Title:           Slowing Down p8 "First Date"
Author:          Hellmeister
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/WHbR5RpW
First Edit:      Saturday 19th of December 2015 04:50:29 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Thursday 24th of December 2015 06:39:52 PM CDT

ANON'S POV
 
>Guess you're going to the Gala.
>That was...Unexpected.
>Partly because you never were properly aquainted with Rarity.
>Considering the friends you keep, and the fact you often smell of sweat and dirt from working on the farm, It's no suprise.
>You said hi to her every so often, but your conversations were usualy brief.
>So the impact of her "generous" act of giving you the ticket is lost on you.
>It felt more like she was dumping it on you rather than a selfless gift.
>The Gala could be fun, though. You like parties.
>Sure, it sounds more fancy than the usual meet-and-greet that Pinkie Pie throws ad-lib, but it doesn't sound bad.
>Or maybe you just like free stuff.
>Whatever, you're definitely going if Dash is.
>It doesn't matter how thick the stuck-up vibe might be, with you and RD combined, you'll tear that mood apart.
>You look over at her.
>You expect her to look excited, but she looks...Serious.
>You're used to seeing that expression when your competitions got heated, but this is a different kind of serious.
>She's staring at nothing, her eyes almost glowing with dedicated purpose.
>What's she thinking?
"Dash...uh?"
>You'dve thought you would've needed to say it more than once, but her expression changes into one of surprise at the sound of you saying her name.
>She quickly sits down and faces you, expectantly. Kind of like a dog.
>"Yeah?"
"...You, uh, OK?"
>"Yeah."
"...Yeah?"
>"Yeah."
 
>She...Seems OK?
>It's not exactly Rainbow Dash standards of normal, but she doesn't seem upset or troubled.
>You continue looking at her, not used to her face being so...Devoid of emotion.
>You stare in silence for a while, and a blush eventualy starts forming on her cheeks.
>OK, so she's not a robot.
>It's still wierd, though.
>You get down on one knee to equalize your height with hers.
>Her head tilts down to folow yours, but she's still lost and blank.
>You're not sure what impulse posesses you to do it, but you reach your right hand out and start gently stroking her cheek.
>Her right ear twitches twice, and she slowly tilts her head towards your hand, eyes now drooping slightly.
>You pull your hand away, confused.
>She continues to tilt, however, and for a second it looks like she's about to fall over.
>Then, and rather startlingly, she snaps out of it and rights herself.
>"D-DON'T DO THAT!"
>You fall backwards onto your rump at the sudden response.
"Wow, uh...OK? Rainbow Dash?"
>"YEAH?!"
"We...Gonna get going, or...?"
>"...YEAH!"
>She stands back up on all fours, facing the direction you were traveling in before, and returns her gaze to you.
>...Freakin' weird, man.
>Guess you'll just pretend that THAT didn't happen.
 
>You continue to walk through the town, and get back to hanging out.
>Things are silent for a while between the two of you.
>She's just walking alongside you, brow still furrowed and starting to resume the expression she had before you said anything.
>Albeit with the addition of a slight flush.
>...You're not sure you should say something, considering what happened last time.
>It's your day off, however, and you're not sure you'll get annother.
>You're definitely not going to let this oppertunity to actually talk with Rainbow go to waste.
"...How's it going so far? You...Like this?"
>She doesn't completely space out this time round.
>"Hm?"
"Well, you know, do you like doing this? Walking around, talking to each other?"
>She pauses and thinks about her answer.
>"Eh. It's kinda lame."
>For a moment she seems satisfied with her opinion, but after looking at you for a few seconds, her eyebrows droop and she gives a small smile.
>"...Good lame, though."
>Never doubted it for a second.
>You grin.
"Glad you enjoy it."
>She continues to smile at you. After a while, she looks away.
>"D-don't get any ideas."
>Ideas? About what?
>Is she implying that you have certain feelings towards her, or something?
>Because that's...
>...Well, actually, you haven't put too much thought into that at all.
 
