//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 - Checking in: Twilight Sparkle // Story: New Toys in Town // by Derpator //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash didn’t agree with some of the things in the dating guide. Or at least, her opinion didn’t match with those presented from the authors. But then again, her hot-headed fast ego wouldn’t really match that of a pony looking for something serious and long-term. Being the perfect stallion was a section in of itself, and Rainbow Dash just scoffed at it all. None of the stallions she had flings with were perfect. Far from it. But the guide talks about many things that Rainbow Dash couldn’t agree with. She lost her patience with that section, and moved onto the section about being a bisexual. Rainbow Dash herself was a bisexual, and all of her friends knew it. She didn’t brag, but she wasn’t afraid of it being out either. And her coming out of the closet wasn’t even laughed upon or thought of as disgusting. All of her friends just accepted it. Especially Pinkie Pie. In fact, Rainbow Dash had a feeling that Pinkie Pie already knew. The first hint was at the party Pinkie Pie threw to celebrate the event. The banner that read ‘YOU FINALLY CAME OUT!’ kind of gave it away. But even though she was bisexual, all of her flings were with stallions. She hadn’t had a relationship (or tried) with a mare before. She was always up for a fling with a mare, actually being rather curious, but she wasn’t desperate. At least, that is what she would have said a few days ago. Now with the toys out and around, her constant hearing of her friends playing with them, reading a dating guide giving explicit details on positions, and even Fluttershy wanting a possible fling with her, the pressure was starting to build. She wasn’t in the heat cycle either, that was months away. But still, she was jealous and wanted in on the ‘action’. Perhaps she could find a way to see what exactly her friends partook in. She wasn’t a pervert, but considering they were her friends, maybe they’d be open about it. Hell, they’ve been open about it the previous days, so they shouldn’t really be declining her request. The toys came to her mind again. She still didn’t know exactly what they were, but she had a good clue. She flicked through the pages of the dating guide to the section where objects may be used for various activities. She assumed that the craze of toys may just simply be one or a few those in the guide. But something seemed off about it. Firstly, why wouldn’t her friends tell her what they were exactly? They keep telling her that it might not be the best thing she’d enjoy, but then she’s never seen the damn things. Not one of her friends have marched up to her, stuck the toy in her face and stated that’s what they’re playing with. Second, why the secrecy and openness at the same time? All of her friends seem to be rather confident in sharing experiences with them, and yet they keep the specifics a secret. Why? Are they ashamed? Are they guilty? Rainbow Dash didn’t have a clue. What she did know though, was that there were too many different ‘toys’ in the dating guide to even decipher what the ones in town could be. She’d need an answer or would have to find out for herself. She could do two things about it though. She can talk with Fluttershy about it. From what she’s heard, Fluttershy seems very desperate to experience with these toys, so she could easily ask her when she arrives. But maybe Fluttershy would want to keep it a surprise, or would be too scared to tell her. She’d then have to wait a few days for them to actually arrive, seeing as how you had to order the toys from a company. Apparently, they are ‘specialised and custom made’. Her other choice was Pinkie Pie. She could request Pinkie Pie to reveal what they were, and Pinkie Promise never to tell the others what she found out. That way, she would know what they were, and her friends would still believe she was oblivious, or too relaxed to care. After all, Pinkie Pie can be a bit easy to manipulate. She teased her at the picnic about the dream, knows about her two weaknesses and have exploited them for mani...pul...ation... On second thought, maybe that wasn’t the best idea, considering her current physical condition. After all, nopony knows what strike three consists of. And sometimes, they didn’t even want to know. Breaking a Pinkie Promise was a bit below to what Rainbow Dash went through, but to know that Pinkie Pie could go even further. It was scary. Rainbow Dash gave up completely on the toys and skimmed through the quote-unquote ‘romantic settings’ for dates. She didn’t have to know about it, but she thought it’d be a bit of a laugh choking up whatever rubbish the authors came up with. She was lost in the dribble laid before her, when a few taps came at her door. Like with Rarity, her eyes remained focused on the words rather than the environment of her house. “Yo!” she yelled out, inviting whoever it was in. There was a brief pause. “Yo?” Rainbow Dash knew the voice instantly. It was Twilight Sparkle. “Is that a word to invite me in? Are you talking about a yo-yo? What does it mean?” