-
1.
>That's kind of... Ew.
-
2.
"Hey, Fluttershy? You've uh... Got a bit of mucus... on your hoof."
-
3.
>You point to the offending appendage.
-
4.
>She looks down to where your finger is pointed, a curious expression adorning her face.
-
5.
>Her eyes momentarily widen in surprise.
-
6.
>"Oh my..."
-
7.
>Fluttershy looks back up at you, her lips curling into an embarresed smile.
-
8.
>"Um, I couldn't find any tissues after you had left... I didn't want to bother you at the time."
-
9.
>This causes you to shake your head and smile.
-
10.
"I know what you mean. Let me just tell you this, though: If you need something, just ask."
-
11.
>She simply smiles and nods.
-
12.
>You get up from your crouched position and proceed to pick up the dishes.
-
13.
>"Do you uh, have a bathroom around here, Anon? I'd like to clean myself up, if it wouldn't be any trouble."
-
14.
>Now that's something you haven't considered yet; ponies needing to bathe.
-
15.
>Wait, does she have to pee like a living creature, too?
-
16.
>Nevermind that for now.
-
17.
>You put the still dirty dishes in the sink and walk to the door that leads out of the kitchen.
-
18.
>Turning towards Fluttershy, you motion over your shoulder with your hand.
-
19.
"Follow me, I'll show you."
-
20.
>It takes less than a minute to lead her down the hall to the bathroom.
-
21.
>When you both get there, you let Fluttershy in ahead of you.
-
22.
>You step in behind her and absentmindedly inspect your bathtub/shower combo.
-
23.
"You have running water back in your world, right?"
-
24.
>She responds with a nod.
-
25.
>"Yes, we do."
-
26.
>Time to give her a quick tour of the bathroom.
-
27.
"So, you can take a bath or shower in the tub over there. There's a toilet for... well, I think you'd know what a toilet is for. I don't have any other towells around, so you can just use mine on the rack over there."
-
28.
>After looking around and looking for anything you forgot to mention, you turn to leave.
-
29.
"That should be it. Remember, call me if you need anything."
-
30.
>You shut the door behind you.
-
31.
>What should you do now?
-
32.
>Your vacation ends tonight, and you'll have to get back to defending some of the most obvious criminals out there tomorrow.
-
33.
>Seriously, why don't you ever get an average blue collar worker that was obviously in the wrong place in the wrong time?
-
34.
>It dawns on you that you've been standing in front of the bathroom while you think.
-
35.
>It only took hearing the toilet seat being lifted up; and the sound of urine hitting water to realise it.
-
36.
>Guess ponies DO need to pee.
-
37.
>Well, you don't need to listen to THAT. You're getting out of here.
-
38.
>For a while, you debate on whether or not to rinse out your dishes; eventually you make the excuse that running water in the kitchen sink might affect the water in the shower.
-
39.
>You aren't completely sure about that, but hey, washing dishes is boring!
-
40.
>Remembering your plan from earlier, you go to investigate the internet to see if there are any new transpirings.
-
41.
>A few seconds later, you are in front of your computer looking over the thread.
-
42.
>It's on page eight, and nobody has posted for about an hour.
-
43.
>Maybe a bump will attract some extra attention?
-
44.
>Your IRC client bleeps.
-
45.
>That's convenient!
-
46.
>It's Sifraf.
-
47.
---
-
48.
[7:45 PM] Sifraf: Hey
-
49.
-
50.
[7:45 PM] You: Oh hey, I just got on.
-
51.
[7:45 PM] You: Any luck with your situation?
-
52.
-
53.
[7:45 PM] Sifraf: Yeah. I made dinner and convinced her to watch a movie with me.
-
54.
-
55.
[7:46 PM] You: One day at your house, and you're already inviting her to the movies, huh?
-
56.
-
57.
[7:46 PM] Sifraf: You know I didn't mean it like that
-
58.
-
59.
[7:46 PM] You: Haha, just messing with you a bit. If I'm going to be in a crazy situation like this, might as well have a bit of fun
-
60.
-
61.
[7:47 PM] Sifraf: I guess so. Gotta keep spirits high, right?
-
62.
-
63.
[7:47 PM] You: yeah
-
64.
-
65.
[7:47 PM] Sifraf: So, what's Fluttershy doing?
-
66.
-
67.
[7:47 PM] You: showering.
-
68.
[7:48 PM] You: And Twilight?
-
69.
-
70.
[7:48 PM] Sifraf: Sleeping. She fell asleep near the end of the movie.
-
71.
-
72.
[7:48 PM] You: I don't blame her; this whole ordeal has both of us drained.
-
73.
[7:49 PM] You: How long has she been up for?
-
74.
-
75.
[7:49 PM] Sifraf: since she got here
-
76.
[7:49 PM] Sifraf: That was about 4 am.
-
77.
[7:49 PM] Sifraf: Idon't think she'll be waking up again tonight.
-
78.
-
79.
[7:50 PM] You: probably not
-
80.
[7:50 PM] You: Hey, I've got work tomorrow. Do you have any plans or suggestions for what I should do with Fluttershy?
-
81.
[7:50 PM] You: I left her here for a few hours today, but work is a lot longer.
-
82.
-
83.
[7:52 PM] Sifraf: How about letting her browse the web? If you're really worried, you could instal a web filter.
-
84.
-
85.
[7:52 PM] You: I could do that.
-
86.
-
87.
[7:53 PM] Sifraf: Maybe tell her a few good TV channels to watch. Animal planet might work.
-
88.
-
89.
[7:53 PM] You: Sounds like a plan!
-
90.
---
-
91.
>The sound of draining water echoes through your house.
-
92.
>Funny, you hadn't even heard Fluttershy fill up the tub; you must have been quite engrossed in your chat.
-
93.
---
-
94.
[7:54 PM] Sifraf: Hey, do you mind if I ask something of you?
-
95.
-
96.
[7:54 PM] You: Sure, go ahead
-
97.
-
98.
[7:55] Sifraf: I want to help Twilight get home. I was hoping you could help me.
-
99.
-
100.
[7:55 PM] You: I'm actually trying to do the same with Fluttershy. I can't say much right now, but I have a guy on the job.
-
101.
