//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Passing Time // Story: Like a Broken Record (2nd Person Reboot) // by LightsCameraAction //------------------------------// Chapter 4: Passing Time You watched as the wood began to burn away in the fireplace. The snow had began to fall again, adding a new layer of white. A sudden knock on your door startled you. You opened the door to see Flare. He had a big smile on his face and a scarf around his neck. "Hey, whats up?" You asked him opening the door wider. "I just got two tickets to the winter gala! You wanna come?" He asked, holding out two tickets. "How in the hay did you get those?" You asked him. "My parents decided that the gala would be too much for them. So for some reason they gave them to me." He explained. "Do you think you should, I don't know, ask a mare to go with you?" You told him. "Hm.... But who would I ask?" He said tapping his chin with a hoof. "How about that mare you've been telling me so much about?" You asked, thinking of the many times he had spoken about her. "I don't know. She may not say yes." He said scratching his head. "Never hurts to try." You told him. "I guess you're right. I'll go talk to her today." He said looking down at the tickets. "Go get her, friend." You said, patting his back. He dashed out into the snow covered road and was on his way to get the mare of his dreams. You closed the door and returned to the couch. You looked around your house to come up with something to burn some time while you are waiting for tomorrow to come. You trotted around the house to find something that would take a while. Your stomach growled and echoed through the house. Instantly, you got the idea to make yourself something to eat. You opened the pantry and got the bread and a soda. From the fridge, you got some sweet daisy flowers that were wrapped in a bag. You also grabbed some hay and placed it in the oven, just to make them crispy. After a few minutes of preparation, you looked over your masterpiece of a sandwich. The three layers of flowers made your mouth water. The hay fries let out an amazing aroma that made your stomach growl again. Just as you were about to take a bite, a loud banging on the door interrupted you. Sighing, you placed the sandwich on the plate and opened the door. "Hey man..." Flare said, holding the tickets in his mouth. "Whats up, did you chicken out?" You teased. "No... She is going with somepony else." He said. "Oh, that's a bummer." You said, sitting in front of him. "Here," He placed the tickets in your hoof and smiled up at you. "Take that new mare you met to the gala." "No way, man. These tickets are too much for me to take." You said holding the tickets back out. "Nope. You take them. I'm not a dancer anyway." He said backing up. "Well... Thanks. I owe you big time." You said looking down at the two tickets. "I'll see you around, Snow." He began to trot away. "See ya, and thanks again!" You said, closing the door. You looked down at the two tickets and couldn't believe it. You got two tickets to the winter gala in Canterlot. And you have a chance to go with Vinyl. You set the tickets on the table and looked over to the kitchen. "Now. About that sandwich..." You returned to your seat and delved into your delicious meal. It didn't seem to last long because of your hunger. You looked out the window and chewed on a piece of hay. The snow sprinkled around the neighborhood. You looked over to a mountain and saw a rather large hill. Ponies of all ages were sledding down the steep slope. You got an idea that may cheer up Flare with his failed attempt with that mare. You threw your coat around you and tightened down your scarf. You grabbed something out from your shed and were off to Flare's house. You approached his door and knocked on it a few times. The colt answered the door and gave you a depressing smile. You held up the sled in front of you and smiled. "Let's go sledding, and get a few drinks to warm us up afterwards!" You said, trying to excite him. "Hm... I guess? Isn't sledding for little ponies?" He said grabbing his coat. "Hay no! This is the most fun thing to do during winter!" You said, sarcastically. "Okay, I guess I'll grab my sled then we'll head out." He said returning into his house. You two approached the large hill and began the climb to the top. After a few tiring minutes, you both got to the top and collapsed in the snow. Standing back up, both of you positioned yourselves on the edge of the slope. A competitive expression grew over both of your faces, as if you two were little colts again. "Okay. Last one to the bottom, buys the drinks!" You grinned. "Sounds agreeable." He said, looking down to the bottom. "GO!" You both shouted, and launching yourselves down the hill. The snow was kicked up as the two of you sped down the hill. You looked over to see that Flare was laughing as he sped past you. You leaned forward and began to gain on him. He looked over to you and stuck out his tongue. The forest below was approaching at high speeds. Then the greatest question at the time rang in my head. "How the buck do we stop?!" You yelled, smashing into the snow and trees below. You flew a good ten feet before landing face-first in a pile of snow. Flare landed a few feet away from me and you both began to groan in pain. You leaned up and shook your head of the snow. You held a hoof to your aching neck. "Okay, let's just skip ahead to the drinks. Agreed?" You said, trying to get on your hooves. "Agreed." He mumbled, leaning against a tree for support. The two of you somehow managed to get to the bar in one piece. The barpony greeted both of you and gave you guys two shots of their special for the day. Not even knowing what was in the drink, you both gave a toast and knocked the drinks down. The cold suddenly vanished as the strong alcohol burned at your throat. You looked over to see Flare coughing. "Smooth..." Flare roughly said through his coughs. You laughed and began to add both of your drinks to your tab. A few drinks later, you decided to cut yourself off. Flare, on the other hoof, decided to have a cider drinking contest with some work stallion. The large red stallion drank about a whole barrel's worth before Flare gave in. The large stallion bit down again on his piece of hay and returned outside to the cart of apples. You were shocked that he could still stand up straight after drinking so much, but he also managed to haul a cart down the snow covered road. You turned back to see Flare with his face plastered against the bar. You laughed and helped him up. You trotted outside and called a cab to get you two to his place. Flare began to sing "Winter Wonderland" and the cabpony and you almost died of laughter. Not only did he forget the lyrics, but his constant hiccups interrupting the song was brilliant. You both got to his house and you helped him inside. The cab driver waited in the road for you to return. You opened his door and Flare collapsed on the couch. Of course, he instantly fell asleep and you trotted out the door. The cab driver took you home and you payed for the trip. You entered your house and looked around. The dark room was welcoming. You were far too tired to do anything else. So, you went upstairs and crawled under the covers. You blinked a few times and let a heavy slumber take over.