Chapter Six – Attitude

It was a little after four when the six mares had stepped off the train. They then proceeded through the busy streets of Canterlot. Everypony not invited to the Grand Galloping Gala was seen getting ready for their own parties to celebrate the founding of the capital city of Equestria. Naturally there were more police officers out and Royal Pegasi guards searching the skies both over and around Canterlot. Such was the norm, seeing how days as popular as this could spawn the potential to disrupt the everyday order of public life, as well as mark an opportune time of invasion by foreign enemies. Thanks to such provisions, Canterlot was as peaceful and lively as ever, if not more so on this landmark occasion.

As the six were walking together down Auroran Lane, nopony really spoke much, but merely admired each other’s company and the atmosphere of the grand city. After giving the group, Rarity herself included, a chance to appreciate the moment, she spoke.

“Now girls, we each know our parts tonight. Once each of our tasks is completed, we can do whatever we’d like to enjoy the Gala. But does anypony here have any questions I ought to address?”

Twilight was quick to raise one factor of concern, “One thing I wonder Rarity. What do you think she’ll be wearing tonight? I mean, I could make out the colors of her coat, mane, and tail, unless she’s wearing so much that her body’s obscured.”

Rarity looked down and hummed as she thought about it a moment. It seemed at last there was something she had not considered. She didn’t look troubled, but did seem to appreciate the challenge of the thought.

Then Rarity said, “Well let’s see…” then pulled out her color reference chart to examine, “given her general colors, she’d probably be going out in something dark.” She continued scanning the possible options, “hmm, if it were me or anypony of similar taste advising, Summer could be dressed in teal dark cyan, smalt as well as cerulean dark blue…even Klein blue would suit her nicely.” Rarity then turned her head and asked, “Pinkie, you must have seen her at the last Gala, so what was she wearing then?”

Pinkie needed only a second to remember, “Well it was her first Gala, so she wore a black dress, but even though she had a good time that night, she did tell me she thought the dress was mistake, so she’d probably be trying something else this year.”

That was of little help, Rarity thought. She had her best guess, but whether Summer shared the same sense of fashion as Rarity remained questionable. She shuddered a moment at the thought of Summer in black. Applejack had been listening in on this as well, seeing how she too was expected to identify her.

Alas, she was lost on the color terminologies again, as was Twilight, so she asked, “um, Rare? Mind explaining with that chart again?”

Rarity sighed in mild frustration, regretting how she’s practically one of the few ponies in the group so studious in colors, shades, and hues. She brought the chart towards Twilight and Applejack to help them differentiate and recognize the four colors Rarity had set her mind on. Fluttershy had remained naturally in her own bubble, only looking on towards the rest of her friends. Among her friends, however, she saw Rainbow seeming withdrawn again. It was the same as what Fluttershy observed back in Ponyville, before Dash came out to her friends. Rainbow had definitely taken refuge in her deep thoughts once again and this worried her. Fluttershy pranced over beside Rainbow. She looked worried, causing her a lot of concern. Finally, she asked, “How are you doing Rainbow?” A single, but somehow still lengthy second passed.

To Fluttershy’s relief, Rainbow inhaled and exhaled deeply, then answered, “I’m fine. Just on my way to the Grand Galloping Gala to…” she paused to swallow hard, “…meet probably the…” but trailed off, embarrassed to complete the statement. Fluttershy kept quiet, feeling Rainbow wanted her to help move away from what she was about to say, but passively refused. The silence between them had become too vacuous for Rainbow to let live on, thus yielding the final words, “…the most beautiful mare I’ve ever seen.” There was no blushing, no bashful smile, but only a frown on Rainbow’s face that seemed to lament over unattainable desires.

“Oh Rainbow,” Fluttershy said, shaking her head in disapproval, “you won’t get to be with her with that attitude.” Rainbow looked over to Fluttershy critically, as though to say she wasn’t one to talk; nevertheless, Fluttershy continued, “You’ve seen me with a manticore, Cerberus, even the orthros.” Rainbow was hardly seeing the parallel being made, but the curiosity drove her focus as Fluttershy explained, hoping not to lose her, “Most ponies would be terrified by such creatures and either approach them incorrectly or just run.”

