“Oh, come on, Rainbow Dash - just a bit of eyeliner? It won’t kill you.”
Rarity held the eyeliner with the magical glow from her horn and inched it towards her friend’s face. With each attempt, Rainbow Dash turned her head away like a child would from a spoonful of repulsive medicine.
“Ah reckon ya leave her alone,” Applejack sat by the vanity next to Rainbow Dash, folding her arms casually. “RD looks already fine - maybe a little too fine.”
As Rarity finally moved away, Rainbow Dash had a chance to look in the mirror for the first time that evening. Initially, she did not recognize herself. The pony in the mirror had the same rainbow mane except strands of colorful locks cascaded in perfect curls down her neck. Her dress was one of Rarity’s masterpieces, which captured the rainbow-themed style and mixed it with elegance and grace.
As much as she did not want to admit it, she looked stunning.
“You like it, don’t you?” Rarity smiled at Rainbow Dash’s gaping expression and then sighed. “Just a little bit of makeup, Rainbow dear. It’ll enhance your features.”
Snapping out of her stupor, the pegasus turned to the white unicorn. “Hey! I've been to the gala, Shining Armor’s and Cadence’s royal wedding, and Twilight’s coronation.And even at those I didn't put that… stuff on my face. I didn't need it.”
Applejack nodded in agreement. “Darn tootin’ ya didn't. Ah think ya look just fine without it.”
“I don’t know Applejack,” Twilight cut in, looking at Rainbow Dash. “The gala, wedding, and my coronation are different cases because those events were not about Rainbow Dash. She is going on her first date tonight, and well… she needs to look presentable.”
The pegasus snorted. “Oh, and this ritzy dress isn't presentable enough itself?”
“This a matter of impressing a stallion,” Rarity scolded. “And from my experience, most of them prefer their mares dolled up. At least, for the first date. First impressions are everything, you know.”
“Rarity, I don’t think Soarin’ really cares about that,” Rainbow Dash tried to say as calmly as she could. “I've seen him a bazillion times before without any 'enhancers'. Why should tonight be any different?”
Before Rarity could answer, Twilight interjected. “It’s just for tonight. Do it this once, and we won’t bother it with you anymore.”
Applejack facehoofed, and opened her mouth to protest before Rarity’s harsh glare silenced her.
Fluttershy tentatively spoke up. “Um, girls, I don’t think it’s such a good-” But she stopped short when Rarity brought that same gaze onto her. “I mean, I guess a little makeup can't hurt.”
Rainbow Dash looked around the room - from the timid eyes of Fluttershy, to the matter-of-fact disposition of Twilight, to the sympathetic gaze of Applejack, to the absence of Pinkie Pie, and to the strong glare of Rarity.
“I really don’t have much choice, do I?”
“No,” Rarity said firmly.
“And you guys won’t leave me alone unless I comply, right?”
Applejack opened her mouth once more, but a glance at Rarity silenced her. Biting her lower lip, the orange mare mouthed to Rainbow Dash: 'Do it to shut her up'.
With a huff, Rainbow Dash lowered her head in submission and gazed forlornly at the approaching eyeliner. At Rarity’s command, Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and felt the pencil-like makeup tool trace the base of her eyelids. “You know, I’m really regretting telling you guys that Soarin’ asked me out.”
The tracing stopped and silence fell in the room. Rainbow Dash cracked open one eye and immediately knew she hit a nerve The look of Rarity's face was a mix of hurt and anger. Rainbow Dash quickly shut her eye and allowed her unicorn friend to continue. The pencil resumed its task, pressing against her eyes in a harsher manner. Rarity's anger permeated as she continued the procedure. The silence blanketed all sounds in the room aside for Rarity’s curt instructions for Rainbow Dash to open her eyes, close them, look up, pucker her lips, smile - and all the while some tool was pressing against her face.
Right as the unicorn finished, Pinkie barged in.
“Oh good! I’m not too late!”
“Where were yah?” Applejack asked.
“Helping Rainbow Dash with her date tonight, silly!” Pinkie replied, bouncing towards the dolled up pegasus. “Oooh, so fancy!”
