RD'S POV
 
>You watch Anon as he runs, until he disappears into the distance.
>Phew. That was a close one!
>You're kinda glad you got to smuggle it out. Whatever IT is.
>Considering where it's been, though...That DEFINITELY makes it worthwhile.
>You pause, for a moment, then put your hoof on your flank.
>It feels like it's...Quivering a little.
>Even with your hoof over the spot, it still feels like his hand is still there.
>Whenever you move a muscle in that area, it feels...Tense, but...Good?
>...Maybe you should get him to do it again...To make sure it's not bad, of course.
>Wait, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!
>He just...SPANKED you! You didn't say he could do that!
>Your cheeks flare up with sudden heat.
>Nu-uh! That's not gonna fly.
>Next time you see him, you'll spank him back! See if he likes it!
>...Oh-o-ok, no, you won't do that.
>B-but you'll definitely tell him that it's not...That he'd better not do it again!
>Y-yeah!
>...How long are you gonna stand here for?
>You gotta get it back to your house.
>How though?
>...Well, you've never seen something like it before, so...Maybe other ponies haven't, either?
>You don't exactly keep up with fashion or whatever, so it could be something that other ponies are wearing.
>Nah, that's stupid. There's no tail hole.
>It's definitely a human thing, so it won't matter if you fly back home with it in your mouth.
>...In your, m-mouth...
>REALLY no other way to carry it? Really?
 
>You know, Applejack probably had something. Like a saddlebag, maybe, that you could've borrowed?
>You could've walked there, kept it under your wing, nopony would've noticed. She would've been happy to see you again.
>More than happy to lend you something.
>Yeah, that sounds like a CLEVER plan, doesn't it Rainbow Dash?
>Sure does, brain! Screw you too!
>Yeah, here you are, flying back to your house in view of pegasi. MANY pegasi.
>This wouldn't be a problem if you were traveling fast so they couldn't see what you were carrying, but NO. You actually THOUGHT about that part.
>Duh, if you go too fast, it'll ruin the smell! Or you'll lose it!
>Stupid. FREAKIN'. BRAIN!
>Yeah, sure, they don't know what it is. Least you don't think they do.
>You looked at a few faces, but they seem more occupied with how slow you're flying than what you're carrying.
>This is doing NOTHING for your reputation. You look STUPID!
>And if they do know what it is...T-then...!
>Shhhhhhhhhhhh...Shut up.
>You're almost home. Almost home.
>You can forget about it, you'll make up for it, it'll all be over soon.
>Ugh, it feels so FAR AWAY!
>You can afford to speed up a little, right? Just for the last stretch?
>You go faster. Like, just a tiny bit faster.
>This is making you paranoid. Too many things to think about at once.
>You've never had to be this careful. EVER!
>OK. The door. YOUR door.
>You open it, and go inside.
>Immediately, You toss it on your couch.
>The clouds that make up your house were specially made to hold stuff like that, but if it landed on a thin part of the floor, it could easily fall through.
>...And that idea can go die in a hole.
 
>You slump onto the couch, and try to relax.
>It's OK, it's over. You can go as fast as you want now.
>You look over at it.
>You don't even know what it's called. Or what it's for.
>Somehow, though, the fact that you just got away with taking something that's been THAT close to Anon feels...Awesome.
>Not awesome enough to make you forget about how embarrassed you are, but enough to make it worth it.
>You drape the cloth over your two front hooves, and stuff your face into it.
>You take a big sniff.
>...
"Oh, yeaaaaaaah."
>Did you just say that out loud?
>You dart your head around, looking to see if anyone heard.
>It's your own house, stupid. Lighten up.
>You can feel yourself blushing anyway.
>You hug the item tightly to your chest.
>You feel like a total creep, but you don't care.
>It doesn't matter what it is, it's his, and it's yours now.
>It feels like some kind of treasure, something you put a lot of effort into getting and something worth keeping.
>...Why DO you need it, anyway?
>You've got so much in common with him, and thinking about what he's said, and done...
>H-he won't turn you down. He couldn't. Not possible.
>If he did, though, y-you...You would...
>No, no. You're not thinking about that again. NO.
>He's made you feel awful, he's haunted your dreams and for SO long, you've wanted nothing but him, and you.
>You want to hate him for it, but you can't. You've tried.
>But if he doesn't say yes...You're done.
>With him, and...Everything else.
 
