Title:           Dashed Hopes (Anon x Rainbow Dash/Gilda) (WIP)
Author:          Leucine
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/JV9jkdYt
First Edit:      Monday 9th of April 2012 08:52:56 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Monday 9th of April 2012 08:52:56 AM CDT

>It's been quite a while since you arrived in Equestria. Definitely more than a year now but you'd not sure exactly how long. Long enough that you've happily integrated into pony society, or so you feel. You certainly get along with them well enough.
>Which is probably why you get mail and the local mailmare is hammering away at your door. She's a nice girl but definitely a little... ditzy. No matter, her heart's in the right place and that's what mattered to you.
>"Morning, Der- Pinkie?"
>The pink mare is bouncing on the spot as you look down at her blearily. You've been torn away from your breakfast for one of Pinkie's... why is she here even? It's not that you mind a visit but it's just so early...
>"Hiya Anon! I've got a biiiig party comin' up and I wanted to drop off some of the invites personally! You know how our mailmare is."
>You nod, taking the pink slip she passes to you. "Yeah, she's-"
>"Only the best mailmare in all of Equestria! But even the best ponies make mistakes sometimes, right?" Why is she so sickeningly endearing in her innocent charm? Without doubt it's the one reason you put up with her wild antics. If you were to also disregard how wonderful a friend she is.
>"Sure. So a party, hmm?" The last of your sleepiness flees as you realise just what you've said.
>"Mmmhmm, it's gonna have everything! Well not everything, I couldn't get that awesome DJ out of Manehatten to come but I made sure she got some of the cake I made. And d'ya know what -kind- of cake it is? Triple chocolate fudge, of course! I mean, what kind of party pony would I be if I didn't know every p0ny's favourite cake, hellooooo?" You tune out momentarily, allowing her to run on in her spiel. "... kind of food they like so I just got -everything- and Gilda's sure to like that!"
 
>You rub at your head for a moment, trying fruitlessly to recall all she said. At least you seemed to come back at the right moment. Something to do with someone named Gilda? Why does the name sound familiar...
>"There a new pony in town?" That was the reason you most often heard for her parties, whenever they weren't for something incredibly mundane.
>"Nuh-uh! She's not even a pony, c'mon Anon you can't be -that- tired." She leaps up, putting hooves at your shoulders and her face right in against yours, eyes squinting at your own. "Are you sure you don't need some sugar to pep you up? Because I always keep a supply of cupcakes just in case-"
>You gently take her hooves and lower her. "I'm fine, thanks. I just can't seem to place the name."
>"Pfft, that's easy." And at that Pinkie just sits down at looks up at you expectantly.
>"Okay..." You lean against the door jamb, ready to settle in for the long-haul.
>"Aww, c'mon Anon, Dashie told you all about her before." She tilts her head to one side, that smile she always seems to wear still gracing her lips.
>Dash has told you about a lot of ponies and... other creatures. One named Gilda... wasn't she an old friend? Yeah, Dash had a bit of a falling out with her because... she treated the girls pretty badly and -that- was because... she's a gryphon! A gryphon. You'd seen some mythical beasts since arriving in Equestria but they'd all been of an animalistic level of intelligence, you could deal with that. Gryphons were on a par with ponies and, from what you'd heard, pretty nasty to boot.
>So why is this friend coming back?
 
>"Yeah, I remember her but uh..." You hold your hands out, hoping she picks up on your discomfort.
>"Uuuhhh?" Still the same old smile.
>"You know."
>"I know her, yep!"
>"Why is she..."
>"She is because she is, Anon. You think therefore you are, right?" Right. No, wait, hang on... What?
>"Okay, why are you throwing a party for her?"
>A very loud gigglesnort. "Because she's coming back to town, silly! She sent Dashie a letter saying she wanted to be friends again and that she'd changed. For her!" There's a gasp, one of -those- gasps. "Can you believe it? Gryphons -never- change their spots!"
>You take a look down at the slip of paper: the party's this evening? Great, you had a day off from working at the spa and now... Actually, was it so bad? Pinkie's parties could get a little out of hand sometimes but otherwise it was a nice chance to let your hair down with Dash. Now there was a pony who knew how to party!
>"Maybe she has." You look back up to see the smile has returned.
>"That's the spirit, Anon! Every p0ny or gryphon or human or whatever always deserves a second chance, right?" Now that's something you can agree with. This Gilda sounded pretty bad but if she and Dash were as close as she let on it'd nice if the mare could reconnect with an old friend.
>"Right. I'll be there, don't worry."
>With a little cheer she's bouncing off, no doubt to pass out more invitations. You take another look down at it - Seven, Sugarcube Corner, lot's of fun, Gilda the gryphon'll be making a big apology speech, Fluttershy -has- to come.
 
