The Watering Hole (Open- Read Rules at Bottom)

[Dunder]

One of the more annoying parts of traveling to Ponyville was that Dunder didn't know of anypony he could bunk with in the town. Paying for a room wasn't all that bad, just sleeping in a bed that untold ponies doing untold amounts of Celestia-knows-what in them. Maybe if this place he was headed to was as good as it was described to him, it couldn't be too bad. Even though Ponyville wasn't known for its night life, the taverns there had to at least have some life pumping through them this late at night.

He followed the directions given to him by the stranger he met and trotted the road that led to the south. In the dead of night his saddlebags and sword on his side swayed and clanked around. South is where a tavern, The Watering Hole, was supposed to be. Right when he was about to give up the search and go sleep in a tree, he could see something illuminated in the distance behind the cover or some trees. That must have been his destination. Instead of trotting, he flapped his wings and took off towards the building. Sure enough, that was a tavern if he'd ever seen one. It even looked well kept even this far away from Ponyville.

As he trotted up to the front, the pegasus examined the building and so far it passed. So instead of wasting time, he opened the front door quietly and softly took a few trots inside. Instantly, he recognized a few ponies, but there was one that stuck out. He slapped a big grin on his face and trotted over to his friend, "FIRE!" He said happily and gave her a big hug around the neck. He was glad to finally see a familiar face.

[moonshineTheleocat]

Ah! The night life of any city or small humble hamlet! It had always been Java’s favorite time of the day. The bright moon up in the sky, the cold air, empty streets, and the sweet sounds of crickets and other critters awake after dark. Of course, the pony doesn’t sleep much to begin with, leaving the nights as his longest free time period.

Java had came to Ponyville tonight under the account of some major business transaction he had been working on with one of the residents under contract. And now that it’s complete, and he’s been paid, he decided to stay and have a nice relaxing night away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, and rent a room at a local pub. The Watering Hole, as he remembered it, had always been quite the active hotspot in a town full of conservative ponies. The thought of such a town being wet, was rather odd but the residents probably were prone to drinking responsibly.

But for the Canterlot resident engineer, this was his night! His night to treat his body however he pleased. He planned on drinking the night away, and riding home to Canterlot with nothing but a relaxed mind and a searing headache. And maybe oogle a few stallions here and there. As long as it doesn’t cause a bar fight of course.

And there he was, stepping through the doors of one of his favorite taverns in Equestria. Rather than wearing his usual waistcoat, he went ahead and removed it, and slipped it into his saddle bag. Now, without the professionally neat contrast, his unkempt fur just seemed to blend well with his messy mane.

Though, rather than being introduced to the usual murmur of the bar, he had walked in on hearing a pony scream out something about fire at the top of his lounges, and a sharply dressed…. Wizarding mare walking past him. “Fire,” Java asked curiously, tilting his head in confusion. He couldn’t say he saw any fires… or smoke. Other than his search for the non-existing fire, he could easily recognize a few ponies in the crowd. The adventuring artist Prestzy, who seemed to be a little off her rocker. And then another pony he had seen over at DonutJoes in Canterlot. Without a proper name, Java could only lable him as the stallion who called the resident artist, Peach Keen, a cutie. Though he could easily agree with him on that note.

[Hippo]

The large red stallion approached the bar and right away he began to doubt coming. Applejack had insisted that he come and check out the establishment. Although he never liked social situations on a night he could be spending alone, he decided to take his sister's advice. But as he could see, there was already some smelly stuff happening. Just outside the bar, his sister was having a talkin' with Trixie, although as tired and evasive as he was during his current mood, he wanted nothing to do with it, and ignored anything he could possibly overhear.

He slowly opened the door and walked inside, looked for a table that was not yet occupied, and reclined the pillow. Macintosh winced a little when his rear end hit the floor. They never made these things large enough for the bigger stallions.

​

"Hello, you must be Big Mac! Your sister thought you would show up at some point today. What would you like? A cider?"

"Eeyup." He looked at the waiter who seemed all too eager to help him get his first refreshment. Sure enough, it was something Macintosh would want now. But at the same time, he wondered why he had to come here to get some cider. Couldn't he just have gotten homemade cider back at the farm?

​

[Ashton]

((ok, I hope it's close enough to my turn again... sorry, but I'm kinda eager to finish this thread up - It's gotten way way way too large for me to keep up with what's going on, so over the next couple posts I'm going to finish extracting myself and my characters from it))

Trixie looked surprised at AJ's kindness and managed a small smile "Thank you" she said, pulling her hat down a little lower with her magic to hide the redness creeping into her face.

As they were walking though, trixie stopped "can... can you wait here a moment? I need to see something" she said as they stood at one of the roads leading to the library. Trixie stumbled down that road until she got to said library and then carefully peeked in the window, sighing as she saw it was dark inside, then she noticed a window up above that wasn't dark and she began clumsily climbing the tree and finally looking inside, this time there was a smile, a very warm smile on her face

"WHO'S THERE?!

and that smile was replaced by panic as trixie lost her balance and fell from the shock, she also ran, nearly falling as she rounded a corner, running past AJ

Then moments later there was the sound of wings and a familiar purple alicorn crashed into AJ...

Twilight groaned, muttering about maybe taking flying lessons from 'rainbow crash' wasn't such a good idea... Then she looked at who she crashed into and gasped "Applejack?! You were the one looking in my window??" she looked shocked and yet also a tiny bit relieved and a bit awkward at the idea... clearly it was a very awkward thought for Twilight that AJ might like her like that...

Meanwhile Trixie was a ways off, leaning against a building panting hard, looking around in panic, expecting any moment for Twilight to appear in a blast of vengeful fire and brimstone and teach trixie new levels of pain for disturbing a royal ciesta...

[QuickLime]

"Fluttershy darling, a bar...or pub I suppose" Tapping her hoof to her face in thought "Is FOR socializing, I don't quite understand why you are buying wheat from a bar?" She asked, raising a brow "And certainly not on this day of the week, one of it's most busy days.." Glancing around the room, Rarity really only saw friendly, non hostile friends... "And furthermore All the ponies here are very kind and friendly, so there is no need to be nervous, but if you need to pop out for a bit of air to gather yourself I'll happily wait for your wheat and bring it to you?"

