//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: The Diamond and the Butterfly // by ANgrantAN //------------------------------// Fluttershy took in a deep breath of the cool Fall air. She never indulged much in the spa’s services past the sauna, but there wasn’t a mare in Equestria that wouldn’t feel refreshed after a day at Aloe and Vera’s little place. She extended her somewhat flimsy wings as far as could be extended and wiggled their tips, and took her right front and back left legs off the ground, stretching. After a few moments, she switched to her other two legs. Rarity gave Fluttershy’s tail a playful flick with her own as she giggled at her friend’s post-spa routine. “Darling, you’ll simply stretch the relief out of you one of these days!” Fluttershy flashed her a bashful smile. “It helps me clear my head. But I mean… If you really think it’s a bad thing…” Rarity defused her concerns with a chuckle. “Oh, darling, I jest, I really do.” Good. If there was one thing Fluttershy wanted to do at this point, it was clear her head. She couldn’t believe herself how she felt some twang of disappointment at her friend’s fantastic news. Rarity was about to trot off to her boutique, likely to busy herself with dressmaking for the rest of the day, but she stopped mid-step and looked back with an expression of concern present in her features. “Fluttershy? Is something wrong?” Oh no! Rarity saw right through me, and now she’ll know all about such a meanie I am on the inside about her being asked out by Blueblood! “N-no, Rarity! Everything’s fine! I mean… Why wouldn’t it be?” One could swear Fluttershy was actually the Element of Honesty by how bad a liar she was. Rarity offered an understanding smile. Isn’t she mad? “Fluttershy, I appreciate that you’re concerned about me getting into something harmful, but I really do think Blueblood’s changed! Everypony in Canterlot shares the opinion, I promise.” Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief. So her best friend didn’t know how mean she was. “But… If it’ll make you feel better, I’d be happy to have you over at my boutique tomorrow night to meet him when he drops me off from our date. How does that sound?” The prior moment’s respite flooded out of the softly-colored Pegasus. “Y-you don’t have to do that for me, Rarity. I’m sure you totally know what you’re doing!” Rarity did not seem to accept this as a decline to her invitation, instead trotting over and placing a hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder and giving her an understanding smile. “Oh, my dear, don’t worry a bit about this. Why, what kind of friend would I be if I let darling Fluttershy worry herself half to death for my sake? No, It’s perfectly fine. You can come over tomorrow night at… Ten… Yes, ten’s when he will drop me off. You can meet him, and you can see how wonderfully he’s changed.” Rarity was right. Fluttershy was just worried about her friend, that was all. She knew that was it, and meeting Blueblood would clear everything up, just as Rarity said. “O-okay, Rarity. I’ll come by your shop at ten tomorrow. “Alright, darling. Until then, I bid you adieu.” With a little flourish, Rarity finally left for her boutique. Fluttershy trotted home on the neglected cobblestone path that was the “road” between Ponyville and the Everfree Forest. The whole time, she ruminated over how she felt about Blueblood. Well, obviously, Rarity is a great judge of character. She would never do anything that wasn’t thought out and sensible. As her friend, I was concerned about the prince being some nasty trickster, but Rarity’s smart. When I meet Blueblood, I’ll see how kind and polite he’s become, and all my problems will just melt away. Fluttershy sighed, and though alone, anypony watching would notice the wistful glint in her sea blue eyes. Rarity deserves somepony nice like a prince. She works so hard all the time on her dresses and now she’s going to be the pony that everypony knows, just like she should be. And she doesn’t even really need her dresses in the first place! They’re wonderful, but she’s beautiful too! I wish I was that pretty and talented. I’m happy for her. I mean… I should be happy for her. No, I am happy for her! Oh, Fluttershy… The sullen mare didn’t bother to lock the gate behind her when she slipped into her front yard and the brick path to her door. If any little critters needed help, they’d need some way to get to her. She could never just keep them out! Fluttershy got right to work with Angel’s dinner when she entered her home. The poor little guy had been aching for a big vegetable soup for weeks, but all the things he wanted in it weren’t in season! Entire days went by where he whined for his soup, so the kindly mare couldn’t help but go out and order the ingredients he wanted from far-away lands. It had slipped her mind that very morning, but she now had everything she needed to make Angel’s soup. After almost an hour of careful cooking and preparation, she rang a tiny triangle to get Angel’s attention. “Angel Bunny! Your soup’s almost ready!” He showed up in the blink of an eye, already tapping his foot impatiently on the kitchen table. “Don’t worry Angel, just one thing left.” Fluttershy covered her nose with one hoof before chopping up the next ingredient. “Two heads… Of Stinkrot.” Fluttershy muttered to herself, her eyes darting to the cookbook propped up against a pot. Stinkrot was only grown in the distant eastern mountains in Griffon lands, and a single head took two years to grow. In fact, a few heads could buy a farmer one of Rarity’s best dresses. It tasted like death and smelled exponentially worse unprepared, but cooked in a soup, Stinkrot could make even the worst recipe a work of art. The pegasus wasted no time tossing the two heads of repulsive vegetable into her simmering pot of soup prepared just for her little bunny friend. To her surprise, though, the smell remained. She looked into the package of Stinkrot she was sent; There had been a mistake! She had been sent an extra head on accident. The pink-maned mare sighed. She’d just have to deal with it later. In moments, Angel’s perfect dinner ready to serve. Fluttershy poured a puny rabbit-sized bowl of soup for her favorite pet, but the moment she turned around to present it to him, he shook his head in dissatisfaction. “Oh… Of course! Of course you want more than that!” Fluttershy went back into her cupboards and withdrew what she called a “big bunny” bowl. It was nearly the size of the mare’s head, and naturally, Angel always preferred his food in a big bunny bowl filled to the brim. “Here you are, Angel. Just like you wanted it.” Fluttershy sported a motherly grin as her pet ravenously devoured his corrected portion. “So… Angel Bunny… Tomorrow I’m going to meet Rarity’s new coltfriend.” Angel rolled his eyes in total disinterest. “I-I don’t mean to bore you, it’s just that her coltfriend happens to be Prince Blueblood.” Angel made a little “yuck” noise. “Oh, Angel, don’t be like that! He’s changed! Don’t you think it’s the least bit exciting that Rarity finally gets her Prince Charming?” Angel shook his little bunny head and hopped off to find something interesting to. Fluttershy sighed and went outside to check on the food she’d left out for all her animal friends. Of all the bulk meals that had been lined up, only a handful remained. The sick little critters were eating, and they’d surely be fine until tomorrow. Fluttershy smiled, and went back inside, resigning herself to sleep for the day. She curled up in bed after saying goodnight to Angel and her little mouse pets.