>It has been three days since the picnic.
>After you and Fluttershy had awoken from your nap sometime in the late afternoon, you had a long discussion about what the future might hold for you.
>In all honesty, you were just winging it this entire time.
>Perhaps you'll keep on trucking until you find a place to settle down for good.
>Retire these old boots for good.
>Fluttershy had offered for you to live in her cottage unti you figured it out.
>That way, you have a safe bed while you try to figure it out.
>You had to deny the offer.
>While it would be wonderful to room with her for a little while, there was simply not enough room for you.
>You were twice her size.
>The ceiling was really short, the appliances were small but managable given your hands, and, since she was obviously unwilling to be rid of her animals, there was even less room than there would be if it was just the two of you.
>You had to find your own place to live.
>Probably build your own house as it was unlikely any of these ponyfolk would have living accomodations that were able to suit you.
>Fluttershy agreed, but fell silent.
>She didn't want you to go, but she understood your reasons for wanting to do so.
>An impulse caused you to give Fluttershy a quick peck on the cheek before you started pack up the picnic and begin the walk home.
>You didn't notice her blush.
 
>Now here you are.
>It's early morning.
>The birds are chirping and the bees are buzzing.
>You have offered Fluttershy help with the daily chores as compensation for allowing you to live here.
>She has you out at the chopping block cutting wood.
>As noon draws near, it quickly starts to become very hot.
>You have take off your shirt and are left with your boots and blue jeans.
>Fluttershy has gone back into town for groceries.
>You're a little curious as to where she was or what she was doing the first morning you were here.
>She was probably getting animal feed or something.
>There's other stuff to worry about around he and she can't spend all her time with you.
>You being sing quietly to yourself as you work.
>Even though you were alone, there was a slight paranoia of being watched or someone walking up unexpectedly.
>It was only paranoia, but should someone walk up, you would be thoroughly embarassed.
>It's also not the best music to be singing for a first impression on a society that turns out to be like Fluttershy.
>Rock music is a great motivational tool and it seems like you're getting through the wood in fewer hits with some of the more energetic songs.
>The axe swings down at the end of every line.
"Well could we have 'known',"  *chop*  "Never would 'I',"  *chop*  "Have helped to nail 'down'."  *crack*
>The log splits and falls to the side.
>It was harder than you thought, but in a little bit, you should be able to split them in one strike.
 
>A soft, feminine voice call out to you from inside the house.
>"Anon," calls Fluttershy. "Please come in here."
>You hadn't even noticed she came home.
>If there was any better reason for your paranoia, this was it.
>You force the axe into the chopping block and make your way into the house.
>"Ah, Anon!  I was goi-"
>Fluttershy was cut off at the view of you shirtless, sweaty body.
>She gives an embarassed smile and tries to hide her blush.
>You had to look down to notice what she was looking at.
"Whoops," you say, excusing yourself.
>You had no problem being shirtless or shoeless.
>As long as you had pants or shorts on, you were comfortable around others.
>You snatch up your shirt from outside and throw it on.
>Back inside, you find Fluttershy waiting for you on the couch.
>Plopping yourself down beside her, you ask,
"What's up?"
>"Anon, I was going to ask if it would be okay with you if you could watch the animals today," explained Fluttershy.  "One of my friends are coming over soon to pick me up for our weekly day at the spa."
"Is he a pony too?" you blurt with absolutely no forethought.
>"Yes, she is," replies Fluttershy.
>'She'.
>Yeah, that would make more sense.
"Oh..." you say as you rub the back of your head in embarassment.  "Yeah, no problem.  I can do that."
>She squees with joy and hovers off the couch to hug your neck.
>Then she quickly realizes what she just did and sat back down on the couch just as quickly as she had gotten up.
>She said her friend was coming to pick her up.
>Has she told anyone that you were living here?
>You never did bother to ask her about any of her friends.
>Perhaps you should bring it up sometime.
>But there's a visitor coming over, and you stink.
>What ever she knows or doesn't know about you, you need to make a good first impression.
 
>Fluttershy runs off; you assume to get ready for her outing later.
>You go back outside and prepare the big metal tub for a bath.
>It's imperative that you scrub every part of your body; careful to make sure you stink as little as possible.
>Cutting wood is harder than you thought and the sweat you built up was rediculous.
>Your shoulders are killing you.
>You remembered to bring a towel and a change of clothes out with you this time.
>There was a lacking of any nice clothes in your bags, but you will use what you have and make the best of it.
>Digging through your pack, you had found a shirt and a pair of jeans with the least amount of holes and tears.
>You still look like garbage, but its better than what you had before.
>After a quick shave and brushing of your teeth, you're about as ready as you'll ever be.
>A little deodorant wouldn't hurt either.
>Geez, you act like you're the one going out on a date.
>A knock at the door brings Fluttershy trotting to the door.
>She seems excited, but her quiet nature seems to suppress most of her outward emotion.
>It's also a little surprising at how soon her friend is here.
>You thought it would be at least an hour or two before she arrived.
>Taking your time packing up your hygiene gear,  you decide to eavesdrop on the conversation in the other room.
 
