It was a beautiful morning in Ponyville as the sun rose, shining Celestia’s glorious light over Sweet Apple Acres. As beautiful as the scenery was however, it was anything but peaceful as an indignant pegasus shouted for all to hear.
“What do you mean there’s no cider today?!” Rainbow Dash yelled as Big Macintosh stood his ground in the doorway of the Apple family’s home.
“Just what ah said.” Big Mac replied. “AJ took today’s cider to town to sell to Berry Punch.”
“Berry Punch?” Rainbow Dash asked. “She bought ALL of the cider?!”
“Eeyup.” Big Mac said with a nod. “We’ll have more tomorrow though, so come back then.”
“Tomorrow?” Rainbow Dash groaned. “But the first day of cider season was supposed to be today! I even got here before Pinkie Pie for once!”
“Well that’s because we told everyone that cider season was comin’ a day late, remember?” Granny Smith said as she approached the doorway.
“You what now?” Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t’cha remember?” Granny Smith asked. “Ah told Applejack to spread the word about the delay last weekend. Didn’t she tell ya?”
“No!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “She didn’t say a word to me!”
“Well that’s mighty strange then.” Granny Smith said, stroking her chin with a hoof.
“I’ll say. I’m gonna find her and give her a piece of my mind!” Rainbow proclaimed before launching into the sky towards Ponyville.
“Thank you kindly fer the sampler, Miss Berry Punch.” Applejack said as she and Berry Punch exited The Tipsy Trough, Berry Punch’s bar. “Ah hope yer new drink sells well.”
“Oh, me too.” Berry Punch said, clapping her hooves in excitement. “I’ve always loved your family’s cider, and I just knew it would make a great mixer. Thanks so much for putting off the public sale for a day to stock me up.”
“Think nothin of it.” Applejack said with a tip of her hat. “It’s a pleasure doin business with ya. In fact-”
“Applejack!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she fell from the sky and tackled Applejack to the ground.
“AGH! What in tarnation?!” Applejack exclaimed, dazed from the impact. “What’s the big idea, Rainbow Dash?”
“Hey! That’s my line!” Rainbow said. “What’s with the delay on the cider? And why didn’t you tell me about it, huh?”
“Ah didn’t say anything because ah knew you’d make a fuss when ah told ya.” Applejack said, rolling Rainbow off of herself and standing up.
“So you let me find out like this, the day it was supposed to start?” Rainbow asked, rising to her hooves as well. “Did you think this would go over better or something?”
“Well, no.” Applejack admitted. “But can you blame me for not wantin’ to tell ya? See how over the top you go with the stuff?”
“Well… You still should have told me.” Rainbow said, huffing a bit.
“Well ah’m sorry about that.” Applejack said. “It was wrong of me to trick you, but you still have to wait for tomorrow like everypony elese.”
“Actually, you could have some now if you wanted.” Berry Punch said.
“You sure, Berry?” Applejack asked. “Ah don’t know if she’s ever drank before.”
“What are you talking about?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I’ve drank plenty of things.”
“That’s not what ah mean, Sugarcube.” Applejack said. “Have you ever even had alcohol before?”
“Oh. THAT kind of drinking.” Rainbow Dash said, rolling her eyes. “Nah. I never bothered with the stuff. What’s the point if all it does is make you act weird? It doesn’t even taste good.”
“Well what kinds have you had?” Berry Punch asked, suddenly seeming much more interested in the conversation.
“Well, I tried a bit of Buckweiser once.” Rainbow Dash admitted. “The stuff was nasty, so I swore off it.”
“Well there’s your problem!” Berry Punch exclaimed before running into her bar, leaving the doors swinging back and forth behind her. Seconds later, she returned with a stein full of frothy brown liquid. “Here. Try this.”
“What is it?” Rainbow Dash asked as she took the mug from Berry and gave it a short sniff. “Is this cider?!” She exclaimed, eyes going wide and mouth watering.
“Well it has cider in it.” Berry said. “It’s my newest drink. I call it the Applejack.”
“Ah still say ya don’t have to call it that.” Applejack said, blushing and looking away.
“It’s a mix of Apple Family cider, and some good old fashioned whisky.” Berry Punch said.