>You don't get up to much the rest of the day, wondering what the hell this party's going to be like. You'd not yet had the chance to actually meet a gryphon and now the one you were going to had a reputation for having a bad attitude.
>But, as Pinkie said, you'd just have to give her a chance.
>The party is already in full swing by the time you get to Sugarcube Corner, with the girls all in attendance. Fluttershy looks particularly nervous with Applejack and Rarity at her sides.
>"Hey dude, great party, huh?" There's a little bump at your side as Dash knocks against you. She sits down as you take notice of her, beaming up at you.
>"Yeah, Pinkie really knows how to throw 'em." You lean back against the wall, settling in.
>She snickers softly against a hoof. "Can you believe Gilda actually wrote me? Don't get me wrong, it's not like I -need- her. I mean, I've got you now..." She turns away blushing slightly. She's been doing that quite a bit lately and you have your suspicions why. "It's just gonna be good to have her back if she means she's changed."
>You go down onto your haunches and put a hand to her shoulder. "Sure, Dash, you just have to have a little faith." Her eyes flick from your arm back to you.
>"Yeeaah, listen Anon there's something I wanted to tell you tonight. Since everything's been goin' so well, I was thinkin' maybe we could-"
>"She's coming! She's coming!" Pinkie's voice loudly cuts through Dash's soft speech, the hoof that was slowly rising to your arm now whipping back.
>Both of you stand and look towards the entrance to the shop. And wait. You're almost sure you can feel Dash's nervousness as she gently presses herself against you. Your own hand comes to rest on her shoulder.
>The door opens.
 
>In steps... she's a gryphon alright - half eagle, half lion. There's a feathered crown trailing off her forehead, white feathers leading into purple. It matches the purple splotches at her eyes. She takes a look around and then raises a claw.
>"Hey."
>You knew that tone well. It was the same kind of 'I don't give a fuck' intonation Dash would often take up but... just so much more. Just by the way she half leans back you can tell Gilda really doesn't care about the onlookers. If you didn't know how much of a bitch she'd been to your friend you might admit you like this kind of self-assuredness.
>"Hey..." Dash steps forward, drawing Gilda's attention. "You came."
>After that pompous show it's strange to see Gilda sit and rub one of her forelegs. "Yeah... Listen, Rainbow, I'm... sorry, okay?" The word just about comes out. Barely. She ambles over to Dash, looking to you every few seconds.
>"I guess that's a start but you're going to have to apologise to Fluttershy if you really wanna get into my good books." With a little prompting from her friends the yellow pegasus steps up, still keeping sure to maintain a distance from the gryphon.
>"You're Rainbow's friend?" Despite her shaking Fluttershy does her best to nod. "Guess I'm sorry." The mare sighs heavily, falling back against Applejack. Gilda turns back to Dash, a grin starting to form on her beak. "So Rainbow-"
>"I'm not done yet." Dash holds up a hoof instantly silencing Gilda. "You screwed up, G. You really messed around with my friends and if you mean what you said in the letter you're gonna have to work hard to get my trust back."
 
>For the briefest moment you see the gryphon's heckles rise. She ruffles her wings out and then resettles them. "Sure, Rainbow, I guess I can do that." Now she turns her gaze upon you and you understand why Fluttershy was shaking. Knowing this is a predator that could easily tear you apart... it's pretty unsettling, alright. "Who's this dude?"
>Dash looks up to you, her own smile returning. "Him? This is Anon, he's a human."
>Gilda scans her eyes up and down you, nodding. "I like him, he doesn't look like a lame-o." Dash cackles in response.
>"Nah, Anon's about the only guy I've found who's even close to being as cool as me." She bumps against you. "I've still got a few things to show you, just remember that." You grin down at her, having your own ideas as to what she's talking about.
>"Yeah?" Gilda stalks over, taking a position at your other side. "Maybe I'll show him a few things of my own." You feel Dash press herself a little closer against you.
>"Whatever, G, it's not like Anon knows you like I do. Like I said, you're gonna have to earn my and my friends' trust."
>"Sure Dash, no problem." Her eyes don't leave your own as she speaks.
>"Did somep0ny eat all the cake? This is a party! C'mon everyp0ny!" You've never been so glad for Pinkie to draw attention to herself, as Gilda suddenly looks off to her, allowing you to mingle in among the assembled ponies who are now back to talking, laughing and striking up a suitable atmosphere. The way she was looking at you...>"Hey Anon." Dash has followed after you, it seems. "Listen, I know Gilda can be kinda... creepy but she can grow on ya."
 