Reluctantly, Rainbow Dash dared another look into the mirror. If it wasn't her own face, she would've been impressed with her features which met her eyes; but being that it was her own face, and considering the circumstances which lead to its makeover, she could only regard it in contempt.
“Thanks, Pinkie,” She muttered.
Pinkie wrapped a hoof around her a little too suddenly. “What’s with that frown, Dashie? You wanna smile for when he comes!” She grabbed each of Rainbow Dash’s cheeks and pulled them into a smile, smudging her hooves with blush.
“Pinkie!” Rarity shrieked. “You ruined her makeup! Now I have to fix it!”
Again Rainbow Dash found herself at the mercy of flying powder and fluffy brushes. Swirling powder flew into her nose and she sneezed.
“There,” Pinkie said as Rarity pulled away. “Now we’ll have to prepare you before Soarin’ comes.”
Rainbow Dash heaved an exasperated sigh. “Didn't you guys just prepare me?”
“There’s more to it than dress up!” Pinkie shoved a long sheet of paper into the pegasus’s face; it stretched out the door. “Here’s all the stuff I have planned for the two of you to do. Look - first Soarin’ knocks on the door, and I bring out my party cannon and throw you a good-luck-on-your-first-date-Rainbow-Dash-we-love-you party! And as you guys leave, confetti falls from the threshold of the front door! And… Oooh! Glitter!”
Pushing the list from her face, Rainbow Dash staggered back. “You aren't serious about this, are you?”
“Don’t be so embarrassed,” Pinkie chided. “Of course I am. We’re gonna make sure you have the best date ever! Right girls?”
The group nodded in unison.
“Now, remember, Rainbow,” Rarity began, adjusting the necklace around Rainbow Dash’s neck. It seemed her previous anger had subsided. “Be a lady. Remember that walk I taught you?”
“Yes, but I didn't actually think you’d have me-”
“Well, you must!” Rarity stared intently into her friend's eyes.
A book, covered in a magenta glow, hovered before Rainbow Dash’s face. “This has great facts about how to make a perfect first date, and dates after that,” came Twilight’s voice from somewhere nearby. “It has places go, things to say, and even little cues of how to know whether or not you should date him next time!”
“That’s a date for eggheads,” Rainbow Dash backed away from the book into Applejack.
“Don’t listen to all that hooey,” the farm pony said, guiding Rainbow Dash away from the hovering book. “A way to a stallion’s heart is through his stomach, right?”
“Yeah...”
“So give him lots ta eat!” Applejack shoved a crumpled up piece of paper into Rainbow Dash's hoof. “It’s mah apple pie recipe! Actually, it’s an Apple family apple pie recipe. Been handed down from Apple to Apple through the generations…” And she rattled on about her family, which faded from Rainbow Dash's mind as she tried to read the recipe.
She crumpled it back up. “AJ, I can’t read your hoof-writing. And I’m not much of a cook, last time I checked.”
“Um, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy gently said. “Maybe you should just let him-”
“Take you for a walk in the moonlight!” Rarity finished, wrapping her arm around the cyan pegasus. “Oh, it’ll be so romantic! I can just see it now!” She released Rainbow Dash and began prattling away. “Picture this, the two of you walking down the lane, side by side under Luna’s full moon. You’ll look into each other’s eyes and talk about... lovely things! And maybe you’ll even end the night with a kiss!”
Rainbow Dash went in for facehoof, but stopped herself before she smudged her makeup, otherwise Rarity would start fussing with her again. Instead, she scowled as all of her friends crowded her, their excited voices blending into an incoherent cacophony. And just as she was about to lose her mind, the doorbell rang.
Silence.
“It’s him!” Pinkie whispered excitedly and ran towards the party cannon. Her giddy hooves fumbled as she grabbed it, knocking it to the ground with a loud thump. Without warning, it shot confetti, streamers, and balloons across room, almost hitting Rarity and Twilight. Balloons exploded, the sound deafening everypony’s ears. The commotion soon stopped, everything slowly settled, and a messy room remained in its wake.
