Once the door was closed, Rumble got to his hooves and spat a blood infused loogy at the door. "I did nothing wrong you asshats!"

"Rumble!" The door swung open, and out stepped Berry Pinch. "What in the living hell was that all about?!"

"She started it..."

"No, she didn't! You shouldn't have been hitting on her in the first place. First of all, she's old enough to be your mother, second of all, you and I both know she's claimed! Much less she was in there with her!"

Silver Spoon stepped forward, "What did he do?"

Berry Pinch glanced over at her, ready to say something ill-tempered but changed her tone when she realized who it was. "Oh, it's nothing. This asshat was trying to pick up Rainbow Dash. Of all the mares in Equestria."

"Hey! You can't say anything! You find her just as attractive as I do!"

"Shut up, Rumble," said Pinch without even glancing back at him.

"Don't tell me to sh-"

"Shut your trap or I'll punish you!" She turned and glared at him.

Shady snickered. "Wow, you go girl."

Silver sighed, "So he was hitting on Rainbow Dash? In front of Spitfire?" She frowned, "I wouldn't have guessed her to be on his list of mares to peg."

Berry Pinch sat down. "Neither did I. Her and Spitfire came in shortly after we did. I made the comment that Spitfire was the sexier of the two and he disagreed saying Rainbow was hotter. Apparently as we continued to talk about it, he came up with the brilliant idea of getting himself a threesome. Excluding me." He paused and looked back at him and her eyes began to water a little. "Sad part is we've only been here long enough to have one or two whiskers each. So I guess I'm just not good enough for him..."

Aura walked over to Berry Pinch and gave her a hug. "He is Rumble... I thought you two were just drinking buddies. I'm sorry, Pinch."

Berry Pinch hugged her friend back, "Well I'm cutting him off for now." She let Aura go and turned back to Rumble. "We're going back in there and you will apologize to them and to the bartenders. You've managed to make a fool of yourself and embarrass me in my favorite bar." Tears rolled down her cheeks as she walked closer to him.

As soon as he opened his mouth to protest she held up a hoof."You will fix this or I'll neuter you in your next drunken slumber."

Silver Spoon leaned towards Aura as Berry Pinch followed Rumble back into the bar. "Brutal. Should we go inside with them?"

"I don't think so. I trust Berry Pinch can keep him in control. It shouldn't take more than a minute for him to apologize..." She paused and turned to look into Silver's eyes. "I've never seen Berry Pinch this upset over any colt she's had."

Shady Daze stepped forward, "Rumble has that effect on mares who decide to get too close. It happens... But in the end, they all hate him."

Aura sighed, "We should talk to them about this. See if we can't get them on the same page so they can stay friends. I just don’t want to see Berry in pain.”

“Here they come,” Diamond said as the two exited the bar. Aura and Shady Daze trotted over to meet them while Silver and Tiara followed close behind.

Berry Pinch was looking a little bit happier with the situation while Rumble just looked at the ground and kicked up dust. “Well, he apologized. Though, Spitfire still seems pretty pissed off about the whole situation. The bartender wasn’t too happy either though he accepted the apology and Rumbles allowed back in, just not for tonight.”

Aura gave Berry a hug, “Girl, let’s just go and have a good night, okay?”

Berry smiled and looked at the ponies gathered around. “I’m glad you’re all here.” She spun on her hooves and shouted, “To my place!”

Silver Spoon dropped onto the couch next to Diamond Tiara. “How have things been with Sweetie Belle?”

Diamond huffed letting one of her rear legs hang off the side of the couch. “Well, everything's going pretty good, though, Sweetie’s a bit worried about Scootaloo. She won’t tell me what’s happening but I imagine the two of them can fix it on their own. Applebloom, on the other hoof, has been spending all her time with Featherweight, so we haven’t seen a lot of her lately.”

"I can only imagine how Scootaloo feels... I'm glad to hear you're both doing well." Silver said as she rolled onto her belly and wrapped her tail around her hooves.

