"Mm... Tassee, stop it..."
"Uh... R-Rainbow?"
"Five minutes, buddy. Just.. f-five more..."
"Rainbow Dash!"
Rainbow's ears perked at the voice. That was certainly not Taciturn Bleach; it was more like Fluttershy's instead. Immediately, she hopped from the couch, a little bewildered to see her timid friend in her household with Tank standing right next to her. The one pony she had expected to see was not here, however.
"Y-You're up early today, Flutters," she stammered.
"Have you seen Tassee around? He must be here somewhere..."
"He's not here."
Fluttershy would've said the same thing, but she had been beaten to it by none other than Spitfire. The Wonderbolt soon trotted into her view, wearing a solemn expression that could've belonged in a funeral. The bright light of the sun shining into the room told her it was eight in the morning, making her wonder why both of them were here and where Taciturn could've gone at such an early hour.
"Sorry to ruin your sleep, RD," Spitfire muttered in a low voice.
"We were told to come here and wake you up."
"Wait, what?" Rainbow questioned.
"You guys were told to wake me up? By who?"
"Me, of course."
Rainbow craned her neck around, clenching her teeth once she saw the figure that stepped out from the kitchen. For it was none other than Firefly, her mother, who emerged from behind, staring down scornfully and pitilessly at her very own daughter. Both mares just stared, without a word, without a sound. It was so silent, yet an argument is already brewing; another battle has begun, where swords of foul-mouthed words were drawn and arrows of insults and mockery were ready to be signalled. It is only a matter of who would drive the first stake into the ground.
"Seems you have quite a house," Firefly said first.
"I must admit, I'm surprised you could maintain this place."
"What are you doing here, Mom?"
"Straight to the point, eh Rainbow? Fine," she scowled.
"It has come to my attention that you and... Taciturn, are going to, to put it simply, take it to the next level."
"Yeah," Rainbow gruffly replied.
"I told Spitfire to ask for your consent about it, didn't I?"
"Clearly you did," Firefly answered, glancing venomously at Spitfire, who turned away immediately. Rainbow, however, was more interested of the presence of Fluttershy. Being foalhood friends, it wasn't surprised that her mother knew about Fluttershy, yet she couldn't fathom why she was here. She had no part in any of this, after all.
"Why is Fluttershy here?"
"Your father said he couldn't make it," was her mother's ridiculous answer, in her opinion.
"So I thought I'd bring along one of your friends instead."
"She shouldn't be involved in this in the first place."
"Oh, I have some time to spare, Rainbow," Fluttershy said.
"I'm okay with being here. A-At least, for a while..."
"See?" Firefly retorted, smiling.
"She said she's fine with it..."
"Of course she is," Rainbow answered, crossing her hooves before grumbling quietly:
"Mostly because you made her say it..."
"Don't think I can't hear you, Rainbow Dash. Just because I'm twice you're age doesn't mean I'm deaf."
Firefly squinted a glare directly at her daughter, who just toss her mane to the side, not even bothering to glance at her mother. Spitfire and Fluttershy dared not to intervene, lest they incite the rage of either mare. Tank was even hiding in his shell, trembling from fear at the brewing argument before him. With a grimace, Firefly soon trotted up to her daughter, literally looking down at her as she said:
"That colt, Taciturn Bleach, is... queerly interesting."
Rainbow remained silent, prompting the older mare to continue:
"I've known about how you two got together last year," she said.
"Saw your name and his face in the newspaper, at the opening of the White Gallery. The word 'marefriend' was there, clear as day. I swore to myself I would meet this coltfriend of yours one day, Rainbow, and I finally did. He's an illustrious painter, that Taciturn Bleach. I've even admired some of his artwork. Of course, with a reputation like that, I believe him to be educated and headstrong in his work, but it seems I have overestimated him."
"So what are you saying?" her daughter finally rasped.
"That's he's just somepony you could mock? That you think it'll be funny to hurt his feelings?"
