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Original Description:
 
In any social group or organization it’s important to know what the hierarchy of individuals is, and what and where they have either authority or autonomy. Sky Brush is slowly learning the chain of command at Silver Mirror in my Equestria dreamscape.
 
The middle-aged zebra mare finished beating the bowl of egg whites to soft peaks.
 
“Now comes the part where ya gotta be careful!” She said soft drawl. Then she lifted a pot with the corn mush off the stove top and set it on a work table. “Ya need ta fold these here egg whites in nice and gentle if ya want yerself some first class spoon bread!”
 
“Yes m’am!” I said as I brought the lightly greased and floured baking pan over for her. “Um, Double Boiler. I’m sorry. I didn’t know the beignets weren’t for general consumption. Really. I’m sorry, and I need to..”
 
The mare looked at me and smiled. “I know ya said that dear, and ta show me yer serious and all yer going ta help get these here spoon breads ready fer the oven. Right? Now start getting another baking pan ready please.”
 
“Um, yes ma’am.” I started dusting flour into another greased pan. “You see the problem is, I’m suppose to be over at the workshop giving Steel Strut a hoof with her steam generator right now >>2386849s , so maybe I can help you some other…”
 
Double Boiler just smiled. “Yes dear you’ve told me all about where ya need ta be, and Steel Strut can get a mighty cross if yer late. So best thing ya can do is finish helping me as quickly ya can and next time don’tcha go taking anything out mykitchen without asking first. Ya understand dear?”
 
Scratch might be the mistress of Silver Mirror, but she held no power over the kitchen. That’s Double Boiler’s domain.
 
Double Boiler is a third generation Equestria raised zebra. She comes from a family with a long and proud history of baking and cooking. Supposedly one of her ancestors had been the official cooks to one of the great zebra kings.
 
Whether that was true or not nopony knew for certain, but everypony in Silver Mirror knew Double Boiler was the queen of the kitchen, and no one. I mean no one. Dared contest her rule. Didn’t matter if they were pony, zebra, or griffin. Within the boundaries of the kitchen and pantry her rule was unchallenged. Not unless you wished to be deprived the fruits of her and her staff’s labors.
 
Not even Scratch challenged her authority after the first week of her arrival. By one of the kitchen doorways there is a large kitchen knife stuck in the wall. Apparently Scratch had attempted to pilfer a lemon cream tart from the ice box, and was making her escape toward the doorway when the zebra had thrown the knife and embedded it in the wall about 2ft in front of Scratch’s head.
 
After that day the two mares came to an agreement. Double Boiler had complete power over the kitchen, and she would have absolute authority over the pantry. So long as she continued to create her wondrous dishes. As proof of the zebra’s reign the knife remained embedded in the wall like some Arthurian artifact. Scratch had bought her another knife.
 
Under her direct control was a staff of 20 hard working ponies and zebras. Except for Sunday mornings the kitchen was open for operations from 5am until 10pm. During that time one could go and request for something to be prepared or ask to take one of the many amazing snacks, treats, and edible delights that were constantly being created. Just remember to ask a staff member first. Unless one wanted to be suddenly pressed into service as an impromptu kitchen staff member. Like me.
 
Double Boiler treated and loved her staff like her own family, but she was a strict mother who demanded absolute commitment from them. Although she spoke with a polite, courteous voice she left you with no doubt that she was in charge of this kitchen. Those who refuse to accept her authority were politely shown the door and asked not to come back. And if Scratch found that any of her crew had given Double Boiler or her staff grief they would find themselves on the receiving end of a world class tongue lashing.
 
Finally the last of the spoon breads were in the oven and Double Boiler released me from my duties.
 
“Lunch will be an hour dear, so remember ta listen fer the bell or else ya will miss yer meal. Thank ya very much fer yer help. Now ya better be on yer way dear, or else Steel Strut will be even more ornery than normal.”
 
Out of habit I immediately took to the air and started flying for the opening. Then I heard a loud cough behind me. Turning my head I looked down and saw her staring up at me with a deadpan expression.
 
“What is one of the other rules in my kitchen?” Asked zebra.
 
I quickly landed. “Um, right! No flying in the kitchen.”
 
“Ya got yerself four perfectly fine hoofs there dear. So just walk yerself out the door like any other pony. Okay?”
 
I nodded my head and trotted out of the kitchen and made my way to the workshop before she decided to give me some other task to do.
 
To be continued.