>It's nothing real exciting, but it's definitely not something you find extremely boring.
>Just you and Fluttershy lying together in a field of flowers after a rainstorm.
>The two of you had got caught out here all of a sudden and hid beneath a tree.
>She was scared, but happy all the same.
>You love storms and are just happy to be able to share this experience with your special somepony.
>It had passed, and the two of you decided to enjoy the view a little longer.
>The sky was still a little dark, and the thunder rolled in the distance.
>You had an arm around her and she was snug against your body.
>The air and ground was cool.
>You close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose.
>You exhale through your mouth and open your eyes again.
>You move one hand over and softly caress Fluttershy's belly.
>She giggles and rubs her face gently against your chest.
>"It's almost time," she says.
"I can't wait," you reply.
>The sun pierces the cloud cover and shines in your eyes.
>You awaken in bed next to your one and only.
--
>It's hard staying in routine, much less getting back to it.
>Even after the smallest hiatus.
>As much as you don't want to, you made a promise that you would run in the Running of the Leaves and win.
>And that's what you plan to do.
>As much as it sucked, you can't just back out on that promise.
>You just got back from your usual run.
>Mondays are always a bitch, but what can you do?
>Fluttershy surprised you with waffles after your shower.
>But she forgot the cher-
>Oh there they are.
>Inside? Brilliant.
>Why have you never thought of that?
>You give her thanks and a kiss before chowing down.
 
>"So what are you going to do today?" she asks, taking a seat across from you.
>You stop your chewing and drop your fork to the plate.
>You stare at a spot on the table between you and Fluttershy.
>You... actually have no freakin' clue at this point.
>What ARE you going to do today?
>You would try to find work, but odd jobs are few and far between.
>Not to mention the pay really blows.
"Um... Nothing, I guess. What are you gonna do today?"
--
>"Torpedo!"
>Rainbow Dash flew at high speed just underneath the water's surface, creating a massive wave in her wake.
>Well, you weren't hoping to get wet today, but maybe you should've thought about that before going to the lake with Fluttershy and her friends.
>You sigh after becoming drenched head to toe from Rainbow Dash's antics.
>Fluttershy, who was sitting right next to you, hadn't been hit by a single drop.
>She and all her friends shared a laugh at your expense.
 
>Applejack was playing with the Crusaders and did a backflip from a rope swing.
>Pinkie was bouncing across the waters surface like she was made of air.
>Rarity was sunning.
>Twilight was here as well, but she was sitting beneath a tree reading.
>She got a little angry at Rainbow for almost getting her book wet, but again, you are at the lake.
>You lied down with your arms behind your head and stared at the sky.
>"What'cha starin' at Anonymous?" asked Applebloom.
"Nothin'," you shrug. "Just looking for something interesting to watch."
>"I heard that!" shouted Rainbow Dash from high in the clouds.
>You laugh until you are hit with another torrent of water from an overhead cloud.
>Everypony laughs once more as you spit the water from your mouth.
>You're gonna go sit with Twilight.
>This is bullcrap.
--
>You stand and reach behind the tree and grab your guitar that you had tucked away for the sole purpose of keeping it safe from the water.
>Turns out that was a damn good idea.
>You walk over towards Twilight.
>You are followed by taunts of being a filly and apologies of how they "didn't really mean it".
>You know, but you feel safer over here.
>You plop yourself down rather noisily against the tree.
>Much to Twilight's chagrin.
>"Can I help you with something?" she inquires.
"Nope," you say as you begin to pluck the strings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbXuR7AXTvI
>This goes for only a few minutes.
>"Can you please stop that?" asked Twilight. "I'm trying to read."
>You stop playing and lift your head.
>You accidentally put yourself into a trance for a second there.
"Huh?"
>"The music. Please stop."
"Why?"
>"Because I'm trying to read and it's distracting."
"You can't read and listen to music at the same time? There's not even any words."
>"No."
>You lower your guitar and lean back against the tree.
>"Thank you," said Twilight as she went back to her reading.
>You suddenly start playing very fast notes at random.
>"KNOCK IT OFF!"
>You laugh and stand.
"Alright, I'm sorry."
>You walk back and join the others.
--
>"Ah told ya he'd be back," said Applebloom.
>"No you didn't. I said he'd be back!" argued Scootaloo.
>"Nuh-uh."
>"Uh-huh."
>"Nuh-uh."
>"Uh-huh."
>This could take a while.
"What's going on?" you whisper to Sweetie Belle.
>She shrugs.
>A fine answer.
 
