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// Part 4: Dinner and Ducks 
// Story: Fallout Equestria: Dead Tree: Hearts, Hooves and Heat 
// by headdie 
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Outside of the clinic was still, but inside my thoughts were about to spill.
While I had the occasional hook up in the past, I think this was the first time dinner was involved, it felt like something you would read in a romance story set before the war, maybe it was something you still did in the settlements.  Spending my whole life on the road as part of a nomadic tribe, and now as a traveler, getting strate to the point was more common.  Not only was this new for me, but on top of that Picline is simply beautiful, well let's just say my stomach was fluttering pretty hard and it wasnt from hunger.

Noting that Picline wasn't outside I stepped into the clinic to look for her.  As it turned out she was in the front office sorting through files and supplies.  The door shutting behind me caused a gentle rattle against the surrounding scrap wall, prompting Picline to lift her head to look, “Oh Chifundo, you… you look dashing,”  her voice trailing off as a smile spread across her face, “I feel so underdressed.”

My stripes began to flush again, “Www, why thank you Picline… Can I say lou look sublime.”  I couldn't help but grin like an adolescent colt flustered when the pretty filly spoke to me.

“I hope you dont mind… I mean I hope you dont think it’s too forward, but there is a nice restaurant on the next level down and I made reservations...”  The giddiness in Picline’s soul was plain to see even without being spiritually awakened.

“Too forward you are not, To hear of a nice spot. this place sounds delightful, into your heart I find insightful.” I couldnt help but smile at Pickline’s bashfulness, as well as reassuring me about my own nerves she took on a sweeter visage as her cheeks rosed a little against her coat.  “Do you have anything you need to perfect? or to shall we go to dinner direct?”
“Oh, erm, yeah that sound good, I’ve ah, I’ve been ready for a while now…” As Picline struggled with her words I walked up to her, took her hoof in mine and gently guided her towards the door, eliciting a small “eep“ from the mare.

Opening the clinic door for Pickline she sauntered through, hind quarters rolling as she did so, tail shifting side to side suggestively, enticing but not showing what was beneath.  Closing the clinic door behind us she looked over her shoulder along her flank towards me, her wine coloured eyes sparkling slightly in the lights of the shanty halls.  Stepping to her side we walked the corridors of Rooftop shanty, Picline walked close enough to me to cause the occasional brushing together of your flanks, touched which elicited electric sparks through my core, flushing my stripes.

As we walked Picline talked at length about the place she had reserved, how the owner had been running it since she was a filly, that she had only the chance to eat there two or three times before.  One detail she seemed to remember very well was the place having the most amazing grill of daily catches and also something they call duck along with salads containing wild herbs. From the sound of it, considering where we are they manage to do really well.

The place was difficult to miss, unless you are literally blind, I mean the place had a huge sign over the window saying RESTAURANT taking most of the width of the front situated at the bottom of the down ramp looking right at you.  I looked at Picline grinning and nodded towards the door, she answered with a cute smile and slight nod.

Reaching the door, I opened it for Picline and gestured inside, “After you Pickline so divine, too the meal we shall dine.” flashing her the most charming smile I could manage.

Picline lifted her hoof to her mouth and giggled heartily at my display, “Oh you old world charmer,” passing through the door she caressed my face with a swish of her tail.

Stepping in behind Picline the walls were solid, someone had even managed to scrounge up some paint.  The furniture is in reasonable repair and there was a warmth in the air that chased away the wasteland chill suggesting some sort of heating in the restaurant.

Finding our table we took our seats opposite each other.  “Thank you Chifundo, it has been such a long since somepony was such a gentlecolt to me, taking me out to a classy restaurant, making me feel special.”  as Picline spoke the waiter walked over levitating 2 glass jars which were cleaned to a shine, filling them with water which looked and smelled clean before handing over simple menus of what they had to offer.

“Picline it is a delight, to spend with you this night,” Picline looked down at the menu, I think to hide a blush.  I noticed her hoof near the middle of the table, deciding to be a little more forward, I slid my hoof over to hers.  As our hooves touched Picline gave another of her cute eeps, turning to look at me her face was flushed, “Is there anything on the menu, which the fancy takes you?”

Half looking between the menu and myself Picline mused out loud, “Ah.. well oooh, I haven't had sausage in ages…”  suddenly her eyes went wide accompanied by a furious blush as she realised what she had said, “I… I mean the food, sorry, I… um.”

I have to admit my stripes flushed a little to at the accidental double entendre, though the idea was entirely pleasant I have to admit.  Rubbing her hoof gently I did my best to calm and laugh along with her.  “been awhile since sausage had, some pizza would also make me glad, perhaps as a compromise, sausage on pizza would be a nice surprise.”

