>”Where are we going? I thought we had plans in the city?”
>Fillydelphia's skyline retreats into the distance as the cab goes down the road out of town
It's a surprise, Em. I wanted to do something special. It's our last night here, after all
>”It's a restaurant isn't it? It's always a restaurant”
Don't ruin the surprise, Em
>The two of you sit in the back of the cab watching the sun start to go down over the now distant city before your destination comes into view
>Em's eyes go wide and her jaw looks like it's about to detach
>”No way...”
>She slowly turns to look at you
>You let a wide smile come over your face. That was exactly the reaction you were going for
>”Anon, this is too much...”
Welcome to Chateau de Cartes. Fillydelphia's only restaurant with THREE Marechelin Stars and it's not even in the city
>Em gets out of the cab in a state of shock
What's the matter? I thought you were a fan of haute cuisine, Em?
>”...I wasn't expecting this...This place is world famous, Anon.... Do we really have  a reservation here?”
Sure do
>Without another word she latches onto your waist and lets out a high squeal
Still think Fillydelphia isn't on the same level as Manehattan and Canterlot?
>Em recovers her composure and looks at you mockingly
>”I think you said yourself that we're not IN Fillydelphia”
>You ruffle her mane and start towards the doors
I'll let that go because you're an out-of-towner
>”Oh, thank you, Anon”
>So much sarcasm from one mare...
Is this what I get for doing nice things?
>”No, this is what you get for being with me”
I think I can live with that
1/x
 
>Two days earlier
 
>It's raining
>”A...nd here we are. Bet yer glad ya took a cab, with this weather”
Sure am. Keep the change
>The cabbie nods with a smile and you step out into the rain in front of the pub
>Em let you head off on your own tonight to meet up with D'eouvre
>You push the doors open and are hit with a wave of nostalgia
>Mugs and glasses chinking against the countertops and tables, the rowdy noise of the crowd inside, and the low music coming from the jukebox at the back fill your ears
>The oldest pub in Fillydelphia, with a history going back almost to the founding of the city, it's nestled in an alley off the main streets. It's a hidden gem now, stuffed between the modern high-rises and shops
>D'eouvre is sitting at a table near the jukebox and waves over to you
>”Ano-ho-hon! Glad you made it! Take a seat! Get a drink! It's been forever!”
Good to see you too, D'eouvre. Food was brilliant at your place, by the way. You really earned that Marechelin Star
>”Well thanks, Anon, means a lot. But when are YOU gonna get one?”
Ponyville's not even IN the guide, D'eouvre, and besides, I'm not in it for the accolades
>”Excuses, excuses. You haven't lost your touch, have you?”
>You point your fork at his face with a mostly-fake psychotic grin
Like hell
>D'eouvre laughs
>”Atta boy, Anon! Now what'll ya have to drink?”
Local stout
>The stallion looks over at the bar and shouts
>”Hey, Vick! Gimme an Anchor and a pint of Black Stag!”
>He turns back to you
>”So what brings you and your lovely mare to Filly? I haven't seen you here since you left for that Ponyville gig”
2/x
 
>The restaurant sits on the edge of the farmland which surrounds Fillydelphia
>Built to resemble a High Prancian manor house, the iron gaslights that line the dining room give the inside of the place a distinct Bohemian feel
>Being so out of the way, one would expect the place not to get so much business, but Em and you enter to find the dining room packed
>The clatter of plates and utensils couples with the murmur of a full house
>A hundred different smells waft from the kitchen and you can see Em's eyes shining as she beholds the scene
>”Anonymous? Party of two?”
Yes, right here
>”Good evening, sir, madam. Welcome to Chateau de Cartes. Please follow me”
>The maitre'd weaves between tables and waiters as he leads you to your table by the window
>”...I can't believe I'm actually here... I didn't know this place was so close to Fillydelphia...”
It's always seen as being way out in the country. Ponies make special trips just to come out here and don't even see the city sometimes
>”How did you even get a reservation, Anon? This place has to be booked constantly”
I know a guy who works in the kitchen here. He made sure there was an open table
>”We're certainly well-connected, aren't we?”
You get to know ponies when you're in the kitchen
>As you say this, you spot your friend going through the kitchen doors
>He sees you looking at him and nods in your direction
>You nod back and turn to Em
So has the shock worn off yet?
>”I think so. This is quite a way to end a vacation”
Well it's about to get better. My friend got us a tour of the kitchen
>Em looks like she might faint
3/x
 
