//------------------------------// // Ch 07 Sugar Cherry Crumble // Story: Cherry Tune: A New Tune Season Two // by CherryTune //------------------------------// Cherry Tune and Sugar Cloud are at the light and sound for a night out with Sapphire and Vernal Gem. Since Cherry Tune would normally hang out with Moonlet, and Sapphire would hang out with Sugar, the two had the opportunity to get to know each other better. Sapphire and Vernal were on the dance floor and Moonlet hadn’t arrived yet. Sugar and Cherry took a small round booth dimly lit by an overhead light and candle on the table. Cherry asked the waiter to bring her favourite pineapple cactus cider and Sugar ordered a shot of the strong stuff and the Canterlot Sunrise.  “So what’s with the outfit?” Sugar asked. Cherry was wearing a dress shirt and pleated skirt. “Oh, I was performing at the Spring and Vernal Lantern festivals earlier today and didn’t bother changing out of it.” Cherry said. “I think you look adorable! And a little more than that!” Sugar said.  “Aww thank you Sugar!” Cherry replied. “So is Moonlet coming?” Sugar asked. “Probably, but she and Nightfall are going to be discussing a LOT of things when they get here.” Cherry said. “Hmm lovers quarrel aye!” Sugar said with a smirk. “Something like that.” Cherry replied. “So how’s Sugar Cube Corner?” she continued. “It. Is. Awesome! Pinkie has shown me so many recipes that I didn’t know I could do!” Sugar said excitedly. “And with Rainbows mini cloud maker I can practice as much as I want! Well as long as I charge it with Sapphires mechani-magic.” Sugar added. “Wow a mini cloud maker? That’s pretty neat. What’s mechani-magic?” Cherry said. The waiter came back and distributed the drinks. Sugar raised her hoof and said. “One moment, I gotta take care off something.” She tapped the shot glass on the table and slammed back the drink. “Whoa! That’ll cause a misfire of magic!”  “Nice.” Cherry said sipping her cider. Sapphire chased her drink with a sip of her Canterlot Sunrise. “Pinkie told me it was like the magic used to run a cider machine used by some unpleasant brothers.” Sapphire explained. “But it’s essentially magic that can make machines move!” Sugar said. “Oh! The Flim Flam brothers….yeah I remember them… got a swig full of dirt and twigs during that altercation.” Cherry said. “But this pair of siblings seems much nicer!” Cherry added gesturing towards Sugar and Sapphire. “Oh shucks CT, you’re making me blush.” Sugar said clearly not blushing. “Hey can I try that?” Sugar asks pointing to Cherry’s cider. “Sure it’s one of my favourites!” Cherry said sliding it over. “Hey that’s pretty good, wanna try mine?” Sugar asked.  “Girl… I’ve tried everything in this place and even gave em some recipes of my own, taking in some of the royalties that come with it too.” Cherry said. “Want me to get you something you’d really like? It’ll blow you away!” Cherry asked. “You’re on Cherry! Whatcha got!” Sugar said. “GARSON!” Cherry said cheerfully! “The Cherry Zinger please! Make that two!” she continued. “Cherry Zinger aye? I’m not gunna lie young mare…. I’m not impressed by the name.” Sugar said. “Oh, that’s fine. I’ll remember that when you can’t shoot it back in one go.” Cherry replied smuggly.  The waiter returns with a layered shot. Clear red liquid on the bottom, yellow cream colored middle and a shot of whipped cream on top. “Oh that looks, different than what I expected. Sugar said. “Quiet! Shoot!” Cherry playfully demanded. “Right!” Sugar replied. They tap the glass on the table and shoot it back. Cherry winced slightly but Sugar’s face puckered up and her eyes watered. Sugar groaned in agony while Cherry chuckled. “Oh dear, that had a bite to it!” Sugar said. “The hell was in it?” She asked. “Why that was cherry liqueur, lemon cream liqueur, the sour from sour gummies, topped with whipped cream.” Cherry said. “Whoa, that explains the pucker!” Sugar said while scooting hip to hip with Cherry. “Say can you help me make my signature drink?” she asked. “Sure! How do you want it to portray you?” Cherry asked. “What do you mean?” Sugar asked.  “Well it can be your favourite flavours or flavours that reflect your personality!” Cherry said. “Like the zinger! It reflects my appreciation of a good prank not my favourite flavours!”  she added. “Ah I see.” Sugar said. “Let’s peruse the menu here and build something.” Sugar grabbed the menu and scooched in closer to Cherry. Cherry noticed that Sugar had been testing personal boundaries but as she also got close to her friends in a similar manner she hadn’t given it a second thought. They looked over the list of flavours and mixers.  Moonlet and Nightfall had just walked in and Moonlet chuckled at Nightfall motioning to Sugar and Cherry. Nightfall smiled and gave a nod to the both of them as they noticed them walking in. Moonlet and Nightfall meet up with Sapphire and Vernal Gem at the bar. Cherry and Sugar wave and they continue looking at the menu.  “Ah man, I don’t know if any of this fits me.” Sugar said. “Well what was your proudest creation?” Cherry asked. “It’d have to be the “Pinkie Cloud Strawberry Fluff”. It was the first time anyone pushed me to do something outside of my own comfort and I actually succeeded.” Sugar said. “Perfect! I know this cake and I know exactly the shot for you!” Cherry said. “Garson!” Cherry squeaked. “Cherry you have to stop calling me that.” the waiter said with a smile.  “Sorry Blue, it’s just so much to say!” Cherry replied giving him puppy dog eyes. “Uughh… there’s those eyes again… uuugh, very well then little Cherry.” Blue winked. “What can I get you?” Cherry gave him a list of spirits and liqueurs and asked if he could build a layered shot. He obliged and was happy to learn a new Cherry Tune recipe.  He returned and placed several shot glasses and began layering. He started with a rum based cream, gently layering some agave strawberry cream liqueur, a small puff of cotton candy next and topped with a smidge of strawberry jam. “Viola! Your Pinkie Cloud Strawberry Fluff. In drink form of course!” Blue said. “Wow! That’s amazing!” Sugar said genuinely amazed. “And you did it without magic!” she added winking at Blue. “Why thank blue pone.” Blue said. “Now let’s see how it turned out!” he added while motioning over Sapphire, Vernal Gem, Moonlet, and Nightfall. “Alright all, let’s get this party started!” “You joining this one Blue?” Cherry asked.  “Not gunna miss this. Plus my shift ended an hour ago, I just enjoyed serving you and your friends.” He replied. “Now let’s go!” he chimed. They tap the glass on the table and shoot it back.  Sapphire and Vernal Gem drag Moonlet and Nightfall to the dance floor and Blue hangs up his apron for the night and joins the party giving Sugar a wink as he walks by her table. “Looks like this is turning out to be a fun night aye Cherry?” Sugar says. Cherry chugs the rest of her pineapple cider and replies, “Oh yeah! Fun is my middle name!” “Hey, there are other ways to have fun you know.” Sugar says placing her hoof on Cherry's leg. “No!” Cherry squeaked said slapping Sugar’s hoof away. “That’s not for you!” she blushed pulling her skirt down to cover herself.  Sugar lurched backed mildly surprised. Cherry looked down and away red in the face while Sugar leaned back. A silence fell between them until Sugar replied. “Hey I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you in anyway.” Sugar waited for a reply while Cherry sat in silence before saying.  “It’s alright, I… I just didn't like that…” Cherry pauses. “Hey hey, don’t even stress about it.” Sugar said. “Besides, you and I have plenty of other ways to get to know each other, especially when Sapphire invites me to help with your pranks and scavenger hunts!” Sugar continued trying to reassure Cherry. Cherry looked over at Sugar with just her eyes. “You’re not mad?” she asked. “Never! I should have asked before doing anything like that. You should be mad at me really.” Sugar said in a genuinely sad tone.  The two awkwardly sat there no longer hip to hip when Blue walked over to see what the trouble was about. “You two alright?” he asked. “Mhmm.” Cherry said. “I uh, I just messed up a bit.” Sugar replied. “You’re fine Sugar, let’s get another round and put it passed us ok?” Cherry said. “You sure you want another one?” Blue asked.  “Yup, no need to end the night on a low note!” Cherry said back to her normal cheery self. “Ok then, I’ll ask Maple to bring out the zingers!” Blue said walking over to the bar. Sugar sat in silence feeling terrible about what she just did before she feels a nudge from Cherry.  “Sugar, you’re fine. You don’t need to beat yourself up. You stopped when I said no. Okay?” Cherry reassured her. “Am I… am I bad for doing that?” Sugar asked. “I have not felt anything quite like the physical connections I’ve made since moving to Ponyville.” she added. “What do you mean?” Cherry asked. “Well, Sapph and I were the only ponies in the badlands so not exactly the ideal place to experience oneself. Or another.”  Sugar said. “I’ve only been that close with a Hippogriff right after the Reaper battles in the badlands but she left to go back to Mount Eris. After moving here, I’ve found only a few others who want that kind of enjoyment outside a relationship.” Sugar continued. “I’m not one to go about it that way but I am sure you have an amazing time with whoever you choose to have fun with! Not my place to judge you.” Cherry said with a smile.  Blue came in just in time with the Cherry Zingers and his friend Maple Showers. “Hey I hate to admit it but I’ve been eavesdropping and Cherry is right.” Blue said. “Maple and I live a similar lifestyle Sugar. And I gotta say she’s one of my closest friends.” he added. “The important thing is that you are safe about it and respect others who don’t” Maple said. “And from what I just saw, yes I was watching too, you are very conscious about your actions and backed off as soon as Cherry said so.” She added. “Eh… I mean… it was still very uncomfortable. Maybe ask before getting that close to someone?” Cherry stressed. “Oh Cherry…” Sugar said with a knot in her throat. “Please don’t be mad at me, I am truly sorry.’ Sugar pleaded lowering her head placing her hooves on her face.  Cherry Tune pulled Sugars hooves away from her face saying, “Sugar… I’m not mad at you!” Sugar looked up at Cherry to see her with a genuine smile. Cherry continued, “So let’s keep the party going, we have new guests to entertain now!” gesturing towards Blue and Maple. Sugar rubbed her eyes, “Okay… sorry again Cherry.” she said with a half smile.