Rainbow Dash, the head of the group, had to keep being reminded by Twilight that we didn't know where she was going so she had to stay with us.
“Twenty feet in front of us” she added, “doesn't count.”
Rarity’s eyes drew astray several times in a single minute. Rainbow Dash smirked in her direction, noting her clear distraction that was the shops on either side of the road.
“Need a moment Rarity?” Applejack asked, seeing Rainbow Dash’s clear enjoyment.
Rarity eyed them both in a huff, “Let’s keep moving.” she said quietly and impatiently focusing her eyes on the road in front of her. Applejack walked alongside Rarity and bumped her shoulder to let her know that she was only having some fun. Rarity, taking it too seriously, remained looking at her hooves. Applejack looked up, exasperated yet amused, and met Twilight’s gaze, who then looked over at me. Twilight was also amused with the scene and I returned her smile.
After minutes of surface-level banter, Rarity was able to soften up and allow herself to not feel so attacked. Just in time, too, because that was when we arrived at the front doorsteps of our destination.
Rainbow Dash slammed a hoof on the door bell repeatedly until Applejack looked over at her sideways out of the corner of her eyes. Rainbow Dash was sheepishly embarrassed at her own enthusiasm and dropped her hoof. When the door opened, a light blue colt with electric blue hair answered the door,
“Rainbow Daaash,” Soarin blurted, “wha’ tsup!” The two pounded hooves and then Soarin looked behind her, making eye contact with each of us, “And you brought the whole gang!” he said, returning his gaze to Rainbow Dash. She smiled and nodded, and then Soarin backed up, allowing us inside. As we walked in single file, he muttered hello’s at each of us. Soarin stopped Rarity though, and then proceeded to lift her hoof and kiss it.
Rarity laughed to herself awkwardly, mumbling about how she didn't know what to say. I was right behind Rarity and naturally last in line. Soarin beamed an award winning smile at me and his teeth also seemed to gleam a hello.
Soarin had a large house completely and inevitably adorned with Wonderbolts paraphernalia. From trophies and photos to attire and figurines, it was clear that Soarin's life truly revolved around the Wonderbolts. He lead us into a living room with vaulted ceilings and a chandelier, then offered us drinks, “Anything of your heart’s desire.” Soarin stated, with a twinkle in his eye.
Rainbow Dash had lemonade, Apple Jack asked for juice. Twilight requested a sweet carbonated drink and Rarity required an herbal tea. Pinkie Pie asked for chocolate milk. With a straw. When Soarin looked over my way to see what I wanted to drink, I looked down and quietly asked for water. Soarin took a moment to smile at my request, but then carried on out of the room. Once the doors were closed, everypony looked at Rainbow Dash.
We were silent until Twilight finally spoke up for us all, “Rainbow Dash, are we here because Soarin is…?” she trailed off, not knowing how to politely finish her question,
“A transcolt?” Rainbow Dash asked, which was returned with a nod from almost everyone. Except me. I wasn't sure why we were there because I didn't know what Soarin could to for me. Emotional assistance maybe? Beyond both being pegasi and both potentially being transcolts, I wasn't sure that we’d had anything in common.
Soarin returned and sat in a cushy chair next to us. He smiled at us all, “So to what do I owe the pleasure of you lovely mares?” he asked. The girls blushed and smiled, and then Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to speak. She couldn't seem to get words out though, and looked to Rarity for help.
Rarity then cleared her throat and spoke up, “Soarin, our dear friend Fluttershy has shared a part of herself with us that we---well, Rainbow Dash---thought you could help her with.”
Soarin smiled, clearly intrigued, and turned his smile to me, “What can I do ya for, Fluttershy?” I sighed. Here we were at this moment again. I knew I was comfortable talking about it among my friends, but Soarin is a celebrity and we just don’t know each other personally. I glanced Pinkie Pie’s way, who was ecstatic to help me out. I smiled and slightly nodded at her.
“Well you see Soarin,” Pinkie Pie burst, “Fluttershy thinks she’s a transcolt!” I smiled crookedly at Soarin, who was now looking at me again, and nodded.
“Transcolt, huh?” Soarin smiled and slunk down into his chair, “I can totally see it.”
“Whaa?” my five friends exclaimed at the same time, “How?”
Soarin closed his eyes and merely shook his head, “Just do.” he stated simply, “So. Fluttershy. Do you have any questions for me or anything?” I looked around at my friends. Was right here and right now such a time and place for such an intimate conversation? I looked over at Rainbow Dash timidly and Soarin took the hint, “We can definitely meet up back here some time later and we can have some uh−“ Soarin looked down at my drink, “---water.” I nodded graciously.
