Love Letters

Chapter Eleven:

Rainbow Dash checked her schedule and scratched her chin, one, two, one, one, two, one, two, two... High above Ponyville in a large cloud mansion, the pegasus peered over her balcony and counted the clouds, one, two, one, one, two... two, two, two... one, two, two, one... no, no, no, not good enough... The blue pony slipped her clipboard and swanky new pen into her saddle bags. Stretching her limbs, Rainbow Dash prepared for the short flight over to Cloudchaser's house, she took five deep breaths, ''Don't give out on me now, wings,'' and leaped off her balcony into a free fall. She held her chest and lungs, counted to three, one, two, one, and unfurled her large, powerful wings, pulling up away from the sticky green tree line that had seemed to be getting bigger. Years of practice had Rainbow's mind fully in tune with her body—letting her know exactly which feather to move and when, for the most effortless flight. She grunted and smiled, ''Thank you flight camp.''

A fleet of red jays passed up beside the multicolour maned mare, Rainbow extended her hoof and the colonel bird confidently headbutted her hoof. ''Fly strong little guys and gals,'' encouraged the pegasus. She saluted; the general bird returned the gesture, and lead his squad away. Rainbow pumped her wings and felt a twinge of pain roll from the first joint to the base of her wing; darn! Should'a- a pause for breath, should'a done some better stretches!

The pegasus found her way to a small cloud house on the fringe between Ponyville and its rolling meadows; overlooking the latter. She halted on the edge of the cloud paving; the southern rail road was directly below—just in the right position for the house's cloud catcher to capture the steam—from passing trains—into a hold for warm water and heating—; she stared towards the fields. A gentle breeze blew through the pegasus' brilliant mane, one, two, two, one, two, two... She tipped her head towards the sky and saw Cloudsdale far in the distance, then pulled herself from her wrap and turned towards the house; the door was already open with Cloudchaser in its passage. ''Were you just staring at me?'' Asserted the pegasus.

''Oh, uh, Rainbo-''

''That's Miss Dash.''

''Sorry, I wa- uh, Miss Da- Yes, Miss Dash...''

The lilac pony went quiet and dropped her head into her hoof, biting her lip in preparation for Rainbow's next words. The mare herself stood shoulders high, in, practically, the most threatening pose one could stand in from lower ground—one hoof forward. Then the multicolour maned mare moved her other hoof forward, Cloudchaser visibly tensed every muscle in her body, ''I was comparing the numbers and grids today; how many clouds where there meant to be today over two G?'' No hints of softening up. Rainbow seen that the pegasus was struggling to un-knot her tongue and mouth, she worried that the weather mare might break down like they often had done. ''Do you want to know why I'm the regional director? Have I ever told you?''

''B- because you shattered your wing when you passed the Wonderbolts entrance test?'' Spluttered Cloudchaser.

Whoa, no-one ever answers the first time. ''Wrong,'' The pegasus began pacing in front of the steps to the cloud porch, ''I was given the honour of being the regional director because I worked hard, I took on the job that you and two other pegasi—three!... pegasi—struggle to hold together. And I kept and one hundred percent correct mentality. Now I ask you, why were twenty clouds missing over two G?''

''I uh- I was shaping the- da- da- the clouds and I must have accidentally given too many to Nose 'ncloud and too many to Drill and- I, uh-''

''So you weren't thinking?''

''Well-'' The lilac pony rolled her lips and looked up to hide her fear stricken smile, ''I wouldn't really say 'I wasn-''

''So- you- weren't. Thinking.''

''Oh, uh- um, yeah...'' She whimpered. Rainbow Dash quickly climbed the steps and went nose-to-nose with the pegasus,

''And what is something I most definitely told you?''

''To always double triple-C?-''

''Always double check the cloud count!'' Pontificated the blue pegasus, ''I expect so from now on.'' Narrowing her eyes at the weather mare.

''S- sorry.'' She whimpered once more.

Rainbow kept her gaze for a moment before turning around and walking to the edge of the cloud, before turning around once more; the lilac coloured pony still stood in the door way, much like she had been a few minutes before, but with her head down. ''Cloudchaser'' The name looked up at Rainbow, ''I heard that your sister's really sick, would I be right?'' Asked the blue pony. The weather pony, taken aback, put to bed, woken up and taken aback again, took a moment to respond,

''Um, yeah, Flitter's pretty run down, s- she's in the hospital.''

