//------------------------------// // First Regrets // Story: The Pink-Maned Pair // by Twilicorn //------------------------------// Fluttershy awoke to the sound of impatient tapping on a wooden floor. Yawning, she stretched her hooves in front of her, carefully removing the kinks in her joints. Rolling tiredly out of bed, she shook her head, letting her mane fall to its natural place. Ignoring Angel Bunny's impatient tapping, she lifted her manebrush, looking at it in oblivion. 'Pink. Like Pinkie Pie,' she thought to herself. 'No! What are you doing, Fluttershy? Just like your parents said, you are going to settle down with a nice stallion,' she scowled, yanking the brush through her mane with vigor. 'Not some... mare! You're no filly-fooler!' she sighed, setting the brush down and walking towards Angel Bunny's food dish. 'Or are you?' Her thoughts were interrupted by Angel gesturing rudely at her, then back to the food bowl. "Umm, okay, Angel," she whispered, finding his cookbook and beginning to prepare his meal. As she finished, she went to her other pets, filing their trays or bowls with their respective foods, filling water bowls where needed as well. Finishing her tasks, she trotted back eagerly to the kitchen, ready to have her own meal. Opening the small cupboards, she found a box of Celesti-O's and quickly poured it into a bowl. Eating it straight from the bowl, she took no time to be careful, simply eager to finish up. Running up the stairs, she quickly wiped off her face and washed her hooves, then darted back down the stairs. "Bye Angel! Bye everybody!" she chirped, taking off. Her hooves were mere inches off the ground, trailing carefully behind her as she zipped towards the spa. She touched down mere moments before Rarity walked in the door, flipping her mane casually. "So glad you could make it, darling," said Rarity with a smile. Fluttershy smiled back, following the unicorn as she approached the front desk. "The usual please," she said, but Fluttershy raised a hoof. "Can I have the same as Rarity this time? If that's okay with you," she added, ducking behind her mane. "Of course dear!" exclaimed Rarity, grinning as they followed Aloe to the sauna. Aloe hoofed them each a robe and Fluttershy took it graciously, tying it around her waist as she sat on a wooden bench. "Now spill dear. How has your week been?" "It's been fine," said Fluttershy, her voice loud, or at least the same as a regular pony's. "Nothing exciting?" asked Rarity, her disappointment evident. "Well..." said Fluttershy uncertainly. 'Is this what love feels like? When you can't stop thinking about somepony? It's just like those novels I read...' she thought, a small blush rising to her cheeks as she thought of the novels she read. "How do you know you're in love?" she asked abruptly, then quickly hid once again, her body glowing a pale pink. "Oh my!" exclaimed Rarity with an exaggerated gasp. "Who is the lucky stallion?" she pressed, her eyes searching over Fluttershy eagerly. Upon seeing the pegasus' blush, she stopped, her voice becoming gentler. "Well, to answer your question, I guess the main thing would be that they're always on your mind. Everything makes you think of them, and you might feel awkward around them, even if you didn't before. Does that answer your question?" "I suppose so," said Fluttershy, mustering an eager tone. 'What does this mean? I'm in love with a mare? I'm a filly... filly... Look at you. You can't even admit it to yourself! What kind of doormat are you?' she chided herself, ignoring Rarity for the time being. She was alerted by a dull ringing, and Rarity stood up, shaking her body out with a yawn. "Onward?" she inquired, and Fluttershy nodded. "Onward," she smiled, and they both stepped out of the booth, heading to the mudbaths. Aloe took Fluttershy, Lotus to Rarity, and gently rinsed them off as they finished their mudbaths. They then entered the small 'makeup' section, enjoying the creamy masks and cucumbers that covered their faces. Fluttershy winced as they removed the mask, feeling a few hairs come loose with the cream. "Did you enjoy today?" asked Rarity as they exited the spa, walking towards Sugar Cube Corner. "Of course, Rarity," said Fluttershy, her quiet voice returning. "Good, good. Now, who's for getting a treat?" she asked, entering Sugar Cube Corner. "Oh-okay," she whispered, blushing as she saw Pinkie behind the counter. "Can I have a brownie please?" she asked, her mane covering half of her face. "Of course!" exclaimed Pinkie, smiling at the pair. "Whaddya want, Rarity?" "I will have an eclair," said Rarity formally, her eyes looking down upon the rest of the contents with contempt. "Okie-dokie!" cried the earth pony, pulling out the two treats and setting them on two plates. "Four bits please!" Fluttershy reached for her bits pouch, just to see Rarity raise a hoof. "I've got it," she said kindly, levitating the bits towards Pinkie's outstretched hoof. "Thanks!" said Pinkie with a wide grin, watching carefully to make sure Rarity levitated the plates into the air. The treats followed the two mares towards a small, unoccupied booth, and they took their seats with ease. Fluttershy smiled gratefully at Rarity as took small nibbles of the chocolate treat. They ate in silence until Rarity broke the silence, delicately clearing her throat. "Is it a mare?" "Wha-huh?" asked Fluttershy, caught off guard. "You blushed when I said a stallion. Are you in love with a mare?" Fluttershy teetered back and forth, visibly unsure, before sighing. "I'll tell you at the boutique," she finally relented, then swiftly dug into her brownie, remaining silent for the rest of their meal. As they finished, they left the plates stacked on the table, the crumbs swept into a small pile per Rarity's magic. Their silence continued as they trotted down the cobbled streets of Ponyville, their hooves creating small clacks that added to the dull roar of the market as they walked. Arriving at Carousel Boutique, they entered, both knowing any secrets shared would remain just that, since Sweetie Belle was at school. Rarity led Fluttershy back past her main workroom and into a small, cozy den. Various fainting couches were situated throughout the room, pillows lining the floor. Fluttershy smiled softly, curling into one of the chairs as Rarity left, returning to set a teakettle and cups on the small table between them. She silently poured them each a cup, adding honey to one and sugar to the other. She hoofed the one with sugar towards Fluttershy. "Thank you," accepted Fluttershy gratefully, taking a small sip from the slightly steaming glass. "Thank you dear," smiled Rarity as well. Fluttershy sighed. She knew what Rarity wanted, and Fluttershy was going to tell her.