//------------------------------// // Day Twenty One // Story: Pretty in Pink // by Sarcastic Brony //------------------------------// It’s raining. That’s all that comes to my mind as I look out the window with a great pain coursing through my heart. The heavy rain creating beats of their own as they hammer against anything foolish enough to be caught outside. The sound has become deafening loud to me. The beats not unlike the beat that has been constantly droning in my head since I came back home. I just look to my journal unsure how to start this entry. We’re not friends anymore... I shakily drop the quill that was in my hand as I look to what I wrote. How did it get to this point? Why did it have to be like this? All I can do is relive what had happened today. I feel my eyes slowly open as the light of morning shines brightly through my curtains. I couldn't help but bring my hand to my nose and wince a bit from the pain. Seems it will take awhile before I can smell anything again. I let out a sigh. Honestly, I just wanted to lay in my bed for the rest of the day and not have to worry about what is to come. I know deep down that I need to figure out what the matter is with Rainbow. Even though she did hit me I’ll be willing to forgive her if she doesn't ignore me again. I roll out of bed and get dressed for the day. As I walk out of my home I take notice of the gloomy looking tint the sun is giving off. I look up to the sky and notice a few pegasi flying around placing large cubes of dark clouds around ponyville. I then remember that Rainbow did mention something about working on a large storm coming in. I need to talk to her but I couldn't very well pull her from the job. With a sigh do I decide to try and maybe get some advice from my friends and see if I can get a clue on how to handle Rainbow. Whatever she is dealing with is above bro status, so that means that I will need to proceed with caution this time. No going head strong, I need to find out if maybe she talked to someone else about this. The closest mare is Fluttershy. I think if Rainbow was going to talk to anyone then it might be her. I knock gently onto Fluttershy’s door. Soon she comes and answers the door. “Hello, Anon. Can I help you with anything?” She asks. “I was wondering if we could talk about something.” I try to keep my voice calm but I think she notices the underlying tone. “Well, sure.” She moves to the side and shows me in. “Just take a seat anywhere.” I give a nod as I take a seat on one of her couches. Fluttershy takes a seat across from me as we both try to get comfortable. I can see her looking to my nose but quickly looks away. I touch my nose slightly.“So... You’re probably wondering about this.” She nods hesitantly. “What happened?” I let out a sigh. “I’m not really going to beat around the bush here. It was Rainbow. We were talking, one thing lead to another and I got this in the end.” I try to put it bluntly. She looks shocked. “O-oh my.” I nod. “Has Rainbow talked to you about anything? Anything at all?” I ask hopefully. Fluttershy shakes her head. “No, not a thing. She did come over yesterday but didn't say much. She just kinda sat here for awhile and then just left.” I let out a sigh. “Please tell me you have noticed a weird change in her behavior.” She nods. “Yes... I have.” “Have any idea what it could be?” She seems to get red faced. “Well... Maybe she likes somepony a lot.” “So you’re saying she likes someone and that is the reason she is acting weird around me?” I ask confused. She seems to get even redder in the face. “Maybe that somepony she likes is you?” I let out an exhausted sigh. Seriously. I heard this stuff yesterday and it is kinda getting annoying now. “No she doesn't.” I say with finality. “Why?” Fluttershy asks curiously. “Because...” I bite my lip. “Because she can't. Those are the facts, Fluttershy. Never can and never will happen.” “Are you sure?” “Yes.” “Well... If you say so.” She sounds unconvinced. I just hang my head. “No other ideas?” I don't get a response. “Thanks for the time anyways, Fluttershy. I’m going to go talk to the others.” “Alright.” She says as I show myself out. “Anon.” I stop to face her. “Yeah?” “Would it be so hard to believe that Rainbow does like you?” I let out a sigh. “Fluttershy, I know that on the outside looking in it’s probably the most obvious thing in the world to everyone. But that’s the thing, you need to be where I stand to know what I know that proves it would never happen. It has to be something big though, so I’m going to ask around and maybe find out what it could be.” Fluttershy remains quiet as I show myself out. A long sigh escapes me as I look up to the ever growing storm. I guess I need to pick up the pace. Applejack is probably one of the last Rainbow would ever talk to. So maybe Twilight will have a clue. I knock on the door a few times. Soon Spike answers the door. “Hey, Anon. What brings you around?” He asks. “Just need to talk to Twilight about something.” I reach into my pocket and pull out a bit and toss it to him. “Hit up Sugarcube Corner real