Nighttime, yet another quiet night but mostly another one of those nights where ponies just drank at their tables, playing cards or even having a good time with a group of friends. Residents of Canterlot come to this particular bar to just get comfortable and take the fine sip or more of the beverages that the Grand Barrel Bar has to serve.
Behind the counter, however, serving the fine alcoholic beverages is not your average bartender but Canterlot's friendly neighborhood Anthro Cat, Natetrix. The one gray cat that can surely bite, but Natetrix is more than listening cat. To those that sit near his counter, he will most likely want to listen to a pony's problem or stories, then Natetrix would be curious to talk to them about it, whenever if it is a story or just a situation that there struggling with.
On the other side of the fine counter and only one on the other side of Natetrix's bar counter is a unicorn pony with a pale pink coat and with a purple mane with light blue highlights, taking a long sip of her wine in her glass. The unicorn was exhausted and her mane was in a nice ponytail, but the tiredness shown on her eye sockets doesn't stop her from talking to her friend behind the counter serving her fresh wine.
Natetrix and Starlight were talking, enjoying a nice friend to friend time with each other. Starlight Glimmer only knew little to little about the anthro cat, only for a quite while though after the whole war between Equestria and the darkness army eruption of disaster knocking down their front doorstep. As disaster did knock down the door, the mane six and a good luck charm of a cat who stops the darkness from takeover all Equestrian Magic. Pretty soon after that, Natetrix was given a chance to live a normal life and make friends while doing so in Canterlot. Natetrix bump into Starlight while another party was set in Canterlot Castle and had little moments and time to talk before Starlight quoted the "I need to go to the restroom." after that Natetrix didn't see her through the whole time while he was at the party.
But now they both are here, the same place, and same time spending time together while they have a drink, well just one friend though is drinking at this perfect night.
"So how the school, a.k.a the school of Friendship going for any and all creatures of Equestria?" said Natetrix cleaning up a tray of wine glasses that were brought to him by one of his workers outback. Starlight chuckled and press the wine glass that she had just finish drinking wine from, and sliding the glass to Natetrix.
"It's been pretty fine, most of the students are happy to have great teachers, and their grades are doing really well, and soon Applejack's sister will be running as a substitute teacher for the school." Starlight said, smiling as her smile made bartender cat smile back at her while Natetrix, was cleaning swiftly Starlight's glass.
"Do you like your job well as Head Mare?" ask Natetrix.
Starlight put her hoof on her chin and wave her other hoof as a motion. "Well yes, I mean I can't believe still that Twilight trusted in me to run her whole school of friendship." Natetrix put Starlight's wine glass inside the counter on his side, and perks back up to clean the rag in his paws to wipe the counter. The bartending cat Natetrix, look at Starlight with a face to tell her something look.
"Twilight puts a lot of trust in you to run her school, you are a great friend of Twilights, so I wouldn't see why she would put you as Head Mare of the school." Starlight strolls her eyes a little, her eyes wandering a little, looking down at the counter.
"Yeah.. your right on that" Natetrix turns his head at Starlight, her smile fade to a frown and the face of a concerned look on her face.
Natetrix put the dirty wine glass back on the tray and pays attention to Starlight, seeing her this way now made Natetrix frown a little as well, as his cat ears lowered and the swaying back and forth of his tail stop.
"Your alright?" ask Natetrix, as Starlight slides her off softly in a circle on the wooden counter.
"No, it's just something comes to my mind every time. It's that I think about that day when I made that choice to take Twilight's hoof to.. have my whole life change." Starlight said
"And what is that something that comes to your mind?" Ask Natetrix putting his arms on the edge of the bar counter, to show Starlight he's very much paying attention. Starlight let out a sigh and look at Natetrix.
"In my mind, I think about how many ways that could have possibly been different if I haven't taken Twilight's hoof and-" Starlight sighs again and looks away a little from Natetrix. "I just can't shake that thought. If I never accepted friendship, then I would continue my old ways, and still would be taking Equestrian magic for myself and could have done harm to ponies.." Starlight was still facing away from Natetrix. The Bartender cat could hear Starlight's sniff and cry.
Natetrix wasn't going to let Starlight get away with the hiding trick from him. Placing the rag down on the counter, Natetrix walk over to the other side of the counter and to Starlight's crying softly, she felt the warm arms of Natetrix wrapping around her back and softly Natetrix pat her back gently.
"That's in the past now, and it's something that you shouldn't be worried about. What matters most is you're here now. With great friends to mean family to you." Natetrix stops hugging Starlight seeing her expression of sad in front him up close. Natetrix put his paws on her shoulders and tilt his head a bit slightly. "To me, you're a great pony that sticks up for their friends more than anything, a kind and talented unicorn you are, you show that." Starlight smiled once again, a joyful feeling to Natetrix to bring him smiling again as well. Starlight wipe a tear off her cheek with her hoof.
