The Flower of the Forest CH3

>With the letter sent, Spike returns to the kitchen to help Fluttershy, and you return to your research.

>Several more books float past you as you search through them with fervor.

>No matter how hard you look, that single page in the bestiary is the only evidence of a “human” that you can find.

>There’s absolutely zero information about the flower or anything similar to it.

>You put the books back with an exasperated sigh, hanging your head in defeat.

>Your sulking doesn’t last long, though, as a loud crash comes from the kitchen.

>A massive pile of bowls and other kitchenware greets you as you run in.

>Spike’s tiny arm reaches out from somewhere in the pile holding a sealed scroll.

>”L-letter for you, Twilight.”

>Pulling him out of the pile, you take the scroll and open it up.

>”My faithful student Twilight,

>John D. Anonymous was a human and the only of his kind. He arrived in Equestria in search of his daughter, but died before the search could be concluded. How do you know of him?”

>You turn to see Spike already holding a quill and and blank paper, looking up to you expectantly.

“Dear Princess Celestia,

I found what I believe to be his daughter in the Everfree forest. The only information the library holds about her kind is a single page in an old bestiary, containing only a photo of you and John D. Anonymous in your throne room, and a short sentence. The filly is injured and resting on the spare bed in my room. What do you suggest I do?

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle”

>A response arrives within minutes.

>”Keep her there and see to it that she gets better. I’ll make arrangements to visit soon.”

>Ten minutes later, you have a princess at your door.

“P-princess Celestia!” you stammer. “I thought you said soon!”

>”I said soon. I didn’t say how soon,” she smiles. “Now, take me to her.”

>With a nod, you lead her to your room.

>Anonymous remains asleep on the bed, her tight grip on the blanket unrelenting.

>For a while, Princess Celestia just stares at her.

>When Spike and Fluttershy enter, Spike carrying a bowl of soup, neither of them notice Princess Celestia as she stands in complete silence.

>Spike nearly drops the bowl when she speaks up.

>”So it seems he was right all along,” she says to nopony in particular as she walks towards Anonymous. “Hello Fluttershy, Spike.”

>They both attempt a bow, Spike being the least successful with the bowl in his grasp.

>She lets out a small chuckle. “Rise, my friends. There’s no need for such formalities here.”

>As they rise, she continues, “Twilight, you said she was injured. How bad is it?”

“Several smaller cuts, a few larger ones, a few bruises, and...” you pause, thinking back to the stained bandages. “There’s a large gash around her eyes, but it seems to have closed up quite some time ago. I didn’t want to use healing magic because I’m not sure how her body works, but Fluttershy and I did what we could.”

>She nods. “Smart decision, but humans are... resilient. She should be fine with a bit of healing.”

>With that, she heals Anonymous, who shoots up to a sitting position in response.

>Anonymous looks around frantically for a moment before stopping on Princess Celestia.

>They stare at each other with equal looks of wonder—or so you assume, given the bandages still covering most of her face—until Anonymous’ stomach growls.

>You can see a blush forming under the bandages and Princess Celestia laughs.

>”I’m Celestia, nice to meet you,” she holds out a hoof.

>Surprisingly, Anonymous takes it with one of her claws and shakes it.

>Spike walks up to Anonymous and holds the bowl out for her to take, Fluttershy right behind him.

>Anonymous eyes the bowl suspiciously for a moment before giving in to her hunger and taking it.

>She takes the spoon in one of her claws and brings it to her face, as if it’s the first time she’s ever seen one.

>After a bit of experimentation, it seems to click and she brings it down to the bowl and begins eating the soup.

>As the first spoonful enters her mouth, she gasps slightly and her face takes on a surprised expression.

>Fluttershy is quick to her side. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

>”It’s... It’s really good!”

>Everypony in the room, including you, smiles at the scene.

>That is, until Fluttershy speaks up. “Uh, Twilight? I have to go home. If you need anything else, let me know.”

“Okay, thanks for the help!”

>”She’s kind of dirty, don’t you think?” Princess Celestia asks as Fluttershy exits.

>You didn’t notice in the confusion, but after looking at Anonymous, she was definitely in need of a bath.

>Who knows how long she was in the forest?

”Spike, can you take care of that?”

--

>You nod, though you don’t know why she’s asking you to do it.

“Come on, Anonymous.”

>You make your way to the bathroom before realizing that she isn’t following you.

>Sighing, you turn around to retrieve her.

>You find her just outside of Twilight’s room, blanket wrapped around her body as tightly as ever.

>Looking in the room, you see Twilight giving you a sheepish grin.

>You silently lead her to the bathroom and point to the tub as she enters.

>She just stares at it. “What is it?”

“You mean... You’ve never taken a bath before?” you ask, a look of bewilderment practically glued onto your face.

>”Bath...” she says, as if the word is completely new to her. “How do you use it?”

>You shake your head, then reach over to one of the knobs and turn it.

>Anonymous jumps back as the water falls.

>Chuckling, you turn to her.

>You explain to her how a bath works, focusing mainly on the concept of controlling the water temperature.

