>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."