To Clean a Derpy


                                            >All was still on the midsummer's day as you sat back in your chair while the world crawled along around you.

                                            >It was peaceful all things considered, a rare occurrence as of late

                                            >At least until you heard a knock at your door, it was the sound of a hoof to be sure yet who's hoof it was, has yet to be seen

                                            >Slightly irritated you answer the door to see a grey pegasus standing there, looking rather embarrassed

                                            >Mud and dirt tarnished her once spotless coat, turning it a rather nasty shade of greyish brown

                                            >Her mane and tail were soaked through leaving the pale yellow a lighter brown with hints of dirt speckled in

                                            >Yet underneath it all was a blush as red as a rose

                                            >"I uh heard you were the nice man that helped out ponies" she said, maintaining a slight smile

                                            > A warm feeling bubbled up in your chest, was she genuine? You certainly hoped so

                                            >"Come on in, I'll get you cleaned up" you reply, a tinge of pity welled on the edge of your words

                                            >With little regard for the cleanliness of your carpet she walked in tracking perfect mud shaped hoofprints all the way into your kitchen, each step sending a new wave of cringe along your spine

                                            >Once she reached the tiled floor she slowed and looked back at you "Stay there while I get some stuff"

                                            >With that you are off, gathering a basin, soap, towels, and of course gloves. This would be a messy job

                                            >After a thorough search of your house, you manage to get all of the items required in the kitchen. All that was left now was actually getting the deed done

                                            >"Can you get the sponges under the sink while I fill the tub up" you ask idly, pre occupied with your own tast

                                            >Without question she obeys and turns to the sink while you begin filling the basin with warm water. Steam soon fills the air along with the gentle sound of hissing

                                            >"Ish thish it?" she asked with a mouthful of sponge, banging her head on the sink cabinet on the way up

                                            >You wince at the sound of it, only for panic to set in as you realize the pile of dirty dishes in your sink start to topple

                                            >In a vain attempt to stop the inevitable you stretch your hands out only for the tower to come falling down with a thunderous crash

                                            >Plates exploded as they made contact with the tile floor, cutlery clanged loudly as it bounced, pots and pans screamed in pain as they too fell onto the uncaring surface below

                                            >With a tired sigh you run your fingers through your hair, you eyes inevitably falling on the mare with a sponge in her mouth standing next an assortment of shattered plates

                                            >"Shorry" she mumbled, slight hints of tears clung to the edges of her unusual eyes

                                            >"No no, we can worry about this later. For now let's get you cleaned up." You say, gesturing to the tub now filled with warm water

                                            >She steps in and you get to work scrubbing her clean, starting at the top with her utterly soaked mane

                                            >Dirty water cascaded down her face and chest as you slowly but surely restored her to the world of cleanliness once more

                                            >"If you don't mind me asking how did you get so dirty" you inquire, trying to make some sort of conversation to avoid this from being too awkward

                                            >Her head dips down "I just crashed is all" she murmured, very clearly crestfallen

                                            >With the risk of potentially making her feel worse you choose to stay quiet for a few moments before she pipes up with a question of her own in an attempt to change the subject

                                            >"Why do you live all the way out here anyway?"

                                            >"Well it's the place I was given when I got here, so that's most of the reason why I stay" you pause for a moment, your mind drifting to the still mornings of the forest. "Oh and the quiet"

                                            >"Ponyville's plenty quiet" she chirps as you move on to her chin and upper chest, dislodging more and more grime from her fur

                                            >"Not like it is out here"

                                            >"But if you're over here, where are your friends? How do you get your muffins every morning?"

                                            >You chuckle a little at her outlook, more out of happy amusement rather than anything mean spirited

                                            >"I guess I don't"

                                            >"But you help out so many ponies." She stated, rather bewildered at the concept

                                            >You stay quiet for a bit, reflecting on your own loneliness. She was right, it seemed everyone around here had a friend

                                            >"Few ever visit, I think I'm too weird for them" you admit

                                            >For a long while you do your work in contemplative silence, working your way down to her muck caked hooves and legs

                                            >"Can I be your friend?"

                                            >Your scrubbing stops abruptly at the question. She was kind of the first pony to really give you the time of day and look at you as something other than a fish out of water. It was a nice feeling

                                            >"Yeah, you can be my friend" you say, patting her now cleaned yet still wet head

                                            >A bright smile formed on her face as you said this, before you know it a smile forms on yours too

                                            >For the rest of the hour you two spend the time chatting about small things, life in Equestria and what not, discovering you both have more in common than you ever really thought

                                            >However the conversation had slowed as you neared the end, resulting in both of you sitting in silence before she looked up at you again

                                            >"Mr.Anon I'm sorry I lied to you" she admitted

                                            >"About what?"

                                            >"When I said I crashed that wasn't all of it. A few ponies saw and laughed at me so I ran away to here" she sniffled

                                            >Suddenly it became very clear to you exactly why you two were so alike. Why you lead similar lives, and why you were both chastised.

                                            >Without thinking you take her in your arms and hold her close to you, unknowingly letting a tear fall down your face

                                            >"I'm sorry" you say, your words barely a whisper anymore "But you're okay now, Mr.Anon is here to help"

                                            >She raises her head and looks at you through a fresh tear stained smile as you hold her in your arms

                                            >"You're the bestest friend I ever had!"