Shimmering Spirit and the Golden Goddesses

Working in a bar is never easy. You have to deal with lowlifes, drunks, soldiers who will harass the female entertainment and some of the clientele with their better armed arsenal, and the average Joe who confesses his life problems to you as you pour him another round.

This is the life of The Bartender: he pours a round and just quietly listens and observes the setting.

Unless, of course, he's asked for advice. Just how valuable this advice might be depends on the story, but when you're desperate and maybe a bit drunk, it might seem like a good idea. Expect him to hear "I'll Tell You When I've Had Enough!" pretty often. The real weirdos will be the ones who get drunk on milk.

some times its fun to be a bartender, Other times its not... but thats only when your throwing a customer out for being.... well... an asshole. my name is Shimmering Spirit and welcome to the Golden Godesses

I stood behind the bar, polishing a few glasses. Looking up to the clock above me, I could see it was 7pm. I took notice of a rather different group of ponies. they each had a different look on their face. as they sent the youngest of the group up to get the next round, I simply hid a smile and said in a slight monotone voice "What'll it be" He placed his order and I quickly began to work. A pitcher of the finest Sweet Apple Acres cider, and a few shots of Applejack Daniels. heh... Students, What are you gonna do?.

I heard the Tinkle of the bell and the sound of tired hoof-steps dragging themselves across the floor.

I looked over to see a young tired looking mare. giving her a small welcoming smile, I continued to clean a glass. If there is one thing I've learnt in all my years as a bartender, its always look busy. I watched as the mare gave a deep sigh and sat down at the bar. "welcome to the Golden goddesses, how can i serve you today?"

She blinked, then giggled slightly. "What?" I asked with a confused look plastered across my face.

"nothing, just your accent" I looked her up and down for a moment.

its hard fitting in when you come from Trottingham. I had a milder version of accent you would find in Canterlot.

I simply smiled for a moment until she sighed again, "anything wrong miss? You look like you could use a strong drink"

her voice once again reached my ears. "yeah... you could say that"

as i looked down to the poor mare, I noticed a look i'd seen before, several years ago in fact. It was a look i had seen on a depressed teacher from canterlot. "rough day at school?" Upon this, she looked up. "I think i know what you need"

I began to work once more. Reaching for certain ingredients I began to whip up a nice little concoction. as i poured out the various parts of the drink I simply smiled. first I poured the whiskey, the smell of it worked its way to my nostrils. next would be the special mixture i discovered... well... more stumbled upon whilst back in the days of college. taking a rather large dollop of heavy cream, I could see the mixture coming together quite nicely.

It paid to have studied chemistry avidly, even more so with a career like mine. I looked in the mirror wistfully, remembering a time long gone. "you alright over there sir?" the melodic voice rang through as the small group of ponies left.

"yeah, hang on" I simply sighed for a moment then shook my head. "oh... Buck" I muttered as i checked the bar storage for the next ingrediant. "are you willing to wait for this?" "she nodded her head. "good, It'll be on the house then" I continued, I then pulled out a glass and a bottle. "um, excuse me but..." I poured out a glass of cider and placed it in front of her.

Giving her a smile, I simply poured out a shot of AJD and downed it. "I'll be back in a few moments" I grinned.

Quickly running into the storeroom, I searched for the next ingredient. "ah there you are you cheeky bugger"

I trotted back into the bar-room. I then proceeded to add the next ingredient, the Rich, smooth Demerara syrup.

she watched as it slowly oozed out of its container. then, skillfully cracking an egg, i separated the white from the yolk.

the final ingredient. "Whats the matter,Cant take a yolk?" I chuckled. the mare blinked for a moment then facehoofed.

Mixing the ingredients together was simple. the finishing touches were then added. a simple sprinkling of dark chocolate.

"there you go miss, One Mudslide" I saw the look on her face change from a saddened frown to a nostalgic smile.

"wow, I haven't had one of these in years" she took a sip. "its...wow..." I gave her a caring smile.

"so whats up then miss?" she then sighed.

"I had to mark the grades today, took me three hours, the kids during the day can be a handleful... the parents even more so" she sounded glum. "I'm not a day over 40 and... I'm... oh, why should i be telling you this..." she stated rhetorically.

"because, I offered an ear miss... what was your name again?"

"Cheerilee" she sighed whilst looking out of a window, Mirroring what some of her students probably do.

"well, miss Cheerilee, what is the matter? honestly?"

she took a deep sigh. "well, i still... havent found..." I held up a hoof.

"Say no more, my names Spirit... if you ever feel the need to talk, or drink... preferably both, i'll be right here"

She seemed to smile at this, then attended to her drink once more.

"thank you, Spirit"

I tended to more of the punters, when i looked back, she had finished her drink. "oh by the way, its 4 bits for the Cider"

she simply giggled, placed the bits only counter and left. but before she did.

"Thanks again, Spirit, I'll be sure to spread the word about this place"

as she left, I took one look at the ingredients list and face-hoofed. "I forgot the Dash of Angostura bitters"

I then began to tend to the rest of the Customers with a slightly embarrassed smile.

"Mudslide"

1 1/2 oz Redbreast Irish whiskey

1 oz coffee-bean-infused Carpano Antica formula

1/2 oz heavy cream

1/4 oz rich Demerara syrup

1 Egg Yolk

Dash of Angostura bitters

Shake vigorously with only a few pieces of ice and strain over crushed ice in a tall pilsner glass.  Garnish with grated dark chocolate. Smile.