5 years after the epilogue of 'Winter's Howl' we follow the story of Rainstorm
Rainstorm loves his family, and all life has to offer, but as the curses of realism, lust and life slowly transform innocence to maturity, he must find his consolation in friends, family, and love.
A simple song, of flowing notes, A scholar's words, a prophet's quotes The picture perfect, art abstract Tell me how I'm supposed to act.
Tell me what should be a guide, Tell me how to feel inside. Tell me what's the greatest cure, Tell me how to become pure.
I've lost my way, I've gone off course My soul is rough, my heart is coarse. So tell me what's the greatest way To feel like I did yesterday?
I only want to have it back That innocence, a worry lack But now I have to make a choice And then I have to find my voice.
Rainstorm stared at the poetry before him. It felt...good. Good to release the feelings. Good to let his emotions flow onto parchment. It was just an english class assignment, but Rainstorm had taken to poetry like a ring to a bell.
Originally it had sounded so dumb. Originally it sounded like a waste of time and good parchment. He couldn't believe his ears when Cheerily said it. Poetry? A unit in school? For Colts?! I mean, Celestia, colts weren't all gushy and romantic. Colts are big and strong! Colts don't worry about silly little things like poetry...right? Besides, I'm almost full grown! I'll be a stallion soon!
But there it was, a scroll and quill, adorning his flank. It had originally appeared years ago, and stemmed from a simple assignment. The students of Miss Cherilie's third grade class were to write a story. About anything they wanted, as long as they wanted. It just had to be over a page, and have a plot.
Well...The next morning and 32 pages later Rainstorm drug himself to school, exhausted from the lack of sleep. So exhausted, that it wasn't until he shuffled, eyes half open, into the school house and heard the synchronized gasp from his classmates that he realized his mark now adorned his flank. He was the first in his class to find his mark, and his calling.
That didn't mean he'd found his purpose, nor his way nor his guide. No, it was simply something he was good at and liked to do. Nothing more.
Rainstorm released the quill from his mouth, picked up his poem and re-read it. It sounded so dark to him, and a little unnerving to know it came from his own mind.
No, mind wasn't right. Math problems came from his mind. Essays came from his mind. This was coming from somewhere...deeper.
He sighed, I really wish I didn't have the inspiration...
A familiar voice called from down the stairs, "Rainstorm! Dinner's ready!"
"Alright, mom!" He called back, shuffling his papers so that the poetry was buried underneath the dullest of algebra.
Rainstorm pondered to himself why he even hid it. It wasn't like his parents went snooping around in his room...
As far as he knew...Rainstorm swallowed.
Meandering down the stairs, his mother, and the dinner table came into view. Her rainbow mane hid her face from his sight as she leaned over the table, releasing mashed potatoes from her teeth.
Rainbow Dash whipped her head around to call for her son again, "RAINST-oh...you're here...heh, sorry."
Rainstorm chuckled, "It's cool mom. Where's dad?"
"STILL IN THE KITCHEN!" A voice called from around the corner.
Rainstorm peaked his head around the wall, just in time to see his father opening the oven, allowing the succulent odor of roast carrots to drift through the house.
Rainstorm adopted a hungry grin, "Mmmm, smells great dad!"
"Mfmhmfm!" The grey pegasus answered, a tray of carrots still in his mouth. Turning to the stove top, he carefully set down the tray, then spit the hot pad from his lips. "Thanks! New recipe! From your grandmother, she used to make it better than anypony!" Snowstorm looked skeptically at the tray, "Hopefully I remade it half as well as she could."
"Ah, I see. Why can't grandma make this anymore?" Rainstorm raised an eyebrow at the dish, "Doesn't look that hard..."
"Well, she probably can, but cutting carrots is hard on an old neck like hers." Snowstorm grinned at his son, "...Heh, bet she'd make it for you if you offered a neck rub."
"...Pass."
Rainstorm's father chuckled, "Thought so."
Rainbow's voice called from the dining room, "Snowstorm? Is dinner almost ready?"
The grey pegasus groaned, rolling his eyes, "Yes, dear." then proceeding to mumble, "I still don't get why I'm always the chef..."
Rainbow trotted into the room, a deadpan expression on her face, "I heard that. Remember the orange juice?"
Snowstorm paused, then nodded in recollection, "Ah...right. I still don't understand how you did that...twice."
Rainstorm blinked, "Is that why for my breakfast in bed on the first day of school I was served toast, eggs, and water?"
Rainbow coughed into her hoof, before scratching the back of her neck, eyes inspecting the kitchen floor "...maybe."
Rainstorm laughed before heading to the dinner table.
Rainbow walked up to Snowstorm before planting a kiss on his cheek, running a hoof through his black and blue mane, "Thanks for making dinner babe."
Snowstorm's icy blue eyes rested on the pile of oven meal boxes crammed into the garbage can, "heh...no problem."
Rainbow raised an eyebrow, and allowed her eyes to follow his, finding the oven meal boxes, "Mom's old recipe, huh?" she asked, mildly amused.
"Unfortunately, yes."
Rainbow laughed, "so that's why your guy's cooking always tasted so similar."
Snowstorm did his best to dawn a blank expression, standing tall and broad "eeeyyup."
Rainbow gently punched his shoulder, "Oh, at least he makes his food."
"I make it! Just...not from scratch...but I add love! That counts for something, right?" A large hopeful grin spread across Snowstorm's face.
"Only if it makes me start to 'love' your 'cooking'," Rainbow remarked, before allowing her expression to soften "ah...I wonder if Scootaloo has picked up any of those boxes and made them for herself? That'd be a rude awakening."
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. She may have her sponsors, but she's still going to college, so she doesn't have much of a budget. And I do at least get the high-end oven box food."
"Hah! Didn't know it came in a quality other than 'mediocre'." Rainbow remarked before picking up the tray of carrots in her teeth and carrying them to the table. After setting them down gently, Rainbow and Snowstorm sat down, where Rainstorm was patiently waiting, not a bite on his plate.
"Where in Equestria did you get good table manners?" Rainbow asked, "It sure wasn't from us..."
Snowstorm chimed in, looking somewhat hurt, "Hey, I have decent manners!"
"Snowstorm, I love you dearly, but you remember that movie, 'A Hearthwarming's Story'?"
"Yeah?" Snowstorm raised an eyebrow while serving himself food from around the table.
"And the kid, the younger brother?"
"Uh-huh?" Snowstorm set his plate down on his placemat.
"Remember how he ate?"
"Oh yeah!" Snowstorm exclaimed, his face growing bright before being slammed directly into his plate, making as many snorts, snorfs, and wharr-garbles as he possibly could whilst feasting on potatoes.
Rainbow sighed, "'nuff said."
Rainstorm watched the entire scene unfold, silent. After his father had finally ceased to eat like a foal, he squinted his eyes while looking at his father,
An irritated and malevolent scream quickly shooed a flock of birds from the second story window of a Ponyville cottage. Celestia's sun shined proudly upon the sleepy lanscape, warmth and light seeping into the windows of various homes and dins. Light twinkled off glistening dewdrops and a barely visible mist hovered over the grassy landscape. Soft, rolling breezes lulled creatures from restful sleep and swayed violet flowers in synchronized dance with the song of early birds.
Truly, a beautiful spring morning.
To those who enjoyed 8 am mornings.
Those who enjoyed 8 am mornings were not usually surly teenage colts.
On a Saturday.
Rainstorm grumbled as he shifted his weight around his bed, re-wrapping himself in a cocoon of sheets and comfort.
No...No I'm not already awake. I can just go back to sleep. I'm still tired. I can still sleep in. If I can just... he shifted in his sheets, get... more ruffles, throwing himself face first into his pillow, various shades of blue mane sprawling about his head, back to... a low, muffled groan came from inside the pillow,
"Buuuuccckkk..."
Rainstorm unwrapped himself from his sheets and rolled out of his bed. Rubbing his eyes with his hooves, he took a forlorn glance at the clock beside him. It read 8:03.
Rainstorm's brain began its booting-up process. After alleviating his bladder, it decided to start with hunger, I wonder if dad made breakfast?
Rainstorm flapped his wings slowly and began to glide downstairs. After reaching the kitchen, he took in the painful sight of an empty room.
No breakfast...nopony's even up yet...of course, why would mom and dad get up, its beautiful out.
Snowstorm opened the kitchen icebox and analyzed his breakfast options.
Let's see...we have, eggs, milk, orange juice (pre-made)... He glanced at the pantry, cereal, bread, grits, oatmeal...Aright, out of all of this, what can I actually make..?
cold cereal, cold cereal, cold "Buck this."
Rainstorm hovered back upstairs, turning down the hall and approached his parents' room's door.
Pounding his hoof repeatedly against the door, he managed a raised voice, combined with an irritated (and rather pathetic) whine, "Daaaaddd...make me fooooodddd!"
Silence.
"Daaadddd!!!"
"Rainstorm I swear to Celestia if you make me stop making out with your mother for one more second I am going to shove my hoof knee-deep up where the sun-don't-shine."
"OH LUNA DAMN IT! TMI DAD!!!! TMI!!!" Rainstorm shouted through a grimace, shooting away from his parents' room.
Rainbow rolled over with sleepy eyes, admiring her husband, laying peacefully across from her, "Well that was clever."
