//------------------------------// // Apart // Story: Perfect On Paper // by NintendoGal55 //------------------------------// Dear Princess Celestia, I'm going on an awesome journey! Just to get away from everything, go on a long walk to help me think, and be by myself with my thoughts. A lot of what happened in the past six months led me to new discoveries! Plus, I'm doing this so I know that they also weren't meaningless, since they definitely weren't! I'm doing this for me, for my friends, and especially, for Fluttershy. I need to do this, anyway. It'll be just what I need. Don't know when I'll be back, but hopefully Equestria will stay saved until I do! Wish me luck! When I come back, I'm gonna be a whole new pony! Just you wait and see! Your loyal and coolest subject, Rainbow Dash “Well Fluttershy, it has been a week since she left! How are you feeling, darling?” Rarity queried. Settling more into the mud bath, Fluttershy exhaled softly as she closed her eyes. “Well...I do miss her very much...but I'll be fine. I can wait...and I promised her that I would.” Rarity and Fluttershy were at the spa, as per usual for their weekly spa routine, just a week or so since Rainbow Dash had departed. It had taken adjusting for everypony, despite that she had been gone before. But not quite like this, since she always had a definite return date, or an estimate. This time, however, she wasn't at all sure and hadn't given a timeline either. A few days? Weeks? Months? Even Rainbow herself didn't seem to know. “You don't worry she may find somepony else? Not to say in any way that I don't trust her,” Rarity said thoughtfully. “But I would understand if you worried of that.” “Oh...” Fluttershy bit her lip, but then shook her head. “Well...I trust her completely, and I know she trusts me. No, I don't need to worry. I know I will certainly be faithful to her, and I have faith in her as well.” Smiling amidst her facial cream and cucumbers over her eyes, Rarity looked toward Fluttershy carefully. “I believe it as well, darling. After all, you two had come this far, I would hope that she remains faithful.” “True... But I suppose this time apart if what we need. Even though I miss her so much...and am going to miss her more as time goes by, I think it will be just what our relationship needs. I do understand why, she wants to show that her relationship with Comet wasn't meaningless. And I know it wasn't. It just wouldn't have felt right if she suddenly started dating me so soon after.” “Oh yes, I for one know that that is certainly not the best idea. It's always good to give it time when ending a relationship before pursuing another,” the pure white Unicorn agreed. “Given how...adventurous and excitable Rainbow Dash is, I can see that this journey is right up her alley.” “Mmm-hmm...” Fluttershy nodded, relaxing back a bit. “I just hope that she'll be okay, and make it home safely. That's all I could ever ask for. I hope she'll find happiness.” Rarity smiled again, relaxing back as well, “As do I, dear. We all will keep her in our thoughts and wish her the best with her journey. Until her return, we'll all make sure to keep her home clean and make sure her pet is taken care of.” “Pinkie offered to take him in for a while, so he can play with Gummy,” Fluttershy said, smiling at the thought. “I might take him in later if I need to. It would be nice to have him around again.” “Wonderful, darling! Now, why don't we enjoy our treatment and then we'll get dinner?” “Mm-hm, sounds like a wonderful idea, Rarity!” Fluttershy relaxed more in the mud bath, allowing the soothing combination of the seaweed wrap and the mud itself to overtake her body and mind. Going to the spa on a weekly basis would be what she needed all the more these days. Ever since that fateful day about a week ago, when amidst Rainbow Dash's dramatic monologue, her feelings for her were requited. A feat she had never thought possible. If anything, her breaking up with Comet, yes, did instill something of a chance, but it also wasn't a guarantee anything. But upon Rainbow's confession of love in return, Fluttershy could swear she felt all of her sorrows disappear altogether. As if they hadn't even happened, though the memories did still remain. Despite how much she loved her, she had come to terms with everything. Yes, she had felt she was never going to be good enough for her, but was not about to let that bring her down any longer. She resolved to be happy for her no matter what, and would always be there for her. Then it all took a surprising turn. Fluttershy would never forget this moment. Their first real kiss, although far removed from her imagination, was even better than she could have imagined. The