You have to do something, but you can't cause too much of a scene. Time to call the cops. Stepping inside your apartment, you see Fluttershy fly quickly out of your bedroom with a heavy blush on her face.
"Oh... Anon... I-" She begins to welcome you.
"Not now." You interrupt. You whip out your cell phone and quickly dial 911. Weird. You've never had to actually dial the number before. The phone rings in your ear as you tap your foot.
"911 what's your emergency?" The mare echos coolly from the other side.
"I'd like to report a domestic disturbance at my apartment complex." You feed to her your address and tell her what you heard from the yelling.
"The authorities are on their way sir." She assures you.
"Thank you. Should I do anything to help?"
"No sir, please don't intervene on the scene. Thank you."
"Thanks." You answer, then end the call. Carefully you study the screen of your phone, wondering if there is something else you should do.
"W-who was that Anon?" Fluttershy asks.
"It was 911. One of my neighbors is having a fight and I think it might have gotten too serious." You answer seriously.
"Oh... oh my." She answers. She shifts into the more serious air that you would expect from this situation.
"I'm going to keep the door open and listen in case something else happens. Don't close it." You tell her.
"O-okay." You walk over and open your front door all the way. "A-are you hungry?"
"Yeah. I could eat. I didn't have anything at the bar." You answer.
"Well... uhm. I know you told me not to... but... I made you dinner." You look back to her, not sure if you should be upset for her not doing what you told her or to be glad she knows you better than you do. Or should you be weirded out by the last part. She opens the refrigerator and pulls out a plate of food. Oh man. It looks great. Steamed vegetables fill the plate with what looks like some spiced rice she must have taken from one of your cupboards. You haven't had a homemade meal like that since you were in Ponyville. She puts it into the microwave and you have to catch your drool.
No. Focus. She was in your bedroom when you walked in. What was she doing in there? Why was she trying to explain herself? How are you going to bring this up? She was being so good so far. Has she really changed? What's different about her now? Maybe you should ask her.
The bell on the microwave signals the arrival of pure deliciousness. The plate comes out sizzling and she flies it over to you with a smile. Oh god. You can smell the faintest hint of butter on the vegetables.
"Wow Flutter. You really outdid yourself. You didn't have to do this."
"It was my pleasure Anon. I love doing things for you." She smiles widely and takes a seat next to you. The food tastes something along the lines of heaven mixed with eternal bliss. Spiced with a little bit of tender loving preparation.
"This is absolutely amazing... probably the best meal I have had in a long time."
Her teeth shine through her wide smile and her eyes lock with yours. God damn, she can be cute sometimes. You must look away to avoid a heart attack caused by the way her cheeks bunch at the sides from her smile. Today has been good... but... It doesn't change things.
"So... uh..."
"Oh! How could I forget!" Fluttershy gasps, leaping up to grab something from the counter. She brings you your mail.
"I got this for you!"
"Thanks... but..." You answer, trying to stay on the topic at hand.
"Don't worry about the dishes, I already cleaned them all and put them back for you. You really need to clean more around here Anon. I spent most of the time waiting for you cleaning your apartment." She begins to lecture you, but in a kind manner. In a sort of tone when a mother tells their son they don't eat enough.
"Fluttersh-" She cuts you off abruptly
"You really could use someone like me around here to-"
"Why were you in my room?" You interrupt, asking her bluntly the question on your mind. Her eyes go wide in worry. She knows she was caught.
"I-I was cleaning... Like I said..." You stare deep into her eyes and she darts them back and forth.
"Just cleaning." As you lean in closer towards her, she sinks down into her seat a little bit. "Nothing else?" She whimpers a little bit. "Just be honest. I won't be mad. I just want to know." She looks up into your eyes, guilt radiating from her face. "I want to be able to trust you."
"W-well... Y-yes I cleaned... and I took a shower when I was done..."
"Alright then." You answer happily. Gently, you reach over and pat her on the head. She looks at the table distantly. "I'm happy I can trust you then." Her eyes look down to her hooves.
"Anon..." She begins to say.
You take a big mouthful of food. Nailed it. The guilt trip works every time.
"This is really hard."
