//------------------------------// // 12 Dinner with a Wonderbolt // Story: What's Really the Most Important? // by KrishnaKarnak //------------------------------// Dash was pacing back and forth inside the Carousel Boutique, strolling about in great agitation. Rarity kept throwing her looks, rolling her azure eyes. “Rainbow Dash, puh-leeze!” Rarity scoffed at her, running the fabric in her hooves through a sewing machine. “You are disturbing my clairvoyance! I cannot concentrate with you STAMPING ABOUT!” Rainbow Dash stopped mid-pace, raising her eyebrows in surprise. She tapped her hoof against the floor, sticking out her tongue and spoke. “Well excuuuse me, Rarity! I did not mean to be so disorderly as to send cascades of disorientation throughout your shop!” Dash said, imitating Rarity's most pompous manner. “But I'M FREAKIN' NERVOUS!” “Oh, don't be such a drama queen!” Rarity said loftily, closing her eyes and humming serenely as she summoned a few differently coloured sheets of silk to her. Opalescence was watching them move through the air from her bed, claws flexing and narrowing her light green eyes. “You'll be fine with this new dress. He will most certainly want to take Nebuchadnezzar out to grass after tonight!” Rainbow Dash's mouth fell open. “I'm not even going to pretend that I understood that, but the way you said it... C'mon, Rarity, I know what you're implying!” “Whaaat?” Rarity beamed, showing off her brilliant teeth. “Now hush up, you little filly! Once I am done with this outfit you will be the jewel of his eyes, I assure you!” “I hope so...” Rainbow sighed, beginning to pace about again. “I can spend a full day with him! I can go flying with him and Scootaloo, nooo problem! I can ask him out with total confidence! But actually facing a date with Soarin... Ohmigosh, ohmigosh, ohmigosh...” “Rainbow, my dear! Relax, you are all of a dither. Rarity will take care of you!” the unicorn reassured her. “I... I dunno, Rare!” Dash groaned, grinding her hooves against one another. “I wanted him to make the first move because I was worried I was taking things too fast! And then I ask him out myself! I'm taking things too fast! Yes, Rarity, take care of me when I ruin this because I have NO CLUE WHAT PACING MYSELF MEANS!” “Now, Dashie!” Rarity began, shuffling the fabrics around, picking up her orange glasses and sticking them on her nose. “Treating a gorgeous stallion to dinner after he was clearly courting you by being such a dear to little Scootaloo is NOT making the first move!” “It's... not?” asked Rainbow Dash as she rubbed her temples. “Great heavens, no! He might not even consider this a date, to begin with!” Rarity explained calmly. “OH GEEZ, RARITY! THAT MAKES ME FEEL LOADS BETTER!' Dash panicked. “Huge weight off my shoulders, I'm on top of the world! Now excuse me for a few minutes! I'm off to go hang myself!” “My little Dashie, don't be such a baby!” Rarity said, squinting her eyes and poking a thread through the eye of a needle carefully. “Date or not, it's still not making the first move! Now, when you're sitting down on a loveseat, hoof in hoof with such a handsome and charming pony, and he leans in close, kissing your neck and whispering poetic musings into your ears as he shoves you down on your back!” Rarity gave a little giggle, eyes misty in reminiscence. “That's a first move!' Rainbow Dash was shaking her head, mouth open again. Rarity began stitching some pieces together as her horn glowed, causing a pair of scissors to cut them to the right lengths. Rarity picked up the finished product and threw it over the flank of a mannequin. “I'm thinking a red velvet piece to go with that!” Rarity said, levitating a roll of it to her workbench. “... Velvet? Isn't that, y'know, for dinner jackets, maybe?” “Don't be silly!” Rarity smiled broadly, tapping a hoof on her sketch of the dress on the wall. “A red velvet gown flowing down to meet the violent lower portions, with that perfect streak of pale gold!' Rainbow Dash quirked an eyebrow. “Wait, did you say... 'violent'? Don't you mean 'violet'?” Rarity bent a hoof inwards as if clenching a fist. “I call my collection of deep shades of purple colours the 'Violent Ensemble!' Deep violet happened to be the colour of my choosing for the base of your lower dress, so I just called it... 