[Backdated to Friday/Open]

[elementofloyalty]

[Not everyone was off having a grand old time at the Homecoming Dance.]

[For example, take this pegasus pony, who -- after clearing the clouds out from around Balamb as promised -- has snuck a purloined cumulus into the Training Center. Not terribly deep inside, but high enough to be out of range of danger, she lies on her cloud and looks miserable.]

[She is, after all, clearly not cool enough to go to the stupid dance where no one wants her around anyone and it's not like she has anyone to impress so she gets an invite onto the Wonderbolts so why should she bother even showing up.]

[Stupid dance. Stupid Garden. She's way too cool for ANY of them.]

Comments

[elementofloyalty]

[She can, and in fact does, recognize it as such. She stands up properly, turning to face him.]

You know, I'm sure no one has ever told you this before... but you're a pretty good friend, Ed.

[rewritethis]

[Yeah, he can think of a lot of things he's been called more often than that. Starting with "short", then his actual name, and working down from there.

He doesn't bat an eyelid. In fact, his vaguely grumpy expression doesn't change... apart from very faintly flushing.] Sure, why not? I'm talking to a pony. I think I could buy pretty much anything at this point.

[elementofloyalty]

You know, for a big dumb angry jerk.

[She has to say that, because she's reared up to give him a pony hug, so she has to make absolutely sure it isn't mushy or yucky or anything like that. Also to give him an excuse to yell and protest about it.]

[rewritethis]

Hey... I'm dumb? The hell does that make everyone else, inanimate?! [Note the descriptors he isn't protesting about...

He's not hugging back. Of course he's not hugging back. But he isn't actively pulling away, either.]

[elementofloyalty]

[She won't make him endure it long. Or herself. No one saw that so it never happened.]

I said dumb, not stupid! You're great at thinking "how can I" and really, really bad at thinking "should I?"!

[Rainbow: totally one to talk.]

[rewritethis]

[Where'd that come from?!]

How would you know? Like you ever stop to think for more than a second about anything!

[elementofloyalty]

[That's the difference, at least in Rainbow's mind. This has come up with Twilight before, not that Dash would ever call HER dumb to her face.]

Sure I do! For example, you would have never asked you for homework help!

[rewritethis]

Only because I wouldn't need it. What's your point?

[elementofloyalty]

But if you did, you wouldn't have asked!

[rewritethis]

[His eye-roll makes it pretty clear what he thinks of that hypothetical scenario.] So you don't actually have a point. Good to know.

[elementofloyalty]

My point's that you wouldn't ask for help. Even if you needed it.

[rewritethis]

So what? Do I have a sign on my back saying "psychoanalyse me" or something?

[His tone is light, by his standards - but no, really, don't start on his issues. He has other stuff to do this year.]

[elementofloyalty]

...Not at the moment.

[You've just given Rainbow an Idea, Ed. She DOES enjoy a good prank, after all...]

[rewritethis]

[Oh, he realises. ...He'll count that as an improvement.]

Well, that's great. I'm so glad you found something to do for the rest of the evening.

[Unfortunately for him, he doesn't have a whole lot of choice about turning his back on her as he heads off. It's either that or looking ridiculous and probably tripping over.]

[elementofloyalty]

[All that follows him out is amused laughter. She won't do it NOW, silly. She'll wait till you've forgotten. Maybe in a couple weeks, on break.]