"I'm sure it is. The work we do isn't cut out for everyone."
“That's... not what I mean.” You look up at her. She looks into your eyes. "I'm trying... so hard. Not to give in right now... Cleaning your apartment got me... really worked up..." Fluttershy looks down with guilt once more. "I used the shower... but the smell of you on the towels... cleaning all of your things... cleaning your laundry... smelling your shampoo... it was too much." She chokes on her words a little bit. "I want you to trust me. I want to be good. I want to be good for you. I'm sorry... I took care of myself in the shower... So that I wouldn't relapse tonight." She closes her eyes, expecting punishment. "I'm sorry Anon... I'm so sorry."
Her body slightly cringes and her hair overlaps over her face. You reach over, and place a hand on her head. She winces hard.
"Hey, it's okay. I mess around in the shower, too. That's an appropriate place to do it. However, with that said, let's find you an apartment soon so you can better control yourself. Being around the smells and everything else, you know? Do you think that would help?" She nods and wipes a tear from her eye.
"M-maybe I should tell you one more thing... No more secrets..." Fluttershy begins.
You hear a knock on your door.
"Hello? Anon?" A shaky feminine voice calls from your entrance.
You grab Fluttershy's hoof and she looks up to you.
"This will just take a second... alright? It's probably just the cops."
She looks disappointed, but you give her the warmest smile you can muster. Her face turns a flush red and she nods to you.
"O-okay."
You step out into your entryway and through the open door you see Mulberry standing outside your apartment. Her hair is taken out of her bun from this morning and her mane hangs loosely over her face. She stares at the ground and turns her face away when you approach the door.
Oh my god.
You jog to the door. "Hey... Everything alright Mulberry?" You get down to her level and she looks at you indirectly.
"Yeah... I was wondering if... I could come in for a little bit." Her voice sounds weak and shaky, as if holding back tears.
"Of course... Come in, come in." You glance outside the hallway. The door to her apartment is closed firmly. No police ponies yet. They sure are taking their sweet ass time. You close the door softly and she stands awkwardly.
"You have a very nice home."
Fluttershy walks around the corner of the kitchen and sees Mulberry. Fluttershy's face seems to go pale and her eyes dilate.
"Fluttershy, this is my neighbor Mulberry... The neighbor I was mentioning earlier. Mulberry, this is one of my friends from Ponyville." You carefully introduce your two guests.
"H-hi." Mulberry nods.
Fluttershy shakes her head and returns the greeting.
"How about I get everyone something to drink?" You ask the two of them.
"S-sure..." Fluttershy answers you. Mulberry walks into the kitchen. She walks past Fluttershy who is giving you a curious look. You know what she's thinking.
"No. We aren't done with our conversation." You whisper to her. Fluttershy smiles and nods to you. "I'm going to go talk to Mulberry in private, alright? She might be more comfortable if it were just me." Fluttershy looks conflicted, but nods.
"Are you okay Flutters?"
"Yeah..." She answers.
"Don't feel jealous, Fluttershy. I'm just concerned for her safety." She nods and it seems her concern fades away. "Is that better?"
"Yes. Thank you Anon. I'll relax in the living room." She tells you.
You make your way into the kitchen, and see Mulberry sitting at the table with her head faced down, staring at the table.
"Do you like tea?" You ask calmly.
She remains silent and her gaze doesn't wave. This is worse than you thought. You prepare a kettle for tea and set it on the stove to brew. Sitting down next to her at the kitchen table, you wrap her hooves in your hands.
"I heard the two of you on my way home... are you okay?"
Then, as if you placed the final grain of sand on the camels back, her body begins to tremble. Her begins to sniff and a stray tear falls onto her lap. You raise your hand and place her mane behind her ear. It reveals a large black bruise and some hastily wiped blood. Your gut drops and your eyes dilate. This is worse than you thought.
"Here. Let me get you an ice bag for that." You hand traces her face and wipes a tear. Getting up, you head to the freezer with a small grocery bag.
"H-he never hit me before..." Slowly, you fill it up with ice. "We always fought... but... I didn't think that..."
You sit down next to her and gently press it to her face. She takes it from you and continues to look into your table for some sort of answer.
