How it Started: Rarity and Thunderlane
Rarity smiled, looking over the dress that now adorned the mannequin before her. The final Gala dress was finally ready for next week. “New year, new gala...” She thought to herself, smiling at the purple gown that fitted the mannequin she adjusted so it'd fit her snugly.
“And who knows, Rarity. Maybe this year you'll meet a REAL Prince Charming...” She mentally said, scoffing. Last year's gala, she thought she'd be swept off her hooves by Prince Blueblood, but unfortunately he turned out to be a royal jackass.
She sighed, shaking the disastrous occasion free from her mind. She was not going to get down about something as childish as a fillyhood crush. She used her magic to pluck her gala ticket from the dresser to the side.
This year was already starting to look up for the group. As a Princess herself, Twilight had to discuss things with Celestia and Luna before the Grand Galloping Gala was to start, so after that she had promised Spike that she was going to spend time with him there too, so he didn't have to go to Doughnut Joe's by himself again.
Fluttershy had, previously in the year, already apologised to all the animals that she had scared with her...'assertiveness'...and Luna was going to help her make friends with them this year.
Princess Celestia had made a point to have both a ball area for the more eloquent slow dancers, but also to have a kind of disco area that all the ponies who want to let loose were to go and Pinkie and Cheese Sandwich were to organise it personally.
Applejack was given a plus two ticket so she, Applebloom and Big Mac could go and help set up food that was ordered and pre-paid for by one of the Gala's head of committee...Which just so happened to be the same Wonderbolt who was the Apple stand's only sale the previous year.
Rainbow Dash, as a Wonderbolt Trainee, was to preform at the Gala with them and one other trainee as well. They hadn't said which other trainee was going to come...in fact they only knew Rainbow was preforming because she had been boasting about it for a week.
“A mystery...I wonder who that other pony may be?” She wondered before she heard the bell to her shop ring. She shook the thought from her head and rushed down stairs to greet her customer.
“Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where the dresses are magnifique~!” She declared, proudly, without really looking at her customer.
“Um...I don't think I've got the right shape for a dress.” Replied a more masculine voice than she was expecting.
She turned to get a good look at the stallion that stood in the doorway, shuffling on his hooves a little. He had a very dark grey coat and an icy blue, Mohawk styled mane. His cutie mark depicted a set of grey clouds with a yellow thunder streak appearing from it.
She caught herself before she started to stare. “Oh yes, sorry Dear...It's just I usually get more female clientèle appearing.” She explained, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. The Pegasus before her scanned his surroundings, glancing at the many dresses and bright colours with his electric yellow eyes, before chuckling.
“I can tell.” He replied, smiling at the white Unicorn. “Well I hope you're as good with suits as you are with dresses.”
“I can assure you, you won't be disappointed...” And then it clicked. “Hang on! You're Thunderlane, are you not?” The stallion was a little taken back by the Unicorn knowing his name.
“Um...Yeah, how do you know Miss...Oh yeah Rarity!” Thunderlane exclaimed, having just remembered catching her in mid-air after Rainbow had made that cloud trampoline to save her friends lives. “Almost didn't recognise you for a second, how have you been? Staying safe I hope.”
“Well I haven't fallen out of the sky again, if that's what you're asking.” She replied, smiling a little sheepishly. “I guess I have a little habit of doing that...” “So how's your training with the Wonderbolts going?”
“Great! I'm the second best recruit they've got!” He answered, knowing that it went without saying that Rainbow Dash was always going to be much better than him. “And that's actually why I'm here. See after we preform, we'll be joining the party. Spitfire and Soarin have to deal with sponsors, but they're hoping to get to Pinkie and Cheese's dance floor at some point.”
“Oh you were the second recruit they are to preform with. Why had you not come earlier, though?” She asked, thinking this a little last minute. He grinned, sheepishly.
“I uh...Kinda forgot...” Rarity rolled her eyes. But regardless, grasped onto a measuring tape in her magical grip and ushered him inside.
“Well I best get some measurements then, come along Dear.” She said, to which the stallion nervously complied.
“Okay, your suit should be ready in about five days, try to remember to pick it up.” Thunderlane chuckled a bit.
“No promises. I'm sure I can get Rumble to remind me, he's always been the smart one.” He mentioned, walking outside. “Thanks again, so how much do I owe you?”
Rarity shook her head. “Oh don't worry about that, think of it as a thank you for saving my life.” Thunderlane shuffled his hooves a bit.
“Um...Well it was Rainbow who kinda did most of the work...”
“But she didn't do it alone, Dear, don't down play your role so much.” He smiled a little bit.
