An Unlikely Romance

Rarity ran the brush through Pinkie Pie’s mane again, ignoring her complaints. After several minutes of begging and pleading, Pinkie had finally given in and trotted up to Rarity’s room to get her makeover…for about five seconds. Then she’d begun to squirm and whimper, her tail lashing around, her hooves shuffling impatiently.

“Pinkie, darling,” the unicorn scolded, “please stop moving around like that. I’m almost done with your mane, and then you can move. Until I start on your makeup, that is.”

“But whyyyy?” Pinkie replied, sitting down with a thump. “I don’t see you telling Twilight to sit still!”

“That’s because she’s already sitting still, dear.”

Finally the party pony calmed down enough for Rarity to continue with her mane. While Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Twilight were talking about whatever it was they were talking about, Rarity was left to her own troubled thoughts.

Where are Applejack and Rainbow Dash? she thought, scowling. I know they were slowed down because Rainbow Dash hurt herself a bit when she did a Sonic Rainboom—I was at least able to get that from Pinkie’s jumbled speech—but it’s been over half an hour already. I’m starting to get quite a bit worried for them. What if those nasty Diamond Dogs found their way into town?

Right as she was about to go into her “Worst Possible Thing” speech, the bell by the front door signaled that the door was opening and somepony was entering the shop. Rarity was hardly able to stop herself from dropping what she was doing to check if it was the two tomcolts. That would’ve been unladylike.

“Sorry about that,” came Rainbow Dash’s raspy voice, echoing up the staircase and into Rarity’s bedroom. “We started talking about, uh, stuff, and we kinda got carried away. I’m not hurt anymore, though, so that’s a good thing.”

The cyan mare trotted upstairs, obviously trying to hide a limp, and stopped in the door. Applejack was following close behind. When the two saw Twilight sitting in the corner with a mud facial plastered on her cheeks and her mane in curlers, Fluttershy reading a fashion magazine and sporting a braided mane, and Pinkie shifting impatiently as Rarity styled her mane, they burst out laughing and high-hoofed.

“I was right,” Rainbow snickered. “We did miss the makeover part of the sleepover.”

“Not quite,” Rarity corrected, hiding her relief that they’d shown up. Rainbow Dash had stood her and the others up so many times in the past few weeks that she was actually more surprised that she had arrived. “There are still plenty of things to do before all of you look your best. And Rainbow Dash, dear, if you would just let be brush your mane once…”

Twilight stood, her eyes still covered with cucumbers. “Actually, Rarity, maybe we should move on to something else. My books say that, at sleepovers, if not everypony is enjoying the activity, it’s best to change what you’re doing so all the participants have fun.”

Rarity sighed. “Fine. But mark my words, Rainbow Dash, one day I will convince you to let me style your mane.”

Dash rolled her eyes and exchanged a glance with Applejack. “Yeah, right. Sorry, Rarity, but that’s going to happen when pigs fly.”

“Pigs flew when Discord took over!” Pinkie Pie pointed out.

“That’s not helping, Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash stepped further into the room. Out of nowhere she yelped and tumbled to the ground. Blushing with humiliation, she jumped up and smoothed back her mane. She was holding one hoof at an odd angle. Clearing her throat, she looked around, immediately voicing her disapproval of the room’s décor. “Blech. No offense, but this place looks like you took everything girly and just shoved it into one tiny room. I don’t mean to be rude or anything, ‘cause I know you probably like this stuff, but if I had to live in here I would go crazy.”

Rarity halted and glared icy daggers at Rainbow Dash. “Thank you, Rainbow Dash, for pointing that out. I find that quite offensive, seeing as this is, in fact, my room.”

“Sorry, I was just pointing out that it wasn’t for me.”

“In the future, I’d very much appreciate it if you refrain from, as you say, ‘pointing that out.’”

“Don’t get your mane in a tangle. All I did was say that I wouldn’t have decorated it like this if it was my room.”

