I woke up the next morning, the memories of the race I had yesterday still fresh from my mind. As I recounted everything that lead up to that point, I started facehoofing over it.
"I am an idiot. There was no way I could of won, yet still I clung to a false hope that I could teach Rainbow Dash a lesson in humility, but all I ended up proving was my own hypocrisy."
I decided to try not to dwell on it. She could very well still hate my guts, which remains a good thing for me in a way.
Opting for a breakfast of oats and granola in milk, I decided to write another letter to my mom while I ate.
April 24, 20XX
Dear Mom;
I am a hypocrite.
Last evening, I finally had my race with Rainbow Dash. All I can say, reflecting on my actions, is how stupid I was being leading up to it. I suppose It was unavoidable, but I'm certain that she won't be getting friendly with me anytime soon considering we antagonized each other plenty before the race.
Other than that, I learned more about her friends outside of Pinkie Pie, who I am now officially scared of. Seriously, she somehow managed to predict what I was going to think and predicted I would get greeted soon after by another friend of hers.
Anyways, first off is Rarity, a fashionista with considerable talent. While she does fit the typical stereotype, her skill in dressmaking is something that cannot be denied. Even with my limited fashion sense, I was gaping at some of the dresses she claims to of made rather easily. I highly recommend dropping by Ponyville to check her dresses out, though I will warn you; she seems to be a big fan of yours.
Then there's Fluttershy, a really timid pegasus who is the animal caretaker of the area. Not much else to say about her aside from her cheering being cute and my headaches becoming worse and more chronic when she is around.
Applejack is a farmer who runs an orchard called Sweet Apple Acres. Their apples are really good, considering I'm having to try and make the apples I bought last. Thing is, she seems to be rather skillful at telling lies from truths. At least that's the vibe I got, considering she doesn't trust me very much either, especially when she confronted me about my behavior towards Rainbow Dash.
Lastly, there's Twilight Sparkle, a librarian and student to somepony. I haven't interacted much with her, but from what I can glean, she often takes more convoluted paths in hopes of a complex answer.
Outside of them, I haven't really interacted with the other ponies of the town. Still, if anything interesting happens, I'll let you know.
Love; Zephyr.
I sigh as I put the letter in the envelop for delivery and head out.
Things are going to be so awkward now...
After depositing my letter and flying towards the plaza, I noticed ponies looking at me. I couldn't discern the emotion behind them, but I quickened my pace to try and avoid anypony from staring at me for too long. For all I know, they could be judging me...
When I reached the plaza, I notice Rainbow Dash just plopping down on the usual meeting cloud. When I landed on it as well, she turned in surprise. "You're earlier than usual. Couldn't sleep?"
I look at the clock tower. True to what she said, I was about five minutes early. I sigh and say, "if you can call it that..."
"Guess you couldn't get over being beaten by the Dash." She was gloating again, but I noticed something was off.
Must be my imagination. "Lets just get this done with..."
She shrugged. "Today is going to be slightly different. The forecast is partially cloudy with a light breeze, just letting you know."
I simply nodded and followed her as we began our routine.
The entire time, we always had ponies looking at us. Rainbow always gave an enthusiastic wave, but I simply tried to ignore them.
"Jeez, you're tense today. Are you really that antsy over losing?"
I shook my head. "No, everypony keeps staring our way. It's making me very nervous, I hate attention."
"Give them a day or two, then they'll stop. Besides, you seemed fine when you were singing and when you raced me."
"Those were different. I could drown out the attention with the music and I had something to focus on during the race. I've done this job for so long, I can't really drown anything out with it."
She puts her fore-hooves behind her head. "If it bugs you that much, you can probably head out now. You got all the currents, and I still have stuff to do."
I nod slowly. "I think I will. Apple bucking might get my mind off things. If not, I can always head home."
"Be seeing you then." With that, she flew away.
Why don't I sense any hostility from her? She doesn't seem like the one to get over being antagonized that easily...
