//------------------------------// // 2 - The Bar // Story: From Dusk to Night // by KuroiTsubasaTenshi //------------------------------// I pushed my way through the doors of The Lusty Sea Pony. While I did not particularly like bars over, say, a nice clean diner, I had to acknowledge that it was a good place to find loose tongues. I’d also somehow managed to accumulate friends with a tendency to binge, which made going something of a social necessity. The Sea Pony was a bit of an oddity, with its rosy-cheeked namesake calling out to sailors from the large, gaudy sign out front. This was because as far as I knew, the bar’s clientele consisted of exactly zero sailors. Not that I could blame the blushing seapony, though, as it wasn’t her fault she was stuck in a landlocked town. Sure, we had a river, but I had serious doubts that anything bigger than a canoe could fit in it. I’d once questioned Barkeep on his decision and he’d simply shrugged and said, “I like sea ponies and this was the only place I had the bits for.” And yes, Barkeep is what he goes by. I’d also once asked him if he had another name we could call him by, but he kept insisting that we use Barkeep. To be fair, given the kinds of names we Equestrians tend towards, that very well could have been his real name. In any event, somehow, the Sea Pony hadn’t gone under. I suppose the sheer novelty of the theme, as well as being one of only two bars in the town, had something to do with it. Tonight’s plan was to meet my friend, Terrabona, for the usual night of chatting and drinking away some stress. That is, she’d guzzle half a keg’s worth of whiskey, while I nursed a glass of cider. We always sat facing the door. Terra, so that she could call every new stallion hot and nudge me toward him. And me, so that I could assess everyone in general. Oh, and prepare to roll my eyes at the ‘Mistress of Matchmaking’. As I stepped into the common area, I was bombarded by a dozen incoherent conversations, intermingled with the heavy scent of hay fries and alcohol. I made a quick scan of the crowd before letting my eyes drift over to our usual table. To my surprise, I found our table occupied by not one, but two green unicorns. On my left, with the unruly red-orange mane, was Terra. If the giant grin on her face and the empty glasses were any indication, she was already on her third drink and more than a little tipsy. She waved her forehoof in that wobbly, off-kilter kind of way that always made me think of a giant noodle. On the right was the newcomer,  a taller, more muscular pony. Pale blue strands flowed down her neck, falling over her scaled barding, as well as half-concealing a pair of sheaths. While the blades were a possible cause for concern, the barding was the most eye-catching. The scales, each of which were painted to match her coat, looked less metallic and more like they came from the hide of something I couldn’t recognize. Whoever she was, she was a professional. She seemed to be ignoring Terra entirely and didn’t even bother to acknowledge my approach. Instead, she chose to pore over a book that was easily as thick as an encyclopedia. I kept an eye on the stranger as I slid up beside Terra. “Hi, Terra.” “Hi, Dusky!” Terra’s grin widened. “New friend?” I tilted my head toward the newcomer. “Yeah! Let me introduce you! Starshadow, this is Dusky. She’s all serious like you. An’ Dusky, this is Starshadow. She’s like a Guard or somethin’.” I was no expert, but if there was one thing I knew for certain: the Guard loves its flashy plate barding and uniforms. Whatever Starshadow was wearing was clearly custom. “Really? That doesn’t look like any Guard armour I’ve ever seen.” “That is because I am not one of your Guard. I am a knight of Ostfriesen.” Starshadow didn’t even look up. Ostfriesen…? The name took a moment to click, my mind hastily sifting through non-Equestrian geography.  