Rainbow was starting to pick up on what Fluttershy was talking about, and listened on as Fluttershy said, “I, on the other hoof, try very hard to keep a positive attitude, which allows me to work with all sorts of creatures,” providing a hesitant clarification, “um, except dragons and timberwolves!” giggling to herself, winning a small smile from Rainbow. “Even Discord,” Fluttershy brought out her last case, “reformed for good because I simply tried to be his friend.”

Rainbow gave a rather long nod to that point. Fluttershy indeed had stayed positive against the opposition of her friends during Discord’s reformation. Only until he had been quite taken to her, but remained his overly mischievous self, did Fluttershy call off their friendship, making him realize just how important friendship was to him.

Fluttershy gave Rainbow a moment to take in the thoughts just served to her. She then tied it all together for Rainbow in a more relevant application.

“Well, what I’m trying to say Rainbow, is that…” she paused a second to make sure it made sense to her as well, “it’s all about attitude. Just start small and be her friend. I’m sure she’d be willing to dance with you on that level.”

A stroke of disappointment hit Rainbow at the thought of mere friendship, causing her to ask, “But you know I want more than that.” Fluttershy, understanding how Rainbow misinterpreted her, went on.

“Just ask her out after the dance! That’s what Jeff did with me.” Shock overtook Rainbow for a brief moment, only to remember that the subject of Fluttershy’s month old relationship had been brought up before on the train, but Jeff?

Then it hit her, “Wait! You mean you and Jeff Letrotski?”

Fluttershy nodded with no hint of a blush and said, “He can be a real gentlecolt you know?”

This hadn’t disrupted any sense of logic in Rainbow at all, so she merely let out a small, “huh,” as the two stayed kept behind their other friends.

“But you went out only a month?” Rainbow asked, somewhat suspicious of Fluttershy’s helpful words.

Fluttershy giggled and said, “We both decided we wanted to be friends instead and we still are too. I go bowling with his friends almost every Wednesday!” then honed in on Rainbow’s concern, “but just because me and Jeff didn’t work, it doesn’t mean it can’t with you and Summer.”

Rainbow almost missed that last point Fluttershy said as she asked, “Wait a minute? You bowl?” Fluttershy said nothing, but only smiled and winked. Rainbow puzzled over all this, wondering just how much more there was to Fluttershy’s life away from her main circle of friends. Her mind was at last cleared of the discouraging gloom filling her mind, replaced by confusion, which after shrugging off, only left her to buy more into her friend’s counsel.

She finally giggled and said, “You’re right, I’ve got nothing to worry about. I’m just going over as a friend, ask for a dance, and then ask her out!”

Fluttershy then exclaimed softly, “That’s the spirit!” With the betterment of Rainbow’s attitude established, the two raced forward to catch up with the others.

Twilight and Applejack had absorbed Rarity’s long, drawn out explanation on the different color schemes they wanted to look out for that night.

When Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash caught up with the others, Twilight said, “There you two are! What took you both?”

Rainbow was the one to answer, “We were just talking about tonight and…Oh! Did anypony know that Fluttershy bowls?”

Pinkie Pie blew a raspberry through her lips and said, “Like yeah! I join her sometimes with that Jeff fellow,” then came close to Rainbow to whisper in her ear, “If you ask me, I think he and Fluttershy are dating.”

Rainbow managed to contain herself, letting out no more than a smile, and a light shake of her head. As the six carried on through Canterlot by hoof, Rarity had wanted to make an important addition to her well thought out system of getting Rainbow Dash and Summer Breeze together.

After calling out, “Girls,” getting her friends attention, “before I felt it needn’t been said, but just as a precaution: I want to make it clear that we each keep away from each other tonight.” The rest were silent, indicating their confusion. “It will help to keep Summer from getting suspicious,” Rarity explained. Most of her friends each offered their own variation of agreement, but Pinkie was perplexed. She then asked,

“But if we’re all supposed to keep away, how will I introduce Rainbow and Summer? And how will Fluttershy tell Rainbow and I if Summer is here or Applejack tell anypony she’s seen her?”

Rarity sighed in frustration and said, “We’re still doing all of that dear, but beyond that we must not be seen together.”

“Oh!” Pinkie said, understanding quickly, “‘must not be seen together’,” she copied Rarity, “Gotcha!”

