//------------------------------//
// Seven: Secrets and Lies 
// Story: Stereoheart 
// by FimFan14 
//------------------------------//

A/N: I'm back in business! Nothing regular is happening as of yet, and I would like everyone to refrain from answering questions about my absence and return. Also, forgive me in this chapter. I rarely try to write scenes in which charaters display large amounts of emotion. I need practice!





Rainbow Dash looked up at the two worried faces. Stereo and Frisky... why did they have to be so damn observant? And Frisky had indiscretion, to boot. Weighing up her options, she quickly responded to the question directed at her.



"Nothin's going on, I just... forgot why I made a 'no flying in the house rule.' And Fluttershy was here, she's really clean."



"That's funny, we didn't hear you slam into a wall!" Frisky said accusingly.



Rainbow was about to point out that, since they dwelled in a structure made entirely from a tangible vapour cloud, it was unlikely he would hear anything, even if the house had crashed into the ground. Of course, Stereo beat her to the punch.



"Frisky, the house is made of clouds," Stereo said.



Yeah, I was right, Rainbow thought, somehow with a hint of sarcasm. He is observant."



"Yeah, but..." Frisky began; but a reasonable explanation failing him, just settled on "maybe you... accidentally did a thing... at a place... I got nothin'."



There was a brief pause. "Aaaanyway," Rainbow said awkwardly, "we're eating out today. All of my friends'll be there. I think we're eating Istallian."



"Well in that case," Stereo said, "Grazie, mi molto piace mangiare il vitto d'istalliano!"



"Yeah, sorry about that." Rainbow said. "I know we ate it yesterday and all, but Rarity planned it all."



"I thought you were a Cloudsdale Pony," Frisky said. "If you were, then you would know that Stereo just said that..."



"Alright, enough with the questions!" Rainbow cried. "You two are going to kill me one day..."









"Why, Mr Bene Cibo, this food is just superb!"



It would be impossible not to recognise that voice, just from the manner speech. Rarity was correct, of course; the food was marvellous! Then again, what would you expect from a pony who's name translated literally means "Good Food?"



"Oh, Gratzie, Signora!" He replied. "I very much appreciate such a lovely group of Ponies dining at mia humble ristarante! The gelato is on la casa!"



Stereo noticed Rainbow Dash, her casual attitude fully restored, stifling a giggle at the store owners thick accent. Rarity may have noticed, and probably did, since they sat next to each other. She managed, however, to ignore her.



"Oh, molto grazie, singore Cibo!" She said, her voice filled with sincere gratitude. "Thank you very much!"



As they waited for their ice cream, casual discussion broke out. It was surprising, although Stereo would should have thought it not, that the discussion soon moved to them. It started with the million-dollar question; one that he'd been meaning to get the answer to.



"So, Rainbow Dash," Twilight said. "Why did you adopt the two boys? It doesn't seem like something you would usually do."



A silence followed, during which all seven pairs of eyes turned to one specific pegasus pony. While she began to sweat under the pressure, something quite out of character in itself, Rarity gave an obvious smirk.



"Yes, Rainbow dear," she said, then added with a slightly threatening tone, "do tell."



"Shut up Rarity," Rainbow grunted quietly, before trying to change the subject. "Hey, look, our dessert's coming!"



Mr Chibo was not a steggler for procrastination, however, and quickly handed out various flavoured ice creams, before scuttling off.



"Damn."



"I've been kinda curious about that myself," Stereo said. "And I can't shake the memory of what you said to us in Cloudsdale; 'call if you need anything.' We'd only just met!"



"I didn't mean anything by it..."



"Umm..." Fluttershy tried to but in, immediately being overridden by Twilight.



"If you meant nothing by it, them why did you give false hope to these poor children?"



"E-Excuse me everypony..."



"NO! Not like that Twilight!" Rainbow quickly corrected. "What meant was that there wasn't anything bad behind it."



"Girls..."



"You sure 'bout that sugarcube," Applejack said rather sternly. "Y'know ah don't take kindly teh ponies lyin' teh me!"



"Yes, darling, It would be rather rude!"



"Please, everypony listen!"



"Rarity, shut up! You know my reasons!"



"It's really impor..."



"Oh, so ya were lyin!"



"Rainbow, I'm ashamed!"



"Please, everypony!"



"As punishment, I shall reveal exactly what your motives were!"



"GIRLS!"



All conversation stopped, and seven heads turned to see the enraged pegasus standing on her chair.



"I am just ashamed of you all, putting down Rainbow Dash like that!"



Fluttershy climbed down, giving Rainbow Dash a hug. She held on tight.



"I've known Rainbow since she was a filly, and I know exactly why she didn't tell you her reasons."



"But darling..."



"And I am especially ashamed of you, Rarity! You know her reasons too, and you know exactly why you shouldn't reveal them! What got into you? And Applejack, Twilight, you should learn to respect other ponies privacy."



"But we have a right teh know, sugar..."



Fluttershy began to really shout, with tears streaming down her face.



"A RIGHT TO KNOW?"she cried. "IF YOU SAW HER REASONS, YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO KNOW! IT JUST... I JUst... why..."



Fluttershy broke down in tears. "I-Im so sorry Rainbow Dash," she said quietly. "You didn't deserve to be reminded... I'm such a bad pony..."



Rainbow continued hugging her. In an out-of-character display of emotion, Rainbow shed a few tears, and picked Fluttershy up.



"We need to spend some time together, okay?" She said. "I'm really sorry, can one of you take the boys for the night?"



"Sure thing," Applejack said, quickly putting up a hoof to volunteer. "Ah think Bloom'd sure like a day off to spend wit the colts, and we have room back at the farm. Her gaze faltered slightly, and she quickly turned to flash a convincing smile at Frisky.



Rainbow knew her friend too well. "AJ, don't do this because you're feeling guilty!"



"An' who else will do it? Twi 'as a busy schedule to keep up with, Pinkie has too, and Rarity... She's the last pony ah'd send'm with!"



"Why, I..."



"Fine then AJ, but we need to get going." Rainbow said with a heavy sigh. "Just... understand that I have my reasons; I just can't tell you."



"I just can't."