{"id":31439,"date":"2023-01-19T13:19:06","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T19:19:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=31439"},"modified":"2023-01-19T13:19:06","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T19:19:06","slug":"chapter-19-the-salsa-shop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2023\/01\/19\/chapter-19-the-salsa-shop\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 19: The Salsa Shop"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thomas, Dulcia, and Elaine entered Beauregard\u2019s establishment the following evening. The salsa shop, rather than the latin dance club Dulcia had envisioned, played up a rustic cowboy theme that served as a background for eating salsa and chips. The interior was bare wood timbers with rough hewn wood furnishings. Displays of hay bales and seasonal foliage accents were prominent, and assorted cowboy hats were hung on the walls for decoration. A pool table was in one corner, with a piano up against the opposite wall, and a stage strung with chili pepper-shaped lights. Performing at that moment was a mare, playing guitar and singing off-key.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow charming!\u201d said Elaine, impressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d said Dulcia noncommittally.<\/span><\/p>\n

The New Pony natives had spent a busy day at local attractions, and Dulcia had kept careful track of all the ponies they had come in contact with, eager to judge Thomas on his behavior. But she found, ultimately, that she had been off-base. He was polite, certainly; but he wasn\u2019t flirting, not from his side. Most of the mares were not so guiltless, though–the docent at the museum, the clerk at the boutique, the waitress at the diner where they ate lunch, the owner of the antique mall, and the cashier at the miniature golf course.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to check with Tabby on when she\u2019ll be here,\u201d Elaine determined, pulling out her phone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elaine loved everyone, so it was no surprise that she had taken to the assistant of dubious qualifications, Dulcia thought with a little annoyance. To herself, Dulcia noted that she was too close in temperament to get along with the Misty Hollow mare, though she would never confess to having anything in common with her.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

After an uneventful day at home, Tabby received summons from Elaine to meet them at the salsa shop. Toby was occupied with an emergency at the hospital, and Tabby had halfway hoped the mare would have forgotten the invite; but since she had nothing against Thomas\u2019 sister–in fact, Elaine seemed reasonable enough–perhaps it would be okay to hang out. Even if she was not sure what to expect from Dulcia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby arrived at the salsa shop unaccompanied and went over to Thomas, who she spotted at the counter. Beauregard was helping some guests a few seats down. Elaine and Dulcia were at the pool table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d she said, sliding onto the stool next to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d he responded in kind, turning to face her. Then, lifting an eyebrow, he asked, \u201cToby couldn\u2019t make it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomething came up at the hospital,\u201d Tabby said vaguely. \u201cHow\u2019s your day been?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot bad,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cWe did some shopping, and Elaine decided on going to the miniature golf course. They seemed to enjoy it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe miniature golf course? No one goes there,\u201d said Tabby incredulously.<\/span><\/p>\n

Any further conversation was cut off, as the proprietor approached the pair. \u201cHowdy!\u201d Beauregard greeted. \u201cGot your zither right here, Doc,\u201d he continued, reaching under the counter and pulling out the instrument. \u201cPiece of cake to fix, just like I told you,\u201d he said, grinning. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks good,\u201d Thomas admitted. \u201cHow much do I owe you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, a song, of course!\u201d Beauregard exclaimed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather pay money,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cMy mom taught me the basics, but it\u2019s been many years since I\u2019ve touched one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAw, come on, no need to be shy,\u201d Beauregard encouraged. \u201cAnd Tabby can lend her lovely voice!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you even know me?\u201d Tabby demanded indignantly. She might enjoy singing to herself, but was under no misapprehension that she possessed any skill.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it\u2019s your sister I\u2019m thinking of,\u201d Beauregard acknowledged, squinting off into the distance. \u201cYou\u2019re twins, though, so I reckon you have it in you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait\u2026 you and your sister are twins?\u201d Thomas asked in surprise. \u201cIdentical?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said Tabby with a shrug. It was something the outside world found novel, but was not something she had ever had use for.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beauregard continued unabated. \u201cWell, seeings as you\u2019re here and your instrument\u2019s here, I reckon there\u2019s no excuse not to play,\u201d he said cheerfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s only one song I might be able to attempt,\u201d Thomas protested, \u201cand it\u2019s some obscure song my mom knew. There\u2019s no way I could play from memory.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what was it called?\u201d Beauregard inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Atlantean\u2026 <\/span>Soilano Farhol<\/span><\/i>, I believe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beauregard nodded knowingly. \u201cLet me just take a look\u2026\u201d He ducked down behind the counter again, and this time came back up with a stack of dog-eared song books. He selected one called <\/span>Lost Atlantean Folk Songs<\/span><\/i> and checked the index. \u201cAh-hah. Here you go.\u201d He proudly produced the page that contained the song, and slid it across the counter to Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Thomas said, looking rather alarmed. He idly strummed– or plucked?–the strings; Tabby didn\u2019t know the first thing about musical instruments. As the melody formed, it took Tabby away to another time and place, when she was smaller and things were simpler and her father hadn\u2019t gone away\u2026 Her mind wandered, who knew for how long, until she realized Thomas was staring at her. \u201cYou know it?\u201d he asked disbelievingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

