[Prompt] Mixology 101

   “You know… if you're going to rack up such a large tab, I might as well show you how to mix these drinks”. Hops said in a playful tone, one hand on her hip and looking down at the self-proclaimed princess. Lucretia groaned, head in her hands with fingers pressed to her temples, nursing a killer headache.

   “I can…drink what I want when I want…”   

“Oh yeah? If you're not careful, you’ll end up like me. I know you’ve already got one hoof in Angora’s lap with the Poker debt you have” the bartender bun laughed knowingly, her smile not fading even with the piercing glare coming from her soon-to-be colleague. Instead, she turned to the wall of drinks behind her. “Hmmmm… now what would be easiest for a first timer… A Sin and Tonic perhaps?” She grabbed the large round glass and placed it on the counter.

  “Come on!” With hands-on Lucretia’s shoulders, she straightened the grumps back and spun her around to face her on the bar stool. “Watch closely! Then I'll get you to replicate it till I think it's right”. Despite the exaggerated roll of her eyes, Lucretia kept her attention on Hops’ expert fingers as she peeled a few lime slices and delicately placed them along the rim of the glass. She added the tonic water to the shot of gin on the rocks already in and gave it a light stir. 

   Hops then pushed the drink towards the other bun and raised her eyebrows expectantly. “Well Madam Sin-Clare, is it to your liking?” Lucretia sipped, then her face twisted in mild confusion. “Somethings different… missing, I think?” She expected the bartender to be upset with pointing out a mistake but she kept that stupid grin. “Correct!” she affirmed and reached under the counter. When they re-emerged, in her hands was a small purple bag. With a finger to her lips, she tipped the sachet into the drink and stirred again. “I'm glad you were able to taste the difference, it means my Special Ingredient really does matter. Try again now.” Another eye roll, but Lucretia complied. Before long, a sip turned into a finished glass and a content sigh. Hops couldn't help but chuckle. 

   “What do you think you're laughing at? All I‘m doing is drinking!” Lucretia huffed, folding her hands and tilting her nose into the air.

  “Oh nothing, no reason, just… That's another drink added on to your tab!”

   “What?!? How dare you trick me, I-”

   “Oh don't get your tail in a twist, here-” Hops grabbed one of Lucretia's balled-up hands and slipped something inside. The soft velvet and shape told Lucretia all she needed to know; a wink from Hops just confirmed it. The royal bun quickly slipped the bag into the folds of her leotard before the exchange could be spotted and rose to her hooves. “W-Well I suppose it is my turn to recreate your drink!” with shaky hands, she did her best to follow the steps shown.

   Her lime peels were choppy and rough, nowhere near the perfect curls of Hops’ but it was a good start for a beginner. These small victories made the prideful bun light up with confidence. The rest of the drink was smooth sailing, even if the ratio was mismeasured. Hops gave her nod of approval after a few sips “The balance between tonic and gin is a little off but it hasn't been overmixed and the lime peels are passable! For your first cocktail, it's really good!” She nocked back the rest of the drink and put the glass aside. “Keep practising though, you’ll need it for when you start working back here too” punctuating her joke with a wink as Lucretia stormed off. Best to keep this buns head from inflating too much, it was only half a joke after all.