Stalliongrad Hearth's Warming at the Iron Saddle [PM for Invite]

[GhostGirl]

The streets of Stalliongrad were covered in fresh snow (when were they not?), though that didn’t stop the hustle and bustle of the city. Ponies and griffins and zebras alike moved without a care through the metropolis, going about their business, finishing their day’s work so they could return home to rest and relax. They barely even glanced at the little bar, nestled in between two big buildings. The sign hanging from the side of the building (the same sign you see on all taverns and pubs, it seems) read “The Iron Saddle,” and below the lettering was the depiction of a saddle resting atop an anvil.

Trudging up the street came a bundled up earth pony mare, her saddlebags laden with supplies. Beside her trotted a fluffy dog, nearly twice her size, pulling a cart nearly overflowing with more supplies. They came to a stop by the door of the bar, the mare stamping her hooves to keep warm as she fumbled with the key until, finally, the door was unlocked and the mare and her dog were inside.

The building, made almost entirely of stone, was nearly as cold inside as it was out, and the mare wasted no time (after setting her saddlebags down carefully of course) in rushing to the fire pit to build the fire back up. Once the flames were roaring yet again, she set to work untangling the dog from his cart.

“Vityas,” she said, the Stallian name sounding odd in her Fet Loch accent. “Good boy. Go rest by the fire.” With the fluffy monstrosity of a dog settled on the hearth, the mare busied herself with putting away the bar’s supplies except for a box of decorations. The Hearth’s Warming Eve spirit had bitten her as it did every year, and as long as she was allowed to, she would decorate not only her flat, but her place of work.

Finally, Enigma, or Fable la Fey as it were, drew the curtains and flipped the sign in the window to read “Open” to the outside world. She started a phonograph playing some jazzier holiday tunes (in lieu of the band, which had the night off), and set about putting up decorations. Vityas snored by the fire pit.

[Duskfall]

Duskfall always liked the Hearth's Warming celebrations that came every Winter. The city streets were decorated with a myriad of coloured lights, and sometimes he would spot a group of foals below on the city floor playing in the snow. The part Duskfall enjoyed the most, however, was the part where he got to deliver presents. While being pursued by the Royal Guard on a bi-daily basis does make Duskfall's life that much more grim, seeing the smiles on the children's faces while they cry that the bug pony brought presents made him smile too.

Duskfall always hated the winter season. Although some regions were much more dry, it seemed that everywhere that Duskfall had business this time of year were something of giant freezers. And although Duskfall urged his clients to get ahead of the game, as it were, and get their presents around as early as possible. Unfortunately, almost none of them heeded his advise, and now Duskfall was stuck delivering packages while on little to no sleep, not to mention the Guard still chases him around. Thankfully, Stalliongrad was his last stop, and the Guard presence in the city was either non-existent, or they were too cold to do anything about him. That, or he was lucky.

"I could go for a drink. . ." Duskfall muttered to himself as he ran across the frost covered rooftops. As if fate pitied Duskfall, a shop below had just flipped its open sign, and "The Iron Saddle" definitely sounded like some sort of pub. As he dropped down into an alley below, Duskfall slipped into his charcoal grey pony disguise and pulled his green sweater's hood over his head. His hoof weakly grabbed the door handle and pulled the door open. Having been sleep deprived and exhausted, it took Duskfall several seconds to actually get the door open and enter.

The place looked cozy enough. A large dog was snoozing near the fireplace and some light jazz was playing from the phonograph over in the corner of the room. Lazily, Duskfall pulled a seat at the front counter. "You got any hot cider?" Duskfall was too tired to look at the bartender. Duskfall pulled out several cards from his courier bag, and began to read them one by one. Inside were messages and pictures written and drawn in crayon, wishing the changeling a happy Hearth's Warming, causing Duskfall's tired face to curl into a smile. The kids were always the sweet ones.

