Fluttershy falls through a transdimensional rip, created by the once banished princess of the undead hour, Skullmena Crossbones. Awakening as a filly in a strange world, she crashes her way into the life of a love-scarred bachelor.
In this My-Little-Dashie-inspired adventure, Fluttershy falls into our world through a transdimensional rip. Travelling across both time and dimension, she wakes up as a filly, lost and confused. After a traumatic first day, she crashes her way through a window and into the life of Drake, a love-scarred 22 year old who has no idea where Fluttershy came from. With the once banished princess of the undead hour, Skullamena Crossbones, trapped on Earth as well, it's up to Fluttershy to (although unknowingly) save Equestria from her vengeful return.
“Why?... why would you?" Tears flow freely down her cheek, "you haven't change a bit... I don't even... I don't know why I even got back together with you."
I stood there watching her cry, listening to her broken hearted accusations with tears streaming down her face and choking her voice. I stood there in front of a scene that would make anyone crack in empathy, in front of a beautiful girl crying tears of her shattered life. I stood there not caring in the slightest. "Hey, in my defense, she was basically asking to get nailed. No way I'm going to pass that up"
“Ugh!" She exclaims, taken aback, "she's my sister and I'm your girlfriend!"
“Correction" I smile 'politely', mocking her, "you WERE my girlfriend... yesterday."
More tears, "so you're dumping me?!"
"Yeah, but you can come by my bedroom anytime you want," I wink and point to my room, "in fact now wouldn't be such a bad time."
"Ugh, you know what? I'm happy this is over," she says through her tears, "you're a pig." And with that she storms out of the house, a crying mess.
I sit back in my leather armchair and light up a cigarette. Ahhh this is the life. Girls, a cigarette, and alcohol, I take a swig from a can at the foot of the couch. If there's anything more to life, I don't want to know about it. The room in front of me is my work of art, a testament to my life style. A huge 77" TV screen sits on one wall, another lined with a mix of video games and explicit movies. There's only one seat in the room, my recliner, with a mini fridge in arms reach. There's nowhere to sit for anyone but me, and not because of lack of space. The kitchen has one chair, the porch has one seat, and the queen sized bed in my room has one pillow and only enough covers for one. This is my masterpiece, my castle, my fortress of solitude. It's where I take the girls when I want to show them ‘There's only room for one person in my life, and that person is me. Last night? Yeah, I lied, and yeah, it was just a hook up.’ They usually take the hint.
My phone buzzes, it's a returned text from some girl I met the other night. I think her name's Cathy, but who cares. There's only one thing I remember about her. She's hella tight.
"Yes, I would love to meet up later. That's my favorite coffee shop" I send back.
'I don't even know that place... must be across town.’ I take another gulp from the can and look up the location on my phone, then search for motels around the area. 'Looks like I'm all set to score again tonight.’
I finish the can, drop my cigarette in, and crush it into a disk. I saucer it towards the trash bucket and it sinks in a perfect swish. The can triggers a buzzer and an artificial audience cheers.
Now, to the average person, I probably look like a heartless animal with no emotion. Well, that average person would be sooo right. I've been through so many girls, I can hardly go into a bar without being given a dirty look by some chick I don't even remember. And I love it. Sure there was that little conscience that cried out every once in... well, never. "I don't have a conscience," I say aloud, wanting to believe it. Did I have a conscience? I know I used to... until she ripped it out of me.
BZZZT my vibrating phone interrupts my thoughts. It was Casey... or was it Caitlyn, the name's not important.
"Gr8 :) be there @ 7. I'll be waiting ;)"
The winky face said it all. I was definitely getting some tonight. But 7 wasn't for another two hours, so I had time.
First to get rid of the cigarette smell. I'd hate to ruin my chances just because she finds out smoke. If I remember right, she was a bit of a nature lover. Either way, most girls hate the scent, which is why I always keep a couple handy in case I a girl gets too clingy; The perfect repellant.
I take a quick shower, scrubbing the scent away. I only smoke once or twice a day, so the smell isn't so strongly ingrained. The warm water relaxes me and as I close my eyes, I think of the past week.
Four girls isn't bad for seven days, even if the third was only a 6 and a half. And this girl... Chelsea? She's a definite 10, so that should make up for it. We met earlier this week, before I got with my ex's sister.
A bunch of my guys and I ran into her group of friends. We chatted them up and got together for the night. Plenty of laughing, playing, and definitely a lot of drinking. I hit it off with... Cindy? whatever her name was, pretty well and offered to take her home, hoping to score with the chick. I was planning on a little bit of an "after party" at her house, just me and her. But turns out, her roommate was there and that didn't work out. Even hinted for a 3 way before dodging a slap in the face. I smile at the thought.
But tonight I wasn't going to let that happen again. This girl was too good to lose a second time.
With the shower finished, I grab a pair of ripped jeans and a solid grey tee, throwing a teal plaid button up over it. The mirror reflects a well-built 22 year old with brownish blonde hair. The hair falls over my face in a rough 'just out of bed' style. Dark green eyes stare back at me, the type of eyes that look like they could glow in the dark. In general, I had a warm, friendly look about me. One that got the girls and made it easy to get them to bed. I've been described as handsome, cute, and often hot. Well, that's until I show who I really am... then they pretty much all use the same word, and it rhymed very well with "glass bowl.”
There's still some time to kill, so I sit down and take out my phone. Zero messages... now what. Trying to pass the time, I scroll through the long list numbers in my contacts. I don't recognize most of them: hook ups and old one night stands. I really needed to clean out the list some time; half of them don't even have names. I pass a name I recognize and snicker, thinking of the night I had with her. I continue down the long list of names and numbers, remembering some, not knowing most.
Then I see Crystal's number...
I pause, staring at the name. A mix of love and hatred courses through me with every memory of her as I think of our time together. She was the perfect girl, everything I could ever ask for. Beautiful, smart, kind... she meant the world to me and there was nothing we didn't share. But she left me... found someone else and ran away, stealing my heart and any ounce of trust I ever owned with it. She's the reason I stopped caring about love... Why I'm such a... Glassbowl.
And she took Skip...
Melancholy washes over me like a powerful wave as the beginnings of a tear form in my eye.
My phone vibrates. It's the girl again... Still can't remember the name "r we still on for 7?"
I look at the time... 6:40 already? Where does all the time go? "Yeah, c u there" I reply as I grab my jacket and a cigarette and head out the door, Crystal all but forgotten. My coat snags on the handle and as I pull it free I get another text
"Don't be late, I have a surprise for u :) "
The place is a 5 minute cab ride or a 15 minute walk, but It's a nice day, so I decide to walk it. The city streets are filled with the scent of car exhaust and fast food, an exotic mix of grease and smog that's probably near toxic. I think it smells like home. The walls of the stores I pass are covered in distasteful graffiti, some of which is my own work from earlier times. The only greenery is the occasional tree, vandalized with obscenities and rude drawings etched into the bark.
I reach the coffee shop with time to spare so I take out my lighter. I deftly flip a cigarette over my fingers from my jeans pocket, playing with it back and forth over my hand. I'm debating whether to light it up when I receive another text.
"I'm inside, u dummy :P"
I hide the cigarette and turn around to see her smiling and waving at me through the shop's tinted glass. I smile back, putting on my nice guy facade. I fix myself up quickly and walk casually into the shop. Our eyes catch as I head towards her booth and she blushes, eyes flitting down towards the table.
"Hey Drake," she says in a low shy voice. "I wanted to say thank you again for getting me home. My roommate says I was a total wreck."
I don't remember her being shy... That time we met, she was pretty outgoing. I mean, she wasn't exactly the loudest girl there but she definitely wasn't shy.
"Some of my friends were taken advantage of... I'm lucky you were so nice and took me home," she's blushing; her pale skin tinged a bright pink.
She was lucky... lucky her roommate was there. At least she didn't tell her about the three way.
"I was worried. You were so out of it and I wouldn't want a girl like you getting hurt." The lie comes out smooth and rolls easily off my tongue.
"Awww, thank you," she says shyly. "I'm gonna go get a cocoa, you want anything?"
"Yeah, thanks, a caramel latte would be nice." I hand her a 5 and she goes to counter.
While she orders our drinks, I check her out again. She's stunningly beautiful, a word I don't often use anymore. Her light brown hair is highlighted with blonde and a streak or two of bright pink. She has it tied up in a pony with cute bangs brushed to one side, almost covering one of her bright blue eyes. She wears a skyblue knee length skirt and a matching designer top under a black jacket. Nothing revealing, yet she's still incredibly hot.
She thanks the girl at the counter in her low voice that sounds so damn cute. Since Crystal, I don't usually fall for girls, ever, as a rule. 'So this one will be no exception,' I tell myself. She hands me my drink and takes a sip of hers. "You said you had a surprise for me?" I ask as she sits down, hoping it's still what I came for.
"Oh, yes," she smiles all excited "I started work at the animal shelter yesterday. Isn't that great!?"
That's the surprise? Damn, I guess I wasn't gonna score.
"Oh, and they said they need some more workers and I was wondering if you wanted to join. They pay really well there... unless you wanna volunteer like me."
'Come on Drake,' I tell myself 'you can turn this around.’ "I'd love to join. I'll definitely think about it." A blatant lie, but she totally buys it
"Oh, you're the best, Drake. We could really get to know each other while we work and maybe we can…" she stops, shies away a bit, and plays with her hair "if... if that's ok with you".
The shyness is beginning to get me because it just doesn't make sense.
"Sure, that'd be great..." I pause, then say tentatively "you know... you didn't seem so shy the night we met."
"Oh," she giggles uncomfortably, "it's just... I was with those girls. They pressured me into drinking. I usually don't..." She looks down at her skirt, embarrassed.
Looks like she's going be more work than I usually put in, but damn if she won't be worth it. With a face like that and such a hot body, there is no way I'm gonna let this one slip through my fingers.
The lull in conversation brings more red to her cheek and she sips her cocoa trying to escape the silence.
"Do you come here often?" I ask, breaking the awkward pause.
"Not as much as I'd like to," she says, relieved the quiet is over. "I'm always so busy. Between my job, college, and helping at the animal shelter, there's so little time."
"What are you studying college?" I ask, feigning interest. Maybe I was interested, I don't know. I've been playing this game too long to tell the difference.
"I'm studying to be a veterinarian." Her face lights up as she says it. "I just love animals and I really hope that helping them can be what I do some day." She blushes, "but that's too much about me, what do u do?"
The question catches me off guard. I don't really have a set job. "Kinda just do a little bit of this and that."
"Like what?" She asks, genuine interest clear in her tone as she nurses her cocoa.
"I do freelance instrumentals. You know, like if some guy only does vocals but can't play, he'll contact me and I'll make a track to fit his lyrics. It's good money... when I get customers".
"That sounds so fun. Wait... you don't play ALL the instruments, do you?" She asks, obviously impressed by the thought of someone who can play every instrument.
"Not all, but I do the drums, bass, and guitar," I say, bragging a little. "I record it in my home studio. But if I the track needs anything else, I know some guy for almost anything, from piano to cowbell"
"Cowbell?" She giggles then blushes, playing with the pink strands of her hair. "Wow, that's a pretty sweet job".
We sit there a while, chatting over the hot drinks. Then she looks at her watch and frowns, "I'm so sorry, I promised my friend I'd study with her later. So I kinda have to go."
"Aww, so soon?" This didn't go as planned at all. "Ok, go study. But this was nice, you think we can do it again sometime?"
She blushes, clutching her shoulder, "oh, um ok." She looks up with a shy smile, "tomorrow same time?"
"Sounds good to me," I reply happily, masking my disappointment.
I'm usually a "one and done" type of guy, but I guess meeting with her two times wouldn't be that bad... Still don't know her name. Then again, still don't really care.
"You wanna go to my place and chill a bit first?" I ask, in a last ditch attempt.
"Oh... That would be...." She says nervously "I mean I would but...." She whispers something inaudible "but if you want... I guess." She looks really uncomfortable and she obviously doesn't want to.
Normally, I don't care much for feelings, but she's making it hard for me to not care. Still, here's my chance.
I act like I didn't hear the reluctance in her voice. "Awesome, let's head over."
A squee escapes her lips and she flushes red, "I'm so sorry I can't!!!" She gets up quickly, knocking down her drink, and runs off crying, face in her hand.
"Wait, come back C..." Damn what's her name. She's already out the door when I see the name on her cup... "Cynder Skyline".
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A quick repetitive thump stirs me from sleep. I rub my tired eyes and stretch my legs. Angel stands at the side of my bed impatiently, thumping his left leg against the ground, "Oh, hi there Angel bunny. Good morning."
The sun shines brightly, filtering through the cottage windows as I stretch. Songbirds flit across the sky, their sweet songs carried in by the morning breeze. I try to hum along with them to myself, but a yawn interrupts me.
I lift gently out of bed and fly over to my dresser. I fix up my pink mane in the mirror and preen a stray feather from my peachy colored wings. I smile at my reflection, then blush at how cheesy it looks.
Angel tugs at my leg, and points towards the forest, a look of urgency on his face.
"What's wrong? The Everfree Forest?" I shudder, "oh... no no, I'm sorry angel. Twilight said we can't go into the forest."
Twilight had told all the ponies something about low frequency quantum waves of dark energy coming from the forest. I don't know what those are, but they don't sound nice, not at all.
Angel thumps again and tugs harder "I'm sorry Angel bunny but Twilight said no." I pat him gently and walk over to the window. The sky sparkles over Ponyville, not a cloud in sight. "Oh, it's so beautiful," a small bird swoops by and lands on the sill, "Good morning little robin." The bird chirps a little tune in greeting, "Are you hungry Mr. robin. I'll go get you some yummy seeds to munch on."
Angel is still persistent trying to drag my leg but he isn't having much luck. "Angel, you’re going to tire yourself out and you don't want to be tired on such a beautiful day. Please eat your breakfast. I have a nice delicious carrot, just for you."
The bunny sniffs the carrot tentatively, nibbles it, and knocks it out of my hoof. He points outside towards the forest again and crosses his little arms. "I would take you, Angel, but Twilight said no" a white lie... Sometimes it's nice to not be as truthful as Applejack, "but please eat, Angel. We have a big day today."
Rarity had planned a picnic day at the park and everypony was going to bring their pets. Angel wasn't exactly a pet, but he was my favorite animal friend, even if he was stubborn.
I give a hoofful of seeds to the bird, smiling "there you go little guy". I turn around to see Angel roll his eyes. He's given up trying to pull me, but not on getting me to go. He chatters on about something, using his tiny hands to try and explain why he wants to go, but I can't understand. "There's another bunny? a lost animal? an injured squirrel? ooooh, I don't know."
