//------------------------------// // Talking Pegasus Syndrome // Story: Appledashery // by Just Essay //------------------------------// "Well, that went well, don't you think?" Fluttershy said, flying away from Sugarcube Corner under a warm sunset. "Everypony was perfectly on board." "Yeah... heheh..." Rainbow's hooves wriggled left and right as she glided slow, lazy circles around her friend. "Not sure why I ever doubted." "They're our friends, Rainbow Dash," Fluttrshy remarked, smiling. "What's there to doubt?" "Just... wasn't sure if everyone would be enthusiastic about it or not." Rainbow shrugged in mid-air. She squinted against the blowing winds. "Am I that out of touch, Flutters? That I've forgotten how much we all like... to have fun?" "If your life's turned more serious, Rainbow, that's nothing to be ashamed of," Fluttershy said. "But you can still relax with us. You can count on us for that." "Yeah. Guess I can." Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. "Wow... how snazzy. A weekend of camping with my best buds... plus Trixie." A cheekish laugh. "Heheh." "Well, it could be a weekend. Or it could be the middle of a week." Fluttershy shrugged. "One way or another, we'll get to hang out together like real friends..." A slight fidget. "...plus Trixie." "Ah jeez..." Rainbow grimaced suddenly. "What if it can't work for some reason?" She gulped, looking over at Fluttershy. "What if none of us c-can clear our schedule for it in time?" "Then we'll work out another thing for us to do together at a later date." "But... but what if it's too late even for that?" "Rainbow Dash..." Fluttershy leaned over, nuzzling her friend in mid-flight. "It's okay. It's not like anyone's friendship is going to run dry if we can't make a get-together work sooner." She smiled gently. "Honestly. Heehee... when did you get so anxious?" Rainbow Dash shuddered. She gazed down at the darkening treetops while brushing her bangs back. "I guess I've been... flying the skies by myself for too long. More or less." She gulped. "I miss being around you guys... being around other ponies. Showing off." Her nostrils flared. "I'm at my best when I'm showing off." "I think you're at your best all the time, Rainbow," Fluttershy said. "Maybe you just feel more confident when showing off." Rainbow blinked. She looked aside, eyes narrow. Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. "What?" "When... like... did we switch sides?" "I'm afraid I don't understand." Rainbow sighed, then smiled into the dimming west horizon. "Neither do I. And you know what? It's not so bad." "You've been by my side in times when I needed somepony the most, Rainbow," Fluttershy said. "Perhaps it was a long time ago. Maybe we were just fillies then." She shook her head. "But it doesn't matter to me. I owe you more than you can imagine. More than you know." "Fluttershy..." Rainbow sighed. "Your life is looking up 'cuz of Big Mac, not 'cuz of—" "I wouldn't have gotten here if it weren't for you, Rainbow," Fluttershy said. "And I'm thankful." Her eyes glistened in the last sliver of daylight. "Please... let me help you in return. Especially when I really... really wish to." Rainbow bit her lip. Her head hung slightly. "...you... you really think I'll get to catch up with her as well?" "Oh Rainbow, I know it," Fluttershy said. "Is that so hard to believe? After all, Applejack admires you." Rainbow Dash did a double-take. She flashed Rainbow a gaping expression. "She... she does?" "She's no longer biting your head off or grabbing you by your tail anymore, is she?" Rainbow blinked, then rolled her eyes. "Pffft... Fluttershy. Tolerance is not the same as admiration." "Still, you have to admit, the two of you were constantly at each other's necks for a while there. And... uhm..." A slight blush, accompanied by an amused smile. "...n-not in the good way." "What can I say?" Rainbow Dash shrugged. "She's strong. I'm... strong-ish. We both hate to lose. So... we butted heads." A slight grimace. "I'm... not too proud of it." "Why not?" Rainbow blinked at her. "You smoking something?" "I mean... sure, it may have been a bit awkward at first, uncomfortable, even. But... what better a way did you and Applejack have of measuring each other than doing so full-force? Without shame or regrets?" "Heh..." Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck. "Things did get a bit heated there for a while, didn't they?" "And at the Running of the Leaves—" "Please. Please." Rainbow face-hoofed, sighing. "...don't bring that up." "Still, you did learn fast. But even before that..." Fluttershy leaned her head to the side. "Did you think that the two of you would ever get along?" "I... guess it was a b-bit of a stretch." "And yet you made up. You became friends. The impossible happened." Fluttershy smiled, her eyes glinting. "So what's to doubt for the future?" Rainbow enjoyed a brief moment of rosy cheeks and glittery eyes. And yet, with a sigh, she returned to a calm pace of breath. "Thanks, Fluttershy. Really... but right now... I-I think I should just concentrate on being a good friend to her." "Oh?" Fluttershy looked at her. "Why just a friend?" "Call it my latest swing at earth pony mentality. Everything's gotta have a good soft bed, right?" "I... think I can get behind that analogy. Yes." "Well, let's say that... that I'm needing to work on my foundation with Applejack." Rainbow gulped. "And that starts at friendship. Cuz—if worse comes to worst—I want there to be something left behind... something that I can hold onto... and her as well." "Or... you know, Rainbow..." Fluttershy shrugged with a gentle smile. "You could aim for the best... because if anypony's capable of achieving the absolute best, it's you." "Maybe." Rainbow nodded. "If I cared only about myself." "Rainbow...?" "Let's not think of it as me settling for something less, Flutters," Rainbow said. "More than anything, I wanna give AJ my respect. So..." The softest of smiles. "Let's think of it as... me falling in love with Applejack all over again." A gentle exhale. "That shouldn't be too hard... right?"