It was a lovely Tuesday for a run. A little cooler than the past week, but still comfortable. The meat cravings have been much more subdued over the days since I met Gilda, and Rarity’s noticed the difference in my behavior.

My lunch for today after the morning run was a grilled cheese sandwich and an apple. While I was eating it, Derpy arrived with the mail.

Rarity sifted through the envelopes. “Order, order, bill, here’s a letter for you, Yang, fabric samples from Some Company, another bill, and another letter for you, Yang.”

I was only expecting one letter, so the second caught me off guard. “Huh. Thanks, Rarity.” I accepted the two that were for me and looked at the return addresses. One of them, the one I was expecting, was from Fancy Pants. The one I wasn’t expecting was from Applejack.

As I opened the one from Applejack, I closed my eyes and hoped it wasn’t an invoice for running on her property. When I opened my eyes, I saw that the letter was upside down. I turned it over and began reading it.

Dear Yang,

I read a copy of the newspaper with the bills you passed two weeks ago, and I want to say thanks for passing them. I know it’s been a while since you did that, but we thought another shoe would drop after those good ones passed. I’ve been meaning to thank you in person, but I can’t bring myself to stop you during your runs.

Big Mac, Apple Bloom, and I are all ready to help you move the building supplies when you need them. The upcoming harvest is only a month away, so we’re hoping to get them out at least a week before then.

From, Applejack

Well, that was a nice letter. Next time I see Applejack, I’ll be sure to stop and talk with her. I’m sure we could do with some produce in the Carne Den. Straight meat would be boring. And we’d probably do well with the extra variety.

I set Applejack’s letter down and pulled out Fancy’s. The writing on it was much cleaner and neater.

Dearest Yang Xiao Long,

It’s good to hear that you’re doing well. In fact, Fleur and I were just wondering how you were doing when your letter arrived. As for us, we’re still getting the stink eye from the rest of the nobles from the meeting. We also saw one of the crop collectors drop a rotten pumpkin on our doorstep. Where she got it at this time of year, I haven’t the slightest clue. As for the public, we visited one of our informants (Donut Joe, if you’d like to know), and he’s told us that he’s seen a slight lift in the moods of his more politically inclined regulars.

Now then, onto your restaurant. I will not hesitate to admit that the idea of eating meat myself is quite repulsive. However, what I see in your restaurant is a chance for you to hit it big in Ponyville. I did some research into the eateries in the town and saw, as I’m sure you’ve realized by now, there are very few good places to eat. Sugarcube Corner is a great bakery, there are lots of excellent cafes, and even a couple fast food restaurants. Some of my more gourmand acquaintances from around Equestria and the world have told me that they don’t go to Ponyville often because the food is tends to be light.

If you want your restaurant to succeed, you will need to cater to more than just the carnivorous consumers you’ve mentioned. Even if your food is spectacular, you need to also keep in mind the locals. Tourism can bring in good bits, but Ponyville, even with Princess Twilight’s castle, is not a big tourist town. Make sure you have options for the herbivorous beings as well. The more options you have available, the more you’ll be able to make and sell.

Since you and Gilda seem to be going in on this together, I’d like to speak with both of you together. Bring anypony else who you have helping you with this, and I’ll bring some of my best contractors. We’ll help you design and build the restaurant right the first time. You and Gilda will have the last say in the design of the place, but I ask that you do not dismiss the advice of the professionals. I’ve seen that happen so many times, I feel I must say that.

Whenever you have a day scheduled for everyone to meet, send me the time and place and I’ll meet you in Ponyville. I don’t think you’ll be able to get something for everypony from Sugarcube Corner, so you’ll need to find another place for us to meet.

Sincerely, Fancy Pants

P.S. Fleur won’t be able to come if the meeting is happening within the next two weeks. She got a very lucrative offer to teach some new models how to do what she does and just left on Sunday.

Well, that was at once encouraging and slightly disappointing. Still, I guess you can’t make stone bricks without breaking some rocks and leaving behind some pebbles.

I took the envelopes and letters back up to my room and began to really think about what I’d need for the restaurant. I’d probably have to visit the other eateries here. I already knew what Olive Branch was like, but I’d have to wander around a bit to figure out what else was here. I was not going to the Chineighse restaurant though, not after what Sweetie and her friends found out.

