As Celestia lowered the sun. Luna replaced it with the moon. It only took Ms. Pie 10 minutes to clean up the party. You have to admire that mare’s attention to detail. After everything was back to being a farm the mares took the children into the house.
“Come along gents,” Rock hoof announced, “While the ladies put the foals down for the evening let us be off to the pub. Cider maybe great, but I need a good pint of Ms. Punch’s ale to quench my thirst. Who's with me?
Surprisingly Gadot and Party Favor were the first to yell ‘YEAH'.
Star Tracker an Sunburst were against the idea.
“Actually guys thanks but that's ok,” said Sunburst.
“Y-yeah, I think Twilight might get mad if I drink to much,” said Star Tracker.
“Not to worry boys,” said Hondo smacking both on there backs, “me and the boys won't let nothing happen to you. Besides last time Gadot came home drunk Sweetie had him on the couch for a month.”
“Thanks for reminding me sir,” Gadot said in a low grumble.
I let out a low chuckle. Thinking back to the last time I was drunk.
8 years ago
I was in a small town north of Trottingham. Chapman, it was called. A town where corn and potato farms were basically the only thing you saw for miles. Of course with so much corn, grain liquor was also a major source of money in this town. I had found out through a reliable source that most farmers were using slave labor for tending crops and other unmentionable things. I also heard that once a fillie came of age she was forced into marriage with the farmer or one of his sons.
Because Chapman was in a valley nestled between two mountain ranges it wasn't an ideal place to visit. So slavery, sex, forced marriage, and home brewed alcohol thrived in this city without the world none the wiser.
I was here because of a set of twins. Starnight and Sunbright was their names. Apparently the leader of the town, a stallion by the name of Fat Bastion always wanted twins to play with. Sure enough on Tinker’s list were the two Bastion was looking for.
My mission get into Chapman, find and rescue the twins, and confirm the rumors of active slavery in the area. Easy peasy.
Apple Bloom and myself trotted in as travelers looking for a thrill. Of coarse Bloom hated the whole thing. Mainly because I made her look like a colt. In certain cases I couldn't let Bloom go in as a mare. It could cause more problems than we could handle.
As we walked into town Bloom and I made our way to the local pub. Once inside no one paid us any attention. It wasn't hard to find Fat Bastion. Three times bigger than a pony wearing a traditional kilt and yelling at the barmaid.
“Oi, barmaid my ale’s getting lo’. Aye thinks aye be needin’s a refill,” said Stallion.
Seeing Fat was in a festive mood I knew the perfect way to get what info I needed from him. Get him drunk off his arse then find out all the info I need.
What I thought would be some heavy drinking and interrogation turned into a drinking contest.
He pulled out a jug called 'Luna’s plot'.
“You could either take a swig of this or lick Luna's plot. Which ever you pick you'll be on your back seeing stars when you're done.”
Long story short, I lost, Bloom yelled at me, Fat confided in me, I rescued….actually Bloom rescued the twins, and the royal guards lead by princess Luna rescued all ponies involved with the slave trade. From what I heard the princess had a halt put on all production of ‘Luna's plot hole’ and confiscated all the crates.
After that my drinking days were reserved for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. Until now.
So we all entered the bar. A mare with a plum coat, raspberry pink mane and tail, and a cutie mark of a bunch of grapes and a strawberry greeted us.
“Welcome to the Ponyville Pub. Please come in and find a seat.”
As we all sat down the barmaid came over and took our orders. Hondo, Rock Hoof, Star Tracker, and Godot ordered beers. Blood Moon had a Bloody Mary. Party Favor and Cat Tail had Apple Jack Daniels and coke. Sunburst had a club soda. Myself of course, a long island iced tea. When Rock saw my drink he started laughing.
“Here you are making fun of Sunburst for his teetotaling and yet you're the one drinking tea.”
Before I took a drink I slid it over to Rock and told him, “ before you placate your palate with that Pony Pub Pilsner try this.”
He took a healthy swig. Downing half the glass and trying not to cough.
“What's in that?” he asked.
Before I could say anything Ms. Punch stepped in.
“Equal parts vodka, gin, rum, triple sec, with 1 1⁄2 parts sour mix and a splash of cola.”
I allowed Rock to finish the glass and I ordered another one for myself.
With the first round already down the part of this male bonding I feared finally came up. Rock turned to Sunburst.
“So tell me lad, how does a scholar such as you find the time to woo and bed two fine lasses?”
Sunburst looked up, adjusted his glasses.
“I-it really wasn't meant to happen like that. Trixie wanted a child and Starlight was afraid after what happened with Morning Star. So once Trixie gave me the news she was pregnant we all celebrated. Unfortunately me and Starlight celebrated a little too much. When Starlight found out she was pregnant her first thought was to kill me. Instead she bought an inhibitor ring for herself and told me to promise to never drink again.”
