//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Daily life of Fluttershy // Story: The Singing Heart // by Toonsgirl //------------------------------// Fluttershy struggled hurrying to work. No matter how fast she flapped her wings, Fluttershy could not reach the boutique shop. She mentally kicked herself for losing track of time. What was she thinking? She should have brought her pocket watch with her! Otherwise, she would not be late! When she became tired of flying, Fluttershy decided to stick to galloping. She galloped as fast as a cheetah. Finally, the yellow Pegasus reached at the boutique shop and opened the door. Before Fluttershy could tip hoof to her desk, a large pony came and blocked her view. "You're late!" Her mistress, Madame De Range barked. "What excuse do you have this time, you little brat?" Madame De Range was a tall and big cyan earth pony with green eyes. Her dark pink curly hair was tied up in a bun. She displayed pearl earrings and a pearl necklace. "I'm sorry, Madame," Fluttershy stuytered, shifting her hoofs. "I-I lost track of time," "'I-I lost track of time!'" Madame mocked. "This is the third time, you were late to the shop all because you went to see the stupid mountains and those measly rodents!" "But Madame!" Fluttershy pleaded. "Silence!" Madame yelled, causing Fluttershy to whimper. "If this happens again, I will double the load, now go to your work station and sew!" Fluttershy whimpered and hurried over to her desk. Her pet bunny, Angel, had been sleeping in her basket. When he woke up, Angel's head was messy. It was clear that he had a rough night. Angel pulled a carrot from underneath his pillow,and took a bite out of it. "Hello Angel!" Fluttershy said softly to her bunny. "Meep, meep!" Angel squeaked. He was annoyed that Fluttershy did not take him to see the mountains. "I am sorry, Angel," Fluttershy said, while grabbing her needles, scissors, thimbles, and thread. "I thought you needed more sleep after drinking so much juice last night." Angel winced, remembering last night. He had gone out to a tavern for critters just to spend time with some critters. Fluttershy had gone out to find him when the animals reported that he became gassed from drinking. Thankfully, Fluttershy made sure Angel was safe and sound in her basket. That will be the last time he ever mix carrot juice with radish juice! The Pegasus began sewing a dress that she had been working on since yesterday. Her day at the boutique shop was always the same routine. Make new dresses for customers, be yelled at Madame to sew faster, fix dresses, be yelled at Madame that the dresses were not perfect. Whenever Fluttershy disagreed with Madame that she tried her best, Madame would always punish her by giving her more dresses to sew. Sometimes, Madame would not even pay Fluttershy one single bit! Fluttershy tried her best to make her dress perfect but it just won't come together. For some reason, the Pegasus could not figure out how to make the sewing look neat. Fluttershy sighed, wondering if she'd ever fix the dress. "Oh I am grateful to be working here but I cannot help but think if I am better off elsewhere. Will things get better?" The Pegasus sighed, sadly. "What do you think, Angel?" Angel just shrugged. He grumpily tried to go sleep again but seemed too tired to sleep. Just then, the door opened, which disturbed Angel's sleep. Seeing that it was a customer, Madame DeRange sprang to her hoofs, to the other room. Bits signs were in her eyes. "Bonjour Fleur DeLis!" Madame greeted. She and Fleur gave each other air kisses. "Bonjour Madame!" Fleur responded. "Is my dress ready yet?" "Oui, it is!" Madame lied. The owner was really eager to have Fleur's money, even if the dress was not ready. She trotted to Fluttershy's desk, to retrieve the dress. Fluttershy did not noticed Madame until she felt her dress being slipped away from her hoofs by her mistress. "Madame, the dress is not ready yet!" Fluttershy protested. "Fleur needs her dress now!" Madame barked. "Maybe you could give me just a few more minutes?" Fluttershy asked, meekly. The dress was green V-cut dress with long poofy sleeves. It has a pink bow in the middle. The dress was long enough to reach the floor. It was almost finished. The sleeves just needed a few more stitches. But Madame did not care whether It was finished or not. Time is her high priority and she wanted money badly. So, Madame snatched the dress from Fluttershy before the poor young mare could stop her. Madame galloped the dress toward Fleur. "Ah, It's perfect!" Fleur sighed, as she checked herself out in a mirror. The dress fitted her but the color did not go well with her complexion. Fleur paid Madame lot of bits and headed out. "Oh Madame, why did you sell the dress?" Fluttershy asked sadly. "I wasn't finished!" "Rubbish!" Puffed Madame. "You had plenty of time!" Time did not pass very long before Fleur opened the door and stomped into the shop, seething. In her hooves, was her green dress. She thrust it into Madame's face. "Look at this dress!" She shrieked. "Just look at it!" Fluttershy and Madame looked at the dress. The sleeves had fallen off and the skirt had a rip. "You did it on purpose!" Fleur screeched, pointing her shaky hoof at Fluttershy. The pegasus cowered at Fleur's angry tone of voice. "That's not true!" Fluttershy stuttered. "I was not given enough time to make adjustments because of Madame-" "Don't lie you little Brat!" Madame yelled at a shaking Fluttershy. "You made me lose a sale! Pack your bags and leave because you are fired!" "No!" Fluttershy screamed as she was thrown out of the shop. Angel was tossed out and landed next to Fluttershy. A suitcase flew and landed on top of Angel, squishing him. Fluttershy picked up her suitcase off Angel. He was flat as a pancake but Angel quickly, sucked in air to return back to his normal size. "I am not a brat!" Fluttershy grumbled. She picked up Angel and put him on her back. "Come on, Angel. Let's go find a new job." She said in a sad voice. The Pegasus and her bunny left the street and continued walking through the rest of Canterlot. Looking for a job turned out to be much harder than Fluttershy expected. Whenver she asked a pony if they were hiring, they'd always say the same answer: "Yes, but we only hire stallions." Other times, they would just sneer and laugh at her for wanting a job! No pony would hire her because she was a mare. In Equestria, although mares and stallions were treated equally, mares were not given as much jobs as stallions. They were limited to be either a housewife, a teacher, a seamstress, a maid, or a nanny. At the end of the day, a disappointed Fluttershy stayed at an Inn for the night. Angel had to hide in her suitcase while she checked in because animals were not allowed at Inns. Thankfully, the innkeeper did not suspect anything. Later, while Angel was sleeping peacefully, Fluttershy stared out at the moon. She could not believe what just had happened. Losing her job and her place was all too much for Fluttershy to take in! She disliked working at the boutique shop, but it was better than nothing! Now that Madame fired her, and no pony would hire hire her, Fluttershy is left on her own. Now what do I do? Fluttershy thought miserably. How would I live? How would I support Angel and myself? How would I survive so we won't starve to death? Who will hire me?