Table For Two 5: Minestra

>Work on Thursday is nothing but stress
>Restaurant Week is wrapping up and many ponies are coming in for a last minute pre-fix meal
>This sort of thing happens all the time
>It's just your bad luck that it had to happen today
>There's a run on eggs one hour and a run on salad the next
Table Seventeen: Two salad, one soup, one hay-fritte!
>”Yes, Chef!”
>You can't seem to get yourself into a good rhythm today either
>Every little thing is setting you on edge
>Your temper starts to mount as brunch makes the transition to lunch and the real rush starts
>By 1 there's a line next to the door and the kitchen is starting to get backed up
>This is unacceptable. Your kitchen should be able to handle this
>You grit your teeth and take a deep breath before giving more orders to the cooks
Table Thirty: Two bay-BLT, one salad, one soup!
>”Yes, Chef!”
Table Twelve: up!
>You look at the clock
>2:00
>You're annoyed with yourself for not being able to enjoy work today
>A loud yell followed by the sound of a cascade of broken dishes comes from behind you
>Annoyance turns to anger and you turn around to see the new kitchen-colt hastily sweeping up the debris, spewing apologies
>Your Sous sees you about to go into the kitchen to chew the colt out and stops you
>”Not now, Chef. Last thing we need is you flying off the handle on top of this mess
>You pinch the bridge of your nose and let out an exasperated sigh
Right. I'll put the fear of Tartarus in him later
>”Yes, Chef”
Now get back to work. We've got to deal with this rush before we can even think about dinner service
1/x

>The next couple hours drag on
>Your cooks are able to pick up the pace enough to keep the kitchen from backing up, but it's still a gauntlet service
Table Six: Three hay-BLT, one soup, one salad!
>”Yes, Chef!”
Table Fourteen: One soup, one salad, one hay-fritte!
>”Yes, Chef!”
I need Table One's soup, where is it?
>”One minute, Chef!”
It'd better be! Table Seven: up! Table Ten: One salad, one hay-fritte, one hay-BLT!
>”Yes, Chef!”
I need that soup NOW
>”Coming, Chef!”
Table Twenty six: Three soup, one salad!
>”Yes, Chef!”
Table One: up! Table Thirty two: One hay-fritte, one soup!
>”Yes, Chef!”
>The line at the door hasn't gotten any longer, thankfully, but it certainly hasn't gotten much shorter either
Table Six: up! Where is Table Fourteen?
>”Two minutes, Chef!”
Make it one!
>”Yes, Chef!”
Table Seventeen: One soup, one hay-fritte, one portabella!
>”Yes, Chef!”
>The restaurant is packed. The murmur coming from the tables mixes with the lively clatter and hiss from the kitchen
>If you weren't so stressed out, it'd be music to your ears, but today that just isn't the case.
Table Fourteen: up!
>You put the plates up on the counter and wipe some sweat from your forehead before moving on to the next plate
>At least your shift is almost up
>You look at the clock
>2:30
>...
>Goddamnit...
2/x

>You lean on the counter and shut your eyes to give yourself a break from the constant barrage of input from the kitchen and tables
>It has been a long day
>And it's not like it's going to get any less stressful after work is done
>You've still got to go to Em's house for that demo, plus you've got to figure out what the hell you're going to do regarding the two of you
>She's clearly into you, you're into her; it should be simple
>BUT, she's a client, and if you want the restaurant to be able to have that fundraiser contract for the future, it'd be unprofessional to pursue anything with her
>This isn't a career that gives you the freedom to get involved with anyp0ny who wants to hire you for a contract deal
>...even if you'd like it to be
>On top of that, there's Rarity. The way she's been acting lately it's pretty obvious-
>You slap your hands on the counter and look back up
>Now's not the time to get distracted
>You're in the middle of a rush
>You can think about your social life later
Table Thirty two: up! Table Fifteen: Three soup, one salad!
>”Yes, Chef!”
>You'll talk to Rose about Em later today, then do your demo at Em's house, lock down the fundraiser menu, and that will be that
Table Seventeen: up! Table Thirty: One hay-BLT, one salad, one soup!
>”Yes, Chef!”
>You look out into the sea of tables
>Alright, you can do this
>Just get through service, then sort your shit
>You look at the clock
>2:40
>...It's never that easy, is it?
3/x

