Fallout Equestria: Uncertain Ties

Chapter Four: Diner Delights

“Food is often a gateway to great friendships.”

A large mare was staring at a particularly intriguing poster on the blue metal wall, one advertising that ponies were needed for the local stable hoofball team. She fixated on the blonde maned earth pony smiling with a helmet on, the warm colors of his cream coat fading and edges curling up. A part of her vaguely remembered trying out for the team, only to be turned away for having an ‘incompatible personality’. The equally foggy memories of her telling the coach to colic and die were amusing. She chuckled to herself as her attention drifted to some other random poster.

Everything felt pleasantly warm, her body tingling comfortably as she sat in the diner booth. Her head felt heavy, a fog weighing down on her brain more like a thick quilt than something painful. It almost made her want to sleep, though a part of Blaze rejected such an idea. It was still too early in the day for that and she had much to do. She just couldn’t quite remember what that was.

She felt perfectly content, her body humming as her head swayed back and forth. If she leaned too far one way she might just fall over entirely and laugh about it. This was the part that she loved, forgetting about her pain and worries. She’d feel a rush that made life worth living like this. It was a cherished moment, like the thrill as she crushed skulls with her sledgehammer or bare hooves, but the rare moments of peace were what she loved most.

For a few solid hours she could forget everything, simply drift off into her own little world. Then something would always come crashing in and ruin it all. Sometimes it was the literal crash, her beloved chems having run their course and left her with all the things she’d tried to run from.. Sometimes it was some random pony who just couldn’t mind their own business, a few even having the gall to forcibly detox her. She really couldn’t stand those ponies. It always felt worse to return to those dark thoughts like that, angry at being ignored. Sharp knives digging into her mind, ceaseless and overwhelming

“Blaze?”

She blinked, glassy emeralds focusing on the small silver unicorn sitting across from her. She couldn’t quite remember her getting there, but the half chewed carrots in front of her cousin probably meant she’d been there a while. The edges of Misty Sparks’ silhouette were blurring into the red vinyl booth seat behind her, everything soft and meshing into one another. “Heya Sparky,” she greeted. She took note of the bowl of soup in front of her, unsure if it was brown or orange in color. Blaze leaned down to take a few sips only to chuff in annoyance that it was cold. “The hell kinda service they got here?” She grumbled, straightening up.

“We’ve been here for twenty minutes,” Misty Sparks informed her, voice sounding a bit like it was coming through cotton.

Blaze made a face, and shoved the soup away. “Hey! Hazel Blossom!” She shouted at a waitress who was rushing through the diner, telekinetically holding a variety of orders. The mare jumped at Blaze’s abrupt voice, nearly dropping everything. Various other ponies on their lunch break began to stare, even if Blaze’s outbursts were far from a rarity.

“My soup is cold!”

“That’s what happens when you wait too long to eat it!” Hazel Blossom shouted back. “Now don’t bother me!”

“Blaze…” Whined Misty Sparks, covering her face and trying to hide. Unfortunately for her, silver and blonde didn’t blend well with a neon red booth cushion. “Please don’t-”

“What- this is my fault?” Blaze snapped, ignoring her cousin’s pleas. “Come on I know you’ve got a spell to warm it up so how about you help a mare out?” Hazel Blossom squinted red eyes at her, still holding the orders aloft, and then huffed and carried on with her job. Blaze slammed a hoof down onto the table, spilling some of the soup across the metal surface.

Misty Sparks squeaked, wishing she could be anywhere but there. “Blaze!” Scolded Misty Sparks, desperately trying to reel in her cousin. She glanced at the pill bottle sticking out of one of Blaze’s pockets, her heart sinking as she recognized her own seal on the cap.

The now angry mare looked at her, rage brimming in glassy emerald eyes. How easily that happy buzz soured into a violent mood. “What?” She demanded, looming across the table. “You got a lecture for me too?”

“No I just-” Misty Sparks started, trying desperately to think of the right thing to say so as to avoid further setting the mare off. “I don’t think Hazel is going to give you what you want if you yell at her like that.”

Blaze arched a brow and snorted. “Whatever.”

“Would it hurt to be nice?”

“Yes.”

Misty Sparks did her best not to show her frustration. “You wouldn’t like it if you were her and somepony yelled at you, right?”

“Oh fuck off,” Blaze hissed, “ponies yell at me all the time. If you can’t handle it then you should go back to nursery school.”

“What about treating ponies with respect?” Misty Sparks challenged.

“Respect? Nopony respects anypony anymore. Haven’t you looked outside? We’re killing each other over old cans of beans for Luna’s sake!”

“It doesn’t have to be that way!” Misty Sparks replied, voice rising. Her own anger was mounting, her frustration with her cousin and embarrassment that she would act this way in such a public place was reaching a tipping point. It didn’t matter that everypony already knew Blaze was a rude mare with no social grace, it was the fact that once again, she didn’t think about anypony but herself.

