The death of an ale glass
The sun shone bright, the air was clear and the hustle and bustle of the towns residents filled the town. The only thing louder than the noise of Ponyvilles typicl weekend was thr sound of an alarm clock sitting on a stand next to the bed. The metallic shrill of the bells piercing the ears of the beds occupant and before long it had gained a response that it worked so effortlessly to achieve. A hoof came darting from the bed and struck down atop the timepiece. The sound of the alarm was replaced by glass cracking and metal creaking from the force of the sudden impact.
A head made its way from beneath the blanket as green eyes peered to the object whos life she had cut short. Cherilee stared at the clock face through cracked glass until finally a soft yawn broke her gaze and the time registered within her tired brain "Saturday 2pm. An hour over slept... Better get moving." The teacher mused as she began to stretch before rousing herself from the confines of the bed. Cherilee peered to the recently deceased clock upon the bedside table before finally reaching out a hoof to slowly scrape the object onto the floor "Another one gone. Only so much tape can repair I suppose." The pony gave a small shrug before crossing the floor of the darkened room.
Even on a weekend Cherilee performed the same routine when it came to taking a shower. But for this weekend it was straight into the water whether it was cold or hot and getting it over with as fast as possible. Th emare wasted no time in drying off and combing her mane before exiting the room with fast strides into the living area. A saddle bag sat next to the door packed the night before and ready to go. Cherilee stretched once more as she peered around at the dull grey and bare walls of the room before setting to the task of placing the worn canvas bags upon her form. One last look around the room and a deep sigh before the door was thrown open as the pony stepped out into the bright afternoon sun. The door was slammed shut hard enough that if the house had been a living thing it wold have spent the rest of the day cursing its owner. And the owner would not care.
The afternoon sun was still at its peak as Cherilee walked with sure steps upon the dirt road leading out of Ponyville. It was just one of many that would lead you to the outkirts with a majority having no particular destination in mind when made. The mare moved at a leisurely pace as trees and open fields began to take over. Spring had just started causing the flowers to emerge from their winter slumber and the forest and grass began to take on light shades of green. A cool breeze passed over the open ground causing Cherilee to shiver "Tonight is going to be a bit on the cool side."
"It sure will be. Or so says the almanac I was reading earlier this morning."
Cerilee stopped in her tracks at hearing the sudden voice. Turning around she came face to face with the familiar lavender pony as her mind began to process the image before responding "Oh, the bookworm of Ponyville. Twilight."
The unicorn stared at the teacher with a dumbfounded expression "Uh, the bookworm?"
Cherilee blinked upon hearing the reply and gave a faint smile as she motioned with a hoof to her mouth "Sorry, filter between my brain and mouth is out of order for the weekend. Anyway, what brings you out here Twlight Sparkle?"
Twilight's expression turned to a puzzled look at the response before shaking free the words within her head and smiled "Well I finished a majority of tasks that needed attention this morning nf found myself free for the afternoon. When I catch up on my work I like to take walks in the areas around the town now and then and so here I am. Honestly, though, I did not expect to find you out here doing the same."
Cherilee exhaled deeply while shaking her head. The mare inhaled the crisp air as she turned back to the direction she was travelling "I am not exactly out here taking a walk and basking in the sunlight. I am actually on my way somewhere for the eve-" Cherilee cut herself short as she looked to the empty stretch of dirt road befor her. The mind began to wander this way and that before finally weighing in on a single issue "A novel idea. You know what, why the heck not?" The mare muttered out loud before turning to face Twilight once more. "well, if you have everything done then why not join me? You just might find it fun."
Twilights head tilted to one. A response aimed more at the mares erratic behavior than at the question that was asked "I am not really too sure. I mean, yeah I have everything done but, are you sure you are alright miss Cherilee? I should have a book somwehere over certain ailments an-emrph!"
Cherilee smiled as she shoved an apple into the unicorns mouth mid sentence "Hush and chew this for awhile. I am just fine thank you so leave the books at home. We have some road to travel to get there so off we go." The mare pointed a hoof in the direction of travel before continuing onwards herself. Twilight stood stupified before finally resigning herself to follow after Cherilee.
