Rainbow took a deep breath and then glared at the pony staring back at her.
“Let me make one thing clear,” she said in a scolding tone, “I’m not sure I can approve of your relationship with Fluttershy. You’re not anything like the best pony I think could match up with her. And before you ask I don’t know what that pony would be like, but I’m still surprised she chose you. So listen up, you are sometimes rude, you say things that hurt ponies feelings without realizing it, you jump at stupid ideas, you play pranks constantly, and despite how much you really want to make everyone around you happy you can be pretty darn insensitive.”
Rainbow sighed before continuing and looking at the other pony, a shadow of regret and hurt in her eyes. “That’s gotta stop, right now. When I walk out of this room I want to do it knowing that you’re going to do it as a brand new pony. A pony who tries her very hardest to be the best pony she can be for FLUTTERSHY. She’s done enough to deserve that from you. From any of us. The fact you haven’t done it sooner is just another of those things that makes me boggle that she chose you.”
Her expression softened as she looked at the other pony, “I’m not saying you can’t have this. You’ve said before how this is probably the best thing that could happen to you. But I need you to understand that you can’t blow this. There’s no practice run for this you’ve got to get it right the first time because if you don’t you’ll lose the best and kindest pony anyone could ask for. On top of that, if you hurt her or make her cry, I will never forgive you. She means too much to me to not set these standards. So go out there and show everypony that you’re the best friend a pony can be and an even BETTER marefriend. Got it?”
The pony in front of Rainbow nodded, though a shade of doubt remained behind her eyes. “Alright, dismissed. I need to get back to the cabin before the others get back to the train. Make sure you apologize to Fluttershy for whatever you did that’s made her so uncomfortable that she couldn’t wait here on the train with you.”
Rainbow turned on the sink in front of her and wet her head. After a minute she sat up and sent another glare at her reflection in the mirror before backing out of the tiny train bathroom and making her way back to the cabin the girls had booked on the ride out.
She’d barely reseated herself and gotten the newest Daring Do book back open to her stopping point when Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy filed in.
“Did you find your keys?” Rainbow asked Applejack as she tossed her saddlebags up onto the rack above the cabin bench.
“Eeyup. Right at the bar where I left ‘em. Now we won’t have to hire a locksmith to open the plantin’ tools shed come spring. Thanks for lettin’ me make this little detour, gals.”
“It’s alright,” Fluttershy answered, sitting down next to Rainbow, “I needed to get off and get some medicine for my stomach anyway, I forgot my motion sickness medication at home.”
“Is that why you’ve been so weird since we left Ponyville?” Rainbow asked shocked, “I thought I’d done something to annoy you!”
“Oh no, I just didn’t want to be sick all over you if I threw up. I’m fine now though.”
“I’m sure we all appreciate that Fluttershy,” Rarity said, scooting close to Applejack when the farmer sat down, “I’m just glad we didn’t run into Braeburn. He rubs me the wrong way. Oh, no offense Applejack.”
“None taken, Rares. I’ll admit Braeburn’s got a few bindings loose on his saddle. There’s a reason everyone in the family recommended he move out here to Appleloosa. Say where’re Twi and Pinkie?” Applejack asked, looking around for, “We can’t get this vacation back on the road without them.”
“Pinkie said she wanted to try a new version of her sharing song on the locals and Twi ran off to make sure she didn’t ‘get lost’ on her way back,” Rainbow explained.
“A new song? I’m not sure they’d appreciate that very much,” Rarity said.
“Well, it was either the locals or us on the train.”
“And I will forever appreciate their sacrifice,” Rarity hastily amended, “But the train is leaving soon shouldn’t they be back by now?”
“They probably stopped by the food cart or something I’m sure it’s-“ Applejack cut herself off as familiar giggles became audible in the small hall outside the cabin. Moments later Pinkie and Twilight entered laughing.
“Oh girls,” Pinkie snickered, “You’re gonna think this is funny. When we tried to get back on the train we had to tell them that the pies we were bringing back were for snacking purposes and not weapons. Hah. Can you believe it.”
“Considerin’ last I heard Braeburn is in charge of the local customs station? Yes. Yes I can,” Applejack said, “Glad you girls made it back. Now no more side trips. Let’s get this triple date vacation back underway and get the hay out of-“
“Aaaaaappleloosa!”
The girls instinctively dove for the ground and hid there in silence for a moment until they were sure that the pony outside hadn’t been talking to them.
“Stay down ‘til we pull out of the station,” Applejack hissed, “Once we’re clear we can get back up without him seein’ us.”
“Oh, I say, I am NEVER coming back to this horrid little town again,” Rarity complained quietly.
The others chorused their agreements in muted tones as the train began to, finally, leave the station.