Tales of the Sapphire Carousel: Beyond the Bordello

"Woo! Let's get this party started!" Ripple Seas called out as she stepped out into the cool night air, her arms stretched outwards in an open invitation to the gods to show her a good time. "So, where do we wanna go?"

Lily Petals shrugged, gesturing towards Shimmer Glass and Rarity. "Well, these two have the most to celebrate, so how about we let them decide?"

Rarity glanced at Shimmer. "Well, dear, you're the one getting engaged. How would you wish to spend the evening?"

Shimmer shrugged. "Rainbow's not even here, so it doesn't really feel right turning this into an engagement party. How about we just have a normal night out at The Dreamland?" Her suggestion was received with a chorus of approval, and together they set off towards the Sapphire's favourite tavern.

The Dreamland was located about a five-minute walk from the Sapphire Carousel, right off the center of the Lunar district. It was the tavern of choice for the locals because of its low prices and relative level of safety.

Ripple was the first to enter, slamming open the door and announcing their presence to the whole tavern. "Alright, everyone! The fun can now begin!"

The regulars all perked up at the stream of attractive men and women filing in. "Finally, some real entertainment!" a particularly drunken customer yelled.

Ripple blew him a kiss. "Sorry, Steel, we're off the clock."

Steel laughed, downing the rest of his drink. "Doesn't matter. It's always fun when you guys come around!"

"You know it!" Having set the tone for the night, the employees of the Sapphire Carousel made their way towards the bar, taking up the row of seats in front of the bartender.

Said bartender perked up from cleaning the glasses as she saw them approach. "Oh, hey, it's good to see you all again! Guess who's working here now!"

The group stared at her for a moment. "Incantation!" Rarity finally said, smiling widely. "It's wonderful to see you." She walked right up to her and gave her a warm hug, which Incantation eagerly reciprocated. "I must admit, I did not expect to see you here."

"Well, you know me, always looking for new things to try." The bartender gave each of the newcomers a hug, a huge grin on her face. "Gotta admit, I've missed you all, though. Working at the Sapphire was probably the most fun I've ever had."

Rarity pressed a hand against her heart. "What, it wasn't when you were assisting me in my shop?" she asked in mock outrage.

Incantation rolled her eyes playfully. "I love you, Rarity, but we both know I don't have a head for fashion."

"I suppose that's true," Rarity allowed. "It was still lovely to have you around, though."

"Aww." Incantation blushed. "Anyways, what can I get you all tonight?"

Each of them gave their orders to Incantation, and for the next few minutes, she busied herself with preparing drinks for them. Meanwhile, Shimmer made her way over towards Rarity, taking the seat next to her. "I'm happy everything worked out for you," she said.

"I am quite glad of that fact as well," Rarity replied. "I was doing much better but..."

"I get it," Shimmer said. "Just because you can live without someone doesn't mean your life wouldn't be a lot better if they were with you, right?"

"Exactly." Rarity smiled. "I thought I understood your devotion to Rainbow Dash, but now I realize that my journey is just beginning. I cannot wait to see where Twilight and I will end up."

"We'll be with you every step of the way," Shimmer promised.

At that moment, Incantation slid up to them on the other side of the counter. "Alright, you two, what can I getcha?"

"I'll have a margarita, please," Shimmer said.

"And I shall have a glass of the house red, if you would be so kind," Rarity added.

"Coming right up!" With an ease that seemed practised, Incantation grabbed a glass and a bottle from the shelf, pouring out the red wine for Rarity before quickly shaking up Shimmer's drink. "There ya go!"

"Thanks," Shimmer said, handing over the payment for the cocktail. "You're a natural at that, huh?"

"Aww, thanks." Incantation blushed, and it was positively adorable. "I just try my best."

"You do seem to have a knack for most things you put your mind to," Rarity said. "A shame you lacked an interest in fashion, or else you could have excelled there as well. Truly, you are a woman of many talents. You would make a great spy as well, I think."