Angel shakes his head, upset that I don't get it. A knock at the door catches my attention and I look up, then turn back to the bunny. "I'm sorry Angel, but it doesn't matter, we can't go because twilight said not to." I sigh and walk towards the door "Now eat up and then we can go for a walk before Rarity's picnic".
Through the window I see a blonde mail pony with um... unique eyes. "Oh hi there Derpy," I chime as I open the door for her, "would you like to come in?"
"No siree," she replies with a determined look on her face "I've got a job to do, and I'm not gonna mess up this time." Derpy digs her muzzle into a blue mailbag hanging from her shoulder, coming up with a letter between her teeth. "Delivery for a Ms. Fluttershy!" she declares proudly, placing the letter into my hooves. "Oh and there's one more thing," she dives back into the bag.
I look at the letter, the address written in fancy silver lettering. Another I notice about the address is that it isn't mine. "Um excuse me.... Derpy?"
"Ah ha! Got it!" Derpy whips a magazine out of the bag triumphantly with a little too much enthusiasm. I squee as it knocks into a vase which falls over, shattering into a mess of glass, water, and flowers. "Oops," Derpy says apologetically, "I'm really very sorry"
"It's ok Derpy," I assure her in a shy voice "but um... This letter, it's...um for Rarity." I must've been talking too low because she doesn't seem to hear.
"No worries Fluttershy, you have a great day too". And with that she flies off.
"Oh Derpy," I sigh, guess I'll just deliver this myself during the picnic.
Speaking of the picnic, where has Angel gone off to? I search around my cottage, only to find the carrot still where he left it. Then I spot him outside, motioning for me to come and looking at an imaginary watch on his hand. "Ok, ok I'm coming Angel bunny".
When I reach him, he's thumping his foot again, a look of impatience on his face. He points to the forest, motions with his tiny paws for me to follow, and hops quickly towards the trees
"Angel, please stop... Please, not the forest."
My eyes follow the bunny as he hops into the tall forest trees. While the whole sky is sunny, a swirling thick cloud hovers ominously over the Everfree Forest. A lump forms in my throat and I swallow it... I really don't like that forest.
I chase after him, flying as fast as my wing can carry me "oh please stop Angel. I'll make your favorite, a triple scoop banana split with a cherry on top." But there's no response, Angel just keeps on running deeper into the forest. "Two cherries on top?... Three?" Angel stops, considers, but shakes his head and continues sprinting into the darkness.
As I follow him, the sunlight fades under the heavy branches, the forest engulfing us in near darkness. I lose sight of Angel as he disappears into the shadows and suddenly I realize I'm all alone... in the dark... in middle of the Everfree forest.
I start to shiver uncontrollably, fear creeping into the corners of my mind. I call for Angel, my voice quivering and extremely high pitch. My wings shake so hard, they can't keep me aloft and I fall with a light squeal, landing clumsily on my stomach. "Oh Angel where are you?"
I let out a shriek as I feel something wrap around my leg. Then I hear the thumping and I sigh with relief as I realize it's just Angel.
"Ok bunny, I'm here... But what did you bring me here for?"
My eyes take a little longer to adjust, but when they do, I see Angel pointing up, towards a strange orb.
The orb is perfectly spherical and pitch black. Its edges are luminescent and soft, as if they radiated darkness that faded as it traveled. It felt strange... Kind of like a light emitting darkness; an inverse lightbulb.
"You found it Angel..." I say shivering "I think this is what twilight was talking about. But I was so worried you were going to get hurt. please don't run away next time."
Angel rolls his eyes again, but then rubs against my leg. "Apology accepted," I say smiling. "Let's go home now. We have to tell Twilight"
I turn toward the orb for one last closer look. A horrible smell fills my snout and my eyes begin to water. It's so unnatural, a scent of destruction and decay... and it seemed to be killing the forest. The branches close to the orb were shriveled dry, suffocated by the terrible odor. Those slightly further were clearly drooping, life slowly drained by the orb. The sight made me want to cry.
"Wh wha what do you think it is, Angel?... Angel?!?" I look around frantically, the bunny nowhere in sight. My wings carry me upward and I frantically begin to search the area, darkness making it almost impossible to see. "Angel, oh... Where did you go?"
A thumping sound accompanied by squeaking, echoes through the area and I spot him. He's on a tree limb, over the orb, trying to get a closer look. "Angel, be careful. Please come down."
He crosses his arms and shakes his head, then looks closely at the orb. I hover carefully towards him. As I get closer, I notice the orb in more detail. Tiny bits of light whiz off the branches towards the center of the orb, the darkness absorbing the trees' life force. The entity pulsates hypnotically, glowing black light oscillating in intensity. It draws me in slowly, the beautiful darkness beckoning to me welcomingly.
A squeal pierces the air and I look quickly towards angel, who is dangling from a paw. "Angel! Ooooh Hold on." I close my eyes, scared as I speed towards the branch. I open them to land on the branch lightly, pulling angel up to safety. He hugs my leg and I smile as he scampers down the tree.
"Can we go home now, Angel?" I ask, when suddenly the branch cracks and I'm falling... Falling through the orb, into nothingness.
Cold, and dark... I know nothing else. It surrounds me as I fall, my memory draining. I can hardly remember anything anymore. Where am I? What am I? why am I falling? How long has it been?
Darkness rushes by, only to be replace by more darkness. Cold chills my fur to the bone, getting colder as I fall deeper. Alone... Afraid... Oblivious.
Just as quickly as it had started, the falling stops and my head spins as my eyes adjust to the sudden light. I'm lying on a pile of crumpled newspapers in a dim alleyway. As I move, the crinkling paper sounds unbearably loud and every noise seems to be amplified a thousand times over. The world around me appears so foreign, with unique textures and dark shaded color so different from the ones back home.
But where was home? I close my eyes and try to envision Equestria, but it's all but gone... The memory covered over with an opaque glass. I can see shapes and colors of a past life, muted voices trying to reach me... but they can't... like they're locked just behind a one way mirror, staring at me while I see only a reflection.
Confused, I wobble over to a puddle to see a reflection of a young filly with a pink mane and butter hued fur staring back at me, no bigger than a kitten... I hardly recognize the strange image. What am I? I whisper, but the words don't form. Instead, a low whimper replaces them.
I look around dark alley. Buildings on either side cast heavy shadows, blotting out the winter sun. A thin layer of snow covers the ground and it would be cold if not for an artificial heat emanating from a ventilation duct. An electric hum fills the air along with a terrible, somehow familiar, stench. Black smog accompanies the heat and I cough when I inhale the toxic air. I try to flap the wings on my back, but they supply no lift.
I walk out of the dark crevice coughing out of the cloud of smoke and sunlight burns my eyes. The crisp cold feels refreshing after the heat, and the air is at least breathable. I shield my eyes from the sun with my wings as I walk, trying to find somepony to ask for help. The place seems to be deserted and I call out with a shaky voice 'anypony there?' But again, only a trembling whimper escapes my throat.
Something across the path catches my eye. Strange beings walk on two legs, hurrying off in different directions. There's an endless stream of the them, each one preoccupied in its own world. 'Maybe one of those things can help me'.
I hop down onto the path and begin to cross over to the other side.
"BEEEEEEP" I run forward, startled by the loud noise. Something red speeds by, almost hitting me. I'm shaking, the near miss sending adrenaline coursing through my veins. Just as I think I'm in the clear, I turn to see a giant leg sweeping towards me, it's owner talking to some handheld box. 'Watch out!' I plead, but I only let out a squee of terror. The foot narrowly misses me and I sigh in relief.... too soon. Another leg heads towards me, forcing me to scamper quickly away. Soon I'm surrounded by the beings, feet bumping into my delicate form from all sides. 'Help! Please,' I cry, tears forming in my eyes. Suddenly the crowd parts, and a large husky is running towards me, barking. Which is strange, because it clearly sounds like a bark, yet somehow I hear "I'm coming".
Seeing the barreling dog, the surprised beings quickly move to let it pass. When it reaches me, the husky whines reassuringly. In my head, it translates to "I'm here, you're safe." He picks me up in his mouth by my neck and lets me down in a patch of bushes . He says in what sounds like a bark "I have to go back to my human now, but be careful little guy".
The husky runs off, rejoining with his searching "human".
"Bad boy, Fluffy! Never run away From mommy like that. She gets scared." Fluffy whimpers an apology and rubs his owner’s leg affectionately, then they walk off.
He looks so happy, like he knows where he belongs... Where do I belong? Do I need a human too? I sit down in the shelter of the bushes, covering my face with my hooves. A warm tear drips from my eye as a sense of lostness washes over me. I'm so alone... The tears soak into the ground as they fall. I try to remember, but what am I even remembering. Please... Something?, anything?? I shake each time I sob, my face wet with salty tears.
At the edge of the sky, the winter sun begins its early sunset. It dyes the world a deep scarlet, stirring blurred memories. As it sinks below the horizon, I bury my face in my useless wings, and close my eyes, trying to stop the tears. I don't even know what I am... 'Somepony help me,' I whimper, barely audible.
A bird chirps soothingly behind me and I turn around to face it. I hadn't known she was there, "oh didn't see you there," I say, the words still not forming and replaced by wimpers. She's a bluebird, her majestic sapphire wings streaked with a deep indigo. She's about as big I am, if not slightly smaller.
"What’s the matter, little one?" She chirps.
"I don't know," I reply in a tearful whimper "I can't-" my sobs interrupt me and rack my body. I sniffle and wipe the tears away, "I can't remember anything."
The bluebird hops closer, looks into the distance and chirps happily, inviting me to stay at her nest. I look at the ground shamefully, cheeks a bright pink, "oh thank you, but... I can't fly". I flap my wings to prove my point. They carry me up the tiniest bit, but no further, even as I flap with all my might. But then my hooves leave the ground and I'm wobbling up in the air, hovering. I turn to look at the bluebird but she isn't there.
A cawwing right above my back startles me as I look up to see two powerful blue wings working hard to get airborne. "Oh no, I couldn't ask you to carry me. Please stop, I can't fly" "Just flap your wings," she caws encouragingly.
I close my eyes and try to beat my wings. The movement is clumsy at best, but slowly, with the combined wingbeats, we begin to rise.
As the ground shrinks from under us, fear sets in. "We're too high and, um, I'm scared of heights..." I say the last bit low, embarrassed by my fear. I close my eyes, darkness surrounding me. "Ahhh!!" I open them quickly then blush, "...and the dark"
"Just keep flapping and try not to look down," she chirps, "time your strokes with mine so that we flap together."
As we synchronize our wingbeats, we're carried even higher. The wind under my wings feels so amazing, it almost makes me forget my fears. I feel the crisp breeze on my face and breath it in. My eyes close, but instead of seeing darkness I see blue skies and fluffy white clouds. A skyblue mare with a dazzling rainbow mane speeds through my imagination, and slows alongside me "Come on Fluttershy, keep up!" she teases playfully, and speeds off, leaving a streak of every color behind her. She seems so familiar yet… so foreign. 'Fluttershy,' the name echoes again in my mind.
I squee happily "That's me!"
"What?"
"Oh, um it's nothing, sorry" I say, face bright pink. 'Fluttershy', I repeat inside my head. That's my name. And who was that rainbow pony?
A gust of wind brings me back as we struggle against it. "We're going to fly higher," my flight partner caws, "above the wind"
"Higher?" A lump forms in my throat, my fear of heights returning. "o.. o... ok" I say stuttering.
As we soar, the city landscape passes under us, shining with skyscraper light. The streets below look like lines filled with pairs of tiny red and yellow glowing dots.
After a while longer we begin a slow descent. My wings ache, my skin's numb from the cold and the bluebird's claws are starting to hurt my back, but I don't complain
"Almost there," she soothes
Then I spot it; Against the darkness, a silhouette of a large bird. And it appeared to be closing in on us.
"Look out!!" I warn, just in time as razor sharp claws narrowly miss my carrier's wing. I turn to see a raven, feathers blacker than the night itself. It's unnaturally red eyes glow dimly, adding to the creature's terrifying appearance.
"Hold on tight," the bluebird screes, going into a sharp dive. But the red-eyed raven is too fast. It catches up to us almost immediately, scraping the bluebird's wing. It goes in for another approach, flying circles around us. Another near miss and the raven's powerful momentum carries it far into the darkness. I scan the sky for a sight of the black bird, but I can't see more than 10 feet away in the dark of night. We continue to fly, cautiously and slowly, the bluebird struggling with her injured wing.
"I think we lost it," I whisper when suddenly I feel a jolt. I look up to see the raven wrapping it's talons around the bluebird. She struggles, but it's no use, the raven's powerful grip crushes her wings She screes once more in defeat, then looks to me, "save yourself, little one".
Her claws release their hold on my back and I'm falling... falling so far. They surround me as I fall... cold, and dark... I know nothing else.
*******************************************
The walk home feels longer in the dark. My feet scrape the sidewalk as I drag them along. A powerful breeze chills the air, driving people indoors. My face is red from the cold, and I bury my chin in my jacket to keep warm.
The glowing red welcome sign of a bar beckons to me with promise of indoor heating and amber scotch, not necessarily in that order of preference. I could use a pick-me-up after my failed hook up.
Warmth surrounds me as I enter the bar and unzip my jacket. The place usually smells of cheap alcohol and even cheaper meals, but now I hardly notice. I sit at a table far into the corner of the rooms and take out my phone.
1 missed message. It's from Cynder: "so sorry I ran out like that :( ".
"No, I'm sorry I pressured u to come over when I knew u had to study" I reply. Then I add, "is everything alrite?"
As I wait for her reply, I order a scotch.
Why did she leave like that? I know she had to study, but why did she run out? Maybe she knows... her roommate might've told her.
I fiddle with my phone, spinning it on the table. The screen lights up and I stop it to read Cynder's reply. But there's just a "low battery" warning and the screen goes black again.
But if she knew, why would she want to meet up again today? I mean, we hit it off well that night, but if she knew what I had planned to do, she wouldn't have wanted to meet again, right?
A waitress sets a glass of caramel tinged scotch on the table and I nod in thanks. The liquid gives a satisfying burn as I down half the glass
So that couldn't be the reason, she couldn't have known. But why then? Did I move too fast for her? That would make sense, being that she acts so shy. But then why was she crying? Stress maybe.
I take another swig of the scotch, and pick up my phone. I go to contacts and edit Cynder's to display her name. I scroll down to make sure it's there. Big mistake... Because right above Cynder Skyline I see her name: "Crystal Whitewater". The name brings back memories amplified and distorted by the alcohol.
