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Bar Scene: Showtime

By: TechyConversant on Jun 13th, 2012  |  syntax: None  |  size: 8.20 KB  |  hits: 169  |  expires: Never
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  1. >Another night in the dive.
  2. >Not that you mind, of course.
  3. >You belong here, whatever that means.
  4. >Your money is good, the bartender knows your favorite drink.
  5. >Life as usual.
  6. >Taking a sip of your standard, brandy, you hear the door open.
  7. >You know this mare, as does many others.
  8. >This time she's not a depressed wreck.
  9. >She's not even here to get drunk.
  10. >Trixie's here for business.
  11. >She has a gig here tonight.
  12. >You made especially sure to be here tonight to see it.
  13. >...but you know you would have been here anyway.
  14.  
  15. >"The Great and Powerful Trixie demands another glass of wine!"
  16. >She's using the third person voice again.
  17. >That's an awkward combination of good and bad.
  18. >Good because it means she's in high spirits.
  19. >Bed because you have to listen to it.
  20. >Drinking all the brandy in the world wouldn't be enough to escape the third person.
  21. >Won't stop you from trying, though.
  22. >Downing another glass, you look to your companion.
  23. "You think you're ready?"
  24. >She scoffs at your 'bravado', as you're sure she would call it.
  25. >"You dare insinuate that Trixie would ever not be ready for a show?"
  26. >You dared.
  27. "Trix, this crowd isn't like your other venues, you know."
  28. >"How so?"
  29. >A quick glance around the establishment was all it took.
  30.  
  31. >You knew this.
  32. >She apparently didn't.
  33. >To her, the world was a stage that was always watching.
  34. >Unfortunately for her, the watching eyes weren't always waiting for the next trick.
  35. >Those that weren't already glaring at Trixie's pre-show performance were thinking about doing so.
  36. >The bar p0nies weren't like the awe-struck masses that loves watching flashy fireworks.
  37. >You could swear they were praying for her next mess-up.
  38. >Trixie seems to be handling it well, by either being completely ignorant of this fact...
  39. >...or drowning herself with wine.
  40. >"You don't need to worry about Trixie, Anon. The show will be FANTASTIC!"
  41. >She throws her arms up in cheer, almost falling out of her stool.
  42. >The only thing preventing her from crashing into the ground was you holding her up.
  43. >That hold quickly changes to a grab, and you pull her out of the stool.
  44. >"Hey, unhand Trixie!"
  45. "Shut up."
  46. >The prying eyes quickly dissipate as you pull Trixie out of the bar and through the back exit.
  47.  
  48. >"What are you doing?!?"
  49. >You made it out of the bar, now stationed in the ever so pristine back alley.
  50. >First order of business.
  51. "Trix, you gotta understand something about that crowd."
  52. >"Trixie doesn't need help with her act!"
  53. "I'm trying to make sure you don't screw this up!"
  54. >"Screw it up? The Great and Powerful Trixie would never!"
  55. >This is getting fucking old, fast.
  56. "Trix, listen to me, or you're going to-"
  57. >"GOING TO WHAT? Fail? Make a flank of herself? Get run out of town again?!?"
  58. >Tears are forming.
  59. >Oh god damnit what did you do.
  60. >"You think Trixie can't handle that again? Everyp0ny hating her?!"
  61. >The tears fall down her cheeks.
  62. >You gotta stop this.
  63. >"Trixie doesn't CARE what they think ab-"
  64. >Before she starts going hysterical, you act.
  65. >The force of the slap not only shuts her up completely, it turns her face slightly.
  66. >Before she can react, you grab her head and hold it still.
  67. "Listen. To. Me."
  68.  
  69. >You've never slapped anyone before.
  70. >Ever.
  71. >Let alone a woman.
  72. >Or female p0ny.
  73. >You always held yourself with the air of a gentleman.
  74. >But this sent you over the edge.
  75. >For a while you've seen that mare walk in and out of this bar the same way.
  76. >Confident on the intake, depressed on the downslope.
  77. >Every time you shared your drinks with her to make up for the fact some p0nies didn't appreciate her parlor tricks.
  78. >Every time she would blame something rediculous, or say the crowd wasn't ready.
  79. >This crowd is ready for a show.
  80. >That mare can put one on.
  81. >And you're going to make sure it goes smoothly.
  82. >You're met with a subtle nod, tears still present.
  83. "You're a performer, are you not?"
  84. >She nods.
  85. "And performances change over time, right?"
  86. >"Yeah..."
  87. >Good, you're getting through.
  88. "You have one shot to make these people like the act, and I'm not gonna let you mess this up."