"Can I tell you something?" Mulberry replies with silence. "What he did was terrible and should never have happened." She doesn't respond and remains unfazed. "I called the police early and told them about... Your fight. I'm not going to tell you to say anything, but guys like that don't stop after they get physical. If you let him, tomorrow, he'll come up to you all tears and apologize for doing this, and he'll be genuinely sorry. He knows what he did was wrong and for a little while everything will be fine... Then he'll do this again."
Her eyes dart back and forth.
"You know it's true." You finalize your comment.
Mulberry sighs. "Maybe... maybe it will get better though..."
You nearly try to grab her hoof, but just fidget with your hands on the table.
"Well... Like I said. After this, he'll probably apologize. It'll be fine for a while. Then he'll do this again. Maybe worse... What he needs is help and letting him get away with this isn't going to help him or you." She looks down into her hooves... and slightly trembles. "You can't let this go on... You know that... What are you going to do if he does it again?" The fragile pony brings her hooves to her face... shielding herself from the harsh outside world. "Hey.. No matter what you decide to do, I'll be here. Okay?"
You give her the most kind hearted smile you can muster. Surprisingly, it wasn't that hard to find. Kneeling down next to her chair, you wrap your arm around her. Slowly, she snuggles her way into your chest as she begins to sob uncontrollably. Bringing your other arm around her, you wrap her into a warm embrace as she covers one of your favorite shirts in tears and mucus.
You cradle her in your arms, letting her know that someone is there for her in this troubled time.
"Shhhh. It's going to be okay."
You can hear a knock from out in the hall. Not your door, the neighbors. “Sir! It's the police! We would like to have a word with you!" She sobs even harder, but your tea begins to come to a boil. The whistle drowns out any other conversation coming from the hall.
"It's all going to be okay."
The kettle will have to wait. All that matters right now is Mulberry. Poor, poor Berry. The whistle is about to drive you insane, but it's a small price to pay. You see Fluttershy peek into the kitchen and look at you. Seeing you having her wrapped in your arms immediately wipes the smile from her face. She walks in quietly and removes the kettle from the stove. Only then is Mulberry's sobs heard. On her way out she looks back, sorrow and jealousy leaking through eyes. She walks out of the kitchen, leaving you two alone.
Her sniffles begin to die down a little bit.
"That's better... No more crying..." Your voice is soft and tender, as if one false word would tear this mare in half. "Now then. How about a nice warm cup of tea? Hmm?"
She nods slowly.
"Alright. Stay right there." You tell her not as a command, but as a reassurance you aren't going anywhere. Diligently, but quickly, you pour two cups of tea. You should deliver one to Fluttershy and explain to her what just happened. Tell her that you two are just friends. You look to the pony who is drying her red eyes.
Right?
You bring the two cups of tea over. Setting it in front of her gently, she sips it gingerly. "I'm going to step outside for just a second. Okay? I'll be right back."
She nods to you and you pour another cup of tea for your yellow admirer. Fluttershy sits on your love seat, looking into the rug she just cleaned earlier that day.
"Hey." You hand her the cup of tea and she looks up at you surprised. "I thought I would tell you what just happened." She looks into her tea, silently. "Her coltfriend punched her in the face and left one of the worst bruises I've ever seen. There was blood." She looks up at you, with a streak of guilt across her face. "I know what it must have looked like, but even you heard the crying." Fluttershy nods to you. "What would you do if Twilight was punched out by a coltfriend?"
She looks deep into her drink. "Hold her while she cried." You scratch her ear and she coos quietly. "I knew I could trust you Anon... I just knew it."
"Maybe you could take care of her for a little bit while I talk to the police outside." You ask her.
"Alright, Anon. I'll do my best."
You smile to her and turn to walk outside. As you cross the kitchen, it looks like Mulberry is just trying to regulate her breathing. She's going to be okay. It'll be hard for her... but she will.
Stepping outside of your apartment, you head towards hers, which has its door open. An officer in uniform steps outside.
"Hi. I phoned in the call." You state to them.
"He's been taken in for questioning. Do you know where the mare is?" One of the stallions asks, stepping forward.
"Yes. In my apartment. She's pretty badly shook up."
