Chapters Notice Me Chapter 1
Quiet. Just how a library was supposed to be. Quiet. Twilight loved it when it was quiet in any library, not just so she could study and read, but because it was a global rule among all libraries. And Golden Oaks Library of Ponyville was no exception. Though, this silence amongst the library was due to the fact that no pony was taking advantage of said house of learning, except for the alicorn librarian.
Twilight Sparkle laid in her bed, taking a deep, relaxing sigh as the book floating in front of her turned the page by her will with the help of her magic. The whole week had been uneventful and didn't require a lot of work from her and her friends, save a trip or two to Canterlot for “official” princess business. Other than that, nothing major or world ending. And she was glad. Having to save the world a few times made things stressful for Twilight and her friends, so having a week break was a blessing to them.
Getting back to the book she was reading, Twilight was now contemplating on how romance novels worked, seeing on how she was in the middle of one. It wasn't that bad of a read, but the whole thing seemed…
Generic, unoriginal, nothing that seemed to catch her interest.
Then again, Twilight never really knew what to base any judgement on the book's main subject: love. True, she had experiences with crushes and the occasional blushing around certain ponies. One such being Flash Sentry, but that was only in that alternate world. Pony Flash was a royal guard and was currently living in the Crystal Empire. She hardly got to talk to him since they first met, and it was unknown whether or not the one of this world shared the same feelings about her as the one in the alternate.
Finding a place to stop, Twilight placed a magic bookmark and set the book on her nightstand. Laying there thoughts about love and romance and special someponies kept dancing in her head. Every thought became one question, ‘Will I ever find love?’
Before she could go into an internal monologue, a sudden crash rang all over the library. ‘Great, so much for the quiet rule.’ Thought the alicorn Princess, ‘I wonder if Celestia will let me banish those who break that rule again to be sent to the moon.’
The main section of the Golden Oaks Library had looked like a pegasus had brought their pet tornado through it. Which seemed to be closer to truth as a cyan coated pegasus with the famous multi-colored mane and tail came out from a pile of books, like a zombie coming out of it’s grave. Rainbow Dash moaned and rubbed her head after doing a crash course, emphasis on crash, right into the tree/building that was the town’s library and best friend’s home.
After the room stopped spinning, Rainbow was able to noticed the damage that was left from her little stunt. “Oh pony feathers,” she said out loud, “why is it when I try to do a trick, I end up crashing into the library?” Actually, she did know partly why. She had a crush on a certain somepony. A pony who is smart and kind and made Dash laugh every time they were together. Ever since Dash had ran into them, actually more like flew into and ended up a twisted mess of ponies and feathers, she had been trying so hard for them to notice her and hoped to Celestia that they would like her back. Every time she saw the pony of her dreams, she would…
“Rainbow Dash!” Said mare looked up at the pony that said her name at the top of the stairs. Suddenly her breathing and heart started to quicken. Her wing deodorant stated to fail as sweat started to become more frequent in her wing pits. There stood the pony she wanted to be with, to do everything and anything for, would give up even the Wonderbolts if it meant they would be together. It was the her special pony crush, Twilight Sparkle.
“Rainbow!” The sudden sharp saying of her name snapped the pegasus out of day dream and into reality. Put on her cool, yet embarrassed, face, Dash hoped today that this would be the day that Twilight would return her feelings, though without saying anything to her.
“Oh, hey Twilight,” Dash started, “fancy meeting you here. You come here often?”
Twilight rolled her eyes, though Dash could see a little smirk form on the side of the alicorn’s muzzle. “Dash, I live here and work here. Did you hit your head that hard?”
“Hehe, I know you live here egghead. I was trying to… lighten the mood.” Rainbow gestured to the apparent mess with a hoof.
Twilight took a deep sigh to calm down, “Dash, this is the fourth time this month you ended up making everything in my library look like Discord ran this place.”
Meanwhile, a certain element of chaos felt a shutter like he was being mocked by somepony. Weird.
Back at the library, Rainbow freed the rest of herself from the mess of books and things that was on the floor. “Today wasn't my fault. A freak breeze took me off course.” This was partly true as she wanted to really do a “trick” while at the same time getting a view of Twilight through her bedroom window. It would have been a great day, hadn't an actual breeze made her dive bomb the building.
Flying in the air, Rainbow looked over the damage she caused. It wasn't as bad as the first couple of times, but she felt bad all the same and didn't want her love to be mad at her, even if they weren't a couple, yet. “I'm sorry Twilight. Here, let me get this cleaned up.” Rainbow was able to know where to put the books back on the shelves. After the first two times, it became practically like flying.
Twilight, now flying as well, stuck a hoof out to stop her friend, “Don't worry about it Rainbow, I've got this.” Before said pegasus could protest, Twilight began to cast a spell that lifted all the books off the floor and back on to the shelves, keeping the neat and organized. After the spell finished, Rainbow thought she could also smell fresh lemons.
“Well… I guess you do have it covered Twilight.” Rainbow Dash smiled. However, her insides began shouting insults at the pegasus for not being quick, for causing the mess in the first place, and for how much stress and work she had put on her secret lavender crush.
Twilight giggled a bit, “It's nothing Rainbow. After becoming an alicorn, I was able to do more with my magic. And I had found a spell that would have taken me months and energy to master as an unicorn took me only three days and I hardly break a sweat.” Rainbow may have looked bored, but in reality, she hung on to every word the newest princess was saying. It was both fascinating and embarrassing that Twilight had to learn a new spell for just these sort of occasions. And those were the ones she really cherished being with Twilight.
“Yeah yeah, whatever you say egghead. Magic this and that, blablabla.” ‘Too much you twit.’ “Well, I've gotta fly. Sorry again for the mess, I'll try to be more careful next time.” Rainbow said as she flew to the door.
“Oh? Ok, well I'll see you later Rainbow. Try using the front door next time.”
“Yep, sure thing.” With that Dash opened the door, zipped out, and shut it, a little bit harder than what she wanted to.
As she was landing, Twilight winced at the loud slam Rainbow Dash had made exiting the library. While she would have scolded her later for that, she was all too familiar with that action. She remember days when she lived at home when she was a filly and would hear her parents and brother arguing over something, then it end with her BBBFF stomping his way to his room and slamming it shut. Such a thing would scare her, but after the tension fizzled, apologies would be exchanged, hugs would be given, and things would go back to normal.
