The Meet Up
If you’d asked me a few years ago if I was going on a holiday with Spitfire and Fleetfoot of the Wonderbolts, I would have called you nuts, even crazy. Yet here I am, saddlebags fully packed and ready to roll. I did have to rush though, Pinkie Pie’s going away party ran on longer than it was supposed to, they always do. I was glad to have found mostly everything I needed, but I was running late to meet up with them in Canterlot. The train wasn’t leaving until tomorrow, but Spitfire suggested we all meet up at this cafe. I quickly thought back to the last letter Spitfire had sent to me about the place in question after we’d decided to go ahead with the holiday.
The three of us trade letters often, we’ve built an awesome friendship being the three coolest ponies in Equestria. The idea for a holiday came around after Spitfire and Fleet finished up their latest tour, they’ve got some free time and I’ve managed to build up some time off with the weather team as well. I looked back at my bags to make sure I hadn’t lost anything, the things were near to their bursting point. With a quick check to the city in front of me, I dived down into the outskirts nearest to the city walls. I landed just outside a nicely lit part of town, looking around at the bustling bars and cafes of the evening crowds.
Great, now I just need to find this place
“Hey, Rainbow Dash!”
I whipped around to see Spitfire outside a small cafe on the corner, the title written on the side of the building spelling the word ‘Noir’. I began to increase my pace as I closed the gap between us, opening my forelegs as we embraced quickly, I resisted the urge to let my excitement out, this was actually happening!
“Long time no see,” Spitfire greeted as we released the hug; she gestured to one of the tables just outside the cafe.
“Well I can’t follow you guys everywhere,” I replied, taking a seat next to the mare as I took off the saddlebags, sighing in relief to have the heavy weight off my shoulders for the time being.
“I know, most ponies don’t, unless you can afford it that is,” Spitfire agreed with a smirk as she got more comfortable. “So what’s up Dash Been saving our flanks again?”
I couldn’t resist but to laugh at that, “Na, no imminent threats,” I responded playfully, “What about you? Besides the tour?”
I watched intently as Spitfire slumped back a little in her attempt to remember, “Well besides a bunch of those posh parties and a few shows for charity, nothing I haven’t told you in the letters,” Spitfire explained with a smile.
“Well you did say you were leaving the paperwork all to Soarin,” I began, “I feel sorry for the guy.”
Spitfire grinned. “Well he isn’t second in command for nothing, just told him not to spill pie on my desk or he’s doing laps until sundown.”
I giggled and nodded back as my eyes began to wander, looking around as my head came to a realisation. “So, where’s-”
“Oh! There you guys are.”
My head turned with Spitfire’s as we saw a slightly out of breath Fleetfoot standing just outside the cafe, a relieved smile on her face.
I caught Spitfire raising an eyebrow at our friend, “I didn’t give you any late night practice,” she said with a small laugh.
“Hardy har har,” Fleetfoot retorted as she took her bags off before beginning to drag them over, “I forgot my shades, had to rush back,” she finished, letting the bags go and sitting down, letting out a relaxed sigh as she gazed at the two of us, “So how’ve you been, Dash?”
“Good, Fleet, yourself?” I asked, trying my best not to laugh at her current disheveled look.
“Great, just great!” Fleetfoot replied as she finally managed to get her breathing back under control.
Out of the small building came a unicorn stallion, dressed in a small black waist coat and tie. He scanned around the tables before coming across us. “Hello madams,” he spoke, coming over with brisk pace as he levitated out a small notebook, “What would you like?”
“I’ll have a cider,” Fleetfoot said with a mischievous grin, “I’ll need it to go on holiday with you two,” she joked, eyeing the two of us.
Spitfire smirked back at the mare, playing her bluff, “In that case I’ll need a wine.”
The stallion chuckled to himself as he wrote down the two drinks before turning to me, “And for you miss?”
As much as I’d like to have enjoyed myself, my gut quickly reminded me of what it had previously digested from today’s earlier party. “I’ll just have water please.”
The stallion nodded happily as he made his way over to another table, I quickly scanned the streets around us to see they were getting a little more busy as the night went on. It seemed like we’d met just at the right time, we would have never found one another in those crowds.