“Thanks...I still don't feel right taking it for free though...” He mumbled, before straightening up a bit. “How about this, I'll treat you to lunch tomorrow? Lucky and Clovers?” She recoiled, a little stunned at the offer, before thinking that he wasn't going to let it go until she accepted some sort of payment.
“Um...Okay, if you want. I'll have some time at about eleven o'clock.” Thunderlane nodded, taking to the air.
“See ya then!” He replied, flying towards...what she presumed would be his house.
She then heard laughing from above her and looked to find Rainbow laying on a cloud, obviously catching some kind of joke that she didn't. “Is something funny Rainbow?”
“No, no! Just don't get too smoochy on your date!” She replied, making kissy noises at her.
“What?! Rainbow, he invited me out to pay for the suit I'm making him, it isn't a date!” Rarity replied, defensively. Rainbow rolled her eyes, finally coming down from her hysterical high.
“Sweet Celestia, you are clueless! Stallions don't just invite anypony to lunch you know!” Rarity face flushed a little but composed herself quickly.
“I'm sure Thunderlane didn't mean it like that...What would you know about Thunderlane anyway?!” The cyan Pegasus looked at her as if she were crazy.
“Uh...We were on the Weather Team together, we're in the Wonderbolt Academy together, we were in Flight Camp together, we're pretty good friends, Rares.” She answered, shrugging. “I just don't invite him to 'girls night' or whatever you call it.”
“You're...friends?” Rainbow rose an eyebrow at her.
“I do have other friends you know?” She responded, defensively. “It's not like I do nothing when you, AJ, Twi, Flutters and Pinkie are busy!”
“S-sorry Dear...It's just that...Well we all do spend a lot of time together.”
“Don't I know it?” She replied, before jumping off the cloud, spreading her wings and descending to the ground. “Just don't hurt him, alright?”
“Rainbow it's not a date!” Rarity argued, to which Rainbow grunted.
“Yeah...It's never a date, is it?” She asked, with an undertone of bitterness. Rarity rose an eyebrow.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean this isn't the first time that Thunderlane asked somepony out and they didn't realise it was a date.” Rainbow sighed. “Cloudchaser, Blossomforth, Flitter and a bunch of others all friend zoned him before they realised he was trying to flirt with them...He's not very good at flirting, but it's not like I could help.”
Rarity felt a little empathy for the stallion at this point, remembering a few times she had been put in that very situation. “Just...Don't put him in the friend zone right away...Try and see him as more than a friend before jumping to conclusions, alright?”
Something then occurred to her. “Rainbow, do you have feelings for him?”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “No, Rarity. He's just a good friend besides...” Rarity thought she could see her glance towards the direction of a certain apple orchard for a fraction of a second, before Rainbow finished her sentence. “...I've got somepony else in mind...” She whispered really quietly.
“What was that Dear?” Rarity asked, but Rainbow had already taken off.
“Rumble!” Thunderlane called when he walked into his and his brother's apartment. It was a fairly small abode with a linked kitchen and sitting room, no dining area, a small bathroom with a shower stall rather than a bath and two bedrooms.
Rumble trotted out of his room after pausing his game. “What's up, Thunderlane?” He asked, hurriedly. “I need to get back or Button's going to get annoyed at me.” He explained, motioning that he was playing online on his Xbox. Probably Call of Cutie: Blank Ops.
“Sorry, I just need to know where my mane brush is.” Rumble rolled his eyes. His brother was always losing things, so he took it upon himself to always put things in a specific place so they'll be easy to find. But Thunderlane also forgets where those allocated places are and tends to ask his little brother where they were.
“In the bathroom, on the sink, on the left side.” Rumble explained, pointing a hoof towards said bathroom. Thunderlane nodded and entered said bathroom. “What do you need it for, anyway?”
“I have a date tomorrow!” Rumble's eyes widened and took off towards his room, putting his headset on quickly.
“Button, I'll be away for a while, continue without me and I'll join you in a second.”
“Sure Rumble.” Button responded through the mic, the sound of a notification being heard through it as well. “I'll see if I can get Sweetie Belle and Pipsqueak to join while you're gone.”
“Cool. BRB!” Rumble declared, taking off the headset and leaving his room to face his brother, who was running the brush through his mane. “She does know it's a date, right?”
“Of course she does, buddy.” He replied, raising an eyebrow. “Why wouldn't she?”
“Think about it for a second Bro. REALLY think about it! Did you clearly state that you were taking this mare on a date or not.” He stressed the word really to try to get his brother to remember the other attempts he made at asking a mare out.
“...Um...”
“Right. What exactly did you say to her?” Rumble asked, leaning against the frame of the bathroom door so his brother won't try to avoid the questioning by closing said door.