Diamond sighed, "I'm a little worried about Scoot…” she paused before smiling up at her. “So how about you? Did that talk with your dad go well?"

Silver nodded, "Yep, it went pretty well. He met Shady and Aura and likes them both. He also wants to be a bigger influence in my life, so starting not tomorrow but the day after he'll be testing my metal crafting capabilities. I can't wait to show him how well I can do." Silver saw Diamond look past her and smile.

A second later something touched her tail. She turned to see what it was. There stood Aura with a pack of cards in her mouth. She smiled and nudged her head towards the kitchen. Both Tiara and Silver stood and followed Aura who led them through the kitchen and down a flight of stairs.

In the basement, she could see a light hanging from the wooden ceiling. It illuminated a circular green table and several cushioned chairs. Off to each side of the table sat red coolers which Silver could only guess were filled with alcohol. Aura nodded and led them over to the table and they took their seats, Aura dropped the deck on the table and looked over at her. "Shady and Rumble had to make a run for another deck. Berry is trying to find all her mom's chipsets so it might be a bit."

"That's fine, so how have you two been doing? How long have you two been dating?" asked Diamond, trying to hide her excitement behind her nervous hoof tapping.

Silver blushed but Aura had no problem answering. "Only a week or so, but I'd say we're doing pretty damn good." She reached into the cooler and pulled a glass bottle of cider out. "Want one?" she asked.

"Sure!" They echoed in unison before looking at each other. "Well, that was weird," they echoed again. "Wow!" They echoed once more before bursting into identical fits of laughter.

Aura withdrew two more brews and sat them on the table. Just then the door at the top of the stairs opened and in came Berry Pinch levitating three large chip racks. Once she sat them on the table she withdrew a second deck of cards for one of the racks and sat it on top of the first one. "The boys should be arriving soon. They're going to be pissed when they see I've found another deck."

They all shared a laugh and Diamond leaned on the table, opening her cider. "So what's up with you and Rumble? Last I heard, you two weren't together."

Silver Spoon and Aura both just stared at her, "Well, we're not together, but..." She paused and looked away for a moment. "I do have feelings for him and seeing him chasing those two tails really did upset me." Pinch had started crying again, but she continued, "I don't know if I should talk to him about it or not."

"Pinch, you need to talk to him about your feelings. He deserves to know." Aura said in a stern voice as she glanced over to Silver Spoon. "You've told me all throughout our childhood that I should just talk to Silver Spoon just once to see how it would go. But I was too afraid of the idea of rejection that I refused to… that is until just the other day when you made it happen for me. I know it's hard but it's thanks to you that I made it this far. Can't I help you in return? Trust me." She paused and looked at Silver Spoon.

Silver Spoon smiled softly and kissed Aura’s cheek before focusing on Berry Pinch. "Rumble deserves to know. He is capable of making the right decisions." Silver hesitated and her smile faltered. “Just…”

Diamond caught on first and took over, “Rumble is a hound. He’ll do or say whatever is in his best interest. He deserves to know how you feel about him, but don’t let these feelings or his reaction ruin your friendship.”

Just then the door opened, “Rumble's in the hou- ahh!” A series of thuds echoed off the walls followed by a groan as Rumble picked himself up off the last few steps.

Shady trotted down the steps and laughed, “Always gotta make a grand entrance, don’t you?”

Rumble rubbed his head as he took a seat, “Shut up, lumber lover.”

“That’s a new one. By the way, your ass looks great when it’s stuck in the air. Such an offer... I’m actually kind of flattered.” He laughed and took his seat between Rumble and Diamond Tiara.

Before Rumble could think of a comeback the door opened again and in stepped a pudgy brown colt and a lean pale purple mare followed him in. Aura smiled up at them, “Glad you two lovebirds could make it!”

Button Mash blushed as Dinky took a seat to the right of Aura who laughed and whispered a welcome to her. Rumble laughed, "Button, you know you’re one lucky little colt, right?

Silver Spoon giggled, “I’d have to agree with Rumble, though, Dinky’s got good taste too.”

