Fluttershy's entire bedroom is eerily dark and still as the shutters are locked shut with her door firmly closed. There is nothing but unadulterated silence, like an abandoned playground save for the intermittent groans of the wooden floors and scratching of mice behind the walls. Other than that, it is pure bliss. I sleep soundly underneath the comforters, relishing the peace this place usually rejects.
Much as I wanted to stay in bed and enjoy this tranquility just a tad longer, today beckons me to rise from my slumber for it tells me that my daughter and I shall go shopping together. Thoughts of bonding with my dear Shy enliven me that I snap my eyes open and kick the sheets off of me. I quickly rise up with sudden energy I never knew I had, which must mean that the medicine has done its job that I don't feel drowsy one bit; I feel so vivid and alive that I could take on the entire world. And to be honest, this feeling is bucking awesome.
...
Wait.
Did I seriously just use 'bucking' as an Equestrian term for...
Bah, who flippin' cares. I'm pumped like an excited toddler waking up on Christmas morning. I spring out of bed in my valentine-hearts boxer shorts and immediately head straight for the shutters first. I draw them open to see the sun climbing over a jagged teeth of snow-capped mountains as the sky alters from purplish to a tinge of bluish hue. My nose catches the wafting smell of crisp morning air as I look beyond:
Celestia's fiery star ascends further, its incandescent light touching everything in its wake; the dew scattered across the grassy plains glitter like bits of polished diamonds; creatures of the night retreat to the safety of their dens; pegasi soar through the sky and buck every cloud away with their magically-gifted purpose to do so.
I take a deep breath, appreciating the scenery staged before me. This backwater town sure knows how to make a perfect Sunday. I close the shutters and begin to prepare my own morning ritual.
I face the bed and kneel to pull the suitcase from underneath. I click it open and pull out a pair of blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a pair of unmatched white socks. The reason they're unmatched... Well... Remember back when I was packing for the trip to Equestria? I guess I wasn't paying the slightest attention when it came to packing the socks. One sock here has a red trim at the toe and heel area, while the other has blue trim only at the toe area. Then again, it hardly matters. I mean, nobody's going to know what socks you're wearing while wearing shoes.
I sling the t-shirt and jeans over my shoulder as I walk for the bathroom at a slow pace. I have noticed that my dear Shy was nowhere to be found earlier and I hunched that she's already gone through her own morning ritual before I did. Given that she's planned on going shopping in the morning, I surmise that she's feeding the animals beforeha- beforehoof. I've been here for a month, alright? I'm still not quite customed to using Equestrian language or literature, despite what has been said not too long ago.
I approach the bathroom door and stop to notice that it is cracked open. Normally the rules are that whenever the door's open, nobody should be occupying, especially when there's multiple people in the house (counting Angel, I suppose). Sounds of rushing water can be heard from inside, evidently hot by the steam flowing through the crack.
I rap on the door with my index finger's knuckle, yelling softly, "Fluttershy, you in there?" No response. I knock harder to see if that got her attention. Still nothing. "Fluttershy?" I call her name in a louder volume. Then there comes the reply, but coming from downstairs.
"Yes, Father?" Fluttershy answers.
"Were you in the bathroom recently?" I quiz.
"About forty minutes ago. Why?"
"I ask because the bathroom door is cracked open and the water's running, and I just woke up."
"Oh. I'm terribly sorry, Father, I don't know how or why but could you turn it off for me, please?"
"Sure thing!"
Without any hesitance, I push the door wide open. The entire lavatory is shrouded in hot mist. I examine the area, and, to my bewilderment, I can hear somebody humming. In my mind I ask myself who other than Fluttershy and I live in this household? As if I had to ask. It had to be Discord, definitely. Though the most peculiar thing is: the hummer sounds pretty feminine. And we all are incredibly aware that Discord is far from feminine.
