[PRP] Pouring Hearts into Tarts [Banana Creme & Kiwi Kiss]

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It was a rare occasion that Banana Creme was outside of her portion of the kitchen in Cloud Nine in the middle of the day. Typically, she was busying herself with decorating tomorrow's specialty macarons and tarts and confectionaries, but she had gotten such a strange email that had nothing to do with placing an order for her edible art. It was part invitation, part asking if Creme would come over to a fellow pâtissier's house to taste her specialty. Kiwi Kiss had been her name, right? The shock of someone wanting her opinion on something still hadn't completely hit her, even as she was walking up to the shop's storefront.

The door stood in front of her, untouched, unopened. She couldn't believe she was really doing this. What had urged her to even answer that email in the first place..?? Oh. Right. Her over enthusiastic brother and sister, most likely eager to get her out of the kitchen for once, trying to convince her that socializing was good for her, and wow, wasn't it just so awesome that someone respected her skills enough to ask her taste something of theirs?

Banana Creme swallowed, and she carefully opened the door, poking her head in through the entrance as she tried to figure out just who it was that she was meeting with. "Uh... H-Hello..?"

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Kiwi Kiss was absolutely buzzing, completely wrapped up in planning for her very special guest. One could question her decision in Banana Creme, as it seemed awfully specific, but Kiwi didn't... have an answer! Honestly! She respected the entire family for their drive in pushing forward in their own business, surely, but something about Banana Creme always stood out to Kiwi. She just seemed like someone Kiwi Kiss could get along with, and potentially learn from.

That, and Kiwi had made the most divine tarts this go around and just had to shoot her shot for a new friend who could appreciate the flavors for what they were.

Kiwilicious was a small shop situated neatly at the end of a plaza. Green and bright, Kiwilicious' kiwi logo sat on the sign above the door, sparking on and off, reminding Kiwi the sign needed new bulbs. That could wait! Inside was pretty much the same -- walls painted a faint green with hardwood floors, lined and decorated with various kiwi-aesthetics. Perfumes, clothes, and all sorts of kiwi-souvenirs could be found through the store, neatly displayed with great love and attention. One could tell Kiwi Kiss prided herself in her business.

The bell above the door made a loud and friendly chime, alerting a thin and long flutter, who was situated behind a glass counter. Within the glass were various pastries, but Banana Creme would not be trying those! No no no, Kiwi had something else for her esteemed guest!

"Hello!"

The shout was playful and excited, followed by a whirlwind of movement as Kiwi Kiss dislodged herself from the counter and fluttered towards Banana Creme. She grinned wide, extending a hoof warmly. "Did you find it here alright? It's not too cold, is it? I've been so excited for you to come! Welcome to Kiwilicious!"


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Peering around the moment before the flutter's enthusiastic introduction, BC noticed the vivid theme to the shop; it was Kiwi everything. The branding was definitely on point. When Kiwi Kiss shouted out to her, the white mare did her best to hold back a flinch, not expecting the exuberance at her arrival, and-- Oh, oh god, the cute flutter was zooming toward her, and blowing through questions that made BC's head spin slightly... But finally, the earth phony was welcomed to the shop, and that was something she could handle.

"Thanks... The temperature is just fine Ah, um, yeah, I found the place just fine. Your directions were nice and simple." Banana Creme offered a timid smile, though she did try her best to straighten up a little. "I have to say, I was pretty surprised that anyone would want me to come taste something... Though I'm glad that you think I'm worth showing your hard work to." Shuffling her weight on her hooves a little bit, Creme peered over at the pastries behind the glass display that Kiwi Kiss had been waiting behind, her interest piqued. Everything looked very neatly organized and colorful, and the white mare was keen to all of the meticulous detail that went into each piece.

Ah. Yes. Someone else who appreciated the importance of beautiful pastries. Finally.

"Am I going to be tasting one of those, Kiwi Kiss? They look so pristine." BC meant the compliment to the other mare, finding herself wanting to taste each variation one by one. Augh, her sweet tooth was going to be the death of her. And her waistline.

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Ohhh, Banana was so cute! Aesthetically and in personality! Kiwi's set her hooves on the ground, wings buzzing as Banana appreciated her pastries. A hoof waved in the air, a very clear 'no no' as she flew back behind her counter.