The first time we met, the first day of high school. Me showing off to her on my skateboard, her laughing playfully when I fall. Those days we just would lay in the field, looking at the clouds till the stars replaced them. Her cute smile, her adorable laugh, her beautiful red hair that smelled of fresh picked strawberries. The wind in her hair as we ran on the beach against the soft red sunset, like a scene stolen from a perfect love song. Her sparkling hazel eyes staring into me, her perfect lips pressed against mine.
It all speeds through my head in a blur, bringing a tear to my eye.
And there was Skip, loyal, always tagging along with us. We had bought him together, a tiny Golden Retriever puppy. We took the little guy everywhere, but his favorite place was the beach. He loved chasing the seagulls, barking as he ran across the sand. The way he would snuggle in my lap when he was tired, his cute little whine when his was hungry, those sad puppy eyes when he knew he did something wrong...
The waitress passes and I order another glass of scotch. I rest my head in my arms 'why do I even care. I thought I was done with that life. I thought I promised myself to never look back and live for the moment.
Yet my heart aches to have it all back. The memories of Crystal and Skip continue to flood my mind, drowning me in a sea of self pity.
It wasn't like there was any explanation, or reason given. She just up and left, leaving nothing but a scrap of paper behind. Didn't say where, didn't say why, just left a note on my bed that said one word "sorry". As if that made it all better.
I hear a clink on the table and look up to see the drink refilled. I sip a bit and play with an ice cube.
When Skip went missing too, I came to the conclusion that she must've took him. She broke my heart, took away my best friend, and practically stole my life away.
I take another sip of the auburn alcohol, hoping it'll make me forget,
A week later a friend had shown me a picture of "some chick who looks just like Crystal". He hadn't known about what happened and he "thought it was cool that the chick totally looked like her."
But it wasn't just a lookalike, it was Crystal on a boat with Skip... And she was kissing some guy, her new boyfriend by the looks of it. The picture was from the guy's Instagram, from which I found out that the love of my life was overseas... Far out of my reach and in the hands of a bigger, stronger, and probably richer man.
I down the rest of the scotch, wanting it all to just go away.
I had locked myself in my room for days after that, wallowing in terrible depression and heartache. "Why would she leave me?" was all I could think of for days after. There was no good reason. We were perfect... and then she just left out of nowhere, killing any bit of trust I ever owned. I couldn't do that again... ever. So I had promised myself to never fall in love again.
I lift my cup to my lips for more scotch, but it's gone. Instead, I melt an ice cube in my mouth.
After that I had changed. With love out of the way, the only thing that mattered was the bedroom. I started hooking up with easy girls and leaving them behind the next day. Yes, it felt kinda wrong at first, but Crystal had left a scar. I didn't want to put emotion into any of it again. So for about half a year, it was just girl after girl, lie after lie. I had known love so well that I could fake it effortlessly. And that's why I am what I am now... I would give anything to have Crystal and Skip back. I would give up this crazy stupid lifestyle for that to have never happened... But it's too late, it's all in the past now. The memories continue to play through my mind like a sad montage. Maybe I could have that again with Cynder. She's nice, cute, and beyond beautiful... I sigh... but I just scared her off.
I look at my phone, the screen still black beside my empty glass. She hasn't even replied to my text yet.
She seemed so nice though. A girl like her would never leave like Crystal... maybe I could trust her. But Crystal was kind too, I remind myself, and look how that turned out. And, Cynder just ditched me without an explanation, just like Crystal. I close my eyes, picturing Crystal and Skip again. No, I can't trust her. I won't let it happen again. As soon as I've had my fun, I'll forget her like any other girl. The decision pains me inside, but it's nothing compared to the heartache I've felt in the past... when she ripped out my heart. It's the right choice, I convince myself, and I'll be happier this way.
The waitress clears my cup off the table and wipes it down. Our eyes meet and she gives me a reassuring smile. "Rough night, huh?"
"Yeah," I sigh, "and a bit of reminiscing about my ex."
"Single? A cute guy like you? I'm sure you could find someone if you stopped being so mopey."
I laugh bitterly, "oh, if only It were that simple"
She sits down across from me, "well the night isn't over and my shift is almost done... What do you say I help you take your mind off of her."
On any other night, I would've instantly took her up on the offer, but tonight I didn't feel it. I muster a smile, "thanks, but I'm just not in the game tonight."
"Oh... Um ok," she says, a bit offended. "I'll be here until 9 if u change your mind."
What's wrong with me... I never pass up a chance like that. I sigh as I get up from the table and walk towards the exit. I zip up my jacket and push open the bar door, flinching as the cool breeze chills my skin. I tuck my neck down in the warmth and head home, my mind a mess of melancholy memories, confused thoughts of Cynder, and alcohol.
Wind whistles deafeningly in my ears as the air rushes past me. I fall tumbling through the black of night, the force causing my eyes to tear. Struggling to straighten out, I try to flap my wobbly wings as the ground looms ever closer. I close my eyes, scared of the inevitable impact.
A sudden gust catches beneath my flailing wings and I crack open my eyes. For a second, I'm gliding smoothly through the sky. But as the gust dies down, I begin to falter, losing all lift. I squee as I fall back into a spin. With the ground getting bigger by the second, I'm running out of time quickly.
"Ok, Fluttershy" I tell myself "You can do this, you can do this. First, just stop spinning." I spread my wings and try to hold them straight out. They shake under the pressure, but the spinning quickly comes under control. I'm still falling though, and fast.
"Oh no, oh no... what now?" my heart pounds quickly in my chest, the events of a unfamiliar life flashing before my eyes. It all passes in a blur as my mind searches its deepest recesses for a way out. It pauses over a memory, and the sky blue mare speeds beside me in a controlled dive.
"And to pull out, you just do this," she thrusts her powerful downwards, immediately pulling out of the dive. "But who wants to go slow anyway?" she says before she streaks off, everpresent rainbow trailing behind her.
I beat my wings hard downwards, trying to copy what I saw. My small wings are nowhere near as powerful as those of the rainbow maned mare in my memory, but the maneuver still works. I'm brought to a descending glide, a few hundred feet above the city avenues.
I sigh in relief, drifting downward. With my heart still pounding, I steady my wings as the wind slides evenly beneath them. It's not until I'm much lower that I realize I don't know how to land. My heartbeat rises again while I look around for a place to alight. A large building on the right seems like my best bet, so I angle off towards its flat roof. Aligning my flight path with the length of the surface, I approach the building.
"Ok Fluttershy, you got this. Just slow down," I say inside my head. Um... But how DO I slow down? The building draws ever closer as I speed towards it, unable to slow. I close my eyes in panic "Slow slow SLOW!" I repeat, somehow hoping that the words will help.
I pull away from the building just in time, my knee scraping the ledge guard of the roof. I hardly feel the pain as adrenaline courses through me, but I'm sure I'll feel it tomorrow. If I make it to tomorrow... there's still the problem of landing.
The side of another building materializes out of the darkness, and I bank left to avoid it. The turn steers me clear of the building, and I look back at the obstacle, impressed by how well I avoided it. When I face forward again, I turn to get a mouthful of leaves and branches. The collision with the tree sends me spinning and I struggle to regain control. Still spiraling, I fly into a clothes line, taking a shirt with me. Unable to see and spinning hopelessly out of control, I brace for impact... So the sudden softness takes me surprise.
At first I just sit there shaking, too dazed to move. My vision is blocked by a white cloth draped over me. Am I dead? Is this... the afterlife? The ground beneath me feels soft and plushy, like a cloud. I pinch myself and an "Ow" escapes my lips in a soft whimper. "So I'm definitely not dreaming."
I struggle free of the cloth and find myself buried in a large mattress. It must've slipped off the bed frame during impact, because it's on the floor now, several feet from the bed itself.
Past the bed, I notice the open window. On the sill, there's a large gap between cans of body spray, a watch box, and other trinkets. A knocked over book lies on the floor along with shattered sunglasses loose from their case. "Oops... That must've been me," I say, still shaking. I get up on my hooves, still wobbly from all the adrenaline. There's a filly sized divot in the mattress where I landed, the stuffing compressed by the force of the collision. It's a good thing that mattress was there or I might not be living right now. I breathe a sigh of relief, calming myself.
But where was I? The moonlight illuminated the room in blue glow, bright enough to make out some of the details.
The room was big, that was for sure. Or maybe I was just small. The bed itself was many times my size, large enough for about a dozen fillies. Walls painted in wavy cyan blues rose up high to a skylight studded ceiling with a stunning view of the night sky. A darkwood stained overhead fan turns slowly, producing a slight breeze. The room is beautiful, but the more I look at it the more I realize something is amiss. A run down mini fridge on the floor next to the bed seems out of place in all the beauty. There are other strange anomalies too. Chipped paint outlines where a dresser used to be and torn photos line the armoire shelves, ripped in half. The floor is littered with worn clothes, strewn about the room like the wearer didn't care much for aesthetics.
Yet everything about the design of the room screamed otherwise. The silky white drapes, like foam on the ocean of the wavy blue wall. The curvy mahogany dresser and night table, they all point to an individual of taste. The dichotomy puzzles me, momentarily distracting me from where I am.
It comes to me that I'm kind of trespassing. I've had enough adventure for one night and I'm not supposed to be here, so I should probably find a way out. I look back at the window, the way I got here in the first place. It's definitely too high for me to climb back out.
I nudge open the large door with my snout and step into a hallway, where I spot a few more rooms and a set of stairs. The exit is probably on the ground level, I tell myself. I take the stairs carefully, floating down the last few. The tile floor is cold under my hooves and it's really dark. Streetlight filters through shaded windows, and my eyes slowly adjust. Across the room, I see a door flanked by windows 'that must be it. I walk towards the door and an echoed clip-clopping fills the house as my hooves hit the stone tile. If anypony was here, now they definitely know I am too. I reach the door and try to nudge it open but it won't budge.
Way out of my reach, a handle teases me with the promise of escape. But there's no way I'm getting up there, not unless I suddenly learn to fly. I look at the soft yellow wings on my back, spreading them wide. I flap rhythmically, trying to mimic the bluebird. but my wings feel sore from the fall and the best I can do is hover shakily. Sighing, I fold them back behind me to rest them again.
What am I supposed to do now? The door is closed and the window is too high... I can't get out. I call for help, hoping it will work like the last two times. But there's no mother bird to carry me off, no Siberian husky to clear the way. The thoughts remind me of just how helpless I am. I know nothing of where I came from, where I was, WHAT I was. For the second time that night, I begin to shed tears.
I trod slowly back to bedroom, up the stairs and through the big door. The room is still a mess the way I left it and I look through the open window, up into the night sky. I think of the bluebird, but then stop immediately. I can't bear to think of what might've happened to her. "If you can hear me... I'm so sorry"
I try to tidy up the room but everything is so heavy, I wind up just pushing it all into neat piles. Exhausted, I curl up in the corner of the room, underneath the dresser.
I'll hide here until I get a chance to get out of this place. I yawn and tuck my wings in, slowly drifting off to sleep.
Behind my tired eyelids, strange memories of a faraway world play throughout my dreams. A mare with a perfect pink mane and beautiful purple eyes sings me soothing lullabies. Ponies of different colors trotted through streets filled with vendors while pegasi flew gracefully above. Rolling hill tops covered in flowers of every shade played host to dozens of frolicking squirrels, cute little bunnies and hovering songbirds. It all felt right, like I belonged there, with the mare that must've been my mother, in that place with ponies just like me, amongst the hilltop critters. It all just felt strangely like home. Maybe...
*thump* A thumping sound fills my dreams and stirs me from my sleep. As I open my eyes, a yawn comes over me and I try to stretch, banging my head on the bottom of the dresser. "Owwww," I whimper, rubbing my head with my hoof. The distinct sound of jangling keys echoes from downstairs and I back further into my hiding place.
I should've hid by the door. This was a bad idea...
**************************
By the time I get home, it's snowing gently. I unlock the door and step inside, hanging my snow-frosted jacket on the rack. I switch on the lights and for a minute I just stand in front of the heating vent, feeling the warmth over my cold skin. My phone has run out of power on the way here, so I plug it in and leave it on the table with my keys... Still now word back from Cynder. I'm tired, a bit tipsy, and kind of depressed, but it's too early for bed. I sigh as I walk to the living room, taking a seat in the lone chair. The screen lights up as I turn it on, and I start flicking through the channels.
There's nothing on, but I don't really have anything better to do with my time, so I watch. There's a boring documentary on the titanic, one of the millions of shows about pawn shops, a rerun of Spiderman, and something on World War 1... none of which interest me, so I wind up just watching the news. Apparently there's been a bunch of reported rabid animal around the area, oh, and a 24 hour store robbery. The lake is getting even more polluted, that's good to know. Why doesn't the news ever report on anything happy?
I'm about reach into my seat-side mini fridge, but remember I had been drinking already. Better not to mix alcohols, but I grab a bottle of hard lemonade either way. What's the worst it can do? It's just lemonade.
As I drink down half the bottle, the news lady rambles on about the demolition of some old power plant. From what I remember, the thing was supposed to be taken down over a year ago. It was a waste of space, derelict, and in disuse. There had been talks of taking it down for years now, but something always came up. I was pulling for them to replace it with a skate park, but I doubt they're going to.
I finish the lemonade and pitch the empty bottle towards the trash can. It falls in, shattering and cueing the automatic applause. I mock-cheer along with it, laughing to myself. The cheer dies down and suddenly there's a scratching noise from upstairs.
What could that be? Maybe the tenants? I DID live in a two family split house, so it could've came from their side.
I mute the TV and listen closer. There it is again, a light scuffling, and it's definitely coming from the bedroom.
"Hello?" I call, picking up a knife as I pass the kitchen. The blade is too dull to even cut an apple straight, but for some reason I feel that it helps. "Anyone there?"... there's no reply save for the hum of hot air blowing from the vents.
I creep up the stairs, listening intently for any sound. I can't hear anything anymore, but I'm sure the sound had come from my room. I crack open the door slowly, looking through the opening for any sign of danger. The coast looks clear so I push it open with my foot, hanging back. When I'm satisfied that nothing is going to jump out at me, I go in and flick on the lights.
My grip tightens on the knife when I see the mess. Why is my mattress a good 5 feet from where it should be? I look around the room but nothing seems out of place save for the mattress. I kneel beside the bed, taking a closer look. It appears to have been stricken by something big coming from...
"No!!" I rush over to the carnage under the window, "and These were my favorite shades." I pick up the shattered sunglasses frowning. What came through that window? I search for a rock or baseball which may have caused this, but with no luck. Nothing's going for me today, huh. I return the mattress to its proper place on the bed frame and flop down on it. There's an annoying divot left by whatever came in through that window. I roll onto my side trying to get comfortable. Then I spot it. Under the dresser, a curl of bright pink hair lays still on the floor. I don't remember ever having a girl with pink extensions around the house. Then again, it's been so many, I can hardly remember. Only a select few made it into the house, but that few had grown over the months.
