//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Ducks and Butterflies // by Thunder Chaser //------------------------------// Duckweed was waltzing out of his shed with a bag of worms over his shoulders, whistling "Giggle at the Ghosties". There was nothing this Stallion didnt like more than feeding and spending time with his pet ducks. He didnt have to worry about dealing with other ponies, who he really didnt understand emotionally speaking.All there was was him and the ducks underneath the warm sun. When he got to his destination, he shouted in horror "Bronson NOOO!" looking down at his poor ducks broken wing, scooping it off of the ground and kissing its head." Ill take you down to a vet, he will know what to do" He began trotting towards the small cottage that apparently was Dr. Fluttershys veterinary practice, duck in hoof. He was mildly afraid of the social situation he was putting himself into. He kept telling himself "Just tell the vet that your duck needs help" trying to reassure himself. However he just wasnt sure he knew the social protocol for the situation, although he was annoyed by the diagnosis he couldn't deny that he had Aspergers Syndrome. He knocked on the door of the cottage rather brutally. Fluttershy quickly opened the door, revealing the mildly handsome Duckweed. With his green coat, rubber duckie cutie mark and long yellow unkempt mane, he was possibly the weirdest looking stallion in Equestria. She looked into his eyes and asked "May I help you?" shyly "Umm yes, my duck has a broken wing." Duckweed said looking back into her eyes, the contact feeling torturous for both of them. "Oh Dear, well bring him in then." Fluttershy said with concern She placed Bronson onto a small bed and wrapped his wing in a cast, all the while engaging in conversation with Duckweed "So..uh whats your name" Fluttershy asked softly "Im Duckweed." Duckweed said "Hmmm, so are you a duck farmer"Fluttershy asked "Yes, for nine generations my families raised ducks, when I was little I thought I wanted to be a journalist but I got my own pet duck and than my duck cutie mark came in and I knew my purpose" Duckweed said "Well thats nice, I got mine when I fell out of Cloudsdale and landed in the forest, when I saw butterflies and fauna I knew my purpose." Duckweed thought to himself"More like you fell out of heaven" but he had a feeling this would not improve his situation.He than continued on "Well I hope those bullies got what was coming to them, I certainly received my share of that back in school." Their conversation turned rather long touching on animals, though Duckweed pretty much just like Ducks, their friends and their lives. Both Bronson and Angel Bunny were staring at them annoyed, waiting for their conversation to end. "So see my friends represent the elements of harmony, laughter, honesty, magic, generosity, Loyalty and me Kindess" feeling fairly comfortable around this kind stallion. "Yeah my friends are just a bunch of stoners" Duckweed said with mild shame, feeling very open around this kind mare. "Would you care to meet up sometime?" "No, I mean yes, I mean can I get your phone number?" Fluttershy asked "Uhh, sure" Duckweed said writing his phone number on a piece of paper, not sure whether this was a rejection or not. "Good bye Duckweed" Fluttershy practically sang with some joy "So long Fluttershy" Duckweed said running out the door with Bronson in tow. Fluttershy returned to her work saying "Well wasnt he nice, still I dont think I could ever date anyone because the very thought is terrifying!" she said Angel Bunny leapt in front of her and began impersonating Duckweed "What about Duckweed?" Angel Bunny than proceed to impersonate using the phone, followed by a passionate kissing of a nearby piece of paper. "Well gosh Angel Bunny, I dont think I can..." Angel Bunny looked displeased by this and began stomping angrily. Watching Fluttershy take care of animals by herself and only hang out with her friends every once in a while was making Angel Bunny depressed and he thought Duckweed was the right kind of Stallion for her. "Oh, alright ill try one date" she said, trotting towards the phone Duckweeds sandwich making was interrupted by the ringing of his phone. "Oh boy who could this be!"he said wandering towards the phone. "Hello"asked Duckweed "Hi Duckweed, this is umm Fluttershy" she said swallowing some of her fear "Oh hello Fluttershy, its nice hearing from you" Duckweed said, excited but nervous "Ive thought about your proposal and I propose we go to Sugarcube Corner for lunch tomorrow" Fluttershy said, more confident this time. "Sounds good to me, I look forward to seeing you there"Duckweed said, hurrying his words due to his intense nervousness. He shut off his phone and began to ponder what the next day would be like. Neither of them had ever dated before so they both wer going to go down an exciting path together it seemed. Or get bungled by social awkwardness and have the date go as a disaster. Neither of them could sleep that night, theyre thoughts overflowing their minds.