The door slam Rainbow made had Twilight thinking that her best friend was upset. But the way she was acting and her attitude said otherwise. This confused her and decided that, when they met up again, and if the subject presented itself, then she would ask the pegasus.
Looking up at the clock, it was getting late. The thought of food came to mind as her stomach growled. Trotting into the kitchen and pulling out a bowl from the refrigerator with a label marked ‘Twilight Dinner’. She loved how her number one assistant still kept things in check, even when he was off helping… Applejack? He seemed to be there a lot lately, especially with Apple Bloom.
Another time to think about that. Right now, food. As she warmed up her bowl of Mac and cheese with a reheat spell, her original train of thought. When the subject of love entered her brain, however, the thought of Rainbow Dash came back. While this was something of a surprise to her, she'd being lying if she hadn't thought about the mare in that sense. Her athletic body, her charm, the way she flew through the air like she was a seapony in water. Twilight started to feel a blush coming on.
But those thoughts were crushed by Twilight as soon as they appeared. It was like the Flash Sentry issue. While she may have a little bit of feelings toward Rainbow, that didn't mean that she felt the same. Also, she wasn't sure if she should be with Rainbow. It's not that she was opposed by same gender relations, she had an aunt who was happily married with her partner and loved them both, she just wasn't sure if she should be. She grew up with the universal idea that a male and a female should be together. But as society became tolerant of the idea of homosexuality, Twilight felt like she should stay with being straight. But she also wasn't opposed to the idea of if a mare did ask her out and they became marefriends.
Twilight was again confused, and decided to just let things happen. If Rainbow Dash did like her, then she was sure that the pegasus would tell her and they could try and be a couple. Besides, asking Twilight if she was interested in her should be the easiest thing Rainbow could ever do. How hard could that be…
Notice Me Chapter 2
Stupid. Defined as slow of mind, given to unintelligent decisions or acts, according to the dictionary. It was also Rainbow Dash’s currently favorite word as she repeated it over and over, each saying being emphasized by the pounding of her skull against a tree.
“…stupid, stupid, stupid…”, Rainbow had been at itfor 3 minutes after leaving the library and completely screwing up her latest shot at trying to win her Twilight over. After the 73rd head pound… 78th?… lost count, Dash stopped and just leaned her back against the tree. Burying her head in her forehooves, trying to keep the tears forming in her eyes from escaping, and having some success, Rainbow just sat there as she scolded her self out loud, “Come on Rainbow! You're such a foal! How are you getting worked up over something that should be easy? All you have to do is say, ‘Hey Twilight, I really like you. Wanna be with me?’ How bucking hard is it to do that?”
Truth is, she did know why it was hard. It was the Young Fliers Competition all over again, but smaller yet a bigger scare in her head. Dash was afraid of rejection, of being humiliated, not only herself, but even Twilight. Every negative outcome seemed to explode in her head as she went over the scenario. Twilight outright says no, is disgusted by Dash for even suggesting such a thing, doesn't want to be her friend anymore. Friends… how would they even feel? Look at her weird, be uncomfortable around her, call her a freak. Even the town, ponies that looked up to and respected her, even Scootaloo, would throw her out of town, tar and feather her, with her own feathers. Even the Princesses would see to it that she was banished from Equestria, no, the world itself…
SMACK! Some part of her mind, the one that still had a hold of reality, was able to control Dash’s hoof and knocked some sense to her. All the absurd thinking finally disappeared and was replaced with logical thoughts. Twilight wouldn't be disgusted with her, and she wouldn't let something as a friend asking to be with her break their friendship. Even her other friends wouldn't be that shallow and would support her no matter what. As for the town, they were all find with same gender relations. There were already a few couples living in Ponyville, even married. Rainbow had herd that a rumor was going around that she was a fillyfooler, but no pony seemed bat an eye. Now that she thought about it, Scootaloo seemed to be more clingy to her than normal.
Anyway, all her worries were just nothing. So what was the problem? The rejection was still something Rainbow dreaded. Even if Twilight let her down in the nicest and gentlest way, she still felt that any rejection from her crush would be world ending to the pegasus. Which is why she resorted to impressing and trying to get Twilight to come to her, for her to ask and to give Rainbow the assurance that she would accept her love, no rejection, no fears, no embarrassment. “Why won't you notice me Twilight?”
“HEY RAINBOW DASH!” The shriek of the local party pony and one of Rainbow’s friends, Pinkie Pie, rang into the pegasus’s ear. The sudden surprise sent Rainbow shooting into the air, grabbing onto a branch like a cat, even her mane, tail and coat stood up on all ends like a cat’s did when startled. “Everything work out with you and Twilight?” Asked the pink pony. Rainbow’s sudden shock slowly went to normal as she hovered herself back down to the ground.
“Pinkie…”
“Did you finally proclaim your undying love to her in the most loving and romantic way?”
“Pinkie…”
“Are you guys marefriends? You gonna get married? Ooooo, I need to start make plans for a reception! You two gonnagetaplacetogetherandliveforeverandeverandgonnahavefoalstogetherandtheauthorwillmakeasquelandillbeauntypinkieand…”
A cyan hoof went into her mouth, “PINKIE!” Catching the hint that Rainbow needed to talk, Pinkie nodded to let her have the floor, hoof still in her mouth. Rainbow takes a deep sigh, “No, I didn't ask her.”
Rainbow was glad to have Pinkie as a friend and somepony to turn to to help her with venting her feelings, especially the feelings about Twilight. Of course, Rainbow had never told anypony about her secret crush, not even to Pinkie, initially. Somehow, she found out about it though her ‘Pinkie Sense’ and now has been Dash’s helper since. It was also thanks to Pinkie that Dash could say her friends would accept her no matter what.
Rainbow removed her hoof from the party pony’s oral cavity to let her speak now. “But did she ask you?” Rainbow just shook her head. Pinkie wore a concerned frown fro her friend, “What happened Dashie?”