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “It means come in. It can also mean hello.” Twilight opened the door and examined the room she had entered. In all the time she has known Rainbow Dash, she has never actually stepped inside of her house. Making mental notes of her choice of furniture and layout, she started to wander over to her friend in the bed. “Why didn’t you just say “come in” then?” Rainbow Dash actually put down the dating guide and stared blankly at Twilight half-lidded. “Wassup. Sup. Yo. All of them are the cool way of saying it.” Twilight just blinked. “I... shall remember that for future reference.” She pretended to look interested in the room layout to pass off her poor social slang skills. Rainbow Dash could tell, and just let herself bask in the knowledge that an egghead like Twilight didn’t know something she did. “So Twilight, what brings you to my humble home?” Rainbow Dash placed the dating guide down to her side. Twilight brought her attention back to Rainbow Dash. “Both business and pleasure!” she said with glee. In the very instance, she activated her magic to summon a quill and a scroll. “You need to write a friendship letter about what happened yesterday.” Rainbow Dash sat there with irritation and groaned. “I told you already Twi.” Dear Princess Celestia Don’t mess with the Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash “There, done. Send it.” As Rainbow Dash sat there, Twilight seemed more unamused. “Rainbow Dash, I told you already that you must put more than that.” “Fine fine. How about.” Dear Princess Celestia Today... yesterday? Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight with confusion. “Which one is it?” Twilight scratched her chin with her quill. “Hmm, you learnt the lesson yesterday, but have been physically unable to write it until today. I guess yesterday then.” “Ok then!” Dear Princess Celestia Yesterday I learned not to mess wi- “If you say “not to mess with the Pinkie Pie”, I will jam this scroll so far down your throat.” As Twilight looked even more ill-tempered, Rainbow Dash sat there with a smug. “You wouldn’t try it. You couldn’t do that to one of your precious scrolls.” Rainbow Dash remained hopeful that her little taunt worked, but that all changed when Twilight was now the one will a grin. “Rainbow Dash, did you really think I came here with only one scroll?” Rainbow Dash let her hooves go limp. “But still. You wouldn’t. Those scrolls are a part of you Twilight Sparkle.” She recoiled slightly as Twilight neared her. “Would you like to test that theory?” When Twilight saw Rainbow Dash shake her head, she took a moment in her victory. “Ok then, shall we try again?” Rainbow Dash groaned and rolled her eyes. “Fine.” Dear Princess Celestia Yesterday I learnt a terrifying truth that I shouldn’t have uncovered. The very thought of it shivers down my spine. Under no circumstance whatsoever should you mess wi- “Rainbow Dash!” Twilight yelled. “What? I don’t know Twi! Make up some mumbo jumbo about me unintentionally harming Pinkie’s feelings or something. I know my lesson, and I’ve told you what it was already. You’re good at dragging stuff along, so you do it.” Twilight remained speechless. She wanted to lecture Rainbow Dash about taking the time to spread across what friendship meant in more than a single sentence, but she didn’t, knowing that she would fall right into the bait Rainbow Dash just tempted her with. And Rainbow Dash would sure love that. So instead, she just groaned and used her magic to evaporate the scroll and quill from existence. “Fine, I will write it for you. But I expect something in return for my generous assistance.” Rainbow Dash looked thankful and not impressed at the same time. “Twilight, I already had a lesson. I don’t think I should owe you anything for writing it when I know very well what I learnt.” Twilight returned the gesture. “Do you want to write it yourself? I will not allow you to write one or two simple sentences about your discovery in friendship.” Rainbow Dash let out a huge sigh, knowing she wouldn’t win this. “Fine, I owe you one.” Instantaneously, Twilight cheered right up again. “Great!” Twilight seemed to be lost in thought about for a while, like a devious schemer. “Perhaps I could have Rainbow Dash reorganise my bookshelves.” Rainbow Dash ignored the fact that Twilight had just thought about something out loud and revealed her ‘masterful plan’. She was also noticing that Twilight