Sounds of conversation and laughter woke Longwing up. He yawned lazily and scratched his head, from what he could see outside the house he concluded that it's noon. It's my day off? Why did Applejack... He grinned as he recalled yesterday. And plans for today.
"This day is going to be perfect!" Grey pegasus jumped down from his bed and hasted through the corridor, he slowed down before the stairs not wanting to fall down. As he neared the kitchen he could hear three familiar voices, by the table there were Applejack, Apple Bloom and Rainbow Dash talking and eating apple pies.
"Hello there ladies!" Longwing entered the room with a wide smile on his face.
"Look who's awake." Rainbow Dash waved to him. "Come on and eat something we don't have all day!"
He sit with them and begun to devour an apple pie before him.
"So whatcha up to today?" Apple Bloom asked with her mouth still full of pie, spreading crumbs on the table.
"I going to show Longwing the Ponnyville and its surroundings from the sky. Of course if he will be able to lift his heavy flank to the sky." She chuckled and sticked out tongue in Longwing's direction.
"Hey!" He almost choked on the pie he was eating. Three mares giggled.
After several minutes of teasing and joking four ponies left the building. Longwing followed Rainbow Dash and Apple siblings walked side by side right behind him. Then Rainbow Dash stopped and turned to face him.
"Are you ready?"
Longwing gave her a sly grin. "I was born ready."
"Sooo..." Rainbow chuckled and unfolded her wings. "To the skies!" Cyan pegasus shoot up from the ground before anypony could react.
Okay! Now my turn! He inhaled deeply and spread his wings, he glanced at the Applejack and Apple Bloom standing behind him, they were cheering him. "Lets do this!" He sprinted forward flapping his wings. At first nothing happened but after several metres he felt his hooves breaking contact with the ground. He was flying, slowly gaining altitude. His flight was clumsy, irregular and uncertain.
Rainbow was flying by his side judging his technique. "Take it nice and slow now. Remember, it's all about rhythm."
"Okay Rainbow." He felt fantastic, the ground was moving fast beneath him, trees and ponies getting smaller and smaller. Behind him he could see entire Sweet Apple Acres, in front of him there was Ponyville closing as he flew onwards. His wing beats were becoming more and more stable and confident. Rainbow Dash circled him, she was literaly dancing in the air around him.
"You're doing great Lon! Just keep it that way." She tried to sound casual but she was tense, ready to rush to help Longwing if anything go wrong. Relax Rainbow it's going to be ok... And if not, you're the best flyer in Equestria for Celestia's sake, you will save him from harm. She couldn't help but twich every time he lost rythm. "Try to glide when you feel the favourable current. You will tire less."
Longwing nodded, trying to maintain balance. He was grateful that the day was sunny and almost windless. With each beat of wings he felt more and more confident. He turned his head to Rainbow and smiled, she returned the gesture. He wanted to show her that everything was fine... But he was terrified, he was high above the ground and knew that fall would be dangerous if he made a mistake. Flight was terrifying but awesome.
After a while they crossed the border of the Ponyville, the colourful town looked even more beautiful from up there than from the ground, streets were looking like ant nest where all the ants were different colour. They lowered their flight and he could recognize individual ponies. Two pegasi headed towards the library, nearby wich they spotted white pony and small purple dragon pulling a cart full of books.
"I don't know what would I do without you Spike. Who could predict that Canterloth Opera would ask me to make historical suits for their next performance. Without you I would be still buried in these books. You are truly the best assistant ever. Thank you."
"Oh Rarity, that's not a problem. I'm just trying to help that's all" Spike was trying to hide his blush.
"I mean it. Your help saved me a lo-" She was interrupted by to voices from above. "Hey Rarity! Hey Spike!"
Little dragon spotted them first. "Look Rarity! It's Rainbow Dash and Longwing! And he is flying!" Spike waved to pegasi.
"What?" She looked up and saw them as they crossed the air above her. Surprised by the view she stared at the flyiers. So Rainbow dash really succeeded after all.
"Way to go Longwing!" Spike shouted as two pegasi circled the library.
One of the library's windows opened revealing a lavender unicorn peeking out. "What's the commotion?"
"It's Longwing Twilight! He is flying!" Twilight spotted the gray pegasus as he flew nearby her window with a wide smile on his face before he and Rainbow flew away.
