What's a Saturday Without a Drink?

[This is was an open play, but now it has enough members, thus this is a closed circle.
Korpiklaani - Vodka ]

Special Delivery had managed to get himself to the tavern again, as usual. After delivering the message to the townhall, he had seeked a place to stay for a couple of days from his relative - an elderly aunt.
Like a good boy Special Delivery was he had first helped the aunt with household chores, eaten a decent meal and washed himself. The delivery pony had even worn his better vest after going out.

Now he was at the Tavern, seeking out company - as he was ready to pick up conversations, romance or fights if needed.
It seemed to be a day off to many ponies, as the tavern was somewhat full and filled with chit-chat and laughter. Special Delivery walked to the desk and ordered a small shot of Vodka for starters. He would follow the one small sharp drink with milder ones, but it might become a long evening.

When the deep voice of a stallion addressed her, Nova Sharp was a little taken aback for that she did not expect anyone but the barpony would start any kind of discussion with her. After all, being exasperate often mislead to believe the whole world was either inhabited but uninteresting ghosts or annoying people ready to make your day worst. Nothing prepared her to kind words or friendly talks.

Still surprised, she turned to the tall Earth Pony standing beside her at the bar.

“Yeah uhm…”

She was lost a second as she studied him, but when her instincts told her this stranger probably meant no harm, and when she realised his words reflected a somewhat keen mind, she collected her thoughts and let a grin pull the corner of her mouth.

“The Apple Orchard is kind of the favourite in town, a sweet little family business so they say. So, you know: why not support it as well while at it!” She offered, half playfully half ironically, but in no way trying to mock anyone.

The barpony put her drink on the counter before her and she quickly paid without looking, her eyes resting briefly on the glass the stranger now had before him instead.

“What about your drink, sir, any meaning or good gesture behind it?” She kidded back, considering the colours and decorations on the glass.

Nobody called him sir before? Well Nova Sharp couldn’t help it: she had to behave politely with people since anyone could be a potential client to her little business. Being respectful and tactful was part of the behaviour that seemed professional and would please the most serious clients, but also that help making them forget their prejudices against private investigators. After all, to many, private eyes were only people not good enough to join the rank of Guard; not always accurate, but in her case it held a bit of truth…
She still avoided mentioning her little agency for now and listened as the stallion went on about the drink her had between his hooves, laughing softly when he concluded his explanations with a touch of humour.

A short silence settled between them during which Nova took a few sips of her cider, aware from what she could see at the corner of her eyes that the yellow Pony was studying her. He then proceeded to introduce himself as Special Delivery.

“Glad to meet you… And that explains the cutie mark.” She replied with a smirk and a wink at his flank. “That’s possible: I haven’t been around for very long and I spend quite some time waiting for clients at my little business. I’m Nova Sharp, by the way. I’m not much of a star, but I have my way around a shooting range.

So where are you from if not Ponyville?” She ended up inquiring.



((ooc: sorry for the delay, work and a week-long festival kind of took most of my time :S ))

"Ah, I am from far away, born in a small village, even smaller than this town. And recently my family moved to Appleloosa to establish their messenger business in new areas."

He drank last of his soft drink, then ordering a pear cider to follow the soft drink. Well, cider was not exactly hard at that, but it was harder than soda. He leaned a little closer to Nova and said, "You don't mind me sayin', you look really exotic?"

[No problem, don't worry.]

Wander Blur had entered the tavern a few moments ago, satchel accompanied as always, and noticed the pair talking to each other. He recognized Special Delivery from a while back, but not the zebra pegasus speaking with him. He wondered why there weren't more like her, he had only seen one before but never spoke to her in person. He proceeded to sneak up behind Special Delivery, hovering as not to cause unneeded noise, and grabbed his face with his hooves with a faked expression of distress.
"You have no idea how long it took me to find this place." He said wilst slightly shaking Special's head. He then released and looked to the mare next to him. "You have nothing to fear miss, SOMEpony just forgot to give me directions!" After he finally found the tavern he had been spending most of his time there looking for any work, but with no success. His vision returned to the earth pony he had just shook up. "Say, Delivery..." He landed and began to ask with a shy smile on his face, "You wouldn't happen to know of any job leads, would you?"

