Post by Bardigan on Feb 8, 2014 0:11:01 GMT -5
Busy night tonight at the cafe. Bardigan chews on a dried apple, savoring the sour taste in his mouth. Ponies mill about, creating an atmosphere of quiet murmurs and occasional loud barks as friends yell at each other. "Thanks for coming," he says to Applejack and Fluttershy as they come to sit down with him. "I know this is... sudden. And a little strange. But the date of the play is drawing closer and I couldn't think of anypony else to talk to it about."
Applejack slides into the booth opposite Bardigan and looks at thim solemnly for a moment before yelling out, "Hay! Can Ah get a hot cider over here! 'Preciate it!" That at least was meant for a waiter. Hopefully. She turns her attention back to Bardigan. "'Course, sugar. Ya sounded mighty worried. Somethin' on yer mind? Ah been practicin' plenty! Ahem: 'The hay from the bay makes a lovely bouquet'."
Bardigan grins and orders a round of cider for himself. "Wonderful, Applejack. But no, that's... that's not what I'm worried about. I just wanted to make sure *you* two were doing well!" The cider comes and he takes a rather large gulp of it. "Mmm. That's good. Where *is* Fluttershy? I invited her too."
Applejack shrugs. "Ain't rightly sure. She's usually pretty punctual, like." The service is good here, and a tankard of hot spiced cider arrives quickly and AJ sips. "Are we okay? Can't speak fer Flutters or nothin', but Ah reckon Ah'm just fine. Hearthswarmin' was nice as usual, winter's kinda th' holiday season fer mah fam'ly - long's we got enough stuff sorted away o'course. Which we DO!" She bangs the table vehemently, then blushes a bti and looks around. "Uh. Aheh, sorry."
Clip clip clip clop clop clip clop clip. From right behind AJ's seat, a pink coif appears, looming like a shark...but pan left and it's just Fluttershy. "Um. H-hello," she says, slipping into a seat beside Applejack.
Bardigan smiles again. He's *all* smiles tonight! He usually smiles, but he just won't *stop,* especially after swinging the conversation so quickly away from himself. "That's good! That's very good." He sees Fluttershy coming up from behind like some kind of pony-shaped shark. "Fluttershy!" he says loudly, thrusting a cider mug in her direction. "Good evening! Happy to see you. With the play coming up I just wanted to celebrate our soon to be fame and fortune!"
<OOC> Fluttershy looms over AJ. Jaws theme.
<OOC> Rainbow_Dash says, "Flutters X3"
<OOC> Applejack says, "Y'all CAN'T drink th' apples on mah butt, Flutters! They're only pictures!"
<OOC> Fluttershy will have to settle for...RAINBOW JUICE>
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Or...Bardigan..."
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "..."
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "...brandy."
<OOC> Applejack says, "Y'all don't want th' fluids that come outta Bardy. Trust me on this."
<OOC> Eclair offers some brandy filled chocolates?
<OOC> You say, "Bardigan *bourbon*"
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "He doesn't always drink cider, but when he does..."
Applejack looks up as Fluttershy slips into her seat. "Hi, Fluttershy! How's it goin'?" She takes a sip of cider, then frowns slightly at Bardigan. "Wanted ta celeb... that ain't a'tall what ya told ME. Bardigan, what's goin' on? Is somethin' wrong? Ya know we're here ta help..."
Fluttershy blinks her big, soft eyes. "Um...d-did I miss something?" She looks from AJ to Bardigan, to Bardigan, to AJ...and then occupies her mouth with her straw. It looks less awkward.
"Because this play is going to be the very *best* one. For all of us," Bardigan says under his breath while Applejack is talking, glancing down at his cider. He gives it a swish and watches it swirl, and moving only his eyes he glances up at Fluttershy and Applejack in turn. His smile is a little smaller and a little more cagey. "Both of you have actually *seen* my plays, haven't you? Before this one, I mean. How is this one measuring up?"
