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// Dashing to Fluttershy 
// Story: State of the Ship 
// by peacevic 
//------------------------------//

Dashing to Fluttershy

"Well? I'm still waiting," Rainbow Dash urged.
The polychromatic pegasus strafed back and forth in Scootaloo's living room, impatience growing with each wingbeat. She very clearly wasn't appreciating having to stay cooped up inside on a beautiful sunny day, and indeed she had barely tolerated Scootaloo's suggestion that they move inside (away from the eyes and ears of potential customers) in the first place.
For her own part Scootaloo sat on the floor with her hind legs crossed, in a position she'd seen Zecora assume before. Many in town thought the zebra was pretty wise, the little orange pony included, and Scootaloo hoped a few scraps of that wisdom would tumble her way if she stole a move or two. Rainbow Dash was being exceptionally difficult.
Unfortunately, any incoming wisdom was being intercepted by Scootaloo's obsessing over that darn sandwich in the kitchen. She had seen it as she walked in, and accompanying the sight was a memory of feeling she was forgetting something at the party. With a twinge of embarrassment Scoots realized Rainbow Dash must've seen it as well. How could she not have thrown it away?
"Patience, Rainbow Dash." Scootaloo said, with a vaguely mystical hoofwave for added effect. "For shipping is an art, and you can not rush art. If you do, all you will receive is a rushed result. Imperfect. Lackluster. Like your previous pairing."
"'An art.' Really?" Rainbow Dash's deadpan betrayed her enduring state of unconvincedness.
Scootaloo nodded. "The truest art."
"Never really been an art fan. Guess I'll just go..."
The speedster's spoken shrug shattered any hope Scootaloo had of playing for time. "Wait, Rainbow Dash! It's Fluttershy, okay? Your best match is Fluttershy."
"Really, Scootaloo?" Rainbow Dash groaned. "Fluttershy?"
"Of course! An answer so obvious, it looped all the way around to being completely mysterious," Scootaloo affirmed.
Rainbow Dash just stared nonplussedly.
"Just think about how perfect it is. You've known each other for a long time- you practically grew up together! You've been protective of her since flight camp, and everypony knows protective feelings always develop into romantic ones. Like all my books say! She's sweet, and kind, and perpetually supportive of you. Doubters gonna doubt, but even the doubtiest of doubting downers couldn't deny how immensely awesome this pairing is!" Her declaration finished, Scootaloo took a bow and collapsed. Shipping could get really tiring sometimes, and that one had taken a lot out of her.
Rainbow Dash landed in front of Scootaloo and cupped her face like a mob-pony. "Scootaloo, listen to me. I absolutely have nothing against same-sex relationships, but that isn't what I want. I am not looking for a marefriend."
Scootaloo silently cursed the shipping gods for sending her such an unreasonable first client.