“Ain’t hesitating, I’m saving my love for you!”
Fluttershy’s soft voice radiated out from the microphone to fill the bar. Hoots and whistles sounded from throughout the room in reply, but Fluttershy had eyes for only one listener. Rainbow Dash sat near the karaoke stage. Her forelegs were propped up on the table in front of her and her head rested on her hooves as she took in her marefriend’s performance with a big smile. She gave a whistle of her own, and Fluttershy strutted forward, walking upright with the mic in her forehooves and the hem of her floral dress brushing the stage top. The tone of her voice shifted to a speaking cadence, and she addressed the crowd with a flourish.
“This is our one month anniversary, and I’ve, uhm, I’ve composed a song to celebrate.”
Fluttershy took a deep breath and began a new, jauntier tune.
“Applejack’s always courageous, her big brother’s less outrageous.”
“Rarity’s always up on fashion, sewing dresses is her passion.”
“Pinkie bakes her marzipan, spreading sugar through the land.”
“Twilight has her research, Ponyville library is like her church.”
“Princess Cadance has her looks, who knows what she’s like off the books.”
“But for me there’s just one mare, who would tackle any dare.”
“Dashie! Dashie! Dashie! You’re the one for me!”
“Dashie! Dashie! Dashie! Watch out for that tree!”
“Dashie! Dashie! Dashie!” You’re always – Uwee!”
“Uwee” was, of course, the sound that Fluttershy made when an amorous blue pegasus leapt up into the air, swooped down onto the stage and swept her off her hooves for a deep kiss. Seeing that her solo number was done the crowd broke into a round of raucous applause. Several patrons shouted lecherous advice to the pair, but Fluttershy ignored them and snuggled deeper into the embrace.
Rainbow Dash staggered as Fluttershy led her back down to their table, but Fluttershy was more than used to that by this point and easily caught her. She thrilled inwardly as her drunken companion leaned against her for support. The moment she plopped her marefriend back into her chair Fluttershy threw her forehooves around her for another hug, giggling wildly.
“You were right, you were right! I never, ever, ever thought I’d be able to do it, but that was so much fun!”
Rainbow Dash grinned widely. “Ya see Fluttershy,” she said, smacking Fluttershy’s cutie mark as she did, “I told you if you just loosened up a little you’d enjoy it. You’re a great singer. I-I love everything that you do with your mouth. And your tongue. Your tongue is great. Hey, remember that time last week when you—”
Fluttershy blushed furiously and shoved Rainbow Dash’s drink back into her mouth to shut her up. Rainbow Dash eagerly complied with the unspoken command and started to glug the rest of the brew down. Fluttershy signaled to a waiter for more. As she did a new tune started playing on the jukebox. Rainbow Dash perked up.
“Fluttershy!” she slurred. “They’re playing our song!”
So saying she leapt into the air, grabbed a suddenly squealing Fluttershy and flew towards the dance floor. Before she knew it Fluttershy was surrounded by flashing lights and gyrating ponies. She shrank down towards the floor.
“Meep!”
Rainbow Dash clapped her hooves onto Fluttershy’s shoulders and pulled her back up to face her. “Come on!” she said enthusiastically, “Let’s dance!”
So saying Rainbow Dash staggered into a series of moves that resembled a particularly athletic seizure. Fluttershy hesitated for a moment but soon followed suit, losing herself in the music. She felt her eyes close as the beat sank into her and before she knew it she found she was enjoying herself. She opened her eyes again. “This is—“
Rainbow Dash was gone.
-
Rainbow Dash rocked back and forth on her hind legs, dancing in place in the trance-like state that came only from combining music, rhythmic motion and alcohol. She pumped her forehooves up in the air as she closed her eyes and felt the air rushing past her. “This is so awesome!” she shouted gleefully.
“Dash,” came the strangely laconic reply. “We need to talk.”
“Wha—?” Rainbow Dash said drunkenly. “Talk about what?” She opened her eyes and jerked back. “You’re not Fluttershy!”
“No Dash,” said the griffon who was holding her upright. “I’m not.”
Rainbow Dash’s head swam with conflicting emotions, alternately muted and enhanced by her state of inebriation. She narrowed her eyes, or tried to, though the expression came out as more of a lopsided squint. “What do you want, Gilda?”
Gilda sighed, though she kept dancing apathetically in time with the music. “Look, I came back to say I’m sorry, alright? I over-reacted to your friends and I shouldn’t have called them lame. Can we put it behind us?”
Gilda had thought she was prepared for any reaction. Acceptance, anger, confusion, disbelief. What she hadn’t expected was for Rainbow Dash to start giggling hysterically.
“That was so funny! All those pranks! The look on your face was priceless!”
Gilda started to say something hot and nasty in reply before she caught a whiff of Rainbow Dash’s breath. “Dash, are you drunk?”
“No!” Rainbow Dash declared as she swayed and came crashing forward. Gilda caught her in mid-fall and helped her get back on four hooves. “I can drink way more than that!”
“Dash, what’s going on? You know better than to—“
“There you are!”
Fluttershy’s indignant voice cut through the sound of the dance floor. Gilda looked up to see the yellow one emerge angrily from the crowd. She fought down a sneer. “Be nice,” she muttered to herself.
“Oh, hey there. Look, Dash and I just need to have a quick talk and—“
Suddenly Gilda felt herself take an involuntary step back as Fluttershy’s eyes bulged slightly. “You! Dashie has had quite enough of your behavior!” Gilda stood there stock-still and tongue-tied as Fluttershy laid a hoof on Rainbow Dash’s shoulder.
“Come on Dashie, we’re leaving. I have some cider back at home.”
Rainbow Dash laughed and smacked Fluttershy awkwardly across her cutie mark. “Damn Shy, I love it when you get all bossy like that.”
Gilda remained frozen in place as the two ponies made their exit. About half a minute later she shook her head and looked around desperately, but they were gone. She raise a paw up to her forehead and rubbed it.
“What the buck just happened?”