Liquor & first impressions.

Canterlot was barren and silence was abundant. No pony except the nightly patrons roamed the cobblestone streets. Though the raucous noise they made was loud to one another, she couldn't hear it. The lonely princess of the night sluggishly trotted throughout the darkness of the city. The crisp, cold wind lapped at her mane and stung her eyes. She was alone and jaded.

The single beam of luminescent moonlight had been shattered by a single cloud flowing through the acrid wind. This is how she always felt, concealed, detached, and no one to rely on. She was hidden behind her royalty, her grace, and elegance. This is not the life that Luna so desperately desired. She received many letters of appreciation and admiration for her glorious and beautiful night time spectacles of shimmering moon light and twinkling stars. She honestly loved obtaining so much attention, but she did so with humility and selflessness. She never really observed the many piles of notes and letters that bombarded her living space in the Canterlort castle. She would occasionally even deliberately disregard many of the pieces of parchment just so she didn't mottle the ink on the page with her sorrowful tears. She desired all this love and respect from her subjects but her desperation needed to be scaled on a much deeper and more emotional level. She wanted to love. She wanted to know how to love.

Luna had been trapped within the moon for a thousand years no less. Love seemed almost like a foreign concept at this point. Though she had received (along with the many appreciative letters) many romantic and sometimes flattering notes from smitten stallions commenting on her beauty, it simply was not the same, for they commented on her beauty… but not her. Confusing this may be, allow me to explain. She enjoyed reading the numerous amounts of poetry and flattering notes that tried to sway her affections but that’s not in the least what she desired, no, she wanted someone to love her. Some pony she could depend on, to feel safe around, to be loved by.

The light of the dull moon dappled the rooftops with shimmering rods of light. I watched from the shadows as the princess slowly trotted by the ever popular nightclub, club Canterlot . Luna lifted her head and fixed her dreary gaze upon the awkwardly lit sign plastered to the front entrance of the vibrating building. The L, O, and T in Canterlot were busted and didn't emit any light whatsoever. Luna took a deep breath and proceeded to enter the club. From the outside the noise had been heavily muffled by the walls and had been deceptively quiet. The loud and obnoxious music that pumped through the alcohol tainted air made her head throb. Luna had grown accustomed to the still and tranquil sounds of the night making the adaptation that much harder. Luna finally adjusted to the sounds that smashed her eardrums. She wasn't at all surprised that no one had been reacting the same way. They were hammered and would continue drinking and partying until her sister raised the morning sun. She backed herself into a dark corner and sat in a small booth that seated four. The perky waitress trotted to Luna’s booth, her head bobbing to the rhythm of the music being played rather repetitively. Luna thought best to try and hide her identity; she didn't want to attract any unwanted attention towards herself. Though sadly her attempt was to no avail, simply her posture and demeanor alone was easily recognized by the now bewildered waitress.

“Princess Luna, what in the wide world of Equestria are you doing here?!“

“Hush my subject, you have shone your gratitude eagerly, I only come for relief in the form of refreshments, that is all that I am asking of you. “ Luna responded hastily.

By now I had entered unaware of the royal presence inhabiting the room and seated myself in the booth directly in front of Luna.

“What will you be having tonight your majesty?”

“I am feeling rather ambitious tonight; I would like vodka with cranberry.” The waitress looked stunned as Luna placed her order.

“Such strong liquor for the royal palate your majesty, are you sure that there isn't anything else you might want?” Luna shot the antsy waitress an irritated glare.

“You have already been informed of my request; do not make me have to remind you again.”

“Yes of course your majesty it will be right out.” The waitress responded nervously as she scribbled down the order. She had finally made it over to the booth in which I was occupying.

“And what will you be having tonight sir?” She asked, now recovered from her previous anxiety.

“I’ll just have straight scotch I guess.”

“Alrighty then, your order will be out momentarily.” The waitress scampered off towards the bar and gave the bartender her order slip.

“I assume you are in distress as well sir?” Luna questioned sternly. It wasn't really a question rather she was telling me I had been feeling disgruntled.

“I guess you could say that, yeah I am feeling rather distraught.” Luna sighed shortly thereafter

“Would it be any trouble if you would keep your majesty company on this somber of nights?’

“No problem at all your highness.” I exited my booth and made my way over to where Luna had been sitting and positioned myself across from her.

“Hmm if I am correct and I do believe I am, you are Nightwing leader of the pegasi royal guard.”

“Actually your highness I’m just the commander of the dusk battalion; the leader of the royal guard would be my uncle Midnight.” Luna just stared at me with non approving eyes as if she was not in the mood to be proven incorrect today.

“Anyway…” I continued the awkward conversation. “What is your highness doing wandering around this part of Canterlot, shouldn't you be at the castle during this hour of the night?” Luna sighed again.