Rainbow took another deep breath, “I screwed up Pinkie. I thought I could work up the courage to say anything remotely close to asking Twi for her heart…”
She continued talking about her failed plan. She'd do a few tricks nearby the library to gain the confidence, and catch a few glimpses of the purple alicorn. After she was ready, she would go into the library, though the front door, and would have greeted her love properly. The two would chat about normal stuff, get into a comfortable setting, then lead into the talk about the books they were reading, even get into friendly debates about the stories. Then would start bringing up romance novels and hinting a bit at how Twilight is attractive. Long story short, Dash would ask her to dinner and they would live happily ever after.
Then came the what happened instead. Pinkie went from a d’awwww expression to one of pain. The sound of Dash’s plan was the most perfect, romantic, and even realistic, she had ever herd. But when she herd about the unfortunate event that ruined Dash’s attempt, she couldn't help but feel pain for the pegasus. Though, an artificial wind making machine she was messing with earlier came to mind, but didn't mention it.
Instead, the embodiment of the Element of Laughter embraced her grieving friend in a comforting hug, stoking her mane. “It's ok Dashie. There's always next time.”
Rainbow calmed down a bit, but came out of the embrace to look at her friend, “That's the problem Pinkie, it's always next time. But no matter what I do, I end up choking when I'm near her and want to tell her that I like her. Even trying to get her to notice me seems impossible. It was bad enough when she was a unicorn, but now that she's an alicorn and has those wings,” ‘those beautiful, gorgeous, perfect wings’, her thoughts plagued her with, “and she's a princess. She's has more work and more responsibility now than she ever did. And I want to help her…” her voice dropped a bit a that last part, thoughts of an over worked Twilight made her heart drop.
Pinkie Pie thought about the whole thing. Suddenly, a light bulb flashed over her head, actually it was a firefly. Pinkie got an idea, and the evil genius smirk she was wearing made Rainbow raise an eyebrow. “You ok Pinkie?” Rainbow asked.
“Dash, do you want my help?”
Rainbow gained a confused look, “Huh?”
“I have an idea on how to get you and Twilight together. But I need to hear you say that you want my help, cause when you do, you must listen to every word I say and follow my instructions to the letter, or you'll lose the future Mrs. Twilight Sparkle-Dash forever.”
Rainbow bit her lip. She didn't know what Pinkie was planning and was afraid to risk it. But she had exhausted all her options she had up to now, and anything the pink mare had couldn't be as bad as today.
“Ok. Pinkie will you help me get Twilight to like me, please?”
Suddenly, Pinkie was side by side with her, the earth pony’s cheek pressed up against her’s. “I thought you would never ask.” Pinkie struck a pose while her hoof was wrapped around Dash’s neck, almost suffocating her. “No time to waste Dashie! Operation TwiDash is a go!”
Before anyone could say Sonic Rainboom, Pinkie and Dash sped off in a flash
Heh… rhymes.
At the library, Twilight had finished her dinner and was crawling back into bed. It was getting late as Celestia had already lowered her sun to allow Luna’s beautiful moon to shine on all the ponies. The evening pretty much went nice as it had been for a while. Well save for the accident that Rainbow caused earlier. Still though, it's not like she blew up the library.
As the subject of Dash came back into her mind, Twilight was reminded of the evening’s topic: love. The alicorn laid there, staring up at the ceiling, trying to focus on just on thing. But when ever she thought about love, romance, and flirting, Rainbow would somehow sneak into her mind. And when ever she thought about wings, flying, even the Wonderbolts seemed to conjure up a hint of love, as long it was connected to Rainbow Dash.
“Ugh, stupid mind. Think straight for once.” Her brain wouldn't listen. “Ok fine. If you want to get into the topic, then let's talk about why Dash wouldn't be interested in me.” Immediately, she began listing off the things about her that would have the pegasus be disinterested in her. For one, Twilight wasn't naturally beautiful, even if she was an alicorn. There would be days where she would accidentally see Celestia after she had been sleeping. It was never a pretty sight. Another thing was that Twilight wasn't athletic, period. Sure she did the Running of the Leaves, but it wasn't like she was trying to race or to win. Dash would probably want somepony who could keep up with her, who could do all the things she could, and they would have something in common.
“Basically, I'm just her friend, and wouldn't want to go so far as to call me her…” The last word hung in the air as a sharp strike to her heart made her gasp, and a lone tear fall from her eye, “…her marefriend.” Twilight finished. She hoped that nothing was wrong with her. A quick medical spell said that she was healthy, but should lay off the Carmel oak cookies for a while.
Figuring to just leave the thought and topics about Love and Rainbow for another day, Twilight shifted to a comfortable position to sleep. As soon as she was good, her eyes closed and sleep took her from the real world to the dream world…
Notice Me Chapter 3
Knowledge. Everypony has the knowledge to do things. For a foal, the basics of walking, talking, and even being toilet trained is the first step of gaining knowledge. After that, a pony gains the knowledge on how to do a special talent, which results in a Cutie Mark. Knowledge. Though each pony has individual knowledge of each unique thing, not everypony has all the knowledge in all of Equestria. At least… not in the real Equestria.
Twilight’s eyes scanned the tome in front of her, looking though it's hidden secrets and powerful words as she sat on her throne. To a regular pony, the text would look like what a two year old had written with crayon on the kitchen wall, but to Twilight, she could read it like it was pure Equine. Why could she? Simple, she had the knowledge to read it. Not just read it, but even write and speak it fluently. She knew all the known languages and even their origins. She knew everything about history, math, science. Pretty much, she had the knowledge of everything. And she should… being as she’s the Princess of Knowledge.
Twilight was living the great life. She could study all day in her castle that overlooked Ponyville. Any pony needing her assistance in figuring something out, she could give them the answers, fix the problem, and be the best princess equal to her royal sisters. And when ever there was new information, it had to go though her first to be deemed safe for the public, or to be locked away, the only pony ever knowing it being her. Things were all perfect in the world Twilight created.
“Your Highness. Please forgive the interruption, but your Captain of the Guard has return to give you the report you wanted.” Said the scribe, bowing low. Twilight didn't even look up from her read, but had heard the loyal servant’s words.
“Have them come in immediately.” Said the princess, motioning with a hoof. The scribe thanked Twilight and rushed out the door. Still keeping her eyes on the tome, Twilight could hear the metal on tile sound of armored horse shoes slowly approach her. The sound of Royal Guard of Knowledge armor could also be heard rattling. It immediately stopped. “What is the report Captain?” Twilight asked, still focused on the read.
