first chapter! yayyy!

chapter takes place after S5 E15, (Rarity Investigates!) and the chapter Royal Garden Opening: II of Moments That Brought Them Together

“Hey Rarity,” Dash greeted, gently opening the door to Canterlot Carousel. She didn’t want to knock down the mannequins and make the unicorn annoyed. Again.

Rarity popped out and smiled. “Hello Rainbow Dash! Give me a minute and we can get going, darling,” she called, poking her head back in to the back room of her boutique.

“Alright, I’ll wait.” A giddy smile spread over face. Ever since last night, Dash had been basically over the moon. She had actually hung out with Soarin last night. Soarin! Co-captain of the Wonderbolts, her idol, and friend. And it wasn’t that he was required to, he had wanted to. With nothing he needed or secretly wanted from her. Not that she blamed him, she was awesome after all.

After the whole ugly mess with Wind Rider which had left her particularly hurt that the other ‘Bolts, especially him, had been so quick to accuse her of sending Spitfire away. He had come to apologize, and he did, profusely.

Soarin.

Dash didn’t know why the thought of the goofy pie lover had brought a smile to her face instantly. Just last night she was angry at him for blaming her, and then he had come to her door and asked to go for a fly.

She had been reluctant for a few seconds, pride and emotions getting in the way. Then Dash had decided to give him a chance . After all, the nervous and regretful look he wore made her believe that he had a reason for asking her to come, and was not simply just there to have some fun with her.
She had been correct.

He had explained and apologized. But what really struck a chord with Dash was how he had dropped his status, told her to be honest and not give a shit about the fact that he was a celebrity.

“Don’t say it’s okay when it isn’t. Don’t lie to my face. I consider you... my friend. Get angry with me. Forget I’m a Wonderbolt. Forget I’m famous. Right now, I’m just Soarin. So talk, say whatever you need to say. Please.”

Those words brought an indescribable feeling to Dash. None of the ‘Bolts, not even Spitfire, a pony whom Dash had the utmost respect for, had ever touched her heart like he did. Soarin was incredibly kind, and despite him never being her favourite member, she was starting to think of him on a higher and different level. Not romantically, but not just as a friend either, although Dash would never admit that to herself. She didn’t have time for boys. She had a goal and nothing would distract her.

“Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said. Something told Dash this wasn’t the first time her friend had said her name.

She grinned. “Heh, sorry.”

As they started forward down and away from the streets, out of ear sight from ponies, Rarity finally asked, “Are you okay? What was with the spacing out?”

An excited smile covered Dash’s face. “Okay, okay, guess who came and knocked on my door last night.” She bit back a grin as she remembered their time together, easy and comfortable.

“All your encounters are like, on the same level as Daring Do adventures,” he added.

Her eyes lit up at his comment and she let out a small squeal. “You read Daring Do?!”

“Of course!” he nudged her. “A.K. is my favourite author.”

“Heh, same. Favourite book?”

“I really like The Griffin’s Goblet, but my favourite would have to be Daring Do and The Quest~”

“For The Sapphire Stone!” Rainbow exclaimed. “That’s my favourite too. Twilight introduced me to the series.”

What made him surprisingly even more awesome, was that he was completely normal. And totally cool.

“Oh, I don’t know. One of the Wonderbolts, I presume?” Rarity mused.

“Obviously,” Dash responded. “Which one though?”

Rarity tapped her chin as a delighted smile came to her face. “It wouldn’t happen to be the co-captain who’s pie you saved at the gala now, would it?”

Dash’s mouth hung open. She knew her friend had a knack for detail, but she genuinely hadn’t expected her to get it right on the first try. “How’d you know?” Dash inquired, peering at Rarity.

Her glamorous friend shrugged and waved a hoof. “Oh, please. Did you not see the relief and regret in his eyes when it was revealed that Wind Rider had spent Spitfire away? It was so obvious and so sweet!” she gushed.

Dash blinked as the two made their way over a short green hill. “I guess I didn’t. Too surprised that my idol would actually frame me for something like that,” she muttered. Wind Rider was a jerk, she knew that. But it was hard when you looked up to somepony for so long, only to have them do something awful, especially like when they were trying to get you into serious trouble and make your life-long dream disappear.

Rarity gave her a sympathetic look. “Oh I know, darling. I’m awfully sorry about that,” she apologized.

“Not your fault, Rare.”

The two paused at the very top and looked out at the rolling hills and lakes, accompanied by beautiful green grass and colourful flowers. “Still, it must be awful to have such an idol of yours turn out to be such a....” She made circles with her white hoof, looking for the appropriate word.

Dash grinned as one came to mind. “Dickhead?” she voiced.

Rarity turned her head sharply and let out ‘humph’ at Dash’s wording. “Rainbow Dash! A lady never uses such language.”

Dash simply shrugged. “It’s true.”

After letting out another huff, Rarity began to walk again. “So, as you were saying... Soarin came and visited you last night?”

Dash’s magenta eyes lit up. “Yeah! We hung out for a bit, went for a fly. He... apologized. Told me to get angry, not worry about the fact that he’s a Wonderbolt.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow at that. “Really? Well, that sure is saying something,” she remarked. “What did you tell him?”

“I tried to tell him it was fine, but he insisted...” Her voice trailed off. “And I was angry. And I guess a little shocked and hurt,” she admitted. Dash always hated admitting her feelings, even if it was to her closest friends.

“You had every right to be. They treated you unfairly, even if it did seem like you were the one who sent Spitfire the fake note.”

