Wednesday, December 29, 1948
Fluttershy’s Cottage

“I’m so glad that you accepted my job offer Dashie,” said Fluttershy as she led pegasi friend inside.

“I’m glad I could help,” replied Rainbow Dash, excited at the prospect to spend some quality time with Fluttershy.

“Since its cold outside, we’ll be inside, taking care of some of the smaller critters that aren’t hibernating.”
“I’m used to taking care of Tank, but I have no experience with non-Turtle-”
“Tortoise,” corrected Fluttershy.
“Right. But anyways, I’m sure that with your kind assistance I’ll be a helpful assistance.”
“Let’s get you started with something simple,” said Fluttershy, her soft, feminine voice causing Rainbow Dash’s heart to flutter. “How about you go over to the kitchen and grab me some plates and lettuce. I need you to cut two leaves for each of the rabbits. There are eight of them not counting Angel. I’ll make him his special treat.”
Rainbow Dash obliged Fluttershy, trotting over to the kitchen. Getting the meal ready for Fluttershy’s animal friends, Rainbow Dash felt proud of the fact that she was being useful.
The past couple of days had been marked by Hearth's Warming Eve. Of course, Rainbow Dash appreciated the amazing gifts that she had received and the copious amounts of cider that was available. However, being the busybody that she was, Dash rarely enjoyed laying around doing nothing for more than a day or two. The job with Fluttershy gave her the opportunity to have something to pass the time.
Returning to Fluttershy’s living room, Rainbow Dash placed the various plates on the floor in front of the assembled rabbits. Calmly, they nibbled the food up. While Rainbow Dash wasn’t one to be easily moved by animal cuteness, she had to admit that bunnies were adorable while they nibbled on food. Her musings were interrupted by the sound of Fluttershy pleading with her petulant pet bunny.
“Please Angel. I know that prefer a salad with a cherry and oranges. But we don’t have any right now. I promise to grab it the next time I go out to the market.”
Angel proceed to kick the specially made treat aside, creating a mess. Without saying a word, Fluttershy proceed to start picking up the mess that he had created.
“Fluttershy! Are you going to take that from him?” asked Rainbow Dash, appalled by Fluttershy’s passiveness in the face of her pet’s abusive behavior.
“Well Angel can be rather nasty when he doesn’t get what he wants. I’ve learned that it’s best not to bother him.”
“For Celestia’s sake, why don’t you use your ‘Stare?’” asked Rainbow Dash.
“Oh I wouldn’t want to do that,” said Fluttershy, pawing the ground with her hoof. “It would be cruel to use the ‘Stare’ on my pets. I only use it for emergencies where they or my friends are in danger.”
“Whatever Fluttershy. Look, you can’t let him walk all over you like that. I know you love him, but he’s going to have to start showing some respect to you.”
“What do you propose doing?” asked Fluttershy desperately.
“Well to start with, make him eat what you prepare for him. You put a lot of effort into that meal and he ought to appreciate it. Watch and learn.”
Rainbow Dash marched over to Angel the bunny. “Listen here buster. Fluttershy spent a lot of time making you a special meal. You can eat it or not. But you’re not going to get another meal made for you.”
“Rainbow Dash! He’ll starve to death!”
“Nonsense Fluttershy. He has the biggest meal of any of the bunnies here. He’ll eat it alright.”
“But-”
“No buts Fluttershy! We’ve got to put the hoof down here and now.”
Angel crossed his arms and started defiantely stopping his right foot. Rainbow Dash put her arm around Fluttershy and guided her over to the couch.
After a few minutes, Angel realized that he wasn’t going to be appeased. Capitulating, Angel proceed to eat the meal in front of him. As Fluttershy saw her pet consume the meal that she had made for him, she realized that Rainbow Dash had helped put Angel in his place.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Think nothing about it,” replied Rainbow Dash.
Fluttershy leaned in and gave Dashie a platonic hug before pulling away. While she didn’t say anything, Rainbow Dash secretly wished that the hug had lasted longer.
“I’ll have to give Fluttershy some more time before I come out to her,” thought Rainbow Dash to herself.