The sun is beginning to set as you and Velvet make your way across town. The city is cast in an orange glow, the shadows elongated—stretched thin. Streetlights are slowly being lit one by one, ponies bearing long poles making their way down the streets. The old clock tower in the center of the marketplace begins to toll out, informing the world of the hour. Most of the residents of the city are home, relaxing after the workday and spending time with their families.

You trot along beside Velvet, glancing around curiously as you walk. This was a part of the city you’ve never been in before, due to it being more upper class. While not exactly poor, your mom doesn’t have the bits to take you out to eat in this part of town. Not that you really cared. A greasy, cheesy pizza with mom after work was better than any fancy restaurant in your opinion. However, that didn’t mean that you aren’t curious as to where Velvet is taking you.

You stumble suddenly, accidently stepping on the hem of your sleeve. The suit jacket is a little big for you, but it was the only clothing Velvet had that matched your size. Apparently the suit had been Shining’s during his prom. Of course, with him being a unicorn and you a pegasus, the suit wasn’t really designed with wings in mind. That is, until Velvet took a pair of scissors and cut two slits into the back of it.

“Shining won’t mind. He’s outgrown it anyways,” she tells you. “Besides, I’ll patch it up later. No problem. He’ll never know.”

You were hesitant at first, but the suit is slowly growing on you. The color goes with your coat well enough, and despite being on the big side, it is surprisingly comfortable. The only issue you had with it was the stupid bowtie that came with it. Luckily, Velvet allowed you to discard it before you left the house.

And speaking of Velvet…

Walking confidently down the street, her hips sway side to side as she walks. She has on an elegant yet simple dress, the material a slightly darker shade of violet than her mane. The skirt of the dress has a mixture of violet and black cloth. A black sash wraps around her waist, accenting her plot and hips. The golden band she bought in the marketplace the other day is positioned about her right foreleg and glints in the light of the setting sun. Her mane is in its usual style albeit with a bit more fluff to it. She’s wearing no make-up this time, save for some mascara to accent her eyelashes. Even so, she’s still stunning to look at, and many heads turn as she walks past. She ignores the stares though, and continues on her way.

After a few more minutes of walking, Velvet comes to a stop in front of a medium-sized restaurant. Surprisingly, considering the part of town it is located in, it’s made out of bricks, not marble. A large fluorescent sign over the front door reads ‘The Boiling Cauldron’, with a large, black cauldron behind it.

“Here we are,” she says. Glancing down, she give you a warm smile. “Ready for a fun experience? I think you’ll enjoy this.”

“The Boiling Cauldron?” you ask, cocking your head to the side. “I’ve never heard of it.”

Velvet’s smile grows. “Then you are in for a treat!” Pushing open the door, she motions for you to enter.

The inside of the restaurant is dimly lit, low-hanging lights hidden within frosted glass orbs. High wooden barriers are positioned around each table and booth, giving the inhabitants increased privacy. The place isn’t packed, but there are enough ponies present that a low murmur fills the air. A mixture of pleasant smells hits your nose, and you can already feel yourself beginning to salivate. Your stomach growls hungrily.

The maitre d’ glances up as you enter, a bored look on his face. He eyes you coolly before glancing over at Velvet.

“Can I help you?” he asks.

“We’d like a table for two, please,” Velvet says, giving him a smile. The stallion doesn’t return it.

“Do you have a reservation?” he asks as he begins to flip through the open ledger on the stand beside him.

Velvet’s warm expression doesn’t change as she shakes her head. “I’m afraid not. This is kind of a spur of the moment thing.”

“I see. Name?”

“Twilight Velvet.”

The maitre d’ jumps slightly before giving Velvet a wide-eyed look. Hastily, he straightens up, a wide, fake smile spreading across his muzzle. “My apologies, Lady Velvet, I didn’t mean to keep you waiting! Please, if you’d follow me, I’ll show you both to your table.” Grabbing some menus in his magic, he turns and hurries off.

