//------------------------------// // This Quaint Little Village // Story: Cuddling // by cooopercrisp //------------------------------// Chapter 8: This Quaint Little Village “What?” Rainbow Dash asked, completely floored by what she had just heard. It was one thing for Rarity to have a crush on her. For Rarity to declare her love like that was something else entirely. “I…oh, Rainbow Dash, please don’t make me say it again. It was hard enough the first time.” “I’ll say!” Rainbow Dash cried. “Why did you lie to me?” “I didn’t want to scare you away, and the idea of cuddling with you just seemed so nice. I guess it was easier to confess to you when we were lying in bed together.” “Oh, don’t even bring that up,” Rainbow Dash said. “I suppose you don’t reciprocate my feelings then,” Rarity said sadly. She looked at Rainbow Dash with tears swimming in her eyes. “Of course not!” Rainbow Dash outburst, but then she looked at the hurt in Rarity’s eyes and backpedaled. “I mean, I wish I could feel the same way so you don’t have to be hurt like this. Sorry, I’m acting like such a jerk.” “No, it’s all right. I should have expected you to react badly,” Rarity said. “You shouldn’t have to expect that of your friends. I’m just a dunce.” “Please don’t call yourself names, Rainbow Dash. It’s unbecoming of you.” “I still wish you would have told me earlier,” Rainbow Dash said, “instead of manipulating me like that.” “Understand the position I found myself in, dear,” Rarity said. “When you asked if I had a crush on you, you said you didn’t want to hurt my feelings. It sounded as though my feelings would not have been reciprocated, and so it seemed pointless to tell you. When you started to cuddle with me, though, I gave myself some false hope that maybe in the throes of such an intimate moment, you might change your mind. So I took that risk.” “You were still manipulating me,” Rainbow Dash said. “I know I was, and I am ever so sorry about that,” Rarity said, “but what was a poor mare to do? Would you have done better if you were in my conundrum?” Rainbow Dash thought about this question, and then shook her head. “Actually, I probably would have handled it worse,” Rainbow Dash said. “At least you know what you want and you aren’t afraid to go for it.” “What do you want, Rainbow Dash?” Rarity asked. “And what fear is keeping you from it?” “I don’t know. I just felt so…lonely in that big fluffy cloud bed of mine, and I just didn’t want to keep sleeping alone like that. So I went to Twilight and asked her if this might be okay, to cuddle with her, and she liked the idea a lot, so that’s what we did. Then Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were cool with the idea, too. But then Applejack came along and made me doubt myself, so I knew I needed to ask an expert on social etiquette. Who better to turn to than you for that?” “Rainbow Dash, you flatter me,” Rarity said. “If I knew all that much about etiquette, I’d still be rubbing hooves with the ponies of Canterlot. But here I am, in this quaint little village.” “Town,” Rainbow Dash corrected her. “Trust me, I’ve been flying all around Equestria, and I’ve seen some real villages. You’re lucky if the population of one is over a hundred.” “Well, compared to Canterlot or Manehattan, Ponyville seems very small. But we’re arguing semantics.” “I think we’ve been avoiding something,” Rainbow Dash said. Rarity looked up at her in confusion. “And what is that, darling?” she asked. “Aren’t you feeling…I don’t know…crushed. I mean, I just stone cold rejected you, and here you’re talking to me as if nothing happened.” “A lady doesn’t pine, dear,” Rarity said. “Yeah, but I’d still expect some sadness,” Rainbow Dash said. “I mean, I’ve had crushes on a few stallions back in flight school, and when I found out they didn’t like me I couldn’t stop crying. Turns out most of them were intimidated by my awesome flight skills.” “I don’t doubt that,” Rarity said with a small smile. “Oh, I suppose it is rather melancholic, the object of my desires not reciprocating my feelings.” “Do you always have to use such big words?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I wasn’t finished,” Rarity said, and this time she actually did sound offended, so Rainbow Dash stopped talking immediately. “Thank you. Perhaps when you leave I will allow myself a good cry, but I am not going to burden you with my troublesome emotions. I am determined that we are going to move on and remain good friends. What say you to that, Rainbow Dash?” “That’s…pretty mature,” Rainbow Dash said. “I suppose I shouldn’t have expected anything less from the classiest mare in Ponyville.” “Oh, quit it, you, you’re going to make me blush,” Rarity said, and a little pink was entering her cheeks. “Hey, you know what?” Rainbow Dash said. “When you told me how you felt, I was ready to bolt right on out of here, but is it okay if I stay the night?” “Of course it is, darling. And don’t worry, I won’t read anything into it.” “Thank you,” Rainbow Dash said. “It’s too dark to fly home anyway.” “It certainly is. I believe we have a new moon tonight.” “Too bad. The moon is really beautiful.” “Yes, Luna does quite the remarkable job,” Rarity said. The two settled into the bed and shut their eyes. Rainbow Dash thought about unrequited love and realized there was another example he could bring up. “You know Spike totally wants you, right?” Rainbow Dash asked. “He’s a baby dragon. He doesn’t know what he wants,” Rarity said. “But I do realize this, yes.” “Have you ever told him you don’t feel the same way?” Rainbow Dash asked. “What makes you think I don’t?” Rarity asked. “What?