Truth-telling Lies

=================================

Written by: Oneimare

=================================

Friends

=================================

Her muzzle expressing nothing but gloominess and with her ears pressed back, Rainbow had hunched over a plate. Just like the muffin on it, she sat forlornly; having deliberately chosen the furthest table at the dark corner, despite the clock yet to announce the opening hours.

Seeking distraction from her thoughts, the pegasus tried to focus on Mrs Cake—the mare had busied herself with setting up the display of baked goods so fresh, they still steamed with generous warmth gifted to them by blazing ovens; that redolence only made Rainbow nauseous and she averted her eyes as the sight of pastries threatened to turn her inside out.

Aside from reserved greetings mumbled to each other, the two mares hadn’t exchanged a single word; though, Rainbow sensed a sympathetic glance stolen at her from time to time, wondering why exactly she deserved it; the muffin came as a courtesy of the bakery. So, aside from trying and failing to pretend everything was alright, she searched for the strength to force the pastry down her throat.

Forcing oneself—a quality that had permeated Rainbow’s life for months and she wasn’t the only affected; even Mrs Cake had been taking her sweet time putting the sweets for the oncoming sale. The curse ravaging Ponyville wasn’t the worst part, however—not for the pegasus.

A question had plagued her every moment she stopped concentrating on something, a demand from herself that always waited to pounce from the background of her existence:

Why didn’t I say ‘no’?

The worst part was that she knew the answer.

The following question doubted if her means justified the ends.

Realising her mistake of indulging in idleness, Rainbow heaved herself from the table; her eyes fell on the untouched muffin and the wave of disappointment washed over her, stifling and bitter. She turned away, grimacing, right in time to witness the curls of puffy mane enter the dining space.

The joyous mare bounced and smiled as usual—seemingly; she possessed a subtle stiffness to her spring and the icy shadow flickered deep in her sky-blue eyes.

Indecision borne of habit and current reality clashing nailed Rainbow’s hooves to the floor, though part of her demanded to desert the room the moment Pinkie entered it. Her hesitation soon rendered the option of retreat too obviously rude and so the pegasus tensely watched how the pink mare skipped to her; Pinkie’s springy gait fell into a hesitant trot as she approached.

“Heya, Dashie,” she subduedly greeted her friend; cautious—almost afraid.

Swallowing a sigh, Rainbow sat back at the table.

“Hi,” she muttered, not looking Pinkie in the eyes.

However, her gaze didn’t avoid the pink mare completely and she caught the sprinkle of crumbs, flour and frosting on her vibrant pink coat that betrayed Pinkie responsible for baking this morning; the muffin growing stale before Rainbow—included.

As the silent moments had passed by, the pastry seemed to absorb the gravity of the room, becoming the most important object there. Leaving it untouched as Rainbow planned would surely equal stabbing Pinkie.

Inclining her head, she tentatively bit into the treat.

As expected, it tasted amazing. Though lacking frosting, the spongy and buttery pastry surprised her with the sweetness of chocolate chips.

“I knew you would like it,” Pinkie commented, beaming widely at Rainbow, sparks of genuine mirth dancing in front of the shadows churning in her eyes. Just as suddenly as that light appeared, it was gone. “Could you visit Fluttershy for me tonight, please?”

So is that what this is all about?

Rainbow paused mid-bite as the sugar in her mouth suddenly became ashes; swallowing hard, the mare noted, trying not to come as hostile and desperately reluctant as she felt, “But it’s not my turn today.”

Even with the chasm that divided them now, the thought of any request demanding mandatory exchange of favours or material goods raked her heart.

Is that what we have become?

Understanding flashed in Pinkie’s eyes, yet she uttered, “It… It’s Twilight’s ‘special’ order.”

Thankfully, the notion of her repaying the debt was left unvoiced; it came without saying—like the things used to be once.

Rainbow’s agreement still rang with hollowness and she failed to re-establish eye contact.

“Sure.”

Now finishing the muffin was as possible as doing a Sonic Rainboom backwards; on top of that, the distant voices—yawny greetings—joined the tweets of birds. The working hours were nigh and the inspection wouldn’t be done by itself.

She prepared to leave, but Pinkie’s voice froze her in space.

“Isn’t that..?” she idly wondered, squinting behind the pegasus’ shoulder with an unreadable expression.

By Luna’s teats and Celestia’s ass, let it be not her.

In retrospect, choosing to sit with her back to the door wasn’t the smartest decision.

The deepest indigo, almost jet chitin glistened in the glow of the morning Sun spilling through the doorway; the pale blue eyes overflowed unnaturally, revealing a faceted texture; one gossamer wing twitched nervously, whilst the other clutched a few golden bits as the mare sheepishly looked around.

I don’t want to betray Twilight again.

The moment the changeling noticed the pegasus, her eyes lit up and she excitedly chirped, “Oh, Miss Dash! Good Morning!”

But a heartbeat had passed and she already was by the pegasus’ side—much closer than Rainbow preferred; one might have thought the floor was lined with sizzling embers—Teleta’s hooves refused to stay still, barely containing the urge to prance.

Despite the grim silence that answered her greeting, the chitinous mare’s smile didn’t waver—only stretched wider as her expectant look studied Rainbow’s muzzle.

As Rainbow’s refusal to answer continued, Teleta tried again, gushing, “How are you doing? Are you alright? Do you want a cup of cof—”

“What are you doing here?” the pegasus barked. “The inspection is about to start and you should be near the hive for the roll call.”

“The ‘dormitory’,” Pinkie lifelessly corrected her, earning a glare from Rainbow.

Although ready to snap at her friend, Rainbow bit her tongue—she did care about what Twilight told them and she could already get into trouble; Teleta snitching on her was doubtful, however.

The mare in question visibly deflated, her ears plastering themselves to her oblong skull; she chittered something in her native language, but soon regained her ability to speak in Equestrian, though fumbling with words.

“I… I just wanted…” Further withering under Rainbow’s scathing stare, she went on even quieter, “I thought… you and I…” Her faceted eyes jumped from object to object, stopping at the abandoned muffin and she gave up, dropping her head. “Nevermind.”

Sensing the intense look still boring into her, Teleta defeatedly whickered, “I really should be at the hiv… dorm. Sorry.”

Only when the changeling passed the doors, did Rainbow stop glowering after her. Regret pricked her—that might have increased her chances of having an unpleasant conversation with Twilight; the earful didn’t bother her as much as the genuine disappointment and hurt that would fill the beautiful violet eyes.

Rainbow turned to Pinkie, expecting to be met with the same look or silent judgement. To her surprise, she received nothing but sorrow, though the pegasus couldn’t tell to whom it was addressed—seemingly to everyone.

Grumbling, “See you later,” Rainbow fled Sugarcube Corner without waiting for a reply from the unnervingly sombre mare.