[FLUTTERRAPE] The Shy Squad


                                            An Anon posted a picture of Marble Pie, Fluttershy, and Coco Pommel stood together.


                                            ---


                                            >You hurry along the seldom-used path towards the 'safe house' Fluttershy had given you directions to.

                                            >It wasn't often that she called you in like this, so she must have found something important.

                                            >A bounce over a jutting root; a duck under a low branch; a face-full of leaves as you push through a large shrub.

                                            >A scowl as you take a moment to brush out your mane and check your make-up in a vanity case.

                                            >Snapping it shut, you proceed through the dense forest.

                                            >After hopping over a babbling brook, you happen upon a quaint wooden abode adorned with a much-weathered coat of mellow paint.

                                            >This will be the place.

                                            >You navigate the remaining overgrowth and make it to the door.

                                            >With one last check to make sure you look your best, you delicately tap a hoof on the door.

                                            >"One moment, please!" comes the response from within.

                                            >The door opens with a slight creak, and you are met with the timid face of Fluttershy.

                                            >She brightens upon seeing you.

                                            >"Coco! Oh, I'm so glad you could make it!"

                                            >You are pulled inside and the door shut behind you.

                                            >Within the shack looks a lot better than without.

                                            >An arrangement of comfortable cushions surround a low table in one corner; each window on the walls is dressed with dainty white lace curtains; a kettle bubbles away on a stove amidst a neat little kitchenette nestled in the opposite corner.

                                            >The air bears hints of scented candles, and you can feel yourself loosen as you breathe it in.

                                            >Stood by the kettle watching it is your second and final companion; the ever-silent Marble Pie.

                                            >She turns to see you enter and offers a small smile, as is her custom.

                                            >Then, she retrieves another teacup from a cupboard and sets it with the other two she had on the counter.

                                            >Fluttershy trots into the centre of the room and turns to face you.

                                            >"It's wonderful you were able to come; we, um, have a bit of a problem."

                                            >You hang up your saddlebags on a nearby rack and give her a worried look.

                                            "I hope it's nothing serious? Whatever it is, I'm happy to help."

                                            >"Yes, but it really is quite bad. Marble and I have been discussing..."

                                            >She glances at Marble, who cocks her head slightly in response.

                                            >"Um, well I've been saying, and Marble's been listening, about what we should do."

                                            "Should we get right to it then? I brought paper and pens if we need to take notes."


                                            >"Okay, so."

                                            >You're all sat around the table with your chosen herbal teas.

                                            >You shuffle, nestling deeper into the pleasantly soft cushions.

                                            >"First of all, thank you again for coming on such short notice, Coco and Marble; I know this place is a bit more out of the way than my actual home, but circumstances required a change in location."

                                            >You nod, glancing at Marble who is steadily watching your pegasus friend.

                                            >"Two nights ago, there was a development regarding our, um, mutual flame."

                                            >Your ears perk up at this, and Marble's smile grows slightly.

                                            >"H-he stumbled into an old trap we had previously laid, and during my routine checks I found him unconscious."

                                            "Which trap was it? The net one?"

                                            >"Um, no, it was an old pit we'd dug out and covered in leaves."

                                            "...Oh."

                                            >"Yes, I was really quite surprised myself. I was actually thinking about filling that one in as well because it had been so long since we'd made it."

                                            "If I recall, it was Marble that dug it. You and I just sort of watched."

                                            >"Yes, I suppose we did, didn't we?"

                                            >You both look to Marble, and Fluttershy thanks her for her efforts, to which Marble merely utters her usual "Mhm."

                                            >Which is about as much as you can get out of her most of the time.

                                            "So he was in the pit when you found him?"

                                            >"Yes," Fluttershy returns to you, "it took a bit of effort, but I managed to drag him out and, uhh..."

                                            >She trails off and nurses her teacup for a moment, looking into the greenish water with hesitation.

                                            "Is... is he alright?"

                                            >"Oh, yes, he's fine; he's, uh, in the basement."

                                            >You watch your friend's face carefully, and Marble frowns.

                                            "The, basement... where?"

                                            >Fluttershy gulps and points a hoof at the floorboards.

                                            >"Here."

                                            >You and Marble share a worried look.

                                            >Then, in a flurry of activity, you whip out your vanity again and double-check your mascara as Marble reveals a hairbrush and begins urgently straightening out her mane.

                                            "H-here?! You brought him here?"