Rainbow showed Longwing all of the Ponyville, after few hours they stopped at the Sugar Cube Corner, to eat something and rest for a moment before taking off again. Logwing almost crashed into one of the stands while landing but Rainbow managed to halt him in the last moment.
Beautiful... The surroundings of Ponyville looked amazing from his point of view. Longwing even managed to join Rainbow in some of the simpler manuevers as his body learned to control his movement across the sky.
Cyan pegasus led him above the large lake, then she suddenly dived, stabilizing her flight just in time to not fall into water below. Longwing followed her much slower and more cautious, gliding just above the water. Setting sun reflected on the lake giving it truly magical look. Grey pegasus was mesmerized by the light dancing on the water. He felt like the king of the world. Two pegasi flew neither of them speaking, sometimes they exchanged glances and smiles, but remained silent. Just two of them and the boundless sky.
Rainbow Dash landed on the one of the larger clouds and beckoned to Longwing to do the same, he landed clumsily his legs buried in the cloud. "It's so awesome." Rainbow giggled as she helped him to stand up.
"Not bad for the first day Lon." She gave him a proud look and warm smile.
He stood before her, shaking, his green yes beaming happiness and excitement. Suddenly he hugged her. "Thank you Rainbow Dash. For everything."
At first she was startled, not expecting such action, after a moment, blushing, she hugged him back. "N-no problem Longwing. I'm happy I could help." She felt a bit uncomfortable but didn't push him off.
They broke the hug and looked at the setting sun. "Beautiful." He whispered.
"I didn't know that you were into such stuff. Just don't recite poetry ok? I can't digest it." Rainbow smiled slyly.
He chuckled in response.
"Ok let's go back to the Sweet Apple Acres, I bet AJ is worrying that you crashed following me or something." Cyan pegasus stood up and spread her wings.
"Lead the way Rainbow." She jumped from the cloud and soared in the direction of the orchard.
Longwing looked down from the cloud and gulped loudly. "Here goes nothing!" He jumped.
........................................................
Longwing and Rainbow Dash were on their way to the Sweet Apple Acres, soaring above the Ponyville, sun almost set behind the horizon and most of the ponies were preparing to sleep.
When the familiar farm appeared in sight Rainbow Dash unexpectedly turned in the direction of the outskirts of Ponyville away from the orchard.
"Hey Rainbow! The farm is that way!" Surprised Longwing pointed his hoof in the direction of the farmstead but still followed cyan pegasus. "Where are we going?"
"You will know soon enough." Rainbow answered with a smirk. They flew two more minutes before Rainbow dived, Longwing did the same and spotted an orange pony standing in front of a house nearby the road.
Applejack turned to them as they closed to her. "Yer late RD."
Rainbow landed first. "Hi AJ! Sorry but Longwing is slower than I thought."
Grey pegasus landed heavily next to her causing a cloud of dust to rise from the ground. "Hey it's my first day flying. I would rather not end splashed on the ground."
Orange mare shook her head and smiled. "How was your day? Did Rainbow give ya time ta cath your breath?"
"It was AWESOME! I never thought that flying is so much fun." He jumped excited. "But could you finally tell me what's going on? What are we doing here?"
Both mares trotted to the door of the house and turned to him, gesturing him to come closer. As he approached the door, Rainbow opened it. Releasing the pink missile that tackled Longwing to the ground.
"SURPRISE Longwing!" Pinkie quickly helped him to get up and shoved him through the door. Inside he saw dozen of ponies. "Happy First Succesful Flight Day!"
"Whaa?" Longwing looked at Applejack with surprised expression on his face.
"Me and RD decided that your success should be celebrated, and Caramel granted us his house to hold a party here." Longwing smiled looking from face to face. Everypony in the room was cheering him. "And for this occasion Mac brought his famous..." She paused and pointed her hoof at the red stallion standing next to the barrel, seeing the signal he opened it. "... Party Hard Cider!"
"Thanks everypony! I don't know what to say." Longwing was delighted, it was the best day in his life.
"Don't say anything, just drink the honorary round!" Rainbow Dash gave him the mug of cider, even by smell he could tell that it was strong drink.
"Hehe! Cheers!" He lifted the mug and drunk all the contents in few gulps, as he finished he coughed two times. "Whoa! Strong Stuff. Give me more!" The party started in the earnest.
