//------------------------------//
// Speaking Naturally 
// Story: Entries from the Diary of Amber Song 
// by meerkat8472 
//------------------------------//

	February 8 1005

Today was a good day for the most part. My father had to leave early for work so I spent most of the morning helping my mother with housework. At around eleven o'clock I asked her if it was alright for me to visit Fluttershy. She said yes with a happy smile on her face, she also agreed to accompany me there. On the way there my mother said how happy she was that I was making friends and again complimented me on how well I was walking. I don't think she could have smiled more even if she were Pinkie Pie.

We arrived around half past eleven, I could hear Fluttershy humming inside and the smell of several types of food was coming from within. I gently knocked on the door so as not to startle the timid mare. She answered the door a few seconds later.

“Oh, hello Amber, I wasn't expecting you, this is a surprise. Oh and... um,” She trailed off as she looked at my mother.

“Hello Fluttershy.” I said. “This is my mother, Julienne Carrots.”

“A pleasure dear.” My mother said.

“Oh, yes, it's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Carrots.”

“Please, dear, call me Julienne. Mrs. Carrots makes me sound old.” She chuckled.

“Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend, you're not old, you're actually very pretty.” Fluttershy said hurriedly almost in a panic.

“Relax dear, no offense is taken.” My mother said cutting off anything further Fluttershy had to say, and gave her a friendly smile to reassure her no harm was done.

“Oh, o-okay, s-sorry.” Fluttershy said quietly.

“No apologies necessary dear, it's quite alright, I'm sorry for panicking you.”

“Oh no, you don't have to be sorry for-” Fluttershy started to say but my mother cut her off.

“Ssh, it's fine dear, don't worry about it.” She gave Fluttershy another smile.

“O-okay, I was just scared that I'd made a horrible first impression.” Fluttershy said almost too quietly for my mother to hear.

“Not at all dear, you seem like a sweet young mare.”

“Oh thank goodness, I've enjoyed spending time with Amber, I'd hate to have made a bad impression on her mother.” Fluttershy said with a sigh of relief. My mother was smiling with such pride upon hearing that.

“I'm so glad to hear that dear, it's so wonderful that Amber is making friends. That's why we're here actually, Amber was hoping to spend some time with you if you are able?” My mother asked.

“Oh yes, that shouldn't be problem at all, I have some animals to attend to, but I'd like to have some company while I do it.”

“Thank you Fluttershy, I will try to stay out of the way.” I said smiling.

“Well I'll leave you two to it then.” My mother said. “Should I come back at a certain time to take her home?”

“Oh no, I can walk her home later this afternoon, if that's okay with you?” Fluttershy suggested

“Well, if you're sure dear, I don't mind. Are you okay with that Amber?”

“Yes, that sounds like an acceptable arrangement.” I said smiling at them both.

“Okay see you later girls.” My mother said as she turned to go.

“Bye Mrs. Car- I mean Julienne, sorry. Bye Julienne.” Fluttershy called after her.

“Goodbye mother, I will see you later.” I called after her. She gave a quick smile over her shoulder at us.

I turned to Fluttershy and smiled. “Oh, come in, come in.” She said, moving aside to let me into her cottage.

“Thank you.” I said as I made my way over to a couch in her living area. I looked around seeing many animals eating several types of food, which would explain the smell I had picked up from outside. Fluttershy went to her kitchen and returned with a few more dishes that she laid down for some animals that weren't eating yet, then joined me on the couch.

“So, um, what brings you here today Amber? If you don't mind me asking?”

“Two reasons actually, the first was just to spend some time with you, the second was that Rarity thought you may be able to teach me how to speak more naturally.” I explained.

“Oh, I see, well I'm not sure I'd be much use but I can try if you want?” She said quietly.

“I would like that, yes.”

“Well, let me think about it for a minute, I may know some things you could work on. If that's okay with you?” She said.

“Of course, take your time.” I said smiling at her calmly to let her know there was no rush.

Fluttershy closed her eyes and sat still in thought for a couple of minutes. She then opened her eyes and looked over to me with a small smile. “I think I've figured out where you may need some improvement.” She said. “I need to feed some of the animals outside, how about we go and do that while we talk about it?”

“Okay.” I agreed. Fluttershy gathered some fruits and vegetables from the kitchen, then we headed outside. While she was feeding various animals she spoke about her ideas for improving my speech.

“Well, first of all, you speak a bit too formally, you don't use any contractions. Also, you use lots of technical words, it can be hard to follow you sometimes, um, n-not that I'm c-criticizing or anything.” She finished in a rush obviously worried that she had insulted me.

“It is okay Fluttershy, I want criticism, I would not have asked for you help if I thought my speech patterns were acceptable. You will not hurt my feelings, I promise.” I reassured her.

“Oh, o-okay, well maybe you could try using some contractions and maybe simpler words, i-if you don't mind that is.” 

“Contractions like don't, didn't, won't, wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't, are those what you are referring to?” I asked just to confirm I was grasping the concept.

“Yes, those are the kind of things I mean.”

“I always thought those were used by lazy ponies trying to lessen the amount of words they used.”

