August 10

Fluttershy woke up early with her alarm. She liked Mondays. She stretched and went through her morning routine. She went downstairs to make breakfast and was surprised to see her brother up. Normally he didn’t even consider getting up for another two hours.

“Zephyr?”

“Hey sis.” Zephyrus didn’t sound happy. He didn't look good. He had horrible bed head and his pajamas had dirt on them. She sat at the kitchen table with a glass of water.

“What’s wrong?”

“You didn’t hear anything?” Fluttershy continued to look puzzled and Zephyrus sighed. “Boy you are a hard sleeper. Lucky you. You know-”

“Get on with it.”

“I’m sorry.” Zephyr sighed. “A dog got into Angel’s pen. He is in his cage and he doesn’t look to good.”

“What! Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why didn’t you get me right a way? Where is the dog? Where is Angel? Is my bunny hurt? Why are you just sitting here!” Fluttershy shouted.

“Hold on sis! This just happened. The dog woke me up and I went out and saw it try to attack Angel. He was in his cage so the dog could only bark at him. I went in and grabbed the dog and I put him in the garage. I tried to check the bunny but he was hiding away. I came back in and got a glass of water to drink because my throat hurts and then I was going to go get you.”

Fluttershy stood still for a moment processing. “Call the humane society, report the missing dog. Right now!”

“Can’t I-” Zephyrus pointed at his half empty glass.

“Right now!” Fluttershy twisted and spirited away.

She sprinted upstairs and grabbed her geode necklace and then back down the stairs. She spotted Zephyrus holding their home phone. She continued running strait for Angel’s outdoor cage. She rounded the corner.

“Angel!” she called out. Her necklace glowed in her hands. “Angel!”

She trough open the lid of his cage. She picked up the log he liked to hide under. He wasn’t there. She ran her fingers through the fresh hay. She found him hiding in a pile.

“Angel talk to me.”

Angel didn’t move he was still warm and she could feel his heartbeat. His pulse was sporadic and his breathing rapid. She could feel that he was in great pain. Fluttershy pulled out her phone and called her vet.

Zephyrus had just gotten through to someone at the humane society when his parents walked in.

“Zephyr what are you doing up?” his father asked. He waved his hand to shush him.

“Yeah a big black dog. Maybe a mastiff. I don’t know dogs very well. There was no white on him he had a collar. I locked him in our garage. I can try to go and read it but he was really aggressive it took all my strength to pull him away from the bunny cage.”

“Bunny cage!” Mr. and Mrs. Shy exchanged looks of shock. They rushed out the door to the rabbit cage. They found Fluttershy holding Angel and making noises at him.

“Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy dropped her necklace and looked up.

“Is there anything we can do?”

“Start the car. We need to get him to the vet now.”

“I’ll stay here with Zephyr and the dog” Mrs. Shy said.

Mr. Shy jogged inside to get the car keys and then jogged over to his car and started it up. Fluttershy sat in the passenger seat and they took off.

The two of them pulled up to the clinic the moment it opened. They rushed in and headed for the desk.

“Ah Fluttershy nice to see you again right this way.” he led them through the doors. “Thank you for calling ahead of time it helps us get ready. Emergency visits are hard to predict.”

They walked into a room. The vet was still getting ready. “Set him right there.” he pointed at the scale.

An hour later the vet took off his gloves and walked over to talk to Fluttershy and her father. “He is suffering from extreme internal bleeding I have him on pain killers now. There is nothing else we can do. He is not going to make it.”

Mr. Shy started crying.

“Can I have a moment with him alone?” Fluttershy asked. The vet and her father left the room. Fluttershy put on her necklace. She look a deep breath and it started to glow.

“Angel. I am going to miss you so much. Your life has meant the world to me and your death is going to be hard to live with. I don’t know what is next for you but I hope it is wonderful. Good buy.” Fluttershy took a few deep breaths and her necklace faded. She walked out the door without a second glance at Angel.

“You can do it.” Fluttershy told the vet.

They walked back in. Angel was wrapped in a towel Fluttershy held him as the doctor euthanized him. Mr. Shy cried.

Fluttershy drove her van from work to the post office. She had tried to work but her boss insisted on a paid day off. Fluttershy pulled in and started unloading boxes. She piled them all together and walked in slowly.