>”...So you're coming off a big fight you two had? How bad was it?
Pretty bad. We both over-reacted, got mad, things were said that we regretted...
>You trail off and take a drink
>D'eouvre sits across from you with a look of disapproval on his face
>”You never change, Anon. Didn't you do this with Fleur when she got that gig with Fancypants?”
That was a misunderstanding-
>”-And with that broad in Manehattan? What was her name? Lola?”
Lulamoon. That's her last name...and was a totally different situation
>”It's the same outcome: you've gotta get over that temper, man. It works in the kitchen, but not in real life”
Kitchen IS my life, D'eouvre
>”Don't I know it, but the point still stands”
Hey, we moved past it. Talked it out, made a fresh start
>He looks at you and grins
>”So you gonna tell me about her? Who IS she? How long you been seein' her?”
Around a month, give or take a week. I met her through work. She's got an insanely good palette; studied at De Selle
>”Oh Celestia, you're dating another cook? Are you insane?”
Only slightly, and no. She can't cook to save her life
>”You're kidding. She went to De Selle. That's not how that works”
I'm serious. She's literally the worst cook I've ever met. I didn't think it was actually possible to screw up cold cereal, but she found a way
>”I'm almost afraid to ask...”
It involved heavy cream and a trip to the ER
>The look of horrified confusion on his face is priceless
>”But she's got some kind of gifted tongue?”
You could say that..
>You cock an eyebrow and D'eouvre chokes on his drink
>”Not what I meant, you son of a bitch”
4/x
 
>”You're just showing off now”
>Em recovers herself and gives you a light kick under the table
So what do you think you're going to have?
>She looks through the menu and you see her bite her lip as her eyes move over the pages
>You look down at your own menu
>As you read over your options, Em pipes up
>”There are so many choices... I can't decide”
What are you torn between?
>”This 'Potage de Legume aux Creme' looks wonderful, but the Asparagus with Hollandaise sauce was one of my favorite dishes in Canterlot...”
>That's a tough choice, to be sure
Can't go wrong with an old favorite, can you?
>”I suppose not, but I think I'll try something different. What about you?”
I'm going with the  spinach and mushroom quiche. They use a Roquefort here that I haven't been able to find anywhere else
>You wave a waiter over to place your orders
...And a bottle of the '32 Pinot
>”Excellent choice, sir”
>Em leans in close over the table
>”Look at you, acting like a wine expert... You picked the wine at the dead center of the list”
>You laugh
I thought I sounded pretty confident
>”Oh, most definitely”
Well, I can't be an expert on everything, can I?
>”What fun would that be?”
5/x
 
>”Seriously though, Anon”
Alright, let me put it in perspective: she once picked out the herbs I used in the oil for a mushroom risotto after one bite. One night I was cooking a full set of dishes for her to sample and she noticed that I had a bunch of roses hidden in one of my bags. She's got a seriously well-developed palette and sense of smell, D'eouvre
>The stallion sits back and looks at his beer
>”I'll take your word for it. Gotta say though, I haven't seen you this upbeat since Canterlot”
A lot's changed since Canterlot
>You thumb your glass idly
But what've you been up to, besides the restaurant?
>D'eouvre looks up at the ceiling and sighs
>”Aah, just the usual crap, Anon. Stardancer's been on me about getting more committed...”
She wants a ring?
>”Seems that way. I dunno, I love her a lot, but Celestia...marriage? Scares me more than any crazy Chef ever did”
Isn't she living up in Cloudsdale?
>”Yeah, she came down to do the big tornado about a month ago. Helped set a new wing-power record, actually. But she wants to wait to move here until...you know”
>You smirk
I still can't believe you, of all ponies, got into a serious long-distance relationship. What happened to the Hors D'eouvre who jumped between three different mares when we were in Canterlot?
>He smirks right back
>”One of 'em hooked me. Besides, once you get to know somep0ny, and I mean REALLY know them, and trust them...”
>His grin widens as you lean in
>”You can do some AWESOME stuff that you can't do with a one-time mare”
>The two of you pause for a second before cracking up
I take it back. You haven't changed a damn bit
6/x
 