“My princess, the poetry riots were settled peacefully by your given instructions, and the fire at the Grand Library in Fillydelphia was put out successfully. No ponies were injured and the books that were in the part that was on fire were protected thanks to the spell you gave the unicorn book keepers.” Said the Captain. That voice was something familiar to the alicorn, but it gave her an unknown scene. It made her relax and was like sweet candy to her ears. Even though she was a powerful alicorn princess, the voice made her feel safe, protected, want to run up to that pony and hide in their embrace from the world and it’s troubles. For a moment, she'd give up all the knowledge she had, if it meant she would stay with that pony.
Twilight looked up from her read to see her Captain. Almost immediately, shock, joy, confusion, and, even stronger, love flooded her. Standing before her in a military stance, but wore a cocky smirk, was the pony that made her heart melt. Rainbow Dash. Her mane done up in a librarian bun but to keep her captain’s helmet on was a show of rank. The polished steel and titanium saddle armor draped over the pegasus’s back, but kept her wings… shudders… from being restricted and improved her aerodynamics greatly. All Twilight could think about was ripping that armor off and taking her right there. But she had to keep up her looks, or the media would have a field day.
“Ahem,” Twilight cleared her throat, “thank you Captain Dash. At ease.” Rainbow went into a relaxed stance. “Do you know what time it is?”
“It's a quarter till 9 mid lady, should we retire to the quarters?” Rainbow stated. Twilight nodded, setting the tome down to look at tomorrow. She got up from the throne and began trotting toward the royal chambers, Rainbow side by side with her. As they walked, Rainbow remained very close to Twilight to even have their flanks touch. Instead of feeling uncomfortable, she loved every minute they were together. Even as servants and other guards walked by, no pony said anything, nor did Twilight or Rainbow separate for the time. Dash even put her wing over the princesses back, not only as a protection protocol, but as a loving sign of affection as was custom of pegasi.
The two ponies rounded the corner and came to Twilight’s chamber. Rainbow held the door open, bowing to let alicorn through. Twilight returned the bow and stepped into the room. After entering, Dash followed and quickly shut it, locking it so as not to be disturbed. She sighed deeply, turning around and leaning against the door. She looked over at Twilight with a relieved and exhausted expression. Twilight giggled, which made the pegasus blush. “I guess it wasn't to good?” She ask as her magic began to take the armor that Rainbow Dash wore off.
“Ugh! You don't even know. I've been to riots that were funner than that one. I knew Eager Allen Pone was depressing, but those poets made it even more depressing.” Rainbow slow trotted toward the princess as her armor was peeled off. She closed the distance and both mares wrapped each other in their forehooves, taking a minute to enjoy each other's embrace. Twilight had been wanting this all day, she craved it. To be held in those strong, but gentle, hooves, she'd give up everything to spend forever in their safe, warm embrace.
The two pulled back to look into each other's tired but beautiful eyes. Twilight leaned in, closing her eyes and puckering her lips, hoping that Rainbow would do the same. Almost immediately, she felt a second set of lips make contact. The feeling was intoxicating to the princess. The two continued to make out, slowly making their way to the bed. Almost like they were in Autopilot, the mares got onto the bed, covered themselves in the sheets and laid their heads down onto the pillows, never once breaking contact with their lips.
They finally parted and just held each other, letting sleep take them. Twilight began to turn out lights. Rainbow moved closer to her ear, the warmth of her breath making her spin shiver with excitement. She hears a soft whisper.
“I love you Twilight Sparkle…” Then everything goes black.
“I love you too, Rainb…” Twilight manages to say before awakens to reality. No longer a fancy castle or guards or the world's knowledge. Just the Golden Oaks Library located in Ponyville. But this was all pale in comparison to the fact that there was one thing also missing from her dream that didn't form. Twilight sat up and look over to her side where rainbow was originally in her dream, but only found it void of anything but air.
Twilight looked at the time, it was still the middle of the night. The dream had felt like hours had gone by, but in reality, she had been only been asleep for a few. And in all this time, she had discovered the one thing she was now certain of, “I… I… lo… love Rainbow Dash.” Those words sounded so sweet on her tongue, almost like the Moon Sugar wine she had tried with Princess Luna at her coordination. Her cheeks were flustered, but a soft, loving smile crept up onto her face and wasn't going away anytime soon. She meant it, she really meant every word, she loved Rainbow Dash.
But the smile died instantly. Twilight knew what she felt was love, but that meant nothing. Nothing if the pegasus in question didn't return feelings. “I know about that rumor that Dash likes mares, but that still doesn't mean she's interested in me. She's never shown any sign that she's even remotely wants a closer relationship with me. So… what should I do?” Twilight asked herself, not realizing the tears falling from her eyes.
“I'm not saying that Pinkie.” Said a deadpanned Rainbow Dash. For the last few hours, the party pony of Equestria had been explaining, detailing, and re-explaining her plan to Rainbow about how she would get her and Twilight to fall head over hooves with each other. Rainbow thought it would entail running into or having some time alone with each other, but after things started to fall into Strangeville, she wanted nothing more than to leave Pinkie’s room at Sugar Cube Corner, fly home, eat something, feed and say goodnight to Tank, crawl into her bed and cry herself to sleep on how she wished Twilight was there. It was a nice routine.
“But Dashie,” whined Pinkie, “you have to say it. It's supposed to be part of the plan.”
“Ok, but what does 40 tubes of toothpaste, 20 pencils, two shopping carts, and a stallion from Manhattan with a cyborg patriot have to do with Twilight and I?”
Pinkie giggled, “No silly, that has nothing to do with the plan,” Dash sighed in relief, “that's for Plan B” Rainbow now looked more confused. She flipped through the packet handout her pink friend gave her… when did she have time to make that… and found the spot marked Plan B. She may have dozed off a couple of times during Pinkie’s explaining, but again, it was the middle of the night and she was tired.