[RarityDash]

The wind was cold and the snow was starting to fall once more along a busy Stalliongrad street as a single stallion walked by, dressed in a suit and hat. The street was busy but no matter where he was or where he was headed, it was easy for a stallion to feel alone with his thoughts. He was a stallion in the middle years of life, but the expression on his weary, unshaven face suggested he had already seen it all. He was Slick Noir. He was used to the cold of this city. He was used to being alone as well.

Not even he knew where he was headed. These days it was usually from one shadow to the next, looking for something he lost, or perhaps looking for something to find--most often a simple good time. It wasn't really important. The snow would still fall in Stalliongrad regardless, bringing with it memories of the far away times, the times when he was lean and hungry and desperate--the times when he was in love. He was far too sentimental sometimes. Those who knew him well knew him for his silver tongue and particular set of skills. He was the untouchable Slick Noir, the slippery crook who's hoofprints were all over the dark underbelly of this city while his name, most conveniently, wasn't. This regret and longing, though more familiar than he'd care to admit, it wasn't what his reputation was built on.

A gentle melody hit his ears as he continued along his way. It was a Hearth Warming's Eve standard, but the arrangement was all too familiar. His mind flashed back to a seedy Beakbreak club so many years ago. It was Hearth's Warming Eve and a vision of loveliness in a short red dress was singing to a crowd while the jazz band played a near identical arrangement. Everypony from the down on his luck salary stallions to the criminal bosses had went quiet to hear that mare sing, but only Slick had gotten to hold her close after the gig. Hypnotized by the nostalgic sound, the stallion found himself suddenly looking up at a bar. The Iron Saddle? He'd never heard of it. It didn't seem exactly his vibe and it had only just opened for the night, but he couldn't refuse that familiar sounds. As it were, he felt he could probably use a drink anyway. Slick didn't have to convince himself of such things very hard. He stumbled readily through the door.

That's when he saw her standing behind the bar. She was a picture of rare beauty, the kind of mare who could turn heads, loosen tongues and lighten wallets without even having to try. She was an earth pony mare, lavender coat, silver mane. She was there serving drinks and looking great. Slick could see a younger stallion easily falling in love at first sight. He'd been that long road before and had no intention of following it again in any serious way, but perhaps an evening in this mare's company might serve him well all the same.

"Evening, doll. Was just passin' by when I heard this fine melody drifting softly out from this cozy establishment you got here," he said with some fond laughter. "There's a certain power in music and this record brings back memories. Luckily, I happened to have the time and money to drop in for a drink or two."

Sliding himself onto a barstool he smirked and adjusted his fedora as he made like he was considering what to order for a moment. "So, does the young lady have a specialty? I'm far more picky when it comes to company than when it comes to drinks," he started, smiling at the pretty barmare.

​

[GhostGirl]

Humming along to the song as she decorated behind the bar, Enigma barely noticed as the first guest of the day entered the bar. She quickly finished up what she was doing and turned to flash her brilliant smile at Duskfall. "Well, we better have! Ainsley said he'd start it warming while I was out. One pint, on its way!" She started to the far end of the bar at a leisurely pace, her hips swaying as they always did. With no rush, she filled a wooden stein with frothing hot sweet apple acres cider and carried it back to Duskfall. "You're a new face in my little bar, aren't you? I'm Fable la Fey, but everyone calls me Fable. What'd be your name, stranger?"

And then the second new face entered. Slick spoke to Enigma in the way that her favorite customers always did. Familiar, sweet, flirty. This could potentially be a new food source (as if she didn't have enough regulars showering her with love already). She smiled and batted her eyes a little. "I'm glad you like it, handsome. That's my favorite Christmas album. I'd play it all season long if the regulars wouldn't eventually get tired of it." And then the drink request. "Specialties? A few, a few, but I just finished my first batch of house made eggnog for the holidays. I used Old Crow Bourbon; gives it a bit of a kick. Or I've got a new batch of Iron Hearth. It's a brown ale, our own microbrew. Either of those sound palatable, mister...?" The ellipses was definitely audible, giving Slick a chance to offer his name up to the mare.

