Chapter 10: Truth aches
(Hopeful Romantic’s POV)
Good grief; how do I get mixed up into these things?
I stood in the market, my mind fogged over with questions and images, distracting me from even realizing I was trying to buy something.
“Oops, sorry; here you go mister” I said; hoofing him the bits for the juicy red apple. I take the ruby fruit and sink my teeth into it. Everything tastes just fine, smooth and delicious; just like a properly harvested apple should. And yet, I sense it’s lacking something special. “It’s just not the kind of apple I’m craving I guess” I said somberly; staring at the half eaten apple, its red color starts to turn to a familiar shade of orange. I shake my head and sigh; thinking of another apple I wanted to lock lips with.
I shouldn’t think of her that way, the fair maiden deserves better than that…
It’s been 2 days since I last spoke with Applejack. Every time I tried to talk to her, she would always be busy with something like her chores, talking to her friends or something like that. Lately I’ve noticed her going to the library for a few hours at a time…it’s the only time I get to see her anymore. I hate to be seen as a stalker but, it really is the only time I get to see her and even though she said she’s not interested, still, I just can’t stop thinking about what her big brother said to me.
“You didn’t let anything or anyone stop you from caring for mah sis and she needs a pony like you in her life, she just doesn’t know it yet.”
I always thought my chances with Applejack disappeared along with that creepy unicorn, but if what her brother said is true, how am I supposed to get her to notice me when she’s busy all the time?
“Any sane pony by now would have probably given up; can’t say I entirely disagree with that sentiment” I said softly. Looking around the market place, I check for any signs of Applejack coming by for her visit to the library. I take a deep breath to calm myself so I don’t come off like a stumbling fool again. “But still, something tells me she is interested but doesn’t know how to approach this sort of thing. I just wish I could find the right way to get her to talk to me for more than 5 minutes and get to know me.”
“PSSST, Hopeful, over here” a young voice said from behind. I look around to find the source; it belonged to a familiar yellow filly with a red bow: Apple Bloom. She was hiding by a barrel near a Pony selling vegetables, “Come on over, ah got more intel for ya.”
“Apple Bloom, you don’t have to be THAT secretive,” I said; rolling my eyes. The little filly had been helping me get on AJ’s good side by telling me things her sister liked, she’s been helping ever since I left the farm. “It’s not like you got top secret magic scrolls or anything,” I say dryly; walking up to the filly.
“Hey now, ahm tryin’ to lend ya a hoof here with mah big sister, this is VERY important,” she said with a serious tone. She probably thinks this will get her a cutie mark in spying or being a secret agent. “If mah help isn’t appreciated, you can always go back to your old methods of trying to get mah big sis to notice you.”
“NO, no, no I’m sorry; trust me,” I said with a desperate plea in my voice. “I really, really, really, REALLY do want your help. Nothing I tried has worked so anything you can help me with would be tremendously useful.” I felt like I was using cheat codes by talking to AJ’s little sister and getting info like this. I know it was Bloom’s idea to play matchmaker in the first place, but still, I’ve never needed help like this talking to a girl before.
“Glad to hear it, now listen up; mah sis loves country music, lots of physical outdoors kind of stuff and sunflowers” the filly said. She patted my shoulder and leaned in; like a coach prepping a boxer for the fight of his life. “Personally, Ah think yer approach needs to be a little bit less heavy now that you’ve tried so many other ways to get her attention. But don’t let that get ya down, my big sis is as stubborn as Granny Smith is, she just needs LOTS of effort to get her to notice ya.”
“But won’t all this pushing and hounding just make her more annoyed with me?” I asked, unable to contain my anxiety. “I know my dad always said strong women find persistence endearing, but I’m just worried she’ll drop kick me if I push any harder.”
“Just think of sis like Winona; all bark and no bite. She’s plenty strong enough fer sure but she’d never harm a pony unless they were trying to harm her. Trust me, she doesn’t find ya annoying” the filly said; trying her hardest to support me. I’m just worried she’s making this sound easier than it actually is. “If she did; she wouldn’t have kept all that stuff ya sent her.”
“Really, she kept everything I sent her?” I said, gasping softly. I genuinely had no idea she kept all the things I had sent her: poems, love letters, original songs, flowers, chocolates, I even baked her apple pie. “I thought she would have thrown them out; she sure acts like she didn’t get any of it.”
“Like ah said, you’ve given her plenty of stuff, now’s not the time for talkin; now’s the time for ACTION” she shouted. I immediately tried to hush her in case Applejack was around; luckily she wasn’t. The filly blushed sheepishly and pushed me towards the path to the library.
“Remember all the stuff ah told ya and don’t give up, fight for yer special some pony! Be fiercer than a grizzly bear fighting bumble bees during honey season.”
“What is it with you guys and all these metaphors?” I asked, feeling confused and a little embarrassed. This filly is pushing and ordering me around like I was the child, what about that makes sense?
