Scootaloo fidgeted nervously at the dinner table. Across from her sat Rumble as they shared their first date. Neither one spoke as they sat there, stealing awkward glances at the table next to them.
Rarity sat there, occasionally looking at the two children, recalling her own youth. She had just gotten back from the restroom and prepared to finish the second half of her sandwich.
Scootaloo giggled, and Rumble hushed her. They looked away when Rarity peeked at them, then returned their gaze.
She began to chew the bite she had taken from her sandwich, then slowly stopped. She stared down at it, almost spitting it out, before noticing several ponies gazing at her. Rarity had attracted their attention by coughing; a lady never spits out her food.
Scootaloo was trembling with barely-contained laughter, her eyes watering. The ultra-strength dessicated chili powder they had sprinkled on her sandwich was guaranteed by Pinkie to be “hotter than drinking a rainbow.”
Rarity swallowed with tears in her eyes, then smiled. She got up and placed two bits on the table. Then she shot a look to Scootaloo, who gave her the most unconvincing shrug of innocence. Rarity walked towards her house, breaking out in a sprint and shouting for water once she thought she was far enough away to not be seen by the restaurant patrons.
Scootaloo finally broke out laughing, and Rumble soon joined her. Once the laughter from their prank had subsided they began to loosen up. “That was so awesome, Scootaloo!”
“Yeah,” Scootaloo said. “Hey, Rumble, we should totally hang out more often. Summer break starts tomorrow and the crusaders are going to the swimming hole. You wanna come?”
“That sounds great. I can show you this new stunt I worked on just for you,” he said.
“Hah, I bet I can do a stunt twice as cool!”
“You’re on! But, if I win you have to give me a kiss.”
Scootaloo blushed and her mouth opened and shut repeatedly as she searched for the words that eluded her. She finally managed to blurt out an “ok” before taking a keen interest in her hooves under the table.
The delivery of their own meals interrupted the awkward silence. After he left Rumble finally thought of something to say and break the silence. “So, you girls any closer to cutie marks?”
“Nah, not yet.” Scootaloo took her daisy sandwich and started eating.
Rumble tasted his grilled-cheese sandwich, and the two shot each other a wide-eye look.
Scootaloo spat her sandwich out, panting for water. “Rumble, you didn’t!”
“What? You spiked my sandwich!”
“It burns!” Scootaloo screamed.
“Yeah!”
“Let’s go to the swimming hole now!”
He nodded his head as his eyes watered from the chili powder.
The two ran off towards the pond half-laughing and half-choking on the chili powder. They hoped to quell the burning with the cool waters of the lake.
Dash burst out in laughter, having hidden more successfully from Scootaloo than Scootaloo had from Rarity.
“Great job, Dashie!” Pinkie said. “We got ‘em good!”
“Yeah, sure did!” Dash smirked. “I’m glad the squirt is so happy now. Her and Rumble seemed to really hit it off.”
“Of course they did! She had her aunty Pinkie to give her advice.”
“You? Advice? What was it?” Dash inquired.
“I told Scootaloo to just be herself and treat him like she’d treat any other pony.”
Dash’s sandwich arrived from the kitchen and she eyed it for a second, and looked into the waiter’s eyes. The waiter shrugged, and headed back for the kitchen. She looked at Pinkie, who hadn’t moved from her spot.
Shrugging, Dash began to eat her sandwich. After half of it was gone she felt the burning in her mouth intensify tenfold.
“Dash?! How are you not coughing and sweating from all that chili powder?” Pinkie asked.
“Hah! I’m Rainbow Dash! A little chili powder prank isn’t going to get me.”
“Darn, and I gave the waiter two bits to spike your sandwich!”
“He did, but I think he could have used more. It’s a bit mild for my tastes.” Dash feigned a smile as she willed herself not to choke on the chili powder.
“Well, at least we got to make sure Rumble and Scootaloo are getting along. I bet they’ll make a cute couple!”
“Yeah, and I’ve already bought a shovel and some tarp in case Rumble tries any fishy business with my little sister.”
“Why, are you going to dig him a pond to put fish in?”
Dash sighed, “No, I mean if he tries to. . . you know. . .”
“Make her eat fish sticks and custard?”
Groaning and rolling her eyes, Dash admitted defeat. “Never mind, the joke is ruined.”
“Oh, okay. Hey, I’ve got cupcakes in the oven. See you later!” Pinkie tossed a bit on the table for her half of the meal and bolted away.
Once she was gone, Dash glanced around, making sure she wasn’t being watched. She then grabbed the vase of flowers in the center of the table, and chugged all the water out of it.
Once her mouth had stopped burning she sighed and leaned back in her chair. Dash knew that after all her hardship and struggle, Scootaloo was finally happy, and that was all that mattered.