There was another knock at the door, and Rainbow Dash feared that if she didn't answer it soon, Soarin' would leave. Before any of her friends could draw another breath, she raced to the door, tripping over her dress and getting her hooves tangled in streamers. When she once again regained her balance, she brushed off the streamers and rested her hoof on the doorknob, reluctant to open it.
Luna’s moon was full and bright this clear evening as Soarin’ landed right outside of Ponyville, dressed and all for the night. A bouquet of flowers rested comfortably in his mouth. Once more he made sure that his tie was secure around his neck.
In all his life, he never thought that he would ask Rainbow Dash out.
After not only after saving his life for a second time at the tryouts, but saving his position to participate in the Equestrian Games, Soarin’ felt very indebted to Rainbow Dash and had a serious talk with his teammates.
“So what do you think we should do?” Spitfire asked. “You owe her the favor, not me or Fleetfoot.”
“Rainbow Dash taught us some valuable lessons,” Soarin’ answered, turning towards Fleetfoot. “The least we can do is teach her and her team some lessons of our own.”
The turquoise mare grinned. “You mean lethonth in flying, right?”
Soarin’ nodded. “Exactly.”
“She’s a good flyer, you know,” Spitfire sipped from her water bottle. “Why do you think we tried to replace you with her?”
Though they had rectified that error, Soarin’ could not suppress the sting that rose within his chest. Spitfire caught his expression and quickly said, “I mean, she’s got a lot of talent; what more can we offer her besides the basic training of a Wonderbolt cadet?”
“There’s a lot we can show not just to her,” Soarin’ answered, swallowing his slowly ebbing pain, “but to her team as well. We can help her train her teammates.”
Despite herself, Spitfire exchanged a grin with Fleetfoot. “I guess that’s not a bad idea…” And Soarin’ felt uncomfortable about the look between the two, but Spitfire’s professional persona helped put him at ease. “Alright, let’s do it.”
A Visit to Ponyville soon followed. Team Cloudsdale offered to help team Ponyville to train for the Games, to which Rainbow Dash readily agreed.
After the first session, Soarin’ gave the Ponyville team leader some pointers. Next practice was an improvement, so it became traditional that both he and Rainbow Dash would discuss techniques, and exchange advice. At first it was only after training, and it would be brief. Eventually the exchange became less factual and more conversational. Sometimes Spitfire had to prompt Soarin’ when it was time to leave, and he would apologetically pull away from the rainbow mare. Finally Spitfire just gave up and decided to let Soarin’ leave when he was ready.
Both Spitfire and Fleetfoot teased him one time when he got back late one night. Face flushing, Soarin’ had tried to tell them off. Of course, it only confirmed their suspicion.
“Face it, loverboy,” Spitfire laughed. “You like her.”
Fleetfoot snorted. “We thaw thith from the beginning!”
Wiping her eyes, the team captain gave Soarin’ a sinister grin. “Fleet’s right. Come on, Soarin’, why don’t you ask her out? You’re already spending a lot of time with her as it is.”
“I’ve been thinking about it,” Soarin’s ears fell flat against his head. “I’m not sure if she’s ready for that kind of thing.”
“Never know until you try,” Spitfire was not known to be so soft and encouraging, but now was one of those moments she let her gentler side manifest. “Personally, I don’t think she’ll turn you down.”
The next practice came and went, and Soarin’ stayed, per the usual, talking to Rainbow Dash. As Spitfire and Fleetfoot left, the golden mare winked at him for good luck.
When Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps retired for the evening, it was just the two blue pegasi. Rainbow Dash offered him a tour of Ponyville, but the night was already getting late and he would have to get back to the Headquarters before Spitfire would come stalking him.
“Sorry Dash,” he said. “But I need to head back.”
“Yeah, I understand,” she tried to keep a cool disposition, but her disappointment was palpable.
“We can take a rain check,” Soarin’ suggested, trying to keep his developing nerves at bay. “Maybe next week?”
“But I thought the Wonderbolts are on vacation next week,” Rainbow Dash replied. “Won’t you guys want the time off from training us?”
“We don’t only have to hang out when it revolves around training.” He decided to cut to the chase. “I guess I’ll be straight with you; would you like to go out with me?”
