“It’s alright Fluttershy, we’re almost there,” Sunflower said as he carried the sleepy filly on his back. The young Fluttershy yawned as she nuzzled the back of her father’s yellow fur, rubbing against it like it was the warmest thing in the world.
“Why do we have to be there so early?” she mumbled, trying her best to remain asleep. It was still early morning, and the sun had barely risen over the mountain’s peak.
“We talked about this, sweetie,” her mother, Posey, said. “You’ve done so well at flight camp, your father and I believe it best to attend another camp.” She rubbed her nose into her daughter’s cheek. Fluttershy cooed and rubbed back in response.
Fluttershy had returned from her flight camp two months ago, and she received her cutiemark. Incidentally, both of her parents thought it was wonderful that she was able to achieve something so special, and they were proud of her for that.
However, it also saddened them.
They learned she only made a few friends while at camp. Only a few pegasi came to be her friend. Her parents, feeling that she need a more comfortable place, decided that they would introduce their daughter to another camp that was more friendly for their daughter.
“Ah, there is the camp now,” Sunflower said as he and Posey made their way on the beaten path. Fluttershy looked up and saw the camp sign up above, reading, “Camp Savannah.”
“This place is amazing,” Posey said as she surveyed the camp. The camp was settled next to a large lake, and its waters streamed from a nearby waterfall. The camp had many long, wooden buildings—all one storied by the looks of them. Several small docks were present along with a dozen or so boats. It looked stunningly beautiful and very welcoming.
“Is this Savannah?” Fluttershy asked meekly as she observed her surroundings.
“It is. This is where you’ll be for the next two weeks,” Posey said, her eyes scanning the
“You’ll have fun with nature, make new friends, especially those your age. Plus, you won’t have to worry about any bullies while you’re here,” Sunflower added, causing Fluttershy to bury her face into his mane.
The memory of those bullies were still fresh in her mind.
As they waited near the front entrance of the camp, more and more families arrived at the entrance with a plethora of young colts and fillies began enjoying the outdoor camp. Fluttershy took notice many of the young ponies had cutie marks as well, and only a few didn’t have theirs.
“Ah, dear look. That’s your neighbor Rose Shiny. She certainly has grown,” Posey said, pointing at a young tan earth pony.
“That’s Greenway Scarfy and Tender Glimmer. Those two are about your age, ‘Shy,” Sunflower said.
Fluttershy lifted her head up to see the new ponies in view. Tender Glimmer was an unicorn filly with a purple coat, while Greenway Scarfy was an earth pony colt with a green coat. As they went by, she saw more and more families coming together and enjoying each others company. She then heard something and her ears perked up. She looked and noticed a bunch of dark clouds in the distance. They were storm clouds. Fluttershy’s ears lowered to the side of her head, and she looked away.
“Daddy, those clouds are getting close,” she said.
“Oh, don’t worry,” he said in a reassuring tone, “I’m certain those clouds won’t come near the camp.” She squeaked slightly as he picked her up with his teeth, her long body removing his warmth and settled onto the ground next to him.
“You’ll be in good hooves while you’re here.” he said.
Posey went over and placed a hoof on her shoulder.“Don’t worry my dear. You’ll have a wonderful time. Think about all the friends you’ll make when you stay here.” Posey caressed Fluttershy’s nose with her own, and a giggle escaped from both of them.
“Alright everypony gather around,” a loud, cheerful voice spoke out and the families moved toward the center of the camp. A single camp counselor was in the middle, along with several other members of the camp—each one having a delighted look on their faces.
“Welcome everypony to camp Savannah! I’m the head counselor Happy Times. We’ll be presenting everypony the best experience that camp Savannah has to offer, and we are happy you all chose to come here.” Happy times continued on with her explanation as one of the other counselors gave out small, green bandanas. Sunflower, once receiving the bandana, placed the cloth around Fluttershy’s neck. She didn’t complain or say anything as the bandana was wrapped around her. Sunflower, taking notice of her silence, asked what was wrong.
