Title: Thunder Strike's Card Game
Premise: MLP: FIM. OC-centric. Ink Blot is feeling down because his book was not published. He goes to a bar where he runs into Thunder Strike, Shining Armor, and some other guys playing cards, and decides to join them.
Personal Comments: I guess you could say this is a deleted scene from my other story; The Adventures of Thunder Strike and Ink Blot. Or maybe I'll use something like this eventually. Haven't decided. It's based on a small scene from The Lorax (2012).
I really would like there to be a scene in MLP where some ponies are sitting around playing a card game and chatting. I wonder what that would look like...
Only 27 more days (from the day I posted this) before they announce more info on season 3!
Head down and moping, Ink Blot walked into the familiar old building of Martini's. He really needed a drink about now. The bar was pretty much deserted, only two or three tables taken, and even then there were only about one or two ponies there. There was, however, in the back, a crowded table full of stallions.
He stomped up to the bar, and lifted himself up onto a stool. Martini came right up; one of the perks of it being a slow night.
"Hey there, Ink Blot," The handsome, pale unicorn said warmly.
"Hey Martini," Blot answered, his voice heavy with sulking.
"What's the matter?" Martini asked. "Do you wanna talk about it?"
Blot did not really feel like talking about it at the moment. He really just wanted to try and unwind.
"Maybe after a few shots," He answered.
"Well, it's a slow night," Martini replied. "I'm all ears whenever you're ready. So then, what will it be?"
"You know what I like."
"Applejack Daniels on the rocks?"
"Sure." Blot began to smile a little as Martini went about getting his glass and drink together. Martini was an old friend of his. The two knew each other well. Blot was a great customer for this bar, and Martini knew what he liked. It was also nice knowing that if he was not busy, Martini would be willing to help you out with your problems. He felt it was a bartender's job to provide a sympathetic ear.
Using his unicorn magic, Martini placed a glass filled with ice and a bottle on the counter before Blot.
"Leave the bottle," Blot said as he reached for the items.
Just then, another pegasus came up to the counter.
"I'm not going anywhere," Martini smiled at Blot. "I'm right here whenever you wanna talk." And with that, he made his way toward the new customer.
Blot just poured himself his golden liquid, and then took a big swig. The liquid burned and kicked at his throat as it slid down, but it soon made a satisfying plot into his stomach, and within minutes, he felt a soothing hum in his brain.
Suddenly, he heard a voice calling his name.
"Hey-ey! Blottie!" A familiar, cheerful voice called. Blot turned around to the source of the voice.
At the crowded table was his life-long friend on the Royal Guard, Thunder Strike, waving over to him. At the table were a few faces that Blot recognized. There were other guards, Shining Armor, Metal Jacket, and Bullet Nose. He also recognized Prince Blueblood. Beside him were a red earth pony and a blue pegasus.
"Blot! Buddy!" Thunder continued to call over, "How ya doing? Get over here!"
Blot still was not in the mood for talking, but he was unable to say 'no' when his friend wanted to hang out. Sluggishly, and holding his refilled glass in one hoof, he hopped out of his chair and made his way over to the table.
"Who is this?" Blueblood asked, his voice hinting a slight bit of annoyance.
"Oh, it's cool," Thunder explained. "He's a friend of mine."
"He writes for the Canterlot Gazette," Bullet Nose added. "He reports on royal and military activities. He's accompanied our squad on a few missions."
"Exactly!" Thunder nodded before turning back to Blot. "So, how'd your interview go? You getting your book published?"
"Huh? Well-uh, ya see- no," Blot stuttered. "The guy interviewing me said it wasn't that interesting. He said he's seen this story before, and done better." The last statement ended on a downhill-tone, and his head sinking.
He looked around the table and saw that they were playing some sort of card game, sets of cards lined up on holders. There were also drinks on the table that each was sipping.
"Ya wrote a book?" Asked the red pony. "That's neat."
"Well, come on, you gave it your best shot, right?" Thunder continued. "That's all any pony can ask you to do. Besides, I mean it's not like any pony's life was at steak here."
"Well, yeah," Blot replied, not feeling better. "It's just that I really worked hard on this book." His voice started to sound a little whiney. "I really put a lot of time and effort into it. I was really hoping it would kinda- ya know, up my career a little."
"Well, I'm sure you thought to send a manuscript to more than one publisher, right?" Blueblood asked.
"Yeah," Blot answered. "I sent it to four publishers."
"Well, there ya go!" Shining Armor exclaimed. "Just because one publisher didn't like it, it doesn't mean there won't be one that will!"
"Exactly!" Metal Jacket added. "Just keep playing until all your cards are in played, and you got nothing else to play, and if you still don't win, then you can sulk about it!"
"Yeah!" The blue pegasus added.
"But what if the other publishers don't like it either?" Blot asked, still kind of sullen.
"You know, my little sister once learned a lesson about this," Armor answered. "She learned to just worry about the present, and face new problems when they come, don't waste your time worrying about them now."
As Armor went on about this, Bullet Nose tried to peak at Metal Jacket's cards, only to be flicked in the nose by him.
"Eeyup!" The red pony added. "Just gotta keep working hard n' moving forward!"
All these smiles and comforting words really made Blot feel better. A smile spread across his face.
"Yeah," Thunder continued. "Come on, grab a seat! We'll deal you in!" He was already lifting up the deck with his unicorn magic, as well as a card holder and Blot's glass.
Blot decided to have some fun and enjoy the warmth of all these colts. He hurried back to the counter to get a stool and his bottle of Applejack Daniels. He finally returned to the table and pulled himself up.
"Any chance I could read your book at some point?" The red pony asked.
Before blot could answer, Blueblood spoke up.
"You like books Big Mac?"
"Eeyup. I'll pick up a good novel every once in a while."
"I-I think I have an extra manuscript at my room," Blot answered. "If I got one, I'll see about mailing it to you."
"Thanks," Big Mac smiled.
"So, uh, what are we playing?" Blot asked as he looked over his cards.
"Stud Horse Poker!" The blue pegasus replied. "And I'm on fire tonight!"
"Oh, cud!" Blot cursed, but in a laughing tone, "I'm pretty bad at any kind of poker!"
"Well, just beware of me," Blueblood said as he flashed a devilish smile at him. "I've been studying all your poker faces last few games, and I think I've got a shot this time!"
"Aw, come on, BB!" Shiny laughed, "You've got the absolute worst poker face ever!"
Blueblood pouted and grunted in reply, while everyone else started laughing hysterically. Blot simply smiled at the scene, thinking about how close all these guys were. They laughed on for another full minute before they started to take some breaths and calm down.
"Woah!" Metal Jacket said, gasping for air. "I guess we've all had a bit too much whisky, huh?"
After a minute, everyone finally started to calm down, when they realized something.
"Oh, Blot, you haven't been introduced to Big Mac or Soarin' here, have you?" Thunder asked.
As the others started introducing themselves, Bullet Nose raised up his glass for a sip, but it hit his mask, where the receptors entered his mouth, and his whiskey was spilt all over the table, trickling down his neck as well.
Another spilt drink. Bullet Nose sighed. "Why did I even order this?"