AppleJack was the last one of the girls to make it to their table as per usual, though what she arrived to was noticeably different then she was used to. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were sitting closer than usual. They were also eating their meals one handed, their other hands joined on the table between them for all to see. It was the moment she'd been waiting for all day.
Rainbow internally groaned as she saw the dumb smile come to AppleJack's face as she set her tray of food down. She knew it was coming, the only question was how long it would ta...
"So how's the happy couple?" And there was that punchable grin again. She hadn't even fully sat down yet.
Rainbow had expected this and as such was prepared. Fluttershy made a small squeak and attempted to pull away from her. Rainbow held onto the hand in hers and scooted her chair back over the small distance the shy girl had covered in her startled moment. "Doing just fine since you ask," Rainbow said without looking at the grinning farmer. She took a bite of her lunch before looking up to her with a deadpan stare. "And would you mind cramming an apple in it while people might be able to hear you."
AppleJack kept smiling widely. "Oh please sugar cube. Y'all ain't gotta make up excuses to be sweet on Fluttershy. I don't think anybody here is really payin' ya' any mind."
"On the contrary AppleJack," it was Rarity that responded. She was looking into her compact mirror, though it was clear to anyone paying attention to her that she was not using it to inspect her makeup. "If you'd discreetly look over my shoulder to the left you'll notice a few... less desirable male specimens paying quite a bit of attention to them."
AppleJack did in fact look, but not discreetly. From a table behind theirs Snips and Snails looked away very suddenly, whistling in what they clearly thought was a nonchalant way. Rainbow also noticed a girl from her and Fluttershy's science class do the same from the table next to that one.
AppleJack's face turned down in disgust. Her attention went back to Fluttershy. "No way. Did you really have to deal with those two hittin' on ya'?" Fluttershy looked away and the whole table noticed her grip on Rainbows hand tighten.
"She's not telling, but Rarity and me got kinda a big list of suspects already."
AppleJack looked questioningly between the three girls. "Why won't she tell?"
"Because she doesn't want me to get in trouble for kicking their butts after prom passes."
Fluttershy turned to Rainbow with a desperate look. "Dashie, you promised you wouldn't."
"And I'll keep that promise. But they ain't getting away free and clear that easily." Fluttershy pouted, but her expression softened when Rainbow Dash let go of her hand to bring it up and pat Fluttershy on the head three times. "No violence, promise."
The whole table was so taken aback by this behavior that no one noticed Pinkie take out a notebook and start scribbling frantically.
AppleJack turned her attention to Rarity. "If that's the case, why is Rares gettin' in on this?"
Rarity scoffed, still looking into her compact to study the room behind her. "While I too am opposed to violence, I simply cannot abide such brutish actions to be left unchecked." She closed her mirror with a forceful click. "Those who would put dear Fluttershy through such heartache will know that such actions will be addressed." The fierce aura coming off Rarity gave nearly the whole table pause.
Sunset Shimmer finally broke the tension with a casual cough into her hand. "So Rarity, what was it you were waiting for AJ to tell us?"
Rarity brightened immediately. "Oh yes, thanks for reminding me dearie." With a trained motion she slipped her compact back into her purse. "I've nearly completed my initial designs for everyone's dresses. I just need everyone at my house tomorrow afternoon for a final fitting and to see if I want to add anything to the final design. Is everyone going to be free?"
A chorus of agreement went up around the table. A lull in this prompted everyone to suddenly look over to Pinkie Pie. The bubbly girl suddenly stashed her note book away before voicing her agreement as well. The rest of the girls collectively shrugged their shoulders.
Rarity seemed overjoyed by this, clapping her hands in a gleeful manner and letting out a shrill squee. "Wonderful. This is going to be so much fun." She took the last dainty bite of her lunch before continuing. "Oh yes, one more thing." Her voice went fierce again. "You can add Caramel to the list Rainbow."
Rainbow seemed to be the only one not taken aback by this change in mood. "Roseluck too," she replied casually as she took the last bite of her own lunch. Fluttershy turned to Rainbow again, giving her a disapproving pout. Rainbow responded by separating their hands once again to pack up her lunch box. "No violence," she repeated. She then angled her shoulder on Fluttershy's side just slightly.
Fluttershy suddenly blushed brightly, looking around the table. Slowly she focused back to the offered shoulder. She delicately scooted closer before ever so carefully lowering her head into place against Rainbow Dashes neck. There was a collective "awwwwww" from the table. Rainbow rolled her eyes. Fluttershy's blush deepened.
"It's just for show", Rainbow grumbled. It was taking her complete willpower to keep her heart rate steady at the feeling of the soft hair against her neck. Fluttershy was doing her best to keep herself from smiling like a mad woman.
"That doesn't mean it's not cute." Rarity's hands moved with the speed and precision of a skilled seamstress. In the blink of an eye her phone was out and a flash caught the fake couple off guard. She inspected her phone screen with a delighted smile. "Perfect."
