Fantasy of Flame

Fantasy, it’s just a word ponies like to use to let their minds wander. A word that can describe the world around them at their own free will, a place where everything can be just perfect. For Spitfire, that fantasy was easy, sitting outside a nice, old fashioned cafe, relaxing on a wooden chair next to a similarly fashioned table. The cool air of the Crystal Empire lightly breezing through her amber mane as her hooves slowly clasped around a warm Espresso coffee and her soft lips meeting with the cup’s ceramic surface as she let her taste buds revel in the strong but energetic experience.

The clattering sound of a tray being lifted greeted the mares ears as a single waitress took the leftovers from another table, she wiped the wooden surface clean with a rag before quietly making her way back into the cafe. Spitfire smiled happily as the waitress past before letting out a relaxing sigh; so far so good. The place had been relatively quiet all morning, not to mention the weather was holding itself up. With that thought in mind, the mare’s golden eyes looked upwards to the slightly overcast sky where a bright sun cascaded down from its mid afternoon position. Seeing this, she quickly put her cup back on the table and looked down towards her brown leather saddlebags that were currently resting at the side of the chair she was seated at. She reached a hoof down to search for an item, and, quickly finding them, she pulled out her usual sunglasses and slipped them on. Her sight quickly becoming a darker shade as her eyes were shielded from the sunlight.

This was the first time Spitfire had been off in a long time, she made sure she was making every second count. The mare’s life was to some other ponies a fantasy, but the job wasn’t as easy as she thought it would be. The paperwork, academy, training, and on top of that making sure she didn’t slip up to retain her role model status was very hard work. Spitfire kept at it though, it was in her nature to keep on striving to be one of the best. However, it didn’t mean she hated a good relaxation every once in a while.

Spitfire smiled at this passing thought, she grabbed her coffee and took another satisfying sip before leaning back on the chair once more. She then began to set her eyes on the few ponies trotting past the cafe. The view pleasant and formal as it showed the large centerpiece of the city, which was the Crystal Palace, and its statues that surrounded the area. As Spitfire’s eyes scanned the places around the cafe, she spotted a familiar mare out of the corner of her eye. The pegasus in question had her head at a slight tilt and wasn't fully making eye contact with Spitfire, but then again, the mare was wearing her shades.

Spitfire took off her sunglasses and looked at the mare, instantly recognizing her tomboyish haircut along with those striking colors that made up her rainbow mane. Her figure was close to Spitfire’s, but of course the mare was not your average pegasus. Spitfire smirked as she watched the mare trot over to her with a uncertain look on her face, her eyebrow raised in curiosity.

“Spitfire, Why are you hanging around the Crystal Empire?” the mare asked quizzically as she made her way to where the Wonderbolt was sat around the cornered seating area outside the cafe.

Spitfire chuckled, causing a few strands of her mane to fall across her face, she pushed them back up with a hoof as she spoke. “Can’t a hard working filly get a break now and then, Dash?” she asked, shaking her head playfully.

Rainbow shrugged. “I just wasn’t expecting to see you. I thought all the Wonderbolts had gone back to Cloudsdale after the Equestria Games last week,” the mare explained, coming over to the table where Spitfire was.

Spitfire nodded. “They did, congratulations on the second place by the way. I know I've said it before, but it was a really good effort, you’re hard to match,” she said happily, patting the seat closest to her with a hoof. “Take a seat if you wanna stay, I could use the company.”

Rainbow was all too glad the Wonderbolt had just offered her to take a seat, being so close to her in an informal environment was pleasant, but exciting still exciting at the same time. Dash smiled at the thought and took the seat offered to her. “So, why are you staying then?” she asked curiously.

Spitfire picked up her cup of coffee and smirked. “I’m finally on holiday. Took me long enough, but I’ve racked up a few weeks to do my own thing,” she said in a satisfied tone as she took a final sip of her drink.

Rainbow grinned as she became interested in the conversation. “Why’s it taken you so long? You test positive for sports drugs or something?” she asked, giggling as Spitfire put the drink down on the table.

Spitfire too laughed at the statement. “Nah, although it would explain why I’ve had to wait so damn long to get a month’s vacation. It had better be worth it too, or otherwise I may have just stayed and let Fleetfoot nag at me for not letting her use all the pies in the Wonderbolts’ cafeteria as a costume to annoy Soarin with,” the mare explained as the two shared a short laugh. “I swear that mare still thinks she’s around five, but she’s a good flyer... just like you,” Spitfire said, nudging Dash playfully.

Rainbow gave a slightly embarrassed look from the compliment. “Thanks Spit, it means a lot.”

Spitfire rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to thank me, I’m not gonna go Academy sargent on your flank if you don't,” she replied happily. Rainbow’s felt a blush run to her cheeks, suddenly her ears perked up slightly as a waitress came over and took the cup from the table.

Spitfire smiled at the mare. “Thank you,” she said in a kind tone as the mare nodded before taking the cup back inside. When Spitfire changed her gaze back to see Rainbow’s slightly more embarrassed face, she smirked. “I should have expected I’d get that kind of reaction out of you,” she said confidently as Rainbow reeled back, feeling a small flush of blood run towards her cheeks.

