Princess of Happy Nothings

by apersonnomore

Regal Informality

Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash landed on the balcony of the pegasus' cloud home. Rainbow settled down next to her friend who collapsed in a wheezing heap.

The alicorn blinked vigorously. “How do you deal with this cold night air? I could hardly see!”

“Heh, I thought reading all those dusty books would've built up your resistance.”

“Don't be silly, you can't build a resistance to dry eyes Rainbow.” She paused, rubbing her lids with a hoof. “Maybe there is some sort of passive pegasus magic.” Suddenly, pain forgotten, Twilight's eyes shot wide open with interest. She leaned ahead of her friend, examining her magenta orbs. “There couldn't be a liquid lens, else it would freeze at low temperatures; unless perhaps it was a previously unknown fluid. Ha! Not that, Pegasus tear ducts are no different than my own. Then they must keep the air in place. Rainbow, do you ever see chromatic aberration when your environment experiences sharp changes in temperature."

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Twi, how about we save that for later, k?”

“Oh... ok” Twilight retreated back beside the pegasus with a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I'm just a little worked up.”

“Its cool, your first time flying at night can be scary if your not as awesome as me...” Twilight gave the floor a defeated look. “...but we really can do that whole chro-magic irrigation thing if you want, AFTER,” Rainbow gestured off the balcony into the dark, “we do what we came for.”

Twilight's mouth formed a small 'o' as she took a good look at the sky. “Oh Rainbow it's beautiful!” What had been a splendid night's sky in town, and a painful blur in the air, had in Dash's isolated cloud home become a beautiful canvas of stars. The milky way flowed across a great plain of stars, navigated by bright ships that drifted far to patiently to be caught, and far to numerous to be known.

Stars. Stars that were lost to a certain cyan pegasus, who grinned lamely at her companion, her eyes jumping ever so slightly to catch the movement of Twilight's own as she traced the constellations. Rainbow had lived a life far removed from the librarians world, and the moments she had given were always fleeting at best, dependent upon a temporary spell, or an airshow from afar. Books and knowledge were easily shared, but they sky? More nights than she would like to admit had been spent dreaming of such an opportunity as this.

It would seem then that change was welcome to the quick pony, but Rainbow Dash had been putting something off for far too long, and time has a way of cementing stubborn ponies. I like you Twi. Like, like like... no... I know you're a princess and all but... did I ever tell you I really dig librarians? UGH! OhCelestiaShe'sTalkingToMe! “I-it sure is really awesome!” A slight crack betrayed her perfect cover.

“The something on my face is 'really awesome?'”

“heh, no, lemme get that.” Rainbow straightened a stray strand of Twilight's mane. Hanging out with rarity might not be exciting, but it sharpened one's skill with white lies. “So is the view cool or what?”

“Oh it is spectacular, I wish I'd thought to come up here sooner.” She turned back to the marbled sky. “Thank you.”

An uncharacteristic silence fell upon the two as their wingtips mingled at their sides. Rainbow worked her hooves nervously against the unyielding cloud tile, stealing glances at the purple Alicorn as she smiled distantly at the stars. “Twi, I want to tell you something...” She could taste her own tongue as it fumbled around the words. “...but I have to say somethin' else first.” The anxiety in her voice was palpable.

Twilight's calm visage was broken only by the slightest of frowns as she turned toward her companion. “I'm all ears Rainbow,” She draped a wing over Dash's withers for emphasis “you know you can tell me anything.” Her frown deepened as the cyan mare shrugged off the feathered hug and rose to her hooves.

Rainbow took in a deep breath as the cold night air hugged her form and sharpened her thoughts. “Since this whole Princess thing we've been spending a lot more time together. I was thinking about why, and its been bothering me real bad Twi.” Twilight's head swiveled to track Rainbow as she began to pace. “Its been really cool being able to fly with you, and having you here is awesome, but I just want you to know: I don't really care that you have wings.” This solicited a surprised blink from the princess. “I've always thought you were a real egghead, which you are, but I've also always known that you were really awesome; you're so smart and...” Rainbow paused to idly spin her hoof as she searched for the word, “...magical, and you're a really good friend! You got me into reading, and help me write applications and train for the wonder-bolts.”

“I'm not very good at saying these sorts of things... I never really knew how to spend more time with ya. I even crashed into your library a few times just to hang out.” A nervous grin tugged at Dash's lips as she caught a brief glare. “You can be really hard to talk to sometimes, and you're always so busy.” Twilight's gaze softened as her friends grin trembled and fell. “This wing thing finally gave me an excuse to hang out with you, but that's all it is Twilight. I don't like you anymore because of it.” She hung her head nervously, pawing at the ground.

There was a long pause as Twilight waited for Rainbow to continue, but when nothing more came she inquired, “Why would you tell me this?” Rainbow shuffled her hooves, “I'm not upset or anything, I'm just curious.”

“Well I know I'd be upset if the only reason you started... lo-liking me more was 'cause I read books. It just wouldn't be cool if I started doing the same just 'cause you grew wings.”

“but don't you think its brought us closer?”

The Pegasus' eyes seemed to be pleading for something. “Well ya, but that's no-”

“and hasn't reading books together made you like me more?” Twilight face adopted a knowing smile.

“but those are just little things Twi.”

“Books and wings are 'just little things?'” The purple mares eyebrow raised high above an increasingly smug smile.

“Well... no... I just...” Rainbow trailed off as her eyes searched the ceiling for the right words.

Twilight giggled. “I know what you mean RD, and I really appreciate it. You didn't have to tell me though.” The other mare visibly relaxed. “I know why we're friends. I've heard some ponies call you Loyalty before, but that's not it.” Her hoof twitched as she discounted each idea. “It's not because you are fast; Certainty not because you read; I don't like you because your cool; It's not even some sort of magical connection.” Twilight turned back toward the open sky beyond the balcony, smiling. “I know why.”

A fleeting warmth flickered in Rainbow's chest, this is your chance, only to slowly dwindle as she sized up her friend. Had Twilight always looked so regal? Before her was no longer a cute little egghead, but a princess. A chill ran down her spin as Rainbow pictured her friend flanked by Celestia and Luna, gazing peacefully into the infinite abyss of stars. She began to wonder...

“Why do you like me, Twilight?”

At this the Alicorn rose, and turned to her friend. Her face had suddenly become serious, her voice challenging: “Strip away everything that is me: my wings, horn, mane, coat, mind, and why do you like me, Rainbow?”

“Um... hey, no fair! I asked you first. If we were just like every-pony else, why should we have friends at all? You're the friendship expert.”

The princess' face betrayed the slightest hint of disappointment. “Do you really want to know?”

“Yes.” No.

After glancing around the room, Twilight strode up upon the Pegasus, frowning. “Promise you wont tell Celestia?”

Surprised, Rainbow nodded unsteadily; anxiety bubbled from within, accented with a hint of regret.

The purple pony leaned conspiratorially to whisper into her friend's ear: “Honestly, I don't know why, and I don't care.” Suddenly She wrapped Rainbow into a fierce full-body hug. “You're awesome RD!”

Before any more could be said the cyan pegasus found herself on the receiving end of a fierce tickle attack. Peals of laughter echoed against the ridged clouds as the two friends rolled and wrestled across the balcony, their minds certain of something to which they were no more the wiser.

The 'something else' can wait for another day~