> Plagued by Doubt
>  by Voyna
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Friday, Part One
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash sat in the foyer of the Cloudsdale and Ponyville weather headquarters awaiting her appointment. 

Bored, Rainbow looked around to take her mind off exactly how long she had been sitting in the room, it felt like hours to the pegasus, in reality it had only been about ten minutes. 
She looked to her left and noticed the large room with around ten small cubicles built around a main hallway. She could hear the muffled conversations coming from the office area, none of which sounded at all exiting. In the two cubicles she could actually see into sat two pegasi, each of which looked about as happy as someone who has just been kicked out of their home with half a days notice.

How depressing, they couldn't pay me enough to sit there and work like that for an entire day. Rainbow thought to herself, feeling slight pity for the mares and stallions sitting in their cubicles.

Someone had set up an astro-turf minigolf course directly down the middle of the isle that separated the cubicles, if you could call it a course. There was only one goal. 
The goal in question was a mug turned on its side that had the words 'Worlds best dad' written on its face, its handle had been broken off. 

Well at least they got that going for them. Rainbow sighed, she didn't want to be here.

The door to her right was the office of a pegasus stallion named Snowfall, her boss. Rainbow didn't know why she had been called in to speak with the boss, whatever it was she was sure it couldn't be good. She hated talking to the stallion on the other side of that door, he wasn't unkind or spiteful, in fact it was the opposite that was her primary qualm with the buck. 

Snowfall was the kind of stallion who always had a smile plastered on his lips and always (ALWAYS) made eye contact when speaking to you, worst of all it never seemed forced. It was apparently natural for the buck to be overly kind and understanding even during the most stressful times of his job.

'Creepy' was a word Rainbow Dash often associated with the unpleasantly pleasant stallion.

The door to her right slowly opened and revealed the wide-eyed, caring stare of Snowfall who immediately locked eyes with the rainbow maned mare.

"Ah, Rainbow Dash there you are." The stallions voice was soft and gentle. "Come in, come in." He called as he moved over to his side of the desk.

The stallion himself was not much bigger than Rainbow Dash in height or build. He was almost snow white with a short beige mane and tail and a cutie mark of a single snowflake. His eyes however were bright blue, which in combination with his 'always look people in the eye thing' made it seem as though the stallion was trying to stare into your soul. 

Creepy!

Rainbow walked into the humble office of her boss and sat down on the her side of the desk, mentally noting the not-so-humble fish tank that took up the entire southern wall.  Instead of having any fish, the tank instead contained about six clouds, each roughly the size of a pony's head that floated around and occasionally bumped into each other.

What a weirdo. Rainbow Dash though to herself.

"Let's get down to business shall we?" Came the rhetorical question from the stallion across the desk. "I called you in here to discuss an opportunity that you may be interested in."

Opportunity? Am I getting a raise? 

Rainbow perked up at the word and decided that this might actually be worth listening to rather than zoning out and muttering 'uh huh' and 'yep' as was her previous plan. 

"I'm listening." Replied Rainbow after waiting a few seconds for the stallion to continue.

Snowfall mused a moment, collecting his thoughts before continuing.

"You've been part of the Cloudsdale and Ponyville weather team for about three years now, is it safe to say you know your way round the seasons schedules?" Asked the buck. 

"Like the back of my hoof." Rainbow grinned, lifting her hoof.  Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a red speck on her foreleg. 

The heck is that? She lowered her hoof slower that she raised it, eyeing the speck.

The stallions smile widened. "Well it appears that one of the ponies in H.Q quit yesterday, and being the longest running member and most efficient worker of the manual labour division of the weather team, I am obligated to offer you the position." The stallion finished, looking into Rainbows eyes awaiting a response.

Rainbow smiled at being called the 'most efficient worker' of her weather team. She didn't however immediately realize she had just been offered a new job, it took her a few moments before it dawned on her.

"Uh okay, what kinda job are we talking about here?" Rainbow dash stumbled around her sentence, caught off-guard by the offer.

"Well you would be working in the office out there." He gestured to the hallway across the lobby.

Rainbow Dash deflated at that, not two minutes ago she was thinking about how unhappy those ponies looked. 

Snowfall continued. "You would be organizing weather shipments from the Cloudsdale weather factory, writing plans for cloud location, creating schedules, that sort of thing." Snowfall paused a moment thinking about he could make this offer more attractive. 
"Of course your pay would go up, you would no longer get paid the seventy bits per work day, instead you would go onto a wage of thirty eight bits per hour." The stallion smiled, eyes still locked with Rainbows.

Thirty eight bits an hour? That's almost as much a royal guard.

It was true that Rainbow currently only got paid seventy bits for an entire days work, but she always saw that as fair. The most she had ever worked in one day was forty-five minutes. If anything she thought she was getting over paid.

"And what about hours?" Rainbow asked, hoping it wouldn't be anything too strenuous, after all Rainbow was not prone to hard work.

"Well," The stallion gently raised a hoof and softly cleared his throat. "We generally work Monday through Wednesday sometimes more, sometimes less. Those days consisting of eight hour shifts with a 45 minute break, we get paid for seven and a half hours as the fifteen minute break is paid." Snowfall paused a moment, the flood of words halting as he did some quick math in his head. "Which, if my math is correct, and it always is, that's an average gross weekly income of eight hundred and fifty-five bits."

Snowfall had used his trump card, the position in question needed to be filled quite urgently what with winter starting next Wednesday, and he was more or less relying on Rainbow to take the job. Mentioning the pay would surely convince her.

Rainbows eyes widened at the amount of money she would be earning.
Eight hundred and fifty-five bits a week!? That's more money in a week than I've ever been able to save in six! Rainbow Dash was not good at saving money, spending it on the other hand...

Snowfall let her think about it a while before asking "So what do you think Rainbow Dash?"

"Uh," Rainbow didn't quite know what to say, the idea of working in that office with a bunch of depressed ponies didn't sound very good to her, but the promise of over double her current wage was very, very attractive. "Um, can I have a day to think this over? This is a lot to take in."

"Ooh sorry," Snowfalls winced with his eyes as he said it. "I'm going to have to know by this afternoon. Winter is coming you see, and this position needs to be filled A-S-A-P."

Do it you fool! Take the job!, This is just the thing you've been wanting, you can save some money while you wait for the Wonder bolt tryouts!

Rainbow thought back on the sad looking ponies working in the other room, filing documents, sorting cloud orders, tying noose knots, boring office work. It just wasn't her thing...

Think of the money!

Rainbow looked up at the alabaster stallion, and finally caved.

"Alright, Snowfall I'll take the job." Rainbow spoke finally, extending a hoof across the table to shake the stallions.

Apparently they can pay you enough to sit in there and work like that for an entire day.

Rainbow frowned at the thought. She was going to miss her old job; wake up a noon, kick a few clouds, go back to sleep. Already doubt had entered her mind regarding her new position.

"Awesome!" Replied snowfall, happiness evident in his tone. "Oh, one more thing," The stallion had purposely left this part until last. "you'll have to wear a tie." He finished.

Rainbow deadpanned.

Of course I do.



* * * * * *
 


It was a beautiful Friday afternoon in Cloudsdale, after Rainbow had left the weather office she decided that she would fly down to Ponyville and get something to eat, it was almost noon and she hadn't eaten anything all-day. 

It really is a beautiful day, it'd be a real shame to be spending it indoors, working like a dog. 

Rainbow noticed the cloud-statue in the middle of the square didn't have any floor beneath it, rather than navigate her way through the entire town to find the edge of cloudsdale Rainbow decided that she would just jump through the opening.

Come Monday you'll be the one indoors working like a dog, wasting these beautiful days, doing no exercise. You better not get fat.

Rainbow giggled at the mental image of her reclining in a heavily padded swivel chair, drinking coffee and munching down on a huge glazed donut. 

Pfft, as if.

Rainbow jumped through the cloud layer and gave a single downward flap, the force of which rocketed her toward the town below, Rainbow Dash flapped her wings harder, pushing herself. A cone of condensation was forming around her two outstretched front hooves, her eyes were beginning to water and she could feel the pressure building around her. The air around her was getting thicker, at this speed it felt as if she were swimming through molasses. She was so close to a rainboom when her thoughts caught up to her.

Hmm, better not.

Rainbow slowed, the cone of pressure that had built up around her had shrunk and eventually disappeared completely. Rainbow stretched out her wings to their full span and began to glide down to Ponyville.

'As nice as it is, it is also quite loud.' The mayor's condescending words echoed through her mind. 

'I'm sorry but I can't allow you to perform the sonic rainboom in the Ponyville area anymore, unless you have permission from either myself or sheriff Minuette.' 

Dash shook her head to clear herself of the memory. Her thought's however wouldn't leave her alone.

The mayor doesn't like you, Rainbow Dash. After everything you've done for this town she still thinks you're a menace to society, If Twilight did a rainboom the mayor wouldn't bat an eye, but not you Rainbow Dash. Besides do you really think your stunts are only reason she thinks you're intolerable?

She knows.

She knows and she loathes you because of it. 

Rainbow shook her head again, harder this time, trying to shake the horrid thoughts out of her head by force.

She was flying above Ponyville now, not ten metres above the thatched rooftops. She could see the roof of sugar cube corner coming into view, Rainbow banked toward her destination.



* * * * * *



"Oh hey, Pinkie." Rainbow Dash called across the main room of sugar cube corner.

"Well hiya Dashie! What brings you to our little slice of heaven today." Pinkie Pie replied over the counter, her usual cheery disposition was turned up to eleven today, then again, it was turned up to eleven every day. "Get it?"

After a moment of concentrating on what pinkie had said, realization slapped Rainbow in the face and she couldn't help but face-hoof at the terrible pun. She couldn't however stop the smile spreading across her face, her prior mood forgotten and replaced by a lighter happier position.

"I'm starving pinkie, I haven't eaten all-day, you have any quiche today? I could murder some quiche." Rainbow said, feeling cheerier already.
Pinkie reached into the warmed cabinet with a pair of pink tongs and pulled out a large (the largest) slice of quiche, slipping it into a white paper bag for Rainbow.

"That's uhh," Pinkie checked the price chart on her side of the cabinet. "Two bits." Pinkie hated making her friends pay for food, but it wasn't her call, the Cakes wouldn't be very happy if they found out Pinkie was giving handouts to her friends. One day, when she had her own bakery she could give out as much free stuff as she wanted.

Rainbow Dash tossed two bits on the counter and grabbed the paper bag in her teeth.

"Ooh I almost forgot," Pinkie stepped around the counter and joined dash. "Twilight came by earlier, said she needed all of us at her place this afternoon." Pinkie stated.

Rainbow dropped the bag onto a table and slid onto the accompanying bench seat. "Why's that?"

"Dunno, she said it was something to do with the map." Pinkie replied, now sitting opposite Dash.

"Ah crap," Rainbow blurted. "I hope I'm not needed, wherever it is. I can't go on any adventures for." Rainbow trailed off, thinking about how long she would need to settle into her new job, she also took into account that winter was starting next week. "Two weeks probably."

"Why's that?" Asked pinkie pie, a curious expression playing on her features.

"I just got a new job." 

"Really!? That's great!" Pinkie was beaming. "But hang on, that means you won't be on the weather team anymore." Pinkie looked a little downtrodden at that.

"Well I technically am still on the weather team but now I'm working in the office if you can believe it. Imagine me, Rainbow Dash working as some pencil pushing zombie." Rainbow smiled despite herself.  She looked over to her pink friend whilst she took a large bite of her quiche.

Pinkie was in fact having trouble believing it, her face was twisted with confusion. "Wow Dashie, they must be forking out some serious dough to turn you into a desk jockey, no offence." Pinkie teased.

"None taken." Rainbow said whilst chewing around a bite of quiche. At some point Mrs. Cake started manning the counter. "So what are you up to for the rest of the day?" Rainbow asked, wondering if she should let Pinkie get back to work.

"Not much. My shift finished pretty much the same time you walked in." Replied Pinkie, idly folding the paper bag from Rainbow's lunch into a rather bizarre-shaped paper plane.

The two friends sat and talked for a time, sharing stories from the last week of their lives. Rainbow talked about her new job, she made a particularly harsh comment about how stupid ties were. Pinkie spoke about the well coordinated mischievous escapades of Pound and Pumpkin and how they were getting more and more creative with their tactics. The two spoke and laughed until they decided it was time to get to Twilight's. 



* * * * * *  



The elements of harmony had eventually all shown up to Twilight's castle and were now sitting in their respective element thrones, all aside from Twilight who was trying to locate a specific book.
The other five elements watched as she accidentally toppled another pile of books stacked near her throne.

"Um Twilight," Fluttershy perked up. "Did you want some help with that?" Asked the shy yellow pegasus. "What is it you're loo-"

"Ah-ha!" announced Twilight, cutting off her friend. Twilight floated a book behind her as she moved to her seat.

"Alright girls!" Twilight started "I checked the map this morning and as it turns out we have a new mission." The room filled with silence as Twilight arranged her thoughts.

"It could be a long one though and we will have to leave as soon as possible." Twilight said, her horn flaring to life engulfing the table in a magical aura. Rainbow Dash felt she should speak up and let the other five elements know she wasn't going to be able to tag along on this adventure. Instead she held her tongue, waiting for Twilight to finish.

Twilight now had finished transforming the hard slate surface of the table into the beautiful map that showed a large majority of Equestria. From where she was sitting Rainbow Dash could see the cutie marks of Applejack, Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were gravitating around a large city at the northern most point of the map. Rarity's and her own cutie mark however were nowhere to be seen.

At least I'll be able to go to work.

"Now where in Equestria is that?" Asked applejack, not sure where the map was pointing them.

"Oh Applejack," Rarity chimed in with a smug tone at her friends question. "it's right there." Rarity pointed a hoof to the city where her friends cutie marks were floating, a condescending grin plastered on her face. Applejack rolled her eyes.

"You know what I meant." Applejack shot back.

"'That', is Vanhoover and you" Twilight gestured to Applejack. "Pinkie, Fluttershy and I have a mission there, apparently. It's also the reason we need this," Twilight held up the book she had found. 'The Vanhoover Common Tongue', Apparently they speak a Prench based creole."

"What about Rainbow and myself?" Queried Rarity, the seamstress seemed a little down trodden at finding out she wasn't required on the field-trip, after all, her knowledge of the Prench language would certainly come in handy.

"Yeah, why are we even here, Twilight?" It was Rainbow's turn to badger the alicorn.

"Well, you might not have seen it yet but your cutie marks are in fact on the map." Assured Twilight.

The other five ponies in the room squinted to try and locate where the fashionista and the speedster's marks were hiding, after a short time Twilight chuckled.

"It took me a while to see it too." Twilight pointed a hoof to where Ponyville resided on the map. 

The five friends looked to the town and sure enough two cutie marks hovered above the small village, slowly spinning in a circle. The two cutie marks however were tiny in comparison to the other four, only a quarter of their size. It was as if the two marks were not supposed to be noticed.

There was a moment of silence as Rarity and Rainbow mulled over their 'destination'.

"Wow." Rainbow deadpanned.

"I agree with Rainbow Dash, I am positively brimming with excitement." Rarity looked about as excited as a slice of cheese.

"Oh I'm sure something exiting will happen, after all if you weren't needed, the map wouldn't be showing your marks at all." Their shy yellow friend reasoned. 

"That's right." Twilight confirmed. "There must be some important objective for  you two to deal with in Ponyville."

"Whatever, I have to work anyway." Rainbow wanted to tell the rest of her friends about her new job but figured it probably wasn't worth wasting their time, speaking of which. "Hey what time are you guys leaving anyway?"

"Good Point, Rainbow." Twilight said, despite Rainbow not making a point. "Fluttershy, AJ, Pinkie, I'm sorry to drop this on you but we need to leave as soon as possible, I need you to go home and pack some warm clothes, it snows year round in Vanhoover. Then I need you to meet me back here in half an hour."  

"Half an hour, oh dear." Spoke Fluttershy softly. "Twilight, can I ask Spike to look after my animals while we're gone?" Worry evident in the pegasus' tone.

"I'm sorry Fluttershy, Spike will be coming with us, we may very well need to send some letters, not only to the princess but to Ponyville as well. I'm expecting us to be gone at least a week." Twilight regretfully stated. Fluttershy frowned.

"Well seeing as I'm not leaving town I suppose I could keep an eye on your animal friends Fluttershy." Rarity volunteered, not exactly eager but nonetheless willing to help her friend. 

"Oh, no that's okay, I've been teaching Angel how to look after the others, he's gotten very good at it." Fluttershy spoke with a smile, happy at the progress her pet rabbit had made. "This can be his.. trail run." Fluttershy finished, unsure if she was making the right decision. The rabbit was in fact much better behaved lately. Much better behaved when Fluttershy was around anyway.

Rarity didn't like the sound of that, her few run-ins with the rabbit had always left her with the impression that he was, in her own words, an 'Ill tempered little beast'. "Well at least let me check up on them once, I would hate for anything to happen to the little darlings."

"O-oh thank you Rarity, you're too kind." Fluttershy smiled at the unicorn.

"Oh my gosh I'm so excited!" Pinkie had been prancing around the outside of the chairs while the others spoke. "Im gonna go pack!" Pinkie declared before disappearing out the door in the blink of an eye. Not bothering to say goodbye to anybody.

"Twilight, if you want us to leave in half an hour why are we only here now? Applejack asked, obviously a little worried that she didn't have enough time.

Twilight looked down, slightly ashamed. "I thought there would be more trains." Twilight admitted "Sorry."

"It's alright darlin', just maybe a bit more warning next time." Applejack spoke sincerely, albeit a little dissapointed. The farm pony lifted herself from her chair and started her walk toward the door.Fluttershy joined her.

Before they could leave however Rarity spoke up. "So I guess we won't see you for a week, do take care of yourselves, I hear it gets tremendously cold up there." The snow white unicorn spoke, concern evident in her tone.

"We will Rarity, don't you worry." Fluttershy smiled as she spoke, she appreciated her friends concern.

"You two have fun now, ya hear?" Applejack said to Rarity and Rainbow Dash before turning with Fluttershy and leaving the room.

And then there were three. The only sound in the room was the clopping of hooves as Applejack and Fluttershy moved through that castle's halls.

"Any idea what our mission might be Twi?" Rainbow broke through the quiet as the alicorn busied herself with filling a saddlebag with various books.

"No clue." Came the response. "I'm sorry but you'll have to find out for yourselves." Twilight turned and smiled worriedly at her two remaining friends.

Rainbow got up to leave. "We'll figure it out, won't we Rares." The blue pegasus shot a determined look at Rarity.

"I'm sure we will Rainbow Dash." Rarity answered more for Twilight's sake than Rainbow's.
"Now you need to pack! Come along Rainbow, let's get out of Twilight's hair." Rarity started toward the exit of the room, Rainbow alongside her. "Have a nice time in the north!" Rarity practically sang as she and Rainbow left the room.

"We will!" Twilight sighed.

 I hope.

Twilight mused, trying to figure out what the problem could be, If previous escapades involving the map had taught her anything it's that there would be no real way of knowing what the problem was until they arrived at their destination.
But what kind of problem could require the help of the elements of honesty, kindness and laughter, but not the elements of loyalty or generosity?

Twilight tried to stop thinking about it, she would have plenty of time to worry about it on the train ride.
Packing now, worrying later.



* * * * * *




"So, what are you up to this week." Rainbow asked idly, drinking in the sunlight as the two stepped out of Twilight's mansion.

"Oh nothing much," Came the reply. "I finished my winter line early this year hoping I could get some relaxation, but it appears the map has other plans." From the tone of Rarity's voice the pegasus could tell she wasn't happy about having to be on the lookout for possible map-related problems.

"Yeah, I'm sure it won't be anything major." Rainbow tried to reassure the unicorn.

"I hope not." Rarity looked at Rainbow just as the pegasus stretched her wings to take off. "I suppose we will be seeing each other at some point this week then?" 

"I guess, see ya 'round Rarity." Rainbow Dash leapt upward and flew in the direction of her cloud home. Rarity stood alone with her thoughts.

Rainbow Dash and Rarity weren't the closest of friends, at this point Rarity was probably closer to Applejack than she was to Rainbow, at least she spoke to Applejack. Rarity had never held a conversation longer than two minutes with the brash pegasus. That's not to say the two didn't get along, they just didn't have any common interests, which left their conversations null and void of anything interesting for either parties.

Rarity looked at the rainbow contrail that was slowly fading into nothingness, her thoughts somewhere else. She turned toward Carousel Boutique and started to walk home.



* * * * * *



"Maow."

"Of course, dear," Rarity spoke in response to her cat's plea. "now, what would you like, tuna or salmon?" 

"Moww"

"Tuna it is then!" Rarity opened a can of 'Swanky spread!' cat food with her magic and emptied the contents into Opalescence' bowl. Despite costing three bits extra, the cat food still looked as revolting as any of the other cheaper varieties of cat food on the market. Rarity had made the mistake of treating her cat to a 'fine' meal, and now the Persian refused to eat anything aside from expensive, pretentious cat food.

As long as it makes my little Opal happy. 

Rarity threw away the can and trotted up the stairs into her bedroom. The large closet doors opened with a flourish of magic and out floated Rarity's favorite ensemble. A fluffy pink night robe with matching slippers for her front hooves.

Rarity donned the robe, loving the feeling of the astoundingly soft faux fur gliding across her own, hugging her curves and instantly warming her.

Rarity looked to her bookshelf as she slipped her hooves into the equally fuzzy shoes, the unicorn telekinetically picked up a book called 'The Lady and the Thief', the alabaster unicorn skimmed the blurb.

'After circumstances drive her out of her home, a young filly on the cusp of marehood must find her own way in the new and frightening outside world with only a tall, strong stranger as her guide. Will her companions dark past keep them from being together? Or will love prevail and..yada yada yada.'

Goodness gracious, why did I buy this sappy drivel.

Rarity put the book back in its rightful place on the shelf, rising above the temptation to put it in the trash. The white unicorn sorted through her small collection of books once more before settling on a novel called 'The House by Whitetail Lake' by Stallion king. A horror.

Ah much better.

Rarity totted downstairs and climbed onto her plush couch, the book floating behind her in an aura of magic. Using her magic the unicorn reached out the flip the sign on the front door around and locked the door. It wasn't quite closing time but the unicorn thought she deserved a little alone time.

It's okay to be a little bit selfish, Rarity.

With another spark of magic, the alabaster mare set alight her fireplace, changing the dull white light of the room to a warm yellow. The crackling of the fire and the warmth it provided made Rarity feel cosy and safe. Finally comfortable, Rarity opened her book and started to read.



* * * * * *



Rainbow Dash raced across the afternoon sky, hurtling toward her cloud home. As much as it shouldn't have, her day so far had exhausted her. All she had done so far was see her boss, talk to Pinkie and then sit in a chair for twenty minutes while Twilight talked about maps and Prench and other things the rainbow maned pegasus didn't listen to. 

All the same Rainbow was worn out, mentally more than physically, she decided a nap would help bring her spirits back up. 

Rainbow Dash touched down on the cloud platform that formed around the front of her large home. She decided, in a rare show of maturity that she would nap at her own house today, which was lucky (if you could call it that), because what she was about to find out couldn't wait any longer.

Rainbow noticed a note had been stapled to her door, yellow and black, making it easily noticeable. Rainbow's heart sank into her stomach as she read the first sentence. 

By decree of the Cloudsdale Housing Association and under the safety legislation of chapter 3 section C of the Equestrian Housing safety regulations, this property is hereby 'residentially condemned', the current resident(s) of this structure have until midnight of the issue date to remove all belongings and evacuate the premises.

Reason for condemnation:
Structure has drifted into Everfree air space and is now at risk from disintegration by Everfree winds.

Cause(s):
Worn anchoring clouds failing to hold the structure in designated airspace.	

To have this structure moved to its correct airspace and the anchoring clouds replaced, the Cloudsdale Housing Association can do so for a fee of 2000 Bits. This must be paid to the Cloudsdale Housing Association a maximum of one month after the issue date, beyond that date the structure will become 'structurally condemned' and be issued for demolition.

Any persons found on the premises after midnight of the issue date will be fined two hundred bits for every day they are found to occupy the premises.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Signed the president of the Cloudsdale Housing Association:                                                                                                               Feather Fall.

Rainbow Dash finished reading the note, then she read it again. Rainbow was vaguely aware that she at some point had started shaking, but she didn't know what from. Anger? Confusion? Sorrow?

Rainbow's breathing grew fast and heavy. Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes as the weight of the situation caught up with her. She Was beginning to hyperventilate and a horrible sinking feeling took over her stomach.

Don't you dare cry! Don't you fucking dare! Even now her thoughts wouldn't leave her alone.

Rainbow tried her best not to break down, but it was futile.

Rainbow Dash folded.

"AHHh-h-h!" The frustrated cry cracked and broke down into splutters as her shaking knees gave out, dropping the pegasus to the cloud floor. Her choking sobs forced the mare to concentrate on breathing. 

Rainbow Dash finally pushed her face in between her forelegs, curled her legs beneath her, and for a time, she cried.


			
			





> Friday, Part Two
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow lay on the platform outside her cloud home, her tears long run out. She slowly raised her head to look at the note she had ripped from her door, the word 'Condemned' still running through her mind.

Get up.

Rainbow didn't want to get up, all energy had been sapped from her body. She just wanted to rest, just lay there and not have to think.

Get up and deal with this you sook. Times a wasting!

With great effort Rainbow slowly raised herself to standing position, her knees creaked after staying in the same position for what must have been twenty minutes. Her eyes moved to her cloud home once more.

My beautiful home.

Smack! 

Rainbow slapped herself, trying to forcefully snap herself out of the sulky mood.

"Alright Dash, focus. What do we do." Rainbow thought out loud, trying to psych herself up. The pegasus knew that action needed to be taken, and lying on the platform outside her condemned cloud home was not action.

The rivers of dark fur that streaked down her muzzle were drying now, exposed to the whipping wind of the high altitude. Rainbow could hear the wind bellowing around her cloud home, at this altitude it sounded like the ocean. Rainbow focused on it, using it as an anchor to help her think straight.

Rainbow knew what she needed to do. The pegasus' wings lifted her off the cloud floor, she angled herself toward Cloudsdale and took off.



* * * * * *



Rarity hopped to the tune flowing from the gramophone in the corner of the room. The song playing was one of her favourites; Briannon by Fleetfoot Mac. She idly grooved and hummed the rhythm as she cut vegetables for a soup she was preparing. Rarity had prepared too many ingredients, she wasn't used to cooking for one.

Oh well, I guess I'll have soup tomorrow night as well.

Rarity sighed.

Rarity used her magic to open the refrigerator and  retrieved a bottle of White wine. It wasn't anything fancy, it was only worth sixteen bits according to the bright orange price tag that was still attached to the label. Uncorking the bottle, the alabaster mare poured herself a glass.

The mare's hair had lost its usual shape due to lack of attention, the thick indigo curls now hung lazily around her shoulders. She knew her hair wasn't perfect but she didn't care, she was alone and she didn't have to try to impress anyone. Tonight was about comfort. 

Sweetie Belle had returned to stay at her parents' house after a week and a half long stay with her older sister. So tonight the white mare planned on doing the things she couldn't when her little sister was around. That of course being listen to her music, relax and indulge in a glass of wine or two, among other things.

Rarity raised the glass of cheap wine to her lips and took a petite sip. It was foul, like wet cardboard and  battery acid.

I Should've bought the thirty bit bottle. Rarity sighed again.

The song on the record ended and gave way to the next track, a song called 'Avalanche'.
Rarity melted into the melancholy of the song and sang along, periodically taking a sip of her wine and stirring the pot of soup on the stove.

"And I see my reflection in the, snow covered hills. 'Till the avalanche brought me down~."



* * * * * *



Rainbow had convinced the helpful ponies of 'Move it!' moving company to help move her things before the day was over, normally they would have required at least a days notice but seeing as this was an emergency they were more than willing to help.

That was a bonus of living in the close knit area, If you had a problem that you couldn't fix on your own, somepony was always willing to help. It was the kind of neighborly friendliness that you wouldn't get in Canterlot or Manehatten.

Whilst a gruff brown stallion and a small grey mare were loading cardboard boxes into the enchanted wagon outside, Rainbow was busy filling said boxes upstairs. She wasn't going to bother with the larger furniture she decided, her fridge wasn't going anywhere.

She decided that she would pack a personal box of necessities, her toothbrush, comb, small bottles of shampoo and conditioner, a book or two. The thought of packing necessities provoked an idea Rainbow hadn't even considered yet. 

Where was she going to stay. 
She could stay at Twilights, the crystal castle had many a spare room that Rainbow Dash knew about.

Twilight isn't home.

Rainbow sighed as she remembered that her friends had all gone to Vanhoover, all bar one.

Rarity.

Rarity might let me stay at hers...maybe.

Rainbow thought for a moment about the various hotels in the area, doubtful that she could afford one.

"Hey Craft Crate." Rainbow called Down the stairs, putting her thoughts on hold for a moment. "How much is this going to cost me?"

Downstairs the large brown stallion put down the box he was carrying and wiped his forehead before calling back up the stairs. "Well, normally this would cost you around a hundred and fifty bits or so, but seeing as you need the money and were not moving big stuff I guess I could do..." The stallion looked to the grey mare accompanying him, giving her a questioning look, the mare simply smiled and nodded at the stallion.  "Ninety?"

Rainbow sighed, if Craft Crate had made her pay the full amount she would have virtually no money whatsoever until next week, and with the generous discount she didn't really have any right to haggle further.

"Sweet, thanks Craft Crate; you're a life saver." Rainbow's tone was thankful but her expression was worried. She needed as much money as she could get her hooves on if she was going to make it until payday.

"No problem." He finished, getting back to work.

Rainbow walked over to her bedside table and picked up a small sack of bits, the bag contained every bit Rainbow had to her name. The mare dumped the money on the table and put aside a fifty bit coin and two twenties, that would pay Craft Crate. She counted the rest of her money.

Seventy five bits. If she was careful that could buy her food until her presumed pay day.
Not enough for a hotel though.

I guess I'll have to ask Rarity if I can crash on her couch. 

A Thought popped into the pegasus' head. Rainbow trotted over to her closet and threw it open.
There were only four things inside. A clear dress bag containing her first gala dress, a box of four thick plastic horseshoes used for manipulating high voltage clouds, a black duffel bag and a white collar with a red tie built in.

She grabbed the tie in her teeth and threw it in her box of necessities, figuring she would need it for her job. She then carefully folded her gala dress and placed it in another cardboard box along with the box of shoes and the bag.

Rainbow stared at her cardboard box of essentials, there was brown packing tape around the bottom and a dark stain across one of the faces. 

Do you really think Rarity is gonna let you bring that into her home?

A second voice piped up to respond.

What makes you think Rarity is gonna let stay at her house in the first place.

She turned back to the box behind her, pulled out the duffel bag and transferred her necessities from the dingy box to the bag.
Rainbow trotted down the stairs of her cloud home, the duffel bag slung over her chest and resting on her back.

"Anymore upstairs?" Asked the grey mare with the bubble cutie mark as she stuffed another box into the back of the wagon.

"Only two, hey thanks for doing this for me guys. I'm sorry for the short notice." Rainbow Spoke, an obvious sadness in her voice.

"It's really not a problem miss Dash, I'm sorry about your house." Craft Crate paused. "I'm sure it'll work out, it's not fair to you to have you house taken away." The stallion spoke with true sincerity. A sad expression on his face. "Now, you sure you don't want us to take any of your furniture?" He asked, trying to get off the sad subject.

"Nah, it's not going anywhere, besides mom's storage shed isn't really big enough for all that."

"Yeah where are we taking this stuff anyway?" Asked Ditzy Doo.

"Oh, uh you know the storage sheds near the weather factory?" The grey mare nodded in response. "It's number 32, owned by a mare named Firefly. The code to get in is zero one-one eight." Rainbow Dash amazed herself that she could remember that, it had been over a year since she last used the shed.

Craft Crate and Ditzy finished putting the last few boxes into the wagon and sealed it. Rainbow paid the bits she owned to Craft Crate and the stallion once again apologized for the situation Rainbow Dash had found herself in, as if he were somehow responsible. The two ponies harnessed themselves into the wagon and took off in the direction of the weather factory, leaving Rainbow Dash alone once more.

Rainbow walked through her house. It felt rather bleak without her possessions, the familiar feeling of sorrow returning to her.

Don't you dare. 

Rainbow checked each room to make sure she had locked all the windows , finally coming back to her bedroom. She looked at the queen sized platform that took up the majority of the room.

"I'm gonna miss you, bud." Rainbow thought out loud as she sat on her bed for what would be the last time in potentially a month. She shifted to a lying positing, the silk sheets were cold from the late autumn air but slowly warmed as Dash's coat slid across them. The bed had been a gift from her mother when she first moved out of home. 

The mare rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling, her eyes shifted to the wonder bolts poster on the wall behind her. 
The feeling welling up in her chest once more as that word returned to her, that single word that had ruined her day.

Condemned.

Don't even think about it. 

The voice in her head warned her, but the second voice spoke up as well.

Works over, it's okay to now.

A tear rolled down Rainbows cheek as she gave in to the feeling. Rainbow sniffed and decided it was time to leave, she needed to get away from this place. Being there just made her want to stay longer.

Rainbow walked downstairs and grabbed the duffel bag filled with her essentials. Locked the door and sat on the edge of the cloud platform that served as the foundation of her house. At this altitude the late autumn wind went straight through the pegasus.

I should've grabbed some winter clothes.. I s'pose I can always get them out of storage if I really need to.

Rainbow let one more tear slide down her face as she looked back to her beautiful, 'condemned' cloud home. Before Twilight's castle appeared, Rainbow had the second biggest house out of all of her friends, just behind Applejack. She also had what was probably the most expensive house out of all her friends, not that she could ever afford it on her own.

Rainbow Dash thought back to the day her mother had surprised her with the best gift she had ever received.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




A young Rainbow Dash trotted down the stairs of her cloud home, she spied out of the corner of her eye her mother reading the morning paper at the table.
Technically it was her mother's cloud home, but Rainbow was looking to move out sometime soon. She was almost eighteen years old now and finished with flight school.

"Morning mom." Rainbow yawned, sluggishly moving over to the kitchen cupboard and pulling out a box of 'Wheaty Bitz' cereal and a bowl.

"Morning honey." Came the sweet reply of Firefly, Rainbows mother was a soft pink color with an electric blue mane that matched the color of her double lightning bolt cutie mark and eyes like lavender. She had very much the same build has her daughter, maybe a little bigger as Dash was only seventeen.

Dash sat down on the table and started eating her breakfast when her mother spoke up.

"I've got a bit of a surprise for you today." Firefly's tone was the epitome of motherly, she didn't have the same rasp to her voice as her daughter did, leaving her with a velvety voice that flowed from her voice box like silk.

Rainbow perked up at that, she loved surprises. Just as she was about to ask about it the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it, hold that thought."

Rainbow trotted up to the front door and threw it open with a hoof revealing the smiling face of the bluest mare Rainbow Dash had ever laid eyes on. Everything about the mare was blue, her coat was the same shade as Rainbows, her mane and tail were darker and her eyes were the deepest ocean blue Rainbow had ever seen. The kind of eyes you could get lost in. The Strange mare was only a fraction taller than Rainbow, giving the impression that she might be slightly older than Rainbow. Rainbow smiled warmly at the mare.

"Hi." Said the Blue pegasus mare. "My name is Blue October, but most ponies just call me Toby, I'm your new mail mare!" Blue October grinned after introducing herself, her voice was raspy like Dash's but of a lower pitch. "I thought I should say hi to the neighborhood, get to know everybody."

She's cute. Rainbow thought to herself, momentarily lost in the blue pony's eyes.

Wait. What!? Since when did you think about fillies like that?! Rainbow gave her head a hard shake.

"Oh hi, I'm Rainbow Dash." Rainbow stumbled over her words, trying to play it cool despite the internal conflict that just occurred. "Uh, welcome to the neighborhood, Toby."
|
"Thanks." The mare kicked one of her front hooves bashfully. What is she..

"Oh, uh here's your mail." Toby reached into her saddlebags with her mouth and pulled out a letter. She handed it to Rainbow. Rainbow took the letter in her mouth, attempting to take it from the blue mare. 

For a brief moment Rainbow looked into the blue mares eyes, precisely at the moment that both of their mouths were attached to the envelope.

Is she..

Rainbow could swear she saw a hint of rose coloring the cheeks of the blue mare. Their mouths were separated by only three inches of paper.

She Totally is..

"Dash, who's at the door?" Rainbows mother chose that exact moment to ask the question, breaking the seemingly prolonged eye contact of the two fillies. Rainbow Dash tucked the letters under a wing before calling back.

"It's the new mail mare."

"Ooh tell her I say hello." Firefly called back.

Rainbow tried her hardest not to roll her eyes as she looked to blue mare. They both heard her clearly. "My mom says hello." Rainbow deadpanned. Blue October thought that was funny.

"Well I gotta go, see ya 'round Rainbow Dash." The blue mare smiled at Rainbow and took off, faster than she needed to. Rainbow stood in the doorway of her home, slightly confused at the entire exchange that just took place.

She looked out over the large houses that made up the streets of upper Cloudsdale as her internal conflict returned.

'She's cute' why would you think something like that, she's a mare. Last time it was that girl at the store, you stared at her flank for like, a whole minute, are you gay now? What's up with you Dash?

...She was cute. Replied a weaker voice within Dash's mind. Mare's can be cute.

"Rainbow honey, is everything alright?" Called her mother, snapping Dash from her near trance-like state.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine, mom." Rainbow said as she turned and closed the large door with a hind leg. Trotting back into the kitchen Rainbow dropped the letters on the table and went back to her cereal.

"So," Said Rainbow with a mouthful of food. "This surprise."

Firefly sighed, "Rainbow, when your grandfather died, he gave me a very large chunk of his wealth." Firefly's tone was sad, the memory of her father wasn't a fresh one, but it still stung to talk about. "I was gonna wait until you turned eighteen but with your new job on the Ponyville weather team I think your responsible enough to handle it now." Firefly paused a moment. "Your grandfather wanted me to buy you a house with the money."

"Ack!" Rainbow momentarily choked on a bite of cereal before gulping it down loudly. "Really!?"

Firefly tucked her head under her wing and withdrew something, sliding it across the table Rainbow recognised a key ring with two identical keys and a generic name tag. The name tag read '#1 Ponyville heights', Rainbows eyes widened and her jaw hung open.

"Are you serious!? MOM!" Rainbow leapt from her seat at the table and crash hugged her mother's mid section. "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh." Firefly tightly hugged her daughter back, Rainbows reaction bringing a huge smile to her face. "Mom, you didn't have to do that. You could've used the money on other stuff." Rainbow Dash said, tears in her eyes as she still tightly embraced her mother.

"Like what honey?" Came the silky smooth reply from Firefly despite having the air forced out of her from the hug. "I have everything I need, besides, you're a grown mare now, It's time for you to do your own thing." Firefly's voice wavered. Her little Dashie was all grown up, it was time for her to leave the nest.

Be strong Firefly, don't cry. Firefly Resisted the urge but eventually gave in, letting a single tar slide down her face.

Rainbow nuzzled into her mother's chest, tears now flowing freely. "I love you, mom." The sentence was muffled by Fireflys chest fuzz.

Firefly readjusted her grip around her daughter, the occasional tear of happiness falling now. "I love you too, Dashie."

Rainbow Dash finally let go of her mother, noticing the tears in her eyes. "Mom, you," Rainbow paused as she sniffed an wiped her eyes. "You really didn't have to do this."

"It was one of your grandfather's final wishes, besides, I would have done it anyway. You're the best daughter I could have ever hoped for." Firefly looked Rainbow in the eye as she said it.

Rainbow pulled her mother into a hug once more, this one softer and more tender than the excited rib crushing hug Firefly had endured prior. The two held each other on the kitchen floor for a moment before Firefly spoke up.

"Hey, Let's go look at it."



* * * * * *



Rainbow Dash and Firefly stood on the platform outside Rainbows new home. Rainbows eyes were wide at the view of her huge cloud home.

"You okay, honey?" Asked Firefly as she nudged her daughter in the side. Rainbow was somewhere else entirely. "Dash!"

That caused Rainbow to just and snap out of her daze. "Now when you said house, I assumed you actually meant house." Rainbow paused noticing the questioning look on her mother's face. "I didn't think you meant mansion."

"I don't mean to rain on your parade, Rainbow but it looks bigger than it is, it's a single tower three stories tall. Still impressive by any standards but it's no mansion. Not quite as big as my house." Firefly poked out her tongue.

It'll always be a mansion to me. Thought Rainbow.

"Did you bring those keys? I got one more thing to show you."

Rainbow lifted her wing and pulled out the key ring with her teeth. Unlocking the door, Rainbow and Firefly walked up to the third floor. The master bedroom took up the majority of the floor with the remainder of the space used for an ensuite that flowed from the room. The master bedroom itself held another surprise, an obvious one but a surprise nonetheless.

A queen sized bed took up a large portion of the rooms floor space. "Hot Damn!" Rainbow dive bombed the bed as soon as she laid eyes on it.

"I knew you'd like it, so what do you think, honey?" Firefly gestured to the room in general, but Dash knew she meant the house.

"Mom," Rainbow was getting emotional again, overwhelmed by happiness. "It's the best thing that could have happened. I don't know how to thank you." Rainbow couldn't have been more sincere. She hadn't even in her wildest dreams thought that this could ever happen.

"Oh honey, you already have." Firefly walked over to the bed that her daughter sat on and nuzzled her. The two held the tender moment for a while until Dash spoke up once more.

"Thanks, mom."




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




Rainbow sat on the edge of her cloud, she was crying again now, not from happiness at the memory but sadness that everything in that memory had been taken away. At least her brain had given up on trying to make her stop.

Works over, it's okay to now. 

She looked back to her house one last time.

I'll get you back, bud. Rainbow didn't realize it until the words flew through her mind, but her house was like a friend to her. It was her first house and possibly the last one she would ever need own. It had been in every memory of hers for the last three years, the good ones and the bad. It was a very important part of her life. She was going to get it back

I just need to work a few weeks, save everything I earn and before I know it, everything will be back to normal. Understatement of the century.

Rainbow looked down on the town a hundred meters below her home. The sun was setting now and almost the entirety of Ponyville had been caught in the shadows of the surrounding mountains. The cold breeze stung Rainbow, she needed to move.

Rainbow jumped from her cloud and extending her wings, glid down to Ponyville. 



* * * * * *



Rarity had tried reading again, but after finding out that she was far too tipsy to take in any of the words on the page, she decided she would just put her music back on a have a bath. The soup she had been preparing was a memory now, it was pretty good. Not her best work but good enough, there were left over's in the fridge.

Rarity sung along with the music that was currently drifting up the stairs from her living room.
"Once I had a love, it was divine. Soon found out, I'd lost my mind~ Seemed like the real thing but I was so bli-"

Thump-Thump

Rarity was cut off by the knock on the door of carousel boutique.

Oh come on, who could that be? Of all the times.. Rarity internally cursed whoever was knocking at her door and lifted herself from the tub. Telekinetically wrapping a bath robe around her, she used a towel to give her mane and tail a superficial dry, just enough as to not get the floor wet. Her purple curls were no longer curls, instead her mane hung wavily down to her knees.

"Coming~." Rarity sang cheerily despite having to get out of her bath, she didn't really mind, she could always have another bath.

Meanwhile Rainbow Dash stood outside the door, waiting for the white unicorn the answer. The chromatic pegasus could hear the music being muffled through the door.

Huh, I didn't know Rarity listened to Palomino. That's pretty cool.

Rarity walked into her living/show room and switched off the gramophone, trotting over to the door she magically unlocked it and threw it open.

"Hello?" It took the unicorn a moment to recognize who it was that was standing at her door through the darkness, but the mane gave it away. "Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here?" Rarity blinked, momentarily forgetting her manners. "Come in, darling. Goodness you must be freezing."

"Thanks Rarity," Rainbow said as she trotted through the portal of warmth, in that instant Rainbow mentally noted that she would have to figure out how a fireplace would work in a cloud home. The room was substantially warmer. Rainbow looked the unicorn up and down, the way her purple hair hung down lazily, the fluffy white and gold bath robe and the fact that the unicorn wasn't wearing makeup made Rainbow look at Rarity in a way that she hadn't before.

Wow.

"So what do I owe the pleasure, Rainbow?" Rarity said as she trotted back to the kitchen, looking around she realised she had left her glass of wine next to the bath tub.

Rainbow sighed at the question, she had no idea how to answer it. 'Hey rarity I got kicked out of my house, im just gonna live here for a while, thanks!'

"Rarity can I ask a favor, like, a Huge favor?" Rarity sensed the seriousness of her tone and moved out of the kitchen back into the main room, concern plastered on her face. Then she saw it, Rarity hadn't noticed when she invited the pegasus in, but it was clear now that Rainbow had been crying. She could see the streaks of matted fur on her friends face.

"Rainbow Dash, have you been crying?" Rainbow looked down. 

Very tactful, Rarity. I don't know how you could have possibly handled that better. Rarity physically winced as she mentally scolded herself.

"I'm sorry darling, here," Rarity trotted over to her couch and patted a spot next to her, motioning for the pegasus to sit down. Rainbow did so, settling down onto the plush couch.

"Now tell me what's the problem, hmm?" Rainbow sighed and readjusted on the couch.

"I got kicked out of my house, Rarity." Rarity's mouth opened in surprise. "They gave me today's notice to move out my stuff and get out." Rainbow was looking at the floor as she said it.

"Oh darling!" Rarity was completely thrown off by Rainbow's statement. "How can they do that? And who is 'they'?"

"It's been condemned by the Cloudsdale housing association, which is stupid because my house isn't even in Cloudsdale. I technically live in Ponyville." A hint of anger touched Rainbow's voice as she said it, she hadn't even taken into account the fact that if anyone was to condemn her home it should be the Ponyville housing association.

"Oh Rainbow." The words left Rarity's mouth softly and full of sorrow. She couldn't Imagine what she would do if she were in Rainbows situation, she would most likely have to move back in with her parents across town. 

Ugh.

Rarity telekinetically lifted another log onto the fire before getting up. "Now you stay put darling, I'll be right back and when I am I want to hear all about it." Rarity disappeared up the stairs for a moment before trotting back down and messing around in the kitchen. Before long the unicorn returned with not one but two glasses of white wine in her magical grasp.

"Now, I want to hear the whole story, you've got me worried sick." Rarity spoke as she set one of the glasses down in front of Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow raised an eyebrow at that. Rarity noticed her friends confusion. 
"You've had a rough day, darling." A sad smile graced her lips. "I've already had one or two." Or four. Rarity's tone was a whisper, as if it were some kind of secret. Rainbow was still a little confused, but who was she to turn down her friends generous offer of free booze.

Rainbow sighed and started to tell Rarity about her day, the occasional sip of wine made it easier to talk about. She spoke about her new job that was in her words, 'going to be total crap'. And of course she went into more detail about her housing situation, telling rarity about her needing to save bits to get her house dragged back to its proper place and have the anchor clouds replaced.

Rarity, as perceptive as ever, beat Rainbow to the question plaguing her friends mind. "So I take it this favor, involves you needing a place to stay?" 

Rainbow cleared her throat nervously at the question. "Uh..yeah," Rainbow began. "But it doesn't have to be for long, like, just till the girls get back, then I can stay at Twilights. She has tonnes of free space." Rainbow was nervous to ask the question, but before the unicorn could answer however, Rainbow Dash spoke up once more. "I-it's okay if you say no, Rarity, I guess mom would let me stay at her place for a while."

Rainbow was a little confused as to why she didn't think of that before, of course her mother would take her in. 

"Oh Rainbow really now, what kind of element of generosity would I be if I didn't let a friend stay at my house for one measly week hm?" Rarity smiled and put down her glass of wine.

Well, that was a whole lot easier than I thought it'd be. 

Rainbow felt the sudden need to pop herself in the forehead with a hoof. Why were you worried? She is the element of generosity, of course she's gonna say yes. 

"Thanks Rarity, it really means a lot." Rainbow smiled sadly at her alabaster friend, she hated asking for help, she should be able to deal with her own problems. Rarity however didn't seem content with just a smile and leaned over to her chromatic friend and wrapped her forelegs around her. Rainbow was a little caught off guard by the gesture, and if Rarity was honest, so was she. The unicorn reasoned that the wine must be affecting her behavior.

Sweet Celestia she is soft. When did Rainbow start using good conditioner? Rarity mused as she embraced the pegasus. 

After a slightly stunned moment, Rainbow returned the embrace. "Thanks again, Rares." 

Has Rarity always been this soft? And since when did she hug ponies? She's never hugged me before. Has she?

After a moment the two ponies let go of one another. The hug made Rainbow feel..better, almost like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

"Don't mention it, darling." Rarity stood and magically grasped her glass as she walked back to the kitchen. "Now, you're in luck, Sweetie Belle is staying with our parents for the next couple weeks, so you can use her room, she has a very nice bed. I picked it myself." The unicorn seemed a little smug at the proclamation.

"Whoa, Rares I was just gonna sleep on you couch."

"Nonsense." Came the sharp reply from the kitchen. "I'd sooner have you sleep on my own bed. Now have you eaten anything? I have some left over soup if you'd like." Rarity was borderline motherly when it came to hospitality, like a slightly drunk grandma.

Rainbow hadn't eaten anything aside from an (admittedly large) slice of quiche at lunch time, her stomach grumbled at the thought of food. "Yeah, that sounds great." Rarity smiled to herself, she hadn't made too much apparently.

Rainbow sat on Rarity's velour couch, relishing in the warmth of the fire. Eventually Rarity returned from the kitchen. Rainbow ate and the two spoke for a while longer. It was the first time Rainbow had felt truly comfortable around the unicorn. That may have come from the fact that Rarity was dressed in a bath robe with no makeup and un-styled hair, or perhaps it was that fact that the alabaster mare was a teensy bit drunk. Maybe it was because they were alone. Regardless, Rarity was giving off an aura that made her seem less prissy and more...pony.

Drunk Rarity is cool.

It was still early, only eight, but Rainbow had had a long day and decided she needed to sleep. The combination of wine and lack of napping had made the pegasus very tired. Rarity showed her where she could find towels if she felt the need to shower and showed her to Sweetie Belles room.

The room was large for a filly's room, semi circular in shape with a single bed near the far wall. It was nice. "Well I'll see you in the morning Rainbow, Good night." Rarity said as she turned away to leave the room.

"Hey Rares," Rainbow spoke before Rarity could leave. "Thanks again for.. you know." Rainbow felt the need the thank the unicorn again even though she had done so twice already. Rarity turned back to the pegasus.

"It's what friends are for, Rainbow." The alabaster mare smiled. "Good night Rainbow Dash." Rarity leaned over to Rainbow and gave her cheek a nuzzle, the friendly gesture froze Rainbow to the spot. It was completely unexpected.

So soft. Rainbow thought back to when the mare had embraced her on the couch

Rainbow returned the nuzzle. "Good night, Rarity." The unicorn broke the contact and turned down the hall. Rainbow softly closed the door, walked to the bed and climbed in. The pegasus lay there, completely still with her face to the ceiling and her eyes wide open, thoughts running through her head.

