//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: What Goes Up // by faoiltiama //------------------------------// The moment Scootaloo stepped inside, she was enveloped in the warm, earthy scent of roasting coffee beans and fresh-brewed drinks. The cafe was busy, the air filled with that comfortable coffeehouse murmur. As she made her way to the counter, she took in the always changing decor, noting small changes here and there. The walls were covered in photos in old mismatched frames, showing cities and towns, exotic places, and beautiful scenery. Some were actually paintings or sketches from long before cameras existed, and none were more recent than a decade or two. The tables and chairs were the same- mismatched antiques of all shapes and sizes. Scootaloo smiled, glad she’d convinced Rainbow Dash to give the place a try when she first found it a few years back. Despite its quirks, Bean There Done That was cozy, and made a great cup of coffee. As she reached the counter she turned, smiling at the green stallion on the other side. “What can I get you?” he asked, smiling. “Just a mocha, thanks,” she answered, passing a few bits over. He nodded, and she stepped to the side to wait for her drink. Normally she’d head to the table and wait for her drink to be called. Today she’d take any excuse to dawdle. So Scootaloo turned to face the wall, trying her best to look engrossed in a painting of mountains. “Hey you.” “Ghack!!!” Scootaloo yelped, spinning around for the second time that day. She nearly tripped over her own hooves, instinctively flapping her diminutive wings to regain her balance. Well, that’s it for looking casual, she thought wryly. “Rainbow! Hey. I was just waiting for my coffee,” she gestured helpfully to the counter behind her. “Sorry to scare you. Again. When did you get so jumpy?” Rainbow gave her a friendly punch to the shoulder, her smile apologetic. “My head’s been in the clouds all day I guess,” Scootaloo answered with a shrug. Rainbow’s gaze turned sympathetic. “The camp is pretty busy right now, isn’t it?” The younger mare nodded, and Rainbow wrapped a wing around her shoulders in a quick hug. “It means the world to me, seeing you at my shows. But, you know, I’d understand if you needed to skip one now and then.” Scootaloo laughed at that, shaking her head.”Don’t be silly. I can always make time for what’s important.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw the barista slide her drink onto the counter. She turned and took it with a smile, then gestured to Rainbow to go first as they wove through the tables. As they navigated the small spaces, Scootaloo murmured a quiet “pardon us” as needed, though nopony looked at her much. Even out of uniform, Rainbow Dash got recognition anywhere she went. She was mostly known as a Wonderbolt, as only the older ponies probably remembered her role as one of the Elements of Harmony. They made their way back to the table with a minimum of hassle, Rainbow settling into the corner as Scootaloo got comfortable in her seat. “So, the second ticket got lost in the post? I really should talk to those mail ponies…” Rainbow started, smirking. When she received only an unamused eye roll, she laughed. “I know, I know. Everypony is so busy. Even your special somepony?” Scootaloo sighed, and forced a small smile. “As busy as any nonexistent pony can be.” She took a small sip of her mocha, saw Rainbow opening her mouth, and quickly added, “Enough about me. We’re here to talk about you! How was the show? I know you were worried about the new girl.” “Oh, Mistwing? Yeah, she was really slow learning the routines at first. Once the Captain had a talk with her, she shaped up pretty quick.” Rainbow snorted, “he’s good at scaring the pinfeathers off the newbies.” She paused to take a drink, then turned her gaze to the window, sighing. “I remember when he first started, we all thought he was such a pain in the rear,” she laughed, “He’s still a pain in the rear, honestly. But he knows what he’s talking about, most of the time. He’s no Spitfire, but he’s a good coach.” Her gaze turned wistful, then she shook her head, glancing across the table at Scootaloo. “Did you know she asked me to stop by the Wonderbolt Academy training camp this summer?” “Really? That’s awesome! Is she having you help out with the trainees?” “Nah, mostly she just wants me to stop by and make an appearance. She likes to have a Wonderbolt show up, give a quick pep talk. Boost morale and all that.” Rainbow said lightly. “Honestly