Let me in, Rainbow Dash Ch.1

"I want to come inside, Rainbow Dash."

> You are standing outside of Twilight's Library, peering in one of the windows. Rainbow Dash has locked herself inside and is now curled up in the corner facing away from you.
> Outside it is pouring rain, and you're getting soaked.  You're wet, cold and miserable. You'll probably catch pneumonia.
> But you don't care.
> All you care about is convincing the sobbing, miserable pegasus pony inside to let you in.
> All you need is just a few minutes. Just a few minutes to explain yourself, to try to get her to understand.
> You couldn't let things end like this. Not after what you did.
> You decide to try again.
Rainbow Dash, please... I-
> You choke on your words.
I-I'm sorry.
> Your head droops down. Your eyes are now wet too, but it's not from the rain.
> The powder blue form in the house doesn't move or acknowledge your words. Her back quivers periodically from sobs.

> You know she's pushing you out, and she has every right to, but you deserve a chance.  You NEED a chance.
> You start to feel angry.
> *BAM* Your palm strikes the window.
RAINBOW.
> She raises her head up a little bit.
> You continue with a loud, assertive tone.
PLEASE. LISTEN TO ME.
> There is a long pause. Everything is silent save for the soft patter of raindrops against the glass.
> Suddenly, Rainbow Dash jumps to her feet and glares menacingly at you.
> Her eyes are red and puffy, damp streaks run down her cheeks.
> She screams.
> "WELL MAYBE I DON'T WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY!"
> The words spear through your chest. Your mouth fails to find any words.
> You can only watch, helplessly, as the pegasus slowly makes her way up the library stairs, glaring angrily at you the entire time.
> She then disappears silently into the upper floors of the library, completely out of sight.
Fuck.
> You let the word slip out as you rest your head against the cool glass.
> You really fucked up this time.

> The walk to Carousel Boutique seems to take forever.
> Eventually, you find yourself standing at the door to the clothing shop, hesitating.
> You really didn't want to do this.
> But then again, you don't have anywhere else to turn.
> Cautiously, you place your finger over the doorbell and press.
> The doorbell rings.
> The cheery tones are accompanied by a string of muffled footsteps.
> Rarity starts to talk as she opens the door,
> "Oh I'm dreadfully sorry dear, but we're already clo- Dear Celestia!"
> She stops mid sentence as she notices the sorry condition you're in. Soaked from head to toe, mud covering your shoes, eyes red and inflamed. You look like a trainwreck.
> "Anonymous!" She exclaims, "What in Equestria happened?"
It's... a long story.
> You say, your voice trembling slightly. Your eyes never meet, you are too ashamed to look her in the face.
> There is a pregnant pause as you stand in the doorway. Rarity stares at you with a deeply concerned expression.
> "Well come on, then." She says, turning and starting to walk in to the store. "Let's get you cleaned up."

> You're wrapped in a large, fluffy blanket, sitting in Rarity's kitchen.  Underneath you're naked except for your boxer-briefs. Even they got a bit soaked from the downpour.
> Rarity is in the other room cleaning the mud from your pants.
> You feel lucky to be friends with such a generous and kind pony.
> She wasn't always so amicable towards you, though.  You recall that the first time you met her, she outright refused to let you inside her shop.  She may have even thrown around the  phrase 'large untamed brute' a few times.  Now merely a year later and she is scrubbing your jeans without a second thought.
> A year... had it really been that long?  It seemed like only yesterday that you found yourself in this strange, fantastic world.  You remember how suddenly and forcefully you were pulled from your home world.  The magical anomaly that had whisked you away was a mystery still unsolved.  You remember the shock of finding yourself in a place so completely different.  The dread of realizing you could never go back.
> But the feelings of being stranded and helpless had long since faded away.
> Since your time here you have made good friends, experienced adventures, withstood misfortunes.  You have made a home for yourself in a town that was initially unwelcoming and afraid of you.  You had grown to love the strange world of color and joy that you had been so carelessly cast into.
> And in turn, some of the world's residents had grown to love you.
> Your thoughts briefly flash to Rainbow Dash's face.
> You grimace as you remember the reason you are here. You try to think of something else. Anything else.

