Chapter 5 - Out in the Open
The wind rushed past her as she galloped at full speed. The feeling of fresh air and sunshine on her face spurred Rainbow to run faster and faster. Despite Twilight telling her to take it easy, it wasn't in Rainbow's nature to do anything by half. Galloping along the paths and tracks surrounding Ponyville, Rainbow was starting to enjoy herself. True, she was still grounded, but at least she could go for a run outdoors. For an athletic pony like Rainbow Dash, even Daring Do could only occupy her energies for so long.
In the week since Dash had dislodged the thundercloud from one of Applejack's trees and rescued Ditzy from her mishap, she'd been exploring the freedom Rarity's gift had opened up for her. Coming to a stop at the top of a low hill, Rainbow looked down the road ahead as she caught her breath. Sweat stained her forehead and ran down her muzzle in trickles as she panted. It was also sticking her new jacket to the fur on her back. Letting her adrenaline levels drop, Rainbow suddenly felt drained.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," she muttered as she dropped onto her flank.
"Ah could have told you that, Sugarcube."
Applejack had appeared behind Rainbow without her noticing. The rainbow mare could have sworn she'd left her friend behind her when she tore off down the road.
"Ah know you've been cooped up fer a couple of weeks, but there ain't no reason to go gallopin' off at full pelt. 'Specially when you've been under the weather."
Rainbow gave Applejack a scathing look, "You did that deliberately."
A grin was the only reply Applejack gave Dash.
Rolling her eyes, Rainbow started back down the path to Ponyville only to almost fall over. Her brief gallop had drained her energy completely. Rainbow decided to sit down before she keeled over, causing Applejack to replace her smug expression with a worried one.
"Y'all right there, Rainbow?"
"I'm out of energy," Rainbow muttered, "I hate moulting..."
"You hate what now?"
Dash seemed to shrink as she realised Applejack had heard her muttering.
"Moulting. Shedding feathers and growing new ones. It take a lot out of a pegasus."
"So that's why you've been down in the dumps? And why you've been hidin' out with Twilight?"
Nodding, Rainbow tried to get back to her hooves, but her legs almost gave out again. Seeing Dash's problem, Applejack leaped over the fence at the side of the road into the orchard on the other side. A swift buck of the nearest tree dropped three apples in front of the orange pony. Scooping up the fallen apples with a foreleg, Applejack returned to Rainbow and offered her the first one.
"Get this inside you. Then I'll walk you back to Twilight's."
Rainbow bristled, "I'm not a foal. I don't need to be walked home."
"Maybe not, but I want to make sure my friend doesn't run out of energy again on her way home."
Rolling her eyes, Rainbow demolished the first apple and then the second. By the time she finished the third apple, she was well on her way back to being her normal, athletic self. After a few more minutes, Dash was able to get back to her hooves again. Both ponies set off towards Ponyville again, but at a far less energetic pace than before.
Without meeting Applejack's eyes, Rainbow muttered, "Thanks, Applejack."
"Don't worry about it, Sugarcube."
-------------
Twilight frowned as examined Rainbow Dash. The pegasus' coat was covered in dust, her face was streaked with sweat and her mane was dishevelled.
"You. Shower. Now. Then we'll have breakfast."
Dash didn't bother to argue and slunk off towards the bathroom. Halfway there her jacket was unzipped and whisked off her by lilac magic. There was a blur of speed that left Rainbow's jacket floating in mid air, without Twilight's magic assisting it, and the bathroom door slammed shut a minute later. Rolling her eyes, Twilight turned to Applejack.
"Thank you for bringing her back."
"S'what friends do, they look out fer each other when one of them runs out of steam."
Twilight was puzzled, "Runs out of steam?"
"Rainbow tuckered hersel' out going at full gallop. Just about couldn't stand when I found her."
"She didn't collapse, did she?" Twilight asked, immediately concerned from her friend's well-being.
Applejack shook her head. "Nothin' like that. And she was fine when ah got some apples in her."
"That's that what she gets for going for a run before breakfast," Twilight sighed. "How much do I owe you for the apples?"
"Don't you fret nothing about them. Three apples ain't gonna be missed and 'sides, it was an emergency."
Applejack turned back to the library's door,
"Anyway, ah've got trees to buck. I'll catch y'all later, Twilight."
"I'll see you later then," Twilight called as she shut the door behind Applejack.