quick so Twilight and I can talk.” He gets a large smile on his face. “Sure!” Before he can run out I stop him. “One last thing. Tell Pinkie Pie that I miss her and will see her soon.” I can see him make a puking gesture as he turns back to leave. “Don't forget to give her a kiss for me!” I shout out. He freezes in place as he slowly looks back to me. When he see’s the large grin on my face does he roll his eyes and takes off. I just chuckle a little as I show myself in. “Spike, who was at the door?” Twilight asks as her face is buried in a book. “I don't know Twi, some weird monkey thing.” I joke around. “Well did you let Anon in?” Either she is playing with me or she is really lost in that book. “Nah, I just threw a banana past him. He went running after it.” I reply. “I’ll have to write that down.” She says lifting a quill and piece of paper. “You’re fucking with me aren't you?” I ask. She turns back to me with a knowing grin. “~Maybe.~” I shake my head with a small smile. Twilight may not be on 24/7 like Pinkie, but she definitely has her moments. “So what brings you around?” She asks curiously. “Must be important seeing as you bribed my assistant to leave.” I feel my smile drop as I get straight to business. “Rainbow.” She nods. “I understand. Honestly, Anon. I have no idea what is wrong with her. I tried talking to her yesterday but she wouldn't say a thing. Just kept saying how stupid she was for hurting you.” I slump my back against the wall as I let out a sigh. “What is wrong with her? She hasn't been acting normal since that Cloudsdale trip.” Twilight shrugs. “I don't know either, Anon. All my books tell me is that maybe she has formed some kind of attachment to you. The way she told us about your first day in Cloudsdale was probably the most emotional I have ever seen her. It seemed that afterwards she practically vowed to protect you...” Hmm. Now that does sound interesting now that I think about it. It fits some of the really touchy things but doesn't explain why she would be so afraid to tell me such a thing. Is it because she is embarrassed about that? It was another piece to a puzzle that I wasn't even sure would fit. It did give me something to think about though. “It’s something to think about.” I say. “Sorry I couldn't help more.” I wave it off. “Don't worry, Twi. Just talking makes me feel better.” I then look to the door. “I need to head out. Will probably talk to someone else next.” “See you later, Anon.” Twilight says. I give one last nod to her as I head out. As I look up I can see that even more clouds hang in the sky. In fact they look far darker than before. I should probably hurry before this stuff starts to fall. I can rule out Pinkie as a possible pony she would talk to. If she did then I wouldn't have even needed to talk to her in the first place. Pinkie would’ve told me what was wrong with her. So that only left Rarity and Applejack. It’s a total shot in the dark if Rainbow would talk to either of them. Seeing as Rarity is closer, I decide that maybe going to her would be best. I know that I wouldn't be able to make it to the farm half way before this rain fell. So I quickly make my way to the boutique and pray that I get something out of this day. Rarity opens the door looking rather surprised. “Why hello, darling!” She looks me up and down then outside to the sky. “Let me guess. New coat, maybe something more heavy for the cold weather?” I shake my head. “Actually, Rarity. I came to talk about something a little more, private.” She takes a side step and lets me come in. She looks as curious as ever as she closes the door behind me. “Well whatever could it be?” She asks as we take our seats. “I know this will probably be a long shot, but, has Rainbow came by to talk to you by any chance?” I ask. “As a matter of fact she did!” Rarity says with a smile. “Really?” I ask somewhat shocked. She nods. “Mhmm. She came by looking rather distressed over something. When I asked her what the problem was she asked if...” She then quiets down. “M-Maybe I shouldn't say actually. She didn't make me Pinkie promise but it was rather personal.” There was no way in hell I was letting this get away. This is the best lead I will probably ever get. “Rarity, you have to tell me what she told you! She hasn't been acting normal and I’m really worried.” I plead. “I-I would but...” I cut her off. “Modeling for a week!” I scream out. She looks back to me with a certain sparkle in her eyes. “What was that, Anon?” I cringe a little. I knew one weakness Rarity had. It was me modeling for her. For some reason or another she always compliments me on my body. Saying that while it was not like a ponies it held a certain exotic flare to it. She would take pictures of me and send them to some mare named Photofinish. I don't know what they do with the photos but Rarity seems to like when I model clothes for her. “I-I said I would do a weeks modeling for you. Just tell me what is wrong with Rainbow.” I ask. She rubs her chin with her hoof. “Make it’s a months worth of modeling.” I sputter at that. “What?! No