Here I become more confused than before. If it isn't Discord, then who the hell is in the shower? An intruder, perhaps? No. Come on, Rick, don't be stupid. What kind of person breaks into a house not their own and takes a shower? I mean, it's farfetched but not entirely implausible. Would you believe me if I said that one of my co-workers back on Earth had their house broken into by window and that nothing was missing, later to find out there was a turd in the toilet? Like, wow. I don't know about you, but whoever the mysterious shitter was had to have been pretty desperate. Maybe they had Taco Bell?
Anyway. I am holding on to the very possibility that this could be one of Discord's dastardly pranks. But I'm still not that too certain on the matter.
To get to the bottom of this, I carefully lay the pants and shirt on the corner of the sink's counter and crouch low. I creep towards the tub so as to not alarm the interloper. The female in the shower continues humming, unaware of my presence it seems. My heartbeat pounds faster by each step. I can see the silhouette of the distinctive figure through the shower's curtain.
Okay, so there's the slender legs. The arms... Long hair... A-and... Boobs?!
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Did you just say boobs? my brain says incredulously.
Of all the timing...
'Now's not the damn time, brain.' I grumble
Dude, you and I both know that what you just described is a human woman. A naked. Human. Woman.
'Which is impossible because-
Deny all you want, but these eyes of ours don't lie: there's a hot naked chick taking a shower in our house! my brain declares.
'No. Shut up,' I order. 'You're wrong- Oh so very wrong on so many levels of wrong.'
Come ooooon, my brain whines with a drawl. Don't you want a peek? You know you want to.
Bewitched, I give a cursory glance at the lady's... frame. I know you're all judging. I still am a man, after all; it's mine and my fellow brethren's nature. My eyes intently scan from top to bottom meticulously. 'Well... She sure does have...' Just when I thought I've lost control, Master Willpower swoops in and slaps me out of my devious ruse. I shake my head and take a backward step. What am I doing?! What would my daughter think of me if she saw me doing this?!
She's not going to know. Now come on, pull the curtain, my brain presses.
Curse me and my other half's primitive urges...
'Here's a better idea: I can just walk out and pretend this never happened.
No. Screw you. I'm gonna pull the curtain.
'What- No!
My other half manages to take brief control of my right hand and yanks the drape away in one swift motion. I've watched many cartoon shows my entire life and I've seen the shenanigans they do. Have my dumber half known better, this is one of them. The interloper in the shower, much to my chagrin, is Discord. Though I'm extremely relieved- Relieved that if it weren't for this show's G rating, I would have been probably traumatized beyond repair.
The draconequus, unfazed, stares back flatly, "A bit of privacy? Honestly, people these days."
I seethe at the deity of mischief. "Discord," I begin with an angry frown, "I swear I'm going to-"
"Going to what?" Discord scoffs. A bath brush appears in a flash by a snap of his talon. He grabs the cleaning tool with his scaly tail and scrubs his back with it. "If I understand this correctly, you saw this coming yet you decided to walk into it. Technically, I haven't done anything wrong."
I raise an index finger, ready to retort, yet remain silent after processing his words. Well, shit. He is technically right, and I despise that matter of fact. My index finger goes limp in defeat. "Son of a..." I mutter under a breath.
The smug bastard shoots me a wise-ass smirk, meanwhile lathering the brush with a bar of soap. He then shoves the brush in his mouth and brushes his teeth with it.
My cheeks bulge as my stomach churns. "Ooookaay. I'm out." I say, making posthaste for the exit but not before grabbing my shirt and pants. Slamming it behind me, I shake my head in shame.
That certainly was a killjoy, my brain comments. I glare at the nothingness ahead. What?
I pinch the bridge of my nose, huffing out an exasperated sigh. "Whatever. At least there's still-" I get cut off by a hard knock from the front door downstairs. "What the..." I murmur, bemused. Not wanting to delay, I speedily descend down the stairs in a careful fashion. The visitor knocks a little harder. "Coming," I holler softly. I'm fairly curious on who else would be up at this early time of the day.
I slip on the t-shirt before grabbing the door handle. Would want to look decent, don't we? Without further procrastination, I open the wooden door. My face brightens as the knocker happens to be Ditzy Doo. And look, she even brought her lookalike daughter, Dinky, who's saddled on her back. She appears to be still asleep.
