Every three years, Ponyville holds a festival celebrating beer and wine, which means this particular townwide party is going to be Spike and Twilight's first. As such, the mayor would truly appreciate it if they took an active claw and hoof in the proceedings.
Because when you're having an alcohol festival in a town populated by magically-capable individuals with dubious judgment skills, there's no possible way anything could go wrong.
...well, more wrong than usual. Or perhaps even wrong by design...
(Part of the Triptych Continuum, which has its own TVTropes page and FIMFiction group: new members and trope edits are welcome.)
Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages.
Cover art by Harwick.
Chapters (1)
I see this isn't Pinkie's kind of party
8459119
Nope. I deliberately excluded her from the proceedings. She understands the principles involved, but she wants no direct part of it. Also, as an aspect of a party mark, her alcohol tolerance is very high. Not draconian -- she can get drunk -- but it takes either a lot of extremely high alcohol content or deliberate effort.
At some point, we're going to see how they learned this.
Buggy Italics.
Thus saving his own life.
Huh. I think Rarity has a crush on one of the Princess's. And maybe a foot fetish. I'm learning lots of odd things today.
In vino veritas. I dare say that Spike has had quite enough veritas for a while. Probably three years worth...
Hail Queen Berry, Ruler of all Drunks.
Possibly stupid question: So just where was Berry Punch the entire day?
Sounds like Mac and Snowflake don't participate, which is probably very good for the property damage and disaster relief bills.
8459127
Little Spike got his claws on Twilight's alchemy kit, and drank the technical ethanol included for cleaning the test tubes?
And yeah, her attitude is perfect.
Found a typo
8459127
And apparently wants to wear Spike's skin.
Which as it naturally comes off in large chunks isn't as creepy as it could be, but still...
Well, it is another classic Estee tale, with his usual style. Read and thumbed up as usual.
Special mention to one of your lines, which drove me to comment.
I believe that this is probably the most romantic line you have ever written. I don't even care for romance, but the line struck me deeply. Well done.
EDIT: Rereading it, wouldn't it be "He knew she did" instead? Regardless, it still is a nice line.
8459585
*sigh* It's supposed to be the latter, and that is what I get for posting after that many hours of composition. Of all the typos to slip by... *resigh* Fixed.
This was hilarious.
I liked the idea of Mayor Mare getting the most dangerous
unicornalicorn out of the party and doing it by giving ger a genuine responsibility was genius, because given a responsibility, Twilight will follow it by nature. I wonder if it was her idea or Miranda's.No corkscrews in Equestria? Or just none to hoof?
8459687
I believe they were referring to the cork in a barrel of ale. Hammered home prior to fermentation, and pried out when it's time to drink.
Estee puh-lease.
That ending.....a classic!!!
8459649
One thing: do I need prior knowledge of Triptych to gain full enjoyment of this, or not?
I'm asking because I tend to ignore massive AUs, which 'Continuums' always seem to be, due to just how much changed lore and events there are to canon (it feels the same as jumping into DC/Marvel comic books - so many references to past battles and other characters I just won't understand).
An entirely reasonable reaction on Twilight's part at this stage of her relationship with the Mayor.
Fascinating to see Rarity lobby for Spike like that. It could just be friendly indignation, but she may have an ulterior motive for wanting him on the judges' panel. Especially given the story description. Guess I'll have to keep reading.
I do wish I had a copy of the photo of Cadet Sparkle. Or the art skills to make one.
Oh, this is going to be good.
Interesting concepts for pegasus brewing processes. A shame both result in Everclear. Though it does remind me of the "peach brandy" my uncle in Florida made one Christmas. The rest of us were fairly certain he'd thrown a single peach into the vat of fermenting corn.
Spike is an amazing oenologist.
It is terribly unfair to start here, transition to grief, and then end on a fascinating moment that's just vague enough to present any number of possibilities.
That Rarity scene. So much said. So much unsaid. Excellent balancing of the two.
In all, it's certainly a lot healthier than the Purge, though some livers might disagree. A fantastic exploration of the hidden depths of equinity, with a powerful blend of comedy, drama, insight into the sapient condition, and vanillin. Thank you for it.
8459122
Hmm. It's almost a shame. If anyone were to ever introduce cotton candy vodka to Equestria...
8459772
Not really. Most of the Triptych continuum stays as close to cannon as possible. As this fic is not a direct sequel, you need no prior knowledge.
Also drunk ponies are great. I would love to go to a Ponyville party.
WOAH.
Rarity's remembering Cut Clarity, whatever. But her phrasing... so many misunderstandings! LOL! Sweetie as Rarity's daughter refs!
That ending! LOL!
Fluttershy! Well, she's more social! Who was manning that booth?
And Flitter's sorta less abrasive when she's drunk?? Or at least she laughs...
Typos:
nutritional needs are different from our own
pegasus were > pegasai were / pegasus was
Festival > the Festival [?]
It just figures that the most lightweight race of all has by far the most potent alcohol. xD
Also, Applejack was hilarious. Is that how she really sees Rainbow Dash, huh? Ah well, amongst friends, that might as well be a compliment. In true Wonderbolt-spirit, too. ;D
that part about Spike being immune to alcohol made me think of this cartoon:
https://erictheblue.deviantart.com/art/Hot-Stuff-Part-1-394634306
(Spike judges a chili contest)
wow. she can not only tell that it was a unicorn running into a wall, she can tell what type of WOOD the wall is made of?
reminds me (again) of that scene in the book "m.y.t.h. inc. link" by Robert Asprin where someone is listening to a bar-room brawl and identifying the sounds:
that was a table being knocked over...
that was a chair being broken over someone's head...
(i say "again" because i made a similar comment about a scene in "a total eclipse of the fun")
8459754
Some minor expansion of comment detail may be required.