Applejack takes a long draught, thinking. "Well sir... Ah reckon this here's a story been a long time comin'. Most folk don't really know what happened a thousand years back. Heck, *we* don't really, Ah reckon this here's basic'ly what Twi can remember from that cockamamie past-seein-milkshake-thing an' a bit o' yer 'polishin' up'. Ah dunno, Ah kinda fell away from these things, ya know. Ah ain't a critic, but Ah do like it. An' Ah'm real lookin' forward ta playin' it!" Sip. "Uh. Ah don't s'pose yer ready ta tell me how Ah'm gonna fly an' use magic an' suchlike?"
Past-seein' milkshake. ...Fluttershy at least cracks a little smile around her straw. "I think it's going fine, Bardigan. I, um...I just feel so honored to be given a role at all, let alone a feature character. But...yes. H-how are we going to do effects?"
"Oh, *that?*" Bardigan rolls his eyes as if the answer were obvious. "Don't even worry. Twilight and some of the very best unicorn artists will be joining the team. I have spared *no* expense securing the funds to get this done, and get it done right." He raises a glass to Fluttershy. "Honored! Yes, that's a good word for it. Honored to portray these ponies. Honored to even be given permission to work on this project." He smirks. "If you'll allow me to indulge my ego, many ponies would be honored to be working with *me.* Or you two! Strange how events like this overshadow ponies of even our stature."
Applejack nods to Fluttershy, then grins. "Ya got Twi doin' magic fer it? That'll be just jim dandy! Ain't nopony can cast like her! It *is* a heck of a part. ... workin' with us? Mah *stature*? What in tarnation y'all goin' on 'bout now? Ah'm a farmer, same's always. It's Twi done won herself th' crown."
Sip sip sip sip. "I don't think Twilight's really changed, though." Fluttershy ducks her head back down. "I-if you like, I could get some of my animals to help with the effects...although most of the birds have gone south..."
Bardigan shakes his head to both ponies. "It's not the *crown.* Or the effects. It's not even my play. It's the ponies *in* it. Their story is what's important." He drinks more cider, as if trying to steel himself for something. "It's what makes the storyteller such an unenviable position." He leans back and smiles at them both once again. "So don't either of you worry about the play. With what *I'm* planning, it's going to be the blockbuster of the year!"
Applejack smiles a bit at Fluttershy. "Well, no. SHE ain't changed much. Ceptin' fer th' wings an' bein' a mite taller. Which gives me th' heebie-jeebies a mite, but that's mah own lookout." Then she stares at Bardigan just long enough forit to become a bit uncomfortable. "'What yer plannin''? Ah wasn't worried 'til just right now... Y'all ain't gonna do somethin' TOO fancy are ya? No more historical diaries or some such? Ah still got th' scars from Nightmare Night, ya know." She sips, never taking her eyes off of Bardigan. "Please tell me y'ain't doin' nothin' like that again."
"Um." Fluttershy stares at AJ for a measure too long. "I-I don't think there are any ghost pirates waiting to jump out of our--I-I mean, the Princess' history, Applejack." And she blushes a bit. "And I"m sure, if there were, they would've said something, right?"
Bardigan looks straight at Applejack over the rim of his mug. Between that and the shade provided by his hat (which he is wearing), it gives him a curious, nigh sinister look. "Do you trust me not to, Applejack?" he asks. "Tell me. Honestly! You're good at that. Do you *honestly* trust me to handle this story well, even after all that's happened? What do you think of me? Fluttershy? Am I charming? Handsome? I get terrible stage jitters before a play and I need my ego stroked. Do you see what Twilight sees in me?"
Applejack chuckles. "Ah don't think th' Princesses really tell nopony much o' nothin', Flutters." Then she puts down her mug and blinks at Bardigan. That was unexpected. "Uh. Twilight's yer... special somepony, ain't she? Ah reckon Ah don't see y'all th' way SHE does, an' that that's a *good* thing. Handsome? Not bad. Charmin'? Not ta me, but Ah can see how another mare might say yes. Trustworthy? That's... harder. 'Cause Ah don't KNOW." Sip. Pause. "But AM Ah gonna trust ya? Yeah, Ah am. 'Cause Ah promised ta do this, an' there ain't no bond stronger'n an Apple promise."
Fluttershy blinks. After a long pause, she says, "Yes."
Bardigan leans back, tipping up the brim of his hat. He takes a long, slow drink from his cider, and though he's not unhappy he doesn't look satisfied. Was he expecting a different answer? "Huh," he says, and like a minotaur that suddenly has nothing to charge at, he slumps a little in his chair. "... Are you sure?"
