Fluttershy yawns and stretches her wings as she hops out of Twilight's bed.  The purple mare had left just nearly half an hour ago but the yellow pegasus felt the need to take a small nap.  She hadn't slept very long, but the relief of getting her 'secret' out in the open sent her reeling into relaxation; she just couldn't help it.  Twilight and Spike had been busy making breakfast while she was asleep, and from the smell she assumes that they're finished.  The newly rested pegasus, adhering to her name, happily flutters down the ladder toward the library, landing at the foot of the staircase to the upper floor.  She delicately trots toward the kitchen, gazing around at the beauty of the tree in the morning.  The east-facing windows are open, letting in beaming rays of sunlight to illuminate Twilight's entire collection of books in a wonderful golden glow.  Intoxicated by the smell she walks in through the kitchen door frame, wondering at the turmoil as Twilight attempts to help Spike cook breakfast.  Spike had always been the cook, and was extremely talented, but currently is stuck supervising Twilight, who has taken it upon herself to do the cooking for Fluttershy in a goofy attempt to make her feel welcome.  

"Twilight you should really just let me do the cooking..." Spike says, shaking his head at Twilight's struggles to keep something from burning.  

"No Spike, I can do this, I promise... Besides, Fluttershy is here and I would just like to feel like I've done something nice for her lately,"  She replies, an obvious tone of frustration in her voice as she burns yet another batch of pancakes.  

"Uhm... Twilight?"  Fluttershy says, speaking up and accidentally surprising the both of them; neither had heard her come down the stairs or step into the kitchen on account of the noise of clanging metal.  Twilight loses concentration with her magic and accidentally lets the frying pan drop onto the stove, splattering pancake batter everywhere.  "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you two,"  She says and shrinks away a little.

Spike groans at the new mess and glares at Twilight, who just smiles back and him with a nervous chuckle and blush.  "On second thought, Spike why don't you just go ahead and cook...  I'll clean up instead, most of this is my mess anyway,"  Spike gives Twilight a nasty look and snatches the frying pan away from her,  scraping off the burnt batter and proceeding to pour in a fresh batch and shoo away the ponies from the kitchen with his tail.  

Fluttershy can't help but giggle at the unicorn, walking out into the dining area that Twilight had set up for them, "You didn't have to do that Twilight..."  She says modestly, overhearing the conversation and feeling overwhelmingly flattered.

"I'm a little embarrassed that you heard that...  Honestly I just don't know how to behave in this situation,"  She admits with a blush, having genuinely wanted to make Fluttershy feel wanted, but hoping that she didn't overdo it.  On the way out of the kitchen she grabs a hoof towel and tries to clean some of the batter that had landed on her face.

"That's okay, Twilight, I just appreciate that you... uhm... that you didn't run away screaming when I told you..."  Her voice trails off as she ends her phrase, still the tiniest bit uncomfortable at the thought.  

"Fluttershy,"  Twilight says comfortingly, stepping up next to the pegasus and trying to lock eyes with her despite her attempts to look away, "I know it was difficult to speak up about that...  and I don't want to be a disappointment.  I just don't know quite... how to continue a relationship with another mare...  Or with either gender for that matter.  I'm not exactly the most social and likeable unicorn in Equestria you know..."  

"I know, Twilight... and honestly I haven't ever been in a situation where I've even been attracted to another mare... or, well, honestly anypony aside from silly crushes that I quickly changed my mind about.  I'm still sorry for springing it without notice on you... no matter what I hope we can always be friends,"  Fluttershy replies.  Her cheeks grow dark red from the conversation but she still tries to look up and keep eye contact.  

Lately the timid mare had constantly been trying to fight away her fears of social engagement... trying but not succeeding.  However, Twilight is different from just any random pony off the street.  She's compassionate, if not a little socially awkward herself, and always understanding.  What's most important is that she goes out of her way not to judge anyone for their various quirks, and always looks for the good in anypony she meets.  

Twilight immediately gets that same usual sparkle in her eyes anytime she sees or hears something she likes, wasting no time in narrowing her gaze at the yellow mare, "Well you know what that means then don't you?"  She follows her rhetorical question with a sly grin.

"N-no... what's that mean?"  Fluttershy states nervously, glancing around with a bit of worry in her eyes as the purple unicorn inches ever closer to her.

"This is a job for an experiment!"  She shouts, startling the timid Fluttershy just from the power of her voice... Leave it to Twilight Sparkle to make it scientific.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the pair finish up their breakfast, each one with a large helping of rich cream-cheese and cinnamon pancakes, Twilight hurries about her task of gathering a quill and paper to write out the premise of her 'experiment'.  Fluttershy finds this kind of behavior absolutely adorable, if not a little impersonal.  She still can't help but enjoy the unicorn for who she is, especially for the fact that she wasn't afraid to just act on impulse.  

