Arcana felt their faces touching, and she felt a bit daring. She turned her head and gave a small kiss on Taffy's cheek.
Taffy let forth a tiny giggle at the kiss, and nuzzled Arcana's neck softly. She gently lowered them both down, until they were lying on the blanket, cuddling in the failing evening light. She couldn't remember having been this happy for a while.
Arcana was elated. She couldn't think of a time where everything went right. She cuddled there, smiling and hugging Taffy for a while. She forgot how much time she spent cuddling.
They watched the sunset together, curled up in each other's hooves. After the sun had gone down, Taffy started to feel a bit chilly, despite the warmth provided by snuggling with Arcana. "Wanna to go find a tavern or inn or something?" Taffy asked, turning her head to look at Arcana. "Ah feel like getting a drink somewhere warm an' cheerful; preferably with a sofa or secluded nook." She added, giving Arcana a playful squeeze.
Arcana playfully squeezed back, enjoying every moment. She thought a bit and realized, "While the hotel has a nice bar connected to it, I think it would be nicer for us to find a more rustic feeling bar." She turned to Taffy and smiled, "but it's your decision," she said.
"Ah agree; Ah'm a sucker for rustic charm." Taffy said, nodding. She hated to do it, but she broke off their embrace and started packing up the hamper, getting ready to leave.
Arcana levitated what she could to try and be helpful, as she did, she noticed her mane in her face again as it's completely straightened out. she laughed, "I knew they wouldn't last."
Taffy looked back at Arcana and smiled. "Ah think ya look perfect either way." They had the picnic packed up in short order, and were soon walking through the streets on the lookout for a tavern.
Arcana looked around for the tavern, she cast a quick spell. As the spell was working it's magic, she found one a couple of blocks away, but based on where it is, it's probably expensive. She took Taffy to the tavern, she pointed to it and asked. "Is this fine, my lady?"
Taffy chuckled. "Mah lady? Ain't never been called a lady before." She looked at the tavern, and at the fancy looking ponies inside. "Ah bet there are lots of ladies in there though," She said, sceptically. She looked at Arcana apologetically. "D'ya mind if we find someplace a little more... authentic? Ah'll never be able to relax in a place like this."
"Sure," said Arcana thinking about the prices she saw. She looked again for a reliable pony and found one that looked somewhat helpful. "Excuse me," Arcana said to the earth pony. "Yes," he replied. "Do you know know of a place that has an authentic tavern feel to it," Arcana asked him.
"Hmm. You could try the Green Dragon, downtown," He suggested, pointing a hoof down the street. "It's been here since Manehatten was a small town." Taffy nodded. "Sounds promisin'," She said, looking to Arcana.
Arcana smiled and thanked him. She started walking toward the direction he pointed out and looked to make sure that Taffy was following her.
Taffy caught up with Arcana and gave her a friendly little hip-bump. Before too long they were at the Green Dragon. It was just as the pony had said; an old building to be sure, but alive with folk enjoying themselves; the perfect balance between atmospheric and overcrowded. Taffy turned to Arcana and grinned. "This is more like it."
Arcana smiled, seeing the exact type of setting she liked to sing at. She entered the Green Dragon and looked for space at the the bar or a table. Seeing a couple of spots, she gestured them to Taffy, "Your choice."
Taffy considered for a moment. "Lets get that table; little more private," She said. "Ya'll go grab it, Ah'll get our drinks. Wha'dya want?"
Arcana looked at the menu, "I think I want a good glass of wine" she said as she sat down at the table. She looked around and saw many ponies enjoying their night.
Taffy waited at the bar, and then ordered a (very reasonably priced) glass of wine and tankard of ale. She stacked the drinks and balanced them on her nose for the walk back to their table. "Here ya go," She said once she'd made it back, thankfully without incident. The table was in a sort of alcove, and had a bench seat, so she sat next to Arcana where they could look out over the rest of the Tavern together. "Cheers!" She said, raising her tankard and grinning.
Being very careful with the glass, Arcana clinked their drinks together before taking a sip of her wine. Arcana smiled then laughed getting into the spirit that was lingering here in the Green Dragon. Remembering how Taffy carried the drinks over, she had to comment, "that was an interesting trick you did." Arcana thought a bit, "did you do that in your father's bar?" she asked.
"Ayup; it's the safest way to carry multiple drinks without a tray." She tapped Arcana's horn with a hoof. "Unless you got one o' these, 'course."