“I don’t think me being nice to the waitress is gonna change anything,” Blaze growled, trying to sip her soup and once more wrinkling her nose at how cold it was. “Nothing will ever change if I play nice. Nothing even fucking matters.” Her anger was ebbing, the mood shifts of the chems as unpredictable as always. When she looked at Misty Sparks, everything felt a bit out of focus no matter how hard she tried. The edges of her vision blurred, slowly funneling down to just the little mare across from her.

Blaze sighed, and laid her head on the table right in the spilled soup. Misty Sparks cringed, offering a napkin over but Blaze didn’t even seem to notice. Instead the large mare simply continued speaking, voice dull. “Nothing we do will ever make any difference so why even bother? We’re all gonna wake up tomorrow, do the same shit as always, and then go to bed and do it all over again.”

Misty Sparks softened, brow furrowed as she tried to determine if this was a trick or genuine. Blaze was a known liar only when it suited her, and she couldn’t always tell if it was the drugs or her cousin talking. “You don’t really believe that, right?” She asked softly.

“Maybe,” Blaze replied flatly. She felt her chin forcibly be lifted up, as Misty Sparks began wiping it with a napkin. Blaze grunted and jerked away, easily slipping out of the telekinetic grip. Misty Sparks frowned after her. “Quit it Sparky.” Her voice grew hard.

“I just want to help, Blaze,” Misty said in earnest.

“Who says I want your help?”

“Want and need aren’t always the same thing,” Misty Sparks replied. “Please. If you won’t talk to me at least see Melody up in Medical. She’s helped me a lot, she can help you too.”

Blaze gritted her teeth. “I don’t need to see a shrink!” Her voice lifted and Misty Sparks shrinked back against the pleather seat. “I’m only going to Medical when I need a refill, and that’s it.”

“I think it could do you wonders-”

“I don’t give a damn what you think!” Blaze cut her off, shouting now. “I don’t need you trying to foalsit me, I’m a grown mare I can take care of myself!”

“Then act like it! You need help, Blaze, can’t you see?”

“I’m perfectly fine!”

“Oh yeah?” Misty Sparks scoffed, reaching out with magic to yank the pill bottle from her pocket. She shook it aggressively towards the wet sand colored mare. Blaze tried to catch it, but she lifted the bottle too high into the air. “Your refill was two days ago, and you’re already down to one dose. Did you take extra so you can forget today? You know that’s not a healthy way to cope. You can’t just forget today. Melody could teach you much better ways to cope with trauma and pain. She has for me.”

Blaze stood on her seat, trying to grab the bottle with her forehooves but Misty Sparks raised it higher. She already knew everypony was staring but she no longer cared. Her mother would give her a scolding for making such a public scene but she was at her wit’s end. Someway, somehow, something was going to give.

“Give. Me. My. Meds.”

“You mean your chems! These things that are going to kill you sooner than a bullet!” Misty Sparks snarled back.

Blaze dropped her forehooves onto the dirty table, fire burning in narrowed emerald eyes. The silver mare’s nerve faltered. “I mean… the pills you make.”

“I make them for ponies with problems.” Misty Sparks flinched at the sudden low tone in Blaze’s voice.

“And I’m one of those ponies.”

“You’re an addict!” Misty Sparks shook the almost empty bottle at Blaze, trying to prove a point. She softened, lime-green eyes filled with concern. “And we’re all worried about you. Mom, me… Uncle Hammers.”

Blaze snapped, slamming her hooves onto the table with enough force that the bowl of soup and plate of carrots went flying. Misty Sparks threw herself out of the booth, yelping. Her cousin surged, headbutting where she’d just been. Misty Sparks slid on the waxed floor, nearly knocking over another pony who was trying to get out before Blaze went berserk. Unfortunately, he’d been too late.

“I don’t need your pity!” Screamed Blaze, jumping after her. Misty Sparks shrieked, her horn glowing neon green before she vanished in a burst of light. She appeared a few feet away, her short blonde mane singed from the quickly cast teleportation spell. “I don’t need anypony’s pity!” Blaze bellowed, pivoting on her hooves with a terrifying speed. The fleeing stallion had been knocked away. Another pony rushed to help him to his hooves.

Before she could get even a foot closer a telekinetic glow engulfed her, freezing the giant of a mare in place. Misty Sparks let out a sigh of relief as a security pony trotted over, exasperation on her pale face. “Misty Sparks, I get it, your cousin is a real big shame, but try and keep it from showing in public will you?” She asked, looking over the diner. Most ponies had excused themselves when Blaze had started shouting, but the few that remained seemed scared to death of the drugged out mare who was trying her best to get free of the magical barrier.

“Easy for you to say Lily,” groused Misty Sparks.

The mare sighed. “Are you okay?” She offered a hoof, and Misty Sparks gratefully took it.

“Physically? Yeah. Thanks for stopping her.”

“Just doing my job,” Lily replied, her blue magic coalescing around Blaze’s hooves to form hoofcuffs. “Come on you, back to the brig you go.”

“Lemme go!”