''I'm tripling your pay for tomorrow, and the day after, but only if your job is done right. Tell her I said 'best wishes'.'' Stretching her wings.

''W- wait! Can I, um, ask you something, not work related?''

''Shoot.''

''Why did you dye the blue out of your mane and tail? Sorry...'' Said the weather mare, quieter than drizzle.

''N- no, it's okay,'' Rainbow put a hoof to the back of her head, feeling the green and purple conglomerate which was once the rain to her mane, ''There's- um, there's just something about it. It gives me bad vibes, ya know?'' Joked the multicolour maned mare, while not really joking. Cloudchaser smiled and took a solid look at her employer, in small peaks.

''Oh, sorry, thanks, by the way. For the mon-''

''Hey, don't mention it.'' Ordered Rainbow, returning to her stronger tones and putting on a playful smile. She then checked her clipboard before taking off once more; she heard Cloudchaser let out seven liters of air when she took flight.

Right, Everfree Forest... The blue pegasus let her eyes fall to the ground for a change; she always practiced safe flying, and scolded those who didn't, but her mind wandered to a few conversations she had had with old friends and her head fell with the goods and bads. She snapped back her neck to the 'recommended visual field'—right position—just as a tree was about smack right into her head. You do know how stupid you are, right? One, two, two... Rainbow ascended twenty metres and found her mark far in the distance: the last beech tree before the Everfree turned to its infamous forest of spindly, entangling and looming willows, and bold and leering black-wood arogtred trees—a route without diversion or obstacle—and let her head fall once more. She flew slower to unblur the new picture that swayed with the beats of her wings.

The pony flicked her eyes around from point to point, trying to focus on details and edges and found it futile. So instead she began rolling her eyes from front to back with a tree or house, matching her flight speed. And slowly, brown and brick bevels turned to walls, sticks turned to fences, green splotches turned to leaves and blue to water; the world went from impressionist to renaissance. Even ponies' coats began to relief themselves from the flat dirt paths, few were glossy and pristine, some were shiny and smooth, most, matt, matted.

Rainbow took a deep breath and felt her rib cage stretch ever so slightly, it made her feel weird, she started breathing manually and another such stretch gave way, a stretch that gave her an uncanny, overwhelming sensation of being alive. She seen the faces of old and new friends below and felt an ecstasy, she seen the faces of friends fallen out with and felt a desire to rekindle the friendship and burn the fire factorial of what it was; she just wanted everypony to as happy as she was; this is what Pinkie Pie must feel like all the time, this is awesome! I should breathe all the time! The pegasus was about to swoop down to the orange shape of Scootaloo and challenge for a race but remembered just why she's the regional director, I'll be back, Scoot, I swear it!

The multicolour manned mare averted her eyes from the numerous groundly distractions and picked up her pace hoping it would have her finished work sooner. Rainbow casually counted clouds as they came past her, perhaps to spot a flaw on part of one of the other weather ponies. The beech tree grew bigger as the pegasus approached it, it was one of the biggest trees in Ponyville—even in the Everfree area—but foreshadowed was its attraction by the numerous willows; it's branches radiating in an almost cardioid shape; Celestia, why did I attend Twilight's lectures?; beautifully strong.

Once more, the blue pony let her head fall to the ground and a familiar pony—familiar enough to blow off work for—came into view, trotting along the gentle dirt path leading to the Everfree forest. Rainbow pulled up and peaked—for dramatic effect—and turned her nose towards the pony, her wings wrapped back against her body and cheeks pulled back against her teeth and towards her hair line. ''Fluttershyyyyyyyyy!''

The blue pegasus unfurled her wings in preparation for landing but they proved ineffective, damn death falls get me every time! ''Watch out!'' Cried Rainbow, feeling a second of recurring de já vu, lost until that moment. The yellow pony quickly turned around, but—de-agiled by her saddle bags—not swift enough to dodge the incoming multi-coloured bullet. Rainbow crashed, at all most full speed, into her friend; kicking up a dirt cloud. ''Whoa, haven't done that in years!'' Said Rainbow, after spluttering out a heavy cough and rubbing her eyes of large debris. ''You alright?''