>You walk around town with her as you think.
>You have to admit, she's pretty cute.
>There's that cocky attitude that she maintains. You like the way she still tries to keep it up even when it's completely transparent.
>You like the way she competes with you. The way she sometimes cheats to get her way.
>She's athletic and sporty, and that's just her personality.
>Her mane is cut short, strands of it springing up in an unruly mess of unkempt hair.
>Her tail is the same way, but they're rainbow coloured, and it suits it well.
>There are the little things that stand out for you, though.
>The slight pudge on her belly, the way her smile compliments her coat, her...Eyes...
>...There was that moment, too, wasn't there?
>When you looked into each other's eyes like that, it didn't matter that she was a different species at all.
>You felt attracted to her. Not in a kissy kind of way, but in a way that wanted to suddenly grab her round her naval and hug her tightly.
>Now that you've thought about it, it does seem like you a few things you...Really like about her.
>But, facts are facts.
>You were brought up in a human world. Human parents, human teachers, human GIRLS...
>The way things stand, her physiology is still...Alien, regardless of their similarities to the equines from your world.
>True, you've since learned that there's no reason to be afraid of them. But...They're small, and walk around on 4 legs. Some, like her, even have wings.
>Besides, it's not like you were taught to associate horses with...Anything like that.
 
>That aside, Dash is the closest friend you've ever had.
>She's pretty, funny and if there was ever a sad moment in your life, it wasn't with her.
>It's impossible to be sad when you're having that much fun with a friend like her.
>If she asked you out on a date, well...You'd go for it.
>Romantic or not, you'd rather date her than anyone else you've ever met. Even ones you've had a crush on.
>It'd be awesome.
>Besides, who knows?
>Maybe one day, you'll get off of your high horse...
>...And onto a little one, instead.
>It really is hard to take this world seriously.
>But you're getting better.
>"So, uh, we going anywhere in particular, Ch-Champ?"
"Champ?"
>Did she just test out a nickname?
>'cos it's about damn time.
>"Y-yeah! Champ. That's your name, now."
"Because I always win?"
>She snorts, still smiling.
>"Dream on! I just thought you deserved some kinda consolation prize."
>Yep. Definitely cute.
"I'll take it then, if it's the only prize I'll get."
>You both laugh.
>Feeding her ego is always a great way to get on her good side.
>"...Y-you're pretty good, y'know. I-in your own field."
"Hah! You're not so bad yourself."
>"...Hrm."
>You like being on her bad side better.
 
>You expect her to make a proper retort, but it never comes.
>You decide to head with purpose now. You're starting to feel hungry again.
>A café will do.
"You wanna get something to eat?"
>"Yeah, why not?"
>She's surprisingly upbeat considering what you said.
>Usually, she'd be hell bent on getting you back for something like that.
>She seems to be letting it slide, though...
>...You're not convinced. She'll probably put salt into your tea or something.
>There's still a chance it could be genuine, though.
>Only one way to find out.
>You're willing to take a fall for the sake of curiosity.
>Well, there's a café.
>You sit yourself down on a seat at a table. Gently, as to not break the tiny thing.
>That's happened way too many times.
>She pulls up a seat adjacent to yours and hops onto it. Scooting it back under the table.
>A few seemingly omnipresent waiters and waitresses notice your arrival, but they give you time to browse the menu.
>You've already had an iced tea today, so you'll choose something different.
>Hmm.
>They all seem pretty good, but one in particular stands out.
>A waiter approaches, guessing you've made a decision.
>"What would you like?"
>""Cinnamon Tea." Please"
>Wait what?
>You look over at Rainbow Dash, and she stares back, wide eyed, and blushing.
>You're not sure weither it was the embarressment of saying the same kind of tea at the same time,
>Or the fact that you weren't the one who said "Please."
 
>You look back at the waiter.
"Uh...Yeah, that's what we're having. Thanks."
>He looks confused, but nods and and walks off.
>"...You like Cinnamon?"
"You like tea?"
>Her blush intensifies and she turns away from you.
>"No!"
>You keep looking at her, and raise an eyebrow.
>She eventualy gives in.
>"...Yeah, I do. OK?"
>OK, that's it. you're going to give it to her straight.
"Rainbow, you've been doing this a lot, lately. You don't need to hide what you like from me."
>...An expression of nervousness slowly manifests on her face.
>She tries to hide her face under the table, but you've allready seen it.
>She's postponed this long enough. Time for her to look you in the eye and tell you what she's so afraid of.
>As to not attract too much attention, you go under the table as well, concealed by the tablecloth.
>She sees you go under, and tries to go above the table again.
>You grab her, and pull her off her seat to join you.
>"H-hey! Lemmie go!"
"No, Rainbow Dash. You're going to tell me what's wrong."
>"NOTHING'S WRONG!"
"YES THERE IS!"
>There's a pause, as you both try and come up with something to say.
>You find the words first.
"Rainbow, I'm your friend, OK? Your best friend. You should be able to tell me anything!"
>"N-not...Everything...."
 
