"Rainbow Dash?"

"Zzz huh wha–?" Rainbow Dash snorts and opens her creaky eyes.

"Rainbow Daaaaaaaaaash!"

Is that Rarity's voice waking her up? By now she's is used to being woken up by Pinkie Pie or Applejack. This is new.

She climbs up to the top of the small cloud she was using as a bed, scanning the ground groggily. There, far below, stands the little white unicorn. Rainbow Dash snorts and flops back down into the soft, white vapor.

"Dash! I know you're up there! Would you come down for a moment, please? I need to talk to you," Rarity's voice floats up from below.

Rainbow Dash lets out an angry sigh and rolls over. This was such a soft cloud, too. It even had a natural kind of bowl shape, perfect for napping. She stretches her wings and back, and smacks her tongue a few times for good measure.

"Dash!" Rarity's voice again, getting annoyed now.

"I'm comin', I'm comin'! Keep your bridle on." Dash rubs at her eyes with a hoof, rubbing out those little green crunchy things that always appear in the morning. What are those, anyway?

Should ask Twilight sometime.

She drops off the side of the cloud and glides down in a lazy circle. Rarity is standing on a small hill below, trying very hard to look nonchalant.

Rainbow Dash floats down near Rarity and hangs in the air above her. "What's up?" she says, stifling a yawn.

"So sorry to interrupt," Rarity says in that weird sing-song accent of hers. "You're not too busy to chat for a moment, are you?"

Rainbow Dash just gives her a deadpan look before yawning again. She stretches her back, losing altitude, and lands in the grass next to Rarity.

"I just wanted to ask –" Rarity begins, but Dash raises a hoof, silencing her. Rainbow Dash can feel Rarity's glare as she stretches some more, taking her time. She shrugs her shoulders, flares her wings out, then kicks out each leg one by one.

"Are you quite finished?" Rarity asks.

"Yeeeeeeeah," Dash says, rolling her neck back and forth.

"Good, good," Rarity says. She pauses, looking like she can't remember what she wanted to say. "How are you?"

"Sleepy," Dash says.

"Ah ha ha, of course," Rarity laughs diplomatically. "As long as I have you up, I just wanted to thank you again."

"...Again?" Dash blinks her eyes hard. What the hay is Rarity talking about now?

"Yes, again! Why, last week in Cloudsdale, you saved my life! And even after I was so awful to you. I don't think I could ever really repay you."

"Oh yeah, that," Rainbow Dash says, yawning again. "I already said, don't worry about it. No big deal." She looks around, becoming more alert. "You woke me up just to thank me again?"

"Well no, I wanted to do something special for you. I thought maybe I could take you out somewhere nice. My treat, naturally."

"What, you mean like a fancy restaurant or something?"

"Whatever you like! This is my gift to you, Rainbow Dash."

"Huh. Well that's cool." She sets to thinking.

A free night out, anywhere?

"How about that new pub? The one over on Stirrup Street?" Dash says.

Rarity makes a gagging noise for a moment, but quickly regains composure. "Eugh... The Basement? I've heard it's very... uh... low class," she says.

"Well I heard it was awesome! Let's go tonight."

"Tonight? There?" Rarity can't hide her look of horror now. "Wouldn't you like to make plans for something more extravagant? We could stop by the spa, take in a performance perhaps, dine at a real restaurant... and we could take some time to properly prepare. Make a real night of it."

"Prepare? I'm ready now." Dash flicks her wings again, working out the sleep. "Besides, I'm not really interested in all that other stuff. No offense."

"So – I offer to take you anywhere you like, and you want to go to..." Rarity halts, treading carefully over the next few words, "...a grungy pub. Tonight."

"Yeah, that sounds good," Rainbow Dash says. "You sure you can handle it?"

"Handle it? Of course I can handle it. This is my gift to Rainbow Dash, and if that's what Dash wants, then we'll go to the pub," Rarity says. "I need some time to get dressed. What say you to meeting at six?"

Rainbow Dash just snorts and laughs. "Six? For the pub? What are you, crazy? I'll stop by your place at ten."

"Ten?! As in, ten o'clock? In the post meridian?"

"Meridian?" Dash says.

"Evening," Rarity says.

Rainbow Dash just nods.

"That's a little late for getting started, isn't it?" Rarity says.

Rainbow Dash rolls her eyes, giving Rarity a look that wonders if this is a good idea or not.

"Ten it is! Ten is fine. That's plenty of time to get ready. I'll look extra fabulous, I suppose," Rarity says with a fake smile.

"Right, you do that. I'll catch you later." Rainbow Dash is already scanning the sky, planning her route after take off. She spreads her wings and coils her body for a leap...

"Rainbow Dash?" Rarity says.

"Huh?" She almost stumbles, but recovers with one strong flap of her wings. Rarity is giving her a really strange look.

"I don't know... I'm just happy I could do something for you, I suppose. I'm looking forward to it."

"Oh... kay... I'll see you tonight," Rainbow Dash says slowly, then springs into the air before Rarity can say any more. She barely hears whatever her friend says in parting – probably French or one of those weird fashion industry things she's always saying – as wind whips through her ears. The ground shrinks away at breakneck speed. In seconds she is alone in the sky, flying free.

Rainbow Dash pushes the door open and struts inside. It's a small room, and she feels a small tinge of...

low ceiling underground can't fly get out now

She pushes it away effortlessly, a practiced habit by now, and takes in The Basement.

"Aw man, this place is sick! Ponyville needed this kind of bar," Dash says, glancing behind her. Rarity is frozen in the doorway. She's looking her usual fabulous self, and she's put on a very casual-chic saddle for the night. Even Dash thinks she looks pretty good.

