//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 - An Interesting Lunch // Story: My Feelings Have Shifted // by rarityxspike //------------------------------// When they arrived at Épices Florales, Spike walked up to the entrance and the bouncer pony stopped him. "Excuse me, do you have a reservation?", the pony asked. "Reservation?", Spike looked back as the two princesses caught him up, "I'm sorry, apparently you need a reservation to eat here", Spike told the alicorns disappointingly. The bouncer realised who Spike was talking to and he quickly fixed his posture. "Oh, why, you're highnesses, what brings you to the Épices Florales?", the pony asked. Celestia looked up at the bouncer. "Oh, well, we were going to have some lunch here, but we didn't make a reservation", the bouncer pony nervously laughed. "Nonsense, you can dine here whenever you want, so what would it be a table for two?", the bouncer completely ignoring Spike's existence. "Uhh...no, we would like a table for three, thank you", Luna said slightly annoyed knowing the bouncer was ignoring Spike. The bouncer then decided to acknowledge Spike. "Ahh, I see, very well, follow me", the bouncer said leading into the restaurant. As they walked in they were all mesmerised, the place looked amazing, everything was set out perfectly, pure white table cloths on each table, along with cushiony chairs. "May we have a table for three for our royal highnesses and an acquaintance", the bouncer said to the mare behind the desk. Luna got slightly more frustrated with the bouncer, she composed herself and cleared her throat. "Excuse me, sorry, there seems to be some misunderstanding, we would like a table for three, for myself, my sister and a close friend of ours", Luna said looking at the bouncer when she emphasized the word 'close'. The bouncer heard Luna's tone and didn't want to get into any trouble, so he bowed and returned outside. The mare behind the desk cleared her throat out of feeling awkward. "Yes, we have a table for three, if you would follow me", the mare showed them to a table in a subtle area. "We have this one which is slightly subtle, so you don't get bombarded with ponies or have ponies staring while you eat, or we have another table if you'd like", the mare smiled. "This area is fine, thank you for being thoughtful", Celestia said gratefully. "You're welcome, your highness", the mare bowed. "A waitress will be with you shortly", the mare said before returning to her desk at the front. Spike waited until the mare was out of earshot before speaking. "Thank you, Luna", Spike said smiling at Luna. "Don't mention it, Spike, I wasn't going to stand there and have them treat you like you don't exist or aren't important", Luna explained. Spike's smile grew, Luna returned the smile. "Okay, well, you both can order whatever you want, my treat", Spike said still smiling and handing each alicorn a menu. "Thank you again, Spike", Luna said taking the menu with her magic, while Celestia did the same. "Yes, thank you, this place is lovely", Celestia said just before reading the menu. Both princesses looked at the menu then they both looked at each other concerned, Spike noticed as was confused. "What's wrong? Isn't there anything you like?", Spike asked worried. "No, it's the prices, Spike, look", Luna said showing him the menu. Spike looked at the prices, but it didn't bother him, he just smiled at Luna. "It's okay order whatever you want, I have enough, as long as you're hap--- both happy, that's all that matters", Spike said catching what he was about to say and hoping nopony would notice. Why did I almost say that!?, Spike thought to himself. "Okay, as long as you're sure, Spike", Celestia said noticing Spike's almost Freudian slip. Spike nodded. Spike grabbed the third menu on the table and started looking to see if there's anything he'd like. After a couple of minutes, a waitress came over to their table. "Are you all ready to order?", said the waitress with a smile. "Yes, I'll have a number five, please", Celestia started. "Okay, and is that with the mushy peas or the sweetcorn?", said the waitress, after writing down the order. "Oh, umm... mushy peas, please", Celestia said not expecting the question. "Of course, your highness, and for you your highness", said the waitress feeling awkward about her wording. "May I have a number... ten, please?", said Luna looking up at the waitress who started to write down her order. "Yes, your highness", the waitress then looked over at Spike. "And for you, sir?", Spike quickly scanned over the menu one more time before replying. "Umm... yeah make that two number ten's please", Spike said looking up at the waitress. "Very well, would you like a small basket of bread to share as an appetiser at no extra cost", the mare said in a way you could tell she had said over one hundred times before. Spike, Luna and Celestia all looked at each other for a second then Celestia faced the mare. "Yes, that would be lovely, thank you", Celestia smiled as did the waitress, then she nodded at went to put their order in and get a small basket of bread. "This place is so lovely", Luna said looking around, with eyes sparkling like her mane, Spike looked at Luna. Wow! She is so beautiful Celestia looked at Spike and noticed him looking at her sister in a certain way. She smiled. Spike then realised what he was thinking. Wait! What am I saying!? Spike then had a familiar feeling in his stomach. This feeling... it's similar to... Rarity That's when Luna looked back at Spike and noticed him deep in thought. "Spike... are you alright?" Luna asked. Spike slightly lifted his head to show he acknowledged Luna. "Huh? Oh, yes, I'm okay, thank you, I'm glad you like the place", Spike smiled nervously. Luna smiled. What a beautiful smile, Spike's nervous smile turned into a real, warm smile. Do I accept this?, before Spike could think anymore the waitress came back with the basket of bread. "There you are, can I get any of you drinks?", the mare asked. Celestia picked up the menu and looked at their selection of drinks whilst Luna did the same. "I'll have your green smoothie", started Celestia. Luna looked up at the waitress. "I'll have your dark blue smoothie, please", the waitress nodded and look over to Spike. "Just a water for me, thank you", Spike politely smiled. "Of course, sparkling or regular?", the mare asked. "Oh, regular, please", Spike answered. "Of course, I'll be right back with your drinks", the mare made her way to the restaurant's kitchen. Celestia was the first to speak after a second of silence. "Thank you again, Spike, for this lovely treat", Celestia gave Spike a warm smile. "Thank you, Spike, and speaking of treats thank you, again for getting me my favourite treats this morning", Luna was smiling ear to ear. "You're welcome, along with Twilight, both of you helped me become the dragon I am today", Spike smiled. "You have certainly grown, Spike", said Celestia noticing Spike's height. "Yeah, you have certainly... matured over the years", Luna said with a smile. Spike returned the smile, and for a second they just at each other and just as Celestia was about to say something. "Here is your drink a green smoothie, a dark blue smoothie and still water", which made Spike and Luna stop looking at each other. "Oh... uhh... thank you", Spike said looking at the drink and then the waitress. The waitress smiled. "You're welcome, your food shouldn't be long now", the waitress informed. "Thank you", said Luna. The waitress made her way to the kitchen. "What was I saying?", Spike questioned. "I was saying how you have matured over the years", Luna reminded Spike. "Oh yeah, thank you, I was going to say how much I appreciate all your guidance", Spike while looking both at Luna and Celestia, the two sisters smiled. "That's so lovely to hear", Celestia said still smiling. Luna nodded in agreement. "You both mean so much to me and have done so much so I thought I'd treat you", Spike looking at Luna more than Celestia. "You mean a lot to us", Luna replied. This... may take while, Celestia thought while keeping a straight face. After they had their meal, Spike paid the bill and they made their way back to the castle.