I awoke early in the morning, as was my usual routine, stretching my wings and taking a deep breath of the equestrian air. I unfurled my gray wings and flapped them a time or two to work out any tight muscles left from my bed of clouds (shockingly less comfortable then you might think). I rolled over and stood on my hooves half ready to take off to build my new house until I remembered that I had finished and was living in it. I choose to go for a quick flight before cleaning up, no sense in showering if I just got sweaty again.
As I walked out of the cloud house i couldn't help but be proud that i finally finished working on it. It was nothing really special just a small home but it suited my needs just fine. I spread my wings and jumped over the edge allowing myself a few second of free fall before lifting and truly taking off.
This was my true passion, flying through the sky and soaring above the clouds. I was not concerned about speed or agility, no my passion was to simply feel the wind under my wings and the current of the air tugging my red mane and tail with it’s blue streaks behind me. I was a fast flier don’t get me wrong i could leave a trail of blue lined with red (an odd switch i never truly figured out) and in that wake i could make the water droplets crackle with static from brushing my fur (which lead to the mark on my flank of a blue and red lightning bolt). But that’s not what it was about for me, the freedom from any bonds holding me in place, the open air being my domain of free reign, my only limit being the sky, that’s what it was for me.
Needless to say it’s because of this love for freedom that made it hard for me to really get attached to people or places. I had few friends, none of them close, but i had never really needed them. I didn't have many troubles with others and didn’t bother anyone as i was only in a town for just a few weeks at a time and always living on the outskirts. I made a small house in each city or town I stayed in, giving me plenty of places to stay should i need it. I never needed a job as i made all my houses myself and found myself food off the land, electricity was no problem, heck it was my talent. I lived the dream, no money issues, no drama from others, no worry about where to sleep and plenty of knowledge to no longer worry about food. I was free and bound only by laws of equestria (easy to follow when there was no one who you could offend).
Yet even though I had true freedom I still looked on at the society and wondered what life would be like if i did stay somewhere and made a life for myself. And lately more so than usual, something about this new town, ponyville, seemed to entice these thoughts more than usual. Even now flying freely in the open wind I couldn't help but glance at the town and wonder. But there were six individuals that i found myself....observing.. more so than others. These six could almost always be found together doing one thing or another, they seemed to be very close as friends.
Shaking my head I had to clear these thoughts, I was free, I had no one to answer to or restrict me, so why did i keep wondering what confined life was like? Curiosity was one thing, but these thoughts were something else, they were never out of pity for the ground bound earth ponies and unicorns or town tethered pegasi, these thoughts practically bordered on envy. But why would I be jealous of such a restricted life when I could simply let my wings carry me where I wished? What was wrong with me?
I shook my head again and focused on my flight; the wind rushing around my body and through my fur, the clouds whizzing by as i built speed, the ground so far below as i scouted somewhere for food for the next few weeks. suddenly all thoughts of being tied down were released as I again felt the freedom of flight. I could feel the soft droplets of water around me begin to crackle in my tail as they passed the fur on my body; and shortly after a few beads of sweat began to form along my forehead as one dribbled down my muzzle before making a small crack of static and disappearing.
I had at first thought that the sweat was from sheer effort alone as i had covered much ground until i felt the midday sun beat down on my back. My quick flight had taken several hours from my day and I, being lost in my own mind didn't even notice as i approached the dark treeline of the everfree. I chose to slow my speed so the water no longer crackled and the small amounts of sweat didn't disappear.
My focus began to move back to the ground as i looked for some food and drink. As my focus shifted I didn't notice the other Pegasus lifting in the air on soft wings chasing a large group of butterflies. I kept looking for provisions, she kept going for the butterflies trying to bring them to the ground. I never looked forward, she never looked away. We never saw each other until we collided.
“WOOOAAAHHH!” I shouted as i spiraled out of the air and towards the ground.
“EEEEEEEP” I hear the squeal as she also plummeted down as well.
When I hit the ground I hit hard, nothing that would break bones, but definitely enough to hurt. Of course of any place she could have landed she landed on me sitting on my stomach as her squeal ended.
“Oh my.... I’m so sorry.” She quickly climbed off me and seemed to shrink as she retreated into her long pink mane hiding her face. I felt a slight annoyance at the fact the my freedom flight was hindered by this Pegasus (albeit whoever she was she certainly was cute.)
“No it’s fine wasn't looking, my bad.” Though i was annoyed I was still at fault and would admit it.
“No.... sorry.. I shouldn't have flown so high.. I’m not the best of flyers..sorry.” The last of her soft voice was almost impossible to hear as she squeaked out the last few words being muffled by her mane.
My anger began to fade as i soon realized what she had said, not being the best flyer. It almost ached as I thought of a Pegasus not able to fly well. I made a note to make it a cause to help her.
“Excuse me ma’am but did you just say not the best flyer?” My deep and somewhat gruff voice seemed like a yell after her timid quietness.
“...yes” Again I could barely hear her.
“Say no more. from this point I simply must teach to you to fly; the freedom, the rush it’s invigorating.”
“Oh no that’s quite alright.. no need.. I’ll just be going.” I simply couldn't let her leave. this soft yellow Pegasus with her pink mane was my new goal. I simply had to show her the great gift of wings.
“I insist. simply allow me one shot at showing what flight can really mean. That’s all I ask.”
“..okay.” Her voice reached a very high yet somehow quiet tone and I almost felt guilty for something yet I hadn't done anything. Right?
“Is tomorrow fine? If you want to” I had no idea why I tagged the last part on. Of course she would want to, flight is amazing. But then why did I no longer feel so guilty when I said it?
“Okay.. Sugarcube corner..?” I couldn't tell where or what that was, i had no idea about the town and she still seemed to be trying to hide even stepping away. But the sun had begun setting so I had no time to question her more then one last little thing.
“I’m sorry but I don’t think I've introduced myself, I’m static shock. And you are?”
“I’m...flut...” I couldn't catch the last part as she trailed to a faint mumble.
“I’m sorry what?”
“I’m fluter....” Again the mumble.
“One more time please?”
“I’m Fluttershy.” finally i caught it as she turned her head enough for me to see her face. And the most gorgeous soft cyan eyes glanced at me before she turned and trotted off with the butterflies pursuing her as if she were their mother.
“Fluttershy.” I repeated the name before heading home