Element of Courage
Chapter 3: Chapter 3 -Table for one is no fun.
Previous Chapter Next ChapterRubbing some of the dry tears from her eyes, Sunset walked down the sidewalk carrying her gym bag. Her stomach lets out a growl letting her know it is passed noon. Today has not been a good day for her. Not only is she sexually frustrated, but her stomach wanted some attention as well. As she continues to walk down the sidewalk, she stops and looks at a nearby diner.
Well, at least, I can solve one of my problems. Sunset thought, heading towards the diner.
Going in, Sunset found a secluded table in the far back, sitting down, she picked up the menu and looked over the many choices. So many choices but most are burgers, chicken, sausages, only one salad with chicken pieces and bacon. She looked on the menu for any non-meat product but came up empty.
A teenage waitress walked up to the table holding a notepad in hand. “Welcome to Good Burger, home of the good burger. Can I take your order?”
Sunset looked at the menu once more biting her lip. She wanted to decline, but her stomach started to rumble again, causing her to blush. Pointing to the burger and fries combo, Sunset looked to the waitress. “This one I think...”
Oh goddess, what I’m I doing?
The waitress quickly scribbles down. “And to drink?”
“CHOCOLATE SUNDAE!” Sunset blurted out in a loud voice, causing some customer to glance over at her table. Realising what she just did, Sunset picked up the menu and hid her face in it.
“I'll get your order miss. Umm, you can keep the menu...” The waitress said awkwardly, walking away.
What have I done... Sunset thought, dropping the menu and holding on to her hair with both hands.
The thought that she had just order meat caused her heart to start beating rapidly, Clutching her chest, she tried to get her breathing under control.
It's ok I have to keep cool. How bad can it be? Is it so wrong to eat meat? Everyone here does it. I'm not a pony anymore. Sunset rubbed at her temples as she stared down at the table.
The waitress came back and placed Sunset's order on the table, the plate clattered as the waitress walked off. Pulling the chocolate drink close, Sunset looked again at the burger with wide eyes as her heart begin to race once more. In the bun is a meat paddy, still sizzling with cheese melting on top.
Is this the end of Sunset Shimmer? The vegetarian pony.
Gathering her courage, she slid the milkshake over to the side and grabbed the greasy burger with both hands, slowly lifting it up. Slowly opening her mouth, she brought the burger closer as she took a small bite out of it.
Sorry Celestia, this world finally made me an omnivore. Please don't lock me up and throw away the key. Chewing slowly as the new flavors of beef, cheese, pickles, ketchup and green relish exploded in her mouth. OH MY GODDESS, it's like having sex for the first time. Savoring the juicy goodness, Sunset started to pound on the table as she swallows, letting out a satisfying sigh. People, again, started to look over at her with concern.
“Mommy, that lady is scaring me.” A little boy points over as he tugged at his mother shirt.
His mother, not looking at where he was pointing, grabs his arm and gently pulled him closer. “It's not nice to point dear, just eat your chicken fingers.”
Sunset, now catching her breath, looked back at the burger. Ok girl, you’ve just passed the point of no return, might as well deal with it while you can.
Taking a deep breath, Sunset took another bite out of the burger. Just as she bit down into the burger, there was a loud thump on her window. With the burger in her mouth, she turned her head slowly to see Pinkie Pie's face squished against the glass, distorting her face with her tongue out. She has a goofy smile on her face as she waved ‘Hi’.
“Eeep!” Sunset yelped, falling back in her booth with the burger still clutched in her hands.
AppleJack grabbed Pinkie by her top and pulled her away from the windows. Sunset couldn't hear what they are saying, but from the looks of it, she guessed AppleJack was scolding her.
A few minutes later, both Pinkie and AppleJack enter the dinner and sat by Sunset’s, watching their friend trying to clean her top off. Pinkie sat down next to Sunset, a goofy grin plastered on her face. AppleJack sat down on the other side of the table, removing her hat once she was comfortable.
“Howdy there Sunset, sorry we didn't call first.” Applejack apologized before looking over to Pinkie. “Pinkie don’t ya have somethin’ to say to Sunset? NOW.” AppleJack said in a stern voice as she picked up the menu.
“Sorry Sunset. I didn't mean to scare you, but the look on your face was priceless!” She squealed out.
Sunset grumbled as she tried to remove the cheese ketchup that was stuck to the collar of her shirt.
“It's not like I needed this top anyways,” Sunset said, slumping back down into the seat, giving up on trying to clean the rest.
Pinkie looked at Sunset with a bit of remorse before spotting some ketchup on Sunset’s cheek. Reaching over, Pinkie picked up a napkin and leaned over. “You got a little bit on your face,” She said as she reached for Sunset, only to spring her face forward and lick the ketchup from her cheek.
“Eeek, what are you doing?!” Sunset screamed in surprise, flinching backwards a moment too late and then rubbed her cheek, still feeling tickles of Pinkie's tongue on it.
“Cleaning you. Don't want to waste any yummy ketchup, mmm.” Pinkie said licking her lips. Turning her head away from Sunset, Pinkie spotted the chocolate sundae in front of her. Looking back at Sunset, Pinkie’s eyes widen like a little puppy who was staring at its master’s food.
“Pinkie will ya stop bugging her. That’s her milkshake.” Applejack said brushing her messy blond hair out of her eyes.
“It's ok, you can have it. I’ll just… get something else.” Sunset said looking at Pinkie with her saucer eyes before sliding the milkshake over to her.
“For meee? YAY, Chocolate Rush time!” Pinkie cheered, immediately slurping down the chocolate shake.
“So why are you girls here today. I thought you would be working on the farm?” Sunset asked, pushing her half eaten burger away.
“Not on Saturday. Ah just needed to help mah brother load up the pickup truck for the market this morning. Ah found Pinkie here at the market selling pies." AppleJack says, giving up on fixing her hair and slipped her hat back on.
"Ah had apple pies, pumpkin pies, raisin pies and lemon pies, but they are all gone now." Pinkie grinned proudly.
"Then we found ya eating a BURGER! So long, boring vegetables. YAY! ” Pinkies said, ready to celebrate the change.
“It was an honest mistake really, I clearly remember ordering the salad. They must have mixed up my order with someone else's.” Sunset said as she cleared her throat.
“Ya can't fool me gir. Ah, can tell when ya are lying.” Applejack said raising her eyebrows.
“Fine, you got me.” Sunset says rolling her eyes which she then proceeded to lick some of the dry ketchup from her fingers.
The waitress from earlier came over Sunset’s table to take Applejack's and Pinkie's order. Writing down the order, the waitress looks back at the group and asked, “will there be anything else?”
“One apple juice for me,” Sunset spoke up. “I still need to finish this,” She said as she picks up the burger. The waitress nodded and left with their orders.
“Mmm yummy, dead cow...” She said sarcastically, taking another bite from the burger.
Next Chapter: Chapter 4 - A trip down memory lane. Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 41 MinutesAuthor's Notes:
Some humor to lighting the mood.
Eating meat say it's not so.
Special thanks to Dreagknight for the help.