Can't help but wait - Chapter 1 - Meat?

Can't help but wait.


>The crowd is roaring and cheering around you. The sound overwhelming what the cyan mare sitting next to you is yelling.
>She's hitting and slapping on your arm in attempt to get your attention which she already has.
>Her wings are fully extended showing the amount of excitement towards the commotion going on in the field between two of the players fighting.
>To show her, you turn and point to your ear, mouthing that you can't hear anything over the thunderous sound around you.
>In the seat next to her, a light blue colt turns noticing that his special somepony is hitting and slapping all over you.
>He mouths a "Sorry" to you as he starts to pull her off of you.
>She's laughing and shouting, clearly enjoying herself as well as both of you.
>You are Anon and this is your life. Friends with some of the most important, albiet relitivly unknown, ponies in all of Equestria.
>Currently you and your good friend Rainbow Dash are at a hoofball game with her special somepony Soarin, screaming your brains out as the Cloudsdale Challengers destroy the Los Pegasus Pouncers.
>And she and Soarin are drunk beyond belief. Not to say that you aren't a little buzzed yourself.
>The crowd starts to simmer down slightly as the game continues with the ball flying up into the air and the teams taking off with it.
>Somehow Rainbow ended up getting out of Soarin's grip and is back to hitting you on the arm.
>"OHH MMAAN ANON! DIDCHA SEE THA~!"
"Yah! That was some crazy stuff. Totally didn't expect them to get into it like that."
>Soarin leans over in his seat to get closer to you and Rainbow.
>"Yah dude! They're totally screwed now! Down a player for 5 minutes! The Challengers are totally going to score now."

"Hey, I'll be back in a few. You guys need anything?"
>"Yah, grab me another beer!"
>"Me too."
"Heh, should have guessed. Alright, I'll be back in a sec."
>With that, you get up and jog quickly towards the bathroom.
>Shit, life is pretty good. Got your bros, got you friends, and best of all, you have a great life.
>Well, almost great.
>Finishing up washing your hands, you make your way out of the bathroom and to the line in front of one of the concession stands.
>Shit the line is long, looks like you're going to miss more of the game because of this damn line.
>"How can I help you?"
>The perky grey mare with the blond mane standing behind the counter is smiling back at you. Seems a bit too happy for the job she's working at.
>Would hazard a guess that she gets a lot of unwanted attention from the drunker patrons of the stand.
>Just noticed that her eyes are a little funny. Oh well, whatever.
"Yah, can I just get a Muler light and a Griffineken?"
>"Sure, no problem."
>A couple of ponies behind you push their way forward and start yelling their orders at the mare.
>You turn back to the ponies.
"Hey, just back up and wait your turn!"
>Everyone who pushed ahead took a few steps back.
>Heh, guess there's positives and negatives to being the only human.

>She give you another warm smile and turns back to fill up two cups for you.
>After a minute, she turns around and presents the two cups to you.
>"So, that's 5 bits for the two Mulers."
"Oh, it was a Muler and a Griffineken."
>She frowns and looks down slightly, ashamed of her mix-up.
>"Oh no. I'm so sorry, I must have mixed up your order when everyone was shouting at me."
"It's no problem, it's not like she'll even notice considering how gone she is already."
>You chuckle and she joins in.
>It seems like you may have lifted her spirits a little with that.
>"Are you sure?"
>You nod to her.
"Yah, it's no problem. Don't sweat it."
>For the third time, she beams a bright and warming smile at you.
>With that, you make your way back to your seats with the drinks.
>Just as you are about to walk through the archway to the section where your seats are, you hear another loud eruption of cheering.
>Man, Dash is going to owe you big time if you missed anything important.
>You finally make your way back to the seats and are greeted by the sight of Dash all over Soarin and the empty, cold seat waiting for you.
>Damnit, this is one of the reason you never really liked to come along as the third wheel.
>Whatever, guess it's just time to focus and enjoy watching the game. It's the real reason you came here anyways, right?
>You sit down and set the drinks in the cup holders on the right and left side of you. Rather not interrupt them anyways.
>You turn to the sky in front of you and try to drowned out the increasingly loud sound of Dash and Soarin next to you.

