“Alright Angel…your tail is all nice and fluffed!”  I proudly exclaimed with a smile after I was done fluffing my little bunny’s tail.  Angel turned his head around and looked at it before smiling.  

“Thank you, thank you, thank you momma!”  He squeaked happily as he fully turned around, hopped up to my face, and nuzzled against me happily.  I giggled as I raised my hoof and pet the happy little hare.  He really can be such an affectionate bunny sometimes…

“I’m so glad you like it Angel…however this is the last time you’ll get a tail fluffing…the next time is going to be after you hibernation.”  I then informed much to his dismay as he got off of me and looked down at the ground sad, his ears flopping down as well.

“Oh don’t worry though…I’ll fluff your tail three times after you wake up!”  I then said happily offered to try and lift his spirits.  It worked as he looked back up with reinvigorated enthusiasm, his ears standing back up.  He then started to hop around me excitedly waving his paws in the air energetically.  I giggled as I watched him hop around me…I’m going to miss this for the next couple of months…but hibernation is a necessity for most animals…bunnies included.

“Oh speaking of hibernation…” I then said as I put a hoof to my chin, remembering about a certain groundhog that needs to start hibernating right now.  I turned around and walked out my back door, I immediately saw him standing right outside looking directly at me…nodding slightly as if he was expecting me.

“Yo hog…you ready to do this?” I asked him with a smile as I walked up to him causing him to smile and nod some more.

“Tsk…Fluttershy….I was born ready!” The small groundhog replied smugly as he waved both his paws at me dismissively, looking at me almost in disbelief that I asked that question.

“Sorry…I didn’t mean to dis you…” I apologized in a low tone feeling guilty for asking him something so obvious…I mean of course he’s ready to go…that’s why he was standing outside my back door obviously.  

“Ah Fluttershy you could never dis this hog and never will…you’re not the kind of pony to be hating you dig?” He shrugged off as he went up to me and patted me on my lower leg.  This caused me smile at him gently as I was glad that he wasn’t upset at me.

“I dig…now let’s go settle you in your crib…” I then said as I pointed my hoof at the hibernation grounds.  He stopped patting my leg and started to walk off confidently to the grounds with a bright smile on his face.

“Aight…guess we better get there before those West Everfree Forest posers try to come in to take it…” He agreed as he nodded and put his paws behind his head.  I giggled slightly because there weren’t that many animals still active and even the few animals that were wouldn’t take his spot as I had his spot reserved….I reserved spots for every animal…so arguments and troubles wouldn’t happen.

“Angel could you please bring me-Oh!” I started to ask as I turned to see Angel holding the animal hibernation checklist right in front of my face. “Thank you Angel…” I thanked graciously before I took the list with my mouth and tucked it under my wing.  He smiled happily and hopped in place as I turned around to follow the groundhog to the hibernation area.

Angel hopped right beside me to accompany me and we both followed the groundhog to the hibernation area.  When we got there and started walking through the grounds I looked around at all the other dens and homes that contained sleeping animals and sighed.  All of those sleeping animals were my friends that would visit me often and come to me for help…now that they’re all sleeping I can’t help but feel…well… a little inadequate…I mean taking care of animals is my passion…but during winter they’re all asleep…so through most of winter I’m doing…well…nothing…I mean I still have my friends but I can’t impose on them all the time so…like I said I mostly do…nothing…sitting my college doing whatever I can to keep busy…mostly knitting…

I sighed again as the groundhog ahead of me stopped and I went ahead to show him to his hole.  It wasn’t anything special just a normal little spot for him to hibernate just like all the other animals.  Although I did make some personal changes to better suit him just like all the other animals…to help them sleep better.  When I showed him the hole I smiled and got out of the way as he entered to look it over.

“Well…what do you think?” I asked him curious to see his reaction…although I personally knew he was going to say something to make me giggle…

“Fluttershy this crib is off the hinges!” The small groundhog replied excitedly as he turned around, nodded and folded his arms in appreciation.  As expected I giggled at his response.

“I knew you’d like it…” I responded happily as I was grateful my additions didn’t go to waste and that he would have a pleasant hibernation.

“Thanks Fluttershy…you are the mare!” He then said as she held out his paw clenched in a fist.  I held out my hoof and tapped his fist making an explosion sound as soon as I tapped it and pulling it away.   He chuckled after he did the same thing which made me giggle but also a little sad because I wouldn’t be doing this again until after winter.

