The sun shone radiantly through the leaves of Bridlewood, brightening the windows of The Crystal Tearoom like never before. The once-dreary interior glowed with the colors of the stained glass. Alphabittle smiled at the cheerful lightshow it created on the stage, contrasting sharply with the brooding poetry being recited by his regulars, and kept wiping down the bar by hoof as he'd always done.
The front door swung open wide, framing the regal profile of Queen Haven in a bright halo of sunlight. Striding into the tea room, she stopped in a practiced pose and removed her sunglasses, smiling. The other patrons barely looked up from their tea. After a few moments the Queen's smile faded into disappointment as no cameras flashed.
Alphabittle chuckled from behind the bar. “Well, if it isn't Her Majesty from Zephyr Heights. Come on over, and welcome to my little tea room.” He nodded his head toward the other ponies around the room. “Don't mind them. They're a little stuck in their ways and are used to keeping their eyes in their teacups.”
Haven sighed, smiling again as she approached. “It's a habit, I suppose, for me to expect the paparazzi to snap photos whenever I enter a room. This is certainly more... humbling.” She laughed ruefully. “It's certainly a... unique look you have here, Alphabittle. Very cozy.”
“My customers seem to like it. I'm hoping to make it more exciting now that we can do things like this.” His horn glowed and moments later a teacup and saucer floated down to the bar in front of the Queen before a teapot quickly filled it with steaming, fragrant tea. An adorable little armadillo carried over a small pitcher of milk, pouring some in at Haven's nod.
Haven gave the little critter a gentle scratch on its head, making it coo happily.
“On the house, Your Majesty,” Alphabittle said with a sheepish smile. “I never did really thank you for saving me and these little guys from that big robot machine.”
“You can call me Haven, and don't mention it. I couldn't very well let these adorable little cuties be crushed, now could I?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Certainly not.”
Haven sipped at her tea. “Mmm, delicious!” Glancing past him to the shelves behind the counter, she slowly raised a brow. “Tell me, Alphabittle, why do you have a rubber chicken on the shelf?”
He glanced back at it. “Oh, I won that in a game of darts a couple years back. The owner actually claimed it was a family heirloom.”
“Ah, yes, my daughters said you like betting on games. They told me to ask you about an “Ultimate Challenge” if I dropped in here.”
Alphabittle smirked and his horn glowed, pulling back the curtain next to the bar, revealing his Just Prance machine in all its glory. “Behold! The Ultimate Challenge!” he said with a laugh. “I usually reserve this for very special bets.”
Haven grinned, stepping around to inspect the machine. “I can see why.” She met his gaze. “What do you say to the loser buys a round for everyone?”
Alphabittle raised a brow, looking her over. “Are you certain? I wouldn't want to embarrass you on your first visit.”
She laughed. “Oh, I may be a Queen, but I wasn't always proper. Try to keep up, big guy.”
He chuckled, motioning for the critters to prepare the machine. “Best out of three?”
Their eyes met, and narrowed. “It is on!” they said in unison, and jumped into the ready position.