“But it’s not your room, and you said it in a way that I found very uncouth.” She clenched her teeth and stepped toward Dash, not noticing when Pinkie shook her head furiously to return her mane to normal.

Instinctively, Dash took a step back from the irate mare. “What do you want me to say? Sorry that I don’t filter everything and think it over for an hour before speaking? Sorry for having a speck of personality?”

“What are you implying?”

“Nothing, I just think that some of us could do without having a stick up their ass all the time.”

“I beg your pardon! I do not have a stick up my...rear. I am simply a civilized mare, unlike you. And, since we are now apparently resorting to petty insults, you would not know civilized if it came up and bit you on the nose.”

“Yeah, and that’s because I don’t waste my time with useless things like fashion and manners. I actually have a life!”

“Are you saying I don’t?”

“You make a living selling dresses when hardly anypony even wears clothes, let alone fancy ones!”

“You don’t even make a living!”

“I’m captain of the weather team, and soon enough I’ll be in the Wonderbolts. In case you haven’t noticed, they’re the most famous ponies besides the Princesses! That’s more than you can say!”

“My shop is one of the most famous shops in all of Equestria! I’ve done business with Sapphire Shores and Fancy Pants! And pardon me, but if you’re such an excellent flier, why haven’t you been accepted into the Wonderbolts yet?”

Rainbow Dash winced, and Rarity knew she’d hit a sore spot. “Well—they’re waiting until one of them retires. They’re…they’re full right now. Anyway, it’s none of your business, Miss Snooty! You don’t seem to have any luck with your dream, either.”

“And what that be?”

“Finding a stallion that can stand to be around you for more than five seconds!”

“You don’t have a coltfriend either. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were a fillyfooler.” Rarity turned up her nose.

Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened and her ears fell back. For a single fleeting moment Rarity could see tears welling up in her eyes. Then she bared her teeth and hollered, “Shut up! You’re just a stupid drama queen! You don’t know anything!”

“Well, you’re just an arrogant jock that—”

“That’s ENOUGH!” Twilight shouted, her tail lashing angrily. “This is a sleepover. We’re supposed to be having fun, not arguing like foals!”

“We weren’t—” Rainbow Dash and Rarity began at the same time.

Twilight’s horn glowed to life as she zipped both of their mouths shut. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t want to hear either of you say a word to each other until you’ve decided to apologize for being rude. That goes for both of you,” she added, giving Rarity a sharp glance. “Once again, I’m sorry if I sound rude, but since both of you are acting like foals, I have to treat you like foals. Do you understand?”

They swapped glares before Rainbow Dash pointed to her mouth, with was still zipped closed. Twilight paused and unzipped them before repeating her question.

“Yes,” they answered grudgingly. Then, realizing they had spoken at the same time, they continued glaring at each other as they backed away to opposite corners of the room. They were far enough away from each other so that they could not hear what the other was saying, but close enough so they could still glare ceaselessly at each other.

“Can you believe Rarity?” Rainbow Dash growled to Applejack and Pinkie Pie, not tearing her eyes away from the white unicorn. “She overreacts over every little thing. I was just making one simple comment and she had to go and make it into this whole big ordeal. She’s the most annoying pony I’ve ever met, and that’s saying something.”

“Hey now, sugarcube, she’s your friend,” Applejack warned. “Just ‘cause she gets on your nerves every so often doesn’t mean she’s a bad pony. You get on mah nerves a ton, and you’re still one of mah best friends. She’s mah friend, too, and Ah won’t have you talkin’ bad about her behind her back.”

Pinkie nodded. “It’s not good to be angry at your friends. Remember how you promised to not be saddy-waddy? Well I should’ve also made you promise to not be angry-wangry either, ‘cause that’s just as bad. And to be fair, what you said was kinda sorta maybe a little rude.”

“A lot rude.” Applejack rested her hoof on Dash’s shoulder sympathetically. “Ah know you’ve been under a lot of stress lately, and Pinkie knows that too. But you can’t take your anger out on your friends. It’s not fair to us, and it’s not fair to you.”