Velvet gives you a playful wink before following after him.

They put you at a table in the far corner of the room. As you slide into one of the booths, Velvet thanks the maitre d’ before sliding in across from you. There’s a weird rectangular black plate in the center of the table, protruding from it about an inch. You eye it curiously, but some sixth sense tells you not to touch.

“Your server will be with you momentarily,” the maitre d’ says, placing the menus down in front of you. “We hope you enjoy your stay!” Giving one last bow, he quickly retreats, leaving you and Velvet alone.

You reach for one of the menus, but are stopped by Velvet, who puts a hoof on it. She shakes her head. “No need for that.”

You give her a curious look before nodding and lowering your hoof. Silence falls over the table as you both wait. A minute goes by before a pony approaches.

“Good evening and welcome to the Boiling Cauldron,” she chirps. “Have you been here before, or is this your first time eating with us?”

“We’ve been here before,” Velvet answers.

“Oh, wonderful!” the mare says with a smile. “Then do you know what you want, or do you need time to look over the menu?”

“We know what we want,” Velvet says. “We’ll have the four-course experience, please. The Classic.”

“Excellent choice,” the mare nods, “and to drink?”

“Water, please,” you tell her.

“Water as well,” Velvet says.

“Alright,” the mare hums. “We’ll have that right out for you.” Reaching out, she pushes a little button on the side of the black plate. A few seconds later a small orange circle begins to glow in the center of the plate. The waitress then grabs the menus before turning and walking off.

As she leaves, you give Velvet a confused look. “What’s the four-course experience?”

“You’ll see,” she giggles. “Trust me, I think you’ll like it.”

You open your mouth to reply, only to blink in surprise as the waitress suddenly appears again, pushing along a little trolley.

“First course!” she chirps, levitating a small, black pot over onto the black plate. It has a lid on, so you can’t see what’s inside. She begins to levitate other things onto the table as well, plates of cubed bread of various kinds, apple slices, pear slices, carrots, and celery. Each plate is placed around the pot, well within reaching distance of both you and Velvet.

As the last of the food is placed on the table, the waitress then levitates eight small metal sticks over: four for you, and four for Velvet. They have colored handles, red and blue respectively.

You stare at the spread out food in confusion, unsure of what’s going on. Velvet’s watching you closely, and appears to find your befuddlement amusing, if her silently laughter is any indication.

The waitress finishes preparing the table before giving both of you a large smile. “Alright, enjoy!” Her horn lights up, and she lifts the lid off of the pot before trotting away with the now-empty trolley in tow.

You peer curiously inside the pot, only to find it’s filled with melted cheese. “What…?”

“Ever heard of fondue?” Velvet asks, picking up one of her metal sticks in her hoof. She spears a piece of bread on it before dipping it into the melted cheese. A few seconds later, she removes the cheese-soaked bread and places it daintily in her mouth.

“What?” you say again, your eyes widening. Eagerly, you pick up your own stick and stab into an apple slice. You dip it into the cheese, leaving it there for a few seconds before lifting the treat to your mouth. Flavor explodes across your tongue, the warm cheese oozing about and mixing with the juice from the apple. You can’t help but moan happily as you chew.

“Told you you’d like it,” Velvet hums, selecting her next treat: a piece of pear.

The both of you spend the next few minutes enjoying the food. This whole experience is new to you, and as such, you approach it with childish glee. You try out several different combinations of stuff, such as sticking pears and carrots together, or making a sandwich out of bread pieces and celery. Velvet joins in as well, going as far as to have three of her sticks going at once. Between the two of you, you finish off the food in short order.

“That was fun,” you say as you sit back in the booth. It was true; you are having a great time. The only thing is, you’re still hungry. This wasn’t much of a dinner.

As if sensing your inner thoughts, Velvet smiles and shakes her head. “We’re not done yet, hun. We still have three more courses to go.” Reaching down, she presses a red button on the edge of the plate, which lets out a small buzzing noise. The waitress reappears seconds later with the trolley to whisks the empty pot and plates away. She returns shortly after carrying two salads in her magic.

