//------------------------------// // Always the Shy Ones // Story: Living in Equestria // by Blazewing //------------------------------// “Well, that was interesting,” I said, as Pinkie led me along. ”I always thought upper-class people were more…snobbish. But Rarity was really charming: giving me a free haircut and offering to make new clothes for me.” “Well, she can be kind of a drama queen,” Pinkie admitted, since we were out of earshot, “and she’s really fussy when it comes to dirty stuff, but she’s a great friend: generous to a T! And pretty much every other letter in the alphabet, I’d bet!” “Er, right. So, who’s this Fluttershy you’re taking me to?” “Besides Twilight and Spike, she’s the last of my bestest-best friends for you to meet. Oh!” She stopped and looked at me, as if she had said something she shouldn’t have. “But I didn’t mean she’s my least bestest-best friend!” “Relax, Pinkie, I get what you mean,” I said, though I wasn’t entirely sure I actually did. “Good,” she said, relieved. “She’s so sensitive. She might take it the wrong way if she heard me say that.” “Aw, really? Sounds like this Fluttershy’s one to tread lightly around.” “Just don’t be too offended if she’s afraid of you. She’s easily startled.” (Great, just what I needed to hear: that I may give this poor girl a heart attack…) Pinkie had led me out of Ponyville once again, and now we were heading toward the edge of a massive, dense forest of trees, the same one I'd seen at a distance when I first woke up. There were a few cawing birds floating above, and a stray cloud here and there. The whole place gave off a very unsettling vibe, as if there was something...off about it. “What’s that?” I asked. “The Everfree Forest. We never go in there if we can help it.” “Why?” I asked, somewhat pensively. “What’s wrong with it?” “It’s got a bunch of kooky-spooky stuff in it, that’s what’s wrong with it!” Pinkie whipped around sharply to face me, nearly scaring me out of my wits. She reared up and placed her hooves on my chest. “The plants grow, the animals fend for themselves, and the clouds move…All! On! Their! Own!” She leaned in so close that her snout was pressed against my nose, her large blue eyes gazing straight into my own brown ones. “…And that’s bad?” I asked. “That’s not even the worst of it!” she said, getting off of me. “There’s scary creatures in there, too, like manticores and parasprites and cockatrices-” A cold chill ran over my limbs, and my heart skipped a beat. Manticores?? Cockatrices?? Like those creatures in mythology? Lions with scorpion tails and chicken-headed snakes that could turn you to stone?! They had those kinds of beasts and dragons to deal with? And here I’d thought this land of colorful talking ponies was all sunshine and lollipops... “Er…do those monsters ever…ever leave the forest and…attack anyone?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though I must have been doing a poor job of it. “Nope! They’re fine as long as they get to stay in the forest.” (Well, good. Let them keep it.) “You ok, Davie?" asked Pinkie. "You look kinda pale.” “I’ll be fine,” I said, though my hammering heart said otherwise. “Okie-dokie-lokie! Now come on! Fluttershy’s cottage is just near the edge!” I had started walking, but stopped again. “Whoa, whoa, back up!” I said. A few seconds later, I wished I hadn’t said that. Pinkie did back up, literally, only stopping when her rump collided with my stomach. “Is that far enough?” she asked, tilting her head back to look at me. “Yes,” I said, wearily. “What I meant was, are you telling me that this Fluttershy, who’s ‘so sensitive’, lives at the edge of a place everyone avoids?” “Yesiree!” “…What sense does that make?!” I cried. “I know it sounds kinda weird, but…well, you’ll understand when we get there.” With that, she continued on, me still in a state of bewilderment. At last, we came upon a stone path leading up a hill. There were several birdhouses lined along it, as regular as streetlamps. There was a twittering of birds and the chatter of squirrels in the air. The path led up to a quaint, two-story cottage, one that looked straight out of a fairy tale. In fact, I was half expecting Snow White to come parading out the door followed by seven dwarves and a bunch of woodland animals. Instead, there seemed to be a bit of activity in the grass close by. Pinkie motioned for me to keep quiet as we tread along, and I saw why. Several forest creatures of