A Bath Start
Rainbow Dash flew out the library and raced over to the spa. Hopefully she could catch Spike before he went inside. Her heart sank when she got there and didn't see him. She flew around the building a few times just to be sure, but Spike had to be inside. Drat.
She landed in front of the building and dusted herself off. The spa was quite popular amongst the ponies of Ponyville but Rainbow Dash herself didn't like it. She paused in front of the door where bath scents and the thick aroma of water vapor assaulted her nostrils. It was supposed to be relaxing but Rainbow Dash found the whole thing a bit too stifling. She much preferred the freedom of the open skies even if all she did was nap on a cloud. Why bother paying some pony to brush your mane when the wind would do it for free? It's not like she hated the spa, though. She spent plenty of time there chatting with her friends but never saw any reason to come by herself.
The spa ponies Aloe and Vera looked up from their task of changing dirty bathwater when the bell ring and Rainbow Dash entered their shop. When no other pony followed behind her, they knew they had their work cut out for them. Rainbow Dash wasn't exactly their best customer. Aloe walked right past the front desk and ran a hoof along Rainbow Dash's flank. “Oh, you poor dear. You look so tense.” Rainbow Dash took a few steps backwards.
“Have you come for a relaxing bath?” Lotus Blossom got directly behind Rainbow Dash who twisted her neck around to see who was speaking.
“Uh, no thanks,” she replied, “I just came here to talk to Spike.”
“Hmm, pity that,” Aloe said and started brushing Rainbow Dash's mane. Rainbow Dash swung her head forwards again. Aloe made her brush disappear and maintained a professional smile.
“He's in the communal bubble bath,” Lotus Blossom said and started brushing Rainbow Dash's tail. Rainbow Dash quickly twisted her neck again, but Lotus was only smiling with no brush in sight.
“Only three bits per hour.” Aloe added and started brushing Rainbow Dash's mane again.
“Okay okay,” Rainbow Dash said and tossed some coins on the counter. It was far easier to just pay than it was to argue while they kept fawning over her. Rainbow Dash disappeared behind the curtain before the coins had even stopped spinning. Aloe and Lotus winked at each other and Vera giggled at the sight before returning to work.
Rainbow Dash glanced around the pool and spotted Spike. He looked a bit glum but perked up when he saw her. There was only one other other pony in the pool. He was a blue-maned stallion with a white coat that she didn't recognize. He was wearing a mud mask and cucumbers. He was probably asleep. Rainbow Dash always had to fight the instinct to shake herself clean when she wore the mud mask and the cucumbers just made her hungry.
She eyed the edge of the bubbling bath pool a bit warily. Aw heck with it – she did just pay for it after all. Taking the plunge, she waded over to Spike. The bubbles tickled a bit as they rubbed against her fur. It was kind of soothing. “Hey Spike,” she said as she leaned up against the edge of the pool next to him.
“Hey, Rainbow Dash,” Spike said, “did you get that business with Twilight figured out?”
“Well she sure thinks she did. That's actually what I came here to-” Rainbow Dash stopped talking when another pony entered the room.
“Greetings Orion. Greetings Spike. Rainbow Dash!” Rarity lifted up her sunglasses. “I certainly didn't expect to see you here.”
“And what's that supposed to mean?” Rainbow Dash asked confrontationally.
“Nothing,” Rarity replied. “You did say you were going to talk to Spike, after all.” She waded into the pool and also leaned up against the edge next to Spike. Orion was on her other side.
“Oh, fair Rarity,” Spike said while standing up. “Maybe I do have a cutie mark, just like you, but it almost exactly matches my coat color and you can only see it upon very close inspection.” Rarity plastered a fake grin on top of her grimace. Rainbow Dash scrunched up her face and covered her mouth in an effort to stifle her laughter.
“Uh Spike...” Rarity slowly said, “dragons don't have cutie marks.”
“Yeah, and you've got scales, not fur, duh,” Rainbow Dash added.
Spike flopped down, crestfallen.
“Did you ask him yet?” Rarity asked Rainbow Dash over Spike's head.
“Aw, I was sure that would work,” Spike grumbled. “Wait, ask me what?”
“That business with Twilight's? She came up with, like, the worst plan ever,” Rainbow Dash said.
“Twilight's plans aren't bad,” Spike said. “I mean, yeah, she can get carried away at times, but she always has a reason.”
“Carried away? Try like carried to the moon,” Rainbow Dash said.
“What? What did she come up with?” Spike asked.
“Well Spike, you see...” Rarity trialled off. She was quite fond of the little dragon and didn't want to hurt him. Bringing up reproduction would certainly drive a wedge in their relationship. “Ahem,” she went on, but stopped. Next to her, Orion shifted positions and sent small waves sloshing in her direction. They were more like ripples really, but enough for her to notice. “Ulp.” She swallowed. She glanced back and forth and put on a wide grin, then turned to look at Spike.
