//------------------------------//
// Boil and Trouble 
// Story: The Big Orange 
// by Lexomancer 
//------------------------------//

	Twilight was floored. “You don’t need to do that,” she said to Lorain.
“Oh it’s no trouble,” Lorain said sincerely. “I am happy to do it. No need to worry about inconveniencing me.” 
Rainbow Dash stepped between the princess and Lorain. “No really,” Dash said with determination. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I’m not worried,” replied Lorain with no small amount of confidence. “I know the princess just needs a nudge in the right direction.”
Dash took a step towards Lorian. “That’s not what I meant,” she said a bit more forcefully. “Twilight doesn’t need another instructor.”
Lorain's face became puzzled. “The Princess doesn’t need an instructor?” she asked, baffled. 
Rainbow shook her head. “I said she doesn’t need another instructor. She already has one.”
Lorain was even more befuddled. “She already has one? But I thought she didn’t know anyone in Manehattan.”
Dash rolled her eyes. “That’s why she brought me with her.”
“Oh.” Understanding dawned on Lorain. “Ooooh,” she repeated knowingly, with a bit of condescension. “Whatever gave you that idea?” She asked, as if she found the idea of Rainbow Dash teaching Princess Twilight anything amusing.
Twilight looked between the two arguing pegasi, uneasily.  She fake yawned, “You know what, I feel bushed. Maybe you could take us to the hotel after all?”
Applejack concurred. “And Ah am plum tuckered out myself. Ah reckon that’s a grand ol’ idea.”
“But this is so exciting to watch,” whispered Pinkie Pie. “How could you possibly want to-Oooooooh, bakery.” Pinkie was off like a shot.
Dash and Lorain seemed oblivious to both Twilight and AJ’s discomfort, and the promise of cupcakes. “I’m the best flier in Equestria,” Dash said with pride. “And I’m her friend, so of course I’m going to teach her.”
“Best young flier,” Lorain responded factually. 
“Huh?” was Dash's response.
"You are the best young flier in Equestria." Lorain's repeated. "And that's assuming everyone in your league went to that competition." 
Jet seemed to share Twilight's feelings of unease. He glanced between the two older pegasi, the turned to Babs.
Babs wholeheartedly agreed. “Well, would you look at the time,” she said as she glanced at her non existent watch. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders have another appointment. See ya later cuz.” With that, the three young ponies were off.
Dash and Lorain remained unaware of who was watching their not so private conversation. Dash was obviously irritated. 
"You weren't there," she said. "You don't know how good I am."
Lorain was straight faced. "You seem to have a high opinion of yourself."
"Why didn't you enter, huh?" challenged Dash.  "Were you afraid of getting showed up?"
Lorain shook her head. "I didn't enter because I couldn't. Members of pro-flying teams are ineligible. Otherwise you wouldn't have won."
Rainbow Dash almost exploded. "You don't know the first thing about me; what gives you the right to pass judgement?"
"I know that you have a small amount of very raw talent," Lorain stated. "That doesn't make you a teacher."
Dash flared her nostrils. "Well your opinion isn't worth a hill of straw," she huffed. Dash calmly continued. "Princess Celestia herself told me to teach Princess Twilight Sparkle to fly."
Lorain had had a level, but amiable tone up to this point. Her eyes narrowed as her tone harshened. "I can't believe you would lie like that."
"WHAT!?" Dash lost all civility as well.
"You heard me," was Lorain's answer. "We got a letter from Princess Celestia. It requested that we provide Princess Twilight with, and I quote, 'access to your facilities and her trainer'."
AJ and Twilight inhaled in unison.
"You're calling me a liar?" Rainbow Dash growled, as she stepped forward. The space between her and Lorain was as small as possible, but still existent.
"Yes, yes I am." Lorain glared back. "Even if you are best Young flier in Equestria, I'm still leagues above you."
Dash stamped a hoof. "Why don't you put your wings where your mouth is?"
"Oooooookay," Twilight stepped between the two athletes, and gently pushed Lorain back. "We all need to take a step back."