Fluttershy stopped her spinning eyes and spinning head and, if not for her entrapping saddle bags, would have thrown the path aside to help Rainbow up, ''Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Rainbow! You're not hurt are you? I didn't know you were flying and I got right in your way and I- I really should have been more concid-''

''Whoa, whoa! Calm down there, pony. I crashed right into you, how was it your fault? And I'm cool,'' Reassured the blue pony, ''I've had my fair share of falls.'' Once the dust had settled, Rainbow wiped her eyes more thoroughly and stood up. She glanced over the yellow mare and the ground around her; Fluttershy was nervously looking through her mane at her, normal en-ough; from the animal keepers bags lay—upon the ground—a loaf and a half of bread, the half unwrapped, and a spilt bottle of A-grade fish feed. ''What happened to 'no fish unfed, no duck drastic for bread'? and three O'clock Mondays?'' Facetiously commented the multicolour manned mare.

''Oh,'' Lightened up Fluttershy, then starting to pick up the lost items, ''Well Monday was pretty-'' A look down either side of the path, ''Would you like to walk?''

''Sure, I'd love to.''

The blue mare picked up the half-loaf and tutted, ''Damn, now I feel like a darn filly.''

''Oh no, it's quite alright Rainbow.''

''Nonsense! It's only right I try to fix this!'' Exclaimed Rainbow, who opened up her wings and began fluttering them in small, rapid flaps; much like a filly would trying to achieve their first flight. Though slightly whittled, the bread was returned to Fluttershy's saddle bag clean and palatable. ''There we go! Good as new! Uh, kinda.''

''Thank you, Rainbow, um, kinda.'' Rainbow Dash stared at the pink maned pegasus as they restarted walking, Fluttershy looked back with a completely serious face, and both began laughing uncontrollably.

''Wow, Fluttershy! I remember that as clear as day!''

''Well, it was quite memorable...''

''With the- the!-''

''All of the stallions.''

''And then boom! The ducks just c- come outta' nowhere!''

''Yes, I remember it very well.''

The forest noises overtook the noises of the persisting shared memory, one, two, two, one, one, two... ''Well, um... Monday was a busy day...''

''Oh yeah? Tell me 'bout it.'' Said the blue pegasus, surprising Fluttershy a great deal, along with herself.

''Y- you wouldn't want to hear about it, it's not very, um, awesome...''

''I'm down, go'on! I talk a lot already, and this is a once off Rainbow Dash listening session, you'd better jump on it!'' Wow, that really is not something I'd say. The pink maned pony shuffled to the edge of the path—away from Rainbow—slowing down in the process, the blue pony having to slow her pace to accommodate. Two robins dropped from their perches in the adjacent trees and resumed their posture on the blades of the yellow pony's wings; the yellow pegasus tenderly straightened her posture—so as not to frighten her tenants thither—one, one, one, and craned her neck to nuzzle the redbreasts.

''Yes, I guess this is a one time opportunity. Well, I was going to go down to the lake with a little birdie named Charlie, the nicest and most generous kingfisher I know; he doesn't fish in any of the lakes around Ponyville, and only because he's afraid he might catch one of my fish or frog friends. When we were eating lunch—before we left—a tiny little cardinal, that I've never seen before, came up to me and told me it was having, um, chest problems. Obviously I had to help her and I, um, got a little caught up... and I only found time to go out again today.''

''Uh, interesting,'' Tittered the multicolour maned mare; the robins returned to their nests.

''W- what do you mean?''

''Oh, nothin', it's just I understand why I normally don't listen to peoples stories again,'' Giggling. Fluttershy stuttered her entire next sentence, trying to comprehend why her friend would say such a thing. Rainbow strafed over to her friend and put her in a playful head lock, ''Aw Celestia, Fluttershy! you know I'm only messing around with you! How's AJ and Twi and all that been?; you know, most of all, that I've been very occupied with work,'' The yellow pony tensed up violently, obvious to the blue pegasus. One, two, one, calm down Fluttershy, it was only a question... or, did I say something?

