... Is a Perfect Place to Start
“I’m telling you, darling, you absolutely will not regret doing this; Bring on The Ponies is one of, if not the, best funk group out there!” Rarity gushed as she and Fluttershy continued their trot to one of Ponyville’s premier club, The Tomb. She had invited Fluttershy, not only to share her favourite band but to hopefully build up the courage to ask the mare out, believing the music would give her the strength she needed.
“I don’t know, I’m just really nervous when it comes to social situations.” The yellow mare looked up at the encroaching club. “Maybe this was a mistake.”
“Oh heavens no,” Rarity reassured. “This will probably be one of the greatest nights of your life—well maybe not your entire life, but it is definitely going to be worth it.”
Fluttershy looked over at her friend, who flashed a reassuring smile. Her stomach had butterflies, like always when she saw Rarity smile. Or when she saw Rarity laugh. Or when Rarity's just in sight, for that matter. “But what if I make a fool of myself? With all of those ponies around, it makes it so easy.”
“Trust me, they’ll be way more interested in the band than they will be with you—not that you’re nothing to look at!” Rarity panicked. “I mean, you’re definitely attrac- er, you’re definitely… What I mean to say is they’ll just be too caught up in the music to notice you!” ‘That was close,’ she thought to herself, giving an internal sigh of relief.
“I knew what you meant, Rarity,” Fluttershy said softly.
“Hahaha, yes, uhm, well would you look at that, we made it!” Rarity rushed to the door, hoping her accompaniment didn’t notice her blush. She used her magic and swung open the door, holding it for her friend. “After you.”
Fluttershy took a step forward, but immediately took two steps back. “I can’t, Rarity, it’s just too risky.”
“Dear, you have to face your fears, you have to show the world that you are a strong pony who can have a good time, in spite of how many other ponies there are, or what their thoughts may be!”
Fluttershy attempted to respond, but was cut off by her friend. “You can do this! After all, who was it who stared down a giant fire-breathing dragon?”
“I did,” Fluttershy said, hesitantly.
“Who helped Ponyville’s pegasi move a lake to Cloudsdale and ultimately doubled their wingpower in the process?”
“I did.” Fluttershy felt more sure of herself this time.
“Who’s a yellow horse with wings?!”
“I am!” Fluttershy giggled and hugged Rarity. “Now let’s go inside that club, and enjoy some good music!”
“That’s the spirit, darling.”
~~~
“And for you?” the waitress turned to Rarity, half-yelling in order to be heard over the music.
“I’ll take a Bloody Aztec, please.” She looked across the table. “And my friend will have an… Appletini?”
Fluttershy nodded.
“Yes, an Appletini, and that will be all for now, thank you.”
“My pleasure,” the waitress replied before leaving to get the drinks.
“Thanks for ordering for me,” Fluttershy said.
“No problem, darling. It's what friends do, we buy each other drinks.”
“Oh, but, you don’t have to pay for my drinks.”
“But I do, Fluttershy, it’s just being polite. Plus, I want to share this experience with you. If I let you pay for your share, then it’s more like we’re just experiencing the same thing simultaneously. Does that make sense?”
“I guess that makes sense, but I could still pay for my drinks, even if you refuse to make me pay my own ticket.”
“You are not to pay a single cent while we’re out.”
Fluttershy nodded. “Thank you.” Her throat hurt from having to talk so loudly over the music. Luckily for her, the music stopped and an announcer came on the vacant stage.
“Ladies and gentleponies, I am pleased to announce that with us tonight is the amazing band, Bring on the Ponies!” The curtains lifted behind the announcer, he jumped off the stage, and the band began their set.
“Oh dear, I am so sorry!” Rarity sighed. “I forgot to ask you if you even liked funk.” ‘Well, now I have no chance of asking her!’
“I like funk; Not as much as I like jazz or a capella, but I like funk.”
“You’re not just saying that to spare my feelings, right?”
“Of course not, and even if I didn’t like funk I’d still trust you to bring me to a concert I would enjoy.” Fluttershy smiled warmly, and Rarity returned the favour. She felt butterflies in her stomach again.
“One Appletini and one Bloody Aztec.” The two looked up to see the return of their waitress as she set their drinks on the table. “If y'all need me for anything, just flag me down and I’ll come back.”
The two enjoyed the first round of their drinks and the excellent music, taking pleasure from each other’s company. After the waitress had brought out their second round, Rarity piped up.
“Are you enjoying the music so far?”