[SteelEagle]

Poor Rusty Tones, stuck with his incredibly inferior choice of hat. Why he wasted his breath trying to convince himself- make no mistake about it, that was his intention- that his desperado was worth anything in comparison to her stetson. Her stetson was a beaver quality stetson with the highest quality finishing and materials. It was a bit on the older side but this hat had more character than all of the fantasy novels in Equestria strung together. His desperado was fine and all but it didn't have the character or sheer excitement of her hat, unlike the pony who wore it. Tones was a good sort of pony who was one of Applejack's friends who seemed to be aware of what was important in life: Good hard work and good friends. Not much else she could really ask for in a friend. If only she wasn't as inebriated as she was so she could get his name down right.

"Well, Ah suppose yer right. About your name that is. Would be mighty weird if you weren't! When it comes to hats though, sugarcube, you're way off the mark. Yer desperado would look pretty good on a lil' colt or filly but yer a grown stallion! Get a real hat for once 'stead of wasting yer life with that rat-beard on yer head," Applejack finished with a smile, laughing as the good nature and times rolled on unabated, "Ah'm doing just fine. Finished the day a bit earlier. How're you doin'? Been a bit since Ah last saw you," Applejack finished her sentence and another sip of her cider. Forever ever more.

Almost as forever more as the cycle of tightly wound customers that made Rarity's days endlessly entertaining. Rarity had to expend a ridiculous amount of creative energy and mental prowess to do what she did and some ponies didn't understand the toll that could take. Applejack did. She forged her creativity with the same flaming passion that a blacksmith used and the results were the same to very different different tastes. heh, and she sure did have some demanding customers. Applejack had her own batch of not entirely friendly customers but in Rarity's field the percentage was skewed a bit worse.

"Sounds like a long day. Good ta unwind then! Have ya tried ta put yer hooves up on tha bar? Ah'm sure he'd like that," Applejack said, hoping against hope that her friend would make bad decisions and follow through with that advice. Failing that, just a fun line.

And the most fun going on in all of Equestria was in Martini's taste buds. That combination of cider and apples was perfect for anypony, for everypony, and she was simply ecstatic to see the warmth of her work spread and infect Martini. No doubt she had tasted many fine things in her day but nothing would compare to what she had now. Of course she was a little blinded by her experiences, but it seemed as if Martini agreed to a certain extent! She raised a toast to Applejack's fruit and the farmer concurred quickly, their glasses clanking together and Applejack downing hers in quick succession. Again. She was getting to the point where soon she might just be a tiny bit, a small bit, maybe a little, smashed. Almost maybe.

"Here here! Maybe someday you'll find something better," she winked, "but Ah wouldn't count on it," she stated as she continued to listen.

Well, when she put it that way, Aplejack guessed it made sense. The islands never struck her as an incredibly well populated place but what ponies there that had aspirations would likely be tied into the tourism industry. For a filly it came together rudely that it would be almost impossible to break in and she needed to look elsewhere for her sustenance. It was a bit strange to think she had a foal that early on but Applejack had been forced to raise Apple Bloom when Applejack had just gotten old enough to call herself a filly, so she could relate. Must have been hard for somepony to do that without the fallback of a family business to go on. Long run, it seemed as though she had made the right call. The smart call. Applejack nodded along as the bartender brought more drinks.

"Well, Ah guess Ah can see that. Y'all'd think they would make more room for a filly who needs the help but Ah suppose tourism can be a cut throat sorta business, right?" She asked, imagining what would happen if Ponyville became a tourist destination. Truth be told though, the more she thought about it the more she realized to a certain extent it had become one. Ponies did come to catch a glimpse of where some of Equestria's most important events in recent memory had gone down and the associated industry had sprouted up in small ways for a small town. It made sense. It also made sense why she would leave for Canterlot. Big, wealthy city in need of those with good skills and close enough to her daughter. Perfect scenario.

And then the topic came to her.

"Hehe, Carrot Fields is a mighty fine stallion an' mah coltfriend. As sweet as silk and nervous as a ferret, native from Fet Loch an' has a real thick accent. Pretty cute- physically and that accent. Good lover too. He works out of a farm nearby, a real good farmer too. Knows how to work his fields, good harvest an' good stockpiles. Ah like myself a good, hard worker and he is a good, hard worker. Ah think he'd make a fine father too for a nice set'a foals. 'Course Ah'd have ta make sure that he doesn't spend the whole time runnin' 'round like a chicken with its head cut off on account of him being a nervous nellie," she laughed, imagining him getting her silos worth of fruits and veggies to snack on while she carried their children. Oh Sweet Celestia that was going to happen, wasn't it? "Hehe. He's a sweetie."

Almost as sweet as having a relatively famous sports star make herself known. Sun Drop was a cool pony and a pony whose athleticism and gifts weren't being wasted at all. It had been a little while since Applejack had time to watch a show but the last time she had, Sun Drop had kicked a good amount of flank. She raised her glass and Applejack responded. By the time the night was over Applejack would have a sore hoof from toast making at this rate.

"Hear hear! Always good ta unwind after a hard day," she took a hearty gulp, trying to order herself before speaking again, "so, Miss Drop, what brings a famous sports star doin' all tha way in little 'ol Ponyville? And...err, are you gonna be at the Heartland Trials? Ah actually have a ticket for that..." she said, nervously trailing her hoof around her glass.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The concern multiple ponies showed for Presteza and to a lesser extent Trixie was touching. Ponies liked to get their party hats on but they liked making sure that ponies were safe while doing so. It wasn't unique to Ponyville, not at all, the bars she had been to in other nations and cities having a similar sense of responsibility. Rarely was one of the worried parties armored up as nearly as the striking mare who approached Applejack then, holding the door open for her to leave and asking her about Presteza. Now, that was a kind act right there! And while Applejack was gone she knew the bar would be well kept with somepony like that around.

"Thank ya for holdin' tha door. As for Presst, Ah reckon she's had too many, no matter the amount. Best keep an eye on her an' make sure she doesn't make a fool of 'erself, while Ah escort this one home," She tipped her hat and exited. Only after she existed did Java, Dunder, and Big Mac make their appearance.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack was tackled to the ground by an Alicorn princess moving at three times the speed of upset. Trixie had left Applejack's view for just a few moments when it all went down and truth be told by this stage Applejack had downed enough cider to dull even her acute and well-tuned senses. Getting tackled out of the blue didn't improve matters any and her mind swam for a few seconds as she tried to catch up with what was happening. Somepony was leering through her windows? Well, it didn't take a genius to figure out what that was all about. Or who it was. Applejack grunted with effort and pushed the Alicorn off, rolling onto her belly and then onto four shaky hooves.