"What? I like sleep. He can eat his Wheatios or whatever." Snowstorm mumbled.
"True...but guess what?" Rainbow asked with a sly grin.
"You...really do want to make out?" Snowstorm asked, a hopeful glisten in his now-wide eyes.
Rainbow gave a deadpan expression, "With your morning breath? I don't think so."
Snowstorm raised an eyebrow, "Then...what?"
"Our son woke me up early on a day we don't have to work."
"And..?"
"And your wife is hungry."
"...buck." Snowstorm rolled out of bed and scratched the back of his skull with a hoof before standing and dragging himself across the room in a semi-conscious haze.
"Two eggs, sunny-side up please!" Rainbow grinned.
"I know what to do."
Snowstorm slowly walked downstairs to see his son eating a bowl of Wheatios and milk, reading the back of the box for the 17th time. However, from the scrutinizing squint on his face, one may almost suspect fascinating, controversial literature was scrawled on the box.
"Guh...Morning Rainstorm..."
"Dad? I thought you were..."
"You woke your mother up. Now she wants breakfast."
"But you said..."
"And it kind of worked."
Rainstorms confused expression remained for a few seconds before realization dawned on him with a drawn out "ah..." and a nod of his head, before returning to his fascinating box literature.
Snowstorm sighed as he opened the ice box, pulling out a carton of eggs with his teeth. Opening his cupbord, he pulled out a small metal pan. After lighting the stove Snowstorm returned to ht carton off eggs and opened them with a flick of his nose.
Gripping the egg between two hooves he cracked the egg of the side of the skillet and allowed the gloppy insides to fall into the pan beneath him with a sizzle.
"So what are you up to today kiddo?"
"I thought I'd just spend the day hanging out with Pound and Pumpkin, see what there up to."
"Sounds like a plan. Your mom and I are going to be spending the day at home."
"...Will it be safe to come home?"
"I'm making her breakfast in bed...so probably not."
Rainstorm rolled his eyes, "Great..."
"Heh, you asked." Snowstorm flipped the finished egg out of the pan with a graceful flick of his neck, landing on a conveniently placed plate. "When are you headed out?"
"As soon as possible, with this newfound knowledge." Rainstorm scooted backwards out of his chair, creating a low vibrating noise as it scrapped against the hardwood floor.
Trotting across the room, Rainstorm wrapped his hoof around the doorknob and opened the door before heading into the fresh morning air. He inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet smell of the morning dew mixing with fresh cut grass and rain. His eyes glistened as he admired the waking village. It had been a while since he got up before the full hustle and bustle of the town. It was an interesting sight, tired ponies setting up stands to sell various goods and foods. Birds flew through the sky, singing a morning melody, helping to bring the semi-conscious entrepreneurs to full vitality. A smile spread across his face,
Snowstorm flipped the second egg onto his plate, before pouring a glas of orange juice and loading the plate onto his back. Carefully balancing the tray of food, Snowstorm ascended to his room, ready to greet his wife with breakfast in bed, and a whole day to themselves.
His beautiful wife.
His beautiful,
sexy...
sleeping wife.
Snowstorm groaned as he placed the trey of food on an end table and crawled back into bed with Rainbow.
She looked so peaceful when she slept, the full spectrum of colors flowing gracefully over her head, her mouth slightly agape and eyes restfully closed, hiding gorgeous maroon eyes from behind sky-blue eyelids. Her wings, folded gently to her side, as that of a resting angle.
Snowstorm smiled softly, stroking Rainbow's mane, whispering, "You are so beautiful..."
"BURP"
Snowstorm blinked.
"And that's what I think of that." Rainbow remarked with a still close-eyed grin.
Rainstorm took inhaled deeply through his nostrils, closing his eyes and taking in the sweet scent of the waking town around him. He exhaled with a sigh, opening his eyes and taking in all of the sights the town had to offer. It truly was a beautiful morning, and there was a promising day ahead.
Ok, what's the first stop? Pound and Pumpkin are probably home...but I don't know if they're awake yet...
The answer to his question came in the form of a bounding, pink, bubbly mare, being followed by a rather drowsy looking unicorn, and an irritated pegasus.
"Hey Rainstorm! How are you doing this morning isn't this weather just B-E-A-utiful? I mean, I got up this morning and thought, 'Wow, what a great day for baking!' am I right? but nooo Mr. and Miss grumpy flank over here kept insisting wee wasted this day sleeping and I mean come. on. Sleeping? Can you believe it?!" the pink mare managed to ask, all in one breath.
Rainstorm blinked, "Um...no? I mean, kinda...I...uh...good morning to you too, Pinkie." Rainstorm turned to his friends, who's eyes alone seemed to beg for a release. "Uh, do you need pound and pumpkin for baking?"
Pinkie paused, "Well...I guess not...do you need them for something? Are you guys going to play a game?! Omygosh can I play too?!" An enormous ear-to-ear grin spread across Pinkie's mouth at the mere mention of a game.
Rainstorm looked back at his friends, vigorously shaking their heads 'NO.', "Sure pinkie...we were gonna play...Hide and go seek!"
Pinkie rolled her eyes, "Psh...if you kiddies think you can compete with your Auntie Pinkie Pie in hide and go seek you have another thing coming. This one time Dashie tried to hide from me and she flew to the top of a mountain and inside a bell and I still found her easy! Oh and then this one time, with this Donkey I-"
"Ok...then how about you hide...and we'll seek?" Rainstorm asked, hopeful.
"Sure! Just give me 10 seconds! No peeking!"
Rainstorm smiled and nodded at his friends, before they proceeded to bury their eyes into their front forelegs.
10 seconds later, Rainstorm removed his front leg to find Pinkie had vanished. He turned to his friends, "So...how long before she gives up and comes looking for us?"
Pumpkin giggled, and answered with a bubbly tone, "We once kept it up for three days."
Rainstorm's jaw hung open, "Wha?! But...how...no food and...How did she pee?!" he finally decided on the most pertinent question in his mind.
Pound chuckled in a deep inflection, "We don't know, we never looked for her. She told us she hid inside a cactus."
Rainstorm gave a suspicious look, "But...there aren't any cactuses...cacti...whatever, in Ponyville."
"Yeah, we know," they answered in sync, "She went to Appeloosa," pumpkin followed.
Rainstorm's expression became unamused, "In 10 seconds?"
"Nah, we gave her 20 that time," Pound answered, completely serious.
"Oh...kay then. So, you guys want to hang today?"
"Sounds good to me!" Pumpkin answered with a smile, using a hoof to brush her orange mane from her face.
"Yeah, might as well. I'm already up anyway," Pound cake answered.
"Coach McIntosh doesn't want you for weight training today?" Rainstorm asked.
"Nah, we worked out pretty hard yesterday. Coach says you gotta have some time to let your muscles repair. Best way to get RIPPED." On 'ripped' Pound Cake proceded to flex every muscle in his body, causing his eyes and neck veins to protrude outward, in a generally unpleasant orgasm-like face.
"Right...Remind me again why you want to get 'RIPPED'?" Rainstorm gave a mock impression to Pound Cake's flex.
"Cause the fillies love a ripped stallion," Pound answered, waggling his eyebrows, "and, you never know when you're going to need to defend yourself."
Rainstorm raised an eyebrow, "...From?"
"...Things...which...require defending against, I don't know man, you're the smart one, you tell me."
Pumpkin and Rainstorm both gave Pound a look which could only be described as a 'what the hell, are you really that dumb?' face, before shaking there heads of the situation and turning to face each other.
Pumpkin spoke up, "Alright, well, since we're all together, what do you guys want to do?"
"I dunno, you wanna go check out that old clubhouse my sister left us?" Rainstorm asked.
"You mean your Aunt? And I dunno...aren't we a little old for clubhouses?" Pumpkin rebuttaled.
"Um...I guess. You guys just want to play tag or something?"
"Again, a little old for that?"
"Ok, who was the asshole who put up the social 'You must be this young to enjoy your life.' sign?!"
"I dunno...you wanna go watch a play?"
"Nah way sis, theatre is pretty gay." Pound answered defensively.
Rainstorm and Pumpkin turned to the burly pegasus beside them with questioning faces. "Since when did entertainment become associated with being gay?" Pumpkin asked.
"Since some guys on the team said so."
"Right...how about the record shop?" Rainstorm offered.
"Gay."
"Ice cream?"
"Gay."
"Ok...what isn't gay?" Rainstorm finally asked, annoyed with his friend.
"Hoofball and workin' out." Pound answered confidently.
"The two things you just listed envolve being tackled by or in the same room as tons of sweaty, groaning and grunting stallions." Rainstorm commented with a flat expression.
Pound squinted, "...What's your point?"
"Pound...do...do you even know what gay means?" Pumpkin asked gingerly.
He paused, "...Sorta."
"So you know it's a sexual thing, right?" Rainstorm raised an eyebrow.
Pound Cake nearly choked on his own tongue, reeling back a bit, "What?! I thought it meant...like...lame or something."
Rainstorm and Pumpkin simultaneously brought a hoof to their face, "No, man, it means when two colts are like, going out and stuff. Or two fillies."
"Oh...well what the buck does that have to do with any of that stuff?"
"I have no idea man, maybe your team needs to start wearing thicker helmets."
