>>156938She shows the mysterious soldier to one of Mustard's tables, keeping in mind that he should be facing the entrance and with a chair against the wall.
>>156939Mustard’s section includes the high top, so it isn’t precisely possible, but he goes along to the best approximate. He smiles and keeps his eyes on Amber most of the time.
An older stallion with a mare, and then another stallion.
Two couples, younger.
>>156940The older couple and one other couple go to De Sew, the other couple to Melon. She asks the single stallion if he would like to go to the bar.
>>156941The stallion is with the other two.
Does Amber like sauerkraut? Potatoes? Sautéed onion? Well, she gets to smell it.
>>156942Those delicious foods may not be the fanciest, but they might as well be. She tries to hide her mouth watering.
>>156943In any case, it’s been about 26 hours since Amber has eaten. She has 3 bits, no clean change of clothes, and no food at home.
Anyways… a tall pepper grey stallion in a trench coat and fedora cones in. Without being prompted, he asks for a booth.
>>156944"Oh, of course…" He may just be the infamous Waterfront Gang she was told about. Just to be safe, she gives him one of De Sew's booths, if that's possible.
>>156945Yes. There are booths in De Sew’s section. The stallion wordlessly proceeds to the back.
Now, four well dressed stallions, one of whom stares at Amber with a smile.
>>156947“Yes”
“I think I want food”
And
“You’re a fine young filly”
>>156948"Um, thank you," she replies, slightly embarrassed, to the last question.
"The bar is just back there, tended by Salt Mixer. You can't miss her."
>>156949“Okay, that sounds fine.”
“But I want food…”
“What are you doing later?”
A fourth stallion does not speak
>>156950Amber tries to remember if food is served at the bar.
"I'll be busy all through this night."
>>156951I mean… actually it’s not clear.
“When you’re not busy, come over and I’ll buy you a drink.”
If Amber is curious, he’s an earth pony, grey, wearing a bowler hat, probably 20ish.
The fourth stallion speaks:
“I mean an appetizer wouldn’t hurt.”
>>156952"I'm sure if you ask, food will be brought to you," she appeases with a nervous smile. She doesn't reply to the pony with the bowler hat.
>>156953The first stallion
“Okay, we’ll go to the bar.”
Second stallion
“Okay, I guess that works.”
Third stallion:
“Just tell me what you want. I’ll get it for you. Don’t be shy.”
Second stallion again
“She’s not into you”
>>156956Bowler hat pony frowns,
Fourth stallion:
“Bet you her coltfriend works the kitchen.”
Second stallion:
“Let’s at least start with bread.”
The first stallion is far ahead, but it seems that he can be heard saying “look at the ass on
her!”
They all go ahead, past Amber.
De Sew works diligently, but has more than enough time to chat with interested tables. Melon Mangrove has a less busy section and is underworked, if anything. Mustard Trim has the most tables with the biggest parties and the neediest customers, and the least ability to handle it. He looks stressed and anxious.
Two single mares, slightly older (late twenties? 30s?) Walk in
>>156957Amber is relieved that the bothersome stallions have gone on. She greets the new entrants cheerfully.
"Hello! Would you like a table or would you prefer the relaxing atmosphere of our bar?"
>>156958“A table” a yellow unicorn about the sand color as Amber answers.
>>156959"Certainly!" she answers. She gives these to the care of Melon Mangrove.
>>156960A minor atonement
Amber is allowed to ease things down around 9 PM. It’s the beginning of the end of her shift
>>156961With her otherwise standing around, she looks back to see how Mustard is doing.
>>156962He isn’t crying. So there’s that.
>>156963It'll only get better from here, little pony.
>>156964It looks like he got an order wrong on one of the larger tables. Well, at least one larger order. So he’s frantically going back and forth between the kitchen and a table, often having to take other orders, remember them, forgets them out of stress… At least he’s getting practice for his next run. He
almost has that kicked dog look.
Meanwhile, De Sew and Melon Mangrove are chatting it up with a couple stallions.
>>156965I really should have given that mother and her son to Melon, shouldn't I? She hopes Mustard won't be mad because of this.
>>156966He sits down at a table, places his hoof over his face, winces, and sits there fir like a minute. After that minute, he returns to kitchen with several plates.
>>156967She can't help but wince too. Poor, poor colt, it really didn't seem that bad….
>>156968He successfully brings a few drinks, and after prodding, gives a refill on another one. Amber’s side is most over, though a couple ponies go to the bar.
>>156969She leaves her post to use the bathroom and returns several minutes later. Unfortunately "mostly over" doesn't mean actually over.
>>156970If any customers wonder in so close to closing time, they can seat themselves. Amber’s shift is definitely over by 9:30. Mustard has to hang on a little longer.
>>156971She decides to perambulate over to the bar to see how Salt Mixer and her customers are doing. She cannot buy any drinks even if she wants to, but maybe she can strike up some chat.
>>156972A stallion is talking to Salt Mixer about his marrital problems. Salt Mixer offers her sympathy. And…
“Oh, so you
do want that drink?”
>>156974"You sure?" He says smiling. 20, also kind of a stocky build. Actually he is not the closest stallion to Amber, but he's one further away
"You've been standing up there all night."
>>156976"I bet. A drink helps to relax."
>>156977She thinks about this. She's only ever had alcohol in small quantities before, but you can't argue it doesn't help to relax.
'I suppose, but I can't afford one right now."
>>156978"That's why I am buying it for you. Bar tender, get her a shot of what she wants."
[1d2 = 2]
>>156979>>156978Salt Mixer looks over to Amber. She asks
"Amber, how old are you?"
>>156979>>156980"Uh…eighteen." Not much of a lie, her birthday isn't that far away.
>>156981"Okay. What do you want?" She asks Amber
>>156982She thinks about what drinks are good, and realizes that she's totally ignorant of the topic. Well, what did her father drink, surely he has good taste, right?
"Whisky."
>>156983"One shot of..." she takes a semi random bottle, and pours a shot
The bowler cap pony moves over to the seat next to her, smiling.
"So. Tell me a bit about yourself. What brings you to work here?"
>>156984She eases away. Slooooowly.
"It's, uh, a very nice establishment…." She takes a gulp of the drink.
>>156985"Where you come from? You don't seem like you're from around here."
He takes his own sip.
Amber's whiskey is not diluted by fruit juice, or anything. It's pure whiskey.
>>156986The filly coughs and sputters uncontrollably.
>>156987"What's wrong little filly? You never have whiskey before?"
He pats her on the back
>>156988cough cough "Nope." She is practically teary-eyed from the ordeal.