''W- well, well, m- me-'' She coughed, ''Well, I've not t- talked to Applejack since we all met up for drinks last week-''

''Of which myself and AJ were the only ones to drink.''

''Um, yes, but you know I don't drink that much.''

''You drink a lot, Fluttershy, but that's kinda crumby of me to say that, and not the point. How's Twi been?''

''Oh, um, Twilight? As in Twilight Sparkle?''

''No, Twilight as in Twilight-Blue Scales; o' course Twilight Sparkle!''

''Oh, she's been g- good...'' Huh, that's not very Twilight... there's always something going on in that library of hers. Didn't I hear Thistle say that something about her? One, one, two... Looking at the yellow pony, Rainbow noticed she was tenser than she was before, but keeping her composure, is she hiding something?

''That's cool, what's she been up to?'' Inquired the blue pony.

''Um, stuff...'' The multicolour maned mare shot Fluttershy a concerned look, ''Um, Twilight stuff! We were, um, hanging out! um, the other day...''

''What were you's doing?'' Asked Rainbow, as casually as she could,

''Twilight, um, cooked up some soup, and we were just sitting around and talking,'' The pink maned pegasus begun to talk at almost inaudible levels; but her friend was accustomed to it, unlike most ponies, ''Then I stayed over, because it was too cold outside...''

One, two, two... 'Wait... you stayed over?'' Thought Rainbow Dash, her internal bell ringer repetitively missing on a small, but immensely important bell. The pink maned pony, upon inspection, was tapping the ground with her hoof four or five times for every step she took, as if she was very determined to stop herself from shuddering.

''Yeah, s- she- sh- s- s- shu- she s- s- stayed over.'' No... no... that's not it, something happened after... ''R- Rainbow? Is something wr... something wrong?''

''No, I remember Thistle said so-''

''Oh no...''

''Oh yeah, I remember, some pony called Ruby seen you girls kissing early morning, didn't she?'' Asked the multicolour maned pegasus, one, one, one, don't run off, Fluttershy.

''Y- yes.'' Squeaked the mare.

The blue pony drew a quick sigh, not wanting to impose too heavily on her already frightened friend; who more than likely felt very cornered. I've gotta be very... very... what word would Twi use? I've gotta be very tender about this... don't want to hurt the girl. Rainbow consciously loosened her posture and slowed down the party's pace—to that of a stroll—in hopes that it would make the yellow pony's—if the attempt to run was made—inevitable catch less a strain on her body. Strangely enough, Fluttershy stopped shaking, she seemed calmer to the multicolour maned pony, but why? ''Oh... that's... that's something you don't hear about much.''

''No... it's, um, not... I remember the last time it happened...''

''The stallions?'' Choked Rainbow.

''Yeah, I remember everypony being really mean to them and running them out of Ponyville within a week, with sticks and rocks, and magic.'' The yellow pegasus bitterly called to mind. I remember being one of those ponies... Sawdust and Root Canal...

''Oh yeah, I remember that too...''

The yellow pegasus took her sigh, a higher pitched sigh; her tone creaking slightly and her breast pushing the air in the most worn and tired of resignation. ''Rainbow?'' She squeaked once more, ''Please don't be like you were before, this time, please? For Twilight?''

''Fluttershy... you know how I feel about- about thos-''

''Oh Rainbow, please don't do this.'' The blue pony heard no signs but could tell her friend was welling up; her nose was twitching sporadically.

''Why would I do anything like that to my two best friends? And I've got my scaredy cat filly friend to look out for anyway.'' Fabricated the pegasus, for some reason unknown to her. Fluttershy jumped on the mare and hugged her firmly,

''Oh, thank you Rainbow! I- I mean Twilight just needs somepony's support, really bad...''

''Not a problem, Rainbow here to help in a dash!'' The blue pegasus looked up into the sky and towards the sun, and shaded her eyes from its rays; she stopped walking and stuck out a her other hoof between the horizon and sun, making it look like she was trying to tell the time. ''Celestia, look at the time, I gotta go!''

''Oh, okay. Wait, how do you know what time it is? And what's so urgent? Is something wrong?''

