Memory
Wait…Colgate? Like…like the-?
“Yeah, yeah. Like the toothpaste.”
*Snerk* “Thass the mos’ random nickname I’ve ever heard.”
“Hey it’s not like I picked it! When Melodia, Moondancer and I went out for brunch soon after we had first met, I had to duck out afterward to brush my teeth. Melodia saw me when she went to use the bathroom as well, and thought it was hilaaaarious.”
“It couldn’t *hic* wait’ll you got home? Usin’ a public baffroom to brush yer teef is kinda…”
“No it couldn’t wait. I honestly don’t know how everypony else can stand it, walking around with gunk in their mouth, who made the rule saying you had to brush your teeth right before bed?! What a stupid time to brush your teeth, hours after you eat, letting the germs ferment in your mouth all evening. It makes no sense!” Minuette pounded the countertop with her beer, spraying foam over her forelegs.
“Ick.” She popped out the alcohol scrub and wiped her hooves off in the towel that Horte had been bringing over to clean up Berry’s and her own frequent spills, before simply leaving it there with an exasperated sigh, knowing he was fighting an uphill battle.
To Minuette’s right, Berry was grinning into her 3rd Sonic Rainboom (she had previously consumed a total of 7 Sweet Apple Acres Hard Apple Ciders)
“Well, it suits ya, I ain’t never seen nopony quite so uptigh’ abo germs. Walkin’ down tha street here’n Ponyville muss make ya wanna retch.” *hic*
Minuette turned, swaying slightly, horrified she might have given offense. “Not at all Berry, not at all. Ponyville has its own kind of cleanliness about it. Sure it might be a little bit dusty-” Minuette glanced down and her rumpled and smudged dress “-but, this place is…it’s clean in ways Canterlot never will be.”
“Like?” Berry arched an eyebrow and drank the red layer of her Rainboom, making a face like someone had kicked her in the tonsils.
“The air here is clean, I’ve lived in Canterlot all my life, I didn’t know what it was like to have air so clean I could smell flowers across the street, or baked goods from so far away. While I was walking past Town Hall, I got a whiff of something…scintillating from Sugarcube Corner, and I wasn’t even going in that direction.” Minuette sighed at the memory. “This place still has charm; it’s still got the feeling of a community, instead of just a bunch of ponies packed into giant buildings. You lose something I think, when you live in a place where every square meter is built up, where the noises never stop.” She took another sip of beer.
“Don’t get me wrong, I hate silence, but the quiet here isn’t of loneliness or isolation, it’s just…peaceful. You’d be amazed how lonely you can feel when you’re surrounded by ponies all day, people you never speak to, and never remember you.”
Minuette turned to the lavender Earth Pony, who seemed lost in thought. “You didn’t feel any of that? When you were at Canterlot University all those years ago? You must have felt as much a fish out of water then as I do now.”
Berry looked away, then slammed back another swig of her drink, taking the orange layer this time. “Yeh. It don’t feel s’bad if ya got somepony wiff ya, tho. Somepony special. Like yew and yer friends Moonpie and Melon.”
“Moondancer and Melodia”
“S’what I said.” Berry looked at Minuette with concern. “Yew shud prolly stop drinkin’ if yer startin’ to havin’ trouble hearin’ fings.”
Minuette stifled a giggle. “You’re right Berry. What was I thinking, trying to keep up with you?” She eyed her own modest pile of empty glasses: Three ciders, two local beers (counting her current one) and an Appletini that had been utterly delicious (she would have ordered a second, but not on Berry’s nickel).
Minuette also had the benefit of a full stomach of lasagna to ballast out the alcohol, she didn’t even know if Berry had any food before this.
They were the last patrons in the bar, Minuette realized, the stunning Unicorn and her friend from earlier were gone. All the candles at the various tables had been doused, leaving only the dull glow of the overhead lights. The bar area itself was shrouded in shadow.
Minuette glanced at her watch and swore.
“S’matter?” Berry listed dangerously in her seat, and Minuette reached out with a panicked hoof to stabilize her. “Thanks.”
“Um, nothing’s the matter; my watch just broke again is all. Been trying for weeks to find a spring for it, making do with one that’s too big.”
The watch had indeed broken, it had come to a stop at 11:35 and some seconds, Celestia only knew how long ago that was.
They had been here much longer than Minuette had thought. There was no other clock in the room for her to check the current time. Why had Horte not kicked them out yet?
Do these ponies have no concept of time? How the hell do they keep appointments when the only clock I’ve seen that isn’t mine was stuck to Town Hall?
Minuette looked out the front door, it was stupid to look, it wasn’t like anything outside could tell her the time, and they were much too far from Town Hall. The night outside was deeper and darker than any she could remember, only an isolated smattering of magical streetlamps pierced the darkness, nothing at all like Canterlot where the night was a perpetual, twinkling twilight. Celestia’s home city refused to give the shadows purchase, even drowning out the light of the stars.
