The morning sun shone down as the train rocked softly, the wheels rolling across the rails with little effort. The morning sun shone across the land with its beautiful light, allowing a clear view of the blue sky. Octavia had always liked seeing the country from her balcony. The green lands, the light wind. The dark green mass that was the Everfree forest. Patches of flower fields that were scattered across the land, along with a couple of yellowish spots that once could guess that were farms. The tall, grey mountains that stood on the far horizon serving as the border with the griffin kingdom.

It was a beautiful sight.

So beautiful that it usually inspired her mind and invigorated her spirit. But right now, her mind was not inspired. Right now, her mind was focused in the task at hand. The very boring and annoying task at hand. Her cello and the rest of her luggage would be arriving later that week. Which meant no music at all. The very visible frown that was plastered on her face showed just how much did it irritate her. Yesterday's argument with the princess only served to put her in a even worse mood.

The princess remembering how much she hated flying helped a little.

Hugin ranting all the way from the castle didn't.

"Hugin. If you do not shut up, I will pluck every single feather in your body with my hooves, one by one." Her voice, sounding as soft as silk, was barely above the a growl, hiding the iron weight of the punishment she would, without a doubt, apply to the bird if he didn’t heed the warning. She clapped her hooves in threat, just in case her words were not clear enough. Hugin responded by flying to the other seat and continued his rant. Seeing that she was being completely ignored and not feeling like initiated a destructive chase through the all train, Octavia tuned him out, choosing to focus on the scenery as it passed by her window. She could see Ponyville all the way from the train. It wasn't hard to spot, being nearby Canterlot.

"A town founded by earth ponies. You'll fit right in!" Hugin laughed.

"Hugin … ."

"As long as you keep that temper of yours in check. Don't want to have a repeat of that scene, right?"

"Hugin."

"Hey, maybe you can—" Octavia placed her hoof over the crow, trapping him against the seat before closing in on the bird.

"Listen you poor excuse of a feather duster . I do not like you, and you do not like me, and thats fine, but we are going to be sharing a home for a while, so here is the deal: You shut your beak and I will stop myself from tying you up like a trussed turkey and tossing you into the depths of the dirtiest sewer I can find, got it?" Octavia growled, before lifting her hoof. Hugin stood and fixed his ruffled feathers. Grumbles and groans of how she could have asked nicely were muttered for a few minutes before his preening was interrupted by a loud whistle.

"We are here." Octavia said.

The train began to slow down, as it finished running down the last slope between Canterlot and Ponyville. It wouldn't be long before it stopped.

"The Princess gave me a list of the ponies who are in charge of the celebration. It should not be too hard to find them." Hugin said, as he produced a paper from his wings. The checklist wasn't big. It was actually quite small.

"Do not tell me it is a lot of ponies."

"Only five."

Octavia sighed in relief. She was not in the mood to talk to half the town. She didn't even want to leave the train. Unluckily for her, the train seemed to her hear thoughts and finally arrived at the local station. The platform was empty, not a soul on sight. At least the couple minutes before the passengers left the train, pulling their luggage behind them. Octavia frowned. She had to leave her cello in the castle so it could get repaired. While it meant that she had to carry virtually no luggage, it also meant she was without the one thing that would help her relax.

"What is first?" She asked.

"Drinks and beverages, most non-alcoholic."

"Who is in charge?"

"The checklist says it’s a mare in a tavern. Good thing I memorized the places on the map right?" Hugin smirked. "Lead the way." Octavia groaned.

Ponyville was surprisingly large for a town. That or the big distance between the houses gave the impression of distance. Either way, Octavia felt like she had traversed far more distance than she had expected to, considering Ponyville being designated as a town and even including the taxi ride she took from the station. Why did the stupid tavern have to be on the other side of town? Tired travelers would like a drink right away, not have walk half the planet for it.

"Quaint isn't it?" Hugin commented, as he looked around. Octavia stopped right in front of the tavern. Two floors made up the place.

The Sweeping Pony? What kind of name is that? Octavia wondered.

Hugin took flight, as she entered, leaving her alone for the task. The inside of the bar was comfy, if a bit small, clearly built to accommodate a smaller population in a small town. A few tables were strewn across the room, while the bar was attended by a purple mare, who was cleaning a glass. A slight scent of alcohol and smoke invaded Octavia's nostrils.

"Hi! welcome to the Sweeping Pony. What can I serve you?" The mare asked, putting the glass back behind the bar. Octavia repressed a sigh, not wanting to inhale any more of the smell than she had to.

"No, thank you. My name is Octavia, And I come here in name of the princess to—"

"To check on my drinks, right? Sure, right this way!" The mare said, as she walked out of the tavern through a door besides the bar. Octavia followed, gladly walking out of the smelly bar.

"Octavia, eh? My name is Berry Punch. I own this place. Not as fancy as anything you have back in Canterlot, but I can assure you it’s just as good."

"I am sure it is." Octavia replied dryly, if only to not seem rude. Octavia's earlier relief was cut short, as they walked a set of stairs, entering a cellar filled with barrels and bottles, the entire room as big as the bar. The musky smell of the tavern was replaced with the itching sensation of dust.

"Here you have it. The best drinks you'll find in miles, all of it waiting for the party. Would you like a taste?" Berry said, as she opened a bottle. Octavia cringed a little at the powerful scent of scotch.

"No thank you, your word is enough." Octavia shooed away the mug that
Berry offered.

"Nonsense. Here, bottoms up!" Berry said, as she shoved the mug up Octavia's muzzle, forcing her to swallow the burning drink or drown, as she tried to pry the mug from her face. Berry smiled for a few seconds, before pulling the mug. Octavia gasped for air. Her throat burned. A lot.

"Too strong?" Berry asked, as Octavia began a coughing fit. "How about some wine to wash it down, eh?"
Octavia didn't even manage to squeak, before another mug was shoved in her face, more alcoholic drink pouring down her throat.

"Drink up! A friend of mine is always welcome to a free mug!" Berry crowed, as she served another mug. "In fact, I'm gonna drink some myself!"

Octavia popped the mug from her face with a loud pop. She could feel the world spinning, but not enough to not see her way out. The stairs proved to be a challenge, with a bruise as a reminder for the rest of the day.

"You're leaving already?" Berry said, her face full of cider foam." Well, nice meeting you! Hope to see you come for a drink later! Or two!" Berry called, as Octavia tripped out the door. Once outside, Octavia plopped against the wall of the tavern, trying get her bearings back. Wings fluttered, as Hugin landed besides her.

"So? How was it?"

A green looking Octavia tried to respond, but had to stop herself, before she puked all over him. It would take her a full ten minutes, before she was able to stand properly again. Hugin quickly jumped onto her back.

"Who is, bleugh, next?" She croaked. Hugin produced the list from his wings.

"Let's see … ." Hugin pulled out the list. "I believe decorations in the town hall. There should be a unicorn waiting for us."
Octavia sighed, feeling the last bits of nausea slowly fade from her body.

This was going to be a long day.

Author's Note

Why would Ponyville need a tavern? Nothing weird ever happens. Right?
I wanted to give other background ponies the chance of being elements. I noticed people always choose the same ponies. specially unicorns, yes, I'm talking about you Lyra, Trixie and Twilight. But that makes me a hypocrite I guess.
If the chapter seems different, it's because I added a few small things. Not much though.