“Just get out there and treat mah sister right!” Bloom shouted, literally shoving me out into the open.
CRASH!
The minute Apple Bloom shoved me, I crashed right into someone or something before I could see who or what it was I hit. All I knew was that it was strong and I hit it like a ton of bricks. I remember seeing stars and spots; the whole world was a dizzying blur of orange and yellow. Wait a minute, orange and yellow? There’s only one pony I know who has that color scheme: Applejack!
“WAH” I screamed; realizing who I literally just ran into. The country mare groaned, holding her throbbing head and searching for her cowboy hat. “Why can’t I get one thing to go right for a change? ONE stinking thing, is that too much to ask?” I mutter to myself. Things are already off to a crappy start.
“Huh? Oh hey there Hopeful, sorry about that,” she said sincerely. Applejack shook her head and slowly stood back up. “Don’t know how that just happened but must’ve not looked where I was going, mah mistake.” I rammed into the mare of my dreams while trying to get insight on how to talk to her and SHE’S the one apologizing?
“No, no, absolutely not, it was totally my fault and I’M the one who should be apologizing to you fair maiden” I said just as sincerely, hoping she can sense the sorrow in my voice. I knew she had to go to the library for whatever it is she does there, but I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t do like Apple Bloom said and kept trying.
“Ha, ha, you always crack me up with that sweet maiden talk,” AJ said with a hearty chuckle. “Ah think you’re the only pony in Equestria who talks like that, heck, yer certainly the only pony in Equestria who talks to ME like that.”
“Heh I guess you just bring the out the best in me” I say with a soft, purring tone. My smile widened when I saw that adorable blushing color on her freckled cheeks, she tried to hide her flushed face under her hat. “You know, you look much cuter when you don’t hide it like that.”
She frowned a little, damn; I hated seeing her without a smile. This is exactly how she looked after I nearly dropped her back by the cliff. I knew I was pushing too hard like Apple Bloom said, but it’s just so hard not to do it around some pony you’re so deeply attracted to; at least with me it is.
“Look partner, those are mighty kind things to say to me, and ah appreciate the gifts you’ve been dropping at mah door step but-”
“Did you get to read the letters, or the songs, or the poems? I REALLY wanted to know what you thought of them” I said; interrupting her. I knew it was rude to cut AJ off, but once she mentioned the mail I sent her, I was so eager to know her feelings on my work that I couldn’t contain myself. “I know I sent a lot, but I figured it would be a less intrusive way to talk to you without disrupting your chores.”
“Actually”, Applejack started; her eyes nervously looking side to side. “Ah haven’t read any of it,” her words cut me like a jagged knife. My heart, smile and optimism sank like a stone in a river. Apple Bloom said she got them; I only assumed she did read them but turns out I was wrong. The orange mare looked to me and sighed, “Ah really am sorry but ah just don’t got the time to have a feller in mah life right now. My friend Twilight is out of town and me and the girls have been keeping an eye on her assistant Spike, which means ah gotta get going.”
She started to walk towards the library, I had to say or do something to try and get her to keep talking to me, anything!
“Um well t-t-that’s okay, how about I come with you? I’d love to meet more of your-”
“NO, YAH CAN’T” she suddenly screamed; I definitely wasn’t expecting her to shout like that. I backed up a little and raised my wings slightly in defense. “Ahm sorry for screaming like that, it’s just that this um…chore…I guess you could call it that,” I noticed her eyes wandering side to side as she tried to form the right words. “This responsibility Twi has trusted me and the girls with is a complicated thing, and we kind of have to keep it to ourselves. Ah know that doesn’t make much sense but that’s the way it is.”
“Oh a-a-a-all right, I get it” I said with a weak nod. “Okay well I DON’T get it, since you’re not really telling me anything except that…you can’t tell me anything but, I get that it’s complicated at least.” I put on a fake smile and just try and accept this awkward rejection with some dignity.
“Thanks sugar cube, see ya round” she said, waving and walking right out of my life.
That’s what it feels like anyway.
I watch as the orange pony walks towards the library, my false smile deteriorates a little bit more with each step. What took a matter of moments felt like hours as I stood there watching Applejack walk away. I shook my head and decided to head on out as well. I don’t know why I thought this time would be different; maybe I have been too pushy; maybe everything was too much. I guess I just wanted her to know me a little before making her mind up about me. Heck, I don’t even know if I like her as much as I think I like her, just wanted to see if this could be something or not.
“So, wha’d she say? Is she gonna meet ya after she’s done library sitting?” Apple Bloom asked enthusiastically. She hopped out in front of me, cheerful and chipper as Pinkie Pie at a birthday party. I pat her head softly and continue going on my way. “Does that mean she said no, maybe, some other time, Hopeful?” she called out to me, but I didn’t feel like talking…I didn’t feel like much of anything right now. “What happened to never giving up?” that question did make me stop; I turned and looked at her.
