Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of Your Hoof

>Some days, it felt like life really had it out for Bon-Bon.
>This was one of those days.
>Bon-Bon stood behind her candy stand in town center.
>Her counter top was full of delicious treats.
>But her register was empty of bits.
>Pinkie Pie had decided that today was the perfect day to throw an ‘it’s a perfect day for a perfect day party’
>Which is great! I mean, every pony loves Pinkies parties, Bon-Bon included.
>But unfortunately, while she had a party going almost every pony was there.
>Not at her stand buying candy.
>The cream colored mare sighed and looked about the barren streets.
>”Buck it” she thought to herself.
>She wasn’t about to stand here all day if it was doubtful she’d make a single bit.
>Holding back a bit of professional jealousy she packed up her stand and took the rest of the day off.
>She flipped the sign on the front of her stand to read closed and walked down the street.
>Not to Pinkies party though.
>She wasn’t in the mood for a big bash.
>More feeling like…
>Oh, what was that expression her odd friend used?
>A place where everybody knows your name.
>Be Anon
>It had been six months and twenty-two days since that prank at your friend’s house party went terribly wrong.
>Your asshole friend back home thought that it would be a real knee slapper if, while you were trying to hit on Kathy from marketing, he swapped your vodka and sprite for bleach.
>Ha ha ha, real funny.
>But it wasn’t all that bad.
>For starters, you didn’t die…you guess.
>Also, everyone here was pretty nice.
>Except that white one with the purple mane. You never did learn her name.
>Being a stranger though didn’t stop her from dissin’ your style though.
>Those jeans were authentic American Eagle!
>Bitch.
>But that didn’t matter; you were in your happy place right now.
>The best bar in Ponyville!
>Or maybe it was the only bar in Ponyville as far as you could tell.
>Once in a while Applejack would brew up some apple pie moonshine though.
>Keep that on the down low.
>You sat on your stool, drinking from your stein of fizzy apple hard cider with one hand.
>The other idly scratched behind the ear of one of your bar buddies, Berry Punch, as she leaned her head against you.
>She was an…affectionate drunk.
>Streams of natural light pierced the dimly lit bar as the door burst open.
>You smile and raise your hand from Berries ear, using it to greet your other drinking buddy.
“Hey hey, Bonneroo.”
>Berry Punch lifted her head from your shoulder.
>”Bonniesh here! I love you shooo much.” She slurred to the new comer, waving excitedly.
>Even the allegedly mute bar keep gave her a small nod in welcome.
>Bon-Bon smiled at seeing her favorite people to be with when she having a bad day, or feeling down.
>Anon for his relaxed attitude and way with words.
>Berry Punch because, although she would never admit it, no matter how rough her day seemed it was never as bad by comparison to Berries.
>But Bonnie knew the purple pony would sort her life out one of these days.
>She made her way over to the small group and took a seat in the stool beside you.
>She ordered red wine, receiving a grunt and nod from the bar keep and an “at’s mah girl” from Berry.
>The silent stallion retrieved a bottle of merlot, pouring its contents into a wine glass in front of Bon-Bon.
>She nodded saying “Thank you” and took a lengthy sip.
“Bit early for you to be joining us, isn’t it, Bonnie?”
>She sighs, looking into her drink before finishing the glass and signaling for another.
>”I guess it’s a little early, but with Pinkie throwing one of her parties”
>She said that last part with an irate tone.
>”no pony is in the market for candy.”
>Berry Punch swirled her glass of wine, spilling a decent amount of it on the bar top.
>”You know what I shay, candy is dandy but liquor is quicker.” The less than sober mare replied.
>You and Bon-Bon chuckle for a moment.
“But you know, it almost sounds like you’re mad at Pinkie about this.”
>The cream mare sighed into her glass again before consuming some of the contents.
>”No, of course not. Pinkie Pie is a wonderful pony.”
>She paused with her elbow on the bar top, her cheek resting in her hoof.
“But…”
>”But when she throws her amazing and elaborate parties once, twice, Tartarus, sometimes three times a week it gets hard for me to get by sometimes.”
>With that she knocks back the remainder of wine in her glass, once again signaling for another.
