Pace Maker

by Mat the Brawler

Music in the Air

Anxiety, it was a feeling Rainbow Dash was more familiar with than she’d like to admit to. Though she presented herself with a boastful nature, in truth the spent a large sum of time worrying about if her life would be successful. But now she was panicking over something she never thought she’d give a chance, love.
       
Being a Wonder Bolt would mean she’d have to cut her ties with ponies who weren’t a part of her team. She could visit her home occasionally, perhaps once every 3 months, but most contact with her friends would be through letters. For this reason Dash preferred to keep others at a hoof’s distance. But with her new heart there’s no reason too, she would never be a Bolt.
        
“Rainbow?” Her purple friend snapped the Pegasus out of her thoughts.
        
“Sorry Twi, I was just thinking.” She explained.
        
“Wanna talk about it?” Her date offered.
        
“I dunno Twi. I’d still need to think some things over.”
        
“Well if you ever wanna bring it up, I’m all ears.” Twilight smiled.
        
“Thanks Twi. So where you wanna go for this date?” Dash changed the subject to the matter at hand.
        
“Well,” Twilight started. “I was thinking we could go to that Karaoke place near the bank.”
        
“Karaoke? Really?”
        
“Yeah why not?”
        
“Well I guess it’s as good an Idea as any other and truth be told I’ve always wanted to try karaoke.”
        
“Well, than why haven’t you?”
        
“I guess I just kept putting it off.”
        
“Fair enough I guess.”
        
“Alright than, let’s go!”
        
The two mares continued their conversation as they walked through the quiet town of Ponyville.
        
“So how did today go Dash?” Twilight made small talk.
        
“O-oh you know,” Dash stuttered. “S-same as ever. Well almost, just n-no flying.”
        
“Dash come on, you can trust me.” Twilight wanted this to work but if Dash wasn’t honest with her there was just no way. She knew about some of her insecurities from the memory spell, but during that she did her best to keep away from Dash’s secrets, though she did take a peek here and there.
        
“I know Twi. I’m fine really.” Dash offered weekly.
        
“If you say so.” Twilight wasn’t convinced.
        
Minutes of uncomfortable silence went by. Soon they arrived at their destination. Rainbow pulled the large glass door. The room was expansive and adorned in mostly red. The furniture was crimson and rosy velvet covered the walls. Booths covered the back wall.
       
“Welcome to Midnight Melodies!” Said the mare behind a scarlet counter. “How can I help you?”
        
“Hi.” Twilight started. “We’d like to rent a booth.”
        
“Okay, that’ll be thirty bits for ten songs.”
        
Dash stepped up. “Lemme pay Twi.”
        
“No I wanna pay.” Twilight insisted.
        
“Twilight please.”
        
“Look lets meet the middle, I pay fifteen and you pay fifteen.”
        
“Sounds fair.”
        
The two mares hoofed over the bits and headed to their booth. They closed the one way glass door, and turned to the magic screen in front of them. The booth was covered in sound proofing and the room was big enough for four ponies, so both mares had more than enough space.
        
“You go first Dash.”
        
“Okay.” Dash turned to the screen and pressed her hoof to the screen. She browsed the selection. “This one!”

       
 A melancholy keyboard tune filled the air accompanied by a bass. Soon a guitar started playing a riff in the background. Dash closed her eyes and began to sing.

        Tears Formed in twilights eyes from the raw emotion in dashes voice.

        
Dash closed her eyes. As she did so Twilight stepped in towards her and Sang back up.

        
Dash opened her eyes, tears glazing them, and stepped back.

        
Twilight moved in as Dash sobbed slightly. She took over for the next line.

        They began to sing in unison.

        Twilight moved next to the Pegasus.  She lay still. The alicorn leaned in and gave the other mare a soft peck on the cheek.

        “Dashie,” A sentimental Twilight spoke up. “Can we stick to happier songs?”

        “Yeah.” Dash replied hiding behind her mane. “You go next.”

        Twilight made her selection.

        Twilight turned to Rainbow. The Pegasus could only blush.

        Twilight closed her eyes and continued to sing.

        Her eyes fluttered open. And she glanced at the ground.

        The alicorn looked to her date, her eyes shining. That stare was one of longing and adoration. Dash could only blush.

        The music slowed into a heavier sounding guitar riff. Twilight rocked and bobbed her head to the groove filling the air around them. Twilight stepped slightly closer to Rainbow.

        Twilight stepped back, eyes closed, and still bobbing her head to the beat.

        Rainbow was swaying to the beat to but couldn't help keeping her eyes on twilight. She looked amazing as she rocked to and fro.

        This time rainbow stepped forwards and gently caressed the lavender pony with her wing. She sang with Twilight.

Twilight gave Rainbow a quick hug.

        Both mares separated and danced to the music. Twilight made a small adjustment to the lyrics as she sang the final verse.

        Dash clopped her hooves to the floor. Twilight blushed at the mock applause, but bowed just to continue their little act.

        “Wow Twi, I never noticed how good a singer you are.” Dash noted.

        “Thanks Dash, you’re pretty good yourself.” Twilight smiled.

        “I think you mean pretty awesome Twi, and thank you.”

        “Of course,” Twilight playfully rolled her eyes. “So it’s your turn Dash.”

        “You go again Twilight, I can’t decide between two songs.”

        “Alright.” Twilight hoofed the screen.

        A steady synth keyboard filled the air. It was accompanied by a drum and bass. Eventually Violins played a bitter sweet melody over it.

        The alicorn turned to Rainbow.

        The Pegasus pony’s ears flopped down. She looked sheepish.

        Twilight offered her dear a smile. Dash perked up a bit.

        Dash blushed.

        Dash moved towards twilight as the violin returned. She nuzzled her slightly.

Twilight caressed Rainbow gently with a hoof.

        Twilight felt it was the time to ask as the song drew to a close, that and she was growing impatient. “I know we’re still relatively early in the date Dash, but would you please be my marefriend?”

        “Twi, I’ve met a lot of ponies in this world, and none of them have made me feel as appreciated as you do.” Dash started. “I’d be an Idiot not too.”

        In one fell swoop Twilight embraced her lover. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!”

        “Come on Twi, I know I’m pretty awesome but don’t make me change my mind.” Dash teased.

        “Hehe,” Twilight blushed. “Sorry.”

        “It’s okay, now we've got some music to sing!”