Rarity looked into Spike's eyes, she knew of his feeling for her, but never confronted them. Doing so would only hurt him as he was a dragon and she, a pony. There was no reason to bring it up either, as Rarity had plenty of time before she started thinking of settling down and starting a family. Well, until Twilight threw this at her. They were Celestia's orders, but... it was still hard to believe that she'd ever ask anypony that. Rarity hung her head low, touching on the water. She just couldn't broach the subject to Spike. She just couldn't.
“What?” Spike asked again.
“Are you okay Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“You tell him,” she hissed back.
“Well you see, instead of an art project, Twilight thinks that we, uh, well, you see...” Rainbow Dash stammered her words as she looked down on Spike. Oh, why did he have to look so cute? He was so young and innocent. Even Twilight thinks of him as just a baby. Rainbow Dash lost her nerve. Talking about this subject would be like giving a book entitled The Twelve Reasons that Santa Hoove's Not Real – a Pop-up Book to a filly who'd just learned to read. She just couldn't do it.
“You really shouldn't be so critical of Twilight,” Spike cut in. “I'm sure she's trying her hardest.”
“Not this time,” Rainbow Dash muttered. “She's asking for far too much.”
“I doubt she'd ask for something that she didn't think was in your best interests,” Spike said.
“Well it certainly doesn't look that way,” Rainbow Dash replied.
“Perhaps if you just told me what she wants?” Spike held his arms in front of himself.
“No.”
“Twilight's ideas might not make sense at the time, but in the long run they can turn out well. You have to know that she's been studying under Celestia for all her life – well, – all my life. In all that time she's had to deal with quite a lot of requests that weren't always straight forward. They might look like they had an obvious answer but she could see past that and do better.
“I remember one time when I was very young. Twilight and the other students had each been given an egg from the Canterlot Garden. The assignment was to use their magic to care for it. But Twilight knew that she couldn't properly care for a baby bird and myself and keep up with her studies, so she used her magic to find the nest the egg had come from and returned it to its parents.
“So when the assignment came due, she was the only one who didn't have a baby chick to show for it. Though once she'd explained what she'd done, she wound up getting the best grade.” Spike beamed at the memory. He had a soft spot for eggs.
“That's a great story and all, but I'm not sure it's relevant,” Rainbow Dash said.
“But surely you have to admit that Twilight's plan makes sense,” Spike said.
“Yes, it makes a lot of sense,” Rainbow Dash conceded. She drooped her ears.
“And that her plan was better than yours,” Spike added.
“Maybe.” Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes.
“And you should tell me what it is?” Spike leaned towards her.
“You're pushing it.” Rainbow Dash nudged Spike away with her hoof.
“Can't you at least consider it?” Spike threw up his arms.
“Very well, I shall,” Rarity spoke up. She turned away from Spike and leaned towards the stallion next to her. “Orion, you're looking quite smashing tonight.”
“Huh.” “What?” Spike and Rainbow Dash shared in confusion.
Orion splashed some water on his face and wiped off the mud mask. “Oh, Miss Rarity,” he said, “you're looking just as splendid as always.” Rarity leaned forward to turn up his chin and look down into his eyes. She touched a hoof to his lips to silence his thoughts and ran another across his... bare... Earth Pony... forehead to – to... part...
The moment was ruined. Her resolve shattered. A lump the size of Manehatten sat in her throat. She broke.
“Waaah!” -Rarity splashed her way out of the pool and ran out the spa altogether- “I can't do it, I just can't do it,” she cried.
“What, Rarity wait! Miss Rarity!” Orion called after her, to no avail. “What did I do?” he asked himself glumly.
Spike gave him a rather nasty look. “Perhaps you need more facial hair,” he suggested evilly. Spike turned towards Rainbow Dash and whispered to her, “What was that all about? Why was she making goo-goo eyes at some random guy?”
“Aw, Spike, it's part of Twilight's plan,” Rainbow Dash blurted out. “Uh, I mean, uh, whoops.”
“Huh?” Spike raised one eyebrow and the other eye twitched. “And just what is Twilight's plan?”
“I can't tell you. You're too young,” Rainbow Dash said.
“What? But I'm as old as... as... Sweetie Belle.” That argument sure backfired on him.
“Sorry Spike.” Rainbow Dash turned her head down to stare at the bath water. It wasn't nearly as relaxing as it once was. “I'd best be going before I have to pay for another hour.” She got up and waded out the pool, leaving Spike behind. Once she pushed past the curtain to the bath pool, she was approached again by Aloe and Lotus Blossom.
