Rainbow’s arrival at Fluttershy’s cottage was as smooth and graceful at it always was, the Pegasus taking a moment to dust herself off before she approached the door. Raising her hoof she knocked three times, the noise causing a reaction from the owner of the house.
“Eeeep!”
Rainbow smiled to herself, Fluttershy jumped at everything…even a pony knocking on her own door. It was a few moments before the door opened a crack and a familiar yellow face poked round the edge. Upon seeing Rainbow Fluttershy’s eyes brightened and the door opened fully.
“Rainbow Dash!” she exclaimed brightly, “I wasn’t expecting you, are you alright? There’s nothing wrong is there?”
“No no Fluttershy, I’m perfectly fine,” replied the fellow Pegasus, “The docs let me go this morning. Thought I’d swing by and say hi…and find a quiet spot to read if that’s ok with you?”
“Oh certainly, it’s always nice to have company.”
Fluttershy quickly stepped aside and waved her front hoof in an inviting manner. Rainbow Dash stepped inside and glanced around. Nothing much ever changed in Fluttershy’s cottage apart from the animals she was currently sharing it with. At the present moment a selection of different birds were perched on the rafters and a family of hedgehogs were resting peacefully in a nearby basket. Angel didn’t appear to be present but then Rainbow knew all too well that the little bunny had a mind of his own.
“Please have a seat,” suggested Fluttershy as she walked past Rainbow towards the kitchen, “I was just making some tea if you’d like some.”
“Uh, sure I guess…” replied Rainbow in an unsure tone.
Rainbow was never really one for trying different drinks, water was usually good enough to quench her thirst…although a glass of classic Apple Family Cider or apple juice certainly wouldn’t be refused. Tea on the other hand was something that she usually didn’t go for.
As Fluttershy busied herself in the kitchen Rainbow collapsed into the large sofa in Fluttershy’s front room. For a moment she just sat back and relaxed before bringing her book up and reading the title again. She grinned to herself, whilst she still thought that reading was for eggheads and brainy ponies like Twilight…there was still a place for everypony to enjoy a little something. Opening the front cover she began to read the first few lines but didn’t get far before Fluttershy returned. She carefully set the cup down next to Rainbow and then retreated to a nearby chair herself.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there to greet you this morning,” she spoke softly looking a little sheepish, “I had to stay home and take care of some animals. One of the squirrels had fallen from his tree and broken a leg…I couldn’t just leave him.”
“No worries,” replied Rainbow, brushing off the matter like it was nothing, “Twilight and Applejack met me…not that they needed to, I’m perfectly fine.”
“Oh that’s good…I was so worried when I heard you’d collapsed. Did they tell you what was wrong?”
“Oh uh…must have been something I ate.”
“Really? That sounds like a really odd reaction for that…are the doctors sure? I mean…not that I think they’re wrong or anything…or that is…I mean…meep!”
“Relax Fluttershy I’m fine!”
Fluttershy gave a small nod and settled back into her chair before reaching for her tea. She took a small sip and then glanced back at Rainbow Dash in an expecting manner. At first Rainbow didn’t understand but then she caught sight of her own cup sitting nearby. She eyed it for a moment and then sighed. Putting her book down she reached for the cup and eyed the liquid inside.
“It’s a new blend that Twilight brought back from the Everfree Forest last time she visited Zecora,” informed Fluttershy before taking another sip, “I hope you like it.”
“Hmm…”
Rainbow waited a moment longer and then took a small sip. As she did her tongue was assaulted by a brilliant flavour of ripe berries and vanilla that quickly vanished only to be replaced by a mild spice as she swallowed. Rainbow blinked, unable to really comprehend the flavour on a first sip. She took another, this time the flavours being much more mellow and smooth. This was very odd…she liked it!
“Hey this is pretty good!” she exclaimed before taking another sip, “What’s in it?”
“You like it?” replied Fluttershy with a tone of growing happiness, “Oh that’s just wonderful! You’ve never liked any of the teas I’ve made before. It’s a mixed spice and berry tea with some other herbs in it. Twilight told me all about it but I couldn’t remember the whole list.”
“Ha! Well I guess there’s a first time for everything.”
Rainbow took another sip, it was certainly refreshing. In fact the spicy after taste was so moreish that she found herself unable to stop. Soon enough she’d finished her cup and wiped her mouth with her hoof. Sitting back she let out a contented smile.
“You know, I could get used to this,” commented Rainbow as she folded her hooves behind her head, “This sofa sure is comfy.”
Fluttershy gave a small giggle, “I don’t think Angel would like that, he’s always so fussy about where he sleeps. Ooh I almost forgot, it’s feeding time.”
Fluttershy got up from her seat, crossing the room to a large cupboard. As she did the various animals around the room perked to alertness and quickly dashed across the room to a variety of feeding bowls that sat lined up against the wall. Fluttershy quickly opened the cupboard and pulled a few things from it before making her way over to the feeding bowls. Soon enough the hedgehogs were happily lapping at bowls of milk and Fluttershy was dishing up a seed mix for the birds.
Rainbow watched her work, the yellow Pegasus gently humming to herself as she worked. Rainbow had never paid Fluttershy’s abilities with animals much notice, it was simply something she was good at and wasn’t thought about until needed. But watching her now she began to realise just how much enjoyment she got out of it and the true skills she really had.