(My OC: Wander Blur

[Hey, a heads-up; next pony after me in the posting circle is Wander Blur, then Vinyl Dash, who has asked to join in. After that round the posting order will be the following: Special Delivery, Nova Sharp, Wander Blur, Thunder Gust. Hope this is okay with everyone - if not, toss me a message so we can discuss. Oh, and after Vinyl Dash joins in, I won't take anymore players to keep this somewhat manageable.]

Special Delivery laughed heartily to the sudden appearance of Wander Blur, mainly because for a moment he had taken the words of the other pegasus seriously. "Miss Sharp, meet Wander Blur." he then said, "We met on the road leading to Ponyville and I told him to come here to get a place to sleep and such."

Actually, Special Delivery really was a little disappointed that the stripes were the only exotic thing in Nova Sharp, yet they were indeed a rare sight - especially considering he had been all around Equestria.

Then he turned to the question Wander had asked about jobs. His own was a steady one, so Special Delivery rarely had an interest in open jobs. "Gosh, buddy... I don't know." he admitted, rubbing the back of his head a little, as he tried to remember if he had heard anything about the subject at hooves. "Maybe Miss Sharp has seen some open jobs with the pretty and keen eyes of hers?" he then asked.

Wander Blur's ears perked up with renewed enthusiasm as he turned to look at the striped pegasus, but then lowered. "I apologize for frightening you in any way ma'am," he said as he stared at the floor sheepishly, "and for, er... interrupting your conversation." He suddenly jerked his head up with a pleading look in his eyes. "But pleeeeeeeeease tell me you've seen SOMETHING, I'm willing to take anything at this point!" His mind went back awhile as he remembered having a conversation with an elderly mare about a job, who ended up digressing about her grandchildren. FOR THREE HOURS. He didn't want to go through something like that again. They say patience is a virtue, but his had all but vanished from his hunt for a source of income.

