>It had been three days since the party. >Your house had already been completed. >Construction goes way faster when you have magic and winged flight involved. >You invited Fluttershy to live with you, as you do not want to leave her again. >Amidst many hugs and kisses, she agreed to live with you in your larger home. >It took another two days to get everything moved in and get settled. >A lot of Fluttershy's furnishings were sold, thrown out, or moved to storage. >You felt bad about it, but she insisted upon it. >Anything that you couldn't use, or was turned obsolete by your human-adapted furniture, was discarded. >Anything that could be sold was promptly done so to earn a little coin for the many improvements being made. >Rarity and Fluttershy decorated the house and situated the furniture. >Rarity insisted on regal furniture for your house. >She said that compared to most pony homes, yours was a mansion and deserved the furniture to express it. >Fluttershy insisted on simple furniture. >You sided with Fluttershy as you did not want to go over-the-top with the decorations. >You still have to pay for everything after all. >You had to pay the city for the plot of land and the contractors for the house. >The house and plot were given with a discount, but it still came with a pretty hefty price. >You tried to build what you could by hand to avoid any further expenses. -- >You are currently in the works on a fence to border your back yard. >You plan to add more fencing for the animal pens when Fluttershy and Applejack herd them all back here. >You had been working with Applebloom and Pinkie Pie on the fence as they were the two who seemed to be best with their hooves in carpentry. >You had just gotten word from Fluttershy that Applejack was on the way with the animals. >Good thing too as the last thing that needed to be placed was the gate. >It took no time at all to get the gate in place. >On the horizon, you could see a very large dust cloud from the many animals galloping toward you. >The sun was almost blocked out from the many aerial creatures as well. >You didn't have and aviary built yet, but it's not like you needed one. >There were many trees around for the birds and whatnot to stay in. >Also Fluttershy said not to worry about them flying away, as they always come back if they do. >At least Applebloom got that chicken coop built. >It only took her 4 hours to get it completely built, chicken wire fence included. >You made a comment on Applebloom's excellent carpentry skills and perhaps it had something to do with her cutie mark. >She denied it, and despite being very well skilled, she didn't want to be a carpenter. >You didn't push the topic. -- >The animals were the last big thing that needed to be moved from Fluttershy's cottage. >You, Fluttershy, and her friends made one last trip out to Fluttershy's old house. >She cried about having to leave her beloved home. >You tried to comfort her, saying she didn't have to leave. >But she insisted and said that if you were to have a brighter future together, you had to be together. >And you can't live in a home that wasn't made for you. >You all took one last walk around the house. >You led everypony down to the pond. >You sat beneath the old willow tree and motioned for the others to join you. >Rarity and Fluttershy sat on either side of you and leaned into your shoulders. >Twilight and Applejack lied down at your feet and Pinkie Pie sat in your lap. >The Cutie Mark Crusaders took positions on your head and shoulders. >One last great memory in this, the place of your initial acceptance. >This is where Rarity really grew fond of you and offered to make you a few sets of clothes. >Had she not, you never would've gone into Ponyville and been labeled an outcast. >If Rainbow Dash had not gotten your boots soaked, you may have been caught in the chase from the others. >And who knows where you would be now. >Fate has a crazy way of doing things. -- >As the sun begins to set, you all set off to your new home. >You and Fluttershy taking one look back as you cross the little bridge in front of her home. >You're gonna miss this place. >But you can't understand the sadness that Fluttershy is feeling right now. >As you walk, you want to say something to comfort her. >But you are not the one who is leaving her home after spending the majority of her life here. >Fluttershy seems to sense what you are thinking. >She floats up and gives you a kiss on the cheek. >"Don't worry about me, sweetie. This is for the best. The start to an even brighter future." >You grab her out of the air and hug her. >Back at your new home, Pinkie Pie had prepared a house warming party for you and Fluttershy. >This time, it wasn't a surprise. >Pinkie was even