"No, it wasn't me. Ah could leer atcha all dang day if that was what Ah wanted. Dangit Twilight, ya nearly scuffed my hat!" She readjusted it, feeling better as she looked back at her friend, "if anypony did it, yer lookin' at Trixie. She was back up at the Watering Hole an' got herself real hammered. Ah was escortin' her and she slipped away. Think she just ran past me. If you wanna turn her into a newt or somethin' she can't be too far away," she dusted herself off and took a deep breath, "still got a friend or two that needs some escortin' and some drinks that need drinkin'. Ah'll bring ya a bottle of cider when Ah'm done. See ya later, Twi," Applejack finished, trotting back in the direction of the Watering Hole.

[Mojo]

As Tex Critter stood, pondering whether or not to stay and order something or leave with his animals, his animal friends directed his attention to the table where Fluttershy and Rarity were seated.

"Yur right, little friends, I really orta go introduce mahself," Tex Critter said as he slowly approached. "Excuse me ladies, didn't mean ta intrude. Name's Tex Critter, I love singin' and critters. Reckon y'all kin see that cause mah little friends came in here with me. Forgive me fer bein' a bit starstruck, but I gotta say I sure so admire you two and all yur friends fer bein' so brave! Takin' on Nightmare Moon an' Discord, King Sombra and that thar centaur dude that tried ta steal all the magic in Equestria. Could I have yur autographs, please?"

As he stood there with a wide grin on his face, his beaver friend brought his opened autograph book over to the table as one of his squirrel friends held an inkwell with a feather pen in it.

[QueenChrysalis747]

Fluttershy sighed, "I..I dunno Rarity, I mean I know you all want me to become more social," she said, "And i guess, deep inside, i might want that a very little tiny bit," she said, "But what if i mess up, get made fun of?" she asked with a shiver and closed her eye and took a deep breath and the scent caught her, that of a beaver. The scent was Mr Beaverton Beaverteeth, it was a different beaver, her eyes snapped open as she scanend the crowd though it didn't take long, a country looking stallion was there, a bit flustered over the Elements that were there, but that wasn't her worry, she spotted the beaver!

Without thinking, without even blinking, she flew over to the beaver, "Oh now aren't you the cutest little critter, what's your name?" she asked happily to the beaver, "I'm Fluttershy,an animal caretaker, and i can talk to critters like yourself," she explained, "Oh sorry," she said as she gently took the pad and pen and scribbled her name, "There you are Mr Beaver, also anything you want to say? I can tell him if you want?" she said though was a little hesitant on the idea of talking to the stallion.

[tacobob]

The red Pegasus nodded nervously as the earth pony mare spoke, "Thank you, Lady Applejack. Miss Presteza is a good, dear friend of mine.", she briefly glanced back at her old companion as she spoke, "In all the years I have never seen her in such a state. But have no fear, I will take care of her, just as in the past when she did the same for me." After managing to come up with the most confident smile she could muster, the armored pony slowly made her way towards Presteza's table. As she did, Fire Walker thought of her friend. The brave little unicorn had always been at her side throughout most of her young life. She was there when the Pegasi was a weak little filly, who lacked confidence and friends. She was there when Fire was a 'rotten punk kid' throughout her high school years, and was even there during her darkest days when she lost Dun....

Fire Walker overheard a familiar voice call out her name, "Dunders?", she spied the familiar face of Dunder Blust, her former colt-friend who was now one of her very best friends. "Dunders!", she made her way over to his table and received a hug, which she paid pack along with a friendly kiss on the cheek. "Dunder. Let's go sit over at Pressy's table.", she quickly lowered her voice, "She's had a bit too much to drink, so I'm gonna stay at her side for the night. Maybe let her stay at my parent's place or if she's staying at the local inn, I'll make sure to take her there. " While they were probably at one of the safest places in all of Equestria, especially now that nearly all of Princess Celestia's champions were here, give or take a Pinkie Pie and Rainbow haired mare, Fire was still compelled to look after her friend.

After taking his hoof, the mare lead her friend over at Presteza's table. Once near, Fire waved her free hoof, "Hey Pressy! Mind if we sit with you?"

[Zeig]

 

"Oh c'mon, don't be a little filly," he cajoled, going so far as to add a little extra whine to his voice - but to no avail. Wicked simply laughed again and pushed herself away from him, effectively taking away his perch and causing Inkbrand to stumble a little. "Fine, 'ya lightweight," the grey stallion said with a glare, though the snicker winding it way through his words belied their severity, "see if I get you tickets to the next Steppenhoof concert." Wicked laughed again before wheeling around and trotting off into the night, leaving Inkbrand in front of the rowdy bar.

 

At least he assumed it was rowdy, judging from the noise coming from within, and that was more than enough for him.

 

He and Wicked had just left off the Salt and Tower pub after Inkbrand had felt like celebrating a particularly difficult target, and the train ride back to Ponyville and Wicked's home had almost resulted in the two of them getting ejected mid-ride. However, the buzz of success had refused to leave the grey stallion even after they'd disembarked, thus cuing his insistent pursuit of a new establishment. He hadn't even known about the Watering Hole residing right near the edge of Ponyville - hadn't figured the small country town to have any sort of normal entertainment aside from apple bobbing and pig wrestling - but the find had been a gem. Up until Wicked had protested another couple of hours consisting of round after round.

 

Well, buck her, she could go fly off back home - oh wait, that's exactly where she had flown off to. Inkbrand snickered again under his breath and waved a hoof at the long gone mare, before taking a breath and moseying on into the pub.

 

Immediately, Inkband ran into a wall of sound as he opened up the doors, causing a lazy smile to curl up his lip as he precariously wove his way in between bodies. Hay yeah, this place was even busier than the Salt and Tower, and Inkbrand was always up for hanging out with a noisy crowd in a pub. Especially one that seemed to be having such a good time as this one. And buck, was that local smoking hottie Rarity nestled with some other vaguely familiar faces in the corner? Even better. However, not even the sight of a plethora of pretty mares, familiar faces, and drunken revelry could detour Inkbrand from his goal, and before he could say 'sassafras', the wooden tabletop of the bar was in front of his face.

