So far everything had been perfect. A wonderful play, a chance to talk to the cast after the play, and the restaurant he brought us too was amazing. Well at least getting us a table was, considering the circumstances it may have far more acclaim than it deserves. It was just a single green hair, but I had crinkled my nose at the sight because I had just fished it out of my soup. For a time I just sat there with it in my magic looking at it. The only question was what extent to complain. On the one hoof I certainly felt like making a scene, but this was date, so perhaps I should be more restrained. I decided the proper thing was to ask Nightshade his thoughts, but he was gone.
"I said there is a hair in my date's soup." He yelled "Do you understand me now?"
"Sir…"
I looked up to see Nightshade put a hoof to his head "Oh the horror of it, just sitting there in her soup, befouling it with it's horrid toxins."
"Toxins?" asked the waiter
"I expected better of this establishment. Oh what a horrid day this is. Woe is me for this terrible misfortune that has befallen my lovely companion."
I smiled. I could have easily handled it myself of course, but a true gentlestallion will act for his lady, regardless of need. I was soon at his side hair and soup now within the grip of my magic. After all there is defending your lady, and then there is refusing to stand up for yourself. I placed both down on the not entirely empty serving cart beside him. Based on the full looking plates of food he was in the process of delivering food to others.
"You will correct this issue I am sure. I suggest you do it quickly, but do not do it at others expense. Unless of course there are other dishes with such problems, in which case slow service would be a favor."
The waiter gulped. "Yes mam. Right away mam." He then ran off
"Ooo, very good. So, what did you think? I know you liked it, but would it have been better if I reigned myself in some more, or truly let loose with let my penchant for drama?" He then smiled
"You, know?"
He walked back to our table. "One of my special skills of course. Very useful in the spy business, let me tell you."
"Ah, because just as without smell we would have trouble finding food to eat, or at least our ancestors would, all animals must have a way to find food."
"It's interesting you say our ancestors there, but in the end it seems likely even if the connection is further back than it seems. However obviously you understand that isn't a good discussion for now. The important part is you understand the idea."
Empathy. To find love one must know love. There are other ways to detect it, but clearly a magical one would be most to the point, so direct magical empathy. I then suddenly had a great deal of questions to ask but no idea how to ask. I'm sure he's had countless discussions in half code, but I'm hardly a spy and don't have any real experience beyond some silly stories that I know can't be that accurate. Just one example being how wrong they get Celestia. Not just based on reality, but compared to other books in the same series. But then I realized he mentioned he was a spy.
"So Mr. Nightshade, you're a spy yes? What do you know about changelings?"
He laughed. "Oh, I guess they are a big topic of conversation, aren't they?"
"Oh yes, and of course will become even bigger soon as we both know."
He smiled. "Knowing the princess personally has its perks, doesn't it?"
I nodded. "Oh yes. Now good sir I really must know about…"
"Oh I can't tell you anything much of course. Very top secret, or common knowledge I certainly can't answer any suspicious questions."
I blinked. I then looked around. We hadn't been talking too loud, but of course that little issue with the soup meant everyone was watching us, even if most tired to hide it. Those close enough, were listening. I also realized what he meant by suspicious. I wanted to ask about the empathy but if I did that now it would be very suspicious and as far as most of Equestria knew, it's city was free of changelings. I just sighed, and decided a topic change was in order.
"So, what exactly do you know about fashion?"
"I know good fashion when I see it, but as you've found have the color sense of a blind pony. I rather like that at times, but I'm willing to change a great deal I don't care about when it comes to something I do."
"Ah, but we barely know each other and…"
"And you already care about me. So lets see how far that can go."
I blushed a little and was trying to think of something to say, but the waiter was returning with a bowl of soup and a pony in a chef's had with his head hung low. I decided at least for the moment, I would rather focus on that.