"It's rather dark, isn't it? And smoky," Rarity says, looking worried.

"Right? It's perfect." She's already nodding her head to the music, some kind of loud techno. The place is crowded – it's a Friday night, Dash remembers – so she has to flap her wings and float above the crowd to get a good look at the place.

Gilda would like –

She dismisses the thought instantly. Through the haze of smoke she can see the DJ penned into the corner by her spin table and speakers, right next to Equestria's most cramped dance floor.

"Whoa!" Dash lands and turns to Rarity, who has worked up the courage to actually step inside. "Did you know Vinyl Scratch was playing here?"

"Who?" Rarity says. Dash groans. "Is somepony going to show us to our table, or...?"

Dash groans again and rolls her eyes.

"Oh. This is THAT kind of place, isn't it?" Rarity says. Dash is about to say something, but clearly the look on her face has some effect on Rarity.

"I mean..." Rarity says, thinking. "It's cozy. It's got a sort of rakish charm, I suppose," she says, giving a weak smile.

Rainbow Dash starts making her way to the bar, staying on the ground to keep her head out of the smoke that clings to the ceiling. She can hear Rarity behind her, a trail of "Excuse me" and "Pardon me" following in her wake. They get to the bar and Dash squeezes in between other customers, pulling Rarity with her.

"So, just making sure. You're paying?" Dash yells over the music. Rarity says something but it's lost in the general hubbub of the place. Dash points to her ear and Rarity yells back.

"I said it was my treat!"

"Awesome!" Dash starts looking over the various bottles lined up behind the bar. Where to begin? Rarity says something but she misses it.

"What?" Dash yells.

"Do they have a wine list?" Rarity asks.

"Pffffft Hahaha!" Dash pounds the bar with a hoof. A few ponies around them are laughing as well, and Rarity gives them all a cutting look.

"Very well. Bartender?" Rarity calls out, batting her eyes. A gruff stallion behind the bar comes over to them instantly. Dash is a little amazed at the fast response for a place like this.

Well, with two hot fillies like us of course he's over here fast.

"Can you make a Cosmopolitan? Manehattan style?" Rarity asks.

"Sure thing," the bartender says.

"Oh man, a Cosmo? I love those! Make it two!" Dash yells.

They get their drinks – Rarity does pay, without any fuss – and cram themselves around a small table against a wall, crowded in on every other side. They clink glasses and Dash gulps down almost half her drink. Rarity timidly sips at hers, looking around warily.

"I didn't realize Ponyville had such establishments," Rarity says.

"What?" Dash yells.

"This place. I didn't know Ponyville had places like this," Rarity says, louder this time.

"What about The Red Bit?"

"That's hardly the same. I've heard they actually serve food there."

"You haven't been?" Dash gulps down more of her drink, barely tasting it.

"I don't actually go out much. Not for late nights, anyway." Rarity fiddles with her straw.

"You don't?" Dash says. "I mean, I never see you out on weekends. I guess I always thought you were at, like, I don't know, fancy restaurants or something."

"Dear, this is Ponyville. Not exactly the most bustling hub of culture. And with my work schedule..." She sips at her drink some more.

"Huh." Dash finishes her drink. "Well then this is your night to party! Let's go hit the floor." She flares her wings out, drawing glares from ponies sitting behind her. She pretends not to notice.

"Hit the... you mean dance? Ugh, it's so crowded. And I can smell the sweat from here. No, thank you."

"What? Come on! Have some fun!" Dash scans the small crowd, already picking out a cute girl to hit on. She almost never goes out really intending to try and pick up someone, but once the music is on and the drinks are flowing...

"You go ahead. I'll just hold our table," Rarity says.

"Really?"

Rarity nods.

Well, suit yourself. I'm gonna have some fun.

She jumps up and glides over everypony's head, feathers skimming the ceiling. When she lands next to the DJ's table, half the eyes in the bar are on her. She bumps hooves with Scratch quickly, letting her get back to work, then struts right out onto the floor. There's only room for about a dozen ponies – they're just teenagers really, barely old enough to drink. They were dancing, but they've slowed down in awe of Rainbow Dash.

Yeah, that's how it's done... all eyes on me.

One of the younger mares trots up to her. "You're Rainbow Dash, aren't you?" she says.

"The one and only." Dash winks at her.

"Oh... my... god!" The filly turns back to her friends and they huddle up, talking about her. Rainbow Dash. Her chest swells. She starts dancing without even thinking about it, with a confidence and ease that shine even brighter than usual.

She bumps the filly that was talking to her on purpose, hard. The young mare turns and squeals when she sees Dash beckoning her over. She hesitates, but her friends yell some encouragement, and Dash grabs her and pulls her closer.

They dance. Dash does her usual thing, just playing around. Her partner is clumsy, but enthusiastic.

Man, she's so young. Is this her first time out? Does she have any idea what she's doing?

The mare is following Rainbow Dash's lead completely, almost gawking at her. Dash rubs up against her partner here and there, and she can feel the poor girl tense up. She looks happy but she's probably freaking out inside. Rainbow Dash starts to get bored – there's no give and take here, just give.

I wish Pinkie Pie was here. Why didn't I invite her? What's she even up to tonight?

Her eyes wander and she sees Rarity at the other end of the bar, talking to... a colt?

Some guy is at our table!

He's not bad looking, but he definitely has a kind of punk look going on. Even from here Dash can see that the kid can't keep eye contact with Rarity – he keeps glancing all over her body, dragging his eyes over her flanks. Rainbow Dash snorts in amusement.

Gotta get in on this.