Since when was Rarity so touchy-feely, she's never done that before. It must be because of the wine, yeah that's it.

...

She's so soft..has she always smelled so nice? As soon as the words floated through Rainbow's mind, the second voice snaked its way into her head.

You better not act on those thoughts, Rainbow Dash. In fact It's probably better if you don't think them altogether. She can't know. None of your friends can know. Rainbow slammed her eyes shut and rolled onto her side. She needed to sleep.

Meanwhile Rarity trotted into her bathroom to brush her teeth, the wine had indeed made her sleepy. She decided she may as well call it a night also. The unicorn brushed her teeth and locked up the boutique. As the mare climbed into bed, out of habit she wrapped her forlegs around a pillow, hugging it closely to her body. The silk cover on the pillow was cold against her coat.

A real pony wouldn't be cold. The snarky voice that hung in Rarity's mind affronted her.

Rarity hugged the pillow tighter, she imagined the breathing pattern of the pony in her embrace.

Pillows don't breathe. And again.

Rarity sighed.

The alabaster unicorn closed her eyes and eventually, after some tossing and turning, she fell asleep.



> Saturday
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~



Rainbow Dash lay on the floor of her living room, she hummed a tune as she flicked through a magazine. The magazine was last month's edition of 'Flight', a pegasus magazine dedicated to flying enthusiasts. Rainbow stared at the centrefold of the issue, a poster of the Wonderbolts, or rather the new poster of the Wonderbolts. The new captain took up a majority of the image, a yellow mare with orange eyes and a mane and tail like flames.

Spitfire.

She was the youngest pony to become captain of the Wonderbolts for 30 years now. Rainbow's eyes drifted across the image, the yellow mares eyes practically piercing her own, her flight muscles flexing and of course her perfectly toned, round flan-

Thump-thump!

Rainbow jumped from the noise, her thoughts interrupted. Someone was at the door.

Huh, who could that be?

Rainbow stood, throwing the magazine shut with a hoof. She had been living in her new cloud home for a week and a half now and the only person who had come to visit so far was Fluttershy.

Rainbow trotted to the door and cracked it open. Peering outside, she recognized it was the blue mare from the other week. The mail mare.

Blue.. something. Fuck! 

"Hey Rainbow Dash, how's it going?" Blue October said smoothly. After their last encounter, Toby was trying her hardest to keep her cool around the chromatic pegasus.

Toby! It was Toby wasn't it?

Rainbow decided to gamble. "Oh hey, Toby..." Blue October smiled at that.

Nailed it! 

"I brought you some mail, it got delivered to your mom's." Blue October pulled some mail from her saddlebags and placed it at her hooves.

"Do you always knock when you deliver mail?" Rainbow spoke with one eyebrow raised. For some reason Toby felt a little hurt by the question, she didn't show it.

"Nah, I just wanted to let you know your mom is getting your bills. You have to go to the Ponyville post office to get your mailing address changed." Blue October was looking Rainbow in the eye, her eyes half lidded with boredom, but her mouth turned up in a charming smile. So far so good, don't screw it up, Blue. Blue Octobers thoughts run rampant through her mind.

"Oh crap, I totally forgot. Sorry about making you come all the way down here." Rainbow felt a pang of guilt as she realized it was her fault.
"Moving house sucks." Sweet Celestia those eyes. Why's she giving me that look?  Realization spread across Rainbows features as she recalled their last interaction.Oh, that's why.
The last time Rainbow had seen the mare, Toby had been blushing like a school filly and stumbling over her words like her hooves were tied together.

"Pff, yeah it does," Toby sympathised. Rainbow picked up the mail in her teeth and tucked it under a wing. Alright Blue, now's your chance, don't mess this up. Toby had been planning this one moment for a week straight. "Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow looked up, meeting those gorgeous blue eyes again. "Yeah?"

"I was wondering if maybe, you'd wanna hang out sometime?" Blue October idly kicked a front hoof, her head was facing down but her eyes were looking up at Rainbow Dash, awaiting her response.

Rainbow Raised an eyebrow, a pregnant silence fell over the two fillies. Am I being asked out my a mare? 

Blue noticed Dash's expression, her stomach dropped. Oh shit, she's not gay, Abort!

"'Cos, y'know I moved here only a month ago, and I don't really know anypony yet, you seem pretty cool so..." That's it, play it off like you just want to be friends. Blue October smiled sheepishly as she trailed off, all her prior smoothness now completely dissipated.

Rainbow wasn't a perceptive filly, but even she saw right through the poor excuse. Poor girl, you could at least hang out with her, she had the guts to at least try and ask you out, after all. "Y-yeah that could be cool, what are you doing after work?" 

Toby was happy that she had seemingly gotten away with it, but another part of her was feeling dejected. Oh well, at least I get to hang out with her. 
"Well, I gotta go finish the route for upper Cloudsdale, but after that I'm free, should only take me an hour." She was starting to relax again, the calmness returning to her voice. "I'll come back here?"

"Y-yeah okay, I'll see you in an hour." Rainbow wasn't certain if she was doing the right thing. Am I leading her on? I can't be, she figured out I'm straight and now she just wants to hang out...

Ha! Straight! That's a good one. Rainbow furrowed her eyebrows as the thought shot through her mind.

"Catch you later, Rainbow Dash." Blue October turned and took off in the direction of Cloudsdale.

Rainbow watched her fly away from her home for a moment, mentally noting that the blue mares cutie mark was a simple storm cloud. Rainbow had seen the mark before, it was a relatively common cutie mark.  Rainbow Dash turned and walked back inside. Being asked out by a mare had made her think. What would've happened if I'd said yes?

She sat back down on her floor and re-opened her magazine to the poster of the Wonderbolts. Her eyes scanned the page once more, falling on a familiar spot of the poster. She thought about Toby, about how cute she was when she was flustered, how adorable she was stumbling over her words as her cheeks grew red.

Maybe I should have...

She's a mare though, I like stallions. A defiant voice spoke up in Rainbows mind.

You've never liked stallions, Dash. Name one Stallion you have ever thought was cute. Rainbow's  face scrunched up in concentration as she thought. 

There was that one colt in flight school, wha-

You were thirteen, he doesn't count. 

Okay, what about that colt at that party six months ago, Thunder..something. I kissed him on that trampoline.

You were drunk, and so was he. And did you really enjoy that kiss anyway? Rainbow thought back to the party, it was right before she dropped out of flight school.

There was loud music playing in the background, ponies were talking, others yelling. Two colts were fighting over what music to put on somewhere. Almost her entire grade was at the party, a lot of the ponies drinking were underage, including herself. Dash didn't know the reason for the party but she had been invited nonetheless. 

Rainbow Dash was laying on her side on an old trampoline, her lips wrapped around the stallion's next to her. He was a dark grey stallion, almost black, he smelled of cheap beer and cigarettes, his mouth tasted much the same. Dash didn't care, she wanted to kiss somepony. She thought she did anyway.
Dash remembered the feeling of his tongue in her mouth, dancing with hers. His hooves running up her sides and his hot breath on her neck. 

But, the kiss seemed.. bland, like it was missing something. Rainbow also remembered suddenly not wanting to kiss the stallion anymore. She broke the contact.

"Imma go grab another drink." She slurred to the stallion over the noise of the party. He seemed okay with that, she got up and sauntered over to a table that was covered in varying cans and bottles. Pouring herself another drink, she decided not to return to the trampoline that night. She was bored of kissing now.

Dash shook her head, upon reflection, she hadn't really enjoyed the kiss... It wasn't unpleasant or bad, (Aside from the taste) It just felt like something was missing.

Maybe kissing just isn't all it's cracked up to be? Maybe he was just a bad kisser.

Really Dash? Think about it. What could have possibly be missing from the kiss?

Rainbow's eyes focused on the page again, her eyes drifted to where they had many times before. She stared at Spitfire's flank, the perfect curve of her yellow rump, the way her thigh met her barrel and the way her tail was held high.

Something was missing...

Rainbow was laying on the trampoline, music and voices all around her, she felt hooves sliding up her sides, tickling her as they explored the soft coat underneath her wings. She was in the midst of a deep kiss, the pony kissing her bit Dash's bottom lip gently, pulling on it with their teeth. Rainbow moaned as she felt her spine tingle from the action. 

She felt a hoof slide down her belly, imploring her to spread her thighs wide enough to grant the wandering hoof passage. Rainbow opened her eyes and stared into the two golden orbs of the yellow mare next to her. Within a moment their mouths were locked again, their tongues dancing and sliding against each others. Rainbow could feel the barrel of the mare in her forelegs, her own belly rubbing against it as they kissed and grinded on each other. So soft

The yellow mare broke the kiss, she smiled as she looked down, pushing Rainbow onto her back and climbing on top of her. Spitfire leaned down and whispered in Rainbows ear.

"You sure you're not gay, Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbows eyes snapped open, she hadn't realised she had closed them. Rainbow felt as though she had been slapped across the face, and her heart was in her stomach.

Argh! What the hell?! Rainbow groaned as she gripped her head in her hooves. Why am I thinking like this? This wasn't the first time Rainbow Dash had had fantasies about the Wonderbolt, the night prior she had a particularly vivid one as she lay in bed. One that resulted in her having to wash her sheets... And two nights before that as well.

Rainbow sighed as she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling.

I should talk to someone about this... Who would understand me though? I need someone who knows what this is like...

I need Blue October. 

Rainbow Dash remembered her name.



~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~



Rainbow's eyes creaked open as the morning sunlight sent the room into a orange glow, the Rainbow maned mare curled up tight as she drew the duvet closer. Preventing the late autumn air from touching her coat.

I don't wanna clear the sky today, stupid clouds. Rainbow internally grumbled as she started to lift herself from the bed.

Wait a sec. A smile grace Rainbows lips as she settled back into the warm embrace of Sweetie Belle's bed. That's not my job anymore. Hehehe. 

Rainbow curled up again, she used her back legs to flick the duvet underneath her, making sure that no part of her body was exposed to the cold. Rainbow smiled as she sunk into the bed and went back to sleep.



* * * * * * 



Rarity wrapped her hooves around the belly of the pony she was lying with, their coat was soft and warm. Rarity leaned her muzzle into what she assumed was the pony's mane, she took a deep breath.
The Pony smelled of vanilla and grapefruit, a combination that Rarity found very appealing. She snuggled closer to the pony as she mumbled something unintelligible.
Unfortunately the action caused the unicorns face to move directly into a sunbeam, the light assaulted her through her closed eyes.
Rarity's eyes cracked open, she was temporarily blinded by the sunlight. Rarity blinked the spots out of her eyes and looked to the pony in her forelegs.

It was a pillow. 

A pillow that smelled like her own conditioner, the same pillow Rarity cuddled every night.

Rarity sighed as she sat up in her bed. She slowly flopped off her bed and shuffled her hooves into a pair of slippers. Walking over to her dresser the unicorn rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She sat down, picked up her brush and set to work. 
Rarity smoothed out her mane, applied makeup and gave her coat a superficial brushing. It was a full fifteen minutes before the unicorn stood from her spot in front of the dresser. 

Rarity trotted downstairs into her kitchen, put on a pot of coffee and started making breakfast. I think oats today. It was a cold morning and Rarity felt the need for something warm and sweet. 

Meanwhile in Sweetie Belles room, Rainbow lay asleep on her back. The pegasus had managed to get in another half hour of sleep before Opal sauntered into the room.

The cat inspected the room in a bored manner, her eyes falling upon the sleeping form of Rainbow Dash. With a silent pounce, the cat swiftly jumped onto the bed. She walked along the pegasus' barrel until she could see the mares face.

"Moww" Opal inspected the face of the mare, a small line of drool seeping from the sleeping pegasus' lips. Opal gently pawed at Rainbows face, there was no reaction. The cat pushed her paw into Rainbows face once more, harder this time, again no reaction.

Satisfied, Opal climbed atop the face of Rainbow Dash and lay down directly on top of the mares muzzle.
A few seconds passed as the cat put its head down and closed its eyes, a smile on its face.

Rainbow however was having a considerably less enjoyable time, her brain was vaguely aware that she had stopped breathing and that something was blocking her airway. Within a few seconds Rainbows brain switched to panic mode.

The mare shot upright fast as a bullet, sending opal flying across the room. 

"MAO!"

Rainbows eyes were wide open as she coughed instinctively, she finally took a deep breath and looked to opal, who had landed on her feet and was now licking her own crotch.

"You stupid cat, you could have killed me!" Rainbow looked around the room, the door was shut and so was the window. "How the heck did you even get in here?" 

The cat purred and licked itself in response. Rainbow was fully awake now, her brain was still loaded with adrenaline. Rainbow slipped off the bed and walked to the door, idly running a front hoof through her mane to sort out the mess it had become during the night. 

Stupid cat. I'll never get back to sleep now. She opened the door and walked toward the kitchen. She could smell oats, and oats sounded really good right now.

Rarity hummed as she stirred the pot of oats on the stove. Deciding that they were done she ladled the oats into bowls. Now I just have to wake Rainbo-

"Hey Rarity."

"AH!" Rarity looked over her shoulder, Rainbow had  walked in apparently, Rarity gave the pegasus a quick scowl for scaring her.

"Hehe, you know they say that those with a guilty conscience scare easily, Rares." Rainbow was chuckling as she said it.

"And who says that, hmm?" Rarity retorted as she walked to the table, two bowls of oats in her magical grasp. "Oats?"

"Ooh, yes please." Rainbows eyes lit up at the thought of breakfast. "I dunno, I read it in a book I think."

Rarity placed a bowl of oats in front of the pegasus, she also magiked open the pantry and levitated out a bottle of honey, a shaker of salt and a small container of brown sugar. Much to Rarity's surprise, Rainbow reached for the salt first.

"Rainbow, I didn't know you liked salt on your oats?" Rarity smiled warmly at the pegasus. Rainbow Dash met eyes with the smiling unicorn across the table, salt shaker still in her hoof.

"Uhh.. yeah, who doesn't?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow at Rarity, a little weirded out. The hell is she looking at me like that for?

Rarity realized that she sounded like a sociopath and quickly finished the thought. "I-I just assumed you would have more of a..Pinkie-style breakfast."

"Oh hell no, have you seen the way that girl eats? I once saw her dip a sandwich into chocolate syrup." Rainbow spoke around a mouthful of oats, it had little slices of dried berries in it. Oh Rarity, even your oats are fancy. "She's nasty, dude."

"Mm, it is a bit of a worry." Rarity took a dainty bite of her breakfast just as the coffee machine stopped hissing. "I always assumed you shared her sweet tooth?" Rarity got up to pour herself a cup.

"Nah," Rainbows bowl was almost clean now, "I avoid sugar if I can, gotta stay light."

Rarity turned, she was surprised that the pegasus cared about nutrition, she had always assumed Rainbow had a very good metabolism and could eat whatever she wanted whilst staying naturally thin. The fact that it wasn't the case surprised the unicorn. But she's so thin!

"So, what are you up to today?" Rainbow asked as she scraped the bowl with her spoon, trying to get at the last few oats in her bowl, having wolfed them down at lightning speed.

Rarity sat back down at the table, a mug of coffee gently landing in front of her. "Oh not much, I was thinking about making myself a scarf, they're coming back in you know. I assume you'll be out flying?"

"Maybe," Rainbow stood up and walked to the sink, she turned on the faucet and stuck her head into the basin, drinking from the tap. Rarity looked on in morbid fascination. 

"Dunno, I might just stay in and read or something." Rainbow said as she wiped her muzzle.

"You never fail to surprise me with your uncouth antics, Rainbow Dash. I do own cups you know." Rainbow turned and met the unicorns deadpanned expression. "Anyways I though you would be flying today, Its one of the last sunny days of the year, what with winter just around the bend."

Just around the bend was an overstatement, winter started in four days. Rainbow looked down as she thought about it. Today and tomorrow are the only two days I have off until winter, I probably should do some flying. 
Rainbow Dash didn't really feel like flying, she was still worn out from yesterday. She felt as weak and tired, no energy for flying. I can always fly tomorrow. As if winter is gonna stop me from flying anyway.

"Rainbow darling, are you alright?" Rainbows head snapped upright meeting eyes with the unicorn.

"Hm? Yeah why?"

"You were staring at your hooves for quite some time, dear." Rarity was beginning to worry about her friend, she wasn't normally this distant or disconnected.

"Was I?" Rainbow wasn't sure how long she had been lost in thought. It cant've been that long, could it? When did I sit back down? 

"Yes," The word was drawn out, as If she was unsure. Rarity's expression held nothing but concern now. "We were talking about flying?" Rarity reminded the pegasus.

"Oh yeah, Im not feeling it today Rares, I think  I'm just gonna stay in, maybe go for a walk later."

Now Rarity knew something was wrong, she had never known Rainbow to just stay indoors for a whole day, the blue mare was always doing something. Pranking someone, inventing some new trick, setting fire to something, she always had things to do. Why not today?

"Surely you don't want to waste one of the last sunny days of the year though?"

Rainbow Dash stood from her seat once more, turning toward the hallway. "It's always sunny above the clouds, Rarity." Rainbow smiled at the unicorn before she disappeared down the hallway.

Rarity didn't know what she meant by that.



~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~



Rainbow Dash and Blue October were sitting in a park in Ponyville, they had gotten milkshakes from a bizarre building made to look like a gingerbread house. Rainbow had seen the building before but didn't realise it was a bakery until Toby had shown her. They had been served by a strange young mare, not much older than Rainbow, who Toby could only describe as 'violently pink.'

Rainbow lay on a park bench facing the blue mare, they sipped their milkshakes and talked a while.
Blue October was actually a very nice mare, once Rainbow had gotten to know her a bit. After talking for a while Rainbow had found out that she was nineteen years old, two years older than herself, an aerial hoof-ball enthusiast and moved to cloudsdale from Fillydelphia just over a month ago.

Rainbow sipped on her milkshake as the blue mare spoke. "You into any sports Rainbow?"

"Competitive flying, not really much else." Rainbow shrugged. 

"You any good?" Toby said with a teasing smile.

"Any good!? Im the best!" Rainbow was hardly going to pass up on the chance to brag. "You're looking at one of the only ponies to ever pull off a sonic rainboom!"

"Holy crap, really!? Show me!" The blue mare had stars in her eyes.

"Well, when I say I have done a rainboom, that doesn't mean I can do a Rainboom." Rainbow looked at her hooves. Blue October wore a quizzical expression. "I only ever did one, I'm still working on doing it again."

"That's crazy! When you get it down pat you have to show me, kay?"

"Heh, you bet!" The two fell into comfortable silence as they sat on the bench and sipped at their milkshakes. Rainbow's thoughts urging her to ask the question, or questions rather, that were plaguing her mind. Though to say she was a little bit nervous was an understatement. 

"Hey Toby, can I ask you a kinda personal question?"

Blue October was a little caught off guard by that, she looked at the rainbow maned mare as she swallowed heavily. "Uh yeah sure, I guess." 

What's this about.

Rainbow looked around the park, there were ponies everywhere. Perhaps this wasn't the place to be talking about this sort of thing. "Uhh, maybe we should go somewhere a bit more private?" Rainbow's nervousness was affecting the way she spoke now, a slight tremble was evident in her tone. 

Blue October was starting to become concerned, she didn't like confrontation, or the private matters of other ponies. Just like she didn't like ponies knowing about her private matters. She did however like the idea of going somewhere private with Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow looked around, she noticed her house wasn't far from the park. "How about we go back to my place." A nod from the blue mare was her only response.

Rainbow and Toby trashed their take-away milkshake cups and started flying. It was a short flight, Rainbow hadn't realized how close her house was from the small earth pony town.

Rainbow unlocked the door of her home and walked through the portal, Toby close behind. "Sweet pad, Rainbow Dash." Stated Blue October as they stepped into Rainbows living room.

"Thanks." Rainbow would've commented on the use of the word 'pad', and how the nineties were calling saying they want the word back or something to that effect, but her nervousness had reached critical levels. Maybe I should just forget about it.

Another voice rushed into her head. No, we've come this far!

"So what did you want to ask me, Rainbow Dash?" Blue was keen to just get this over and done with, the blue mare was beginning to sound nervous also. What If she figured it out?

Rainbow Dash walked to the centre of her living room and lay down, patted the ground next to her signalling for Blue to sit down as well, the mare did so.

"Dash are you okay? You seem tense."

"Toby, I can trust you can't I?" Rainbow looked to the blue mare.

"You can tell me anything, Dash. Why?" Toby wore a concerned expression.

Rainbow Dash took in a shaking breath. 

"Toby..you're gay huh." Rainbow stated it more than she did ask.

Blue Octobers eyes widened as her gut dropped. Fuck! How did she figure it out?!

"I-i, well I w-was-" Blue October's non-sentence was cut off by Rainbow Dash. 

"It's totally okay if you are, I just," Rainbow let out a sigh, after seeing the blue mares reaction Rainbow didn't feel nearly as nervous as she did prior, instead, now she felt guilty for putting Toby on the spot. "I just want to know."

Blue October didn't try to speak this time, after a moments contemplation she looked to Rainbow and simply nodded. The two sat there in awkward silence for a moment, the only sound was the wind whipping around Rainbows cloud home.

"How did you know?" Rainbow broke the silence.

"What?" Came the response, Blue's voice was quiet, she was still a little shocked that Rainbow had figured out her secret. 

"How did you figure out you're gay?" Rainbow was trying to look Blue October in the eye, but the mare was avoiding the contact; Instead she was looking at the floor.

"Rainbow, I like girls, what more needs to be said. Why are you even asking?" Toby sounded a little irritated, she looked up at Rainbow and noticed the mare was now looking anywhere but at her, her question had clearly struck a chord with the chromatic pegasus. "Rainbow?"

Rainbow was now the one staring at the floor, her anxiety was back now with a vengeance. The tension radiating off the smaller mare was almost palpable.

"I," Rainbow paused, she looked to Blue October. "I think I need your help." Dash said it shakily, Toby noticed her obvious struggle. The Puzzle pieces in Toby's mind fell together.

"You think you might like mares." Toby said it gently, being cautious around the sensitive subject.

Rainbow looked back to the floor, and nodded once. Toby couldn't help herself from feeling a slight spark of joy, the mare hated the fact that she had. The two fillies once again fell into a silence. 

"Well," Toby paused, she wasn't sure how much she could help with the situation; she had to find out she was gay on her own. She decided to ask Rainbow the same questions she had asked herself three years ago. "Do you think about girls more than you do guys?"

Rainbow thought about it for a moment before sighing. Rainbow nodded again. "Lately I have been, for the past six months or so, I never really thought about who I liked until about a year ago."

Helping somebody finding their sexuality was something Blue October never imagined herself doing, or wanted. Toby thought back to when she was struggling her own sexuality, she would've done anything to have somebody to talk to about it, that was the only reason she was helping Rainbow at this point. She couldn't stop herself from feeling a little sorry for Rainbow.

"Do you think about kissing mares?" Toby said it with a completely straight face, Rainbow however was swiftly turning a few shades pinker.
Rainbow wasn't smiling anymore, not that she was smiling to begin with, she was blushing and frowning at the questioning. Looking to the floor, Rainbow nodded once more.

"Would you ever do it in real life, its different to think about doing it than it is to actually commit." Blue October remembered the first time she had kissed a mare, she was certain that she wanted to do it but when the opportunity arose she was, for some reason, frightened.

Rainbow Hadn't thought about it that way, she had fantasized about kissing Spitfire on more than just one occasion, but she hadn't ever imagined herself ever in a situation where she would kiss a mare in real life. "I-I don't know. That's a tough one.." Rainbow was still looking away. "Yeah, I think I would probably...maybe."

I would kiss you Rainbow Dash. Toby couldn't help the thoughts from entering her mind. The two sat in silence for a while as Toby collected her thoughts, just as she was about to ask another question Rainbow spoke up.

"I know you tried to ask me out earlier." The words left Rainbows mouth before she even had time to process them. Instead of being shocked that Rainbow knew, Toby just sighed.

"I thought you'd figured it out...That was a total fuck up. I was trying to be smooth but.." The blue mare shook her head as she trailed off.
"It wasn't that bad," A small teasing smile had found its way onto Dash's face. "It was pretty good until you backed out." The blue mare was silent. "Why did you back out?"

"What do you mean?! You gave me stink eye!" Toby Raised her voice a little, obviously the subject annoyed her a little bit.

"Yeah, sorry about that. First time getting asked out by a mare and all that jazz." Rainbow looked to Toby. "Why me though?"

Toby was silent for a moment. "I thought you were gay, Dash."

Rainbow wasn't satisfied. "Why else?" 
She wasn't smiling anymore, it was no longer a tease. Rainbow was genuinely curious.

Blue October looked to Rainbow. "Really?" Rainbow didn't respond, she just held her curious expression. 

"You're cute, I thought you would make a good girlfriend...I also thought you were a lesbian, but hey, can't win 'em all." Toby said it with an air of sarcasm despite herself.

Rainbow looked down at the floor again, mulling over the sentence. "I might be a lesbian." Rainbows voice was quiet, as if she didn't know if she should be saying the words.

"Rainbow, don't." The blue mares voice was gentle, yet warning. Rainbow looked at the azure mare - her beautiful blue eyes, the way her main hung over her face, that silky smooth coat. 

She's so beautiful...

"Toby." Rainbows voice was quiet.

Don't say it! Don't say it! Don't say it! DON'T SAY IT! 

"Kiss me." 

Her mouth once again worked quicker than her brain, as soon as she said the words a feeling of terror mixed with nervousness flooded through her body. There was something else she was feeling though, something she couldn't quite put her hoof on.

Damn it Rainbow Dash! Rainbow mentally punished herself.

Blue October stared at the mare in shock. "What?" Toby's voice was quiet and disbelieving.

Rainbows mind was urging her to back out, take it back, say sorry and tell the mare to forget about it. Rainbow wasn't listening to her thoughts anymore. "Kiss me. Then I'll know for sure."

Blue held her gaze on the mare, her mind was running wild with conflicting thoughts. "Rainbow, I don't know if that's a good idea." Toby looked away from Rainbow only to feel one of the younger mares hooves rest on her wither. She wanted nothing more than to kiss Rainbow Dash, but she didn't want to take advantage of Rainbow's emotionally unstable state.

"Please." Rainbow spoke softly as she shuffled closer to the blue mare.

Against her own thoughts, Toby wasn't backing away. You'd be taking advantage of her, you can't! 

Blue October watched as the younger mare rubbed up against her side, she couldn't hear her thoughts anymore. She didn't want to.
Rainbows muzzle was inches away from Toby's now, she could feel Toby's hot breath on her face as her flank rubbed against the older mares. In that moment Rainbow figured out what else she was feeling, it was excitement.

Blue October and Rainbow Dash slowly leaned toward each other. Their lips brushed, Rainbow let out a small squeak at the touch, she was terrified. Toby finally pushed forward, pushing her lips against the younger mares. Rainbow's eyes shot open but soon she felt herself melting into the kiss.

Rainbow could feel Toby's mouth open, she let out another squeak as she felt the older mares tongue lick the outside of her lips. She opened her mouth, letting Toby's tongue slip inside.

The feeling of Toby's tongue in her mouth, dancing and playing with her own, her soft, warm coat sliding against hers. Rainbow couldn't believe she was doing it. She was kissing, no, making out with a mare.

She loved it.

Rainbow eyes drifted closed as she pushed into the kiss, rolling onto her side and wrapping her forelegs around Blue October's neck and lower back. Toby's eyes opened in surprise, she expected the younger mare to push her off as soon as their lips made contact. But instead the younger mare was now practically on top of her.

You're taking advantage of her, she isn't in the right mind to be doing this. She's confused she doesn't know what she wants. 
The voice in Toby's brain was back now, once again urging her to stop. 

Another voice popped up in her head. Sure seems like she knows what she wants.

Blue October pulled her head back, breaking the kiss. Rainbow was panting. As soon as the kiss was broken Dash's thoughts returned to her with gusto.

Why.. Why did I have to enjoy that.. Fuck.

She let go of the older mare and moved away slightly, Toby watched Rainbow as she sat still, her face completely neutral. There was a pregnant silence, neither of the mares knowing what to say. Eventually Rainbow Dash spoke up.

"I think I'm gay." She didn't sound upset, but she thought she should be. She should be distraught, this was supposed to be a very emotional moment for her.

You already knew, Dash. You're not upset because you already knew.

"I don't like kissing stallions nearly as much as I like kissing mares. I don't think about sex with stallions, like I do mares.. I think I'm gay, Blue." Rainbow sighed.

Blue October didn't know what to say, she said the only thing she thought was fitting. "You okay?"

Rainbow looked to Toby, there were no tears in her eyes but a look of slight sorrow was apparent on her features. "Yeah.. yeah I think so."
The two sat in silence once more, only now the silence wasn't awkward, it was almost comfortable. Almost.

During that time Rainbow was thinking.

Being a lesbian can't be that bad, nobody really hates gays anymore. Well, some ponies do...fuck those guys.

What are we gonna tell mom?

I don't know, probably something along the lines of "I'm gay."

...Right.

She won't care, its mom, she loves gay ponies... she's like, the coolest pony you know.

True. What about Fluttershy?

As If Fluttershy will care. She's the kindest pony you know.

Yeah Fluttershy's cool, dude.  Rainbow smiled, thinking about her friend, she was suddenly aware how lucky she was to have friends and family like hers.

The silence carried on for what felt like hours, before Rainbow broke it.

"Yeah. Okay."

"Hm?" Blue October snapped out of her own reverie.

"Yeah, lets 'hang out'." Rainbow was smiling softly at Toby.

"Whaa?" A spike of excitement flooded through Blue October. "Are you sure that's a good idea? You only figured it out today. You could still change your mind."

"I think I've known for a while.." Rainbow shuffled back alongside the mare. "Besides, I think you're pretty cool, Blue October." Rainbow felt confident for the first time in a while, the thoughts she had been having lately were weighing her down, but not anymore. Oddly enough she felt as though a physical weight had been lifted off her withers. 

"I dunno, Dash." Blue October sighed. "I don't think it's the right thing to do."

Rainbow looked downtrodden at that, but she didn't want to be alone, Rainbow hated being alone. She also didn't want things to be awkward between her and Blue October, which if she didn't do something they surely would. Rainbow did what felt right.

Rainbow scooted closed and rubbed her coat along Toby's.

Blue October sighed, but didn't protest.



~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~



The day was winding down at carousel boutique, it had been uneventful, Rainbow had briefly gone for a walk, but apart from that the day was filled with idle chit chat and a good amount of reading.

If someone were to ask Rarity what she was doing she would likely answer 'Reading a book on my couch, dah-ling.' because for all intents and purposes she was doing just that. But If that someone were to push the question, say 'What are you really doing, Rarity?' Her answer, if given honestly, would be something along the lines of 'Oh dah-ling, I haven't read a single word for almost twenty minutes now, I've been gawking at the mare sitting on my floor.'

Rainbow Dash lay on the floor of carousel boutique, flipping through one of the earlier Daring Doo novels. She had borrowed it from the Golden Oaks library in an attempt to re-read the series. Of course Tirek had blown up the library so now the pegasus couldn't return it.  She could give it back to Twilight, but Rainbow Dash thought it better to just not mention it. Hehehe.

Rarity peeked at the pegasus over the top of the novel she held in her hooves, she lay on the couch facing the mare. My goodness how does she stay so thin, all that exercise must really pay off, not a bone showing but still so small. Rarity was interested in Rainbow's secrets, not that she was much larger than the mare. Rarity was completely happy with her body, thin yet curvy, just the way she liked...it. 

Rarity's eyes focused on the mares wing joint, watching the muscle group twitch every time the pegasus so much as lifted a foreleg to turn a page. 

Have her wings grown since the last time I got her measurements? I think they have. 

Every now and then the pegasus would shudder and bring her head closer to her shoulders. The action made her wings tense up and every time Rarity's eyes widened.

She must be cold. The fire was burning but Rainbow wasn't sitting anywhere near it. 

Inspiration struck Rarity.

Rarity rose from her seat and trotted over to a small filing cabinet. Opening it, she flicked through the files she had on her friends. 
Where is Rainbow's file? For that matter where is Twilight's and Fluttershy's. I guess I'll have to re-take their measurements.

Rarity opened a drawer on a nearby desk and hovered out a pencil, a small notepad and a tape measure. Rainbow was stuck into her book when the unicorn lay down next to her. Rarity gently lifted one of Rainbows wings with a hoof without saying a word.

"Uh, hello?" Rainbow Dash turned to the unicorn and gave a quizzical look. 

"Just taking some measurements daring, pretended I'm not even here." Rarity poked her tongue out in concentration as she wrapped the measuring tape around the pegasus wing joint and scribbled on the notepad.

Rainbow Dash tried her best to ignore her and do some more reading. She did however, out of courtesy, lift her wing to make taking the measurements easier.

Something that suites her, she will have to be able to fly in it.

Rarity changed the position of the tape measure around rainbows wing joint a few times, each time writing something borderline illegible on the pad. She had also scribbled down a crude drawing of the space between the mares wings in an attempt to better understand how the muscles worked. Rarity placed a hoof on Rainbows coat, in the space that would normally be covered by her folded wing.

Sweet merciful Celestia! 

The patch of fur was immeasurably soft, far softer than the rest of Rainbows coat (and that's saying something). It was like the coat on a newborns belly, fuzzy and incredibly smooth. Rarity without thinking started to run her hoof along patch of fur. She moved her hoof right up underneath the join of the wing, the hair was longer and much warmer.

Oh my.

Rainbow had for the most part had tuned the mare out, but for some time now she hadn't felt the tape measure. Hang on a second. All of a sudden Rainbow was very aware of the hoof that was stoking her side, she felt a tingle go down her spine. The pegasus quickly turned her head.

"Uhh, Rarity what are you doing?" Rainbow once again donned her quizzical expression.

Rarity's eyes snapped up to meet the pegasus' like a deer in the headlights. "Oh, I uh, well I was.. you know.. the thing" Rarity nonchalantly coughed into her hoof, a pinkish hue spreading across her face. Well, this is embarrassing.

She's so cute when she's embarrassed. Rainbow dropped the look and gave a small chuckle. "Pretty soft, huh?"

That seemed to dispel a fair amount of the awkwardness between them, Rarity smiled sheepishly. "Yes well, I'm sorry about that Rainbow Dash it's just, your coat is really something else." Rarity was still blushing slightly. "I've been meaning to ask what conditioner you use."

"Oh nothing special, my coats like that from being in the clouds all the time. I don't know how it works." Rarity didn't look overjoyed at that.
Rainbow was sure Rarity hadn't known what she was doing, but that didn't make it less weird.

"It's just uhh, under the wings is sort of a," Rainbow made a circular motion with a hoof. "..you know."

"Im afraid I don't know, Rainbow Dash." Rarity gave the pegasus a questioning look.

Rainbow thought for a moment. "You might not want to go playing with your pegasus friend's wings if you only like them platonically." Rainbow smiled teasingly.

Rarity blushed. Hard. So hard in fact that her mouth scrunched up and she looked away.

Rainbow smiled at that. Nawws.

"Oh, yes well.. uh.. sorry about that." Rarity was like a strawberry.

Rainbow just poked her tongue out teasingly before going back to her book.

After a few moments Rarity returned to her natural color and re-focused on her task. The unicorn measured around the mares neck, her belly and her withers, with magic this time. Rainbow just read throughout the entire process.

Rarity stood and walked to her planning board, Rainbow didn't seem to notice. Must be a pretty good book. Rarity mused.

Now It has to be something simple, something that accentuates her mane but doesn't intrude on it. Rarity began to sketch out designs for a simple, yet stylish jumper. Her friend would need something to wear come winter and Rarity was happy to help.

Rarity reflected on what had just happened.

I can't believe I didn't know that about pegasi. Wings... could possibly be so sexual about wings.. The thought interested Rarity, she had never thought about wings in a sexual manner before.

All of a sudden a thought popped into Rarity's head. She imagined Rainbow Dash walking over to her sitting at her desk, and without hesitation or warning the blue mare reached out and started slowly rubbing her horn.

Rarity paled as she realized just how sexual a pegasus' wings might be, a sinking feeling took hold of her stomach. Oh Luna what have I done.

They were so soft though..and warm.

Rarity shook her head, trying to not only remove the thoughts but also the reddish tint that had crept back onto her face.

Focus, Rarity. What material do we need.

> Sunday
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight Sparkle looked around the city square that she, Applejack, Fluttershy, pinkie pie and spike stood in. She looked to the few passing ponies, their expressions showing nothing out of the ordinary as they trotted to their jobs in the early morning. The pigeons, sitting quietly on the statues that littered Vanhoover central, waiting with keen eyes for somepony to drop some food. She looked at the street itself, the paved roads having been cleared of snow before the sun rose, with not a speck litter to be seen.

It was a boring city.

It was their second day in Vanhoover and the problem that the map had promised had yet to reveal itself. The ideal plan was to rock up to Vanhoover, find out the problem, solve it, jump back on a train and be back in Ponyville in time for dinner. But fate obviously had other plans.

"Twilight?" Said Pinkie cutting through the silence.

"Hmm?"

"Vanhoover is boring."

Twilight sighed. "Yeah...yeah it is."

The small group fell back into silence for a few moments. The breeze chilled them to the bone, the only sound to be heard was the wind whistling around buildings and the distant chattering of ponies having breakfast in an out of sight cafe.

"I've never wanted something to go wrong so badly." Twilight mumbled to herself.

"Hm?" Inquired Applejack, having not quite heard the Alicorn.

Twilight sighed. "Nothing."



****** 



Rarity took a deep breath and wrapped her forelegs around the midsection of the pony lying next to her. The pony let out a familiar sounding squeak as she tightened her grasp, they smelled of healthy sweat and cheap perfume.

"Mmm..morning." The voice was familiar to Rarity but she couldn't make out who it was exactly. The pony snuggled closer to the alabaster mare, pushing their muzzle into the crook of Rarity's neck. Rarity could feel their hot breath under her chin. 

"Morning darling." Rarity recognized her own voice. The white mare felt a foreleg drape over her midsection as the pony in her hooves re-adjusted. Rarity slowly opened her eyes to get a look at the mystery pony.

It was a pillow. 

It was a pillow that didn't at all smell like healthy sweat or cheap perfume.

"Ughh." Rarity grumbled, pushed the pillow away from herself with more force than was required as she sat up in her bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Rarity looked back to the pillow on her bed, unsure if what had just occurred was a dream or hallucination or perhaps something else entirely.

It felt so real..

With a sigh Rarity swung her hooves off her bed and shuffled into her slippers, her mind still going over what had just occurred. 
With a sigh she pushed the thoughts out of her head and got to work on her hair, after styling her coiffeur and doing her makeup she headed down stairs. Trotting into the kitchen Rarity noticed a scrap of paper on her table.


Already ate. Gone flying. Be back later.
- Technicolor Speedy


Rarity looked at the note once more, mentally noting that Rainbow Dash had unexpectedly good hoof writing skills, before her mind caught up with her eyes.

The unicorn let out a light-hearted chuckle. "Technicolor Speedy." Rarity smiled.



******



Rainbow Dash hovered far above Ponyville, her coat glistening with a sheen of sweat and her breath heavy. She looked down to the town below, watching as the few ponies who were out early milled about having coffee with their friends and whatnot.

Rainbow had been practicing her corners, more so practicing how fast she could take them, an exercise that always left her wings feeling sore from the wind pulling sharply on the muscles. She didn't care how much her wings hurt, it felt good to fly. Feeling the wind in her mane, the burn of her muscles and the heartbeat in her throat. It felt good to be alive.

And not having to think.

Rainbow Dash didn't have to worry when she flew, all her worrysome thoughts and nagging doubts melted when she flew.

Rainboom. I need to Rainboom.

The mayor is gonna be- For once in a long time Rainbow let her impulse's guide her.

Deal with her later, I need this.

Before the other voice in her mind could speak up Rainbow plummeted. Within seconds a cone of condensation formed around her outstretched forehooves. Rainbow slowly angled up and became parallel with the ground just as a gap in the cone formed. Rainbow pushed her wings harder.

Then the cone broke.

A tremendous bang was heard and waved of color washed over the sky above Ponyville. For a brief moment Rainbow felt nothing but sheer joy. Before her thoughts interrupted her.

Shouldnt've done that.

Rainbows smile faded fast and turned into a frown of worry as she slowed her speed until she could hover above the small town.

The mayor's gonna be pissed. 

The pegasus grumbled out of frustration as she hung suspended in the air. Rainbow tried her hardest to block the thoughts from her mind before coming to a conclusion.

Well, I guess that's another reason for the mayor to hate me. Not much I can do about it now.

Rainbow sighed and started to flap her wings and head for Cloudsdale, It was a short flight.

Maybe I can get some more practice in at Cloudsdale. No doubt I'll cop an earful from Minuette or Mayor Bitchface when I get back to  Ponyville though.



******



Rarity sat in front of her fireplace listening to Fleetfoot Mac as she telekinetically knitted a sweater.

The sweater was going to be a baggy cable knit sweater, stylish and comfortable whilst also being functional. Knitting was not something that Rarity normally did: she had dabbled in it before, making simple things like scarves and socks but never anything as complex as a sweater, let alone a pegasus sweater. Rarity knew she could do it though, there was no doubt. Making fabulous outfits was her forte, no matter the media in use.

It also helped that Rarity was a master of fine telekinetic work, meaning she could easily knock out the entire sweater in half an hour if she wanted to. She wouldn't even have to use knitting needles. The only real challenge was the design.

"If I live to see seven wonders, I'll find a path to the rainbows end." Rarity sung along with the music flowing from the grammar phone. Fleetfoot Mac was undeniably one of her favorite bands and lately she had been re-listening to their records for the first time in what seemed like years.

It was past noon now, and Rarity had spend the good majority of her morning designing and reading from her Stallion King novel. It was a slow going day but refreshing, the same time last week the unicorn was absolutely floored with work orders, but she powered through them as she always did and now had time to relax.

Before long Rarity had finished knitting Rainbows sweater, it was defiantly the most challenging project she had completed in a while, even though the most challenging aspect of the entire ensemble was figuring out how to knit the cables to give them a bunched up and baggy look. Flicking through a few books on patterns had quickly solved that problem though.

Rarity hung the finished sweater on an equinequin and looked at it with a critical eye. The cables were symmetrical, the wing holes weren't too tight, and the forelegs were tight enough to be rolled up if need be. It was light grey in colour so as to not take away from Rainbows advanced colour palette and would hang loosely around the neck and chest whilst staying slim against her belly.

It was perfect.

Rarity knew there was a chance that Rainbow wouldn't like it, seeing as Rainbow wasn't a fan of clothing in general, but that chance was slim. The sweater wasn't as Rainbow would put it 'frou-frou' in the slightest, feminine  yes, but not frou-frou. Worst case scenario Rainbow didn't like it and Rarity gave it to Fluttershy instead, but that wasn't likely.

"Oh Rarity, you truly are a master of your art!" Rarity complemented herself as the track on the record changed. The unicorn levitated the sweater off the model pony and set it down on her chaise lounge.

"Oh thunder only happens when its rainin" Rarity softly grooved to the music.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




Rainbow lay on her back in the middle of her cloud living room, Blue Octobers head resting on her chest. The two mares had been unofficially dating for about a month now, unofficially meaning only that they hadn't told anyone yet, there was no doubt they were dating. It was hard to tell people that you were in  a relationship with another mare, particularly when both of those mares were still in the closet to varying degrees.

Rainbow Dash had yet to tell anyone that she was gay, let alone tell anyone she was in an active relationship with a mare. Blue October on the other hand had told a few people she was gay but she had yet to tell her parents, and that had Rainbow thinking.

"Hey, so I was thinking." Rainbow said cutting through the content silence the two ponies had fell into.

"Hmm?" Blue October opened her eyes to look at her girlfriend.

"I was thinkin' about telling mom."

"Telling her what?" Blue October queried before she realized what Rainbow was talking about. "Oh, you're gay, I gotcha. Wait really?"

"Yeah, well I may as well, it'd be good to get it off my chest." Rainbow shrugged.

"You sure she'll be okay with it?" Toby had a look of uncertainty written on her features.

"Yeah, why wouldnt she be?"

Blue October frowned. "I wish my parents were like your mom, I would've told them a long time ago."

Rainbow offered a reassuring smile. "Hey It's okay, when you tell them I'll come with you if you want." Dash comfortingly ran her hoof along the older mares back.

"Really? You'd do that?" 

Rainbow had actually wanted that to be the less preferable option, more of a reassurance, but she couldn't back out now. "Y-yeah, sure." 
Rainbow smiled. "No problem."

Blue October smiled back at Rainbow. "Thank you, Dash." The blue mare planted a soft kiss on Rainbow's nose.

What have I got myself into.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




Rainbow Dash quickly looked around the town below from the edge of the cloud she had been napping on. Or trying to nap on anyway, the cold late autumn air chilled her to the bone within seconds, even after an intense workout.

Alright, no sign of Minuette or the mayor, lets rock and roll.

Rainbow had planned to make sure the coast was clear before making a mad dash to carousel boutique, she wanted to avoid confrontation with the mayor or the sheriff for a while, lay low.

The mare took off like a jet, kicking the loud she was perched on into vapour. It only took about two seconds of flight before Rainbow opened her wings to their full extension to slow her descent. With a loud thud Rainbow's hooves smacked down on the patio of carousel boutique. The pegasus twisted the doorknob and entered the shop level of the building. 

The first thing Rainbow noticed was the sound of Fleetfoot Mac emanating from the record player, she then noticed Rarity lift her gaze from the book in her hooves and give a warm smile to her.

"Bit chilly, darling?" Asked Rarity, putting her book down.

"A little." Rainbow said.

"Ooh so I noticed you looked cold yesterday," Rarity said as she lifted herself from her sitting position and started trotted over to her chaise lounge. "I know you don't like dresses and you usually just wear a hoodie in winter but quite frankly darling you're not seventeen anymore so I made you a little something to fight off the cold, hmm?"

"Oh, okay." Rainbow was a little surprised Rarity had managed to complete an entire ensemble in the time she was out flying. 

"Wait what do you mean by not seventeen anymore?" Rainbows mind finally caught up with the snide insult Rarity had woven into her sentence. 

"Nothing Darling," Rarity continued smiling as she pulled out the sweater she had created. "What do you think?"

The sweater truly caught Rainbow Dash off guard. She didn't know Rarity could make cool stuff. "Oh wow, Rarity. I didn't know you made like, clothes, if you get me? This is rad!" Rainbow said as she pulled the sweater over her head and fumbled around for the leg holes.

Rarity smiled as she couldn't detect a hint of fakery in Rainbows voice, she genuinely like it! That made Rarity feel happy. "Yes well dresses are where I truly shine but had never made any casual wear before, I thought I might as well give it a go."

Rainbows head eventually popped out of the mass of clothing and smiled at Rarity. "So this what you were taking my measurements for. I love it Rarity." Rainbow smiled genuinely as she trotted closer to the unicorn and wrapped her forelegs around her in a warm embrace.

"It's my pleasure Rainbow Dash." Rarity returned the gesture. The jumper only makes her cuddlier. 

The thoughts left Rarity's mind as fast as they had come and left the mare blinking in confusion as she let go of her pegasus friend.

Why did I think that just now?

"Ooh it's got wing holes too! This is mint Rarity!" Rainbow turned, presenting her side to the unicorn. "Could you help me get my wings through?"

Rarity blinked, her mind returning her to the land of the living. "Oh yes, of course darling." Rarity gently help guide Rainbows wing through the hole. After a little shuffling and fiddling the wing finally slipped through the opening. Throughout the entire exchange a voice ran through Rarity's mind, telling her the same thing over and over.

You might not want to go playing with your pegasus friend's wings if you only like them platonically.

It was Rainbows voice, yet here Rarity stood, gently guiding Rainbows soft wings though the openings in her new jumper. After what felt like hours both of Rainbows wings were now curled against the outside of her new cable knit sweater. It was amazing Rarity wasn't blushing. 

"Thanks Rarity, this is sweet!" Rainbow said as she extended her wings, giving a few experimental flaps.

"Don't mention it, darling." The room filled with the gentle crackling of the fire and the sweet softness of Fleetfoot Mac before Rainbow spoke up once more.

"Not seventeen anymore," Rainbow mumbled while smirking at Rarity. "Never knew you were such a smartass, Rarity." Rainbow poked out her tongue at the unicorn.

There was no malice behind her words, just friendly banter. But the sentence was more than that to Rainbow, she wanted to see how far she could poke the unicorn before offending her. Turns out, a bit more than expected.

Rarity let out a dainty laugh before smirking back at the pegasus. "I'm surprised it took you so long to figure that out, dear." Rarity turned and trotted back to her place in front of the fire and picked up her book, still smiling at the pegasus' comment.

Rainbow smiled at the reaction. Rarity's cool, dude.

Another voice wormed its way into her mind. Shame she isn't into mare's.

Rainbow shook the thoughts out of her head before they could get any louder and trotted over to her spot on the carpet. All earlier thoughts of napping now forgotten, now the mare just wanted to read, besides if she napped now she wouldn't be able to go to sleep at a reasonable time tonite and she would be groggy for work tomorrow.

Ughhh work tomorow. Lame.

Rainbow looked over her shoulder to the white unicorn sitting in front of the fire.

Why the hell have I been sitting over here?

Rainbow grabbed the Daring Doo book in her teeth and trotted toward the fireplace; Rarity gave Rainbow Dash a questioning look as the mare dropped the book and sat down in front of the fireplace, next to Rarity.

The two shared a smile but said nothing, content to just sit and read their  books. Dash's a thrilling adventure. Rarity's a psychological horror. The two sat reading for what must've been the better part of an hour before a sound interrupted them, or rather a lack of sound

Despite the crackling of the fire the boutique filled with a strange silence, a silence that felt jarring and alien to the two mares.
The needle of the old gramophone was now spinning on the final dead space of the record, as a silent reminder that the record had ended.
Rarity stood and stretched her legs eliciting a series of involuntary pops from her knees, the mare then began to trot to the record player. Rainbow followed.

"I didn't know you liked Fleetfoot Mac?" Rainbow Dash's raspy voice came from behind Rarity as she queued up a new record.

"I'm a little surprised you know that name, Rainbow Dash" Rarity smiled back at the mare."Are you a fan?"

"Uh, I guess," Rainbow scratched the back of her neck with an idle hoof. "My mom has always been a big fan, I kinda grew up listening to them." Rainbow gave a sheepish smile. "They're pretty timeless."

Rarity was pleasantly surprised by that. "Your mother, is a good mare." Rarity gave a subtle nod of approval as she floated out a few record sleeves from the shelf below the player.

"Heck yeah she is!" Rainbow came up beside Rarity and sat down, gently flicking through the array of albums Rarity had collected. 
"Fleetfoot Mac, Elton Pone, Princess, Palomino, Smooch, The Bugs. Rarity, you have a great taste in music!"

For the second time that day Rainbow Dash had managed to bring a real heartfelt smile to Rarity's face. "Thank you Rainbow Dash."

"I mean no offense but I thought you only listened to like, classical and show tunes or whatever." Rainbow continued to flick through the albums.

"Oh I do, but if I listened to nothing but classical and show tunes Rainbow Dash I fear I would go crazy." Rarity queued up the first song on a new record. "I would've thought a lot of this would be too slow for your tastes?" Rarity Raised an eyebrow at the mare who was now in a sitting position reading the back of a Princess album.