“I used to think that way Bloom, back when I was different,” I said with a mournful tone. Bloom tilted her head to the side, deeply confused by my words. “You see, I didn’t use to be this way, I wasn’t always nervous, jittery and unsure of myself. I used to be confident and had no trouble talking to mares, in fact; I used to be quite the ladies colt once upon a time.”
“So then what changed? What happened to ya that made you all scared and nervous?”
I couldn’t tell her, I couldn’t unload such a terrible story on such a sweet little filly. But I wanted to tell her, badly even, I wanted to tell someone in hopes that the pain would hurt less if I do. Every time I start to tell someone I stop so I don’t make them feel sad just because I’m suffering. Just thinking about talking about it brings tears to my eyes, my voice is already started to choke. I quickly recompose myself and make sure I keep it together so she doesn’t see me cry.
“Let’s just say I lost something that was irreplaceable, something that I didn’t even realize how much I took it for granted until it was gone” I said, wiping my eyes clean of a few drops that escaped. “I’m just not the same pony I once was. But don’t worry about me; you just keep taking care of your sister. It’s a beautiful thing you’re doing; trying to find some pony that would make her happy.” I slowly look at the orange tail bow; bouncing with every wag, my gaze lifts back to Bloom’s young eyes. “Never stop loving her Bloom, never.”
I take to the skies before she could ask me any more questions, my fragile heart couldn’t stand to endure another. Leaving Apple Bloom sad and confused there was a crummy thing; I don’t deny it one bit, but becoming a blubbering mess in front of her wouldn’t have made things any better either. The wind against my face brings me little pleasure, despite how beautiful the sun and sky looks today. Maybe this is for the best; she was out of my league anyway.
“But for what it’s worth, at least she noticed me,” I said, staring out into the puffy white clouds. That thought was enough to put a smile on my face; it was a sad smile but a smile none the less.
(No one’s POV)
“All righty RD, ahm here to switch out with ya,” Applejack said, entering the library. “You too Spike, ya’ll can take a break or get somethin’ to eat while ah watch over our special guest.”
Rainbow and Spike looked up from their game of cards; they dropped their sets, stretched and yawned loudly.
“It’s about time, my wings were starting to feel like they were collecting dust,” Rainbow griped. The cyan Pegasus flew out the door and nearly blew AJ’s hat off, she laughed and waved to her Earth pony friend. “I’m taking my awesomeness out for a swim, catch you guys later.”
The earth pony rolled her emerald eyes at Rainbow’s attitude, if she didn’t want to help out Twilight she could have just said no. She looked to see a number of books on the floor where Spike was sitting. All of them seemed to be circling around a specific theme: relationships, courtship advice, dating and one that was called “How to woo your lady in 9 easy steps.”
“Twi would have a heart attack if she saw these all over the place” Applejack said to herself. She lifted her hooves around the books, many of them were open and she’d hate to be the one to leave a tear or marking on Twilight’s precious collection. “Spike, ya’ll better clean this up before you go; ya hear?”
Applejack saw Spike was by the basement door where Moonstruck was secured, he was talking to him through the door. The girls had released Moonstruck from his wall shackles, but kept him locked in the basement and made sure there was nothing around him that he could use to try and escape. Every couple hours Spike would open the door, under pony supervision of course, and slip a tray of food and water to Moonstruck. She was mighty surprised to see how chatty Spike was with same pony he clocked upside the head with a frying pan not too long ago.
“Thanks again for all that great advice Moonstruck, it was way better than what was in Twilight’s books” Spike said cheerfully.
“My pleasure Spike, just remember to do it just like I told you. You’ve already got all the information you’ll need inside yourself,” he said. Spike nodded, listening attentively. “Be respectful, be persistent but above all else; be yourself.”
“Right, be myself, gotcha.”
“And don't let anyone ever make you feel like you don't deserve what you want."
Applejack coughed loudly and tapped her hoof; trying to get Spike’s attention.
“Ya’ll done jibber jabbing? Cause Twi is gonna be plenty peeved if she sees this mess and ah ain’t cleanin’ it up” Applejack said firmly.
Spike shook his head and quickly hopped to cleaning up his mess. The dragon cleaned up the books in record time, almost as fast as Rainbow Dash one could say. He was just about to exit the library when he stopped and turned to AJ.
“You sure you’re gonna be all right by yourself?”
“Ahm fine Spike, really, Pinkie Pie will be here soon to watch over Moonstruck with me,” she said with a nod. “Now get on now; go on and have fun little guy.”
The dragon frowned being called ‘little guy’; that made it sound like she expected him to go play on the swings like he was a school filly. Spike knew he was younger than his mom and her 5 friends, but he wasn’t the foal they kept treating him like. He closed the door and left Applejack to her guard duties. The orange mare turned her attention towards the red basement door, she walked up to it and knocked.
“Ya’ll still there Moonstruck?”
“Naturally, it’s not like I can go anywhere else,” Moonstruck said with a dry laugh. The lack of laughter from the other side indicated AJ didn’t find the humor in his statement. He quickly adjusted his tone, “Not that I don’t understand why you guys are taking precautions like this, I’d do the same if I were in your position.”
