Derpy leaned back on the plush couch, slowly rubbing her tummy as if cradling a foal. Several minutes had passed since Black Star had left the room. Derpy sat and enjoyed the smell of the room, besides the present smell of muffin there was a light lemony aroma that wafted through the air. She then looked around the room taking in her surroundings. Several issues of Ponypolitan magazines were stacked on the middle of a table. Why would stallions read Ponypolitan? Derpy dismissed any real idea and continued to scan the room. The wall paper and carpet had the same leaf-green pattern on it, the same kind that would be placed in a tacky hotel. I wonder… Derpy twisted in her chair and started to paw at the leaf nearest her on the wall, a frown wormed its way on to the young mares face. Darn, it’s not scratch and sniff.
A loud cracking sound came from overhead. “Derpy come down stairs sweetie. Momma wants to introduce you to the guests.”
All thoughts about the scratch and sniff wallpaper faded from existence as a bright smile filled the room. Derpy could feel the giddiness run down her spine as she made her way out the door. The hall however smelled very strange, very familiar, but very strange; the musk that creped from down stairs did not detour Derpy. She slowly descended the stairs one by one until Derpy was able to see the full view of the mares crowded together.
“Our newest Host, Derpy!” Tails said, his voice bellowed throughout the club. Derpy was bombarded with a tiny pop-cap party favors as tiny streamers pelted against her. Blue Moon, Black Star, and Ruby appeared at Derpy’s side each taking different poses around her.
“Please, our dear—“Black said.
“-Guests, please welcome—“Blue Moon said.
“-Our new sister—“Ruby said.
“-To the family.” They ended in unison.
The thunderous roars of clapping however did not last long. The crowd and mares just stood there in silence, staring at Derpy, until a voice broke the silence.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie wants an explanation. I was told that a new host was started tonight. Not some common mare.” Trixie said, as she eyed the new addition. “Do you consider me a foal?”
Black Star quickly left his position besides Derpy only to appear next to Trixie. “Oh Great and Powerful Trixie, would you not want me to have a little sister?” He said, as he cupped the young mares’ head in his hoof. “Oh, Trixie, is there anything I could do to change your mind about her?” Black Star blew a small gust of hot air into Trixie’s ear. This caused her to go cross eyed and falls on her plot with low thump.
“I guess if she’s alright with you, she’s alright with me.” Black Star took Trixie by the hoof and lead her to the back table.
“Well, this was fun.” Blue Moon said, as he made his way back to the mare was presently accompanying.
“Back to work.” Ruby said, leaving Derpy to stand there wondering what just transpired.
In the back of Derpy’s mind she had figured that the introduction would be grander. Alas, an introduction was simply that: Just a hello so people knew of her existence. Nothing could be done now.
The three stallions each one making idle chatter with four different mares and catering their whims. Serving them tea or cider that Tails magically brought to the table as he prepared the beverages. Then there stood Derpy next to the bar.
An hour had passed and Derpy’s body still stood there next to the bar, alone, not a single patron had requested her yet. When a new guest had entered they would be greeted by a bright smile. Derpy knew if she could make just somepony comfortable they may just request let her sit with them. Alas, this however never worked. The result was always either Black Star or Ruby, once in a while Blue Moon would get a mare, but it was clear to her that Black Star was the popular one.
“Ah, Derpy what’s wrong?” Tails said as he was mixing up a special batch of apple cider. The smell burned Derpy’s nose, she never really liked alcohol that much.
Derpy just stood there drawing circles in the carpet with her hoof. “No pony wants to hang out with me.” She said, almost as if she were whining about it. This caused Tails to chuckle.
“Don’t worry Derpy my little lost kitten, you will get one soon. Just keep smiling. I know you will get across.” Derpy simply cocked her head.
“What do you mean, ‘get across’?” Tails put a hoof on the confused ponies’ shoulder.
“Don’t worry too much kitten, now do me a favor and take this over to Black Star’s table.” Without warning Derpy was carrying a new glass tankard of blue colored hard apple cider.
