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// Fancy Is What Fancy Does 
// Story: Appledashery 
// by Just Essay 
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	When Applejack and Rainbow Dash first arrived at their destination, they didn't exactly believe it.  The restaurant in question was built on the top roof of an otherwise unassuming apartment building.  It was rather obvious to the two of them that the place came alive specifically at night.  Large ground glass bulbs were lit one by one, and they illuminated a smattering of round tables with white tablecloth underneath wooden latticework entangled with vines and various flowers.  For the most part, the tables were covered with a series of awnings and dull green tarps hanging above the latticework, but—regardless—the whole place felt very "open."  A chill breeze ran through the eatery, staved off by two or three separately placed kilns where special southern vegetable dishes were being roasted out in the open.  Overall, the place felt toasty and very festive, with dozens of ponies filling the air with merry conversations and cheer.

"So... uh..."  Rainbow Dash blinked.

"Ermmm..."  Applejack likewise gawked.

"This place is very... uh..."

"Very..."

Rainbow gulped.  "Festive."

Applejack nodded.  "'Festive' is right."

Not long after, a richly attired waiter strolled up, smiling pleasantly.  "Ah, welcome to Southern Horsepitality!"

Rainbow nearly spat..

"Did you have a reservation?"

Applejack's ears drooped.  She murmured aside to Rainbow Dash.  "I think my bit bag just shrank into my gut."

Rainbow stifled a giggle.  She whispered back, "I'm sure there's a perfectly good Beet King somewhere in the lower streets of Atlantrot."

They looked ready to leave when a feathery figure fluttered from several tables away, waving his brown hoof.  "Hey girls!  Girls!  Over here!"

"Wuh oh."  Rainbow winced.  "He already got us a table."

"Celestia have mercy..."

"Ah!  I see you're in a party already!" the waiter said with a smile.  "I can escort you to the table if you want!"

"Erm..."

But Stu Leave was already getting up and rushing over.  "Glad you two could make it!  Come on!"  He motioned with his head.  "I got us a great seat overlooking Main Street!  The city lights are absolutely beautiful, don't you think?"

"Stu Leaves, that's really nice of you... this is really nice of you, but..."

"This place looks friggin' expensive," Rainbow bluntly said.  "Still, thanks for the idea."

Stu Leaves blinked.  "Huh?"

"I wish I had known beforehoof," Applejack said, wincing.  "I'm not particularly prepared to become bankrupt before even meetin' Shindig down in Orlandoats."

"Oh.  OHHH!"  Stu Leaves chuckled and shook his head.  "This is my treat."

Rainbow squinted.

"Your treat?"  Applejack stammered.  "Stu, you can't be serious."

"Indeed I am!"

"We can't put all of that on you.  This place is nice n'all—"

"It's the nicest place in all of Atlantrot!  And I think, after the long journey we've been taking, we deserve the best, don't you think?"

"Stu Leaves, honestly—"

"Come on over!"  He grinned, trotting back to the table and motioning them along.  "Their menu is the best thing you'll ever look at!  I promise!"  He chuckled and waved again.  "Come on!  It's alright!  I saved up before this trip!"

Applejack sighed, adjusting the brim of her hat in the cold chill.  "I reckon he's gonna win no matter what."

"Let him," Rainbow grumbled.  "By winning, he'll only lose."

Applejack chuckled.  "You sure do have a silly way of figurin' thangs."

"Don't look at me," Rainbow said as the two trotted across the restaurant with amused grins.  "I'm not the one who chose to spend his bits at a place called 'Southern Horsepitality.'"