Apparently, the question caught her off guard. Gaping at him only made Soarin’ wonder if this had been a good idea.
“You mean…” She began, her voice unsteady. “You mean like a date?”
Soarin’ tried to reply as casually as he could. “Yeah.”
It took a moment for the mare to answer. “Nopony ever asked me out before,” she mused, almost as if to herself. Soarin’ held both his composure and breath while she contemplated.
“Thanks for the offer, Soarin’, but I think I’ll have to decline.”
Heart falling into his stomach and eyes widening, Soarin’ could not hold back his question. “Why?”
Tears welled up in Rainbow Dash’s eyes before she literally fell to the ground guffawing. Before Soarin’ could wonder what could be so funny, Dash pointed a hoof at him and panted: “The look on your face… priceless!”
She stumbled onto her feet and wiped her eyes. “Of course I’ll go out with you.”
Sighing, Soarin’ tried to slow his racing heart rate. “Oh, that’s good to know.”
Both agreed to go out for dinner at the local Ponyville pizza shop and swing by Sugarcube Corner for some desert. The day before their date, a gray pegasus with unkempt yellow mane and a strange pair uneven and confused eyes came to the Wonderbolt Headquarters. It took Soarin’ a moment to recognize the brown satchel slung around her shoulders and the mail-pony cap upon her head.
“Letter for Mister Soarin’!” She called.
“Thanks,” Soarin’ answered, taking the letter from her. “Do you by any chance know what happened to Priority Mail - our usual mail-pony?”
The mare opened her satchel and took out a package, which Soarin’ knew was not for him. “Oh, he sprained his wing, so I’m filling in his shift until either he gets better or if somepony else takes his place for me. I’m working a double load, here.”
Soarin’ could see she was exhausted. “Well, good luck.”
“Thanks!” And she was gone.
The stallion immediately opened the letter and recognized Rainbow’s hoofwriting.
Hey Soarin’,
There’s been a slight change in plans. Don’t worry - the date’s still on. Same time. Would you be able to pick me up from my friend’s place instead of mine? It’s not hard to find in Ponyville - just east of the Town Hall. It’s called the Carousel Boutique.
Sorry about that - my friends just want to see me out, and not all of them are pegasi, so they wouldn’t be able to stand on the clouds. Don’t let them know I told you that they’ll be there when you pick me up because they’re trying to be discreet about that. Between you and me, they’re doing a really bad job at it.
Also, my friend Rarity managed to get us reservations at Bon Appétit - some really fancy shmancy restaurant just outside of Ponyville. She tells me they have good food, and, as she says, ‘delectable desserts’ . So, I guess we’ll be going there.
I’ll see ya tomorrow night!
Rainbow Dash
Still sitting at Ponyville’s entrance, Soarin’ held the letter in his hoof, squinting his eyes to make out the address to this Rarity’s location. After walking/flying around the town, he failed to even find the Boutique, let alone Town Hall. Earth ponies walked about, engrossed in their affairs, so he resolved to ask for help.
“Excuse me,” he asked a big red stallion lugging a cart full of hay. “Do you know where the Carousel Boutique is?”
“Eeyup.”
“Could you tell me how to get there?”
“Eeyup.”
There was an awkward silence for a brief moment until the red earth pony turned his head towards the left. “Just follow that path yonder. It should take yah right there. See it?”
“Uh… no.”
The large stallion studied Soarin’ for a minute, as if he knew him from somewhere. As far as Soarin’ was concerned, he had never encountered this red pony before.
Jerking his head back as if he recognized the pegasus, the large stallion cleared his throat. “Nevermind, Ah’ll show ya the way.”
Soarin’ was a bit surprised. “Oh, thanks.” He started to realize that Rainbow Dash’s friends were not the only ones in Ponyville that knew about their date…
The red pony nodded in response and turned his head to shout, “Applebloom!”
A little earth pony filly appeared on the scene, a large pink bow tied into her fuschia mane. “What is it, Big Mac?”
“Ah need t’ help somepony,” Big Mac answered. “Would yah mind watchin’ the cart ‘til Ah get back?”