“So,” Spitfire began, drawing my attention back to the table, “You guys excited for the trip?”
“Heck yeah!” I said happily, Fleetfoot nodded agreeingly while I continued, “I can’t wait to go flying round the mountains of um…”
“Rio de Mareneiro,” Spitfire replied with a wide smirk. I felt my cheeks burn slightly as I felt the embarrassment rise through my chest, finishing with a nod.
“I’m just looking forward to relaxing,” Fleetfoot added as she showed off her wings. “Need to rest these guys after the amount of work Spitfire puts us through,” she explained.
“Clearly judging by your arrival,” Spitfire shot back as she edged closer to the mare, “not enough.”
Fleetfoot rolled her eyes playfully at the statement as she crossed her forelegs. I giggled at the scene as I began to think more about the trip.
“Hey Spitfire,” I asked as she turned back to me, “Where are we staying, anyway?”
The mare seemed to look off dreamily before replying, “It’s a great place, I’ve stayed in rooms there before but never in the suites, but now since there’s three of us I got one,” she explained happily. “It’s called Rainbow Hills, it’s close to the beach so we’ll get to relax and swim.”
My excitement began to rise, this was by far one of the best holidays I’d ever been invited to. The smile on my face only continued to get bigger as the waiter cantered over to us.
“Here are your drinks, ladies,” the stallion spoke kindly, levitating the beverages off the tray and onto the table. We thanked him and he went on his way with a small nod.
“This all sounds too good to be true,” Fleetfoot interjected as she laid an accusing set of eyes on Spitfire, “What have you got planned for us there? A death training exercise? Selling our kidneys?”
Spitfire realed back in laughter as did I from the accusation, Fleetfoot was always a little on the silly side of things, but never one to be fooled easily. I took a drink of my water as Spitfire calmed herself down enough to reply.
“No, I promise you it’s just a holiday, besides the press there’s nothing bad, I assure you,” Spitfire stated genuinely. I couldn’t help but shake my head playfully at the insane conversation, it was one of the reasons I loved hanging around with both Wonderbolts. We drank a little more in silence listening to the inaudible chatter from the crowds around us as we calmed down.
After a few more gulps of her cider, Fleet looked over in my direction as she began to speak, “So when was the last time you were on holiday Must have racked up a whole lot of time off to get out for this long.”
I nodded, knowing that question was gonna come up sooner or later. “Yeah, I don’t really go on holidays, I mean you guys know naps work wonders, right?”
“So you say,” Spitfire cut in as the two mares nodded with a knowing look.
“Well anyways,” I continued, “My work’s not that bad, so I don’t really make any plans for stuff like that.”
“Wow, Rainbow,” Spitfire replied, surprise evident in her tone, “I would have booked the holiday sooner if you’d told me,” she said with a laugh.
“Well then,” Fleetfoot added, “This is a better time than any to go away, just the three of us!”
Spitfire nodded and raised her glass, “To a great holiday!”
I felt my excitement rise again as we all clinked our glasses before taking another drink. As the minutes ticked by we spent the rest of the evening mostly talking about a few odds and ends to the trip. Spitfire also gave us a rundown of the place in general, going on to mention how the Hills held vast amounts of places to fly, how the sea is nice and warm and the cafes and bars sell these awesome kinds of food. The more Spitfire talked about it the more I was sure this was the most awesomest place in Equestria, besides Cloudsdale of course.
After we finished our drinks we payed the bill and began picking up our things to leave, much to Fleetfoot’s discomfort of having to put her heavy saddlebags back on.
“Why did I bring so much stuff,” she complained while attempting to haul the saddlebags onto her back.
“Stop being a filly,” Spitfire chided playfully, looking over to us as we exited the Noir. “Besides, I booked the three of us a hotel not far from the station on the way to see you guys.”
Fleetfoot’s features seemed to liven up a little at the prospect of not having to travel so far, “That’s great!”
Spitfire giggled to herself as she began to take the lead, “What would you guys do without me, huh?” she asked as we began to follow her through the streets.
“Two words,” I began to say, thinking about an alternate world of not having Spitfire around to organise everything, “crash and Burn.”