>The rush starts to die down around 3
>The line at the door is gone by 3:15
>You're able to take a short breather as orders stop coming in at such a rapid pace
>It's almost the end of your shift and you start cleaning up your station
>You're glad; you're not sure you could really deal with a rush that like for much longer
>The kitchen is quieter now that the barrage of orders has slowed down as well
>You head to your office and grab a glass of water before writing down the shift notes
>The restaurant had upwards of 230 covers for lunch alone
>Service got backed up slightly for a little while, but it wasn't anything too major
>You've cooled down enough to decide not to chew out the kitchen-colt for dropping those dishes during service
>You'll save the yelling for when he really screws something up
>With the shift notes done and no meetings scheduled, you take off your coat and hat and walk out into the Ponyville streets
>It's been a long day, but it's not over yet
>After 10 minutes of walking in the crisp fall air you're home
>You take a seat in the living room with a cold drink to decompress before seeing if Rose is home
>Work might be done today, but you still have business to take care of
>You sit back and relax for a little while, sipping your drink and trying your best to keep your mind off of the stresses of the day
>At least you've got your work done and your dishes ready to make for The Mayor tonight
>There's a little bit of comfort there, knowing that you don't have to scramble at the last minute to do anything
4/x

>You look at the clock and see that it's probably a good time to head to Rose's to have a talk with the red-maned mare
>The big town clock strikes 5 as you close your front door behind you and start the walk over to Rose's house
>The flower-seller lives near her shop on Mane Street, making her easy to find
>When you come up the street you see her at her flower stall chatting with a pink pony who wears a lily in her mane
>Rose looks up from her conversation when she hears you coming
>She quickly whispers something to her friend and turns to greet you with a warm smile on her face
>”Well, if it isn't our storied Chef Anonymous? What can I do for you? Need some flowers for somep0ny?”
>The last question she asks with the biggest grin you've ever seen
>You realize that Rose may not be the pony to talk to
>But you're already here and it's not like you have time to track down somep0ny else to consult about Em
Very funny, Ms. Rose
>”You can just call me Rose, Anon. No need to be so formal”
Okay, Rose. I need to talk to you
>You look at the pink pony with the flowered mane
Alone
>She shrugs at Rose and walks away, leaving the two of you to talk
>”So what do you need to talk to little old me about?”
>She motions for you to come inside
>As she closes the door behind you, you can sense her coy grin growing ever wider
>She knows something
>She thinks she knows something you don't
>But she's wrong, and you're in no mood for games
No need to play coy, Rose, we both know why I'm here
>”...No fun...”
5/x

>Rose looks at you as you sit down in her living room
>She crosses behind you and you can almost feel her gaze on your back
>”You want to know about Em. You want to know exactly how much of a hole the two of you have dug for yourselves. Am I wrong?”
No, go on. I can tell you were expecting this, so please, continue
>”You certainly are morose today, Anon. Long day at work? Stressed about something? What happened to the enthusiasm you had when I had dinner at your restaurant a few days ago?”
Some things came up
>”Like the fundraiser? Yeah, I can see how that could be stressful. Hopefully your dinner with Em tonight can lift some of that stress though, right?”
>She's got that grin on her face again
Rose...
>You're getting agitated again
>”Hey now, no need to get defensive. It's no crime, Anon, to like somep0ny”
That's not the p-
>”That IS the point, Chef”
>Suddenly she's serious. She's staring right at you now
>”I know you professional types. You're afraid of getting involved because she's a client and you need to keep it businesslike if you're going to keep a multi-year contract and even though you both CLEARLY are interested, you're too terrified to make a real move because you know that you're not going to be able to stop once you get this ball rolling. I know, Anon”
>Damn it to Tartarus, she's dead-on. But why does she sound mad about it?
>”I'm going to tell you what I told Em yesterday, Anon”
Em talked to you yesterday?
>You knew this was a bad idea the second you saw that grin
>But it's WAY too late to go back now
6/x