"Hah, not when you got a skull as thick as mine!" Pound proceeded to knock his head with a hoof a few times for emphasis.
"At least you can admit you're thick headed," Rainstorm sighed.
"Heh yeah...wait, what?"
"So! To the record store?" Rainstorm asked with a false grin.
"Sure, hopefully Vinyl won't mind us lurking too much, I don't have any bits."
"Well, she's always been cool about it in the past." Rainstorm commented as the trio began to wander towards the deep 'wub-wubs' coming from the local record store.
The trio of friends, Pound, Pumpkin, and Rainstorm trotted toward the Ponyville record store in no particular haste. As the shop became visible, the familiar thumping of bass could be heard, and soon, felt by the three eager ponies.
"Sounds like Vinyl's braking in some knew tracks..." Pumpkin commented, staring at the small, simple building before her.
"Yeah, I have a feeling I might have a bit of a headache when this is over..." Rainstorm added.
Rainstorm pushed open the door and heard the faint 'ding' of a bell beneath a rather repetitive house track playing in the background. The sight which greeted there eyes was...strange to say the least.
A disgruntled earth pony in a plaid shirt gave the White unicorn mare behind the counter and irritated grunt, "Look, I'm like, looking for this band, called 'The Wailing Honeybuckles' there like, this griffonland-beat band from Stalliongrad...you've probably never heard of them."
"If you don't think I've heard of them, why are you asking me about them?" The blue-maned unicorn asked with a blank expression.
He gave a snarky reply, "Because, you're the only record store in this little town."
The unicorn behing the counter brought a hoof up and pinched the bridge of her nose, before sighing, "Ok...then where did you get their last album?"
"At this big record store in Canterlot," He commented.
"Ok...why not go back there?" Vinyl asked, obviously agitated.
"No way...that place, is like, way too mainstream now. All they do is play Nicki Maneage and crappy pop stuff."
"Look, I don't have time for your hipster hierarchy human shit. What's on the shelves is what we got, either buy something, or get out." The mare finally answered in a decisive tone.
"Psh, whatever, like I need this crap." The stallion commented before shoving out the door, "I want a coffee."
There was an awkward moment of half silence, half techno beat before the mare once again spoke up, "Is he still here?"
"Uh, no Vinyl, he walked out a second ago..." Rainstorm answered.
Vinyl smiled, "Ah! Rainstorm, you're here! I was hoping you'd stop buy today actually, are your friends with you?"
"Yup." Pound answered shortly.
"Hey Vinyl!" Pumpkin added.
"Alright, cool you've got the gang here! There's something you guys gotta hear! Oh...how much of the whole deal with that colt did you see? I didn't really hear you come in..."
"About when he was asking about that weird band." Rainstorm answered.
"Great...so, most of it. Oh well, anyway, I really need your guys' opinion on this new genre that came in....it's really bizarre, I'm not sure if I like it yet."
Pumpkin giggled, "Ok, what's it called?"
"It's called 'Dubtrot'. The stallion who dropped it off said I should listen to it, and that it would explode pretty soon, but I need to know what the younger generation thinks before I invest."
"Alright, sounds good. Should we head to the back?" Rainstorm asked.
"Yup, I got the sound lab all set up," Vinyl answered with a smile, "thanks for helping me out you guys, I'll throw in some snacks and a free record as payment, deal?"
Rainstorm chuckled, "Deal. You need help getting to the back?"
Vinyl waved a dismissal hoof, "Nah, I know my way around by now, I've been wandering around in the dark for over a year now," her face dropped a bit.
Rainstorm quickly opted to change the subject, "If you say so. So what's so weird about this new music?" he asked while trotting behind Vinyl to the back of the store.
"Well...it's technological, but unlike the normal stuff, it's very...irregular."
"Huh. So, like, syncopated?" Rainstorm offered.
"Yeah...you could say that..." Vinyl replied as the four walked through the doorway separating Vinyl's "sound lab" from the rest of the store.
Rainstorm, Pound and Pumpkin all walked into the old recording booth, and plopped down on the beanbags inside. Vinyl magically pulled a chair closer to herself, and hovered a headset over her head, before speaking into the microphone.
"Alright guys, you ready?"
"Yup."
"uh-huh!"
"Fire when ready!"
"Alright, I'll get your guys' opinion after the song is done. VInyl hovered her magic over the spinning record...
The trio closed there eyes and nodded their heads as the beat became louder, clearer and stronger, a repetitive drum beat, along with a simple techno melody lulling the three into the song. Soon, a soft whisper came into the sound booth, a hushed voice singing sweet lyrics to the three ponies inside, messages of love, praise and admiration.
I could watch you for a lifetime You're my favorite movie A thousand endings You mean everything to me. I never know what's coming, Forever fascinated. Hope you don't stop running To me 'cause I'll always be waiting.
You are, a cinema, I could watch you forever, Action, Thriller, I could watch you for-e-e-ever, You are, a cinema, a hollywood treasure, Love you, just the way you are a cinema, a cinema
As the message repeated, Rainstorm opened his eyes, only to meet a stare from across the room. Pumpkin's deep blue eyes met his, only for a split second, before quickly darting away, scanning all over the room.
Her coat seemed a bit more red than usual...
Rainstorms thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a strange voice covering the repeating message, seeming to only spew gibberish in a tone which reminded him of a certain animal band that made an annoying annual appearance near Hearth's Warming.
And then, a voice gave a simple command.
D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D DROP THE BASS!
Rainstorm's eyes shot wide open, along with his two friends, all of whom looked at each other with confusion, and a look that could only be described as 'Is this really happening?'
The deep wubs and glitches of the song through the trio for quite a loop as they stood, raising an eyebrow at nothing in particular, simply taking in the noise.
"Sweet Celestia this sounds, I don't even know what this sounds like..." Rainstorm squinted, trying to accept the music, before a crescendoing trill physically made him cringe.
"OH CELESTIA IT'S LIKE THERE ARE TWO DRILLS IN EACH EAR, AND THEY'RE MEETING IN THE MIDDLE!!!" Pound cried, holding hoofs over his ears as his eyes crossed and rolled upward in pain.
Pumpkin rubbed her chin for a minute before adding her own input, "I...I kinda like it."
Rainstorm and Pound both looked at Pumpkin in shock, "WHAT?!"
"Yeah, you just gotta know how to listen to it..."
"There's more than one way?" Rainstorm asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Sure," Pumpkin smiled, "try to not follow, or predict it, just, headbang and let it kinda...guide you..."
CINEMA!
Rainstorm closed his eyes once again...ok...try not to understrand, just let it...guide you.
Soon his head began to nod with the almost hidden beat of the song, allowing the music to pull him this way and that, jumping in seemingly random directions. But soon, he felt the emotion, the power, and the guide of the song. The urge to move with it's direction, to shift at random without purpose or goal, but simply to stay moving. A power, a spirit, to move and to rebel, to listen simply because it still could shock him. Something new. Something different.
Stars spell out your name Like in a science-fiction drama Romance growing Like a flower in the summer You always keep me guessing forever my wo-on-der Hope you start undressing all my dreams until the end of
You are, a cinema, I could watch you forever, Action, thriller, I could watch you for-e-ever You are, a cinema, a hollywood treasure. Love you, just the way you are, a cinema, a cinema.
Once again the song began to build, the strange voice pushing the urgency of the crescendo, until finally a voice once again allowed the building pressure of the music to burst to burst,
D-D-D-D-D-D-DROP THE BASS!!
But this time Rainstorm saw it coming. He allowed his eyes to squeeze tightly shut as he began to whip his head back and forth, his blue mane flailing wildly in the process. This was something new, something which could move to, and something which could move him.
He looked over to see Pumpkin doing the same, a wild, rebellious grin spread across her muzzle, her eyes shut tight
Pound, on the other hand, seemed to be curled in a ball in the corner, muttering something about about a dinosaur raping a fax machine.
What a fax machine was, he wasn't sure, but he continued to flip his mane all around his head, allowing the strange combinations of headaches mx together in a rather... euphonious experience.
You are, a cinema, I could watch you forever, Action, thriller, I could watch you for-e-ever You are, a cinema, a hollywood treasure. Love you, just the way you are, a cinema, a cinema.
The song began to fade from the booth, slowly becoming more and more quite and distorted, until finally vanishing into silence.
Vinyl's voice came one over the speaker, "So, what'd you guys think?"
Vinyl heard the burst of the recording booth burst open and heavy hooves run out the store.
"So...Pound didn't like it..." Vinyl commented.
Pumpkin smiled, "Nope, but I did! I'm curious how he made it though."
Rainstorm nodded, "Same here."
"Huh, I didn't think about that. We'll I'm going to do a little more research, you two feel free to wander the store, pick out a record you like."
Pumpkin smiled, "Looks like it's just you and me for the rest of the day, huh Rainstorm?"
Rainstorm looked to Pumpkin, who wore an eager grin. He smiled back, "Yeah...sound good."
Chapter 5: It's not really...so much of a DATE as...uh
Rainstorm trotted out of Vinyl's record store, the newest album of "Daft Pony" in mouth, and turned to Pumpkin, trotting along side him. An older record of "The Beach Colts" hovered over her head, surrounded by an orange-cream glow.
"Sm whm dm ym wamma df tfdmy?" Rainstorm asked intelligently.
