//------------------------------// // Chapter Two: Table for two, please? // Story: Love Potion No. 6 // by Flint Sparks //------------------------------// The line for the The Voluptuous Volte was long, filled with everypony who was anypony. The recently opened restaurant had drawn a large crowd and was popular with the nobles, one of many reasons Rarity had chosen to hold a reservation there. It was more for Twilight’s appearance than hers, even if Twilight didn’t mind getting hayfries at a local pub like last time. Rarity refused to tarnish the princess’ reputation, even if it meant shelling out a few extra bits. Rarity had stared at Twilight during the entire carriage ride as the wind flowed through her mane. She wondered if it would ever grow like the other princesses and assume a more ethereal appearance, or if that was a trait unique to the Solar and Lunar princesses. Either way, it inspired several designs she wished to try upon Twilight when given the chance. The dark night sky greatly complimented Twilight’s appearance; her strapless dress was similarly themed to most of her situational wardrobe, a lovely midnight blue with azure star constellation designs decorating near the hem. It hugged her body snugly, but remained decently modest. Rarity felt it fit Twilight quite well, a subtle beauty without drawing too much attention. She could do with less modesty, but a humble princess was much more appreciated than a haughty one. Her experience at the Gala spoke the same for princes. The carriage that held Rarity and Princess Twilight softly touched down beside the line, with barely a jolt. Rarity levitated a couple bits as tip for the hired pegasi, who then saluted the two mares and flew off, leaving them alone on their date. The two began trotting toward the end of the line, hoof in hoof, but were interrupted by the waiting ponies in line. Several insisted that the princess and her date be seated immediately, to the point some refused to budge. One of the waiters, sporting a sleek black jacket and matching mustache, came to investigate the sudden hold-up. Recognizing the princess, he too insisted she be seated immediately. Twilight, in her modesty, tried to wait in line like everypony else, but was ushered off by the waiter before her reservations could be heard. Rarity huffed, forgotten. Fortunately the bouncer recognized that she had arrived with the princess, and politely showed her the way in and profusely apologized. He moved back into the doorway to block the entrance of two pegasi, each handsomely dressed in pinstripes and cutting in line. Rarity caught up with Twilight when she was just being seated by the waiter, her chair being pushed in as she sat down. The waiter gave Rarity a surprised look, worried that he forgot the princess’ date! Rarity merely rolled her eyes and sat down herself, facing Twilight. The white tablecloth was simple, yet elegant. Rarity and Twilight mirrored each other as they set their napkins on their laps. The waiter appeared again, placing a vase with roses as the centerpiece and lighting the surrounding candles. Despite his initial mistake, he was trying to appeal for it by adding atmosphere to the date. The restaurant was quite fancy, or the quality an establishment at Canterlot would require. The walls were painted a light blue color that glowed in the dim lighting. Inside were round tables covered in white tablecloths; ponies of all fame were seated and received prompt and excellent service from the varied wait staff of all races. Near the opposite side of the chamber-like room was a stage for the musicians, a classical theme featuring stringed instruments was currently playing. The soothing melody and dim lighting provided a romantic air to each pony’s dinner. Menus were carefully placed in front of them. Twilight and Rarity lifted them with their magic and began flipping through the pages, looking at each item in shallow curiosity. Their eyes skimmed each line carelessly, already knowing what they were to order. Having spent several nights drinking in taverns together as friends, they both knew that Rarity would begin her evening with a glass of red wine, while Twilight would order a salted appletini. Twilight sneaked a peek over her floating menu, gazing at her special somepony’s focused face. Her sapphire eyes fluttered ever so slightly as she drew a small breath, her pale ears flicking subtly in concentration. The gently applied makeup’s care was evident in the lighting; Rarity’s artistic expression extended to her own beauty as her complexion glowed under the candlelight. Many ponies had pinned that on appearance or vanity, but Twilight recognized it as Rarity’s expression of her talent: coaxing beauty out and into the world. At that thought, Twilight squirmed in her seat. Rarity’s life was centered around beauty, but she was carrying a dirty secret. Twilight feared that her secret would upset the mare, or worse. The princess held her breath, her thoughts turning to possibilities. Rarity, or any of her friends for that matter, would usually forgive her with open hooves for small mistakes she was prone to make, but something like this was much more grievous. Twilight was sure Rarity would never forgive her, possibly even leaving her. She shuddered at the thought, a frosty chill sinking into her hallowed chest. Her eyes flickered back to Rarity, who was completely oblivious to Twilight’s plight. As her lavender eyes lay their sight upon her, Twilight began to calm down. She began peeking again, taking in Rarity’s appearance as much as she could. Her mane was styled as usual, but the curls were much more carefully pronounced. Twilight took in the sight for a moment, before her gaze drifted down toward the red dress. The frills were elegant, yet simple. Twilight didn’t know much about fashion, but figured Rarity’s dress screamed subtlety despite the obvious contradiction. Now that she was observing it, she began to notice how the dress hugged Rarity’s supple curves… “Any drinks for the fine mares this evening?” the waiter asked, returning with a carefully folded towel on a raised foreleg. On it was a printed image of a mare’s silhouette, the restaurant’s official sigil. His appearance startled Twilight, causing