I think she mostly just wants the company. Every time I visit I end up staying late, just talking.” Scootaloo frowned. “Is she okay? Last time I saw her she seemed thrilled with her new teaching position at the Academy.” “Oh, she’s fine,” Rainbow assured her, “Just a little lonely sometimes, I think. After years being an active Bolt, Team Captain, and handling most of the training, just teaching has to feel a bit underwhelming.” “Yeah, maybe,” Scootaloo nodded, taking a deep drink of her coffee. Talking about Spitfire’s retirement… What better lead-in am I going to get? “But it was the best thing for her, don’t you think? Nopony can be a Wonderbolt forever. So she found a way she could still be a part of things. She was thinking ahead.” “I guess.” The cyan mare glanced down at her cup, then cleared her throat. “I’m gonna go get another coffee. You want anything?” She stood, and when Scootaloo shook her head, walked away with her cup. Scootaloo watched her go. Did I hit a nerve? Already? She looked into her mocha, frustrated. I don’t know how to approach the topic gently. I’m not even sure what exactly the topic is! Huffing, she looked out the window. Outside, the day was still insultingly sunny. The sidewalks were full of ponies bustling about, laughing and generally enjoying themselves. “Ugh.” She let out an involuntary sigh of irritation, shifting to face away from the window. At least that view wasn’t so glaringly cheerful. The sun came in at an angle thanks to the awning, leaving the room softly lit. The conversations around her were happy, but politely subdued. Her eyes found their way unerringly to her friend, already placing her order. She leaned comfortably on the edge of the counter, smiling easily. Scootaloo envied that confidence. She walked into every room like she owned it already, always acting calm and in charge. Even when she isn’t, her mind supplied helpfully. It was true, though. That much confidence came with the tendency to put up a front. But how do I get past that? Usually that wall only comes down when she chooses. I don’t think I’ve ever tried to push past it. She snapped back into the moment as Rainbow turned, cup in hoof, and started walking back towards her. She took a slow breath. First thing, stay in control of the topic. Don’t let her sidetrack, or duck out again. She waited for the other pegasus, trying to look at ease as she steeled herself. “Hey, sorry about that. But I’ve got a full cup now, so no more interruptions.” Rainbow took a moment to sit back down, taking a sip of her coffee. “So, did I tell you about who’s gonna be at the boot camp when I stop by?” “No, but I was just about to ask you something before you went to get a refill,” Scootaloo tried not to sound accusatory, but from the look on Rainbow’s face, she only partially succeeded. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Rainbow said with a sheepish smile, waving a hoof. “Go ahead. What did you wanna ask?” “Nothing major, just. How are you?” She held up a hoof to stall any immediate answer. “I don’t mean that in the casual, ‘how are you? I’m fine.’, way. I want a proper answer. How have you been lately?” Rainbow blinked. “I’m doing pretty good, Scoots. No complaints here. How are you?” “I’m alright, just a bit worried at the moment.” “Worried about what?” Rainbow tilted her head, her expression open and concerned. Scootaloo stared at her hooves, wrapped around her mug. She struggled for the right words for a moment, then said, “You probably noticed I took a long time to get here. That’s because Storm Trail pulled me aside after the show. He wanted to have a talk, share some concerns.” As she spoke she kept her gaze down, slowly turning the mug between her hooves, so she didn’t see the moment Rainbow’s gaze hardened. She did hear the soft creak of chair legs as the other mare sat up. She raised her gaze, finding Rainbow leaned against the chair back, drinking deep from her mug. “Oh, the Captain? Let me guess, he told you he’s worried about having such an old pegasus still flying.” Her mug hit the table with a loud clack, and she smirked at her friend. “I hope you didn’t let him get to you. He’s been pushing me to retire for months now, hoping to get a spot opened up. He’s probably got some overeager foal already picked out of the Reserves to replace me. He’s an impatient old goat, that’s all there is to it.” Scootaloo stared, trying to resolve the quiet, worried stallion from the stadium with the impatient, selfish one Rainbow was