//------------------------------// // Chicken // Story: Beef Fondue Under The Sunset // by Eggtaro //------------------------------// There she was, standing beside their small, round table. Smiling at the both of them, with a hand on her hip. Beef gawked stupidly at the goddess before him. Rarity, a young lady of grace, of elegance, and beauty. Words that suits her just fine. At least, that was what Beef thought, anyway. Just earlier that day, he discovered his new and sudden love for the girl. One that he had not experienced before. It felt like a flame, slowly rising within him, growing hotter, and hotter with each passing moment. A feeling that he wished to set free, to be displayed, to be shown. He wanted to confess his love for Rarity, and he wants it to be special. But how can he, when he is inexperienced in such things? Even his best friend, Sunset Shimmer, was unable to give him the answers he was searching for. "R-Rarity?" Sunset stuttered, "What are you doing here?" "I was making my way home, when I had this sudden craving for something sweet. Where else should I go if not to Sugar Cube Corner?" Rarity glanced over to Beef. "Hello, Beef." she greeted him with a smile. "Hur---hur---hureye." Beef said stupidly. Sunset smacked her forehead, and gave Beef a swift kick on the shins. "Ow!" "Are you feeling alright, darling?" Rarity asked. "Huh?" Beef came back to his senses. "Yes! I'm feeling...feeling well, thank you." Rarity nodded and turned back to Sunset. "I was originally planning to buy something here and save it for later at home. But since you're already here...would it be alright if I joined you?" Beef's heart skipped a beat. She's going to seat with us? he thought. He wasn't sure if he should be feeling happy, or agitated. Maybe both. Sunset nodded her head. "Sure, I don't mind. But you'll need to grab another chair." Rarity looked around the shop. "I'm sure I'd be able to find one." and she left in search of a chair. "Well, isn't this a surprise." Sunset said, watching Rarity. "I didn't expect to see her here." "What am I going to do, Sunset?" Beef asked, his voice cracking. "I'm not ready for this yet!" Sunset rolled her eyes at him. "Not ready for what?" "Meeting her face to face!" Beef said, his eyes darting back and forth between Rarity and Sunset. "I can't even say 'Hi' to her properly!" "Just stay calm, and be yourself!" "Be myself? Lady, this is me." Sunset giggled. "I have never seen you act like this before." Beef let out a nervous laugh. "You and me both. Getting a chance to be seated this close to a beautiful girl like Rarity? I must've used up all my good luck." Sunset felt a sharp pang of jealousy when she heard those words. A feeling that surprised her. "R-really now?" she said, stuttering a little. "T-Then you better not mess up this opportunity." Beef nodded. "I hope I don't." he said. "At least you're here with me." Sunset blushed a little. "J-Just stay calm, and don't act like an idiot." "I'll try." Beef closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Stay cool... he exhaled. Stay calm... Inhale. Stay cool... Exhale. Sta--- "I'm back!" came a voice not far from him. Upon hearing Rarity's voice, Beef's pulse immediately accelerated to unspeakable speeds, and his heart pounded against his chest so hard it felt like it was ready to burst through. I'm losing my cool, dude. Beef thought to himself, his eyes flashing open. Rarity made her way towards them, carrying a small plate of blueberry pie with her. She was closely followed by a young man who was bringing a chair with him, staring at Rarity with the same stupid look Beef had moments ago. "Just leave it here, darling." Rarity said to the young man, giving him a small smile. "And thank you for your assistance." The man set the chair down between Sunset and Beef, and gave Rarity a small bow with a flourish from his hand before leaving. "Such a fine gentleman." Rarity said, sitting herself down. "He was ever so eager to help me." I could hardly imagine why. Beef thought sarcastically, watching her place her plate down. "I do hope I'm not intruding on anything important, Sunset." Rarity said. "The two of you looked like you were discussing something important." Sunset shook her head. "Oh, it was nothing. Just some problems Beef wanted help with." Sunset glanced over at Beef. "Right?" she asked him. Beef nodded. "Uh-huh. Problems." "Are you having difficulties with something?" Rarity asked Beef, her attention now focused on him. Beef gulped. Just being near Rarity was making him more nervous than a pig in a bacon factory. The table was already considered small for two people. But now with a third person, it was almost packed. They were seated so closely to each other, their shoulders almost touched. Beef was trying his best not to let his shoulder bump into hers, fearing that he might offend her or something. Beef shifted in his seat, moving himself a bit more to Sunset's side. "It's