>You never thought you'd have the honor of meeting a brewmaster.
>Not just a brewmaster, the creator of your favorite whiskey.
>But lo and behold, here she is, ordering a glass of...
>...scotch.
>Well that's awkward.
>She's few stools down though.
>You can't help but feel like you're seeing a celebrity.
>When you spend the majority of your time drinking, one who makes the drinks would be just that.
>"Anon, stare any harder and you'll burn a hole in her hat."
>Your companion criticizes your appreciative glances.
"You're one to talk, you have her drink in your hands!"
>She looks down at the glass in her talons.
>"So what, I ain't gonna kiss her hooves for it."
"You just don't appreciate fine drink like I do."
>Motioning to all the empty glasses around you, she sighs.
>"You can say that again."
 
>A sip of brandy later, and you decide to make yourself known.
"I'm gonna go say hi."
>"Woah, never expected YOU to be the one chasing the ladies."
>Her accusation only warrants an eye-roll.
"Not every interaction with a female is a proposition for sex."
>"Is that so?"
"Yeah. I'm talking to you ain't I?"
>A swift jab to your shoulder shows her appreciation for your snide remarks.
>"Go talk to your idol."
>With that, you get up to leave.
>But before you go, you swap your drinks with Gilda.
>"Hey, I hate brandy!"
"Don't care."
>Gotta drink to impress.
>A few stools down the line, and there she is.
"Hey there."
>She looks up at you.
>Her eyes are baggy and bloodshot under her stetson hat.
>"Look, partner, Ah ain't lookin' fer a rut tonight, so why don-"
>You stop her there.
"Whoa whoa, calm down. I'm not lookin' for that, I just wanted to thank you for the drinks."
>She glances down at your glass, recognizing it.
>"Ah, you's a fan of Applejack Daniels?"
"Absolutely. Just wanted to shake your hoof."
>Stretching out a hand, she smiles, shaking it.
>Afterwards, she drops again, resting her head on the counter.
 
>Now that you think about it, this bar isn't exactly the best place to say hi.
>After all, if she's here, there's gotta be a reason.
>Seeing as you haven't left, she's forced to speak to you once more.
>"Leave me alone, you got your handshake."
>Cheery.
>No wonder she invented a new brand of alcohol.
"Something troubling you?"
>Maybe it's the mix of being drunk off a drink the mare in front of you created, but you're feeling pretty inquisitive.
>"Nothin' that concerns you."
"All the more reason you can get it off your chest."
>The glare she shoots you could easily stop a moving vehicle.
>"Look, weirdo, Ah'd appreciate it if ya left me alone."
>Ouch.
"Suit yourself."
>Hey, you tried to be friendly.
>Maybe she got the superstar vibe off your attention.
>A regular Trixie.
>Speaking of which, you haven't seen in a few days.
>She probably left town to do a gig somewhere.
>Mare's gotta make her money somehow.
>You return to your feathered female friend, already into another drink.
>The brandy you left her with remains full.
>Nice.
 
>"So how's the whiskeybitch?"
>You shrug, sitting down in your usual seat.
"I never realized Trixie had a country cousin."
>"That bad, huh?"
>Picking up your brandy, you take a sip.
>Room temperature.
>Perfect.
"Ah well."
>"Don't worry, champ. Not all girls think you're a freak."
>You shoot a deadpan look at Gilda.
>"Well, most of them."
>The stare only deepens.
>A few seconds later, she bursts into drunken laughter.
>You can't help but join.
>It's an alien feeling, drinking with Gilda.
>You're used to the melancholy air of the bar.
>The low hum of people discussing life and it's mishaps.
>This was different.
>This was enjoying the time you had.
>It felt great.
>You raise your glass to Gilda.
"Cheers."
>"Cheers to what?"
"This."
>She complies, grabbing her glass.
>They clink, and you both drink.
 
>"Oh, Ah didn't mean to interrupt."
>You hear from behind you.
>Turning around, you see the blonde maned mare standing behind you.
"Oh, hello."
>She goes to speak.
>"Look, ah-"
"I'm sorry, this doesn't concern you."
>You give a sly grin.
>Gilda joins the charade.
>"Yeah, we'd appreciate it if you left us alone."
>The laughter starts up again, not to Applejack's liking.
>"Come on now, Ah need your help. I'm a little drunk, and not feeling too good."
"I'm pretty sure those guys could help you with your troubles."
>You motion to a table in the back, where a few stallions are sitting.
>They wink at the orange mare.
>She does not seem pleased.
>"You know what? Ah actually needed your help, and yer gonna act like a jerk."
>She starts walking away, and guilt gets the best of you.
"Fine, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
>She turns back, and sits down in the stool next to you.
>"Ahlright...I need help with him."
>She points to Big Macintosh.
>Another mare after him?
>Sheesh.
 
"Look, if you like the guy, just sit next to him."
>"Not like that, ya moron! He's my brother."
>Oh.
>Well that changes things.
"Ah, I see. So what's the issue."
>"That entourage he brings around with him! I haven't had a good night of sleep in a week."
"Hahaha!"
>She just looks at you again.
>Oh wait.
>She's still serious.
>Damn that is one lucky stallion.
"Alright, so you're having an issue with your brother getting all the mares, because it's..."
>You snicker a little bit.
"...keeping you up at night."
>"Yup. He's always got mares because he's the toughest stallion around."
>No denying that.
>He's a big fella, and with those ladies Aloe and Lotus...
>They could literally HANG off of his arms.
"So what's this got to do with me?"
>"The only way to stop this bruhaha is to get those mares off of him."
>You don't like where this is going.
>Gilda chimes in.
>"Look, filly, I don't know what you expect this useless guy to do."
"Well now."
>"Ah reckon' he can do enough. You're gonna hoof wrestle him."
 
