//------------------------------//
// Strange Behavior 
// Story: The Mysteries of Love 
// by MysteriousStranger 
//------------------------------//

Rarity's P.O.V.

What a turn of events. When I woke up this morning, the least I expected was that Trixie, one of the most disliked students in Canterlot High, would be capable of doing such gesture of kindness. I still refused to believe that there was no trick behind this. She has been less problematic lately, but she's still Trixie, a girl capable of doing anything for her own selfish goals.

With caution, I took the content of the box. It was a purse. But not any purse. It was exactly like the one Trixie's friends stole from me a week ago. My memories about the event were still fresh. My purse disappeared when I opened my locker. I told my friends about it, but they couldn't find it. It wasn't until later in the day that I received a text with a photo attached to it on my cell phone from Fuchsia Blush. The photo showed my purse in a pool, completely ruined. I passed out upon seeing it.

"S-So...? You like it...?"

Trixie's voice woke me up from my thoughts. I didn't realize how much time I spent on them. "Oh, I apologize. I was... examining the purse. It looks identical to the one I lost recently. It's of the same color, and same brand."

I eyed her. She was touching her own index fingers and seemed extremely nervous. "It is. It wasn't easy to find. I had to look for it in every store in town until I found it. It was the last in stock."

"You really did all that, for me?"

She nodded and hid her hands behind her back. She was avoiding looking at me. If she's really speaking the truth, then it was very thoughtful. Something was off about Trixie. She gazed at me, but she was watching me like a child who was about to get grounded for doing something wrong. Was she really that anxious? Was she really scared of being yelled at? I would never do something like that unless someone gets in my nerves, and, so far, Trixie hasn't. In fact, I don't feel uncomfortable by being around her, for once. I would normally feel disgust by even being in the same room with her, but now, I wished to stay. I wished to talk to her. This gift must mean something, and I must find out what. "Tell me, what are you hoping to get in return?" Her face changed. She looked... offended?

"I don't want anything in return. You loved that purse, so I thought you would be happy to have it back. I mean, it's not the same purse, but it looks the same."

"But, Trixie, this purse isn't exactly cheap. Allow me to repay you somehow."

"W-Well..." I knew it. She was playing dumb. She just wanted something from me, and I wasn't in position to refuse. "I-I was thinking that... maybe..." Come on, just spit it out! She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, rising her voice with her eyes still closed. "Iwashopingwecouldbefriends!"

Wait, what? She spoke at the same pace my friend Pinkie Pie would often speak, so I could understand her perfectly. Was she serious? Trixie Lulamoon wanted to be my friend? Why now? What's going on? Is this the same person? I stared at her. Her eyes were still closed and her fists, now that I checked her hands, were also closed and on her sides. She was definitely nervous. What should I do? Do I say yes? It would be impolite from me to refuse, after all, she bought me an expensive gift. Maybe, I should agree and try to figure out what's causing this sudden change of behavior. "A-Alright... I think I can give you a chance, if you really want to be my friend."

Her eyes opened widely, clearly showing surprise. I could easily tell that she wasn't expecting me to accept her friendship request. "R-Really? I mean, of course I really want to! I want to start from zero with you, with the right foot. But..."

"Yes?"

"It will only be you, for now at least... I don't want your friends knowing about this. It isn't... easy for me to be honest and kind to people."

"Hmm..." I can imagine that. Having Trixie as a secret friend? There was something fishy about that, but, for some reason I wanted to see where this was going. Maybe she really wanted to change. The Trixie I know wouldn't be this open to me. "I suppose that's a good idea. Start from the bottom."

She clasped her hands together, and... smiled? "That's exactly what i want! I'm not good at this whole friendship thing. One at a time is easier."

I couldn't help but to catch her smile. "I'm glad to hear it. Do you have a piece of paper and a pen?"

"Sure."

I put my new purse on my shoulder while Trixie searched what I asked for in her locker. She gave me what I needed when she found them. Using the wall to help me hold the paper, I wrote down my phone number before giving her belongings back to Trixie. "Here's my phone number. Call me or text me this weekend."

