Author's Note
writing out of order is my passion hehe
wrote this a month ago. cleaned up the draft. here it is :3
Word Count: 1,510
Oneshot
The moment DJ Pon3 got behind the music, the wedding reception erupted joyfully, and the crowd circled the newlyweds, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor. Amongst the bridesmaids surrounding them, Rainbow Dash bopped about on her cream-white hooves, along with the rest of her friends. With beats like this, she would dance and bust some awesome moves, had she not been exhausted and surrounded by the guests.
The day had really been something. When everything seemed calm and perfect, it was revealed that something sinister had been going on. It managed to get past the groom, the Captain of the Royal Guard, and set off the chaos that followed soon after.
Exhaustion washed over her body from fighting off the Changelings and performing the Sonic Rainboom earlier. She wouldn’t admit it outright, but she needed a break. Maybe a drink would help. Taking a glance at her friends, she could see that they were in the same place, swaying about and only lifting their hooves in unison with the couple ever so often.
Once the first dance was over, everypony dispersed, going about the reception. However, more ponies crowded the couple, swarming the bridesmaids, too. The five mares swiftly left the area, heading off to mingle or be alone for a bit. Rainbow took the chance to head to the catering tables. A swig of cold apple cider would refresh her.
She scanned the table for said beverage but to her displeasure, there wasn’t any. With a huff, she resorted to the berry punch being served in the fancy glassware.
Yet, as soon as she stepped away, glass in her wing and about to take down it, somepony bumped into her from behind. Rainbow squeezed the glass, careful not to spill her refreshment, and once she was sure it hadn’t, she turned around to face the pony.
“Hey!” she called out hastily only to freeze in less than a second. Her muzzle flushed bright red, embarrassed, once she saw who it was.
Stunned and nervous, a Wonderbolt, in a formal uniform, stood before her. Since the pony was taller than her, she looked up to see the rest of him. Bingo! His light blue coat, his navy mane, and his bright green eyes were all the pointers Rainbow needed to identify this one.
It was Soarin, the Commander of the Wonderbolts.
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! What is he doing here? The cerulean pegasus didn’t recall hearing about the Wonderbolts being invited to the wedding. Maybe she missed it? But how? She’s their biggest fan! If they’d been mentioned, surely she would’ve known!
“Sorry!” Soarin sputtered. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.” His eyebrows furrowed, stealing a quick lookover. “You’re… pretty short for a pegasus.”
“Hey!” she huffed, snapping out of her trance. She’d stand up on her hind legs and puff out her wings if she wasn’t surrounded by others. “I’m average height!” She’s still upset about the treatment she got at the Galloping Gala months ago, so she wasn’t too thrilled to see one of them. The Wonderbolts had invited her to hang out with them in the VIP section, only to ignore her. Twilight would later make her realize that they most likely didn’t mean to. The Wonderbolts were famous! They were bound to be distracted talking to others, especially those of Canterlot.
The navy-maned stallion backed away ever so slightly, startled before frowning once more. He looked over the rainbow-maned mare, and it hit him. “Wait a minute. You’re Rainbow Dash, aren’t you?”
The recognition made her forget her past anger. He recognized her… A Wonderbolt recognized her! “You bet I am!” she exclaimed, thrusting her glass in the air and puffing up her feathery chest. Somehow, her punch didn’t spill over. “I didn’t know the Wonderbolts were invited!”
“We were! At least for the performance…” Soarin scratched the back of his neck. “Got cut out because of the whole Changeling situation so our attendance was made voluntary.”
“Well, that just sucks!” She took a swig of her drink, downing half of it. The coldness of the punch refreshed her, making the suffocating heat quickly leave her. “A performance would've been the icing on the cake!” The mare paused, suddenly taking interest in the intricacy of the embellished glassware from Soarin’s perspective. Really, Rainbow Dash was focused on the newlyweds, who were still dancing and dominating the dancefloor. “Still awesome, though…” she murmured.