“It’s my pleasure…sleep tight and be sure not to look at your shadow when you wake up…”  I advised soothingly as I smiled at him.  He waved at me then turned around.  He disappeared into the darkness to begin his hibernation.  My smile slowly faded as I looked around at the lifeless grounds where animal life would normally be swarming…not now though…now it was only silence and emptiness.

“Momma are you going to be ok?” Angel squeaked in concern, looking at me with those big old sad eyes of his.  I smiled as I looked down and patted his head, making his paw thumb frantically against the ground.

“Yes Angel…I’m fine…” I answered softly as I rubbed my face against his for a second.  I then broke away and reached under my wing and grabbed the checklist with my hoof.  I got out the pulled out the pencil from the top with my mouth and scratched off the groundhog from the list.  I checked it over and saw most of the other animals scratched off except for a few.

“Come on Angel.  Let’s go check and see if the rest of my animal friends are snuggly sleeping.” I then said sweetly as I looked at the small white bunny to see him saluting at me as if accepting an important mission.

I giggled as I placed the checklist under my wing again and trotted off to a nearby den.  Angel headed in to see if there was an animal sleeping.  I couldn’t do it myself since...well…I’m too big to fit in there…and even if I was small enough to go in…I…I don’t think if I would…I’d be too concerned with disturbing them and their slumber.  So having Angel awake this close to winter was actually beneficiary and I’m sure he knows this which is why he always insists staying up at the last second…that and of course I spoil the poor dear.

When Angel exited he told me that there was indeed an animal sleeping in the den and told me which one.  I got out the checklist, confirmed that it was the right animal in the right den, and scratched it off the list.  We then moved on to the next den, then the next, and then next until we went to all the previously unused dens and confirmed that all the animals were accounted for and checked off.  I sighed in relief as I checked off the last selection of snakes, happy that all the animals were where they needed to be and that they were all sleeping.

“Thanks for your help Angel…” I thanked as I placed the checklist under my wing and looked at him gratefully.  He bowed with a cheeky grin on his face and tried to be as dramatic as possible…which made me giggle a bit…until the depressing realization dawned on me that…Angel himself obviously still needed to start hibernating.

“N-Now that all the other animals are happily asleep…I…I think that it’s now time for you to head to your den now…” I then suggested sadly, looking down and biting my lip as tears started to swell up in my eyes.  This…This could be the last time I see Angel…the last time I have any contact with any of my animal friends for a long time…an…and…I…I don’t want that…I…I don’t want to be alone…

“No Momma!”  I heard him squeak as loud as he could as he leapt up and hugged my face, “I want to stay awake as much as possible!  I don’t want to leave you alone!” He squeaked in desperation as he started to rub his furry little cheek against my face.   The tears started to fall gently down my face as I raised my hoof and rubbed his back…he really is a sweet bunny when he wants to be.

“I-I know you don’t.” I replied as I took him off of my face and gently put him down on the ground, “Alright…you can stay up for a few more days.” I then said as I wiped the tears away before looking back at him with a cheerful smile on my face.

“Thanks Momma!” He thanked excitedly as he started to hop around me happily.  I giggled as I turned around and started to head home, Angel happily hopping right beside me.

Although I was feeling better at the moment…the loaming thought of my future lonely winter was still very present in my mind.  I sighed quietly as I looked down slightly.  I really wasn’t looking forward to the next few months…yes there were holidays and other fun things to do with my friends but those are few and far between.  I wish there was something else I…could…w-wait a second!   I completely forgot!  I have to go tell Rarity that it’s ok for me to start dating!  Yes!  That’s it!  It’s perfect!  I can spend the next few months focusing on a personal life!  Th-That way…I could not be alone and…q-quite possibly…f-find a pony that I could call…m-my special somepony.

That thought made me nervous and uncomfortable…me…out there…dating.  Oh it’s freighting and scary in so many ways…but…Rainbow Dash has faith in me…and…if I ever need some support she will be always willing to give it.  So if all else fails…I’ll still have her.  I sighed in content now as I firmly made my decision on what I was going to do.

“O-On second thought...” I said in a low tone, but was still loud enough to catch my little bunny’s attention as he looked up at me curiously, “Maybe this winter won’t be that bad after all!” I then went on as my tone got louder as my confidence grew.

“What do you mean by that Momma?” Angel asked in bemusement as he titled his head at me and bent one of his ears down.  I giggled at how cute he looked before reaching a hoof under my wing to get the checklist out.