"Oh my playlist is all over the place, Rares. Pretty much everything except pop."

"Huh." Was all Rarity could think to say. "Country?"

"Only old stuff, and even then..." Rainbow wiggled her fore hooves about in the air as a way of saying 'meh'. The two fell back into comfortable quiet for a moment as the first song started to play. 'Take It easy' by Hawks.

Rainbow stood after satisfying her curiosity. She raised an eyebrow and smiled at the alabaster mare. "When did you get so cool, Rarity?"

Rarity smiled at the compliment, her mind told her she should be offended by the comment, to insist that she had always been 'cool' but another, bigger part just felt...warm. 



******



The two had been sitting and reading for some time now and the day was close to its end, the streetlights throughout the small town were starting to flicker to life as the last remnants of day sunk below the horizon.

"Are you hungry Rainbow Dash? I don't know what to do for dinner."

Rainbow looked up from her page. "Uh, yeah I could eat. I'm down for whatever, Rares."

"I don't really feel like cooking, perhaps we could grab something to eat in town?" Rarity looked to the pegasus, awaiting her answer.
Rainbow mentally did a quick run-through on how likely it was for her to run into the mayor or the sheriff in town. 

Nah, its dark, as if.

"Yeah, I could do that. What are you thinkin'?"

Rarity stood as she formed a telekinetic bubble around the fire, it quickly used up the oxygen within the space and choked. "I don't quite know, Rainbow Dash. I guess we'll find out." Rarity smiled at the chromatic pegasus.

Rainbow stood from her seated position as Rarity floated out a scarf and wrapped it around herself also making sure to telekinetically switch off the gramophone. 

"Be right back." Rainbow flew up the stairs to her room, leaving Rarity waiting on the lower level. Rainbow rummaged through her duffel bag until she found her bag of bits. The mare grabbed ten bits, leaving the rest in her bag.

Sixtey five bits left.  Rainbow reminded herself.

The pegasus flew back down the stairs and met Rarity at the door.

Before she knew it herself and Rarity were trotting through the small country town. Trying to think of somewhere to eat, not that there was much of a selection, there was Sugar Cube Corner, there was the cafe on Mane street or the fast food joint on the other side of town.

"You think the cafe is still open?" asked Rainbow, she didn't particularly fell like Sugar Cube Corners particular brand of food and the sheer thought of fast food from Burger Prince made her feel as though she were putting on weight.

"I think there open until seven most nights, but it is Sunday..." Rarity frowned. "Let's find out."
Rainbow smiled as the pair continued their trot through town. That is until a voice from behind sent a spike of terror through the pegasus.

"Rainbow Dash!" The mayor called to gain her attention. Rainbow grumbled to herself before turning around.

"Mayor." Came the response from Rainbow Dash.

She had to think of an excuse, within a millisecond she had it. Rainbows elbow nudged Rarity's as she quickly whispered in the unicorns ear. 
"Play along."

"Evening Rarity." Said the mayor, Rarity replied with a smile and a nod, still unaware as to what she was 'playing along' with.

"I did see that Rainboom you did this morning," The mayors face took on a darker, more unpleasant look when she spoke to the chromatic pegasus. "I thought I made it clear that you were not to perform the rainboom unless you had clearance from me or the sheriff."

Rarity could see the statement had no affect on Rainbow Dash, her expression held stern, but it made her own mind race.  Permission to do the Rainboom? What, since when!?

The mayor continued. "I spoke to Minuette earlier today and she said you hadn't told her anything about it." The earth pony Raised an eyebrow, waiting for her explanation.

Rainbow look at the back of her hoof with complete disinterest. "Oh yeah that, elements of harmony stuff, I had to give a signal to Twilight. She's in Vanhoover at the moment and a letter would've taken too much time." Rainbow looked back to the mayor, hoping she would buy it.

"Why didn't you come see me first?" The mayor still wore an unimpressed look.

Rarity knew exactly who's side she was on from the get go, the entire situation was ridiculous. She spoke up. 

"Oh darling it was very much a spur of the moment thing, for all we knew the fate of Equestria depended on it." Rarity smiled at Rainbow, who at this point was very thankful Rarity was with her. "Wouldn't be the first time the Rainboom has saved Equestria." Rarity gave a light-hearted chuckle, Rainbow sheepishly joined her.

The mayor grumbled and looked back to Dash. "Yes, well in future please make more of an effort to let me know."

With no goodbye the mayor turned and trotted in the opposite direction, leaving the two mares standing in the middle of the road.

Rainbow turned to face Rarity. "Thanks for that."

"What was all that about? You have to get permission to perform the very thing that got you your cutie mark?" Rarity was more peeved than Rainbow was. "The very thing that gave us all out cutie marks?!"

"It's only because I'm-... me." Nice save dumbass. Rainbows mind berated her for almost dropping the ball. "She's always hated me."
Rainbow looking in the direction the mayor had disappeared. ...Cunt.

Rarity growled. "I wont have it Rainbow Dash, as soon as Twilight and the others get back to town I'm telling Twilight about the mayor. She'll sort her out!" 

Rarity mumbled angrily as she trotted away. "Make you ask permission to do the rainboom. Ridiculous. Absolutely ludicrous..." Rarity trailed off once more.

Rainbow stood still for a few moments, wide eyed and blinking.

Why is she so pissed? She's more pissed than I am..

Rainbow cantered after the unicorn.



******



"Rarity I got this."

"Nonsence Rainbow Dash, for the last time you need the bits more than I." Rarity said as she floated their combined fee of eighteen bits over the counter.

Rainbow sighed as the cashier handed the mares their respective sandwiches. "Thanks, Rarity."

"It's quite alright, darling." Rarity replied without missing a beat. The two mares walked to one of the many tables inside the cafe. According to the cashier the small cafe was open until the same time every night, being one of the only places to get fast food in the town.

The two sat down at the dimly lit cafe table and tucked into their sandwiches. After their meals were eaten and forgotten Rarity spoke up.

"Why do you think the mayor dislikes you so, Rainbow Dash."

Damnit Rarity. Rainbow had her reasons as to why that was not a question she wanted to answer truthfully.

"Dunno," Rainbow lied. "She's just always been a cow to me, she likes the rest of the elements just fine." Rainbow said with a faux look of contemplation.

"It just strikes me as bizarre. You see how she spoke to me? She was fine! Whenever she looked at you though, you could see it in her eyes."

What does she mean by that? Rainbow pondered.

"See what?" The pegasus asked.

"I don't quite know.." Rarity leaned across the table slightly to speak in a hushed tone. "I just didn't know the mayor could be such a bitch."

Rainbow smiled a full toothed smile and gave a chuckle, which in turn made Rarity smile. For some reason hearing Rarity use the word had made Rainbow Dash happy. Rarity said a naughty word, hehehe.

"What say you we get out of here, I'm freezing." Rarity said as she snuggled the scarf around her neck feeling the soft fibres brush against her coat.

Rainbow watched the unicorn get momentarily lost in the softness of the scarf. Heh, cute.

"Yeah lets go." Rainbow stood with the unicorn and together they trotted home.



******



Rainbow Dash showered and brushed her teeth, with the lack of naps Rainbow Dash had had today sleep would come easy for the mare. Not to mention she had to get some rest for work tomorow. Rainbow trotted to the end of the hallway and looked down the stairs at the white unicorn by the fire.

"I'm going to bed, night Rarity." Rainbow said before turning away, only to be stopped by Rarity.

"Rainbow Dash." Rainbow turned back to face the unicorn. "Do you think that maybe this is the reason our cutie marks  were on the map? You staying here I mean." Rarity queried.

Rainbow slowly descended the stairs as she thought. "Huh, I hadn't thought of that.. maybe."

"I just think.." Rarity paused collecting her thoughts. "Nevermind."

Rainbow walked toward the mare, an eyebrow raised. "What is it?"

"Oh nothing Rainbow, it's silly." Rarity looked away.

"Tell me." Rainbow insisted with a soft tone.

"It's just..You and I have never really spent any real time together. We're probably the two most distant ponies in our group." Rarity said with a sad look on her face. Rainbow mirrored the look, trying to figure out where Rarity was going.

"I mean to say, I have very much enjoyed spending time with you Rainbow Dash.. it's been nice having you around." Rarity gave a smile.

Rainbow Dash  wasn't looking at Rarity, she seemed to be looking somewhere behind her. A simple closed mouth smile had formed on her face. Rarity could see something in that smile, something in Rainbows eyes, something that she couldn't quite put her hoof on. The only thing Rarity could know for sure is that the smile was genuine.

Rarity took pleasure in the fact she had made her friend happy. Goodness, I seem to have struck a chord.

Rainbow was lost in her own thoughts momentarily. 

Rarity likes having me around? But I haven't done anything. Just doing stuff I would normally do at home. Just hanging out.

...But Rarity likes that...

Rainbows smile brightened as she trotted closer to the unicorn. She abruptly sat down directly in front of the mare and wrapped her forelegs around her in a soft embrace.

Rarity was a little taken back but returned the gesture nonetheless.  Apparently a tender chord. 

Rarity eased into the embrace, feeling the warm fabric from Rainbows new sweater against her chest and the silky smooth texture of Rainbows coat against her neck.

"Thanks Rarity," Rainbow Dash's raspy voice came softly over Rarity shoulder. The pegasus leaned back, breaking the embrace for the most part. "It's been pretty cool hanging out with you too." Rainbow paused. "You're a good friend, Rarity."

Rainbow stood with a smile and started trotting toward the stairs. "Goodnight Rarity."

Rarity was still a little stunned by the interaction. "G-Goodnight Rainbow."

Rainbow disappeared up the stairs, Rarity heard the soft 'click' of Sweetie Belles door closing from up the hall.

A few moments passed as Rarity sat watching the fire, reflecting on what just happened.

The simple compliment had set something off within Rarity, she knew Rainbow wasn't the best at giving compliments, not a particularly sentimental mare. But she knew Rainbow had meant the compliment with ever fiber of her being, she could see it in her eyes. What had just transpired was no doubt the most intimate moment Rarity had ever had with Rainbow.

Rarity felt her lip quiver as she realized something she should've understood a long time ago.

Rainbow is such a sweetheart.

Rarity couldn't wipe the smile from her face as she dabbed the tears from her eye's.


> Monday
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash's hooves touched down on the cloud layer outside the Cloudsdale and Ponyville Weather Headquarters. Rainbow ruffled her wings and bit down on the tie she wore around her neck, tightening it; making sure it was hidden behind her sweater before walking through the door.

"Hello Rainbow Dash." Came the sing song voice of Snowfall, the stallion immediately made his signature un-breaking eye contact before walking up beside Rainbow Dash.

"Right on time! Okay, so I'm going to introduce you to Stormwalker." Snowfall got straight to the point. Rainbow trotted with the white stallion into the office room full of cubicles and desks.

"Stormwalker?" Rainbow asked. 

Thats a rad name.

"She'll be helping you get acquainted with the work and the ponies who work here." Replied Snowfall, a grin on his face.

The room was occupied by only two ponies, the rest Rainbow assumed had yet to show up. One of these ponies was light brown stallion with a dark brown mane, tail and moustache. He gave off an aura of masculinity and authority without trying. He sat alone in the far back of the room, seemingly content to look over his papers and keep to himself.

The other was a mare who looked around the same age as Rainbow, if not a little older, she had a greyish purple coat and a spikey two tone white, grey mane with deep purple eyes.

Where do I know her from?

"Rainbow Dash, this is Stormwalker, Stormwalker this is Rainbow Dash." Beamed Snowfall. "I'll leave you two to it." With that the white stallion turned and trotted away, most likely to his office.

"Howya doin', Rainbow Dash." Stormwalker smiled as she gently took one of Rainbow hooves in her own to shake. "Welcome to hell."
Rainbow stomach dropped and her face fell at the remark. 

This job really is gonna' suck.

"Heh, just kidding Rainbow, we have fun here." Stormwalker gave a smile. "When the rest of the team get here I'll introduce you but for the time being: I'm Stormwalker and that grumpy looking mug up the back is Tight ship."

Rainbow felt like she should say something, this conversation seemed very one sided. 

"Have we met before?" Asked Rainbow. "I'm pretty sure we met when we had to make that hurricane." Rainbow looked into the mares eyes as she spoke, she had read somewhere that looking into someone's eyes was a good way of coming across as polite and charming, if you didn't over do it like Snowfall, that is. 

Stormwalker smile widened slightly, showing off her perfect teeth. "Hey yeah we did, I already knew who you were before that though." 

Rainbow gave a quizzical look to which the mare chuckled. "You're Rainbow Dash, best young flier, only pony capable of a Rainboom, element of harmony. Everybody knows who you are."

Rainbow blushed a little at the flattery. "Oh yeah, right."

"Okay so your desk is here, right next to mine so if you have any questions you can ask me but for now all I need you to do is sign and stamp these cloud orders. Just make sure the order number and the manufacturing code are the same same before you sign it, kay?"

Rainbow gave a salute before sitting down, grabbing a pencil in her mouth and setting to work. Stormwalker sat down in the cubicle across the aisle from her, effectively next to her.

She seems pretty nice, maybe working here won't be too bad.

Within fifteen minutes the rest of the team had arrived, they all seemed nice enough. There was Raindrop, a yellow mare who smiled too much. Grape soda, a purple coated mare who reminded Rainbow of Derpy. Great Scott, an eccentric white stallion with crazy grey hair. Dust Devil, a cute grey mare who was very polite but not very smart, and Star Burst, a yellow stallion with dorky red hair.

They all seemed nice enough, Great Scott - or Scotty as everyone called him - even brought in doughnuts for everyone. Rainbow could swear these weren't the same ponies she had seen last Friday when she peeked into this room, these ponies were happy.

Rainbow finally got done with the job she had been assigned by Stormwalker, and soon was moved on another nonsense task. Rainbow figured out quickly that she was there to do the odd, less important jobs while the rest of the team readied weather teams and cloud location for winter.

She couldn't blame them for giving her the crummy work, the only alternative was doing work she had no idea how to do. Besides she didn't have to concentrate too hard on the work, which resulted in a good portion of time being taken up day dreaming.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




Rainbow's eyes darted around the exterior of the  small cottage that lay on the edge of Whitetail woods. 

Maybe she's not home, we can do this another time.

Rainbow began spreading her wings, her mind denied her of takeoff.

NO! You're doing this, don't be such a sook!

Rainbow lowered her wings and took in a shaking breath as she raised her hoof to knock on the hardwood door of Fluttershy's cottage.
The plastic lightning wrangler shoe on her hoof gave a loud clacking sound when it collided with the door. A little too loud.

"Dammit." Rainbow mumbled at the abrasive noise.

The door swung inward to reveal the mane shielded face of Fluttershy. Rainbows heartbeat escalated.

"Rainbow Dash?" Her voice was as soft and sweet as ever.

"Uh, hi Flutters," Rainbow paused. "Is this a bad time?"

"Oh no, not at all," Fluttershy opened the door fully , welcoming Rainbow inside. "Come in, come in."

Rainbow stepped through the portal, Fluttershy's home was very - for the lack of a better word - homey; It felt lived in and rustic, something that Rainbow wasn't used to with her new, modern cloud home. 

Without saying a word Fluttershy trotted to her kitchen, leaving Rainbow Dash in the large living area of the cottage, it smelled of green tea and wood fire, the sleeping forms of animals could be seen under furniture and on top of the various surfaces around the moderately sized space.

Rainbow felt safe in Fluttershy's house, safe but still nervous.

After Rainbow Dash settled down on Fluttershy's couch, the butter yellow pegasus flew back into the room, carrying two cups of tea with her. Setting one cup down in front of Rainbow, Fluttershy spoke up.

"So, uh. What brings you here, Rainbow?" Fluttershy asked, taking a sip of her tea.

"Dammit, you had to ask that right away didn't you." Rainbow mumbled as she rubbed her eyes with a hoof.

Fluttershy's expression morphed into one of concern at the gesture. "Dashie, what's wrong."

Rainbow winced at the use of the nickname. "Oh no, nothing it's just," Rainbow paused, trying to collect her thoughts. "I uh, came here to tell you something. S-something important."

Rainbows heartbeat grew ever faster.

"Oh no, Dashie what is it. Is it your mom, is she okay?" Fluttershy put down her cup of tea.

"Moms fine, 'Shy," Rainbow held up her hooves before her yellow friend worked herself into a panic attack. "This is about me, and you can't tell anyone."

It was then that Fluttershy noticed how shaken up Rainbow Dash was, Her hair was a mess - more of a mess than usual - she had bags under her eyes and worst of all her hooves were shaking.

"Oh Dashie," Fluttershy turned her body toward Rainbow and unfurled a wing, draping it around the quivering mare. "You're shaking."

Rainbow accepted the gesture and looked to her hooves. She was shaking, she hadn't noticed until then.

Fluttershy sensed the weight of the confrontation and lifted Rainbows face with a gentle hoof, forcing the chromatic mare to look her in the eye. "You know you can tell me anything, Dashie."

Rainbow felt sick, not regular sick but a deep sinking feeling welled up in her stomach. Rainbow feared she may throw up. Her heart was beating at a ridiculous rate. She had to do it now, she had to.

"Fluttershy," Rainbows mouth was dry, she looked back at her hooves as Fluttershy dropped her hoof to give her some space. 

"I-I'm gay." Rainbow choked out. A tear threatened to fall from her eye. The feeling in her stomach escalated ten-fold, she was also very aware of how bad she was shaking.

What was actually about a second and a half dragged on for what felt like hours to Rainbow Dash. The pause between the admission and the acknowledgment was astounding, there was no sounds, no feeling and no sight or smell. Rainbow felt as though she was falling.

It was terrifying.

"Okay."

And just like that everything was normal again. Rainbow could feel Fluttershy tighten her wing around her body, drawing her close. She could see the curtain of pink hair dominate the left side of her vision as Fluttershy hugged her. And she could hear her heartbeat louder than ever.

"You mean," Rainbow voice was raspy, a tear streaked down her cheek. "You don't mind?"

"Dashie!" Fluttershy pulled back to look her younger friend in the eye. She sounded offended. "Of course I don't mind, what kind of friend would I be If I did." Fluttershy's expression softened.

A tear slipped past the bounds of Rainbows eyelids and streaked down her face, only to be wiped off by a gentle hoof from Fluttershy. 

"I love you no matter what." Fluttershy concluded as she pulled the mare close once more. Rainbow extended her wings, faster than was necessary and engulfed the butter yellow mare in a tight hug. 

Fluttershy smiled warmly, guiding her friends head to her own chest. A choked sob came from Rainbow, the yellow mare instinctively started to stroke her mane. "Shh, it's okay."

Rainbow looked up at her shy friend with the brightest smile, her cheeks were matted with tears. "You're the best, Shy."

"Shh." Fluttershy continued the rhythmic stroking with a content, motherly smile.

The two ponies lay there on the couch for a few moments until Rainbow calmed down, it didn't take long, besides, the yellow pegasus didn't mind being a shoulder to cry on anyways.

It was rare for Rainbow to show her emotional side, Fluttershy always treasured the moments she did. She was one of the few ponies Rainbow trusted enough to show her feelings to, and she knew it. It was one of the ways Fluttershy knew how much she meant to Rainbow. After some time Rainbow sat up and sniffed, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Ugh, sorry to get so emotional there Flutters, that's a little embarrassing."

"Oh shush." Fluttershy smiled. 

The two sat there, Rainbow wasn't quite sure what to say, before the silence extened beyond comfortabole however, Fluttershy spoke up.

"Got your eye on any filly in particular?" Fluttershy asked with a slightly gossipy smile.

Rainbow let out a small chuckle and held back a sniffle. "Yeah, actually. Her name is Blue October."




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




Rarity was awake now, she had been for about an hour; of course when she woke Rainbow had already gone to work, leaving her alone in her house. The morning had gone pleasantly for Rarity thus far. Her coffee was strong, her oats were the perfect temperature, the sun was shining and there hadn't been any hallucinations of her projected loneliness in her bed this morning.

Rarity sighed heavily at the thought. 

Rarity looked up from her page, she was stuck in a particularly uninteresting few chapters of her horror novel. Nobody had been eviscerated or had their spine removed since chapter nine. The last three chapters had been made up of quote un-quote spooky sightings and dialogue. 

How boring...

Opal waltzed into the room and met eyes with Rarity.

"Moww."

"Oh absolutely fine, darling, a little slow is all. How are you, dear." Rarity responded to her cat.

"Meew."

"Why that's simply terrible darling!" Rarity couldn't understand what her cat was saying, nor did she care much. Humouring her cat was at least some way to alleviate the boredom that had settled over the boutique that morning.

A thought struck Rarity.

Oh that's right. I told Fluttershy I would check on her animals.

Rarity stood and stretched, eliciting a few pops from her spine, shuddering from the noise.

The unicorn walked toward the front door of carousel boutique, no longer did she feel the need to feed the schizophrenia that always seemed to bubble up within her when her cat was around.

Rarity levitated a scarf off an equinequin and wrapped it around herself as she left the shop, with a smile Rarity began her trot to the edge of Whitetail woods.




* * * * * *




Rainbow sat at her desk, bored out of her skull, she was working quite efficiently but the work she was doing was lackluster to say the least. Her job had not deteriated in interest, it just hadn't got any better; now she was working on categorizing thunderheads from most to least powerful and signing documents making sure they were getting where they needed to go.

A few ponies walked past Rainbows desk from the back of the room, Rainbow took no interest, she figured if she worked fast enough then the day would finish sooner. This day however seemed to be dragging on quite significantly.

"Yo Dash, lunch time." Said Stormwalker as she rifled through her desk to fish out a pack of cigarettes.

"Oh sweet, thanks Stormwalker."

Stormwalker paused and turned around. "Please Dash, just call me Stormy." The mare gave a smile.

"O-okay." Rainbow coughed into her hoof. As Stormwalker walked away, Rainbow leaned over in her chair. Rainbow suddenly felt as though she needed some sunglasses.

Oh Luna.

Rainbow watched Stormy's toned flank bob from side to side as she walked away.

I wonder...

Rainbow banished the thoughts from her head.

Nah probably not.

Rainbow resolved to finish the last few thunderhead orders before she went to lunch. Check some numbers make sure they're the same, sign some papers. The process wasnt enthralling but it took minutes at most.

Rainbow stood from her ergonomic office seat  and adjusted her jumper as she walked to the front door of the office. Walking out the door Rainbows nostrils were overtaken by the smell of cigarette smoke.

"Yo." Came the voice of Stormwalker from beside Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, hi." Rainbow was making sure to be extra polite today, normally she would just say something like "Whatup" or "Whats crackin?" but she wanted to make sure she came off on the right hoof in terms of continued employability.

"You don't smoke too do ya?" Stormwalker Raised an eyebrow, seemingly unimpressed with the idea of Rainbow smoking.

"Oh no, I was gonna go grab some food." Rainbows expression

"Oh, where you thinkin'?" 

"Dunno, I might just go up the cafe on 5th, they do great takeaway." Rainbow looked around to get her bearings, trying to ignore the strong smell of cheap tobacco. She didn't think it was a bad smell, it was just obnoxious.

Stormy threw the cigarette on the ground and stubbed it out under her hoof. It made a satisfying sizzle as it was extinguished by the moisture in the cloud.

"Mind if I tag along?" Stormwalker raised an eyebrow.

Rainbow smiled. "Sure."

The two stretched their wings and took off, the flight was short; not even a minute. Rainbow mentally noted that Stormwalker was above average when it came to flying speed. Not fast, but by no means slow. The two landed outside "The Cirrus cafe" A small establishment that specialized in fast food that made most of their profit off tradesponies who couldn't be bothered going anywhere healthier.

As the two stood in line Stormwalker started to speak.

"So Dash, how you liking the new job?" She gave a sly smile as if she knew something Rainbow didn't.

"Uh yeah it's great," Rainbow lied. "It's really interesting to think that almost all of Equestria's weather orders come through that little office." Rainbow lied, it wasn't interesting in the slightest but she wanted to come across as enthusiastic about work.

"You don't have to lie to me Rainbow, it's boring as shit." Stormy said flatly, a smile on her lips.
Rainbow was a little caught off guard by that. 

Is this some kind of trick?

"N-no really I think it's great!" Rainbow stumbled around her words.

Stormy Raised an eyebrow in doubt.

Rainbow caved. "Okay yeah, it's boring. But its work, ya' know?"

Stormwalker gave a chuckle. "Yeah, it pays pretty well too."

"Yeah." Rainbow smiled. 

"Don't worry about it, the day goes heaps quicker after snowfall takes off."

"Snowfall leaves early?" It was Rainbows turn to raise an eyebrow.

"Almost every day." Stormy idly scanned the menu on the wall behind the counter. "Then we bust out the lube and the whole office gets freaky."

Rainbow choked on her breath and coughed violently, causing Stormy to start laughing out loud. Stormy's laughter died down as Dash regained her breath. Rainbow looked around, there was at least five ponies within earshot.

Well at least I know she's not shy.

The two mares ordered their takeaway lunches; Rainbows a basil and pasta salad. Stormwalker's a medium serving of hay fries drenched in gravy. The two mares paid and walked outside to sit at one of the shaded tables.

"So Dash," Stormy spoke around a mouthful of chips before audibly swallowing. "Heads up, you're probably not gonna have much work to do this arvo so no need to work too fast."

"Yeah what's with that? Winter starts in two days, I thought there would be heaps more work to do." 

"We get orders on Tuesdays, just you wait until tomorrow." Stormy warned.

"Whys that?" Rainbow asked as she picked at her pasta with a plastic fork.

"Well, If your weather team is good you'll get your cloud order in one or two weeks before winter. We still have to hear back from Fillydelphia and Baltimare. So tomorrow we have to double check their orders, send the order,  and then it has to be filled and shipped before midnight. That is if we even get their orders tomorrow."

"What happens if we don't their orders?"

"We improvise and they get mad."

"Huh." Rainbow managed.

"Yep, but until then you're the shit kicker. Sadly it's the best job in the office."

Rainbow snorted with laughter. "'Shit kicker?'"

"You haven't heard that one?" Rainbow shook her head. "It means like.. The pony who does all the boring menial stuff is the shit kicker." Rainbow was still chuckling.

"Where did you get that from?" Rainbow gave a quizzical look.

"My parents are both full blown Brumbies." Stormwalker gave a flat look. "And they talk too much."

"Oh of course," Rainbow chuckled. "Of course that's a Brumby thing."

The two laughed and spoke a while longer until their break was nearing its end. They finished their meals and stretched, happy that the day was at least half over, before they took flight a thought flew through Dash's mind.

Stormy's pretty cool.




* * * * * *




Fluttershy's door made a piercing creak as Rarity pushed it open, her head slipped around the door to peek inside.

To her surprise Fluttershy's cottage wasn't in ruins, it was just as clean as it always was. Rarity stepped inside and looked around. There were a few animals here and there sleeping in the many pet beds around. The birds were all either preening or sleeping in the rafters. Angel bunny was playing cards with a grizzly bear over the living room table.

"Hello there, Angel." Rarity offered.

The bunny gave a smile and waved a paw at the mare before turning back to his card game. 

Rarity couldn't believe it, she was sure that rabbit at the table wasn't Angel, the real Angel would've turned this place upside down by now. But there he was, playing cards with a bear, behaving himself.

Rarity narrowed her eyes at the rabbit. "Well it seems you have everything under control, "Rarity's eyes darted around the room. "I guess I'll just..go." Rarity cocked her eyebrow at the rabbit.

Angel turned towards Rarity once more giving another wave, a smile on his little rabbit lips.

Rarity backed out of the cottage and closed the door. She stood for a moment, a feeling of dread hung over her like a storm cloud. 
She was almost certain that something was wrong in Fluttershy's cottage, she could feel it in the air.

Rarity shook the confusion out of her head and started the trot back to Carousel Boutique.




* * * * * *




Stormwalker had been right, there wasn't much work for Rainbow to do that afternoon, but she slowly worked through it. With a sigh Rainbow put her pencil down. 	

Coffee time.

Rainbow stood and walked to the front of the room, there was a bench with a water heater, a sink and coffee fixings. There was also a box of glazed donuts that had been picked at by her co-workers throughout the day, leaving only two.

Rainbow looked at the bench in front of her, suddenly overwhelmed by a sence of déjà vu.

This seems familiar...

"Makin' coffee? Yes please!" Came the voice of Stormy who had somehow gotten beside Rainbow.

Rainbow smiled at Stormy, not quite sure how to react to that.

"Make me one too!" Came a voice from the back of the room.

"Make your own, Scott!" Stormwalker yelled back.

"Awww." Came the defeated sigh of Great Scott. Stifled laughter could be heard from the rest of the office.

"So," Stormy turned toward Rainbow, her voice much more office-appropriate now. "what are you up to."

"Oh I just got finished with that storm report from Trottingham, signed it off." Rainbow smiled as she spooned coffee into the plunge.

"Oh sweet, just put it in the 'out' box. We have to send it to the factory for their review." Rainbow nodded at the instruction.

Rainbow plunged the coffee and poured herself a cup, adding no sugar or creamer. Stormy silently made her own cup next to Rainbow.
Stormwalker could've said 'Pass the creamer?' but no, that would be too easy. Instead she leaned over resulting in her neck sliding against Rainbow's. Rainbow turned to face the mare at the touch, only to meet eyes with Stormwalker.

The two held their gaze for a fraction of a second before Stormwalker smiled and went back to making her coffee.

Rainbow blinked. 

Was that flirting? 

Rainbow's brow furrowed in thought.

No way, she's super confident. If she had the hots for me I'd know all about it by now.

Rainbow picked up her mug and hovered back to her desk. Stormy however flew to her desk, grabbed a lighter, popped a cigarette in her mouth and flew outside with her coffee in hoof.

Rainbow looked back down to her desk, there was two hours of work left and she had almost nothing to do. 

Rainbow hated wasting time, she would much rather have a day with lots of work to focus on that went quickly, than a day that dragged on forever because she had no work. Sadly this day had turned out to be the latter.

It'll be okay tomorrow, more work to do.

Rainbow did her assigned tasks and eventually found other odd jobs to do, slowly but surely the long day finally came to a close.

"Hey see ya' tomorrow Rainbow Dash." Said Dust Devil as she walked past Rainbows desk.

"Seeya." Rainbow gave a smile to the mare and looked over to Stormwalker's desk, the mare was putting some papers away and rifling around in her drawers. 

"Quitting time, Dash." Stormy looked over to meet eyes with Rainbow. "You did alright today, tomorrow is gonna be a disaster but hey, cross that bridge when we get to it."

"Keen as a bean." Rainbow said sarcastically.

"You're a dork." Stormwalker teased. Rainbow chuckled. "Hey can I ask a favour?"

"Sure." Rainbow didn't want to turn down any opportunity to impress on her first day.

"Can you start an hour early tomorrow, I know it's a pain in the ass but it would be a huge help to have you round when everyone else is freaking out over Fillydelphia and Baltimare."

Rainbow didn't really want to start early, but if it would impress her higher ups it was a small sacrifice. "Yeah I can do that, no problem." Rainbow smiled.

"Sweet. Oh yeah if you start early you finish early so there's that too, you won't be stuck here until four."

That's a plus. Rainbow reasoned. 

"Not a problem."

"Alright, see you tomorrow, Dash." Finished Stormy as she pushed open the front door and left.

Rainbow sighed. 	

Seven O clock tomorrow... whatever.

Rainbow stood from her desk and slipped on her jumper that she had draped over her chair. Rainbow quickly waved goodbye to the co-workers and began the short flight home.

Or Carousel Boutique.




* * * * * *




Rarity noticed something flutter through her door in her peripheral vision, a letter. From the comfort of her couch Rarity levitated the letter over and tore it open using magic. A work order.

Finally, I needed something to do.

The pony who placed the order was asking for a gown for a winter ball in Trottingham. The letter outlined the sizes and dimensions of the dress and also that it needed to be 'Winter themed' aside from that Rarity had free creative reign.

Rarity smiled at the piece of paper. 	

I knew there would be some stragglers for winter.

Rarity marked the page in her novel, placing it on the small coffee table next to her couch. Trotting to her drawing desk, the unicorn donned her signature cat-eye spectacles.

The entire ensemble would take her a day and a half at most seeing as she had nothing else to do. But the letter had indicated it need to be completed and sent within the fortnight.

The seamstress opted to finish and send it early, that way if any changes were required it could easily be done within the time frame.
Rarity hummed happily as she doodled on a piece of paper, she sketched and sketched until she had refined the design to a point where it was easily doable but also stood out. People would look at the mare and know that her dress was Carousel Boutique. Rarity smiled down at her creative vision and stood to gather some material.

The bell above the door of carousel boutique chimed, signalling somepony had entered.

"Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where eve-"

"It's just me, Rarity." Came the voice of Rainbow Dash.

"Rainbow Dash," Rarity turned to smile at the mare. "How was your first day?" Rarity asked with a sparkle in her eyes, keen to hear some gossip.

"Meh, it wah ohayy." Rainbow's sentence was distorted by a yawn. "Pretty boring."

"Oh well, I'm sure it will get better with time." Rarity turned to continue her search for materials.  "Are the ponies nice at least?"

Rainbow, in her tired reverie let her eyes droop to a comfortable place as Rarity turned around.

Mmm, Raributt.

"Rainbow?" 

Rainbow snapped out of her perverted daydream. "Sorry, what did you say."

"I asked about the ponies you work with." Rarity turned, concern plastered across her face. "Are you okay darling?"

"Oh yeah, the ponies are great." Rainbow trotted over to the fireplace to lay down. Rarity looked on, still keeping her concerned expression. 

I'm sure she's just tired. Rarity reasoned before turning back to her work.

Over by the fire, Rainbow was having a slight mental struggle.

Damn Dash. Why don't you stare right at her ass. What would've happened if she turned around earlier and caught you with your tongue hanging out?

...

What if she didn't mind.

Rainbow thought about that for a moment.

No, you can't think of Rarity like that, even if she does have..big beautiful blue eyes and.. a perfect round, marshmallow butt.

Rainbow shook her head violently.

Why are you so horny all of a sudden, Dash? She turns around for five seconds and you start drooling? Get your head out of the gutter. 

Rainbow mentally berated herself.

She needed a distraction, something to take her sexually deprived mind off her unicorn friend. She lifted a wing and inspected her feathers with a critical eye.

I need to preen.

Rainbow sat up on her haunches and lifted her wing above her head; she began the gentle process of preening. Giving every feather a light tug to make sure they were aligned correctly, if they were loose they would pop straight out. It was a painful - but necessary - part of pegasi life.

Rarity sighed, putting down the various bolts of material she had gathered in her telekinesis; she could do this tomorrow. The alabaster mare looked to Rainbow Dash and raised an eyebrow. In all her years she had never seen anyone preen before.

Rarity made her way to the fireplace and lay down next to the pegasus. Intrigued, the unicorn watched silently as Rainbow straightened her feathers. It didn't take long for Rainbow to notice her.

"Uh, hi Rarity," Rainbow asked, a little confused as to why Rarity was watching her preen. "What are you doing."

"What do you mean darling?" Rarity tilted her head comically.

"You're watching me preen?" Rainbow queried.

"Yes," Rarity responded casually before realization struck her. "Oh, is this isn't another one of those unspoken, non-plutonic pegasus things is it?"

"W-well, no but it's just kinda weird." The faintest hint of a blush colored Dash's cheeks.

"How so darling?" Rarity looked confused.

"It's like watching me in the bath or something, I don't know." Rainbow trailed off.

"Oh don't worry about that darling, I'm only here out of interest, I've never seen anypony preen before, you see." Rarity explained before giving a small chuckle. "And if you ever feel the need you can watch me take a bath as payback, darling."

Rainbows mind strained. 

Oh Luna, don't think about it. Please don't think about it.

Rainbow thought about it. 

Images of a dripping wet Rarity flooded Rainbows mind, her hair was hanging loosely around her hooves and her eyes half-lidded and sultry.
Heat welled up in her cheeks at an alarming rate. Dash tucked her head underneath her wing again to hide her blush, playing it off as if she were just continuing her preening.

Stop thinking about it you perv! She's your friend!

Rarity gave a quizzical look at Rainbows sudden movement, but didn't question it, instead she just looked on.

She watched the group of wing muscles twitch as Rainbow moved her wing around, Rainbow couldn't see her and Rarity planned on taking full advantage of that. Rarity's eyes slowly moved along Rainbows body, following the curves of her thin feminine figure and marveling at the muscles in her belly and back.

She's so powerful. She's like a weapon.

Her eyes dropped lower to Rainbows toned flank, the taught lean muscles gave a perfect shape when they relaxed.

She has such a nice bum. 

Rarity giggled at the thought.

Bum, what a funny word. 

Rarity suddenly became very aware as to what she was doing. For the past half-minute or so she had been practically molesting Rainbow Dash with her eyes. Rarity attempted to cleanse her thoughts and looked to the fire to distract herself.

Good gracious Rarity, she has only been here three days and you're already eye-fucking her.

Rarity chanced a sidelong glance at the mare, her head was now tucked under her other wing, tugging at the feathers in a painful looking fashion.

She really is pretty though.. Beautiful even. I wonder if she knows how beautiful she is?

Rarity stared into the fire, watching as the fire danced around the half burned log, It helped her think.

Rainbow Dash though? Of all ponies?

She's just so.. confident. Well she is normally anyway, poor thing must still be torn up about her house.

Wouldn't you be? Rarity mentally asked herself.

"Ow fuck." Rainbow Dash mumbled, Rarity choked at the sound of the profanity but quickly broke down into giggles.

"What happened dear?" Rarity asked, chuckling as she turned to face Rainbow.

Rainbows head swiveled around to show her face, she had two moderately sized feathers in her mouth. 

"I thought they were loose." Rainbow blinked, the feathers stuck to her bottom lip as she spoke.

The combination of the feather moving comically with Rainbows words, the pegasus' blank expression and the mares colorful language sent Rarity into another small laughing fit.

Rarity reached up with a hoof and plucked the feathers from Rainbows mouth, laughing the whole time. "You're a goose Rainbow Dash." Rarity stated through her laughter. Rainbow joined in despite herself.

"Am not." Rainbow retorted before returning to her preening. Rarity returned her gaze to the fire.

She's fun to be around too.

Rarity chanced one last look to Rainbow.

There is just something about her.

Rarity's eyebrows furrowed as she searched for an answer. After a few minutes of relative silence Rainbow finished preening and watched the fire alongside Rarity. The unicorn broke the silence.

"I'm sorry Rainbow Dash."

"For what?" Rainbow turned to face Rarity.

"Watching you preen, that was probably a tad creepy." Rarity looked to her hooves.

"What? No, I understand. Preening to me isn't very interesting, but to a unicorn I can see the appeal. It's not creepy." Rainbow waved her hoof as if to say 'don't worry about it.'

Rarity turned to face the mare. "You said it was like watching you take a bath." Rarity raised an eyebrow in confusion. "That's a little creepy."

"Mm, kinda', it more like brushing your hair than it is taking a bath."

Rarity deadpanned. "Rainbow if you started brushing your hair and I walked over, sat down and watched you brush your hair that would still be creepy."

"No Rare's I get it, it's like watching a wildlife film. Preening is interesting to other tribes, I guess." Rainbow put a hoof to her chin in thought. "It's like when you get your horn filed, and all the little grooves get re-carved to let the magic flow better or whatever, I would probably find that interesting."

Rarity chuckled at Rainbows roundabout way of explaining it. "Would you now?"

"I dunno, I guess. I don't know much about magic but it interests me."

"Well regardless I apologize, Rainbow Dash. That was improper, I should've asked first."

Rainbow snorted. "Why dah-ling, might I ask a favor? I feel the need to watch you preen your wings." Rainbow used the best imitation of Rarity she could muster.

"Oh, piss off." Rarity shot to Rainbow playfully, she chortled at the display despite herself.

Rainbow exploded into laughter, falling on her side at Rarity's retort. Of all the things Rainbow had expected the unicorn to say that wasn't one of them, and for whatever reason, hearing the fancy unicorn swear was hilarious.

Rarity couldn't hold back the feeling, there was something hysterical about watching someone rolling on the floor laughing. Almost as if it were contagious Rarity fell into her own bout of laughter.

The two ponies sat by the fire, talking and laughing for what felt like hours. At some point Rainbow realized she was nowhere near as tired as she was when she left work.

Rainbow reasoned that it must have something to do with Rarity, she didn't feel tired or worn out when she was around the unicorn. 
For whatever reason.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




"Hey gorgeous." Blue October's voice reached out to Rainbow Dash as the chromatic pegasus sat down on the park bench.

"Hey." Rainbow spoke as she returned the nuzzle her girlfriend had offered.

"How's your day?" Toby asked. Whenever she asked that question she always meant it, it was never a question for the sake of talking; she genuinely wanted to know.

"It was okay." 

The two mares fell into silence for a moment. 

"I told Fluttershy I'm gay."

"Really? That's great!, how'd she take it?" Toby asked, her expression told of excitement mixed with slight concern.

"Really well." Rainbow smiled. "She's a good friend."

"Oh that's great!" Blue October leaned over to plant a kiss on her girlfriends lips.

"I'll have to introduce you soon, I know you two will get along great." Rainbow smiled.

"Sounds great, Dash."

Toby leaned in for another kiss, Dash welcomed it. 

Instead of letting it stop at a simple peck on the lips, Blue pushed further into the kiss, gently parting her lips to let her tongue slip out. Toby slid her hooves around her girlfriends midsection as she pushed into the kiss. Rainbow welcomed it.

After a few moments, Toby broke the kiss and looked into Rainbows eyes holding the younger mares head in her hooves.

"You're so beautiful." The words were soft and genuine. The comment made Rainbow blush.

Rainbow pushed back into the kiss, not quite ready to let the moment end. 

"Ugh."

Rainbow and Toby's ears both swiveled at the sound, the two fillies broke the contact. The grunt came from somewhere behind them and sounded almost ill. Like someone had been punched in the stomach behind the park bench they were seated on.

The two fillies swiveled their heads, only to see the disgusted look from a mare who stood a ways back. She was a tan colored mare with a silvery grey mane and tail and a cutie mark of a ribbon bound scroll.

Blue October already knew what had happened, her eyes widened in anger and her eyebrows arched, she looked ready to fight someone.

As soon as Blue October met eyes with the mare, the stranger turned and trotted away, muttering under her breath. The word 'degenerates' was heard clear as day.

Rainbow stomach sunk, she felt cold even though her girlfriend was right next to her. 

Degenerate?

"What was that!?" Blue October called after the mare, trying to get her to say it again. The mare didn't turn or even respond, she just kept walking.

Tears welled up in Rainbows eyes as the weight of the situation struck her. Her lip began to quiver.

Instantly Blue October switched from rage back to gentle kind Blue October Rainbow knew. "Hey, hey, don't cry." Blue pulled Rainbow into her chest.

"Why would she say that?" Rainbow asked, a quaver in her voice.

Blue October pulled Dash closer, unfurling her wings to wrap around her partner. "The world is full of horrible ponies, Dashie."

"But why?" One word, one word could make Rainbow feel horrible for just being who she was.

Blue was starting to lose it, seeing her fillyfriend like this was making her guts twist up. A tear threatened to fall but she wouldn't let it, she needed to be strong for Rainbow.

"Forget her Rainbow, what does she know." For the second time that day Rainbow found that someone was stroking her mane. She didn't respond to her girlfriend, instead she just sat there as Blue October tightened her grip around her.

Just because I like girls? Rainbow pondered, trying to make sense of the situation.

Rainbow Dash, seventeen years old sat on a park bench, her stomach felt knotted up and her skin felt cold. That was the first time Rainbow was belittled for her sexuality. At the time Rainbow Dash had no idea who that strange mare was, neither did Blue October. 	



~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~


> Tuesday
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Ponyville and Cloudsdale Weather Headquarters was a horrid work environment on Tuesday morning. Every pony within the office was tense, creating the illusion that they were sitting inside a pressure vessel, the fear of knowing that someone could make a mistake and set them back hours of work hanging heavily above each pony's head. The fear of being that pony keeping everyone on their metaphorical toes.

Baltimare and Manehatten had both fortunately got their weather orders in early Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, that meant having to double check and approve their orders, and make sure the weather factory were up for the challenge. The complexity of a city's winter weather was proportional to the size of the city in question, Baltimare and Manehatten were both huge.

Rainbow Dash sat in her ergonomic office chair, pencil in teeth doing her favorite thing - math. Each member of the office crew had been given a section of Baltimare to 'double check' meaning that they had to figure out how many snow clouds were needed and compare their own findings to the figures that were sent in the order. All the while taking into account Cloud expansion and reduction, wind currents and Pony interference. According to Stormwalker the orders were almost always wrong, meaning that Weather HQ had to pretty much re-do the entire order for them.

The office was almost collectively half way through Baltimare's order, which meant that they still had to organize winter weather teams for the city and then do the same thing over again for Manehatten. In short, there was a lot of work to do but according to Snowfall and Stormwalker it was just doable without having to waste too much money on overtime. None if they were lucky.

As much as Rainbow liked the Idea of earning more money she didn't plan on staying any longer that she needed to. The mare punched digits into her calculator with as much efficiency and vigor as she could muster. Math had never been one of Rainbows strong suits, but with this amount of pressure and concentration she felt like she could take Twilight in a math quiz.

Ha! Fat chance!

The mental voice sounded like Twilight.

Rainbow looked to her left, giving herself a brief rest from the math problems in front of her. Stormy sat in her own ergonomic chair, her mane was a mess, her eyes darting around the order in front of her as she bit nervously at one of her hooves. Rainbow was worrying about getting these orders in before quitting time, Stormy looked like she was worrying about getting them done before tomorrow.
Rainbow looked back to her own work, with a sigh the mare picked the pencil back up and set to work.




* * * * * *




"Mmm" Rarity mumbled as she rolled over in her bed, she wanted to get up but at the same time she couldn't bring herself to leave her warm  bed just yet. It was quite a cold morning, and the last morning before the snow began to fall. Rarity decided she would enjoy it.
Rarity gently nuzzled the neck of the pony next to her from behind. Their silky smooth coat running against Rarity's sent shivers down her spine. The pony stretched at the contact and rolled over to face Rarity.

"Mornin' Rare's."

Rarity tucked her muzzle under the pony's chin, giving a quick nuzzle and leaving a small peck on their neck.

"Hello, darling."

The pony wrapped their forelegs around Rarity, drawing her closer. Rarity's belly pressed against the unidentified pony's barrel, they were soft like silk. Rarity felt the pony push their muzzle into her mane and seal a kiss off one of her ears.

"Sleep well?" The strange pony asked.

"Mmm." Was all Rarity could manage.

"Good." The pony rested their head on top of Rarity's, snuggling into the warmth the unicorns body provided.
Rarity blearily opened an eye, and the strange pony disappeared.

Rarity was cuddling a pillow.

The unicorn immediately regretted the action, her stomach dropping. Using her magic Rarity Threw the pillow off her bed. 

"Rgh!" The pillow landed with a soft "pomf".

The unicorn sat up up her bed, looking down at the pillow on the floor. Her frustration quickly dissipating.

Why does this keep happening?

Rarity pinched the bridge of her muzzle with a hoof, trying to ward off the headache she felt coming on. She had only been awake a total of thirty seconds and she already felt emotionally drained.

Why can't it ever be real...

With a dejected sigh, Rarity rolled out of her large bed, leaving the warm embrace of her comforter. If she could she would go back to sleep, but there was no chance of that now. 

"Meow."

"Ah!" Rarity's head whipped around to see Opalescence sitting on her bed, grooming herself. "Opal, how did you get in here?"
The cat purred in response.

Rarity checked her windows, they, along with the door, were closed. "Have you been in here all night?"

"Mow."

Rarity shook the confusion free and sat down at her dresser, running a brush through her mane. Opal jumped off her bed and waltzed over to the seated mare, giving one of her hind legs a long nuzzle.

"Moww."

"Oh nothing, darling."

Rarity often found herself talking to her cat, a habit that had worried her from time to time. Often times she spoke to her cat out of boredom, but sometimes Rarity needed someone to confide within, someone she could tell her secrets and insecurities to without fear that they would tell anyone. Sort of like keeping a diary, but with less physical evidence.

"Mew."

Rarity gave a sad, almost forced smile to her cat, a smile that attempted to be reassuring but fail in almost every way. Reaching out with a front hoof the mare gave her cat a long pat.

"Mama's just feeling a little lonely is all."

It didn't feel good to admit, but it felt as though a weight had been lifted.

Admitting something is the first step to recovery.

Recovering from loneliness? Easier said than done.

Rarity turned back to her dresser, styling her mane and applying her makeup.

Come now, Rarity. We can't sit here and mope all day, there is work to be done!

Rarity flashed a smile at herself in the mirror, trying to psyche herself up for the day ahead.

Damn, I'm looking good.



* * * * * *



Twilight Sparkle thrust a clipboard in the face of a pony who walked past. 

"Connectez-vous ma pétition?"

"Désolé, mes jambes sont brisées." The strange stallion stumbled over his words before trotting away.

Twilight quickly flipped through her Vanhoover language guide. By the time she had figured out what he said he was already a block away. 

"No they aren't!" Twilight called after him.

"Ease up, sweet pea." Twilight turned at the voice of Applejack. "I think you're going about this the wrong way."

"And how do you suggest I go about this, Applejack." Twilight said, frustration clear in her voice.

"Well, maybe you could try talking to ponies before you ask them to sign? Let them know your cause?"

"And how many signatures has that gotten you, Applejack?"

The orange mare looked to her own clipboard, doing a quick count. "Twelve."

"Exactl- wait you have twelve signatures?" Asked Twilight, perplexed.

Applejack hoofed over her clipboard to Twilight, giving her a good look before grabbing it back off the alicorn. 

"How come you can speak prench so well?" Twilight cocked an eyebrow at Applejack.

"I don't. Most of these ponies speak equestrian, You just have to ask nicely. I wanna know why the map did send Rarity, she actually speaks prench."

"I don't think she speaks that much." Twilight reasoned.

"Still more than any of us, now if you'll pardon me, I see a potential signature walking this way."

Applejack trotted toward the strange mare. Twilight sighed, looking down to her own clipboard. One signature. This whole situation was ridiculous.

Twilight and her friends had eventually - after some wandering and time wasting - found a problem that fit the need for the elements of harmony. 

The Intercelestial, the oldest hotel in Vanhoover, was set to be demolished on Friday. The hotel was not only one hundred and thirty years old, but was a historic landmark of the city. The Princess's had stayed there, peace treaties for neighbouring nations had been signed in its meeting room, A-List celebrities had OD'd in its rooms and almost every building in the city was architecturally inspired by it. The Intercelestial was the hotel that inspired Vanhoover.

But time had not been kind to the building, its roof had been in dire need of repair for the last ten years. So dire in fact that the entire hotel was elected unsuitable for ponies to live in. The city council had decided to knock it down to make room for a new, bigger hotel. Unless somepony could manage to gather three hundred signatures by Friday noon.

They had thirty five.

Twilight sparkle looked around the street she and her friends were standing on, looking for ponies to sign their petition. Sadly it was ten in the morning and most ponies were already where they needed to be. A yellow coated mare stepped out of a cafe across the street, Twilight gave a sigh and levitated her Vanhoover translation guide out, trotting after the mare.
"Ugh, Bojour madam, Parelz-voux Eqquin?" Twilight stuttered out.



