//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Soarin's Big Decision // Story: The Rainbow Connection // by Locomotion //------------------------------// Misty Fly sat lazily on the couch on one side of the officers' lounge at the Wonderbolt base, reading the latest copy of the Cloudsdale Tribune, while Fire Streak and another male Wonderbolt occupied themselves with a game of chess. It had been a quiet, somewhat uneventful day thus far, and Misty couldn't help wondering whether Spitfire should have just let them all have the day off if there weren't any stunt routines that needed to be practised. “Terribly sorry, Wave Chill,” announced Fire Streak, breaking the silence that had been hanging over the room, “but I'm afraid that is...” he paused impressively as he moved his queen to capture one of his opponent's rooks, “...checkmate.” “Darn it!” groaned Wave Chill. “That's the third time you've beaten me so far!” “Ah well – better luck next time, Lieutenant.” Fire Streak looked towards the door, wondering if maybe he should get himself some coffee. “Oh, hullo, Soarin. I didn't see you come in just now.” “At ease, Squadron Leader,” replied Soarin, sitting down next to him. “How was your vacation in Baltimare?” “It was okay, I guess. The catering at my hotel wasn't exactly that good,” the buff-coated stallion mused, “but I enjoyed seeing that regatta all the same – matter of fact, one of the captains even invited me onto the lead vessel of the naval flotilla.” “Oh, well that's good to know.” “How about you, Commander? Cadet training been treating you okay?” “Um...not bad,” said Soarin quietly. Fire Streak was rather taken aback by the somewhat distant tone with which his superior had just spoken. “Nothing wrong, was there, sir?” he asked. “No, nothing at all.” Wave Chill and Fire Streak exchanged puzzled glances. It wasn't like Soarin to get so distracted so easily – but then since Rainbow Dash had enrolled in their Academy, he probably had every reason to be, so they simply shrugged it off and began packing away the chess set. Just as they were getting up to go and get something from the canteen, however, Soarin abruptly broke the silence again; “Hey, Fire Streak, do you know of any good jewellery stores around here?” Misty lowered her newspaper and listened with interest. Maybe she could be of help, she thought. “Jewellery?” repeated Fire Streak. “Never bother with the stuff.” Soarin gave him an odd look. “What, not even for Spitfire?” “No – Spitfire's not a great fan of jewellery. You know that.” “What's this about jewellery, Soarin?” asked Misty curiously, putting the paper down and walking over to the three stallions. Soarin hesitated. “I just wanted to know......where I could find a little something for Rainbow Dash,” he explained uneasily. “You wouldn't happen to know, would you, Misty?” “Well, you've come to the right pony, Commander,” smiled Misty. “I gotta ask, though, why are you planning on getting jewellery for Rainbow Dash of all ponies? It's not like she's into that kind of thing herself.” “Um......I suppose I might as well tell you,” decided Soarin, “but only if you promise not to breathe a word to anypony else – and certainly not to the Wonderbolt cadets. Can you guys do that for me?” “Sure thing, Commander,” affirmed Misty. “As you wish, sir,” added Wave Chill. “Same here, Soarin,” chimed in Fire Streak. “Well, it's like this...” began Soarin, and gestured to the other ponies to lean in closer. He then checked that nopony else was in the room and whispered something into their ears. “Oh, I see!” remarked Misty as soon as he had finished. “Ah, well that changes everything.” “When do you plan on bringing it up then, Soarin?” quizzed Fire Streak curiously. Soarin placed a hoof behind his head, blushing slightly. “Haven't really worked it out yet, but that's not important right now. Misty, are there any places that you would recommend?” “Yes, actually; there's one on Prancetown Avenue in San Fratello. In fact, my coltfriend Concorde once got me a medallion from there as a Hearth's Warming present,” explained Misty. “Tell you what; if Spitty will let us go down there for an hour or so, I'll help you pick something out for your marefriend. That'll be my way of repaying her for that Best Young Flyers' Competition.” “That'd be really helpful, actually. Thanks, Misty.” “Hey – no problem. Can't exactly leave a senior Wonderbolt hanging now, can we?” grinned Misty, and headed off to Spitfire's office with Soarin close behind. Fire Streak and Wave Chill watched them leave the lounge, silently wondering what Spitfire would have to say about it. “For Rainbow Dash, eh?” remarked Spitfire thoughtfully. “Well, it hardly sounds like a good excuse to vacate