“Wow that's deep,” said Cat Tail.
There was a moment of silence and Rock hoof gave a light pat on the back to Star Tracker. Everyone there knew the story of his oldest daughter Morning Star and how he and Twilight had to deal with it.
Trying to be the morale officer, Rock started up the conversation.
“So, um Cat Tail tell me how did you and Fluttershy get together?”
“Well, it's not that big of a story. When Meadowbrook came back Fluttershy and her friend Zecora would make a trip at least twice a month to swap stories and work on potions. It took me some time to build up some courage to finally ask Fluttershy out on a date. When she said yes I think at that moment I fell in love and the rest is history.”
“Ok, so that's about as romantic as two sea slugs in a fish tank,” said Party Favor.
Everyone laughed except for Cat Tail. He grumbled while taking a drink. Now Rock Hoof was looking at me.
“Now Pin Point, from what Apple Jack tells me you and Apple Bloom got married over a song in Las Pegasus. Is that true?”
I could feel over a dozen eyes staring at me. Even the barmaid was listening in.
“It's kinda true,” I said.
“Ok you have to give us details,” yelled Hondo.
6 years ago
After another unsuccessful rescue of a fillie out by Horseshoe Bay. Apparently being stuck with your abuser long enough makes the pain feel like love. Unfortunately a strong case of Stockhorse syndrome will cause that. Also being 21 when found. After informing the local authorities me and Bloom were on our way back to Whinny city. Bloom was looking over files for our next case. Then I realized that Bloom's birthday was coming up and she would be 21. Memories took me back to when I first saw her. Badly bruised, swollen eye covered with makeup, and a chipped tooth. Yet through all the pain the look in her eyes said it all, ‘i will get home no matter what’. Now time has passed and the mare before me has grown into a beau…….
“Take a picture. It will last longer,” she said.
I shook my head, “what?”
Bloom put down the file and looked at me.
“You've been staring at me for the last 10 minutes. What's on your mind Pin?”
“Nothing.”
I was lying. The thought of lying to her was stupid but I couldn't muster up the courage to tell her what was really bothering me. Seeing the mare in Horseshoe Bay made me wonder.
“Pin.”
What would've happen if I found Bloom to late?
“Pin?”
What if her will was broken and I couldn't rescue her?
“PIN!”
“YES!”
“You know my sister is the element of honesty and she showed me techniques on how to detect if somepony is lying. So trying to lie or hide info from me is not in your best interest.”
She's right over the years her ability to detect a liar has been a great asset. So I can't hide the truth anymore.
“Bloom after that clusterbuck in Horseshoe Bay I realized something. I have been treating you like a slave since we partnered up.”
Bloom looked like somepony just slapped her.
“What the buck are you talking about?”
“I rescued you from your slaver, took you home, allowed you to come with me and done nothing but changed you for my purposes.”
“What?”
“I show you the dark side of equestria and beyond. Even using you as a pawn in some of my risky plans.”
“I was the one who told you to change your accent to help me on my cases.”
“I am the one who has dragged you everywhere without any input from you.
“To sum it all up. I molded you into what I wanted a mare to be to achieve MY goals in the end without your consent or input.”
Bloom lowered her head and sighed.
“You're right, it would seem that I am the slave and you the master. However, no matter how risky the plan I never worried.”
“Dealing with sophisticated ponies and other species required somepony willing to play the role.”
“You think you dragged me everywhere. Silly boy, who do you think picked out the cases. Who do you think made the reservation, took care of expenses, and made it all go down without a hitch?”
“Yes I have changed. For the mission, for me, and because of you as well.”
Bloom got out of her seat and moved over next to me. She put her hoof on mine and smiled up at me. I smiled back and we sat there being close to each other. Just then there was a loud noise. Sounded like an explosion.
“What was that,” we both yelled.
Looking out we could see the engine was on fire and the train was slowing. The conductor came into the cabin and made an announcement.
“Mares and stallions, we are having technical problems. So seeing how Las Pegasus is only 5 miles away we have sent word to have a fleet of taxis to take you to the station. Another train is there ready to continue to all points east.”
I had an idea.
“Bloom, what say we stop in Pegasus for a few days? You know, seeing how your birthday is tomorrow.”
Bloom only took a second to decide.
“YES!”
It took about 40 minutes to get to the station. Once there Bloom and I requisitioned the cab and rode on into town. It was still midday so the strip just looked so bland. Walking down we found a hotel called the Pony Palm Inn. Walking in we see a grey haired mare sitting at the desk crocheting a scarf for her dog. We asked for a room, paid the lady, grabbed the keys, and went upstairs. Once in the room Bloom flopped on the bed to take a nap. While she slept I took a shower. All that traveling I needed one. After drying off I sat on the bed watching Bloom sleep. Now Bloom and myself have shared hotel rooms before and I never paid the way she slept no mind. Yet this time I was so fixed on how she looked right then. I never noticed the slight smile on her face. The way her barrel raised and lowered. A few strands of her mane were tickling her nose. Using my hoof I moved the strand and touched her cheek. She let out a pleasurable moan and slightly opened her eyes.