''Oh, it's, uh- just a trick Soarin showed me back in the day; and I really should get back to work; bread ain't gonna pay for itself you know.''

''No, it won't, I hope you finish your work soon Rainbow Dash, you do work a lot...''

''Ah, well, you know.''

''Yeah, thanks Rainbow... for the talk.''

''Not a problem kido.''

Rainbow began to run and prepared for take-off, she turned around and looked at the pegasus before she took flight; Fluttershy was walking closed eyed and full smiled. One, two...

She flew towards Ponyville, away from the beech tree and forgetting about her work and regional directorness. I need a drink, was the reason she told herself why, a nice smoothie. Rainbow swayed more as she flew, not fully concentrating on her flight posture; once again, her head drifted from her flight path and to the ground. The town was harder to detail that the surrounding area; there were more sharp corners and contrasting colours, and all the worming of ponies—in-between and around each other—made everything blend together like worms in soil. The multicolour maned pegasus instead let the ground turn blurry, though not blurry enough to make it indecisive. She passed over the school, ponies, gardens, the market, smoothie stalls, and the likes.

Nothing grabbed the ponies' attention until she passed over a horribly disguised purple pony—wearing a yellow shawl and sunglasses. Aw Twilight, you could have at least covered your cutie mark. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, done a three-four loop and half twist, and very casually made a running land next to the unicorn. Twilight—already in a hyper-startleable state—was about to jump and scream from her friend's impromptu arrival; the blue pony wrapped her leg around the purple's neck, covering her mouth in the process, and pulled her close. ''Why wasn't I told about you and Fluttershy starting a lesbian thing?'' Said sternly and shushedly by the pegasus.

''I was going to tell everypony next time we were all together, but the word had already gotten out. Please, try not to draw attention to me, this week has been hard enough.''

''I'll try; you could have tried to cover yourself up a little better.''

Twilight stopped, and turned around to the multicolour maned mare, ''Why are you being so aggressive? Applejack wasn't very helpful either; if you're not going to help just leave me alone.'' Not wanting to start an argument and draw attention to not only Twilight, but herself, Rainbow gave a moment's thought about her next words,

''Applejack, that hay head,'' Face hoofing, ''What did she say?'' The purple pony began walking again, after taking a glance around her at the partially filled street,

''I don't really want to repeat it... I'm still seriously hurt from this morning.''

''Well if it was anything about leaving town, I'd recommend it; if it's been four or five days you could get out without too much trouble.''

''Rainbow!'' Said Twilight, at normal levels, ''I can't believe what I just heard!'' Correcting herself.

''I'm not trying to be like that, I'm trying to help. You know my stance on stuff like this, and at least I'm not being AJ, flip flopping and just being really damn confusing.''

''Well if you want to help you could try being supportive! Not... not trying to run me out of town!'' Rainbow felt enraged by what her friend had just said; disregarding that she had said something of equal—if not, greater—offence only a few seconds prior. I'm trying to help, I'm trying to help, she repeated to calm herself.

''I'm not going to 'run' anyone out of town-'' Said the pegasus, not at all affected by her calming techniques.

''Keep it down Rainbow!''

''S- sorry, Twilight...'' Correcting herself.

''Twilight?...'' Said a pony ten paces away, from her garden, over hearing the two's conversation, two, two, ah Luna... ''Hey! That's Twilight-''

''Oh no-'' Said the target, voice creaking in preparation of tears. The unicorn magicked her shoal farther over her eyes and out of sight of the blue mare; if the librarian was crying, Rainbow was none-the-wiser.

''Hey Rainbow! Why are talking with that sick, sick pony?'' Whoa, that was bitter, but the pace was is about right...

''R- Rainbow, say something! They won't lis-'' Said Twilight in a whisper, and picking up her pace. Dune Bug began to follow, jutting in before the purple mare could finish her sentence,

''Yeah Rainbow, say something.'' Teased the gardener once more,

''I- I, uh-'' Stuttered the pegasus,

''P- please... please R- rh- rainbow,'' Hiccuping her words. What's wrong with you?! Why aren't you defending your friend? One, two, on- because she's gay, that's why. But it doesn't matter because she's your friend, right? What happened to loyalty? Stay loyal to your beliefs! No- not that, your friends! It's only one pony anyway, do it. Rainbow stopped and turned right around to the trailing earth pony, but not with the confidence she had hoped,

''Dune bug, j- just, lay off, go home.''

