The old zebra stallion pulled the sandwich off the grill and in one quick motion placed it on a sheet of white paper. In my Royal Equestria Security Forces (RESF) dreamscape. Then in a blur of speed that came from doing this task thousands of times he wrapped it up. Picking up a knife he sliced the paper and sandwich diagonally in one quick motion. Then wrapped another sheet of paper around it and tossed it into a waiting brown paper bag. Spinning around he grabbed a metal scoop and proceeded to fill it with some onion rings that had just come out of the fryer. He poured them into a broad mouth paper cup. He tossed them into the bag with the sandwich and a little sealed tub of ketchup and a handful of napkins. With excellent timing his wife had just finished fill a large paper cup with lemonade. She placed the cup next to the bag. Grabbing both items zebra stallion handed them across the battered stainless steel counter to Two Tone.
"Here you go! One pepper jack grilled cheese sandwich with garlic shrimp and caramelized onions, your side of onion rings, and a large lemonade! Enjoy your meal! ORDER 26 YOU'RE NEXT!" The grill owner yelled over the sound of other orders being cooked, folks talking and placing orders, and the tinny sound of Calypso music blaring out of cheap speakers hanging on the walls of the restaurant. Two Tone walked to her bike and sat down on it. With a grace that came from doing this many, many time she unpacked her meal on top of her bike. She grabbed one half of her sandwich and took big chomp out of it. Then proceeded to rapidly suck air into her mouth as it protested to having molten cheese and sizzling grilled shrimp and suddenly occupy it. The mare grabbed her ice cold lemonade and proceeded to quench the heat with a big gulp of the liquid. With a burned mouth averted the zebra continued to enjoy her dinner. She snatched an onion ring and plunged it into the ketchup.
It was an early Thursday evening and a surprisingly pleasant breeze was blowing in off the ocean and cooling down Ft. Trotterdale from its sweltering afternoon. Because of that many a pony was taking advantage of the pleasant weather to enjoy the evening. Zenek's Beachside Grill had been apart of the Ft. Trotterdale scene for almost 40 years. So it was usually so crowded that finding a table to eat at was impossible. Since this a favorite's of Two Tone's she'd developed the skill of eating on her bike. But this evening, just finding a parking spot had been a challenge. Numerous vehicles slowly circled the parking lot hoping to snag a slot when somepony left. Sometimes they drop off a passenger to get in line and put in an order.
Although Two Tone had a deadline that was coming up for the completion. She was grateful that Chrysalis had ordered her to take a couple of days off. Her majesty had even contacted her later and told her that these days off didn't count toward Two Tone's fortnight deadline to get the 25% bonus for completing the job on time. >3311688
TwoTone had just devoured her sandwich and was in the process of polishing off her onion rings when she felt her phone vibrate. Pulling it out of leather jacket she recognized the number as being one of the numbers Chrysalis used. Curious she opened the text message.
Are you available tomorrow evening from around 8pm to 11pm? The zebra typed out a reply. I can be. What's up? Where do we need to meet?
A few seconds later a reply appeared on her screen. Are you familiar with the Moonlight Club?
Two Tone froze. She knew of the Moonlight Club. It was a very,very ritzy, upscale night club that was frequented by the elite and wealthy of the Ft. Trotterdale. After a second she replied. Uh, yes I know of it and where it is. Why?
Almost immediately another text message dropped into the zebra's inbox. There's a charity art auction being held there tomorrow night to benefit the Ft. Trotterdale Music Center. My alias Glimmering Gems, is very involved in the local art and music scene, and while my security detail will be with me of course it's awkward and raises questions if I attend alone. I had another partner lined up for the tomorrow night, but business will be keeping them out of town for the next few days. So. Would you do me a favor and be my guest tomorrow night?
Two Tone stared at the screen for about a minute before cautiously typing a reply.Why not ask one of your damn drones to go with you in disguise. The zebra thought for a moment. Are you asking me out on a date? Be warned I don't have anything fucking appropriate to wear to such an event? Two Tone received an answer very quickly.
It is true I could instruct one of them to accompany me, but between just you and me most of them are hardly well prepared for an evening of staring at art. Am I asking you out on a date. There was a brief pause. Only if you want it to be. The zebra imagined a mischievous twinkle in the queen's eyes as she typed that last reply. On the matter of you not having appropriate wardrobe for the event that can be addressed. The queen replied. In fact you could probably benefit from a trip to the salon/spa. Tell you what. I'll send one of my drivers over tomorrow around 9am to pick you up. I can arrange for measurement to be taken at that time. I know some ponies that can put something together at the drop of hat!
Two Tone had serious doubts that she was any better qualified than a changeling to stare at a bunch of damn art, but once her majesty had gotten an idea in her head she could be very stubborn about it. The zebra imagined the changeling staring intently back at her through the screen. After a moment Two Tone sighed and typed her reply. _Yeah sure. Why not. I nothing else planned. Excellent!_ Flashed on her screen. See you tomorrow! Have a good night.
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Two Tone took a long sip on her lemonade before muttering to nopony.