Pinkie came up to the pegasus and place her hooves on Rainbow’s shoulders, her face was a serious, but caring look. “Dash… I have been your friend for a long time, and your friend in this whole thing. I want you to succeed, I want you and Twi to be together, and I want you both to be happy. But I need you to trust me, to let me set everything up so then, when the time is right, you and her will each other’s special somepony. Now, please Dash, say the words.”
Rainbow turned her head toward the window, the one facing the library. In all that she tried, Twilight hadn't given her notice of affection. But they both became really close. Twilight helped her enjoy reading, while she herself taught Twi how to do some tricks and got excited when she got the right. She knew she needed help, and Pinkie was the only pony that could actually bring them together.
This was it, all or nothing. Rainbow took a deep breath and placed a hoof onto the window. The words, although scripted by Pinkie, were true to what she was thinking in both her heart and her mind, flowing right off her tongue…
“Please… please notice me Twi-senpai”
Notice Me
Chapter 4
Twilight sat at the kitchen table, a spoon swirling around by her magical grip in her coffee. Celestia had just risen the sun about an hour ago, but she had been up for three. The whole thought of last night kept repaying over and over and over. And she didn't want it to go away. She loved the fantasy, her fantasy, of a perfect world, “It’s only perfect cause she's there.” Twilight mumbled to the empty room. Since Spike would be gone for a week to the Crystal Empire, she was getting used to talking to herself like a crazy mare.
No matter hard she tried, Rainbow Dash wouldn't leave her every waking though. Even at night when she tried to sleep and ended up dreaming that she and Dash lived out in the country, sipping lemon ice tea and cuddling on the front porch. The thing that woke her was a foal crying and Dream Dash saying ‘She’d get it.’ That dream made her happy, but also scared and saddened her. The whole idea of Rainbow not sharing what she felt came back, every single time. Whenever she thought about being with her, those thoughts would cloud and cover her happiness with fear, pain, and shame. How would she ever get Rainbow to notice her?
A knock soon was herd from the front door, making Twilight jump. Half her mind thought it was Rainbow, here to sweep her off her hooves and to fly off to Celestia knows where. But reality anchored her back to remember that this was a library and ponies do use the place to get information. Twilight set her spoon down, got up from the table and moved to the door. After a bit of time unlocking the door, being she added the magical mechanic for added protection, she opened the door to see two of her friends standing on the other side. Rarity and Fluttershy.
“Twilight! I'm sorry darling, did we wake you?” Asked the shocked fashionista. Twilight looked for a mirror and her appearance even surprised her. Her mane was still messed up from sleep, and her eyes were red and had little bags.
"No, I've been up for a while… thinking.” Both the unicorn and pegasus looked at each other, then back to their friend.
“Um… should we… come back… if that's alright with you…” Fluttershy practically whispered. At least both her magic using friends were able to enchant their hearing to understand what she was saying.
“Oh! No, it's ok. Come in, I'll just touch up in the bathroom.” The two ponies walked in and made themselves comfortable, while Twilight went into the library’s public restroom. After a quick swipes with her magic on her mane and to hide the features of tiredness, and possibly dried tears, from her face. Satisfied, she left the restroom and made her way back to the main room. Her friends were seated, waiting patiently for her to return. They're eyes looked up from their conversation and soften when the normal Twilight returned. “So girls… what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Ah yes. Again, we’re terribly sorry for disturbing you at this hour,” Twilight raised a hoof toward Rarity, indicating that the interruption of her day was no problem, “but we were wondering if you'd like to join us for our spa day today?”
“Um… isn't it too early for the spa?” Ask Twilight.
“Yes, we have knowledge of this. But Fluttershy and I wanted to ask our dear friends if they wanted to meet up later.”
“But, isn't this spa day thing what you both do together?”
“Oh, yes…” Fluttershy spoke up, “but we sometimes ask others if they wish to join once in a while… if they want to… that is”
“Oh, well, thank you for the offer girls, but…”
"Take your time in thinking about it darling. We’ll be there at noon. But if you can't make it, then it's no hard feelings.”
Twilight thought about it. Maybe an afternoon at the spa would help get her mind off of Rainbow, or, at least, help her look at her situation in a more logical and fresh manner. She turned and looked at her two guests and nodded, “Alright, I'll go.”
"Wonderful!" Rarity exclaimed, “Just head to the spa and we’ll meet you there at noon.” Rarity got off her seat and Fluttershy followed, “Sorry to chat and run, but we need to get back.” Fluttershy nodded.
“I understand, I'll see you girls later.”
After saying their goodbyes, Rarity and Fluttershy took their leave out of the library.
The rest of the morning went by without incident. And surprisingly, the thought of Rainbow never surfaced. Instead, relaxing in the spa was the only thing she could think of. Some part of her mind wanted to do nothing but be enveloped in that multicolored maned, flying pony. But having an afternoon of pampering could really be what she needed, and anything about the cyan pegasus could wait.
Before she knew it, noon came sooner than expected. Twilight trotted down the road, taking in the nice day that was upon her and the residents of Ponyville. Nothing could spoil today. Soon, she came to the place where the town’s local spa ponies, Aloe and Lotus Blossom, do their profession; to have ponies relax and be care free for a time. Outside stood Rarity and Fluttershy, exchanging some gossip. When her two friends saw her, they quickly dispelled their conversation, and began to wave Twilight over.
“Good afternoon Twilight! Did your morning fair a bit better?” Asked Rarity.
“Yes it did. The thought of a spa treatment really brightened my mood. Are the others coming?” Asked Twilight, having a conflict going on in the back of her mind on weather or not she wanted to see Rainbow show up.
“Um… we asked all of our friends… Um…” Fluttershy struggled to form the sentence to make it not sound like their friends weren't total snobs, though none of them were around. Thankfully, Rarity was there to help her.
“They may show up. I think somepony already had shown up and is just waiting inside.”
“Oh, do you know who?” The two shrugged. “Well, I guess we shouldn't keep them long.”
All of them nodded in agreement. Since she was an invited guest, Rarity and Fluttershy allowed Twilight to go in ahead of them. The sweet aroma of the spa hit Twilight like a train, making feel relaxed and in bliss already. The atmosphere was made to calm ponies and to give them a safe environment to just let their guard down. Even the sound of running water like it was a stream had a calm feel, though most of the time it just made Twilight have to go pee more but that's neither here nor there.
