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// Chapter 1: Our First Encounter 
// Story: My Girl Fluttershy 
// by White_Cloud 
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	Fluttershy.  Every time I say that word it makes my heart beat faster and causes a smile to break out onto my face.  She is the most beautiful mare I have ever set my eyes on.  Her flowing pink mane is like a cascading waterfall slowly drifting down her head.  Her eyes glow like two shimmering sapphires in the night.  Her wings are so beautiful and strong.  She is the one pony that brings so much joy to my life whenever I catch just a glimpse of her.  She is so kind, caring, and compassionate to every pony that she meets.

I stare at her every day and long to hold her.  I long to gently whisper in her ear how much I love her and to fall asleep every night with her next to me.  I dream about her every night, how our lives could be together.  I dream about starting a family with her and raising two foals together.  But there is one problem with this dream; I can’t talk to her.  Even though I believe that she is the one pony I am destined to spend the rest of my life with, I keep my feelings bottled up inside.  Anytime that I start to think about going up to her and say hello, I want to just run back to my house and hide.  It’s not that I am a bad looking stallion.  But there are things that haunt me and suppress my need to talk to her, things that I fear and will haunt me forever.  So here I am…alone.

But let me reassure you dear reader, though my story may be long and winding, there is a happy ending.  The journey to get there though is not a joyful one; it is fraught with sadness, betrayal, and loneliness.  But I believe it is a journey well worth telling.  Let me start back about 10 years ago.  I remember that day well for it was the day that I had my first contact with Fluttershy, and the day my life would change forever.


……


The story begins as many stories do, with the dawning of a new day.  The sun was just beginning to rise in the east as all of the ponies in Equestria began to wake from their slumber and begin their days.  I rubbed my eyes and lay in my bed, thinking about the wonderful dream I had just woken from.  It was another of my Fluttershy dreams, and it was one of my favorites.  We had taken the family out to Sweet Apple Acres to go apple picking, and to enjoy the wonderful cider that the Apple family produced.  Cider season was one of the best seasons in my opinion, and this season had been especially delicious.  I had woken just as I was about to enjoy my second cup of cider.  As I rolled over and forced myself to get out of bed, the dream kept playing over and over in my head.  I trotted over to my mirror and looked at myself, thinking that I really needed a haircut.  My mane was beginning to look rather shaggy.  I was not a bad looking stallion.  My mane and tail were both a dark brown color, and my coat was a light brown.  My eyes were an emerald green, and my mane was usually cut short.  I preferred a shorter mane since my job required me to usually be outside for long lengths of time.  I was the Head Gardener for the town of Ponyville, and it was the best job I could have ever dreamed for.  As I turned away from the mirror and began to make my way into the kitchen, I looked out the window and smiled.  The sun was just beginning to peak its bright head over the mountains, casting its warm glow over all of Equestria.  It was a quiet morning, just the way I liked it.  

My life was one of peace and quiet since I lived in the country outside of Ponyville.  I liked the quiet and the smells that were always present.  The smell of growing plants and flowers was so wonderful to me, and it was always a great way to start the day.  After I ate my breakfast, I began to prepare to make my daily journey to Ponyville.  I loaded up my saddle bags with a few odds and ends, and then set out along the lane towards the town.  The walk from my little house to Ponyville was always invigorating.  It was a great way to enjoy the countryside and breathe in the scents of the land.  The trot was not a long one, and I soon spotted the first roof tops of the town.  As I neared the first buildings, the traffic on the lane began to steadily grow.  Many of the ponies were heading to their daily jobs or heading off to some unknown errand.  I never spoke to them since I was a very quiet pony.  I had a difficult time trying to talk to new people, so I preferred to just keep to myself.  Every once in a while some pony would call my name and I would greet them.  I really didn’t have any friends, but that was fine with me.  I reached my toolshed and picked up what tools I needed to complete my tasks for the day.  Some of the plants in the courtyard were beginning to look a little wilted, and I needed to replace them with some fresh flowers I had grown in my greenhouse.  

Once I had what I needed, I headed into the crowds of Ponyville to make my way to my first stop.  Once I reached my destination, I got down and began to get to work.  I dug up the wilted flowers and began to replace them with the colorful new flowers.  That was when I spotted her.  At first all I caught a glimpse of was the bright pink color of her mane, but there was no mistaking who the pony was.  Fluttershy was trotting through the town center, stopping at the vegetable cart to pick up some fresh carrots and tomatoes.  I followed her as she trotted up to the cart and began to fill her saddlebags with the food, never looking away.  My heart was beating so fast and my body was trembling.  She looked so beautiful, the way her mane fell down her head and her curly tail that was just as gorgeous as her mane.  She pulled a few bits from her bag and laid them on the cart.  She gave the vendor a smile that made me smile and feel so happy inside.  I longed to talk to her, to say anything to her.  I wanted so desperately to tell her how I felt, but I knew I wasn’t brave enough.  As she turned and began to head around the square once more, I quickly lowered my head and began to work the ground again.  I would quickly lift my head and see where she was every few moments, but then I would lower it again for fear she would see me staring at her.  

After a few moments, I dared to look back up, but I froze when I saw her.  She was heading towards me and she had a smile on her face.  I began to shake as I my mind began to race.  Where is she going?  Is she coming to talk to me?  Oh no, what do I do?  I began to frantically dig up the dirt to replant new flowers, but I felt a presence behind me.  

“Um, excuse me?”  No, it’s her.  I…I can’t do this.  “Excuse me?  I had something I wanted to, um, tell you.”  I couldn’t move, she was talking to me!  But my mind was blank and my mouth would not make any sounds.  “I don’t mean to bother you, but I love your flowers.”  You are blowing this!  “I’m sorry, I’ve bothered you.”  I heard her begin to trot away as my mind finally snapped back.  I quickly turned around, trying to catch her.  But she was already lost in the crowd.  I mentally kicked myself.  Stupid, she was right here!  You could have said something!  Anything!  I was so upset at myself.  How could I have missed such a golden opportunity when it was right here?  I had become so depressed, I knew it was useless to try and complete my tasks for today.  I slowly packed up all of my tools and headed back to my shed.  I grabbed my saddle bags and began the walk back to my house, fuming with each step I took.  You are so stupid!  She was right there, and you blew it!  I soon reached my house and threw my bags on my bedroom floor.  I laid down on the bed, burying my head in a pillow as I continued to kick myself.  I feared that was my only time she would ever speak to me.  I rolled over and looked at my ceiling as I closed my eyes, still angry.  She was right there…