//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Community Work // by Bandit Blue //------------------------------// The explanation was cut short by a pale lime stallion bursting into the room, panting and smiling, declaring that "She's in labor" followed by "come on!" as he sprinted back. Fluttershy and Silverstream trotted towards the stallion with large smiles, Angel followed them confused as to what was happening and even if he should, let alone be allowed, to be following them. While still running, he asked Fluttershy what was going on. She explained that the stallion was one of the veterinarians of the sanctuary and his name was Sandbar, she also explained that "Simone" was finally giving birth. Not longer after that they found a mare, the other veterinarian, to whom they referred as "Dr. Fauna", besides a manticore laying on a small bed made of hay in a small barn with nothing in it. "Simone" roared in agony until Fluttershy started speaking to it. Sandbar and Dr. Fauna were apparently working on the delivery, Silverstream stood close as she gazed in awe, Angel in part stood back in fear of causing an accident in such a delicate moment. Two thoughts quickly passed through his head, first that he would never have thought a female could roar like that and second that being a griffon, he was a hybrid just like the creature giving birth in front of him, which caused him a brief existential crisis as Dr. Fauna left her spot for moment, leaving the sight of natural birth clear for Angel to see.  Sandbar held the upper half of the newborn, covered in slime and blood, as it slowly emerged from the creature's extremely spread and bleeding vagina. As Dr. Fauna quickly returned with a towel on her mouth, Fluttershy calmly told the manticore it was going to be ok, it was almost over and that she was so proud of her. "You're gonna be a mommy", she added happily, and after a final loud roar, obfuscating a "thump" noise in the background, the manticore felt a sudden relief and let her entire body relax. Sandbar approached the creature's head from the side, walking on 3 legs as he used one to carry the baby manticore lightly wrapped in a towel.  "Congratulations, Simone, it's a girl." Sandbar whispered as he gently placed her near her mother's snout. Simone had watery eyes and a clear smile, she gave her daughter a little lick, the baby, with eyes yet to open, opened her mouth wide for a very very faint "mew" to come. Silverstream was crying nonchalantly as she approached the mother and daughter. "Ooooh, she's so cute. What are you gonna name her, Simone?" After hearing Silverstream's question, Simone let out a small groan. "Oh, that's a wonderful name, Simone." Said Fluttershy before looking at the newborn. "Welcome to Equestria, Diana." Everyone in the room except Angel were smiling as the manticore shifted her position and curled herself around her daughter. "Dr. Fauna, Sandbar, do you need help with anything?" "I think we're ok, Fluttershy. Quite an exciting morning isn't it?" Dr. Fauna giggled. "You have no idea." Fluttershy giggled back. "Speaking of which, let me introduce you guys to our new helper." Fluttershy looked around the barn for the griffon but she couldn't spot him. "Angelo?" She asked out loud but was answered with silence. Everyone started looking around until Sandbar almost stepped in something fluffy. "Uh... Silverstream?" Everyone looked at Sandbar, who in turn looked downwards. "Would you lend me a hoof? I think our new help might have passed out." Silverstream rushed towards Sandbar only to see the dead looking griffon on the floor with his tongue slightly sticking out of his open beak. "I knew I heard a brick falling." she declared proudly in a loud whisper.  After waking up a few minutes later in a bed, Angel got up and left the room to be surprised by Fluttershy, who was very relieved to see him awake. He explained again that he might have a slight weakness when it comes to blood and apparently live birth to less slight degree. Fluttershy reassured him that it was ok and that she would try to not give him any chores that involved blood. She thought it was very strange that a griffon of all creatures would have such a weakness, but then she berated herself for the thoughts of prejudice, she felt guilty for it was the second time she had misjudged him. Angel wanted to question about the "blood chores" Fluttershy mentioned but flashes of Simone alone made his legs weaker so he thought it was better to let it slide. That morning Fluttershy showed him the entire sanctuary and introduced him to the rest of the sanctuary's staff, starting with Sandbar and Dr. Fauna, since upon their first meeting things were too hectic for formal introductions.  "Dr. Fauna, Sandbar, this is Angelo. He's the extra help I talked to you about before." Said Fluttershy with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Angelo, I'm Sandbar. Sorry about before, I hope you're feeling better." "And I'm Mane Goodall but creatures mostly call me Dr. Fauna." She giggled. "I've gotta say, I never saw a griffon with hemophobia, the possibility never even occurred to me since griffons are usually omnivorous... uh... I don't mean that in a bad way, I think it's nice... sweet even." She giggled again but this time a little nervous, clearly her mouth was operating faster than her brain at that moment." "It's fine, Dr. Fauna. I was raised by a mare so I was never into meat at all, even when she tried to get me to eat fish I'd always make a fuss. She did make me eat a lot of eggs though." He laughed. "By the way, most usually call me Angel so feel free to call me whatever." Fluttershy had a brief mind blown upon hearing that name coming from the white griffon, she stayed silent with a slight surprised expression on her face. "I can see why, dude. I have a super blue griffon friend and you're more white than he's blue. Wait, did you say you were raised by a mare?" Along Sandbar, Dr. Fauna too was very curious about that statement. Fluttershy was completely zoned out. "Yeah, she adopted me and we lived in Saddle Arabia, her hometown. She was the greatest mom a creature could ask for." "That's incredible, I've never heard of such interaction- Fluttershy? Are you okay?" Dr. Fauna caught Fluttershy staring at the floor with watery eyes. She snapped out of her trance and quickly rubbed the tears. "Oh, yes, yes. I'm fine, I was just... thinking about an old friend." She said to Dr. Fauna with a faint smile with a few droplets of tears in her eyes. "Oh... Right. I'm sorry Fluttershy." Dr. Fauna said before closing in on Fluttershy for a hug. Angel looked around in confusion, he saw Sandbar looking down with a frown on face. Angel was unsure if he should say something or even what to say at all. "It's okay, Dr. Fauna, It's been quite a while since I remembered him that I was caught off guard when I did." She lightly pulled away from the hug to give the other mare a smile before looking at Angel. "Angelo... Angel does look a lot like him, albeit not nearly as aggressive." She let out a loud and honest laughter. Dr. Fauna and Sandbar joined Fluttershy in laughter as Angel just stood there confused. "Woah, dude. You've been outmatched by a bunny." Sandbar went back to laughing. "Sandbar!" Said Fluttershy trying to contain her laughter, so much so she couldn't continue her intended berating to Sandbar. Angel in turn was relieved the mood had become more light. "I'm guessing your angry bunny friend had all white fur?" Angel looked at Fluttershy with a light smile. "He did, but it's much more of a coincidence is that you also had the same name." No longer laughing but with a smile on her face, Fluttershy answered the griffon's question. "Oh. You mean Ang- You can call me whatever you want, Miss Fluttershy, I don't want you to feel bad." Fluttershy shook her head. "It's fine, Angel. I was just caught off guard but like being reminded of him, and you reminded me of him a lot. I just hope you're not a troublemaker like he was." She giggled again and Angel smiled in relief. "Common, there's more of the staff I want you to meet before lunch." "Right. I'm right behind you, Boss." "Boss?" Fluttershy giggled. "Miss Fluttershy is kind of a mouthful, I hope you don't mind." "It's okay, you can just call me Fluttershy if you want." "Or Missus Discord." Sandbar said before holding in laughter. "Sandbar! Me and Discord are not married!" "Yet." Added Dr. Fauna, now struggling with laughter just like her colleague. Fluttershy blushed deeply and stormed out of the room. Angel followed her in confusion. "Discord? No way it's the same one. Right?" Angel thought to himself.