Andrew whistled to himself as he admired his fresh if oldish suit. The almost human-friendly full length mirror in Applejack’s spare bedroom providing a good reflection of the human.

“Damn, I clean up good,” Andrew grinned, slicking his hair back with a hand. Tightening his purple tie before tucking it under the silver-grey vest. Aligning the pristine white handkerchief in his top coat pocket, he picked up the comb on his bedside dresser.

As he tackled the fun-loving heap of hair on top of his head into a more manageable, far sexier do, the door to his bedroom opened and in waltzed Applejack.

“Well poke me with a tail and call me a donkey! I don’t think I've ever seen you in a suit!” she whistled, admiring his form up and down, tracing him with her eyes.

“Easy AJ, or else you’re gonna have to fight against Dash for this piece of work,” he smiled, fiddling with the cuffs of the sleeves.

“Speaking of which, whats this I hear ‘bout Dash getting all purdied up on you?” Applejack asked, the idea that her pegasi friend had been the one to ask Andrew to come to the ball piping her curiosity.

“Well, lets just say I’ve got a theory,” the human replied, still warring with the cuffs.

Applejack rolled her eyes before trotting over and overtaking the man’s fumblings.

“And this theory of yers is?” she asked, leaving the question hanging as she straightened his sleeves.

“Well, from what I’ve put together from recent events, and from what Scootaloo has told me, I might be having a little ‘come to jesus’ meeting with her tonight.”

“Come again?”

“I’ve got some questions for that girl. And if my assumptions are bang up then she’s got a pretty big one for me too,” Andrew explained.

“You’re avoiding the question, Andrew,” Applejack tsked.

“Well yeah,I guess I am. The less people who know about this the better, in case it all blows up in my face,” he shrugged.

“Let’s just say tonight is going to change a lot of things. And it’s probably going to have the words, ‘sompony’ and ‘special’ tossed around a lot. Not particularly in that order.”

Applejack finished up, releasing Andrew’s arm. “Ah just hope you don’t ruin what you have with her.”

“...you know, you cotton on a lot faster than you give yourself credit for.”

“Come on Andrew, it was plain as day to see that RD is head over hooves for you,” Applejack stated.

Andrew turned his head away. “...I know,” he said noncommittally, sporting a look of incredibly deep inner turmoil.

“Andrew,” Applejack started sternly. “Has Dash ever told you about her previous relationships?”

Andrew turned to look at her, the strength of her voice holding a no bullshit tone. “No, not really.”

Applejack sighed. “Well it’s her business to tell you, but I’ll say that she’s been dealt some bad cards. I do not want to see her go down that road again,” Applejack glowered.

“Just... I know I can’t make this decision for you. But please don’t break ‘er heart.”

Andrew sighed, looking at the setting sun acting as a cosmic timer, counting down the hours left until he had to face the music.

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Insects buzzed around the enchanted candle lit lamps of the Ponyville upper-end suburb. The cobbled streets that were bordered by expensive grandiose mansions was filled with a river of multi-colored party goers.

In droves, pony after pony marched down the streets towards the large hall where the ball was being hosted. Some ponies walked in pairs, leisurely enjoying the early night air. Others walked in groups, mainly friends with their dates eagerly chatting about the fantastic night ahead.

And then there were those who walked all on their lonesome, much like Andrew was doing right at this moment. Applejack had left for the ball much earlier, having to set up the catering long before the ball kicked off. The man clad in his fine three piece suit slowly meandered around, lagging behind the main throng of ponies, obviously in no rush.

There was too much on his mind to bother keeping up with the mass. Not that they minded anyways, there was still more than a few ponies who crossed the street when he walked by. That wasn’t what irked him tonight though.

Aside from Applejack, there was only one other pony in town who knew about Andrew’s dilemma with Rainbow’s affections.It was his shrink, Doctor Clear Sight. A funny name considering the size of the glasses the poor stallion had to wear.

Andrew remembered the day when he had put two and two together about what Rainbow was hinting at. Coincidentally,that realization had occurred on one of his appointments with the physiatrist.

To say that the psychiatrist was surprised would be a bold faced lie. After treating an extra-dimensional traveller as a patient, hearing that he was having trouble with mares didn’t register too high on his ‘weird-o-meter.’

Despite this, Clear Sight had been an immense help. The day Andrew had gone in to explain what he had discovered he had been vehemently opposed to the idea of an inter-species relationship.

Now though, after all the gentle persuasion of the shrink, it actually felt... good. A relationship would do him well, someone to get him through the tougher, colder, lonelier nights. But even though he felt like saying yes, the age old antagonist of doubt still resided in the pit of his gut.