>You take a seat next to Fluttershy, resting your guitar beside you.
>Rainbow Dash fiddles with the strings, plucking them with her wings.
>She seems easily entertained.
>You watch her for a little bit before turning back to the lake.
>Applejack was on her back and propelling herself along wih her hind legs.
>Pinkie Pie was walking next to her, chatting it up.
>You just shrug it off as normality at this point.
>"Hey, Anon. I got a question for ya."
"What."
>"Shouldn't you be running right about now?"
"I ran this morning. And actually, I should be working right about now."
>"So why aren't you?"
"It's not enough."
>"What's not enough? The work or the money?"
"Both."
>"So why don't you look for a real job?"
"I don't know. I just haven't tried. But it's not like I haven't thought about it."
>"But what would you do?"
"I'm not sure."
>Rainbow Dash looks at you, looks down at the guitar, then back up at you.
>"Are you an idiot?"
--
"Huh?"
>"Are you an idiot?" she repeats.
"Uh... sure? Why?"
>She kicks the neck of the guitar so it stands up on the body.
>"Just wondering."
>She bumped it with her flank, sending it into your lap.
>You stare at it and craddle it in your arms.
"I get the hint. Really I do, but like I said, I just don't want-"
>"It has nothing to do with fame!"
>You were startled by her sudden change of tone.
>"Just do it for fun if you're so worried about it. Trust me, as long as you stick to this small town, you're not going to attract too much attention."
>She has a point.
>You haven't played much recently, but when you do, it's fun and you're happy.
 
>"Why don't you come play for the boutique again?" asked Rarity as she walked over.
>You looked around and noticed that everypony was starting to gather around.
>"I think that would be wonderful," spoke Fluttershy.
>She blushed a little as you looked at her.
>"It.. it really was fun last time."
"Heh, yeah."
>"Ah got one!" said Applejack, raising her hoof. "Why don't ya come and work on the farm this Applebuck season? We're always short on ponies and can use all the help we can get!"
>Farmwork huh?
>"And before ya ask, yes, we can pay you decently and give you lunch to boot."
"That sounds great. But it's only for one season and then I'm out of a job again."
>"You can always come to the library," said Twilight. "We haven't tested anything in a while."
>Yeah, well, that's because she's scares the hell out of you.
>"How about Sugarcube Corner?" asked Pinkie. "I've seen what you can do in the kitchen with my own eyes."
>Pinkie pulls her eyelids apart and bulges her eyes at you.
>Gross...
>"I know you would be absolutely perfect for the job!"
--
>Huh... You guess you really are an idiot.
>Too bad you were too stubborn to ask for help more than once.
"Alright then. When does Applebuck season start, Applejack?"
>"Two weeks, but that's just preparation for harvest."
>Damn it all.
"Well that sucks. I guess that leaves me with you three."
>"Wonderful, darling! May I request you come by tomorrow morning, then?" asked Rarity.
>Straight to the chase.
"Aye aye, boss lady."
>You render Rarity a salute.
>She chuckles.
>"Yes, quite."
>You cut your salute as the children rejoice.
>"Does that mean we can come and watch you play at lunch again?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah, sure. It'll be like a little concert-"
>Aw crap!
>You just remembered how you promised Cheerilee you would do something for the kids!
>You need to make a list of things to do over then next few weeks.
>Maybe Twilight can help.
>But later.
"Well, Pinkie? Twilight? Anything you need?"
>"Nope!" smiled Pinkie Pie. "You come in anytime you feel like it."
"Okay then. Twilight?"
>"How about the afternoon when you're finished with Rarity's?"
"Sounds good to me."
--
>The next day.
>Morning routine.
>Nothing changes.
>Fluttershy waits for you at the door.
"Do you need anything while I'm in town?"
>"No thank you. I have too much to do with the animals while I'm here."
"Fair enough."
>You kiss goodbye and you walk to the boutique, guitar in hand.
>Unfortunately, you get there too late to walk Sweetie Belle to school.
>Rarity has you set up outside just like before.
>It's early morning, so most of the ponies out and about are just going to work.
>You pluck the strings in long riffs to try to improv songs.
>You think it goes over quite well, although you don't sing along.
>A few ponies drop bits and fewer still go inside the boutique at your request.
>All in all, it's a pretty slow day.
>The children came to watch you play.
>You apologized for it not being as exciting as last time.
>They don't seem to care as they get time off of school and a mini show.
>You also, however, tell them there's a special surprise waiting for them on Friday.
>Excited, they go back to school and you go back inside the boutique.
>"Slow day?" asks Rarity as you walk up to the counter.
"Yeah," you mutter.
>"That's okay. You still brought in customers."
>Rarity levitates a small coinpurse for your daily salary.
"Thank you for coming. You've earned it. Same time tomorrow?"
>"Yeah, no problem. Thanks Rarity."
>You exit and head for the library.
--
>That wasn't as much fun as you were hoping.
>You blame it on a slow day and no inspiration to come up with something good.
>You didn't even sing today.
>Maybe working with Twilight will take your mind somewhere else.
>Actually, you're almost certain that's just what's going to happen.
>You knock on the door, but enter anyways.
>It's business hours, after all.
"Twilight?" you call.
>No answer.
>Maybe she's out running errands.
>Or getting lunch.
"Spike?"
>Where is everyone?
>You make a quick walkthrough of the library just to be sure.
>You are just about to leave, but as you pass by Twilight's door, you hear something inside.
>You freeze with one foot hanging in the air and listen.
>That's definitely Twilight.
>Against your better concience, you press your ear to the door.
 