polite enough to follow your wishes of keeping the party small. >There was you and Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, Applejack, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. >Rainbow Dash didn't accept the invitation. >That's okay, you'll get to her eventually. -- >The ponies tried to get you to play various party games with them. >You settled on a few party games, but not many. >You spent a good half hour playing hide and seek with the fillies. >Being so small in a house meant for someone so big, they made it a real challenge. >Pinkie Pie brought a cake to the party for all to share. >The party started to wind there very shortly. >The fillies passed out in your lap as you were all sitting in the living room. >You and Fluttershy were sharing the sofa with the children. >The other 4 decided to sit down on the area rug at the foot of the sofa. >You talked and shared stories with them for a long time. >Eventually, everypony grew tired, and it was time to say goodbye. >You and Fluttershy waved them off at the door, like good hosts would. >Applejack carried Applebloom, Rarity carried Sweetie Belle, and Twilight carried Scootaloo to their respective homes. >Pinkie Pie was the last to leave and told you of a special gift hidden under your bed. >You said your farewells and shut the door. -- >You carried a very sleepy Fluttershy to your room. >You laid her down on your enormous human-sized, queen-sized bed. >Rarity had contracted a furniture store to build your large, custom bed. >You don't know what was in the mattress, but it was the softess bed you have ever laid in. >The pillows were stuffed with goose down. >She made the sheets and comforter herself. >The underside of the comforter was cotton, while the top was a red, foil-like cloth. >It was stuffed with wool and sized to fit you bed perfectly. >Despite your protests, she insisted on giving it to you for free. >There was already so much you and Fluttershy had to pay for, she decided to take this burden upon herself. >As you set Fluttershy down, you pulled back the comforter and laid her under it. >She snuggled herself in and was out in seconds. >You stripped down into your boxers and threw on your shorts to go to sleep. >But before you laid down, you checked under your bed for that 'special gift'. -- >You get on your stomach and take a peek beneath your bed. >You were expecting some sort of prank by Pinkie Pie, but there was really a gift under here. >Several in fact. >You reach under and pull one out. >The tag read, 'From Pinkie Pie, To Anon'. >You open the box and inside you find a cherry pie. "Gotta love Pinkie Pie." you say to yourself. >Accompanying the pie is a photo. >You pick it up and stare at it for several minutes. >It is a photo of yours and Fluttershy's dance from the party last week. >You don't even remember seeing a camera flash. >Perhaps you were too caught up in the moment to notice? >You looked up to Fluttershy, sleeping soundly in the bed. >She is so adorable when she's asleep. >You look down at the photo. >But that night, she was truly beautiful. >And natural beauty, unlike the night before when she was wearing makeup. >She was still beautiful, but her natural beauty is much more attractive to you. >You set the photo on the nightstand and set the pie to the side. -- >You grab another box. >'To Anonymous, Love Rarity' >This should be good. >You open the first box and find 5 new shirts. >Plain, grey t-shirts. >Just what you ordered. >You grab a few more boxes, all from Rarity. >She had finally finished your clothing order and decided to give it to you all in one bulk gift. >You find a note in one of the boxes. >'Sorry I got these to you so late. I know I promised to finish them after a week or two, but after your performance outside the boutique, I had to put your order on hold so I could complete these new orders. I hope you understand. -Love, Rarity' >Why would you be mad that she finished them late? >It was a gift from her to you. >If you were mad she didn't deliver, that would just make you a very selfish person. >If anything, you are grateful that she came through with it at all. >You can finally throw away these old ragged clothes of yours and wear something fresh from the wrapper! >Tomorrow is gonna be a good day. >You slide all the boxes back under your bed. >You have a dresser, but you can put them away later. >You grab the pie and take it downstairs to the kitchen. >You place it in the fridge and go back to the bedroom. >You crawl into bed and slide underneath the comforter. >You reach your arm out and pull Fluttershy close, her back to your chest. >You fall asleep with your lover for the first real night in your new home. -- >Celestia's morning sun sucks so much. >Who's