//------------------------------//
// Chapter 10: Two Mares and Drinks 
// Story: For a Fresh Start 
// by Azure_Flame 
//------------------------------//

	The rest of the shift was more or less the same. Scanning trees, removing branches, and reinforcing ground near saplings. There was plenty of trees around town, and many saplings. Throughout the day, Azure's mind drifted away towards other thoughts. All of it passed by as the day wore on, the sun cruising through the sky. Soon enough, all the trees were checked, and work was over for the day. Everyone gathered back where they first started the day. Many of them were talking among themselves, obviously well acquainted. The coordinator was in the center of it all, talking to a few of the pegasi. He then blew a whistle, and all of them quieted down.

"Alright, everypony. Good work today. I wanna see just as much good work tomorrow!"

And with that, the crowd chatter began again. Some flew away towards the clouds, others towards town. Azure was leaning against a tree, looking over at the crowd for the two mares. He saw Flitter in the air, and waved a wing at her. She took notice and  poked her friend right next to her. The two came down from the sky, and Azure walked towards them.

"Hey, why are you over here? There's a bunch of pegasi making friends over here."

He shrugged. "I'm just not used to talking in crowds like that."

"But you still could make friends if you go on the edge of the crowd."

"Even that's a stretch for me. Besides, we had plans, and I wanted to make it as easy as possible."

Flitter gave a small frown. "Well, that's not an excuse! Get out of your comfort zone every once in a while."

"I guess I'll have to do that sometime."

She stared him down. "You know I meant now, right?"

He looked at her blankly, then gave a small smile. "I'm not gonna get out of this, am I?"

"Well, you need to make some friends. C'mon, let's go and meet our friends." She picked herself off the ground and motioned for him to follow. He did, and entered the multicolored cloud of chatter. There was all sorts of conversations going on, from talk about work to personal lives. Azure followed the mare, and met up with a smaller group. Flitter took the lead, joining back into the conversation like she was never gone. Azure just hovered there, watching and listening. After a short while, Flitter took notice and introduced him.

"Oh, guys. This is Azure, the new guy on our team. Say hi!"

The rest of the group responded with a big hello. One of the stallions came up and held out a hoof. Azure put his to it.

"Nice to meet ya, Azure. Glad to see you're making friends." Azure nodded, and the stallion went back to where he was. The conversation soon kicked back up, held mostly by the rest of the group. Azure piped in from time to time, but he didn't have too much to say. Soon enough, Cloudchaser spoke up.

"Alright, guys. We should be getting going. We planned to go out for some drinks, and I've got business later. So I guess we'll see you all tomorrow." She flew up and off towards the town, Flitter not far behind. Azure quickly gathered himself and caught up.

"Well, that was a bit abrupt."

"I guess. But they don't seem to mind, and I do have other things to do later."

Azure looked at her, his head lightly tilted. He was intrigued, but it wasn't really his room to ask. He left it alone, and followed the mares as they landed in town. The two mares started trotting down the street, knowing where to go. Azure tailed behind a little, unsure of where they were going. Soon enough, they stopped at the door of a small bar. Flitter held the door as the other two entered. The bar was very casual, the lighting dimmer than the break of sunset outside. The tables were set up around the room, each circular table holding 5 chairs. The floor and walls were covered in a white and black tiling, giving an antique look. The floors were clean, though lightly scratched up. In the center of the place was the bar, a simple wooden counter with stools across it. Cloudchaser kept walking, sitting down at one of the stools on the right side. Azure took a spot next to her, and Flitter took a spot on the other side. The bartender came up, polishing a glass.

"Evening, ladies and sir. What will you be having tonight?"

"Well, we know what we're having," was the response that Cloudchaser gave. "Do you know, Azure?"

He looked over the menu quickly, then shook his head. "Not really. I haven't had many drinks."

She gave a quick nod, then looked at the bartender. "Ok. Well, I'll have the Flutterbye, and she'll have the Cloud 7. And..." She leaned in and whispered something to him that Azure couldn't hear. His eyes jolted slightly at the sound of it, and he nodded and went to the back. He looked over to his companions, and they smiled at him. It almost worried him. Soon enough the bartender came back, holding a tray with three different drinks. He gave the two mares their drinks, both mostly yellow, one slightly darkened. The drink placed in front of him was strange, a deep shade of pink. The bartender smiled, then went back to his business. Flitter quickly took to her drink, downing half of it within seconds. Cloudchaser didn't touch her drink immediately, instead looking over at him.

"Um, what is this drink? It looks... weird." He eyed it strangely.

"It's a special drink that's only made here in Ponyville. We call it the 'Pinkie Special.'"

He looked over at her, a bit shocked. He knew of the unique pony, and a drink named after her likely was just as much. He eyed it more, then took a sip. It was very sweet, almost like cotton candy. He gladly took another sip, feeling slightly more awake. He took notice and slowed, wondering what happened. He looked over at Cloudchaser, who was casually drinking her own. "Uh, do you know what they put in this?"

She stopped and looked back over. "Actually, no. Not many people know what goes into these things. All I know is that it's supposed to make you be more active and ready to party. So I guess that helps figure it out a bit." She then went back to her drink, ready to finish it off.

He looked at it again, still unsure of what was in it. He shook his head a little, and went back to it. It was delicious, after all. It may be a bit over sweet, but it still was one of the best things he's had in a while. He finished the rest of it, and lightly pushed the glass back.  He looked over at the two mares next to him, finishing theirs around the same time.

"So, how was it?" Flitter was eager, a smile spread across her face.

"It was pretty good. Very unique, that's for sure."

She giggled a little, her cheeks a light red. "Glad you liked it!"

He tilted his head, a bit perplexed. "Is she ok?"

"She's fine," Cloudchaser said. "She's just not much of a drinker, so she changes moods very quickly."

He nodded. The bartender came up and took their glasses. "Anything else for you three, ma'am?"

"Uh, no, I think that's all."

The stallion gave a slight nod, and walked back off. Flitter giggled again, slightly rocking in her seat. Her cheeks were clearly rosy, and her face was in a constant smile. She quickly looked over to Azure and leaned on the counter to him. "You know, you seem like a nice stallion. How's a guy like you travel around so much?"

"I keep taking jobs to keep my wallet fed. And, well, I don't exactly have a place that I fit in yet. I don't know where it may be, but I'm determined to find my place, wherever that is."

"Well, duh, silly! That was obvious when you showed up for work! I want to know why you don't have a pretty mare for yourself yet!"

He shifted in his seat, shifting back but trying to not fall off his stool. He looked at her, quite flabbergasted. "U-um..." He stammered at the question, still unsure of the answer.

Cloudchaser was the one to cut her off. "Alright, Flitter. That's more than enough. You shouldn't be asking things like that, especially when our guest is new."

"Sorry!" She giggled again, and put her head to the counter. The bartender came back, and he handed the bill to Cloudchaser. She took out some bits from her pouch under her wing, and handed them to him. He counted them, then walked off once more with a nod and a, "Have a safe night." She got up and nudged Flitter. The mare took her head off the counter and put a hoof over her friend's neck. The two slowly shuffled their way to the door. Azure got up and followed them out.

"So, where are you two off to?"

"We've gotta be going. I have things to do, remember?"

He nodded. "Right. So, I guess I'll see you at work tomorrow?"

"Yeah, we'll see you."

"Bye bye!" Flitter flashed a smile, giggling all the while. She turned back, trying to not fall over on her friend. Cloudchaser stumbled as she helped her along. Azure turned off, heading towards the plaza. He still needed some groceries, and a trip to the market was well in order.