Fluttershy knocked on the bathroom door. "You okay? You've been in there a really long time?" Caleb didn't know how to explain that he was now completely fine. "Yea, I'm okay. Just washing up, I'll only be a few more minutes."
"Okay..." She said "but please hurry." And with that he could hear hoof steps leave.
"Alright, I am the new death. That's good... no, that's amazing!" Caleb had always wanted to be a reaper, to be more hands on rather than that gloomy job he used to have, but it was short lived and bittersweet. "What do I do now? I can't simply walk out there completely fine, that would be too weird." Then the thought that he could just fake it occurred. He wrapped it up best he could and held it up by his chest like he had been. "Alright, same deal only I have to pretend it hurts."
He put the towels he used in a hamper and walked out. Discomfort apparently were one of the things he could still feel and the splint was just that. As soon as he took two steps out the door a flash of yellow light raced by him "OHMYGOSHTHANKYOUSORRYI'LLBERIGHTOUT" and the door slammed. He walked back to the couch and sat down. What was he going to do? It didn't hurt and he felt well rested, he didn't want to just stay here all day and pretend to be injured, he wanted to go and find out what the hell that clue meant and who that Pinkie character was that the mare mentioned earlier. He didn't want to just up and leave though, that would be rude to his host and seeing how she reacted to him sitting on the floor he doubted she would take him disappearing lightly. On top of all this he had the figure out what job Lucifer had given him and what he was supposed to do. It is scary to think what might happen if he cannot do his job but whatever would happen wouldn't be good. As he imagined the possible outcomes the bathroom door closed and Fluttershy came walking back into the room. She smiled and took a seat next to him.
"How does it feel?" she asked. Caleb glance from her to his arm and back. "It still hurts but I'll manage. I know it must be weird taking care of someone you know literally nothing about and have never met." Fluttershy looked away "well it is a little, but you were hurt and I have a duty to all living creatures." He nodded "You never even told me your name." She looked a little embarrassed "well I have but..."
"But what?"
"I can be very..."
"Hm?"
"Shy..."
"Please speak up. We're friends here."
"My name is Fluttershy."
"Well there you go." Caleb kinda gave her a pat on the back. "Heard that." She smiled still embarrassed. "Well who are you? Are you an astronomer pony or a star gazer?" Caleb gave her a confused look "Not in the slightest, I have never looked at a night sky. What made you think that I did?" Shy hid behind her hair again "Well you'r cutie mark being a star I just thought.... I'm sorry I shouldn't have made assumptions."
"What is a cutie mark?" It was Fluttershy's turn to be confused "You don't know what a cutie mark is? It's your birthright, it defines who you are as a whole. It's been on your rump your whole life almost." He has no clue what she was talking about but he humored her by looking at her rump. "What do the butterflies mean then?" She thought for a moment before speaking "Kindness, for my love of taking care of every living thing." He nodded.
"So what's that star mean?"
He looked at his own rump and noticed a pentagram almost etched into him. "I... well... I guess you could say that I am a collector."
"A collector of what?" She asked eagerly.
"Um... well I guess you could say unusual paranormal items?"
She was confused.
"It doesn't matter, what matters now is that I get some exercise. I was hoping that I could go into town.
"With your injury? Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"Of course, it doesn't hurt that bad."
"Alright... but I'm going with you."
Caleb stood up "Fair enough, then we'd better head out."
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"You know you don't have to lean against me, I can stand perfectly fine."
Fluttershy jumped away. "Oh sorry... I just thought it would help."
They made their way over a bridge into town square. It was buzzing with ponies of all styles of life going to and from their destinations or just enjoying a nice day. "I think you're going to love Pinkie Pie; she is very energetic and very special. Just... please keep an open mind." Caleb looked at her "What's that supposed to mean?" Fluttershy shifted her eyes away "You'll see..." They made their way to a tall gingerbread looking building. "Her house is a giant cookie?" A little giggle came from the yellow pegasus "No, it's the bakery. She rents an apartment above the store and works here." Caleb took a look through the store window. "Then where is everyone?" She responded "Well it is Sunday so everypony is probably doing errands or enjoying the day. The bakery is closed but Pinkie is usually still baking something or planning one of here super fun parties."
"I don't see anyone in th-
"PFFFFFFTT!"
A barrage of string confetti and glitter shot both of them square in the face. Seemingly from nowhere a pink pony appeared with non other than her infamous party cannon and a noisemaker to boot. She picked up Caleb by the neck and effortlessly invaded his private space with a rib crushing hug. "NEW PONY!" She cried.
Fluttershy regained her footing "This is Pinkie Pie." Caleb couldn't speak let alone breath. Pinkie still held him in a death grip with little to no hope of escape. "Oh my goodness I haven't met a new pony in ages mostly because I know everypony already and it is fun and everything but a new pony means I can have even more parties and can make a new friend smile and OHMYGOSH I am going to throw you the bestest most greatest party of your entire life and I will invite everypony! You need to tell me what kind of cake you like and what kind of fruit punch to get THIS WILL BE GREAT! Do you have friends who want to come, NO, need to come! Well do ya!? You don't talk much." Caleb pushed himself away just enough to speak "Miss! Release me at once! I have no intention of going to a party and I would appreciate some space!"
Pinkie let go and her happy go lucky attitude was immediately replaced with a shock of horror and then to one of a sad nature. "No....party....is it because of me? I'm sorry... I didn't mean to come on so strong..." Her hair went from its poofy, bright, curly form to a straight and dark form. Caleb was aware of this bi-polar attitude from reading a psychology book called madness but has never met a soul who could do that and was sure put off by the display. However he couldn't help but feel bad for the creature. "Well, I mean... if it means that much to you I guess you could throw a small party if you want... I guess..."
"SQUEEEEEEEE!"
And the poofy hair and the vice grip returned. "Oh we are going to be the bestest of best friends! Just like Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow dash! I just know it Mr. uhh...."
"C..Caleb...*Cough*"
"Oh I have to send out invitations and bake and get ready for this swell party! Where do you live? I'll bring everything over!"
Caleb again wrenched the beast away from him. "I live nowhere." This however did not deter the Pink menace. "Oh a traveler! Well that's okay! We can have it here later tonight when the Cakes go out!"
"The cakes?"
"Ya! They own the bakery, but they don't mind I do this all the time!"
Fluttershy piped in "Literally."
Pinkie spoke "That's it then! Come inside and we can get this set up in two hours tops! It will be fun!" and with that she disappeared into the Bakery behind the counter.
Fluttershy trotted next to Caleb "I... I'm sorry I should have warned you better."
It's no big deal, I mean I'm not in a rush or anything to get lost. If I'm going to find my friend I might as well get to know everyone else while I'm at it."
She smiled "Well we better go before Pinkie drags us in."
Fun Fun Fun