There Is No Now

Rainbow Dash raised her pint of cider with the rest of the soldiers but she didn't join in the chorus of. "Live today, for there may be no tomorrow." Sighing she shook her head as she took another long drink from the stein. It had been many years of war against Sombra. They weren't losing, but only the more optimistic strategists spoke of making progress. Rainbow Dash wanted to believe them, but from her position, it was the same every day. Different fights, but ultimately no ground was gained or lost, no lines were drawn, and ponies died. Sliding off her stool Rainbow Dash left the wonder bolts to take a walk.

She was on her second circle of the camp when a familiar voice interrupted her brooding. "Heya major!" The pink earth pony that had saved her from the boulder earlier that day approached. "Whatcha doin' out here? There's a party going on!"

Rainbow Dash gave her best smile to the happy pony. "Hello, Pinkie Pie. I'm just out walking." She motioned her head back to the tent. Judging by the ponies making their way out, it was just before any pairings started. "I think they're probably still some party before everything breaks up."

Pinkie Pie though shook her head and grinned faintly. "I'd rather spend the evening with you, major." Pressing up against Rainbow Dash's side her grin widened into a smile. "After all, live today, for there may be no tomorrow."

Rainbow Dash had been rolling her eyes, planning and just turning down the other pony but at that last comment, she scowled darkly, pushing the earth pony away from her with her metal wing. "Yeah, right, like I want to live for today." And stomped off heading to her tent. Thankful that her rank did granted her a private tent. She did miss the camaraderie at times, but she was now in a bad mood and didn't need to deal with anyone.

After shucking off her uniform Rainbow Dash frowned at the sound of a knock on the doorframe of her tent. The frown lasted only a moment before she realized that it was probably something she needed to sign or some reports to read or something. "Come in."

Rainbow Dash immediately regretted the decision as Pinkie Pie pushed the door open. Rainbow Dash started to reel back and yell angrily as Pinkie Pie raised a hoof. "Don't yell Major Rainbow Dash! I just wanted to apologize." At that Rainbow Dash did deflate a little, though she was still not particularly happy to have a visitor. "I didn't realize you were spoken for. Just came by to say sorry. Sorry."

Rainbow Dash sighed a bit and shook her head. "It wasn't that. Well, it's true, but that's not what upset me. It was... I just... I HATE that phrase." The took in a deep breath and blew it out, but then smiled. "Apology accepted, thank you." Nodding to the earth pony she turned away.

"Uh... Not to put my hoof in my mouth but... What phrase?" Pinkie Pie was standing there looking very confused and curious. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes a little but it wasn't an unreasonable question.

Turning back around Rainbow Dash waved a hoof. "The 'live today, for there may be now tomorrow.'"

Pinkie Pie nodded a little. "Oh, sorry there. But... Everyone says it... Uh... And..." She snapped her mouth shut, not sure why she had felt the need to poke the bear.

Rainbow Dash chuckled, shaking her head. It was annoying, but she had had the unspoken question more than enough for it to not bother her that much anymore. "It is true. But just because it's true doesn't mean I'm going to live like it is." At Pinkie's raised eyebrow Rainbow Dash smiled, motioning her over with a hoof. Pulling out a locket from her footlocker she opened it. Showing the Pinkie Pie a picture of a yellow pegasus tending a herd of sheep.

"She's pretty." Pinkie Pie didn't really know what to say at that point so she did her usual act of filling the air with sound. She was serious when she was soldiering, if she wasn't ponies died. However, when the battle was over not even the prospect of constant war could dampen her chirpy spirit. "So no 'nightly fun' for the major, got it. You don't mind if we...?"

Rainbow Dash chuckled and shook her head. "Doesn't bother me. I'm glad you all are... Enjoying your lives. But I can't do that, not now." Pinkie tilted her head, an invitation to continue, but not an insistence. "Heh, this isn't my life. Not really, this is something I have to do to protect my life. My life is here." Rainbow Dash raised a hoof to point at the locket. "This is an unfortunate event, but... There is no now for me here. There is only tomorrow. My life is waiting for me at home, and I will not do anything to risk that future I have planned."

Pinkie Pie remained silent for a long moment then stood up straight to attention. Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow at that. The pink pony had been reprimanded a few times for not showing proper military decorum. But in a world where everyone was needed, you couldn't do more than give them a slap on the wrist. To add to the confusion Pinkie threw off a salute that would make any parade dress Wonderbolt jealous. "Permission to be dismissed, Major?"

Rainbow Dash stared for a moment, then smiled slowly, and nodded. "Dismissed, soldier." As Pinkie turned to leave Rainbow Dash stared after her. They lived different lives, but they could respect each other. She liked to think that in another world they could have been good friends. But that was not this world. As Rainbow Dash climbed into bed she pulled the locket close to her, stroking the picture gently. "Stay strong, Fluttershy. I will see you when this is over."