Alright, so let me tell you about one of the most shy friends I have. I’m going to be honest with you. Fluttershy was the last pony to talk to me, but I don't blame her. She always froze up when I approached her. Even going as far as to duck into alleyways when she saw me walking down the street. There was no rhyme or reason to her reactions. Even her friends couldn't convince her of my good nature. She simply was just too afraid to give me a chance.
I pause as I think over that fateful morning. To this day I’m still unsure how Twilight and the others convinced Fluttershy to invite me over for some tea at her cottage. Though I’m glad that they did. She is a sweet mare and I’m happy to call her my friend.
I was clean and ready in some stylish clothing Rarity made for this occasion. While not as fancy as a suit. I certainly looked dressed to impress. Practically everything had to go right here if I was ever to get this mare to be my friend. Sure I know I can't make them all like me, but I don't want her avoid me out of a simple fear. If she doesn't like me for me, then I can accept that but I can't accept her not liking me for no reason.
I nervously pull at my collar out of habit as I stand in front of her door.
“Alright, Anon. Rarity and you went over this. Take everything slow. Speak softly, be gentle. Like a tree, be just like a tree. Fluttershy likes trees.”
After that pep talk do I place a few gentle knocks at the door. I can hear a squeak of surprise come from within. The soft patter of hooves slowly coming to the door.
“W-Who is it?” I hear a gentle voice call.
“Hi, Fluttershy. It’s me Anon.” All I hear is silence in return. “I know I’m a little early but I thought that would be fine. That’s fine, right?”
“U-Um, sure.” She answers.
I can hear some locks clack aloud as the door to her cottage slowly opens. She peers out cautiously and looks to me with nervousness. She gradually opens the door all the way, hiding herself behind it.
“P-Please come in.” All I see is her hoof pointing towards the living room as she hides completely behind the door.
I let out a shallow sigh as I show myself in, taking a seat on one of her couches. I could already tell this was going to be a very long and awkward day. Fluttershy closes the door and slowly slinks away towards the kitchen. Soon she comes back with a tray on her back with a set of tea cups, as well as a pot. She sets it down onto a small table, but before she can reach for the pot, I hold up a hand to stop her.
“Please, allow me.” I say as I gently raise the pot and cleanly pour us both a cup. She doesn't protest as I set up both up with some tea. “What do you take yours with?” I ask.
“J-Just a little honey.” She answers.
I give a nod as I take a small teaspoon of honey and gently stir it into her cup. Once I was done do I push her cup to her. We both sit there in awkward silence as we slowly sip from our cups. The silence is unbearable. I look around for anything to start a conversation.
“So...” I try to start the conversation but stop when I spot a small bunny at my feet as he looks up to me. “Hey there little guy.” I say gently as I reach my hand out to pet it.
It seems cautious at first but as soon as I lay my hand on its head and gently start to scratch it, this little creature seems to just melt in my hands. I can't help but chuckle as I see this bunny start to lean into my hand as it rolls its head so I can get better reach to different areas. I look over to see that Fluttershy’s eyes are the size of pin pricks as she slowly starts to shake in place.
“Are you alright, Fluttershy?” She doesn't look so good.
“A-A-An-ngel-l.” She whispers.
I look down to the bunny. “Is that what your name is, Angel?” I was surprised to see the bunny actually nod at me. “Wow, smart bunny.”
I was going to reach out to him again, but Fluttershy leaps from her seat and tackles the bunny to the ground.
“P-Please don't eat him!” She pleads while holding him tight to her chest.
Now I’m shocked. “Why would I eat him?” I ask while quickly smuffing out my anger.
She looks rather surprised by that question. “I-I don't know.” She answers.
I let out a sigh as I shake my head. “Fluttershy, I’ve seen a bear outside playing with that exact bunny. A bear!” I couldn't help but shout the last part. The sighting still fresh in my mind. “Bears where I’m from eat bunnies. They eat anything that walks.”
“Mr. Bear would never do that!” Fluttershy retorts as if the very thought was offensive.
I can't believe that as I shout back. “What the hell does Mr. Bear eat then! I know he isn't that big from eating his fruits and veggies everyday!”
She quickly looks away. “W-Well, I guess I never really asked.” She says honestly.
Another sigh comes from me as I reel in my temper. “I’m not going to eat Angel. Humans may eat animals, but we don't eat pets.”
“S-So you are a carnivore?” She asks, still a little nervous but more subdued.