"Delete it," Rainbow hissed. Both girls' eyes were wide but their position didn't change.
"But Rainbow dear, what if I'm asked about the two of you? I need proof of your affection for one another don't I? In fact..." her fingers danced across her screen. "... I dare say all of us are going to need it."
Phones beeped around the table. Three girls pulled them out to check their messages. The "awwwwww" from earlier was repeated.
Rainbow Dash grumbled. "You girls are such great friends, you know that right." She poured enough sarcasm into her voice it nearly threatened to take out AppleJack's lie detector permanently. She also bit the inside of her lip to keep from smiling as she felt her own phone buzz in her pocket. Fluttershy was torn between staying in her comfortable position and lunging for her small vibrating purse to make sure the picture had in fact been sent to her as well.
Laughing around the table seemed to signal the return to regular lunch time activities. The rest of the girls finished their lunches in due time and other than two of the girls being closer than usual everything seemed to be normal.
Rarity was the first to notice it. Her gaze and sudden curious look caused the rest of the table to look where she was looking.
Stomping towards the table like a petulant child was Blueblood. Rainbow saw that the black eye she had given him was still noticeable. She also noticed that it looked like he had tried to cover it with some kind of makeup. At that moment she wasn't sure if the scowl Rarity was giving him was over his presence or how badly he'd applied his concealer.
"I have words for you, you prismatic pauper," he bellowed. He was obviously trying to draw attention to himself as per usual.
His display was lost on Rainbow who only quirked an eyebrow and silently mouthed the word "pauper" questioningly.
Blueblood continued his tirade even more dramatically. "You expect me to actually believe that a tomboyish blaggard like you could actually win the favour of this delicate picture of feminine desirability. I say ha."
Once again his bluster was lost on Rainbow who now just silently mouthed the word "blaggard", directing it around the table to faces in various stages of confusion.
"You have wrongfully robbed me of what is rightfully mine. I will have my prize which you have falsely claimed."
That finally got Rainbows attention. Her expression turned to rage as she growled her next words. "Oh you did not just talk about Fluttershy like that. I told you once already, she isn't a prize and she doesn't belong to anyone. You pretentious, stuck up, wannabe, pansy."
Blueblood didn't seem affected by the insults. "So you admit it. You take no claim of her and yet you presume to keep her for yourself."
Rainbows teeth were now grinding as she responded. "You little prick. You don't deserve to breathe the same air as someone like Fluttershy if you think of her like something you can own." Rainbow made to get to her feet, already planning on how she'd be spending her afternoon in the detention room when she found herself unable to rise. She became very aware of a very soft yellow and pink mass that had latched itself to her. Looking down she saw the pleading eyes of her pretend girlfriend staring up at her earnestly.
"Dashie please, calm down."
Rainbow felt her rage cool considerably, her cheeks coloring at the nickname now being heard by the collective student body. Though the situation did not allow her anger to subside entirely. "Shyshy, I can't just let him say stuff like that about you."
"I don't care what he says. I don't like it when you get in trouble over me." Fluttershy was torn. On the one hand she loved the feeling of being able to cling so tightly to Rainbow Dash. On the other she really didn't like this being the situation she got to do it in. But she clung nonetheless even as she felt Rainbow tense up again as Blueblood spoke again.
"What is this? Is it actually true that the both of you really are such disgusting deviants?"
Rainbow had never been so unsure in her life. That guy had literally just called Fluttershy a disgusting deviant. Rainbow had broken bones in people who had said things not half as bad as that to her. And this one was already deserving of a beating well before that. Yet she could not muster the rage that normally should be taking control of her right now. The thought occurred to her that it was because usually she got that way by getting between bullies and Fluttershy. Currently Fluttershy was between her and the bully and seemed determined to stay there. Rainbow had rarely had a problem going through stuff to fulfill her rage before, but going through Fluttershy was something she definitely didn't think she could do.
Fluttershy's mind was racing. Even she thought Blueblood had stepped over the line at this point. By that metric Rainbow must be moments away from putting him in the hospital. It seemed she was managing to keep that from happening so far. But she knew how determined Rainbow could be, and that she probably wasn't strong enough to stop her if she was pushed past that point. This was always the reason she knew she couldn't be with Rainbow Dash. She wasn't strong enough, not to be what Rainbow needed. But being that this was already the closest she'd ever get, she felt she needed to at least try. Try to be stronger, like Rainbow. What would Rainbow do if she couldn't find any other way to defend her.
"So that is it you two bit harlot. You sully my good name by allowing me to pursue a degenerate like you." The comment was now directed specifically at Fluttershy.
Rainbow tried to rise again, but Fluttershy just gripped her harder. In the back of her mind she could hear voices at the table saying things, most likely in defense of her and Fluttershy. But the war in her mind made understanding any of it impossible. She knew it made Fluttershy upset when she allowed her anger to get the better of her. But this was all she could offer the girl she cared most about. Fluttershy was too good for her, too good for anyone. So all she could do was be all the things Fluttershy could never be. No matter how much it hurt her inside to make Fluttershy upset, this was all she could do for her.