I roll out of bed and grab at the pink hair, surprised when it jerks away with a squee. "What the..."
Muffled whimpering emanates from under the dresser, sending goosebumps up my arm.
I drop on all fours, peering under the furniture. A strange animal shields it's face from me with it's... wings? Ok, what is this thing. "Come out, little guy... or girl," girl would make more sense, with the pink hair and all.
The light yellow being just slinks further back under the dresser.
"Let's go... OUT, I said!" Great... Now I'm talking to it. The thing doesn't understand me, it's an animal. I walk to the closet, eyes still fixed on the dresser, and grab my hockey stick. "Come out, or I'll force you out," I threaten, wondering why I'm warning the thing. When there's (obviously) no response, I reach under the closet with my stick, scooping the animal out. It wails and whimpers as I do, resisting my pull. It's eyes still hidden behind its wings, I drag it into the open. When I stop, it spreads it's feathers just enough to peek through. It sees me, squees and makes a break for it, dashing towards the door. I go after it, abandoning my stick for a pillow case. It reaches the door and tries to paw it open frantically. As I close in on it, it quickly give up and backs into the corner, shaking uncontrollably. I'm just about to throw the pillow sack over the pink maned animal when I see it's puppy dog eyes. They shimmer sadly, devoid of all hope, as if they're begging me to just end it already. My heart instantly melts and I stop, an awww escaping my lips. The animal tilts it's head ever so slightly, eyes still wide with fright but sparkling.
The feels are overpowering as my eyes glass over with an image of Skip in that exact pose. He was such a perfect dog, but he would get himself into trouble sometimes. Whenever he knew he did something wrong he would give me the most adorable puppy eyes and they would always work. You just can't yell at a face like that... And here was this... I don't know what it was... With those same eyes, just as irresistibly adorable. "What are you?..."
The pony-like animal is almost definitely a girl, as evident by its dainty mannerisms and appearance. She appears to be some sort of young filly...'With wings' I remind myself 'and a pink mane'. Well, I'm not sure what she is, except beyond cute. Her tiny hooves shiver as she looks at me with a mix of unease and curiosity.
I sit on the floor in front of her so that my eyes are level with the pony. she tries to back up further, only there's a wall behind her so she winds up just falling down whimpering. "Shhh shhh don't cry little pony," I soothe, trying to sound as unthreatening as possible. "It's ok, I'm not going to hurt you."
I reach out slowly towards her shaking body, wanting to calm the poor thing. But she withdraws from my touch, recoiling in fear as the fingers brush her fur.
I spend what feels like hours talking soothingly to the pony, wondering if I'm crazy as I attempt to calm it. Eventually though, she stops shivering and lets me run my hand through her flowing pink mane and over her soft fur. Her down feels so fluffy and smooth, like the coat of a bunny. Now she actually seems to feel comforted by the touch, closing her eyes as I brush her neck. The transformation from terrified animal to serene almost pet is simply magical. I must be going insane, but I swear it looks at me and smiles, then blushes bright red, turning at the ground. But suddenly she falls, whimpering in pain
On her front left knee, she reveals a patch of red fur, caked in what can only be blood. It looks pretty painful, and by the way she's whimpering again, it sounds pretty painful too. "I'm just going to look," I whisper softly, just loud enough for her to hear. I don't know if she can understand me, but I hope my tone will convey what I'm trying to say. After a closer look I find that the knee is badly scraped, the wound still fresh.
"I'm trying to help," I tell the winged filly, "now don't move, I'll be right back." I crack open the door and shut it behind me, careful not to let her run out. I return with a box of tissues, a cup of water, and a bandage.
"Now this might hurt a little, but I have to clean-" I trail off. I think I've officially gone crazy... It won't understand me, so why am I talking to it like a person> She looks at me with those round blue eyes and nods her head, as of in understanding.
...Ok... this just keep getting weirder. Maybe I'm just drunk, but whatever, I'll roll with it.
I wet a tissue and dab it on the injured knee. Each time I brush her injured skin, the pony cringes and whimpers, but she stays still. the blood and dirt slowly come off, revealing the true wound. It's a pretty big scrape, and as she sees it, the pony closes her eyes, refusing to look at it.
"Shhh shhh I know it hurts little guy," I scratch behind her ears as I dress the knee in an ace bandage. I know she's no dog, but she seems to like it. "Ok," I clip the bandage on, "all done."
The pony nuzzles my hand in an adorable thank you. I close my eyes and all she's missing is that little wet tongue and it could easily have been Skip. He loved when I would scratch behind his floppy puppy ears and rub his warm tummy. Oh, how I miss the little rascal.
I'm going to have to punch a wall and lift some weights to feel manly again.
The world almost seems right, with Skip back. But he isn't back. This was just some stray... pony thing, or whatever it was, but it wasn't Skip. He was with Crystal... and she isn't coming back... she's never coming back.
I sigh and realize that I'm ignoring the pony, who is now testing out her new bandage. She trots around the room with a small limp, occasionally wincing. It's funny how she holds her injured leg as she walks. When she notices I'm watching, she looks down blushing and paws the ground with her hoof. Strange, I never knew animals could act shy like that.
It had been a while since I last eaten so I decided it's time for a snack. I scoop her up, surprised how light she feels. I guess if she has wings, it makes sense that she'd have a light build. I put her on the kitchen counter and open the fridge. She look like a horse to me... What do horses eat? I don't exactly keep a fresh stock of hay in my house, so I pull out a few fruits and vegetables for her, grabbing a hot pocket for myself. I throw the hot pocket in the microwave then spread the produce in front of the pony. There's a carrot, a bunch of grapes, some celery, and an apple. She sniffs each of them then takes a bite of the apple. Her tiny teeth marks make me smile as she takes another bite. "Let me cut that for you," I say when I see she's having trouble. The apple is about half her size, so I slice it into a couple of small wedges. I give her one and she nibbles on it to make sure it's still an apple, then goes on eating.
We eat together in silence, the pony occasionally looking up to make sure I'm still there. I go to pour myself some water and get her a bowl too. When I get back, she's finishing the last piece of apple. "Wow," I say surprised, "you really must've been hungry. That thing was almost as big as you".
She drinks all the water I give her too, but when I try to offer more food and drink, she doesn't want. She just yawns the cutest little yawn and stretches on the counter.
"Time to go sleep, little filly," I say stifling my own yawn. She crawls into my arms and I carry her upstairs, again surprised by how light she feels. I set her down on the bed, and curls up into a ball, smiling at me in thanks before burying her head in the pillow "Goodnight Ski..." I stutter, almost saying my dog's name. I sigh, just an hour ago I was thought it was a pest, now it's apparently sleeping my bed... I'm definitely drunk, and this will all be over in the morning. But as I lie down next to her and close my eyes, I'm hoping it won't.
"These fritters are simply wonderful, Applejack!" Rarity intones, "I must know what you put in these to make them so absolutely delicious."
"It's jus' good ol' Apple family apples," AJ replies
"Well Opalescence simply can't get enough. And she's a very picky eater, aren't you Opal?" Rarity tries to pet the white cat, but gets clawed at instead.
"I think they're great too," Spike agrees.
"Well that mighty kind a' you, Spike," then again, AJ thinks to herself, that dragon would agree with anything Rarity thinks.
The group was out at their favorite picnic spot, just past the pond on the rolling meadow hills. Everypony had done their part to help prepare and had, as per usual, brought their pets. At the moment, Winona was chasing the squirrels up the trees, wagging happily as they chattered playfully back at him. Twilight and Owlawicious read peacefully in the shade while Rainbow and Tank play a game of tag through the air. All the while pinkie bounces from pony to pony, toting gummy on her leg. "Rainbow, can gummy and I play tag? Gummy loves tag, see," Pinkie points to the toothless alligator on her leg, "he's tagging me right now."
"But how are you gonna tag us way up here?" Dash teases, Tank sticking out his tongue.
"Like this," she replies with a giggle, her limbs stretching to unnatural proportions as she bounces high into the air, "you're it".
Twilight chuckles at the two of them, distracted from her reading. She had brought a book that might explain the unusual disturbance above the Everfree Forest, Strange Storm and Stranger Calm by Thorina Thundercloud. 'There's plenty in here about all sort of localized storms, but it could be any of these,' she thinks to herself. 'Like dark magic, an angry dragon, a depressed donkey... almost anything,' Twilight sighs and closes the book. There's plenty of time for studying later, now I'm with my friends... Well 4 of them. I wonder where Fluttershy is?
"Hey, has anyone seen Fluttershy? She usually never misses these picnics."
"Who?"
"Fluttersh-" Twilight begins. Then she realizes it's just Owlawicious "Haha oh nevermind"
Spike laughs, then turns right back to admiring the beautiful Rarity.
"Oh I'm sure Fluttershy will be here any minute, darling," Rarity assures. "Probably convincing that cute little stubborn bunny of hers to come along."
"I don't know," Twilight says worriedly, "she's usually on time"
"Don't you worry one bit Twi, she'll be here as sure as the sun rises tomorrow," AJ drawls. "She loves these just as much as you or I and she wouldn't miss one for the world."
"Unless…" Pinkie sings, bouncing up and down as she talks, "she's been sucked into an evil wormhole, traveling through time and space itself into another dimension where we are nothing but a filly's television show... and twilight's an alicorn... But that's highly unlikely, right?"
"Um... Yes pinkie" Twilight says laughing "that is highly unlikely. Although..." She pauses "Thorina says a wormhole can be the cause for a localized cloud formation like we've seen over the Forest."
"Let's forget about the forest, guys," Dash whines, "we're here to have fun, right Pinkie?" She leans her hoof on Pinkie Pie's shoulder. "Oh and by the way.... You're it, slowpoke," she laughs, speeding away.
"Aww no fair," she complains, bounding after the rainbow trail left behind.
Applejack chuckles and grabs her lasso, about to give chase. But she stops when she sees a white bunny approaching "Hey lookie here guys, it's Angel. The poor little critter looks exahausted." The group stops, the tag game forgotten.
Rarity turns, looking around the meadow, "but where ever is Fluttershy?"
"Who?"
"Why... Fluttershy of course" says Rarity, then blushes. "I think that owl is trying to make a fool of me on purpose."
Angel stops in front of the ponies, panting heavily. His deep breathing accompanies frantic chatter, and it's almost impossible to tell what the bunny is trying to say.
"Slow down Angel," Twilight soothes, "where's Fluttershy?"
"Who?"
"Quiet Owlawicious, this is important. Now Angel, do you know where she is?"
The bunny nods quickly, shaking as he points in the direction of the Everfree Forest. Something seems to terrify him and he hides behind Dash's leg, causing the Pegasus to blush. "It's ok little guy."
"That's just not her in the least." Applejack wonders aloud. "Why in the hay would Fluttershy go into the Forest after you told all of us not to?"
"I don't know, Applejack," Twilight sighs, "but it looks like we're going to have to find out. Tell Winona to round up the pets and bring them home, we're heading into the Forest."
"The Forest?" Pinkie chimes "Oh goodie, I'll get my galoshes. Don't you just love word galoshes? It sounds like someone stepping in a puddle of mud. Galosh galosh, galosh galosh"
"Pinkie... please stop," Dash says sporting a disapproving-Dash face.
"Hehe sorry," giggles Pinkie.
"Stop fooling around you guys, we have to look for Fluttershy." There's a far off "who?" And Twilight rolls her eyes. "Ok Angel, lead the way."
The usually disobedient bunny hops in front of the ponies, obviously wanting his Fluttershy back as soon as possible.
As they travel deeper through the Forest, it's clear something is definitely wrong. Angel's leaps become slower and he's visibly shaking as he leads the group further in.
"Rarity, do you feel that too?" Twilight asks, her horn glowing faintly.
"Oh my... Yes I do, like a slow wave of magic" Rarity stutters "I do believe it feels rather dark." She shivers "And did I have to come?" she whines, shying away from a spider web "this place gives me the creeps."
"Don't worry Rarity" Spike proclaims puffing out his chest "I'll protect you." There's a crack and Spike jumps back onto Twilight "oh," he laughs nervously, "...just a twig."
"Galosh galosh, galosh galosh" pinkie sings in her own world, hopping through some puddles in yellow boots.
"Woah..." Dash's jaw drops, "hurry up guys, I think this is it"
Angel sees the black orb and hides back behind RD's leg, pointing at it.
"Ooooh it's so pretty," Pinkie exclaims
"And freaky," Spike adds, "what is that thing Twilight?"
There's no answer saves for the scratching of pen on parchment. Spike turns just as she finishes, "o, Spike send this off to Princess Celestia."
"Um… ok," green fire shoots form Spike's mouth, disintegrating the parchment into a wisp of emerald flame which flys off through the trees. "What did you tell her?"
"Just that I think we found the source of the dark energy that's been in the forest," Twi says, eyeing the floating sphere. "And that it seems to be draining the life force of the trees around it."
"These trees look darn near dead to me," AJ agrees, "and that floaty black circle gives me the willies."
"Well if we wanna know more, why are standing way over here?” Dash asks. "I say we take a closer look"
"No Rainbow Dash, it could be dangerous," Twilight warns. “We don't really know what happened to Fluttershy, but by the looks of Angel, it seems it was pretty bad. We wait for Celestia's orders."
Dash plops down and begins to paw at the dirt. "Hmph, I hate waiting."
"Pinkie!" Rarity yells, seeing the pink pony approaching the orb. "Get back here!"
She hardly seems to hear, as if under some hypnotic trance, and she continues slowly towards the orb.
Rainbow Dash is the first to act, swiftly pushing off with her legs, accelerating forward at tremendous speeds. She reaches Pinkie quickly, stopping in front of her, "earth to Pinkie, earth to Pinkie, come in Pinkie."
But she just continues forward, eyes fixated on the orb, as if she were seeing right through Rainbow Dash. "Come on Pinkie!" *Slap* "snap out of it!"
"Owie!" Pinkie exclaims, coming to, "oh... I guess I'm it now.... wait... where am I?"
As Rainbow Dash explains to Pinkie Pie what happened, Spike's emerald fire erupts from his stomach, producing a letter from thin air.
Twilight motions for Rainbow and Pinkie to join and Spike begins to read.
"My faithful student Twilight,
Look behind you"
Applejack scratches her head and raises an eyebrow "well.... that's it?"
"Yes, Applejack" comes a Trollestia chuckle from behind them.
