Kix an Mint; Uncertain Future

~~~~~Kix~~~~~

  As we head inta town from the schoolhouse Ah look down at Mint an smile “What was it like meetin the youngest princess?”

  “Ah like her. She didn’ seem like such a hoity high horse like Ah expected. She said she’ll have ta checkup on us in two weeks.” The start o’ the missin bounce in her step is startin ta return as we meetup with the rest o’ the band.

  “How’d it go kiddo?” Snares, a dark green pegasus stallion with light blue mane an the band’s drummer asks as the round o’ hugs starts with him.

  “It was somethin Ah didn't expect, an..... Ah.....” Ah watch as she struggles ta find the right words an keep the story short.

  “C’mon Mint, out with it. We haven’t got all day.” The lead guitarist an the bands other singer by the name of Onyx Blaze urges. He’s a black unicorn with a red an orange mane an tail.

  “Well..... Ah got ta meet princess Twilight who seemed..... Worried about how often me an pa moved the past few years. Ah also met mah teacher who seems nice enough. Ah..... Ah also met..... A couple o’ bullies. A pair o’ spoiled rich fillies.” She says as she breaks away from Berry Rock, an earth pony with a green mane an yellow coat who is the panist.

  “Oh wow, that is somethin special, meeting a princess. What brought about this chance meeting?” Sweet Spice asks. She's a fiddle player an another singer who is a white coated pegasus with a butter colored mane an a bright green streak down the middle. Her wings match her mane color, the inner feathers are green with the outer feathers being yellow. She also happens ta be engaged ta Berry.

  “Well she..... Miss Cheerilee mah new teacher had ta send a report ta FPS because of our past moves an the letter must gotten ta her first.”

  “Kix you BUCKING idiot. How many times have I told you that you needed to find a stable job! And before you say something I don't give a buck how much you don't suit many of those jobs! You need stability for her!” Sweet turns an pushes her muzzle inta mine threateningly before turning ta Mint, givin her a lovin nuzzle an kiss. “I wouldn’t worry to much about it sweetie. As much of an IDIOT your dad can be he does love you. All he needs is to provide you with some stability.” She glares at me before turnin an walk away, an annoyed swish of her tail directed straight at me.

  ‘What the hay ever drove me ta bring this crazy mare inta the band anyway. Oh wait mah stupidity an her talent. Ah wish we could get along as well as we do onstage off the stage.’

  “Hey, what’s going on? What is the shouting about?” The final members of our small group,  Emerald Ace an Emerald Fire ask in unison. They’re the equipment managers an oganizers for the band who happen to be crystal twins with red coats and green manes.

  Berry answers as Sweet storms inta the hotel room. “Yeah, Sweet is upset at Kix, again. How is the equipment looking?”

  ‘An there goes one o' her temper tantrums. How Berry can put up with her Ah'll never know.’

  “What did you do this time Kix? I swear you two fight more than any other pair I know.” Ace says as he hands me the room key.

  “What you don’t trust us by now Berry? That hurts alot, maybe we should quit bro.” Fire answers as she lugs in the rest o’ the baggage.

~~~~~Mint~~~~~

  Ah jus watch as the usual ritual is played out by the adults. “Well..... Mint’s new teacher contacted FPS cause of our many moves. That's it.” Pa turns ta Ace an says with a sigh.

  “I'm just joking with you Fire, sheesh. You honestly think I was serious?” Berry says defensively as he backs away from her.

  With the group splitting up we head inside an find our rooms, me an pa dragging our share o’ the luggage inside. “Alright Mint, Ah know there is somethin bothering ya. Is it those two fillies?”

  Ah hesitate ta answer. Ah know Ah should tell him all that is botherin me but the thought o' tellin him scares me fer some reason. “Yea, Ah jus..... Is that what Ah'm gonna turn inta? A mean, self centered filly when ya start gettin famous?”

  With a chuckle he pulls me close an hugs me tight. “Naw it won’ an you wanna know why?”

  ‘Ah jus..... He hasn’ led me astray yet, but Ah’m still..... Ah jus hope he don’ dig deeper.’ “Why?”

  “Cause first ya’ll know what it's like being on both sides o’ the fence when it comes ta dealing with others. Second ya were never raised ta be mean ta others though with what ya did today will need ta be addressed an corrected.” He gives one of' his playful noogies an smile. “An third ya know the kinda punishments ya'll be gettin if ya do even once. In fact fer starters no practicin with the band nor workin on any o’ yer songs fer a week. Woulda been longer but after yer attempt ta apologize Ah decided ta reduce yer sentence. An ya know the others’ll enforce it when Ah’m not around.”