“Oh no, well maybe they started that way, but they've become an important part of our language now.” Fluttershy explained.

“I see, I can try to integrate contractions into my speech I suppose. I am already familiar with the basic contractions used in day to day speech, so it should not be too hard.” I reasoned.

“That's the spirit, um, I have some other ideas though, if that's okay.” She said.

“Of course, go ahead.” I replied.

“Well, um, this is a little hard to explain but um, I guess what I'm trying to say is that you don't seem to think about what you say. I know that's not true, cause you always speak with such certainty, but you don't seem to take any time to think. If you know what I mean?”

“I'm afraid you've lost me.” I said, “Hear that, I used two contractions there?” I added, smiling at my small achievement. Fluttershy smiled back.

“Yes, that was very good Amber, but um, you did it again. You respond so fast that it seems like you haven't thought about it. you know?”

“I see, but I do think about everything I say. I guess I just think faster than an organic pony.” I reasoned.

“Yes, of course you do, um, it's just a bit off-putting, um, it kinda gives the impression that what you're saying wasn't worth thinking about. I-I know that that's not what you're doing, but, i-it can seem that way sometimes. I'm sorry.” She said slowing increasing in speed and pitch, starting to panic about insulting me again.

“I understand, it's okay Fluttershy, no offense is taken, alright?” I smile at her to reassure her.

“O-okay.” It almost sounded like a squeak rather than a word.

“I think I understand what you're saying though. I could add a small pause before I speak. Also Rarity taught me some gestures that indicate that one is thinking, I may be able to use those during those pauses. Do you think that would give the right impression?” I asked her.

“That sounds promising, but maybe also try saying 'um' or 'mm' or something similar. Oh, and maybe only do these things for questions that require lots of consideration. You wouldn't do that if you were answering something like 'nice weather we're having huh?' or something like that.” 

“That sounds appropriate.” I said. “Let's try it, ask me a question.”

“Oh, um, okay, um, what do you think of the weather management here in Ponyville?” She asked.

I put on a small frown while looking up slightly and put a hoof to my chin “mm.” I said for about half a second then lowered my hoof, smiled a little, and looked back to Fluttershy's face. “It all seems to run very well, from what I've seen.” I paused to indicate the end of my answer then added. “How was that?”

Fluttershy smiled “That was wonderful, very convincing, and good choice of words too. I just thought of another situation that's similar though and it shows another small, um, problem of yours.” She said.

“Okay, what is it?”

“Well, you never seem to act surprised, not even a little bit. You see if somepony asks you a question you weren't expecting, most ponies would act a bit surprised.” She explained. “A bit like this.” She paused a moment then she shifted her head back a little opened her eyes a bit more and said, “oh, I wasn't expecting that.”

“I see.” I said.

“That's another thing, when you realize something you should express that to. Like this.” She then moved her head up and then down again  while widening her eyes slightly and saying, “oh, I see.” She then paused and smiled. “Kind of like that, get it?”

“Yes, I think so.” I said. “Should we try a short conversation for practice purposes.”

“Okay.” She agreed. “I'll begin. Um, okay pretend I've just approached you and you're walking along the road.” She then cleared her throat. “Hi Amber, how are you today?”

“Oh.” I expressed a little surprise at suddenly being addressed, as in our scenario she would have been previously unnoticed. “Hello Fluttershy, I'm doing very well, thank you for asking. How are you?” I smiled a little at the pleasant welcome.

“I'm doing wonderfully, I was just out doing some shopping, how about you?”

“Oh, I was here shopping as well, just picking up a little food.” I said.

“Oh yes? me too, do you want to walk together?” She then cleared her throat again to signal the end of the scenario. “That was very good Amber, although you could use the word thanks instead of thank you, and hi instead of hello. Makes things a bit less formal.” She said with a small smile.

“Okay, thanks Fluttershy.” I said. She giggled at my immediate uptake of the new word.

While we had been talking Fluttershy had finished feeding her animals and we went back indoors. We had a couple more practice conversations to refine my technique. Fluttershy then suggested we have lunch as it was getting close to one o'clock. We had a simple salad and orange juice, which was delicious, of course I thanked her for her generosity. After lunch I helped Fluttershy wash the dishes, while we talked some more. Not for practice but just because we wanted to.

“Thanks for all your help today Fluttershy, I think I'm already sounding better.” I said.

“Oh yes, you are sounding wonderful, and it was no trouble at all.” She responded.

“I'm curious Fluttershy, how did you get so good at teaching natural speech?” I asked.

Fluttershy blushed a little. “I'm not that good, but I guess it's because I've done it before.”

“Oh, you have?” 