As a silence settled over the table, all eyes on Dinky and Button Mash, they both blushed red until Dinky smiled deviously before turning and pressing her lips hard against Button’s cheek. As soon as Dinky’s lips left his cheek, Berry Punch smacked the tabletop with her hoof, “Alright! It’s time we began this game! We’re playing a game I made up!”

“This can’t go well…” Diamond whispered to Shady.

“I hope you’ve got a strong stomach, Di.” Shady whispered back with a smirk on his face.

Sure enough. Button Mash’s hoof flew into the air as if he had the correct answer in class. The moment everyone's eyes landed on him once again, he sheepishly lowered his hoof. “Uh… I know how to play, but it’s kinda vague, could we go over the rules real quick?”

Berry’s face twisted in confusion,“Wait, what? I haven’t even told you what we’re playing yet!”

Button’s face turned even redder as everyone bursted into laughter, Dinky included. Finally, after a few minutes had passed and everyone calmed down, Rumble leaned on the table and smiled innocently. “So Pinch, what’s the name of this game?”

Pinch bit her lip for a moment lost in her thoughts. Finally, Rumble spoke again. “It doesn’t have a name yet, does it?”

Berry leaned on the table and growled, “Bite me, Rumble.”

Rumble leaned back and laughed, “I already know what you taste like.”

Pinch leaned back and laughed, “Fuck you, Rumble.”

“Anytime.”

Once everyone had calmed down, Berry Punch used her magic to separate the chips that were in their containers. “Seeing as there are eight of us here, I’m going to separate these chips into ten thousand chips each. Okay?”

Button raised his hoof again, “Can we get it in different kinds of chips to start off?”

“I support this!” said Shady Daze with a smile.

“You’d support sword fighting, if you catch my drift.” countered Rumble, who sported a clever smirk.

“Only if you were involved, Rumble. Only if you were involved.”

“You’re so gay, bro.”

Aura giggled and nudged Silver Spoon. “The bromance… It’s so.... Touching.”

Punch cut Rumbles rebuttal short, “Yes, you may choose how you want your 10K. Red chips are worth one thousand, blue’s worth five hundy, and white’s worth one hundred. Got it? Good, I’m taking ten white chips, Rumble?”

“Ten white chips,” Rumble grumbled.

“Don’t you mean red?” Berry asked curiously.

Rumble pouted with his hooves crossed, “Yeah, whatever.”

Button smiled brightly, “I want seven thousand in red, two thousand in blue, and one thousand in white.”

“Is he pouting?” asked Aura with a giggle. “Oh and I’ll take eight reds, six blues.”

Diamond Tiara raised her hoof after Berry dished Aura her chips. “I’ll take what she’s got,”

Shady Daze raised his hoof for a moment and nodded towards Diamond, “I’ll take the same.”

“That just leaves you, Silver Spoon. What’ll ye have!” Pinch asked with a beautiful pirate accent.

She shrugged, “Eh. Ten reds please.”

Once everyone had their chips, Berry levitated the remainder of them off the table. “Alright! It’s simple, the dealer - me - gives each of us two cards. After that we bet, I flip three cards, bet again, flip a card, bet again, flip one last card with one last final bet. Best hand wins. You can either bet, stand, or fold. I’m sure you all know what beats what… If not then fuck you.” She laughed and began dealing cards counter clockwise.

Aura, Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara, Shady Daze, Rumble, Button Mash, Dinky, and herself. She repeated the process twice. Silver looked at her cards, she had a nine and ten of spades. “What are the blinds?” She asked Berry Pinch.

“Oh right! Okay, the little blind is five hundred, and the big blind is one thousand. Anyone who folds has to take a drink. Anyone who doesn’t have a blind also drinks. The winner of the round can choose someone to chug. So feel free to make enemies!” Pinch smiled and glanced down at her own hand.

