“Oh, Darling, please! I simply cannot allow you to waltz around a royal wedding reception without your dress!” Rarity fawned as she approached the bare multi-colored pony with a pleading smile.
The resistant Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. With the crowd around, she doubted anypony would even notice her. “No way. This is the reception, I don't need to be all formal anymore!”
A spark in Rarity's eyes warned Dash that a brilliant – or terrifying – idea had strolled along her brain. “This is not just any reception, Rainbow Dash, this is THE reception! Of Princess Cadance and Twilight's brother!” The words rolled off Rarity's tongue with that slight french accent of hers, and a grin stretched across her white lips. “Oh, and let's not forget, darling! The Wonderbolts, Princess Celestia, and so many famous designers are here! Oh, could you imagine! I could just picture Soarin just loving you in formal wear! After all, Rainbow Dash Dear, I'm sure he was oh so fond of your last formal appearance!”
“T-the wonderbolts?” Rainbow Dash's stutter was delightful, as her wide magenta eyes sparkled at the mention of her idols. “I suppose... Hey, wait a minute! What was that whole thing with Soarin? What does he have to do with this?”
“Ohoho, dear, don't you think I'd notice by now?” Rarity mentioned smugly.
“No, I don't even know what you're t-talking about!” Never before was Rainbow Dash relieved that there was low lighting, because there was an undeniably hot sensation on her cheeks. “F-fine, but only because I don't want to embarrass myself around the Wonderbolts. You win this round, Rarity.”
“Wonderful! Here, let me do your hair. Sit this way, come now.” Rarity waved her hoof towards her. After her hair was done up, the two of them exited the crowd momentarily to slip on the cloak-like coverage.
Kicking her back left leg back, Dash watched as the fabric fluttered downwards against gravity and sighed. “Alright, I guess this is good enough. Am I free to go now?” Dash stared straight into Rarity's eyes as she waited a response.
“Oh, heh, o-oh dear, hold on a second.” Rarity muttered quietly as she used her magic. Dash felt a few tugs in places and her hair got pulled a little, but the adjustments ended quickly. “I think this will be fine now. Go on, let's go back to the reception. The first dance is about to start.”
As the two ponies approached the dance floor, it was apparent that the dance had already started. By the time they had returned to their spot along side the other bridesmaids, Cadance leaned affectionately in towards her new husband. The two swayed gently next to each other, causing Rarity to swell into a fit of silent tears. Dash smiled at the sight. Usually there was a voice inside of her saying, “this mushy gushy romance stuff was unbearable,” but there was a feeling of calmness and serenity at this wedding that made those notes of rebellion drift away. Dash's eyes glistened at the sight of the two beautiful newly-weds swaying together with the sparkling rings on their horns, and tears welled in her eyelids.
There was a screech, unmistakeably Pinkie Pie, and then a change of beat. To Dash's surprise, a familiar singing voice boomed over the crowd. It was Twilight's singing.
There was a noise at her left side.
“Hello there, may I request that you grace me with a dance?”
The request was for Rarity. It was from an older looking gentlecolt with posh clothing and slick hair.
“Oh, Fancy Pants! Why, of course, sir!” Rarity responded, sending a beaming smile back at Fluttershy, who gently waved her hoof in acknowledgment. Rainbow Dash slowly smiled, looking over the faces of the crowd around. Her eyes sat upon the Wonderbolts, chatting amongst themselves merrily. Remembering Rarity's previous statement, Dash examined Soarin's physical structure, his facial features, and the clothes we was wearing. Spitfire was beside him, smiling and laughing at whatever comment he was making.
Dash tucked her right front leg behind her left, and looked at the ground quietly.
Love is in bloom...
Something bumped behind Rainbow Dash, thrusting her forward and almost causing her to lose her balance. When she looked behind her, it was Rarity.
“What are you doing?” Dash hissed over to her.
A beautiful bride...
“Oh, I told Fancy Pants I had forgotten something. Go talk to him, Rainbow Dash!”
A handsome groom...
“Wha – ?” Dash said in an outburst, and Rarity scattered off to her date. When Dash turned, she was shocked to meet the gaze of Soarin himself, trotting steadily over to her. Caught in a panic, Rainbow Dash turned around and went straight for the hors d'œuvres and began to indulge herself.
“Hey, hey there!” A voice called from behind Dash. Turning around to meet the voice, she wiped the crumbs from her face and smiled nervously until she realized that her teeth were soiled and she quickly covered her mouth.
I said, love is in bloom...
“O-Oh, hey there... pal!” Rainbow Dash laughed nervously as Soarin neared only a few feet away from her.
“You're that mare that rescued my pie!” Soarin said enthusiastically, with a slight laugh. “Rainbow Dash, right?”
“Heh-heh, yeah, that's me. Nice to, er, see you again.”
They're starting a life...
Soarin kicked his hoof against the ground once, averting his gaze. “This is, uh, a nice wedding isn't it?”
“Heh, yeah, sure is.” Dash said thoughtfully.
“That sonic rainboom you did was really wicked.”
“Wha – Really?” Dash responded enthusiastically. “I-I, I mean, thanks! It was nothing really.” She made a smug smile and turned her head to the side, leaving a proud profile. Soarin laughed and tapped her on the shoulder with the front of his knee.
“I like you, Rainbow. You got spunk.” His compliment brought blood to Rainbow Dash's face as she looked back to him.
“Th-thanks, Soarin.” The tone in her voice was almost slurred. She looked at him with awe for a moment before making a grin. “You know, I'm getting a bit bored. Standing around just isn't awesome enough for me right now. How about you and I hit the dance floor?”
“Hey, I thought the stallion was supposed to do the asking.” Soarin responded in defense, but he soon caved in with a smile. “Yeah, that sounds like fun.”
As the two blue-tinted ponies strutted out together, Dash caught sight of a rather cheerful look from a particular purple-maned friend. Smiling in return, she turned to face Soarin. The two met eyes with a smile and began to sway.
“You know, Rainbow,” Soarin started.
“Yes?”
“You're a pretty special mare.”
Love is in bloom...
A beautiful bride, a handsome groom...
Love is in bloom...