sweet, wondrous feel and taste of Rainbow's lips on her own had rendered her completely taken aback. Then again, that was likely the way one would feel when kissing someone they loved. Fluttershy felt happier than she could imagine, and she vowed to do all she could to make her newfound relationship with Rainbow Dash work. However she could, and if they were still willing to pursue it upon her return. Until then, she was going to patiently wait with all the love and faith she had. If you are not Fluttershy, you stop reading this letter and make sure to deliver it to her! Hey hey hey! Guess who? That's right! It's ME! Wow, this is my first letter to you since I left, huh? Awesome! I hope it gets to you okay. So as I'm writing this, I'm actually in Manehattan again. It's still awesome! I'm going to bring you here someday, Fluttershy. You have to see Central Park, which I know you will love. I know you're not one of the big city, but trust me, you're going to enjoy it. Besides, it's just for a visit, and I'll be right there with you! Next, I'm probably going to head north, and see where it all takes me. I've been walking, doing a lot of walking, but I do fly here and there to save time. It's working wonders so far, and I feel awesome! Okay, so I still don't know when I'll be back, and I feel I shouldn't guess. It just wouldn't work that way. But when I feel ready, I'm coming home. And okay, may as well get the sappy stuff out of the way. Knowing you, Fluttershy, I hope you have a couple of tissues handy. I miss you so much! Being away from you SUCKS! This is gonna be how it feels to be apart from you, isn't it? I wake up in the morning, realize you're not a short flight away, and then I spend the next five minutes missing you. So fine, I wish you were here with me. It does get kinda lonely. But I know what I have to do and I'll endure it! This is for you too, Fluttershy! Hope you're not too sad over there, though. But you've still got the others to have fun with and keep you company! Hey, they miss me too, so you'll be keeping them company when they need it also! Well, I sure hope they enjoy your company while they can. Because when I come back, I am taking you hostage all to myself! They'll have to pry you away from me! You'll be all mine! Insert some evil laughter here, if you want! Anyway, so like I said, things are going real well now, and I'm looking forward to the rest of this journey! It's awesome to be free and just go out there on the open road. So for that, YEAH! It's 20% cooler! I'll write you later once I settle down again. Until then, you keep on going! I love you, Fluttershy. Hope you remember that, pal. Oh, what's that? You didn't read that right? So sorry! I love you. Need me to say it again? I love you! I hope you're laughing over there!!! XOXOXOXO (Shut up, I can be sappy if I want to!) Rainbow Dash P.S. Do not show this to anypony else! This is for YOUR eyes only! I'm sending a broad letter to our friends, anyway, so they won't miss anything. Fluttershy giggled and smiled with delight as she nuzzled the letter gently. Her first letter from Rainbow Dash had come that day, which made her ecstatic. She read it at least two more times, smiling the entire time, before she carefully set it into a box she was now going to keep them in. She looked over to her animal friends, who were sitting amongst each other, along with Tank. Pinkie had brought him and Gummy over for the day since she and the Cakes were going on a little vacation of their own for the weekend. Smiling, she proceeded to do some dusting as the animals were now talking to each other in their animal ways. 'So Mama's been feeling better these days!' Simon said happily, clapping his paws. 'All those times I'd seen her the past few months with Mom,' Tank said, shaking his head very slowly. 'She always looked so sad. It's pretty nice to see her smiling again.' 'Your Mom better not hurt her,' Angel warned. 'I will NEVER forgive her if she does.' 'I can assure you, I know that Mom would never let that happen. Not intentionally, to be sure,' Tank said calmly. 'She loves her very much.' 'She better,' Angel huffed. 'Cheer up, at least everything is going smoothly,' Hummingway said kindly. 'Mother is happy, Rainbow Dash is doing the right thing, and we're all still here. That's the important thing.' 'That's true,' Tank agreed. Angel sighed, nodding. 'Yeah, I guess you're right.' 'Any idea when she's coming back?' Simon wanted to know. Tank shook his head again. 'Mom isn't sure. She didn't want to get anyone's hopes up or mislead them. She's even sure about it herself. All she said was that she'll come back when she comes back. We'll know when her letter says so. Or unless she decides to surprise us.' 