Fine Wine

>You spot her across the bar.

>You've actually seen her around here every now and then.

>Sometimes she's alone, but she usually has friends.

>But right now, she's just sitting alone.

>You move from your place and slip into the seat beside her.

>You order a beer from the bartender.

>Your gaze slowly drifts to the white unicorn beside you.

>She's just staring down at the bar before her.

>She hasn't moved a muscle yet.

"Good evening," you say, to break the ice.

>She looks up at you.

>"Good evening, darling."

>You look down at her drink and the unlit cigarette in an extended holder beside it.

"White wine?" you ask. "Classy drink for a classy mare."

>She smiles and says "Thank you," but she looks back at the bar, her smile fading instantly.

>You reach into your pocket and pull out a lighter.

"Do you need a light?" you ask.

>She looks over at you holding up and offering your lighter to her.

>"Yes."

>A soft blue aura envelopes the cigaratte holder as she lifts it to the flame as you strike it.

>The cherry glows bright in the dimmed light of the bar.

>"Thank you, darling."

>She holds the end of the cigarette holder to her mouth and inhales deeply, eyes closed.

>She holds it for several seconds before slowly releasing her breath.

>She opens her eyes and you take note that her shoulders are visibly more relaxed.

>Looks like she really needed that cigarette.

 

>Other patrons of the bar are chatting and a few mares are dancing.

>You notice her hoof gently tapping along with the beat under the bar.

>So she must come here to listen to the music.

>And with that cigarette, she should be relaxed enough to dance.

>After a few minutes the song changes to something a little more slow.

>You take a few drinks of your beer and look back at the unicorn beside you.

>A soft smile has appeared on her lips.

>You rise off the stool and hold a hand out to her.

"Would you care to dance?" you ask her.

>Her smile disappears when she looks at your hand and then up to you.

>"Oh. No thank you, darling."

>She goes back to just staring at the bar.

>Are you kidding me?

>A tap on your back.

>"Psst. Hey partner."

>You turn around and spot an orange pony in a stetson.

>"Come over here," she motions as she walks to a table with a few other mares sitting in a booth.

>You follow her, albeit a little cautious.

>She takes a seat besides one other and slides over, providing a space for you.

>She taps the spot next to her for you to take a seat.

>Several thoughts are racing through your mind, some more arousing than others.

>But from the look on their faces, those thoughts don't look like their about to happen.

 

"What's this about?" you ask.

>"Hey, listen," spoke a purple unicorn. "We want to talk to you about that mare over there."

>She motioned to the unicorn at the bar by tilting her head.

"Yeah?"

>"I'm just gonna get down to it," spoke the orange one. "You lit her cigarette?"

"Yes."

>"I bet you were feeling pretty good about yourself, huh? Like you had a better shot?"

"Well... yeah."

>"Rarity smokes?" asked a yellow pegasus.

>"Only when she's at the bar," explained the purple one.

>"Oh..." replied the pegasus, looking at the table a little ashamed as if she should have known that.

>"Hey, listen buddy," spoke a rainbow-maned pegasus. "You're reading her all wrong."

"I don't really understand what I'm doing wrong."

>You're thinking too hard about it," said the purple one. "For a complicated pony, she really isn't all that hard to figure out."

>"I suppose most mares like that you would have a better shot with for a courtesy as simple as that," said the orange one. "But she's not that kind of mare."

>"Did you ask her to dance?" asked a pink pony.

"Yes."

>"Let me guess. She told you no?" asked the rainbow pegasus.

>You nod your head.

>You turn to look at Rarity again.

>She raises the cigarette to her lips again and takes another deep inhale.

>"If you really want to know, she would rather just listen to the music and think," explained the purple unicorn.

"I noticed the music part, which is why I asked her to dance. But is that why she's alone and not with you five? Just to think?"

>"Correct."

>You sit quiet for a few seconds.

"Would I be wrong to ask what?"

 

>The five at the table also sit in silence for a second and exchange glances.

>"I would say don't ask her," said the purple one. "But I suppose we can tell you the gist of it."

"I'm all ears."

>"Well to put it bluntly, she lost the love of her life to another mare and she hasn't gotten over it," explained the orange one.

>"She may be a pony of class, but when she's feeling really bad, she will be drinking something a lot harder," said the rainbow one.

"Harder like what?"

>"Not important," said the orange one. "But... What's she drinking? Wine? She's actually in a pretty good mood, believe it or not."

>"She needs to learn to have a good time again," said the pink one. "Here."

>She slides a glass and 3 bits across the table at you.

>You pick up the glass and inspect it.

>Then down at the bits on the table.

>"A glass of champagne," explained the yellow one.

>"Someone else might suggest chablis or sherry, but who to know better than her friends?" asked the purple one.

"For her?"

>"Well, duh. Who else?" asked the rainbow one.

"And the bits?"

>The pink one slides a napkin across the table with note on it.

>"That's her favorite song," she explained.

"So basically you're trying to help me by putting her in a better mood?"

>"Correct," said the purple one.

>"We think you might be the one to help turn her love life around," said the yellow one.

 

>"Now listen to us," said the orange one. "Play the song. Offer her the drink."

>"Get her talking," said the purple one. "If you can get her in an active conversation, it will help too."

>"Get her to dance!" exclaimed the pink one. "She loves to dance! But quickly before the songs ends."

>"Take her somewhere quiet," said the yellow one.

>"Yeah. This really isn't the place for her, believe it or not. Take her somewhere else and see how far that goes."

>"And don't take it all that hard if she smiles and politely turns you down," said the purple one. "It just means she's not in the right mood."

>"Exactly," said the orange one. "Just come back next week and try again. She'll be here. Trust me."

>All this information for one mare.

>You stand, grabbing up the champagne, bits, and note.

>You're starting to doubt yourself on if you even want to do this anymore.

>But her friends seem bent on helping their friend.

>You stare at the items in your hand and look back up at her friends around the table.

>They all give encouraging nods to you.

>"Oh and one more thing," says the orange one. "Just remember where her heart is right now."

>"That's right," said the purple one. "Take notes because if you ever come back to see her again, you'll need to remember."

>You nod and walk away, items in hand.

>What are you getting yourself into?

>You insert the bits into the jukebox and select the appropriate song.

>You take a deep breath and exhale slowly.

"Here goes nothing," you say to yourself as you select play.