 

"Yo, sweetheart," Inkbrand hollered as he jammed into an open space against the counter, attempting a barely passible whistle at the cute mare working the bar, "Fireball Cider over here." Drinks first, then socializing. Priorities settled, Inkbrand took the chance to glance around and realize he had inserted himself directly next to a smoky white unicorn with blond hair, who looked to be nursing her own drink with a vengeance. The grey stallion didn't bother hiding his intense stare, slightly inebriated mind attempting to calculate exactly how fast the mare was downing her drink. Like a bucking world champion, but he could do better, if only his hooves weren't empty!

 

"You just gotta know how to deal with them," the tattoo-clad stallion butted into the mare's conversation, as if he had been included in it all along, "buck tons of coffee." Inkbrand was just about to turn back towards the bartender to see what was taking so long with his drink, but he abruptly froze, still staring at the white unicorn, before suddenly leaning forward, narrowed eyes directly in her face for a long moment.

Buck, no, he wasn't imagining this.

 

"You, do I - know you?" the grey Earth Pony started, very pleased with his ability to recognize other ponies, before he slammed one hoof down on the counter, eyes widening a bit. "Oi, I do you know!" he exclaimed with a slightly accusatory tone in his voice, as if the mare were responsible for hiding her identity from him. "High altitude flier, up in the, up there," he extrapolated for her benefit, with a jab of his left hoof towards the ceiling.

 

[moonshineTheleocat]

Seeing several faces he remembered now actually... and their current bizzare condition, Java thought it'd be best to just sit with some pony he didn't quite know. And there was that unknown somepony! Well slightly unknown of course. He remembered that big red pony from multiple winter wrap ups... which all had gone horribly wrong in some form or fashion. The entire town could never keep a layer of normality of course.

Without much thought, The pony quickly slipped into a pillow near the Stallion. Being a smaller work horse, he did weigh enough to sink in... but not enough to strike the ground. Though he did take a moment to notice his condition. “Hey there big guy. Don't mind if I sit here? Oh...” He then quickly used a hoof to shove a spare pillow near him. “I am assuming you're hittin rock bottom? Double em up, it helps.”

When a waiter approach him, Java took a moment to glance down to the menu, finding an odd sounding alcoholic beverage. The name of it did have it's own charm to it. After all, most of the alcoholic beverages have some form of strange name or something of the sort that was generally a mixture of other drinks. “Uh... I'll get the CannonFodder Cider,” Java hummed, but with a curious note.

When he looked up the waiter gave him an odd look, before nodding and leaving, only to come back with a pitcher of a strong smelling cider. Java slowly leaned closer to the pitcher, looking down to it's contents. He nearly recoiled at it's sight. It looked like something that would wind up as the biproduct of some massive form of eldritch fire infusing with water. It even looked like it could GLOW!

“Oh sweet Celestia...” Java murmured to himself in horror, “This looks like it'd kill some pony.”

“That's why it's called the CannonFodder Cider,” Quipped the waitress before walking away.

“Right...” Java hummed softly, moving a hoof to slide the pitcher closer to himself. His gaze then looked up to the Stallion in front of him. “Rough day?”

[Pretzelparty]

"That's right! Pressy here is a noblepony from Trottingham an' has a whole slew of paintin's to show for herself. Fluttershy, you have pets that could be adopted, yeah? Go on ahead an' tell Pressy all 'bout 'em!"

Despite Applejack's insistence to tell Presteza about her animals, Fluttershy was apparently more interested in chatting with Rarity. Presteza hadn't yet met Rarity, but she'd heard she'd fancied herself an artist although one of a different type. She seemed pleasant enough though, if a bit ... what a was a good word? Fancy? She seemed like the kind of pony that the young painter had distanced herself from since her days in Trottingham and growing up among the upper class. Since Fluttershy was still more interested in chatting with the friend's she knew and loved, presteza wasn't going to make a fuss about it.

"you know, that sounds like a good idea" she said "it's getting crowded in here"

“Hon, are you sure you rather not just go to bed here at the inn and sleep off what you’ve drank so far? You had an awful lot of ciders; I just don’t want you to go and do something you’ll regret in the morning.”

“Oh! Sorry Pressy. Ho-Boy, looks like one little pony has already hit her nightly limit.”

... especially when she was apparently making progress in getting a magician to teach her all about that super cool stage magic all the fancy illusion and sleight of hoof stuff, this was gonna be so cool! The young painter honestly didn't have a clue about Trixie's intent to bed her. She really did want to learn some really cool tricks, and besides she had a coltfriend to stay loyal to... and now the pieces were slowly coming together as she heard the concerns of several pony's present,"Do somethin' I regret? Wot're ya on abou'..." the mare's face froze a moment and her eyes went wide as she realized what was happening and how ponies were thinking of her. Almost immediately the mare galloped over to the bar and slid her glass to the bartender,"Sorry, mate but I think I'm done fer the night..." she said with an embarassed laugh and then turning to Trixie.

"Sorry, Trixie... but I think I should... head out fer now. I just wanted ta see if i could learn some magician's secrets is all... but I think I'm givin' off the wrong intention" she laughed a bit before extending a hoof to the still smashed azure unicorn,"I'd be happy ta be one o' yer friends though!"

"Hey Pressy! Mind if we sit with you?"

The cream colored unicorn shook her head towards fire,"Naw, I'm actually gonna go before I do somethin' reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally thick headed!" she said with laugh before making her way towards the door. Apparently in her inebriated state she failed to notice the sudden entrance of princess twilight and instead just walked by her, Applejack, and Trixie. "Was nice seein' ya, AJ! Take care a trixie!" before heading out the door.

Suddenly the mare poked her head back in and shouted to somepony, "Oi, MArtini. If yer still up fer that paintin' session I'll be at the inn down the street! Talk ta me there and we'll work some o' the scheduling' stuff outta the way! Ta~" she said melodically before stumbling down the steps and on to the ground on her face. Once she got to her hooves she held her hooves to her muzzle and winced in pain. Perhaps it was the alcohol that was preventing the mare from making a huge show about her slamming her muzzle into the hard ground; dulled senses and all that, but rather than shouting in pain she kept her hooves to her face and inspected a hoof to see she now had blood on it. Anypony who saw her little accident may notice that the peppy young painter now had a steady drip of blood escaping her nostrils. Once again looking at her hoof she the drunk mare seemed oblivious to her injury and could only say,"huh... look at that..." After a shrug she turned back to everypony inside and waved goodbye before she began to make her way to her inn.

this me next to last post, so if you have anything to say to pres before she leaves say so while you have the chance!

