Obsession and Regression

Part 1

1

It was Rainbow Dash's day off, and yet she still practiced her flying. Soaring high above Ponyville, the wind flowing through her mane and fur, she collided with the few straggler clouds left by an earlier patrol, obliterating them on impact. The few remainders she flew around and around, condensing them into the perfect cloud for napping... then, she rested.

"Rainbow Dash!" A somewhat lyrical, familiar voice shouted from below. "Rainbow Dash!"

She peered over the cloud's edge... it was Rarity.

"What do you want?" Asked the rainbow maned Pegasus, placing her head back on her folded hooves. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

"I..." Rarity cleared her throat. "Need a favor, Rainbow..."

Rolling her eyes, Rainbow slowly got up and flew down to Rarity.

"What?" Rainbow asked abruptly.

"Well, you see Rainbow I have this Client... and I need a model."

"So, why don't you ask Fluttershy or Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow scoffed. "You know I don't like that frou-frou stuff..."

"This Client is especially partial to rainbows... especially partial."

"Oh..." Rainbow thought. "You're asking me to model because of that?"

Rarity's eyes lit up:

"Oh, would you kindly...?"

Much like Spike, when Rarity's eyes sparkled... Rainbow had trouble turning her down.

"Well, maybe..."

Rarity attempted to seal the deal:

"The Client is also a, ahem... single filly-fooler."

"So?" Rainbow gritted her teeth. "What's that got to do with anything?"

"Well, Rainbow... it's been a while since you've had a partner, and me and the girls feel that maybe if we..."

"Are you trying to have me model for you or are you trying to get me laid?"

"Good heavens, Rainbow! Primarily I would like you as a model... secondarily, I feel perhaps broadening your contacts might increase the possibility of you meeting the right pony..."

Rainbow remained quiet, scowling at Rarity. This was none of her business, as helpful as she was trying to be. Still, she continued:

"Rainbow, we're your friends... and we've all noticed you looking at each of us in a way that suggests, while it's quite flattering, that... well, most of us have no interest in exploring those feelings with you."

"I've got Apple Jack if I'm lonely, and her Cider for when I'm lonelier."

"But Apple Jack can't commit herself..."

Again, Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth. Rarity knew too much information...

"I'm fine Rarity, really... thanks for your concern, though."

The rainbow maned Pegasus started flying back up towards the cloud, when Rarity called out to her one more time:

"You'll be reimbursed for your time, of course. Throw out everything I just said, and please be my model just to appease the Client."

Rainbow turned back towards her:

"Get me a small keg of the Apple Family cider when cider time comes and you've got a deal."

"Well, that IS quite an expensive proposition, Rainbow... and I'd have to be up very early in the morning."

"Too rich for your blood? Too early for your worm? Then... we don't have a deal."

Again, rainbow turned towards her cloud.

"Very well, Rainbow Dash! You win."

In an instant, Rainbow was back on the ground.

"Omygosh, I didn't expect that to work! When do you need me?"

"I am grateful you are willing," replied Rarity. "I just hope the deal goes through... I would like you to show up at my shop two days from now, at about 5:00 PM."

"Fine, fine..." Rainbow said in a disinterested tone, turning away. "I'm going back to my cloud... see you in two days... and thanks."

"Thank you, Rainbow. You won't regret this!" Rarity then whispered to herself, "a whole keg... that's almost 50 Bits! Why did I agree to that?"

"Start saving!" Replied Rainbow, nestling herself comfortably upon her cloud.