"Oh, you can! But the ones I've been saving for you are righttttt...." her voice trailed as she turned and flew through the door behind the counter. The sounds of faint rustling could be heard until she returned, a tray in one hoof as she hip-bumped the door open.

"Here~!" She sang, setting the tray neatly onto the counter. A small plate of miniature kiwi tarts were presented, each with a tiny kiwi slice on top and blueberries lining the ruffled edge and a strawberry (cut like a rose!) in the center. She puffed her chest out, proud and delighted. "They don't like much different than the other kiwi tarts I've made, but I feel I perfected the acidity this time! Would you like to try it?"

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A brief moment of disappointment washed over BC when she was told that those were not going to be the ones being tasted (they looked so good, too!), but her eyes widened with curiosity when Kiwi disappeared through the doorway leading to the back. If it wasn't anything in the front displays, what could it possibly be, then? Something even more spectacular? Her mouth watered instinctually at the thought of something positively delicious.

When Kiwi reappeared with the tray filled with kiwi tarts, Banana Creme's eyes positively glittered with excitement. They looked amazing! What delicate fruit work displayed on the top! The mare blinked when she had bumped into the counter, having not realized that she was already walking over to the pastries to inspect them closer. She was simply entranced.

"These... You want me to taste these?" Bewildered yet again that the other chef had asked for her opinion, Creme took a single tart gently in her hoof, peering at it from different angles to inspect it. She meant no harm with her intensity, but if she was meant to speak honestly, she had to appreciate every aspect of the dessert so she could give her true opinion. "They already look fantastic. The simplicity of using fruit as decoration, but the detail that you clearly put in to the arrangement is very evident. You should be proud of that."

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Kiwi grinned ear to ear, snapping her head into a swift nod. "I do!" Her hooves clapped together as Banana examined her tart, wings occasionally fluttering like a humming bird. She settled for leaning over the counter, a poor attempt at staying still.

"Thank you~! I use all sorts of decorations, but this time I felt the flavors would pair nicely with other berries. Something clean and vibrant, you know?"

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"It's a classic, using berries as decorations. But not a lot of phonies can pull it off well. It can look sloppy if done wrong." Well, Kiwi certainly had Creme chatty today. But it wasn't all the time that the earth mare had someone to actually talk to about her interests. Still, it was enough of the talking already. She had been asked to come here to taste the tart, not chat about it all day. Without further ado, Banana Creme took a healthy bite of the tart, making sure to get at least part of each topping that was used.

The filling was tart! Sweet enough to cover up any true acidity from the kiwis, but it still made her mouth water, even as she chewed the bite thoughtfully. The blueberries mellowed out the overall flavor... Ah, maybe a little too much? The initial flavors were building up to a nice crescendo of a delicious tart, but perhaps the blueberries were just a day too ripe.

With a gentle smile, Creme popped the rest of the tart into her mouth, her cheek puffing out to accommodate the large bite. When she had finished swallowing, BC nodded in approval and offered up her praise to Kiwi Kiss. "It's delicious, Kiwi. You have the filling down pat. I could eat spoonfuls of the stuff. It was delicately sour, but it matched the sweetness of a kiwi just right, and you complimented it well with the crust you used, too. What you have is something special there, for sure!" Shifting on her hooves a bit, she cocked her head slightly to one side in preparation for her question.

"Just curious, though... Did you wash your blueberries before you stored them? I-If you remember, I mean. Berries are so fragile and so strange sometimes. It would make sense to wash them beforehand so you could just use them whenever you wanted them, but that breaks them down faster in the long-run. And blueberries are so hard to judge unless you taste every single one of them. She chuckled, her gaze meeting Kiwi Kiss' eyes again, noticing that they were the same gold of her favorite kiwifruit. Oddly enough, she preferred the golden ones, anyhow.

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Kiwi Kiss was practically on the edge of her seat -- if one could be while floating in the air. She resisted the desire to rattle a million questions the moment Banana ate the tart, instead pretending to straighten a candle on a nearby shelf. Luckily for her, Banana was a quick judge, snapping Kiwi from her mundane task. Her heart swelled at the others approval, hooves clapping together in delight. Banana's question, however, threw her off, evident as she tilted her head and glanced away in thought, a hoof tapping the side of her mouth.

