“Please tell me you’re joking! Just tell me this is some sort of prank!”
Cloudchaser sat there like a scolded puppy which might have, I stress, might have, worked had she not just screwed up in such a dramatic fashion.
“I’m, I’m sorry Rainbow, I didn’t know it was next week’s schedule,” Cloudchaser offered meekly.
I grabbed the paper and jammed it in her face, “That’s why you always, always, always, always, check the date! This is weather patrol basics! Sweet Apple Acres is probably near about flooded and Applejack’s not gonna let me forget it!”
“Sorry Rainbow...” the gray pegasus repeated pulling her head away from the sheet.
That’s all she could say, probably for the best too. I took a deep breath to prepare for the next thing I needed to do. The worst part of being in charge isn’t working the night shift, or cleaning up somepony else’s mistakes, It’s punishing my friends.
“I’m sorry Cloudchaser, but this is the third mistake you’ve made this month, you've got the next three days off,” I said, trying to keep a stern face.
Her eyes started to water and I felt my heart sink in my chest. “Y-you mean...”
I nodded solemnly. “Yeah, you’re suspended.”
I saw a stray tear fall from her eye as she took off into the wind. A lot of ponies think I’m lazy and that I slack off, but they rarely see what I really do since they never look up unless they hear me snoring. They don’t see all the clouds I kick out when they aren’t around, or managing four separate squads of pegasi trying to make sure the skies are cloudy when they need rain, or sunny when they want a picnic.
“Ummm, boss?”
I snapped around to see a yellow pony with a cyan mane flapping in place and a nervous look in her eyes.
“Hey Raindrops, what’s up?”
“Sorry to bug you, but Flitter, Ditzy Doo, and Thunderlane are sick today. We don’t have a crew to fix Sweet Apple Acres,” Raindrops explained apologetically.
I sighed heavily. “I guess it’s just me then, watch the other teams and make sure they don’t do something dumb while I clean up over Applejack’s farm.”
“I could have a pony from every crew meet you over ther-”
“No!”
Raindrops jumped a bit at my reaction. I guess I did say it a little loud.
“I mean it’s alright, I can handle it. If we take ponies off the other crews we’ll be further behind everywhere. Leave Sweet Apple Acres to me, cool?”
Raindrops nodded. “If you say so, good luck Rainbow!” She said, taking off toward Ponyville. I turned towards the farm and spread my wings into the wind.
It’s gonna be a long day.
Kicking out the clouds is the best part of my job. It’s easy, which helps the time go by, lets me practice my stunt flying, and usually keeps me too busy to think. But today the thoughts kept forcing their way back in. As I kick out the clouds bit by bit, I could see Applejack staring up from me from the farmhouse, and she looks pissed.
Time keeps rolling by as cloud after cloud falls to my hooves. I don’t dare try any stunt flying though. The last thing I need right now is for Applejack to think I’m showing off. Speaking of Applejack, she wasn’t in the window anymore. I didn’t have to wait too long though to find out where she went to.
“Rainbow Dash! We need ta talk!”
I cringed at the unmistakable voice from below. Applejack stood in the rain with an umbrella hat firing an evil glare up at me. I was hoping I could clear out the clouds and leave without dealing with her at all, especially if she saw me doing it by myself, but it didn't look like i was gonna be that lucky today. I tucked in my wings and landed a few feet away from her.
“Hey AJ, what’s up?”
You know, apart from the accidental flood.
Applejack’s face shifted from bewilderment, to anger. “What's up? Wha- are ya trying to wind me up further? We weren’t supposed ta get any more rain for awhile, but just look at tha fields! it’s nothing but mud!” Applejack yelled stomping her hooves for effect.
“I’m sorry, alright? It was my fault. The schedules got mixed up and we ended dropping more rain than we should have.” I explained. Technically, it wasn’t a lie. If somepony under me screws up it is my responsibility and rather than get into an argument i thought it would be better to just take it on the nose.
“Well, next time yer lazing about on a cloud up there or showing off with yer little stunts, ya should remember that ponies like us depend on you keepin a square head on yer shoulders! When you goof off, we’re the ones that pay tha price!” Applejack warned.
“Yeah yeah, I’ll try to keep it from happening again.”
Applejack cut her eyes at me. “Iff’n it does, I’m gonna get Twilight ta give me one of them fancy pairs a wings and I’m gonna come buck some sense into that thick skull of yours!”
I figured there wasn’t much else to say and took off back into the sky to finish up with the clouds. I suppose it could’ve gone better, but if somepony messes with Applejack’s farm and all they get is threatened, they got off lucky.