“I’ll explain later Angel…” I responded honestly as I held the checklist out to him, “Please take this back to the cottage…I’ll be back later…” I then asked politely while also informing him that I had someplace to be right now.  He looked befuddled for a few more seconds before nodding slowly and taking the checklist from my hoof.  

“Thank you Angel…I promise I’ll make you a super special dinner tonight!”  I then offered as a consolation for leaving him so abruptly like this.  He smiled and hopped up and down obviously pleased by my offering.   I giggled one last time as I unfurled my wings and took to the air.  I waved at my little bunny and after he waved back I turned around took off to Rarity’s house.

As I flew away and towards Ponyville I looked up at the sky and noticed some Pegasus ponies high in the sky rearranging the clouds…very frantically and as fast as they could looking like they we’re being pushed to their limits.   I guess what Rainbow Dash said yesterday was true…when she complained to the higher ups they must’ve sent somepony down to make sure everything goes by more smoothly.  I just hope they’re not getting pushed too far.  I looked around to see other Pegasi delivering clouds.  I thought about lending them a helping hoof but…I couldn’t…I mean I couldn’t just go in and impose on them…I mean last time Rainbow Dash was there to set me up and tell me what to do…if I just go in now and just start helping them I’ll just make trouble and get in the way.

Though…maybe that would be something I could do over the winter…be a part time weather pony and help out with the weather…I…I mean…if they would let me…well…more importantly…if Rainbow Dash would let me….and only if she would work with me and no pony else.  Oh I’m sure she would…so maybe I should ask her later…oh listen to me ramble on about doing weather duties with Dash when I should be more concerned about dating…I’m sure that’s what Rainbow would want anyways…me socializing and dating rather than helping out with the weather.

I sighed to myself as I reached Rarity’s boutique and landed right in front of it.  As I walked up to the door I noticed that the pile of books that Rainbow left last night were gone.  So either Rarity picked them up or they were stolen…I hope it’s one that isn’t a crime. I shook my head before I walked up to the door to knock on it.  I knew I could just walk in as Rarity would never think I was intruding…but…I couldn’t…it’s always polite to knock before entering somepony’s home.  Before I could knock on the door though it opened and out came a small unicorn with mulberry colored mane with pink streaks walked out.  She looked up at me with light green eyes.

“Hey Fluttershy!” The small unicorn named Sweetie Belle greeted happily and with a smile as she walked out of the boutique…not closing the door behind her.

“Why hello Sweetie Bell…” I greeted back with a smile as I looked down at her walking up to me, “Is your older sister home?” I then asked curiously as I titled my head slightly, wanting to know if Rarity’s inside…if Sweetie Belle is just now leaving I’m sure she is…especially since the books are gone.

“Yeah, we just got back not too long ago…so she’s inside…” The little filly confirmed with a nod as she pointed behind her with her hoof…oh excellent that means I can tell her about what Dash told me yesterday…

“Oh you just got back?” I then questioned inquisitively as I leaned my head back and slightly arched an eyebrow at her.

“Yeah we both slept over at Sweet Apple Acres along with Spike…a double sleepover as I think she called it…” She explained happily…oh so she was at Applejack’s last night…and she spent the night with her little sister…hmmm, “Though she made sure that Apple bloom and I slept as far away from her and Applejack as possible…”  She then said in a slightly suspicious tone as she looked down and rubbed a hoof to her muzzle…that does sound a little odd…though it’s Rarity so maybe I shouldn’t be too surprised.

“Oh…well…I’m sure she had her reasons…” I replied, shrugging it off as something that we shouldn’t be concerned about as I raised a hoof and patted her on top of her head, slightly frazzling her mane a bit.

“Yeah she always has reasons…” She agreed a bit dryly as she backed away and then started to fix her mane back up, “I’m also sure she has a reason why she was so sad when we left this morning…” The small unicorn then said as she looked back up at me seriously…o-oh no…

“Oh dear…what happened?” I asked in concern as I raised a hoof up to my muzzle and felt my ears drop…n-nothing bad happened did it?

“I don’t know…she still seems really upset…”  She answered a bit sadly as she looked down, looking like she wanted to help her sister but most likely already tried and didn’t succeed,  “So maybe it’s a good thing you came by...you can cheer her up!” She then excitedly declared as she looked back up at me with a smile, remembering that me and Rarity are both good friends and if she can’t help her mood then I probably could…I hope…

“I will…thank you for telling me Sweetie Bell…” I responded with a nod, then thanking her for helping me as I reached out to pat her on the head again…only for her to back out of my reach with a smirk on her face.

