Mare's first night out

Shala still was drawing a blank. "Umm...No, still don't know what that....wait...Actually i have heard the term before. I remember making lots of sales in Manehattan this time of year...Is it just some big marketing thing?"

Minty giggles, she had never heard of a pony who didn't know what Hearthswarming was.

Icarus balked. "I-It's more then that! I-It's a G-Great Holiday! M-My Favorite t-time of year!" He said, blinking. "I-It's w-when m-my parent's m-met..." He admitted, shuffling his hooves.

Shala sighed with irritation and gave Minty a look. "Surely its not THAT big of a deal. Sound like you just go about and make make other ponies be indebted to you. I don't call that a holiday. I call it a scam."

Icarus sighed. "W-Well... A-At l-least..." Icarus sighed. "I-I was t-thinking of i-inviting you, I-Intel, I-Indigo, a-and N-Night for a H-Hearth's W-Warming eve P-Party..." He said, looking a little glum.

She winced, looking back down at the table.

That glum made Shala wince and somewhat panic. To see Icarus sad would just not do. "Oh! I didn't know there was a party. Sure i will come!" She said quickly, wanting to see something other than a glum Icarus. Her happiness depended on it.

Icarus smiled sadly. "N-No, It's o-okay... W-Wouldn't w-want to force you t-to go..." he said, bowing a bit to Minty. "S-Sorry..."

She noticed the bow, blushing. "I, uh..."

Shala quickly waved that away as she saw him still looking 'upset'. "Nonono! I will go. I promise!" She said desperately. It took her a few moments to remember that Minty was still here.

"Sorry to ignore you. Another drink?" She quickly distracted herself and took out a glass make another drink.

It took her a second to realize she was being acknowledged again. "Y-yes please, if it wouldn't be too much trouble", she said.

Icarus smiled. "T-Thank you..." He said, Giving a smile.

He then turned to Minty, Blushing. "S-Sorry f-for interrupting..." He said, scratching the back of his head.

Shala was completely releived to see Icarus smile again. She was afraid she may have had to drink herself to a stupor tonight over it. Now she could do it just for fun instead.

She turned and began to take out what she needed to make another drink before pausing. "Did you want something different?"

"N-no, the original is good", she replied. She turned over to Icarus. "No worries! It was for good intentions"

Icarus blushed a bit. "T-Thank you..."

Shala made her another drink. She had forgotten exactly what ratio she used last time so she just added more alcohol and figured it would be fine. The new glass slid over to Minty perfectly. "Hmm....Did we ever get to introductions? Not that it bothers me or anything..."

"Oh, uhm, we didn't..." She looked at her drink, taking a sip. "I-I'm Minty Clean... You?"

Icarus blushed, bright red. "M-My name's I-Icarus... I-If you d-don't mind..." He mumbled, shuffling.

The mare turned over towards him, smiling shyly, "That's a nice name..."

"Shala Woods" She said with little enthusiasm. "Bartender is also acceptable."

She smiles, turning back towards Shala. "Nice to meet you, Shala!" she exclaimed.

Icarus blushed bright red at the thought his name was nice. "T-Thank you... Y-Your name is n-nice too..." He said, shuffling his hooves.

She smiled, shyly putting her hoof out, offering Icarus a hoofshake. "Thanks."

Shala laughed to herself as the two already were hitting it off. Without a word, she poured a glass of wine and pushed it in front of Icarus. Some social lubricant never hurt anyone.

Icarus smiled gratefully, Shaking Minty's hoof. "N-No problem..."