RelationShy - Prologue

>you shove more pancake into your mouth as you ponder life's greatest mysteries. 

>what is life? Why are we here? Why in the name of fuck did I get transported to some land inhabited by sentient marshmallow ponies?

>however, these questions go unanswered, and probably always will. 

>you check your watch. Another 15 minutes until you have to get to your desk job as mayor mares secretary. 

>you were soon promoted, within a month of working, to top secretary and general manager. 

>probably due to your dexterity with your hands. 

>and of course your MacBook kinda helped. 

>you get the same pay as all the other secretaries across equestria, but since ponyville is pretty small, you rarely have to do much work. 

>like only 4 hours of work a day. 

>pay is generous

>work is minimal

>life is good. 

 

>you glance over the equestria daily. 

>bunch of old rubbish news. 

>suddenly, you catch rainbow's photo in the paper. 

>for the best young flier competition. 

>she won. 

>again. 

>you think back over your time with her. 

>when you two used to be a couple. 

>it wasn't a bad breakup actually. 

>mutual agreement. 

>she didn't want to be seen as being in a relationship. 

>she wanted the single life. 

>so did you. 

>you still see each other just about every day. 

>you still show affection for her in many ways. 

>in many ways, you are still friends. 

>with benefits. 

>and boy, those benefits are sweet.

 

>you get up and leave the bits on the table. 

>generous tip included. 

>make your way to the mayors office. 

>work some hours. 

>not much happening

>go home at 2. 

>you have a nap. 

>you decide to have a walk around ponyville.

>walk like sir.

>you stop over at the library

>Twilight is busy studying as usual.

>"o hey anon. What brings you here?"

"nothing really. I was just thinking, you know... How are our relationships different?"

>she looks puzzled. 

"I mean... Whats different between human and pony relationships?"

>"You mean like non-platonic relationships."

"yeah."

>she thinks for a few seconds. 

>"why do you ask?"

>shit, curveball

 

>"I Donno. I've just been thinking about rainbow all day."

>"anon... I know how much relationships can mean to you humans. If you need any help...."

"it's fine twilight. I ain't even mad... It's just... Where I come from, relationships seem a lot more... Serious. And I can't understand why."

>twilight instantly gets out a quill and paper and writes it down. 

>"I don't know why anon. It's just the way it is. I guess it's just a culture that has developed."

>she writes more. 

>"not to mention the fact that there are far fewer stallions here than men on earth."

>you consider this.

>and suddenly, for no reason at all, you ask a dumb question. 

"hey twilight, have you ever had a coltfriend?"

>the sudden question takes her by surprise.

>"I... I... Erm, no, actually."

>you feel like asking why, but you know that would be kinda dick move

>"it's just... I have met some ponies I liked but... Well I mean my studies take up much of my time and all that... And plus, I don't usually go out and meet people."

"I see."

>it suddenly dawns on you that you have never seen a single member of the mane6 in a relationship, not counting you and rainbow. 

"hey twilight... Has rainbow ever had another coltfriend?"

>"she told me she did... One or two... But they were assholes by the sound of it. Well, that's what she called them anyway."

"oh."

 

>"Applejack has had a few colt friends… But I guess her work keeps her busy most of the time so, she never really has time for them. oh! and then theres Rarity, she has also had a few… but not really serious relations, more like one night stands if anything… and then theres pinkie… same thing basically. I guess all the stallions find her a bit…"

"Insane?"

>"well, yeah that. and then there is… Fluttershy."

>She looks down, her expression changing.

>"She… she… she's never been with anyone."

"Well thats not really a surprise I guess. she is FlutterSHY after all."

>Oh anon… you so funny

>no but srsly

>"Yaeh… But she…"

"but she what?"

>"She doesn't LIKE being shy. its just the way she is. In fact… She's…"

>You are waiting patently as twilight struggles to decide if she wants to tell you this.

>"She has been feeling really lonely lately."

"So would I if I lived by myself and hardly saw anyone except animals all day."

>"Yeah but… Its more serious than that."

"What?"

>"I think she's been real depressed lately."

>You think over the last few times you met fluttershy.

>Holy shit. twilights right. She HAS been acting differently.

>"Im really worried about her anon… She usually doesn't get like this. even rainbow said this is the worst she has ever seen her."

>You feel slightly guilty for some reason.

>"I don't know what it is."

"You don't think its because she doesn't have anybody to love?"

>"She has the animals…"

"Yeah, but you can only love them so much. They can't really return it."

>Twilight magics her pen up and starts taking notes.

>"I really don't want her to be like this anon. If only there was something we could do."

>You ponder for a moment.

"I think Im gonna go see her now."

>"What, Right now?"

"Sure, why not? ill cook her spaghetti or something for dinner. It'll just make her happy at least. And plus, Maybe I can talk to her about her depression."

>"Good idea anon. you do that, but come back and tell me what she says."

 

>You arrive at fluttershy's cottage and knock at the door.

>you can hear her coming down the stairs, and slowly unbolt the latches.

>She opens the door slightly apprehensively, but immediately her expression changes when she see you.

>You walk in.

"Hello, Fluttershy."

>You bend down and hug her.

>"Anon… What are you doing here?"

"I just thought Id come by and cook you dinner."

>Fluttershy does not compute.

>"But… why?"

"Well, I haven't seen you in so long, I just thought id come by and do something nice for you."

>She makes a squeeing noise.

 

>Sitting down, spaghetti ready.

>"Im so glad that you decided to do this for me anon."

"My pleasure. I just wanted to do something nice."

>You talk about shit in general while you eat your spaghetti.

>They may not have mince or meatballs in equestria, but this olive oil sauce thing makes up for that.

>But eventually, you try to get to whats bothering you.

"me and twilight were talking about the differences between human and pony relationships today."

>"Oh, why is that?"

"Oh nothing, I was just wondering about myself and rainbow."

>"Its a shame that you two broke up."

"Not really. we still see each other every day, and plus, it gives her more time for the weather team and all that."

>Fluttershy nods.

"Hey flutters, you have never had a coltfriend, have you?"

>This question takes flutters by surprise.

>"oh my… um… erm… no."

>You change your tone. to one of sincerity.

"Twilight tells me you have been feeling kind of down lately."

>Fluttershy is becoming quieter and quieter.

 

 

>"well… yeah, kind of."

"do you know whats causing it?"

>She looks down.

"Flutters, listen here."

>You rest your hand on her mane.

"Im your friend flutters. I just want you to be happy. and If you don't tell me why you are so depressed, ill never be able to help you."

>She sort of looks up.

>"fine."

>You stroke her mane.

"Good. now tell me whats making you sad."

>She takes a breath.

>"well, Iv been feeling really lonely lately, and I don't know why, It never happened to me before, and Now its just… I don't know. I just want to be normal like the other ponies. I just want to go out and meet somepony… somepony who will love me back."

>These words drive home how hard she must be feeling about this.

"Listen flutters. I can't control who is attracted to you or not, But I'm gonna help you on this."

>"how?"

"The only reason you can't find that special somepony is because you aren't looking."

>Fluttershy looks up at you.

"Your… Your too shy."

>"So how are you going to help me?"

"Im going to help you overcome your shyness and find that special somepony."