Most of the walk passed without many words being exchanged. When the conversation began to lengthen due to her companion Cherilee would cut it short by stuffing another apple into Twilights mouth with the only explination for her actions being either "You'll thank me for thi later." Or "Save your energy until we arrive." The sun began to set lower and lower as the pair continued their travel south. Before long a narrow trail branching off from the main road came into view. Cherilee happily turned off onto the worn path and continued onwards towards a grove of trees.
"Alright Twilight. Just a few things. Stay with me and you will be fine. If a problem does arise just say something. Mostly you should be fine." Cherilee turned her head to peer back at the unicorn as she followed closely behind while taking in the scenery.
"Why would there be problems? Anyway, I will trust you on this but I still dont think this seems like a good idea on my end. I mean, I feel like I have been walking all day to follow you to some secret place you refuse to tell me about. And I am so full on apples..." Twilight stifled a burp wih a hoof caused by just the thought of the red fruit shoved upon her when she spoke at length.
"You must really be out of shape. Less books and more exercise. I walk this at least once every two weeks and most holidays. sometimes once a week in the summer. Give or take" Cherilee gave a brief shrug as she continued forward into the grove of trees. Her gaze looking about the thick flora "I have friends that come here so I do not mind the walk."
"What!? You travel this that often?" Twilight nearly came to a complete stop at the feat Cherilee performed on a ner regular basis. The unicorn opened her mouth to ask a few more questiones that had manifested within her mind but stopped at the thought of another apple being crammed into her mouth "I see. To walk all this way to see others. You must be a really good friend to them." A smll smile spread upon Twlights features as she moved up to walk beside the teacher. Cherliee gave a faint smirk as they began to emerge from the trees.
"You won't find a better loser." Twilights confused at the comment turned to curiosity as their destination finally revealed itself. Before them stood a large two story building made mostly of stone and wood.The entire structure beyond the trees was surrounded on all but one side by open fields as far as the eye can see. Residing on the North end of the building was a wheat field. The sound of music and banter could be heard even through the shuttered windows. Twilight continued to eye the building for a few moments longer until her attention was snapped towards Cherilee as she approached something near the entrance.
In a rocking chair sat an old stallion in silence while a weather worn tree stump by his side served as a table for a few empty ale glasses. The older pony ceased his rocking movement to peer through his thick glasses to see the new arrivals befor beaming a toothless smile "Well if it isnt a worn teacher from Ponyville! How many stallions poles have you worn smooth since you were last here?"
Cherilee's features turned serious as she stared down the old stallion before a smirk began to creep across her lips "Ouch! Right there in the pride grandpa, good to see you are still quick!" The mare rushed forward to give a quick embrace before turning back towards Twilight "Careful Twilight, grandpa likes 'em young."
The stallion's laughter had cut any attempt for Twilight to respond "Darn right! Anything younger than Cherilee here is worth going after!"
Cherilee waved a hoof as she ushered her companion towards the door "Who are you kidding? You can't even get up to chase them anymore much less get it up to show them up. Have one on me." The mare gave one finale wave as she took in a deep breath. Twilight just stood in shock and for once a lack of words at the transaction that had just taken place. And by the main educator to Ponyvilles youth no less. The sound of a door being kicked open resounded through both parties ears as Cherilee was the first to step inside "Hey Red, you clout rag! Give grandpa an ale on me!."
The mares voice carried over the laughter and music and in turn had silence both all together. The spacious room stood still and quiet as Cherilee gazed about. SHe could tell easy who the regular patrons were and who was new just by the looks upon their face. A majority of the room burst back into laughter leaving the strangers to sit with confused looks upon their features over the outburst.
"Wha...what? What is this? You took me all the way out here to a tavern? I have hear dmore insults in a span of a few minutes than I do in an entire week! Are you sure you are Cherilee?" Twilight looked about the room in a quick manner. She was stuck between moving closer towards Cherilee because of the crowd of strangers and moving away because the teacher seemed to be just as much so.