>You follow suit with your stein of hard cider.
>Berry Punch on the other hand, seemed to acquire booze as if by magic.
>Her glass was never empty, but you can’t remember seeing the bar keep serving her.
>Bon-Bon spent another half an hour, and several glasses of wine venting her frustrations to you.
>From her new chocolate covered gummy pop rocks that were not selling as well as she had hoped.
>Her mane having split ends that no known product could fix.
>How ponies kept forgetting her voice.
>And her mare friend that she swore had an almost xenophile fascination with you.
>She knew you weren’t into ponies like that, but Lyra could at least tone it down.
>You agreed with that statement, and you were thankful the mint pone didn’t know you hung out here.
>Bon-Bon groans and face plants the bar top in frustration.
>”Sorry to bother you with my problems, Anon.”
>You were honestly used to it. A lot of ponies would come to you for inspirational, or motivational words.
>You died laughing on the inside every time.
>They thought you were some amazing, wise poet. Always quick with just what to say to pick someone up.
 >What they didn’t know was all you had was vast memories of media they’ve never had the privy of being exposed to.
>You were less a prophet, more of a plagiarist.
>But what they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them.
>You pat Bon-Bon on the back and smile at her saying
“Your heart is a muscle the size of your hoof. Keep on loving, keep on fighting, and hold on. Hold on for your life.”
>She looked up to you for a few moments while she thought about your words.
>Then she smiled, giving you one large nod.
>The three of you continued to share some drinks for another couple hours.
>You exchanged stories and jokes. Sang some songs, and made up some drinking songs.
>The time eventually came when Berry Punch passed out with her head on your lap, and you decided to bring her home.
>After paying your tab the three of you leave the dim bar for the dusk of outside.
>You say good-bye to Bon-Bon as you carry the barely conscious Berry home and go your separate ways.
>Be Bon-Bon
>You walk the streets with a slight swagger. It seems you may have gotten more than a bit tipsy drinking with your friends.
>It doesn’t take you that long to get to your home thankfully.
>You open the door, announcing your presence.
“Lyra, sweetie. I’m hoommee~”
>Your unicorn life partner looks up from the couch with a smirk as she sees you stagger over.
>”Have a fun night out, did we?”
>You giggle at her, approaching the couch. Lyra was sitting in her unique ‘human style’, but that suited you perfectly.
>You hop onto the couch and lay your head on her lap, nuzzling into her thighs.
“It was dead today at the stand, so I went and had a few drinks with Anon and Berry.”
>Lyras ears perk a bit at the mention of Anon, but she contains herself. Her horn lights up as a blanket floats across the room and settles over you.
>”Well that sounds like fun. “
>The two of you make some small talk and kissy faces for a while until you’re interrupted by a knock at the door.
>Lyra looks own to you with pleading eyes.
>”Bonnie, sweetie. Be a dear wont you~?”
>You grin to her and lift yourself up to get the door.
>On the other side is a well-dressed stallion.
>”Excuse me madam, I’m looking for a Ms. Bon-Bon.
“I’m Bon-Bon.”
>The stallion claps his front hooves together.
>”Excellent! You see, my employer is in need of some sweets for his daughter’s cutesienera, and it seems sugar cube corner is completely out somehow.”
>No way in Equestria…
>”But the bubbly young mare there recommended you, saying your sweets were just as good if not better.”
>You could feel yourself sober up as a smile crept across your face as he handed you a list.
>”If you could have these prepared in two days time we would be willing to pay top dollar.”
>You contain the erupting joy building inside of you and humbly accept his offer.
>They wanted thousands of bits worth of sweets! It wouldn’t be easy, and you’d need Lyras help. But this was an opportunity you would kill for!
>You exchanged good-byes with the gentlecolt and ran to Lyra as soon as the door closed, excitedly nuzzling your muzzle against hers before giving her a lengthy kiss.
>”What’s gotten into you?” She asked, confused but not complaining.
>You take a deep breath.
“Your heart is a muscle the size of your hoof. Keep on living, keep on fighting, and hold on, hold on. Hold on for your life.”
>Somedays, life really shined down on Bon-Bon.
>This was one of those days.