She took the piece of paper and held it like if she was holding the map of a hidden treasure she has been looking for her entire life. That amused me. "I-I will! I will definitely get in contact with you this weekend! I'll add you to my contacts list as soon as I get home!" I could see her eyes shine when she looked at me. "Thank you!"

I giggled and smiled at her. "You're welcome, Trixie. Now, please excuse me. I have plans with one of my friends and I have to go."

"Yes, yes, of course! I won't take any more of your time. Goodbye!"

I waved at her and headed towards the exit, where I let out a deep breath. The situation caught me off guard. I never thought Trixie, of all people, would change this much. But if I learnt something from Sunset Shimmer is that everyone deserve a second chance. I checked the time in my cell phone. I was still in time to meet with Fluttershy at a local cafe called 'Piazza'. I always found that name strange. We would normally go to Sugarcube Corner, but for some reason she asked to go there, which is not exactly close.





"Fluttershy, darling! I'm over here!" I waved at my best friend from my seat. She found me in no time and slowly walked towards me. I sat in a table for two, so she only had one chair to sit on.

"Hi." She quietly said with a smile. "I'm so sorry for being late. I helped two little dogs to find families at the animal shelter."

"That's wonderful! You must be so happy."

She nodded again, still holding her smile. "I am. Those doggies were rescued two months ago. The families who adopted them seemed to be nice."

Animals fascinated Fluttershy. Everyone knew that. This was the only time where she would speak without fear. I love animals too, in fact I have a cat, Opalescence, but she would often be aggressive to me. I have asked my best friend to help me, but no matter what she did Opalescence was nice to everyone except me.

I would help Fluttershy once in awhile at the animal shelter, but I always need to take a long bath at the end of the day. It was not an easy job. One had to clean, feed and play with the animals. Some days they needed more attention than others. But what I disliked the most, was the smell. The cages are cleaned regularly, but the animals, like every organic being, needed to do their business regularly. If they had to go, then, they to go, whenever they were. It was up to the caretakers to clean. I was asked to clean once, but I had to run to the bathroom to throw up. After which I was never asked to do it again. Thank goodness!

"You have been going for more hours lately, darling. I'm sure they will offer you a part time job if you keep like this." I continued our conversation while I looked around for a waiter.

"I don't do it to get paid. I would have applied to for the job earlier if that was the case. No. I only do it to help the creatures in distress."

My attention went back to my best friend. "Are you sure, Fluttershy? Earning extra money is never a bad idea."

"I don't need money. I have everything I need and want. Every time I go to the shelter, the animals are happy to see me, which fills my heart with joy. That's enough payment for me."

Fluttershy sure was something. I was really proud to call her my best friend. Maybe she's too shy sometimes, but she's not a bad girl. At all. What worried me, though, was that she was never able to accept a boy's compliment. She would always get too nervous to talk, or she would just run away. I always wondered if one day she would gain enough courage to go on dates? When that day comes I would help her without thinking twice. She deserved to be loved. I'm sure there had to be someone out there who shared the same love for animals as her.

"Excuse me..." I heard a voice behind me. Fluttershy lowered her head and I moved mine to look over my shoulder. A waiter was standing beside us with a friendly face. Was he there for long? I got carried away with my thoughts again. "Are you ready to order?"

"Oh, my apologies. I didn't realize..." I cleared my throat before I continuing. "We'll have tea. With milk for my friend. Is that alright, Fluttershy?" She nodded, still staring at the table. "And we'll also have two vanilla muffins."

"Very well." The waiter wrote our orders down and left. The muffins here were not as good as Sugarcube Corner, but we do need to accompany our teas with something.

"So..." Glancing at Fluttershy again, I retook our conversation. "Everything is well at the shelter, then?"

"Oh, yes." Fluttershy regained her smile and raised her head. "This has been a good month at the shelter. So many animals were adopted."