Lily deadpanned at the raging mare. “Not happening.” She tugged on the magical cuffs, forcing Blaze to stumble forward and curse wildly. Tisking her tongue, the pale mare led Blaze to the Security elevator directly outside the diner, unlocking it with her Pip-Buck before shoving the resisting earth pony in. Blaze’s obscenities were cut off by the heavy doors, Misty Sparks just catching the look of utter hate on Lily’s face before they were gone.

Her hooves were shaking beneath her, the rising whispers of everypony else sounding like the steady rumble of a radstorm. She blinked, trying to calm herself, heart racing and heat filling her small frame. With uncertain steps, she climbed back into the booth, trying to hide from everypony. Of course, there was no real hiding even in a stable as big as this one. Part of her wanted to just run out, maybe call it an early lunch and get back to burying herself in chemical reactions. If it wasn’t for her fear of making the scene worse. Instead, she stayed in place.

Then somepony had slipped into the spot Blaze had just left, and Misty Sparks was already starting to ask to be left alone when the words caught in her throat. Icy blue eyes were staring at her. “M-Mom!”

“Misty Sparks…” Flare said with a careful tone, glancing down at the messy table. She lifted a hoof-full of napkins from the dispenser with her magic, engulfing them in violet aura and started to clean up the spilled soup. Green magic joined in, Misty Sparks’ eyes downcast to the table as she tried to avoid talking. Finally, once the table was clean and Misty Sparks couldn’t pretend to be busy anymore, Flare broke the heavy silence. “She’s getting worse.”

She cringed, and gave a small nod. “Yeah. Wish I could say that was a first, but… First that bad at least.”

Flare gave a small sigh, the rigidness of how she sat giving Misty Sparks enough of an idea that this wasn’t a conversation for pleasure. “I wish there was something we could do for her, I really do, but if she isn’t ready then we can’t force the issue. All she’ll do is go further from us.”

“She’s taking my chems Mom.”

Flare frowned, tilting her head. “You’re not giving them to her, are you? She’s just getting the portion of your stock that goes directly to the stable?” Misty Sparks tensed, eyes widening. The ice in Flare’s gaze grew harsh, and her frown twisted into one that made the little unicorn’s heart sink into the vinyl seat beneath her. “Misty Sparks, are you supplying her with chems?”

Misty Sparks gulped, unable to break away from her mother’s stern gaze. She felt like a little foal again, getting in trouble for messing with her mother’s makeup. Only this time, it was much more serious than a frown covering the amusement at the little mare’s self makeover. “M-May-be?”

She knew Flare wasn’t one to shout in public, and that perhaps was her only saving grace as she saw the anger that swirled in her mother’s eyes. Flare leaned back in the booth, her voice thick when she spoke next. “We’ll discuss this tonight, in private. For now, just know I am very disappointed in you, young mare.”

Her ears fell, and she gave a small nod. “Yes ma’am… I just- it’s the only way she’ll talk to me sometimes. Nopony else wants to be around me and she ignores me even when she’s here so I-”

“Unacceptable,” Flare interrupted, raising a hoof. Her voice was brisk, making Misty Sparks cringe. “You’re the future Overmare, everypony should be trying to get to know you. It’s crucial you build these connections now so that when you take over after me you can transition with much greater ease.”

“How am I supposed to do that when I spend all day on the surface?” Misty Sparks grumbled. “Besides, don’t you remember what it was like being the future Overmare? Nopony wants to be your friend, they’re too scared you’ll turn against them. Better to be distant and professional than take that risk.”

Flare softened slightly, though the disappointment that filled her eyes was inescapable. “Yes, I do remember it being difficult to tell who was truly wanting to be my friend or not, but it’s important. You’re a bright young mare, I’m sure you can find somepony aside from your strung-out cousin to be your friend, can’t you?”

“Apparently not,” Misty Sparks muttered, sinking into her seat. The cushions felt nice against her tired body, and she lingered on that sensation for a moment before continuing. “Kinda hard to mingle when all you want to do after your shift is sleep.”

Flare appraised her, silver hide itching where blue eyes roamed. “You and I both know how important the surface town is to the future of the stable,” she said slowly, “and I do believe your tenure as Overmare will be decided by it and what it brings. That extension of the stable could be what saves us, and you’ll be the one leading it.”

“If the town keeps growing as it is, we might start having ponies actually live up there rather than just work by the time you’re a grey old grandma.”

“Red, sweetie. I’ll be a red old grandma,” corrected Flare with a snicker, allowing the moment to pass before the seriousness returned. “About the surface however…”

Tensing, Misty Sparks gave a small nod. “Yeah?”

“What are your thoughts about our newest visitor?”

Swallowing, Misty Sparks took a moment to really think about her response. When she started to speak, she was slow and meticulous, being very careful with what words she used. “I believe she really doesn’t know what happened or why she crashed. She seems really upset at the idea of not going home, which I can’t say I blame her for, but I have to wonder just to what lengths she’ll go to discover what happened.”

“Do you think she poses a threat?”

