Brae's Waterhole
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· original author:
kampus
Brae's Waterhole is situated on the crossroad between Hurricane Blvd and Firefly Rd, a few blocks down from Dash's apartment. In stark contrast to its surrounding, the establishment was designed with the feel and aesthetic of a hearty, South Equestrian restaurant. That region tends to be on the rural, undeveloped side but the farm ponies there made up for that with their hospitality. You guessed that the owner is likely a foreign cell given that Rainbow Dash was born in Cloudsdale. The faux-wooden boardings and timber construction of the building quickly catches your attention. A large billboard placed on the roof of the structure proudly advertised in bold capital letters:

BRAE'S WATERHOLE
A Western Taste for Everycell

Dash led you through a set of wooden doors into the restaurant. The atmosphere immediately reminds you of a barn. Wood barrels, troughs, and the oil lamps on the wood tables welcomed and immersed you in their rustic simplicity. A few other cells are slowly gathering in as it approached dinner time. You and Dash found a table and sat down on the bales of hay which doubles as the seats. As the servers were busy managing the other tables, Dash started to talk with you.

"This here is my favorite spot, mage," Dash said proudly, "You get a nice view of almost all the tables in the restaurant and, most of all, the diners. Unlike others who just focused on their foods, I just love to see all the different cells coming and leaving through the doors and wonder about which department they're working in or what were their thoughts when they trotted to their table. It's just an interesting way to observe you own surrounding."

"I did the same thing pretty often back outside. What do you think about the cells around you?"

"Frankly, I think a good half of them are either average at best or outright boring at worst. Many of them supported the competition among the departments without thinking for the long term. They believed that division would create a stronger cell population and maintain the status quo, which they love to euphemistically say as 'that's what makes Rainbow Dash Rainbow Dash.' There are a few bright spots like me around the body but they are gradually being outnumbered."

"Sad to see the jerks slowly taking over the rational cells here. All it takes is a few idiots to ruin it for everyone."

"I'd use stronger expressions if we weren't in a public area," Dash remarked.

You wanted to continue your conversation with Dash but you were interrupted by a yellow earth pony trotted over to the side of the table. He is wearing a large Stetson upon his golden-brown mane and a brown vest covered his body. The stallion has a large red apple for a cutie mark.

"Hi, Dash. Welcome to the Waterhole. Pleasure to have your company again. What can I get you on this fine afternoon, miss?" he greeted with a southeastern accent.

"I'll just have the usual, Brae," Dash replied with a smile.

"Sure. I saved some of your favorites: enzyme burger with a side of mitochondria salad and an iced glucose tea. Wow! And I see you even a brought a friend here. Always nice to know new guys around here! Might I have the pleasure of knowing who he is?"

"You see, Brae. This guy over here is a human librarian I found in the Rainbow Dash's womb. He told me that he was doing "anatomy research" in a stallion when our 'master' unfortunately found the pony an easy target under the control of her estrus-crazed mind. This human was unfortunately sent in here with the rest of the stallion's contents."

"Ow! I'm so sorry to hear about that. I know how bad RD could be in her heat. If it weren't for you, Miss Dash, I'd probably be a goner now. Dash's body is nothing like the old one I'm from but I'm getting quite used to seeing all the different Rainbow Cells 'round here. Sadly, though, I never found out what she did to my 'master' after being sent down here. I just wish I could give that mare a piece of my mind!" Brae shook his head.

"No need to mention that, Brae! I think we can all agree that some serious changes to Rainbow Dash is needed," Dash concurred.

The mare turned her attention to you.

"Sorry to leave you out of the loop, human. This nice-looking cell here is Braeburn. But he prefers to be called Brae. He's the owner of this place and one of the better known foreign cells."

"Pleasure to meet you, Brae," you offered your hands to the stallion.

"Same here," he said as he offered his hoof.

"Nice restaurant you have here. The atmosphere in here is certainly a nice diversion from the outside," you complimented.

"Thanks a lot!" Brae smiled, "South Equestria has a lot more to offer than the city folks tends to think."

"Might I ask how did you end up here in Rainbow Dash, anyway?" you asked.

Brae's expression immediately became uncomfortable at the topic.

"Shhhh...Don't ask about that? He just recently recovered from the trauma! Dash whispered hushly, He got in here about a year ago when Rainbow Dash found and played with his 'master' one night in a town called Appleloosa. I'll leave out the details of how he got transmitted here for sake of your sanity. Let's just called it unconventional methods. I found this poor guy stranded in the Colon barely conscious. I couldn't just watch another cell get hurt like that so I brought him to my place and nursed him back to health. But, to my surprise, Brae here is a really resilient fella. After rehabilitating for a month or so, he decided to open up this restaurant as a way to remember his old home."

"I must apologize, Brae. I didn't know that," you said.

"It's alright. A lot of the cells here asked me that same thing. You won't be the last one to have asked that question," the stallion smiled and returned to a cheerful demeanor.

"Ever since his place opened up, Brae provided us Rainbow Cells with a refreshing change from the bland foods they serve at our sorry excuse for a cafeteria. After a year, virtually everycell in town is talking about his restaurant," Dash continued.

"Oh shucks! I'm flattered, Miss Dash! That's nothing, I'm just doing what I love here and that is satisfying the appetites of everycell," Brae blushed, "Oh, I almost forgot. What can I get for your human friend here?"

An expression of realization struck Dash's face.

"Ummm.....," she wondered for a while, "Ummmm...Brae, could you please get the menu for us?" the mare asked with an awkward expression.

"Sure, absolutely. I'll be right back with one, Miss Dash. Just sit tight!"

Brae trotted away to another corner in the restaurant and disappeared behind a set of doors. Once Dash made sure that the coast was clear, she turned back to you with a sheepish grin.

"What exactly do you cell eat here?" you whispered to Dash.

"Heh...heh....Have you ever tried lipid fries, baked sphingomyelin pies, or peptide drinks before?"

"......." you stared at her with an incredulous expression.

Oh, well. I guess it's time for you to try out some awesome new food," Dash smirked mischievously.
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June 2, 2023
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