//------------------------------// // Cider in The Jar // Story: Sleeping Sparkles // by playfulpippapony //------------------------------// Since when were doors so small!? Come on! After I left the 'station' I went shopping. However I only had 24 bits, so I had to be very careful with my money. I went to some charity shops to buy some clothes. I ended up with a yellow shirt, a pale blue shirt which was too big so it hung off of one shoulder and a pair of jeans with a hole in the knee. I went to the cheapest shop I could find and bought some cereal, bread, some fruit and a packet of biscuits. I also got a hair brush, a tooth brush, tooth paste and a bar of soap. Turns out that fills a lot of bags, which I am now struggling to squeeze through this tiny door! With a grunt and a lot of effort I mange to pull them through, however this causes me to fall backwards and my shopping to fall on my face. Great. Standing up and removing the yellow shirt from my face I sigh and start putting everything in its proper place. This all came to 18 bits, leaving me with 6 bits to live on. Why does my brain hate me so much? I could have been anything, I could have been the student to Starswirl the Bearded, I could have been a great and powerful wizard. I could have been anything at all! But no, I am a D.I for a cruel mare, and now I'm broke too! I let out another sigh, relax Twilight. You're friends will wake you up and then this will all just be a bad dream. With a smile I look up at the clock on the wall (one of the only things that came with the flat), 6:12 pm. Ok that gives me just under an hour till Fluttershy gets here, I might as well get into the 1973 spirt. I brushed my mane into its usual style and wore my new yellow shirt under my jacket. Believe it or not this jacket is growing on me, that doesn't mean I can't wait to get rid of it though. After brushing my teeth, having a glass of water and an apple the time was 6:57 pm. One final look in the mirror and I give myself the 1970s mare stamp of approval. Knock, knock, knock Right on cue. Sure enough when I open the door Fluttershy is standing on the other side. She was wearing the same clothes she had on yesterday, the green shirt and denim skirt with her mane scooped back into a pony tail. She was smiling like every time I've seen her, it was becoming comforting and sweet. "Hello Twilight. Are you ready to go?" I nod and start walking out of the door. I had my key in my jacket pocket with my wallet and that stick of gum I arrived with. I took it out, locked the door and put it back in my pocket. "So, where are we going?" Even though I had a look around today and a bit yesterday I still don't know a lot about this place. Fluttershy said we were going to a pub, but I didn't see any pubs around here today. "The Griffon's Claw, it's the local bar. Me and the girls go there all the time after work". I'm not used to pubs and bars, mostly because I don't drink. I know the girls like to drink from time to time (except Fluttershy), in fact I think Rainbow might have a bit of a problem. Every cider season we have to keep her indoors to stop her from hurting herself by drunk flying. Even so, I've never joined them for a drink. I was too busy studying when I was younger to go out clubbing or anything like that and I suppose I never wanted to when I grew up. "What's it like?" "Oh it's lovely! They do the best dandelion and burdock, and the mare who runs it is so nice. You'll love her". We walk in silence until we reached the pub, which turns out to be a two minute walk from behind the 'station'. It was fairly large in comparison to the other buildings around here with lots of windows, from the light streaming out of them I can only guess it's brighter inside there than the other buildings too. It looked like a pub, I guess. Like I said I'm not used to pubs so I don't know if this is normal or not. Fluttershy walked in through the door and I followed. Well, it certainly looks cozy in here. It's not small, but with the lighting and the many tables and booths crammed everywhere they could, it had a cozy feeling. There was some music playing in the background from a record player from behind the bar, I knew the tune but I couldn't remember what it was called. A few of the tables were occupied but most were empty, I can only assume more ponies will arrive later on once they've left work. There was a bar on the right side of the room with several stools for ponies to sit on. The wall behind the bar was covered in bottles of liquor, I had no idea there were so many types! The carpet was dark green with red diamonds, the wallpaper was beige with darker stripes. Lights with dark green and red glass shades hung from the ceiling illuminating the room. All in all the pub was... cozy. I looked back to Fluttershy who seemed to be smiling at me, she's probably wondering what I think of the place. She looked over to the bar and her smile widened by what she saw. "Oh! There they are, hello girls!" She waved over to a group of ponies who were sat at the bar. On closer inspection I saw it was the girls from the 'station', Pinkie, Applejack, and sadly Rainbow Dash. Then I saw somepony else, she was holding a glass of