"Thank you Natetrix, I really appreciate you talking to me about what's going on in my crazy mind." Starlight chuckled and Natetrix leans back up and puts his arms around his back.
"You're welcome Starlight. Also, I think you should talk to Princess Twilight about this as well, she would understand as well about this and can be more help then I am." Natetrix said as Starlight put a hoof up to make a motion with her hoof.
"No Natetrix, you have been a big help tonight, but I will talk to Twilight when we meet again next month." Starlight said hopping off the stool of the bar and standing on four hoofs, Natetrix just stood and nod his head. Starlight was about to leave when she turned to Natetrix, as for Natetrix was on the other side of his work area once again.
"Natetrix?" Starlight asks as Natetrix ears perk up to look towards Starlight direction and nod his head to her.
"I'm glad Twilight let you stay in Canterlot with her, you're a really good friend." Starlight said, opening the bar door and turn one more time to Natetrix, as he smiled.
"Have a good night, Starlight," Natetrix said with a gentle tone of voice, waving his paw slowly at Starlight.
"You too, Natetrix."
Canterlot is best at night, the best time of night for residents to have a drink at the bar. There's one big-time bar up and alive at nights like this, where a resident needs to have some peacetime or just get away from the stress from the day, they come to the Grand Barrel Bar. Fresh wine, ciders, and more beverages are served with the taste of these beverages being so good residents do come back for more. It's not however always the drinks that stroll them into the bar, but the talking and calm music that plays sweet jazz to relax and flow through the pony's minds. Residents do enjoy the service, the comfortable seating, and interior design on the walls, with the dim lights of lanterns, hook onto the walls. This was definitely one of the best bar's in Canterlot, and the owner of the fine bar would only stand on two legs and with whiskers on the face, the owner was a cat.
Every resident of Canterlot knows the cat behind the bar counter severing the fresh beverages. Everypony would refer to him as Trix but ponies sitting nears his counter would call him Natetrix. That's right, Natetrix the Cat, was the owner of the fine and very popular Grand Barrel Bar in Canterlot. Being owner for a quite a while, Natetrix is the best bartender to severe residents, ponies, and all creatures beverages, and to do it right.
All Natetrix's customers and sometimes his friends would come in and have a talk with the lovely bartender cat, as Natetrix would always be glad to listen and have a conversation with those that speak with him. Natetrix was known to customers being friendly, understanding, and helpful. Residents due sit near the bar counter to talk with the cat bartender but even ponies out of Canterlot come in as well to see the bar itself and order a drink or two.
But there was a night that started as a normal night where the cat was behind the counter was working the usual night serving ponies drinks. It was another slow Monday, so Natetrix can have a sip of fresh milk in his shot glass. When suddenly the front bar door opens, to a unicorn pony with the purple eyes glazing over towards the counter. The white and beautiful mane of this mare was a beauty, the mane was long as well. On the mare's face was sold white pattern that reaches the edge of her horn and half down her muzzle. The coat of the pony was a black coat, that represents the color of a black cat in an alleyway. When she turns and walks over to the counter, Natetrix could see her cutie mark. It was some sort of red square with symbols on it that look very odd for the cat.
The mare sat down on the stool next to the bar counter as Natetrix, residents of Canterlot's lovely bartender was, as usual, cleaning a shot glass with the rag in his paws. The cat bartender swiftly rub the rag inside the shot glass as he spoke to the mare sitting at his stool, as he gave a smile.
"Welcome to the Grand Barrel Bar, is there anything I could help you with?" said Natetrix, as he sets down the shot glass gently on the counter. The purple eyes beam up to Natetrix with a smile on her face. She set both her hoofs on the smooth wooden counter and tells Natetrix her order.
"Is it possible that I can have both rum and coke mix together." the mare asks, as Natetrix nods his head to her.
"Yes indeed." said Natetrix
"Then can I have that please." with the kind words of the mare, the cat got to work on the mare's request for the drink. Natetrix pulls out two bottles from underneath the counter and does some tricks fliping one bottle up to the air while the cat reaches into the counter again to pull out a mug swiftly quick. Natetrix pours the bottle into the wooden mug and quickly sets that bottle to the side to catch the other bottle that was in mid-air. Holding onto the other bottle with his paw, gradually pours the second bottle into the mug, when that was finish, Natetrix covers up the top of the wooden mug with a cover to start shaking the mug. The mare's eyes widen with amazement what she was seeing, a very quick cat doing all these tricks just to serve her a nice rum and coke. With the shaking was complete, Natetrix set the mug down in front of her and smiled.