“No. Not from her directly,” Misty Sparks replied, Flare arching a brow. “If the Enclave thinks we captured her however…”

“That’s a possibility, yes.”

“One we’d better know the odds of. If you’d just let me look at the memory orbs we found.” She’d made this request before, after first speaking to Skyfire in quarantine and she’d swiftly been rejected. The mare didn’t expect Flare’s mind to change much either, but the niggling worry was enough to make her try.

“Misty we’ve talked about this, we don’t know what those things are. It could be a trap, or damaged from the crash.”

Ears lowering, Misty Sparks made a strained noise of frustration. “Mom-”

“It will be examined by the research team who have it right now, not you. We can’t afford anything to happen to you Misty, you know that.” Flare’s tone was firm, stopping her daughter’s pleading words before they’d made it past her lips. “Somepony will figure out the truth, but that pony isn’t you.”

The pair stared at one another, mother and daughter locked in a battle of wills. Soon enough the emotionally drained Misty Sparks relented, gaze lowering to the table. Flare gave a heavy sigh, and adjusted her bangs before reaching across and tapping Misty Sparks on the nose. The little silver mare blinked at her, ears fallen flat. “Sweetie, are you alright?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well, itis today after all. With everything going on I just want to make sure you’re doing alright.”

Grimacing, Misty Sparks adjusted herself in the booth, half trying to buy time to think. “Just so much stuff happened. I’m worried for the stable, I’m worried about Blaze and I’m worried…” She trailed off. “Well yeah, today never stirs any good feelings.”

Flare hesitated, letting her hoof hang in the air. “Well how about we change things up this year?” She suggested. Misty Sparks looked back at her, worried. There was something swirling in ice blue eyes that made her heart quicken, a thickness filling the air between them. “It’s our anniversary, we can remember it as we want to, right? Does it have to be dreary and somber every year?”

“I mean considering the origins, a little. Family betrayal isn’t exactly a happy topic.”

“But why do we have to let that bastard ruin our lives every year more than he already has?” Flare questioned, smiling down at Misty Sparks who was trying to follow along. For a moment she was trying to wrap her head around her mother cursing, rare as it was. “I know Blaze will be unavailable tonight, but surely Hammers wouldn’t mind a changeup. He’s always grumbling at me as if we’re doing it wrong, and perhaps he’s right.”

“Why change things now?”

“Why not? Change is inevitable, my little pony, and if this recent development isn’t proof enough I don’t know what is.”

Misty Sparks frowned with thought, debating the proposition. Every year they had a dinner in remembrance of the tragic betrayal of her grandfather against the stable. Blaze was usually too drugged out or in lockup. She still suspected it played a part in her lashing out as she had earlier. It was one of the few times Misty Sparks really had one-on-one time with her uncle Hammers as well, one of the few things she actually looked forward to with the dinner. However, she couldn’t deny she was curious just what alterations her mother had in mind.

“What do you want to change?”

Flare brightened at her question, a spark of magic escaping her horn. “Well, how about we invite somepony outside the family? Maybe a mare in need of some friends?” Flare suggested.

Misty Sparks frowned. “I barely know her.”

“Could be a great way to get to know her then.” Flare smiled, leaning across the table.

“Mom.” Misty Sparks deadpanned.

Sighing, Flare flicked an ear and assumed a more rigid posture. Her tone shifted from playful to professional in a heartbeat. “I don’t want Skyfire unattended, and I can’t just post a guard with her without seeming suspicious. We’re going to monitor her, but we can’t afford to make her feel like she’s a prisoner. So I need organic reasons to have ponies around her at all times.” Misty Sparks blinked at the change, impressed by her mother’s ability to snap in and out her Overmare’s role.

“So why not assign some maintenance pony to stay with her? They’ll be working with her all day after all.”

“Hammers and his assistant Grease are already on that. For after hours however, there’s somepony else I had in mind.”

“Me?”

Flare nodded.

“What? Why? I can barely make friends with my own stable-mates. You expect me to manage to befriend a stranger from above?” Misty Sparks wondered, if it was the ‘can barely make friends’ part, that influenced that decision.

“Think of it as diplomacy practice,” countered Flare with a silvery tone, Misty Sparks knowing well that it meant her mother wasn’t going to get her to change her mind. “Invite Skyfire to dinner tonight, please. I’m still trying to find lodging for her with somepony I can trust. And who can watch her without it being obvious. In the meantime, spend some time with our new guest after your shift and have her join us for dinner. We can use it as a chance to really get to know her together, and assess her true behavior. Especially if we get the cider flowing.”

“You want to get her drunk!” Misty Sparks gasped.

“Only a little. Enough to see if she’s a good liar.” Flare waved a hoof dismissively, and then caught sight of something across the diner. “Speak of the devil…” She muttered and Misty Sparks peered out of the booth towards the door.