The first thing I’d have to do was find Rainbow and see if Gilda was still in town. That would make things easier. Except for the part where I’d have to find Rainbow. That would be tricky.

I was brought out of my thoughts by someone tapping on my window. I looked over and saw Rainbow on the other side. That was scarily good timing. Still, she knocked to get my attention and she had it. I went over to the window, opened it, and joined Rainbow on the roof. “I was just thinking about finding you, Rainbow.”

“I was having lunch at Sugarcube Corner when Pinkie said you needed to talk to me” Rainbow said. “Good thing I can eat and fly at the same time.” And now Pinkie’s mixed position on my list of known ponies was mixed even more. “So, what do you need?”

“Is Gilda still in town? I haven’t seen her for a while.”

“She had to leave yesterday since she didn’t have any extra meat with her. How have you been holding up, by the way?”

“Now that I actually know what it is that I was craving? Not so bad. I still want more meat, and based on Rarity’s reaction, she wouldn’t like it if I had any in the house.”

“No, I wouldn’t” Rarity said from the hallway as she went towards her room. Or the bathroom. Probably the bathroom.

“Is there any way you can catch up to her and get her to come back?”

Rainbow thought for a moment. “I could chase her down and ask her to come back, but griffons need meat and she’s out. The only other thing I can think of is to use the post office’s secret Anytime delivery. It’s expensive though. Ten bits per letter.”

“Anytime delivery?”

“Yeah. They really do mean anytime. I had some weather paperwork to send to Vanhoover once, and the regular rate would have been fine. Then I asked about the Anytime delivery and they guaranteed delivery to wherever I wanted it at the time I wanted it. I told them to have it delivered two days ago. The next day, I got a letter from Vanhoover’s weather ponies asking me how I submitted the paperwork the day before the requests for it were sent out. I had no idea how at the time, but I think there’s a time machine or something in the post office.”

“A time machine?”

“Time magic is extremely complex and neither of the ponies there are unicorns. That’s the only thing I can think of. Anyways, I can send a letter to some griffon guards I befriended during one of my trips and have them meet Gilda, give her some meat, and tell her to come back.”

“Yeah, that would be nice. Hey, do you know somewhere I could gather a bunch of people, er, ponies for little or no cost?”

“Twilight’s castle has a bunch of free conference rooms. Just talk to her and she’ll set one aside for you. I keep telling her she could make a few bits on the side with those rooms, but she keeps saying that she won’t charge anyone until there’s more demand for their use. I mean, if your restaurant has a room set aside for parties, wouldn’t you charge for its use?”

Note to self: do not have a party room in the Carne Den. Pinkie might do something. “Yeah, I see what you mean.”

“That’s one more who does. Nice camo outfit, by the way.”

“Thanks. It’s not my favorite one, but at least it’s not the one I don’t like. So, let’s figure some stuff out.”

“Right. When will you hold this meeting?”

“Well, with the whole Anytime delivery thing, I could have Fancy here whenever we need him to be here. As for Gilda, I’m not sure.”

“She flew out yesterday afternoon, so she’s probably almost over Horseshoe Bay by now, which she goes over during the second day of her flights. I could send the letter to them a couple days ago to stop her over the bay, give her your message, and she should be back on Thursday at the latest.”

“How did you figure that out?”

“When you’re the weather manager and a Wonderbolt, you have to keep thinking ahead. I simply figured out how to think ahead in the past, or something, I dunno. I’ll send a letter to my friends in Griffonstone and get Gilda here for this meeting. Anything you want me to put in the letter?”

Hmm. “If you could tell her I’ve likely secured some help with the restaurant and to be quick, that would be good. Also, I need to send a letter back to Fancy.”

“I can cover the cost of that letter for you, Yang.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It wouldn’t be a problem at all. I have bits just sitting around at home.”

“Thanks. I guess my normal afternoon run isn’t happening today.” I jumped off the roof and ran towards Twilight’s castle. I had stuff to organize.

“You need a conference room with a balcony to use on Thursday for planning out your restaurant?” Twilight asked.

“Yes.” I don’t know why Twilight felt like she had to repeat what I just told her.

