Shaker was faintly surprised when the door opened and a bookish purple unicorn peeked in. He lowered the glass he was polishing, watching as she surveyed the room. The bar’s empty seats shimmered in afternoon sunbeams, the rich wood of the counter gleamed clean and inviting.

Apparently satisfied with the vacancy, she marched over to the bar and plopped down a pile of books.

"Isn't it a little early, Twilight?" Shaker glanced at the clock. "It's three in the afternoon. I've just opened."

"I need someplace quiet." Twilight shot the bartender an annoyed glance. "To study. Alone."

"And you picked… the castle bar."

She merely grunted, flipping open a book and ignoring the question. Shaker returned to polishing the glassware, hunting for tiny smears on his immaculate crystal. He watched the pages flip angrily until curiosity got the better of him.

"Something bothering you?"

"None of your business!" Twilight snapped.

Shaker raised an eyebrow at that, but received only silence.

"Have you ever wondered why there's a bar in the castle?" He lowered his rag and leaned in until she gave a resigned groan. The book closed with a snap, and Twilight looked up.

"No, Shaker, I haven't. Why don't you explain?" Saccharine annoyance laced her words.

"Because Princess Celestia doesn’t want a therapist." He smiled at her sudden confusion. "If you want to talk, feel free. Bartenders have heard it all."

She considered for a long moment before sighing in surrender. She rested her chin on a hoof, grimacing. "They all laughed at me."

"Mmm?"

"I was at court today, with Princess Celestia. I know there's more to this Nightmare legend. I should be researching it! I've been busy, but she invited me. It was business as usual, until... she was lecturing Highfalutin about emergency preparations and asked me to illustrate with an illusion. Just chart grain stores and clean water." She sighed, visibly wilting. "But I was tired, distracted, and... well, I flubbed it. Bang, flash, green splotches everywhere! I was so embarrassed! The nobles all laughed! Quietly, of course."

"Mmm." Shaker nodded sympathetically.

Twilight sighed again, moving to reopen her book.

"Would you like a drink?"

"Huh?" She paused. "No, I don't—"

"On the house, for you. I'm only supposed to have customers in here." Shaker shrugged. "Rules."

"I… well… rules…" Twilight chewed her lip. "Just one, then."

Shaker nodded, and began assembling ingredients.

"You know, Twilight, I get all sorts in this bar."

She frowned, closing her book again.

"Guards, of course, nobles looking to scheme, the odd tourist." He worked quickly, scooping ice into a glass and slicing and squeezing an orange. "I've been at this a long time. Once, right after I started, a certain noblemare - famous, rich, cultured, oh-so-dignified - got a nickname. It was slightly crass, a little silly, and wonderfully degrading. It spread like wildfire; it was on everypony's lips overnight. Quietly, of course."

Twilight's expression shifted from annoyed to curious as he worked, pouring a measure of liquor into the orange juice. He stirred, and began dribbling pomegranate syrup down the bar spoon.

"I was shocked when she burst in one night, laughing like a madmare. She'd heard all about it, and was amused no end. I asked her why she wasn't angry. She told me this: 'When I grew up I left behind childish things, like the fear of appearing immature and the desire to be very adult'. She invented this cocktail to commemorate the occasion." He garnished it with an orange wheel and cherry, and slid the highball glass carefully across the bar. The drink was pale orange on top, shading beautifully into a deep, sharp red. "Please enjoy."

Twilight took a cautious sip, curiosity shifting into appreciation as she savored it. "It's… sweet, but refreshing." She tried again. "Sour, but not biting."

"Like it?" Shaker smiled. "But it's not the flavor that's so important. It's the name."

Twilight cocked an eyebrow.

"This is my favorite drink," he pointed to the glass. "Tequila Sunbutt."

Twilight's eyes widened, her jaw slowly dropping. Shaker nodded and tipped her a wink.

"Some things are worth regretting." The bartender shrugged as he began clearing the counter. "Sometimes you need to look back and cry. But don't get hung up on the small stuff, Twilight. Some mistakes should be laughed off, huh?"

"Maybe." Twilight looked at the drink again, sipping tentatively. "Heh. Green splotches."

"Everywhere?"

"I got one on Blueblood."

"Heh."