//------------------------------// // Wings // Story: 6 Months, Several Eternities // by TheRainbowEffect //------------------------------// “A date, you say?” Twilight asked. ‘Yeah, we’ve decided it’s time we go on a date together,” Rainbow explained. “And you want to go to the Grand Galloping Gala?” “Yeah, we do. I mean, even though last time was a disaster, this time we’ll have each other, not our own separate desires.” “Well, you two are in luck. I think I can get that for you. I told the Princess in my letter about you, and she’ll probably want to talk to you.” “Ah’m sure she will.” “I’ll need to go to the post office again, Spike’s still not here. And I don’t think he knows anyway.” “Yeah, I suppose we’ll have to tell him that.” Just then, a balloon came into view. They could see that it was a Royal balloon because of, perhaps, the Royal guard pegasus ponies flanking the balloon. Then again, it was too nice a balloon to be non-Royal. Then, Spike poked his head out of the balloon’s basket. “Spike! I wasn’t expecting you here this early!” “Well, I got done with my stuff early, so I came home as soon as I could!” The balloon touched down and Spike got out of the basket. “Hey, Spike, it’s nice to see you back! We’ve been missing ya,” said Rainbow. “It’s nice to be back, Rainbow. Canterlot’s fun, but it’s got nothin’ on the friends I have in Ponyville.” “I have that effect on everyone,” Rainbow joked. “By the way, Spike, did you hear about the news?” “Whaddaya mean, Rainbow?” “Well, it’s something that happened while you were gone, Spike.” “What do you mean? “Well, it may be a surprise, but Applejack and I are marefriend and marefriend now. That’s right, we’re going out.” “Woah, I didn’t see that one coming.” They all laughed. ‘We’ve missed our little mail dragon. We need to get communication with the Princess faster,” said Twilight. “The ponies in our cute little couple here want to go on a date.” “Yech. Dating is yucky. And why do they need to ask the Princess anyway?” “The Grand Galloping Gala is coming up in a few days, right?” “Yeah, that’s right, but what does that have to do with this?” “Spike, it’s obvious. They want to go to the Gala together.” “But the last time we went, it was a disaster! I ended up miserably eating doughnut after doughnut at the doughnut bar, and it didn’t sound like you guys had a whole lot of success either.” “Our night ended up just fine, Spike.” “If you say so.” Twilight and Spike then headed into the library and the balloon took off back towards Canterlot. Rainbow and Applejack soon saw a green light flash from the windows of the library, evidence of a letter being sent. They headed off toward the orchard and nuzzled each other occasionally as they walked. Their record so far was impressive. They had gained pretty much all positive feedback so far. They couldn’t keep that kind of track record for long, though. The Grand Galloping Gala ponies tended to be snooty, high class ponies. They might not sit as well with lesbians as their good friends were. Friends were supposed to be accepting. General society wasn’t always the same way. Society wasn’t always too accepting of something different, something alien. It was just pony nature to be scornful toward something you don’t know. It wasn’t something that ponies tried to do. Nopony tries to be an ignorant, scornful pony. It’s just something that happens as a result of the way society is. * * * The next couple days passed slowly, not much happening. The day of the Gala was at hand, early morning before the Gala. Rarity had finished their dresses at that point, and they were at the Boutique checking the dresses out. “Wow, Rarity, this really is nice.” “Really? Does it need to be, as you say, cooler?” “Nah, Rarity, this really is cool!” “I am very pleased that you enjoy it, Rainbow. How do you like yours, Applejack?” “Ah think it’s just fine, Rarity, And that’s a good thing.” Their dresses really were cool and fine. They mixed and contrasted each other in a way that only Rarity could make happen. She really was quite talented in her profession. “So you two are content with your dresses?” “Yeah, these dresses are great, Rarity.” “I am very pleased that you like my dresses. I’ve never put so much thought into one project, I hope you know. And Applejack, I’m afraid to say that your Stetson won’t fit very well with the dress I’ve made.” “That’s alright, Rarity, we appreciate the sentiment and the dresses.” “Oh, it was something I had to do, I’m not going to create something that isn’t worthy of a couple that deserves the best!” “You think we deserve the best?” “Well, of course I do, darling. You two are the most adorable couple I think I’ve ever seen!” “That’s always nice to know.” “Of course, darling. Now you simply must get cleaned up, you two, so I have decided to treat you to a wonderful cleanup at the spa!” “Oh, uh, that sounds very nice, Rarity.” “Do come along, darlings.” Rarity led them out the door and towards the spa. They reached the spa and were instantly greeted by the ponies that knew Rarity. “My friends here need to get cleaned up for their