Love Training

In his condominium, not far from the stadium, Soarin walked around in a frenzy.  “Oh, what to wear, what to wear?” he asked himself as he sifted through drawer after drawer.  He would grab a suit, but then decide it was too formal and then put it back.  He would place on a simple white dress shirt, but would put it back as well, saying that it was too bland.  It just seemed that no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t seem to get the right mixture of nice and casual.  “Maybe I should just go as myself?” he asked aloud and looked at himself in the mirror while he messed around with his mane, combing it in several different styles.  “No!” he said and flung the comb down on the dresser.  What he had said to Rainbow Dash came back to haunt him and he plopped down on the bed and promptly began to smack himself on the head.  “Stupid!  Stupid!  Stupid!” he cursed himself.  He stopped beating on his head and sighed, “Oh Soarin, why did you do it?  Why?  ‘I’m sure you’ll look as beautiful then as you do now’?  Oh Celestia, I’ve blown it, I’ve blown it.  Spitifire was right.”  He wished that Spitfire’s words and teasing didn’t get to him as much, but then he also know that they were more or less true.

Eventually, Soarin concluded that he would just have to put something on and hope for the best.  The place he planned on taking Rainbow Dash was a typical Canterlot joint, a casual type of place, so he decided that it would be best to go casual.  Nothing that he had seemed to speak to him in that department, so in the end he just pulled out a blue striped tie and tied it around his neck.  He looked at himself in the mirror.  “It’s not perfect,” he concluded, “but I don’t look horrible.”

Meanwhile, little did he know, Rainbow Dash was across town in her hotel room doing the very same thing.  Her luggage had been delivered just a few moments ago from the depot, and it was all Rainbow Dash could do to try and be on time.  There were clothes and accessories flung all about the room.  Shoes scattered around, dresses and skirts (all courtesy of Rarity of course) flung over the dresser, across the bed and on the floor, and all matter of other disorganization that made the room look like a twister blew through.  With each outfit that she tried, the more discontent Rainbow Dash seemed to grow.  She didn’t know where she would be going, so that made things all the more difficult.  If she knew Canterlot though, which she did, they would be going somewhere pretty fancy.  But then again, what if they weren’t going somewhere fancy?

Rainbow Dash pondered going as just herself, as Soarin had invited, but she felt that she might look out of place.  She remembered that as she had gotten off the train, she had been one of the only ponies on her way to that stadium that had no clothing on.  Even though she caught no glances, Rainbow Dash knew that there were looks being cast at her.  It was embarrassing!  Rainbow Dash snorted as she crossed in front of the mirror and held up a blue skirt in front of her.  “That’s the last thing I want,” she mumbled.  She really did like Soarin and she didn’t want to seem clumsy or desperate in front of him.  That was another thing too; Rainbow Dash hadn’t been on many dates, and thus she didn’t really know how to act.  What should she say and what should she do?  There were so many options and ideas flowing in and out of Rainbow Dash’s head that it eventually overwhelmed her and she had to fling herself onto the bed and scream into the pillow.  “Why is this so frustrating?” she asked after she had vented her rage.

She laid there for a few moments and thought to herself, but then looked at the clock and decided that she had better get on with it.  She would need to be meeting Soarin in one hour, and a good forty minutes of that time would be getting there.  She stood and went back to her flung open suitcase and began to sift through it.  All of her bodily clothing had been taken out and flung around except for a few t-shirts and turtlenecks, which were hardly anything to be seen in in Canterlot, but a few accessories remained.  Nothing really caught Rainbow Dash’s eye until she caught sight of a little maneclip.  It had been a gift from Twilight Sparkle for her birthday and scaled down model of her cutie mark.  She didn’t know what it was, but something just told her that she should wear it and that it would be all she would need.

She walked over to the mirror and ran a few strands of her forelocks behind her ear and then clipped it with the pin.  Afterwards, she angled herself sideways and observed herself in the mirror.  “I don’t guess I look that bad,” she commented aloud as she moved her head around.  In fact, she looked very beautiful; the clip complimented her mane and coat perfectly, and yet it’s construction made it stand out and demand appreciation for both it and the wearer to whom it belonged.

Turning to another one of her birthday gifts as a rescue, Rainbow Dash grabbed a bottle of perfume out of her suitcase.  This one was a gift from Applejack, and it was fresh apple pie scented.  As she squirted a few sprays on herself, Rainbow Dash chuckled as she remembered the note that Applejack had placed on the box.  “Hey Rainbow Dash!” the note began, “You stink!”

