Everypony makes mistakes. There's not a single pony in the world who will live a full life and not have regretted something, and honestly, a life without regrets is a life not lived. I've made my fair share of terrible decisions, and I try to learn from those mistakes. Of all the pain and misery I've put myself through, I can't say that I'd take it back, no matter how badly I wish I could. The truth is that I've learned and grown since then, the pain I've been handed has sculpted my point of view and my way of life so that I can be the pony I am today.

I'm not always proud of who I am, but this past week has been the happiest I've been by far. Falling in love changes the world, and there's nothing I'd rather do than spend every waking moment I can with this wonderful creature who's fallen into my life. As time goes by, I'm become more and more certain that I want to try and make this thing with Pinkie last forever. I know I'm her first, and that fact alone should mean we're doomed to fail, but I have to believe that we have a chance. I want us to have a real shot... but what's truly difficult, maybe too difficult, is trying to believe that I deserve to keep her to myself.

Pinkie Pie is so soft, and so warm. Her gorgeous blue eyes make me melt, and her kisses are like adorable little butterflies fluttering against my cheeks. Being with her is surreal, and it's so hard wrap my mind around it.

I never could have imagined that Ponyville would hold a dream come true.

Exie lifted the completed scarf off of the floor, patting the dust from it. She slung it over her shoulder and trotted up to the package lying in the middle of the shop.

Ding Ding, Rainbow Dash stepped into the shop, startling Exie as she shook the cool air from her coat.

The redhead jerked upright and dropped the box. "That's it. We need to figure out how to make that thing quieter."

"Maybe you should just stop being so jumpy. Something on your mind?" Rainbow asked as she slowly paced to the front register.

Exie shrugged and shook her head. "Not really, no. Oh but I'm glad you're here! Would you mind showing my friend Speckles here the ropes while I run a few errands?"

The small pink mare stepped out from behind the counter and waved at Rainbow Dash. "Hello!"

"Yeah I don't think so. I didn't sign up to be a babysitter," Rainbow Dash protested.

Exie giggled as she watched her little friend grow flustered. "Rainbow, she isn't a baby. I just need you to tell her how to be as good a staff member as you. We'll need an extra set of hooves when business starts to pick up. I've also got a shipment of stock that should be rolling in soon, and we can have her deal with it." The older mare winked and turned towards the door.

Rainbow Dash fluttered up to the little pony and ruffled her mane. "How old are you anyway?"

"Older than you," Speckles said, sticking out her tongue.

Rainbow Dash skeptically widened an eye and shook her head. "No way... Really? Wait, you don't even know how old I am!"

"Yeah-huh, Exie told me. So shouldn't you like, tell me how to work or something?" Speckles asked, rolling her eyes and messing with items hanging on the shelves.

"How did Exie know? That little..." Rainbow glared into the distance before gasping and darting across the store. "Hey! Don't mess with that!"

Speckles reached up and touched a skeletal lawn decoration, tilting it backwards. Rainbow Dash smacked her hoof away and snarled. "Leave stuff alone! Do you know how long it took me to put this thing together?! Go sit in the corner until Exie gets back. I don't feel dealing with you right now."

The little mare stumbled backwards and pouted. "... I've heard that before."

Rainbow Dash looked away and cleared her throat as the freckled mare slowly stepped away. Speckles took a deep breath and rested her head on the back counter, grimacing as she looked at the mess of sewing supplies strewn across the floor. She rubbed her sore knee and recalled being forcefully shoved away, tears welling up in her deep purple eyes.

"Hey..." Rainbow Dash muttered. "You alright?"

Speckles nodded and looked away as she wiped her eyes. "Don't look at me..."

The pegasus chuckled and shook her head. "Seriously? You're so childish. Why are you even here, why don't you just go home or something?"

The small blonde mare lost control of herself and slid to the floor behind the counter, burying her face in her hooves as she sobbed. "I am home!" she cried, gritting her teeth. "You go home! We don't need you here!"

"Yeah right! What would you do if a customer walked in right now?! Cry all over her?" Rainbow Dash scoffed. "I'm the only one that knows how do anything around here."

"You were supposed to teach me! What did I do to make you mad? I'm sorry I touched your skeleton..." The little mare peeked up over the counter and bit her lip.

Rainbow Dash huffed and swallowed hard. "I saw what you and Exie were doing. You two are gonna break my best friend's heart, and I want you gone!"