"Three bits please." Natetrix said as he reaches the palm of his paw forward half of the counter which the palm was facing towards her. The mare hand over the three bits to the bartender, still amazed by the talent show she just watched in front of her.
"Wow that was really amazing, love how you moved your paws so fast to do all that." the mare said lower half her eyes towards Natetrix and a blush was forming around her cheeks. Natetrix put the coins into his green trench coat as he put both his arms behind his back.
"Oh, why thank you." Natetrix smiled and let a small blush on his cheeks before the blush fad away. The mare grab the mug with her telekinesis and took a long sip of her drink, the fine taste of rum and coke mix together was a very perfect taste. It's like the rum was so brand new, and the taste of coke was just dazzling and leaving a bubbly sweet taste on her tongue. When finishing her long sip, she set the mug down neatly back on the counter and look up to the cat, who was now back to cleaning swiftly with the shot glasses.
"Wow, the taste it's really good, I mean with the rum and coke it's perfect. How did y-"
"Well look" that cat bartender interrupts the mare. "It's a secret that this cat can't tell." Now the mare wanted to know.
"Oh, you should tell me that little secret of yours, with those moves you pulled, I must know~" the mare said giving a wink before resting her hoofs underneath her head.
"Sorry Miss, but secrets can't always lend you right away until you know the eyes first before the flirt strategy," said Natetrix as he set the shot glass down and put his paws on the counter, as he smiled.
"Of course, but I'm not that flirty after just one sip but with getting to know the pony then. I could ask about yourself, and also call me Leech" said the mare as she grabs onto her mug with her magic, taking another long sip before setting it down on the counter again.
"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Leech. Odd name but I will take it." said Natetrix as the unicorn mare giggled raising a hoof halfway to the counter.
"And your name?" Leech ask before Natetrix reaches to her hoof with his paw and both start shaking each other in greet
"Natetrix." said the cat, as they both move hoof and paw away and smiled at each other. The mare lower half her eyes and with her purple gaze to the cat, let's in a smirk a little.
"It's very nice to meet you too Natetrix." Leech then went back to her drink as the cat Natetrix, let out a blush behind his gray fur.
After setting down the third time of the mug, Leech just finished her first drink of the mug before turning up to Natetrix with a blush and her eyes still lowered, and glazing towards Natetrix. However, she had a friendly smile on her face as she spoke up, moving the mug sliding the counter towards Natetrix for a refill.
"So Natetrix, you work here long?" with that question from Leech, Natetrix replied with a nod and refilling her mug normally this time with the rum and tasteful coke.
"I work here for a long while," said Natetrix as he finished making the request once again and sliding Leech's drink forward to her as it reaches the tip of her hoof.
"You love to work here a lot?" Leech ask rating the drink with her magic. Looking up towards her interviee in his eyes.
"Well I do own the bar so, yes I love my job. Serving all ponies that come to my bar with a smile on my face and doing the best I can." the bartending cat said as he lay both his arms and crossing like a bridge on the edge of the bar counter. Leech on the other side of the counter smiled, taking a sip of her drink before setting it down again.
"That's really nice. It must be nice working for this long." Natetrix smiled at her response and lean forward but not close towards Leech. Leech saw the cat bartender's smile and brought her to a smile as well. Then brings Leech to her next question.
"So Natetrix, learn these tricks in your spare time?" Leech asked as Natetrix raise one of his brows and smiled.
"Yes, but not as much as their current days I have to do royal duties for Princess Twilight." said Natetrix as he heard a gulp coming from the mare who was chugging down the drink, upon hearing Princess Twilight must of caught her by surprise a little, setting down the drink and brushing her hoof swiftly to clean her muzzle and regain composure.
"Wow! you work for Twilight Sparkle in her castle?" ask the surprised look of Leech setting her drink down again, as Natetrix chuckled.
"Well I do live in her castle actually but I work with her with Spike on her royal tasks around the castle. Current days I would do the normal duties, reading her letters, maintain check-ups on guards and their daily routine check-ins. Then the usual ongoing talk with the royal residents and wealthy the boring stuff. T-" Natetrix was cut off when Leech spoke with a chuckled.
"Ok I get it hehe." said Leech as Natetrix scratch the back of his head.
"Sorry I ramble on and on about that stuff." said Natetrix, as the unicorn mare chuckled in her seat.
"I'm guessing the Princess keeps in double-checks to make sure everything goes well for the routine schedule." said Leech.