The group collectively jumps as they hear her voice. A fog clears, revealing a smiling Princess Celestia "Hello, my loyal subjects."
Twilight quickly turns, bowing, and the other ponies follow. "Oh um Princess Celestia," she stutters. "I... I wasn't expecting you on such short notice. What a pleasant surprise. If you don't mind me asking... How did get here so fast?"
"Teleportation, my dear student. I believe you've done it too, on a smaller scale," says Celestia. "The reason for my haste is Fluttershy... she may be in grave danger. I heard your description of the orb, and had to come at once."
"Well... what is it?" Dash asks, unable to hide the restlessness in her voice.
"Patience, Rainbow Dash," the Princess admonishes, "I was getting to that. What we are dealing with here is a Darkfire dimension rip."
The Rarity turns wide eyed to Pinkie "but how... what... you said..."
The pink pony just shrugs, giggling, "it was just a hunch".
Twilight skews her head in confusion, "I've read about dimension rips in my studies. They come in all shapes and colors, but I've never read about anything like this one."
Celestia bows her head, "yes Twilight, because all information on the creator of the Darkfire rip has been stricken from the royal library... for the safety of my people."
Celestia's horn glows and a force field surrounds the orb. "There's an exchange of atmosphere between the two dimensions. It's obvious from the dead trees that wherever this dimensionrip leads to is filled with an atmosphere toxic to our Forest. This force field should prevent the spread as long as we have somepony maintaining it."
"So you know who opened the rip?”
"Yes..." The princess sighs, "sit down, my subjects, and let me tell you a story that hasn't been told for over three thousand years"
Pinkie sits down and pulls a bag of popcorn from her tail "Oh oh, I love story time."
The ponies gather around a fire and Celestia begins, "Luna and I weren't always the only rulers of Equestria. A long time ago, Equestria had three rulers. I, Celestia, ruled the daytime, raising and lowering the sun. Luna, my sister, ruled the night, raising and lowering the moon. And at midnight, in midst of Luna's reign, Princess Penumbra would rule the 25th hour, raising the dead"
Celestia's horn glows and the campfire displays an image of a jet black mare. Her elegant mane the same color as the orb, darkfire black and wild like flame. She stood with wings tipped in deep red as if they were dripping blood. A skeletal pattern adorned her black coat, adding to her already undead look.
Spike covers his eyes, shivering.
"Under Penumbra's rule, time as you understand it would cease, the living frozen where they stood, the dead allowed to rise."
An eep escapes Rarity's lips and she blushes, "I'm fine... go on," she says quickly, blushing.
"Oh, but this wasn't a scary time at all. The living were frozen, unaware of what went on around them as the dead enjoyed a second chance at life. Each night, their spirits rose from where they rested, socializing and playing with each other. And as the hour came to a close, the spirits would return, and Penumbra would let time resume as normal."
There's a lull as Celestia pauses, memories of the 25th hour flooding her consciousness.
"She looks so evil," Pinkie says, breaking the silence, her high pitch voice snapping Celestia from thought.
The princess continues, "Yes, Pinkie Pie. But while her appearance was eerily frightening, Penumbra's demeanor was calm and sweet. She wanted nothing more than the happiness of her subjects," Celestia sighs, "which is where the trouble started."
"The dead began to plead for more time, and so Penumbra had requested a second hour from me and Luna. Giving away that hour would mean cutting into the time of the living, potentially ruining the balance between day and night. The results of losing an hour would be catostrophic, displacing seasons and ruining food production. I explained this to Penumbra but she so wanted to please her subjects that she wouldn't hear it. Day after day she pleaded, and each time I tried to explain. Their requests not met, the dead began to complain how the living had so much time to spare and how we were greedy for not granting them more time. They just didn't understand the repercussions that would come from their actions. Increasing in anger, Penumbra continued to lobby for her people, until she finally snapped, freezing all of time. With an army of the undead, and under her new name Skullamena Crossbones she overpowered us, taking control of day and night. For over a year, the dead ruled the earth, the living only allowed to move in the 25th hour. The sun and moon would rise and set within 60 minutes every day. Seasons were almost nonexistent, causing plants and trees to die. Food became scarce, and the living suffered terribly."
Celestia sheds a tear, then quickly regains composer, "There was nothing I could do... she was too powerful for me and Luna."
"But her plan was flawed, for as time went on under those harsh conditions, more and more ponies left the living and joined the dead. The newly dead knew of the tragedies that plagued the 25th hour, and couldn't enjoy their life after death. Together with others sympathetic for the living, they staged a rebellion, weakening Skullamena's grasp. It was then that Luna and I were able to overpower the crazed princess, and banish her into oblivion, the regions between the dimensions. With the princess of the dead gone, Luna and I implemented a new system of rebirth to reward those who had helped restore balance.”
"But what does the orb mean then?" Twilight asks, still confused.
"It means Skullamena must've found a way into one of the infinite amount of dimensions... and is trying to come back to Equestria for revenge." Celestia looks far into the distance, a hint of fear on her face, "and who knows what new powers she could've developed over these thousands of years...."
Applejack lets out a low whistle, "woah... that's some scary stuff."
Rainbow Dash nods her head in agreement, "but what about Fluttershy? We need to go in and save her from the ghost ponies."
Celestia sighs "I'm sorry, but you can not go... It's far too dangerous, even for the brave of heart."
"We can't just leave her there though!" Dash says frantically. "She'll get torn apart!"
"Dash..." Twilight warns. Ideally, you're not really supposed to talk back to the ruler of all Equestria.
Celestia turns to Twilight "No, I understand, it's perfectly normal as the element of loyalty for her to want to go... but we don't know what we're up against. As it was created by a controller of time, Darkfire portals like this one can have quite a large number of time related side effects. Aging forward and backward have been documented, both of which can disrupt your memory and bring you to forget why you have gone in the first place." Celestia turns towards the force field she had put up "We must keep this up at all times to prevent the forest from falling victim. And to prevent anyone from getting too close." She eyes Rainbow Dash who ignores the gesture. "In the meantime, I want you, to go into my personal archives and read up on Skullamena. The more we know the better"
Twilight nods, immediately heading off.
Applejack sighs, petting Angel soothingly, "I just hope that Fluttershy is ok"
Rarity drapes her arm over AJ "We all do Applejack. We all do."
We lay there at the zenith of a small hill, lush green meadows spanning as far as the eye can see. A willow tree above provides shade from the bright noon sun as its branches sway in the crisp breeze. Just me and the squirrels and the bunnies and the tiny sparrows with their sweet little song, relaxing on a breezy mid-September day. As I lay there feeding the critters from a saddleside satchel, the white clouds above paint pictures in the sapphire sky like an airborne art convention. The aroma of sweet cinnamon drifts by on a wind, whispering of fresh baked pastries.
My snout quivers slightly at the scent, stirring me from my dream. I sit up yawning, rubbing my sleepy eyes. As they adjust to the blurred surroundings, memory of the previous night begins to return; everything from the traumatic fall to the gentle caress of the kind human's hand. It's all so much to take in, like a nonsensical dream. Yet this can't be a dream... I know what a dream feels like. I was just dreaming a minute ago and that felt completely different. 'I still have no idea where I am,' I sigh thinking to myself, 'well at least I have somewhere to stay.'
He was sleeping now, the human, his chest rising and falling with his steady breathing. It had been so scary at first, when he was yelling at me. But then it was like he just melted, feeding me and dressing my injuries. I nuzzle up against his arm, just lying there for a few minutes, listening to the strange array of noises drifting in through the open window. But then the scent of cinnamon returns and my tummy begins to rumble. Whatever the neighbors are baking smells delicious.
Hungry, I trot up the bed and whimper softly next to his ear. But he just grumbles inaudibly and rolls over, pinning my wing under his arm. Luckily he's not very heavy, so I'm able to free my wing. With the human asleep, I decide to find my own food. I make a quick stop at the washroom to clean up and fix my mane, the morning routine somehow hardwired into my memory from repetition in a previous life.
The stairs look different in the sunlight, a large arching window allowing the wintery rays inside. I make my way downstairs, nose to the ground, sniffing for something to eat. Up on the counter, I spot a large bowl with yellowing bananas and fresh apples, out of reach. They're way too high to jump to, but then I see the trash can. If I could just leap from there onto the counter, I could get an apple. 'But it would be dangerous, Fluttershy,' I tell myself, 'Don't do it, you're going to get hurt.' My tummy grumbles again and I ignore the voice inside my head, cautiously hopping onto the lid of the trash can. It wobbles, and I quickly jump to the countertop, causing the can to fall over. A whimper escapes my lips as it hits the ground with a crash. Its contents pour out, shards of glass bottles and half-finished chip bags strewn across the floor. 'Oh no... I hope he won't get upset. I'll clean it up after,' I think to myself, hoping he didn't wake up from the noise.
On the bright side, at least I can get my apple now. I trot across the counter top, towards the bowl just past the sink. I walk slowly, against the wall as I cross the sink basin, trying my best not to fall in. As I sidle along the wall, my wing brushes the center handle and water begins to trickle from the faucet. The sudden dripping reminds me how thirsty I am and I lean over the edge, tongue extended to catch the drink. Reaching too far, I lose my balance, falling right into the basin with the water still on, causing my fur to get all wet. At first I enjoy the steady stream of crisp water, drinking until I'm satisfied. But when I try to escape the steep wet slope of the sink, the water turns from a welcome treat to a slippery hindrance as the faucet continues to drip. After a whole lot of effort, I manage to make my way out of the basin, shivering and soaking wet. I reach the bowl of fruit, leaving a slippery trail along the countertop. I pick the shiniest of all the apple and I try to bite into it, but my teeth just scratch the surface. Wrestling with the fruit, I slide along the counter as I try to sink my teeth inside from all angles. Too absorbed in my fight with the fruit, I lose track of where I am and I wind up sliding off the counter, still clutching the apple.
The fruit cushions my fall as I hold on for dear life, striking the ground with a hollow clack. I slip off the apple, unable to hold on as it bounces far too high to actually be a real apple. The fake fruit rolls to a stop at the wall, the shiny red paint somewhat chipped where it hit the floor.
I sniff the apple and it smells nothing like it should, confirming my suspicions that it's fake. The rumbling in my stomach returns and I whimper in defeat. I sit on the floor, hungry and wet with a huge mess on the floor. I start to trot slowly over to the pile of trash, deciding to clean it up. I pass the giant white box where the human pulled the apple from last night, and my nose begins to twitch again. I can almost smell the apple through the tall metal doors. Steely handles run from top to bottom and would be helpful if I had opposable thumbs. Instead, I resign to nudging the handles with my snout and eventually it gives way. As the doors open, a bright light shines from inside, followed by a wave of cold. I feel the refrigerated air over my still wet fur and chills run down my spine. 'Brrrr it's freezing,' I think to myself as I climb in, 'better grab the apple quick.' Shivering, I prod the fruit drawer open and spot one that looks good. After some coaxing, the apple rolls out of the fridge and onto the floor. But in my haste to escape the cold, my flank knocks into a jug of milk. The jug tips over, emptying its contents on the kitchen tile.
It's then, as I hear him coming down the stairs, that I utter my first words... "Uh oh"
--------------
It had been just like any other morning, the alarm blaring at the ungodly hour of 8:00. As usual I hit the snooze, wondering again why I would ever set it that early in the first place. I roll over and flip the pillow to the colder side, drifting back into sleep.
Exactly 5 minutes later, déjà vu would kick in, the alarm would go off again, I would hit the snooze, I would roll over, the pillow would be flipped to the colder side, and I would go back to sleep. Rinse and repeat five times and you have pretty much every morning in my life. Unless I'm with a girl. That's a completely different story for another time.
Like clockwork, probably because it was clockwork, the alarm went off five minutes later. I hit the snooze, roll over, and as I'm about to flip the pillow I hear a crash downstairs. That's when I remembered it wasn't just any other morning. I pick up the covers and when there's no sign of the pony, I throw on my clothes and hurry downstairs.
I'm greeted with two very big and very guilty eyes, her face blushing with a tear streaking down her left cheek. She's shivering too, wet from head to toe. As I take in the carnage, It's hard to believe such a small animal can make such a big mess. I want to scold her, I really do, but her eyes... they just... I can't. She casts her head down, ashamed of what she's done.
I sigh, gathering my lost sense of anger. "Bad girl," I manage in a rather pathetic attempt at yelling. I shake my head, pointing at the mess. Which is hard, because the mess is everywhere. The trash can has been tipped, its contents spread across the floor mixed with spilled milk from the open fridge. The sink is somehow running, countertop a slippery mess. A fake apple lies at the edge of the room, paint peeling from its plastic shell. And right at her feet, the reason for this all, an apple lies with a few bites taken from it. "If you were hungry you could've just asked."
She keeps her eyes towards the floor, scratching at the tile with her hoof, whimpering an apology.
I kneel down next to the pony and she recoils, "I'm not gonna hit you," I assure her, "it's ok." Her fur feels wet and she's shivering as I run my hand gently down her back. "Come on, let’s get you dried off." At least she didn't shake off the water like Skip would. The dog hated baths to begin with, but it was after the bath that was the worst. He could spray the whole bathroom with his shaking... but I still loved him no matter what. After a dip the ocean it was the cutest thing when he would be running, water flying off his body as he turned. Cute, but messy, so it's a good thing she's not a dog.
As I wrap her in a towel and dry her off, she cuddles against my neck, thankful that I didn't yell. She's just lucky that's she reminds me of Skip, otherwise, she'd be out on the street for this.
She just wanted some food, I tell myself, no need to get angry. And it could've been worse. I guess it's my fault for not leaving anything out. "We should clean this up, then I'll make you some breakfast."
10 minutes later, with a little help from an apologetic pony and with the exception of some cracked red paint, the kitchen is good as new.
As promised, I fix the pony an apple salad with her remaining fruit and pour myself a bowl of cereal. I lay the dish on the table and place the pony there too, so that I can see her as I eat. Her shy closed-mouth smile while she munches is more than enough thanks and it kinda reminds me of Cynder. Oh my god! Cynder! I totally forgot. Where's my phone?
I drop everything, (which is basically just my cereal spoon) and run towards my room. Half way up the stairs, I abruptly turn around and head back to the kitchen, peering around the bend. The pony, a bit confused, still sits on the counter happily, nom-noming on her salad. "Don't get it into any trouble," I warn her, running upstairs to look for my phone. I search my night table and rifle through my drawers with no luck. Ugh!, where is it?! It's been almost 12 hours since my last text, she probably thinks I'm blowing her off by now. I try to recollect what happened last night, but everything before my encounter with the pony is blurred behind a wall of alcoholic amnesia. I search a little more but there isn't much more to search in my room. Under the bed, behind the dresser... no luck. I better go downstairs before that little girl makes another mess.