Lunchtime. Some ponies see it as a break, a time to kick back before going back to work. Others see it as a time to scarf down a quick bite to eat to silence their stomachs. I use it to grab a quick bite to eat, or to do the stuff I won’t have time for later. As for today... let’s just say I won’t be doing any napping. Having just finished fixing the cloud situation over Sweet Apple Acres, I decided to drop in at Rarity’s.
*Ring-a-ling!*
The door chime echoed throughout the boutique which was mostly empty apart from a couple of dumb ponies arguing about whether or not a hat was off-white, or beige. Rarity looked up from her sewing machine and immediately froze. I could tell right off something was wrong as she walked toward me like a pony headed to jail.
“Why hello there um, Rainbow Dash. W,-what brings you here today?” Rarity stuttered nervously.
As if she didn’t know...
“The dress you were supposed to have done today,” I said, playing along just to see where she would take it next.
“And which dress would that be my dear?” She said with a nervous laugh.
“Rarity, the only dress I’ve ordered from you since the Wonderbolts show last year!” I exclaimed, letting her know my patience was running out.
“Oh, heh, heh, heh... that dress... there’s been a problem I must admit,” she said, her ears folded back on her head. I just glared at her to keep her mouth going.
“It’s just that I’m out of the fabric I need to complete a few parts of the dress.”
“Uh huh, and when will you be getting more of this fabric?” I asked.
“Ummmm, tomorrow morning...”
“Great! Now I gotta go home empty hooved! She’s gonna hate me for sure!”
“No she won’t,” Rarity said, her voice becoming stern. You and I both know she’s not like that.” Rarity’s voice softened a little bit and she slipped a hoof around my neck. “Oh, I’m so sorry Rainbow Dash, I tried my best to get it, but Canterlot was the closest place that had it and the earliest I could have it delivered was tomorrow.”
I let out a sigh. “It’s ok. I probably should’ve told you about it sooner. I just don’t know how I’m gonna face her tonight.”
“Oh don’t worry dear, I know she’ll understand, and I promise when it’s through she’ll be dazzled!” Rarity reassured me as she pulled me into a hug. Any other day i might gag at that sort of display, but today I guess I needed it.
“I hope so. Thanks Rarity.”
The hardest part about taking lunch in Ponyville is deciding what to eat. Normally I would grab an order of hay fries, but considering the time I lost at Rarity’s house, I decided on something a bit quicker than waiting for something to cook. Oddly enough, after spending all that time at Sweet Apple Acres, the apple stand looked pretty good right now. Lucky for me Applebloom was the one selling today. I trotted over to the stand and gave her a friendly nod.
“Heya pipsqueak, Applejack gave you another chance to run the stand?”
“Yup! She’s been teaching me for awhile now, but today’s mah first time by mahself!” Applebloom said with a wide smile that would even rival Pinkie Pie’s.
I gave her a friendly wink. “Pretty cool kid, how about letting me get one of those gala apples?”
Applebloom sorted through the apples in the boxes in front of her for a few moments before deciding on one in particular and placing it on the counter. “Here ya go Rainbow Dash, sorry I’m a lil slow. I’m still getting used to doing this by mahself.”
“Don’t sweat it kid. It took me awhile before I could clear the clouds like I can now. You’ll get better at it in no time.” I dug around for my pouch of bit for a moment before it dawned on me. I was in so much of a rush to leave this morning that I left my bag of bits at home.
So much for lunch.
“Uhhhh, sorry Applebloom, I just remembered I have something important to do, maybe next time!” I turned tail and took to the skies. I heard her calling after me as I flew off. I knew if she caught onto the fact that I didn’t have any bits that she’d just give me the apple for free, but I wasn’t about to let that happen.
“Rainbow Dash! Yoo hoo!”
I glanced down and saw Rarity waving at me. I swooped down and landed next to her to find out what she wanted.
“Thank goodness I caught you before you flew off. I was wondering if I could borrow you for a moment my dear.” Rarity asked. She looked rather nervous which in turn made me nervous. I didn’t like where this was going.
“And what exactly do you need me to do?” I asked warily.
“I ahhh, I need you to help me with a dress,” Rarity begged with pleading eyes.
“I don’t know Rarity, I’ve got a lot of weather stuff on my plate today, I had three pegasi call in today and-”
“Pleeeeeeeaaase! I need a pegasus pony to wear this dress, it’s a surprise for Fluttershy and it has to be absolutely perfect.”