"Ooh, haven't tried that one yet," Incantation mused. "Being a master of disguise might be fun, changing myself to fit into whatever role I needed to get some secret information or take out a high-value target." She giggled. "Maybe I'll try that next."

"Luna does like having her eyes and ears throughout the city," Rarity said. "Perhaps something could be arranged, once you tire of bartending."

Before Incantation could respond, Ripple Seas held up her glass in the air and called out a toast. "To love winning out in the end, no matter how long it takes to get there!"

There was a loud cheer as everyone downed their drinks. "So, Shimmer's gettin' hitched and Rarity's finally on-again with that mage," Candy Apple said, setting her mug of ale on the table for a moment. "Who do you think is gonna fall head-over-heels with someone next?"

"Definitely not me," Sunny Days said. "I prefer to fly solo."

"I— I think Trenderhoof and I might have something real," Satin Sheets said, swirling her cocktail around absently, her voice soft.

"Oh, honey," Lily said, shaking her head. "Don't tell me you fell for a client. You know that never ends well."

"He cares about me," Satin replied, a little more forcefully this time. "I know it."

Shimmer and Rarity shared a glance. They both knew enough about the reporter to know it wouldn't last, but they also both knew that the heart was a strange thing, and that it would be foolish to try to talk her out of it. The best they could do would be to support her, no matter the outcome.

"Well, as long as it doesn't stop you from hanging out like this, I don't care if you all end up married," Ripple said. "I've still got a lot of years before I'm old and tired, and I wanna spend them with all of you."

"I shall drink to that," Rarity said. "If there's one thing I've learned from all of this, it's that there's no place like the Sapphire, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

"You can say that again." Shimmer took another sip of her drink. "Everything's changing, but the one thing that won't change is how much I love everyone here."

"Alright, that's enough talking about big sappy stuff," Sunny Days said. "It's been a rough week and I need some stress relief from someone who actually cares about whether I have any fun in bed." She stood up and left the group, making her way towards one of the tables that was populated with some of her friends from the docks.

After that, the general cohesiveness of the group began to dissolve as everyone found their own ways to have fun. "So," Rarity asked as the two of them remained at the bar. "Have you set a date for the wedding yet?"

"Nope," Shimmer replied. "Luna's offered to let us use the Sapphire as a venue, which is great, but we still have to figure out what day works best for everyone."

"Well, if either of you need dresses, I would be honoured to create them for you." Rarity placed a hand on Shimmer's. "I haven't had the chance to thank you yet. Twilight told me all about her visit to the Sapphire, and how you were the only one willing to entertain my beloved. I am ever so grateful that you gave her a chance."

"Like Luna said, we all deserve a second chance." Shimmer smiled. "I'm just glad I could help. And hopefully I can hang out with her again under better circumstances."

"That would be lovely," Rarity replied. "I... I'd like her to meet all of you, eventually. Part of me is still nervous about such an encounter, but I know I need to move past that. Though, I will admit I'm still somewhat worried that Rainbow Dash may react rather violently to seeing her."

Shimmer giggled. "Don't worry, Rainbow just wants you to be happy. We all do."

Before Rarity could reply, a voice called out behind them. "Hey, Shimmer! You up for a rematch?"

Shimmer's grin grew wider as she turned around. "Burnt Oak!" Standing up, she waved at the older man. "Sure, I don't mind beating you again."

Burnt Oak chuckled. "Them's fightin' words, missy. I ain't going down easy this time."

"Lead the way, then." Shimmer allowed herself a little bit of playful swagger as she stood up and sauntered over towards the day board. She turned to wave goodbye to Rarity. "I'll see you around. "

"Good luck, darling."

As Shimmer picked up her darts, she felt that familiar bubbly happiness in her chest that had become her constant companion. The past few years had changed her life in ways she couldn't imagine, and she couldn't wait to see what the future would bring for her, and for the rest of the outcasts who had found their home in the Sapphire Carousel.