Andrew just couldn’t shake the feeling. He was certain that tonight was the night it was all coming out, but when it all boiled down to that yes or no question, could he make the right choice?

He didn’t want to ruin what he had with Rainbow. She was truly a legendary friend. But after tonight Andrew wasn’t certain they could keep that bond. When it all came down to it, could he love Dash?

The ballroom came into view, a sort of greenhouse looking structure. Silver-white metal struts and frames held the large starlit windows that made up most of the roof and the walls. A smaller, actual stone building was affixed to the back, likely where all the catering took place. The entire structure was accentuated with snaking vines growing along the lattice work around the glass house.

With a deep breath and one final straightening tug of his tie, Andrew set forth to find his ‘date’.

An hour earlier, in Ponyvilles only resistant cloudhouse, Rainbow Dash was also pulling her mane out, although for a very different reason.

“Ow! Stupid brush! How does Rarity put up with you things?” Rainbow grumbled, standing in front of her bathroom mirror, trying to force her spectrum of colors into their designated locks.

Steam still floated around inside the bathroom from the scaldingly hot shower she had just taken. It wasn’t often Rainbow went all out like this, especially for a stallion. But this was Andrew, A man so great it had prompted the mare into buying the top shelf shampoo and conditioner on the off chance that he might stroke her mane.

Rainbow paused, letting herself fall into a memory. The first time Andrew had ran his fingers through her mane. It had been a tuesday, the week had barely started and already it had it out for the mare. Tired, bruised and generally feeling pretty crumby, she found herself at Applejacks, more specifically in Andrew’s room. They didn’t do much, she just wanted to spend time with her crush she had been on the cusp of nodding off when he did it.

And by Celestia did she melt. It was indescribable, she actually moaned a little when he did it. The mighty Rainbow Dash! Moaning from being petted! Thankfully Andrew didn’t notice nor cared, but he only did it a few times before stopping, and Rainbow was damn sure she wanted a whole lot more of that.

Finally giving up on the brush, she moved to her wings. The show piece of any pegasus, the cleaner, nicer and more gorgeous a mare’s wings were, the sexier they were deemed. Of course, that wasn’t why Rainbow normally preened them, she kept them sleek, strong and functional. No point in trying to make them look nice when no one could see them moving at near the speed of sound.

But tonight, she put her all into them. Perfectly straightened, not a single feather out of place. Her primaries shined with the rather expensive preening oil she had purchased. The small silvery-gold clips she delicately placed on their tips added to their majesty, much like an earring did.

Rainbow paused. Rummaging around in the countertop drawer, she found one of about three pairs of earrings she owned. She didn’t like to wear them much. After all, those kinds of accessories were unnecessary when pulling her stunts, but tonight was different.

Carefully, she adorned the large, frankly oversized earrings to her. They were uncomfortable, but it was nothing she couldn’t handle.

Once satisfied, she spread her plumage to show herself in the mirror. What reflected was an image of perfect symmetry; every feather shining and pointing where it should. Rainbow smiled, blushing to herself ever so slightly. She never thought of herself as beautiful, but even she had to admit that she did look stunning.

‘Only the best for him,’ she thought.

Making her way to the bedroom, she quickly donned the dress that Rarity had ‘persuaded’ her to have. It was fairly simple compared to the others she had, it was a long flowing night sky black dress that was ever so slightly see-through. Much like her Gala dress from a few years ago, the bottom of the dress was lined with a cloud-like border, matching that one that was around her neck. The dress became awfully narrow in her midsection, exposing her belly with just a small amount of fabric between there and the wing holes. Lastly, the shoes were laced up around each front leg with black crosses.

In all honesty, to Rainbow it looked more like pyjamas.

Looking over at the clock, she noted that there was less that half an hour till eight. The ball didn’t technically start until quarter to nine but she knew the festivities would kick off long before then.

Looking out her bedroom window, the high vantage point gave her a view of the shining glass house. She could already see ponies arriving early, probably to snag a good table.

Looking behind herself, she looked at the dress she was wearing. Despite being made for a pegasus it really didn’t look like it would hold up to the speeds Dash liked to move at, nor would her mane in its current styling.

With a sigh, she left early. Hoping that she could at least walk quickly without the dress getting in a tither.

‘Plop. Plop. Plop’

“Sweetie! Can’t you go any faster?!” Scootaloo half whispered, half shouted at the filly unicorn.

“Do you have any idea how hard it is to walk up a wall? These suction cups are too strong!” Sweetie Belle squeaked, grunting as she pulled one of her rear hooves off of the glass wall.

