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Winter is finally wrapped up and Twilight Sparkle is ready for a well-deserved rest, but Rainbow Dash has one last thing she’d like to share with Twilight.
Special Thanks to: tsitra360 for permission to use the art which inspired this story. And, my editor, whose endless support allows me to write when I can.
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It hurts...
Cute overload!
Amazing story! I love how you didn't say in the actual story that they kissed!
That was a cute fic! I loved the way you let the emotions play out, but the bit of world building with the first rain of spring was great. And to see Rainbow talk about it as she did is telling of just how important it is to her, as well as the value she places in pegasus culture.
Short. Sweet. Well written. Good job.
If I could cry with happiness I would he right now. This was adorable, well written, well paced, and gets a like and a favorite.
I love it!
Imma follow you, just so I can read the next story that you write. Even if you don't get the most chances.
What a lovely little story I espeshaly like how you describe the magic of the rain vary beautiful imagination there
I don't understand what Fluttershy did that Rainbow Dash was thanking her for. And why was she relieved to hear that it was Rainbow Dash who had given the feather to Twilight? Did she think Twilight had just picked it up off the ground?
Remember that Winter Wrap-Up is an everypony thing; the "no magic" rule in Ponyville is only because Ponyville was originally an Earth Pony town. So that importance would be more of a Ponyville-Earth-Pony thing rather than one of all Earth Ponies. Is this similarly local, or is it more widespread?
And Twilight asked about unicorns? Are unicorns just completely unaware of the role they're playing in this ritual?
What exactly does the feather mean? I thought it was some sort of token of love, but Fluttershy's acting a bit oddly. She's stunned and wants to panic when she sees it, but Twilight not knowing what it was calmed her because she thought it had been something else. And why did Rainbow Dash give it to her before the rain, rather than when she actually told Twilight that she loved her?
Fluttershy told her those exact words...
For those not sure about the significance of the feather, it seems that it's given as a visible symbol of a romantic relationship or intention to pursue one. My bet is that Rainbow told Fluttershy how she felt about Twilight, (and possibly Fluttershy suggested or reminded Rainbow of the feather tradition?). When Fluttershy saw Twlight later, she realized that Rainbow had conquered her apprehension to a degree by giving Twi the feather. And then Twilight said it was "for good luck", and Fluttershy realized she didn't know...
I'm reading that the Spring Rains are also significant in the same way New Year's Eve is for us, in that it not only symbolizes the end of the old and the beginning of the new (i.e. change), but there are also traditions regarding the time immediately after the event itself - anything which continues to occur or occurs immediately afterwards gains a kind of persistence of permanence. In other words, if it's still happening when the rains stop, or starts happening while the effect of the rain is still evident (things are wet on the ground etc), then it's taken as something which will continue to happen or which, at least, ponies would like to continue to happen. Think New Year's Eve kissing and resolutions.
Thus, when Rainbow finishes her dance-courtship, which soaks Twilight through and through and thus marks her as amenable to change, and she flies down to see the result, she sees that Twilight hasn't gone inside or covered up; she's deliberately remained outside and uncovered for the entirety of Dash's rainstorm. She hasn't retreated from the possibility of change. Her magic is reaching back up to Dash's demesne, the sky, and Dash's storm in particular. And when the storm has passed, Twilight is not only still showcasing Dash's colors, and wearing a gift which is literally part of Dash herself, but in the face of the storm trying to whip it away, she held it close because of what Rainbow meant to her.
It might only have been a symbolic gesture, but to Dash, Twilight faced adversity in order to open herself to possibility and growth, and came through still holding tightly to an indicator of new relationships. Rainbow being Rainbow, she might well have given the attempt up as not meant to be, had the Rains washed or blown the feather away.
Which is why Fluttershy, on seeing the feather and realizing that Rainbow was going to leave the should-I-shouldn't-I decision to fate and the Rains, at first panicked at the intense social implications, but then overrode the impulse to retreat long enough to impress on Twilight that “You should take good care of it. It’s very important.”
