How well did Rainbow Dash know Scootaloo before agreeing to be her mentor?

[Music Chart Fan 819]

As the topic title states, how well did Rainbow Dash know Scootaloo before agreeing to take Scootaloo under her wing and be Scootaloo's mentor? As third-party viewers, we already know both characters fairly well, and of course many people wanted to see a deeper relationship develop between the two of them, but how well does Rainbow Dash know Scootaloo in-world?

 

If you think about it, Scootaloo is three steps removed from Rainbow Dash: Scootaloo is the friend...of two of the younger sisters...of two of Rainbow Dash's friends. Can you imagine being good friends with your friend's younger sister's friend? To me, that seems a little too far removed unless I knew that particular person for other reasons. Agreeing to be Scootaloo's mentor seems like a big commitment  for Rainbow Dash to make if they didn't already know each other fairly well to begin with.

 

What evidence can you think of in past episodes to show how developed Rainbow Dash's relationship was with Scootaloo? Do you think Rainbow Dash's decision to be Scootaloo's mentor was rash or maybe a little unrealistic if they don't actually know each other very well?

[jackleapp81 456]

Consider that Rainbow Dash did gain quite a bit of popularity and notoriety from the "Sonic Rainboom" episode, and her heroic deeds in the "Mare Do-Well" episode, so it's likely that Scootaloo heard about (or witnessed some of) Dash's endeavors and began to quietly admire Rainbow Dash from afar. 

 

Even though Rainbow Dash hasn't really had a meaningful interaction with Scootaloo until the latest episode, Scootaloo's bold (and awkward) attempts to impress Dash were quite obvious, so Rainbow Dash  at least got the opportunity to get a glimpse of Scootaloo's personality. I think it is possible that during the course of the episode enough of a "bond" was formed between Dash and Scootaloo to justify Dash's decision to take Scootaloo under her wing. 

 

 

[NavelColt 22,880]

Ponyville is a pretty small-sized town, and I imagine that, from the get-go, it's not -that- hard to run into most of it's other residents on a daily basis if you live in the main town or visit it at even semi-frequently. Pinkie knows everyone in Ponyville, but I don't think it's such a big feat to have at least seen most ponies around, even if you haven't literally talked their ear off to get to know them all, like Pinkie has. Dash lives somewhere on it's outskirts yes, but she's in Ponyville a lot because several of her best friends live, work or shop there. We also know Scootaloo is usually in or around Ponyville with the CMC or by herself doing scooter tricks.

 

Two of the CMC are related to the Mane Six, and the CMC always hang out together. Furthermore, Scoots adores Dash, runs a fanclub about her, and probably tries to follow her around once in a while and watch her do flight tricks or something, when she's not busy or not crusading with the other CMC. My assumption is that Dash knows Scootaloo at an acquittance level. She's had plenty of opportunities to talk to her, they've carried on full conversations a fair amount of times, some of which we've seen ourselves, and Dash is obviously aware that she's her self-proclaimed biggest fan. She's also probably aware that Scoots can't fly, since she uses her scooter to get around. Though who knows, maybe she just assumes Scoots likes scootering.

 

I don't find Dash's decision to be rash. Dash can inherently be rash, but she was tapping into Sentimental Dashie Mode when she and Scoots had their heart-to-heart. I think Dash knows Scootaloo well enough through the CMC's constant interaction with the Mane Six, and any interactions they've had due to Scoots' fandom of Dash causing her to be nearby Dash most of the time.

 

In my mind, Dash was aware that the kid really wanted to bond with her from the camping trip, was a huge fan of her, and that she was the only CMC that doesn't have a sister or sister-like figure. 'Taking her under her wing' implies spending some more personal time with Scoots, and possibly teaching her how to fly, both of which Dash seems to be fine with.

 

They don't have an in-depth relationship no, but I believe Dash knows Scootaloo well enough, and is aware that the kid could use a sister figure anyway.

[Tall_But_Short_37 233]

Ponyville is a pretty small-sized town, and I imagine that, from the get-go, it's not -that- hard to run into most of it's other residents on a daily basis if you live in the main town or visit it at even semi-frequently. Pinkie knows everyone in Ponyville, but I don't think it's such a big feat to have at least seen most ponies around, even if you haven't literally talked their ear off to get to know them all, like Pinkie has. Dash lives somewhere on it's outskirts yes, but she's in Ponyville a lot because several of her best friends live, work or shop there. We also know Scootaloo is usually in or around Ponyville with the CMC or by herself doing scooter tricks.

