Day 9, Base camp had received word from our search and rescue leader about the disaster and immediately addressed Ponyville's mayor for help. Fluttershy was sure glad to see all of her friends again including that blue pegasus with the rainbow colored mane she always talked about. They probably have a long history together.
When the day comes that I get discharged, I'll be forced in a wheelchair temporarily. The doctor told me to stay off my legs for a couple weeks with regular checkups to see how the healing is progressing. Enough about me though...
The Ghastly Gorge was formed from a combination of fluvial erosion and tectonic instability. The river is normally far too sluggish for the erosion to take place in a reasonable amount of time. However the periodic tremors increase the speed to critical flow. With the erosional strength to carry boulder sized clasts, it easily could have carved this canyon through the granite in a reasonable amount of time relative to the known age of Equestria. The cause of the tremors is still unknown but would require a geophysical survey of the area, which is out of our universities budget. Hopefully the paper I publish will bring in the necessary funding for a second expedition, hopefully this time we can afford a helicopter.
My hospital room was comfortable but a little dull, well at least on my side. On the other side, split with a divider wall, was Fluttershy, who received frequent visits from all of her friends and even her animals she care takes for came by with a basket of nuts and berries. I was fine not getting any company, I never minded being a loner, gave me a lot of time to contemplate my actions and think for the future.
I noticed the divider curtain open up and I saw Fluttershy for the first time since the accident. Her color was still all there but her mane was messy and there were a few bruises on her face. I wanted to feel terrible for dragging her into this mess with me but I have to remember that she insisted, not me. Still I'm allowed to feel guilt, I do about everything anyways.
"Hey Boulder, I know you haven't gotten many visitors lately, so I thought I'd ask Twilight to bring me extra flowers, cause I was wandering if you wanted them to remind you that there are ponies that do care for you, because I know that you like to think you are alone..." I felt like I needed to stop her for being so blunt, but then again maybe I should take my own advice someday.
"Well, uh... thank you for the flowers, but I'm used to it. It's a lot easier for me to just accept my life than try to change it, but I guess that's really condescending." Man if I didn't sound like an ass when I first met her I definitely did just now. Alright Boulder, put your pride aside just ask her already.
"Fluttershy? Can... you help me change?"
She gave me the strangest look, reminded me of the look that mail delivering mare gave me my first day back in Ponyville but less humorous.
"What do you mean?" Her voice still soothed my mind despite her not being able to see the obvious.
"I need your help to change my attitude, all my life I've had no hope in ponykind. No one in the world lent me a hand to get to where I am today, my cousins did nothing but bully me and I had to take my mother's cell phone from them and run to Manehatten. You have shown me nothing but kindness since I met you, and maybe if I stay with you during my time in Ponyville since I'm going to be stuck to that wheel chair for awhile, I can learn to give other ponies the same kindness you have shown me these last weeks."
I know that it isn't something that I can learn, but this was easier to phrase than, 'force me to show kindness'. She should probably know a secret about me, but I don't want to dish out all of my crazy, I at least should buy her a drink first.
"I know it's a lot to ask, but I'm coming to you from the lowest my life has fallen, asking if you would lend me a hoof one last time. I could really use a friend." Lies and more lies, sometimes I get so crazy wrapped up in my stories that I even start believing them. This I think is one of those times, but I'm not sure.
And I just put way too much on her shoulders, but I'm not joking around this time. I know my life is in a rotten place, and I'm in no position to ask favors but I need to move past living in the shadow of my unfortunate circumstances. I shouldn't let my parent's death control my life, instead I can learn from it, and become a better person out of it.
"Yes..." Fluttershy always spoke with grace and humility.
Also I think this was the happiest moment of my life, whether it because of the pain medication I was on or because Fluttershy always knows how to make me smile didn't matter to me. Fluttershy giggled whenever I got lost in my thoughts. Even when I'm thinking about thinking I tend to get distracted easily.
"Yes, you can stay in my cottage while you are recovering, but I can't just rent out a room permanently... I mean, I don't want to ever have to kick you out but..."
"Fluttershy, it's ok, I understand completely. I'm not asking for anything much, I just need my hooves on the ground again. Though I wouldn't mind finding my own place once I can actually walk too, Ponyville reminds me a lot of my childhood. I can just continue my work remotely anyways, being in the field is what geology is all about after all."
I look to the flowers the nurse has finally gotten around to putting on my nightstand, and I notice a mirror just on the other side. I haven't seen myself in such a long time, it wouldn't hurt to give me another look. Huh...
"Hey Fluttershy..." I notice her in the background of my reflection.
"Hmm?" she probably has no idea why this is important to me but that's fine.
"Oh, it's nothing, just wanted to say hi." Well look at that, my perpetual sadness is gone. My mane cut could use some work, I also need a shave. This is to be the beginning of my life after all.