“I said...I'd treat her to lunch since she...DAMMIT!” He yelled suddenly, smacking himself in the forehead with his right hoof. “She thinks I'm paying her for the suit she's making me!”
Rumble looked at his brother sympathetically. See Thunderlane was a very friendly pony, thus means that everypony he talks to only thinks that he wants to be friends, nothing more. This means that everytime he tries to ask a mare out on a date, they seem to think that he's asking them to hang out as friends.
“You could go back and clarify what you meant.” He offered, trying to help. Though even he knew that'd be stupid. Plus, there was still a possibility that she might think he would be good coltfriend material. It'd depend on the pony. “Who is it this time, anyway? Raindrops? Storm Chaser?”
“Nah, not a Pegasus dude.” Thunderlane answered, softly. “It's Rarity...”
“You mean Sweetie Belle's sister!” Rumble declared, having met the pony before. A few times actually, after being accepted into the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
“That's the one.” He said, raising an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Well Sweetie Belle says that her sister's getting quite lonely lately...” Rumble said, not really sure if he should be telling his brother this. But he didn't want to his brother getting friend zoned before he had a chance with a mare he liked AGAIN. “If you impress her, you could get something long term out of it!”
“Yeah...That'd be nice.” The Pegasus replied, blushing a bit. He then stood up taller, prouder. “You're right Rumble! I haven't been friend zoned yet! I'll impress her as only I know can!”
“Oh no!” “Um...Thunderlane...I don't...” But his brother was already out the door, ready to put his plan into motion. Rumble face hoofed himself. “This'll only end badly...”
He got to walking towards his room, before hearing a knock at the door. “Uh, Rumble?” He heard Scootaloo asked as she trotted up to his side, closing the door behind her. “Why was your door open?”
“Here's the deal. I'll let you cuddle me if I don't answer.” Rumble replied, to which Scootaloo's eyes lit up and the orange filly pressed herself against him.
“Deal!” She squeed.
Rarity waited on her sofa the next day, Thunderlane's suit ready and waiting to be picked up.
She knows that she still had four days to work on it, but she couldn't sleep last night, so decided to try to work herself to sleep. It worked since she, at least, managed to get her full six hours. She, however, woke up on her work table in her inspiration room, with a fully ready black suit on the ponyquin in front of her.
That was when she realised that she couldn't get Thunderlane out of her head. Nor could she get Rainbow's words out of there either.
“The poor dear. He must be so sad...” She thought to herself, thinking back to that pony Tenderhoof who had basically ignored her as he pursued Applejack. “Having been rejected so many times...The least I could do is give him a chance.”
She heard a knock at the door and panicked, looking at the clock above her TV. She was so absorbed in her thoughts, she didn't realise that it was now ten minutes to eleven now. “He's a bit early, but it's better than being late.” She thought to herself, about to answer the door before catching a glance at herself in the mirror.
She was a mess! She had peeled herself off of her work bench and brought the suit with her, wrapping it up ready for Thunderlane to take home. She had pulled an Applejack and prioritised her work over her well-being.
Her mane was all over the place, the curls no longer present, instead it lay straight down and along the side of her head, several loose hairs sprung out here and there. She had next to no make up on, having just run some mascara through quickly as it helped her concentrate. She even had a small drool stain on her chin.
She heard the knock again and contemplated her next move carefully, while rubbing the drool stain away. “If I answer the door and he sees me like this, I couldn't imagine what he'd think! But I can't ignore him for too long or he may think I'm rejecting him! And not only that, but a lady would never be as rude as that!”
With a sigh, she opened the door, revealing the nearly black Pegasus, sporting a dark blue bow tie, much to her surprise, and held a bunch of white lilies under his wing for her. “How did he know lilies were my favourite flowers?!”
He looked at her, a little surprised, but smiled none-the-less. “Hey Rarity.” He said, expertly manoeuvring the flowers and holding them out with his wing. “Some beautiful flowers for the beautiful lady.”
She stood, frozen. Was this the same stallion that she met yesterday? Where was this sudden chivalry coming from?
From a distance, inside a bush, sat a grey colt and white filly, more commonly known as Rumble and Sweetie Belle, spying on them. Rumble face-hoofed himself. “C'mon, Thunder...You embarrassed yourself with this act with Flitter already...”
Sweetie Belle looked annoyed at the colt, turning her snout up at him. “Well I think it's romantic!”
“Yeah well YOU'RE not the one he's trying to impress!” He argued back, before raising an eyebrow. “Matter-of-fact, why ARE you spying on them too?”