Picline smiled at the suggestion, and perhaps the lewder thoughts I hoped my suggestion encouraged.  Holding up her hoof, Picline gave the waiter out order and asked for a bottle of wine.  As the waiter walked away I looked towards my date, curious to find out a little more about her. “It seems you have jobs a plenty, from caring nurse to alert sentry.”

Picline seemed to shift uncomfortably, I guess she wasn't used to being the focus of attention like this, “Oh, I have lived here years, I mainly work in the clinic but I help out as needed.”

Picline’s answer brought hope that we would get along, someone who was selfless in their actions and kind in their thoughts, “It is good to see people lend a hand, There is not enough of that in this land.  To obsessed with selfish need, rather than the joy of a helping deed.” then another thought found its way to my mouth, “acts of kindness are worthwhile, especially with your cute smile.”

“I'm not cute! I'm, I'm, I'm the mother of two, I'm not cute I'm worn out like an old tire! But no, the wasteland needs ponies, and zebras, who are willing to do what needs to be done.”  The flustered look on Picline’s face while amusing also showed another aspect of how cute she looked.

It was almost a shame to see her regain her balance to agree with what I had said, “I agree with what you say, though if I may, through your experience, your beauty shines in radiance.”

There was another blush from Picline as her smile again spread across her face, “Your sweet… and oblivious, but sweet.”

I had to chuckle at that, “Yes sometimes my head is more in the spirit world than here, though you are certainly enough to keep my thoughts near.”  I did steal a moment to think on the adventures I have had since waking up in the cave, “Thankfully Sunrise helps me to hear that which is near.”

Picline giggled at that before giving me a playful punch over the table saying, “Should i be jealous of these spirits that you spend so much time with?” before giving me a wink.

“The spirits provide conversation when alone,” I turn to look Picline in the eyes, “But I prefer more Earthly company time has shown. When that earthly being is nice, pretty and kind, the company feels much more refined.”

Picline blushed intensely at that “I, I, I feel the same way, um, um, um, ah, the waiter is back with wine!” Picline’s blushed, shy and happy reaction was pure joy for me to see.

Smiling to her I turned to the waiter and helped him set down the glasses and accepted the bottle of uncorked wine and started to pour asking Picline to say when to stop, she didnt and by the tim I stopped the glass was brim full.  The mare looked at me, still heavily flustered, looked at the glass and took it.  What I assumed was going to be a sip turned into a long draught which emptied the glass in scant seconds.  Chuckling lightly I filled Picline’s glass back to about half full before pouring my own glass to the same level, Picline watched me as I did so, “hmmm Courage, surely this is the greatest invention.” she giggled out quietly.

I mused over Picline’s words, “Indeed alcohol can certainly help when feeling hesitantly.”

“It helps say what we can never find the words to...” Picline’s words drifted off into the either

“Help us find the words, or help us move towards,”  my own words trailing off in contemplation of Picline’s words, wondering what she was struggling to say?

Picline’s voice strengthened a little, “Or help us find the way to someone.” returning back to the here and now

Nodding to picline’s words, “Maybe this drink will help us not to sink,” I couldnt help a warm smile cross my lips as I took a sip of my own glass.  I decided at this point to give Picline a little space to say something if she wanted.

Picline didnt disappoint, either curiosity about me or a need to take the pressure of herself by taking charge a little.  “So, what have you been doing out in the wasteland? You mentioned spirits, are you a shaman?” questions leading into a long story to tell.

Well we do have time, and it’s probably a good way to lay out who I am so here goes, “Born to a zebra tribe traveling wide,  with strong shaman tradition at our side.  Elders hold tradition close to heart, new thinking not allowed to start.  Learned from elder and spirits much…”

Picline piped up, “Ohhh, what have the spirits taught you?” curiosity playing across her features

I had to think for a moment, I have had many conversations with the spirits over my short years, I suppose like with any conversation, the exact words are generally lost over time but the sense of what the conversations were about remains, “They have shown me dead companions at peace, the direction to walk when at hastes pace.  Warned me of danger’s peril, showed me events of the past tendril.  Helped my companions heal, shown me some of life’s zeal.”

Picline seemed to be slightly awestruck at what I was saying, asking about how the spirits talk to me so I explained that it varies, sometimes they speak to me in what feels to the non awakened like whispers on the breese or the shifting sand but I hear clearly and we converse, other times they will draw me into a vision which can be very unsettling the first few times it happens.

“So how did you come to be traveling the wastes?”   Picline asked staring at me a little wide eyed with her chin resting on her hooves, elbows resting on the table.

