It was late one night in the start of the hearths warming eve month. Snow swirls outside the windows of the tavern. I can't help but watch them as it's always my favorite thing to see this time of year even though it snows all the time around here, except this time it feels special. Oh who am i you ask? well my name is Cherry Gin and and with the bits i saved up as i grew up, i now own a decently sized tavern in these northern parts of equestria where ponies can come and relax, chat or just have a goodnight sleep. For my appearance, I have blue eyes, gray fur and a cherry red curly mane and a straight tail.

But on this faithful night my whole life changes when she enters the tavern. She isn't the usual customer get. She's unique somepony i have never seen before enter the tavern, she comes up the bar and takes her seat fixing her cloak that is tattered and torn. I gladly smile as i open my mouth "good evening ma'am what can i get for you?"

The mare looks up to me and with a tired smile and tired lilac eyes she tells me her poison for the night "a hot chocolate please....I can't have anything alcoholic...my doctor wouldn't appreciate me drinking under my condition" it takes nothing but a second for me to realize what she meant by that. And I carefully look over the counter and i see her belly is slightly extended.

My eyes widen in surprise as i couldn't tell that she is expecting when she walked in but i regain my composure and nod "coming right up, and congratulations by the way" with a smirk and a giggle "I can't seem to understand why he wouldn't want you having alcohol" I start making her drink.

The mare giggles with me and i see her tired expression turn into a smile "Thank you" she says "and yes it wouldn't be good for me..even though I didn't know if i was ready for this...it just happened suddenly one...after a one night stand."

I gasp and shake my head and scoff "Stallions...they will smell the pheromones and come running but they will run off after they know that they cant take on the responsibility..." I sigh and finish making her cup of hot coco and slide it to her "here you go sugar. if it's not too much what's your name?"

The mare takes her drink into her hooves and lifts it to her lips taking a small sip "Oh it's no trouble at all...my names Emerald Light and I agree with you on stallions..I wish they would take up responsibility." She then tilts her head at me "Whats your name miss?"

Her name certainly matches her features. As she has emerald green fur..lilac eyes and a magenta colored mane. But I put out my hoof "Gin. Cherry Gin nice to meet you" I say with a warm smile.

Emerald takes my hoof and shakes it then yawns "Nice to meet you too, um if its not too much trouble...how much is a room here?" She pulls on her old torn cloak and I know she probably doesn't have any bits to her name. I then chew the inside of my cheek till i come to an answer.

"Tell ya what since it's pretty late out and the temperature is dropping...really quickly if I might add, your first night is on the house as well as the drink. If you need anymore nights to stay here I'm sure I could find some work around here for you. Does that sound okay?"

The corners of emeralds lips curl up into a smile but her eyes wear a different expression "oh..oh. I can't do that i don't wa-" I shush her with a hoof to her lips as i give her a warm smile.

"Don't say you will be a bother cause you won't sugar. so don't worry about it" I then remove my hoof and I crouch under the counter and I pull out the key to a room and I lay it in front of her "here you go. Room number four please do make yourself comfy."

Emerald stares down at the key and hesitates a second before she takes it into her hoof and after she picks up the key. She looks up to me with tears forming in her eyes "t..thank..thank you so much. I will pay you back for the nights you let me stay with any work you have for me I promise" with that I watch her leave her cup on the counter and stand up from her seat and look to the stairs leading to the rooms. With one final glance to me she smiles "goodnight miss gin..." she trots to the stairs and makes her way up them and into her room.

I take a deep breath and sigh with a smile "Goodnight miss light. and I'll hold you to that promise" I then reach out and grab the cup she left and i trot into the kitchen area of the tavern to start the nightly routine of closing up.

After about thirty minutes I do a few last minute checks, making sure no patrons have left any of their belongings under the table and chairs, seeing that none have i walk over to the front door and make sure it's locked up tight "Good..now" I stop myself short with a yawn "it's time for myself to hit the hay...and to see what tomorrow awaits me...oh sweet luna what have I gotten myself into." I turn to the stairs and head towards them once I get to them i slowly climb up them and as I top them I go into the room marked Room Number 1 and I close the door behind me an climb into bed shortly dozing off after. looking forward to tomorrow for what adventure awaits.

Author's Note

i hope you all enjoy this first chapter, im excited for this story, and dont worry...clop chapters will come