//------------------------------// // Chapter Forty-Three: We're Just Friends // Story: The Lion and the Lamb // by CrazyChickenLady //------------------------------// Chapter Forty-Three: We’re Just Friends “That’s settled then.” Not wanting to waste any time and lose sight of the waiter, Rarity and the others trotted inside. Luckily, there was no one there to stop them in the front. They must be busy tonight, the unicorn thought as she sped up. Indeed they were busy. With every single table that came into view occupied, it was no wonder she and her friends couldn’t get another reservation. The waiter had disappeared into the kitchen by the time the mares were halfway across the room, so they waited by the entrance for the stallion to come out. They didn’t have to wait long, only a few minutes. As the stallion emerged with a tray on his back with three glasses of water -- each of them including a straw with one noticeably thinner than the other two -- , he paused as he nearly collided into Rarity. “Errrm, oui, can I… help you, mademoiselles?” he asked. “Pardon me, sir, but would you mind accepting half a payment from us for two ponies, Fluttershy and Smoking Willow? In case they don’t have enough to pay their bill?” the alabaster unicorn requested. “But don’t tell them we’re here,” Rainbow Dash tacked on. “I… well, certainly. I suppose I do not see a problem with it, but, if I may ask, why this… anonymous contribution?” he queried, arching an eyebrow. “Why--” “Pardon me for interrupting you, sir, I’m sure you’re confused,” Twilight Sparkle interjected, before glancing at Rarity and then back to him. “But we really want to make sure our friends have a wonderful time tonight with each other. You see, we sort of… set them up for this, and we would feel just awful if they couldn’t get out of a situation we put them in.” “Yeah! Fluttershy and Smokey -- I mean, Smoking Willow just look so cute together! We really wanna give them a really good time!” Pinkie Pie insisted, leaning in rather disturbingly close to the waiter. “We didn’t realize they’d probably wouldn’t be able to afford this! Please, sir? Pretty, pretty please could you let us help?” The stallion stepped back from Pinkie Pie’s invasion of personal space. “I… can’t see why we can’t work something out.” “Wonderful!” Rarity beamed before her ears rotated, her attention drawn to a few musicians as they finished playing a piece for a nearby couple. “And could you get them to play for our friends?” she added, batting her eyelashes in hopes of swaying the waiter. The stallion gave a wavering smile, beads of sweat sliding down the back of his neck. “Certainly, mademoiselle. I shall ask them immediately.” He turned to the trio, two mares, one stallion, the stallion playing a harp with the two mares playing a horn and a violin. He whispered something in their ears as they headed away from the table, and with a nod from each of them they headed up the staircase. The waiter flashed a smile over to Rarity as he cantered back up to her. “Will there be anything else I can help you with?” “No, thank you. We’ll be outside when you’re ready to collect our half of the bill.” As soon as the five mares pushed past the double glass doors of the establishment, Rainbow Dash grinned, resisting the urge to belt out a triumphant laugh. Such a noise would most likely carry itself up to the customers on the upper level -- specifically Fluttershy and Smokey. Instead, she settled for a somewhat gentle slap on Rarity’s back, which the unicorn let out a light, undignified yelp. She was tempted to reprimand the cyan pegasus, but decided not to. She was in a good mood. A slightly smug smile tugged at the corners of Twilight Sparkle’s lips, and Pinkie Pie thrust both forelegs into the air and released a cheer -- or she would have, if Applejack hadn’t shoved her hoof into the pink mare’s mouth to muffle her, giving her a stern expression. Back on the terrace, Fluttershy was still going over her menu. She held a grimace on her face -- not because there wasn’t anything appetizing, but because she still wasn’t certain how she and Smokey would be able to afford the bill. In fact, she wasn’t even sure if she was in the mood for anything at all. She jumped with a gasp as music started unexpectedly playing near them. Whirling her head to the source, she saw that a trio of musicians had begun playing. She had been so engrossed in scanning the menu she hadn’t even noticed them approach. As the waiter returned with the glasses of water, he smiled as he slid the tray from his back and onto the table. “Your drinks. Has monsieur et mademoiselle decided on their meal, or would they like a couple more minutes?” Smokey dropped his menu to, at first, acknowledge the musicians. Even Chenoa ripped her attention from the colorful display of birds to watch the instrument-wielding equines in awe. As the waiter reappeared, he glanced back at the text and colorful photographs representing the restaurant