Wasted Hours

by Closer-To-The-Sun

Chapter 1: Get It Together

Chapter 1: Get It Together

Princess Luna’s moon began to rise over Equestria while her sister’s sun finished setting, signaling the end of the working day for all of the ponies in Ponyville. Stallions and mares took to the streets of the town and headed their separate ways. Some headed home for the evening while others went elsewhere to gather with friends. This included five certain residents.

“Come on, Shining Armor, we’re going to be late if you don’t pick up your hooves!” a small purple dragon edged on as he walked through the crowed streets of Ponyville.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” the white unicorn stated, catching up with the reptile, “You sure they won’t mind me tagging along with you, Spike? I mean, it’s not like I know them like you do.”

Spike turned around and walked backwards as he replied, “Sure, I’m sure! You’re like a big brother to me, so I’m positive they won’t mind ya hanging out with us!”

Shining Armor wasn’t convinced, “But I don’t want to stick out and be awkward.”

“Come on, you’ll be fine! Besides, it’ll just be like when you are with your buddies in the Royal Guard,” Spike assured as he turned back around and kept moving forward. Shining Armor tried to rebuttal, but was too busy trying to catch up to the small dragon.

After maneuvering their way through the streets filled with other ponies, Spike and Shining Armor arrived at their destination, the Salt Lick.

The white unicorn was puzzled, “You guys meet here?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“Isn’t the drinking age for ponies at least 21?” Shining Armor asked.

Spike paused for a moment, “I’m a dragon.” With that statement, he entered the tavern with Shining following behind.

Upon entering the establishment, the ripe smell of alcohol filled both of their lungs. Spike gagged slightly at the sudden scent before continuing deeper in with Shining following close. The lighting of the tavern was fairly dim, but it was still a warm and welcoming environment for all the ponies and other creatures.

“Ah, there they are, near the wall!” Spike called out, waving his claw in the air to get the attention of his comrades. They raised a hoof to acknowledge him as he scurried over. “Sorry, I’m late. The streets were packed.”

Catching up with his sister’s assistant, Shining Armor looked to see three stallions seated around the table. One of them was a very big and muscular red stallion with orange-ish hair. To the right of him was a tan colt with a chocolate brown mane that seemed to almost the complete opposite of the pony he was seated next to. Lastly, there was a light blue unicorn with a frizzled mane.

“It’s quite fine, Spike,” the red stallion spoke in a low voice, “Whose yer friend, ya got there?”

Spike noticed that Shining Armor finally made it over to the table, “Oh, right! Guys, this is Twilight’s brother, and kind of mine as well, Shining Armor!”

Sheepishly, he greeted the other stallions, “H-Hey.”

To the white unicorn, it felt as if the other ponies were examining him from his hooves to his horn and back again. He felt as if they would pick out any and all minor aspects about him and use it to mock him, whether it be his size or the tint of blue his mane was. To the unicorn’s surprise, however, they seemed completely welcoming of him.

“Hey, welcome to the group, newbie!” the tan colt was the first to speak after an eternity of silence in Shining Armor’s opinion, “I’m Caramel. This colt next to me is Big Macintosh. Just call him Big Mac.” The red stallion nodded as his name was mentioned, taking a drink from his mug.

“And I’m Pokey Pierce. What do you drink, Shining Armor?” the fellow unicorn asked with a welcoming smile.

“Oh, ale if they have it.”

“Got it, and the usual for you, Spike?” Pokey asked as he was about to trot away.

“Yup, a Shirley Trople for me!” the dragon spoke proudly as he took a seat at the table.

Shining Armor sat down and was still a little hesitant to say or do anything.

Big Mac noticed the tenseness in the unicorn, “Ya can relax, Shinin’ Armor. Ain’t no reason ta get worked up.”

“Yeah,” Spike chimed in, “We’re all just friends here having a good time.”

“Alright….well, what do you guys do here?” he asked.

Caramel was the first to reply, “We usually meet once or twice a month to just meet and hang out. Talk about what’s going and all kinds of stuff.”

“I see,” Shining remarked, still trying to understand the group.

Pokey returned with the other drinks. He levitated the drinks to their rightful owners and sat down. “So,” he began, “whose going to go first this time?”

“How about you, Pokey?” Spike suggested, “Things have to have gotten better after last time we met.”

“Yeah, how are things goin’ fer ya?” Big Mac asked.

Taking a sip of his drink and letting out an unusual sound that came from drinking his bittersweet liquor, he started, “Well, I guess my luck is getting better. I still have my ups and downs”

“Come on, you can’t have worse luck than Caramel here!” Spike interrupted.

Caramel jokingly joined in, “Yeah, come on!”

“Eeyup, he’s broken things by looking at them,” Big Mac added.

“Well, kinda….” the tan stallion tried to defend himself.

“He even tripped downhill by just trotting slowly!” Spike laughed aloud.

“Okay, I think he gets the point, guys!” Caramel was obviously annoyed, “Continue, please.”

Pokey resumed, chuckling a bit, “Heh, well on the bright side, I do have a steady job now. I’m working at Sugarcube Corner.”

“The bakery?” Shining Armor asked, “I thought you looked familiar, I saw you earlier this morning.”

Pokey nodded, “Yup, that’s when my shifted started this morning. It’s not exactly a job I thought I’d really enjoy doing, but hey, I love working their everyday.”

“Haha, you’re just saying that because of Pinkie Pie!” Spike blurted out as he took a drink of his cocktail.

Pokey sheepishly smiled at the dragon’s comment, causing him to laugh more.