[7:55 PM] You: That makes me think. Why did you choose option two if you want to send her back?
-
102.
-
103.
---
-
104.
-
105.
>It takes Sifraf a while to reply to your question, which makes it hard to tell if you are going to like the answer or not.
-
106.
>Eventually though, he replies.
-
107.
---
-
108.
[8:01 PM] Sifraf: Well
-
109.
[8:01 PM] Sifraf: At first I thought it would be a good choice, I didn't realize the implications until it actually happened.
-
110.
-
111.
[8:01 PM] You: Implications?
-
112.
-
113.
[8:02 PM] Sifraf: Yes. When I was talking to Twilight earlier, she told me about when she was reading. She was looking for any explination for why she got here, or how she could get home.
-
114.
[8:03 PM] Sifraf: It made me realize that if it really was my fault that i brought her here, then I was the one responsible to help her get back.
-
115.
-
116.
[8:03 PM] You: me and Fluttershy had almost the same discussion. I told her everything.
-
117.
[8:04 PM] You: Except for her being from a cartoon.
-
118.
-
119.
[8:04 PM] Sifraf: Same here.
-
120.
[8:05 PM] Sifraf: She acted like she beleived me, but I'm not sure if she's suspicious.
-
121.
-
122.
{8:05 PM] You: I'm not surprised. She's always on someone's case.
-
123.
-
124.
[8:06 PM] Sifraf: Speaking of, did you actually choose FS in your post?
-
125.
-
126.
[8:07 PM] You: Actually, no. I didn't even choose a pony!
-
127.
[8:07 PM] You: Which did you choose?
-
128.
-
129.
[8:08 PM] Sifraf: I actually chose Fluttershy.
-
130.
[8:08 PM] Sifraf: funny cooincidence.
-
131.
-
132.
[8:08 PM] You: I'll say.
-
133.
[8:09 PM] You: Well, whoever did the deliveries shouldn't look for a mailman job.
-
134.
-
135.
[8:09 PM] Sifraf: lel
-
136.
-
137.
---
-
138.
>You hear your bathroom door open, and then a creak from down the hall.
-
139.
>Must be Fluttershy got done with her bath.
-
140.
>The creaking eventually gets closer, until it stops right outside your doorway.
-
141.
>Even though you know the identity of what was making the creaking, hearing something like that still kinda creeps you out.
-
142.
>You don't care how paranoid you are, you've seen enough horror movies to know where this shit goes... sometimes.
-
143.
>Swiveling around, you see, obiously, Fluttershy at your doorway.
-
144.
>Her mane is a bit out of place; still it must have dried. You couldn't really see if her coat was any different in this lighting.
-
145.
>You stifle a giggle at her messy fur.
-
146.
"Hey there, everything work out fine for you?"
-
147.
>"Oh, yes, everything was great. I was wondering though, do you have a hairbrush? I could only find a comb in the bathroom."
-
148.
>Fluttershy takes a few uneasy pokes at the carpet with her hoof.
-
149.
>"I mean, it's okay if you don't. I just thought I'd ask..."
-
150.
>You scratch your head in contemplation.
-
151.
>Hair is something you never really worried about. You just usually kept it short, and laid it down when it was wet.
-
152.
"I think I have one around here somewhere. I never really use it, though."
-
153.
>You get up from your seat and head for your dresser.
-
154.
>Rummaging through the drawers, you find many an interesting item.
-
155.
>Old cassete tapes... no, family photos... nope, Gramps' old revolver... not that either.
-
156.
>What's this?
-
157.
>You pull out a pair of black, lacy, female underwear.
-
158.
>Guess Dianne isn't coming back for these any time soon.
-
159.
>You toss them over to your waste basket.
-
160.
"Ah-ha! There it is!"
-
161.
>Out of the drawer, you pull a small, wodden handled brush.
-
162.
>You take a closer look.
-
163.
"Hm, I think this used to belong to my grandmother."
-
164.
>At least somebody-er pony is going to get some use out of it.
-
165.
-
166.
>You hand the brush over to Fluttershy, who takes it into a single hoof.
-
167.
>Hooves. How the hell do they work?
-
168.
>"Thanks."
-
169.
>She quietly heads back to the bathroom.
-
170.
>You turn back to your computer.
-
171.
-
172.
---
-
173.
-
174.
[8:08 PM] Sifraff: I'm surprised that no one else has found this yet.
-
175.
[8:09 PM] Sifraff: Guess we'll have to keep the thread up.
-
176.
[8:16 PM] Sifraf: Well, I also have work in the morning
-
177.
[8:16 PM] Sifraf: I can't think of much more to talk about atm, and I have to make some preperations for tomorrow.
-
178.
[8:16 PM] Sifraff: If something comes up, here's my E-mail, I don't feel safe giving out my real one, so I made a new account.
-
179.
[8:17 PM] Sifraf: Sifraf@gmail.com
-
180.
[8:17 PM] Sifraf: Seeya!
-
181.
-
182.
[8:17 PM - Sifraf Has left]
-
183.
---
-
184.
-
185.
>You write down Sifraf's E-mail address on a peice of paper.
-
186.
>If he's gone, maybe it's about time to see if there's someone else on the thread who has gotten a pony.
-
187.
>As you skim through the thread, you see that only a few more posts have been made.
-
188.
>Two bumps and three updates.
-
189.
>Nothing much here.
-
190.
>Fuck it, you haven't played any PC games in a while, but what else is there to do?
-
191.
>It's not like you have a talking pony in your house right now.
-
192.
>You search through your library of games until you settle on one.
-
193.
>Fallout 3? It's been a long time since you've played that.
-
194.
>As you play, you laugh to yourself about the absurdity of the situation.
-
195.
>Fluttershy, one of the main characters of a cartoon that you've watched for roughly three years now, is in your house.
-
196.
>You've talked to her, you've touched her, hell, you even saw her ladybits earlier!
-
197.
>You had actually forgotten about that.
-
198.
>Shaking the memory off, you continue your trek across the virtual wasteland.
-
199.
>A raider begins to shoot at you from a few yards away.
-
200.
>It doesn't take long for you to find him, and aim your hunting rifle.
-
201.
>You set up your targeting plan, and press the confirmation key.
-
202.