“Then consider conference room five yours for Thursday afternoon. For free. In fact, you can have that room from midnight to midnight.”

“Excellent. And you’ll be there too, right?”

“Why wouldn’t your hand-picked surveyor be there? As a bonus for me, I’ll get a day off from this throne and nopony will be able to get me back unless something really urgent happens.”

“Sounds like a day is set. Now to go back out and find Rainbow. And to write a letter back to Fancy.”

Finding a fast pegasus with a rainbow tail and contrail shouldn’t be very hard, but it was. While I was going around town looking for her, I wound up on the roofs of the buildings. If I wasn’t so preoccupied with my pegasus hunt, I might have taken note of the parkour opportunity. The first few jumps were a bit shaky, but I got better pretty quickly. The many thatched roofs were actually normal roofs underneath, so moving across them wasn’t as bad as I thought it might have been.

Eventually, I found Rainbow. For whatever reason, she had decided to take a nap on top of Sugarcube Corner, curled up like a cat. I don’t know how she did it, considering the strange architecture, but there she was. “Rainbow?” I asked. She didn’t stir. “Oh, Rainbow~” I lightly sang as I poked her. “Hey, Rainbow.” No matter how many times I politely said her name, she wasn’t waking up. I had to go to the more drastic measure. “Rainbow, wake up or I’ll have Twilight make your feathers fall out.”

“No, not that!” Rainbow almost shouted as she woke up. “Oh, hello Yang. Wait, why would you have her do that?”

“It was the most threatening thing I could think of.”

“Really? Not smashing my hooves, snapping my neck, or pulling off my tail, but making my feathers fall out?”

“Well, it woke you up, so that’s good enough. Anyways, I’ve got a conference room set for Thursday. All we need to do is mail off a couple letters and then I’ll just have to get in contact with everyone I can get onboard. By the way, you’re invited to the meeting.”

“Really?”

“Yep. If you’re there and not reacting to the reveal of the nature of the restaurant’s cuisine that other ponies would be reacting to, then that should help calm those who do react to it.”

Rainbow thought a bit on what I said before she closed the distance between us and whispered “Wait, are you saying that you’ll be serving meat?”

“Yeah. It’ll have things that aren’t meat, too.”

“Yang, that bit of information changes everything. Lots of ponies are squeamish about even the very idea of meat. You’ll have to keep that card very close to your chest. Or maybe stick it in your chest. Only tell those who need to know.”

Did Rainbow really just suggest what I think she did? “So, is it time to write letters while we write letters?”

“What?” Rainbow blinked at me a few times before facehoofing. “Oh. I see what you did there. I’m going to go write mine at home. Meet you by the post office in an hour?”

“Sure. I’ll see you there.” I jumped down from the roof and ran back to Carousel Boutique.

Dear Fancy Pants,

I’ve secured conference room five in Twilight’s castle for this Thursday. You should be able to gather your best and arrive there around, oh, noon? I’ll have my contacts there too.

Now, I’m sure you’re wondering how you got this letter before your response to my first one has even left your mailbox. Let’s just say I learned something a tad strange about the post office here in Ponyville and leave it at that.

I’ve considered your advice and will heed your council, along with those who know what they’re doing. I look forward to the conference two days from when I sent this.

Sincerely, Yang Xiao Long

Well, that letter took a bit of thinking to get correctly written. I got a fresh envelope from Rarity and put Fancy and Fleur's address on it, along with the appropriate return address. Those apparently worked the same way here as back on Earth. Thank goodness for similarities.

Letter in hand, I left through the window and ran to the post office. It felt like more than an hour had passed since I last saw Rainbow, and I did not want to leave her waiting for me.

Rainbow was sitting in front of the post office when I got there. “I was wondering when you would show up” she said as she sat up. “I’ve been waiting here for ten minutes.”

“Sorry to make you wait” I apologized.

“Hey, I knew you’d come. After all, you have something to send off promptly. That, and you don’t seem to be the kind to leave someone hanging.”

“Thanks. Let’s take care of this. Lead the way.”

Rainbow went in and I followed her. Derpy greeted us from the counter as we approached. I let Rainbow start the talking. “Hey, Derpy. I’ve got two Anytime letters to send.”