"What can't you tell me?"
>She doesn't say anything.
>Her face is rigid, stuck in a state of near terror. That includes her mouth, which is shut tightly.
>It almost looks like she might burst into tears at any moment.
>Whatever it is, she really doesn't want you to know about it, and it's taking every last iota of her being to resist caving in.
>...Do you REALLY want to know what it is that badly?
>She would've told you what it was by now if she had a problem with you. She'd have no difficulty at all.
>Maybe you really should just...Lay off.
>You sigh.
>You let her go.
>She doesn't go back up onto her chair though.
>She looks around to check if anyone is looking under the table cloth.
>Reassured, she then does something that she's never done before.
>She hugs you tightly around your neck.
>You just sit there, mostly out of shock, but also out of consideration for her feelings.
>...You hug her back. Under her front legs.
>She tenses up a little for a second, but then melts into your arms.
>After what seems like an eternity, she loosens her grip on you. You do the same shortly after.
>She stares straight into your eyes, no longer scared, but still wide eyed.
>She looks like she wants to do or say something else, but she moves back up top onto her chair again.
>Prehaps it's best that you just leave it.
>You return up top as well.
>A lot of passerby seem to have noticed you exiting the table and stare at the two of you for a second, curious.
>Rainbow limply puts her front legs on the table, followed by her head, now in between them.
>She glares at a few of the "eavesdroppers", and they reluctantly disperse.
>You feel sorry for her, and you don't even know why she's sad.
 
>"2 Cinnamon teas?"
>The waiter has returned.
"Uh, yes. Thank you."
>"...Thanks.", says a muffled voice from the other side of the table.
>He puts the two drinks on both sides and walks away.
>"Enjoy."
>You look at Dash for a few more seconds, and then pick up your teacup to sip the drink.
>Pretty good. You have to admit, you weren't expecting it to taste as good as it does.
>You can taste a bit of ginger in it, too.
>RD stares at her tea for a few seconds, redness around her eyes and a blush on her cheeks.
>You wonder how she's going to drink it. You know unicorns wouldn't have an issue with it, due to the commonplace knowlege of levitation.
>But other ponies might find it difficult to-
>She pulls the teacup closer to herself using her teeth to pull on the rim of its plate.
>...Guess she's about to demonstrate.
>You watch her technique closely, as she brings her forlegs towards the cup, knees first.
>She grasps the teacup in between the joints, and slowly lifts it towards her mouth.
>She...Succeeds. And takes a sip.
>You put down your cup so you can give her a small applause.
>She looks angry for a second, but then smiles proudly.
>One thing you like about the Ponies is that they almost TRY to be human.
>It's impressive, but adorable at the same time. Just enough anthromorphism for it to be entertaining, but with a techinique that makes sense.
>You don't really talk about anything, and you both just sip away at the tea.
>After a while, you renember that she wanted to eat something too, and look at the menu again.
>She seems to have forgotten too, and awkwardly places the cup back down onto the plate so she can do the same.
 
>Sandwiches. Damn. SO many sandwiches.
>The childish side of you wants to order cake instead, but you tell it "no, not yet".
>Hmm. You're not really sure what to pick.
>"...I'm gonna have a dandilion one. What you gonna have?"
>Well, not one of those.
>...It feels wierd finding a lettuce and tomato sandwich, but not a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich.
>Argh, you miss meat.
>Stupid adorable animals.
>Stupid adorable ponies who you can't bring yourself to ask so they can kill them for you.
>Stupid YOU, while you're at it.
>...I guess that's ONE thing you miss from the human world.
>There's gotta be some carnivorous society out there in this world. Like, a civilisation of sapient sharks or something that you could visit.
>...Not like they wouldn't just eat you, instead.
>Oh. Wait. There are...Griffons, right?
>Yeah, Griffons. Where can you find yourself some of those?
>Pst, hey.
>Oh. Hi, stomach.
>PICK A DAMN SANDWICH.
>Fine.
>Let's see...
>To hell with it.
"Lettuce and tomato."
>You can just pretend that they ran out of bacon.
>Hi, again, stomach-
>STOP TEASING ME.
>Fine, jeez.
 
