A New Pony in Town

'Hope I did the right thing...' Abigail thought to herself as she trotted along the streets of Ponyville, hazel eyes wide as she took in the sights. This young mare was rather surprised by how many ponies were out today. Almost like it had been in Manehattan. But it's far from being home yet. Just gotta keep the faith, Abby.' She told herself silently as she walked into Town Square, shaking out her mane for a moment before she looked around trying to think of what her next painting would be.

Merlot had been out and about Ponyville, on another one of his random adventures. He didn't pay much mind to the ponies around him, and was focused on trying to find the tavern. It always seemed to elude him whenever he tried to find it.

"Where's that blasted place." Mumbled Merlot as he searched for the establishment. After ten minutes of walking, he finally hit something. A pony, Abigale to be exact.

Abigail yelped in surprise as she felt Merlot bump into her. "Oh excuse me." She said as she moved so not to get in the way of anymore ponies. "Sorry for getting in your way..." She said thinking she'd been in the street, which was why he'd bumped into her. Looking up at him though she noticed how he seemed like he was looking for something. "Um are you looking for somepony?"

Merlot raised an eyebrow at Abigail, before speaking. "NO! I don't need nopony at this present moment in time. But I am looking for something at this present moment!" Said Merlot in a loud voice. He stroked his chin, taking some time to think about what to say next. "You look like a pony that knows their way around town. Do you know where the tavern is?"

Abigail was startled by this strange pony, but she nodded somewhat hesitantly. when she'd first gotten to Ponyville she'd found the Tavern when she was lost and had been going there for awhile, while trying to come up with ideas. "I do. It's not too far actually." She said while she looked over to where the tavern was. "In fact it's right over there." she said pointing towards it with a hoof.

The stallion blinked awkwardly at Abigail. "What... impossible!" Exclaimed Merlot, shaking his hoof angrily at Abigail. "You're just trying to mess with me."

He pulled out a flask, and began to drink one of his strange drinks. "Why does a youngster like you know where the tavern is?" Continued Merlot.

Abigail snorted then. "Yeah don't get too full of yourself there, mister." She said as she shook out her chocolate colored mane once more. Then she decided to answer his question as she glanced at his drink suspiciously. "I know about the place because I got lost on my first day here. Ended up in the Tavern and well been there for awhile ever since. I don't drink or anything though, just go there for a meal and hopefully some inspiration for my next piece." She grinned then. "I'm hoping to become a famous artist one day, but for now I'm doing small jobs and just hoping for what I need."

"Artist, eh?" Replied Merlot, giving Abigail a strange look. "Why an artist, there are so many things that you COULD be. Though I won't try to trample on your dreams, or something like that." The stallion took another drink from the flask, as he continued to stare awkwardly at Abigail.

Abigail shrugged. "Well because I like it. I mean sure there's all sorts of things I could be, but being an artist is the only real joy I have." She smiled then. "It's the best because it's something original. And it makes me stand out too." then she looked at him. "So why would what you do if you didn't love it?"

"Standing out is never good. Listen to me when I say this, bucko, it's all a sham!" Snarled Merlot, as he took another swig out of the flask. "The only thing I love is BOOZE! But I don't do booze, I DRINK THE BOOZE! Now you catch my drift right, uh... what's your name? I'm not good at speaking with those who's name I do not know."

Abigail was getting slightly nervous and angry around this strange pony but she answered his question anyway. 'He smells like alcohol.' She noted after a second. Out loud she said "It's Abigail and there's nothing wrong with being different from the rest!" She argued as she shook out her mane once more. "Now then I've got a question of my own!" She announced, not liking how loud Merlot was. "Why are you so loud? Do you like hearing yourself talk?"

Merlot blinked at Abigail, upon hearing what she had to say to him. He took another sip out of his flask, before letting out his response. "Alright two things! One do you know who I am, little miss artist of high originality?! AND B..." The stallion took a deep breath mid sentence for some sort of dramatic effect. "Of course I hear myself, I'm not deaf. What do you think I'm stupid of something like that?"

(may i join...?)