Cherilee pushed Twilight onwards to the back of the room "What? What did you think it was going to be? A sun filled meadow of flowers and rabbits with a picknic? And it is only going to get worse from here on out, trust me." The mare worked her way through a few tables before finally reaching the and of the bar and began to coax Twilight to take up a seat on one of the stools which the unicorn relutantly took. She had walked all day and had apples stuffed in her face. Might as well at least experience some of it right?
"Besides, you won't find this much excitement in that tree library thing of yours now would you? I didn't think so." Cherilee spoke as she took a seat neaxt to Twilight once her saddle bags had been tossed into the corner near them "Just relax and enjoy. It beats placing books on a shelf in alphabetical order or teaching runny nosed kids with a dim future."
Twilight tilted her head to one side as her mind began to process the teachers words of the clamour of the room before speaking at long last "What does that even mean?" The unicorns attention was broken by the sight of objects being placed upon the bar before them. A single glass with a dark brown liquid sat befor her. As her gaze turned towards Cherilee sh took notice that the earth pony had not one glass but four. Well, it was four since she caught the teacher downing the a galsses contents in on drink. Twilight flinched as the empty vessel was slammed upon the wooden surface.
"It means whatever it is you think it means." Cherilee exhaled heavily as she pulled a second glass closer before inclining her head across the bar to a particular white unicorn "Twilight, this is Red Clover. Red, this is my company for the evening. One miss Twilight Sparkle. And she will be having what I am having for the rest of the night."
The bartender shook a few stray strands of his red mane before giving a faint smile "Should not be a problem. Good to see you brought company this time. That ice ball heart of yours thaw a little?" Red grinned as a few more glasses were set before the pair and watched as Cherliee nearly choked while downing her second glass. Twilight herself gave a brief greeting before looking to her own drink and began to examine it.
"Gah! You trying to kill me or flirt with me? Since you believe them to be one in the same and I dont think the missus would be happy about it." Cherilee grinned as her hooves slammed the empty glass upon the counter and sighed. She watched as Red smiled and shook his head before walking away to check on other patrons. The mare was about to reach for another glass when she took notice of Twilight levitating the glass before her face and continuing to examine the dark liquid before finally taking a sip. The unicorns eyes widened as a disgusted look was given.
"Blegh! It's bitter and tastes like oats! I mean, I do like oats and all but this... this whatever it is called. Awful!" Twilight shook her head and wishing she had a towel or something similar to wipe her tongue upon. Once the bitter taste began to wear off she brought the glass back to her lips to try just one more sip to see if it would be just as bad as the first when Cherilee chimed in.
"That is because oats are used for the house brew. It's outstanding! Red also makes a cherry cider that is worth the half days walk here!" The mare waved a hoof as her form rocked back and forth upon the stool. Her hooves finally reached out for her third glass and turned towards Twilight "Come on, let us finish it in one go. In time you will learn to love the taste. Cheers!" Cherilee smiled briefly before placing the glass to her lips and began to drink. Twilight had reservations that drinking it all at once would make it taste any better but she had to at least try it once, not wanting to disappoint.
Twilight's eyes clenched shut as she began to drink the bitter contents gulp by gulp. Before long she began to reach the bottom of the glass. To Twilight it felt like an eternity to finish and and with the glass empty, placed upon the counter. A series of coughs ensued as her tongue was assaulted by the bitter liquid. Her eyes turned to see Cherilee leaning upon the bar, cheek in hoof as she just smiled.
"Took you long enough. I've been waiting forever for you to finish.See? It wasn't that bad." Cherilee motioned a hoof to Red and within moments the unicorn had approached. The mare leaned over the ber and began to exchange a few whispers with the bartender only giving a few brief nods before taking off and Cherilee's attention returned to her companion "You are in luck! Red has a cask of his cherry cider in storage from Heartswarming eve. But before I buy you some you will have to finish those two glasses before you. Can't let a good drink go to waste right?"
Twilight merely stared back, the look of disgust still upon her features as Cherilee spoke. The unicorn let the words sink in before turning back to the two full glasses before her. true it would be rude not to finish them when they were offered and bought on another ponies bit. And the cherry cider did sound like it would taste good. Or at least much better than what she just drank. Even water would taste better. A heavy sigh escaped as she finally resigned herself to finishing off both glasses. Twilights horn began to glow, bringing the first glass to her lips. The unicorn took a few moments to brace herself and sucked in a deep breath before drinking.
