//------------------------------// // The Malady of Veda // Story: Obligatory Post-Wedding SoarinDash Ship // by Cygnus //------------------------------// Dash fluttered back to her room, ecstatic that her suspicions had been proven false. Her sleuthing done for the day, she headed home to relax. However, panic soon rushed over her when she realized that Rarity had planned out her wardrobe for the entire week, and hadn’t brought any extra dresses. She couldn’t wear the one she wore at the wedding last night, and the rest were reserved for the multitude of royal events. Despite her typical manner, Rainbow Dash knew that she couldn’t go out to dinner with a Wonderbolt in Canterlot without anything to wear; this wasn’t Ponyville. She darted back to Canterlot Castle and rushed to the room Rarity was staying in. “Rarity!” Rainbow Dash burst through the door. Rarity was standing at a ponyquin, holding a ribbon over the collar, tilting her head, removing it and muttering to herself over and over. She didn’t even notice Dash’s loud intrusion. “Rarity! I need your help!” Without turning, Rarity continued to obsess over the ribbon’s placement on the collar of the dress. She spoke without hesistation, immediately after Rainbow Dash finished speaking. “Rainbow Dash, darling, whatever it is, I’m sure it can wait. I have a fashion dilemma on my hands.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Well, you’re about to have two fashion dilemmas on your hand. I have a dinner date with Soarin tonight and I need you to make me something to wear.” Rarity stopped, but then resumed her work. Working on the royal gowns had spoiled as of late, and the normally exciting opportunity just didn’t seem that interesting. Rarity opened her mouth to tell Dash that she just didn’t have the time, when another thought hit her. She put down the ribbon and whirled around at the pegasus. “Rainbow Dash... you’re going on a date?” Rainbow Dash got a little red in the face and folder her arms. “Well...” Rarity didn’t let her continue. “With Soarin? Like, Wonderbolt Soarin?” Rainbow Dash looked down in embarrassment. “...yes.” Rarity screamed loud enough to startle Rainbow Dash into the air for a moment, but when the shock wore off, she had an annoyed look on her face. “What, is it really such a big deal?” Rarity’s initial shriek had turned to giggling. She turned back to Dash with her hooves folded in front of her. “No... it’s... great...” Rarity struggled to find the words she sought. “I think you two would make a great couple it’s just...” Rainbow Dash stared back at Rarity. “It’s just...” “What?” “I kind of... always assume you were...” Rainbow Dash groaned. She’d gotten it her entire life. Rarity thought she was a fillyfooler. Frankly, there wasn’t a pony in Ponyville that’d caught her interests, and the infrequent encounters she did have with colts usually took place with old friends in Cloudsdale. She couldn’t really fault Rarity for making the assumption; Dash liked to keep her private life private. Not to mention, Ponyville was mostly Earth ponies, and while she certainly wasn’t a pegasupremicist, she was typically only attracted to fellow winged-ones. Rainbow Dash sighed to herself and turned her attention back to Rarity. “No, I’m not a fillyfooler. I’m not offended though, you’re really not the first person to think it. Hay, back in flight school, I once had a friend set me up on a date with a colt I’d never met before just to prove to the other foals that Gilda and I weren’t a couple.” Rarity laughed, glad that Rainbow Dash hadn’t been upset her false presumption. “Really? How did it turn out?” Rainbow Dash thought for a few moments before delivering her response. “I don’t really want to get into it right now, I’ll tell you another time,” Dash began. “Still, I gotta say, the colt that my friend set me up with was one hay-of-a handsome pony.” Rarity laughed again before sitting Rainbow Dash down on a couch at the foot of her canopy bed. Rarity seems right at home in Canterlot, Rainbow Dash thought to herself. Rarity took a seat herself and began petting her cat Opal. “So Rainbow Dash, you must tell me how this all happened! I saw the two of you dancing and then leave together; he asked you out when he dropped you home?” A sly smile crept over Rainbow Dash’s face. “Well... maybe he didn’t drop me home...” Rarity appeared to forget to breathe for a moment. She even stopped petting Opal, which prompted a kitty-swipe back into reality. “Rainbow Dash you... you...” “I spent the night. Yeah. We didn’t rut though. Came close. Would’ve. Unlucky.” Rarity looked confused as she responded to this unexpected development. “So... what... you guys just... cuddled all night?” “No, we drank, and then we cuddled, and then... we might’ve done a little more.” Rarity began to ask Rainbow Dash for further details when Dash cut her off. “I know what you’re going to ask, and lets just say Soarin was a lucky pony last night. I was feeling generous; he slept a little better than I did.” Rarity nodded in understanding. “Listen, we can talk all about this Rarity, I promise you, but right now I need a dress. Something cool, but hot, and easily removable.” Rarity gave Dash a disapproving look before the two started laughing. “I’m sorry to laugh Rainbow Dash, I just never imagined you