Shaking my head, I flew as fast as I could towards Sweet Apple Acres to avoid any more attention.
When I got there, I saw a brief glimpse of Applejack, but I immediately flew into the orchard and started apple bucking. I was just bucking randomly, not bothering to utilize the trick for more efficient harvesting.
I needed to get my mind off the town's ponies staring at me.
"Hey." I jumped two feet in the air before looking at the source, Big Mac.
"H-how long were you there?"
"Long enough..."
I simply sigh and slump against the tree I was going to buck.
"Hey, Big Mac. Everything ok?" Applejack came into view and stopped when she saw us. "Oh, Zephyr. Didn't realise you were here." I sigh in response. "You alright there, sugahcube?"
"I just wanted to get away from all the stares, all the attention. I hate the attention, it feels like they're... judging me."
Applejack gives a small smile. "Ya don't need to worry about the towns ponies. They were more likely staring at you out of awe that you accepted ah challenge against Rainbow Dash in something she's very well known for."
"Eeyup."
"Not only that, being a full second behind her is no small feat."
I gave her a very worried look. "But... I still lost."
"Don' worry yer head over it. If yer that antsy over it, ya can head home early to recuperate. Ah'm sure the other ponies will stop staring by tomorrow."
"...Thanks Applejack."
"Jus' call me AJ, sugahcube." I give her and Big Mac a small smile before heading home.
Am I forgetting something? Oh crap, I need to go to Rarity's place for my suit. Ugh, no... best not to keep her waiting...
I changed my direction and headed towards the Carousel Boutique. While there were no other ponies along the way, I hid in a tree in front of the building to make sure nopony was there. When the coast was confirmed clear, I knocked on the door.
At least I would of, had the door not opened right when I raised my hoof. Rarity was standing on the other side, wearing a green feather hat.
"Oh, so sorry Zephyr. I was about to head to the spa with Fluttershy." I flinched, which made her glance curiously at me.
Now the mere mention of that name gives me a headache... ow.
"Sorry to disrupt you, but you told me I could pick up my suit today?"
"Oh, actually... can that wait until tomorrow? I want to make sure it looks and fits properly."
"That's fine I guess..."
She breathes a sigh of relief. "Then I'll see you tomorrow!"
I wave good-bye before heading home myself. I only wanted to spend the rest of the day home alone.
Like Applejack said, all the ponies around town stopped staring at me the next day. I managed to calm down a good deal as a result, and my routine became rather normal. I do weather with Rainbow Dash in the morning, help out at sweet apple acres, and I finish with either some grocery shopping for what I need, or just lazing around at home.
Oddly enough, Rainbow Dash didn't seem alright herself, like she was missing something. I decided not to bug her about it; I'm only a coworker and I don't want to start the whole antagonizing thing up again unless she starts getting too friendly.
I also managed to get my suit from Rarity. Midnight blue with a few emeralds crested right underneath the collar. It fit and looked good on me, much to my joy. Rarity, on the other hoof, was excited over something else. Something about a 'Photo Finish'...
A few days later, I began noticing things going around in town. There have been different posters and what-not starring Fluttershy, to my dismay. Even Applejack was using her image to try and sell apples.
I swear, are they TRYING to kill me? Then again, nopony knows she causes me headaches.
Opting to just laze in my house, I decided to do a bit of snoozing when I heard shouting outside.
Ugh, what the hay is going on? So much for small towns being quieter--
The yelling got louder and I heard my front door open and slam shut.
Note to self: lock the door.
Heading downstairs, I see Fluttershy cowering by the door. My headache returned in full force, but I wanted to know why she picked my house of all places.
"Let yourself in?" I got a surprised squeak and a fearful look, which made my headache worse... again.
"Ooh, I'm s-sorry. I-I just wanted t-to avoid a-attention and I-I picked a house a-at random." Somepony was banging on the door.
I gave her a confused look. "What attention? You don't seem like the type to garner attention. Unless you modeled for whatever reason... wait a minute..."
