Chapter 6: She Talks To Angels
The next evening, Pokey got off from work early. Exiting Sugarcube Corner, the unicorn headed off to the tavern he had been visiting quite a bit in the latest few days. He seemed to be very exhausted from the past few days and endeavors that have occurred and a strong drink seemed to be just what he needed.
The blue stallion arrived at the Salt Lick tavern and noticed his good pal Caramel was already having a drink at one of the tables.
"Hey, Caramel, didn't expect you to be here so early," Pokey commented, pulling up a seat at the table.
Swallowing the beverage in his mouth, Caramel welcomed his friend, "Oh, what's up, Pokey? I could say the same for you."
"Shouldn't you be at the farm? I don't think your cousin Applejack would be exactly happy to see you pounding down a few glasses of cider," Pokey pointed out.
"Got the day off," the earth pony said proudly.
"Really now? So what did you do today, drink your wages?" Pokey joked before calling to the bartender his order, "Barleywine? Thanks."
"Barleywine? Dang, you really do like to experiment with your drinks. And I was out with Twilight Sparkle for a lunch date, if you must know," Caramel explained.
The unicorn's ears perked, "Oh, I assume it was fun."
Caramel began to slightly brag, "Yeah, it was pretty awesome. A nice little picnic and just sky gazing."
"Sounds nice."
"By the way, where have you been the last two days?"
Pokey was hesitant to reply, "Well, I was just looking after Berry."
The tan pony tilted his head, "Berry? As in Berry Punch?"
"Yeah…."
Caramel tried to hold himself together, but ended up busted out laughing anyway. "Seriously? You've been hanging around the Berry Punch?"
Pokey's expression became sour, "What's so wrong with that? I've been just making sure she's alright and gets home safely."
This caused the pony to laugh even more, "So you've been her designated driver? Oh Celestia, this is rich! Haha!"
The blue colt's face turned pink as his friend laughed. He was relieved when his drink arrived with the barkeep bring it to the table. After Caramel calmed down a bit, the bartender spoke, "I'm sorry to intrude in your conversation, gentlecolts, but I couldn't help hearing you two talking about Berry. Well, she is a regular around here and after all of the time she spends here, which is quite a bit, I've never seen her take quite a liking to you, sir."
"Huh?" Pokey swallowed his liquor hard at the barkeeps statement.
Caramel's laugh started up again at the bartender's account. "Are you serious? Oh, this is getting better and better! Haha! This is priceless!"
The bartender excused himself back to behind the bar, leaving the flustered unicorn and his laughing friend.
"Caramel, will you please shut it?" Pokey asked in an annoyed tone.
Wiping a tear from his eye, the tan stallion stopped, "I'm sorry, but this is so funny. She's actually crushing on you!"
"Can't you just leave it be?"
"How can I? You two make a cute couple!"
"There is nothing between us!" the blue unicorn became defensive as he took another big drink of his barleywine.
"Sure, and there's nothing between Big Macintosh and that yellow pegasus," Caramel laughed up again.
Pokey let out an irritated sigh, "I don't need this right now." He finished his drink and placed a few coins on the table. "When you are done laughing, let me know."
"Aw, come on Pokey, I'm just having a little fun," Caramel called out to his friend, "you know that!"
"Again, when you are done laughing, let me know," Pokey waved to his friend as he left the tavern.
Caramel stuck his tongue out towards friend's exit, "Geez, spoilsport."