At sugarcube corner, ponies are seen running around frantically setting up decorations. One pink pony in particular could be seen hyper actively giving instructions to the other frantic ponies and jumping around from place to place in ways that seemed to defy the laws of physics.
Her head popped out of a box leaving the top balancing on her mane and she looks over at a nearby mare holding streamers on her mouth "Careful with those streamers Roseluck! They're fragile!" she ordered to the dumbfounded pony before her head sunk back into the box, the lid on her head closing it. She then appears on a beam on the ceiling next to one of two pegasus ponies who are hanging a "Welcome!" banner each with one end in their mouths. "A little higher Thunderlane!" The pegasus followed her instructions before she zipped to another beam on the side of the other pegasus "Ok now, a liiiiiiiitle lower Cloudchaser" the lavender pony rolled her eyes before doing as she was instructed.
Rainbow Dash then entered through the door with a package beneath her wings. "Pinkie Pie, I picked up your package for you."
She appeared behind Rainbow, walking through the doors where she had just entered through "Hey Rainbow Dash!"
"Ah!" Rainbow jumped into the air quickly maintaining flight and leaving the package twirling in mid-air before landing in the hooves of Pinkie Pie.
"Thanks for picking the package up for me, I've had my hooves full all day setting up this party!"
"Uhh...yeah...don't mention it." still trying to calm herself from the impromptu greeting she received. "I had to go all the way to Canterlot to pick this up, so it must be important right? Come on, spill it, what's in there?"
"Oh Dashie don't be silly!" she replied, as if it's contents were common knowledge. She made quick work of the wrapping around the box, completely ripping it to shreds leaving a single party hat in her hooves. "Here it is!"
"A party hat?! You sent me all the way to Canterlot for one party hat?!"
"Oh Dashie don't be silly!" she repeated with the same everypony-but-you-knows-what-I'm-talking-about tone. "This isn't just a party hat, it's the party hat!" she explained before pulling it around her head and giving a small tug on the string that rounded her chin revealing a variety of party favors and decorations coming from the top of the hat. A confetti explosion, party horns, a banner, and a carousel accompanied by an upbeat melody appeared on top of her head where the party hat once was.
Rainbow Dash stared, mouth agape, at what used to be a party hat in shock before smacking her face with her hoof in aggravation and flying towards the door. "I'll see you at the party tonight Pinkie, but I have to get some rest right now. That trip to Canterlot took a lot outta me."
"See ya later!" Pinkie waved to her friend flying out of the door before turning her attention back to the frantic ponies. "Hey, careful with that cake Lyra!" she returned to her orders, Rainbow Dash long gone.
In the streets of Ponyville Rito and Lorio are slowly walking along while Rito gives his friend pointers for his upcoming confession.
"Okay, so remember dude: Confidence is key."
"Got it." Lorio assured
"Remember to be romantic, girls love the romantic type." he continued.
"Got it."
"Keep your cool, don't be nervous, the minute you lose your cool is the minute you lose you're girl."
"Got it."
"And the final, ultimate, most important rule..."
"SWAG!" they both shouted in unison before striking a pose in the middle of the road catching the attention of everypony nearby including Rainbow Dash, who was laying overhead on a cloud, just waking up from her evening nap.
"BWAHAHA!! What're you two doing?!" her voice echoing down from the cloud she rested upon.
"Rainbow Dash! Wha-What are you doing up there?!" his face a bright red from having been caught in the middle of his humiliating pose.
"I was taking a nap..." she explained as she started to float down from her cloud "...but who'd of thought I'd wake up to you two posing like dorks in the middle of street! That was priceless!"
Lorio's blush deepened.
"Remember: Confidence, romance, cool, and swag..." Rito's voice whispered in his ear before fading away.
"Wh-wha-" he turned to where his friend was supposed to be only to be met with an empty space. He looked around in desperation "Rito! Don't leave!"
"Say wha?"
"Rainbow!" he jumped back a bit, caught off guard by her sudden appearance behind him.
"The one and only!" she proudly proclaimed.
"H-How was your n-nap..?" he stuttered.
"It was...alright I guess. I had a dream." a look of slight discontent came to her face going unnoticed by Lorio, staring at the ground, too embarrassed to look her in the eyes he loved so much. "Are you alright though? That's a pretty bad stutter you got there."
A look of realization came over him as he remembered his friends words "Confidence, romance, cool, swag..." he whispered to himself before raising his head. He took a deep breath and faced Rainbow Dash who was standing there a bit confused. "A dream huh? Well don't worry 'cuz I'm your dream come true!" an awkward smile and a wink soon followed his words.
Rainbow Dash stood there face in full confusion as she processed his words.
"What.Have.I.Done?" he thought to himself as his heartbeat became erratic and he started to sweat.
Her expression gradually started to shift from confused to a smile.
"D-Did it work...?" Lorio nervously thought to himself.
"BWAHAHAHAHA!! Just when I thought you couldn't get any funnier!" She fell over on the ground holding her stomach.
Lorio, now the one with the confused expression. "Wha...?"
"That was the corniest thing I've ever heard! Good one Lorio!" still laughing hysterically.
"Y-Yeah..." he disappointingly sighed "...good one." he dropped his head in despair. "She doesn't even take me seriously as a coltfriend." he thought to himself.
After several minutes of laughing Rainbow Dash finally stood up still trying to catch her breath. "Ahh...Celestia knows how long it's been since I laughed that hard!"
Lorio stood, hanging his head silently.
"My dream..." she started.
"Hm?" raising his head.
"Do you want to know about my dream? Pinkie's welcoming party isn't for another hour or so. If you want I could tell you about my dream in the meantime...ya know to pass the time."
A small ray of hope found it's way into the young stallion's heart.
"Uhm...sure! I'd love to!" he regained some of his excitement. "This could be my chance to clearly express myself..." he thought. "It's now or never."
The two started down the road, casually walking along side by side under the orange glow of the sky.