(Fluttershy's PoV) >It had been two weeks since the failed attempt to win over Rainbow Dash. >Your mother was with you at the Carousel Boutique, getting measured for your wedding gown. >Rarity was asking you what you were looking for in a dress, but you trusted her judgement enough for her to choose for you. >She promised she would not disappoint. >You hold her to it. >Your mother was going back and forth between watching you and looking around the shop. >The light from some of the gems in Rarity's dresses caught her attention. >Pretty pretty, shiny shiny... >You giggled as she walked over to some of the ponyquins with hypnotized eyes. >Rarity giggled as well, but she had a look of worry on her face. >She had nothing to worry about. >Morning Dew will look, but she won't touch. >"So Fluttershy, darling, have you chosen your bridesmaids yet?" "Oh! I haven't thought about that. I'm not sure." >"Well I know of a certain mare who would be absolutely perfect to be one of your bridesmaids." >Rarity flicked her hair and raised a foreleg to pose. >You were staring at the ground, thinking. "I'm sure she would be lovely, Rarity, but I was just thinking of a few ponies myself." >Rarity dropped her pose and looked at you with a frown. >"Oh... I see..." >She doesn't know that her little act just went right over your head. >"Well," said Morning Dew. "How do you two feel about lunch? I'll buy." >You and Rarity looked at each other and shrugged. >It was a pretty awkward breakfast this morning so you didn't eat very much. >You stomach growled a little bit as the three of you exited the boutique. -- (Anon's PoV) >"I can barely handle the stink when I'm sitting at the table, much less right there cooking it." "Haha. Yeah I would assume so." >"How does it not bother Fluttershy?" "When you find an answer to that, you let me know." >You and Fluttershy's fa- er... Steelwing were spending the afternoon together while the mares went into town to run errands. >You had convinced him to follow you to a secluded area of Whitetail Woods. >There was a secluded spot along the creek bank where the channel cat ran wild. >You liked to come here when Fluttershy had things to do and you were home alone. >You were carrying two cane poles and a tackled box while Steelwing walked beside you. >You were talking about the awkward breakfast this morning. >"She hasn't tried to taste it, has she?" "Not that I know of. That would be pretty funny though, haha." >Steelwing glared at you. "Relax. She would just spit it out. It's not like she's gonna develop a taste for flesh from one nibble." >"If you say so." "I know so." -- >You turned off the main road and started trekking though the underbrush. >You had an easier time than Steelwing, your longer legs giving you the reach you needed to step over some of the bushes. >"Hey Anon!" called Steelwing. "Wait for me!" >You turned around and... you saw nothing. >You were alone. >You start walking back to find Steelwing. "Hey," you call out. "Where are ya?" >"Over here!" he calls back. >You follow his voice and find him stuck inside a bush, wings fully extended. "What'd you do?" >"I tried to fly over these meddlesome plants, but my wings got caught and I crashed in this bush!" "Nice flying, Ace. What happened to being the top flyer in school?" >"Shut up and pull me out before I kick your flank!" "Say please," you tease. >"GET ME OUT OF HERE!" >He started thrashing about. >You sat down on the grass and watched at him, waiting. >His struggles quickly ended when he realized your intentions. >He sighed. >"I'm sorry. Please help me out?" >You nodded and dropped your poles and tackle box. "Retract your wings." >He complies and you give him a good shove backwards, unwedging him. -- >He spread his wings again and rose over the foliage. >You grabbed your poles and tackle box and continued your hike. >"I don't understand why we don't just go to the resevoir or something. There's fish in there." "It's not about the fish. It's about appreciating the little things. Something you need to learn if you want to win Fluttershy back." >He dropped his head. >"Oh. Sorry." "Don't worry about it. Just remember to control your anger." >"Right..." >"So... What were we talking about?" "Uhh... breakfast." >"Right. I still don't understand how you can enjoy that disgusting meat you love to eat." "It's just nature. You can choose to understand or not." >"It's still disgusting. I will never touch meat again." "It was your idea to cook the bacon this morning." >"I didn't think it would be so bad! And the sizzling of it's juices..." >He