The garden had been nice, but really boring. Fluttershy had a big smile on her face though, so things worked as planned. I was looking down instead of at AJ because the one thing I thought I had figured it wasn't going as planned. Applejack was glaring at me. Gilda was not far away, looking down at the action in the arena. She had a private box so we were alone. Which was good because I was pretty sure AJ was about to make me feel really stupid, and the fewer witnesses the better.
"So let me get this here strait. Your plan was for me and Gilda to fight…"
"The Arena cancels magic so it would be fair and…"
"That ain't the point ya fool pegasus. Now ah don't shy away from a tussle when ah got a good enough reason, an' ah even wanna fight her a bit, but if this is about respect, then even if that would work it ain't the way. Ah won't earn her respect for that."
"Oh." I then sighed. "So I have this all backwards and have to start over. It's about figuring out not just what might make her respect you, but how you would actually want to earn her respect."
"You two dweebs do know that as big as this box is and despite not being able to see my ears, I can hear you both just fine, right?"
AJ and I both turned and gave our best fake smiles. Gilda laughed.
"Look, you don't want to fight me, fine. Still, Dash said you're a physical kind of pony, so how about we try something like how Dash really earned my respect."
"It wasn't fighting?"
"Nah, I was mad cause you beat me, remember. Most Griffins would be impressed by a good fight, but that doesn't really mean anything." Then she laughed. "Well okay, you actually beating me at that too was impressive, but mostly it was the flying."
"So what, you want to have an iron pony competition?"
"I'm not sure exactly what that is, but obviously not. I still can't believe that pink annoyance is still out there. I mean she hasn't even tried to kick anyone and she's already taken out eight gladiators. It doesn't make sense."
I laughed. "Yea, that's Pinkie all over. So still not willing to give her a chance?"
"I'm going to try Dash. For you I can try, and you at least make the rest of your friends sound cool, though I find it hard to believe it could all be true."
"Dash don't lie much at all. You really think…"
Gilda waved a claw. "Oh I think she really does believe they're that cool, and she thinks they did what she said. I just figure that isn't the truth."
"And ah'm the first to prove her right? Fine, ah like that idea. Name it, and I'll do it. Anything that don't require wings ah can do, and do better."
Gilda was right in AJ's face an intense look in her eyes. "Oh yea pony, you sure you really want to try and prove it. Griffins play rough."
"Bring it on."
I was about to say something then I suddenly realized how familiar the scene looked. Some ponies didn't get it, but I was just fine with the way AJ and I got along. Though I would have to make sure things didn't go too far like that one running of the leaves, but I think we both learned that lesson the hard way. Also Gilda isn't quite as competitive, though if anything she's more stubborn than AJ. I blinked. They really are a lot a like in some ways, aren't they?