To her great embarrassment, Tabby realized she had actually started singing aloud. \u201cNot\u2026 not exactly,\u201d she stammered. \u201cI just remember my dad singing it a time or two. That\u2019s all.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard worse,\u201d Beauregard said with a shrug. \u201cIt\u2019s settled, then. The slot after this act is open.\u201d And he moved off to talk to another customer.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two unicorns stared at each other, Tabby feeling absolutely horrified, but Thomas looking amused, perhaps seeing some humor in it all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it looks like there\u2019s no way out,\u201d he calmly remarked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The current act was a clump of Fuzziwugs on rollerskates, banging on tin cans and shouting. They could probably do at least that well\u2026 <\/span>maybe<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo good will come of this,\u201d Tabby said, feeling a rising sense of dread\u2026 but with a twinge of excitement at being so publicly paired with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Elaine,\u201d Dulcia said, nodding toward the stage. \u201cSomething\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOooh!\u201d Elaine squealed, waving at her brother. \u201cHe\u2019s going to play. Come on, let\u2019s go watch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So saying, they abandoned their game and went to claim a table near the stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby\u2019s in on it, too,\u201d Elaine chattered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy am I not surprised,\u201d Dulcia said, rolling her eyes. Her thoughts wandered as the melancholy tune filled the air\u2026 and the somewhat jarring vocal accompaniment. Occasionally Tabby hit on an appropriate-sounding note, but that seemed to happen by accident.<\/span><\/p>\n

The number of times that mare\u2019s name came up today in conversation, Dulcia thought churlishly. <\/span>Tabby thinks<\/span><\/i> or <\/span>Tabby says<\/span><\/i> or <\/span>Once Tabby and I<\/span><\/i>\u2026 It was clear Thomas was entranced by her. So why hadn\u2019t he staked his claim? The physician was no serious consideration, not compared to Thomas, Dulcia thought with a healthy dose of hero worship.<\/span><\/p>\n

She\u2019d always dreamed about being on Thomas\u2019 mind like that, but knew she had never succeeded, not even when they had been going out–if you could even call their workplace flirtation \u2018going out\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

The final notes of the song drifted by on Dulcia\u2019s bittersweet recollections, and there was a smattering of polite applause that followed as the performers made their way to the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to die,\u201d Tabby announced, collapsing on an empty chair at the mares\u2019 table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou guys were great!\u201d Elaine trilled. \u201cMom would be so proud!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t have done it without Tabby\u2019s moral support,\u201d Thomas admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you get singing lessons from a banshee?\u201d Dulcia couldn\u2019t help but ask.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook, it wasn\u2019t my idea,\u201d Tabby said, scowling as Beauregard dropped off bowls of chips and salsa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAwesome job, you two!\u201d he enthused. \u201cTake these, on the house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you ever have actual talent on the stage?\u201d Thomas asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes,\u201d Beauregard said cheerfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

