Rainbow Dash felt the cool evening wind billow on her mane and coat. The pegasus wore a happy grin, loving being in her element. She flipped her head as she flew, moving the strands of her mane from her eyes. The speedster flapped her wings in delight, enjoying the nighttime flight.

Scootaloo is wonderful at all she does. I’m really gonna miss that kid when I’m at the academy. Hope she’ll be alright without me around for a while.

The cyan mare broke out of her pensive monologue and peered in the distance, noticing Ponyville was getting closer. She flew towards her destination, feeling her stomach rumble. It’d been many hours since she ate that muffin and oat smoothie. Dinner would be most welcome.

She gazed at the horizon and saw the sun was slowly lowering. Rainbow surmised Celestia was making way for her sister to raise the moon. She hypothesized there was less than ten minutes before the celestial objects were to swap places.

The weatherpony continued quickly towards the town If the night was imminent, she guessed the rest of the girls were heading to Twilight’s library; The usual rendezvous. She passed a few houses on the perimeter of Ponyville, flying over some roads that still carried traveling ponies. A few talked with each other while more were silently trotting to their destinations.

Seems the town's bustling tonight. Makes sense, since it’s Saturday night and all.

Rainbow tore her gaze away from the small throng and stared forwards. Her wings flapped again vigorously and she released a yawn. The pony wasn’t going at her usual speed tonight.

Huh. Guess playing with Squirt again made me more tired than usual. That energetic filly is quite a hoofful at times, heh.

The library was entering her viewpoint and Rainbow grinned in excitement. She maneuvered her body, using the wind speed and her angle to glide without her own impetus. Dash whistled to herself as she got closer.

Hope the girls are hungry tonight. I sure am. Feel like my stomach is about to digest itself.

Rainbow Dash continued gliding along, noticing that the sun declined further in the horizon. The temperature became chillier without the warmth of the celestial object. The weatherpony didn’t flinch. Cold temperatures were common in her work and she was long accustomed to fluctuations.

She wiped her tufts of prismatic mane from her eyes and squinted. The library was perhaps five-hundred feet away. The weathermare gazed at the wooden structured facility. Different types of wood comprised the library. Mahogany, oak, cherry wood, cedar, birch, among others. Twilight had once gushed about every type that constructed her athenaeum, but Rainbow could not memorize and recite them like the egghead unicorn.

The door of the library opened and Rainbow watched as Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie emerged. She grit her teeth and flapped her wings again. Her body seemed sapped and the pegasus found it odd. The leisurely walk and small race with Scootaloo wasn’t even qualified to count for Rainbow’s warm-up routine.

You’re not spent, Rainbow. Focus. Get a move on and meet the girls.

The self-motivation eased her mind and her body advanced towards the library. Her wings flapped, but she descended her speed to avoid any accidents to the facility that she was notorious for causing.

Easy, now. You don’t want Twilight chastising you for crashing through another window.

Her mind again caused her body to accelerate in a steady and leisurely manner. She was only one-hundred feet from Golden Oak Library. Rainbow called out to the two mares.

“Hey! Pinkie! Fluttershy!”

She observed both mares looking around for a moment before Pinkie locked eyes with her. The bubbly vivacious mare hopped on her curly poofy tail exuberantly and shouted back.

“Hi Rainbow Dash!”

Fluttershy grinned at her friend and waved a hoof at her and Rainbow reciprocated it. A moment later, she landed next to them and the three friends shared a group hug.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Rainbow.” Fluttershy said with a playful nudge.

“Sorry, Shy! Had an important task after we met this afternoon. All squared away now.”

Pinkie broke the embrace and placed a pink hoof on both of the mares back and ushered them into the library.

Fluttershy and Rainbow trotted inside, guided by Pinkie’s force. Rainbow entered and saw Twilight, Rarity and Applejack near the door and greeted them all warmly.

“Hey, everypony. Sorry if I was a bit late.”

Applejack chuckled and readjusted her stetson. She stepped forward and playfully socked Rainbow on the shoulder.

“Aw shucks, Rainbow. Ah was thinkin’ ya were sleepin’ o’ summin. Yer always takin’ naps often.”

