//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: Celestia the Matchmaker // Story: Of Loyalty and Chaos // by PxDnNinja //------------------------------// The breeze blew by gently, slightly rustling the hair in Swift's mane as he stared directly at Scootaloo, his eyes wide in surprise. Scootaloo meanwhile simply watched him as she waited for an answer to her question. A question that, for her was a simple curiosity, and for him was a door he hadn't planned on opening for a long while. "Um...well no. I haven't asked her out." Swift managed to get out, but the thoughts in his head were barely even paying attention to his words. Before she had asked, he had indeed been thinking about the cyan pegasus. How she flew through the air during practice when he would watch from the ground and cheer, and more recently when he would be flying beside her, and how she would love to prank their friends, himself included sometimes, but would always help when needed. The whole time he had thought it before, it was just his thinking about how good a friend she was. Sure she was very attractive; Swift couldn't imagine how some people said otherwise. The way her mane would glisten as she shot through a cloud, and the rainbow trail that would follow her all had a beauty to them, though he wouldn't have used that term before. Now though, his brain was running through the same visions and instead of the event: the practice, the prank, or the meal, all he saw was Rainbow Dash. Her personality, her loyalty, and even her beauty were all running through his head. He hadn't considered it before because he just didn't have time to think about such things. With the amnesia, constant job hunting and food hunting, then researching at Twilight's while helping the Cutie Mark Crusaders, a relationship wasn't on the table. However, now that this filly on his back had asked her somewhat innocent question, Swift couldn't help but think about a relationship with Dash. Before pursuing that thought any further, another question rose to Swifts mind. "Why do you ask? Did she say something?" Swift didn't think such a question would be something a young filly would ask without a prompt from someone. He watched as Scootaloo shook her head no. "Nope. I don't get to talk to Rainbow Dash often. I just heard Rarity mention it when I was visiting Sweetie Belle the other day." Scootaloo answered as she started preening one of her wings, making sure her feathers were straight. She clearly didn't see a reason to keep it a secret, after all Rarity had been openly discussing it when she heard it. Swift's eyes narrowed as he thought about the town gossip and dressmaker. "Rarity you say?" Swift said, passively as he looked back out over the town. This bit of information suddenly made that unicorn's behavior recently make a lot more sense. Dash had mentioned odd looks she had noticed from Rarity from time to time, but they decided it wasn't worth looking into. Now the answer seems to have found Swift himself. Deciding it was time to move along, he slowly started to stand so Scootaloo could adjust and remain on his back. "Well, ready to return to land?" Swift half asked, half told Scootaloo. They had gotten a good bit of flying in and Swift wanted to stop by the library to look into some more books on being a weather pony. Scootaloo, excited to feel the wind in her mane again, nodded as she braced for take off. With a quick jump and dive, the two rapidly returned to the ground to unhook and separate: Scootaloo to go off with the other crusaders, and Swift to the library. ----------------------------- Princess Celestia, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight Sparkle were all gathered around the central table in the library sharing tea and cake while talking about more common topics. Their discussion on chaos magic had ended and Twilight wanted to spend more time with her mentor, while Rainbow Dash simply had nothing better to do for the time being since her new Daring Do book was lost in the stacks of the library. "So they have to redo the construction to the main hall after all. Last time we hire a griffon mason to build pillar work." The princess explained, referring to the project to rebuild the main hall after the Grand Galloping Gala incident. Rainbow Dash had the decency to blush when the topic of HOW those older pillars got destroyed came up. "I'm still sorry about that, Princess." She said, for the hundredth time. The princess simply smiled at the pegasus. "Rainbow Dash, I told you it was ok. No one was hurt, and it was time for a remodel of that room anyhow. That and you were just trying to help." She reassured the young pegasus. Rainbow nodded in acceptance, while Twilight simply smiled warmly at the exchange, before getting concerned at the devious expression the princess had assumed. 'Uh oh.' Twilight thought, recognizing that face. What was the princess about to do? "Oh, and Rainbow, tell me about this new colt you have been with. Twilight mentioned him in her letter, but you seem to be the go to mare about him." She asked, grinning. Rainbow came out of her depression about the ruckus at the gala and grinned at the new topic, not noticing the look from Celestia. "Oh Swift is great. We just got him set up as an apprentice weather pony for Ponyville, and he is flying already as well. Soon I will start teaching him stunts so we can practice to get me into the Wonderbolts! Who knows, maybe he can join too!" She explained, her excitement ever present in her voice. Twilight simply shook her head at the predictable antics of the daredevil when the Wonderbolts came into conversation and excused herself to take dishes into the kitchen. Celestia and Dash both nodded before continuing their conversation. "Sounds like he is an amazing colt then. You are a lucky mare." The princess said in her soothing, almost motherly voice. Rainbow nodded before realizing what the princess was insinuating. "Wait, no. We are just friends." Dash quickly explained, finally noticing the grin the princess had been showing. "He just woke up a couple weeks ago without his memory. The last thing he is going to want is to have get into a relationship." Dash explained, not even noticing her own voice going a bit flat at the end of her own statement. Princess Celestia smiled at the pegasus' slip. "I notice you say he wouldn't want such a relationship. You didn't say anything about your own feelings." The Princess commented. Rainbow's eyes locked up at the princess, looking for the right response. She could flat out deny it, but this was the princess. She was as good as Applejack at seeing someones lies usually, and the truth was Rainbow had thought about such a thing with Swift more than she cared to admit recently. 