“Delivery for Downburst! Excuuuuse me!”
A handful of trainees scattered, dodging a creature who was flying far lower than they should have been through the Wonderbolt training tarmac. Zapple Pie hardly seemed to notice pegasi ducking and diving to avoid her as she soared through them, clearly focused on handing over a practically overflowing picnic basket to Downburst as quickly as possible. Rainbow Dash had ordered yet another batch of oat bars from Sugarcube Corner, as she did from time to time, wanting only the best for her daughter during her training. It was one of Zapple’s more popular healthy recipes and Downburst couldn’t get enough of them, which led to the occasional delivery at Wonderbolts Headquarters.
“Has anyone seen Downburst?” Zap questioned loudly, getting shrugs from the ponies around her as she hovered just above the ground. She didn’t mind waiting, especially as she saw a group of trainees zoom overhead in a practice race. They were lost in the clouds for a moment before she spotted them again, with a yellow pegasus coming to a speedy but smooth stop on the tarmac. She gave a cocky smile, flipping her short hair out of her eyes as other racers made their own descent to the finish line.
Zapple, who was far more excited than any other creature around, rushed over to the winner as she moved into the grass, making room for the next group of trainees as they got ready to complete the same circuit. Her wings fluttered rapidly with enthusiasm, almost sending her colliding into the pegasus.
“Wow, you did an amazing job! Congrats!”
Solar Flare raised a brow, looking skeptical. “It was only a training race. Not like it was official or anything.”
To this, Zap shook her head and grinned. “But imagine how well you’re going to do when a real race happens, especially after all this practice!”
“Uh…yeah, I guess.” Sol took a step back, wondering if the creature in front of her even knew the definition of personal space. “Are you part of the catering group today? Cuz I think they’re setting up on the other side of the main building.”
“Nope!” Zapple Pie continued to smile and raised up the basket in her front legs. “I have a delivery for Downburst. I thought she might be in the race, but maybe she’s inside.” She turned to leave, as if remembering the reason she was there, but quickly whirled back. “Here, do you want one? I made way too many and I figured since you won your race, you earned it!”
Before Solar Flare realized what was happening, the female hovering in front of her all but shoved a cookie in her hoof. She glanced from the baked good to Zap and back again hesitantly, but all it took was Zapple’s fading smile for her to take a bite.
‘Wouldn’t want her to get upset over a cookie, I guess…’
As Solar Flare chewed, her expression went from indifference to amazement. Her own wings fluttered as she savored the flavor, her eyes lighting up as if she was eating sweets for the first time. Sol swallowed and shoved the rest of the treat in her mouth, not bothering to mind her manners at all.
“These are amazing! Did you make these?” The mare didn’t care to wait long enough to get an answer, continuing to comment on her baking in amazement with her mouth full of food. “What do you put in these things? They’re delicious!”
Zap’s smile returned, larger than ever, and she answered just as enthusiastically as the pegasus in front of her. “I do bake these, they’re one of my favorite recipes! It’s actually pretty simple! It’s just some oats, peanut butter, bananas, whey protein, birdseed, and some semi-sweet chocolate chips.”
Solar Flare froze, swallowing quickly. “You put what in them?”
“Semi-sweet chocolate chips?” Zapple Pie responded, her brow raising in confusion.
“No, before that.” Sol raised her hoof in front of the female. “Did you say…birdseed?”
Zap nodded her head quickly, smiling as if she was remembering the taste and reliving an amazing experience all over again. “Oh, yeah! My mom and I eat it all the time, we usually put it in our breakfast but I thought it would work well for these, too!”
“I…uh…didn’t realize that birdseed could be…meant for creatures that aren’t birds.” The pegasus muttered, just loud enough to be heard by Zapple.
“But you are part bird!” The hybrid giggled, her wings flapping with every laugh. “Just like I am!”
Solar Flare took a moment, as if Zap’s words were an epiphany. “Well yeah, if you wanna use logic. I guess I just never thought of eating birdseed.” Her eyes lowered to the basket, silently wondering if she could have more, even though she wasn’t about to ask. “Next time you come around I’ll order some. Sound good?”
“Psh, please!” The female exclaimed, already digging a hoof in the picnic basket as if knowing exactly what Solar Flare was thinking. “You can always order some from me at Sugarcube Corner, but I have plenty of here right now! Trust me, I don’t know how to make a small amount of anything when it comes to food.”
Zapple Pie handed off a small bag of the oat bars to Solar Flare, who’s eyes lit up just as much as they had before, until she composed herself to look cool around her fellow trainees. A small smile crept onto her muzzle and she glanced back up to the creature in front of her. “Well, thanks.”
For a moment, all Zap did was stare at the pegasus and smile. But after a moment, a whistle blew and brought her back to her senses. “Oh, I gotta go deliver these! It was really nice to meet you! Bye!” With a wave, the female flew off just as quickly as she had approached Solar Flare to congratulate her.
“See ya,” Sol muttered, knowing Zapple wouldn’t hear her as she zoomed away. She glanced back down to the bag of baked goods and smiled.
“What a weirdo.”