"He doesn't deserve you, Rainbow."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Rainbow could not believe her ears! That has to be the most insulting, most slanderous, most outrageous remark she had ever heard from her mother! Her hooves clenched up tightly, wanting so badly to just break a bone or two. She could even see Fluttershy from the corner of the eye, wanting to speak up against such cruel words, but Spitfire stopped her with a hoof, shaking her head discouragingly. It was understandable; you wouldn't want to get in the way of an enraged Firefly.
"Taciturn's my coltfriend!" she yelled.
"He's not some idiot pony! Not like that dog you've asked me to go out with!"
"That 'dog' is affectionately the son of a friend of mine!" Firefly shouted back.
"You know how miserable he looked the moment the both of you came back. You've seen him wallow in front of his own mother. Do you know how hard it was for him to even show his face outside ever again?"
"He treated me like I'm useless, Mom! He treated me like I'm a tool!"
"So you think that means you have to scream at him, is that it?! That means you have to slam his face into his plate and throw him across the restaurant, is that it?!!"
"I NEVER ASKED TO BE WITH HIM!!"
Rainbow sniffled, teeth almost as if crushing each other as she glared up with watery eyes at her mother. Every bit of hate she harbored against Firefly had shown itself, cloaking her in an aura so strong, the others could already feel it simmer from her. Firefly, of course, was the only one that stood firm, facing her daughter's fury as those words sunk into her head.
"Y-You don't know how he's like..." she stuttered, wiping away her tears.
"He was never nice to me! He never even cared if I was there! You kept on blabbering about how much of a gentlestallion he was! You kept on saying he would treat me well!"
"I did."
"Well, he DIDN'T!!" Rainbow screamed.
"You know how hurt I was after that stupid date?! You know how many times Dad have to come into my room just to tell me it's over?! You know how much I cried at night because of all the things he said to me in front of the whole restaurant?!! I hate him! I hate him so much I just want him gone!!"
"Rainbow--"
"Why do you have to do this to me?! Just... why?!"
"Um... Commander Firefly?"
Spitfire snapped her superior out of her reverie, who turned to her, slightly disgruntled. Usually, the younger Wonderbolt wouldn't want to intervene the matters of her superior, especially when it's something this private and personal, though she knew she had to, unless they want to spend the next four years here listening to them screaming at each other's faces.
"I think we should give Rainbow some time," she suggested.
"I believe she needs it."
Quietly, Firefly slowly strode towards the door, followed by Spitfire and Fluttershy, the three mares chased away by Rainbow's trembling sobs of despair. Her mother turned back for a while, solemnly gazing down at her broken daughter with one hoof out the door, her own eyes seemingly shimmering. It was unlikely for Firefly to show her tears, especially in front of Spitfire, though even the greatest mares have their harsh moments.
"Just to let you know, Taciturn is at Sugarcube Corner," she muttered.
"I told Fluttershy to bring him there, to spare him from our arguments for his sake. He certainly does not need to hear that, especially when he hears what you might say."
"W-Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you do that?" Rainbow questioned.
"Y-You called him so many things, yet you brought him away, even though you kn-knew what was g-going to happen. You could've just made him watch. W-Why...?"
"Simple, Rainbow."
Firefly turned her head forward, back facing her daughter. For some reason, Rainbow thought she saw her flash a smile. It was the first genuine smile she would've seen from her mother if she didn't imagine it. Spitfire and Fluttershy could've sworn they had seen the same thing, though another glance only proved her lips to be straight. With hooves clenched, Firefly said one more thing before strutting forward with the rest, leaving Rainbow sitting there, unable to believe what she had just heard:
"Because I'm your mother, and Taciturn's your coltfriend."
"So... is that a 'yes' or a 'no'?"
"I don't know... I don't..." Rainbow managed to gasp out, two hooves massaging her pounding temple.
"I... I j-just... I c-can't think straight..."
"Just give her some time, Applejack," Twilight informed.