idea was it to put a window toward the rising sun? >Is that supposed to be theraputic or something? >Is that supposed to try to ease your mornings with a little ray of sunshine? >Well whatever the purpose, it's more annoying than anything. >You groan and throw the pillow over your eyes. >You notice your arms are touching the mattress, and not the mare you went to sleep with. >You slide your arms up and down where she used to be. >She's not here. >No shit, Sherlock. >You pull the pillow off your face and sit up. >Fluttershy is standing at your side, staring at the photo on the night stand. "Morning." >"Oh, good morning sweetie. I have a question. Where did this photo come from?" "I don't know. It was in the gift from Pinkie I opened last night." >"Oh, okay. I got you a present." >She ducked her head down a lifted up a tray. >Breakfast in bed. >For YOU! >And the menu? >Ham, eggs, and buttered toast. >Freakin' sweet. -- >She set the tray on your lap. >She even brought you a fork. >"I know how you don't like to touch your food." >You lean over and give her a kiss. "Thank you very much. Love you." >She smiled and went back downstairs. >You ate your breakfast and set the tray to the side. >You rose from your bed, ready to start the day. >Thank Luna for your new giant, comfy bed. >Your back feels amazing compared to the nights spent sleeping with Fluttershy in her old small bed. >You don't think you've ever awoken with this much energy. >You reach under your bed and start digging through the various boxes. >You manage to pick out a t-shirt, jeans, some new boxer briefs, socks, belt, and you even found some new shoes! >The clothes fit perfectly and were a little baggy. >Just like you ordered. >Rarity has truly outdone herself. >You slipped on your new shoes. >Not too tight, not too loose. >Perfect. >Despite being a new thing, Rarity did excellent with your shoes. >You run out the bedroom door and practically jumped down the stairs. >You hit the bottom and combat rolled like you were back in the Marines again. >Fluttershy saw this and almost panicked. >She thought you had hurt yourself. >You stood up with a big old grin on your face. -- >"Anonymous! Are you okay!" "I feel great! I got new clothes, a new house, the best night of sleep yet," >You pull her in for a kiss. "And the best mare to spend it with." >Her worried face turns into a smile. >She's never seen you so excited before. >You take a look around the house. >Fluttershy had started cleaning the house, but was interupted when you came falling down the stairs. "Go relax. You've been working all morning. I'll clean up." >She just smiled and nodded. >She walked into the living room and lied down on the couch. >She watched you clean the house. >She offered her help on more than one occasion, but you insist on doing it yourself. >It took you way longer than necessary, but you finally finish. >Look over at Fluttershy, who was no longer watching you from the couch. >What the-? >Where did she go? >You walk around the house, but you look out a window going to the backyard. >Fluttershy was outside tending to the animals. >Well, at least there's one chore you don't mind her doing. >They were her animals, after all. >You did what you could, but Fluttershy is just all-around better at handling the animals. -- >"Angel Bunny!" >Fluttershy's pissed. >You run outside and over to the chicken coop where Fluttershy was standing. "What's wrong?" >Fluttershy muttered under her breath. >"He did it again..." "What?" >"Angel. He took the chicken's eggs again." "What? Why?" >"He likes to hide them. I don't know why." "What is he OCD or something?" >"Huh?" "Nothing. Do you need help finding them?" >"No, I'll just look for them myself. But if you happen to find any brightly colored eggs, please let me know." "Heh, what?" >"He also likes to paint them bright colors." "Ah, okay. Hey listen. I'm gonna go into town and try to find some kind of work." >"Okay, sweetie." >She gives you a quick kiss. >"If you see Pinkie, tell her thank you for the photo." "Will do." >And with that, you take your leave. -- >Now what could you possibly do that ponies could hire you for? >Well for one, you have hands. >Surely some earth pony or pegasus could use you for construction, lifting, or being an all-around handyman. >Your hands are also more dextrous than most unicorns' magic. >You are pretty fast and agile. >Perhaps you can take a job as a courier or an errand runner? >As you make your way through town, you contemplate how you are going to find the jobs you think you could be suited for. >Perhaps you could ask one of your friends to spread the word? >Or give you some work themselves. >Maybe you can draw up some fliers and post them around town? >But you can't just