Content with her fragrance, Rainbow Dash set off to meet her date for the evening.  It was a quiet walk through the streets at Canterlot’s most scenic time.  At around this time, the sun was bathed with a gentle sunset hue and the clouds were just perfectly arranged.  The palace on the horizon all but added to the beauty of everything.  “We sure don’t have skies like this back in Ponyville,” Rainbow Dash thought as she looked up at the sky.

Across town, Soarin was just starting to walk off the grounds of his complex.  He began to walk the familiar route towards the stadium, but stopped and observed himself in the glass of a nearby display, still conscious and worried about his choice of outfit.  He hoped that Rainbow Dash wouldn’t think the idea of a tie and nothing else was stupid.  “Stop worrying Soarin,” he said to himself and then took a deep breath, “Everything is gonna be OK.  Tonight is going to be the best night of your life.”  After this, he sank into silence and proceeded to walk along.  “Looks like another nice night tonight.  Hope it stays like this.”

As the minutes ticked on, the two walked along, getting closer and closer to each other as the seconds passed.  Eventually, Soarin was the first to reach the stadium grounds where he took a seat on a bench under a lit streetlamp.  Beside himself, he noticed a newspaper.  He looked around to the left and then to the right to see if he could find its owner, but upon concluding that he was the only pony around, he picked it up and began to read.  “At least it’s something to pass the time,” he thought and glanced up at the clock that was atop the stadium.  “Ten ‘till six,” he mumbled and skimmed over the newspaper.

Hurrying as fast as she could, though trying not to mess up her neat mane on the way, Rainbow Dash could see the flags on the stadium from where she was.  She had seen one of the street clocks a block or so back and saw that she had only ten minutes to get there.  It was possible if she hurried, but Rainbow Dash still wasn’t convinced.  She wondered if she should risk flying there.  She opened her wings slightly, but closed them when a thought popped into her head.  “But did Soarin fly?” she asked herself in her mind.  She didn’t want to seem like she was showing off or trying to impress anypony by landing in the square if he was already there.  “Is he already there?” Rainbow Dash thought once more as all she could do was hope she wouldn’t be late.

Luckily though, just as it seemed that the clock was about to strike six, Rainbow Dash rounded one last corner and saw her date sitting on a bench, his nose in a newspaper. She entered subtly, but allowed her hoofsteps to be audible with every other step.  Soarin looked up and he smiled at her.  He placed the paper down and stood up.  “Hello Rainbow Dash,” he said as he greeted her.  He picked her hoof up and kissed the top of it.  The book he had read assured him that it was the perfect move; not too romantic and not too subtle.  He only hoped that Rainbow Dash saw it that way too.

Luckily, Rainbow Dash did see it that way, and as something a little more too.  She blushed and mumbled an embarrassed “Thank you” when he brought his head back up to her height.

All was quiet for a moment, at least until Soarin got a good look at her.  “You look… stunning, Rainbow Dash,” he said as he looked her over, unaware of what he had just said.

Rainbow Dash blushed once more and looked away.  “Thank you,” she said once more, “and you look really handsome.”

After that, they were silent for a few moments more until Soarin eventually asked, “So… are we ready to go?”

Rainbow Dash nodded.  “After you,” she said and then followed Soarin through the streets.

As they walked on they made small talk.  Rainbow Dash asked questions about what it was like in the Wonderbolts and what kind of things they did behind the scenes.  Soarin elaborated little and just told her that, “You’ll find out soon enough,” and then he would smile at her.

It wasn’t long until they arrived at the restaurant.  “Two please,” Soarin said to the pony at the stand.

“Excellent Mr. Soarin,” the pony replied, “Would you like the usual seat?”

“That’ll be fine, thanks,” Soarin said and smiled as he followed the pony in.

As she followed them through, Rainbow Dash listened to the ponies who had been in line behind them whisper.  She heard things like, “Who is that with Soarin?” and “Is that Soarin, from the Wonderbolts?”  Questions like these made Rainbow Dash wonder what it was like to be famous.  She wanted to ask Soarin what it felt like, but then again she didn’t want to be rude.  The pony sat them down at the table and said that a waiter would be along momentarily.  As she took her seat, Rainbow Dash pushed all of those thoughts out of her head and decided to focus on the date and do whatever she could to make sure that it was a good one.

