> The trickiest houseguest
>  by Miados
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> Chapter 1: A search begins.
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Sipping a little bit of tea Fluttershy was looking out the windows at one of the areas that she left food for critters who didn't actually live with her. While she always made sure to make those that she properly took care of she always wanted there to be something out there in case a poor little critter found themselves lost or hurt. An injury can come up at any time after all and being hurt and lost can scare you so much you don't even think about food.

"Ah no angel it's late you are staying inside right now alright? I know you like to run around, but it's getting dark and I don't want to worry about you slipping on something and hurting your paw again. Remember what happened last time?"

The rabbit opened its mouth wide then, after taking a cucumber slice off of Fluttershys snack tray ran off. A swift kick could be hard as the bunny passed some furniture and out of sight.

"Such a dear little bunny."

With the sun starting to touch the trees she decided to go to the kitchen and get tonights food for the critters. Taking a variety of vegetables she ran them through a thread that she could hang around a tree. Then she put a little peanut butter on some pine cones, coating them with seeds and attaching small ties that she could use to put them onto the tree securely.

"Now to put up tonights little treats. I hope the little ones like the carrots."

Going out the front gate, Fluttershy closed the door and went to her back yard and walked to the trees that she had just for hanging the food. 

"I am so glad that Rarity gold me I should use the food as decorations."

As a bird landed on her back a smile spread across her mouth, "And I know you little ones like having your seed like this so it doesn't get all over as much. Such a nice way to find something to eat isn't it?"

Setting up the food on tonights tree. The colors on the pine tree made the vegetables she chose stick out more, even if the seed pine cones blended out more than the rest of the food.

"I wonder if we can get more ponies to do this. It looks very pretty when you watch the animals eating from it. Now to see how hungry all your friends have been mister bird."

Watching the bird that had been with her hope to get some seed, Fluttershy went to check how much was left on the other five trees that she had set for food decorating.

"Oh my I just put this one out last night and everything but the bird seed has been eaten. I better check the other ones."

Going from tree to tree Fluttershy found that every one of them was bare of vegetables and fruits leaving behind only the seed covered pine cones. Taking the threads off the trees she put them in a small pouch, before sitting down for a moment to look at the trees that were now nearly bare.

"There has to be a reason why the food is all gone so much faster than it used to be. I hope none of the little creatures have been hurt. Oh my I should look to see if anything is wrong."

Going back inside her home, Fluttershy puts the threads back where they belong and got her veterinarian supplies. Sure she didn't know how to care for everything, but she could help a lot if she found someone out there with a sprain or a little bit of a cut or injury. Especially now with the leaves falling and winter coming in just twelve days.

Quickly making sure that her animals were ready for bed she put a light scarf around her neck left to check into the forest around her home. There was more than a few critters that caught her eye, but none of them seemed to be really hurt or in need. Many of them had already been gathered in their homes ready to start their hibernation once winter started.

By the time that Fluttershy was returning home, Fluttershy had not found a single hint of any animal being hurt. The only think that she could think of as another answer was that some of the animals getting ready to sleep or leave in the winter were taking more than usual. It was close to winters first day after all.

"Maybe I should just set out more food until winter starts. I won't need to put out as much since so many of the little guys will be away or sleeping instead of enjoying the snow."

As she saw her home in the close distance she heard something from the trees that she used for food decorating.  Taking her time she slowly approached her home hoping to find whatever critter was so hungry that it ate a lot more than she had expected. 

The critter looked like it was about the size of a pony. That explained to her why it ate so much. After all the hungry critter wasn't small like a mouse or a rabbit.

Taking a few steps out of the forest she spoke out softly, "Ah sorry to bother your snack, but that's suppose to be for a lot of critters. If you are that hungry we can......"

As she got closer Fluttershy stopped talking. It wasn't a critter, but instead she saw a pony pulling the food off of the thread that was decorating the tree. A sudden puff of smoke filled the area around the tree and hoof steps were heard going back around her home. Losing them before she could think to get into the air she looked at the tree, already stripped of everything, but the seed.

"It....... was a pony? I um....... I should....... I think I might want to talk to Zecora about it."

Taking some of the puff of smoke that had landed on the ground she puts it into a small pouch as she goes to bed for the night, making a note that she should put out more food for both the animals and possibly some poor homeless pony.


The next day Fluttershy tried to work fast to make sure everything was set so she could go for the whole day. Trying to figure out who had been at her house would probably be hard, especially if it was someone who didn't live in ponyville. 

Even though a part of her wanted to go to Zecoras first, Fluttershy stopped by the apple farm first.

"Morning Big Mac. I thought I would stop by to pay for my winter supply of apples. Do I still pay Granny Smith?"

"Eyup."

Walking past him Fluttershy smiled a bit, "Thank you. Oh and bring Winona to the vet before winter starts just in case. It is always nice to check on your pets before winter starts out."

Knocking on the door to the apples home Fluttershy waits until Applejack answers.

"Well hey there sugar cube. What brings you around here today?"

Looking slightly to the side Fluttershy clears her throat before speaking, "Well I just thought I would bring the money for my winter apples over before I go visit Zecora. Is she in?"

