//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: Aperitif/Digestif // by Mr Merritt //------------------------------// “Darling please, you are making me dizzy just watching you.” This was the plea from Rarity to Peppermill as he bounced from one side of the train car to the other. The mare winced as the colt seemed to literally smack his snout into one window, only to lunge towards the one opposite. Thank Celestia we are the only ones here today. I think he might be spending too much time with Pinkie… thought the unicorn. “I’m sorry…Rarity. But…I can’t help…myself.” exclaimed Peppermill, finally taking a seat opposite the reclining mare. “The only time…I ever took…this trip I…didn’t exactly…have time to…take in the sights.” Yes, I suppose that is true… pondered Rarity silently. One would never have guessed that the same colt that was vibrating with pent-up energy was the same one that had been found exhausted and beaten on the far side of Sweet Apple Acres. Even then he usually radiated a mature calmness, and certainly not the excitement he showed now. Of course, even I would be excited to ‘come home’ as it were… From the moment the two ponies had stepped onto the train that would take them to Canterlot from Ponyville, Peppermill had been incredibly joyful. He’d been so stressed over coming up with a plan to pull off this impressive trip that getting the blessing of his caretakers of the Apple family had lightened his mood tremendously. Even Rarity, who had made this trip many times in the past, found his joy contagious. “So, what do you have planned darling? I mean, what exactly are you wanting to do once we are in Canterlot?” Despite having plans of her own to meet with clients and some of the high-class ponies she had befriended, Rarity was under strict orders from Applejack to watch him like a hawk. Due to the respect she had for both her farming friend and the culinary-inclined colt, she was going to keep him safe no matter what. “Well,” began Peppermill, “I have…to go and…see the restaurant. Or…what is…left of it. By now…the city has probably…tore it down…and put something new in.” Rarity nodded, and the colt continued. “I also…need to find out…where any of…the old employees…might have gone. I need…to know how…they are coping.” “That is very noble of you. Pray, how do you intend to do this? Where are you going to start?” The immediate clamping shut of Peppermill’s mouth spoke volumes, and the mare sighed. “You haven’t a clue where to start, do you?” “I…was just going…to wander to…all the other restaurants…in the city…and ask. Any eatery…in Canterlot…would love to have…an ex-employee of Aperitif/Digestif.” murmured Peppermill. Rarity gave a gasp, and just about pounced on top of the colt in amazement. “Aperitif/Digerstif? As in the Apreitif/Digestif? I mean, I knew you lived in an upscale restaurant but…Dear Celestia…” “Did I…not ever mention…the name of…the restaurant?” yelped Peppermill, taken back by the mare’s exuberance. “No, and I wish you had. Oh, how I wanted to go there. All of the elite ponies would speak so highly of it. But I never had time to, what with mingling and fashion shows. Peppermill darling, I never even suspected…” “We…I mean, my parents…tended to downplay…the popularity of,…the restaurant. It was…about the food…not the class. If they could…have gotten away…with it they…would have given…the food away.” Peppermill’s voice had taken a distant, longing quality. “The ponies…that worked the kitchens…and the tables…were more family…than employee. As the…only one left…that can do it…I have a…responsibility to them. Only when I…know they are…ok can I…move on.” A serious expression crossed the colt’s face, and Rarity gave a sigh. She leaned in and gave the colt a tender nuzzle. “I always marvel at your maturity Peppermill. I wish some of that could rub off onto Sweetie Belle.” “Could you…mention that…maturity bit to…Applejack?” “I’ll make a note of it darling.” laughed the unicorn. The two ponies sat in silence as the train carriage continued on its way. Soon, Peppermill spoke up. "So…where exactly are…we staying while…in Canterlot? The Mareiott? The Pony Johnson?” asked Peppermill. “Oh, we’re going somewhere a little more…regal than that.” responded Rarity with a twinkle of her eyes. Peppermill pondered this for a moment until something caught his eye outside, and he plastered his snout onto the glass. This left the mare to giggle…and make her own plans. *** “The…palace…” “Yes.” “…seriously?” “Very serious, darling.” “Wow…” Peppermill knew that Rarity had some impressively high connections in his home city, but having a pair of personal suites at the royal castle was above and beyond what he was expecting. It was all he could do but to stand in the middle of the room Rarity had, gawking at the furnishings. He hadn’t yet dared to look at the smaller but no less impressive suite attached to this one where he would rest. “It helps when one has… royal connections. Of course, saving the land multiple times tends to help as well.” admitted Rarity airily. The mare was busy directing the labouring unicorn stallion bellhop as he struggled under the mountain of luggage she brought. Peppermill, who had little to bring, had carried his own tiny suitcase and flatly refused to give it over despite Rarity’s insistence that ‘it’s his job, darling’. Peppermill began to approach the doors that separated his and Rarity’s suites, determined to try and absorb his surroundings. As a result he never noticed the approach of some royal guards and one rather important guest to the room. But Rarity certainly did not miss this arrival, and spoke up to the colt. “Darling, we have company.” “Company?” The grey colt looked over his shoulder at the entourage that had filled the doorway of the suite. At first he thought he was seeing things, but when it registered that he was now in the presence of Equestrian royalty, his natural charm and calm took over (despite the awe and shock he might have been feeling inside). “It is always nice to see you again Rarity.” said Princess Celestia as the mare bowed before you. “As it is to see you, your majesty.” replied the unicorn. The goddess turned to smile warmly at the approaching colt. “And you must be Peppermill. My student Twilight Sparkle has spoken very highly of you.” “It is…an honour…to meet you…your majesty.” murmured the colt, bowing before the tall alicorn. “I know Rarity is here on business, but what brings you to Canterlot?” questioned the