way... Two weeks, tops.” I counter. She smiles at me. “I can accept that darling.” I roll my eyes. “Alright missy, spill the beans.” She smiles at me some as a blush slowly spreads across her cheeks.. “Well. Rainbow told me that she is starting to fancy a certain stallion.” Stallion? Probably just covering up the fact she likes some mare. That makes sense. If she likes someone then who best to talk about that kind of stuff than Rarity? Obviously she couldn't tell her that she liked a mare, but changing a few details here and there wouldn't hurt anyone. The thing is how does that affect me? “Alright, so she likes some ma-stallion... What does that have to do with how she’s been acting?” I ask. “Well that’s where it gets complicated Anon. You see, she has known this stallion for a long time. They are the best of friends and now she has started to get these feelings for him.” So she likes one of her friends? Well now this is starting to make sense. I know that if I started to like a close friend I too would be rather nervous about it... Hell, I was a nervous wreck when I wanted to date Pinkie. So I can level to some degree on how Rainbow must be feeling right now. Knowing this makes me forgive her slightly for the hit I took yesterday. This entire thing has shone a new light on what has been messing with my bro! “So is that it?” I ask having finally gotten a clue about what Rainbows’ problem is. “Not entirely. You see, Anon... The friend she likes is already in a relationship. She is so torn up about it. She has feelings that she knows she can't deny and to a stallion that is already taken no less! Oh I feel so sorry for her.” Rarity ends. So this friend is someone who is in a relationship? I sat there confused for a minute as I try to figure out who that could be. Until it dawns on me. “P-Pinkie...” I whisper in shock. Rarity looks to me concerned. “Are you alright, Anon. You look a little pale.” “R-Rarity... I-I gotta go.” I say shakily. I instantly get up from my seat and run out the door. I couldn't process this all right now as I ran. I didn't even know where my legs were taking me, but I just kept running and running. Everything was drown out. The call from Rarity, the rain that fell onto me.. Everything was just a blur as I tried to run away from it all. Though it didn't last long as I stop before the large fountain that was in town square. I fall to my knees as I look at my reflection in the water, it ripples ever so slightly as the rain hits it. I wanted to puke my guts out at this realisation. It all made sense now. Everything finally came together. Rainbow was in love with Pinkie. I-I can't help but feel my heart wrench at this. I worked so hard to get Pinkie and now Rainbow wants to take her from me! I let out an angry filled roar as I punch my reflection in the water. I get up and take a seat on the edge of the fountain as I bury my face into my hands. I can't help but dig my fingernails into my face as I try to calm down in any way possible. The thoughts taking hold of my mind, flooding them with so many things that I couldn't process. I just wanted it to stop, but it was like the very storm that hung about me. Flowing and whipping around violently. I hear something on the wind though and the sound of something landing in front of me. I look up and see the last thing I ever wanted to see. It’s Rainbow Dash. “What are you doing out here?!” Rainbow Dash asks with concern. I feel my face screw up into pure hate. She flinches back at my hardened gaze. “I know...” I say simply enough. She seems shocked as her eyes dart around. “K-Know What?” I stand up to my full height as I tower over her. “I know everything!” I scream. She shrinks back at that. “A-Anon I-I w-wante-” “Shut up!” I scream. “H-How dare you try to do this to me!” I’m shaking with anger. “I-I finally got Pinkie a-and then you...” I let out another roar of pure hate knowing I couldn't finish that sentence. “Anon please lis-” “No!” I cut her off again. I look to her as she looks up to me with wide eyes. I wasn't sure if she was crying or the rain was rolling over her cheeks, but I don't care. I feel everything leave my body in this moment. All my hate, love, happiness, sadness. Everything is gone. “Get out of my life.” I say with no emotion. I see Rainbows hoof holding onto the necklace I gave her as she clenches her eyes shut in agony. Not a single word else is said as she zooms past me into the coming night. I didn't even flinch when I heard the sonic boom coming from behind me. I just sat there as the rain fell over me. The entire world mute, only the sound of the rain filling the air. It’s then that it all comes back. I fell to my knees and cried in agony for so many reasons that I didn't want to admit. I have never felt so betrayed in my life until today. I walk away from my journal as I fall onto my bed. Today was easily the worst day in my entire life. I don't know what I’m going to do tomorrow. I can only hope that things work out. I curl up into a ball as I cover myself to sleep. I have never felt so empty in my life before this night.