'violent!' It makes it sound tough, and the colour really stands out! I amaze myself, Rainbow Dash!” “Er... riiight...” Dash said uncertainly. Rarity continued to work on the dress for another hour or so, Rainbow watching but not really paying attention as her mind drifted. She could not help herself; she was deeply solicitous about all of this. It seemed like in only a short week, she had gone from happy fantasies about getting to know the stallion celebrity she had always adored to placing herself directly in his path. She could not shake the feeling that it was all going to go wrong. At least her worries that this had all been merely a physical attraction seemed to be quelled; taking Scootaloo flying made her glow inside whenever she even thought of him. It was as if he charmed the heart straight out of her breast. “Done!” Rarity beamed, levitating the full outfit in front of Rainbow. “What do you think? Art, isn't it?” Rainbow Dash looked at it critically. She had to hand it to Rarity; the velvet worked. The collar of the dress was puffed a little, giving the wrinkled fabric a sophisticated-looking top. It flowed neatly down, straight patterns stitched into the front and back to form an upside-down triangle shape, pointing to a fine purple belt of silk around the waist. The lower portion was a flowing flank gown of viole(n)t silk, a streak of pale gold running down the centre in front and back. The red velvet portion was long enough that the violet and gold would flow out beneath it. “It's perfect, Rarity!” Rainbow said, smiling at her. “I dunno how you can pull this stuff off!” “Perfection comes natural to a perfectionist!” Rarity said, patting her curls lightly. “It will look absolutely splendid on you, whether you are walking alongside him on all fours or standing hoof in hoof with him, gliding across a golden dance floor!” “I don't think the Magnificent Mare has a dance floor, Rarity!” Dash grinned. “It's just a restaurant!” “How awful!” Rarity sighed. “Wasted potential! Well, whatever! Bring Scootaloo over around four so you have a few hours to do your hair and makeup!” “... Three hours for that? Rainbow said, quirking an eyebrow again. “I only need, what? Five minutes, tops?” “Rainbow Dash!” Rarity snapped. “Don't you dare curtail the time it takes for a mare to properly apply her face! You will bring Scootaloo over at four. You will spend three solid hours transforming yourself into the most wonderful and exquisite looking mare in Ponyville!” Rarity beamed. “Or I will end you!” “I'll see you at 6:30, then!” Dash grinned. “So, how much do I owe you for this, Rarity?” Rarity gave a gasp of surprise, rushing over to Rainbow and placing a front hoof on either shoulder. “Rainbow Dash! You have been one of the most loyal and trusting friends I have had the very great honour of meeting in my lifetime. The time we have spent together and the adventures we've had will be memories I will cherish forever! I am about to send you off with a masterfully crafted and designed dress for your first date in seasons, and you think to ask me 'how much'? Do you forget that I represent the Element of Generosity? I am allowed to do you a favour, darling!” “Oh my gosh, Rarity!” Rainbow had started saying once the impact of Rarity's words hit home. “You are the BEST friend I could ask for, if there was ever a way for me to repay yo-” “You do not owe me a bit over thirty!” Rarity beamed, not appearing to have heard Dash at all. She floated away gracefully, back to her work bench and other dresses waiting for attention. Dash was silent a moment, feeling the anticlimax set in. “Of... course! Thirty bits it is!” “Lovely!” Rarity smiled, getting back to work. “I will have the dress packed up for you at four!” Hours later, Rainbow stood in front of her bathroom mirror. She had taken Rarity's advice anyway. Just before four, she brought Scootaloo over to play with Sweetie Belle and Rarity had the dress packed and ready to go in a bag similar to what Soarin had put her flight suit in. As dinnertime loomed closer and closer, Rainbow Dash got to work on her makeup. Dash leaned in close to the mirror and tried to curl her eyelashes. After that, she applied some midnight blue eyeshadow. She had already applied foundation to her face, and got to work on her mascara. “Never again. Never again.” Dash sighed to herself, examining the effect of the mascara to her eyebrows. They looked longer and thicker. “I don't even look like me! Rarity is nuts! But... that DOES look good, though!” Dash picked up the blush, pausing. Yep, she was going to need that. She wouldn't be worried about blushing so hard if her cheeks were already rouge. She dabbed it on her cheeks, grinning. “Okay, okay! It's starting to come together...” She mused quietly. “Some lipstick, then to slap on the dress and... wait downstairs in absolute terror!” At 6:45, Rainbow sat on her couch, legs crossed, fidgeting with her remote for something to do with her hooves. She hadn't even turned on the television. She was feeling very uneasy, squirming and breathing heavily. She kept adjusting her dress, tugging it down to ensure it was not crinkled up while she rocked on the couch. There was a knock on the door. With a great flap, her wings shot out, one of them knocking over a lamp on the end table beside her. Swearing, Dash stood it back up and walked into the hallway, facing down the door. Knock, knock, knock. She took a deep breath, her alarmed heart banging in her chest. “Okay...” She told herself. “It's go time... No need to be nervous, Rainbow Dash... C'mon, open up that door! Yep...” Knock, knock. “Son of a...” She rushed forward wildly and flung the