Fleetfoot nodded agreeingly with me as we all giggled ourselves silly. The moon was fully out by now, illuminating the streets along with the lamps that lined them. I’d forgotten how cool Canterlot actually looked at nighttime as I took an odd glance towards the castle and river that flowed down the mountain. We continued to follow Spitfire as we came up to a large home, the sign on the front spelled the words ‘Autumn Leaves Hotel’.
Spitfire opened the door, allowing me and Fleetfoot to enter first before trotting over to the reception desk and chatting with a white coated mare who was there. I took a moment to glance around; the house was nicely arranged with a few tables and chairs, a spiral staircase that must lead up to the rooms, and a few pictures of leaves hung on the nearby walls. Spitfire trotted back over to us a few moments and gestured for us to follow. We ascended the staircase to the upper floor, and when we got there, Spitfire proceeded to hoof over some room keys.
“I had to order separate rooms, late night booking and stuff,” Spitfire explained as she handed me a room key, “I’ll make sure to wake you guys up in the morning anyways.”
“Well in that case,” Fleetfoot began with a yawn as she took the key, “I’m gonna hit the hay.”
My mind agreed with Fleet as my brain began to feel tiresome, “Yeah, me too.”
With a hoof bump, we all parted ways to our separate rooms. I read the number on the door card and found the right room within a few moments, I opened the door and wandered in, setting my saddlebags on the ground before taking a look around.
It wasn’t anything fancy, a small dresser occupied a space near the window and a bed was placed in the corner along with a small table. It was just a room for the night anyway, so I gladly took it. Turning on the lamp at the bedside table I proceeded to flop into the bed, the mattress squeaking a little with the weight. I sighed happily as I sprawled my limbs out and relaxed, looking up to the ceiling as I pondered over tomorrow and the next month I had in Rio de Mareneiro with Fleet and Spitfire. It all suddenly began to feel like a dream come true, the excitement bubbled through me as I couldn’t help but smile broadly at the great times that were ahead.
Guess I’m not sleeping tonight I thought with a small chuckle, I felt like a filly waiting for Hearth's Warming to come around. With a sigh, I flopped onto my side and proceeded to turn the light out.
Tomorrow, was going to be a good day.
A few knocks roused me from what had to be one of the shortest sleeps I’d ever endured, the excitement had kept me up most of the night like I thought.
“Come on, Rainbow!” I heard Spitfire call through the doorway, “Time to go!”
Suddenly it felt as though my brain had switched itself back on, “W-We’re going now?” I asked in excitement, feeling myself start to get all giddy.
“No, we’re going next month,” Spitfire replied sarcastically, “Of course we’re going now!”
I quickly rolled off the bed and searched around, grabbing my room key and picking up my saddlebags. I took one last look around the area to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything before opening the door. Sure enough, Spitfire and Fleetfoot were standing outside in the hallway.
“You ready?” Spitfire asked as I nodded in reply.
“Then lets go to Rio!” Fleetfoot announced as she made her way down the stairs, closely followed by Spitfire and myself. I hoofed the room key back to her as we descended the stairs, Spitfire cantering over to the reception desk after she’d taken Fleetfoot’s as well. I stood next to her as we waited for Spitfire near the entrance of the hotel.
“I’m so pumped,” I said, looking to Fleetfoot, who shared the same excited expression.
“I know, feel like I’ve been waiting for this since I was born,” she replied with a chuckle.
“Alright, let’s get going,” Spitfire declared as she opened the door to the hotel. As I followed, I felt the chilled morning air brush through my coat. I shivered slightly as I began trotting alongside my friends, the thought of the cold made me think just how warm this place was going to be when we got there. Luckily thanks to Spitfire booking a hotel close to the station, it didn’t take long for us to arrive at the main entrance. Canterlot’s station being within the royal city meant it was decorated a lot fancier than the one in Ponyville, no wonder Rarity liked coming up here so much. We quickly cantered over to the ticket master, who by the looks of things hadn’t had much time to wake up, I had to hold back from my urge to play a prank on the zoned out stallion who was slumped in his chair.
Spitfire approached cautiously, tapping on the glass of his small booth with a hoof, “Um, good morning?” she asked.