She waits out the rest of the song, humoring the younger mare. When the music pauses, her partner is just staring at her, breathless. Dash bumps her on the flank and winks at her again before taking off.

Yeah that's right leave 'em wanting more pick up on that again later...

She lands back in her seat with a graceless thud before she notices it's just Rarity at the table again.

"Aw... I missed him?" she says.

"Oh, you saw that?" Rarity smirks.

"Did you shoot him down? He was kind of cute."

"I suppose. And quite bold, for such a young buck. But not my type. And such an amateur."

Rainbow Dash laughs. "Yeah, I could tell. I'm shocked one of these foals actually had the balls to come up to you."

"Eugh... he had plenty of those, I should say. After his friends egged him on for a few minutes of course." Rarity looks around the bar, scanning faces. "They are all rather young, aren't they?"

"Right? Bunch of kids. Just out of school, probably." Dash perks up – a well-muscled stallion is eyeing Rarity from a few tables over. "What about that one? He's more our age."

"Who, him?" Rarity discreetly examines him, pretending to fuss with her mane. "Ooh, he's alright." She only looks for a second before turning and giving Dash a sour look. "Ugh, more our age – has it really gotten that bad?"

Dash rolls her eyes.

No way I'm getting dragged into a conversation about how we aren't young and beautiful anymore.

Gotta keep Rarity's theatrics under control.

"Let's go chat him up," Dash says.

"Oh, no, I couldn't." Rarity laughs. "Besides, if he can't show enough initiative to come talk to me, then I'm not interested."

"Well if you don't want him, I'm gonna go make a play," Dash says, flaring her wings out.

Should've got another drink, could use some more of those.

"I beg your pardon?" Rarity cocks an eyebrow.

"I said I'm gonna make a play. Go say 'Hi'. See what he's made of."

"...For yourself?"

"Well yeah, since you can't show some initiative." Dash grins.

Rarity ignores the jab and slowly, carefully forms her next sentence. "Forgive me for asking but... I thought you were, um... of the other persuasion?"

"You callin' me a filly fooler?" Dash glares at her, faking an angry tone.

"I didn't say that, Dash, I would never. There's nothing wrong with it, and I always thought..."

"You always thought, huh?"

"Well you were just dancing with a mare! And you were dancing very sensually, at that."

Ah, so she was watching. Might as well come clean.

"Relax, I was just messin' with you," she says, smiling.

"So you do... date mares?" Rarity says the last part quietly. Dash isn't sure why.

"Yeah. But I like guys, too."

"Ah." Rarity goes to take a drink, then does a double take. Rainbow Dash can't help but laugh – seeing Rarity's eyes almost bug out of her head is too much. Rarity sort of laughs along, trying to keep up.

"My, my, that's very modern of you," Rarity says. "I suppose you were just having a laugh at my expense before?"

Rainbow Dash nods. "Everyone just assumes, you know? Like, as far back as I can remember."

"I'm sorry, I really shouldn't have..."

Dash waves her hooves. "Don't worry. I used to have a real chip on my shoulder about it. I would make a big deal about liking guys and get all angry. But then I was like, 'Hey! I like mares too. This is me. Screw what they think.'"

Rarity puts a hoof to her chin, thinking. Dash smirks – why's she being so serious all of a sudden?

"It's difficult, isn't it? Everypony sees the way you look or the way you act, and they just assume so much sometimes. We're just being ourselves – it's not up to us to fit in to what they assume," Rarity says.

"What, we? What are you talking about?"

"Well, I don't like to brag..."

Dash snorts.

Rarity ignores her and continues, "But I do take care of myself. And I know I look, on my worst day, simply stunning. But I don't really do it for them, you understand? I do it for me."

"Them?"

"Other ponies." Rarity loses her perfect posture momentarily, gazing down into her drink. Rainbow Dash thinks she looks sad... real sad, not that overblown dramatic stuff Rarity usually shows. Before she can say anything Rarity is back to normal and speaks again. "You know what that colt said to me? The one that was here just now?"

"Aw, come on. That kid, he's just an amateur." Rainbow Dash laughs.

"Well I'm not going to repeat what that amateur said." Rarity pouts, and Dash can't help but laugh some more. It couldn't have been all that bad.

"Lighten up, Rarity. You can't tell me you don't like the attention."

"I would like it if they were really paying attention to me, instead of what they think I am."

Whatever Dash was going to say next, it vanishes from her mouth. Her smile fades away. Something in that sentence has frozen her completely, and for some reason she thinks of Gilda again. She closes her eyes and shakes her head, clearing the memories away.

"I'm sorry," Dash says.

"Excuse me?" Rarity blinks at her.

"I said I'm sorry. And you better hold on to that one, I don't say that a lot," Dash says.

Rarity keeps blinking, her mouth hanging open. "Did I miss something?"

Dash feels a little light-headed.

That was only one drink, right? Why did I say I was sorry?

"I guess I assumed some things about you, too," she says, not thinking at all, letting the words tumble out on their own.

"It's fine, my dear – I think we both know what it's like. And I want you to know that it doesn't matter to me how you are. I know there are many far more interesting things about you," Rarity says, putting a hoof on Dash's shoulder.

"Ha! Yeah, I'm pretty awesome."

"Well, you had the good sense to save my life. I suppose that is... awesome." Rarity giggles at the last word, and Dash can't help but join her.

Rarity goes to finish her drink, and Dash stares at her. This was the last thing she was expecting out of the night. Out of their circle of friends, she'd never had any kind of strong connection with Rarity, and she hadn't exactly been excited about going out on the town with her. And now...

"You know what we need?" Dash says.

"Hmm?" Rarity says through her straw.

