(31st March 2017)
A little over a week has passed since Train Wrecker became a cadet at the Wonderbolts Academy. Over the course of this week, he managed to build up a strong friendship with Rainbow Dash, often spending their breaks together, enjoying their company.
On this particular day, they had arranged to meet up at Train's apartment after practice to hang out.
"Do you mind me bringing some Bacardi? You know, make it a fun evening for us." Rainbow Dash suggested, smirking.
"I don't really drink, but I can make an exception for you." Train replied.
"Awesome! You're not gonna regret it, Wrecky!" Rainbow Dash said excitedly.
As Rainbow Dash went home to grab a bottle of Bacardi, Train tried to tidy his apartment before she arrived. He dusted the place off and hastily removed all the clothes laying on the floor.
Not 10 minutes afterwards, Rainbow Dash arrived with the bottle in hoof.
"Let's get this party started!" She shouted, still standing in the doorframe.
Train gave her a welcoming hug to greet her and then motioned for her to come inside.
"Welcome to my crib, Dashie! Admittedly, it's not the prettiest place out there, but I don't think there's a single ugly building in Cloudsdale. I'll show you around!"
He took Rainbow Dash's hoof and lead her inside.
"Alright, let's start with my living room. Nothing too fancy, but it's very comfy. I basically spend half of my day here, watching HoofTube on the TV."
"Wait a sec, you still use VHS, boomer?" Rainbow chuckled a little.
She pointed to a shelf next to the TV with a ton of Thomas the Tank Engine and Disney Movie VHS.
"Oh yeah, those old things. I'm a huge Thomas the Tank Engine Fan. Yes, those exist. I just enjoy collecting the old VHS." Train replied. Its clear he's very passionate about this.
"Huh, that's neat. I grew up with Thomas aswell, actually. I might still have some of my old wooden trains. I can give them to you if I find them. It's clear they'd be in good hooves." Rainbow Dash offered.
Train looked at her excitedly.
"Oh, really? That would be great! I basically collect anything Thomas I can get my hooves on. I even have a Thomas picnic blanket. It's kind of an obsession to be honest."
"Oh, don't worry. That's completely normal. I'm obsessed with the Wonderbolts for example. I've spent way too many bits on old props and merch."
"Oh, just you wait...." Train said, opening the door to another room.
"Rainbow Dash.... Welcome to the Train Room!"
The room behind the door was covered in posters of, mostly British, locomotives and trains. The highlight of the room was an H0 Model Railway Layout. Rainbow Dash carefully got closer and looked at the miniature railway.
"Woah.... Did you build that by yourself?" She asked in amazement.
Train smiled proudly at her excitement.
"Why, yes I did. But my favourite part about this hobby, is that it's never really finished. There's always something to add. I also love customizing models."
He picked out one of his many model locomotives off of one of the shelves.
"This one is called an LNER A1. I painted it to look like Gordon the Big Engine from Thomas the Tank Engine, since it is his basis."
He explained everything in very technical detail. Though Rainbow Dash didn't understand everything, she couldn't help but smile at Train's nerdy behaviour.
"You know, if I've learned anything today..... Then it's that you're a huge fricking nerd." She said giggling, nudging his shoulder.
"But, that's totally fine, don't get me wrong! You wouldn't believe it at first, but I'm a huge egghead. I'm addicted to Daring Do. I bet you know her."
Train's smile widened.
"Know her? Dash, I think you're gonna like this. Follow me."
Rainbow Dash followed him curiously to his bedroom.
"I don't just know Daring Do..... I love her!"
He opened his bedroom door, revealing a bookshelf with all of the Daring Do books. A few Daring Do plushies were sitting on his bed and a proud display of other merch was displayed on another shelf.
Rainbow's eyes widened in shock and amazement.
"Holy bucking Celestia!! I... You.... This is so awesome! Train, I love you even more than before now!"
Train blushed slightly and smiled widely.
Rainbow Dash continued to look around the room, marvelling at the various plushies in particular.
"You know.... I'm friends with A. K. Yearling herself actually and I go to DoerCon every year. This is so special to me." Rainbow Dash told.
As Rainbow Dash looked through the whole room, she opened a closet. Out of the closet fell a Daring Do Dakimakura. Train blushes more than he had ever before.
"Holy... I... I'm not.... I..."
Rainbow Dash put a hoof to his mouth.
"Shhh... It's alright. I have one too." She whispered.
Train looked relieved.
"Well, what would a Daring Do collection be without a daki?" He said, smiling nervously.
Rainbow Dash just rubbed his mane and went over to the bookshelf. There were DVDs located under the bookshelf.
"Wait, you have them on DVD and Blu-Ray?"
"What can I say..... I get way too obsessed with this stuff. I even write FanFiction."
"Oh, you do?" Rainbow's head cocked up.
"Give me the link, I'll give it a read later."
"Oh, sure. You can find it on dofiction.net. My username is Tisalie."
Rainbow Dash's eyes widened.
"Wait.... No way! You're Tisalie?! The HoofTuber who wrote "Daring Do vs the Changeling Queen"?! That's a fandom classic! You're quite more famous than I thought. Your story is so well written! It really touched me when I first read it."
Train Wrecker smiled proudly, blushing a bit.
"Thanks for liking my story. I did take alot of inspiration from me and my father's life. It's amazing to see how successful it got."
"It's truly an honour. I'm best friends with my favourite HoofTuber. And I didn't even notice! Can I be on your channel?!"
Rainbow looked at him with excited eyes.
"Daww, nopony could say no to that face. Besides, you are in the books. And I could use somepony for a reading of the story."
"Oh, you bet I'll be there! How about we do this another time though? Seeing your DVDs, I kinda got in the mood to watch a Daring Do movie." Rainbow Dash pointed to his DVDs.
"Oh, sure! I'd love to! How about.... "Daring Do and the Razor of Dreams"?"
Train held up a DVD. Rainbow gave him a thumbs up..... With hooves.
"Excellent choice! You have good taste, Wrecky."
Train put in the DVD and the two made themselves comfortable in Train's bed.
After half an hour, Rainbow Dash leaned on his shoulder, smiling warmly. Train blushed slightly, happier than he'd ever been.
"This evening is amazing.... And we didn't even need the Bacardi." Rainbow Dash yawned.
"Oh no.... I'm getting sleepy." She chuckled.
They continued watching for about 20 minutes, until Rainbow's eyes drifted close slowly. She fell asleep on Train's shoulder.
Train just smiled softly, wrapping a wing around her. He then turned off the TV and decided to fall asleep right beside her.