door wide. Her face lit up with shock. What a breathtaking sight! Soarin was standing there in his full officer uniform. Shirt, dress pants, dress shoes, the works. Many badges gleamed on his chest. “Wow...” Dash squeaked silently. “Soarin, you look... incredible!” “Dashie, I could have said the same thing!” Soarin smiled at her. “I've never seen you looking so radiant! What's the occasion?” “Oh, nothing!” Rainbow grinned, glad for the blush she had applied to her face, which already felt hot. “I'm meeting a cute guy soon!” “Oh, you have a date, huh? I sure hope he isn't early!” Soarin laughed, offering her his elbow. Rainbow snatched up a crimson handbag by the door and closed it behind her as she left the house. She took Soarin's elbow with both of her hooves, glowing. “Where are we headed?” Soarin asked her, his face very red. “The Magnificent Mare, that new place by the post office! Shall we... shall we get going?” Dash said, her voice cracking. Soarin stretched out his wings. “After you, m'lady!” They both rose into the air. Dash had to let go of Soarin's elbow ('Yeah... that's totally not gonna work out very well!') as she took the lead, her dress rippling in the cool breeze. Most of Ponyville seemed to be closing down for the evening, an establishment here and there still open. The Magnificent Mare was one of them. Landing at the door, they pushed it open and made their way inside. It was a small building, but its interior design complimented its stature. The walls and bar were of a dark panelled wood. The floor was carpeted in different shades of plum and red curtains hung over every window. Quiet music played from a band on a stage in the back. There were many little tables all around with other ponies talking quietly and eating. “Good evening, welcome to the Magnificent Mare. Table for two?” Asked the moustached unicorn at the door, bowing to them. “Please.” Rainbow said, inclining her head. The door stallion lead them over to a table near the centre of the floor. Rainbow caught many eyes looking over at Soarin's uniform, apparently impressed. The pair of them sat down and the door pony handed them both a menu. “Somepony will be up to serve you shortly. Enjoy your evening!” He said, bowing again. “Man, Soarin!” Dash said, not yet checking the menu. “I can't get over how great you look! Are all military uniforms this awesome? This... handsome!” Soarin smiled. “Only mine, I think! I actually wasn't sure what to wear. I wanted something formal. I would have settled on a boring suit, but... I wanted to impress.” Dash was glowing once more. She could not believe that just five days ago, she wanted to kill him for saying stupid things. “Soarin, I can't thank you enough for yesterday. Scootaloo was talking about it all night!” Dash said, finally scanning down her menu. “I never knew you could be such a sweetheart! Cute and kind!” “I was happy to do it! I felt so bad when I learned of her disability, I wanted to make sure she really got to see some of Cloudsdale before you two returned to Ponyville. I knew you would probably take her yourself, but...” He beamed. “I wanted to see the happy look on your face. I wanted you to be just as happy as Scootaloo was.” “Seeing her so excited did the trick. I was happy, Soarin. I was very, very happy, being able to watch her joy myself!” Dash smiled. “I've always wanted to take her exploring through Cloudsdale, but I was was apprehensive at the thought that if something were to happen, if I bumped into another pegasus or something, I could easily lose her amongst the clouds. With you there, I felt a lot more relaxed, knowing I could keep watch over her. Thank you, Soarin!” Eventually a waiter was able to make it over to them, apologizing profusely for the delay, and they placed their order. He fetched them a pitcher of water and some glasses, and Soarin requested a bottle of wine on ice. “It's kinda packed in here tonight... Probably should have gone someplace else, huh?” Rainbow sighed. “I don't really know that many restaurants, though...” “More than me, I'm sure...” Soarin said quietly. “This is actually the first date I've been on since...” He trailed off, looking uncomfortable. “... ever.” “What?” Dash said in surprise, pausing with her glass half way to her mouth. “You've never been on a date?” “Spitfire and myself did not date before we got together. It was a spur of the moment thing... She had just been promoted to Captain a week after I made Officer. We had both shown interest in each other, and were content with our position in life due to our new ranks, so we just got together out of the blue.” Soarin explained, his ears drooping slightly. “I regret not getting the chance to date first, but we were both dedicated to the job and had little free time. I mean, not anything against Spitfire, she's long earned my respect and admiration as both a more skilled Wonderbolt and a long-time friend, but I realized not long after that my heart just wasn't in it. I knew she had