                                            >"I-I didn't know what else to do! This place was closer than my cottage, and I thought it would be more out of the way and less likely to draw attention!"

                                            "Well is he awake?" your eyes dart between Fluttershy's nervous face and the little mirror in your hoof.

                                            >"Sort of? I've been feeding him 'special' tea to keep him sedated."

                                            "So he doesn't know where he is?"

                                            >"I don't think so?"

                                            "Well," you snap the mirror shut again, "now what?"

                                            >"I-I was going to try and talk to him, you know, use some of the moves we'd all thought up together, but I got scared and wanted you all here with me."

                                            >You nod several times.

                                            "Good, yes, I um, I think it's for the best we all do this together. Three heads are better than one, and all."

                                            >"Yes, I thought so too."

                                            "Right."

                                            >"O-okay then."

                                            >You hold one another's gaze, then both look to Marble for her thoughts.

                                            >She glances towards the door at the end of the shack that you assume will lead to the basement, then back to you both.

                                            >"Mhm," she sounds with a nod.

                                            >You suck in a deep breath.

                                            "Alright. So let's, let's go and see him."

                                            >The three of you don't move for a few seconds, then slowly stand and make your way to the basement door, Fluttershy leading the way.


                                            >'Basement' is a bit of a dirty word, especially where Fluttershy is concerned.

                                            >As with the main room above, the basement is neatly kept and well dusted.

                                            >The walls are lined with wooden boards and painted in a soft pastel yellow; one of them even done up with floral wallpaper to break up the pattern and liven things up a bit.

                                            >Boxes of supplies are carefully stacked in an orderly fashion about the place; large racks of spices and vegetables line either side of the room, and the cobblestone floor even has a few rugs laid about to take the chill away and make it seem more homely.

                                            >You want to quiz Fluttershy on how she came to own such a lovely little home-away-from-home, but you're more concerned with the human bound to a chair in the middle of the room directly under the magilamp bathing the basement in a warm light.

                                            >Your breath shudders upon seeing him.

                                            "That's," you swallow, "that's him."

                                            >"I-I know," Fluttershy whispers at your side.

                                            >You're all stood in the doorway at the foot of the steps leading down here; none of you want to cross the threshold.

                                            "Are you sure he's asleep?"

                                            >"I gave him his tea again about three hours ago, just before Marble came. He's um, he's still out, I hope."

                                            "You hope?"

                                            >"...Well I didn't really plan for this, I don't know what to do."

                                            "It'll be fine, Fluttershy; we've not planned for -this- exact scenario, but we've planned for dates, dinners, chance-encounters at the store, bumping into each other at the park, and helping him out of the traps we create for him."

                                            >"But not this."

                                            "No, not this specifically, but I guess this is kind of like a chance-encounter, right?"

                                            >"Sort of?"

                                            "Right, so we just need to be calm and stick to the script. Do you want to lead?"

                                            >"I-I suppose I should..."

                                            "Okay," you're relieved somewhat, "then ready when you are."

                                            >Fluttershy gulps and takes a step forward.

                                            >She approaches him and finds herself stood dumbly before the sleeping form.

                                            >Turning back, she looks to yourself and Marble for support.

                                            >You flash her a weak smile.

                                            >Marble gives her a small wave.

                                            >Fluttershy nods and straightens.

                                            >She takes a moment to psyche herself up, then gently pats the human's leg.

                                            >"Um, excuse me? Please wake up?"

                                            >No response.

                                            >Another tap, followed by a soft voice.

                                            "Maybe speak louder?"

                                            >"R-right."

                                            >She clears her throat and then more forcefully knocks his leg.

                                            >"Wake up!... please?"

                                            >He stirs.

                                            >Marble makes a noise and you go rigid.

                                            >This is it; all those months of planning and watching him from afar.

                                            >Now one of you is finally going to make first contact.

                                            >In a way, it's fitting that it's Fluttershy who does it.

                                            >It was, after all, her idea to begin with.

                                            >Though the agreement was that once you had all seduced him that you would share.

                                            >Providing he was willing, of course.

                                            >Not that he wouldn't be; you're all gorgeous young fertile mares waiting to be swept off their hooves by a prince.

                                            >...

                                            >You check your make-up again.

                                            >The human grunts and slowly raises his head, opening his eyes and beholding Fluttershy.

                                            >She freezes, but composes herself quickly.

                                            >You admire her; she was always the bravest of your trio.

                                            >"H-hello there. Are you alright?"