this base...” Soarin looked disappointed. “...but what the hay – rules are made to be broken, so I reckon I'll stretch a point. Just make sure you're back by sundown, okay?” “We will, Captain,” promised Misty. “That jewellers' place usually shuts shop at 1700 hours anyway, so we should be back in good time.” “Good – then you have my word,” conceded Spitfire with a smile. “Really?” said Soarin, perking up. “Aw, thanks, Spitty. You're a real buddy, you know that?” “You're welcome, Wing Commander,” chuckled Spitfire. “Now you go and find that something for your mare.” “Come on, Soarin,” prompted Misty. “The day isn't getting any longer, you know.” Soarin laughed as he followed the blonde-coated mare out of the office. “Hey, who's supposed to be ordering whom about here?” he joked. It wasn't long before Soarin and Misty arrived in San Fratello, a smallish market town located a few miles away from Trottingham. They came into land on a cobbled roadway just north of the town centre, opposite to what looked like an old cottage from almost a century ago except for the huge front windows, with a sign above the door reading “JASPER CARAT FAMILY JEWELLERS” in large letters. “Is this the place?” asked Soarin as they touched down. “Yep – 47A, Prancetown Avenue, just as Concorde said it would be. Come on, Soarin, let's go in and take a look.” Misty led the way into the shop, where they immediately began browsing through the various accessories in the display cabinets and underneath the counter. But after a just a few minutes of searching, Soarin was starting to get cold hooves. “I don't really know about this, Misty,” he said doubtfully. “These all look pretty pricey to me.” Misty just laughed and continued searching. “Don't go on, Soar,” she goaded. “You wanna win your mare, you gotta really spend on her.” “Well, that's just it,” explained Soarin. “I'm not saying I don't want to spend any money on Rainbow Dash by any means; I just want it to be value for money. I mean, just look at this lot! Can you find anything that would look right on that mare?” Still scrutinising the various jewels, Misty pondered over what Soarin had just said. “Yes, I see what you mean,” she agreed. “There's loads of different options here – baguette-cut moonstone on a silver band with small opal doublets around them; string of agate cabochons with a brilliant-cut diamond pendant; pearl necklace; triangle-cut fire-rubies round a platinum band with a princess-cut amber on the front...” Soarin shook his head wearily as Misty began rambling on about what jewels there were on sale. “Misty, please,” he interrupted at last, “none of this is making any sense to me.” “Sorry, Soarin,” apologised Misty, grinning awkwardly. “I guess I just got a bit carried away there. But yeah, I can see what you mean; there's nothing here that'd suit Rainbow Dash. I guess we'd better ask for advice on this matter.” But as luck would have it, one of the ponies running the shop had just come downstairs at this very moment. He was a deep purple unicorn stallion with a crimson mane and tail, a finely combed “imperial” moustache and a pair of half-moon glasses. His Cutie Mark consisted of a pearl necklace and a golden crown, and he wore a smart white shirt and blue waistcoat, giving him an air of wealth and prosperity. By the looks of him, this had to be Jasper Carat himself. Soarin walked up to the counter to speak to him. “Pardon me, sir,” he began, “my name is Soarin Starr, I'm here to...” “Wait just a minute!” the purple unicorn interrupted. “You're both part of the Wonderbolts, aren't you?” “Um...yes, actually – I'm second-in-command of the team, as a matter of fact,” affirmed Soarin, taken by surprise. “How did you know?” Jasper chuckled knowingly. “I've got a couple of little fillies who talk about you guys all the time,” he explained. “They're both Pegasi, and have always wanted to meet you and your team-mates. They're particular fans of a mare called Mist...hang on – what would your friend's name be?” “What, the mare who's come into this shop with me? Oh, that's Lieutenant Misty Fly.” Misty goggled in amazement. “Do your girls really idolise me that much?” she asked, unsure whether to believe what she had just heard. “They sure do,” smiled Jasper. “Most of the pictures they draw of you and the rest of the Wonderbolts show you performing all the really gripping stunts while the rest of you are just making patterns in the air.” The blonde-coated mare could only blink in disbelief. Of all the Wonderbolts that two Pegasus foals could have idolised, they had to go for one of the lesser members of the team? A mere Lieutenant such as herself? “Why, Mr Carat,” she stammered, awestruck, “I just dunno what to say.” “Ah, you don't