“I told you take a picture.”
I just smiled at her.
“Shower’s open.”
Bloom got off the bed, popped a few joints, and went to the shower. While she showered I went over to my bags. Tonight would be a special night for her so I needed to look my best. So dress shirt of red, bowtie of black, and evening jacket of black. Slicked back the mane, smooth out the tail, and a splash of Draken Noir.
Bloom came out the shower. A towel wrapped around her head. She took one look at me sniffed the air.
“Wow, haven't seen you wear that since Apple Wood. So what's the plan for this evening?”
“Well I figured dinner first then a show. I hear Sapphire Shores and Coloratura are in town. After that just walk down the strip and see what trouble we can get into.”
-----------------------------
Celestia had just lowered the sun and Luna casted a perfect moon. Me and Bloom were walking to a 4 star restaurant that the lady at the front desk recommended. We almost passed up the place because my concentration was lost on what Bloom was wearing. She wore a black dress with a slit on the side that almost showed off her cutie mark. Her makeup was flawless. I guess years of working with me and playing different roles pays off. Her signature red bow was gone. Now her red hair braided and caressing her left shoulder. All that and the fragrance of cherry vanilla perfume floating through the air. I was only knocked out of my trance with a boop to the nose.
“Wake up silly we're here.”
We were standing at ‘My Blue Heaven’ restaurant. We went in and was immediately seated. We both had a roasted vegetable medley with mango salsa. A glass of champagne (Bloom’s first). It was adorable how she laughed when the bubbles tickled her nose. Then dessert, two slices of Dutch apple pie a-la-mode.
After dinner we made our way to the show. I can say Sapphire Shore was amazing. Bloom never took her eyes off the stage the whole night. Which was perfect. I was able to walk over to a waitress and slip her a note and tell her to give it to Sapphire.
“Ok hold on for a minute mares and stallions. I just received a note that somepony is celebrating their 21st birthday today. Now where is Apple Bloom.”
At the moment of hearing her name she turned and looked at me.
“Pin, you didn't.”
I just shrugged my shoulders. A spotlight shined on Bloom and Sapphire called her up on stage. Sapphire did a verse of the birthday song, posed for a picture with Bloom, then continued with the concert.
After the show we were walking down the strip.
“So birthday girl where to next.”
Bloom looked around for a minute and saw it. A bar called ‘The Golden Bridle’. Right under the neon sign it said karaoke contest. So grabbing my hoof we made our way over. Bloom wasted no time signing us both up. Now one thing that should be known is that I can't sing. Luckily for me 8 out of the 20 contestants couldn't either. Mostly the alcohol stole their voices. Bloom went up next to last. I have heard Bloom hum a tune or sing under her breath trying to hide her voice. This was the first time I heard Bloom put everything into a song. It was a slow country ballad but I was simply blown away by how she sounded. Once she was done and all the applause calmed down she walked back over to me. I was staring at her mouth wide open. She took her hoof and closed my mouth.
“Silly pony, I told you take a picture.”
She kissed me on the cheek and walked by me. A swish of her tail hit me on the nose bringing me back to reality. The last mare was now on stage and I couldn't care less. The song kept running through my head. Bloom's smile, kiss, the tail which had a hint of her perfume. I turned to say something but got drowned out by.
“And this evening winner is Apple Bloom.”
A few pictures a lot of congratulations and a 500 bit prise later we were outside the bar.
“So Pin what's next?”
I turned and kissed her as passionately as I could. At first it caught her off guard but then she melted into it.
“Marry me?”
Now Rock Hoof and everypony in the bar just looked like.
“What the hay?” said Party Favor.
“A truly romantic story my friend,” said Rock Hoof.
Blood Moon finally chimed in, “I personally think its rather respectful. Apple Bloom has been at Pin’s side for all this time so a romance was sure to bloom. Forgive the pun.”
“Yeah I guess,” said Party Favor dejected.
Just then the door of the pub opened.
“Ya see, ah told you they were here,” said Apple Jack walking up to Rock Hoof.
Behind Apple Jack was Rarity, Twilight, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Pinkie Pie and Trixie. Bloom came over and gave me a kiss and a nuzzle. Rarity went over to Blood Moon who just finished his drink and ordered another and an Apple martini for his wife. Sweetie Belle was giving Godot the stink eye.
“You can ask your father I only had one beer,” said Godot.
Twilight was in a corner booth with Star Tracker. Ms. Pie was trying her best to make Party Favor smile. Trixie was ordering a drink while Sunburst was still nursing his club soda. It was a great night.