The San Fransiscolt Pier carries with it a strange sort of air. When the stores have closed and the boats have docked, and when the moon peeks out from the horizon, it’s like a different world has awoken. Clouds move through the air like wraiths, in their strange, ethereal sort of way.
The waves crash against the shore, relentless and unyielding as they attack and retreat, again and again, carving the beach in curves and turns. The stars stand on watch far above, their lights flickering and wavering miles and miles away.
The air and space is different. And even if Fluttershy can’t explain it, she knows it to be true. She feels the way the sand breaks softly against her hooves, and she feels a chill as the ocean laps against her legs.
Fluttershy hums to herself as she continues her stroll, not minding as the wet sand clings tightly to her legs. Her eyes have since adjusted to the darkness, allowing her to make out the subtle shifting of the sand and the aquamarine tint of the ocean water.
About halfway down the shore she pauses, turning to glance out over the ocean. The crystalline midnight wind rushes up to greet her, which puts a smile on her face. Far out in the distance she can see the shapes of boats, passing her by in the night.
The horizon stretched off into the distance for miles and miles. It made her calm by bringing with a sense of stability and reassurance. Fluttershy turned and trotted up the beach a little, before finding a nice spot in the middle of the beach.
Slowly, she lowered herself until she was sitting down, feeling the cool, coarse sand against her stomach as she eased herself into a resting position.
Fluttershy let out a yawn as she listened to the soothing sound of waves lapping against the shore. Her eyes began to feel heavy, and she knew that if she stayed for too long she’d risk falling asleep.
She decides to take the risk and stay there for a little bit longer. She listens to the mesmerizing noise of the water, accentuated by the wind. And she feels calm. She feels inspired.
After a few minutes, Fluttershy opens her eyes and stands up. She rinses some of the sand off in the ocean, before she spreads her wings and flies off into the night.
The waves bid her farewell. They’ll still be there in the morning.