Rejection and Sunflowers

“Are you serious right now?”

Me and Cloudchaser both gave Milky Way stunned looks as we idly hovered next to the restaurant we had just left, Raindrops watching with a bored expression with a straw in her mouth that she was slowly chewing on.

“I’m very serious about that. If I get thirty bits, I’ll go try the Dizzatron at the academy again,” Milky announced as I flapped my wings absent mindedly.

“Why?” I asked as Raindrops continued chewing on her straw. “I saw you pass. All three of us were there and had to do it again. I’d rather not do it again.”

“How you became a lead pony I’ll never know,” Milky scoffed and gave me a playful shove as we all laughed.

It had been common knowledge among us Wonderbolt trainees that Spitfire made me a lead pony to gain more confidence and get better at flying.

“Where’s White Lightning, Sassaflash, Cloudkicker, Merry May, Dizzy Twister and Sprinkle Medley?” I asked curiously and looked around for the others. I’d never been to Ponyville before now but well, I had been sent a letter by Cloudchaser to come visit. “Oh and Rainbow?”

We had become quick friends and pen pals. Raindrops was the first to become my friend at the academy after she gave me some pointers at better cloud busting. Other than Milky Way of course but we had been kids since we were kids.

“They’re all at the academy still. Be back next week according to Dizzy’s letter. As for Rainbow, she’s dealing with some monster emergency,” Raindrops scoffed and switched the straw to the other side of her mouth.

I examined the stronger looking mare before nodding. Raindrops always was a bit stronger than me. Bit scary at first when we first met. She may have an anger issue and intimidating, but deep down she’s a nice mare.

“Does that happen often here?” I asked worriedly as they all chuckled, Milky flinging a foreleg around my neck.

“You have no idea,” Milky chuckled again and removed his hoof with a smile. “This town is a monster magnet.”

I hummed and shrugged. Raindrops had told me something similar once in a letter but I’m the type to believe when I see it. And well, now I guess I can say I saw the truth behind her words.

“Hey, wasn’t Thunderlane and Bulk Biceps supposed to join us?” Raindrops asked and looked around as Milky snickered, our eyes falling on him. “Milky Way. Where are they?”

“Celebrating with Time Turner while Derpy and his two daughters are out of town on a girls week. Time Turner, those two, Caramel and Big Mac are having poker night at Caramels house. I was invited but poker isn’t my thing. I wanted to spend time with you three,” Milky Way answered and rubbed his mane with a hoof. “Caramel wanted prostitutes or a strip club but Time Turner refused. He’s a pretty loyal stallion to his wife.”

“Oh okay,” Cloudchaser rolled her eyes. “Meadow is here all week so we can do something later with those two once their guys night is over or something.”

I giggled behind a hoof as I did a quick loop, the others smiling slightly.

“Wanna go flying?” Milky Way asked and I nodded after he nudged me. “Well, I’m right behind you. I’m your wing pony after all.”

“Im always down to go flying,” I answered and I took off with a loud giggle followed by a smirk.

I did a barrel roll, catching Milky Way and Cloudchaser formed on my left and right, Raindrops formed up behind me as I rolled back over to face straight ahead.

I idly wished the other two were here but well, we all celebrate in our own ways. It’s not like I won’t see them this week.

“Straight ahead! Pattern change!” I called out and pointed up above us. Lead pony always called out to his or her wing ponies when a pattern change was coming up.

“Acknowledged!” The other three called back as we angled up sharply. I bit back a laugh as the wind blew my mane all over the place before I rolled my hoof around, thrusting a hoof down ward at a oddly shaped building that I saw earlier today. Still don’t know what it was.

I dove and pressed my wings to my side, the other three mimicking my action before we pulled up before we could go splat, soaring around the building before we slowed down and landed.

“I see why you’re a lead pony,” Raindrops mused as she shook her wings and grinned widely at me. “I’m impressed. Nice call outs too by the way.”

My cheeks tinged pink as I accepted their praises, Cloudchaser patting my back as I offered my own praises.

“What is this place?” I asked curiously and gestured at the crystal looking building in next to us.

“Rarity’s boutique. She’s a-” Milky Way started and my eyes widened as I cut him off.