> Unfortunately even though it was a great game, you couldn't completely ignore what was going on next to you.
>Dash, Soarin, and you get up and make your way out of the stadium.
>"Oh man was tha' a great game!"
>Dash and Soarin are walking practically leaning against each other, wobbling slightly, while Dash nuzzling into Soarins cheek.
>Guess it at least makes sure they don't fall over.
>"Yah it was Dashie!"
>You begin to mumble.
"How would you even know Soarin, you had your hooves all over Dash for half of it."
>Dash pauses her affections for a moment, turning to you.
>"What was that Anon?"
"Yah, it was pretty great. Can't believe that the Challengers came back after being so far behind."
>She nods and returns her attention to Soarin.
>Great, another long and silent walk home for you.
>Don't think you'll ever be used to these parts of the trip you take with Dash and Soarin.
>After dropping Dash and Soarin off at her place, you make your way back home.
>Opening the door, a wave of cold runs over you, chilling you to the bone.
>Fuck this, time for bed. It's too cold our right now.
>After finishing your nightly rutine before bed, you pull back the covers and climb in.
>Sadly, the blankets do nothing to warm the feeling you have at the moment.
>You drift off to sleep.

>"Hey Anon! It's time to get up!"
>You're awoken by the feeling of a hoof pushing on your side. Feigning sleep, you lay their for a few more moments until you feel something soft rubbing against your cheek.
>You open your eyes to see Dash, her forehead rubbing against you, a small smile playing across her face.
>A warm feeling envelopes your whole being as you lay there for a moment just enjoying the feeling running through you.
>This feeling is something that you think you could give up your whole world for, something that is beyond invaluable.
>It just feels perfect.
>After a moment more, she pulls her head back.
>She opens her eyes and your gaze meets hers.
>You turn on your side and your hands reach out to pull delicately towards you, closing your eyes.
>When your lips meet, you both enter a state of ecstasy, reveling in the feeling of love and passion you both shared with each other.
>You slowly pull out of the kiss, Dash's eyes opening once again to stare back at you.
"I love you, Dash."
>You whisper as softly and delicately as you can yet try to put as much emphasis and feeling as you can into it.
"And I would do anything for you. Give up anything just to be here with you."
>She nuzzles into you.
>"I love you too, Anon."
>She pauses for a second and looks upwards towards the ceiling somewhat puzzled.
>"Anon, do you hear that?"
>You strain to hear whatever the noise she says she hears, but can only make out a faint buzzing noise.
>"It sounds like it's coming from the ceiling.
>You shake your head, getting out of bed and standing to get closer to where she said it's emanating from.
>Slowly, it grows louder and louder.
>Rainbow puts her hooves near her mouth in an effort to try and make her voice louder to overpower whatever the sound is.
>"ANON! WHAT IS THAT!"
"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

>Opening your eyes, you throw your hand out forcefully from under the covers and smash it down on the alarm clock.
"Fuck you too, alarm clock."
>You lay in bed, not wanting to get up.
>It felt so real. It felt so good.
>Why the fuck couldn't it be real?
>Slowly, you start to get yourself up and out of the bed, throw on a robe, and head towards the bathroom.
>You hop in the shower and stand there just reveling in the dream that you had last night.
>How bad is it to dream about being with your best friend when she's already taken?
>But you've known that it was going to be a long road ahead if you were going to be around when she first started dating Soarin.
>Fuck it, you can think and talk about this later.
>Finishing up in the shower, you throw on a raggedy pair of cloths, eat a quick meal of some boring old cereal, and make your way to Twilights.
>Once you reach her place, you fumble a little with getting the key out of your pocket and quickly unlock the door, making sure to turn and lock it again before proceeding to the kitchen.
>Looking over at the table, Twilight is in her usual spot, her hair messy, morning robe on, reading the local newspaper.
>She looks over briefly to see who walked into the room.
>Her eyes brighten slightly when she sees it's you.
>"Hey Anonymous."
>You walk up to the table, pull out the chair across from her and sit down starting the work day like you always do.
>She returns her attention to the paper that she was reading, levitating a spoon full of some sort of oatmeal substance to her mouth.

