in public alone. It's not that it's dangerous for our health, but you're playing with fire if you do! Today I forgot to leave on time, and now I have to cross this sea of… seas."
He pointed at me firmly. "Bro, you've got magic. Use it to fly, or make yourself invisible. Avoid bringing yourself unnecessary trouble. Leave early, before everypony else goes out, and get back before the others can wait for you."
He adjusted his mane and, without giving me time to reply, added hurriedly: "I'm off! I've got to get to work."
And just like that, he left as if he were some kind of ninja with uncommon practicality.
I stayed silent, watching his back fade away.
Trouble from walking alone in public…?
What in Equestria was that supposed to mean.
That sticky undertone I had felt moments ago brushed against my flanks again, like a shadow that refused to disperse.
This was no coincidence anymore.
Whatever… maybe it's some cultural memo I'm unaware of. No harm in following his advice.
I cast a disillusion spell, one of those that doesn't make you invisible but does make gazes slide off you, as if you were just another shadow in the street. Nothing complex: a subtle filter over my figure, enough to pass unnoticed until I reached the Schoolhouse.
The murmur of ponies around me kept flowing as normal. And me, among them, unseen by attention but not by the sun that kept warming my back.
A simple trick. And effective.
----—=============—----
Twilight's Perspective
"Wizbell already left for class… now I can do this."
I whispered it the moment I saw him vanish under his disillusion spell, becoming nearly impossible to track with the naked eye. I could trace him with magic, but he'd notice instantly.
With a short teleport, I headed straight to his house near the mill. It didn't take me long at all. I stopped at the entrance for a moment, a nervous flutter twisting in my stomach. I huffed, shaking my head. No reason to hesitate: I need material for experimentation.
The door opened easily. And there was Stella, walking on two legs, cup in hoof, stirring its contents with a spoon as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Seeing her here didn't surprise me. Seeing how she was did. But this wasn't the time to get distracted.
"Keep it secret that I was here." I tossed her an enchanted bag filled with vanilla pastries topped with strawberry frosting. Thanks to Cadance's letters I knew her tastes well enough… and her exchanges with Celestia confirmed it.
Stella arched a brow and caught the bag with her tail without effort.
"Ooh la la… whoops, I suddenly forgot everything. I suffered amnesia of today's events…" She smiled with theatrical flair, but her tone hardened as she stepped in front of the lab entrance. "Even so, you can't go down there."
"Hmm, fine. I wasn't planning on going anyway." I walked past her calmly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be quick."
I followed my nose. The citrus trace of oranges led me straight to the main room. The bed was impeccably made by magic, so perfectly neat it looked like a permanent spell. My eyes lingered on it longer than they should have… I shook my head quickly.
I picked up the pillow. The anchoring spell holding it in place unraveled under my aura. I lifted it to my face and inhaled deeply. The scent flooded me—warm, intoxicating, impossible to classify.
"Yes… this requires a study. It'll be my practice material for Cadance's assignment."
"Mission complete."
"Yay, congratulations!"
"AH!" I jumped in fright: Stella was right behind me, watching.
"What?! Can't I see what you're plotting in the house of my father, brother, best friend, scientific partner, and magic tutor?"
Stella tilted her head, wearing a slight smile that made me feel horribly uncomfortable.
My heart lurched. Suddenly, the pillow in my hooves felt like incriminating evidence. She said nothing… and that made it worse.
Her stare weighed on me, as if silently judging. I swallowed hard, my chest tightening with nerves.
What am I doing? What would he think if he saw me here… like this?
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I couldn't stay another second.
With a violet flash, I vanished in a hasty teleport, escaping before Stella could utter a word.
----—=============—----
Stella's Perspective
I watched with intrigue as Sparky held Wizbell's pillow and sniffed it as though it were a sacred relic.
"Yes… this requires a study. It'll be my practice material for Cadance's assignment."
"Mission complete," she muttered to herself, proud.
I decided to surprise her.
"Yay, congratulations!"
"AH!" She jumped in shock and spun around to face me, still clutching the pillow.
"What?! Can't I see what you're plotting in the house of my father, brother, best friend, scientific partner, and magic tutor?" I tilted my head and simply stared at her in silence, letting the awkwardness do its job.
As if I cared, I thought with amusement, my tail flicking with delight.
The two of you almost share everything at this point… but this, this is gold! I need to send this to Celestia as soon as possible. Her sweet apprentice raiding the room of her other apprentice, just to steal a pillow and sniff it like it's the greatest treasure in the world… OH, THE DRAMA!
I drifted off into my thoughts, already imagining the pastries I'd get with this story as bargaining chip. I suppose that silence was enough: the poor mare let out a strangled squeak of embarrassment and, in a flash of magic, vanished.
I was left alone in the room, savoring the scene like a fine cake.
I really should send this… hehe.