You have to admit, as you stare down at the salad, that it is one of the most delicious looking salads you’ve ever seen. Crisp romaine mixed with iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes and onions, crispy bits of croutons, and slices of eggs; the salad was more a work of art than a meal. It is almost a shame that you are going to eat it.

But eat it you do.

It goes quickly, and before you know it, the masterpiece is gone. The waitress must have been expecting it though, for no sooner had you placed your fork on the empty plate then she was back. She has the trolley with her, loaded up with some more food. Clearing the table and placing the dirty dishes underneath the cart, she begins to lay out the third course.

Another pot, this one larger than the first one, is placed on the heated plate this time. When the lid is removed, simmering oil is revealed. You eye it curiously even as the waitress begins to lay out the food: onion rings, artichoke hearts, baby portobello mushrooms, asparagus, spinach, artichoke ravioli, and wild mushroom sacchetti.

Once all the food has been placed on the table, the waitress chirps happily before walking away with the trolley. “Enjoy your third course!”

“All this food,” you breathe, glancing around the table.

“It certainly is a lot, isn’t it,” Velvet hums as she sticks one of the portobello mushroom and submerges it into the oil. You do the same with some artichoke ravioli, but when you go to remove it, Velvet stops you. “Hold on, hun. You have to let it sit a bit longer in order to cook properly.”

“So, what?” you ask. “I just… leave it in there?”

“Yes, that’s why the sticks are color coded. So we don’t get them mixed up,” Velvet explains.

“Oh.” You release your stick, letting it settle back into the pot. “That makes sense.”

Velvet giggles before placing another one of her pokers in the pot, this one with some wild mushroom sacchetti on it.

“So, what do you think?” she asks as she lets her food cook.

“This place is weird,” you say. “Fun,” you add quickly, “but weird.”

“It can be a strange experience the first time you come here, yes,” Velvet agreed with a nod. “I remember the first time I brought Twilight here. It was just shortly after Celestia accepted her as her student. She was so flustered at trying to figure out what to do.” She smirks as she removes one of her pokers. Studying the food on it, she deems it done and takes a bite.

You do the same, checking on your food before eating it. The oil is seasoned with something that you can’t place, but it certainly helps enhance the flavor of the food. You’ve had artichoke ravioli before, but it has never tasted this good.

As you chew, you glance around at the fancy decorations that cover the walls. A sudden thought comes to you, making you pause mid-chew.

“Is this place expensive?” you ask.

Velvet eyes you for a few seconds before answer. “Yes.” She pauses. “But that’s not something you need to worry about, hun. I can cover the cost, no problem. Besides, we’re supposed to be celebrating, no?” she asks, smiling as she cocks an eyebrow. “Just sit back and enjoy the food. After all, the night’s still young.”

A blush slowly spreads across your face as she gives you a sultry wink. It doesn’t help that those last words were exactly the same as when she snuck into your bed that one night. ‘The night’s still young’. Well, she wasn’t wrong…

Dinner goes by slowly, but the company is good, as is the food. You and Velvet chat softly with each other about little things as you gradually make your way through all the different entrées. You try and get some details out of Velvet about her new book, but she remains tight-lipped. “Sorry, hun, but it’s in my contract. No spoilers.” You try giving her the look that always causes your mom to give in, but it proves ineffective: all Velvet does is giggle before popping a mushroom into her mouth.

You aren’t sure how long you and Velvet spend talking with one another, but you eventually finish the last of the food. The waitress returns once again to clear the empty dishes, and you lean back against the wall with a low groan, holding your slightly-distended stomach. You don’t think you can eat another bite…

...that is, until the waitress suddenly pulls out another pot and places it upon the heating plate. She lifts the lid, revealing melted, chocolaty goodness within!

You think room might have just opened up within maison de l'estomac!

