Rainbow Dash cradled an old book in her hooves. She flew upstairs to her bedroom, anxious to read it. After so long, she barely remembered it. Not like it matters. She had brought it out of its dusty resting place so it could be relived.
Inside her bedroom, she could see a tired mare splayed out on Rainbow’s bed, half covered by a blanket. Her wings lay flat. Two heavy eyelids didn’t budge when she came in. It was normal for her to move little during the day. Since she was so hard to wake, Rainbow didn’t bother to walk quietly.
The mare’s name was Derpy and her hoof was wrapped around a picture book that Rainbow got from the castle library. She took it and set it back on an ever growing tower of books. Rainbow’s room was practically a library onto itself ever since the grey mare’s accident some time ago. She no longer had those scrapes and bruises from falling down Rainbow’s chimney, but nothing since then had been the same. She couldn’t work anymore and had to be taken care of as she was confined to bed night and day. Rainbow did love to read and she knew that the books were the only thing Derpy really responded to. When Dash read them, Derpy’s eyes would widen happily like she could sense her friend from the words. Usually she would go quiet afterwards and sleep for hours.
The doctors had no idea when Derpy would ever recover. If she would at all. No magic had the power to fix her brain or to correct her eyes. The doctors said it was the worst they’ve seen; one points to her left at all times and the other follows Rainbow when she comes with her lunch or another book to read. But they only knew medicine, not comfort or friendship.
Rainbow nudged Derpy under her wings. It tickled her awake as usual. Rainbow noticed that they needed extra preening. She would deal with that later. She remembered how hard it was in the beginning those months ago. Being an only foal and a pampered one at that didn’t exactly prepare her for what was to come. Her friends asked her to reconsider daily, even hourly, when she had Derpy stay in her room. But their protests had no effect. She wasn’t going to let Derpy go to some cold institution to be waited on by stony nurses with needles instead of books. Her comfort was a small price to pay to protect a friend.
It sure wasn’t because she was guilty. Every time Derpy smiled again was reason enough. When she did stir, her smile was extra warm. Rainbow knew it was the book. She sat on Derpy’s right side mostly so she could see it.
“Look what I’ve brought today,” Rainbow said. “It’s a special book that I’ve found in my old chest downstairs.” Derpy chuckled and clapped her hooves in reply. She always loved anything read to her. But Rainbow knew this amounted to more than words. This special story came from their hearts.
A young Rainbow Dash moved to Ponyville, drawn by Fluttershy after her own abrupt transition there recently. It was a town that Fluttershy really loved. She got along with the ponies and she really liked how quiet it was.
Rainbow had her own reasons of course. She liked the idea of the more laid back town. A quick nap on a cloud town. Serene streams instead of whirling winds. She really believed that she could adjust to the tranquility of Ponyville.
Fluttershy’s little cottage was what poised a challenge. It was peaceful to the point of hurting Rainbow with boredom which is to Rainbow’s mind as acid is to teeth. Rainbow felt wound up, confined in the house. She hated caring for animals anyway. They annoyed her all day, especially smart bunnies that liked to dip her hoof in water when she napped. She appreciated Fluttershy’s generosity but being grounded was never her speed. She couldn’t wait to feel the wind in her mane again.
Rainbow said her goodbyes to Fluttershy and was on her way. According to the census, there was about 100 Pegasus in a town of 3,000 ponies. Rainbow reckoned that was like 10%. She had no Pegasus friends yet and hasn’t rushed to meet them. Her attempt to make the best first impression didn’t go over as she expected.
It was just a week ago. Not much by Cloudsdale standards. A whirling trick with her signature rainbow trail looping in the sky. It was meant to show off her natural ability to turn and dive in the air at high speeds. After she finished, she was on the ground with sweat dripping from her proud face. She knew that ponies were watching and hoped the Pegasus ponies in particular would clap and invite her to hang out with them. But the only clapping she got was from a few happy foals. She’s never had anypony turn up their muzzles at her before but the Pegasus ponies just walked away as if they had seen nothing of interest. A few even seemed to snicker at her expense. Her wings felt like they were made of lead. Her ego burst by their sharp gazes. She didn’t fly for the rest of the day; she even plodded back home, wondering what she had done wrong.
As she headed down the main street, she walked inconspicuously and avoided the Pegasus. Few understand that when an outgoing pony starts to feel distant, they might overreact. Rainbow wanted to bury herself in a cloud. But Fluttershy was making her go to town hall; well, in her own way with fluorescent stickers on her door and on the refrigerator and on the mirror. That was somehow worse than being yelled at by Cloudsdale colts.
Rainbow had to sit down on one of the plastic chairs and wait to be called at the unemployment office. The name spoke for itself. She felt out of place, an oddity amongst the injured, elderly and just plain lazy. She tapped her hooves on the floor and the chair from frustration and sheer boredom. A clock’s ticking sounded deafening in the silent room. She thought about how unfair it was to not be called to work despite having such natural talent which nopony seems to care for. Why had they walked away rather than to say hello?