Carefully Derpy walked with a silver tray in her mouth. Each step causing the tankard to tip from one end of the tray to the other. Black Star gave a large sigh as he saw the blue pitcher being placed on his table, although Derpy’s large smile faded any thought of the disdain for the vile blue concoction.
“Hey sis, mom told you to give that to me?” Black Star said, knowing full well the answer.
Derpy just blinked. “Black Star… erm… I mean, brother, this isn’t for you. You’re not supposed to drink, remember?” This caused Black Star to smile. Being scolded by a mare was new.
“That blue swill there is not cider.” Black Start commented as he downed the entire tankard causing giggles from the mares sitting next to him, except a blue mare who just stared daggers at a certain grey mare. “It’s a medicine one that let’s just say was invented to kill the mood.” Black Star winked at Derpy, who just smiled not understanding the meaning at all. “Enough of that come join us, unless you have something better to do now.”
Derpy’s mood completely shifted as she stood there staring back at Black Star. “Alright.” Though instead of taking a seat Derpy gave her wings a few quick flaps, hovered over the table and plopped herself between Black Star and a now very disgruntled pink mare. The action earned more than a few laughs from Black Star and a few other hosts taking a particular interest in the scene. After a few wiggles Derpy wiggled into place and now was at full attention next to Black Star.
“Ladies, I reintroduce my newest sister.” Black Star said, making an attempt at crowd control as the mood of the table seemed to be diverted since the arrival of a certain grey mare. Let's see how Derpy can entertain.
A glass tankard flew through the air and landed itself in front of Derpy. There was even a bendy straw that had the word ‘Derpy’ on it. “That’s for you Derpy, it’s just apple juice.” Tails said, as he prepped another drink.
Derpy was hesitant though. She took a hard sniff of the drink. The bubbles from the froth caused her to sneeze. The pink mare started to giggle as she watched Derpy. Derpy did take notice and a tiny idea popped in the back of her mind. She gave the pink mare a playful smile as she started to blow into the straw, bubbles started to form instantly. Soon after the room became oddly silent, all eyes seemed to be drawn to the grey mare. Each and every host knows that they must be proper gentle-colts when working. Blowing bubbles from apple juice was far from normal behavior. The sound of the apple juice grew louder until several heart shaped bubbles floated from the cup.
The room erupted with clapping and laughter, all except a certain Great and Powerful mare.
“Derpy how did you do that? I thought that it was just apple juice.” Blue Moon said, his voice breaking the fit of giggles that surrounded the room.
“Bubbles are my special talent.” Derpy said puffing out her chest before her she started to giggle.
“Please, that is such a worthless talent. Even I, the Great and Powerful Trixie, would shame herself as to even attempt such a ridiculous act.” Trixie’s claim simply fell on deaf ears as Derpy started to blow shapes of animals and cutie marks of the mares present in the room. This continued on for several minutes until Tails came over to the table.
“Derpy, I hate to burst your bubble.” Tails giggled at his own pun “It seems though that you have been requested.” Tails pointed over to a mare in the corner of the room. She was wearing a brown fedora and a matching trench coat. “She is a regular here. Don’t worry about the get up. She is just a little bashful.”
“Can I come too, I want to stay with Derpy.” The pink mare next to Derpy whined, as she latched on to one of her hoofs.
“Sorry Aloe, but this is a private request, only one allowed.” Derpy however was ecstatic. With a few flaps of her wings she hovered up over the table onto the carpet below. I wonder who it could be. Derpy was positively filled with giddiness.
Derpy made her way to the cloaked mare, but something struck at the back of her mind as she walked to the mysterious mare. She seemed familiar. She doesn’t look like anypony I have seen before. She is wearing a coat duh, of course. What caught Derpy’s attention the most was the aroma, the perfumed musk that trailed through the air was unmistakable.
“Hi, Miss Cheerilee.” Derpy said as she sat next to her. “What’s with the funny outfit?”
“How did you know it was me?” She said defensively.
“I could smell your perfume from across the room. It’s the same you wore earlier.” Blue moon (who was sitting in the next table over) started to chuckle as he made sure to keep one ear tethered to the young mare’s conversation. Does she really think that is perfume?