"She's been through a lot for one morning."
She certainly did. This morning was certainly an unforgettable one. However chilly and thick the air is of frost, nothing could ever be harder to thaw in this frozen day than the emotions Rainbow Dash had bottled up in her heart before setting course to Twilight's library just past noon. She had initial plans to steer her way to the haven that is Sugarcube Corner, mostly to sate her need to see Taciturn's face once more, though she quickly discarded them; she don't want him to see her. At least, not like this.
The moment Twilight opened the door for her, Rainbow's facade immediately collapsed. All her emotions washed out from her in a tidal wave, the mare crying and crying ever the more loudly in her friend's embrace. Every wound burst from it seams, every scar revealing itself as despair brutally assaulted her. She felt numb and hopeless, even in the presence of two of her friends. It was as if the Rainbow Dash that all of them knew had her life stolen away, leaving behind only a defenseless, gloomy shell of her once-glorious self.
"Ya sure she's alright?" Applejack asked Twilight, a little doubtful. "She seems to've gone a little cuckoo, if ya ask me."
Twilight just shrugged worriedly, concerned as well for Rainbow. Who wouldn't if their friend just finished sobbing, went to sulk in the corner and is muttering all sorts of things to herself? All of them, including Pinkie and Rarity, knew what happened with her and Firefly, Fluttershy having notified them about it the moment she could.
The front door opened suddenly just as Rarity strutted in, a look of anxiety on his face, which softened the moment she spotted Rainbow Dash. Slowly, she strode to Twilight's side, joining them in their hopeful congregation of silence as their eyes fixed onto their depressed friend.
"How long has she been like this?" the fashion designer couldn't help but ask.
"Half an hour or so, I guess," Twilight answered.
"She wouldn't talk to us unless we talk to her. Even if we did, we wouldn't go anywhere with that conversation."
"Well, I suppose even a civil conversation couldn't replenish her spirit," was the response.
"And? What of Taciturn? Has he knew of her state yet?"
Twilight shook her head no, much to their disappointment. Taciturn was the one viable option, if not their last one, that could restore Rainbow to her former glory, though the mare herself said she didn't want to see him. The white colt, with his energetic, lively and admittedly-adorable smile was that one channel to her last ray of hope, yet why she blocked it out, her friends have no idea.
"Rainbow, you can't keep doing this," the scholar of the group said.
"Everything's in the past, Rainbow. You can forgive your mother for whatever she's done to you now, can't you? Maybe she wanted you and Taciturn together in the first place!"
"How would you know?"
"Because she's still your mother," Twilight answered.
"She wants what's best for you. She wouldn't say no just to botch your relationship with Tassee, would she? All you have to do is forgive her for what she's done."
"But..." Rainbow muttered.
"But she's so..."
"She might be back then, but it's been five years, Rainbow. Surely, some part of her must have changed. Some part of her maybe learned how to forgive you. She might not show it on the outside, knowing her, but she could've already said yes without even letting you know about it."
Before Rainbow could speak, the front door burst open again, this time with Fluttershy and Pinkie trotting in. The former mare was gasping loudly, her hooves weakly trembling out of fatigue. The latter, on the other hoof, was panting out enough air to power a hurricane, eyes darting from room to room like a frenzied monkey as she screeched out in her loudest, rawest high-pitched voice:
"WHERE'S RAINBOW DASH?!"
"Ow, ow! Pinkie, I'm here, there's no need to--!"
Rainbow suddenly felt herself being tackled down, tumbling back towards the shelf and hitting her head, the ache that had lingered in there for a while now once again working up a storm. She was about to shout at whichever pony did that to her until she felt a tender lick against her cheek, followed by two familiar hooves wrapping around her in a tight hug.
"T-Tassee?"
The bleached colt nodded hastily, his head buried in her chest. It was only when she heard his soft whimpers that her heart suddenly stopped. Taciturn was crying? What the hay happened to him? Did they stumble upon Firefly on the way here? She glanced at her friends with wide eyes, wanting to know the answer.