"Ah Granny is right out back with Pinkies sister. Checking ta make sure the houses foundation is good for another winter. Want me to go and get her for you?"

"That's alright Apple Jack. I'll just go there so you can keep doing whatever you were doing."

A short walk around to the back of the home lead to Granny Smith and Maud. Granny was sitting on a lawn chair, watching the rockolgist student do her work.  While she wasn't qualified technically, Maud worked for free when it was something to help her schooling so the apples didn't mind having a free analysis done.

"Ah Fluttershy. Ah um lets see..... Oh are ya here to pay for your winter food fer them critters of yours?"

Taking out a few rolls of bits, Fluttershy hands them over to the head of the apples finances.

"That's right, but I shouldn't stay to long I want to have Zecora check on something for me that I found at home last night."

"Is that," Maud started, "Why you are carrying a bag with soil that is local to this area mixed with a bit higher than normal potassium nitrate, sodium bicarbonate and a little burnt sugar?"

Silence spread to all three ponies as Granny Smith took the money and walked towards the house with a stretch, "Weeeeellll I'll just put this where it belongs so we know it's fine to bring you the barrels before winter starts."

Even though Fluttershy was on nice terms with Maud she did have a hard time trying to think of how to talk with her.

"Ah is that what's in the bag? I just saw it was a little weird and thought I would visit Zecora and see what she can tell me about it...... Do you happen to know what it is? I mean if you don't it's fine, but......... I mean I would like to know if that's alright."

Standing back into a fully upstanding position Maud takes a deep sniff and closes her eyes. A moment passes before she opens them and starts to walk away from the farm.

"M Maud where are you going?"

Barely looking back Maud keeps walking at her usual slow pace, "Nothing wrong with the foundation so I am going to find the pony you are looking for."

Only a couple of seconds passed before Fluttershy catches up to the gray mare.

"But I didn't say anything about finding somepony. I am, but I didn't say anything. How did you..... I mean how are you......"

Lightly poking the side of the pouch that Fluttershy was carrying with the soil, Maud keeps walking I recognize this smell. I got to experience it a lot while helping work the farm this summer. My Maud sense told me where to go though."

The pair of them kept walking as some birds were singing in the trees while they mostly walked in silence. Even though Fluttershy was wondering who she would find with Maud she was feeling bad for whichever pony found herself so desperate that she had to steal from the food trees she made and hoped to be able to help somehow.
> Chapter 2: Time to move in.
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Stopping in her tracks, Maud held out a leg to stop Fluttershy from getting ahead of her and into the woodsy area where some noise could be heard

"Wait a moment. Boulder says that she is hitting some of his friends. She is probably quite frustrated since last time I saw her."

"Ah really," Fluttershy started,  "Do you think it is alright to go in there?"

Taking boulder out and setting him on the ground near a larger stone, Maud kneels on the ground for a moment before picking him back up. Putting her pet to her ear she listens and places him back into her pocket.

"Boulder says you should wait about five minutes. It seems she tires out easily from what he was told."

Turning  around Maud starts to go back to Ponyville, "I want to spend a little time with Pinkie before I go back to my research trip."

While she didn't get Mauds way of thinking she thought it would be best to listen to her, just like she would listen to Pinkie. Because of that she waited before going to where she was told the pony that was taking her food would be. A special breed of bee collecting nectar from a flower caught her attention enough that she almost forgot what she was there for.

Quickly going into the woods, Fluttershy started to go slower as she heard someone talking up ahead. She ended up thinking it was probably coming from inside of a cave that she saw.

"was caught....... only that........ great and......... where should........ just need........ to do?"

The voice sounded familiar, but she couldn't quite place it with the slight echo that was coming from the cave as she started walking in. She didn't know of any critters that used this cave so she didn't think there was anything in there to surprise her as far as any dangerous animals, especially with somepony inside talking to herself.

Inside of the cave she sees a blue unicorn eating the food she set out last night and making something on a makeshift table. While she didn't consider the mare her friend by any means seeing someone like this hurt her heart. Especially if it was mostly some bad magic that was making her act like that.

"H hello Trixie. What brings you around here?"

Turning her head enough that her hair almost hit her in the face Trixie glared at Fluttershy and backed away, "Th the great and powerful Trixie is here for many reasons that you have no need to concern yourself over. She is just here for a little bit while she is fixing her cart. It hit some bad road and a wheel and axle broke. Now let her get back to her work."

Standing there in an awkward silence, Fluttershy pushes the dirt under her hoof around a bit before speaking up again.

"If you need help finding something to eat I don't mind helping you a little. I..... mean if you don't mind. I even have a guest bed since...... it looks like you are sleeping on a pile of leaves."

Trixies face went red and she stomped her hoof hard on the floor of the cave, "The great and powerful Trixie needs not your pity! She is strong and able to handle things on her own an needs nothing from anyone! She will find ways to get by even if everypony is against her!"

Trixies face was strained and her breathing faster, "She will do fine without your help."

