>>143806They continue talking, with Waabishki displaying anxiety, and nodding occassionally
>>143807Spark turns back to Ply Press.
"Who is Cyananthus?"
>>143808"Oh, she's a pony Petal Dew knew at the mane salon back up north."
>>143810"Close friend isn't quite how I would describe it. But you get to know everypony around pretty well when you live out in the wilderness. She's a pony we knew in town."
>>143811"Ah. Then it must have been pretty lonely moving to a place like this, with no familiar faces."
>>143812"Well" He forms a smile that nears a wince
"Kind of..."
>>143813"Well, I know I'm just a stranger, but I hope you will come to find me a friend."
>>143814He smiles
"Well for now, make yourself comfortable. Why don't you join us for dinner?"
>>143815"Of course. Thank you for your generosity."
>>143816"Oh it's the least we could do. Do you need any tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cider?"
>>143817"Cider does sound pleasant. I'm going to have to fetch you some more supplies after all of this hospitality though."
>>143818"Oh, don't worry about it." He answers
The doctor asks
"How do you have chocolate and coffee?"
Receiving the answer
"We still have some stocked up from before the partition. We can spend it on special occasions, like guests."
>>143819Spark nods, but will get some more if he comes across the supplies.
>>143820Ply Press goes towards Petal Dew,
"Let me get some cider for our new friend here."
Petal Dew:
"Oh! And get out the salmon for dinner."
"Sure thing, honey."
Ply Press leaves, while the other creatures remain
>>143826Not mine, but I'm glad you like it.
>>143823>>143824Neat!
>>143825The waiter returns with the water, and almost under his breath, Mustard Trim says, "That was fast..."
And then he says to Amber
"A viol? Is that what that thing is?"
I hope Silver, Onyx and Brie are doing alright>>143829"Mhm! It's an older-style instrument that's held upright like a cello, though it's smaller and different in a lot of different ways. I've seen pictures but I've never actually heard one played before." She takes another gulp of her Hurricane; it's nearly spent at this point. Suddenly she perks up.
"Oh! I just realized something."
>>143830Silver and Onyx, sure. Brie, not so much...>>143706"Because there is not much left for me there. And because I would rather be far away from the parasites..."
>>143830He turns to her, making eye contact
"And what is that?"
>>143831Silver nods.
"I am sorry your first experience in coming to this half of Equestria was...that."
>>143833"No. No better than what I left. And there was one of those things here." He pulls his lips back in disgust.
>>143832He pulls his lips up in a somewhat embarrassed look
"Heh heh, yeah..."
>>143834"Those who did this to you and others are now dead or captured. In that there is difference. We are doing what we can to make things better."
>>143835"Then you have done more than most"
He looks around, and he pulls himself in what seems to be an attempt to sit up, though he must have decided against it.
"I do not know if this is our own fault, or if this is what we deserve." He says, at a lower volume
>>143834"Aw, you're too nice. It's reassuring, actually, because I came here for business and knew as much about it as you did...but don't worry, everything is fine now." She quaffs the rest of the drink and puts it down. For whatever reason her mind and perception feels a bit fuzzy, as if she was sleepy, but as a matter of fact she feels much less tired than before.
>>143837He smiles
"That's good."
Then he looks around
"This isn't too bad"
He takes another sip of his water
>>143839He maintains his smile
"I can understand that. I would help you, but... you said the owner has your tab?"
>>143841"Well that's pretty nice." He takes another sip
"A nice little perk"
>>143843"She's... well... we can get free soup sometimes, which is nice."
>>143844"Mhm. I know you like her. I mean, like like her." She smiles mischievously.
>>143847:"What? Heh." His smile is somewhere between amusement and embarassment
"No. Well. Maybe sometimes... but no. She does have big - but she's older, much older, and she has her own thing going."
>>143848"She does? Well, good for her, but I bet that doesn't stop your coltish imagination." She snickers, finding this oddly amusing.
>>143849"What? No. Don't be silly. When she turns around, it kind of just fills your whole field of view. It's not... it's not me trying to look you just can't not look."
>>143851"I don't! It just fills my peripheral vision. All of it. Until I kind of just zone out and she has to repeat her... self..."
Now it's more definitely embarrassment
>>143852"Doesn't she mind it when you put your face so close to her backside? I think any lady would." Amber is definitely enjoying this.
>>143853"She puts her backside close to my face!"
The waiter
probably couldn't hear this. But it's loud enough to wonder who else can hear it
"Could knock somepony over with it..."
>>143854"Wouldn't you like that!" She giggles hysterically into her fetlock, trying not to be
too loud.
"But you're right, it's impressive how she never knocks over any bottles despite moving so fast in the bar."
>>143855He's smiling as wide as Amber. But his head is crouched down low, near the table, and both ears are twisted and folded down
"Yes..."
"I bet you wish you could ask her out, have her say yes, go out to have vittles with her, hold those hips while dancin', and use her as a comfortable pillow when you get home. Am I wrong?"