To be a Cinderainbow

That evening Rainbow could not sleep, her mind was plagued with many things, all of them unorganized and frantic. Rainbow dash thought about her life, her fiends and her future. What would she do the rest of her life? Was there anything she wanted other than the Wonderbolts? She had friends,family and a decent job, what was missing?

Rainbow thoughts drifted towards her friends. Twilight had Spike and her owl, Pinkie had the Cakes and the twins. She wasn't sure about Fluttershy, she seems to be content with her animals though. Applejack had her family to keep her company, and Rarity has that stupid cat and Sweetie Belle.

Was that it? Was she... lonely? She did visit all of her friends often, being loyal and all. But she didn't have somepony for herself, no one to be her coltfriend or dare she say... MAREfriend? Rainbow Dash wasn't really sure witch she preferred, mainly because she never bothered to try to figure it out.

Rainbow drew her gaze to the other side of her bed, keeping her sight locked on the pillow where she imagined another pony's face would lie, trying to imagine the face of a lover but could not make out anything besides her friends and family, prompting her to quickly cease imagining things.

Now that she thought about it, nopony had ever given her a compliment concerning her looks or just herself in general before, or at least anything she cared to remember. Was she not pretty or good enough for another pony? The thought brought tears to her eyes. She never tried to act pretty, her hair was always scruffy and messy on its own, and her coat was always clean, not shiny, but clean. Preening was the only grooming activity she thought she excelled at, she needed her wings to be in tip-top shape if she would fly as fast as she cared to boast anyway. What about her personality? Was that what drew many ponies away?

Maybe she needed some help? Waiting didn't seem to be doing anything good for her, so maybe she needed to change her act a bit? Dash groaned, she hated to do anything that didn't involve fun or flying, and making herself look nice did not sound fun to her at all.

So who would be the best pony to go to for help? What type of help did she need exactly?Beauty advice? Maybe some help with acting more... Ladylike? Did it even matter to a stallion... or mare how she acted? Behavior wise maybe, but her personality? Was it even possible to change herself that way?

So many more questions clouded her head, she needed to find some kind of relief from all of her worries. Maybe her friend Rarity? She could definitely help her look nice, her design practice and beauty knowledge could definitely help her.

'Would she even be up this late?' Rainbow Dash thought to herself, and would she even help me? I know i probably haven't been the greatest of friends to her, but nothing to deem a sense of bad blood. Rainbow Dash brought a hoof to her mouth, thinking of a plan to convince her friend to assist her in case just asking failed.

What if she... no, that wont work. Maybe...? No, definitely not. Rainbow removed her hoof from her jaw and sighed, Maybe she should just wing it? That plan did suit her well, but everything could be held back if Rarity wasn't awake. With another sigh Rainbow decided to go through with her poorly thought out plan and visit Rarity.

It was a cool night in Ponyville, Luna's moon was high in the sky, providing a pale blue Esq light upon the landscape, the random trees that existed in the town itself shook and swayed to and fro with the small breeze that permeated the evening air. Shadows hung gloomily over the many structures, giving the town a slightly menacing feel, causing Rainbow Dash to feel a great deal anxiousness.

Rainbow Dash rounded a corner and brought Carousel Boutique into view, its light from within the lower level windows coating the surrounding area with a gentle orange glow. The only sound that could be heard as Rainbow Dash approached the Boutique was her own hoof falls, the wind blowing past her ears occasionally and the flapping of a few flags in front of shops mixed with the creak of old sign hinges creaking from age, displaying their shop owners Cutie mark or anything representing what it sold.

Climbing the few steps atop the foundation that the Carousel laid upon, Rainbow pressed her ear to the door, listening for any sign that Rarity resided within.

She could make out the faint sound of a sewing machine, its motor vibrating steadily as it drew thread along fabric and the faint sound of a voice humming a simple tune to itself.

Rainbow Dash smiled to herself, Rarity was home and awake. With some hesitation, she brought her hoof up and knocked on the door three times.

Rarity was broken out of her work educed trance by a loud banging against her door. She examined her workspace, thinking the sound came from a spool of thread or her box of pins and replacement needles had fallen over the edge of her workbench. Her ears perked up as she heard the noise once again, confirming it was the door.

'Who could be looking for me at such a late hour?' thought Rarity. She shut off her sewing machine and set the pins she had in her mouth down as she went to answer the door.

She made sure her hair was not scuffed in any way and checking her coat for any dirt before opening her door. letting out satisfied sigh, she reached for the handle.

Rainbow Dash stood nervously on Rarity's doorstep,the door wasn't answered yet and she raised her hoof to knock again.

The door was still not answered, Causing her to become impatient and begin to rock back and forth on her hooves nervously.

As she was about to knock again, the door opened, revealing a very surprised Rarity. Rainbow Dash stared for a moment, not knowing how to greet her friend.

"Rainbow Dash, what in equestria are you doing on my doorstep this late?" Rarity asked suddenly "Surely this must be something important if it requires my attention."