She set the boxed down on a counter to readjust and spotted a display of stationeries. She was hit with the urge to write someone a letter. She had so far neglected to tell any of her friends that Angel was dead. She could write Rainbow Dash but she would flip out. On the other hand Gilda…

Fluttershy picked out a medium sized card and envelope and a large envelope. She wrote Gilda Norton and then Rainbow Dash’s address. On the big envelope. She then wrote ‘This is not for you Rainbow’ on the outside of the smaller envelope.

Dear Gilda,

Do you remember my pet rabbit? His was very small and pure while I named him Angel. He died today. He was scared to death by a dog. He lived a long and full life for a rabbit. He was 8 which is pretty good. It just could have been longer.

I feel very numb right now. I know what just happened but I don’t entirely believe it. He comforted me after I would get bullied at school he comforted me after our fight he helped me handle the stress of moving here. I don’t know what I will do without him.

I remember when I picked him out, he was the smallest in his litter and I thought he would be my cuddle companion. I was wrong. He had a big personality. I could never get him to do anything he didn’t want to do. He tough me a lot about independence. He was so stubborn. I miss his attitude already.

I don’t know if you have ever had someone in your life that has meant this much to you. The nice thing about a pet is that they don’t judge you. They see you and they know that you are sad or stressed and they just sit with you while you calm down. You don’t need to explain to they why you feel the way you do or what you could do next time. They just sit with you.

I think that is what I will miss the most.

Sincerely Fluttershy

Fluttershy picked up her boxes again and walked over to the check out line counter. She waited for a few people and then it was her turn.

“You have quite the load!” the man behind the counter remarked.

“Yeah I’m helping my friend move.”

“Let’s see.” he put the first one on the scale. He weighed them one by one.

“So are these boxes it?”

“No I picked out this card and two envelopes.”

“Alight that all comes to $98.64 please.”

Fluttershy handed over most of the cash Rainbow had given her.

“The letter should get there by Wednesday and the boxed will all show up by the middle of next week.” he smiled and printed her recite. “Here is your tracking numbers and survey.” he circled the recite. “Have a great day!”

Fluttershy got into her car and sat there for a moment. Now what?

She found herself diving and was surprised when her autopilot took her to the food bank. Her family was just below the qualifying line again. Although if she left they wouldn’t be. Her parents didn’t like going until they were more desperate. She decided to go. She grabbed her wallet and a piece of mail and walked over to the line. There was always a line but Fluttershy could be patient.

I realize people may not know much about food banks and those who do probably just know about their local food bank. I work at one and based this food bank of of it. I figured I’d explain it a little so you have something to picture.

The building is a converted warehouse. There is a staff entrance and a client entrance. There is also an upstairs were there are some offices. There is the store part where clients pick out products and then there is the extensive back. All of the doors to the back are the swinging kind that can be pushed open with a cart. There is a place where produce sorting happens. Three is a large sink and bags full of cleaning rags and medical gloves. Beyond this room there are the loading room where the trucks drop off donations from stores and then storage. One side has the coolers and the freezer and the other is the non perishable storage.

New stuff comes in every day.

In the shopping aria three are ‘stations’ there is the dairy section which consists of the dairy case that has everything from pre made soup to cheese and yogurt. And the milk and juice case. There is a protein in the largely consists of frozen meat. There are sometimes frozen pizzas, tofu and veggie burgers. The produce section is in the middle. There are boxes that lump similar things together. There is a non perishable section that also give out toilet paper, packs of diapers and shaving razors. There there is the baked goods section. There are all manor of bread products here.

Everyone checks in and gets a colored card. The color is based on family size: a household or 1 or 2, a household of 3 or 4 and a household of 5 and up. The amount that you take from each station depends on your card. It varies from station to station and day to day. In general larger families get more. Also you can pick up for a second family. There are specific rules.

The volunteers can also be clients and pick up for themselves and other families.

Did this make sense? Any questions?

Eventually Fluttershy made it to the front of the line. She check in and got a cart and box. She wandered through the dairy section and picked out a few snacks that her brother would like. Passed the meat section (no one in her family eats meat) and over to the produce section.