[Hippo]

“Hey there big guy. Don't mind if I sit here? Oh...”

Big Mac hardly had time to respond. Inside he was saying no, but outside he was reacting on instinct with the positive outlook his Granny taught him. "Een..."

​

“I am assuming you're hittin rock bottom? Double em up, it helps.”

Big Mac wouldn't take this pony's advice, despite that fact that he looked like he had experience. In fact, his experience is probably what made the assumption worse. When the waiter came with Macintosh's drink, he sighed and gave in to the new pony's request to order. Big Mac's cider looked cold and refreshing, and the stallion didn't waste any time taking his first sip.

​

“Uh... I'll get the CannonFodder Cider,”

Big Mac interrupted his second sip of cider, as the pony made his daring order. Although just a drink, it seemed like this pony was familiar with the explosive nature of the drink he ordered, and we started to question whether this pony who was smaller than he was really up to consuming that much alcohol.

​

“Oh sweet Celestia...This looks like it'd kill some pony. That's why it's called the CannonFodder Cider.”

All Macintosh could do was shake his head slightly, going for his third sip.

​

“Right...Rough day?”

"Eeyup." Although probably not in the context the stranger pony could have assumed. Big Mac hadn't really come here from a problem or retreating from danger with a violent female companion. No. He was just here to wipe the sweat off his brow and to yield to his younger sister's recommendation that he come to this bar to expand his social horizon. Big Mac's social horizon was usually about as far as the trees got back at the farm. Which, despite its vastness of fresh fruit trees, was much smaller than most pony's sphere of influence. So here he was, drinking cider, with another pony who was probably going to explode in five minutes.

​

[moonshineTheleocat]

Java looked down nervously to what may have been just cider brewed from the caldrons held over tartarus's fire. He slowly raised the pitcher up after hearing the other pony's heartful response. Just a single Eeeyup. Now either this pony was in hard times, or perhaps there was some deeper insight behind this one single “Eeyup.”

Java decided to hold his thoughts on it, till he sampled his newly purchased drink. He took a quick sip testing sip from it. The taste of alcohol was present, but surprisingly... it didn't seem as bad as he initially thought. Without lowering the glass, he tilted it back further and took a longer draw from it before finally setting it down.

He could give the bartender credit on this one. The drink from the outside looked absolutely demented. But, it tasted kinda fruity. Like a mixture of apples, strawberries and a little... banana? Mixed with the hard punch of an alcoholoic... no several alcoholic beverages. The pony looked down to his pitcher with his lips puckering. What kind of bucking drink was this? He got several odd looks, and yet... he didn't die. Nor did this thing hit him hard. It was probably just some crazy name they came up with, Java concluded to himself.

He looked back up to the pony. Asking if he didn't talk much would be a wasted effort. He could already tell from the pony's laid back look that he had no need for words. Not when you can answer to most questions with Eeyup.

“Uhh... Big Mac, right” Java asked after taking another sip of his “kidney murdering” drink.

"This is more buckin awkward... than watching a paraplegic pony try to prove he doesn't need help for anything." Java thought to himself, his eyes flicking off to the side once they were hidden by his pitcher in yet another draw of his drink.

[brianblackberry]

Martini Paradise laughed as Applejack stated her toast and clanked her shot glass to that of the orange farmer mare’s before she drank what was now her third shot. “Well my real dream is to start my own bar someplace, a tropical themed one that would bring a little bit of the islands to the Equestrian mainland. I figure since Canterlot is far away from home, and the ponies there are usually of wealth and status, and thus be willing to spend a bunch of bits on exotic drinks, it seems like the perfect place to set up shop.” Martini poured another shot of the apple flavored drink for the two of them and levitated one for her new drinking companion. “Of course it isn’t as easy as that; opening a bar establishment of your own, well that costs a lot of bits initally, even with a loan.”

The pink unicorn smiled as clanked her glass to Applejack’s, to her this was both a wonderful conversation with a mare she hoped may be a future friend, and an informal contest to see who could down to most of the hard apple mix, a contest the barmare was well versed in. “Another reason to get a gig or two in Canterlot, or at least a town relatively close, even this one. The more bits I can scratch together, and the more contacts I can make, the better the chance of my little dream possibly coming true!”

It was refreshing that Applejack was straightforward and forthcoming, not hesitant taking about matters of the heart. Most patrons she listened to behind the counter who wanted to talk about relationships felt shy and reluctant about it, even if they brought the subject up themselves. “Well, well, talk of foals; it is that serious is it? Just from hearing from what you said, it sounds like you two are working out quite well. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you find his nervousness a little bit charming, if not something to occasionally poke and tease about for your own amusement, am I right?” Martini had a sly look on her face; she has had enough experience to read somewhat into the orange mare’s words. “Never been to Fet Loch though, and only met one or two ponies over my life there. They certainly do have an accent, of course all mainlanders say the same thing about us islanders; had to train myself to speak with a standard Equestrian tongue.” Martini laughed, “oh if you ever heard my natural accent!”

Martini took her fourth drink and nodded her head towards Applejack’s drink to urge her to do the same. “Someday I hope I could have a relationship as stable as yours. There is somepony, but it’s more of an on and off sort of unofficial fling, but he is so full of passion, so full of life.” Martini sighed contently as she spoke of Brazil in a vague sense.

The unicorn’s contentment was interrupted by Presteza’s loud shout to her before the poor young mare fell on her own face. That wasn’t good at all; she was so inebriated she managed to hurt herself and didn't even care. Martini turned to Applejack with a concerned look on her muzzle, “don’t wander too far, as we haven’t finished our bottles; I’ll be right back, I just want to make sure the filly gets herself back to her bunk safely.”

Martini galloped over to the white unicorn and levitated a cloth up to her bloody shout, “her hon, hold that to your nose and lean on me, I’m going to take you to your bunk before anything else.. Unfortunate, happens to you. Now let us get to your bed.” The barmare intended to be right back though, no way she was going to walk out of a contest of drink, even if it wasn’t formally so, especially with somepony that could become a friend.

[Solaria]

Sun Drop thunked her hoof on the countertop, signaling for another drink as she turned to acknowledge the folksy voice behind her with a smile.