“Good luck…if anypony needs me they’ll know where I’ll be…” The green eyed filly then announced as she trotted past me…going to meet up with Scootaloo and Apple bloom to do things together…I just hope they don’t do anything dangerous or get themselves hurt.  I watched her walk off before I heard some hoof steps at the front door.

“Sweet Belle you forgot to close the…” I heard an annoyed pony start before suddenly stopping…instantly recognizing her voice to my fashionesta friend “Flutershy…” I then heard her call out softly in surprise, obviously not expecting me to be standing outside her door.

“Good morning Rarity.” I politely greeted in a sweet tone as I turned around and gave her a happy smile…hoping that it would help cheer her up somehow.

“Good morning Fluttershy…please come in come in” The white unicorn replied in an excited tone as she stepped out the way and opened the door fully for me to enter.

“Why thank you Rarity…” I thanked kindly as I trotted in, and nodded my head to further show my respect, “H-How are you this morning?” I then asked curiously and with a stutter as I turned around to face her…worried about her and hoping this general question would be enough to tell me…though so far she seems perfectly fine…

“Tired darling…let’s just say I didn’t get my recommended hours of beauty sleep last night…” She replied not sounding the least bit enthused as she rolled her eyes and put a hoof to the side of her face, closing the door with magic while doing so.  Oh dear…something really is wrong…

“Oh no…what happened?”  I asked in concern as I raised a hoof up to my muzzle….hoping she would tell and not leave me in the dark…I mean she shouldn’t…we learned not to hide our emotions from each other a long time ago…and I do not want a repeat of that experience…

“I was just with Applejack…Spike was with me and one dreadful thing lead to another dreadful thing… but don’t worry...it’s nothing major” Rarity answered with a smile as she raised a hoof and waved it at me shrugging the whole ordeal off.  Applejack was with her last night?  I mean…I know Spike was with her last night but Applejack too?

“What happened between you three?”  I think asked curiously as I tilted my head slightly…oh dear now I think I’m pestering her too much…Fluttershy you should really keep your nose out of other ponies’ business!

“I’m sorry Fluttershy but it’s something I don’t feel I want to discuss…”  She responded a bit sadly as she looked.  She was still smiling though as she started to walk past me…I don’t want to be a nuisance…so I’ll stop pestering her about the subject…but I hope she’ll tell me eventually what happened.

“A-Alright…what about those books on your doorstep…did you bring them in?” I then asked as I changed the subject, “O-Oh…s-sorry for asking so many questions…” I then apologized as I realized I just bothered her with another one of my questions…I just told myself mentally to stop being such a nuisance and I just asked her another question…Fluttershy you’re such a horrible pony!

“Oh Darling it’s fine…ask away…it’s no problem…besides I have a feeling I’m going to be asking you tons of questions in a few minutes anyways.”  The fashion designer replied with a chuckle as I followed her into her main designer room…which was filled with all assortments of flowers…most likely from her garden behind the boutique.

“And to answer your question I did…bring those books in…I really must thank Twilight later for dropping those books off....” She then said, answering my question in her usual tone, assuming that it was Twilight who delivered those books and not me and Rainbow Dash.

“Ummm…Rarity…it...it was actually me and Rainbow…we dropped those books off for Twilight." I explained a bit nervous to tell her that we dropped the books off…I hope she doesn’t think we dropped them off because we didn’t want to see her…or that we tried to break into her house.

The white unicorn stopped as soon as I said that and twirled around in the blink of an eye…accidently whipping me in the face with her mane…a delightful smile on her face.  “Oh I can’t wait for you to tell me all about it Fluttershy…” She then said a little bit teasingly, looking at me with her eyes half lidded.  Ummm…a-are you happy or upset about this?

“But first let me make us some tea…You can’t have a good juicy conversation without something juicy to drink…” The Unicorn then said before suddenly turning around again…almost accidently whipping me with her tail but I ducked out of the way…and heading into the kitchen.  But…tea isn’t juice…

“T-Tea sounds lovely…” I simply said as I followed her…not wanting to try to explain to her the difference between tea and juice.  We walked into Rarity’s fancy kitchen and she went up to a pot that was already on the stove and immediately got to work on making a pot of tea.  I walked over to the small table in the middle of the room and sat down on my haunches.  I looked around and just like in the main room there were flowers everywhere.

“I see you brought in all your flowers.”   I commented as I continued to look around admiring all the pretty flowers…if I know anything about Rarity…it’s that she has an eye for exquisite detail…and no more than does it show with all these flowers…they simply looked lovely!