“But she—”

Applejack interrupted, “Ah know what you’re going to say, and she shouldn’t have argued back. Ah’m sure she’ll apologize, too, but Ah think you should be the one to make the first move.”

Rainbow Dash felt a sudden chill run down her spine. She blinked, saying, “Whoa, AJ, we’re not talking about dating, we’re talking about apologizing. What do you mean, make the first move?”

“Ah’m sayin’ you should apologize first is all. Don’t get yourself all worked up, sugarcube.”

She sighed and stared at her hooves. “I guess you’re right,” she admitted reluctantly. “Okay, I’ll apologize, but just give me a minute.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of Rarity’s room, said pony was silently seething at the prismatic mare. Fluttershy and Twilight sat nearby, watching her carefully and occasionally exchanging a worried glance.

She’s so ignorant, Rarity thought. How dare she insult my home like that? If I walked into her room and started criticizing every little thing that was inside it, she wouldn’t speak to me for a month. Why won’t she just think before she speaks? I mean, it’s really not that difficult. And for that matter, why can’t she be less…coltish? Would it kill her to brush her mane or wear a dress every once in a while?

She shook her head slightly, correcting herself. Okay, Rarity, don’t be rude. That’s her job. Wait, it’s not like she can hear me. Oh, but mean thoughts lead to mean actions. No matter what she may say, I am not a mean pony, and nor do I wish to be. But sometimes she makes me wish I were. She’s so infuriating! If I had a penny for every time she’s made me mad, I would have enough money to move to Canterlot and support myself there.

“Rarity?” Fluttershy whispered inaudibly.

Honestly, I think she’s the most irritating pony in all of Equestria. Applejack used to hold that position, but once I got to know her and Rainbow Dash a bit more, they switched. Now Applejack is one of my closest friends, and Rainbow Dash is…well…Rainbow Dash.

“Rarity,” Fluttershy repeated, a bit louder.

Eventually I’ll snap if I keep spending time with her. I know it. I’ll snap, go insane, light some things on fire, and I’ll have to spend the rest of my life in prison. She’s maddening!

“Rarity!” Twilight exclaimed, shaking her gently. “Snap out of it! Are you okay?”

“Hm? What’s that, darling?” she responded, turning her head toward her fellow unicorn.

“You were glaring at Rainbow Dash and muttering to yourself. You, well, you said something about revenge. Honestly, you were starting to worry Fluttershy and I.”

“I’m fine, dear, although I do appreciate that you clarified it with me. I just…oh, Twilight, please do forgive me, but I believe I am starting to dislike Rainbow Dash!” She put her hooves up to her face as if bracing herself for an attack. When one didn’t come, she lowered them and stared cautiously at Twilight. “You’re not mad? But all of us are supposed to be the best of friends. We’re the Elements of Harmony, and we may not be able to use the Elements if two of us are not on good terms!”

Twilight shook her head. “Rarity, you don’t really dislike Rainbow Dash.”

“Oh, but I do. I can’t stand to be near her!”

“Quick question, Rarity. How many times have you actually spent time with Rainbow Dash?”

“More times than I can count. What about all those pet playdates, and the lunches we went to, and the train rides from here to Canterlot, and—?”

“But the others were there, too. How many times has it just been you and Rainbow Dash?”

“Well…” She hesitated before answering, “We went to breakfast one time. Remember? When Spike went on the dragon migration?”

“No, Rarity, you planned to go to lunch. The dragon migration kept you from going, so you never were able to go. You’ve never really gotten to know her, Rarity. I think that if you do, you’ll find that she’s actually pretty good company.”

“Pardon me, Twilight, but that’s a lie. I’ve gotten to know her better than I want to, trust me.”

“What’s her favorite color?”

Rarity grinned. “That’s easy. It’s…” But when she tried to rack her brain, she found that she didn’t have an answer. “I…I don’t know.”

