Gambling Away the Twilight

Rainbow Dash walked slowly up the staircase. Not bothering to fly or run. She was too busy thinking. Thinking about what she was going to do, what she wanted to do and why she wanted to do it. She loved Twilight, there was no doubt about that but... what would her friends think of her? What would Twilight think of her. If Twilight said yes then it would be all perfect, but if she said... no Rainbow would probably have to leave Ponyville. Go and live somewhere in exile where nobody she knew could find her. Trottingham should do it, or Detrot.

"Rainbow." said Twilight, cutting of the Pegasus' train of thought.

"What?" said Rainbow, mildly annoyed.

"You're going the wrong way." said Twilight, cocking her head to one side. Rainbow had indeed walked off in a completely different direction.

"Sorry, Twi'. I've had a lot on my hooves lately." came Rainbow's reply along with a sheepish grin.

She rejoined Twi' and carried on next to her. Still thinking but being careful not to wander off. Now where was I?... Ah... Oh yes... Detrot. Never mind.

"There it is." said Twilight, once again cutting off Rainbow's thoughts.

"There is what?" said Rainbow.

"The restaurant. Hay Seed is over there."

Rainbow looked ahead of her and saw the restaurant. It wasn't a grand place. The design was more modern and sleek compared to the library. She saw that their friends were waiting inside, chatting away. Twilight began to walk towards them and she motioned for Rainbow to follow. Play it cool Rainbow. Just play it cool.

As they neared the restaurant their friends noticed them and waved from their seats. They walked through the door when Rarity spoke "Where have you two been, I would expect Rainbow Dash to be a bit late but you Twilight, the thought never would have presented itself to me."

"Sorry girls, we got held up a bit at the library. That and Rainbow's antics." said Twilight, apologetically. Rainbow blushed slightly as she sat down. "So what did you girls do to fill your time?"

"Oh you know, usual stuff. Pinkie went crazy at that party store and had a load of stuff sent to our room." said Applejack looking at the pink earth pony.

"Oh yes." said Pinkie. "It was so much fun, they had everything. Balloons, hats and confetti." as she said this she was bouncing gleefully up and down on her seat.

"Well, Fluttershy and I went to the fashion boutique and the pet shop. We had so much fun didn't we darling." She turned to Fluttershy who gave a nod and a smile.

"So what's on the menu?" said Rainbow Dash, swiping up the menu and scanning the paper. There wasn't much, mostly upper end food she had no care for. Then she noticed a specific dish near the bottom. Daisy sandwich with honey and hayseed. She vaguely remembered Twilight making something similar on one of her numerous visits to the library. "Well I know what i'm having."

"Good then we should be ready to order. Twilight have you found anything?" said Rarity.

"Yes, I think a nice Lily Caesar Salad will do the trick." replied Twilight.

Applejack hailed the waiter who sauntered over, notebook and pen already glowing in magical aura. "Can I help you ladies?"

The six mares took turns to tell the waiter their orders and just as he was about to move off Rainbow suddenly thought of something. "Oh and waiter. Could we have one of your best red wines?"

"Of course madam." and he walked off.

"I'll pay for it, naturally." said Rainbow to her friends.

"Now Rainbow, don't tell me that the wages you get from the weather team are that high." said Applejack. "Let us help pay for it.

"Don't worry AJ, I save money. And it's not like i'm paid with bread crusts." retorted the cyan Pegasus. "I'm paying for it and there's nothing you can do to stop me."

It took a few moments but the others seemed to accept and Rainbow felt very pleased. Then it hit her, she was no closer to being able to talk to Twilight about how she felt. If we get drunk she may not take me seriously, maybe I will do something I regret. What if I go saying  it out loud in this restaurant with everypony to hear.

"So Twilight. How'dya think Spike is doin' with all them critters?" said Applejack. "He seemed to handle them well enough when we went to the crystal empire."

"I don't know. Spike's probably got it under control." replied Twilight.

"Come now dears. This isn't something we should be worrying about. Were here to have fun." said Rarity.

"I agree, we shouldn't we worrying about what's happening at home."  said Fluttershy.

The waiter returned with the wine. He laid six glasses out on the table and poured some of the red liquid into each. They thanked him and he walked back towards the kitchens.

"This is very good." said Twilight. "A 972 Chardonnay." She looked at Rainbow. "Are you sure you can afford this?"

"Sure? 120% sure." said Rainbow. "Don't worry Twi'."

"If you say so."

Rainbow's face fell when she looked away. How am I going to do this? Not only am I not telling Twilight how I feel, but i'm also gonna end up broke if this goes on. I will barely survive buying the wine. She furrowed her brow. No. I can do this. I'm THE Rainbow Dash. I can do anything, can't I?

"Your food ladies." said the waiter, startling Rainbow. As she collected herself he laid it out in front of them. Her Daisy sandwich looked delicious. She looked around and courteously waited for everyone to start before thanking the waiter and digging in. The sandwich was wonderful. It nearly took her mind off the most important matters.

Nopony said much as they ate. Only the occasional comment on the food or the events of the day. All the while the anxiety built up inside the rainbow maned Pegasus.

When they finished and paid for the meal they other four mares decided to retire to their rooms and go to sleep. Rainbow was about to follow them when Twilight spoke to her. "Rainbow. We went to the library but we didn't do anything you wanted to do."

"I only wanted to be with you... uh. I mean. Going to the library was fun. I don't really want to do anything else." stammered Rainbow. Oh crap. What did I just say.

Twilight looked at her strangely. "Ummm. Are you sure. Well, maybe we could go to the museum. They found a lot of interesting artifacts in the desert beneath us." What did she say?

"I'm really tired Twi'. Maybe we could go to the museum tomorrow." said Rainbow, faking a yawn. I hope she didn't hear me.

"Okay Rainbow. We'll go tomorrow." said Twilight when she suddenly remembered. "And you're going to tell me what's up when we get to the room."

"Fine." Damn!