The sun shined through Fluttershy’s window of her cottage on the edge of the Everfree Forest. The singing of birds gently woke up the yellow pegasus. With a long yawn and stretch, Fluttershy removed the covers and crawled out of bed. She headed to the shower to get ready for the day. The warmth of the water made her jump at first, but she soon got use to it and let the heat ready and relax her for a big day.
She was going to be doing some dress modeling for Rarity. Pinkie Pie was throwing one of her numerous parties. For a change, this one wasn’t as sporadic as the others.
After feeding Angel Bunny and her other assorted wildlife friends, Fluttershy ran a brush through her mane, grabbed an apple for breakfast, then headed off to the Carousal Boutique to meet up with Rarity.
~*~
It was 12:30PM when Fluttershy arrived to find rarity anxiously awaiting her arrival. She was greeted with a smile, but she could sense the underlying stress when Rarity said, “Oh my, Fluttershy darling, I almost thought that you weren’t coming.
“I would never skip out on something this serious, Rarity. Never.” Fluttershy said.
“You are a little late, but it’s better than never. Please, do come in so we can get started.”
As Fluttershy stepped into the Carousal Boutique she was instructed into Rarity’s dressing room where she found nothing.
“Uhm… Rarity… there are no dresses back here.” Fluttershy said softly.
Oh, darling, I wanted to make something new for you myself. I figured it would be more befitting.” Rarity responded. “Now please, come here dear so we can start.” Rarity motioned to a small stage where a mannequin usually stood.
Fluttershy blushed. Why now? I don’t even like Rarity as more than a friend. I hope she doesn’t notice…
Slightly annoyed, Rarity said, “Fluttershy, please, it is quite hard to position you if you won’t stand still.”
“Sorry, I was just… a little distracted…”
“About? Oh, is it a stallion?”
“No, just something kind of personal.”
“Want to talk about it?”
Rarity picked up a few bolts of cloth with her magic and started to work, but still listening intently.
“No, not really. How about yourself though?”
“Well, the shop is busy as always, so I am proud to…”
Rarity kept talking, but Fluttershy’s mind was everywhere but there.
Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no. I’m blushing again. Maybe I… no. Never. What would my parents even think if they found that I did maybe did still have preference for mares rather than stallions… More importantly… Fluttershy’s thoughts were interrupted by the change in conversation.
“Fluttershy, do you like it?” Rarity asked.
“Oh my, Rarity. It’s… it’s magnificent.”
This dress made the one she wore for the Gala seem like a sheet. The greens flowed almost magically to be met by all sorts of blooming flowers. Vines seemed to be there, but it was all cloth and gems.
“What do I owe you for this, Rarity?”
“Nonsense, dear. You are my friend, and besides, I want you to be the star of your party, even though it will just be us six.”
“I had nearly forgotten the party was for me.”
“How could you forget your own 21st birthday?”
“That’s right, Pinkie was planning this because we would all be able to go out and hit the clubs or drink now. Though, I have heard horror stories from Dash…” Fluttershy got lost in thought for a moment.
“Haha, Dash had a few bad expierences, but I doubt that you would make those same mistakes. She is far too rash when it comes to those types of things.”
“Hey Rarity, what time is it?” Fluttershy asked.
“It is… 9:32, why?”
Fluttershy nearly tore the dress off. “It’s that late already? Ive got to get home and feed my animals!” she exclaimed. On top of all that, she wanted an excuse to get out of there to clear her head.
“It’s alright dear. See you soon.” Rarity said, but Fluttershy was already half way out the door.
Fluttershy made it back to her cottage and fed her animals. When she was done, Fluttershy barely made it in the door before angel threw her carrot at her, nailing her between the eyes, as usual.
Fluttershy sighed. “Nice to see you, too, Angel.” Fluttershy moved the carrot back towards Angel.
~*~
Memories of Flight School haunted her and became nightmares. The laughing… ridicule… bullying…
Fluttershy woke up in a cold sweat. She tried to get to sleep again for another hour without any avail. “I suppose… there is one way to get to sleep,” she said. Fluttershy opened her nightstand and took out a fine metal razor. The silver steel glistened on her light. “I thought I had put this all behind me… but I suppose not…” She pressed the razor on her wrist and started to cut across. A wave of relief came over her. No more guilty feelings. This wound marked her, scorning her, but relieving her at the same time. Her mind cleared and her heart’s infernal cries for another mare’s love silenced, for now. Her crimson blood started to seep from the wound. Fluttershy brought her wrist to her tongue and licked the wound. Then, she reached inside the nightstand and pulled out a sanguine stained rag and started to dab the wound to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding slowed enough, she wiped the razor clean, placed it back in the nightstand, and then bound her wound with the cloth to prevent anymore blood from being able to seep out and maybe onto her covers or coat. A few tears rolled down her cheek as she laid her head down to rest.
~*~ 9:45PM
“Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear,” sobbed Rarity. “I thought these feelings were only temporary. I thought they would pass. I suppose that-” Shivers ran down Rarity’s spine and her chest locked up. “-that being that close… her marvelous wildflower scent… beautiful natural flowing mane…”
Rarity shook her head. “No, I simply cannot think that way about one of my best friends. Moreover, nopony could ever find out, on less… NO! She would never feel these feelings back, would she? UGH!” Rarity’s horn glowed as she used her magic to open a small chest on the other side of the room. She levitated a bottle of hard liquor over to her with a glass, then poured some. “I just can’t comprehend how Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack can have a taste for this drink.” She slammed down the liquor, levitated the bottle back to the chest, and soon collapsed on her bed, hoping that the alcohol would cleanse these thoughts from her head or until the morning when she could do something about them.