“What are her parents’ names?”

“I don’t know.”

“Does she have any siblings? Does she have any fears? When did she first learn to fly? Who taught her to fly? Where did she go to school? Did she ever—?”

“Okay, Twilight, I’ve heard enough,” Rarity interrupted, her head drooping. “Maybe I don’t know her as well as I had imagined. But how do you suggest I fix that?”

“Well, you can start by apologizing to her.”

“Me? Apologize? What did I do?”

“You fought back. You could’ve just let her blow off some steam and be done, but instead you fueled into her anger, which caused much more damage than it should have.”

“…Fine. I’ll apologize. But then what? Am I just supposed to ask her to tell me her whole life’s story? That won’t end well.”

“Maybe you could…” Hearing Fluttershy speak up, both unicorns whipped their heads around to look at her. The shy mare visibly shrank, her ears folding back. “Oh, I’m sorry for interrupting… I was just saying that, um, maybe to get to know her better you two could, um, go to lunch or help each other with your work or something…” She winced as if expecting to be rebuked. Instead, Twilight visibly brightened.

“That could work,” she mused. “Then you could get to know her and she could get to know you. And then you two wouldn’t argue so much and we’d all be friends again! Ooh, this is perfect!” She clapped her hooves together. “But both of you would have to create a schedule and stick to it. Rarity, would you be up to something like that?”

Rarity cast her gaze toward Rainbow Dash, who was on the other side of the room and looking no happier than she did. “Well…I suppose that might help. But I doubt she’d want to do that.”

“Well, why don’t you find out? Apologize and let her do the same, and then ask her if she’d be up to lunch tomorrow.”

“Okay, but don’t be surprised if she says no,” Rarity said, already trotting over to the cyan pegasus. “Hello, Rainbow Dash. I was just coming over to say—”

“I’m sorry,” Rainbow Dash blurted out before she could finish her sentence. “I acted like a jerk and I shouldn’t have insulted your room because it’s your house it’s just that I’ve been thinking about a lot of really stressful stuff lately and I know that’s no excuse but I really really am sorry so will you forgive me?”

She managed all of that in one breath? As much as I hate to admit it, that is quite impressive. “I…I forgive you. And I’d like to say that I’m sorry as well. I fought back. I could’ve just let you blow off some steam and be done, but instead I fueled into your anger, which caused much more damage than I should have let it.” She glanced back at Twilight, hoping the librarian wouldn’t point out that Rarity had used her words.

“Apology accepted,” Rainbow Dash replied, staring at the ground.

“Wait, I’m not done.” Rarity took a deep breath. “To make it up to you, I was wondering if you’d like to go to lunch with me tomorrow at the restaurant of your choice. It’d be a good chance to spend some time together and get to know each other.”

Dash’s wings fluffed out and she blushed slightly. Her jaw gaped open for a few seconds before she shut it and glanced back at Applejack and Pinkie. They grinned and gave her what could be interpreted as a thumbs-up. “I…uh…as friends, right?”

“Of course. What else would we go as?”

“Oh.” She deflated slightly before clearing her throat and smoothing her mane back. “Uh, sure, that sounds great. What time should we head over there?”

“I was thinking about leaving at around 11:45.”

“And…um…you said any restaurant, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“’Cause there’s this new Prench place that opened up, and I’ve kinda been wanting to check it out. It’s a bit expensive, but I could pay for it. Being captain of the weather team has its benefits.”

“That sounds marvelous, Rainbow Dash.”

“Great! So I’ll pick you up around 11:45?”

“It’s a date.”

This seemed to cause Rainbow even more anxiety. She swallowed and plastered an obviously false smile across her face, glancing around. “R-right,” she squeaked. “Can’t wait.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow at her before turning away and nodding to the others. “Now that that’s sorted out, what do you say we move on to some other activities? Perhaps Truth or Dare would be fun?”

