//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: That Fateful Day // by Raidah //------------------------------// It was time. Time to hit the bar and hopefully meet up with those two girls. I didn't really expect to meet them there, seeing as there were several other bars around town that they could be at if they were even going to any, but one could still hope... We headed out into the dimly lit streets, the last of the suns rays casting a brilliant orange glow across the sky. Sunsets were always beautiful around here, and this one was no exception. I saw a few of the street lights starting to turn on as we walked towards the local bar. I wasn't in too much of a drinking mood, but it'd help ease the stress of my last few days on duty. Shit had hit the fan, to say the least; I lost two buddies and almost half of my platoon were either dead or injured. I almost lost my head to one of the crazy fanatics we were fighting off. Came at me with a sword and was swinging it around like a maniac. Clipped my shoulder and calf before I managed to get some space between us and put a bullet in his dome. It had been two months of me sitting in the infirmary because the muscle in my shoulder needed to heal, as did the one in my calf. It still hurts to walk, but not as much as it did. The stitches came off a month ago, and I was left to roam and get my strength back before they decided to let me have a break. I'm getting sidetracked again... AJ and I walked until we came across a two story building with a light brown wooden exterior. A sign hanging from the roof said SAA Brewery and Bar in bright yellow text. I nudged Applejack knowingly and opened the wooden door for her, letting her in before I followed. We walked towards the bar and sat down on one of the barstools while she took the one next to me. I didn't know what I wanted, so I just waived the bartender to AJ. I don't know why, but I couldn't stop thinking about that girl. It was like she was seared into my brain or something. She wasn't just beautiful, but damn sexy too. And she wouldn't go away. I honestly wondered if she'd show up so I could ask her out, because I had a feeling that it wouldn't stop until I did. An hour passed and I had finally given in and bought a quick rum and coke, per AJ's constant haggling. She had a mug full of applejack, which she almost always had some of when we went out, which I based a nickname for her from. Which was, of course, Applejack. I didn't use it all that often, but it was still fun when I did. I'd usually get a few of our friends to sing-song it to her whenever she was tending to the bar herself, and she'd laugh and get us all glasses of the stuff. I was into my second rum and coke when I heard someone sit down next to me. I didn't look over at first, but the short glimpse of cyan hair that flashed in the corner of my eye was enough to tell me it was her. Applejack nudged my shoulder, and I looked at her with my eyes while I sipped more on my drink. "That them?" she asked in a hushed whisper, to which I replied with a quick nod. Careful not to let them see me. I could hear them whispering to each other as well, but I couldn't tell what about. After a few minutes of silence between the four of us, the girl nudged me lightly on the shoulder. I froze, not knowing what to do, but the calm nature of her voice soothed me out of it. "Hey," she said. Her voice was smooth as silk, flowing effortlessly from her lips. "Uh, hey," I said, not knowing what I should do. Stay cool, man. Don't blow this. "What's your name?" she asked. "Sharp," I answered. "Yours?" "Night," she said. "Night..." I mumble. "That's beautiful," I say, getting a good look at her for the first time since earlier today. She was wearing a tight black dress that hugged her body perfectly, accentuating her curves in an irresistible way. If we weren't in public, I swear... Heh, looks like she's too hard to resist. I noticed her saying something and quickly snapped back to reality. "I'm sorry?" I say, embarrassed. "Sorry, I got sidetracked." "I said: where are you from?" She laughs. "Here in Ponyville," I say, trying to keep my cool. "What about you?" "Cloudsdale," she says, looking down. She looked kind of sad, which couldn't be good if she's thinking of home. "You okay?" I ask. "Huh?" She looks at me, her bright red eyes locking onto mine. "You look upset," I say. "Oh, it's nothing," she says. "You sure?" "Yeah," she nods, giving me a smile that could melt a glacier. God damn I want her. Control yourself, Sharp. Don't blow this. I stretch my arms above my head and lock eyes with her again. I don't know what it is about her, but something is just so... Incredible about her. "Want a drink?" I ask, gesturing to the barmaid. "Sure," she says, smiling. "Alright," I half-smirk and gesture to the barmaid, and she comes over. "The usual, Sharp?" she asks me. "For me, yeah," I look at Night. "What about you." "Vodka martini, extra ice," she says, and I raise my eyebrow. She catches it, too, and smirks at me. "What? Surprised I can handle it?" "N-no, I just..." I stutter out, and she laughs, and God damn that laugh is sexy. "It's okay, lots are surprised by what I can and can't take," she says, flashing me a clearly suggestive wink, and I blush madly. I want her. So damn bad. I clear my throat and nod at the barmaid, and she quickly gets to work preparing the drinks while I look into the eyes of my newfound target.