>”Em's my best friend, Anon. I might pull some of my punches with her, because I love her, but you I don't have to hold back on. I'm telling you right now that Em is interested”
I know she is, Rose; I'm not stupid. I can read the signs when I see them
>”No, I don't think you DO know, Anon. I've known that mare long enough to know that she is way more into you than she wants to admit.”
How do you know that?
>”I told you when we last talked that you'd made an impression with your risotto, no? That she'd never raved about food like that since she went to Hoofington? Remember that?”
Of course
>”Well, I wasn't entirely honest at the time. I wanted to see what kind of po- er, person you were first. It would have been more accurate for me to say that she hadn't raved about a Chef like that since Hoofington.”
>You realize you're staring wide-eyed, more at Rose's sudden shift in attitude than the information she's giving you
>”What? You're the one who wanted me to 'stop playing coy,' I'm being frank now, that's your fault”
Fair enough. Doesn't change facts though, she's a client. It'd be unprofessional to get involved
>”You sound so unsure, Anon. I'm right about what I said earlier, aren't I?”
Dead-on
>Her tone seems to soften, if only a little
>She sits next to you as you look at the floor
Anyone ever tell you you're intuitive?
>”To a fault, they say. I grow flowers for a living, Anon. You know how many young lovers I have come to my stall? You learn to read ponies, especially on things like this”
So what am I supposed to do here?
7/x

>”You already know. You just want me to say something like 'Your career is more important, as is keeping up your professionalism' right? Well it's not going to happen. I'll tell you what I told Em: Go for it. A special somep0ny would do you both well, from what I know about you”
>She gets up and walks to her back room
>”Now I think you've got an appointment with The Mayor, Anon. Wouldn't want to be late for that, would you?”
No, no, I guess not
>You get up to leave when she comes back out holding a bunch of red roses
What are these for?
>”Who, you mean. I thought you said you weren't stupid?”
>She gives the roses to you and trots into the kitchen
Right...
>You walk out the door back into the fall air
>The town clock strikes 6 as you come to your front yard
>You decide to go to Em's house around 7
>That will give you enough time to get ready
>You're still wearing your work pants and shoes
>Should you change?
>Are your black pants too formal? Maybe the kakhis...
>You stop as you look through the closet
What the hell am I doing?
>You put on a fresh pair of chef pants and a clean pair of shoes and go back downstairs
>You're going over to Em's to cook on business and you're going to keep it that way
>Rose's advice did nothing to help resolve your problem
>Of course, from a strict point of view, you should just break off whatever...this is, as a conflict of interest
>But you can't bring yourself to do it
>...or won't
>You go into the kitchen and get everything ready to take over to Em's
8/x

>Before you know it, the clock strikes 7
>You get up and make sure your clothes are presentable
>The supplies for the demo sit neatly in bags on the counter
>On the kitchen table lies the bunch of flowers that Rose gave you
>You walk into the kitchen and look at the roses before going to the cupboard and taking out the Prancian wine
>The bottle goes in one of the bags and you gather the supplies up to leave
>After another bout of hesitation, you change your mind and decide to take the roses
>You manage to work them under your arm and leave the house, a sense of determination taking hold of you
>The air has a reinvigorating chill to it that keeps you focused on walking and not on what you're walking towards
>You're so preoccupied that you very nearly miss Em's house entirely
>With a short deep breath you stop at the door and set the bags down to knock
>An arm raised to rap at the door, you look down at the roses under your other arm
No, that's a bit much, Rose
>The bushel drops into one of the bags and you cover it with some of the light ingredients
>Then you raise your arm again and rap on the door with your knuckle
>From inside a voice comes, sounding slightly nervous
>”Coming, coming! Just a minute!”
9/x