rely on odd jobs forever. >You will need something that pays over a long period of time. >Like write a book or something. >Hey, there's an idea. >You know lots of songs from home. >All you need to do is adapt them for Equestria, and bam! >Book of poetry. >But you can do that at a later time. >You need money now. -- >You take look around the market. >You spot Applejack trying to set up her stall. >Her stall has a broken leg, and she's having trouble holding it up and put a basket in it. >You walk over and lift the stall for her >She quickly looks up at you and smiles. >She sets a block underneath the broken leg to stabilize the stall. >You proceed to help her lift the baskets from her cart to the stall as well without any trouble. >"Well I'll be, Anon! Even Ah can't even lift them baskets without a little strain mahself." "Ya these are kind of heavy." >You lift one repeatedly to test the weight." "This is.. what, 30 pounds?" >"Somethin' like that. It's a killer on the neck though." >She cranes her neck and there's an audible pop. "Yikes. If your looking for a hired hand, I can help you with these baskets." >"Well that's might fine of ya, Anon. Ah could use a little help every once in a while. But Ah ain't got nothin' much fer ya at the moment." "Oh... alright." >"But Ah think Ah know somepony who could use yer heavy liftin' skills." "Oh yeah? Who?" "Oh god damn it." -- >You walked into Sugarcube Corner and met Pinkie Pie at the counter. >"Hi Anon!" "Hey Pinkie. Applejack said you could use some help around here? Particularly lifting?" >"Of course, silly! In fact, could you go out back to the storage shed and grab a couple tiny bags of flour, and bring them into the kitchen storage cabinet? There will be a few bits in it if you do!" "Alright. That shouldn't be too hard." >Pinkie Pie tossed you the keys to the storage shed and you walked outside. >You opened the shed, and to your dismay, saw a mountain of flour sacks. >Pinkie Pie promised tiny sacks of flour... >These were the size of a pony! >You reached down to grab one but dropped it immediately. >These things were way heavier than you thought. >They must be 80 pounds! "Well, crap." >It is, quite literally, back breaking work. >You grab one sack at a time and carry it into the bakery. >The storage cabinet wasn't very big, only big enough to fit 1 sack if you lay it down. >But boy was it tall. >Almost as tall as you. >You could probably fit about 6 sack of flour before it fills up. >You have only just barely managed to get your first one in here. "5 more." >Man, you were not expecting that. >You lifted that first one wrong and hurt your back a little bit. >The rest of these are gonna suck. -- >The second one, with proper lifting techniques, was easy enough. >You almost tripped on the threshold to the back door, but you saved it. >You dropped it in the cabinet and went out for another. >At the fourth sack, they were really getting heavy. >You could barely lift the sixth. >When you finally got it over you shoulder, you staggered just to stay standing. >You took small steps to avoid tripping. >You got to the back door. >Careful with the threshold... >Left foot, good. >Right fo- "Oh shi-" >You caught yourself. >You give a big sigh of relief. >You work your way inside and over to the cabinet. >You drop the sack at you feet, in front of the cabinet. >1, 2, 3! >You lift it up and throw your whole body into the stack of flour sacks. >Done. >You sat there breathing heavily for a few minutes. >God damn you're getting fat. >You need to start working out again. >If only six 80 pound sacks can get you this tired... >Your drill instructors would not be happy... -- >You returned to the front of the store. "I'm finished, Pinkie." >You bent back and cracked your back several times. >Pinkie didn't seem to notice your pain. >She slid 3 bits across the counter at you. >That's fair enough you suppose. >All you did was carry a few bags in. "Thanks Pinkie. Do you know where I can find someone else who might need help?" >"Hmm.... Nope! Sorry. But you should try posting fliers or something!" >You already thought of that! >It would probably help to advertise like that, but that's too much work to go drawing up a hundred different fliers. >Perhaps Twilight will have some work for you. -- >"No, sorry Anonymous." "Well this sucks. I need some work, but I really don't want to start asking random ponies for a job." >"Have you tried posting fliers?" >This is getting old fast. >"You wouldn't have to ask other ponies. They can come to you." "Do you know of anything I can do for a little coin?" >"Well... I still want to study you for my records. I can pay you with the money I get to fund my research." "I'm not going to be a guinea pig am I?" >"No! I wouldn't