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// New Friends 
// Story: Greener on the Other Side. 
// by gravysamich 
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“Thank you very much, Pinkie. I don’t know how I would have carried all this food back to my cottage alone,” Fluttershy mused to her traveling companion.
“Don’t you worry your silly Billy head, silly,” the pink mare responded. She continued her bouncy trot along the path just ahead of her yellow friend.
It was Fluttershy’s weekly shopping day and she had gone a bit lavish with her purchases today. Lucky for her, her friend Pinkie Pie had been at the market gathering supplies for her latest party. It wasn’t hard to convince Pinkie to help, and soon the two were on the road headed to Ponyville. Fluttershy had just one more stop along the way and her shopping would be finished.
“We just need to stop right up here, Pinkie.”
“Okie dokie,” Pinkie replied and saluted her friend.
The two stopped at the local imports just outside of Ponyville proper, right next to the train station. It was a small shop which only had a few select items, all of which were only sold here, knickknacks from Appaloosa, luxury shampoos and makeups from Manehatten, and the item Fluttershy was there for. This was the one bit of shopping done just for herself, Crystal Brie, from the Crystal Empire. It was a delicious cheese that she could only be bought here.
“Is that all you’re here for?” the bubbly pink pony inquired.
Fluttershy squeaked at the sudden questioning. “Oh… Um, yes.”
She had to admit that it was a little silly to go out of her way just for a specialty cheese just for herself.
“Pinkie, would you like anything while we’re here? I could um… get you something… to say thank you,” the shy Pegasus squeaked.
Pinkie immediately dropped the questioning at the thought of a gift. “If you're gonna buy me something, who am I to stop you?” It took Pinkie all of ten seconds to pick out a small bag of crystal rock candy.
The two ponies brought their treats up to the register and Fluttershy paid. It was when the two left the shop that Fluttershy heard a bit of commotion in front of the train station. There was a white unicorn colt standing and yelling into a pay phone. “What do you mean I can’t move in today?!” The pony was clearly agitated. He looked pretty plain with a white coat, brown mane and tail, a cutie mark of an artistic looking "I". His only outstanding feature were his eyes: They were brown and bloodshot. “Maybe he is really upset about whatever he was yelling about,” Fluttershy thought to herself.
“Pinkie, I’m going to go ask that guy what’s wrong.” Pinkie was sucking on her candy and hadn’t even noticed the yelling colt. Fluttershy shrugged and slowly wandered over to the pony.
By now he had hung up the phone and was rubbing his temples. He sniffed and wiped his eyes. The yellow mare slowly approached the pony and spoke. “U-um, sir, what’s the matter?”
He was caught off guard by the sudden voice behind him and turned sharply. Fluttershy, frightened by the sudden movement, retreated behind her hair and covered her face.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m just a little on edge at the moment,” his voice was deep and soft, but a little grave. Fluttershy returned to a standing position when he reassured her that he wasn’t a threat.
“You see, I was supposed to move in to my new home today, but apparently, the previous owner hasn’t totally moved out yet.” He was visibly calming down. “The name's Stonewall Squares. What can I call you?”
“F-fluttershy,” she said, still a little apprehensive.
“Fluttershy, nice name. You wouldn’t know of a hotel in the area would you?”
Fluttershy thought for a moment, “I’m sorry, I think the only hotel is at least a five hour walk south of Ponyville.”
Stonewall let out a heavy sigh, “I knew it wouldn’t be that easy.” He pulled out a map. “Can you circle it on here?"
Fluttershy circled the place she spoke of. “There you are, Mr. Squares.”
“Please, Stone is what my friends call me. Thank you for the help.” He then folded the map and tucked it in to his saddlebags. He repositioned his bags and stood up right. “Well, I better get to moving if I don’t want to be walking in the dark.” He began to walk away.
For the first time Fluttershy was made aware of how late it was getting, close to 6 P.M. “I feel bad for him. His day just went from bad to worse.” She looked back to where Pinkie was, she was still blissfully ignorant to the whole situation and still enjoying her sweets. “Stone, wait…” he stopped and turned around. “How long do you think it will take for your house to be ready?”
“The owner said it would be ready by the end of the week. Why?”
“Well, I live in a cottage all by myself and I do have an extra room…” Why was she offering to let complete stranger to stay in her cottage? He just seems so pitiful.
Stone was shocked. “Are you sure?”
“Y-yep, what kind of a pony turns down a pony in need?” She still was unsure but he seemed like a nice guy.
Stonewall seemed elated, and he gave a huge dopey grin. “Thanks a bunch” he noted the huge sack of groceries on Fluttershy’s back. “Let me give you a hand with that, then.” His horn glowed and the bag was moved to his own back.
“Hey, if he is gonna carry your bag he can carry mine too.”  Pinkie was suddenly at his side hoisting her bundle on to his back.
“Your friend?” Stonewall questioned as he took the added weight.
“Y-“
“Yes siree, I’m Pinkie Pie. I see you met Fluttershy. We’re bestest friends. But I am always glad to meet a new pony and make a friend, and I think you will make a great friend. You are a little short for a colt, but you seem nice. What did you say your name was?” Pinkie assaulted stone with a barrage of words and it took a moment for everything to register.
