As I made my way to Fluttershy's abode, a problem occurred to me.
"...What am I actually going to say to her?" I asked myself.
I vaguely noticed some ponies from Pinkie's party as I walked along. They smiled and waved to me, giving me little hello's here and there. However, most of them quickly noticed I wasn't responding, as I simply walked by, silent. I was deep in thought, muttering to myself.
"It made the most sense when I chose to visit Fluttershy first, to tell her about my 'real history', so to speak, but how will she react?... She seems to be the most pacifistic out of all of Twilight's friends. How will she react to knowing I've been lying about my age and my entire identity? I don't exactly have the most peaceful fictional past thought up..."
I dragged my hands down my face in exasperation. As I reached the far corners of Ponyville, there were many less receiving ears around. I took the liberty of ranting out loud to myself.
"Ugh, this whole situation is convoluted -- this whole society is convoluted. These ponies are ruled by dragons, for Naga's sake! And they don't even know it; hells, they don't even know what a real dragon is! What they call dragons are simply pale imitations: overgrown wyverns, if anything."
I shook my head.
"Never mind, I need to get back on track. Naturally, I require some segue into actually telling her the 'truth'. Alright, maybe this'll work... Twilight said she was an animal caretaker, right? I can offer some help for the day, mention some of my old comrades, and while she's curious about my past, I can start explaining my age, what happened, et cetera. An easy transition will make the revelation a bit less harsh, I'd assume." I nodded to myself. "A solid enough plan. Maybe my previous experiences with the Shepherds' own animals will help me."
I sighed as I reminisced about helping Cherche find a mate for her wyvern. Those were some crazy times... I hope I never have to do something like that again.
Before I realized it, I was already climbing up the slope to Fluttershy's doorstep. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. After a moment, I heard a squeak from inside, followed by a quiet, but kind voice.
"Who... Um, yes? Who is it?"
I sighed inaudibly. I called back, "Fluttershy? It's me, Robin."
I heard a rushed, rather quiet "Oh!" from some area behind the door. There was a flutter of wings, and suddenly the gateway was opened, allowing me to meet the Pegasus behind it.
I looked down to see her smiling meekly up at me. "Hi Robin, it's good to see you, again." She seemed to grow even more bashful after saying this, blushing visibly on the small part of her face I actually could see.
...Who are you supposed to be? Olivia? I thought sarcastically.
Hiding my cynical thoughts, I presented myself with a polite smile and greeting. "Hello Fluttershy. I just thought I'd swing by today. I seem to be at a loss of things to do at the moment, and was wondering if there were any issues I could assist you with."
Fluttershy's eyes widened at this. "Oh... well there was something I was going to do today, but I'd rather not trouble you with-"
I cut her off, my face and voice stern. "Fluttershy, please. Anything at all, from feeding your animals to preening your own feathers, I would be willing to help you with." After I said that last comment, I feared I may have stepped on some proverbial toes.
Fluttershy blushed furiously, a red as deep as Olivia did when her dress tore on a rock in the middle of a dance. I fell into silent shock for a moment as Fluttershy mortifyingly mumbled something about an intimate ritual between pegasi.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! But please, even if you don't have anything specific in mind, just tell me what you were planning for today. I'm sure I could assist somehow." I pleaded.
Fluttershy looked down. "...Well, there was something. I was hoping to take one of my animal friends back into the Everfree Forest, and make sure he got to his home safely, but it's dangerous and I wouldn't want to bother you with something that-"
I already stopped listening. "Fluttershy, wait. You were planning to go into the forest? Alone? The forest full of deadly creatures?"
She slowly nodded. "I already made the trip once alone. You see, the poor little guy was getting harassed by a mean mongoose. He's a snake, so the mongoose is his natural predator. The bully scratched him up quite a bit, and I heard him cry out for help."
I shook my head. "You didn't know what was attacking him; it could've hurt you as well."
She stomped a hoof. "I'd never leave a poor, defenseless animal in need. Their needs come before mine, especially since I was close by and able to help."
I rubbed my chin. The speech would be more impressive if she didn't have the vocal cords of a mouse.
I sighed. "Well, I had nothing else planned in advance for today. If I don't come along as protection, at least let me come as company, all right?"
Fluttershy nodded. "I... suppose that would be alright."
"Great! So, where is this little guy?"
A thunderous rumbling shook the cottage.
Fluttershy smiled and turned. "Oh, I think that's him right now!" She stepped to the left to give me a better view of her guest.
I backed away from the door as a massive boa constrictor peeked its head out: a head which was roughly the same size as my own, and which I highly suspected would be able to expand wide enough to engulf me, should it be provoked. I nearly broke and ran for my life until I noticed something.
"...Is that a bandage over its eye?"
The pegasus gently rubbed the scaly head of the great beast and coo'd to him. "There there, Robin's here to help us find your home again." She turned back to me and whispered. "It was that mean ol' mongoose who did this to him. But don't mention it; he's a bit embarrassed about it."
My eyes didn't leave the monster capable of swallowing a cow. With a bandage over one eye. Being pet by a pegasus a good fifth of its size.
This is going to be a long day...