[Manehatten] Treats Sweet to Eat [Invite Only]

[Bannhammer]

"Damn the markets for not having fresh strawberries! Am I supposed to serve berries from yesterday to my customers? Zut Alors, je deteste que je n'ai pas les fraises! Mais, du calme... du calme..."

Sucre Bleu took a few deep breaths, trying not to get too worked up over the strawberry-less disaster. Well, might as well get the stand set up, then she could focus on the problem at hoof. She closed her eyes, and her horn was enveloped in a tannish glow, her magic starting to work on the two bundles in front of her.

The larger of the pair started to unfurl, its wheels clattering as the whole structure shook under her spell. Large wooden panels unfolded, revealing a massive griddle, powered by an equally massive furnace underneath. The wooden panels were removed and placed at the sides, allowing the heat to vent away from the ponies in line. The second cart clattered and shifted, panels moving around to grant access to the dozens of toppings and sauces available for the crepes. The batter itself was contained up above, complete with a small funnel to allow precise dollops of the delectable mixture to be placed on the griddle.

A few last pieces flew into place, and soon the entire set up was enclosed in some large wooden planks, effectively creating a stand instead of a simple cart. The last touch came with the 'open' sign that graced the front. Sucre Bleu's Creperie was open for business! The sign above read 'Crepes pour tout, tout de suite!'

"Ponies of Manehatten! Freshly made crepes, from the streets of Trottingham to your lovely city! Try the delectable sweets of the elites, for only one bit a piece! Ce sont délicieux!"

She didn't shout, that would be far too crude. Instead, the lean unicorn politely spoke to passers by, attempting to lure them in, instead of drag them to her stand. She still needed a few thousand more bits before she could buy that real estate in Trottingham and open her own restaurant, so she needed every sale she could get. Still, that was no excuse for poor business practices. Hopefully somepony would decided to give her a try, it was always the first customer that was the hardest!

[BlackJack]

Sugar Crystal stood far behind the cart and watched as her cousin attempted to sell the wonderful thin pastry creations that only some ponies in Stalliongrad and Trottingham knew the splendor of. Already the mistakes of Sucre Bleu's marketing techniques were whirring through Sugar Crystal's business angled mind. Not one for bossiness, she decided she would hang back and let her cousin try to sell for a little before butting in.

Sugar Crystal was one for exploring outside of her family's wildly successful Pancake Stable and Maple Tree orchard, and when Sucre Bleu asked for help in gaining funds so she may open her own store she jumped on it. A chance to make business connections in Manehatten? A chance to gain experience in retail? There was no way she would stay behind in the loud, bustling kitchen of The Pancake Stable. But of course, the hardest part of business is selling, and Sucre Bleu was having very little luck.

She was not the boldest of ponies, but she certainly was a savvy one, and approached her cousin quietly. "You know, most ponies here don't really understand that fancy talk of yours, if they could even hear it. I know you don't think it very proper, but you've got to act like you want them to buy it, not act like it's a favor you're doing for them by having this car here. There's a reason why Maple Sugar and your Uncle are so noisy; because it sells," she said, as if she could give someone advice on being loud.

[Bannhammer]

Sucre heard the very familiar drawl come from behind, and she instinctively let out a long sigh as she turned around to face her cousin. Of course, Sugar Crystal had to show up and tell her how to run her cart. Sure, she wasn't getting all the bits she expected, but her technique had earned her a fair number of bits already. The light blue mare fidgeted with her hair a bit as she slowly approached the nosy pony.

"Eh, quoi? Je n'ecoute rien, peut etre tu peux parler en fancy?. She finished her sentence with a slight scowl, not exactly pleased with Sugar Crystal's intrusion. Sucre sighed again, her cousin was just trying to help, and while Sucre's skill was mostly in cooking, Sugar Crystal's forte was in sales. The chef didn't want to admit it, but help would surely make her job a little bit easier.

"Well, what would you suggest? That I stand around and bark at ponies like some sort of ruffian? I doubt that would serve me quite well, delicate treats deserve no less from their vendor." Instinctively, her snout turned up a little bit at the mention of refinement and class. "This is exactly why I left the sugar family behind in the first place, a bunch of ruffians, our family, especially that Maple Sugar."

[BlackJack]

Sugar Crystal bristled a little inwardly at her cousin's mention of her brother. "I'm trying to help you sell these things. You don't have to bark, but you need to speak something they all understand. 'I've got a brand new treat for you to try', not 'J'ai un cadeau délicieux pour vous'. Speak louder, speak to individuals passing by, don't just talk to the air. Again, our restaurant back home is successful because we let people know we want them there," she said.