''Ha! What's up Rainbow? What's with the change of heart? I thought you hated filly-foolers more than anypony. Don't tell me you're gonna start going off like she does; do you like mare ass? or lick mar-'' That was personal. Rainbow shoved her snout against the flower pony's, resuming her authoritarian tones,

''Do not say things like that to me, Dune Bug, it's not nice. Go home; saying things like that to anypony is just throwin' courtesy out the damn door, and we're all very courteous ponies, aren't we?''

''A- w-'' Attempted Dune, ''I guess you're right Rainbow,'' Reluctantly, but resiliently, said the mare, ''Goodbye Rainbow, be careful who you sleep with, you don't know who might be watching.'' Dune Bug returned to her garden without acknowledging the unicorn—if one were to say a death stare wasn't acknowledgement—who prodded the blue pony to keep walking.

The blue pony happily obliged, not at all happy with the encounter she just had, two, one, one... She returned to a whisper, ''Why didn't you say anything back! Don't let that prissy flower girl push you around!''

''It doesn't work like that, Rainbow, and you didn't help either; now Dune Bug is going to go off and spread rumours about me and you.'' Snapped the unicorn, from in front,

''I couldn't give a feather what these crazy ponies think of me, I've known all of them a long time, but they aren't as important as my friends.''

''Fair enough you don't care what they think of you, but I do, and I care because everypony is particularly honest with their opinions of other ponies.''

Ugh, I tried to help! Why is this pony not accepting help! Wouldn't she need it now of all times!? I think she's just afraid or something, but afraid of my help? Might as well be afraid of everything! ''Stop being Fluttershy!'' Accused the pegasus, ''I think you're just afraid of my help! Comm-'' Twilight whipped around, fire in her eyes, and teeth holding back a roar with the power of a supernova; only trickle of ash and cinders escaped. Holy pony!

''Don't you say anything about Fluttershy. I don't need to tell you why. Just don't.''

Once again, Rainbow refused to hear what had passed her ears. You don't know everything, Twilight, and you don't know everypony! Especially not me or Fluttershy. Rainbow wished to say a great many things in her anger—which had been added to from the purple unicorn's first accusation—and she would; unwanting of the multicolour maned mare, her anger took over completely. ''Uh! Just because you start going out with somepony doesn't mean you know everything about her. I've known Fluttershy for over twenty years, and I know that she's probably keeping something from you to spare your feelings!''

''What are you talking about!'' Said the unicorn, beginning to slowly release the energy through her horn,

''Has she been saying any weird things at all lately? Huh? Just ask her-'' She said truthfully, attempting to gain a more sincere tone,

''W- wha-?'' Disconcertedly said the purple pony,

''-I'm guessing she trusts you,'' Begun Rainbow, in an even quieter and more sincere tone, ''Because you've started going out with her; ask her, I know she probably is.'' One, twi, two, one, two, two, should I have said that? Oh hay seeds, what did I just do?

The unicorn stared blankly at the blue pony, a worried, confused look on her face. The multicolour maned mare seen this as a chance to reason with her friend, who she felt was driving a very large circle with her current mind frame, ''And maybe try to use that anger you threw at me to get some of the other ponies to back off. I mean, I'm only trying to help. ''
One, two, one. Twilight returned to her anger, now gritting her teeth and sparking her horn with actual cinders, some of which flew onto Rainbow's face and singed her hair,

''There you go again with 'help'! Just leave me alone, and don't say anything about Fluttershy!'' Shouted Twilight, releasing the supernova, to no concern of herself.

''Y- you can't just thin-?'' One, one, one, one,

''Uggh! If you're helping you should know that you're such a third wheel.'' Third?

The pegasus extended her hoof—symbolically to reach out to Twilight; realistically a punch to her jaw. But slowed and stopped half way to avoid contact.—But Twilight was gone, ditching her obliterated disguise and using the remnants of her magical anger to make herself invisible, Why didn't she do that initially?! F- Darn it Twilight... I damn tried!