Skyfire was chatting with Grease, the latter scanning the diner for a seat. The earth pony’s eyes fell on the pair, ears perking up and Skyfire quieted as she tried to see where her new friend was looking. Misty Sparks eeped, and jerked back into the booth. “She’s just a pony,” chuckled Flare, lifting a hoof and waving them over. “Why don’t you say hi?”

“Mom!”

“What?” The Overmare snickered. She tilted her head up in greeting. “Hello Grease, Skyfire, how’s the day treating you?” She said as they came over. Skyfire’s ears pulled back and purple eyes widened. “I don’t think we’ve had the chance to meet in person yet, I’m Overmare Flare.”

“O-Oh hello! Uh, well you already know who I am,” Skyfire replied, a soft chuckle coming from Flare while Grease seemed all too amused at her nervousness.

“That I do, as does most of the stable, if only by name.”

Skyfire gave a nervous laugh. “I guess so, yeah.”

“It doesn’t take much for news to travel in our tight knit community I’m afraid,” she replied.

“You hear about Chief Hammers?” Grease questioned, Flare’s ears swiveling forward and a hint of concern filled blue eyes. Misty Sparks sat up straighter. “No? Oh crap- uh we had radroaches in the tunnels.”

“I heard of the incident but no one informed me he was injured.”

“Nothing too serious, but he’s under Healing Drops’ keen observation for at least a few days.”

Rising to her hooves, Flare shook her head. “So you’re in charge?”

Shrugging, Grease laughed. “Shocker huh?”

Knickering, Flare gestured for Skyfire to take her seat while she maneuvered around the pegasus. “We need to talk then,” she said firmly, Grease giving a brisk nod. “Skyfire, why don’t you get some lunch while I take your friend for a conversation?”

“Oh uh-” Skyfire fumbled, raising a hoof as if it would help her find the words to say but nothing came out.

“It’s fine Feathers, I’ll join you when we’re done,” Grease reassured, winking at the flustered pegasus. Misty Sparks gave a comforting smile as Skyfire looked between them. “She doesn’t bite. Now lick-” Flare cleared her throat and Grease seemed to rethink finishing that sentence. Head lowered, she shuffled off to a vacant booth across the diner. Flare snorted briskly, one brow raised as she watched her go, and then smiled at the mares before following.

Left alone, the two mares looked at one another, uncertain what to say. Skyfire’s eyes roamed the diner, trying to find something interesting to talk about, when Misty Sparks finally spoke up. “Glad to see you’re feeling better.”

“Oh! Yes, definitely. Still can’t really fly properly but I’m on my hooves at least.”

Misty Sparks nodded, idly pushing the empty plate away. “Good. Were you hurt by any radroaches in the tunnels?”

“Uh, fortunately no. Got out with nothing more than a headache from when I flew into the, uh, door.”

Lime eyes widened, and the unicorn affixed her with a particular look that made Skyfire blush. “Beg your pardon?”

“I uhm, was carrying… Hammers. Lots of radroaches, not much time, you know?” She started brushing her mane, trying to calm the flutter of nerves racing through her.

“Can’t say I do, thank Celestia.”

“Oh! I forgot that you uhm probably don’t spend time down in the tunnels and maintenance area,” Skyfire admitted, looking away a bit embarrassed. After a moment she remembered something, glancing back up curiously, nervous eyes looking across the table into Misty Sparks’ lime orbs that were deadset upon her. “Back when I was in the medical room, you and Blaze had that spat about chems, but you don’t seem like the type to use them. It sounded like she did, and I… I think I remember you saying she was high when you rescued me. So… Do you sell chems?”

Silver ears perked up, surprised by the directness of her question. She adjusted the curl of blonde hair around her horn, trying to find the right words to answer honestly without giving Skyfire a bad image. “I… make medicine and other compounds for the stable, but Blaze… has a habit of wanting more than she needs. Using too.”

“Wouldn’t she want to go through Healing Drops then?” Skyfire said, her gaze dropping for a moment as she added, “I don’t mean to question you about this all, if you’re uncomfortable answering. I-I just, I was curious what that was about, and what you do.”

“No, it’s alright,” Misty Sparks reassured, smiling faintly as she looked over the curious pegasus, trying to follow her wandering gaze. Even still, it didn’t feel as if Skyfire was deceitful or didn’t trust her. Misty Sparks could tell a fellow socially-anxious pony when she saw one. “I’m a chemist, I work up in one of the shacks on the surface. That’s actually why Blaze and I were able to come to your rescue. We could hear the explosion from there.”

“Oh that’s really interesting, mixing together chemicals to make things to help out ponies who get hurt or sick, right?”

“They can do that and more, but we’ve started selling them to traders and wasteland ponies in the last few months. We’ve gotten a number of trade agreements recently even! It’s nice to slowly see that the wasteland has reasonable ponies who just want to survive.”

Ashen ears perked up as Skyfire smiled a bit more, looking back to meet Misty Sparks’ gaze. “That is nice to hear. It’s different from what we were always told, how mostly inhospitable the surface was, and that the crazy ponies who were around were murderous raiders who killed first, asked questions never.”

