Celestia’s sun had sank down beyond the horizon and her sister’s moon had risen up to the sky. The cool night air encompassed Ponyville and was causing one blue pegasus to shiver as she exited the library. With her saddlebag filled with a new batch of books for her to read, she began to trot toward the center of the town.
Looking up at the sky as she walked, Rainbow Dash sighed, “At least I got some better books for this time around, just wish I could have some help with admitting how I feel.” Her voice was soft as she spoke, not wanting her words to be heard by any other ears.
As she continued to trot, a familiar building appeared before her. Rainbow paused before it. Inside her, she knew she should talk to the pony that lived there, knowing that they could help her. On the other hoof, Dash knew that the pony within could easily get on her nerves.
After weighing her options, the pegasus trotted up onto the wooden porch and knocked on the door. She was already regretting her action when she heard a voice from inside.
“Coming~!”
Dash mumbled under her breath, “What have I done?”
The door opened, with a flood of light pouring out from inside. A white unicorn with a very stylish purple mane was standing in the doorway, “Oh, why hello there, Rainbow Dash!”
“Hey Rarity. I have a bit a problem,” the pegasus stated in a bit of a detached tone.
“Oh, I see. Please, come right on in,” Rarity stepped aside to allow her friend in her home.
Upon entering, the warm atmosphere wrapped around the pony’s body. “Thanks. I just don’t know who else to turn to about this.”
“It’s quite alright, dear,” Rarity said as she closed the front door, “Can I get you something to drink, perhaps?”
Rainbow felt bad to impose, “Um….what do you have?”
“Well, I could get some tea heated up, or maybe some hot cocoa to warm you up. I also have some apple juice, strawberry lemonade, and orange ju-“
“Strawberry lemonade….please,” Rainbow quickly stated.
Rarity smiled and nodded, “Okay, go ahead and take a seat.” She trotted out of the room to the kitchen.
Rainbow made her way to the sofa. Taking her seat, she shuffled around a bit, trying to make herself comfortable on the couch. However, she was having trouble doing so.
As quickly as she left, the white unicorn returned, using her magic to levitate a metal tray with drinks on it, “I’m quite surprised you chose strawberry lemonade, Rainbow Dash.”
“I….uh…..like the sour taste,” Rainbow was a little bashful.
Setting the tray down on the small table, Rarity offered the drink to the pegasus, who took it. Rarity then took her small cup of tea and took a sip of the warm liquid. “So, what is troubling you, dear?”
Dash took the glass of strawberry lemonade and took a sip. The sweet and sour taste caused her shake a little. Taking a quick breath, she began, “No sense in hiding it. I….really, really like an individual, but I’m too afraid to do or say anything.”
Rarity’s face beamed as she set her tea cup down and clapped her hooves together, “Oh, that’s absolutely wonderful, darling!”
“Did you not hear what I said? I’m scared. Me. Rainbow Dash.” The pegasus pointed to herself with her free hoof.
The unicorn giggled, “Well, there’s no shame in that, dear. We all are only ponies, after all.”
Rainbow sighed, “Well, I’m glad you think that way, I just can’t do anything about it. How am I supposed to tell him when I can barely talk about it without acting all weird?”
Taking another sip, Rarity spoke, “Force yourself.”
“Huh?”
“Put yourself in a situation where you are forced to do something about it, in this case, admitting to this lucky somepony how you feel about them,” the unicorn explained.
“That sounds a bit….complicated,” Rainbow raised an eyebrow as she took another drink of her strawberry lemonade.
“I’m sure that if you put yourself in that situation, it will allow you to be honest with your feelings, Rainbow. It’s never easy to share how you feel about somepony, but once you get started, it becomes that much easier,” Rarity gave a comforting smile to her pegasus friend.
Returning the smile, Rainbow nodded, “I guess you have some experience with that.”
The unicorn ignored Dash’s comments, “So, may I ask who this lucky stallion is?”
“It’s not a stallion….it’s Spike.” Dash took a drink of the sweet and sour liquid.
This caught Rarity’s attention, “It’s Spike that you like?”
Rainbow Dash looked away to avoid eye contact with Rarity, “It….It is….”
Rarity’s voice grew stern, “Rainbow my dear, this is Spike you are talking about. Our little dragon friend.”
“He’s more than just a little dragon,” the blue mare commented.
“Beg pardon?”
“Spike isn’t just a little dragon. He is much more than that, and he as proven that time after time,” Rainbow started to speak, “Remember when Spike left Ponyville on that dragon migration? He showed himself being quite an awesome guy. He stood up for what was right against those jerky dragons and did the right thing. He’s amazingly smart too for such a young dragon.”
“But he is younger than us,” Rarity voiced her concern.
“So? My parents had an age difference. Besides, I really mean how I feel about him. I honestly like- no, I love Spike. I know it’s weird for me to say it, but I honestly love that little dragon,” Rainbow’s face grew red as she spoke.
Rarity was silent for a few moments. Taking a sip of her tea, she calmly spoke, “Rainbow Dash, do you truthfully feel this way about Spike?”
“Yes,” the pegasus replied, “I honestly love him. As crazy as it sounds, even to me, I do.”
The unicorn sighed and gave a small smile, “Then I say follow your heart and share you feelings with him. He is truly a kind and caring dragon.”
Dash also gave a little smile, “Spike is a really remarkable guy. Guess that’s what makes like him so much.”
“Just a word of warning, darling,” Rarity started.
Rainbow tilted her head in puzzlement.
“If you so much as hurt a single scale on that sweet dragon, you’ll have to answer to me,” the unicorn gave a firm glare to her friend.
Rainbow was a bit taken back at Rarity’s expression. However, she understood where her friend was coming from, “I swear on all the Daring Do novels that I have no intention to hurt Spike.”
The smile returned to Rarity’s face, “Then I wish you the best, darling. Who knows, maybe Spike will give you a kiss after share how you feel about him!” The unicorn giggled and winked to Rainbow Dash.
The blue mare’s face turned a deep red at Rarity’s comment, “Sh-Shut up!”