As she scanned the waiting room, the whole room seemed vacant, being that it was sill a working day and most ponies would be there later. The only other pony besides her was another mare, sitting in a chair, looking like she was reading a magazine before looking up at who entered. As soon as her brain caught up, things for Twilight went blank as she recognized the other mare a split second later.
So much for a relaxing day.
———————
‘Go to the spa’ they said. ‘It would be relaxing’ they said. How did Rainbow Dash, the biggest Tomcolt this side of the Applaoosion Mountains, get convinced to go to the spa with Rarity and Fluttershy? The remembrance of that morning came flooding back. After Pinkie’s wild, Get-Twilight-And-Rainbow-Togther, plan was explain in full, and painful, detail, it was already too late for Dash to leave and was exhausted, which she learned a long time ago was one of the worst combinations for a pegasus. Pinkie insisted that she stayed over, and hesitantly did.
Upon waking up, Rarity and Fluttershy had stopped by Sugar Cube Corner to ask Pinkie if she wanted to go to join them for their spa day. Of course Pinkie wanted to, but had too much work at the bake store and watching the cake twins. That’s when the party mare threw Dash into the crossfire. After some convincing, Rainbow agreed to go. The day’s weather schedule was the same as yesterday so there wasn't much to do for work, and Tank was fed and checked up on. She couldn't wait to hang out with him during their first winter together.
Rainbow made it to the spa a half an hour before noon. Of course Fluttershy and Rarity weren't there yet, so she just decided to hang out in the building. That's when she remembered why she disliked the spa. The smell of the place made her head hurt and stomach sick, the atmosphere felt boring and didn't do anything to calm her, and the sound of running water just made her want to pee.
She contemplated on just leaving, tell the girls that something came up and wasn't able to make it. But she remembered that Pinkie made her Pinkie Promise to go, and Dash didn't want to face Pinkie’s wrath. Rainbow just decided to sit down and just read a magazine till her two friends showed. The magazine wasn't very appealing to her but it helped to pass the time, also sitting helped hold her bladder at bay.
Soon, the bell hanging above the door rang. Rainbow was half asleep when it chimed. When she looked up from the magazine to the pony that entered, it felt like all the color of her mane and tail drained away, her throat became dry, and she couldn't feel her bladder anymore. Standing before her was the most gorgeous mare ever to walk the face of the planet.
—————
Both Rainbow and Twilight sat and stood frozen in their place respectfully. To the average pony who may had just walked in and saw them, they never showed their emotion, just blank, little surprised, faces. On the inside, both of them were scrambling in panic thought. Neither thought that the other would be there, nor were they prepared. Twilight still was coming terms with, what she considered, was a school crush. Rainbow Dash wanted to give it some time before seeing Twilight again and trying to attempt to win her love, not the next freaken day.
"Oh! Rainbow Dash. I didn't think you'd accept our offer." Rarity spoke up, breaking both mares out of their mental blockage.
"Oh… yeah. Well, things have been stressful, and I decided to… ya know… relax," Rainbow tried to act like the whole thing wasn't a big deal… only Fluttershy could tell something was up with her, but remained silent.
"Well, I'm glad that you both could join us. Was there something you both wanted to do?"
Twilight and Rainbow Dash said 'hot tub' at the same time, making them both look at each other, little blushes showing on their cheeks. After a little agreement on what they would do, each mare went to their respected treatments. The jacuzzi room was full of steam and very humid that it could have doubled as a sauna. Rainbow and Twilight were the only ponies there, which was a bittersweet feeling in both their minds.
After getting into the tub and getting used to the water, both mares just sat there in awkward silence. Neither looked like they were enjoying the warm liquid or relax. In fact, they both looked more tense then before. Eye contact wasn't an option, and when they tried, they'd end up looking at anything else a split second later. The tension between the mares felt thicker than the steam itself, and was driving them both mad in their minds.
"So…" Twilight spoke up, trying to break the ice. This made Rainbow relax in her mind finally, or was it her bladder, she couldn't tell. "You get home safe last night?"
Rainbow just shrugged, which she mentally smacked herself for doing like Twilight was anyother pony, "I was on my way home, but Pinkie need my help and that took all night. So I stayed with her."
"Oh…" Twilight responded with a hint of jealousy mixed in, that went unnoticed by Rainbow, "what was the problem?"
You not noticing me. Rainbow thought. "She was trying a new recipe that involved chocolate, honey, and raisin covered asparagus. Let's just say, I'm staying away from asparagus for a while." The two mares giggled at that. The two mares sat in the water, silence deafening the room once again.
One minute of not talking later, Twilight decided to ask one question she'd been wanting an answer to, "Rainbow?" The cyan pegasus's ears perked up, "Remember back when there was that rumor going around that ponies thought you were a fillyfooler?" Rainbow winced at the memory, the scars still fresh in her mind, Twilight noticed this, "I mean, you don't have to answer it!"
Rainbow took a deep breath, it was something she had to face, considering the fact that she secretly was a fillyfooler and in love with Twilight. "No, no. It's fine. Go ahead and ask. I'm a big filly."
Twilight hesitated but started again, "You told everypony that it was false and that you were not homosexual. Was that true?"
No! No! It was false! I am a fillyfooler! I love mares Twilight! And I love you! Please notice me Twilight! "The truth is… I don't know." You're pethetic.
"You don't know? What do you mean?"
"I mean, I don't know what I like yet. With everything going on, my life, the weather, getting into the Wonder Bolts, I've just never thought about loving anypony in that sense."
"So why the rumor?"
"It's kind of hard to imagine, but it's a common racial stereotype that pegasuses are gay."
Twilight gasped, "Rainbow! I'm so sorry. I didn't know…"
Dash placed a hoof on the alicorn's own and gave her a warm smile, "It's ok Egghead. Being that you're from Cantorlot you wouldn't have herd such a racist remark. It's usually in small towns and villages, like Ponyville."
It took a while for Twilight to process what Dash said. Then it clicked, "You were discriminated in Ponyville!?" Shock and anger started to brew in the pit of her stomach.
Rainbow shook her head, "No, it wasn't like that. It was a thought ponies had of me when I first arrived here, mostly cause I stayed with Fluttershy when I was getting started here. Some ponies still have the idea that Shy and I occasionally 'see' one another when we hang out."