>The food is presented brilliantly
>Em's Potage sits in a white bowl garnished with a branch of thyme and a paper-thin slice of lemon
>The quiche is cut into slices and fanned out on your plate with a drizzle of balsamic reduction
>Your waiter uncorks the wine as Em savors the smells from the table
>”I have to say, I'm still in awe that you managed this, Anon...”
>She takes a spoonful of the soup and you see her suddenly stop and stare at the bowl
Good?
>”...Unbelievable. All the flavors mix together but they're all so distinct still...”
Glad you approve
>You take a bite of quiche
>”I could get used to this”
Someday, Em
>You both eat your food without much pause for conversation
>Before long you're looking over the dessert menu with Em still picking at her bowl of soup
What do you think? Creme Brulee or should we split a Petit Croquembouche?
>Em smiles devilishly
>”Anon, if you think for a second I'm going to share any dessert from a place like this, you're out of your mind”
>She flinches slightly when you place your fingers under her chin
Creme Brulee it is, then
7/x
 
>D'eouvre lets out a chuckle before leaning in closer to the table
>”So you think it's really serious with this one? With you and this mare?”
Yeah. I mean, she can't cook, but she knows her stuff. She's funny, she's witty, she's got her feet on the ground...
>You lean look over at the jukebox
...She's just...right, you know?
>”I know the feeling. Same thing happened to me when I started seeing Stardancer”
Great, so I can look forward to being totally whipped, then?
>”Ha! Only if you're into that kind of thing, my friend. Just have to roll with it sometimes, like with this whole thing she's got with getting hitched”
Yeah, well I don't think I have to worry about that for a while, D'eouvre
>He looks at you, thinking
>”Mmmm...So have you used the 'L' word yet?”
>Now it's your turn to choke on your drink
8/x
 
>Em scrapes the last of the custard from her dish as you finish your coffee
So, ready to see the kitchen?
>She looks up eagerly and you turn towards the kitchen doors, waving your friend over
Em, I'd like you to meet Star Bright. Star Bright, meet Em
>”Good to see ya, Anon. D'eouvre's been talking non-stop about you 'n her. Nice to finally meet ya, Em. I heard you're interested in seeing the kitchen?”
>”If it's not too much trouble...”
>Star Bright looks at you
>”She normally this shy?”
Only when she's out of her element. Lead the way
>”Righto. Follow me, if you please”
>Em whispers to you as you walk alongside her
>”I'm not shy... I'm overwhelmed...”
I know. It's cute
>She blushes and looks towards the door
>”Alright, you two. Welcome to Tartarus' Kitchen”
>The warm atmosphere of the restaurant gives way to a space covered in stainless steel and tile
>Grills and ovens spit fire and radiate head throughout the kitchen
>A cacophony of knives, plates, pots, pans, and the hiss of cooking food is made more chaotic by the constant chatter of cooks and waiters as they zip in and out of the double doors leading to the dining room
>You look around, taking mental note of every detail you can spot; every movement you see, every sound you hear, and every technique you notice can be used in your own practice
>Em looks like she's in heaven. Her eyes shine and dart around, taking in everything she possibly  can
>Star Bright leads you to the first station and starts the tour
>”This here's our sautee station...”
9/x
 
 
>D'eouvre laughs at your reaction
>”Thaaat's a no. Way you're talking about her I thought you were head-over-heels”
>You put your glass down and sigh
Dammit...I'm that transparent, aren't I?
>”Only to p0nies who know you like I do. I bet Fleur or Hick would say the same thing”
>You scowl a bit at D'eouvre's mention of Hickory
>”Still a sore spot, huh?”
Little bit...
>”Hey, we all miss him. He was a damn good guy...”
>D'eouvre looks at you with intensity
>”...But you've got to move on. Sounds like somep0ny like her could help, if you let her”
Celestia knows I want to
>”Then what's the problem? You've never been one to dance around issues like this, Anon”
>He's pointing a hoof at you accusingly
I don't know. I was going to tell her a couple nights ago, after we had dinner at your place, but when the moment came...
>You ball your fist
Couldn't do it... I just lost my nerve....
>You mutter to yourself
Now I know how Rarity felt...
>D'eouvre looks at you, confused
I gave Em my knife after the fight. You know the one Hickory had made for me, with that inscription on it?
>”The one he gave you after the Gala gig? You gave THAT to her?”
I guess I was hoping she'd understand the message
>”You're a real piece of work sometimes, Anon. You know that?”
Tell me about it
>”I mean, have you always been this much of a wuss? I don't remember you having this much trouble telling Fleur how you felt about her”
I don't remember feeling quite like this about Fleur
10/x
 