Applejack says "Ah'm sure that was what Ah was thinkin'. Why wouldn't it be? What were ya'll expectin' exactly?"
"Well, I mean," continues Fluttershy, fidgeting, "I don't trust you in a BAD way..."
Bardigan's eyes dart around as if looking for unseen listeners. They eventually settle on a point between AJ and Fluttershy, gaze level and steady yet unfocused. "I don't trust myself."
Skyheart noses the door open and peers inside. Seems a crowd already gathered. Well his usual spot isn't taken so he starts to slip over to the counter and places some bits onto it. "Usual." He mutters before trudging his way over to the table off in the corner and shrugging off his bags. He splays out a bunch of papers like usual, causing the comfortably resting dove inside to fly out in objection. He glances over to Bardigan's party, listening to the last few phrases he can hear. "What's up with him now?" He wonders out loud to himself.
Applejack frowns, concerned. "Well... why in tarnation not? What's goin' on? Is it on accounta Nightmare Night? Ah ain't really worried 'bout THAT happenin' again, Ah mean, what're th' chances o' folks getting possessed TWICE at yer shows in a coupla months? Hah!" She chuckles merrily.
Fluttershy doesn't say anything right away, but her eyes dart around. She's read, and lived, enough fairy tales that that gives her a little chill. "I, um...what's wrong, Bardigan? Did something happen?"
Bardigan nods. "Yes. Something happened. Several things, actually..." He taps his hoof on the table, drawing little circles. "It wasn't just the pirates, either. Do either of you ever have thoughts that sort of... take over your mind? When you know you should have more things occupying it, but this one thing, this one... it won't go away. My first plays, the ones that *you* all saw, the ones... Luna saw... they did not go well. Not in the way I intended. And Nightmare Night almost got ponies *killed.* And now you both sit there and say I *am* all those things that ponies say? Handsome, charming, and you're going to trust me with a story *this* important? This one thing that nearly destroyed Equestria as we know it? That nearly destroyed our Princesses? After what I did before, after what I said to her-..." He looks away, sniffing. "I don't know what to say to that. ...I get so many ponies who praise what I do just for being me. In Canterlot I can't go two steps without somepony recognizing my face and praising this or that turn of phrase. Or criticizing me, if they have the clout. I lack real honesty and real kindness in many areas of my life, you know. I guess I just wanted to know what their Elements had to say."
Skyheart has yet to really zone into his work, so he can't help but listen in from the sidelines. He shuffles around with his papers for a few minutes, unsure of whether or not to say anything. He shakes his head, figuring that if his friend wanted his input, he'd have asked. However, perhaps planning for a cheer-up gift might help. He starts to scribble something down on a piece of paper, pretending to be working on something.
Applejack stares and stares. She's never seen Bardigan be other than brimming with confidence before (unless being pummelled by ghost pirates, but that doesn't happen too often). "Ah, uh..." AJ takes a deep breath and finishes her cider, then thumps the empty tankard down. "Ah reckon y'all got us confused with somethin' else. We ain't like... th', uh, walkin' spirits o' nothin. We were just th' ponies in th right place at th' right time, ya get me? We're th' same Applejack an' Fluttershy we were before we ever met Twi. Well, mostly. But Ah reckon y'all're bein' way too hard on yerself." She sighs and pushes her hat up. "Ah reckon somepony ain't got no honesty ain't gonna be able ta tell stories a'tall, let alone like y'all do. Ain't storytellin' all about findin' th' bit of honest truth hidin' in somethin' that wasn't never s'posed ta be true? An' kindness? Sugar, ain't y'all th' pony took in that lost little pegasus from Manehattan? Was THAT fer some kinda publicity stunt? Ah bet it was just 'cause ya didn't want her sufferin', wasn't it?"
Applejack taps her hooves on the tabletop and looks down. "Well. That there's what Ah think, anyhow. But Ah' just a farm pony."
"Besides," interjects Fluttershy, "You didn't *mean* for all those things to happen...a-and you really are talented. And I'm sure that if Twilight sees something in you, then...it must be there."
