Rainbow Dash must have flown over Ponyville five or six times. None of her friends were to be found.

No AJ. No Pinkie. Pinkie should at least be stalking me at this time of day. Something’s not right.

Not even Twilight nor Fluttershy were in her sights. Either they were ditching her, or they were in peril.

What if they’re trapped in the Everfree Forest? Dash stopped and pondered midair. Actually, scratch that. Those guys are terrified of that place. I mean, I could see AJ or Twilight hanging there, but Pinkie and Fluttershy, not to mention all of them? Get real, Rainbow.

Continuing her search, Rainbow finally found a possible lead. Below her at an outdoor cafe was Rarity. The unicorn was sitting by herself at a table enjoying a cup of tea, and the newest issue of Clothes Horse magazine.

She should know where the others are. Rainbow descended in a literal dash that caused a shockwave that hit the entire street corner. Rarity’s teacup shook, and her hat and magazine were blown away.

"Rainbow Dash? What is the meaning of this?"

"Hey, Rarity. Have you seen Applejack, or maybe even Pinkie and Twilight?”

Rarity huffed. “Oh, I see. No apology for such a rude entrance? How typical of you.”

Rainbow grinned. “Oh come on, Rare. You know me! I’m all about awesome entrances.”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Rainbow Dash, one, I challenge the notion that blowing away my lovely hat and interrupting my reading qualifies as 'awesome,' and two, 'know you?' Don’t make me laugh. I know almost nothing about you.”

“What are you talking about, Rarity? I’m fast, I’m daring, I’m the future captain of the Wonderbolts, I—"

“Yes, yes, I know the shallow and superficial aspects of you, Rainbow, but honestly, what is it that I know about 'You?' The pony behind the artifice?”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “C’mon, Rarity, don’t get egghead-y with me.”

“No, I’m being serious right now, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow’s eyes widened as she hammily gasped. “You are? Stop the presses! You’re usually so fun and carefree, making jokes about everything, it’s so hard to tell when you’re being serious.”

Rarity’s eyes narrowed. “I daresay, with that wit, you should write for The Manehattanite."

Rainbow scoffed and waved a hoof at the notion. “Writing? Please, if I wouldn’t read things by eggheads, what makes you think that I would write things for eggheads?”

“Noted. Getting back to my point, you and I hardly know each other. We’re just friends by association.”

Rainbow cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. “Friends by huh?”

Rarity rolled her eyes and sighed. “Friends by association, darling. We have our mutual acquaintances, and the two of us are associates by that condition alone. As individuals, however, we are not, by any definition, friends.”

“What are you talking about, Rarity? We’re totally friends! What about all the adventures we’ve been on and stuff?”

“My point exactly, Rainbow. All those harrowing missions were done with Twilight and the rest. However, you and I have never built a rapport between just the two of us.”

Rainbow put a hoof to her chin and thought for a moment. Her face shot up as she came to a conclusion. “Ooh! What about last week when you and I worked together on my gala dress?”

Rarity scoffed. “Pa-lease. That was merely work, and you and I didn’t even strike up even the tiniest iota of conversation. All you did was stand in the corner and tell me to make everything 'twenty-percent cooler.' How exactly is one supposed to quantify something subjective like coolness?”

“Oh there’s a method. I don’t know if you know this, but coolness is a finite resource. That’s why it has value to begin with.”

“Well, then I suppose Equestria should go on a Cool Standard,” Rarity deadpanned.

“What did I say about getting egghead-y?”

“Oh, my apologies. I forgot that you were the only one allowed to do one-liners.”

“Yeah, because I’m actually good at them.”

Rarity's eye twitched, then lowered into a glare. For a second, it looked like she was about to let loose. Instead she lowered her head and groaned. "You're simply impossible," she said through gritted teeth.

Rainbow saw Rarity’s exasperation and sighed. “C’mon, Rare, what’s really eating you?”

“I just explained it, Rainbow. Honestly, how have we associated for so long and yet haven’t spent any quality time together?”

“So we’re not soulmates or anything. It’s not like we hate each other and stuff. Why do you even care so much?”

Rarity sighed. “Well, before Twilight came into our lives, I didn’t exactly have too many friends. I had my weekly spa meetings with Fluttershy, but that was honestly it. I wouldn’t even count Pinkie Pie, since she’s friends with everypony.”

Rainbow nodded. “Makes sense.”

“Now that Twilight is here and learning about friendship, it got me to thinking about my relationships with other ponies, or lack thereof. After finally building a rapport with Applejack a few weeks ago at Twilight’s slumber party—”

“She had a slumber party and didn’t even invite me?! I got freaking snubbed!!?”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Darling we were hiding from the storm. It was just myself, Twilight, and Applejack, now may I please continue!?”

Rainbow rolled her eyes and bowed. “Why yes, milady.”

Rarity frumped before letting out a sigh and continuing. “So yes, even though it was completely unexpected, Applejack and I bonded, and it wasn’t even through Twilight’s mediation. So now, I want to find a special connection with all of my friends. I want to know more about you, Rainbow Dash. What makes you tic? Who is the real Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow pondered for a moment. “You know Rarity, I think you have a point. I guess we can hang out sometime.”

Rarity smiled for the first time in their conversation. “Positively splendid. Well, I suppose if you’re not too busy, there is an open seat at this table and—”

“Hold on! You still haven’t answered my question. Have you seen Twilight and the others?”

“Well, no I haven’t, actually.”

“Darn, I'm out of leads. Well, I’m gonna go keep looking. Good talk, Rare. I’ll see you around.”

“Now stop right there! I–” Rarity was cut off by another sudden gust of wind. In an instant, Rainbow was miles away. Rarity looked at the sky with her mouth agape before letting out an incensed huff.

Something tells me I’ll NEVER bond with that mare.

Author's Note

FORESHADOWING (and I guess dramatic irony)

Sooo, you'll offer your feedback, maybe?