The Weak, the Strong, and the Scary

As the foul scents of Zecora's newest patch of... whatever breached Rainbow Dash's nose, she decided to get some fresh air. And maybe a drink. A strong one. After getting Zecora's permission, which she looked a bit peeved to be brought out of her meditation to be asked, Rainbow dashed out.

She got to Ponyville's local bar, and ordered the first thing she saw. She really didn't know too much about drinking, so she just hoped for the best. As soon she entered, she drew eyes, so after getting her drink, she retired to a corner and tried to hide from the attention. Sometimes her rainbow colors were a curse. Come to think of it, they never did help, just drew her unwanted attention. Hey, weren't there way to change colors of your fur and mane? She should look into that. She took a sip of her drink. Ugh, tasted like some of the spicy herbs Zecora had combined with something that had been dead with a week, and that was putting it nicely. She spit it out suddenly.

"Ugh, what is this shit?" She exclaimed loudly.

That drew more eyes. Awkwardly, Rainbow Dash blushed and sunk back in her seat, taking another tentative sip. Oh god, let them look away. She looked again, and the ponies returned to their drinks.It was only then she noticed an angry looking pony walking toward her.

"Oh god, what did I do? Please don't let this happen" Rainbow screamed in her head.

The pony stood in front of her, Rainbow trying not to cower.

"Mind if I sit here? Rest of the seats are full." The pony spit out.

Well that was anticlimactic.

And unexpected.

"Uhh, sure, why not?" Rainbow Dash eventually managed to say.

The mysterious pony raised an eyebrow and sat down across from her.

She had short cropped purple hair, with one darker purple streak and a pink streak right next to each other. She was wearing guard armor, but with some darker areas and horns curling toward the front attached to her shoulder pads. Her fur was a dark purple, and her glare. If looks could kill, Rainbow Dash was sure this pony would be a serial killer. A rather timid looking looking bartender brought her a glass filled with a red liquid.

"First off, that 'shit' is called Vodka, spiced with herbs from the Everfree Forest, which seems to be a strong start for somebody who obviously a drinking novice, such as yourself" The purple pony started

"And second off, what in the name of Equestria are you doing here alone when there are so many ponies in this damned city you can drown you sorrows with? Drinking alone is just pitiful" She spat. Rainbow flinched.

"Well uhh, I just ordered what I first saw." Rainbow stammered

"You ordered the 'Challenge of the Week'" the purple pony smirked.

"Err, yeah. And I'm here because... Well I need a break from my mentor, who is this zebra who lives in the Everfree and so I came here to take a break. And well, I uhh, haven't befriended anybody in Ponyville yet, so that's why I'm alone." Rainbow managed to speak.

"Oh Celestia, I asked why you were here alone, not for your whole life story. Jeez." The purple pony spat. Rainbow Dash shrunk back and consdered cowering. Or running. Or maybe even both.

"Oh calm down, I'm not gonna hurt you. My name's Commander Twilight Sparkle." Twilight glared, dropping the challenging tone at the sight of the petrified pony. She decided then to swallow her whole drink in one gulp.

"Weak shit. Hey Bartender! Bring me what Dash here ordered, and make it strong!" Twilight yelled across the pub. Moments later there was a flash, and another glass in front of the commander.

Apparently intending to keep up conversation, Twilight turned to face Rainbow.

"So you live with some strange Zebra in the middle of the forest which half of this city is too damn afraid to go near due to the numerous amount of monsters that can tear you limb from limb, yet you're the most timid pony I met. Tell me Dash, how does that work?"  Twilight said, peering over her glass.

"Well uh, a bit of common knowledge is all you need there, and I really haven't had too much contact with ponies..." Rainbow trailed off. Good contact with ponies, at least.

"Half of my soldiers are far to cowardly to go into that forest, you calling them stupid?" Spoke Twilight in an icy tone.

"Uh no, that's not what I meant at all! I mean-" Dash panicked

Twilight waved a hoof to calm her down.

"It would be just as well; they wouldn't know bravery if ran up to them in a frilly dress and hit them in the face."

Just then the door to the pub burst open and an angry looking pony with black streaks in her hair, followed by a blue... thing stormed in. If the barkeep was scared by Twilight, he was terrified of this new pony, judging as he was now trying to hide behind the glass he was wiping clean moments earlier.

"Ah Flutters, Iron Will, glad you could make it."