“Thank you so much for helping out, Rarity, and for lending me this lovely scarf...”
“Oh darling, you don’t have to thank me! And I've already told you that I’m giving you that shawl! It looks simply GORGEOUS on you. Besides, that shade of green really doesn't suit me.”
It was another uncomfortably chilly morning in Ponyville as the two young mares made their way around town, delivering various donated sweets and goods to the needier ponies. It had been Rarity’s idea, and she meant to make it a Ponyville tradition. Pinkie and Applejack worked together over at Sugarcube Corner to make all sorts of treats, while Rainbow Dash and Twilight were busy amusing the younger fillies and colts in town with their awesome stunts and incredible magic respectively.
As for Rarity, she had planned on spending that entire day making fashionably warm clothing to give away, but when she saw how nervous Fluttershy was about going alone to deliver out the goods, she figured it could wait a little. Once she knew what to expect, Rarity figured, the shy, yellow pegasus would be more confident on her own, and then she could get busy with her own work.
They chitchatted on, or at least Rarity did, as they went from house to house, using a list given to them by the Mayor to make sure nopony in need was accidentally skipped. Fluttershy tried her best not to drag the process on; already her generous friend had given away her hat and scarf and she was shivering violently despite her best attempts to maintain her usual demeanor. Worse yet, she refused to take a single thing Fluttershy offered, insisting that she may be a lady, but she could still take a little "brisk weather".
“Um, excuse me?” Rarity cut short her explanation of the different types of fabric she was using, glancing over with mild irritation at the pony interrupting her train of speech. “Oh, I’m sorry, Miss, but I was wondering if I could have an extra box of cookies?”
Rarity's expression softened. “Why of course dear! If you could just wait until we've delivered the rest; we don’t want anypony not getting any at all while others get seconds, do we?”
He coughed, flushing up a bit with embarrassment at the fashionista's playful teasing. “They’re not for me! My neighbor is a bit of a... she doesn't come out much, for anything. So her name isn't on the list...”
Rarity smiled. “Well we can’t have that! I will give her the box personally! Be a dear, and give me her address?”
Even after the rest of the deliveries were made, there were plenty of extra boxes to go around. Pinkie had definitely gone a little overboard with the baking. The two gave out most of the rest to random ponies they passed by, snacking on another box and saving two more for the young colt’s reclusive neighbor.
They were both rather surprised when they finally made it to the address given to them. They had passed this place at least three times, assuming it was just a pile of junk and trash. Upon closer inspection, however, it was clear this was a rotting old covered wagon.
“Uh, R-Rarity?”
“Yes dear~?”
“I don’t think this house is... safe... or occupied... or a house. It’s so... dirty...”
“I’m well aware of the fact, but we mustn't judge the poor!”
“Oh, I didn't mean to judge, I’m sorry...”
“It’s quite alright, I know you don’t mean any harm. But anyway, why don’t you deliver this one? You really ought to practice doing this for yourself, I won’t be here with you next time!” Fluttershy made a quiet but high-pitched squeal. “Oh please, go on! That young stallion said she wouldn't harm a fly, didn't he? I will be right here.”
Right there or not, it still took her about five minutes to get up to the door. Rarity’s impatient sighs and the bitter cold were the only things provoking her to move forward. Fluttershy gave one last, terrified glance over her best friend, who managed to give an encouraging smile back despite her annoyance and violently chattering teeth. Gulping, the pegasus timidly scratched at the door.
“D-delivery...” she choked out, barely whispering. But before she could run back frantically insisting that no one was there, the door creaked open. Fluttershy gave a “meep” of fright, but miraculously managed to swallow back her anxiety and stand her ground.
“What do you want?” That voice... something was incredibly familiar about that voice. Curiosity, along with concern for whoever it was that was speaking with such pitiful sadness, gave Fluttershy a little more courage.
“I’m... I’m here to deliver some cookies to you... if you want them...”
“....Fluttershy, right?” The door opened a little wider, and she could barely make out two purple eyes, along with a very pale purple aura that was pushing the door open.
“Y-yes, that’s my name,” she stammered back. “Have we met? Oh, I’m sorry, it’s so rude I’ve forgotten you...”
“Don’t worry about it,” the mysterious unicorn sighed. “It’s probably better that you have. Here, I’ll take those cookies. Thank you.”
Fluttershy’s heart dropped, and a blue hoof reached out and gently took the box. “Umm, are you okay? You sound rather... upset... if you don’t mind me saying...”
But her quiet words were lost as the door was shut, gently enough to not shock her but hard enough to suggest that the resident within wanted to be alone. Fluttershy used a hoof to push away some snow and placed the other box on the wooden step of a porch.
“You did a marvelous job dear!” Rarity chirped as her companion trotted back. She sneezed, delicate as ever.
"Bless you....." Fluttershy muttered. She was too deep in thought to even make eye contact with her worried friend.
"Is there something wrong?" Rarity asked with a sniffle.
“I could have sworn I've met her before....” Fluttershy shook her head. "I'm sure I'll remember soon. Hey, why don't we go back to my house? I'll make you up a nice bowl of hot soup."
"That sounds lovely- ah, ah-CHI!"
From the mucked up window of the rotting wagon, she watched Fluttershy as she draped a wing over a moaning Rarity and lead her away. They seemed so far away, a hazy shadow of a world she had forgotten even existed, let alone one that had once concerned her.
She waited long after they were out of sight before she open her door and took in the other box on her step.