“OK, so this first one we’re going to try is going to be a lighter example. It’s a wheat beer, but they brew this with watermelon, so it’s fairly light and kind of fruity,” Twilight said, pointing her hoof to a tiny little glass filled with a frothy, light brown liquid. Next to it sat a dozen other glasses, filled with various shades of brown, frothy liquids. Some were clear, others cloudy. Some pale, others nearly black.
“Are you sure about this Twilight? I’ve always been partial to wine,” Cadance said, eyeing the tiny glass with distrust.
“That’s why we’re trying lots of different styles. We’ll keep trying until you find something you like, or we find that you just don’t like beer.” Twilight smiled. “And it’s time you expanded your horizons like you’ve always told me to do.”
Twilight and Cadance each took a little glass in their magic and sipped. Twilight savored hers and gave a little smile when she set her glass down. Cadance merely pushed up her bottom lip, looking contemplative.
“Thoughts?” Twilight asked.
“It’s like you said. Light and kind of fruity.” Cadance then nodded and set her glass down.
Twilight pointed to the next glass in the line. “OK, this one’s a honey brown lager. A bit darker in color, but still quite sweet. Lots of malt flavor here. Ready?” she asked as she raised her glass for a sip.
Cadance nodded once more and took her own sip. “Mmm, I like this one.”
“I’m not surprised. It’s pretty easy to drink. So let’s move up to something a little different.”
Cadance swayed as she walked forward, and the only thing keeping her from falling to the side was Twilight. The smaller lavender mare did a wonderful job of keeping her from crashing into everything or toppling over.
“Twiiiii-liiiight,” she sang.
“Yes, Cadance?”
“I’m drunk.” Cadance giggled and leaned further against Twilight.
“That’s why we’re walking you back to your room, silly. Now come on, maybe we can spare you from any more embarrassment,” Twilight replied.
“I’m not embarrassed, Twily. Besides, the rest of the bar agreed.” Cadance giggled again and bit her lip.
Twilight’s face glowed red, and not just from the alcohol. “That doesn’t make hearing that I’m ‘the hottest piece of flank this side of the Crystal Empire’ any easier!”
Twilight trudged on and practically dragged Cadance with her. She continued her giggle fit through the many halls and corridors of the castle until they finally reached her room.
“Well, here we are!” said Cadance as she smiled brightly. “Do you want to come in? Maybe for a cup of coffee?” She tried to wink but just wound up closing both of her eyes.
“Uh, I—”
“Please?” Cadance pleaded with a puppy dog pout.
“Fine, if only to keep you safe.” Twilight sighed and opened the door for them both, ushering in Cadance first.
Cadance bounced over to her couch and collapsed in an undignified heap while Twilight rolled her eyes and trotted to the kitchen to make them some coffee. After several minutes, two steaming mugs flew out of the kitchen in a magenta glow.
“Sit up, Cadance, I have your coffee ready,” Twilight said as she strode into the room.
Cadance obeyed and sat up, swaying in place slightly. Nonetheless, she grabbed her mug from Twilight’s magic with her own and set it on the table at the end of the couch. “Come here, Twily,” she whispered.
Twilight tilted her head and raised an eyebrow, but she set her mug aside as well and scooted over to Cadance, whereupon Cadance slid her forelegs around Twilight’s neck and pulled her in for a kiss. Twilight’s eyes shot wide for a moment as Cadance’s lips pressed into hers, and she let out a little squeak. Cadance still tasted of the three glasses of barleywine she finished the night with.
Twilight finally took hold of her senses and pressed her forelegs into Cadance’s chest, pushing them apart. “Cadance!” she nearly shouted, scandalized.
“Twily...” Cadance pouted once more.
“Cadance, you’re drunk, I don’t want you making a mistake you’ll regret later.”
Cadance turned around and quickly grabbed her mug of coffee and downed half of it in one gulp. She took a few deep breaths before turning back to Twilight. “Twi, you know I love you. I just... I’ve had difficulty expressing that how that love has changed recently. So, yes, I’m drunk and I’m a little more forward than normal.” She sat up straighter, put a hoof to Twilight’s chest, and set her face into a determined expression with her lips pursed and eyebrows pressed down and in. “But that doesn’t make that kiss any less intended.”
Twilight took a deep breath herself and nodded along. “And I love you too, Cady. But... let’s get some sleep. We’ll talk about this in the morning, alright? We’ll both sober up and—I don’t know, Cadance. I need time to think.”
“That’s all I can ask for, I suppose.” Cadance leaned forward and pecked Twilight’s cheek. “Good night, Twilight Sparkle.”
“Good night, Cadance.”
Cadance grabbed her mug of coffee and trotted off to her room, noticeably less wobbly, turned and waved to Twilight, and then shut her door.
Twilight looked down at her hooves. She mumbled to herself, “Dammit, Twilight, why do you always have to insist on doing the right thing? You wanted that, too.” She sighed once more and slid off of the couch to walk down the hall to Cadance’s linen closet and plucked a blanket and pillow from within. “But it was still the right thing. Right?”
Twilight set the pillow on the couch and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. She grabbed her mug and held it in her hooves. The warmth of it did little to dispel the coldness of her surroundings. She sat in quiet contemplation and sipped her coffee until it was gone.
Once finished, she still sat quietly. Everything in the castle seemed to stand as still as she. Twilight eventually turned in, lying on her side and pulling the blanket over herself as she curled up for a fitful night’s sleep.
Cadance peeked out of her bedroom door. She had been watching for some time, at first just listening to Twilight’s mumbles. Once Twilight had gone to sleep, she tiphoofed over and kissed her forehead while caressing her mane. “I’m so sorry, Twilight. Hopefully we can make things right tomorrow.”
Author's Note
Bonus points for those of you who can actually name the beers in the story.