"But, I remember after I got here that you announced to the entire town that you weren't a lesbian. Why did you say that?"
Dash took another deep breath, "When I first herd about it, I just tried to ignore what ponies were saying. It wasn't like what they were saying was a bad, same sex relationships were just as common as they are now in Ponyville. It just got so annoying. What was really the last straw was when Derpy was delivering me a package and some random pony said, 'you two look like a cute couple.'"
"But isn't Derpy married to Doctor Whooves and they both have a child?"
Rainbow nodded, "What really got me mad was that Derpy ran off crying, since she's more sensitive about this. That's when I had to make everypony know that not all pegasi are not gay." The thought of what Rainbow did came back to both mares, but they quickly dispelled the thought, as it wasn't something they both wanted to relive. "So you see Twilight, as far as an intimate relationship is concerned, I'm still really deciding on which team I want to play for." Twilight sat back, surprised that she was on the edge of her seat, and took in everything that Rainbow said. She was still questioning her sexuality, but the whole rumor incident made finding what Dash really wanted harder then what it should have been. This disappointed Twilight, but also gave her hope. Hope in that maybe Dash would be interested in mares, and possibly, her. "Twilight?"
Her mental thought broke back to reality at the sound of Dash's voice, "Yes Rainbow?"
Rainbow took one deeper breath. This was her chance. Celestia be damned if another perfect oppritunity wasn't going to present itself again, and she would quit being a foal and just admit how she felt. She was ready… was, if not for a loud, shrilling voice that that almost made both mare's jump out of their coats and turn pale white didn't come blasting into the room, "RAIIINBOW DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The sugar blooded, pink party pony commonly referred to as Pinkie Pie barged into the room screaming at the top of her lungs for Rainbow Dash. Pinkie looked around when she found who she was looking for, along with Twilight Sparkle, who both looked like Opal Essence when she gets scared, hooves dug into the ceiling and all. "Oh, there you are Dashie. Hi Twilight, fancy meeting you here." Pinkie said nonchalant.
All Rainbow and Twilight could do was glare daggers at their energetic friend. After a few seconds to calm down, and some of their color to return, Dash landed in front of Pinkie, still irritated for ruining the moment, "What… do… you… need… Pinkie…?" She asked through gritted teeth.
"Oh! I'm sorry for disturbing your guy's spa day, but Pound Cake got into some extra surgery candy canes and is zipping all through Ponyville. He's going so fast that even I can't catch him. Can you help me Dash? Please?" Putting on puppy dog eyes.
Dash rolled her own eyes, but gave in anyway, "Fine," she sighed, "I'll be right there." Pinkie smiled gleefully and bounced out. Dash turned her attention back to Twilight, who had a weird look on her, "Sorry about this Twi, I'll pay for this on my way out. I'll talk with ya some other time."
"Yeah…" eye twitch, "some other time." Hoof shaking. Rainbow turned back around and flew after the pink mare. Twilight, now alone in the jacuzzi, started to break down. If she doubted her interest in Rainbow Dash now, then she'd be lying. Rainbow was the pony she wanted, it was clear to her. Only now she wondered… did Rainbow Dash want her?
Outside the spa, Pinkie waited for Rainbow to get there. The cyan pegasus came out, looking like she was about to strangle her friend, "What the bucking hay is wrong with you Pinkie Pie!? I was just about to ask Twilight if she was interested in me! Or, I don't know, NOTICED ME!"
Pinkie kept her cool and became serious, "Dash, this isn't the part of the plan where you reveal your love to her."
Rainbow was taken back, "You can't be serious."
"I am serious. The author already said I was. Look, the plan I have is fool proof. It'll take time but will be worth it in the long run. Just trust me Dashie."
Rainbow didn't know what to think. On one hoof, Pinkie is a crazy pony who will ruin everything that she worked for in order to be with Twilight. But on a greater hoof, she has never let her down and, even though crazy, her ideas, thoughts and plans do come together and turn out good in the long run. Instead of a futile argue, Dash just relaxed and nodded. She trusted Pinkie.
"Okie dookie!" Pinkie said happily, "Now we have to hurry, or will never catch him" Rainbow gave her a confused look, "What? I wasn't lying when I said we needed to catch Pound Cake." Just as she said his name, a small, beige and brown pegasus foal zipped right by them and was about to Sweet Apple Achers already. Thus, the chase was on.
To Twilight, it felt like hours had passed since Rainbow left the spa with Pinkie. In reality, it had only been about a half an hour. That whole time, she kept thinking and thinking, repeating over and over the same thought. Nothing. Her mind was a total blank. At one side, she’d just came to terms that this “crush” was a real thing, not a fantasy. On the other side, Rainbow’s explanation about who she is left a noticeable imprint. She said that she wasn't a lesbian all that time ago, but she wasn't being serious, just annoyed at the time. This kept Twilight’s mind arguing with itself, that she basically shut down and was just sitting in the hot tub, staring blankly at the ceiling.
That changed as soon as the jets kicked on, shocking life back into the Alicorn. Finding the spa no longer relaxing, Twilight got out, dried off and proceeded to leave the establishment. On her way out, she ran into Rarity and Fluttershy, thanked them again for the invitation but needed to get back to the library. Of course, the two friends were concerned and wanted to ask what was wrong, but the aura and demeanor that Twilight gave off suggested that she'd break down at any moment.
After a brief goodbye, and that Rarity would be by later, Twilight headed out. As per her word, Rainbow did pay for both her’s and Twilight’s time. The walk home for Twilight felt more bleak than earlier. Some ponies that she passed by noticed her change in mood from before, but didn't know how to react to a princess who looked depressed. Twilight just kept walking, the world around her was just background noice. That was when an old friend reared it ugly head around. Maybe you should just forget about it. It spoke in Twilight’s voice, but knew it's name all too well: Doubt. With a friend like it, who’d need enemies.
“I don't want to.” She said out loud, though she didn't really care at this point who herd. Oh come now Twilly. Don't you think this whole “You and Rainbow” has gone on long enough? Look at you, it's causing you to stress out. She's even said that she's not looking to date any pony.