“Girls keep it down, there are ponies arriving!” Applebloom spoke up from the lowest position, her eyes on the door that the guests were now coming through.

“Faster!”

“Ugh, why do I have to be at the top?” Sweetie Belle groaned.

With a final heave, the trio collapsed onto the roof, making sure they were hidden from view behind the frame work. “Scootaloo, your tail is on the glass!”

The orange pegasus quickly retracted her tail, tucking it up along herself, keeping her profile as low as possible.

“Why did this thing have to be held in the one building that’s all glass!” Scootaloo grumbled.

“It’s not all glass, theres a kitchen area out the back. We need to sneak over there and find our way in the back!” Applebloom explained.

“Wait, if we’re just gonna use the backdoor,then why did we climb on the roof?!” Sweetie exclaimed, throwing her hooves out.

“I, uh well… it’s for a vantage point, yeah! Ok, new plan, we wait till we see Andrew and Dash come in and sit down. That way we know where they are.”

“I, uh that actually makes sense,” Scootaloo said, looking awfully perplexed.

“Hey that looks like Dash!” Sweetie Belle pointed out, hunkering down to the glass.

“No way! Rainbow would never dress up like... Wow that really is her!” Scootaloo exclaimed, her little wings buzzing.

“Ah don’t think i’ve ever seen her so dolled up. Not even when she went to the Gala,” Applebloom added.

“Alright crusaders, the plan has been set in motion. Keep an eye out for Andrew. Operation Cupid is a go!” Sweetie hoof pumped.

“Ugh, why did we choose such an icky name?” Scootaloo moaned.

The ballroom was already filled with quiet chatter when Andrew entered. Much to his relief, his presence only caught a few eyeballs, not the room silencing entrance he had been expecting.

Suddenly feeling a whole lot better about the evening, he kept a lookout for Rainbow Dash. Slowly walking around the perimeter, he noted that there were tables lining the outside wall, giving a good view of the gardens outside. In the middle of the room was a gleamingly polished hardwood floor for dancing. Soft music was playing, but it wasn’t anything you could dance to, more like the stuff they play before a movie starts in a cinema.

Walking towards the back corner, the quietest and somehow strangely more intimate area of the ball room, he saw the glass wall meet the stone one of the backroom, its ugly walls being hidden behind a thick velvet curtain.

“Hey Andrew,” a familiar voice said, it’s tone strangely husky, if a little shaky. Taking a deep breath, Andrew turned to address Rainbow Dash.

Andrew blinked, not believing the mare before him was the same Rainbow he knew. “I- uh wow Dash, you look really beautiful,” he spoke before registering what he said.

Rainbow smiled, a confident almost sultry grin, on the inside however, she felt like a filly getting her first kiss. “Thanks, you’re not too bad yourself. Come on, I found us a seat.”

Andrew followed almost as if he were on a trance. His eyes completely fixated on the amazing dress the pegasus was wearing and the way her hind legs were visible through the sparkling fabric. There was a certain grace to the way she was walking. Each hoof step seemed planned, confident and designed to show off her body in the perfect way.

Each step of her rear hooves carried with it the gentle sway of her haunches. Her much larger than usual tail bounced and the light from overhead shined on its newly acquired gloss. Taking his eyes away from the mares hindquarters, he instead turned them to her mane.

Rainbow’s mane shined with a luscious radiance that the man had never seen before. It still boasted its carefree, sporty look and that one little stray lock of red hair, but it had more length, more curves. It moved with little effort, as if it was being directed by a breeze Dash was controlling. All in all Andrew couldn’t help but admit it. Rainbow Dash was hot.

Finding their table, a small two seater in the far corner complete with rose red candles, Rainbow patiently waited beside her seat. Taking that as his cue, Andrew wordlessly moved behind it, pulling her chair out for her. Rainbow smiled, taking her seat as Andrew sat down.

Andrew couldn’t quite place whether or not Rainbow was doing this because of the high class event, or if she really was trying to be gracious. The earrings were a good example. In all the time he’d know the mare he’d never seen her wear them. He didn’t even think her ears were pierced.

“Gotta say Rainbow, and I think I speak for both of us here. I feel really outta place here,” Andrew joked, cracking another one of his alluring grins that always caused a shiver through Rainbow’s wings.

“Heh, yeah. I think we’re both a little underdressed,” Rainbow half joked, half stated looking down at her dress.

“More like underpaid, you were right when you said we would have ponies who came from out of town,” Andrew responded, gesturing to all the stiff upper-lipped type ponies mingling around.

