//------------------------------// // Chapter one- A familiar tune // Story: Castle in the clouds // by ovineConventionalist //------------------------------// Atop a tall hill on the outskirts of Ponyville, surveying the glimmer of the Celestia’s sun as it made its slow ascent over the rooftops, listening to the early birds quiet chirps and feeling the cool morning breeze comb its way through her unkempt mane stood a shivering sky-blue pegasus. Rainbow wasn’t shivering from cold, pegasi don’t really get cold except in very extreme temperatures. No, the self-acclaimed bravest-pony-in-all-of-Equestria was nervous. Dash had a secret she had never told anypony, well actually she had two: the first being that, however much confidence seemed to radiate from her, however much her reckless and daring nature suggested fearlessness, it was all an act. A mask she could hide behind. A persona she couldn’t shrug off. It was difficult for Dash to always act strong for everypony, but it was even harder for her to be alone. Times of solitude were times when there was nothing to distract her from the doubt that crept around her insides. Loneliness was her worst fear, and lonely was how she often felt; she even preferred to sleep in public where she wouldn’t wake up all by herself. It was frightening being outside of the village without the company of somepony else, but Dash needed time to do the thing she always avoided: she needed to think. She thought about her friends first as a way of comforting herself, she trusted them didn’t she? But then again she had trusted her friends from school, and that hadn’t worked out particularly well for her. The fact of the matter is that at some point in their childhood, foals become mean. Rainbow Dash was certain she had missed the day everypony had got together and decided to make their own and everyone else’s lives twice as difficult by separating into cliques and being horrible to anypony who didn’t quite fit. But there was one pony who had always been kind and understanding: Fluttershy. And so we come to Dash’s other secret: her crush on a certain yellow pony. Dash had been quick to fall for Fluttershy, whether it was her natural beauty, her kind nature or the way she had stuck by Dash through thick and thin, Dash knew she was in love. Ordinary crushes just didn’t last as long. Dash had always wondered if there was something between her and Fluttershy. Was it possible that a pony as kind and beautiful as Fluttershy to have feelings for someone as brash and indiscreet and dishevelled and big headed and... Rainbow shook her head firmly, the list of bad things she could say about herself went on and on and there was no point in getting caught up in that now. Fluttershy was her closest and oldest friend, she knew there was a danger their friendship might suffer if ‘Shy were to reject… DON’T THINK THAT! I… I just need advice from somepony. **** “Welcome to carousel boutique where everything is chic, unique and… oh it’s you.” “Hey Rare’.” Dash greeted her frazzled friend. “Friendly greeting as always!” she chuckled. “Yes, well” said Rarity trotting into her inspiration room with Dash close behind. “It has been a rather stressful morning.” With a blue aura of magic, Rarity pulled up a plush, purple settee onto which Dash plonked herself down. She was silent for a while, content to watch Rarity dash around the room cutting and stitching and whatever else it was she was doing to attach those pieces of cloth to those life-size, unfeeling horses. Dash wandered over to the bookshelf, picked out the novel that looked least objectionable, and took her seat. “I might be going away to Canterlot soon.” Rarity informed her. “Of course the six of us usually take these excursions together.” she added. “It should be fun.” “Yeah!” The prospect of travel always excited Dash. “What’re you going for?” “Oh, I’m designing a gown and bridesmaid’s dresses for a Canterlot wedding!” Rarity attempted to cover up her excitement. Dash nodded indifferently; luckily Rarity was too busy to notice her disinterest. Rainbow flicked through the pages of the book she had picked up. It was a dull romance novel. Dash would usually have put such a book aside in disgust, but she couldn’t help but be a little curious. She found herself comparing the novel to her situation with Fluttershy. A brave stallion, and a beautiful mare, she tried to lose herself in the fantasy but it wouldn’t work. Real life romance, she supposed, is nothing like the books. “I didn’t think you would be interested in a novel like that one, Rainbow Dash.” Mused Rarity from behind her pattern-cutting diagram. “ITS NOT!” Dash threw the book aside as if it were contaminated. “I mean… I was just curious.” She walked sheepishly to retrieve the book and place it back on the shelf. “Darling, is anything the matter?” “No, it’s just…” go on, you wanted advice didn’t you? “No, it’s nothing.” “Well, if you’re quite sure.” Rarity turned back to her workshop. “I’ll see you later.” Dash made a swift exit from the shop window, she didn’t know if Rarity had returned her farewell. If I’m going to ask Fluttershy out, I’ll just have to mare up and do it.