“U-um, S-stonewall. Uh, just call me Stone.” He confusedly stammered.
“Nice to meetcha, Stony!” The pink mare then shook his hoof. “We should have a party to celebrate you moving to Ponyville.”
“Uh, sure?” Stone was confused but was somehow still made happy by this pony’s cheerful nature.
“Pinkie Pie can be a little excited when she meets somepony new,” Fluttershy said when she finally managed to get a word in.
“I know a few ponies like her back in the city. She is fine though.” Everything was finally calming down.  “So where am I lugging this stuff, Fluttershy?”
“Oh, we are just on our way back to my cottage. Just up the road. I live just outside of town.”
“Well, lead the way.”
The three then set out for Fluttershy’s. Pinkie chattered all the way. It was a pleasant afternoon to be traveling with new friends. Stone felt like his luck, which started out crumby, had taken a full 180-degree spin. He had been used to the coldness and lack of ponies willing to lend a helping hand. Within the very first 30 minutes, he had been offered a stay in a cute mare’s home. Thankfully he had packed light to get set up in Ponyville, and though the packs he was carrying were heavy, it was the least he could do to thank them for their generosity. After walking for a short while the group came up to the meadow that was Fluttershy’s home.
“Well, it was fun meeting you, Stone, but now I need to be off.” Pinkie quickly pulled her purchases out of the sack on Stone’s back. And before either of the two remaining ponies could react, she was gone.
“Pinkie is fun,” Stone said, looking to Fluttershy. “A little exhausting, but fun.” And he put on another big dopey grin.
“Y-yeah, but that’s Pinkie for you.” She allowed herself to wear a small grin. “Well, let’s go inside.”
The two walked through the door and were greeted by a huge mess of animals.
“I see you have pets.” Stone said as he was swarmed by twenty or more curious noses.
“Oh, I take care of these animals and help find them homes.” Fluttershy said, slightly embarrassed by the animals swarming her new friend.  She took the bags off of Stone’s back.
“Sweeties, this is Stone; he will staying with us for a while.” Fluttershy cooed to the group of animals. “Go ahead and make yourself at home. I just need to put these groceries away.”
“That’s alright I am gonna step outside to smoke my pipe.”
Huh, he didn’t really seem the type to smoke. “Alright…” Oh well, at least he was kind enough to take it outside. Not many ponies in Ponyville smoked. Occasionally she would see one of the old ponies in town with a pipe and she knew some ponies in Appaloosa that rolled cigarettes and smoked those. Smoking just wasn’t a thing too many ponies did anymore. At least Stone smoked a pipe, which seemed a little more distinguished.
It didn’t take too long for Fluttershy to finish what she was doing so she grabbed two apples and wandered out to the porch where Stone was. “Apple? I got them from my friend’s farm.”
Without looking, Stone levitated the apple over to himself. “Thank you.” He then took a long slow drag from his pipe, held it for a second, and then slowly exhaled. “Oh, where are my manners? Do you want a hit?”
The question seemed odd to Fluttershy; was that a thing that ponies who smoked did?
“U-um, no thank you.” It was then that Fluttershy noticed his pipe. It was glass, and it was really pretty. Most pipes she had seen were wooden. This pipe was also rather short and had what she could only describe as a spoon-like shape. She also noticed the smoke from it had an unusual odor. Almost like a skunk. It wasn’t a bad stench, but it was unusual. She never knew tobacco could smell that way.
“Sorry, I guess I pegged you as a smoker.” Stone bit into his apple. "Maybe it was your mane,” he chuckled at the thought. “Oh well, at least you're cool with it.”
“Oh my, why would I be bothered by smoking? What kind of pony would judge you for something you enjoy?” She grinned reassuringly.
“You would be surprised, Fluttershy. Not everyone has such an easygoing outlook about it. Some people would assume I was a scum bag.” He turned to look at Fluttershy.
Why were his eyes red again? Fluttershy thought. Had he been crying? His coat was dry, so that couldn’t have been it. His eyes were sad as he spoke, though. He must have been holding on to some old memory that was hard for him.
“T-tell me more about you Stone. Like, why is your cutie mark an 'I'?” Fluttershy tried to change the subject to ease the tension.
“Actually, that is a number.” Stone looked to his own side. “It is a mathematic principle. It is the square root of negative 1.” He put on another grin. “I have a thing for numbers, I guess.”
Although she saw the smile on his face, the tone of his voice was not that of someone who was happy about their talent. Most ponies had a great story with discovering their cutie mark. Stone seemed pained by the thought of his. Fluttershy wanted to take back her next words as soon as they left her lips: “How did you get your mark?”
Stone sighed. “Well, I was always the head of my class as far as math was concerned…”
Had she misread his voice?
Stone continued, “… But after my parents passed away, I had no will to continue. I got mixed up in with a bad group, and eventually dropped out. At a party, I drank far too much for my own good, fought with my best friend and blacked out. When I woke up, I had my cutie mark. That is all I know.” A tear welled up in Stone’s eye.
