//------------------------------// // That is, If You Don't Mind... // Story: Kindness Doesn't Always Pay // by Crystal Ash //------------------------------// Fluttershy was making a salad for Angel when she heard a knock on the door. "Be right there!" She called, then turned to Angel. "Now, give me just a minute. I'll finish your salad, I promise. Ok?" Angel stomped his foot, but nodded. Fluttershy patted his head, then tip-toed to the door. She opened it and immediately cringed. "Please don't hurt me!" Adagio Dazzle laughed. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it." She pushed Fluttershy out of the way and peeked inside the house. "So, this is where I'll be staying? How.... quaint. I suppose it'll have to do." The villain breezed in. Fluttershy tentatively opened one eye. "Staying? Here? Um, well..oh." Adagio was busy rooting through the refrigerator, but she stopped. "Why, yes. I believe I will be staying here. That is, if you don't mind." It wasn't a question. "How rude!" Fluttershy grumbled to herself. Adagio paused again. "What was that?" She threatened, her voice dangerously low. Fluttershy squeaked. "Nothing!" Adagio raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "That's what I thought. Now, where shall we go for dinner?" "Dinn-" Fluttershy started. "How about we order pizza? That is, if you don't mind." Again, it wasn't a question. Fluttershy sighed. This was going to be a long night. =~o~= Sunset woke to her doorbell. "Who could that be at this hour?" She stumbled down the stairs to the door, and opened it groggily. "Fluttershy?" The girl was in her pajamas, looking around. "Oh, um, you like you're busy. I'll just come back later..." The shy girl turned to go. "No, it's alright, Fluttershy. What do you need?" Sunset yawned. "Well, I was hoping I could borrow the magic message book. I really, really need to talk to Twilight." "Ok. But, you know, you can always talk to me about anything!" Sunset looked hopefully at Fluttershy. "Oh, well, um..." "I'll go get the book for you," Sunset sighed, disappointed. She retreived the book and said good night to her friend. Fluttershy was still a little nervous around her, even after the Battle of the Bands and the Friendship Games. The shy girl was still getting used to Sci-Twi too. Sunset chuckled a little at the nickname she had made up for this world's Twilight. Thinking about their past ordeals brought a question into Sunset‘s mind. "Hey, what happened to the Dazzlings?" The girl whispered to herself, then shrugged. She could contemplate that tomorrow. This girl needed to get her sleep. =~o~= Fluttershy sat on her couch and opened the book. Adagio had insisted on taking her room, "if she didn't mind". So now Fluttershy was stuck downstairs. Dear Princess Twilight, I'm having some trouble. Adagio from the Dazzlings showed up at my door and won't leave. What should I do? Your friend, Fluttershy Fluttershy sighed and closed the book. "Oh, this is such a bad idea." The girl laid down on her couch and spread the blanket out over herself. As soon as she started to drift off, the book began to buzz. Fluttershy sat up, rubbed her eyes, and grabbed the book. Suddenly, she heard footsteps. They were coming down the stairs. Fluttershy quickly stuffed the book under the blanket and pretended to be asleep. "What was I hearing?" Adagio asked, not fooled by Fluttershy's act. "Um, I was... Listening to music?" Adagio sighed. "Unlike my fellow Dazzlings, I'm not an idiot. Give me the book. That is, if you don't mind." The defeated Fluttershy handed it over. Adagio looked at the book with interest, cleared her throat and began reading. Dear Fluttershy, Don't worry! Our Fluttershy has already reformed a villain called Discord, the literal embodiment of chaos. I'm sure this now-powerless siren will be no trouble at all. If she is, well, just ask her to leave. If that doesn't work, contact your friends if you haven't already. Your friend, Twilight. Adagio finished. "Why, I haven't been any trouble, have I, Fluttershy? You don't mind. I remember this Discord character. Rather childish, if you ask me." The villain shrugged and held out the book. Fluttershy looked up at her fearfully. "Well, go on, take your stupid book." The shy girl reached out and slowly pulled it from Adagio's hand. "Um... I hope you sleep well." Fluttershy whispered. "No chance of that," Adagio muttered. "Good night." =~o~= When Fluttershy awoke, she got up and walked to the kitchen to get some juice. As she pulled it from the fridge, Adagio said from behind her, "Let's go to the coffee shop this morning. That is, if you don't mind." Fluttershy nearly dropped the carton. "T-that's fine." The girl murmured. "It better be." =~o~= Vinyl Scratch nodded along with her music, barely hearing the door of the café open. She turned her head and was surprised. Wasn't that one of the Rainbooms? And she had helped them defeat that girl. Now what were they doing with her? Vinyl shrugged. She had no idea. That group was strange. =~o~= "Hey, how about we stop by the electronics store. My phone is broken. You could buy me a new one; that is, if you don't mind." Fluttershy sighed. "I don't mind..." =~o~= After a new phone, jacket, and lunch, Fluttershy was done with Adagio spending her money. "I need a new blanket. I was too cold in your room last night. You don't mind." "I DO mind! You are spending my money and I'm not ok with it. Please leave me alone!" Fluttershy struggled, not adding "that is, if you don't mind." Adagio looked at her in surprise "Oh, I'm sorry! I thought you were ok with it. I just didn't have anywhere to go. So, can I just take some cash for the road? That is, if you don't mind." Adagio's voice dripped with honey. "NO!" Fluttershy screamed, infuriated. "Okay, okay, I get it. Don't push it. Well, bye. Thanks for letting me stay for a while." Adagio turned and sauntered away. As Fluttershy watched her walk away, she wondered: Did that really just happen?