“I'm trying to get an espionage cutie mark!” She replied, happily. “And as a Cutie Mark Crusader as well, I thought that's what you were doing?”
“No! I'm here to make sure Thunderlane doesn't humiliate himself like he's done before!”
While the two foals were arguing, Rarity snapped out of her stupor and took the flowers in her indigo magical grip, happily. “Thank you Darling, you flatter me...” After a small pause, Rarity motioned inside. “Do come in, I just need to put these in some water and freshen myself up.”
Thunderlane nodded and walked inside, instinctually wiping his hooves on the mat as he did so, much to Rarity's content. She did like a pony with such mannerisms.
“A lovely place you have here. Sorry I didn't mention it before now.” He said as she trotted to the kitchen. She blushed, but grinned happily.
“Thank you Dear.” She replied, motioning to the suit. “I managed to get your suit prioritised, the Gala being in six days, and got it finished last night.” Thunderlane smiled, happily looking it over like a new Hearts Warming present.
He looked over the black suit which, when he put his dark grey coat against it, just highlighted his slightly lighter coat colour, making it stand out. The white shirt underneath adorned with a gold bow tie to match his eyes.
“Wow, it's amazing!” He said, already excited to wear it. Rarity returned, smiling at the excited pony in front of her.
“I've never met anypony show this much enthusiasm over my creations before unless they were fashion designers...” She thought, fondly. “I'll just go pretty myself up...”
“Huh?” He replied, looking her over. “Why? Except a few stray hairs, you look great!”
“Does he need glasses or is he...serious?” She thought to herself, blushing again. She hadn't found a single indication from him to tell her he was lying. “I wonder...”
“I'll just be a second.” She said, rushing upstairs and sorting her hair out. She ran the curler through and allowing her curls to return. She flicked her head and they returned to their usually positions...
...she, however, for went make-up today.
He smiled up as she came down the stairs, only a small bit of mascara on her lashes. “You ready to go?” He asked, heading towards the door.
“Of course, Darling.” She replied, about to open the door, before she realised that Thunderlane was holding it open for her. She smiled again and exited the building. “Thank you.”
“HOLY CEMPHH!” Rumble wrapped a hoof over her mouth to stop Thunderlane and/or his date noticing them.
“What is it?!” He hissed, quietly. She almost blew their cover. Sweetie Belle glared at him, using her magic to remove his hoof.
“My sister isn't wearing her make-up! She always wears make-up!” She replied, just as quietly. Rumble stared blankly for a moment before it clicked.
“Oh...Wow...” Rumble mumbled. So far, Thunderlane seemed to be doing alright, but if she wasn't wearing make-up then there's a good chance that Rarity thought that this was a friendly outing!
“C'mon, we need to keep up, but out of sight!” He said as Button Mash passed the bush. He stopped a second later, putting his JoyBoy under his hat, and looked over to the bush, raising an eyebrow.
“Um...Rumble, Sweetie Belle? What are you doing?” Sweetie Belle popped her head out, smiling.
“Hi Button! We're being Cutie Mark Crusader Espionage Team! Wanna join us!” She asked so loudly, it made Rumble cringe.
“Sure okay!” Button replied, before the two took a deep breath. Rumble knew what they were doing and responded.
“CUTIE MARK CRUSADEMMMPPHHH!” Rumble glared at the two, pulling them into the bush as Thunderlane and Rarity looked over, confused.
“Strange. I could've sworn I heard Sweetie Belle and Button.” Rarity said to herself, to which Thunderlane nodded.
“Yeah, I heard it too...” He then chuckled. “But then again, they're so loud you could hear them from miles away.”
“We're not THAT loud!” Sweetie Belle argued, popping her head out the bush, before the other two pulled her back in.
The two looked at the bush again before shrugging it off. “I guess they're trying Cutie Mark Crusader Botanists today...” Rarity stated as the two began to, once again, make their way towards town.
“It's strange...I've never been the less dressy one...” Rarity thought to herself, looking over Thunderlane as he pulled the chair from under the table, motioning for her to take a seat. She blushed and sat down, as he pushed the chair so she was comfortably sitting down at the table. “And he's been such a gentlecolt! And he seems to be doing it so naturally!”
Thunderlane smiled and handed her a menu, making sure his elbows were well away from the table.
From the bushes nearby, five sets of eyes peered out, one of them looking quite annoyed. “Okay, who invited Applebloom and Scootaloo?” Rumble grumbled, Scootaloo nudging him while he tried to concentrate on his brother.
“Nopony.” Button replied, motioning to the three fillies. “I think they have some telepathic link so that, when one has an idea for a cutie mark, they assemble. Just like the X-Ponies!” Rumble rolled his eyes.
