//------------------------------// // Aqua de Vodka // Story: Viva la Vodka // by Liquid Truth //------------------------------// The night was young. The library was silent save for the flitter-flutter of pages turning. A baby dragon was sleeping nearby, but his breathing was stable and peaceful. The single waking soul in the room was exhausted after compiling her research papers and sending her friendship report, yet a good book was always a good excuse for another hour away from the dream realm. Twilight Sparkle paid no attention to the outside world, but she was grateful for the new light the moon brought her. It was maybe a placebo effect, but she swore that the moon was brighter after Princess Luna’s return. It gave her more vision during the night, more ability to read with fewer candles to spend. And she looked up from her book to the bright moon outside her window and smiled. The night’s breeze was pleasant and comforting. The stars were smiling upon her, and so is the row of teeth. “Hey, Twilight!” Twilight dusted herself, gently dislodged the book from Rainbow Dash’s face, then glared. Rainbow rubbed her flattened face and chuckled nervously. “Uh, hey, Twilight?” “It’s in the middle of the night, Rainbow. If this is nothing important, I’ll hit you again.” “Well,” Rainbow started, tracing a circle with her hoof, “I was wondering, do you drink?” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “You mean alcohol?” At Rainbow’s nod, Twilight shook her head. “I don’t drink.” Rainbow smirked. “Well, do you want to try?” “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” “Aw, come on!” Rainbow hopped inside and draped a wing over Twilight. “It’ll be fun! Plus, you’ll learn some friendship stuff, I’m sure!” Twilight’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? Is deliberately poisoning yourself some kind of friendship activity?” Rainbow nodded. “So, what do you say? Just for tonight?” “I… guess? I’m still not sure it’s a good idea.” “I mean, it is a bad idea.” Rainbow raised her hoof before Twilight could object. “But I promise I’ll be there for you if you get drunk.” Twilight leveled a stare. “You mean I’ll be there when you got yourself blackout-drunk.” “Hey, give me some credit. I drink responsibly.” “Really, now?” She wriggled her eyebrows. “Don’t you know who I am?” Twilight opened her mouth, then closed it back. The Element of Loyalty, of course. She bit her lip. “Well…” Rainbow’s grin faltered. “Wait, how old are you?” Twilight coughed. “Just about the legal drinking age.” Rainbow’s grin returned. “Great! Now, come on!” And just like that, Twilight was in a tavern with several merry ponies. Rainbow went straight to the counter with Twilight in tow, and before Twilight could know what was happening, a glass of something clear-red with cranberries on top was served. Twilight took the glass tentatively in her telekinesis, eyeing it from every direction, albeit unsuccessfully as the liquid didn’t spin with the glass. She took her eyes off the glass to meet two magenta eyes, looking at her conspiratorially. “What is this?” “Vodka cranberry,” Rainbow said. “Just try it. I’ll finish it up if you couldn’t.” Twilight put the glass to her lip. The smell was strong on her nose, reminding her of antiseptic. For a second she faltered, thinking just how poisonous it actually was, but then she saw Rainbow’s face at her peripheral vision and her muscles relaxed. She took a sip. Twilight took the glass away as she lurched. She felt her stomach spasm as her body screamed, THAT’S POISON! and pushed it back out. Twilight fought it, screaming back to her body, It’s fine it’s fine it’s totally fine and, after much effort, swallowed it hard. Twilight took a deep breath. She heard laughing from the few other patrons, judging her from the other side of the room. She closed her eyes as she waited for Rainbow to join, but it never came. Opening her eyes, she saw that Rainbow still kept her conspiratory smirk and noticed that she had a wing over her all this time. “So, like it?” “It’s horrible!” Rainbow shrugged as she slipped her wing away and used it to take the glass. “Suit yourself.” Twilight watched in fascination as Rainbow took a gulp—a full gulp!—of the stuff that nearly killed her. Just as casually did Rainbow put the glass back down and leaned her head on a hoof. Twilight shook her head. “How did you do that?” Rainbow shrugged. “Experience. The first time for me it tasted like death and vomiting, too, but after a few more drinks it gets more acceptable.” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “When did you start drinking?” Rainbow made quick circles with her hoof. “Eh, about three years ago? But I didn’t—” “Wait, three years!? How old are you!?” Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Three years above the legal drinking age? What, you think I dropped out of high school just because I’m in the weather team?” Twilight averted her eyes. Rainbow snorted. “Geez, what a friend you are.” “I’m sorry! I didn’t—” Rainbow bopped her. “Relax, a lot of other ponies thought that.” She took another gulp, leaving the glass half-full. Twilight eyed the drink as Rainbow blew a relaxed breath, leaning on the counter with a level of contentedness Twilight thought Rainbow couldn’t achieve. She felt her lip drying and somehow, somewhat, wanting more. She knew full well what addiction was, and she was sure this wasn’t it since she barely got anything into her system. The drink slid slowly to her side. Twilight averted her eyes, but just as quickly she found herself looking back at that silly grin and the drink. “Another try?” Twilight took another sip. Her stomach still lurched, but now she could swallow it with less effort. Her eyes scrunched as she forced another sip, and on that third one did she first found the trace hint of cranberries among the deathly horribleness. Just as she was about to take another sip, Rainbow took it from her telekinetic grip. She stared at the pegasus in confusion. “Take it easy, Twi. You’re not impressing anypony.” “I’m not—” Rainbow downed the rest of the drink. Twilight felt something, something, something she couldn’t quite describe. It was something of a loss and disappointment but at the same time relief and guilt. Rainbow spun around and leaned back on the counter. “Another round? But you’ll have to finish it.” Twilight shook her head. “N-no, no, that’s fine.” “Right.” Rainbow leaned further back. “Enjoy your time, now.” Twilight tilted her head. “That’s it? I thought ponies drink more than that.” “That’s what mothers would say after divorcing an alcoholic.” Rainbow bobbed her head. “So their children won’t be one. You don’t always have to be drunk after a trip to the bar, you know? Not everypony here is depressed.” “Right, I’m—” “Sorry?” Rainbow laughed at Twilight’s look. “Nah. You’re so naive it’s cute.” Twilight sputtered. “Excuse me?” Rainbow chuckled. “Nevermind.”