"Well, we will need to speak to her. Without evidence and a statement from her, there isn't anything we can do."
"Alright... I'll see what I can do to bring her out." You tell the police officer and he turns to report back to his partnet.
You head back into your apartment. Putting this delicately won't be an easy task. Heading into your kitchen, you see Mulberry and Fluttershy getting to know each other better. They seem to be doing good and Mulberry seems to have calmed down at least a little bit. Sitting down to your cup of tea, the tension returns to the room as they look to you for some form of guidance.
"Mulberry... the policemen outside want to know what happened."
She looks back into her drink, hoping maybe it has better news waiting for her than what she just heard. You can tell she doesn't want to have to relive what just happened to her.
"I'll be there." You reassure her.
To your surprise, Fluttershy is the next to say something.
"Me too."
She looks to both of you. For the first time of the evening, you see just a faint hint of a smile.
"A-alright. I'll do it."
She stands up to face her demon as the two of you follow her into the hallway.
"Miss Mulberry?" The officers ask her.
"Y-yes?" She answers.
"We have a few questions..."
She looks to you two, and you nod to her.
"O-okay." She nods.
The police take a few pictures of the bruise as well as get her statement of what happened that evening. She even told the truth. At least what you would think was the truth. He was out drinking and she was mad at him for not noticing all the little things she does for him. She was upset and told him how she felt unappreciated and he just went off. The rest... was told by her face.
"I think that gives us everything we need. Thank you Miss Mulberry. If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call this number." The policeman hands her a card. "Good night everyone." The officer salutes. Mulberry stands there frozen and holding the policeman's card.
You nudge Fluttershy and she already knows what you are thinking. The two of you walk up to her. She wraps her wing around Mulberry and you wrap an arm around her.
"That was very brave of you. You did the right thing. Even if it hurts right now."
Mulberry brings her hoof down to the ground and takes a deep breath. "Thank you. Fluttershy... Anon. It means so much to me to have two friends like you to help me though this." The three of you stay wrapped in your warm embrace when the last police officer steps out.
"Everything is out in there ma'am. Sorry it took so long."
"It's fine. Thank you." You can hear her voice begin to waiver a bit again. She steps to the open door and just stares inside.
"Hey." You call to her. She turns to you, with some glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"You don't have to be alone tonight... you can stay with us if you don't want to go back in there yet." She wipes a tear from her bruised eye and nods.
"Alright. Let's lock up your place and then get some rest, it's getting late." Mulberry closes up her apartment while Fluttershy looks up at you confused.
"Come on. I'll explain."
The three of you enter your apartment and you get a spare pillow and your best blanket for your couch. "Here Mulberry... It's not much, but it's the best I can do."
"Thanks Anon... you've already done much more that I could ever repay you f-"
"No." You cut her off, which catches her off guard. "That's what friends do. Now if you need anything... Anything at all. Just wake me up... alright?"
She nods and you head to your bedroom. Fluttershy just continues to stare at you unsure of what you are planning.
"Uhm."
"Come in here for a sec." You call to her.
She follows you in completely perplexed to this situation. Fluttershy has the most innocent look on her face. If you saw that face more when you were in Ponyville... maybe things would have been different. Still though, she is Fluttershy.
You have to be careful.
Sitting on the bed, you look at her and run your hands through your hair. She sits on the floor and puts her hoof on your knee. This is going to be one of the most difficult things you've done.
"Are you okay Anon?" She asks you. You steel yourself and prepare your words carefully.
"Alright, first things first... I just gotta say that I am impressed. I mean, seriously impressed. You handled yourself very well tonight, and you were great. Just reiterating that. I know it's a little weird having Mulberry in the other room, and I know you wanted to spend some time alone together, which now we have." She blushes a little bit... but nods, hanging on your every word. "Right now, Mulberry is probably feeling pretty scared and very vulnerable. Both of us need to be there for her, okay?"
"Of course Anon." She answers.
"She's gonna stay the night and sleep on the couch. We get the bedroom." Her eyes dilate a little bit and tries to speak... but words won't come to her aid. "Now, there are two ways we can do this... Either I'll get the floor and you get the bed, or we can share the bed. If you think you can handle sharing the bed, I'm game. Either way, we'll have our time together before we go to sleep. Does that sound good to you?" Fluttershy looks at you speechless. "I told you I want to trust you. I mean it."
