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I remember being really confused. What I saw shouldn't be possible, yet there she was, standing there with her back to me. She was bigger than I imagined she would be. I could see her cute pink mane hanging down around her head, perfectly matching her pink tail.
I had seen Fluttershy before, of course. I loved the show. I was enchanted by the innocence of it, and amused by the humor in the writing. Like any brony, I had my favorite pony. I did not, however, expect to see her standing on a sidewalk, half a block from campus.
My mind reeled. I had to approach her. I racked my brain trying to find something to say to her. She looked like she was in shock, a stranger in a strange land. I had to protect her. What could I say that wouldn't scare her away? I had to get her to trust me.
Finally, something came to mind. I had been trained to sing in a choir, but I was dreadfully out of practice. I couldn't even hold a note in the shower. I believe bathroom tiles had jumped off the wall, committing suicide to get away from my voice. Yet, I called on all the training I could remember, and I sang to her.
Hush now, quiet now~
Her ears perked up and she looked at me. The expression on her face was completely blank. I couldn't continue the song. Her lullaby? It was just wrong. I felt as if I had just wiped my feet on someone's tombstone. I called myself an idiot and thought about it some more.
You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
"Um... Excuse me... That song, it's lovely. What is it?"
"It's called 'Fireflies'," I answered slowly, in the friendliest voice I could muster, "It's by a... well I guess you could call it a band, named 'Owl City'. My name is Robert, what's yours?"
Her voice became a whisper too quiet to understand. "Um... I'm (whisper)"
I knew exactly what she said, but something in me decided to play the scene, "Sorry, what was that?"
"Uh... My name is (whisper)"
"Fluttershy, was it? You look like you could use a place to stay"
She looked around, as if seeing the city she was in for the first time. Her eyes widened, and I could see that she was on the edge of freaking out. My heart went out to her, I had to do something to calm her. So I grabbed her and gave her as big a hug as I could, pressing myself against her side.
Fluttershy froze. I saw it in her face, she was absolutely mortified. I held tight, so she couldn't run away. I closed my eyes, and thought of my mother's embrace. It always made me feel so safe. On cold days she would wrap me up in a blanket and place a mug of hot coca in my hands. The warmth of the mug would seep into my hands and penetrate my bones, warming me from inside out.
I felt her relax, the tension in her muscles evaporated as I held on. As she sat down, I felt her back drop underneath my left arm. Then I felt something soft wipe the tears away from my eyes. I opened my eyes to see Fluttershy with a smile on her face. She was using her tail to wipe my face. I didn't even know I was crying.
"I-I'm sorry," the words stumbled out of my mouth.
I let go and turned away. I knelt down, sitting on my heels. I thought about what had just happened, and tried to make sense of it. Before I could get anywhere, I felt a hoof rest on my back. I turned slowly to look at her. She looked unsure of herself, but spoke anyway.
"Um... Mister Robert? ... I don't really know where I am, and well... you are the only friend I have here, and you ... you did offer ... "
"... a place to stay," I said, cutting her off, "Don't worry, I'll make sure you're safe, that is ... if you want."
I couldn't help smiling, but she seemed to take offense. No, it wasn't that, she was disturbed. How could I know her mannerisms so well? How is it that I seemed so familiar with her when we had only just met?
"I'm sorry," I said again, "J-just ... "
I stopped, suddenly acutely aware of the people who were looking at me, at *us*. I hadn't thought of it before, but the sudden appearance of a cartoon character on a busy street would not go unnoticed. I froze as a deep pit in my stomach formed and started spitting out butterflies. I desperately clawed at a way to extract the two of us from this situation. I looked around at the forming crowd, my own panic grew. I looked and saw a pack of schoolchildren being herded in our direction, I knew that was going to mean trouble.
I know it's cliche, but I said it, out loud for everyone to hear: "This can't get any worse."
She did not belong in this world, and for every person who knew of her existence the danger to her grew. Not just physically, either. She was a sensitive enough pony, and this was not the nicest city in the world. Even the rare cynical side of me that had said "This city is unique in having it's dark underbelly exposed" was quickly packed up and pushed aside.
Luckily for me, life is not governed by the same laws of comedy cartoons are. I turned and realized that we were standing just outside a clothing store. I had always intended to look through this store to see if they had anything different, but never did. Today's just as good a day as any, I thought.
"Fluttershy, do you trust me?" I whispered into her ear, "I have a plan but, you'll have to pretend you're someone else for just a little bit."
She gulped, and for a second I could see the doubt in her eyes, but she nodded. I smiled and turned to the gathering crowd.
"Sorry, folks," I said, "But, that's all for today. My friend, here... and I are tired and we need to quit now... Ummm... but before I ... -WE- go, why don't you check out Free Radicals here?"
By the end of my speech I felt like I was sweating bullets. I know I looked flushed, but with the heat rising in my face I believed I was glowing a bright crimson. I doubt my lie could've been any more obvious. Yet, somehow, the crowd seemed to buy it.
"Follow me into the store," I whispered, before leading Fluttershy into the refurbished garage.
To my disappointment they did not have any trench-coats, or any other single article of clothing capable of covering an entire pony standing three feet at the shoulder. So I improvised, buying as long a skirt I could find and a large hoodie. I quickly covered Fluttershy in the clothing and stood her up on her hind legs.
"I know this's going to be hard for you but we only have to make it to the bus," I said, "I've got you, and I won't let you fall."
"W-Why?" She squeaked.
