Chapter 2: Take The Long Way Home
"Ya know, you look familiar….have I seen you around town? What's your name?" Berry asked. Her breath smelt of fruit and alcohol.
"I'm Pokey Pierce," the unicorn replied, taking another sip of his ale.
"Hokey Clearce?" the mare repeated what she thought she heard.
"No, Pokey."
"Jokey?"
"No, it's Pokey."
"Alright Pokey! I won't forget it," Berry said as her body seemed to wobble on it's own. "I'm Berry Punch. And who are you?"
Pokey seemed a bit annoyed with her drunken silliness, but didn't let it show. Instead, he asked a concerned question, "Are you okay? It seems you've had a bit much to drink."
Berry had a silly smile on her face, "Oh, I'm perfectly fine. I've normally had more by this time of the night!"
"Not exactly what I meant by th-" Pokey was cut off by Berry pointing with her hoof.
"Are you going to finish that?" her eyes were focused on the glass of ale in front of the blue colt. Before he could reply, Berry took the glass and finished what little liquid was in the glass. Finishing it off, Berry had a satisfied look on her face.
The bartender saw this out of the corner of his eye, "Hey! Berry, I told you no more! If you do something like that again, I'll have to put you on probation from the Salt Lick, alright?"
While Berry seemed to immediately regret her actions as she was being scolded, Pokey quickly stepped in, "It's alright. I offered it to her. No harm done."
The barkeep looked at the unicorn and then to his problem customer, "Alright then, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave for the evening, Berry. You can come back tomorrow, but that's it for tonight."
The ears on the pink mare went flat, "Okay then." Berry hopped down from her stool and slowly staggered towards the door.
Pokey gave a concerned look to the tottering Berry Punch as she exited the tavern. Getting down from his seat, he followed Berry outside into the night and quickly caught up to her.
"Hey, Berry. Are you okay to trot back home?" the unicorn trotted up to the earth pony, who seemed to have trouble moving forward in a straight line.
"Of course, I am. I'm super good at trotting home!" Berry slurred her words.
The colt wasn't convinced, "You really seemed to have a lot to drink."
"I think you are wrong, you increasingly attractive unicorn."
Pokey rolled his eyes at Berry's comment and said something he knew me might regret, "Would you like me to make sure you get home alright? I don't think you'll get far on your own."
Berry's face lit up at the offer, though her drunken state helped in mixing her words, "That's like a really nice thing for you to do, Pokey. And you know what, we should get some cookies to celebrate!"
"Celebrate?"
"Yeah, celebrate something! Cause we can!" Berry's statements were becoming more random and strange for anypony to hear. She trotted over to Pokey and slumped herself on his back and shouted, "Onward to cookies! And pancakes! With syrup!"
Pokey sighed, "What did I just agree to?"