There was some chatter about the day\u2019s activities, and then Tabby saw a familiar mare approaching. \u201cTabby! Wow! What a performance!\u201d It was Foxglove, who had donned a cowboy hat for this appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Hi,\u201d said Tabby flatly, not really feeling the energy for this interaction at this time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI played last week on my lute,\u201d Foxglove continued, ignoring the others at the table. \u201cIt\u2019s such a rush performing for an audience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmm\u2026 yeah,\u201d agreed Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, want to join me for a game of pool?\u201d Foxglove asked. \u201cAnd you can tell me what you thought of part three of my story!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby felt a mixture of fear and annoyance, and had not yet finished part one of the My Little People fanfic, but schooled her countenance into a smile. \u201cSure,\u201d she said, pushing back her chair and excusing herself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou really like playing second fiddle to him?\u201d Foxglove asked, nodding her head in Thomas\u2019 direction while chalking up the tip of her pool stick. \u201cI always figured you’d have your own practice one day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cManagement isn\u2019t really my style,\u201d Tabby said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut you don\u2019t even get to use magic,\u201d Foxglove pointed out. \u201cUnless he\u2019s relaxed that rule.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not for the rest of my life,\u201d Tabby said, frowning, but then she wondered. At the beginning, she had had in the back of her mind that she\u2019d go back to Tiny when he was satisfied with her progress, but\u2026 how did that plan fit in with her current trajectory? Would she stay with Thomas? Would he even stay in Misty Hollow?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going out?\u201d Foxglove asked casually, taking the first shot. She continued without waiting for an answer: \u201cI mean, he<\/span> is<\/span><\/i> your boss, and that makes it a little awkward. What happens when you break up? You’re going to be the one who has to go. So you have a month, a year, who knows?\u201d She said this matter-of-factly with a cheerful grin, perfectly executing a trick shot and sinking two balls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you supposed to be calling out the shot or something?\u201d Tabby asked, choosing to ignore the overload of off-base remarks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNah, that\u2019s not in salsa shop rules,\u201d Foxglove said, gesturing to a plaque on the wall. \u201cIt’s a fact of life, you know.\u201d At first, Tabby thought she was still referring to the game rules, but realized she had picked up the previous conversation thread. \u201cI wouldn’t do it; but if that’s what you want, go for it–more power to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hadn\u2019t really thought that far ahead,\u201d Tabby mumbled, deciding it would draw less attention to just go along with Foxglove\u2019s tangent. On her next shot, she watched the cue ball hit the bumper without touching any other balls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTrudy said the only reason he hired you was that he had a crush on you,\u201d Foxglove continued after a precious reprieve of silence, \u201cand that you don\u2019t have any real qualifications to speak of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t even know Trudy,\u201d Tabby protested. \u201cWhy is she talking about me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s probably not true. That’s just what she’s been saying to everybody,\u201d Foxglove chattered. \u201cShe’s just sore over not getting the job herself.\u201d She sank her last ball. \u201cSome ponies just have to complain. You know how it is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d said Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cG.G.!\u201d said Foxglove, putting her pool stick back in the rack on the wall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Tabby asked, confused.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood game,\u201d Foxglove clarified. \u201cWell, I\u2019ll just let you get back to your date now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood game,\u201d Tabby echoed weakly, feeling somewhat dazed by the largely one-sided exchange.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Dulcia had excused herself to go to the powder room, leaving the siblings on their own. \u201cI like Tabby,\u201d said Elaine, nodding in that mare\u2019s direction. \u201cShe\u2019s interesting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe is,\u201d Thomas agreed with a thoughtful smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elaine eyed him pensively, sipping her soda. \u201cDon\u2019t ruin a good thing,\u201d she warned, facing him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Thomas asked, looking puzzled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what I mean!\u201d Elaine gave him a pointed look. \u201cLeave her be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think I\u2019ve changed either, do you?\u201d Thomas said, looking affronted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the outside, does it really look that different from before?\u201d Elaine pointed out. \u201cIs there any filly you\u2019ve worked with that you <\/span>haven\u2019t<\/span><\/i> been romantically linked to?\u201d She lowered her voice. \u201cAll I\u2019m asking is, leave Tabby alone. I like her, and I don\u2019t want to lose her as collateral damage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s quite happy with Toby,\u201d Thomas observed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, as if that was a consideration with Golden Glow!\u201d Elaine shot back, referring to one of his more ill-advised conquests.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas winced. \u201cHow do you know about Golden Glow?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a gossip network, you know. And you weren\u2019t <\/span>that<\/span><\/i> discreet,\u201d Elaine said accusingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not looking to slip back into my old habits,\u201d Thomas said quietly. \u201cI\u2019m not going there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Elaine gave him a long, hard look. \u201cI hope not,\u201d she said sternly.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