Applejack mirrored the action with Dash. "Y'all take some deep breaths."
Dash looked at her friend, "She called me a liar." Dash tried to move around Apple jack, but AJ blocked her path.
"And Twi'll get to the bottom of it," AJ said as she put a hoof on Dash's shoulder. "Just take some deep breaths, and calm down sugar cube." Applejack looked Dash right in the eye. "Reacting this way won't help."
Lorian Cloud seemed to be trying to take AJ's advice. "I'm sorry Princess Sparkle," she said with forced serenity. "I shouldn't have, lost my temper like that."
"Apology accepted," Twilight said, as she eyed the pegasus uneasily. "We all need to just too get some distance. I don't think training today would be a good idea."
Lorain glared daggers at Rainbow Dash momentarily. Dash returned the favor.
Lorain snorted and turned to the princess  "Very well, I will take you to the hotel."
"Cupcakes anypony?" Pinkie questioned as she rejoined the group, a large white pasty box balanced on her head.



The Manehatten Spire Hotel reminded Twilight of the Royal castle in Canterlot in two ways; it was tall, and it was ornately decorated. However while both clearly displayed wealth, the Spire's interior decorators had none of the tact of their castle counterparts. The decor of the suite that Twilight and her friends were staying in was like Rainbow Dash's foul mood. Over powering. 
"Lands sakes," Applejack said as she studied the room a third time. "Ah reckon that there's enough ruffles and frills here to make every dress in  Rarity's shop feel plain."  
Dash ignored the attempt at humor. "She had the nerve to call me a liar to my face." She stamped a hoof in irritation. The fluffy carpet denied her the satisfaction of a resounding crack; it mockingly absorbed her abuse.
A sugary scent wafted through Dash's nostrils as Pinkie waved a cupcake under her nose.
Pinkie swallowed her dozenth mouthful of desert. "Eat a cupcake Dashie," she said, staring intensely at the poly-chromatic pony. "They're goooooooooooooooood. I promise you'll smile, smile, smile."
"Pinkie!" cried Twilight. "You'll spill!" And I don't think the generosity of the mayor will extend to paying for damages, Twilight thought.
"What!?' Pinkie said. "And waste crumb of these delicious cupcakes? I say NEVER!"
Twilight had to admit, she'd never seen Pinkie eat so carefully or tidily before.
Dash stared at the pink pastry enthusiast. 
Pinkie quickly retracted the cupcake, eyed it, and swallowed it whole, without the wrapper. "MMMMMMMMMMMMM," she hummed contently.
Dash started pacing again. "Why would I lie about something like that?" A hoof was placed gently on her shoulder. Dash looked up to see Twilight's concerned face. 
"I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding," Twilight said with a smile. 
"We'll get to the bottom of this tomorrow," Applejack added, as she put a foreleg around the pegasus. "For now, just enjoy the luxury."
Rainbow dash glanced around the bedizened room. "How did we end up in a place this gaudy?"
Twilight turned red. "Something about the mayor...wanting to make sure that the official representative of Celestial was comfortable."
Dash whistled. "Sounds like the Mayor thinks your pretty special Twi," she said knowingly, as she nudged her friend. 
"Wh-at?" Twi's blush deepened.  
Applejack joined in the good-natured ribbing. "Looks like ya found a very special some-pony."
"He's put you up in the swankiest hotel," Dash added.
"Had the vice captain of his flying team pick you up at the station," Applejack continued.
"Girls," Twilight pleaded.
"Hey, were just saying," Dash said.
"As your friends," Applejack added.
"Can I host the bachelorette party?" Pinkie cut in.
All three ponies smirked at Twilight, who's face was so red it clashed with the rest of her body.
"They always do this when royalty visits Manehattan on  official business," Twilight said weakly.
"Riiiiiiiiiight," Rainbow Dash said while rolling her eyes.
Pinkie had a more pressing concern on her mind. "Anypony else want the last cupcake?"