"I can't expect you to understand this, V, but... like..." Rainbow Dash sighed. "It's been so very long since I... y'know..."
"Uh huh..."
The petite pegasus looked down at her glass. "I just don't know if I actually can. I mean... pfft... sure I can. But building up the nerve?"
"We're in Las Pegasus," Vinyl said, sipping. "Ponies who congregate here have lost their 'nerve' ages ago. I doubt you should have much to be self-conscious of."
"Right. Guess you do have a point." Rainbow nodded into the glittery aura of the place. She turned to squint at her drinking companion. "Even still... maybe I'm better off not trying."
Vinyl shrugged. "Nopony's forcing you."
"It... seems so stress inducing for no reason."
"Although I've been told it's a good way to relieve stress."
Rainbow smirked. "Or maybe I could just try eternal abstinence. Like you."
"Hey, if you wish, all the better." Vinyl cleared her throat. "But... I dunno, Rainbow."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Vinyl's lips tightened. "I've never known a pony more desperate for cuddles than you."
"Not even Caramel?"
"Caramel could ask for cuddles any day and she'd get them. But you? You gotta fight for that stuff. You want so desperately to be loved, and yet you feel as though you have to earn it. So—let's say you decided to swear off romance and intimacy forever. Would you really be meaning it? Or would it just be another weird, nebulous, roundabout way of punishing yourself?"
"Gnnngh..." Rainbow face-hoofed. "Now you're starting to confuse me."
"All I'm saying is that you shouldn't go against who you are."
"But you're suggesting that who I am is pretty unhealthy."
"Well..." Vinyl exhaled. "Certain frailties aside, I'm saying that you shouldn't swear off being with other mares entirely if that is what you know inside your heart will make you feel most fulfilled. Just... learn to lighten up." She squinted. "Stop aiming for setting suns on the horizon. Steer for the lighthouses along the shore. For all we know, they might lead you to warmer waters... safer waters."
Rainbow sighed. "I can tell you're trying to coach me positively, but... you really don't have to try so hard, Vinyl. I know I'm a pretty hopeless case."
"I don't feel hopeless around you, Rainbow," Vinyl said. "In fact, none of the girls do."
"You really think so?"
"Something about you inspires confidence... and the courage to strive against all odds," Vinyl said. "It's just a shame that you feel as though you have to fight for everything that you richly deserve."
"Yeah, well, it's my own fault for desiring the impossible."
"Rainbow, you could have had the 'impossible' ages ago if you only allowed yourself."
Rainbow bit her lip.
Vinyl took the last sip of her drink and rested a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. "But let's not dwell on that. Choices have been made. Paths have been paved. It's time to move on. And I think—and I'm pretty sure you would agree—that warmth and companionship is what you have awaiting for you in the future. It's just a matter of finding out who."
"Uh huh..." Rainbow sighed. "And in the meantime?"
Vinyl smiled. "I don't think it'd hurt you to get a bit of exercise... ya feel me?"
"Yeah, I feel you," Rainbow muttered. "Friggin' glad I wasn't getting advice from Lyra, or else I'd be sandwiched in the middle of an entire hoofball team by now."
"Thanks. And now I feel like vomiting."
"Heheh..."