"Wow," Rainbow Dash said. "You look... nice. Very nice." She shifted, one ear twitching. Her wings gave a flick before pulling back in, tucking against the mare's sides again.

"Thank you," Marble said. Although her voice was so low, she doubted that it was heard. She looked at Rainbow from the corner of an eye, a warmth spreading across her face. "You... you look really nice as well."

It was easy to see that Marble's lips were moving, but Rainbow could not hear what she was saying. Still, she did think that the mare did look very pretty. Although it would have been nice to see both of her eyes instead of just one.

"Oh. Right." Reaching back, Rainbow pulled out the violets she had picked up at the flower stall. "Here. I got these for you."

The sight of the purple flowers got a small gasp from Marble. Flowers? For her? No one had ever gotten her flowers before. They were so pretty. With deep purple petals that turned nearly black further in, and the small spot of yellow in the very center. Leaning in, Marble took a deep breath, letting the scent of the violets fill her nose.

"I take it you like them," Rainbow said, smiling at the reaction.

"Mmhmm," Marble replied as she took the flowers from her date.

"I'll take those," Pinkie said, taking the flowers. "Except..." Pulling out one of the violets, she slipped it behind her sister's ear. "There. Perfect." Her grin grew brighter before she pronked off to put the flowers in a vase.

For her part, it was a relief to Rainbow Dash that Marble liked the flowers. Admittedly, picking them based off of a figure of speech -- making it a little funny to her -- may not have been the best way to go with it. Still, they were pretty, and appreciated, so it worked out well. Just so long as Marble never asked "why violets?" Explaining it was because of the term "shrinking violet" may not go well with Marble's sense of humor.

"So, are you ready?" Rainbow asked.

"Mmhmm," Marble replied, stepping out of the door and joining her as they began to walk.

"So... I was thinking that we could have dinner, and catch a play. Then, if you're up for it, maybe do some dancing. That sound good?"

"Mmhmm."

This seemed to Rainbow Dash like it was going to be a bit of a challenge. Well, she already knew that. More accurately, it was sinking in how difficult having conversations with Marble was going to be. With Marble being so shy and having a hard time speaking, Rainbow was going to have to do most of the talking. That was something that Rainbow did not mind, really. Except her friends told her it was not appropriate behavior to completely dominate a conversation. Especially when she made it entirely about herself. She would have to get Marble to open up at least a little.

Maybe she could get Marble open up if she could get her to laugh. Considering she was Pinkie's sister, maybe there was a perfect opportunity.

"So, did Pinkie ever tell you about some of the pranks she and I pulled together?"

The question got a curious look from Marble, raising one eyebrow and giving a small shake of her head.

"Well, one time, a friend of ours, a dragon named Spike..."

Rainbow then went on to tell Marble about giving Spike hiccups, painting all the apple at Sweet Apple Acres, and giving Twilight Sparkle disappearing ink. As Rainbow talked, Marble started to soften up. She gave a small smirk, which became a full smile. As Rainbow continued to talk, Marble began to snicker. Then giggle. Soon, Marble was actually laughing.

"And that was when my mane caught on fire," Rainbow finished, getting a snort from Marble.

"That didn't happen," Marble said, loud enough for Rainbow to actually hear her.

For a moment, Rainbow Dash considered claiming it was. She was even tempted to say "if I'm lying, then may lightning strike me." Except with her luck, the very well could happen.

"No," Rainbow admitted. "You got me. I made that last part up." She grinned and nudged Marble with a wing. "But it got you to laugh. You should do it more often. It's kind of cute."

The compliment caused Marble to gasp out and blush, looking away from Rainbow Dash. Marble had never really laughed out loud around anyone but her family. Really, it was only around Pinkie, with once or twice Maud when she told a joke. At least, never loud enough to be heard. Nopony else had really heard it before, to say nothing of calling it "cute."

However, Marble Pie's reaction gave Rainbow Dash a different impression. Rainbow thought that she had embarrassed Marble by drawing attention to her laugh. It was not Rainbow's intention to make Marble self-conscious. She was trying to get her to open up and come out of her shell. She was even succeeding. And with one comment, it had all been shut down.

Okay, Rainbow thought. It's no big deal. I can fix this, no problem. We're almost at the restaurant. Just a little small talk before the food arrives, then we can eat in silence. Then we just have to make it to the play. Once that's over, she'll definitely be more relaxed.

"I really like your mane," Marble said, drawing Rainbow Dash from her thoughts and plotting.

"Really?"