>You look to see her taking a cup of punch, pulling back and smiling nervously to allow a pony go ahead of her. The stallion buys it easily enough but you've seen that kind of smile before. Even if you hadn't you can see, even from where you're standing, how tensed up her muscles are.
>"She's your friend, if you want to hang out with her I won't complain."
>"Anon?" Dash is looking up at you very earnestly.
>"Sorry." You rub at your head. "She just seems kinda much for me right now." A nicker is your response.
>"Yeah she's pretty intense but... I dunno, I guess she's cool in her own way."
>"Think I prefer yours..." You murmur, looking back to her. Dash bumps against you. You're finding you like how she does that.
>"Hey, want me to get us some punch?" You nod and Dash trots off, looking much more contented.
>You, however, begin to feel on edge again as Gilda catches your eye and starts walking over wearing a smirk.
>"So you're Dash's new friend, huh?" She's settled herself next to you in the clearing that's formed around her.
>"Yeah." You try not to stare at her too much, she'd probably rip your arms off just for doing it anyway.
>"Human?" You nod, still trying not to look at her. "Never heard of 'em."
>"I'm not native to this world." C'mon Dash...
>"Ooh, guess that makes you kinda exotic, huh?" There's a sudden warmth as Gilda presses herself to you. "You know that's why I like Dash, 'cause she's pretty exotic too. But you're different, if ya know what I mean." You don't nor do you want to. "C'mon dude, I'm not gonna bite ya." There's a chuckle lighter than you would have expected from her and you turn back to see half-lidded eyes. "Unless you're into that kinda thing."
>Oh good god... You have to be taking her up wrong here. The way she's looking at you, the way she holds her body so close, hell even the soft tone she's using and the way it makes her voice sound husky rather than gravelly... No! You don't like the sound of it!
>"Uh... no, not interested." A talon trails up your abdomen.
>"That's a shame, dude, 'cause-"
>"Hey!"
 
>Dash stomps towards the two of you, Gilda now holding her claw against your chest. "Just what the hay are you doin', G?"
>"Just getting to know your friend, seems pretty cool." Dash bats her claw away as Gilda cocks an eyebrow.
>"Yeah well knock it off, Anon doesn't like ponies getting physical with him unless he knows them. Right, Anon?" The look she gives you loses its intensity. It's almost... pleading.
>"Sorry, Gilda." You move over next to Dash, who beams up at you. "But like Dash said, you're gonna have to earn our trust."
>"Whatever. Just remember how cold it's getting, dude, I've got some nice feathers." She stalks off as ponies part way for her.
>Rainbow sighs to your side. "I'm -really- sorry, Anon. I thought she'd changed." She grits her teeth, staring after the gryphon. "Guess she's just the same as she's always been."
>"Dash." You pull her aside as she passes you one of the glasses she's been balancing on a wing. "Why don't we forget about Gilda for a second, you said there was something you wanted to tell me." And if you're right you'll have something to tell her.
>"Yeah..." She looks down, pawing at the ground. "Look, things are kinda... not really so right any more. Can we wait?"
>"Sure, whenever you want, Dash." You lean against her. "I know that'll be the right time."
>She sighs softly, the weight against you settling. Looking off, you see Gilda chatting to one of the ponies. She looks okay, just talking and not tearing the mare apart. Maybe she's just the type who likes to flirt a little.
>"Anon?" Dash's voice is soft. "You okay?"
>You realise now you've been staring at Gilda and look down to see your pegasus friend looking at you with some concern.
 
>"Yeah, it's fine." You take a sip of the punch."Hey you never really told me much about Gilda, you know."
>Dash sits down, looking into her glass. "There's... not a lot to say. We went to Junior Speedsters together, that's where I met her. Kinda kept in touch a little after that but... I guess I knew she wasn't really gonna change."
>"She was always a bitch?" Dash snorts into her glass, about to take a drink.
>"I wouldn't call her that! She's just kinda... mean."
>"Doesn't seem that mean to you." You glance off to the gryphon once more. "Or me."
>You feel Dash bump against you. "She's trouble, dude. I've seen her go through ponies pretty fast."
>You chuckle lightly. "Yeah, well, good thing it's not gryphons I'm into." Not that there's anything wrong with her, though.
>Rainbow looks much more content after that comment and the two of you slip into casual conversation though much of it revolves around Gilda and what's to become of her now. Dash remains somewhat skeptical though you prefer, perhaps not being as familiar with her history, to give her the benefit of the doubt.
>After all, didn't she do the same when you arrived in Equestria? She'd been intrigued by the strange creature that talked the same language, drank the same beverages and actually knew how to party. She'd been the one to defend you most vehemently, talking about giving you a chance to prove yourself.
>You'd been nigh on inseparable since then, joining her in her pranking as much as her training, sleeping and... practically everything.
>So much so that you'd found yourself rather taken by the blue mare. Especially given how she'd sometimes look at you or flick her mane or flare her wings out. They simply looked so... majestic.