“Does it really matter honestly?” Luna responded dryly. I didn't feel compelled to answer but thinking about it now, it was probably rhetorical anyway.

The waitress came back holding both of our drinks and shaking rather vigorously, I assumed that she was still trying to have the thought of a royal presence in the vicinity sink in.

“Here are your drinks, please enjoy the rest of your evening princess, we are almost ready to close up in a little bit but feel free to stay as long as you like. We are having the DJ lock up for the night and it appears that she may be slightly overdone on the alcohol… so I don’t suspect that she’ll be making an attempt at leaving anytime soon. ”The waitress just stood there now as if she were expecting something.

“Oh my apologies, here, this should be enough to suffice for both drinks.” I reached into my saddlebag and pulled out a small pouch of bits then removed however much the bill was plus a small tip

“I assure you kind sir I am in no need of your gracious donation.” Luna said rather sternly

“Oh no your highness I insist.” I replied. Luna released yet another sigh.

“Very well then, I suppose if you do indeed insist that you must pay then so be it.”

We drank our liquor in silence as if there was some sort of dramatic tension lingering in the booze tainted air. The quick rush of alcohol burned the back of my throat but it felt… good, unnaturally good, masochistically good. As I continued to relish in the trance that the drink was putting me under, Luna exited the booth and cleared her throat.

“Well fine sir it appears that I have overstayed my welcome. I shall be departing from this establishment, I bid thee farewell.”

“Goodnight your highness, have a nice evening and please be safe as you leave.” Luna didn't turn around but acknowledged me with a slight nod of her regal head. Without another exchange of words she had gone into the night once more leaving me alone in the bar. I contemplated whether or not I should leave when a wobbly white mare with an electric blue mane hobbled towards my booth with two drinks held in a bright blue aura emanating from her lit horn. She placed the two drinks onto the table top and slid into the space Princess Luna was occupying moments before. Sweat was beading down her pale face and her breathe smelled of booze. (No surprise there.) That was when I’d realized that she was the DJ that was ferociously banging her head and spinning her records when I walked in. she swigged down her beer in quite an impressive amount of time. The other drink that she’d brought remained un-chugged for the moment. I'm not quite sure what it was about her, but she seemed oddly familiar, as if I had seen her in the past. After several moments of my intuitive thinking the mare intruded my thoughts.

“So wassup?” The white unicorn asked grinning playfully

“Do I know you by any chance?” I questioned growing ever so slightly afraid of her overbearing personality but all things considered she was lost in a drunken haze and her state of mind wasn't necessarily tact.

“Eh maybe, I don’t know, do you know me?” this time she asked but in a slightly more seductive tone. A wink would have suited that comment perfectly but the deep and reflective violet shades that were plastered to her face kept me from knowing otherwise.

“Ugh, Vinyl would you please quit patronizing this poor stallion, can’t you see he’s in a clear preference of solitude?” A grey mare with a silky smooth black mane that hung down low passed her shoulders accompanied them shortly thereafter her remark towards the drunken DJ.

“Ugh…its way too late for your big, fancy words Tavi, just relax Hun.” The mare propped her legs up onto the table, draped her forearm over the shoulders of the grey mare and pulled her in tightly.

“Terribly sorry sir, my name is Octavia and this is my overly obnoxious marefriend Vinyl Scratch. She DJ’s here every day whenever she’s not touring Equestria.”

“Oh, that's why you look familiar! I guess the thought slipped my mind, I don’t know how I hadn't been able to recognize such an iconic figure. Everypony at the base loves your music; it’s all they really ever listen to in their free time. Wow I seriously can’t believe I’m actually talking to THE Vinyl Scratch”

“That’s me alright; DJ PON-3 in da club t’night!” Vinyl drunkenly shouted throwing all four hooves into the air in a haphazard manner.

“My apologies for her raucous behavior, it appears that she may be slightly inebriated at the moment, nothing new really.” She looked over at the swaying mare and giggled.

“I already told you officer, I ain't drunk, and look I can count my ABC’s…”

“This should be fun to watch.” Octavia murmured to me silently.

“Okay hold on… I got this, yeah alright here we go…” she drew in a deep breath and began. “A,B ,C,D,E,G,H,L,M, uh…P, and I think there’s a W in there somewhere and let’s go ahead and toss in a few Z’s as well. Did I win?”

“Hmm, yeah, no, not really sweetheart but maybe you can give it another go when you’re a bit more sober.” I could see that Octavia was trying oh so hard not to bust out laughing hysterically and in truth so was I.

“Anyway let’s try to hold a decent conversation now that she feels somewhat accomplished, you do realize that the club is closed right?” I looked all around the nightclub to find that all the lights had been shut off except the lamp that hovered above our booth.

