> A Bit For Our Thoughts
>  by Cuber Snuggles
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> I know some ponies (Introduction)
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Well, you don't know why, but you're here, in a bar, about to make a bad decision. But why not? Life has done you wrong! You've lost everything! Your job, your house, even your spouse! It's not fair! You have every right to drink away the pain. At least, that's what you're supposed to do, right? Shaking your head, you try your best to push back the memories, after all, that's what you're here to do, right?

"Here you go," The bartender, a well dressed earth pony stallion, passed you your drink. But instead of what you wanted, which was a bottle of beer, you received a cup of water. Before you could protest against the bartender, he simply nodded his head to the left, indicating the gray unicorn stallion a couple seats from you. "It's on him." He said in a monotone manner.

"I noticed you order a beer, so I did you a favor by replacing it with a cup of water," The stallion to your left said as he turn to face you. He was wearing a trench coat that covered his body, a little wrist watch, and a fedora.  "It's easier on the liver." He removed his fedora, revealing his black mane with red highlights, his square glasses sitting on his nose, and a horn to boot.

All you did was mumble to yourself about how hard it was to get a drink around here, and tried getting the bartender's attention so you can receive your original order, but your hoof was surrounded by a blue magic arora. You give the unicorn an angry glance, but all he did was smile back.

"Look, I may not be the best at predictions, but you don't need a psychic to see that you're making a major mistake." The unicorn gave you your hoof back.

As you rubbed your hoof like it needed comforting, you gave the unicorn a sad look, before just dropping your​ head to the counter's surface. Making a soft 'thud' as your head made contact with the hard wooden surface.

"You see, I may have never been in your position, but I have ran into ponies like you before." Said the unicorn as he moved a couple of seats closer so he could sit next to you.

You glanced up at the unicorn in confusion. What did he mean by 'more ponies like you'? You're pretty sure that you're all alone in this boat. You feel alone. But, curiosity got the better of you, so you adjust your head to listen to what the unicorn had to say.

The unicorn looked at you with a hint of concern on his face "Before we continue, let's introduce ourselves, shall we? I'm Cyber Silver, but you can call me Silver."

Cyber Silver stretched his hoof out for a shake, so you did. After you tell him your name he takes off​ his coat and hung it around his chair using his magic. He also removed his hat and set on the counter. Maybe this isn't a good idea.

"Well, you see, I'd be lying if I said I've never dealt with hardship, but I managed, and so can you."

You gave Silver an even more confused look, he notices that, so he gains a thoughtful look on his face. Oh no, he's going to tell a story, isn't he?

"Well, let me tell you a story."

Called it.

Silver looked up towards the ceiling, as if it could help him remember something. Oddly enough, it did. How could you tell? Well he made a sigh of remembrance before turning back to you.

A small smile spread across his face "For this story, I'll need to set back the clock back when I was a young colt..."

Well, you're in for it now. You mentally prepare yourself for the upcoming lecture about some strangers foalhood.

Just before he could begin, a beeping noise came from his watch. He took a glance at and frowned. "Ah, it appears that I have to be on my way."

You ask him if you'll ever see him again.

He gave you a friendly smile "Well of course, I live in this town after all! But unfortunately, I'm going on a business trip to Canterlot. The fifth annual inventors fair is being held there." He chuckled softly "In fact, I was going to tell you the story of my first invention, but my train leaves in eight minutes," He put his hat and coat back on "so I'll save that for another day."

Why was he talking to you? You're no pony special. And why was he at a bar if he doesn't drink? All these questions made your head spin.

"This is possibly the friendliest place you'll ever find in all of Equestria! So make some friends. Makes me wonder why they'd build a bar here..." He mumbled that last bit under his breath. He started walking towards the exit "Oh, and before I forget, welcome to Pony ville!" And with that, he left.

As you watched him leave, you couldn't help but wonder why he said 'welcome to Ponyville'. You know where you are. Or do you? Stop double guessing yourself! You have a drink to finish...oh, that's right, Silver bought you a cup of water. You decide it's not worth the bits to buy another drink, you're no longer in a drinking mood. You sigh as you get up to leave, hoping that tomorrow night you could try again.

Little do you know, somepony else will be waiting for you.
> Ice cream for three.
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So, here you are again. Back in that same seat you were on yesterday. Or was it last month? Last week? It doesn't matter how long it's been, as long as you can drink something hard.

You prepare yourself to ask the bartender for a drink. But before you could open your mouth you were cut of by a voice from behind you.

“So you're back, uh?”