Bardigan shrugs, not looking too comforted, but no longer looking so out of sorts either. If anything, he just looks rather confused. "Yet many stories also exaggerate and hide the truth to give us a better *story.* Maybe I *want* to be criticized. Maybe I like being criticized. Just to make sure I am not falling into that trap, that illusion of happiness built on nothing but somepony's made up words. My... made up words." Mention of Twilight and Diamond makes him flinch. "You're probably right. It is dishonoring their trust that I think such things about myself, but... it is true in many ways. I tried so hard to be good for her, but..." He trails off, leaving which 'her' he means unexplained. "I want this play, the most important one, to go right. I want everypony to be happy with it. *Every.* Pony. Perhaps then I can finally forget what happened with-..." He trails off again, his eyes growing gradually unfocused. "I want this one to go right. /Whatever/ it takes."
Applejack gives Bardigan a lopsided grin. "Don't worry 'bout it so hard, sugar. Ah'm sure it'll be fine! Ya got a good story an' a good crew an' good perform...ers..." AJ trails off and looks at Fluttershy for a moment. IT seems to have just struck home that that the Very Important Play that Bardigan's worrying himself sick over rests in no small part on her shoulders. She swallows hard, then rallies. "No. It's gonna be fine. Ah'm sure of it!" She digs out a few bits and drops them on the table. "Ah'm mighty sorry ta drink an' run, but Ah gotta get home quick-like an' help Mac with th' firewood. Ah promise Ah'll do mah very best ta make yer audience see Princess Luna on th' stage. Heh. Even if'n it's a kinda short an' stocky one." She gives Bardigan a wink and Fluttershy a quick hug, then makes for the door. "See ya 'round, Flutters, Bardy! Uh, Ah mean, 'FAREWELL TO THEE, LOYAL SUBJECTS!'" She pauses a moment and looks around, returning the stares of the various other customers who heard that. "Royal, uh, Canterlot,uh... ya know what? Never mind. Seeya!"
"Goodnight, dearest sister!" says Fluttershy, and then she blushes a little. "I-I mean...Applejack." She quickly busies herself with her milkshake.
Bardigan watches Applejack go with a lazy, feeble smile. He side-glances at Fluttershy. "I'm glad I'll have a curtain to hide behind."
-----------
And when everypony has gone, and the last drink is being drunk, Bardigan finally leaves as well. "Whatever it takes," he mutters under his breath, and walks out with a little more purpose than he came in.
Applejack slides into the booth opposite Bardigan and looks at thim solemnly for a moment before yelling out, "Hay! Can Ah get a hot cider over here! 'Preciate it!" That at least was meant for a waiter. Hopefully. She turns her attention back to Bardigan. "'Course, sugar. Ya sounded mighty worried. Somethin' on yer mind? Ah been practicin' plenty! Ahem: 'The hay from the bay makes a lovely bouquet'."
Bardigan grins and orders a round of cider for himself. "Wonderful, Applejack. But no, that's... that's not what I'm worried about. I just wanted to make sure *you* two were doing well!" The cider comes and he takes a rather large gulp of it. "Mmm. That's good. Where *is* Fluttershy? I invited her too."
Applejack shrugs. "Ain't rightly sure. She's usually pretty punctual, like." The service is good here, and a tankard of hot spiced cider arrives quickly and AJ sips. "Are we okay? Can't speak fer Flutters or nothin', but Ah reckon Ah'm just fine. Hearthswarmin' was nice as usual, winter's kinda th' holiday season fer mah fam'ly - long's we got enough stuff sorted away o'course. Which we DO!" She bangs the table vehemently, then blushes a bti and looks around. "Uh. Aheh, sorry."
Clip clip clip clop clop clip clop clip. From right behind AJ's seat, a pink coif appears, looming like a shark...but pan left and it's just Fluttershy. "Um. H-hello," she says, slipping into a seat beside Applejack.
Bardigan smiles again. He's *all* smiles tonight! He usually smiles, but he just won't *stop,* especially after swinging the conversation so quickly away from himself. "That's good! That's very good." He sees Fluttershy coming up from behind like some kind of pony-shaped shark. "Fluttershy!" he says loudly, thrusting a cider mug in her direction. "Good evening! Happy to see you. With the play coming up I just wanted to celebrate our soon to be fame and fortune!"