The country mare folded her legs under her tummy and sat down in front of the door. Moonstruck heard her every move, he assumed her sitting there indicated she had a long talk planned for him, why else would she be getting comfortable right in front of the door?
“Is there something I can help you with Applejack?”
“Look Moonstruck, ah want you to know ah was one of the ponies who didn’t want you brought to Princess Celestia. Ah personally wanted to make absolutely sure if you were tellin’ the truth or not. Havin’ said that; ah don’t know how comfortable ah am with you influencin’ mah friends.”
“Influencing?”
“The way you and Spike were talkin, ah’d reckon you boys were two eggs hatched from the same chicken. Mighty strange considerin’ he was fer sure convinced you were a killer and all.”
“Well if you must know,” he leaned his back against the door. “There aren’t a whole lot of books in here, mostly rusted junk and some science equipment Twilight hasn’t used in a while; according to Spike. At one point Rainbow got bored and fell asleep and Spike didn’t have anything else to occupy his time. So, I started calling and asking if he wanted to talk and surprisingly, he said yes.” Moonstruck shrugged and shook his head, “I didn’t think he’d want to talk with me but apparently, he had a lot on his mind.”
“Ah reckon this has to do with this advice you were givin’ him?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Applejack’s tone sounded tense, like the idea of him helping Spike was a bad thing. He couldn’t see anything beyond the door but he could hear the conviction in her voice when she spoke to him. Moonstruck faced the door so he could properly “look” at Applejack when he spoke to her.
“If there’s something bothering you Applejack, then by all means, tell me. I may not be able to see you but I can definitely hear the irritation in your voice.”
She took a deep breath and exhaled, “Ah want to know if you’ve been filling Spike’s head with any funny ideas about tryin’ to date mah friend Rarity.”
Moonstruck paused before answering, “What makes you think our conversation had anything to do with that?”
“Don’t try and horn swaggle me; Spike had this whole place littered with dating books. And nearly every pony in Ponyville knows there’s only one pony he’s pining for.”
The unicorn sighed and slumped his horn against the door; he wasn’t able to see what shape the library was in so he wasn’t aware Spike had left so much “evidence” out for any pony to see. No point in beating around the bush now.
He lifted his head back up and blew green locks out of his eyes, “Look, anything Spike and I talked about happened because he wanted to talk to me about it. Obviously he wasn’t finding the right answers from those books and no offense, but Rainbow Dash doesn’t sound like the pony he could talk to about this kind of stuff, so I listened to him and helped him as best I could.” The colt’s silver eyes glared slightly, “There’s nothing ‘funny’ about the ideas in his head.”
Applejack couldn’t argue with that, RD was the last pony who would want to hear about “lovey dovey feelings” as she’d put it. “So what exactly did you say to him? It’s very important that ya tell me.”
“Based on everything Spike told me, I suggested he stop trying to worship the ground Rarity trots on and just show a genuine interest in her and be true to himself when he’s with her. I can tell even without seeing his face how important Rarity is to him and how much he cares for her.”
“Ah know and that’s what got me more twitchy than a bull in a rose garden,” she said, her voice sounding more hurt than irritated. She had known about Spike’s crush on her friend for a long while now, it had always been her hope that the young dragon gave up his puppy love crush, but it’s only gotten stronger and that worries the country mare greatly. “Ya’ll didn’t know any better but you should’ve told Spike to let this Rarity thing go.”
Moonstruck had trouble processing what he was hearing, none of this made any sense to him. “I know you guys aren’t sure about trusting me but trust me when I say this: Spike’s feelings are without question, I can hear it in his voice when he talks about her. Spike is in love with Rarity.”
“Ah know and THAT is the problem!”
“WHY? How could you say that about two of your closest friends, why would the idea of them being together be a problem?”
Applejack stood up, her eyes buried at the center of the door; imagining she was facing Moonstruck face to face. The anger in her voice raised higher and higher, “Because it ain’t right! Spike’s a dragon and Rarity is a pony, it’s not going to work; it can’t work. Spike needs to grow up and give up this crush before he gets hurt, it’s gonna happen whether you boys like it or not.”
“You know THAT is your problem right there, you don’t have any faith in anyone or anything that’s different,” he said angrily. The unicorn was standing and growling just as fiercely at the door as AJ was. The country mare had a shocked look on her face; she was genuinely surprised he would imply she doesn’t support those different from her. “You talk about being close friends and how friendship is magic, yet all I’m hearing is you picking apart your friend’s heart’s desires and make him think the way you want him to.”
WHAM!
AJ slammed one of her hooves against the door, causing Moonstruck to back up a bit. “Ya’ll wait a darn tooting minute now; you can’t talk to me like you know me OR Spike. You barely know us so what makes you think you can claim ahm trying to mess with my friend’s mind?”