“Or they heard you scream the Cutie Mark Crusader catchphrase.” Button grinned, sheepishly.
“Yeah...That too...”
Back over at the table, Clover had trotted over to take their orders. “So what will sir and madame be ordering today.”
Thunderlane held his tongue, allowing Rarity to order first. “Um...A daisy and dandelion salad with a glass of water please.” She answered, handing Clover her menu.
“A daisy sandwich and water for me please.” Clover took the menus and bowed, before leaving the two alone.
Rarity smiled at him and started expressing her thoughts. “I've been having such a great time so far, Thunderlane. Thank you so much.”
“Hey, no need for thanks.” Thunderlane answered, smiling back. “It's my duty a a stallion to make sure you have a great time. That's what my dad always says.”
“Well you've been doing an amazing job thus far, Darling.” She continued, before things started to quieten down a bit.
Before silence could overcome them, Thunderlane broke it. “So Rumble spends time with your sister and her friends sometimes, have you been looking after her long?” He asked, genuinely curious.
“Oh, not too long. Just a month or two while our parents are in the Griffon Kingdom.” She replied, smiling. “She's a hooffull sometimes, but she's a delight to have around.”
“I know what you mean.” Thunderlane replied after he was sure he wouldn't be interrupting her. “I've been looking after Rumble for the better part of five years and though he can be rowdy at times, I wouldn't trade him for the world.”
In the bushes, Rumble felt his heart warm a bit after hearing what his brother had said. Plus, from the way Rarity was acting, it seems that Thunderlane had this handled and doesn't need his help, he decided to leave them be.
He was about to leave on his own before pausing and turning to Scootaloo. “Hey Scoots, I don't think we're getting our cutie marks in espionage. Want to go get some ice cream?”
“Like a date?” She asked, excitedly. Rumble shuffled his hooves a bit, nervously.
“Sure...” Scootaloo gave a big, toothy grin and leaned against his side, as they trotted down the path.
The other three noticed and contemplated staying as well.
Before Button felt himself getting bored and turned to Sweetie Belle. “Want to go to my house and play MineCraft?”
“Sure!” Sweetie Belle chirped, bouncing up next to him and out the bush. “I just need to get my laptop from my house!”
Applebloom looked around as she left the bush, looking around before plopping her rump on the ground and sighed. “An' now Ah'm alone...”
“Oh, hey Applebloom...” She heard somepony...or somedragon say from next to her and turned to see Spike, looking crestfallen.
“Oh Spike...” Applebloom sympathised, already knowing what this is about. “Don't worry...You were outta her league anyway...” She continued, giving him a comforting hug.
“Sure...” He replied, a few tears falling from his eyes.
Thunderlane had walked Rarity back to her home, their date soon to conclude. Rarity lent on his side and he wrapped his wing around her protectively, earning some looks from residents of Ponyville. Some stallions looked on in jealousy and mares mostly think 'What a cute couple.'
Soon, they were at her doorstep which had a note attached. Rarity picked it off, realising it was just her sister mentioning that she was going round Button's house and will probably be back after dinner.
She turned her attention to the stallion next to her and smiled brightly. “I had a really good time today. Thank you so much, Darling.”
“Of course, Rarity. I would love to this again when you have the time.” He replied, remembering that her work loads can get quite hectic at times.
She nodded, contemplating her answer. “How about at the Gala, when you finish your performance, I'll wait for you and we can spend the night there.” Thunderlane's eyes lit up. He needs to stop forgetting about the Gala!
“Of course. It'll give me a few days to catch up on my dancing...” He answered, sheepishly. Rarity giggled and opened the door to go inside.
“It's a date then. Good bye for now, Darling.” She finished, closing the door. Thunderlane smiled, ecstatic that his date went well and that he has another one really soon! “This day couldn't get any better.” He thought to himself.
Suddenly, the door opened again and Rarity, sheepishly, gave Thunderlane his suit. “Sorry Dear. I forgot I had that for a second.” She explained, draping the suit over his back for him.
She seemed to pause for a second before leaning up and pecking the stallion lightly on the cheek. “I also forgot to give you that.” She giggle, winking at him as she left again. “Ta ta...”
Once the door was shut, he held a hoof over where she kissed him, and smiled stupidly, starting to walk home, not trusting his thoughts to remain focused on flying. “Okay...NOW this day couldn't get any better!”
Author's Note
It's a little shorter than the others, but I'm kinda proud with what I have here.
I'm about half way through the How it Started series and now, I'm not sure which pair to do next.
Thanks for ready and ta ta for now.
FelixTheBrony out :)