Silver and Aura both pushed a red chip forward. Dinky and Pinch used their magic to supply everyone with drinks from the coolers. Pinch cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. “Now to announce what the punishment is!” From behind her, a large unlabeled bottle was levitated into view. “Whenever someone wins, the pony they choose to drink has to drink from this jug.”

“What’s in that?” Rumble asked with a glint of greed in his eye.

“Not tellin’,” she replied, winking in Rumble's direction.

They went around the table matching the blinds before Pinch discarded a card off the top of the deck and flips three cards face up. Silver Spoon glanced at her hand again to double check what she had. nine-ten spades. She smiled as a six, seven, and jester mixed suits dropped.

Berry laughed and raised one thousand. Silver sighed and matched as did Rumble, Aura, and Diamond Tiara. Shady grudgingly folded and took his drink, so did Dinky and Button.

“Next card!” Rumble demanded with a sin-fueled smile.

“Calm down, Rumble, the game's just beginning.” Diamond said as she checked her own cards against those on the table. She bit her bottom lip in anticipation.

Berry trashed one card and flipped another. Ace of spades. Rumble deflated and tossed his cards towards the middle of the table. “Gay.”

“Hey! I resent that.” Shady said with a chuckle.

“Only because you resemble that remark.” Aura injected quickly.

Pinch tossed aside one more card before flipping the last card; an eight. Silver Spoon’s eyes went wide for a split second before she raised two thousand. Pinch took the bet and so did Aura and Diamond. The four of them flipped their cards. Pinch had three-of-a-kind pocket eights, Aura had a pair of aces, Diamond had nothing at all.

“So wait don’t I win?” Silver said with a smirk, “Straight beats three-of-a-kind, right?”

“Unfortunately… Enjoy your twenty-one thousand chips... So, who you gonna make drink?” She sighed as Silver pulled her pile of chips in. “Who are you gonna make drink from the bottle?”

Silver touched a hoof to her chin, “You can. Show us it’s safe.”

Berry grudgingly levitated the bottle over and uncorked it. An aroma filled the room with the fragrance of pumpkin spiced rum.

Shady sighed tossing the last of his chips into the middle. “I’m just going to donate my remaining 2K. My stomach’s a stirrin’.”

“Ain’t that what your old man used to say when he lost?” Asked Rumble as he flipped his cards, revealing his pocket kings.

“Something like that, I’m surprised you remembered.” Shady said with a chuckle before standing and leaving. “If anyone needs me, I’ll be passed out on the couch!”

“C’ya Shady!” Button hollered after him.

“Whelp, Rumble wins with four-of-a-kind kings. Pick who gets the poison!” Berry Punch laughed as she placed the bottle in front of him. He slid it across the table to Silver Spoon.

She sighed, “Damn you, Rumble…”

“Well, if I can’t fuck you than I can settle for screwing with you. Enjoy!” He chuckled.

“Is it too late for me to just fuck you?” She asked looking the bottle over cautiously. Aura jabbed her in the shoulder and glared. Silver couldn’t help but smile, “I was only kidding! I swear.”

Rumble laughed as Silver began to chug it. It was bitter and thick, but not too unpleasant in flavor. It tasted like Fall. Trying not to choke on it, she finally sat the drink down and gasped for air before erupting into a fit of coughs. The jug was still almost half-full as Pinch levitated it back off the table.

"So have the two of you done it yet?" Rumble asked her as she regained her composure.

"Done what? Had sex?" Aura laughed, "No, but I'm looking forward to it!" She said as she licked her lips and eyed Silver.

"Why don't you just fuck and get it over with?" he pressed.

"Because, we just started dating and this week's been beyond crazy," Silver answered, blushing a bit.

Berry Pinch flipped the last card. It was the seven of hearts. Aura laid her hand out, she had a pair of sevens and a pair of aces.

Button smiled as he revealed pocket sevens.

“NOOOOO!” Aura shouted dramatically, letting her chair tip backward, letting herself sprawl out on the floor.

“Good job, Button Mash!” Rumble hollered, over the laughter that ensued.