Twilight automatically gave a squeal of delight. “I love that game! When it’s played in good nature, of course. Rarity, can you help me get some pillows in a circle for us to sit on?”

“Oh, no, dear, we are not going to use my nice pillows for sitting on.”

“But what about…?”

As the two discussed the technicalities of their game of Truth or Dare, Pinkie slithered over to Rainbow Dash and gave her a sly grin. The pegasus was still staring into space.

“Does Dashie have a crushie?” Pinkie teased, giggling into her hoof.

Dash’s ears shot straight up as she whirled her head around to gawk at her. “Wh-what? No! I just…it was like she was doing it on purpose. I mean, she even said ‘It’s a date.’ Who says that anymore? Besides her, anyway. It—it’s not fair.”

“Then why are you blushing?”

“If you’re suggesting I’d be into someone as prissy as her, you’ve got another thing coming. I’d rather die, honestly. And if I’m blushing, it’s because she was practically flirting with me a second ago.” Rainbow Dash turned her head away from her friend, trying to get the red on her cheeks to go away. Yeesh. Just because Rarity and I made up doesn’t mean we’re all of a sudden in love.

Fluttershy looked between them, her head tilted to one side. “Oh! Um, sorry, but I feel like I’m missing something here.”

Pinkie Pie and Applejack swapped glances before turning their gazes to Rainbow Dash. “You wouldn’t mind if we told Fluttershy, would ya, Rainbow?” Applejack clarified. “Ah know it embarrasses you, but Ah honestly think she won’t hate you for it. After all, she knows about Mac, and she doesn’t hate him now, does she?”

Dash’s heart leapt into her throat. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before managing to croak out, “O-o-okay, b-but if sh-she never talks to m-me again it’s y-your faults.”

Fluttershy’s head drooped. “Oh, no, that’s okay, if you don’t want me to I don’t need to know. But if it makes you feel any better, I could never hate you.”

That’s what they all say, Dash thought bitterly, painful memories clouding her mind for but a moment. Out loud, she said, “No, you deserve to know. AJ, can you…can you tell her for me? I don’t wanna have to say it…”

“Sure thing, sugarcube,” Applejack said, beckoning for Fluttershy to come closer. She bent her muzzle to the shy mare’s ear and whispered for a few moments before pulling away and eyeing her to gauge her reaction.

The slightest hint of a blush appeared on Fluttershy’s cheeks. She looked deep in thought for a moment before saying, “I, um, I wouldn’t have guessed that. But that’s not to say I don’t approve of it. I guess I can sort of relate, kind of.” Now her whole face was turning bright red. “Does anypony else know? I mean, well, I know that Applejack and Pinkie Pie do, but, um…do Twilight and Rarity?”

“No.” Rainbow Dash scowled. “They were kind of the two I thought would approve the least, so I’m putting off telling them. For now, at least.”

“What are we talking about, girls?” Twilight asked suddenly, trotting over. “Did I hear my name?”

“No!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “We were, uh, talking about your…your mom! Twilight Velvet, yeah!”

“…Why exactly were we talking about my mother?”

“W-well, you see, uh…” She trailed off, her gaze wandering past the bookworm and toward Rarity, who was begrudgingly fluffing up some pillows and placing them in a circle. “What are those pillows over there for?”

“They’re for us to sit on when we play Truth or Dare.”

“Okay, cool. Rarity looks like she’s ready with them, so we’d better go over and play. You know, since there are only so many hours in the night for us to play.” Glad for a distraction, the pegasus zoomed over and plopped her haunches down on one of the pillows.

A few moments later the others joined her, Pinkie Pie sitting on one side of her, Rarity sitting on the other. Twilight sat across from them, beaming from ear to ear.

“Okay, so who should start?” the purple unicorn asked cheerfully.

Why does she love Truth or Dare so much? Rainbow Dash thought, rolling her eyes as Pinkie begged to be the first to go.

“Ooh! I have a good one! Okay…hm…Applejack! Truth or Dare?” Pinkie somehow managed to start bouncing in her seat, her eyes eager and bright.