* * * * * *



Rainbow sat on a cloud windowsill out the back of weather HQ, picking at a takeaway container filled with fried rice. Weather HQ was on the very edge of the cloud layer, leaving them sitting above a hundred meter drop.

Stormwalker sat next to her, chewing on her sandwich. The pair had been on lunch break for fifteen minutes and Stormy had been chain smoking that whole time without saying much, it was obvious to Rainbow that the mare was stressed out.

"You alright Stormy?" Asked Rainbow.

Stormwalker huffed. "Yeah I'm good. Just a little tense, worst day of the year and all that."

Rainbow thought for a moment. "How much more work do we have?"

"Pretty much what we've done over again." The grey mare flicked her cigarette butt over the edge of the cloud, watching as it plummeted to the earth below. She had to hold herself back from immediately getting another.

"See, we'll be out of here early at this rate. No stress." Rainbow smiled, that seemed to lift Stormy's mood a bit.

"Let's just hope no-one screws up and puts us back three hours." Stormy sighed.

"That happened before?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"Last year. We got put back two hours over one mistake. Snowfall wasn't happy."

Rainbow thought about that, she made a mental note to triple check her math from now on. If somebody was going to let the team down that bad, it wasn't going to be her. The two mares fell into silence for a bit, the late autumn sun poured over them, not doing enough to warm them of the cold sting in the air. Rainbow gave a cold shudder as Stormwalker broke the quiet. 

"So Dash, you got a boyfriend?" Stormwalker asked. Looking Rainbow in the eyes.

Dash raised an eyebrow, was Stormy just trying to make idle conversation? Or was she asking something else entirely?

"Nah, no boyfriend." Rainbow stumbled a bit, caught off guard by the question.

"Girlfriend maybe?"

What are you up to, Stormwalker?

"Oh no, not me." The words Rainbow Dash chose gave the impression that she was straight without actually lying. It was one of many techniques she had gathered from almost three years of hiding her sexuality. "How 'bout you? Any colts on your mind?"

"Not for a while now." Replied stormy. Rainbow realized that stormy had pulled the same move she had.

Clever girl.

Rainbow Dash could've ended her confusion right then and there. She could have asked "Any mares?" and all speculation could have been put to rest.

But Rainbow Dash didn't want to seem pushy.

Stormwalker was hoping that Rainbow would ask something along those lines, but she didn't want outright say she was that way inclined without getting a read on Rainbow first.

She said 'not me'. Okay that just means she doesn't have a girlfriend. Doesn't mean she's not into mares.

"I haven't been in a serious relationship in.." Rainbow paused, thinking about it. "Two or so years. But its whatever, I've gotta focus on my career."

"And what career is that?" Stormy asked.

"I'm going to be a Wonderbolt." Rainbow said non-nonchalantly.

Stormwalker memory was refreshed to the day of the best young fliers competition.

Of course she wants to be a Wonderbolt. Stormwalker smiled.

"You really think you got the stuff?" Stormwalker asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"Course I do, I've already done my academy course and I'm faster than most of the pony's on the team. All I have to do now is keep training and wait for my acceptance letter."

Stormy's face held a look of confusion and amazement. "Jeez, Dash I knew you were a good flier but.."

Rainbow yawned, stretching out her wings to show off her muscles. "Yeah, I'm pretty awesome." Rainbow wouldn't miss an opportunity to brag.

Stormy's eyes went wide as she looked at Rainbows wings. Her wings were amazing, the muscles were taught, toned to perfection and she had a considerable span. They reminded stormy of the images of spitfires wings that she had seen on posters and in magazines.

Holy shit. Look at those things!

"Dash, your wings are amazing!" Stormy said still ogling them as they folded against the blue mares sides.
Rainbow coughed, a tiny blush could be seen colouring her cheeks. "Heh, thanks."

Stormwalker caught sight of the display.

Dammit she's adorable. And those wings!

The two mares fell silent for a time, Rainbow got most of the way through her fried rice, Stormwalker finished her sandwich. 
Before long it was time to get back to work.



* * * * * *



Rarity turned the final page of her novel as she sipped her tea. She once again wore her pink faux fur robe as she sat in front of the fire she had started not half an hour ago. It was midday, and Rarity had been working for almost four hours straight on the dress she had been commissioned. 

The blank of the dress was done, the blue and white gown was fitting comfortably on an equinequin that best resembled her clients measurements. The job was half finished within the first day of production and Rarity figured she could finish it later or tomorrow. Right now she felt she had earned a break.

The fire crackled in front of Rarity and the gentle songs of Fleetfoot Mac played in the background as Rarity read the last few lines of her book. 

Rarity could never get used to the feeling of finishing a novel, it was an odd feeling, the combination of excitement, happiness and sadness from the adventure coming to an end. A happy end, the main character, a small grey mare, had walked away from the unfortunate situation with her life, missing a hoof, but alive nonetheless.

Not entirely a happy ending, but it was a horror novel.

Rarity turned the final page only to be greeted with the words 'the end' and a few mentions of who the book was written for. Rarity closed the book and tossed it on the floor next to her. It wasn't Stallion Kings best work, but it was okay.
Rarity gave a sigh as the feeling of boredom crept over her.

Now what do I do? Keep working?..

The mare looked back to the dress she had half finished, and then to her sketch table, earlier in the day she had been toying with patterns of another cable knit sweater, inspired with how good Rainbow looked in hers, Rarity wanted one as well. 

Rarity didn't want to finish either the dress or the design, not right now. Rarity rested her head on her forelegs and watched the fire for a moment, her eyes eventually drifted closed.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




Rarity stood in the main hallway of Twilights castle, she looked to the long flowing drapes as they gently swayed in the afternoon breeze. 
It was spring, or it smelled like spring. Rarity could smell the honey on the wind along with redbud and lilac. The mare smiled as she looked up to the high ceiling, letting the warm spring air carry her away. Something itched in the back of Rarity's mind.

She was all alone.

"Hello?" The mares voice echoed throughout the castle. There was no response. Rarity began a slow walk down the corridor, her hoof steps making loud clacks on the polished crystal floor. 

"Anybody home?"

Again no answer.

The mare looked down each passing hallway, wondering if she were truly the only inhabitant of the castle. Before long Rarity came to a familiar set of double doors.

The map room.

Rarity placed a hoof on one of the doors and leaned her entire weight into pushing the door open. The heavy door slowly rolled back on its hinges.

The unicorn stepped into the room, the map was projected above the enormous table, showing all of Equestria. The mare climbed onto her crystal throne and looked over the map. She looked to Vanhoover, the cutie marks of Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie all slowly circled the city. She then looked to Ponyville.

The tiny cutie marks of Rainbow Dash and Rarity gently spun above the city before winking out of existence. Rarity looked to her flank, her cutie mark pulsed once before returning to normal. 

"Oh hey Rarity."

Rarity turned at the voice, Rainbow Dash was laying on her belly toward the edge of the room, her tail swishing about playfully.

"Uhh, hello Rainbow Dash?" The unicorn could swear that Rainbow hadn't been there before. Something was wrong, Rainbow Dash seemed different somehow.

Her eyes.

Rainbow Dash's were off, the wrong color. Rather than the usual magenta Rarity was used to, Rainbow's eyes were bright, fire engine red. Rarity couldn't shake the feeling that wasn't the only different thing about the mare.

"What brings you here?" Rainbow asked, her eyes were half lidded in an almost sultry look. Rarity was confused.

"The map, I think?"

The two mares went quiet for a moment.

"Why are you here?" Rarity asked, wanting to break the silence.

Rainbow suddenly rolled on her back, splaying her wings to their full extension and showing off her belly. She didn't answer the question.
The unicorns eyes widened at the display, if it weren't for Rainbows haunches blocking her view, the pegasus would be on full display to the mare. The pegasus' eyes leveled onto Rarity once more, her bright red, half lidded eyes boring into the unicorn.

Rainbow rolled over and stood, her tail still swishing from side to side playfully. She started to walk slowly toward Rarity, her hips swaying from side to side with every step.

"Rainbow, what are you doing?" Rarity managed to choke the question out. She pushed herself as far back in her crystal throne as she could. 

The pegasus climbed up onto the throne next the unicorn and without a word, tucked her head beneath Rarity's, giving the mare a long, slow nuzzle along her neck and chest.

"Mmm." Rainbow moaned as she slid her silky coat along Rarity's. The alabaster mare couldn't help the thoughts that invaded her mind.

She's so soft.

"Rainbo-"

"Shh." Rainbow silenced Rarity as she continued her nuzzling.

Rarity tried to move away, to get off the chair and ask Rainbow what was happening but she couldn't, she was stuck, glued in place.

"Rainbow, why are you doing this." Rarity tried once more.

Rainbow broke the contact, her eyes half lidded with a smile playing on her lips. Rarity noticed she was wearing lip-gloss, making her lips look wet and plump.

"Don't pretend you don't like it Rarity."

Rarity did like it, but it felt wrong.

"I-" Rarity wanted to protest, but was cut off by Rainbow.

"I saw you looking at me yesterday," Rainbow placed a hoof on Rarity's chest, drawing small circles on the mares coat with the tip of her hoof. "Looking at my wings, my flanks."

Oh no. Rarity's stomach sank.

Rainbows hoof glided gently down Rarity's front, stopping at her belly button before moving to Rarity's side, her other hoof mimicking the action. With a very light touch Rainbow slid her hooves down Rarity's hips, making the unicorn shudder. Rarity pulled as hard as she could against her muscles, but her muscles still wouldn't responded.  Rarity was paralized.

Rainbow tucked her muzzle underneath Rarity's chin once more, only this time the blue mare left a trail of small kisses down Rarity's neck. Against her will, Rarity let out a small, squeak-like moan.

Dammit.

Rainbow giggled at the noise. She knew she was winning.

"I know what you want to do to me, Rarity. What you've always wanted to do." Rainbow breathed over Rarity's neck, her hot breath tickling the mare.

The unicorn let out a shaky breath. The white mare still couldn't move. "Rainbow please, I-."

"Hush." Rainbow leveled her gaze with Rarity's and placed a hoof on the white mares cheek. Rainbow slowly moved in, pulling Rarity's head into a slow, heavy kiss.

Rarity unfroze in her seat the instant their lips touched, she could feel her legs again, she could finally get away from the Rainbow Dash shaped succubus that was on top of her. But she didn't, Rarity let her eyes flutter closed as Rainbow Dash pushed further into the kiss.

She's right.

The unicorn let out another moan as she felt Rainbows tongue push passed her lips. She felt the hoof return to her belly, it slowly moved lower until it brushed over Rarity's nipples. The unicorn squeaked again and felt Rainbows mouth turn up in a smile against her own.

I do want this.

The alabaster mare let her arousal take over, the thought of escape no longer even considerable. The white mare bucked her hips, trying to get Rainbows hoof to move lower. Rainbow didn't let it happen, moving her hoof upward in time with Rarity's motion.

The white mare groaned into the kiss out of frustration, wanting so badly for Rainbow to touch her. Rainbow broke their lips apart.

"Aww, Rarity's all hot and bothered." Rainbow teased, her red eyes boring into the unicorn.

Rarity blushed out of embarrassment. "Shut up." The unicorn pouted.

Rainbow smiled and leaned back into the kiss, this kiss was even heavier than the last. The pegasus finally moved her hoof lower, eliciting a gasp from Rarity as her hoof grazed across the unicorn's lips. The pegasus began drawing slow circles over the mares reclusive clit, causing Rarity to wink over and over against the pegasus' hoof. 

As quickly as it began Rainbow pulled away from Rarity, hopping off the chair and sitting on the floor in front. Rarity wined in protest but quickly caught on to Rainbows intentions. The pegasus wrapped her hooves around the mares waist and pulled her to the edge of the seat.
Rainbow gently kissed the inside of the unicorns thigh, the unicorn slowly spread her thighs to give the pegasus better passage. The blue mare stared up at Rarity, something devilish in her eyes as she slowly kissed closer and closer to Rarity's steadily moistening slit. The seamstress bit down on a hoof to stifle another moan.

Rainbow finally stopped her teasing and centred herself on Rarity. The pegasus pushed her tongue against the mare, relishing the warmth of Rarity's sex as she drew a long slow lick all the way from Rarity's ente-


THWACK!


Rarity's head flew upward at the sound, her eyes shooting open. Rarity was lying on her side in front of a dwindling fire. The rapidly cooling showroom of Carousel Boutique was quiet, the Fleetfoot Mac record having ended some time ago. The unicorn looked about the room searching for the source of the noise that woke her. Her eyes settled upon Opalescence, who had pushed a folder of designs off Rarity's drawing table, causing it to fall with a heavy thud. 

"Ugh, Opal, why did you have to wake m-" 

Ice went down Rarity's spine as images of the perverted dream flooded back to her. Images of Rainbow on top of her, frigging her wet slit with her tongue down Rarity's throat.

The mares eyes widened, she felt immeasurable guilty, not only because of the dream, but also because the memory was making her hot.

Dammit, stupid dream, stupid Rainbow Dash. 

Rarity didn't bother censoring her thought's, nobody could hear them. A darker, meaner voice joined in. 

What kind of person are you, Rarity. Fantasizing about your friends. 

Fantasizing!? It was a dream! It's not the same.

Six of one, half dozen of the other, Rarity.

Rarity bit her lip. Was there a difference? Was a dream just a subconscious fantasy?

Yes.

Rarity grumbled, the feeling of arousal twisted in her stomach, the dream had done nothing for the mare aside from making her horny. The mare rubbed her thighs together and swished her tail against herself, finding some pleasure in the vague release the action allowed.

Really? Just can't control yourself can you.

Rarity shut down the thoughts, she didn't care, she needed to finish this. It had been far too long since Rarity had...time to herself.
Rarity glanced at the clock, it read 2:50.

She got home at four yesterday. I have plenty of time.

Rarity stood, she telekinetically locked the door, a little disturbed that she had been asleep for almost two hours, the whole time it being unlocked. The mare pushed the thoughts out of her mind and totted upstairs.

Rarity kicked the door shut behind her, it didn't close fully but she didn't care, she was the only one in her house anyway. Flopping on her bed Rarity thought back to the dream.

Rainbow gently kissed the inside of the unicorns thigh, Rarity slowly spread her thighs to give the pegasus better passage. 

Really Rarity? A dream is one thing but clopping over a close friend is something else.

Rarity winced at the thought. She knew it was wrong, but Rainbow didn't have to know she thought these things.

How low can you sink, Rarity?

The voice wouldn't leave her alone, Rarity grumbled, deciding it best to avoid those thoughts all together. The mare rolled to the edge of her bed and threw open her bedside table with her magic. Rarity pulled out a few fashion magazines, not the latest ones, not even close. Their only purpose was to hide the less than savory magazines in the bottom of the draw.

Rarity smiled as she levitated a mare's magazine called "Temperature", the cover was taken up by a large beige stallion, showing off his back muscles.  The other magazine wasn't typically aimed at mares, "Sweat" was a "Gentlecolts" magazine. Rarity put away the copy of Temperature with the other out of date fashion magazines and threw open the issue of Sweat.

The sinking feeling of arousal got more intense within Rarity, her stomach dropping. Rarity felt dirty. Her eyes focused on an image of a yellow mare, splayed out on her back with her haunches spread, leaving nothing to imagination. Rarity's hoof found herself again.

You think you're a lady? Clopping to a magazine aimed at filthy teenage colts?

The thought made Rarity feel dirtier. She loved it.



* * * * * *



Rainbow Dash let out a long yawn.

The office had finally finished Manehatten, after almost eight hours of constant work, they had conquered the two cities weather shipments for tomorrow. The orders they had received were wrong beyond comprehension and had obviously been rushed, but the Cloudsdale and Ponyville weather HQ and come through in their endeavor to correct them.

It was close though, with only ten minutes left before overflowing into overtime the office had finalised the orders and sent Dust Devil to take them to the weather factory. Rainbow looked to the clock above the entrance to the office area. 

2:50

Snowfall had told them that they could leave as soon as Dust devil got back from the weather factory. They had to wait in case someone had made a mistake and the weather factory couldn't take the order.

Until then everyone was chatting, mostly about how stupid the weather team of Baltimare was, or how when they get home they were gonna pass out from mental exhaustion.

Stormwalker looked like she was already there. She was slumped over in her chair, her face on her desk and her wings limp at her sides.
"Hey, you alright." Rainbow stood up from her seat and stepped closer to the mare.

Stormwalker rolled her head to her side and gave a weak grin. "Jus' fine."

Rainbow smirked. "You don't look it."

"Thanks." Said the mare simply. Rainbow chuckled.

"What's the plan for tomorrow?" Rainbow tried making office chit chat. She just wanted to pass the time until Dust Devil got back so she could go home.

"Uhh," Stormy thought about it as she lifted her head form her desk. "Back to business as usual tomorrow. Someone might have to take a field trip to Ponyville."

The two fell into mutual silence for  moment, they could hear the conversations going on around them. Someone was talking about how crappy their coffee was, another pony was talking about what hoof polish looked good on her. Idle chit chat was of no shortage.

"Normal time tomorrow?" Rainbow asked, she already knew the answer, she just didn't like the quiet.

As soon as Rainbow had finished the question Dust Devil burst through the door.

"Spring break!" Dust Devil yelled. Apparently there weren't any problems with the orders. The blue-grey mare punched her card and within an instant flew back out the door, heading home.

Stormwalker and Rainbow chuckled at the display, happy that they didn't have to stay any longer.

"Yeah Dash, normal time tomorrow." Stormwalker said as she rose from her office chair.

Rainbow punched her card and with a quick wave to her co-workers, spread her wings and took flight. Not that what she was doing could really be called flight, more gliding straight down.

Rainbow relished the feeling of the wind through her mane and under her wings. The autumn wind was chilly and stung her face, the sweater Rarity had made her was helping warm her core. Rainbow leveled her flight when she was almost on the ground, shifting her body weight and landing back hooves first outside Carousel Boutique.

The Rainbow maned mare trotted up the steps and gave the door handle a twist. It was locked.

Huh, Rarity must've gone out.

Rainbow trotted to the window beside the door, it wasn't locked. Rainbow pushed it open and climbed through to the show floor of the boutique.

The mare looked around, the lights were on and the record player was letting out a low hum.  Rainbow raised an eyebrow and made her way to the kitchen. If Rarity had gone somewhere, she had left in a hurry.

Meanwhile upstairs, Rarity laid on her back, a magazine floating above her in a telekinetic field. She bit her lip out of pleasure as her hoof worked against her marehood.

The mare magically turned a page to reveal the form of another mare who had both her nipples pierced. A trait that Rarity found very attractive. The mare increased the pace of her hoof movement.

Rainbow bit into the sandwich she had made herself.

Hot damn this sandwich tastes like crap.

Rainbow ducked her head into her front leg joint and gave a quick sniff.

Ugh. That aint fresh. This jumper could probably use a wash too, I've been wearing it for three days straight.

Resolving to have a shower, Rainbow trotted upstairs, the whole time trying to wrestle her way through the rest of her less than stellar sandwich. With a few courageous bites, Rainbow wolfed down the rest of the meal.

Rarity  ground her hoof against herself, she bit down on her free hoof just as her marehood involuntarily winked, causing her button to briefly grind against her hoof. Rarity let out a small cry in response.

"Ah!"

Rainbows ears perked up at the sound as she walked down the hallway.

That sounded like Rarity.

Rainbow didn't think about what the sound could mean, weather she thought it was pain, disgust or something else, a thought didn't even cross her mind.

The pegasus walked up to Rarity's door, it sat ajar a few inches. Not thinking to Knock, seeing as the door was already open, Rainbow pushed the door open with a fore hoof.

"Rarity? You in her-"

Rarity. On her back. Hoof between legs. Fuck.

It took Rainbow point five of a second to put the pieces together in her mind, but the moment felt like it lasted forever.
Rarity's eyes widened as far as they could, she turned to Rainbow like a deer in the headlights.

"AHH! Get out!" Rarity threw the first thing she could think of at the pegasus. Unfortunately it was the magazine that hung in her telekinetic field.

"Ahh!" Rainbow joined in the screaming just before she was slapped in  the face by a magazine. The door slammed shut in Rainbows face. The magazine falling to the floor behind her.

Rarity lay on her bed staring at the ceiling. She didn't know what to think, her body consumed by an unshakable sense of dread.

Did that really just happen.

It happened too fast for the mare to fully comprehend, her mind soon caught up however. Before the unicorn knew her throat was dry. 

Rainbow Dash just caught me clopping.

Something itched at the back of Rarity's mind, an itch. It made the feeling of doom triple in strength. 

Oh no. I didn't. I can't have. 

Rarity checked her bed, the floor and her bedside table.

I threw a copy of Sweat at Rainbow Dash.

The unicorn buried her head in a pillow and let out a loud groan. 

Outside the door Rainbow rubbed her face, the magazine had struck her fair in the nose. Rainbow looked around the hallway, the magazine lay face down on the floor behind her.

A morbid sense of curiosity took over Rainbow, part of her wanted to know what made Rarity hot. As quietly as she could - to  make it seem as she was no longer outside Rarity's door - Rainbow flipped the magazine over with a hoof. 

Sweat!?

Rainbow knew the magazine, she had a copy or two of her own in storage, not this very issue but without even looking through the magazine Rainbow knew what it was all about.

Wait, so. Rarity's into mare's?

A brief burst of excitement flooded Rainbow Dash, It was shot down quickly though.

Don't even think about it.

But if she likes girls then mayb-

No. We don't think about friends like that.

Rainbow frowned and picked up the magazine. She didn't really know what to do with it. Without thinking Rainbow slid it under Rarity's door. Rainbow immediately regretted it. Not only did the action likely alert Rarity that Rainbow was still outside her door but it also let her know that Rainbow had seen the magazine.

Rainbow faced hoofed and flapped her wings to start hovering, she began to move toward the shower, her thoughts catching up with her.

Hehe, maybe we should let Rarity use the shower first.

The thought made Rainbow smile, but she quickly felt bad about it. This was no laughing matter, after all.

Poor Rarity. I should've knocked.

The door was open.

...I should've done something.

Rainbow knew that when Rarity finally came downstairs she would have to be careful about the whole situation.

It's probably best to just pretend it didn't happen...

The pegasus frowned as she flew into the kitchen, deciding to look for something else to eat while she wait for rarity to come down stairs.

Upstairs Rarity looked into the mirror on her dutches. Her hair was a mess, her coat was matted with sweat and she reeked of arousal.

Rainbow saw you like this.

Rarity frowned at the reflection. Rarity wanted to scream, she wanted to cry and she wanted to punch Rainbow all at once. 
Instead she just looked into the mirror.

Rarity let out a defeated sigh, the sense of dread was not nearly as bad as it was before. Fear was often born of uncertainty, And Rarity was certain she was going to have to face Rainbow Dash sooner or later.

Why the hell is Rainbow Dash even home? 

The unicorn looked to her clock.

3:05

Rarity stood from her dresser, coming to the conclusion that she needed a shower. Badly. Rarity walked to her door and looked down, Rainbow had slid the copy of Sweat under her door.

Fantastic.

The unicorn grasped the booklet and magically and crammed it into a draw of her bedside table with more force than was required. Rarity checked both directions of her hallway - still not wanting to be seen in her current state - before creeping out her door and heading for the shower.



* * * * * * 



Rainbow dash sat on the couch staring at the fire that she had re-stocked. It had been forty minutes since she had last seen Rarity. She had tried reading, every time she opened her book however, her thoughts were consumed by Rarity; moreso, Rarity's feelings.

Poor girl, you really screwed up on this one, Dash.

It's not my Fault! I was jus-

Yes it is.

Rainbows thoughts went back and forth, she wished Rarity would hurry up and come down so she could apologize and try to explain herself, but she knew that was a bad idea.

Rainbow had to pretend it didn't happen, just continue her life as usual. Unless Rarity brought up the subject, Rainbow was going to be a completely neutral party.

Rarity looked down at Rainbow from the top of the stairs. She had been watching the pegasus for thirty whole seconds and not once had Rainbow looked away from the fire. She was obviously deep in thought.

The white mare had butterflies in her stomach, she needed to talk to Rainbow about this, make sure the mare wouldn't tell anypony, and understandably she was nervous about the inevitable confrontation.

She trotted down the stairs, the noise of her hooves clacking against the tiled showroom floor alerted Rainbow Dash to her presence, the pegasus turned around.

"Oh hey, Rarity." Rainbow smiled warmly before turning back to the fire. 

Rarity raised an eyebrow as she stepped closer. She knew what Rainbow was doing, but she knew that wasn't going to work. The mare climbed onto the sofa, the far opposite side of Rainbow Dash. Taking in a deep breath, Rarity spoke.

"Hello, Rainbow Dash."

The two fell silent, Rainbow continued to stare at the fire. Rarity joined her. For a time, the only sound that filled the boutique was the gentle crackling of the fire.

"Rainbow Dash I -" Rarity struggled to think of what to say.

Rainbow knew that she and her unicorn friend were about to have a very awkward conversation, she could tell from the tone of Rarity's voice.

Maybe it doesn't have to be awkward. Its only awkward if you make it awkward, right?

"I wanted to apologize. You uh, you weren't supposed to see that."

Rainbow sighed. She needed to figure out how to put into words her thoughts.

Okay Dash, gotta be cool, everyone does it. No worries.

As soon as the thought flew through Rainbows mind she knew exactly what to say.

"Look Rarity. It's no big deal. Everyone does it. You do it. I do it. Even the Princesses' do it. No biggie." Rainbow smiled at the seamstress. Rarity visibly relaxed, somehow Rainbow's words had quelled her butterflies. "Could've just as easy been you walk in on me, besides, it's my fault for not knocking... Sorry about that." 

"Rainbow, the door was open. I wouldn't have knocked either." Rarity looked at the ground.

Rainbow frowned. "Still. I should've.. I don't know. It was wrong for me to barge in like that."

Rarity sighed. "It's okay Rainbow. Like you said I could have just as easily walked in on you."

There was a pregnant pause. The room was heavy with an awkward tension.

"Why were you back from work so early?" Rarity asked.

Rainbow's ears went back, she hadn't thought of that. "I uh, started an hour early today. I guess I forgot to tell you...sorry."

Rarity let out a long sigh. "...It's okay, Rainbow."

The two mares fell silent again. Rarity knew there was more to say, she still needed to make sure Rainbow kept her secret safe.

"Rainbow, about that.. magazine." Rarity winced, even the idea of talking about it was making her heart beat faster. She didn't want to bring it up but she needed to make sure her secret was safe.

"Yeah uh," Rainbow scratched the back of her head. "I didn't know you were..." Rainbow trailed off.

"Attracted to mares?" Rarity finished Rainbows question.

"Yeah, that." Rainbow scrunched her brow in thought. "So are you like gay or..?"

Rarity clenched her jaw together, preparing herself for what she was about to say. 

"Bisexual, darling."

Rainbow's mouth made a little 'o' in realization.

Rarity's into mares. Rarity's into mares!

Don't get exited, She's still you're friend. We don't think about friends like that.

"Can I ask you not to tell anyone about that? I do plan on telling the girls, just...not yet."

Rainbow knew that feeling all too well. The feeling of having to trust somebody not to tell everyone you're not like them. It was a horrible feeling.  

"Oh of course not Rarity. Element of Loyalty, you can count on me!" Rainbow made a zipping motion with her lips before flicking away the imaginary key. Rarity relaxed at the display. "For the record, I uh, I don't mind that you're into girls. I'm not gonna treat you any different or nothin'." Rainbow just said what she would want to hear.

"Th-thank you Rainbow. That means a lot." Rarity smiled. Rainbow smiled back.

What did I do to deserve a friend like you, Rainbow.

Rarity's thoughts finally became more light-hearted, she felt like she wanted to cry, Rainbow was the first person she had told her secret to, and it had gone better than she could've possibly hoped for.

The two mares returned to staring at the fire. Rainbows thoughts running wild.

Should I tell her? Now that I know she won't mind?

Why do you want to tell her?

I know her secret, it's only fair.

Is that the real reason?

Well I mean...Now I know she's into mare's...

We don't think about friends like that.

But -

No.

"You really think the princesses'?...you know." Rarity's voice cut through the quiet. Rainbows ears perked up, a devilish smile spreading across her face.

"Oh absolutely! Either the sort themselves out or they find some lonely guards to-"

"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity covered her laughter with a hoof. "You can't talk about the princess like that!"

Something about making Rarity laugh made Rainbow Dash smile, She wanted to make Rarity happy. Especially after what she had put the unicorn through.

"Gotta wonder what kind of kinks a pony would have after two thousand years, or however long they've been alive." Rainbow pondered, rubbing her chin with a fore hoof.

Rarity chuckled and smiled at Rainbow. "You think about that often?"

Rainbow creased her eyebrows in thought. "Define 'often'."

The unicorn fell into another bout of bell-like laughter. Rainbow smiled, she had successfully completed her mission of diffusing the awkwardness between them, she also made Rarity smile again.

"Now!" Rainbow said as she got to her hooves. "Let's cook some dinner!" Rainbow said enthusiastically, content to get away from subjects like masturbation and sexuality.

The unicorn raised an eyebrow. "Rainbow, it's not even four PM."

Rainbow glanced at the clock above Rarity's drawing table. Rarity was right.

"Well then." Rainbow rubbed a foreleg with a hoof. "I'm gonna have a shower. My mane stinks."

Rarity smiled as the mare walked past. "Rainbow."

The pegasus' turned her head to face the mare. "Yeah?" Rainbow smiled warmly at the unicorn.
"Thank you. For understanding, that is." Rarity's tone told of real gratitude.

Rainbows smiled brightened. "Don't mention it." 

The pegasus turned and walked up the stairs. Rarity watched her go, watching the pegasus' flank bob as she disappeared at the top of the stairwell.

Ease up, Rarity. It's that kind of thinking that got us into this mess.

Rainbow walked down the hallway toward the bathroom when a thought struck her.

Hang on, if Rarity's into mares...does that mean, when she was watching me preen...?

Rainbow shook her head and smiled.

Nah.



~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




Blue October rested her head on Rainbow Dash's stomach, her eyes looking to her girlfriend. Rainbows gaze however was nowhere in particular, resting her cheek on a pillow, a thin line of drool could be seen escaping her lips.

"Feel better now?" Blue October asked, Rainbows hind legs still resting on her shoulders. She already knew the answer.

Rainbow twitched in response, still riding out the last dregs of her orgasm. "Uhh huhh." She managed to slur out.

Blue October climbed up to level her face with Rainbows, Rainbow turning to face her. She looked drowsy, sweat sticking her mane to her face.

"Good." Toby finished. She leaned in and wrapped her lips around Rainbows. Rainbow accepted the kiss, even though she knew where the blue mare had just been. She could taste the tangy, metallic taste of her own fluids on Toby's muzzle. Rainbow didn't mind, if anything it just served to make her horny again, besides, if the roles were reversed, Toby would do the same.

Toby broke the kiss and rolled off the mare, facing her on the large bed.

"Now get some sleep, hon. You got a big day tomorrow." Toby idly pushed a stray  group of hairs away from Rainbows eyes.
"Ugh, dont call me 'hon'." Rainbow looked mildly disgusted at the word.

"What? Why not?"

"My mom always calls me 'hon' or 'honey'." Rainbow explained.

Blue October just looked confused. "Yeah so what's wrong with me calling you that?"

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, silently asking if the question really needed answering. Blue October just continued her confused gaze.  

"You just went down on me." Rainbow deadpanned.

"Oh, you're just being silly." Blue October giggled at Rainbow.

"Am not." Rainbow pouted. The mare stared at her cloud ceiling, her demeanor changing from playful to worrisome.

"You okay hon?" Toby asked as she cuddled up close to the younger mare.

"Yeah, I'm just a little worried about tomorrow is all. Il get over it." Rainbow gave a reassuring smile to her girlfriend.

"You know, you don't have to do it tomorrow. You have all the time in the world." Blue October reasoned.

"That's how it starts, I put it off until next week and then when next week comes round I put it off again. I have to tell her tomorrow." Rainbow continued to stare at the roof.

"If you say so, you sure she'll be okay?"

Rainbow smiled. "Yeah, when my mom was our age most of her friends were gay." Rainbow rolled onto her side, tangling herself with her girlfriend in a soft embrace. "She'll be fine with it."

"Then what are you worried about?"

"I dunno. It's still scary. Even when I told Fluttershy I was scared. Fluttershy!" Rainbow put emphasis on the name.

"Now that I can't understand. You could probably tell that girl you just killed someone and she would probably say something like 'Well I'm sure you had a good reason.'."

"Heh, yeah Fluttershy's pretty cool." Rainbow chuckled.

"Alright well, If you're hell bent on telling her tomorrow I can't stop you. You sure you don't want me to come?" Toby asked sincerely.

"Yeah, Its cool." Rainbow smiled.

"Okay. Night, Dashie." Blue October planted a kiss on top of the younger mare's head.

"Night, Toby."

Blue October curled up close to Rainbow, tucking her muzzle under Rainbows chin. Blue October often acted tough as nails when the two were in public, but Rainbow knew the side of her that not many did. A soft, kind and caring side of the mare that not even her parents had seen much of.

In a way Rainbow was the same, she didn't feel the need to show off to Blue October, she knew Toby was already impressed. 
Rainbow had walls. But when she was around Toby, she could let them down.

Rainbow closed her eyes, and eventually, sleep came.



 

> Wednesday
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash sat, pencil  in mouth, staring out the window of the Cloudsdale and Ponyville weather headquarters; watching as the weather ponies carried snow clouds from the weather factory down below the cloud layer. Her mind was not on her work, far from it.

Rarity is into mare's...

I've got to tell her I am too.

No you don't. You only want to tell her because you want to see where it goes. You can't think of her like that.

But what if-

"Dash, you doing okay?" Stormwalkers voice cut through Rainbow's reverie like a hot knife through butter. 

"Huh?" Rainbow snapped out of it. "Yeah fine, why?"

"Well, you've been staring out the window for the past five minutes'. You're not supposed to stop working until snowfall leaves." Stormwalker joked.

"Oh, yeah sorry. I have a lot on my mind, I guess." Rainbow looked back out the window for a moment before looking at the unfinished weather report in front of her.

"Alright, just have that report done by ten and everyone's happy, kay?" Stormwalker sensed the possible importance of Rainbow's thoughts - she had been there many times before - and rather than push the mare to work faster, just let her know she could be working faster. A tactful way of saying 'get back to work or you'll piss off the boss'.

Rainbow smiled, that was plenty of time. "No problem."

Rainbow once again looked to her page, pretending to at least look like she was thinking about her job, in actuality she was thinking about a familiar mare.

No I have to tell her, not because I want her to know, because she deserves to know. I'll tell her tonight.

As soon as the thought flew through Rainbow's mind, a familiar sinking feeling filled Rainbows chest. She hadn't come out to anybody for a long time, not since...

Poor Blue...

Rainbow still occasionally thought about the mare. Wondered whatever happened to her, where she was and what she was doing now. But with thoughts of Blue October came other thoughts, memories the mare would rather not have. As it was, Rainbow tried not to think about her.

The mare shook her head, throwing the horrid memories out.

Nah, screw that, telling Rarity will be just like telling mom.

The prismatic mare smiled as she thought back almost three years, to the day she came out to her mother. 
Her eighteenth birthday.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




"Happy birthday, honey." Firefly beamed as she stepped aside to let her daughter and Blue October inside.

"Thanks, mom." Rainbow smiled as she gave her mother a quick nuzzle.

"Blue October! How are you?" Firefly smiled to the mail mare, completely oblivious to who exactly she was to Rainbow Dash.

"I'm great! And you?" Blue October replied, polite as always.

"I'm good! Come in, come in." Firefly said, ushering the two young ponies into the living room.

Blue October looked around the house, the sheer size always blew her away when looking at it from outside. But on the inside it felt less like the mansion she had imagined and more like a home, display cases showing Rainbow Dash's achievements, a large fireplace with family photo's decorating the mantle. The whole shemozzle.

Rainbow and Toby sat on the couch in the living room as Firefly flitted about in the kitchen one room over, no doubt preparing tea or coffee. With all formal introductions out of the way Firefly returned to her usual, overly motherly tone.

"So how have you been honey?" Rainbow Dash and Blue October exchanged looks at the mention of the pet name. "I haven't seen in you in ages!" Firefly called from the kitchen.

"Mom, it's been like two weeks, we had coffee at that new cafe on fifth." Rainbow called back.

"But that's two weeks! This house is so big and lonely, you need to visit more often."

Rainbow felt a pang of guilt in her chest, she did need to visit more often.

"Okay, mah."

Blue October looked to her girlfriend, she could tell Dash was stressed. That was to be expected with what she was about to do. Toby reached over with a hoof and gave Dash's own a tender squeeze, smiling warmly to her girlfriend. Rainbow returned the smile, silently thanking her girlfriend for the support. 

As soon as the girls let go of each others hoof's Firefly's head poked into the room form the kitchen.

"Would you like a tea, Blue October?" Firefly asked, her voice dripping with motherly love.

"Oh, uh yes please. White and one, thanks." Toby smiled.

"Just call her Toby, mah" Rainbow smiled at her girlfriend.

Within moments, Firefly floated into the room, setting a mug of tea down in front of  Toby and one in front of Rainbow. She quickly darted back to the kitchen and returned with her own mug and a small plate of varying biscuits.

"I didn't know you two were friends?" Firefly said as she placed the plate of biscuits on the table, snagging a ginger nut for herself.

Rainbow and Toby shared another look. "Yeah we've been hanging out for a while now." Rainbow said, there was no expression behind her voice.

"Rainbow honey, What's wrong? You're as white as a ghost." 

Rainbow took a deep breath in. Of course Rainbow wasn't actually any paler than usual, but her rigid posture and un-moving expression were a dead giveaway  that something was amiss. Particularly to someone as perceptive as her mother.

"Uhh yeah, about that." Rainbow swallowed, her throat was mysteriously dry. "Mom I need to  uh, tell you something."

Firefly's eyes widened.

"What is it? Are you in trouble with the police? Do you need somewhere to lay lo-"

"Nah mom, nothing' like that." Rainbow interrupted her mother, for a split second a smile graced Rainbows face at her mother's attempted humor, it faded quickly. "It's more.. personal."

Firefly's expression morphed to one of concern as she gently placed her mug on the table to give her daughter her undivided attention.

"Honey," Firefly's tone was as sweet. "You know you can tell me anything."

Here goes!

Rainbow let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding onto. 

"Mom," The word came out shakily. Blue October gave a sidelong look to Rainbow, silently supporting her girlfriend. "I'm gay."

Firefly looked at her daughter, unblinking, trying to process what she had just been told. Her expression was blank, not angry or sad, but not happy either.

Dashie's gay?

Rainbow Dash looked back at her mother, fear building in her chest at the prolonged silence, Blue's supportive smile wavered at the sight. The full five seconds it took for Firefly to respond felt like years.

Toby internally winced as Firefly's head swung her way. At that moment Firefly realized exactly who Blue October was.

Ohhh!

"Well." Firefly looked back at her daughter, she scratched the back of her head, offering a weak smile. "I think Toby is a beautiful mare."
Rainbow let out a shaky breath as a smile broke across her face, a tear could be seen forming at the corner of her eye. The young mare stood up from her seat and rushed around to wrap her mother in an almighty hug. 

Blue October could feel her own tears forming at the sight.

Rainbow didn't say anything as she buried her face into her mother's mane. Wrapping her forelimbs around the mares withers.
Firefly smiled as she wrapped her legs around her daughter, the emotional admission had brought a tear to Firefly's eye as well, but she wouldn't let it fall.

Rainbow pulled back from the embrace and looked her mom in the eye. "Mom, I-.. Thank you."

"For what, honey?" Firefly couldn't stop the tear from rolling down her cheek as she looked into her daughters own damp eyes. Rainbow smiled up at her mother.

There was a pause as Rainbow thought about that.

"For being my mom." Rainbow finished. Something within Firefly ached at the statement, with newfound vigor she pulled her daughter back into her bone crushing embrace.

From the other side of the room, Toby let out a sniffle as she wiped a tear from her eye. The display had given the blue mare hope, hope that her parents would react in the same way Firefly did. 

The pink mare wiped another tear from her eye before it could fall. "How long have you two been dating?" Her voice wavered as she tried to control her voice box.

Rainbow Dash looked to her girlfriend with a questioning expression. "Two months now?"

Toby wiped the last tears out of her eyes and gave a nod. "Yeah about there." Toby's voice was raspy from crying.

"Two moths! You must have only just moved here." The statement was directed at Toby. "Damn, Dash let her unpack first."
Rainbow and Toby both gave a chuckle at that, Toby blushed.

Firefly slumped back on her couch, her eyes wide. She was still shocked at the news.

"Mom?" Rainbow looked almost sad. "Whats wrong?"

"Nothing, honey." Firefly gave a weak smile to her daughter, who now was sitting next to her on the couch. "Its just," Firefly gave pause as she thought about it, she didn't want to say something she would regret, Rainbow was internally biting her nails for the mare to finish her statement.

"I just wasn't expecting it is all." Firefly finished.

Rainbow looked down at her hooves, her head lingered before a pink wingtip lifted her gaze back to meet her mothers. "I'm so happy, Dash."

Rainbow looked to her mother in the eye, it was the first time in a long time Rainbow had seen the mare cry. Rainbow smiled at her mother, Firefly offered a weak smile back.

"Now, Toby. Tell me about yourself, honey." The pink mare smiled at the blue mare across the room.

Toby sat, stunned at the beautiful display. Tears left dark rivers down her face. She couldn't stop herself from smiling.




* * * * * * 




Rainbow and Toby stood outside Firefly's home, saying their goodbye's to the pink mare.  Firefly wrapped her daughter in one last hug before she left.

"Mmm, I love you, honey. You're always welcome home." Firefly kissed Dash on the cheek, Rainbow's face reddened out of embarrassment, what with Blue standing right there.

Toby however thought the display was adorable.

"And Toby, so nice to actually talk to you, honey." Firefly then proceeded to wrap the blue mare in a hug, Blue returned it. "Never be afraid to come in for a chat, okay?" Firefly left a polite kiss on Blue Octobers cheek as well.

"Thanks Firefly." Toby smiled warmly. Firefly broke the contact.

"Bye, mom." Rainbow spread her wings, as did Toby.

"See ya, Firefly. Lovely meeting you!" Toby said as the two young mares leapt from the cloud.

"Don't fly too close to the police station! I didn't have any paper bags!" Yelled Firefly, referencing the bottle of whiskey in Rainbows hooves. The bottle was a gift from Rainbows mother, it was a custom to buy somebody alcohol when they become legal drinking age. Of course most ponies just got one another a bottle of wine or a six pack of crappy beer, but Firefly didn't do half measures.

Rainbow and Blue both laughed as they flew off. "They can try and catch me!" Dash yelled back over the whipping wind.

"Damn, Dash your mom is a badass." Blue yelled over the rushing wind as the two mares flew back to Rainbow Dash's house. "She took it so well!"

"Yeah, she's pretty cool!" Rainbow yelled back. A smile graced Rainbows face as she thought of her mother. The young mare really did appreciate her. The two pegasi leveled out their flight, the wind not nearly as loud at their current pace.

"So uh, what're your plans for the rest of your birthday?" Toby spoke at a more nominal volume now.

"You've done your route already haven't you?" Rainbow asked.

Blue nodded. She did it early today so she could spend time with Dash. 

"Well," Rainbow paused. "I've got this bottle of whiskey; we could get wasted and hang out.

"Just hang out, Dashie?" Blue October raised an eyebrow in doubt.

Rainbows expression morphed into a sly smile; she didn't need to say a word for Blue October to know what she was implying.

Toby angled her wings to draw her close to the mare, coming up right beside her. "Sounds like a great opportunity to give you my present." Toby's voice was heavy and sultry, it matched the look she was giving Dash.

Rainbow Dash's face bloomed with color. 




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




Yeah, that was a good day. Mom is cool.

Rainbow wore a familiar goofy grin.

The pegasus reasoned it was probably time to get back to work, she looked at the clock.

9:45.

Shit! I gotta get moving!

Rainbow picked up her pencil in her teeth and started writing.




* * * * * *




Rarity dragged the needle suspended in her telekinesis through two sheets of icy-blue material and tied the final thread down. She sang along with the tune that flowed from her gramophone.

"You're so vain.~ You probably think this song is about you, you're so vain, hmm mm m." Rarity trailed off into humming as she glanced at the clock.

Good heavens!

Rarity had been working nonstop on her commissioned dress for almost two straight hours, and the work was showing. Normally it would take Rarity a whole week to make a dress like this, but seeing as the mare had no other commissions or engagements, it was looking as though she would have it finished by this afternoon. The alabaster mare put down her sewing needle and stopped working, resolving that she deserved a break.

Maybe I should go out. I haven't left the boutique in a while.

The mare stood and trotted to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator she noticed she was running low on food. The pantry mirrored the situation. Rarity sighed, she didn't like grocery shopping, it took too long; But alas, she needed to eat.

With a telekinetic flick the mare switched off her gramophone and levitated over a small mirror. Rarity eyed herself in the mirror, checking her teeth, mane and eyelashes.

Stunning as always, Rarity.

She smiled at her reflection before grabbing a small bit purse and scarf before trotting out the door.




* * * * * *




Stormwalker stood and started to walk toward the door, she was making extra effort to swing her flanks as she walked. Unfortunately for Rainbow, she found herself gazing upon the mares round, taught hindquarters.

Unfortunate because Stormwalker swung her head around to face the mare with the speed of a bullet. For an instant Stormwalker noticed where Rainbows eye's were before they darted back to her work.

The grey mare could barely stop herself from smirking.

I'm on to you, Rainbow Dash.

Stormwalkers mind took a turn for the gutter.

And if I'm lucky you'll be on me soon.

"Lunch time, Dash. I'm gonna head to the cafe if you want to tag along." Stormwalker suggested.

Rainbow glanced at the clock, Stormwalker was right.

"Yeah sure." Rainbow replied as she stood up. Rainbow mentally noted to start packing a lunch and keeping it in the office fridge. She was spending too much money on food.

The mares trotted to the front door of the office, Stormwalker threw it open. Immediately a wall of ice cold wind blasted the two mares.

"Sweet Luna! I'll be right back." Stormy said as she trotted back into the office, retrieving the jacket that was draped over her chair.
Rainbow jumped outside and started hovering, trying to get some heat into her body, ever thankful for the cable knit sweater she was wearing.

Stormwalker returned with a worn bomber jacket, and the two mares began their journey through the stinging wind to the other side of town.

"What you thinkin' for lunch?" The purple mare asked.

"Something warm." Rainbow shivered in the whipping wind. 

As the two mares flew away from the office, the heads of two ponies poked out the door and watched them go.
"She's really trying isn't she?" Asked Great Scott.

"Yup." Dust Devil gave a light-hearted chuckle. "Isn't she adorbs."

It was Scott's turn to chuckle. Not only at the statement but also at the word 'adorbs'. "Yup."




* * * * * * 




A bell chimed as Rarity walked in the door of a small shop in Ponyville, she had finished the majority of her grocery shopping, and had to make one last stop.

"Miss Rarity, to what do I owe the pleasure?" The odd looking unicorn stallion behind the counter welcomed the mare.

"Oh you know, " Rarity browsed the shelves of the store, responding automatically to the stallion as he made idle chit-chat. The store she had walked into was Ponyville's very own "Good Habits" store, a tobacco and liquor merchant and one of the oldest stores in the town. 

Located right next to quills and sofa's which was also - for whatever reason - one of Ponyville's oldest stores.

The shop was so old the name probably wasn't supposed to be ironic, Rarity mused.

The white mare placed a bottle of wine on the counter, this one was going to be much nicer than the last bottle she had endured. It would want to be at the price she was paying. The mare caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye, sitting on the far right of the counter was a six pack of cider. It was no Sweet apple acres, but it looked like nice cider regardless.

I should get that for Rainbow, she needs a drink what with all that's happening in her life. Poor girl.

It can be a 'I'm sorry you saw me fucking myself' gift.

Rarity slid the six pack across the counter, signalling to the stallion she wanted to purchase it also.

"I never thought you a cider girl, miss Rarity." Dipso said as he punched some numbers into his till. "That all today?"

"Yes, darling." Rarity responded politely as she levitated out her bit purse.

"That comes to thirty-five bits." Dipso concluded.

The stallions horn flared up and he levitated a six pack of cider into a brown gift bag that bared the logo of the store, along with the bottle of wine Rarity had bought for herself. Rarity paid the stallion and finished the transaction.

In that instant, a less than savory thought wormed its way into Rarity's mind.

Trying to get Rainbow Dash drunk, are we?

Rarity's mood immediately fell as the voice of doubt wormed its way into her mind.

Of course not!

...

I think.

"See you next time, miss Rarity. Enjoy the rest of your day." Said Dipso, snapping Rarity out of her reverie.

"Y-yes, thank you, Dipso." Rarity grabbed the bag in her telekinesis and trotted out the door. Opening the door she noticed it was colder now then when she had gone inside the store.

The unicorn looked up, the winter cloud cover over Ponyville was almost complete. Snow was already falling in sporadic patches around town. The unicorn also noticed that everyone else was wearing full winter clothes, whereas she was only wearing a scarf.

Goodness.

Rarity shuddered, biting her scarf to  tighten it.

I'm not catching a cold.

With all her shopping done, the white mare began at a brisk pace back to the boutique. Brown paper bags floating behind her.




* * * * * * 




Rainbow chose to sit inside the office that day, and she likely would for many more working days to come, at least until winter was over, it was far too cold to sit outside. Rainbow picked at her small salad lunch with a plastic fork as Stormwalker talked from across the walkway that divided their desks.

"How come you guys don't have to wear ties?" Rainbow Dash asked before shoveling another huge fork load of salad into her mouth.

"Huh?," Stormwalker replied, her eye drawn to Rainbows neck. "You're wearing a tie?" 

Rainbow pulled her sweater down to show her chest, displaying the necktie she had been told she needed to wear. "All week." Dash confirmed.

"Seriously?" Stormwalkers face was contorting into a smile. Rainbow nodded. "I bet Snowfall thinks he's funny."

"What?" Dash didn't understand.

"Snowfall told you to wear that." Stormy stated, Rainbow nodded again. "He was messing with you, Dash."

Rainbow was utterly confused. "Snowfall 'messes' with ponies? Like, for fun?"

Stormwalker was giggling now, for one reason or another she found it funny that Rainbow believed him. "Yeah, but his idea of messing with someone is to tell them they need to wear a tie and see if they show up with one on Monday."

Rainbow's eyebrow was cocked in confusion. 

"You've seriously been wearing that thing all week?" Stormy teased.

"Yeah! I was told I had to!" Rainbow wasn't confused about the joke so much as she was about the stallion, out of the few times Rainbow had met Snowfall, she never once pegged him as a 'kidder'. The joke itself was weak at best.

Stormy was straight up laughing now. "That's so stupid!"

Rainbow watched the laughing mare, her confusion still not abated.

"Take that thing off, you're gonna make him think he's funny." Stormy's laughter died down into chuckles. The chromatic mare grumbled as she loosened the necktie and threw it in the drawer of her desk, mumbling swears as she did so.