Pumpkin giggled, before picking up Rainstorm's album in her magic as well, causing Rainstorm to release a *ptoo*. "Sorry, didn't quite catch that?"
"Heh, right, I asked what you wanted to do today." Rainstorm replied with a smile.
"Oh, well we can head back to Sugar Cube Corner and pop these onto Pinkie's record player...sound good?"
"Sure," Rainstorm smiled, "will Pinkie let us use it?"
"I dunno," Pumpkin shrugged, "she's probably inside a tree in the Everfree right now, thinking we're looking for her."
"Right. I sorta feel bad about that..." Rainstorm stayed silent for a moment, before deciding to clarify, "sorta."
"Yeah, me too, but otherwise she would have made us slave around in the kitchen all day, so I'm pretty over it."
Rainstorm turned to the mare next to him, "Think Pound ran home?" he asked.
"Nah, probably went...I dunno to the gym or something." Pumpkin shrugged, "He normally tries to stay out of the house."
"Oh ok. What are your parents up to?"
"They're actually in Canterlot for the weekend, some sort of 'Cake Festival!!' I don't know..."
"And you didn't want to go with them?" Rainstorm asked.
"Do you see a cake on my flank?" Pumpkin asked, pointing a hoof to her cutie mark.
Rainstorm turned and admired the flute magically printed on her flank. It was a simplistic, silver flute with a strand of purple musical notes trailing out of it. Rainstorm wondered how this came to be her special talent, it certainly wasn't her namesake. But then again, he didn't exactly fit the bill either. His ability to turn regular clouds into full storm clouds within an instant was a talent he'd recognized early in life, and a talent his parents we're very excited about. But it wasn't his special talent. It was just...something he could do.
"*AHEM*" Pumpkin exaggeratedly cleared her throat, "I think that was quite enough time to just say "no" there Romeo."
Rainstorm instantly felt a deep blush was over him as his eyes quickly shot away from Pumpkin's flank. "Sorry, sorry, I was just thinking about how our cutie marks don't really match our namesakes..."
Pumpkin giggled, "Oh, so you weren't checking out my flank?"
Rainstorm nodded, "Right," then blinked, "Uh, not that, you know, you have a bad flank or anything, I mean...it's great! I...oh Celestia..."
Pumpkin lightly punched Rainstorm in the shoulder, "Relax, I'm just messin' with you. Anyway, here we are! Sugar Cube Corner!"
Pumpkin pushed open the door to the shop, which was still dim from the lack of lights from within the shop. Pumpkin continued to walk into the store, and up the stairs to the second floor of the building. Rainstorm followed behind, his blush still hot on his cheeks.
Sweet Celestia that was awkward as buck! I can't believe she would think I was starring at her haunches like that! I mean it's not like... Rainstorm looked up the stairs to find his face literally mere inches from...that. Not like I...Oh...yeah...I could, uh...I could watch that.
Pumpkin finally pushed open the door to Pinkie's room and stepped inside, "Looks like no pony's home..."
"Good." Rainstorm replied with no thought.
"And why is that good?" Pumpkin asked, smiling and raising an eyebrow.
Rainstorm paniked mildly and felt a quiet blush sneak upon his cheeks, "No reason...just...is."
Pumpkin rosened a little herself, but quickly turned and began walking directly toward the phonograph on Pinkie's end table. She levitated it up, set it on the ground, and carefully removed the two records from their sleeves before turning back to her friend, "So, what do you think? Which should we listen to first?"
"Uh..." Rainstorm suddenly found himself admiring the mare before him in a somewhat...different light...which also came along with his brain bringing up a blatant 'File Not Found' message when asked any question.
"Hello? Equestria to Rainstorm? You there?" Pumpkin waved a hoof in front of the inert stallion before her.
Rainstorm shook his head vigorously before facing pumpkin again, "Yeah, sorry, spaced out. Uh, anythings fine. You decide."
Pumpkin shrugged, "Allright, Beach Colts it is."
Pumpkin magically turned on the record player, placed the record on the turntable and let the needle fall. The room soon became filled with the synchronized voices of colts, singing songs of days of fun in the sun, swimming on the beach, and chasing the fillies they desired.
"You never told me how you got into 'The Beach Colts', what do you like about them anyway?"
Pumpkin brought a hoof to her chin, "Well, I've always loved summer the most out of any season, and that's what all there songs are about. It helps take me think I'm on the beach instead of boring old Ponyville."
Rainstorm chuckled, "You are the exact opposite of my dad, hates summer, loves winter."
"Well his name is SNOWstorm..." Pumpkin commented.
"Heh, yeah."
The pair sat, in silence, laying on the floor, relaxing and simply listening to the happy, uplifting tunes coming from the bell of the record player. After a while, Rainstorm sprawled out on the floor and continued to listen to the music, closing his eyes. He always felt a sense of euphoria when relaxed the way he was. Simply the music, nothing else to worry about, to focus or think about, just music. Rainstorm heard some shifting beside him, and without even bothering to open his eyes he quickly deduced it was merely Pumpkin getting comfortable. Rainstorm shifted to lay on his side, taking the strain of the hardwood floor off of his spine. The sudden feeling of hot breath in his face caused his eyes to open, with the sight of Pumpkin, either asleed or relaxing directly next to him. At some point she had walked from the other side of the record player and laid herself down next to him. He could feel Pumpkin's warmth radiating off of her body, and listened to the gentle rise and fall of her breath.
Wow...she looks...really pretty when she sleeps...
Pound cake slammed open the door and trotted in with heavy hoof steps, rambling, "Oh thank Celestia, There you guys are! I ran out of the record store to get away from that horrible racket that Vinyl called music and...what are you doing?"
Pumpkin and Rainstorm both bolted upright, a rosy hugh adorning there faces, "Nothing! Just listening to the new album! That we got from Vinyl! For free! Hah, she's nice isn't she? She's a nice mare...Nice mare, yup." Rainstorm quickly stated.
Pound retreated a few steps, "Ok...chill dude sorry a barged in on your little date."
"Oh, heh, it's not really...so much of a date as...uh..." Rainstorm mumbled,
"Yeah, you should be!" Pumpkin interjected.
"What?" Pound and Rainstorm commented.
"I mean, jeeze, don't you know how to knock?" Pumpkin added with wavering resolve, "W-we could have been making out!"
"What?!" The two stallions asked simultaneously.
Now or never Pumpkin...
"You know, like this!" Pumpkin abruptly took hold of Rainstorms head and spun it to face her. Pumpkins eyes glistened with uncertainty as she looked into Rainstorm's, her heart racing in her chest. Now or never...
Author's Notes Sweeeeeet Ce-les-ti-a it's been a week and a half! I built a steampunk victrola, traveled all over the state looking at colleges, got rounded up by townies, crashed a college party, stole a blow-up doll and then this one guy with a chicken...ah you guys don't care about my shenanigans. Anyway, I'm back, and I'm getting on writing for you guys! Enjoy!
An audible thud echoed throughout sugar cube corner as Pound's jaw collided with the floor. Rainstorm's eyes opened as wide as ponily possible before rolling back into his skull and fluttering shut. Pumpkin removed her lips and took a deep breath in.
"There...*huff*...like that." Pumpkin panted, out of breath from the long, passionate kiss.
"Nu-huh buh wuh huh whuh..." Rainstorm babbled, his eyes slowly opening, and his muzzle spreading in a goofy grin.
"I...buh...wha...I..." Pound managed.
Rainstorms eyes fully opened, though his conscious remained in a deep fog.
"What...what the hay was that?!" Pound demanded.
"Nu-huh buh wuh huh whuh..." Rainstorm continued.
"I kissed Rainstorm." Pumpkin stated matter-of-factly.
"YEAH! I NOTICED! Why?!" Pound's mind began to wrap around what he'd just witnessed.
"Nu-huh buh wuh huh whuh..."
"Because I wanted to." Pumpkin once again added plainly.
"Yeah but...so...I...you know what? I can't deal with this right now. I'm going to go nap on a cloud..." Pound shuddered, "forever..." Pound sighed and exited the room, heading out the establishment and leaving the pair alone.
Pumpkin glared at the empty doorway for a moment before remembering the incoherent colt next to her.
"Um...heh...sorry about that..." Pumpkin scratched the back of her neck with a hoof, "I don't really know what came over me..."
"You...don't?" Rainstorm asked, his face sinking.
"Well...I do...but...I mean...guh!...I wish it had come out some other way...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that to you. I don't even know if you like me that way too and-"
"You like me...that way?" Rainstorm asked.
Pumpkin deadpanned, starring into Rainstorm's eyes, "No, dumbflank, I kissed you because that donut you had the other day looked so damn delicious."
Rainstorm looked forward a moment before the sarcasm sank in. He raised his hooves defensively, "Just making sure! I'm still kinda...processing this...stuff."
"I know...I'm sorry...I shouldn't have just...sprung this on you, and in front of Pound, which is no doubt just going to make this more awkward..." Pumpkin sighed, "Look, I get that the feeling isn't mutual, and I can get over it and-"
"Whoa whoa whoa, I never said that." Rainstorm interjected, waving a hoof.
"I...wha-huh?" Pumpkin asked, eyebrows raised.
"I never said the feeling wasn't mutual." Rainstorm replied confidently.
"Well...is it? Don't just leave me hanging." Pumpkin asked, hopeful.