It was Thomas and Elaine\u2019s turn at the pool table, leaving Tabby and Dulcia in an uneasy tete-a-tete. \u201cYou know,\u201d Dulcia remarked conversationally, reaching for a chip, “I didn’t like you at first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, really, I never would have guessed,\u201d said Tabby dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have what I’ve always wanted… his attention,\u201d Dulcia said, allowing a little wistfulness to show.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we went over this already,\u201d Tabby said irritably, crossing her forelegs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can see the way he looks at you,\u201d Dulcia argued. \u201cHe couldn\u2019t keep his eyes off the door waiting for you to appear tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHardly,\u201d Tabby scoffed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were going out last year, you know,\u201d Dulcia said casually. \u201cHe dumped me for another girl.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d said Tabby cautiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t take it well, and did something pretty stupid.\u201d Dulcia looked significantly at her left hoof. \u201cAnd, well, here we are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you\u2019re warning me away, you needn\u2019t bother. I see how things are,\u201d Tabby said harshly. \u201cYou were right last night–I\u2019m <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> his type.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder if I <\/span>did<\/span><\/i> have the right of it,\u201d Dulcia said pensively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did you come here?\u201d Tabby asked bluntly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy therapist thought it would be a good idea, closure or some crap like that.\u201d Dulcia shrugged. \u201cShe\u2019s a moron, but it was enough to pitch the idea to Elaine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to win him back?\u201d asked Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dulcia laughed woodenly. \u201cNo, that ship has sailed. I guess I was\u2026 curious.\u201d She looked at Tabby assessingly. \u201cAnd even after all this, I trust his judgment–so there must be something in you after all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need your approbation,\u201d Tabby said, rolling her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

The salsa shop was quieting down for the night. Elaine had challenged Tabby to pool, and Dulcia had Thomas to herself. She responded to this situation by going up to the counter to order a salsa refill; by the time she returned to the table, she was ready to face him.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I know you think it was a bad decision for me to come here,\u201d she stated, setting down the bowl.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I didn’t say that,\u201d Thomas protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

“You didn’t have to,\u201d Dulcia said with a grin. \u201cAnd you\u2019d be right. The thing is, I… I was still angry at you, and wanted to see myself proven right, that you were rotten to the core.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd is that what you see?\u201d Thomas asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Dulcia shook her head. \u201cNow I see… you have a place here. That’s something I’m still looking for.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“You will find your own happiness yet,\u201d Thomas said encouragingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Perhaps,\u201d Dulcia conceded. \u201cAnd I’m sorry for putting you through what I did. It wasn\u2019t my brightest moment.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019m sorry for not treating you with the respect you deserved,\u201d Thomas said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd\u2026\u201d Dulcia hesitated. \u201cMaybe we can still be friends?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d said Thomas with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

They stood in front of the salsa shop under the glow of the bright red chili pepper lighting the night sky, saying their farewells, for Dulcia and Elaine would be heading out on the bus first thing the following morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We had such a great time here in Misty Hollow!\u201d Elaine said, hugging Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026 well, I\u2019m glad you liked it,\u201d Tabby said, a bit uncomfortable at the attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Take care of my brother,” Elaine said, pressing Tabby\u2019s hoof. Then she turned to Thomas. \u201cI probably won\u2019t get away again until graduation. Don\u2019t give my spot away to anyone else!\u201d she admonished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI imagine we\u2019ll find something for you to do,\u201d Thomas said good-naturedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I said anything that disconcerted you\u2026 well, I probably meant it,\u201d Dulcia admitted to Tabby, \u201cbut don\u2019t base your life on what I say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t planning on it,\u201d Tabby said, but without any real animosity, and Elaine was pleased to note that the two hadn\u2019t come to actual blows.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe likes her,\u201d Dulcia noted softly to Elaine as they walked away, trailing behind Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m afraid of,\u201d Elaine sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thomas, Dulcia, and Elaine entered Beauregard\u2019s establishment the following evening. The salsa shop, rather than the latin dance club Dulcia had envisioned, played…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31439"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31440,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31439\/revisions\/31440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}