<OOC> Fluttershy looms over AJ. Jaws theme.
<OOC> Rainbow_Dash says, "Flutters X3"
<OOC> Applejack says, "Y'all CAN'T drink th' apples on mah butt, Flutters! They're only pictures!"
<OOC> Fluttershy will have to settle for...RAINBOW JUICE>
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Or...Bardigan..."
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "..."
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "...brandy."
<OOC> Applejack says, "Y'all don't want th' fluids that come outta Bardy. Trust me on this."
<OOC> Eclair offers some brandy filled chocolates?
<OOC> You say, "Bardigan *bourbon*"
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "He doesn't always drink cider, but when he does..."
Applejack looks up as Fluttershy slips into her seat. "Hi, Fluttershy! How's it goin'?" She takes a sip of cider, then frowns slightly at Bardigan. "Wanted ta celeb... that ain't a'tall what ya told ME. Bardigan, what's goin' on? Is somethin' wrong? Ya know we're here ta help..."
Fluttershy blinks her big, soft eyes. "Um...d-did I miss something?" She looks from AJ to Bardigan, to Bardigan, to AJ...and then occupies her mouth with her straw. It looks less awkward.
"Because this play is going to be the very *best* one. For all of us," Bardigan says under his breath while Applejack is talking, glancing down at his cider. He gives it a swish and watches it swirl, and moving only his eyes he glances up at Fluttershy and Applejack in turn. His smile is a little smaller and a little more cagey. "Both of you have actually *seen* my plays, haven't you? Before this one, I mean. How is this one measuring up?"
Applejack takes a long draught, thinking. "Well sir... Ah reckon this here's a story been a long time comin'. Most folk don't really know what happened a thousand years back. Heck, *we* don't really, Ah reckon this here's basic'ly what Twi can remember from that cockamamie past-seein-milkshake-thing an' a bit o' yer 'polishin' up'. Ah dunno, Ah kinda fell away from these things, ya know. Ah ain't a critic, but Ah do like it. An' Ah'm real lookin' forward ta playin' it!" Sip. "Uh. Ah don't s'pose yer ready ta tell me how Ah'm gonna fly an' use magic an' suchlike?"
Past-seein' milkshake. ...Fluttershy at least cracks a little smile around her straw. "I think it's going fine, Bardigan. I, um...I just feel so honored to be given a role at all, let alone a feature character. But...yes. H-how are we going to do effects?"
"Oh, *that?*" Bardigan rolls his eyes as if the answer were obvious. "Don't even worry. Twilight and some of the very best unicorn artists will be joining the team. I have spared *no* expense securing the funds to get this done, and get it done right." He raises a glass to Fluttershy. "Honored! Yes, that's a good word for it. Honored to portray these ponies. Honored to even be given permission to work on this project." He smirks. "If you'll allow me to indulge my ego, many ponies would be honored to be working with *me.* Or you two! Strange how events like this overshadow ponies of even our stature."
Applejack nods to Fluttershy, then grins. "Ya got Twi doin' magic fer it? That'll be just jim dandy! Ain't nopony can cast like her! It *is* a heck of a part. ... workin' with us? Mah *stature*? What in tarnation y'all goin' on 'bout now? Ah'm a farmer, same's always. It's Twi done won herself th' crown."
Sip sip sip sip. "I don't think Twilight's really changed, though." Fluttershy ducks her head back down. "I-if you like, I could get some of my animals to help with the effects...although most of the birds have gone south..."
Bardigan shakes his head to both ponies. "It's not the *crown.* Or the effects. It's not even my play. It's the ponies *in* it. Their story is what's important." He drinks more cider, as if trying to steel himself for something. "It's what makes the storyteller such an unenviable position." He leans back and smiles at them both once again. "So don't either of you worry about the play. With what *I'm* planning, it's going to be the blockbuster of the year!"
Applejack smiles a bit at Fluttershy. "Well, no. SHE ain't changed much. Ceptin' fer th' wings an' bein' a mite taller. Which gives me th' heebie-jeebies a mite, but that's mah own lookout." Then she stares at Bardigan just long enough forit to become a bit uncomfortable. "'What yer plannin''? Ah wasn't worried 'til just right now... Y'all ain't gonna do somethin' TOO fancy are ya? No more historical diaries or some such? Ah still got th' scars from Nightmare Night, ya know." She sips, never taking her eyes off of Bardigan. "Please tell me y'ain't doin' nothin' like that again."