'Before the Pink one can throw that party I know she'll throw?' Angel guessed. Gummy blinked. 'I don't know...Mommy has her ways when it comes to those parties of hers.' 'You can say that again,' Tank smiled. 'I've only been there a short while, but I've seen it.' 'You still don't see all of it, even when living with her,' Gummy recounted. 'I can imagine!' Simon exclaimed. They all looked toward Fluttershy, who was now heading outside to hang some laundry on the clothesline, pushing the basket out the door with her head. Outside, the creamy yellow Pegasus carefully placed the articles along the clothesline, hovering in the air to help along in doing so. She hummed a little, taking in the fresh air all around her, the warmth of the afternoon sun, and the sounds of birds singing. A beautiful day, just the kind of weather she needed for hanging her sheets, towels, cloths and dresses dry. Her animal friends from inside came outside as well, observing her as they frolicked about in the grass happily. Tank, of course, was coming out after them slowly. Fluttershy smiled at the sight, then flew over to Tank, picking him up and placing him amidst the rest of the animals so he could play with them. “It sure is nice to be back here, isn't it, Tank?” Fluttershy smiled at him. “Although I suppose you miss Rainbow, don't you?” Tank gave a nod as he looked up at her with a smile. “Oh, I miss her too. But when she comes back, she's going to be a whole new mare, I can feel it. Ooh, and I know she'll have a nice treat and a hug for you!” Fluttershy giggled. Tank croaked in response, still smiling. “Awww....I knew you'd think so,” Fluttershy patted his head gently. “I just hope she'll be all right.” Looking up to the clouding sky, she exhaled, smiling as she gazed out to the horizon...just wondering where she was. Hoping wherever she happened to be, she was happy, and was making progress in her journey. Closing her eyes, letting the smells and sounds of nature wash over her, she began to sing. “I hope you hear me My dearest Rainbow Dash, if you can see Just how much I love you so Forever, I hope you know All I ask is your smile May you forever go that extra mile Please come home safe and sound Keeping your hooves on the ground I will wait for you My love, if only you knew As I stand here, waiting alone How I long your return home Be safe out there Return home proud and fair Though you do not hear me I only hope you can see I ask only for your health I need no kind of wealth I can get by I ask only that you may still fly Though I once could see We were not to be There is but one thing I know That from here our love can grow Come home, Rainbow Dash Come home, in a flash Be safe and return here We await your return without fear Rainbow Dash, my love Though I was once a lonesome dove You give me strength I never knew And it is still thanks to you Rainbow Dash, I await this day That we will come together in every way Until then I send you my love and wonder That will let nopony tear asunder...” All of her animal friends looked to her with wonder and joy, warmed by her singing. Fluttershy smiled to herself, looking out to the horizon once more as she tended back to hanging her laundry. “...Good luck out there, Rainbow...” It was nighttime by the time Rainbow Dash arrived in the quaint seaside town of Port Pegasus. She had gone north in the past few days, then headed west, eventually coming the seaside town. Deciding to rest remain here for a while, she had checked into an Inn, which had a juice bar in the downstairs. Not ready to turn in yet, she went down to the bar to get a drink and recoup for a little while. The place had a very quaint, charming, seaside shanty-like atmosphere. Fisherponiess, sailors and locals sat around, having drinks and playing cards. She went in, earning a couple of looks from a few ponies, which was no wonder. A rainbow mane wasn't exactly something you would see every day, and it was obvious to them that she wasn't from around there. Nonetheless, Rainbow shot them smug grins as she sat at the bar. The bartender, a female, and a zebra no less, smiled. “Hey, hon. I'm Zara. What can I get for you?” “Mm...what do you recommend?” Rainbow queried, pointing along the bottles behind the counter. “Well, one of our specialities is Port Punch, pretty much our trademark here,” said Zara, winking at her. “Sure, gimme that.” Zara nodded, getting to work on making the juice for her. “So, hon, what brings a fiery dame like yourself all the way out here?” “Long story. Besides, I'd bore you to death with it,” Rainbow waved her hoof. Chuckling, Zara smiled as she placed a glass in front of her filled with red juice. “Don't be