>The scene plays out as you fire your rifle, and the raiders head turns into a mix of red paste and skull fragments.
-
203.
>There is a gasp from your doorway.
-
204.
>Where the gasp eminates from, stands Fluttershy.
-
205.
>Her face has turned a shade of green.
-
206.
>You dash out of your chair to get the wastebasket, but it's too late.
-
207.
>She pukes where she stands.
-
208.
-
209.
>It takes you about thirty minutes for you to clean up Yellow Horse's vomit.
-
210.
>You think you counted about five appologies in that timeframe.
-
211.
>After about the fifth one, you told Fluttershy to go wash her face.
-
212.
>She somberly did as she was suggested, and went back to the bathroom.
-
213.
>Finally, you soak up all of the puke from your carpet; if you're lucky, nothing too dificult will be thrown your way at the firm tomorrow.
-
214.
>If you can get home earlier, you can clean the carpet more thouroughly.
-
215.
>Yeah, like that's going to happen.
-
216.
>Your job really sucks sometimes.
-
217.
>With the pukey towel in the washer, you head to your living room. Fluttershy is sitting on the couch; hear head is resting on her forelegs and she's looking at your TV.
-
218.
>This gives you an idea.
-
219.
>It's only about nine o'clock; you have time for one last activity before bed.
-
220.
"Hey, you wanna watch a movie before bed? I thought you might like to see some human media."
-
221.
>She lifts her head and looks over your way; her eyes just a bit less lively than usual.
-
222.
>"U-um, sure, That would be... Nice..."
-
223.
>You notice a bit of nervousness in her current expression. Is this from the throw up incident?
-
224.
>Deciding it best to just act like nothing happened, you search for a movie that would be more family friendly.
-
225.
>Family friendly... this gives you a hunch.
-
226.
>While you were cleaning up, you explained to her why she just saw some guy's head get blown off.
-
227.
>You had told her that it was a video game, nothing real was in it. Another thing you had to explain was why you were playing it.
-
228.
>Something that thinks that you might one day kill them usually doesn't stick around too long.
-
229.
"Don't worry, this movie doesn't have any blood in it. It's appropriate for all ages."
-
230.
>She lets loose a deep sigh of releif.
-
231.
>You pop the movie in and take a seat next to the yellow pone.
-
232.
>The movie ends at about a quarter to eleven; and you're both equally drowsy.
-
233.
>You yawn out a sentance.
-
234.
"You can use my bed when you're ready. I'm too tired to move from this couch."
-
235.
>Fluttershy is too sleepy to even argue, so she just nods and heads for your room.
-
236.
>You grab a blanket from under the couch, turn off the light, and fall asleep within minutes.
-
237.
-
238.
>Today is slooooooow.
-
239.
>Right now, you're just sitting at your desk doing paperwork.
-
240.
>You look at the clock on your desk.
-
241.
>3:11 PM, goddamn this day is SLOW.
-
242.
>Almost everyone else in the office has a case but you.
-
243.
>They say that you're one of the best lawyers in the office, what the hell is going on here?
-
244.
>A few more hours pass, it is now 5:34 PM.
-
245.
>Your phone rings.
-
246.
>YES! FINALLY!
-
247.
>After regaining your composiure, you answer the phone.
-
248.
>You give out your standard business greeting and wait for your potential client to respond.
-
249.
>"Hello, is your refridgerator running?"
-
250.
"Yeah yeah buddy, why don't you take that pone of yours and shove it up your ass?"
-
251.
>You hang up without a second word.
-
252.
>It's 6 PM now. Nothing else has happened.
-
253.
>Fuck it, you're checking out early today.
-
254.
>After you lock the door to your office, you head for your car.
-
255.
>The drive home is uneventful, with thankfuly no crashes this time.
-
256.
>You enter your house and plop your keys on the kitchen table.
-
257.
"Hey Flutters, you still here?"
-
258.
>You hardly hear her faint voice from inside your living room.
-
259.
>"I'm in here, Anon!"
-
260.
>As you enter the living room, you see that the TV is on.
-
261.
>It was so much easier to let her watch, knowing that your cable plan didn't include The Hub.
-
262.
>She's laying on the couch covered in a blanket.
-
263.
>She still somehow has a fever today.
-
264.
>That doesn't even make any sense!
-
265.
>You're pretty sure you don't get fevers from colds.
-
266.
>The only thing you can think of is that ponies work differently, or some other shit.
-
267.
>Or that she's from a fictional world where cartoon gags happen sometimes.
-
268.
>As you pass by, you reach out your hand and feel her forehead without really thinking.
-
269.
>Fluttershy is surprised at first, but calms down soon enough.
-
270.
"Looks like the fever's still just as strong as this mroning."
-
271.
>"I-I seem to have a weaker immune system than other ponies that I know..."
-
272.
>Her eyes are closed, and she's leaning into your hand.
-
273.
>You go to pull back, but as you do, her head follows suit.
-
274.
>Ah fuck it, you'll humor her for a little bit.
-
275.
>You move your hand over to her left ear, and begin to scratch behind it.
-
276.
>She moves her head to get your hands into the position she wants.
-
277.
>This goes on for about a minute, then you pull your hand away.
-
278.
>When she realizes that your hand is no longer there, Fluttershy snaps out of her trance.
-
279.
>Once she realizes what she was doing, she lets out an embarrased giggle.
-
280.
>"You're home earlier than you said, Anon."
-
281.
>You take a seat next to her on the couch and continue the conversation while looking at what's on TV.
-
282.
"Yeah, it was a slow day today. No clients, only a prank call. What did you do while I was gone?"
-
283.
>Fluttershy wipes her nose with a tissue as she responds.
-
284.
>"Not very much, I've been resting, mostly."
-
285.
>She punctuates her sentance with a small sneeze.
-
286.
"Maybe once you get better, and I find you some comfortable winter clothing, we could do something outside."
-
287.
>You still feel bad that she's stuck here with nearly nothing to do.
-
288.
>Out of the corner of your eye, you notice her let loose a small shiver.
-
289.
>Fucking fevers.
-
290.
>Don't certain painkillers help with those?
-
291.
>But fevers are the body's way of fighting the germs in you...
-
292.
>Would that even work on a pony?
-
293.