deep brown liquid in her hoof. When she heard Fluttershy she looked around. I was surprised to say the least. "Hello Fluttershy dear" "Hello Rarity". Rarity! She looks nothing like my Rarity, and yet it is her. Her mane was not its usual well kept curls, it was slightly tousled and messy but still looked nice. Her eyes were highlighted with black mascara and dark eyeshadow. She was wearing incredibly tight jeans and a light purple sleeveless top. I could never imagine my Rarity dressed so, um what's the word? Sexy? Provocative? Unladylike? And yet, like every pony else in this world, it looked rather good on her. "Twilight, this is Rarity. She works in forensics at the station". Rarity got down from her stool and walked up to me. "It's nice to finally meet you dear". She still talks like my Rarity, maybe they aren't that different after all. "It's nice to meet you too". "Fluttershy told me about your accident, I do hope you are feeling better". "Oh, I feel much better thank you. Just a knock to the head". She squinted and looked at the left side of my face, the bruise had faded and with my purple coat it was becoming harder and harder to see. And yet she looked, and she saw it. "It looks like you were kicked rather hard sweetie. Good thing you weren't put into a coma". I let out a nervous chuckle, if she only knew. "You know what you need? A good drink, what will it be?" "Just water please, thank you". She looked surprised by my order but smiled and got it anyway, she probably expected me to have something alcoholic. "Yea Sparkles!" I looked over to see who had spoken. "Glad to hear you're feeling better, I knew old Flutter Butter here could heal you up". It was Pinkie, it was kind of nice to see her again even if she isn't my Pinkie. Neither Applejack or Rainbow Dash had spoken to me since I arrived, I wonder why? It's not like it bothers me or anything, I'm just curious. Rarity returned with one glass of water and a smile. I took it from her with my magic and took a sip. "Thanks". "You're most welcome dear". I looked around to see where Fluttershy was and spotted her sat on one of the bar stools next to where Rarity was now sitting. "Come and take a seat Twilight". Fluttershy called from her stool waving to the one next to her. I did as she said and sat on the stool on her right and placed my drink down on the bar. When I looked up I saw a mare with a rich brown coat pouring a glass of something behind the bar. She gave it to another pony sat at the other end of the bar and took the bits they gave her in return. Her mane and tail were black and golden, softly curled and flowy. That's when I heard Rainbow talk for the first time since I'd walked in. "Hey Brandy! Another cider! Stat!" The mare smiled and set to work making Rainbow's drink. "Oh, you haven't met Brandy yet have you?" Fluttershy asked next to me. Before I could reply Fluttershy was talking again. The mare I now believe is called Brandy was handing Rainbow's cider to her when Fluttershy said "Um, Brandy?" The mare looked over to us smiling. "This is Twilight, she's new on the team". The brown mare smiled at me and walked up to face me (with the bar between us). "Nice to meet you Twilight, my name is Brandy Snaps, but every pony round here calls me Brandy". She had a country accent similar to Applejack's, it made her sound kind and friendly. "It's nice to meet you too Brandy". It was, I don't know why since she's not real, but it was nice to meet her. I wonder what part of my subconscious she represents? Probably the same part that made that sunny day or Candy Cream. The nice part, however small it is. "You here with them?" She motioned to the girls with her head. I nodded. "Yes, Fluttershy invited me". I jumped a bit when I heard Rainbow slam her mug that had once contained her cider on the counter. "Brandy! Another one, on the double!" Brandy rolled her eyes and went to get Rainbow another drink. I looked over the the mare in question, she didn't look drunk. How can that be with the amount of cider she's drunk? Maybe alcohol doesn't have the same effects here as it does in the real world. "How is she not drunk?" I whisper to Fluttershy. She giggles and whispers in my ear... "Brandy waters it down with apple juice a little bit each time she asks for one, by the end of the night she's too tipsy to realize". I looked back to the brown mare in shock. She seemed so nice, I'd never have guessed she'd do something like that. And luckily neither did Rainbow. Brandy gave me a wink as she slid the mug of cider to Rainbow Dash. When what Brandy was really doing sank in I started to giggle too, I tried to hide it behind my hoof but Fluttershy still noticed. "One night the Gov got so drunk she cause a bit of, how can I put this nicely? Trouble. Ever since Brandy has made sure she never gets that drunk again". I wonder what she did? Maybe I'll ask somepony one day. "Do the others know?" She shook her head. "Just me and Brandy, and now you". I feel slightly honored for a second that she trusts me with this secret. Then I remember it's my coma and it would be pointless keeping secrets from myself. But still, it feels nice to be trusted like that. "Don't tell anypony, Rainbow would have me on cell cleaning duty for a month". Just for a bit of fun I use the pinkie promise. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye". Fluttershy giggles. "What was that?" She didn't know? That's odd. "It's a pinkie promise, have you never seen one before?" She shook her head. "No, but I like it. I'll have to show that to Pinkie sometime". If only she knew. I let out a sigh. "Yea, you will". At that point Brandy came over to us. "What can I get for you girls?" "The usual please Brandy". She gave a single nod. "One dandelion and burdock, and for you Twilight?" I think for a moment, I scan the bottles of the wall behind her. "Do you have anything non alcoholic?" Fluttershy smiled at me while Brandy smirked. "Don't tell me you don't drink?" I nod, causing her to roll her eyes. "Looks like you finally found a drinking partner Flutters. Alright, let me think..." At that moment I saw Rainbow out of the corner of my eye smirking at me, her mane flopped down covering one eye and she was practically lying on the counter. Brandy noticed too. "Do you and old Dashie not get along or something?" "You could say that". Brandy smirked, she looked like she'd just had an idea which may or may not be 100% legal. "I've got an idea". She went to the stash of drinks and poured me a glass of something golden and clear. She handed me the glass and whispered in my ear "It's apple juice. Just tell them it's hard cider, pretend you can hold your liquor". She winked at me and walked over to another customer at the end of the bar. I stared down into the glass, wondering if I should go along with it. After all it would make me look better in the girls eyes, even if it is a lie. With one final look over at Rainbow I decide what the hell! Let's do it. I take a large gulp and make a loud sound of appreciation. "Mmmmmm, you're right Brandy! This cider is delicious!" Brandy smirked at me and I smirked back. Fluttershy looked to me, the drink, to Brandy and back to me. Realization dawned on her face and she smiled along too. "I'm glad you like it Twilight. Don't drink too much though, we don't want you getting drunk". "Oh don't worry about me, I know how to hold my liquor". To emphasize my point I took another large gulp of the apple juice. It tasted really good, better than the water I've been drinking for the past two days. I look over at Rainbow who suddenly seems to be very interested in the bottom of her cider cup. I smirk in triumph and take a sip of my 'cider' to celebrate my small victory. Brandy gave Fluttershy her dandelion and burdock after she finished serving the other pony. She turns to me and raises her glass. "Cheers". I raise my drink in my magic and tap it with hers. "Cheers". We both take a sip or our respective drinks and place them down on the bar. You know, I think I'm starting to like it here. In the pub I mean, not in the coma. "So darling, you really must tell us about yourself". I turned to look at Rarity. I could hear Fluttershy cough nervously behind me. "Um, Rarity. Twilight has short term amnesia, it was caused by the blow to the head. She can't remember much about before the fight". I decide to play along, if I told them the truth I'd be hauled off to the nearest asylum. It's better if they think I can't remember anything. "Yes I know that dear, but she must remember what she's done since then. Like what her new house looks like?" Besides the make up and the tight clothes Rarity still looks like the polite, inquisitive mare I met back on that day I first moved to Ponyville. At least I know not to bring up the fact I used to live in Canterlot this time. "It's more of a flat than a house, and it's not the most homely of places. But I'm sure I'll learn to like it". She seemed happy with that answer, for now. The group seemed to have split with me, Fluttershy and Rarity talking on one side and Pinkie, Rainbow and Applejack talking on the other. I listened in on the other conversation briefly. "So AJ? How's your sister's new boyfriend? She snogged him yet?" I almost cringe at Rainbow's insensitive comment. "He is NOT her boyfriend! And no! They ain't kissed!" Applejack downed the last of her drink and called Brandy over to order another. Pinkie rolled her eyes while Rainbow smirked and leaned forward on the table. "Yea, whatever you say AJ". She leaned towards Pinkie and whispered something in her ear I couldn't quite catch, but judging by the way Pinkie snorted with laughter it was probably something rude. "Honestly, why can't they leave that poor mare alone". Rarity muttered to herself. "Isn't it obvious she doesn't want to talk about it?" Fluttershy nodded. "I agree. Applejack is so protective of her little sister, she needs to work through this on her own". Rarity turned toward Rainbow and Pinkie at the end of the bar and said loudly "Or at least with her friends support". They stopped laughing and looked directly at us. Pinkie looked a little bit guilty while Rainbow just smirked. "Lighten up Rarity, we're just messing with her". Rarity and Rainbow talked for a while about Applebloom, I stopped listening after 'messing with her'. I looked at the clock on the wall behind the bar, 7:45 pm. This is going to be a long night...