Caramel entered the bar just as the sun was setting. Twangy guitar music wafted out of the juke box as he sauntered past the electric light.
"How ya doin', Caramel?" asked the bartender.
Caramel smiled, brushing his silken mane back. "Just wonderfully, Sam."
"You know, my name's not Sam either."
"Say..." Caramel fidgeted. "Is anyone... uhm...?" He pointed at the juke box.
"Heh. That thing's been untouched all day. It's all yours, girl."
"Eheheh... thanks!" Caramel dashed over to the machine. He slipped in a bit, switched records, and waited for the speakers to crackle a beloved pop tune. "Heeeee..." The tips of his ears fluttered happily. "Oh Canter Lauper... you never cease to enchant me."
"It's Tuesday. Shall I make the usual?"
"Er... n-no, actually!" Caramel smiled as he shuffled across the bar. "I have a vacation coming up! So I'm in a good mood! I'm game for something wild! Something... crazy!"
"Pineapple flavored, then?"
"I didn't say that!" Caramel pouted. After a few seconds, his tail drooped. "But... uhm... y-yes please... if you d-don't mind, that is."
"Heheh... coming right up."
"Thanks, Sam." Caramel's eyes settled upon two figures at the booth. His lips pursed curiously as his soft ears caught an ongoing conversation.
"And... I'm happy for her. I am happy for her. But..." Rainbow Dash grumbled into her third empty glass. She turned it around and around in two anxious hooves. "...it doesn't make it suck any less to let her go!"
"But you... are letting her go, right?" Vinyl Scratch murmured.
"Pffft. What do you think I'm here for?" Rainbow grumbled. "To work on my dance moves?"
"Well, Caramel did just subject us to Canter Lauper... again." Vinyl looked over, sighing through a tired smile. "Hey, girl."
"Hiya!" Caramel dropped his saddlebag and slid in next to Vinyl. "Boy, is this week great or what?!"
"Mehhhh..." Rainbow's head hung.
"Ahem..." Vinyl glanced over. "Dare to elaborate?"
"A vacation's coming up. I'm about to drink pineapple." Caramel smiled until his dimples nearly burst. "And... and I think I just got the letter."
"Hmmm?" Vinyl blinked behind her shades. "What letter?"
"You knowwwwww..." Vinyl leaned in, whispering. "The letter."
A pause. Then Vinyl reeled. "Ohhhhhhhh..." She tilted her head aside. "Really?"
"Eeheehee!" Caramel reached into his bag and pulled out a thick white envelope. "It's the same size as the last one! I-I think I'm actually making progress here!"
"Well, what are you waiting for!"
"Pffft! Seriously? Here? In this place?" Caramel rolled his eyes. "I'm afraid I'd make all the windows shatter from squealing with glee." He winked. "I'm waiting until the vacation is in full force so I can celebrate with zeal."
"You... uh... you might wanna open it now, Cara."
"What for?"
"Just..." Vinyl scratched. "You never know."
"Oh don't be such a pessimist." Caramel stuck his tongue out. "That's Lyra's job."
"No wonder she's a music professor by day."
"Heheheh..." Caramel looked across the table. "So! Rainbow! I was at the ceremony earlier today!" He raised an eyebrow. "Were you sick or—?"
"Why does everypony wanna talk about the stupid ceremony?!" Rainbow moaned.
"Er... m-my bad..." Caramel's eyes blinked across the table. "Wow... those are a lot of glasses."
"HIC! You are a lot of glasses!" Rainbow slurred, pointing off-center. "You ever think of that?"
"And so it beginsssss..." Vinyl exhaled.
"I'm sorry." Caramel blinked. "What begins?"
"The apple's finally fallen from the tree," Vinyl said aside.
"In... wh-what way?"
"A stupid way..." Rainbow groaned. "Stupid... Leavish way..." She closed her eyes tight. "It's all my fault."
Vinyl whispered. "It's gonna be one of those nights."
"Ahhh..." Caramel nodded. A gulp, and he simpered. "I... think I could do with that pineapple now..."