//------------------------------// // Fluttershy's Dilemma // Story: Pinkie Personalities // by Drebom //------------------------------// As the Element of Kindness, one could easily assume that out of all of Pinkie's closest friends, Fluttershy would be the quickest to accept the situation and be supportive, and they would be right. On the other hand, you could also say that Surprise's over-the-top personality would be somewhat like anathema to the quiet and meek Pegasus, even if she would likely never actually reveal it. This, unfortunately, would also be correct. It wasn't that Fluttershy disliked Surprise, per se, but...well, Surprise's attitude could sometimes get on her nerves. Surprise meant well, and Fluttershy knew that, but sometimes you just don't like somepony all that much. And that, frankly, made Fluttershy feel a little disgusted with herself. She was a pacifistic vegetarian, and yet she would happily tend to an injured Manticore or Timberwolf, who were by their very nature the exact opposite of her world view. So why couldn't she get along with a pony whose sole focus in life appeared to be to have fun with others? She was Discord's best friend, for crying out loud! Discord! And yet, there was something about Surprise that grated on her slightly. She never liked it when Pinkie got like that... or at least she hadn't, before she started wondering if all of those annoying moments were the work of Surprise. To be confronted with the rather real possibility that the more...distasteful memories of her friend Pinkie Pie were actually the work of a separate individual was terrible. She wanted to like Surprise, truly she did, but liking somepony is rather hard when what little personal interaction you had with them seems to have greatly riled up your social anxiety. 'But you don't know', said a little voice in her head, 'which pony it was at any point in time, now do you? Pinkie and Surprise could easily both be guilty of getting on your nerves. And you got along with Pinkie just fine when you thought it was all her.' Yes, but she had redeeming qualities. 'And Surprise doesn't?' I don't know! And she didn't- that was why she had invited the Pink Trio for a cup of tea. To get to know Pinkamena and Surprise a bit better, and to secretly help herself get over this mental block. And it would be so, so much easier if she could talk freely without having to censor her wording because of the guards. "S-so, um...Pinkie?" she said out loud, trying not to give any hints to her interior thoughts. "Yep!" Surprise waved a foreleg, complete with yellow armband, in the air cheerfully. She winked. A lot. Clearly, Surprise had no use for subtlety. Fortunately for her, the days's guards were making a point of not paying too much attention to her. They had heard the stories, and heeded the warnings. "So what's up? This is really nice tea by the way. But I think it could do with a little more sugar. Super sweet means super yummy!" "U-um...There's sugar in the kitchen, I'll-" "I'll get it!" Zip. Clatter. Zoom. Surprise sat in the seat sipping at her tea. Fluttershy took a moment to recover from the shock of the ridiculously high-speed dash to and from her kitchen. Unnoticed by either mare, the two guards shuddered, cursing their training to react to sudden movements and thus giving them a perfect view of the latest impossible feat. "I-is that ok, now?" "Yup! Super yummy!" said Surprise happily, waving the cup for emphasis, miraculously not spilling anything. "Oh good. Did you put the sugar away? O-only some of my animal friends could make themselves sick if they eat it..." she said. Surprise nodded energetically. "Sure did! So, what do you want to talk about, hmm? Hmm?" "U-um...." Oh dear. She was never very good at this part of talking. "W-well...I wanted to...get to know you a bit better?" What was meant to be a statement turned out as a question, like she was questioning her own motives. And, admittedly, she was a little, but they weren't supposed to know that! At least it was quiet, so the guards didn't hear....If only that volume was by choice... Surprise just nodded happily, clearly either unaware or unconcerned by all this. "Great! What do you wanna know?" Fluttershy wilted a little. She wanted to know how much of Pinkie's 'bad side' could be attributed to Surprise. And, similarly, she dearly wanted to find some of Pinkie's 'good side' in Surprise. Because otherwise she would be having tea with an...irritating, and very hyperactive stranger. "U-um...when have you been...you? Only it's, um....hard to tell, and I've been wondering..." She asked haltingly. The need for secrecy in the presence of the guards sure wasn't making this any easier. "Ohhh." Surprise nodded in realization. "Ok! Welll, I've been me-" some more obvious winking "-at tons of parties, at least some of the time. Not usually at one of the others' though, because reasons I can't say. I've done pranks with Dashie, baked some days at Sugarcube Corner, helped set up the goof off but didn't actually do it, watched a bit of the dragon migration, set up that super-amazing obstacle course for Maud, beat up some of those meanie changelings..." Surprise rambled on and on. Some sentences seemed to run on for longer than was biologically possible, and in all likelihood did. As Surprise recounted each and every significant action she had done in the last few years, Fluttershy caught sight of a particularly adventurous blue jay, who had been staying with her for the past week or so due to a leg injury. The injury itself was almost healed, but the leg was still a little weak. The bird's wings, on the other hand, were fine, as proven by the way it fluttered across the room to have a closer look at the strange babbling pink pony. "-Iron Will, which was pretty weird but it turned out ok, and then there was the time thoooh, hello there Mister Birdie." said Surprise as the blue jay hovered in front of her face. The bird cheeped loudly. "U-um, she's a girl." corrected Fluttershy quietly. "Hello there Missus Birdie. Sorry for calling you Mister." said Surprise without missing a beat. "How're you?" The blue jay presented her bandaged leg. "Aww, your leg's hurt? I bet Fluttershy's taking good care of you, though, huh?" asked Surprise softly. Fluttershy was amazed- what happened to all the shouting? "U-um...you're being very good with her...I-um, not that you wouldn't be nice, but, um...you're...kind of loud..." Fluttershy trailed off awkwardly. Surprise smiled at her, not bothered by the awkward wording. "Of course," Surprise said, making sure to keep her voice acceptably low, "Birds don't like it when you talk too loudly to them, right?" "That's...right." said Fluttershy, trying to keep the surprise out of the voice. "You'll scare them if you talk too loudly. And then they'll fly away." There was silence for a moment. "...I wish I could fly." said Surprise, fixated on the hovering bird in front of her. "If I had wings, I'd spend ages in the clouds...I even got Pinkie to help me build a machine to get up there...but it's not really the same...." she sighed wistfully. "If I had wings, I'd be able to go anywhere. Completely free..." Fluttershy blinked, and began to smile softly. Looks like Surprise had a gentle side after all. She relaxed a bit in her chair. Thank goodness... Day 5, approximately 4pm. Subject witnessed visiting a cottage near forest boundary. Structure seems to be some sort of veterinary clinic. Also home to one female Pegasus, yellow. Are visits regular? Maintain observations. Subject accompanied by two guards. Care will be needed-discover extent of escort duties. When isn't she accompanied? When sleeping? Any other time? Retrieval may need to be in a moment of opportunity. Revise plans as required.