Cerilee watched as Twilight began to drink down the dark liquid and place the glass upon the counter before moving on to the second. By her count it took less time to finish off the second drink and it was taking even less time than that to polish off the third. The teacher clapped her hooves as the third glass we dropped upon the bar in relief that the deed was done and over with "Alright! Now that is what I am talking about! Here you go you library dweller, you earned it." Cherilee beamed as she pushed a glass before the unicorn before turning to finish off another drink of her own.
"That... was not any better..." Twilight brought a hood to her mouth as the inevitable burp escaped. Her eyes peered towards the offered glass of the red liquid as her free hoof began to rub her stomach. As if the apples cherilee kept stuffing into her mouth throughout the tip wasn's making her feel full enough "I really do not know why you brought me to such a dim place as this. I feel out of place and all and the constant insults are bad enough." Twilight sighed as her magic took hold of the cider and brought it to her nose. She gave a few sniffs of the contents before tasting the liquid. The unicorns features showed confusion as a much larger drink was taken followed by another "This is actually really good."
Cherilee listened as she began to push all of her empty glasses into a pile for Red to take at his leisure "As for why you are here, well, hold that thought. I will get to that later." The mare took another glass into her hooves and proceeded to down its contents in a single gulp and sighed "The sweet and tart is what makes the cider. Alright! Let us make merry!" Cherilee shouted over the music as she rocked back and forth within her stool once more, her eyes beginning to glaze over "Red! You dick cheese bastard, more rounds over here for me and the bookworm!"
Before Twilight realised it she had finished the entire glass of cider. She was too busy being enamored by the sweet and tart taste of the red liquid upon her tongue. The unicorn did, however, catch the bookworm comment as she was putting her glass back down. Her eye twitched as she wondered how many times now it was she was labeled such "I'm the bookwork? Your an educator for the youth and here you are acting in a way I never knew existed you drunk!"
Cherilee nearly fell from her stool at hearing Twilight's words. The mare gave a blank stare before bursting out into laughter as the empty glasses began to bounce around from her hoof slamming into the counter "She is catching on! A little polish andyou will get there Twilight. It is an art afterall. Watch, here comes Red. I shall show you." Twilight looked more annoyed than anything but she held her tongue as the bartender apporached as he manipulated his magic to place each glass upon the counter with care.
"Dick Cheese? I dont know about the cheese but I have your dick right here you dried up old mare." Red laughed as he spoke while taking up the empty glasses from Cherilees side of the bar.
Cherilee's smile seemed to widen at the comment. She pulled a glass closer to her as she took a moment to gather her own retort before speaking "Aw, such flattering words coming from such a pretty mouth. To bad I feel inclined to destroy it with my own dick. Dont choke now." The mare flashed an innocent smile before placing the glass to her lips and for the first time since they arrived she didn't finish it off in one drink.
Twilight's jaw dropped as she stared at Cherilee's retort while Red burst out into laughter as he walked away with the empty glasses. The sound of one breaking dropping and breaking upon the floor snapped the unicorn back to reality "Sweet Celestia! That... I dont even know what to say to that!" Twilight brought another drink to her lips and began to down the contents as if the cider would wash away the mental image she had in her head of Cherilee actually doing what she said. Her ears lay flat as the drink was finished, a deep sigh escaping once she realised the mental image was still there prompting her to take up her second glass and take a sip.
Cherilee only chuckled at hearing Twilights response "One step at a time Twilight. One at a time." The mare began the process of downing another drink when somthing bumped into her chair causing her to choke on the liquid and spill a majority upon herself and tha bar. Once the coughing fit had stopped Cherilee turned to see a pony staggering away towards a small crowd. Insults and hooves were flying at this point and right behind both her and Twilight of all places. The teacher waved to the bartender once again and pointed towards the ceiling a few times.
The lavender unicorn watched in silence as the the brawl began to unfold before her. She caught Cherilee motioning to Red but thought nothing of it until the the sound of a fiddle began to drown out the sounds of the fight taking place. Twilights eyes widened at the sight of a glass hurl through the air and make contact with the back of a patrons head and shattering. Her eyes turned to see Cherilee standing upon her stool, mid throw and grinning.