Rainstorm grinned a bit, "I kissed you back didn't I?"
Pumpkin giggled, "I guess so...then that means you totally deserve this."
a hearty *WHACK* echoed throw the room as Pumpkin's hoof collided with the back of Rainstorms skull, also providing a satisfying coconut-banging sound. How she knew what coconuts sounded like she would never know, after all a coconuts a tropical fruit...could be carried by a swallow...
"OW!! WHAT THE HAY WAS THAT FOR?!" Rainstorm cried out, rubbing the impact point on his head with a hoof.
"That was for checking out my flank. And this..."
*WHACK*
"OOOOWWWWW!!!!"
"...was for lying about it." Pumpkin added with a satisfactory grin.
"ARE YOU QUITE FINISHED?!" Rainstorm yelled, wincing in pain.
"Ehhh...for now." Pumpkin shrugged, smiling.
"Sweet Celestia...HOW DO YOU HIT SO HARD?!"
"I got tired of Pound giving me noogies. Figured out that if I hit back, they stop. So I learned to hit back."
"Fair enough..." Rainstorm continued to rub the now throbbing back if his skull. "So is this normal? You kiss a colt and then beat the hay out of him?"
"Couldn't say...I've never kissed anypony before..." Pumpkin's demeanor quickly changed, turning to a meek blush.
"Oh...well I guess that makes two of us..." Rainstorm smiled. "But seriously...don't hit me anymore...it hurt...ow..."
"Oh take it like a stallion you big foal." Pumpkin giggled.
"Will you kiss it better?" Rainstorm asked with a smug grin and a waggle of his eyebrows.
Snowstorm meandered out of his bedroom with a serious case of bed mane and a satisfied grin. As he stumbled down the hall and stairs in a goofy haze a faint cry of pain could be heard off in the distance. He raised an eyebrow but quickly shrugged it off, chugging some milk straight from the gallon.
"Are you coming up for round eight or what?!" A voice called from up the stairs.
Snowstorm chuckled, putting the milk back. He wiped the milk residue from his lip,then violently shook his legs and face, "Hrbrbrbr!..all right... " He popped the joints in his neck and back, "LET'S DO THIS!" and confidently strutted back up the stairs.
"OH SWEET AND SOUR CELESTIA SEND ME TO THE MOON WITH A STAR-BUCKING-COFFEE THAT HURTS LIKE A MOTHER BUCKER!!!!" Rainstorm cried out in eternal pain.
"Oh quit being such a wimp you totally deserved that one." Pumpkin scoffed.
"I CAN SEE THREE OF EVERYTHING AND IT SMELLS LIKE BURNT TOAST!!" Rainstorm exclaimed, his eyes wide with fear, however unable to focus as they spun round and round in their sockets, "YOU BROKE ME!!!"
"Burnt toast? That's a new one...I should write that down..." Pumpkin brought a hoof to her chin.
"Oh dear Celestia now there are walruses...everywhere" Rainstorm commented as he motioned to an empty space in the room.
"Maybe I did hit you a little to hard..." Pumpkin raised an eyebrow, "How many hooves am I holding up?" Pumpkin asked, holding up her two front hooves while sitting on her haunches.
"I couldn't tell you right now because I'm a potato." Rainstorm explained.
"Great...I'll get the ice pack..."
"That's silly...bikes don't need bubble baths!"
Pumpkin spun around, "What? I didn't I don't even...guh..." And spun again to face the stairwell and fetch an icepack.
Pumpkin trotted down the stairs grumbling, before opening the kitchens large ice bin, magically bringing a bag near and filing it with ice. She turned again and began her march up the stairs, only to hear a strange but familiar song beginning to play. Sighing, she continued up the stairs and magically opened the door to find Rainstorm flat on his back, flailing his hooves in the air, rather emotionally screaming out,
Pumpkin eyed Rainstorm with concern as a pink-maned earth pony examined his head. She continued twisting it around in her hooves, occasionally muttering something about a nasty bruise or stitches, all the while Rainstorm managed to produce occasional gurgles and moans.
Pumpkin didn't like the sound of those gurgles...or needing stitches...
"How did you say this happened again?" The pure white mare asked while continuing her examination.
"Um, he stood up too fast and hit his head on a counter..." Pumpkin replied with a forced grin, "clumsy guy..."
"urrghrgrle..." Rainstorm managed to add.
The white mare raised a skeptical eyebrow and looked into Pumpkin's shifting gaze. "Three separate times?"
"It um...knocked off a pan and a rolling pin. Also hit his head. Nasty luck." Pumpkin's eyes darted around the room.
"blerghgrgh..." Rainstorm concurred.
"Mmmhmm..." The white mare resumed examining Rainstorm before letting go of his head, allowing to flop loosely around his shoulders, "Well he may have a minor concussion, but other than that I don't see any serious damage. Just ice it to keep the swelling down and have him rest for a while. Also, he should take these every 4 hours, it'll keep the pain at bay. I already gave him his first dose and other than a few minor side effects, he should be fine."
Pumpkin sighed, "Ok...Thank you nurse..?"
"Redheart," the pale mare finished, "and you're welcome. Thanks for bringing him here. Come back if any of the symptoms worsen or continue for a few days."
"Will do Miss Redheart..." Pumpkin began to exit the hospital before stopping and turning to face the nurse again, "What minor side effects?"
"Oh...well, it is a mild anesthesia, so he may be a bit...loopy. Have you ever seen a drunk before?" The nurse asked.
"Berry Punch comes into the shop every now and again...is that what he'll be like?"
Nurse Redheart shrugged, "More or less..."
"Great..." Pumpkin replied with a roll of her eyes.
Pumpkin led Rainstorm outside of the hospital and down a narrow dirt path. A fresh, white bandage wrapped around Rainstorm's skull flattened his mane over his still-spinning eyes. The sun shone brilliantly in the sky, and all of ponyville bustled with activity around the hospital.
"I guess I better get you back to Sugar Cube Corner you big lug..." Pumpkin sighed, now magically carrying Rainstorm above her head in a pale orange aura through the town, gathering a few stares from the townsponies.
"I'm flying...I can fly!" Rainstorm hazily exclaimed.
"You've always been able to fly Rainstorm." Pumpkin explained with a tired demeanor.
"AH BELIEVE AH CAHN FLYYY!!!" Rainstorm wailed, flapping his wings inside the magical seal.
"Hey, Bon-Bon, you see those two over there?" A pale green unicorn motioned at a wailing, floating pegasus colt being carried by an annoyed looking orange unicorn.
"Yeah?" A cream colored mare answered, "What about them?"
"Isn't it nice when young mare's volunteer to help the mentally disabled?" The cyan mare asked.
"Yeah...Look at how good a time he's having..." she replied with a warm smile. "I'm glad we live in such a nice community."
Pumpkin slammed the door behind her with a hoof and set Rainstorm down carefully on the couch. After setting him down, Pumpkin turned and approached the kitchen, getting ready to prepare yet another ice pack.
helping him really is the least I can do. I still can't believe I gave him a concussion. I really bucked this up. I'm sure I didn't sweeten my offer too...Celestia I'm such a screw up...
Pumpkin trotted into the kitchen and levitated a bag over to the ice bin, filling it with a small amount of ice and then returning to the living room.
Pumpkin returned from the kitchen and gingerly placed the bag on Rainstorm's head, before sitting next to him and petting the back of his head with her hoof.
guess now's as good a time as any...
"Guh...Pumpkin? Wha-what happened? Where am I?"
"You're at sugar cube corner, you had a nasty hit on the head and I'm trying to help you get better. How are you feeling?"
Rainstorm sat upright, immediately brining a hoof to the back of his head and scrunching one eye, "Well my head hurts like a motherbucker but I guess you just explained that...how long was I out?"
"Only a couple hours. But you weren't really 'out' so much as 'out of it.' Do you remember any of what happened?"
"Not...really. The last thing I remember was..." Rainstorm's faced morphed into a mixture of shock and anger, "You! You did this to me! You knocked me unconcious?! What the buck, dude?!"
"Damn it I was really hoping you'd forget that part."
"Well I didn't!" Rainstorms face scrunched in pain before beginning to loosen, " Celestia...you have a hell of a right hook, you know that?!"
"Sorry..." Pumpkin managed.
"You knocked me unconscious!!"
"I said I was sorry..."
"It...it's ok...I guess I was kind of being an ass..." Rainstorm allowed his voice to soften as he flopped back down on the couch and looked apologetically at Pumpkin, "Just...watch it ok?"
"Ok...and yeah, you were! But, I guess you were kind of in a state of emotional shock, considering what happened."
"Considering what? What happened?" Rainstorm raised an eyebrow.
"You know...the whole...kiss...thing..." Pumpkin explained what she believed to be the painfully obvious with slow, enunciated words.
"What kiss thing? Who kissed? What'd I miss?!" Rainstorm suddenly grew excited.
"Oh for the love of all that is good and sun-shiney," Pumpkin facehoohed and allowed her hoof to slowly drag across her face, "...you really don't remember?"
"No..." Rainstorm gave a look of pure ignorance before turning into a sly grin, "care to remind me?" he said with a waggle of his eyebrows.
"Oh you human's ass!" Pumpkin exclaimed with a punch to the shoulder, which simply received laughter from Rainstorm.