Button dragged the pile of chips from the center and began sorting the into his collection. “Diamond! Chug the jug!” he said with a chuckle as she grudgingly took the bottle in her hooves and began chugging. Once she placed the bottle back down, she gasped for a breath of air before pushing out her chair and quickly running upstairs.

Aura stood back up and followed Diamond upstairs. Silver laughed, “I guess she couldn’t handle it. Thing is, she drinks more than I do.”

Aura returned only a minute or two later, “Well Pinch, you’ve got a good size puddle in your front yard. I grabbed her a pillow and blanket from the closet and she’s laying down in the living room. Shady’s on the couch.”

“Thanks for the update, now sit back down so we can finish this off.” Berry began to deal out the cards again.

After the initial bets were in place she flipped three cards, two eights and a four. Silver glanced down at her cards, she had a two and a queen. She folded and took her drink. "Total bullshit."

“What’s wrong, Silver?” asked Button Mash as he took another swig from his drink.

Silver Spoon folded her hooves on the table and rested her head on them, "Cheater."

“I’m still trying to figure out how he managed to end up with that many chips… I didn’t even notice!” said Berry Pinch.

“You’ve all been drinking more than I have and I’ve been skipping my fold drinks because I didn’t want to get too drunk.” He laughed and pushed another three thousand into the middle.

Once everyone took their turn, Pinch trashed a card and flipped the next card. It was a queen. Silver sighed and leaned back in her chair. Aura laughed and showed Silver her hand. “I think I might be able to beat him.” She whispered.

Rumble sighed, folded, and drank. Emptying his bottle and reached for the jug sitting in the middle of the table. Pinch levitated it out of reach and pulled a fresh cold one from one of the ice chests nearby. He happily hugged the brew for a moment before popping it open and continuing his consumption.

Silver Spoon glanced back down at Aura’s cards. She had two eights. The same hand she had two or three hours ago when they began. “Eh, try it if you want… but I want to win at least one hand this game.”

“You won the first hand, Silver."” Berry Pinch groaned from the other side of Aura.

Silver Spoon leaned forward and looked passed Aura, “Pinch, I want to win another hand. Deal another Silver-Spoon-auto-win hand! Please!"

“We all want to win another hand!” Button said with a giggle of satisfaction.

Rumble looked over at him. “Dude, you’ve been spending way too much time with Shady lately, haven’t you? How drunk are you anyways!”

Button’s face turned to stone as he leaned against the table and stared at Rumble for a solid minute without an answer. Everything had come to a screeching halt as everyone at the table watched him. “Drunk. Very drunk.” His tone deep and serious. He didn’t even crack a smirk or a snortle.

“Wow Button… Isn’t that from issue 12, chapter 4 of Goldenhoof?” Dinky asked in a futile attempt at whispering.

Button began laughing and everyone else bursted into laughter. After a bit, Button looked at Dinky, gave her a small kiss on the cheek, “Yes, yes it is.”

Silver leaned forward and let her head smack off the edge of the table. She looked back up. “Button! How did you end up with all the chips I started off with! Seriously dude, you’re cheating or something!”

“Uh… well… Blame Rumble.” he answered sheepishly as he pulled yet another pile of chips towards him. “Hmm... Aura, you can drink.”

Aura groaned as the bottle was pushed towards her, nearly empty by now. Silver Spoon sighed and glanced down at the last three chips she had. one blue and two whites. Only seven hundred left…

Berry spoke up, “Hey Rumble, Can we go upstairs and talk, I’m out of chips, so the games over…. Besides-” Aura let loose a loud sigh of relief, pushing the bottle away from her, she let her head smack the tables edge. Silver began rubbing her back gently. “-uh… Okay then. Anyways, can we go upstairs and talk?”

“Isn’t Shady sleeping on the couch?” Rumble asked with a little slur to his speech.

“Yes, so we’ll go a floor higher, to my bedroom. And before you get the wrong idea… I just want to talk to you about something…” Berry sheepishly turned away for a moment before getting up and heading up the stairs. Rumble silently followed as if he knew something was up with her.