all types were gathered together: rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and a colorful array of birds. Seated in front of them, smiling placidly, was a pegasus pony, who I guessed at once was Fluttershy. Her coat was pale yellow; I’d venture to say cream or butter-yellow, myself. She had greenish-blue eyes, and her mane and tail were very long, and the same shade of pink as Pinkie’s coat. Her mane was so long, in fact, that she could have easily hidden her face behind it. She was slender and delicate-looking, almost like a fawn. On her flank was a cutie mark of three pink butterflies. Her whole self seemed to emanate an aura of tranquility. I can honestly say that when I had heard of her before seeing her, I’d had no idea she would have been so…cute. Those beautiful eyes, that innocent face, that adorable mane...Gah! What was I saying?! This land was rubbing off on me already... Still, I had no desire to interrupt the tender scene I saw before me, but Pinkie was much less reluctant. “Fluttershy!” she said, quite loudly. Fluttershy gave a jump, and her little animal friends scattered. She looked up, and at first seemed glad to see Pinkie, but then her eyes fell on me, and those sea-green pupils contracted to terrified pinpoints. With a squeak, she spread her dainty feathered wings and tore past us, zipping into the cottage and slamming the door behind her. I stared at the door, startled for a moment, then shot a disapproving look at Pinkie. “What?” she asked, innocently. “You didn’t have to scare her like that.” “Me? I didn’t scare her! You did.” “Not before you yelled her name like that.” “Did I really yell it?” asked Pinkie. “Trust me, a bullhorn was no match for you,” I said, dryly. “Well, don’t worry. I’ll coax Fluttershy out.” She stepped past me and rapped at the door. “Fluttershy! Come on out! I just want to introduce you to my friend!” As she was talking, there was a faint sound, like the squeaking of a window shutter, from behind the house. Pinkie was still persisting in talking through the door, so I snuck around the cottage to look, and unexpectedly found myself eye to eye with the timid pegasus. I gave a shout of surprise, and at the same time, so did she, and she ran off again in the opposite direction. Pinkie had heard our yells, and turned just in time to see Fluttershy zoom past again. “Fluttershy! Come back!” Pinkie called, hopping after her. Fluttershy paid no heed, and instead ran full speed over to a large chicken coop that stood at the back, fenced off where the edge of the forest was nearby. There were a few hens gamboling around outside, which scattered and squawked as Fluttershy ran past, up the ramp, and headlong through the little door. There was another chorus of startled squawks from the chickens inside. Pinkie and I stopped outside the coop. “Really, Pinkie, let’s give it up,” I said. “I’m just terrifying the poor thing. She’ll have a heart attack if we keep this up.” “She just needs to get to know you better,” Pinkie said, and she started making her way up the coop’s ramp. “You're not going to force her out, are you?" “No, of course not,” said Pinkie. “She just needs a little nudge in the right direction.” She stuck her head through first. “Hi, Fluttershy!” In answer, there was a squeak, presumably from Fluttershy, though I couldn’t discern what she said afterward, as she spoke so quietly. “It’s ok, he’s not going to hurt you. Now, come on out.” There was more indiscernible muttering. “Aw, don’t be that way. He’s not a monster. Not one from the Everfree Forest, anyway.” Well, that didn’t completely dispel the theory that I was a monster. Thanks a lot, Pinkie... “Look, let me come in and I’ll talk you through it. He’s a nice guy, really.” Pinkie stepped inside the chicken coop, though she briefly got caught at her hips. I supposed the coop was built for Fluttershy’s svelte physique and not Pinkie’s pudgy form. Still, it didn’t take long for her to squeeze inside. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, and it didn’t look like they’d be coming out anytime soon, so I took a seat on the grass to wait. Thankfully, the day was getting on, and it wasn’t as hot as it had been. I felt something nudge my leg. I looked down, and was surprised to see a little brown rabbit gazing up at me, twitching its nose. It was probably because I had been sitting so still. “Hi, little fella,” I said, gently. I raised my hand to pet it. Naturally, it ducked from my touch at first, but then gratefully accepted the stroking I gave its furry head, down its back. “I’ve never actually petted a rabbit before. Weird to think the first would be in a world of ponies.” After some time, Fluttershy’s little entourage, perhaps encouraged by my gentle treatment of the rabbit, came to sit by me. I flinched instinctively when some of the birds alighted on my shoulders, but they merely sat to look at me. I was quite flummoxed to be given such attention from these animals; I’d never had such an opportunity before, especially considering how these were all creatures known for being skittish and timid. There was a light creak of wood from behind me. Turning my head, I saw Fluttershy tentatively stepping out, still obviously nervous. She wavered for a moment or two, but suddenly jumped forward, as if someone had pushed her. Most likely Pinkie giving her a ‘little nudge’. She sat up, a bit dazed, then saw me among the animals and gave a little gasp, her eyes wide. She came over to me swiftly, looking at me intently. “Hello," I said. She remained silent, her eyes still fixed on me and her animal friends. In the ensuing pause, there was another creaking of wood. Pinkie had managed to squeeze herself out and rejoined us, smiling in a proud way, as if pleased she'd gotten Fluttershy to come out. "I’m sorry if I scared you," I said. "I didn’t mean to. And please don’t be mad at Pinkie. She just wanted me to meet you. I’m Dave.” She looked at me a little while longer, and then… “…I’m Fluttershy.” Her voice was very soft, barely louder than a whisper, but very gentle. “It’s very nice to meet you, Fluttershy,” I said, with a smile. She hesitated, then gave me a small smile herself. It had to be one of the most endearing sights I had ever seen. It wasn’t a simple smirk, but a sweet, dimple-cheeked little smile. I felt like I could just give her a hug, but I feared she wouldn’t like that. “Um…I had no idea you had a way with animals…” she said, looking at her critters. “Oh, this?" I asked, gesturing to the entourage. “Completely by accident. I’ve never had this much contact or experience with these sorts of animals, but I can guess you have.” “Mm-hmm.” She hesitated for a moment, as though unsure of what she was about to say next, then asked, “Um...what are you, exactly?” “Me? I’m a human.” “A hue-man?” questioned Fluttershy, puzzled. “I’ve never heard of that kind of animal before, but you must be very special if you can talk.” “Well, I wouldn’t exactly call myself an animal, per se,” I said. “Then again, humans do share many similarities with apes.” “Oh! So a human is kind of like a monkey?” “If you want to look at it that way,” I said. Pinkie suddenly let out a snorting giggle, startling both of us. “What?” I asked, sharply. “I didn’t think about it when Dashie said it, but you do look kind of like a big monkey!” She flopped herself onto her back, kicking her legs in a paroxysm of giggles. All I could do was roll my eyes. “Have you been with Pinkie Pie all day?” Fluttershy asked. “Yeah. She found me out in the fields, out cold and memory messed up.” “Oh, dear…” “Why do you ask?” “Well, um...you seem used to her...well, Pinkie-ness,” she said, sounding as if she lacked a better term. “It’s been a little weird,” I consented, “and at first I was pretty freaked out over what I’d landed myself into, but I’m starting to accept it more and more. Pinkie’s proved a very good friend and guide.” Pinkie looked up from her giggling to smile at me for the praise. “Wonderful,” said Fluttershy, warmly. “You two make such good friends.” As if to confirm this, Pinkie gave me an affectionate nuzzle. She was just like an overgrown cat. “So, Pinkie told me you live right near the Everfree Forest,” I said. "Yes, that's right." “And I was a little skeptical. She told me you were…” I paused, trying to find the right words. Fluttershy looked at me with a kind of hesitant expectation, as if worrying I was about to shoot an insult at her. “...Delicate,” I said, finally. “Introverted.” Fluttershy’s look of apprehension faded, and she nodded. “It’s nothing to be ashamed about,” I added. “I’m not the most sociable of individuals, either.” “Really?” Fluttershy asked, tilting her head. “I’d never have guessed. You speak so well.” “Thanks,” I said, pleased in spite of myself. “So do you.” Fluttershy smiled shyly. “Anyway,” I said, “like I said, I was a little skeptical about how a pony who