-
294.
>"What the hell", you decide, you used to take painkillers all the time when you had a fever; you always got better, too.
-
295.
"One second, I'll be right back."
-
296.
>You get up from your couch and head for your medicine cabinet.
-
297.
>Once you get there, you dig through your various medicines that you've accumulated throughout the years.
-
298.
>In the middle of the cluster of bottles, you find a bottle of Tylenol.
-
299.
>You take out a single pill and grab a glass, filling it from the tap.
-
300.
>Ariving back at your living room, you hold out the pill and glass to Fluttershy.
-
301.
"Here, this should help with a few things."
-
302.
>She eyes the pill curiously.
-
303.
>"Do you think this will really help...?"
-
304.
>You nod in affirmation.
-
305.
"Always helped me. All it really is is just a painkiller; it helps other things, too."
-
306.
>She takes the pill out of your hand along with the water.
-
307.
>The pill looks relativley small in her hoof compared to the comically oversized one she gave Celestia's pet phoenix in "A Bird In the Hoof".
-
308.
>Will she need a higher dose?
-
309.
>Nah, better not risk it for now.
-
310.
>Fluttershy swallows the pill with a few mouthfulls of water.
-
311.
>She hands the glass bakc to you and you take it back to the kitchen.
-
312.
-
313.
>The need to use the bathroom suddenly takes you.
-
314.
>You haven't gone since this morning, holy hell.
-
315.
>YOU REALLY HAVE TO FUCKING PEE.
-
316.
>It seems to take forever for you to get to the bathroom; but you finally make it there.
-
317.
>Sweet releif.
-
318.
>After your usual routine of flushing and washing your hands, you open the door and step out into the hallway.
-
319.
>A faint ringing makes it's way to your ears.
-
320.
"What is that...?"
-
321.
>You follow the sound to your bedroom.
-
322.
>it's comming form inside your desk.
-
323.
>You open it up and see on of your cell phones ringing and vibrating.
-
324.
>Oh great, what's going on now...?
-
325.
>Sometimes you regret your seedy activities with the local drug dealers; but hey, it pays the bills.
-
326.
>Quite a bit actually.
-
327.
>You answer the call.
-
328.
"Yeah?"
-
329.
>"Hey bro, it's me."
-
330.
>It's only Troy. You'd almost forgot you called him!
-
331.
"Oh, hey! You get any word on any odd activity from that thread?"
-
332.
>"Nope. Just as I said, I can't do anything with an archive; it's not the same website."
-
333.
>You sigh. Yeah, it was a one in a billion chance of him finding anything, but it was still disappointing.
-
334.
"I didn't think there was too much of a chance, but thanks anyway."
-
335.
>"No problem."
-
336.
>He hangs up.
-
337.
>Damn.
-
338.
>You don't have any more ideas as to what you could do right now.
-
339.
>Guess you'll just do something with Fluttershy.
-
340.
>Now what kind of non-sexual activity could you do with a sick pony?
-
341.
-
342.
>You look over your room for ideas.
-
343.
>Your eyes fall upon your bookshelf, which is filled to the brim with all sorts of books from previous years in your life.
-
344.
>Memories come from the back of your mind from when you were just a kid; your mom would always read to you when you were sick in bed.
-
345.
>Maybe there's something in here that the pony on your couch would enjoy.
-
346.
>Eventually you settle on a book you think she'd like.
-
347.
>It's fairly short; around two hundered pages.
-
348.
>You return to your living room with the book under your arm.
-
349.
>Apparently Fluttershy got tired of whatever was on TV; she's just sitting there now.
-
350.
"I thought you might like to hear a story. My mother used to read to me when I was sick; I thought you might like to give it a try."
-
351.
>You realize that she's probably more than able to read by herself, but hey, sometimes listening to a story is more enjoyable.
-
352.
>Not to mention, this way you don't have to feel like you're leaving her all alone.
-
353.
>"I think that would be enjoyable; I could always read it myself if you're too busy..."
-
354.
>Sitting next to her on the couch again, you reply.
-
355.
"Not at all, I'm doing this because I want to."
-
356.
>You open up the book, and begin to read aloud.
-
357.
-
358.
>As you read, Fluttershy moves in closer to you and gets comfortable.
-
359.
>She's close, but not quite close enough to be making physical contact with you.
-
360.
>Minutes go by as you read her the tale written in the pages of the novel; she listens intently the whole time.
-
361.
>Eventually, you find a spot that would be good to leave off at for the night.
-
362.
>After bending the page over, you close the book.
-
363.
"That concludes our reading session for today; I expect your written reports handed in on my desk by Thursday."
-
364.
>Fluttershy giggles softly.
-
365.
>You set the book on the arm of the couch and turn to her.
-
366.
"How are you feeling? Your fever doesn't seem to be bothering you as much."
-
367.
>She smiles as she replies.
-
368.
>"Yes, I do. I think the medicine worked; the reading was relaxing, too."
-
369.
>You always liked to think you had a good reading voice; it's nice to hear that someone enjoys it.
-
370.
>It's only about half past seven now, and you're running out of ideas of what to do together.
-
371.
>You were thinking of checking the thread and chat room, but you've been gone since about 6 AM today until 6 PM, so that means that you've left Fluttershy alone here for twelve hours.
-
372.
>Was she the type to get lonley?
-
373.
>You're not too sure about that; she IS pretty shy, after all.
-
374.
>Either way, you're sure that if you ended up in an unfamiliar place, you think you'd be a bit uneasy being alone for that long.
-
375.
>Dinner and a conversation might be a good start.
-
376.
-
377.
>What to make...
-
378.
>You're kind of in the mood for mexican food tonight.
-
379.
>It's late, but you think you have a bit of time to make the food before bed.
-
380.
>There's only one problem, your recipe involves meat.
-
381.
>Good thing you have a handy tool called "The internet".
-
382.
>You quickly leave for your PC, telling Fluttershy that dinner was on the way.
-
383.
>Waking the computer from sleep mode, you un-minimize your browser.
-
384.
>There are also a few IRC messages, you'll have to check them later.
-
385.
>You're still on the story thread. It hasn't died yet.
-
386.
>Deciding to check it later, you look for a vegitarian recipee for Enchiladas.
-
387.
