When I woke up the next morning I felt a fuzzy feeling creeping over me; feelings of disorientation and confusion. Then I realized I was being snuggled into somepony sleeping in front of me.
They felt so soft against my face, their mane draped over me. They smelt nice, like faint flowers with a hint of caramel. It nearly re-intoxicated me back into a lulling sleep. Then I realized that the fur and and smell belonged to somepony, who's dainty long thin forelegs were wrapped over my shoulders. Only one pony it could be.
Tea Rose.
As I was jumping unconsciously back out of her grasp, her eyes fluttering open. "Oopsies!" she said, "I thought you were a pillow!
I blushed furiously. "W-what am I doing here?!"
"Oh yeah... you got pretty drunk last night and forgot where you were staying, so I had you stay with me for the night. I would have just had you take the bed while I slept on the couch but..." her face began to get a pink flush. "You were very persistent that you didn't want to sleep alone."
As I wondered what other propositions I had made last night in drunken desperation, Rose got up and trotted over to a mirror with a yawn, sitting down and brushing out her mane as if it was routine. "Tea Rose..." I said.
"Hmm?"
"What's your special talent?"
Tea Rose paused. "Well, my cutiemark is a Rose in the shape of a teacup..."
"Yeah, but I mean what does it mean, how did you get it?"
She looked down. "To be honest... I don't remember."
"You don't remember? Getting your cutiemark is a pretty memorable event in your foalhood..."
Her voice hallowed. "I don't remember a lot of my foalhood."
I decided not to pry any further into the matter, and instead proceed with something else I had been pondering. "How long have you been visiting here?"
"N-not long!" she jumped.
"Rose..."
"Okay... a long while. Satisfied?"
I was confused. "How?"
"I've been working for Miss. Cinnamon."
"Who's Miss. Cinnamon?"
She glanced away. "If you really want to know... she's...", she paused, "O-on second thought, you should head home. Somepony must be worried about you... right?"
"Worried?" Then it hit me. "Shit!"
I put my jacket on and found Zian's purse. Rose sat and watched me leave. I paused in the doorway and glanced over my shoulder to her. "Hey, um... if you need me I'm staying at room 19 in block B for the next couple days... if you need me."
She smiled. "Thanks, Autumn."
I walked out of the bar and strolled down the streets of Stone Whooves and was greeted by the sun's rays. All signs pointed to it being a good day.
All signs except my intuition.