Barren Kindness -Chapter 5-

>The fire in front of you illuminated Fluttershy's face, as it slowly transitions from an expression of intrigue, to one of shock.

>"...what?.."

"I helped make those collars."

>Fluttershy looks to you, her eyes going wide.

>"You mean that thing those men put on me?"

"...yes."

>You take the steak in your hand and bite into it.

>"But... but why?"

"I didn't want to do it. I had to."

>"What?"

"Fluttershy, they forced me to make those things. That's how I knew to get yours off."

>She's silent, and you can tell she's trying to process all of this.

>"Did... did you make the one they used on me?"

>...

"I don't know."

>The pause between you is awkward, to say the least.

>Fluttershy has stopped eating the mutfruit, choosing instead to look at the small fire in front of her.

>"What happened next?"

>You glance up to her, the steak still in your mouth.

"You want to know more?"

>She nods, the bright pink hair on her head hiding her face partly.

>She's a bit more timid now that you're revealing more about yourself.

>You sigh gruffly.

"I thought I said I wasn't telling you the whole story."

>"I know, but... I mean, if you don't want to, I understand."

>She looks hurt at your choice to withhold more info.

>"I just wanted to get to know you better, that's all..."

"Why would you want that?"

>"Well..."

>A smile grows on her face.

>"You don't seem to have many friends out here. I thought that, maybe... I could be your first.."

>The two of you look at each other, as Fluttershy timidly takes another bite of the fruit in front of her.

>She wants to be your... friend?

>...

>You didn't have a single one of those out here.

>Maybe... maybe just this once, then...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-L7LDtteOw&feature=BFa&list=AL94UKMTqg-9AsejWzrC5Ny3ZK5Y9hNLWt

 

"Okay..."

>Fluttershy's head pops up, a bit of fruit stuck in her mouth.

>"Hm?"

"I'll tell you more. So just... just sit and listen, okay?.."

>She stares at you with those blue eyes, the smallest of smiles on her face as she nods.

"Okay... okay, look. I haven't always been out here. Doing this. I had family, sure. But... like I told you before: This place is hell. It's not friendly."

>You prod the fire with a rod you found, small cinders dancing in the darkness around you.

"My family... we knew how hard it was out here, but we got by. We were traders. Go one place, sell some stuff, buy a little, go sell it somewhere else. That was life."

>"Where is your family now?"

"..."

>The fire pops, more cinders floating about.

"They... died."

>"Oh... how did-... how did they die?"

>You gaze up at her, and she takes back her question.

>You weren't going to go that far into it.

"I was on my own after that. I tried finding my way through this hell hole but... well most of it's rubble. A kid can get lost easily."

>You can still remember wandering about in the wasteland, calling out for someone, anyone, to help you.

"Then some men came."

>You sink further into your arms, resting them on your knees as you told your story.

"They told me they could take me to a safe place. I was... I was just so relieved that they found me."

>"Oh, well that's a good thing! Then you were taken to a place where you were safe and sound?"

>She's bright eyed and hopeful at this point.

>You hated how you were going to ruin that.

"They took me to Paradise Falls."

>"It sounds lovely!"

"They were slavers, Fluttershy."

>She stops smiling, her ears turned downward at this revelation.

"It used to be a big market... a shopping mall is what they called it before this place turned to shit and cinders... but now it's just a slaver haven."

>Running a hand through your hair, you let out a deep sigh as you continue.

"They worked me to the bone there. Beat me. Whipped me. Threw me into a small pit every month to fight other kids like me... it got easier, over time."

>"They made you-... oh my.."

"And of course, the collars. The guy in charge, Eulogy Jones, came up with this brilliant little scheme to curb runaways. Make a collar that blows up if they get to far away from the camp... in a business perspective, it was genius."

>Fluttershy moves around the fire slowly, making her way over to you.

>You don't notice, as you keep going.

"We... we had to test them, Fluttershy. The collars. We would put them on other slaves, we'd tell them they were free!... god they looked so happy when we told them that... and when they got through the gates they would... they would just..."

>You feel a hoof tenderly being placed on your shoulder.

>You glance to your side, and see that Fluttershy is sitting next to you, a sad smile on her face.

"I... I didn't want to hurt them..."

>You can feel your eyes getting wet.

>I just... I'm sorry, I..."

>Fluttershy wraps you up as best as she can in a small hug, while quietly whispering a song."

>"Shhh.... hush now, quiet now..."

 

~END~