Junicorn 2021

… Further down on the horizon was a quirlicorn and a cart. The friendly family was gathered around her, excitingly chatting and requesting sweets.

Sweets? Baroque's ears perked at the sound of the magic word. Were these like the ones at Candentia or would they be a novel kind? Nox beckoned to follow. They broke into a trot, their hooves sinking into the soft sand. Despite the fact that Baroque could run for long distances without being tired, he was now sweating from the effort to balance his ankles in the sand and from the heat.

His father arrived first and told the family before them to enjoy their treat. A sign on the pastel cart indicated that this was an ice cream stand. It was a relief for the foal who really could use a refreshment just about now. However, it was not just any cart, the sign said. It was "Queen Snowy's GlobeTrotting Ice Cream". Whatever that meant. A simple look at the list of available flavours clarified the statement: there were over 15 different kinds, all made from combinations of ingredients native to the various regions.

"Po-ma-gre-na-te," the foal read outloud. It was like a tongue twister. Baroque laughed at the thought.

"Would you like some, Baroque?" His father looked intently at him. The foal shook his head energetically.

"Oh, yes please, Father!"

"Good," Nox said, turning to the mare to order. She readied a cone and a scoop.

"I would like a cone with every flavour, please."

Baroque had a double take. Had he heard right? Surely this much ice cream would be unnecessary.

The mare blinked in surprise. "A cone of every flavour?"

"No, one cone with a scoop of every flavour," Nox reiterated.

A wave of disbelief brushed over the vendor's face, but it was quickly pushed aside by a look of determination.

In a incredible display of telekinesis, the mare proceeded to assemble the cone, masterfully stacking scoop upon scoop until the cone rivaled Baroque in height.

The three quirlicorns couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

"Where would you like me to set it down?" The vendor generously asked, offering Nox a little stand that would normally help the cone stand on its own.

"Over here is fine," Nox said, indicating a spot of flattened sand by the ice cream cart. The mare nodded and hovered the cone in the said direction.

"Thank you so much!" Baroque exclaimed.

To no one's surprise, the cone began to precariously wave in the wind as soon as the vendor released her telekinetic grip from it.

Nox beheld his creation for a second, then bit into the topmost scoop, which was of a desaturated red colour.

"Hmmm."

Baroque took it as a permission to take a bite as well.

He let out a contented "hmmm" as well. A hint of cinnamon gave it a warm taste, despite it's frozen composition.

The cone graciously stood on its little stand for roughly one minute, giving the father and son duo enough time to enjoy a few of the flavours, before it began to melt and topple over.

This event was greeted by delighted gasps and laughter, as the two quirlicorns attempted to salvage as much of the falling ice cream as they possibly could.

Baroque had never had this much ice cream in one sitting, or in his life, for that matter.

Baroque suddenly retracted his neck and puffed his cheeks, his brain feeling as though it had been hit by a meteor.

"Oh no," Nox laughed. "Brain freeze?"

His question was punctuated by him squinting and shaking his head. "Argh, me too."

Heavy from all the ice cream and from the brain freeze, they went and found themselves a shady spot to lie down, and proceeded to nap for the rest of the afternoon, only waking up at sunset to find themselves a more proper resting place.