make you do anything you didn't want to." >You contemplate this for a minute. >You REALLY need the money. >And you would also be keeping your promise to Twilight to answer her questions. "Fine. I guess I'm not in a position to be picky about my work." >Twilight made a gleeful squeek and clopped her hooves together. >"Excellent! Let's begin at once!" -- >You already told Twilight quite a bit about yourself on your walk to and fro Sweet Apple Acres. >Most of her questions her about anatomy. >You tried to describe what you knew to the best of your ability. >Unfortunately, that wasn't very much. >"How do you not know how your own digestive tract works?" "I eat, it goes down, tumbles around, comes out. As long as this process isn't interupted, I really don't care." >"Ugh... I'll just have to find out later." "I assume everything is almost the same as you. Just moved around." >"Maybe. Shall we move on to magic?" "I'm gonna be your target dummy, right?" >"You can say that." "I don't think I'm going to enjoy this very much." >"Oh relax. If magic harms you as less as I think it does, there should be no problems." "But what if there IS something that can harm me?" >"Well then I'll make a note of it." >Something tells you that this pony is trying to kill you. -- >BZZT "Ah! Damn it Twilight!" >"On a scale of 1 to 100, how much did that hurt?" "What would be 100?" >"Immobilizing pain." "5." >"Only a 5? But your reaction would indicate otherwise?" "It only felt like a bad static shock." >"Then why did you react the way you did?" "Because it sucked?" >"Are you weak to electricity?" "Twilight, humans are weak to EVERYTHING. Electricity, fire, cold, etcetera." >"Is that the reason you cover yourself?" "Yes but also because it's indecent to expose yourself. Next spell?" >"Lets try levitation." "Go for it." >Twilight braces herself and ducks her head. >Her horn begins to glow brightly. >You can feel your skin begin to crawl and it feels like its vibrating. >Twilight is visibly straining her face to try to put more power into her spell. >Eventually her spell twinks out and the sensation in your skin disappears. -- >Twilight is breathing heavily. >You begin itching your arms where the sensation was most prevelant. >"It appears... your immune... to... levita... tation... as well..." "Not immune, but resistant. I could feel this tingling sensation in my skin. Mostly in my arms." >"I see." >Twilight writes down the results in her notebook. >"Alright lets try something else." >She takes her stance again and her horn begins to glow. >You feel your clothes being tugged from your body. >She's trying to lift you by lifting your clothes. >You shirt and pant legs begin to slide up your body. >You tug your shirt down and try to slide your pant legs down with your feet. >You start to feel yourself lift off the ground. >You are rotated so your legs are out from under you and you are staring at the ceiling. >Holy crap it's actually working! >Suddenly her magic gives way and you drop like a rock back to the floor. >You throw your hands under your head before it bounces off the hardwood floors of the library. -- "Ow..." >You sit up and look at Twilight. "You couldn't lift me, so you tried to lift my clothes?" >"Yes. They aren't apart of you afterall. I thought I might be able to lift you by proxy, and I could!" "So why did you drop me?" >"I wanted to see your reflexes." "They aren't cat-like if that's what you're looking for. >You stand and straighten your rustled clothes. >"Sorry. Lets try something else." >Her horn began to glow once more. "What are you trying now?" >She answered with a stream fire. >You threw your arms up to try and block as much of the flames as you could. >Just because you were resistant, doesn't mean your clothes are. >As Twilight had just proven. >You could feel the heat building and you can smell the hair on your arms starting to singe. >You consider rolling out of the way, but then Twilight's stream of fire would set the library ablaze. -- "Twilight! Enough!" >She doesn't stop. "TWILIGHT! STOP!" >She finally hears you and cancels her spell. >She looks at you, worried that she went too far. >Your armsand the top of your head are smoking from your hair being singed. >Other than a little burnt hair, you were fine. >But man was that hot. >"I see you aren't fireproof." "I could've told you that," you say with an obvious irritability. "If magic didn't have a part in it, I would be seriously injured right now. I think the spell diluted the effects of the fire." >You start rubbing your arms. "If my clothes caught fire, that could've actually gone very bad very fast." >Twilight bowed her head. >"I'm sorry." "Yeah well, at least we know for sure now." >She looks up at you. >"I just want to