Midnight looked over as her hospital room door opened. A smile broke out on her face as all her poker buddies strolled in, plus an extra member. “I see you two still came.”
“My little muffin’s safe.” Derpy said. As far as the mailmare was concerned, Midnight putting her life on the line more than made up for what happened.
“Honestly, I don’t know who to blame,” Berry sighed. “Fluttershy should never have gone there without finding out if it was safe first, Pinchy should never have asked, Sapphire should never have offered, you should have been there to begin with, and I never should have agreed to let them all go.” She plopped down next to the bed.
“Well, you could blame all of us and dish out your anger equally. You’re satisfied and we all avoid getting ripped new ones.” Midnight joked.
Berry looked up at her. “Not funny.”
“Fine then; just beat us at cards like you always do and take all our money. If I can be almost killed and hospitalized for a week and still have a funny bone, you should, too.”
Berry finally gave the kirin her first small smile since the incident. “I never did thank you for rescuing them, didn’t I?”
Midnight waved her hoof. “We just need to keep them locked in their rooms. If they can’t get out, they can’t get foalnapped or nearly eaten.” Good-hearted laughter went up through the group. “Hey Redheart, you want to join us? Maybe earn a few extra bits?”
The nurse in the doorway shook her head. “I’ve got other patients to look in on and if I’m caught gambling at work it’s my plot.”
“Next time then?”
The nurse smiled slightly. “We’ll see.”
As she walked out, Midnight turned towards Lyra and their newest player. “Looks like we got some new blood anyway.”
“Yep! Everypony, this is Vinyl Scratch; one of the best disc jockeys in Canterlot!” Lyra said, waving her forelegs for emphasis.
“Aw shucks Lyra, you know I don’t like to brag!” Lyra stared at her friend for a moment. “Pft, I’m just joshing ya! I’m the best DJ in Equestria!”
“Then what are you doing in Ponyville? Seems a bit small-time for such a popular artist.” Sapphire said as she finished setting up the table which laid across Midnight’s bed. Midnight and Berry snickered.
“Apparently some ponies don’t know real talent when they hear it, so I’m a bit short on bits at the moment. I took a quick job here in Ponyville and when I saw the renting prices, I decided to let those snobs over in Canterlot see how much they’d miss me.”
“Speaking of that Midnight, you have got to hear what happened.” Berry told her.
“Let’s get a few hands in before you start; it feels like we haven’t done this in ages.”
-----------------------------
The only reason they were having a game night at all was because Sapphire had told Midnight that the princesses were paying her hospital bills. According to them it was the least they could do for the mare that fought a hydra to protect others. They had also awarded her a very large ‘action bonus’ for the incident. Initially, Midnight had been against the princesses paying her bills, citing that she could just use the checks they gave her. After Sapphire pointed out that the bits would come from the same place either way, Midnight finally relented.
“So, what interesting thing happened on the outside?” Midnight asked as she looked at her cards.
“You’re not in prison. Raise one.” Sapphire said, placing another chip down.
“Feels like it.” The kirin grumbled.
“Rarity had a fashion show, which is why Vinyl is here. I’ll see your one, and raise you two!” Lyra set down three more chips, a huge grin on her face.
“Bon Bon was right; you really don’t have a poker face.” Vinyl said.
“Shut up!”
“I’ll see you. So, how did it go?” Midnight placed down her chips.
“You don’t want to know. I see.” Berry told her.
“It kinda looked like she grabbed things from around her house. I see, too.” Derpy said.
“I actually saw a kitchen sink back stage. See.” Vinyl noted.
Lyra discarded one card, picked up a new one, and instantly her face fell.
“That’s pretty bad.” Midnight exchanged the same amount of cards. “She’s usually so good at dresses.”
“She was making her friends dresses for the Grand Galloping Gala.” Sapphire said, discarding and picking up three. “Apparently they were all making their own inputs.”
“Worst inputs I’ve ever seen. Don’t they know they need to let an artist do her thing?” Vinyl said, exchanging a single card.
“Raise one.” Lyra said disheartedly.
“Fold.” Midnight said, laying her cards down.
“See one, raise one.” Sapphire said.
“What made it worse was that Hoity Toity was there as well as most of the town!” Berry said. “See.”
“Fold.” Said Derpy.
“Fold.” Agreed Vinyl.
“Call.” Sapphire said. They all laid their hooves out. It was plain to see why Lyra was so happy at the start; she had four diamonds. A sun (spade) ruined that hope, but she did have a pair of eights for her troubles. Berry had a pair of tens, but Sapphire won with three nines.
“Turns out those weren’t even the first dresses she made. Apparently Twilight and the rest weren’t too keen on the first set.” Berry said, accepting a card as Sapphire dealt out the next hoof.
“Wait, so her friends, who know that she sold outfits to Sapphire Shores, didn’t like them the first time around?” Midnight asked as she also picked up her cards.
“That’s what I heard.”
Midnight shook her head.
“It turned out alright, though.” They all looked at Vinyl. “When I went back for my fee, she was there with the others in a whole bunch of much better dresses and making a deal with the guy.”
“Huh… must have come to their senses. Raise one.” Berry said.
-----------------------------
The game went a few hooves without further gossip. With her nasty habit of smiling like a lunatic whenever she got a very good hoof, most of them folded out the first two. Things changed on the third hoof when Derpy beat her pair of aces with a straight. That meant that Sapphire, Derpy, and Lyra were all tied for top place so far.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Derpy exclaimed as another hoof was passed out. “I’m joining the “Young Flyers Competition” in Cloudsdale this weekend! First prize is a whole day with the Wonderbolts!”
“Awesome! Go Derpy!” Vinyl cheered as she slapped a chip down.
“That’s wonderful Derpy.” Berry told her.
“I hope you win.” Midnight said.
“I hope so, too. But, Rainbow Dash is entering.”
Grimaces surrounded the table. If the Wonderbolts were involved, Rainbow wouldn’t hold back an inch.
“Well, just try your best; that’s all anypony can ask for.” Sapphire told her with a smile. Everypony else voiced agreement.
“Thank you everypony; I’ll do my best, no matter what! Call!”
“That’s great Derpy, but we still need to exchange cards.” Berry told her.
“Oops, my bad!”
-----------------------------
Game night finally ended when Nurse Redheart came in and told them Midnight needed rest, no matter how much Midnight complained she wasn’t tired. Sapphire left with the most bits while Vinyl left with barely ten.
“I’ll be back tomorrow with Squeaks.” Sapphire assured her.
Midnight snorted as she chugged her water.