Chapter Two
Of Dreams and Desires
Fluttershy awoke with a start, yanked back into reality by her own subconscious’ startling images. She glanced at her surroundings, happy to find she was safe in the comfort of her home once more. She sat in silence for a moment as her dream still lingered in her thoughts. Though she had already forgotten the finer details, she could still see the bright sails and balloon flag of that mysterious ship.
With the scenes still fresh in her mind she began rummaging through her dresser. It had been years since she had even looked at the party horn. She had kept it hidden away from the world, afraid of the consequences that might befall herself and Twilight Sparkle. With the toss of a few bodices she revealed a small lockbox tucked away from the eyes of the world. She took a moment to inspect it, noticing how much smaller it seemed after so many years.
As she was about to activate the release, she hesitated. After so long of keeping this secret sealed away, what had possessed her to rekindle these old flames? Still, the ominous allure of the box and the forbidden contents inside was too much to ignore. With a firm pressure from both hooves the release clicked loudly and the lid sprung open, spewing a cloud of dust into the air.
Fluttershy kept her eyes fixated on the space within the box, her anticipation and anxiety growing every second as the dust settled. Her eyes opened wide at the first shiny glint of the streamers. She could feel her heart begin to race as she stared at the taboo object in her hooves. With gentle motions she rested the lockbox on the top of the dresser and dipped a hoof into the opening, grasping the party horn lightly. Waves of excitement and fear crashed over her as she gazed at it once again. It was exactly as she had remembered it, a near-perfect replica of the one she had dreamed of.
She pulled the string tight, judging its size as she looked into her mirror. More mixed sensations coursed through her as she pulled it over her head and down to the neckline of her pajamas. She brushed her mane away and examined herself. It fit perfectly around her neck with the party horn dangling lightly, glimmering brightly in her dim room. She continued to stare at it through the mirror, mesmerized by its bright and playful colors.
Driven by impulse she raised the horn to eye level. What could possibly be so bad about it? Something that could bring such joy with nothing but a glance couldn’t really be as bad as she had been told, could it?
She needed to find out for herself. With slow and cautious movements she raised the tube to her muzzle, suspending it in front of her open jaw. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach as she slowly wrapped her lips around the tasteless plastic, inhaling deeply through her nostrils and holding perfectly still. Just one more moment, and—
“Fluttershy, sweetie, are you awake?”
Fluttershy dropped the party horn from her mouth, wheezing the air out of her lungs as she did so. She hadn’t even thought to check the time; of course someone would come looking for her if she had slept in too late.
“No!” She yelped, “I-I mean, yes, but don’t come in yet, please.”
“What?” The voice called from the other side of her door, “What do you mean, dear? Are you okay in there?” The handle on the door began to twist and jiggle. Fluttershy thanked her lucky stars that no one had fixed her rusty old door yet. She frantically tugged to get the string through her mane and back over her head. She tucked the party horn away in the front pocket of her pajamas and rushed to her window, pulling the curtains back and pushing the panes open. It was a gorgeous day outside, likely the reason her mother was coming to check on her.
With a few more twists and a firm push the door popped open. An older mare with long, elegant gray hair composed herself after exerting such force. She looked to the window where Fluttershy sat, admiring the view of her beloved town.
“Oh, hello there mother,” she called from across the room, “sorry to worry you, I just simply couldn’t pull myself away from this beautiful scene.” Fluttershy lamented the idea of secrecy and lying to her own mother, but she feared the alternative much more.
“Ah, well, it’s good to see you’re enjoying yourself at least,” her mother replied, “I was afraid you were still asleep and wasting the day away.” As she spoke two slightly smaller mare twins entered the room. One was a pale rose color with a cerulean mane, the other an exact opposite with a rose mane and a cerulean coat. Each held a bag in her mouth with small ribbons tying them shut. The mother took the bags and held them gleefully. “I’ve brought you a gift,” she said with a giggle.
“Oh goodness, for me?” Fluttershy asked as she turned from her window. “Why thank you!” She accepted the bags and placed them on the floor, yanking the ribbons open with her mouth. Inside the first was a small golden-yellow hat with a pink lace tracing the rim. The second bag had a luxurious sky-blue dress of an odd design Fluttershy hadn’t seen before. “They’re beautiful, thank you so much! But, um, why am I getting gifts?”
“Why, to celebrate the promotion of your favorite captain, of course!”
Fluttershy let out a quiet squeal of excitement. “Rarity’s getting a promotion?! That’s just wonderful!”
“Go on, try them on!” Her mother urged, “Aloe, Lotus, give her a hoof, please?”
The twin mares walked Fluttershy to her mirror and sat her down. Fluttershy tensed as they began to remove her pajamas, remembering the party horn stashed only a few inches from where they had placed their hooves. Luckily neither pony noticed as they carefully pulled the pajamas over Fluttershy’s head and laid them on the dresser. The hat went on first, and Fluttershy loved it instantly. It wasn’t too large and didn’t stand out at all; it only accentuated the colors of her coat and her mane in a subtle way that Fluttershy appreciated.