>The waiter comes back to ask if your drinks are satisfactory, and you order the sandwiches.
>You can't wait.
>You look over at Rainbow.
>She seems to have cheered up a bit, and is sipping away at her tea again.
"Be sure to save some of that. You'll need it to wash down the food with."
>"I-I know that!"
>You smile at her.
>She smiles back, dispite the snappiness in her voice.
>You're getting over this issue she has. You can feel it.
>I guess all you'll need to do to help is be there for her.
>You may as well have never known about it. You'd do that anyway.
>But...You suppose it feels better knowing that you're helping her out.
>She seems to have taken your advice, and puts the tea back on the plate.
>She crosses her forlegs on the table to rest her head on her on them, and looks over at you with half closed eyes.
>Here comes that feeling again.
"Jeez, Rainbow. You keep looking at me like that, and people will think we're dating."
>The desired reaction, she immediately sits up straight, very startled.
>You've gotten used to this "new Rainbow Dash".
>Long gone is the RD of the past, it seems, who wouldn't give a second thought to what you thought about her.
>You like it though. It makes it easier to mess around with her.
>The sandwiches arrive.
>Hello, delicious.
>You take a bite into it immediately and swallow.
>God, that's good.
>You then renember to thank the waiter for his services.
 
>After you ate the sandwiches and footed the bill, you head out with Dash, again.
>Instead of a tip, you leave a slip of paper with some advice on it. Kind of like what you'd find in a fortune cookie.
>You hope he's got a sense of humor.
>The sun's starting to set.
>She looks up at the sky and seems renember the last time you saw a sunset like this.
>You can tell, because she immidietly looks embarressed.
>You laugh.
"Annother fun day, huh?"
>"Y-yeah. This was...Kinda nice."
>Well, as long as she didn't mind that little outburst back at the café.
>And that whole lemonade stand thing.
>You hope Applejack hasn't taken this day off your paycheck, because you sure need it.
>Look at her happy stride. She doesn't care you spent all that money on her.
>...Guess you don't either.
>But you're still going to get your money's worth.
>You slow down a step or two, so you can get behind her.
>You then proceed to scoop her up under her waist and hoist her up to your chest.
>"Wh, wh-what? HEY!"
>She struggles vainly, and you laugh.
>She stops though, allowing you to settle into a more comfortable hug.
>You find a bench to sit on.
>You can't tell what her face like is from where you're looking at her from, but you presume she's blushing again.
>You sit there for a while, taking in the atmosphere of a quiet town.
>Rainbow Dash appears to have other ideas though.
>She slowly swivels her torso around so her front is now facing yours.
 
>She looks deep into your eyes, and you look into hers.
>Like you said, you just don't get enough times like this.
>From there, she hugs you back, and rests her head in her shoulder.
>Her tail flicks once or twice, and she sighs heavily.
>She seems happy.
>Her coat is incredibly soft.
>And...Warm.
>You yawn.
>Yeah, you can see where this is going, and you have no objections.
>You move your legs onto the bench and lie down on your back.
>Her head lifts back up for a second, and looks at you, a little confused.
>She eventually comes to terms with what you're going to do, and blushes.
>She just gives a tired smile, though, and lets her head droop over your shoulder.
>Guess you're not the only one who felt the heat today.
>She shuffles around a bit to get herself comfortable, and relaxes.
>You run your hands over her back, over onto her side, and your hand brushes over one of her wings, which are extended, and dangling down over you.
>You examine them using your sense of touch, getting a feel for her feathers.
>Rainbow seems to like it, and sighs apriciatively.
>"I...I love..."
>What?
>"...What you're doing. Uh...Don't stop..."
>Heh. You'dve thought it was something else for a second.
>You feel yourself drifting off.
>Your nose catches the scent of her mane as you breathe, smelling slightly of sweat.
>It's somehow reasurring, and you close your eyes.
>Your last thought before you go to sleep, being of how happy you are to have a friend like her.