“10 years ago of a Zebra I hear, who traveled to a place we are near. Traveling to the pony land, this zebra studied the ponies and their magics grand. Inspired I too wish to study the pony magic, in the hopes of mixing it with the spiritual for results mundane and dramatic.  Sadly such research is taboo in my tribe who insist on tradition, handed down by the elders and spiritual condition. few years ago after instructions to stop, The wastes as home I was forced to adopt. Now in knowledge I search, for knowledge on my research.”

Picline;s eyes widened sharply, “So that means you have no home?”

“The wastes have become my home,” I look into picline’s eyes,”some places are nicer than others I roam.” flashing her with a gentle smile.

“Well we could use a dedicated Shaman… Not.. not.. Not saying that you should stay here.. But I thought it might be nice for you to stay here… with us, things are not quite right here and I would like it if you could help.”

The waiter returned with our order setting it out on the table for us, leaving us to our date as we thanked him.  Looking back at Picline, she was staring at me intently, her nerves clearly starting to get the better of her, had she fallen for me this hard already? Or am I just being hopeful that this delightful mare could feel something for me?

Being cautious for the moment I thought about my reply, ”
Staying for now could be hard, firstly that little green filly I feel I have to guard, she has drive and innocence I would see protected, from threats projected. Secondly is this place, a spirit of emptiness has found its palace. A spirit in opposition to the spirits of life I represent, the two aspects each other resent.  To drive a strong spirit away is not a power I possess, a spirit like this can only be uprooted, if the energy it feeds on is polluted…”

Before I could finish my thought a racket of honking kicked off in the kitchen breaking the moment, causing Picline and myself to look at each other in bewildered confusion.  The sound was quickly followed by cacophony of flapping, banging, slapping and shouting.  Bursting out of the kitchen somepony who looked like a cook of some sort skidded to a halt before turning to bolt for the exit wailing “Run for your lives… The Ducks have Escaped.”  not even stopping for the restaurant's doors the cook just plowed through them into the slowly thinning evening flow of ponies.

Officially curious we both got up from the table, walking over to the doors into the kitchen, what greeted up was a scene of chaos as perhaps 10 turkey sized ducks had overrun the kitchen with the kitchen staff in varying struggles for survival.

Looking to each other Picline drew a pair of knives and like somepony from a spy novel I drew my 9mm pistol from its holster hidden under my Jacket, Placing my hoof on the door, Picline stopped me, “I… Look everything's been going great but I dont want you to be weirded out but I am really good with knives, in the past its been something of an issue, I mean I am perfectly stable…”

I nodded to her, somepony concerned how their conduct in combat will reflect on them is nothing new to me, “Picline so dear, you have nothing to fear.  My judgement is reserved until action deserved.”

Still uncertain of herself Picline nodded to me, now was not the time for words when life was at stake.  I smiled and nodded back before pushing the door open, stepping in far enough to clear the door for Picline to enter as well.  Sighting the first duck I squeezed the trigger hitting the creature just below the neck dropping it instantly, next duck and the next shot hit center mass, my third shot struck a third duck in the head, removing it completely.  Picline on the other hand had taken the head clean off on a duck and was frantically stabbing another over and over again, a mix of glee and fury in her eyes, I may have to talk to her about that some time.  The rest of the ducks were taken care off by the kitchen staff, one elderly unicorn mare apparently seeing off 2 at once, using our distraction to smash the skull of one with a steel rolling pin while slashing the throat of the other while shrieking at them for causing a commotion in her kitchen.  The rest of the staff managed to either kill or corral the remaining ducks into a storage room.

With the dust settling, A pony identifying himself as the owner approached Picline apparently knowing her.  “Thank you Picline, if you and your date weren't here I shudder to think what would have happened, your meal tonight is on the house.  Now if you would please excuse me, I have a Dishcolt to shout at!”  with that the owner went storming off shouting a name I can only assume was the dishwasher who had managed to vanish in the comotion.

While the restaurant owner was talking to Picline I holstered my pistol and walked up to her.  Grabbing a cloth Picline started wiping splatters of blood off herself before looking to me with a smirk, “Well we got a free meal from it at least.”

Taking my pocket hoofkechief I wiped a splatter of blood which had landed just below here eye, “Agesture from the owner fine, though I suspect you are not in a mood to dine.” I felt her tence a little, though she relaxed as I continued to help clean her up.

Pickline blushed slightly, “Well if you dont mind, that got the blood pumping and I am in the mood to skip to desert, perhaps at my place if you understand my meaning.”

Pocketing my hoofkerchief I gestured towards the door with a smile, we strode out of the restaurant side by side, cheekily rubbing flanks, muzzles and other places as we walked.

****Fade to Black****