“Look at how you talk about him: funny ideas in his head, telling him to grow up, saying it’s not right or it wouldn’t work, and calling it a crush when we both know it’s love. Where’s the support in that?” Applejack tried to reply but was quickly cut off. “You’re the element of honesty and yet you’ve been lying to Spike all this time by hiding how you really feel about his feelings towards Rarity. You talk like every pony shares your point of view but I have a feeling that’s not the case so what makes you think your view is right?”
“Because he’s too young to know the difference and besides, it’s traditional that ponies go with other ponies. That’s how things have always been done, wings with wings and horns with horns.”
“Is that why you keep suppressing and denying your attraction to Hopeful Romantic, because of tradition?”
Applejack couldn’t even begin to form a response to that surprisingly accurate question. She never spoke about her feelings to any pony, not even her own family knew exactly how she felt. It was like Moonstruck dug right into her core and saw everything she was hiding in her heart.
She didn’t know if she should be angry at him for asking such a personal question, or to be angry with him because he was RIGHT and she refused to believe it.
“H-h-h-how in the hay did you know that?” she asked, her voice trembling. She tried to sound angrier but the shock had clearly softened her tone.
“I told you all before, my special talent is seeing into the darkness inside of other ponies. I can sense many conflicted emotions in your mind: fear, confusion, resistance, denial, pride and sadness. You can’t accept Hopeful’s advances because you dread that being different pony races will make things complicated. I sense your uncertainty and inner struggling,” Applejack shook her head; she didn’t want to hear OR believe this. She stuck her hooves into ears to try and block it out. “Your pride for traditionalism is your greatest strength and your greatest weakness; I can sense that you’re worried about losing out on a potentially wonderful relationship; just because he’s different than you…Spike is worried about the exact same thing with Rarity.”
“Knock, knooooooock” a voice sang from outside the library.
Applejack cried out loud and tried to calm herself down, she couldn’t believe how worked up she got by talking with Moonstruck like that. She felt sweat dripping from her blond locks under her hat. Pinkie Pie’s knocking jarred her out of her anxiety attack, she felt better after a few deep breaths and downing a fresh glass of water.
“It’s open Pinkie pie, come on inside.”
The pink pony pouted outside the front door. “Awwwwe Applejack, you’re supposed to say who’s there?” Pinkie entered with a balloon, a cream pie with a plunger sticking out of it and a bull horn in her hooves. “I had the perfect punchline lined up for it too!”
Applejack felt now was as good a time as any to break off this uncomfortably close conversation with Moonstruck. The unicorn had made his point and AJ was too rattled to continue talking about her feelings towards Spike and Rarity; let alone her feelings towards Hopeful.
“Time’s up partner; ahm afraid ah can’t chit chat with ya no more,” she walked away from the door. She paused and turned her head to add one more thing. “As fer the whole Spike n’Rarity situation, ah think this is something Twilight needs to handle.”
“She really is a special mare isn’t she?”
Moonstruck’s question caused the orange mare to stop once again; even Pinkie Pie’s interest was piqued, “Come again partner?”
He took his time preparing his answer. It was the strangest thing; Twilight was a pony bound by duty and loyalty to her teacher: the ruler of all of Equestria. In his time observing her activities, Twilight has proven herself to be an air tight, rigid rule follower and every form of logic and instinct was telling Moonstruck that Twilight is the last pony he should’ve asked help from.
And yet, for some reason he trusted her.
Maybe it was because she was the princess of friendship, or maybe it was that she went out of her way to help all ponies, or maybe it was the fact she remained her same old self despite the new power and title she received. Whatever the reason was, Moonstruck knew in his heart that it had to be Twilight and no pony else; she was the one destined to help him. Her magic, her heart, her spirit; none of those carried any trace of darkness that he could sense. Of course, there was always the simpler answer: that Moonstruck found her to be just as beautiful on the outside as he did on the inside, and convinced him to go to her for help despite the risk of being sent back to Tartarus.
“Spike told me that Twilight raised him after he was hatched, she’s been like a mother to him and she’s been teaching him all these years; even when she was a young filly.” The thought of Twilight raising a lone, lost dragon all by herself brought warmth to Moonstruck’s heart that he had not felt in ages. The two mares continued to remain silent and listen to the unicorn. “When I was talking to Spike, I could tell by the way he carried himself that he was raised in a kind and loving home. Not every pony could raise a child so well after being saddled with one at such an early age; especially a dragon. Everything that’s good inside of Spike is thanks to Twilight’s guidance and influence. Spike’s lucky to have such a lovely and wonderful pony as his mother, that’s all.”
Moonstruck sighed heavily and headed down into the basement. He felt a weight lifted from his shoulders after saying his piece, he had nothing more to add. Applejack had already become upset from his earlier conversation so he figured enough was enough. Pinkie Pie and Applejack stayed silent for the next several minutes; eventually the girls busied themselves with books, games and anything else they could do to keep their mind off what just happened.