> The tea kettle goes off, spewing heated vapor into the air with a shrill whistle.
> Rarity enters the kitchen nonchalantly.  She keeps her gaze away and doesn't seem to acknowledge your presence.
> She strolls over to the stove, removes the kettle from the burner and magically levitates two cups out of her cupboard.
> You remain silent, contemplating the questions she will inevitably ask.
> Rarity returns to the table with the two tea cups, each filled with a warm, misty liquid. She begins chatting as she does so.
> "Well, your pants are clean and currently drying.  Your shoes, however, will need a lot more scrubbing to get all the dirt off."
> She takes the seat opposite of yours and sets your tea cup gently in front of you, the magical aura fading away from her telekinetic spell.
> You grasp the small cup in your hands and slowly take a sip.  The fragrant drink warms your mouth and throat.
> You set the tea down and speak, trying to find a cheerful tone.
Thank you Rarity. You're amazing.
> She smiles and waves away your compliment and says, "Oh, don't mention it, darling."
> She then stares at you with an expectant look on her face. You know you can't get out of this situation without explaining what happened.
> This is it. You have to admit it.
Rarity,
> You say, your voice low and somber
I messed up.  I messed up big time.
> Rarity's eyes widen. She leans forward, intrigued.

> You continue.
You know that Rainbow Dash and I have gotten... close, as friends, yeah?
> She nods.
Well, its more than that. Rainbow Dash...
> You struggle with the words. They catch in your throat like barbs.
> You force yourself to keep talking.
Rainbow Dash loves me.
> Rarity gasps audibly. She seems shocked, perhaps even horrified.
I've known it for a while now. After all, we've spent so much time together. Goofing off, pulling pranks, relaxing in the afternoons.
> You swallow, your mouth is suddenly quite dry.
I can tell just from the way she looks at me. She adores me. She just likes me so much, and...
> You trail off. You put your head in your hands, and try to stop your bottom lip from quivering.
> "And," Rarity says, gently prodding, "Do you.. love her?"
> Your jaw locks up. You grit your teeth and summon your remaining strength.
I-I don't know.
> The words hang in the air heavily, filling the room like a dense gas.
> Rarity looks sympathetic, but expects more.
> You draw in breath with a slow sigh, and then begin to tell the full story.

It was last night, right after Pinkie's party for Ponyville's Founding Day.
Everyp0ny was filtering out of Town Hall and starting to walk back to their houses...
> The memory of the night floods back to you. You're shuffling through the grass back to your house on the edge of ponyville.
> The air is cool. Small droplets of dew are shaken off by your footsteps.  Your steps are careful and deliberate, as your head is still slightly fuzzy from the hearty amount of punch you consumed at the party.
> You can't help but gaze at the brilliant night sky.  White dots sprinkled against a dark lavender sky.
> Suddenly, a voice calls out to you from above.
> "Anon! Hey anon, wait up!"
> You look up into the sky to see a shadowy blur swooping down towards you.
Woah!
> You exclaim as you fall backwards, covering your head with your hands.
> Rainbow Dash skids to a wobbly stop in front of you, then turns to smile at you with a cheeky look.
> "Haha, sorry Anon."  She says in a cheery tone as you stand up again.  She must also have had a generous portion of punch at the party.
Dash, you almost clobbered me!
> You gripe, but you're not actually angry at her.
> "Oh lighten up, you big lug." She says with a smirk, "So where you going anyway?"
Home. I'm going to bed.
> "Really? That's lame." She teases, "It's still so early!"

> You stretch your neck and let out a small yawn.
I'm pretty tired. I'd rather just go sleep.
> You say. Honestly, you are quite sleepy.
> "Ok fine, you can go to bed..." Rainbow dash says in a downcast tone.  She starts to turn away from you.
> You let out a small sigh of relief.
> "Right after a round of pony wrestling!"
What-
> Is all you manage to get out before getting knocked to the ground by Rainbow's pounce.
> You and the sky blue pony tumble on the grass. You fight to gain control, invigorated from the sudden attack.
> She slips deftly out of your holds and evades your grapples.  She dances around you like a large, pegasus-shaped butterfly
> The fight continues, a flurry of hooves and hands, for several minutes.  Your laughs echo through the empty countryside.
> Your strength slowly ebbs away, until suddenly you find yourself lying on your back, Rainbow Dash pining you with her fore-hooves.
> You look up to see her smiling, reveling in her victory.  Her breaths are deep and heavy.