Because Fluttershy is best wingmare. And sometimes, all it takes is a little kindness.
I remember the blue feather from the Harvest Moon games lol
Daring Do isn't fiction BTW
Beautiful cover art, and well written.
When she went to flutters, I thought her reaction meant something like a pegasus puts their feather on a pony they've claimed or something, and twilight was just oblivious
6387540 It's a little subtle, but I feel that fits Fluttershy's character, she's silent, but very effective when she does take action. Toward the end of the party, Fluttershy lets slip that Rainbow Dash has a big day tomorrow, which peaks Twilight's curiosity. She also worked in conjunction with Rarity to make sure Twilight was the one to take Rainbow home. This gives Rainbow the opportunity to invite Twilight on a "date" of sorts in which she can share the spring rains with Twilight.
Furthermore, Fluttershy doesn't have the most confidence in the world, but she definitely doesn't like disappointing her friends. So, afterward, she is consistently worried she might not have done enough. But, when she sees Rainbow's feather behind Twilight's ear, she knows that she accomplished what she set out to do and Rainbow was able to give her feather to Twilight as a sort of special keepsake for "special someponies". All in all, none of this would have happened without Fluttershy. If she had taken Rainbow home and not said anything, Twilight wouldn't be curious about the spring rains, Rainbow wouldn't have had a good staging point to invite Twilight to them, and she wouldn't have the excuse of a "good luck charm" to give Twilight her feather.
It's a series of fortunate events which tends to happen in "Slice of Life" stories.
6388430 This is true, that slipped my mind that Daring Do is based on true events. I think I'll call it "fiction" via the implication that A.K. Yearling might want the world to think it's fiction since she uses a pen-name and there is likely some artistic liberties taken in the novels to keep things extra exciting.
6387564 When I first came up with the concept of the spring rains, I thought it would be something nice to try to expand into my interpretation of how ponies are connected to nature. I think the act of spring rains would be appreciated across Equestria because it's like a ritual of cleansing. The unicorns pose a trickier problem since their connection to Equestria, as we know from Hearths Warming Eve, is completely taken over by Princess Celestia at this point. So, their stance on it might be closer's to Rarity. They appreciate it, but don't actively participate? I'm not sure if that's a satisfying answer, I didn't do enough world building to warrant an in-depth analysis.
You are right about the feather. It's supposed to be a symbol of deep affection. However, Rainbow doesn't just go up to Twilight and go: "I love you!" I've always felt like the fear of failure/rejection is a big part of Rainbow's character. She reassures herself constantly that she's awesome to get over her subconscious constantly nagging her about her little faults. She gives the feather to Twilight as casually as she can, and passes it off a "good luck charm" in hopes of Twilight accepting it. She does, which really boosts Rainbow's confidence, and this causes her to blush when Twilight promises to take good care of it.
After leading in the rains for Twilight, it boosts her confidence enough to meet Twilight one more time. By that point, they've shared an unspoken connection and Twilight truly understands (she didn't prior) what the feather means. They share a few words to assure one another, and the rest of the magic happens. I tend for the subtle and (perhaps contrived) over the direct, but I feel like this often happens when people put themselves and their hearts on the life. The fear of pain is significant, and we often dance around what we truly desire.
6388761 And Fluttershy's reaction to seeing it? From the conversation in the last scene, it sounded like she was in on helping them hook up. But she acted oddly when she saw Twilight wearing it.
I love this kind of stories. It's good to see non-straightforward Rainbow, but her romantic side.
Also, Fluttershy is very great at wing-mare. This reminds me a similar story.
This was very enjoyable. Great job my friend!
That was so sweet :3
Though I was confused why Dash gave Twilight a "pinion" as to most people a pinion is a small metal gear/cog thing, had to google pinion feather to double check :P
6388812 Right, I forgot I responded to that in a different comment, here's a quick quote:
You're right. Fluttershy is helping them hook up. But she wasn't sure if she did a good job of it, so she's obviously a bit nervous. When she sees the feather, she becomes aware that Rainbow as able to at least get the ball rolling on sharing her feelings. But since Twilight appears to be oblivious, Fluttershy deduces that Rainbow wasn't quite ready to express everything. As a result, she is pleased that Twilight has the feather, but wants to ensure Twilight understands how important it is. The rest is just Fluttershy wanting to not be in the spotlight, so she rushes home.
