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// Springtime for Fluttershy in Ponyville or Everypony Gets ONE 
// Story: Friendship is Madness 
// by Lobstercraft 
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Chapter 2:  Springtime for Fluttershy in Ponyville
or
Everypony Gets ONE


“What’s gettin’ ya so perplexed there Big Macintosh?” Applejack’s voice came out of nowhere. At least it seemed that way to Big Macintosh, who was so wrapped up in his own thoughts he hadn’t noticed her talking to him for the past minute. He was in the orchard and was supposed to be working. His sister seemed passively amused by her big brother spacing out. 
“Nothin’,” he replied. Truth is he was thinking about poor Pokey Pierce.
“Shoot nothin’! Ain’t like you to space out like that,” Applejack refuted, “Ain’t it somethin’ you can tell yer kin about?”
“Nope,” he answered.
“Strong as yer shoulders are ya can’t hold the world on em’,” she commented, “Now, what’s the matter?” 
“Ain’t tellin,” Big Mac wouldn’t give up a secret; Applejack knew that and she wasn’t going to try and force him. Besides, she was trying to tell him something before. So, curious as she was, she re-proceeded to inform him of a business related matter in town.
Meanwhile, in that very mentioned town, Rarity and Fluttershy were saunaing at the spa as they did every week when the conversation turned to girly gossip. Or maybe they were already gossiping? Anyways, I don’t know what got them started on the topic, but when we cut to dialogue they’re talking about Spike of all things.
“Rarity?” spoke Fluttershy, as if asking permission to speak.
“Yes?” smiled Rarity, relaxed.
“Do you think Spike will be allowed to get presents anymore?”
“I don’t know…” replied Rarity, less relaxed. “It probably wouldn’t be a good idea.”
“...” Some quiet passed between them before Fluttershy said, “It’d be sad if he never got any more.”
“I’m sure he’ll still get gifts, just not many at the same time,” Rarity assured her. Some more quiet passed between them. They were also the type of friends who could just enjoy each other’s company in silence. Nice and peaceful. That being said, it wasn’t uncommon for Rarity to talk for hours. Fluttershy was a good listener, so they enjoyed that too.
Later on in the mud baths, Fluttershy said with a smile, “You know, Spike has a crush on you.”  
Of course Rarity knew this, but Fluttershy had never heard her talk of the matter. 
“Yes,” replied the unicorn, “I am aware.”
The truth of the matter was that Rarity didn’t really know what to say or do about it. Dragons typically lived much longer than ponies, and Spike was a baby dragon. It was just a childish crush he had on her wasn’t it? The problem was that he acted rather mature for his age most of the time (go watch the show to see how often he’s right), and he was the only male to ever exhibit romantic feelings for her that wasn’t driven entirely by lust. Pony lust.
Anyways, the point is Spike actually knew her, spent time with her, and liked her. He helped her get gems all the time and was always ready to fight to protect her. Truth is, she kinda maybe had a sorta crush on him too; though, she didn’t feel it was a plausible romance and was still waiting for her pony in shining armor. She felt guilty for kind of liking him and kind of not being interested. Her brain told her to shut it down and spare him future heartache, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. The reason wasn’t just that she didn’t want to hurt him, but partially because she liked having him at beck and call, totally enamored and always there for her. She felt awful about the whole situation, but she was only pony after all.
“What about you?” Rarity flipped the script, “Have you got a crush on anypony, Fluttershy?”
“M-me?” the Pegasus pony gulped as her cheeks grew redder. 
“Why yes, dear, who else?”
“Um, I don’t… I...” Fluttershy scrambled to find an answer, “Do, do you?”
“Well, now you have to answer me first,” Rarity replied, wishing she could see through the cucumber bits on her eyes. “You sound awfully nervous. You can tell me, you know I can keep a secret.”
“I um… I might...” Fluttershy blushed, looking down at the mud.
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You’re at that age when everypony is falling in love,” Rarity smiled. 
“Pinkie Pie’s only a year younger than me and I don’t think she’s in love,” Fluttershy replied, as if defending her own embarrassment.
“Pinkie... Well, who really knows about Pinkie? Maybe she just hasn’t met anypony weird enough to interest her. Pinkie’s a bad example of what’s normal,” Rarity rebutted. They both had a good-spirited laugh at that.
“What about you? You’re not much older than me,” asked Fluttershy.
“You aren’t getting off the hook that easily,” said Rarity, “Who is this stallion you’re so taken with?”
“Oh…” Fluttershy fluttershied, “Do I have to tell?”
“Yes!”
“It um…” the Pegasus mumbled something indecipherably.
“Speak up, I can’t hear you,” Rarity replied.
“Big Macintosh,” Fluttershy whispered. She hid her face in her hooves.
“Big Macintosh?” Rarity giggled. It made sense really. They both were quiet, gentle souls who loved being out in nature. “Yes, I think he’d be a good match for you!”
“Don’t talk so loud,” Fluttershy muttered.
“I didn’t think you’d be into the rugged type,” the unicorn mused, “He’s so very large. You’re into muscular stallions then?”
“You’re embarrassing me,” said Fluttershy, contemplating sinking her head beneath the mud.
“It’s nothing to be bashful about. Girlfriends are supposed to talk about things like this.” Rarity managed to keep the rest of the conversation away from herself and focused on Fluttershy. 
Not much later Big Mac was in town on apple-related business. Leaving the spa, Rarity spotted him and took this as a sign from Celestia to meddle. She called him over, holding onto Fluttershy to keep her from fleeing.
“?” He approached curiously. Rarity seldom spoke to him, but they were acquainted, of course.
“Macintosh, dear, I wonder if you might do me a favor?” she asked with a suspicious smile. Big Mac raised an eyebrow. “You see, recently a business acquaintance sent me tickets to that new sea-faring amusement park, Dream-en- Mer. It’s near Canterlot, but I’m afraid I cannot go. However, I’d hate for such a gift to go to waste. Fluttershy accepted one, but the other… Well, would you like to go?” Rarity lied.
“…!!…” Fluttershy made a face like she had just swallowed her tongue. 
Big Macintosh thought it was odd that none of Rarity’s friends had accepted the ticket. He knew for a fact Applejack could have gone. He took note of Rarity’s pleading expression. Something was up. He began thinking of Pokey’s letter…
The sea…
“Eeeyup.” he accepted.