>You can only make out bits and pieces from her chatter.
>".... show him... was wrong... -n't trust..."
>You pull your ear away from the door and knock three times.
>The sounds of startled and frantic movement coupled with books and furniture hitting the floor can be heard from the other side of the door.
>"Just a second!" she calls through the door.
>You stick your hands in your pockets and rock on you heels while you wait.
>Twilight opens the door, her mane a freakin' disaster and she has huge bags under her eyes.
>Her eyes twitch a little.
--
>Her horrid state causes you to jump back upon first seeing her.
"What the hell?! Twilight! What happened to you!"
>"Oh nothing... nothing... Nothing at all."
>Her voice sounds a little... off.
"Are.. Are you sure? You look like you've been up all night."
>Twilight shakes her head.
>"No, no. I'm fine. Everythings fine. Don't worry about it."
>She stretches each use of the word 'fine'.
>Suddenly you don't want to be here anymore.
>You slowly back away.
"Well, I can see you're busy and probably tired. I'll just come back tomorrow or something."
>"No, wait!"
>You tense up.
"Uh... what?"
>"There's no need to leave just yet... is there?"
>Her ear twitches.
"Um... Yeah, kinda."
 
>She pulls you by the shirt with her magic into her room and closes the door behind you.
>You instantly back away and against the door, trying to stay as far away from her as possible.
>You have no idea how to react to this.
>You quickly take a look around the room.
>There's nobody else in here.
>Was Twilight talking to herself?
>You scan the mess of books that Twilight was cleaning up.
>One in particular catches your eye.
>'The Mare in the Moon'.
>Aw, fuck.
--
>Twilight takes the book and rests it on the table with the others.
>"So what do you want to try first?" asked Twilight.
>'How about you teleport me the hell out of here.'
"I... don't care?"
>Twilight smiled.
"What do you have planned?"
>"The usual experiments."
>"With maybe a twist or two," she mutters.
"What was that?"
>"I said go stand over there," she pointed to the corner of the room.
>A space was cleared on the floor from the mess of books and paper.
>You don't take your eyes off of her as you follow her order.
 