One thing was for certain though; Moonstruck was getting harder and harder to figure out with each passing day.
(Arrowhead’s POV)
Love’s a funny thing.
I think that to myself every time I notice those cyan colored wings soaring through the sky. Looking up at Rainbow; spiraling and spinning her way through clouds, I couldn’t help but think how amazing it was to watch her work.
Still, at the same time; she’s got some problems. She’s a self-glorifying, egoistical, hyper competitive pain in the ass who buries herself under this obnoxious, 24/7 cool gal image so much that you can barely stomach her arrogance without gagging a little.
“Hot damn, love’s a funny thing.”
I laugh out loud; not giving a damn if any pony looks at me funny. Although, the fact I am standing in the middle of the street just staring up at a certain rainbow tailed vixen is probably attracting more stares than my private chuckling. I track her every move, keeping that colorful tail locked in my line of sight.
“I may not be as fast as you are on hoof Dash, but I’m definitely fast enough to keep track of you.”
I watch her descend towards the water fountain at the center of town; she lands right in front of it and takes a bow; as if performing in front of a stage of thousands. “A sky cleared of clouds and a freshly dried coat in 30 seconds flat, a new pony record.” She clapped her hooves above her head and cheered like a wild woman, a pair of maroon colored trunks with dark gold flowers covered her hips. “Thank you, thank you; I’ll be here all week!”
“I certainly hope so hot stuff”, I shout to her. Rainbow gasped and started losing balance on the fountain’s edge, apparently my shout out took her by surprise. She fell back and landed right into the icy cold waters of the fountain with a mighty splash. “Oops, that is unfortunate”, I cringe slightly. She is definitely not going to be happy to be soaking wet after just drying herself off, at least she still had her trunks on.
Rainbow gave me a death glare sitting in the fountain; soaked and scowling while drops of water dripped off her rainbow locks. “Not cool pony, Not. Cool. At. All.”
“It was an honest mistake Rainbow, I was just trying to cheer you on; not cool you off.” The mare turned her head to the side and frowned bitterly; ignoring both me and my apology. “Oh come on don’t be like that,” still giving me the silent treatment. I rub my chin and try to come up with a way of making it up to her; I smile as a light bulb appears over my head. “Hey, I’ve got it!”
SPLASH!
I cannonballed right into the fountain; Rainbow quickly swam clear from my splash down zone. My cheeks, hair and hooves were completely soaked and I was dripping from every part of my body; just like Rainbow was.
She looked at me, still soaked, still irritated and still unimpressed with me. “What? Now were both soggy in the fountain, it’s like we match now,” I said with a great big wet smile plastered on my damp face. Rainbow responded by splashing me right in the face, I smile weakly and offer a shrug. “Eh it was worth a shot.”
“What are you doing here? I thought I told you that your end of the deal was to buy a great big lunch for me and all of my friends.” Rainbow hopped out of the fountain and shook herself furiously; drying off like a wet shaggy dog. “And that can’t happen until all of my friends are here, and since Twilight is out of town for a few DAYS; that means I don’t need you popping up until the gang’s all here and good and hungry, got it?”
I hopped out of the fountain next to Rainbow, “I know I know; I listened to every word you said Dash.” A quick shake of my body sends the water off in every direction EXCEPT Rainbow’s. I couldn’t stop mentally laughing at seeing her looking all grumpy and soggy in the fountain, but I wasn’t going to risk pissing her off even more by getting her soaked a second time.
“So then why are you bugging me right after I get done with work?”
“Well, I was in the neighborhood and I said to myself; self: what could be more fun than watching the hottest member of the Wonderbolts doing her own thing?”
Rainbow rolled her eyes and groaned. “Do I look like a piece of toast? You can’t butter me up by saying stuff like that. I’m the only one flying around in the sky, not the Wonderbolts, just admit that you were watching me.”
I raise an eyebrow and smirk at her remark, “Well you are a member of the Wonderbolts reserve team are you not?” Her frowning face softened as she just realized he knew she got accepted onto the team’s reserve ranks, she merely nods to answer his question. “Then technically what I said is true: you’re a member of the Wonderbolts and I came here to watch the hottest member of the Wonderbolts, so that means I’m right and you’re right too.”
The Pegasus tried to argue or find some reason to logically be angry with my answer, but instead, all she got was just plain angry. I can see her trying so hard to prove me wrong but she’s clearly failing miserably. Rainbow grabbed her hair and tried to yank it out she was so frustrated, I bit my lip and tried not to laugh at her little tantrum.
Her frustration was ridiculously adorable.
Even now when I watch her trying to yank her face off or rip her hair out, I can’t help but find her to be so stunningly attractive. I love the way her rainbow hair bounces when she throws her head back, how her hooves dance anxiously with nowhere to go, and how that amazing rump of hers twitches its muscles. She’s such a firecracker and a livewire; a total hottie with a totally hot temper and I’m loving every minute of it.