“Yes a number of years ago now, I helped Princess Luna learn about modern speech. You see she had only recently returned from the moon after a thousand years, and ponies talked quite differently back then.” She said. I had read the story of Nightmare Moon and her return and her cleansing by the Elements of Harmony. I guess speech patterns would change quite a bit over a one thousand year period. “Anyway, the first Nightmare Night after her return, she visited Ponyville. Most ponies were afraid of her, so Twilight brought her to me to teach her how to speak more quietly. Truth be told, I was terrified of her myself that night, but Twilight convinced me that she was safe now. In the following weeks, at Twilight's suggestion, she came to me a number of times to learn more about modern speech. Twilight thought it would do us both some good, and she was right, I'm glad I got to know the Princess. Anyway, the next Nightmare Night came and the town welcomed her warmly, it was a good day, er, night.” She smiled as she put away the last plate. We then just leaned against the kitchen bench as we continued to talk.

I put a hoof to my chin in thought. “I wonder if the town will ever accept me.” I thought aloud, then I frowned and looked at the ground. It was strange, hearing about another pony being accepted had somehow made me a bit sad. I heard a quiet gasp, then suddenly I was engulfed in a tight hug from Fluttershy.

“I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to remind of that horrible attack, I'm so sorry.” She said quickly.

“Um, it's okay Fluttershy, it only makes me a bit sad to think about it now.” I said honestly.

“Still, it must have been horrible for you. I-I mean I know what it's like to be a-afraid, b-but what you went through-.” She shivered violently and trailed off. She clearly hates to think of a friend being so scared, Fluttershy really is so kind. I wrapped a hoof around her neck to hug her back.

“It's okay Fluttershy.” I said quietly. “It doesn't bother me that much anymore, I know it only happened a few days ago but it feels like a lot longer than that. Hmm, that is a strange effect, anyway Fluttershy, try not to think about it anymore okay?” I gently stroked my hoof up and down the back of her neck, she wasn't crying but she seemed like she almost was.

“O-okay.” She said quietly. She then broke the hug and looked me right in the eyes. “B-but I want you to p-promise me that if feel that scared or sad again, and you're near here, that you'll come to me. I-I'll look after you okay?” The sincerity in her voice and facial expression was intense. I felt that warm feeling in my chest again that I've come to associate with friendship.

“I-I promise.” I whispered, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by this warmth. She smiled at me and hugged me again. We stayed like that for a few minutes before she slowing broke the hug again.

“A-are you feeling better now Amber?” She asked gently.

“Yes, I am, thank you Fluttershy.” I winced a little, another gesture Rarity had taught me, because I realized that I hadn't used any of my new speech techniques in that last sentence. Fluttershy understood what my gesture meant right away, she giggled a little.

“It's okay Amber, you'll get used to it soon enough.” She smiled confidently at me. I smiled back.

We decided Fluttershy should walk me home at this point. On the way there she came up with an idea to surprise my mother. At first I wasn't sure about it, but Fluttershy assured me she would love it. We arrived at my house a short time later and walked through the front door. My mother was reading the newspaper on the couch, judging by the smell from the kitchen she was waiting for something to finish cooking. She put down her paper and stood up to greet us.

“Hello girls.” she said smiling. I then unleashed my surprise.

“Hi mom, how's it going?” I said with a smile. My mother almost hit the floor as her legs collapsed from under her, but she caught herself and scrambled back to a standing position with a surprised look on her face. Then she leaped over to me and hugged me tight.

“I-I'm going great honey, just great!” I noticed a slight dampness forming on my shoulder, she was crying. I looked over to Fluttershy with an uncertain look, but Fluttershy was smiling happily. I realized then my mother was crying from happiness. I smiled despite being a little confused. I know I hadn't ever called her mom before but I still found her reaction a bit strong. Fluttershy did mention that the term mom was a more intimate term than mother, perhaps that is why she reacted so strongly?

“I'm glad, mom.” I said quietly as I hugged her back. I felt that familiar warm feeling spread through me again, suddenly the more intimate term seemed appropriate. My father then entered the room having heard my mother crying.

“What's going on?” He asked worriedly. My mother broke the hug and turned to him with a huge smile.

“Oh Noonday, it's so wonderful.” She said excitedly. “She, she...” She was having trouble forming a coherent sentence she was so excited. Seeing an opportunity to surprise my father too I cut in before she could say another word.

“Hi dad, how's it going?” I said smiling and giving a small wave. My father gasped and put a hoof over his chest. He seemed to understand then why my mother was so excited. He quickly trotted over to us and hugged us both, as we were still standing fairly close together.

“Oh honey...” That was all he seemed capable of saying, we just stayed there hugging each other for a minute or so. I broke the hug suddenly remembering that Fluttershy was still there and we were ignoring her.

“Thanks for your help today Fluttershy.” I said to her. My parents then turned to her as well.

“Oh yes, thank you so much dear.” My mother said. My father nodded in agreement.

“Oh, that's quite alright, I'm just glad I could help. I-I should be going now though, I have some shopping to do, if that's okay with you.” Fluttershy replied.

“Of course dear, you can come by here anytime you want, you're always welcome.” My mother said.

“Thank you Julienne, see you later.” Fluttershy said as she left.

My parents turned back to me and immediately started hugging me again. The both said how proud they were of me. I think I may call them mom and dad from now on, they seem to like it and it feels right too. I know that sound like a strange thing for me to say but that's the only way I can describe it. Whenever I call them that, I get all warm inside, it just feels right.