//------------------------------// // Chapter Three; Meeting the Gang- Lily // Story: Chance for a Better Life // by Kix //------------------------------// The smell of frying bacon and eggs rouses me from my slumber, and for a minute after waking up, I can feel the start of a panic attack. What brought that on? I’m alone, so it might just be because I’m in a new house with new people. If I’m having attacks like this, how bad is it going to be for Moon? Sighing at my revelation I take a quick shower and change of clothes before joining the others, who are sitting around a large table. Stopping for a second, I look at the new faces of six girls and an older man with two different eye colors and a white goatee along with Celestia, Luna and Sunset. “Lily? Is everything okay?” Sunset asks as she gets up, concerned as I just stand there. At her words, I realize my body is trembling a little as my gaze locks onto the strange man and I start to have a flashback. Giving my head a quick shake to stop it from coming, my normal smile returns, for at least a half second. In that time, a pink, curly-haired girl pops out of nowhere, just centimeters from my face. “HiI’mPinkiePieandI’mhappytofinallymeetyouIhavebeenwaitingforsuchalongtimetofinallymeetyouandbecomeyourfriendandshowyouwhatitsliketohavefriendscause….” Her talking speed and the sudden appearance causes me to stumble back a little as I can feel what could possibly be my third anxiety attack of the morning. Thankfully, a blonde cowgirl pulls her back while covering Pinkie’s mouth. “Sorry ‘bout that. Pinkie can be a little energetic, but she don’ mean no harm. Ah’m Applejack, it’s a pleasure ta meet ya.” Taking her hand I return her smile, though quickly I learn that shaking her hand is a…. Painful experience, my hand feeling nearly crushed. Gritting my teeth, I try to hold back the whimper wanting to escape. “Lily Bloom. Think you could….. could you please release my hand, Applejack?” “Oh hehe, sorry bout that Lily. It’s a real pleasure meetin’ ya.” The next girl behind Applejack is immaculately dressed and groomed. Even how she carries herself screams high class. “Hello darling, I’m Rarity. I must say, you have such a lovely complexion and hair color. How would you like to help me out one of these days, hm? I can make you an outfit or two that would look simply marvelous on you.” “Thank you. Once I get settled, in I might take you up on your offer.” “Hey, nice to meet you. I’m Rainbow Dash, the most awesome girl in like, forever! I’m the captain of every team the school has and the lead guitarist for our band.” “Nice to meet you Rainbow Dash.” I find myself in another firm handshake, the grip causing me to yelp as she squeezes on the hand Applejack nearly crushed. Two girls wait off to the side; both are a little hesitant to approach, but the first one to offer her hand is the purple girl with glasses. “Hi, I’m Twilight Sparkle. It’s nice meeting you.” As Twilight steps aside, the last girl tries to hide herself with her long pink hair and speaks quietly, both arms behind her back. “I’m….. Fluttershy.” “It’s a pleasure to meet you girls. Why are you here?” “Simple, Sunset said she needed help gettin’ things ready fer Moonshade before she comes here. Also we've been wantin’ ta meet Moonshade, an’—” Pinkie finally breaks free from Applejack’s grasp. “And what better way to meet someone new than with a party?” “I know you girls mean well, and your help is appreciated. But as for meeting Moonshade and a party, I’m telling you that it won’t work out too well for either side. Give her a few days to settle as best she can and get used to being here before we even talk about introducing you girls to her.” “Aww, now what am I going to do with all these sweets?” “No worries Pinks, we can totally have a party for Lily welcoming her here instead, even if it isn’t a surprise party.” The rainbow-haired girl says in excitement as she gives Pinkie a slap on the back. “Yeah, and we can leave some of these treats for Moonshade. Let her know that there are some people who are thinking of her.” With Applejack agreeing to the fashionista's idea, Applejack and Rainbow Dash leave to go setup up a ramp over the stairs with help from Celestia and the man, who after seeing my reaction kept a good distance between us. Meanwhile myself, Sunset, Luna, Fluttershy and Rarity start on getting the bedroom I slept in rearranged after the second bed and dresser are moved in and setup. Also installed in the room is a new, large flat-screen t.v. with a surround sound system and blu-ray player. Topping off the decor is a pair of desks that have a lot of room on them despite the computers sitting atop of them and the pair of new bookcases and bedside tables. “Well, all we need now is bedding and some clothing for the both of us.” Before I can continue, Rarity lets out a squeal and, taking my arm in her grip, drags me with her to her car. After picking up my other clothes from Chrysalis’ place we spend another three hours or so as Rarity has me try on what feels like a hundred thousand different outfits. Eventually we walk out carrying five bags each stuffed with clothes, including ones Rarity felt would match Moonshade’s favorite vest. The bags even contain seven pairs of tracksuit pants with snap buttons on the sides of the legs as she promises to make a few tops to match which would be easy to put on Moonshade. At five o’clock, Rarity drops me back off at Celestia's just in time to go get Moon. ‘Please Moon, I know you freak out easily and I know you told me not to trust these people so readily, but they do honestly want to help us,’ I think, worrying about her Despite Sunset’s attempts at conversation, I can only imagine all the ways this could end badly. My thoughts even persist as Celestia, Sunset and Posey talk amongst themselves while a wheelchair is brought into the room. The pained noises Moonshade makes as she is lifted as gently as possible and placed into the chair breaks me from my thoughts and I take her good hand as she is wheeled outside towards the waiting car. Again Moonshade is transferred from the chair with pained noises, making me wince in sympathy. As we stop in front of the house Moon was planning on setting up, I hear Celestia’s question as I start exiting the vehicle before it even stops. “This is where you were planning on living? For how long?” “Yes, as for how long….. as long as I need to.” My friend replies sadly, by just her tone I can tell she is already thinking of a backup plan for when she’s healed. ‘Well, you always were a resourceful one Moon, never doubted it for a second.’ It takes me a minute but I spot the makeshift lock and carefully step inside, wary of any possible booby traps. Once past the front door I search the house quickly, stuffing the items I know she’d want to keep, such as a framed picture of her parents, her father’s purple heart and uniform accouterments, some jewelry she somehow has been able to keep that used to belong to her mother and the wedding bands and engagement ring. I know it’s a waste of good clothes and we should donate them, but I doubt Moon would want to be anywhere near them. Looking at the pile of two pairs of pants, two shirts and two sets of underwear I can tell they’re the clothes my parents bought her. With a shrug, I leave them and make my way back to the car, only then stopping as I notice the small cooler. Inside is two bottles of soda which I grab, one for myself and the other for Moon.