"Oh my god. That? Seriously, that's why you're being so mean to me? Didn't you see Exie throw me across the room because of that? No, your precious little Pinkie Pie is gonna be fine..." Speckles lowered her eyes and ground her teeth. "If you don't want to teach me, then get out. Me and Exie don't need stupid pegasuses acting all high and mighty anyway."

Rainbow Dash scowled and turned away. "Fine! I'm outta here until Exie sends you back where you came from!"

"Good!" Speckles shouted as the pegasus stomped out the front door and zipped into the sky. "Good riddance!"

The door slowly squeaked closed and the little mare gulped, swallowing her confidence. She turned around and trotted into the middle of the store, eyeing the pony skeleton decoration displayed in the center of the store. The little pony fidgeted and pressed her muzzle against its cheek, glaring. She then placed her front hooves on its back and forced it down before stomping on it. Small bits of plastic bounced across the concrete floor as she stomped and kicked, decimating the decoration.

She lifted up its cracked and busted body, tossing the ribcage down onto the concrete floor and smiling widely as it fell into an array of scattering pieces. Speckles began to giggle as she destroyed the plastic skeleton, out of breath and her soft mane in tangles. "Good going, dumb pegasus."

With a devilish grin, she lifted the skull with her teeth and tossed it into a shelf.

Exie tapped on the door to Fluttershy's tree cottage, shivering in the early afternoon breeze. She tightened her scarf as she waited, warming her chest with the thick cotton.

"Oh, hello." The door creaked open and Fluttershy smiled. "What brings you here, Exie?"

"I've got your order here. I figured since I know you, it'd be cool if I just ran this over personally." Exie lifted the box from her back and held it out.

Fluttershy nodded and took it, casually setting it down inside and blushing. "Thank you. I appreciate it..."

Exie stood still for several moments before shrugging. "Well? Aren't you going to try it on and let me know if everything is the way you wanted it?"

Fluttershy winced and quickly shook her head. "Uhm... no. I'll tell you later..."

"Oh you. Don't be so shy. I'm a professional costume pony, thingy. So you don't need to be self conscious around me," Exie explained.

The timid pegasus bit her lip and shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I can't. I need to... I have to wait..."

The shopkeeper giggled and tilted her head. "Oh alright. At least take it out of the box and look it over. I'm actually curious myself."

"Um, alright." Fluttershy stepped aside, allowing Exie to enter. "I'm sure everything is just fine, but if you want to see it..."

Exie eagerly watched as the pegasus carefully pulled the box open and removed the packing paper with her teen. She then lifted a glossy black boot from the box, its chrome buckles gleaming in the sunlight as Exie's wide, glistening eyes stared at the most beautiful boot she'd ever seen.

"It's nice..." Fluttershy said, her heart sinking into her stomach as she imagined wearing it.

"Nice? It's better than nice. May I see it?" Exie asked, reaching out for the beautiful legwear.

Fluttershy nodded and scooted the box across the floor. Exie lifted the boot and sniffed the fresh leather, flicking the mettle buckles with the tip if her hoof. She rubbed down the side and admired the fine deep stitching. "I love these! Wow, Fluttershy, I'm totally jealous of you. I can't wait to see you try them on."

Fluttershy cringed and shook her head as Exie smiled expectantly. "Oh my... I can't right now. But I promise that when I do wear them, you'll get to see."

Exie wore a straight face, tightly holding onto the boot as she raised an eyebrow. "Why can't you try it on now? If you don't mind me asking."

Fluttershy averted her gaze and bit her lip. "I... Uhm... I have to help somepony find a pet. So if you'll excuse me." She opened the door and forced a smile, slinging a bag of bird-feed over her shoulder.

Exie frowned and stood up, blinking several times before skeptically stepping outside. Fluttershy followed with the large bag on her back, shutting the door behind herself and heading around to the backyard. The sound of fillies giggling caught her attention, and she decided to investigate. A smile quickly formed across her face as she spotted Apple Bloom scratching a small white kitten behind the ears.

"Having fun, girls?" Fluttershy asked as she carefully filled a bird feeder with a bag various seeds and nuts.

"Sure are!" Scootaloo replied, fluttering her small wings and eyeing a majestic falcon that sat perched atop a much too small birdhouse.

Fluttershy clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, and the large bird of prey spread its wings and glided down, perching itself on the end of the pegasus' outstretched leg. "That's a good girl. Who wants a snack?"

"Shreee!" the falcon screeched, nodding his head.

"Come on then you little cutie." Fluttershy thrust her hoof upwards as the falcon took flight, then she led the way to a small barrel behind the chicken coupe. She flattened her ears and glanced back to Exie with a crooked smirk. "I hate this part."