"Well actually, there were some sweet-"

She stopped mid-sentence, looking at the swinging door where Applejack had exited with Trixie.

"Nevermind," she shrugged, turning back to her newly-arrived tumbler and swirling it around a bit.

If anything, she'd see the farm pony at the Heartland Trials, because the unicorn was indeed competing. A good piece of action there, a solid chance to work on her form, and best of all, she'd heard Showstopper would be there. Anything to get a one up on that conceited pegasus was golden to Sun Drop. With all the endorsement deals her rival received, she was surprised his head fit into the sky itself these days.

Her petty musings were quickly broken by the cocky voice from right beside her. Without moving her head from the rim of her glass, the cloudsurfer's eyes slid to the side to behold a very eye-catching earth pony. From his ruffled mane to the tattoos that wound along his body, the stallion's appearance was... loud. She'd never used that word for anything but noise, but now she somewhat understood those uppity fashionistas from her hometown of Canterlot.

Before Sun Drop could respond that she didn't drink or even like coffee, her new companion got that look that she knew so well: the revelation of her identity dawning in his mind. Although with this guy the reaction was even more humorous, with gesticulating and everything.

"The sky?" she finished kindly for him, only the barest hint of a snicker in her voice. "Yeah, I'm Sun Drop," the mare affirmed, taking a swallow of her drink and thunking it down to offer a hoof for a bump in greeting. "Always cool to meet someone who's seen me ride."

The barpony swept by, busily delivering drinks while the unicorn raised a hoof for acknowledgment.

"His first is on my tab," she called, jerking her horn at the inked pony and giving him her attention once more. " 'Cuz I like your tats," she added in explanation before he could inquire.

"So, ya got a name?" she asked, levitating her alcohol for another swig.

[Mojo]

Tex Critter's beaver friend felt at ease around Fluttershy, all of Tex's animal friends did. Many of them now moved towards the pink haired Pegasus mare.

"Looks like mah critters have taken a like'n to ya, Miss Fluttershy," the tall country unicorn said with a smile.

As he spoke, the beaver, in response to Fluttershy's queries, did begin to 'speak' to her. He told her his name was 'Bucky' and that he had known Tex Critter for a long time, telling the story of how Tex had rescued him from a flood when he was younger. But when Bucky began to say how lonely Tex was without a mare in his life, the cowpony hat wearing unicorn stopped him.

"Er, I think that's enough small talk, little guy," Tex said, looking a little embarrassed before turning to the others at Fluttershy's table, "would any of the rest of y'all care ta sign mah autograph book?"

[QueenChrysalis747]

Fluttershy listened happily to the Beaver, he was a sweet little thing, Bucky was his name and it seemed to suit him well. He went on to tell her about how he was saved by Tex and then began saying about Tex being a bit lonely without a marefriend. She wasn't sure if Tex understood creature or noticed her very faint blush on her cheeks but he stopped Bucky from speaking then, "D..do not f..fear M..Mr Tex," Fluttershy said softly as she looked down, "B..Bucky h..here was simply t..telling me a..about how you s..saved him f..from the flood," she said with a warm smile as she looked at him finally.

Though the blush on her cheeks, the same color as her hair, was apparent, most ponies would not know why as they didn't understand what Bucky had said, but Fluttershy knew. Despite being the shy quiet mare she was having a coltfriend was an odd idea that always laid on the back of her mind, she wasn't sure why, possibly as she wanted to share her love of critters with another pony. Though she always wondered why she thought it would be better to have a Stallion to share it with over a mare, she could only assume it was just a typical idea mares of her age thought about, even if they didn't care, but this Tex, he was unique. He seemed to share the same love and friendliness toward critters as she did, and she wondered if he understood them, was this stallion specially gifted like her. She wanted to know..but how? What could she say or do to start talking, though all the same she was so shy to talk, after all she just met him.

[QuickLime]

"Of course I want you to be social Fluttershy! But I also want you to be happy, and if you are in a pressing social situ-" And she stopped because a stranger with a Beaver (what kind of inconsiderate pony brings a BEAVER into a bar where people are drinking?) And she went quiet and let Fluttershy talk, sipping her drink, though noticing it was empty, pouting "Bar keeper darling! When you get a moment! I'd love a Maretini! Dirty if you please!"

What? Rarity liked it dirty sometimes, at the other's request for an Autograph she was flattered, but also..not in the mood "Oh no, no darling! Tonight I am not Rarity Element of Generosity! I am relaxing! Perhaps some other time..."

[tacobob]

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on...”, the red coated mare gasped as her old friend promptly planted her snout into the ground. “Feathers...”, she growled as she quickly scanned the little pub for a thick napkin or towel to stop the unicorn’s bleeding. Thankfully the bartender was quick on her hooves, or at least her magic and was able to secure a cloth. “Thank you Miss, I’ll just take over. Miss Presteza is a very good friend of mine.", she turned to the young mare, "Use your magic to hold the cloth against your snout and I will take you to your hotel.", she whispered as she helped the mare back onto her hooves. 'Now this is how it feels.', Fire Walker thought to herself. Normally it was the other way around. Her virtuous little pony pal would be the one helping her out of the tavern, bar, rave or pub after the R.E.A guard had too much to drink. While Presteza was hardly a teetotaler, the Pegasi realized that she had never seen her this drunk before. Was there something going on she did not know about?

"Take your time Pressy, we're not in a race.", she placed a steadying hoof on the girl's shoulder, "We're gonna get you to your room, and out of those clothes. If your snout is still bleeding, I have something in my pack that will help, but for now, just worry about stopping that bleeding and putting one hoof in front of another." she whispered. As they slowly made their way through the pub, the officer spoke, "Maybe in the morning if you're feeling better, we can get together for breakfast. There's this little café in town that makes the best Prench Toast."

As the pair neared the door, Fire Walker called to the brown Pegasi stallion, "Dunders, could you get the door for us, please?"