>Star comes around to the final station after ten minutes of walking around and talking
>”And here's MY station: Soups and sauces. Now, I know what you're thinking: 'But Star Bright, you're such a boss, why are you just a humble cook?' And I'll tell you that my position is the most important in the whole kitchen”
>Here he goes...
>”What's Prancian food without the sauces? Nothing! That's what! You could say I practically run the place! I mea-”
>A cook across the kitchen cuts him off
>”If you're so important, how come you can just leave your station to give a tour to a monkey, Star?”
>Star turns, irritated, towards the cook
>”How about shut up? This monkey's one of my friends from Canterlot! Guy runs circles around you!”
>Your hand instinctively flies to your face
>”Oh yeah? I'd like to see an ape make 400 petit fours in an hour for a packed house!”
Actually...
>You chime in to stop the argument before Star says something you'll regret
...When I catered the Gala a couple years back, I had to do 500. Celestia insisted I make them in the Imperial Style instead of the usual Continental Style, but it's essentially the same. Besides, the hard part was getting the 400 servings of cherry confit done in time to put out. The supplier shorted us on the cherries so we had to improvise with raspberries and lemon juice to get enough of it to serve
>The cook is staring at you
>Hell, everyone is
>Star clears his throat
>”Anon, everyp0ny!”
>He turns to you and Em
>”Hope you guys liked the tour. I should get back to work before they have my head on a plate. It was nice meeting you, Em. Take care of this guy, will you?”
>Em looks at you and smiles
>”I'll try”
11/x
 
>You sigh heavily as D'eouvre looks at you, his concern turning to jokingness
>”Fair enough, but I wouldn't let Fleur in on that little tidbit. She can be as jealous as YOU sometimes”
>You both laugh
She was in town when Em and I had our fight. Helped me a lot, actually
>”Really think she's over what happened with you two?”
>You think back to what you saw the morning Fleur left Ponyville
Yeah, I think she's good
>”So are you going to be straight with your mare, or are you going to keep skirting the issue?”
>Good old Hors D'eouvre, never letting you change the subject...
I guess the time for subtlety is over?
>”Since when are you subtle?”
Touche
>”Get out of here, man. I'll pick up the tab, but I swear to Celestia, you're buying next time!”
Thanks, D'eouvre
>You head out the door into the night
12/x
 
>The two of you leave the restaurant and walk into the front drive to catch a cab
>You stop and look at the distant skyline with your arm around Em's shoulder
>Suddenly, there's a commotion behind you
>”Is that- Hoity Toity? I thought he was in Manehattan for the big classical concert!”
>The fashion designer is followed by an entourage of photographers and star-struck ponies snapping pictures and yelling questions
>After the stars in your eyes from all the flashbulbs fade, you claim one of the waiting cabs and the two of you are on your way back to the hotel
 
>There's a brisk wind blowing when you and Em step out onto the balcony at the hotel
>Em shivers a little bit as she looks out over the busy streets of the city and you drape your jacket over her
>She looks up at you as the wind blows her mane over her face
>”How are you not cold?”
>You walk to one of the chairs and take a seat
Better question: How are YOU? It's got to be at least 50 up here
>”Yeah, well that's cold!”
Whatever you say, Em. Why don't you come over here and warm up with me, if you're so cold?”
>”I'll be fine, thank you”
>She puts on a defiant face just as a gust of wind comes over the balcony that even makes YOU feel a chill
You were saying?
>”Maybe I could warm up a little...”
>Em walks over to where you're sitting and you pull her into your lap
Better?
>”It's an improvement”
>You respond by running your hand through her mane and holding her chest close to yours
We should talk
>”...Talk?”
About us...
13/x
 
>She looks up at you, worried
>You sigh and let her go, turning away from the mare and resting your arms on your knees
We've only been together a month, Em. It's moving fast, to say the least...
>She gets up and walks to the railing, looking out over the city
>”It feels like longer, doesn't it?
A lot has happened...We said we'd take it slow, but I can't see that happening anymore
>She's moved towards the door now, but stops when she hears that last part
Just with everything that's happened...all we've done...I guess...
>She's not even looking at you now
...Em
>”Yes?”
...I...love you
>She turns, a coy grin on her face, and looks you dead in the eye
>”I know”
End