Applejack tapped her hoof to her chin. “Hm…Ah’d have to say Truth. No offense, Pinkie, but your Dares tend to get a bit dangerous.”

“Aww…okay, fine. Is it true you have a crush on somepony?” She leaned forward even more, batting her eyelashes and making smooching noises. It was all Rainbow Dash could do not to burst out laughing.

The normally stoic farmer began to look very flustered. “Oh horseapples, Ah should’ve picked Dare.”

“You have to answer, Applejack. It’s the rules!”

“…Yes. But Ah ain’t tellin’ you who no matter what, y’hear?” She crossed her arms stubbornly. “Mah turn. Pinkie, Truth or—”

“No, no, you can’t do that to the pony that did it to you!” Pinkie interrupted frantically.

“Fine. Twilight, Truth or Dare?”

Twilight seemed surprised that she had been picked. “Um, Dare, I guess. Statistics say that when ponies pick the same thing every round it gets boring more quickly.”

“Ah dare you to walk like a chicken while pretendin’ to write a letter to Princess Celestia!” As the others burst out laughing, Applejack gave a wide smile and leaned back.

“But—oh, fine.” Twilight stood on her shaky hind legs, wobbling for a few moments before she began to balance. She bent her arms to represent chicken wings and proclaimed, “Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned that playing Truth or Dare is very dangerous and is to be avoided at all cost. At the moment I’m walking like a chicken while my friends laugh at me—no, with me, to be exact. Do not, I repeat, do not play Truth or Dare in public. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” With that she collapsed and joined in with her friends’ laughter, giggling until tears began to seep out of her eyes.

Once their chuckles had died away she wiped the tears away and sat up. “Okay, Rarity, Truth or Dare?”

“Truth, obviously. I shall not be made to look like a fool.”

“Is it true that you…hmm…give me a second.” Twilight’s forehead and nose wrinkled as she focused on the problem at hoof. Her eyes narrowed and her mouth scrunched up, reminding Rainbow Dash of Derpy Hooves. Finally, after what seemed like hours but in reality was hardly a minute, she straightened up and said triumphantly, “Out of pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies, which species do you think would make the best date?”

Rarity frowned. “Dear, that’s not something I feel I should share.”

“Sorry, Rarity, but you have to. It’s the rules.”

“Oh, fine.” She sighed. “Well, obviously I do fancy unicorns, but they’re not the species I find most attractive. Believe it or not, I do enjoy dating pegasi.”

Rainbow Dash unconsciously rustled her wings and smiled.

“But species is not the deciding factor for me,” Rarity went on. “It would make me quite shallow if I only cared whether or not a potential mate had wings. Personality has a lot to do with it. Oh, and fashion sense. Now, is it my turn? Perfect.” A mischievous smirk slithered across her lips. “Rainbow Dash, Truth or Dare?”

For what seemed like the millionth time that day, Rainbow Dash’s heart rate skyrocketed. If she picked Dare, the unicorn might ask her to reveal her deepest darkest secret or kiss one of the others or do something else that would require her to reveal she was a fillyfooler. But if she picked Truth, she might have to answer a question like, “If you had to date one pony in this room, who would you date?” Either way, she was going to be humiliated. Either way, Rarity and Twilight Sparkle were probably going to discover that she liked mares. But with Truth, she might have more breathing room to think up excuses. “Truth,” she finally decided.

Rarity swept her gaze around the room, giggling into her hoof. “When was your first kiss, and with whom did you share it?”

Grief stabbed into her heart like a dagger that was dripping with painful memories. Her mind flashed back to Junior Speedsters Flight Camp, and the griffon that had been her whole life. She remembered when Gilda admitted she liked Dash, their first kiss, their first fight, their tearful separation once flight camp ended, and most importantly, when they had finally reunited in Ponyville, only to have Dash find out that the griffon had become a huge jerk. All those memories and more swamped her mind, causing her more pain than she’d have admitted. She gritted her teeth and pressed her hooves over her ears, trying to block them out, but it was no use. She was unable to wash Gilda from her mind.