"Sorry, couldn't resist..." Rainstorm chuckled.
"Guh...what am I going to do with you?" Pumpkin asked in mock frustration.
Rainstorm shrugged, "You brought this on yourself..."
"Would you rather I hadn't?"
"No."
"Good." Pumpkin replied and gave a quick peck to Rainstorm's cheek.
"So...um...Pumpkin?" Rainstorm asked.
"Yes?" she replied.
"Does this mean we...are...dating?" he offered.
"I...guess? We haven't really been on a date...I hardly think this constitutes as one..." Pumpkin grimaced.
"Well...I know the order normally goes you ask somepony out on a date then kiss, but..."
"But..?"
"You wanna go out sometime? Like...on a date. Like dinner and a walk or something?" Rainstorm asked nervously.
"MOOOMMM!! DAADDD I'M HOME!" Rainstorm yelled into his house.
There was a slight pause, and a faint whispering could be heard from up the stairs, so Rainstorm walked into his home, hoping that his parents were through with any activities he didn't care to hear or witness.
An answer came from up the hall, echoing through the spacious stairwell, "GO AWAY!"
"I CAN'T! I HAVE TO USE THE SHOWER!" Rainstorm replied, annoyed that his parents still weren't finished. To many ponies, knowing your parents...guhh...on a regular basis would be enough to drive you mad. But it makes for a surprisingly effective method of making sex sound unappealing.
"Uhhh...USE THE CAKES!" Rainbow shouted down again, desperate to remove her son from the home.
"CAN'T! PUMPKIN'S USING IT AND YOU BOTH KNOW I ALREADY KILLED THE MOOD!"
"WE DON'T NEED A MOOD!!!"
"TOUGH PONY FEATHERS I'M COMING UP!" Rainstorm grumbled as he stood at the base of his own stairway before making a few cautious early steps.
Following a quick slamming of the door and some shuffling, Rainstorm presumed it safe to make his way upstairs and into the restroom. Closing the door behind him he pushed the faucet of the shower to "ON", he stepped inside. Taking this time to ponder just what was happening at the moment was something Rainstorm needed, and there is no greater place to ponder the mysteries of life than within a hot shower. As the jets of hot water began to mat his coat and mane down against his skin, Rainstorm had to wonder who he was trying to impress.
I can not believe this...how did today's plans go from "hang out with friends" to "Oh hey I'll just go on a date with somepony I've known forever while I have a bucking concussion!"?!
Rainstorm sighed and leaned his head against the cool tile.
*THUNK*
"Owwww..."
Why am I even going through all of this? Trying to clean up and look nice...Pumpkin knows what I look like, what I smell like and Celestia knows she knows how I act...who exactly am I trying to fool?"
Rainstorm picked his soap bottle up in his mouth, squeezed some into his hoof, and began to lather himself with the bubbly gel.
Who are we ever trying to fool? To impress? If we cannot find love when we are exactly who we are, than we are not meant to love that pony. Only those who love us for us and we love them for them can we find true love, and not love of a cover. For to truly know love is to know that...
"RAINSTORM WHAT THE BUCK HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?! YOU'VE BEEN IN THERE FOR AN HOUR AND I GOTTA PEE!!!"
Rainstorm was torn from his deep, philosophical wondering to the frantic pounding of hooves and voices at his door. Quickly turning off the water and stepping out of the shower, he wrapped a towel around his mid-section and opened the door. He was met with a bursting energy and face of a frantic stallion desperately needing to relieve his bladder. After being knocked aside and falling for the umpteenth time that day, the door slammed beside him, and through 3 inches of wood he could hear the Hoofer damn bust, and millions of rushing fluid.
"Gross..."
"Hey sport, why ya getting cleaned up this time of day?"
Snowstorm spun around to see his mother standing behind him with a caring smile.
"And what's with the bandage on your head?" She added
"Um...well the bandage is cause I took a whack to the head from Pumpkin."
"Right hook?"
"Three times."
"Owch."
"Yeah..."
"And the shower at..." Rainbow paused to squint at the sun through a near-by window for a moment, "4 o'clock? ish?"
"Oh, I have a date." Rainstorm casually mentioned.
"What? Who with?!" Rainbow's eyes shot open.
"Cute redhead..." Rainstorm attempted to sound coy.
"GET SOME!" Rainbow hooted while extending a hoof into the air.
"Mom...I'm talking about Pumpkin..." Rainstorm deadpanned.
"Oh...then, uh, avoid getting punched? and get some?" Rainbow offered.
"I can't believe you just said that."
"Seriously? After all these years?" Rainbow asked.
"Somehow it simply never ceases to amaze."
The door behind them creaked open to reveil a much alleviated and somehow visibly lighter Snowstorm,
"WHEW! Ok...why do you have a bandage on your head?"
"Pumpkin."
"Right hook?"
"Uh-huh."
"And shower?"
"Date with her."
"Get some."
"Got that."
"Allright now that everypony's caught up to speed, where are you going?" Rainbow asked.
"Dinner and a walk through the park." Rainstorm stated, restating drying his fur.
"Playing it safe?" Rainbow asked
"Had to distinguish it as a 'date'" her son replied.
"Fair enough." Rainbow replied. "Wait...is this your first date? This is totally your first date isn't it? Like, with any pony!"
Rainstorm became visibly annoyed at his mother's bluntness and somewhat stupidity,"Yes mom. Thank you."
"No, I mean, I just...wow. You're growing up. This is...you know, big!" Rainbow stated, a genuine look of motherly love and mild concern flashing across her face.
"If you say so..." Snowstorm remarked while hanging up his towel.
"I feel like I should...I dunno take pictures or something..." Rainbow searched, "Do we even have a camera?"
*FLASHBACK!!
A window pane shattered outwards as a camera mounted to a tripod came sailing through it into the streets of ponyville, along with an exclamatory, "BUCKING PIECE OF SHIT!"
*FLASHFORWARD!!
"I uh...I don't think so honey." Snowstorm gingerly added
"Huh...could have sworn..." Rainbow mused.
"How about some bits so I can pay for dinner?" Snowstorm offered with a smile.
"Eh...fine." Rainbow grabbed a small bag of bits in her mouth from a nearby counter-top and tossed them to her son, "also, wear a rubber."
"You don't."
"And here you are!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"Buuurrrnnnnn...." Snowstorm added.
"Don't need your help here dad..."
"And I didn't need you cock-blocking me an hour an a half ago so get over it."
A firm hoof made contact with Rainstorm's face, "This...this is my family..." Rainstorm whispered inwardly while dragging his hoof own his face.
A signature orange glow briefly engulfed the front door of sugar cube corner before swinging open. Pumpkin walked inside, returning from her separation with her...date? Friend? Colt Friend?
Eh, titles. From Rainstorm, that's what matters. She blushed a bit at the thought, having Rainstorm as her colt firend, a giddy giggle escaped her as she began to head deeper into the shop, her mind racing with all the things she needed to do to prepare. It'll be strange seeing him in this new light after we've been friends for so long... Her mind haulted, a terrifying mix of horor and and anticipation flooding her thoughts, This could change...Everything. What if this doesn't work out? Will I lose him? My best friend? My crush? A raging inner battle between desire and safety, I guess I've already rolled the dice... so did he though... As her mind continued to feud with itself, she took a long look around her home.
The residence felt vast and hollow without the normal bustle of customers and comments of her parents. The lights were off and not a sound was to be heard in the brightly colored bakery, like a long forgotten toy emporium, silent, still, the children which used to bring so much light, laughter and love now all grown up. But an emporium faithful, waiting for the next generation to ring the bells on its doors.
Pumpkin drew a long breath in through her nose. The extensive baking, frosting, and selling of so many treats had caused the jubilant odor to become absorbed by the residence itself, regardless as to whether any goods were being made or not. It was not a smell of a particular cake nor cookie, but of sugar, flour and icing, a warm, welcoming scent, which alone could tell you this was a place of comfort, of joy.
Funny, I've been living here 14 years... Pumpkin mused, I never get tired of that smell...
Pumpkin began her assent to her room, debating in her mind whether not she should wear anything, she had no idea where this date would be taking place, or if Rainstorm would be dressed, or really anything at all. All she knew was to be ready by 8, and the clock struck 7 as she passed by its antiqued wood structure.
Calmly stepping into the restroom, Pumpkin focused her magic around the shower, readying to turn the nozzle before catching a nearly inaudible "ah-choo!" come from elsewhere in her home.
Pumpkin froze, unsure as to the origin of this unexpected noise.
What...was that? Is somepony breaking in? HAS somepony broken in?!
Another faint sneeze, this time more clear. A small closet down the hall let out a small gasp, and then again, silence. Pumpkin glared, and began to march toward the closet door with new found determination to beat the living hay out of whatever thing could possible lie behind those closet doors. A grasp of magic and fling of doors later reveled a...
Vacuum Cleaner.
What the hay? If the noise wasn't coming from here than where...
The vacuum sneezed.
...what...
Pumpkin then noticed a strange bulge in the vacuum cleaners bag. Tentatively, her magic clasped the zipper of the cloth vacuum bag and she began to unzip, preparing for the worst of-
"AWWW! YOU FOUND ME! Gosh it took you guys a while but you finally did it! You found me oh my gosh this was one of the best games of hide and seek ever! Did it just drive you guys crazy trying to figure out where I was? Huh huh did it?" Pinkie Pie burst from the vacuum cleaner with a small shower of confetti and balloons with an enormous grin and covered in large amounts of dust.