((And I would be this "Vinyl Dash" of which Badger has spoken of ;)))

~~~OC: Thunder Gust (DJ Rainbass)~~~

As Thunder Gust got close to the Ponyville tavern, he could already sense some of the familiar sounds and smells that he had missed from right outside the entrance. He had decided to go straight home after he had arrived back in Ponyville, but getting drunk on something other than wine was just too good to resist. And so, he had arrived here.

Gust walked in through the doorway, and went straight to the bar, ducking a bit to dodge a flying bottle, and weaving past a variety of different ponies. When he reached his destination, the bar, he sat down on one of the many bar stools there. He didn't know if it was just him, but sitting down had never felt so good before, especially after the long trip he had just found the end of. He placed his saddlebags on the ground next to him after fishing out a few bits, and then ordered a drink.

"Strongest drink you have, please...and whatever's on the house."

As he waited on his drink, he picked up some lines from the group he had happened sit next to.

"...But pleeeeeeeeease tell me you've seen SOMETHING, I'm willing to take anything at this point!"

He turned to look at the group next to him, curiosity drawing him in. He blinked as the first thing he noticed was a pegasus zebra. Zebras can be pegasi too? Wow... The other two ponies in the group were a yellow Earth Pony with a few orange markings, and a white Pegasus with blue and yellow mane and tail. He thought for a moment and then decided that some company might be nice. He said a quick thanks to the bartender as he came back and placed down two bottles, and then scooted a bit closer to the group.

"You know, I actually might have a job for you to do, if your willing to accept it."

He opened the first bottle and took a sip, then turned and looked around the group a bit.

"The name's Thunder Gust, by the way. Nice to meet you all."

[So now we maintain the set order, next one after me is Nova Sharp.]

It did not take long as another pony joined the conversation, even with a possible job for the pegasus Special Delivery had met. He nodded at the newcomer, who had just introduced himself.

"Glad to meet ya, I am Special Delivery" he introduced himself, then taking the freedom of introducing the rest in the party, "Here are Miss Nova Sharp and Mister Wander Blur." He acted like he had known them for a long time, although he had met both within the day.

Quickly getting over the initial surprise, Nova ended up smirking at the Pegasus’ enthusiasm and his eagerness to find work. “That’s just how it works, buddy…” she thought as she let once again a bit of cynicism wash over her.

Yet movement on the side and a new voice caught her attention and, along with the two others, she turned to see who was addressing them now. A Unicorn with colour patterns not unlike hers –if we forget the stripes- came closer, mentioned a possible job and introduced himself. Nova was a bit surprised when Delivery was the first to answer, but she went along with it and nodded politely to greet Thunder Gust as well.

She slightly turned toward the other Pegasus and commented the current discussion:

“As for a work, I would have opened a position or two at my agency… If only I could afford it: I barely get any clients at all!” She interrupted herself, took a sip of her drink as if she needed it to go on, and then added: “And if I am lucky enough to get some, they pay with shiny pebbles, mere buttons, handfuls of sweets or fruit baskets! I know they mean no harm, but it’s hard to pay any bill this way”She pessimistically said, raising her hooves as to show how powerless she was in such situation.

“Anyway… Not to dishearten you, mister Blur, but I guess it’s only a matter of finding a business that really works in such a peaceful “Ville”…” She added with a sorry smile.

After hearing the unicorn's words, Wander Blur's eyes lit up and he grew a wide smile. He let out a relieved sigh and listened to Nova's answer to his plea. "Oh, that's unfortunate." he said with a slightly disappointed look on his face. He then let out a small grin as he spoke, "But depending on what job Mr. Gust is offering, and the hours," Wander motioned an obligatory hoof towards the unicorn, "I might have some time to help with a thing or two, straight from the kindness of my heart." He thumped his hoof on his chest and turned towards the nearby unicorn, "So, what kinda job are we talking about here sir?" Wander Blur made sure to study his new acquaintance's body language carefully, he wasn't always this suspicious of other pony's intentions, and he WAS getting desperate, but he still was put off a little by how vague Thunder Gust's offer was.

"Glad to meet ya, I am Special Delivery. Here are Miss Nova Sharp and Mister Wander Blur."

Gust nodded to each of the ponies (and zebra) as Special Delivery introduced them one by one, taking a sip from his...what was it? He checked the bottle that he had opened a second ago. Wine...of course it had to be wine... He frowned for a second, but shrugged the disappointment off and took a sip from the bottle, the wine surprisingly tasting better than what he had grown used to in Canterlot. He looked back towards the group. He chuckled a bit at Blur's reaction to his job offer, and turned to Nova as she began to speak.

“...Anyway… Not to dishearten you, mister Blur, but I guess it’s only a matter of finding a business that really works in such a peaceful 'Ville'…”