When Big Macintosh opened second barrel most of the ponies were already drunk, two slept behind the sofa, others were either talking, singing or dancing, or all combined. Pinkie Pie was all over the place, seeming to not been affected by the cider or exhaustion. There was a lime unicorn hanging on the chandelier laughing as the Caramel tried to bring her down.
Longwing was dancing madly with yellow mare, their performance almost destroyed the music equipment when he lost balance while spinning with her.
Applejack and Rainbow were sitting by the kitchen counter telling jokes, Mac was talking with a red eyed, muscular, white pegasus.
Tired Longwing excused himself from the dance floor and sat in front of Rainbow. "How are you Rainbow?" Alcohol was humming in his head but he ignored it pouring himself next mug of cider.
"Awesome! Party is great. Shame that the rest of the gang is not here, but it's not exactly their kind of parties." She chuckled. "I imagine the Rarity's reaction should she came here." She pressed her hooves to her cheeks and spoke in mocked Rarity's voice. "Ow my! What an uncivil bunch of barbarians! Where is my sofa when I need to dramatically fain?" They bursted in laughter, Longwing almost spilling his cider.
He drunk the rest of his drink and burped loudly. "Yeah!"
Rainbow highhooved him. "You are cool Longwing. Well not as cool as myself but you surely know how to party!"
"Well duh. You should have seen my graduation day! That was a real party." He smiled as fond memories filled his mind.
Rainbow smiled wider and raised her eyebrow. "So this party is not good enough for you?"
"I didn't say that."
Cyan pegasus raised up and looked at him from above. "Is that so? Lets check how hard you can party! I challenge you tooo... Cider Drinking Contest."
Applejack who was sitting next to them spoke. "Ah don't think it's good idea RD." She was ignored.
Longwing raised his head to look Rainbow in the eyes. "Bring it on!"
..........................................................................................
It was cloudless night and light of the moon illuminated Ponyville and it's surroundings. Nearby Sweet Apple Acres echoed song sung by two pegasi that trotted across the fields leaning on each other, followed by two earth ponies.
"No! *hic* We will never cry!
We are masters of the sky!
Get up! Rise your head up high! *hic*
For tonight we will fly!"
Loud laughter followed the last words of the song. Big Macintosh and Applejack were happy that they run out of cider before pegasi fell asleep. Applejack had stronger head than most of the ponies present at the party and she was drinking slowly so she showed no signs of intoxication, the same was Big Macintosh although his cheeks appeared to be redder than usual. Rainbow Dash and Longwing were another story, their contest left them quite devastated, they were walking unsteadily, laughing and supporting each other.
As the group approached the farmstead Applejack silenced pegasi to not wake up the rest of the Apple family. When they reached the door Rainbow spoke swaying.
"Okay lads! It washh fun. Good night I'm flying home." Before she could take off she was stopped by orange hoof.
"No way Rainbow! Ah can't let ya ta fly in that state! Ya will sleep here, we have a spere quest room."
Cyan pegasus considered the proposition. "Okhay AJ. Not that I couldn't return home righht now. I'm doin' thish for you."
They entered the kitchen trying to be as quiet as possible. Big Mac quickly disappeared in his room.
Applejack turned to the pegasi. "Longwing, please lead Rainbow to the quest room at the ground floor." He nodded and gestured to Rainbow to follow him.
Trotting wobbly they entered the quest room, Rainbow quickly jumped and sit on the soft bed.
"Okay Rainbow. There'sh a bathroom." He pointed at the door to the right of him. "There's the mirror." He turned slightly left. "An there'sh a bed." He looked at the giggling pegasus sitting on the bed. "But I guesh that you found that one first."
He smiled and turned to leave when Rainbow spoke. "Lon." Longwing looked at her, she was grinning widely, her eyes slightly squinted, she gestured him to come closer.
He obeyed, but even with all the cider flowing through his veins he could tell that situation was starting to look odd.
He swayed and almost fell on Rainbow Dash, they were standing there snout to snout.
Then she hugged him tightly. "Thanksh fer everithin' Lon." She broke the hug and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. He was stunned. "Yer the besht." Rainbow laid down on the bed. "Well... Second besht... Right... After me." In and instant room was filled with snoring of the cyan pegasus.
Longwing stood there for a few moments, trying to comprehend what just happened. He quietly left the room and closed the door behind him. His cheeks burning, he headed to his room and fell on his bed. He was asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow, finally succumbing to exhaustion he entered the land of the dreams.