In comparison to the Summer Sun Celebration, the tern out was very small. But those that didn’t come to see the raising of the winter moon, were missing one of the most beautiful sights in all of Equestria. Aura’s spread across the sky and giving way to oceans of stars, all lead by the full moon. The Captain was one hell of a stickler, but he recommended the strangest thing before dismissing them.

“Try the Neon Moon on base. They’ve got some of that Mango Flavored Beer.” he said before going with Luna to mingle in the festival’s attendees.

Hestaria jumped at the words of her favorite beverage and rushes back to the Academy for the beer she so desperately missed. When she got there, White Knight wasn’t too far behind her. The smoky atmosphere wasn’t unlike any other bar, but only dark colored ponies. The bar had a live rock band playing a lot of great songs from Bon Hoovie and Van Manelen. (Good god those hurt my head.). The other amenities that the bar held included various poker tables. The bar was already raging in the best possible way when Hestaria arrived. Everypony was drinking and/or dancing in front of the band or at the bar. Hestaria talked White Knight into a poker game with her and to pay for her first Mango Beer.

About an hour of playing cards and half a Mango Beer later, Hestaria noticed Ephialtes enter the bar. She stopped mid-chug and let out a belch before shouting to her friend. “Ephi! You zebra son of a bitch! Get over here!” Hestaria shouted over the music.

Ephialtes sighed seemingly annoyed and took the seat next to Hestaria.

“Wanna’ sip?” she said tipping the neck of her mango flavored beer towards him.

“Nah, I-I don’t drink.” the blood red zebra/pony hybrid said pushing the bottle away from him.

“You don’t drink? Sweet, Luna you’re as stuck up as The Commander!” White Knight said taking a pull from his Apple Whisky.

“I just don’t okay.”

“Whatever, deal ‘im in Ace.” Hestaria said looking over to the black earth pony with an Ace of Spades cutie mark at the end of the table.

“Wait, I don’t have any money!” Ephialtes tried to argue.

“Here,” She said sliding him five poker chips over to him. “Twenty five bits. More then enough to get you started. Each chip is five bits, starting pot at five bits.”

“Okay. Fine.” Ephialtes said as Ace slid him five cards.

“That’s the spirit!” White Knight said reaching accrues the table to punch him in the shoulder.

The other player at the table took his chips in his teeth and left the table as Ephialtes tossed his chip into the center of the table. He levitated the cards up to his eyes and looked them over for a moment before folding. Ephialtes cleaned out White Knight as he started coming back out of his shell. He talked told White Knight what he told Hestaria. They played for another two hours before one of Hestaria’s favorite songs came on.

“Oh my gosh I love this song! Let’s dance!”

“I don’t dance.” Ephialtes said over the music.

“Live a little Ephi.” Hestaria replied grabbing him by the neck and pulled him to the dance floor.

It took a bit more convincing but Ephialtes started getting into it and stayed standing for another song before somepony shouted from the door. “Captain!”

Everypony stopped, even the band as Commander Nexus walked in wearing a black baseball cap and leather jacket wearing his casual set of legs covering in blue fabric to look like his coat.

Nexus looked around the bar for a moment before grinning. “What are you lookin’ at? Blow Me Away!” he shouted to the band.

The lead smiled and the drummer tapped out the first three beats before the guitar started playing Blow Me Away. Nexus smiled and banged his head to the beat of the song as the first words started flowing. Everypony in the bar went back to partying except for Ephialtes, Hestaria and White Knight. Nexus noticed they weren’t rocking out and motioned them over to the bar. Nexus was the first to sit; Ephialtes sat to his right with Hestaria next to him and White Knight on Nexus’ left.

“What’s wrong with you guys tonight? We’ve got the night off!” Nexus said still rocking out to the band as he spoke.

“But you’re the Commanding Officer of the entire Lunar Guard. Shouldn’t you still be working, Commander Nexus, Sir?” Hestaria asked.

“Fuck that. I need to cut lose once in a blue moon too ya know. Bar keep! Beer me!”

With no delay, a closed bottle of beer slid down the table and to Nexus’ fabric cover metal hoof. Not waiting for the bottle opener, Nexus pried open the top with his teeth and spit the cap into the trash at the other end of the bar.

“So, what’ve ya’ll been doin’ since the raising of the moon?”

“Just rocking out here Commander Nexus, Sir.” Ephialtes said avoiding eye contact.

“Please, when I’m not in uniform, call me Nexus.” Nexus responded taking a sip of his beer.

“O-Okay, Nexus, what are you doin’ here?” White Knight said taking a hesitant sip of his Apple Whisky.

“Like I said, even I need to kick back once in a blue moon.” Nexus said taking another swig from his beer.

“Yeah… I guess.” Ephialtes said looking back to the band.

“You okay Ephi? You don’t seem happy.”

“I’m fine, Commander. I need some air.” Ephialtes replied getting up from the bar.

Nexus shrugged and went back to his beer as Ephialtes left the bar alone.

“Maybe I should go with him.” Hestaria said about to get up.

“Let him go Private. He just needs some time to himself.” Nexus said taking another sip of his beer.

Hestaria looked to the band and then back to White Knight and saw that Nexus was already gone.

“How does he do that?” she said taking a sip from her fruit flavored beer.