"Sweetie Belle, I'm back! Sorry that I took so long, but I found more extra-strength medicine for your headache. How are you feeling, darling?"
"Oh, I'm feeling great. I even ran a mile, and practiced spells while you were gone."
"Really?"
"No, not really. I, uh, kinda sorta threw up in the shower."
"Well, are you at least feeling better than last night?"
"Sure… aside from the throbbing headache… and my insides feeling like they're unraveling… and the overwhelming sense that I've made some bad choices."
"Oh, Sweetie, you poor thing. You must feel awful."
"Nah, I don't think awful has started yet. Right now, it's worse."
"How many?"
"I lost count, like, hours ago. But I'm pretty sure it’s at least five… if I count the shower."
"...Drinks, Sweetie, how many drinks did you have?"
"I’ve just spent the last twenty minutes gargling mouthwash, and I'm still not sure I’ve gotten the taste of vomit out of my mouth."
“No no, my dear, I’m asking about the number of drinks you had when you were out with the girls at the pub last night."
"Oh, um.... Please don't be mad at me."
"You're not in trouble. There's no blame here. I won't get mad, I promise. Okay?"
"Okay."
"So… how many did you have?"
"Umm... I had, uh… two margaritas, one Appleloosa whiskey, and -hurk- ... a shot of vodka. I'm so sorry..."
"You have nothing to apologize for, Sweetums. I'm not here to judge. How did your friends hold up?"
"Scootaloo tapped out after about three pints of cider in a contest with Apple Bloom."
"I suppose that those two take after their own sisters in that regard. Carry on."
"Diamond Tiara had a Manehattan Iced Tea and Silver Spoon had three glasses of Moscatos before they ran off to the ladies' room together. I'm not exactly sure what they did in there. But... I do remember the bartender saying that he could hear the smacking..."
"Well… I definitely did not need that image in my brain. But, I'm happy for them, regardless."
"After about two or three hours… probably… we were all slurring our words so much that Diamond's butler, Randolph, had to escort us all home."
"Oh, I'm sure he didn't mind. Given who he works for, I'm sure he's had to clean up bigger messes."
"Okay… who are you and what have you done with the real Rarity?"
"Come again? I don't think I understand what you mean."
"It's just that… I'm noticing a distinct lack of histrionic ravings… and I'm a little concerned?"
"Come now, Sweetie Belle. I'm not that dramatic. Not all the time, at least."
"That's debatable. But, that's not the point. What gives?"
"What am I doing that has you so baffled?"
"It’s what you’re not doing that I don't get. No teasing me for how I can't hold my liquor? No scolding me over being an irresponsible drinker? At the very least, you must be disappointed in me, right?"
"I'm not."
"I'm sorry I- wait, what?"
"Why would I be disappointed in you?"
"I dunno.... maybe for all the reasons I just mentioned?"
"Well, then I'm afraid I'm the one who's going to have to disappoint you."
"I'm confused... why are you taking this so calmly?"
"I'm not disappointed in you, Sweetie Belle. If you're looking for guilt or a scolding, I'm afraid you'll get none of that from me. All you have is my support and respect as your sister."
"Does that mean you're not going to call me something like Queasy Belle?"
"I'll be lenient and forego any jokes this time. Besides, such childish and uncreative insults are beneath yours truly."
"I don't even get an ‘I told you so’?"
"Afraid not."
"Wait, now you're endorsing me getting drunk?"
"Oh, heavens no! Don't be silly."
"Then what exactly is the main takeaway here, sis? And what are you smiling about?"
"I'm happy that my dear little sister has had her very first hangover. Congratulations, Sweetie. You've now taken the next bold step into becoming a mare. I'm so proud of you."
"I'm honored... I think."
"And I'm smiling because I've been exactly where you are now."
"There's literally no way you could have done worse than we did last night."
"Five shots of vodka, a bottle of wine, and a cider. Oh, and a shot of Bison Grass because somepony else thought they could challenge me."
"Never mind, you win."
"And that's not even the worst hangover I've had."
"It isn't?"
"I shall spare you the sordid details. Let's just say that I'm glad I was with Twilight and the girls that particular night."
"I don't know how Apple Bloom and her family do it."
"A marvelous question. But one that'll have to wait for another time. Nevertheless, this sort of thing happens to many ponies the first time they consume alcohol. It's absolutely nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about."
"Why do grown-up ponies enjoy this stuff so much if it makes them feel like this afterward?"
"Different reasons. Maybe to drown one's sorrows or unwind after a long day. I would know, having done both myself."
"Not exactly making it better."
"The point is… I know how you feel right now. There's nothing wrong with you drinking as a young mare. You just need to pace yourself in the future."
"Rarity, I've literally seen you down an entire bottle of wine."
"I don't mix clear liquors with dark liquors when drinking... anymore."
"Something about that statement doesn't pass the smell test. Speaking of which, what smells like bacon downstairs?"
"Ah, that. Well, you are hereby informed that I'm cooking a nice hearty breakfast for you. Perfect for clearing up nasty hangovers."
"Sis, you really didn't need to do all this for me."
"Oh, I know. But I wanted to anyway."
"In that case, would breakfast in bed be out of the question?"
"Not at all."
"Thanks. I love you, sis."
"You're most welcome. And I love you too, darling."
"Oh, and Rarity..."
"Yes, Sweetie?"
"Do you think I could try some of those wines of yours in the cellar?"
"Promise me you'll never get into a drinking competition with an Apple family member and I'll consider it."
"I promise, I promise."
The End
Author's Note
Drink responsibly, folks!