>"So, how was the game with Rainbow and Soarin last night?"
>She doesn't even look up from her newspaper, as per the usual.
"The game was good, Challengers won and everyone was going nuts in the crowd. Don't think I'll ever get used to how agile some pegusi are."
>You pause for a moment waiting for her to say something, but push on as the silence becomes a little awkward.
"Ponies were going nuts everywhere and everyone was having a great time celebrating afterward. Great night, had lots of fun."
>She looks up from the paper and at you, a little smirk forming on her face.
>"And what about Rainbow and Soarin?"
>You really didn't want to have to remember this or talk about it.
"You really can read me like a book."
>She gives a little chuckle at this, turning her attention back to the newspaper, satisfied that she has that power over you.
"Well, it was going good for a while. You know, having a drink here and there, watching Rainbow and Soarin drinking a little more than they could handle."
>She nods, showing that she's still listening and paying attention to you while reading.
"Went to go get a few more drinks for us and it kinda went sour after that. The typical Dash all over Soarin and vice versa. Affection all around while I got to sit there and watch it all, simmering in my jealousy."
>Her brow furrows slightly.
>"Hmmm..."
"I saw them off at Dash's house and made my way to my cold and lonely house as per the usual."
>She pauses her reading once again and looks up at you, her expression all but saying 'Are you stupid?'.
>"So Anon, why do you continue week after week to take Rainbow up on her offers?"

>It's like she doesn't listen to you ever.
"Because I still like to hang out with Rainbow and I want to be there in case something ever does happen."
>She shakes her head at you again, going back to reading and eating.
"Whatever, just gimmie the sports section. Wanna see the write-up about last nights game."
>The purple aura surrounding the paper splits into two as she separates the sports section for you, levitating it across the table while not even looking up from whatever she was reading.
>This mare man.
>The rest of the time spent at the table is left in silence as you focus on the paper in front of you.
>Your attention is drawn away as you her a clank come from your left.
>Looking up, you see Twilight is finished, the paper folded neatly on the table and the water rushing into the bowl in the sink as she scrubs it clean and sets it on the drying rack.
>She heads out the kitchen door and calls back to you.
>"Feel free to start reading a book or watch some TV, I'm going to take a quick shower."
>After a few minutes, you hear the water start to run.
>Finishing the article of the interview with the Challengers coach, you get up and set your half of the paper folded in the same way on top of Twilights.
>She'd kill you if you didn't do it in just the right way.
>You spend the rest of the time looking through some of the various books shelves.
>One in particular caught your attention, 'Waiting too long'.
>"READY FOR WORK ANON!"
>The voice yelling behind you makes you jump out of your skin and almost jump straight into the bookshelves in front of you.
>Turning around, you see Twilight giggling, a huge smile formed on her face.
"Damnit Twilight."

>After a few hours spent in the basement, Twilight isn't any closer to finishing the potion that she started.
>Your stomach lets out a loud growl and Twilight looks over at you, levitating the goggles off of her eyes.
"Sorry."
>She looks over quickly to the clock on the wall checking the time.
>Turning back, she gives you an apologetic look.
>"Sorry, was so busy with the work that I didn't notice the time."
>She turns off the burners and sets chemicals and a few books down on the counter as well as hanging her lab coat and goggles on the wall.
>You begin walking over to the wall to hang up your gear as well.
>"So, did you want to go out to eat today?"
>Both of you begin the ascent back up to the library.
>You smile sheepishly at her.
"Well, I would, but I'm a little bit short on bits at the moment."
>"Didn't you just get your pay from Celestia a few days ago?"
>Another shrug.
"Well, I have enough to get by with, just can't spend extravagantly."
>She looks at you dumb-founded.
>"How can you have spent it all so quickly?"
"Well, beer isn't cheap at a stadium, and when you treat a friend and her special somepony who know how to hold their liquor, it kinda disappears quickly."
>She shakes her head with a disappointed frown as you walk through the arch of the basement door.
>"Anon, that's just too much. Well whatever, I'll cover you today, I don't really mind."

>You pause in the middle of the libraries first floor and look at her.
"No, you don't have to do that for me Twi. It's fine, you don't need to spend money on me."
>She shakes her head.
>"Nonsense. It's not that I have to do it, it's that I want to. I won't take no for an answer."
>She makes her way behind you and begins to nudge your side and push you toward the door as well as opening the door with her magic.
>Seeing she isn't going to drop it unless you go, you start walking.
"Alright, alright. But, I'm going to pay you back next week as soon as I get my check."
>She smiles.
>"I guess I can at least accept that."
>You hear the door shut behind you as you begin your walk with Twilight.
>Following behind Twilight, she pushes you two through the hustle and bustle of the crowded lunchtime Ponyville streets.
>The crowds start to become thinner and thinner as she leads you toward a part of the town that not many venture to.
"Uh, Twilight? Where are we going?"
>She continues walking and leads you down an alleyway.
>"Just follow me and trust me."
>The stench of cooking food slowly disappears being replaced by the smell of trash as you venture further.
"Are you sure there's anything down here?"
>"Oh, you'll see."
>Finally, she stops in front of what just appears to be a back door of a slightly run down house.
>She knocks on the door, avoiding the splintering wood.
"Why can't you just tell me?"
>She frowns at you.
>"Just be patient Anon."

