Limits

Chapter 10 -

Derpy shuffled nervously outside Rarity’s boutique. It had been a couple of days since she’d begun her vacation, and she’d spent a majority of that time searching the town for the pamphlet she had lost, flying her usual route to keep it fresh in her mind, and avoiding the mysterious stallion she hadn’t yet worked up the courage to talk to. She had seen him several times though, mostly with Rainbow Dash, a sight that saddened her more than she let on.

“Are you going to stand there all morning dear?” Rarity inquired. Derpy looked up to find the white unicorn standing in the doorway, her empty saddlebags thrown across her haunches. “I’m afraid the shop will be closing for a bit while I’m in town, but you’re more than welcome to come along if you’d like.” The unicorn offered, sensing the pony’s hesitation.

“You don’t mind…?” Derpy asked her eyes scanning the sky and accompanying street simultaneously.

“Of course not darling,” Rarity’s eyes lit up as an idea formed. “In fact, you can help me pick out the accessories for…well you’ll find out soon enough. Just come along for now, I’d like to finish before evening arrives.”

“Um, Rarity, if it’s not too much to ask could…” Derpy took a deep breath gathering her wits before she went on. She was sure the answer would probably be ‘yes’ but there was always the possibility it would be ‘no’. “Could you give me some tips? I’d like to try um, talking to that pony I mentioned the other day.”

“That’s wonderful darling.” Rarity exclaimed. “I was growing rather impatient myself.”

“Impatient?” Derpy wondered out loud trotting to catch up to the unicorn that had already made her way well into the town proper. Several of the side streets had been sectioned off into themed areas each bustling with activity, as vendors hawked their wares and negotiated with consumers.

A faint blush touched Derpy’s cheeks and she shrank a bit as they passed a large group of ponies gathered around a food concession stall. The smell coming from within reminded Derpy, by means of a grumbling stomach, that she’d skipped breakfast again, though with her recent bonus she couldn’t think of a good reason why. Old habits die hard, she supposed. A smile quirked Rarity’s lips as she noticed the rather adorable expression on Derpy’s face as the mail mare did her best to hide her embarrassment.

“Let’s stop for lunch shall we?” The unicorn suggested.

--

Nearly half a serving of garden salad remained on Derpy’s plate, ignored in her haste to escape as quickly as possible. From where she hid, on the rooftop of the café behind an awning, she could see the dining area, and the table she had shared moments before with Rarity, discussing the very pony she had unceremoniously fled from.

Her crossed eyes fled over his form and that of the purple mare accompanying him. Twilight Sparkle she knew, a studious librarian, smart and reliable, prone to fanatical skepticism, the pegasus stallion standing beside her however was still an enticing mystery. He was even more attractive than she’d previously thought given the changes to his outward appearance and the smile on his lips. Yet that same smile was betrayed the glimmer of uncertainty in his distant gaze.

She had become so lost in her appreciation of the stallion’s appearance that she nearly failed to notice the streak of sky blue and rainbow flash past her vision. Had her right eye not been prone to drift without warning she would have missed it, but not for long.

Rainbow Dash settled on the rooftop right next to Derpy, startling the grey mare into awareness of her immediate surroundings. She eyed the cross-eyed mare with a look resembling distaste just shy of outright hatred, though that did little to settle the mail mare’s quickened heart beat.

“You like Soarin, don’t you?” The arrogant pegasus said reprovingly, bypassing a proper greeting for accusation. Derpy remained silent, her eyes narrowed in what she hoped was anger and not masked cowardice. Truth be told she was terrified, more so than she had been the other day, but then she hadn’t been alone with an apparently angry Rainbow Dash.

“Thought as much...” The blue mare snarled with a click of her tongue and flick of her mane. She cast a brief glance toward the three chatting ponies below them, assuring perhaps that she could not be seen. They all seemed thoroughly distracted and Derpy couldn’t help but visibly quiver.

“I don’t care if you like him or not alright?” The prismatic pony said with a derisive snort, turning her attention back to the cowering mail pony. “What I got a problem with is you getting in the way of my life!” Rainbow Dash snarled. “That stallion down there is my ticket into the Wonderbolts and I will not let you ruin this for me!” She shoved her hoof into Derpy’s chest to punctuate the statement, knocking the pegasus pony off her hooves. “Do you understand?”

Derpy bit her tongue, anything she could have said lost amid her overwhelming fear and uncertainty as she quickly nodded her understanding. She remained paralyzed both physically and emotionally long after Rainbow Dash disappeared, her voice ringing in Derpy’s ears. A small smile crept to the mail mares face however as Dash’s words sank in fully. She only cared about being a Wonderbolt, meaning she had no romantic interest in him… right?

Derpy laughed out loud at the knowledge, quickly clamping her hooves to her mouth to stifle the sound that escaped. Peering over the edge of the rooftop a blush touched her cheeks as her eyes locked with those of the object of her affection. She caught a glimpse of the curious smile on his lips before a quick nudge from Twilight stole his attention.

Rarity’s voice called up from below, and after a quick attempt to align her eyes properly Derpy watched the purple unicorn and stallion move away, hesitation evident in the stallion’s shuffling gait. With a slight nod of her head Rarity wordlessly indicated the all clear, though the smile on her face was nothing less than devious. After a moment more of hesitation Derpy fluttered down and the pair began to shop in earnest.

--

“What do I say?” Derpy asked worry etched into her features.

“Just introduce yourself like we rehearsed.” Rarity said as she made last minute adjustments to the outfit she’d created for just this occasion. Derpy poked at the brim of the hat she wore, a floral piece of gaudy headwear Rarity insisted she have on to make a lasting impression. Derpy had grumbled something about her little disfigurement being all the impression she would leave.

“Derpy dear, you are a beautiful mare and don’t let me hear you ever say otherwise.” Rarity replied sternly, the grey mare flushing a deep red at the compliment. “Now that stallion has been trying to find you for days and if that isn’t all the encouragement you need…”

“Ow!” Derpy cried out very much in the present after her little foray into her minutes old memories. Rarity hastily apologized but something about the needle prick made Derpy think that it was on purpose.

“I want you to promise me you’ll stop hiding from him. Can you do that?” The hesitant mare bit her lip and nodded. Though she tried to look away one eye lingered long enough to see Rarity give her an encouraging smile.

Outside the sun was setting. The vibrant blue of the daytime sky gradually replaced by withering shades of orange and pink as the evening loomed. Rarity had given her little more than ‘just outside of town’ and ‘you can’t miss it’ as clues to where she was supposed to meet Soarin. The grey mare smiled to herself enjoying the sound of his name, though she’d yet to say it out loud.

“Remember what we’ve discussed and you’ll do just fine.” Rarity encouraged.

--

Spitfire glided through the still night air enjoying the feel as it caressed her feathers. Far above her the moon and stars shone brightly, illuminating the wisps of thin cloud through which she flew. She shivered lightly as the residual moisture settled on her coat. She could see the lights of Ponyville shining in the darkness, and below in a faintly lit clearing sat a familiar pegasus stallion.

A smile came to her face…