"Oh c'mon it was kinda funny." Stormwalker smiled.

Rainbow shot the mare a look. "No. Its just dumb." Rainbow chuckled despite the statement.

"Why are you laughing then." Stormy quirked an eyebrow at Dash.

"I'm not!" Rainbow was in fact giggling. She had been pretty gullible. She thought back to the past two days, she realized that throughout that entire time nobody aside from Tight Ship had worn a tie. Now that she thought about it, she was pretty sure when Snowfall had told her to wear a tie, he hadn't been wearing one himself. Snowfall obviously wanted to see how long it took her to figure it out.

Stormwalker smiled at Rainbows behavior.

Silly girl.

"Hey,  I'm gonna go put on a coffee, you want one?" Stormy asked as Rainbow returned to her salad.

Rainbow looked at the clock, the day was more than half over, but a cup of coffee was more than welcome.

"Um, sure". The desk with coffee fixings was right to the front of the room, next to the door that lead to the foyer of the small building. Rainbow readjusted her jumper with her teeth, and stole a glance at the mare, milling about at the table.

She must work out.

Rainbow mentally noted as she - once again - found her eyes resting on the mares butt.

Meanwhile Stormwalker was having a mental war within herself at the coffee table.

I'll just have to tell her. I'm not gonna find out if she's into mares any other way.

How am I supposed to tell her though?

Easy, say "I'm a lesbian." Duh.

Stormwalker weighed that option, what were the chances of Rainbow not being okay with it? The mare reasoned zero to none.

Yeah! Screw it, I'm just gonna tell her. I'm done trying to figure her out!

Stormwalker finished making their coffee's and floated back to their desks, placing one mug down in front of Rainbow and flitting to sit at her own desk. Dash mouthed a thanks to the mare.

The faded purple mare took a small sip of the coffee, relishing the smooth flavour and the familiar, intoxicating aroma. When Stormwalker was drinking coffee, everything was cool.

"Hey Rainbow." Stormwalker called over the small isle separating their desks.

"Hmm?" Rainbow looked up from her salad, a piece of lettuce hanging out of the corner of her mouth.

"Did you know I'm a lesbian?" Stormwalker said coolly, a soft smile on her face. She studied the chromatic mare. Rainbow just kept chewing, her eyes planted on the mare.

Rainbow was blown away. She wasn't so much surprised at the fact - she already had an inkling - she was dumbfounded at the revelation itself. What was worse, she didn't know how to respond, she had never been on the receiving end of this sort of interaction.

She didn't even flinch! She just came right out and said it! Nerves of steel!

After a few seconds Rainbow swallowed her mouthful of salad prematurely, causing her to gulp and inhale sharply.

"No." Rainbow responded, she couldn't help the small smile that had taken up residence on her face. "No I didn't."

Stormy just nodded coolly and went back to her coffee. The mare briefly reflected on the interaction.

She smiled! That's a good sign. Now all I have to do is wait, and eventually the truth will come out.

Rainbow sipped the coffee Stormwalker had prepared for her. Her thoughts not on her work.

I'm gonna tell Rarity today... Maybe I should tell Stormwalker too. 

After all, it's only fair.

...

Not today though.



* * * * * *




Annnd Done.

Rarity smiled as the icy blue flower made from polyester netting adhered itself perfectly to the hat. The small ornamental hat was to go with the dress she had been commissioned, she had finished that almost an hour ago. Rarity smiled at her work that so well displayed itself on the equinequin.

The day had been quite the busy one for Rarity, that is in comparison to how dull her days had been lately. Finishing a commission and doing her grocery shopping seemed like a lot when compared to doing absolutely nothing. 

Now, all that's left to do is send it...

The unicorn glanced at the half finished cable knit sweater that sat draped over the back of another equinequin. Another thing that could wait until tomorrow, she mused. Rarity looked out her window, it was snowing at a steady pace now and the post office was closer to the other side of town.

I can send it tomorrow.

All the unicorn wanted to do now was to sit down with a good book, a glass of wine and her fluffy pink robe.

She remembered it was Wednesday, it hadn't even been a full week since she last had 'a' glass of wine. The white mare sighed, but it was for the best. That still left Rarity with the conundrum of finding something to read.

These lazy days will make you soft, Rarity dear.

Rarity chuckled at the thought.

I'm already as soft as they get. 

Rarity ran a hoof along her coat.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




It had been about a week since Rainbow had come out to her mother. Rainbow currently was sitting on her couch in her cloud home, head resting on her girlfriends belly as the Blue mare read a book.

"Hey blue?" Rainbow asked.

"Hmm?"

"When are we gonna tell your parents. I want to meet them." Rainbow smiled.

Blue October sighed. "No. No you don't Rainbow."

"And why is that?" Rainbow cocked an eyebrow. "You haven't told me anything about them."

"Dash my parents.. they're not-" Blue paused to think. "They're no good ponies."

Rainbow frowned. "Are you worried they won't take the news well?"

"Dash, I know I asked you to come with me to tell them, but I don't think you should." Blue  said as she set aside her book to give her girlfriend her full attention. "I know they won't take the news well. Mom doesn't get along with  anyone who's gay or non- equestrian. Dads a little better but not by much."

"Yikes" Rainbow frowned. "Well I'm coming with you regardless, If they don't like it. Tough." Rainbow reasoned.

"Rainbow I really don't think you should. It could get.." Toby searched for the word. "hairy. I still don't know if I want to tell them at all."

"But if you don't tell them you'll just be living a lie."

"I've been doing that for the last three years, two of witch I lived in the same house as them. Plus I only have to pretend around them. That's not so bad." Toby smiled sadly.

"Yes it is! Look, I can't make you tell them but if you do I'm coming with you! Okay?" Rainbow didn't want to go with her but she needed to. She needed to be there for Toby.

Toby sighed heavily once more. "Okay Dash."

Rainbow smiled at her girlfriend. "I love you, Blue." Rainbow snuggled into the mares chest.

"I love you too, Dashie." Toby smiled down at her girlfriend before craning her neck and planting a soft kiss on the mare's nose. "Thank you."




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




Rainbow Dash spread her wings to jump from the cloud layer, her work day was over - in fact, her work week was over - and now all she wanted to do was get some rest by the fire and ignore the world for a while.

"Hey Rainbow Dash!" Stormwalker called as she stepped out of weather HQ.

Rainbows ears swiveled and she turned, folding her wings by her side. "What's up stormy." Rainbow smiled.

"Hey so, you know that big bar at the top of Cloudsdale?"

"Yeah the Twelve String?" Rainbow had heard about the bar before, she had never been inside herself but from what she had heard the massive building was more of a club that it was a bar. Sort of a hybrid between the two.

"Yeah that's the one, Dusty, Scott and I are going there this Saturday night. You down?" Stormy smiled at Rainbow, who was having a miniature internal conflict.

Is she asking me on a date? No she cant be. Not at the Twelve String. She just wants to hang out.

What if she does mean it like a date?

...

I guess I'll see when I get there.

Rainbow smiled. "Yeah, sure. What time you guys getting there?"

"Seven apparently." Stormwalker popped a cigarette into her mouth, free from the no smoking zone that was her workplace. "Its gonna be rad, see you there, Dash."

Rainbow watched as the mare floated away before spreading her wings and dropping vertically until she was just above Ponyville. She dove through the fresh cloud layer and prepared herself for the assault on her senses.

Ponyville was Immeasurably cold, so was Cloudsdale but when your city doesn't really have a floor for the cold to settle on, the temperature doesn't compare. Rainbow pulled herself closer into her sweater as she silently thanked Rarity once more for the gift.

Rainbow flew as fast as her wings could take her to the Boutique, her excitement to get indoors was the only part of her that burned.

Rarity will have the fire going! And we can drink cocoa! And sit by the fire! And talk abo-

Rainbow stopped her train of thought.

Since when did sitting by the fire, sipping cocoa with Rarity become such an attractive Idea?

For a split second Rainbow thought about how romantic that could be.

Just her and me, her head resting on my shoulder... Hot cocoa...

Don't.

Rarity is into mares... Yeah, Rarity is cool.

No.

For the first time in a long, long time. Rainbow ignored the voice.

That would be nice.




* * * * * *




Rarity sat in front of the fire, her book sitting open in front of her when she heard a noise come from the front door. The distinct double clack of two pairs of hooves touching down on her patio. The mare looked at the clock.

That must be Rainbow.

"Hey Rarity." Rainbow called as she pushed the door open.

"Hello Rainbow, How was work?" Rarity asked from her position in front of the fire, she already knew the answer but she wanted to make conversation.

"Meh, alright. Yours?" Rainbow responded as she pulled her sweater over her head and draped it over the back of the couch. The pegasus trotted to sit down next to Rarity. The unicorn turned to face her.

"Oh yes, pretty good. A little slow going but I got my commission done so.." Rarity trailed off. Rainbow wipped her head around to look about the room, she spotted the masterpiece Rarity had created.

"Damn Rarity, you only started that, what, yesterday?" Rainbow whistled in appreciation. "That's crazy."

Rarity smiled at the compliment. "Thank you Rainbow."

Such a sweetheart.

"Hey you want a cup of cocoa?" Rainbow asked as she stood once more. "I've really got a hankering."

Rarity looked up at the mare a smile on her lips, She involuntarily shivered as she realised just how cold she was. "That would be wonderful Rainbow, Thank you."

And she makes me cocoa too.

Rainbow smile back and shuffled into the kitchen, finding a saucepan and lighting the stove. It was at that point Rainbow realized that today was the first day in five days she had put a pot of anything on the stove.

I should cook dinner, I bet Rarity would like a night off cooking.

Yeah! Poor Rarity, I'm living in her house, eating her food, using her shower. Imma cook her dinner!

It didn't take long for the cocoa to be done. Rainbow didn't normally like sugary things but cocoa was different. Cocoa was...magical. The mare quickly washed up the saucepan and dug around in Rarity's pantry, searching for anything that resembled marshmallows. 

"Gotcha." Rainbow reached back to the pantry and fished out the bag. She dropped one marshmallow in each mug. She grabbed the mugs and floated back into the living room. The pegasus gently placed one mug down in front of the prone unicorn and sat down next to her. She blew on the treat gently before taking a sip.

Rarity took a gentle sip of her cocoa and let out a blissful sigh. "Oh Rainbow," The mare paused, the beverage had turned Rarity's brain to mush and the unicorn was trying to scrape it off the ground. "You spoil me, darling."

"Hehe, thanks." Rainbow took another sip and looked into the crackling fire. "Hey Rare's?" Rainbow queried.

"Hmm?"

"How do you wash wool?"

Rarity smiled at Rainbow Dash. The unicorn was always keen to share her vast knowledge of Fabric care and outfit upkeep. The mare started talking, and Dash listened with a keen ear. The conversation evolved, before long the mares had forgotten about cleaning techniques and were talking about their friends, rumors and just things that were going on in their lives. 

Rainbow talked some more about her house, her pay, and how much longer it would take for the mare to get her house back. Rarity talked about the clients, how she no doubt would get that dress back as soon as she sent it, due to something trivial to be sure.

For a long while the two mares sat by the fire, sipping cocoa and just talked.




* * * * * *




The knife clacked against the cutting board as Rainbow chopped thin strips off a zucchini. She mimicked the action with eggplant and squash as a pot of couscous cooked on the stove.

"A-are you sure you don't need a hand, Rainbow?" Asked Rarity from the kitchen doorway. "I really don't mind." Rarity's tone told of her doubts in Rainbow, and while Rainbow resented that, she understood perfectly, none of her friends knew she could cook aside from Fluttershy.

"Nah, Its cool." Rainbow answered as she threw the chopped veggies into a pre-heated pan, making sure to throw in some cumin, fennel and coriander along with some lemon juice. The veggies cracked and steamed in the olive oil that coated the pan.

Rainbow let that set and simmer for a moment as she once again rifled through Rarity's panty. The mare spotted a small bag of dried currants, she figured the sour fruits would add a 'zing' to her dish.

"Well okay, you let me know if you can't find something." Rarity finished before trotting back to the showroom. It wasn't long before everything had come together perfectly. The couscous was soft, the veggies were expertly grilled, all that was left to do was throw everything together and make it look presentable.

The pegasus spooned the couscous into the frying pan along with the vegetables, with a wooden spoon folded the meal together. She threw in a hoof-full of the currants and turned the stove off with a flick of her hoof. She looked down at the meal she created with a critical eye, deciding to squeeze a little more lemon juice over it.

Perfect.

She quickly washed the pot and cutting board along with all the cooking utensils she had used, disposing of any food waste in the process. She even made sure to wipe the bench down, making it look as though Rarity's kitchen hadn't even been used aside from the frying pan steaming on the stove.

Before long, Rainbow Dash floated into the showroom, a bowl of the veggie couscous in each forehoof.

"There you go." Rainbow said as she set one bowl down in front of Rarity and flopped down on the floor beside her. Rarity looked down at the steaming bowl and was surprised at just how good it smelled. And looked for that matter. Dash being able to cook was not something the unicorn had expected from the mare.

"Thank you, Rainbow." The unicorn smiled, suddenly eager to try Rainbow's cooking. Telekinetically she lifted her fork and speared a slice of zucchini, getting a fair amount of couscous with it. She bit down, and when her tastebuds connected with the meal, Rarity's eyes widened.

Sweet Luna!

Rarity looked down at the meal and then to Rainbow. When Rainbow Dash offered to make dinner, the most Rarity had expected was spaghetti or something of the like. But this meal was not only fantastic but adept in its theory. None of the flavors were particularly 'stand out' on their own -zucchini and eggplant weren't exactly the most flavor full of veggies - but along with the fennel, pine nuts and everything else Rainbow had thrown in made the meal explode with refined flavor.

"Rainbow!" Dash looked turned toward the mare, her own bowl was already a quarter way done. "Who taught you to cook so well?" The surprise in the unicorns voice filled Rainbow with pride, but also stung a little.

"Tob- uh Mom did." Rainbow corrected the close call. "Mom's always been a great cook." The statement wasn't true, Rainbows mother had always been an alright cook, but admittedly not as good as her daughter. "But I've lived on my own for a few years, Rare's. I can't live off takeaway."

Rarity looked down at her bowl of food with wide eyes before taking another dainty bite.

Crap. I think she might be a better cook than me.

The thought raced through Rarity's mind as she savored the subtle flavors of each bite.

Jealous are we?

She ignored the thought and continued eating. It didn't take long for the meal to be a thing of the past, in both Rarity and Rainbow's cases. The two mares sat by the fire, their bellies full and their dopamine levels satisfying. 

"Oh my," Rarity groaned as she rolled onto her side. "You have to cook more often, Rainbow."

Rainbow chuckled at that. "I'm only gonna be here one more day Rare's. Twilight and the others get back tomorrow. Then I'll be someone else's problem." Rainbow joked.

Rarity's satisfied smiled fell into a frown. "Rainbow, what I said the other night, about, how I like having you around. I meant it." Rarity paused. Rainbow looked on. "I really wouldn't mind having you here longer, it does get awful lonely when Sweetie Belle's not around." Rarity looked Rainbow in the eye. There was something in the unicorns eyes Rainbow couldn't quite put her hoof on. A certain sadness, perhaps?

The pegasus smiled at the mare, it meant a lot to Rainbow to hear her say that. What was bizarre to Rainbow, was while she had been staying here the pegasus hadn't been showing off or trying to impress Rarity - aside from her cooking - instead, Rainbow had just been acting the same way she would act in her own house. Rainbow Dash had been herself. Dash didn't have to show off to impress Rarity, and that meant so much to her. 

Still.

"I don't want to outstay my welcome, Rare's." Rainbow smiled sadly, she had enjoyed staying here. She had learned a lot about Rarity during her stay; the two mares were not only friends now, Rainbow would go as far as to say they were close.

"Oh pshh." Rarity waved a hoof at the pegasus. "You're always welcome here, darling." The unicorn flashed a smile.

Rainbow returned the look. "Thanks Rarity." Rainbow paused. "I've liked staying here.. It's been fun."

The two mares looked into the fire, their dirty bowls were still sitting beside them. The unicorn was just about to get up to go wash them when Rainbow broke through the quiet.

"Hey Rare's." Rainbows voice was quiet. Her gut had worked itself into the familiar, uncomfortable feeling of trying to tie itself in knots. The sound of the fire crackling was now completely gone within her mind.

"Yes, Rainbow?" Rarity sensed the seriousness of the mares tone. A worried look overtook her face.

"You know how yesterday you told me you're bi?" It wasn't really a question, but Rarity's stomach joined Rainbows in dropping at the mention of it.

"Uh, well, yes Rainbow. I do." The unicorn coughed into her hoof nervously.

Where is this going?

"So, I've been thinking. It's hardly fair that I know a secret of yours without you knowing one of mine. and..uh." Rainbow was having trouble figuring out how she was going to say it. Like she always did.

"Rainbow, that's not how secrets work." Rarity tried. "You don't need to give me collateral-"

Rainbow cut her off. "I want to tell you this, Rare. It's... Important."

Rarity creased her eyebrows, an idea sparked within her head but she couldn't be sure. Rainbow decided it was time to take a page out of Stormwalkers book and just come out with it. She thought it would make it a less daunting task, this was, after all the first time Rainbow had come out to anyone in over two years.

Why is this never easy?

"I'm gay, Rares." Rainbow rubbed the back of her hoof nervously. Rarity's eyes widened in surprise.

"Peg pardon?" Rarity needed to know if she heard that right.

"Im a lesbian." Rainbow looked into the fire, showing no expression. Rarity's mind was a warzone.

Rainbow likes girls.

...

Rarity, you're staring.

I should probably say something..

"Well... I wouldn't have-, I didn't-.. You've hid it well, Rainbow." Rarity finally settled on her statement after stumbling over her words.

"Yeah." Was the only response she got from Rainbow. The mare was still looking into the fire, expressionless.

"Rainbow I." Rarity trailed off, she didn't know what else to say, she just wanted to say something.

"Fluttershy knows." Dash stated, sensing the mares uncertainty about asking questions. "A few others too, you wouldn't know them." She looked to Rarity this time, her face still neutral.

"Rainbow... How long have you known?" Rarity actually wanted to ask how long had the pegasus been hiding it, but the answer would be the same.

Rainbow creased her eyebrow in thought. "It must be at least three years now."

"Why haven't you told the girls yet?" It was a stupid question, Rarity immediately regretted it. There was a multitude of possible reasons that Rainbow could choose not to tell the girls. "I'm sorry Rainbow, you don't have to answer that." Rarity looked at the ground.

Quiet fell between them as Rainbow watched the fire, Rarity was still trying to enjoy her view of the floor. About a minute passed before Rainbow cut though the stillness.

"I'm scared, Rarity." Rarity accepted that answer, she too had her fears about telling her friends. Only she didn't know how severe Rainbow fears were in comparison.

She's been hiding it for three years...

The whole time I've known her and then some...

That's insane.

"How long have you known?" Rainbow asked.

"Huh?" Rarity cocked her head to the side. "I didn't know until just now Rainbow, I swear."

Rainbow actually chuckled at that."No. About you." Rainbow had made eye contact while saying it, Rarity was finding it hard to look away.
"A-about a year or so." Rarity stumbled over her words as the question caught up with her.

"Anyone else know?" Rainbow wanted their conversion to return to the regular upbeat interactions the two mares were used to. She hated the whole 'Awkward silence after someone comes out' thing. Rainbows expression had now softened, from her neutral - jarringly unsettling - face, to a soft smile.  

"Uh, no. You're the only one." Rarity confirmed the pegasus' suspicions. Momentarily nobody spoke, the two mares contentedly turned to look at the fire once more, seeming to draw the conversation to a close. Rarity need to say more. "Thank you, Rainbow Dash."

"Hmm?" Rainbow Dash quirked an eyebrow.

"Thank you for telling me." Rarity thought about that.

Rainbow must really trust me if she can tell me something she's kept hidden for three years.

When did we get so close? A week ago I wouldn't have spoken to her for more than thirty seconds should we meet in the street. Now she's telling me her best kept secrets. 

Rainbow sighed happily, thankful the conversation had gone as smoothly as it had. "It's only fair, Rare's."

Does Rainbow think I don't trust her?

The feeling of slight panic welled up within Rarity, she wanted for Rainbow Dash to trust her, and she wanted Rainbow to know she trusted her.

"I trust you Rainbow, I know you wouldn't tell anybody. You didn't have to tell me a secret as collateral." Rarity once more met eyes with the chromatic pegasus. 

"Yeah, I know," Rarity was relieved to hear it. "I just thought I should tell you anyway."

And or a final time the mares sat in silence for a moment, Rainbow had a comfortable smile on her face. Rarity was lost in thought, staring at the fire.

Rainbow legs cracked as she brought herself to standing position. "I'm gonna go put on some music, Its too quiet in here." Rarity couldn't agree more. The unicorn stood herself, levitating the two dirty bowls with her, reasoning she should wash up.

The alabaster mare walked into her kitchen half expecting her sink to be filled with dirty pots and pans, when she walked through the portal however, the only dirty object in sight was the pan, which still had leftovers under the glass lid. Rarity looked about the room, even the bench had been wiped. The unicorn could swear the kitchen was cleaner now than before Rainbow had started cooking.

Wow, wife material.

Rarity's  eyes widened at the thought.

Relationship material.

Rarity stood there stunned for a moment.

No, it's- it's just a fantasy, a... dream.

Stranger things have happened.

Rarity couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face.

Meanwhile Rainbow flicked through the records underneath the old gramophone. She was having a war within herself.

Well, you told her. Are you happy now? Are you hoping she's gonna start hitting on you?

Its only fair she knows.

What happens if she does take an interest? Are you gonna go along with it, only to break her heart?

She won't. I don't think I'm Rarity's type.

Rainbow herself didn't really have a type. As long as the girl in question wasn't on drugs, annoying or rude to Rainbows mother, the mare didn't see reason to categorize people.

What would Dating Rarity even be like?

She's not nearly as prissy as I thought. Still prissy, but not like I thought.

I bet she's a cuddler... yeah for sure.

Mmm, She's so soft too.

Stop it.

Rainbow heard the angry voice. Telling her to stop, telling her to stop thinking the way she was. The voice in the back of Rainbows head had told her, since the day she had become an element of harmony, not to come out to any of her friends. Told her that they can't know she's gay. But she just did, and nothing bad had happened. 

The voice had been wrong.

Yeah fuck you. I'll think however I want to think!

Thoughts lead to actions and actions lead to broken hearts. You know you can't be with her, you would have to come out to all your friends. And that would fuck everything up.

Rainbows face fell at the thought, she decided to focus on finding something to listen to.

Electric Flight Orchestra! That'll do!

Rainbow flipped the dust cover, reading the song list as she gently slid the record onto the turntable. Eyeing the record as it spun, she singled out the grooves that held the fourth song and gently placed the needle.

The pegasus eyed the old magical gramophone, the only aspect of it that was magic was the fact it didn't need to be wound. It was still old and probably affecting the quality of sound, not to mention it wasn't nearly as loud as the newer models of record players available.

A song called Nightstrider started playing as the needle reached the track. Rainbow smiled at the  tune as she went back to sit on front of the fireplace. Before long Rarity trotted from the kitchen and sat beside the mare.

"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Rainbow asked.

Just like that, the two mares were back to just talking. Rarity talked about how she needed to check up on Fluttershy's animals again, make sure all the ones that need to hibernate were doing so. Rainbow assured her they were fine. The two girls sat and talked and laughed and smiled. Neither of them brought up the topic of sexuality or masturbation or anything related for that matter. The two mares just sat and talked as they had for the past four days.

But there was one difference, one that Rainbow Dash didn't notice at the time.

Rarity was closer than usual.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




Rainbow Dash and Blue October milled about in the kitchen of Rainbows cloud home. It had been about a week since Rainbow had come out to her mother, and since then her relationship with Toby had done nothing but grow.

"Okay so now put in the rosemary." Toby instructed. Rainbow nodded and picked up the small herb bowl, emptying it into the Frying pan.
Rainbow didn't quite know what they were cooking just yet, but she knew it involved a lot of pasta garlic and onion.

"Alright stir that in, I'll be right back." Rainbow once again did as she was instructed. Stirring the herbs throughout the sauce as Toby rifled through Rainbows fridge. Before long Toby returned from the fridge, a bottle of cheap red wine in her hooves.

"Alright, now put half a cup of this in." The mare hoofed the bottle over to her girlfriend. Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"Wine?" She queried. "You're such an alco." Rainbow teased.

Toby rolled her eyes playfully. "All the alcohol gets cooked off, hurry up now, we don't want to burn it."

Rainbow uncorked the bottle and poured a small amount of wine into the frying pan. She gave a questioning look to Toby, silently asking if it were enough.

"Little more." Toby instructed, a gentle smile on her face. Rainbow tilted the bottle once more.

The frying pan erupted into flames.

"Holy shit!" Rainbow cursed as the flames threatened to lick her face, narrowly avoiding shortening her coat to bristles. Blue's eye widened, thinking quickly the mare pushed Dash aside and grabbed the pan, holding it away from the stove. She flicked off the burner with another hoof as she waited for the flames in the pan to die.

The pan fire was short lived and soon enough the blue mare placed the pan back on the stove and inspected the sauce. It still looked fine.
"What the hell!?" Rainbow exclaimed, her heart was racing. "What happened?"

"I have no clue." Toby eyed the hotplate and pan with a quizzical gaze. "Wine isn't even flammable." Blue October gently scooped a small amount of the sauce onto a spoon and tasted it.

"Ughh." Rainbow slumped down on the floor of her kitchen. "I set fire to something that isn't even flammable! I'm never gonna get the hang of this!"

Toby mulled over the flavor. "I dunno." She scooped another small amount onto the spoon and blew on it before offering it to Rainbow. "I'd say you did pretty good."

Rainbow sighed and allowed her girlfriend to put the spoon to her lips. Her expression half amazed, half quizzical at the flavor. "I did that?"

"Sure did! Now come help me with this pasta." Blue October said as she sucked a noodle of angel hair pasta into her mouth. "Al dente!"

Rainbow smiled up at her beautiful girlfriend as the mare dug through  the cupboards for a colander.

Blue October could never fail to make Rainbow Dash smile.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




When a painter creates a masterpiece, they often have to take a step back from their work to get a view - a feel for the piece in its entirety. If the painter focuses too much on a minor detail, they might forget to make the rest worthwhile.

Sometimes people need to step back and look at the big picture, and think hard about who they are, what they are. If they don't, they might forget to make life count, to take risks and to be happy. 

When they do, they often find that their thoughts, Ideas, friends and lovers have been overlooked. 

The journey to happiness starts with a step back.



Rarity lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

The frigid winter air had chilled the mare to the bone, forcing her to find another duvet. With two of the heavy blankets wrapped around herself, the unicorn thought she may just be able to get some rest.

But she still felt cold.

And so she stared at the roof, unable to sleep, the shadows cast from trees outside danced and swayed at the ceiling in the whipping winter wind. The mare rolled onto her side, wrapping her forelegs around the pillow that lay next to her.

A real pony wouldn't be cold.

Rarity squeezed her eyes shut angrily, trying to shut out the thoughts.

Rainbow Dash wouldn't be cold.

Rarity rolled back onto her back and looked to the ceiling once more, the pillow temporarily forgotten.

Why Rainbow Dash?

There was that question again, the question Rarity didn't know the answer to.

Since when did I feel like this about her?

...How do I even feel about her?

Rarity closed her eyes. Images of the chromatic pegasus flooded her mind.

Her mane...

Her smile..

She's so beautiful and she doesn't even know it.

And who knew she could be such a darling.

Rarity sighed wistfully as she returned her gaze to the ceiling. For a time she just watched the dancing shadows, thinking about Rainbow Dash. Trying to figure the mare out. Trying to figure herself out. Rarity mentally took a step back, giving a critical eye to the relationship that had formed between herself and Rainbow Dash.

And then her eyes widened.

Oh dear.

In that moment, the unicorn realized what the question meant.

The unicorn swallowed a lump in her throat as she realized just how bad she had it for the pegasus.

Sleep didn't come easy that night.






> Thursday
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rarity was halfway between sleep and consciousness, she could feel the warm sun heating her coat, she could see the brightness through her eyelids.

It was a cold morning, freezing even. The mare pulled her two layers of duvet's over her neck and snuggled into the warm embrace of her bed. She felt the bed shake as the pony lying behind her readjusted.
The mare felt a foreleg drape around her lower belly from behind. It grabbed her by the haunch and pulled her backside to the belly of the pony wielding it.

"Hmm." Rarity hummed at the feeling. She gave her hips a little wiggle, pushing her bum further into the pony's belly.

The pony gave a yawn. "Mornin', Rare." It was the same voice as always, raspy but gentle. "You're feeling playful today." Rarity giggled at the statement.

"Say's you, darling. Can't keep your hooves to yourself?" The unicorn said as the pony readjusted their position as big spoon.

The pony hummed and parted the unicorns mane with their muzzle to plant a kiss on the back of Rarity's neck. "I can't help myself."

For a few minutes, the two ponies lay there, holding each other, keeping each other warm with their collective body temperature. But soon enough Rarity's thoughts caught up.

It's a pillow.

The smile the unicorn had been wearing fell, she moved her hoof down to reach the stranger's. The white mare grasped it, squeezing it to make sure it was real. It was, she could feel the nail and the ankle joint of the limb.

"You okay, Rare?" The pony said as they gently stoked Rarity's belly fur from behind with calming grace.

It's a dream.

"Yes darling."

I just have to keep my eyes ope-

Rarity's eyes snapped open out of instinct.

And just like that, the pony was gone.

The pony.

Rarity knew who the pony was. Of course she knew.

Rarity stared at the wall, no longer did the warm sunlight filter through her window, now the only light that came through was white and dreary, filtered by the thick cloud layer of winter. A pillow pressed up against her back. It was just a dream.

Rarity didn't feel anything, not sadness or anger. She felt nothing.

The mare closed her eyes, and tried to get back to sleep. Trying to get back to the dream. Trying to get back to Rainbow Dash.




* * * * * *




A  few rooms down the hall, Rainbow Dash was having her own troubles. Something was tickling her nose.
The pegasus tried to ignore it and snuggled up closer to herself to fend off the cold, nipping air of the winter morning. The air outside the blanket was so cold it stung.

The tickling was getting worse.

Without looking, Rainbow wiped a hoof over her muzzle, trying to dislodge whatever it was that was tickling her. It didn't work, the tickling had only gotten worse.

If you were to put your ear up to the door of Sweetie Belles room, you might be able to make out the faint 'Chu' sound that came from within.

Rainbow sneezed. The tickling was still there.

The mare groggily opened an eye to get a look at whatever it was. The very end of her own tail was right in her face.

She swished her tail out of the way, making sure the end of it was tucked underneath the duvet. She had curled up and wrapped her tail around herself, like a foal would sleep against her mother's bosom, resulting in her tail being right in her face.

I need a tail cut.

Rainbow blew her fringe out of her face, it had been hanging past her muzzle.

Mane is messed up, too.

...

Maybe Rarity can sheer me.

Rainbow closed her eyes, once more. She was going to sleep in today.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




Blue October stood in front of a house in Fillydelphia. The house was of modern design, nobody could call it small, you couldn't call it large either. It was just a house. 

She wasn't alone, Rainbow Dash stood next to her, waiting for Blue to compose herself. The two filly's had sat for two hours on the train to get here, but the long train ride had done nothing to quell Toby's nerves.

The house belonged to Blue Octobers parents, it was also where the young mare had lived before moving to Cloudsdale.

"You ready?" Rainbow asked, her voice the only sound audible aside from the whipping wind.

"No." Toby responded. "I'm never gonna be ready." Toby looked to the house, her stomach was trying to turn itself over within her and her breathing was erratic and heavy. All the possible outcomes of the following scenario had gone through Toby's head a million times over.

Sadly, few of those ended well.

"Alright." Toby took a deep breath. "Like a band-aid."

Rainbow shot her girlfriend a supportive smile. The two mares trotted up to the door of the domicile and with a light touch, Toby knocked thrice.

The two mares could hear hoof steps from inside, before long, the door swung open and revealed the face of another blue mare. She was the spitting image of Toby, just older. Toby always saw her mother as a mirror into the future.

"Oh hi, Blue." The older mare stepped aside to let them in. "and friend." The mare eyed Rainbow.

Dash smiled politely. "Rainbow Dash, it's a pleasure Mrs. Wind." 

"Windy is fine." The mare responded automatically, she was oddly unnerving to Rainbow Dash. Something about her was.. off. "Tea?" Asked August Wind as she trotted ahead to the kitchen.

"Uh, no thanks, mom." Toby responded, August shot a questioning look to Rainbow.

"I'm fine, thanks." Rainbow responded. Dash figured out what was odd about her, she hadn't seen an expression from the mare yet, her face was completely neutral.

"What brings you home, Blue? Did your rental bond fall through?" The joke came out almost condescendingly as the mare lay down on the couch in the living room, taking up almost all the chair's space.

"Oh no, nothing like that, I was in town, I thought I would stop by." Toby lied, the trip had been for this specific purpose. "Where's dad?"

"Work." The older mare said  unenthusiastically.

"Dad works Saturdays now?" Blue Raised an eyebrow. She was equal parts relieved as she was worried to hear her father wasn't home, It meant having to come out to one less potentially angry parent, however, it also meant that her mother was the one to explain it to her father; which would of course be biased.

"Yes." Responded the older mare. Rainbow was getting a bad vibe from August Wind, her one syllable responses were off-putting and quite frankly rude. It made her feel as though Windy had better things to do than talk to her own daughter.

"Mom, look. I need to tell you something important." Toby had enough of small talk, she needed to get this done.

Like a bandaid.

August looked on, her face still neutral. "Well. Go on, then."

Dash was starting to get fed up with the mare's rudeness ,she  was no longer smiling.

Toby took a deep breath. "Mom, I'm a lesbian, Rainbow Dash is my girlfriend and if you don't like it, that's tough." Toby said with a stern tone.

Toby could feel her heart pumping. August Wind looked on between the two, her face finally showing an emotion. Half parts confusion and anger, like she had just been told a really bad joke. Rainbow looked to Toby, her own expression slightly worried, Toby however looked like she had seen a ghost.

August Wind spoke up.

"You're gay." Her voice was laced with confusion, neither Toby nor Dash took that as a good sign.

"Yes." Toby stuck to her strict, assured attitude. Another silence followed.

"You're a dyke." The words dripped off Windy's tongue like venom.

Rainbows eyes went wide. Toby took a deep breath to calm herself. "No," Toby said the word slowly, trying to keep her cool. "I'm a lesbian and I would very much appreciate it if you didn't use that word."

August sated into Blue's eyes, a scowl had formed on her features. "I didn't raise a dyke, Blue October."

Rainbow couldn't believe what was happening, how casually Windy threw the insult around. Blue was starting to get visibly upset, Rainbow unfurled a wing and draped it around her girlfriend. Truth be told the gesture was as much for Blue's comfort as it was her own.

"Don't you dare!" August Wind's gaze leveled at Dash. "Not in my house!"

"Beg pardon?" Rainbow's eyes widened in surprise, she had no intention of removing her wing from her girlfriend's back, however. 

"You've done this haven't you!" August voice was rising considerably as she barked at Dash. Toby was clearly having trouble processing what was happening.

Everything is falling apart!

"What?" Rainbow was completely lost at the accusation.

"You're the one who turned my daughter into some degenerate, mare munching slut!" August spat the words at Dash, her wings unfurling in anger, she was outright yelling now. Rainbows wings mimicked the action as Toby's jaw dropped and a tear slipped free from her eye.

"Don't you fucking dare." Rainbow warned, the chromatic mare was more than willing to square up to the August should the situation come to blows.

"Or what?" August fought back.

"Shut the fuck up!" Blue October screamed, shutting them both down.

August Wind stopped at Toby's outburst, her head swiveling to meet her daughters gaze. The older mare sat up at her highest extension, her face a stern seethe. "Get out."

As Rainbow stood to leave she could feel a fluttering in her chest, as if she were going to cry, truth be told she was close to it. Her biggest fear had come true, even if not for her but for Toby, it was still very upsetting.

Without another word Toby and Dash left the house, Dash shooting Windy a sharp scowl. August Wind slumped into her chair as she heard the front door slam, blowing out a long sigh. For a time she sat there, no sound in the room aside from the ticking of clock. Her face was neutral once more. 

She sat for a time, wondering if what she had done was the right thing. Wondering if how she acted was appropriate. Eventually she came to a conclusion.

I didn't raise a dyke.




* * * * * *




Rainbow and Blue October stepped outside, with an almighty crack Toby thumped a hind hoof against the hard wood door, slamming it shut. 

And then everything as quiet.

Thwap.

The sound of a single teardrop slapping against cobblestone cut through the silence. Rainbow looked over to her Filly friend. Understandably, Toby was crying.

Poor Toby.

"Blue." Rainbow said gently, turning her front to the blue mare. Without another word Dash wrapped a foreleg around the mare, gently Toby returned the gesture, pushing her head into Dash's breast. The two young mares dropped into a sitting position outside the door.
Blue October cried into Rainbow Dash's chest. 

Before long Rainbow found herself crying into the older mare's mane.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~





"I'm going to go for a walk to Fluttershy's house. See if her animals are okay. Again." Stated Rarity as she wrapped a scarf around her neck. Her morning had been spent finished her own cable knit sweater. As Rainbow's sweater was a cool beige, Rarity had opted for the lightest tint of baby blue, to highlight her eyes. It did just that. "Would you like to come?"

"Ughh," Rainbow moaned. "I'd love to but It's too cold and my sweater isn't dry.

Rarity looked at Rainbow with a critical eye, the mare sat in front of the fire, a book in her hooves. "Follow me, darling." Rarity turned and trotted toward the staircase, Rainbows legs creaked and popped as she rose to follow.

Rarity led Dash to her room, throwing open her double door - walk in closet. The mare walked ahead and stuck her face into a row of shelves, Rainbow felt her eyes wander, the blue mare sucked in a sharp breath.

Is it warm in this closet?

"You're skinnier than me," Rarity spun around, "I honestly don't know why I still have this, It hasn't fit me in years, not to mention, the style is a bit dated, but it's warm." Rarity handed Dash a blue hoodie, it wasn't nearly as stylish as her cable knit sweater, but it was good quality, even if it was one of the rare, store bought items of clothing Rarity owned.

Rainbow slid the light blue jumper over herself, flicking back the hood and pulling her mane out of the neck, letting it hang out the top of the jumper. It didn't have wing holes, but it was warm.

"The hood suits you, Rainbow." Rarity smiled as Rainbow buried her muzzle in the neck of the jumper, breathing in.

Smells like Rarity.

"Rarity, we're like the same size." It wasn't true, Rainbow was lean with almost no body fat, Rarity had a very thin layer coating her body, accentuating her curves, not to mention the unicorn was a few inches taller than Dash. Rainbow Dash was, in her own words, 'petite', but being small helped for stunt flying.

"More or less, but if something is going to fit, it may as well fit perfectly. Now come along." The two mares trotted down the stairs, and out the door of Carousel Boutique. The pair trotted down the road toward whitetail woods.

"I didn't pick you for a girl who wears hoodie's, Rarity." Rainbow shivered as the icy wind stung her face.

"Oh I'm not, not anymore, no!" Rarity laughed, an embarrassed blush could be seen coloring her cheeks, though most would mistake it for the cold.

"What?" Rainbow asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Oh, nothing Rainbow Dash, we all go through weird phases when we're young." Rarity smiled, images flooded her head of a younger self wearing too much eyeliner, piercings lining her ears and a blue Hoodie draped over her body.

Rainbow thought to her own past. "Not me."

The unicorn chuckled at that. "Likely story."





~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~





The train ride home was done mostly in silence. Blue October hadn't said much to each other after they had left August Winds home, instead they composed themselves and walked to the train station. The train pulled into the Ponyville station on time, a few travellers slowly walked off, weary from the long ride. The last two ponies to exit were Blue October and Rainbow Dash.

Wordlessly the two ponies leapt into the air, angling themselves toward Rainbows home. The flight was short and silent, the only sound was the whipping afternoon wind and the beat of wings. Rainbow and Toby set down on the cloud floor outside Rainbows home, the former began unlocking the door when she heard wings beats from behind her.

"I'm gonna go." Toby said, no longer were her eyes red or her cheeks wet, but she still looked awful.

Rainbow Turned to face the mare, a worried look on her face. "You don't want to come in?"

Toby sheepishly rubbed a foreleg. "N-no, I'm just gonna," The mare paused, looking up at Cloudsdale. "I'm just gonna go."

"Toby." Rainbows stomach dropped, she didn't want her girlfriend to be alone after the day she had, Rainbow was worried about her and what was worse, she didn't know how to say it. "Please."

It was all she could think to say.

"N-no, Dash I-." Toby paused to think. "I think I just need to be alone for a while."

Rainbow face fell.

"I'll talk to you soon, okay." With that, Toby turned and flew away toward Cloudsdale, leaving Rainbow Dash alone. She stood for a moment, watching her girlfriend go before pushing open the front door and walking inside.

She threw her house key onto a table that sat near the door and trotted through to her living area. Flopping down on her second-hand couch, the young mare let out a weary sigh. As she lay there, Rainbow had only one thing going through her mind.

Poor Toby.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




"Alright people, show me what you got!" Said Twilight to her friends. Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and spike all handed over their clipboards, displaying exactly how many signatures they had gathered in their time here. Twilight did a quick count, marking tallies on a piece of scrap paper.

The group stood in an office, that office belonged to the mayor of Vanhoover, the light brown, moustached stallion sat across from where Twilight and her friends were standing. Joining them was the owner of the condemned Intercelestial.

"Three hundred and seven." Announced Twilight, a certain pride in her voice. Her friends and the owner of the Intercelestial beamed at the news.

The mayor of Vanhoover seemed to mull that over. He gave a sigh. "Cut key, old friend." He started, his voice was deep and of a thick prench accent. "I believe zis belongs to you." The stallion riffled through a drawer in his desk, and fished out  a ring of keys. The ring also had a tag made from aluminium that displayed the words 'The Grand Intercelestial Hotel'. 

The stallion hoofed over the key ring. As soon as the keys made contact with the elderly stallions hooves, the cutie marks of four ponies glowed and pulsed before returning to normal. The mayor watched this display and continued. "Construction must start within the month and finish within eighteen, otherwise ze Interzelestial will be put back up for demolition." He stated, matter of factly.

All eyes in the room turned to Cut Key, there was a tear rolling down his face. "Oh thank you ponies!" His aged voice was raspy. "You've saved my hotel." He reached up with a fore hoof to wipe his eye, Pinkie Pie produced a box of tissues out of thin air, offering him one.
The stallion took one and dabbed at his eyes. "How can I ever repay you all?"

Applejack opened her mouth to list off a few things, but was cut off by Twilight.

"Don't you worry about that, Cut Key. We're happy to help!"

The stallion trotted up to the alicorn and wrapped a hoof around her neck in a gentle hug. Twilight sheepishly accepted. Before long, things had wrapped up and the mayor reminded them that he had other appointments to attend to.

The group of ponies - and dragon - walked out the massive revolving door of the city council headquarters and said their goodbye's to Cut Key, who trotted off saying something about telling his wife the good news, a huge grin on his face.

"Twilight," Fluttershy spoke up from somewhere behind the group. "Can we go home now?"

Applejack, Spike and Pinkie laughed at that. They had been in Vanhoover for almost an entire week and everybody was keen to get back to Ponyville. Twilight mulled the question over, she looked to the setting sun behind the buildings, the day was winding down and the streets were emptying before the night truly fell.

"I guess we could go home now. If we do, we'll get back to Ponyville at about eleven."

Fluttershy's eyes widened. "Oh."

"Well I don't mind if you guys want to go home now," Twilight said as she adjusted her scarf. "I can always sleep on the train, after all."
Twilight looked back at her friends, they all looked exhausted, even Pinkie Pie looked slightly deflated.

"Or we can just get some rest and leave tomorrow." Twilight tried.

"I like that idea better."

"I don't care either way."

"Yeah, let's do that."

"Whatever you want to do, Twilight."

Three ponies and a dragon answered at the same time, the answer was obvious to Twilight now.

"Okay, one more night." She concluded.




* * * * * *




"Is he in there?" Asked the white unicorn, she was watching her friend stick her head down an animal's burrow.

"Yeah." Rainbow Dash called back. She pulled her head out of the burrow, Rarity could swear she saw a hint of moisture in Rainbows eyes. "Sleep well, bud. I'll come get you on winter wrap up."

"Why was Tank at Fluttershy's anyway?" Rarity asked.

Rainbow feigned disinterest as an excuse to look away, wiping her eyes. "Tortoises aren't meant to live in the clouds." She put simply.

"Oh."

The two began a slow walk back to Fluttershy's cottage. Not all the animals had gone into proper hibernation as Rarity suspected, a whole family of hedgehogs decided Fluttershy's bed was the perfect spot to spend their winter; resulting in Rarity having to float them into a nearby vacant burrow. Rainbow also took the field trip as an opportunity to check up on her Tortoise. She hadn't seen him since their last play date, and now she wouldn't see him for three months.

The only sound between the two ponies was the snow crunching underneath Rarity's boots and Rainbows unshielded hooves, that is until the blue mare broke that silence. "That sweater looks good on you."

Rarity turned and smiled at Rainbow Dash, flashing a few of her flawless teeth. "Thank you Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow softly smiled back before turning her focus back to the road ahead. Rarity thought about the interaction.

What did she mean by that?

Probably nothing, She just telling me I look good. She's not flirting.

Rarity's face fell a little, she cast a glance beside her, to look at Rainbow Dash.

Is crushing on Rainbow like this even a good idea?

What would I do if she was flirting?

The unicorn's train of thought was interrupted by an angry squeaking, Looking down, Rarity discovered she had almost stepped on Angel as she was lost in her reverie.

"Oh sorry, Angel." Rarity apologized. "Did you help your bear friend to his cave?"

The rabbit squeaked some more before dashing off along the trail toward  Fluttershy's cottage. The alabaster mare interpreted that as a yes. "Good."

"How can you understand him?" Rainbow asked.

"Oh I can't. Not really." Rarity explained. "Not like Fluttershy can anyway, but I'm pretty sure that was a 'yes'. If not I think we would have found a fully grown brow bear by now."

"Good point."

For a moment nobody spoke, the two mares continued their slow, lazy walk. Rarity's thought returning to her.

What would I do?

I would flirt back, naturally. When opportunity knocks, Rarity.

But do I really want to take that opportunity? With Rainbow Dash of all ponies?

Images of the two ponies floated through Rarity's head. They were wrapped up in blankets on Rarity's lounge, Rainbow sat behind Rarity, her wings wrapped around Rarity's midsection, her primary's tickling the unicorns belly.
The unicorn didn't need to think any further.

Yes.

Yes I do.

She glanced to her side again, the two mares were crossing the bridge in front of Fluttershy's home now and Rainbow Dash's eyes were straight ahead. 

Rarity was determined to have those beautiful eyes on her by day's end.




* * * * * *




"When do you think they're gonna get back?" Rainbow asked as the two ponies walked through the front door a carousel boutique, shaking the cold free of their coats.

"Should be soon, darling." Rarity responded, She had made sure to go through the door first, putting a slight swing into her gait. "If they were planning on being any longer they would've sent us a letter." Said the white mare as she kicked off her snow boots at the door, Rainbow just gave her hooves a hard tap on the balcony before walking in, dislodging all the snow.

Rainbow hopped up onto the couch, pulling the hoodie over her head and resting it on the arm of the chair. The unicorn had other plans.
Rarity waltzed between the couch and the fireplace, directing all of Rainbows attention toward her. The unicorn was looking away, but she could tell Rainbow was looking, and if she wasn't, she was about to be. With a spark of her horn Rarity sent a bolt of pure magic into the fireplace, setting the half burned logs from the previous fire ablaze.

She lay on her side, stretched out in front of Rainbow facing toward the fire to give Rainbows eyes some privacy. He hind legs lay over one another, it gave her perfectly round rump the shape of a soft love heart. The sweater she wore ended just before the unicorns haunches, only to make them stand out more.

With a slow motion, Rarity slid one leg over the other, pretending to get comfortable. The action relaxed the muscle that made up the majority of Rarity's behind, making her bottom look even more rounded. The angle prevented Rainbow from seeing anything that could be considered private.

Rainbow couldn't see the sly smile that was on Rarity's face.

And the pegasus' eyes were most certainly on Rarity.

Sweet Luna.

Dash couldn't tear her eyes off Rarity's rump.

Is she trying to make me lose my mind?

Stop looking at her ass. She's your friend!

Rainbow ignored the thought, looking at the work of art in front of her made that easy. Dirtier thoughts found their way in before long.

Sweet Luna, I would bury my face so-

Rainbow stopped herself.

She's your friend. Stop.

Dash watched as Rarity again adjusted ever so slightly, she could hear the fibers of Rarity's coat running against one another. The pegasus fought hard to pry her eyes away from the sight.

Maybe she is trying to make me lose my mind.

Rainbow gave a silent laugh at the Idea.

Nah.

...

But what if..?

Rainbow looked away.

"Rainbow, darling." Rarity whipped her head around, her eyes were half lidded, somewhere between sultry and boredom. She didn't catch Rainbow eyes on her as she was hoping, but she did see the vague blush on the mare's cheeks. The unicorn knew she had been looking.

"Wha-?" Rainbow was caught off guard, that was too close. Rarity smiled as Rainbow practically confirmed her suspicions. 

"Would you like a cup of tea? Or Coffee?" Rarity said as she stood from in front of the fire.

"Uh yeah sure, coffee sounds great." Rainbow responded nonchalantly, or at least attempted to, her voice held an ever so subtle waver. Rarity smiled and walked past the couch. Walking past Rainbow, she made sure to brush one of Rainbows legs with her tail. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the pegasus tense up slightly.

The smile that graced Rarity's facial features morphed into something devilish.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




Three days.

It had been three day's since Rainbow Dash had seen hide or hair of Toby, yesterday the mare had flown all the way to the other side of Cloudsdale to see her. The small house that Blue called home was empty.

Rainbow lay on her belly in the middle of her living room floor, flicking through a magazine to take her mind of her girlfriend and her whereabouts. It didn't help at all.

I should've taken her home.

I Should've made sure she was okay.

...

She wasn't okay, of course she wasn't okay.

I'm a terrible girlfriend.

The thoughts no longer made Rainbow sad or angry as they would have three days ago, now they just made her feel empty. Time had done nothing to stop the thoughts from entering her mind, just as frequent now as they had been three days ago.

I hope she knows I'm a terrible girlfrie-

Thump! Thump!

Rainbows ears swivelled at the noise of hooves on her front door.

That might be Toby!

Rainbow jumped up and ran to the door throwing it open, before her stood Blue October.

"Toby!" Rainbow exclaimed as she lunged forward, wrapping her legs around the mare. After a moment, Toby lifted a hoof and gently rubbed the younger mare's back with gentle strokes. "Where have you been? I've missed you."

Toby didn't say anything, Rainbow noticed. "Toby?"

"Dash." Toby's voice was raspy, Rainbow noticed her eyes were red also. She had been crying. "Can I come in."

Rainbow gently brushed the blue mare's mane out of her face. "You don't have to ask to come in."