You slowly turn around expecting to see that Cyber Silver fella you saw from your previous visit, but instead your eyes land on a different pony before you, and...is that a child?

The pony that spook was a green, pegasus stallion with a messy, dirty blonde mane and tail. And the filly is a grey, earth pony with a nicer looking white mane and tail with blue tips. The former had a smug look in his eyes with an equally smug face, while the latter had wide, curious, emerald eyes.

You ask the green one his name and how he knows who you are. (You also decide to keep quiet about the little filly for now.)

“I'm a friend of Cyber, a close friend at that. He told me about his encounter with you; at the train station. As for my name, you can call me Buckethead for now. That's what everyone calls me around here because of my cutie mark.” he turned his flank to show his cutie mark of a helmet.

You make a remark about bringing the kid to a bar.

Buckethead gave you an odd look before a brief twinge of realization flashed across his face which was quickly replaced by his smug smile “Ah, you are new here, aren't you? This is an ice cream bar after all.”

It took you a second before you face hoofed at the new information. How could you miss such a important detail? You sighed as you sulked down into your set while the filly slipped past Buckethead and approached your side.

“Hello, my name is Goal Kick! What's your name?” She said with excitement.

Now that she wasn't behind Buckethead you could get a better look at the filly. She had a soccer ball cutie mark on her flank, and her tail was shorter for a foal her age. But then again you aren't sure what her age is.

Anyways you tell her you name and ask her how she's doing. You might be trying to get drunk, but you know how to behave around children. Probably your only redeeming quality.

“I'm doing fine, thankyou!” She ran the last two words together out of excitement. Maybe because this is an ice cream bar and she wants some? She quickly whips her head around towards Buckethead “can we order some ice cream now?”

You called it.

Buckethead sighs out of amusement “Yes, Kid, we can order ice cream.” He said with a smile.

Goal Kick gave a quick hiss under her breath, probably saying 'yesssss’ or something similar.

Buckethead chuckled “Go wash your hooves. Do you know what flavor you want?” He asked Goal Kick.

“Vanilla!” She shouted as she ran to what you assume is the mare's room.

You watch the filly run for a good two seconds before turning your head back to the countertop​ and start mumbling under your breath for no reason but to mumble.

“So what flavor do you want?”

This simple question breaks you out of your trance. Is he offering you ice cream? What have you've done to deserve such a treat? You don't deserve it. You feel like you don't deserve anything. You look up at him with confusion before returning to your sulking.

You barely catch a glimpse of Buckethead from the corner of your eye. And you see in his eyes…is that empathy? He looks genuinely empathetic towards you.

“Hey. I've seen those eyes before.” He said, taking a seat next to you.

You say he must met a lot of losers.

His head tilted to the side slightly for whatever reason “What? No, I've met a lot of friends, and...my daughter.”

Now you're interested. Your ears perked up and 6ou look back up at him, this time with curiosity. You motion for him to continue.

“When she was younger her parents went….mising; nopony knows what happened. Anyways, she was orphaned and had no one to take care of her, and the local orphanage was closing down so she was going to a different one all the way in manehattan, all her friends lived here in Ponyville. She was depressed and sui—”

You raised your hoof to cut him off before he could finish that last word. You've heard it before. Heck, you've seen it before. Your friend lived it. Part of the reason you're here.

He gave a nervous giggled “Hehe, sorry. Tmi as the kids would say! Anyways, I adopted her and she moved in with me. At first it was rocky, but with time her wounds mostly healed. It's a miracle she's improved as much as she has!” He said with pride. No doubt in the fact that he helped in that process.

The lucky kid. Your friend wasn't lucky enough to have someone take care of him. He was stuck with you. And you know how that turned out. Bad.

You once again returned to sulking once again, but it was interrupted by Goal Kick returning to the two of you. Either she took a long time or you had a quick conversation. Regardless you were ready to call it a night.

“So, what flavor?” He asked again

Right...Ice cream. You tell him that you do feel like it and you just want to leave.

He put his hoof around your neck in a playful manner “Nonsense! There's always time for ice cream! Now, what flavor?”

He’s presistent alright. Maybe even stubborn. You sigh in defeat as you tell him what flavor you would like.

The bartender passed out the three bowls of ice cream to all of you. You got the flavor you wanted while Goal Kick received the vanilla she wanted, and Buckethead got cookies and cream. You all ate your ice cream at a leisurely pace. Well, except for Goal Kick who ate hers at a much quicker pace.

After everyone finished Buckethead and Goal Kick made their leave while you decide to hang behind for a minute to try to process what the heck just happened. Did...did you just have a good time?