Wait a second, that’s a three day flight to the east! In the past, I’d hardly given the place any thought. With the surrounding badlands infested by some of the world’s most-hardened and dangerous monsters, it certainly wasn’t on my summer vacation list. But with somepony who was supposedly a real live denizen right there in front of me, my mind was suddenly very full of questions. But she seemed less-than-talkative and pestering her was only likely to make her even less so. I’d have to get her to warm up to me first, and that was almost certain to be a difficult task. In the very least, somepony was making a trip to the library tomorrow. I opened my mouth, but  the creak of the Sea Pony’s doors pulled my attention away. In walked two familiar pegasi, the first being Mahogany, another one of my drinking buddies. Despite his tendency of outdrink Terra, toned muscles gave shape to his rust-coloured coat, a testament to his fitness. He owed this, not to weather work, but to his job as a courier for the Equestrian Parcel Service. I think anypony would get that fit if they had to make long flights pulling many times their weight behind them. The second, half-hiding behind Mahogany’s parcel cutie mark and the short grey tail behind that, was Night Flurry. What the? Now there’s something I didn’t expect. I wonder how long until he has a meltdown. Terra turned to me, not even attempting to whisper. “Oh! New hot stallion alert!” “Terra, that’s Mahogany.” “No, the other guy!” She pointed her hoof. “That’s Night Flurry.” “Oooooh, you know him!” Her grin grew and grew, until I thought she’d found a way to swallow her own muzzle. “Not really, he’s just another pony on the weather team.” “That’s even better!” Terra leaned her neck against mine as she got that far off look, the one that always told me she had one thing in mind: meddling. I sighed, resisting the urge to push her away, lest she faceplant on the floor. “Terra, look. Just because I know his name and we’ve been in the same room together, it doesn’t mean we belong together. If that was the case, I’d be dating half of Ponyville. Besides, he doesn’t even like other ponies enough to show up for meetings.” “So maybe he’s a little fixer-upp—” “Don’t even start.”  I shot a glare her way before raising a hoof to wave at Mahogany. He stopped just long enough to wave once before continuing toward the bar. He’d be back, of course; he just needed to get his first couple glasses of the night. While Night Flurry was practically glued to him, I somehow suspected it wasn’t because he wanted in on the whiskey. Terra drummed her hooves on the table and leaned over to Starshadow, showing off more of her ‘discreetness’. “She’s a tough shell. Maybe she’s into maresh.” I rolled my eyes, not because there was no truth in Terra’s words, but because she was so relentless about it. To be perfectly honest, a good physique, whether stallion or mare, will get my cheeks a little rosy. The real reason was I just wasn’t interested in romance. Anyone who got close to me like that could become a target and that wouldn’t be fair. One might then argue for one night stands, but the very prospect of using someone like that makes me uncomfortable. “Mmm, maybe I’m into maresh,” Terra said, breaking my reverie. She leaned forward, so close that she might as well be nuzzling Starshadow and started sniffing. I blinked. Sure, drunk Terra could get flirty; in fact, that was practically a given on a night like this. But I’d never seen her be so forward and the whole hitting on other mares thing was new too. I found myself torn between amusement and confusion. “Uh… Terra?” “Have you been with maresh? I bet you have.” Terra not-whispered into Starshadow’s ear. Starshadow spared her about two seconds for a sideways glance. “No.” “Terra.” “What?! You’re telling me a schexy thing like you never tried?!” “No.” “Aw, c’mon! Don’tcha wanna have shome fun?” Terra’s grin widened. “Jush one kiss?” Starshadow turned so that she was almost muzzle-to-muzzle with Terra. A soft blue light played over both of their faces as Terra leaned forward… and stopped. Blue auras surrounded both Starshadow’s horn and Terra’s muzzle, keeping them separate. A confused expression washed across Terra’s face, which, after a few moments of struggling, melted into a blank stare. Eyes narrowing, Starshadow stood up and tilted her muzzle just enough to be looking down on Terra. “No.” And with that, Starshadow returned to her book. Despite all that, Terra continued to stare. I was about an inch away from facehoofing. “Terra!” “What?” She gave me a half-dazed look and I couldn’t tell if it was just the alcohol or if she had actually been that smitten. I decided I didn’t really care. Doing my best to keep a neutral expression, I spoke through gritted teeth. “Stop. Antagonizing. The armed pony.” “Okay.” I blinked again. Something about that was too easy. Usually, when she got focused on her whole matchmaking bit, she had to be dragged away, kicking and screaming. Granted, it was a rare occurrence for her to be the subject of her own meddling, especially with that level