“UGH! There you go being grrr complicated again, why do you always have to be this way?” Rainbow paced left to right, periodically looking at the ground and then looking at me when she wanted to snap to her heart’s content. “No matter what I say, you always got something to say back and it’s driving me nuts!”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “I never thought I’d see the day, the brave and amazingly awesome Rainbow Dash driven to insanity by a regular, boring old guy like me.”
“That’s right! I AM awesome AND 20% cooler than you and your so-called smart jokes, in fact, I’m way too cool to be putting up with this.” The Pegasus turned her winged back to me and started to head off.
Teasing and flirting had only gotten me so far, now it looks like Rainbow’s frustration; cute as it may be, has reached its breaking point. It’s time to be as daring as her favorite author and take a shot.
“You’re right Rainbow, you are way too cool for the likes of me and I know it too. There’s no reason you should stay and put up with this,” Rainbow stopped and slowly turned her head to me. “But I’m asking if you will put up with it a little longer, for one night, just one night out at dinner…with me.”
She looked at me like I just asked her the riddle of the Sphinx; she truly didn’t know how to respond. I know she said she’s not used to being flirted with by other guys so I imagine asking her out is an even stranger experience for her.
That still gets me.
Thinking that such a fine beauty like Rainbow doesn’t get noticed for the fox she truly is; that’s a head scratcher if I ever heard one.
“What’s your deal? You really think I’m going to do your half of the bet just because my friends aren’t all here right now?” She asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Not at all, this is something completely different,” I shake my head and make sure I am clear and concise with my words. “I’m asking you out in addition to taking your friends out to lunch, both meals won’t cost you a single bit; it’s all on me.”
Rainbow tilts her head and processes everything she’s just heard. This is a strange situation I’ve put her in, but I don’t regret putting her in it. I wipe my hooves under my belly; pathetically trying to appear like this wasn’t making my hooves sweat like crazy. It totally was though. Dash isn’t the kind of girl you can fumble around and appear silly in front of, I knew from the moment I first became interested in her that I had to be just as cool and slick if I wanted to get her attention.
“Okay, back up a bit”, she rubbed her head and looked straight at me. “I’ll give you an answer AFTER you let me ask something first,” I assured her I’d answer her question honestly and respectfully. “And don’t laugh or look at me funny after I ask it; I don’t like looking dumb.”
“I would never do that to you” I said, sweetly but intensely enough that she knew I wasn’t messing with her.
She half smiled at my response. “The question I want to ask is: why me, what is it about me that makes YOU; Arrowhead, go through all this just to ask a Pegasus like me, out for dinner?”
“Well that’s easy,” I lift my hoof and rattle off her finest qualities. “You’re brave, tough, fast, an amazing athlete, loyal, a Hell of a fighter-”
“No, no that’s just stuff I’m good at,” she waves her hooves in the air to grab my attention. I quickly stop and put my hoof down. “I’m asking what about ME interests you? Not my looks, not the things I can do, my speed, being a Wonderbolt or any of my generally awesome things. I want to know what the real Rainbow Dash looks like to the real Arrowhead.”
For a moment there I froze; I didn’t realize how shallow I was sounding by just listing off her attributes and talents. I had to think very carefully about phrasing my next words correctly. I’m usually good in on the spot situations but this one was different, because this girl was different.
She’s special, and I need to let her know why I see her as special.
“I think there’s so much more to you then you’re letting on.” Her magenta eyes lock with my own, it looked like her body was on pins and needles waiting for my answer. I mentally smile at the thought of me having this effect on her; but I can’t lose my train of thought. “I look at you and I see this wild, crazy and brave girl who feels she has to be on all the time. Sometimes I wonder if there’s a side you’re too afraid to show for some reason, or maybe there’s something you’re trying to prove to someone and you’re the only one who knows why.”
Rainbow gulps loudly; her eyes show the briefest of sparkles.
“It’s like you’re a turtle with this indestructible, awesome shell that makes you look invincible to everyone on the outside. You barely show your true face and stay inside where it’s cool and safe. But sometimes on certain little moments, you pop out of your shell; even if it’s only a crack at a time. THAT is why I’m drawn to you; I want to make sure I’m seeing the turtle and not just the shell.” I take a moment to breathe out, felt like I just gave a speech in front of all of Canterlot.
Rainbow hasn’t said a word; she’s just standing there; staring at me as if frozen in time. I can’t tell if what I just said moved her beyond words or scared her out of my mind. Either way, she hasn’t left yet so I take that as a good sign.
“Arrowhead”, she started to say; her voice wavering and shaken. “That is the most-”
“Hey Rainbow Dash,” a voice called out.
I didn’t see who it was, but based on the look on Dash’s face; she knew who it was. She cried out and grabbed me, I found myself being shoved behind the fountain and out of sight. Rainbow leaned against the fountain on her elbow; trying to look cool.
“H-h-h-h-hey squirt; what’s up?” Rainbow said, desperately trying to hide the fact she was talking to any pony.