“Element of generosity,” I answered and jumped on my hooves. “You three know Rarity?”

“I wouldn’t say know her,” Cloudchaser corrected as she raised an eyebrow. “I see her around here and there. She’s mainly know for her dresses and well, Raindrops and I aren’t really the type to wear dresses often. I know Rainbow and Fluttershy better.”

“And Pinkie Pie,” Raindrops added as a small smile crossed her muzzle. “I caught her, you caught Princess Twilight, Milky caught Applejack, Thunderlane caught Rarity and Cloudchaser caught Fluttershy.”

My eyes practically became saucers. I’m from the poor district of Canterlot. That’s where I grew up. Ponies like me don’t really get out often. The ones that do are the ones who made it in life. I live there by choice, to be reminded of what I came from. And ponies like me definitely see royalty or become trainees for the best flyers in Equestria unless you’re lucky.

“And Bulk caught a care package!” Cloudchaser giggled as she shifted on her hooves.

“Did you three hear that?” Milky asked suddenly and his ear flicked slightly as we all fell silent, straining to hear whatever he did.

“No,” I answered after a few moments. “What did you-?”

“Shh!” He cut me off quickly and I growled softly. “There!”

“So uh Rarity,” I faintly made out somepony talking as Milky grinned slightly, flapping his wings quietly to peer into an open window.

“We are so bucked if we get caught,” Cloudchaser muttered under her breath. “Him and his need to know everything about everypony.”

Inside a room full of fabric was a white unicorn, Rarity I corrected myself that was trotting back to a desk with her back to us as a dragon stepped forward with flowers in a claw.

I normally don’t feel okay with spying but this? I’m all about romance, okay? It’s my thing I guess. And seeing ponies getting together always makes my day, even if it’s private. Or well, a pony and a dragon in this case. But hey, love doesn’t discriminate on race.

“Yes darling?” Rarity asked without turning around.

“This is awkward,” Raindrops grumbled and glared. “I like being around Spike as much as the next pony, but this is weird as hay.”

“We’ve known each other for a long time and well,” Spike inhaled as we watched closer. Even Raindrops seemed into it more now as she smiled slightly. “Wanna be my special somepony? I got your favorite flowers.”

“I appreciate the gesture Spike darling truly,” Rarity turned around finally and we ducked down quickly. “But I must decline. I’ve always viewed you as a brother of sorts, not a romantic partner. I’m currently just doing me at the moment. I hope you understand there’s no malicious intent here Spikey Wikey.”

“This really got awkward,” I mumbled and my ears flattened against my head.

“I understand,” Spike sighed and I dared to peek up more as Rarity placed a hoof on his shoulder. “I’m uh gonna head home. I think Twilight needed my help in a bit and I don’t wanna be late.”

“I see. My door is always open for you darling. I hope I see you tomorrow morning at the party Pinkie planned at Sugarcube Corner.”

Spike nodded wordlessly as Rarity levitated the flowers to her face, sniffing them with a content smile before putting them in a vase.

“Poor Spike,” Cloudchaser commented once we dropped the ground. “He’s a nice dragon. One of a kind, really. He’s always offering to help me and Flits out.”

“Nerve of that mare!” Raindrops snarled angrily and kicked her hind legs out. “Turning him down, especially after his growing incident and trying to stay friends. You don’t stay friends after a rejection like that. Ponies have ended friendships for less!”

“I mean, she was super nice about it. She could have been rude like other mares have in the past to me,” Milky pointed out and I nodded my agreement. “But I agree, poor little dude.”

The door opened and we all watched as Spike stepped out, his tail dragging on the ground and my breath caught in my throat.

“Woah,” Cloudchaser said with wide eyes as Spike continued walking away slowly.

“I’m gonna go check on him,” I announced as they gave me startled looks.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Raindrops interjected. “I’m not the best at relationships but I do know Spike. And he needs a few hours to himself till he goes to the castle, gets a bath and a cup of tea.”

We fell silent as we stared at her and she slowly blushed.

“What?”

“You know a lot about him,” I noted with a snicker.

“We meet up every weekend,” Raindrops admitted as her blush grew. “He helps out with my anger issues and well, I help out with him feeling useless.”