They were both quiet as the scanned over the menu looking for something to eat.  However, Rainbow Dash felt that there should be a little more communication.  Perhaps Soarin was just nervous.  Maybe it should be up to her to break the ice.  “So…” Rainbow Dash said as she glanced over the top of her menu, “thank you for inviting me here.  I really appreciate it.”

“It’s no problem Rainbow Dash,” came the reply, “I’m just glad that you said yes.”

“Are you kidding?  I couldn’t have said anything else,” she smiled and then looked back down at her menu.  “Great,” she thought to herself, “you broke the ice.”  With that, the two started up a conversation and compared dinner items.  Having never eaten there before, Rainbow Dash was quite oblivious to the food that was served there.  “What’s this?” she asked after awhile and put the menu down flat on the table so that Soarin could see it; she pointed to the item.

“Let me see,” Soarin said as he leaned across the table and looked at the menu choice.  It was a personal favorite of his, but before he could go into describing it for her, a delightful scent made its way into her nose.  “Is that… apple pie?” he asked and smiled at her.

Rainbow Dash looked down at herself and realized that he was referring to her perfume.  “Oh,” she said and smiled, “yeah!  It was a present from one of my friends.  Do you like it?” she asked.

“I love it,” Soarin said, “though I have to admit that I don’t think you need it.”

Rainbow Dash blushed, getting the message.  “Y…you’re very… sweet,” she complimented.  She hoped that she had ruined anything with that word “sweet”.

“Well thank you,” Soarin said and looked back down at her menu.  “Anyway…” he began softly and then proceeded to describe the menu option.

“I think that’s what I want,” Rainbow Dash said quietly, mainly to herself.

The waiter came around and then the two of them ordered.  “I’ll have what the lady is having,” Soarin said and then gave the waiter his menu.

“Very good sir,” the waiter said and nodded his head politely, “May I suggest a bottle of wine for you and the lady?”

Soarin looked over at Rainbow Dash.  “Well…” Rainbow Dash began slowly, “I could use a drink.”

“Very well madam,” the waiter said and scribbled something down on his notepad.  “Your dishes will be served momentarily.”

As the waiter walked off, the two of them settled in for some conversation.  It was all the usual date drab with each asking about where the other was born and how they got where they were today.  However, as the minutes went on and as their food was eventually served, they grew into more personal subjects.  “So anyway,” Soarin continued something he had been telling her beforehand, “I’m not so good with girls.  That’s what Spitfire tells me anyway.  I gotta say that I think it’s true,” he said as he stared at his reflection in the crystal wine glass.

“I don’t think you’re that bad,” Rainbow Dash said after awhile.

“Excuse me?” Soarin asked and looked up at her.

“I don’t think you’re bad, with girls I mean,” Rainbow Dash said.

Soarin blushed lightly and said, “Oh you’re just saying that.”

“No,” came the understanding reply, “I’m not.”

“Well what’s your proof?” Soarin asked.

“You’re really sweet and kind, and you’re fun to talk to,” Rainbow Dash smiled.

“Well thank you,” Soarin said and looked down at his food.

“Speaking of which,” Rainbow Dash continued, “what about that note?  ‘Hopefully’”? she cocked her eyebrow playfully.

Soarin blushed once more and said, “Yeah.  I just didn’t want you to think I was trying to be overly-friendly.  There is the one way you have to admit I’m bad at, I can’t tell whether a girl is just trying to be nice or actually likes me.”

Rainbow Dash took a bite of her food but then replied, “I would think all of the girls like you… I know I certainly do.”

“Do you really mean that?” Soarin asked.  Rainbow Dash nodded her head and smiled at him.

He took a deep breath and began, “Rainbow Dash, can I tell you something and then ask you something afterwards?”

“Fine by me,” Rainbow Dash said and smiled, “What’s up?”

“Look, I don’t know what it is, but I like you.  I really like you.  You aren’t like the other mares back at work and here in Canterlot.  You’re cool, well… really cool, and you’re nice, and you’re a great pony to talk to.  Now… I know I haven’t known you for long, a couple hours maybe, but well… I was kinda hoping that you might want to do this again,” Soarin looked away from her and mumbled the final part, “only next time as… marefriend and stallionfriend?”

Rainbow Dash blushed deeply as the words came to her.  She couldn’t believe it!  The pony of her dreams was asking her to be his!  She didn’t need to think twice about it.  She didn’t even need to think once about it!  “I would love that,” Rainbow Dash said.  She leaned across the table and kissed him on the cheek.  It was a girly move, but was the only one that she could think of.  Regardless, it made Soarin blush deeply.