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I’m only kidding. Do try to lighten up,” Rarity said. “I suppose I’ve never had the courage to break his little heart. I’m not as direct about these things as you are.” “You’re only encouraging him by leading him on,” Rainbow Dash said. “Not that it’s any of my business.” “I know, but I don’t have the heart to tell him,” Rarity said. “No, I think you don’t tell him because you have a heart. You don’t want to see him upset,” Rainbow Dash said. “How very astute of you,” Rarity replied. “I have my moments,” Rainbow Dash said. “Yes, but I believe we have no more time for those tonight. I’m very tired.” “Okay. Good night, Rarity.” “Good night, Rainbow Dash.” *** Rainbow Dash awoke with the sun. She had slept fantastically holding Rarity in her hooves, which only reminded her how nice cuddling was. Forget Applejack, Rainbow Dash thought, this is awesome! This time it was easy for Rainbow Dash to get off of the bed without waking Rarity. She thought about taking a morning flight, but she didn’t want Rarity to wake up without her. That might give her the wrong idea. So Rainbow Dash waited patiently for Rarity to wake up on her own. That is, she did that for the first five minutes. Then she prodded Rarity with her hoof. “Stop it, that tickles,” Rarity mumbled sleepily. “Oh, does it now?” Rainbow Dash asked, and she really started to tickle her. Rarity’s laugh sang out in the large room, but Rainbow Dash was too relentless and Rarity ended up on the floor. “That really hurt, you know,” Rarity said, picking herself off of the floor. “You didn’t have to knock me off my bed.” “I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye,” Rainbow Dash said. “How sweet of you,” Rarity said. “Well, goodbye.” “Hold on a minute,” Rainbow Dash said. “I’m only teasing. Do you need to use the shower? I’ll whip up breakfast.” “That would be great, thanks. Oh wait, does that mean I have to use really girly shampoo?” “Only the best in my bathroom,” Rarity said. “It won’t kill you to have a wonderfully scented mane for one day.” “I suppose it won’t,” Rainbow Dash said. She took her shower while Rarity made pancakes. She wouldn’t have dreamed of making pancakes for herself because she was concerned about her weight, but she also knew Rainbow Dash ate like a horse, so pancakes seemed to make sense. When Rainbow Dash stepped out of the shower and went down to the kitchen, there was a heaping pile of pancakes sitting in front of her. Rarity had given herself only one. “These look delicious!” Rainbow Dash said, and she quickly started to wolf them down. Rarity started to eat hers much more delicately. As Rainbow Dash ate, syrup started getting stuck to her face, but she didn’t care. Even though Rainbow Dash had way more food, the two finished eating around the same time. “Oh dear, look at your face,” Rarity said. “Let me get a washcloth for you.” “Rarity, those were so good. You’re a great cook.” “Please, I don’t hold a candle to Applejack or Pinkie Pie when it comes to the kitchen,” she said as she was getting up to fetch the washcloth. She returned with the damp cloth and started rubbing the syrup off Rainbow Dash’s face. “Rarity, I can do it, argh, you don’t have to…” Rainbow Dash said as her face was being assaulted. It was to no avail, however. Rarity kept going until the sticky mess was washed clean off Rainbow Dash’s face. “Thanks,” Rainbow Dash said sheepishly. “You’re welcome,” Rarity said. “Now, I suppose you have a busy day ahead of you, so I won’t keep you any longer.” “Yeah, I should probably get going,” Rainbow Dash said. “Still, it was fun.” “Yes, yes, no need to thank me,” Rarity said. “I wasn’t going to,” Rainbow Dash said. Rarity looked at her quizzically and then laughed. “Very funny, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said. “I’ll see you around.” “All right, see you,” Rainbow Dash said, and she left the Carousel Boutique. She decided to take a stroll around Ponyville, taking the long way back to her cloud home. Along the way she ran into Applejack. “Oh, it’s you,” Rainbow Dash said. Applejack smiled and galloped up to her. “Rainbow Dash, how are ya?” Applejack asked, giving her a hug. “Careful, AJ,” Rainbow Dash said. “You don’t want ponies to think we’re dating or anything.” “About that,” Applejack said. “Ah talked to Twilight, and she really set me straight about this whole cuddlin’ thing. Ah still ain’t gonna try it, but it was wrong of me to make you feel so bad about it, and so ah apologize. Where were ya last night, by the way? Ah came to yer house but ya weren’t there.” “I stayed over at Rarity’s. And before you asked, yeah, we cuddled.” Applejack winced a bit, but she didn’t lash out at Rainbow Dash. “So how did that go?” Applejack asked. “Well, Rarity, she…” Rainbow Dash hesitated, not sure if she wanted to tell Applejack this. Then again, Rarity hadn’t sworn Rainbow Dash to secrecy, so she didn’t see why her friend shouldn’t know. “She kind of told me she was in love with me.” “What?” Applejack asked, a stern expression painted on her face. “And was this before or after you started gettin’ all snuggly?” “What difference does that make?” Rainbow Dash asked. “After, I guess.” “Consarn it, Rainbow Dash! This is exactly the kinda thing ah was warnin’ you about, mares gettin’ the wrong idea about you cuddlin’ with ’em. Ah knew this weren’t natural! Come on!” “Whoa, where are we going?” Rainbow Dash asked. “To give Twilight a piece of mah mind!” Applejack said. “Ah can’t believe she had me convinced this whole thing was okay…” Rainbow Dash was confused about Applejack’s anger, but she couldn’t say anything to make the stubborn mare change her mind. She would just have to explain to Twilight what happened reasonably and rationally, to counter Applejack’s passionate anger. With this in mind, she followed her friend to the Golden Oaks library and they knocked on the door.