She didn't dislike her cousin, but she could be a little difficult to get along with if you weren't the most sophisticated of ponies. "Maybe I can come up front and sell for you, while you make them? We are suppose to be a team right?" Let ponies know Sugar Crystal could persuade, and some rich Manehattanite might give her a business proposal.

[Bannhammer]

Sighing frustratedly, Sucre Bleu Waved a hoof dismissively and turned around. "Ponies eat at your restaurant because you serve giant portions for cheap, the atmosphere has nothing to do with it!"

The cooking mare sniffed loudly and looked over her shoulder at her cousin. "If you wish to help me, I cannot deny such a request, you may... 'advertise' for me while I craft my desserts. " Sucre turned around and looked at Sugar Crystal with her eyes focused and severe. "You may advertise as you please, but please, do try to keep it mostly civil."

Finally done, Sucre turned back around and trotted towards her stand, muttering under her breath, "Je ne le CROIS PAS!" Once she reached her stand, the blue mare adjusted her hair bun once more and stood behind the griddles, still muttering under her breath. Eventually she called out and raised a hoof.

"Eh! Depeche-toi, vite vite!"

[BlackJack]

Sugar Crystal sighed, but it was no use arguing with her over how the restaurant got its success or the jab at being civil. If anything, Sucre Bleu needed a lesson in it. Her eyes wandered as she thought of a good way to sell the treats in a refined matter. These ponies are bustling business mares and stallions on their way to work, not looking to spend a bit on new food when they've got staple food carts already established. Suddenly, a delightful idea hit Sugar Crystal. While Sucre Bleu was busying herself with making new crepes, she swiped a plate and started trotting around the front of the cart.

"Feast your eyes, ponies of Manehatten! A delicious new treat, light on the stomach, heavy on the flavor, just waiting for you to try! Have a taste, good stallion!" she said as she gestured the plate towards a passerby. He looked around hurriedly, as if he was debating whether or not to stop. He took a quick bite and began to give Sugar Crystal a polite nod before galloping back off where ever he was headed to, when he paused and tasted the pastry in his gob. His eyes lit up and he rushed to the cart to order. A few other ponies began taking interest as this stallion deliberated on what toppings and how many he wanted. The line started to grow, and Sugar Crystal smiled to herself in satisfaction. That is how sales is done.

[BlindJester]

It was early in the morning when CookieSweets decided to stir and rise out of her rather comfortable bed, slowly but surely she got up took a shower then headed downstairs to do quick inventory of her items. As usual her chocolate chip along with chocolate batter is low, her sugar and flour need their weekly stock up and for some odd reason raisin and oatmeal have been going by faster than usual and needs to stock up on those too. As she took inventory quickly she added what needs what, how much of certain things she has and today's shopping list. Shortly after inventory check and her usual clean up and preparation for the day she grabbed her saddle bag and headed out onto the busy streets of Manehatten.

Today seemed more talkative than normal, not the 'Oh goodness I better get here' talkative but more of a hot topic and apparently it's a good hot topic. As she moved about from store to store picking up her groceries all she's heard about was this amazing dessert called crepes and this highly confused Cookie. Even though she is a dessert pony herself business never booms likes this till later in the afternoon when ponies want a nice sweet treat, this excited the young mare and scared her at the same time. After a few moments of indecision she finally worked up the courage to ask where this crepes stand was at a nice mare pointed her in the right direction. Making her way towards the cart she noticed a pony yelling about the crepes and she had to admit they DID look rather scrumptious but her nervousness rooted her to the spot making her look like some foal who's lost her mother. 'I'll just stay here and see how they operate to learn how to draw in customers. . . .' was the excuse she thought to herself to stand there and stare at the two ponies working the stand.

[Bannhammer]

Sucre was in the zone, her hooves moved in a flurry as she placed dollops of batter on the griddle, each one flattening out into a perfectly thin disk. These would cook for just a few moments, turning golden brown on one side before being flipped over to cook some more. Once the pastry had been cooked all the way through, Sucre Bleu placed them on a large platter, where each one received its specific topping. She turned her attention away from the platter for only a split second, reaching for the garnishes and sauces before turning back to place them on... the... crepes.