“Let me get the Doctor” Derpy said before turning to the back. “Doctor, we’ve got two Anytimes!”

“I’ll be right there” the british sounding stallion said from the back. A moment later, he came out. “Two Anytime deliveries, I hear?”

“Yeah” Rainbow said as she slid her letter and twenty bits on the counter. “I need to send mine to Griffonstone about two or three days ago.”

“Alright. And you, Yang?”

“I need mine delivered to Fancy Pants minutes after he put the letter I got from him today in his mailbox” I answered as I slid my letter over. I really hope I got that straight.

“Alright. I’ll have them delivered at the appropriate times.” The stallion collected the letters and went to the back while Derpy counted out the bits.

“Thanks for using our Anytime service” Derpy said.

“Thanks for having it, Derpy” Rainbow said. “See you later.”

“Bye, Rainbow. Bye Yang.”

“Bye, Derpy” I responded as Rainbow and I left the post office. “So, what now?”

“I have to go plan Thursday’s storm. If the storm goes well, and they usually do around here, then I should be able to join your meeting. Early afternoon, you said?”

“Yeah. When’s this storm?”

“It’s due to start around three, and it’s going to be intense. After I get everypony in their positions, I’ll be able to fly down to the meeting. I have a really good crew up there.”

“Sounds good. I guess I’ll have to get back to my more normal clothes for that. And I really like these athletic outfits now, too.”

“I don’t see why you couldn’t wear one of those for the meeting. I mean, the only one who might care is Fancy Pants, and all I’ve ever seen him wear is a jacket. Besides, seeing as you apparently are in his good graces, he’d probably be fine with it.”

Rainbow doesn’t seem to fully understand my species and our clothing rules. I don’t entirely understand ponies and their clothing rules either, so I can’t exactly call her out on it. “Good point, but I’m still going back to my normal outfit, which I haven’t worn for, ooh, wow, three weeks. Hey, I haven’t checked a calendar, so what is today?”

“June 2nd.”

“Let’s see if we can open the place on July 4th.”

“Why July 4th?”

“That’s a very important day back where I’m from. There was always fireworks, music, and some kind of festivity on that day.”

“Sounds like something Pinkie would like. Anyways, you should probably go around and tell everyone you want at your meeting to be there.”

“Good idea. I’ll see you on Thursday. Bye.”

“See ya later.” Farewells taken care of, Rainbow took off into the sky, leaving the rainbow contrail I was looking for earlier. I thought about who I needed to talk to. I already had Twilight and Rainbow covered, but Applejack needed to be informed. I could see if Rarity would be willing to join, even if only to provide outfits for the employees. She might also be able to help with the looks of the place. I could ask if Sweetie Belle and her friends would be willing to work as waitresses, but that idea came with a sense of doom. I’ll only ask one of them, or maybe keep them in different areas. That didn’t sound nearly as bad.

I continued thinking about who I’d need to help me and all the staff I’d need as I ran towards Sweet Apple Acres. As I thought about it, the notion that I might be making so much headway in this project because I didn’t have the internet distracting me crossed my mind.

I caught up to Applejack just as she left a barn that wasn’t the one Ross and I had helped build. Maybe I could get his input on this project? Then again, I wouldn’t want him to be distracted by Rarity being distracted by his outfit. “Hey, Applejack!”

“Hm? Oh, howdy, Yang” Applejack greeted. “Ah’ve been meaning to thank you for those bills you passed. Sweet Apple Acres has always been able to easily meet and exceed the crop collection quota, so it never really was a concern of ours, but now the smaller farmers can have a better chance out there. Dang it, Ah rambled a bit there. Sorry.”

“Oh, it’s alright.”

“And Ah like the other bill too. In fact, Ah like it so much, Ah could just give you a hug for that alone.”

“Then do it.” I opened my arms as Applejack reared up and pulled me into a hug. I knew she was strong, as working daily on a farm will do that, but I had no idea she was this strong. If I wasn’t so physically durable or had no aura to protect me, she might have damaged something.

After a few seconds, Applejack let go of me. “Thanks again, Yang. You’re good in mah book.”

