Chapter 2: Keeping and Realization
The next morning, I woke up and went about my normal schedule... get washed up, then go do homework, study, or whatever crazy thing I had to do during the day. Most of the time it was the same old thing. Nothing special.
Several weeks later, I took a hike with my dad. The past three days had been stressful for me. I told him about Rainbow and he didn't understand. He didn't understand why I needed another plush, let alone one he considered from a girls show. I was honest on the hike and told him everything. Plus, we had made an agreement that if I got a new plush, I HAD to give up plushies that were the same size as the new one, or give up two plushies every time I got a new one. As we talked, he told me how a child gets a plush to cuddle with and keep them safe at night, but didn't understand what reason an adult like me would want for getting another plush... let alone the amount I had. He also explained how he felt it made him feel like I wasn't growing up. How the heck was that? He has said I'm wiser than some adults he knows. Does that fact alone not amount to anything?! I was using the plush the same way a child would. Heck just looking at them helped me with my fanfics.
We eventually agreed that I could keep the Rainbow Dash plush as long as I did more driving and cooking. Knowing I would have to know how to do them anyway, I agreed. Even though driving could be stressful at times. Still, I didn't mind. That's the one thing I never understand about my dad; he would sometimes treat me like a child, but when it came to something as simple as buying another plush, he suddenly gets upset, even when I'm following our plush agreement. Seriously, what the heck is his problem?!
Nevertheless, I got the permission from dad that I wanted. I could keep Rainbow Dash. I was over the moon with this news! I spent the rest of the day on my tablet, and doing homework. But that night, I was super excited. I remember how after dinner I made sure to finish up my schoolwork... I was in college after all. Once that was done, I ran to my room, got into my pajamas, pulled back the covers, and hugged my Rainbow Dash plush. She was here to stay, and I couldn't have been more happy to hold her in my arms. I even showed her to my other brony friends on a video chat. They all were happy for me. The rest of the night was pretty normal, until it was time for bed. But this time, I wanted it to be just Rainbow Dash and me.
I put my ghost plush away in a "Build-a-Bear Workshop" box that I had in my closet, closed the closet door, turned the lights off, took my glasses off and then pulled the bed covers over me and Rainbow Dash. I held my Rainbow Dash plush tightly in my arms, not wanting to let go of her. I definitely felt my feels towards her grow. I liked being able to cuddle my own MLP plush.
As time went on though, a thought popped into my head. Did I pick the right pony? Why didn't I pick Twilight? I had more in common with her than Rainbow! Yet, I did the opposite. But why? Days passed with the thought popping into my head from time to time. It's not that I regretted getting Rainbow Dash, I didn't. But why did I pick her?
Several weeks passed by and eventually, I got my answer. There had been a major arguement on another fan site and I was chatting with one of the head people in charge, who ironically also somewhat atarted the arguement. I had explained the reason why some users thought the arguing should stop and how it was wrong even on the fan site according to the sites rules. Soon, the person I was chatting with understood and we came to an agreement. Then, that's when I read something I did not expect. The user said I was "very loyal" to my friends, and that I "never gave up". It took me a while to thank the user, and then after we chatted a little more, we said goodbye.
"Very loyal"... those words kept going through my head over and over again, all day. I mean, I tried to be a friend and be nice to everyone, but loyal? I had never thought of myself as very loyal. Then, I thought about the arguement and why I was siding with my friends. It didn't take long for the answer to come to me... because I was standing up for what was right... and I didn't give up. That was the reason why.
Then, just like a lightening bolt, quotes popped into my head from the very first episode of "My Little Pony". ... "Thank you. For the offer I mean. ... But I'm afraid I'll have to say no..." ... "and Rainbow Dash who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire, represents the spirit of ... loyalty!". The word loyalty echoed in my head for a good minute or two until the realization finally hit me. That was why I picked Rainbow Dash... because I felt loyal to her when I saw her. It also made sence since I took a MLP quiz once, and my results were that I had gotten the same cutie mark as Rainbow Dash. I couldn't believe it. The answer was in my mind and my heart the whole time! I had just never thought about it!
The rest of the day was normal, but I now had a much more appreciative understanding of a quality I constantly had questioned. I went to bed with my Rainbow Dash plush in my arms, happy that I finally had a common connection with her. Loyalty. However, I was not prepared for the surprise that would await me the next day...