"Mmhmm. It's so colorful and bright. I would love to paint it some time."

The statement caused Rainbow Dash to slow down, looking at Marble curiously.

"You paint?"

"Sometimes," Marble answered. "Although not very often. I also draw a little, but mostly I sculpt. It's... my special talent actually."

"Ah," Rainbow said, giving a nod. "Well, I have no problem with it. Think a painting of me would be awesome."

"It does mean you would have to hold still for a while until I at least get the basics done," Marble pointed out.

"Okay, that might be a problem," Rainbow Dash conceded. She always had a hard time staying still, especially for any extended period of time. Unless she was sleeping, but even then she would toss and turn. The idea of having to hold perfectly still for however long was not something she liked the idea of very much.

"But I'm sure we can work something out."

Marble Pie smiled at the possibility. She had never done any figure painting before. The few paintings she had done were still lifes, either of the farm, or of the crystals in the caves underneath (and one of Holder's Boulder she had done for Limestone). The problem was that there were only so many times that you could paint the same place, especially when it was pretty much just brown and gray, with a bit of bluish-gray for the sky. The crystals were a little better since they were a nice pink, but they never really changed. So one picture of them was pretty much like another, even if at a different angle.

The opportunity to do a painting of a pony, especially one that was so colorful, and confident... lean... muscular...

Marble's smile vanished as she looked away from Rainbow Dash, a fresh blush spreading across her face. Had she been thinking that? Had she actually thought about that? Was she actually starting to find Rainbow Dash... attractive?

Carefully so as not to be noticed, Marble looked at Rainbow Dash from the corner of her eye. In a way, Rainbow Dash was a study in contrast with The Pie Family. All of the Pies were on the thick side, heavily built with functional muscles for the heavy lifting and pushing that the rock farm needed. Rainbow was all lean and toned muscle, designed less for strength and more for speed. With the exception of Pinkie and Nana, the Pies were pretty much earth colors. But Rainbow Dash was brightly colored, especially with the rainbow colored mane and tail.

But it was not all the physical appearance that Marble had noticed. Seeing how Rainbow Dash was friends with Pinkie Pie -- how she saved the whole of Equestria and individual ponies on multiple occasions -- she must have been a good mare. She also seemed so confident and certain. Rainbow Dash stood tall and was not afraid to look other ponies in the eye. She knew what she wanted, and was not afraid to go after it.

There was also... something else. Marble could not quite place it, but there was something familiar about Rainbow Dash. Something that reminded Marble of herself. A silly notion, of course. They were pretty much polar opposites. The "bold and cocky" pegasus who wanted to be a Wonderbolt and perform in front of thousands of ponies, and a shy and quiet earth pony rock farmer that just wanted to create a little bit of art.

Still... there was something.

"There it is," Rainbow Dash said, pointing forward with her nose. "Mon petit Poney. The fanciest Prench restaurant in Ponyville."

"I've never had Prench food before," Marble said, looking at the restaurant in front of her."

"Neither have I," Rainbow admitted, "but it's supposed to be an ideal location for a date."

The two then made their way to the place, a table already waiting for them.

The place was not to Rainbow Dash's liking. The whole place was all fancy looking, like they were trying to mimic the style of the castle or something. At least she thought it did. It was actually difficult to make out the finer details of the place when it was so dim from the "romantic candlelight." It also made Dash feel under-dressed, even if Rarity made the outfit and knew they were coming here.

Why did she let Rarity even talk her into coming to this place to begin with? Fine, her idea of getting hayburgers and fries was not exactly "romantic," but did they really have to come to such a fancy -- and probably uptight considering the host or whatever he called himself -- place to eat instead? Why not something a little fancy, like the cafe?

For a moment, she considered suggesting just that: that the two of them forget this place and go somewhere else to eat. Some place that is at least a little more casual, although not fast food casual. Maybe something more like a bar and grill, or a chineighse place.

When they were seated and given menus, Rainbow Dash looked at some of the options. She actually felt a little bit of relief as she read through them. Although the names were kind of strange, she recognized what was in most of the dishes. A lot of them were things that she would normally eat. She had been worried about... well... admittedly, she had not actually thought about what she would be expecting them to serve. But when the only thing she knew about their food is that they eat bugs, she was not imagining what was pretty much normal food.

Maybe this was a good sign? Maybe this date would not go too badly? The walk here had been nice. So if dinner was going better than she had already expected, then maybe the whole night will be.

That idea gave Rainbow Dash a slight sense of relief, and made it easier to pick out what she wanted.