“For what its worth though Dash, I think you look amazing,” he smiled, his voice full of obvious sincerity to which Rainbow felt immediate gratitude towards.

“What about you? I’ve never seen that suit before,” Rainbow Dash commented, pointing at Andrews suit.

“Actually, that’s a bit of a story. Ages ago, Rarity wanted to make me a suit, but seeing as I didn’t really need one I told her to stop. I actually had to go over there and throw together all the samples she made. I’m just glad it was all the same color,” he grinned, leaning back in his chair.

“She just had grey and purple suit pieces lying around?”

“Dash, this is Rarity we’re talking about. I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t have a whole ensemble made for each of us.”

“Oh I’m afraid I had to abandon that project months ago,” a refined voice came from behind.

“Speak of the devil and she shall appear,” Andrew said in disbelief.

“Hey Rares, when did you get here?” Rainbow asked.

“Oh just a few moments ago. You know what they say about being fashionably late. But as soon as I spotted you two, I simply had to come over and greet you on your fine choice in clothing.

“Rarity, you made mine,” Andrew deadpanned.

“And you picked mine out,” Dash added.

“Exactly, you don’t think I would have forgotten a detail like that?” Rarity smiled slyly, obviously enjoying her little self-ego prod.

“Well incase I don’t see you two again tonight, I hope you two enjoy yourselves. I hear that they're planning to play the most romantic music-” Rarity halted when she saw Rainbow waving her hoof in front of her neck, the universal sign for ‘ex-nay’.

Andrew turned back to Dash to see what had prompted Rarity’s sudden button up, only to see Rainbow sitting there sweetly, an innocent smile on her face.

Silently, Rarity began plotting. “Hmm, Rainbow Dash dear, could you come with me for a moment? I wouldn’t wish to embarrass you but your dress seems to be a droopy around the wings.”

Rainbow looked at Rarity oddly, “Uh, alright. I’ll be back in a sec Andrew.”

Guiding the pegasus away from the table out of earshot, Rarity began to uselessly fumble with Rainbow’s dress. “I’m truly sorry Dash but there really isn’t anything wrong with your dress- which looks amazing on you by the way- it’s just that I wanted to see how you were holding up.”

Rainbow blushed, chewing her lip as she mulled over whether or not to tell her. “Well, for starters he said I looked beautiful and amazing.”

“Oh how delightful!” Rarity giggled.

“But, he doesn’t seem nervous. I don’t know how he does it! I’ve never been this shaky in my entire life! What if he doesn’t think this is a date? Like he thinks this is just another night out?” Rainbow fretted, dancing on her hooves a little.

“Well from what I know of Andrew is that he always tries to hide it with a smile. If I know him at all I can say that he is just as nervous about tonight as you are.”

“Really?” Rainbow enquired hopefully.

“I would eat my tail if I was wrong,” Rarity said firmly, finally letting Rainbow’s dress go.

“Now then,” she began as she led Rainbow back to her seat. “All I can say is good luck darling.”

As Rainbow retook her place, Andrew spoke up “Sooo do you know when’s the food gonna get dished out?”

“I’m not certain, It couldn’t be too far away. Perhaps I might go and speak to Applejack, I am feeling rather peckish after all,” Rarity admitted, moving past them

“I’ll be back soon, ta ta!”

“What was that all about, Dash?” Andrew asked, looking past her towards the receding form of Rarity.

“Oh, you know, just making a few adjustments. Don’t want to trip up on my dress when we're dancing,” Rainbow said before realizing the words she had allowed to slip out. Unfortunately, Andrew picked up on it.

“Dancing ey? Didn’t think you were the type,” he teased. Rainbow looked away, not believing that she had allowed such a sappy fantasy to just slip out. She had to be careful, tonight everything was on the line, and one false step could see her trying to mend another broken heart.

“Well, I’m up for it.”

Rainbow whipped her head back around, staring wide eyed at Andrew. That was certainly the last thing she had expected to ever come out of his mouth, let alone with the sincerity that it held. She tried to find any hint of mischief of desire in his eyes, trying to find the prank that was surely there.

But, she couldn’t find it. His soft smile, those caring blue eyes, she couldn’t see anything other than complete honesty. Glancing out over to the wooden dance floor, she could see that a few couples had already taken to a slow dance. She gulped, Dancing really wasn’t her thing.

Suddenly, she felt the soft ghosting touch of Andrew’s hand on her hoof. Looking down at it, then quickly back to him, she wrestled with her inner self to not just spill everything right then and there. Slowly, Andrew moved his thumb back and forth over the short fur of her hoof. “We don’t have to dance if you don’t want to Dash.”