"GET IT ON!"
The only thing Cherilee yelled over the music before leaping, no, practically throwing herself from the stool and into the brawling ponies. Twilight stared on dumbfounded and flinching at seeing a pony she thought she knew engaging in a true blue brawl. The unicorn turned with a raised hoof to wave down the bartender out of her own concern onto to be met with the afformentioned owner leaning over the bar as he watched the fight take place like it was some form of entertainment.
"Whooo! She is all over it tonight! Gah! His back is going to hurt tomorrow." Red spoke as he watched. After a few brief moments he turned his gaze towards Twilight and smiled at seeing the concerned look upon her face "Dont worry. This happens all the time. Some new customers stop in and then start a problem with the regulars now and then. So I let them learn the hard way now and then." The bartender turned his gaze back to the fight and leaned into the bar more "Oh damn! You took that hoof like a champ Cherilee! Show 'em what a washed up teacher can do!"
Twilight only gave a nod at Red's words due to the lack of her own before she too could not help but turn back to the fight and watch. Before long the crowd began to break apart and those left sprawled out on the floor were being drug away by their respective friends. Her form watched as Cherilee returned to take her seat at the bar and smile.
"I'll show you washed up you colt fucker."
"The queen has returned from battle in one piece once again." Red laughed as he left the pair to their own devices once more.
Cherilee laughed as took up another full glass "Queen is right. This is my sceptre and this is my throne!" The mare pointed to her glass then to the stool she sat upon before raising her glass high and turned to face the room "You fought well my friends, may the wind always be in your sails! Huzzah!" The mares words elicited a series of yells and cheers as she downed her drink before turning back to face Twilight. A crimson trail began to from from her lip as she smiled "Now that is how you do it Twilight. Now drink up! We have a ways to go yet!"
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The hours wore on and drink after drink was poured. Two plates of hashbrowns, fried potatoes, and bread had been eaten. Never mind trying to count the number of glasses drank and how many more brawls were started. The night grew late and over time patrons one by one began to stagger out their entrance. The music had long since ceased and only embers remained in the large fireplace. Red began to make his rounds cleaning up empty glasses from the tables and extinguishing candles and laterns as he went. Cherilee at this point began to lean more and more into the bar as if it were some sort of support while toying with a half empty glass. Twilight on the other hand was nearly laying on the bar. Besides the world around her being out of focus she remained awake though sleep was sounding more and more appealing.
After long silence Cherilee finally spoke after finishing off her drink "Now, to answer your question, or whatever it was from earlier. I figured bringing you here would work wonders. You see all of the ponies here? Alot of them are regulars. They come here just as often as I do. When one is fed up with the way things are going or you have reached the end of your road you are bound to become just a bit bitter I suppose. It is good to release all of the frustration. Well, in my case I am always frustrated."
Twilight only gave a nod now and then when her body could afford to as she listened. A deep sigh escaped that slowly turned into a a groan before she herself finally spoke "But... I was just fine without having to be brought here. I mean, this is what you are like when no one looks? I did not expect that. And these are your friends?" Twilight took in a deep breath as her eyes squinted in an attempt to bring the room back to normal within her vision.
"Of course this is what I am like! I think. Maybe worse. There will be a time when you will want to come to a place like this. You know where it is at so come on your own when you want. Heck, even bring a friend or two! Get into a fight! Drink until you can no longer have fun! Besides, not every pony has it as easy as you. Some of us have to do the dirty and hard work. And yes, they are friends and since you have stayed here through it all you might as well be a friend too. Now... enough of that. Just think on all of this for now. I think it is time to sleep."
Twilight only gave a groan in response as she pushed herself off the counter only to fall back and become intimate with the floor. Cherilee blinked sleepily at the unicorn before bursting out into laughter causing herself to meet the same fate. Twilight could only manage a chuckle at seeing karma find its way to Cherilee. The teacher erupted into more laughter as she lay sprawled out on the floor.
"Red! You dick cheese bastard! Get over here and help us to the room!"