>It doesn't take long to find one that you can make with the ingredients available.
-
388.
>Coincidentally, you had bought black beans about a week ago for a different purpose.
-
389.
>You had already picked up some other ingredients when you went to the store yesterday; not considering Fluttershy's diet at the time.
-
390.
>To be honest, at that time you were half-expecting that you were just crazy; and that you might just return home to an empty house.
-
391.
>You return to the living room to announce tonight's dinner.
-
392.
"I'm gonna make something called "enchaladas" for dinner tonight. Not sure if you've ever tried them back in your world, but I can say that they taste great; to me at least."
-
393.
>"Yes, we have those; but I've actually never tried them myself."
-
394.
>You continue to the kitchen, talking to her on the way.
-
395.
"It should be ready in about... I actually don't know, I only skimmed the recipe, but I'd estimate forty minutes to an hour."
-
396.
>You are walking behind your couch when you see Fluttershy's head pop up from the other side.
-
397.
>"Would you uhm... like some help?"
-
398.
>With a smile, you reply.
-
399.
"I'll be fine, thanks. I hope you don't take this offensively, but I don't want to risk having you around the food while you're sick."
-
400.
>"Oh, okay..."
-
401.
>Her head slowly lowers back below the back of the couch as you resume your walk to the kitchen.
-
402.
-
403.
-
404.
-
405.
>It takes exactly forty minutes to get everything made.
-
406.
>When you believe everything is sufficiently cooled, you go to the doorway and call Fluttershy to the table.
-
407.
>You dish up both plates by the time she arrives; she sits down at the table.
-
408.
>Putting a plate of food at both of your seats, you sit down and begin to dig in.
-
409.
>As you eat, you decide to start up a conversation.
-
410.
"So uh..."
-
411.
>Shit, what do you talk about?
-
412.
>You catch yourself staring into space.
-
413.
>"Staring into space" also includes unknowingly looking at Fluttershy's flank.
-
414.
>Flank... hold on, that's something to talk about!
-
415.
>Okay, that sounded way weirder than you meant it to.
-
416.
"So, those marks that you have on your... flank? What are they?"
-
417.
>You know damn well what they are, but she doesn't know that, so it makes for a good way to get to know each other.
-
418.
>"Oh, this?"
-
419.
>She points to where her cutie mark is.
-
420.
>You nod.
-
421.
>"That's my cutie mark. It's a symbol for what I do best."
-
422.
>Keeping up the act, you ask her what that is.
-
423.
>"Well, it happened back when I was little. You'd never guess, but back then I was very shy."
-
424.
>You stifle a giggle at that.
-
425.
>"I was in summer flight camp at the time..."
-
426.
>You two eat your dinner as she tells the tale of how she got her cutie mark.
-
427.
>She goes on to tell you of how she fell down from the clouds, and discovered the land below.
-
428.
>The story ends with how she found out she could communicate with animals on a different level by coaxing them out of hiding.
-
429.
"Wow, sounds like it's a good thing your friend managed to pull of that 'Sonic Rainboom', huh?"
-
430.
>"You're right. If it weren't for Rainbow Dash, I might have not gotten it!"
-
431.
>Taking another bite of food, you keep the conversation going.
-
432.
"Though I can't quite imagine you singing..."
-
433.
>You smirk.
-
434.
"Maybe you'd like to show me sometime."
-
435.
>An embarrassed smile spreads across her face, along with a light blush.
-
436.
>"I-I... don't really like singing in front of others..."
-
437.
>You knew that would get her.
-
438.
-
439.
>Dinner ends shortly after Fluttershy's cutie mark story.
-
440.
>You clean off both plates, then lean on the sink; thinking to yourself.
-
441.
>It's really hard to think of things to do with Fluttershy.
-
442.
>The fact that she's sick and it's late makes it even harder.
-
443.
>You look out of the window over the sink.
-
444.
"Wow..."
-
445.
>The night sky is filled with what can only be described as millions of small, twinkling spots of light.
-
446.
>In the middle of all those stars is a full moon.
-
447.
>This doesn't happen nearly enough lately; it's been one of the cloudiest winters you've ever been through.
-
448.
>You don't know how long it's been since you've seen this many stars, not to mention a moon, too.
-
449.
>This is something you need to see from outside.
-
450.
>Checking the thermometer outside of the window, you see it says that it is about negative eight degrees Celsius.
-
451.
>Heading to your closet in the living room, you get out your coat and start heading for your back door.
-
452.
>Your plans are interrupted when you hear a soft voice call out your name.
-
453.
>"Where are you going, Anon?"
-
454.
>Right, Fluttershy.
-
455.
>Hey, maybe she'd like to see this!
-
456.
>No, wait, she doesn't have any winter clothes.
-
457.
>Wait, there's something that might work...
-
458.
"Hold on, I'll tell you in just a second."
-
459.
>Without another word, you head to your basement.
-
460.
>You find it in your old boxes of clothes.
-
461.
>There it is, the coat you wore when you were about nine or ten years old.
-
462.
>Once you are back upstairs, you give the coat to Fluttershy.
-
463.
"Here, put this on, I want to show you something outside."
-
464.
>She gets up, and begins to puts on the coat.
-
465.
>"What did you want to show me...?"
-
466.
"You'll see once you are clothed enough to go outside."
-
467.
>Soon she starts having trouble with the zipper.
-
468.
"Here, let me help you with that. This damn thing never zipped up too well."
-
469.
>You lean in closer and take the zipper in your fingers.
-
470.
>After a brief struggle, you get the coat zipped up; Fluttershy gives you a thankful smile.
-
471.
>You pause to look at her. This doesn't look like enough clothing.
-
472.
>She shifts uncomfortably under your vision.
-
473.
"This still doesn't look complete, hold on."
-
474.
>You head back to your bedroom and fetch a snow cap and an old scarf that you never use.
-
475.
>Once you return, you wrap the scarf around Fluttershy's neck, and put the snow cap on over her ears.
-
476.
>You don't know why you didn't just let her do it herself.
-
477.
>There's only one last thing she needs.
-
478.
>You're pretty sure that even if Fluttershy was wearing horse shoes of some kind, they wouldn't protect from the cold.
-
479.
>Out of your closet, you grab your snow boots.