shuddered. >"And then the popping..." >He rubbed his cheek where grease had splattered on him. "Rule number 1: Never cook bacon without a shirt on." >"It hit me in the face!" "You should've flown higher." >You burst into laghter as he tries to defend himself. >You were only kidding, but he is too proud to just let it slide. >It wasn't long before you found your spot. >You found your trusty leaning tree and took a seat against it. >You opened your tackle box and began to set up your poles as Steelwing took a seat next to you. -- >Steelwing watched silently as you skillfully ran the line through the hook and bobber. >You repeated with the second pole. >When you finished, you handed it over to him. >"You know, I'm not too comfortable with this." "Relax. You're not gonna kill them. If you catch one, I'll take it off and release it." >He took offense to this. >"If? What do you mean, if? Are you saying I lack the skills to succesfully catch a mindless fish?" "Uh... no? I was just saying-" >"Save it! I'll show you!" >He put the pole in his mouth and swung it around, casting it into the water. >The hook barely missed your ear as it swung by. "Hey, watch it!" >He was staring at his bobber, concentrating so hard. "Hey. You know you have to bait it, right?" >He looked at you, cocking an eyebrow. "Pull it in." >He yanked back on the pole, and again, the hook came inches from you. "I swear to God, if you hook me, I'm gonna be super pissed." >He grunted a response at you. >You pulled out a covered bowl of earthworms from you tackle box and baited his hook. >He saw some of the worm's guts fall out and he turned his head away and gagged. -- "What's wrong, tough guy? This too much for you?" >He kept his head turned away. >"That's is just morbid." "Not really. If you think this is bad, you don't want to watch me clean a fish." >He gagged again, almost throwing up this time. >You gave a hearty laugh and baited your own hook. >You cast the line out and lied back against the tree. >He cast his out as well, but took care of where he swung his hook this time. >You should probably reel yours in and cast again, but whatever. >This trip is about relaxing. >You threw an arm behind your head, and held the pole between your body and your other arm. >"What are you doing?" asked Steelwing. "How do you expect to catch anything if you're not even going to watch it?" "I don't." >"Come again?" "I don't expect to catch anything. This is just relaxing time. I told you before, it's not about the fish." >"Then why didn't we just stay at the house?" "I also told you. Enjoy the little things. How often do you just get to lie out in the woods and enjoy nature to the sounds of a babbling brook?" -- >He thought about what you had just said. >That was pretty deep. >In fact, never had he ever just sat and enjoyed nature before. >It was always the sky with him. >He lied down as well, holding the rod between his forelegs. >"So why are we fishing then?" "It's a waiting game. A sport for the patient. I figured you could learn a thing or two." >"Maybe. We'll see about that." >You two lied in the shade of that big tree for about 20 minutes before he became unsettled. >"This is so boring! How can you enjoy this?" "Because I have patience," you mutter. >That sucks, you were just about to nod off too. >You begin to feel a tug on your fishing rod. >You look up to see your bobber lightly bouncing up and down. "See what I mean?" >You begin to slowly reel it in, waiting for the right moment. >And... NOW! >You set the hook and begin reeling in as quickly as you can. >The fish is fighting back with all its might. >The fish breaks the surface and thrashes wildly, splashing water everywhere. >You casually walk up to the edge of the river bank and reel it in the rest of the way. >You turn around and show Steelwing the fish on your hook, wriggling wildly, trying to find water. "See what I mean? Patience." -- (Fluttershy's PoV) >"I like the bistro," said Rarity. "They have some wonderful cuisine!" "I don't want some too expensive." >"Why not a picnic?" asked Morning Dew. "It's your money, mother. We don-" >"Well then how about that new diner on the other side of town?" asked Rarity. "I haven't been there yet." "It's up to my moth-" >"How about a picnic?" asked Morning Dew. >"I would just love to try one of their salads," said Rarity. "I heard some great things about them." >"I would like a picnic," said Morning Dew. >You all stopped and looked at each other, confused. "Wait, what?" >"What?" asked Rarity and Morning Dew. >You shook your head. "Sugarcube