Pumpkin jumped back in surprise at the oink burst of energy, "PINKIE! Sweet Celestia you sacred the living hay out of me!"
"Aw I''m sorry Pumpkin I just found this super-duper hiding space and I wanted to use it I didn't mean to scare ya, honest! Anyways, wanna play another game? Where's Pound?"
"I don't know Pinkie and I can't right now I have to get ready for my date with Rainstorm." Pumpkin said, rather annoyed, while turning back to the bathroom.
"Whoa...how long was I hiding?" Pinkie asked with wide eyes.
"Wha..? Oh, uh, I don't know, maybe 5 hours or so?"
"I don't believe this! I've watched you the three of you grow up your entire lives waiting for some kind of drama and I hide for 5 hours and TA-DA! Two of you are dating."
"We're not dating Pinkie, we have A DATE. It's our first one."
"AWWW! How sweet! DId he ask you or did you ask him? Ooo, Ooo tell me EVERYTHING!"
"Umm...we were hanging around and I kissed him in front of Pound and then I hit him until he had a concussion and when he woke up he asked me out."
"...Because nothing says 'I love you' like a hoof to the skull?" Pinkie questioned.
"Damn straight. Now I really have to go get ready, he's meeting me here at 8."
"Oh ok! What are you going to wear?"
"I...I don't know Pinkie. I don't even know if I'm going to wear anything."
"What?! Why not?!" Pinkie asked, bewildered.
"Because he's used to seeing me like this. This is what I was wearing when he asked me out, and it's nothing."
"Well are you going someplace facy?" Pinkie waggled her eyebrows, "Romaaannn-tic?"
Pumpkin stomped a hoof, "I don't even know, all he said was he'd pick me up at 8!"
"Well FINE miss party pooper, no need to get all antsy-pantsy...Go do what you need to do, I'll be right here." Pinkie smiled, "I can't believe little Pumpkin's growing up..."
"Pinkie...can we save the sentimental time for later? I'm in a rush..." Pumpkin's face dropped a bit, this wasn't a conversation she even wanted to have, let alone then.
Pinkie sniffed, producing a handkerchief from what could only be presumed as an alternate dimension, and began to wipe her watery eyes, "It's just...so special *snif*"
"Oh Celestia if you're like this mom's going to melt down..."
Rainstorm walked along the dirt path through Ponyville square, small clouds of dust forming around each hoof as they made impact with the dried soil beneath him.
Why do I even bother with the showers?
Thoughts seemed to rage through Rainstorm's conscience like a swarm of ravenous bees, striking him with stinging doubts and blistering fears.
I've never felt so stressed in my entire life! It's bucking awful!...and I don't even get it! Since when am I ever stressed about seeing Pumpkin for Celestia's sake?!
Rainstorm looked up from the dirt path he had been following and his own inner monologue to find that he had arrived at his destination, Sugar Cube Corner. He had been to this ginger bread bakery so many times he considered a second home, yet now his very hoof shook at the thought of knocking on the door.
I don't even normally knock! he realized.
Finally with an unsteady hoof he pounded on the thick wooden door a few times before allowing it to rest back again.
I've never been this nervous before, and I can't for the life of me understand why making this a date changes...
Everything...
"Oh..." he quietly said aloud
The door swung open to the sight of a bouncy pink mare grinning ear to ear, "OH! You're here you're here you're here!! Pumpkins still getting ready but she should be down in a minute oh I can't believe it's her first date! Oh and I simply couldn't think of a better colt for her to go with! Buuuttt just so you know, IF YOU HURT HER DEATH IS A MERCY YOU WILL NOT BE GRANTED."
Rainstorm realed back not only in the sudden change of tone but also by the fact that small fires were now actually raging in Pinkie's eye sockets.
And the changes begin...
"Rainstorm? Are you here?" Pumpkin called from up the stairs.
"Yay!! She's ready! Picture time!" Pinkie squealed, quickly reverting completely back to normal and sprinting off to another part of the house.
Rainstorm blinked, quickly checked to make sure he hadn't pissed himself, then turned to the stair well.
When there she stood.
Pumpkins eyes glistened like small pools of flawless, crystal water, shimmering in the low light of her home. Her fur was still damp, neatly groomed and brushed, radiating warm yellow light. Her luscious, orange mane had been straightened, it poofy bounce now compressed and made into a neat bun, still glistening from the water that had yet to dry from her shower. Her face though, the gorgeous face which Rainstrom counted himself lucky to have even seen, let alone kissed, remained perfect, unchanged and exposed. Rainstorm sighed at the gorgeous mare before him and smiled as he readied himself to hear her angelic voice call...
"Why did you just look at your crotch?"
"..."
"..."
"...what?"
"When I came down the stairs, you were looking at your crotch, then you looked at me, why?" Pumpkin inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"...I...have no response for this question." Rainstorm remained stone faced, while maintaining unfaltering eye contact
"That...may be for the best..." Pumpkin squinted. "So now that we have that formality out of the way, time for a date!"
"Right! So...where would you like to go?"
"I'm uh...up for anywhere I guess?"
"Cornerside cafe?"
"Always a good choice."
"Hey you two! Smile!!"
A blinding flash of light coupled with the sound of a shattering bulb worked as an effective flashbang grenade for the two conversing ponies being photographed, and craftfully captured the image of rapid pupil dilation and utter confusion.
"PINKIE WHAT THE BUCK?!" Pumpkin cried out, bringing her hooves to her eyes in pain.
"I'M BLIND!" Rainstorm added.
"Oooh, this is a good one! Here, let me get a few more!"
"NO!" replied the now handicapped pair.
""Hmmph, party poopers. Pinkie grumbled while packing away her antique camera.
"Can you see yet?" Pumpkin asked, feeling around for her companion.
"I think so...nope, wait, that's my cornea melting...at least that's pretty..."
Pumpkin snickered, "Your cornea melting is pretty?"
"What? Oh no that last part was because I could see you again." Rainstorm added with a sincere smile.
"Dear god I could dip nachos in that much cheese..." Pumpkin rolled her eyes but then blushed and smiled, "but thank you...you don't look to bad yourself." Pumpkin managed with a giggle.
"What? I didn't do anything special." Rainstorm replied, looking over himself.
"Eh, at least you got that bandage off your head and you smell nice."
"I'll take it!" Rainstorm declared triumphantly, "Come on, we should get going, the sun is starting to set."
"I want her back by midnight, you hear me?!" Pinkie called from another room in the house.
"You got it Pinks!"
"Good Boy!"
Pumpkin and Rainstorm walked out of Sugar Cube Corner together and began to make their way to the Cornerside Cafe. The sun hung low in the sky, igniting the clouds with a gorgeous red glow, setting the horizon ablaze. Above, the deep blue blended into a dark violet, revealing the first of the night stars and the humble moon, beginning it's nightly parade. Celestia's craft burned along the meeting of earth and heavens, beginning to dip into the cold night, to slumber till the next day.
Pumpkin and Rainstorm arrived at the cafe and were seated in the patio by a rather snooty waiter with an admittedly impressive moustache.
"And what may I get mademoiselle et monsieur pour votre dinner?" He asked with a thoroughly thick French accent.
"I'll take a daisy sandwich and a glass of water please." Pumpkin asked politely.
"And I would like the Apple Pecan sorbet, please." Rainstorm added.
"Anything to drink for monsieur?"
"Oh, uh, earl grey tea, please."
"But of course! I will retournee avec votre dinner, dans une minute." The waiter spoke, before dipping away.
"So I didn't know you drank tea." Pumpkin mentioned.
"Oh, yeah, it really helps me relax or think straight." Rainstorm added with a shrug.
"Which are you having trouble with now?" Pumpkin asked with a sly grin.
"A bit of both to be perfectly honest." Rainstorm answered. "Say, what accent was he speaking in?"
"What? French of course."
"French, as in, from France?"
"...yes...French things are from France..." Pumpkin replied slowly, raising an eyebrow
"So...uh...where exactly is France?"
"Well...it's uh...it's...um..."
"I mean, there's Equestria....and we speak Equestrian...and then there's the Griffon-Lands...but they speak Equestrian too...so where did this whole 'French' thing come about from?"
"Well maybe the..."
"Monsieur, Mademoiselle, your dinners and beverages." The waiter presented the corresponding meals and ducked away.
"That was fast..." Pumpkin commented.
"Mmm, this looks good! Let's dig in!"
"HEY PUMPKIN!" A voice called from just outside the cafe patio.
"Oh god no..." Pumpkin moaned bringing her hoof to her face.
"What's up?! And look who's here!"
"Please go away, Starling." Pumpkin uttered in a monotone voice.
Rainstorm raised from his parfait, confused. 'I thought Starling was her friend?'
"Did you finally work up the lady balls to ask him out? Is this finally a date?!"
'What? 'Finally'? I thought she just now...How long has she...liked me?
"Go away, Starling." Pumpkin muttered through her own hoof.
"Oh my god it is!! I swear you can finally stop bitching about this 'friendzone' crap that you were so pissed about."
'She...never just wanted me as a friend?'