-
480.
>They look like they'll fit her just fine.
-
481.
>The only problem is that there are only two, and she has four hooves.
-
482.
>You have an idea on how you might be able to slip by that problem, though.
-
483.
"Here, put these on your back hooves."
-
484.
>You set the boots in front of her.
-
485.
>Wordlessly, she puts one boot on each of her back hooves; she ties them herself.
-
486.
"Alright, looks like we're ready!"
-
487.
>Fluttershy walks up to you.
-
488.
>"Um... okay..."
-
489.
>You lead her to the back door of your house.
-
490.
>Before you open the door, though , you stop her.
-
491.
"I only have the one pair of boots, so I was thinking I could get you something to support yourself on once we get in the snow.
-
492.
>Fluttershy nods.
-
493.
>"Yes, I could do that."
-
494.
"Wait here real quick."
-
495.
>You head outside of your garage, onto your snow-covered patio.
-
496.
>Once you scour your surroundings for something that Fluttershy could support herself on, you remember that you packed up pretty much everything in your yard except a random two-by-four.
-
497.
>Damn! What do you do now?
-
498.
-
499.
>You spend at least two minutes thinking of something she could use.
-
500.
>After many minutes of brainstorming, you realize that the answer is right in front of you.
-
501.
>Or rather, IS you.
-
502.
>You head back inside, and stop in front of Fluttershy.
-
503.
"Well, I couldn't manage to find anything of use. I have an idea, though. You don't have to do it if you don't want to; but I was thinking you could hop up on my shoulders."
-
504.
>She just gives you a questioning stare.
-
505.
"It's okay, I'm sure I can just find something in the hou-"
-
506.
>You are cut off by Fluttershy's quiet voice.
-
507.
>"N-no... We could do that."
-
508.
>It takes a second to decipher what Fluttershy even said; it was too low to be clearly audible.
-
509.
"Okay then, this shouldn't be too difficult."
-
510.
>You motion for her to follow you to the entrance of the door.
-
511.
>There's an awning over the door outside, so you step outside and wait for Fluttershy to catch up.
-
512.
>After stepping outside, you crouch down, interlocking your fingers.
-
513.
"Climb aboard! Tickets are twenty bucks per passenger."
-
514.
>She is about to climb onto your fingers, then stops.
-
515.
>"Um... bucks? Do you mean like... with hooves?"
-
516.
>Different currency, right. Damn, this takes some getting used to.
-
517.
"It's a different name we use for money here."
-
518.
>"Oh."
-
519.
>With that, you feel a boot on your intertwined hands.
-
520.
>Then another.
-
521.
>She begins to loose her balance, falling forward onto your head.
-
522.
>You do your best to stay stable, letting her adjust herself accordingly.
-
523.
>Soon enough, Fluttershy is sitting on your shoulders, back hooves hanging next to both sides of your neck.
-
524.
>Her front hooves are resting on your collar bone; you can feel her barrel against the back of your head.
-
525.
>Everything seems to be in order, so it's time to head out.
-
526.
"All aboard!"
-
527.
>You should have been a conductor.
-
528.
>Goofiness aside, you step out from under the awning into the snow.
-
529.
-
530.
>You carry Fluttershy out into your yard.
-
531.
>Soon, you come to a stop in front of a low hanging tree.
-
532.
>After turning around to get a clear view of the sky, you look up.
-
533.
"Look at the sky."
-
534.
>Fluttershy does as she's told; looking upwards while holding on to your neck for support.
-
535.
>"Oh my...! It's beautiful!"
-
536.
>The stars and moon are still just as clear as they were a few minutes ago.
-
537.
>"Who raises the moon here, Anon?"
-
538.
>You never thought about telling her about how the sun and moon work here on Earth.
-
539.
"Technically, gravity 'raises' it. In all actuality, the moon orbits around the Earth."
-
540.
>Fluttershy gasps.
-
541.
>"Really?"
-
542.
>Remember, play dumb.
-
543.
"Yeah, does your moon not orbit by it's self?"
-
544.
>You can feel her shift on your shoulders.
-
545.
>"No, it doesn't... What about your sun?"
-
546.
"That is what we orbit around. Not to mention Earth it's self is spinning a little over one thousand miles per hour. That's how the sun rises and falls for us. I forget the rest."
-
547.
>"Wow..."
-
548.
>You and Fluttershy spend a while just looking at the night sky together; making light conversation during that time.
-
549.
>Your strength waivers for just a moment, and you wobble backwards.
-
550.
>Regaining your footing a moment later, you hear Fluttershy make a surprised screech.
-
551.
>Her front legs briefly leave your neck, then come back, wrapping around your head.
-
552.
>They are covering your eyes.
-
553.
"Agh!"
-
554.
>"Something's got a hold of me!"
-
555.
>You stumble, her grip tightens.
-
556.
>Then her back legs slip from your shoulders, only to come back, wrapped around the bottom half of your face.
-
557.
"Flphershy! Mph! Leff guhff!"
-
558.
>You can't tell her to let go, her legs are covering your mouth.
-
559.
>This is worse than that time you were mugged by that weird midget dude in Vegas!
-
560.
>Okay, nothing will ever be as weird or traumatizing as that night.
-
561.
>"Anon, help!"
-
562.
>Maybe if a certain SOMEBODY let go of your eyes for a second, you could...
-
563.
>Fluttershy's death grip on your face combined with her freaking out disorients you; making you loose your balance and fall.
-
564.
>You fall back, Fluttershy's grip only able to keep you up for a second before slipping off of your head.
-
565.
>"AAAH!"
-
566.
>Great, now you're laying on the ground, don't know up from down, the water was probably left running, and you hear sobbing above you.
-
567.
>Your eyes are squeezed shut at the moment; once you are re-oriented, you slowly open them.
-
568.
>In the tree above you, you see Fluttershy flailing her legs around.
-
569.
>With the help of the moonlight above, you see that the coat you gave her has caught on a branch.
-
570.
>What a night.
-
571.
>The coat wasn't a perfect fit, still a bit big for her; but because of this, the branch must have been able to slip all the way through to the collar.
-
572.
>You get up and look at the pony in the tree.
-
573.
>She's still flailing her legs; her wings are restricted by the jacket.