>”I'll be right there, don't you worry!”
>Pinkie Pie's voice is full of her usual mirth and levity as Rarity stands outside Sugar Cube Corner
>It took her all day to get her work done so that she'd have time to talk to her friend about Anon
>The door opens and Pinkie steps out, her mane full of flour from a day of baking
>”Oh hi, Rarity! What's up? Do you want some cupcakes? I just made a batch!”
Actually, I came because I need some advice, Pinkie, but cupcakes couldn't hurt...
>Pinkie squints at the white mare upon hearing her tone, but quickly switches back to her bubbly attitude
>”Okie dokie, lokie! Come on in!”
>The two mares walk into the shop and Pinkie disappears into the kitchen for a minute
>Rarity takes a seat at one of the tables and sighs heavily
>She's been working since early in the morning, but hasn't made much progress on the commission
>Too busy thinking about her sister's words the previous night
>”Are you sure you like Anon for the right reasons?”
I don't know, Sweetie Bell, I just don't know...
>”Don't know what?”
>Pinkie emerges from the kitchen bearing a large plate of brilliantly-colored cupcakes
>She sets them down on the table and takes a seat with her friend
Can we wait until after I've had some cupcakes, Pinkie? I think I need a pick-me-up...
>Pinkie cocks her head to the side, worried
>”Is everything okay, Rarity? You don't seem happy for somep0ny who's got a big-time commission in the works”
>Rarity takes a cupcake and slowly unwraps it before taking an uncharacteristically large bite
I need advice about Anon, Pinkie... I don't know who else to go to...
>”Well, ask away. I'm great at resolving problems with friends!”
10/x

>Em's house is well-kept
>You walk in with your bags of supplies and look around at the interior
>Everything is very understated and dignified-looking
>Well befitting an official of her stature
Thanks for having me over this late, Madam Mayor, I know it must be awkward on such short notice
>You purposely use her title and not her name. You want to keep up the veneer of professionalism, having lost whatever courage you'd found on the way over
>”Now what have I said about using my title, Anon? Much too formal”
Sorry, force of habit
>You lie
Shall we get set up? Where's your kitchen?
>She seems to become a bit more nervous at the mention of her kitchen
>You follow the tan mare through the house to a gleaming clean kitchen that puts the one at your own house to shame
>”I'm sure it's nothing compared to the one at your restaurant, but it serves me well”
It'll do just fine, Em. This is an impressive kitchen you have here
>She perks up when you use her name and you feel a slight smile cross your lips as she does
>You quickly turn to the counter before she can see it
Alright, let's get started. I've got a few choice items I'll make for you to try, and I've got the full list of menu options to look over as well. We can do either one first, whichever suits you best
>”Well, I don't want you to just have to start working the minute you come in...”
It's no trouble, really
>”Ok, why don't you fix those dishes then, and we can look at the menu options over dinner?”
Sounds like a plan. I can have this done and ready in an hour
>”Wonderful”
11/x

>Pinkie Pie looks on as Rarity eats cupcake after cupcake, a dismally unhappy look on her face
>From what she's said, Rarity certainly needs something to cheer her up
>”So your date didn't go so well, then?”
Sweet Celestia, what an understatement...Oh Pinkie, it was dreadful! An utter calamity!
>”What happened?”
>Rarity sighs heavily and puts her sixth cupcake down on a plate
He was so preoccupied the whole time...like he wasn't all there or something...and he acted like it wasn't even a date!
>”Did HE know it was?” Pinkie knots her brow. She knows how dramatic her friend can be
Well, he MUST have! I did everything somep0ny's supposed to do!
>”But did he know it was a date date and not just a friendly dinner? You two have been friends for like a year. It's not like one dinner equals a date automatically...”
>Rarity's face plummets
Ohhh, Pinkie, you're right! And I was so judgmental, too! Giving him grief for his order, what was I thinking??
>She buries her face in her hooves and falls forward to the table
No wonder he didn't stay for tea afterward! He probably wanted to get away from me as fast as he could! Oh, this is the worst possible thing!
>The pink mare sits next to her friend and puts a hoof out to comfort her
>”Come on now, Rar, it's not THAT bad. You like Anon a lot, don't you?”
>Rarity looks up, calming down a bit
Well, yes, of course I do...but...
>”But? There's no buts when it comes to special somep0nies, Rarity- well, not THOSE buts”
>She giggles. Rarity does not
But I'm not sure why anymore...
>Pinkie stops her giggling
>”Well, why did you at first?”
12/x

