Quickies

Prompt #3: "Rainbow Dash learns a lesson."

She looked at the invitation again.

“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh...” Her voice was excited, she was almost panting.

The gilt letters read:

“You are cordially welcomed to THE SPONSORS' COTILLION – 6 PM, 17th of March, Wonderbolts Derby Aerodrome, Canterlot – RSVP, semi-formal attire.”

Rainbow Dash was used to adrenaline, to the roller-coaster ride between exhilaration and enervation that made competition thrilling, and victory sweet. It was in her nature to see this as a challenge.

But what kind of challenge? She looked over at her Gala dress, looked herself in the mirror.

Something was wrong, but she couldn't put her hoof on what.

She needed to do something, and do it now, before she lost her nerve. This was her big chance, an opportunity she couldn't let pass, but it was also a new kind of challenge that she was poorly equipped to face.

Her only chance was to get the right kind of coaching, the right kind of practice, and she knew just the mare for the job.

She grabbed the invitation, and set off in a steep dive to Ponyville.

Rarity sat on a pillow in her studio, and concentrated intently on a single swath of silk hanging from the shoulders of an equine mannequin. It still wasn't draping right, and no matter how she pinned it, she couldn't convince the dumb fabric to bend to her will. The whole ordeal was making her decidedly grumpy.

The whoosh of air followed by a flurry of knocks on the front door of Carousel Boutique provided a welcome distraction. She had every reason to suspect that it was Rainbow Dash, and throwing open the door confirmed her suspicions.

“Rarity, I need your help! This is really, really important!”

“Well, of course, dear. Come in and catch your breath.”

Rainbow Dash slunk into the white unicorn's boutique. Rarity could see that Dash already felt out of her element; she seemed to shrink a little as the door closed behind her.

Rarity tried to reassure her. Poor thing, even a simple hoof treatment at the spa was enough to make her insecurities flare up. Dash pulled the invitation out of her saddlebag, and Rarity levitated it over to examine it.

“I need you to help me get dolled up for this party. This is my big chance to impress the Wonderbolts' backers, and if I'm lucky, I can find a sponsor to nominate me! It's my big chance to live the dream! Can you help me? My Gala dress is –”

Oh my, thought Rarity. Disaster looms.

“Darling, you need to stop for a moment. It says 'semi-formal' right here. You do understand what that means, right?”

“What?”

“The last thing you want to do is over-dress. It will seem like you're desperate for attention!” Rarity flipped her mane out of her eyes.

“But! But I am desperate for attention! I mean, I want them to notice me!”

“Well, of course you do. Which means it needs to start from their side. You, on the other hand, need to look and act....”

Rarity considered her words carefully.

“at least twenty percent cooler.”

The irony of the statement and Rainbow Dash's puzzled expression tickled something inside of Rarity. This was going to be fun.

“Get out of those saddlebags. We have work to do.”

The theory was simple. Rainbow Dash had a sleek, muscular body and a striking mane and tail. Assuming she could avoid any major faux pas, her roguish personality and looks should turn the heads of those snobby Canterlot unicorns Dash needed to impress.

“The whole idea of semi-formal attire is to level the playing field. Fortunately, there are ways to garner attention...” A set of lacy black nothings floated up from a trunk behind Rarity. “...now hold still.”

A pair of sheer panties. Yes, simple, black, and flattering...

Dash struggled a little as Rarity guided them over her taut haunches, closing the strap around her tail. Rarity stroked her cheek to try to reassure her.

It seemed to be working. Dash relaxed just a tiny bit.

She helped Rainbow put on the translucent, silky stockings. “Now, pay attention. The seam goes in the back. Clip the garter here on the side, like so.”

Rarity took a moment to admire her handiwork. This was going better than expected, Dash looked positively scrumptious in her simple sheer black lingerie. The slightly dazed look in her friend's rose-colored eyes reminded her just how out of her element Dash felt. Onwards...

“Now, the next part is the little black dress. Ever since that design I made for Twilight was so successful, I've been experimenting with somewhat more flattering cuts, and I think I have just the thing to highlight your wonderful athletic body.”

Rarity pulled the tube of stretchy black fabric, thin and clingy enough to flatter every curve of Dash's body, opaque enough to mostly hide the lingerie, over her friend's head.

The décolletage was cut to leave Dash's wings and tail free, and highlight the sky-blue pegasus' trim frame.

Rarity took a step back, and admired her friend.

Even without an elaborate hair-do, Rainbow Dash was stunning. Rarity pointed her at a mirror, and whispered in her ear.

“See? You look lovely, and I promise you won't be over-dressed.”

Dash's face was a mixture of emotions. Rarity could tell that she was obviously relieved at the relative simplicity of her outfit, but there was still an undercurrent of anxiety.

“I... I guess so, Rarity...”

Rarity had often wondered why a natural beauty like Dash would be so insecure about her femininity.

“Turn around, darling,” she said, and maneuvered a second mirror so Dash could get a look at her rear. “Just look at yourself.”

The stockings were devastating, and the colorful shock of tail emerging from the décolleté of her dress, with a teasing glimpse of the strap securing her panties, instantly drew the eye to her trim, firm haunches, as did the straps and seams of her sheer stockings.

“Bend over,” said Rarity. “I want you to see something.”

The skirt was relatively high on her back legs, and as Dash bent over, a tiny glimpse of translucent black peeked out from beneath the hem.

“I know male gaze, dear. This is your secret weapon.”

Dash looked up at Rarity. The confidence in her eyes was still missing. Rarity bit her lower lip. She was going to enjoy this...

“Wow. I... I look good. But...”

“The important thing is to be yourself. You'll get your attention, darling. And the rest is up to you.”

“I...”

There was nothing to be done. As beautiful as Dash was, she needed something extra to boost her confidence. Rarity bent down and whispered in Dash's ear.

“You look positively ravishing, and that's exactly what I'm going to do to you. Now, let me show you how to get those clothes off...”