“And we were trying different things~
We were smoking funny things~
Making love out by the lake to our favourite song~”
A canary-coloured pegasus was singing sweetly and dancing in front of her cottage while she was cleaning the windows. Rainbow Dash then landed next to her and joined her in the song.
“Sipping whisky out of the bottle~
Not thinking ‘bout tomorrow~
Singing Sweet Home Alabama all summer long~”
It was then when Fluttershy noticed that Rainbow Dash was standing next to her.
“Oh my… Rainbow…I…I didn’t know you were here.” She said surprised.
“Of course I am. I’m here to bring the stuff you wanted.” And she showed her her saddlebag.
“Oh, thank you so much Dashie.” And she took the bag.
“Geez. You too?” Rainbow Dash sighed
“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked, curiously. She then trotted inside with Rainbow behind her.
“Well, Lily called me Dashie too.” Rainbow jumped onto the couch and made herself comfortable, while Fluttershy unpacked the greens.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…uh… I just thought it was a nice nickname… because… um… sorry if I insulted you with that.”
“Nah, it’s okay. It was just…weird.” Rainbow sighed again. “You see, I was at the town square this morning, and everypony was staring at me.”
“Is it really that strange? There are so many ponies who think of you as a hero.” Fluttershy said. ‘Ponies like me, for example’ she added in her thoughts.
“I know. But this stare was different. It was like… they laughed at me. It was like they joked with me without me noticing. They're all bullies.”
Fluttershy finished the unpacking and went to Rainbow Dash.
“Fluttershy? Did something change? Am I different?”
Fluttershy took a look at the desperate pegasus and shook her head. “No. You’re still the daring, fearless, cyan flier I know. The fastest, loyal and most beautiful mare of Ponyville…”
‘Did I really just say ‘most beautiful’ out loud?’ Fluttershy started to panic a bit. But luckily for her, Rainbow Dash seemed like she didn’t notice it.
“Hey, I was just about to go to Applejack. Maybe she knows something. Want to come along?”
“Sure, if you want me to.” Fluttershy said with her soft voice.
“If I didn’t want it, then why would I ask it?” Rainbow smiled.
The two pegasi walked outside and then took off towards Sweet Apple Acres.
***
“Darn. She’s not here. That means that she’s still at the market.” Rainbow cursed. She flew with Fluttershy above the farm for the third time.
“Why do you think Applejack knows why all the ponies are acting odd?” Fluttershy asked. They turned toward the marketplace.
“Well, you see, It’s actually pretty logical. The ponies at the market were acting strange. And at the market there are salesponies that talk to each other. And because Applejack is a salespony too, well… *sigh* I just hopes that she caught something of this.”
A few minutes later, they landed in the street where Applejack normally set up her stall. “We'll walk the last part. So you can see what I mean.” Rainbow said. And all of a sudden, as if on cue, all of the ponies who were busy with their daily shopping were now focused on Dash and Fluttershy.
Rainbow Dash came a bit closer to Fluttershy. “See. Isn’t this weird?”
Fluttershy looked around and struggled back, like she was trying to hide herself. All those eyes made her feel uncomfortable.
“Just walk like there's nopony here.” Rainbow cheered. She knew that all of those stares reminded Fluttershy about the time at Flight Camp. Although Flutters got over it, she was still traumatized about it. And to be honest, Rainbow didn't feel comfortable with all those smirks and gazes.
Dash heard a few ponies whispering and giggling. All this giggling irritated her. She hoped that this wouldn’t last for long.
The two pegasi trotted slowly trough the street. Both trying to relax and not pay any attention to all those following eyes.
“There it is… Applejack’s stand.” Rainbow whispered.
Fluttershy walked with her head bowed downwards. “Yay?”
“Not now.”
“Howdy fellows. How’re y'all doin’?” Applejack jelled.
“We’re fine AJ. I just wanted to ask you something.” Rainbow replied.
“ ‘Kay, just a minute. Ah’m helpin’ a costumer.”
Rainbow nodded and looked at the pink earth-pony in front of her. “Oh no, not again.” She sighed.
Applejack gave the earth-pony her order. The costumer turned around and saw the cyan pegasus. “Rainbow. That’s fast isn’t it?”
“Hello Lily… Again.” Rainbow rolled her eyes, irritated.
“I can see that you’re not alone.” And the pink pony cocked her head to see the shy pegasus behind Rainbow. “Hello Fluttershy. How were the flowers Dashie gave you?”
“Um… they, um… were fine.” She whispered.
“Aw, Isn’t she cute. Isn’t she Dashie?” Lily wrapped her hoof around Rainbow.
“Back off Lily.” Rainbow snarled. “Why are you acting like a bully?”
“Am I?” Lily asked surprised. However, she didn’t sound surprised. It sounded more sarcastic. “I had no idea… sorry. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.” And she trotted away.
“Lovebirds?” Rainbow asked confused. “What the hay is going on here?” she didn’t notice that Fluttershy blushed when she heard this.
“That’s just the thing ah wanted to ask ya sugar cube.” Applejack said. “If ya hadn't noticed it already, every pony in town is watchin’ ya.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here. I was wondering…”
“If I knew why?” Applejack interrupted on a monotone way.
“Yeah…” she nervously scratched the back of her head. She already knew the answer.
“Nope. Ah’ve got no idea.” AJ responded.
Rainbow Dash sighed. She looked behind. She saw all the ponies around her. Staring, whispering and giggling. It irritated her. Then, she saw that Fluttershy was hiding herself behind Applejack’s stall. She was trying to hide herself from all those eyes.
“Calm down Flutters. I’ve got plan B.” Rainbow said.
Fluttershy peeped from behind the stall. “Somewhere without all those stares?”
“Yep. Just follow me.” she replied with confidence.
Fluttershy walked over to Rainbow Dash. And then they walked away together. With still those laughing gazes behind them.
“Rainbow, what does the ‘B’ stand for?” Fluttershy asked shyly.
Dash pondered about the question. She never thought about it. “I dunno. Backup?”
“And what is your backup plan.” Fluttershy asked curiously.
“Rarity.”