We Aren't What They Think
Berry Punch entered her favorite pub one summer night. The night breezes blew against her back as the door swung shut behind her. That night, Berry Punch was intent on getting a mug of Apple cider.
"One cup of Apple Cider!" She told the waitress cheerfully.
"Please," Berry added at the last moment. The mare looked at her with a doubtful expression.
"Are you sure, Berry?" She asked. Berry nodded. The waitress hesitated a moment longer, then nodded.
"One cup of Apple Cider, coming right up."
"Thanks," Berry said as the waitress walked away to fill up a mug. She sighed. That situation happened every time. Nopony wanted to give her cider, even though the drink was barely alcoholic.
Berry turned her attention to a new pony walked in the pub. She had a pale beige coat, spiky, leaf-green hair, and lively green eyes. The mare made a beeline to the seat next to Berry's.
"Hey! I'm Berry Punch." Berry introduced herself. The mare smiled in return.
"Hi!" She replied. "I'm Sweet Leaf!"
"You're new here, right?" Berry asked. Sweet Leaf nodded in confirmation.
"I just came from Baltimare. I like looking at nature and plants, but Baltimare didn't have lots of that, since it was on the coast." Just then, the waitress returned with Berry's mug of cider. Berry took a big gulp, then set it down with a content, "Aaaah." The waitress eyed her warily.
"Careful, Berry." Then she turned to Sweet Leaf. The waitress suddenly stiffened. "Are you Sweet Leaf?" Sweet Leaf frowned, then sighed.
"Yeah, I am. Could I have a Daffodil and Fern Salad with tomatoes on the side?" She asked. The waitress narrowed her eyes.
"What have you been doing lately?" She asked suspiciously.
"I don't think that's your business," Sweet Leaf answered.
"It is if it will ensure the safety of my customers from ponies like you," the waitress shot back. Berry watched Sweet Leaf's cheeks turn pink.
"I've been collecting fern samples, gardening, and furnishing my new house," Sweet Leaf replied in a tight voice. "Happy now?" The waitress glared at Sweet Leaf.
"This one time, you can eat here. Then you're out." She stomped away to make the requested salad.
"What was that about?" Berry asked before taking a drink of her cider. "Wait, I mean... if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to."
"It's alright. So here's the thing: someponies think that I... that I'm a drug dealer," Sweet Leaf told her in a low voice. "But it isn't true! The only think that 'cause of my name." Berry nodded sympathetically.
"Everypony thinks I'm an alcoholic," she replied. "I do like cider, but it's barely alcoholic! Plus, all these ponies are annoying." Surprise flashed over Sweet Leaf's face.
"You don't look drunk to me!"
"And you don't look like a drug dealer to me," Berry responded. "It's my name, same as you." Sweet Leaf nodded.
"Yeah. But I don't understand, why does everypony have to assume the worst?" Berry took another sip before replying.
"A few months ago, everypony was suspicious of a Zebra named Zecora. I was, too. She lived in the Everfree Forest. Then we learned the truth about her. She is very nice and she helps Ponyville a lot.
"You know, I assumed she was bad because I was scared. Not for myself, but for... for my daughter." Berry blushed.
"That... that makes sense. But couldn't they give us a chance to show we aren't what they think we are?" Sweet Leaf asked. As she was talking, Berry said a thankful prayer that Sweet Leaf hadn't pressed about her daughter.
"They only gave Zecora a chance after Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash were healed by her magic remedy," Berry replied. "If we ever wanted to prove I'm not an alcoholic, and you aren't a drug dealer, it would be harder."
"I don't even know the names of drugs!" Sweet Leaf exclaimed. "The only one I know is marijuana, and I only know that because ponies assume I grow it!" The waitress returned and set Sweet Leaf's dish in front of her.
"Thanks," Sweet Leaf told the waitress. The waitress grumbled something about drugs before leaving to serve another customer.
"And the most alcohol I've ever had was at a party a several years ago!" Berry agreed. "I didn't drink cider or punch for another three months!" Sweet Leaf smiled.
"Cider isn't alcoholic, is it?" She asked. Berry shook her head.
"It's slightly alcoholic. But I think I mentioned that already."
"Applejack lets her sister drink that stuff?" Sweet Leaf asked in alarm. Berry shook her head again.
"Fillies and colts get a non-alcoholic version. Honestly? I doubt there's any difference in taste."
Silence followed. Sweet Leaf ate her sandwich while Berry finished her cider. After both had finished, the waitress walked over.
"You two need to pay now," she told them. Sweet Leaf laughed.
"Of course we do! You don't think I'd just leave without paying?" She passed four bits over the counter. Berry slid two to the waitress.
"Oh, here!" Berry gave the waitress another bit. "Here's a tip." The waitress smiled at Berry, then looked over at Sweet Leaf, an expectant look on her face. Sweet Leaf stared at her for a moment before sliding a bit over the counter. The waitress raised an eyebrow at the meager tip.
"What?" Sweet Leaf asked. The waitress blushed.
"Come again soon, Berry!" She said to Berry. Berry smiled.
"Thanks." She and Sweet Leaf left together.
"Why didn't you give her a tip a bigger tip?" Berry asked. "It's a nice thing to do." Sweet Leaf shrugged.
"Did she really deserve lots of my money for giving me a hard time based on a stereotype and then banning me from the pub?" She asked as they walked. "I mean, I kinda felt bad for her, so I gave her that one bit, but never again."
"Good point," Berry admitted. They walked together until they reached Berry's cottage.
"I hope I'll see you tomorrow, Berry," Sweet Leaf said as Berry opened her door. Berry smiled.
"Me too, Sweet Leaf. Bye!"
"Bye!" Sweet Leaf replied as she headed down the street.
"Bye!" Yelled a filly who suddenly appeared next to Berry.
"Piña Colada!" Berry exclaimed, turning to her sister. "You're supposed to be in bed!" Piña Colada shrugged.
"Is she a friend of yours? Can I play with her?"
"Go to bed, Piña Colada. Maybe you can meet her tomorrow."
"Yay!" Berry watched her sister race up the stairs. She smiled.
"I'm sure Sweet Leaf would be delighted to meet you," she murmured, closing the door.
Author's Note
By the way, Berry Punch has a sister in Canon, Piña Colada. My headcanon is that she raises her sister and daughter together.
Thanks for reading!