"Shots. And this round is on me. Yo, bartender!" she yells. She floats away, bypassing the crowd completely, and comes back with two small glasses of something clear.

"On you? I thought I told you that tonight is my treat."

"You can pay for all the rest, but I'm buying you this one. I owe you. Trust me."

Rarity gives her a puzzled look. "Well, if you insist." She looks down at the shot glass. "Ugh, I haven't done this in ages. Shall we drink to you and your sonic rainboom?"

"No, no, this one's to us. The real us. Not what other ponies think."

Rarity smiles at her, and they say cheers together. Rainbow Dash downs the shot easily, relishing the burn in her throat. Rarity gags and makes all kinds of dainty coughs, but downs her drink as well.

"Well! That takes me back." Rarity looks around at the ponies crowded around them. "Ha! I feel as young as these foals!"

"Good!" Rainbow Dash speeds away to the bar again and comes back, this time with a tray of shots.

"Oh my. What's all this?" Rarity says.

"THIS is us drinking to me and my sonic rainboom."

"I don't know Rainbow Dash, I was planning on getting up early and getting some work done..."

"Can't hear you! I guess we better do these shots." Rainbow Dash grins wickedly and makes two lines of glasses.

"You really expect me to drink all that?" Rarity says.

"Sure, me and AJ do this all the time. Unless you think you can't keep up." Dash grins wider, setting the trap. Rarity narrows her eyes and glares down the line of drinks, planning her attack.

"Let's do this." Rarity activates her horn, floating the glasses up.

"That's more like it!" Dash grabs her glass and that sweet burning flows down her throat and coils in her stomach. She tears through the line of glasses, racing Rarity. She's finished far before the white unicorn. Rarity has to pause to cough between each drink.

Dash smirks and does a quick scan of the bar while Rarity catches up. That mare she was dancing with is sitting over by the dance floor, talking with her friends. She's an earth pony – what is it about earth ponies – and she keeps glancing over at Rainbow Dash. Their eyes meet and she looks away at first, then blushes and shoots a flirty look Dash's way.

Aw, hell yeah! This might finally be my night.

She grins back before turning to Rarity.

"There!" Rarity slams her final glass onto the table. "Ooh, my stars. That burns a little."

"Chasers! Good idea!" Dash flits back and forth to the bar again – that's right, her tab, the white unicorn – and then there are more drinks on the table.

Rarity sips eagerly at another Cosmopolitan and looks instantly relieved. "Ah! Much better. How nice of you to fetch the drinks, Rainbow. It's very, ha, chivalrous of you."

"Well, I got the means." She flaps her wings a few times.

"It seems you do." Rarity suddenly pouts. "Oh, wings! I do so miss mine. You know I always really envied you pegasus ponies before. I'm so glad I had the chance to see what it's like..."

"Yeah, it's pretty awesome. I mean, magic must be cool and all, but you can't beat flying."

Rarity just narrows her eyes.

"I'm sure Twilight wouldn't mind magicking you up another pair some time," Dash says, polishing off another drink. "Hey! Maybe she can make you some normal wings and you can try real flying."

"Real flying?"

"Yeah, you know, with speed!"

"Oh... so you would take me flying some time?"

"Sure, I could show you the ropes."

"Ha! The Best Young Flier in Equestria, showing me the ropes! What an honor."

Dash snorts into her drink. "You almost sound like that one filly. The little orange one, your sister's friend," she says.

"Scootaloo?"

"That's the one."

Well of course she does.

I am the Best Young Flier.

I should've worn that crown out tonight.

She gulps down more of her drink.

man this stuff is good I can't believe I don't always drink this of course I don't always have Rarity paying for

"It's just annoying!" Rarity leans far over the table, pounding a hoof. "I just want to be treated like a LADY! Why is that so hard?"

"I know, I know, it's like... why would you do that? Why would anyone do that?"

I had no idea she could be funny she's funny when she drops that dumb accent it's not even an accent is it it's just how stuck up ponies talk

"Careful!" Rarity says.

"Careful? Careful of what?"

"You're going to make a mess."

There is a sea of empty shot glasses on the table. Dash pounds a hoof on the flat wood, and they all clink together. They stare at each other for a moment and burst out laughing.

She's lived here all her life of course she has you know who else has?

"Why yes, I guess I have known Applejack a while now," Rarity says.

"Oh yeah? You got any dirt on her?"

"Well! Since you ask..."

Oh my God that story was amazing I will never ever ever forget that and I'm gonna give AJ such a hard time

"What about Fluttershy?"

"What ABOUT Fluttershy?"

"You grew up with her in Cloudsdale, didn't you?"

"Yeah."

"Well?"

"Hmm. How about... her first kiss?"

Rarity gasps, freezing completely, hanging on Dash's next words.

"A cloud."

Rarity claps her hooves to her mouth, laughing silently. "Oh that's mean! That's just mean, I shouldn't be laughing. That poor girl."

"I know, she..."

Where is everypony else this is so much fun we should find them right now and talk like this we should always talk like this

"I bet Twilight would be into that."

Dash laughs, dropping her glass from her mouth. It spills all over the table.

"And you said I was mean!"

"What? We all know it."

Do unicorns all do that thing I bet they do that is totally a unicorn thing

Dash grabs the filly she was dancing with before, practically tearing her out of the hooves of one of her friends. She's got that look of excited shock

I love that look that is the best

They're dancing now, rubbing close together, Dash nips at her ear and the filly turns bright red and leaves

That's right little girl had enough fine go back to your friends

Rarity is dancing with two stallions, two! That's not fair, she cuts in on one of them, they're all dancing together Rarity is jumping around like a maniac whooping her flanks off

Man look at her go I bet she can really get down if she would just pull that stick out of her...

