//------------------------------// // Getting (un)comfortable // Story: The Truth about Reapers // by MineLittleDashie //------------------------------// I nervously watched the ponies approach me, wondering if I should run, or attempt to make peace with them. "Back away from Fluttershy you monster!" Cried the unicorn. Her slight accent basically screamed nobility. "Now... Let's not get too hasty now." I said, very aware that my word choice could be my only salvation. What I didn't expect however, was for my normally quiet companion to go above and beyond the call of duty. My eyesight was instantly blocked by a pair of yellow wings. And though I couldn't see it, I could hear the advancing ponies stop and begin speaking in confusion. "Fluttershy, get away from it!" "What in tarnation are ya doin?! "Girls!" Fluttershy yelled, silencing them instantly. "He is no monster. He is a friend that saved me from a real monster. And if you want him to leave, then I'm leaving with him!" We were all stunned. Me more or less about the fact that she thought so highly of me. There was an uncomfortable silence, before it was broken by a single voice. "Very well, but he'll have to come to the library so we can talk." Fluttershy turned around to face me, her face showing no signs of her earlier anger. "Would that be okay with you George?" "Doesn't seem like I have much of a choice." I replied, peering around her to look at my welcoming committee. The alicorn had already turned her back to us and was heading further into the town. The other ponies glared at me for a moment, before they also left. It was late, so Fluttershy and I left town and headed for her house, agreeing that we would see Twilight tomorrow. When my new place of residence came into view, I stopped and whistled. It was a quiet little cottage situated on top of a hill just beyond a small stream. A fitting place for a mare such as this. However, there was one thing I just couldn't figure out, and that was the insane number of birdhouses surrounding her house. Upon questioning her about this, I discovered that she served as the animal caretaker for Ponyville. But since not many ponies had pets, she often gave shelter to friendly animals from the wild. Needless to say, I was quite impressed with her claim. We entered her house, only to find it deserted. Fluttershy seemed confused. "What happened?" She asked, looking under a blanket. "I normally have lots of animals here. Where did they all go?" I sighed. "I'm sorry Flutters, it's all my fault." She looked at me, confused for a second, before seeming to understand. "Oh, I bet it's because you've been around so many monsters, you must have the scent linger on you." I shook my head sadly. "No, it's.... It's just that I naturally deter animals. Heck, they're scared to even look at me." "Oh no, that can't be it. Watch." Fluttershy had successfully found a bunny and was holding it out towards me. "Angel, this is George. He's going to be your new friend alright?" But angel didn't seem too sure. His eyes widened when he saw me, and as Fluttershy brought him closer to me, his expression changed to one of pure terror, as if he had just taken a glimpse into bunny hell. And I didn't blame him. Us reapers have a natural tendency to smell and feel like death. It's one of the things that protects us from some of the more animalistic monsters, like werewolves. Why the ponies couldn't feel it, I don't know. "Fluttershy." I said, "you should probably stop. Angel doesn't look very comfortable right now." Fluttershy looked and finally noticed the bunny hyperventilating, before dropping him in shock. "Oh I'm so sorry-" she started, but that rabbit was gone as soon as he hit the floor. I have never seen an animal move so fast. Fluttershy looked crestfallen, so I squatted down and looked her in the eyes. "Look here Fluttershy. If they want to leave, that's fine. But you'll always have my gratitude." She smiled faintly. "Now then, where am I sleeping?" I asked cheerfully, trying to take her mind off the animals. "Oh dear!" The pegasus squeaked. "I forgot that I only have one bed. You can use that if you want to. I mean... If that's okay." I frowned. "No way. It's your bed after all. I'll just take the couch." I turned away, when something suddenly shifted in front of me. I found myself staring into a pair of large teal eyes. 'Oh god, not this again!' "Listen here. I will not be having somepony who saved my life sleep on the couch. Now you will go and sleep in the bed. Is...that...clear?!" "Y-yes ma'am." I stuttered, turning on my heel and followed my hostess upstairs. ---------------------------------- Fluttershy's house; Midnight I lay in bed, wide awake and staring at the ceiling. Despite looking like humans (allowing us to blend in), we don't need to eat or sleep. We can, but we don't need to. The clock on the bedside table struck midnight, and I shifted out of bed. Making my way downstairs, I nearly smacked my head on a birdcage that was hanging over the steps. I reached the living room and found the yellow pegasus curled up on the couch. Being very quiet, I picked her up and made my way back up the stairs, making sure to duck as I passed the cage. Arriving at the bedroom, I cradled my friend with one arm and drew back the bedcovers with the other. Having finished the task, I placed her gently onto the bed, before making my way back downstairs and settling into an armchair. I closed my eyes and entered a suspended state of slumber. It was a special skill that reapers had developed to survive supposedly mortal wounds long enough to be healed. It also allowed the reaper to be able to wake up at a moments notice. For safety reasons. Also, I still remembered the file on the peeping tom alicorn, Luna. Her ability to look into dreams made actual sleep impossible. This was the next best thing to pass the time. Now, to wait for morning. -------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy's house; 7:00 a.m I awoke to the sound of heavy breathing. My first instinct was to whip out my scythe and scare the hell out of whatever it was, but listening more closely, I could tell that that would be a bad idea. I knew that breathing, and I knew what awaited me on the other side of my eyelids. Hell, I could feel it burning through my eyelids. 'Might as well get this over with.' I thought and opened my eyes. My body froze on contact. I had never seen them this close before. They were situated about two inches away from my own. I was swallowed by their vastness. A quiet, calm voice reached my ears. "George...... Where exactly did I tell you to sleep?" 'Oh God!' "Hmmm?" "B-bed." I squeezed out. I noticed only then that both me and the armchair were resting horizontally on the floor, facing up. "And when I woke up.....do you know where I didn't find you?" "B-bed." "Right. So why didn't you stay there?" I opened and closed my mouth several times, but no sound came out. I thought that would've been the end of me, had we not been interrupted by someone coming in the door. "Hey Fluttershy, are you.....uh, what's going on?" Eye contact was broken and we both turned our heads to see a Cyan pegasus staring at us in confusion. With a squeak, Fluttershy jumped off of me and began shuffling nervously. "Um, hi Rainbow Dash. I was just having a talk with George here." "Oh....okay. Hey, Twilight wants you two over at her place ASAP." Rainbow Dash said, recovering quickly. "Oh. Give me a minute to get ready." We watched Fluttershy shoot off upstairs. I stood up and straightened the chair that had fallen over. Turning around, I encountered the face of Ranibow Dash. 'What is it with ponies and getting in my face.' I wondered. "Look." She started, but I cut her off. "I don't know what you have against me, but just to let you know, I don't wish any harm to Ms. Fluttershy. I am merely acting as a guest in her house after saving her life, that's all." The rainbow maned flyer gaped at me, before narrowing her eyes and giving me a hand (hoof?) motion that clearly meant, 'I'm watching you.' I sighed and massaged my forehead. This job had better not take too long, cause I don't think I can stand much more of this.