Walking, slowly, closer to Trixie, Fluttershy just wears a small smile. While not quite the same she knew when one of her animals were scared of hurt you couldn't go to them to quickly. Every few steps she took lead to the unicorn taking another step until she was against the back of the cave.

"Why are you approaching the great and powerful Trixie? She said she was fine you have no reason to stay here. She is just fine!"

Silently, Fluttershy took the last steps needed to wrap her legs around Trixie and pull her into a hug, "It's alright. Sometimes things can be hard. Even the toughest bear needs help sometimes and if you are willing to help me with my work I will let you stay with me and keep eating. You don't even need to steal it from the trees ok?"

Trying hard to hold back, tears flowed down Trixies cheeks. She pushed against Fluttershy just enough to separate the hug as the waterworks finally began to flower.

"The great and p powerful Trixie doesn't need your job........ but if you are having trouble with work she is willing to help you, but just for the time being. She has big plans and will not have to stay in your home for long. She only needs to fix her cart and then she will be ready to move on like she usually does."

With a short nod Fluttershy pretends to not notice all the tears on Trixies face, "Oh I completely understand Trixie, but I do expect you to do what I ask and not do it to over the top. The animals that will be in the house are the ones that are to hurt to go away in the winter or hurt mostly. So we need to make sure it's nice for them. Do you need any help bringing your things to the cabin?"

Scoffing and raising her nose in the air Trixie expresses, "The great and powerful Trixie has no need for help. She is quite capable of doing her own carrying and will be able to be at your cabin later. She first has to finish making some smoke bombs. This is a very tricky process for many ponies."

Leaving the cave Fluttershy went into town before stopping her route. Sitting on the first bench she found she let out a sigh and looked up at the sky. While there were no birds flying by there were a few nice looking clouds. One that looked like a fish, another that looked like a butterfly, and one that looked like a pink blob of cotton candy.

"Morning Fluttershy. Maud and I were just on our way to the train station. She has to go out to the mountains again soon. Apparently she found some impressive rocks out there that she wants to examine for her rocktorate dissertation."

Lost in thought it took Fluttershy a moment to realize that Pinkie had been one of the clouds she was looking at. Her sister was on the other side of the road looking at something that she couldn't make out.

"Sorry Pinkie pie. I was a little distracted. I just had to...... deal with something."

Nodding her head Pinkie sat in a meditative pose, "Right, let me guess. You saw some of the animal food missing so you went to see what animal might be hurt and when you found nothing was hurt you noticed it was somepony stealing your food and you found them and told them to move in with you but you are worried because she isn't a very good pony sometimes, but you don't want to leave her alone in case she can get better."

Looking at Pinkie, Fluttershy had a look of surprise, then a look of amusement, "Did your pinkie sense tell you about that?"

"No," Pinkie said, "Maud told me. It's very nice of you to do that for Trixie. Maud told me that she wasn't the best pony when it came to living with others. Something about being used to living on her own."

Biting on her lower lip, Fluttershy lets out a concerned whimper, "Do you think I made the wrong choice Pinkie?"

Pinkie puts a hoof under her chin, "Hmmmm weeeeelllllllllll maybe. But hey if she acts up you can always ask for our help. Not like Twilight hasn't already dealt with her before."

Reaching in her hair Pinkie takes out a box and passes it to her friend, "But nothing says I hope we get along like a nice tasty sparkly pink Pinkie pie pineapple purple swirl cake."

Taking the box, Fluttershy lightly shook her head, "You always know how to make me feel better Pinkie. I don't usually have house guests so I just hope it isn't to different than having the animals visiting."

With an over the top spring in her step Pinkie begins to bounce around the shy Pegasus, "Oh it is waaaaaaay different, but in a good way! You can do a lot of stuff with other ponies that you can't do with your animals. Oh oh maybe you can do some sort of make up sleep over stuff. I think Rarity and Applejack did some sleep over thing with Twilight once you could ask them about it!"

Wearing a small smile Fluttershy shook her head, "N no I think I don't wan't Twilight to know about this yet. It might be a little hard for her right now. I don't think she is exactly someone who would want Trixie to be living so close to her home. I think I need time to tell her about this. Do you have any idea abo......"

Realizing that pinkie was already gone Fluttershy couldn't help but let out a small sigh as she walked to the food stalls looking to see where she might find one having a sale so she could do a very simple meal for lunch with her new housemate.

In the end she bought a bundle of carrots, some cucumbers, and some yogurt with blueberries mixed in. With what she already had at home she thought it would be good enough for her to make something that was both edible and tasty.

Once she got home however she opened the door to her cabin and was met with a puff of smoke that expanded well out into her front yard. The soft blue rose to the sky and started to dissipate but the color cling to her fur. Inside the entire home seemed to have the same shade of blue on every inch that was visible from the front door.

"The great and powerful Trixie...... might have dropped some of her smoke bombs. Not to worry though her smoke bombs are not harmful. She takes extra care to ensure that since she often inhales the smoke herself."

Hoping this wasn't the start of a pattern Fluttershy just walked to the kitchen to put the food away and think if she should clean the house first or herself and her fuzzy and feathered friends first.