Twilight picked up Rainbow's jacket in her magical grip and was about to hang it up but decided against it when she noticed it was filthy. Rainbow had clearly been enjoying her freedom as there were mud, dust and twigs all over her jacket. The unicorn was about to teleport the garment into the washing basket but paused as she realised she didn't know how to clean it. The last thing she wanted was to damage the gift that Rarity had worked so hard on. She decided she'd have to ask Rarity how to clean it, but that could wait until tomorrow. Right now Twilight had other plans to attend to.
-------------
Locked in the bathroom, Rainbow decided that she would take a shower. She'd bolted for the nearest cover when Twilight had taken her jacked, which happened to be the bathroom. Turning on the shower, Rainbow didn't manage to avoid the first splash of cold water. Suppressing a yelp of surprise as the icy water hit her sensitive pin feathers, Rainbow backed out of splash range and waited for the water to warm up.
A minute or two later, the bathroom was starting to fill with steam and Rainbow tested the water with a hoof. With the water up to temperature, the pegasus stepped into the shower and fluffed her feathers as the water hit her wings. The waterproofing on her feathers keep them from soaking up the water but the dirt was lifted off and carried down the drain. Rainbow shifted in the shower and the stream of water moved onto her back.
As the warm water washed away the dust and mud from her coat, Rainbow's mind wandered and turned inwards against her will. She'd been trying to understand her feelings over the past few days, but analysing things in fine detail wasn't one of her talents. The bond she shared with Twilight was unlike anything she'd ever felt for another pony; not even when she'd spent time with Fluttershy. The feeling reminded her of the warmth she felt when lazing on a cloud on a summer evening as the sun was just starting to set, except the warmth was from inside her.
Irritated by her own thoughts not making sense, Rainbow cranked the water temperature back down to freezing. Her trick succeeded and she was brought back to reality with a bump as she fell out of the shower. Lying on the bathroom floor with her hooves over her head, Dash heard a voice coming through the door.
"Are you all right in there Rainbow? I heard a thump," Twilight's voice asked from the other side of the door.
"I'm fine," Rainbow replied, shutting off the water and crossing to the door.
There was a click as she unlocked the door and Twilight came in to make sure her friend was all right. Rainbow was standing in the middle of the bathroom with water dripping onto the floor in a neat ring around her. She was about to shake herself dry but Twilight reacted quicker.
"I am not having you make a mess of the bathroom again," the unicorn said as she wrapped Rainbow in a towel.
Dash's vision was filled with towel as Twilight rubbed her friend's mane dry. She tried to tell Twilight not to bother but every time she did her mouth was filled with flannel.
"So Applejack was telling me that you wore yourself out on your run this morning," Twilight said. "What happened to taking it easy?"
"I'm too awesome to take things easy."
Twilight started rubbing again, getting a little carried away due to Rainbow's carefree attitude. Rainbow yelped, in surprise more than pain, as Twilight pulled the towel over her wings.
"Watch the feathers!" she squeaked.
Twilight immediately dropped the towel and took a step back from Rainbow.
"I'm sorry. Are you all right?"
Rainbow flexed her wings, inspecting them for damage. "Nothing broken. I'm OK."
Twilight relaxed but still felt bad for forgetting about her friend's condition. She looked away from Rainbow's face and her eyes settled on the floor. Rainbow started trying to organize her feathers but they seemed to be rebelling, splaying out in every direction at once.
"Let me help," Twilight said as she took a cautious step forward again.
Dash offered Twilight her left wing while she started on the other. She was grateful Twilight was so eager to assist her, but more often than not Twilight's help made Rainbow blush. As Dash wasn't giving her full attention to preening, Twilight ended up taking over Rainbow's other wing after finishing the first. After making sure to apply the waterproofing oil to Rainbow's feathers, Twilight stood and walked out of the the bathroom.
"Shall we have breakfast now?" she called over her shoulder as she left.
Rainbow nodded, not trusting herself to reply and trying to stop blushing.
-------------
The rest of the morning was uneventful after breakfast. Twilight pulled a set of books from the shelves and started to study while Rainbow buried herself in Daring Do. Though Dash had her nose in the book in front of her, she wasn't truly reading. She tried to read, but her mind kept puzzling over her feelings. Her ears twitched when somepony knocked on the front door.