The earth pony tilted her head and shrugged. "What part?"

Fluttershy turned back to the barrel and removed the lid, sticking her head inside and removing a large, plump prairie dog, which she tossed into the air. The falcon swooped down and clasped onto the creature with its razor sharp talons, carrying it to a bare tree branch before crushing its spine with a powerful beak. "Poor little thing... It's okay though, because he was meant to die."

Exie gulped as her stomach churned. "He was?"

"Yes. He was," Fluttershy said as she looked over the many creatures scurrying around at the bottom of the barrel, clawing their way towards the light. "You see, these little guys were bred to be food. It's sad, but necessary..."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders each caught up to Fluttershy with wide smiles. "That was awesome!" Scootaloo shouted. "Did you see how he snatched it right out of the air?! I want that pet!"

Fluttershy smiled softly and rubbed the little orange filly's head. "It's a she. Her name is Flitterbug. She's a big responsibility too, so I hope you're up to the task if you take her... I'd hate to see her have to come back, because I just know she's dying for a new home to call her own."

"Wait a minute!" Exie stamped her hoof and shook her head in disbelief. "Isn't that thing a viscous wild animal? It's dangerous. Right? I mean... Right?!"

Fluttershy hung her head and sighed. "I'm afraid Flitterbug isn't wild anymore. I found her in the forest as a little hatchling with two broken wings, alone and barely alive at all. I nursed her back to health, and she never left. She was abandoned by her mother, or... maybe her mother was... I don't know why she was left alone, but she's running purely on instinct when she eats. Otherwise she's just a big softy."

"Can I change her name?" Scootaloo interrupted.

Fluttershy looked up at the feasting bird with a crooked frown. "Uhm..."

"I was thinking Turbo Hawk!" Scootaloo shouted.

"Uh... I don't..."

Sweetie Belle shoved herself between the two pegasi and pressed her muzzle against Scootaloo's. "You can't call her that. She's not even a hawk. She's a falcon, and Turbo Falcon sounds dumb."

"How about..." Apple Bloom placed a hoof to her chin and looked up in thought. "Oh! I know! Call her Neck Breaker! 'Cause she breaks necks."

"I'll call her Falcon Bomb!" Scootaloo announced. "Yeah. That's cool."

Exie snickered and took a step back. "So doesn't it hurt when that thing lands on your leg?"

"No. I'm used to it and well callused from dealing with animals all my life, but Scootaloo will have to adjust. Poor thing," Fluttershy explained.

Exie thought for a moment and scratched her head. "What about those leather glove things. What if she had one of those?"

"You're right. I should get her one, but I'm a little short on money right now... you know." Fluttershy blushed and glanced towards her front door.

"Right. Your big order. You know, I wouldn't mind making something nice for her. I mean, I did already make this scarf for Apple Bloom, and it wouldn't be fair to her friends if I gave her a gift in front of them like that." Exie looked over at the three fillies running around in circles beneath the large raptor. "Hey Apple Bloom! Come here for a sec."

The little redhead nodded and rushed to Exie's side, jumping up and hugging onto her. "Howdy!"

"Look what I made for you." Exie took the scarf off of her neck and wrapped it around her little friend's. "You look so cute!"

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo each trotted to Apple Bloom's side, circling her as they beamed. "That totally suits you!" Scootaloo stated, nodding confidently.

"It's great. You're so lucky!" Sweetie Belle added.

"Hey now you two, don't think that I just planned on giving a gift to my favorite little earth pony, her two best friends should get something too. I was thinking of making you a nifty little saddle that your new pet can land on, Scootaloo, right?" Exie pat the little orange pony's head and smiled. "And what would you like, Sweetie?"

"That'd be awesome!" Scootaloo shouted as the little white unicorn tilted her head.

"If it's not too much trouble, I'd like a set of fuzzy black booties to keep my hooves warm and toasty when it gets colder outside." Sweetie Belle nodded and bumped hooves with Scootaloo.

Exie nodded and widened her deep blue eyes as she watched the three return to their carefree frollicking. "Aren't they just precious?"

"Mhm." Fluttershy nodded. "I adore those three, but they sure can be a hoofful sometimes."

Exie turned to face the pegasus with a cocky smirk. "So, you seem less shy than before."

Fluttershy immediately blushed and ducked behind her mane. "I... Yes well..."

Exie laughed and placed her hooves on the mare's shoulders. "Hey now, I didn't mean to bring it up. I'm sorry. But anyway, I gotta go now."

