Evacuation Plan: The Host

Brownie Sundae layered another mandarin atop the cooled cream. He didn’t have to go through the effort of making this fruit tart look sellable, but the repetitive process helped steady his nerves. He had already layered the glazed strawberries on the outer layer of the tart, placing a blueberry between each tip to fill in the space. He placed the next mandarin slice and he felt a gentle kiss get planted between his ears.

“You’re stressing again.” mused Sweetberry Cobbler, an earth pony that stood several times his height.

“I’m not trying to.” Brownie Sundae sighed, taking a moment to rub his cheek against her silky coat. “It’s just been hectic these past few days. I feel like my hosting skills have been going through a trial by fire.”

As he began talking, Sweetberry Cobbler pushed him aside and began taking over the decorating. She was far less meticulous about it, caring that it looked presentable but not that it was perfect. 

“And I’m sure others of my family are probably doing the same, but I’m sure most of them are making real food.” Brownie Sundae continued, hopping on a modified stool to be at least a little closer in height to his wife as he watched her work. “Kettle Drum especially, he would potentially have access to the castle’s larder. And honestly, seeing how many of these changelings are foals is upsetting. I can’t even begin to imagine how they’re feeling without their parents. Or how their parents must feel not knowing if their kids are safe or not. I’m trying to keep them in high spirits, but it’s not enough.”

“Are you doing your best?” Sweetberry Cobbler asked, “Are you doing all that you can with your resources.”

“I am, but-”

“But-” the mare interrupted firmly “-that’s all that can be asked of anypony. To demand more than any creature’s best is to demand disappointment.”

Brownie Sundae nodded thoughtfully, taking a moment to reflect on her words. She finished decorating the tart by piling a mixture of blueberries and raspberries in the center of the dish. He winced at the method, seeing how much nicer it could have looked if they were all thoughtfully placed instead. But he reminded himself that most ponies wouldn’t even notice the detail. And that it wouldn’t matter once the tart has been eaten anyways.

“Why don’t you let me take over the baking for a little bit.” Sweetberry Cobbler offered, setting the tart on a tray that housed another tart he finished earlier. She pushed the tray over to Brownie Sundae. “Spend some time with them. Remind yourself why you’re here to begin with.”

Brownie Sundae gives her a kiss on the cheek before hopping off his stool. As he walks away with the tray, Sweetberry Cobbler tickles his flank with a brief swish of her tail. She giggled when her husband yipped.

“Who’s hungry for fruit tarts?” Brownie Sundae joyfully asked, setting down the fresh tarts on a table. He felt his heart swell as the faces of the foals lit up in excitement as they abandoned their current activities to flood around him. They skipped and playfully wrestled with each other as they waited to be served next, and then gleefully galloped away with their tart to eat somewhere comfortable. He watched as those who made friends waited for every creature to get their pieces so they could all eat together. 

For a moment, all of their worries about the outside world melted away as they enjoyed their treat together. It still pained Brownie Sundae to not know what would happen to all of them after the famished have been dealt with. But at least he could make sweets to keep them happy for the time being. Wiping a tear from his eye, Brownie Sundae quietly thanked his wife for helping him remind him of his purpose. And for making the burden of keeping these foals content far easier to bear.

Later in the night, Brownie Sundae stood aside in a particular room. Any moment now, a unicorn is due to teleport nearby. And only a few minutes late with a flash of orange-red light and a sparkly magical poof, stood Harvest Moon. She was very noticeably panting when she appeared in the room. Nearly every hour on the hour for the past day, she’s been teleporting between here and Ponyville. Brownie Sundae always thought that unicorns had it easy with their magic, but after working closely with Harvest Moon, he learned that spell casting takes its own toll on the body.

“You don’t look so well.” Brownie Sundae observed. “Do you need a moment? Should I get you some water?”

“Just a little tired is all.” Harvest Moon dismissed, taking one last big gulp of air before steadying herself. “Get any more while I was away?”

“Four. More foals,” he tells her. “How many can you bring?”

“Three.” Harvest moon answered. “Llike last time.”

Brownie Sundae had housed these changeling refugees for two days before Harvest Moon and her bat pony partner showed up. He had fully intended to house his well over twenty guests, and however many more, to weather the famished swarm together. Now Harvest Moon had successfully taken seventeen changelings from Canterlot to Ponyville, and yet he still was hosting over ten more. But Harvest Moon was able to take four with her at the start and it rapidly dropped to three. She was far less exhausted then and doubted she could keep those numbers up.

But he did as he was asked and brought in three changelings. One was a slender pink and purple stallion. The other was a white and blue mare with long hair that she kept bound in large blue beads. She had an eyepatch covering her right eye. And finally, a black mare with a green mane that Brownie Sundae had mistaken for a famished changeling when he first saw her. She was notably more nervous than the other changelings and Brownie Sundae was certain it had a lot to do with how the mare was greeted by Sweetberry Cobbler armed with a cast iron pan.

A flash of light covered Harvest Moon and the three changelings. Halfway through the spell, an odd crackly sound popped into the room and the light became even more intense. Blinking away the visual migraine, Brownie Sundae saw that Harvest moon, the white mare, and the purple stallion were gone. Left behind was the black mare, the look of defeat was clear as day on her face. An awkward smile formed on her face and she released a quiet and nervous laugh.

“Sh-she didn’t trust me either…,” she said, her legs shaking and lip quivering. “It… it’s not… I didn’t choose to look like this.”

“She’s tired. Maybe her spell failed?” Brownie Sundae tried to comfort the mare. He didn’t know anything of magic, but he knew the pop didn’t happen the other times he watched her teleport ponies out of the bakery. 

“I should have continued pretending to be a unicorn.” she despaired, choking back tears.