>Pfffft.
>Fucking please.
>You couldn't be drunk enough to even attempt that.
"You serious? That guy is built like a brick shithouse, I could never beat him."
>"Come on, I know you knocked out that guy before!"
>That spread so quickly?
>Damn bar gossip.
"Fine, yes, I punched a guy. Whatever. But that won't help me out here."
>"Ah need someone to do it, otherwise I can GUARANTEE Ah won't be gettin' a lick o' shuteye tonight."
>Looking over at the mares, you can confirm her suspicions.
>Those bedroom eyes are very...obvious.
"Why not Donut Joe? He's a tough guy."
>"You kiddin'? He's made of dough."
>Living up to your name, you suppose.
>Gilda pokes you in the side.
>"Go for it Anon, it'll be fun watching ya get creamed!"
>She knows jut how to push your buttons.
"I'm in."
>"Woohoo! Thanks Sugarcube!"
"Drinks are on you tonight."
 
>A few minutes later, after a bottle of Applejack's own liquid courage...
 
>You walk over to the table.
>Big Mac's chatting it up with his two marefriends.
>Time to crash this party.
"Hey Mac."
>He looks up at you.
>"Eeyup?"
"P0nies seems to think you're the toughest one around here."
>Aloe and Lotus giggle at that.
>Big Mac shrugs, a small smirk on his face.
"Well I'm here to challenge that."
>You sit down, slamming your arm on the table, in challenge position.
"You scared?"
>The smirk wipes away from his face, replaced with a serious stare.
"Nnnope."
>With that, the challenge is accepted.
>He drops his hoof on the table, bending up to meet your hand.
>You grasp hard, waiting to begin.
>Now that you think about it, how would this even work between two-
>Gilda yells from across the room.
>"GO!"
>With that, Big Mac throws his full force onto your arm.
>Holy fuck you're holding up an anvil.
>You manage to pull back to starting position, holding your own steadily.
 
>Your teeth grit as 20 seconds pass.
>P0nies from across the bar have started watching.
>"Big! Mac! Big! Mac!"
>"Anon! Anon! Anon!"
>The crowd is torn in two.
>Well, except for a certain stallion with a sore jaw, who's yelling obscenities at you.
>Your strength is waning however.
>You can't hold this up much more.
>Why did you even agree to this?
>Oh. Free Booze.
>Totally worth it.
>Your grip stays strong while he forces you down into your side.
>Yeah, this ain't lasting much longer.
>Sorry Applejack.
>With one last push, you decide to give it your all.
>You tense up and force him past the middle.
>Suddenly, you see it.
>It's on your arm.
>It's...shiny.
>Glittery.
>Blue?
>Next thing you know, Big Mac's hoof slams backwards on the table.
 
>"..."
"..."
>You both remain speechless.
>As does the bar.
>For half a second.
>Cheers then erupt in your favor.
>You won!
>How in the hell...
>Out of the corner of your eye, a piece of purple clothing fades out of view from the window.
>Clever girl...
>Big Mac hangs his head.
>Feeling bad about this, you reach a hand out.
"Good one, man."
>He shakes your hand like a true sir.
>Aloe and Lotus, to your surprise, continue to comfort him.
>"Oh Big Mac, don't be down."
>"You don't think we'd leave you, do you?"
>"Eeyup."
>Aww.
>Way to go, prick.
>Wait, they aren't leaving?
>"Mac, we like you because you're the sweetest stallion in this joint..."
>"...unlike this brute."
>Well that went in a different direction.
>In the distance, you can hear Applejack swearing and cursing into her stetson.
 
>A deal's a deal, and Applejack hands...hoofs...you your reward.
>Three bottles of Applejack Daniels.
>Tonight you drink like a king.
>Walking over to Gilda, you hand her a bottle.
>"What's this for, you won it."
"Just take the damn bottle, it's your favorite."
>She smiles, taking the bottle and cracking it open.
>"Not having some yourself?"
"Nah, I'm taking this show on the road."
>You grab your jacket, and start walking away.
"Later, birdbrain."
>"See ya."
>She swigs into her bottle while you step outside.
>You had some business to take care of with a certain magical mare.
>Turning the corner, you walk towards the alley with the small window.
>Lo and behold, a pile of purple cape and hat is staring inside.
>"Where did he go?"
"Where did who go?"
 
>You nearly gave her a heartattack when she turned to face you.
>"Oh, it's you. Hello."
"Here, this is for you."
>You hold up one of the bottles.
>"Why are you giving this to me?"
"Because everyone who helps win the bet shares the pool. That's how it works."
>"What bet? Trixie don't know what you're talking about."
>She denies everything you say, turning away.
"Sure. There's something you should know though."
>"And what is that?"
>You crack open both bottles, and point to the spot on your arm where you saw the blue glow.
"Window aren't just for looking in."
>A blush creeps across her face, as she takes the bottle.
>"Trixie didn't want to see you make a flank of yourself."
"There you go. Cheers."
>You raise your bottle, as she connects it with her own.
>As you both down a swig of your drinks, a third patron joins you.
>Her talons grip the bottle while she drinks the whiskey in unison.
>What you said holds very true.
>The window wasn't just for looking in.