>Steam billows up from the pan as you pour vegetable broth into it to get a roux going
>You decided to make the stuffed mushrooms, rigatoni with an artichoke cream sauce, and an assorted berry plate for dessert
>Just an example of a combination that can be chosen at the fundraiser
>With three or four options for each course, it would be impossible to show them all to Em to pick and choose here
>You opted for the easier option
>This way she can get an idea of your cooking and pare down the options into a finalized menu for her event
>Em sits at the kitchen table behind you, looking through a cooking magazine
>It's a little awkward having her just sitting there, but you can't think of anything to talk about
>A few minutes pass in silence, the only sound coming from the bubbling pots
>You're busy chopping garlic for the sauce when you remember to ask
So I never actually asked you, Em: where did you learn about food? Surely you didn't just pick it up from those magazines?
>Silence
Did you study food ever?
> More silence
Em?
>You turn around to see if she's even still there
>”Yes? Sorry, I was...thinking about something...What was your question?”
Where did you learn about food? You've got a very well-developed palette and I'm curious
>”That's a bit of a story...”
You listened to my long story, I should be able to listen to yours, shouldn't I?
>She laughs a little
>”I suppose you're right. Okay...”
13/x

>Rarity looks up at Pinkie. Concern is evident on the pink mare's face
Why did I...I don't know...he just seemed so high-class when he came here, and he stayed with my parents when he first arrived, and he was so nice to me; a perfect gentleman...and I heard about his credentials, how he's such a success in the big cities, and I wanted to be successful like that...
>”Is that the only reason you liked him then?”
No, no, not at all. I asked him about his work and he just lit up, taught me all about fine food, cooking, dining, everything. It was marvelous, Pinkie. Like a whole new part of the Canterlot Life had opened up for me and I had him to thank...I know it sounds so shallow saying it now, but I really did think I liked him for it...
>”And now?”
>Pinkie is listening intently now, concentrating on her friend's words as much as her own thoughts on them
Now...I just don't know...I realized that he's not all glamor and upper-crust living; in fact, he doesn't seem to care for any of that sort of thing at all, but I can't help being drawn in, Pinkie...and now I've gone and done something silly like I did last night and he probably hates me...
>”Hey now, silly filly, why would he hate you? Anon knows you, Rarity. He's your friend. He's not going to start hating you over one bust dinner”
>She raps her hoof against the table as she speaks
>”Besides, it sounds to me like you don't like Anon anymore anyway, Rarity”
Pinkie, don't be silly. This is se-
>”It sounds like you're in love with him”
>Pinkie looks on softly as her friend stares at her in shock
14/x

>The sauce bubbles away in the pot as you listen to Em talk about her culinary experience
>”It was a long time ago; I was just a filly. I'd just recently gotten my cutie mark and I was working for my father at his publishing office. Do you know what my cutie mark means?”
I've been wondering actually, every time I see it
>Em raises an eyebrow and grins a little
>”See it a lot, do you?”
Not what I meant and you know it
>You both laugh
>Once it subsides she continues. You feel relaxed but tense at the same time as she speaks
>You decide to start on the mushrooms to take your mind off it
>”My cutie mark symbolizes my talent for interp0ny relations; delegation, to put it simply”
Delegation?
>”Yes. I got it when I interceded in a quarrel between friends over a dish they were both trying to prepare. They were in culinary school, you see. Very competitive, as I'm sure you're aware. I offered to judge their cooking in a contest and managed to resolve their conflict. They walked away still friends and I walked away with my cutie mark
And that led to you learning about food? I'm not sure I follow
>”Given the circumstances of my cutie mark, we were left with a sort of open interpretation as to its meaning. For a long time we thought that it meant I had a natural talent with food, so eventually my father enrolled me at Academie de Selle”
>You stop working and turn around
YOU went to de Selle? I don't believe it! I was a guest professor there for a year! Did you know Professo-
>Your excitement is tempered when you see her face fall
Em?
15/x