continued to mumble words to herself, not taking any attention that she was in her house at the moment. Rainbow Dash cleared her throat, gaining the attention of Twilight. She lifted an eyebrow, and Twilight seemed embarrassed by the whole charade. “So Twilight, anything else you want? Or was it just the letter?” “Oh no no,” Twilight replied, “I came here to check up on you too.” Twilight looked around the room more as Rainbow Dash just remained in the bed. It must have been a full minute before anypony spoke. “So how are you?” “Oh I’m fine,” Rainbow Dash replied sarcastically, “I can’t fly, have to remain here all day and I’m left to this rubbish.” She picked up the dating guide in front of her. “You have one?” “Huh? Oh no, Applejack brought me this one. Said it would keep me entertained.” Rainbow Dash hesitated to continue. “And for...” “Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash sprang up, fully sprouting her damaged wings in the process. Twilight backed off slightly. “I know Rainbow. She told me.” “What!? Who hasn’t she told?” Rainbow Dash saw what Twilight was about to say. “Except me.” “She hasn’t told Spike.” Rainbow Dash suddenly got nervous. “Speaking of Spike, he wishes to send you a message.” Rainbow Dash was concentrating on the unchanging expression Twilight had, and was growing even more nervous by the second. She was sure that Twilight would rant at her for giving the dragon the horrifying truth, when in reality nopony had the courage to tell it to him themselves. “He wants to thank you.” Rainbow Dash blinked. “I’m sorry, what?” “Spike. He wants to thank you. He told me you talked with him and he’s now chirpier than usual. I don’t know what you told him, but he seems happier than ever.” Rainbow Dash was stunned. Well that was certainly unexpected. Spike must have accepted the fact that he may never have Rarity. It must have only been a crush, one of them that fade out over time. The truth must have hit him hard, but he must have come to terms with it. “Oh” Rainbow Dash replied with uncertainty, “Well tell him it’s no problem.” Twilight nodded. “I will do that.” She brought her attention back to the dating guide. She leant out a hoof at it but pulled it back, blushing. “So, how much have you read?” Rainbow Dash leant back. “Lots.” She noticed Twilight trying to make a gesture. “Yes, even that stuff.” Twilight kept shades of crimson on her cheeks. “Pretty detailed huh?” “Yeah,” Rainbow Dash replied, “But how comes this thing is so loaded? First there’s all the sappy romance stuff, and everything else is all sex related! What gives?” Twilight shrugged. Even she didn’t know the minds of the authors. “I just know it was a collaboration project. The amount of detail they put into it is a little extreme.” “You’re telling me!” replied Rainbow Dash in an instant. She was looking over the words quickly but brought her attention back to Twilight. “Twilight, what did Fluttershy tell you?” Twilight became startled, and even increased the distance between her and Rainbow Dash. “I don’t think I should tell you,” she said in a worried voice, “She seems rather determined to talk to you about it yourself.” “Twilight,” Rainbow Dash spoke matter-of-factly, “I know she wants to try out the toys with me.” Suddenly, Twilight was eager again. “Really?” She brushed a hoof past her forehead. “Phew, I thought I would end up spilling the beans. In that case, that is all I will say.” Rainbow Dash became more curious. “Twilight, what are these toys? Are they in this heap of trash?” She pointed towards the dating guide, which Twilight followed and chuckled. “No, they are not. But I will tell you this.” She dropped her eyelids and voice. “You are in for a surprise.” Rainbow Dash remained speechless. As Twilight nodded in only what she could imagine Rainbow Dash is thinking right now, she saw her wings stand up instantly. Rolling her eyes, she started to walk over to the door. “I trust you will be alright without my company?” It was then that Rainbow Dash noticed her perked up wings, and tried to bring them back down. “Uh sure Twi. See you tomorrow or something?” Before Twilight closed the door behind her, she pointed a hoof towards Rainbow Dash. “Remember, you owe me.” She ended it with a smug grin and a wink, and shut the door shortly after. Rainbow Dash fell back into an agitated mood. She folded her hooves together and furrowed her brow. “This isn’t over Twilight Sparkle.” Rainbow Dash sighed and gazed back down. The dating guide was still in her lap, opened up on a random page that was titled Friends with Benefits. She knew what the term meant, but she read it all anyway. Maybe the writes would give her some nonsense to laugh at. But as she read it all, one thing was coming to her. Does Fluttershy want to have this sort of relationship with me?