test one more spell." "What's that?" >Without warning, her horn very quickly lit up with a bright flash. >You shout and cover your eyes with your hands. -- "Damn it, Twilight!" >She blinded you! >"Interesting... It seems magic can't affect you directly, but the secondary effects affect you like normal." >You are furiously rubbing your eyes, desperately trying to bring your vision back. "Ah! I can't see!" >"Calm down, Anon. Your vision should return very shortly." >As if on cue, your vision slowly started coming back. >Twilight is writing down more notes. "Well this sucked about as much as I thought it would." >You rub your eyes again. "Are we done yet?" >"Yes, Anon. Follow me to the front counter and I can give you your payment. >Finally. >Wait... >Why are you acting like such an ass? >You have just realized the way you've been acting towards Twilight today. >And your other friends as well. >Is trying to find work stressing you this much? >Twilight produced a small sack of coins from under the counter. >She opened it and levitated the coins from it. >She put them all back and floated it to you. >"20 bits for the study session." >That wasn't really studying as much as it was just to see what made you hurt. >You held your hand out and Twiligh set the bag down in it. "Thank you, Twilight. Just ask me if you need to know anything else." >You kind of hope she doesn't. >You don't want to experience this again for some time. >"I will Anon. Thanks for your help!" >She waved goodbye as you left the library. -- >You are still trying to think of your various skills and abilities to be used to find you a job. >Wait... >Is that a newspaper stand? >Awesome! >Now you won't have to subject yourself to asking random ponies for work! >You run over to the stand and drop 2 bits for the paper. >You flip through the pages to try to find the 'Help Wanted' section. >And... got it! >Apparently, there is no shortage of odd jobs that need doing around Ponyville. >Most of your ideas from earlier are also listed. >Courier, handypony, and even a chef's assistant! >You can totally do this! >You walk with the paper up to your face. >It goes against you personal code of conduct, but you are too excited to care. >Suddenly you slam into another pony and knock them to the ground. >This is why you have a code of conduct! "I'm so sorry! I was just reading the paper and- Rainbow Dash?" -- (Fluttershy's PoV) >It took a little while, but you think you found all the eggs that troublesome bunny hid. >You only have 10 chickens, so it didn't take too long. >However this new, larger house offers Angel many more places to hide them. >At least you don't have to worry about that again until next year. >There's a knock at the front door. >You open it to see Rainbow Dash, smiling at you. >"What's up Fluttershy!" "Oh! Hi Rainbow Dash! I was just hunting for some eggs Angel had hidden on me." >"Again?" "Yes..." >"There's something wrong with that bunny of yours. But hey! We should go into town! We never hang out anymore!" "That's because you refuse to come around because Anonymous is here." >"What? No! I've just seen you have been super busy lately, as well as I have been super busy lately! Weather control, you know?" >You know for a fact Rainbow Dash never works. >She's always taking naps and avoiding work at all costs. >But maybe she's actually trying to be friends again? -- >"So what do ya say? Pal?" "Okay, Rainbow Dash. Just let me leave a note for Anon and then we can-" >She pulled you out of the house and started flying away with you. >"No time! Let's just go, okay?" "Oh, okay then." >Dash releases you from her grip and you fly alongside her. >You follow her into Ponyville, where she leads you to an outdoor seating area to a diner. >"Take a seat, buddy!" "Okay." >Rainbow Dash begins looking around at the ponies around you. >The waitress walks up and takes your orders. >She leaves a complimentary pitcher of water, fills your glasses, and walks away. >You casually sip your drink through a bendy straw. >Dash is still looking around. >"So... Fluttershy." "Yes, Rainbow Dash?" >"Have you found the stallion of your dreams yet?" -- "What?" >That question came out of nowhere. >"Turn around. You see that white unicorn over there?" >You turn and look. "Yes I do." >"You should go talk to him. By the looks of his clothes, I bet he's got a lot of money!" "No, that's okay, Rainbow Dash. I don't really-" >She points off to the side. >"How about that big, muscular stallion over there?" >You look and see a pony who's almost as big as Big Macintosh, but just a tad smaller. "I'm sure he would be a nice gentlecolt, but Anon-" >"How about that pegasus over there?" "Rainbow Dash." >"I'm sure you would love to have a filly who could fly!" "Rainbow