//------------------------------// // Getting Noticed // Story: Music Makes The Heart Grow Fonder // by Yzanburg //------------------------------// Chapter 3 "So.. What you're saying is.." I had to pause and let out a stuttering breath as I tried to make sense of what was going on. "This place is called 'Equestria', and is ruled by two pegacorn sisters." "Alicorn." The mare named Fluttershy corrected. "Right right, Alicorn sisters, who raise the sun and the moon. This place is full of sentient creatures ranging from ponies to griffins to dragons. Am I right so far?" I had to take another pause as I got another good look at the pegasus before me. I had spent the better part of half an hour in her garden with my knees clutched tightly to my chest as I rocked back and forth muttering obscenities and repeating to myself that none of this was possible, it couldn't be real. Eventually I guess the.. Mare, Fluttershy, heard my insane ramblings and came over, either out of comfort or pity, I don't know. As she got closer I hear her muffled hoofsteps and instantly I froze and shut my eyes as tight as I could. I was essentially having a nervous breakdown. To my surprise though, she didn't say anything. Not at first anyways. Instead she just sat down beside me and gently rubbed my back, making soft comforting noises after a while. I don't know why but it was oddly comforting. I was still shaking though and I guess she took notice because she began to hum, and then broke out into soft, melodious song. I was amazed at how serene her voice was. It was just so soothing and I couldn't help but calm down. We sat there for a little while longer, just me in her arms while she rubbed my back lightly. "Thank you." I finally uttered, startling the pegasus beside a little, but she smiled calmly at me and got to her feet. "You're welcome" She said with that sweet smile. "Now, why don't you come inside for some tea. you look like you could use some." Giving her as calm and as genuine a smile as I could, I gently rose to my feet and followed her inside. "Yes, you're on the right track. There are far more creatures that can think and talk as we do, and even more cute little guys that call Equestria home as well! Like little Angel Bunny here." She gestured towards the bunny in question whom at the moment was giving me a very dirty look and tapping his foot with arms crossed. I gave him a short wave and a nervous smile but all that got from him was an upturned head and a curt wave of the paw before he bounded off up the stairs to some unknown region, probably Fluttershy's bedroom. "Oh.. I'm sorry about him. He really is a sweet heart, honest. He just.. Doesn't take too well to strangers is all.." She blushed slightly and gave me a nervous chuckle and a grin as I just nodded with mild doubt. "Uh huh.. I'll take your word for it." I wasn't overly concerned with the behaviour of the little guy It seemed to fit him fairly well actually. "Uhm.. Forgive me if this seems a little too forward, seeing as we just met and all but, you wouldn't happen to have a tent or something that I could borrow do you?" I asked with a sheepish smile on my face. It just occured to me that I had no place to stay and I may be stuck here for a little while. "It would only be for a little while, until I can find a way home or a place to make some money. If I am really stuck here anyways." "Oh I couldn't possibly let you stay out in the cold and dark! I insist you stay here. I-if that's okay with you I mean..." Oh man.. That was just too cute. How can I say no to that? Letting out a sigh and with a slight shake of my head I conceded. "Okay.. But only for a few days. And I plan on helping you any way that I can around the house, okay?" "Oh thank you, but you don't have to do that.. I mean, you can if you want to but.. you don't have to." Too. Cute. "Oh it's no bother at all, really. I'd be more than happy to help out. Especially if you're letting me stay here while I figure things out. It's the least I could do. And also a start to repaying you for your kindness." This would really only be the tip of the ice burg for helping her. I mean, I just met her, scared the shit out of her, then had a mental breakdown in her flowers. Yet right now she's offering me a place to stay. This place is so backwards. I don't think there is anyone on earth that would be so kind and hospitable. "I mean really, I honestly can not thank you enough. If there is anything you need, anything at all,.just let me know, okay?" I had quite a big smile on my face now as I was talking to the mare in front of me. As I was talking, her face was going red. I guess she wasn't used to people wanting to give favors to her. "O-Okay.. If you really want to.. I guess that it's okay.. Thank you, David." She had her face partially covered under her pink mane as she looked up at me with that cute smile, her face had a slight tint of red going on as well. "Well.. I do have to clean up the house a bit and feed all the animals. You can help feed the animals.. I-If that's okay with you I mean.." She is a very timid person.. er, mare? yeah that's right. "Honestly I don't mind helping at all Fluttershy, I'm more than happy to help. Just direct me to the food and I'll get right on it." I couldn't be happier to earn my keep around here, even if it wasn't all that much at the moment. For the rest of the night we cleaned up the house. Dusting all the corners and behind all the little bird houses around the house, as well as in the burrows that were placed sporadically around the walls. once all of the nooks and crannies of the house had been cleaned, and all the animals had been taken care of and safely nestled in their homes, Fluttershy and I took the time to sit on the couch and have another cup of tea in front of a warm fire. When we were all finished, fluttershy grabbed me a spare blanket from the closet and said I could use the couch for tonight until we could set up a cot tomorrow. Being thankful for everything she's done so far I gave her a quick hug and she blushed a bit before saying goodnight and going off to her room on the second floor. Well, of all the places I could have ended up.. I'm actually glad it was here with someone like Fluttershy. I don't know what I would have done if I landed on some other ponies house. I doubt they'd be as welcoming as Fluttershy has been. I just hope tomorrow is as good as today was. Sleep came easily to me, Slowly drifting into the welcome embrace of sleep as I hummed a small tune I heard earlier in the day. But just as I was about to enter that sweet embrace, I heard a gentle whisper of that same song from upstairs and grinned like an idiot before finally succumbing to the waves of slumber.