silly. I'm a bartender, and I hear all kinds of stories. Believe me, I've heard 'em all.” “Fine,” Rainbow sighed, sipping her drink tentatively. Liking it, she took another sip. “I'm kinda out here thinking a lot. I just ended a relationship with somepony, partly because I realized we weren't right for each other, and because I realized I was in love with somepony else.” “Ah, love triangle,” the Zebra bartender said knowingly. “You can say that. So that other pony I love, well she-they love me too,” “No need to hide her gender, hon. I've heard 'em all, seen 'em all,” Zara assured her. Rainbow smiled, sipping her drink. “She loved me, but at first I didn't feel that way, especially I was already dating somepony. I felt bad for hurting my best friend though, and ever since then, she's been on my mind. Fast forward to six months later! I realized I was in love with her. My ex and I broke up, since we kind of felt the same thing going on. I wanted to be with my best friend, but I knew it wasn't that simple. Plus, I didn't want to make it look like my time with my ex was meaningless, since it wasn't. So I got an idea from one of my friends to just go on a long walk. I left a week ago, and now here I am!” “Ah, I see. I've seen that a lot, hon. More common than ya think, really,” Zara said with a nod, smiling. “Still, she must be one lucky pony for you to do this.” Shaking her head, the cyan Pegasus looked down at the counter. “Nope. I'm the one who's lucky. She's been in love with me all this time, I started dating somepony else, I never even realized she loved me until she told me...'cause go figure, all our mutual friends knew, I didn't. Then she still loves me, six months later, then she's willing to wait for me while I go on this journey. Sure she's lucky to have me, Rainbow Dash, the fastest pony in Equestria, in love with her...but really, I'm the lucky one to have somepony like her.” “Rainbow Dash, eh?” Zara chuckled. “A fitting name. You do seem like a very lucky pony. In that case, I'm sure you know that she must be a keeper, and that you should treat her well.” “Believe me, Zar, I've tried to do that all I could. Wasn't always easy, sometimes I was a bit of a jerk to her. And believe me, even now I still kick myself for that. But no more! I love her, and when I get back, I'm gonna be the best marefriend to her!” “Don't forget to still be her best friend. The best thing you can be to someone you love is to be their friend.” Chuckling, Rainbow nodded. “Yeah! I think that makes perfect sense,” she sipped her drink again, finishing it. “Gimme another! This is real good!” Zara nodded, pouring her another drink. “So, where are you headed after you leave here? Any idea?” “Nope! I'm just going where the wind takes me,” the cyan Pegasus shrugged. “I came in here since it happened to be the next town I was coming to. I'm not even sure when I'm going back to Ponyville.” “You're from Ponyville?” Zara slid a glass of Port Punch across the counter to her. “Actually, I'm from Cloudsdale!” Rainbow shook her head. “I've just been living in Ponyville for quite a few years! Both of us have. We kinda grew up together and now we live in the same town again.” “Lovely, hon,” Zara giggled. “I see, the two childhood best friends fall in love and get together.” “Yeah...” Rainbow blushed, looking down again, smiling more. “You know, now that I think about it, I think I really did love her all along. I think since I first met her. But I never knew it.” “Love is mysterious, kiddo. It can strike us in the weirdest places.” “I'll say!” Rainbow reached into her saddlebags, trying to find her little money bag. Only to find it was empty. “...Uh-oh. I think I just used my last bits for the room!” Zara chuckled, smiling. “It's okay, hon. Happens all the time. But I'll tell you what. Since you're going to need some extra bits, why don't you stay in town for a while and work with me? I could use an assistant, and I could train you.” “...You sure?” Rainbow blinked. “I uh, don't want to take advantage of this!” “Nonsense, hon. I wouldn't have offered if I didn't think it was a good idea,” the Zebra bartender assured. “What do you say, kiddo?” Rainbow considered it. She would be making some money, she'd get some work experience, stick around a neat town, and maybe get one step closer to Fluttershy. Already this sounded appealing. She just hoped she would be able to squeeze in nap time! “It's a deal! I'll give it a shot! ...I just gotta have nap time every now and then.” “Well, I think we can work something out.” Okay, sorry for the shortness of this chapter here, but I hope it works! Oh, and this is indeed a reprise of "Fluttershy's Plea", so there's a bit of sweet singing! :D