-
574.
>Without saying anything, you rest a hand on the top of her head.
-
575.
>This makes her freeze up instantly.
-
576.
>Her eyes shoot open, pupils shrunken to a pin prick.
-
577.
>"A-anon?"
-
578.
>You can't help it. You burst out laughing.
-
579.
-
580.
>You speak in between your laughs.
-
581.
"Fluttershy... It's only a tree!"
-
582.
>Another bout of laughter overtakes you.
-
583.
>"A... a tree...?"
-
584.
>She looks over her shoulder, and spots the branch she is hanging on.
-
585.
>"Oh..."
-
586.
>She lets loose a sigh of relief.
-
587.
>You still can't contain your laughter; Fluttershy looks over and notices this.
-
588.
>She's starting to sweat and hyperventilate.
-
589.
>Shit bro, better start calming your laughing ass.
-
590.
>By the time you stop, she's covering her eyes; unable to run away from your outburst.
-
591.
>Should you feel bad for doing that? You didn't have much control there.
-
592.
>You were never much for hiding your feelings, anyway; so it makes it quite hard dealing with a personality like this.
-
593.
>It makes you thankful that no rabid fans know you have this pony here; especially after this little happening.
-
594.
>Beaten within an inch of your life covered in cheeto dust and grease is not how you like spending your day.
-
595.
>Alright, you should probably get Fluttershy out of this fucking tree.
-
596.
>You go over a mental checklist for helping a pony out of a tree.
-
597.
>Step One: If you were just laughing at their misfortune, apologize; comfort if necessary.
-
598.
>You pat her on the shoulder.
-
599.
>In response, Fluttershy tries to shrug it off.
-
600.
>You put your hand back at your side.
-
601.
>Well shit, didn't she usually like this sort of thing?
-
602.
>Doing your best to put on a gentle smile, you begin.
-
603.
"Uhh... Look... I really didn't mean to laugh at you. It's just, we all make mistakes, right?"
-
604.
>She doesn't respond.
-
605.
>This isn't working.
-
606.
>Maybe you should move on to Step Two: Actually remove the pony from the fucking tree, you dipshit.
-
607.
>Deciding to just take a direct approach, you grab her by both sides, and slide her off of the branch with relative ease.
-
608.
>Your arms strain under her weight; and as soon as you put her on the ground, she sets off at full gallop towards the house.
-
609.
"Fluttershy, wait!"
-
610.
>Too late, she's already made her way into the house.
-
611.
"Well... Shit."
-
612.
>It's gonna be one of those nights.
-
613.
-
614.
>Well, this is no good.
-
615.
>You didn't expect her to take it this hard!
-
616.
>You hear the door to the garage shut.
-
617.
>Now that Fluttershy is out of sight, you realize just how out of hand this could get if you don't catch up.
-
618.
>Not that she needs supervision, but if she ends up running away from your house, then gets seen... Well, you know the rest.
-
619.
>Trekking through the snow takes you a shorter amount of time than usual; your worry getting the better of you.
-
620.
>Once you reach the garage, you run up to the door to the front yard, open it, and step outside.
-
621.
>She's not here.
-
622.
>It's too early to tell if that's a bad thing or not.
-
623.
>You don't even bother to lock your door as you rush back inside your house.
-
624.
"Fluttershy! Where are you?!"
-
625.
>All that comes from your question is the slight ringing in your ears.
-
626.
>You run through your house, looking in every room that it contains.
-
627.
>Fluttershy is nowhere to be found.
-
628.
>You pace around your living room, pulling out your hair as you mutter to yourself.
-
629.
"Shit... shit... Aw FUCK..."
-
630.
>The only other place she can be is outside.
-
631.
>You rush for the door, but are stopped by a thought.
-
632.
>What if she somehow comes back and you aren't here?
-
633.
>Taking this thought to mind, you scrawl a quick note with an apology and put it on the table.
-
634.
>With that, you run outside.
-
635.
>If there was one thing you were thankful for, it was not having many neighbors.
-
636.
>You run around your block; even parts beyond that for at least half an hour.
-
637.
>With a defeated sigh, you turn back in the direction of home.
-
638.
>You haphazardly toss your coat on the couch, along with your other winter clothes, leaving you in your underwear and T-shirt.
-
639.
>It's 10:03 PM. You don't normally sleep this early, but you're fucking drained right now.
-
640.
>Looks like you'll be able to use your bed again; that's an upside, right?
-
641.
>You stumble your way to your bedroom; ready to just end this day.
-
642.
>Grabbing at the covers of your unmade bed, you pull them back.
-
643.
>Underneath them is a sleeping yellow pegasus.
-
644.
>Your right eyelid twitches.
-
645.
>You really need to stop panicking so easily.
-
646.
>The last time you panicked this bad was when you were up for four days straight and thought the UPS guy was a secret agent keeping tabs on you.
-
647.
>Yeah, you try not to speak of the dark times.
-
648.
>After the biggest anti-climax of your life, you clear your couch of the items you put on it, flop down, and go to sleep.
-
649.
-
650.
>...
-
651.
>You're way too wired to sleep right now.
-
652.
>You laid down an hour ago, and you haven't even dosed off once.
-
653.
>What usually helps in this kind of a situation?
-
654.
>Tea... A book... counting sheep...
-
655.
>Alcohol...
-
656.
>Should you?
-
657.
>Fuck it. You're too tired and grumpy to care right now.
-
658.
>You stumble to the kitchen, and open your cabinet that holds a few different ingredients.
-
659.
>There it is.
-
660.
>A bottle of whiskey that you used to make... what was it?
-
661.
>Your mind is too foggy to remember right now.
-
662.
>You take out a shot glass; a gift that a relative gave to you at a Christmas party because they couldn't think of ideas.
-
663.
>Can't say you blame them; it's hard to think of gifts for people you've hardly met.
-
664.
>Funniest part about it is that you weren't a drinker.
-
665.
>You still aren't a heavy drinker now, but you feel like you need to calm down.
-
666.
>...
-
667.
>How much have you drank?
-
668.
>Your clouded judgement tells you to just close the bottle and head back to the couch.
-
669.
>So you do just that; at least you think so.
-
670.
>...
-
671.