"Thanks to you, I imagine." I winked an eye at her, which made her blush of embarrassment and look away. Really, darling? You can't even take compliments from your best friend? My, my.

"Well, I can't take all the credit... the people who work there are good. They also helped the animals to find families."

I kept smiling at her, even though her eyes were not on me. Oh, Fluttershy. I wish I could help you to be more open. I patiently waited for her to start a new conversation, but she didn't get the chance to. Our order arrived.

"Thank you."

I put my tea bag inside the pot before doing the same with Fluttershy's. She was watching the door like a dog guarding its bowl. It was normal for her to be silent, but this time, it was different. I never saw her like this. She took her spoon and started to play with it without paying attention what she was doing. Her sight remained focused on the door for a while. Maybe she was thinking to herself? She didn't move her eyes from the door until I almost drank all my tea. Her eyes shifted from table to table. Was she looking for someone? Who could it be? "Fluttershy?"

"Mmm...?" She replied by instinct for hearing her name, but she wasn't quite listening to me.

"Fluttershy... Fluttershy."

I slightly raised my voice the third time I called her. It worked. She fluttered her eyelids several times in surprise and glanced at me. "O-Oh? I-I'm sorry. I spaced out..." She was very nervous. I wonder what was she thinking about... I wouldn't be nice to ask her. I must wait until she decided to tell me, that is, if she wanted me to know. I moved my eyes to see inside the pot. It was empty. 

Fluttershy was still on her second cup, which she never took a sip of. Not only that, she was looking behind her, again! I sighed, and finished my tea.





We left the cafe after we were done. Or better said after I was done. Fluttershy didn't stop spacing out, she didn't even eat her muffin. Somehow, I kept myself from asking her what was she doing. Hopefully, she would tell me one day.

"Thank you for spending time with me, Rarity."

"Don't thank me, darling. I always enjoy your company." She smiled and I hugged her. "I'll see you tomorrow night at Pinkie Pie's."

She nodded and waved as she turned. "Goodbye, Rarity."

We parted ways. My home wasn't close, so i walked fast. I couldn't stop thinking about Fluttershy's strange behavior. Was she expecting someone who didn't show up? Could that be why she asked me to meet here? We’ve never been to that cafe before. I don't find it strange that Fluttershy didn't tell me what was on her mind. We might be best friends, but even knowing that I'm trustworthy, she wouldn't always share secrets with me. Whatever she was doing must be too embarrassing to tell me. Patience is the key. I know she will tell me when she's ready.

While I was walking, I received a message. I quickly took my phone. Maybe Fluttershy decided to tell me already! However, I checked the number first and I didn't have them in my contacts. It wasn't my best friend. I sighed and read the message to see who it was.

'It's Trixie. Just checking if I got the number right. Is it Rarity?😮'

I stood still. I didn't notice that I automatically smiled when I read the message. I never expected that a text from Trixie would brighten my day. Maybe this wasn't a bad idea after all. I texted her back.

'Yes, it's Rarity. I'm saving your number in my contacts list.' As soon as I sent the text, I added her to my list. By the time I finished, Trixie texted me again.

'Oh, good! I was worried that I got the number wrong. Say, are you free on Sunday?'

'Sunday...? Oh, no. I can't... I'm sorry, but my sister is having her friends over and my parents won't be home. I have to keep an eye on them.'

I waited for her reply. I was still standing still. I moved aside since I was in the middle of the path. Trixie replied in no time. 'I thought they were big enough to be on their own. It's OK, I understand. Maybe another time, then.'

I couldn't believe I was having a civil conversation with Trixie, and I couldn't believe that I wanted to keep talking to her. You don't know how destructive they can be if no one responsible is watching them. If I'm not too busy, I'll talk to you.

Trixie's next reply was short and simple, but it made me giggle for some reason. 'OK! 😊'

A smiley face. Trixie Lulamoon just sent me a smiley face. This girl keeps surprising me. She really isn't the same. I put my cell phone back in my purse and I continued my way home. My worries about Fluttershy faded for the time being. Trixie just made my day.