The moment Rainbow opened the doors and entered the shelter, she was given the usual greeting that she'd come to expect when coming here. Animal after animal squawking, barking and otherwise making their presence known with some sort of call. Combined, it was almost a deafening experience, causing the young athlete to grimace slightly. But, she nevertheless continued to enter the building, and with her she carried a lager box, which she struggled to hold onto as she closed the door behind her. However, she managed to get inside all the same, and after glancing around for a few moments, she broke into a smile as she caught sight of the one she'd come here for.

"Hey there, Flutters!"

Her childhood friend was indeed there, kneeling beside one enclosure in particular. A pair of small dogs were rearing up to feed out of her hand as she was offering a few treats to them, but they, like every other animal, soon started barking happily once they'd noticed Rainbow's approach. As for Fluttershy, she too smiled as she turned to look upon her colleague.

"I'm glad you were able to make it, Rainbow."

Rainbow chuckled to that.

"Hey, it's no problem. I've still got some time before Aria expects me and Indigo down at the gym. So..."

She looked around for a few seconds.

"...where do I put this?"

Seeing Rainbow nodding down to her box, Fluttershy got up from her position, standing upright and brushing down her skirt briefly before walking over to her. Graciously, she accepted the delivery, taking it herself and moving it over to the front desk of the shelter. After fumbling around with it, she soon got it open, and once she'd done that, she reached in and pulled out a few small bags of what was clearly animal food. Looking back to her friend, she smiled.

"The shelter will be able to make good use of this for some time. Thank you."

Rainbow nodded, seeing her friend start to rummage around and get more of the box's contents out, before then moving over to one of the nearby animal enclosures. She reached inside, petting one of the docile-looking dogs, before glancing back to Fluttershy.

"So, you alone here today?"

Fluttershy turned to her, then noticed that she was looking at the currently-vacant front desk, prompting her to look back to her and shake her head.

"Oh, don't worry about that. The head of the shelter just needed to pop out and talk with a colleague of hers down the road."

Though Rainbow nodded to that, she placed her hands upon her hips and started looking around the rest of the room.

"Yeah, but...isn't there anyone else to help you with this stuff? I mean, I could always call Aria and..."

But, she was halted, as Fluttershy gently raised a hand to her, offering her a genuine smile as she shook her head.

"Oh, you don't needn't worry about that, Rainbow. I'm not alone here today."

Rainbow raised an eyebrow to that, once more glancing around to see that there was, in fact, nobody here. But, as before, she didn't get the chance to say anything on the matter, as both she and Fluttershy could now hear the sound of a large vehicle outside the shelter. Turning in unison, they found that it was a bright yellow bus, stopping just outside, which prompted Fluttershy to continue smiling.

"Ah, here she is."

Though confused, Rainbow continued to look on as the bus stayed where it was. Eventually, it started to move, and once gone, it was revealed that there had been somebody dropped off on the other side. Standing on the far side of the road from the shelter was a girl, one who looked both ways before crossing, and as she drew nearer, Rainbow was able to get a better look at her. The most obvious aspect of her appearance was the familiar uniform of Crystal Prep, CHS's former rivals. But, there was one definite addition to this attire, and that was the light blue hijab the girl wore around her head, leaving only her face of bright pink skin exposed. As the mystery girl finally entered the shelter, she smiled as she saw Fluttershy.

"Hi, Fluttershy."

The young animal carer nodded back to her.

"And hello to you, Amira."

She turned, gesturing to Rainbow.

"This is Rainbow."

Amira turned, looking to Rainbow with bright blue eyes, and smiled, offering her hand.

"A pleasure to meet you. Fluttershy's told me all about you."

To that, Rainbow smirked, taking the offered hand and shaking it.

"All good stuff, I hope?"

There was a brief round of laughter after that, and when it ended, Fluttershy gestured to the newcomer while facing Rainbow, and then started to explain things.

"Amira started volunteering here a few months back, just before the Friendship Games."

Rainbow was taken aback by this news, looking over to Amira, who continued the explanation.

"Yeah, it was just after the local shelter in the city got shut down. I started hearing about this one and...well...here I am."

Taking that in, Rainbow folded her arms, nodding.

"Okay...and you weren't bothered about Flutters being...you know...?"

To that, Amira rolled her eyes a little.

"If you mean that she's from CHS and I'm from Crystal Prep, then nope. I mean, come on, it's just a sports contest between two schools. That's nothing to get hung up over, right?"

Hearing that, Rainbow chuckled nervously.

"Hehe...yeah...I mean...who'd obsess over that...right?"