“Oh, honey, it looks absolutely perfect on you,” her mother commented. “You simply must try the dress now!”
Fluttershy nodded, leaving the odd-looking dress to Aloe and Lotus. They tiptoed around her in a sort of dance as they tied laces, pulled strings and straightened wrinkles. It all went well until she felt pressure bearing down on her wings. Her reflexes took hold and she tried to flare them out, only to find the restraints held them tight.
“Um, excuse me, but I can’t move my wings,” she said in a hushed voice to the twins, “could you loosen those knots, please? I mean, if you want to, that is.”
“Nonsense!” Lotus replied.
“That’s no way for a lady to compose herself, is it?” Aloe added.
“I-I’m sorry,” Fluttershy said, her ears lowered in shame, “I guess I just don’t understand.”
“It’s the latest fashion statement in Manechester, sweetie,” her mother reassured her, “It’s very unladylike to flaunt one’s horn or wings.”
“I…I guess that makes sense…” It felt very unnatural for her to not have control over her wings, but she rarely used them anyway.
A young mare entered and cleared her throat. “Excuse me, Governor Mayor Mare, but you have a visitor.”
“Splendid,” she replied, “Aloe, Lotus, do take care of her, won’t you?”
“But of course.”
“Don’t worry yourself, Governor Mare, she will look positively stunning.”
“Thank you girls.” The governor turned and followed the young mare down the stairs.
Waiting in the foyer of the large mansion stood Twilight Sparkle. Now a grown mare and the local blacksmith, she delighted in nothing more than spending all of her spare time reading, though she was still very accomplished in her workings of metal. She had come to deliver a special order placed by none other than the governor herself, and it was a piece she was sure would be more than satisfactory.
Just as she was about to let curiosity get the better of her, her wait was ended as the mare from before descended the stairs with Governor Mare following close behind. “Ah, Twilight, how lovely it is to see you.”
“Governor Mare, the pleasure is all mine.” Twilight levitated a long, rectangular case onto a nearby table. “I have your order, ma’am.”
“Wonderful, let’s see it.”
Twilight’s horn glowed as she removed the cover and lifted the sword from its cradle within the box. “It’s a masterpiece of precision and beauty,” she explained, “The blade is diamond-encrusted for both a brilliant glow and unmatched sharpness. The handle houses only the most beautiful amethysts and emeralds, laid in place with pure gold, of course.”
“Very, very impressive, Twilight,” Governor Mare praised, “Commodore Rarity will be absolutely ecstatic. You have my compliments.”
Twilight simply nodded in response, silently jumping for joy at her success. As she lifted her head she turned to see Fluttershy making her way down the stairs and into the foyer. She was now fully clothed in her new dress and hat, although she was still slightly uncomfortable having her wings tied down. Twilight wouldn’t have noticed, though; she simply stared as the beautiful mare descended into the same room she was in. She found it hard to believe that this was the same pony that had helped rescue her from a terrible fate oh-so-many years ago.
“Twilight!” Fluttershy called quietly, “It’s so wonderful to see you!” She wrapped her forelegs around Twilight’s neck and pulled her in for a hug. Twilight felt her cheeks grow warmer, surprised by the straightforward attention she was receiving from the governor’s daughter. She lightly reciprocated the hug with a gentle pat on Fluttershy’s back, not wanting to seem too forward herself. “Would you believe that I had a dream about you just last night?” If Twilight’s cheeks weren’t glowing red before, they certainly were now. A dream about her? A pony as amazing as Fluttershy was dreaming about her? “It was waaayyy back when we first met, how we pulled you out of the water and everything else. Do you remember?”
“Of course I do,” Twilight answered. I would never forget meeting somepony like you, she thought to herself. “Seems like so long ago now, doesn’t it?”
“I really hate to interrupt you two,” Governor Mare interjected, “but we must be going now. Don’t want to be late for the ceremony!”
“Oh, right, of course, sorry,” Fluttershy said as she nodded her head, “I’ll see you later, Twilight!”
Twilight nodded her head and watched as they left the mansion. The two of them were escorted to a carriage and began riding to the far end of town. “Bye, Fluttershy…”
Sorry for the later-than-expected update, I got called in to work today (my day off). I didn't really want to post this yet since there isn't much happening, but I figured I'd put a little something up here to show I haven't forgotten about it. I'm already a good portion through the next chapter, which will be filled with fun and antics galore.
Gold stars go to Rozen-Knight and Fictional Critic for correctly guessing the governor's pony-double, and an honorable mention to The Belgian Brony for making me seriously consider using Angel as the governor. Can you guess who will take the place of Murtogg and Mullroy? 10 gamerscore to everypony who guesses correctly!