prefers being away from conflict can stand to live near a forest that ponies avoid if they can.” “Easy,” said Fluttershy, who looked completely unabashed. “I have many wonderful animal friends, and the forest is teeming with them.” “Er, like the manticores or cockatrices?” I asked, trying to sound conversational. “Some,” said Fluttershy. “Many ponies run away from creatures like that-” (Of course they would! I would if it were me!) “-but they just don’t understand them the way I do.” “Meaning what, exactly?” I asked. “Fluttershy can talk to the animals!” Pinkie proclaimed, before Fluttershy could answer. She could...talk to them? As in, Dr. Dolittle-style talk? That. Was. Cool! “You can talk to them?” I asked. “Um...yes,” said Fluttershy, looking embarrassed, but still smiling. “Wow…” I muttered. “What do they tell you?” “Many things,” said Fluttershy, at her ease once again. “I would never have known I could speak to them on that level if I hadn’t fallen out of Cloudsdale as a filly.” “You...fell?” I asked, stunned as the weight of those words hit me. “From the sky?” “Like you!” said Pinkie, proudly. Fluttershy stared at me, bewildered, but I said, “It would take too long to explain. So, you, er, fell from Cloudsdale?” “Yes, but luckily, I was caught by a roaming colony of butterflies.” Butterflies? Seriously? Even as a filly, she would have more than likely crushed them with her fall. “I had never seen the beauty of nature below the clouds before,” Fluttershy went on, “and it was wonderful! It’s when I finally realized who I was meant to be: a friend to the animals.” She looked at her flank, where the butterfly trio was situated. “So that’s what your butterflies mean?” I asked. “Well, these animals really do seem to adore you.” “Thank you,” she said, a slight pink coloring her cheeks. Suddenly, there was a thumping noise, and Fluttershy looked down. A white rabbit was tapping her side with his little hind foot, looking somewhat miffed. “Oh! How rude of me. Dave, I’d like you to meet Angel Bunny. Angel, this is Dave.” “Hi there,” I said, genially. The rabbit gave me a disgruntled look, but gave a curt nod to acknowledge my greeting. “Please excuse him,” said Fluttershy, apologetically. “He’s not very good with strangers.” The rabbit had pulled out, seemingly from nowhere, a very minute day planner, and was showing it urgently to Fluttershy. “What is it, Angel? Something about today?” She paused, then gasped. “Oh goodness! Thank you, Angel! I’d almost forgotten!” Angel gave a sigh of relief. “Dave, I’m very sorry, but I promised to visit Mother Robin to watch her eggs hatch. They’re scheduled to today.” “Well, that’s quite an occasion,” I said, not really seeing how it was, but again, deciding to humor her. “I wouldn’t dream of delaying you.” “Oh, but are you staying in Ponyville long? I’d love for us to meet up again.” She looked at me with those adorable, sea-green eyes. As desperate as I was to find a way home again, I didn't want to disappoint her. It was like agreeing to watch Rainbow fly, or visit Sweet Apple Acres for its special seasons, or drop by Rarity's for new clothes. I couldn't give a flat-out refusal; I just couldn't. “So would I,” I said, finally. She smiled warmly. “Wonderful! It was so nice to meet you, Dave, and…thank you for putting up with me and my, um, little episode.” She held out her hoof, and I clasped it warmly in my hand. “No worries at all, Fluttershy,” I said, smiling in return. “It was very nice to meet you as well.” With that, after I let go of her hoof, she turned to follow Angel, who had gone on ahead and was waiting for her. She stopped to take one last look at me, and I saw the gentle smile was still on her face, all trepidation gone. Pinkie and I watched her until she was out of sight. Now that she was, her animal friends eventually took leave of us. “Isn’t she just the nicest pony you’d ever met?” asked Pinkie. “More than nice. She’s so polite, so considerate of others. You’re lucky to have such a wonderful friend.” “Thanks, Davie. And I’m lucky to have you for a friend!” she added, giving me a little bump with her side. “Right,” I said, with a chuckle. “Now, I guess that just leaves your friends Twilight and Spike for me to meet.” “Yep! We’ve spent a lot of time today, so maybe we can see if they’re ready for a visit now! C’mon, Davie, vroom-vroom!” She hopped to her hooves and started off at her usual bouncing gait, me following close behind.