                                            >The human winces and shuts his eyes again, his voice cracking in places but still bouncing off the walls from how deep it is.

                                            >"My head is, -killing- me."

                                            >"Oh!" Fluttershy nods in agreement, "Well you took a pretty bad tumble down a hole, I think you hit your head a bit too hard. It's alright though, you're safe now."

                                            >He looks at her askance.

                                            >"I... know you; you're Fluttershy, right?"

                                            >She nods, and he continues.

                                            >"Yeah, Fluttershy... think I've seen you around Ponyville."

                                            >You and Marble share an excited look.

                                            >This is going great!

                                            >"Why do I recall you giving me tea at some point?"

                                            >Fluttershy cocks her head, "I-I'm uh, not sure what you mean?"

                                            >He frowns.

                                            >"I dunno; just seem to recall you giving me tea and me drinking it."

                                            >The human blinks a few times and looks around at where he is, then down at the ropes holding him to the chair.

                                            >He slowly raises his head and gives Fluttershy a level stare.

                                            >"Why am I bound to a chair, Fluttershy?" he asks, calmly.

                                            >Fluttershy gulps.

                                            >"You were, um, moving around a lot in your sleep. I-I didn't want you to hurt your...self?"

                                            >He narrows his eyes, then for the first time looks directly at yourself and Marble.

                                            >You feel your heart racing as he looks straight into your eyes.

                                            >You lean slightly against Marble, and she supports you.

                                            >"Who are your friends?" the human asks.

                                            >"O-oh they're just here to make sure you're alright as well. We're all terribly worried about you."

                                            >"I see," he seems a bit more withdrawn than you'd imagined him being during your first meeting, but at least he's talking.

                                            >He attempts to stand, but finds his legs bound to the chair as well.

                                            >"You've ah, strapped me in pretty firm here, haven't you?"

                                            >"You were really thrashing about," Fluttershy states, her voice wavering.

                                            >"Okay. Well, I think I'm alright now, so how about you untie me?"

                                            >"Oh, um, n-not yet; what's your name?"

                                            >He blinks.

                                            >"My name."

                                            >"Yes, your name. Mine's Fluttershy; uh, I think you already know that, though--"

                                            >"I do."

                                            >"Right; sorry."

                                            >"I'm called Anonymous, now please untie me."

                                            >Of course, you already knew his name. Your efforts to gather as much information on him as possible had not been without success.

                                            >You all knew his name, address, where he worked, the places he liked to frequent, ponies he spoke to most often; and from the few conversations you'd managed to get close enough to overhear, a few details about his personal life as well.

                                            >Fluttershy looks back at you and Marble and beckons you over.

                                            >You feel your hooves move before you can think, and before you know it you're all stood before Anonymous; Fluttershy in the middle, yourself to her left, and Marble to her right.

                                            >Anonymous carefully watches the three of you.

                                            >You all watch him in return.

                                            >He's a lot more attractive up close.

                                            >Was your mane totally straight before you came down?

                                            >You curse yourself for not checking thoroughly enough.

                                            >Anonymous nods slowly, and tries to sit up as best he can.

                                            >"Okay; I think I see what this is, now."

                                            >He fixes Fluttershy with a hard glare.

                                            >"What do you want from me; money? My forged signature? The deed to my house?"

                                            >Fluttershy shakes her head, "No! Oh no, not that, um, we just wanted to talk to you, Anon; do you mind if we call you Anon?"

                                            >Anonymous frowns at the use of the name you heard the mare at the flower shop, Roseluck, call him last month.

                                            >"That's fine, I suppose. So who are you all, exactly?"

                                            >Fluttershy smiles and gestures to you.

                                            >"This is Coco Pommel, a famous fashion designer from Manehatten; she works with the best in the industry!"

                                            >You give Anonymous the smile you had practised in front of your mirror a hundred times.

                                            >"I'm Fluttershy, an element of harmony, protector of animals, friend to the princesses, and hero of Equestria!"

                                            >She remembered the little introduction you'd all gone over for her, and she said it this time without devolving into self-conscious mumbling.

                                            >You swell with pride on her behalf.

                                            >"Uh huh," Anonymous states, unimpressed.

                                            >He then looks at Marble, who avoids his gaze and hides behind her mane.

                                            >"So what, are you a successful hero as well?" he asks.

                                            >Marble doesn't answer, and stares at the floor.