She looks to the ground, then back at you, then off to the side. "I-I think I should tell you... what I wanted to tell you earlier first."
"Let's hear it then."
She fidgets with her hooves. "If I don't tell you... you would just be mad later... but I want to tell you why I did all of this. Why I applied and tried to be your secretary. Why I cleaned and made you things even when you said I shouldn't." Her face goes red with the inner turmoil of telling you. You can tell a part of her really thinks she shouldn't tell you. "It's because..."
"Because..." You ask her.
"I've... always really wanted to be your servant. The only thing I want in my life is to make you happy and help you. To do things for you. To do what I'm told and be good for you. If you want me to be good Anon... I promise I will do my best for you..." She stifles away the last word she wants to say and then cowers on the floor. "I shouldn't have done it... I know I shouldn't have... if I knew that things could have been like this all along if I were good I would have never have done any of this... Any of the things in Ponyville."
She begins to sob into the carpet.
"I just love you so much..."
Recommended Listening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ63RX5UfXU
Getting off your bed, you pick her up. Returning back to your spot on the bed, you place her on your lap. You wrap your arms around her and cradle her face to your chest.
"Fluttershy, I'm not mad. We all have similar thoughts and desires... It's perfectly normal." Your soothing voice calms her tears. "However, right now I don't really want or need a servant. I mean I live in an apartment for crying out loud." She giggles a little bit. Sweet music to your ears. "What I need, and what I think we both need are friends. I'll be your friend, if you'll be mine. Maybe later, we'll get more serious, then I'll have no problem making what you want come true. But right now, friendship first."
She looks up to you and smiles widely. You continue your train of thought. "I like you because you're Fluttershy; not because you're a servant, but because you're kind and adorable. If things work out, well... Who knows, I may even get a hat with 'Master' written on it." She wraps her hooves around you and returns your hug.
"Thank you, Anon." She says.
"Of course, Shy." You reply.
"I know that I can be good tonight. I promise."
"Awesome. Let's get ready for bed then. Another big day tomorrow."
She nods and smiles to you. Grabbing some night clothes, you head into your master bath to change. Emptying your pockets, you check your phone. One text message. You open up your phone.
The text is from Autumn.
"Hey. Did you check out that book I told you? It's really good. Just finished it myself."
The text was dated when you went out drinking with Brand, nearly three hours ago. Weird that you didn't check your phone until now. Must have been the alcohol or something. It's about 10:30pm.
Hell. A late reply is still a reply. Let's see. What to say? "Not yet. Sorry tonight has been really crazy. I mean to pick it up tomorrow. I might have to postpone our plans though... could we still hang out some other time?"
Send.
You wait for a few moments while performing your nightly ritual. No response. She could just be asleep. It still doesn't stop an involuntary sigh from being released. You hope you didn't mess that up. Setting your phone to alarm mode, and silencing all other sounds, you head into your bedroom where Fluttershy is snuggled into your bed. On your side of the bed no less.
You wouldn't be a gentleman you didn't allow a lady the side of the bed that she desired. Even if it was the most comfortable. And probably warmer. On the other hand, a part of you wants her to have that side for the same reasons. You climb into bed, feeling the warmth of her body already begin to heat up the covers.
"Good night Fluttershy."
"Good night Anon. Sleep tight."
You scoot slightly away from her and sleep on your side facing her. Just don't think of the past. Don't think of the past. However, you don't go to sleep immediately. Laying there, you listen to the slow breathing of Fluttershy for a moment. She really isn't so bad.
You can't believe that just this morning... you had so many doubts about her. Now everything seemed so much different. This was really... nice. Something you could probably get used to. She rolls over in her sleep, looking to face you.
"Anon?" She whispers your name while you lay there, listening to her. You don't say a word and pretend to sleep. She lifts herself up to you, slowly and quietly. You feel a light press on your forehead. "I promise I'll be good Anon. I promise... my love."
Your heart melts a little bit and slowly lets you drift quietly to sleep.