strong feelings for me, but it wasn't fair to keep going when I could not give her the same passion in return...” “I see...” Rainbow said, frowning at him. “That sounds pretty bad...” “You could say something like that. By the time I reached First Officer and was able to lighten my workload, it was too late, and the spark had been extinguished...” Soarin sighed, drinking some water. “That was six months ago now. Spitfire... isn't over it yet, as you might have noticed.” “That's... actually what we talked about during that race...” Rainbow confessed. “She knew I had a crush on you by the way I was acting. I'm not... very subtle...” “Subtle enough! I only really caught on when Scootaloo said you had a poster of me!” Soarin said, grinning at her. Dash grinned guiltily. “Yeah... Sorry for the other day, I let that crush get me ahead of myself.” “It's fine. I'm very flattered you like me so much! You're certainly the one mare I talk to who does...” Soarin said awkwardly. Soarin sighed again, falling into silence. Rainbow waited to see if he was going to drop any hints about liking her in return. Unfortunately, she didn't get any. She felt a squirm in her stomach, and drank some more water. Their food was brought out. Rainbow Dash had a plate of pasta baked in cheese and a side salad, while Soarin prepared to enjoy soup, salad, and french toast with mango chutney. “Dee-lish!” Rainbow said as she ate her fettuccine. “An... interesting choice!” She said, looking at the toast. “Raspberry Wine?” Soarin chuckled, pulling out the cork. “Mm, yes please!” Dash smiled. “Mares and gentlecolts! Please enjoy the classical stylings of Octavia, on the cello!” said an Impresario on the stage. “I'm having a great time, Soarin!” Rainbow said, applauding with the crowd as Octavia took to the stage and began to play a slow, mournful melody. “I love spending time with you.” Soarin handed her a glass of wine, pouring one for himself. “It's all my pleasure, Dash. Thanks for giving me my first real date!” Dash beamed, sipping her wine. At least he kept insisting that this was a date. Making a mental note to tell Rarity that later in the smuggest way possible, Dash finished off her food. Gradually the wine bottle emptied, and they continued to talk and share disastrous experiences when it came to seeing or dating other ponies. Rainbow Dash was just wrapping up talking about the last relationship she had in school when the waiter approached again. “All finished up?” The waiter asked, collecting the plates. “Yes, it was all wonderful.” Soarin said, having already finished his portions and dabbing his mouth with a napkin. “I shall bring you your bill and you may come up to the front at your own convenience.” The waiter said, bowing to them. A few minutes later, he returned and placed the bill on the table along with a few mints. “Thank you for coming to the Magnificent Mare!” Dash reached for her handbag, but Soarin had already swept the bill off the table. “Hey, I said this was on me!” Dash frowned. “Meaning no disrespect, Dashie, but you should have realized there was no way I was letting a mare as fine as yourself pay for the meal!” Soarin said, smirking. “Be back in a sec!” Rainbow watched him approaching the desk, sighing to herself. The evening wasn't as bad as it could have been, but she did feel a little disappointed. The wine didn't help, either, as she felt slightly disoriented and moody. Maybe she was expecting things to be moving along quicker? She couldn't deny to herself that his lack of apparent interest was a blow to her. Nevertheless, she would still give him time to show some real desire. However, if the airshow came and went and all he had done with her at that point was flirt in response to her own and give her courteous pleases and thank yous, she would need to give up. There was just no way of winning him over once they stopped practicing together. “Thanks for the evening, Dashie...” Soarin was saying twenty minutes later, standing outside of Rainbow's home. “I had a great time.” Rainbow Dash smiled in return. “As I said, it's always great to spend time with you.” Soarin moved forward and planted a kiss on her cheek. Dash was taken aback in surprise. “I agree, it's been all quite fun these last few days! I will see you tomorrow morning, then! Goodnight.” Soarin stood at ease for a moment and then bowed his head to her. Smiling broadly, he turned to leave, flapping his wings and lifting into the air. Dash walked back into the house, closing the door behind her and thinking about the evening. She dropped off her handbag in the hallway and walked up to the bathroom. Turning on the taps by the sink, she splashed her face with water and began to wash off her make up. It had come off a lot easier than it had gone on. 'Time to go pick up Scootaloo, I think.' She thought to herself, watching her reflection once she was restored to her old self. She gently touched the spot on her cheek where Soarin had kissed her. It could have been worse.