"This world doesn't have bright colored ponies like you, and," I hesitated afraid to finish my thought.
"And?"
Arrow to the heart, I could not refuse to answer her question. I had set her up to ask, but I never expected her to. I really did not wish to scare her, especially with the trust she was placing on me. Yet, that same trust forced me to answer.
"And ... I don't want you to get hurt," I explained, "People can be weird here, especially in this town."
To my surprise, she tightened her grip on my shoulder. What I had said had scared her, but it did not seem to shake what little trust I had earned. So we continued, clumsily making our way down the street towards the nearest bus stop.
This was not how I had planned to send my time after class. My Thursday evening was going to be playing video games, or making pony memes. Tomorrow would be the perfect day to come home after work and do homework.
"Go ahead and sit on the bench," I said, carefully letting her down on all fours, "The bus should be here, soon."
I looked down the street, as any regular bus traveler would. When I turned back she was lying on the bench, looking just about as natural as could be. I had to give her a second look to make sure she hadn't, somehow turned human. However it was that the skirt covered her, it made her look like a normal woman, just curled up on the bench.
She yelped, instantly drawing me to her.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to worry you."
"Your being here worries me," I said, regretting it the moment it came out, "Sorry... I mean, please tell me."
"My legs hurt"
"Your back legs aren't designed to support you like that, I know. Don't worry, we only have to do that two more times."
"Two more?" Her eyes grew wide.
"It will be much shorter, I promise. Just getting on and off the bus. My neighborhood is relatively quiet, and you should be able to walk normally when we get there."
"Um... okay," she said, hesitantly, "Uh, what's a 'bus'?"
Something in my mind clicked. I began remembering the world she came from. Equestria did not have the same technology. Some said it seemed medieval, however I thought it was just a little more than that. Where certain devices and pieces of technology would develop, others would seem to be held back, as they would not be as important to a race of intelligent equines.
"Uh, Mister Robert?"
I snapped out of my musings and, looked around.
"That," I said pointing at the large vehicle lumbering down the street.
I sat next to her and we both watch the bus pull up to the stop. She seemed to be shivering at the metal monstrosity that just stopped and opened it's doors. I placed my hand on her back and looked straight into her eyes. Her fear faded, and I helped her onto her back hooves and onto the bus.
During the trip home, we traveled without a word, her laying across a couple of seats, and I standing nearby. I thought about what had happened. I was absolutely amazed that it had all worked out. I convinced a crowd of people that we were street performers... I think. I never intended to keep this pony to myself. I just wanted to make sure she was out of harm's way, and I had a bad habit of always playing the hero.
It wasn’t until we neared our destination that I finally asked, "How're your legs?
She jumped, surprised to suddenly hear my voice. I can only imagine that she was lost in her own thoughts. Was she worrying about her current situation? Or maybe it was the kind stranger watching over her that she was unsure of.
"Oh!... Um, my legs still hurt... but they are feeling better."
I could barely hear her soft voice over the roar of the bus engine. I nodded my acknowledgment and pulled the cord. The familiar 'Stop requested' voice sounded over the PA speakers.
As we disembarked from the vehicle, Fluttershy seemed much more comfortable walking on her hind legs. As I held her up I wondered why. She could just be getting used to me. No, I thought, she's just a smart pony, and I have to believe that.
After the bus pulled away I eased her down, back onto all four hooves again. Even though we were on the sidewalk just outside a Burger King, I was not worried. People rarely payed attention to those walking just outside. Still, I pointed in the direction of the alley I would always cut through to get home.
She seemed grateful for the chance to walk on four legs again. She followed as I led her through the alley and across the next street into the neighborhood. Once the other side of the street we turned left, away from the main street that passed nearby. At the corner we turned right, and were completely alone.
I always loved how quiet the neighborhood was, but now I was very thankful.
"It's okay now, you don't have to wear that anymore." I said, "In fact, if you want you could fly the rest of the way, but I don't recommend going too high."
"No, that's okay," she said, "I- I think I'll keep this on for a little longer... It's cold."
I hadn't thought of it, but she was right. The middle of November was not the best time for a lone pony to spontaneously appear. This city was seeing it's first good cold spell in a long time. Perhaps, I thought, we might get a white Christmas. It would be the first one without... Grandma.
I stopped, my heart sinking as it always did when I remembered Grandma. We always had the best of times. Even if it wasn't easy those last couple of years, I still missed her.
"Mister Robert?" Fluttershy asked, "Are you okay?"
"I'm sorry, Flutter... I just," I couldn't get anything to come out right, "I ... I, I'll be fine, just give me a minute..."
I reached up and grabbed my shades off the top of my head and put them over my eyes.
"Um... if you don't mind my asking, what are those for?"
"Sunglasses?"
"No... I mean, yes I know what they are... but why?"
I forced a smile, "To hide my eyes."
It wasn't a complete lie, I rationalized. She, however, still looked worried. I looked away, and glanced across the neighborhood. Between the fading twilight of the evening, and my shades, it took a little bit for my eyes to adjust. I pointed myself towards our destination and put one foot in front of the other.
"C'mon... let's keep going, it's not far now."
"Um... Mister Robert?"
"Please, just call me Robert."
"Okay... Uhm ... Robert? How do you know me?"
"That's... complicated. I think it would be easier if I showed you, which I can do once we get home."
I know that was far from the answer she wanted to hear. Without looking at her I could feel her insecurity grow, but there was nothing I could do about it. It was going to get far, far worse before things could get better for her.