>The door opens to reveal a somewhat rugged Griffon with an apron on who doesn't seem very pleased.
>"A pony? What do you want?"
>"Oh, I'm just here with a friend who might be interested in your specialty."
>He looks back at you and then to her again, sighing.
>"As long as you understand what we do here."
>Twilight nods and the griffon ushers both of you into the house.
>You walk down a barren hallway and are led into what looks like a large living room with tables set all around. A faint smell you can't quite place floats around you.
"What's that smell?"
>Twilight chooses a table not currently occupied by what seems to be only griffons in the room.
>"I think you'll remember soon."
>The same griffon that let you in approaches your table.
>"Welcome to 'The Birdcage', the only place in Ponyville that I know of that serves forms of meat."
>He sets down the menus for both of you.
>"We also have a few alternatives for those shy of meat."
>Both you and Twilight pick up the menus and start reading.
>"Someone will be with you shortly to place drink orders."
>With that, he turns and walks back to what you can assume is the kitchen.

> Twilight's menu shifts downwards slightly, her eyes peering over to you.
>"Sooo, what do you think?"
>You can hear the excitement in her words, her face probably sporting a huge, dorky smile.
"I don't know what to say Twilight."
>She lets out a small, barely audible squee.
>"Speechless? I guess that's not what I was looking for, but it will have to do."
"I guess I should ask where you herd about this place. Seems kind of out of the way."
>"Oh, I was just talking to a griffon that was in the library a while ago. Asking things about a meat eaters diet and how the griffons survive somewhere like here.
>You nod.
>"She told me about this place, so I went and visited it a few days ago."
"Well, thanks Twilight. It's nice to know that if I want to, there is a place where I can get some meat."
>You both take a moment to focus and look about on the menu to make your selection.
>Oh man, they have a ton of choices that you haven't had in a long time on here.
>So many choices, but only one can be made.
>The chicken would probably be the best choice in the presence of another pony. You'll get the steak when you come by yourself.
>"Hi, my name is Gwen and I'll be your waitress."
>"So, what can I get for you guys to drink?"
>You both were too busy looking through the menu to notice that your waitress made her way up to the table.
>"Could I please just get a glass of water."
"Me too."
>"Ok, I'll be back in a few seconds."
>The waitress moves off back towards the kitchen to grab your waters.

"Twilight, you know what you want?"
>"Yes. Are you ready to order."
>You nod your head.
>The waiter returns, carrying the glasses on her wings.
>"Do you know what you would like today?"
>"I'll just have the daisy salad."
"Could I get the chicken salad please?"
>The waitress gives you a pleased look and makes her way back to the kitchen with your orders.
>Must be that she didn't expect you to eat meat.
>Throughout the meal, you make small talk with her about random happenings with Princesses and Spike in the past few days.
>Had it not been for this delicious meat in front of you, you probably would have contributed something more to the conversation.

>After finishing your food, Twilight pays and make you both make your way back to the center of Ponyville.
>"Looks like the traffic from the lunch rush calmed down."
"Yah, I hate having to push my way through ponies."
>She nods in agreement.
>Continuing towards Twilight's home, you start to pass a park.
>Twilight pauses in front of the entrance to the park.
>"Hey Anon! I got a good idea! Lets go take a walk in the park."
"Don't we have a little more work to do today?"
>"Well, we're a little ahead of scheduled already, a small break like this wouldn't hurt."
>Seems like Twilight really wants to slack off today. Seems a little weird.
>Oh well, you're not going to complain about not having to work.
"Sure, I guess it would be fine."
>With that, you and Twilight make your way into the park for a nice day among the green grass and trees.
>You both take your time to observe the skies and lake in the park, just enjoying eachothers company.
>Finally you make it back to her home.
>"Well Anon, that was a nice day. I'm glad I could share it with you."
>You nod in agreement.
>"So, uhm, did you maybe want to come in and watch a little TV?"
"Oh, sorry Twilight, but I have plans with Dash tonight."
>She gives a dejected sigh and turns away towards the door.
>"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow then Anon. Have a nice night."
"You too Twilight, don't get to sucked into your books and not get enough sleep."
>Walking a short distance, you turn around to wave goodbye, but she's already in her house with the door shut.
>Oh well, you get to hang with Dashie tonight.