She sunk in the chair and read some brochures about various job “opportunities”. She stuck her tongue out. More like job fantasies. A stallion in a ruffled blue uniform strolled in the room, his mane in a tangle, wearing a couple enlarged saddle bags. Rainbow eyed him as he jammed a few letters into a slot and talked briefly to the worker before leaving. He had a couple musical notes on his flank.
Rainbow always had some respect for mail carriers. She liked how active and dedicated they had to be to get things from place to place on time. It was a well-oiled machine. And the uniforms didn’t exactly look shabby either. It was even blue like a Wonderbolt would wear. Ever so proactive, Rainbow got to her hooves and went after him, leaving the land of dullness behind.
The stallion went about his business, none the wiser that a mare shadowed him, watching how he did things. He often stumbled over his own hooves and even dropped some letters into the mud. They were cleaned only by rubbing them against his stained uniform. The way he did his job and interacted with ponies on his route made her cringe. Even if he sprouted wings, he wouldn’t last a single day in Cloudsdale.
He went back to the post office and Rainbow followed. When she entered the lobby, he was already gone. Probably through the door marked “Employees only”. A makeup encrusted receptionist was filing her hooves in between phone calls.
Rainbow went to the counter and flicked the bell even with her right there. She looked up as if the pony before her was a distracting fly.
“How may I help you?” she droned.
“Hi, I’m Rainbow Dash. I wanted to ask if you guys had any aerial mail carrier positions open. I’m more than willing to work right away,” Rainbow said confidently.
“We have no aerial positions open,” she declared immediately. She stared back at her horribly painted hooves.
“You didn’t even check!” Rainbow griped. She was starting to lose her temper already. She had very little tolerance for these grating ponies. It sure made her look worse but she almost didn’t care.
The receptionist frowned. “I don’t need to check,” she replied. “I know what we have and don’t have open.”
“Well, can I at least take a tour of the place?”
She rolled her eyes. “What for?”
Rainbow didn’t exactly have anything better to do that day. The facility sounded super boring but it’s a million times better than sulking in the unemployment line. She might as well stay and maybe gain some good attention for once.
The receptionist obviously wanted Rainbow out of her mane so she had the stallion come and give her the tour. He said his name was Noteworthy.
After a half-hearted run though the offices, she was taken into the printing presses. It was the biggest part of the facility, with huge machines and long conveyer belts stretching across the room. It smelled like ink and looked rather empty. It must not be printing time.
While he was talking about something boring, Rainbow saw a mare behind one of the machines, sorting boxes by herself. Grey wings spread from her body and they intrigued Rainbow. Noteworthy went along the printing press so Rainbow snuck off and walked over to the mare. She heard Rainbow’s hoof steps and turned around.
Rainbow was never one to have a hard time with words but all she could think about were the two eyes the mare possessed. They looked youthful and clear even with her face as drooping and quiet as a neglected houseplant.
“Uh, sorry to bother you.” Rainbow fidgeted in place. “You work here, right?”
“I do. My name is Derpy,” she said.
This was the first Pegasus that had been willing to speak with her. Rainbow’s heart fluttered in her chest.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Rainbow Dash.”
Derpy looked away. She smiled awkwardly. “I overheard some Pegasus ponies talking about you. You look just like they described.”
Rainbow was starting to feel peeved again and her cheeks burned. She hated it when ponies talked about somepony behind her back.
“So what did they say about me?” Rainbow tried to remain calm and to stop thinking about kicking flank at that moment.
“I didn’t hear much since nopony comes to visit me. You sounded like a great flyer. But they really distrust Pegasus from Cloudsdale. I guess they think they’re too boastful or something,” she explained. Her voice didn’t travel far like Fluttershy’s when what she says could upset somepony.
Rainbow had never heard of Pegasus ponies that acted that way. She was raised to do things as fast as she could and to work with her fellow pony. This weird culture of taking things slow and protecting one’s self-interest first was something else.
“Of course, I’m good at flying,” Rainbow said. “I’m going to be an expert someday. That’s the dream of nearly every Pegasus I know.”
Derpy winced as if she was afraid that telling the truth would physically hurt Rainbow Dash. “Well, that’s true. But you’ll learn that things work differently around here,” she said.
“Is that why you’re working indoors instead of flying around to deliver mail?”
Derpy sighed. “Well, no. I’m not trusted to deliver mail. Ponies think I can’t see because of my eyes.”
Rainbow didn’t understand. “But you can see…right?”
“Of course I do but ponies have strong judgments. Once they’re made, it’s like they’re made of stone. It’s why few ponies approach me in town. They don’t really like to talk to a pony with eyes like mine.”