Corner?" >Rarity and Morning Dew looked at each other and shrugged. "Rarity, what else needs to be done from now until the wedding?" >"Well, darling, theres still the venue, photographers, entertainment, and florists. You and Anonymous should also look into your wedding bands. And... heehee... your honey moon." >Morning Dew's face grew a large smile. >You blushed. "Oh my. Are you sure there will be enough time for all of that?" >"Plenty of time, darling! Trust me, we can get it all together just fine." "Okay Rarity. I trust you." -- (Anon's PoV) >You and Steelwing had been fishing for the better part of the morning. >The sun was high in the sky. >Your stomach growled. >You contemplated filleting a fish for lunch, but not only would you offend Steelwing with the gross act, you didn't bring any lunch for him. >You cracked open your eyes and tilted your head to look at him with your peripherals. >He was as relaxed as you were, napping in the shade, safe from the rays of the afternoon sun. >At least he's calmed down. >You decided to say 'Screw it' and began to nod off again. >Lunch isn't that important anyways. >And besides, there's always dinner. >It had been a while now, and nothing interesting has happened. >Besides occasionally rebaiting the hooks after the fish nibble of the worms, nothing. >"Uh... Anon? ANON!" >You groan as you are pulled from your nap. "What..." you mutter, not even looking up. >"Help me!" >You lazily turned your head to see Steelwing bracing himself at the edge of the creek bank. >The fishing pole was in his mouth. >He was fighting just to stay standing on land. -- >You laughed at him, not moving a muscle. "Fight it, Steelwing!" >He looked at you and grunted in response. >The fish in this stream were not even that big. >Maybe it was just how awkward it is for him to hold the pole. "Pull on it!" >He took a step back, and then another, ever so slowly. >The fish fought back and tugged him towards the water's edge again. >He threw open his wings, barely catching himself before he fell in. >He raised his eyebrows. >An idea came to mind. >With a hard flap of his wings, he pulled himself farther onto the shore. >He flapped again and again, eventually keeping a steady rythym. >'He's got this' you thought. >Sure enough, he had pulled the fish out of the water and onto the grassy bank. >Wow, this one was actually pretty large. >You gave him a congratulatory clap. >He dropped the pole and gave a proud, accomplished pose. -- "Congratulations," you say, taking a stand. >You walk over to him. "Glad to see you figured that one out." >He dropped his pose. >"What are you talking about?" "I was curious to see how you would react if you were to actually catch a fish." >"What do you mean? Of how excited I would be?" "No, actually. That was fully expected." >"Then what?" "I could tell you if you stop interupting." >He nodded. "The real reason for coming out here was just to relax and talk." >You walked over to the fish lying on the grass. "But as the day went on, I started to relize a couple things." >You pick the fish up, it was still alive. "I started to want to see if you could learn a thing or two." >"To... properly catch a fish?" "Not quite, but close." >You walk back over to him. "What happened when you tried to catch it through sheer strength?" >"I... pulled it in?" "Wrong. It nearly pulled you in." >"Because it surprised me." "Exactly." >You held the fish out in front of him. "You had to think outside the box in order to counter that surprise." >"What are you getting at?" -- "I actually wanted to see if you could overcome your own stubborness." >You turned back to the water's edge. "You had to flap your wings to overcome the challenge that sheer strength could not alone." >You crouched down, took the hook out of the fish, and released it into the water. >"Is there some underlying meaning here, or are you just drilling me?" "There is, actually." >You watched the fish swim away. "Think of this situation as a metaphor for you and Fluttershy." >His face gave an expression of dumbfoundedness. "Do you get it yet?" >"Yeah... I do." "Good. That will save me the explanation." >You stand back up and turn to face him. >You walk over and pick his rod off the ground. >You go back to where you were sitting and begin working on both of your rods. >You take off the hook and bobber from each pole and neatly packing them away in your tackle box. >"Wait a minute. You didn't actually plan all this, did you?" "Heheh, nope. I just thought of it." >"That was pretty deep for coming up with it on the spot." "What can