//------------------------------// // A "Normal" Family Dinner // Story: Just Another Night At the Bar // by Silent Sir 224 //------------------------------// How has she been able to sleep for an extra couple hours? "Hey Twilight, wake up. We have to leave in a half hour." "Hmm... five more minutes..." She groaned. Bishop gave sigh before standing up off the couch. Twilight's head fell on the arm rest. "Okay, okay, I'm up." She raised her head slowly before slumping off the couch. "You said a half hour?" "Yep. Do you want to shower before we leave?" "Sure. Bathroom's on the right, right?" "Yes, ma'am." "Okay, I'll be quick." She shuffled down the hallway before vanishing from sight. The door shut with a barely audible click. This will be the first time I will go back to Niccolo's home in at least a year. This will be an interesting little date, to say the least. Bishop relaxed on the couch and waited for Twilight to be done in the bathroom. She was done in fifteen minutes and left the bathroom, drying her mane with a towel. "That was refreshing, thank you for letting me use your shower." "No problem. I'm going to take a quick shower and then we'll head out, okay?" "That works for me," she sat on the couch and continued drying her mane. He walked into his bathroom and closed the door behind him, expecting the floor to be covered in puddles, but was pleasantly surprised when he noticed how the floor was completely dry. She picks up after herself? Yeah, definitely going to try to make this relationship good for her. He turned on the water for the shower and stepped inside when the water heated up just enough to burn his skin slightly. Ahh... relaxing heat... He reached for the shelf where a bar of soap sat for him. But the shelf was empty, come on, where is that slippery- His thoughts were interrupted by something slippery coming between his hoof and the floor, causing him to slip and hit the side his head on the wall with an audible thud. Oh... I guess I found it... He stopped his head from spinning anymore and rose to his hooves again. The bar of soap floated up in a grey aura and was placed on the shelf again. A knock came from the door of the bathroom, "Bishop, are you okay?" Twilight asked. "Uh, yeah, had a little mishap with the soap, but I'm fine," he explained. "My head's spinning a little, but I'll live." "You sure?" "Yes, Twilight, I'm sure. Thank you." "Okay, I'll be in the living room if you need me." Bishop shook off his dizziness and got himself cleaned up quickly and hopped out of the shower. He left the bathroom with a cloud of steam and found Twilight sitting outside the door. "The couch might be a little more comfortable than the floor, you know?" "I wanted to make sure I would be able to help you if you fell again." She replied as she rose to her hooves. "I don't think a bar of soap could best me twice in one day." He replied, chuckling a little at the idea of being bested by a hygiene product. "You slipped on a bar of soap?" She asked, a hint of worry in her voice. "Yeah, it wasn't on the shelf and found its way between my hoof and the floor." "...I might be responsible for that." She admitted avoiding eye contact with Bishop. "Twilight, that's like saying you're responsible for gravity. Even if you were responsible, it's not like I could be upset with you." He smiled sincerely, when she finally looked back up at him, she had a small smiling forming on her lips. "Now, we hath better depart, lest we keep our hosts waiting." "That shall be quite uncouth, let us make haste." She replied, showing up his use of Old Equish. "After you milady," Bishop bowed allowing his guest to lead. Twilight rose to her hooves and began walking toward the door with Bishop following close behind her. "How far a journey must we take to reach the domicile of sir Niccolo?" "This journey shall be a long and arduous one, we shall have to trek a total of three city blocks before we may even set eyes upon our destination. I fear we may not make the trip in less than several minutes," he joked as they traversed down the stair case. "Aye, a lady in my present demeanor is in no condition to take such a journey," Twilight kept up the act. Neither of them wanted to back down from this little game they had unintentionally began. "Fear not milady, for I shall carry you if the need doth arise." Bishop replied as they reached the ground floor. "Oh my, such chivalry," she faux swooned, until she fell too far for her hooves to support. She gave a small squeal before she was surrounded by a grey veil and pulled upright. Her cheeks developed a red blush as she realized what just happened. "It appears thou has rivalry with gravity, but we simply must depart, now." He bowed his head allowing her to regain the lead as they walked out into the rain soaked city. "Now what directions must we take to be upon our goal?" Twilight asked with her eyes scanning the cityscape from the street corner, pretending that her embarrassing moment a few seconds ago never occurred. Bishop let her too, at least, for now. "Okay, you win this