"I-I started modeling for Photo Finish a-at Rarity's behest."
"That explains the random images of you strewn about." There was more knocking at the door. "Wait, you started modeling because Rarity asked you to?"
She gave a shy nod. Jeez, how nice it would have been to have a friend like Fluttershy. Bleah, I gave up a long time ago, no sense going back on it now.
"Y-you don't m-mind me in your h-house?"
I sigh. "I kind of mind it, but that doesn't mean I can be a bad host. You may as well stay here as long as you need."
"Oh thank you! I thought you would be like everypony else."
I roll my eyes. "I'm not one to follow things like that. Honestly speaking, I could care less."
She flinched and rubbed her head, enticing a curious look from me. She looked like she was suffering from a headache herself.
"Regardless, want anything to eat? Drink? Or do you simply want to wait it out?"
She paused with a surprised face before looking uncertain again. "C-could I have s-some water please?"
"Sure. Feel free to sit on the couch." She cautiously flew over as I went to grab a glass and fill it.I could feel her attention on me, which not only made me feel nervous, as I never been alone with a mare before, but it also increased my headache.
Ok seriously, I'm going to the hospital to get some headache medication after this. This is getting ridiculous...
Sighing, I flew over to Fluttershy and gave her the glass, which she gulped down.
"T-thank you. Y-you're... very sweet."
* * *
"I could care less about that!"
* * *
"You're very sweet, big brother."
* * *
"AAAAAUUUUUGH!" I collapse on the floor, holding my head.
"O-oh my goodness! I didn't mean to!"
"Head... splitting... open..."
I suddenly felt her pick up my head a bit and hug it, trying to comfort me. My headache didn't go away, yet I somehow felt better.
"I-I'm so sorry... P-please forgive me..."
Why... why does this feel... familiar?
There was more banging at the door, which brought us both back to Equestria. I leaped up in surprise and she scooted away from me with a squeak.
"You should probably go before somepony decides to let themselves in. Take the back door."
"T-thank you. A-and sorry f-for being a n-nuisance." With that, she flitted out the back door.
Shaking it off, I answered the door. There were a bunch of mares with cameras around their necks. "Is Fluttershy here?"
Ok, think fast! "Why are you looking for Fluttershy at my place?"
"We saw her come in here a little bit ago, and we were wondering if she was still here."
"Huh, are you sure she didn't just immediately take the back door out to make her escape?"
Their eyes widened in shock. "Oh, darn it, we didn't think of that. Sorry!"
I wave it off. "No worries. Good luck finding her." All the mares gallop off in their presumably fruitless search. She owes me one now...
The Spa, day after Fluttershy renounced her role as a model.
"... Now will you take down my letter to Princess Celestia?" Twilight was soaking in a simple bath and was conversing with her assistant.
"I would love to, but I'm a little busy at the moment..." Spike was fanning a seaweed-covered Rarity in the steam room. Twilight simply gave an amused groan and rolled her eyes.
"U-um, Twilight?" Fluttershy was relaxing in the bath right by Twilight's. "C-can we talk?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"U-um, during my model fiasco, I-I entered Zephyr's house by accident when I was being chased."
"I'm sure he would understand. He doesn't seem like to type to go gaga over things like that."
"H-he isn't. But it's what happened after he accepted me in his house."
This got Twilight's attention. "After?"
"W-when he said 'I could care less', t-the way he said it made my headache around him worse."
"Oh my gosh, are you still alright?" The conversation got Rarity's attention as well, though Spike was still preoccupied with fanning his 'love'.
"I-It's not me I'm worried about. After telling him he's very sweet because he was being hospitable, he collapsed on the floor with a cry of agony. H-he said his head was splitting open."
Twilight put a hoof up to her muzzle in thoughtfulness. "Perhaps he's suffering from something similar to you? If he is, that's got to mean something was between you two in the past."
"T-thing is Twilight, I don't remember anypony like him at all..."