"W-well Rarity, i actually wanted to talk to you about something." Rainbow said slowly, looking away, wanting to avoid her friends gaze, fearing she might give away what she felt by looking at her.

"Oh, of course darling!" Rarity replied, grasping her friends forearm and leading her inside. "I would never dream of leaving on of my friends out in the cold, please come inside and make yourself at home."

"Thanks Rarity, i really app-!" Rainbow Dash was stopped by Raritys hoof to her mouth.

"Nonsense, Rainbow Dash, my humble abode is always open to you and any of our friends" Rarity said, looking Rainbow Dash in the eyes. "Now tell me darling, what is it you needed to speak to me about?"

"Well... you know about that colt you had over earlier?" Rainbow Dash asked "well its just that... he kind of made me think about certain things" Rainbow Dash looked away sheepishly her cheeks turning a light pink.

"Rainbow Dash, if your asking my permission to peruse Clock Work in a relationship, you need not to ask me for permission!" Rarity explained with a light chuckle.

Rainbow Dashes face went from light pink to a deep crimson red as she looked back at Rarity. "N-no, Rarity, that wasn't what i wanted t-to talk about!" Rainbow Dash answered loudly, her face becoming more flushed and herself becoming more self conscious and nervous.

"Care to explain then, Rainbow Dash?" Rarity raised an eyebrow at her friends actions. It wasn't like her to act nervous and so bashful, before her stood a brash and supposedly fearless Pegasus, now she was blushing up a storm and kicking her hooves at the ground timidly. It was obvious that this was something more than her concerns with Clock Work.

"I...I, um...Rarity, have you ever been...lonely?" Dash asked, her eyes glazing over as she looked her friend in the eyes. "Have you ever felt, like nopony wants you or just doesn't think your good enough?" Dashes lower lip began to quiver slightly as she said those words

Raritys eyes grew slightly and she brought a hoof up to her mouth in surprise. Rainbow Dash was feeling unwanted? She couldn't believe her ears. Rainbow Dash was supposed to be fearless and boastful, she was athletic and rugged, she had many friends who loved her dearly! Rarity never imagined there was a side to her that was sensitive and emotional.

"What ever do you mean by 'Lonely', Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked carefully. "You have many friends and family who love you, event the townsponies appreciate the weather work you do, Why ever would you feel this way?" Rarity was now standing face to face with Rainbow Dash, her snout inches from hers, looking her in the eyes.

"Yes, i know Rarity, but that is not what i mean." Rainbow Dash answered "When i say lonely, i mean somepony who i can lie in bed with at night, somepony who i can be close to and share cool secrets and other things with" Rainbow hesitated before continuing " I want somepony who likes me for me being me, somepony who... thinks im awesome and loves flying as much as i do, i want somepony... who... Loves me as in truly loving me, not platonic love, but love, love." Rainbow finished her awkward speech by casting her gaze to the floor, a small tear running along her snout.

Rarity was once again stunned and speechless. Her friend was obviously in some deep emotional pain. She could help ponies with a problem fashion wise and she always had an answer when it came  to different garments or random clothing facts, but with emotions and relationships... she drew a blank.

Rainbow Dash began to sob softly in front of her and she knew she needed to say something quickly. She got an idea, it was a long shot and risky, but if it worked, Rainbow Dash could be happy again.

"Rainbow Dash...Colts like mares because of what they are, a mare." Rainbow Dash looked at Rarity as she began explaining. "A mare is supposed to act... um... pretty and charming for a stallion so that he may take a liking to her" Rarity saw that Rainbow Dash was beginning to calm down, now intently listening to her. "Maybe you working out daily, acting brash and your intrusive, tomboyish attitude is something that turns many stallions off...?" Rarity finished, asking more than stating her advice

Rarity was expecting some kind of harsh retaliation, thinking she may have insulted her friend more than helping her. Instead she got an unexpected reaction. Silence.

Rainbow Dashes mind was thinking very intently on her friends... advice. 'I have to make myself... more like a mare?' Rainbow Dash thought that over many times, each time it sounding more sound and solid.

"So... what your saying is... i need to act more like a mare?" Rainbow Dash asked "I need to, be pretty and act... mare-ish to attract attention?" Rainbow Dash was skeptical about the idea, surely changing herself wasn't the answer, right?

"Yes that is what i meant" Rarity stated "Colts like mares, so act more like a lady and you are sure to attract the attention of somepony." Rarity was smiling now " Oh, i could help you with EVERYTHING, your looks, your attitude and even how you speak!" Raritys eyes were sparkling with excitement, her smile now wide and toothy.

Rainbow Dash sighed, "Alright, Rarity... ill let you do what is best, i really hope you know what your doing, i want to attract attention, not become a beauty queen." Rainbow Dash said sternly "please promise me you won't go all out on my mane?"

"Oh, of course darling" Rarity assured, " meet me here tomorrow and we shall get started, hm?" Rarity finished with another big smile.

With a plan intact, Rainbow Dash felt relived that she was finally going to fix her problem. She thanked Rarity and left her boutique without another thought.

This was it, she was finally going to find that special somepony.