of intensity. I suppose I didn’t really know what to expect. Regardless, I kept watching Terra for several minutes, but she had become far more interested in her drink. “Ladies!” Mahogany smiled as he took a seat, slamming his ‘Buzzard’ glass down in front of him. It’s a concoction of whiskey and whatever soda suits his fancy, a fact the straight-drinking Terra loved to rib him for. Unsurprisingly, there wasn’t even enough liquid left to splash out the top. It was a bit of a shame, really; I missed the days when he would flail his head around, desperately trying to catch every droplet on his tongue. Granted, I wasn’t even sure why he did that, given that he had no qualms about licking it off the table. “Gentlecolts.” I smirked. “Only one tonight?” “Nah!” Mahogany turned to Night Flurry, shoving him up to the table with a wing. “I just got my best bud, Flurry, here to help me tonight!” A pained look washed down Night Flurry’s face as he gingerly slid a second, dangerously-tilted glass onto the table. I really couldn’t help but feel sorry for him; the way he was shaking, I half-expected him to spend the rest of the night hiding under the table. “Let me introduce you to my drinkin’ pals! This here’s Dusky, that’s Terrabona, an’... an’...” He pointed to each of us in turn, his hoof freezing at Starshadow. Lowering his hoof to the table, he leaned forward and squinted. Then before anyone could say anything, he snapped to. “Terra Number Two!” I couldn’t help but snicker, waiting for Terra to take a jab at him, but it never came. Instead, she was locking lips with her glass. When Starshadow made no motion to assist, I turned back to Mahogany. “That’s Starshadow, a newcomer and definitely far too sober to be a clone of Terra.” “Huh. Well, nice to meet ya, Starshadow!” He extended a forehoof. “Hi.” Starshadow looked up just long enough to give Mahogany a hurried hoofshake. “Not too talkative, eh? How’dja even meet, anyway?” I cast a glance at Terra, who was still muzzle-deep in her drink. “Terra was already getting all… friendly with her when I arrived.” “An’ she wash jus’ here, sho I deshided to shay ‘hi!’” Terra threw her forelegs up and grinned. “Haha, ‘kay! Well, this here’s Night Flurry, mah best bud! He’s new too!” Mahogany wrapped a foreleg around Night Flurry and pulled him close. Night cringed, shrinking under the sudden enthusiasm. I had a distinct feeling he’d never seen this side of Mahogany before. Terra stared sadly at her empty glasses, seeming to forget that there was a bartender not more than ten feet behind her. I supposed she was reaching the point where even that was too much work. Her eyes drifted to the side, finding easier prey. Mahogany’s untouched glass started inching toward her. With eyes wide, Mahogany brought his hoof down. “Noooo! Get your own!” “C’mon! Can’sha share?” Terra fluttered her eyelids. I couldn’t quite put my hoof on it, but there was a strange… almost lack of enthusiasm behind it. “No! Mine! Get your own!” Mahogany held the glass tight to his chest, nuzzling it like he would a foal. Or rather, like he would if he actually liked foals. “Fine! Maybe I will!” With a whirl, Terra fell flat on her face. I rushed to help her up, ignoring her endless insistances of “I’m okay! I’m okay!” Mahogany laughed as he trotted round to our side. “You sure you can even handle one more, Terra?” “Shut up! I can and you know it!” “Okay, okay. Just one more. I got this, Dusky. S’my turn, anyway.” And with that he braced Terra against him and guided her toward the bar. “Grab me a cider while you’re at it!” I called after them. Mahogany waved a wing. I took my seat back. Night was simply staring, having not moved the whole time and Starshadow, well, she didn’t seem to be affected by anything. Night Flurry shrunk away as I turned my gaze to him. I groaned inwardly as I looked to Starshadow instead, wondering if she’d somehow be more social. “D-Dusky! Hi!” Night said, his voice modulating uncontrollably. “Uh, hi.“ “I-I’m N-Night L—F-flurry!” He dug his hooves into the table and it trembled. It was a good thing he wasn’t heavier, otherwise he might have ended up with a compressed muzzle. “So Mahogany said.” “Haha, he did, didn’t he? Ha...” Night Flurry looked away, his ears wilting. A frown slipped over my lips. I had serious doubts that we could carry on a conversation, at least if he was going to continue being so jittery. “Sooo, Starshadow, you said you’re a knight, right?” I asked. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Night Flurry’s ears perk up and his eyes brighten. Perhaps I could get two birds with one stone. “Mmmhmmm.” “Do you mind if I ask about Ostfriesen?” I smiled, waiting for Starshadow to look up. She stopped and stared, her eyes boring into me with a sort of dull disbelief. “What?” I tilted my head as I felt my lips slip. Hopefully I hadn’t offended her. “You are the first to ask further,” was her matter-of-fact response. “I am?” Starshadow nodded. “The ponies here always become silent and move on when I mention Ostfriesen.” I felt the heat of embarrassment flood over my cheeks, even though I had had no hoof in her experience. “Oh, um… sorry about that. That’s not your fault. Towns this far in don’t do so well with foreigners.” “And yet you ask.” It was Starshadow’s turn to tilt her head. My smile returned and not entirely of my own will. “I’m a traveler. You might say visiting other places has left me more open-minded.” “A traveler? Do you not wish to see it for yourself?” “Of course, but… I’m afraid the wilds there would be a bit much for somepony like me.” I tapped the table with my hoof, hoping my admission wouldn’t ruin our conversation. She looked me up and down, a chill creeping over my body wherever her eyes fell. I knew she wasn’t staring at me in that way, but I almost would have preferred a lewd look over such a cold appraisal. “I suppose not,” Starshadow said at last. “What would you like to know?” “Anything. I’ve only ever heard the name in passing.” I could feel the excitement rising in my chest. Knowledge that I never thought I’d have was suddenly within hoof’s reach. While it wasn’t firsthoof, as I often preferred, beggars can’t be choosers. Starshadow stared at her book, though she wasn’t reading. Somewhere in the middle of that unrelated text, she was plotting a starting point. “Our country is led by Queen Papaya and her council, which is comprised of our most experienced knights.” Night Flurry’s ears perked up again. The more I thought about it, the more I was starting to see another motivation for his enrolment in the Guard. “Their chamber sits atop the Spire of Strength, a great stone tower in the centre of Castle Tapioca, our capital. The castle is named for Queen Tapioca, the first of the royal lineage. She is said to have taken on an Elder Wyrm in single combat and survived to tell the tale.” Night Flurry’s jaw dropped. In truth, were someone able to see into my mind, they’d know I was just as taken aback. Aided by an inkling of skepticism, I kept my composure. Even among the few legends that reached Equestria, this sounded like a bit much. “That’s quite the feat. Although, given what I’ve heard of the monsters in your region, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.” “Are the creatures of the Everfree not comparable?” Starshadow fixed me with that hard stare again. “Maybe? I don’t know. Few ponies go in willingly and even fewer choose to pick fights.” I resisted the urge to call them insane. “I see. Then perhaps it is time that someponies did.” I blinked and stared at Starshadow. “That’s… uh, very brave of you.” “Bravery is part of our duty.” Her eyes returned to the book for a moment, though her voice did not falter in its conviction. “Erm, right…” I suddenly felt even more out of my league. A mug of cider plopped down in front of me and relief, as cool as the drink, washed over my face. While I still had many questions for Starshadow, the talk of heroics was beginning to weigh on me. Too many bad memories. I glanced over my shoulder in time to catch Mahogany and Terra’s return. “Whew! Long line! Shtotally worth it, though!” Mahogany grinned as he lifted his wings and four more glasses clattered onto the table. “Totally.” Terra trotted up beside me, swaying with each step. “E-excuse me…” Night Flurry squeaked out as he backed away and headed for the bar. I raised an eyebrow. “Where’s he going?” “For a drink. I think.” Mahogany shrugged. “He drinks?” I watched Night disappear into the crowd. “Nah. Not yet, anyway. He goesh fer that tea junk. Yuck.” Mahogany made a face. “That why you bought four more glasses?” Turning back to the others, my eyes drifted over the alcohol stockpile. “Nah. Ish just fer Terra an’ me.” With a wide grin, Mahogany pointed to himself. Or rather, tried to: he was a few inches wide. “Yeah!” Terra chimed in. “Anything he drinksh, I can too!” I shook my head and stuck out my tongue. “Fine, but just so you know: under no circumstances am I carrying either of you home.”