//------------------------------// // 11 Close // Story: For science // by Znegil //------------------------------// After all the downloads had been completed, I went on a shopping spree in a nearby shopping center. I wanted to get my hosts something for their troubles. I still felt warm inside when I remembered how happy Fluttershy had been for my little present. When I was satisfied with the presents I had found, I went back to my car. I even had brought a little plastic frame trolley to have enough space for many books from the research center's library. I parked my car two blocks away from the research center and walked to a little coffee shop in sight of the parking lot. While I sat down with coffee and lemon cake, I kept my eyes on my bosses car. I had to be sure he wasn't around this time. ... I hid behind the menu as Dr. Caput drove by. Finally, I could enter the building. I moved towards the building, carrying my backpack and the trolley. I was relieved to see one of the guards was Steven, it would make things a bit easier, I hoped. "Hi Miss Mulier, what's with all this stuff today?", he asked me. "I want to go camping with one of my coworkers this weekend. Maybe I packed a bit much, but better safe than sorry, right.", I used my best smile. "Well you are in luck, I heard the weather will be beautiful. Put the trolley and the backpack in the metal detector." I had expected that, so I laid them on the conveyor belt to have them scanned. There was no alarm, so I took my stuff, gave Steven a smile and moved towards the library of the center. ... I found a good mix of basic information books and stuffed them all into my trolley. I was happy for its big wheels because I had packed quite some weight. I made the way to my lab without drawing any attention to me and was very relieved when the door closed behind me. I thought about changing the program, so I wouldn't have to wait, but it was only a 30-minute wait anyway. ... I stepped out of the portal into the early afternoon sun of Equestria. For a moment I thought about using the button Twilight had given me, but I decided against it. I wanted to visit Fluttershy first, so it wouldn't make much sense to disturb Twilight. As I turned around to pick up my trolley, the portal was already gone. I walked towards Fluttershy's cottage, because of my load it took a bit longer than usual. ... "Fluttershy, it's Stella again.", I shouted while I knocked on her door. She opened the door. "Hello again, nice to see you so soon. Come in." "You have to tell me if I come by to often, I don't want to bother you." "Oh no. I always have time for my friends.", she told me smiling. "And it makes me happy to see you. You are always welcome here." The way she told me this in her soft, quiet voice warmed my heart. When she said I was her friend, it wasn't just a word, it came deep down from her heart. This feeling was overwhelming. I was nearly crying, and I didn't know why. 'What is this, why is it so strong?' "Are you okay?", she asked worried. 'How could she be so nice and giving to anyone? ' I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. I finally nodded as the feeling faded. "What has happened to you?", she looked at me concerned. "I was so very very happy...", I answered. "But that is a good thing right?" "It was to much at once... I don't know... I don't know..." I decided to concentrate on the reason why I came here in the first place. "Fluttershy, I brought you something from my world.", I said while I got a box from my backpack. "But you shouldn't do that. I don't need presents." "It is just a thing I found in a store... the way you reacted after we first met, so kind and forgiving, you changed my stay here in the best possible way. This is nothing compared to what you gave me." I carefully took out a teapot made of china, it had beautiful flowers along its sides and butterflies next to them. "This is beautiful.", she said with tears in her eyes. "I love it so much." "I'm glad to hear that. When I saw it, I knew it was made to be in your home." Of course Fluttershy wouldn't let me leave her cottage without drinking tea from her new teapot together, I was more than happy to obey her wish. ... "Fluttershy, I have a favor to ask. Could you accompany me on my way to Ponyville?", I asked her. "Since I haven't been introduced to the ponies yet, I don't want to cause some panic." "Sure, I wanted to buy some veggies anyway, so I might as well do it today." So I took all my stuff and we headed towards Ponyville. ... On our way Fluttershy explained me more about the herbs we saw along our way, I took some samples and made notes in my journal. As Ponyville came in sight I tensed up, but she noticed my discomfort. "It will be all right.", she said. "I am known to be a bit... timid sometimes, so they will know you can't be dangerous if I walk next to you." "Thanks again for coming with me, it really calms me down." We finally got close enough for some ponies to notice me, they looked mildly worried, but no running or screaming occurred. I was surprised, even with Fluttershy at my side I had expected some panic. One of the ponies came close to us, she had a very light yellow coat, her mane was cobalt blue with light fuchsia stripes. I noticed her cutie mark was