                                            >Fluttershy puts a hoof over her friend's shoulder and squeezes her reassuringly.

                                            >"This is Marble Pie. She, um, works on a rock farm."

                                            >Anonymous, amazingly, cracks a smile.

                                            >"Hey, that's a decent job; met a lot of good ponies who were rock farmers."

                                            >Marble raises her head and looks him in the eyes for the first time.

                                            >She blushes, then looks away again.

                                            >"Not much of a talker, are you?" the human presses.

                                            >Marble shakes her head with a "Mhm."

                                            >Returning to Fluttershy, Anonymous loses his smile.

                                            >"So you want to talk, do you? Perhaps I'd be more comfortable if I wasn't strapped down like this."

                                            >"Uh, maybe later, so what do you like to do for fun?"

                                            >"Haha, no, we're doing this now, with or without your permission."

                                            >He strains suddenly.

                                            >You step back and watch as the human, despite his bindings, though with much effort, stands up.

                                            >He's a great deal stronger than you'd all anticipated, so much so that the slim wooden chair he was bound to actually snaps before the ropes give.

                                            >Fluttershy flounders.

                                            >"Ahh! Uh, please sit down! We just want to get to know you! Do you like bunnies? I like bunnies!"

                                            >She turns to you with a panicked expression.

                                            >"He's going to leave! Coco, do something!"

                                            >You turn about on the spot looking for something that can help you as Anonymous rids himself of the ropes around him.

                                            >Fluttershy just lunges for his legs and clings to one in an attempt to slow him down.

                                            >You decide to block the doorway and rush over to it, spreading your body out and barring his path.

                                            "You can't leave yet! We're not done!"

                                            >The human growls and proceeds forward, Fluttershy doing little to stop him.

                                            >He looms above the three of you, and it's obvious he won't go down without a fight--

                                            >You hear an almighty 'whack', and Anonymous drops to the floor, out like a light.

                                            >Fluttershy is squashed under him as he goes.

                                            >You simply stare at the now prone human in shock.

                                            >There are a set of yellow limbs flailing about under him.

                                            >You glance up and see Marble stood behind where he was, a plank of wood in her mouth.

                                            >She daintily sets it on the floor and smiles at you.

                                            "Wow, uh, nice thinking, Marble. Good hit."

                                            >She nods, as she is wont to do.


                                            >Rebound, Anonymous glares at you.

                                            >You tap your hooves together and try to smile.

                                            >The others are upstairs for now, so it's just you and the captive.

                                            >Your eyes dart all over him, checking to make sure you didn't miss anything.

                                            >The human is wrapped up in what you can only describe as a rope cocoon.

                                            >Only his head is uncovered, and at best he can roll around aggressively on the floor.

                                            >Which he has done a few times already.

                                            >Fortunately, it's easy to roll him back into place before he rolls to the door.

                                            >You don't have the heart to tell him about the steps he'd discover shortly after.

                                            >"I find it hard to believe you're here just to talk."

                                            "Well, uh, we are."

                                            >"About what, exactly."

                                            "You."

                                            >"Right. And what about me?"

                                            "Just... stuff. You know, what sort of things you're into. So um, you like fashion at all? Ever gone to a fashion show?"

                                            >He sighs.

                                            >"Listen, Coca Cola--"

                                            "Coco."

                                            >"Coco; I think I've been drugged a whole bunch, because my head is swimming right now and the back of my skull is -throbbing-. I think I need to go to the hospital, or at least somewhere I can rest."

                                            "You can rest here, it's comfy enough."

                                            >He twists his head around to look again at the basement he's in.

                                            >"No offense, but I prefer my own bed."

                                            >You perk up.

                                            >That's one of the phrases!

                                            >You think back to the meetings you'd had about this and other conversation pieces that could crop up, and after collecting yourself, give him your most winning smile.

                                            "Why stay in your bed, when you can stay in mine?"

                                            >He gives you a dumbfounded look.

                                            >"Did you really say that."

                                            "...Did it work?"

                                            >"No. No it did not."

                                            "Oh."

                                            >"Is that," the human trails off, frowning, "Is that why I'm here?"

                                            "I-I don't know what you mean."

                                            >"Is this a sex dungeon? If so then this is the third one I've seen and I'm starting to think it's a -thing- around here."

                                            "No! It's just a basement."

                                            >You give him a worried look.

                                            "What do you mean this is the 'third one'--"

                                            >Fluttershy floats into the basement behind you; a tea-tray held between her hooves.