After about fifteen minutes of walking had finally led the six to a spherical carriage with two royal guards watching over it. It had not only been made of gold, but was also encrusted with many sorts of gems ranging from Amethyst to Charoite, Rhodolite Garnet to Spinel, all of which matched Twilight Sparkle’s natural colors. The rear side of the carriage also had something special for all to see: Diamonds mosaicked to form five six-pointed stars, which surrounded a greater six-pointed star likewise formed by numerous gems, pink tourmaline to be specific, as more dazzling white diamonds formed pointed shortly from the inner corners of the greater star. Twilight’s friends looked in awe at this new vehicle.

Rarity then exclaimed at a high pitch, “Ooh! When did this happen?!” giggling at the sheer beauty of the carriage.

Twilight walked ahead and looked back saying, “It’s the first you’ve all seen this, huh? You like it? Celestia gave me this on the third anniversary of my coronation!”

Applejack was the next to speak, “Golly Princess,” almost forgetting she was talking to Twilight her friend, “Princess Celestia’s got to be a might proud of you to get you this here!” Twilight attempted to be humble in response, “Oh I’m sure it’s just a formality. You see, every princess gets her own carriage eventually. You should see Cadence’s!”

Her friends rolled their eyes in amusement, ignoring that one hint of pride in their regal friend.

As the group reached the carriage, the two royal guards were still, but their special training had made them quite aware of Princess Twilight Sparkle’s approach at least half of a mile away. Five of the six mares stopped about a yard away from the carriage as Twilight went ahead, supposing to one another how she must address the guards before drawing nearer.

As soon as Twilight faced the guards and bowed her head, one had felt permission to speak, “Princess,” taking a bow himself, “we were concerned for you.”

Apparently Twilight and her friends at been a tad late for their scheduled arrival. She then felt obligated to explain, “Thank you good sir. The city can be quite busy this time of year, but that’s what makes the walk here special for me and my friends. You understand, don’t you?” This stunned both of the guards, which showed despite their efforts. Why would a Princess be trying to find an excuse for being late? If anything they should have been looking for her the first minute she didn’t show up. On the other hoof they were given strict orders not to leave their post until Princess Twilight had arrived. Knowing not what way to take this for certain, the guards smiled and lowered their heads to Twilight.

With that out of the way, Twilight politely bid the guards to aside, opening the side door herself with her magic aura, and called out, “Come on girls, you’ve got to see what the inside is like!” Upon Twilight’s call, her friends rushed over in excitement as they all climbed into the gem coated vehicle.

Rarity was the last to step in, rather hesitantly, as she asked Twilight before making the full leap in, “Darling, are you sure? All of us before you?”

Twilight nodded in solemn contentment, after which Rarity hopped right in very giddily. After her friends were all inside, Twilight proceeded herself to enter, leaving the guards utterly bewildered. It was sure nice holding the door open for her friends, being the last to go in, BUT THIS IS THE PRINCESS! So what? Can a Princess not be well mannered? They both dared to peek from behind the open door, finding Twilight waiting for them to shoot a raised eyebrow, and they knew not whether to leave or stay.

Going on a whim, they chose to stay, as Twilight said, “Just this once do I want guests entering my carriage with all this,” pausing to quickly cross her wings in front of her face, and then tried to mimic their voices, “‘Halt! Who goes there?’ nonsense, alright?” retracting her wings before those final two word. She then climbed into the carriage and before either of the guards had a chance, Twilight used her magic to close the door herself. A cold sense of guilt filled the guards as they went straight to the front. They placed the reigns on their backs and went on to bring the Princess and her companions to the Grand Galloping Gala.

Inside, Twilight leaned back with a relaxed sigh, noticing Applejack’s voice, “Gosh Twilight, what was that all about?”

Twilight opened her eyes, forced a chuckle, and answered, “Oh! Do I have stories to tell you!”

Rarity interrupted, “Before you go and rant dear, let me just stay, I love it in here!” admiring the interior of Twilight’s personal carriage. [Talk about it more] It had plush seats, soft pillows, inside walls painted with patterns of Twilight’s cutie mark, and even a miniature candle-lit chandelier, which was at perfect balance by Twilight’s favorite device: The Magically Propelled Gyroscope. It was that last item hanging above which completely took Rainbow Dash’s attention, as it spun so freely in the center of the clear crystal chandelier.

