Rainbow Dash stepped back into the cool night air, a light breeze ruffling her brightly coloured mane.
“Ugh! Why did the Wonderbolts have to be right in front of us? I need time to think about what I’m going to say!” She berated herself, unaware of the figure approaching her from behind.
“Darling, why are you getting so worked up about this? You were so eager to see them last time!” Rarity had followed her back outside, wondering what was going on with her cyan friend.
“Rarity! I didn’t see you there! What are you even talking about, I’m not worked up! I mean, sure the Wonderbolts are amazing and all, but so am I, I think… Yeah, they’re the best flyers in Equestria, but I’m the best flyer in Equestria so then we’re all the bes-“ Rainbow started rambling.
“Rainbow, dear, I know you’re going to hate hearing this, but face it. You’re nervous! The only time I’ve seen you this shaken up was the Best Young Flyers Competition! Which the Wonderbolts were at,” Rarity spoke slowly, thinking hard. “The only explanation is love! Well, maybe not quite yet, but defiantly like!”
“What the hell Rare? Like? Like who?” Rainbow spoke quickly, turning away from her friend.
“Ooo, I was right! You do like somepony… A Wonderbolt to be specific…” Rarity wracked her brain, trying to remember some of the Wonderbolt names that Rainbow always talked about.
“What? I just said I didn’t!” Rainbow turned back to look at her, blushing heavily.
“Body language Rainbow, dear. The way you spoke and acted, the reason you were so excited to get here, even though you were dreading it earlier. I just know it. So, who’s the lucky stallion?” She seemed very excited.
“Um. I do NOT like anypony!” Rainbow turned to trot away, trying to avoid Rarity’s gaze.
“You most certainly do. You’ve always been dreadful at lying, I’m surprised you’re not the element of honesty.” It was true. Rainbow had always been terrible at keeping secrets and lying. She always ended up blurting out whatever she wanted to keep to herself.
“Um…” Dash trailed off, still not looking at Rarity.
“So who is it? Fleetfoot? Spitfire? Wait, those are both mares. Hmm… Oh! What about Surprise? Nope, that’s another mare. Oh, I know! Soarin! Yes, he is most defiantly a stallion…” Rarity trailed off. By the look on Rainbows face, she knew she was right, which was lucky because honestly, those were all of the Wonderbolt names Rarity knew. She was not the… biggest fan of the Wonderbolts.
“Heh, whaaat? No…” Rainbow laughed weakly, knowing that she was found out.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Go get him!” Rarity squealed, causing Dash to wince.
“Um, yeah. Ok. Just go in there and sweep him off his feet. Like that’s gonna work. He’s never gonna be impressed by an ordinary pony like me!” She sighed, looking dejected.
“Ordinary? You’re Rainbow Dash, the number 1 flier in Equestria! The only pony who can pull off a Sonic Rainboom! And not to mention, you’ve got your very own fan club back in Ponyville.” Rarity said, placing a hoof on her shoulder. “If anypony is going to impress him, it’s going to be you, darling. Now, I’m going to go back and join the others, and I’ll see you later.” Rarity winked and smiled at Rainbow before turning back to go inside.
“Yeah, see you later Rare, and thanks…” Rainbow trailed off. Rarity was already gone, joining in the festivities going on inside.
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“Well Soarin. I believe we need to talk.” Fleetfoot said seriously. Wait, Fleetfoot being serious? That can’t be right. “About how you’re totally gonna embarrass yourself in front of a certain rainbow hottie without my help!” That sounded more like her. Fleet was rarely ever serious about anything.
“Um, what do you mean I’m going to embarrass myself?” Soarin asked, looking offended.
“Do I have to remind you about the time we were at that club and you tried to impress that DJ?” Fleet smirked as Soarin winced at the memory.
“How was I supposed to know that was DJ PON3, the most famous DJ in Equestria?” He tried to defend himself.
“Duh! Everypony knows her, and everypony also knows that she is dating that other famous guy, you know, MC WISH. Who you also tried to hit on.” She shook her head.
“Well, in my defense, it was dark in there, and he looked like a mare.”
“Yeah… That’s not much of a defense.” Fleetfoot grabbed Soarin’s shoulder with her hoof. “Walk with me kid. Auntie Fleet is going to teach you something.”
“Um, I’m a year older than yo-“ Soarin began.
“Age is but a number,” Fleetfoot interrupted. “Now. Rule number one. Well, actually it’s the only rule but whatever. Are you listening? I’m only going to say it once.”
“Yes, I’m listening.” Soarin said, not really listening. He was busy scanning the crowds for a rainbow mane. Two light blue hooves grabbed his face and turned it towards their owner.
“Fake. It. Till. You. Make. It.” Fleet slowly spoke, pausing between each word.
“Huh? What’s that supposed to mea-“ Soarin was cut off again.
“Only saying it once!”
“But I don’t get wha-“
“ONLY ONCE.”
“Sheesh, okay Fleet. I didn’t really want your advice anyway-” Soarin was cut off AGAIN.
“Ok, fine. If you insist. I’ll say it one more time. Fake it till you make it. You know, just act confident and cool, and eventually, you will just… become confident and cool. Like magic.”
“Really? Just like that?”
“Yup. When have I ever been wrong?”