>She pays you her undivided attention as you go through it, and when the tub is filled and you stop the water, she stares in awe.

>”That’s really neat... What do I do now?”

“Well, now I have to take off your bandages. You’re all healed up thanks to the princess, so you don’t need them anymore.”

>Anonymous visibly tenses up and you put on a reassuring smile.

“It’s not gonna hurt.”

>This seems to work, but she’s still silent.

>You stand at her side and she looks at you with what you assume to be curiosity.

“I can’t get to your bandages when you’re covering yourself like that.”

>She wraps the blanket even tighter around her body—if that’s even possible at this point—and blushes.

“You know, there's no need to be so embarrassed,” you sigh. “I mean, it’s not like I’m wearing any clothes.”

>She hesitates a moment before slowly releasing her death grip on the blanket and letting it fall to the ground.

>You carefully remove the bandages from her pale body and she flinches at each one.

>Pretty soon there’s a small pile of them on the ground.

“All done. See? That wasn’t that bad.”

>”Y-yeah... Thanks.”

>You smile.

“Now, bend down so I can get the one on your head.”

>”I can get it...” she practically whispers before reaching up and undoing the bandage.

>When the bandage is fully removed you wince at the sight of the scar.

>Her white eyes carry a hint of worry in them. ”What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing,” you quickly wipe the look off your face, replacing it with a smile. “Alright, you can get in the tub now.”

--

>”Now that we’re alone,” Princess Celestia starts, “I suppose you want to know more about John.”

>You nod.

“John was, up until today, the only known human. He came from a place very, very far from Equestria, and what little time he didn't spend searching for his daughter, he spent living at the castle. He died 649 years after Luna’s banishment. Most of this, of course, you already know from our letters.”

>How far from Equestria do you have to be to be the only one of a species?

>”Now, you said you found his daughter in the Everfree. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

>”What else can you tell me about where and how you found her?”

>You think back for a moment before recounting the event back to Princess Celestia.

>When you mention the white flowers she seems to wince, but you ignore it.

>By the time you’re finished, her eyes are wide.

>”The flower changed colors and paralyzed you?”

>You nod once more.

>Then, you remember the flower still on the ground.

>You pick it up with your magic and bring it to Princess Celestia.

>Oddly enough, the flower is now purple.

>“That’s weird. Why is it purple now?”

“It must be responding to Anonymous’ emotions. From what I’ve gathered, white is the normal color, yellow is in response to fear, and blue is most likely sadness, but I’ve yet to see purple. I’ll have to run some tests with that soon.”

>”That’s... Interesting, to say the very least. You’ll have to keep me posted on that.”

>You’re about to respond until you hear a knock at the door.

>Remembering what you told Spike to do earlier, you head out your room and to the front door.

>Sure enough, you open it to see Rarity with a small box to her side.

>”I can’t stay for long, but I’ve finished what you wanted me to do.”

>You motion for her to come in.

>As she enters she places the box on the ground.

>Opening it, she pulls out the small dress.

>“Tell me, why is it that you needed such... odd clothing fixed up again?” she asks, looking the dress over.

>Her question is left unanswered as Spike enters from the bathroom, a small blush on his face.

>”Anonymous is all washed up, but I had to do most of the work... Can you believe she’s never seen a bath before—Rarity!” he jumps back, surprised. “You finished already? That was pretty fast.”

>”Yes, it was quite a simple job. Now, who is this Anonymous you’re talking about?”

>He opens his mouth to respond but you interrupt him.

“A friend who is currently staying here. Spike, can you take her the clothes?”

>Rarity floats the box to him and he heads to the bathroom.

>”Well, I won’t question it, but I must be on my way. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask!”

>She leaves with a wave, and as soon as the door shuts Princess Celestia walks in from your room.

>”Why didn’t you introduce her to... Anonymous?” she says the last word with a bit of hesitation, but you ignore it.

“She’s very shy, and I wasn’t sure how she’d take to Rarity just yet. Rarity can be a little... assertive at times.”

>She just nods in response.

>A few minutes later, out comes a fully clothed Anonymous, Spike right behind her.

>She still has the bandages over her eyes, and she still looks as nervous as ever.

>”Um... Hello,” she whispers.

>”Go on,” Spike urges.

>She hesitates for a few seconds before turning to the princess. “Th-thanks for fixing my injuries, Ms. Celestia.”

>The princess smiles before turning to you. “Alright, Twilight, I have business I must attend to in Canterlot. It was nice seeing you.” She turns to Anonymous and Spike, adding, “and you too, Spike and Anonymous.”

--

>You’re quick to leave the library, waving to the group seeing you off.

>Your horn glows, and with a bright flash you’re in the castle garden.

>You walk through it at a slow pace until you arrive at a group of familiar white flowers.

>They were just normal flowers, but they were planted upon John’s request so many years ago. You didn’t understand why he wanted these flowers at the time, but it makes more sense now.

>In the middle of the flowers is a small stone with a few words on it.

>”John D. Anonymous

>Died 649 AB”

“I’ve... I’ve found her, John.”