"Well this is quite the pleasant surprise," I say cheerfully. "I didn't expect my daughter to have visitors here at such an early time."
Ditzy graces me with a giggle. She lightly shakes her head. "No, silly. Yesterday I actually had to go around and ask a few ponies where to find you since you never told me where you lived."
I hiss through gritted teeth as I look at her with a twinge of sheepish guilt. "Oh, dang. Terribly sorry about that," I apologize, itching the back of my head sheepishly. Ditzy waves her hoof dismissively.
"It's no big deal," Ditzy assures. "I've ran across here several times before and I never saw you around, though!"
"Probably either I've been gone or end up oversleeping," I explain. "And of course I was sick after the buffet." Ditzy frowns sadly.
"Ah, yes. I remember," Ditzy says. "You must have been dying out of embarrassment."
I fold my arms with a snort. "Believe me, I felt like I did," I say. "But let's get to the point: what was it you wanted me for?"
Ditzy's demeanor perks up a little. "I'm glad you asked, actually," Ditzy says. "You see, my foalsitter I had hired moved away to another town the day before yesterday. That's why I flew around town asking if anypony would be kind enough to foalsit Dinky while I'm at work. But nopony wanted to spare their time with her, and I didn't want to impose Pinkie Pie since she's already foalsitting her niece and nephew, so I asked them where to find you. Luckily I bumped into Rainbow Dash..."
I wonder by that phrase if she literally bumped into that Halloween donkey. Ooh, Halloween donkey, that's brilliant. This should get a good laugh out of Discord. Rick, you bloody genius, you.
Where was I? Oh, right. I got distracted that I forgot Ditzy is still prattling on. I hope she didn't catch me zoning out.
"-And that's how I found you here," Ditzy finishes.
"I see. Yes, fascinating," I quickly reply. The bubbly mare beams a smile. "So you searched for me because nobody else would watch Dinky while you work?" I surmise. Ditzy's face brightens.
"Exactly!" Ditzy proclaims happily with a flap of her wings. Dinky's eyes startle wide open from the mare's abrupt movement. It doesn't take long for her to fall back asleep however. "I would be really, really grateful! I'll even pay you in advance." The mere mention of pay snags my attention.
"Pay in advance you say?" I query with stark interest. I thoughtfully pause to consider her offer. On one hand, I can earn money. On the other hand, I can charge nothing and make an impression... So come on, Rick. What do you value more? Greed? Or kindness? I then sigh, going for the obvious choice. "You know what? Your money won't be necessary; I can watch the little tike for no charge."
At this, Ditzy looks at me like I'm a tad loony. "A-are you serious?" Ditzy stutters. I've managed to detect a hint of disbelief in her tone. "You're sure you don't want compensation for the trouble?" I gesture a hand as a way of saying no.
"Like you said, it's no big deal," I reassure. While part of me does regret upon making this decision, an intense sentiment of pride overcomes me, and I express this feeling through a friendly smile. With Ditzy's approval, I reach for Dinky and scoop her up in my arms and begin cradling her as I smile down at her fondly. She promptly sinks deeper into my arms, yawning in contentment.
"Hmm... Daddy feels nice and warm," Dinky hums as she nuzzles my chest.
Somebody better call an ambulance, for I believe I'm having a heart attack.
"You'll take good care of Dinky, won't you?" Ditzy asks, anxiety masked in her voice. I give the worried mother a confident smile
"Relax. There's nothing to worry about," I reply. "I've raised a filly of my own for fourteen years. You can be certain that I'm more than qualified for the task. And I won't just take good care of her- I'll take great care!" I proudly add. My pacifying words quell the mare's anxiety as the motherly concern in her eyes fade away.
"That's comforting to hear," Ditzy sighs, alleviated. "But are you sure you don't want to be paid?"
"I'm very sure," I reply sincerely with a firm nod. I look down at the snoozing filly in my arms, my lips forming into a fatherly smile. The sight of it has me reminisce the times when Fluttershy was little and how I'd hold her until she would fall asleep.