A little orange Pegasus with magenta colored hair whizzed past on a scooter. “I just learned this new trick on my scooter, wanna see?”
Scootaloo asked. She noticed Rainbow looked tense and on edge; like something was bugging her. “Um are you okay Rainbow Dash? You look really nervous.”
“Nope, I’m good, good as gold, super awesome gold.” Her voice was erratic and unusually fast, she looked at the sky and fake gasped. “Oops-look-at-the sun-gotta-go-bye, I’ll have to see that trick later Scootaloo. Bye now.” Rainbow started pushing Scootaloo on her scooter until the filly eventually left; she was confused out of her mind but she did what Rainbow asked her to do.
“Whew, that was a close one.” She wiped her brow and sighed in relief.
“OW what the buck was that all about?” I shouted, my head throbbing from smacking into the concrete from the fountain. Rainbow flinched and turned around; she looked at me with a sheepish smile. “Mind explaining to me why you just chucked me head first into a concrete fountain just because some kid on a scooter wheeled by?”
“You see the thing is,” she looked down and nervously shuffled her hooves. “That was Scootaloo she’s kind of my adopted sister; sort of.” Her gaze meets mine, her nervousness hasn’t dissipated; and neither has my anger. “She looks up to me as this bad ass, super awesome athlete. Actually, all of Ponyville knows me that way and it’s kind of created this reputation I’ve got to keep up. I just didn’t want-”
“Let me stop you right there,” I cut her off; too pissed and confused to listen anymore.
“Look I didn’t mean to bump your head or anything, I was just trying to, you know,” she laughed nervously, trying to make it not sound like a big deal. “Hide you.” Not much of an apology if you ask me, but then again, it didn’t matter because the bump wasn’t the real reason I was upset.
I approached Rainbow and stared down at her. “So you’re telling me that after you asked me to dig down deep and tell you the truth about why I’m interested in you, you threw me behind a fountain because you were worried that just talking to me about your emotions would ruin your precious reputation?” She nervous backed away from my growling, grumbling face.
“Weeeeellllll…when you put it THAT way” she started to say.
“Forget it,” I turn around and start heading home. A trickle of blood drips down the side of my head wound.
Perfect, that’s just what I need.
“Hey, you’re hurt; let me at least bandage it or something”, she said. Rainbow tried to touch my wound but I angrily swat her hoof away, she backs up with a hurt look on her face.
“Don’t bother, I wouldn’t want you to lose cool points by helping out a pony your too embarrassed to be seen in public with.” I thought about using my speed to get out of this ugly situation faster, but I didn’t want to risk it with my head throbbing and bleeding like this.
“Come on Arrowhead, I never said I was embarrassed to be seen in public with you” she called out to me. It sounded more like she was clarifying rather than comforting.
“Didn’t you though?” I don’t bother looking back to her; I’ve been hurt enough today; physically and emotionally. “Come back and talk to me when you figured out what’s more important to you: being yourself or being Rainbow Dash.”
The Pegasus hangs her head and sighs; she rubs her face and tries to clear her mind. Once again she turned a normal conversation into a mess that needed to be cleaned up. She stares at her saddened reflection in the fountain water; ripples cause it to blur.
“Not cool pony…not cool at all.”
(No one’s POV)
Princess Twilight followed the royal purple carpet with golden stitching towards the twin thrones. Her heart and mind raced with butterflies, neither which could be calmed no matter how hard she tried. Her duties and her emotions clashed like she and Tirek did not long ago; neither one strong enough to overcome the other. The train ride over didn’t give her nearly enough time to decide what to do with Moonstruck.
“If I don’t tell Princess Celestia about him, then I’m betraying my mentor’s trust; not to mention lying to royalty. But if I do tell her about him, I could be sending an innocent pony back to a nightmarish prison, where he’ll spend his entire life suffering.”
Twilight shook her head and tried the relaxing breathing trick Cadence taught her. It wasn’t helping, she sighed in defeat.
“I barely know this pony; I just spent half a day talking to him.” Twilight started hyperventilating; she held her head and felt compelled to scream. “So then WHY am I thinking about him this much? This doesn’t make sense! What about him is affecting me this much, did he cast a spell without me knowing it, did I overwork my brain studying again, WHAT DO I DO?”
“Princess Twilight, what a pleasant surprise,” Celestia said. Her gentle, motherly voice shocked Twilight out of her stupor. Twilight hadn’t realized she had still been walking all this time and had already reached Celestia. “What brings you to Canterlot? Not that I don’t mind the surprise visit of course.”
The purple Alicorn blocked all negative thoughts out of her mind and focused on the task before her. Twilight bowed before Celestia, she bowed in return.
“Princess Celestia, I know I’m dropping in unannounced but I have something very important to tell you and I’m afraid it can’t wait.” She felt her heart rapidly beating in her chest. This was the moment of truth, she had to make a choice and she had to make it now. “I have information regarding the escaped criminal known as Moonstruck.”
To be continued…