Berry was speaking again. “Thumbtack’ll hook ya up. He…uh…he ownsa hardware store. Anyfing he don’t have he’kn make fer ya custom. Fixed m’wagon gud a few weeks back…r’was that lass month?” Berry nodded several times, as if for emphasis, then sucked down the yellow layer of her Rainboom, shaking her head violently and stifling a cough.
She continued when the coughing subsided. “Colgate…hell I never’n really hada nickname. I wuz always jus Berry Punch.”
Berry looked at Minuette with deep seriousness. “Ya do kinda look like Toofpaste. Wiff tha coat an tha white hair.”
“Thanks Berry.” Minuette facehoofed.
“Jus sayin. S’ a good nickname. Fits ya.”
Minuette sighed, and took another swig of beer. “Feel free to use it then, I always did find Minuette a little…stuffy as first names go.”
“Dun worry bout bein’ stuffy, we’n got tha stuffiest pony in alla Equestria alredy.” *hic* “Tha Unicorn in th’ corner earlier? Name’s Rarity, and she’s gota stick up’er ass so big-”
“Berry!”
“Wha? S’the truf. She hates dirt an hard work like it wuz made out’a Nightmare Moon’s nightmare turds.”
“Berry Punch, you are quite the foul mouth when you’ve had too much to drink.” Minuette giggled into her hoof while Berry brooded at the far wall.
“I jus start sayin’ wha I’m always thinkin’ when I get sauced.” Berry looked over at Minuette, who was still smiling. “How come yer still all fine an lil miss high society?”
Minuette downed the last of her beer. “Because I’m enjoying my alcohol, not trying to drink myself into a stupor. Doesn’t mean I’m not feeling it, but the last thing to go with me is my mouth.”
Berry raised an eyebrow again. “Yeh? Whass th’ first fing?”
Minuette blushed, looking away. “Um. I’d rather not talk about it. Let’s just say alcohol is a gateway to poor choices for me.”
Berry nodded, resting her chin on the countertop. “Meh too.” Then, looking morosely at what remained of her drink. “I shud prolly stop now yeh?”
Minuette put a sympathetic hoof on Berry’s shoulder. “Probably.”
The mulberry Earth Pony pushed the drink away with a snort of disgust.
Minuette slid out of the stool and onto her hooves without slipping or falling over, though the room did wobble slightly as she walked. “I have got to use the restroom Berry, all those liquids had to go somewhere.”
Berry waved a hoof from the table. “Sure fing, m’ not goin anywhere.”
Once in the bathroom, Minuette rather self consciously pulled out her toothbrush and paste. The lasagna had been wonderful, but now it was time to say goodbye to the strand of spinach that had been lodged between her molars for the entire evening.
Berry’s a very nice pony, I mean Celestia’s tits she must have spent near a hundred bits on dinner and drinks for the both of us, and we had barely met.
Minuette contemplated her reflection in the mirror as she brushed.
But, she seems to have a bit of a drinking problem. I don’t know, maybe she doesn’t behave like this very often. It didn’t take much prodding to get her to stop after all. When we go out to eat in the future, maybe I should put my hoof down sooner. Before she starts hitting the Rainbooms.
Minuette made a face, not knowing how a pony could drink something so vile, let alone three. The Sonic Rainboom was a fraternity dare drink from her college days, drunken frat stallions and hoofball players choking them down till one of them puked all over themselves. Nopony drank them for their taste.
She put her things back in her purse and opened the door to the restaurant, walking into pitch darkness.
What? Did the power fail?
“B-Berry? What happened? Are you ok?”
Her horn illuminated the interior in a ghostly blue light. There was Berry Punch, sitting where she had been before, head slumped against the countertop. She did not stir at the sound of Minuette’s voice. As she approached, she could hear Berry’s breathing, slow and deep.
She fell asleep? But…oh hell. How is she supposed to get home like this?
It was at that moment that Minuette realized she did not know exactly where Berry lived in town.
She reached out and gently shook the sleeping pony. “Berry wake up, I need to get you home. Berry?” Even vigorous shaking could not rouse her. Minuette thought for a moment, and then smacked a hoof across Berry’s face. Nothing.
She’s unconscious. Great.
The doors to the kitchen were locked, But she did find out why the lights went out, a wall timer that goverened the overheads had finally wound down to zero. It looked like the dial could be set for hours, probably the entire working day. Minuette gave it a crank to around the five minute mark, and the lights flicked back on.
Might be Horte’s passive aggressive way of telling any lingering patrons to shove off. Though that hardly makes sense, I could very easily burglarize this place right now and nopony would be the wiser. Where the hell is he?
The stairs going to the second floor appeared to lead to living spaces, Minuette halted at the top of them, finding another locked door. She stopped herself before she reached out with her telekinesis to pick the door.
I’m in someone’s house now, crawling around like a cat burglar. I need to stop before I create an incident. That bastard Horte must have assumed I’d take her home. Also, I’m more than a little drunk, which means I should be checking every decision I make. This is a bad one.