Twilight couldn’t help but notice Rainbow’s fascination, leading her to ask, “You like it Rainbow? Up there is the gyroscope I was getting so hyped up about earlier.”

Rainbow couldn’t take her eyes off the device as she said, “It’s like dancing.”

Twilight drew back and thought about what she just uttered, looking back up at the spinning gadget, “uh, I guess I can see what you mean,” trying her best to draw whatever parallels she could between that gyroscope and the dance back on the train. Surely Twilight wasn’t seeing what Rainbow Dash saw, who was seemingly mesmerized.

With Rainbow lost, Twilight moved on back to Applejack, recounting all her negative experiences with royal guards, and other the stresses that came with her new position. It was almost five O’clock in the evening, as a long conversation in the carriage was drawing to a close.

Rarity was telling Twilight, “Look, all I’m saying dear is that if your protection lowers for but one moment, enemies to the royal name will take such opportunity to snatch you up, or if not snatch you up, will go incognito, and invade even the palace.” Twilight looked down in surrender to Rarity’s logic, which ended with the point, “You, Princess Twilight Sparkle, are property of the State, and it will put all heart and effort in protecting you, Princesses Cadence and Luna, even Princess Celestia herself.”

The very notion of Princess Celestia requiring protection, though being as powerful as she was, made Twilight finally yield, “Maybe you’re right Rarity.”

Fluttershy smiled at Twilight’s understanding, while Pinkie Pie said, “Yeah Twi, and you really need to loosen up a little too. I think this princess gig is really driving you more coco-loco than usual lately.”

Twilight happily agreed saying, “You’ve got that right Pinkie! I’ll just hit the spa as soon as this holiday week is over and done with.”

She felt a certain sense of calm now, looking over to Rainbow Dash who still was transfixed on the gyroscope. She thought about how her attitude on life was changing, having talked to her friends about the recent stresses of her life. It then occurred to Twilight how dramatically Rainbow’s state of mind must have morphed after her experience on the train.

Rainbow Dash had really been absorbed into a Zen-like state as she observed the spinning device above in the carriage. It was almost as though she was in deep meditation, examining the rings, disk, and axis. Rarity saw the state Rainbow was in, so she clapped her hooves lightly to get her attention, having finished working with Twilight.

“Huh?” Rainbow Dash uttered, almost in shock from the break in her contemplations. Rarity smiled and said,

“Just a few more things before details before we arrive love,” as her bluish gray aura glowed around her purse, pulling out a few particular items. A small spray bottle levitated to Rainbow, applying a clear mist onto her left shoulder. A cloth glowing with the same aura was then rubbing something out her suit. Probably Fluttershy’s tears of joy from earlier. A brush then hovered over her head, roughly grooming her mane to the neater style she had prior at the station. After the items were drawn back into Rarity’s purse, Rainbow felt her umber suit, particularly her purple bowtie, being tugged, adjusted, and tightened. This cosmetic treatment Rarity was employing lasted a few minutes until the magic seemed to stop. Finally, Rarity said, “There! Now you are simply handsome!”

“‘Handsome’?” Rainbow asked, noticing Rarity’s choice word. That was a word used more to describe stallions, so what was she getting at using the word handsome?

Rarity rolled her eyes and said, “It’s is a perfectly applicable word for both colt and mare, darling,” then looked up in consideration before continuing, “albeit it’s a bit outdated for describing ladies,” resuming her sights on Rainbow smiling, “but I still maintain that the usage is valid.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes in turn, but more in amusement at Rarity’s personal lingo, taking appreciation for both the service and the compliment that followed.

“Thanks Rare,” she said, “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She had scarce ever required or ever wanted Rarity’s help in matters of fashion and appearance, but only now did she truly have the chance to appreciate Rarity’s generous nature this much.

Applejack then lent her thoughts saying, “Rarity’s sure fixed you up nice there RD, you’ll get Summer for sure looking like that.”

“You really think so AJ?” Rainbow asked.

Applejack rejected the question in a smile saying, “Now don’t you be second guessing yourself partner. Whatever happens tonight, we’ve all got your back. Ain’t that right everypony?” The rest all concurred with humming. The carriage finally came to a halt, everypony sensed, causing Rainbow to take in a deep breath, readying herself for what lay ahead that night.

Author's Note

PS
If there are any issues, such as accidental plagiarism, or anything of the like, let me know and I will try to correct it.