It was late in the morning when Celestia's sun crept through the bedroom window of Fluttershy's cottage, gently irritating the face of the sleeping Pegasus. Slowly opening her eyes, she squirmed as she stretched under her sheets.
She sat up in her bed and blinked several times, clearing what little sleep remained from her eyes. Hopping merrily out of bed, she made her way downstairs to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for her animals.
She donned a saddlebag and filled it with all of the necessary ingredients, before heading outside to greet the day.
The celestial sun shone brightly from its pedestal, was high up in the sky. I must have slept in later then I thought, oh no, my poor little critters… Fluttershy thought to herself as she quickened her pace to the backyard of her cottage.
Upon reaching her destination, she was greeted by all manners of creatures, large and small. Ranging from birds to chickens, rabbits and badgers, she was overjoyed to see all of her woodland friends and lowered her saddlebag to her side. Hoofing out birdseed for the birds, chickenfeed for the chickens and acorns for the squirrels.
She giggled as they took their food and scurried away to eat it. She bent down, and lay a carrot on the ground for her little Angel Bunny. She smiled as he began chomping away at his orange treat.
"Eat up now," she commanded softly.
Angle Bunny stopped, and glared at her. His attention was quickly diverted from his caretaker, and towards something behind her. He dropped his carrot, and ran back into her bunny box.
"Wait, you haven't finished yet!" Fluttershy called after him.
All around her, she slowly noticed all of her animals were following in Angels example, retreating into their homes and cowering in fear.
Fluttershy tilted her head, confused.
That was, until she saw a shadow dwarf her own.
Slowly, she turned around. Her mind drew a blank as her mouth fell open. She knew what she was looking at, she knew who she was looking at. Yet, she still couldn’t comprehend it.
Her ears flattened against her head as her eyes widened, “G-gilda?!” She squeaked.
Gilda didn’t say anything, she didn’t even move. She just kept watching Fluttershy intently, with an unreadable expression.
“I-I-I…” Fluttershy stammered, her mind was a chaotic blur of questions and thoughts.
Gild cleared her throat, “Can I say something?”
Fluttershy froze. She clamped her mouth shut, and nodded shakily, “Mmm Hmm,”
Gilda sighed, “Well, first things first. I guess I should start with saying that, I know it’s been a while. But last time I was here was… pretty unpleasant.”
Fluttershy remained silent, she was too afraid to speak.
“I realise that I acted like a bit of a jerk towards you. And, well. What I’m trying to say is, I’m sorry, for how I acted. And for making you cry.”
Fluttershy blinked, she closed her eyes and shook her head, “I’m sorry. Forgive me for asking but… what?”
Gilda’s eyes darted left and right, “I’m sorry?”
Fluttershy furrowed her brow, “Y-you came here, to apologise?”
Gilda nodded, “For being a jerk and… well, mainly for being a jerk,” She grinned, in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Fluttershy shook her head, “I appreciate that, Gilda. And I must thank you, for coming all the way out here, but… it’s been three years…”
Gilda rubbed the back of her neck, “Yeah, I know. I would have come back sooner, but… you know…”
“Not really…” The Pegasus answered meekly.
And awkward silence fell between the two. Fluttershy pawed the ground with her hoof.
“Uh, thank you… f-for apologising…” she smiled briefly, “What are you going to do now?”
Gilda sighed as she glanced nowhere in particular, “Well, I still need to go and see Dash. And uh, the other one-”
“Pinkie Pie?”
“Yeah, her. I still need to set things right with them.”
Fluttershy frowned with contemplation, “Um Gilda, do you know where to go? I mean, if you don’t mind me asking.”
Gilda opened her beak, “I… don’t, actually.”
Fluttershy shifted slightly, “Well, I think Rainbow Dash was helping Applejack at Sweet Apple Acres this morning. She may still be there. And I’m fairly certain that Pinkie is at Sugarcube Corner.” She shrank behind her mane, “I could come with you, I mean, if you want me to…”
Gildas face returned to its neutral state as she gazed down at the small Pegasus, “Sure. If you want...”
Fluttershy brightened immediately, “Oh, it would be my pleasure! I just need to finish feeding my animals, and then we can go,” She smiled as she turned and resumed her morning chore.
Gilda glanced back over her shoulder, and then walked over to Fluttershy’s side, “Hey, uh, Fluttershy?”
Fluttershy looked up at her.
“Do you want some help?”
Fluttershy smiled, “That would be lovely, thank you.”
The two fell into silence as Fluttershy showed Gilda what to do. With their combined efforts, it only took them a few minutes empty Fluttershys saddlebags.
Gilda stood, and look down at Fluttershy, “So, do you want to head over now or…” Gilda frowned and held a claw to her stomach as it rumbled, loudly.
Fluttershy covered her mouth with a hoof, “Oh, my. Gilda, would you like some breakfast?”
The Griffin shook her head, “We don’t have time-”
Fluttershy sprang into the air, hovering in front of GIldas face, “But you simply must have something to eat!” She dropped to the ground, “I mean, if you want to.”
Gilda rolled her eyes and shook her head, “Fine, fine. You win.”
Fluttershy clopped her front hooves together, “Oh wonderful! Follow me please.”
The yellow Pegasus turned, scooped up her empty saddlebags and trotted towards her cottage. Gilda followed suit.