"Hmmm, I do usually remember. I believe I did -- oh? Is that so? Oh! You're so smart, thank you!" She grinned at her companion, turning to pop a tart unceremoniously into her mouth. There was a long pause as she considered the flavors, eyes narrowing. The blueberries -- they prevented the flavor from truly coming through at the climax. Banana was right!

"What would you do differently, Banana?"

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Banana Creme thought about Kiwi Kiss' question. What would she do differently? Well, certainly not a lot, that was for sure. It was really only the blueberries that needed adjustment...

"Um... Hm. If you're intent on using blueberries, I definitely understand that. They have a sourness to them when they're just picked, but unless you plan on going to a farm for just enough blueberries during the peak season..." She coughed, stopping herself from ranting on any further. It was safe to say she'd run into the same problems a few too many times for her liking. "Ah, sorry. I mean to say that it's not impossible to use blueberries, but there are a few other fruits that you could choose to use, as well. Um, like... Diced mangoes before they're perfectly ripe? Or if you're feeling daring, sliced and peeled green grapes, possibly."

Creme smiled at the after taste, her tail flicking behind her as she thought. She had never really thought about making tarts beyond a few that had been requested by her mothers on a rare occasion, and hers were never her pride and joy. They were good at best, but nothing to write home about. Nothing like Kiwi Kiss'.

"You have something really special here, Kiwi. ...If you don't mind me asking, how many phonies do you get coming to the shop on a regular basis?" She was just curious to see if the amount of attention was really where it should be. Creme herself had never heard of this place, though that didn't mean that there wasn't a following for it. It could be an underground place as far as she knew, though... It would be a damn shame to hear that phony-kind didn't have all eyes on this shop and its delicious (signature?) tarts.

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Kiwi listened, absolutely enraptured. She wasn't set on blueberries, although she was quite fond of them regardless. Her head tilted, eyes glossing over as she considered the options. Grapes were exciting and fresh -- something she didn't see often on tarts. They also would compliment the colors nicely! She regarded Banana gratefully, moving to jot down the notes from her companion.

She'd need to go out and buy grapes!

She fussed behind the counter, plucking around at various boxes until she had found a suitable small one, sliding two tarts within. As Banana spoke she wrapped the boxes with a thin green ribbon, placing a tiny kiwi charm at the top.

"Oh, thank you!" Banana's words reached her, leaving a flush across her cheeks. Banana was very sweet -- Kiwi Kiss almost didn't think she deserved such attention! She fluttered towards the phony, gently reaching but not quite touching them, instead holding the box out for her.

"Ohhh, I have a few regulars.... like Ms. Floral from down the street. She comes in once a week. And then there's the local kids who stop by with their allowance once a month. On a good day I get about three or four customers -- oh! But I don't mind. This was never about money, although... it'd be nice to actually make enough to expand..."

She paused, briefly lost in thought. How much longer could she keep the store open like this?

"These are for you, darling~"

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Hearing that there were so few customers coming in every day was an absolute travesty in Banana Creme's opinion. Her own delicate dessert shop saw way more customers than that, and she didn't even have a storefront! Something absolutely had to be done about this.

Before she could open her mouth to reply, however, she was being given a charming package with two tarts to go, and Kiwi was so close, and she was really adorable offering these to Creme, and-- Say something Creme! The mare's face went red (she was absolutely not used to getting gifts from other people), and she carefully took the box from Kiwi Kiss, offering a sheepish smile to the other. "Thank you," She did her best not to mumble. "I'll relish every bite when I eat them later."

For a moment, she forgot where her train of thought was initially going, but seeing this wonderful packaging reminded her immediately, and she returned her gaze to Kiwi Kiss with a serious air. "It's wrong that only a few phonies get to experience these and the rest of your shop's goods." Banana Creme thought for a few seconds-- How could she help? What would drive customers to this fantastic little shop? And, oh. Of course.