  A sigh escapes mah lips as Ah nuzzle him before we finish unpackin. ‘Ah hope yer right, an yea Ah know exactly what’ll happen if ya find out.’ Mah thought leaves a sour expression on may face which thankfully he can' see. “Ah know, unfortunately.” ‘Hopefully aunt Sweet’ll be jus like how she normally is when Ah'm on.....’

  “An don' even think yer gonna get some sympathy from Sweet. Ah know all about it an Ah talked ta Berry who talked ta her about it.” His words come while he's still facin away from me.

  With a grumble Ah glare at him which only earns me a chuckle. “So what are we gonna be doing fer the rest o' the day pa?”

  “Yer gonna be staying here with the twins while the rest o' us go out an have some fun.”

  “Bu- but, why the twins? Why not atleast Onyx?” Ah hate bein watched by them. While they do care bout me they can be the strictest when followin pa’s punishments or rules.

  “They said they need ta stick back an make sure everythin is set fer our first major gig. You best behave fer them or else.” As he waps me in a hug Ah can’ help but swallow nervously at his final words before he heads out with the rest o’ the band.

~~~~~Kix~~~~

  “So you got any leads or are we gonna have to play it by ear, again?” Sweet asks as we stop in the town square, her voice tinted with a little bit o' anger.

  “In fact Miss Cheerilee suggested that we go check out the Cider Mill. She said they're always on the lookout fer a band ta perform.”

  At the name Onyx groans before addin. “Please don't..... Its a bar, isn't it? Damnit Kix specially with this current issue you can't be in there, you know how likely you are to be drinking nightly! You remember what happened back in El Marso? Besides, if they find out you've been drinking and drinking at your normal capacity they'll take Mint! Then how would you feel, huh?”

  “Ah remember, an Ah promise Ah won’ drink as much as Ah normally do.....”

  At this point Sweet steps in front of me an her face turns inta an ugly, angry snarl. “Kix I bucking swear, you won’t have a SINGLE drop of alchohol or so help me Celestia I’ll kill you. Do you understand me!”

  “Alright Sweet Ah won’. And Ah appreciate yer help in tryin ta get me straightened out.”

  “Hey we’re friends man and we got your back. Plus, Mint is a cool foal, it won’t be fair for you two to be seperated. I know how you’d react if that were to happen, of coarse that is if Sweet doesn’t kill you first.” Berry throws his hoof around mah shoulder an grins, causin his fiancee ta back away some. “Now you know where this place is?”

  “Yep its this way.” ‘Jeeze these guys’re goin way overboard with this topic.’

  “Oh jeeze, Kix’ bar sense is already kicking in.”

  “That's enough Sweet, knock it off.” Snares growls as we find ourselves in front o' the buildin. “And we are not going to let you step in there alone Kix.”

  With a sigh we head inside an make our way ta the bar. “Hi, may I get you guys anything to drink?” A purple earth pony mare asks with a smile as she finishes putting a tray of glasses into the wash.

  “Actually ma'am, can we get some water an talk with yer general manager an owner fer a bit, please.”

  “Sure thing honey, I like your accent by the way.” Her smile only grows as she turns ta fill our order, a little bit o' flirty swing o' her flank is added in may direction.

  “What the..... Is this really Kix? First you ordered water without can argument like you'd normally have then a cute mare like her flirts a little and you don't immediately chase her down. I demand that you show yourself changeling!” Berry's outburst is jus loud enoughcta draw the attention o’ the other three who were takin in the possible venue.

  Before mahself or the others can retort two stallions come up ta us with smiles, offerin their hooves. “Welcome to the Cider Mill. I’m Cider and this is my general manager Spirits. We were told you wanted to talk to us, is everything ok?”

  “Howdy Ah'm Kix an these are mah friends Snares, Onyx Blaze, Berry Rock an Sweet Spice.” As Ah introduce them a round o’ hoofshakes follows. “An nothins wrong, in fact we heard ya were lookin fer a band ta perform fer three or four nights a week.”

  “As a matter of fact we are. Our last band got sorta famous and ended up moving to Manehatten. Have you guys ever performed live in a bar like this before?” Spirits asks as Cider's expression turns thoughtful.

  “Yep, we've.....”

  “Sorry to interrupt but are you Kix Brooks?” Cider says as a light goes off in his head.

  “Yea why?”

  “You played in my brother's bar last year in Neighville. He told me you guys might be drifting around here. He was upset you left and says that bar hasn't been as packed since you guys stopped performing there. Now knowing that I am conflicted, on one hoof I would like to see if you can pull in those size crowds here but on the other I don’t want to have you around for a time and then you up and leave as well.”

  “Well Ah can tell ya we’re gonna be lookin ta hang our hat here permanently if we can get a permanent job. Though durin the summer Ah will admit we’ll be goin out on tour fer our first time. Other than that we’ll be stayin here.”

