//------------------------------// // It's a Not-A-Date! // Story: Equestrian Eeveelution. // by Symphonicdysonince //------------------------------// [Connor] I trudged my way up through the tunnels into the library. I paused at the door, before noticing that it was open. I stepped out into the main section of Golden Oaks, and spotted a certain someone. "Hey, Owlowiscious!" I called out. "I'm looking for Leo and Yomega, and was told they'd be here. Have you seen them?" He cracked an eye open to blearily look at me. "They're upstairs with Abes, keeping him awake, no doubt. Poor pup must be run ragged at this point." I paused at the stairs. "What's wrong?" "We~ll..." Owlowiscious dragged out. "Those two have been keeping him up for a couple of days each week. He's already very tired from all the work the True Princess has him doing," he gave me a tired wink, "amongst other things, I assume." I chuckled, continuing up the stairs. "Alright, you have a good rest." "I will." I paused on the steps once again, looking over my shoulder. I know he needs his sleep, but he really wants to gossip with someone. I faced forward, a contemplative frown pulling my face to the side. But I really have to see the others. I turned back to the owl. But I do want to hear his gossip... I scowled, shaking my head. No! No... I need to get this done. I followed my ears to the room my pack mates had sequestered themselves in. I knocked on the door and waited for someone to notice. "No, no, no, no, no, no." I heard Leo from the other side. "That one could have gone either way. But Twilight not meeting herself? That's definitely us!" "But what did we do?" Abes asked as I knocked again. "The Running of the Leaves is just around the corner!" Yomega snapped. "If what Leo said is accurate, then we should've had two more episodes by now." My knocking grew more intense. "Maybe they'll happen next month?" Abes countered. I began to back up "Nope." Leo answered. "I've already gotten the plans from Rainbow for the Dragon migration, and Lulu's told me that she's helping Rarity make her camo-dress. Hopefully, she can tone down how gaudy it'll be." I charged at the door. Just before I could hit it, someone opened it. I ended up barreling into the room, bowling over Yomega and ramming into Leo. "Oh, hello Conner." Abes looked down at me. "What brings you here?" Leo squirmed under me. "Whatever it is, get off first!" "R-right." I stood up with a blush. I cleared my throat. "So, I was wondering if you know the exact path of the dragons would fly on their migration." "Why?" Yomega dragged the word out, cutting Leo off from speaking. "We all know how Fluttershy is. I want to pick a place far enough from the migration path that she'll be comfortable watching it, yet close enough for her to see it." I explained. "I figure that it'll help her with her fears to see it. Kinda push her to the edge of her comfort zone." "We do all need to try things outside our comfort zones, every now and then." Yomega allowed. Leo snorted. "I generally stand at the edge of mine and stare awkwardly into someone else's." "Comfort zones are irrelevant to this, I think." Abes cut in with a sly smile. "I think somedog is hoping for a date with Nurse Joy." "T-t-that's not it at all!" I protested as I felt my cheeks flush. "Oh, by Arceus!" Leo cried out. "It's so fucking obvious, I can't believe Fluttershy can't see it! We know you got the hots for her, just as Abes has it bad for Luna!" "Hey now!" Abes protested, rounding on the brash Eevee. Yomega pulled me aside as Abes laid into Leo. "I'll get the flight path to you once things here calm down." He looped a leg around my shoulder before I could leave. "Try to deny it all you like, we can tell that you're twitterpatted with Joy." He looked me in the eyes. "Just tell her. If she won't or can't reciprocate, the worst she can do is say no. It'll be fine." He gave me a slight shake. I turned away with frown. "Easy for you to say, you've already got your girl." I grumbled "Pardon?" "Nothing." I sighed, turning to leave the trio to whatever they were bickering about prior. I trudged back down the stairs to see that Owlowiscious was still awake, and decided to indulge his need for gossip. I only had to wait a day for Leo to swing by and drop off the flight plan. With that, I began scouting out places to watch the flight from. Eventually, I found my spot. Now I just needed to convince Fluttershy to go there. I stepped back into the cottage. <> "Yes, just getting everyone's lunch ready!" She answered from the kitchen. I made my way through the cottage. <> "I guess so." Fluttershy said as I entered the kitchen. "Could you help me feed everyone?" <> I hopped forward so that she could place a few trays on my back. <> "The dragon one?" Fluttershy asked with a tremble in her voice. <> Fluttershy led me out into the main room to start feeding the critters there. <> "I think I know what you want to say." Fluttershy nodded as see floated up to one of her bird feeders. "And I think that you're right." <> I released a slight breath that I had been holding. I began carefully unloading the trays by the mouse holes. "Hmhmm." Fluttershy nodded. "I'll start packing as soon as we finish this." <> "We'll want to be gone a couple of days before and be back a couple after they leave, so we'll need to pack for about two weeks." Fluttershy flitted across the ceiling to another bird feeder. "Only way to be safe." <> I paused, turning to the yellow mare. <> "Anywhere but here." She looked me in the eyes. "Dragons are scary." She whimpered with a shudder as she returned to loading the feeders. I finished giving the mice their food. <> "Then you can look after the animals while I'm away!" <<... with you.>> I finished. I looked up at Fluttershy, noticing her stillness. <> I took a chance and pressed on. <> I could see Fluttershy begin trembling. I knew that this was a mistake. I should've just- "If we're that far a-away, how will w-we see them?" Fluttershy asked. I blinked. <> "I-I do." Fluttershy interrupted. "If you can show me the spot ahead of time, and only if it's just us and Angel." <> I prevented my frown from showing. <>