Fluttershy awoke to the first faint rays of the sun shining in through her window and illuminating both the light yellow fur upon her muzzle and the pink strands of her mane which hung down over her eyes. She released a contented and happy sigh, looking forward to another interesting day with her new guest. She stretched her body before pushing away her blanket and getting out of bed. After making her bed, she journeyed downstairs, the light patter of her hooves against the floor and steps making only the slightest of sounds. She could hear the quick but soft breathes of her guest filling the lower floor as she approached. She smiled softly as she peered towards the couch where Sunny Skies slept. He lay partially on his back and side. His front and back hooves were exposed, the blanket she provided him bunched together and just barely clinging to his stomach, the rest on the floor. Although she was hesitant to make even the slightest of noise, she also knew that she must at least get her day started and began to ready the food for the many animals in and around her home.
With all of the animals’ muzzles, noses, beaks, and other eating apparatuses occupied by their morning meal, Sunny Skies finally awoke with a series of blinks. “Good morning,” Fluttershy said softly after returning a bag of food to its place of storage. “How are you feeling?”
“Great,” he replied with a rather happy sigh as he sat up.
“Well, that’s certainly good to hear,” Fluttershy said with a smile. “Are you able to remember anything yet though?” The stallion paused for a moment and brushed his messy mane back and away from his snowy blue eyes.
“…No,” he said softly.
“Well, you really should still see a doctor. Even if you’re feeling so much better physically, not being able to remember your past certainly isn’t good at all.”
“I… I’m not sure about that.”
“Oh? So you’re not feeling well then?” Sunny Skies frowned as she finished her question and then released the softest of sighs.
“…No, it’s not that,” he replied hesitantly, “just…”
“Don’t you want to get back home, remember all of your life… you could have a family that’s missing you, that’s worried that you won’t come home,” Fluttershy let out quickly, beginning to worry. The stallions frown grew longer and more uncomfortable causing him to pause again as he thought of a way to reply.
“I just… can’t yet,” he muttered weakly. Fluttershy’s body locked, taken back by the sudden change of mood she had caused.
“Oh my, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry.”
“Fluttershy, it’s alright. Can I just go another day?”
“O-of course… how about you head to town with me to help you forget about this… even if you’ve already forgotten enough… um, if you’re feeling okay that is. You are still, aren’t you?”
“That sounds nice, I’ve never been to Ponyville… I mean, I don’t think I have.”
“I’m just going to get some supplies and food for the animals, but I can certainly show you around if you’d like.”
“That sounds nice, you need to hurry and get back to your other chores though, don’t you?”
“Mhm, I do, but I can take some time out of my day for you.”
“Maybe just a quick tour then? I’m sure I can take in a lot just shopping with you. That way you can just tell me what I need to hear or I can ask questions while you do what needs to be done.”
“That sounds like a perfect compromise,” Fluttershy said with a smile, a rush of excitement pushing its way through her body. “I’ve already eaten but did you need anything before we head out, even just a small snack if you prefer?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Are you positive?” Sunny nodded quickly. “Well, we can go whenever you’re ready then.”
***
The walk into town was rather silent between the two ponies. Sunny Skies was intrigued with the world around him it seemed to Fluttershy, especially so when they grew nearer the town, the sound of the leaves moving softly in the breeze and the buzz of insects replaced by the low but pleasant tune of the many happy voices of Ponyville’s residents. The silence between them was not unpleasant though. Fluttershy enjoyed seeing the stallion’s delight and seeming amazement of the small town, and was grateful for the occasional smile in her direction.
As Fluttershy went about her shopping, almost solely for supplies and food for her animals back home, the stallion accompanying her fell back and observed. He said nothing except for the occasional greeting when prompted by a shopkeeper or passerby. It was as if the daily life and business of Ponyville was completely foreign to him. The amnesia that plagued him was always in Fluttershy’s mind, but she struggled to believe that the culture of ponies which had been a part of his everyday life could be forgotten. It was comparable to forgetting how to speak.
Twilight and the rest of Fluttershy’s friends had been planning a brunch since the previous week, and were cheerfully making their way to the restaurant of their choosing, an aura of pure bliss, fun, and friendship around them. Their noticeably unique voices and laughs filled the air and poured into Fluttershy’s ears over the lull of the many other ponies. “Oh, well, hello, girls,” she said softly as she turned her head from her now heavy saddle bags to them. Each of the colorful ponies paused as they noticed the unfamiliar stallion at her side. It was odd to see the quiet pegasus with anypony besides themselves and perhaps Discord or Tree Hugger, especially somepony completely unfamiliar.
Fluttershy’s brow furrowed at their silent gaze, her eyes turning to the cause. “Oh,” she said softly, returning to them with a smile, “this is Sunny Skies.”
“Well, you must be new in town, I know I haven’t seen you around here before,” Twilight said, her violet eyes moving from the stallion’s hooves to his seemingly frightened face as she examined him. “…Is everything okay?” she asked before letting out a sigh. “Is it because I’m a princess? Please, there’s no need to worry about that. I don’t bite, and you can be as informal with me as you’d like. In fact, you can just call me Twilight. So, where are you from, and what brings you to Ponyville?”