An awkward silence fell over the three girls, during which, Fluttershy slowly shook her head as she kept her eyes on Rainbow. As for Amira, she looked from one friend to the other with some slight confusion, only to then break the silence after clearing her throat.

"Right...well...do I need to get out some of the equipment, Fluttershy?"

Turning to her, Fluttershy resumed her earlier small smile.

"That would be nice. Rainbow already brought the food, so we should probably get started."

Amira nodded, walking over to a door on the far side of the room, all while Rainbow and Fluttershy watched her go. Only when the girl was gone did anybody say anything, ad that was when Rainbow spoke up to her friend.

"So, must be pretty nice having someone else here to help you out for once, eh, Flutters?"

Fluttrershy nodded.

"Yes. Amira's been a big help. And the way she gets on with the animals is just remarkable."

Unbeknownst to Fluttershy, Rainbow now placed one hand upon her hip, raised an eyebrow and smirked slightly.

"Oh yeah?"

Fluttershy nodded, continuing.

"One time, when Sour brought her dog over for one of his regular training lessons, she handled him so well, even I couldn't believe it."

Taking those words in, Rainbow nodded slowly, maintaining her smirk.

"Uh-huh...thought so."

Fluttershy turned to her, seeming confused at her friend's tone, which led to the latter pointing a finger right at her.

"You like her, don't you!"

Immediately, bright red came to Fluttershy's cheeks, and she started fumbling her words.

"What?! No! I mean, I never really thought about it, even though I...well...she and I have never..."

But Rainbow cut her off, shaking her head slightly.

"Don't even try, Flutters. I know like-face when I see it."

Before the animal lover could react, Rainbow's hand was upon her shoulder.

"Ask her out."

The words had not been a suggestion, but a command, causing Fluttershy's head to snap in Rainbow's direction, still bearing a massive blush.

"W...what?!"

Folding her arms, Rainbow nodded.

"You heard me. Next time she comes out here, ask her out."

Fluttershy looked over to the nearby door, then back to Rainbow.

"But...but...it'd be too...you know...embarrassing!"

Rainbow once more raised an eyebrow.

"What, more embarrassing than some of the stuff I've had to do lately?"

Fluttershy opened her mouth, only to pause as she took in Rainbow's words.

"I...no, that's actually a good point."

Rainbow nodded.

"Fluttershy, this is something you want. Don't even try to say otherwise."

The pink-haired girl looked away, unable to look Rainbow in the eye right now, especially since her obvious blush would have made it impossible to attempt a denial at this point. However, she wasn't even given a chance to say anything, as it was at this point that Amira returned, carrying a few pieces of cleaning equipment from the back rooms. For the time bring, she didn't look at the other two girls, giving Rainbow an opening to silently gesture to Fluttershy. Though clearly hesitant, it was also evident to Fluttershy that Rainbow was not going to let up on this. So, after taking a few deep breaths, she walked over to her fellow volunteer, pausing just as she was sorting the equipment out at the front desk, before making a deliberate cough, catching Amira's attention.

"Something wrong, Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy paused again, weighing her words carefully, scratching the back of her head in a nervous manner, before just starting to speak.

"Well...um...what are you up to tomorrow?"

Though uncertain as to where this was going, Amira considered that question.

"Tomorrow? Er...nothing really. Why do you ask?"

Embarrassment was plastered all over Fluttershy's face, and as she took a moment to twirl her finger in some of her hair, she found herself just coming out and saying what this was all leading up to.

"I was...I was wondering if, maybe...you'd like to...spend some time together?"

Naturally, Amira seemed to be taken aback by this.

"What, you mean...like a date?!"

Unable to look at her, Fluttershy nodded.

"Um...yes?" she said meekly.

"Amira said nothing, looking away from Fluttershy for a few seconds before turning to face her yet again, bearing a genuine smile.

"Sure."

Fluttershy's head snapped in her direction.

"What?! Really?!"

Amira nodded.

"Yep. Does twelve at Sugar Cube Corner sound good?"

Though she fumbled her words again, Fluttershy nevertheless got an answer out.

"Um...yes?"

Amira smiled to her.

"Great. I'll see you there then. Oh!"

She snapped her fingers.

"I forgot the disinfectant. I'll be right back!"

And with that, she rushed off back to the back rooms, leaving a somewhat dumbfounded Fluttershy in her wake. The young animal carer was unable to say anything right now, simply watching as her latest friend went away again, but when the doors were closed, and it was once more just her and Rainbow, she turned to face the latter. Rainbow, for her part, was looking very happy about all of this, bearing one of her usual looks of confidence. As for Fluttershy, she, eventually just blinked slowly before looking her friend in the eye and sighing.

"Well...I guess I'm having a date then."