Oh where had time gone? I could still remember that pegasus' bright smile... A smile so bright to make the sun jealous, even. It's that kind of smile that brought joy and happiness to my dark and malevolent world. Such a precious memory. How could I have forgotten it for so long? Such is the incessant curse of time. Time moves forward without rest, leaving old histories behind to create new ones. Yet our brain, like a chisel, can carve these stones of histories into monumental memories. The flaw to this, however, is how forgetful we can be. Some memories are retain-able, while some end up completely forgotten.
I got so absorbed in my reminisce that I didn't pay attention what was going on around me. Snapping back to reality, I look ahead and see that the mare is gone. I figure she must have taken off to do... whatever she does for a living. Something to do with delivery? I shrug and once more stare down at Dinky cuddled in my arms as I carefully and quietly shut the front door with a heel of a foot. I look ahead as Fluttershy trots in from the kitchen.
"Who was at the door, Father?" my daughter asks. She's wearing what is a pink, pony-sized bathrobe, its fuzzy collar and cuffs shaded in darker pink. This doesn't go without saying: this accentuated her to a higher degree of adorableness.
"Ditzy Doo," I answer simply.
"Ditzy Doo? What possessed her to come here at..." Fluttershy pauses in a squeaky yawn. "Daybreak?"
"She needed someone to foalsit Dinky, since her foalsitter moved away." I shift my arms a little to better the filly's comfort. "Said she'd been looking for me yesterday."
"Really?" Fluttershy says, somewhat surprised. She trots up to me and sits on her haunches. "Hasn't she found somepony else to do it?"
"That's what I thought, too, but apparently she went around town and it seems nobody had the balls to do the job (no offense to the ladies/mares). I guess I was her 'last resort'. She also said she'd pay me for the trouble."
"And what did you say?"
I shrug. "I said I'd foalsit for no charge. Figured I'd return the favor." The corners of Fluttershy's lips curl up into a proud smile.
"That's so kind of you, Father," Fluttershy praises.
"It's nothing, really" I say with a sheepish grin. "Seeing Dinky in my arms like this has made me thought of you, and I simply couldn't say no because of that."
Fluttershy closes in, giving my leg a tight hug.
"That's so very thoughtful of you, Father," Fluttershy coos as she brushes her head against me.
I lower a free hand on her mane and rub her scalp. The silkiness of her hair tickles against my leg's skin. I suppress a chuckle. Having to hold a filly bigger than your average two year-old child with just one arm and petting your loving daughter with the other is not as easy as it sounds but I manage it as this is heartwarming. Fluttershy's tail swishes to and fro as she closes her eyes. She hums blissfully while I run my fingers through her mane down to one of her ears. I gently scratch along the outer part with the nail of my thumb. This elicits a louder hum from her.
I continue to gently scritch-scratch Fluttershy's ear and watch as one of her hind legs kick the air reactively. Fluttershy proceeds to rub her face against my hand similar to how a cat would, and I happily rub her cheeks in kind. I can practically hear my daughter's adorable purrs as the contented smile on her muzzle curls up more. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the peach-fuzziness that is her fur feels like absolute heaven. And I do mean to use the word absolute.
Since the weight from holding this filly is causing my arm's muscles to grow sore, I have to reluctantly pull my hand away. My daughter gives out a little whimper.
"Sorry my dear Shy. Arm's getting a little tired."
Fluttershy then beams at me with an understanding nod. "It's okay. I love you, Father," Fluttershy croons, giving my leg one last hug.
"And I love you, too," I say, wishing I could return the hug. The two of us smile at one another in a small amount of silence.
"I'll be up in my room to get ready," Fluttershy says, making her egress up the stairs. She suddenly stops midway. "Oh. Did you happen to find out about the running water in the bathroom?"
"Err..." I nervously utter. A small drop of cold sweat rolls down my left temple. "I did, but..."
My daughter reads right through me.
"Discord?" Fluttershy asks flatly.
"Discord," I answer flatly.