“Right,” she muttered.

“You do, darling,” Rarity assured. “Just because they’re your idols does not mean you have to lose all respect for and doubt yourself. Remember during the Equestria Games trials?”

Dash rubbed her neck, memories resurfacing. “I was pretty great there, huh?”

“Absolutely.” She paused to smile up at her friend before continuing. “So, what else happened on that little night flight of yours?” The unicorn managed to reign in her nosy ways for a little longer and ask a more appropriate question.

Dash smiled. “Well after we cleared everything up, we had a race. I won,” she announced triumphantly.

“One... two... three!” she shouted and blasted off, flying as fast as she could. Soarin quickly caught up to her and passed just for a second. She noticed and laughed. He thought is sounded like music. She weaved her away around the cloud and dashed back. He was hot on her trail and even though it was a super close call, she finished first and he came behind her a second later.

“Yeah!” she cheered, “I’m awesome.” She nudged him. “Nice try, Soarin.”

He laughed. “Yeah, yeah.”

“No ‘good job’?” she asked, still teasing.

He sat down. “No need to boost your ego more.”

“Aw, it’s not that bad. Besides,” she smirked, “I am awesome.”

Racing him had given Dash a thrill. The thrill of being free, no worries, and letting herself fly. Flying was what she lived for. And the fact that she got to do it and feel the way she did around a Wonderbolt was amazing. For once, she did not feel the need to impress him.

She had let herself be free.

“Then we just talked. I told him about the time in the Crystal Empire, Twilight getting the heart, all of that.”

“Oh, yes? How’d he take that?” Rarity asked curiously.

“He loved it! Kudos to me though, cause I’m a great storyteller,” she bragged as they continued their stroll. “Besides that, we just... I dunno, asked each other questions. He likes Daring Do as well!” she exclaimed excitedly. When she had first found out, she had been Pinkie Pie excited, although she played it off as well as she could. “And pie, and he really likes Ponyville and the Crystal Empire. You know he’s been friends with Spitfire and Fleetfoot since they were kids?” Dash rattled off. She always got excited when talking about the team.

“No, I did not,” Rarity chided. “Hmm, that explains why he was so worried about Spitfire.”

“Yeah, they’re definitely close friends,” Dash replied. Soarin cared about his teammates. His friends. He wasn’t fake, not just in it for the money and popularity, unlike a lot of famous ponies.

“Oh, yes yes. How do you feel about that?”

Dash tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, well, clearly Soarin is close with Spitfire,” Rarity said slowly. “Are you... jealous?” She winked as a coy smile took on place her features.

Dash groaned and hoof palmed. Why was Rarity always wondering about stallions and crushes? Didn’t she understand that Dash had more important things to worry about? Keep in mind, Dash knew she was not immune to having romantic feelings or experiencing physical attraction, it just definitely was not something she went out of her way to find. If she wanted pleasure and a good time, it was just a matter of getting a guy who would keep her sex life a secret and indulge with her for a night.

Her first and only coltfriend had not liked Dash’s large ambition. She was constantly practicing her flying or trying to do something that would provide her with excitement. Rocket had been jealous of it, saying she liked the thrill more than him, that she was a terrible marefriend, and not good enough for him.

More like he wasn’t good enough for her, she thought. There were few ponies who could match her awesomeness.

She just realized that love didn’t seem to be her thing, which was fine with her. Most stallions were either turned off or too intimidated by her skill, brashness, and “unladylike” personality. Not that she minded, most couldn’t keep up with her. But Soarin could, and she sort of liked the idea of that...

She smiled. Soarin seemed to like her just the way she was. Enjoyed her spirit and admired her skills, instead of being intimidated by them. Maybe it was cause he could match them, but still… a guy like him was rare. Very rare in my experience.

Blinking, Dash shook her head. Stop it, Dash. Yeah, he’s your friend. And he’s good looking. That’s it. No feelings involved.

“Rarity,” Dash sighed. “He’s just a casual friend, nothing more.”

“I saw him looking at you quite a few times. He even called you the best once!”

She let out a disbelieving scoff. “Yeah, so? Spitfire and Fleetfoot complimented me too. What’s the big deal?”

“Darling,” Rarity chuckled. “Spitfire and Fleetfoot complimented your ability, your skill. Soarin complimented you.”

“You’re the best, Rainbow Dash.”

“Oh, well, he was just being nice. I am pretty awesome,” she reminded, voice tinted with pride. “Anyways, I don’t like him like that. What makes you think I do?”

Rarity shrugged. “Oh, just a hunch. Are you sure? I won’t tell anypony, Pinkie Promise,” she swore. The white pony bit her lip, but couldn’t resist adding, “Quite handsome too. I see why he’s popular with the mares.”

She sighed. Rarity was relentless when it came to this stuff. “No,” Dash drawled out in a bored tone. “I don’t like Soarin. He’s just a friend.”

She’s out of her mind.

To her annoyance, Rarity just chuckled. “Whatever you say, dear. Oh! There’s the lovely little restaurant Fancypants was telling me about! Come on!”

Dash followed her friend, glad for the change of subject.

Through lunch, the pair merely discussed the food, the garden opening, and some of their friends back home, but Rarity’s words were stuck in the back of Dash’s mind the entire time.

I don’t like Soarin. I don’t like Soarin. She shook her head to her pondering Rarity’s words. She did not like Soarin.

As they were leaving, Dash looked upward, and the memory of Soarin flying gracefully came to mind. A memory that had her smiling the rest of the way back to Canterlot.