Gust smiled a bit. Ponyville was definitely one of the most peaceful places he knew. Memories came to him of time spent in the slums of Manehatten. Even Canterlot had a few pockets of crime here and there. Ponyville, however, could definitely be considered a safe haven from trouble, the worst things to happen here were maybe a lost manticore or the occasional stolen bits.

"But depending on what job Mr. Gust is offering, and the hours, I might have some time to help with a thing or two, straight from the kindness of my heart. So what kinda job are we talking about here sir?"

Gust waved a dismissive hoof at Wander Blur.

"Don't call me sir or mister, that just makes me sound old."

He took another, longer sip of the wine.

"And as for the job offer, I wouldn't say it's the most exciting you can do, but I have bits to spare, and would be happy to pay you extra if you really need it. Anyways, I've just been needing some help with packing...a lot of stuff. See, I'm a DJ, and just recently I signed a contract with a new record label, and they've asked to get a lot of vinyls and records and stuff over to them. Like, a lot. More than I have time for. If you might be able to help me with that however, that would awesome, and I'd pay you well."

And another sip...

What else did that barkeep get me...? Gust looked at the other bottle that had been brought to him, placing the wine down on the counter and picking it up and looking at the label. Everclear...that's more like it... He placed it back down on the table. He'd save it for later. After all, getting drunk in the middle of a conversation was rude. Usually.

“So this one is a musician…” Nova thought, considering the unicorn once more. And not just any kind of musician; one performing this modern music with virtual instruments and fast deep rhythms. So Gust wasn’t exactly the type of pony she thought in the first place seeing his look, but one that would in theory be at every “cool” parties thrown in those kind of rave-esque underground societies. “Interesting” she thought, her detective mind taking this in.

Special Delivery caught her attention by addressing to her about the next drink.

“Oh, that is really nice of you, but that won’t be necessary, I can’t accept.” She replied with a sorry smile.

But the Earthpony promptly insisted with this charm of his and the Zebra had to reconsider to avoid offending him in any way. She quickly glanced at her drink and noticed there wasn’t much of it left, then mentally counted the number of bits left she had. She didn’t have enough for another drink and the evening was only just starting: it would be unthinkable to simply leave her merry new acquaintances this soon for no good reason.

“Alright, but just one drink: I’d like to think I’m a strong independent mare, thank you!” She conceded, laughing.


((ooc: sorry it took time to answer. If I end up slowing you guy down too much, don't hesitate to skip my turn or push it back after yours, I won't mind ^^'' ))

"If you insist mi-" Wander Blur caught himself mid-speech, "Thunder Gust, and I gladly accept your offer." He felt relieved that he had finally found a job, but he didn't feel it necessary that he take more than his work due. "And as to those extra bits, I won't be needing them," he felt a prideful grin grow on his face, "I've spent enough time out in the wilderness to know how to survive on near nothing!" He then motioned to his ever-present satchel, "And I have this" He patted his trusty pack and smiled wider, "I don't know how, but this thing is like a bottomless pit!" Wander then rose his head slightly and furrowed his brow, "Come to think of it, somehow I never lose anything..." he then realized he was probably confusing his new employer and shook his head. "Excuse my ramblings, those are stories for another time," he watched the DJ studying the label on his wine bottle, "You know, I don't mind if you drink that, I find it makes conversations with others so much more interesting." He chuckled lightly and sighed. "Unless said others are angry drunks." Blur liked how things were going now, and his spirits were now revived thanks to a unicorn DJ, who was now his boss. He found himself doing loops in the air from his new-found happiness and stopped himself just short of the ceiling. "I feel awesome."

"So Wander Blur would be like...a personal assistant?"

"Heh..." Gust thought for a moment. "Yyyyyyeah I guess you could say that." He nodded his head in agreement. He tilted his head a bit at Nova as she seemed to examine him for a second, but then turned his attention to Wander Blur as he started speaking.

"If you insist mi-...Thunder Gust, and I gladly accept your offer."

Gust smiled as Blur accepted the offer. "Great!" He took another sip from his wine bottle as Wander Blur continued, noticing that it was barely half full now.

"And as to those extra bits, I won't be needing them. I've spent enought time out in the wilderness to know how to survive on near nothing!" Blur motioned to his satchel, which Gust just noticed. "And I have this." He patted it with a smile. "I don't know how, but this thing is like a bottomless pit!"

Gust chuckled lightly. "Alright, If you say so."

"Come to think of it, somehow I never lose anything... Excuse my ramblings, those are stories for another time."

"Heh, it's alright." He took another sip of his wine.

