It was midday and Fluttershy was busy tending to her chickens. “Such lovely little animals,” said Fluttershy in her quiet and kind voice. She happily enjoyed the warm sun as it shared its warm and comforting energy while humming a soft lullaby. Although Fluttershy worked alone, she never really felt alone, content with her place in the world. With a quiet calm she spread her wings and stretched them, feeling a sense of rejuvenation as blood worked it’s way through her wings. With a gentle sigh, she began to climb the little ramp that led to her chicken coop. Once inside, a sigh of sheer pleasure escaped her lips as she looked at all of the eggs her chickens had produced. Moving toward the corner where she kept her baskets, Fluttershy paused and gave thanks for the chickens, their eggs, the bits they would provide at the market, all of the other animals whom without she wouldn’t have her cutie mark. Slowly Fluttershy reached down and took the handle in her mouth and moved to the first bed to collect any eggs that may have been laid. After several minutes of gathering, Fluttershy counted two and a half baskets; not as much as last week, but she would get by. Only a hint of worry creased her face as she carefully walked each basket back to her cottage, careful not to let even one egg drop. Only when the eggs were safe in the cupboard did Fluttershy return to her fully relaxed self.
“Ok all you critters, who wants some lunch?” Fluttershy may be quiet, but she hardily needed to repeat herself. All at once, squirrels, birds, and Angel suddenly popped their heads out of their homes. Fluttershy smiled and gently placed the appropriate food in the proper bowls and watched as the various critters attacked the food like they haven’t eaten in days. Fluttershy felt something brush past one of her legs and looked down with a surprised look on her face. After seeing it was Angel, the surprise was replaced by kindness and compassion, “Oh, of course Angel, how could I forget you? I have something I’m sure you will just love.” Fluttershy flew up to one of the hanging baskets in her kitchen and reached for a particularly fresh and juicy carrot. Angel’s ears noticeably perked up and his nose began to twitch uncontrollably. Fluttershy landed softly next to Angel and offered him the carrot with a look of proud-ness for selecting only the best. Angel returned Fluttershy’s gesture by glaring angrily and holding one of his arms up in a gesture of disgust. Not sure what to do, Fluttershy asked the most obvious question first, “Is there something wr-wrong Angel?” Sensitive to Angel’s particularities, Fluttershy braced for the worst. Angel looked up at Fluttershy with a glare that would rival her own. After pausing for a few moments Angel dropped the act and quickly hugged Fluttershy in what could only be interpreted as a gesture of extreme thanks. Relaxing, Fluttershy smiled back at Angel and gave him the carrot, which Angel happily accepted and immediately started to greedily eat while laying on his back.
Satisfied that the animals were all in good health and happily fed, Fluttershy turned her attention to her own needs and began preparing lunch for herself. Nothing to complicated, just a simple daffodil salad and a glass of water. Slowly chewing on her salad gave Fluttershy the chance to truly appreciate just how wonderful the salad tasted. Letting the chewed up bits of food work their way through her mouth, the flavor of the juices reaching every taste bud, the sound the food made as she chewed it, Fluttershy took nothing for granted. She closed her eyes and let the sensations fill her, counting herself lucky and blessed. She thought of all the other ponies who never seemed to be satisfied, no matter how much they had and smiled to herself. Fluttershy took a sip of water and let it cleanse her pallet then swallowed the small sip. After a moment of looking through the glass and seeing how the water distorted her perception of the world, Fluttershy took a rather large drink of water, feeling the hydration refresh every cell in her body. Looking through the glass once more, Fluttershy absently wondered if this is what it was like to be intoxicated. “Now why would anypony want such a thing…” Fluttershy wondered out loud in an almost dreamy tone of voice. Taking up her fork once more, Fluttershy prepared to enjoy another bite of salad.
She stabbed the leaves with her fork and savored the slight crunch sound it made. She chewed her food, unaware of a faint voice in the distance. Fluttershy paused when she thought she heard her name, and jumped in surprise when she heard her name again, paused, then scurried under the table. Several moments passed before she could clearly make out the words.
“Fluttershy, are you home darling? I have something truly wonderful to tell you.”
Fluttershy made her way to the front door wondering what in all of Equestria could have happened to excite Rarity so much.
“Oh, hello Rarity, how are you today?”
“Fabulous, as always. How are YOU, Fluttershy?”
“Well, um… I’m ok… I guess.”
“Whatever is the matter dear?”
“Oh… it’s nothing.”
“Are you sure, is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, it’s ok. Everything is fine.”
“Well, alright then. If you wouldn’t mind, I have something I think you will absolutely love.”
“Oh, of course, please come in. I was just eating some lunch… would you… like to join me?”
“I would be delighted.”
Fluttershy quickly moved aside to let Rarity enter and rushed towards the kitchen to prepare another seat at the table. Giving extra thought towards her guest, Fluttershy even used one of her couch pillows as a seat cushion.
“Here you go Rarity, I know it isn’t much, but if there is anything I can get you to make you feel more comfortable just let me know ok."
“Oh, nonsense, this is perfect. By the way, great job on the salad, it looks absolutely delicious. By the way, you must share the recipe for the dressing, it is exquisite. Soo much better than anything else I can find at the store, you truly are a good cook.”
“Oh, thank you,” said Fluttershy with a slight blush. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Which reminds me, I have something that I think you might like a lot as well,” said Rarity with a knowing grin.
Fluttershy looked Rarity over and couldn’t see anything and looked up with an expression which resembled happy unexpected confusion. “So… um… what is it?”
“Well, Twilight showed me this spell which helps focus the mind. I finally decided to use it, and well… it was difficult yes, but when I finally got it, I was inspired to create a new and daring dress.”
“Oh, well… that sounds lovely.”
“You haven’t let me get to the best part yet, dear. I want to base the design on nature and I thought you would be the perfect choice.”
“But Rarity, I couldn’t… I just don’t have the money for a new dress right now.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it, I can cover the costs. Besides, when the dress sells, you can have some of the bits for your inspiration and the time for fitting and modeling, deal?”
“Well, I suppose I could use the bits… are you sure this new style of dress will be popular? What if it doesn’t sell?”
“Oh, nonsense darling. Once everyone sees it, it will redefine what every pony thinks of as fashion.”
“Well, if you are sure… then I’ll do it.”
“Oh thank you thank you thank you. You won’t regret this decision, I promise. So when is a good time for you to come by the boutique?”
“Oh, well… maybe in a couple of days, would that work for you?”
“Of course, I need to draw up the design first, order the supplies, and actually make the dress. All of that shouldn’t take more than two, three days tops.”
“You mean you don’t know what the dress is going to look like yet?” said Fluttershy in a worried voice.
“I do, I just haven’t drawn it all out yet, that’s all. Don’t worry, this is all a normal part of the creative process, everything will turn out fine, you’ll see.”
“Well, I guess so… I mean, as long as you’re sure.”
“So, you’ll do it?”
With a new found confidence Fluttershy answered, “Yes, just tell me what to do.”
“Great, just come by the Boutique in a few days for fitting.”
“Ok, I’ll see you then.”