She stumbled back down the stairs and over to Berry, who burped slightly as she approached.
I…suppose I could take her back to my place. Set her up in the bed. Put a bucket down or something for when she woke up.
This seemed like a better plan, one that didn’t break any laws or make a scene on her first night in this city.
It’s not like I could just leave her here, not after buying me dinner, drinks and being good company to boot.
Yes, her brain said sarcastically, this isn’t like kidnapping at all. If you were a stallion, this would be beyond creepy.
Shut up. I’ll…sleep on the sofa.
Minuette reached out with her magic, slowly engulfing Berry in a halo of sparkling blue energy. Her head lolled to the side as she was lifted into the air and in front of Minuette, legs dangling a foot above the ground.
There, she’s no heavier than grandfather’s old clock. This’ll be a snap.
***
Ok, a “snap” might have been being flippant.
Minuette strained under the mental stress of keeping the levitation field stable as the pair passed Town Hall. Somewhere around Sugarcube Corner, Berry had begun to snore, her legs twitching slightly as she floated along.
The clock on the balcony read 3:34AM and Minuette cursed again. Sweat was beading down her face and beginning to soak into her armpits and mane, droplets pooling and falling from her chin.
Only a few more blocks.
She saw the fence she had been pinned against when she had met Ruby Pinch and Desmond. In her terror, she had pressed down one of the fence posts till it had almost popped free of its brethren.
Above her, Berry stirred and stuck out her hooves as if grasping for something, muttering unintelligibly to herself.
Minuette had to admit it was pretty funny, all things considered. Berry probably wasn’t going to wake up till tomorrow-correction, this afternoon.
And I probably won’t either, if this keeps up much longer.
She redoubled her concentration as she felt her hold over Berry’s body slacken and the field begin to flicker dangerously. Minuette picked up speed, trotting onto her property and pulling her purse out with her teeth. Then swearing violently again for what must have been the tenth time this evening.
I left the key inside.
Minuette hadn’t needed to use a key to get into her home or store since she was a small child, she had not carried one in years. She knew exactly where it was, sitting on the table next to the sofa where she had laid it after speaking with Ditzy yesterday afternoon. Unable to keep the spell on any longer, Minuette let Berry slide down onto the stone steps in front of her house, before collapsing herself, wheezing from the exertion. After a few moments Berry rolled into a fetal ball and reached out to grab Minuette’s leg.
“Mmmm…Gingerbread.”
Minuette couldn’t help but laugh as Berry clung to her. At least she’s having a good dream.
She pulled her leg free and reached out again with her magic, fumbling with the tumblers of the door lock, feeling out the unfamiliar components and pushing them into place one by one. It took several minutes longer than she hoped, the alcohol buzz not really being conducive to precision telekinesis.
At last the door swung open, and Minuette dragged them both in by hoof, her magic utterly spent. Hauling Berry up the stairs was…fun, but at last they burst into Minuette’s bedroom on the second floor, still bare of furnishings but with an intact bed. She shoved the blanket pile and duffel bag to the floor, and hefted Berry onto the mattress.
Going back downstairs, Minuette could not find a bucket in the things she had unpacked, and decided after a resigned moment that a cookpot could serve just as well.
A cookpot that will be getting a thorough cleaning afterward.
With it placed next to Berry’s head, Minuette was confident it would intercept any early morning “accidents.” As she laid it down, Berry seemed to sense her presence, pawing the air with a hoof and muttering again.
“Berry? Are you awake? Did you need something?” She reached out and took Berry’s hoof.
“Nnn…Imgood Ginny, juss come ta bed hon.”
Minuette froze, color rising in her cheeks. “Um. No, Berry it’s me, Minuette. Colgate? Remember?” She pulled her hoof free, bringing it to her chest. “We just had dinner together?”
“Dun…dun go Ginny, Ineed ya. Pinchy needs ya. Please…”
Minuette was beginning to feel very uncomfortable. “I’m sorry Berry, Ginny isn’t here, it’s just me.”
“Nnnooo…”
Minuette got up and pulled some of the blankets over Berry’s curled form, tucking her in as best she could. Berry tried to speak again a few times as Minuette went around the room, closing windows so the coming dawn wouldn’t wake her, but nothing understandable. When Minuette returned to slide a rolled up blanket under Berry’s head in lieu of a pillow, she saw the mulberry Earth Pony was crying silently into the sheets.
Minuette reached out and gave Berry a comforting pat.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be the one you wanted.”
She turned and closed the door, heading downstairs to the sofa. The sofa that still had its cushions packed somewhere in the cellar. As a naked wooden frame, it would make a poor bed.
Looking around, her eyes fell on an open box by the wall.
Screw it, that’s what towels are for.
Minuette threw off her dress, letting it crumple in a heap on the floor near the front door and unceremoniously dumped the contents of the box on the sofa, spreading out the bright floral bath towels as best she could into a makeshift matting. She selected a huge white beach towel studded with lime green flowers to use as covers, and crawled into the mound, exhausted.