"Why me? can't you get somepony else to do it?" I asked with more than a little annoyance in my voice.
"Well I did have somepony lined up to do it, but she cancelled not long after you left. You know i wouldn't bother you if it wasn't an absolute emergency"
“Alright, just give me a moment.” Looking above me I spotted raindrops shifting some clouds in the sky for the evening storm tonight. “Hey, Raindrops!” I called out. The yellow pegasus glanced around for a moment before spotting me. As soon as her eyes connected with mine she swooped down to meet me.
“Hi Dash! Whacha need?”
“I got a big favor to ask you Rainy. Rarity needs my help for something. Can you make sure the other crews are good for the rest of the day?”
“Sure can! We’ll get everything done in no time,” she replied with a wink.
“Thanks Rainy, I owe you one. If an emergency pops up I’ll be at the boutique with Rarity, come and get me pronto.”
“Sure thing Dash! Have fun!” Raindrops said taking off into the sky.
If only...
I was brought back to reality by a white unicorn wrapped around my legs, but still very careful not to let her belly touch the ground. “Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, Rainbow Dash! You have no idea how much this means to me!”
One thing they never tell you about friendship is that it can be a major pain in the flank.
Rarity and I stood outside the boutique. The evening sun peeking between the sparse clouds had just started dipping below the horizon.
“Thanks again Rainbow, dear, I’m sure Fluttershy will be absolutely astonished with the dress, and I have you to thank for it,” she gushed.
“Heh, I hope so, I’ve got a wicked crick in my neck,” I said, tilting it back and forth trying to work out the stiffness. “I’ll catch ya later Rarity.”
“Good night Rainbow, I hope it goes well tonight,” the unicorn offered as she stepped inside the boutique. As I took off into the sky the idea of going home started to scare me. I’m sure she would be fine with me coming home empty-hooved, but it doesn’t make the shame of it any less irritating.
“Rainbow! Rainbow! Help!”
I looked around for the frantic voice trying to get my attention. Raindrops sped toward me, clearly upset about something. I know I wasn’t in a hurry to get home, but the last thing I needed was another fire to put out. The antsy pegasus hovered right next to me trying to catch her breath.
“Calm down Rainy, take a deep breath and tell me what’s going on?”
Raindrops panted hard as she spoke between gasping for air. “Clouds—at the Everfree—mixed with—ours—giant—tornado--by Fluttershy’s cottage—heading this way!”
“Why didn’t you say so? We have to stop it, c’mon!” I grabbed her and took off as fast as i could toward Fluttershy’s cottage.
Great! Now I’m gonna be empty-hooved and late. If there’s way to make this day any worse, I sure can’t think of it.
The only thing worse than coming home late, is having to fly home in the rain. Even worse, winter was just around the corner and the temperature had started falling pretty low in the nights, and here i was soaking wet in it. As I neared home I spotted somepony sitting outside in the rain under an umbrella hat and coat. once i hit the ground I could see it was Applejack.
Great, just what I need, another lecture.
As I got closer though i could see she wasn’t angry at all, in fact, she looked kinda sad. Fortunately the rain had slacked up enough that I could actually hear myself think.
“Hi Rainbow, ah uhhh, ah heard bout tha tornado and everything.” The cowpony said awkwardly.
“Yeah, some day it’s been.”
Applejack sighed. “Look Rainbow, ah came out here ta say I’m sorry.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Wait, what?”
“Ah said ah’m sorry. Cloudchaser came by earlier and apologized and told me what happened with the weather and ah wanted to say that ah’m sorry and that was mighty respectable of ya. Not many ponies wanna take responsibility when they can shift the blame on somepony else.”
“Well it is sort of my job...”
“Don’t sell yerself short sugarcube, that was a mighty standup thing ya did, and ya should be proud.”
Suddenly I was glad it was night out cause I’m sure I had a wicked blush going. “You could’ve waited until tomorrow though, or waited inside for me,” I said.
“Ah did have ta do it tonight, ah didn’t want it hanging over your shoulders on a night like tonight, and ah tried knocking on tha door, but ah didn’t get an answer.”
"That’s not a good sign..."
“Anyway, ahm headin back to tha farm, see ya around and ah hope ya’ll have a good night tonight Rainbow.” Applejack said as she walked off into the night.