The stallion jumped slightly, to both mine and the other mare’s amusement, “S-Sorry, good morning to you too ma’am, can I help you at all?”
Spitfire nodded, “I’m here to pick up three reserved seats for the train to Rio de Maneneiro.”
The stallion looked around his desk and took a clipboard into his hooves, “What would they be under?” he asked.
Spitfire smiled. “Wonderbolts”
The stallion flipped a few pages before his hoof landed on a certain page in question, “Ah, here we are, three tickets to Rio,” he began, putting the clipboard down and turning to a pile of envelopes that were stacked neatly. He quickly sifted through them before finding one and handing it to Spitfire. “Have a nice journey ma’am.”
Spitfire nodded and thanked the stallion before coming back over to us with the envelope, opening it to reveal three tickets. Fleetfoot and I looked over at them eagerly with her.
“Looks like we’re on the south platform, train should be here in a few minutes,” Spitfire announced as she handed us both a ticket. I scanned over mine, smiling as I saw my name written besides the destination of travel, this was so exciting!
Fleetfoot smirked as she looked down at her ticket before glancing at Spitfire, “Alright, how much do we owe you?” she asked.
“Nothing,” Spitfire said with a smile as I immediately stopped reaching for my bag to grab some bits. I looked over at Fleet, who was mirroring the same stunned expression I was.
“Thanks Spitfire,” Fleetfoot said kindly.
“Yeah thanks,” I added, “That’s totally awesome.”
Spitfire’s cheeks began to turn a light shade of pink as she shrugged, “It’s no problem guys, besides, you better save your bits for the hotel,” she replied with a sly smirk before trotting towards the platform.
“And there’s the catch,” Fleetfoot finished with a smirk, winking at me. I couldn’t help but laugh at that.
We made our way to the north platform, setting our things down before laying our sights on the direction of the incoming trains. The quick rest actually gave me another chance to think about the trip we were embarking on. Spitfire made the place sound like an awesome eutopia, I couldn’t wait to write home to my friends about it. As we sat there on the platform, I could see Fleetfoot getting more agitated as time went on.
“This is taking forever,” Fleetfoot finally mumbled out as she laid onto her back.
Spitfire began snickering as she trotted over and came to sit next to me, “It’s been five minutes, Fleet.”
“It’s still boring!” Fleetfoot exclaimed as I began to giggle along with Spitfire. True to what she was saying, it felt like it was taking forever, the excitement making every second of sitting here waiting feel like an eternity.
I was about to speak up before my ears caught the sound of a whistle. Turning my head I squinted my eyes slightly, seeing a grey cloud of smoke begin to rise through the hills.
“I don’t think you’ll be waiting much longer, Fleet!” I exclaimed, getting up as both mares turned to the direction of the train. As it got nearer, we began picking up our things, each second it got closer my enthusiasm began to rise.
“All aboard for the South coast train!” a conductor announced as the locomotive began pulling into the station. Fleetfoot and I were first in line to board as the doors opened; Spitfire giggled as she saw us rush in.
“Shotgun window seat!” Fleetfoot announced as she flew into the carriage.
“Why did I come on this holiday with two fillies?” Spitfire questioned to herself with another giggle. I playfully glared at her as she passed me, sitting down beside Fleetfoot. I took the other window seat at opposite them, looking out to the view ahead.
“So how long is this journey?” I questioned, turning back to the two.
“It’s about eight hours,” Spitfire answered casually, looking over to see Fleetfoot’s expression of pure shock.
…
“How long!”
“Have patience,” Spitfire replied, playfully hitting Fleetfoot on the shoulder as I watched on. I sighed happily, laying back in my seat slightly.
Welp, guess we’re in for the long haul, Dash I thought, excitement continuing to grow on me as I watched the train began to slowly pull out of the station. As I watched the mountains roll past, leaving Canterlot behind, my mind began to think over my present life, somehow it kinda felt like I was dumping it, leaving it for a while. It almost felt refreshing in a way, just me, my friends and one heck of an awesome month ahead. I looked out of the window, watching the passing scenery.
See ya life, when I get back, I’m gonna be a whole new mare