> "Hah. I win again" She boasts. You sheepishly grin back at her.
Yeah, you got me.
> You admit rather awkwardly.
> You are suddenly aware of how close your faces are, your combined breath heating the cold air.
> Her confident smirk melts into one of half-lidded compassion.  She leans closer.
> "I like that you're so easy to beat, Anon." She breathlessly mutters, her cheeks flushed, "But maybe one day I'll let you win."
> A tingle stirs inside your chest. You've been alone in this strange, alien place for so long. You've made good friends, true, but you sometimes lay awake at night longing for something... more.  A companion, someone to share your time with, to fend off the loneliness. Someone to love.
> Could this light blue pegasus be that person?
> Her face is getting closer, lips mere inches away.
> You could kiss her.  Right here. Right now. It would be the most easy thing in the world.

> No.
> You can't. She's a pony. An animal. And you're a human.
> She thinks pony thoughts. Feels pony emotions.  She's made from sunshine and magic.  You're a naked ape from a harsh, turbulent world.
> Your thoughts bubble outward until you are forced to act.
> You wince and turn your head away from her.
> Surprised from your rejection, she pulls her head back.  Her mouth turns downward into the most disheartening frown you have ever seen.
> The silence between you stings like a razor.
> You clumsily sit up. Rainbow removes her hooves and backs up.
I think I'm gonna go to bed now.
> You mumble, in an attempt to dissolve the awkwardness.  You stand up and turn away, walking towards your house.
> "Wait!" Rainbow exclaims. You stop in your tracks.
> "Anon..." She starts.
> No. Rainbow. Please, for your own sake, don't do this.
> "I like you. A lot."

> You tense up.  Without turning, you reply,
I know, Rainbow Dash. But we can't be together.
> There. It hurts, but there's no other way.  She's forced your hand.
> A soft wind blows past you silently.
> "But... why?", a tiny voice behind you squeaks.
> The feelings of depression rise and turn into irritation.  You conceal it, and respond in a stern voice,
Because you're a pony. And I'm a human.
> You turn to face her, making your intentions abundantly clear, you add,
We're too different.
> Her downcast expression explodes into fury. She refuses to give up.
> "No we're not!" She exclaims, hints of exasperation in her voice.
> "You're just afraid. Afraid of what everyp0ny else will think."
> Her brow lowers and she continues her attack, taking small steps as she does so.
> "I don't care about what they think! Why should you?"

The answer is still no.
> You say, standing your ground. Anger burns under your collar. She shouldn't keep pushing you like this.
> "Don't tell me you haven't thought about it before", she says, lacing her words with allure.
> She's made up the distance between you and stands before you rebelliously.
> "I bet you have." She challenges, tracing a hoof up your leg.  "Admit it, it would feel... nice."
> You reach your limit. Something snaps inside, and everything flashes white for a split second.
> You find yourself with your palm stinging and Rainbow Dash cowering back. Her eyes are filled with tears, she holds her hoof over her left cheek in pain.

> "You hit her?!" Rarity yells, bolting upright in her chair.
> You're back in Rarity's kitchen, staring at the blue tablecloth and avoiding her hateful gaze.
> Rarity leaps towards you.  You don't bother moving as she strikes you across the face with her hoof. You deserve it.
> Rarity regains her composure, mumbling angrily to herself as he sits down again.
> "Well," she urges, "what happened then?"
She flew off before I could say anything.
> You explain,
I spent half the night looking for her around town.  The next morning I found that she locked herself in the library.
She's still there, but Twilight and Spike have the only other keys and they won't be back from Canterlot for another two days.
> You shift around in your seat, too small to be comfortable.  Your eyes burn, but you don't feel like you can cry any more.  You feel like you're at the end of your rope.

I don't know what to do, Rarity. She won't let me in.
> You say, exasperated.
I just want to apologize. I don't know if I can love her, but if I lose her as a friend I don't know what I'll do.
> Rarity sighs and takes another long drink of tea, finishing her cup.
> "Fine, I'll help you sort this out."  She says, "Rainbow will listen to me."