It was late at night, on the Friendship Express, the train ride home to Ponyville. Given how late it was, the train was on the longer route back to town, so that it would give the Ponyville residence passengers that were on board a chance to sleep during the night and arrive home in the morning. The Royal Wedding in Canterlot had passed without a hitch, having been marked as one of the most wonderful Royal Weddings in Equestrian history. Especially in the fact that the Power of Love between the bride and groom had managed to help save the entire land of Equestria from the invasion of Queen Chrysalis and the Changelings.
Which brings us to tonight.
Rainbow Dash knew that she was taking a bit of a plunge in this, but she just had to know why this was happening. In the past, she would have written it off as nothing and would have thought nothing of it, resolving to just simply see her later.
But this time, she could see that Fluttershy was actively avoiding her. She had been a lot during the wedding when they weren't close together. Especially during the following reception, when she couldn't even see her the entire evening.
Rainbow Dash looked almost sadly to the door of Fluttershy's suite. She wanted to talk to her, or just to see her, one-on-one. Especially considering something that had happened between them earlier that day.
Most would think it would be nothing major. That it should rightfully have been written off as just a simple little moment. In a sense, it was.
But to Rainbow Dash, she felt compelled when it came to that little moment. She swallowed hard, gathered her courage, and knocked on the door, hoping Fluttershy was still awake.
Some shuffling was heard, but hopefully not the sound of a mare being disturbed of sleep. Moments later, the door opened about partway, with Fluttershy peering out curiously from the dimly lit room of her cabin.
“Yes?” She said softly. When her eyes settled on Rainbow Dash, a mild blush came to her cheeks. “Um...oh...h-hello...Rainbow Dash...”
“Uh, hey, Fluttershy...um...I didn't wake you, did I?” Rainbow Dash smiled sheepishly, trying not to give away how nervous she was.
“Oh....um...no...” Fluttershy looked away a bit. “Um...but...why are you here?”
“I couldn't sleep,” Rainbow Dash responded quickly. It wasn't a lie, since part of the reason she was here was because the very thoughts of the matter kept her awake. “I guess I'm just still a bit fired up from everything, really...”
“...I see...I....c-couldn't sleep either,” Fluttershy admitted.
The shyer Pegasus cleared her throat, and then stepped aside to let her best friend into the car with her. She felt a strange feeling in her stomach and her heart as Rainbow Dash came into the car, then she closed the door behind them. Why was she even letting this happen? She had avoided her all evening, and now they were back in each other's presence?
Fluttershy was feeling unsure, especially in how she was probably feeling in terms of her best friend. But she didn't feel right about turning her away to her face. The wedding reception had been easy, since there was a crowd and a lot of things she could be doing that would occupy them from seeing each other.
The two Pegasi then sat together on the seat along the window, staring out at the rolling landscape. It was all bathed in the beautiful, luminous glows of Luna's moon, and the stars blanketing the sky above. Despite how fast the train was going, it still proved to showcase the beauty of the nighttime landscape. From the rolling hills, open fields, occasional water source, and the trees majestically jutting to the skyline.
Relaxing. That was likely the best way to describe this. Relaxing. Despite the mild edge of tension in the air, it was all nothing short of comforting relaxation.
“So...you...feeling okay, Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash finally said, breaking the silence that she felt went on for too long. Not that she didn't like her share of quiet moments, the feeling of unease had been eating at her stomach. She needed something to be able to feel that Fluttershy wasn't somehow upset with her.
“Huh?” Fluttershy was mildly startled, but she nodded in response. “Oh...um, yes...I'm fine. ...Um....are you...okay?”
Rainbow Dash nodded a bit, looking at her at the corner of her eye, but then back out at the rolling landscape. “Yeah, I'm fine. Like I said, still a little wired up from everything. But yeah, you know, everything's fine, so that's good.”
“...Yes, that's true,” Fluttershy quietly agreed. “I'm glad,” she smiled a bit.
“...Me too,” Rainbow Dash murmured in response. “I guess...you had fun at the reception, huh?”
“Well...” Fluttershy hesitated in her response, but then nodded. “Absolutely. Parties...and wedding parties aren't really for me, but... It was very lovely, a lot of fun. I even got to see some animal friends...it was nice to really make it up to them...” She smiled at the thought.
A little smile crossed the cyan Pegasus' face as she nodded in agreement. She couldn't help but just feel a little lighter at the sweetness of Fluttershy's moment there.
“And I'm very happy for Twilight's brother, Shining Armor...and Princess Cadance,” Fluttershy went on. “It's wonderful that they found love in each other, and were able to finally be together...after such tough times...”
“Yeah, I...guess that's true,” Rainbow Dash agreed. “Kinda like a happy ending.”
“Yes...a happy ending,” Fluttershy gave a smile, looking toward her. “How about you? Did you have fun?”
“Well, duh! Of course I did!” Rainbow Dash broke out in a half-hearted grin. “Nothing beats having Vinyl Scratch being the DJ there!”
“...I....saw you dancing with Soarin', too...good for you, Rainbow,” Fluttershy turned her head to look out the window again as she said this, her voice dropping a little.
“Heh, thanks! It was awesome to dance with one of my idols!” Rainbow Dash grinned a little more.
“Woohoo...” Fluttershy said softly.
The two Pegasi were silent once more as they gazed out to the landscape rushing by them beyond the window. Their gazes, as reflected, were something to be unreadable, yet thoughtful, as they felt themselves lost in their thoughts.
Especially in regards to each other.