“Yes I had to bring them all in yesterday…I didn’t want to have such beauty ruined by winter’s harsh snow…” She resounded as she started to boil the pot on the stove, “And these are the last flowers I’ll do for the year…I’ll have to wait until next year before I grow anymore lovely flowers.” She then explained as she looked up from the bought and smiled at all the pretty flowers like I was…even though…technically…she never plants her own flowers…

“Ummm…Rarity…isn’t it always Applejack who plants your flowers?   ….and…usually brings them in?”  I pointed out nervously as I raised a hoof, not trying to be rude or anything but…I want credit to go where credit is due…and…Applejack always takes care of Rarity’s garden with some help from the weather patrol delivering her water…the most she does is decide which ones are the best and will be used in her dresses....

“Why yes, in fact she was here yesterday to help me…along with Spike…before we went to her place and that whole awful ordeal happened…” The unicorn replied as she revealed a little more details of what happened yesterday…though not revealing that much and of course I’m not going to press her for details.

“Oh I see…” I simply said averting my eyes, hoping what I said didn’t offend her or upset her.

“Besides…Applejack just enjoys doing that stuff and getting filthy…so why should I take it away from her…she likes being a dirty mare….” Rarity started in a somewhat teasing tone as she added the black tea leaves in the pot….stopping and making a brief moan before looking up at the ceiling,  “mmm….such a dirty mare… She then said in a very…odd tone as a slight smile appeared on her face…R-Rarity…I think that’s kind of mean…I mean I know she works on a farm but she’s not that dirty…and giving a disgusted moan is just a bit much…

“R-Rarity…should you really be saying that about one of your friends?”  I asked in a slightly offended tone as I tried to defend Applejack from Rarity’s…r-rather rude comment.  She blinked a few times before shaking her head frantically, as if coming to her senses finally.

“R-Right…y-yes…you’re right Fluttershy…so sorry…” She then desperately said rather loudly as a deep blush started to form on her face as she focused on making the tea.  Now she’s embarrassed?  Well…I guess she realized how mean she was being to poor Applejack…I’m glad she came around and realized she was being a little malicious towards her.

“Oh thank goodness…Fluttershy is here…” I heard somepony meow in relief as I looked over towards the entrance and saw a very grumpy looking kitty walking in and coming towards me.

“Oh why hello Opalescence…and how are you?” I greeted happily as it was always such a delight to see this darling kitty…she does have a tad bit of an attitude problem…although I can kind of guess where it comes from honestly…

“Why I’m absolutely dreadful Fluttershy!” The white cat meowed dramatically as she walked over to me with a paw on her forehead…her mannerisms reminding me of a certain white unicorn. "Absolutely dreadful!" She repeated in an even louder meow as she looked like she was about to faint as she reached me...oh the poor dearie...

“Oh I’m sorry Opal…” I apologized as she jumped into my lap and started snuggling against my fur…which tickled to be honest and I had to do my best to stop myself from giggling.

“After the drama I went through this morning I believe I deserve more than one grooming from you…and soon!” The cat then declared as she rolled on her back and extended all the paws in her air…oh I don’t think it could’ve been that bad…she’s just wanting to go out with me to be groomed…she really likes it when I groom her fur…

“I’ll see what I can do…”  I replied with a giggle as I raised my hoof and rubbed her tummy, which made her purr in my lap, “W-What happened earlier this morning?” I then asked a bit softly and nervously as I felt like I was going behind Rarity’s back to find out what happened by going to her cat.

“Well…My darling caretaker came in and was crying over that awfully brash cowpony…” Opal answered in a low meow as I raised my hoof up for her to try and playfully swat at…she called Rarity her ‘darling caretaker.’ I’ve known Opal for years and don’t know if she dislikes Rarity, supports her, or just tolerates her…but wait…more importantly…

“You mean Applejack?” I asked with an eyebrow arched, wanting to confirm if this ‘cowpony’ was indeed her and not some other pony…but I gasped when Opal nodded at me,  “Do you know why she was crying over her?” I then asked a bit loudly and frantically as I wanted to know why she was crying and so upset…what happened last night…or this morning to cause Rarity to cry…

“Well…from what I understood from her blathering in between sobs was-”

“Opal!” I heard a loud call as I looked up to see a wide eyed Rarity trotting up and then lifting up her cat from with her magic and pulling her away from me.

“Oh dear…” I simply said in concern as I saw the purrsian cat struggle in the light purple aura of magic.

