Backroom Business (Patreon)

AJ stirred her spoon around in her bowl of chili making sure she got all of the sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese well mixed in my Equestria dreamscape.

     The dish reminded her a bit of dish ponies made in Ponyville called Everfree Mud. Although it was much hotter and spicier. Accompanying the chili was a big slab of cornbread along with butter the slather on and honey to drizzle over it.

     The cornbread was joined by a plate of what Holly Wood described as being the most purrfect bar food ever made. She called them Jalapeno Poppers. Little green, fiery chilis had been carefully cut in half and the seeds removed. Then they were stuffed with a mixture of cream cheese and a Monterey Jack style cheese. After that they were dipped beaten egg and then in flour followed by a thin batter. After that they were deep fried until golden brown. They were accompanied by a ranch-style dressing that one could dip them into.

     That and the cheese helped some, but Applejack still found herself frequently reaching for her mug cider to help quell the fire from the poppers and the chili. Yeah I reckon Galapagos would find this grub a bit on the fiery side. She thought this as she finished her latest mug of cider. Holding up the empty mug up above her head Rex the horny toad came sauntering over with a fresh glass.

     King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III was finishing another of the sliders on his plate when he looked up and noticed Bombay Bombastic was leaning against the wall by the door leading to the kitchen. Their eyes met and Bombay made a slight head tilt toward the kitchen door. Then he stepped through it. The king took a sip of his beer and then leaned over and spoke to AJ over the boom of the jukebox.

     "Pardon me dear but I need to use the facilities. I'll be back in a bit." The king slowly walked back toward the restrooms which passed by the kitchen entrance. Pausing by the entrance he casually looked back at the occupants of the restaurant and bar. Nonchalantly he raised his right hand and made a quick series of gestures. His fingertips glowed briefly with a soft white light. Then he stepped through the door.

     Trafalgar found Bombay sitting in his office. The mutton chop adorned mouse finished an entry in a ledger as the king entered. "Close the door and have a seat." The restaurant owner said.

     The king obliged him. While this was going on Bombay pulled out a couple of tumbler glasses followed by a bottle from a desk drawer . He filled the glasses with a golden, caramel brown liquid. Then he sipped his. Settling into his seat Trafalgar and took a sip from his glass as well. Then he coughed as his eyes clenched shut. Bombay giggled.

     "Drakken whisky is an acquired taste. Still I figured after all these centuries you would've acquired it."

     Trafalgar coughed again and then removed his pince-nez glasses from his muzzle and wiped them with handkerchief. He then placed his glasses back in front of his now watering eyes. " Why would I? Sorry chap, but I have no desire to acquire it. More for you!"

     Bombay took another sip and then got down to business. Sliding open another desk drawer he carefully removed a charred, battered iron box about the size of lunch box. Etched or engraved into the box was numerous arcane glyphs and wards. Bombay gently set it on the desk and then made a series of hand gestures. The glyphs on the box glowed bright for an instant then faded. There was several sharp clicks and the lid popped up slightly. Carefully Bombay lifted the lid. The box expressed its frustration to being opened by making a little groaning wail that sounded like the distant cry of a tormented animal. He then turned the box around showing Trafalgar the contents.

     It was another smaller and even more charred metallic case that was resting amongst the charred remains what probably had been a packing material of some type. It was about the size of cigarette case. Trafalgar looked up at Bombay. "May I pick it up?"

     The restaurant owner pushed his chair a back a tiny bit while picking up his glass of whisky. "Sure! Good ahead! Knock yourself out! I ain't! In fact you're taking that piece of crazy shit with you tonight, and if that!" He pointed at the smaller case. "Burns my joint down you're buying me a new place! My wards have struggled to control it!"

     Trafalgar silently nodded his head. Slowly he waved his hand over the contents of the box. As he did his brow furrowed and he gritted his teeth. Once again his fingertips glowed and all around the box a series of wards appeared floating in the air. Then with a sharp CRACK they vanished. Gingerly he reached into the box and picked up the smaller case. It was warm to the touch. The king pressed his right index finger against the center of the case. There was the tiniest of clicks.