"So, Twilight...  What's this 'experiment' exactly... uhm... for, again?"  Fluttershy timidly asks, not totally understanding the premise and implications.  

"Well, Fluttershy...  Since neither of us have really been in this situation before I can use it as a control to test out exactly how compatible we are in a relationship.  I really hope that I can observe us, keep tabs on behavior, try and track what we feel like it's going to turn into after a while...  This could really help me understand what a meaningful relationship is all about, even though we're... you know... both mares and everything,"

Fluttershy can't help but giggle at Twilight's ridiculous way of going about this, but does take into account that she must be interested if she's willing to look at it empirically.  "Just promise me you won't let keeping tabs on all of this ruin all the fun.  Relationships are supposed to be fun... aren't they?"  She asks, blushing a bit and watching as Spike takes it upon himself to leave before anymore mushy romance contaminates the air.  

"Right you are, Fluttershy... Uhhhm, could you do me a favor?"  Twilight asks, unsuccessfully fighting a thin blush across her nose.

"Anything, what is it?"  Fluttershy responds immediately, knowing that she certainly means she would do anything for Twilight.  Except maybe stand up in front of a crowd and give a speech.

"I-if I let it get out of hand just go ahead and let me know...  I really do want this to work... I just don't have any, well, references to go off of.  I've never known any mares who liked other mares before,"  She says with a sheepish grin.

Do we know the same Rainbow Dash as she does, Co-pilot?  Fluttershy asks herself, suppressing the voice as she nods and agrees "Of course, Twilight, I'll do my best to take a little initiative...  But uhm, d-do you want to tell our friends?"

Twilight blushes, and glances around; Spike wasn't a threat to privacy, but Twilight has a nervous habit of checking around corners for any gossipy, eavesdropping fiends. "D-do you think they'll be okay with it?"  She stutters, nervously tracing a circle on the floor with her hoof.

"It's okay, Twilight... I don't really wanna say anything either yet to be honest... I just don't know what they'll think of me... us...  Maybe it's just too soon, I'm sorry i asked."  

"Well, why don't we just spend some time... testing the water I think is how most ponies say it.  We'll give it a try and see if it works out... If we're happy then we can decide where to go from there, okay?"  Twilight certainly does care about Fluttershy, expressing concern for her extremely delicate sense of self esteem.  She walks up to the sheepish pony, glancing around to see if Spike is watching (as if he cares) and uses her nose to brush the pegasus's mane out of her face.  "No pressure, just enjoy it and see where it goes," Twilight whispers in her ear, finishing the statement with a soft kiss on the cheek.  

Fluttershy shivers from the affectionate actions, still not used to such treatment, but definitely wanting more.  Her face turns brick red and she returns the smooch, taking the time to rest her head on Twilight's shoulder, standing there in total bliss.  

Twilight tilts her head and gently nuzzles it up against Fluttershy's, no longer glancing around for any prying eyes and just going with what she feels is right.  She tangles her front legs with Fluttershy's and looks her in the eye with a smile.  "I just want for the both of us to be comfortable, right now that's all that matters,"  

Fluttershy refuses to speak, knowing that her voice might crack from all of the tear-jerking happiness that she's trying to suppress.  Only nodding and flicking her head so that her mane moves aside, losing herself in Twilight's eyes once again; mind wandering and heart... for lack of a better word... fluttering.  

The moment is broken just as Twilight looks about to say something; a certain purple dragon has stepped into the door, clearing his throat for attention.  "I hate to interrupt you two, but you just got a letter, Twi,"  He says, holding up a scroll bearing the Princess's seal.  

Both ponies blush intensely, though Spike doesn't even seem to be phased; just passing off all the lovey-dovey, touchey-feely business as gross and girly behavior.  "Oh... Uh, thank you Spike... Fluttershy, why don't you make yourself comfortable while I go take care of this real quick?  You can look for that book you were hoping to check out earlier,"  She says, glancing back and forth between the impatiently waiting dragon and the yellow pegasus.  

"Oh right!  I had actually forgotten about that... thank you, Twilight, I'll just be here waiting then,"  Fluttershy masks her disappointment with a grin, figuring that she's finally found something a little more interesting than a book, only to have it taken away.  

Wow Co-pilot, I didn't think I'd ever catch you being self-centered for a change,  The 'voice of courage' manages to dig its way into her thoughts once again; mocking her as always.  Fluttershy glances over her shoulder to catch the fleeting image of Twilight's tail as it disappears into the basement with Spike.

What do you mean?  I just was hoping we could spend the day together, that's all...  She responds in her head, taking flight and hovering along the top racks of Twilight's bookcases.  Each one was impeccably clean and perfectly organized.  

Pfft, you can't lie to me Co-pilot... I'm the only reason you can lie at all,  She's starting to sound kind of smug...  Fluttershy opens up a book to keep her looking busy should Twilight come back in.

