//------------------------------// // Freeballing -Louis Morgan // Story: Room for Rent: A Drop of the Creature // by Drax99 //------------------------------// “So what’s the story with you and Pinkie, anyway? And why is she passed out?” Spike waved for another round of drinks as he looked over at my “date”. “Not much of a story. I had a room to rent, and she needed a room. She became a bit overly attached, though. We have an understanding now. I have my life, she has hers, but occasionally we share.” I shrugged and stroked her mane, getting a giggle from the snoozing pony. Tonight we are having a date, but just as friends. I think she drank too much though.” “Yea, sounds like she still has it bad for ya, dude.” He downed another drink, then pulled out a cigar, lighting it with an emerald flame from one nostril. “Trust me, I know all about unrequited love.” He cocked an eye at Rarity, who was scowling at him from across the table. “Must you smoke those horrid things? They are most unbecoming a gentledragon!” Coughing slightly, she waved a hoof at the smoke. “Yea, well I need to take my comforts where I can.” Waving the cigar around, he grinned at the mares, getting more scowls in return. “Oh alright, fine. It was a cheap one anyway.” Butting out the cigar, on the bottom of his foot, he tossed it into the air, before snapping it in his maw and swallowing. “Eeeeww!” An unanimous cry of disgust came from the table, with the only laugh from me. “So what's the deal, got something against ponies?” Turning the conversation back to me, he pointedly ignored the others. “Naa, nothing against em, just don't find em attractive.” I shrugged. “Well I think it’s terrible the way you lead the poor dear on. You really should feel ashamed.” Rarity sniffed at me. “She mopes around as bad as Rainbow Dash did for her man.” This got some rather angry stares from Dash and Applejack, and even Twilight looked upset. Rarity was fully flushed at this point, and it seemed the alcohol had caught up to her as well. “Wait, you finally hooked up with a human? Anyone I know?” I turned to Dash and grinned, but the smile faltered as I saw the bitter look on her face. “I don’t wanna talk about it.” She muttered into her drink. “But darling, it was such a romantic story! Love found across worlds, the brief passion, and then the tragic ending. It was like a classic play come to life!” Rarity leaned forward, getting in Dash’s face. “I SAID I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!” Dash roared, and lept into the air. All sound in the bar stopped, and all eyes turned to her. Her anger turned to remorse and she slipped back into her seat as the buzz of the crowd returned. “It’s cool, Dash. You don't gotta say anything.” I patted her hoof and tried to reassure her. “Rarity, that was totally out of line.” Twilight glared at her friend. “Yea, not cool, Rares. Not cool.” Even Spike growled at the fashionista. “Well I, um. That is... I’m sorry Rainbow Dash. I know how hard it’s been.”  She floated a silk scarf over to the chromatic pegasus and wiped at a tear that was making it way down the cyan fur. “It’s fine. I just miss him, that’s all. He was the best friend I ever had, even in the short time I knew him.” Slumping, she plopped her head on the table with a sigh. “Well Sugarcube, as least you have the memories.” Applejack patted her friend on the back. “You know what? You're right. And I remember that he never cried or bitched about what happened to him. He hung out with his friends, got drunk, and sang some stupid songs!” Pushing her way to her hooves, she stepped back and looked at her friends. “Pour me another shot, Louis.” I complied, and she slammed it back like a pro. “It’s my turn!” Flying over to the DJ, she pulled an old, battered cassette tape from somewhere, and slapped it on the table. I saw her lean in and whisper to the white unicorn, and get a nod in return. The tape flowed forth in a reddish magic grip, and into the karaoke machine as Dash took the stage. Holding the mic in one hoof, I saw her close her eyes a moment, then smile. “This is for you, Bryant.” As the music starts, I recognize an old earth song that my dad used to listen to. I’ve never been a big fan of Country, but some songs strike a chord no matter who you are. I found myself singing along to ‘I Love This Bar’, as the entire room joined in. By the end, everyone was singing the chorus, and cheering. Dash was clearly crying openly, as dark trails carved down her smiling cyan face. She tried to step off the stage, but the crowd surged forward, and she stepped back up. Turning to the DJ, she made a motion with her hoof, and the unicorn nodded in response, still grinning beneath her oversized shades. Soon another song started playing, a bit more upbeat, as ‘Red Solo Cup’ was quickly picked up by the crowd and sung over drunken laughter as Dash began to dance around the stage. When the ponies finally let her step down, she quickly retrieved the cassette, and stumbled over to our table, getting cheers from all of us. Applejack gave her a bone crushing hug, followed by one from Pinkie Pie, who had suddenly woken up in the middle of the last song. “That was pretty damn good Dash. My old redneck dad would have loved to see that.” I patted her on the wing. “Yea, well I had some inspiration. Thanks guys.” She turned red as she sat back down. I caught her tucking something under a wing and made a grab. “Oh-ho, what you got there, Dash?” I playfully tugged on her wing. “Hah, just a bit of something to keep me warm at night.” She tinged red again, as I made a horrified face. “Not that, you perv!” She pulled back a wing to reveal a bottle of brown liquid strapped under it. The label read ‘Wild Pegasus’, and featured a winged pony with a lightening bolt down the center. “Aww damn Dash, you been holding out! You had whiskey all this time?” I rolled my eyes, getting a dirty look from Applejack. “No offense, AJ, but whiskey is to my family what that apple stuff is to yours. My great-grandpappy used to make moonshine back in the day.” “None taken, pardner. Just rightfully proud of mah pappy’s brew.” She tipped her hat at me, with a grin. “And a good brew it is, but I got a craving for some mountain magic.” I motioned towards Dash, and was handed the bottle. With a grin, I sniffed the woody aroma of good aged whiskey, before throwing my head back and taking a double shot straight from the bottle. This got me cheers from the rest, even Fluttershy, as I coughed and sputtered. Damn this was some good stuff. “Hoowee! Dat sum good whiskey!” I drawled, sounding like my father as I grinned at my friends. “Now it’s my turn for some earth music!” I felt the fire in my veins, as I stumbled to my feet, getting cheers from my friends. I made my way over to the stage and leaned over to the DJ. “Heya there, cutie. What can Scratch get for you tonight? I got Equestrian and Earth music. Name your tune.” She lifted up her glasses and fluttered some amazing reddish eyes at me. “Woah, those are some bitchin eyes you got.” I grinned stupidly at the mare as she blushed. “Yer not too bad lookin yourself. If your marefriends don’t mind, mebbe we can hook up after my gig here.” “Ahh, thanks, but I kinda got a date, and she's the jealous type.” I motioned over where Pinkie was waving frantically as she bounced up and down. “Woah, dude. Pinkie Pie? You are a braver being than I.” Dropping the glasses back, she leaned back with a grin. I smiled back and winked, then whispered my song choice. She laughed as she pulled it up on the machine, but motioned me towards the stage.This was gonna be fun. Freeballing -Louis Morgan