//------------------------------// // Boss-in-Law // Story: The Potion Shop // by Ashfur //------------------------------// The Riverside Diner was always a popular hangout for the residents of the town.  Being nestled into a bend in one of the winding rainbow streams that flowed through town, it offered a spectacular view to the patrons of the town who wanted to watch ponies meander about market square. Mage Meadowbrook found this view enjoyable as she sat across from Arca.  The waitress was just arriving with their meals. A delicious looking salad for her, and… “Um, Arca?” “Yeah, Boss?” “Why did the waitress bring an extra bread basket?  I thought you ordered ‘the usual’.” “This is ‘the usual’, Boss.  I love the bread here.” He glanced at the half-finished bread basket that had been brought to the table for them to munch on while looking over the menu.  “You gonna eat that?” “No, Arca,” Meadow sighed.  “You can have it.” “Woohoo!  Oh, and I almost forgot, I got your birthday present right here!”  Arca reached into his lab coat and pulled out a small jewelry box, not unlike those used to hold wedding rings.  “The jewelry store in town wouldn't let me in, so I had to ask Celestia for help, but I think you'll really love this-” “DON'T YOU DARE, ARCIE!” “-Impending migraine.  Hello, Razzle.” The unicorn starlet stormed up to the Alchemist, fuming mad.  “I can't believe you right now! About to pop the question to this two-bit, tail-lifting hussy-” “Hey!” Razzle ignored Meadowbrook and continued.  “-when I'm right here! And you thought I wouldn't catch you cheating on me!  Give me this,” she swiped the box and opened it, levitating out a small heart-shaped locket.  She read the words engraved on it. “I love you… Mom?  Wait…”  she turned and looked at the mare sitting with Arca.  “Are you, by any chance, Arcane's adopted mother, Mage Meadowbrook?” “Yes, I am,” she replied with an angry glare.  “And I am most certainly NOT a ‘two bit tail lifting hussy’ as you called me.” Arca snatched the locket back and passed it to Meadowbrook.  “Happy birthday, Mom,” he began, making sure to emphasize the relationship he had with Meadow.  “I arranged for us to get our photos taken at the photography studio next week so you have something to put in there.” “Oh, Arcane, it's lovely, but you already got me a better present.” “What?  No, last I checked that was the only thing I got this year…” “Arca.  She may be a tad rude, but why didn't you tell me you had a marefriend?” “W-what?!” “And such a beautiful one, too.  Come over here, girl. Sit down, don't be shy.  What's your name?” She gestured to the empty seat next to Arca.  “Have a seat with your coltfriend.” Arcane suddenly looked very stressed.  “Boss, she's not my-” “Oh, I'd love to!  And I'm sorry for calling you that, I just didn't want my little Arcie-warkie ending up with the wrong mare.”  She plopped down on the seat next to Arca, and leaned over so she could rub up against him like an affectionate cat.  “Love you, stud~” Arca glared at her.  “I. Am. Eating.” “Oh, that's right!”  She reached down and picked up a slice in her teeth, holding it out to Arca in preparation for a kiss.  “Say ah~” “Waitress!  More bread, please!  Please?” Meadow quieted Arca with a wave of her hoof.  “So, how did you two meet?” Arca sighed.  “Welp, this story always makes ponies tear up, but since I've heard it before…”  he lit his horn, and in a flash he summoned an onion. “Come on, work right. Why aren't I crying yet?” Razzle took a knife off the table and chopped the onion in half.  “You have to do this, love.” “Oh, okay!”  Arca picked up the two halves and shoved them in his eyes.  “So how is this gonna- AAAAAAAAA” He galloped off, crashing into several things as he ran, leaving the two mares alone.  Neither were fazed in the slightest, although Razzle did need to pick herself up off the ground. “So, how'd you meet?”  Meadowbrook leaned on her hooves, grinning.  “I never thought Arca would find a mare that would tolerate his antics.” “Well, he saved my life.  And since then, I've been his marefriend!” “Oh? Care to elaborate?” Razzle took a bite of the bread.  “Ah, I remember it like it was yesterday… “My father, he was a wicked stallion.  He held me away from the world and hurt me in ways I don't want to talk about.  He… I…” Razzle teared up a bit, wiping her eyes with a hoof. “I met my Arcie during one of my escape attempts.  He was gathering rare ingredients and didn't know anypony lived nearby. When my father came, Arca… he saved me. He jumped in the way of a spell meant for me, and bounced it back at my father.  And he picked me up, and galloped off.” “So he foalnapped you?  It sounds like he had a good reason, though.” “He certainly did!  When my father sent some of his servants after me, as he had access to that kind of influence, Arca beat off all of them and helped me escape his zone of influence for good.  He kept me safe, got me back on my hooves, gave me food, and shelter, and finances, and helped me get my life back on track. I became a model and worked to help other ponies in trouble like I was.  But since then, my precious Arcie… he's always been in my mind. Always in my heart. I love him. I absolutely, positively love him. And he loves me, so much that one day he's going to come up to me in a fancy suit and profess his love for me~” With no warning, Arca fell through the roof with his mane slicked back, a fancy bow tie around his neck, a fancy tuxedo draped over his lab coat, emitting the scent of expensive cologne and holding a bouquet of roses in his mouth. “A-Arcie!  Oh my Celestia, you DO care!” Meadowbrook brushed some debris out of her mane and smiled.  “He's such a gentlestallion, isn't he? You have my blessing, Razzle, but don't mess with him or you'll have me to deal with.  I'll leave you two lovebirds alone! See you later, Arca, take care! And thank you for the birthday dinner. This was the best present you could have gotten me!” As she trotted off, and Razzle hugged her ‘coltfriend’, Arca spat out the roses and had one thing to say: “Damn it, I missed that stupid bird AGAIN!”