describing. Finally she shook her head. “That’s not what it looked like to me, Rainbow. He seemed genuinely worried about you.” “Worried about himself, you mean,” Rainbow snapped back. “He wants a young, new crew to show off to his superiors. He doesn’t think I look good.” She snorted at that, lifting her mug for a drink. “Dash....” Scootaloo started, then found she had no more words to follow it. Could it really be that simple, and that unfair? “What, Scootaloo? He sent you here to try to convince me to quit. I just can’t believe you actually listened to him.” “He’s not…” Scootaloo bit her lip, then tried again, softly. “He… didn’t send me here to convince you of anything. He wanted to talk to me because he’s worried. And I listened because... I am too!” Slowly, without noticing, her voice grew firmer, louder. “He thinks there’s something wrong, that you’re not telling anypony. I’m worried that he could be right, that you’re hiding something. And you know why that’s so damn easy to believe? Because you do this!” With the last words she stood abruptly, slamming her hooves on the table. The cafe went silent. Breathing hard, she watched the shock on her friends face melt into a jumble of emotions. Fear, shame, sadness, frustration, pride… Before the pride could win out, Scootaloo forced herself to sit back down, and continue more quietly, “I’m here because I’m worried, not because he told me to be. I know I can’t make you open up if you don’t want to. But I had to at least try. So, if nothing’s wrong, great. If something is wrong and you just don’t want to tell me, fine. I just… wanted you to know that I’m here. I always have been, haven’t I? I will always support you, always cheer you on… nothing can change that.” The silence stretched, Scootaloo taking slow, deep breaths as she wrestled her emotions into control. Conversations had slowly picked back up as she spoke, though a few ponies still watched the pair out of the corners of their eyes. “I… I’ve never been good at admitting weakness.” Rainbow spoke to the table, her voice so soft Scootaloo could barely hear her. “I have to be strong. For you. For… everyone. I always have been.” “And that’s one of the things I admire most about you,” Scootaloo said gently. The cyan mare raised her head, meeting the gaze of her friend and finding only warmth there. “But nopony is perfect, not even you,” Scootaloo managed a small smile. “Like I said, I can’t force you. If you want to say everything is fine, we’ll leave it at that. I will respect that. But I have to give you that choice. So. Rainbow. How are you?” Rainbow Dash searched the soft purple eyes across from her, emotions warring on her face. When the silence stretched too long she turned, looking out at the sky. “I’m….” Suddenly she shoved away from the table, standing. “Let’s go for a walk.” “Rainbow.” “I need some air, I just… I don’t want to have this conversation here, okay?” Seeing the pleading look in her magenta eyes, Scootaloo nodded and stood. Downing the last of her cold coffee, she gestured onward. “Lead the way.” Outside the coffeeshop, two pegasi mares walked in silence. One looked around, taking in everything except the multihued mare beside her. The other stared at the sky. By the fourth block, Scootaloo wanted to scream. But she held her tongue, trying not to stare, trying not to worry. If Rainbow was going to say anything, it would be on her terms. So she kept her focus on their surroundings, letting Rainbow guide them across this street, around a corner, back down an alley. Occasionally she had to give a gentle nudge to keep them from running into other ponies, the older mare was so lost in her thoughts. When they entered a park, the trees finally blocked out the sky, and Rainbow’s gaze dropped. “I was diagnosed almost a year ago. She said we’re lucky to have noticed it so early.” For a moment Scootaloo was quiet, processing the information as they walked along the pale cobblestone path. Then she picked the least dangerous question she had. “She? You mean the Wonderbolt’s doctor, Gentle Breeze?” Rainbow shook her head. “No, my personal doctor, Sunny Glen.” At Scootaloo’s confused look, she explained, “Sunny has been my doc since I was a filly. Once I joined the Bolts, Gentle Breeze had to take over my annual physical, and any injury related care. But Sunny’s been with me so long, I didn’t wanna just ditch her. So I stop by for check ups between my physicals, any time I get sick, that sort of thing.” She looked away, sighing. “I’m damned