The soothing feeling of Andrew’s thumb caressing her hoof helped the mare come to an answer.Taking a breath, she responded in a voice that was almost afraid of being heard. “Yes. I want to.”

With Andrew’s smile and his guiding hand on her back giving her the courage she so desperately needed, the pair headed off into the ballroom floor.

As the mismatched couple went their way into the dancing crowd, A soft melody began to wander from the musicians on stage. Ears perked around the room and slowly the dance floor began to crowd with increasing numbers of dancing couples.

Before Andrew could think too much about it, they were already at the center of the dance floor, staring into each other’s eyes. Silence reigned over the ballroom floor as the band was preparing their next song, further compounding their nervousness.

However, when the first few lyrics of the song was sung, everything else was lost in the moment as Andrew threw caution to the wind. “Screw the consequences,” he thought.

Offering his outstretched hand to the one mare that has stood beside him through thick and thin. He asked the first question in the long line of questions that he would have never had thought he’d say.

“Rainbow Dash, may I have this dance?”

With an intense blush, Rainbow’s ears folded back against her head of their own accord. A nervous giggle escaped her, before she raised her hoof to meet Andrew’s awaiting hand.

Taking Andrew’s hand, Rainbow Dash willed herself to stand on her hind legs, wobbling slightly as she did so. Her free forehoof kicked slightly as she reared, trying to balance herself.

Trying to use her wings to stabilize herself, she was stopped by Andrew placing his other hand on her back. She put up a questioning gaze at his actions but all she got in return was a reassuring, winning smile and his kind,soft eyes. While there was no conversation shared among them, the message was clear: “Trust in me.”

With this simple gesture, the pegasus felt her nervousness and inhibitions melt away in the magic of the moment and she finally let herself go, to enjoy the dance as it is. Regaining her confidence, she started to dance with Andrew,their gazes finding each other and letting her worries get lost as she put her all into this dance.

To Andrew’s surprise, doing a slow dance with a pony was not quite a unique prospect as he first thought it would be. Once they got past the initial awkwardness from trying to dance in her hind legs,it was as if he was dancing with another human. He then began to silently guide Dash into doing slow turns by exerting pressure into her back so as to avoid bumping into nearby couples. However, any other attempts to do any semblance to a slow dance disappeared when he found himself staring into Dash’s amethyst eyes.

The magnificent irises that gazed back at him held a sparkle, one he had never before seen before. There was something dwelling just under their surface, a hidden emotion that was desperately being fought over within the pegasus.

Half of her just wanted to tackle him into a flurry of sweet kisses. The other, much more realistic half kept her grounded, keeping her dancing slowly in time with him, all the while battling within her own head.

She wanted him. She needed his touch, it was driving her mad the way she had to take things slowly. After all, slow just wasn't Rainbow Dash’s style. Perfection was all that was on her mind, everything needed to go off without a hitch.

Unfortunately, the amount of thought she was putting into her plans was taking some of the effort away from her dancing, which only came to her attention when she slightly stumbled over her wobbly rear hooves.

“Whoa,” she gasped suddenly, her left hoof getting tangled with her right, forcing her sideways into Andrews supporting arms. Thankfully, the long appendages easily kept her upright, all the while maintaining most of her dignity.

A hand slowly snaked up from where it had been resting on her lower back to the back of her head, just underneath her mane, sending an electric shiver through Rainbow from the unexpected intimacy.

“You alright Dash?” Andrew asked quietly, staring into Rainbow’s own eyes whilst he caressed the soft hair of her mane. Much to Rainbow’s dismay and a tiny bit of delight, she drew in a shaky breath as Andrews amazing fingers toiled with her hair. She very nearly let out an embarrassing squeal of pleasure.

“I’m fine,” Rainbow responded rather cooly. Or at least what she hoped sounded cool, which actually came off more like a dreamy mumble. Which was only heightened by the tightening of her hooves around Andrews waist. “Just... Let’s keep dancing. Please.”

Andrew let out a soft chuckle, rubbing the back off her head some more. “‘Course Rainbow.”

Rainbow sighed happily, leaning her head into Andrew’s chest. She was glad for his suit jacket being there, it helped to absorb her gentle tears of joy. The moonlight shone through the ceiling of the glasshouse down onto the pair as they melted into one another. For a single moment, nothing could tear them apart.

Author's Note

This was a pain in the buttocks to write... One more part, then I'm going back to cute oneshot chapters for a while.