Well, that was indeed something. Fluttershy smiled as she watched her new friend sashay with the young drake towards the denser crowd and weave through the party ponies to the busy dance floor. Her smile soon began to falter as she remembered the mares and her father's words.
She was right. She WAS here for a reason.
Turning back to the table the Pegasus sighed resting her chin on a pale gold hoof. With a deep breath, she tried to ignore the fear and doubt that was starting to fester in the back of her mind.
Fears that she thought she had overcome years ago.
I still don't feel ready, but at least I will have the freedom of choice this time I suppose. But a wave of sadness still swept over the young mare that Fluttershy could not ignore. In reality, did she really have a choice? She had no say to who was invited to this gala.
Pulling up an unused glass she reached for a bottle of clear rose water and began to pour.
Her eyes misted over as she thought about a happier life. One where she could make choices. If I had a husband...I'd want him to listen to me...even if I have nothing to say. To treat me with respect, keep me safe and treasure me. She winced slightly when a question echoed in the back of her mind. What about love?Closing her eyes as she tried to see herself in love.
No. The memory of her fall started to blossom from the thought, the vision of Blueblood reaching out to catch her. She remembered his face. The fear. The sadness...The hesitation. She felt the tension start to build up in her wing No...I don't need love...As long as he will always-
She jolted out of her thoughts, realising that she had forgotten to stop pouring quickly set the bottle on to the now wet table. Swallowing down pent-up annoyance at her own clumsiness, the young mare lifted the bottle again and pulled out a napkin out of her sleeve with her teeth to wipe the table. Now left with a sopping handkerchief, Fluttershy looked around her to see what she could do with the wet rag.
Oh! An idea came to mind as her eyes rested on the nearly empty bottle. She started to ease the napkin down the neck of the bottle then Brought it up eye level to lament on the end of her favourite handkerchief and glare at the emerald bottle accusingly as if the inanimate object was somehow at fault, only to be startled by what she saw in its reflection.
It can't be?
Slamming the bottle back on the table she whipped her head around with her teal eyes darting around the halls seeking out the chimaera. The ballroom lighting was a warm and welcoming tone thanks to the candlelight from the chandeliers warm light that showered gently onto the marbled ballroom floor and ivory pillars making many flickering shadows.
After a minute of surveying the crowded hall, Fluttershy reasoned that she was simply fooled by the lighting. But she could help but Wonder how long it had been since she last laid eyes on him. Why am I so nervous?... It's not like he has ever hurt me...
She couldn't suppress the shiver that shook her frame as she recalled seeing the last time she saw him, that predatory look in his eye that reminded her of Tirek.
am I nervous?
She could feel the fur on the back of her neck rise and dampen with a cold sweat and the tormented memories of that night began to resurface, worse than before. The muscle in her wings was starting to knot.
That was when a wave of calm washed over her when she heard two familiar voices near one of the further pillars.
"C'mon Rainbow. Relax! let that gorgeous hair down and have a drink with me, I promise..." The rest of Zephyr Breeze's plea was drowned out by the other partying ponies.
Brushing off the front of her dress the Fluttershy elegantly climbed out of her chair and started into a trot towards the familiar faces. Raising a hoof to signal at her brother when she caught a glimpse of a tall and familiar shadow again, lurking in the pillars shadows behind her brother. I-is it really?
Before she could collect her thoughts she heard a thud. To her left Zephyr was clutching at his stomach and donning a pained expression, while the multi-coloured pony grumbled off, clearly annoyed. It barely took six seconds for Fluttershy to figure out what happened. Her brother Zephyr has been pining for that colt Rainbow Dash for a long time now. Oh Zephyr Fluttershy sympathised with her brother every time she caught a glimpse of other ponies disgusted glares.
"Poor Zephyr Breeze" The voice behind her nearly made Fluttershy jump out of her skin. She whipped her head around to look at the owner of the motherly like voice. "Oops. Sorry if I scared you Fluttershy" The Alicorn smiled down at the small pony who stared up at her in awe.
Princess Cadence?