“You really are good with animals,” she said softly, half to herself in all honesty.
“Oh yes, I just love taking care of them,” replied Fluttershy with a smile, “They are like a family to me, I don’t know what I’d do without them.”
“What about a real family?” asked Rainbow before she even realised she’d said it.
“Oh most of my family still lives in Cloudsdale,” replied Fluttershy, “I see them every so often but they know how much responsibility I have looking after all these animals. I’m so busy I don’t have time for much else. I’m never worried though, it’s such a rewarding experience. Just like having a hundred little babies of my own.”
Rainbow’s mind twitched, “A hundred babies of your own?”
“Why yes. Every one of these critters relies on me to help them, just like a baby. I uh…don’t think I’d ever have a foal of my own but with all these animals I don’t need to.”
“Is it really that good?”
“Oh yes…it’s always hard work and sometimes I get upset but all I have to do is look around and I can see the difference I’ve made…even if nopony else sees it.”
“Uh…huh…”
Rainbow didn’t say anything else, choosing instead to go back to her book as Fluttershy went back to her animals. A hundred babies of her own, that just sounded like way too much work. No wonder Fluttershy never got out much.
Still she was glad of the peace and quiet after discovering what she would be faced with that afternoon. Noon had come and gone by the time she finally made it to Sugarcube Corner and she had been preparing in her mind a few stories to entertain Scootaloo with but her plans went a little astray when she saw three young fillies sat around a table outside the café.
They were definitely the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the shapes and mane styles gave that much away…but one addition certainly made them stick out. Or rather stick to…all three of them were covered in tree sap from head to hoof and each sported a different variety of leaves, twigs, straw and mud. Rainbow couldn’t help but chuckle to herself as she approached, it very much looked like it wouldn’t be her recounting stories today.
“I told you it was a bad idea,” complained Sweetie Belle, the normally white unicorn sporting rather interesting array of twigs in her mane, “Rarity is going to kill me!”
“Quit your whining!” moaned Scootaloo with a roll of her eyes as she tried in vain to pull some leaves from her tail.
“Well it looks like some fillies had an interesting morning,” commented Rainbow as she got within earshot of the complaining trio.
They all looked round, Scootaloo giving the biggest grin out of all of them, “Rainbow Dash!”
“So are you going to tell me what happened or should I try and fill in the blanks myself?” asked Rainbow as she stopped next to their table.
All three fillies sighed simultaneously before Scootaloo spoke, “You really don’t wanna know.”
“Haha! Don’t sweat it kid, I got into lots of messy situations myself when I was your age.”
Rainbow settled herself down into a chair opposite them and sat back. It really was a funny sight…but then it was becoming quite a common one. Nopony else at the café had even looked in their direction, as if seeing three fillies covered in sap and leaves was normal.
“Didn’t expect to see all three of you here today, not that it’s a problem,” continued Rainbow, “I mean…”
“Goodness deary,” interrupted a call from behind Rainbow as a blue coloured mare made her way towards them, “Are you alright?”
When is everypony going to stop asking me that? Rainbow stifled a groan and looked round as Mrs Cake came to a stop next to them.
“I’m fine Mrs Cake, no sweat,” replied Rainbow, “The docs said it was something…I…ate…”
Rainbow trailed off as she remembered who she was talking to. She could only watch as a look of sheer alarm and panic spread across Mrs Cake’s face.
“Oh deary! I’m so sorry! How can I make it up to you? We’ve never had any issues with our baked goods since Pinkie Pie and Applejack…”
“I’m sure it wasn’t anything you gave me,” interrupted the Pegasus as she quickly waved her hoofs in front of her, “Seriously! Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t worry about it! Goodness how can I not?” continued Mrs Cake.
“Really! It’s no problem, I’m feeling perfectly fine.”
“Yeah Mrs Cake, Rainbow Dash is fine!” joined in Scootaloo, the young filly grinning broadly at the older mare.
“Well…if you say so,” replied Mrs Cake slowly, “I still feel terrible about it though. I had no idea it was something like that.”
“Well alls well that ends well right?” asked Rainbow with a small bite of her lip before trying to change the subject, “Uh, could we get a couple of ice creams?”
“Uh uh uh!” piped up Sweetie Belle, “I want a triple decker chocolate drizzler!”
Rainbow grinned, trust Sweetie Belle to relax the tension.
“Oh uh, sure!” commented Mrs Cake, “It’s the least I can do.”
“Ah’ll go for a vanilla apple sundae,” followed up Applebloom.
“Rainbow Supreme!” finished Scootaloo with a large gesture from her forelegs.
Rainbow gave a small chuckle, she might have known, “I’ll have what Scoots is having. And really, don’t worry Mrs Cake, I’m fine.”
“Well alright deary, I’m just glad you’re alright,” sighed Mrs Cake before giving a small smile and wandering back in the direction of the café.
Rainbow leaned back in her chair again, she really had to watch what she said. That was all kinds of awkward. For a moment Rainbow watched the mare and then turned back to the Crusaders. They had already launched into another heated discussion about what they should try next to get their cutie marks, something never changed.