"Dash! Dash I found you!"

"No, I found you!"

"Don't be silly!" Rarity sways on her hooves, bumping every pony nearby. "EXCUSE! ME!" She glares around her, then hugs Rainbow Dash.

How in Equestria does she smell like that I must smell like cigarettes dipped in vodka dipped in sweat by now

"This is MY table!" Rarity yells.

"Whoa, Rarity... maybe you should come down."

"Never! This is MY table, in MY bar, and I must SURVEY my HOLDINGS!"

"Ha, yeah!" Dash jumps up onto another table, spilling drinks everywhere. "This is my table!"

"We are queens of the night!"

"Uh, yeah! That too!"

"You! There!" Rarity points at a pony below her. "We will dance now!"

Are they asking us to leave who do they think they are oh the bar's closing

Dash steps outside and the cold night air slaps her in the face. She takes a deep breath and her eyes focus considerably, the spinning in her head slows down. The air is so crisp, so clean, it tastes like high altitude.

"I... am... absolutely famished," Rarity says next to her. Rainbow Dash's stomach gives a mighty growl.

They stand in line for hours and hours Dash could swear she had to leave the line to go to the bathroom like eight or nine times and then there is food and it's hot and salty and greasy and Rarity if you don't like the way I do ketchup then you can get your own order of hay fries alright fine fine I won't put any on this side hey is that the girl from the bar oh okay ignore me that's fine whatever I don't care I'm freakin' Rainbow Dash over here.

And then they're walking somewhere and it's cold but not too cold and it's so quiet.

Rarity stumbles on nothing and Dash catches her with a hoof on her shoulder.

"You alright there, girl?" Dash says.

"Yes, thank you. Sorry. So sorry. I don't usually do this," Rarity says.

"Really? You were quite the party pony tonight."

"Was I? Oh goodness, I hope nopony gets the wrong idea. I never do this. You don't think less of me, do you?" Rarity says, slurring less than before. The cold night air and the food appear to have sobered her up a little as well.

"Psssh, naw. Heck, I think I like you a lot more now."

"Oh, well thank you Dash. I like you too."

"You do, huh?"

"Well of course I do! You know, it's funny." Rarity turns to Dash as they walk, her eyes watering. "Before Twilight came here I didn't really know you. I could have sworn I would never have done anything like this with you, and I mean no offense by that. We just didn't really run into each other. She really brought us together."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Dash thinks. She had met Rarity before, of course, but they hadn't hung out much. She mostly knew her as Fluttershy's other friend.

"We should really thank her sometime."

"I think she knows."

"You're probably right. But still. I have you as a friend now because of her. And you're such a good friend, Dash."

"I am?"

"Indeed." Rarity nuzzles Rainbow Dash's neck, clumsily, almost falling into her. Dash's heart picks up some speed at the warmth pressed up against her. She had gotten her hopes up a little earlier in the bar, dancing with a filly who seemed to adore her. But that had apparently fallen apart at some point, Rainbow Dash can't exactly remember when or how. She had been resigned to yet another night alone...

Rarity is really pretty.

Everypony in Ponyville knows she's pretty. Not my usual type, but pretty.

"Ah! It looks like this is me," Rarity says. Dash looks up to see the door of Carousel Boutique.

That's where we were going? Man, when did that happen?

"I suppose this is goodnight. I had a wonderful time, Rainbow Dash," Rarity says.

"Yeah, that was a good time." Part of Rainbow Dash wants to hold back, but the rest of her dives right on ahead. As usual. "You, uh... you wanna make it even better?" she says, arching her eyebrows at Rarity.

"What do you mean?" Rarity says.

Dash leans in to kiss her and Rarity instinctively shrinks away and turns her head. What was going to be a full-on kiss ends up being just a quick peck on the cheek, and even that startles Rarity into falling on her rump. Rarity just stares up at her, her face blank. Not even confused, just totally blank, working hard to keep up with events.

"Dash!" she says after a few moments of shocked silence.

"What?"

"What do you think you are doing?" Rarity says, picking herself up.

"You said you thought I was really pretty earlier."

"I did?"

"Darling, it's such a shame you don't let me design for you more often. You have such an amazing figure," Rainbow Dash, says, mimicking Rarity's voice.

"Well it's true. But I don't remember that," Rarity says.

"I do. I think. You said something like that," Dash says.

"Well, that doesn't mean I want to... kiss you."

"Why not? You don't even want to try it?"

"No, I... I mean, I don't want to sound closed-minded, but... I just, I've never thought about it before."

"Well think about it now. Aren't you going to invite me in?" Rainbow Dash flicks her tail, feigning impatience. On the inside, she's shaking in her horseshoes.

"You're putting me on, aren't you?" Rarity says.

"No way. This is for real." Dash leans in close to her, their snouts almost touching.

Rarity stares at her for several long seconds. Dash is getting more nervous, and starting to get worried she might show it. Rarity is completely frozen, and Dash wants to scream at her to just say whatever it is she's thinking.

"Alright," Rarity says.

"Alright?"

"Please do come in," Rarity says. Rainbow Dash gets a triumphant look in her eye and Rarity glares at her. "But I'm not saying anything's going to happen like that, I just... you can come in."

"Good enough," Dash says, walking through as Rarity holds the front door for her.

This is it! Hoof in the door! She's curious. Just gotta work on her a bit, let her think it through.

Rarity leads them through the darkened boutique into the kitchen in the back. She turns the lights on and pours them both a cold glass of water.

"What, are we stopping the party? You don't have any booze?" Dash says.

