Fluttershy
Fluttershy blinked.
Dark brown fur, sleek, arched body, fluffy tail, twitching whiskers. Rounded ears and black shining eyes on a masked face, ready to swivel towards the slightest whisper. Now, though, it was pointed at her.
Fluttershy had named the polecat Bounce when she found him several years ago, had said how adorable and bouncy he was. Now she said nothing, just stared at him while he stared back at her.
Bounce chittered and looked at the couch behind him. Fluttershy squeaked and nodded, and Bounce leapt up to the couch and settled down. Watching her from across the cottage, he chittered again.
“Oh … Okay,” mumbled Fluttershy. She sat opposite him. “Please don't be angry, but … why are you here?”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“Oh, no, Bounce! I don't mind. I'm glad to see you again. It's just a bit of a surprise, because of … you know.” Fluttershy, feeling unable to meet Bounce's eye, studied the floor intently.
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“Goodness! Really? But what happens then?”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“No! That's so sad! Is there any way I can change it?”
Chitter.
“Oh … Oh, Bounce, I'm so sorry.”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“Are you sure? Well, if you do get scared you can come over here for a cuddle. I won't mind.”
Bounce looked from side to side, furtively, as though he might be overheard. Chitter.
“Of course! Even if you're not scared.”
Bounce leapt from the couch, ran across the floor, and jumped into Fluttershy's forelegs. He peered around the room, then nuzzled her shoulder and settled down.
Fluttershy ran a hoof across his fur. Then something occurred to her, and she squeaked. “What if Angel Bunny wakes up? Oh my, he won't be pleased at all.”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“He won't? So long as he's happy, then. Are you sure?”
Bounce chittered again, then barked.
“I wish you wouldn't be so cruel. He's not a bad bunny. Naughty sometimes, but not bad. And I love you both equally.”
Chitter.
“No, not loved. Love. I never stopped, even after you .. you know.”
Bounce peered at Fluttershy and hid his head in her mane. She stroked him again.
Slightly muffled: Chitter. Chitter.
“I don't think you have to love him, no. I know that after what happened, you and Angel could never …”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“Of course not, Bounce. Why would I blame you?”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“But it's not your fault. It's in your nature … was in your nature.”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“I know I did. But that was a long time ago. At the time I didn't realise.”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“I was just shocked. I'm .. better with it now. I've accepted it.”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter?
“You don't need to apologise for it, sweetie. Like I said, it was in your nature to do it.”
Chitter.
“To Angel? Oh … Of course I could.
Chitter. Chitter? Bounce shifted and pawed at strands of her mane.
“I … Yes. I'm sure he will. I'll apologise to him and he'll accept and we'll all be fine.
Chitter.
Fluttershy squeaked and looked down. Bounce emerged from her mane and peered at her.
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“You're right. Oh, Bounce, I'm sorry. I want it all to be okay, but it isn't. I don't know if Angel will accept. I don't think he will. It … it's not the sort of thing he could forgive.”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“I will, even if he doesn't accept it. I promise.”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Bounce paused, panting, out of breath. He looked Fluttershy in the eye. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“You couldn't starve, Bounce! That wouldn't have made anything better. And if not her, then what else? It could've been any bunny. But it was her. Angel was just a baby, just a little kit. He lost his mother … and I don't think he can forgive that.”
Bounce lay on the floor, silent. Fluttershy rubbed his head softly.
“Please don't be too sad, sweetie,” she said.
Bounce said nothing.
“You don't even like Angel Bunny. Why are you so put out now?”
Chitter. Chitter!
“I keep saying that I forgave you.”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“But my view of the world … I had to lose that. I was naïve. If not you then someone else would have shown me.”
Bounce ran across the floor and looked out into the night. Dabbing at her eyes, Fluttershy watched him without saying anything.
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“Yes,” said Fluttershy, “it's your last chance. But …” She thought for a moment. “I have a friend I met after you … you know. She's called Pinkie Pie, and she would say that if it's your last chance then you should try and spend it being happy.”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“I know, sweetie. I know.” Fluttershy sighed. “I feel like that when she tells me I need to be more assertive. But we have to try, don't we? Well, I … I'm scared of not trying.”
Chitter.
“Yes. Like I might shrink and fade away and be forgotten if I don't. But I'm not important right now. You are. Please try and be happy, Bounce. It breaks my heart to see you sad like this.”
Chitter. Chitter.
“I'm not.”
Bounce stood on his hindlegs and folded his arms. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
Fluttershy looked away. “Okay, if you say so …”
Chitter. Chitter. Chitter. Chitter.
“Oh, yes. That would be lovely.”
Chitter?
“Agreed!”
Fluttershy brushed the fresh tears from her eyes and extended a hoof. Bounce leapt to it, ran along her leg and cuddled up in her mane.
*