wanting to get dressed up and impress a colt.” “I don’t really care about dressing up, I just want to look presentable enough to go out to dinner. Even though in all honesty I wish we could order in and get the ruttin’ faster.” Rarity was slightly taken aback. “Rainbow Dash... I never... Still, Soarin is a cute pony; how old is he?” “Not much older than me, he was born four days after the Summer Sun Solstice in the time of the sixth sun, so he’s... six years older than me?” Rarity giggled at Dash’s fanboyism; she doubted that had come up naturally in conversation. She turned her attention to her closet and began to trot towards it. “Well Rainbow Dash, the truth of the matter is, it’s entirely ridiculous to think I can make a dress for you between now and dinnertime.” Dash slumped to the ground disappointed, and Rarity continued. “However, I have two extra dress for each pony, Celestia-forbid something were to happen to the originals. We used the first extra after the initial dressed got ruined during the disaster, but I have another one here that’ll be perfect!” Rarity pulled out a dress. It was a little too... regal for a casual night out, so she took off the head-dress section, and removed some veiled layers. A few moments later, the dress had transformed from a regal bridesmaid-type gown to a more casual “night out on the town” dress. It was pearlescent silver, and extremely elegant. Rainbow Dash looked infinitely pleased. “Rarity... thanks so much for this one. I really appreciate it.” “It’s no trouble at all. I must ask, where are you eating tonight?” Rainbow Dash paused again. She hadn’t thought about it. Earlier that morning, Soarin had told her to make a reservation at any restaurant she wanted; not really a typical move, but Soarin was obviously busy today, and she could respect the fact that he wanted to dedicate his time to his son rather than making dinner reservations. “I... haven’t decided. Soarin told me I could call anywhere and name-drop the Wonderbolts and we’ll be seated.” Rarity shrieked again. “You must go to the Stablehouse; Fancypants is a part owner and he took me there when I was here a few months ago buying materials. Everypony who’s anypony will be there tonight, and you guys will have a great time! It’s a great place to be seen.” “I don’t know... Soarin might not want to go someplace so high profile...” Rarity sensed apprehension in Dash’s voice. “Oh please darling, he’s a showpony, he’s used to it. And you don’t mind the attention. In fact, I think the idea of it has you excited already.” “Well... I guess...” “Think about it; it’ll give Soarin a chance to show off. Colts tend to be silly and clumsy, it’ll help if you set him up to impress you.” “Well... I guess you’re right. I’ll stop at Twilight’s room on the way back and have Spike make the reservation.” Rarity seemed pleased. “I’m very glad. I hope you have a great time; it’s a fantastic place.” Rainbow Dash gave Rarity and uncharacteristic hug and began to exit the room. However, just before she reached the door, she glanced back at Rarity. “Hey Rarity... is there something going on between you and Fancypants?” Rarity sat down and sighed. “He... he likes me, but... I just don’t know. He’s so much older than me. He’s almost twice my age. Don’t get me wrong he’s a genuinely nice stallion, it’s just...” Rainbow Dash immediately regretted asking. “Well, I don’t know, we’re just from such different places and I don’t know if I could keep up with all the events and parties and appearances and drama, and-” Rainbow Dash escaped out the door without Rarity noticing, stopped by Twilights and had spike take the reservation before heading back to her room. Spike informed her that Pinkie had made a reservation there earlier that evening, which perplexed Dash a little bit. She know it was a little ironic for her of all ponies to find it uncharacteristic for Pinkie to be going out to a fancy dinner, but Pinkie never ceased to surprise. She looked forward to seeing her later; Pinkie was one of Rainbow Dash’s closest friends, and she was always a good time. She returned to the wing she was staying in, forced to walk as she’d locked her bedroom window upon leaving. The guard at the entrance waved her through the gates and she fluttered up the steps to the top floor where she was staying. As she closed her bedroom door behind her, Dash saw the door to Soarin’s room across the hall. Without hesitation, she closed and relocked her door before trying his doorknob. The door slid open and Rainbow Dash walked in and closed the door behind her. She walked into the kitchen and checked the fridge. There wasn’t much, two apple pies Applejack had given him earlier, some lemonade, a few bottled ciders and some chocolate. The only other place to check was his bedroom. She searched through his drawers and nightstand. Other than some vitamins and a tiny bag of salt, there was nothing all that incriminating. At least, nothing that bothered her. Satisfied everything was alright, she put everything back the way it was, returned to her room and plunked down on her cloud bed. She was asleep in minutes, exhausted from her afternoon of spying and planning. She’d nap for now, wake up, shower, and then head to dinner with Soarin, and she slept soundly, sleep slowly drowning out her excitement.