Dash I really don't-" >"Oh! That reminds me." "Rainbow Dash I don't-" >"I would train the little tike to be just as fast and competitive as-" "RAINBOW DASH!" -- >That shut her up. >"What?" >You speak with an irritability in your voice. "I don't want to meet another stallion." >"Aw, come on Fluttershy! There's a ton of bachelors out here who-" "And I don't think Anonymous would appreciate you dragging me out here to find me another special somepony." >"What?! No! I'm just... What?" "I'm leaving. It was nice seeing you again." >You get out of your seat and start to walk away. >Rainbow Dash flys around and stands in front of you. >"Hold on, Fluttershy! I was only trying to help." "Help me how?" >"I thought Anonymous got sick of you and abandoned you, so I was trying to help you get back in the dating game." "You thought Anonymous left me?" >"Well he did, didn't he?" >You're speaking monotone with your eyes half closed. "That's because you chased him out of Ponyville..." >"Well, he left you to fend for yourself at Sugarcube Corner!" "There was nothing either of us could do. Twilight was holding the door shut." -- >Rainbow Dash was trying to think of something else to come back with. >You beat her to the punch. "Anon and I are in love, Rainbow Dash." >Her jaw dropped. "We told each other of everything we did while we were apart. We have a special connection nopony has ever had with another before." >"How can you love something like... THAT? He's not even a pony!" "And just what is the problem with that, Rainbow Dash?" >"Hey check out that unicorn over there! You should go talk to-" "I'm out of here." >"Oh come on, Fluttershy! I'm only trying to be a good friend!" >You freeze in your tracks. >A good friend? >A good friend?! >You whirl back around and get into Rainbow Dash's face. "A GOOD friend wouldn't critisize me for my love interest, Rainbow Dash." "A GOOD friend wouldn't critisize my special somepony without getting to know him first." "And a GOOD friend wouldn't laugh at me or fail to take my feelings into account whenever I get scared and nervous about something!" -- >"What? When have I EVER made you do something you were uncomfortable with?" "I could name everything, but that would take all day." >"Whatever. Name 3 times I ever-" >You didn't even let her finish. "Remember when we went up against that dragon, the dragon you almost got to kill us by the way? You didn't even try to encourage me! You wanted to leave me behind! Applejack is the one who pushed me forward and tried to bring me confidence!" "Or how about tornado season where you forced me to go to practice, and didn't even defend me when the other pegasi were laughing at me for being weak in the wings?" "And then there was Mare Do Well, where we had to dress up in order to keep you from showboating so hard that you forgot to actually save somepony! Do you think I actually wanted to put myself in danger like that? Or any of us for that matter?" -- >Dash, who's face before was a dumbstruck rage, stiffened. >You felt a pang of regret at how far you had gone and fear at what would happen if you continued. But the pang disappeared when you remembered the day you got your Cutie Mark. "I'll even throw in one more as a bonus. On the day we got our Cutie Marks, you didn't even notice me falling to my death, Dash, because you were too focused on you!" >Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. >You press your verbal assault. "You claim to be defending my honor? I almost died had it not been for that group of butterflies! And you didn't even notice! You only wanted to show up those bullies! Element of Loyalty, my flank Dash! You're just a selfish pony trying to boost your ego to back up your own false image! >Dash was obviously holding tears, but her eyes were shooting death glares. >She searched for words, but faltered. >Finally, she said this. >"You know what, Fluttershy? We're done." >And with that, she flew away in a blur. -- (Anon's PoV) "I'm so sorry! I was just reading the paper and- Rainbow Dash?" >You knelt down to try to pick her up. >She swat your hands away with her wings and jumped away from you. >"Well, look who it is! The monster who ruined my friendship with Fluttershy!" "Ruined your friendship with Fluttershy? Are you still on that?" >"You corrupted Fluttershy from the sweet pony she once was into a vicious brute!" >Upon closer inspection, you can see that Rainbow Dash had been crying. >Something just happened between her and Fluttershy. >You didn't even know Fluttershy was in town. "Why? What happened?" >"None of your business, monkey!" >You have no problem with Rainbow Dash trying to insult you. >You are already well aware of her disdain for you. "What happened?" you ask in a more