The prismatic-maned pegasus shook her head.

“Nope! I Just had something important to do.” Rainbow responded, returning the playful sock to AJ’s shoulder.

Both mares laughed and hugged. While embracing the farmpony, Rarity spoke and addressed Rainbow Dash.

“I’m happy to hear you weren’t asleep and almost missed dinner, Rainbow Dash. But we must hurry. Our reservations are in half an hour.”

Rainbow broke the hug with Applejack and stepped towards the white-pastel unicorn. She reached towards Rarity, and the fashionista closed the gap and hugged Rainbow. The pegasus gleefully returned the cuddle.

“No sweat. I’m the fastest pony in Equestria. I could make it to the restaurant in ten seconds flat, but I’d have to wait for you slowpokes to catch up. Heh heh.” Rainbow spoke frolicsome and it made Rarity chortle.

“We know, darling. We’re sure to make the reservation, though. The eatery is only two blocks away.”

The unicorn broke the snuggle with the pegasus and Twilight spoke to the speedster next.

“Aren’t you forgetting somepony, Rainbow?”

Rainbow turned towards her and cocked an eyebrow. She grinned and answered. “Forget somepony?”

The weathermare closed the distance quickly and wrapped her hooves around the lavender unicorn in a gentle embrace.

“How could I ever forget my favorite egghead, Twilight?”

The studious mare guffawed and placed her hooves around Rainbow’s neck, pulling her friend in closer in their simultaneous squeeze. She nuzzled Rainbow’s cheek blithely.

The cyan mare reciprocated the action and both ponies snuggled another moment before Twilight stepped back. She addressed her five best friends.

“Is everypony ready to head out?”

The five collectively nodded their heads concomitantly and each bore an exhilarated smile. Twilight smiled at each of her friends in turn before craning her head and shouting up to the second floor.

“Spike! The girls and I are heading out! Feel free to take the rest of the night off from your duties. I’ll see you later.”

“Aww, sweet! Comics, here I come!” Spike yelled energetically.

Twilight chortled at the peppy spirit of her number one assistant. She turned her gaze back to her friends and instructed them all to head out.

Pinkie bounced cheerfully to the entryway and exited. Following her was Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Twilight left last. She cast a spell and the door closed softly.

All six ponies were outside and gazing up at the sky. The moon was in a waning gibbous phase and twinkled beautifully in the starry sky. A few dark clouds floated listlessly at different altitudes

“Gorgeous! Simply magnificent, darlings!” Rarity gushed.

“Yeah! You know, I never stopped to admire the beauty of the dusk before. It’s really pretty, especially with the stars.” Rainbow replied.

“Yes, the crepuscular period is quite prepossessing, girls. But I’m afraid we’ll need to postpone beholding the magnificence of the sky, lest we wish to lose our reservations.” Twilight quipped.

Rainbow and Rarity shared a nervous laugh with each other and broke free from their surveying.

The six friends walked in unison towards the eatery they had decided on. Rainbow spoke up.

“Hey, Pinkie. Remind me the name of the place we’re going to again?”

Pinkie gave a gigglesnort and replied to her indefatigable speed obsessed pegasus pal.

“It’s called Piero’s Pasta Parlor and Pizzeria, Dashie! Just opened last Tuesday and I’ve already met everypony who works there. The owner, Piero, is a totally fun pony. They even have a mariachi band there, you guys!”

“A mariachi band? Aww, yeah! That’s pretty radical, Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow replied with zestful exuberance.

Pinkie emitted another gigglesnort and then bounced jovially towards Rainbow.

“I know, right?” This’ll be so fun!”

The two mares continued their conversation and Fluttershy turned to Rarity and struck up one of her own.

“So, Rarity, what will you be shopping for when you head into Manehattan tomorrow?”

The white unicorn looked at the yellow pegasus, with sparkles in her eyes. They twinkled as Rarity recited her items.

“I need a lot more toile and chiffon. I’m running low on satin and bastiste as well, darling. Though, I seldom use bastiste, it’s best to have on hoof. Never know when a potential client will request an ensemble that calls for some.”

Fluttershy nodded at the response and was privy to different materials. She posed another question.