"Exactly," said Natetrix with a sheepish smirk and little giggle with it.
"So how in Celestia did you get to live with the high ruler of Equestria." ask Leech taking another sip of her drink from the mug.
"Well it's a very long story actually," said Natetrix, putting one his paw's off the counter and raising his paw up with a motion.
"Hey, I'm all ears to listen if you want to tell me." Leech said sliding the drink to the side and putting her hoofs back down on the counter. Natetrix looks up and down at her and looking at her eyes, the bartending cat let out a long breath of air.
"Ok."
"Sweetheart, you don't have to tell me." said Leech
"No it's fine, most ponies know the story anyways about how I was just a cat for bad, who now became good. But they don't know my whole story, except for most of my friends." Natetrix looks down for a second before returning to the purple eyes of Leech before continuing. "I will try to not make it to long of a story mostly." he said and tells Leech his story.
How Natetrix wasn't with a normal family and left in the middle of nowhere, how had gotten powers, being found and cared for to being taken away by a high evil ruler sprite who then tricks and takes control of Natetrix to do bad things. How Natetrix then steal Twilight's crown from Canterlot castle, how Natetrix was slowing regaining control of himself from evil's control. How Twilight found Natetrix and soon being himself again, then later on joining Equestria's side to fight evil and win, and soon how he started a normal life once again.
This was all breathtaking from Leech, the story was incredible. This wasn't fake since most ponies would know this whole war that happens before, and once Natetrix was finishing telling the story he thought that Leech would be clapping but instead, she just stared and wide-eyed for a few moments.
"And after that, I started the normal life, I tried to make friends, and decide to open a bar here to socialize more."
"N-Natetrix that was an amazing adventure that you must have had, a-and this was really deep I mean the story the, wow.." Leech was stunned for a moment. "Natetrix I just don't know why you would tell me that deep parts of your story here but why?" she asked, and Natetrix look up at her and smiled.
"Cause I saw behind your eyes that you can be trusted, and I trust you." Natetrix pat his chest with his paw where his heart was. Leech grab the mug and took a long drink and putting it down, she had that red blush on her face and her smile grew wide.
"That is really sweet Natetrix, really." Leech said as Natetrix nods his head.
"Well thank you Natetrix for telling me your story, but I didn't expect that part of you to be so flattering with me in the end there." said Leech sliding the drink over with her magic as it was empty thank goodness cause it falls over, as Natetrix quickly catches it and sets it underneath the counter.
"I'm not mostly the flirting type Miss Leech." Natetrix said popping back up to Leech and was smirking right at Natetrix again with her beautiful purple eyes gleaming towards his.
"I think you should do that more often Mister Trix." said Leech as she lets out a long yawn, setting her hoofs backing away from the counter. Natetrix turns over the clock on the wall, almost 1 A.M.
"It's almost closing time, I better close up." when Natetrix turns back to Leech she was off the stool already, wobbling and stumbling her hoofs a little. Natetrix walks over to the other side of the counter as Leech turns to Natetrix to see his approach.
"I guess I can see you another night." Leech said as her words were stumbling as well but it was clear.
"Yeah, of course we can hang out another night when I'm behind the counter." said Natetrix
"Same time the next night?" Leech said turning to Natetrix's gaze and smiled.
"Yeah, but when we meet again your telling me your story." said Natetrix as Leech giggled and wave her hoof in motion.
"Yes, yes I can tell you my story the next night," Leech said as she walks over to the bar door but stumbles a little.
"Here." Natetrix walk over to the door and opens the door for Leech, who she turns to him and smiles.
"Thank you." the unicorn said and smiled to her gentlemen before almost walking out.
"Are you sure you can umm get home?" said Natetrix as he let out a sheepish smile and scratching the back of his head. Natetrix wanted to somewhat keep her company, but at the same time he wanted to make sure she can be safe while getting home. Leech wave her mane to the side and chuckled to Natetrix sheepish smile.
"Of course, It's just the motel down the street." Leech said as Natetrix nod and followed close behind her shutting the bar door behind them and walk together, Natetrix has gotten Leech home and both wave each other goodbyes and before leaving Leech blew Natetrix a kiss before shutting her door. The anthro catwalk back to the bar to close up and clean up everything, the next night was coming soon, and it was going to be another night with that unicorn but what pony next would come up to Natetrix's bar soon?
"Anything else for you kid?"
"Yeah, *hiccup* another o-one of your nice taste filled *hiccup* Apple Achoolic Ciders..."