“I’m sorry Fluttershy but I don’t feel comfortable with you talking to my dear Opalescence…” She said a bit sternly as she put Opal outside the room and then shut the door so she couldn’t come back in.  “You know how much I loathe gossip…” She then stated in a disappointed tone as she turned away and trotted away from the door…ummm…but I thought you liked gossip?

“S-Sorry?” I apologized, feeling both bad for going behind her back and confused over the contradictory statement she just gave me.

“Oh it’s quite alright…” The forgiving mare said shrugging it off the ordeal off thankfully, “Now you want cream and sugar right?” The white Unicorn then asked as she moved back to her boiling pot of tea…oh she knows me so well…  

“Oh yes please…”  I replied with a happy smile on my face as Rarity nodded back to me, adding the requested ingredients into a small cup.  After that she used her magic to hold up two cups and then walked over to me.

“Here you go Fluttershy…nice and warm…”  Rarity gently said as she moved the cup over to me surrounded by her aura of magic.

“Thank you…” I thanked politely as I reached out and grabbed the cup.  Rarity released it from her magical grip and sat down on the opposite side of the table from me, placing her cup directly in front of her.

“So…tell me Fluttershy…I know you didn’t come over to enjoy some of my special tea…why did you come over…does it have to do with Rainbow Dash?” She then asked both curiously and bit teasingly as she grinned mischievously and raised an eyebrow at me…quite possibly leading tea certain topic…and I know exactly what topic it is.

“Why…yes it does!”  I confidently said before taking a sip of the tea…which was very good and tasted great.  Rarity made a high pitched squealing noise as she flailed her hooves slightly in excitement.   Oh I think she knows what’s coming next…the thing she’s been bothering me for a while now…

“And…” I then started after I was done sipping on the tea, giving a dramatic pause to keep on the edge of excitement, she leaned forward with an anxious smile and her eyes as wide as saucers…eagerly awaiting the answer she so desperately wanted.

“…She said yes…” I then revealed with a grin, finally giving her the answer she was looking for. She didn’t respond…or…do anything for that matter…she just kept staring at me with that smile and look on her face…aww…she’s so happy she doesn’t know what to do!

“…yes to what…” Rarity finally said in a deadpan tone as she still kept that expression on her face.  …w-what?  D-Did she forget the whole ordeal again?  If she did then what was she expecting me to say?

“Y-You know…the question…about me dating other ponies?” I reminded her a bit nervously as I held a hoof out to her…if I’m wrong then that makes my whole reveal rather pointless…oh now I feel silly for acting like that…

“Oh…that…” She replied dully as her once excited face instantly changed to a disappointed face.  She leaned back and fully sat on her haunches before lifting her tea cup up with her magic, taking a sip as soon as it reached her lips.

“She said she was ok with me seeing other ponies!  Isn’t that great?” I asked enthused as I smiled at her, hoping she would get excited as well and start to tell me her plans how I’ll start dating…and who I’ll start dating…oh I’m so nervous…and excited at the same time…

“Yeah…” She simply said still dully as she was looking down at the ground, then taking another sip from her tea.  Oh dear…she’s upset…I was too happy and excited…I did something wrong…

“W-What’s wrong?” I asked in concern as I looked at her a bit scared, knowing full well she was going to say it’s my fault and that I didn’t do something right…I just wish I knew what it was I was supposed to do!

“No…it’s nothing…it’s just…I thought Rainbow Dash would come to a different answer…”  She answered a bit softly before sighing to herself and taking another sip from her tea…w-what did you expect her to say?  No?  W-What would that accomplish?  I thought the whole point of me doing that was to make her to say yes…but you wanted her to say no?  Why?  Wouldn’t that spoil her whole plans of trying to ‘set me up’ with other ponies?

“Clearly I might have been wrong though…if she just gave you the ok then she must not as care about you as much as I thought she did.” The white unicorn then continued sounding more and more depressed before making one last loud sigh.  N…Now she thinks Rainbow Dash doesn’t care?  If…if Dash didn’t then she wouldn't...or...maybe she would...oh I don’t know…but I do know she does care and what Rarity said was really uncalled for!