"A VOLEUR! A VOLEUR!" she cried, putting a hoof to her mouth as she looked around. Where could her delicious treats be? Who would be so villainous as to steal them before she had even put the garnish on? "Sugar Crystal, somepony took my cr-"

Sucre turned to look at her cousin, her face paling as she noticed the tray of crepes, being used as samples! "QU'EST-CE QUE C'EST? CE N'EST PAS POSSIBLE!" the mare shouted. She fumed for a moment, deciding that now was NOT the time to kill her cousin, that might scare the customers away. Instead, she would continue to make crepes, and then LATER, she would kill her cousin.

"Je ne le crois pas, je se deteste, et je ne l'aime PAS la batard qui a pris mes crepes! REVANCHE!" Her ramblings started off as a mutter, but soon Sucre was shouting again, still working hard despite her anger. The working mare's anger fueled her well, and she was soon churning out crepes at a lightning pace, without sacrificing quality for speed. Each treat was as good as the last, perfectly cooked and covered in a different sweet.

As the line progressed, she noticed a mare standing off to the side, it seemed she just wanted to watch the show. "EH, ALLEZ, VIENS! Why watch when you could TASTE, non?"

[BlackJack]

Sugar Crystal grinned gleefully to herself as she accepted the flow of bits from the hungry hooves of Manehatten. She would deal with the consequences of her actions later, if Sucre Bleu even cared after counting all the cash she helped her earn. "That's right, breakfast for every pony! Start your day right with Sucre Bleu's delicious crepes, thank you sir and thank you madam! There's plenty for everypony; just look at her go! Each one just as tasty as the last; a wonderful price for a fantastic pastry!" Sugar Crystal felt like a quiet carnival barker as she spoke to the ponies in line. The line itself was gaining the customers; Sugar Crystal was getting them to stay and buy more.

She noticed the pony her cousin had gestured to, and in a quick motion leapt over the counter with another swiped plate of crepes to tantalize this pony. "First taste is free, you'll be begging us for more!" she said as she waved the plate under the mare's snout.

[BlindJester]

CookieSweets looked about nervously, not sure if she really wants to take a bite. Taking a deep breath she took a small bite of the, dare she admit, delicious looking crepe. The flavour seemed to spread over her tongue and now the mare understood why this treat was the buzz of manehatten it wasa light delicacy! She couldn't let the other mare on so she quickly regained her composure, clearing her throat before she spoke "This is indeed quite the wonderful treat, might I ask what they are and why the might be sold as a morning snack when it most definitely looks like something that should be served at night." asking out of pure curiosity.

'Maybe I'll talk to the chef after I finish talking to her right hoof mare' she thought

(Short post is short. Sorry ><)

[BlackJack]

Sugar Crystal grinned widely at the mare's satisfaction. "Well, you know, they could probably be eaten any time. It's called a crepe; and don't tell the chef, but I think of them as a super flat pancake. You could really stick anything you want in there, vegetables, fruit, eggs, anything you want! It's pretty versatile..," she rattled off random things about the food. Get the customer interested, make them want more, make more bits, were the only thing on her mind.

"I'm sure the chef would love to hear what you think of them; you should go talk to her," Sugar Crystal said, putting a hoof around the mare's shoulders and leading her closer to the cart. Charisma, get 'em in, get 'em to spend their bits. This was so much easier without her brother and father shouting to all their friends; she could really let her salesmareship shine.

[Bannhammer]

Sucre was still working as fast as she could, trying to keep up with the surprisingly long line. She had to admit, her cousin had a way with ponies, and this line had more ponies in it that she could expect to see in an entire day. Unfortunately, she would have to make an apology later. But not now, now was the time for cooking, for crafting delicious desserts!

Her hair dangled over one shoulder, but was quickly batted aside as she bore down on the griddle. Each crepe was gently flipped over, and the toppings gracefully found their way onto the fluffy pastries. Soon, a dozen of them found there way to the hungry maws of the waiting ponies. Before she could place a few more dollops of batter onto the griddle, Sucre noticed her assertive cousin practically shoving some poor patron towards her.

The working mare wasn't normally one for petty introductions, especially not while working.

"Ma Cousine, I hope you are not planning on interrupting me while I am working!" Her tone lacked kindness, but mostly out of her intense focus on the job at hoof. Sucre precisely flipped her mane before focusing her gaze on the approaching mares.

"Pardonnez-moi! If you would give me a few more moments, I will be with you shortly!"

