Murder I Wrote

Murder I wrote

Chapter 4

Dinner With A Couple

After a bit of a treacherous walk through the cobblestone streets of Ottipaw, we make it to the restaurant Ferrum and Rainbow Dash have been raving about for the past ten minutes. When we arrive, Rainbow Dash points to it, a grin of excitement spreading on her face.

"There it is," she says with her raspy tone. "Hay Fire Delight."

"Interesting name for a restaurant," I say, chuckling a bit.

It stands on the corner of a street, and has two large pillars that extend at least two stories up, making this restaurant about three stories tall -- if you include the entrance floor. The pillars seem to be of a marble texture, which is astonishing given the difficulty that would be involved in making such large pillars out of a material like marble, and the walls of the restaurant are a red brick. Windows surround the two upper floors, and the lower floors have giant signs that seem to display specials. From what I can read, one says 'Hay-Flower special, two bits'. Seems like an intriguing deal, but the economy here seems a lot different from real life, my past life, I suppose..

We move in on the entrance, a simplistic double-door entry way. Ferrum quickens his pace towards the door, holding it open for Rainbow Dash. I walk in afterwards as he continues to hold the door, saying a quick thank-you to him.

The inside is much different from what I was expecting. The flooring is all carpet, a deep crimson color, and the way my hooves are sliding across it lead me to believe it is some sort of velvet, meaning this restaurant is definitely not low-class. The walls are neatly organized with pictures of scenic outlooks of forests and parks, and have a few ponies. I think one of them is of Princess Celestia, but I’m ushered away by Ferrum to come sit at a table before I could get a good look.

The tables are covered with white tablecloths that drape down the sides neatly, ending in little triangles. On top of the table are potted flowers at each seat, and in the middle is a bowl that holds oranges and kiwis stacked in a pyramid. I take a moment to look around the restaurant before sitting down, and take note of the chandeliers that hang from the ceiling. They are gilded candelabras, all of which hold candles, hence the name, and are low enough to keep the ceiling from burning.

"Beautiful restaurant. Almost makes you want to sit down, huh, 'Flashy?" Rainbow Dash smirks to me, and I realize I'm not sitting. I can feel my cheeks burn a little, and I sit down on the small, velvet bench that is near Ferrum and Dash.

"Sorry. Was...admiring the...uhm...structure," I say, smiling nervously.

"Don't worry, when I met Ferrum, he always did that." Dash winks over at Ferrum and he just shrugs his shoulders, smiling back.

"So, anyways, Shadowflash, you were going to tell us about yourself? Y'know, we were kind of confused on what you meant, earlier," Ferrum says. I sigh inwardly, pushing the thoughts I need to work with forward.

"Well, as I said, I'm not from here." I take a deep breath, continuing. "I'm from...somewhere else. I'd love to explain where it is, but, I don't think I'm ready to do that until I figure out what's going on with myself." I can see them nod, to show they're listening, so I move on.

"I mostly just woke up today, in the park. Ferrum, you saw how I walk, so you have to know I look like an idiot, or a foal, even." I see Ferrum nod, glancing up in memory.

"Yeah, you did look a bit silly. Dash also mentioned how you seem to have no cutie mark, as well." Dash agrees with a nod, and I look back to my flank, seeing it's blank.

"Yeah...guess that'd make me sorta’ out-of-place, wouldn't it?" They laugh quietly, and I smile; in an attempt to make sure everyone is still relaxed.

"So, really, that's all I'm comfortable with telling...and how I miss my family and friends." I feel a bit of heat rising under my eyes, but they just smile.

"Don't worry about it, 'Flashy. Oooh, hey, server is here." I follow Rainbow Dash's gaze to a large, red pony with a jet black mane that is slicked back, much like mine.

From what I can see, he is definitely male -- literally, it’s hanging out. Kind of grosses me out -- and he wears a black vest that wraps tightly around his chest and a bit of his neck. The buttons traveling along it are all embroidered with gold and have a onyx-like appearance. Other than that, his eyes are a bright blue, and his irises are a bit small, probably because of the light.

"Hello, my name is Clementine, I'll be your server tonight. What may I get you three?" His voice sounds similar to Prince Blueblood's from the show, and it leads me to assume he's a bit of a...well, a high-strung asshole.

"I'll take the Hay-Flower special," Ferrum starts to speak for all of us, for what it seems. "She'll take a Hay Fire Delight, and our friend here..." I see his hoof point over to me. "...will take a...Flowerized Apple." The server nods to each of the orders, then simply bows his head, walking away.

"What's a 'Flowerized Apple'?" I ask; Rainbow Dash giggles softly as Ferrum speaks.

"You'll love it, trust me," Ferrum replies with a smirk.

I hope so. I decide to lean forward at the flower in front of me and try to eat it. I see that Ferrum and Dash ate theirs, so I assume it's time to see what a flower tastes like to a pony. I open my mouth and feel the petals brush against my tongue and the roof of my mouth. Closing my teeth around it and chomping off the stem of the flower, as well, I begin chewing the plant.. As I mow down the flower, my tastebuds are greeted to a honey-like taste, and I can't help but enjoy it.

So, flowers taste like honey to a horse? I'll enjoy this. I continue to chew and chew, finally swallowing reluctantly, as I want to enjoy the taste of the flower, much like one would enjoy a nice steak and a Caesar salad.

"Well, 'Flashy, you staying with me and Ferrum?" I shudder at Rainbow Dash's grammar for a second, and then look at them with a bit of confusion.

"Well...if that’s alright with you guys, I guess I can. Unless you want me sleeping out in the cold." I give a faint smile, and Ferrum smiles in return.

"Doesn't matter to me, I wouldn't mind. As long as you’re a heavy sleeper or are okay with ignoring any loud noises. Dash and I get a bit...wild, every now and then." I see Rainbow Dash playfully hit Ferrum on the shoulder with a sly grin, and I nod with a laugh, knowing exactly what he means..

If not sex, then they're really hardcore Monopoly players. I laugh in the back of my mind at my own joke and decide to take in the rest of the evening as a delight, rather than a disappointment, It'll be a good night, don't worry, Carl. Just enjoy it the best you can. Worry later, not now. I repeat that a few times over to myself as our food finally arrives.