>"Ah!  Fluttershy, darling!  Are you ready to go on our way?  I have the most fabulous day planned for us!"
>You already begin trying to figure this pony out.
>Her accent and word choice remind you of that of a spoiled rich girl.
>Not quite Valley Girl level, but almost something like nobility.
>You are already a little annoyed of this pony, but judging her before you meet her isn't how you work.
>She is friends with Fluttershy after all.
>How bad can she be?
>Your sweeping assumptions could be totally blown out of the water, anyways.
>Her voice lowers almost to a whisper.
>"So where is this 'special somepony' I've been hearing so much about?"
>Ah, so Fluttershy did tell her about you.
>That will make this meeting all the less awkward.
>"He's in the bathroom at the moment," explained Fluttershy.  "He should be out shortly."
>And with that, you decide to step into the living room; in full view of Fluttershy and her pony friend at the door.
>This one did not look like Fluttershy at all.
>She was white with a long, curly, blue mane.
>She also had no wings, but a unicorn horn on her forehead.
>You also took notice of the tattoo three blue gems on her flank.
>Come to think of it, Fluttershy has a similar tattoo of three pink butterflies on her flank.
>Why have you not asked her about this yet?
>Boy were you a dense one.
 
>The white unicorn froze up and stared at you. You towered over the both of them and you were still standing across the room from them.
>You slowly walked over with a smile on your face, trying to look as less threatening as possible.
>Kneeling down next to Fluttershy so you are eye level to the unicorn, you hold your hand out to her.
"I am Anonymous.  It is a great pleasure to finally be meeting one of Fluttershy's friends.  What may I call you ma'am?"
>Mama always said to be nice to the ladies.
>You are such a dapper gentleman.
>The unicorn extends her hoof and you take it in your hand to give it a light shake.
>"I, uh...  I am Rarity, Mr. Anonymous," she says.
>Her voice was shaking and she was apprehensive of even extending her hoof to greet you.
>She looks like she is about to run away.
>Her eyes frantically switch back between you and Fluttershy; looking to her friend for help.
>You try again.
"Miss Rarity.  It's an absolute pleasure to meet you.  I must say you have a very beautiful mane.  Matched with your sapphire eyes, you are one beautiful pony."
>Aaand, that did it.
>It was probably way over-the-top and unnecessary, but hey, it worked.
>Rarity's face lit up at the compliment.
>She turns down her head and flutters her eye lashes.
>"Oh my, Fluttershy." She was beginning to blush.  "You never told me how much of a gentlecolt your friend is.  You said he was tall, but I was expecting draft pony tall."
>You release her hoof and with a slight blush.
>Beautiful and flattering.
>You can grow to like this girl.
 
>Rarity regains her composure.
>She looks to Fluttershy and gives her a sly wink.
>Fluttershy blushes behind her mane.
>You simply raise and eyebrow as you glance at the pegasus and back.
>"So," Rarity starts.  "Are we all set to go?"
>"Yes, I think so."
>Fluttershy straightens her head up and looks at you.
>"Just make sure Angel eats his lunch," she instructs.  "He can be a very picky eater."
>You wonder if Angel likes knuckle sandwiches.
"I'll take good care of him," you assure.
>Fluttershy gives you a quick hug in thanks.
>Rarity gives her approval with a "D'aww...".
>They turn out the door and you leave them with a wave.
"Have fun, ladies," you tell them.
>As you close the door you hear Rarity speak up with an impressed tone.
>"Fluttershy~."
>You can tell she's about to ask a ton of questions.
>You hope you weren't too flattering in your compliment to her.
>Coming on too strong could be a bad thing, but it doesn't appear that she was offended in the least.
>You've known her for but a minute so you still can't form a solid opinion of her.
>From what you've seen so far, she is all about etiquette and seems to prefer formalities over a more casual tone.
>A full conversation with her could prove interesting.
>If you're going to be staying for a bit, you will have to learn to enjoy Fluttershy's friends' company.
>Now where is that freakin' rabbit?
"Angel!" you call.  "Lunch time!"