LOVE? Pinkie, what are you talking about?
>”I know these things when I see them, Rarity. Remember who you're talking to”
>Rarity's heart is racing
But- how- I don't-
>”How did you feel after he left last night? Like everything had a little less shine? Like you were under a weight suddenly?”
Yes...how did you know that?
>”I've been there. I know what it's like to see somep0ny you love walk away without knowing how you feel about them”
>Rarity composes herself a bit for her friend
So what am I supposed to do now?
>She looks pleadingly at her friend
>Pinkie unwraps a cupcake and takes a slow, deliberate bite
>”You tell him, duh. This isn't something you can let stew, Rar-rar. If you really love Anon, then you've gotta let him know”
But what if he doesn't feel the same, Pinkie? What if I tell him and he doesn't say it back and it breaks up our friendship?
>The fear and anxiety in Rarity's voice is palpable
I don't think I could take it if that happened...
>”Rarity, if something like that were enough to break apart a friendship, it wasn't a very strong one in the first place. If you hold this in, I promise you it won't go away and it'll just eat at you and eat at you until it comes out on its own. You don't want it coming out on its own. That only leads to trouble...trust me...”
Alright...
>”You still don't seem happy. Is something else wrong?”
Well...I think he's been seeing a lot of The Mayor lately...They went to lunch a few days ago and I thought I saw her last night near the restaurant as well...
>”And you think something's up?”
Maybe...I don't know...
16/x

>Em looks down as she continues the story
>”I lasted a semester there. I never made it past the introductory courses...”
What happened?
>She seems almost ashamed...
>There's a long pause
>”I-it just wasn't for me, culinary school. It wasn't the right place...”
>You catch the reluctance in her voice. She's hiding some detail
>It's best not to pry, though
>”After I came back from school I did some traveling and made a living as a critic of restaurants. I developed a keener sense of taste as a result”
>That would explain it. Not only does she have a developed palette, she's able to articulate it as well. That's a rare skill
>”I did that for a number of years and built a reputation for myself. My talent for diplomacy and delegation served me quite well in that business. I could write reviews and keep from getting many ponies upset even if my review wasn't glowing. Eventually I got tired of the business though, and I moved here, ran for Mayor, and now here I am.”
I'm glad everything worked out for you in the end. It's a shame though; I bet you would have made a fine chef
>She blushes and turns away, smiling
>You get back to cutting vegetables to stuff the mushrooms with
>The sauce is nearly ready as you heat the saute pan
>The aroma of cooking food has filled the kitchen and the two of you bask in it
>The smell of simmering garlic, artichoke, and cooking pasta take the place of words
>That is, until Em speaks up again
>”...is there...something going on with you and that young unicorn...Rarity?...”
>The knife slips in your hand, nearly nicking your finger
17/x

>Rarity looks out the window blankly
I don't know what I think...He told me he was having lunch with her on Monday, told me Wednesday that he'd gotten a contract with her for a fundraiser...he seemed so excited about it...
>”And you think it's because he likes her? Come on, Rarity, you can't jump to that conclusion. You'll drive yourself crazy”
You didn't see how he looked when he was talking about her, Pinkie...
>Rarity puts her head down on the table again
If only I'd done something sooner, or said something, or-
>Pinkie cuts her off
>”Stop it, Rarity”
>Her bubbly voice is replaced by sternness
>”You can't help how you feel or when you start feeling it. Do you have any evidence there's something going on?”
Well, no, but you should have seen-
>”Rarity, you've got to stop thinking like that. You're never going to have the courage to act on your feelings if you just assume he's taken”
>Rarity looks up again
You think so?
>”I know so”
>The white mare takes a deep breath
Alright. Thank you, Pinkie. I feel a little better now
18/x

