//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: everything is louder // Story: Under the influence // by The Drifting Bard //------------------------------// Why do stars suddenly appear every time I drink beer Hungover. thats one word to describe how i feel right now. the other words could be mentioned as a stream of non-sequential swearwords and the occaisional "by celestia's beard why the fuck did i drink so much" to be perfectly honest, i wasnt really expecting that kind of answer from Berry. I felt like shit after replaying the memory.. or what was pieced together from it. it was a kind of ignored confession. Berry loved me, but i didn't feel the same. my dad would have said "ye be a fookin idjiot ta be turnin down a mare like that, ah canea think how ye can get land a drinkin buddy like that without rammin her" yeah... my dad's a filthy scottish bastard. I clumsily picked myself up off the floor. picking up the keys once more. the jangle of the keys sounded more like a set of church bells going off near my ear. i hastily opened the door and darted in, slamming the door behind me. very stupid if you ask me. once again, i found my head pounding from the loud noise and the headache. i picked up the sunglasses i left on the table and put them on, hiding the bloodshot eyes i had from the world. Placing my black stetson on, i simply sighed. i took two painkillers and promptly tidied the shit-hole up. after placing a guitar back in its case, i sighed. "what the hell happened man," i glanced at a photo. "why didn't you say anything" it was me and my bandmate. "well, least nothin can harm you now" two years ago "For Celestia's sake man, just give it up already" was the shout given by a roadie. i was currently downing a bottle of Jack. i then threw the bottle, landing a straight shot into a trashcan. "Score," i sat down on the sofa. "dude, where's Rocky?" i watched as a body bag was wheeled through from one of the toilets. a coroner walked out and placed a hoof on my shoulder. "Rock is dead" "you stupid..." I took a deep breath as a knock was heard on the door. "hey! you in there Rover?" it was my mum... "remember you've got to look after Pipsqueak today" "yeah, i'll pick him up after school" i sighed. I left the house shortly after, following the smell of fresh coffee. "Mornin Pinkie!" i shouted with glee, no hangover is good, coffee is better. "Mornin Rover!" she placed a coffee down on the table for me. "ahhh you always do make the best coffee" she smiled at me for a moment. i took another sip of the coffee. "so Pinks, hows life?" "its pretty good, Dashie's taking me to a gig just down the clambermane" "the clambermane? must be new" i chuckled. Me and Berry had a history of going to a newly open bar and seeing if we can drink them dry... or get thrown out. "so when is it?" i asked. "Bucked if i know" she chuckled. after leaving Sugarcube Corner, i simply took in my surroundings. moving back to ponyville after.... it was a good move, the ponies were great... the atmosphere was great... but something was missing. i shook off the feeling of dread and simply laid near a tree opposite the school. within a few minutes i heard the shout of "Rover!!!" i scrambled to my hooves but was soon pounced on by a small colt. "hey Pip" "um excuse me sir? could i have a word with you?" i heard a voice. "sure what's this about?" "your son, Pipsqueak?" Pipsqueak facehoofed. "Miss Cherrilee, he's my little brother" i chuckled. her mauve coat suddenly became a darker shade. "oh...t-terribly sorry" "mind you, i can see why," i sighed as i placed the hat on Pip's head. "so? whats wrong with pip?" i watched as Cherrilee sighed. "he's a hard worker," she lowered her voice a little bit "but he's been having trouble fitting in with the others" I sighed. "because of the accent am i right?" i chuckled, then deliberatly stopped speaking in what was percived as a common accent. "ya see, me dear, I'm about as Trottingham as they come, just learnt to control me mannerisms" she gave a slight giggle. "so, you're the one my sister always talks....i mean...telling me about" nice save...jackass "tell you what, how about we go out sometime...just... you and me?" "i'm sorry but...oh what the hay, it wouldn't hurt" she smiled. inwardly i jumped for joy, but on the outside i simply smiled back. "pick you up at 7pm friday? i can have you back by eleven" she giggled. "you always play it safe?" my face fell. "Miss... that was, without a doubt... the most dumbest thing anypony could say to my brother" "and why is that?" "he never plays it safe"