A shadow crossed the unicorn’s face. “There’s certainly ponies like that out there. We’ve kept out of their sights for now- I hope.” Misty Sparks murmured, her eyebrows pinched together as she shuddered for a few seconds. “There’s been a few instances… here and there of raiders, but we’ve dealt with them.” She looked back up at the pegasus across the table. “But uhm, might I steer us back towards a more pleasant topic? I told you my job, and I know you’re a mechanic, but what exactly do you do?”

Before Skyfire had the time to answer, a unicorn cleared her throat, stepping up with a small notebook floating within her magical grasp and eyeing the Misty Sparks for a moment. Misty Sparks did her best not to avert her gaze, grimacing slightly. “Pardon me you two, but if you’re not going to order something, there’s other places to talk ya know? Oh and miss Skyfire, you can call me Hazel.” She clicked her pen repeatedly as she glanced between the two mares, her gaze eventually settling on Skyfire.

The pegasus’ eyes widened, jaw falling open a tiny degree before she looked back to Misty Sparks. “We get to choose our food here?” She asked, glancing back to Hazel Blossom, pinning her ears back as the waitress failed to suppress a snort. She sunk back into the booth, looking away.

“Why of course you get to choose your food here. What do you think this place is, a prison? There’s a menu in front of you my dear. I know you just sat down, so I suppose you might have not had time to look over it yet. But it’s fairly normal to have a menu at a diner,” Hazel Blossom insisted, glancing over to Misty Sparks who gave a confirming, if not curious nod.

The chemist leaned forward in her seat, slowly pushing the menu over closer to Skyfire with her magic, a question burning in her mind. “Do you not get to choose what you eat?” She whispered, eyes widening as Skyfire gave her a look.

“We didn’t get to choose nearly anything. Sometimes we got something special for our birthday or if we got promoted, otherwise it’s the same old thing everyday. This sounds amazing,” Skyfire answered, leaning in to pore over the menu before looking up shyly. “I uhm, don’t really know what most of the entrees are. I guess the food back home was really lacking, speaking generously.”

Misty Sparks found herself smiling to the point that a few quiet giggles escaped from her as the unicorn held a hoof to her mouth. “I-erm, I can help explain the menu, if you want?”

Skyfire’s face reddened as she picked up on both Misty Sparks’ and Hazel Blossom’s quiet muffled giggling, burying her head in her hooves for a moment. “If it’ll avoid me more embarrassment, sure.”

Misty Sparks glanced down the menu, the smile still on her face. “It’s not like we have a huge menu, but it is nice to change things up. To start off, we have our appetizers which are pretty self-explanatory.” She paused for a moment, looking up to a more composed Hazel Blossom. “Speaking of which I’d like to order some fresh steamed carrots. I didn’t get to finish my earlier plate.”

“Second plate costs,” reminded Hazel Blossom. She leaned in grinning sheepishly, “And sorry for assuming everyone knew what a menu was. Most all the wastelander ponies know, so…” She’d murmur before leaning back out, and cleared her throat looking over to Misty Sparks expectantly.

“I know I know,” she waved off, and then continued, “After that there’s the main entrees, er meals themselves. I suggest the hay burgers. They are more or less a pre-war meal that we never stopped making. They're pretty tasty, but also really filling.”

“I am pretty hungry,” Skyfire said, “though Healing Drops said I might get nauseous. Maybe something not too risky?”

“Maybe the herb salad then, order of carrots on the side?”

She nodded, grateful for the assistance. “Sure!”

Hazel Blossom jotted down her order, telekinetically moving the menu to the corner of the table, and then trotted off. Skyfire watched her hand the paper to a pony just visible through a cutaway window, a silly looking white hat keeping his mane hidden. “So you don’t have diners up there?” Misty Sparks asked, drawing her attention.

Skyfire shook her head, making her long crimson mane bounce slightly. Misty Sparks’ momentarily fixated on the motion, before blinking up at purple eyes. “No. We’ve got a chow hall near the barracks, but it’s pretty militaristic back home. Families can have their own kitchens but both my parents were too busy with work so my siblings and I would just go there to eat. You just sorta… line up and hold out your tray.” Skyfire scrunched up her face, groaning quietly. “We called it food, and it was decently nutritious, but it didn’t taste like food, or really smell like it either.”

Misty Sparks frowned at the comment, raising an eyebrow as she watched Skyfire’s expression. “That sounds horrible. Food can sometimes be hard to come by consistently, but we’re always trying to make sure it’s enjoyable at least.” She shifted in her seat, leaning up to look over towards the chef pony. “I don’t think they’d serve anything that fits your description.”

“I… don’t think the chefs up home would really call themselves that. They never smiled, and you never chose what you ate. I don’t think they even saw it as something to be proud of,” Skyfire commented, her eyes following the fresh looking food that Hazel Blossom floated out over to a pair of unicorns. The pegasus shifted, staring at the food, eyes widening until her stomach growled loudly. Skyfire’s face flushed for a moment, as she looked back to Misty Sparks, feeling embarrassed. “I can’t even call what I used to eat food after seeing what you- actual food looks like.”

