Author's Note

Takes place between 14 and 15

(Sidestory) Angery CatBirb

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Rainbow loved her job, next to racing and stunt flying weather management was her next greatest passion. Knowing that you’re responsible for the wonderful weather everypony is enjoying is a very gratifying feeling.

If things with the Wonderbolts didn’t work out (not even Rainbow is arrogant enough to think her place is a sure thing) she believed she would be content with weather management.

Currently she was working on the weather schedule for the next week, the big wigs in Cloudsdale arranged for a nice week with light showers spaced out through the week. And it was Rainbow’s job to figure out how to best implement it. As well as take into account any freak weather that blew in from the Everfree forest.

“Bucksakes… why couldn’t Ponyville be further away from the Everfree?”

Rainbow hated dealing with that thrice damned forest, mostly the freak weather it occasionally blows in. Not only does the Everfree absolutely love bucking over Rainbow’s efforts but the weather itself is a pain in the flank to get under control, a month or two ago the entire crew had to deal with a freak twister the damnable forest spat out.

“Thank Celestia nopony got severely injured during that clusterbuck…”

Not to say that there weren’t any, just not severe enough for a medical leave. Half of the team was put on light duty until they’ve fully recovered.

“Thank Celestia Derpy doesn’t mind helping out.”

Sitting down her quill Rainbow massaged her temples, she might love her job but damn did she hate paperwork.

“I would do anything to get out of this…” Well… except play nice with Steel.

Sure, he wasn’t as bad as the rumors made him out to be but she still didn’t like him. At least the girls weren’t gossiping about him all the time!

“Oi! Rainbow Dyke you in!?” Rainbow blinked as she got up and went to the door to answer it, “It’s been a long time!”

Rainbow looked at the brown and white griffon with a wide grin before giving her a hug, which was returned awkwardly.

“Gilda! How’ve you been you overgrown buzzard!” Rainbow asked happily, “It’s been way too long!”

“Yeah, yeah get off me ya sappy pony.” Gilda said gruffly pushing Rainbow off her, “So what’ve you been doing? I thought you were doing stunt flying or something?”

“I wish. But seriously I’m the Weather manager for Ponyville, at least until I can get into the Wonderbolts.” Rainbow said, “It’s kinda lame but I can’t say I don’t like the job.”

“Lame.” Gilda said, rolling her eyes, “You’re too cool for such a lame job. Why not leave it to some other dweeb and focus on your training.”

“Still got living expenses.” Rainbow said, “Anyway I can’t wait to introduce you to my friends!”

“Great…”

Rainbow wasn’t blind to her second best friends (first of course being Fluttershy)… abrasive personality. Another failing of Gilda’s is she didn’t know how to take a joke, if it was anypony else she’d laugh (even more if it was a meanspirited joke) but when she’s the butt of the joke she gets all angry and resentful.

And seeing Gilda storm off in a huff right in the middle of Pinkie’s surprise party, Rainbow prayed to Celestia she didn’t go off on anypony like (Celestia forbid!) Flutters! Or Steel even!

Especially Steel… given that Griffins have hollow bones and unlike ponies Griffins don’t get to enjoy having magic-enhanced durability.

“Just… let her cool off Pinkie.” Rainbow said, trying to reassure her bubbly friend, “How about I go and talk to her okay?”

Pinkie sniffed but nodded, not saying anything. Giving the pink mare a hug (it’s not gay unless your teats touch) Rainbow took off to follow Gilda in hopes to prevent her from scaring (Flutters) or triggering (Steel) anypony.

“Oh yeah? Why should I apologize to the little priss? Whatcha gonna do about it mud pony!?”

It was like watching two air carriages colliding in mid-air, you know you should look away but you can. Rainbow knew she should do something, anything to prevent her oldest friend from being turned into paste or pillow stuffing but she couldn’t bring herself to move.

All she could do was think, “She just had to go there…”

Unlike Rainbow who knew how to take a joke the same couldn’t be said about everypony else, especially when species (or Tribalism) is brought up. The fact that she threw “mud pony” in the face of a stallion that had killed (and according to rumor butchered and eaten) a manticore Rainbow was legitimately terrified that Gilda be reduced to chunky salsa and feathers!

“Mud pony huh? Okay.” Steel said cracking his neck, “Listen you overgrown Catbird you look like trouble. The last one to be trouble was a manitcore. And he was delicious so fucking check yourself before I decide what barbeque griffon fucking tastes like!” He added with a snarl that honestly made Glida’s (and Rainbow’s) hackles rise.

“Fucking freak pony!” Gilda spat back, “How’s the rest of town feel about having a damn cannibal living among them!?”

Steel just laughed at that, and given how deep his voice was naturally it was a booming and intimidating sound. Rainbow also noticed how the entire square had emptied out only until herself, Flutters, Gilda, and Steel remained.

“First of all Catbird-” Gilda snarled, “-I’m a Horse not a Pony. Second Horses are omnivores as are Ponies. Third, it's not cannibalism unless it's members of the same species.” Steel explained not at all phased by Gilda’s snarl, “What? Gonna hit me? I’ll give you a free shot Catbird… but a word of advice. You better make sure I don’t get up because if I do well…”

“Oh Celestia… is she gonna…”

“You ain’t no dweeb like the rest of these ponies.” Gilda said eyeing him, “So… how about we go somewhere private and ruffle my feathers hmm?”

Rainbow nearly groaned, as the exact same thing happened when she and Gilda first met.

“I wouldn’t mount you with a stolen dick.” Rainbow nearly laughed at that, “You come here to reconnect with a friend, Rainbow I assume, and when she introduces you to her new friends you’re belligerent, dismissive, and hostile. Though I can easily assume that part of that is Pinkie’s fault. And after making the kindest gentlest mare in all of Equestria in my opinion cry… you want me to ruffle your feathers?”

Gilda’s beak just dropped open at the rather savage shut down.

“What I think you need to do is pull your head outta your ass and learn to take a fucking joke! Now get outta here!” Steel finished before he turned to focus on Flutters.

“... Come on Gilda…” Rainbow said suddenly beside Glida, “Let’s go talk in private.”

Gilda nodded in a daze before she and Rainbow took off.