Rainbow dash leaned lower on the table, glaring at Castus. He, in turn, leaned as far away from her as his position would allow. She lightly tapped the table with a talon, somewhat savoring the nerves that it played on the caragor. Silence rained between the two of them, unbroken save for the occasional breathing. Then, a third person entered the area, and spoke, breaking the precarious silence.

"Hello. I'm Saturnus, and I'll be your server. Can I take your order?"

Castus jumped at the opportunity to avoid Rainbows' gaze, lifting up the wooden plank with glued down paper. "Yes, thank you. I'll, uh, I'll have the Scallops with Garum and lentils."

"Thank you, sir," Saturnus said, writing it down on a small tablet. "And you, ma'am?"

"The stuffed dove."

"Alright then. I'll be back with your orders in a few minutes."

The silence resumed as he trotted off. Both shuffled in their seats nervously, neither really certain how to progress forward. Finally, Castus said, "So, the Fructus Parturiunt, eh? Nice choice, Domina."

Rainbow looked up from him, looking around the restaurant. The interior of the place was well lit by several skylights, casting just the right amount of shade over the patrons. The wood and brick floors were covered by simple pale green carpet, similar to a grassy field, while brown, red, and yellow tapestries hung from the walls. Off along one wall, a small band was playing a song, the air filled with sounds of Lyres, Drums, and horns. Despite its reputation as a nice restaurant, the fact it was the middle of the day meant it was rather deserted.

"Yeah. I'd dropped by and talked to the owner when he' opening up the place in the morning a few times. We'd strike up a conversation, and he'd offer me a quick bite. Nice guy," she said. She focused her gaze back on Castus, who resumed his uncomfortable shifting. "So, I take it from all of the shifting, you picked up on the fact that I didn't ask you here on a date, eh?"

"Er, yes. I'd, I'd figured that out, Domina." Tugging lightly at his tunic collar, he said, "S-so, what can I do for you, Domina?"

"Earlier today, I was talking with Caesar Diocletian. I've been given command of the Fourteenth Regiment, but-"

"That's great news, Domina!," he said. Sweat ran down his head in droves; so much so she wouldn't be surprised if there was a puddle of it below his seat.

"But, that's not relevant to this conversation," she finished. "What is relevant is one of the reasons as to why he said I deserved the promotion. That YOU had been giving him information about me since I was still on crackers. So, care to explain, Castus?"

"I, er, I," he stuttered, before lowering his head in shame. "Can we talk in equish? I mean, for the sake of privacy."

Rainbow shrugged her shoulders. "Up to you, but you still better start talking. So, spill."

"Ok, thanks. Now, yes, Domina; I was involved with the Caesar before his return. It was mostly just keeping an eye on Drusilla's actions where I could. However, when you entered the picture, I was told to keep an eye on you. And, from there, I ended up going out of my way to help you."

Before Rainbow could respond, Saturnus returned, a pair of plates balanced on his back. "Here you are," he said as he slid them off his back and onto the table. "Just call me over if you need anything. Enjoy!"

She looked down at her food, hunger overcoming her desire to cuss out Castus. The pair of small birds sat on the plate, a crisp golden-brown color with splotches of blackened skin. A bit of beans, bread bits, and other Harty foods leaked out of a small hole in them, covered in a thin layer of garum. Off to the side sat a few rolls and an air of small bowls, one filled with more garum and the other with olive oil. She tore off one of the dove legs, using her still somewhat flat teeth to rip off a chunk. It was well cooked, juicy, tender and had a faint aftertaste of rosemary and basil. In other words, it was the part of the meat she loved the most.

As she tore into the rest of the leg, Castus began to eat his own meal. While the two ate, Rainbow decided to resume the conversation. "So, about what you said that day. About caring about me? You weren't lying, right?"

"About what?, he said past a mouthful of scallop.

"About what else? About you actually caring about me, and not trying to screw me over?"

He set down the half-eaten scallop, putting his paws on the table. He said, slowly and somewhat cautiously, "Rainbow Dash, Praetor of the Pryhan Army. I swear, on all that I own, have owned, will own, and on my morals as an honorable citizen, I do care. You are, to use your own words, 'An awesome, badass, all-around amazing pony'. Not to mention intelligent, dedicated, loyal, and beautiful."

"Cut that last one," she muttered. "I still look like I've gone through a cloud synthesizer full of razor blades."

"What in the name of the Empire is a cloud synthesizer?," he asked, switching back to Demosian.

Deciding to do the same, now that the more sensitive part of the conversation had come to a stop, said, "Something back home. Not really sure about the mechanics of it, but it made clouds of different types."

"Making clouds?," he asked. "You're pulling my paw."

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you most defiantly are, Domina."

"No, cocks-for-brains. I'm not."

"Yes, you most definably are."

"No, I'm not."

The two of them entered her apartment, both laughing merrily and a little drunkenly. Both had had a few glasses of watered-down wine, but mostly it was just a good time. After their argument about the Cloud Synthesizer, they had just began talking, with topics varying wildly over the course of the meal. From her parents and her old 'friends' to her hometown and the Wonderbolts. After the food finished and paid for, both had stumbled back to Rainbows apartment.

"Well, I sure had a good time!," she said, grinning widely. "And to think, I was just waiting for an excuse to drag you out the back and geld you with a nail!"

A bit of nervous chuckling later, he said, "Well, all things considered, I also had a good time. And I'm also glad I didn't get gelded with nail." He looked over at the rooms sundial, saying, "I have to go pick up some more food for tonight's dinner. I'll be back shortly, Domina."

"Cool," she said. Looking down at the couch, she said, "Oh, and Castus! You can just call me Rainbow."

Next Chapter: Interlude~Fall of Canterlot Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 39 Minutes