6389061 I remember today I forgot to thank Cloudy Skies for his story "Building Bridges" which plays a lot into pegasus gifting a pinon feather to a special pony. When the artist drew the blue feather behind Twilight's ear, I knew I had to take advantage of the established world-building.
That was a great story
I love how it wasn't direct but I did get a little confused on what the feather was I had suspicions though 
Even though it was quite vague it was still a great story thank you 
This was very nice.
You don't get many romance stories that have no troubles along the way. Usually, there's a whole lot of drama over something inconsequential, or a misunderstanding. This story had none of that.
Gold Star 4 U!
Grats on getting featured!
Aww! This was sweet.
A sweetly told tale! The like is earned here.
6389087 It's been used so often in stories at this point, I think it's part of the Fandom's collective Fannon.
Hopefully it actually becomes Canon, too. It's a wonderful tradition that helps build the world after all.
Also I think it's really sweet and touching that they would give something so important up for their love.
This was really nice. Great work mate!
They say that Twilight who has everything must be the happiest in the world. But if said Friendship had everything, what would be left for her to gain.
One more thing, fantastic art bro. it really fit this story.
...
Wait... Does Twi realize that Rainbow loves her?
6394903 She does, the last paragraph at the end of the rain dance subtly hints toward a moment of affection shared by both of them. The rain scene leading up to it is a metaphysical courtship spoken through the intertwining of alicorn and pegasine magic.
Good stuff mate. This is really well done.
I keep coming back here looking for updates even though I've clearly seen that this is a one shot.
Cute story, love it.
Wonderful work. Dialogue flowed very well and the characters were true to form. The descriptions and atmosphere were amazing, and I loved how you mixed in the old traditions of the various pony races. Thank you for writing this.
Making your territory 101; pick something that makes it obvious that it was you, and make sure it's visible.
Even if the entire shipping portion of the fanfic community hadn't headcanon'd an alternative meaning to the action, we'd still roll eyes and say it's an adorable lie.
Sweet story, well-written and based on a really nice piece of art.
6394953
Alright just making sure. That last part actually had me confused.
I reviewed this story!
My review can be found here.
Twidash written by CalmNQuiet?
This pleases me.
the spring rains is a Unicorns tradition
crafted by the Unicorns ponies
See how weird it looks when you use the plural that way? Don't do that. Pegasus ponies, pegasus traditions, pegasus feathers, and so on. When in doubt, replace the word with unicorn and decide whether you would really use the plural.
6419914 This is a good tip. Thanks!
This was... okay.
There were a lot of little things that I liked: Twilight keeping Rainbow company while Tank hibernated, setting aside time when he woke up, the feather behind the ear tradition, and the spring rains tradition, but they were all just little things in far too small a space.
This story would have benefitted from being several times longer. Showing more detail surrounding those traditions, surrounding the M6's involvement in Rainbow's plan (as barely hinted at the end), and above all showing more detail about Rainbow and Twi's growing relationship. As it is, the romance feels a bit phoned in, or like walking down the street only to slam face first into a brick wall at highway speeds.
The description of the rainstorm/sky dance also felt a little light. I could see what you were going for, but my imagination had to fill in a lot that could have been in the story and thereby make for a much more vibrant and moving scene. It really wasn't apparent at all that Rainbow was behind everything except by Twi's assertion, and that detracted from the experience.
Just my $0.02
Just beautiful! I love the idea of Dashie doing that for Twilight. <3
This was an interesting spin on Twidash. I really enjoyed it, and I absolutely loved the Pegasus culture you incorporated into the story.
ughuuuuuuuh... Where's my insulin??
I loved it
and it was kind of adorable how Rainbow did it. Over all a wonderful little story.