favorites upon the menu. Holding a talent and interest in food, he naturally admired the pictures of artistic cuisines. Everything appeared so delicious! Still, everything was pricey… “Erm… we will need a few more minutes…” he finally said, anxiety over the possible outcome of their bill grating down on him. “Of course. In the meantime, I’ll have some complimentary bread brought to you.” The stallion then left to wait on another table. Sure enough, as promised, a few minutes elapsed and another pony swung by with a plate of a piping hot loaf of bread with a knife jutting out of the middle of it and a small dish of butter. “Here ya go, hons,” she spoke in a surprisingly southern accent, despite her refined, cultured appearance, then took off. Reaching for the knife to cut off a slice, she met her companion’s face. “Oh, Smokey, what are we going to do? There’s no way we’re going to be able to afford this!” Once the knife was passed to him, the dragon proceeded to cut a small slice and tear it up for Chenoa. He had been afraid of this… “I do not know…” The yellow pegasus sighed, taking a bite of her bread and wondered what the others would do in this situation. Twilight Sparkle would likely explain everything, and promise to acquire money as soon as possible, or to work in the kitchen. Applejack would offer to work off her meal. Rarity… well, Rarity wouldn’t even BE in this situation to begin with, but even if she did Fluttershy had no doubt that her unicorn friend would turn on the charm. That still left Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash… Some of the birds were squawking and singing -- and unbelievably, a few of them were actually doing so along with the music provided by the musicians. Blending in with the melody, it made for an enchanting -- almost haunting -- environment. One bird in particular -- a Catalina macaw, brilliantly colored in hues of red, yellow, green, and blue -- didn’t seem at all interested in joining in with the brethren of its fellow avian. Instead, it appeared more interested in examining everything else, taking to the sky and flying around the outer part of the terrace with a bored expression. Surveying the ground below it, it paused as its view suddenly caught the most captivating sight it ever saw. A long, glorious, silky rainbow flowing in the breeze attached to a sleek sky blue body. With hearts in its eyes, it folded its wings to dive town towards his target, landing on the head with a series of excited squawks. Rainbow Dash was oblivious to the large bird until she felt its weight upon her head. Ears pinning against her head at the obnoxious squawking, she rolled her eyes upward to see what was sitting on her. Most of the feathered creature was out of her vision, but she made out the head of a parrot-like bird. The pegasus shook her head, hoping it would fly away, not in the mood to play with it. As the prism-maned pony swung her head back and forth, the macaw firmly refused to leave -- even after being shook off, it circled around her head to land on her back and rub itself against the back of her neck. “What in tarnation?!” Applejack exclaimed. “The hay is a parrot doing here?” “Actually, that’s a Catalina macaw,” Twilight Sparkle relayed. “Also known as a rainbow macaw. It’s a breed that comes from crossbreeding a blue-and-gold macaw and a scarlet--” “Ah can’t tell you how much more fulfillin’ this situation is now that Ah can refer to our distraction by the proper appellation,” the blonde mare sardonically replied. “Rainbow, we’re gonna blow our cover if yew don’t get rid of that bird!” “I’m trying!” she snapped, shaking her head more vigorously. The bird squawked louder as she did so, his toes gripping her mane and flapping his wings to help him remain attached. “Get off!” After succumbing to dizziness, Rainbow Dash ceased shaking her head and plopped down onto her haunches, magenta eyes rolling in their sockets. The bird’s frantic screeching ceased, returning to the occasional squawking. Applejack grunted, moving to wave her hooves at the macaw, swatting at it to drive it off. “G’wan, git! Shoo!” Squawking indignantly, the macaw finally flew off… but, by then, it was already too late. Up on the terrace, Fluttershy lifted her head at the sounds of squawking and screeching. At first, she had tried to ignore it, since she didn’t want to leave the table and seem rude -- but her inner nature and love for animals drove her to get up and inspect anyway, peeking over the railing to sight the beautiful bird… and her friends on ground level. As Applejack’s eyes followed the rainbow-colored avian up, she paused as she locked eyes with Fluttershy… who didn’t look particularly pleased at the revelation. “Aw, fiddlesticks.” Smokey hadn’t felt comfortable with the note in the creature’s voice and was tempted to get up to check if it was in any trouble. Before he could, his friend had done so. Noting the macaw soaring back up to the balcony, he realized her