little ‘date’ tonight at the Gala. I’m treating them, so it’s all on me.” “Rarity, ya don’t have ta pay fer all of this.” “Oh, no, darling, it’s my pleasure, really. It’s the least I could do to show how much I absolutely love having you two together!” “Well, thanks, Rarity, this is great.” Rarity paid in advance, and, surprise, left. That was surprising because Rarity was never one to give up a chance for a good spa treatment. The spa ponies led Applejack and Rainbow Dash in and it began. * * * They came out feeling like their very skin had been scrubbed raw, but they looked in the mirrors and saw that they nearly sparkled. It was noon, and the Grand Galloping Gala started soon. They were back at Rarity’s, putting on their dresses. “Oh, do come back with the latest in Canterlot gossip,” Rarity urged. “Sure, ah guess.” “Yeah, we’ll see if we can pick something up, I suppose.” “As an up and coming fashion designer, I need to keep up with the latest of times. I surely can’t become a big fashion name if I’m kept in the dark.” “Alright, we’ll help you out. I suppose we can make an effort to try and pick something up while we’re there.” “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!” “No problem, Rarity. Ah suppose it’s the least we can do to repay ya for all you’ve done fer us.” “Oh, nonsense, what I’ve done for you was my own pleasure.” “Alrighty then, I suppose.” They walked over to the library, where the balloon to Canterlot would be landing to take them. It was a good thing that Twilight was so close with the Princess. Then they could get places more quickly in balloons as opposed to paying for a train. Twilight gave them their tickets and commenced to chat. “You guys excited for the gala?” Twilight asked. “You kidding me? This is great,” Rainbow replied excitedly. “Yeah, we’re real excited for this,” Applejack chimed in. “I’m not surprised. The Gala’s a big event. Anyway, I may have already told you, but the Princess wants you to talk to her at some point during the night. She wants you to discuss what you’ve learned in person. “ “Alright, we’ll be sure to scope her out at some point.” “Good, she’s really looking forward to talking with you. The holders of the Elements don’t always become couples, so this is something that Celestia would like to talk about.” “Ah suppose this is something different. It surely is for us.” “I’m not surprised.” “This is weird, I’m not normally this dressed up.” Twilight laughed at how Rainbow had brought that up so randomly. “I don’t suppose you are.” Just then, the balloon came into view above them. It was, as it always is, flanked by the white Royal guards, descending in front of the library. Their magnificent armor reflected the sunlight, casting rays of light around. The balloon landed, the basket setting down softly on the grass. The basket opened up for Rainbow and Applejack, and Twilight wished them luck on their date. Rainbow and Applejack walked in after thanking Twilight. The balloon took to the air, and Rainbow and Applejack watched as the Equestrian landscape passed by. Equestria was a beautiful place. It really was. Rainbow looked over at Applejack. Applejack looked absolutely beautiful. Her freckles were some of the cutest things she had ever seen. Rainbow had never before her broken wings been able to see the little things and appreciate them for what they really were. She thought of a song she had heard by the Ponees. Blackmare singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly All your life, you’ve been only waiting For this moment to arrive She felt like she had really taken her broken wings and had used them to fly. Maybe she had been waiting her whole life for this. She realized that maybe it was for the best that she broke her wings. She took the moment to softly press her lips against Applejack’s and hold them there. She briefly forgot that there was a spinning world around them. She forgot for a moment that they were on a date that they were headed to the Grand Galloping Gala because of Twilight’s connections with the princess. She forgot that anything even existed outside this kiss. She could truly lose herself in Applejack. It was heavenly, and it was even more awesome that being able to make a Royal guard’s head turn. Applejack was truly her utopia. They broke apart and Applejack smiled, and Rainbow smiled back. The world around the two returned, but it was truly an amazing world. A world with Applejack in it was a good world in which to live and love. The Gala came into view and some of the dressed up ponies even pointed at the incoming balloon. The balloon landed on a patch of grass and the two stepped out of the basket as other ponies looked at them. Rainbow Dash gave Applejack a quick kiss, eliciting some gasps from the on looking ponies, some even murmuring to other ponies distastefully. Rainbow looked at Applejack and smiled, then held her head high so nopony could get to them. “Haters gonna hate.” Applejack laughed at Rainbow Dash’s words and the two presented their tickets to the guards. The guards accepted their tickets and they walked in to the Gala.