  “Well I guess we can give it a try, though the fact you're gonna be away for the summer is a little bit of a concern. We'll figure something out when the time comes. When can you guys start?”

  “Tomorrow if that ain' an issue.”

  “Tomorrow our other band is performing, come back the day after and we'll give you guys a shot.” Spirits says after lookin at Cider. “You forgot the schedule again didn't you boss?”

  “No need for me to remember since I got you. Is noon gonna be good for you guys?”

  “Sure thing, thank ya fer the opportunity. We promise not ta let ya down, or do our best not ta.”

  “That'll work I guess, now why don't you guys enjoy a drink to celebrate.” Another round o' shakes ensues before he walks off an checks on his other customers.

  Once he gets outa ear shot we spend some time celebratin. As promised the others kept to their word o' keeping me from the booze. ‘Ah wonder if she's always this friendly ta the guests or what.’ Ah can' help but watch as she works, any idea formin in mah head. “Hey Onyx, try an flirt with her some. We know ya got the magic touch when it comes ta mares.”

  “First off, if my ‘touch' was so magical why is Sweet planning on marrying Berry instead of me, huh? And second why do you want me t..... Wait, could it be that a pretty mare like her has actually FAILED to catch the eye of Kix?”

  Before Ah can respond Sweet turns ta face Onyx. “The reason I rejected you was because I saw you hittin on Fire AFTER you failed with three other mares. I watched you all night prior to you asking, also the two mares I saw leaving your room that morning had a bit of an influence. I might not like Kix off stage, but atleast he doesn't try to chase as much tail in a single night as you do. Finally Kix isn't interested in just their nightly companionship, but in actually getting to know them.”

  ‘Woah, Sweet actually saying somethin good about me? She mus be sick or somethin. Ah know that had to hurt her ta say that.’ “Ok guys, jus forget about it. Yea Ah think she’s interested and yea Ah wanna get ta know her. But as ya’ll said Ah need ta try an.....”

  Mah speech is interrupted as she yet again stops in front of us, her gaze immediately turning ta me. “I never did introduce myself. It's Velvet, nice to meet you Kix, Sweet, Berry and Onyx. I'm actually about to take my break, mind joining me at a booth?”

  “Sure, go clear it with yer boss an we’ll be waitin fer ya.” Before she leaves she takes down our orders an we head ta the table. Stories an jokes fly across the table faster than a Wonderbolts. Most of' the jokes are directed at Onyx though some are spread evenly ta myself an the couple.

  After the bartender arrives with five orders an splits them she slides in next ta me with a smile. “You know, I completely forgot to introduce myself. I'm Velvet, its a pleasure to meet you and I can't wait to see you guys perform.” Soon after we make the round o' introductions the conversation picks up again. It started a little slow but once we got used ta Velvet it picked up the pace.

All throughout the conversation Velvet ocasionally brushes her hind leg or a forehoof along mah arms an legs. Her gaze also at times flits over me. In turn Ah reciprocate her touches, jokes an smiles which fer some reason draws Sweet's anger. Half way through the lunch Sweet looks at Velvet an her next words shock everypony, though Ah don’ know who is in the most shock. “You know, Kix and I are engaged, so I'd appreciate it if you stop hitting on him. Kix outside, right now.”

  In confusion Ah follow as the others watch us. Ah can sense Velvet is a little put off as we stop on the sidewalk in view of our table. “Kix I don't like her. I get a feeling she's nothing but trouble and you got enough to deal with. Before you ask what this bad feeling is I'm not a hundred percent sure, it could be that she's just a gold digger and thought you would be an easy mark.” Ah watch as her eyebrows rise up a little an after a few seconds she repositions me so Ah'm in her position. “Just watch Kix.”

  Sure enough as Ah stand there watchin Ah notice Velvet startin ta try an flirt with Berry ta no success an finally Onyx who seems very receptive o’ her advances. “Yer right Sweet, she is nothing but trouble.. But why did ya do this fer me?”

  “As I said I might not like you alot, but you do have some of my respect. You don't need her kind of trouble at this juncture. And Mint doesn't need to be around a mare like her.” Once she finishes we make our way inside an rejoin the others as Velvet gets back ta work. After payin our tab an gettin outside Sweet turns ta Onyx an glares at him. “Forget about that mare. If I EVER see you with her or hear about you being with her I swear you are gonna wish you were dead, got it.”

  With sweat pourin down his body an his eyes shrunken in fear Onyx gives the slightest nod. With his answer we head back ta our rooms. Sweet an Berry nuzzlin and talkin in front o’ us an Onyx is a barely walkin, tremblin mess behind me.