One particular memory kept drifting into her head. It was the moment Gilda had told Dash she loved her for the first time, and the time she revealed an old griffon secret, the one secret that changed everything.

“Dash,” the young griffon said, her voice ragged, “I have something to tell you.”

Rainbow Dash smiled, leaning her head on her girlfriend's shoulder. “No prob, Gilda. Anything you have to say, I’ll listen to you. That’s why I’m your marefriend, remember?”

“It’s…it’s sort of about that.” She twiddled her claws, avoiding her crush’s gaze. “See, I think that I’m…well, the thing is…oh, Dash, I think I love you. No, I know I love you. At first I thought it was just a crush, y’know, the sort of thing you’d get over in a week or two, but then the more we hung out the more I realized it wasn’t. I’m not going to get all mushy here, ‘cause that’s not my thing, but I just wanted you to know that. And if you don’t feel the same way, that’s okay, because I’ll love you forever.”

Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped and she pulled away from Gilda. For a moment she just sat there looking stunned. Then she blinked, turned her head away, and said, “…Whoa. I honestly didn’t expect that. I, um, I appreciate you saying that, but do you really think you’ll love me forever? That’s a really long time."

“Can I tell you something, Dash?”

“Sure.”

“Griffons can only fall in love once.” Gilda winced. “It has something to do with the way we mate for life. Once we fall in love, that’s it. That’s who we’ll love for all of eternity. And I love you, Dash. So when I say forever, I mean it.”

Rainbow Dash just gazed at her with wide, innocent magenta eyes. Her young mind hadn’t fully grasped the concept of love yet. Sure, she knew she liked Gilda much more than a friend, but…did she love her? And how could she tell? So she just stared and blinked, finally saying, “Thank you. Really, thank you, that’s, uh…nice of you? But I don’t know if I feel the same way. I mean, sure I like you a lot, but love is a bit of a…strong word, you know? I don’t mean to be romantic or anything weird like that, but that really does mean a lot to me, and I’ll, um, keep it in mind.”

Anger blazed in Gilda’s eyes for a split second. “Great. That’s cool. No problem. Well, I have something to do somewhere, so…see you, Dash.” And then she flew off, leaving Rainbow Dash to ponder over what had happened.

After that they drifted apart slightly. Rainbow Dash didn’t count it as a real fight, but that spark, that desire to be with each other whenever possible, was gone. Then, when flight camp drew to an end and they were forced to return to their own homes, their parting wasn't nearly as painful as it could’ve been. They still wept like fillies, but after that they accepted the inevitable and broke up, knowing that long-distance relationships hardly ever worked out.

Later in Rainbow Dash’s life, when she looked back on their relationship, she was finally able to accept the fact that yes, she had loved Gilda, but she had been too terrified of what that meant to admit it—even to herself.

I was doing so well, she thought grimly as the others waited for her answer. It’s been, what, four months since I’ve thought about her? And then they had to go and talk about romance and all this mushy-gushy crap. I know I should just get over that featherbrain, but…I can’t. She was my first love, and besides, I know for a fact she hasn’t gotten over me yet. Griffons fall in love once in their whole life. So why should I do something she doesn’t have to do? Maybe I should get help. Maybe a therapist would be able to—NO! No, I can’t do that. I don’t need help. I can do this on my own. I…can…do…this.

“Rainbow Dash, dear, are you okay?”

Dash yelped and leapt to her hooves, crashing into Rarity. She glanced around, realizing that she’d been curled up in a fetal position for almost ten minutes.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know that would make you this upset,” Rarity went on, resting her hoof on her shoulder. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, dear.”

The unicorn’s touch sent a ripple down Dash’s spine. She folded her ears back and closed her eyes, saying with renewed determination, “No. You girls deserve to know. It…it was Gilda.”