Fluttershy wanted to cry for him. She did the only thing she thought she could. She leaned forward and hugged the colt in front of her.
The act caught Stone off guard. He nearly lost his pipe. “Hey, hey, what’s this for?”
Fluttershy sniffed. “I’m sorry I just thought… I don’t know, I thought it would help, you sounded so sad.”
“It’s all in the past now. That which doesn’t kill us, you know.” Then he placed his forelegs around Fluttershy. “This is nice, though; it has been awhile since I had a friend.” The two hugged for a moment before Stone pulled away.
Fluttershy broke the silence. “Whenever you’re ready to come in, I can show you around.”
“Just let me cash this bowl,” He then took another long drag from his pipe, coughed a bit, blew out the contents, and he was ready to come in.
The two entered the cottage; the animals were much calmer now. They spent the next few minutes exploring Fluttershy’s small home. The tour went through the kitchen, the living room, the bathroom, and the room where he would be staying.
Fluttershy began as they entered the room, “The only ponies who have stayed here were a group of fillies. They were a handful and the bed may be a bit lumpy but I still think it’s soft enough.” Fluttershy was enjoying being a good host.
“I’m sure it will be just perfect. I am just happy I can finally put down my bags, ” Stone slumped and slid out of his saddlebags and sighed.
So much for being a good host, she hadn’t even realized her guest was tired and wanted to set his bags down. “Oh, I’m so sorry. We should have stopped in here as soon as we got back. You must be so sore.” She the gingerly ran her hoof down the ponies back.
“Oh, it’s nothing I can’t handle,” Stone said, trying to cover the exhaustion in his voice.
“Nonsense. Lay on the bed over there.” She guided Stone to the bed.
“Uh, okay,” Stone said. He wasn’t sure where she was going with this.
“This will help with your back.” She began massaging Stone’s back. “Wow, you have a lot of tension back here.
“Ah, oh, oh, ah, I’ve never had this done before,” he managed a little pain by Fluttershy’s hooves. Although it hurt, he was enjoying the massage. Just as that thought ran though his head Fluttershy pressed in the center of Stone’s back.
CRUNCH!
“Oh my gosh! Did I hurt you?” Fluttershy feared the worst: Had she broken something? Had she pushed something out of place? Was he going to ever walk again?
After a moment, Stone finally spoke, “AHHHHHHHHHH! MHMMMM! OOOH! Why did you stop? That felt amazing! Can you do that with the rest of my back?”
“U-uh, sure. Are you sure you’re okay?” Fluttershy was still a little shaken.
“Yeah, I’m good, that is the first time in a long time my back has been cracked.” He sighed in pleasure, “That felt so great, I would pay you to do this once a month.”
“Oh, that wouldn’t be necessary.” The mare chuckled. “You had me worried that I had hurt you.”
The massage continued for the next half hour. There were plenty of loud crunches and much worry as to Stone’s health but Fluttershy was happy she could be so helpful. He had a strong back and a soft coat. She enjoyed massaging him as much as he was enjoying the massage. She began to test her limits and ran her hoof along his bod and began working his flanks. He moaned but made no  motion to stop her. This colt was bringing a side of her out that she didn’t know existed. She leaned down and pressed her face against his back. He had an earthy scent she wanted more.
“Fluttershy, what are you-?” Stone leaned up and was met with Fluttershy’s hungry eyes.
Fluttershy leaned in, closed her eyes, and parted her lips slightly. Why was she doing this? She only just met this colt. She was rationalizing an irrational feeling and she was confused. Their lips met, and seconds became years. Their tongues danced, their bodies moved on their own, and they embraced. Fluttershy flared her wings. Stone broke the kiss.
“Listen.” Stone sighed. He sat up on the bed, “I appreciate you taking me in, and I like you.”
Fluttershy leaned on to his shoulder, “I like you too, Stone: more than I have any colt. I don’t know why, I just do.” She stroked his mane.
“That’s the problem. You don’t know me well enough. If you did, you would know how bad it is to like me that way.” He looked away from her.
Tears began to form in Fluttershy’s eyes. “What do you mean?”
“We can’t be together. Not yet…” He spoke slowly and softly.
“No, this isn’t fair.” She was openly sobbing now. “Why? You seem so great, and you make me feel good. What did I do wrong?”
Stone pulled Fluttershy into a hug as she cried into his shoulder. “Be my friend first, Fluttershy. Wait until you are sure…”
The two ponies sat there as the sun began to set through the window. Stone rubbed Fluttershy’s back until she calmed down. Both agreed to stay friends for now. Soon, Fluttershy regained her composure and stood up. “Um, I am going to bed early tonight, so help yourself to what is in the fridge if you get hungry.” She sighed and began to leave. “I’m sorry.” With that, she left the room.
There was a rabbit waiting in the doorway, shaking his head at Stone. “I know, I hurt her.” Stone began to get himself ready for bed, and soon, he was asleep.
In the next room lay a weeping Fluttershy; tears flowed freely. She felt so stupid. He must hate her now. Angel hopped up on the bed next to her and snuggled into her chest as she cried herself to sleep.