“Fluttershy? Is everything alright?”
Fluttershy looked away, unresponsive to his question. He placed a hoof under her chin and moved it until they were both looking at each other. Sunflower looked and saw that she had a tear in her eye.
“Fluttershy? Is something bothering you?” he asked, wanting to know what was causing her discomfort. Before she replied, one of the counselors came up to them.
“Ah, you there,” the counselor said. Fluttershy looked at the small green filly next to the counselor and noticed that she had long braided red mane that went past her light violet eyes. Fluttershy looked for a moment. She thought her braids were funny because they looked like long gummy worms.
“Go on, introduce yourself.” The counsellor encouraged Fluttershy to approach the group and introduce herself.
“Hi there, I’m Treehugger. What’s your name?” Treehugger asked and Fluttershy rubbed her hoof over the other.
“I’m… I’m Fluttershy,” she replied.
Treehugger smiled, bobbed her head, causing her braids to flick around. “Righteous.”
Sunflower smiled as his daughter raised her head a little and the same smile he knew returned. As this happened the counselor soon approached him.
“Alright, if you would come with me we can sign the final paperwork,” the counselor said, ushering the parents towards one of the buildings. Sunflower and Posey followed him toward a small service building and as soon as they arrived they were given the paperwork. As Sunflower filled out the documents, he caught a brief glimpse of Tree Hugger, who was with Fluttershy. To his relief, he saw his daughter smiling. He knew, deep down, this would be a great experience for her.
It didn’t take to long to finish signing and soon it was time for the families to bid farewell. Sunflower and Posey sat abreast as they stared at their daughter. She stood in front of them, her left hoof over the other and her head hung low. Sunflower sighed and kneeled down. Made sure that he was staring at her.
“Shy,” he said, his voice pleading for Fluttershy to say something. “You’re going to have a great time here. It’s only for two weeks. You’ll be home soon, okay? And hey, if you don’t like it here in the first week, you can let someone know and we can come get you, okay?”
Fluttershy nodded, a smile crossing her face. Hearing her father’s words dwindled the sentimental fear of being alone in this unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar ponies, whom she didn’t know or even trust; but she trusted him enough to know that he was right. “Promise, Daddy?”
“Of course, I promise.” He hugged Fluttershy tightly, then planted a kiss on her forehead.
“Okay sweetie, take care, and have fun, alright?” Poesy said, sailing down to cradle and kiss her filly. “Don’t worry. You’ll have a wonderful time. You’re going to make many friends here, we’re sure of it.”
Fluttershy was reticent—a fragile look on her face as both her parents backed away. They looked on as the children of the other families began going with the counselors and the families began to head home. Both parents looked at their little filly, their sweet, kind, beautiful filly, ready to go and have an adventure in camp Savannah.
“Okay, goodbye Fluttershy.” Sunflower said as they turned to leave, only to be stopped by a soft squeaking cry.
“Daddy, Mommy!” Fluttershy cried as she lifted herself up and wrapped her front hooves around Sunflower’s neck. He blinked for a moment then looked down at his daughter, who began to shake as if frightened. She was so small him, she wanted to feel safe, she yearned to be by his warm side. In a way it reminded of him when she was far younger, always getting afraid over the slightest things. During those times he would always help her on her hooves, telling her how happy he is with her, and how he will keep her safe.
This was one of those times.
Sunflower calmy wrapped his hooves and wings over Fluttershy. She cried softly as his large wings enveloped her in a feathery warmth. He hummed slightly, rocking back and forth as her cries continued. Posey went over to her side, wrapping her own wings around her and softly nuzzling Fluttershy’s cheek with her muzzle. She began to calm down as her parents love eased her tender heart. As her soft cries turned into little sniffles Sunflower calmly spoke to her. “You don’t want to stay, do you?” he asked, his voice calm and loving.