Fluttershy knew that was the line. Rainbow wasn't going to be able to let that one go. The rest of their friends voiced their protests, but she knew they were falling on deaf ears. The only one who could stop Rainbow Dash right now was her. She still didn't think she was strong enough to do it, but if they're was anyone she could be strong for it was the one who was always strong for her.
Rainbow felt the grip around her midsection loosen, one arm coming off completely. Her rushing thoughts made her slow to react to this, but she was still going to take the chance to give Blueblood what he deserved. That was until she felt delicate fingers brush across her tense arm, sending goosebumps up it and a shutter through the rest of her body. A memory sent a shock through her brain. She looked down with wide eyes to Fluttershy. Her mind and her anger completely flat lined as soft lips met her own.
The kiss was not as long or as passionate seeming as the fake one Rainbow had given her when this whole mess had started. But Fluttershy knew she had to stop when she did, or she wouldn't be able to stop at all. Rainbows fight to get away from her had stopped as she sat breathing hard with her eyes closed.
Rainbow presumed that to outside observers that it looked like she was trying to calm her anger. In truth she had nearly forgotten Blueblood existed the moment Fluttershy kissed her. What she was trying to calm was her own desire. In that moment she knew that if she saw Fluttershys face then there was no way she'd be able to resist. Thus her eyes were still closed when she finally spoke.
"You really aren't even worth our time Blueblood. Get lost."
"What did you say to me you.. you...."
"You heard me, get lost. Obviously you lost. Giving you a beating would be giving you more attention then you deserve." She finally opened her eyes to see Fluttershys smiling face in front of her. She returned the smile before looking to the dramatically overreacting boy still standing a safe distance from the table. "It's pretty obvious I don't need to prove anything to.... Ohhhhh." Her voice went down as she noticed what was happening behind him and her smile became smug. She nodded her head to direct Fluttershy's gaze in his direction. Fluttershy's hand came to her mouth in a gasp when she did.
"You think you can brush me off so easily. My honor demands... Whaaahh."
The shreek he let out could only be described as girlish as a hand grasped the collar of his shirt and his feet left the floor. Apparently the staff had been better prepared for a disturbance during lunch this time around. The man who picked him up stood a full couple head lengths taller than him and was built closer to a bull then a person. Two much smaller but no less imposing figures came from behind him.
"Thank you mister Blueblood. You've made it very clear to us who exactly was at fault for the incident last week. Coach Iron Will shall escort you to my office just as soon as we finish here." Principal Celestia's voice was incredibly level, almost cheerful as she addressed him. Pure panic was written across Blueblood's face and he was unable to respond in any way. She smiled and turned to the third person that had responded to the situation. "If you would Luna."
A smile came to Vice-principal Luna's lips that made Rainbow and every other who had been on the receiving end of it draw back with a cringe. "Attention to all Canterlot High students." The voice boomed through the room. Luna was the school's head disciplinarian, and it was a job she took very seriously. Normally Celestia kept her on the more reasonable side, but the relaxed smile she was giving right now said that that was not currently the case. Those who crossed the rules enough times had given this a name. Nightmare Luna was in the building.
"It has come to our attention that certain predatory actions which border on sexual harassment have been taking place within the walls of this school." She focused in on Blueblood who had been raised to her eye level by the mountain of a coach. The boy looked like he might wet himself at any moment. Rainbow and Fluttershy almost felt bad for him. Almost.
"I speak for the entire staff when I say that these actions will not be tolerated so long as we have anything to say about it. Thus if we hear even one more report of such actions the consequences will be severe. Since the incident seems to be linked to prom we will start by cancelling that. But due to the serious nature of the offences it will not stop there. We will personally see to it that anyone who even might have been taking part in these practices will be punished. That means all dances, all proms, all non-academic activities will be cancelled until all students currently enrolled in this institution have graduated." She cast a look around the entire room. "We hope our stance on this matter is clear." The whole room collectively shuttered.
Luna led the way from the room, Coach Iron Will and Celestia following. Though they seemed to be taking a roundabout route out, which was leading them right in the direction of the Rainbooms table.
"As for you two," her volume dropped but her words were no less commanding. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy seemed to be the targets and both girls froze. Luna reached into her pocket and produced two slips of paper and a pen. She placed the paper on the table next to the girls and began writing on them. "This is the second instance of excessive PDA between you two in under a week. This is an official written warning." She signed both slips before sliding them in front of both girls respectively before again leading the way from the room that was finally recovering from the shock.
Celestia was at the back of the group, smiling as if nothing was happening. She stopped briefly before the pair as well. "The two of you make an adorable couple. Luna thinks so too." She gave them an approving smile before taking a few quick steps to catch up to the group.
Murmuring was growing in the lunchroom. The Rainbooms collectively seemed to want to address what had just happened, but they didn't get the chance. The bell signaling the end of lunch made everyone jump.