//------------------------------// // Want It Sweet // Story: The Ballad of Rainbow Dash and Time Turner: Give A Little Love // by dramatic_spoon //------------------------------// Time Turner stumbled through the door, nearly crashing into the receptionist desk at the front. Raven looked up from the paper she was working on and frowned. “You’re late.” Raven scrunched her nose, “And you smell like booze.” “Just a little,” Time Turner replied, “Shower at Berry’s is out.” “Couldn’t you have asked your marefriend to whip up a personal raincloud?” Raven asked as she turned her attention back to her paper work. “What marefriend?” Turner asked without thinking. Realization sank in, prompting the stallion to flush with embarrassment, “She’s not my marefriend.” “Really? You go drinking with her twice a week and you’re not dating? Color me surprised.” Raven rolled her eyes, “Anyway, Boss told me to let you know she wants to see you as soon as you got here.” “Alright, then.” Turner continued on his way into the building, finally stopping in front of a heavy pair of doors. The stallion quickly pressed the side of his head to the door, trying to listen. After several moments, the other door swung open and the mayor stuck her head out. The two awkwardly found themselves staring at the other. Mayor Ivory Scroll rolled her eyes. “I told you to stop doing that.” “Old habits die hard, Mayor.” Turner sheepishly smiled back. “Into my office.” The mayor’s head disappeared into her office as Turner pried his head off the door. The stallion followed her in and closed the door as Mayor Ivory sat at her desk. “Have a seat.” Time Turner quietly took a seat. Ivory Scroll sighed and took off her glasses. “I know I’m late again, and that I probably smell like alcohol, but-” “I don’t care about you drinking with Rainbow Dash,” the mayor paused, “Well, unless it gets to the point where Fog Gun starts to complain, but I don’t think she will. No, this is about the whole refurbishing.” “…I thought that was going to wait until later.” “No, We went through the books and found out we have enough to do it. We’re starting with City hall, and Berry’s house.” “Why Berry’s House? The Library needs some repairs, the Cakes mentioned they need some repairs to the basement, and-” “Because the whole Hearts and Hooves Day thing had Big Macintosh rip her plumbing out.” Ivory Scroll responded, “And she’s insured.” “…Oh.” “So I need you to crunch the numbers for how much it will take for City Hall and Berry’s. Then take the remains of the budget and see how much we can spread out.” “…It’s going to be a long day, isn’t it?” Time Turner sighed. “Oh yes. I hope you’re sober enough to do it.” “…I need a drink.” Time Turner rubbed his temples. --- Rarity looked up from her sewing machine, quickly suppressing a smile. Rainbow Dash stood atop a small display stage, cocooned into a frilly, pink dress. The pegasus rolled her eyes. “I thought this was suppose to be sporty.” “That’s next. This one is for Flitter.” “Flitter?” Dash scoffed, “What’s she need it for?” “Apparently Thunderlane is into Pastel Sweet Lolita.” Dash blinked as she processed the information. The mare made a disgusted face as she visualized the scene, “I really didn’t need to know that.” “Ponies have their likes and dislikes, dear.” Rarity chuckled as she trotted over with a strip of cloth with a line of bows, a needle and thread, “I’m sure you have a secret that you may not want us to know.” “…I’m not going to talk about it.” Dash sighed as Rarity set to work. “Fair enough. So when did you realize you might have feelings for Time Turner?” “…Last week, after we stumbled out of the bar. I was sober enough to fly.” “You sure that wasn’t because of the alcohol’s residue?” Rarity snidely interrupted. “Ha ha. I thought it was at first, but…” “It didn’t go away, did it?” Rarity continued. “No.” Rainbow Dash shook her head, “I… look, I consider Shy and Pinkie to be my best friends, but…” “But there are some things you don’t trust them with.” “Yeah. I mean, I know Pinkie isn’t as dumb as folks think she is, but her idea of romance is…” “Skewed?” Rarity interjected as she finished her stitch, “There, that should do it.” “Yeah, skewered.” Dash fidgeted slightly, “Can I take this off now?” “Yes.” Dash began to struggle against the dress. As she continued to struggle, Rarity’s magical aura surrounded the mare, restraining her. “Darling, that is not how you do it.” The aura quickly worked its way down the hooks on the back of the dress, unlatching them from their eyes. With another swirl of magic, the dress flew off Dash and pulled itself onto a nearby mannequin. “You need to be careful.” Rarity chided. “Why would you use hooks-and-eyes anyway?” Dash grumbled, “How’s Flit supposed to put it on?” “Her order was to make it so that Thunderlane would help her,” Rarity rolled her eyes, “Apparently it’s part o-” “AaaanywaylikeIwassaying.” Dash cut in. “You were going on about how Pinkie’s idea of romance is skewered.” “Right, her plan to get a coltfriend involves a net, five gallons of shaving cream, fireworks and a cat.” Rarity blinked in confusion as she attempted to process the information. The fashionista opened her mouth to speak, but Dash shook her head. “Don’t ask. She told me, and I still don’t get it.” “And Fluttershy?” Rarity continued, “She’s your oldest friend, why wouldn’t you trust her advice?” “Because she’s never been in a relationship either.” Dash responded. “And you think I have?” Rarity responded, displeasure in her