[StaticPinks]

Copper loved his hat. It added a much wanted edginess to his character and complimented his duster and attitude quite well in his opinion. He had received it from a pony down in Appleoosa back when he was a spry young colt when he began his journeys across Equestria, a gift from a pony he had helped way back then and Copper hadn't taken it off since. It was like Applejack's stetson in a way, tied with being a strong memory and irreplaceable friend. If only she could actually see that, or perhaps even share the story with her someday, but Copper was a traveler, and had no reason to settle down in Ponyville for more than a week or two. His constant goal in life of helping ponies in trouble, whatever that may be, kept him from being a proper friend to Applejack, or maybe even a little more than that, as far as he knew. All he could do was exchange a few friendly words, spend time together catching up (which wasn't looking like a possibility unfortunately as the southern mare seemed to be quite busy with her other friends), drink until he dropped, and set up shop in the morning, hoping to catch some ponies in need while playing his cherished harmonica. It was all he could really do, but Copper enjoyed what he did, loving to meet new characters in trouble and providing a beacon of light to those who needed it. But sometimes, he needed that beacon of light in his life as much as anypony else.

"Well, Ah suppose yer right. About your name that is. Would be mighty weird if you weren't! When it comes to hats though, sugarcube, you're way off the mark. Yer desperado would look pretty good on a lil' colt or filly but yer a grown stallion! Get a real hat for once 'stead of wasting yer life with that rat-beard on yer head." "Ah'm doing just fine. Finished the day a bit earlier. How're you doin'? Been a bit since Ah last saw you."

Snapping back into reality, Copper barely had time to catch what Applejack was saying, lost in his thoughts. With a few stray tears in his eyes and a heavy heart that he decided to ignore, Copper put a mask of friendliness on face, something that he was quite good at. There was no time for emotions right now, especially from a stallion as hard-boiled and weathered as he was. Putting his feelings to the back of his mind while brushing his tears away, Copper smirking at her comments about his desperado and letting out a low chuckle, shaking his head at her foolishness, relishing in the bright radiance she had when she spoke. He had missed her teasing and brutal honesty and competitive nature, it was good to be in the company of it again after so long.

"Haha, ya wish, sweetheart, this gem is never leaving this stallion's head from what a messy country mare with a ratty, out-of-style stetson has to say. This beauty is what the future holds for REAL western headwear, best get rid of that hat and get in one of these if ya still want to call yourself a rodeo pony," Copper shot back with some honesty of his own, a natural smile slowly creeping up on his mouth. It was good to get in one of these heated debates on who had the better hat, a little competition they liked to go through if memory served Copper right. "Anywho, it's really good to see ya, darling, ya have no idea. Gets preeetty lonely traveling by yourself. Haven't swung by the old village in so long, ah forgot what it looked like. Had some troubles up north in Stalliongrad, spent more time than what ah had in mind in both Hoofington and Canterlot, and ah just couldn't find the time to stop by for a spell and offer my services here. Got a few weeks here before ah move on elsewhere, stayin' at the inn up the street."

After speaking, Copper watched on as Applejack took a few swigs of her drink, and quickly addressed others in her general vicinity. Copper watched on with slight disappointment at the amount of ponies who also wished to speak with Applejack, drowning her in a sea of many separated conversations at once. There was some of Applejack's close friends who he had seen in previous visits to the town, a blue coated unicorn who looked like she was down on her luck as well as herself, and some talk about a coltfriend that... she... loved very much...

Copper shook his head, trying to shake away the sudden flood of emotions coming his way, the recently passed feelings of loneliness and sadness coming back in full force. Copper closed his eyes tightly, hoping to rid himself of these awful emotions, a few tears leaking through his eyelids, until Copper remembered something that could potentially make the pain go away.

Copper rubbed his eyes with the sleeve of his duster, clearing his throat and hoping Applejack or anypony else noticed his visible weakness, spoke up to Applejack briefly before returning to his seat at the counter, quickly downing his hard apple cider before pouring another drink, wanting to just drink his night away until he was ready to go to the inn. Maybe that's what he should have done in the beginning instead of coming here, opening up old feelings.

"It was nice to see ya again, Applejack. Ah shouldn't keep ya from your other friends, it seems ya have yer hooves full. Ah hope ya have a good night."

[Ashton]

Twilight put a hoof to her head "ok, this is bad, Trixie is back, once again... I better find her before she takes over ponyville again... or maybe equestrian, she seems to up her game each time we see her" Twilight's horn began glowing as she prepared a spell "as soon as I see her... *BLAM* strike her down before she has time to get so much as a single spell out!" she nodded, fairly proud of her plan, of course at this hour she was rather tired and her plans were a lot less intense (or ingenious) than usual...

-----

Trixie panted, that had NOT gone right - not at all! she last thing she wanted was for twilight to think she was some kind of common pervert! --- after all, she was a very Uncommon kind of pervert! And only when it came to ponies she cared about! or liked! ...or just thought were attractive... but she'd need to figure out a way to fix this and fast... and the alcohol in her system was not making the chore any easier...

[SteelEagle]

Everypony had a dream that they pursued and Martini's was quite reasonable. Everypony on the mainland loved themselves some good island tradition and atmosphere. A bar with that goal would do well in just about any big city, though Canterlot was a good choice. Manehattan may have been better though as the islands were likely the most popular vacation spot for all the hoity toity folks in that city. But Canterlot would be fine. They certainly had the bits to spend. Applejack wouldn't mind going to a nice place like that, with the snappy flavors punctuating the barley made her lick her lips, both figuratively and literally as she lapped up the suds off of her lip from the shots. This barmaid may think she was going to outdrink Applejack, but apples just made Applejack more aware of the world. She was getting less drunk by the moment. That was how she worked, right? Right.

"Well, y'all know how loans work," Applejack started briefly as she motioned for more shots. She did. A lot of ponies didn't seem to understand that the Apple family had a lot of financial arrangements and probably took more consistent loans out for expansions during the non-harvest seasons than one thought possible. She knew the system well.

"Just gotta find tha right lender, have a good business plan, some collateral- doesn't hurt if you can get royal treasury pre-approval! Might seem like a lot but you'd be surprised how much of a Princesses' time is taken up on that, makin' sure lenders give yer application a second look-see! How much ya lookin' ta get ta build yer bar, Martin?" Applejack asked It never hurt to compile information for friends. Applejack's personal ledger was filled with the financials of friends. If a good friend was ever in dire straights, Applejack would go to bat for them in as many ways as possible.

Which was another thing that made Carrot special, as he shared that same sentiment.