“Hmm apparently not it seemed to slip my mind much does everything else. Some ponies think I might have ADD but whatever I suppose. So I guess this means I should go?”

“You can if you want but the manager won’t be locking up anytime soon, she’s in a bit of a stupor right now…” Octavia hinted towards the lulling mare next to her as she spoke. “…So I don’t think it matters” that comment made me solicit a small chuckle.

“So she’s the manager and the DJ too?” she answered my question with a nod of her head. She looked down and realized that the drink Vinyl brought out with her own was untouched so she took a casual sip and set it back down.

“So do you work here as well?”

“Oh Celestia no, I would much rather invest my time into doing something productive then wallow in the indulgence of society. I am a part time classical musician that travels Equestria hoping to land a big time musical career so I hired this here drunken genius to be my manager and promote my stuff and ever since I've had numerous record labels begging for me to sign with them so that they can show the masses what modern classical music sounds like but aside from that I don’t really do much. As you could have already predicted, I play a variety of stringed instruments including the violin, viola, bass, but my specialty is most definitely…”

“Cello I’m guessing.” I cut her off momentarily.

“Indeed sir, your powers of perception are unmatched.” She replied with a chuckle of amusement “what might I ask is it that you do exactly?” Her attention gravitated towards my armored chest plate with the royal crest engraved on it.

“I’m the commander of the dusk battalion of the pegasi royal guard. My job is to ensure the safety of Canterlot, and everypony within it. My uncle Midnight is the head honcho if you will. He sees over everything that the commanders do and Celestia sees over everything he makes us do.”

“Would you happen to know of a stallion by the name of Shining Armor by any chance?”

“But of course, the husband of her majesty Cadence and esteemed commander of the other half of the royal guard. I have attended several of his meetings with my uncle. What makes you ask?”

“Just an inquiry; that and the fact that he asked Vinyl to perform at his wedding. Anyway, what made you decide to join the military?’

“Well my father was in the guard as was his father and his fathers, father and…”

“Yeah I think I got it. You come from a long lineage of soldiers, how noble.”

“I guess you could put it that way.”

“I hope it’s no trouble me asking and all but what brings you here this evening Mr… “

“Nghtwing”

“…Nightwing, you certainly don’t seem to be the kind of partyish type of pony that we get on a day to day basis.”

“Just finished my duties, got no place to stay, got bored, blah, blah and so I ended up here talking to you I suppose.” There was an awkward silence for a few moments and I began to wonder if she was taking pity on me. Truth be told I was legitimately homeless now. I had nowhere to go, no one to run to, just…lost.

“If you’d like, you could stay the night at our place.” Octavia willingly suggested.

“Oh no, I couldn't ask you to let me seek refuge in your home; I’ll be alright on my own.”

“It wouldn't be a bother, really. I’m always willing to lend a hoof to those in need and towards those who help keep us safe, and since you fall under both of those categories I feel obliged to assist in any way I can. It’s the least I could do to repay you” I hesitated for a slight moment. The thought finally sunk in, a nice hot shower, not the measly and cold showers that we get on the base, a decent meal instead of the crap they give me at the homeless shelter and instead of sleeping on a blanket on the cold, concrete floors I would be able to rest on a cozy mattress with blankets, lots of warm snugly blankets wrapped around my aching body. (Alright fantasy boy just say yes already)

“Well if it really won’t be that much of a hassle; then I will gladly accept your offer.”

“Splendid, keep in mind though, you can stay for as long as you see fit. I will be more than happy to provide for you.”

“Party at the Scratch residence, table for three mutha fu-“

“Vinyl! I've just about had enough of you tonight, you’re drunk and I’m taking you home this instant!” Octavia aggressively gripped Vinyl’s right ear in her teeth and forcefully pulled out of the booth and through the door

“Oh, Nightwing, take these and lock the door behind you.” She let go Vinyl’s ear momentarily to give me the keys. I responded with a nod and locked the club for the rest of the evening.

It didn't take long to get there, but once we had I was thoroughly taken aback by the grandiose size of their home had actually been. Then again Vinyl is an equestrian renowned artist.

The house was two stories tall but could accommodate a third if necessary. The top floor was equipped with an overhanging balcony that overlooked the rural landscapes just past Ponyville which laid a short distance off.

We trotted towards the entrance of the home. Vinyl had now become more sober during the slow walk home and managed to pull her key out of her saddlebag and unlocked the massive gilded front door. When we walked in, I couldn't help but notice how pristine the estate had been. The floor was constructed of pure marble with a pearly finish giving it a snowy resemblance. To my left stood a masterfully crafted grand piano coated in a smooth pigment of smoke. Behind the piano stood numerous cellos ranging in colors and varieties.

“I assume this is your corner Octavia?”

“Indeed it is, how observant.”

“Hey Tavi I’m gonna go check the kitchen for something to eat, I’ll let you two talk for a bit.” Octavia replied with a nod.