>You groan, and slam your hoof on the top of the couch.
>Let it go, Dash. You're not gonna be a drama queen. Again.
>You've had it up to HERE with wallowing and self-pity.
>Things are so much more certain now. You feel like you're on solid ground, that it's only a matter of time before it all works out.
>You've got him. He's yours. You only need to ask.
>So that means you'll get to pick the location. The time, and the way you'll do it.
>No WAY are you going to wait for him to say it. You're gonna be the one.
>Thanks to Rarity, everything's going to work out just...
>Wait. Yeah! Rarity!
>You're not gonna wait this time round. You are DONE with waiting.
>You leave It on the couch, rush to the door and fling it open.
>You take one last look at your ill-gained possession, then slam the door shut.
>You set off full speed towards Rarity's house.
>It feels so GOOD to go so fast.
>You're almost there already.
>She's got some kind of plan, you know she has.
>If she doesn't, then why would she just...Give away her ticket like that?
>You stop before you bust through her roof.
>You've got too much respect for her now to be doing that.
>...Guess you'll use the door.
>Might as well. Nopony else is gonna use it.
>You knock.
>She's in, right?
>"...Is that you, Rainbow Dash?"
"Uh, yeah."
>The door opens.
 
>You fly through.
>Rarity's there. Doesn't look like she's doing anything important.
>"Our meeting isn't until 3. Is there something else I can do for you?"
>WHAT.
"Don't give me that! You...Wh-what you did! With your ticket! What was that?!"
>She pauses in surprise, and then looks a little penitent.
>"Oh, right. I'm sorry if you were, ah, having a moment with Anonymous, back then."
"...What?"
>"Well, you were clearly on a date with him, and it was wrong of me to come in between you two like tha-"
"DATE?! NO!"
>She looks at you confused, then giggles.
>"Rainbow Dash, I know a couple when I see one. I have to say, I'm rather proud of you for taking the first step."
>You're torn between accepting the compliment, or being honest.
>You decide you'll tell her the truth, as you're not even close to being on a REAL date with him yet.
"L-look, Rarity, that wasn't a date. OK? It was...I dunno. ANYWAY."
>You set a point and run through some words in your head.
"What you did back there. I-I liked that, don't worry, but...What's the plan?"
>She tilts her head to one side with a pensive expression.
>"Plan?"
>Oh, for Pete's sake.
"Yeah, THE PLAN, Rarity. You...You didn't do that for nothing!"
>She seems to understand.
>"Oh, right! Of course. Why I gave Anonymous my ticket."
"YES. THAT, uh...What's the plan?"
>She brings her left foreleg up to put her hoof on her cheek.
>"Well, I thought it might give you and Anonymous a chance to, well..." She makes odd gestures with her hooves. "...Get together?"
>...That's it?
"That's it?!"
>"Oh, no, no, of course not!", She giggles hollowly before continuing. "It's not as if I'm going to stop helping you, or anything."
 