her to jump in her seat. Her wings shot out, eliciting a few raised eyebrows from nearby tables. Rarity gave a sheepish smile, trying to be supportive of alicorn physiology. “I’ll have the red wine, good sir.” Rarity smiled at the waiter before turning to Twilight. She was frantically scanning the alchohol menu, searching for a suitable drink. “Is there a problem, princess?” he inquired, nervously pulling on his tie. A bead of sweat condensed on his forehead, and began rolling down his brow. Twilight scanned the menu once more before daring to ask. “I’ve noticed that there’s no appletinis on the menu. I was hoping to get one, salted,” Twilight admitted. She wasn’t much of a wine drinker, being a lightweight compared to her friends. Even Fluttershy could down more glasses of scotch than she could. The waiter didn’t hesitate. “Of course we do princess! Coming right up!” He snatched the menus from the mares’ grips and dashed off before they could react, running straight to the restaurant’s bar. He burst behind the counter and whispered in the bartender’s ear. “We need a salted appletini, stat!” The bartender flinched back from the intrusion in his personal space. The waiter’s hooves were on his shoulders, shaking him. The ‘whisper’ was more like a shout. The bartender slowly pushed the waitor’s hooves off before erupting a response. “We don’t serve that here, and I’m not being paid to go hunting for ingredients!” “Alright. How does being banished to the moon sound instead?” the waiter hissed back. The bartender gulped, and readjusted his tie. Well that certainly changed things. “V-very well. The princess’ wish is my command.” During the waiter’s odd reaction to Twilight’s comment, the pinstriped pegasi finally entered the fancy restaurant. A violin case was strapped to both of their backs. They began heading toward the backstage after shooting a narrow-eyed glare toward the table seating Twilight and Rarity. Now equipped with new menus, the two refined mares began selecting their dishes. One caught Rarity’s eye, hoping to reignite their lost spark. “Darling, what do you suppose of the Lover’s Surprise?” Rarity asked, fluttering her eyelashes as she did so. Twilight responsively shielded her eyes with her menu, refusing eye contact. She fauxed interest in the menu, somewhat rattled by Rarity’s choice. What if she knows? No, Rarity would never do that, she would never play me like a foal. But what if she did? Oh Equestria… Twilight’s thoughts buzzed from one image to another, from Rarity dumping wine over her to Rarity throwing her off the carriage mid flight in anger. Paranoia was a known concern for her mental state, but there was little she could do when possible danger was imminent. Twilight liked Rarity, but some things were too heavy to carry alone. The waiter returned with their drinks, stifling a pant he developed after personally galloping a mile to a nearby tavern for the appletini. The ladies thanked him, Twilight politely (and nervously) refused the appetizer, and returned to their menus. Rarity peeked above her menu and noticed Twilight’s anxiety. She squirmed in her seat, her right eye had begun twitching, and her wings lightly fluttered from their sides. Rarity’s left foreleg dropped beneath the table, her hoof grasping the purse she hung on the back of her seat. Her hoof lightly brushed a vial and rested on it. It was warm to the touch and pulsed, as if an actual heart rested in her hooves. Come on Rarity, just a little slip of your hoof and Twilight will remember how much she loves you! Twilight was distracted, and would hardly notice a drop or two falling into her beverage... “Have you made a decision?” the waiter popped seemingly out of nowhere next to Rarity. “No!!” the two mares shouted in surprise, their thought jarred from the intruding stallion. The waiter leaped back and cowered, covering his shaking head with his towel in fear; Lunarisexiliumphobia was a rising health concern in Canterlot since the return of Princess Luna. Rarity and Twilight blinked and shook their heads, and turned to the paralyzed waiter. With a shrug and an awkward apology, another staff member managed to haul the waiter to the kitchens. The new waiter, a teal unicorn mare wearing a similar silken waitress dress, took their order. After much consideration and nerve, Rarity managed to order the Primula Pulmenti. Twilight took another minute, but finally managed to stutter the name of the infamous dish, Veneficus Misceo. The waitress calmly wrote down their order on her notepad using her magic, and hastily scurried away. Between Rarity’s indecision, and Twilight’s withheld confession, both mares were stressed beyond their normal constraints, leading to them quickly downing their glasses. After slamming the glasses on the table, the two mares exchanged blank expressions. Nervous electricity in the air was felt by both, but neither could pinpoint the reason why. Reckless drinking was a clear sign of anxiety, but the reason why was still unclear as silence came between them. The two pegasi stallions were sitting on tables backstage, peaking through the curtains and eyeing the two mares through their endeavors to order their meal. The princess losing control of her wings in public, the two jumping when the waiter surprised them, the awkward glances the two shared… it was obvious there was something between the two. The two pegasi were counting on it. A heinous plan had been formed, and it’s execution would be horribly insidious. Almost evil, delightfully evil. Unaware of the events to unfold, Rarity felt caught in a web of awkwardness around her marefriend. The journey to the restaurant had been calm, but since their arrival in Canterlot everything had been one accident after another. Rarity felt for the potion once more, feeling a soothing calm after reassuring herself it was still there. Twilight seemed to be losing interest as of late, her awkward demeanor was a clear sign of clueless attempts to continue a doomed relationship. The potion was Rarity’s one chance to reclaim their magic, the magic they made together. Deciding to break the ice before absolutely seducing Twilight, Rarity parted her lips. “Twilight, darling. Do you remember how ‘we’ came to be?”