voice. “Well… you read all those trashy romance novels by Conscious River.” Dash pointed out. “How do you know about that?” Rarity defensively responded, “…Unless…” Dash blushed, “I… um….” The two sat there in awkward silence, as the two avoided eye contact. “…So that’s what happened to the Library’s copy of The Teacher and the Enchantress.” Rarity mused. “I... uh…” Dash looked down, “I like that one.” “…Anyway… yes, it’s true that I have dated around,” Rarity mused to herself, “Not all of them worked out so well. I mean, I did date Thunderlane for a while, but…” “Thunderlane?” Dash scoffed, “He’s so…” “Scatterbrained?” Rarity interjected. “Yeah.” “He’s improving. That and Flitter is always reminding him about things.” Rarity motioned for the pegasus to follow her. The two left Rarity’s design room and moved into the kitchen. “Sit. Do you take tea or coffee?” Rarity asked. “Iced Tea.” “Not that ridiculous sugary abomination they call tea?” Rarity frowned disapprovingly. “Hey, I like it,” Dash defensively responded, “But if you don’t have any Iced Coffee is fine.” Rarity rolled her eyes as a two mugs landed on the counter. The coffee pot floated over, pouring the concoction into one of the mugs as Rarity dropped ice cubes into the other. “Do you take cream or sugar?” Rarity asked as she placed the ice tray back into the freezer. “Lots of cream.” “How much is ‘a lot’?” Rarity paused, “and don’t you dare say ‘twenty percent more’.” “Like, two tablespoons.” “That’s a lot of cream.” The fashionista responded as she poured cream and coffee into the other mug. “I like it sweet.” “Yes, the sugar rush and eventual crash does explain why you sleep all the time.” Rarity smiled as she levitated the cup over to Dash. The pegasus took the mug without a word and took a gulp. Dash slammed the emptied mug back on the table and held it out towards Rarity. “More please.” “…You didn’t swallow the ice cubes, did you?” “Nope. Next time, more cream.” Rarity rolled her eyes and poured more coffee and cream into Dash’s mug. The two sat at her table, silent. “Anyway, as I was saying, Thunderlane isn’t as bad as he use to be,” Rarity continued on, “Then there was Braeburn.” “…How did you manage that?” “Apple Family Reunion.” “…He was here for a week.” Rarity shrugged, “It seemed so romantic; the rugged cowboy, the high class city girl…” “…You were trying to reenact The Past of the Heat, weren’t you?” “…A little.” Rarity admitted. “That novel was horrible.” “Well I liked it.” Rarity huffed. “Whatever.” Dash took another sip of her coffee, “What blend is this?” “Saddle Arabian,” Rarity took another sip, “I was given some as a gift from a commission.” “It’s good.” “Oh indeed, the problem is that it’s so expensive,” Rarity placed the cup down, “And after Braeburn, there was Night Light.” Dash froze, mug halfway to her mouth, “Night Light? Isn’t that Twi’s dad?” Rarity spat her coffee out onto Dash, “Good Heavens, no! It’s a different Night Light. He’s an Earth Pony. Works in theater, he’s the current Phantom for Music of the Night. He’s very good.” “Oh,” Dash wiped the coffee off, “I thought you meant you dated Twi’s dad. I mean, that would be creepy. Sort of like if my dad started dating Twi or Mrs. Cake married Big Mac.” Rarity opened her mouth to respond, only to shake her head instead, “Never mind.” “So how come you’re with Soarin now? And how’d you meet him?” “Oh, Night Light and I had a bit of a falling out,” Rarity waved the thought away, “He had to move to Manehatten. As for Soarin… it was a party in Canterlot. High end celebrations by one of my clients, she was pleased with the work I did so I went.” “And the Wonderbolts where there? And you didn’-” “I was a guest,” Rarity interrupted, “I was not going to invite another, that would be impolite.” “…So you went to the party.” Dash continued on, “And?” “He’s rather charming. We chatted, and well… one thing led to another.” Rarity chuckled. “You mean…” “No, not like that,” Rarity corrected herself, “Dinner, theater, that sort of thing. It was quite fun, and well…” Rarity smiled, “You saw the results.” “Do the others know?” “The other Wonderbolts?” “Yeah.” “… Soarin hasn’t mentioned it yet, so I’m not sure. Maybe some of them have an idea, maybe not.” Rarity shrugged, "Either way, we're waiting for a better time." “…You’re going to have to tell the rest of them eventually.” “I know… how did this conversation turn to me?” Rarity abruptly changed the topic, “This is what you’re supposed to do.” “…Well…” --- Time Turner laid his head on the desk. The impact created a slight gust, sending the papers slightly to the side. “…Is it lunch time yet?” Turner’s head rotated towards the clock, noticing the time. The stallion jumped to his hooves, banging his front legs against his desk. “OW!” The stallion hobbled out of the room and continued past Raven. “Lunch break?” the mare asked, not looking up from her paper work. “Lunch break.” Time Turner pushed open the front door and stopped. A smile crept onto his face. “Hello Ditzy.” “Hello Turner!” the mail mare beamed, “Shall we go?” “Sure.” The two trotted down the street, towards the Ponyville Café. Ditzy’s nose wrinkled slightly. “Do I still smell like booze?” Time Turner looked at the pegasus, “I didn’t get a chance to shower.” “A little,” Ditzy giggled, “Spent another night out drinking with Dash?” “Yeah. You know she thinks we’re dating.” Ditzy stopped for a moment, taking the information in. A smile crept onto her face before the mare burst out laughing. “That’s a good one.”