Medical Procedures

Both Twilight and Rainbow Dash awoke fairly late in the morning, later than they had planned. Twilight was the first to quickly check the time, and then Rainbow Dash who was so well rested, she had forgotten she even worked that day. It only took Twilight seconds to snatch Rainbow out of bed, get her to her senses, and the two immediately left the room headed down the stairs with basically everything they needed for the day.

“Can’t believe we overslept again,” Twilight said with a gruff. “I meant to set those alarm clocks, and I forgot!”

Rainbow, leading the way and checking to see if she had her training book said, “Well, Twi, we got in late last night. Remember? So… it happened. No big deal.” She hoofed with a cocky voice, “We’ve hardly ever been late before anyways!”

Twilight nodded, but looked away with a scowl. “It’s just, you know how I am with my responsibilities.”

“But, we still have time.” Rainbow Smiled while saying, “If we hurry, we can make it, get to work, and everypony’s happy. No stress.”

Rainbow even got the door for her partner, and after wishing Spike a good day, Twilight was on her way as well. On occasions, the two had quite a bit to talk about while on their way to the clinic, but not this day. All Twilight and Rainbow could think about doing was getting to work, and when they got there, all they did was focus on one another’s daily, though linear activities.

For the most part, that’s all the job was to them for the time being, save for those rare occurrences. For example, Dr. Stables had requested Twilight’s help in finding a folder a week ago. It took them roughly two hours just to figure out it was in his locked desk the whole time.

Having heard about it several nights ago, Rainbow would think about this when coming in following closely behind Twilight. That memory would bring her back to when she and Twilight helped Dr. Stables and Nurse Redheart out. Despite her having to get right to work, while trotting down the halls, the pegasus still thought hard about what had transpired during her time within the clinic walls.

While the day went on, she’d trace all the way back to when she’d broken her hoof, and had to occupy one of the very rooms she had to clean regularly. Rainbow would walk by that very door. For a good moment, she’d think about taking it upon herself to clean it, too, seeing as how it was last occupied by herself, and nopony else for all this time.

This was the one room she hadn’t had the chance to get to. Last she made an attempt at cleaning it was during the end of the day when she was all worn out. She was so tired, that she promised herself she’d do it the next day, and then forgot, so she knew it probably needed more than a little attention. Luckily nopony had used it since. She’d be sure to put this on her list of things to do again.

Meanwhile, at Zecora’s hut, Spitfire could be found outside busy at work making a hammock. Tossed rope, cloth and tarp could be found littered about on the ground. Standing amongst all the debris, Spitfire stood holding the end of some rope that she’d wrapped around a tree. She’d gotten one end down on her own, just a few steps away, but this tree was being too difficult for her to manage on her own.

“C’mon,” she grumbled. “Just… a little more…”

That’s when she bit it, gripping hard with her teeth, pulling and tugging. She stopped when Zecora exited her home, mouth slightly agape. “When you said you’d be outside...” the zebra began. “I suppose I should’ve asked that you clarified.”

“Heh, sorry about that Zecora,” Spitfire apologized with a shrug. “Kinda preoccupied with just… relaxing. Say, could you do me a favor? Grab that end and pull as hard as you can.”

Zecora did so, and with more working room than Spitfire, she yanked it through with ease. Spitfire sighed, and then checked the hammock with the weight of her own torso. She pushed it downwards with her hooves, and leveled it before hopping on completely, she gave a satisfied chuckle, and commented, “Awesome.” She quickly got off for a second, took off the jacket that she was wearing, and plopped back on.

Zecora gasped before asking with a sarcastic voice, “When out here, are you sure it’s safe to not be wearing anything? Twilight might come along, and Celestia only knows who she might bring.”

Waving her hoof, Spitfire said, “Nah, they’re at work. Remember?”

