A few hours later, the train had arrived in Manehattan, and the two mares
had made their way to the hotel and checked in. They had also hired a luggage
service to get their bags from the central station all the way to the hotel,
and from there the hotel porter had taken it all to their room.
Pinkie bounced in through the door and looked around, with Rarity and the porter
following shortly after.
“Look!” Pinkie said as Rarity walked in, “We have a huuuge bed!
And a sofa! and a TV! and...”, She was going to continue further, but Rarity interrupted her.
“Pinkie dear, try to calm down. I know you’re excited, but please relax.”
Pinkie did as Rarity said, and stopped bouncing. Instead she decided to check the rest of
the room, locating a bathroom with a bathtub, and after that she went out to the balcony
to check the view. Meanwhile, Rarity thanked the porter for his service with a few bits.
“Thank you for carrying all the luggage. Oh, and if we need anything, how do we contact
the reception?”
The porter pointed at a phone next to the bed.
“Just lift the phone off the hook and dial ‘1’ to connect to reception. ‘2’ for room service,
if you want food or snack or something delivered to the room.
Anything you buy will be added to the bill when you check out and leave,
and all prizes are listed in the pamphlet next to the phone.”
After that, the porter left the room. Pinkie called out from the balcony.
“Rarity, come out here, you gotta see this! We have a great view!”
“Well, we are ten stories up, so...” Rarity smiled and walked out to Pinkie.
“Oh my. This is indeed a great view.” She said as she glanced over the edge,
seeing the city laid out beneath them.
Pinkie smiled widely. “Just imagine how amazing the sunsets will look from here!”
“Oh, yes, it will indeed be beautiful. But we should get going if we’re going to that
cafe you mentioned on the train.
“OH! Right! Come on!”
“Hold on a minute, I want to get dressed first. I mean, we’re in the big city now,
and here most ponies DO wear clothes... I want to fit in.”
“Fine, I’ll wait.” Pinkie said with a smile. “What’cha wearing?”
“I was thinking something simple, just a plain summer dress and a hat.”
She opened one of her suitcases and pulled out a light blue dress, and a matching wide-
brimmed hat, decorated with a large peacock feather. She quickly got dressed and ready.
They both went down to the reception, and Pinkie approached the desk,
where an old mare was sitting.
“Excuse me, Where do I find Café Licorne D’or?”
The old mare glanced at a map. “Jus’ take a left when ya exit here, an’ keep followin’
the street straigh’ for a couple o’ blocks, ya’ll see the sign above th’ door when ya
get there.”
Rarity looked at Pinkie with mild surprise. “I did not know YOU speak Prench, Pinkie?”
Pinkie smiled, somewhat confused. “I don’t. Why?”
“Well, ‘café licorne d’or’ actually means ‘Golden unicorn cafe’ in Prench.”
“Ooooh, THAT explains a lot!” Pinkie said, eyes widening.
“Hm? It does?”
“Yes! They have a gold-painted unicorn on the sign on the door, and the old stallion
who owns the place is from Prance!”
“Well, that does indeed xplain that then. So it’s a prench cafe.”
“Actually, half-Prench, half-Equestrian.”
“Even better, a mixed-culture-cafe. I love those.”
“I knew you would, that’s why I’m taking you there!” Pinkie smiled.
* * *
Later, the two ponies arrived at Café Licome D’or, a small cafe made to look prench
despite being located in Manehattan. Inside all tables were already occupied,
but they also had a few tables outside in a small garden on the backside
of the building. They found the only empty one, and sat down.
Shortly after, a young mare in a waitress outfit came up to them.
“Welcome.” She said with a smile, and with a noticeably prench accent.
“My name is Petit Éclaire, and I’m the waitress here at Café Licome D’or.
What may I get you? Coffee, tea, something to eat?”
“I would like a cup of basic Earl grey tea, and a piece of carrot cake.” Rarity said.
“I want tea too, and a large cupcake!” Pinkie said excitedly.
“Very well, wait here, I will return soon.” the young waitress said and went inside.
A few minutes later she came back out with two large teacups, one blue and one
orange. “I want the blue cup!” Pinkie said when she placed them on the table.
“It’s the exact same tea in both, you know.” Rarity said.
“I know, but I still want the blue cup!” Pinkie smiled.
Petit Éclaire smiled. “I will come back again with your cake and cupcake.
Again, she went inside, while Pinkie closely examined her teacup.
“Something wrong?” Rarity asked.
“...My spoon.” Pinkie said slowly.
“What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s upside down.. the spoony part is sticking up, and the slim grabby part is
in the tea.” Pinkie said, and then examined Raritys cup as well.
“Yours is correct though.”
Rarity smiled and sighed. “Does it really matter? You can just turn it around.”
“I know, I just thought it seemed worth noting for some reason...Oh nevermind,
here comes the cupcake!” She smiled widely as Éclaire returned.
“Say, excuse me.. but have I not seen you here before?” She asked, looking at Pinkie.
“Mmm, laft yea, i vifitedh fwiends and came hewe, eafing cuphcawes!”
Pinkie responded with her mouth full.
Éclaire giggled.
"Pinkie Pie, manners!” Rarity said. “Chew, swallow, and THEN talk.”
Pinkie swallowed and kept talking. “sorry.” she said with a smile.
“Won’t do it again!” She added, and took another bite of the cupcake.
“Ah yes, your name was Pinkie.. now I remember. You met my grand-papa,
monsieur Escargot, who owns this place.”
“Yeah, he was a nice old colt. Is he okay?”
“Oh yes, do not worry. He retired, me and Papa took over this Café,
Grand-papa Escargot lives in a retirement home now.”
“Excuse me for being bold, but how old is your grandfather?” Rarity asked.
“He is 73 this year, but still relatively healthy for his age, he often takes
long walks around town. He walks slowly, but he walks nonetheless.
Now, you must excuse me, I have other customers to attend.
It was a pleasure meeting you again, Pinkie.” the young mare smiled and
walked away.
“I didn’t realize you personally KNEW the owner, I thought you just knew
who he was.” Rarity said.
“Yeah, like she said, I met them last year on a visit here. But back then,
Petit was still in school, she must’ve just graduated and started here...”
“Very possible.” Rarity smiled and continued eating her carrot cake.
“Mm, simply divine. They really know how to make carrot cake here.
It’s ALMOST as good as Mr. Cakes back home in Ponyville.”
“I know right? This place has amazing baked goods!”
A little while passed as the two ponies drank their tea and engaged in
small-talk. After a while, they decided to move on and go back to the hotel
and relax for the duration of the day, and have some room service food for dinner.
The evening went by, as they relaxed, ate, watched some TV, and then finally
went to bed near midnight.