demanding voice. >"Oh nothing. Just that me and Fluttershy were out having a good lunch together. She is quite the looker, you know. She was getting all sorts of attention from the stallions there. And she was enjoying it." >You knew what she was trying to do, so you played the fool. "I agree. She really is a beautiful pony. I'm not surprised she was getting the attention she was." >You then decided to target her. "Are you jealous that stallions find her more attractive than you?" >Rainbow Dash was growing angry. >"What's that supposed to mean!" >She was barring her teeth at you. >Was that a comeback, or did she really not understand? >Whatever. -- >"You're lucky I don't pound your ugly face in!" >Her shouting was starting to draw stares from the other ponies in the vacinity. "Are you so confident in yourself that you think that will happen?" >Rainbow Dash bolted at you, but stopped before she got to you. >She remembered the last time she tried that, as did you. >You were standing with your arms crossed when Dash made her false charge. >You didn't even flinch. "I didn't think so." >A voice from the side gets the attention of both of you. >"Hey, what are you doing to Anonymous!" >You didn't recognize the pony, but they knew you. >Rainbow Dash saw a small crowd begin to form, on your side. >She contemplated gathering another mob to run you out of town again, but it appears you have already won over most of the citizens. >She looks back to you. >She gives you a growl, and flies off, shouting back at you. >"This isn't over Anonymous!" >You mutter to yourself. "We'll see." >You shake your head, pick up your newspaper, and begin the walk home. -- >That little confrontation with Rainbow Dash just gave you a huge confidence boost in Fluttershy. >You don't know what happened, but it's probably for the best that you don't know. >You can't help but laugh out loud. >Fluttershy is truly getting bold if she can stand up to Rainbow Dash. >That, or Rainbow Dash isn't as tough as she tries to make herself out to be. >Now back to your job search. >You've always enjoyed cooking, but you were far from an amazing cook. >Perhaps you can even learn a few vegetarian recipes to make for Fluttershy on a special evening. >Or maybe you can introduce your own recipes and maybe get a percent of the sales? >Being fast on your feet, you could offer your services as a speedy delivery courier. >You're pretty nimble with your hands, and you're stronger than most ponies. >You can be a handyman and work construction for the ponies who lack the strength and dexterity to do it alone. >The sun is beginning to set. >Your house is farther away from Ponyville than Fluttershy's was. >It's about 2 and a half miles compared to about 1 mile from Fluttershy's. >It takes you about 45 minutes to get home. >You walk in the door and the first thing you see is Fluttershy crying on the couch. -- >You threw your rolled up newspaper down and ran to her side. "Fluttershy! What happened? Did Rainbow Dash hurt you?" >She looked up in shock. >How did you know about Rainbow Dash? >You know what she's thinking and put one hand up in front of you to calm her down. "Relax, Fluttershy. I had a run-in with Rainbow Dash just before I came back here." >Fluttershy got a very worried look on her face. >What did Rainbow Dash tell you? >What are you going to do to her after the horrible things she said to Rainbow Dash? "She said you went out to a diner together. Apparently, you're a very attractive pony. Drawing looks from all the stallions. Rainbow Dash must have been jealous." >A wave of relief rushed over Fluttershy. >You didn't know the full story, but you know it was worse than what you just explained. >You embraced her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Best of all, you are my beautiful little pony. I have the prettiest mare in town." >Her sobs had stopped and she returned your embrace. "I know Rainbow Dash doesn't approve of me. She's trying to keep me away from you. I just know it." >"I just wish she would accept you for who you are. And support our relationship like a good friend would." "She will come around eventually. Although I gotta say, I'm getting increasingly irritated by her." >"Me too..." Fluttershy mumbled. >You chuckled and released her from your embrace. "Hey I think I found some work." >"Really? That's wonderful Anon!" "Meh... not really. It's only odd jobs, so nothing very stable. But it's money at least. Oh and by the way, I made 21 bits today from Pinkie and Twilight." >"That's okay, sweetie," she kissed you on the cheek. "I know we'll make it through okay." "Without a doubt." >You stand and extend your hand to her, helping her off the couch. "It's been a stressful day for both of us. Let's go to bed."