 

Two of the CMC are related to the Mane Six, and the CMC always hang out together. Furthermore, Scoots adores Dash, runs a fanclub about her, and probably tries to follow her around once in a while and watch her do flight tricks or something, when she's not busy or not crusading with the other CMC. My assumption is that Dash knows Scootaloo at an acquittance level. She's had plenty of opportunities to talk to her, they've carried on full conversations a fair amount of times, some of which we've seen ourselves, and Dash is obviously aware that she's her self-proclaimed biggest fan. She's also probably aware that Scoots can't fly, since she uses her scooter to get around. Though who knows, maybe she just assumes Scoots likes scootering.

 

I don't find Dash's decision to be rash. Dash can inherently be rash, but she was tapping into Sentimental Dashie Mode when she and Scoots had their heart-to-heart. I think Dash knows Scootaloo well enough through the CMC's constant interaction with the Mane Six, and any interactions they've had due to Scoots' fandom of Dash causing her to be nearby Dash most of the time.

 

In my mind, Dash was aware that the kid really wanted to bond with her from the camping trip, was a huge fan of her, and that she was the only CMC that doesn't have a sister or sister-like figure. 'Taking her under her wing' implies spending some more personal time with Scoots, and possibly teaching her how to fly, both of which Dash seems to be fine with.

 

They don't have an in-depth relationship no, but I believe Dash knows Scootaloo well enough, and is aware that the kid could use a sister figure anyway.

 

And it seems like regardless of how well Rainbow knew her before, she probably felt a strong connection to Scoots and saw a little bit of her younger self in her with the whole "I was scared of those stories the first time I heard them too."

[XUNUSEDXXX 3,459]

Discord took the words out of my mind.

 

As seen in previous episodes, Scoots is constantly following, praising, worshiping Dash. RD even knew about the fan club and who was the leader when she was looking through the window in that episode. That clearly gave her a certain idea of how the filly feels for her.

Also, I honestly don't think it's necessary to have to know a person (pony, in this case) to actually take them in as one with you. There's something called adoption, which the adopting parent(s) basically have little knowledge about the infant/child they are making a commitment to care for, but they do it out of the love in their heart and what is good for that child. (Those sentiments don't exactly sound like Dash, but like Chaotic Discord said, she had a soft moment).

[Sugarcube 213]

I think Rainbowdash probably sees a lot of her younger self in Scootaloo and it also influenced her decision to mentor her. Scootaloo is bold and likes stunts and adrenline like things just like Rainbowdash does and looks up to her which Scootaloo makes clear. Rainbowdash isn't known for her soft spot, but she defintely has one, she just guards it very close.

 

I have a younger sister, and I voulnteered a lot at her school while I was still living at home, I got to know a lot of her friends and when they need advice they will ask my sister to ask me. I don't know this kids super well, but I do know they look up to me and think I am "cool" because I always made an effort to be involved in my sister's life, something their older siblings don't do as much of. If one of them came to me with a problem or wanted help learning something I would do my best to teach them or help them. I think Rainbowdash sees it the same way.

Edited December 10, 2012 by Sugarcube

[IronPuddinG 249]

Ponyville is a pretty small-sized town, and I imagine that, from the get-go, it's not -that- hard to run into most of it's other residents on a daily basis if you live in the main town or visit it at even semi-frequently. Pinkie knows everyone in Ponyville, but I don't think it's such a big feat to have at least seen most ponies around, even if you haven't literally talked their ear off to get to know them all, like Pinkie has. Dash lives somewhere on it's outskirts yes, but she's in Ponyville a lot because several of her best friends live, work or shop there. We also know Scootaloo is usually in or around Ponyville with the CMC or by herself doing scooter tricks.

 

Two of the CMC are related to the Mane Six, and the CMC always hang out together. Furthermore, Scoots adores Dash, runs a fanclub about her, and probably tries to follow her around once in a while and watch her do flight tricks or something, when she's not busy or not crusading with the other CMC. My assumption is that Dash knows Scootaloo at an acquittance level. She's had plenty of opportunities to talk to her, they've carried on full conversations a fair amount of times, some of which we've seen ourselves, and Dash is obviously aware that she's her self-proclaimed biggest fan. She's also probably aware that Scoots can't fly, since she uses her scooter to get around. Though who knows, maybe she just assumes Scoots likes scootering.

