The first six weeks of practice went by fast for Rainbow Dash. Too fast. The impending day hung over her head like a dark cloud, and Rainbow knew that this was her first real chance to prove herself. In six weeks her first performance would be in Las Pegasus in front of a crowd of 30,000. Practice was all stage and scenario, but this was going to be the real thing. The crowd would be watching her at all times, waiting to see if she would slip up. Anticipating it.
And that’s all they want to see, Rainbow knew, for the new pony to fuck up and make a fool of herself, just like those assholes at the academy. Always watching and picking at every little move you make.
Don’t think like that, Rainbow told herself. It’s going to be okay. It’s your first performance as a Wonderbolt. If you make a mistake, it’s okay. It was just because you were nervous. They’ll understand.
But what if they don’t?
They will.
And that was that.
After her 2nd day of practice, Rainbow Dash put her suit in her locker and headed for the exit.
“Rainbow Dash!” Spitfire called. Rainbow Dash turned to face her captain. “Leaving already?”
“Um… yeah.” Rainbow Dash said. “I’ve still got to fix the clouds above Ponyville.”
“Aw that sucks.” Spitfire patted her on the shoulder. “Great job today, though. There’s zero chance that any other pony could pull off that new routine, and I think the other ponies are really starting to warm up to you.”
“I hope so, and thanks. Take care.”
“You too.”
Rainbow Dash opened the door and took flight.
The moving of the clouds took longer than what was usually expected. Flu season had just rolled into Ponyville and three members of the Sky Maintenance Team were out sick. On top of her four hour practice sessions, she was now pulling the weight of three other ponies.
Her normal work days involved being given a list of the weather condition every day at the beginning of the week, and required moving the clouds strategically and precisely in a way which no earth pony or unicorn could conceive. Of course, Rainbow Dash had nothing to do with this, but some days she would be lucky enough to get a less boring job and pull the clouds down to make mist.
After work, Rainbow Dash still had plans to meet with Pinkie Pie and Rarity for tea, but she felt more like blowing them off and taking a nap. They’d be upset, Rainbow knew, but whatever. There will be more tea parties.
Rainbow Dash clocked out and headed for home. She unlocked the door and hung her team vest on the coat rack and keys on a hook, then headed for the fridge.
Rainbow Dash looked at the calendar posted on the refrigerator. Clear skies on Tuesday, Bring down mist on Wednesday, Thunderstorm on Friday.
Shit, she thought.
She grabbed a carton of milk from the fridge and took a swig.
A thunderstorm will take all day. I’ll have to miss practice.
She wiped her mouth and put the carton back.
Not on my first week of practice… Maybe I can get Blossomforth or Honey Rays to fill in for me.
Rainbow Dash sat at the kitchen table and thought it over. Tank flew in and began doing laps over the table, then began to slowly lick Rainbow’s face. She patted his shell.
“Hey buddy,” she said. “D’you miss me?”
Rainbow Dash went the fridge and pulled out a baby carrot from the bottom drawer for Tank to munch on. She tossed it in his bowl and he immediately went for it. She went to her bedroom and plopped down on her bed. Her room was filled with a luxurious dresser and single person bed with a nightstand littered with a lamp, alarm clock, and CD’s. The walls were covered in a variety of posters from different bands, and on the dresser was a small hand mirror and a framed autograph from Spitfire. Rainbow Dash had gotten it when her father won her VIP passes when she was a filly.
Rainbow Dash plopped down on the bed. Her alarm clock read 6:21. Not even dark yet, but Rainbow Dash was tired. She grabbed the blanket and wrapped herself in it, then Tank came in and nuzzled himself a little bed between her hind legs.
I think I’ve earned myself a good rest, she thought as she allowed herself to drift off into dreamland.
The next day, Rainbow Dash called in and asked Blossomforth to fill in as captain on Friday. Before practice, she stopped at Rarity’s to apologize and asked to schedule another tea party for Thursday. She agreed and they parted ways.