Rainbow smacked her own face in frustration and groaned. Ponyville sounded like crazy town. She’s heard that rural ponies could be stubborn but she never expected that it would be that bad. And she was willing to bet that Derpy was ten times the mail carrier than Noteworthy would ever be.
The stallion was walking back inside the room. She flew over and landed next to him aggressively. Derpy hurried next to her with her mouth hanging open and her head askew.
“What’s wrong?” he said, stepping back.
“‘What’s wrong?’ I can name a lot…but what’s really troubling me is how this young mare is being treated.” Rainbow nudged Derpy forward. All thoughts of her own problems were swept to the side. Derpy’s was just too important to ignore. “I’ve never met such a rude bunch of ponies before in my life. There’s no discipline at all much less kindness!”
“So what? What would a Cloudsdale Pegasus know?” he shot back. The two of them stood very close, their clenched muzzles a hair’s width apart.
“Well, my eyes work and I know that you’re terrible at your job. If you’re better than Derpy here than I’ll gladly go back to Cloudsdale,” Rainbow said.
“Derpy, really?” Noteworthy stepped back and laughed mockingly as if he had heard the most outlandish statement ever. “She is so incompetent. The mayor gave her this job out of pity!”
“Then let her try to do better! I’m sure your boss would love it,” Rainbow said, challenging him. He looked at her warily but to Derpy’s surprise, he accepted it and said that they were welcome to run his morning shift.
Rainbow was up earlier than ever. She raced over to the post office and saw Derpy there, loitering around the entrance. She was walking around in circles.
“Derpy!” Rainbow went next to her. Derpy looked alert and jittery.
“Rainbow Dash, I don’t know what I’m doing here. What should I do? What if I fail?” Derpy’s hooves shook. She was wearing dark sunglasses.
“What’s with the glasses?” Rainbow asked. “The sun is barely up.”
“I always have them on when I’m around other ponies outside,” she replied. It was clear that she could barely see what was in front of her face so Rainbow snatched them.
“Let’s ditch the glasses. You’ll need to see if you want to get this job done,” Rainbow told her. She then gave Derpy a hoof bump. Rainbow actually felt content for once in that town. She hoped Derpy felt the same.
The two Pegasus worked together. The Earth ponies and the unicorns seemed taken aback by how friendly a mailmare could be. They weren’t used to such genuine greetings and questions about how they’re doing and feeling. Derpy even asked for their names so she could greet them next time. And she protected her mail from even the slightest scratch. No more damaged goods for them. Rainbow was worried about the Pegasus response but as long as she was there, with a glare or two, the few that looked like they would slam their doors reluctantly spoke to Derpy. But almost all of them ended up shaking hooves with her.
By the time they returned to the post office, they were both laughing and joking. The mail bag was completely empty. Rainbow gave it to a nervous Noteworthy.
“That was some fine work,” he muttered.
“It was a lot of fun,” Derpy said.
“I would appreciate it if you don’t make a scene with my boss. You can totally take over the mail duty if you want…uh, Miss Derpy.” He was practically pleading with her not to report his lazy flank. Rainbow thought he deserved punishment but it really wasn’t her call.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be here first thing in the morning,” Derpy promised. There wasn’t a wisp of spite in her voice.
Noteworthy left, visibly relieved. Derpy faced Rainbow and beamed. Even after all her work, the pure joy made her wings flap like Rainbow’s does sometimes.
“Thanks a lot, Rainbow Dash!” she said. “You’re a real good pony!”
Rainbow felt choked up but refused to get all teary-eyed. She instead went and gave Derpy a firm pat on her back.
“It was all you,” Rainbow assured, winking at her.
Then Derpy gave Rainbow a hug this time, a tight embrace with her hooves. They went to Derpy’s house and ate snacks and played board games. Rainbow even spent the night with her. It was the most fun that Rainbow had experienced in ages. She was honored that such a mare would be her first friend she made from Ponyville. It wouldn’t be the last. The two of them would grow up in their own way. But even as things changed, they never drifted apart.
Rainbow knew all of that to be true. It was one of her favorite memories. She just hadn’t thought about it for a while. She closed the book and got up. Her hoof had fallen asleep and she stretched her muscles out. As she leaned against the bed, she was stunned to see two slightly off-center eyes staring at her.
“Oh my gosh! What happened?” Rainbow exclaimed.
Derpy held her head as if coming out of a daze. “I don’t know. You were telling me a story. Your voice was very soothing. Then everything was in a blur.” She looked around. “I can see you clearly. I don’t remember the last time I could”. She started to weep softly.
Rainbow squeezed one of her hooves. “I’ll always be here for you, Derpy.”
Derpy sobbed. “I’m sorry. You were always there. I was weak and wanted badly to see it as anything other than what it was. You’re my best friend.”
Rainbow embraced Derpy, the friend given back to her at last. Rainbow didn’t need an apology. That part of Derpy that was always there must have heard her speak and wanted to return. This time, they both cried. Because friendship is a force which can never be held back.