To my relief, she's just sitting quietly on the counter, licking the plate clean with her tiny pink tongue. She spots me and blushes, pushing the plate towards me with her snout. Her legs stretch in front of her and she extends her wings as she yawns.
"You're a tired little pony, aren't you? Now where is my phone." As I begin emptying the kitchen drawers, a buzzing catches my ear. "Oh... right..." I say facepalming, it's right where I left it, charging on the table next to the keys. I let the call go to voicemail, it's a client and he's probably just a checking up on my work, and I can deal with that later. Right now, I need to make sure I'm good with Cynder.
"2 tell u the truth" her message begins "I don't usually get out too often :/ But my sister's been worried about me and she says I have to be more outgoing, so I've been trying. I just kinda freaked out last night and I'm really sorry :$ Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night though :)"
I release a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, "I totally get it. No hard feelings :) see U 2nite."
I hit send, relieved that I still have another chance at Cynder. Why do I care so much though? She's just another girl, right? If I was being honest with myself though, she wasn't just another girl. Everything about her whispered beautiful, from her downcast sparkling blue eyes to her shy smile and perfectly pink-tinged brown hair. As much as I don't want to fall for this girl, the truth is that I'm starting to really like her....
A different pair of sparkling blue eyes disturbs me from my thoughts as the pony looks at me, her head tilted as if to ask, 'what's wrong?'
I scratch her gently behind the ears, "oh, you wouldn't understand."
She hangs her head and whimpers an apology, rubbing her head against my hand.
How does she know I... "Maybe you do understand..." I wonder aloud, surprised by the animal's display of solace. "Do you? Do you... understand... when I talk to you?" G-d, I must crazy. I'm asking a pony if it understands English.
But to my complete surprise, she nods her head, blushing slightly. Ok, not only do I have a tiny winged horse with pink hair in my kitchen, it also understands English? What drugs am I on?! "So you... you... understand me?" I repeat, still not convinced.
Again she nods, backing away from me slowly, worry evident on her expression.
"No no, it's ok. I'm not gonna hurt you," I soothe, "but... you sure you're not just nodding?"
She shakes her head no, looking up at me with her cute little eyes. There's a definitive intelligence behind them as they sparkle.
A thousand questions swarm my thoughts, and without thinking, I practically interrogate the pony "What are you? Where are you from? How can you understand me?"
Bombarded by questions, she hides her face in her wings, whimpering.
Realizing I'd been voicing my thoughts aloud, I quickly stop asking. "Sorry," I say softly, caressing her peachyellow fur, "I'll go slower. Can you tell me where you're from?" She peeks above her wing, sobbing and teary eyed in a sight that could melt any heart.
"Oh... you don't know..." I say quietly, the truth dawning over me. She was all alone before she found me. Lost from... wherever she came from. "Don't worry, you're safe here with me."
The pony brings a hoof up to her face, wiping away her tears. She gives the tiniest of cute little smiles and nuzzles against my arm. That's another wall I'm going to have to punch some time to feel masculine.
"but you can't talk, right?" I ask, recognizing that the equine's responses were all nonverbal.
She shakes her head no and lets out a few whines, whinnies, and whimpers to prove her point.
They remind me of Skip again, and I'm brought to a sprawling white sand beach, the sun setting as the puppy chases the gulls across the frothing ocean front. The sound of his cute yips and tiny barks ring in my ears as if the dog were right here... but he's not. He's a thousand miles away with my stupid ex.
As my thoughts wander, I absent mindedly scratch behind the pony's little ears. I guess she's pretty cute though. She could never truly replace Skip, but at least for now she can cover the gap in my heart where Crystal tore out my puppy. I miss Skip so badly... as I pet the filly, I imagine that it's his soft Skippy colored fur that's beneath my hand (smooth not chunky). That's why we had named him Skip, because he had this gorgeous coat of dark gold fur the color of peanut butter. Crystal had wanted "Peanut", but she agreed "Skippy" sounded nicer. Eventually it became just Skip. I sigh as the nostalgia washes over me.
It dawns on me that she needs a name too. Her fur is kinda like the color of the yellow part of a peach, so maybe "Peaches" or just "Peach"? Neither sound right though. "Do you have a name" I ask her, causing her ears to perk up in an adorable alert position.
She looks up at me and nods smiling at first. But then she realizes she can't say it and blushes, frowning.
"Peaches?" I guess hopefully, but she shakes her head. "It'll take forever if try to guess. Can you spell it if I gave you letters?" I scrawl the abcs on a paper lying around. I hand her the paper but she doesn't seem to recognize the letters. "No, huh... Don't worry, we'll find your name."
After going through a list of over 100 "common pony names" supplied by google, the closest I could get to a nod was "Felicity". "Flash" had also gotten a bit of recognition, but I didn't think it suited her. "So we're going with Felicity?" I ask, not wanting to search through another list.
She pauses, thinking the name over and gives a reluctant nod.
I can tell it's not really her name, yet I can't sit here guessing all day either. But seeing that look of defeat on her sad face changes my mind, "Ok ok, just one more list can't hurt." A google search of "pony names" yields a Wikipedia page and I click before even looking at the description. I mean, it's Wikipedia; probably the best site to learn anything about everything and pony names should be no exception.
As the page loads, I turn to the pony and scratch behind her ears, "Felicity isn't so bad, is it?" She doesn't really give a straight answer, just whimpers and looks at me with those puppy dog eyes that beg for me to find the right name. "I'm trying, ok?"
When I look back at the screen, I almost drop my phone. There, on the "mlp wiki", a huge list of colorful ponies from some girls' TV show are displayed, all with striking similarities to the one standing right next to me. I look from the screen to the pony, then from the pony to the screen, too overwhelmed to say anything. Scrolling down the page, I start looking for one with peachyellow fur and pink mane. The one named "Fluttershy" bares the most resemblance. She looks a bit older in the picture, and she's feeding a white bunny. A closer look reveals three butterflies colored on her flank, like some sort of tattoo. Whatever they are, my pony doesn't seem to have them, but she's getting a little curious.
I can't just guess "Fluttershy" though... If that's really her name it would look suspicious and she would have questions. Instead I lie offhandedly, feigning disappointment, “sorry Felicity," I sigh for added effect, "it just stopped working"
She cringes a bit at the name, but accepts the excuse without question.
Does she know she's from a TV show? It isn't even real... How is that even possible? I realize I'm going to need to learn more about this before making any conclusions, but I can't do that with Felicity, or actually, Fluttershy, looking over my shoulder. If she saw pictures of herself, I don't know how she would handle it. How am I going to keep her occupied though? I don't have any dog toys left over from Skip... I threw them all out. Too many memories I can't bear to remember.
I try a few different ideas with little success. She hardly touches the pinwheel, only spinning it once or twice before leaving if alone. I try playing fetch but she ignores the blue ball too. (I should've known ponies aren't prime candidates for fetch). She doesn't seem to care for the shiny coins I jangle in front of her either, she just wants to be pet.
But that changes when I find a spool of string. Like a kitten, she unravels the yarn squeeing in delight as she rolls around, tangling her tiny hoofs. She looks at me beaming from ear to eat and I smile back, "don't worry about the mess, you have fun." I think that counts for 2 more towards the walls I need to punch.
While she's enjoying herself, I pull out my phone and look back at the picture, still amazed at the similarity. This is freaking crazy.
In the character description section there's a hyperlinked "see Fluttershy", and I open it. If I wasn't sure before, I was sure now, because under the first picture there's a second one titled "filly Fluttershy". The image is a definite match with the little pony tangled in string at my feet. Every detail, from the color of her eyes to the curl in her hair parallels perfectly. I have no clue how it's possible but... there she is... A pony from a childrens' TV show just playing on my floor like any domestic kitten would.
I read further into the page, learning more about her. Apparently, she loves animals and is the "element" of kindness. She's described as shy and often scared, which further confirms that my pony is actually her. I try to think of a logical explanation, maybe some advanced genetic manipulation or surgical artistry. but she's too good of a match, too perfect for any lab or breeding program to have created. Technology isn't that far along yet.
Well whatever she is and wherever she's from, one thing is clear; She's beyond adorable. Like Reddit r/awww front page adorable. Right now she's on her back, batting at a string hanging from the tangle at her legs with a mix of determination and pure happiness on her face. "You ok there Flu- Felicity?" I correct myself quickly, hoping she doesn't notice. But she's too engrossed in her own little tangled world to recognize the slip and just gives a red cheeked smile accompanied by a pleasure filled squee.
I believe that's another 2 walls on the list. How many is that already? Six?
Eventually she tires herself out, her heavy eyelids drifting downwards as she slips slowly into sleep. She tries to stretch on the floor as she yawns but her tangled legs can hardly move. It doesn't seem to bother her though and she closes her eyes, curling on the floor.
Melting a little inside, I gently untangle her and carry her upstairs on my shoulder. The little pony nuzzles my neck sleepily as I bring her into my room and lay her down softly on the bed. It's hardly been 2 hours since morning and she's already all tuckered out. I wonder how old she is.
She adjust herself on the bed and whimpers a bit before nestling in. I sigh smiling; I should really get her a puppy bed. And a couple of toys... and more apples.
"I'm gonna be out for a little," I whisper in her ear, "you stay outta trouble while I'm gone, ok?"
She cracks open one of her sapphire eyes, cocks her head, and whines questioningly, "Hmm?"
I run my hand over her smooth fur, "Don't worry, I'll be back soon enough. I'm just going to the pet shop for you so it shouldn't be long."
That wasn't completely true. I was first going to do a little research on my little pony to get toys best suited for her. If I've got inside information, why not use it.
"I'll leave some food out for when you wake up, so you be a good girl and don't make any messes"
She nods and licks my hand affectionately, hovering on the boundary of sleep. When I leave the house, a tear rolls down my cheek from memories of Skip's wet tongue against my hand. That makes the wall total at least nine... Oh well, bloody knuckles are the least of my cares at the moment.
I sit there by the door silently waiting for his return, the only sound the steady tic toc of a pendulum. The large grandfather clock in the living room has been pounding away at my ears from the moment I had woken up, and I'm pretty sure my heart beat has synchronized with its steady rhythm by now. It's been an eternity since he left for the pet shop, or at least it's felt like it. He had put some cut apples and a bowl of water out for me as promised, and I had kept my part of the bargain and had stayed out of trouble... so far.
My ears perk up from a muffled padding in the distance, the faint sound of footfalls in the snow. I stare up at the door hopefully, waiting for that golden knob to turn. But the steps just fade away and I lie my head slowly back on the floor, sighing wistfully.
Bored and curled up on the welcome mat, I watch my pink tail as it moves ever so slightly from the warm air of the vent. It looks so... tasty, like pink cupcake frosting. (am I allowed to use the word "cupcake" I'm a fimfiction?) What if tastes like it too? I nibble on the end of my tail, waiting for a sugary strawberry flavor to fill my mouth, whimpering in disappointment when it just tastes like...hair. I don't know why I thought it would be any different... I blame boredom.
I hear footsteps again, and sit up, hoping that this time maybe it'll be him. Nope, just another one passing by... I whine and go back to watching my tail flavored tail.
After a few more false alarms I start to get hungry again. I trot to the kitchen and find the apple slices, picking one up between my teeth. I bring it halfway up the stairs and sit behind the railing, watching through the arching window as the flurries fall over the frontyard grass. It's beautiful, the way the tiny flakes drift through the air and swirl with the wintery breeze. But the animals outside... they must be so cold. I guess being stuck in a boring house isn't so bad, at least I'm warm. I nibble on the apple absentmindedly while I take in the view, powdered snow floating, drifting through the air. The whispering of the wind almost sounds like a voice, calling out to me through the flurries. The longer I listen, the more defined the voice gets, until I can almost hear actual words spoken in some foreign language of the forgotten. Thinking about it sends chills down my spine, so I stop focusing on the whisper and think of my rescuer instead.
I hardly know anything about him... I guess he hardly knows anything about me too. He calls me Felicity, I grimace again at the name, how am I going to tell him my real name? I'm not Felicity I'm Fluttershy. I try to annunciate the name, but it just ends up sounding like a three syllable whimper.
Either way, my rescuer seems kind enough. He definitely likes me for whatever reason. I still don't know why he changed his mind so quickly last night... from almost stuffing me in a bag, to treating me like family.
I sigh and watch as the snowfall begins to really pick up, clouding my view of the street. Wanting a better look, I climb the backrest of the living room couch and push aside the drapes. The window provides a clear view of the backyard, a white garden of snow-covered bushes and trees. The serene beauty of the falling snow is almost hypnotic, a sea of falling white. A dot of gray catches my eye, and on one of the tree limbs I spot a silhouetted animal, blurred by the snow. I put my hooves up to the glass and smush my face against the window to get a clearer view but pull away quickly as the cold rushes to my snout. A string of tiny sneezes follows, making me dizzy and I fall onto the couch. When the ceiling stops spinning, I look back at the window, a foggy imprint of my face slowly fading. Woah, how'd that happen? I do it a gain, careful not to get too cold, and the cloudy face returns. I try to touch it and it makes a hoofprint in the fog. This is fun! I think to myself as I draw on the fading imprint, blurred animal forgotten. Eventually I learn I don't have to squish my face on the window to make the fog, and it becomes even more fun.
For a while I sit there, rubbing butterflies, hearts, and flowers into the clouded window, until I see the silhouette again. It's closer now... much closer. It must've moved, but it's still not close enough to tell what it is.
But the poor thing must be freezing... I wish I could help it. Is it looking at me? That looks like it's face... why is it looking at me?
I wave at it nervously, "are you a friendly animal ?" I whimper shyly. I blush because I know I'm being silly... It can't me hear me through the window.
I hear a sudden thud in the kitchen and I jump a little, turning towards the sound. Oh... that's just the fridge I assure myself nervously, my fur standing on end.
When I turn back it's closer, and I can clearly make out the eerie shape of a raccoon. but it's unmoving, as if looking at it causes it to freeze... like we're playing some really scary game of red light, green light. "y-y-you can stop it now mr. raccoon..." I whimper, "you're scaring me."
But he just looks at me expressionless, his eyes strangely luminescent. Something else is strange about his eyes... they're not just glowing... they're glowing /red/. I quickly turn away and close the drapes, breathing heavily as fear seizes me. Those eyes... I know those eyes... but how is that possible... Images of the red-eyed raven flash through my mind... the same cold, horrible, terrifying eyes... far too similar to just be a coincidence. My heart beats heavily and I'm too scared to look back at the window.