“I…I… um…” the stallion muttered, his hooves beginning to shake.
“No wonder why he and Fluttershy are getting along so well,” he heard Rainbow Dash mutter, rolling her eyes and giving her friends a huff. She then turned to him. “Come on, out with it.”
“I… don’t know.”
“Now how do ya not know somethin’ like that?” Applejack asked with a laugh.
“It happens,” Pinkie responded. “By the way, hi, I’m Pinkie Pie! If you’re going to be in Ponyville for a while I’ll be getting to know you really well!” she exclaimed, hopping towards the stallion and nearing her muzzle to his. He shrunk back as she gave him a glare. “Real well…”
“And I am Rarity, dear” the posh pony chimed in. “Depending on how long you’re staying, you should stop by the Carousel Boutique and I can stitch together a little something tha can help you look a little less, well, drab.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Rainbow Dash groaned, flying in front of all of them. “Can you hold off on all the introductions for just one second? With a quick turn, she faced Sunny Skies with glare that was much more threatening and real than Pinkie’s, her hooves crossed. “What do you mean you don’t remember where you’re from.”
“Please, Rainbow Dash, don’t do this to him. He’s already been through more than enough and doesn’t need you yelling at him,” Fluttershy growled, digging her hoof into the ground. “I found him the other day stumbling out of the Everfree Forest completely lost and confused. We think he has some kind of amnesia.”
“Have you been to the doctor?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow in his direction.
“Well, I… I need to… but…”
“He hasn’t been yet. He just isn’t ready to go.”
“Well, if he’s okay enough ta be wanderin’ around town with ya, then why not?” Applejack asked.
“I don’t know. He just isn’t ready yet. He’s been through enough. So I’m not going to push him. You girls shouldn’t be either.”
“Fluttershy,” Rainbow muttered, motioning for her to come closer. She did so and was led slightly away from her guest and the others. Rainbow spoke again, this time in a hushed tone. “Don’t you think all this is a little suspicious? I get that you’re caring for him and all, but haven’t you thought about it? This guy stumbles out of the forest conveniently close to your cottage, supposedly not remembering anything and goes to the most caring and, sorry, but gullible pony in Ponyville. I have a feeling something isn’t right here, and I’m not just saying that either. Something about that pony seems off, really off. I don’t know what it is, but trust me.” The confident pegasus was given a vicious glare in response.
“Rainbow Dash, just because you think for whatever reason that he looks suspicious does not mean that he is.”
“I’m not just saying I think so. I can tell. Something isn’t right here, about him and the situation.”
“Well just because you think that, it doesn’t mean it’s true. Sunny Skies is a very kind, considerate, and caring stallion. Not that you would know.” Rainbow huffed and shook her head, her rainbow mane flicking back and forth across her forehead.
“Don’t tell me you’ve got a thing for him.” Fluttershy froze, her cheeks growing pink. “Great.”
“I… didn’t say I did. I don’t know. I never really thought of him like that but… now… um…”
“Yeah, whatever. I’m done warning you, especially now that I know how you really feel about him.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, you’re more stubborn than you think you are about this sorta thing, I mean look at what happened with Discord. I’m not saying I don’t trust you, but you are pretty naïve. Just watch your back around him, alright?”
“I don’t know about that,” Fluttershy huffed, trotting back to Sunny Skies. “Come on, let’s go,” she said, giving him a nod.
“Whoa there, you silly pony you, aren’t you coming to brunch with us? You said you would, didn’t you? Huh?” Pinkie asked as she turned to leave, “Sunny can come along too.”
“Oh… oh my!” Fluttershy gasped, her eyes growing wide as she remembered. She then looked over to her new friend, his eyes even wider than hers and his pupils dilated with fear. “I completely forgot with all that’s happened. I, um, really hope you don’t mind, but I think I’m going to have to cancel.”
“It’s fine, Fluttershy, no worries,” Twilight interjected before any of the other ponies could comment. “We’ll get together some other time. You know we always do. Come on, girls, let’s go so we can get a table.” Fluttershy let out a sigh of relief after her friends were a far enough distance away not to hear it, and then turned to Sunny Skies with a smile.
“Well, that was a bit stressful. I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. I wasn’t expecting them to be so… rude.”
“It’s alright, they weren’t being rude at all besides Rainbow Dash. I just got nervous being around them, I guess.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I understand. It doesn’t mean we’ll treat you any differently just because of, well, who we are.”
“Hmm, we’ll see,” he replied weakly.
“Now, would you like me to show you around the town more, or would you rather head back to the cottage?”
“I… think I’ve seen enough for now, and I think I might still be a bit weak from the other day.”
“That’s perfectly fine. Let’s head home and let you rest then, okay?”
“Home?” he asked curiously.
“Yes, it’s as much of your home as it is my own.”
“It is?”
“Of course, you’re my guest after all, and you can stay as long as you need.”
“I… thank you, really. I’ll… I’ll have to return the favor somehow at least. I promise you. I will.”