//------------------------------// // Genuine Dash // Story: Appledashery // by Just Essay //------------------------------// Zecora sprinkled more spices into the the broth she was stirring and flung a brief smirk over her shoulder. “You'll be pleased to know, Rainbow Dash, that I've made a slight improvement to the brew. I've added a bit of flavoring that should keep the bitter taste from reaching through.” She chuckled at her own cleverness. “That's... uh... that's really nice, Zecora,” Rainbow Dash said, sitting on a stool in the middle of the zebra's hut. She flexed her forelimb, sighing out her nostrils. “All I really wanted to do was drop the ingredients off at your place. You really didn't have to make the potion overnight.” “But, alas, I am awake! And this brew is a pleasure to make!” “And, y'know, about the seasoning...” Rainbow shrugged. “The regular taste doesn't really bother me a whole lot. After all, we both know it's for a good cause.” “I'm afraid that remains to be debated,” Zecora said in a momentarily solemn tone. “After all, with this medicine, your condition is only temporarily abated.” “Yeahhhhhh...” Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her mane and stared at the walls. “I'm my own worst enemy, huh?” “You certainly have your own trademark charm,” Zecora said with a smile, adding more ingredients to the pot. “I doubt, in the end, you seek to cause yourself too much harm.” “Right... or m-my friends for that matter.” “Indeed.” Rainbow bit her lip. “Uhm... Zecora? I've been thinking...” “Hmmm?” “Big Macintosh... y'know?” She gulped. “Maybe... like... h-he's not the right guy for you...” Zecora dryly chuckled. “Oh please, old friend. Must you bring that up again?” “I mean, the dude's big and...” Her muzzle twisted as she said: Handsommmme?” She cleared her throat. “But, like, he's all about... planting crops and raising barns and... moving heavy stuff... and then moving even heavier stuff...” “These past two days have proven that I can assist him in his agricultural ways.” Zecora turned to grin over her shoulder. “It may be slow going...” Her cheeks flushed slightly as she looked ahead. “But I do believe our friendhip is growing.” “Right, but we all know that what you wa—unngh...” Rainbow face hoofed. “Here's the thing: have you ever thought of your needs, Zecora?” “One thing at a time. That is the way of all that is sublime.” “I'm just saying I've seen this kind of stuff before.” Rainbow's ears drooped. “I know it by heart. Bending over backwards to make another pony's dreams come true?” She slowly shook her head. “It can set you up for a really... really big fall.” Zecora raised an eyebrow at her. Rainbow smiled weakly. “You're a swell gal, and I'd hate to see your feelings get hurt.” “You think Big Macintosh has me at a loss?” “I think you shouldn't make it all about what he wants. Be assertive girl. Be selfish even. Ask him out to dinner or just a walk or—heck—a wrestling match. Guys like wrestling, right?” “Heheheheh... I would think as much.” “Just... get a response out of him,” Rainbow Dash said. She tried her best not to wince as she said, “Better sooner than later.” “Why Rainbow, I had no clue.” Zecora poured a liberal amount of the potion into a wooden cup. “Romantic advice certainly becomes you.” “Yeah... well...” “In this sense, you've had experience?” Zecora hoofed her the cup. Rainbow Dash tried taking it in her hooves, fumbled, and resorted to using her feathertips to lift the thing up. “I... uh...” She sighed. “I've been to some pretty bad places.” “And yet you have emerged free from such undesirable misery?” Rainbow looked at Zecora's warm expression. She smiled weakly. “I like to think so.” She pivoted her wings and brought the cup closer to her muzzle. “Could always be better, though.” “You're a great dealer wiser than you think.” Zecora winked, then trotted back to her alchemy table. “You've more than earned yourself that drink.” Rainbow sighed, then leaned in to sip. “Here's hoping...”