round," he admitted defeat. "I can't keep up right now. But, we need to take a right here. Then, go down two blocks and cross the street on the left." "I bet I'll get there first!" With that she ran off, like a filly in a schoolyard. Oh boy, what did I just sign up for with this one? Bishop gave chase catching up to the mare quickly The two reached the front door of a large, victorian style home at the same time, slightly winded. The two story house, painted beige with the window trim given a charcoal coat and a similar colored door, was every bit as classy as it's owner. "This is Niccolo's home?" Twilight asked, in awe at the structure's style and size. "This is the place," Bishop said. Twilight's jaw definitely dropped a little. "Don't worry, I had the same reaction when I first came here." He knocked on the charcoal door and was greeted by their host. "Ah, Bishop, Twilight, so glad to have you come and visit." Niccolo stepped back inside allowing the couple to follow. "Dinner will be ready shortly. Until then, please, take a seat in the parlor." Bishop entered first and took in the interior, no matter how many times he saw it, it was always stunning. "Caterina, Rosa, come and greet our dinner guests," Niccolo called up the stairs. A moment later two fillies came down, they appeared to be twins. Caterina having her father's black in her coat and her mother's silver in her mane, Rosa seemed to be the opposite, having a silver coat and black mane. "Good evening Mr. Bishop, Ms. Sparkle," the two greeted. How they managed to do that at the same time was still beyond him. "Good evening ladies," Bishop replied. "A pleasure to meet you both," Twilight extended her hoof. The two fillies looked at each other for a moment, before Rosa extended her own and shook hooves with Twilight. Caterina followed suit, a little uneasy about the act. The five each found a seat in the parlor, Twilight and Bishop shared a love seat and Niccolo and his daughters took a couch on the opposite side of the room. "So, how have you two been?" Niccolo inquired. "Doesn't look like the storm shook you up too much." He chuckled lightly, knowing all too well about Bishop's fear. "Not really," Bishop pulled Twilight close. "Thanks to this little mare, here." She blushed lightly, "I didn't really do anything..." "Dinner is ready!" A voice called from the kitchen, prompting everyone to rise to their hooves and gather at the dinner table. She carried several pots of food and placed them in the center of the large table. Each pot holding a steaming dish: spaghetti, ravioli, and several other dishes from their homeland. Steaming broccoli, green beans, carrots and potatoes. "I hope this all wasn't all just for our sake," Bishop stated, eying the tantalizing meal. "Well, it's been so long since you last visited, I couldn't remember what you liked. So, I made a little of everything." "I assure that was not necessary," his body turned against him as his stomach gave a longing growl. "Your stomach says otherwise, dear," she countered. "Help yourself, there's plenty of food for everyone." "Oh, terribly sorry. Twilight, this is Sofia. Sofia, this is Twilight." Sofia gave a bow, "An honor to have you in our home Ms. Sparkle." "No, no just Twilight please. Such formalities are not necessary, Sofia. I'm just a regular unicorn, nothing special." Oh Twilight, I do so admire that modesty. But at the same time, you sell yourself so short! I really need to try to fix that... With that a plan was set in motion, with Twilight conversing with Sofia, he slipped away to find Niccolo just out of earshot of the conversation. "Niccolo, does the owner of The Evening Sun still owe you that favor?" The black stallion raised an eyebrow at the inquiry, "After pulling a triple shift for him last Hearts and Hooves Day for him, I have made three dates with no reservation whatsoever and he still thinks he owes me. Why do you ask?" "Do you think I could reserve a section of the restaurant tomorrow night?" Niccolo's jaw dropped, "You can't be serious!? An entire section!? With a day's notice!? Why would you make such a... this is for Twilight isn't it?" "Yes it is, I just want you to try. I'll pay for it, money is no object here, but I need you to call in that favor to make it possible." "You're serious? You know how much he's going to ask for! You seriously can afford that? She really means that much to you?" "I haven't actually dated anyone since my heartbreak in college. I seriously gave up on love a long time ago. Then she shows up in town out of the blue, and after she stuck with me despite my fear... She really means that much, if not that then more. Besides, those bits are just burning a whole in my pocket anyway." He wiped a tear from his eye. "There's no getting through that thick skull of yours this time is there?" He joked. "Not this time, so will you do it?" "I'm gonna really miss not having to make reservations," he sighed. "But this is more important than a minor convenience. I'll do it, you've down your share of favors for me over the years." "After this, consider