"Alright, now what?"
>"I'm going to practice a few spells, and you're going to tell me the results."
"But wouldn't it make more sense for Spike to be the one being tested on? I mean, then your spells can actually-"
>A blast of lightning hits you in the chest.
>You jump at the impact.
>Not from the pain, but from the surprise.
"Geez! A little warning ne-"
>You're hit again, the magic dissipating as it makes contact with your body.
"Twilight, knock it off. You're shooting holes in my shirt."
>She fires again, burning yet another hole into your shirt.
--
"Twilight!"
>"What?"
"Nothing's happening. You can stop now."
>"Really? No pain or any other effects I should be aware of?"
"No. Just annoyance."
>"Hmm..."
>Twilight rubs her chin with her hoof.
>She points her horn at you again and begins to charge a spell.
>After a minute, the glow fades and she stares at you in wonderment.
>You shift your eyes left and right, trying to figure out what's going on.
"Um... You missed?"
>"Now that's very strange..."
>Twilight turns to the table next to her and writes something down.
>"I can't believe that didn't work either."
"Why what didn't work? What did you do?"
>She turns back to you.
>"Maybe if I just..."
>Her horn glows for another minute before blinking out.
>"What in Celestia's name?"
--
>You itch your face, unphased by whatever Twilight is trying to do.
>"Why isn't it working!" shouts Twilight, stomping in anger.
"What are you trying to do?" you ask, irritated.
>If she would only tell you, maybe you can try to help.
>"I don't understand," she mutters to herself.
>"Everything is the same, if not more powerful."
"What!" you shout, bringing your hands up an clenching them into claws in front of you.
>"Nothing. Stay quiet and let me think."
>You decide to take a seat at the table with her.
>"I said to stand over there," said Twilight.
"I thought I'd just sit until you figure something out."
>Twilight scowled.
>"Fine."
>She went back to her notes.
>You scanned the books on the table a little more closely.
>'The Mare in the Moon' popped up again.
>'The History of Equestria' and 'Psykers' stood out as well.
>You sat and scanned the rest of the books.
>More history and science books were also stacked on the table.
>It took you a minute, but you finally put two and two together.
 
"Hey Twilight."
>"What?" she asked, looking up from the book she had picked up.
"What are you doing?"
>"Testing new spells."
>She went back to reading her book.
"That doesn't answer my question. What kind of spells?"
>"That's a different question. But I'm just trying some new stuff."
>She's avoiding the question, denying you the chance to get a definite answer.
"Well whatever it is, it's not working. Lets do something else."
>Twilight dropped the book to the floor and her expression changed to one of excitement.
>"Yes! Lets!"
--
>"Go back and stand over there."
>Twilight turned towards the spot and readied herself.
>She turned her head to eye you when she realized you weren't moving.
>You stood firm, arms crossed.
>"... Please?"
>Slowly, arms still crossed, you walked back to your spot from before.
>You stood there waiting as Twilight readied herself once more.
"So what are you trying this time?"
>You are answered by your skin begining to feel like its crawling.
>Goosebumps pop out from your arms and legs.
>But other than that, nothing.
>The sensation leaves you.
 
>"That didn't work either..."
"Levitation, right? We already tried that, remember?"
>"Yes, but I thought it would be different this time."
"Why would it be any different from before? Nothing's changed."
>"But then why did your head- Er, nevermind."
"Wait, what?"
>"Nothing. Lets try something else."
"No really. What was that?"
>"Could you please remove your shirt? I have a feeling it's interupting my ability to effectively cast magic on you."
>You look at your shirt and finger one of the holes.
>That's a stupid reason, but you comply.
--
>You peel your shirt off and drop it to the floor.
>Twilight tries to levitate you once more, but the sensation is the the same.
>The difference being that you can feel it more in your core than your extremeties.
>Twilight cancels the spell, breathing heavily.
>She was really trying.
"Still nothing."
>An annoyed look comes over Twilight's face.
>She turns back to her notes once again.
>"What am I doing wrong!"
>She slams a hoof on the table, careful not to hit her books.
>You're confused beyond all belief at this point.
 
