Vinyl led the two ponies to a red bricked building, the bar was wooded with a black finish. The bar tender was a tan earth pony with an orange mane and mustache, he waved over Vinyl and the others.

“Vinyl Scratch, am I glad to to see you. We need some music to get these drinks flowing and the ponies to start drinking.” the three ponies looked around to see that only a few ponies were inside and that it was close to dead silent. Vinyl pondered the though for a moment, her eyes lit up and a smile grew across her face, she than gave a fake cough.

“Sorry Whiskey, but I’m not feeling to well but my friend here can play.” she said as she pointed to Beat who had a surprised look on his face.

“What!”

“Well, I’ll take Vinyls word for it. If you want to that is.” Beat looked back at Vinyl who still held the same goofy grin, then he glanced at Octavia who nodded in agreement.

“Fine. But can I use my own instruments?”

“Sure, if you can get them here.” Whiskey said as he shrugged his shoulders. Beat ordered a shot of Applejack Daniels, after he drank the auburn liquid he trotted over to the stage. His horn began to glow and a piano materialized, it was jet black. Soon an acoustic guitar appeared, Beat swung the guitar over his shoulder and started to tune it. Whiskey looked back at Vinyl with a confused look. “Why does he have two instruments? Can he multitask?”

“Something like that, just watch, you two are in for a treat.” Octavia said as Whiskey handed her a glass of red wine. Beat’s horn began to glow again after a cloud of smoke had evaporated an exact copy of Steady Beat materialized. The copy moved over to the piano and started to test the pedals and keys. After the sound test the two were set and ready, the eat holding the guitar trotted over to the microphone.

“Okay every-pony, I’m Steady Beat and we’ll be your entertainment for this evening does any-pony have any request’s?”

“How about some country?” Beat looked over to the corner of the bar to see an orange mare sporting a stetson hat.

“Alright then, here you go Miss....”

“Applejack.”

“Okay Applejack, heres an old favorite written by Pony Cash.” Beat started to strum the guitar in a nice even beat and began to sing.

It sounded a little like this.

After he had completed the song the bar was close to capacity with ponies. As he took a step back the crowd cheered, he looked over at Vinyl who had a massive smile on her face and was clapping her hooves over her head. He trotted over to the bar, even Whiskey was impressed.

“Boy, that was some of the best music we’ve had here in months. No offense Vinyl.”

“None taken. I totally agree, that was awesome!”

“It was nothing, I’m still rusty. Haven’t had time to practice with job hunting and all.” Whiskey’s ears perked up.

“You don’t have a job?”

“Nope.” Beat said in a grumble.

“Would you like one?” Beat looked up at the stallion in surprise. “You cold come by say...five night’s a week play some music and I’ll give you a cut of the profits.”

“How much of a cut?”

“We’ll start out at 10% and see how it goes from there.”

“Deal.” Beat said as he shook the stallions hoof. “Mind if I mix it up a little?”

“I don’t mind as long as it brings in a crowd.” he said with a grin. Soon a maroon colored mare with a pink mane trotted over to him

“Excuse me, I don’t think we’ve met I’m Cherilee, I run the school around the corner.” he shook her hoof.

“Nice to meet you Cherilee, I’m Steady Beat. What can I do for you?”

“I was wondering if you could do a music demonstration for the kids sometime?”

“Sure, mind if I bring some ponies to help me out?”

“The more the merrier.”

“Awesome. Vinyl, Octy want to help me out with this?” he said as he glanced over at the mares.

“Sure!” Vinyl said with a smile.

“Um...I’m not really good with children.” Octavia said with an unsure look.

“Don’t worry, I can handle the kids.” Beat said with a smile.

“Well alright.”

“Splendid, I’d better start planning the lessons. I need you all tomorrow by 9:00 am.” the maroon mare wrote her number downa on a napkin and handed it to Beat, she soon trotted away from the three musicians.

“Thanks guys, I’m gonna need a hoof with the students.”

“No problem I love kids.” Vinyl said with a smile.

“Well I think it’s time I call it a night. Goodbye you two.” Octavia said as she trotted away from the unicorns. “Beat don’t let Vinyl stay out to late.”

