Faulty Thinking

{{{Sorry about the delay. No ponies until my homework has been completed and I’ve been busy and have been swamped for almost two months. It’s a miracle I got it out now and not later. And yes, this will have a second part.}}}

“So you weren’t drunk?”

You were shocked now the truth had come to light. The two mares you had taken in only a few nights ago had taken advantage of your generous nature; tricking you into letting them stay in your house and, worst of all, they used their feminine abilities to paralyze your rational thought and crept into your bed for the night. Ever since you’d been trying to crack one of the conspirators with every interrogation tactic you knew, which was to say you’d asked politely, done a poor good cop bad cop routine by yourself and finally, given her your irresistible puppy dog eyes. No mare could say no to them. After all, you’d tested it thoroughly on your mother from an early age.

But after the fit of hysterics, which was a known side effect of the eyes, the mare had cracked. If Applejack Apple had blushed more than when she was telling this story, you could have mistaken her for her brother. She was ashamed she’d followed Dash’s plan, and had made her humpteenth apology before you’d mentioned her role in the plan.

“Nope but ah wasn’t sober, neither. Dash took me to her reunion in Trottingham only for it to be rescheduled. We went to the local tavern, doing nothing but whine and drink until the night was over. Dash went overboard, getting a bit tipsy, and ah was takin’ her home.” Applejack smirked throughout the beginning of her explanation, seemingly hiding something from you. You picked up on the subtle hint and began to become curious as she continued. “She was rambling about how some old friend didn’t tell her about it being rescheduled, and that he’d made a bad impression last time off. Said she’d been waiting for that apology, and now this one. It sounds like she cared ‘bout him until he did something wrong.”

You nodded, not taking in as much as you possibly should have after a warning alarm went off in the back of your head. You ignored it, letting Applejack continue her masterful storytelling. “Anyhow, ah led her back a coach, but she told the driver to go to this house she knew of, on the outskirts of Ponyville. It saved me a few bits too. We stopped outside your house, after she was mumbling something ‘bout revenge all the way home. She asked me to act drunk, make innuendos and try to look cute.”

You blushed, realising that she had indeed looked cute that night, as well as trying not to make the painfully obvious innuendo you’d used every time some pony said the word. “She knocked on the door and you told us about it not being a residence. Ah suppose you know what happened next.” You’d smiled at her monologue and continued to ignore the bells that were telling you to change the topic. It was the wrong move. “Ah don’t suppose you could explain that ‘revenge’ thing she was talking about.”

Your eyes snap open, taking away your focus from anything but the conversation. “You do know Dash, don’t you? Ah can’t think why she’d stop at your house for revenge for nothing.” The bells had changed to voices, arguing at what to say next. You could almost see the manifestations on your shoulders.

You can do it. She’s not going to let it go otherwise.
But what if she misunderstands? If she thinks you hurt Dash?
She’ll understand. She’s yours now, she has too.
But maybe she can’t. A little white lie never hurt anypony.
She’ll pick up on a lie just like you did so you’ve got to tell her the truth.

“Umm…Are you okay? You ain’t listening to me, are you?” You had to say something. You had to tell her the truth. She’ll understand right… won’t she?

“Look Applejack. I do know her and it’s a long story, but don’t misunderstand me. I really wish it had ended better than it did between me and Dash.”

“So y’all were-”

“Yes. We were friends. Good friends...”

“Surely you’re joking?”

“No, I’m serious. After all, the two of us were the only ones without special someponies. And considering we both have a reputation to look out for I figured you’d ask me to prom as your date.” Dash was serious, although her plan was absurd. Go with your pony friend forever to the prom, just because she didn’t want to go alone or not appear at a social gathering.
It was confusing, ridiculous and… and… perfect. You wouldn’t admit it but you’d had a crush on Rainbow Danger Dash for quite a few years, ever since she helped convinced you to stop acting all mopey and depressed, even if it was by boasting how awesome she was. You loved her for that though, her confidence was inspiring.

But even if you were crushing on her, you’d never shown it voluntarily. You’d strayed to her side and into her personal space a few times before but never close enough to cause discomfort. You hid it well, behind a masquerade of enjoyment and banter to protect both your’s and Dash’s reputations, but mostly Dash’s. She didn’t know you cared for her as more than as a best friend. If she did, she wouldn’t let you fret over her any longer. You weren’t even sure if she preferred stallions or mares either.

“Why do I have to ask you?”

“Do you think it’ll look good if I asked you? No, it makes you look weak and me look like I fancy you. We don’t want that confusion on our hands do we?” Dash smirked, knowing what would end up happening. When she wanted something you had little choice but to give it to her. After all, she’d kick your sore flank in ten seconds flat, or so she’d keep telling you. It seemed silly that the only reason you believed her is because she hospitalized three ponies in a race when she used to live in Cloudsdale, but she still seemed like the mare you’d rather avoid taking that chance on.

You force a smile,

“No. We don’t want ponies to think that I fancy… I mean, you fancy me. That’s absurd.”

Well, normally you’d keep your crush under wraps but due to the situation of taking your dream mare to the place where those who love another find out if it’s right or not, let’s just say it wasn’t the first time you’d choked this week…or this day… or this afternoon. But Dash was oblivious to it all. Poor naïve Rainbow.

“So Rainbow, you want to go to the dance with me this weekend?”

“You’re kidding right? It won’t matter if you ask me if there are no witnesses. You know what nevermind, I've got places to be and minds to blow. Anyhow, see you in a bit.”
And with that she flew off for the rest of the afternoon, leaving you dumbstruck. That evening you’d meet up and finish the plan, as flawed and simple as it was, to leave one of you sad and the other mad.

“Ah thought you sounded just like Zecora for a moment there. Ah always liked that rhyming thing she does.”