"Um." Fluttershy stares at AJ for a measure too long. "I-I don't think there are any ghost pirates waiting to jump out of our--I-I mean, the Princess' history, Applejack." And she blushes a bit. "And I"m sure, if there were, they would've said something, right?"
Bardigan looks straight at Applejack over the rim of his mug. Between that and the shade provided by his hat (which he is wearing), it gives him a curious, nigh sinister look. "Do you trust me not to, Applejack?" he asks. "Tell me. Honestly! You're good at that. Do you *honestly* trust me to handle this story well, even after all that's happened? What do you think of me? Fluttershy? Am I charming? Handsome? I get terrible stage jitters before a play and I need my ego stroked. Do you see what Twilight sees in me?"
Applejack chuckles. "Ah don't think th' Princesses really tell nopony much o' nothin', Flutters." Then she puts down her mug and blinks at Bardigan. That was unexpected. "Uh. Twilight's yer... special somepony, ain't she? Ah reckon Ah don't see y'all th' way SHE does, an' that that's a *good* thing. Handsome? Not bad. Charmin'? Not ta me, but Ah can see how another mare might say yes. Trustworthy? That's... harder. 'Cause Ah don't KNOW." Sip. Pause. "But AM Ah gonna trust ya? Yeah, Ah am. 'Cause Ah promised ta do this, an' there ain't no bond stronger'n an Apple promise."
Fluttershy blinks. After a long pause, she says, "Yes."
Bardigan leans back, tipping up the brim of his hat. He takes a long, slow drink from his cider, and though he's not unhappy he doesn't look satisfied. Was he expecting a different answer? "Huh," he says, and like a minotaur that suddenly has nothing to charge at, he slumps a little in his chair. "... Are you sure?"
Applejack says "Ah'm sure that was what Ah was thinkin'. Why wouldn't it be? What were ya'll expectin' exactly?"
"Well, I mean," continues Fluttershy, fidgeting, "I don't trust you in a BAD way..."
Bardigan's eyes dart around as if looking for unseen listeners. They eventually settle on a point between AJ and Fluttershy, gaze level and steady yet unfocused. "I don't trust myself."
Skyheart noses the door open and peers inside. Seems a crowd already gathered. Well his usual spot isn't taken so he starts to slip over to the counter and places some bits onto it. "Usual." He mutters before trudging his way over to the table off in the corner and shrugging off his bags. He splays out a bunch of papers like usual, causing the comfortably resting dove inside to fly out in objection. He glances over to Bardigan's party, listening to the last few phrases he can hear. "What's up with him now?" He wonders out loud to himself.
Applejack frowns, concerned. "Well... why in tarnation not? What's goin' on? Is it on accounta Nightmare Night? Ah ain't really worried 'bout THAT happenin' again, Ah mean, what're th' chances o' folks getting possessed TWICE at yer shows in a coupla months? Hah!" She chuckles merrily.
Fluttershy doesn't say anything right away, but her eyes dart around. She's read, and lived, enough fairy tales that that gives her a little chill. "I, um...what's wrong, Bardigan? Did something happen?"
Bardigan nods. "Yes. Something happened. Several things, actually..." He taps his hoof on the table, drawing little circles. "It wasn't just the pirates, either. Do either of you ever have thoughts that sort of... take over your mind? When you know you should have more things occupying it, but this one thing, this one... it won't go away. My first plays, the ones that *you* all saw, the ones... Luna saw... they did not go well. Not in the way I intended. And Nightmare Night almost got ponies *killed.* And now you both sit there and say I *am* all those things that ponies say? Handsome, charming, and you're going to trust me with a story *this* important? This one thing that nearly destroyed Equestria as we know it? That nearly destroyed our Princesses? After what I did before, after what I said to her-..." He looks away, sniffing. "I don't know what to say to that. ...I get so many ponies who praise what I do just for being me. In Canterlot I can't go two steps without somepony recognizing my face and praising this or that turn of phrase. Or criticizing me, if they have the clout. I lack real honesty and real kindness in many areas of my life, you know. I guess I just wanted to know what their Elements had to say."