Miss Cheerilee left eye twitched as she quickly adjusted herself on the couch, making a failed attempt to stop the ‘perfume’ from emanating from her body.
“So how can I serve you today?” Derpy said, with a chipper smile.
Oh, I can think of a few things of how you can ‘serve’ me. Cheerilee thought, as she sat there admiring her features. Her mane still had that elegant shine, her innocent stare piercing deep. This causing an involuntary squirm that leads to a sharp bolt that ran thought her spine. She swallowed a large pool of saliva that had been forming in the back of her throat. “Well, I just wanted to support you on your new job, is all Derpy.” Cheerilee lied.
“That’s so sweet of you.” Derpy wrapped her hoofs around the school mare’s neck. Miss Cheerilee melted, almost literally as she hugged back and all the weight was not dumped on her. Two tankards sat themselves at the table. One had Derpy’s new light blue bendy straw with her name on it. Tails said nothing but gave an accepting nod.
The two mares hit it off. Miss Cheerilee was by far enjoying her evening more than Derpy. A mixture of hard green apple cider mixed with the company of Derpy’s innocent playful banter made for a great day.
“Then Snips actually tried to take one of my socks off my clothes line. Colts now a day, I can only imagine what kind of things he would do with it. He said it was for a dare, but really am I supposed to believe that? I am a very attractive mare. I even dated Big Mac till he dumped me.” Cheerilee in drunken daze seemed to stare into the corner almost is if she could see the silhouette of the red stallion himself.
“Why did he dump you?” Derpy said innocently, her eyes staring at her intently as she slowly sipped on her apple juice. Derpy was barely half way done with her drink, while Cheerilee was working on her eighth tankard of hard cider.
“That big jerk dumped me because he likes working rather than being with me.” Cheerilee said, as she slammed the last few gulps of cider from her tankard. “He said he had to do it for his family. I would bet good bits that there is another mare.”
“Wait, when did he dump you?” Derpy asked. Almost as if she was piecing together a puzzle.
“It was about a month or so ago.” Cheerilee said, as she stared at a particulate drop of cider that refused to move from the bottom of her cup.
“Isn’t that apple bucking season?” Derpy questioned.
“Yeah, so?” Cheerilee said still not taking interest in anything than the mysterious never moving drop.
“Well, you’re right. That is not fair. Big Mac should have been more respectful. It’s not like he is the sole provider of the family. There is Applejack; she could easily take their whole orchard just like the last time Big Mac got hurt, and we both know how well that turned out. Don’t forget about Apple Bloom, I’m sure she is strong enough to start bucking some trees. You know, since Big Mac’s been the head of the household ever since he was a colt when his parents died in that horrible accident. I’m sure you considered all of this though when you asked to spend time with him during the busiest part of the year.” Derpy said, as she casually sipped on her juice.
Cheerilee couldn’t take her eyes off Derpy. Each word she spoke felt like a hot arrow was shot through her. Everything Derpy said was wrong, but she knew what she was doing, Cheerilee however couldn’t swallow the lump that had built up inside her throat. Certain buried emotions boiled over inside her until they reach there braking point. Cheerilee flung herself around Derpy tears starting to fall freely as they did. This scene did not pass unnoticed. Several of the mares started to tear up as well, as the also had been ‘accidentally’ ease dropping on conversation. Each wanted to go over to comfort the mare, but they knew the rules. They would have to wait until she left Derpy’s side.
“Derpy, do you think I should apologize?” She asked, she knew the answer but hearing it from some pony else would give her that little edge needed to continue forth since she acted like such a foal.
“Yes, Big Mac is maybe a little more understanding than you might think.” Derpy gave Cheerilee a tap on the shoulder trying to get the school mare to release her from the iron tight grip.
The night continued on as such for Derpy and Cheerilee, as they talked the night away. Cheerilee spent a great deal of time in the bathroom as she evacuated some toxins out of her system. The two friends bid their farewells and the club was silent. Only the hosts remain while Tails went upstairs to calculate the profits of the evening.