I say? I'm a pretty deep thinker." >You heft the tackle box up in one hand, the 2 poles in the other. "You ready to go?" >He shrugged. >"Sure, why not." >He didn't try to force himself through the bushes this time. >Instead, he hovered just a little higher than you were tall. "So how's about we get some lunch?" >"I'd be okay with that." "Awesome." >"Wait, there won't be any meat, will there?" >All you did was smile. >"I'm serious. There won't be any meat, right?" "We'll see." -- (Fluttershy's PoV) >"Hi everpony!" greeted Pinkie Pie, waving excitedly. >"Hi!" Morning Dew greeted, waving just as excitedly. "Hello Pinkie." >"Good afternoon, darling." >"What can I get for everypony today?" >Hmm... >The three of you begin perusing the displays, looking for something appetizing. >Among the various confectionaries, there were also some small candies. >Candy corn, toffee, caramel clusters, and- >"EEK!" shrieked Morning Dew as she jumped away from the display. >You and Rarity jumped at the sudden scream. >She giggled and moved closer. >"They look so life-like!" she exclaimed, pointing at some chocolate mice. >You and Rarity sighed and went back to browsing the treats. >"I think I'll have some of those cute little mice!" said Morning Dew. >"You got it!" said Pinkie as she placed a few in a bag. >"Anypony else?" asked Pinkie. >"I think I'll have those almond/coconut/chocolate bars," said Rarity. >"Yup!" said Pinkie, throwing a few in the bag. "I'll have a few of those chocolate peanut butter bears, if that's okay." >"It's better than okay, it's great!" said Pinkie. >Pinkie dropped the bag of candies on the counter. >Morning Dew tossed a few bits across the counter. >Pinkie did a spin move, opening the register and slamming the bits into it. >You took your seats at a booth in the seating area, Pinkie joining you. -- >You're all happily snacking on the treats you just bought. >Pinkie even brought a few chocolate-covered cherries to share with you all. >"This isn't really a lunch, is it?" asked Rarity. >"Of course it is!" responded Pinkie. >"I disagree," said Rarity. "This is just a snack, not a meal." >"You're right," said Pinkie. "We need cake!" >She disappeared into the kitchen. >Rarity sighed. "That's okay Rarity, if you want, you can join us for dinner tonight." >"Thank you darling, but I just can't leave Sweetie Belle alone." "Are your parents not back from their vacation?" >"Sadly, no. I've been having to deal with Sweetie Belle all alone. She can be a real hoof full." "Why don't you bring her along? She seems to really love Anonymous." >"Hmm... You know, I just-" >Pinkie Pie slams a cake down on the table, startling you and Rarity. >"Cake's here!" she announces. >Morning Dew clopped her hooves, awaiting her piece. >"I just might," resumed Rarity." -- >"You might what?" asked Pinkie Pie with a smile. >"Go to Fluttershy's for dinner," said Rarity. >Pinkie Pie gasped. >"A dinner party? I wanna go! I wanna go!" >She started bouncing around excitedly. "Oh, uhm... Okay, I guess. I'm sure Anonymous wouldn't mind." >"Woohoo!" cheered Pinkie Pie. >"Woohoo!" cheered Morning Dew for reasons unknown. >You finished your 'lunch' and said goodbye to Pinkie Pie. >As you exited the bakery, you parted ways with Rarity. >She said she would be over later tonight. >You and your mother walked through Ponyville, nothing left to do today. >"So what's for dinner?" asked Morning Dew with a smile. "I'm not sure. What can feed seven ponies?" >"Six ponies and a human," Morning Dew said, her head held up high. "Right. I was thinking maybe we-" >"Howdy, Fluttershy!" -- >You and Morning Dew looked over and saw Applejack waving from you from their apple stand. >Applebloom was with her, waving just as excitedly. >Morning Dew waved back with just as much enthusiasm. >You walked over to the stand to greet your friends. >"How's it goin, pardner?" "Just fine, Applejack. How's business?" >"Meh. Kinda slow, but whatchya gonna do?" Applejack shrugged. "Hey, Applejack, I have a question for you, if you don't mind that is." >"Well a' course not, sugarcube. What can Ah do fer ya?" "What would you recommend for a dinner for seven?" >"Now what're ya doin feedin' seven ponies?" asked Applejack. "Oh, you see, my parents are over for dinner, and I invited Rarity, Sweetie Belle and Pinkie Pie too, and I-" >"Y'all hostin' a dinner party?" she asked. "Well yes, but-" >"Why shoot, Fluttershy! You wouldn't mind if Applebloom and Ah tag along, would ya?" "Oh, uhm. I guess not. We haven't spent much time together, being so busy with the wedding and all" >"Well