Applebloom, as Soarin’ supposed her to be, gave him a curious stare. “Wait a minute, isn’t that Rainbow Da-”
“Follow me,” Big Mac interrupted, and Soarin’ obeyed, though the filly’s statement clearly confirmed his suspicion.
As the distance between the two stallions and the little earth pony grew, he could hear Applebloom say: “Oh, Scootaloo is not gonna like this.”
“Did I just miss something?” He asked the large pony beside him.
“Nah,” Big Mac grunted. “Don’t pay attention t’ her.”
It wasn’t too long until they arrived at a building which Soarin’ presumed was his destination. Gazing at the edifice, it was obvious as to why it was called the Carousel Boutique. Its circular structure along with long rods attached to pony manikins made Soarin mentally spin it in circles like a merry-go-round.
“Thanks, Big Mac,” Soarin’ said, nodding to the red pony.
“Any time,” he replied. “G’luck!”
“Uh, thanks?”
But Big Mac was already down the road, and soon almost out of sight. Soarin’ drew in a breath as he stood by the door, gazing into the diamond shaped peepholes. But all he could see was his own reflection - a surprisingly handsome stallion in a tux and a bouquet of flowers tucked under his wing.
On the count of three, he rang the doorbell.
Silence then-
CRASH!
Soarin’s ears perked up in alarm. It sounded like something fell - something heavy. Nopony screamed or moaned, so hopefully nopony was hurt. He stood there for a little longer, listening to the sound of scurrying footsteps and low, agitated whispers. Rainbow Dash had informed him that her friends would be there, so he wasn’t surprised to hear more than one voice.
He knocked a second time, and all became silent again. Something felt rather strange, and he began to wonder if Rainbow Dash was ever going to answer - if she was even in there at all. Fear gripped at the edge of his mind, whispering the worst to him. Pushing it away was tough, but he held his composure and tried to keep his bad thoughts at bay.
The knob jiggled, and the door creaked open. Soarin’ held his breath as light poured out from the Boutique. When his vision cleared, the stallion dropped his bouquet onto the ground, along with his jaw.
Rainbow Dash stood before him, the light illuminating every detail of her features. It was as if she was under water, her mane swaying gracefully as she turned her head, her lashes flowing as she blinked, and her lips slowly changing shapes as she moved them. Soarin’ nearly lost his breath.
“Hey, ready to go?”
Soarin’ was still gazing at her. “You’re gorgeous.”
Rainbow Dash took a step back. “What?”
Suddenly, he snapped out of his stupor and blushed when he realized what he had just said. “Uh, I mean…” He swooped the bouquet off the ground and held it towards her. “These are gorgeous. Picked them out just for you.”
The mare took the bundle of flowers and held it to her nose. “Thanks.”
Phew, Soarin’ thought with relief. He offered her his arm. “Shall we head off?”
By the way Rainbow Dash hesitated, Soarin’ could see that she was not used to these kind of formalities. Awkwardly, she slipped her arm through his.
“Ready when you are,” She answered, her body leaning into his due to her very strange gait.
Rarity watched as the two pegasi flew into the air.
“Well,” she harrumphed, “She didn’t use that elegant gait. We spent the entire afternoon practicing.”
“More like ya spent the entire afternoon lecturin’ her about it,” Applejack remarked, sweeping the last of the confetti into the dust pan.
Sometimes it was better not to argue, so Rarity ignored her earth pony friend’s quip. She peeked back out the window, and there was no sign of neither Rainbow Dash nor Soarin’. Looking back at the others, she cleared her throat.
“Alright, girls, that was almost a disaster.”
“Seemed pretty disastrous to me,” Pinkie mumbled as she straightened out her cannon. “She didn’t leave with a party. What kind of a pony would leave for her first date without an official party?”
“Ah jus’ hope we didn’t scare the hay out of that poor stallion,” Applejack sighed. “And Ah hope it don’t sabotage the rest of the date.”
“We’ll just have to make sure about that.” Rarity wrapped a hoof around both Pinkie and Applejack while gazing at Twilight and Fluttershy. “Girls, why don’t we see to it that this date will be Rainbow’s best date ever.”