//------------------------------// // Losing Control // Story: Everypony Loves // by Kaii-Leiko //------------------------------// Losing Control It had literally only been a few seconds since Pinkie Pie had slammed the door to the library shut. This is why Twilight was surprised when it opened again. Pinkie stomped right up to Twilight. Their noses touched as Pinkie stared directly into Twilight’s eyes. “I have a GREAT attitude!” Twilight thought Pinkie seemed awfully offended over something so minor. “I know Pinkie! I didn't mean to insult you.” Pinkie kept staring for a few moments then sat her rump down. Her facial expression was completely different than before. Her anger subsided and turned to sadness. Ever since the picnic she had barely seen Rainbow Dash. Finally they got some time together and then Gilda came and ruined everything. Stupid Griffon. I wish you’d never come! Pinkie’s eyes widened. She couldn't believe she’d just thought that. It was so un-Pinkie of her. She sighed. “Maybe you’re right Twilight...” Twilight placed a hoof on her pink friend’s shoulder. “You’re getting really jealous over nothing Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash just wants to catch up with an old friend.” “I know. It’s just I've barely seen her since our last date.” Pinkie didn't even realize what she said. Twilight did though. “Date?” Pinkie gasped. “Oh no! I promised Rainbow Dash I wouldn't tell anypony! She’s going to be so upset with me. Twilight you can’t tell her, please! Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplea-“ “You’re dating a mare!?” Twilight’s voice rose. She couldn't believe what she’d just heard. “Wow.” Came Spike’s voice from the side. Both ponies turned to the young dragon. “Spike could you please go outside?” The look Twilight was giving him definitely meant she didn't want to be told no right this moment. He nodded and quickly went for the door. As he was shutting it on his way out Twilight voice called out after him. “And don’t speak to anypony about this.” Spike nodded again and went to keep himself busy. “You’re dating a mare!?” Twilight said with an incredulous look. “Yeah! So what?” Pinkie glared at the unicorn. She was completely misunderstanding Twilight’s reaction. “Of all ponies I never thought you would be so judgemental! That is unbelievable Twilight there’s nothing wrong with dating another mare. So long as two ponies love each other!” Pinkie turned angrily and stomped towards the door. Although clearly angry her heart ached a little. She honestly believed her friends were better than that. Twilight ran ahead of the pink pony and blocked the door. “No wait, you don’t understand!” “I think I get it. You’re a judgemental judgementally mean judgemental pants!” Twilight had never seen Pinkie Pie so angry. She raised a hoof. “ I'm not judging Pinkie. I'm just curious, really. I've never met a mare who likes other mares.” “We’re not some kind of new specimen Twilight.” Pinkie’s gaze drifted away, hurt. “No, that’s not what I meant either! I just want to understand.” Twilight was desperate to talk to Pinkie about it. Maybe it would help shed some light on what she was feeling herself. If she could help a friend while at it too then that only made it better. “I love Rainbow Dash.” Pinkie didn't hesitate in her choice of words. She was perfectly comfortable with what she was saying. “Simple as that?” “As simple as that.” Pinkie replied. “So long as you love another pony it... Doesn't matter who it is?” “No it doesn't. So long as you're both in love and do what your heart tells you to! Books are great and all but your heart knows more about love than any book ever will. You can't control who you love. It just happens! And I’ll never be ashamed for loving Rainbow Dash. Even if she doesn't exactly feel the same way...” Twilight led Pinkie back to the centre of the room. as she spoke. “ So Rainbow Dash doesn't want others to know?” “No. She’s worried others will make fun of her for it. “ Pinkie’s voice sunk again. It was all beginning to make sense to Twilight. From what she understood Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash had been marefriends for quite some time. Pinkie Pie was perfectly fine with people knowing this. Rainbow Dash on the other hand, always worried of what others thought of her, was not. This entire Gilda thing made much more sense now too. “ I'm not exactly knowledgeable on this subject Pinkie. If Rainbow Dash loves you though, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. I'm sure she’ll also tell everyone when she’s ready.” “I know.” Pinkie Sighed. “I just wouldn't expect everyone to react the way I did.” The rest of our friends might not be developing crushes on mares too. “Why? You really think some of our friends might not be so accepting?” Pinkie groaned. “I don’t k-“ “I just need to get out of here.” Pinkie just stood and left without another word. She needed some time for herself, to think. Twilight sighed. That could have gone better. I need to clear my head too. ** Twilight had spent the last little while trying to avoid Fluttershy as much as