“Did something happen?” Aloe asked.
“Is everything okay?” Lotus Blossom asked.
Rainbow Dash looked up at them, but swung her head low. Wet mane dripped in her face. “Twilight happened,” she sighed. Aloe and Lotus took up positions with towels and combs to tend to Rainbow Dash's mane and tail. She didn't react at all when they started working.
“Isn't Twilight your friend?” Aloe asked.
“She's not even here,” Lotus stated.
“Yes and yes, but she's gotten a new assignment from Princess Celestia, and she's gone too far this time.” Rainbow Dash shifted her position so they could work on her hair more easily. Aloe and Lotus shrugged at each other. It looked like they wouldn't get any more coins out of this. It was still early in the day and they didn't have many other clients so they continued their work. Besides, it was good chance to bond with one of the most famous ponies in Ponyville.
“And if a friend goes too far, you can either keep up with them-” Aloe started.
“-or be there to catch them when they fall,” Lotus finished.
“Though you strike us as the type of pony who could do both.” Aloe held up a mirror to emphasize their point and show off their work. It was impressive. Rainbow Dash had expected something frilly, but this kept true to her style. Normally Rainbow Dash's hair looked windswept and ragged. This was the same, more or less, but organized. They rearranged the way some of her hair fell to add some highlights and curls. It was as radical as it was beautiful.
“Great job, thanks,” Rainbow Dash added a tip to the counter and left the spa. It did feel good to look that great even though it would probably only last until she took off again. Speaking of speed, what was that bit about 'keeping up' with Twilight? Rainbow Dash hadn't really given any thought to going along with that nightmare moonacy. It was just too wrong.
Well, if she'd wanted to have a foal, this would be a good excuse. But... going this route would not guarantee that her child would ever grow to even know its father. Rainbow Dash loved her father deeply and didn't think she could ever deny a pony that. Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a small Earth pony filly. “Rainbow Dash, you're my hero.” She bounded up and hugged Dash's foreleg.
“Hey there, Aura,” Rainbow Dash greeted her.
“You look just dazzling. Did my mommies make you that great?” Aura asked.
“It's true, I am amazing- Wait, what? Mommies? Plural? Whoa there kiddo. Let's get this straightened out.” Rainbow Dash scooped up Aura, (which was fairly easy since she had a tight grip on Dash's foreleg), and went back into the spa. Aloe and Lotus Blossom seemed a bit confused to see Rainbow Dash back so soon but frowned a bit when they saw Aura.
“Oh, she's not causing you and trouble is she?” Aloe asked.
“Nothing like that.” Rainbow Dash put the filly down. “But a pony can only have one mother.”
“Well, I'm her dam.” Lotus Blossom rubbed Aura on her head. “But since we all live together here we consider ourselves a family.”
“Her real father didn't approve of this and moved to Manehatten,” Aloe whispered to Rainbow Dash.
“Have you finished your tasks for Miss Cheerilee?” Lotus asked Aura to distract her.
“Yep! Can I go play with my friends now?” Aura hopped up cheerfully.
“Oh, you're in Scootaloo's class,” Rainbow Dash said. “You should play with her sometime. She's always trying crazy stunts to earn her cutie mark.”
“Aww, but she always gets so dirty. I'd much rather play 'business clients' with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon,” Aura said.
“Alright. You can go and play now,” Aloe said. Aura bounded out the door.
“And stay away from the well. You don't want to fall in again,” Lotus Blossom called after her.
“I will mommies,” Aura said as she ran off.
“You, uh, don't think that it's-” Aloe started.
“-weird do you?” Lotus Blossom finished.
“What? No, of course not. It's quite touching actually,” Rainbow Dash said. “Well, I best not let this great manestyle go to waste – I've got new plans for today.” She winked at them and walked out.
***
Rarity quavered in her own sorrow. She didn't have time to wallow. Wallowing implied standing still. If she stood still, Twilight would find her. Twilight would know she'd failed. She'd failed Celestia too. She couldn't face that. Not now. She couldn't hide from them forever, but she she could buy herself time. Not for excuses, but to accept her failure.
Rarity stopped by her fashion boutique to pack her saddlebags. With luck, Twilight and the others wouldn't know that she'd completely given up until she'd already left town. She could use a disguise too. She could use a cloak to throw off suspicion. She rummaged through her shop. Hmm, this cloak had been good for the Hearth's Warming Eve Pageant but it was too plain for her tastes now. What about a sapphire cloak? Hmm, no. Way too flashy. She threw out the gold-embroidered and rainbow cloaks as well. The one with the umbrella hat might have worked in a different setting. She just didn't have anything appropriate to wear. She couldn't skip out of town without proper attire now could she?