The rest of dinner was quiet as the two of them merely reveled in how well the night was going.  After eating, Soarin poured them both a glass of wine and offered a toast.  “To friendship?” he said and raised his glass in the air.

“To us,” Rainbow Dash smiled and made her glass meet with his.

They both drank simultaneously and then set their glasses down.  “So…” Soarin said as he drummed on the table, “are you ready?”

Rainbow Dash nodded, “I think so,” she said and smiled.

“Check please waiter,” Soarin said as a waiter passed him by.  The waiter nodded and went off, quickly returning with the bill.

“Here you are sir,” the pony said and placed the bill down on the table and walked off once more.

Rainbow Dash eyed it and her eyes grew wide.  Three hundred bits!  Rainbow Dash pulled the little purse out from the recess of her wing; she hoped that she had enough to cover her half of the bill.  She had exactly one hundred and fifty bits on her.  This dinner would break her, but she was sure that she could withdraw some more.  “What are you doing?” Soarin asked as he saw her poking around inside of her purse.

Rainbow Dash glanced up at him, but then back down into her purse as she counted.  “Trying to make sure that I have enough for my part of the bill,” she explained as she sifted around inside of it.

“That won’t be necessary,” Soarin told her.

Rainbow Dash stopped her sifting and looked up at him.  “What do you mean?” she asked and cocked her eyebrow.

“That I’m paying of course,” Soarin said with a smile and went to stand.

Rainbow Dash beat him to it though and stopped him from walking.  “Oh no Soarin,” she claimed, “I can’t ask you to do that.  You’ve been so nice to me already and there’s no way that I could ask you to pay something so expensive.”

“Nonsense Rainbow Dash,” he persisted, “it’s custom and it’s nothing at all.”

Rainbow Dash thought about it and moved aside.  As low as she felt for allowing Soarin to pay her half of the bill, it would be nice to have the money.  She would be there for awhile and needed every bit that she could get.  “I don’t know how I can ever repay you,” she said.

“I’ll get back to you on that,” Soarin said and then walked up to the register where Rainbow Dash watched him pay.  She met up with him by the door and then the two of them exited the building together.

“Didn’t you say you were going to get back to me with something?” Rainbow Dash asked as they walked through the still very much alive streets.

“Yeah,” Soarin said and smiled at her, “well… you don’t have to if you don’t want to, but I was wondering if you’d maybe like to come back to my place?  I was hoping we could maybe get to know each other a little better.  Oh, and I have some things that might help you out with training.  You know, stuff like books and detailed plans of all the courses we go to.  I think you’ll find them very helpful.”

“I’d like that,” Rainbow Dash said with a smile, again not having to think about it.

“I… I don’t know if you have to be back there or not, but if you wanted to I mean, you could sleep over.  There’s a guest room that you can have and I’ll fix breakfast in the morning and…” Rainbow Dash placed her hoof to his mouth and chuckled at his cuteness.

“Calm down Soarin,” she said to him, “I’ll think about it.”

Soarin, with a blush on his face, smiled and nodded his head.  “OK,” he said, “OK.”  He cleared his throat and looked ahead.  “It’s not far from here.  Just go to the stadium and then go a coupe blocks east.  Well…” he looked up, “It sure is a nice night tonight.”

Rainbow Dash looked up as well.  “Yeah,” she agreed and smiled, “it sure is.”

“I’d say its good flying weather.  Probably cold up there though, what with the wind,” he indicated the fluttering flags high up on the rooftops.

“We could handle it,” Rainbow Dash said as she looked back ahead.

Soarin chuckled.  “I’m sure we could,” he said, “but I’m not up for flying on a full stomach.”  They smiled at each other and laughed at his joke.  “I like the fact that you’re so confident.  I think we need more ponies like you with the Wonderbolts.”

“Thank you Soarin,” Rainbow Dash said.  It meant a lot to her that her stallionfriend, a member of the Wonderbolts was complimenting her like this.  She already knew that she was going to sleepover with him, and she had no intention of sleeping in another room, but she decided that a little contact between now and then wouldn’t hurt.  She snuggled up close to him like Spitfire had done back at the stadium, prompting him to blush hard.  “What’s wrong?” she teased him.

“Nothing,” Soarin said and tried to hide his blush, “I’m just… not used to it.”

“Not used to what?” Rainbow Dash asked and looked up at him, though she kept herself close to him.

“I’m just not used to being touched by… girls,” he said and looked away from her.

“Get used to it,” she replied.