princess. “Peppermill is originally from here, Princess. He has come to check on some of his family’s former employees, as well as…” Rarity’s explanation faltered, as she realized she was about to speak on a touchy subject. Fortunately, the goddess saved the mare the difficulty. “Of course. I offer my sincerest condolences on your loss, my little pony. Should you require any help during your stay here, feel free to ask. I shall give you access to one of my fastest messengers.” “That is…very generous…your majesty.” admitted the grey colt, mesmerized by the beautiful creature before him. Celestia gave him another warm smile before taking her leave. It wasn’t until Rarity waved a hoof before his face that he snapped out of his daze. “Of course…you know…the princess. But I…never thought…I would get…to meet her.” gasped Peppermill to the unicorn. “I feel…like I should…have done more…than just bowed…” “A piece of advice darling,” commented the unicorn, “don’t try kissing her hooves. It wouldn’t work…I know from experience.” Peppermill decided not to dig too deep into that comment, but decided to change the discussion entirely. “Do you…have any plans…for this evening…Rarity? Or are you…going to rest…after our long…trip?” “Well, I had intended to relax but as we were arriving to the palace I heard of a soirée being held not that far away. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to let my contacts know I’ve arrived.” admitted Rarity. “Hmm…well I guess…I can check out…my little room, or…not so little…room as the…case might be.” “That’s fine darling,” shrugged Rarity. Peppermill once again made his way to the door of his room when Rarity spoke up again. “I expect Fancy Pants to be there, so I simply must find something appropriate to wear…” The colt stopped short of the door, blinking. He slowly turned back to the unicorn mare as she sorted through some luggage. “I’m sorry…did you say…Fancy Pants?” “Oh absolutely darling!” sighed the mare. “I guess you can say he is my patron. Celestia knows where I would have ended up if he had not found me and recognized my talents. It will be good to see him again, and he isn’t that hard to look at,” she giggled. Rarity’s gushing commentary was silenced by the incredulous look on the colt’s face. A sudden realization occurred to the unicorn, and she gazed levelly at Peppermill. “Peppermill, you aren’t going to tell me you…you know Fancy Pants?” “Um…it was…more like he…knew my dad…” conceded the colt. But Rarity was able to read between the lines, and she could only shake her head in amazement. “You lived in one of the premier restaurants in Canterlot…your parents were friends with one of the highest of the high class ponies…you are just full of surprises, aren’t you?” “I guess so…” shrugged Peppermill. “I wonder…if Fancy Pants…might know anything…about the employees? He seems…to know…a lot about…what goes on…in the city.” “Well, I can certainly ask for you. I’m sure Fancy Pants and his friends will be happy to help.” “Um…do you think…it might be…all right if…I went along? It might…be nice to see…Fancy Pants again…not to mention…Miss de Lis.” This time Rarity made no attempt to stop herself from grasping the colt by the shoulders and shaking him in excitement. “You know Fleur de Lis?!?” ”S-she…knew…M-mom…” warbled Peppermill, getting dizzy from the movement. Only when Rarity composed herself did he add “Mom always…thought she…looked too…thin.” “Goodness….well, she might have had a point. Not that I would ever make such a comment out loud.” Rarity murmured. She seemed to be inwardly debating on whether or not to take the colt. She finally gave a sigh and a smile. “Of course you can come darling. It would be nice to have such a handsome gentlecolt at my side.” “And I bet…I’d be a lot…less fussy than…some of the…guests.” snickered Peppermill, followed by a titter from Rarity. ** Despite having visited this simple yet elegant meeting space in downtown Canterlot many times in the past, Rarity was always amazed at the class it presented. And that didn’t even take into account the ‘who’s who’ guest list… The white unicorn mare nodded and made her simple greetings as she and the grey colt made their way among the gathered ponies. Peppermill was quiet, but he examined every pony he passed silently judging who were or were not previous regulars to his family’s business. He wasn’t that surprised to see that quite a few had recognizable faces or cutie marks, nor was he that surprised by the fact they seemed to not recognize him as he walked beside the beautiful mare. Eventually the two ponies made their way to where a small group of guests gathered loosely around one of the more…impressive members of their clique. She was a tall and slender unicorn mare, a stunning creature that commanded desire and respect. Rarity, not to be outdone in those respects, was happy to consider her an equal. “Fleur de Lis, darling!” called out Rarity happily. The slender unicorn looked to the sound of her name, and smiled. The two beauties nuzzled each other’s cheeks (the apparent ‘in’ thing) as the other ponies gave them their space. “Rarity! It is so nice to see you again.” exclaimed the slender mare, her Prench accent light but unmistakable. “And who is…this?” The unicorn’s delicate mouth formed an ‘o’ of recognition at the grey colt before her. “Hello…Miss de Lis. It has…been a while.” rasped Peppermill. “Mon dieu!” gasped Fleur. “It’s you! Crème Brule’s little one! But…but…” Peppermill squirmed as the mare placed her fore hooves on either side of the colt’s face and gazed into his dark eyes. “Fleur?” questioned Rarity, rather taken back by this emotional response. Indeed, the taller unicorn looked to be almost in tears. “When the fire took the restaurant,” murmured Fleur softly, “it was terrible. When they said that your parents were lost, there were tears. But when no pony had any knowledge of where you were it broke my heart.” “It’s…a long story.” explained Peppermill, resigning himself to Fleur’s grip. “No, I’m…alright. I’m just so very happy to see you well.” Fleur let the colt go as she levitated a silk handkerchief to dab at her eyes, followed by a small compact mirror to check her make-up. “And I see you are still as charming as your father.” The corners of Peppermill’s mouth tilted up at this compliment, though he was still somewhat shaken by how the beautiful unicorn had reacted upon his appearance. “Come, we simply must find Fancy Pants. He will be very pleased to see the both of you.”