“I don’t want to be alone. Not after the last camp.” Fluttershy explained as she rubbed her head against his warm chest. Sunflower chuckled as he brought her in closer.
“You won’t be alone my child. You will have new friends here. You will have so many opportunities to try new things. In fact, your worries will lessen when you make new friends here. I’m sure of it.” he said, letting the words sink in as Fluttershy took it in word for word. He smiled and nuzzled the top of her pink mane.
“You know, you can write to us,” he said as Fluttershy looked up to him in a little confusion.
“He’s right dear.” Posey added, lifting Fluttershy’s little head towards her, “You can share your experience with us in your letters. Remember when we sent letters to you when you were in flight camp?” she explained and Fluttershy nodded, allowing for her to add. “Then you have nothing to fear my little love bug.” she said and rubbed her nose on top of her mane. For a moment Fluttershy said nothing, allowing her parents words to continue to linger on.
“O...okay, I’ll try.” Fluttershy said meekly, as her parents gave another comforting hug. As the moment lasted a moment longer Sunflower breathed a sigh of relief as he held his daughter close. She was surely going to have a wonderful time while she was at camp Savannah.
Soon the three departed from one another, Posey quickly straightened Fluttershy’s little camp scarf, while Sunflower waved at a few familiar families that happened by. Soon both Sunflower and Posey watched from afar as Fluttershy walked towards the camp, her hooves slightly shaking but not so much. Sunflower could only watch proudly as her daughter took her first steps to a fun life.
“Make me proud Fluttershy.” he said softly as posey leaned towards him in comfort.
“You think she’ll be okay?” Poesy asked as the watch their daughter begin to interact with the other colts and fillies.
“She’ll be fine, what’s the worse that can happen?”
⁂
Sunflower yawned heavily as he picked up the morning paper. He could smell fresh buttermilk pancakes in the kitchen, and he could hear Posey humming a tune. It had been two days since they left Fluttershy at camp Savannah, and neither had heard from her since then. Sunflower could only hope that she was alright.
“Has the mail come in yet?” Sunflower asked, giving another yawn in the process.
“No it hasn't my dear. But don’t be so glum, my buttermilk pancakes will get your mind off things.” she said as he heard her flip a pancake in the other room. The aroma from the kitchen filled his senses and he smiled at the wonderful smell, however, his mind was still lingering on his sweet little filly. He just only hoped that something didn’t go wrong while she was there. Not a few moments later Posey went to the family table with breakfast and the two ate quietly together. Not a few minutes into their meal they heard a rap upon the door, and Sunflower already moved for the doorway.
“It seems you’re more worried for her then you thought.” She teased, chuckling to herself as Sunflower opened the door. The pegasus mailmare stood before him and she held several letters in her hoof.
“Letters for house Shy,” she said as she presented the mail and Sunflower quickly thanked her before shutting the door. He headed back to the table and began sorting the letters, as his wife continued to eat her breakfast at a leisurely pace.
“Let’s see here. Junk mail, junk mail. An invitation to Bulk Biceps birthday?” he looked at the invitation with slight confusion, as his wife chuckled once more.
“Ohh that is from the young colt that was one of her friends at flight camp. You know the one with the small wings.”
“You mean the scrawny looking one?”
“The same.”
“Huh, I guess that would be fun for Fluttershy when she gets back from camp.” He said as he sorted through the mail once again.
“I’m sure she’ll go, those two were always together when they were at camp. It will be a fun.” Posey said as she went to his side.
“Ah here it is.” he said, holding a small letter that held Fluttershy’s initials. After settling the other mail aside he focused on getting the letter open. Once finished he looked at the letter and began to read.
“Let me see sweetie.” Posey said as she went next to his side and both parents read their little Fluttershy’s letter.
Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah,
Here I am at, Camp Savannah
Camp is very, entertaining.