“Well, there were all those times whe-“
“Never. You are correct young grasshopper. Now go, be free. Go get yourself a smoking hot mare. I believe in you. By the power vested in me, by the ‘Bolts, I now pronounce you prepared to not be a fool.” Fleet spoke while slowly drifting away.
“Wait. Did she just call me a grasshopper? Like the bug? I really don’t understand most of what that pony says…” A couple of fancy dressed ponies glances Soarin’s way as he muttered to himself. “Fake it till I make it. Yeah, this is so going to work! Now… Where IS Rainbow Dash? You’d think her mane would stand out in a crowd…”
Soarin trotted around the ballroom for about 10 minutes before he ran into Spitfire again.
“Sheesh, you only lasted 10 minutes? Damn, I bet Fleet you would at least make it 15 minutes without saying something stupid and running away.” She began looking around for Fleetfoot. “Eh, she still owes me for the past 4 bets we’ve made on you, I’m not gonna bother paying her.”
“Um, I haven’t even found Rainbow yet, so NO I did not say anything stupid! And more importantly, what have you guys been betting on me? How did I not notice this before now?” Soarin asked indignantly.
“Oh, nothing… Don’t worry about it…” Spitfire snickered. “And I’m pretty sure I saw somepony with rainbow hair head outside, except she looked… Fancy. Rainbow Dash is the last pony I would expect to dress up, but who else has a mane like that? Soarin? Hey Soarin, where’d you go?” Spitfire caught a glance of the back of a Wonderbolt uniform trotting towards the door. “Wow, way to look desperate. Nice job buddy.” She chortled. Soarin was too far away, nearly at the door now, and was completely oblivious to his captain/best friend making fun of him.
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Rainbow had made her way to one of the ornate benches decorating the outside of the castle, and was perched on the edge, careful not to get her dress dirty or wrinkled. Rarity had spent the majority of the carriage ride from Ponyville threatening Rainbow on what she would do to her if she ruined her dress. Some of these threats were truly… Horrifying, and Dash didn’t want to see if Rarity was exaggerating. For such a prim pony, she’s kinda scary Dash thought to herself, shuddering. She glanced up at the sky, which was packed full of sparkling stars and a large full moon.
“Luna really outdid herself tonight, didn’t she?” A voice behind her made her jump. Dash whipped her head around, her prismatic mane following in a rainbow blur. She drew in her breath and her eyes widened as she caught sight of the iconic yellow and blue uniform.
“Soarin?” She asked, a faint blush appearing on her face.
“The name’s Soarin. Soarin… Skies.” Soarin smoothly said, thankful that he got his name right.
“I know your name already, I just said it?” She seemed to ask.
“Oh. I didn’t hear you.” Soarin replied lamely. “Stupid!” he berated himself.
“Um, what?” Dash asked, scrunching her face up in confusion.
“Um, not you, me stupid, I mean you’re not stupid, I am. Stupid that is, not you. I am not you…” he trailed off, groaning internally. “What I meant to say was, the sky is pretty. Just like rainbows.”
“Yeah, it is… and I like rainbows to?” Rainbow was confused. Was Soarin trying to compliment her, because she was Rainbow Dash, and had a rainbow mane? Or was he just stating that he liked what appeared in the sky when the sun shone after it rained?
“Yeah, cool.” Soarin replied, trying to sound confident. Why does she look so confused? He thought frantically. “And by rainbows, I mean your tail. Because it’s rainbow.” He finished, winking. There, now she’s gonna think I’m cool. I bet she didn’t even notice when I messed up my awesome opening! Fake it till you make it really does work! I have to thank Fleetfoot later… His thoughts were broken off by Rainbow’s expression becoming even more confused. Why is she so confused? What I said made perfect sense.
“Um, thanks?” Dash seemed to ask. “I… like your tail to?”
“Thanks Raindow Bash.” He pranced over to her and sat down on the bench next to her. Nice Soarin! Mess up on her name, she’ll think I don’t remember her and want to get my attention. Wow, this is going super well! “That is, if that’s even your name.”
“Um, actually it’s Rainbow Dash?” She still looked confused. What the hell? We were literally just talking about rainbows! And who would be named Raindow Bash? Is he for real? It’s not even the first time we’ve met! She thought to herself.
“Oh, right. Sorry Rainbow Dash. I just meet so many hot mares every day, it’s hard to remember all these names.” Soarin was concerned now. Why is she so confused looking? I’m pretending to forget her name, acting cool to make her jealous, why isn't she, like, in love with me yet? And why does she keep answering in questions, it`s kinda annoying...
“Well Soarin. It was nice seeing you again, but I have to get going…” Rainbow stood up, still confused. Soarin seemed SO cool all of the other times I met him, why did he seem like such an idiot now? He had seriously sounded so stupid during our entire conversation. I've gotta go find Rarity and tell her that he seemed… kind of dumb.
“Oh, yeah, same here babe. Maybe I’ll see you in there.” Soarin winked, still feeling concerned. Why does Dash seem… kinda dumb?
“Yeah, maybe…” Rainbow trotted off, wondering to herself, what was wrong with Soarin’s eye? It had kept twitching. Was he trying to wink?
Soarin glanced at her as she trotted away. Maybe she isn’t as great as I thought she was…
Dash re-entered the Gala, thinking still. Maybe he isn’t as awesome as I thought he was…