“Thanks. Hey, could you come to Twilight’s castle on Thursday? I’m holding a meeting for the restaurant I’m going to build, and since you have all those materials, I figure you should be there.”

“Really? Well, with the big storm on Thursday, we won’t be able to really do anything here, so Ah’ve got no problem being there. Is there anything you’d like me to do before Ah show up?”

“If you could make a list of the materials you’ve got, that would be nice.”

“Ah’ll be sure to do that. Hey, you should have Pinkie at this meeting of yours.”

“I’d rather not. She freaks me out with the way she just. . . defies logic.”

“Ah really think you should have her there. She’ll know what you’ll need for your restaurant. Ah don’t know much about how those places operate, but she would know those things. Ah can’t stop you from choosing whether or not to have her on board, but Ah really think you should stop and think about what she can provide. Ah’m sure she can provide enough valuable stuff to make her Pinkieness worth tolerating.”

There’s some food for thought. “I’ll think about it.” It sounded like a trip to Sugarcube Corner was on my list for today. Of course, I’d need to swing by Rarity’s and grab my bits. I’d hate to go there and not buy something, even if it was just a glass of milk.

That actually sounded pretty good.

As I made my way into Sugarcube Corner, I was thinking about how I could carry my money and other small things on me instead of in my hands. I didn’t exactly have an easy way to carry my bits, and I haven’t seen any paper money around either. If there was paper money here, I could see if Rarity would be willing to make an armband wallet to hold it.

“Hi Yang!” Pinkie enthusiastically greeted from her spot at the counter. “What do you want?”

My deepest answer was a split decision between going home and having the Carne Den well done. “For now, just a, oh, large glass of milk. And a snickerdoodle cookie. Also, I’d also like to talk with you.”

“Four bits please. Take a seat and I’ll join you.” I gave Pinkie four bits and went to a table in the middle of the floor. After my initial visit here, I was a bit wary of the booths along the walls. I knew it was silly, but that’s how it was. Shortly after taking a seat, Pinkie joined me. “So, what can I help you with?”

“I’m making a restaurant, and Applejack made some good points for having you help with it.”

“Oh, I would be tickled pink to help with that! Then again, I’m pink, like, all the time, so that phrase doesn’t really work for me. Or maybe I’m just a lightish red and I can still be tickled pink? I need someone to tickle me to find out.”

Not even three sentences into this conversation and I’m already leaning away from her a bit. “Um, Pinkie?”

“Yes?”

“What all could you help me with? I don’t exactly know a lot about restaurant operations, so what can you tell me?”

I took a sip of my milk as Pinkie answered. “Well, you’ll need a variety of staff to help you, which probably won’t be an issue, unless you’re thinking really, Really, REALLY big. You’ll also need connections to a number of suppliers, of which I know many. I also know where to get really durable kitchen supplies.”

I guess that sells it. “Well, in that case, you’re invited to conference room five in Twilight’s castle on Thursday.”

“You’re inviting me to a conference? Oh, I knew this day would come!”

“What, that I would invite you to something?”

“That, and June 2nd. And as it turns out, I requested this Thursday off last week, so yay!”

Normally, I would think that was a coincidence, but I couldn’t tell with Pinkie. I downed the rest of my milk, which tasted really good, better than the stuff back home, and set the glass back on the table. “I guess I’ll see you there.”

Pinkie picked up my glass with a forehoof and placed it in the front curl of her mane in defiance of physics. “Righty-o. I’ll even bring snacks for everypony.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you on Thursday then.” I got a couple extra bits out, gave them to Pinkie as a tip, and stood up, cookie in hand.

“Of course. Bye.” I left Sugarcube corner snacking on my cookie. It was a really good cookie. As I walked back to Rarity’s, I had a feeling that, even with Pinkie at the meeting, things would be alright.

All I had to do now was plan it out. I’ll do some more running until it’s about supper time, then I’ll set aside all of tomorrow to plan out my presentation.

Author's Notes:

Big props to Void Runner for giving me a lot of points to work with on the matter of the Carne Den.

Also, if you want an OC of yours to work at the Carne Den, just send me a PM with their information and what position you want for them. The accountant and top managerial positions are already filled. I would prefer griffon OCs, considering what I have planned for the story, but I will not turn down other species.