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// Baby Steps 
// Story: Differences 
// by xainkrif 
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	I awoke the next morning to a familiar smell of pancakes. Attempting to get out of bed, I pulled off the covers. Only then did I realize the extent of my injuries. On both of my legs, I had two large bandages, wrapped the circumference of my legs all the way the the knee with the bandages continuing from one of my shins down to the ankle. One of my arms was wrapped in a similar fashion and the other was in a lighter bandage in a sling. My torso was wrapped with care to allow me plenty of room to breath whilst maintaining their medical properties. and there was a single bandage on my head. Seeing this told me just how lucky I am to be alive and the pain Fluttershy must have went through to keep me alive. I owe my life to her, yet she asks for nothing in return. How can someone be that kind. Where I come form, kindness like that is rare....
Ok. Lets take this one step at a time. I managed to get to a sitting position at the side of the bed. It was a pretty painful experience but I managed to do it. As I attempted to stand I heard Fluttershy trotting up the stairs. When he rounded the corner she rushed over to me scorning me for trying to stand, let alone walk, in my condition. Helping me to get back into a lying position, she then brought up what she calls 'Apple Pancakes.' I took one bite and felt like i was in heaven. She smiled and told me to eat up. I nodded and began to did in. When i finished, she took my plate and went to tend to her animals. Every so often she would come up and check on me to see if i was alright. I told her I was fine every time and she would go back to tending animals.
A couple of hours passed and she slowly started to check on me less. I took it as an opportunity to try and walk. I got myself back to the sitting position. It wasn't as painful as before but it still hurt. speaking softly out loud I said, "Baby steps." Slowly edging myself off of the bed, I started to slide to the floor. Even though i was at the edge of the bed, there was still a gap. I decided to go for it. That was a big mistake.
I touched the floor with both feet in hopes to get my balance, but was caught by a sharp pain. I screamed out in agony as i hit the ground only to reopen most of my wounds. Fluttershy was right. I shouldn't have tried to walk, let alone stand in my condition. Now I tried to do both and worse than I started. Still crying out in pain, I managed to sit up and get a look at the damage. The dressings on my legs were starting to seep blood. Panicking, I called out for Fluttershy only to get no reply. I repeatedly called her name for a good 5 mins. Suddenly I heard quick galloping up the stairs. She was coming. I was so happy when she rounded the corner, but the look on her face made me think otherwise.
"How dare you put yourself in danger like that! I told you not to stand or walk!" she said as she restitched my wounds. " There, thats the last one." as she wrapped my leg with a new dressing. "Next time i tell you not to do something, don't do it!" "But I'm sorry Fluttershy..." I said in an attempt to make the situation a little more diffused. " No buts mister. Your not getting off the hook. I'm so frustrated right now I can just scream. Ahhh" she said sternly letting out a quiet, high pitch version, of a low volume scream. The whole time she was talking to me she was giving me this stare. Im used to being stared at because of my parents when i was little, but this stare was something that struck fear into hearts. Seeing that she was serious, I apologized once more, and she gave me a hug. "Everybody has to learn one way or another" she said hugging me. "This is what I get for learning the hard way..." I said sadly, feeling bad for making her have to restitch me.
She went back downstairs after cleaning the mess I made and continued tending to her animals. Am hour or so passed when there was a knock at the door. I heard Fluttershy talking to what sounded like a fancy royal voice. After a few minutes of talking, the sounds of items being brought in and set down could be heard. A little more talking, more items being brought in, then the door closed. Used to the sound of Fluttershy's trotting, I heard her coming up the stairs. She rounded the corner like usual and smiled at me. I asked what was going on. "Oh that was just one of my friends. Tomorrow we're going to see about getting you some clothes, since we don't want you nude all the time." she said smiling. Confused, I said ok and agreed with the idea. New clothes never hurt anyone right.
Dinner was served that night and I was greeted with another visit from Twilight. We spoke for about an hour or so before she brought up the subject of meeting the rest of her friends. I wasn't certain about this idea because of the whole Celestia thing, but she reassured me that things would be alright. We said our goodbyes and she left. Fluttershy tucked me in and said goodnight. "Thank you Fluttershy" I said sleepily. She smiled and rounded the corner to retire for the night. Tossing and turning ensued most of the night from the pain of newly stitched wounds, but I eventually fell asleep with the hope of getting new clothes tomorrow.