Dash ushered her inside, immediately Rainbow noticed how thick the air was with tension. This was the first time they had talked in three days. Dash wasn't going to let this be awkward. "Toby, What's wrong."

Blue October let out a long sigh. "I think we need to talk, Dash."

Rainbow froze up. She knew what those words meant. Everybody knew what those words meant.

"About what?" Rainbows voice was monotonous and sterile.

"Dash."  Toby was fighting the urge to cry, her face contorted as she attempted to keep her composure. "I-I think we need a break for a while."

Rainbows stomach dropped as her back legs gave out on her, her bottom hitting the cloud floor with a 'pomf'. Her mouth hung open in shock.

Maybe she just wants a few days. Its okay.

Its okay.

Rainbow found her voice.

"How long?" Rainbows voice was more raspy than usual, she was fighting it.

"I don't know." Toby responded, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Is it because I yelled at your mom?"  Rainbow dragged a hoof across her face to wipe away the tears that threatened to fall. "I'm sorry Toby, I didn't-"

"No."

"Why then?" Rainbow sniffed, hurt clear through her tone.

"I just need some time alone."

The air was cold around Rainbow Dash, the silence buzzed in her ears as if she had been slapped.

"Toby," Rainbow began. "I can't begin to imagine what you're going through." Tears streaked down Rainbows cheeks in dark rivulets. "But I can help you get through it."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Toby finished, tears rolling down her own cheeks now.

"Why Toby?" Rainbow pleaded. "I can help."

"I booked myself for therapy." The words that left Toby's mouth did nothing but confuse Rainbow Dash. The younger mare's eyes narrowed in confusion, she had her suspicions. It took a moment before Rainbow asked.

"What kind of therapy?" Rainbows tone had turned quiet and cautious.

Toby sniffed and wiped her nose on her foreleg. She really didn't want to say, but it was Dash. Dash deserved to know. 

"Toby." Rainbow pressed.

"Homosexual conversion therapy." Rainbow's eyes widened at the admission.

"Toby!" Rainbow felt a tear slip free at the admission. "Wh-!?"

"I don't want to be gay anymore, Dash!" Toby's shouted.

And there it was. Rainbow felt like Toby had rolled her over and stomped on her chest.

She doesn't want to be gay anymore?

The pain in Rainbows chest worsened as the silence returned.

"Blue-" Rainbow tried.

"My mom hate's me!" Blue Octobers voice broke, cracking at the statement. "My dad probably does too!"

"But I love you!" Rainbow challenged, finally getting a word  in.

Toby looked at her hooves. "I love you to, Dash."

"Then fuck your parents! If they can't accept you for who you are, how you were born, fuck 'em! You don't need them!" Rainbow panted in her last ditch effort to try and speak sense into Toby. 

"I'm sorry Dash." Toby turned. "I'm just gonna go." Toby turned and started a slow walk toward Rainbow Dash's front door. Rainbow watched as she left, her front legs giving out in much the same way her hind legs had, dropping her chest to the floor.

Toby walked outside and with a gentle click, the door shut. The pain in Rainbow's chest worsened, like somebody had cut her open and filled her chest cavity with angry wasps. Her breathing had become heavy, she thought she was going to vomit.

Rainbow Dash laid her head on the cold floor and wrapped her forelimbs around her face, and with a long wail, Rainbow began to cry.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~




"Hold still, dammit!" Rarity shouted as Rainbow squirmed.

"You're taking too much off!" Rainbow complained.

"Honestly Rainbow Dash, two inches is not too much. It will look lovely, I promise." Rarity spoke softer now as she telekinetically held up a lock of Rainbow's mane, snipping off the split ends with a pair of razor sharp scissors.

"I dont want it to look 'lovely'," Rainbow imitated Rarity's voice on the word. "I want it to look cool, like it always does."

"It will look the same Rainbow, shorter but not noticeably. Relax will you." Rarity continued her work. "I never pegged you for a mare to care so much about her mane."

"I don't. I just don't want to have to care for it either. If you make it too nice, I'll have to look after it."

"Oh hush." At that the two ponies returned to quiet. The only sound in the boutique was the snipping of the scissors in Rarity's telekinetic grasp. The two mares were in Rarity's bedroom, Rainbow sat on a stool in front of the unicorn's duchess, looking into the mirror, Rarity stood behind her, gently clipping away the split ends of Rainbows mane.

"You really do have a beautiful mane, Rainbow Dash. I do wish you would style it every now and then."

Rarity wondered how Rainbow would take the compliment.  She had said it to the mare before, more than once, but now. Rarity knew Rainbows secret, Rainbow knew hers, they were compatible in that sense; Rarity wondered if now Rainbow would see it as just a regular compliment, or as something more.

Silence hung over them for a few seconds.

"Thanks." Rainbows voice was quiet, like she was speaking to the floor. The unicorn could tell from her tone that Rainbow didn't quite know how to take the compliment. The white mare's eyebrows furrowed in thought.

Don't play that game, Rainbow Dash. Roll with the compliment.

Maybe I have to make things clearer..

"I really think you would suit a short mane, Rainbow." Rarity smiled as she ran a hoof through Rainbows mane. She didn't need to physically touch her mane, what with her telekinesis, but she wanted to. She very gently Ran her hoof down the length of Rainbow's mane, giving it a small twirl when she reached the, now, not so split ends.

Rainbow looked at Rarity's reflection in the mirror, wondering why Rarity was playing with her mane. "Maybe one day."

The scissors snipped away the last few split ends of Rainbows mane. Rarity set the tool down on the desk. "I think it would look cute."

Rarity's gut knotted as the words left her mouth; she didn't let her nerves show on her face however.

Dash didn't know how to react to that, her mind momentarily went blank.

Uh oh.

What does that mean.

Is she telling me she thinks im cute? Or saying that she thinks I would be cute with a short mane? Or both?

Oh Luna, I think Rarity is trying to tune me.

What if I am Rarity's type?

"Maybe someday." Rainbow played it off as if she hadn't noticed the potentially flirtatious implications of the remark. She didn't know what else to do.

The white mare turned and sat down on Rainbows tail, pinning it to the ground to stop the mare from making things difficult for her. Using her telekinesis, she grabbed the scissors off the desk and began to work on the chromatic mare's tail, cutting off the split ends and neatening it up.

Rainbow didn't see this coming, she had asked Rarity to trim her mane and tail, but now she felt odd about it. She needed to say something, the two had gone quiet again.

"Would you ever cut your mane short?" Rainbow asked, trying to make non-awkward conversation.

Rarity seemed to mull that over as she snipped away. "Maybe." The truth was Rarity would never part with her coiffure, she would no doubted cry if she cut it short, but she didn't want to dissuade Rainbow from the style, so she lied. After all, Rainbow Dash would look cute with a short mane, Rarity reasoned. "I think I could make it work."

Dash seemed to contemplate that.

It didn't take long for Rarity to finish Rainbows tail, it was a relatively small amount of hair in comparison to the mare's mane. She stood and turned. "What do you think, darling." Rarity said.

Rainbow looked back and swished her tail about a few times. "It looks great, thank you Rarity."

"Any time, darlin-" Rarity was cut off by her horn. Against her will It crackled and sparked, her eyes widened before a plume of green fire shot out of it. In a flash a scroll appeared and dropped to the floor.

"Holy crap." Rainbow exclaimed as she dashed over to the scroll lying on the ground. "I didn't know you could get spike mail."

Rarity was touching her horn in minor panic, making sure it was okay. "I didn't know either! I thought only princess Celestia was able to get them, then again if she can get them I suppose any unico...." 

Rarity trailed off, rubbing her chin as Dash unrolled the letter. "It's from Twilight." Dash stated, she read on. "She says that they will be back sometime tomorrow."

"Oh." Said Rarity, a hint of something in her tone, a sort of vague dysphoria. "Have you figured out for sure where you want to stay?"

Rainbow had already decided what she wanted to do, but if Rarity was going to continue her suspiciously flirtatious behavior, Rainbow didn't know if it was wise to stay. She could always move out later if need be, she mused. "I guess I'll stay here if that's okay with you."

"Of course, darling. That would be delightful." Rarity's demeanor brightened at once.

Rainbow's eyes returned to the page. "She also says she hopes we have had good luck in trying to solve our problem. What problem?" Rainbow asked.

"The map, Rainbow." Rarity said as she began lifting hair clippings off the carpet and levitating it into a waste  bin. Rainbow's mouth made a little 'o' in realization.

"But nothing has gone wrong." Rainbow scratched her head. "I thought that maybe Fluttershy's animals would get up to something but.." Rainbow trailed off in thought.

"Nothing has gone wrong?" Rarity quirked an eyebrow. "Rainbow you got kicked out of your home."

"Oh yeah." Rainbow said. "I forgot about that."

"What do you mean you forgot about that!?" Rarity asked. "How do you forget about something like that?"

"I dunno." Rainbow thought. "I guess you're just really good at making me feel at home, Rarity." Rainbow stood and trotted toward the door, placing the note from Twilight on the desk as she walked past. "Thanks for the haircut, Rarity. It's perfect." Without another word,  Rainbow trotted out into the hallway and down the stairs.

Rarity stared at the door in vague bewilderment. Rainbow had either ignored or completely missed how very sweet she had just been. The unicorn swore she could feel a throbbing in her chest and she certainly couldn't keep the smile off her face.

Rainbow walked down the stairs and sat in her usual spot next to the fire. She flicked open a book she had found on the shelf in Rarity's room after asking the mare if she had any more books to read. The horror novel in her hooves was so far all talking, Rainbow wasn't focusing on it too much. Her thoughts were what drew her attention.

She said I have a beautiful mane.

Then she played with my mane.

And then she called me cute...

Rainbow came to a conclusion.

Rarity is tuning me...

She thought back to earlier that day. When they had gotten home from Fluttershy's and Rarity was laying in front of the fire.

She was totally showing off her butt!

The chromatic mare groaned.

What do I do!?

Nothing. You do nothing. Ignore it.

I shouldn't have told her I'm gay...

Rainbow didn't want to listen to the thoughts, but she knew they were right. If she ended up flirting back, before long they would be kissing, and kissing leads to relationships. And that would be problematic.

I can't go out with her. I would have to tell the others, beside her being an element..

Rarity chose that moment to sit down next to Rainbow Dash. She was closer than usual, to the point where their sides were almost touching. Rainbow didn't notice when the white mare had pulled the same tactic the day prior, but she was certainly noticing it now.

"Do you like Stallion king, Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked, a smile on her lips.

Dash looked to the beautiful mare next to her, a sad look in her eyes.

She's so perfect.

The white unicorn laid her head on her hooves and looked to Rainbow, clearly interested in what she had to say.

And I can never have her.

"Never heard of him." Rainbow responded.







> The Friday After Last
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The breaks hissed and the wheels squealed as the train slowed to a stop.

"Ponyville station!" Called a voice from somewhere ahead. Twilight's ears twitched and swiveled at the sound. She could feel a small, scaly hand tap her on the back.

"C'mon Twilight, we're here." Spike said, stirring the alicorn from her sleep. Twilight groggily opened one eye and watched her friends as they slowly gathered their things.

Home at last.

Home. Once, It was still a bizarre concept to think of Ponyville as home for the mare. Two years ago the only thing she knew about Ponyville was that they made good pies. Now she lived here, in her own castle surrounded by her friends. It was her home now, and being away from it for an entire week only made her appreciate it that much more.

"Of course, spike." Twilight smiled at the Dragon as she began to telekinetically gather her things.

Before long, the group of friends were gathered on the platform, trying to ignore the sound of an angry engine and wincing wheels as the train pulled away behind them.

"Welp, I'm going home to sleep for a few years, bye." Applejack said  dryly as she slung her duffle bag over her back, beginning to walk away.

"Hold on AJ." Much to the chagrin of Applejack, Twilight called her back. "I need to speak with you all quickly."

Applejack hid her groan as she turned toward the Purple mare once more.

"I would like for you three to come to the map room tonight, I want to see how Rarity and Rainbow Dash are doing with their problem." 

The three mares nodded in response, Applejack responded with a 'Can do'.

Twilight continued. "Six PM, and if you see Rarity or Rainbow Dash please let them know."

The other mares nodded their confirmations and before long they were all headed in the directions of their respective homes, Twilight watched them go.

"C'mon Twilight. I'm with Applejack, I need a nap." Said spike with a tired slur from somewhere beside her.

Twilight tiredly smiled at the boy. "Alright, Spike."





* * * * * *





Pinkie Pie walked lazily through town, she didn't have her normal, over the top vigor about her, not because she was sad or upset but purely out of tiredness. A week away from home was sure to make anybody tired, even Pinkie Pie.

"Hey Pinkie Pie." Came the voice of the Buck who owned the furniture store.

"Howdy." Pinkie responded automatically. 

Good old Ponyville. I wonder how my bed has been these last few, pretty lonely Im sure.

Don't worry, bed, Im coming.

Pinkie smiled at the thought of her silk sheets enveloping her. She was drawn from her reverie by something that loomed on the peripheral of her vision, something on the edge of town.

The pink mare turned toward Rainbow Dash's house, It hung in the air, peaceful as always.

I should let Dashie know about the meeting at Twilight's.

Pinkie re-adjusted the scarf that lay around her neck before walking the short distance to the edge of town.

"Rainbow dash~!" Pinkie sang.

There was no reply.

Silly Dashie, probably still asleep.

"Rainbow!" Pinkie tried again. "You home!?"

The only sound that came to the pink mare was the whistling wind, whipping around the stoic structure.

She must be out.

....

Sadface.

Pinkie thought for a moment.

Where could she be? Weather patrol? AJ's?

No she wouldn't be at AJ's, AJ isn't even at AJ's....

Pinkie turned and began her walk back to town.

I may as well tell Rarity, I can ask if she's seen Rainbow while Im at it.





~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~





Rainbow Dash lounged on the edge of a cloud, the day had been boring thus far but at least she had something to do. That of  course being lay around until she saw it fit to do her job.

It had been months since Rainbow Dash had seen Blue October. Since their break up, it had been a while before Rainbow had been able to go a full day without thinking about the mare, but now Blue October couldn't be father away from Rainbows thoughts.

Her thoughts had gone back to what they were before meeting the blue mare - almost a year ago.

Girls.

Cutie alert, look cool Dash.

Rainbow readjusted herself, taking up a relaxed pose, she kicked back on the cloud pretending to doze. All the while she had one eye ever so slightly open, looking at the purple unicorn in the town below.

Shit, she's not looking this way.

Rainbow sprang up, kicking the cloud into vapor as she did.

This'll get her attention.

With a single flap of her powerful wings, Rainbow pelted across the skies of Ponyville. After a few simple maneuvers Dash cast a sideways glance toward the stranger. As the purple unicorn's eyes were aimed directly at her. Even her pet iguana seemed to be enthralled, Dash smiled.

May as well go say hi.

Rainbow banked hard, twisting toward the unicorn and her pet lizard. However, she didn't plan of having a sharp pain lance up her left wing at that exact moment.

Oh shit.

Rainbow grunted in pain as she desperately tried to aim for a soft looking patch of ground, but her left wing wasn't responding. She was headed straight for the cute Purple unicorn.

With a wince and a crash she landed right on top of the purple mare. On the bright side the stranger had broken her fall.

"Umm." Rainbow tried to think of something to say. "Excuse me." She finished sheepishly.





~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~





Rarity plodded down the boutique stairs, her mane and tail a mess and her makeup not yet applied. Rainbow looked up from the magazine she was reading, she gave a smile. "Morning Rarity."

She doesn't even need makeup.

Lucky.

"Sleep well?" Dash queried

"Fairly well." It was a lie, the white mare had been having the dreams again, and as a result felt too drained to do her hair or makeup before coming downstairs. All inspiration was pulled from her at the realization that it wasn't a real pony next to her. Rarity still managed a smile despite herself.

Rainbow had to admit that even when completely natural, Rarity had classical good looks. The tired air that hung around the mare combined with her un-styled, wavy hair and freshly brushed smile gave her a natural beauty that Rainbow couldn't pull off without at least some eye shadow.

Dash momentarily imagined what waking up next to her would be like, a smile crept over her features before her thoughts shot her down.

Stop.

"Rainbow Dash, Is that a soup mug?" Rarity asked, confusion clear in her voice.

Dash shook her head, briefly looking to the kitchen table, indeed, an enormous mug sat at her side, filled with what Rarity assumed was coffee. Dash gave a glance between the cup and the white unicorn standing in the doorway. "Yes."

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "And you've filled it with-"

"Coffee." Rainbow Dash licked her hoof before turning the page of her magazine.

The unicorn stared at the huge cup of coffee for a moment. "I see."

Rainbow Dash continued her reading, saying nothing.

"Rainbow." Rarity stared, still trying to comprehend how Rainbow planned on drinking that much coffee. "Why don't you use a normal mug?"

Dash looked up at the unicorn once more. "Whaddaya wanna fight about it?"

Clack Clack Clack!

Both sets of ears swiveled toward the front door of the boutique. Rarity rolled her eyes.

"Who could that be? Its not even nine in the morning. Honestly you put a sign on the door that says 'Sorry we're closed' and people flat out ignore it." Rarity trotted into the main room of the boutique. "Coming~."

Rainbow continued reading the article in the magazine, content to ignore Rarity's business and stay right where she was. The chromatic mare came across a particularly bizarre headline.


Is Misty Fly Bulimic? 


The outrageous headline was accompanied by a photo of a rather tired looking Misty Fly.

The hell kinda stupid article is this? Of course she's not bulimic! She has bigger muscles than Soare-

"Oh hey Rarity." Rainbows ears swiveled at the sound of Pinkie's voice, a smile spread across her face.

They're back this early? What time did they get on the train?

"Oh hello Pinkie." Rarity replied. "Good to see you darling, come in, come in, how was your trip?"

"Oh you know, silly adventures, colder than sin." Pinkie smiled wearily at the alabaster mare. "I'm sure Twilight will tell you all about it, she wants to have a meeting tonight at her place."

Rainbow finished reading the idiotic tabloid article and swigged a mouthful of coffee before standing to greet her friend.

"Oh." Rarity was a little disappointed, apparently their adventure hadn't been too enthralling. "Well, I'll be there."

"Oh yeah, have you seen Rainbow Dash around? She wasn't at her house." Pinkie queried.

"Hey Pinks." The pegasus' voice came from the doorway to the kitchen.

"Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here?" Pinkie asked, confusion clear on her features. "Ooh I know, you and Rarity had a sleep over!"

"Rainbow has been staying with me this past week darling. Her house go-" Rarity tried to explain but was cut off by the pink mare once more. 

"Oh, like map related stuff?"

The unicorn shrugged with an unsure expression. "We don't really know."

The pink mares eyes widened "Wait, so you guys haven't found your problem yet?"

Rainbow winced as Rarity tried to explain. "Not exactly." The unicorn coughed. "We'll tell you all about it tonight."

Pinkie looked pensive at the response.

"How was Vanhoover?" Dash cut in, keen get off the subject of their map related short comings.

"Meh." Pinkie waved a hoof. "It was okay, I guess."

Rainbow and Rarity shared a look. "Oookay." Rainbow was confused, It wasn't like Pinkie to not want to talk about something, hell it wasn't like the mare to not want to talk about anything. Could Vanhoover have been that boring?

"Would you like to join us for breakfast, Pinkie?" Asked the white unicorn. "I can't imagine you've eaten, having been on a train all morning."

"No, that's okay. I think I'm just gonna head home and have a nap." Yawned Pinkie as she turned toward the exit. "I'll see you at Twilight's tonight. Six O'clock."

Rarity watched the mare go. "O-okay, see you then, darling. Sleep well."

"Will do!" The reply came with the chime of a bell as Pinkie left the boutique.

A quiet overcame the space.

"The hell?" Rainbow thought out loud, turning to Rarity for reassurance. "Vanhoover can't have been that boring, could it?"

The unicorn thought about that for a moment. "She's just tired I suppose."

"Pinkie? Tired?"

Rarity just shrugged.

The two mares stood there on the main floor for a moment. Only the vague, distant sounds of ponies milling about in town and the whistling of the winter wind could be heard.

Rarity turned toward the kitchen, Rainbow followed suit. "You look good this morning Rainbow Dash."

The pegasus smiled. "Thanks."

"Your haircut seems to have settled in nicely." The white mare concluded as she trotted to the counter and began making herself a coffee.

Dash felt as though she needed to offer a compliment to Rarity, but her mind wasn't settling well with the idea.

I should tell her how good she looks.

Don't lead her on Dash, she's already crushing on you.

Rainbow shook her head.

I'm not listening anymore.

"Your hair looks nice too." Rainbow sipped her coffee.

The white mare turned around an eyebrow raised. "Really? Dash I haven't done anything with it."

"Yeah," Dash flipped the page. "and it looks nice."

Rarity stared at the mare with a questioning look for a moment, her expression changed to a small smile a she turned back to her coffee. "Thank you Rainbow Dash."

Dash's thoughts caught up with her.

Idiot.

Rainbow returned to her magazine, a smile on her face as she tried to ignore the voice.




~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~





"Twilight." Rainbow Dash asked.

"Hmm?" Came the acknowledgment from Twilight, her nose stuck in a book.

Okay... crap I probably should have thought about this.

Rainbow put a hoof to her chin. She was having significant trouble putting into words a question that had been bothering her.

"Hmm?" Twilight reasserted that she had heard Rainbow, obviously growing impatient with the mare's stalling.

Got it.

"How come none of the elements are dudes?" Rainbow cocked an eyebrow.

Twilight looked up from her book, now it was her turn to put a hoof to her chin. Rainbow had come into the golden oaks library supposedly to get out of the late summer sun, the library was magically cooled after all. In reality, the chromatic mare just wanted to spend time with Twilight, even if that time was spent mostly in silence.

"Don't know." Twilight answered simply before turning back to her book.

"I mean, you'd think there would be. There are plenty of dudes around town." Rainbow pushed it, trying to steer the conversation where she wanted.

"I suppose." Twilight continued. "I guess the six ponies who represented the elements just all happened to be mares. Coincidence."

"But like." Rainbow mused a moment. "That sucks."

Twilight lifted her head and faced Rainbow Dash, a deadpan expression painting her features. "And why, pray tell, does that suck, Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbows eye widened in faux surprise. "I mean like, what if, instead of..." Rainbow couldn't think of how to put this without sounding either dissatisfied with her best friends or outright slutty.

"You think the elements would have been a great opportunity to meet someone?" Twilight finished the thought for her.

"Yeah!" Rainbow smiled.

Twilight sighed wearily. "I don't blame you for thinking that Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"I've thought the same thing before." Twilight admitted solemnly, turning back to her book. "Of all the ponies we all had to be mares."

Rainbows smile dropped. She just wanted to ask what affects dating an element could have, she didn't want to discover Twilight was straight. Ever since Rainbow had met the mare a month ago she thought she was cute and endearing in a sort of nerdy, cuddly way. All the way up until now, that is.

Fuck! Twilight likes dudes. That's weak.

"What do you think?-" Rainbow shook her head, trying to align her train of thought. "I mean If there was a guy, and he was an element, would dating him even be a good idea?"

A troubled expression took over Twilight's features. "I hadn't thought about that."

A silence filled the library. Both mares thinking, neither talking.

"In reality, probably not. I mean, let's say that Pinkie Pie was a stallion." Twilight started. "If I were to date Pinkie Pie and things ended badly, badly to the point where weren't friends anymore, that could prevent the elements from working all together." Twilight paused. "I don't think elements have to be best friends, but I think they at least have to be able to speak to one another."

If it ended like me and Toby...

"Furthermore; Let's say another element is childish enough to get jealous or angry about mine and Pinkie's relationship; that could cause another element breaking rift." Twilight looked at the ground as she realized how bad an idea dating an element was. "I really dont think dating an element would be... beneficial."

Rainbow was no longer smiling, truth be told she had looked at a few of her friends in a less than savory manner, but Twilight had been the one to stand out. She had been infatuated with Twilight for the entire month they had known each other, but now that Rainbow knew that elements shouldn't date, it seemed like a silly thought. Not to mention Twilight off-cuffed mentioning her heterosexuality.

Rainbow stood from her bean bag. "Well that's crap. I guess it's a good thing none of the elements are guys." Rainbow stretched her wings. "Thanks for letting me chill here Twilight. I'm gonna go do some flying." Dash fibbed an excuse as an opportunity to be alone.

The purple unicorn watched as the chromatic pegasus left. "See you later, Rainbow Dash."

The closing of the library's front door made a gentle click, and Twilight was alone with a single thought.

Poor girl...





~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~





"Raaaarityy!" Rainbow whined. She was laid on her back on Rarity's couch, a magazine was draped over her face in a childish display. "I'm huuuungry."

The unicorn licked her hoof and turned a page of her book. "Well, you should probably do something about that." Rarity didn't even take her eyes of the novel in front of her.

"Will you make me some food?" Rainbow continued her whining, she knew full well Rarity wasn't going to make her diddly, but that didn't stop it from being amusing.

"Hmmmm," Rarity hummed in thought. "Nah."

"Biiiiitch." Rainbow mumbled as she rolled over and landed on the floor with a thud and a grunt.

Rarity lifted her gaze, with a deadpanned expression she looked to the pegasus who was currently pouting at her. "What was that?"

"Nothing." Rainbow spoke to the floor.

"Bitch, was it?" Rarity's voice took on a motherly tone, she couldn't help but smile a little.

Rainbow jumped to her hooves. "I'm going to Sugarcube corner. Wanna come?"

Rarity sighed. "As much as I would love to I have to keep the boutique open."

"Pfft, you own the place don't ya? Just put up the old 'Gone Fishin' sign and you'll be fine." Rainbow offered. "I shout you an éclair."

The unicorn Raised an eyebrow. "Rainbow you're supposed to be saving money."

"Because an éclair is really gonna have my house demolished, c'mon get your jumper." Rainbow trotted toward the door, donning her freshly cleaned sweater.  

Rarity rolled her eyes and rose to her hooves.





* * * * * *





"I love winter, don't you?" Rarity chatted as she looked around the town, the snow had had more than enough time to settle now and the ponies around town were warming up to it. The squeals and laughter of playing children along with the smell of freshly baked pastry's on the wind made Rarity feel very at peace. It was times like this she wondered if she could ever move away from the little town.

"Yeah, I guess its alright." Replied Rainbow.

"What do you mean 'alright'."

"I dunno, makes practice kinda crappy." Rainbow shivered and tucked her nose into the neck of her jumper.

The unicorn shrugged. "I wouldn't know."

The two mares were coming up on sugar cube corer, the smell of fresh doughnuts and pies got stronger the closer they got.

"Oh hey Rainbow Dash." Came a familiar raspy voice. Familiar to Rainbow, at least.

Dash turned. "Oh hey Stormy." Dash gave a smile. "What brings you to Ponyville?"

"The pies." Stormy said simply. She seemed to look the two mares up and down, the two of them were dressed in matching sweaters. It took a moment for Stormwalker to remember the face of the white unicorn. "Rarity, right? Element of Generosity?"

Rarity smiled, showing a row of her perfect teeth. It wasn't everyday that someone recognized you on the street, regardless of the elements 'minor celebrity' status. "Thats me."

"Rarity, this is Stormwalker. I work with her at weather HQ."

"Nice to meet you Stormwalker." Rarity's natural extroverted personality shone simply at the thought of meeting somebody new. 

"So what are you two doing today?" Stormwalker looked at Dash, there was something unsettling in her expression.

"Oh you know," Rarity started, directing Stormy's attention back to her. "Little bit of shopping, just enjoying the day."

"Searching for food." Rainbow threw in her two cents.

Storm walker Raised an eyebrow. "O-okay, well you two have fun, Ive got some... letters to send." The grey mare flashed one last smile at the two. Dash stopped herself from raising an eyebrow at the mare's odd behavior "Nice to meet you Rarity."

"You too Stormwalker." Rarity watched with a genuine looking smile as the mare trotted away. 'Looking' being the operative word. "What her problem?" Asked Rarity out of the corner of her mouth, she had caught the same vibe that Rainbow Dash had. "Is she always like that?"

"No, she's not, but I have a vague idea." Rainbow answered.

"And what's that?"

Rainbow turned, content to continue their walk to Sugarcube Corner. "Nothing important."

Rarity didn't want to accept that. "What did she mean by see you tomorrow? You aren't working tomorrow are you?"

Rainbow sighed. "No, I agreed to go to a bar with her tomorrow night, The Twelve String.

"The Twelve String, darling?"

"A sort of bar, club thing in Cloudsdale." Rainbow answered.

"Oh." Rarity looked slightly down trodden.

For a minute the two mares walked in relative silence, the atmosphere had changed between them. Rarity needed to address her concern.
"Rainbow."

"Hmm?"

"Is there-?" Rarity thought for a moment. "Is there something between you and Stormwalker?" Rarity said it with a smile, a smile that said 'I know your secrets', but it wasn't how the mare felt. She couldn't want that scenario any less.

"Huh? No, no." Rainbow thought for a moment, confusion rising up within her. "Hang on, how do you even know she's gay?"

"Two things; One, you just told me," Rainbow groaned. "Two, I've been in the fashion industry long enough to tell what team somebody plays for."

"You couldn't with-" Rainbow caught herself. She quickly looked around to make sure they were in relative privacy before lowering her voice to a whisper. "You couldn't with me."

"Yes well, I'm willing to bet she's well and truly out isn't she." Rarity said it with total confidence.

Rainbow looked away, trying to figure out how Rarity could be so perceptive. She thought back to how blatantly Stormwalker came out to her. "Yeah."

"She wants there to be something between you two doesn't she." Rarity was whispering now, carefully making sure her friends best kept secret stayed just that.

"I think so." Rarity felt a pang of pain in her chest. "She doesn't know I'm gay though, not for sure anyway." Rainbow's voice dropped to barely audible levels as a stranger walked past.

"She seems pretty sure to me." Rarity said bluntly as the two mares came up on the steps of Sugarcube Corner.

Rainbow groaned as she thought back to the other day in the office. "She caught me looking at her." Rainbow's voice was barely a whisper anymore.

Rarity's laugh chimed like a silver bell, breaking her from the whisper. Dash deadpanned, shutting the unicorn down. "Oh come now Rainbow Dash, we both know you're not the pinnacle of subtlety. I just thought it was funny. Now what would you like to eat?" Rarity asked as she walked into the patisserie.

Dash was taken aback by that. 

The fuck does she mean by that?..

Oh no, she hasn't caught me looking at her has she?

Fuck. Fuckity. Fu-

"Rainbow Da~sh." Sang Rarity from inside the shop. "Tell me what you want or you're getting a pavlova~."

Dash shook her head, trying to dislodge the worry within her mind as she walked into the gingerbread bakery.

"Hey I thought I was buying?" Rainbow pointed out.

"Not anymore you're not." Rarity gave a wink and a wiggle of her flanks as she trotted up to the counter. "Good morning missus Cake."
Rainbow looked at the white mare's behind.

She totally caught me looking at her.

...

Fuck...





~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~





"And how is Twilight? I haven't spoken to her in a week." The soft voice of Fluttershy draped over Rainbows ears like silk.

"Eh. She's alright." Answered Rainbow, she hadn't seen the Purple unicorn since their last encounter at the library.

"What's wrong?" asked Fluttershy, concern written on her features.

"Hmm? No, nothing's wrong." Rainbow looked back into her cup of tea, she could feel Fluttershy's prying gaze on her still. After a moment, she finished her thought. "She's straight."

Fluttershy frowned. Truth be told, Fluttershy had suspected as much, she hadn't even thought about it until Rainbow let it slip that she thought the unicorn was 'pretty cool'. "Don't worry, Dashie. You'll find a nice girl soon enough." Fluttershy gave a reassuring smile, one that Dash felt no comfort from.

"I dunno Flutters." Rainbow scratched the back of her head. "I was talking to Twilight and she says that if something were to come between the elements, it could stop them from working all together." Rainbow sighed. "Even If I do manage to find a girl I would have to come out to the others. What if they don't accept it? It could destroy the elements."

"Don't think like that Dashie, what happened between you and Toby is different. Her mother is a..." Fluttershy thought for a moment. "She's not the same. The girls wouldn't have a problem."

Rainbow was still sceptical. "How can you be sure though? What about Applejack, the thought about coming out to her scares the shit out of me."

"Why?" Fluttershy asked. "I can't imagine Applejack caring either way, it's none of her business."

"Yeah but what if she does." Rainbow blew out a long sigh. "And Pinkie, Luna knows what goes through that mares head."

Fluttershy thought about that, she wanted to help but she couldn't find the words. For a moment the two mares sat in silence.

"If I do find somebody, I'll just have to keep it hidden." Dash took a swig of her tea. "Whoever they are will just have to deal with it."

Fluttershy could only think of one thing to say. "You should just do what makes you happy, Dashie."

Rainbow nodded with a pensive frown before lowering her voice to a mumble. "Maybe I should just get conversion therapy."

Dash jumped at the sound of a mug being slammed on the table, she looked up to see the anger in Fluttershy's eyes. "Don't you dare say things like that." Fluttershy managed to sound concerned and angry all at once, a display that Dash found to be terrifying. "Don't even think like that."

"Fluttershy I-"

"No." Fluttershy shut her down. Dash wilted under her gaze.

"Sorry." Dash's voice was small and weak.

"Please, Dashie." Fluttershy pleaded. "You can't let those thoughts into your head."

The small cottage went quiet, the air thick with tension.

Rainbow was looking at the floor. "I'm sorry Fluttershy."

"It's okay." Fluttershy lied, it wasn't okay for Rainbow to  be having those thoughts, those doubts. "Now are you hungry?" The yellow mare stood up and turned toward the kitchen.

Dash smiled, the thought of Fluttershy's cooking lifting her from her gloom. "Yeah."





~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~





Dash hummed along with the gramophone that was playing in the next room over, today had been a good day for the mare. She had been feeling a lot better than she had the last week, like she had finally gotten a good night's sleep. Her behavior and disposition that day had been outwardly better too. Perhaps it was the fact her friends were back in town, she mused.

The pegasus was riffling through Rarity's pantry trying to find the teabags, they had been moved. Opening the cupboard above the stove Rainbow's eyes fell upon something, and her face bloomed into a smile.

Rarity in question was sitting in front of the fire, reminiscing as she flicked through a fashion magazine from years ago. She turned the page to see a mare, dressed head to hoof in a ghastly patterned dress, of course at the time the unicorn thought the dress was amazing, now it was laughable to the mare.

"Rarity~." The unicorns ears flicked and her eyebrows rose at the rare sound of Rainbows singing voice. Her head swivelled toward the doorway of the kitchen. "Have you been holding out on me?"

Dash's head poked around the corner, a six pack of apple cider in her mouth. Rarity smiled and chuckled a little.

"Sorry about that, Rainbow, I totally forgot. I bought that for you." The unicorns smile widened at Rainbows widening eyes.

"No!" The exclamation was muffled as Rainbows mouth was full. Rarity nodded, Rainbow laughed like a mad mare out of excitement as her head disappeared back into the kitchen. 

"Are you going to have one now?" Rarity glance at the clock. It wasn't yet four O'clock.

Rainbow walked back out of the kitchen, her disposition brighter. "No not right now. But tonight is as good a night as any if you don't mind."

"If I don't mind, darling? Why would I mind?" Rarity cocked an eyebrow.

"Well, I mean, Your gonna join me aren't you? There is a whole bottle of wine in there too."

Rarity thought about that.

Well It has been a while. And a glass of wine with Rainbow sounds like fun.

"Yes." The unicorn smiled. "I think I will join you."





* * * * * *





"Now Rainbow when I said I would have a glass of wine with you I meant it. A glass of wine."

"And now you're on your fourth." Rainbow said as she poured Rarity another glass of wine. Rarity rolled her eyes and took it in her levitation. 

"How many have you had?" Rarity asked, her eyelids were heavy and her head was filled with a warm buzz, the mare was certainly getting drunker.

"Ugh." Rainbow smacked her lips together as she looked to the six-pack on the bench across the room, the pack held one lone bottle. Rainbow wagged her current beverage at the Unicorn. "Five."

"Heavens Rainbow Dash, are you doing okay? Maybe you should slow down." Rarity asked as Rainbow tried to butter a loaf of bread she had hacked apart in an attempt to make garlic bread. 

Rainbow didn't even look away from the bread, focusing all her energy into the task. "Yeah dude, I'm pretty wasted. But you know me Rarity, slow aint my style." Rainbow bobbed her head in time with the music that was floating from the other room.

Rarity laughed, she was right, having a drink with Rainbow was fun. Seldom did she get to see the mare drunk, only at parties, and even then not all of Pinkie's parties were the kind were ponies drink.

The white mare turned away from the mare and walked over to the fridge to inspected some of the things she had stuck to it; there was a bill, a note from a client and a drawing Sweetie Belle had created when she was four years old. The white mare smiled at the drawing, its edges now curling and turning yellow.

Rainbow turned to face Rarity, only to discover she was facing away, leaving her behind on full view. Thoughts of their earlier encounter at Sugarcube Corner resurfaced in rainbows mind.

I can't believe she would do that.

...

I can't believe you would let her catch you looking at her butt.

Not my fault her ass is perfect.

Dash stared at the white mares behind, her muscles on auto pilot as she buttered the bread in front of her.

Stop looking at her ass!

Rainbow could feel a deep itch in her gut as her thoughts turned unsavory.

For the love of Luna, please sit on my face.

Stop!

Rainbow shook her head, getting back to the task at hoof. Even in her intoxicated state she shouldn't be thinking about Rarity like that, she mused.

"You gonna get down on this garlic bread?" Rainbow asked, Rarity was lost, humming to the music."I'm keen."

"It smells fantastic already Rainbow Dash." Said Rarity, even though it hadn't even started baking yet. The mare inspected the messy counter, evidently the alcohol was already affecting her level of care for the situation.

Worry about that tomorrow.

The unicorn shrugged and continued her humming, singing the lyrics occasionally. "Oh, Thunder only happens when it's raining."

Rainbow looked over to the white unicorn with a smile and joined in. "Players, only love you when they're playin'." Together the two mares managed a beautiful harmony, or at least it sounded that way to their drunk ears.

The two mares began to sing along, Rarity bobbing about the kitchen whilst Dash continued her attempt at buttering bread. "Say.. fillies.. they will come and they will go~."

When the rain washes you clean, you'll know..... you know~" The two sang simultaneously.

"You know Fleetfoot?" Rainbow asked, seemingly completely off topic.

"The Wonderbolt?" Rarity confirmed. "I know, of her, yes."

"She was named after this band." Rainbow had a habit of reciting bizarre Wonderbolt trivia at times.

"Really?" For whatever reason, Rarity found that interesting.

"Yeah," Rainbow buttered the last hock of bread before turning toward Rarity. "Apparently her mom is a huge fan of them."

Rarity nodded so as to say 'no kidding', before taking another sip of wine. Although she had stopped sipping her wine sometime during her third glass, now the mare was taking mouthfuls.

"Shit. Rare?" Rainbow asked.

"Yes, darling?" Rarity queried.

"Did Pinkie say something about going to Twilight's tonight?" Dash blinked slowly.

Rarity met eyes with the blue mare, neither of which said a word. Rarity slowly turned her head to the clock.

6:09

"Shit." Rarity was too intoxicated to bother censoring herself. "Get your coat Rainbow Dash, we've got a meeting to attend!" Rarity downed the last of her glass of wine.

Rainbow laughed as she flew toward the door, donning her sweater. With a brisk, wobbly gait Rarity soon followed out of the kitchen. She too was laughing. "Twilight's going to be annoyed."

"Pfft." Rainbow shrugged it off. "She'll get over it."

And just like that, two drunk mares started a quick trot to Twilight castle.





* * * * * * 





"Did anyone actually tell them to come here?" Twilight asked, the four mares sat around the map table, Fluttershy and pinkie would occasionally say something to one another, stringing along a conversation as Twilight and Applejack were both bored out of their skulls.

"I did."  Pinkie said eagerly. Now that she had gotten some sleep the mare was back to her usual energetic self. "They were both at Rarity's house this morning."

"Rainbow was at Rarity's?" Applejack piped up from her reverie. "What was she doing there? Don't tell me Rarity suckered her into trying on dresses." AJ snickered a little.

"Oh I wouldn't worry about that, Applejack. Probably just something map related." Twilight butted in, chuckling slightly at the orange mare's remark.

Pinkie wanted to say what Rarity had told her, that they still hadn't found their map problem, but she reasoned it wasn't her place. The only reason Twilight hadn't already discovered that Rarity and Rainbow Dash hadn't solved their problem was because the map hadn't been activated yet, and couldn't be until the two missing mares arrived.

"RD had been staying there the last week." Pinkie looked around, curiosity written on her friends faces. "Dashie will tell you when she gets here, I don't know all the details." Pinkie smiled, the others nodded.

"Where is spike?" Asked the yellow pegasus.

"I think he's in his room, reading comics most likely." Twilight  answered. "Where are those girls?"

"Yo." Rainbow Dash's voice caused four heads to spin toward the doorway. "How was the vacation?"

Rainbow said as she walked in, Rarity behind her. "Hello girls." Rarity said, her expression almost lazy. That was to be expected however, she was drunk, not that any of the other girls knew it.

Twilight checked the time, it read 6:20. Twilight Raised an eyebrow. "Pinkie did tell you six O'clock didn't she?"

Pinkie was a little sad that Twilight would even ask such a question, but she knew it wasn't a jab at her. "Let's call it fashionably late." Rainbow suggested as she hopped onto her ornate throne next to Rarity's.

Twilight deadpanned. "And you know full well that what happened in Vanhoover was not a vacation."

Rainbow couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes. "Maybe I would know that if somebody were to tell me what happened in Vanhoover. Nobody has told me or Rarity jack squat."

"It was boring, Dash. Probably the most boring, cold and pointless thing I've ever done." Applejack reclined on her chair and draped her hat over her face, apparently the mare wasn't too fond of the trip.

"Now surely Applejack, dear." Rarity was trying her hardest not to sound drunk, it wasn't working very well, her occasional slur and heavy eyelids were a dead give away to anybody who had ever been drunk in their life. "I can't have been that bad." 

As much as Twilight was trying to keep a positive attitude about the trip, in hindsight, did more than half of Equestria's greatest hero's really need to be sent to save a building? "I was a little odd." Twilight spoke up. "We prevented an old hotel from getting demolished. Granted, it had housed princesses and whatnot, but it wasn't really a 'friendship problem'."

Rarity wore her best impression of a intrigued expression. Rainbow just nodded. "Yep, sounds like crap." Rarity couldn't stop herself from snorting back laughter.

Twilight narrowed her eyes at the two mares. "Have you two been drinking?"

"Oh snap!" Said Pinkie under her breath. Even Applejack looked out from under her hat.

Rarity spoke up. "I may have had a small glass of wine." Now it was Rainbows turn to laugh.

"Small glass she says." Mumbled Rainbow Dash. The white unicorn shot her a look.

"You shut your mouth." Rarity said with a smile.

"Why don't you make me." Rainbow sassed back.

The unicorn looked back to Twilight, the unicorn's face held confusion. "I assure you darling, I'm perfectly sober enough to take in whatever need be said in this meeting."

She wasn't.

"No, its fine I just." Twilight gripped her chin in thought, trying to put her thoughts into words.

Applejack beat her to the punch. "Since when did you two drink together?"

Rarity feigned offense. "Friends can drink together on a Friday night cant they, Applejack?"

"Dash." Twilight woke the pegasus from the riveting activity of picking at her hoof nails. "Pinkie said something about you staying with Rarity this past week?"

Rainbow sighed, she didn't want to be reminded of how crappy her situation was, but she supposed she would have come out with it. "My house got condemned."

Fluttershy gasped as AJ and Twilight's eyes went wide.

"Got kicked out, have to pay to get it fixed. Rarity has been letting me sleep in Sweetie's room." Rainbow frowned as she picked at her hoof nail. "That's the long and short of it, I guess."

"And she's been a lovely guest. Really It'll be sad to see you move back out, Rainbow."

"Nawws." Pinkie Pie was leaning on her hooves. "And you two are best buddies now, huh?"

"Not that we weren't before, Pinkie. I just think we've gotten to know each other a little better." Rarity gave a wink to Rainbow, the pegasus' eye's would've gone wide had she been sober; but in her drunken state, Rainbow winked back.

Twilight smiled. "It's good to see that you two are bonding." With a spark of her horn and a glow of six thrones the map ignited into a projected pool of light. Twilight squinted, The cutie marks of Rarity and Rainbow Dash were still visible above Ponyville. "You guys haven't found your problem yet?"

Rainbow hid an eye roll.

Here we go.

Dash opened her mouth to explain herself but was cut off by Rarity. "Well, I think Rainbow staying at my house is the problem, my theory is that Rainbow just needs to get her house back."

"But you haven't been out looking?" Twilight pried.

"Well, not exactly, you see Rainbow has been at work a lot lately, and I-"

"Rainbow at work a lot? Pfft." Applejack said as she re-covered her face with her hat.

The unicorn leveled her gaze at the orange mare. "Rainbow has a new job, Applejack." Her words carried a certain sting.

"And Rarity has been swamped with commissions." Rainbow lied through her teeth, truthfully the mare had been bored out of her skull for the majority of the week. The unicorn shot a look at Rainbow, silently thanking her.

"You have a new job, Rainbow?" That seemed to pique Fluttershy's interest.

Dash Raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, didn't Pinkie tell you?"

Four sets of eyes turned to the pink mare. She just shrugged. "I forgot." Smiled Pinkie.

"Whatever s'not important." Rainbow tried in vain to stop herself from slurring her words. "What matters is, I think we're on the right track." Rainbow had no idea if they were or not, she seemed to be doing a lot of white lying that night. But she didn't care, she was too drunk to care.

Twilight scribbled some things down on a piece of paper. "So it looks like you two had a pretty busy week."

"No kiddin'." Mumbled Rainbow Dash.

"Well tomorrow I want you two to look around town and look for something, just in case." Twilight finished.

Rainbow groaned, Rarity inspected a hoof unexitedly.

"Anybody have anything else they would like to say?" Twilight asked. "No? Well I guess that wraps it about up."

It didn't take long for most of the ponies to leave Twilight's castle excepting Rarity who quickly caught up with Fluttershy and told her that Winter wrap up went smoothly for all her animals. But before long, five mares wandered the streets of Ponyville, finding their ways home.




* * * * * * 




Alcohol is a bizarre substance. It can be best ice breaker, but simultaneously the worst. It can tear down social taboo's as if the were rice paper walls and it could make the most sophisticated of ponies become ill mannered and even violent. 

"I hate Element meetings." Rainbow sulked as the Two mares stumbled across the town toward Carousel Boutique. 

"What?" Rarity answered a little slowly. "Why? You get to see all your friends."

"Yeah but it's always too..." Rainbows inebriated mind struggled to find the right word, so it made one up. "Worky."

"Worky?" Rarity raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, like we're at work, we don't talk about doing stuff together, all we talk about is the map and the elements of harmony."

Rarity thought about that. "I think you're looking at it wrong." The unicorn started. "Yeah it can get a little stale at times but it's a necessity of holding the elements together."

"Pfft. Elements." Rainbow rolled her eyes as she mumbled the words.

"Come again?" Rarity may have heard the words had she been focusing on listening and not focusing on walking straight.

"Nothin'." Dash kicked a stone. "So what are you doing tomorrow?"

"I don't know. By the looks of it I'll be looking for friendship problems while I nurse a hangover." Rarity's laugh was like a stainless steel bell, chiming in the breeze. When she wasn't drunk, that is. Her laugh came out in an obnoxious spurt. "What're you doing?"

"I might go for a fly. I can feel my joints seizing up." Dash stretched her wings. "I've been feeling a bit better lately."

"That's good to hear!" The white mare shot a smile at Rainbow.

The two mares fell quiet for a moment, for some time the only sound to be heard was the crunch of snow under hooves. That is, before Rainbow spoke the first thing that came into her mind. "Do you have any piercings?"

Rarity looked over to the mare, there was a smile plastered across her lips and a dopey look in her eye. The white mare's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? Oh, no not anymore darling. I used to have a lot of ear piercings when I was eighteen."

"Like the ones in the top as well?" With a hoof Rainbow grabbed the tip of her ear to emphasize what she was talking about.

"Oh yes," Rarity nodded. "and a nose ring too."

"Really?" Dash's eyebrow rose in exited questioning. The white mare nodded once more. "I'm sorry, I just can't picture that."

"It was a different time, I suppose." The unicorn mused. "Why? Do you?"

Rainbow let out a throaty laugh. "You can't tell no-one, kay?" 

Rarity nodded.

The pegasus smiled.  "I really shouldn't tell you."

Rarity's eyes went wide. "Rainbow you don't have a-" The mare looked around, only to discover they were alone. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "You don't have a clit piercing do you?"

Rainbow's eyes went wide. "What? No. Nipples dammit."

Rarity once again burst into laughter, this time at her mistake. "Goodness. Nipple piercings." Rarity mused to herself. "Didn't that hurt?" 

Rarity was smiling in interest. Rainbow thought the reaction was funny, the alcohol was making her more comfortable around Rarity. Comfortable to the point where she felt like talking about her nipples. 

"Only for about six months." Rainbow laughed.

"Celestia." Rarity tried to imagine six months of pain for fashion. She found it surprisingly easy to do.




* * * * * * 





"Yeah and then he heats it up with a lighter, holds his ear still and just pushes it through. He didn't even flinch." Rainbow continued her story as the two entered the warm boutique. Rarity had accidentally left the fire going, but the door of the fireplace was shut and the boutique was still standing. Neither mare batted en eye.

"Oww." Rarity sympathized, but her face still held wonder at the recollection. "In class?"

"Yeah, in Equestrian class." Rainbow shook her head. "Public flight schools, man."

"What did the teacher do?" The unicorn, was enthralled with the outrageous story.

"Dumbass didn't even notice." Rainbow laughed. "Needless to say I never needed any more convincing to get my piercings done professionally."

"That's horrifying." Rarity dropped down onto the carpet in front of the fireplace, only to realize something. "There was a colt at my school who used to spray deodorant up his nose because somebody told him he could get high that way."

Rainbow burst into laughter as she plopped down next to Rarity. She had a bottle of cider in one hoof and a glass of wine in the other, she hoofed the glass over to Rarity. "What an idiot."

"Don't you think we've had enough?" Rarity asked, concern plastered on her face.

"Pfft." Rainbow waved a hoof. "If I'm gonna drink im gonna do it right."

Rarity shrugged. One more couldn't hurt, besides this was most likely the last of the wine; no point letting one glass sit around. The mare took the wine in her levitation field and took a sip. "Ever had any other piercings?"

"Ears." Rainbow answered. "When I was young, like sixteen or something. I've thought about getting my tongue done but never got around to it."

Rarity nodded and took on a pensive expression.

"Imma' go put on some music." Dash stood and waltzed over to the gramaphone. Rarity watched as the mares flank swayed as she walked away, a smile forming on her features and a tingle forming in her gut. Rarity downed her glass of wine in two massive gulps.

The pegasus queued up the first song on the record that already sat on the turntable, just as something to listen to as she searched for an album that was more suiting. She flicked through Rarity's record collection and bobbed her head to the sound.

Rainbow Dash jumped as Rarity flopped down next to her and lay her head on the floor. Dash raised an eyebrow and cast a glance back to the fireplace, an empty wineglass stood alone on the carpet. "You doing okay Rare?"