nothing serious, really." he told Rarity. "Just needed a little advice from Sunset." he adjusted his position a bit more. Sunset jolted a little as she felt Beef's shoulder bumping into hers. She gave him a quick glance. "What are you doing?" she whispered. Fortunately, Rarity had taken a sudden interest in her pie and wasn't paying any attention to them. "I'm scared I might taint her if I so much as touch her." Beef whispered back, resting his shoulder against Sunsets. "Just bear with me, okay?" "Taint? Sunset hissed. "What are you ta--- "And was the advice sufficient?" Rarity asked, taking a bite out of her pie and looking at Beef. "Maybe, I could help too, if you---" she paused and raised an eyebrow at the both of them. "---want...is everything alright?" "Yes!" Sunset and Beef both said in unison. Their shoulders were glued next to each other, but neither of them made any effort to separate. "Everything's fine, Rarity." Sunset said. "Fine, just fine." Beef added, nodding his head. "Oookay..." Rarity said slowly, giving them a curious look "Anyway, what seems to be troubling you?" Beef swallowed. Hard. He can't just tell Rarity the problem. She is the problem! And why has she taken such an interest in his problems all of a sudden? Not that he minded, no. But it would definitely be much better if the problem itself wasn't about her. Rarity blinked at him, waiting for him to reply. "Beef?" "It's about love." Sunset blurted out suddenly, before quickly covering her mouth with her hands. Oh great. Beef glared angrily at Sunset. What have you done, woman? Sunset gave him an apologetic grin. Sorry! "Love?" Rarity eyes widened, and a smile slowly formed across her face. "Love?" she repeated, leaning in closer towards Beef. "LOVE?" "Er...yes?" Beef said hesitantly. Rarity let out a squeal of delight. "Why, that is not a problem at all, darling!" she said happily. "You certainly must tell me all about it." Nonononono Beef thought, panicking a little. That is simply outta the question. I cannot let her know about this. "You seemed...excited by all this." Sunset said, startled by her friend's reaction. "And you're not?" Rarity took a deep breath. "Love is a wonderful thing! It is beautiful, and simply divine! Just imagine! Two people, fated to be together, slowly discovering their profound feelings of love for each other!" Rarity sighed dreamily, sinking her face onto her hands. "Falling in love, being loved, and loving someone is truly something grand." she said softly, staring off into space. Something Rarity said piqued Beef's interest. "Haven't you experienced something as er...grand as love before?" he asked. "Oh, no no no." Rarity shook her head. "I have yet to discover my own love experience." Does that mean I might have a chance? Beef thought. "But that's enough about me, darling! We are here to talk about you!" Rarity drew her chair in closer towards Beef and leaned forward. "Now come! You simply must tell me who this girl is! Is she from our own school? How old is she? What part of her made you fall in love with her? Have you started dating? How far have you gone in your relationship?" The questions kept on coming. Beef wasn't sure how to respond. The situation has gone out of control. He made a swift glance at Sunset. What do I do? Sunset shrugged. Can't you think of something? You're the one who brought me into this mess in the first place! Beef narrowed his eyes at Sunset. I'm sorry! Sunset gave Beef an apologetic look. It just slipped out of my mouth, you know? Beef sighed. There was no point crying over spilled milk. What's done is done. He should be grateful that Sunset didn't accidentally let slip who he is in love with. That might make the situation much worse. "I believe the most important question is the first one." Rarity said, taking another bite of pie. "That's no need to be shy! You've already told Sunset right?" Beef shook his head. "Nope." Rarity grinned. "Then what are you waiting for? Don't keep us in suspense!" Beef quickly cracked his brain, searching for a solution. He could make a run for it. That seemed like a good idea. Except for one small detail; he was stuck between Sunset and Rarity. He will need to flip the table (along with the girls) to make his escape. Maybe tell the truth? No...that's just stupid. Beef wasn't even sure if he could do it. He needed another plan. "So," Rarity asked, smiling at Beef. "Who's the girl?" A light bulb suddenly lit up within Beef's brain. There was probably a much better way to handle this. But Beef don't do well under pressure. Desperate times calls for desperate measures. Beef turned to look at Sunset. "Sorry." he whispered to her. Sunset raised an eyebrow. "Wha---" Beef wrapped his hand around Sunset's and lifted their hands up, so that Rarity could see. As well as the rest of the shop. "The girl that I'm in love with---" Beef said loudly, tightening his grip around Sunset's hand. "---is Sunset Shimmer."