awrighty then! We'll see you tonight then!" "Okay. See you tonight, Applejack. Come on, mother." >Morning Dew was by Applebloom, making silly faces at each other. >She stopped when she heard you call, and trotted over to catch up with you. -- (Anon's PoV) >You finally cleared the underbrush and have turned onto the main road. >Steelwing landed on the road and walked beside you. >He would not shut up about having meat for lunch. >You weren't helping by refusing to give him a straight answer. >You were still arguing about it, and not paying attention to where you were walking. >You tripped over the hind legs of a pony who's forward half was hidden inside a bush. "Oh, I'm sorry ma-" You saw the cutie mark. "...Twilight." >Twilight backed out of the bush she was in. >"Oh hi Anon! Mr. Steelwing. How are you two this afternoon?" "Pretty good. Just going home to see if we can't grab a bite to eat." >"Oh, well if you're hungry," she levitated two apples from her saddlebag. "You can have these if you like." >You drop your poles and tackle box to grab the apples. >You handed one to Steelwing. "Thank you Twilight." >You took a seat on the ground and began to eat the apple. >Twilight was looking at your fishing gear. >"Anon, what is that?" she asked. -- >You followed Twilight's hoof. >She was pointing at your poles. "Fishing poles." you said, taking another bite of apple. >"Fishing... poles?" she blinked. "You use them to catch fish." >"So where are they?" "Where are what?" >"The fish." "We threw them back." >Twilight didn't understand. >"If you threw them back, what was the point of catching them?" "Just for fun." >"That doesn't sound fun." >"It's more about nap time than it is fun," said Steelwing. "Well that time it was. I told you, I wasn't planning on eating them today. Although the one you caught sure was a beauty." >"Wait a minute," said Twilight. "EAT them?" "Uh... yeah?" >"WHAT?! Why would you do that!" >You shifted your eyes side to side. "Because I'm hungry?" >"That's a horrible excuse!" "It's not an excuse, it's a reason. Are you implying I would come up with an excuse to kill something?" >"Why wouldn't you just eat vegetables?" "Because straight vegetables would suck. That's why." -- >"How can you be so calm about killing other creatures?" she demanded with a hoof stomp. >The switch in your head just clicked. >She has no idea that you eat meat. "You didn't know?" >"Of course not!" she yelled. >You looked back to Steelwing, who just shrugged his shoulders at you and continued munching on his apple. >He wasn't having any part in this conversation. "How can you not know? We went over what I know of my anatomy with you. You even inspected me for a little bit." >"Well I didn't know you ate other creatures!" "You looked at my teeth!" >"What does that have to do with anything?" >You facepalm. >Twilight is the stupidest smart pony you have ever met. "I think you need to take some basic zoology classes from Fluttershy..." >"What's that supposed to mean?" "It means you don't even know the basics about animal biology." >She stomped in protest. >"How can you even say that?" "If you did, you would've known I was an omnivore by my teeth alone." >You raised to one knee and motioned her toward you. >You parted you lips, revealing your teeth to her. >You pointed to you canines. >You released you lips and sat back down. "Had you even the slightest idea, you would've seen that my canines are that of a carnivore's." >"I thought the were just for grabbing things." "So what are my hands for?" >You raise your free hand in front of her face. >"I... uh... Nevermind" >'Yeah, I thought so.' -- >You change the conversation before she can come up with a retort to piss you off and send you into a rediculously long argument about nothing. "So Twilight, what are you doing out here anyways?" >She snaps out of her train of thought of trying to come up with a good comeback. "Oh me? I'm just studying some of the insects around here." >She trots over to the bush where she was at and levitated a safari cap, magnifying glass, and notebook from the bush. "Learn anything interesting?" >She sighed. >"No, unfortunately. The insects here don't do anything other than forage and defend their nests. I was thinking about testing some different magic effects on the to see how they reacted." >Her horn begins to glow. "OR," you quickly say. "You could not do that and just find a different nest." >From your past experience with her 'magic tests', this will likely end with a blaze of fire or bolt of electricity. >You can't have that. >Her horn