                                            >"I brought snacks! So, what are you two talking about? Anon, I made you some sandwiches, you like cucumber, don't you?"

                                            >Anon looks at the cucumber sandwiches, then back to Fluttershy.

                                            >"How did you know I like cucumber."

                                            >"Um, lucky guess?"

                                            >She sits down and smiles at him before tucking into a sandwich, talking over her food.

                                            >"Sho! Whatsh up?"

                                            >Anonymous rolls his eyes.

                                            >"So I gather at this point that I've been drugged, and Coco says this is a basement. Apparently it's not a sex dungeon, so I have to ask; are you going to try and take my organs? If so, I've only got one kidney left after a recent trip to Griffonstone."

                                            >Fluttershy chokes on her sandwich and bangs her chest a few times.

                                            >You do a double-take.

                                            "They, took a -kidney-?"

                                            >"Uhh, a kidney, and I think they were gonna take an arm as well. They have a thing for taxidermied limbs over there, not sure what that's all about."

                                            "I had no idea Griffons were so vicious."

                                            >"Oh sure; I thought I could fit in with them since we both eat meat, but I guess that's just about all an evolved monkey like me has in common with a race of cat-birds. Who'd have thought, eh?"

                                            >The mood in the room crashes.

                                            >You glance at Fluttershy, worried.

                                            >She's staring rigidly at Anonymous.

                                            >"You eat... meat?" she manages.

                                            >Anonymous nods matter-of-factly.

                                            >"Of course, humans are omnivores; we eat both plants -and- meat. We need to eat both to maintain a balanced diet though so its important we get what we need; Roseluck at the flower shop in Ponyville knows a guy who knows a guy so I'm able to source it. Fish is fine, but I do prefer proper red meat."

                                            >He ponders for a bit.

                                            >"White meat works as well; I was always fond of chicken."

                                            >Fluttershy has gone very pale.

                                            >"E-excuse me for one m-moment."

                                            >She rushes from the room.

                                            >Anonymous watches her go.

                                            >"I'd ask what her problem is, but I think I can guess."

                                            >You gulp and look back at him.

                                            "She's, uh, she's a big fan of animals. They're her special talent."

                                            >"Ah. Well, I guess I'm not in her good books then. That's fine, a lot of ponies tend to run away when they learn I eat meat. What about you, Coco, do you mind?"

                                            >He gives you an intentionally toothy smile, and you notice his canines.

                                            >You shuffle away slightly.

                                            "I-It's... fine."

                                            >"Hah, clearly. So how about it, are you ready to let me out now? Wouldn't want a dangerous animal like me lying around getting hungrier now, would you?"

                                            "Are the sandwiches not enough? We thought you liked cucumber!"

                                            >"I do, I do; just on that topic, could you feed me one of those? I'm starving; feel like I haven't eaten in days."

                                            >You hesitate before carefully picking up a sandwich and holding it to his mouth.

                                            >He wolfs it down barely even chewing and swallows the whole thing in a few bites; you jerk your hoof back suddenly.

                                            >You realise now how large his mouth is; how strong his jaws must be.

                                            >In the back of your mind, you find yourself wanting to distance yourself from the thing you apparently desire.

                                            "You're a bit more talkative now at least... are you warming up to us? To me?"

                                            >"The way I see it," he swallows the last morsel, "I'm probably stuck here for a while. Might as well try and talk my way out of things, so sure, I'll chat."

                                            >He grins at you again, and you find yourself focusing on his teeth.

                                            "You said you were a monkey just now; was that a joke?"

                                            >"Kind of. Humans evolved from monkeys, well, technically apes, monkeys are a whole different thing; or maybe not? I didn't pay much attention to science back on Earth, to be honest."

                                            "I thought monkeys didn't eat meat."

                                            >"Oh, they do. They just mostly eat roots and berries though. You should go to Canterlot zoo sometime; they have monkeys there."

                                            "Can you -talk- to them?"

                                            >"Pssh, no. I do like making faces at them though; they went crazy when I showed up the first time. Kept trying to drag me into the pen with them."

                                            "But those monkeys don't eat meat."

                                            >"If you made them hungry enough they would."

                                            >You feel yourself sweating.

                                            >He watches you closely.

                                            >"You alright? You look nervous as hell."

                                            "This whole 'meat' thing has really thrown us off."

                                            >"Oh. Well, sorry, but that's just how humans are."

                                            >You nod in understanding.