“So it’s alcoholic?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I made it in a bar, Rainbow.” Berry Punch said with a giggle. “I think it’s safe to assume it has alcohol in it.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.” Rainbow said, holding the mug away from herself. “I told you I don’t like the taste of alcohol, so no.”
“But Rainbow Dash, it isn’t the same as the stuff you had.” Berry said, gently pushing the mug back toward Rainbow. “You can’t let a can of nasty old Buck ruin drinking for you.”
“You sure?” Rainbow asked. “I just assumed all alcohol tasted the same.”
Berry Punch let out a loud gasp in response. “Rainbow Dash! Of course it doesn’t! There’s so many different kinds that it would be impossible to memorize all of them with all the time in the world.” She said dreamily, staring off into space. “I tell you what.” She said, focusing back on Rainbow Dash. “Just try one sip of it. If you don’t like it, then I won’t bother you about it again.”
“Well. Alright.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “But only because I’d have to wait till tomorrow for cider if I don’t.” She said, bringing the mug a bit closer to her face and sniffing it again. After what seemed like an overly dramatic buildup, she finally tipped the mug towards herself and took a tiny sip.
The instant the liquid hit her tongue she knew it was Apple Family cider. The sweet taste was unmistakable to her, having been so enamored with the beverage since her first taste years ago. But then there was another flavor as well. It was kind of a hot, bitter taste that left a slight burning, tingling sensation in her throat before settling in her stomach.
“Well?” Berry Punch asked, leaning forward expectantly. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know.” Rainbow Dash said. “It’s kind of hot. But nice at the same time.” She said, taking another, more courageous sip.
“That would be the whisky.” Berry said. “I used top shelf stuff for this drink. Don’t wanna spare any expense for your first time.”
“Ahh.” Rainbow sighed as she brought the stein down. “This is actually pretty good.” She said as she raised the mug one last time and polished off her drink. “Thanks Berry.” She said, wiping the extra liquid from her mouth and handing the mug back to Berry Punch.
“Not a problem, Rainbow Dash.” Berry said as she took the stein. “You can come and get more when I open the bar this afternoon if you like. You’ll have to pay for it like everypony else though.”
“Well, I dunno.” Rainbow said, still feeling the pleasant warmth in her belly. “I guess I’ll think about it.”
“Alright.” Berry punch said with a nod. “Anyways, I’ll see ya when I see ya.” She said, turning and going back into the bar.
“So Applejack.” Rainbow Dash said, turning to her friend. “I never took you for a drinker.”
“Well ah don’t drink all the time or nothin.” Applejack said, hooking herself up to a nearby cart. “Ah just do it occasionally. Ya know. Special occasions.”
“Like what?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I’ve never seen anypony drinking at any of your family reunions.”
“Well that’s because we don’t drink at reunions.” Applejack said. “When ah drink, it’s usually only after a really long day in the orchard.”
“That’s a special occasion?” Rainbow asked. “A long day?”
“You’d be surprised the kind of tension you can get out with a drink or two after a hard day’s work.” Applejack said. “And the kinds of special occasions ah’m talkin about are things like weddings and such.”
“Right.” Rainbow Dash said. “How much do you usually have when-”
“Don’t you have work today or somethin?” Applejack asked, cutting Rainbow off mid-sentence.
“Right! I gotta get going!” Rainbow Dash said. “That sky won’t clear itself. See ya later Applejack.” She said as she soared off into the sky.
“Man, today was a killer!” Rainbow sighed, wiping some sweat from her brow as she touched down. “I don’t think cloud busting has ever taken me so much time and energy. If only there was some CIDER today.” She said into the sky. Looking into the sky for a few seconds, she hung her head and sighed. “But of course, Berry Punch got all of it today.” She said just before gasping and looking straight in the direction of the Tipsy Trough. “That’s right! Berry got all of it today.” She said as she began walking in the direction of the bar. “But it’s all alcoholic now.” RD said as she stopped in her tracks. “But it was pretty good this morning.” She thought, trying to decide whether or not to pay Berry a visit.
“You’d be surprised the kind of tension you can get out with a drink or two after a hard day’s work.” Applejack’s voice sounded in her head. After about a minute of silent deliberation, Rainbow Dash nodded her head and began walking toward the bar again. “Yeah. I’ll just have a drink or two.” She said, picking up her pace a bit. “I can take a bit of booze. What’s the worst that could happen?” She asked herself as she approached the swinging doors.