>You turn around again to face her
>She's looking at you intently, her eyes searching for an answer
You think...Rarity and I-... No. Celestia, no. She's like a little sister to me, Em
>”...I saw you yesterday at that expensive new restaurant...I saw how she was looking at you”
>You turn back to the counter and flick the vegetables around the saute
>”Are you sure she feels like that?”
>The mushrooms sit on the cutting board waiting to be cleaned and stuffed
...Does it make you jealous?
>Silence
>You could cut the tension with a knife
>The vegetables finish cooking and you turn off the heat before cleaning the mushrooms
>In a bowl you mix the rice and vegetables to make the simple stuffing
>”...Would it be horrible of me to say yes?”
>You keep your back turned to the tan mare
>Your heart is pounding and your hands are shaking
>It's difficult to stuff the mushrooms, but you do it anyway
We're both professionals, Em. You should know I can't get involved with clients
>The oven door opens and you slide the sheet of mushrooms in before setting the timer for twenty minutes
>You look at the pots on the burners. The sauce is simmering, the pasta will be finished in a minute, just waiting on the mushrooms
>”You say that, but then I smell the roses in that bag you brought over...”
Well...that-
>”-So I'm not so sure that's how you really feel, Anon”
Em...
>You feel a pair of hooves wrap around your waist
>”You're trouble, Anonymous the Chef”
Look who's talking
>You turn around and look the bespectacled mare in the eye
>A smile grows between the two of you and you kneel down to return her embrace
19/x

>Rarity stays at Sugar Cube Corner a little while longer sharing the remaining cupcakes with Pinkie Pie
>Her mind is a little more at ease now that her friend has talked some sense into her
>She was just overreacting and jumping to conclusions
>Yes...of course
>Just her imagination running wild between her work-stress and her own feelings
>It's a good thing Sweetie Bell told her to talk to Pinkie
>Cupcakes and a good friend were just what she needed
>The two mares laugh together over an inside joke and Rarity looks at the time
>8:00
>She really should be getting back home
Thank you again, Pinkie. I needed somep0ny to hear my little drama and make sense of it
>”Don't mention it, Rarity. Or do! As long as you follow what I told you!”
>Rarity laughs and walks off happily
>”There's a smile. Take care, Rar!”
You too, Pinkie darling
>Pinkie turns and goes inside
>As she closes the door her Pinkie Sense kicks in
>”Leg twitch, mane shake, leg twitch, eye flutter, tail jerk...”
>Her face falls
>”Oh no...”
>She looks back out the window at Rarity's receding form
>”Looks like you spoke too soon, Pinkie...”
>Rarity disappears into the Ponyville streets
>”You're gonna need more than cupcakes to fix this”
>She rushes out to the market to buy supplies
20/x

This is a bad idea...
>”It's a terrible idea...”
>You've lifted Em into your arms
I shouldn't get involved with a client...
>”It's a conflict of interest”
>Her face is level with yours
>”It could cause a scandal...”
The tabloids would eat it up
>You've got her against the wall in your arms
>“That's not going to stop us...is it?”
Not even a little
>Em pokes her face forward and pecks you on the cheek
>She moves her head back to where it was, looking at you sheepishly
>There's a beat that goes by like a century where neither of you move an inch
>Then you feel your head tilting to the side, slowly, inexorably
>Your eyes narrow and you see her face coming closer...and closer...until your eyes are closed and you feel a pair of lips on your own
>Another century passes
>You don't know how long, really
>Your mind is set on the mare in your arms, pressing her satin-like lips against yours
>The smell of the food cooking behind you mixes with hers
>She smells like books. It's a mellow, earthy smell
>Another smell comes in; acrid, almost like-
>Your eyes snap open and you whip your head around, breaking the kiss
>The sauce is black and smoke is rising from the pot as you set Em back down and run to the stove
>Em slowly raises a hoof to her mouth and blushes a deep red
>You turn off the burner and open a window to let the smoke out of the kitchen, cursing under your breath
I'm sorry, I should have paid better attention
>”Looks like you're not the perfect chef I thought you were...”
>Em sighs over-dramatically before you walk over and scoop her up in your arms
21/x

