Enchantè

                                                            Confrontation

Pawise’s new one story home was small, smaller than his rooms at the Academy, but he loved it. It was white Tudor on the outside, and wood paneling on the inside. He had one bedroom, a study (with books and scrolls scattered every which way) a fireplace, kitchen, bathroom and a small veranda with ivy climbing the walls.

As a scholar, he had appreciated the extra light that came in during the day for his studies, but until now he’d never actually appreciated the beauty. A day or so ago he wouldn’t have cared about aesthetics. Now, after his date with Fluttershy, beauty was all he saw.

He sat on his veranda in the morning sunlight and sipped a cup of coffee, musing. When had the sky gotten so blue? And those flowers being sold in the Market, how had he not noticed them before? A breeze brought their sweet scent to him, and he wondered which were Fluttershy’s favorites.

His house was actually on the Market Square, facing outwards, so he had an excellent view on this lazy Saturday to watch the ponies coming to and fro. The hustle and bustle of the shoppers reminded him of his big city home. The only differences here than there was of course there are fewer ponies, and also they were all much more laid back than in Fillydelphia.

With few exceptions, nopony seemed to be in any sort of a hurry, except ones like Mr. and Mrs. Cake who trotted swiftly by. They were probably making a special delivery. Pawise smiled to himself, for that must mean Pinkie is watching their foals.

        He’d not yet visited Sugarcube Corner, but he’d heard a rumor that the Cakes, two earth ponies, had somehow given birth to a pegasus AND a unicorn! He didn’t know such a thing was possible, but once he’d gotten to know the Cakes better he’d have to see for himself. He could only imagine his Dad’s reaction. For that matter, his last postscript to his Dad probably didn’t go over too well, but he didn’t care: nothing else was more important to him than Fluttershy.

Even if he didn’t know it was Saturday, he could have guessed from all the little fillies and colts racing about the square, free from school. Some were shopping with their parents, others, like that one group of three, looked to be on a mission, if the expressions of determination on their faces was any indication. He noticed all three of them did not yet have their Cutie Marks, so he guessed they were either younger than they looked, or their Marks were late in coming. It was probably a source of consternation for them, but he couldn’t relate as he had gotten his Cutie Mark quite early.

He had just gone back into his kitchen for another cup of coffee, when there was a knock on his door. Thinking it was Zecora, he was greatly surprised to see a strange pegasus with a rainbow-colored mane standing there.

She said, “Are you Pawise?”

He was a bit surprised she knew his name, but he said “Yes, I’m Pawise. Who might you be?”

She answered, “I’m Rainbow Dash. Can I come in? I need to talk to you.”

His eyes grew wide. “YOU are Rainbow Dash! I’ve heard so much about you!” Standing aside he said, “Please come in! This is an honor!”

Dash looked a little confused, as this was not the reaction she was expecting, but she came in.

“Please have a seat. Can I get you anything?”

She waved him off. “No, I’m fine. I’m here about Fluttershy.”

If he had not already been standing he would have jumped to his feet. “FLUTTERSHY?! What’s wrong with her?! Is she hurt?! We have to help her!” He would have turned and ran out the door if she hadn’t stopped him.

“Whoa, buddy! She’s fine.” She let go of his tail as a look of profound relief crossed his features, and he collapsed onto the floor.

“Thank sweet Celestia,” he breathed.

An involuntary look of sympathy appeared on Dash’s face, but she stuck to her mission. Speaking softer than she’d intended, she asked him, “So you really do care about Fluttershy?”

Looking up at her from the floor, he simply said, “I’d die for her.”

A small tear appeared in Dash’s eye, but she brushed it away as he got to his feet.

“Is that what this is about? You’re looking out for Fluttershy?” he asked.

She nodded and said, “Fluttershy is closer than a sister to me, she’s my very best friend.”

Pawise bowed his head. “I wish I’d met her years ago, for now I regret all the time I’ve not known her.”

“See, that’s just the point,” said Dash, “you don’t know her, how can you be in love with her?”

Pawise looked her in the eyes. “I honestly don’t know. Everything I’ve been taught, all my logic, all my common sense, tells me that this is nuts: nopony can fall in love like this. But the quietest voice, the one in my heart, is the most insistent, and the one I can’t ignore. And I’ve tried.”

“What if she were ugly? What if she looked like an old donkey? Would you love her then?”

He nodded his head and smiled. “Yes. The moment I saw her, something inside me fell into place…it was like…my soul suddenly became…whole.”

Dash’s face was unusually thoughtful. “You almost have me convinced. But for Fluttershy’s sake, I’m just going to say: don’t you ever, EVER hurt her.”

Pawise stuck out his hoof. “You have my word.”

Rainbow Dash hesitated a moment, and then shook it.

As she got up to leave, Pawise asked, “Won’t you stay for a while? I’m not expecting any other company, and I’d really like to hear about you. Is it true you’re the only pegasus that can perform a Sonic Rainboom?”

Dash’s eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to flatter me?”

Pawise was shocked. “NO! I wouldn’t do that! But you are famous. Even my Dad gives you credit, and if you knew my Dad you’d know that’s nothing short of a miracle.”

Dash smiled. “You’re alright, Pawise. But I didn’t come here for me, so we’ll have to do this some other time.”

“Alright,” Pawise said. “Maybe I’ll see you at the party?”

Dash slapped her hoof to her forehead. “That’s right! That random filly has to throw a party for almost everypony that shows up here!” She sighed, “Yes, I’ll be there. Pinkie’s my friend, so I hate to disappoint her.”

Pawise smiled. “You all seem to care so much for each other in this town. I like it.”

Dash grinned. “You sound almost as mushy as Rarity.”

“Who?”

“Rarity. She owns the Carousel Boutique.”

“Oh, that. No, I’m not much into fashion.”

“Me neither.” She smiled. “We may just become friends after all, Pawise.”

“I’d like that.”

She nodded once, and then flew out the door. Pawise watch her fly away, and as she picked up speed, she started to form a rainbow contrail behind her. A few seconds later, there was a resounding “BOOM!!” as she broke the sound barrier, leaving a cascade of colors radiating outwards. The windows all around the square shook, and everypony looked up and went “Ooooo!” Pawise was no less awestruck.

        “So that’s a Sonic Rainboom! I wish my folks could’ve seen that!”