The door to Carousel Boutique opened.
Rarity looked out, and her eyes immediately brightened. "Rainbow Dash!"
"Hey." Rainbow Dash lightly shoved a parcel through the open door and lifted a clipboard. "Would you mind signing here?"
"Where have you been, darling?" Rarity stammered. "Today was... erm..." She fidgeted. "There was an awards ceremony, Rainbow. Did... did you not get the invite?"
"I've got a bunch of packages left to deliver." Rainbow waved the clipboard. "Rarity, would you mind?"
"Oh... uhm..." Rarity's eyes fluttered. "But of course." She levitated the sheet and drew her name on the bottom of it. "I must say. I'm awfully worried, darling. What's so important that you couldn't attend the Mayor's ceremony?"
"I've got a lot of work to do, is all."
"Yes, but even that—"
"Need to keep to my promises. Sure you understand."
"I... suppose so..." Rarity bore a crooked smile. She levitated the clipboard back. "Well, in any case, Rainbow, goddess-speed."
"Mmmhmmm." Rainbow turned tail and trotted back to her chariot. She tossed her clipboard in.
Cl-Clank! The clipboard landed hard. The chariot was completely empty at that point.
Nostrils flaring, Rainbow attached herself to the wagon, flapped her wings, and took off.
Half an hour later, relieved of her work apron and wagon, Rainbow Dash sat on the rooftop of the Banner Guild warehouse.
She sighed, hugging herself and staring lethargically across the lengths of Ponyville.
Off in the distance, Sugarcube Corner lingered bright and beaming in the sunlight.
Rainbow blinked.
A few bright figures with familiar coat colors lingered around the front entrance. They faced one another, and the air shook with the familiar sound of laughter, distant and dwindling.
Rainbow clenched her jaws shut. She closed her eyes, exhaled, and flapped her wings.
Picking herself up, Rainbow hovered in the air above Banner Guild. She turned around, sweeping Ponyville with her eyes. At last, her eyes fell upon a familiar sight. With a dull expression, she drifted northeast, heading towards the front windows of a bar just as its lights were flickering on.