//------------------------------// // Dinner Date // Story: Not Them // by BleedingRaindrops //------------------------------// Fancypants could hear glasses and dishes clicking on trays as Waiters rushed about the inside of the restaurant. He checked his watch. Odd that he did that, as it wasn’t really the time he was checking. He was right on time though, ten minutes to eight, and only two ponies ahead of him in line at the desk. His date, however, was not. He looked left and right down the cobblestone streets. No sign of her. The Waitress called the next pony in line, and now there was only one pony ahead of him. Five minutes to eight. A tall, white pegasus mare wearing an extravagant and heavily sequined dress strode up to the restaurant. She folded her… wings? Fancypants blinked. No, just a flap of the dress. There was clearly a horn on her head. Ah, Lucidia. She had arrived.  Fancypants smiled and waved to her. She looked up, as though startled to see him, and then trotted boldly over.  “There you are. I was beginning to wonder if—” “Name please,” The pony at the reservation desk called.  “Oh, yes, reservation for Fancypants, and date.”  “Right this way, sir.” Fancypants held out a hoof. Lucidia took it and they followed as their server led them to a table near the back. The dining room was well lit with many chandeliers overhead, and dozens of candelabras along the wall, which was lined with red velvet and purple fan curtains. She blushed as he helped her into her seat, and his chest swelled with pride. He hurried to sit across from her, though not so quickly as to sacrifice grace. The waiter brought them water and bread sticks, and moved to place their menus. Fancypants gently stopped the waiter with a hoof. “Ah, I think I’ll have the usual carrot soup and daisies tonight. And you, my dear?” he asked, looking to the beautiful mare across the table. She blinked, and said nothing for a moment, then blushed and put a hoof to her mouth. “Oh, um, I’ll have the same, thank you.” she ducked down in her seat a little, so Fancy leaned forward to reach a hoof gently toward her.  “Such taste in delicacy and decor, you are a diamond, Miss Lucidia.” She smiled meekly until the waiter left, then seemed to relax a little. She gazed about at the chandeliers, as though seeing them for the first time. Fancy smiled and let her admire them for a moment before touching her hoof with his, drawing her attention back to him. “I remember at the Gala you mentioned something about a family business in interior design. Could you tell me more about that?” he asked, leaning back in his seat. Her eyes widened and she put a hoof to her mouth. “Oh, I um… just lights, I guess.” She giggled a bit. She looked up, smiling brightly. At last. “I designed these, actually.” She gestured up at the chandelier overhead. Fancypants let out a surprised chuckle. “Really? Fascinating. And to think this restaurant is one of the oldest in Canterlot. They must have redone the lighting since it was built. How long have you been in business?” Lucidia twirled her hoof for a moment looking up. “Oh about… I don’t remember, actually. Since I was a filly, I think?” “You were in business as a filly?” “Uh…” She floundered for a moment, as though she was having trouble finding the thought. “Well I mean it was my parents’—is, my parents’ um… business.” She swallowed, fanning herself with a hoof. “I’m sorry, I guess I’m just a bit nervous, this being our first dinner and all.” Fancypants frowned. “Surely this isn’t your first dinner with someone else, Miss Lucidia?” Was it really? How could it be? With her beauty, he could not be the first to treat her to dinner.  She began fanning herself more rapidly, appearing more and more stressed by the moment, he went to reach for her hoof, when there was a shout from the front door. Fancypants flinched. “What do you mean the name’s been crossed off?! Where is he?!” Fancypants turned to see what the commotion was and saw a white unicorn mare with a flowing dress looking about the restaurant, and taking a very aggressive posture with the Maitre’d. She locked eyes with him for a moment… and… Fancypants blinked. It was Lucidia. Wait, no. She was just across the table from him. Fancypants looked back at Lucidia across the table, but she had gotten up, and was hurrying away toward the restroom. He stood up to follow after her. “Wait! Miss Lucidia, I…” She stopped, briefly, as she reached the restroom door. There were tears in her eyes, and she looked… afraid. But of what? She mouthed a quick “I’m sorry” before ducking her head and rushing into the restroom. Wings appeared at her side in a flash of green as she vanished through the door. He had not gone more than a step from his table. Deciding it was best not to follow her, he sat down, only to see Lucidia stomping toward him looking furious. “Who was that?” She snapped as she reached the table. Fancypants looked from Lucidia to the restroom and back to Lucidia several times. His mouth opened and closed but no words came out. Lucidia began tapping her hoof rapidly. Finally, he hung his head, gestured to the seat across from him, and let out a sigh. “My apologies, Miss Lucidia. I believe I have fallen victim to a very clever ruse. I hope it has not put you off from having dinner with me this evening.” He looked up at her with a tight but calm smile, hoping that he appeared apologetic enough for her to stay.  Her glare hardened, then softened, and finally she stiffly lowered herself into the chair, glowering across the table at him. “I suppose I could give you another chance. I am hungry after all.” She crossed her hooves and looked sourly away. Fancy let out a sigh. With any luck the rest of the evening would be very uneventful. The waiter arrived carrying their food, and Lucidia raised an eyebrow at him, but accepted the food without saying anything. She ate in silence until her soup was finished, then lifted her napkin to her lips with her magic, and looked up at him. “You really don’t know who she was?” He swallowed and shook his head. “I’m afraid not. But I think this will be a very interesting story to tell at the next party I attend.” He cleared his throat. “So then, why don’t you tell me about what you do? I heard you mention something about interior design at the gala.” Lucidia smiled and lifted her glass to her lips, then began. “Well, when I was a filly I was always fascinated by chandeliers. I helped design the ones this restaurant installed last year, you know.”