“Now Rarity…why in Equestria would you say that?” I immediately asked somewhat offended by what she said as I leaned my head back a bit, “Rainbow gave me her support…she also said that if…well…anything went wrong…that she’d be there for me…by…ummm…well…being violent actually…so…I hope it doesn’t come to that.” I then explained sternly…before…getting more nervous as I went on…as I revealed what Rainbow Dash would do if this whole thing turned out to be a bad idea…I was slightly afraid Rainbow would take some of her frustrations out on Rarity because of me…and I certainly don’t want though…oh and I don’t want to worry her with that…

“A-and w-we had such an amazing time last night that it couldn’t be more obvious that she cares about m…so-so don’t say that about her…” I then added still nervously before sheepishly taking a sip from the tea…she just looked at me shocked with her mouth hanging up…oh dear…I think she’s afraid that Rainbow might do something horrible to her if this does turn out badly.

“A-And don’t worry about her if this does turnout bad…I’ll make sure she won’t yell at you…”  I then said trying to muster up a comforting tone as I held one of my hoofs out to her…instead my voice just sounded high pitched and squeaky from all the nervousness and tension.  Rarity raised her hoof and used it to close her mouth shut before shaking her head to try and regain her composure.  She then put down the tea cup and released it from her magic.  Then she cleared her through and looked at me seriously.

“Ok…tell me exactly what happened after you left my boutique!” Rarity then said very sternly as she looked at me with a glare that was actually very intimidating…it was like she was demanding me to tell her about my day yesterday…well…ok I guess…

“Oh…well…ummm…first I delivered a rain cloud to Lotus’ garden…then I delivered a cloud to Bon Bon’s garden…then I delivered a cloud to-”

“No, no, no!” The fashion unicorn almost shouted, cutting me off as she raised both her hoofs at me, “I mean all the bits with Rainbow Dash!  Tell me exactly what happened when you spent time with her!” She then said calming down somewhat as she took a deep breath and put her hooves down…if…you just wanted to know about what happened when I was with Rainbow Dash why didn’t you just say so instead of asking me exactly what happened after I left you…I wouldn’t have upset her so if she did…oh well…she really wants to know about what happened between me and Dash yesterday so then I guess I better tell her…

“Well…first...she…kind of caught me…playing in a cloud…but she said it was ok…then we had lunch together which was very nice and…kind of personal…then we had to help out Twilight at the library where things got very personal…and that’s when she said it was ok for me to date…then we took the books Twilight gave us and dropped them off at your boutique…you weren’t home so we just left them on your doorstep…then we went back to Rainbow’s where…ummmm…revealed something personal….then Tank came in and we talked…which made Rainbow embarrassed so then she tried to make something but…ummm..needed some help so I instructed her on how to make dinner…which was lovely by the way…Dash could be a very good in the future…she just needs a bit more knowledge…then afterwards she flew me home and…well…t-that’s it…” I explained thoroughly as I looked up and put a hoof to my chin trying to recall them all…smiling as I did at the fond memories I now had and also…leaving out some stuff that I think Rainbow wouldn’t want me to share.

Rarity during the whole explanation just seemed to smile brighter and brighter before that old enthusiasm on her face returned…more clear than ever if that’s possible, “So…did you enjoy your time with her yesterday?” She then asked a bit teasingly as she raised an eyebrow at me.   I’m glad she’s not asking me about the personal stuff…but…shouldn’t she know that I had a good time yesterday?  I guess I didn’t make it clear or forgot to say I enjoyed my time with her yesterday.

“Oh yes…It was one of the best nights of my life…I loved it so much!”  I exclaimed happily as I smiled brightly and felt my wings uncontrollably flare up and start flapping because of my excitement…causing Rarity’s mane to lightly sway because of the breeze I was making…which actually made her chuckle to my surprise.

“Oh I can see that…” The unicorn with the purple mane replied in a teasing tone after her light chuckle, smiling and raising a hoof to her face.  I blushed a bit embarrassed as I forced my wings to return to my side. “So…how do you feel about Rainbow Dash?”  She then asked as her tone returned to a slightly more serious one…though it wasn’t as serious as before.   Why is she asking me how I feel about Rainbow Dash?   I mean isn’t it obvious what the answer is?

“Why she’s one of my closest friends!” I answered happily with a bright grin before…it slowly disappeared in my face as I looked at Rarity still looking at me seriously…O-oh…I see where this is going now…I think I know what she wants me to hear…she wants to hear about how much Rainbow means to me more than her…so she can be upset at me…I get it now…why didn’t I see it sooner?