"Mmm." Rarity hummed, her eyes closed and a smile on her lips.

Dash looked down to the mare.

You're so beautiful Rarity.

Even when your trashed.

Rainbow smiled as she wondered how comfortable the mare must be. She looked comfortable. Dash took another swig of her cider and continued her search for music.

For a good while Rainbow sat, flicking through records and taking the occasional sip, at last she found a record that suited her mood; The Hawks Greatest hits. Rainbow queued up the record and watched as the enchanted antique began playing itself, without winding or even pressing play.

The pegasus stood up, but was overcome with amazing dizziness and fell back onto her rump. The thud startled Rarity. "Huh?" The mare blinked and smacked her lips together.

Rainbow made sure to keep her voice quiet. "Were you asleep?"

The unicorn mumbled something incomprehensible as a response, no doubt slipping back out of consciousness. Rainbow didn't feel to much better, she figured that as soon as she got to her bed she would be out like a light.

"You stay here." Rainbow said as if the mare was going anywhere, she stood once more, pushing through the wave of drunken haze as she turned down the volume on the gramophone in an attempt to be courteous to the half consious mare laying on the carpet. She stumbled to the kitchen, her body seemed heavy and her eyes trailed slowly in their sockets.

Shit man, that last cider got me.

Rainbow giggled to herself. She was well and truly drunk now. Rainbows eyes landed on the uncooked garlic bread that sat on the kitchen counter, she had completely forgotten about it. Dash very careful, so as to not fall over placed the baking tray in the fridge.

Hangover breakfast done.

Rainbow grabbed a glass and filled it with water, drinking from it deeply. She skolled the glass in moments before going filling it again and carrying it with her into the boutiques main room. 

Dash leaned down next to Rarity. "Rares." There was no response, Dash nudged the mare, eliciting a grumble. "Rarity, drink this."

Slowly one of Rarity's eyes opened and fell upon the glass of water in front of her. The mare slowly moved herself into a sitting position and drank from the glass, before flopping back down onto the ground. "Mmm fank oo."

"You doing okay?"

Rarity nodded and gave a small moan. "Jus' sleepy."

Dash nodded. "Me too, let's get you to bed."

Rarity grumbled again.

"C'mon Rares, you don't wanna wake up here."

"Carry me?" Rarity looked up at Rainbow.

Dash let out a laugh before meeting eyes with the unicorn. "Oh you're serious. You know I'm drunk too right?"

"Don't care. I'll die if I try and walk." The mares voice didn't carry its usual lady-like tone.

Rainbow Dash chuckled before scooping the mare over one of her shoulders. Dash knew her wings could do it, they had done it before with two other ponies hanging onto her hooves, carrying Rarity alone was a synch.

Rarity flopped over the mares shoulders and got a face full of mane, she hummed and nuzzled her cheek against it. Dash didn't even notice until they were halfway up the stairs that Rarity was nuzzling her; she smiled at the affection, her thoughts not bothering her.

"Mm fo udely" Rarity mumbled, Dash didn't understand it. Before long Rainbow was in Rarity's bedroom, softly placing the mare on her bed, the unicorns eyes were closed.

Dash stood to fetch the mare another glass of water. Walking toward the door Rarity called out to her.

"Come back." Rainbow turned. 

"I will, don't worry." Rainbow gave the mare a reassuring smile before she left the room, Rarity smiled softly to herself.

Rainbow is so pretty.

She reminisced on the feeling of her coat when Dash carried her up the stairs.

And soft.

The white unicorn sighed.

Before long Rainbow returned, another glass of water in hoof. "Here, drink this."

Rarity grabbed it. "But I already drank one." Rarity complained, all this water drinking wasn't helping her urge to pee.

"Look," Rainbow wobbled a little. "If you don't drink that, you're gonna regret it in the morning."

Even in her drunk state, Rarity reasoned that to be true, she didn't want to wake up to a hangover. The mare pushed herself into a sitting position and took a sip. Dash stood up to leave.

"Goodni-" The white mare cut her off.

"C'mere. Talk to me." Rarity patted the bed beside her.

"I thought you were sleepy." Rainbow slurred.

"I am, but I wanna talk to you." Rarity took another sip.

Rainbow laughed. "Oh, so after I carry you up the stairs, then you're awake."

The unicorn shrugged and smiled. Rainbow gave a comical roll of her eyes and sat down next to the mare. "Whats up?"

"Rainbow-" Rarity started, she knew what she wanted to say, but even in her drunk state she knew that she shouldn't say it. Her eyes fell.

"Yeah?" Rainbow asked. "What's wrong?"

No.

You can work this out, Rarity. You can tell her, you just have to be...

"Do you think I'm pretty?" Rarity asked, it was a silly, childish thing to say. She knew she was pretty, beautiful even, but the doubts of Rainbow's 'hard to get' play had weighed heavy on her mind.

"What?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Of course I do, Rarity. You're gorgeous." Rainbows eyes went wide as her thoughts caught up with her.

You should not have said that.

Her inebriated sense of inhibition seemed not to care too much, however.

Whatever. Its only the truth.

"Oh." Rarity visibly relaxed. "Good." The white mares head flopped down onto her pillow.

Dash was about to attempt leaving again, seeing as the mare now looked to be asleep but Rarity spoke up once more.

"I don't think you know how beautiful you are, Rainbow Dash." Rarity stated, her eyes still closed.

"Huh?" Dash was taken aback, but blushed nonetheless. "Thanks, I guess."

Look what you've done. Now she's not even being subtle about hitting on you.

Pfft, she was hitting on me before. Besides, she's drunk.

"No really," Rarity sat back up and looked Rainbow in the eye. "You're beautiful."

Rainbow smiled at the compliment, avoiding Rarity's gaze. Rarity looked the mare up and down, her mind pushing her to come out with it.

Oh fuck it, I'll just tell her.

What if she says no?

I'll burn that bridge when I get to it.

"Dash." Rarity looked at the bed as Rainbow swung her head back toward the white mare. "Can I tell you something?"

Uh oh.

The thought that wormed its way into Rainbow's mind sounded distant. Or at least quieter than it usually was. Rainbow ignored it, but she still knew what was coming. "Yeah, what's up."

The unicorn coughed and looked away, she felt lightheaded and nervous, butterflies filled her stomach as she realized how weighty the subject was. "Rainbow I," Rarity paused a moment to collect her thoughts. "I think I like you." Her voice was quiet.

Oh shit.

Again, the sound barely registered in Rainbows mind. The Pegasus looked at Rarity, the white mare was avoiding eye contact. Rainbow nodded, she knew. 

"Oh." The mare's voice was a murmur, Rainbow just nodded again.

The room fell silent, but not awkward. 

"How long have you known?" Rarity asked.

"Since yesterday." Rainbow responded. Now it was the unicorns turn to nod.

Another silence, this one was much longer, Rarity needed to say something. There was no sounds of birds or crickets, just the wind against the windows.

"I was wondering if maybe you wanted to-?" Rarity's drunk mind knew what she wanted to say, just not how to say it. "Its okay if you dont, I just..." Rarity trailed off. Rainbow wasn't exactly surprised at the admission or the question, she knew it was coming ever since she figured Rarity liked her. Looking back, the Idea of ignoring the white mare's affections until they went away - as was her previous plan - just seemed stupid. This was bound to happen sooner or later.

Tell her no.

The thought sounded so distant and irrelevant, Rainbow ignored it.

Look at her.

Look at how beautiful she is.

And smart.

And

A small smile graced Rainbows face.

Cuddly.

Rainbow looked to the mare, the white mare wore a concerned expression.

I do want to, Rarity.

The voice of doubt wormed its way back into Rainbow's mind, but now, it wasn't yelling, it wasn't the same.

But what about the others?

What about your friends?

Dash dwelled on that for a second.

But is it worth passing up this opportunity? To be with Rarity?

Dash looked the mare in they eye. Her diamond blue orbs boreing back into her own magenta iris'.

"Rainbow?" Rarity asked, breaking Rainbow from her reverie. The mare had been silent for a whole minute, and the butterflies in her stomach were going mad. "Are you okay?"

Rainbow continued just looking at the mare for a moment before answering. "No." Rainbows voice was solid and strong, cutting through the quiet room. "I dont think I am."

"Oh." The white mare looked away, dejected. "I'm sorry, Rainbo-"

"No." Rainbow cut her off. "Don't be sorry."

"I've obviously made you uncomfortable so-"

"No." Dash cut her off again. "I'm just thinking."

"Oh." Rarity looked at the bed beneath her, taking another sip from her glass of water. Rainbows answer was out of her hooves, the only thing she could do was wait.

Do I want to be with Rarity?

Dash awoke in a bed, the covers were a warm shield from the frigid air, in front of her was a sea of purple. Rainbow pushed her face forward, inhaling deeply the scent of the mare in front of her, tightening her grip around the pony's midsection. Rarity squeaked as Rainbow pulled her closer.

Rainbow was sitting on a couch next to the mare, a duvet draped over the top of them and a mug of hot coco in Rainbow's hooves. She cast her gaze sideways and swiftly moved forward. Rarity turned just in time to watch as Rainbow planted a peck on her cheek, the beautiful mare smiled and returned the affection with a light nuzzle.

Rainbow and Rarity were face to face, getting ready to leave the boutique, the white mare smiled and moved toward Rainbow. The pegasus puckered her lips, expecting a kiss but instead, Rarity went high, gripping Rainbows beanie with her teeth and giving a tug to adjust it. Dash smiled at the mare, Rarity flashed her perfect teeth back before the two left together, staying close to fend off the cold.

Yeah.

Yeah I do.

Then tell her the truth.

"Rainbow." Rarity started. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have put that kind of pressure on you," The white mare paused. "that was wrong. If you want some time to think, or even If you just want to forget this ever happened..." Rarity offered all she could, all cards were on the table. Well, almost all of them.

"Rarity, can I tell you something?" Rainbow started. 

"Anything." Rarity offered a supportive smile, albeit a weak one.

"I think I like you too." A glimmer of hope shone in Rarity's eyes as the words left Rainbows mouth. "But I just dont know."

The white mare's expression changed into a more troubled one. "What do you mean?"

"I just dont know if... we're a good idea." Rainbow spoke solemnly as she looked to the floor.

The unicorn nodded slowly, trying to understand. "Why not?"

Rainbow tried to think of a way to summarize what she was thinking, but her inebriated mind wasn't going to allow that. Rainbow swallowed the lump in her throat. "Okay, so." Rainbow paused, still not ready. "So If we start...seeing each other," Dash avoided the word 'dating', she figured it was much too early to even say the word. "we would have to tell the others, right?"

Rarity's eyebrows furrowed, she didn't know where Rainbow was going with this. "Not necessarily."

"How long do you think you could keep a secret like that, Rares?" Rainbow pushed. "We would have to tell them eventually." Dash slurred her words.

The unicorn nodded slowly. Dash had a point. "Okay. So we would have to tell our friends, so?"

"Well, what if-?" Dash began."What if they dont like it? I dont want to lose any of my friends."

Rainbow Dash really expected Rarity to understand, she expected the mare to nod  and say, I understand. Rainbow didn't account for the fact Rarity could be quite tactless if she wanted to, or when she was inebriated.

"Thats the dumbest thing Ive ever heard." The unicorn said dryly.

Dash's head shot up, a quizzical expression on her features. "Beg pardon?"

"That's the reason you dont think we would work?"

"Well there are other reasons but that kind of-"

"Rainbow Dash," Rarity slid her hoof up Rainbows side, letting it rest on the blue mare's shoulder. "If our friends cant accept you- accept us, for what we are, are they really our friends?"

Dash huffed "Well its not like I get a choice in the matter." She mumbled.

The white mare's face took on an even more quizzical look. "What does that mean?"

"We're elements of harmony, Rarity." Dash tried to explain. "We have to get along."

Rarity shook her head. She wanted to say that the elements didn't work anymore, that Rainbow was being silly, but even her drunk mind knew it was the friendship of the six that held Equestria's balance. Elements or no elements; defeating Tirek had proved that much.

The two fell silent for a time as Rarity tried to think of something to say, something to help convince the blue mare that she had created these problems herself and that her friends wouldn't care if she came out to them. But Rarity supposed she had a point, it was the same reason Rarity hadn't come out as bisexual to them.

Rainbow Dash was afraid.

"But if you weren't an element of harmony?"

"If I wasn't an element, Rarity, I would have started Dating you a year ago!" Rainbow exclaimed. The admission brought a small, sad smile to Rarity's face. "I wish I-." Rainbow didn't finish the thought. "And if we start seeing each other Rares."

"Mmm." The white mare entertained the idea.

"What if it ends badly? I dont want to lose your friendship either." Dash admitted, her eyes still focused on the bed.

Rarity sighed, as much as she hated to admit it, Rainbow Dash had a point. The unicorn look the blue mare up and down. "You worry a lot, dont you." It was a sad observation that Rarity had made, it hadn't meant to be an insult but it still came across as one.

For a moment, neither mare spoke. Rainbows eyes focused on the bed beneath her, she watched as the patterns of the sheets seemed to sway beneath her. Rainbow Dash was still very drunk. "Yeah." Dash put simply.

Rarity drank the rest of her water, her eyes settled once more on the beautiful blue mare beside her.

What happened to you, Rainbow Dash?

The white mare blew out a sigh as her thoughts turned dark.

It probably wouldn't work.

She's right about one thing.

She really isn't okay.

Without thinking about it in the slightest, Rarity leaned forward and wrapped her forelegs around the mare in a comforting embrace. Rainbow ears sprung up at the contact. She watched as the unicorn nuzzled into her chest, before long she wrapped her own forelegs around the mare. "I'm sorry, Rares."

The white mare didn't say anything. Rainbow continued. "I want to. I really do but-"

"Its okay." Rarity lied.

For a long moment the two just held each  other, neither mare speaking. Rarity nuzzled deeper into rainbows chest as a less than savory thought entered her mind.

If I cant date her...

We could always just have sex.

It would be at least something.

Rarity frowned in dissatisfaction.

It wouldn't be as good as dating, not even close.

The unicorn blew out a sigh.

What have I got to lose?

The unicorns brow furrowed at the crude thought, it hadn't entered her mind before that moment. "What about-?" Rarity needed to think about her choice of words.

"Hm?" Rainbow pulled back out of the embrace to look Rarity in the eye.

"Nobody said we had to date," Rarity suggested. "But we could..." The mare made a motion with her hooves as she tailed off.

If only rainbow wasn't drunk she might have caught in to what Rarity was getting at. "I dont understand."

"You think I'm attractive, yes?" Rarity already knew the answer, she had already asked the question.

Dash nodded sheepishly. "Like I said, If I wasn't an element I-"

"So why dont we just...?" Rarity looked away, trying to hide the heat on her face. "You know."

Dash blinked.

Did Rarity just ask if I want to be friends with benefits?

I am speaking to Rarity, yes?

Dash shook her head, trying to clear the alcohol induced cobwebs from her brain.

Is this real life?

"Like friends with benefits?" Rainbow searched for confirmation.

"I suppose." The unicorn paused. "If you dont want to date, we could still have sex..."

"Rarity." Dash shook her head. "I dont want to just have sex with you. I want to be with you."

"So do I, but If that's not an option," Rarity looked back at Dash. "we may as well have some fun." Her tone made it obvious that it was the less preferable option, but still with no lack of want.

The two fell quiet for a moment, Dash was trying to process the situation, the alcohol in her system was making that hard to do.

"You're not joking, huh."

Rarity shook her head. Dash looked down, she needed to think. "Feel free to say no Dash, I'm not trying to pressure you. Just... Think about it. It is an option, after all."

Dash's thoughts ran wild as she weighed the cons.

Casual sex with Rarity...

 I guess I wouldn't have to tell my friends.

And If things were getting too weird we could just stop. No emotional ties, no bad breakup.

Its like a compromise.

Dash looked back up at the white mare, taking in her beauty. An itch was forming in Rainbows gut, a tickle. Somewhere within her mind a voice spoke up, not the voice of her doubt, nor her conscience, but the voice of Fluttershy.

Just do what makes you happy, Dashie.

Will this make me happy though?

Dash didn't think any further. She was done with thinking, she'd had enough.

Just do it.

"Yeah."

Rarity's head swung round to face Dash. "Peg pardon?"

"Yeah... Alright." Dash let out a shaky breath, she was nervous for an unknown reason. "If dating is a bad Idea, we may as well have some fun, right?"

A thought flew through the white mares mind as a sad smile formed on her face.

Its something.

The two mares sat, neither knowing what to say or do next, one last silence stretched out between them, both mare's caught onto the theme. Dash coughed into her hoof. 

"I think I'm gonna go to bed, Rares." She slid off the bed and began walking toward the door, still unsure if she had made the right choice but unable to think straight enough to figure it out. At least her thoughts weren't screaming at her. Rarity's voice cut through the frigid air.

"Are you going to sleep here tonight?" The mare's voice was small, like she didn't know if she should be asking the question. Dash thought about the proposition for a moment.

That'd be cool.

Dash waited for the horrid voice to tell her that she shouldn't, she expected it to speak up. But the voice of Rainbow Dash's never spoke. Dash smiled softly. 

"Yeah, okay." Dash felt warm at the sight of the white mare smiling. "I'm just gonna go lock up."

If it weren't for Rainbows wings, she surely would have gotten a face full of floor when her drunken hooves slipped on the stairs. Dash quickly doused the fire, locked the doors and windows, turned off the lights and double checked everything to make sure her slowly sobering mind didn't miss anything.

After a superficial brushing of her teeth the mare waltzed back up the hallway. As she passed Sweetie Belles room she nudged open the door with a hoof and peered inside. She could see her black duffle bag of belongings on the floor next to the bed and took in the smell of the room. It was hard to believe that Rainbow had only been staying here for a week, and the room already smelled like Rainbow's conditioner and deodorant. She shut the door and walked continued to Rarity's room.

Dash flicked the light switch and closed the door as she stumbled into the room. Rarity had balled herself up under the covers, trying her best to shield herself from the cold. The pegasus pulled back the sheets of Rarity's queen sized bed and gently slid in. 

And then she stared at the ceiling.

Rainbow Dash waited for her thoughts to overwhelm her, to try their hardest at keeping her awake as they had done many nights before. But her thoughts were silent. The alcohol could have been the cause, or maybe her conversation with Rarity had quelled some of her fears. Rainbow couldn't quite put her hoof on it but something was stopping her fears, her doubts from bubbling to the surface of her mind. She certainly had doubts about her current situation, but at this time, they weren't plaguing her.

Rainbow looked down at her chest as a white hoof slowly slid across her coat. Rarity rolled onto her side and pushed her muzzle into the nape of Rainbows neck. Dash smiled and lifted her hoof over Rarity's head to return the embrace.

They didn't have sex that night. They didn't even kiss.

But things were only just getting started.

Before long, Rainbow Dash fell asleep.
	




> A bad friend. Saturday (Part one)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sheets of Rarity's bed rustles softly as Rainbow Dash rolled onto her side, her face fell directly into the path of a sunbeam, the weather team must have opened up the sky for the morning, she mused. The blue mare ever so slightly cracked an eye open, she was welcomed with the sight of a white unicorn snoring softly. For a split second confusion flooded her mind.

Oh yeah. 

That's right.

Alcohol was a funny thing. The vile voice within Rainbow Dash's mind never seemed to bother her when she was drinking, or at the very least, bothered her less. But with the clarity of sobriety, Rainbow could hear it loud and clear.

You fucking idiot.

Dash sighed and blew some mane out of the face, doing her best to ignore the voice; analyzing the situation. Last night's events were hazy at best, but were slowly coming back to her.

We definitely didn't have sex. I'm sure of it.

Did we kiss? I think we might've kissed?

Dash looked over the form of the sleeping white mare, allowing herself a small smile as she took in her beauty. Her mind wasn't going to let her have the moment.

You're a dumbass.

The pegasus held back a frustrated groan as she tried to mentally justify the situation.

We're not dating. We're just... 

...having fun.

Idiot.

Dash did her best to ignore her mind.

Rainbow rolled her tongue around in her mouth, her mouth felt furry and tasted like stale cider. It became all too obvious that she hadn't had the insight to brush her teeth before passing out last night. At least she wasn't hung over, she mused.
With one last glance at Rarity, Dash blew out a sigh as she rolled off the bed.





* * * * * *





"Morning, Rare."

Rarity smiled as she rubbed her face into Rainbows chest, nuzzling against the mares breast. She could feel her heartbeat. "Mmm," The unicorn smiled . "Good morning."

The white mare felt a gentle hoof on the back of her head, the hoof moved tenderly down her mane until in reached the middle of her back, she couldn't help but to smile at the contact. Just to be held.

"You're so soft, Dashie." The unicorns voice was a crackling whisper. Rainbow Dash didn't say anything, instead she pulled the blanket over Rarity, tucking it in just underneath the mares chin.

Its a pillow.

Rarity's smile faltered. She tightened her grip and didn't dare open her eyes, if she did, she knew only the same white, feather down pillow would greet her as it did every other day.

Its just a pillo-

Rarity's heartbeat shot up as she events of last night came back to her. She had gone to bed with Rainbow Dash.

Hang on.

That means that this is the real Rainbow Dash...

The snow mare shifted her hoof around the pegasus, she could feel her wings and the muscular joints that held them to Rainbow's barrel. Rarity very gently lifted he feathery appendage and slid her hoof between it and Rainbows body. She could feel every feather, every muscle, she could even feel the pegasus' heartbeat in through her wings.

Its so warm.

Its real.

Rarity's mouth curled into a smile as she pushed herself further into Rainbows soft chest.

"Are you okay there, Rares?" Dash asked playfully.

This is real.

Rarity tilted her head, facing up at the mare from her spot perched on her chest.

This is actually-

Rarity opened her eyes.

And there is was. The same white, down pillow she woke up to every morning.

A flurry of emotions welled up within the mare. She wanted to cry, but at the same time she wanted to scream. Frustration and longing swirled with confusion created a fiery concoction within her that she wanted so badly to get out.

But Rarity didn't cry, she didn't bury her face into the pillow and scream.

Within seconds, all the emotions inside the mare had disappeared into nothingness. Rarity felt empty and instead, she just stared.




* * * * * * 




After a quick shower, a brush of her teeth and a quick clean of the kitchen, Rainbow Dash sat at the table, sipping a regular sized mug of coffee, flipping through the morning paper. The activity made her feel as though she were getting old. Her thoughts still idly trying to figure if she had done the right thing.

At least Im not dating her...

As much as I wish I could...

Stupid.

A familiar image flew through Rainbows mind, of her and Rarity sitting side by side on the couch, a duvet draped over them and hot coco in their hooves. With it came the reminder of why that couldn't happen.

Fucking elements.

...

Then again.

Would it even last between us?

Would I get sick of her? Would she get sick of me?

How long would we stay compatible?

Are we even really compatible now?

Maybe I was too drunk.

Dash bit her lip as an internal battle formed, the paper in her hooves no longer even being read, just looked at while the blue mare sat, deep in thought.

Of course you were too drunk! You can still fix this. Just stop this thing before it stars and pretend nothing happened!

Dash blew out a wistful sigh as she tried to sort out the angry beehive that was her brain. She lifted her mug to her face and took a long, slow sip of her coffee.

"Morning."

Rainbow jumped at the sound, she swallowed out of panic, causing a lot of the coffee to go down the wrong pipe; sending the mare into a coughing fit. Rainbow was red eyed and on the verge of tears when she finally nodded a weak hello to Rarity, who had walked down the stairs and into the kitchen without Rainbow hearing.

"Are you alright?"

Dash gave one last cough. "Swell." She said as she  wiped the tears from her eyes.

The white mare walked over to the counter and started making herself a cup of coffee. Before long she sat down on the opposite side of the table to Dash.

Neither said a word. 

Rainbow was pretending to read the newspaper, trying to think of something to say, and Rarity stared into her mug, hoping that maybe her coffee held the answer. Eventually, the white mare spoke up.

"Dash." The blue mare peered over the newspaper. "We should really talk... About last night."

Rainbow swallowed. "What is there to talk about?"

"Well." Rarity paused as she collected her thoughts. "It's not too late to back out. We were both drunk and I'd understand if..." The unicorn trailed off.

Dash sighed.

She's right.

Back out now, don't be an idiot.

Dash huffed as she struggled to figure the situation out, to lay out the pros and cons clearly and understandably, but her foggy brain was making thinking clearly difficult.

I wouldn't have to tell the others, because we aren't dating.

If things aren't going well we can just stop at any time.

No harm done to the elements.

No loss of friendships.

...

Idiot.

Dash took a swig of her coffee, the winter air was cooling it at an unpleasantly fast pace.

What if I let my feelings for her get the better of me?

What if I really fall in love, more than this silly infatuation I have?

You won't.

...

What if she falls in love with me?

The blue mare sighed again.

I just won't let that happen...

Dash spoke before she thought about it anymore, to commit before her brain could come up with a reason not to.

Just do what makes me happy.

Will this make me happy?

"No," Dash looked up, meeting eyes with Rarity. "I don't want to back out."

Moron!

Rarity couldn't help the slight smile that crept onto her features, she tried her best to hide it by sipping her mug. It didn't work very well. The two mares fell silent for a moment, Dash mused, still not taking in a word from the newspaper. Her brain was still a beehive, but commiting made it seem like it hadn't been a kicked beehive.

Maybe there isn't anything to worry about?

For a small moment, Dash felt relieved, satisfied and undoubting of the situation she was in. She flicked the page in the paper read for a quiet moment, eventually, Rarity broke the silence.

Maybe.

"We have to go looking for friendship problems today." Rarity stated as she continued to stare into her coffee.

Rainbow blew out a breath. "Or we could not, and say we did." The blue mare joked.

How is this not more awkward.

We just agreed to casually fuck and here we are talking, the same as ever.

"I wish. I can think of a few things I'd rather do today.." Rarity sighed and looked up, meeting eyes with Rainbow Dash. The blue mare couldn't help the sly smile that found its way to her face. "No! I didn't mean it like that!"

Dash raised an eyebrow as her smile deepened. "Uh huh."

Maybe its not awkward because I'm just that good.

You're an idiot is what you are.

Rarity waved her off, getting back on topic, a dusting of pink on her muzzle. "Do you have any idea where to start looking?"

"Nope." Rainbow took a swig of coffee.

"Twilight said she had to save a building." The unicorn thought out loud. "I guess we could ask the mayor if she needed any problems solved. Who knows, maybe town hall needs saving."

"Ugh." Rainbow groaned. "I hate the mayor."

Rarity raised an eyebrow before she remembered the other night. She recalled how rude the brown mayor had been to Rainbow. "Yes well it seems the mayor hates you too." She smirked.

Dash shook her head in mild disgust as she thought about the silver maned earth pony. "You wanna know why she doesn't like me?"

Rarity's tone grew concerned. "I thought you said you didn't know?"

"Yeah well." Rainbow blew out a sigh. "Its 'cause I'm gay."

"What?" Rarity looked confused. "How would the mayor know you're gay?"

Dash looking down at the newspaper, she regretted saying anything, but felt she should at least offer a warning to Rarity. "She caught me and my girlfriend of the time kissing in the Ponyville park." Rarity looked surprised. "The word 'degenerate' was thrown around." Rainbow downed the last of her coffee, it was cold already.

"Hold up a minute." Rarity looked confused and surprised. "So that's why the mayor doesn't like you?"

Dash nodded. "Who knew the mayor was a homophobic, psycho cunt." It wasn't a question.

Rarity felt a pang in her chest at the word, she'd never heard Rainbow say anything with anymore venom. "What happened to you being in the closet?"

"We thought we were alone, I was seventeen and stupid." The pegasus rolled her eye's. "At least she didn't tell anyone. I think."

"Oh." Rarity looked at the table, drawing a small circle with her hoof on the rosewood surface. Silence hung over the room like a storm cloud. "Who was she?"

"You wouldn't know her." Rainbow continued reading her paper before deciding that wasn't really an acceptable response. "Blue October."

Dash was right, Rarity didn't know her. The alabaster mare bit her lip before asking the next question. "Did it end badly?"

The unicorn expected a 'none of your business' type of response, but Rainbow answered simply. "Yeah." The blue mare licked a hoof and turned the page. "Pretty bad."

Rarity suspected from her tone that was most likely an understatement; she nodded solemnly. "Sorry."

"Nah." Rainbow gave a smile, as if to say 'everything is fine' but the expression was hollow, thinly veiled and held no warmth. "It's cool."

The white unicorns thoughts wandered where she didn't mean for them to be, she knew it wasn't 'cool'.

Maybe the relationship she had with Blue October is why she won't date.

...

Could the break up have messed her up that bad?

Rarity closed her eyes, trying to dispel the thoughts. That was a horrible thought, and Rarity felt bad about it.

Rainbow Dash isn't messed up...

She looked to the mare and studied her features, Dash seemed to be reading the newspaper, but the white mare could tell not a word on the page was registering; the blue mare was deep in thought. She was thinking about Blue October.

Rarity frowned at the next thought that entered her mind.

Maybe she's a little messed up.





* * * * * *





"It's too cold for this crap!" Rainbow whined she pulled on the sweater Rarity had made her. "When I get to Cloudsdale tonite I'm gonna get my beanie from storage."

"You can't wear a beanie with that sweater! Not some random one anyway. I'll have to make a slouch beanie to go with it." Rarity smiled at the thought of another project. She'd never made a beanie before.

"Slouch beanie? Rarity I don't want to look like a hipster." Dash sassed.

Rarity smiled as she pulled on her own sweater. "Well I think hoop earrings would suit you, Rainbow Dash."

"Really?" Dash's features were quizzical to the point of non belief.

"No, hoop ear rings are revolting." Rarity laughed like a glass harp at her own comment. Rainbow couldn't help but smile at the mare's zealous nature toward certain fashions.

It didn't take long to get to the spa, the unicorn knew the route like the back of her hoof. Her legs were on autopilot as she looked about the town, seeing the foals enjoying their time off school.

Its seemed almost as soon as the Two got to the spa they were leaving, as much as Rarity would have like a hooficure she wanted to finish pestering ponies and go home more. Questions like "Having any friendship problems?" and "Anything happening in Ponyville I should know about?" Were asked for moot. The white mare figured if neither of the two were having any problems with their relationships, then at least they might be able to provide some gossip; after all, gossip was a sure fire way to find a friendship related problem. 

Aloe and Lotus not only weren't having any troubles with their friends, but hadn't heard of anyone who had. Not in the last week anyway.

"How do Aloe and Lotus not know any gossip? They always talk about some bad breakup or a petty revenge, or something going on!" The unicorn huffed.

"Always?" Dash asked, an eyebrow cocked.

"Dash, they work in a spa." Rarity said flatly.

"But they don't seem like the type to bitch about people." Dash was starting to feel self conscious. Just what had the Spa ponies said about her in the past?

"They're very good at what they do." A smile graced the white mares lips. 

Very self conscious.

There were three more groups of people Rarity could think of off the top of her head who had the potential to be in need of two elements. The cutie mark crusaders, Lyra and Bon Bon and Mayor  Mare. Rainbow hadn't suggested any ponies to ask, much to the chagrin of Rarity.
The cutie mark crusaders could be anywhere, seeing as it was currently winter break from school, but they were most likely in their clubhouse, on the other side of Sweet Apple Acres, on the other side of town.

Uhh, I don't wanna walk across town.

The thought was cruel, and Rarity didn't feel good about it. Particularly because she hadn't seen her sister in almost two weeks. But she could deal with that when the time came, they were closer to Bon Bon's home at the moment. She turned down mane street, causing Dash to speed up to a trot to catch her.

"Hey,  where you goin'?" Dash called after the white mare.

"Well we're close, so why not." Rarity gestured toward a small house next to the currently closed flower shop. Dash didn't know who Rarity was talking about, or who's house it was, she shrugged and followed the mare.





* * * * * * 





"Nope, sorry Rarity. No problems to report here." The mayor put a hoof to her chin in thought. "Aside from some minor graffiti offenses, but nothing 'friendship' related."

The white unicorn let out a weary sigh, none too pleased with the news. "Well that's okay. Hopefully it stays that way." Rarity gave a weak smile as she turned for the door.

"I hope the search goes well!" The mayor called after her, her inflection showing no real concern or mirth.

The snow mare pushed open the door of town hall, her mane whipped in the icy wind as tore herself from the warm building.

"Any luck?" Rainbow asked, she was sitting on the steps of the building shivering. She had chosen to stay outside, preferring to keep away from the Mayor. The cold meant nothing as long as she didn't have to look at the silver maned mare.

Rarity solemnly shook her head, their search was ongoing. Dash let out a sigh. "Okay, who do we ask next?"

"I don't know," The white mare sighed. "Aloe and Lotus are fine, Lyra and BonBon are better than ever and the mayor seems perfectly happy." She pouted. She never thought she would pout to the thought of people being happy.

Rainbow's eyes narrowed in thought as the two began to move. She had been doing a lot of thinking, having been sitting on the stairs of town hall with not too much to do. "So I was wondering-?" Rainbow started, not really sure how to ask the question as the two mares began their trot in the direction of sweet apple acres, their next stop.

"Yes?" Rarity pressed.

"Are Lyra and Bon Bon, like, a thing?" Rainbow asked, the interaction with the two mares was a strange one, the two obviously lived very comfortably together, but showed no concrete signs of being a couple, let alone that they were that way inclined.

Rarity chuckled slightly at the question. "Oh Rainbow, of course not." Dash raised an eyebrow. "At least nobody knows for sure." Rarity reiterated.

"I'm sure if anyone knew you would." Said Rainbow, matter of factly.

"And why is that?" Rarity asked perplexed.

"Because you're a gossipy bitch." Rainbow smirked.

Rarity chuckled slightly before smirking back, "Be careful what you say about gossipy bitches, Rainbow Dash. They know you're secrets." The white mare smiled dangerously.

"Touché." The chromatic mare nodded in concurrence before smiling like an idiot. She mused, about how two weeks ago she wouldn't have dared say such a thing to Rarity. But now the banter between them was as if she were talking to Applejack or Gilda.

Rarity's cool.

Rainbow reflected on how she had thought that same thing many times in the past week. 'Rarity's cool'.

She couldn't help it, the more time she spent with the mare, the more she realized how much time she had wasted by not spending it with her in the past.

Rainbow felt guilty.

Guilty that she hadn't spent any real time with Rarity before. Guilty that it had taken two years to get passed her perception of her, built only on a first impression.

I guess I've been a pretty shitty friend...

She thought back over the time she had known the unicorn, in that time she had spent plenty of time with Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, but no real time with Rarity, the only time she had spent with Rarity was when the others were around too.

A really shitty friend.

The two walked in relative silence for a time, but before they got halfway through town Rainbow piped up again. "Do we really wanna walk all the way to the Acres? We can always go tomorrow." Dash reasoned. "We'll have to go problem hunting again tomorrow anyway."

Rarity couldn't deny; Rainbow was right. Sweet Apple Acres was a long walk. If they turned left they could just go home, if they went straight ahead it was a long walk there and long walk back again. And it was cold, and way past any reasonable time to have lunch.

The alabaster mare let out a sigh.

There is always tomorrow.

"Yeah, okay. But we have to ask more people tomorrow than we did today." The white mare bargained for a clear conscious.

"I dont even know anybody else in Ponyville." Rainbow scratched the back of her head. "Didn't we already come to the conclusion that me getting my house back is what the map is trying to get us to do?"

"I said it was possible. But as long as we're not sure we still have to ask around, according to Twilight." Element of harmony obligations somehow seemed less thrilling than they had two years ago. Two years ago they were fighting monsters and saving lives.

Now they were saving buildings. The unicorn let out another sigh.

It was a short walk to the boutique, before they knew it the two were in the door and Rarity was re-lighting the fire.

"Imma' go make some coco. You want one?" Dash said as she practically pranced into the kitchen.

"No thank you." Rarity replied with a polite smile as she focused her magic into a super hot spark, sending the half burned logs in the fireplace alight instantaneously. Rainbow disappeared into the kitchen and returned soon after lowering herself to lay beside Rarity in front of the fireplace; a hot mug of dark coco in her hooves.

The two sat just watching the fire for a time, content to just listening to the crackling and popping. 

Content for a time, anyway.

"How old are you. Rainbow Dash?" Rarity threw completely out of left field.

"Huh?" Dash blinked.

"How old are you?" The unicorn re-iterated.

"Twenty. Why?" The pegasus raised an eyebrow.

"Huh." Rarity looked back to the fire.

Dash looked on for a moment, silently asking where the question had come from. She didn't get an answer. "Why is that?" She pressed.

"Oh it's just you said this morning you were seventeen when the mayor caught you kissing your girlfriend." Rarity telekinetically lifted another log onto the fire. "It made me realize I didn't know how old you are."

"Okay." Dash nodded slowly. "How old are you?"

"Twenty."

"Really? When's your birthday?" A smile graced Rainbows features as she adjusted her position to lay on her side.

"Twenty first of January." Rarity looked away.

"Really?" Rainbows eyebrow shot up. "The big Twenty one, huh."

"No, well, I mean I turn twenty on the twenty first of January." Rarity explained.

"Wait, you're nineteen? Why'd you say you were twenty?" Rainbow pointed a hoof in accusation. "And also, you're nineteen!?"

Rarity Rolled her eyes. "Rainbow, my birthday is less than a month away, I'm practically twenty; and what do you mean by 'you're nineteen?'."

"Well I mean, its like," Rainbow stumbled over her words.  "You don't seem nineteen, you're the most mature pony I know, pretty much." Rainbow squinted. "And you drink wine! What Nineteen year old do you know that drinks wine? What are you thirty-five and divorced?"

"Well how old did you think I was?" Rarity shot back with an eyebrow raised. "And I like wine!"

Dash's thoughts sparked up at that. 

Its a trap, don't say anything stupid.

"I don't know, like Twenty-one? Twenty-two maybe?" Rainbow said carefully. "You're just way too mature to be nineteen."

The white mare ruminated on that for a moment. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"It is a compliment." Rainbow finished, noticing the vague mirth on Rarity's features.

Phew.

"How do you own a house at nineteen." Rainbow asked, genuinely intrigued.

"I pay rent, Rainbow Dash." Rarity poked at the fire with her magic. That didn't really answer Rainbows question. 

How did she get a rental bond at nineteen?

Dash remembered Rarity had lived in the boutique the entire time she had known the mare.

Fucking seventeen? That cant be right.

She decided not to ask how.

For a time, the two mares sat in front if the fire, staring into the crackling maw, neither saying or doing anything. Rainbow was still having a hard time believing Rarity's age, and it made her wonder how old the other elements were.

How do I not know how old my friends are?

...

I guess I am a bad friend...

The two once more fell into silence as Rainbow got lost in thought. Rarity was trying to think of something to entertain her as she grew more and more restless.

A sinister voice entered her mind.

I know something I can do.

...

Is now really the time?

Rarity thought about that for a moment. It's not like the two were doing anything, Rarity didn't have any commissions and Rainbow wasn't at work for another day. The only other thing they could do was to go back out looking for friendship problems, but the idea made Rarity cold shudder. They would continue that tomorrow.

No time like the present, I suppose.

Just as the quiet was settling, the hum of Rarity's horn resonated in the room. Rainbow watched with a slack jaw as her mug of coco was floated the small distance to Rarity's lips. The white mare took a gentle sip before levitating it back to the blue mare's hooves.

"Excuse me?" Rainbow asked. Of course, she didn't really mind.

"Hmm?" Rarity turned her head, her expression read 'whatever is the matter?'. There was a small chocolaty mark on the unicorns upper lip. Dash smirked when she noticed.

"You've got some.." Rainbow gestured to her lips. Rarity chuckled a little, this sort of thing happened often, what with Rarity's snow white coat. Of course this time it was on purpose.

"Could you get that for me, darling." Rarity's eyes softened in a sultry gaze.

Rarity's attempt at flirting went right over Rainbows head. The chromatic mare blinked and reached a hoof up to Rarity's lips. Rarity swatted the hoof out of the way. "Not like that, you goose."

"Who you callin' a goos- OH!" Rainbows eyes widened before a blush spread across her face. "Sorry."

Rarity leaned over. "C'mere." She pushed forward, connecting the two mares lips, Rainbows eyes went wide again, not expecting the contact. Only one thought went through Rarity's mind at that point.

Finally. 

It was a slow kiss, Rarity wasn't bold enough to let her tongue wander and Rainbow was too shocked. Before long the kiss broke and Rainbow stared wide eyed into Rarity's blue orbs.

Rainbow knew that would happen at some point, what with their new... arrangement. She hardly expected so soon. 

She glanced down at the mares lips, the chocolaty mark was still partially there; the kiss had done almost nothing to remove it. Suddenly the weight of what had just happened bore down on the Rainbow manes mare.

I just kissed Rarity.

Dash had known this mare for two years, but only started getting to know her in the last week. A month ago, the thought of kissing Rarity was nothing more than a vague fantasy, and only a very occasional and fleeting one at that.

But here she sat.

"Rainbow, are you alright?" Rarity's asked, a concerned expression now on her features.

Dash shook her head wildly, dislocating the train of thought that had crashed and burned. "Yeah I mean," Rainbow eyes fell once again to the dark brown mark. "Hang on."

Dash licked the back of her hoof, making sure her fetlock was just wet enough, putting one hoof under Rarity's chin she reached across and gently wiped away the coco.

The unicorn let out a giggle. "Who are you, my mother?"

Dash smiled as she looked down, embarrassed as she realized how dorky that was. "Sorry."

Neither said anything for a moment, both had a light dusting of pink on their muzzles as they looked in other directions.

"Soo~." Rainbow said, trying to crack the tension.

"Mmhm." Rarity concluded.

...

You could hear a pin drop in the boutique.

"I mean-" Rainbow tried.

"We could-" The two cut each other off.

"You first."

"Go on."

Again, the two spoke at the same time. They both let out sighs.

Rarity eventually broke the awkward atmosphere. "What do you think?"

Dash looked back to Rarity. "Think about what?" She blinked.

"Well," Rarity made a motion with a hoof as she moved in again. "Do you wanna do it again?"

Dash's thoughts roamed.

Well yeah, that was fun.

Course it was, kissing is fun.

Dash's mind couldn't stay savory forever, in an instant, her horrid thoughts were back.

You're a fucking idiot.

Dash knew she was going to have to deal with her doubts at some stage, her anxious mind pushing her to stop and reconsider. Somewhere inside her brain Rainbow knew, it was already too late. The best she could do was ignore her brain and try to enjoy herself.

I just want to enjoy this.

Rainbow very slowly and very subtly licked the inside of her lips. She tasted lip balm but she couldn't figure out what flavor. Cherry? Raspberry?

Fuck yeah I wanna do that again.

Idiot.

Dash looked Rarity in the eye as a smile crept upon her features. "Yeah. Okay." Rainbow slowly moved forward, Rarity mimicked the motion.
The kiss was slower, more calculated, more in tune to their comforts. Rarity wanted to test the waters, experiment with the kiss. Her tongue very slowly pushed passed her own lips and gently flicked against Rainbows.

Rainbows eyes widened when she felt the gentle pressure of the muscle on her lips.

Stop it you fucking moron!

A soft voice in her mind responded with two words.

Ignore it.

Dash slowly opened her mouth, allowing the offending tongue passage. She couldn't help but let out a very subtle involuntary moan as Rarity's wandering tongue licked behind her teeth, she could feel Rarity's mouth curl into a smile at the sound.

The white mare gently drew a breath through her nose as the kiss lingered, she could feel every fibre of her coat at the long awaited contact. She didn't want this to end, she refused to.

Very slowly and cautiously, the white mare moved in, pushing Rainbow further onto her side, practically on her back as she slid her hooves underneath Rainbows wings. Dash's eyes went wide.

Woah! Okay! Wasnt expectin-

Dash let out another involuntary squeak as Rarity's hooves gently caressed the underside of her wing joint.

I think Rarity night be a bit-

She couldn't finish the thought. Rarity marveled at the feeling of Dash's hidden coat, all of a sudden she totally understood why it was an intimate area for pegasai. It was amazingly soft. Like a foals coat but much thicker, it reminded Rarity of her pink dress robe, except warm and breathing.

Another thought zipped through Rainbows mind.

You're an idiot.

Ignore it.

Dash could hardly hear the voice, she was too engulfed by this feeling, engulfed by Rarity. Part of her brain was still trying to catch up.

When the fuck did this happen?

I mean, I'm not protesting but some warning wouldn't go astray.

The kiss grew deeper, but finally Rarity broke it. She needed to breathe. Rarity felt something well up inside her, like her stomach was sinking, and her head was getting lighter. She could feel a familiar warmth spread throughout her.

Dash looked up at the mare, panting from the prolonged oxygen deprivation. 

Hopeless.

It was too distant for Rainbow to care, too quiet and irrelevant.

Ignore it.

Rarity was well and truly atop her now, her hind legs straddling Rainbows lower torso as she looked down into her eyes as she too panted for breath.

Rarity's mind was reeling.

I have waited far too long to do that.

She could recall the other day, Tuesday, when Rainbow Dash had walked in on her when she thought she was alone. She remembered what she was deprived of, reminded of what she wanted. Dash looked up at Rarity with her eyes wide, a soft pant escaping her lips, she wanted this too. A final thought broke through Rarity's clouded mind before she did what she so craved.

Oh, fuck it.

Rarity pushed forward again, connecting the two mare's lips in a messy, heavy kiss. She continued her soft, gentle stroking of Rainbows underwings as Rainbow was once again caught off guard by the action, but in no way resisting it. The thoughts that were pestering Dash were no longer audible within the blue mare's mind; her brain had other things to focus on.

The kiss deepened as Rainbow felt herself much in the same mindset as Rarity. A warmth spreading throughout her. But Rainbow was having enough of being pinned like this.

If we're gonna do this, I'm not being pinned down.

Rarity felt a strong feathery appendage on her side as a hoof pushed against her shoulder, with amazing strength and grace, Rainbow flipped Rarity and rolled on top of her, pinning the unicorn on her back. Rarity let out a playful squeal and giggled as she marveled at just how strong Dash really was. She knew the display was nothing of the chromatic mares potential, the fact just made it even more exiting.

Then, with amazing dexterity, Rainbow stretched a wing up to Rarity's horn and ticked its base with a single primary feather, resuming her lip lock with the white mare. Rainbow could feel the vibrations on her tongue from the throaty moan that Rarity let out.

She finally pulled away from Rarity's lips as her wingtip continued to caress the unicorns horn, Rarity's mouth now free to make all kinds of adorable squeaks. Her mouth moved down, gently kissing the unicorns neck, giving the occasional nibble.

The horn was a distraction, a red herring to distract and build Rarity's excitement, Rainbow had bigger plans. A blue hoof very gently and slowly glided down Rarity's chest.

Dash was sure, somewhere her mind was screaming at her, but she couldn't care less at this point, she wanted this, this would make her happy. She wanted it so badly. 

A strange thought wormed its way into her mind, but the pegasus quickly dismissed it, she was too preoccupied to humor the frivolous brainwave.

How long has it been since I've done this? 

Dash quickly dismissed it.

Her hoof continued down as her kissing and horn rubbing continued, Rarity continuing her soft gasps and moans as if the pleasure came to her in waves. Finally Rainbows hoof came to rest on the inside of Rarity's thigh. Her kissing stopped, as did the horn tickling. She looked down into Rarity's eyes, the white mare seemed confused as to why Rainbow had stopped.

Rainbow silently asked a question, not moving a muscle in her face she waited. Waited for a reply she knew Rarity would give her one way or another.

After a tiny moment that seemed drag out forever, Rarity groaned out of frustration, her eyes pleaded with the blue mare. She bucked her hips upward with another groan.

Dash smiled as her question was answered.

Giving in she slowly pressed her hoof to Rarity, moving back in to kiss and nick at her neck once more, she could feel her hoof getting more and more slick every second. Rarity bucked her hips again, grinding herself against Rainbow's hoof. Dash grinned as she slowly rubbed circles over Rarity's cunt, slowly making the motion more intense and the circles tighter.

Rarity's abdominal muscles flexed hard as all the air was taken from her lungs. Her hidden clit had winked against Dash's slick hoof, forcing a lung emptying jolt to flow through her. As soon as the shock had passed Rarity giggled like a bell, her body overstimulated. The only thing that felt wrong at that moment was letting Rainbow do all the work; she needed to give back.

Rarity slowly glided a hoof down Rainbow Dash's belly while the other focused on stroking under Rainbow's wing. Rainbow had gone back to kissing Rarity, delighting the mare with another tongue wrestle. Rarity's hoof wandered until she felt the hard steel of Rainbow's piercings, her tiny nipples were almost as hard as the horizontal steel bars that penetrated them; she didn't even notice that her horn was no longer getting any attention, she was too caught up with other things to care about that. Rarity, moved to push her hoof lower, slowly teasing Rainbow, the same as Rainbow had tested her. Finally she pushed her hoof a little farther.

Then the door opened.

The familiar bell chimed as Rarity felt Rainbow roll off her as fast as bolt of lightning. Panic welled up inside her as she too rolled back onto her stomach at amazing speed.

For a time, everything seemed so slow, like someone had turned the timing of the world way down and for a split second, no sounds could be heard. Rarity tucked her tail beneath her as she looked to Rainbow Dash. The pegasus looked perfectly normal, lying on her stomach with a fore hoof tucked underneath her. Rarity could guess which one. 

Her expression was neutral as she gazed into the fire that crackled in front of them. The unicorn noted a hint of annoyance but aside from that, Rainbow almost looked bored.

Then in what must have been a second but seemed like a day, Rarity could hear again.

"So anyways I says to Twist, I says" The familiar drawl of Applebloom filled their ears, the filly was facing the others, trotting backwards to talk to the other crusaders' faces.  "I don't even like peppermint. I don't think I've ever seen her so offended." Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom turned and spotted Rarity and Rainbow Dash, sitting in front of the fire. "Oh hey Rarity, Hi Rainbow Dash."

The unicorns mind strained.

Shit, what do I say?

Did they see us?

One of them must have seen us.

We're fucked!

Her eyes quickly swept the room, thankfully, all the curtains were shut. The only way anyone could have seen them was if they were to walk through the door.

The fucking door! Urgh!

Rarity could feel her thundering heart beat.

I still have to say something.

Maybe they didn't notice.

"Huh?" Rarity's mouth wasn't working properly.

"Oh hi guys!" Rainbow said. Rarity looked at the pegasus, the blue mare was cool and collected, or at least she gave off that vibe.
What went on internally was a different story, Rainbows mind was a mess.

For fucks sakes.

Not only couldn't you help yourself from fucking Rarity, you couldn't even lock the door.

Stupid!

You're stupid!

Stupid! Stupid!

Rainbow winced at the thoughts. She tried to slow her heartbeat and focus on making sure everything was cool, she just need to stay calm.

Okay, okay, no sweat, just gotta pretend everything is normal and hope none of them saw anything.

Just pretend?

Just pretend you weren't fucking in front of children?

Fucking fantastic plan!

Dash was sweating bullets as she tried her best to ignore her brain. The soft voice from earlier returned.

Ignore it. 

Keep calm.

"So what have you guys been up to?" Asked Scootaloo, as Sweetie Belle trotted over to give her sister a quick nuzzle. Rarity's body was on auto pilot as she returned it, she didn't even look at her little sister, just stared off into space. The question answered something for Rainbow Dash and Rarity, the two shared a look as realisation bloomed in Rarity's mind.