[Duskfall]

Duskfall smiled as he looked through the various cards the children had given him. These little things helped Duskfall keep his faith in ponykind and helped maintain his hope that changelings and ponies could co-exist. His attention was robbed of him when the bartender came with with a hot wooden jug of apple cider. Duskfall didn't really notice Enigma attempts at wooing the customer; he was much more focused on the mug of cider she was bringing to him.

"You're a new face in my little bar, aren't you? I'm Fable la Fey, but everyone calls me Fable. What'd be your name, stranger?"

A lot of ponies were friendly, yes. But this bartender seemed much too friendly, especially out in the frigid northern frontier. Obviously, she wanted something out of him, but what? Considering he just ordered a fairly heavy drink and the fact that he was a lightweight. . . Well, she couldn't have possibly discerned that he was a lightweight; his disguise didn't look nerdy or anything did it? Well, just that one jug and maybe some tap water after that, then he's gotta go before he does something he's going to regret.

"Name's Duskfall. And you would be correct, I am new around here. Good memory?" Duskfall brought his hoof to his hood and pulled it back. The room was warm enough, but for some reason, it was blurry. Duskfall eyes randomly fell upon a nearby ornament, where he saw his reflection. . . and saw that his eyes were glazed as a changeling's eyes would be. In near panic, Duskfall squeezed his eyes shut and focused magic into his disguise, weak as it was from his lifestyle. One more look into the same ornament confirmed that his eyes had changed back. Hopefully the mare serving him didn't notice the lapse in the appearance of his eyes.

[Pretzelparty]

Zooming through the sky was a white, grey , and black blur. Mistral was currently alone on Hearth's warming eve, after conning the owner of a casino under a fake name she was determined to lay low and spend MUCH more time as a weather mare. While she had gotten a great deal of money from the last job she had mostly forgotten about buying any winter gear. Finding some place warm for the time being should be top priority. Below her was the city of Stalliongrad, with all it's great smokestacks and furnaces there had to be somewhere she could keep herself warm!

"Achoo!"

Giving her muzzle a quick rub she realized getting indoors sooner rather than later seemed the best choice, if she stayed out here too long she might come down with a cold (unless she had already had caught one). Diving with incredible speed she zipped around the city looking for someplace inviting, soon finding a small tavern that looked like it housed a warm fire and an even warmer atmosphere. Approaching the door she pushed it open and walked on in taking her goggles off her eyes she let them hang by the band off of her neck, then slipped her normal glasses out of her saddlebag and positioned them on her now slightly pink muzzle. Calmly walking over to the counter she spoke up in her typical accent,"uh... ya got anythin' dat'll keep me warmer besides ya fire?"

[RarityDash]

"I'm glad you like it, handsome. That's my favorite Christmas album. I'd play it all season long if the regulars wouldn't eventually get tired of it."

This comment elicited a laugh from the stallion. It was a classic album.The arrangements on it were favored by jazz bands across the land. It was easy to be taken back by it and imagine Nightmist singing in her gentle tone over the melody. A smile crept across Slick's face at the bittersweet memory. Ultimately he gave a sigh and relaxed in his seat, eager to listen to what this mare had to say.

​

"Specialties? A few, a few, but I just finished my first batch of house made eggnog for the holidays. I used Old Crow Bourbon; gives it a bit of a kick. Or I've got a new batch of Iron Hearth. It's a brown ale, our own microbrew. Either of those sound palatable, mister...?"

Slick nodded, intrigued. "Old Crow, you say? Top shelf stuff, that is. it was a favorite in the nicer taverns back home. I haven't had a drop in years," he said with a small chuckle. "I'll take that. Hard to beat eggnog for this time of year, don't ya think?"