"Oh... okay then. Bye." Fluttershy slowly waved the tip of her hoof as Exie turned around.

"Can I come over tomorrow and watch you try that outfit on?" Exie asked, then blushed and gulped. "I mean... you know what I mean... to make sure you like it and stuff."

Fluttershy nodded and took a deep breath. "Yes. You can come... come... uhm, tomorrow, come over and I'll wear it for you."

Exie flicked her bangs to one side and raised an eyebrow. "Can Pinkie come too?"

The yellow mare quickly nodded with squinted eyes before turning away. "Yes. I'm gonna go do this now... Bye."

Exie giggled as the flushed pegasus rushed over to Scootaloo, who was tormenting a small bunny. She took a deep breath and watched Fluttershy cuddle the terrified rodent, a thought piercing her heart. She looked down at the grass and kicked at a dandelion, sending its white seeds floating across the ground. Is Pinkie... my last one?

Rainbow Dash entered Sugarcube Corner, stomping over to an empty table and sitting down, plopping her chin onto her front hooves. Pinkie Pie raised an eyebrow and grinned, hopping over the counter and skipping up to the table, resting her cheek on its surface and looking into Rainbow's eyes.

"Hey Pinkie..." the pegasus huffed, not blinking.

"Hi there, Dashie. Why so blue?" she asked, snickering.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Aw, why you cyan? Get it? Cyan? 'Cause you're sighin', and you're blue... Hmm, I don't really think you're so much cyan as you are cerulean. What do you think?" Pinkie tilted her head with a smile.

"I'm not in mood, Pinkie," Rainbow stated, taking another deep breath.

The giddy party pony lost her smile and took a seat next to her friend. "Wanna talk about it?"

Rainbow Dash shrugged and leaned up. "I don't know what to say. I'm just worried about you and..."

"Exie..." Pinkie rolled her eyes and bit her lip. "I know. You and everypony else in Equestria seems to think that it's your business who I'm seeing. Well news flash Rainbow Dash! I'm an adult! I'm not your little sister! I'm not a little filly! I can look out for myself!" Pinkie Pie smacked the table with watery eyes.

Rainbow Dash gulped and let her wings fall limp as Pinkie braced herself for the expected lash back. The pegasus stayed quiet, her eyes shifting back and forth between Pinkie's, her heart sinking into her stomach. She shook her head and stood up, dragging her wings as she headed toward the door.

"Dashie... Wait, I'm sorry." Pinkie stepped towards her, but the pegasus carried on, glancing back with a look of betrayal in her eyes before shutting the door behind herself.

Pinkie Pie began to take deep breaths, fighting her quickly rising tears. She galloped to the staircase and shouted, "I have to go! I'm sorry!" She then turned and rushed out the door, chasing after her best friend.

Rainbow Dash saw her approaching and spread her wings to take flight, but before she kicked off, the pink pony tackled her to the ground.

"Stop it! I'm sorry Dash, please..." Pinkie said with tears in her eyes as she stood over her friend. "I didn't mean to yell at you. It's just that all of my friends have been doubting me and Exie, and I just... it hurt."

Rainbow closed her eyes and nudged Pinkie off of her, then stood up with flattened ears. "Maybe they don't trust her for a good reason. Maybe she's not the kind of pony you should trust, Pinkie. I saw her kissing another mare today..."

Pinkie Pie smirked and shook her head. "No you didn't."

Rainbow lowered her eyebrows and gritted her teeth. "Yes I did! I wouldn't lie to you about that!"

Pinkie swallowed hard, her heart racing and the world spinning around her head. "You're lying. I don't believe you..."

"Fine! Don't believe me then. See if I care!" Rainbow snapped her teeth and jumped into the air, zipping off into the distance.

Pinkie Pie cringed, her legs weak and wobbly. She stepped backwards before plopping down onto the dirt road, her mane flat as her tears dotted the ground beneath her. Her lip quivered, and she shook her head violently as she bit down on her tongue. "There's no way..."

Pinkie pressed her hooves into her eyes and sobbed at the thought, her innocent heart cracking. She looked around, noticing the lack of ponies as she sat crying in the middle of the road by herself. Biting her lip, she closed her eyes and thought of Exie, and how they laughed and cuddled together only several hours ago. She struggled to breath beneath her flowing tears, the thought of her newfound bliss coming to an end cutting deep into her heart.

The mare stood up and galloped down the street at full speed towards Sew Fine, determined to find out the truth for herself.

Author's Notes:

Sorry for the delay! Here's this. Be sure to comment and let me know what you think!