Maybe they didn't see anything.

Maybe we got away with it.

"Oh you know, not much." Rarity lied through her teeth, finally regaining some semblance of self control. "I've been toying with designs of a slouch beanie for Rainbow Dash." The unicorn was grasping at anything she could to open a irrelevant topic, there was a waver in her voice, slight but there..

"A slouch beanie?" Applebloom asked.

"Like what Twists mom wears." Sweetie Belle filled her in. Applebloom's mouth made a little 'o'.

Rainbow needed to get up, get moving, there was too much adrenaline going through her brain mixing with her toxic thoughts. She needed to take some action.

Rainbow Dash sprang to her hooves. "Who wants Coco?!"

The three oblivious fillies all answered at the same time, the answer was obvious. The three girls followed Rainbow Dash into the kitchen. Rainbow washed her hooves thoroughly before she touched a saucepan.

Rarity sat in front of the fireplace watching the four disappear into the kitchen, it dawned on her soon after what an opportunity she was provided. What Rainbow had done for her.

Slowly, the alabaster mare stood up, ran a hoof over her mane and with a huff, composed herself.

Then she bolted to the bathroom.





* * * * * * 





Things had cooled down at Carousel boutique, Rarity trotted down the stairs with a towel on her head, hoping that she and Rainbow were in the clear. From the sounds of the chit chat, it seemed they had taken quick enough action to avoid being seen.

A sigh escaped the unicorns lips as she rounded into the kitchen.

"I dunno Rainbow Dash, a slouch beanie might make you look like a hipster." Scootaloo said before sipping her coco with a sly grin on her face.

"Pfft. Will not, I can make anything cool." Dash waved off the young pegasus with a hoof, a hoof that practically sparkled with how well she washed it.

Applebloom's head turned toward the door as Rarity entered, a confused look on her face. "Why did you take a shower juss now?"

"Uhh." Rarity's mind was drawing a blank. "I just had to-"

"Rarity takes showers all the time," Sweetie Belle perked up. "Like three or four a day."

The white mare internally thanked her little sister for unknowingly saving her hide. 'Four a day' was a tad of an exaggeration, but Rarity wasn't going to argue against it. Not now.

Saved by the Belle.

Ha!

"Clean freak." Rainbow agreed, chocolate on her lips. The three fillies chuckled in response.

Rarity ignored the banter and looked to Rainbow, the alabaster mare raised an eyebrow, silently asking Dash a question. Rainbow just nodded with.

They hadn't been seen. They had gotten away with it. A huge sense of Joy replaced the dread within the mare. She felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her back

Way too close.

Rarity studied Rainbows face as the three fillies chatted to each other. There was something in Rainbows smile, its wasn't as if the smile wasn't genuine, but it held something Rarity couldn't quite put her hoof on. Rainbow looked stressed to say the least, she was obviously deep in thought.

"So anyway, have you guys been having any problems? Friendship problems maybe?" Rainbow piped up, eager to once again change the subject; there was a lot of that going around.

The three fillies looked deep in thought for a moment, before Applebloom answered. "Hmm, nope. Why's that?"

Rarity and Rainbow sighed. "The map has tasked us with searching Ponyville for friendship problems." Rarity answered.

A chorus of "Ahh" came back at them. "All our friends are pretty happy, what with winter break, I don't know anybody who could be having any friendship problems." Sweetie Belle offered her two cents.

"And what about Big Mac? Or granny Smith?" Rainbow asked Applebloom.

"Or Mum and Dad?" Rarity asked Sweetie Belle.

"Or your parents, Scoots?" Rainbow asked, continuing the volley of questions.

Three fillies looked to each other then shook their heads, nobody they knew had any friendship problems, at least none that they knew of.

Rarity and Rainbow sighed in response. "Oh well, that's good then." The white mare nodded. It was good that nobody had any friendship problems, but a darker, more sour part of her brain was a little disappointed. They would have to continue their search.

The five ponies talked for a while, spoke of current affairs in Ponyville, not a one having any semblance of a 'friendship problem' however. 
By the time the three fillies left the boutique the sun had set, the clock in the kitchen showed six thirty. Rarity scrunched up her muzzle at the clock.

What time did we get home?

What time did we-

did the crusaders get here?

The white mare shook her head, the day had passed so quickly.

Rainbow once more lay down in front of the fire, Rarity wandering to join her. They sat in silence for a time before Rainbow spoke up. "What good timing that was." The Rainbow maned pegasus said, addressing exactly what was on both of their minds.

"Ugh, I know." Rarity was turning red just thinking about it. "At least none of them saw us."

Rainbow smirked. "Or heard us."

"Oh c'mon. We weren't that loud." Rarity looked sure of herself.

"We weren't," Rainbow pointed a hoof at Rarity. "You were." The pegasus was trying to hold back giggles.

"What do you mean?" The white mare looked a touch offended.

"You moan like a virgin, Rarity." Dash giggled.

"I'll have you know that was my first time with a girl... or at least would have been." Rarity said, trying not to smile.

"Really?" Dash asked, suddenly, she didn't know why, but she felt a little bad. "Shoulda told me."

"Oh Rainbow its not that big of a deal." Rarity said as she leaned over and gave Rainbow a nuzzle, trying to re-light the fire that burned within the two before they were interrupted.

"Hmm." Rainbow said, it seemed as if she didn't even notice the contact. Rarity let out a small huff, just small enough that Rainbow didn't notice that either. Dash glanced at the clock above Rarity's sewing desk, it was nearing the time she would have to leave if she wanted to get to The Twelve String on time. She hadn't forgotten.

"Oh snap, Rarity. I gotta go." Dash said as she stood and trotted toward the stairs.

"Gotta go where?" Rarity asked, a hint of hurt in her voice. She was looking forward to spending some time with Rainbow. Not necessarily anything sexual, but still, time with the mare.

"I'm meeting my co-workers at The Twelve String tonite." Dash replied as she trotted up the stairs. Rarity rose to follow her, a little confused.

"The Twelve String? What is that?" The unicorn asked ash she followed Rainbow into the bathroom.

"Its a bar in Cloudsdale." Dash said she applied toothpaste to her toothbrush. "Didn't I tell you? I thought I did."

Rarity thought back. She honestly wouldn't remember anything about Dash going to the bar. "No, I dont think so." Rarity spoke with an air of confusion.

"Oh, well sorry." Dash said as she started to brush her teeth, the words that followed her muffled, what with her mouth being full of toothpaste. "I'll be ack oon, I'm too oor to hang around and uy rinks."

Rarity sort of understood the garbled nonsence. "Oh," Rarity slumped to the floor. "Well that sucks."

Dash spat a gob of foam into the sink. "Why?" Confusion drawing on her features.

"Oh," Was all Rarity could get out, she tried to think of something to say, but she really didn't know why she wanted Dash to stay. It wasn't about sex, she just, didn't want to be alone. "I dont know."

"I wont be gone long rarity," Dash spoke as she very carefully applied the lightest touches of makeup. Mascara was about as far as she went. "Like I said, I'm too poor to do any real drinking, so I'll be back soon."

Rarity nodded before standing. "Well," The unicorn ran a hoof over her mane. "If im in bed by the time you get back, dont be afraid to join me." The unicorn coughed into her hoof. "It'll be cold, is all."

Uh oh.

The thought echoed through Rainbows mind.

Heading toward relationship territory. Back out slowly, Dash.

"Oh- okay." Dash stumbled  over her words, not quite sure what how to respond, her mouth worked before her brain.

Fucking moron.

Dash internally winced.

Ignore it.

"Alright," Dash ran a hoof over her mane one last time as she trotted toward the bathroom door. "I better be off."

"Okay, well, you have a good night, Rainbow." The unicorn said as she followed Dash, she wasn't smiling.

"I'll try." Dash said as she opened the front door. A blast of cold air hit her, forcing her to slam the door shut. She floated over to where her jumper was draped over the couch. "I might take this." Dash said sheepishly as she slipped into the sweater, bracing herself for the cold.

The pegasus once more opened the door, and just like that, Rarity was alone.

The sound of the crackling fire was only occasionally interrupted by the whistling winter wind outside, when there was no other noise, it almost seemed loud. But in a stark contrast to the last week, to Rarity, the boutique was almost silent.

She trotted over to the fireplace, looking to the carpet in front of it the hearth. She could see the outlines of two ponies depressed into the shaggy surface.

This was what the boutique was always like, she mused.

It was always this quiet, it was the same boutique she had lived in two weeks ago.

But was it always this lonely?




* * * * * *




> Saturday (Part Two)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

  

Condensation formed at the tips of Rainbow Dash's primary feathers, forming a spiraling helix of white water vapor almost vertically into the sky as she twisted upward through the cloud layer. If it weren't for the darkness and the backdrop of dark grey cloud cover, it would have been an impressive sight. Rainbow Dash didn't care that nobody would see it; she was going fast. It had been a long time since she really went fast. 

The last time she had gone fast like this the mayor had tried to villanize her; turns out being an element of harmony was a good excuse to use as an out for trouble; It was one of the few things Rainbow Dash liked about being an element. Being an element of harmony had gotten stale over the last two years; Solving street corner stage plays and rescuing buildings wasn't why she was an element. Rainbow knew it was unhealthy to hold back and hide who she was, but if the price was destroying the elements of harmony, what could she do? 

Dash imagined a contract. 'To be an element of harmony you must:' Then the contract would list all the great things being an element; all the glory and fame. Being revered as a hero and being loved and known as a savior not only of the country, but of the planet numerous times over. 

But there was fine print.  

'Agreeing to become an element of harmony may involve saving old, past their prime buildings, helping people buy others birthday presents and hours of unpaid manual labor. Warning: becoming an element of Harmony may cause complete inability of self expression, spiritual or sexual freedom. Elements will receive no holidays or medical leave, and are effectively on call for Equestria. Signing below proves you agree to these conditions.' 

A looming white blur, that vaguely resembled a huge pony hoofed a quill across a large equally blurry desk, the quill coming into focus as it rested next to the contract. Rainbow Dash picked up the quill and paused, thinking for a moment. 

She looked to the dotted line at the bottom of the contract. 'Sign here.' 

Rainbow thought about it, a white unicorn, a grey Pegasus. A Sad blue mare briefly flashed through her mind, her features blurred in time. 

Rainbow slowly moved her quill to the page, but halted, not even centimeter above the contract. 

           	     No. 

                No thank you. 

                I'm not the right pony. 

Dash pulled her quill away, placing it gently next to the parchment. In a polite, resigning voice she spoke. "I'm sorry, I just don't think this is for me. Thank you for the opportunity." Her voice was heavily distorted, as if she were underwater. Rainbow Dash gave a polite smile as she stood from the blurry, dark desk.

The pegasus punched through a cloud layer that within seconds sealed itself, she could hear drums and electric guitar muffled and distorted though the doors of the bar she had landed outside. Not even seven O'clock and she already spotted more than one pony too drunk to walk straight, milling about outside the Twelve string. Ponies were smoking outside the doors, a couple in the darkness were engaging in a heavy tongue wrestle, and from the way they were holding each other, perhaps more. 

Saturday was a big night for the Twelve string. 

"Oh hey Dash." Came the familiarly unfamiliar voice of Dust Devil, Rainbow Turned. 

"Dusty," She smiled. "What's going on?" 

"Oh you know this and that." Said the brown mare as two more ponies landed in the darkness further back on the cloud floor. "Stormy and Scott should be here soon." Like magic, Stormwalker and Great Scott trotted out of the darkness. 

"Sup." Stormwalker said coolly as she dropped her cigarette onto he cloud layer, letting the moisture fizzle it out. Her cool smile seemed to linger on Rainbow Dash. 

She is pretty. 

As the others began to talk amongst themselves, Rainbow zoned out, taking in Stormwalker. She had to admit -to herself- she was pretty, and her body was a little beyond that. Rainbow figured that if it weren't for her smoking she and her would probably make a good match. But smoking was a small detail Rainbow could overlook for the time being, it if it meant she got to look over Stormy. 

Its the confidence. 

Rainbow sighed as she imagined flying through the clouds with the mare, dodging and weaving through the sky, the cool air on her coat and the smile on Stormwalkers face. That cocky smile that said 'race ya', but would inevitably turn to one of 'I'll getcha next time'. Rainbow was faster, after all. 

                Then again, I really don't know anything about her… 

You're also an element. 

Rainbow held back a sigh as her mind began to rattle. 

You're an element, so you're in the closet for this ride. 

I cant stay in the closet forever. 

And if it breaks your friendships? What about the Elements of harmony? What's more important, You? Or the Elements of Harmony. You or Equestria? 

Im already out of the closet anyway... Kinda 

You're still as closeted as you were a month ago, telling one more pony isn't 'out of the closet'. It's just one bad decision. 

"Dash?" Rainbows ears perked up at her name, she looked to Stormwalker, Scott and Dusty were already heading inside. "You comin'?" 

Dash shook her head, shoving the thoughts to the corners of her mind.  "Yeah, sorry." Dash smiled sheepishly as she followed the gunmetal mare. 

Rainbow Dash stood from the desk, pushing it away. "Ow." Came her wavering, detached voice. The pegasus looked at her hoof, a small paper cut just below her hoof nail was slowly beading with blood. She moved the hoof back to get a closer look but the action disrupted the cut. A single drop of blood fell, for a moment, it was all Rainbow could see. It fell for what felt like an eternity before falling silently onto the page. 

'Sign here' 

The fleck spattered as it connected with the paper. "No, wait!" Rainbow reached out to grasp the paper, tear it to shreds or burn it; but before she could even touch it was in the hooves of the huge blurry pony. "I didn’t mea-!" Rainbow tried, her garbled voice was cut off by a deep, twisted voice. 

It sounded as if ten ponies were talking all at once, each of them at different pitches and accents. 

No, not quite ten.  

"Don't worry, It’s only for life." Came the dark, broken voices, working together to make one sound. 

"Dash!" 

"Huh!?" Rainbow looked up, they had walked through the door of the twelve string. Rainbow was all of a sudden aware how loud it was, the band on stage playing a rock song Rainbow could swear she had heard before and the din of ponies talking and laughing was extremely polarizing from the relative peacefulness of outside. 

"You okay, hon?" Stormy asked as she gently steadied Rainbow with a wing. A warm wing, Rainbow Dash mentally noted. "You’re all over the place tonight." 

Dash closed her eyes tightly, trying to dispel the bizarre daydream and the thoughts that were rapidly pushing for attention in her brain. "Yeah sorry," Rainbow smiled at Stormy. "I guess I’m tired." 

"That's not the attitude." Stormy said as she gave an exited smile "Sleeping's for later, now's for drinking!" 

Her smile was infectious, Rainbow knew she couldn't spend much, she wasn't sure if she'd been paid yet, after all. But she could definitely have a few drinks and have some fun. Somehow she was having trouble forgetting about the daydream she had just had. For a moment, a tiny moment, Rainbow reflected. 

                I never got a choice. 

Her smile faltered once more, she saw Stormwalker tilt her head to the side worry falling back to the grey mares features. Dash once more pushed the thoughts out of her head, she could worry about that later.  

                Stormy's right. Tonight is for fun. 

"So," Rainbow's expression morphed into a cocky grin as she looked to Stormy. "First rounds on you?” 

  

  

  

* * * * * * 

  

  

  

The snow white unicorn rolled onto her back staring at the ceiling. The fire crackled behind her as she thoroughly inspected the ceiling of carousel boutiques main room. Despite the ambient white noise, it was still too quiet, leaving Rarity alone with her thoughts. 

                Why did she look at me like that? 

She recalled, she had invited Dash into her bed and the blue mare looked at her as if she had two heads. 

                I guess it was kind of a weird thing to propose. 

Rarity hadn't invited Dash into her bed regarding anything sexual, as much as the idea exited her. She just thought it a nice gesture, to get the blue mare out of the cold. 

The white mare blew out a huff as she dispelled the thoughts. 

                I just want... 

                What do I want? 

Did she want to have a relationship with Dash? Not that that was possible according to the blue mare, but hypothetically would it work between them? Rarity looked to the future, in five years time, where would they be? Would Rarity own more than one boutique? Would Rainbow Dash be a Wonderbolt? Would they still see each other? 

                Your lonely. 

Rarity rolled over onto her stomach. Her restleess brain feeding her doubt, it was nothing she hadn't thought through before. She had been lonely for a long time.  

The mare continued her train of thought, silently musing and drowning herself, until she couldn't take it anymore. The boutique was too quiet and it was far too easy for the unicorn to over think in silence. There was a reason the gramophone was close to where she worked. Using her magic she gently flicked the device on, but rather than laying the needle down to the vinyl, she pressed and twisted one of the knobs on the front. 

For a long time the Radio enchanted into the gramophone hadn’t worked, but after some gentle persuasion, Rarity had managed to fix it. 

She remembered how much her hoof hurt when she thumped it. 

The mare stood as the crackling interference faded from the stallion’s voice that moved through the room. The disc jockey rambled on for a time about the predicament Sapphire shores had landed herself in - something about a relationship scandal -Rarity hadn’t caught the first half of the article. Canterlots easy listening station was about as much celebrity gossip and advertisements as it was music, but it was noise, something that could stop the white mare from thinking too hard. She trotted to her designing desk and levitated a blank page and stick of charcoal, sketching a mares head. 

She sketched a beanie onto it, focusing hard on how the hair could be worn. She sketched it over and over all from different angles before she finally looked down and let out a breath. Just as the mare was riffling through spools of wool, trying to remember the colour she used on Dash's sweater the stallion on the radio finished his spiel about who Hoity Toity's entourage was at the last ball of nobles, and introduced a new song. 

"-have decided to name their new baby colt, Hogarth. What a name. Alright, well that’s all for celebrity news for now. You're listening to Easy Listening Canterlot and this is one of the newer artists out of Grifinstone, Leroy Crown with Dreaming again. 

Rarity found the spool she was looking for, a light beige, off white to match Rainbows sweater. She didn’t focus on the music as she began knitting, it had always been hard for her to start a knit piece, but soon she fell into a rhythm. The mare wasn’t focusing on the lyrics of the song that played in the background, just enjoying the soft finger-picking of guitar. This certainly was an easy listening station, the song projecting a calm air through the room. 

The song seemed a touch too folky for Rarity’s tastes, but she didn’t mind. Variety is why the Radio existed after all. After a time the gentle deep voice of the griffin pricked Rarity’s interest as the song changed tempo, slowing slightly to a walking pace. There was a certain sadness in the griffins voice as Rarity finally let the lyrics break though her concentration. 



Don't you know I had a dream last night, everything was still. 
You were by my side so soft and warm. 
I dreamed that we were lovers, in the heavy autumn rain. 
But when I woke up, I found, that again; 
I had been dreaming, dreaming again. 


The finger-picking guitar walked again from the horn shaped speaker as Rarity’s action halted - the needles hung in suspension above her desk. 

                That- 

The white mare let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding.  

A shiver ran down her spine as the song slowed to an end, the griffins voice long faded from the song. She wanted to reflect, focus on how uncanny the lyrics were, how convenient and equally painful. A song about dreaming that you were sleeping next to someone, feeling their warmth and their breathing, and waking only to discover that it was just that. A dream. 

It was cruel. Rarity wanted to reflect on how cruel the griffin was for writing such a thing, but at the same time, she knew the song was written of personal experience and couldn’t help but to empathize. 

When it came to being lonely, she wasn’t alone. 

Instead, her head twisted to where the gramophone sat upon its table, and with a purposeful flick of magic, she switched it off. 

  

  


* * * * * * 


  

Rainbow was almost certain that her head and eyes were still, but for some reason the room drifted ever so slightly to the left. 

"Yo, Dash, ya'll 'right?" Dusty asked from across the booth. "You're spacing out." 

"Yeah," Stormwalker cleared her throat. "You've been doing that a lot tonight, you feeling okay?" 

Dash looked up, suddenly brought back to reality, she looked across the table to Dusty and Great Scott, then to her left to Stormwalker. "Yeah." Dash gave a surly smile. "I'm a little pissed." 

Expressions of worry morphed into smiles and laughter at her comment. Rainbow wasn't what she would call 'pissed', but she was certainly on the right track. 

"How many have you had?" Scott laughed. 

Rainbow creased her brow, focusing was made difficult what with all the dancing ponies and loud music. "Umm. Four? I think? Five maybe." Rainbow smiled. 

"Geez Dash, I'd have picked you for someone who could hold their liquor?" Stormy teased, a grin plastered on her face. 

"What are you talking about? Im fine, just, you know." Rainbow held her hooves centimetres apart over the tabletop. "A little bit pissed." A chorus of chuckling was her response. “What?” As the laughter continued a Shudder overwhelmed everyone at the the booth, their bodies taken by the thumping beat the music had changed to.  

All eyes were on the stage, where a DJ had set up and had taken control in the hope to get everyone moving. “Ohh, snap” Stormwalker laughed, “Time to dance, c’mon Dash.” 

Rainbow felt her cheeks get hot at the proclamation. “Uhh I don’t know, Dancing really isn’t my thing.” 

“Sure it is,” Stormy didn’t care. “C’mon, let’s go.” Stormwalker leaned across the table, and with a suave glide, snatched Rainbow Dash’s hoof and pulled her from her seat.




* * * * * * *  


  

Twilight, would you chill out.” 

Twilight moved her hooves around the map table, her horn glowing as the image of Ponyville grew, the alicorn focused on the two floating cutie marks hovering above carousel boutique. 

“Go to bed, Spike, Its past your bedtime.” Twilight answered, there were bags under the eyes of the purple mare, her mane was a mess and her face unwashed. Clearly she was stressed about something. 

“Its past yours too.” Spike cocked an eyebrow. “Why is this so important anyway? So what. The map had you save a building. Hooray!” 

“But that’s just it Spike. We’re the elements of harmony! We banish evil spirits and destroy chaos at its source. We don’t save buildings! That’s what a city council does, and clearly they didn’t want to save it! Who cares about some old building?” The words left Twilights mouth faster than she could think them through. 

“Twilight! Where the hell is this coming from?” Spike reeled. “I thought you cared.” 

“Ugh.” Twilight let out a heavy sigh as her face gently met the table as the mare deflated. “I didn’t mean that Spike. I do care, but why the elements of harmony?” 

“Who else?” The dragon put a hand on the mares shoulder to comfort her. The comment seemed to quell some of the alicorns frustration. “But what does this have to do with Rarity and Rainbow Dash?” Spike asked, looking to the map, the minimalised images of Rarity and Rainbow Dash spun together gently atop the roof of carousel boutique. 

Twilight let out another sigh. “I don’t know.” Twilight paused. “I cant help but feel as though it was all part of one single problem.” 

“What, like they were supposed to come with you to Vanhoover?” 

“No. Well. Maybe. Urgh!” Twilight’s horn flashed and the map disappeared, showing the grey slate of the table. “Why haven’t they found their problem yet?” 

Spike shrugged as he walked away from the mare, a smokey yawn coming from the little dragon. “Well I know they’ve been looking. I saw them asking people in the street, not that it matters; its Ponyville, there are what? Less than a thousand ponies living here? If someone had a problem they’d know about it by now.” 

The statement gave pause the the purple mare, lifting her head off her desk, her horn glowed once more. The map springing back to life. With a critical eye the mare inspected the two cutie marks. Hovering directly above carousel boutique. 

“Spike, do you remember when I first found out we needed to go to Vanhoover? Twilight asked, her tone serious as could be. 

“Uh kinda, why?” The dragon looked perplexed. 

“Do you remember where our cutie marks were?” Twilights eyes narrowed as she moved the map around once more, enlarging the image of Carousel boutique until the building took up the grand majority of the table. The cutie marks remained directly above the building. 

“Yeah, over Vanhoover, why?” 

“Not over any building in particular?” Twilights eyes widened as she suspected the answer. 

Spike thought for a moment, rubbing his chin. “Hmm, nope, I remember it because you said ‘how are we supposed to isolate one single problem in Vanhoover’ and then you went on about how big the city was an-“ 

“So how come Rarity and Rainbow Dash’s cutie marks are so isolated above the boutique?” It wasn’t a question. Twilight knew the answer. 

Spike looked to the map, noticing how close Twilight had gotten to the boutique and how small the cutie marks still were. “Huh. That’s weird.” 

“No spike.” Twilight sat up straight as the clouds in her mind parted. “We weren’t supposed ot go to Vanhoover to save a building.” Spike cocked an eyebrow. “We went to Vanhoover because the map wanted us to get out of town.” 

Spike squinted slightly as he thought about that. “What? Why?” 

“The map needed us to get out of town so Rainbow Dash only had one place to turn, drawing them closer, Vanhoover was a red herring, Rarity and Rainbow Dash’s friendship problem isn’t one they have to look for, its their own.” 

“But Rarity and Rainbow Dash are closer than ever, you said so yourself. Unless their right and Rainbows house being condemned is why they’re on the map. After all, you just had to save a building in Vanhoover, maybe they need to save one here.” Spike reasoned, trying to calm Twilight enough to get her to go to bed. 

Twilight let out one final sigh, doubt weighing heavily on her mind. “I hope you’re right spike.” 

  

* * * * * * *  



Rainbow Dash danced to the thumping musical din on the dancefloor, soon after the live music had finished Stormwalker had convinced her, along with dusty and Scott to dance to the thumping electronic beat. Rainbow Dash didn't know how long she had been dancing, but she knew she was getting sore.

Ponies danced and jumped and grinded all around them, it was easy to tell what ponies were drunk and what ponies were on drugs. More than a couple ponies were covered in glow rings and necklaces cutting shaped with their front hooves and wings, throwing their heads back as the let the beat take over their bodies. Glow in the dark limbs cutting shapes through the darkness everywhere.

Rainbows party was on the former side, bumping and grinding with very little coordination or skill as the track died down, only to be smoothly transitioned into another EDM trackwith the same beat. 

Dash was drunk, well and truly at this point. She was certain that she told Stormy she wouldn’t be out too late but the night was heading on eleven. She’d had a good time, genuinely. The thought of going out with work colleagues to a bar had originally sounded less than over exiting for the mare, thankfully she had proved herself wrong. 

“Yo Dash!” Rainbow felt herself shudder as a soft mare bumped sides with her. Rainbow turned to face Stormy as she looked off somewhere in delight. “Check it out.” Rainbow followed her gaze. 

About five meters in front of them, Great Scott and Dusty were dancing awfully close to one another. Dancing perhaps not the correct word. Grinding would be more akin to what they were doing. Rainbow eyes went wide. “Ohh shit! Haha!” 

“About time they did that.” Stomwalker smiled. “Slip it in Scotty!” 

Rainbow chocked on her laughter and looked to the pair, neither noticed over the din.  

“Hey, Imma go grab some fresh air.  ‘Is funky in here.” Stormy stumbled over her words as she turned, she flicked Rainbow with the tip of her tail as she headed for the exit.  Rainbow felt a pang of excitement in her stomach. 

        Fresh air does sound nice. 

Without thinking, Rainbow followed. 

The backside of the twelve string was interesting, there was a dumpster to the side of the bulding and a fair amount of open space around before the foundation cloud ended.   

The only other ponies around were a few sitting on the steps of the bar, smoking out on the edge of the cloud or making… exited noises from the shadowy parts of the building  mysterious perimeter. Rainbow saw stormwalker up ahead, she was lighting a cigarette as she headed for the clouds edge. Dash trotted to catch up. 

“Fresh air huh.” Stormwalker turned to see a smirking Rainbow Dash close in behind her. 

“Yeah well I mean. Cigarettes are kinda like fresh air.” Stormwalker turned to face Rainbow Dash. “How you doing?” 

“I'm pretty wasted.” Rainbow smiled. “You?” 

“Yeah… we drank a lot.” Stormy and Rainbow broke down into giggles. Before the two trailed off into silence and let the feeling of the chilly air take them for a moment. Rainbow realized she left her jumper in the booth, but the alcohol was keeping her warm enough for the time being. 

“Yo, you got the time?” Rainbow asked. 

        Its about time I got home. Rarity would be asleep by now. 

“Yeah.” Stormwalker looked at her watch. “Eleven-twenty.” 

Rainbow smiled “Who wears a watch anyway?” Rainbow poked out her tounge, trying to spark some friendly banter. “Nerd alert.” Rainbow said cooly. 

“Lesbians.” Stormwalker smiled. "Its the language of fashion, Dashie." Rainbow rolled her eyes. 

“Not all lesbians wear watches and plad shirts, Stormy.” Rainbow looked away with a smile on her face.

“Well they're either lesbians, or cold, busy mares. Either way, with a haircut like this.” Stormwalker Gestured to her  jagged cut mane. "Ponies get the picture. You on the other hoof" As the grey mare curled up her wing, she let her longest primary's drag lazily across Rainbows flank. "Try to hide."

Rainbows eyes widened as her drunken brain tried to fight off the horniness for long enough to register that. "Wait, how did-?"

She figured me out!

“You have what my high school equestrian teacher used to call, 'wandering eyes', Rainbow Dash.” Stormwalker smiked as Rainbow didn’t pull back when she stepped closer yet. “I got straight A’s in that class if you know what I mean."

        What the fuck. 

When did she figur- 

Fuck.  

 I cant believe she figured it out.  

Ohhh. She's good.

Rainbow could feel her breathing getting heavier as Stormwalker's draped a wing over her back, Feathers tickling her belly. without even thinking, she shuffled closer to the mare, pressing their sides together.

Mmm warm. Soft. 

She smells like Cigarettes and fresh laundry. 

How does that work? 

Rainbow Dash could feel her wings lifting of their own accord as Stormy continued to explore further with her wingtip, slowly but surely making her way lower.Stormwalker raiser her chin and again, without thinking, Rainbow Dash closed the distance and nuzzled into the Grey mares neck.

What the fuck am I doing.

The alcohol aided in ignoring the nattering thoughts as Rainbow Dash lived in the moment, doing what felt right. Stormwalker Met Rainbow Dash's Gaze and her wingtip made contact with a small brass piercing.

Before Rainbow could blink she was being kissed. before a moment had passed her eyes were closed and she was kissing back. I wasnt a cute peck on the lips, and the kiss advanced rapidly until both mares were sitting on the cloud layer, tounges dancing playfully with one another. For a moment Rainbows mind was quiet, and she felt good. Actually good.

Rainbow confused herself for a moment, she tried to think about how she knew he difference between cheap and expensive cigarettes but Stormwalker's wandering wing had reached her inner thigh. Much to Rainbows chagrin Stormwalker broke the contact before going any further. 

Something at the moment clicked in Rainbows mind,  as if she took a step back out of her body and examined what she was doing. 

Making out with a work colleague in public just one day after becoming involved with someone else. In public.

Rarity and I aren’t ‘involved’ we haven't even had sex yet. 

And if things got messy with Stormy it wouldnt break the elemtns of harmony, sure my job would be awkward-

Think about this Dash, this is a bad idea. You gotta stop this. 

Rainbow cracked an eye open and looked at stormy. She could feel her wings on her belly and thighs, it wasn't until she looked that she realized she had been reciprocating the action with her own wings.

Thinking pointless, kissing the sexy mare is more fulfilling. 

What about Rarity.

Rainbow broke the contact. “Hold up a sec.” Stormy stopped kissing Rainbows neck, leaving a small cowlick on her throat.

“What’s up, Dash. You okay.” Stormy looked at Dash with concern plastered on her features. 

“I don’t think this is a good idea.” Rainbow looked down. 

“What do you mean.” Stormwalkers brow furrowed. “We’re clearly into eachother.” The grey mare paused. “You are into me, aren’t you?” 

“Yes!” Rainbow blurted. Truth be told Rainbow wasn’t really into Stormwalker, more just sexually attracted to her. And Drunk.

That’s what being into someone is, right? Sexual Attraction? 

Its part of it.

“Yes I am, but I don’t think we should do this tonight.” Rainbow pulled herself away. 

“O-okay, but uhh, why?” Stormwalker was downtrodden, nobody likes getting rejected, even if this wasn’t total rejection. “I don’t get it.” 

Aw fuck, what do I say. 

Just. 

Just make some shit up. 

“Stormy, look. I'm single. But today I went on a date.” It scared Rainbow how fast she could come up with a believable lie. “I'm not dating anyone but I think she’s kinda special and I wanna see how far this goes.” 

“Ohh,” the grey mares face was finally graced by a small smile. “I guess I missed out by that much, huh.” 

Oh dammit!

Rainbow cocked her head. “Whats one date? Its not like that, look-" The words carried a confused tone as they unceremoniously rushed out.

Think, then speak. 

"I'm sorry, Stormy." Dash's brain struggled to find a way to keep Stormwalker from feeling dejected, the alcohol in her system worsening the empathetic sting. This was too awkward.

Hold up, wandering eyes?

“You really noticed me staring at your butt all those times?”

Smoke came out of Stormys nostrils in short puffs as she laughed through her cigarette. “You really just need to buy some sunglasses, hon.” 

Made her laugh, I'm off the hook.

“Shut up.” Rainbow gave a the gunmetal mare a light punch on the shoulder with a partially folded wing. “Your fault for always putting it in front of me.” The comment brought a genuine smile to Stormy's face. “Thanks for inviting me out tonight Stormy, I had fun.” 

Stormwalker turned and smiled at Dash once more. “Me too, Dash.” 

Rainbow Dash turned to walk back to the Twelve string. She was still very drunk, but she thought it was time she at least attempted to fly home. 

Its not awkward, I just think the night is over. 

        … who am I kidding. 

Its totally fucking awkward, Ughhh! 

Work is gonna be hell from now on. 

The blue mare slipped back inside the bar and looked around. The dancefloor was still packed, but she couldn’t see dusty or scott anywhere. Without looking for them, Rainbow grabbed her sweater from their booth and walked out the front door, giving her wings an experimental flap.

Right, now all I gotta do is figure out how these damn things work. 


  


0o0o0o0o0o0o0o 


  

  
A white unicorn walked the stalls of the Ponyville market, smiling and saying hello to the people she knew who walked by. Her six gold earrings listened in the sunlight, blinding anypony who looked at her from the wrong angle.  

My nose is itchy. 

The mare scrunched her muzzle, hoping to somehow scratch the itch with her face. 

Damn nose ring. I gotta get rid of this thing. 

Rarity’s eyes fell upon one of the many café’s that littered ponyvilles main street. 

Coffee. 

I think yes. 

The little bell above the door chimed as Rarity pushed the door open, walking toward the counter. 

“Rarity!” The scrawny brown stallion behind the counter greeted her with a bright smile, a well rehearsed yet somehow genuine display of professionalism. He knew everypony by name. At least, everypony in town who had a crippling addiction to caffine, that is. “The usual?” 

“Yes please String Bean.” Rarity smiled brightly as he immediately set to work, his coffee machine hissing steam and that wonderful scent, Rarity smiled as she looked around the little café. 

Her eyes fell upon a young mare, not much younger than herself, sipping a steaming mug with a book in front of her as she looked out the window. She was a small, no, petite Pegasus mare with a crème coat and a light pink mane. 

The unicorns eyes were drawn however, to the mares left ear. Studded with three silver earings similar to rarity’s in every way aside from colour and symmetry of the other ear. The small mare shifted and her mane fell over her face, only to be brushed back with a hoof. 

Who is she? 

She’s cute. 

To think such a thing had, at some point, been bizzare for Rarity. But not anymore. 

I’ve never seen her befor- 

“Yeah! Right? Pick a side dude. Filly’s or colts, pretty simple.” 

And just like that, Rarity was snapped out of her little daydream, she turned and noticed two mares talking at one of the tables. Their plates were clean and their drinks long finished, but their conversation lingered. Rarity couldn’t stop her eyebrows from furrowing as she eavesdropped. 

“So what did you do?” Asked the grey unicorn as she learnt her face on her forehooves. 

“Well I tossed him.” The charcoal mare shrugged with her shoulders as her hooves toyed with a napkin. “How do I know he’s not gonna cheat on me with some stallion.

Heaven fucking forfend he cheat on you with a stallion. 

Rarity turned away to hide a scowl she couldn’t suppress, her ears still at full attention. 

If he cheated on you with another mare, well now that’s okay. 

Rarity focused on the steam flowing from the coffee machine, something that would keep eyes from rolling out of her skull. 

“Yeah, I don’t get it. The whole bisexual thing just seems a bit selfish to me.” The voice of the grey mare cut back in. 

Selfish? You think waking up in the morning and-

Rarity felt a coldness wash over her. As is all the warmth in the world had turned off for just a moment. 

… 

You think this is easy?..

Rarity looked at the floor of the coffee shop as she tuned out the mares conversation. She didn’t want to hear anymore. She found herself thinking of the stallion. What he was feeling. Did he confess his true nature after building a trust with this mare, only to be dumped days later? There was no tact in that, no pretending that that wasn’t the reason he was dumped. And image of him filled Rarity’s mind, she didn’t know what he looked like, but she could see a stallion looking in a mirror, convinced he was nothing but a horny, indecisive monster by no other than the mare he loved. 

Who the fuck wants to be bisexual? 

“Miss Rarity?” The voice of string bean cut through her reverie, dissipating the image within her mind. With a jerk of her head she looked up at the barista. “Are you alright? I was worried for a moment.” String bean said with a little smile, trying to lift the mood a little with the expression. 

Rarity cleared her throat. “Sorry Bean, I was off with the breezies for a moment.” She smiled at the stallion, a fake smile, but Rarity knew how to hide her emotions. She magically reached out and grasped the cardboard takeaway cup adorned with the café’s logo. She hoofed over some bits and gave one last smile and a word of thanks before walking toward the exit. She passed the two chatting mares on her way out, shooting them a small smile. Both mares returned the gesture. 

Go fuck yourselves. 

The bell chimed once more as Rarity pushed the door open and took a deep breath. Reasserting her smile, Rarity walked into the mid-morning sunlight. 

  


0o0o0o0o0o0o0 


  

Rarity rolled over in her bed, the boutique was silent, it had been for hours now. Finding sleep had been, and still was a bit of a challenge. The mare had fallen into and out of a semi comfortable doze, but no hint of sound sleep had come her way. Her forelegs were wrapped around a pillow, hugging it loosely. It smelled like pillow. 

I wonder when Rainbow Dash is going to get back. 

She might be staying at Stormwalkers. 

The white mare blew out a sigh. 

Who am I to judge, me and her aren’t dating, And stormwalker is an attractive mare. Rainbow can have sex 		with whoever she wants.  

Rarity frowned. 

She smelled like cigarettes though. 

Clack Clack. 

Rarity's ears pricked as she heard knocking on her window. Her telekinesis, flicked a lamp on as she looked through the curtains, Rainbow dash hovered outside her window. Confusion  took hold of rarity as she unlocked and slid the window open for the mare. Rainbow Darted in out of the cold, she loudly clipped her hoof on the window sill as she did so. 

“Fuck.” Rainbow rubbed her hoof as she landed. "Cant do nothin' right."

“Rainbow Dash, are you alright? Why didn’t you just use the front door?” 

“I don’t have a key to your front door, Rares.” Rainbow hickup’ed “I'm sorry I woke you up.” 

“Oh no darling, don’t worry about it, I wasn’t asleep anyways.” Rainbow was looking around the room, it looked as though she was trying to figure out where she was. “A little bit to drink, darling?” 

Rainbow pursed her lips, trying to hide a smile. “Maybe.” Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Okay, I’m a little pissed.” 

Rarity chuckled. “I know darling.” The unicorn flipped back part of the covers, inviting Dash in. “Cold?”

“Me? Nah.” Rainbow arched forward and with a motion of her wings shucked the sweater and draped it over Rarity's dresser. “Not with my sweater anyways.”
Dash slid herself under the duvet and moved in close, Rarity didn’t back away as Rainbow pressed her belly up against her own. The blue mare tucked her head underneath the covers and pressed her face into Rarity’s chest, letting out a small sniffle. Rarity looked down at the mare, Rainbows eyes were half lidded in fatigue, very obviously quite tired. 

Heh, cute. 

Dash looked up and met eyes with Rarity. 

“Comfortable?” Rarity asked, an eyebrow cocked as a smile graced her face. 

Rainbow gave a little mumble as she readjusted her hooves, sliding one around Rarity. “Yeh.” 

The eye contact held, before Rainbow leaned up and gave Rarity a peck on the lips, surprising the unicorn. Rainbow pushed for another, this time Rarity kissed back. The kiss was longer, Rainbow let her tounge slip out and brush againt Rarity’s lips before once more breaking the contact. Their eyes met once more. 

Rainbows groggy mind tried to keep cool as she looked up at Rarity. 

Look at her. 

Look at us. 

Me and Rarity, friends with benefits. 

How the fuck did that happen? 

… 

But we haven't even had sex yet. 

A familiar tingling filled Rainbows body at the thought. A feeling she had felt earlier that night, not even an hour ago as she sat on the edge of a cloud, stormwalkers wing gently playing with her undercoat. Rainbow held back on rubbing her haunches together. 

We should do that. 

Unfortunately for Rainbow, her mouth moved faster than her inebriated mind could censor. “We should fuck.” 

Rarity's eyes went wide, sending Rainbow into a fit of giggles as a blush settled over the white mares face. “Wha- bu-?” Rarity stammered, making rainbow laugh harder. “Rainbow Dash!” Rarity said in her best scolding voice. 

“C’mon. Lets fuck.” Rainbow poked her tounge out. “M’horny.” 

“S-stop saying that!” Rarity said as she turned a deeper shade of pink. 

“Saying what? Fuck?” Rainbow smiled as Rarity tried her best to look stern, she couldn’t pull it off however, not with a blush so fierce.

“Where did that even come from!?” Rarity tried to suppress the smile that was creeping onto her features, still trying to look stern. “You really are drunk.” 

Rainbow gave a little roll of her eyes before she leaned in and gave Rarity's neck a long slow kiss followed by a gentle bite. She felt Rarity’s sharp inhale and smiled as she moved along the unicorns neck, pecking and nipping. 

“Rainbow.” 

Dash cut her contact and looked Rarity in the eye again, a soft smile on her face. Her mind was quiet. Rarity looked back, not saying anything. Dash leaned in met Rarity in a deep kiss. The unicorn could feel the Pegasus smile at the returned contact, she mentally noted an odd flavour in Rainbows mouth. Her brows furrowed at the taste of cigarettes, but the thought was quickly blown away when she felt a hoof on her stomach, trailing a small pattern downward. Rarity broke the contact, meeting eyes again. 

“Rainbow, you’re drunk.” Rarity frowned. 

Rainbows eyes darted to somewhere in the room and back again, clearly thinking about that. “Only a little.” 

“I don’t know if-“ 

“Shh.” Rainbow pressed a hoof up to Rarity’s mouth. “You want to?” 

Rarity thought for a moment. 

I really do want to. 

But she’s drunk, its not right. 

        Ive had sex drunk before though.

        But do I want to? 

… 

Rarity looked at Rainbow. The blue mares eyes were half lidded as she bit her bottom lip a little. Rarity gave a little nod. 

Rainbow smiled as she rolled over, climbing atop Rarity, straddling her lower barrel with her haunches. Rainbows mane hung lazily around her head, streaking down and tickling Raritys nose. Dash reached down and took one of rarity's hooves in her own before lifting it her face and giving it a nuzzle. Rarity raised an eyebrow and the blue mare gently pulled the hoof through her mane, collecting a clump of hair before settling it down atop her head, smiling down at Rarity all the while. Rainbow leaned down to whisper in the unicorns ear. 

“Pull hard if your having fun.” 

Raritys eyes widened as Rainbow met her eyes once more. 

Full of surprises aren’t you Rainbow Dash. 

Rarity let out a little laugh. “I always knew you were a kinky bitch.” Dash gave another giggle and winked at the unicorn. 

The Pegasus slowly moved down and started to kiss Rarity’s chest, the wet kisses leaving little cowlicks on her coat as she slowly moved down her chest onto her belly, kissing and biting all the while. Rarity let her free hoof join the other, gathering a larger clump of hair as Rainbow slipped entirely under the covers, leaving only Raritys head and shoulders out in heated air of the room. Rainbow Dash was facing another conundrum.

I wonder what she likes? 

She'd be all about the soft, slow approach for sure. 

 Would she? 

Rainbow peeked up at Rarity, the mare was biting her lip in anticipation, she looked almost pleading. 

Maybe she’s got all kinds of kinky thoughts going on up there. 

She’s probably more of a freak than me. 

Rainbow smiled as she kept working, gradualy getting lower and lower until she could wrap her forehooves around Raritys haunches, her face inches from Rarity’s sex. 

                Nah, no way. Too much of a lady.

Rainbow ran a long lick against the white mares inner thigh, relishing the tremble it produced from the mare, she felt Rarity's hooves curl back instinctively, pulling her mane a bit. Rainbow mimicked the action on her other thigh, eliciting a little squeak from the alabaster mare. She bucked her hips a little as Rainbow gently stroked a leg, widening Rarity's position. 

                guess that’s my Que. 

Rainbow peeked up once more, she could barely see Raritys face passed the covers as her mouth watered with a smile.

One long, slow lick. 

Rarity’s hindlegs tensed at the touch as she let out a throaty moan, her hooves pulling back on Rainbows mane.  

It hurt. 

Dash let out a little moan of her own as she felt a familiar warmth from between her legs.  

                Harder. 

Rainbow pressed again, harder. Savouring the unicorns sweet flavour as her muzzle got more and more soaked. As soon as she started, she stopped. Rainbow darted foreward once more at Raritys button, giving it a quick, wet swipe of her tounge. Dash felt her mane go taught again as Rarity drew in a sharp breath, the pain made dash mimic the action. Swift as possible, Rainbow slipped a hoof underneath herself as she let her tongue go back to drawing little circles and crosses against Rarity's pussy. The tip of her hoof drawing circles over herself as she felt her mane getting pulled harder and harder. 

                Harder! 

Dash gasped at the feeling of her own hoof, scratching the itch that had become oh so unbearable. Raritys hooves curled more and more, pulling Dash's mane and eliciting a throughty moan form the bluie mare. The Pegasus unhooked her other hoof of Rarity’s flank, mimicking the actions she was giving herself onto Rarity, drawing small, quick circles over the white mares clit. Rarity’s grip grew tighter forcing a guttural moan from Rainbows throat. Rarity noticed, letting off a bit on the prismatic mares mane. 

                No! 

Dash pulled her lips back, only for an instant, to mutter one broken word. “H-harder.” Her mouth went back to work as the hoof between her legs flicked back and forth over her winking clit. 

Rarity thought for a moment. 

                Harder? 

“A-ahh fuck.” Rarity breather as a familiar sensation started to build within her gut.  

                She wants harder? 

Rarity let go of Rainbows hair entirely, rearranging her hooves to gather almost her entire mane in a single, large clump. Rainbow felt herself swallow a lump in her throat before pushing deeper, the little crosses she drew with the tip of her tongue becoming mope rapid and the pressure her hoof applied around Rarity’s clit amplified. 

Rarity did as Rainbow said. She pulled hard as she threw her head back at the sensation.  

“Ah!” Dash’s pained squeak gave way to giggles as she vigorously ground her hoof against her own dripping cunt, she could feel the sheets beneath her start to dampen. 

“Don’t.” Rarity gasped. “Don’t fucking stop.” 

The white mare began ever so slightly grinding her hips against Rainbows welcoming mouth and hoof as her cum built more and more rapidly. 

“R-Rainbow!” Rarity squealed. Dash felt the muscles in Rarity’s thighs go taught. 

                Already? 

Rainbow smiled. 

Fuck I’m good. 

Rarity’s hoof dashed down from Rainbows mane and harshly griped the blue hoof against her, holding it steady. It didn’t stop rainbows tongue from darting back and forth against Rarity as the mare came. Her haunches were so wound that a lasting tremor rattled through her hips as her clit winked rapidly. “F-fuuck!” 

The orgasm rattled her, and Rainbow slowed her action and bagan a slow licking as Raritys shaking started to level out, reduced to occasional twitches. The white mares hoof let loose Rainbows mane as Dash slowed down to long, slow vertical licks before finally kissing the white mares inner thigh. Her hoof abandoned herself, leaving a sticky mess on herself the sheets beneath her. She hadn’t finished, but she was fine as long as Rarity had enjoyed herself. 

Rarity stopped twitching and Rainbow rolled to her side, sliding back up against the panting unicorn. Rarity’s eyes met Rainbows. Her beautiful magenta eyes. 

                Sweet luna she’s beautiful. 

Rainbows mouth was damp but held a soft smile. Rarity was still panting, her heart still thumping in her chest. 

Rarity darted over, rolling on her side as she met Rainbow in a vicious lip lock. Their tongues danced as Rarity tasted her own sweet, tang in Rainbows mouth. The contact broke and the two met eyes again. For a long while they stayed like that, just content to hold and be held. Rarity’s breathing had returned almost to normal after a few moments. 

“Rainbow.” 

“Yeah.” Dash smiled, rarity couldn’t tell if her half lidded eyes were of bliss or drowsiness. 

“That was-. I havnt.” Rarity stumbled over her words, not quite knowing what to say. 

“Have fun?” Rainbow gave a shake of her her head, settling her mane around her shoulders. 

“Yes!” Rarity smiled brightly. “I’ve never…” Rarity trailed off with a roll of her hoof. 

“Never what?” Dash asked, re-adjusting to press herself closer to the white unicorn. 

“Oral sex has never made me… you know. Before.” Rarity stammered, a blush dusting her cheeks. 

“Cum?” Dash slurred. 

Rarity rolled her eyes as the coloring on her cheeks intensified. “I had a lot of fun, is what I’m trying to say.” Dash gave a soft hum as she pushed her muzzle into the crook of the unicorn’s neck. “I’ll have to return the favor then.” Rarity caressed Dash’s side with a hoof, awaiting the Pegasus response. 

There was no response. 

“Rainbow?” Again no response, Rarity stopped before her hoof slipped under the blue mares wing. Rarity leaned back, craning her neck, getting a look at the mare. 

Rainbows head rested on their shared pillow, her mouth was open and a small amount of drool threatened to damped the white pillow case, snoring softly. 

                She fell asleep? 

                But- 

                What the fuck. 

                Maybe she was too drunk. 

Rarity shook her head, a small smile on her face. 

                Silly girl. I'll get her back tommorrow 

Rarity snuggled back in, giving a small nuzzle before closing her eyes. The alcohol in Rainbows system was metabolizing at a rate that only a high level athlete could achieve, but with sobriety came clear thoughts, or a clear perception to let the murky thoughts though, rather. 

                Ha! 

                I had sex with Rarity! 

                Rainbow Dash and Rarity. Fuckbuddies. 

                Whaaaat? 

Rarity cocked an eye open as Rainbow made a low chuckling sound before once more drifting out of consciousness. 

                I fucked Rarity. 

                … 

                My head hurts. 

                … 

                You are a fucking idiot. 

The horrible little voice in Rainbow Dash’s brain spoke, waking as the alcohol metabolised. The mare in her head was scowling. The urge to groan at the voice in her mind was a hard urge to fight, but Rainbow resisted; or perhaps she lacked the energy altogether. Another sensation in her brain made itself all to welcoming for Rainbow Dash, however. The patterns behind her eyelids became smaller and smaller as the dark edges of unconsciousness crept in.  

Rainbow didn’t fight it, within seconds, Rainbow Dash out.