Zecora simply laughed, and got busy on other things. Though, Spitfire’s mood seemed off to the zebra. With everything that’d happened, Zecora would think she’d be more broken hearted, not seeking out a vacation setting. “What of Rainbow Dash, by the way?”

The pegasus quickly responded with, “What do you mean?”

“I thought you had a love that had gone astray.” Zecora looked at Spitfire lor a good, long couple of second, and the pegasus simply stared back. Finally, she grabbed some sunglasses from amongst all the rubble below and proceeded to shield her eyes.

“Nothing for it…” There was more emotion in her voice than she would’ve liked to admit. “I mean, she’ll still end up an honorary member of the Wonderbolts in the end and all. I’m just trying to relax, Zecora, and not think about… her right now.”

Nodding her head, the zebra looked away, and proceeded to pick some herbs from the side of her hut. When she came back around and started heading inside, though, she mentioned, “I take it you still don’t know what happened with the bouquet, and the polifern. For that reason, you should return to the clinic.” She stopped at the door, and finished, “But I won’t be stern.”

As Spitfire was left alone, she ruffled her wings to try and get more comfortable, but she knew Zecora was right. She’d known this for a while, and said back to Zecora rather loudly, “I know, which is why I’ve already got a plan to get inside! Today!”

Zecora poked her head and torso out from the corner, and soon had her whole self outside to listen. As Spitfire explained her plan, Zecora nodded with a smile. “Yes, I believe this will do quite well. You’ve thought this out thoroughly, I can tell.”

Spitfire didn’t request Zecora’s help in this, not this time. Spitfire only needed one other Wonderbolt who just so happened to be on their way to the clinic at that very moment. After Spitfire had relaxed enough for the morning, she’d take off, headed for the clinic as well.

However, just before leaving, she’d assure Zecora she’d do her best to figure out what happened to the bouquet of flowers. More specifically, the tweaked Polifern.

Lunch had just ended for Rainbow Dash, and no Twilight to speak of. Grumbling about this on her way back to the front desk, Rainbow spoke silently so that nopony nearby would hear her. “What’s the big idea? Showing me up for lunch... I thought she said this morning that she’d be there.”

Though, as she rounded the corner, that feeling would fade thanks to Dr. Stables. He stood over the counter, shuffling some papers. The second Rainbow came into his sights, his attention was completely diverted. “Ah, Ms. Dash! So sorry I couldn’t get this message to you sooner.” He breathed, his hoof on his chest.

“What’s up, doc?”

“Twilight’s lunch hour was needed for a certain patient. You… might know her.” His face grew grim. “It’s Fleetfoot.”

The look on Rainbow’s face was one she rarely made. “R-really?”

“It’s just a hurt wing, nothing she couldn’t have dealt with herself, but Spitfire insisted she come to this clinic just to be sure. Now, please keep this secret... we’re apparently nearby where the whole team of Wonderbolts are hiding out at.”

Rainbow nodded in compliance. “Of course.”

“Twilight didn’t join you because her assistance was needed urgently. She asked me to let you know as soon as possible.”

Rainbow backed up, and only had one question to ask. “Is S-Spitfire coming here as all?”

The good doctor stared, blinked, and said, “I don’t think so…”

Rainbow huffed. “Good… I just don’t wanna let her see me like this, in this uniform.”

He nodded, and then walked by her. “Right, well, anyways... think you can watch the lobby while I’m gone?”

Although Rainbow didn’t know it, she would regret accepting the job in the next five to ten minutes. Nevertheless, she gladly said, “Sure thing!”

Time ticked by, Rainbow’s mind quickly trying to figure out the situation. She couldn’t possibly go visit Fleetfoot, she knew that, but she at least wanted to know how she was doing. “Maybe I could…”

Just as Rainbow began forming a plan, her mind finally off of the past as well as Spitfire, the front door opened. Rainbow was quick to give her typical greeting to whomever it might’ve been. “Welcome to the Ponyville Clinic. How may I help... you…” Her voice wavered as the pony coming in came closer to where Rainbow sat. “Today…”

“Well, well,” Spitfire chimed with a smile, furtively loving the moment. “Rainbow Dash?” She stared at the mare who was all dressed up as cute as could be, looking so different, and yet still herself. Spitfire removed her shady glasses, and stuck them in the collar of her official, blue Wonderbolts jacket. “What’re you wearing?”