"Are you trying to see if magic works on me?"
>You reach down and pick up your shirt.
"Have you forgotten already?"
>As you slip it over your head, a lightning bolt shoots through it and catches you in the eye.
>You jump back in surprise and trip over the scattered books on the floor.
>Your shirt blinds you while also constricting your arms.
>As you fall back, the newest hole in your shirt allows you to see a huge smile on Twilight's face.
>You bounce the back of your head off the wooden floor of the room.
>You force the shirt the rest of the way onto your body and hold your head.
>"It worked!" cheered Twilight.
--
>Twilight bounced around the table.
>"Oh, yes yes yes yes yes!"
>You grit your teeth and squeeze your eyes shut.
>It wasn't the lightning bolt that hurt more than it was the blinding light that it created.
>Twilight bounded up to you.
>You sit up, one hand over your eye and the other on the bump on the back of your head.
"Twilight, WHAT THE HELL!"
>"So how did it feel? Are you scarred? I want to see!"
>You remove the hand from your eye, but keep it shut.
>You finally open it after you feel your vision's back.
"It didn't vaporize my eye, if that's what you're after."
 
>Twilight cocked her head.
>"But... but your reaction-"
"It was the light, Twilight."
>"Oooh..."
>Twilight back away sheepishly.
>"Well then, shall we take a break?"
>She quickly turned to walk away.
"Hold on!"
>"Would you like a drink? Does water sound good? Hydration is important after all."
"Why did you shoot me!"
>"Did you know you can only go a few days without water as opposed to food? It's really quite fascinating how..."
>She trailed off as she left the room.
>You stood there, dumbstruck.
>What the hell just happened?
--
>You quickly realize that Twilight just gave you a golden opportunity to go snooping.
>You step over to her notes and stacks of books.
>The books raise suspicion, but it's only after you look at the notes are your suspicions confirmed.
>Twilight is PISSED.
>Although you saw this coming, you didn't see THIS coming.
>Judging by her notes and the journal left open beside them, it seems her sanity has taken the slightest dip.
>You now confirm that Twilight was indeed talking to herself earlier.
>But that's not that crazy.
>You talk to yourself all the time.
>But what about-
>"What are you doing!"
 
>You jump at the unexpected intrusion and you drop Twilight's journal to the floor.
>It lands on the spine and opens to a page with diagrams connecting Celestia and Nightmare Moon.
>Twilight runs over and shoves you away from the table.
>Alright, you deserved that.
>She picks up her joural, closes it, and sticks it beneath a stack of books.
>"Who do you think you are?" she demands.
"Apparently an ape who disbarages royalty without a care," you say flatly, referencing her journal.
--
>You push on your front door and head for the kitchen.
>Fluttershy was warming up a pot of tea when she heard you walk in.
>She faced you with a smile.
>"Oh, Anon! You're fi- What happened?!"
>You stood in the doorway.
>You had small smoke trails lifting off of your body in addition to your tattered clothes and singed hair.
"I, uh... stood too close to Spike while he was receiving a letter.
>She repeats herself, her voice lowering to a more concerning one.
>"Anon... What happened?"
>Fuck.
"What do you mean? I just told you."
>She gives you a disbelieving look.
>"I've seen somepony get hit with his fire before. It's nowhere near that bad."
"I... okay. Twilight is really upset with me about the Gala. I'm not sure what spells she was trying, but I think she might have been trying to hurt me."
 
>Fluttershy's face grows a new look of worry.
>"Should... Should we go and have a talk with her then?"
>You shake your head.
>Probably not the best idea.
"Actually, let's just leave her alone for now. Maybe she'll cool down."
>"But she..."
>Fluttershy sighs deeply.
>"Alright Anon, if you think it's best, but I think somepony should keep an eye on her."
"It'll be alright," you kiss her forehead. "It worked out before, didn't it?"
>As you shower and change, you decide that it's probably best to keep this between the two of you.
>No need to go getting Twilight more riled up.
>You only just got on good terms with Rainbow Dash.
>You'd rather not go to the other spectrum with Twilight.
>You shudder at the thought; it's a position you really don't want to be in.
>Twilight could cause you a LOT more problems than Rainbow ever could.
>Hopefully Twilight's not one to hold a grudge.
>As you towel off, you begin to think of ways you can make amends.
--