Maybe I was seeing things though, Maybe The raccoon's just cold... I reluctantly peek back up and split the drapes just enough to see the red-eyes raccoon not ten feet from the window, it's froth-covered teeth bared. An eep escapes my mouth and I duck under the couch, shaking. Not friendly, not friendly, definitely not friendly... Ohhhh what does he want from me?!
A sudden tap tapping against the pane sends me bolting up the stairs where I dive beneath the covers. I reeeally hope that window is locked because the last red-eyed animal I met tried to kill me.
*taptap tap taptap... taptap tap taptap...*
The repetitive knock echoes through the house sending shivers through my body. I doubt he can get in, but I'm still shaking uncontrollably, whimpering under the down blankets.
*taptap tap taptap... taptap tap taptap...*
"Please leave me alone, mr. raccoon," I whimper, throwing a pillow over my ears. Thankfully, It blocks out most of the noise, but a faint tapping still occasionally squeezes through.
After a few minutes all tapping seems to stop and I gather the nerve to poke my head out of the blankets... mostly because it's beginning to get stuffy in there. I creep back downstairs, each step more carefully silent than the next and stop at the foot of the staircase. Too terrified to move any further, I sit staring at the window from across the room, looking for any sign of the raccoon. Hyper alert, with adrenaline pumping through me, I jump at the slightest movement... which in this case is a ceiling fan.
I lie under the couch frozen in fear and unsure of how I got down here so fast.
"Hey, don't squish me!"
The squeak sends me scampering from under the couch, hightailing back upstairs with fur standing on end. It's not until I'm safely under the covers that I process what was actually said.
Was that the raccoon? It can't be. He had looked much too large to fit under the couch... "Wh-wh-who's there?" I call out in a whimper.
"Sheesh miss," comes the squeaky reply, "you'd think youse seen a ghost of some sorts the way youse ran up them stairs"
I peer out from under the covers, then dive back under quickly when I see movement . The source of the voice is a small grey mouse , "D-don't hurt me...p-p-please."
"Hurt you? Nah, that ain't me." The mouse reassures, "Wouldn't hurt a fly if it asked me to. The names Vincent by the way, but just call me Vinny."
I let out a sigh of relief, grateful to see a friendly face after that horrible raccoon. "Oh well I'm... I'm flu...shy" I whimper, barely audibly.
"Aye, no need to be shy. I ain't gonna hurtcha."
"I'm Fluttershy" a say a bit louder
"See that's better. You should meet the family sometime. I've got a wife Disney and two kids Minnie and Mickey." the mouse chuckles obviously waiting for some sort of reaction. "See it's funny because... Eh forget it" he sighs "not the joking type, aye?"
"Um... no... I don't get it," I say apologetically confused. "But you're family sounds nice."
"Nah, I'm all alone here," the mouse says dejectedly, "I was joking about the family thing."
"Me too.... I'm kind of... lost." The last word turns my heart inside my chest, reminding me of what I've gone through in the past 24 hours.
"You and me, kid... we're pretty much on the same boat." The mouse stretches his tiny paws and yawns, "I could use some grub. These naps sure work me up an appetite."
"Well you could have some of my apple if you want," I say happily, "follow me I'll show you."
"Gee, thanks kid. Youse a pretty swell..." The mouse pauses, unsure of what exactly I am. "... squirrel?"
I giggle blushing a bit "I don't know either. I think I'm a filly though."
"I've got a cousin, Tony, from Philly. Oh, don't even get me started on Tony. We could be here all week."
We reach the fridge and he bounds up to the bowl, I smile and nudge an apple slice towards him. It's almost as big as he is but he begins to nibble on it. "This is great stuff you got here. Fresh too... Thanks." As he eats, his tiny whiskers quiver, and he's looking from side to side to make sure nothings around. He's kinda cute, if you disregard the whole New York/Italian accent he has going.
"Aye quick question missy," The mouse says between mouthfuls of the red fruit, "what exactly were youse running from earlier?"
"Well there was this... this..." I shiver as the hissing image of the raccoon resurfaces "raccoon."
"You mean a bandit? With the mask and everything? The only bandit around here was Rickey T. and he was roadkill last week, the poor guy. He had it coming though, the way he would waltz across them streets like he owned the place."
"Roadkill?" I ask, unsure of what that means.
"Kid, you don't wanna know. Point is he won't be bothering you."
"But... I know I saw one." I point my hoof at the window, "it was definitely a rac... bandit. He had black around his-" I shiver "-red eyes."
The mouse laughs, almost choking on his apple "Red eyes? Kid, you're imagining things. You must've hit your noggin pretty good on the way in through that window."
"Oh... You heard that?" I ask blushing.
"Kid, the whole neighborhood heard that. Minnie and Mickie heard that and they're all the way in Orlando. But apples..." He gestures approvingly towards the dish "seems like you got it made here. That Drake kid definitely likes you.
"Drake?"
"Yeah, the human of the place" The sudden sound of jangling keys triggers an immediate dash under the fridge. "Speak of the devil, here he is now. I gotta bounce kid," he calls back, "see you around. Remember, Vinny. Get a good word in with the boss if you can" And with that he's gone, as if he was never here.
A gust of frost filled air rushes by and carries the voice of my human ('Drake' was it?) "I'm home Felicity." He rounds the corner to greet me, covered in snow and carrying a large bag. He surveys the kitchen and smiles "Stayed out of trouble?"
I think of telling him about the raccoon but don't know how , so I just end up nodding.
He bends down and scratches behind my ears, "that's a good girl."
I nuzzle against his arm, happy that he's home. I lick his cold fingers affectionately as he pets me.
He smiles, but he's no longer looking at me, off in some other world as he often does when petting me. I don't mind, as long as I'm getting scratches, I'm happy.
"Oh," he says suddenly, "got you some new things." He rests the large bag on the floor and reaches in, coming up with a beige cushion. "It's a puppy bed," he says laying it on the floor in front of me, "or in your case a pony bed. Give it a try."
I trot up to it slowly, sniffing it before rubbing my face against the soft plush. I squee happily and walk inside it's little indent, circling until I lay comfortably. I look up at him and whimper my best two syllable "thank you" that I can, but it's still just whimpers.
"I'll take it that you like it then?"
I nod my head yes, and rub my face against the cushion again for added measure.
Drake drags a huge sack of apples from the bag and plops it on the counter, "this should last a while." He picks out one, shines it against his shirt and takes a bite. "What else do we have here?" I walk up next to him, at the foot of the bag and he pulls out a light green puppy sweater.
I tilt my head questioningly. Clothes? I don't know much, but I'm pretty sure animals don't wear clothes.
"What?" He says defensively "It's pretty cold out so I thought you could use a sweatshirt... and..." He reaches back into the bag "some socks..."
Ok, sweatshirt, maybe. But definitely not socks.
"Hey, don't look at me like that. If you don't wanna wear 'em, don't wear 'em." He blushes a bit and mumbles "I just thought they would look.... cute."
I try on the sweatshirt, just to make him happy, but draw the line at the socks. The sleeves are a little long, but the velvety green compliments my pink hair almost perfectly. I look at my reflection in the water dish and smile back at him approvingly.
"See, not so bad," he chimes. "What about the socks now?"
I roll my eyes at him and cross my hoofs. There's no way I'm putting those on.
He puts the socks away, "ok, ok, I get it. I'm not gonna force you. I got you some other things too. Let's see here," he reaches back into the bag and pulls out a bunch of plushie animals; first a dog, then a cat, two ponies, and a bird. He places them in my pony bed where I arrange them neatly, sitting them up and giving each one a name. 'You'll be Fluffy, and you'll be Mittens and you'll be Rarit-'
"Oh, there's one more!" Drake interrupts, placing the cutest little baby bunny doll in the bed. My face lights up, eyes widening in delight. it's so adorable and soft and perfect and...'-And you, little bunny, you'll be Angel.' As I hug the little plushie tight, I can't help but feel a sense of familiarity.
We play together with the stuffed animals, pretending the inanimate toys are real. I notice Drake favors the puppy plushie, a Golden Retriever, and he even named it Skip. I prefer the name Fluffy, but then again I prefer 'Fluttershy' and he calls me Felicity.
Not wanting any to get jealous, I give each a turn, naming the bird Feather and the ponies Rarity and Luna. It only feels like a few minutes before it gets really dark out and Drake looks at his phone. "7 Already?! Shit, I'm late. Sorry Felicity, I gotta go." He throws on his coat, "I'll be back later tonight. You be good, ok?"
I stare up at him sadly not wanting him to leave, he had hardly just gotten back. Sure we played a whole lot... Maybe he hadn't just gotten back... But the house is so boring without him. What's the good of all these toys if there's no one here to play with me?
He sees my face and his expression melts "aww... I'm so sorry but I promised a girl I would meet her." He strokes my mane and scratches between my ear, "I'll be back before you know it."
The door closes behind him and all is quiet again, the grandfather clock echoing once again through the house.
Shit, we called it for 7 last night and now I'm gonna be late. I hope Cynder doesn't think I'm standing her up... we didn't exactly part on the best of terms.
As I wade my way through the snow of the front path, I see strange paw prints etched into its white canvas, spackled in blood red. They lead in an all too straight line towards the house where a dead raccoon lies stiff below the window. The thing must've frozen or starved to death... although it's bloody mangled fur would denote a much more gruesome death. But with more important things on my mind than raccoon murder mysteries, I leave it and make a mental note to deal with the body as soon as I get back.
If I was thinking of walking before, I could forget it. The falling snow of earlier had turned to a slushy rain which slaps heavily against the white covered pavement. Shivers run up my spine as the cold slush bleeds through my leather gloves and down the back of my hoodless windbreaker. I consider canceling, but afraid it might ruin my chances with her, I play it safe and text her if we're still on. A prompt "yeah, I'm here already, U?" tells me we're definitely on and I'm definitely late.
"So sorry :/ Weather probs. Be there in 10". That should give me enough time if I catch a ride. I walk to the curb and hail a taxi, only to get splashed at with black sleet as the cab speeds by. Luckily, I jump back in time and only my shoes get hit.
I'm more careful the next time, stepping back from the street as I signal. The driver pulls over and I tug open the door, thankfully taking a seat. "34th and N," I tell him as he eyes me, no doubt upset about his now-wet passenger side. He nods and takes off at a speed a little less than safe for the weather, but I'm late, so I don't mind.
I slip my phone from my pocket and pull up a picture I found on Cynder's Facebook. There's an injured kitten in her arms, Cynder feeding it through a little bottle. She looks so beautiful and innocent... could I really just leave her after I got what I wanted? Would I be able to hurt her like I've done to so many already, knowing that those beautiful eyes would be filled with tears?
The cab driver looks over, interrupting my thoughts, "Good luck on ya date, kid. A girl like that, you don't let go easy, ya hear?" There's a pain in his thick New Yawk accent that tells me he's been there before.
"But how-?" I begin to ask, wondering how he knows before he cuts me off, pointing at the coffee house."'cause she's right there." He chuckles as he rips the receipt from the meter, "Total's $12.50."
Cynder smiles at me as I walk in, then buries her face into her cocoa. I'm still trying to strike the cabbie's advice from my thoughts as I sit across from her. "Hey, sorry I'm-" I look at the clock above the counter "-15 minutes late. I forgot to take the weather into account."
If the wait bothered her at all, she doesn't show it. "No, it's fine. I had plenty to do here," she pats her bag, a spiral notebook visibly jutting from the top. Then she sighs, looking down at table, "and besides, I'm the one that should be apologizing," her cheeks flush. "No, seriously, I'm so very sorry about last night."
"No," I sooth, placing my hand on top of hers, "it was my fault, pushing you to do something you didn't want to." What am I doing? I'm getting nowhere but mushville with her, why am I still trying? It'll take a miracle to get her into bed anytime tonight.
"R-r-really?" She stutters, blushing an even deeper red from the touch, "y-y-you're not mad?"
"Not at all."
"Oh, I was so worried-" she bites her lip unsure whether to continue. "-well... It's just..." She looks up from the table, her soft blue eyes locking with mine. My god, they're so perfect... like an angel cried a pair of topaz tears that crystallized into beautiful sapphire spheres.
I should write that one down.
But when I blink they're gone and she's looking back down at the table "... no... sorry... nevermind." She withdraws her hand and hides back into her drink.
I wait for her to resurface, which is quite a while. When she puts down the drink, still just as full as before, I can finally start. "What is it, Cynder?" I try to find her eyes again, but she's only looking down. "Don't worry, you can tell me."
She sighs, still looking at the table, "it's just... you're the first person I've ever really... gone out with..." Avoiding my eyes, she plays with the napkin under her cocoa, her tiny fingers folding and unfolding the cloth.
"Really?" I ask in genuine interest. How is she doing this?! Why do I care so much about her? I'm not supposed to have feelings for anyone anymore. I'm not gonna go through what I did with Crystal again. Yet... I can't just let her go. "That's hard to believe. A beautiful, kind girl like you, never asked out?"
She stares into the distance and sighs, "no... I was asked, I just couldn't say yes." She absent mindedly takes a sip from her mug. "See, I'm very... shy." (No kidding) "My last name is Skyline" she continues, "but in high school they would call me ... Shyline." She says the nickname with a sad tone in her voice that tells me the mocking didn't help anything.
"Aww, it was really that bad?"
"Yeah... in fact, I was almost prom queen... but I gave it to another girl because all the boys were asking me to go with them... And I would..." Her voice drops to a whispered squeak "I would run away crying." She sniffles, her eyes beginning to water.
As many girls as I've thoughtlessly made cry over the past month, seeing Cynder cry feels different. It feels horrible, like my heart is being stabbed with each suppressed sob... repeatedly. She's actually making me care, and I almost hate her for it. "But that's over, see," I lift her chin just a bit, and finally our eyes meet again. "You're still here. We're on a date and you're not running away."
She shies away from my gaze, but the tears stop. "You're right," she sniffles, "oh, thank you Drake." Her frown cracks into the tiniest smile and she looks back up.
Her mascara has run a little, but that strangely makes her eyes even more beautiful. I smile back and point to the front counter, "I'm gonna go pick up a drink. Don't run anywhere when I'm gone, ok?"
The joke earns a small giggle, "I won't."
"Promise?"
"Stop it, Drake," she blushes, "I promise. Just... just go get your drink." The smile fades from her face and she loses herself in her cocoa again.
As I order my drink, I look back at her. Her cheeks are stilled flushed, probably because I went a little too far. I keep forgetting how sensitive she is and that I actually care. Not that I want to care, but the fact remains that I do.
The cashier hands me my latte and change and I head back to table. When I return, Cynder looks up, remembering something. "Oh, right! I talked with Rain today," she says excitedly.
"Mhmm?" I murmur, sipping my latte.