“As I was saying, this is my personal collection of instruments, though the rest of my inventory is in private storage, these are all the instruments that I predominantly use during performances. I have approximately fourteen cellos here and six more in storage all ranging from…”

“Wait just a second; what you mean to tell me is that you currently own twenty cellos?”

“Precisely, now continuing my previous statement, I have many varieties all ranging from acoustic to carbon fiber, steel, and Vinyl’s cello of choice the electric cello. It has quite an unorthodox sound but I thoroughly enjoy playing it. The piano you see here was built by my grandfather; he was a musically inclined stallion from Scoltland. When he heard that I desired to pursue a classical music career, he built me this piano and gifted it to me on my sixteenth birthday. Vinyl always tells me that she has never witnessed me cry harder than on that day.“

“So what did Vinyl get you?” There was an awkward silence for a few moments

“Uh… moving on shall we.” She deliberately avoided my question which was rather rude, but who am I to intrude on their personal lives.

I didn't bother to pay any added attention to the rest of the house. Let’s just say it is very big and very fancy. For a stallion that lives in a shelter or on base, it’s paradise.

“As you can clearly see when you have a world renowned musician as your marefriend, you learn to reap the benefits and enjoy the luxuries that come with it… and no, don’t think I am an ignorant gold digger who simply takes advantage of the wealthy ponies to suit my own desires. I genuinely love that mare with all of my heart, despite her less than adequate behavior. I guess I’m just lucky that the house and money comes enveloped in the whole package. The funniest part of this ordeal is the fact that I am the one who deals with the financial work around here, not the multimillionaire. Even considering the fact that there is an apparent gap in funds between the two of us.” Octavia increased the amplitude of that last bit just loud enough for somepony rummaging through the refrigerator in the kitchen down the hallway could hear.

“Um… Miss Octavia, you appear a bit flustered. Did I say anything to upset you?”

“Wha… No, of course not, I just get a little bit defensive whenever some of these Canterlot folk assume that I date Vinyl solely because of the luxuries that she possesses. How dare they make false accusations against someone’s motives of adoration and affection? Isn't that right sweetheart?”

“Yeah, yeah Octy whatev’s. Hey where did you put the Buckweiser that was in the freezer? I’m fairly confident that I didn't drink it all before we left.” Octavia grew irritated by Vinyl’s question. She raised her hoof to the side of her head and began to message her temple as a means of calming herself before she did anything irrational. Octavia pushed forward into the kitchen as I followed closely behind. Vinyl looked up from her adventure within the confines of her refrigerator to meet a very agitated Octavia face to face.

“Hi” Vinyl smirked childishly

“I have just barely managed to get you sober to some extent and I am not about to let you hammer down another drink, got that?” Vinyl let out an overly exaggerated sigh of dissatisfaction, whilst stomping her hooves on the ground to add a pity affect. Whatever she was doing… Octavia was immune

“I said no more, are we clear?” Vinyl sighed again as she admitted defeat

“Crystal.”

“Alright, now would you be so kind as to showing our guest where he can wash up and where he will be staying?” Vinyl nodded and turned to face me. I never realized how big Vinyl really was until now. I don’t mean “fat” big. I mean muscular big. I stopped staring at her frame as she walked passed me and beckoned me to follow her so reluctantly I did. She proceeded to show me the bathroom and the guest room where I would be staying for the duration of my homelessness I suppose. After the short tour was done we had made our way back downstairs where Octavia had already cooked dinner for three. Goodness gracious she was an efficient cook and a gosh darn talented one at that. There weren't many words exchanged during our meal but it didn't matter to me. All I kept thinking about was that mysteriously beautiful mare that had graced me with her presence at the club. (And no I’m not referring to Octavia you weirdos) But Luna… she was something else entirely. I doubt I will, but I hope to see her again.

I lay in my bed pondering the events of the night. Wow… just wow. That’s really all I could think of but maybe things will be different in the morning. I guess if I could say something I would say “Goodnight my Princess.”

Author's Note

Ok, so I recently went back and refurbished this here chapter after seeing copious amounts of errors thanks in part to a friend of mine who had brought them to my attention. But what do you expect, I wrote this story like a year ago and never got around to typing it up, so inevitably I changed things to make it mesh better. The disadvantage to that is mistakes, and lots of them. To be fair I typed this up the first time at around 12 or so... wanted to go to bed... didn't have the patience to proof read... yada yada yada. Hopefully I managed to fix the issues. If you notice any more, please feel free to inform me and one day I might get around to re-writing this intro all together. On a different note, Don't expect frequent updates for this as I am also in the process of typing another story which I've placed at a higher priority than this. On top of that I have around 12-13 other projects that I'm jamming into my schedule but I will try to get this out of the way ASAP.