“It's only been for a couple days. And she said that she doesn't know what she wants right now.” A hint a of anger dripped from those words. Sounds like a rejection to me. Besides, aren't we in the same figurative boat as Rainbow?
“I already accepted what I am and what I want.” Really? Then why am I here? You say that you like mares. Even more, you even say that you like Rainbow. But you know, deep down, that you're still just as confused as when you were a filly.
Staring at no one in particular, Twilight fixed an angry glare, steam huffed out of her nostrils. “We never talk about that. Ever!” She practically screamed that last part. I’m just trying to make a point. That you don't know what you actually want and that Rainbow may not be the one. There are plenty of seaponies in the ocean. Like that one stallion who does those Everfree Forest tours with his sister. Timber… Spruce is his name I believe. Twilight’s expression turned from anger to disdain. She had met both Timber and his sister, Gloriosa Daisy, a couple of times before. And while she did find him a little attractive, he guy felt more like a tool and tried way too hard to impress her. Only an idiot would fall for a guy like that. Plus his sister felt like she was a bit crazy.
“Thanks, but no thanks.” Well, just remember this: how hard do you think it'll be if Rainbow doesn't want to be with you? By the way, tree.
BAM!!!
Twilight’s vision swirled with double of everything. Tiny Rainbow Dashes flew around her head as she fell over. She moaned as the pain enveloped her skull. And her horn, oh her horn. The most sensitive part of a unicorn’s body. It hurt so much that she almost threw up her lunch. Thankfully, there were ponies around to help her up, and double thankfully that the tree she ran into was the library. At least her internal monologue was over with. Now was the time for the sweet relief of ice and aspirin.
An hour. Rainbow Dash had been flying all around Sweet Apple Archers for a whole hour trying to find the other half of Mr. and Mrs. Cake’s offspring, Pound Cake. As soon as he reached the apple orchard, it turned into a game of hide in seek. In the air, Rainbow searched through all the clouds that were over the field while Pinkie search the trees on the ground. Normally, Rainbow would have loved to find a nice cloud or sturdy branch to nap on. But the frantic search for the colt was taking forever, and when ever they did find him, he'd zip off and hide somewhere else. To make things more annoying, Pinkie was also turning this into a game, taking twice as long as Dash to find him.
After searching about 20 clouds, Rainbow sat on the last cloud to take a sort break. She looked back where she came from and couldn't see her pink friend, suggesting that she was still search about a mile behind. Sitting there, Rainbow started to play with the cloud a bit, doing what some would call a sculpture. Though she'd never admit it, Dash love cloud sculpting as a filly and had a talent for it, though flying always came first. She only sculpted when she was bored and flying or reading wouldn't cheer her up.
Rainbow mindlessly worked the sculpture up, shaping and forming it into a life-sized pony. Then added wings to it, though a bit bigger than normal Pegasus wings, and then added a horn to the “head” of the pony. If she was done, the sculpture would have looked like a manikin for a small Alicorn. Dash continued, adding a mane and tail. Finally, a cutie mark on each “flank”. Standing before Dash was a cloud replica of the one and only, Twilight Sparkle. Dash sat there, staring into the blank “eyes” of the sculpture she made, not even questioning why she made it. She knew exactly why she made cloud Twilight, because she wanted to.
“Sup, Twilight?” Rainbow said in a horsed voice. When the sculpture didn't respond, Rainbow automatically provided it a voice, “Hi Rainbow Dash. What have you been up to today? ” Said Rainbow in a higher pitch voice.
“Oh you know. Being awesome, seeing you at the spa, chasing Pound Cake, having a mental breakdown. The usual.” Her eye twitched a bit, “Wow Dash, that’s amazing. You are a great pony.”
“Pfft. I'm just being me. Besides, I'm not as great as you are. You're a princess, that is way more cooler than I'll ever be.”
“Oh Dash, you're being modest. You know I don't want my title of princess to be this grand thing.”
“So why don't you notice me?”
“I don't know Dash, maybe you're not doing something right.”
“What haven't I done? I've tried so hard to talk to you, but every time, things just end up falling apart.”
“Maybe you should just give up. I'm sure that if we were meant to be together, we would have by now.”
Rainbow sighed. Maybe this was all for naught. If she and Twilight were meant to be together, then wouldn't they already have that relationship she desperately wanted?
“Rainbow Dash!” A voice not by Rainbow or her Twilight impression called out. Dash shook her head out of the crazy state and looked over the cloud to see Pinkie Pie along with Pound Cake sleeping in her hooves. “There you are Dash,” she called up to her, “I found Pound Cake crashed out in a birds nest. Poor thing ran out of juice.” It took a minute for Rainbow to register what was going on. When everything clicked, she sighed that everything was over and flew down to Pinkie.
“At least the little squirt is safe now. Time to get him home for an overdue nap, and one for me too.” Rainbow said.
The two friends walked back to town. Along the way, Pinkie decided to speak up, “I couldn't help but overhear your ‘conversation’ with yourself.”
Rainbow almost tripped and fell over with embarrassment, “How much did you hear?” Her cheeks couldn't get any redder.
“Well, I didn't hear much of the first part but I did hear something about giving up pursuing Twilight?”
Rainbow sighed, “I know you're trying to help me Pinkie, and I'm truly grateful, but what if this wasn't meant to be? What if I'm just chasing some dream that even Luna couldn't fulfill? It just feels like things just get worse every time I try.”
Rainbow expected a scolding or something from Pinkie. Instead, she placed her free hoof on her shoulder and spoke in a soft voice, “I understand,” this really caught Rainbow off guard, “it is hard to find the courage to and follow through with admitting your feelings to the pony of your dreams. And even doesn’t want to, you both have a good friendship that will never break so you'll never lose that. But you'll never know unless you try.”
That was certainly unexpected advice, from Pinkie Pie no less. But she was right. Even if Twilight didn't want that kind of relationship, that wouldn't mean the end of everything. Sure the initial pain would hurt at first, but she and Twi would still be friends. And maybe, in time, things would change and they could try again. All in all, Rainbow really had nothing to lose. Feeling her spirit begin to rise, she side hugged her friend, “Thanks Pinkie. That helped a lot.”
“Good,” Pinkie said returning the hug, “now say the words.”
Dash rolled her eyes, “Please notice me, Twi-Senpi.”