 

I don't find Dash's decision to be rash. Dash can inherently be rash, but she was tapping into Sentimental Dashie Mode when she and Scoots had their heart-to-heart. I think Dash knows Scootaloo well enough through the CMC's constant interaction with the Mane Six, and any interactions they've had due to Scoots' fandom of Dash causing her to be nearby Dash most of the time.

 

In my mind, Dash was aware that the kid really wanted to bond with her from the camping trip, was a huge fan of her, and that she was the only CMC that doesn't have a sister or sister-like figure. 'Taking her under her wing' implies spending some more personal time with Scoots, and possibly teaching her how to fly, both of which Dash seems to be fine with.

 

They don't have an in-depth relationship no, but I believe Dash knows Scootaloo well enough, and is aware that the kid could use a sister figure anyway.

For whatever reason, it won't let me quote a small part of your post.

 

The part I'd like to refer to is:

"She's also probably aware that Scoots can't fly, since she uses her scooter to get around. Though who knows, maybe she just assumes Scoots likes scootering."

 

I'm pretty she's full aware of her lack of ability to fly, as in the final part of the episode, Rainbow is seen carrying Scootaloo with her hoof as she is flying.

[NavelColt 22,880]

For whatever reason, it won't let me quote a small part of your post.

 

The part I'd like to refer to is:

"She's also probably aware that Scoots can't fly, since she uses her scooter to get around. Though who knows, maybe she just assumes Scoots likes scootering."

 

I'm pretty she's full aware of her lack of ability to fly, as in the final part of the episode, Rainbow is seen carrying Scootaloo with her hoof as she is flying.

Well yeah, obviously NOW she knows, but I mean whether she knew that prior to this episode, or just now, after inevitably finding out that Scoots couldn't fly, before she had to carry her.

[IronPuddinG 249]

Well yeah, obviously NOW she knows, but I mean whether she knew that prior to this episode, or just now, after inevitably finding out that Scoots couldn't fly, before she had to carry her.

Ah, that makes more sense.  I thought that you were drawing all of this with previous information and in light of recent events.

Guess I had a little disconnect there. 

[Music Chart Fan 819]

I don't doubt that Scootaloo has admired Rainbow Dash and wanted to spend more time with her for a while. As you all have pointed out, that has been alluded to in previous episodes, and Scootaloo spells it out at the beginning of this most recent episode.

 

Also, I honestly don't think it's necessary to have to know a person (pony, in this case) to actually take them in as one with you. There's something called adoption, which the adopting parent(s) basically have little knowledge about the infant/child they are making a commitment to care for, but they do it out of the love in their heart and what is good for that child. (Those sentiments don't exactly sound like Dash, but like Chaotic Discord said, she had a soft moment).

 

Adoption is a very serious decision which is (presumably) made after a lot of thought and consideration by the adoptive parent(s) of their ability and desire to raise a child. It appears that Rainbow Dash made the decision to be Scootaloo's mentor pretty quickly after Scootaloo told Rainbow Dash of that desire. I don't think we saw Rainbow Dash considering being Scootaloo's mentor any time before Scootaloo brought it up.

 

I guess I personally would want to be sure of what I'm getting into before agreeing to be a younger child's mentor - not only being sure that I am willing and able to mentor a younger child, but also being sure that I can get along with the kid which I'm mentoring and that the kid being mentored is willing and able to learn from me. The way I see it, the less a potential mentor knows the kid to be mentored, the more admirable it is for the potential mentor to agree to do so, but also the less likely it is for the potential mentor to agree to do so.

 

I have a younger sister, and I voulnteered a lot at her school while I was still living at home, I got to know a lot of her friends and when they need advice they will ask my sister to ask me. I don't know this kids super well, but I do know they look up to me and think I am "cool" because I always made an effort to be involved in my sister's life, something their older siblings don't do as much of. If one of them came to me with a problem or wanted help learning something I would do my best to teach them or help them. I think Rainbowdash sees it the same way.

 

That's cool that you do that; if a younger kid approached me for advice, I would probably give it, especially if the kid said that he or she looked up to me. I would say, though, that occasionally giving advice when approached or when happening across a teachable moment is not quite as big a deal as agreeing to mentor a young child, which involves putting in time, effort, and ability on a regular basis. I'm not sure if my description of mentoring describes what you do; if so, all the better for you to be doing that much to help out your sister's friends.

 

Also, judging from what you wrote, your position as a volunteer at their school gave you a specific opportunity and perhaps a certain obligation as part of your work to get to know these kids a little bit, and for them to get to know you. Conversely, we don't know how many times Rainbow Dash had a specific opportunity and/or obligation to get to know Scootaloo better.