"She's one of the heads at the animal shelter and she says she would be delighted to have you on board."
The shelter... I had almost forgotten. I was free most of the day, and to be honest I could use the extra cash, especially with a pony to feed at home. Just today's shopping for her had costed more than I could comfortably afford, and these $6 lattes didn't help either. I almost can taste the 25 cents roll down my throat each time I swallow a gulp of the warm caramel coffee. "Sounds great!" I say, trying and failing to match her level of excitement. "A few questions though. First, when would I start?"
"Tomorrow at 2," she takes out her phone and pulling up something. "Here's the address, and everything." She hits send on her phone and waits.
Not a second later, my phone buzzes on the table and I pick it up. As I look over the message, I can't help but realize she was right, the pay was good. "What type of work is it?" I ask, intrigued.
A look of concern crosses her face as she remembers. "Well recently, there've been a few cases of..." her voice drops to a whisper, "rabid animals coming in from the street." She shudders.
I take another sip of the latte, "Whadaya mean?"
"It's hard to explain," she says blushing, "but they... they just walk in. The worst part is, they even aren't afraid of-" she stops herself mid-sentence, staring off into the distance, lost in memory.
She seems to be shaken up from whatever it was that happened... I hope I'm not getting myself into too much trouble with this job. Then again... she seems fine now, so it couldn't have been that bad. And the money is really good. "I'm sure I can handle it though," I say breaking the silence, "I've dealt with animals before."
She draws herself from the flashback with a shiver. "Oh, um, really? What kind?"
"Well I used to have a retriever named Skip"
This opens a long conversation about all the pets she ever had, including Squishy the goldfish, Charlie the hamster, and Pavel the iguana. She's like an entirely different person as she talks about her animals, not shying away at all. Each pet she tells about, like a child to her.
"And then there's the animals at the shelter," she continues, "who I treat as if they were my own. Oh, Especially Sammy, our resident squirrel, he's so adorable sometimes. You know last week he-"
She's kinda rambling, but I don't mind. In fact, I wish it could go on forever. She looks so cute, all excited and bubbly. And the way she smiles at the tiniest detail, it's all just so adorably beautiful.
"-But enough about my pets. How about yours? Where's Skip now?"
I should've known she was going to ask that, yet somehow I didn't prepare an answer. "He's um..." I bow my head, "he's no longer with us." The white lie surprises me as it slip off my tongue. That's actually not a total lie.
"Oh..." Her smile fades, replaced with a look of sorrow "I'm so sorry."
I sigh, "he's in a better place now." Now that one isn't true. The best place he could be is with me, curled up here on my lap. By now he's probably too big to even fit... the thought almost brings a tear to my eye before I realize where I am.
"I'm sure he misses you too." She says comfortingly.
I go to hide my tears in my latte, but I find it's been finished. Instead I just swallow the pain. "So," I say, relieved when my voice doesn't crack, "This was really nice."
Cynder blushes, "I really enjoyed it too, and..." she pause and takes a deep breath, markedly anxious over the next words "...and I... I feel like I owe you some time at your place... from last time."
What?! Is she really so naive? She doesn't realizes what inviting someone over after a date means...
But here's my chance. But I don't want to take advantage of her. But she's hot. But.... she's so innocent. But..... but... she's so hot.
Screw it (take a second to appreciate the pun), hot always wins... "Are you sure?" ...except when it doesn't. "I mean, I know you said you wanted to try to be more outgoing, but... I don't want you pushing yourself." The words come from a completely different place than my brain, and are not what I want to say . Why? WHY? Why would I try to scare her away like that. Because I care? WHY DO I CARE?! This is so messed up. I'm not supposed to care. Love is stupid and only ends in pain. I had my chance, and I f*****g blew it.
At least I know how to keep my internal rage... well... internal, otherwise Cynder would probably be crying or something.
She thinks it over for almost a full minute when she finally says, "you're right... I don't know if I'm ready yet. thank you so much for understanding, Drake."
...F**k.
"You're very welcome," I manage, keeping my anger to myself. That's who I was angry at either way. "So tomorrow at the shelter?"
She nods smiling, lifting her bag over her shoulder. "Yeah, two o' clock," she says brushing the hair from her face, "see you then."
We both head for exit, awkwardly silent because we've already said our good byes. The weather has calmed outside, but it's still chilly and the ground is slushy. I hold the door for her, and she thanks me squeakily under her breath, turns to wave, and hurries off. I watch her walk down half the block and sigh. Those hips are so gorgeous... and they could've been under me tonight if I wasn't such an idiot. How dumb could I be... she f*****g offered to come over and I turned her down. She rounds the corner, and I finally let my anger out, cursing aloud and turning the heads of some bypassers. I take out my headphones and put on some music, hoping it'll calm me down.
I shuffle to the curb and hail a cab, just wanting to get home to Fluttershy and forget about this all. With my music turned up loud, I get into the back of the taxi, too oblivious to hear my name being called from down the block. "Drake! Drake! Wait!!"
"12th and L" I tell the driver. He's about to pull out when I see her. "No, wait! stop the cab!"
The driver stops short, cursing under his breath, "the meters running, kid."
Cynder slows beside the cab and I roll down the window. She's winded from trying to catch up. "I-" she takes a second to find her breath, "I changed my mind."
"Is she in 'r out?" The cabby says impatiently. I look at Cynder who timidly opens the door to the cab and gets in beside me. "Still 12th and L?" he asks edgily. I nod and he speeds off, still grumbling about damn kids who can't make up their mind.
A second chance? Watch me screw this one up too... "Why the sudden change of mind?"
She looks her self over in the rear view mirror, blushing when she sees how messy her hair has gotten from her run. Brushing it to the side, she fixes her bangs, the pink strands beautifully accenting the blue of her eyes. When she realizes I've asked her a question, she blushes an even deeper red. "Oh, um...well... its just that you've been so nice and understanding... and you're going to be helping out at the shelter too... it's the least I could do to keep my word."
Well, at least I haven't scared her away yet. "Thanks Cynder, it really means a lot that you would do this for me."
"N-no problem" she says, stuttering a little.
Listen to her, she's so innocent. You can't do this to her. Just take her home, have a nice talk, maybe play a game or two, but no fooling around. Are you kidding me?! Have you seen her? She's sitting right there, look at her, all perfect and beautiful and so easy on the eyes. How could I not fool around?
She's noticeably shaking a little, perhaps from the cold. So I offer her my jacket "Here, take this. You look chilly."
"Oh, n-no thanks" she says, shivering a bit.
"Are you sure? You're shivering."
She blushes, "I'm- I'm... I'm not shivering because I'm cold. Its because I'm... I'm... nervous." She looks down at the last the word, embarrassed. "Maybe I should go."
Those were not the words I was hoping to hear. "No no, please don't go. Everything is going to be fine. It's just a little-"
"12th and L," the cabbie interrupts me, "meter comes to $16.25."
I fish into my wallet pulling out the cash, noticing that this is getting quite expensive. But I pay the driver and we both step out from the cab, Cynder a bit more reluctantly. "See, we're already here either way," the words form a cloud of frozen vapor as they leave my mouth, "and it's cold out."
Cynder looks back at the street where the cab has already left and sighs, "I- I don't know... I didn't think it would be this difficult..." A tear begins to roll down her soft cheek and she turns to hide her face.
I stand there, unsure what to say. "If you want... I could hail a taxi... pay for your ride home." There's a pause when she doesn't respond, just staring off into the cloudy sky.
For a whole minute she's silent, and the cold starts getting to me. "Just come inside and warm up. I make a mean pastrami sandwich if you're hungry."
"I'm... I'm a vegetarian," she says, finally breaking her silence.
I should've known, "I also make a mean... salad?" The joke receives a giggle, followed by a cough as she fights away her tears.
She grants me a tiny smile, "salad sounds nice... and it is getting cold out..." She thinks it over for what feels like ten minutes until finally she agrees.
Relieved, I start walking towards the house, motioning for her to follow, "Come on, it's this one right here," We walk up the path to the front door and I place my key in the lock. I'm about to turn the knob when I realize two things; First, the raccoon that was very dead before is now very gone. I look around to make sure it wasn't just pushed by the wind or something, but no, it's just plain gone. That's strange... where could it have moved to? Not much has changed though, and there's still much more important things than raccoon murder mysteries, namely Fluttershy.
Something tells me I shouldn't let Cynder see the pony. Aside from the fact that it could completely ruin my chances of sleeping with her tonight, Fluttershy wasn't supposed to exist. She was a TV show animation... and something this strange should definitely be kept a secret. You know, government experimentation and all. Not that anyone would believe Cynder even if she told them, but it's better to air on the safe side.
"Is everything ok?"Cynder asks, drawing me back from my thoughts.
"Um..." shit, come on, think! "the key won't turn," I lie quickly. "Don't worry, it happens all the time when it's cold out, something about the tumblers expanding. I'll go around back and unlock it, you just wait here a minute."
She seems to buy the lie, which was pretty impressive (if I do day so myself), and I walk around the house to the back entrance. Letting myself in, I call out for Fluttershy, "Felicity? Here girl." The pitter-patter of small hooves echoes through the house as she turns the corner, greeting me with a joy filled squee. "Awww, come here little filly. Did you miss me?" She nods, closing her eyes in content as I scratch behind her ears. She nuzzles my hand back, her warm fur cozy against my cold hand. A small part of me wishes I could just stay here with Fluttershy, but that would be terrible, to leave Cynder in the cold. I scoop up the filly in my arms and carry her to the den where I place her gently on the couch. She looks at me inquisitively and whimpers softly.
"I'm so sorry Felicity, but I need u to stay in here a little bit. I have company and you can't be seen, ok? So try to keep quite." She seems to understand what I said, but she complains, jumping off the couch as I turn to leave, hugging my leg. "I'll be back soon, I promise." I have to pry her from my leg and put her on the couch again. I feel terribly guilty as I shut the door behind me, her feeble whimpers so helpless through the wall.
With guilt still weighing down my conscience, I rush to open the door for Cynder, thankful when she's still there. At first she doesn't notice I've opened the door, staring off into the trees across the street where two squirrels play. She turns only once they've disappeared behind the trunk, jumping a bit in surprise, "oh. I didn't see you came back. I was beginning to worry..."
I can't think of any good lie so I just supply a generic "sorry" which she accepts without question.
She walks in timidly, head down as she enters, cheeks flushed. I want to ask her if the floor looks nice, but I'm afraid it'll just offend her, so I think of another way to break the silence. "So... How do you like it?"
She looks up, taking in the living room. "It's... nice. I love the carpeting, but... why is there only one chair?" She asks the question almost inaudibly, avoiding eye contact. God, she's shy.
Shit... I forgot about my whole house layout thing. She's is the first girl I've ever taken home who I didn't bring straight to the bedroom. "Well... see, I live alone and don't have company much, so there's no need for any other chairs."
"The place is really beautiful though," she says quickly, "I didn't mean to make fun of it or anything..."
I'm surprised she bought that. Then again, she's bought everything I've said, so I shouldn't really be surprised. "No, it's fine. I'll bring in the chair from the porch. You can leave your coat on the rack hanging in front and help yourself to anything in the fridge if you're hungry."
She removes her coat, revealing a jean jacket over a mid-cut ribbony soft pink top. The jacket matches her tight boot cut jeans which cover her (you guessed it) cowgirl style boots. As I step out to get the chair, I picture how I would go about removing the cute outfit.
I return to find her in the kitchen, fixing her hair in the microwave reflection, blushing when she notices me. "This room is really nice too," she says with a hint of surprise, "how did you find such a beautiful place?"
I put down the chair and go into the fridge, fetching a head of lettuce for the salad I had promised her. The truth was, I had bought the house together with Crystal. She had rich parents and they had given her cash that paid for most our flat. The house was under both of our names but when she left, I kind of took it over. Hey, it's a free house, I'm not gonna complain. I paid plenty for it in heartache either way... but I didn't want to tell Cynder about Crystal. Sympathy was gonna get me no where with her, so I tell her another lie instead. "I inherited the place from my grandparents when they moved to Florida." It's the same lie I tell everyone who asks about my house, and it usually does the trick.
I throw a pizza in the toaster and fix her the salad how I usually make it, chatting with her about vegetarianism as I cut the lettuce and dice some apples. "Well here it is" I say after adding the dried cranberries. "Dressing?"
"Yes please." She says, content with how the salad looks. Some maple syrup, a bit of mayo and a touch of sweet red wine later, I drizzle the glaze over her salad. "It's all yours."
She takes a tentative bite, possibly because of the wine, then smiles. "It's tastes so sweet," she says happily, taking another bite. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome," I say fetching my pizza from the toaster oven. At least that's one thing I haven't screwed up (besides Cynder. It's a pun.... I know... it's terrible). But no matter how good my salad is, I'll never get her to bed sober, she's way too shy. a few drinks should loosen her up though, like that first time we met, so I give it a shot. "You know, now that the wine's out, how about a glass?"
She blushes a little, "I don't usually drink... but I guess I'll take a little bit."
I fill two wine glasses to about three quarters and hand her one, taking a sip of the other. Pizza and wine, not the best of combinations but as long as it gets her to drink.
She presses the glass to her lips, nursing it slowly- so slow I'm not sure if she's even drinking- but when she settles the cup I can tell she had at least a little. It looks like we're going to be here while to get that wine finished.
We talk over dinner, mostly about her courses and the professors she likes and doesn't like. Apparently I made too much salad, because it's only about half finished and she's just picking at the cranberries. Soon enough though, Cynder's wine glass is all but empty and her words are starting to sound the tiniest bit slurred.
There's a lull in the conversation and she gets up. "Escuse me, wwhere would I findyur bathroom?" She says tipsily, holding the chair for balance as the room moves around her
One glass and she's already glazed? Not much in the way of tolerance, but that's a good thing for me. "It's just around the corner on the left, you can't miss it."
She puts her hand to her temple, clenching her eyes shut and concentrating. When she opens them, she seems to be more controlled, "thanks, I'll just be a minute."
Her hips sway hypnotically as she walks off... I can't help but stare. The trance isn't broken until she turns the corner, and I let out a low whistle. You don't see pure grace and beauty like that every day. I rush to a mirror and straighten up to make my move, popping a breath mint. She's half drunk, this should be easy, just tell her what you think, lean in, and-
A piercing shriek fills the house... but not the type when a girl sees a mouse... no... this was the type of shriek you would hear when a girl finds out Justin Bieber just followed her on twitter.
Shit... I had forgotten the bathroom was right across from-
"Oh my god! She's adorable!!!" Cynder's voice echoes from the den, confirming my fears. "Drake? Why didn't you tell me about her!?"