As she begins to bring out the treats to go with said melted chocolate, you feel yourself beginning to salivate. Eyes sparkling, you watch as she places down fresh strawberries, blondies, banana slices, pineapple slices, marshmallow, pound cake, brownies, and cheesecake.

Sweet Luna in a snowstorm, this looks like heaven.

The minute the waitress leaves, you quickly stab two marshmallows and a banana slice before dipping them into the chocolate. Velvet follows suit with a piece of cheesecake. As you two enjoy your treats, you feel her tail flick out and drag across your leg, but other than that, nothing else happens. Feeling a bit emboldened, you give your own tail a quick swish, entwining it with hers. This causes her to pause mid-bite and give you a blank look. Slowly, a smile works its way across her muzzle, and she resumes eating.

Turning your gaze to the plate of strawberries, you pick through them until you find one that looks especially tasty. It’s big, red, and promises to be juicy. Sticking it on the end of your poker, you go to dip it in the chocolate, only for it to slide off the poker and into the pot with a soft ‘splut’.

You deadpan as you watch the strawberry disappear into the folds of melted chocolate.

Velvet giggles before her horn begins to glow softly. Your ears perk as the strawberry, now completely coated in chocolate, levitates out of the pot. Keeping her gaze locked with yours, she levitates the strawberry to her lips. Slowly, she places it on her tongue, the chocolate smearing across her lips in the process. Chewing softly, she savors the treat before sensually licking her lips clean.

Thank Luna for the privacy of the booths, because you have the biggest wingboner right now.

Velvet’s horn continues to glow as she levitates another strawberry into the air. This one is only partly covered in chocolate, but looks just as tasty as the first. The playful look still present on her face, she floats the strawberry over to you.

You stare at the proffered treat for a few seconds before it dawns on you what she’s doing. Opening your mouth, you watch her expectantly. You blink as her smile becomes a smirk. The strawberry darts forward suddenly, booping you on the nose and leaving behind a dollop of chocolate. You jerk your head back, only to have the strawberry placed on your tongue before Velvet uses her magic to gently close your jaw. The taste of chocolate and strawberry fills your mouth.

You stare at the dot of chocolate on your nose, going cross-eyed in the process. This causes Velvet to giggle, even as she dips a few pineapple slices into the pot. Still staring at the blemish on your nose, you go to lift a hoof to wipe it off, but get a better idea.

Lifting one of your wings, you drag the tip of a feather across your nose, wiping it clean. Well aware that Velvet is watching you curiously, you bring the chocolate-coated feather tip to your lips, dragging your tongue across it.

…

Note to self: chocolate tastes good; feathers do not. The barbs of the vane feel strange against your tongue, the bristles leaving a weird taste in your mouth. You now see why mom didn’t like using her mouth to preen your wings when you were younger. The special brush she had felt weird on your wings, but the taste was weirder. Probably an acquired one.

Velvet laughs softly at your grimace. “Never licked your own feathers before, have you?”

Smacking your tongue to get the taste off of it, you shake your head. “Mom told me not to. The oil tastes funny.”

“I bet it does,” Velvet says. “I still remember the taste of Cadance’s. Growing up as a unicorn, I didn’t know that pegasi don’t use their mouths often when preening. Unfortunately, this lead to a… faux pas when I was helping Cadance get ready for prom. Needless to say, I learned my lesson, although Cadance couldn’t look me in the eye for the next few weeks without bursting into giggles.” She sighs dramatically. “She still teases me about it to this day.”

You hum thoughtfully before holding out your wing across the table. “Want to try mine?”

Velvet gives you what can only be described as a seductive look.

“Later,” she purrs. “I’ll try it later. That, and more~~~.”

A shiver runs down your spine at her words, and as you sink into the booth as a deep blush spreads across your face.

You had a feeling this was going to be a long, glorious night.

Author's Note

So, did I make you guys hungry?

Everyone go bug Pusspuss. Maybe we can get a drawing of Velvet out of this!

Don't really bug him. I was kidding. He's very busy.

He needs to work on his own stories as well.