Without a second thought, Creme began to speak again. "Sell your tarts through my delivery service. We place your card with the store's address in with every order, and phony will come flocking to this place, hounding you for more orders. Of course, I'd give you the revenue you made through my online store, too." Banana Creme's eyes practically sparkled as she looked determinedly at Kiwi Kiss. "I absolutely can't let another dessert artist's talent go to waste when there's something I can do about it. Ah, um... That is, only... If you want..." Realizing she might be coming off as rather pushy, she shied away just a bit, her blush coming back in full force.

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Kiwi Kiss noted Banana Creme's flushed cheeks, head tilting to the side. Oh, was she doing it again? Getting in someone's space? She almost recoiled, stopped by the small smile on Banana Creme's face. Cute. Her own smile fluttered back to her face, a hoof gently waving.

"No no, thank you! You've been an absolute delight, you mustn't make this our only get together." Her wings fluttered behind her, a quick and playful sound. Truly, she was delighted to have met Banana Creme, and to offer something she cared so dearly for to her new friend.

They were friends now, right?

Banana spoke again, breaking the silence between them in favor of an offer. Kiwi blinked back at her, wings stilling and feet touching the ground. She hadn't expected such a generous offer, nor had she considered Banana might return Kiwi's generosity with her own gift. A gift she wasn't sure she quite deserved, honestly, but Kiwi had a feeling it'd be foolish to say no.

That, and honestly... maybe she kind of wanted to see Banana more often.

"Oh, that is positively sweet of you. Are you sure I wouldn't be a bother to you? If not I'd love to accept the offer! Only if you'll try out more of my tarts along the way~"

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"This can't be the only time we get together. I haven't tasted any other desserts, yet!" Banana Creme positively beamed when Kiwi Kiss accepted her offer, and she couldn't help but reach out to take the flutter's hoof in her own. "No one as talented as yourself would ever be a bother to me. In fact, I think I could learn a lot from you, Kiwi Kiss. Ah, if you'd let me, I mean."

It had been a long, long time since the mare had been this excited about a venture. If she dared to guess, it might've been since she was a young foal with her siblings... So, so long ago. But Kiwi had reignited a creative flame in her that had her mind flooding with potential dessert ideas, wondering if the other was open to collaborating on a few cream tarts in the future. They would be decorated well, and--Oh! Banana Creme could make her secret, well, Banana Crème Brûlée for Kiwi Kiss to taste. The thought almost embarrassed her, she hadn't made it in such a long time, but she didn't think that she'd forgotten at all how the recipe went.

"This way, I can make my way over to your shop in the morning before the deliveries begin, and we can chat before I go... Oh, I can bring you breakfast from the bar, too! If you're hungry, y'know." Wow. She was making plans before this had even been started. That was... Rare. But she couldn't help it! Kiwi Kiss just... Made her feel comfortable. Made her feel actual excitement.

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If she let her? Of course! Kiwi beamed, holding the other's hooves in return.

"Of course! We can bake together, even~!" Ahh, so this was making a friend? Why... hadn't she done this before? She shifted, plucking a book from her counter and quickly scribbling little notes.

'Remember Banana Creme visits in the morning!' Topped with a little kiwi at the end. She left the book on her counter, turning back to Banana with a nod.

"I'd love breakfast! I'll make an extra bottle of my morning smoothie, too. It'll be fun!" And it would be! She beamed, glancing towards the clock briefly. Oh, could she keep Banana any longer?

"Well- I wanted to try out more of the tarts in the kitchen. Are you free for a little? Would you like to join me? I like to watch baking shows at the same time~"

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"Bake? Together?" Banana Creme smiled, nodding at the idea. "I would really like to. That sounds like a lot of fun. I've never had anyone else helping me in the kitchen before... I bet we could come up with some new ideas."

The kitchen was her sacred place, that was for sure. It was strange, the idea of letting someone else in while she worked her therapeutic magic was an entirely foreign one, but not unpleasant. Kiwi Kiss was talented, so she knew how to not make a mess in the kitchen... And it would be really nice to be able to count on someone to help measure things properly as well. The whole process should be easy, working in each other's presences.

"We can trade breakfasts, then! Hah, might force me to be a little more healthy, now that I think about it... Wouldn't hurt to lose a few pounds." When Kiwi asked if she was available, she nodded again. "I've got to make a few deliveries in a couple of hours, but other than that, I'm free for now! We can go back to the kitchen if you'd like? I'm a little eager to see how you work, if I'm honest."