     Bombay tensed up as he took a long sip of his whisky. "You sure you know what you're doing?"

     The king said nothing as he gingerly opened the case as he did an orangish glow and heat from the case and washed over him. Resting on a bed of scarlet red phoenix feathers was a small vial. It's contents appeared to be fresh lava plucked from the heart of a raging volcano. The king stared at it for a moment longer then gently closed the case. Then looked up at Bombay and smiled.

     "Splendid job Bombay! This will be critical to my current project!"

     Bombay took a bigger swig of his whisky. "Good! Great! Glad to be of service! I have no idea, and no interest to know, why you needed a vial of primal salamander blood from Lake Kranena of Lower Dark Realms. Just I arranged for you to get it. Now pay me and then get that shit out my place!"

     Trafalgar smiled and wrapped the smaller case in a handkerchief. Then he tucked into an interior pocket of his leather jacket. The pocket flashed and the case along with the handkerchief vanished from sight.

     From another jacket pocket he produced an meticulously drawn image of a treasure chest on a stiff card-stock material. The image was about the size of a playing card. The king placed it with the image facing up on the desk. Then he rested his right index finger on the image. It glowed for second and suddenly a foot locker sized chest materialized on Bombay's desk. The desk groaned slightly under the weight of the chest. Trafalgar made several more gestures with his left hand while in his right hand a large, intricate key materialized. Inserting the key the king turned it and was rewarded by most satisfying click as the lock opened. With casual flip of the hand the lid flew up. The king stood up and reached into the chest. He rummaged around for a moment before producing a heavily ladened leather bag about the size of a large tobacco pouch. Trafalgar passed the bag over to Bombay.

     "There you are my fine fellow. The agreed payment. Once again thank you for you help on this enterprise."

     Bombay opened the bag and smiled as the glow of dozens large dream diamonds greeted his eyes. He grinned and took another sip of his whisky

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     Out at the bar Applejack had been wondering why the king was taking so long in the restroom.

     What the hay. Did he fall in or sumthin? Thought the mare. She sighed and finished her latest mug of cider. Rex came wandering over.

     "Need another drink ma'am?"

     AJ glanced toward the bathroom. "Well since his majesty seems ta be readin the newspaper in there I reckon I'm gonna be here fer a bit." She looked at the pint glass then back at the horny toad. "What else ya got?"

     Rex seemed to be measuring AJ up. Finally a long, slow grin grew on his face. "I think I have just the thing for you." The bartender walked over to the center of the great shelf which was adorned with numerous bottles of liquors. Rex reached up and retrieved a bottle of golden liquid that seemed to glow all by itself. The horny toad sauntered back and set the bottle in front of AJ with label facing forward. It showed either a golden dragon or some giant serpent wrapped around an apple tree with golden apples hanging from its branches. In ornate, golden letters it said.

     Ladon Farms Special Reserve Applejack.

     AJ looked at the label and grinned. "Oh yeah! That looks mighty fine! Serve me up some that stuff!"

     Rex retrieved a sniffer glass of the finest blown glass from beneath the bar. Gently he flicked it with a claw and it made a clear almost musical note that rang out even over the music of the juke box. Many a conversation came to a halt and heads turned toward the bar. Rex set the sniffer down on the bar and picked up bottle with right hand. He start to pull the stopper out with his left when he paused and looked at AJ.

     "Ya know this stuff is pretty intense. Some folks say it's life-changing. Still wanna try it?"

     "Even more so!"

     Rex nodded a filled the sniffer about a half full. Then he pushed toward AJ. The mouse picked up and sniffed. It was like being an apple orchard on warm spring day. The scent of millions of blossoms on the wind. She could almost feel a warm, gentle breeze coming out of the sniffer. AJ smiled, closed her eyes and took a sip.

To be continued.