"Alcohol is the last thing I want more of right now. Here." Rarity floats the glass over to her. Rainbow Dash drinks it in one go. It's so soothing – she's really glad Rarity offered it so she could pretend to want a harder drink. When she puts the empty glass down Rarity is sitting at her kitchen table, hoof to her chin. She looks like she does when she's sewing, really concentrating, oblivious to the rest of the world.

"Wow. I gotta give you props, Rarity."

"...Props?"

"You really are thinking about it, aren't you?"

"Well why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know, it just seems like most ponies don't."

"Hmm." Rarity looks at her, then down at the table, then back at her. She gets up, slowly and deliberately, and walks over to Rainbow Dash.

"So, I was think– mmm!" Dash starts to speak but finds herself silenced by a quick kiss – a pretty chaste one, really. It's over before Dash can react, and Rarity is standing in front of her, still wearing that look of concentration.

"You taste like that bar," Rarity says.

"So do you," Dash lies.

"That felt nice. I think," Rarity says.

"You think?"

"Well I... I don't honestly have much... to compare..." Rarity says. Dash leans in closer, forcing Rarity to shrink back until there's nowhere to go without picking her hooves up. She doesn't step back – Dash can't tell if it's because she's too nervous to move or because she wants what comes next, but she kisses her anyway.

Dash presses their lips together slowly, melting together. She smells amazing somehow, it's making Rainbow Dash's head spin... is it?

Is that it, or am I less sober than I thought?

She ignores any and all thought – Rarity's mouth feels hot and wet against hers, and she slips her tongue in. Rarity presses her hooves against Rainbow Dash's shoulders, pushing lightly but firmly, but Dash doesn't give an inch. She holds the kiss until she's had enough and breaks away, panting a little.

Rarity immediately looks away and stumbles backwards onto a floor cushion. She looks worried, and her tail is flicking around in agitation.

"You alright?" Rainbow Dash asks.

She better be alright.

That mouth – that feeling of their tongues flexing against each other...

Rarity doesn't say anything. She glances up at Rainbow Dash but can't meet her eyes.

"We don't have to do anything you don't want to. I can go," Dash says. She doesn't want to say it, but she feels like she's supposed to.

"No, it's just... I just..." Rarity presses her hooves to her head and closes her eyes, like she's trying to calm down. Finally she drops her hooves and glares straight at Rainbow Dash. "I'm not gay."

Dash's heart sinks. "Nopony said..."

"But that felt nice!" Rarity says, almost angry. "I think I quite liked that. I think."

Ha! She is into it! Looks like the Dash is getting lucky after all

Rainbow Dash stalks a little closer to Rarity, resisting the urge to lick her lips.

"But... but I'm not like that!" Rarity says to herself, sounding more and more frustrated.

Ugh, not this old song and dance. When is everypony around here just gonna loosen up a little?

Rainbow Dash stops and just watches Rarity for a moment.

I can help her.

She's so keyed up. So confused.

I can help her relax. I mean, it'll be fun for me too, but that's not the point – this is me doing my friend a solid.

Right?

Man she's got thick flanks I wanna just bite that right now

"Look, this has nothing to do with what you're like." Rainbow Dash settles down close next to Rarity, their sides touching. She puts a foreleg around her friend's withers. "This is just you and me. Something that feels good between you and me. Something fun." She leans in a little closer.

"...Fun?" Rarity says, shrinking away a little. Only a little.

"Yeah, fun. Just some fun. Between friends," Dash says. She nuzzles Rarity's cheek and is delighted to feel Rarity shiver in response.

"I suppose... that sounds... Dash, I don't know what to say," Rarity says and turns her head towards Rainbow Dash. Her eyes are huge and shimmering, she's waiting.

Is this it?

Is this her inviting me in?

Well, it better be

Rainbow Dash darts in and kisses her. She doesn't shrink back this time. Dash plunges her tongue forward and Rarity actually responds a little, rubbing it around Dash's tongue hesitantly.

Rainbow Dash shifts her weight and leans forward more, ending each kiss with a new, deeper kiss. She feels her wings unfurling, slowly straightening out, pushing into Rarity. Rarity overreacts, rolling over onto her side, and now Dash is looming over her, mouths still pressed together.

Why am I always the one playing the stallion?

She's holding Rarity in her arms now, cradling her as they make out. Was that a moan? Rarity just moaned!

Haha, Rainbow Dash is making a mare moan!

She breaks the kiss and revels in her victory, staring down at her prize. Rarity is completely breathless under her, lying passive.

"I never... imagined..." Rarity pants out.

Rainbow Dash ignores her words and starts kissing her neck, running her lips through Rarity's smooth, soft coat. The flesh underneath shifts and quivers with each kiss, it's amazing, Dash can feel her pulse through her skin. Her wings are straining against her joints, so stiff it hurts, every feather splayed out to the max.

"Oh! Oh... oh my! Oh my!" Rarity says. Suddenly Dash feels a hoof running through her mane and a small peck on her forehead. She stops kissing and looks up.

"Hey! Welcome to the party." She grins at Rarity.

"Ha! I did it!" Rarity's voice drips with relief. She leans forward and kisses Dash on the lips, slipping her just a bit of tongue. Dash stares back at her, pleasantly shocked.

"I kissed a mare!" Rarity says like a giddy schoolfilly. Rainbow Dash smiles and shakes her head, then goes back to work on Rarity's neck.

"I, Rarity, kissed Rainbow Dash!" she says.

"Mmhmm," Rainbow Dash says into her friend's neck.

"I kissed a mare!" she says again.

"Mmhmm." Dash rolls her eyes and moves higher, searching for where the jaw meets the neck, massaging the supple flesh with her lips.