"If you say one more word..." Pumpkin glared at her friend with enough intensity to burn through lava, going alas unnoticed by her blathering friend.
"Ugh I seriously thought you were going to explode if this didn't happen soon."
Was this all she ever wanted? A colt friend? If that's all she saw then...what if this doesn't work? Rainstorm swallowed and allowed his face to fall.
"STARLING. LEAVE. NOW."Pumpkin emphasized her last word by slamming her hoof down on the table.
"Alright alright, sheesh..." Starling trotted away, happy for the new couple, and blissfully ignorant.
"Sorry about that, she can be kind of...nosy." Pumpkin sighed, "So, how's your parfait?"
"Um...Pumpkin?" Rainstorm stared at his parfait.
"Yeah?" She replied, diving back into her daisy sandwich.
"How long have you liked me?"
"I've always liked you, Rainstorm." She answered through a full mouth.
"No. I mean liked me...like, you were interested..."
"Oh...I don't know...a long time I guess...why?" Pumpkin swallowed as she noticed the stone expression on Rainstorm's face.
"Were we ever just friends? To you?" Rainstorm now looked up, "Was I ever just a friend?"
"I...I mean, yeah, but...why? What's wrong?" Pumpkins face started to grow more concerned, "I mean is this about what Starling said? Because, I mean, she likes to exaggerate and..."
"Pumpkin...have you only been hanging around me because you thought I would be a good coltfriend?" Rainstorm interrupted.
"What? No, I-"
"I mean, what if this doesn't work?" Rainstorm's voice cracked, "What if we don't...work?"
"I...I...I don't..." Pumpkin realized his concern.
It'd all be over she thought.
I'd lose my best friend he realized.
I'd lose who'se closest to me she grasped.
and we'd have nothing left but hurt... they understood.
Pumpkin looked at Rainstorm and he stared back.
"There's nothing to fall back on for me is there? I...I never had a friend...just someone who was interested...but never brave enough." Rainstorm thought aloud, coldly.
"But...It wasn't...I wasn't...that isn't..." Pumpkin began shake, tears forming in the corners of her eyes, "I...I wanted to...but that doesn't mean I wasn't...we weren't..." she struggled, trying to find the right words, but none seem to come
"I...I thought...you had grown to like me through our time together...but...I'm just a crush aren't I?" Rainstorm began to tremble, holding back tears of his own. "Just somebody you pretended to be friends with to get closer to..."
And if it doesn't work then it all comes crashing down...
"Rainstorm...you're...not, I mean...I did I just...Oh!"
And with a jerk, Pumpkin stood from her chair, sprinting from the cafe.
It'll all comes crashing down...the love I've always had...for her...
Rainstorm slowly retracted his hoof after he realized pumpkin wasn't stopping. SHe continued to sprint blindly down the street, her sobs still echoing in his ear.
I have to go after her.
He quickly knocked over his chair and leaped the fence out of the cafe patio, running after his best friend.
How could I hurt her like this?!
She's always been so dear to me...
And I got mad at her for what?
Damn it Rainstorm you bucked up big this time...
After a few minutes of pursuit Rainstorm quickly realized he wasn't catching up with her, and amongst the hustle and bustle of the little town, he had lost her in the crowd. Again and again he called for her, hoping to catch a glimpse of his best friend.
What have I done?
Pumpkin....I'm so sorry...
Rainstorm unfurled his wings and took to the sky, his eyes scanning the crowd. Only to come up dry again. The sun was setting and it would be night soon. And even in a little town like Ponyville...
She can't be out alone at night...
Rainstorm continued to search for hours. Every possible corner of his small hometown he could think of.
I hope she just went home...
But then Pinkie will have seen her and...
No. I have to apologize.
His rear legs kicked up and busted open the door to sugar cube, in a sense of needless dramatics.
"PUMPKIN!"
"NO! PINKIE!" The pink mare screamed as she burst from behind the counter. "Are you guys back already? That was fast!"
"No, I...I messed up. She ran off and now I can't find her..."
"Oh no...is she upset?"
"Y-yes...I really messed up, Pinkie, please have you seen her?"
"No...I haven't, but I know where she might have gone..."
Why didn't I just go home? Why did I have to come to this stupid pond? And just what the buck was I thinking when I just ran off like that?! Damn it Pumpkin you've been talking to him for years...Why was it suddenly so hard?
Why are feelings so hard...
Why is love so hard...
He's my best friend...
Why did I need anything more?
Pumpkins eyes grew heavy with exhaustion and emotion, but her mind continued to race.
Have I really ruined everything? Have I messed it all up?
Tears began to form in Pumpkin's eyes. She clenched her teeth, determined that she was NOT going to cry...not anymore....not here. But still the droplets collided with the surface of the pond, sending gentle ripples across it's surface.
"Why did I have have to loose him?" She wondered aloud.
"You didn't."
Pumpkin quickly whipped her head around to see who had replied. Rainstorm stood, smiling gently, and looking at her.
"You didn't loose anybody." He reassured as he sat next to her by the edge of the pond.
"But...but I...you just think I'm..." Pumpkin began to tear up again, but her protest were quickly met by Rainstorm's hoof on her lips.
"No. I don't know what I thought, or why I was so afraid, I just know that I'm not anymore."
"But if things don't work-"
"Hey," He interrupted with a smile, "they've been working for quite a few years now..."
"But it changes everything..."
"Like what?"
"I mean... it's not friendship anymore it's..."
"Deep, true passionate LLLOOOOOOVVVEE?"
Pumpkin snickered, "I was going to say 'a relationship'... but...I dunno, I guess?"
Rainstorm closed his eyes and took in a deep breath,
"Pumpkin, I've always loved you...I mean, we grew up together. You were always there for me. You're my BEST FRIEND...so when I started to...I dunno, look at mares that way, you weren't a possible marefriend, you were Pumpkin. Romance was new to me, and you weren't. I figured if the feeling was new, the pony had to be as well...looking back it seems so stupid..."
Rainstorm sighed and looked up to the night sky.
"I guess what I'm trying to say, is that you were so close you were practically a sister to me. I never even thought of you that way until...well until earlier. And it was new to me! It was exciting! But then I find out you've thought about me that way all along and-"
Pumpkin cut him off, "Rainstorm, I haven't always thought of you like that...sure, maybe sooner than you, but I've always been your friend. I always be your friend, first and foremost."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"And I love you too much to let you go too..."
Rainstorm smiled.
"So if you don't want us to be anything more than friends I-"
"Hey...it's definitely worth a shot, right?" Rainstorm smiled.
"I guess we'll find out soon enough," Pumpkin agreed.
"So let's just see..."
"What all this can be."
"What all we can be."
The pair looked up to the night sky and smiled, brilliant stars on an infinite canvas.
"We should probably get home, so Pinkie doesn't, you know..."
"Murder me with an axe?"
"I was going to say get to worried...Why would she murder you with an axe?!"
"Um...don't worry about."
"Well, c'mon, I know a shortcut."
"I know a shorter one. Hop on."
"Hop on? Like, on your back?"
"Yeah, c'mon, it'll be fun!" Rainstorm said with a grin.
"I don't know...I've never flown before...are you sure you can support both of us?"
"I'm the child of the fastest pegasus in the history of Equestria and...well, my dad, but still, I think I can handle it."
"If you say so..." Pumpkin murmured as she climbed on his back.
"Ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
"Hold on tight!"
And hold on tight she did. Squeezing his neck, and placing a gentle kiss on his cheek as Rainstorm's wing's unfurled and rocketed toward the sky.
The pair careened through the sky, lit by moonlight and the twinkle of a thousand stars. Pumpkin held close, closing her eyes as the sharp cold wind rocketed through her fur.
"You need to slow down!"
"SPEED UP?! OK! YOU GOT IT BABE!"
"WHAT NO I-"
Pumpkin's screams were almost unheard, the pair deafened by the rushing wind. Pumpkin dared to peek an eye open and what she saw was magnificent.
The whole of Ponyville rushing underneath them, flickering lights and cozy cabins all rushing by in a magnificent blur.
The rushing wind forced new tears from Pumpkin's eyes.
But something else was bringing forth the tears.
Joy.
Joy knowing that this...this crazy mash of emotions in history that would make up undoubtedly crazier relationship...
would work.
And Pumpkin smiled again as she held tighter to Rainstorm.
And she realized something amazing. She hadn't lost anything. She hadn't lost anypony.
There was nothing to be replaced.
Nothing was broken.
Not her heart and not her friendship.
Now, it was stronger than ever.
No mistakes, no wrongs...
Now...
Everything could be perfect.
There would be more tears...
but hopefully, and maybe, just maybe...
they'd be tears of joy.
Finally, she felt the winds begin to slow as Rainstorm started to land. She looked up, and sure enough, they were right in front of Sugar Cube Corner.
Where it all began...
Pumpkin crawled of Rainstorms back and glanced towards him.
"So...thanks for the ride..."
"Any time. It was fun...though let's face it, date probably could have gone better."
"I don't think so...I think it was perfect."
"So there's actually a chance this goofball could get you to go on another one?"
"Oh, undoubtedly."
"You're crazier than I thought Pumpkin."
"So I am."
"Well...I guess I should be getting home...I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Hold up a minute, you're forgetting something."
"I am?"
"This."
Pumpkin grabbed his head between her hooves and smiled...
