”I am so high right now,” said Wallflower.
”Yeah.” Rainbow snickered. ”Me too.” She swayed, catching herself on the rail beside her. ”This is a pretty crazy trip.”
”Is this your first time?”
”Totally. It’s not something I ever saw myself doing, either. Things have just been real stressful with the girls lately. I thought this might help me relax.”
Wallflower looked over, noticing the frown playing at the corners of Rainbow's lips. ”I'm sorry your first time couldn't be with Rarity.”
”Eh. Whatever.” She waved dismissively. ”It’s no big deal. We've done other things together for the first time. I'm actually wondering if she's got a problem with being so high. The way she messaged me at the last minute to say she might not make it…” She shook her head and looked down.
The moment stretched until Rainbow scuffed the floor with her shoe. “So uh, my pants are pretty awesome.”
“How’s that?”
“Pockets.”
Wallflower raised an eyebrow. “Pockets?”
“Yeah. I can put stuff in them. Like my wallet.”
“Okay.” She gave Rainbow a sidelong glance. “Mine’s in my purse.”
“Heh. Oh yeah.” Rainbow picked at some lint on her pants. “They’ve got these awesome rainbow lighting bolts on them.” She glanced at Wallflower’s ankles.
“Are you trying to get at something?”
”It’s not like I’m trying to shame you.” She chuckled. “I’m in no position to pass judgment, given my own life. I mean, some of my best friends do the same thing. So, uh.” She gestured at Wallflower. “Why aren't you wearing pants? Just out of curiosity.”
”Oh. I don't mind you asking, Rainbow. It wasn't my idea anyway. The school photographer made the suggestion.”
”And you went along with it?”
”Sure. Why wouldn't I?”
”Uh. No reason.” Cheeks blushing, Rainbow stared at the shifting landscape and sighed. ”We're pretty darned high.”
”Yeah. This is an amazing trip.”
They stood silently. Rainbow kept sneaking glances at Wallflower, who pretended not to notice, but smiled faintly at the attention.
”It's just…” said Rainbow, chin up and staring pointedly at Wallflowers face.
”Just what?”
”This isn’t normal.” She gestured, blushing, keeping her eyes firmly level.
Wallflower looked down at herself, then back to Rainbow. ”I don't see what's so weird about it. Fluttershy does it too. Most of your friends, actually.”
”Ugh,” she groaned. ”Just because it's normal for them doesn't make it normal for you.”
Wallflower rolled her eyes. She took Rainbow's hand in hers, causing Rainbow’s blush to deepen. ”People change. You know this. You're friends with Sunset Shimmer, for goodness sake. People change.”
”I know that, but—” She raised an eyebrow. ”Youchanged just because the school photographer suggested it?”
Wallflower shrugged. ”It seemed like a good idea. I wanted to try something new.” She spun back and forth, delighted with the newfound freedom her legs enjoyed while Rainbow stared. Noticing the stare, she stopped. ”You know what?”
”What?”
”You should try this too.”
”Pff.” Rainbow waved a hand dismissively. ”I like pants, thank you very much.”
”No, seriously. Think about it.” She smiled a genuine, wide smile. ”You could drive Rarity crazy.”
“Eh.” Rainbow shrugged. ”Anything I do would drive her crazy. I’m just awesome like that. Besides, if I did that, she'd want to make me something to wear, and I'd get to be her model.” She tilted her head up, looking at nothing. ”Huh. Maybe I should try it.”
Finally coming down from their trip, they looked around, finding themselves in a field of grass and flowers. Around them, their friends were also coming down. Once it was safe, Rainbow hopped the rail, then helped Wallflower over.
”Well,” said Rainbow. ”it wasn’t what I expected, but I had fun. See ya round.”
”Bye Rainbow.” Wallflower opened her arms, and Rainbow leaned in for a friendly hug before turning to leave.
”Hey miss? Wallflower was it?”
”Yeah?” she replied, turning to the hot air balloon operator who'd accompanied them on the flight.
”I hope I'm not too forward, but I think you look great without pants.”
———
”Rainbow! Over here, darling.”
Rainbow turned to see Rarity waving and walked over to her balloon. ”Hey, Rares.”
Rarity leaned over the rail and rubbed noses. Separating, she took Rainbow's hand. ”Be a dear and help me over.”
Rarity sat on the edge, holding the balloon's rope with one hand. Rainbow placed a hand on her back to steady her, as she swung her legs over the edge. Dropping to the ground, she stood and straightened her dress. ”Sorry about missing our departure. There was a fashion emergency and I just didn't know if I'd make it to the field in time.” She adjusted her hat. ”Who did you end up flying with?”
Rainbow gestured. ”Had fun with Wallflower of all people.”
Rarity followed her gaze. ”Rainbow dear. Did you notice she isn't wearing pants?”
”Yeah.” She rubbed the back of her head. “It was kinda obvious.”
”She looks fabulous without pants.” Rarity looked at Rainbow, her eyes drifting to her friend's pants. ”Speaking of, maybe you'd like to try it too?”
Rainbow blushed. ”I don't know about all that. Like I told Wallflower. I enjoy wearing pants.”
”I think you'd enjoy something else more. Come,” said Rarity, turning and gesturing for her to follow. ”You'll model for me tonight. You'll be today's subject for my sketch book, and I'll make a present for you.”
”Cmon Rares,” said Rainbow, falling in beside her. ”That's not cool. You know how I feel about things like this.”
”I promise not to share pictures without your consent. This will just be for me. For us really, because I'm sure you'll enjoy it too. You'll look simply adorable without pants.”
”I guess,” said Rainbow grudgingly. ”Just this once, though.” She wagged a finger at Rarity, adding ”And no frilly stuff.”
”Of course not darling.” She leaned over and pecked Rainbow on the cheek. ”Thank you.”
As they passed, Rainbow waved at Wallflower, who was still chatting with the balloon operator. She took one last look at what Wallflower wore. The way it billowed in the air. The pleats running from the waistline to the hem. The floral pattern that accentuated the rest of her outfit and complemented her hair.
Rarity squeed. ”This will be so much fun. I love skirting the subject.”