"This is... this is... oh, this is so urbane! So scandalous!"

"Mmm... hmm." Dash moves lower again, nibbling lightly where the neck meets the shoulders. Rarity gives a short squeal and squirms against the cushion, sliding their bodies against each other. Dash feels her pulse quicken and her wings strain even more, practically throbbing.

"Oh, this is just like those rumors about Sapphire Shores. Have you heard those?"

When is she just gonna shut up already?

Rainbow Dash nips Rarity's neck, hard.

"Aah! Gently, please!" Rarity shrinks away and gives her a hurt look.

Rainbow Dash smiles and bites again, softer this time. Rarity coos softly and flexes her neck up, pressing it into Dash's snout.

Aw yeah... yeah, you like that don't you? That's how the Dash rolls, baby.

She runs her tongue up Rarity's neck and stops in front of her face. Rarity is staring in awe – not at Rainbow's face. Past her. What is she looking at?

"Your wings. They really are lovely." Like she's read Dash's mind, she reaches a hoof up and runs it through the feathers of one of

OH DEAR CELESTIA OF EQUESTRIA

Rainbow Dash's knees give out instantly and she collapses onto Rarity, twitching and moaning. Nobody's touched her wings since

Gilda

Nobody's touched her wings like this not like this ever she's so gentle oh god I hope I'm not dripping all over her I hope I don't gross her out that feels so good.

"Well well... you seem to be enjoying that," Rarity says as she massages the base of the feathers, rubbing between them and around them.

"Ooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh..." Rainbow Dash groans, muffling it against Rarity's neck. She clamps her teeth onto some part of Rarity, whatever is in front of her, she can't even think.

"Ow! Dash! I said gently."

She lets go and just presses her face into that smooth white coat, she wants to squeeze, bite, yell, something, Rarity is massaging both her wings now and she's going insane. She bucks her hips down, grinding herself against Rarity.

"Oh... oh my, Dash, you're very... um..." Rarity falters and drops her hooves for just a second.

"Don't stop," Rainbow Dash gasps out. She presses her whole body down on Rarity tightly, nuzzling her neck.

"Sorry!" Rarity's voice floats down to her from somewhere and she feels those hooves in her feathers again, starting at the base of each wing and working their way out.

Ohmygod she's not even a pegasus how does she know where to touch does she have any idea how good this feels?

Rainbow Dash moans loudly, squeezing her eyes shut so hard it almost hurts. She keeps rubbing her face all over Rarity's neck, the hooves caressing her feathers are working their way slowly up and down the bases of her secondaries, perfectly in unison.

She has no idea what Rarity is doing anymore, she's not even fully conscious of being on top of another pony. She's just writhing on top of something warm and firm and soft, trying to press herself into it. The thing, that beautiful thing, whatever it is, starts kissing her on the forehead, slowly at first. The kiss grows more bold each time and she's barely conscious of a muzzle drifting through her mane, a sniffing nose tickling along her forehead.

"Ow!" Rainbow Dash snaps closer to reality, her eyes going wide. One of Rarity's hooves pressed a feather just a little too far to the side, and the pain was intense, if momentary.

"Sorry! Sorry." Rarity drops her hooves and looks up at her, concern in her eyes.

"It's okay." Dash looks away – it's more than okay, her haunches are still quivering from that intense pulling at her wing's leading edge. The pain passed in less than a second, but she's still feeling the effects elsewhere. She feels her tail flicking around, feels complete, blistering heat in her loins. She grinds her hips against Rarity again – a firm thigh under a soft coat drags against her crotch. She shakes all over.

Sooooooo sensitive right now wow

"Dash you're... you're getting me all wet," Rarity says.

"Oh yeah?" Dash arches her eyebrows at her.

"No, I meant..." Rarity starts to say but trails off as Dash nuzzles the side of her face, whispering in her ear.

"Don't stop! Please."

Rainbow Dash feels the hooves against her wings again and she loses herself completely, just squeezing Rarity tight with her forelegs and moaning. That pressure against the muscles of her wings, that lovely, lovely, pressure, moving side to side, hard and then soft again, hitting every spot just right.

She feels lips and a tongue tentatively caressing her neck, brushing through the fine blue hairs of her coat, and then out of nowhere a deep, guttural moan is rising out of her throat and her thighs squeeze together like a vise and she can feel herself clenching and a powerful spasm rocks her whole body, spreading out from between her legs.

"aaaaaaaAAAHHH!" she yells out, winding up from a whisper and ending with a scream, right into Rarity's ear. A wave of the most intense pleasure courses through her body, her heart is going to explode, her wings are going to tear themselves off of her and go flying off by themselves. And then all her muscles go slack and she's just lying there.

Rainbow Dash pants heavily. Time passes. She's lying on something, and she feels it shift underneath her. She keeps panting, slowly coming down, her wings are drooping and folding in again.

Time keeps passing. Her breathing gets more regular. Feelings and thought start to come back, and she opens her eyes. Rarity is looking up at her, not smiling. She looks really disheveled... her mane is frizzed out in places, and her coat is sticky and matted with sweat. A little trail of what can only be drool is glistening on her neck.

Was that me? Huh...

"Are you alright?" Rarity asks.

What a dumb question.

She smiles deeply and can't contain the laughter that comes spilling out, weak, tired chuckles.

That was incredible I didn't even know that could happen that was sooooo good!

"Am I..." she interrupts herself with a chuckle. "Am I alright?! Rarity, that was amazing."

"Did you really...?"

"Heh heh... wing-gasm, I guess?" she says. Rarity's eyes go wide and she stiffens up. Rainbow Dash nuzzles into her neck again but Rarity just freezes in place. It's like snuggling up against a mannequin.