attention was fixated on something else entirely. “What is it, Miss Fluttershy?” “We have company,” she stated, her voice sounding somewhere between irritation and disbelief, narrowing her eyes and not once removing them from the mares. “The girls followed us here, Smokey.” It took a moment for Fluttershy’s words to sink in. At first, he could hardly believe it, but the pink-maned equine had no reason to make it up. “Why… would they even do that?” She briefly glanced over her shoulder back at the dragon to shake her head in confusion, then returned her attention back to the others. “Why did you follow us?” “We wanted to make sure you two had a good time!” Twilight Sparkle called up. “And ta make sure that everythin’ went well,” Applejack followed. “And to cover half your bill ‘cuz I overheard you might be broke!” Pinkie Pie contributed. “Pinkie!” Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash reproved her in unison. “What?” Smokey shifted to Chenoa to check how she was doing on her bread. Seeing she was still sitting quietly and working on it, he remained seated. “Darling, we really wanted to make sure nothing went wrong,” Rarity said., taking focus off of Pinkie Pie. “You deserve nothing less than a perfect evening. A first date is important.” Rainbow Dash had been about to supply her thoughts, but the macaw returned and she subsequently attempted to shoo it away. Fluttershy sighed as she looked down at them. Biting her lip lightly, her eyes went to each of them. “You girls… I really appreciate what you’ve done, but… I wish you hadn’t.” “What??” the pink party pony sputtered, falling over. Rarity’s eyes went wide, her jaw dropping. “Fluttershy… why ever not?” she inquired, her and the others completely unaware that Rainbow Dash had just now resorted to running in wide circles in an effort to get the bird to leave her alone. The feeling of needing to join Fluttershy’s side in support mounted with each passing second. Sliding from his seat and plucking Chenoa from the table, he unfolded his wings and awkwardly hovered over to the pegasus. Sitting down while holding the squirming griffon in his arms, he peered over the side and gazed down upon the mares below. “Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea, but,” the rosy-haired pony paused. “I really wanted this to be a nice, simple get-together. No fancy get ups, no makeovers, no expensive restaurants, just… me, Smokey, Chenoa, and an open field for a… quiet picnic.” “… Well, why didn’t ya say something, sugarcube?” Applejack inquired. Fluttershy narrowed her eyes again. “I did. Several times. But…” Her mask of irritation melted away. “I really didn’t want to hurt any of your feelings…” “We appreciate the trouble you all went through for us, but we didn’t mean for this to be a date. We’re just friends.” Smokey turned his head to the mare at his side. “We only wanted to spend time together like Miss Fluttershy does with any of you.” The small child in the draconian’s hold chirped lightly, grasping his attention. “And bond with Chenoa.” “I… we see,” the lavender alicorn said. “Fluttershy, Smokey, we’re sorry we imposed this on you. We didn’t mean to come across as such. It’s just…” “The two of you are so cute together!” Pinkie Pie squealed. “Seriously! Just look at you two!” Smokey was glad his face was covered up, as he could feel his cheeks glowing hot. He went silent, glancing over at Fluttershy then back at the five ponies. “… Thank you?” he said in a nervous intonation. Fluttershy blushed rather heavily herself. “Oh. Uh…” “You know, not really wantin’ ta complain none, but this cranin’ mah neck’s beginnin’ at make it a bit uncomfortable,” Applejack stated. “Can we come up and join you up there? Or do you want ta come down and meet us?” “We’ll come down,” Fluttershy responded, whirling back to Smokey. “They can’t bill us if we didn’t actually order anything, right? The water was free.” “Right. We will just explain the situation to our waiter. He should understand.” Spreading his wings again, the dragon bounced with every flap, the material covering them impeding his ability as he lead the way. Fluttershy followed him down the stairs, the waiter beginning to pass them upon reaching the bottom. “Oh? Is mademoiselle et monsieur unhappy?” he questioned. “No, no! Everything is wonderful, sir. We… Well…” Smokey paused to carefully consider his word choice. “We cannot afford to eat here… and we were kind of set up, so we had to come.” “Ah.” The waiter blinked, looking surprised at this information. “I see. Yes. Very well then.” “Sorry,” Fluttershy mumbled. “It is no problem. It was a pleasure nevertheless. Regardless, we hope you have a wonderful night.” “Oh… thank you.” “Yes, thank you.” Both Smokey and Fluttershy were grateful the stallion had been so understanding, even if he appeared just the slightest bit annoyed. Placing Chenoa on Fluttershy’s back, the dragon brought himself down on all fours to walk the mare out the double doors.