“Uh huh,” Milky Way grinned at her and she scowled slightly. “Sure you two aren’t dating? Ow!”

Raindrops whapped him hard with a wing and slowly retracted it as he rubbed his head in pain.

“I retract that statement.”

“Anyway, she’s right,” Cloudchaser looked at me. “I know Spike well too. He might react better to me than you, no offense Meadow. Or Flitter. I’d say give him a few hours to calm down, then we go check on him. Or you can go now. We won’t stop you. You’re a grown mare after all. You know where my house is so stop by after and I’ll set up your spare room.”

I gave a grateful nod and took off into the sky after Spike.

I rested ontop of my cloud that I was slowly pushing across the sky, following Spike as he sat down on a bench and I paused.

I didn’t really know what to say to be honest. I’m good with words once I get started but it’s getting started that’s the hard part.

“If you’re gonna prank me Rainbow Dash, please don’t. Today sucks,” Spike called out as his eyes looked up at my cloud. “I’m serious.”

A flower flew through the cloud and I gave a startled yelp, jumping off and settling down on the ground as his eyes widened. I didn’t even think a flower could get thrown that hard.

“Sorry. I thought you were somepony else,” Spike gave me an apologetic look.

“So you just throw stuff at ponies?” I deadpanned and he shifted nervously with a guilty expression.

“It’s normally Rainbow hiding above me or others in clouds. She can regain a lot faster than the normal pegasus can but I suppose you’re right. Sorry about that,” Spike sighed and glanced at me.

“It’s okay,” I shrugged and dropped down on the bench next to him as he raised an eyebrow. “Just don’t do it again please. I didn’t even think you could throw a flower that hard.”

“It’s specially treated to last longer which also makes it stronger. I’m not gonna pretend to know what Twilight did to it,” Spike answered and looked away. “Who are you? Never seen you before.”

“Meadow Flower. Spike, right?”

“Yeah. I never you told you my name,” Spike eyed me suspiciously and I gulped nervously as I fluttered my wings.

“I accidentally overheard you and Rarity talking,” I admitted finally. “The window was open. I’m sorry for snooping.”

“A part of me feels like I should be angrier than I am. I’m just sad mainly. I’ve spent years after Rarity,” Spike explained as his shoulders sagged. “I don’t know what I expected.”

I sat quietly as he continued talking and I nodded slowly. I didn’t really date much as a kid, and especially not as an adult.

“You know my cutie mark is a sunflower,” I started and jabbed a hoof at my flank. My nicely toned flanks if I’m being honest. Working out constantly made me have a leaner figure. “My thing is making ponies and well, other creatures in this case feel sunny and happy! There’s better days ahead Spike. Believe me, that’s coming from me. I always look on the bright side.”

Spike stared at me with an unreadable expression as I waited patiently for him to process. It had been pretty similar with the others. When nervous, I usually just spill out random words.

“Thanks I guess,” Spike sighed and I frowned before placing a wing around him. “What are you doing?”

“It’s called a wing hug Spike. Pegasi do it to comfort other pegasi who need it. It’s a sign of goodwill and comfort,” I explained as he paused before leaning into the hug. “It’s okay if you wanna keep crying. It’s natural for someponies.”

“I’m not crying,” Spike answered pointedly and I raised an eyebrow slightly before flicking a wing under one of his eyes carefully, holding it up to show it was soaking wet. “Not a word to anypony please? I’m uh sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I wagged a hoof and smiled slightly. “Never met a dragon before. Didn’t know they cried.”

“You’re nice for a pony who has never met a dragon, you’re handling this quite well. Most usually run screaming away from me when they see me. Mainly Canterlot,” Spike folded his arms and I frowned.

“Kindness is my thing. It’s related to my cutie mark after all,” I giggled behind a hoof before pointing at my flank again. “Screw others if they don’t like you. You seem quite nice.”

“You’ve just met me. How do you not know I’m a big jerk behind closed doors?” Spike asked and I slid off the bench, dropping onto all four as I folded my wings against my sides winking at him.

“I’m a good judge of character. I hope I see you again Spike. Take care,” I answered and smiled warmly at him.

I turned around and trotted off, leaving a staring Spike behind me.