"Hey, relax," Rainbow Dash says. She kisses Rarity on the cheek and feels her friend loosen up just a little.

"That... that was...?" Rarity stammers out.

"Good? It was awesome!" Rainbow Dash rolls onto her side, pulling Rarity with her. She squeezes tight against the white unicorn with her forelegs, feeling her body relax into the embrace. The two of them just barely fit together on the floor cushion.

"I didn't expect you to... I didn't expect this," Rarity says, darting her eyes around, looking anywhere but at the filly hugging her.

"Me neither. But hey, let's make the most of it."

She kisses Rarity and it's like their first kiss – her partner doesn't really respond. She holds the kiss for too long, trying to coax some kind of reaction. She slides one of her hooves down, resting it right at the curve of Rarity's ample rump, and that gets something. Rarity's body twitches and she snaps back, breaking the kiss. They stare at each other for a moment before Rarity looks away, her cheeks flushing with color.

Poor girl... why so nervous? It's cool, the Dash is here to make it all better.

She slides her hoof onto the side of Rarity's hips, grinning at her. Rarity freezes again, Dash can feel her hooves tightening against her shoulders. She slides her hoof further down, caressing Rarity's lower belly, and she feels a tremble run through the flesh.

"Dash, what are you doing?"

"Making the most of it." She leans forward to kiss her again.

"Wait."

She feels hooves brace against her shoulders, holding her back. She leans back so she can really see Rarity's face. She looks... scared?

"Wait?" Rainbow Dash says. It's one of her least favorite words.

"Yes, wait. Just hold on. I need to... I don't know."

"Why wait?" Dash glares at her. "This is my – our night. And it's supposed to be your turn now."

"My turn?" The apprehension fades out of Rarity's face. Now she just looks indignant. "My turn?!"

"Yeah. You did me, now I do you."

Rarity's face does a weird roulette of different emotions, eventually settling on something not good. Rainbow Dash guesses it's somewhere between hurt and confused.

"I don't know if I'm alright with this," she says.

"What?" Now Rainbow Dash feels herself getting angry.

"I'm sorry, but I... this is all a bit sudden, isn't it?" Rarity says.

"Sudden? Who cares?"

"I care."

They both just glare at each other for a moment. Rainbow Dash still has her arms on Rarity but she has them extended far out, leaning away.

"I'm sorry," Rarity says. "I want my first time to be something really special. Something with a real connection..."

Your first time are you serious?

That thought is instantly pushed away by anger, rising up through her chest. She feels a torrent of curse words forming in her throat but just barely keeps it contained.

"Real connection? We didn't have a real connection? Earlier?" Rainbow Dash growls out.

"Maybe we did. But Dash I just... this is too fast for me right now. I'm sorry. Let's just take this slow."

Take it slow?! How do you take a drunken fling with a friend slow?

"Besides," Rarity continues, "I'm still not sure if I'm really into this whole gay thing."

WHAT

"What," Dash says flatly. It's not a question.

"I just feel really confused right now. I think I need some time to sort out my feelings."

Oh like I haven't heard that a thousand times before.

"Right, right, I get it," Dash spits out. She throws her hooves back and sits up, sulking. "You had your little bit of scandalous fun and now you're gonna run right back to stallions. I get it."

"What are you talking about?" Rarity says. Dash is impressed for just a second at how genuinely hurt Rarity sounds. She's way better at this than the others.

"Ooh, I'd like to take a trot on the wild side for five minutes! I know, I'll go make out with big, gay Rainbow Dash! Then it's right back to boring old hubby," Dash says.

"I don't have a... I didn't... hmph!" Rarity loses words for a moment. Then she gets a cruel glint in her eye. "And what, I'm supposed to believe this was something special for you? The moment I suggested we might not have sex, you're suddenly angry?"

"Hey, I got off! I'm just trying to return the favor!" Rainbow Dash flares her wings. She jumps off the cushion, hovering over the floor nearby.

"Of all the...! You just wanted to get into my flanks, didn't you? Just like all the others!" Rarity yells, tears welling up in her eyes.

All the others? Is she crying? Man, she's really good at this.

Rainbow Dash takes a deep breath and tries to get a handle on what's going on. Her head is spinning a little again. She takes stock:

Me: Angry and probably not getting any further.

Rarity: Glaring at me from the floor, is she really crying now no those are crocodile tears if I ever saw them you know she's good at those.

Who the hay does she think she is, trying to make me feel bad? Does she have any idea how many times I've been right here, doing this same thing?

"Screw this," Rainbow Dash says, fluttering over to a window.

"Are you leaving?" Rarity says, sitting up on the floor cushion.

"Yes." Dash looks back at her.

Ask me to stay beg me to stay please please oh please

"Fine," Rarity says, crossing her arms. "I suppose that saves me the trouble of asking you to leave."

Rainbow Dash scowls at her and slams the window open. She's about to zip outside when Rarity's soft voice stops her – it's not angry this time. Just sad.

"Thank you," Rarity says.

"What?" Dash turns to her, halfway out the window. Rarity isn't looking up at her.

"For saving my life," Rarity says.

Rainbow Dash feels something threatening to overtake her, some awful, sinking feeling in her stomach. She's afraid for a moment she's going to throw up.

I thought I had sobered up what is this

She flaps her wings and speeds out into the cold night air before it gets any worse. It feels good, so good, out and free again, skimming low over the rooftops of Ponyville. Freezing gusts of wind sting her eyes, that's why there are tears streaming down her cheeks, of course.

She banks sharply, setting course for home.