.out.of.character.

around and looked at her, panting for breath.

As the blood rushed through Rainbow's head, Rarity's face came into focus, and so did the tranquil lengths of the Carousel Boutique stretching behind her.

"Is everything alright, dear?"

"It... it didn't..." Rainbow panted and shivered. She raised a hoof to her head, teetering slightly. Her tongue stroked the roof of her mouth, but there was no more lingering taste of iron. What's more, her hooves were utterly clean. "It didn't stop."

"Hmmm?" Rarity cocked her head to the side as she leaned forward, shoving pins and needles against Rainbow's flank. "What didn't stop, Rainbow?"

"I... I-I don't..." Rainbow flinched away from her upon feeling the cold, cold pins. "Jeez, Rarity! What are you—?!" She paled as she saw herself wearing a slim, silken ballroom gown. She stood on the center of a dressing stage, fitting an outfit for Rarity while the unicorn trotted around her in a circle, altering it. "Why am I wearing a dress?"

"Because you love it so much."

"I do?"

Rarity laughed airily. "Well, weren't you the one who volunteered to help me with this, darling?"

"I-I did?"

"Mmmmhmmmm."

"Okay..." Rainbow exhaled, her shivers dissipating as her blood recirculated. She grew calmer and calmer. "What... uh... what's the dress for?"

"For a mare's blind date with her very special somepony."

"Yeah? Like who?"

Rarity giggled airily. "Wouldn't you like to know?" She continued pinning the dress in quiet stabbing motions.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. Feeling stiff, she flexed her wings—only to yelp from an immediate flash of pain. "Ow! Ow... ow ow ow...!"

Rainbow's left wing hurt terribly and refused to budge.

"Uh uh uh!" Rarity shook a hoof. "None of that, Rainbow. You've already put enough stress on that as it is!"

"Guh... st-stress on what?"

"Why, your wing, of course!" She pointed at the pegasus' left appendage. "You sprained it yesterday while doing stunt maneuvers for Spitfire!"

"I did?"

"Well..." Rarity waggled her eyebrows with a coy smile. "At least that's what you told everypony. She does put you through some rigorous exercise, does she not?" Another giggle.

A flushed warmth spread through Rainbow Dash's body. Her cheeks turned an azure shade of rose.

Rainbow exhaled through flaring nostrils. "Are you done?"

"Just about." Rarity plastered a few paper patches onto areas of the dress that needed fixing. "You've been so generous as of late, helping me fix these gowns. For a moment there, I thought you were going to take my place in the Elements of Harmony. But now I'm starting to think that maybe you just enjoy wearing dresses for me."

"Uhhh... yeah, no."

Rainbow Dash shivered with delight from the silken tresses clinging to her petite body.

"Seriously..." Rainbow stared blankly at her skirts. "I don't."

Rarity chuckled. "Suit yourself, darling." She stepped back, gathering her many pins and needles. "You may strip now."

Rainbow gladly dismounted from the stage. The tile floor of the Boutique felt ice cold to the touch. Nevertheless, Rainbow began shimmying her way out of the gown. It was a prolonged effort, considering that every other shrug and shuffle sent a wave of pain darting up Rainbow's spine from her sprained left wing. It didn't help that the silk dress was a veritable maze to get out of. She was only halfway through disrobing when she heard muffled cries and whimpers, followed by a light pounding noise. Rainbow's heart jumped, but she stood her ground. Curious, she peeled the rest of the gown off and looked straight ahead of her.

She caught a glimpse of the closet door shaking, rattling. The doorknob twisted halfway, then snapped back, followed by a quiet sob from within.

"Rarity...?" Rainbow blinked. "What's up with your closet? And... is that Sweetie Belle I'm hearing?"

"Oh, she's been something of a nuisance as of late, so I'm punishing her." The rattle of chains and metal.

Rainbow turned around.

Rarity slipped several leather straps into a wooden chest and locked it shut. She turned around, smiling. "With all of her destructive 'Crusader' hijinks, she has to learn to fly right at some point or another." Rarity winked. "If you don't mind the pun, of course."

Rainbow slowly, slowly nodded. "Right. I don't mind it at all." She turned and looked at the closet door. It was dead still.

"Would you like to stay for some tea, darling?"

Rainbow Dash's tail flicked with a tender shiver. Her nostrils tickled, longing for the girlish scent of jasmine and vanilla.

"No. I... uh..." Rainbow grimaced slightly, shuffling towards the exit. "I-I better go."

"But with a spranged wing, what sort of weather flying chores do you have left to do? Hmmm?"

"I j-just gotta go stretch my legs," Rainbow said, already at the front door. "Thanks. I... uh... had a swell time. I think."

Rarity waved. "I hope your wing feels better, darling."

"Thanks. Same here..."

And Rainbow Dash turned about-face and