At that, Rainbow would have bet all her bits that she’d been set up. “W-what’re you…” That’s all that would come out of Rainbow’s mouth. She was too shocked to say much more, and Spitfire noticed this quickly.

The smile on her face disappeared, and Spitfire calmly stated to Rainbow, “If you’re worried about what I think, don’t.”

“I work here…” Rainbow’s expression was troubled to say the least. “I, uh, needed something to occupy my time other than flying while I recuperated.”

Spitfire, merely testing her favored pony, asked, “And have you been training?”

Rainbow nodded, but still shaken by being seen like this. To her, this was such a delicate instance. “I even got some training material, so I should be good to go in no time! Heh...”

Spitfire nodded back. “Good… So, I’m mainly here for one thing.”

“Fleetfoot… Right?”

Spitfire smiled coyly, and then asked Rainbow for the room number. It only took Rainbow a moment to find out, feeling the eyes of her idol upon her. She gave Spitfire the information she needed to know, and watched Spitfire awkwardly walk off without saying much else. Just before she had left Rainbow’s company, though, she stopped walking, and asked, “By the way…?”

Rainbow gave Spitfire her attention once more, still nervous. “Yes?”

“Whatever happened to those flowers I sent you?”

“Flowers?”

Spitfire turned around, her demeanor very direct. “Yes, Ms. Dash. I’m very particular with my words.”

Rainbow looked away, almost appearing to have a scowl, but then her eyes widened. “Oh, the ones you sent me! Yeah… about that.” Spitfire came closer. “I’m allergic to some of those flowers, so I had Twilight take them away.”

Spitfire kept her cool, but the hairs on the back of her neck were standing on end. “What kind are you allergic to, exactly?”

Rainbow made a suspicious face, but answered openly, “Petunias, carnations, and tulips.”

Spitfire said under her breath, “Shouldn’t matter, then…”

“Huh?”

Spitfire thought quick to save herself, “Err, I don’t remember there being any of those in the one I selected!” She scratched the back of her head after saying that, hoping Rainbow would buy, and she did.

Rainbow shook her head. “I’m telling you, I saw tulips. Alright?”

Spitfire chuckled. “Alright, I got it… Say, how far away did you stay from the room Fleetfoot’s at? Just outta curiosity.”

Spitfire was playing her cards just right, and almost too easily leeched the information she needed from the unassuming pegasus. “Well,” Rainbow said, not having to think too hard. “I stayed in room two twenty-four, and that’s across the long hallway from Fleetfoot’s room. It’s right across from the stairs.”

Spitfire nodded. “Huh… See, whenever I tried to visit you, I never could find it.”

Rainbow couldn’t hide how surprised she was to hear this. “Oh… Wow... You came to visit…?” She looked away, and asked, “Uh, say Spitfire? We haven’t hung out in a while. In fact, this is the first we’ve talked in months... Are you busy later on?”

Spitfire blinked, wanting badly to avoid this entirely. “Well, I gotta report back and all, but… Maybe I’ll show up to train with you anyways. For now…” She began walking away. “I need to be going.”

Rainbow checked around the corner, and sighed after it was all over. Spitfire on the other hoof was having a hard time coping with herself. Zecora couldn’t provide her the Polifern, as she was finally completely out.

So, Spitfire had to get in, and get out, and fast. It only took her a few minutes to reach the door to room two twenty-four. Just before entering, Spitfire took a deep breath, and said, “Even though the vase was removed… I need to make sure…” Then, she opened the door.