No distractions and no excuses left. I walked over and opened the door slowly. Coming home is usually the best part of the day, but tonight i didn’t know what to expect being late and all. The lights in the house were all dimmed to their lowest strangely enough. I could barely see anything but I was familiar enough to make my way to the dining room, water dripping onto the floor the whole way. As soon as my eyes adjusted my heart fell. The table was covered with all sorts of sweets and food now long cold. Candles which were once lit and burned down completely stood at each corner of the table, but what really hurt the most was seeing Pinkie on the opposite side, face down and snoring in a slice of cake.
Any other time this would be funny...
I swallowed hard and nudged her gently. I didn’t know what to expect as she lifted her head slowly from the slice of cake. I barely had time to react as she threw her arms around my neck.
“You’re late to the party...” Pinkie whispered.
“I know... I’m sorry.” I said, it came out a lot more pitiful than I wanted it to.
“That’s ok, you’re special, you can be late,” she said softly. She pulled back and smiled at me, cake still coating her face. “And you’re wet. At least I know you weren’t playing hooky,” She said with a giggle.
“Hah, playing hooky. Why would I ever wanna get away from you?” I said. I felt a smile spreading on my face just because hers shined so bright.
“Omigosh, I almost forgot!” Pinkie pulled a box from behind her chair and dropped it gently at my feet.
“Happy second anniversary!”
And just like that my smile vanished.
“Pinkie... I’m sorry.”
Pinkie’s head tilted questioningly. “What’s wrong Rainbow?”
My shoulders slumped as all the excuses as I prepared throughout the day flew out of my head immediately. “I tried to get your gift, but I couldn’t! It was all my fault, I should’ve gotten it weeks ago, but I didn’t and now I won’t have it until at least tomorrow.”
Maybe it was the overall bad day I'd had, or the disappointment at not being able to get Pinkie's gift, but I should’ve expected what happened next. Before i could react, I was pulled into another warm hug.
“The best present I could have right now is having you home with me.” Pinkie reassured me. She released me and nudged the box closer. “Go on, open it!”
I popped the bow off the box and flinched as a puff of confetti flew out. Pinkie snorted at my reaction but motioned for me to continue.
I pulled out a couple sheets of tissue paper and felt my jaw drop.
“Oh.... my gosh! These are Wonderbolts issue goggles!” I exclaimed.
“Uh- huh! They’re the real deal, they’re enchanted so they tint when it’s bright out, illuminate in the dark, and rain beads right off of them!” Pinkie explained enthusiastically.
“These are amazing! How did you even get these?” I wondered out loud as i eyed the goggles.
“Oh, it was nothing. Earlier this year when I threw that party for the Wonderbolts in Manehatten I was able to talk Soarin out of a pair. When I told him what I wanted them for he was more than glad to give them to me.” Pinkie said with a proud smile.
All of the excitement bubbled over inside of me. I grabbed her and pressed her lips to mine, tasting the sweetness of left-over frosting on her lips as it rubbed off onto mine. Feeling her go limp, I pulled her closer, allowing our chests to come into contact. The feel her soft fur against mine made me melt. No matter how crazy or over-the-top Pinkie got, she always let me take control when it came to kissing and I loved her for that. After a few more moments with each other, I reluctantly let her go.
“You’re way too good at that! You’ll have to teach me your secret one day,” Pinkie said seductively.
“I have a lifetime to teach you,” I said, winking at her.
Pinkie just giggled in her infectious way. “You know you’re still soaking wet right?”
I opened my mouth to say something to shake it off coolly like I always do, but ended up sneezing instead. Pinkie’s eyes lit up. “Hold your hooves!” She disappeared leaving a dust cloud in her wake. I only had time to scratch my head for a moment before I felt a powerful hoof push me into the living room right in front of the fireplace. Before I could react, she lit the fireplace and wrapped a blanket around us.
“There! Now we can warm up together.” Pinkie explained. The tension I felt earlier had vanished completely now. I still didn't feel good about not having a present for the night, but it was good to know that Pinkie would welcome me home no matter what.
A low rumble echoed from my stomach cutting above the noise in the room.
“Heh, heh, I may have skipped lunch today.” I explained.
“Oh, let me go get something for you then,” Pinkie said as she started to get up. I pulled her back down.
“Don’t worry about it, I got something right here.” I said. I scraped off some of the frosting that lingered on her face and licked it off my hoof.
“Oh Rainbow, you’re so silly. I love you for that.” Pinkie giggled.
“And you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” I replied, prodding her lightly on the side in a joking manner.
Pinkie and I sat silently in the dark room as the fire warmed us together.
Any moment now... here it comes...
“Just say it!”
I smirked to myself at her little outburst. “I love you.”