Misty Sparks held up her hoof to her mouth in a feeble attempt to hide gentle giggling, the smile remaining as she adjusted herself. “Just wait till you try it, you’ll never want to go back to eating… whatever you were eating back there.”

Skyfire blinked a few times, looking down at the table for a moment. “It sure would make it hard to stomach, if this is as good as you say.”

“Surely there’s some other good things to go back to, even if you didn’t eat with your family, you got to see them at least?”

Skyfire’s expression brightened up, as she smiled at Misty Sparks. “I did. My mother was usually back home a few hours after I was off my shift. She always got tied up and had to stay late. She’d at least ask how my day went, and we got to chat. It was nice.”

“Well that’s good, I hardly can imagine not getting to see my mom.” Misty Sparks remarked, sighing softly in relief as Skyfire continued.

“My brother and sister were around too. Though Lightningbreeze was always busy reading up on tactics and other things to try and get ahead in her career. She and… Dad would get snippy at me if I talked too much about my non-soldiering life.” Skyfire sighed softly, her mane fluttering about as she shook her head. “So yeah, I did get to see my family at least,” she answered again.

“I see I see… That’s good at least, family is quite important to have. I’m quite grateful to- oh here comes our food,” Misty Sparks commented, as her steamed carrots were floated in front of her. She beamed a smile at Hazel Blossom. “And that would be your herb salad!”

Skyfire perked up, stretching ever so slightly as she was gifted with a colorful bowl full of red, green, and yellow. “This food has three colors more than what I would be given for lunch.” Skyfire murmured, licking her lips. She glanced at Misty Sparks, pausing, her hoof barely reached the fork. “Thank you again uhm, this looks wonderful.” She glanced again a moment later, waiting for the mare expectantly.

“You know you don’t have to wait for me, is that a thing up there with the military?”

“Oh! I um, yes. It sort of was. The guests waited for the hosts to start eating, but okay!” Skyfire smiled graciously, picking up a large piece of a red herb, leaning in to sniff it tentatively. An experimental bite later and Skyfire’s eyes lit up as she quickly munched through the rest of her bite. “What is this? It’s delicious!”

“That would be rhubarb,” Hazel Blossom said proudly, and waved a hoof at Misty Sparks. The smaller unicorn sighed, and floated out a hooffull of caps. The waitress beamed down at Misty Sparks, before trotting back to her duties.

Misty Sparks watched Skyfire dig in, taken off-guard by just how cheery she was at the strange new tastes. As much as Misty Sparks didn’t think Skyfire was a liar, she wasn’t expecting such genuine honesty either. Picking up a carrot up to eat, she tried to appreciate its fresh taste when others were less fortunate to be so impressed by simple herbs and vegetables.

Skyfire straightened up, salad almost half devoured, and hiccuped. Misty Sparks gave a bemused smirk, and the pegasus hiccuped once more. “You’re like a foal on her birthday, is it really that good?”

“Absolutely! I’ve never tasted anything like it!”

“Just wait till you try the sweet stuff then, like my mother’s sweet rolls.”

Skyfire’s ears perked, something about how animated she was drawing Misty Sparks’ interest all the more. “You think I could?”

“Definitely if you came to dinner tonight,” she replied, trying to hide a flutter of nerves in her chest.”

Skyfire blinked, as if confused by her words, and then pressed a hoof to her chest. “I’m sorry what? Dinner? Uh…” She trailed off, flushing heavily.

Misty Sparks found her mouth dry, and she struggled with her words for a bit before managing to fumble out, “It’s this thing we do once a year, well I mean we have dinner plenty of times but it’s a special night and Mom wanted to mix things up. It beats being alone in Medical eating their food right? It’s not a big deal if you don’t want to, but it’d be nice if you did. We could uh, talk and… hang out? And I promise Mom is an excellent cook!”

“Well…” Skyfire trailed off again, eyes nervously wandering the diner as she stroked her crimson mane, they resettled on pleading lime green ones, as she gulped. “It’d be rude to say no, wouldn’t it?”

Misty Sparks beamed, cheeks pushing in a manner that distorted her freckles. Skyfire lingered on the sight for a bit. “Awesome! Mom will be so happy to hear you’re coming!”

“I’ve… never been to a dinner party before. What do I say? Or do?”

Misty Sparks softened a bit, reeling her energy back in. “Oh, well I’m sure Mom will ask about you and the Enclave, get to know you and all. If… If you wanted we could practice?”

“Sure, sounds good.” Skyfire shifted in her booth, trying to get more comfortable. She gave a nervous smile to Misty Sparks, who gestured at her food to indicate she could still eat. Thankful, she chomped on some herbs to help settle herself.

Misty Sparks bought a bit of time by eating her carrots, trying to think of the right questions to ask. Eventually she figured out where to start, and cleared her throat. “So you were the only one in your family who didn’t do something related to being a soldier?”