He took a look around them then. The place was fairly empty, just a couple other ponies, one stallion and one mare who both looked as if they were glad to be out of the cold. The mare stood out more to him, and not just because she was kinda cute. She had a classic sense of style that just made her stand out. Top it off with a charming Manehattan accent, and she seemed the sort of mare worth offering a few words to.

"Relief to get out of that cold out there, ain't it, miss?" he started in a smooth voice. "You get more used to cold in time once you've been in this city a while, but this time of year can be rough on all of us."

​

[Dio]

Cold was nothing new to Stone Bones. Autumn mornings before the potato harvests were always crisp and cool, though rarely as snowy as Stalliongrad. The latest training rotations were always putting him in weird spots. A blast of warm breath crystallized in front of him as he shifted his ushanka and pulled his greatcoat tighter. At least the REA allowed him the luxury to use Stallian Guard issued winter gear. The ushanka was worlds better than REA watch caps at keeping out the cold of a northern winter.

The streets were different in the dark, but their well-treaded cobbles were all familiar to Stone Bones. The ferry from the Stable made regular trips out to the Island District, carrying soldiers going on leave to various aspects of nightlife in Stalliongrad. As he approached his destination, Bones couldn’t help but crack a smile.

The big stallion nosed the door open and took a deep breath, taking in the familiar scent of Stallian hardwood and warm cider. The Iron Saddle was one of the few places that still felt like home, even in the midst of the big city. Bones shook the snow from his greatcoat on the welcome mat and ambled toward the bar, taking a quick detour by the hearth.

“Vityaz!” Bones whistled to the dog by the hearth. The ovcharka’s ears perked up at the sound of his name, jumping up to lick Bones’ face.

“Who’s a good puppy?” Bones laughed as he rubbed a hoof behind Vityaz’s ears. “You miss me, boy? I admit, it has been a while!”

His favorite dog thoroughly greeted, Stone Bones stood and trotted up to the bar and plunked himself down on a stool next to Mistral, where he found his favorite barmare still tending to her patrons. “Oi! Fable! How’s my favorite bartender in all Equestria?”

[GhostGirl]

"Well I never forget a face, darlin', and I've never seen yours." She smiled her vibrant, infinitely sweet smile, showing no reaction to Duskfall's eyes. Of course she noticed them, she was a Changeling, too, and she was all too familiar with Changelings who couldn't keep their Glamours quite as well as she could. "Drink your cider. It'll chase away the cold." With a wink she was off, tending to yet another new face.

"Well! My little bar is attracting new faces tonight like moths to a flame, isn't it!" Fable beamed at Mistral and started pouring another pint of warm cider. Froth spilling over the edge of the stein, she passed it across to Mistral. "Drink up, stranger. It'll warm you to your bones."

And then she was batting her eyes at Slick as she poured a tall glass of eggnog. "Make sure you tell me how it is, you hear? It's only my first batch of the season, and I certainly need to know if it isn't up to par." She winked at him and went back to cleaning glasses as he struck up conversation with another guest.

No sooner had she begun to clean glasses, though, then she heard a familiar sound. Nothing was so distinct as this particular set of hooffalls walking into the Iron Saddle. Setting down the glass and the rag, she turned to see Stone Bones himself drawing up to her bar. The affection practically dripped off him, and she ate it up.

"Bones, you old blaggard! It's good to see you again!" Her accent thickened a touch when she spoke to the stallion. It was hard not to. "One Stone Bones coming up. First round's on me tonight, y'hear?" Quick as a whip, she poured three drinks: a shot of Talonopolis Bourbon and a pint each of Trottingham Brown Ale and Hoofenheim Spade Lager. In no time flat, the three drinks were set in front of the Fet Loch stallion and Fable was leaning up against her bar, eyes bright as she asked, "So what's new, handsome?" Flirt she very well may with every guest, but Bones was a primary food source when he was town. For him? She turned her wiles up to 11.