Shine of a Rainbow

The gentle chirping of birds awoke me from my sleep, and I slowly opened my eyes. As I looked around my room, I yawned.

I live in a quaint little cloud house with a waterfall. I can’t afford a Rainbow one. My room is clean and perfectly symmetrical, just how I like it.

I slowly stood up and walked to my bathroom, and looked in the mirror. My mane was a mess, so I quickly started brushing it. As I was brushing, I looked at my features. I have a lilac coat with a pink mane and eyes. I never thought of myself as beautiful, but apparently a lot of ponies think I am.

I finished cleaning up and walked into the kitchen. That’s when I saw the time on the clock.

“Oh, crap!” I said to myself, “I’m gonna be late for work!”

I quickly got a bagel out of the pantry, and flew out of the door.

As I was flying and eating my bagel, ponies were waving to me as I passed. Of course, not wanting to be rude, I waved back. Regardless of what other ponies say, Cloudsdale isn’t that bad of a place. I mean, sure we have those idiots who think they are better than everypony else, but what town doesn’t? I know for a fact that Ponyville has one or two… or one.

Anyway, I eventually made it to the Weather Factory. I work in the Snowflake Department, and it’s easy enough. Except last year somepony decided to flap their artificial wings too close to the snowflakes, making them blow everywhere. I had to pick up a room full of ice by myself. Besides I hear that she ruined the Best Young Flier Competition too.

Anyway, I arrived there and instantly started making snowflakes. I hoped my boss didn’t see me come in so late. Making snowflakes is a very delicate process. Each one is very fragile, and they all have to be different. For a newcomer it is very stressful work, but for a pony who has been doing it for a long time, it’s not bad.

I am what you would call a workaholic. I have three jobs, well, four if you count Winter Wrap Up. Of course I have snowflake making and being a mailpony, but I am also a weather pony, but only on weekends. I’m very busy, and only have time for one friend. That friend being Sprinkle Medley. I guess you could say I have a pretty major crush on her, but unfortunately I don’t think that’s how her door swings.

“Psst,” I heard to the left of me, “Rainbowshine.”

I turned at my name being called and saw Raindrops looking at me.

Raindrops is a good friend of mine. She was with me all the back when we were fillies in the orphanage. She can be cynical, but at least she has a sense of humor.

“What?” I whispered to Raindrops.

“Why were you late?” Raindrops asked.

“I overslept.” I said.

“Oh,” Raindrops said a bit nervously, “okay.”

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

“No.” Raindrops answered. I don’t know if she meant to sound that defensive, or not, but either way, that’s how it came off as.

“Are you sure?” I asked a bit worried.

“Yes… No… Look, just shut up and work on your snowflakes.” Raindrops said a bit more aggressively.

It was strange, she’s never acted like this around me before. But if there’s one thing I know about Raindrops, is that she will eventually get over it, I just need to give her a day or two.

Luckily, nopony else talked to me after work. It’s not that I don’t like to be talked to, it’s just that I had to fly to Ponyville to my mailpony job right away. Otherwise I’ll be late to that, too.

I started flying towards Ponyville, when suddenly, somepony crashed into me, knocking me to the ground.

As I started opening my eyes, I looked up and saw the last mare I wanted to see. None other than the total stubborn and arrogant Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash was looking down at me, glaring. “What the hay was that for?” She asked aggressively.

I stood up and glared back, “Excuse me? You were the one who crashed into me!”

Rainbow Dash scoffed, “Only because you were in the way.”

“Rainbow Dash, are you kidding me?” I retorted, “Are you really that stubborn?”

Rainbow Dash gave me a nasty look, “You were in my way and you know it!”

I growled. “Maybe if you actually looked where you were going we wouldn’t be in this situation right now!”

Rainbow Dash snorted, “Well, Rainbowshine, if you would just take time to look at your surroundings, you would have seen me coming.”

I was getting very angry at this point, “I’m starting to think you were trying to start something by crashing into me.”

Rainbow Dash gave me a look of pure hatred, “You know what? Forget it. I’m too tired to argue with you now.” She began to fly away.

“Oh yeah. Typical Dash.” I yelled after her. “Flying away when she knows she is going to lose!”

Rainbow Dash continued flying, as if she didn’t hear me. I sighed. I have no idea what that mare’s problem is.

Anyway, I got to the post office in time, despite that delay. When I got there I saw Sprinkle Medley. She waved at me to come over to her. As I started getting closer, Sprinkle gave me a confused look.

“Um, Rainbowshine, why are you covered in mud?”

At first, I had no idea what she was talking about, but then I looked at my coat and saw that it was matted and wet from mud. I guess I must have landed in a puddle when Rainbow Dash crashed into me.

I sighed, “Never mind that, I just tripped is all.”

Sprinkle laughed, “You always were a clumsy one.”

I laughed a bit more awkwardly. “Yeah I guess I am.”

“Anyway, I think Blossomforth has a package for you to deliver.” Sprinkle pulled out a package from her saddlebags and handed it to me.

“Who’s it to?” I asked.

“Firefly.” Sprinkler said simply.

“Firefly?” I nodded. “Okay”

I took a look at the address and saw that this Firefly pony is in Cloudsdale. So, I started flying that way. I’ve heard about Firefly, but never really met her before. I hear that she’s really nice so that’s a relief.

Eventually, I made it to her address. She lives in a really big and well-made house. I flew up and knocked on the door.

From the other side I could hear the soft clopping of hooves and then the door opened.

“Special deliv-“I cut off when I saw this mare. She had a pink coat and a sky blue mane a tail. But it was her eyes that really caught me off guard. They were exactly like mine, and like somepony else’s, but I couldn’t put my hoof on it.

Apparently she saw it too, and said, “R-Rainbowshine?”

I was taken aback by that. I have never met this pony in my life. How did she know me?

“Do I know you?” I asked, confused.

Firefly looked at me, and said with sadness in her eyes, “You wouldn’t remember me… but a mother never forgets.”