                                            "Sure, sure, but you know how ponies are with this sort of thing, right? It makes us -really- uneasy."

                                            >He shrugs, or at least attempts to.

                                            >"Maybe you should have gotten to know me a bit more before you kidnapped me. How did I get here, anyway?"

                                            "Hole in the ground."

                                            >"The classic, I see. And Fluttershy's tea?"

                                            "Yeah, she was drugging you."

                                            >"Of course. Well, I think we've all learnt a lot today. Wanna let me out?"

                                            "Uhh. I think I need to take a break, actually."

                                            >"Fair enough. Hey, send that Marble girl down next; I wanna see her reaction to me eating meat, I bet it's hilarious."


                                            >You sit in silence with Fluttershy at her coffee table.

                                            >She sniffs and dabs her eyes with a tissue some more.

                                            >"I-I just don't know how we didn't pick up on it!"

                                            "It's okay, Shy, it's fine, we just... got it wrong."

                                            >"All that effort! All that work!"

                                            "I know..."

                                            >"And he eats... -meat-!" she spits out the last word, disgusted.

                                            >Then starts crying again.

                                            >"W-when he said he liked chicken I just thought of Elizabeak! I've looked after her for years, and he would just -eat- her! Like a d-dragon!"

                                            >You nod solemnly.

                                            >"Do you think Marble is okay? She's not said anything yet."

                                            "Well I mean she doesn't say much anyway, Shy, so that's not really anything major."

                                            >"I guess... but she's down there now, having to listen to him talk about -meat- and -eating it- and, oh Coco, it's all so horrible!"

                                            >You put your hooves around her and pull her into a hug.

                                            "It's okay, Fluttershy; we'll..." you pause, "we'll just have to find another stallion to stalk."

                                            >She sniffs.

                                            >"Will this one be normal?"

                                            "Sure, he'll be normal."

                                            >"He won't eat meat? And he'll have all his kidneys?"

                                            "Yup. And we'll set it up so that one of us bumps into him at a coffee shop, and then meet up at the park, and fall in love, and it'll be totally romantic, just like in our novels."

                                            >She sighs wistfully.

                                            >"Just like in the novels..."

                                            >You affectionately pat her back.

                                            "We'll be fine, Fluttershy. Remember our motto?"

                                            >"We're all gonna make it, girls." she sniffs and manages a smiles.

                                            "We're all gonna make it."

                                            >As you break the hug and raise the teacup to your lips, the door to the basement is kicked open.

                                            >You yelp and drop the cup, warm tea spilling on your lap.

                                            >Fluttershy's head twists towards the noise, and you both stare in horror at the door.

                                            >Anonymous, a piece of rope still loosely dangling from his shoulder, stands proud in the doorway.

                                            >Under his arm, a very meek-looking Marble Pie.

                                            >"Sup," he states flatly.

                                            >Fluttershy faints.

                                            >You stand up and back away from him.

                                            "Wh-what's going on? Marble?"

                                            >"Yeah, she and I were just talking about stuff." Anonymous squeezes the pony under his arm, who squeaks in response, "Turns out we have a real connection. I was kinda shocked, actually. I thought I'd seen messed up stuff around here, but she's hardcore. She once killed a mammoth worm with her own two hooves, can you believe that?"

                                            >You stare in shock at Marble, who smiles slightly and waves from her position hanging by Anon's side.

                                            >"She's worked in sub-zero temperatures, dragged her sick mother on a sled through a snowstorm to a doctor." he continues.

                                            >"Not only that, but she had to defend her home on the rock farm from bandits this one time; plus, she only has a single kidney as well! The other one was stolen by Diamond Dogs!"

                                            >Marble nods affirmatively.

                                            >"We've decided to go and grab a drink, and then we'll just see where it goes. I'd love to meet her parents soon though; they sound like my kind of people."

                                            >He strides to the door, still carrying his pony.

                                            >Before he leaves he looks to you and smiles warmly.

                                            >"Thank you for setting all this up, Coco. Marble thinks it was a really romantic way to meet each other. You know, me trapped down there, she hit me with a bit of wood, drugs were involved... really sweet stuff, thank you."

                                            >"Mhm," says Marble.

                                            >With that, he throws open the door to the shack and marches out into the woods carrying his new girlfriend.

                                            >You blink, stunned.

                                            >Then slump to the floor with a sigh.

                                            "Damn it; Marble always knows what to say..."


                                            The End.