three candies. "Hi, you must be Stella.", she said, her voice a bit shaky. "I'm Bon Bon. Welcome to Ponyville." "How do you know who I am?", I asked her surprised. "Pinkie told us all so no one would be scared at the party. She said: Stella is quite big but very cuddly and nice, she even has two nice..." "I think I can imagine the rest.", I interrupted her embarrassed. "She told this to everyone in Ponyville?" "Of course she did.", she said grinning. "Of course she did...", I moaned. "Anyway... thanks for the friendly welcome and for having the courage to approach me." She nodded and smiled. "See you at the party tomorrow night.", she said and walked away. "These ponies surprise me all the time.", I mumbled. Fluttershy lead me to the library, and after we had said our goodbye, she went on to the market to get her groceries. I entered the library, but no one seemed to be on the ground floor, I guessed Twilight was in her room upstairs. I put down all my stuff and got a little box from my backpack. As I went up the stairs, I could hear the sound of a quill writing on parchment, and I saw her door was open. I put the box in my hand behind my back. As I reached the door to her room, I saw something incredible adorable. She sat in front of her desk writing something, but she was wearing my orange sweater I had laid on the guestrooms chair this morning. "Hi Twilight, what an interesting fashion choice.",I said smiling. She was startled and turned to me quickly. "I... I was cold, and it looked very warm... you can have it back right away.", her horn lid up. "No please, keep it on. You look adorable in it.", I told her, and it was so true. "You... you think I look adorable?" The magic of her horn faded while her cheeks turned crimson red. "Of course, you are a magical unicorn wearing my sweater." She seemed not as pleased with my statement as I had expected. "Since you haven't used the button, I thought you would be away for another 8 hours.", she told me. "I visited Fluttershy on my way back to give her another gift I brought from my world.", I explained... for some reason this seemed to darken her mood a bit. "And I brought you a lot of stuff too." She was instantly excited again. "The BOOKS!", she shouted and started to jump up and down in my orange sweater. "Yes, and videos... movies... do you have something like this here?", she just nodded in reply. "Okay, videos about the 'history of the automobile', 'famous scientists' and much more." "What are we waiting for? Show me all this new stuff.", she said and was full of energy. I held up my hand. "Wait, this was all part of our deal, but I brought you something personal too, for hosting me and being such a great friend." She fell silent and stood absolutely still as I showed her the little box. "I don't know very much about you yet.", I started. "So I'm not sure if I choose right... I had only your cutie mark and your telescope to base it on..." Why was I so nervous about this simple present? I opened the little box and revealed a silver necklace; it featured a silver shooting star with a golden tail. "I love it.", she whispered, and tears filled her eyes. "I love it so much. Could you please put it on me?" I knelt down and put it around her neck, shifting my head to the side to close the lock. "Got it.", I said as I had closed it and moved my head back again. "It looks beauti... ful...", I looked straight in Twilight's incredible purple eyes. She was so close, I felt her breath on my face, on my lips... Somehow the distance between us seemed to shrink by itself. All my senses were concentrated on her alone. Something was wrong... "Twilight.", I whispered. "Yes?", she whispered back. "Your horn has turned blue." "Oh please no, not now, that's why I felt cold...", she moaned. Then she started to cough very hard. My mind cleared up immediately as I worried about her. "What is wrong, is it the necklace?", I tried to take it off, but she shoved my hands aside with her hoofs. "No, it's not *cough* the necklace. It's magical flu. Something unicorns can get if they *cough* overstrain their magical ability to much. I have trained to much this week. *achoo!*" she had sneezed right at me. "Sorry.", she said with tears in her eyes. "Is it contagious?", I asked wiping my face. "No, it only affects the *cough* one who overstrained. I can't use any magic for at least *achoo!* a day.", she laid on the ground. "What can I do to help?", I asked, worried about her. "It is pretty *cough* much like the normal flu..." "So tea, warmth, and soup?", I asked, she just nodded. I picked her up and held her in my arms. "Hey...", she weakly protested. I carried Twilight to her bed. "Good thing you already have my sweater.", I said smiling as I wrapped her blanket around her. "It's still *cough* cold.", she whispered. "Could you... hold me for a while?", she asked with puppy dog eyes. I smiled and removed the blanket again. "Lay on your side.", I told her and she instantly did as I said. I laid in her bed next to her, snuggled up from behind and pulled the blanket over us. "Better?", I asked. "Mmmmhhh... much better.", she whispered. "Try to sleep a bit.", I told her while I used my hand to brush along her neck. "Mmmmhhh... will do..." Only a minute later she was already sleeping.