possible.. It wasn't because she didn't want to see her. She was just trying to sort things out. Her talk with Pinkie Pie had helped some but she though it wouldn't hurt to do a little more research. That was why she had her nose buried in a book called “Friendship 101.” She also had “Love: For Dummies” in a bag at her side. It was a nice day so she’d decided to do some reading outside. She'd taken her books and found a peaceful bench that was drenched in sunlight. She laid down upon it and had begun her reading. She wasn't having any luck though. She was starting to think this wasn't something she could learn about in a book. Through some twist of fate it was then that Fluttershy flew by. Her pink mane covered her face but Twilight could hear the sobs. Fluttershy didn't even notice the purple mare as she flew by. Twilight didn't know why Fluttershy was upset or where she was going. Her cottage wasn't that way. “Fluttershy?” Twilight called as she zipped by. It was to no avail. Fluttershy did not hear her. Twilight stood up and without thinking took off after her. She didn't realize she’d left both of her books there, nor that Applejack had seen what had happened. Applejack rushed after the two of them but stopped when she saw Twilight’s books. That Twilight. How unlike her to leave a book lyin' 'round in a place like this. She picked up the book and chuckled at the title as she placed it in the bag. She then noticed the title of the other book with a grin and thought triumphantly I knew it, but who could she...? Then Applejack thought back to how Twilight had taken off after Fluttershy. Could it be...? ** Fluttershy landed and without delay laid her head on both of her front hooves. She sobbed loudly, now that no one was around it wasn’t as embarrassing. Her fur was stained with tears now. What had she done? She hadn't mean to offend the Griffon. “Fluttershy?” a hesitant voice chimed from the background. Fluttershy lifted her head up and turned to see who was there. Twilight flashed her a small smile. Fluttershy knew helping crying ponies wasn't Twilight's strong suit. This only made her appreciate the purple mare's attempt to come cheer her up even more. Twilight took a few steps towards the butter-yellow mare. Fluttershy realized she hadn't said anything yet. “Oh, hello Twilight. How are you?” She tried to sound cheery but sobs threatened to escape at any moment. Twilight began walking towards Fluttershy and reached one hoof forward. Fluttershy flinched, much to Twilight surprise. The unicorn was overwhelmed with sadness for her friend. She must have experienced some rather horrible things for her to recoil like that. Twilight gently brushed Fluttershy’s cheek. Some grass had gotten stuck to the fur around her eyes. Most likely due to the tears. Twilight gently wiped those away too. Fluttershy tilted her head. She looked into Twilight’s lovely mauve eyes and tears welled up again. Twilight quickly pulled her hoof back, thinking she’d done something wrong. She stammered out an apology. The pegasus quickly shook her head. “No Twilight. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just so...” She trailed off and hiccuped. “Grateful.” “It’s what friends do.” Friends... Twilight thought to herself. It was time she stopped lying to herself. She was beginning to realize what she really wanted. No, the truth was she knew. She just didn't want to admit it. Logic dictated she should fall for a stallion, not a mare. Was loving another mare really wrong though? She wasn't even sure if she cared any more. Pinkie doesn't seem to think it matters... “You’ve already been so kind, and I hate to ask for anything more.” Fluttershy wiped her eyes. “But I was hoping, um, if you don’t mind that is, if maybe you could walk home with me.” More time to talk to Fluttershy? Twilight nodded her head eagerly. Together they began the walk back to Fluttershy’s cottage. ** This was the first time Rainbow Dash hadn't been around Gilda since she’d arrived in town. It was good to have some time alone, finally. It also gave her time to think about a certain pink pony she’d been avoiding. She truly loved Pinkie, that had never been in question. Was she really ready for others to know though? She was thoroughly considering it. She wasn't afraid of anything, after all. It was also very important to Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash was also beginning to realize it was important to be comfortable with who she was as well. She wasn't doing anything wrong either. Then there was the matter of how she’d been treating Pinkie Pie since their date. Avoiding her. Even when being directly addressed by Pinkie as she flew by. How awful. Rainbow Dash stifled a sigh and pushed her head in the middle of the cloud she was laying on. This was all so complicated. Why couldn't things just be easy? It was time though, and she knew it. Time to talk to Pinkie Pie about telling ponies. Or at least their friends. Dash stood up then let herself fall from the cloud she had been on. She opened her wings at the last moment and dashed back into the air. Time to find