"What happened?" she questioned.
"We don't know!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"He was all smiles and sunshine one minute then, when Fluttershy came through the door, Tassee just started having all these tears falling from his eyes! Nopony touched him or did anything to him! Ever!"
No matter how much Rainbow didn't want to believe them, she knew immediately that they were telling the truth. None of them would hurt Taciturn in any way, knowing how vulnerable he is. Of course, that doesn't mean he would suddenly break down for no absolute reason; she was his guardian and marefriend for a year and nothing of that sort happened before!
"I-I asked him if h-he wanted anything," Fluttershy stammered nervously.
"You know, j-just in case if he was hungry..."
"And?"
"He said he wanted you."
All eyes turned to Taciturn in surprise, who, despite the tears streaming down his cheeks, was smiling. Rainbow couldn't even begin to comprehend; what was in Taciturn's mind that provoked him and pushed him over the edge? She wanted to ask him, knowing the promise she made him keep the night before, though that smile of his... she couldn't help but let her quivering lips curl up as well.
"That's why when we knew that you were here," Pinkie added.
"We immediately galloped as fast as we can! Woo-wee, that was fun~!!"
"I don't understand..." she muttered.
"Why... why would he be sad for no reason?"
"Ooh! Ooh!" Pinkie chimed again, hoof jiggling in the air.
"Maybe... maybe he knows that you're sad as well, so he becomes sad, get it? Huh? Huh?"
"You mean like some sort of connection that shares their emotions?" Twilight tried to rephrase, to which Pinkie give an exuberant, affirmative nod.
"I think I got it..."
"What?" Rainbow asked.
"What is it? I don't understand?"
"It's... like a gut feeling," the unicorn explained.
"That feeling just comes out of nowhere, yet it would be almost always right. If you use that concept and apply that, it means that whatever you've felt just now, after the incident this morning with Firefly, Taciturn, even though being apart from you, could somehow feel it as well."
"So what, he has some sort of magic power or sumthin'?" Applejack quipped.
"I gotta tell ya, if he does, it seemed special to me."
"I do agree," Rarity chimed in.
"It was almost as if... he possessed a sort of sixth sense."
"The sixth sense of Taciturn Bleach," Twilight muttered out loud, thinking to herself.
"This is clearly something special. He could feel what you're feeling from such a great distance, without any knowledge of what's going on with you... it wouldn't be magic, would it?"
"Maybe... maybe it is..."
Rare was it for Fluttershy to give a reply in a subject of unicorns, much less giving a reply at all. Nevertheless, the usually shy mare had the attention of all her friends, which would've made her squeak and probably faint to the floor if she hadn't thought of a proper answer.
"Sometimes, I feel sad for some reason, even though I know I'm not," she said.
"Then, Big Mac would come up to me, needing a little cheering up. I thought it was coincidence back then, but now... I don't think it all happened by chance."
"So is that all?" Applejack asked.
"This sixth sense thingy... it's all just plain, old love?"
"I guess so," Rainbow said, though admittedly the more she thought about it, the more she felt that Fluttershy was right. Love was, after all, however girly it sounded, the one thing that both her and Taciturn share. It was also a type of magic as well; she still remembered seeing Princess Cadence and Shining Armor kick all those Changeling flanks out with their combined lovey-dovey spells. Maybe -- she smiled to herself -- the answer is as simple as that.
"Just plain, old love..."
Taciturn let out a squeak of protest, muffled from his head still buried in her chest. Rainbow immediately chuckled, stroking his mane quietly and bringing a smile to everypony's faces. Rainbow was wrong: it isn't just any plain, old love that they've shared. She was the luckiest mare in the world to have a coltfriend who was the kindest, smartest stallion in the world. They certainly loved each other, alright, but it wasn't just any love. No, it was her love for Taciturn Bleach, and his love to her.
And she wouldn't want it any other damn way.