Soarin’s loyalty to Rainbow Dash all the way to the point where he blindly trusted me was awe-inspiring. He sure was a charming colt to begin with, but this made him even more disarming. Perhaps at first glance we were strangers, but it seemed both being transcolts was a deep thing we could share together. Potentially and hopefully, we could even become good friends. My quick judgment, I decided, was too harsh. Beyond the fame and reputation he had, there was a real colt inside him, just like everyone else. I suppose it would be hard to open up to him at first, not that I’m very good at it, but I wanted to try.
“I’d like that Soarin.” I replied, “It would be great to get to know you.”
Soarin smiled and nodded his head respectfully, and then looked back at Rainbow Dash, “Anything else I can do for you mares?” Soarin glanced at me, “And Fluttershy?” he added, winking at me.
“Ah, no actually. I was just hoping I could introduce you two.” Rainbow Dash beamed, obviously pleased with the results of her idea.
“Rad. Glad I could help you out, then!” Soarin projected a smile towards us all, “Any of you are welcome at my place any time, of course. Any friend of Rainbow Dash’s must be one good character!” We exchanged smiles awkwardly with Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity, who were looking straight at Soarin. “Oh!” he gasped, “And I can make arrangements for you three mares as well!” Rarity smiled, pleased with what she was hearing.
Pinkie Pie’s eyes seemed to pop out of her head from an idea she was having. This, not surprisingly, was something I was already accustomed to seeing. “Oh! Will we get to ride in a hot air balloon again?” she asked while practically jumping out of her seat.
Soarin laughed with her and then to himself, “I’ll see what I can do.”
Applejack laughed with Rairty and then nudged Pinkie Pie, who giggled, but then stopped fitting in her seat. “She’s jokin’ ah’course.” Applejack said to Soarin, “Whatever you’ve got set up for us is fine.”
Soarin smiled, “So humble, Applejack. I’m sure I could find arrangements for a hot air balloon somewhere around here.” Applejack smiled devilishly. Soarin clearly loved to see Pinkie Pie excited. Perhaps it was the same sort of excitement he received from fans, I wondered. That, then, was a loud emotion he was very used to and comfortable around.
“Cool, cool, cool!” Pinkie Pie gleamed. Soarin saluted in her general direction.
Twillight, a pony who had stayed relatively quiet the entire time, chose then to speak up. She’d been staying reserved, I noticed, and seemed to be observing the scene unfolding in front of her. “Soarin,” Twilight called quietly, “I was actually wondering if I could talk with you sometime too. You see, I mentioned to the girls earlier that I don’t know much about transponies. I don’t intend to be too intrusive, but if you could answer a few questions for me about them, I’d be very grateful.”
Soarin waved his hoof at Twilight, dismissing her impulsive fear. “Like I said, you mares are welcome any time. I’d love to have a princess company for a second time! I’ll make sure to stock up on that drink you like.” Twilight’s face flushed as she immediately started sputtering about how he didn't have to go through the trouble. Soarin laughed, “It’s no bother! We’re low anyway.” Twilight shrugged and slowly quieted herself again.
Just then, Rainbow Dash took a last sip from her cup and got up from the couch, “Well, I think we've gotta be heading back, it was good to see you again. We need to hook up with Spitfire again, last time was a blast!” she squealed.
Soarin got up and nodded, “Too true.” Right then, Soarin’s eyes lit up, “Hey! Fluttershy!” he called, startling me and causing me to knock over my water. I stood there and sputtered about how clumsy I was until Soarin’s hook found my shoulder and he smiled down at me, “It’s no problem. Really. Anyway, I was just thinking. Instead of heading back tonight, we could just talk now since you’re already here.” The idea seemed simple enough, and it would ease the anxiety I would feel over having to wait for the conversation with him.
“Uh…yeah. Yeah, sure Soarin.”
Rainbow Dash nodded and smiled, “Ready to go guys?” The other four mares nodded at Rainbow Dash and started to head for the door. They all looked at me and said a quick goodbye. Knowing I was only to be gone for a few mere hours, it was nothing big and I was sure we’d all see each other tomorrow anyway. Soarin escorted everyone out, then cleaned up the water spill.
After the mares left, Soarin invited me into a smaller room connected to the living room we were in. The room had a grand piano in it and some bookshelves. Beyond that and the grand window, there wasn’t room for much else. In the middle of the room were two chairs. In between them stood a table that was currently being cleaned by a red mare in a maid’s outfit. Soarin seated me, excused the maid to the other room, and then gave me his undivided attention. I settled into my chair and listened to a clock somewhere steadily tick. I looked toward Soarin and smiled, who smiled right back,
“So Fluttershy,” he asked me, “What do ya wanna know?”