Just One Sip
Even after Iron Will's training, after everything Fluttershy had learned, she was still a pushover. She let others step all over her. She let others go on and on about how useless she was on a daily basis, without saying a word.
She hated herself. She couldn't blame other ponies for not wanting to be around her. Rainbow Dash asked Fluttershy if they wanted to talk about it, but Fluttershy declined. She didn't want to bother a tough pony who hates talking about feelings, or anything "sappy".
Tonight Fluttershy had been moping around lazily all day. To make her feel better, her friends Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash wanted to take Fluttershy to a bar. She had never gone to a bar before. Fluttershy had been taught that alcohol isn't good for you, but for the sake of her friends, she decided to go anyway.
"That'll be fifty-four bits." Berry Punch assured the six ponies. Rainbow Dash, who had agreed to pay, slammed her hooves on the table.
"That's insane!" Dash shouted angrily. Berry Punch dramatically rolled her eyes and glared at Rainbow Dash, annoyed.
"They're nine bits each." Berry Punch sneered.
"Why are you making us pay right now, anyway? Shouldn't we have to pay after we get the drinks?" Rainbow Dash smirked. Berry Punch sighed.
"Lately we've had costumers that get so drunk that they leave without paying. Pay now, or leave."
"But that's outrageous!"
"If you really can't afford it, I'll give it to you twenty percent off. How's that?" Berry Punch said sternly, really not in the mood to argue. Rainbow's eyes widened at that. Before Rainbow Dash could speak, Fluttershy stepped in.
"Um...thank you for the offer, but I can't let you give us a discount. Thanks anyway."
Fluttershy said quietly. Berry Punch nodded and looked back at Rainbow Dash.
"Pay up."
Berry Punch said, holding out her hoof. Rainbow Dash groaned as she pulled out fifty-four bits and placed them in the waitress's hoof. After Berry Punch left to get their drinks, Rainbow Dash glared at Fluttershy.
"Fluttershy, we could've had our drinks for cheaper! Why'd you do that!?"
Dash shouted, taking deep breaths afterwards to calm down.
"Fluttershy," said Twilight calmly, "Rainbow Dash is running low on bits as it is. We need to keep this as cheap as possible."
"Then why did we have to come here? This place's expensive."
Rainbow Dash finally calmed herself down and started talking in a comforting voice.
"Fluttershy, I know things have been hard on you lately, so I brought you here to let your mane down, and to have a good time with your friends." Rainbow Dash explained softly. Fluttershy nodded slowly like she understood, but she really wasn't fond of this whole drinking business.
It wasn't long before Berry Punch returned with a tray of six tall whine glasses filled with alcoholic beverages.
"Three ciders, two champagnes, and one vinsanto." She said, placing all six glasses on the table. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash happily took their ciders as Rarity and Twilight grabbed their sparkling champagnes. Fluttershy had no idea what any of them tasted like, for she had never had any alcoholic beverage before. Sure, she had Applejack's apple cider, but her cider is non-alcoholic. If Applejack's cider was alcoholic, Pinkie sure would have one heck of a hangover.
Fluttershy decided to just simply choose whatever drink sounded the most appetising, and the vinsanto won the challenge. Despite the drink sounding so good, Fluttershy still felt it would be wrong if she drinks it. The five ponies had already started drinking when they noticed Fluttershy who was just sitting there awkwardly.
"Fluttershy? Why aren't you drinking?" Twilight asked, becoming concerned.
"I do not believe she has ever drank anything before." Rarity remarked. Pinkie Pie, who's glass was already half empty, licked the cider dripping from her lips as she let out a satisfied yawn.
"Oh geez...Fluttershy! It's good, we promise! *hic*"
Pinkie Pie assured. Fluttershy still looked uneasy.
"Come on, Fluttershy! It will make you feel better!"
Rainbow said, almost pleading. Fluttershy glanced nervously at Pinkie Pie. She hardly had anything left in her glass. By now Pinkie had both her hind legs resting on the table, and her tongue was sticking out. Her eyes were half closed, as if she was relaxed.
"Fluttershy won't *hic* do it. She's such a *hic* goody-two shoes." Pinkie Pie mocked, taking Fluttershy's glass and placing it in front of herself. That name rung in Fluttershy's head.
Fluttershy won't ever be able to think for herself.
She won't do anything that might be dangerous.
I'm surprised she risks walking.
She won't ever be able to do anything fun.
She's such a goody-two shoes.
A stupid goody-two shoes!
"Give me that!" Fluttershy shouted, quickly grabbing the glass from Pinkie's hoof and taking a sip. All Fluttershy had to do was take one sip just to prove a point, then this whole thing would be over. Suddenly, the dimly lit room became brighter. Fluttershy's muscles started relaxing as this wave of happiness hit her. Ever last bit of depression somehow faded, with joy replacing it. Her stomach felt a little tingly, but it felt nice. It felt like a bunch of freshly picked white grapes in liquid form was splashing down her dry throat. All her problems seemed to vanish. For once in months, Fluttershy was happy. Her lips curved into a smile, something that she thought she forgot how to do.
"Well?" Pinkie asked impatiently. "How is it?"
"Amazing!" Fluttershy exclaimed, licking her lips. All Fluttershy wanted was more. She never wanted the moment to end. She didn't want her sadness to ever return. She took another sip. It made her slightly dizzy, but more relaxed for the most part.
"Glad we could *hic* improve your life, Shy!" Pinkie beamed.
"Yeah, but it's getting really late. I think we should go home before I'm too drunk to fly." Rainbow Dash suggested. The others nodded except Fluttershy, who was still in her happy-zone,
"I think I'll stay here for a bit longer, if that's okay with you."
Fluttershy said, taking another sip from her glass.
"Sure, just don't drink too much. That glass you already have should be enough." Applejack assured. Fluttershy happily nodded as the five ponies made their way to the exit. On their way out, Fluttershy could just barely hear Rainbow Dash call out:
"Don't forget what I said to you about talking!"
After they were gone, Fluttershy quickly gulped down the rest of the glass, not yet satisfied. She trotted over to the counter.
"Um, may I have another three bottles, please?" Fluttershy asked Berry Punch.
"Sure. That'll be one-hundred and eighty bits, tax included. Which beverages would you like?"
"The same kinds my friends got. One cider, one champagne, and one vinsanto." Fluttershy requested politely. Berry Punch walked into a room behind the counter and came back out shortly with three full bottles. Fluttershy happily grabbed them and brought them to her cottage.
Fluttershy grasped the cork in her teeth. She pulled and heard a satisfying pop as the wood and glass separated. She took a big gulp. A wave of dizziness washed over her. She started to feel sick to her stomach. She felt like she was going to throw up. The room spun, her right ear was ringing, and every small sound seemed to be louder by a significant amount . However, it still took her away from her depressed state. She no longer had to spend hours thinking to herself how much she hates herself.
Now, she simply sat on her old worn-out sofa, thinking about absolutely nothing. Her mind was blank, other than a few images of sparkling wine now and again. Fluttershy could never see herself drinking before this day, but now she had drank three whole bottles all by herself in one night. Fluttershy was now barely conscious to notice Rainbow Dash step into the room, instantly spotting the three empty bottles of alcohol. Rainbow's eyes widened.
"Fluttershy! Don't drink so much at once!" Rainbow Dash shouted, concerned for her shy friend. Fluttershy's eyes began to slowly close, as well as the world beginning to fade away. "Fluttershy! Speak to me! Listen, we need to talk!" Rainbow sputtered anxiously.
"Drinking your problems away is never the best solution!"