//------------------------------// // On your doorstep, in the rain // Story: Blaze a Rainbow // by SquiggelSquirrel //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash lay on her couch, listening to the rain drumming on her windows. She'd had plans for the afternoon, but the unexpected downpour had cancelled them all. Now it was getting late, and she was just thinking she should probably get an early night, when she heard a knock at the door. She sat up. She wasn't expecting anyone — least of all in this weather, at this time of evening — but if someone was out there, it had to be urgent, right? Rainbow had moved out of her parents' house and into her own place a few months ago. While she loved her parents, they could just be… too much, sometimes. She needed her own space. She got up, and went to answer the door, touching one hand to her geode just to confirm its presence. She doubted there was any danger, but it didn't hurt to have a failsafe. She opened the door, to reveal a Dazzling. That is, one of The Dazzlings, or at least that's what the band had called themselves last time they had met. An Equestrian Siren, in human form. Not Adagio Dazzle, their leader. Not the ditzy blue one either — this was the moody pink one with purple hair. Hair which was currently weighed down with dripping water, clinging to the sides of the girl's face — a face marred by a black eye. She had an oversized rucksack full of somethings on her back. She glared angrily at Rainbow Dash. “I need a place to crash,” the girl announced. “Huh?” “Are you gonna keep me out here in the rain? It's pissing down out here, let me in!” Rainbow took a step back out of confusion, and the girl pushed past her, unslinging her pack as she went, dripping rainwater everywhere. Rainbow recovered from the initial shock, and rounded on the girl intent on demanding an explanation. The other girl spoke first, though. “Close the damn door already!” Rainbow complied, only because it was the sensible thing to do. “…and grab me a towel or something.” The Dazzling had already discarded her jacket and was now in the process of removing her top. “Whoah!” Rainbow darted forward, “what're you doing?” “I'm not gonna sit around in these soaking clothes. Get me a towel.” “But…” Rainbow looked down. It was true that the girl's top was soaked, to the point where her bra underneath was clearly visible. And while she was an uninvited guest, there was nothing to be gained by making her stand around in soaking wet clothing. They could discuss the intrusion after she'd dried off a bit. Rainbow ran off to grab a towel and a bathrobe. By the time she got back, the girl had already stripped down to her underwear. Rainbow held up the items while averting her gaze. The girl wrapped herself up in them. “So uh…” Rainbow began. “My stuff's all gonna be damp, too. You got some of those racks you put in front of heaters?” “Over there.” “Oh yeah. You wanna help me hang my stuff up, or you just gonna hang around and watch?” “Wait, hold on,” interjected Rainbow Dash, “you're saying you wanna stay here tonight?” “No, I'm saying I need to. Unless you're gonna throw me out into the rain so I can freeze to death?” “Well, no, but…” Rainbow slowly processed that she had, by implication, just agreed to let this girl stay over. “I mean, I don't even know your name!” “It's Aria, Aria Blaze. Now, you gonna help me with these or not?” Aria opened her bag and pulled out a handful of damp clothes. “Uh… sure,” answered Rainbow, taking the proffered garments. There were still any number of objections she could raise, but when you got down to it, Rainbow Dash wasn't about to turn the already injured and drenched girl out into the cold, wet, night. Not if she didn't have anywhere else to go. She resigned herself to putting up with Aria for tonight — she could worry about any implications in the morning. “Mine's Rainbow Dash.” “Yeah, I got that.” The two girls hung up clothing in silence, while Rainbow Dash contemplated her next words. “I guess… uh, you could sleep on the couch?” Aria paused as if considering other options, and stared at Rainbow a moment or two before replying. “Yeah, whatever.” She shrugged. “You got any video games?” Rainbow blinked, then grinned. “Uh, yeah… a few…” … “a few” games later, Rainbow Dash had all but forgotten her previous reservations. “Aw come on! That was a cheap move. Rematch!” “Dash,” replied Aria, “it's past midnight already. Don't you have school or something tomorrow?” “It's Saturday.” “Is it? Okay, well, that makes it Sunday. Go to bed.” “Just one more game.” “Dude just admit that you suck already.” “But I don't! I'm awesome at this! I know I am, you just… you just got lucky.” Aria groaned. “Look, I've been kicking ass at these games since before you were born.” She frowned. “I mean, when did Mortal Melee first come out?” “The first one? I dunno… I guess you really are kinda old, though.” “Go to bed, let me sleep, I'll teach you a few tricks in the morning.” “Really? Sweet! I mean, not that I need it, but…” “Dash, piss off already. The games will still be here tomorrow… later today, whatever.” “Okay, right.” Rainbow got up and headed for the stairs. “Hey, can you teach me Zero Chill's ice dunk? 'Cause that move's totally—” “Bed!” Somewhere between the foot of the stairs and her own bed, Rainbow Dash's heart sank a little. She remembered that Aria Blaze was a soul-sucking seamonster in human form, who had cast a mind-control spell on the whole school and tried to take over the world. Even if they had just spent a few enjoyable hours playing extremely violent video games, it didn't mean the (former?) Dazzling could be trusted, and it wasn't like having her sleep here had been Rainbow's idea. As she climbed into bed, she resolved not to sleep tonight. She could just rest a bit and pretend to sleep, while listening out for any suspicious noises from downstairs. And if Aria tried anything, Rainbow Dash would… Rainbow Dash was asleep before she could finish that thought. Downstairs, Aria Blaze sat on the couch, sending someone a text message before settling herself down to sleep.