Skyheart has yet to really zone into his work, so he can't help but listen in from the sidelines. He shuffles around with his papers for a few minutes, unsure of whether or not to say anything. He shakes his head, figuring that if his friend wanted his input, he'd have asked. However, perhaps planning for a cheer-up gift might help. He starts to scribble something down on a piece of paper, pretending to be working on something.
Applejack stares and stares. She's never seen Bardigan be other than brimming with confidence before (unless being pummelled by ghost pirates, but that doesn't happen too often). "Ah, uh..." AJ takes a deep breath and finishes her cider, then thumps the empty tankard down. "Ah reckon y'all got us confused with somethin' else. We ain't like... th', uh, walkin' spirits o' nothin. We were just th' ponies in th right place at th' right time, ya get me? We're th' same Applejack an' Fluttershy we were before we ever met Twi. Well, mostly. But Ah reckon y'all're bein' way too hard on yerself." She sighs and pushes her hat up. "Ah reckon somepony ain't got no honesty ain't gonna be able ta tell stories a'tall, let alone like y'all do. Ain't storytellin' all about findin' th' bit of honest truth hidin' in somethin' that wasn't never s'posed ta be true? An' kindness? Sugar, ain't y'all th' pony took in that lost little pegasus from Manehattan? Was THAT fer some kinda publicity stunt? Ah bet it was just 'cause ya didn't want her sufferin', wasn't it?"
Applejack taps her hooves on the tabletop and looks down. "Well. That there's what Ah think, anyhow. But Ah' just a farm pony."
"Besides," interjects Fluttershy, "You didn't *mean* for all those things to happen...a-and you really are talented. And I'm sure that if Twilight sees something in you, then...it must be there."
Bardigan shrugs, not looking too comforted, but no longer looking so out of sorts either. If anything, he just looks rather confused. "Yet many stories also exaggerate and hide the truth to give us a better *story.* Maybe I *want* to be criticized. Maybe I like being criticized. Just to make sure I am not falling into that trap, that illusion of happiness built on nothing but somepony's made up words. My... made up words." Mention of Twilight and Diamond makes him flinch. "You're probably right. It is dishonoring their trust that I think such things about myself, but... it is true in many ways. I tried so hard to be good for her, but..." He trails off, leaving which 'her' he means unexplained. "I want this play, the most important one, to go right. I want everypony to be happy with it. *Every.* Pony. Perhaps then I can finally forget what happened with-..." He trails off again, his eyes growing gradually unfocused. "I want this one to go right. /Whatever/ it takes."
Applejack gives Bardigan a lopsided grin. "Don't worry 'bout it so hard, sugar. Ah'm sure it'll be fine! Ya got a good story an' a good crew an' good perform...ers..." AJ trails off and looks at Fluttershy for a moment. IT seems to have just struck home that that the Very Important Play that Bardigan's worrying himself sick over rests in no small part on her shoulders. She swallows hard, then rallies. "No. It's gonna be fine. Ah'm sure of it!" She digs out a few bits and drops them on the table. "Ah'm mighty sorry ta drink an' run, but Ah gotta get home quick-like an' help Mac with th' firewood. Ah promise Ah'll do mah very best ta make yer audience see Princess Luna on th' stage. Heh. Even if'n it's a kinda short an' stocky one." She gives Bardigan a wink and Fluttershy a quick hug, then makes for the door. "See ya 'round, Flutters, Bardy! Uh, Ah mean, 'FAREWELL TO THEE, LOYAL SUBJECTS!'" She pauses a moment and looks around, returning the stares of the various other customers who heard that. "Royal, uh, Canterlot,uh... ya know what? Never mind. Seeya!"
"Goodnight, dearest sister!" says Fluttershy, and then she blushes a little. "I-I mean...Applejack." She quickly busies herself with her milkshake.
Bardigan watches Applejack go with a lazy, feeble smile. He side-glances at Fluttershy. "I'm glad I'll have a curtain to hide behind."
-----------
And when everypony has gone, and the last drink is being drunk, Bardigan finally leaves as well. "Whatever it takes," he mutters under his breath, and walks out with a little more purpose than he came in.