>Rarity walks home with renewed optimism
>That talk with Pinkie and those cupcakes were exactly what she needed to get her head back on straight
>On top of that, she's not so confused about her own feelings now as she had been earlier that day
>She finds herself humming contentedly on her way down the street
>Pinkie was right. She should tell Anon how she feels tomorrow before he goes to work
>She's got to get it off her chest or she'll lose her nerve, and probably the chance to tell him her feelings
>In fact, she could probably do to go over there right now
Yes, now. Before I have time to think of a reason not to...
>Nervousness sets in and mixes with a sense of excitement as Rarity turns and walks towards Anon's house
>She reaches her destination and stops, trying to work up her nerve
Okay, darling, you can do this. Just go up and be honest. Just go up, tell him how you feel. Simple as that
>She looks at the door and takes a few deep breaths before walking, determined, up the front path and knocking
>A minute passes
>Rarity's heart is beating fast and a knot tightens itself in her chest
>Is he home?
>He has to be. It's a Thursday night. Where else could he be?
>She knocks again
>No answer
>Maybe he's at work? No, he mentioned something about nights off this week...
>She looks in the window to see that the lights are all off
>A pit forms in her stomach and the little needling doubt creeps back into her head
>Rarity turns and walks back to Carousel Boutique disheartened
>She'll try again tomorrow...
22/x

>Em breaks off the long second kiss with a gasp for air as the timer goes off for the mushrooms
>You sigh and turn your head to the kitchen
>Everything is upside down
>You look up at the mare lying on top of you and smile
I guess I should get that before we throw another black mark on my record tonight, huh?
>”Might be for the best”
>You both laugh and Em rolls off of you and lets you get up
>The smell of roasted mushrooms fills the house
>You take the container of reduction out of the bag and pour it into a pot to heat while you let the mushrooms cool
Well, we've still got the mushrooms and the pasta, even if the sauce is ruined
>”I'd say it was worth it, wouldn't you?”
>Em's voice comes from the other room and you smile to yourself
>Definitely worth it
Why don't you take a seat at the table? I'll have the food out in a minute or two
>”Sounds lovely, Anon”
>You uncork the wine and pour the now warm reduction over the mushrooms before putting everything on a platter and carrying it out to the dining room
>Em closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, taking in the smell of the food as it comes out
>The two of you eat and you explain the processes and ingredients for each of the dishes
>Then you take out the list of options and go over that, though both of you are only half-concentrating on the business part of the evening at this point
>Once you've finished and Em has chosen her menu items, you start cleaning up
>She comes in and wraps her hooves around you again while you're washing
23/x

>”...You know you're infuriating, don't you, Chef?”
How do you mean?
>”Coming here like this with wine and roses, acting like you don't have them...”
>You look down at her. She's putting on an angry face, but you can tell she's loving every second of this
>”...makes a mare anxious”
From the look of it, a mare didn't mind
>She hits you lightly
>You lay a hand on her head and she sighs softly, snuggling up to it
You sure about...this?
>Em looks up at your with serious eyes
>”Are you?”
It's unprofessional, it's asking for trouble, and it's a scandal waiting to happen
>She looks anxious
But I'd be lying if I said that any of that was going to stop me now. No more indecision
>You lean down and plant a kiss on Em's forehead, brushing her mane out of her face
We'll take it slow and keep it on the down-low. No need to get the whole town involved, am I right?
>”You have an interesting definition of the word 'slow,' but other than that, Anon, my thoughts exactly”
>She tightens her grip on your waist and you take a seat on the floor to return the embrace
>Cleaning can wait
>Right now you've got your hands full
>You pull the roses down from the table and give them to the mare in your arms
I maybe got the order of events wrong here
>”I'll forgive you this one time; even if you DID burn the pasta sauce
I blame you. You're distracting
>”Excuses. But hey, even if this demo didn't go completely as-planned, I'd say it made a pretty good date, don't you?”
I couldn't agree more
>Rose was right: you're not going to be able to stop now
>Not that you mind
End