Aura rolled her head so she could see Silver Spoon, “Well, let’s go upstairs.” Aura smiled and glanced around the table. Dinky had migrated onto the lap of King Button Mash, who was leaning back and enjoying his victory dance.

Leaving Dinky and Button to their… moment, Aura and Silver slipped out of their seats and snuck upstairs. “Should we check on Berry and Rumble first?” Silver asked curiously.

Aura smiled, kissed her on the lips. “No, they’re fine with whatever they’re doing. Let’s go to my place.”

“Why not just stay here tonight?”

“Because, I was supposed to be home hours ago… Wasn’t expecting to be out this long.” She stumbled and caught herself on the doorframe between the kitchen and the living room.

The basement door swung open, smacking the wall, Button Mash, and Dinky stumbled up the stairs and headed for the staircase leading upstairs. Silver Spoon chuckled, “Totally gotta remember this for the next time we see them.”

“Yeah,” they watched them disappear upstairs before heading out the door. The pair stumbled their way through town, giving the adventure their full attention, stopping every once in awhile to help the other one stand back up.

Eventually, the two of them made it to Aura’s front door. “Here we are,” Silver panted as she came to a stop. “I guess I’ll head home now.” She kissed Aura on the lips but when she went to pull away, Aura pulled her closer and held the kiss. As Aura slid her tongue through their lips, Silver Spoon couldn’t help but comply with her mare’s wishes.

Finally, they parted and Aura nodded towards the door, “Why don’t you spend the night with me?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” She chuckled and followed her friend into the house. Once the door was closed Aura pressed her open mouth against Silvers. Silver braced herself against a wall, sharing the passion and lust that Aura was giving to her.

As they reached the door to Aura's bedroom Aura pressed Silver Spoon against the wall and pressed her forehead against Silvers and smiled. "I love you, Silver Spoon."

Silver smiled back, looking at her lips before looking up at her beautiful eyes. "I love you too, Au-"

Aura cut her off by kissing her moving lips and letting her tongue roam free. Silver Spoon opened the door and they stumbled inside. Quickly finding their way to her bed and proceeded to fall back onto it, Aura on bottom.

Silver pulled away, breaking the kiss to peer down at their bodies. She could feel the heat of Aura's nether regions radiating against the inside of her thighs. Her body wanted more.

Silver Spoon smiled up at Aura, kissed her forehead, and rolled off the top of her. She looked over at her a small calming smile, "I'm so glad I have you."

Aura smiled back at her, "Me too." She yawned and moved so she could get under the blankets. Silver joined her and slid one hoof under Aura's neck and the other around her hips before pulling their bodies together.

"I'm so tired now..." Aura began before she sat up. "Oh yeah! There was something I wanted to show you." Aura said with a small giggle. She reached forward and pulled open the top drawer of her nightstand, she reached into it and grabbed something before she rolled over to face Silver Spoon.

Silver smiled and propped herself up on an elbow. "Oh, woe!" Around her hoof hung the little metal heart Silver Spoon had made for her. Aura had fitted it onto a beautifully crafted white satin necklace and in the center of the heart, where the hole had been, was an enormous amethyst stone that matched Aura's pale purple coat.

Aura smiled. "I got the stone from Rarity, she helped me find it and set it. She also designed it. I wanted to show you it, and now is as good a time as ever."

"It's beautiful and I'm happy you managed to finish it in an even better way than I ever could've." Silver smiled and pulled Aura close to her. Pressing her muzzle into Aura's mane she took a deep breath, loving the fragrance of the berry infused lavender shampoo and conditioner Aura used.

Silver Spoon yawned.

Aura yawned in reply.

The two giggled and shared a kiss. Aura rolled over and put the necklace on the nightstand before settling herself back into Silver's hooves.

"Good night, Silvy." Aura whispered quietly.

"Good night, my Aura." Silver whispered in return, earning a tired giggle just before Aura's breathing slowed with sleep.

Silver took one last deep breath and closed her eyes and smiled.

"Love you."