Pinkie. ** Pinkie Pie giggled as she set up the decorations. Now here was something that was taking her mind off of all the icky things going on. It was hard to feel bad when you were planning and setting up a party. The invitations had been sent. The decorations had been placed up. Really the only thing that was left to do was enjoy the atmosphere until all the guests showed up. Then the day finally took a turn for the better. “Pinkie?” came Rainbow Dash’s uncertain voice from the doorway of sugarcube corner. “Dashie!” Pinkie bounced with joy. Rainbow Dash entered and looked around to make sure there was nopony around. She closed the door to sugarcube corner and approached Pinkie. She double checked that nopony was around and planted a soft peck on the pink mare’s lips. Then as they pulled away Dash went in again and gave her another kiss. This one was much longer. They locked lips several times, and Dash’s tongue snaked it’s way into Pinkie’s mouth for a brief second. It then pulled out as though it had been teasing her and then they pulled away from each other. Pinkie giggled softly. “What was that for?” “Apology. I’m sorry for everything over the last little while. I also came here to tell you I'm ready.” Rainbow Dash could almost feel herself hyperventilating. She couldn’t take it back now. “Ready for what?” “To tell our friends, Pinkie. If it’s important to you it’s important to me and I want to feel comfortable with who I am. If I can’t be who I really am around our friends then they’re not really good friends are they?”” “Oh Dashie!” Pinkie Pie glomped Rainbow Dash. She squeezed the cyan pegasus tightly. She placed pecks all over Dash’s face. “Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash softly pushed the pink mare off and got back on her hooves. They both stared at each other for a moment then burst out laughing. Pinkie felt as though this were a dream. One she hoped she wouldn't wake up from. She thought her and Rainbow Dash had been growing more distant. Instead this was the best thing that could happen for them at the moment. She wasn't sure anything could make this day better. Or dampen her spirits. “Oh I'm throwing a party for Gilda!” She bounced circles around Dash. “That’s a good idea. I have a good one too though, I think...” Dash said with a mischievous smile. “What’s that?” Pinkie tilted her head. “We’re gonna get Gilda good.” ** The walk was slow. Not many words were exchanged but it didn't matter. Both mares were just grateful for the others company. It was nice and calming. It couldn't last forever though, unfortunately. They were nearing Fluttershy’s cottage now. Twilight racked her brain trying to think of something to talk about. She wasn't quite ready to leave the yellow mare yet. “Have you ever had a coltfriend?” She blurted out without thinking. Fluttershy seemed surprised. Most people could easily guess the answer. “Oh, uh..No.” “Why not?” Since she’d already started she might as well roll with it. They were standing in front of Fluttershy’s door at this point. “I’m far too shy for that Twilight. And nopony wants to date a shy pegasus like me. I'm not that pretty either. Not when there’s mares like Rarity or you around.” Fluttershy shifted her gaze to the ground. She gnawed at her lower lip. She’d spoken without thinking and was regretting it now. “Geez I'm not pretty. I'm just...Studious. And geeky, kind of an egghead really. I'm more interested in books than anything. Colts don’t find that attractive.” Twilight was the one looking at the ground now. No one had ever called her pretty before. It made her feel a little warm. Embarrassed too. Fluttershy lips twitched into a shy smile. “That’s silly. It just means you’re smart. You’re the smartest mare I know, and I'm sure a lot of colts find your brains just as nice as your, uh, body Twilight.” Small patches of blush could be seen forming on Fluttershy's cheeks Twilight’s eyes met Fluttershy’s now. Her heart skipped a beat. Fluttershy’s words ran through her mind. I'm smart. I'm pretty. She wanted Fluttershy to understand how amazing she was as well. “You’re amazing too Fluttershy.” Wait, she never called me amazing. Oops...Now I probably look conceited. She hoped complimenting the other mare would make her seem less full of herself. ”You’re pretty and kind and caring. You’re fantastic with animals.” Twilight frowned. “Not that you’re not great with ponies too, even though you’re kind of shy.” Twilight gasped. “Wait! I didn't meant that in a bad way. It’s cute and endearing. I just- I...” She just let herself trail off. Fluttershy was staring at Twilight. Her expression was both flattered and confused. Twilight shifted from one set of hoofs to the next. She was used to being in control and knowing exactly what to say. I should have planned this out! I should have made a step-by-step guide on what I would say. Listed every possibility and a counter-action to every outcome. I should have...I need to regain control. For a few seconds both stood there in silence. Then Twilight leaned forward and Kissed Fluttershy. I don’t think this was staying in control...