'He is a great guy, but he doesn't remember his past. I can't get involved with him and he remember someone from before, can I?' She had argued this thought with herself before and found herself losing the argument more and more. Especially since Swing and she had started flying together, she had grown to desire the time in the air with him as much as she did the time she got to fly in the air on her own. Rainbow felt panic build up in her chest as she realized the princess was waiting for an answer, but she didn't know what to say. Thankfully she was saved as the door to the library opened and a customer stepped inside. ----------- Swift slowed from his sprint through the market district as he approached the library. He had landed out in the fields where he found Scootaloo earlier in the day and after tearing down the harness, she had run off to play with the other crusaders. No doubt to brag about her flight and proclaim she would soon be flying alongside her hero, Rainbow Dash. That was the current pony taking up a majority of Swift's thoughts as he jogged through town, smiling to vendors who had grown to recognize him in his time in town. He even spotted Big Mac towering over others at a produce stand, but didn't stop to say hello. The large stallion was haggling with the shop keeper, and Swift didn't want to interrupt (though hearing Big Mac speak haggle in one word comments was something Swift really wanted to see). Throughout the jog, his thoughts remained heavily on the rainbow maned pony who had become his friend. Often he would think about her, but ever since Scootaloo's 'innocent' question, he couldn't stop thinking of new possibilities with his friend. 'Her mane. Her eyes. Even her toned body. Gah Scootaloo! I blame you, you filly!' He shook his head, cursing the crusader for her question. Thankfully he knew Rainbow Dash had already been by the library to pick up her new Daring Do book and would be at her house reading, so the library would be a nice quiet place to organize his thoughts and decide what to do next. So lost in these thoughts was Swift that he failed to notice the golden chariot outside or the armored ponies around as he opened the door to the library. "Hey Twilight! How's it....going...." Swift strode in, shouting for Twilight and expecting the typical shush reaction when he found himself looking at a tall, regal looking pony he had never seen before. Her hair seemed to flow in wind that wasn't around, and upon closer examination Swift absently noticed she had wings and a horn. "Uh...um....hi." Swift's power over the Equestrian language showing just how strong it currently was, he managed to fumble out a weak greeting. The pony simply smiled with a motherly smile and nodded her head. Somehow this helped Swift relax slightly from his shock, but not his nervousness. This was clearly a pony of some import. Before he could inquire, or embarrass, himself further, Twilight Sparkle entered the room. "Did I hear my name?" She asked as she rounded the corner and saw Swift standing before the Princess, the former shocked and confused, and the latter amused. "Ah, Swift. Allow me to introduce Princess Celestia." Twilight walked up beside her mentor. Swift's eyes widened greatly at this introduction. "Celestia?! PRINCESS Celestia?! My apologies!" Swift dropped to a bow in respect for the regent of the sun, who finally broke out with a small giggle at the antics before her. "Now now, rise my little pony. Your respect is appreciated, but there is little need for the formalities. Besides, I was just talking about you with Rainbow Dash here." the Princess explained, motioning her head towards where Dash was currently sitting. Swift's head shot around and saw Dash staring at him in shock for some reason. Swift quietly thanked the maker that his coat was purple, so the blush he could feel running to his face would be heavily masked. Unfortunately Rainbow Dash had no such luck. With her cyan coat, the red tint was quite evident on her face. She couldn't believe of all the ponies in Ponyville, it had to be Swift to walk through the door right at that point. Dash waved sheepishly to Swift as he looked at her before motioning back to the Princess. She didn't want Swift's eyes on her right now, at least until she got herself under control. Thankfully for her, Swift looked back to the princess, leaving her to her thoughts. "Talking about me? I didn't realize I was discussion worthy for royalty." He said, trying to take his mind off Rainbow Dash. The Princess had an all knowing smile and simply nodded. "But of course. You are one of my subjects, and given your history from what Twilight here has told me, you are a fascinating subject. You have my condolences about your lost memory, but you seem to have made some wonderful friends here in Ponyville," the Princess said, motioning primarily to Dash, but including Twilight in her motion as well. Twilight simply nodded, but felt sorry for the two other ponies in the room. When the Princess got this way, Twilight knew any number of things could happen. "Unfortunately I must be on my way. There are nobles from the Griffon Lands who want to discuss trade agreements, and I mustn't be late." The Princess explained as she stood to leave. The ponies all stood with her (Swift already having been standing stepped aside so she could reach the door, and in turn a step closer to Rainbow Dash) and made ready to wish her well. "Princess, thank you again for the help with that lecture." Twilight said, wanting the Princess to know shew as truly thankful for the chance to learn from her mentor once again. "Yeah, it was pretty interesting, even for me!" Dash said, smiling as she waved. The Princess nodded to the pegasus before turning to her student. "Twilight Sparkle, there is one last thing. Formal invites and missives will come within the week, but I have news from Canterlot. In two months, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza will be getting married to the Captain of the Royal Guard." The Princess said, smiling. Twilight looked confused as she was speaking until the end. "WHAT?! The Captain?!" Twilight's shock reverberated through the library as the Princess simply nodded. "I felt you would like to know as soon as possible. Things have been busy for the guard, so he hasn't been able to send out notice, but all of your friends are invited, and I personally have tasks I would like each of them to perform." She explained, then after a pause turned to Swift. "You are invited as well, Swift. The letters won't mention you, but I will make sure you are on the list." She offered with a smile. Swift simply nodded in agreement, shocked to be invited to such a high class event in the first place. "But I really must be off. I shall see you all soon, and I look forward to your letters my dear student." Celestia said, bidding farewell to the library as a chorus of goodbyes followed her out the door. Once the door closed, Swift and Dash both looked to Twilight, who appeared to be shocked about something. "Hey Twi? What's up? You don't look so good." Dash said, hovering over to her. Twilight glanced up to Dash then over to Swift. "Shining Armor is getting married. The Captain of the Guard," she mumbled loud enough for the duo to hear. Swift and Dash shard a confused (and awkward given their previous thoughts) look about what the big deal was when Twilight spoke again. "He is my brother."