>"Anon?!"
-
672.
>WAITWAT.
-
673.
>You shoot up out of your prone position.
-
674.
>Well, you try to, but you end up hitting your head on the underside of your kitchen table.
-
675.
"GAH! Fuuuck..."
-
676.
>Your head is killing you right now.
-
677.
>"Anon... are... are you okay?"
-
678.
>All you can manage is a groan.
-
679.
>You rub your head, doing your best to alleviate the hangover.
-
680.
>Note to self: Fuck drinking.
-
681.
>You slowly turn your head, careful to not agitate it any more than you already have.
-
682.
>It's Fluttershy; she looks like she's worried sick.
-
683.
"Fl...Fluttershy?"
-
684.
>It hurts to speak.
-
685.
>"What happened, Anon? You were passed out under the table! I didn't know if you were okay or not..."
-
686.
>The talking... Make it stop...
-
687.
>You formulate your best response.
-
688.
"Yeah... It's too long a story to tell in my current state."
-
689.
>You do your best to get out from under the table, and stand up.
-
690.
>The room spins.
-
691.
>You aren't sure what time it is; good thing you have flexible hours at work.
-
692.
"So..."
-
693.
>You pause, composing yourself.
-
694.
"You want some breakfast?"
-
695.
-
696.
>You are "late" for work.
-
697.
>By that, you mean that you are past the time you set for yourself to be at the firm.
-
698.
>Normally, you leave at six in the morning. It's half past seven right now.
-
699.
>Fluttershy agreed to breakfast, but was still worried about just why in the hell you were passed out under the kitchen table.
-
700.
>You told her that you'd tell her what happened once breakfast was ready.
-
701.
"Any ideas on what you'd like to eat?"
-
702.
>"I'm sure that anything you choose will be good."
-
703.
>You used to just have a piece of toast in the morning, or nothing at all; it wasn't until Fluttershy came around that you started making bigger meals for breakfast.
-
704.
>Eventually you think of a good meal.
-
705.
>A few minutes pass, and you have everything you need to make some omelettes.
-
706.
>You never had a chance to make them much; or the motivation for that matter.
-
707.
>It doesn't take you long before you have two eggs whipped and in the pan.
-
708.
>Next, you add some green peppers and onions, topped off with some shredded cheese.
-
709.
>Finally you put the lid over the pan.
-
710.
>While that cooks, you put two slices of bread in the toaster.
-
711.
"So, are you feeling any better today, Fluttershy?"
-
712.
>You look over to her, she's awkwardly standing in the middle of the kitchen with nothing to really do until the food's ready.
-
713.
>"I feel a lot better this morning; thanks for asking."
-
714.
>That's good. Now you know she's not going to just drop dead from being sick.
-
715.
>Y'know, she's always offering to help out, maybe you could give her a task to help you today.
-
716.
"Hey Fluttershy? Do you think you could take the toast out of the toaster and put some jam on both slices once they're ready?"
-
717.
>She gives a gentle nod.
-
718.
>"Okay."
-
719.
>Soon enough, the bread pops out of the toaster; now slightly darker and crunchier.
-
720.
>Fluttershy retrieves the two slices and puts one on each of your plates.
-
721.
>She takes them to the table to apply the jam.
-
722.
>You check under the pan lid.
-
723.
>This one's done.
-
724.
>You take the spatula and fold it over; then walk over and put it on Fluttershy's plate.
-
725.
>Yours is the same, but with sausage and ham added to the mix.
-
726.
>"This smells great, Anon!"
-
727.
>Her comment makes you smile.
-
728.
"Thanks, I try my best."
-
729.
>Your food is ready, and you take it to the table.
-
730.
>Fluttershy seems to have waited for you to arrive before eating.
-
731.
>Well, that was nice, you guess.
-
732.
>You never really cared much for table manners.
-
733.
"Alright, let's dig in!"
-
734.
>Both of you begin eating; Fluttershy compliments you on your cooking after the first bite.
-
735.
>Soon enough, Fluttershy asks you about your earlier situation.
-
736.
>"I hope I'm not prying too much Anon... But what happened this morning? You had me really worried... Are you sick?"
-
737.
>Well, now that you've been awake for a while, your hangover has settled down a bit and you can actually tell her.
-
738.
"I got drunk."
-
739.
>Yeah, simple as that.
-
740.
>"D-drunk? What does that mean...? Do you need a doctor?"
-
741.
>Wow, they don't have alcohol where she's from?
-
742.
>Jesus.
-
743.
"Nothing bad, it just means that I drank too much of a drink that clouds your mind, and gives you headaches once it wears off."
-
744.
>It's a simple explanation, but good enough in your book.
-
745.
>"That seems kind of... dangerous..."
-
746.
>You should have known she'd be one of THOSE types.
-
747.
"Well, it can be if you're not careful. Especially if you're driving."
-
748.
>Her eyes widen just a bit, you can imagine that she's playing out the scene in her head.
-
749.
>When she replies, her voice is a bit shaky.
-
750.
>"D-do you drink it... often?"
-
751.
>You shake your head.
-
752.
"No; this is the first time in about five years I've drank this much in one go. I only did it because I was having trouble sleeping after what happened last night."
-
753.
>Fluttershy cocks her head.
-
754.
>"Last night?"
-
755.
>Oh yeah, you guys never talked about what happened last night.
-
756.
>You explain to her what happened after she ran back inside the house.
-
757.
>"Oh no...! I was hiding my head under the pillow, I must not have heard you; I didn't know you would spend all that time looking for me..."
-
758.
>She hangs her head.
-
759.
>Jesus, will you ever be able to go one day without making this pony upset?
-
760.
"Hey, hey, it's alright; it was mostly my fault. I panicked too fast, and didn't think about what I was doing. In fact, I should be apologizing."
-
761.
>You clear your throat.
-
762.
"That was another thing. Sorry for my outburst last night, I didn't consider that you might not like it..."
-
763.
>Fluttershy has a small smile on her face.
-
764.
>"I forgive you, Anon. You couldn't have known."
-
765.
>Actually, you kind of did...
-
766.
>You smile.
-
767.
"Thanks."
8008 44.02 KB 767
by Nehem
by Nehem
by Nehem
by Nehem
by Nehem