“Omnivore, actually.” I correct. She nods her head slowly. Probably doesn't even know what that is. “It means I can eat meat and various fruits and vegetables.”
“I-I know... I met a minotaur before.”
“Minotaur, really?” I ask in disbelief. She nods as I shake my head. “This world...”
“So you don't eat pets?” She wants to confirm.
“No.” I say bluntly. “Humans have grown to be more civilised than to eating our pets. Sure we eat other things that are meat, but that doesn't mean we eat dogs or anything. Well... Most of us.” I shake a little at that thought of people who eat dogs. Sick bastards.
“So, humans don't eat bunnies?” She asks.
I scratch the back of my head. “Fluttershy. What’s your least favorite food to eat?”
She looks to me confused at my sudden question. “Well, I don't like brussel sprouts.” She answers.
I nod. “Do other ponies eat brussel sprouts?”
The realisation dawns on her as a simple. “Oh...” Escapes her lips.
I nod. “Yeah. We’re all different, Fluttershy. I can't tell you what others eat. I can only tell you what I eat.” I can feel that feeling of being a freak start to build up. “Y-You know... maybe I should go.” I say silently as I get up to show myself out.
“No, please!” I hear her shout. I turn back surprised that she actually yelled. “I’m so sorry... I-I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable...” She looks away ashamed. “I know that you can't change who you are. Even if you wanted to.” I just stay silent as she seems to get more emotional. “I’m so mad at myself!” She spits out. She then looks up to me with glistening eyes. “Even though my friends tried to tell me. Even when I saw the way you tried to smile at me. When you offered to help me with my groceries. I-I was just too afraid.” She looks away. “I’m so weak.”
I can see small tears running over her cheek as she shivers in place. I walk over to her and take a knee as I lay my hand on her shoulder.
“Hey. You’re not weak. Honestly, I don't blame you, Fluttershy. I know you were just worried about your animals is all.” I try to comfort her.
“No Anon, I-I promised myself on the day I got my cutie mark that I would help any creature that needed me most.” She looks at me fully broken into tears as her lips trembles. “I-I failed. W-When you were hurt, when you were so alone... When you needed somepony there most... I-I wasn't there.” She quickly wraps me into a hug and buries her face into my chest as she cries out. “I-I’m so sorry!”
I just hold this mare as I let her cry. She kept saying how she was sorry over and over until she couldn't keep her eyes open anymore. I look over at the bunny that can only look to Fluttershy in worry.
“Don't worry, little guy. I’m sure all she needs is some rest.” I whisper to him.
He doesn't look away from her as he nods his head slowly. I wasn't going to leave Fluttershy here on the floor, so I gently pick her up and decide to lay her on the couch. As soon as I set her down do I walk to the door. When I look back I see Angel jump up onto the couch and snuggle close to Fluttershy.
“Hey.” I call out to him as he looks to me. “I’ll be back to tomorrow.” I chuckle a little at the thought of talking to a bunny but he seems rather intelligent. “I would tell you to take care of her, but, I have a feeling that you are already on that.”
He gives me a determines look as he gives me one swift nod. I just shake my head slightly with a smile as I show myself out. I look up to see that the sky is actually darkening some. How long was I here?
Fluttershy came to visit me early in the morning the next day. She apologised repeatedly for her hesitation over my stay here and asked me if there was anything she could do to make it right. I just told her that having her as my friend would be good enough. She was more than happy to accept that as she gave me another hug. Only to break away quickly in embarrassment. From that day on I would sometimes go to her place and help her with the animals some when I had the chance.
And you know what? After that day most of the ponies in town accepted me. Fluttershy, the shy and scaredy mare accepted me as a friend. All the ponies took that to heart more than I could’ve ever imagined. She may have thought that she failed in her promise to help every creature she meets but, she couldn't be farther from the truth.
I set the quill down feeling a lot better after writing that. Fluttershy is a great friend. My attention is drawn from me as I feel something tap on my leg. I look down in confusion as I see a small ball of fluff.
“Angel?” He nods as he points at the door. “You want me to go somewhere?” He nods as he pulls out a small clock and points at it. “Something... Something about time.” I try to think about what it could be. He stamps his foot and points at the clock again. I look closer at it. “5pm... Why does that sou-” My eyes shoot open. “Crap, I'm late for my tea time with Fluttershy!”
I spring to my feet and quickly race out the door. Only to quickly open the door again so Angel could leave as well. “Thanks again.” I say before racing off to Fluttershy’s cottage.