“Satin is rather expensive lately. Have you noticed the price jump in this month’s issue of Cosmarepolitan?”

Rarity placed a trembling hoof on her forehead and leaned backwards, gesticulating emotions of astonishment and disbelief.

“I sure have! Twenty bits a yard! But, it’s quite lavish, and certainly worth the cost.”

Fluttershy and Rarity continued conversing, and Twilight turned to the orange mare, striking up a chat with the farmpony.

“So, Applejack, how’s the farm doing this month? We’re midway through October. Is that a good profit month for business?”

“Ya bet! October is one o’ the best months fer the farm. Pumpkins, parsnips, sweet potatoes, celery stalks, jus’ ta name a few. We drum up lots o’ biz fer Sweet Apple Acres.”

Twilight gave a satisfied smile at the good news and glanced at AJ.

“I’m pleased to hear that, Applejack! And if you or you kin ever need any help, you only need to ask. I still remember the fiasco you had when you were obstinate about tackling Applebucking Season alone a few years ago.”

The reflection of her past demeanor made the farmpony blush bashfully.

“Ah remember, Twilight. Ah’ve come a long way since then. Ah was so prideful an’ had confidence it was easy ta handle on my own. Boy, howdy, was ah mistaken.”

Twilight tittered and grinned at the stetson wearing pony.

“And who could forget the disasters that arose from your sleep deprived escapades? Over propelling pegasus, practically poisoning plenty of ponies, and unleashing bushels of brand new bouncing baby bunnies.”

Applejack adjusted her hat so it covered her eyes. She looked at the cobblestone and kicked a small boulder.

“Goshdarnit. Ah don’ wanna rememb’r all that. Thanks fer teachin’ me that ah hafta swallow mah pride an’ ask fer help from mah friends when summin is too big ta handle on mah own.”

Twilight gave another small beam to her honest friend and continued chatting about farm life and business.

All six mares were engrossed in their respective conversations. Rainbow and Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy, and Twilight and Applejack. They were absorbed in the chatter that they arrived at Piero’s Pasta Parlor and Pizzeria before cognizance kicked in.

They only realized it when Rarity had collided with somepony who was leaving the eatery. Both ponies stumbled backwards from the impulsion. Rarity immediately and profusely apologized.

“Oh my goodness! I am so sorry, darling. My attention was somewhere else. I hope you’re not hurt.”

The stallion who she collided with released a low chuckle and waved a dismissive hoof.

“No problem, my good mare. Accidents do happen. I’m just fine.”

They smiled at another and parted. All six ponies were abreast, and looked up at the facility. It was very grandiose.

The large, elongated restaurant was dual-leveled. It was bedecked with illuminated lights of different food items. A large cheese pizza slice served as the tittle for the ‘I’ in ‘pizza’. The eatery was mostly composed of wood, with a bit of bricks to support most of the foundation.

Concurrently, the tummies of the six ponies rumbled with esurience. They shared a collective bashful chuckle from the cacophony. Each of them ascended the six stairs that comprised the staircase. Rainbow and Fluttershy held the door open for the other four friends. The mares thanked the pegasi and entered. Fluttershy and Rainbow quickly joined them.

The interior was decorated like a typical Italian eatery. Checkerboard tablecloths covered each table at each bar or booth. A mariachi band, composed of a quintet, were playing a polka tune. The illuminated lights shined brightly, coating the inside of the restaurant with a warm glow. It was a tad crowded, but Twilight could see a few empty areas where customers could be seated. The six mares trotted towards the host station and the maitre’d regarded them.

He was a stocky unicorn stallion with a green coat. He wore an elegant suit jacket, black trousers, and four shiny and impeccable dress shoes. The name tag on his suit jacket gave his name.

Quick Silver

“Good evening, everypony. Do you have a reservation?”

Rarity addressed him back. “Yes. It should be under “Rarity”. Party of six.”

The maitre’d perused the notepad by the desk station. He flipped a page and moved his hoof down to match the position his eyes were reading.

“Ah! Here we are. Please follow me, everypony.”

Author's Note

I'm enjoying the progress lately. Have a new chapter!