me in your debt. I probably am asking too much to be considered even." "Nonsense, we're even now. At least, until I need your assistance again." "Ahem, are you two going to be eating tonight?" Sofia inquired. "I slaved over a hot stove all day and you haven't even sat down yet!" "Sorry dear, we were just having a discussion," Niccolo replied as he sat down at the head of the table, taking a generous helping of most everything at the table. Bishop followed his lead, taking a seat next to Twilight and hoping no one would ask about their 'discussion.' "So, what were you two talking about?" Twilight asked, dashing Bishop's hopes of no one asking. "Uhh, just some things about work, things I can't discuss openly." He wore a small smile, technically, it's not lying, right? "Oh, okay." She returned to her plate full of food. "Can I find out later, or is it a 'need to know' kind of thing?" "It's a need to know basis for now, but the moment I can I'll tell you," he promised. "Don't worry, I don't need to know," she turned to Niccolo at the head of the table. "If you don't mind me asking, are you from Equestria? I don't mean to be rude, but I've never seen this kind of cuisine before." The stallion chuckled a little, "Ms. Sparkle, don't worry, you are not the first to ask. And you will certainly won't be the last, either. Sofia and I came from a state of Equestria on the southern border, called Italia. The customs there are, a bit different from the rest of the land." He gestured to the dishes in front of them, "Each dish is a traditional item, and you may have noticed some meat in a couple of dishes..." "Actually dear," his wife corrected. "I made things vegetarian this time for our guests. Since last time, Bishop nearly toppled over when he found out." Niccolo took a look at the food on his plate, indeed, no meat. He started laughing, "Well, never mind about that then, but anyway... The customs of our homeland are a bit unique: Meat is eaten as well as greens, making us omnivores, another thing is our names. Everywhere else, the parent decides a child's name based on appearance and family titles. In Italia, the tradition is to give our children a unique name as well as a surname. Being very old fashion, Sofia and I continued the tradition here with Caterina and Rosa. That's really all that there is to be known." Twilight took in everything she had just learned and had a look of deep thought, possibly cataloging the information for later use. "I see, my apologies but in my years of study, I've never come across a land by that name." "Not that surprising, it's not exactly an important part of the country. Just a small place where ponies developed a different way of life," the dark stallion explained. "But enough about us, please, tell us a little about yourself, Twilight. Just what brought you to the city?" "Oh, well I came here to attend a lecture on spell theory. Of course, by the time I get here I learn that the proctor came down with an illness and had to cancel his lecture. I considered just going home after a day and thought about going to a bar for dinner. And then I met Bishop," she gave him a peck on the cheek. "He was really nice and offered to let me stay at his place for my little vacation here." Niccolo turned to his friend, a little shocked. "After one night, Bishop?" "Yes, Niccolo, we couldn't find her hotel," he explained. "I wasn't going to have her sleeping outside and my apartment's big enough for two." "Bishop..." the host sighed. "I don't know whether I should call that chivalry or stupidity, but either way, it was a good call." The white stallion smiled, "I know." The rest of the dinner was spent having Rosa and Caterina asking the two about magic and how to improve their own ability with it. After dessert, the family waved the couple off as they left. "That was a fun night," Bishop commented. "It was a lot of fun," Twilight replied. "You go there often?" "When I'm not distracted with work... and I have a beautiful date to accompany me," he added. "Oh, so this was your first time, then?" She joked. "Oh! Your words act as daggers," he grabbed his chest for emphasis before laughing. "Come on Mr. Chivalry," she yawned loudly, "It's not polite to keep a lady out so late." "Of course, milady." The two slipped through the empty streets, lit mostly by lamp posts and Luna's moon and stars high in the night sky. Upon reaching the stairs, Twilight was about finished. "Can you make it?" "Maybe in a minute, I just need to lay me head for a moment." She rested her head on the first step and gave another yawn. Bishop took her in his grey aura and put her on his back, "Come on Ms. Magic, I think I hear a bed calling your name." She said nothing, only wrapping her hooves around his neck. By the second flight, she was using his mane as a pillow and was presumably out cold. Her carrier slipped through the door silently before putting her on the bed and pulling the covers up to her chin and gave her a kiss on the forehead before getting his bedding and slipping into unconsciousness on the couch...