The sugar family pony waved a hoof dismissively at the others in line before turning to face the two again. She gingerly extended a hoof and smiled as best she could. "Salut, I am Sucre Bleu, did you like the... samples my cousin was passing out without my consent?"

[BlindJester]

As Cookie was half pushed and half escorted over to the stand to where the busy mare was at work, her mind was a buzz with what to say to her. Part of her wanted to flee from the scene as this was not what she bargained for, all she wanted was to see what the hub bub was about. Although the other half was happy to be here and to meet new ponies who have, hopefully, the same interest as her. While Cookie stood in front of the mare she instinctively looked down to her hooves trying to regain composure, I mean who wants to talk to a fellow chef who appears to be afraid of her own shadow!

A few deep breathes later she looked up at the mare who introduced herself as Sucre Bleu "Hello, I'm CookieSweets and your samples of. . . crepes you say? Are quite delicious. Mind telling me how you came up with such an interesting treat? I've never come across them before." she gave a cheery smile and glanced at Sugar Crystal noticing Sucre's annoyed tone towards her cousin and wanted to try and put her in a better light. "You cousin sure knows how to advertise! She's got the whole town a buzz with your crepes that's the only reason I came here, if I'm honest."

[BlackJack]

Sugar Crystal puffed out her chest just the slightest at the compliment. Good advertiser? She supposed she picked up a little bit more than cooking skill from her older brother. "The whole town of Manehatten, you say? Maybe some hungry investors might stop by to sample your creation, eh Sucre Bleu?" she said hopefully to her cousin.

An investor would be the best thing the cousins could hope for, or at least a partner. A permanent location in Manehatten, where the most sociable and wealthy ponies congregate? The pinnacle of business cities? A franchise could be in the works for the little crepe stand. No need to get too far ahead of oneself yet. If another cooking pony thought the food as delicious, they were on the right track.

[Bannhammer]

Sucre herself fluffed up a bit as well, that sort of reaction ran in the family. The light blue mare set aside some freshly cooked treats and smiled widely at Cookie Sweets. "Well, the rest of my family sees fit to cook these thick, brutish lumps of batter that they absolutely drench in this disgusting goop they call maple syrup. Disgusted by such a sight, I sought to craft much more refined and tasty treats, meant not to curb one's appetite, but instead delight their palette and serve as a dessert for both body and soul..."

She curtsied politely and stepped out from her stand. Sucre had prepared enough treats for a slight break in the action, the ponies in line would just have to deal with it.

"It was my cousin's advertising that brought you here, you say? That's... interesting. Still, I'm glad you decided to sample my treats!" Sucre cursed under her breath. She just might have to admit that her cousin's less than delicate procedures may have actually worked. It wasn't easy for her to admit being wrong, and she decided to abstain from such concessions until absolutely forced to do so.

The working mare turned to shoot a glare at her cousin. "You know, dear cousin, that I'm always looking for ponies smart enough to invest in me. I think Manehattan might be just the place. Especially if there are more ponies like Miss CookieSweets..." She paused and put a hoof to her chin. "What kind of food do you create, if you don't mind me asking?"

[BlindJester]

'So far so good. . . .' Cookie thought to herself nervously on the outside she was finally able to control herself, but on the inside she's shaking like a leaf. The small conflict that went on between the two cousin's made her even more uncomfortable as one thing she hates is to be stuck in the middle of family matters.

"Me?" Cookie said placing a hoof on her chest "Oh, I do nothing special really. I just make all sorts of desserts like Cookies and cakes, but I've learned to make cookie cake! It's pretty much this giant cookie with designs of a cake, but I plan to expand beyond that maybe. We'll see. . . ." She moved the hoof from her chest up to her mouth as she realized that she might of talked a little TOO much. "I, uh, sorry I didn't mean to talk your ears off. But I'm sure with a dessert like that you'll be bound to get some investors in no time."

[BlackJack]

Suddenly, the ever business savvy Sugar Crystal had an idea. Sweet breakfast pastries, cakes, cookies, and the like were made by these two chefs. Why not expand the business? The larger base they had, the more likely a rich pony would come along to franchise it. Specialty stores for one item are fine for a street vendor, but ponies craved variety in one quick stop.

"Well, maybe on our way to investors, you can come along, CookieSweets! Two great chefs, one great manager, some businesspony is sure to take interest in us! Ponies will come along for their morning crepe and their afternoon cookie snack in one convinient stop. What do you say, partner?" Sugar Crystal said, holding a hoof out to seal the deal.