//------------------------------// // The Book of Fluff // Story: The Fluff of Legends // by TheLegendaryBillCipher //------------------------------// Fluttershy trotted through the meadow towards her goal, a little extra pep in her step. She was beaming, even though she carried a picnic basket in her mouth. It wasn’t everyday she and Twilight got time off from their respective duties, much less for such a nice, peaceful date. Sure, Twilight’s library was a very peaceful place to lounge around for hours, reading and cuddling, but there was something special about the outdoors. At least to Fluttershy, which was why Twilight had chosen such a remote field outside of Ponyville. When they finally arrived at their destination—a lone tree at the crest of a small hill—Fluttershy set the picnic basket down. Before she could open it, a purple aura opened it for her, levitating out their picnic blanket and spreading it out under the tree’s shade. Fluttershy smiled warmly at Twilight before starting to set up their lunch, consisting of a few sandwiches and some apple juice. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Twilight set down her saddlebags, which contained a familiar, rectangular outline. By the time she was done, she noticed Twilight had not only produced an unmarked book, but a quill and ink pot as well. The Pegasus sighed as Twilight set them up. “Twilight, I thought we were going to have lunch together,” Fluttershy said as she sat down next to her. The alicorn levitated two sandwiches over and plopped one into Fluttershy’s front hooves. “Don’t tell me you brought schoolwork with you.” “Actually, I’m doing some research,” Twilight said, a dull blush on her cheeks as she took a bite of her sandwich. “And you’re the perfect pony to help me.” Fluttershy giggled and flushed brightly when Twilight pecked her on the cheek. “Alright, alright. If it’ll help with your research.” She took a nibble out of her sandwich as Twilight levitated over their boxes of apple juice. “So, what do you need my help with? Flowers? Butterflies? Little honeybees?” “Actually, just you.” Twilight opened the book with her magic and readied her quill. Fluttershy noticed the lined pages were blank before Twilight moved it out of her line of sight. “I’d like to keep the data private for now. I’ll show you at the end, ok?” Fluttershy frowned and tilted her head, but nodded. “Alright,” she said slowly. “So… what do I do?” Twilight hummed. “Just… eat your sandwich for now.” Fluttershy nodded again, taking another bite out of her sandwich. Other than the slight sound of scratching against paper, the meadow was peacefully quiet. Soon, the Pegasus grew comfortable and instinctively scooted against Twilight’s side. The scratching seemed to pick up the pace, but Fluttershy paid it no mind. She extended one wing and draped it over Twilight, like Twilight usually did with her in the library. The warm body next to her was all the more relaxing. She hummed contently as she ate. After a few more minutes, and halfway through her sandwich, Twilight cleared her throat. Fluttershy looked up and noticed her cheeks were red. “Alright,” Twilight said, taking a moment to steady her voice. “Now… uh… act natural.” “Natural?” Fluttershy tilted her head, taking a moment to sip some of her apple juice. “Well, we’re in a meadow, surrounded by wildflowers and nature. I need data on how you’d act here, like your natural environment. That sort of thing.” Twilight grinned nervously. “Very well.” Fluttershy said with a soft smile, rising to her hooves and stretching her wing. She took a moment to peck Twilight on the tip of her snout before surveying the area around her. Spotting a patch of particularly brilliant violet wildflowers, she trotted over and quickly made contact with a green and black butterfly. She watched it dance about in the air before offering it her front hoof. She watched in awe as it landed, beating its wings slowly as it took a moment to rest. She was so enraptured she didn’t see the floating quill busily at work. Ever so carefully, Fluttershy guided her hoof over to one of the flowers, and the butterfly crawled onto it. “There you go, little guy,” she said in a low, soothing voice. “Drink up now.” Fluttershy beamed and turned back to Twilight, who flashed her an encouraging grin and nodded. She stepped carefully around the violet wildflowers only for a honeybee to land on her snout. “Hmm?” Her eyes gazed down her muzzle at it. “Well hello there, little friend. You seem tired.” The bee buzzed and wiggled in response. Fluttershy ever so carefully nodded, then crouched low in the tall grass. Twilight had to stand up on her hooves and then take to the air to keep an eye on her. Fluttershy booped the end of her snout, allowing the little bee to crawl onto it, then guided it down to a patch of wild clover growing low to the ground. The bee flew off with a happy buzz and landed on the nearest flower. She flashed the little bug a happy smile before standing back up. When she looked over to Twilight, she was surprised to see her in the air, watching intently. The second they made eye contact, Twilight instantly landed back on the blanket, taking a bite of her sandwich. Fluttershy giggled and walked back to her, nestling close against her side once more. “Twilight, I don’t mean to pry, but what exactly is this data that you’re collecting?” she asked. “Um, well… it’s actually more of a… writing exercise,” Twilight replied with a gulp. “Also, I wanted to work on my blind hornwriting.” Fluttershy tilted her head. “I see. Is it too early to see the data yet?” she asked. Twilight gently shook her head and floated the book over to Fluttershy. The first few pages were lined with Twilight’s elegant hornwriting, albeit askew in a few places. The Pegasus’s face lit up as her eyes skimmed over the words, and she read them out loud: “’Things I love about Fluttershy. She’s very warm to be against, like a soothing presence at all times. Her feathers are very soft and comfortable, and don’t really tickle at all. When she’s happy and content, she makes the most adorable sounds, akin to a purring cat. Her status as the Element of Kindness is on display on all times, as she displays a friendliness and gentleness with all living creatures she meets…’” Fluttershy glanced up at Twilight, who was looking fully away. However, even her ears were turning red violet as her face burned with shyness. The Pegasus smiled softly at it. “So… what do you think…?” Twilight asked, assuming Fluttershy had read enough already. “Twilight, you know what I think?” Fluttershy asked softly. “Yes, what?” The alicorn turned her head around only to be met with a kiss. The pleasant shock wore off rather quickly as Twilight sank into it. Fluttershy’s face matched her own when they pulled away, and the Pegasus had to avert her eyes before she replied. “That’s what I think.” “I just thought it’d be something… romantic, you know?” Twilight replied. Fluttershy nodded, smiling brightly. “I thought it was very romantic, if a little silly.” She giggled, causing Twilight to look down. “May I see your quill?” The alicorn blinked, but obliged, floating the quill over to Fluttershy so she could take it in her mouth. The Pegasus flipped over a few pages. “What are you going to write?” Twilight asked. “Oh, just some data of my own,” Fluttershy replied scooting the book around next to her so Twilight couldn’t see. The Pegasus winked at her before starting to scribble. Twilight giggled and settled in close. “Just let me know if you need me to ‘act natural,’” she replied, taking a bite of her sandwich. After a moment, she draped her wing over Fluttershy and got comfortable. This research was going to take a while.