Talking Turkey
It was a very unusual day at the Satin Slipper, as the usual malt shop decor was nowhere in evidence. Instead, every table was covered with fall decorations, like orange tablecloths covered in autumn leaf designs. And all the employees were wearing black dresses with white aprons and bonnets, and serving the customers pumpkin pie and dressing. It was clearly a holiday in Dream Valley's favorite soda hang out, and ponies were coming in by the dozens to get out of the chilly autumn breeze.
"Wow, Scoops! It was a really great idea of yours, to celebrate the fall festival here!" Fizzy exclaimed, setting a hot cider down at a mare's table. "But... what's up with these dark and drab uniforms? I was hoping we could wear something more colorful for a pony feast day."
"These are what the humans call 'Pilgrim outfits', and they use them in their autumn festival." The manger mare explained, putting a vegetable plate on the counter. "I figured they'd add a nice touch to add to our feast here, and maybe draw in some more customers over the holiday."
"Well, I really hope those ponies are ready for dessert." Lickety laughed, dishing out the ice cream onto the slices of pie. "I worked all night mixing up this new flavor, and I really wanna know if they'll like vanilla, caramel, marshmallow and almonds."
"Ewwww, that so totally gross!" Fizzy stuck her tongue out. "Lickety Split, I swear you have the weirdest taste in desserts! Why don't you just put whip cream on the pumkin pie?"
"What? But that sounds so boring! These ponies want some pizzaz on thier holiday!" The mare rolled her eyes, as the oven back in the kitchen buzzed. "Oh! Scoops, the turkey's ready!"
"Turkey? That's a really unusual name." Fizzy asked curiously. "What kind of dish is that?"
"Oh, you never had turkey for fall festival before?" Scoops asked in surprise. "Fizzy, a turkey is a big fat dumb bird with many colored tail feathers. It a popular dish for fall festival."
"Ohhh, that sounds like a really strange bird." Fizzy replied, as Lickety trotted back to get the turkey out of the oven. "Actually it kinda reminds me of my little buddy Mr. Chubbkins."
"Mr. Chubbikins?" Scoops asked curiously.
"Oh, he's a new friend I met last week in the castle garden, Posey told me his name." The ditzy mare explained, smiling. "He's a cute and cuddly bird, and I've never seen anything like him before. We took turns chasing each other around the garden, and played a whole bunch of games together." Fizzy sighed and smiled. "He is a really awesome new friend... I wonder why I haven't seen him in a few days?"
Scoops suddenly went pale, as Lickety brought the turkey out of the back. "Here we are, girls! Why don't you each have a taste?"
"Ohhh, this is sooo yummy!" Fizzy declared, taking a bite of the stuffed bird. "I wonder what Mr. Cubbikins would think of this?"
"Mr. Chubbykins?" Lickety asked, not being privy to the eariler conversation. "Isn't that the bird Posey gave us to-"
"Not one word, Lickety Split." Scoops covered the other mare's mouth with her hoof, narrowing her eyes. "She really doesn't need to know."
As they served the bird up, Mimic and Salty trotted into the Slipper. While Mimic was wearing a dress like the other girls, Salty was wearing a wide brim hat with a buckle on it.
"Hey ladies, what's up?" Mimic greeted them, as she and the stallion trotted in. "Heard you were celebrating the fall dfestival, and we had to join in."
"Arrr, good ta see ya ladies!" Salty trotted up, nuzzling the blue filly. "Think ya could fit another two ponies at the table?"
"Sure, come on in!" Fizzy exclaimed, using her magic to pull out chairs for the two. "Hold on here, while I go to get the cranberry sauce!"
The mare went back into the kitchen, while the other two ponies sat down.
"Mmmm, that turkey smells good!" Salty exclaimed, taking in the smell of the cooked bird. "You're cooking seems as juicy as ever."
"W-why thank you, Salty!" The mare blushed, cutting off a slice of the turkey with her hooves, and holding it up on a fork. "W-would you care for some?"
"Sure, don't mind if I do!"The stallion opened his mouth to take a bite.
"Hey guys, I got the sauce right-" Fizzy came trotting out, and almost dropped the dish when she saw her boss about to hoof-feed the pony of her dreams. Setting the levitated sauce down on the counter, the unicorn's etes narrowed, and her horn began to glow.
Suddenly, a blue bubble appeared around the turkey, levitating it up off the table. Before any of the surprised ponies could react, the bubbled turkey zipped out the door, disappearing around the corner.
"Hey, there goes our dinner!" Lickety Split yelled, galloped out the door, after it. "Get back here, you runaway bird!"
"Yikes, aye heard o' fast food, but this is ridiculous!" Salty replied, running after the turkey. "Still, I can't argue about a meal on the go!"
"Ohhhhh, I know that bubble!" Scoops snorted, looking back angrily at Fizzy. "When I get back, we're gonna have a serious talk about this!"
"Wow, wasn't that a bit overkill just cause she was feeding the guy you like, Fizz?" Mimic asked, after Scoops had run out. the door. "Seems kinda shallow and petty to me.":
"Who said anything about that being for Salty? I know she was just giving him a bite." Fizzy sat down, taking a drink of cider.
"Then why the heck did you ruin our fall festival dinner?" The annoyed unicorn asked her.
Smiling, the ditzy blue pony raised her glass in a toast. "Mister Chubbykins, you are avenged!"