Berry Punch is the hero Ponyville deserves.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2014/5/21/632540__safe_artist-colon-mysticalpha_berry+punch_berrybetes_bowl_cute_dancing_do+a+little+shake_drunk_punch+bowl_solo_table_table+dancing.jpeg
Festival!
https://youtu.be/ao9Wxov9lQM
Fantasic. I very much enjoy seeing you do Spike-centric stories occasionally.
I felt a certain kinship, actually, since alcohol never was anything that ever appealed (I can count the number of times I've imbibed it on the fingers of one hand, and none of them particularly willingly and never in any quantity. I don't pub, either, since I don't particulalry want to around drunk people - I like inhibitions nice and raised, personally.
8459687
Ooh. Good point. I'd missed that. Smart move, major, smart move.
Soo.... this is "The Binge", instead of "The Purge"?
8459737
Truely, you learn something new every day. Thank you.
EDIT: Coincidentally, White Lightening is also a brand of Cider in the UK, originally ... famed ... for cheapness and relatively high strength.
orig00.deviantart.net/c663/f/2017/224/1/a/raritys_crazy_for_spike_by_hillbe-dbjudse.jpg
7/10: Not enough shrubbery seduction.
It's an interesting Spike story and would like to see another like this one. You also handle drunk speach very well.
It did give a good view of the various relation between the people of Ponyville and what's hidden under the illusion of normalcy.
I would say that there was a lack of pony getting fresky and hooking up because of the alcohol and I was sad of not seeing more of Fluttershy antic but it was a good story.
But what happened to Pinky Pie?
And will you do anther one for three year later? You could cover Maude Pie, Starlight, Luna, a visiting Sunburst, Cranky and Matilda, Discord, etc. A lot of side characters left to be explored while they are drunk.
8460397
Yes exactly! That's what was missing.
8459288
I bet the only reason that the cool-off period is three years instead of thirty is that nopony/griffon/'taur/dog/zebra is mad enough to brew and distil something made from Seeds of Truth...
Where was Pinkie Pie?
8459772
This particular story does not use any non-canon information which it doesn't reveal immediately. Same is true for most other Triptych-related stories. To sum it up: Spike was raised by Twilight's family (which are lesser noblilty) and is legally her brother; Flower Ponies are conspiracy nuts; most ponies live in safe "settled zones" while most of Equestria is wild like toned-down Everfree; Mane 6 are constantly near-broke; political situation in Equestria is complcated; Applejack has a big secret which she will never tell.
8461010
Okay, thank you for the summary!
OK, one question. When Applejack asked if Spike had seen "her," and Time Turner asked if he'd seen "her" (on rereading, it's possible "your sister" was not the referent, but it's still ambiguous), did they mean the same pony? Presumably the one with the last line?
8461010
While it's possible I've missed it (I'm waiting for Triptych to finish at which point I will binge it) but I don't recall Estee ever especially addressing Rainbow and Pinkie's financial situations. Whatever disposable income Pinkie has is probably taken by party supplies but Rainbow has a) a steady job, b) relatively inexpensive hobbies compared to say Twilight and c) no dependents except for Tank (and tortoises aren't noted for being particularly high maintenance) and d) no major debts such as Rarity's business loans.
Which suggests that barring poor money habits Rainbow should be in a position of relative financial security.
But peanut butter's always on tap.
8459687
Because you don't want getting drunk and hiccupping herself right through the between. Her appearing in Luna's room is one of the better possibilities. Her causing recoil, or appearing a hoof's-breadth above lava, are... well...
8461253
In the Triptych universe:
Rainbow has a steady income, but poor money management skills and impulse spending.
Rarity has a fluctuating income and a mortgage.
Fluttershy owns her cottage outright, but feeding and caring for her animals keeps her broke. Ponies also tend to skip out on paying bills from her.
Applejack' farm pays in proportion to the amount of work put in, and Big Mac is good with the family accounts.
Pinky has a steady income, and always seems to have exactly as much money as she needs, but never a penny more.
Twilight has a research grant, income from spell improvements, articles to magical publications, and a wage as the librarian. Magical research is expensive, however.
Spike gets an allowance he feels should be higher.
I'd quit drinking for a period of three years, and during that time my friends kept inviting me to parties. It was brutal being there, watching everyone else get hammered and start laughing at the dumbest jokes.
I said all that to say this: Spike, I feel your pain.
This is deliciously good!
I can conCIDER making some RUM in my favorites to add this story.
That part with Fluttershy and Harry the BEER really cracked me up!
Poor Twilight, small as a VINE. You can say she is PINT sized! So nice to see her CHUG her role with dignity!
Poor Spike, this experience sure was HAMMERED into his brain.
Applejack vs Big Mac. Sis vs Brew. Ale in a day's work, I suppose.
To those that don't have a taste for this, please don't WINE!
All kidding aside, I really enjoyed it.
8460112
THIS!
8459980
Just. Please. Take all my likes.
8460769
Discord couldn't get drunk; he's the physical representation of a drug hallucination as it is. He'd have to fake it.
8462228
Fair enough, this is a valid point.
Well this was...extremely detailed. Very well in character and a lot of fun. But at lot of it went over my head and made me confused, it was a little to vague but it's your writing. I liked it, although it was a bit confusing.
"inhales"
The heck was this? Vamponies? Zomponies? Thestrals? Ghosts? Fae?
Estee, you can't just leave us hanging. At least tell me.
8460019
Oh yeah! Berry's the MVP of the day. I bet she didn't even get tipsy.
I bet that’s pretty much what is happening. If drunk earth ponies behave anything like drunk pegasi and drunk unicorns, then every sober earth pony in Ponyville must have spent the entire day screaming “NO!” at the top of their mental lungs to keep their drunk kin from doing anything visible.