need to say anything,” chuckled Jasper. “You're a great flyer, and you're really lucky to have your very own fans. Now then, what can I do for you?” “Well, sir,” explained Soarin, “there's this mare at the Wonderbolt Academy named Rainbow Dash for whom I'd fallen since she saved me, Spitfire and Misty from certain death at the Best Young Flyers' Competition about three or four years ago.” “Oh, yes, I know the one,” remarked Jasper. “Former chief weather pony in Ponyville who's saved Equestria several times, according to what I'd read in the papers. Didn't know you two were an item, though...well, I did kinda get the hint from the picture of you and her at the Royal Wedding, but I never really paid it that much notice.” “Well, it would turn out we are,” went on Soarin, blushing heavily and placing a hoof against the back of his head. “Anyway, we've been dating for quite some time now, and......well, I just feel like it's time we took things a stage further, if you see what I mean.” Jasper smiled and nodded understandingly. “Yes, I see what you're getting at. So do you have anything special in mind, or is there something here that might suit her?” “I'm afraid we've already checked,” answered Soarin gravely, “and there doesn't seem to be anything particularly suitable. See, Rainbow Dash isn't very much into fancy jewellery, so what I really need is something that fits her personality, but at the same time isn't too extravagant. Any chance you could commission something for me?” “Of course I can,” agreed Jasper. “In fact, I'll tell you what I'll do; if you two agree to say hello to my daughters – maybe even give them your autographs – then I'll happily allow you a substantial discount.” “How much?” “30 percent?” Soarin eagerly reached out his hoof. “Deal!” he declared. “That's settled then,” replied Jasper, shaking Soarin's hoof. “Give me a minute, and I'll be right back with my daughters,” and he trotted cheerfully round to the back of the store. He returned quite shortly, with both his daughters scampering eagerly behind him. The two Pegasus fillies looked about four years old and were almost completely identical, with the same style of mane and tail, the same russet-coloured eyes, and even the same rose-coloured coats; the only way that either Soarin or Misty could tell them apart was that the mane and tail of one were cream-coloured with golden highlights, and those of the other were a deep green. “Well, girls,” said Jasper, levitating his little fillies onto the counter top, “you said you wanted to meet some of the Wonderbolts, and here they are. Soarin, Misty, I'd like you to meet my twin daughters; Emerald Sheen and Golden Pearl.” “Um...are you really Wonderbolts?” asked Emerald Sheen shyly. “We sure are,” smiled Misty proudly. Golden Pearl let out a gasp of excitement. “Oh my gosh!” she squeaked. “I can't believe we're actually meeting up with our favourite Wonderbolt! This is so awesome!” “I'll say it is,” added Emerald Sheen, quickly coming to her senses. “Hey, you wanna see our drawings? We've got loads of them.” Soarin and Misty exchanged thoughtful glances. “Yeah, why not?” conceded Soarin at last. Eagerly, Emerald Sheen leaped off the counter, glided onto the floor and galloped into the storeroom at the back of the shop, emerging just seconds later with several sheets of paper in between her teeth. As soon as she approached the three adults and her twin sister, she leaped up, flapped her wings vigorously until she was just a few inches above the counter, and touched down on top of it before spreading out the sheets for all to see. Misty eyed the drawings with interest. Just as Jasper had said, where most of the Wonderbolts in the pictures were flying in fairly uninteresting formations, they all featured her performing the sort of daredevil stunts that Rainbow Dash would have enjoyed. “Very good,” she praised. “You two sure put a lot of effort into these drawings.” “Do you like them?” asked Golden Pearl hopefully. “I...I'm actually really flattered that you two should think so much of me,” remarked Misty, deeply touched. “I'm not that good a flyer really; if anything, that honour should really go to Rainbow Dash.” Emerald Sheen cocked her head in surprise. “But Rainbow Dash isn't a Wonderbolt,” she objected. “You're half-right, little one,” Soarin pointed out. “She's actually been training to become one for quite some time now, and is due to pass her final test next month.” “Wow!” gasped Emerald Sheen. “Rainbow Dash is about to become a Wonderbolt too? That's so cool!” “Yeah, but not as cool as Misty,” added Golden Pearl. “You'll always be our favourite Wonderbolt.” Misty beamed softly in reply, humbled somewhat to know that she had two little fans of