Chapter 10 – Fluttershy
“So, what did you think of Applejack, Mystic,” Twilight said as the two left Sweet Apple Acres.
“Well she’s certainly full of energy and hard working. I guess that comes with the territory of working at a farm.”
“Oh I think that Applejack has those things naturally. Her personality just fits well with her job. If she was in any other occupation, she’d do probably just as well.”
Mystic then realized that Twilight was not leading him back towards Ponyville. Instead, the two were going around Sweet Apple acres and heading right towards the Everfree Forest.
“Um… Twilight? Why are we going to the Everfree Forest?”
“We’re not going in,” the mare said, “my friend Fluttershy lives in a cottage at the edge of the forest.”
“Why doesn’t she live in town?”
“Well she takes care of animals, so it makes sense living next to where they live. And I have to warn you that she’s a bit shy.”
Mystic wondered how shy this pony really was and if this somehow contributed to her living away from the other ponies. He then saw in a clearing a very idyllic setting of a small cottage by a stream. What caught Mystic’s attention was the myriad of animals, scampering, flying, and crawling about. Clearly there was a sense of comfort these animals had living so close to a pony.
“I think I better greet her first,” Twilight said before knocking on the door.
“Who… who’s there,” a tiny whisper of a voice was heard from within.
“Fluttershy, it’s Twilight.”
“Oh Twilight. I’ll be out in one minute.”
The door then opened and a yellow Pegasus appeared. She looked at Twilight with a smile, acknowledging her friend. Then she noticed the unicorn mare wasn’t alone but with another pony she had never seen before. She looked at him and then instantly looked down at the ground.
“Hello,” the stallion said, “My name’s Mystic Study, but you can call me Mystic.”
“Um… hello Mystic,” Fluttershy said barely above a whisper.
“What was that you said?”
“I said hello,” the yellow Pegasus said again very softly.
“I didn’t really hear that,” Mystic said.
The poor mare then began to tremble and uttered a little squeak in response. It would be cute hearing the sound if it wasn’t that the pony was in utter fear.
“Hold on Mystic,” Twilight said, “I think I need to talk to her first.”
Twilight was then whispering something to Fluttershy with the Pegasus talking at the same level. Occasionally one of the two would glance at the stallion. Finally Twilight returned to Mystic with Fluttershy in tow.
“Oh I’m sorry,” the Pegasus said, “I didn’t know you were Twilight’s friend. Pleas come inside.”
The three proceeded inside to the house as directed by the mare. More animals greeted the three, especially Mystic who was a pony they never saw before. One animal, a white rabbit, looked at him with a very upset expression.
“Now Angel, we have guests, so please be of your best behavior.”
Mystic couldn’t help but snicker at the bunny being called Angel, as he looked anything but an angel.
“So, how can I help you,” the Pegasus said.
“Well, I’m a student of Princess Luna and…”
Mystic stopped as Fluttershy had a nervous look on her face.
“Was it something I said,” Mystic asked Twilight, unsure about how mentioning Princess Luna’s name would cause so much distress.
“Fluttershy, for the last time, Luna is not Nightmare Moon anymore.”
Now the unicorn stallion understood. There were a few ponies that he met in Canterlot who were still nervous around the Princess of the Night. This caused great stress to Luna as it was like playing back the events when she was Nightmare Moon when all the Princess wanted to do was forget.
“Oh ok,” Fluttershy said, “so, um… Mystic you were saying?”
“Well, I’m doing a study for her on the current bearers of the Elements of Harmony. Twilight told me that you are one of the bearers. Mind if I ask you just a few questions?”
Fluttershy looked at him for a little. She appeared nervous about answering questions about her, but then again she looked nervous in general. The yellow Pegasus looked over at Twilight for a sign of support. Twilight gave a little nod as if to say it was ok.
“Ok,” Fluttershy said.
“So first of all, what is your Element that you possess?”
“Mine is Kindness.”
“And can you tell me the importance of kindness in your opinion?”
“Oh, well I think kindness is very important. A pony has to be kind to other ponies to be able to work together. It’s like a bond between ponies, whether they’re acquaintances, friends, or even couples. No pony likes talking to or working with a mean pony.”
“And have you noticed any change becoming a bearer of the Element of Kindness?”
“Not really. I did meet some really nice friends after becoming one.”
“And how important is kindness to you job of taking care of animals?”
“I think it’s just as important to share kindness to animals just like with ponies. Animals can sense whether you’re sad or afraid or happy you know. So showing kindness helps both you and the animals.”
The pony definitely, like Applejack, incorporated her element into her life. So far learning about Twilight’s friends and about the Elements of Harmony was going along really smoothly.
“So, Mystic, do you think you have enough for your report,” Twilight asked clearly interested in moving on.
“I think I do. Thank you, Fluttershy.”
“Oh, you’re welcome,” Fluttershy said, “I always like meeting a pony that is kind.”
The two unicorns were about to leave when Fluttershy looked at Mystic like he wanted to say something to him, but for some reason not while Twilight was standing there.
“Um… Mystic… I know I shouldn’t be barging in like this, but you look like you really like Twilight. So … um … maybe if you show some kindness to her, she’ll like you more. That is … if you want to.”
Mystic nodded in recognition as he joined Twilight Sparkle outside.
“What were you talking to Fluttershy about,” Twilight asked.
“Oh, she just wanted to know if she did a good job with her interview,” Mystic said with a lie.
“Oh, well she actually was pretty good for being so shy, wasn’t she?”
“I think she was great. So, where to next, Twilight?”
“Well, it’s getting kind of late, but I think we could squeeze in one more friend. Follow me back to town.”
Mystic followed Twilight away from the Everfre Forest and towards town, happy that he had one third of his research covered. He pondered why the friends thought he liked Twilight, and why they were so free to offer their advice. More importantly he wondered how Twilight wasn’t seeing these signs. He wondered if she was that opposed to being his special somepony or if she just didn’t know the signs of love. Maybe with meeting her other friends Mystic could unravel the mystery behind Twilight’s complex nature.