“Well technically, I was since I worked on the aircraft they use, but that wasn’t close enough for them. Everypony else was somewhere in the military, but that’s most of Neighvarro, and specifically my family line. They’ve always been soldiers, since before the bombs dropped.”

“All of them?” Misty Sparks asked as she cocked her head.

“Apparently every single last one of them, they always picked a mate that happened to be a soldier. It became a big deal, it didn't help that apparently my ancestors were great leaders, so the family line became prestigious.” Skyfire sighed quietly and looked up to the ceiling. “It’s as though we’re destined for greatness, at least that’s what they kept telling my siblings; well, Mom told me that still.” A pained look drew across her face. “Dad didn’t like doing much with me after I got my cutie mark.”

“That’s… a shame,” Misty Sparks started, her eyebrows creased together in annoyance. “I imagine he still told you that he loved you as a daughter.” Her eyes widened as Skyfire looked away, her gaze cloudy with dark thoughts. The unicorn leaned over, her heart skipping a beat as she nudged Skyfire, trying to distract her. “But hey, perhaps he’ll be happy to see you home alive and safe after all this?”

Skyfire’s eyes cleared, a small, timid smile growing after a few seconds, “I want to hope so, but uhm, how’s your dad?” She asked.

Misty Sparks coughed quietly, rubbing the back of her neck. “I-er, how about I tell you about him after we give you a practice run at what my mother will probably ask you?” She sighed in relief as Skyfire nodded, happy for the topic change. “So you have two siblings right?” Skyfire gave another nod. “What do they do?”

“Well my big sister Lightningbreeze followed my brother’s hoofsteps, but didn’t quite have what it takes.”

“What’s that?”

“I- I can’t really say. Sorry.”

Misty Sparks frowned, ears pinned back for a moment. “Why not?”

“Because I can’t? It’s uhh classified. Sorry.” Skyfire’s grey and crimson wings ruffled behind her, unable to hide her nerves.

Relenting, Misty Sparks sighed. “I guess I’ll just have to respect that. What about your parents? Can you say what they do?”

Skyfire gave a nervous smile. “Just that they’re about what you’d expect from my family.”

“So higher ups?” Misty Sparks guessed, Skyfire’s smile tightening. Misty Sparks gave a withering sigh, shifting back in her seat. She wasn’t very good at these kinds of things. Changing gears, she smiled back at the nervous pegasus, trying to seem genuine. “Well how are you liking it so far down here?”

“Oh! Well the food is nice!”

“I noticed you thought as much.”

Skyfire flushed. “And the ponies seem nice, like Grease.”

“Uncle Hammers didn’t give you-” Her words stopped short as a pair of mares returned to their table. The purple maned earth pony almost seemed to know what Skyfire had just said, a certain quirk to her mouth.

“Hello young mares,” Flare said, “I hope you were having a good chat?”

“Yeah Mom, we were,” Misty Sparks replied, straightening up. “You two figured things out?”

Grease nodded enthusiastically. “Sure did! I’ve got all the power of Maintenance at my hooves now!” Flare glanced at her out of the corner of her eye, and the mare cleared her throat. “Erm, yeah. Anyways, Skyfire we’re going to finish up the rest of the day working on some stuff after lunch, and then adjust from there. Sound good?”

Skyfire gave a small nod.

“Did Misty Sparks invite you to dinner?” Flare asked, her daughter stiffening in her seat.

“Oh- uh yes. She did!” Skyfire tried her best not to let her nerves show.

Flare smiled down at Misty Sparks, and nuzzled her cheek. Grumbling, Misty Sparks leaned away and shot her an embarrassed glare which only made Flare chuckle all the more. “Good girl! I take it you’ll be joining us?” Skyfire nodded softly. “Perfect! I’m cooking spaghetti and you simply cannot miss it!”

“Can I come?” Grease jokingly asked, and the subtle shift in blue eyes was enough for her to step back. “I’m just kidding boss, don’t worry. I know what that dinner is all about, Hammers talks about it often enough. Though if you’ve got leftover sweet rolls I’d be more than happy to help you get rid of them.”

“I’m sure there’ll be some as usual.” Flare assured her. Grease brightened, licking her lips for emphasis. Flare shook her head softly, and refocused on Skyfire who was trying her best to calm. “Just be there around six, after you get off your shift. Speaking of… Misty? Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

“No? I should still- Oh! Oh no!” The unicorn’s voice pitched as she looked at the clock on her Pip-Buck, a chime beeping from an alarm. “I’m late! I’ll see you tonight, bye!” Her horn glowed neon green as her magic focused, and in a blink she had teleported across to the elevator, running out in a blur of green and twinkling magic.

Skyfire blinked, staring at where Misty Sparks had just been. She looked up at the other two who were laughing. “Bye?”

“Come on Feathers, let’s get to work.”

Misty Sparks - Quest Perk Added! - Overmare In Training: You’re being trusted with more responsibility in the Stable’s Future, easier charisma checks with fellow Stable 36 members.