Spitfire laughed. “Even though you're a friend you're still a fan, eh? I bet you’ve got a full collection of Wonderbolt plushies back at your house,” the mare continued to tease.

“You're gonna make me go red in front of all these ponies,” Rainbow said with a sheepish grin while trying to keep her composure and not laugh.

“My intention exactly,” Spitfire said, keeping her smirk. She tilted her head and folded back her ears to put on a more adorable look. “Do you cuddle my plushie every night?”

“Alright, that’s it!” Rainbow said as she got up and advanced towards the mare as the two continued their giggling fit. Spitfire held her hooves up in a playful attempt to protect herself.

“Okay, okay, I’ll make it up to you!” Spitfire pleaded as she peaked out from behind her hooves.

Rainbow stopped and thought for a moment before nodding. “Deal,” she said, sitting back down.

Spitfire giggled. “Fine, what do you want?” she asked, raising an eyebrow as another waitress passed them.

Dash turned to the mare passing and said, “Two Espressos please.”

The waitress nodded and gave the two mares a smile before heading back inside to make their order. Rainbow gave a smug look towards Spitfire as the mare chuckled and shook her head, “I could have sworn you would ask for an autograph,” she said with a smirk.

Rainbow rolled her eyes, “I already have a poster with that,” she said casually as she looked towards the mare.

Spitfire leaned back on her chair, keeping her current expression. “When we first met Dash I wouldn’t have guessed you for being so sociable, I used to picture you as the pony who was always too busy to unwind,” the mare explained.

“I can unwind, but I nap instead,” Dash corrected as she rested her head on a forehoof, “So are you staying around here for your holidays?” she asked.

Spitfire’s face lit up at the question, “No, in fact I’m going somewhere far better than that,” she said proudly as the sound of hoofsteps could be heard from behind the mare as the same waitress trotted outside holding the two ordered drinks on a tray, she carefully put the two cups down on the table before smiling at the mares before she left. Dash quickly grabbed her cup to take a sip as Spitfire took her’s in a more casual fashion since she’d just finished a cup.

Rainbow sighed happily as she took the cup away from her mouth before speaking, “Where are you going?” She asked, very curious about the subject.

Spitfire grinned, “I’m going to Fillydelphia, it’s going to be brilliant!” she said in slightly giddy voice. “It’s great views and I’ve got a penthouse apartment overlooking the ocean. I’m going for a hundred percent relaxation,” she said dreamily.

Rainbow nodded in agreement, “It sounds cool, I’ve never been to Filly, but my dad now lives there, apparently it’s the place to go,” she said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Spitfire laughed, “Do I detect a hint of jealousy?” she asked with a widening smirk.

Dash quickly changed her posture to a more confident look, “Na, why would I be?” she asked.

Spitfire leaned across the table, the wooden surface creaked slightly with the added weight of the pegasus as she came muzzle to muzzle with Dash, “Because you look, sound and act like it,” she said with a knowing look.

Dash fumbled slightly, “W-What do you mean Spitfire, I don’t really care that much for-”

“Wanna come with me?” Spitfire asked raising an eyebrow.

Dash’s eyes suddenly widened as her mouth nearly dropped. Spitfire couldn’t contain herself as she sat back with laughter, watching the blue mare in front of her babble slightly in a lost for words state, “You look like you’ve just seen a pony die Rainbow!”

Dash shook her head as she came around, she looked over at Spitfire still slightly in shock, “A-Are you serious?” she asked.

Spitfire nodded, “Why wouldn’t I be? It’d be more fun to go with a mare of my style rather than going it alone, unless of course you’ve got other plans?” she asked raising an eyebrow with a smug look plastered on her muzzle.

Dash thought hard about the question, it did seem sudden, but then again Spitfire and Rainbow had known each other for a while and they’d gotten on rather well after Rainbow Falls. Then her mind crossed over her father, she hadn’t seen the stallion since the day before he moved to the new city, she would like to pay him a visit at some point this year and now Spitfire was giving her the perfect opportunity.

“How long are we going for?” Dash asked raising an eyebrow as she thought it over still.

Spitfire shrugged, “I’m staying for the next few weeks, but you can take the train home when you wish to go home,” the mare said happily.

“I’m paying for my part of the trip though,” Dash started defensively.

Spitfire rolled her eyes, “If you're sure you want to you can pay for your train ticket,” she answered, “Unfortunately I already paid for everything else.”

Dash sighed and thought for a few more moments as she made her decision. “I-I’ll think on it and if I wanna go I’ll meet you at the train station next week,” she answered finally.

Spitfire nodded, “Great!” she said excitedly, “I’ll be at Canterlot train station next week, platform eight.”

Rainbow nodded as she drank her coffee, just then another voice sounded.

“Rainbow!”

Spitfire raised an eyebrow, “One of your friends?” she asked.

Dash nodded getting up off her seat, “Yeah, sounds like Twi, she’ll be wanting me to help her find some book in one of the stores,” she answered with a smirk as she looked over to where the voice had came from. “Thanks for the drink Spitfire, I’ll see ya around,” she said before trotting out of the cafe.

Spitfire gave the mare a wave before leaning back again and sipping her new cup of coffee. Perhaps this holiday she was planning was going to go a lot better to plan than she’d hoped.