  89. >Looks like the tears have stopped.
  90. >"I...Trix...I'm sorry..."
  91. >She wipes away what's left from her cheeks.
  92. >"I just couldn't handle that again...not here..."
  93. "Then you need to put your nose to the grindstone and give these people something to cheer about."
  94. >With a smirk, the old Trixie is back.
  95. >"Alright!"
  96. "So, here's what-"
  97. >"Can Trixie keep talking in the third person?"
  98. >...
  99.  
  100. >About an hour later...
  101.  
  102. >The crowd has arrived, at last.
  103. >Seats are filled up, drinks have been served.
  104. >You sit at the stool up at the counter, your usual spot.
  105. >The bartender gives you a cold beer.
  106. >Not your usual drink, but you don't want to be too drunk for this performance.
  107. >After all, you helped her set it up.
  108. >Here's hoping she took your advice.
  109. >A red curtain covers most of the stage.
  110. >The lights dim across the bar.
  111. >It's time.
  112. >Once the bar is pitch black, a spotlight snaps on, pointing towards the stage.
  113. >In the background, a light piano kicks in.
  114. >It's a light tone, matching the anticipation in the air.
  115. >People shuffle in their seats, more than ready for the great reveal.
  116. >And when the curtains open, the reveal is no less than great.
  117.  
  118. >The blue mare walks out on stage in a dress that is no less than classy.
  119. >A few steps towards the crowd, and she turns her head up.
  120. >The look of worry plastered on her face is obvious, at least to you.
  121. >She wasn't used to this set up.
  122. >You know it will work though.
  123. >She goes to speak, and nothing's coming out.
  124. >Oh no, no no no.
  125. >She's choking.
  126. >You aren't letting this go that easy!
  127. >Bringing a hand to your face, you put two fingers in your mouth, and let loose a whistle.
  128. >The kind of whistle a construction worker would toss at a passing girl.
  129. >Most of the time it would inspire embarassment.
  130. >But not this time.
  131. >That was the vote of confidence she needed.
  132. >The look of worry changes to a sultry grin.
  133. >"Hello boys and girls, and welcome."
  134. >With a turn, she tosses a glance that would knock any stallion off their feet towards the audience.
  135. >"If you're interested in feats that shock and amaze, look no further than Trixie~"
  136.  
  137. >Her dulcet tones are meant to entice, and they are doing just that.
  138. >A cheer comes from the audience, followed by a few others.
  139. >You knew the crowd loves a little bit of flair.
  140. >Just not the flair she had in mind.
  141. >No, this is the way to go indeed.
  142. >You chug down some of your Blue Ribbon.
  143. >All going well, it seems.
  144. >"So, who wants to see Trixie..."
  145. >She flips her hair slightly, looking towards the audience once more.
  146. >"...perform some 'tricks'?"
  147. >They cheer her on, and the show goes on marvelously.
  148. >It wasn't your normal magic show.
  149. >The tricks were performed with a certain style that screamed elegance, in a way elegance can be screamed without it seeming unelegant.
  150. >The way she walked, talked, and performed oozed class and grace.
  151. >Truly a sight to behold.
  152. >Much better than her usual drabble of performing parlor tricks and challenging p0nies.
  153. >You won't tell her that though, she'd get offended.
  154.  
  155. >The show ends, and the crowd applauds wildly.
  156. >The Great and Powerful Trixie strikes again, you suppose.
  157. >Turning back to the bar, you decide to finish off the night the right way.
  158. >A celebratory sparkling champagne, for the successful show.
  159. >As your back is turned to find the perfect bottle, a certain blue mare leaves the stage.
  160. >She walks towards a certain person, who happens to not be looking.
  161. >Wait, not looking?
  162. >Has he been there the whole time?
  163. >Was he even watching the show?
  164. >It was too dark...
  165. >When she goes to see this particular person, she's stopped.
  166. >By quite the handsome stallion.
  167. >He seems so nice...
  168. >Is he asking her to leave?
  169. >Well...
  170. >He's still not looking...
  171. >He clearly didn't appreciate the performance.
  172. >She takes the stallion's side, and leaves with him.
  173. >Okay, you picked out the perfect bottle...
  174. >...and when you turn around, she's leaving.
  175. >With a stallion.
  176. >You sigh and crack open the bottle.
  177. >Cheers to a good show, you suppose.
  178. >The glass remains untouched as you drink straight from the bottle.
  179. >Why should you care that she's leaving?
  180. >As you look back one last time, her eyes connect with yours before she walks out the door.
  181. >Yeah...
  182. >...why should you care...