her very own. “Um...Misty,” ventured Emerald Sheen, “could you and Soarin sign our pictures for us?” “My pleasure, little Emerald Sheen,” replied Misty, and pulled over a nearby writing quill and pot of ink so that she could write her signature on the drawings. While she was doing that, Soarin told Jasper what Rainbow Dash was like so that he could get a good idea of what he was meant to be making. “Right,” murmured Jasper, quickly sketching out the jewel that he had in mind, “I reckon if I made it a band of pure gold......yes, that's a pretty good start...so next thing I could do is inscribe her initials either side of the centrepiece......I think maybe add the other three hues into that as well – but definitely make it studded...something like a white quartz cabochon...” Soarin rolled his eyes as Misty signed the last drawing and passed him the quill and ink. “Are you following all that, Misty?” he asked in a somewhat bored voice. “Because this jewellers' gobbledegook is just going right over my head.” “That's right, Soarin, you go right back to playing with our little fans,” teased Misty, watching carefully as the outline of Soarin's mysterious gift to Rainbow Dash started to take place. “Leave me to do the real work!” Golden Pearl and Emerald Sheen giggled; but Soarin didn't seem quite so amused as he did anxious. “I just hope Mr Carat knows what he's doing,” he muttered to himself uneasily as he began signing the drawings. “Don't worry, Mr Soarin,” soothed Emerald Sheen. “Daddy's really good with jewels. Whatever he's drawing, I'm sure Rainbow Dash will like it.” “Are you in love with Rainbow Dash then?” asked Golden Pearl curiously. Soarin shook his head in disbelief. He couldn't seem to keep this a secret from anypony, could he? “How did you two find out I had feelings for that mare?” Golden Pearl giggled again. “When a stallion comes into this shop and asks Daddy for something special from here, it usually means he's in love with somepony,” she explained simply. At this point, Soarin had to laugh too. No wonder those two fillies had second-guessed him. “Okay, you two, I admit it,” he conceded heartily. “Yes, I love Rainbow Dash.” “I knew it!” squealed Emerald Sheen triumphantly. “I knew Soarin was in love with somepony!” “You sure are a lucky pony, Mr Soarin,” admired Golden Pearl dreamily. “It must be so nice to have a special somepony, same as you.” “Well, we can dream, can't we?” mused Soarin. Already he was starting to grow rather fond of these two fillies; not only did they appear to be a pair of budding romantics, but there was something about them that reminded him of Rainbow Dash back when she was still just an ordinary weather pony – even before they had known each other, in fact. He remembered all the times he had heard the rainbow-maned mare in the midst of the crowd, cheering for him especially, and all the times she had come up to him when he and his team-mates were signing autographs, practically ignoring the remainder of the Wonderbolts in his favour. At last, Jasper placed his pencil back down again. “Okay, Soarin, I think I might have worked it all out,” he announced. “How does this look?” Soarin came round to the other side of the counter and carefully studied the sketches. After only half a minute, he looked back up to Jasper with an approving smile; “That looks perfect,” he declared. “Rainbow Dash will love it. How soon can you have it ready?” “Should have it done by tomorrow,” answered Jasper. “I'll mail it to the Wonderbolt base as soon as it's ready. That'll be......three-hundred bits to you.” “Okay, Mr Carat.” Soarin reached into the saddlebag he was carrying with him and pulled out a bundle of twenty-bit notes. “There you go, sir; three-hundred bits, just what you asked for.” Jasper quickly checked the banknotes in case Soarin had missed any. “Uh-huh, three-hundred bits – excellent,” he said at last. “Thank you very much, Soarin and Misty; it's been a real pleasure doing business with you, and I'm sure my little ones are really happy to have had you here.” “We sure are, Daddy,” chimed Emerald Sheen and Golden Pearl gratefully. “Glad we could make acquaintance with you, Mr Carat,” smiled Misty. “Maybe I'll see you again someday, and then I can talk Wonderbolts with your daughters again.” “Well, let's hope so,” mused Jasper. “Bye, Misty,” called Emerald Sheen as the two Wonderbolts passed through the doorway. “Come back again soon.” “Bye, Mr Soarin,” added Golden Pearl. “I hope Rainbow Dash likes your present.” “I hope so too,” chuckled Soarin, and he and Misty took off back to base. Golden Pearl and Emerald Sheen stood outside the door and watched them fly away, waving enthusiastically until the two Wonderbolts were out of sight.