“Will do.” he said as he waved at the mare. Vinyl then ordered quite a few shot’s of liquor Beta looked over at Vinyl with a concerned look in his eye. “Vinyl I think you’re over doing it.”

“Are you saying I can’t hold my drink?”

“I’m just saying it seems a bit.....excessive.”

“Is that a challenge?” she said as she pushed her glasses over her eyes.

“No I’m just saying....”

“Challenge Accepted! Whiskey, Get the good stuff!” the earth pony reached under the bar and withdrew a bottle of fifty year old scotch.

“Vinyl, I really don’t think that-”

“Backing out huh? Can’t say I blame you you pianists are usually light weights.” she said with a cocky grin. Beat looked at her with a blank look.

“I was going to say that’s it’s not a good idea for you to challenge some-pony and expect an easy win. “ he said as he slammed back the first shot.

“Cocky huh? How about a wager then?”

“What is it?”

“If I win you give me something, you win I give you something.” she said as she matched his drink.

“What do you want?” he said as he swallowed the second shot.

“I’ll tell you after you lose.”

“Then I guess I won’t know then.” the two continued to match each other shot for shot. Vinyl’s vision began to blur and she started to feel woozy, she lifted the last shot to her lips as the liquid touched her lips she collapsed. Beat rushed over to the white mare on the floor. “Vinyl, you okay?” Vinyl’s eyes snapped open to see the blue stallion looking down at her, her face instantly turned crimson. Beat helped her to her hooves and the two heavily intoxicated unicorns made their way out of the bar and back onto the snow covered street. Vinyl was on Beat’s back as the two made their way home. “So Vinyl....what would you.....have me do if .....you won?” he said in a slurred tone.

“I *hic* can’t tell you.”

“Well *hic* since I won. I *hic* demand you to *hic* tell me.” Vinyl then slid off his back and onto the snow covered ground. Beat looked at her lying in the snow. The only thing that he could see was he beautiful red eyes glaring up at him half lidded.

“C-come closer and I’ll tell ya.” Beat lowered his head closer to the mare. “Closer.” Beat did. “Closer.” she said in an annoyed tone. Beat lowered his head so that their snout’s were touching which was causing him to blush profusely.

“What were you going to have me-” he was cut off by the white mare grabbing his head and bringing him into a passionate kiss. Beat could feel her tongue exploring his mouth, sliding across his molars and starting a wrestling match with his own tongue, he was in utter bliss Beat forced her tongue back into her mouth, she tasted like fifty year old scotch and mint. As the two broke the kiss a they stared back at one another, they were both breathing heavily. He could feel her warm breath against his lips, he saw that her lower lip was quivering, her eyes started to tear up.

“I’m sorry.” she said as she sat up and began to sob. “I-I don’t know why I did that. Wh-whenever I’m around you everything get’s complicated.” Beat put a hoof on the mares shoulder. “I’m sorry I know you’re going through a rough time right now and I understand how you wouldn’t be interested in-” she was cut off by Beat pressing his lips against hers. Vinyl looked back in surprise as he removed his lips.

“Vinyl , I’m over my ex. She hurt me in a way I could never forgive her for. You saved me from myself, rescued me from my loneliness and given me a feeling I haven’t felt in years.” Vinyl looked up at he stallion as she wiped her tears away. “Even when I was with Lilly I was un happy. You make me feel alive, want to try new and exciting things.” he said as he brought her into a hug.

“R-really? Y-you mean it?”

“Yes.” he gave her a quick peck on the cheek. The two sat there sitting in the snow watching the flakes come down and mix with the already fallen snow.

“What were you going to ask me?”

“Pardon?”

“For the challenge what were you going to ask me?” Vinyl said as she looked up at him.

“I was gong to ask you if you wanted to have dinner with me tomorrow.”

“Does that offer still stand?” she asked as she smiled at him.

“Yes, why?” he asked in an oblivious tone.

“Then I’d love to have dinner with you.” she started to nuzzle his chest. The two unicorns made their way back to their house, once they went inside Vinyl stopped him at the foot of the stairs. “Slow down there sailor, you still have to buy me dinner first.” she said with a sly grin. Beat gave her a goodnight kiss and made his way over to the couch.