Another busy night of the grand and new Canterlot Grand Barrel Bar, open at nights where ponies can grab a drink after a long day. Located at the East corner down the main street of Canterlot, you will find the most alive and active bar in all of Canterlot during the nightly hours. The bar is nice and calming, where residents or travelers coming up the tall mountain, can sit down at the table or near the bar counter to order a good quality alcoholic beverage. Well, not most ponies can't come into the bar, those that are underage.
Berry Punch, the bartender was grabbing another one large bottle of the sweet carving Apple Cider from under the counter and popping it open. Button Mash the one who asks for another Cider was putting two hoofs on his cheeks, waiting for his small shot glass to be poured with Cider, as Berry Punch lean the bottle in to pour into the shot glass when a voice shouts out to Berry Punch's left "Berry!".
Berry Punch turn to see her boss standing, seeing her boss's arms folded and his cat bushy tail swaying back and forth, with the green trench he has on, plus to style in for work, her boss would always wear that green bow tie.
As Berry look at her boss and let out a fake smile of nervousness, the bartender pony put back the bottle quickly under the bar counter and sheepishly smiled.
"Hahaha... hey boss, um so-" the gray boss cat lift's up his finger half up in the air to stop Berry from speaking further, Berry's boss glared with his light green eyes darting at her.
"Your drunk again Berry?" Berry's boss said. As Berry Punch chuckled at her boss, but her boss still had that same glare.
"Haha, noooooo Boss I would um never be-" Berry Punch stop continuing to speak when her boss spoke again.
"Berry Punch don't lie again?"
"Yes...alright I'm drunk boss!" Berry Punch rub her hoof, and was in shame now.
"Berry Punch go home." said her boss walking over to her on his two cat legs.
Berry Punch looks at her boss, and with a nod and groan she march out the back door, as the boss watch her leave before turning to the other situation he has to deal with.
With a deep breath from the boss cat, he turns to Button Mash as his head was down flat on the counter. Boss was not in the mood for this, he couldn't believe that this was happening now, even at his own bar!
"Button?" said the boss cat, snapping his fingers close to Button's ear, as he perk up with a groan and smiled up at the cat.
"H-hey *hiccup* Natetrix.... I-I thought you were working as my *hiccup* babysitter?..." Button Mash chuckled before slamming his head back down on the counter, as he mumbles on the counter, Natetrix snaps his fingers near Button's ear again, and Button grumbles perking back up at the cat.
"Hey, I work jobs ok now Button this is the second time this year that you done this, and you have to stop bringing in these fake ages that you are an adult pony when your really sixteen Button," said Natetrix putting away Button's Shot glass and cleaning it with a wet rag, while Button lean his ears down slightly and his eyes looking angry.
"Oh shut up! I am an adult and my mother doesn't think I can never be an adult!" Button said putting his hoofs on the counter, as Natetrix put away the glass under the counter and put his paws behind his back.
"Button, you can't be coming here underage, your still to young, and secondly" Natetrix lean forward. "And your mother has points you know, your still young, and you have a lot to learn still." Button Mash turns his head away as Natetrix continues. "But this is not the way, and doing this now leaves to bad influences ahead of you."
Button looks back at Natetrix, now his ears going down even more. Button eyes wondered as Natetrix saw his eyes, he knew Button had too much to drink tonight since Natetrix was late to work due to Twilight and helping out with her duties tonight, he couldn't stop Button Mash drinking but if he was here on time, there wouldn't be Button Mash sitting near the bar counter. Button Mash slam his hoof's gently on the counter and spoke randomly.
"Oh Sweetie Bell, I need youuuu" Button said, he was under the achool's effects, probably took three shots of hard Cider.
Danm it Berry, I have to fire her, and find a better Evening Bartender. Natetrix walk over to the other side of the bar counter. Button was still talking nonsense, still under the effects of the hard cider still.
Natetrix tape Button shoulders as Button turn away from Natetrix.
"N-no Mom *hiccup* it's not bed time..." Natetrix didn't have any other choices, he had to get Button out of the bar. Natetrix pick up Button Mash, carrying him by the cat's shoulders, Button Mash wasn't to heavy for Natetrix, he could possibly teleport Button home real quick and explain quick to Button's mom about this whole thing for a few minutes, plus it was a Monday night so the place wasn't that busy tonight as usual.
"Noooo.... Mom don't put feed me carrots again...*hiccup*" Natetrix just chuckled and rolled his eyes, swiftly raising his cat palm up in front of him and opening a portal. As Natetrix carried Button into the portal, it shuts behind Natetrix.
From the back door of the bar, Berry Punch open the door and while no pony was looking, went to the back of the bar counter, and took a large bottle of "Mango Sweet Equestria Wine" and leaves.
"I don't leave without my *hiccup delicious wine hehehehehe."