"Ah wouldn't say his nervousness is charmin' or nothin', though I do like to poke'm about it. Ain't a real problem or somethin' ta be concerned 'bout, but Ah like him for plenty of other reasons, 'nough ta make his nervousness fine by me. And yeah, it is pretty serious. 'Course, Ah'm just assumin' he feels tha same way. Ah'm not as experienced at this whole relationship thing with stallions as others might. Mostly mares in mah younger days, and mostly carnal and fun rather than relationships. If he isn't as serious as Ah am 'bout it though Ah could always tie him up and spank'm until he agrees!" Applejack ended with a very hearty laugh. Really hearty. Too hearty really, deep throbbing sobs of laughter. No, she was not drunk at all. Not at all!

"Y'all should make sure ta get yer stallion good and tight in with ya. Don't wanna miss out on a chance to bond with somepony really deep. And Ah mean real deep," she finished another shot, "so get'm. Tell me more 'bout this dog ya got on no leash-" Applejack began before Pressy fell, the noblepony's blood spilling from her harmed snout. Several ponies went to her aid so the inebriated Applejack didn't get up off the stool. It was for the best. But she could still talk, "Pressy, it's time for you ta call it a night. Yer worse for the ware than Apple Bloom's coat after wrestling her friends in the mud," Applejack motioned to the barkeep by making the internationally known "cut her off" sign, who acknowledged it immediately. She then nodded at her new-found armored friend, knowing that if there was one pony who could ensure a safe Pressy for the night it'd be her. Yeah, keep her at the table. It was for the best, especially as Applejack watched Sundrop get hit on by some bedazzling stallion with enough accessories to make anypony faint at the thought of the weight. Entertainment came in many forms. What also came in many forms was her desire to use the bathroom stalls out back, so she trotted out of the bar to relieve a certain tension.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Some time later, in case some were confused)

Applejack sighed, unable to disguise her frustration. She continued trotting away from her entirely absent minded friend. Usually Twilight was the most level-headed of the bunch, but she must have had a total frontal lobe collapse, a cranial contusion, a brainial barnstorm. She had forgotten that she herself had forgiven Trixie after the last incident when she had been repentant. Well, she wasn't going to get involved in another lover's quarrel or whatever else was going on between those two so she cantered on back to the Watering Hole. Her energy was drained but she had some unfinished business with friends before she called it a night. She pushed in the door and immediately was met with a very familiar sight- her big brother! Well now, she just coouldn't get away from him.

"Hey there, Big Mac! Hehe, Ah leave for ten minutes and you come waltzin' on in. Who'd ya get ta watch tha farm while we're gone? Apple Bloom an' Winona?" Applejack asked as she sloshed back into her old seat near Martini, her drink getting downed in one mesmerizing move. Island filly wasn't going to distract apple mare any time soon, so nir keeee...

[Dunder]

Dunder just followed along with Fire. If he was actually in the R.E.A., she'd be a higher rank and he'd have to follow what she said. Fortunately for him that wasn't what caught on. Still, though, he just followed along. The mare seemed actually concerned with Pressy's situation. At first he just imagined that she was just exaggerating a little. Quickly he was proved wrong when after a few steps from the table the unicorn mare ate the ground. The bloody snout afterwards made him rush to her side.

Soon after reaching Fire who was helping up Pressy, he got the command to open the door. He didn't need to be told twice, he moved over to hoof the door open and push it open with his head. The pegasus kept the door open as he trotted out and stood outside to keep the door open to ensure the maximum amount of clearance for Pressy and Fire as they made their way through the door and down to the inn. "Let's get back soon, it's cold out here." Dunder said, wrapping his wings tightly around his body as a reflex to the cold. "And I want to go talk to some of those mares." He said to Fire and the drunk Pressy. Something he immediately regretted saying to his ex. A very, very special ex at that.

[Zeig]

 

There was some sort of alarm bell ringing full force in the back of Inkbrand's brain.

 

He wasn't exactly sure what was setting it off, or why it was ringing. If the grey stallion really put some effort into it, he probably would have figured it to have something to do with the smoking hot cloud surfer sitting next to him, paying for his first drink, complimenting his tattoos, and totally being into him. All the correct signs, in Inkbrand's vast knowledge and wisdom, for him to send a rousing cheer to the sky before plastering himself on top of Sun Drop and demanding he be carried home for a make-out session.

 

It was hard putting two and two together, though, because most of Inkbrand's brains cells were focused on the fact that sweet princess on ice skates, that's Sun bucking Drop sitting next to him.

 

Was she on par with the Wonderbolts? Well, no, not really. It wasn't like he was meeting a super star surfer or Princess Luna and her glorious backside face to face. But still, the novelty of meeting a semi-famous pony was usually enough to perk the interest of most, and Inkbrand was no exception.

 

"There's a lot more where they came from," the grey Earth Pony stated with a light snicker, though the words came out a lot less suggestive and flirtatious than he intended, instead sounding rather matter-of-factual. Really, when he got deep enough in drink or salt, he just couldn't be bucked to care enough. Instead, the grey stallion simply gestured a hoof to his side opposite of the mare, turning just a bit so she could see the tattoos on the other side of his body. Idly, Inkbrand traced a hoof along his left shoulder blade, briefly annoyed that he hadn't yet decided what sort of tattoo to put on the bare area, before abruptly turning back to the unicorn, a toothy smile on his lips.

 

"The name's Inkbrand," he introduced, and managed to wrap a hoof around his paid drink instead of spilling it all over the mare, raising it up in a salute, "best bucking tattoo artist in Equestria." Social politeness finished, the grey stallion threw his head back to down a large portion of the drink in one continued swallow. When he emerged again, his face had become somewhat flushed, but the smile on his lips was even larger than before. "Ahh, buck, that's the stuff," Inkbrand breathed appreciatively, the burn from the alcohol hitting all the right spots.

 

"Yeah, I've seen you ride," the tattoo-clad stallion spoke up again as he turned to face Sun Drop, though that was probably already obvious to the mare. "That race you had in Cloudsdale, couple moons back? First time I ever saw a unicorn in one of those competitions," he said, then flapped his hooves together like a bird to clarify a flying competition. "Bet you freaked the rot out of those Pegasi, hah!" He wondered how many had complained about a unicorn besting them, maybe even accused her a cheating? What a bucking riot.

 

"So what brings you to Ponyville, Sunshine?" Inkbrand questioned with an abrupt topic change, words slightly muffled thanks to his snout being buried in his mug. Maybe if he stuck his nose in far enough, the mug would magically refill with his drink, and then he could stay happy for the rest of the night. "Not like I'm exactly a native myself, but I can't say I've ever seen you around."