Well, she had plenty of fabric, and a good idea. In short work, she'd assembled the hooded cloak and tried it on. Hmm, it was functional, and showed quite a bit of class. Disaster averted, she bent over to give her cat, Opal, a goodbye kiss and left the shop with a stylish cloak, her saddle bags, and a fresh set of scratches.
Stopping to design a new piece of garment was a nice distraction but her sorrows still weighed heavily upon her. She wrapped the cloak around herself and left her boutique. In the noon of day, with the sun above, everything else looked bright and cheerful. She wore the cloak like a shadow, and dragged her own personal darkness with her. Other ponies stopped to turn their heads as she went by. Yes, she could have that effect.
She dragged herself through town (but not too hard – so as not to scuff her boots) and arrived at the train station. It was busier than usual since many ponies were still returning home from this year's Summer Sun Celebration. The line was long, and the wait would be unbearable. Rarity flopped over and began crying on her back. Fountains of tears shot out of her eyes and splashed on the other ponies in line. “Woe is me, oOoh, woe is me-ee-ee.”
“I say.”
“Ugh, how dreadful.”
“Who made her queen?”
“Don't look. It's shameful.”
“Yuck.”
“Hey, Watch it.”
“Ack! No, not my mane.”
“Hey, stop bothering the other customers,” the ticket salespony Apricot Bow said. Her tone was harsh and she pointed a hoof at Rarity. Rarity continued bowling her head out though.
“Ugh, just go on- go to the front of the line.” Persnickety shoved Rarity away from him. The crowd parted to let her by.
“I want a ticket for that train!” Rarity slammed her hoof on the counter. “Just get me out of here.”
“Ten bits, two way,” Apricot Bow told Rarity. The sign clearly said five.
“Make it twenty bits.” Rarity dumped a bag of coins on the counter. “And, and – take this shiny thing too.” Rarity tore a decorative piece from her cloak. A thread attached to it caused the cloak to partially unravel and suddenly the whole thing went from dark and mysterious to travel-worn and ratty. Light caught the loose threads and sparkled. Well, she wanted to look ragged – not like a pauper. “And make it one way!”
“Yeesh.” Apricot handed Rarity her ticket.
“All Aboard!” All Aboard called out. Rarity departed without any more fuss, but once she was on the train her sorrow dragged her down again. She sprawled out on a bench for some epic wallowing. The train's whistle blew and the engine jerked into motion. “Next stop, the Crystal Empire,” the conductor called out.
“The Crystal Empire,” Rarity repeated. She took a more comfortable pose on the bench and stared out the window, lost in thought.
***
Rainbow Dash paced around her cloud house. She'd gone in so many circles that the whole place had started to spin. Her whole viewpoint had been altered. She'd thought that a proper family had to consist of a mare and a stallion but after seeing Aura at the spa, she realized there were other possibilities. Come to think of it, the only parent Apple Bloom knew was her grandmother. Of course, she had an elder sister and brother to look after her too.
Rainbow Dash shivered at the prospect of trying to raise a foal on her own but she didn't just have one close friend, she had five. It wouldn't be imposing for her to ask for help from time to time since she'd be willing to help any of them if they needed it. That's what true friends do, right? No stallion would be required at all. Except, of course, to get the whole thing started.
Rainbow Dash stopped and hung her head. The whole place spun her around. Rainbow Dash was disorientated in more ways than one. Was Twilight's plan actually correct? Did Celestia actually want them all to, to have foals? Rainbow Dash stared up at the sky as it spun around. She hadn't cleared it yet today, but she could see the sun looking down on her. Turning away, she thought back on their conversation. Twilight had certainly been sure of herself and, as Spike pointed out, she did know Celestia best.
Rainbow Dash started pacing again and the world stopped spinning. If she got pregnant now she'd have about nine months before she'd have to stop with the Wonderbolts training. Newborns required a lot of attention too... all in all it'd set her back about a year. She grated her teeth at that thought. Well, she'd always be loyal to the Princess, and her friends too, so what they asked of her would always come first. At least she wouldn't have to quit her training entirely.
Well, it was decided then. She'd go through with the plan. All that was left, would be getting the right stallion. For any foal of hers she'd want the best, fastest pegasus she could find and what better way to determine that than a race? Well, she had a plan. She took off. She had to go to the town hall to get some fliers printed off.
The rotation caught her eye and she cringed as she watched her house spin. A rotating bed might be romantic – but a rotating house? Not, so much. She flew back to fix it. It took her a good five minutes of pushing to get it to stop. She panted to catch her breath. With that fixed, she flew off again to start her plan.
Next Chapter:
An Apple's Reflection