>You...Guess that makes sense.
>You don't know how she's being so...Laid back about this.
>But you trust her, so you'll see what she has in mind.
>It's just advice, though? You thought it'd be like, some kind of elaborate trap to set for him or something.
>You take a deep breath, and calm down.
"So...Nothing, like...Big?"
>She pauses for a moment to try and figure out what you meant by that.
>"Oh! No, no, not yet."
>Not YET?
>This stuff is way over your head. You though it was as simple as pulling off a few tricks or something, then asking them out.
>You were thinking, like, a sonic rainboom or something.
>As much as you want to do this for yourself, she hasn't let you down yet.
"OK, well...Lemmie know when you come up with something. I uh...Gotta wait for Anon's break to start.
>You start to head for the ceiling door.
>"So soon?"
>Eh?
>You turn around and look at Rarity.
>She's looks at you slyly, then heads towards a cupboard.
>"Since you've came all this way, don't you want to stay for a while? It's been so long since we actually...Talked."
"Rarity, come on, we've talked a lot! I have like, lessons with you pretty much every day..."
>She shakes her head.
>"That's not talking. Not friendly conversation, anyway."
>Man, she's...Kinda intense, when it comes to things like this. Personal things.
>...Guess it's better than waiting in a tree somewhere until you hear the break bell.
>Besides, It'll be nice to 'actually talk' with her again.
>You blush a little, thinking about how much you owe her for what she's done.
"Yeah, alright. Thanks, Rare."
>She seemed to have been anticipating that answer, and is already filling a teapot with water.
>"Cinnamon?" She says, winking at you.
 
ANON'S POV
 
>You've got a lot of energy today, considering you didn't sleep much last night.
>Applejack has definitely warmed up to you ever since you said you'd get RD to hang out with her again.
>And you'll be damned if that day isn't today.
>"So, how've yuh been, sugarcube?"
>She's smiling at you while you push the wheelbarrow.
>Of course you're pushing the wheelbarrow. It may as well be your job description. You're the wheelbarrow king.
"Oh, pretty good. Didn't get much sleep."
>"Heh, well, y' sure ain't showin' it."
>It's good to see her like this. In a good mood, you mean.
>It reminds you of the days you, her and Dash used to hang out all the time.
>Guess she's not the only one looking forward to the reunion.
>"Say, ah've been thinkin'."
"Yeah?"
>She pauses to scratch her nose, and then turns her head to you.
>"When yur break comes 'round, could ah wait with yew?"
>You look at her, a little puzzled.
"Wait for what?"
>She grins.
>"Fer Rainbow, o'course!"
>Oh. That's...not a bad idea. You could spend your breaks with AJ & RD, and the rest of the day with Rainbow.
>That could definitely work out!
"Well, it's not like I'd be able to stop you. Sure."
>You smile back at her.
>She laughs.
>You like it when she laughs. It's always so genuine.
>...You suppose, coming from the alleged "element of honesty", it'd be wierd if there was something coming out of her mouth that wasn't genuine.
 
>"Well, ah'll see ya then, ah suppose."
"Come on, AJ, you can't tell me you're not looking forward to this."
>She scratches the back of her head.
>"He-heh. Yeah, ah am. Ah can't wait."
>She's your boss, so you resist the temptation to ruffle her mane.
>The rest of your shift passes by like molasses with crutches.
>It's not as warm as it was yesterday, but it's hard to be cold when you're working as hard as you are.
>It's not the hardest you've ever worked, but it's still pretty solid as far as effort is concerned.
>Although, it's not any fault of your own. Applejack seems to have taken a lot of the tougher jobs herself.
>Either she's still feeling grateful and is cutting you some slack, or she's feeling particularly motivated today.
>Whichever one it is, it's no doubt due to the idea of seeing Dash again.
>She almost skips from one job to the next. You can tell she's excited.
>Eventually, break time comes round, and you walk out of the entrance. AJ follows.
>She decides to go for the slightly more daring option, and leans against your leg, crossing her forelegs.
"Fancy meeting you here."
>She laughs heartily.
>"Eh, ah noticed yew hangin' out over here a buncha times. Thought I might join ya."
"Well, good. It's a little boring waiting here by myself. Always wished I had a pony to talk to while I waited."
>She casts an eye up at you.
>"Huh. Y'mean yeh don't mind if ah do this more oftn'?
>You cast an eye down at her.
"Well, it's a free country."
>You stand there together for a while, seeing who will drop the act first.
>...Eventually, you hear a small chuckle build in the orange pony's chest.
>She caves, and hugs your legs tightly, laughing.
>There are worse ways to spend your free time.