Who Is That?

I swished my tail as I followed Rainbow or well, followed the smell of cider to be exact. The mare reeked of alcohol and I don’t blame her honestly. I miss being able to drink legally. I should probably ask around and find the best bar around town. From the rumors I’ve already heard, Berry Punch ran the local tavern and was the best at it.

If memory served me right, a toothpaste looking unicorn had carried Berry Punch home. She had looked oddly familiar but not sure why. Lyra is the only pony I really remember from my past.

“I think I’m gonna go back to the castle,” I mused and shifted nervously. “I mean, it’s not a huge deal to met her.”

“Nope. You’re meeting my co worker and that’s that,” Rainbow proclaimed as she dropped behind me and started pushing me forward. “Don’t get cold hooves, let’s move!”

I growled slightly as she continued pushing my flanks.

“If you don’t get your hooves off my flank,” I warned as she stopped pushing me. “Thank you.”

We both stopped walking as I inhaled the air. It was something I didn’t know I missed until I was here. The human world was so noisy and smelled awful. Here, it’s so quiet and peaceful. The only noises are ponies or insects. The occasional monster in the Everfree making noises.

My nose twitched at the smell of lilies and I was definitely sure it wasn’t Rainbow. She smelled more like a football game with beer mixed in.

“Hey Rainbow,” Cloudchaser stood in front of us with that smile I liked a lot. It suited her a lot. “Hey stranger.”

“H-hi,” I stammered and internally cursed myself out. I’m Sunset Shimmer, I don’t get phased by thinking someone or somepony is attractive. I’m the dominant one, not a shy pony like Fluttershy. “Hey there.”

“Hey Cloudy,” Rainbow grinned and hovered behind me as she wrapped a hoof around my neck. “This is my friend, Sunset Shimmer. She’s visiting from out of town for the next few weeks.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Cloudchaser said smoothly as I shook her hoof. Her voice sounded smooth as silk and easy on the ears. Her hoof was soft and I stared for a second longer than I should.

“Likewise,” I said as my mouth went dry again as I examined her lean frame yet again. I should have brought more water with me.

“I’ll see you around Rainbow. Gotta escort my baby sister home,” Cloudchaser rolled her eyes and smiled again at me. “Thank Celestia Flitter is inside still otherwise she’d give me the twin lecture again.”

Rainbow gave a low chuckle as I yawned behind a hoof.

“You know,” Rainbow said casually as we watched Cloudchaser trot away to Sugarcube Corner where a similar looking pegasus that I saw earlier with the pink bow was waiting. “I have weekly dinners with them and Fluttershy. Fluttershy was right about Cloudy being single. You can come along as my guest and I’ll be your wing mare.”

“It’s fine,” I waved a hoof casually in the air. “I don’t want to intrude. That’s your guys thing.”

“Look, do you want the Cloudchaser shaped bird or not?” Rainbow demanded as she slammed a hoof into the dirt and swayed slightly before I caught her with my magic. “Thanks.”

“I don’t even know if I like her. I just met her today Rainbow. And I live in a whole ‘nother world, remember? I’ve literally only been here a span of about twelve hours or so,” I reminded her flatly as she rolled her eyes.

“Okay fine. If I beat you in a race, you have to come to dinner with me and Cloudchaser. If you by some miracle win, you don’t gotta go,” Rainbow suggested and gave me a devilish grin. “Deal?”

Rainbow spread her wings and crouched low as I chewed my lip.

“Deal.”

I flopped onto my back on the bed in the room Twilight had allowed me to use as Rainbow fluttered above me with a proud smirk as Twilight and Spike both gave me concerned looks.

“You could have told me how fast she was or that she could do a sonic rainboom,” I gasped out and levitated a bottle of water to me. “Sweet Jesus.”

“What’s a Jesus?” Rainbow asked and frowned slightly. “Anyway, you did almost beat me. I’d be more upset about you using magic to run faster but I never said you couldn’t so. And besides, I did say you’d need a miracle to beat me. I’m the fastest thing in Equestria.”

“Why the hell aren’t you a Wonderbolt yet?” I demanded breathlessly as her eyes lit up.

“Don’t feed her ego,” Twilight warned with a smirk. “She goes to the Wonderbolt academy alongside some other ponies here in town.”

“I’m just a reservist right now. Maybe one day they’ll make me a full fledged member. Then I can show off for all of Equestria and get paid for it!” Rainbow cheered as she flew into the ceiling. “Ow!”

I giggled softly as she rubbed her head with a wing, wincing slightly before she grinned at me.

“And since I won, you have to follow through with our bet. If nothing happens between you and her, I’ll never make you again. But if something does, you owe me big time!”

I grimaced slightly at that. The list could honestly be endless and let’s be real, I don’t have any bits to do anything crazy expensive.

“You owe me a cider!” Rainbow flung a hoof and I sighed in relief. Cider was relatively cheap, even the nice brands were only a few bits. “And all the details. I’m not Rarity, but I do enjoy my fair share of gossip. Like the fact Soarin and Fleetfoot are sleeping together.”

Twilight rolled her eyes and I snickered with Rainbow.

“Anyway, I’ll come get you in a few days. Don’t tell Rarity anypony because she will freak and try to turn this into a full blown date. We’re just testing the waters with these two. I’m looking at you Spike!” Rainbow continued and shot Spike a look. “We all know how tight you and Rares are.”

“Fine. I’m going to go sleep now. Night Sunset. It’s nice to see you again in your true pony form again,” Spike waved a claw and waddled through the door.

“Bye Spike!” We called out. “Sleep well!”

“So ready to own up and do your part?” Rainbow asked as she leaned toward me with a large grin that screamed she was planning something. That made me more worried. Rainbow planning stuff usually went poorly. For both versions I heard.

“I’m a mare of my word,” I sighed finally and locked eyes. “Yes, I will go to dinner with you and your friends.”

“And your potential marefriend,” Twilight teased as I rolled my eyes with a faint pink tinge on my cheeks.

“Maybe get you laid. I’m pretty sure the leak in my sink has seen more action than you have recently,” Rainbow commented and I choked on air.

“Hey!” I snapped and shot her a glare. “I’ve been laid recently. And besides, I’m not interested in hooking up with Cloudchaser.”

“When the dinosaurs roamed the earth,” Rainbow answered and I snorted as I cuddled up against the blankets.

“It was uh,” I searched for the words. “Sweet Celestia, it was almost two to three years ago. I doubt your any better Dash.”

“Oh it was five years ago,” Rainbow said instantly and her eyes widened as she sat down on her plot and Twilight started laughing with me. “Damn.”

I grinned in triumphant as I rested my head on the pillow. After trying to catch Rainbow for damn near an hour, I needed this desperately.

I’m just not entirely looking forward to going to dinner with Rainbow.

Knowing my luck, I’d embarrass myself somehow.