Downstairs, Twilight emerged from a pile of books and parchment and went to answer the knock. She was getting used to the interruptions to her studies with Rainbow Dash sharing her home. Despite her guest not doing much more than reading, sleeping, and eating, Rainbow still managed to be the centre of attention somehow. Twilight opened the door to find Fluttershy waiting patiently.
"Good morning, Twilight," Fluttershy chirruped.
"Hello, Fluttershy," Twilight replied, beckoning her friend to come inside, "And what brings you to the library today?"
"I was hoping to see Rainbow, if she wants to see me that is."
"Well your timing is perfect, I need to run out and get more quills and things, can you keep an eye on Dash while I'm gone?"
The pegasus nodded, "I don't have anything urgent to do today so that won't be a problem."
"Then I'll leave you to look after Rainbow while I'm gone," Twilight told her as trotted towards the door. "I'll only be about an hour. Thanks, Fluttershy."
And without more than a backwards glance Twilight was gone, leaving Fluttershy to mind Dash.
A quick glance around the library confirmed that Dash wasn't on the ground floor and Fluttershy doubted she'd find her in the kitchen, so she went up. Unlike other pegasi, Fluttershy took the stairs rather than unfurling her wings and flying to the second floor.
Lying on her bed and still not managing to get into her book, Rainbow looked up as hoofsteps came up the stairs towards her. She was surprised to see her childhood friend. Fluttershy smiled as she saw Rainbow and came across to her bed.
"Hello, Rainbow, you seem to be doing well."
Rainbow shrugged in reply, "As well as a grounded pegasus can be. Twilight's been helping but it's still a nightmare being stuck walking everywhere."
Having known Rainbow for most of her life, Fluttershy could easily tell when Rainbow wasn't telling the truth, and this was one of those times.
"Something's bothering you, Rainbow, isn't it?"
Not meeting Fluttershy's gaze, Dash nodded, "You can still see right through me, Fluttershy."
"Are your feathers bothering you? I know there are parts you can't get to yourself."
Getting back to her hooves again, Fluttershy climbed onto the bed and sat next to Rainbow. Knowing what was expected of her, Rainbow extended her wing for Fluttershy to examine. There wasn't really much for Fluttershy to do as Dash's wing sported no broken feathers and her pinfeathers were all clean. The only thing Fluttershy was able to do was apply another coat of waterproofing.
"You've really been trying, Dash, everything is coming along really nicely."
Without looking around, Rainbow replied, "Twilight's been helping me preen."
Fluttershy paused, digesting what Rainbow had just said. She felt a pang of something shoot through her as she thought about Twilight helping Rainbow preen. Somehow Fluttershy felt Twilight was intruding on her bond with Rainbow. The pegasus immediately felt a wave of guilt rushing through her as she realised what a horrible thought that was. Fluttershy pushed her internal struggle aside for now as she examined Twilight's work.
"For a unicorn, she's done really well."
Rainbow nodded again. Through experience and her books Twilight had soon become quite adept at preening. Her willingness to help had helped Rainbow during her moult, but that brought its own problems. Rainbow had found herself seeking out Twilight when she wanted to preen or if her feathers were irritating her. Fluttershy watched Rainbow in silence for another few moments before speaking again.
"But there is something bothering you."
"You know I'm not good with the whole feelings thing," Rainbow said, pulling her pillow up under her chin, "but when I'm around Twilight, I feel like I'm lying in the sun. I'm all warm, but from inside rather than outside."
Silence fell again as Rainbow clearly couldn't find the words to continue. Fluttershy's mind shot back to the day Dash had told her about her orientation. It hadn't been long since Dash had moved into her cloud house above Ponyville. Fluttershy noticed Dash had been subdued throughout the day and she'd worked up the courage to ask Dash what was wrong. It had taken more than just asking, but Fluttershy had eventually managed to coax the answer out of her. Rainbow confided in Fluttershy that despite going on dates with colts she never felt any connection with them romantically. Even with Thunder Star, her coltfriend of two years, Dash didn't feel anything beyond friendship. Fluttershy snapped back to the present as her subconscious put two and two together faster than her conscious mind could and threw it at her. Rainbow liked mares and she'd developed a crush on Twilight. Gathering her courage for what she was about to ask, Fluttershy took a deep breath.
"Do you think that maybe you've... grown fond of Twilight?" she asked.