At least stop making fun of me... I'm trying my best to do what you encouraged me to...  Fluttershy responds, putting the book back in exactly the place she had gotten it from.  She continues to slowly flit along the bookcases in alphabetical order, stopping at the top of the "D" section and glancing over the beautifully emblazoned spines of all the well-maintained tomes.

Aww c'mon, can't you take a joke?  Hey... What're you doing?  Fluttershy hates the fact that this voice always seems to know what she's up to before she actually does it.  She pulls a book from the long list of titles: DSM.  The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, by the Equestrian Psychiatric Association.  

What's wrong? Can't take a joke? Fluttershy mocks her little voice right back, leafing through the book until she comes across the section for Dissociative disorders.  She reads down the list, mouthing out the definition for Dissociative Identity, otherwise known as Multiple Personality or Split Personality disorder.  

How dare you? Her voice asks her, though still in an oddly calm tone.  I'm not something wrong with you, I'm a part of you... You just refuse to accept me, that's all.  She says, a tinge of annoyance in the mental voice, though not quite retaining anger.  

You're not me...  Fluttershy closes the book and puts it back where she found it, not feeling truly like the voice fits the description.  

Nothing could be further from the truth, Co-pilot.  

Unfortunately the 'voice of courage' is right.  Most pegasi have a tendency to be adventurous and athletic, even competitive, at least to a degree.  Fluttershy was the same way early in her life, but years of constant bullying and an oppressive family structure have burned away her desire to be better than anyone, and even her desire to excel at simple, private tasks.  Those feelings never went away however, they're just buried, and from time to time they manifest as the voice Fluttershy had come to recognize; the Fluttershy that she wishes she could be: strong, stoic, confident, and bold.  The Fluttershy that everypony knows and loves, however, is an entity of pure comfort and happiness.  She loves to be kind and generous, it makes her feel good inside, but there's always that little voice digging at her to go out and fly really fast,  kick some clouds, or maybe just go to a party.  She wouldn't ever admit or acknowledge it, but the brief moment that discord locked up her sweetness was a rush; she never felt more alive, even though the whole incident was poisoned with the bitter taste of regret for the horrible actions.

Fluttershy, lost in memory, imagines that moment.  Visualizing that her inner voice was manipulating her with puppet strings.  The trance is broken as the mare of her recent desire steps back into the library, calling out for Fluttershy.

"Heya! I'm done, just a quick check-in from the Princess... somehow she got a free moment and decided to send me a letter.  Nothing too important, thank goodness,"  Twilight says, taking a seat in the center of her library.  "Find anything you like?"

In a fit, Fluttershy reaches over and grabs a random book from the lineup, trying to pretend like she'd been doing something productive and not just flying around talking to herself.  "Yeah, uhm... This one looked kind of interesting," she says, flashing a nervous smile at the lavender unicorn who reads the title aloud.

"Essential Salts: A guide to preparing the dead...  Uhh... That's... That's certainly interesting,"  She says, looking quizzically at the confused pegasus.  Fluttershy gasps and looks at the title, sure enough the unicorn was telling the truth.  

"Oh! Oh my... I think I grabbed the wrong book,"  Feeling her stomach turn as her active imagination begins to visualize an extraordinarily tame version of a corpse preparation (such an innocent mind can only conjure up so much...).  "I wanted, uhhm..." she flies around the top of Twilight's bookcases again, scanning the "E" section for anything that seems up her alley.  "This! This is what I meant to get,"  She says as she yanks the "Equestrian guide to vegan cuisine" out of the rack.  

"Ahh now it all makes sense... See, here I thought you had some kind of demented necrology lab in your basement or something,"  Twilight says jokingly, though Fluttershy doesn't exactly realize that.

Fluttershy squeaks "H-How could you think that I-I-I'd have tha--"  But Twilight interrupts.

"Relax, Fluttershy, I was only kidding..." comforting the pegasus and trying to stave off a giggle as she speaks.  Fluttershy can't help but blush at having believed such a thing; she lands a few feet from Twilight and sighs in relief.  

"Uhhm, Twilight?"  Fluttershy says after a short minute of silence, "It's starting to get a little late and I should really get back home to feed the animals... did, uhm, did you want to... j-join me?"  Fluttershy's blush returns, this time feeling almost feverishly hot in her cheeks.  Well well, what do we have here?  Co-pilot asking Twilight to join her at home? That's new...  Fluttershy simply ignores the voice and tries to keep her composure, looking into Twilight's eyes and inadvertently giving her the puppy-dog look.  

Twilight glances over her shoulder at Spike, who nods his head and uses his claws to mock a 'shoo' expression.  By now that dragon would do just about anything to ventilate the library of all the 'mushy, girly drama' and so doesn't even mind the thought of extra chores to keep the place in order.  The unicorn turns back to face Fluttershy, only shrugging and agreeing to take her up on it.  "It's a date,"  She exclaims with a big smile to back it up.