Soarin didn't catch onto the last part, what with the music being so loud and bass-heavy. “I don't think we could've beat your stunt, though! That was awesome!” he exclaimed as she took another drink, downing the remainder of the punch.
“Hm-?” She quickly pulled away the glass. “Oh! Well, anything for my best friend's brother and new sister-in-law.”
“Ah,” he chuckled. “That explains why you're here.”
“Dude, I was standing at the altar. I'm one of the bridesmaids!” A frown formed on her muzzle. “Pretty sure I’m the only pony here with a rainbow mane!”
“Well-” His voice drifted away as he struggled to defend himself.
Her expression stuck for a moment before she broke into laughter. It's loud and raspy, earning her looks from the locals of Canterlot. Some go as far as to scoff at her behavior.
Yet Rainbow Dash didn't care. Her free spirit encourages Soarin as he laughs right along, though with a hint of embarrassment.
This was what the cerulean mare hoped to experience at her first Grand Galloping Gala. The privilege to mingle with the Wonderbolts. It was the chance to get to know them. Maybe befriend one while she was at it.
Having subconsciously decided to stay put, the pair chatted as if they'd known each other for years. Rainbow Dash found it comforting that Soarin tolerated her exaggerated version about how Princess Cadance and Shining Armor were the ones to defeat Queen Chrysalis, and Soarin seemed content to tell her about how the Wonderbolts have been since they last saw each other.
And that’s when a song plays. It was the same song the bride and groom had danced to earlier at the opening of the reception. Refreshed and energized, Rainbow Dash started bopping once more, shifting her weight from one knee to another. The urge to prance about was kicking strong but alas, she was surrounded by other ponies who were quite close to her.
Soarin immediately noticed. He kneeled with a cheeky grin, having become comfortable with the rainbow-maned pegasus. “Will you do the honor of dancing with me?” he asked in a mockingly “posh” accent, which was enough to get Rainbow’s attention. Fancy talk, as Rainbow calls it.
Snorts slipped from the cerulean pegasus. Had he not been silly, Rainbow Dash would be freaking out. Something about their chat had shifted something. Maybe it was because they got to know each other on a personal level. “You bet I will!” she stifled out before rushing out to the dancefloor with Soarin following close behind. They shuffled through the crowd, earning themselves a few glares and scoffs for their behavior.
Once on the dancefloor, the suffocation they had felt surrounded by others was gone. With more space, the two kicked up their hooves to the beat. The loud beats of the speakers shook through their bodies, keeping them going. Soarin even propped his wings open, flapping them around, and Rainbow followed suit, creating a show of dancing cerulean and pale cornflower feathered wings. Their dance created some fresh cool air, and the surrounding guests didn’t mind. It was a bit hot, it being the summer and all.
Too caught up in the moment, enjoying each other’s company, neither one noticed the wedding photographer snapping a picture of the two. They were only aware of a sudden flash but the two couldn’t bring themselves to stop the moment for something they thought wasn’t important to investigate.
Soarin’s wings were out, puffing them with pride with the lights shining on his golden and cornflower feathers just right. With where they are, his wings cast a shadow, and with the assistance of the camera’s flash, his emerald eyes pop out. His shadow slightly covers Rainbow, pulling the same effect with her pink eyes as she dipped forward, the camera’s flash pulling the same effect. Both pairs of eyes stood out against the sprinkles of lights shining through the edges of Soarin’s wings, cascading against her mane, transitioning to the hard edge between the shadow and light.
The documented moment would be treasured, along with the many other photos taken at the wedding. Years later, it’d show up in a princess’ scrapbook to celebrate the union of her parents.
But in the present, Rainbow Dash and Soarin weren’t sure what the flash was about. They weren’t aware that their moment was documented and would be used to celebrate the unity of a princess and royal guard. They were only aware of the present and the beats of the song they raved to, taking all of their attention as they enjoyed the night.