Fluttershy nodded and took a sip of her martini. “They’re very talented musicians, especially the saxophonists.”
“Oh, just wait until they play Freak Flag. The tenor player has a solo and when I last saw them live he killed it.” Rarity took another sip. “Excuse my faux pas.”
Fluttershy chuckled. “We’re in a club.”
“Yes, I know, but I typically don’t use that phrase.”
“Well, the solo must be really good, then, to make you forget how you normally talk.”
Rarity laughed. “Well, it is a really good solo.”
The song ended and the announcer came back onstage. “We’re going to have to take quick, five-minute break while we try and fix the saxophone’s mic; He’s gonna need it for this next song.”
Rarity looked at her winged companion. “I think Freak Flag is next!”
Fluttershy gave a little clap with her hooves. “I can’t wait to hear the highly-anticipated solo.” She loved seeing Rarity this excited. It made her excited, and she found it quite cute.
“Perhaps we should move onto the dance floor for this next song?”
Suddenly, Fluttershy felt a lot less excited. “I-I don’t know, Rarity. What if I make a fool out of myself?”
“Then they’ll be too intoxicated to remember. Trust me, you need to be on the dance floor for this next song.”
‘Perhaps she might make a move on me? No, she has no interest in you. Or, maybe she does?’ Fluttershy hoped her thoughts were true.
“Okay, I’ll do it, but only if you dance with me,” she finally answered.
“Don’t worry, darling, that’s what I planned on doing.”
Once they made their way into the near-center of the dance floor, the music came back.
“Ooh, I knew it was going to be Freak Flag! I absolutely love this song.” Rarity could hardly contain herself as she began getting into the groove. “Come, on, Fluttershy, freak your flag!”
Fluttershy began to panic, but quickly calmed down when Rarity reassuringly grabbed her hoof. She looked into the unicorn’s blue eyes. The lyrics from the stage floated down into her ears.
“There’s no shame in just being who you are,
“On the dance floor is a perfect place to start.”
‘Maybe I should make the move?’ Fluttershy mulled over her choices. She could either not do anything, accept Rarity doesn’t love her, and move on. Or...
“Rarity?” Fluttershy asked.
“Yes?” She barely had enough time to respond before her vision became yellow. Her eyes fluttered closed and she leaned into the kiss.
Suddenly, Fluttershy pulled away from the kiss and backed up, cheeks reddening. “Oh dear, I hope you aren’t mad. Oh, you’re mad, aren’t you? Oh, I’m so sorry, Rarity, I didn’t mean to ruin the concert, it was just that I thought it was either now or never, and the alcohol and the-” She was cut off by a white hoof touching her lips.
“Nonsense, dear. I was planning on doing the same thing tonight, but I eventually got scared and I didn’t because I thought you wouldn’t like the music. Then I never built my courage back up.”
“Wait… So, you also had a crush on me?” Fluttershy was relieved.
“For quite a while, actually. I’m just lucky you decided to make the first move tonight, because heaven knows I would not have done it; I’d be too scared, especially after tonight when I thought I ruined my chances.”
“Well, I’m just surprised I made the first move. And happy. Mostly happy.” Fluttershy looked deep into Rarity’s eyes.
A loud sax sound filled the air, and Fluttershy quickly leaned in and kissed Rarity again, this time not pulling away until the saxophone solo ended.
Rarity’s eyes flitted open. “That was… I have a new reason to love that solo.”
“That ‘killer solo’?” Fluttershy asked, holding back a giggle.
“Yes, that killer solo.” Rarity laughed. “Now, let’s dance before the song ends, shall we?”
“We shall.”
The two danced until Freak Flag ended, and moved back to their booth. Fluttershy made sure to drape a wing over her friend—her marefriend, rather.
~~~
They arrived at the Carousel Boutique, with Fluttershy’s wing still draped over her marefriend. “Thanks for the great time tonight, Rarity. I loved the concert.”
“Well, the concert wouldn’t have been nearly as good if I didn’t invite you. Thanks for coming.” She nuzzled her companion. “And for making the first move.”
“Sooo… I guess this is goodnight?”
“I guess it is…”
Neither of them wanted the night to end. After all, they had just had the time of their lives.
“Well, it is a bit cold outside,” Rarity said.
“That it is.” Fluttershy joined her new marefriend on the doormat.
Rarity opened the door and stepped aside. “Well, would you like to have some tea or hot chocolate, dear?”
“I think that would be lovely.” Fluttershy stepped into the house, and Rarity followed, closing the door behind her.