stopped glowing. >"Yeah, I guess I can do that." >You finished you apple, and just held the core. >You hold it out to Steelwing. "You want it?" >He eyed it suspiciously. >"It's not gonna taste like meat, is it?" "Oh my g- Would you drop it already?" >He shrugged and took the core from your hand. -- >Twilight started packing her things away into her saddlebag. "Hey Twilight, I gotta question for you." >"Hmm?" she looked up at you. "You got any plans for dinner tonight?" >She thought about it. >"No, actually. I was just gonna go home and study some more. Maybe have Spike fix me a sandwich or something." "That's a terrible plan. How 'bout you come over tonight?" >"Gee Anon... I don't rea-" "We might find something scientific about me to talk about." >"Okay I'm in!" >Typical Twilight Sparkle. "Well alrighty then. Be at my house tonight?" >"Sounds like a plan!" >She trotted off, probably to go fry some ants with her magnifying glass as an 'experiment'. >Maybe you should've taken it from her. >But the she might resort to magic. >Then you risk her starting a forest fire. >You decide it's best to leave it how it is. >"That pony doesn't know when to shut up, does she?" asked Steelwing when Twilight was out of earshot. "Haha, right? She irritates me to no end, but sometimes I get some interesting information out of our little arguments." >"I would probably tear my ears off than listen to her incescant rambling." >"Meh," you shrug. "I tend to win these little things anyways. You think she would learn how to argue by now." >"Can we go?" asked Steelwing, slightly irritated. "Very well." -- >"You think Fluttershy will approve of you inviting a guest without her knowledge?" asked Steelwing as you walked. "I'm sure she won't mind. It's not like I invited all of our friends." >"True. Hey that reminds me, a friend of mine is in town and I wanted to talk to them. Would you mind if I invited them over for dinner?" >You thought about it. "What can we make that feeds 5 ponies and me?" >"I don't know. You'll think of something." "Gee, thanks..." >"Anytime," he laughed. >The two of you were walking down the road when your house came into view. >On the other side, Fluttershy and Morning Dew. >They must be coming back from their errands already. >You waved your arm over your head at the approaching mares. >You could see Morning Dew raise up on her wings and wave back. >Steelwing groaned and facehooved. "Are you embarassed of her?" you asked surprised. >"A little bit. She acts so childish." "Well don't be. She's adorable when she's like that." >"Yeah she is. But sometimes I feel like she just needs to grow up." "You can't change who someone is. Remember?" >"Right... Sorry..." -- >You reached your house before the other two did. >You and Steelwing took a seat on the doorstep and waited for the other two to arrive. >When they did, they rose into the air and flew to their respective loved one, embracing him in a tight hug. >You and Steelwing looked at each other and shrugged. >Best not to fight it. >They both eased up and stood on the ground in front of you. >"Hey Anon, I have a question for you." asked Fluttershy. "I have one for you as well." >"Oh, well you go first." "Alright. I invited Twilight over for dinner tonight. Your father here also has a friend in town that he wants to invite as well. I told him that would be okay." >Her ears dropped. >"O-oh. Okay. Well, I also invited several ponies over for dinner tonight... five actually." "Five poines?! How can we even feed that many?" >"I don't know. I'm sorry. I should've just said no..." >She dropped her head to the ground. -- >You sat there and thought about it quick. >You held her chin and picked her head up. "Well, at least I don't feel so bad about inviting over two without your permisson." >You smiled and chuckled to show her everything was alright. >She smiled as well and gave a small giggle. "Okay so lets see here... You, me," you were holding up fingers as you counted. "Parents, my two, and your five..." >You sat there thinking. "What is that, twelve?" >"Eleven." "Yeah, sure, eleven. So we need to find a way to hold 10 ponies and me in our house, and then feed them... This is gonna suck." >"Well," spoke up Steelwing. "I'm gonna go find my friend. I'll meet you back here for dinner." "You got it." >Steelwing took to the skies, leaving Morning Dew with you and Fluttershy. "Well, Morning Dew, you wanna help us prepare?" >"Sure!" she exclaimed. >She skipped inside, with you and Fluttershy following her. >You gotta party to get ready for and a very short time to do it in.