"You know, I don't mind if you drink that. I find it makes conversations with others so much more interesting. Unless said others are angry drunks."

Gust chuckled a bit. "True that. But nah, I don't plan on getting drunk. Yet." He looked up at Blur as he started doing loops in the air above, grinning a bit at how funny he looked.

"I feel awesome."

"Hehe, I'm sure you do." Gust took another long sip of his wine, frowning a bit as he finished the last of it and placig the now empty bottle on the counter. He glanced at the unopened bottle of Everclear still on the counter, contemplating whether to drink or save it for a second before turning back towards the group.

Nova humbly thanked Delivery as she was delivered another glass and couldn’t help but smirk, amused, at Gust’s antics and burst of happiness. One of her brothers tended to do the same when he was too enthusiast over anything: it reminded her of home and made her curious about the others’. She already knew about the Earth Pony and his charming small-town origins and wanted to know if their story were just as interesting.

“I understand you two traveled a lot, or at least lately” she started, elusively pointing her hoof toward the unicorn and the Pegasus “but I was wondering just now: where are you from, if not from Ponyville?
To me, this counter seems to attract lonesome strangers I must say” She added, putting her hooves back down.

"-where are you from, if not from Ponyville?"

Wander Blur's heart sank as he heard those words and he landed slowly on the tavern floor. "I honestly have no idea where I'm from..." his ears dropped and he avoided any eye contact as he spoke, "I don't remember almost everything of 'home', all I remember clearly is a unicorn mare giving me this satchel and telling me to run." His mouth began to quiver and his eyes were well on the path to tears. Wander Blur managed to control himself and took a deep breath. "I've been wandering ever since, can't even remember how I got this." he tilted his head back to his Cutie Mark, the stupid Manila folder, with a sad smile. Wander looked at the others and let out a sigh, he didn't need more ponies treating him like some hurt pup. "Sorry, I'm not looking for a pity party," Blur shook his head, "what's weird is, sometimes I can talk about that as if it's nothing, and sometimes I want to go to a dark room and cry myself to sleep." He added with a depreciating laugh. He then raised his head and looked at the others "And this isn't the worst, I vividly remember telling somepony my story and breaking down right in front of them, that wasn't the most pleasant day."He was slowly beginning to return to his earlier mood and spoke, "I heard about Ponyville from a little filly when I was passing through a town, and I'd thought it would be a good idea to settle down for awhile." He looked around the tavern and released a whole-hearted laugh, "I guess I picked the right choice!" He felt his heart warm up inside, whenever he did tell somepony his story, he always felt better for some reason afterwards.

"I understand you two travel alot, or at least recently. But I was wondering just now: where are you from, if not from Ponyville?"

Gust turned to Wander Blur as he started to answer the question, a bit curious himself at where these ponies might have come from. Special Delivery was likely from a more westerm environment, as designated by his prominent accent, and the zebra...well he just had to know how she had come to be here. And now that he thought of it, Wander Blur wouldn't need a job near here for no reason, and it seemed he was a traveling pony...

"I honestly have no idea where I'm from..."

Gust frowned a bit at this. He doesn't know where he's from? But how is that-...

"I don't remember almost everything of 'home', all I remember clearly is a unicorn mare giving me this satchel and telling me to run. I've been wandering ever since, can't even remember how I got this."

Now Gust was genuinely worried. Blur looked like he was about to break down at this point, and that's something he really didn't want to have to deal with on his first day back in Ponyville.

"Sorry, I'm not looking for a pity party. What's weird is, sometimes I can talk about that as if it's nothing, and sometimes I want to go to a dark room and cry myself to sleep. And this isn't the worst, I vividly remember telling somepony my story and breaking down right in front of them, that wasn't the most pleasant day. I heard about Ponyville from a little filly when I was passing through a town, and I'd thought it would be a good idea to settle down for awhile. I guess I picked the right choice!"

Gust tilted his head a bit, surprised at how easily Blur went from a mental breakdown back to his normal, enthusiastic self so quickly. Neverthless, he smiled at him, deciding to keep his thoughts in his head where they belonged. He wasn't a therapist; what happened in everyone else's life was not his concern, and he wasn't going to spoil the moment by dwelling on the subject.

"Yep, Ponyville is definitely a great place to settle for alot of people. Really nice neighborhood overall."

Gust looked to Nova, taking his turn to answer the question she had directed at them.

"As for me, I actually do live right here in Ponyville, but you're correct when you say that I've been travelling a lot. When you're a DJ, it's kinda part of the job. Just came back from Canterlot today, actually. And where might you be from, exactly?"