lucky she caught it first.” “Gentle didn’t notice anything?” “No. Sunny only noticed because she’s known me for so long. I was still in the really early stages, barely any symptoms. I still am.” She turned abruptly, making for a bench. Scootaloo had to trot to catch up, her mind spinning. By the time she reached the bench Rainbow was already sitting, staring at her hooves. She eased herself gently onto the seat beside her, reaching a hoof towards her shoulder. As soon as she made contact, Rainbow jumped, sitting up straighter. “You have questions,” Rainbow said simply. “Go ahead.” “Well, yeah…” Scootaloo stared up through the shifting foliage. “What… What exactly are we talking about?” At that, Rainbow held out a hoof. Scootaloo stared at it, unsure, then she saw it. It was faint, but Rainbow’s hoof was shaking. She opened her mouth, then closed it again. Beside her, Rainbow lowered her hoof to the bench. Scootaloo forced herself to look around, trying to bite back a million questions. ‘Is that all?’ would be insulting. But all I see is a little tremor. I don’t know what that means! She struggled with wording her question for a few more moments, then slowly asked, “Is there a name for... what’s going on?” “She gave me a name, yeah, not that I remember it,” Rainbow muttered, holding her right hoof down with her left. “There’s like half a dozen it could be, technically, but they all mean the same thing for me.” The entire time she was speaking she’d been staring down, brow furrowed. She glanced up, saw the confusion and frustration in Scootaloo’s eyes, and sighed. “It’s a movement condition… disorder… thing,” she said slowly, falling silent as a young couple trotted past. Scootaloo kept quiet, letting her find the words at her own pace. Once the couple were around a bend in the path, she continued, “It gets worse over time. Progressive, that’s the word. So, right now, my hoof shakes. Sometimes my wing. I don’t sleep well. I get tired quickly. Sometimes I have trouble with my balance.” she rattled off her symptoms, then scowled, “But it’s just going to get worse.” Scootaloo took it all in with wide eyes, then softly asked, “Isn’t there anything to help?” “Yeah. There are medications. Exercise helps. She says I should be able to live a ‘relatively normal life’ for quite a while.” Scootaloo looked over, surprised at the bitterness in her voice. Then her gaze softened, and she reached over to touch Rainbow’s hoof. “You’ve never wanted anything ‘relatively normal’ in your life.” Rainbow gave her a small, grateful smile. “But, you said there are medications? Are they helping?” Rainbow pulled her hoof away, color rising in her cheeks. “Rainbow?” “I’m not taking any,” Rainbow muttered. “Why in Celestia’s name not?!” Scootaloo exclaimed, standing. When her friend continued to look away, she marched over to stand right in front of her. “If there’s something that can help, why in Equestria wouldn’t you give it a try?” “Because I’m not ready to be a sick old mare,” Rainbow whispered, her eyes brimming. She wiped a hoof roughly across her eyes, then glared up at the orange mare. “If I start taking pills, go on some treatment plan or whatever, you don’t think I’d have to tell the freaking team doctor? Or the Team Captain? They’d kick me off the team. I’m not ready for that.” With that she slumped, letting her mane fall in front of her face. “You don’t know that they would! If you were open about things, maybe they’d work with you.” Scootaloo took a few steps away, then back. “You’ve been hiding this for a year?” “Almost, yeah.” Rainbow replied softly, hunched over her hooves. Suddenly aware of how harsh she must have sounded, Scootaloo took a step forward, putting a hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder. “I can’t imagine how hard that must have been. You never told anyone? Not even Applejack? Fluttershy?” “No,” came the whispered response. “Sp-spitfire knows something is wrong. I told her I’ve been… struggling. But I couldn’t… That’s all I could…” she trailed off, hunching even lower. Slowly Scootaloo sat back onto the bench, scooting close enough their shoulders brushed. As soon as she did, the rainbow-haired pegasus shifted, leaning against her. “Thank you… For telling me.” Rainbow nodded, a soft sniffle escaping. Scootaloo put a hoof around her shoulders, giving her a small squeeze. “You’re not alone anymore, Rainbow. I’m here.” With no more words left in either of them, the pair sat like that in the dappled sunlight, watching the day pass.