And they say we’ll have some fun if it stops raining.
“I knew it was going to rain.” Posey said as she read the letter alongside Sunflower. He only chuckled at the that, seeing how the rain clouds from the previous days were needed in the area since they had not scheduled for rain the week prior. Ignoring the thought he continued reading the letter.
I went hiking, with Rose Shiny,
She developed, poison ivy.
You remember, Tender Glimmer?
She got ptomaine poisoning last night after dinner.
“Oh dear, didn’t think those two would get into any trouble.” Posey said as she read the letter.
“I’m certain that it was only by accident. Surely the counselors are taking care of all of them. Fluttershy is in good hooves, I’m sure.” Sunflower said, but he also had an unsure feeling deep inside of him. Was everything going alright for their little Fluttershy in camp Savannah? Keeping thoughts aside, he continued to read into the letter.
All the counselors, hate the waiters,
And the lake has, alligators.
And the head coach, wants no sissies.
So he reads about somepony named Ulysses.
“Ulysses? Who is that dear?” Sunflower asked, turning to his wife who continued to read alongside him.
“I think he was apart of the foundation of Equestria. He was a close friend to commander Hurricane of old I believe.”
“Interesting. I would have to look on that later.” He replied and returned his attention back to the letter.
“You know what else is interesting.” Posey added.
“What?”
“That Fluttershy’s letter is done in rhyme.”
“Yeah… I noticed that too.”
Now I don’t want, this to scare ya.
But my bunkmate, has malaria.
You remember, Greenway Scarfy?
They’re about to organize a searching party.
Both Sunflower and Posey paused, giving a puzzled look to one another before returning their attention back to the letter.
Take me home, Oh Muddah, Faddah,
Take me home, I hate Savannah,
Please don’t go, I think I heard a roar,
From a big and deadly Manticore.
Both parents flinched at the last part, both uncertain as to how she knew such a creature but worry that her fears were getting the better of her. As they continued to read, however, they began to feel a bit of guilt for not comforting her even more.
Take me home, I promise
I will complete your goals
and befriend some other kinder foals
Oh, please don’t make me stay
I’ve been here one full day.
Both parents stopped reading again and looked at one another.
“Honey?” Sunflower asked.
“Yes?” Posey replied.
“Why do I feel like I just witnessed somepony kick a box full of kittens?” he replied with the most saddened face. Posey only nodded her head in response.
“I don’t know, but I feel the same way.” she replied and the two continued to read the letter, hoping for some good news out of her experience at camp.
Dearest Faddah, darling Muddah,
How’s my precious, little Bruddah?
Let me come home, if you miss me.
I would even let Aunt Girtha hug and kiss me.
“That’s sweet of her. At least she cares for Zephyr.” Posey said as she read the final bits of the letter.
“That’s good but why did she mention my sister?” he asked as Posey began chuckling to herself, much to his confusion. When he mirth subsided she nudged into him, drawing his attention.
“Don’t worry dear, I’ll tell you later.” Posey said as the two read the final entry in the letter.
Wait a minute, It’s stopped raining.
Girls are swimming,
colts are sailing.
Playing hoofball,
Gee that’s better,
Muddah, Faddah, kindly disregard this letter.
Both Sunflower and Posey drew huge sighs of relief. Both looked at each other, as if a great weight was lifted off their shoulders. They held each other close and could only think of there wonderful little filly. Before the tender moment could sink in, however, another rap upon the door was heard, drawing their attention. They both headed for the door and opened it up, revealing the pegasus mailmare from before.
“Sorry about the mix up, had an extra letter for you.” she offered another letter to them before taking off. Both Sunflower and Posey looked at each other briefly before looking at the next letter, the initials belonging to Fluttershy. Both smiled at one another and Sunflower softly replied to his wife.
“She is doing just fine.” he said as the two opened up the next letter, knowing full well little Fluttershy was having a wonderful adventure.