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// Understanding 
// Story: Recollections 
// by Whiles34 
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Rainbow Dash was unusually restless.  It was time for her afternoon nap, but she could just not get any sleep the past few days.  Instead, she sat perched upon a cloud above Sugarcube Corner.  The reason for her unease was clear to her:  she had feelings for Pinkie Pie.  Not just friendship; this was much stronger.  The pegasus wanted nothing more than to tell her pink friend how she felt.  However, one thing stood in the way.

Rainbow Dash was a brave pony.  No monster or challenge she faced ever fazed her a bit.  In fact, the only thing capable of frightening her was herself – particularly her own insecurities.  And these self-doubts asked questions.  Hard questions.  What if Pinkie didn’t feel the same way?  What if it got in the way of their existing friendship?  And thus, as much as Rainbow wanted to get it off her chest, she could never work up the courage to ask Pinkie out.

So instead of focusing on her angst, the pegasus tried to think of other things.  The Wonderbolts.  Flying.  The weather.  While Rainbow was ruminating on this last subject, she suddenly found herself comparing it to Pinkie.  Feeling uncharacteristically thoughtful, Dash decided to continue the comparison.

Pinkie was the sun.  Always warm and cheerful, she brought a smile to everypony’s face, regardless of how bad they were feeling.

Pinkie was a storm.  Loud and chaotic and tumultuous, she often appeared suddenly and left just as quickly.

Pinkie was fog.  Light and airy, yet impossible to ignore.

Pinkie was rain.  Life seemed to follow her everywhere she went.

Then, something miraculous occurred.  For just a split second Rainbow Dash once again achieved the impossible: she understood Pinkie Pie.  All the chaotic pony’s actions, desires, and aspirations were suddenly laid clear for Dash.

The insight faded a mere moment later, but the knowledge it imparted was enough.  Rainbow Dash now knew that her fears were unfounded.  Pinkie did indeed feel the same way about Rainbow – it was now obvious.  Rainbow Dash could have Pinkie; all she had to do was ask.  She never had an easier decision to make.  Diving off of her cloud, the pegasus glided down to the bakery below and knocked on the door, thinking of the words that will change her life forever.