For a second, Dash couldn't understand what Fluttershy was implying, but then the realization hit her like a cloudburst and she went cold. She had a crush on Twilight. Rainbow buried her face in her pillow and groaned.
"I've got a crush on Twilight," she moaned.
She started bashing her head against the pillow and using words that made Fluttershy squeak in shock. Fluttershy pulled her friend away from the pillow and wrapped her forelegs around her in a hug.
"What am I going to do?" the rainbow-maned pegasus cried.
"Just tell her the truth. Lying about how you feel won't do either of you any good."
"You sound like Applejack," Rainbow muttered. "But Twilight isn't like me; she likes stallions."
"It doesn't matter who you have a crush on. Nopony can choose who they have feelings for," Fluttershy told her. "What matters is how you deal with your feelings."
Silence fell over the library again as Rainbow tried to figure out what to do. Rainbow knew Twilight wasn't the same as her, but her heart didn't seem to care. And that wasn't Rainbow's focus at the moment. Her whole being was trying to figure out how to tell Twilight.
-------------
The bell over Carousel Boutique's door tinkled as Twilight entered. There was no sign of Rarity, but busy noises could be heard coming from the back room.
"Hello, Twilight, I'll be through in a minute," Rarity's voice called from behind a curtain.
Twilight cocked her head to the side. "How did you know it was me?"
Emerging from the back of her shop, Rarity brought a tray bearing teapot and cups with her.
"You seem to be making a habit of visiting on Friday mornings exactly at eleven."
The lavender unicorn glanced at the clock on the wall, and its hands told her it was exactly eleven AM.
"Am I really that predictable?"
"Don't worry about it, Twilight; I enjoy taking my elevenses with you. It's like my appointment with Fluttershy at the Spa."
Clearing a table of scraps and ribbons, all being neatly tidied away in a suitable box, Rarity set down the tray and set out the plates, napkins and cutlery before moving onto the tea. She poured tea for both of them before offering Twilight a cup, which she accepted, and took a sip from her own.
"So what is on your mind, Twilight?" Rarity asked.
"I wanted to ask about Rainbow's jacket and cleaning it."
"Oh, it's machine washable, darling. Knowing Rainbow, I made it with an active pony's lifestyle in mind. Just pop it in on a low temperature wash with fabric softener and it'll be fine."
"Well that's good," Twilight took a drink of her tea, "and there's something else I wanted to talk to you about, too."
"Do go on, dear, I'm all ears."
Twilight hesitated, unable to gather the words to articulate her problem.
"Something odd is happening whenever I'm around Rainbow. I start to feel warm and fuzzy here," Twilight patted the centre of her chest. "I feel the same when we spend time together, like when she asks me for help with preening or when we share a book. And when goes out for her runs in the morning, I find myself missing her."
Rarity raised an eyebrow, "When you were a filly in Canterlot, did you have much experience with colts?"
Twilight's cheeks went pink and she shook her head. "I was too preoccupied with books and lessons to worry about colts. But what has that got to do with this?"
The white unicorn's other eyebrow joined the first as took another sip of tea.
Ignoring Twilight's own question she continued. "So you've never had a coltfriend?"
Twilight shook her head again. Rarity set her teacup aside as she considered the matter at hoof.
"Well, normally the feeling you'd be describing is the attraction between a young colt and filly."
Choking on her tea, Twilight pulled a napkin to her mouth and spluttered into it. When Twilight stopped coughing, Rarity continued.
"You're probably not aware of Rainbow's... preferences, are you?" Twilight still couldn't speak but her puzzled look prompted Rarity to continue. "I'm not positive, but I'm almost certain that Rainbow doesn't like stallions. At least, not in the same way most mares do."
Doing a marvellous impersonation of a beetroot, Twilight squeaked, "How in Equestia do you know that?"
Rarity pursed her lips as she drew up straight. "It was something discussed in the fitting room. And what goes on in the fitting room is to be shared only by myself and Rainbow Dash. I've already said more than I should, just please trust me when I say this."
Twilight went quiet as she took in all Rarity was telling her in silence, mulling over her own thoughts as they mixed with the new data the white unicorn was giving her.
"I don't think I'm like Dash in regard to stallions. I don't like mares in that way."
Rarity sipped her tea, considering her next words carefully. "Rainbow knows that, darling. It's just something to bear in mind considering your own-"
"But I think I like Rainbow," Twilight interrupted.
-------------