“A-Alright…I-I admit it…in-in all honesty…I…I guess I consider Rainbow Dash the closest pony to me…I…she…she’s my best friend of out everypony I know…including you…I’m sorry…” I then admitted softly before immediately apologizing…feeling bad for admitting to her that she’s not my best friend and instead it’s Rainbow Dash…and to my dismay she continued staring at me with that look on her face….I’m sorry Rarity…but it’s true…

“…and how do you think she feels?”  She then asked as she wasn’t even blinking now…w-what?  That…that’s not the kind of response I was expecting…I was expecting ‘How could you Fluttershy!?’ or ‘Does our friendship mean nothing to you?’ or something very dramatic and heartbreaking along those lines…but…not this…and…why is she concerned about how Dash feels?  And…why ask me…it’s not like I would know right?  I mean…yeah Rainbow opens up to me from time to know so…I guess I would know out of everypony but…I still don’t know how she feels about me…

“I-I don’t know…I don’t think she feels that strongly like I do…and would just call me her close friend and maybe one of her best friends…I doubt she’d call me her best friend she’s ever had out of everypony she knows and has known…” I replied trying to be honest as possible…I guess that’s how Dash sees me…out of all our years knowing each other that’s how it seemed to me…I mean our relationship hasn’t really changed throughout the years so I guess that’s how it is.  Rarity said nothing and just continued to sit there for a few minutes.  Then she stood up suddenly and started to walk to the door.  Oh no!  I upset her…I should’ve lied and called her my best friend!

“I-I’m sorry Rarity!  I didn’t mean to upset you…please calm down!” I apologized as I put down the tea cup and got up to go after her.  She giggled at what I said and turned around and gave me…to my surprise…a comforting look.

“Oh its fine Fluttershy…don’t worry…I’m just tired of sitting back and waiting for you tell me everything…you should know that I do hate to sit on the sidelines and let ponies do my work for me…”  Rarity shrugged off nicely as she left the kitchen with me following close behind.  B-But…I thought she liked doing that?

“S-Sidelines?” I simply said in confusion as we entered the main room and started heading to the front door.

“Yes…so I’ll be right back…” She replied then informed as she got on a fancy coat and turned to look at me with a grin.

“Wh-Where are you going?” I asked curiously and concerned as I wondered where she could be going all of a sudden…she’s not going to try and find Rainbow Dash is she?

“To go and get Rainbow Dash…I want to see what goes on between you two personally rather than hearing about it verbally…” The unicorn answered with a nod as she confirmed my suspicions…do-does she really need to go find her after what I said?  She’s not going to yell at her is she?  No…it’s not that…she’s just going to talk to her personally about what me and her have been doing…for some reason..

“O-Ok…w-well…I’ll come with you…” I offered as I held a hoof out, I wanted to go with her and help…I mean it’s not like she can search the skies for her…with me with her she’ll have a better chance of finding her.

“Oh no darling…it’s quite I’ll right…just stay here…there’s something here that I need you two to help me with anyways and this way I’ll be taking care of two things at once!” She refused as she shook her head and raised her hoof to lower mine back down.  O-Oh she’s bringing her back here so she can help her with something…and…I’m supposed to help as well…with…what?  I guess I’ll find out later and…I guess I can’t change her mind either…

“A-Alright then…” I said softly, reluctantly agreeing as I nodded ever so slightly.  She giggled as she used her magic to grab a hat and put it on…making herself look quite fancy…although with Rarity it’s to be expected.

“Au revoir Fluttershy…I’ll be back soon…” She said politely as she turned around and opened the door to leave.  I…I don’t know about soon…it might take a while to find her…especially if she’s working on the weather…but…I guess I can stay here until you get back…

“Oh and do not talk to that gossiping little traitor known as my cat!”  She then said a bit seriously and frustrated as she turned around to look at me…I can’t tell if she’s angry at me or Opal…I guess it’s both…and I don’t want to make it any worse so…I’ll avoid her cat and not talk to her.

“O-Ok I won’t…G-Goodbye…” I whispered as I waved my hoof at her…even though she couldn’t see me do it as she left the building and shut the door behind her.  I sighed to myself and turned around to head back to the kitchen to finish off my cup of tea…I don’t’ want to waste it and make her think I didn’t like it

As I returned to the kitchen and sat back down on my haunches at the table…I couldn’t help but…kind of look forward to Rarity bringing Rarity back.   I mean I know she’s going to force her somehow and make Rainbow a little miffed but…I can’t help it…I want to see her again and spend more time with her…so we can have more moments like last night.  I smiled and started to sway back and forth in anticipation as I grabbed the tea cup to take another sip.  I know she said we’d do more stuff later…but…I want it to be sooner rather than later…I mean…after all…I said it before…Rainbow Dash is the closest pony to me…and most likely ever will be…

No other pony could take her place in my heart…

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