Say It Ain't So
Rainbow Dash surveyed the scene around her. It wasn’t a place she wanted to be in, at bar late at night. It wasn’t too crowded, but had a steady flow of customers. Through Rainbow’s slurred, fuzzy gaze, she thought she made out a local band playing in the background, on the only stage in the place. She fought the urge to slump into her seat and lay her head on the table. She fought to remember for whatever reason. The heart told her to forget, the mind said otherwise. The two halves sought control of her next sip. Her heart won over, and she downed a good portion of her drink. The Pegasus sighed, trying to remember details of the events leading up her current position.
Was it a show? She thought. Yeah, it was show, some big flashy band. The name seemed to elude her, but she waved it off. It’ll come to me, she reasoned. Taking another sip, she continued in her thoughts. It was a great show too, till well… He was with her. Something Eve. That curly haired… Her shoulders slumped when she saw that scene replaying in her head.
He just said he was getting some water, but I should’ve known. The way he eyes were darting, his nervousness. She brought the glass to her lips. Bit too late now.
Or was it just right? That I decided to see where he was? That I just happened to see him another mare around his neck, with his face buried in hers? Just my luck, right? She took another long sip of her drink.
Maybe I approached it wrong. A small smile appeared on her face. Sure, trying to buck him in face was maybe a bit much. But, I should’ve known. She laid her head on the table, taking a deep breath.
But he left with her, not me. So that says something. Should’ve done more than just call him names. An exhale left her lips that was a half laugh, half sigh. And now I’m here, alone. Her gaze shifted to the empty glasses that surrounded her. Well, not completely alone.
She made many attempts to pull her head off the table, Psssh, I don’t need him. He was a jerk anyways. I’m Rainbow Dash! Fastest flier in all of Equestria! Her hoof rose, trying to emphasize her power, but it fell back onto the table quickly. Who can’t even hold down anything more than a few drinks, much less a relationship.
Stumbling out of her chair, she made her way to the bar, pushing through the light crowd. A few bits tumbled out her hoof as she picked up a new drink: another tall glass of cider. Her less than graceful walk helped her bump into more than one ponies on the way back to the table. Setting the glass on the table, she managed to pull herself on the chair. Another sigh left her lips as her head found its natural place on the tabletop.
Her lips found the bottle as she took a sip, trying to reorganize her thoughts. Besides, I don’t need him. I’ll be sure to find someone. If he wants to leave me for Eve-whatever-her-name-is, I hope he’s miserable. I hope she draws blood, and sucks him dry for every bit he has in his name. I bet she’s a jerk too. She smiled genuinely for the first time that night. I mean, who goes after the taken stallions? Her thoughts paused, taking a few seconds for her brain to catch up to her heart. What taken stallion goes after a loose mare? Another sigh and another sip, Mine apparently.
I mean, was I horrible partner? Did I cause this? Her hoof tapped her chin a few times, trying to think of all the times they were together. I thought I did my best to keep us together. I even left roses on his steps. Her eyes rolled sluggishly, Last time I surprise someone to show them I care. Stallions, always looking for something to poke, and when they’re through, they just leave. A few tears began to well up in Dash’s eyes. And there I was, thinking you were different. Was I wrong to place my trust in you? To now wish away all those nights we spent together? To regret liking the way your mane smelt in the morning? To wish I didn’t lie and say your cooking was good? What if I had just not said yes? Her hoof slowly drew small circles on the table, trying to distract her from the now physical pain in her chest.
Life could be easy if I had only knew, Rainbow mused to herself. You even lied saying I was everything. The bottle of cider was brought up to Rainbow’s lips and she took a long sip. And we both know how that turned out. The Element of Loyalty beaten. You’d think I would have some way of detecting things like that. She took another sip, trying to have the drink numb something; The regrets, the loneliness, or just simply the pain of everything.
I’d thought being the most awesome Pegasus in all of Equestria would be good enough for anypony. Friend or partner. Again, she let the cool liquid flow down her throat. Some of the liquid missed her mouth, flowing down the side of her face, a lazy hoof made a weak attempt to wipe it away with some success. I shouldn’t have placed too much hope in him. Spent too much time with him. Maybe even began to love too much. She left her heart swan dive at that notion.
Rainbow! She tried to slap some sense into herself. Head up! You’re the Element of Loyalty because you are loyal! Because you stick with it! You’re strong and amazing and anypony would be lucky enough to have you. He blew his chances! Yeah, that’s what he did. Her thoughts subsided, letting the local band play for a few minutes, as if trying to let the music soothe her soul. Sadly though, it seemed no note nor lyric said could help the poor Pegasus.
Maybe I’m not the most awesomest pony. She buried her head again in her forehooves, letting loose a deep muffled sigh. A clumsy hoof reached out to grab the cider, knocking it over, spilling the remnants of the drink all over the table. The Pegasus huffed in frustration. She reached into her pouch for more bits, but to her surprise, found none. A second huff of frustration, as her droopy eyes eyed the table and the empty glasses and bottles on top. A whole night wasted and all I have to show for it a bunch of empty cider glasses, no more bits, and a broken heart.
She pondered a few moments, letting the band play their music, letting her hoof draw circles on the table. She sat there, hoping her mind wouldn’t think for the next few minutes. To not think about him, to justify his lies, to justify the past months. Slowly, she found the strength to get her head off the table and leave. It took her a few moments to find the balance to walk, but when she did, she made her way to the door.
Rainbow looked over her shoulder before she exited and took off into the night. She eyed the band on stage, watching them play for a few moments. “I hate this song anyways.” The Pegasus shook her head and took off into the night.