“How was your first night Derpy?” Blue Moon asked, as he wiped down the tables.
“It was more fun than I’ve expected. Are nights usually like this?” Derpy replied.
“Actually no, seeing a mare brake out in tears is not something we see here normally.” Black Star interjected. “But in your case I think it may have been appropriate. Good work.”
“Time has come my little kitten here is tonight’s pool.” Tails said as he made his way down the stairs.
“Oh, thank Celestia.” Ruby said, as he rubbed his hooves together.
“You don’t need to be that excited Ruby, it’s not all about the bits.” Blue moon chastised
“Whatever you say poor person, I have plans unlike some pony.” Ruby replied.
“Pfft. Some mare no doubt.” Tails then laid out four sacks one in particular was far larger than the other three.
“This, Derpy, is for you.” Tails said as he handed over the largest sack of bits. “It’s kind of a tradition here that half the profit from the pool goes to the new host on their first night, it’s somewhat like a welcome gift.”
“We still do that?” Ruby asked as he stared down at the small sack placed before him.
“You know we do you bit-pincher.” Blue Moon scolded.
Derpy looked inside the sack of bits, each gilded bit reflected off another. “How much is in here? This looks like way too much for even half of the tips.”
“Half the tips plus your regular commission. It wouldn’t be much of a gift if we included yours in the pool you silly filly. I would roughly say there is about four hundred and thirty bits in there.” Derpy’s heart almost stopped. Two weeks of work at her old job barley scraped around two hundred bits. In a single night she made enough to double that. Derpy set the bag down and gave a warm hug to each of her new ‘brothers’.
“Thank you, this will really help me out more than I can say.” Derpy smiled and perked up.
“They’re just a few bits Derpy.” Blue Moon said, as he finished up. “Well, I’m off. I’m going to go to bed.”
“Try not to get lost like last time.” Ruby said as he attached his saddle bag. “I am not in the mood to go on one of Pinkie Pie’s Search Party Parties again.”
“Shut up Ruby.”
“Black Star, can you escort Derpy home?” Tails said as he was now shutting down the lights of the club.
“Why do you want me to escort her home?”
“I can fly home Mother don’t worry about me.” Derpy interjected.
“A pretty young mare with a saddle bag filled with bits.” Tails said with a cocked eyebrow. “Need I say more?”
“It really is ok mo—” Derpy was cut short when a set of black wings cut off her vision.
“It’s best just to give in when he asks for something or we are going to be here for a while.”
“Oh, ok then.” Derpy said, with a smile. “At least if anything the company will be nice.” The two Pegasi took off to the sky, the idle batter that Derpy had hoped for was cut short, the winds were howling throughout the entire town of Ponyville. Small drops of rain started to fall. The sound of the rain was enough to get Derpy to smile, the cool drops that bounced against her feathers made her giggle. When they arrived at Derpy’s house Black Star gave nothing more than a nod to Derpy before he took off again. The sprinkle had turned into a downpour; dark clouds filled the sky as thunder and lighting danced among them, each complimenting each out with a symphony of light and sound.
Derpy made her way into the house, the house was the way she left it only a few hours before. A loud thunderous crack shook the house as the power flickered on and off. Derpy paid no mind to it though. She loved the sound that came from storms. Especially the rain, the ever pressing beat that came from it was magical in her ears.
“MOMMY!” Dinky cried as she ran from her room and attached herself to Derpy’s hoof. Derpy didn’t need any explanation, Dinky was terrified of storms. She always had been. Derpy lifted the little filly onto her head and made her way to her room. This type of event had become a ritual of sorts on nights like this. Dinky would sleep in Derpy’s room during the night. Derpy cooed a soft lullaby’s into her ear to drown out the noise from the thunder, until her body stopped shivering and succumbed to the land of slumber.
"Hush now, quiet now, it's time to lay your sleepy head... hush now, quiet now, it's time to go to bed..."
Derpy laid in bed with a tiny immobilized body of Dinky wrapped up in her wing. Just the way she liked it. She sat there looking at her sleeping form a bit longer. Until she herself joined her daughter.