Fluttershy spotted Applejack* helping someone. She was dressed in her overalls and stetson. She always dressed as farmer-ly as possible when she came to the food bank. She was picking out produce for a man in a wheelchair. Fluttershy looked at the lettuce. She found a box of Angel’s favorite kind. She took a deep breath and set it down. He was the only one who ate that mix.

“Hey Fluttershy it has been awhile since I have seen you here. Don’t you have work.”

“Yeah. My boss gave me the day off.”

“How come?”

“Just because.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

“I’m here for you it you need me.” Applejack said earnestly.

“Excuse me.” one of Applejack’s co-workers tapped her on the shoulder. “Can you help us with some crates in the back?”

“Do mind? I’ll be right back.” Applejack asked.

“Sure.” Applejack jogged off and through the staff doors. Fluttershy looked at the grapes and berries boxes. She picked out a container a strawberries and a few ears of corn from the next bin. She found a squashed peach and handed it to an employee. She picked out lots of potatoes and found a good lemon.

Applejack came back through the double doors effortlessly carrying a large box of fruit juice. A second employee followed her with a crate of milk. Fluttershy marveled at the ease of Applejack’s movement that box didn’t give her any trouble but her coworker was struggling a little. Applejack pulled out a hunting knife and cut into the box she pulled out six cartens and set them aside. She then pulled out the rest and but the in the Milk and Juice Case. She carried the six she set aside into to the back.

Applejack came out and smiled at Fluttershy. Fluttershy noticed she was staring. “Do you want some orange mango pineapple juice?” Applejack called out.

“Sure.” Fluttershy responded. Applejack got out one of the juices she unloaded and brought it over.

“Did you get anything from that case?”

“No.” Applejack set the container in Fluttershy’s box.

“So is your family doing okay? I don’t mean to pry too much but you don’t normally come hear unless things have gotten very tight.”

“We are fine. I was just looking for some options so we can save up for treats.”

“Of course. That’s why my family likes this place.”

“You were taking six juices do you pick up for other families.”

“Yes! There is a family of five I pick up for in the county and two families of three. Big Mac or I come in with the truck and some donations and we leave with food for us and a few neighbors who don’t have the time to come in.”

“That’s great!”

“Yup! Feeding families. That what I love to do!” Applejack sighed in contentment.
“I need to get back to work sugar cube. I’ll talk to you later.” Applejack jogged off and through the staff doors.

Fluttershy walked over to the baked goods section. She recognized some pastries as being donated by Sugarcube Corner. She decided to garlic pesto twist for her brother. She got some bread and walked over to the non-perishable section. One shelf was all cake batter. The entire shelf. It was intimidating. She got a few cans of lentil soup and a can of beans.

She checked her phone for the time. Ten minutes until the food bank closed. She decided to double back and check to see if there was anything she missed. She was walking over to the Milk and Juice Case when she heard a sharp cry of pain. She spun to face it. Applejack was carrying a large heavy bod and seemed to have run into a stack of crates.

“Are you alright?” one of the male staff asked. He went over to her and took the box.

“I think I’ll have a bruise but I’ll be fine.” Applejack said rubbing her thigh.

Applejack, unfazed, went back to carrying heavy boxes.

Fluttershy left the food back. One of the volunteers carried her heavy box out to her car. After loading it she thanked him and he walked away. She wandered around and spotted Big Macintosh’s truck. She went over and waited for Applejack to show up.

Twenty minutes after closing time Applejack appeared wheeling a cart of boxes full of food.

“Hey Fluttershy. I thought you left.” Applejack unlocked the trunk. Half of the trunk was already full.

“What is that?”

“A filing cabinet.”

“Why do you have that in there?”

“I am going to go drop it off at Pinkie’s. I wasn’t able to do so before work so I am going to do it now.” Applejack stared at the pile of boxes with her hand on her hips.

“Do you need help?”

“No. I just remembering which boxes are for which family so I can make it easier to upload.” she started loading boxes.

Applejack caught Fluttershy staring again. “What?”

“You are just so strong!”

Applejack chucked. “I get that a lot.”

There was a pause. “I don’t mean to be rude but is there a reason you are here?” Applejack asked.

Fluttershy jumped a little in surprise. What should she say.

After a moment Fluttershy decided to share her big news. “I don’t know if I’m ready to talk about this yet but I need to tell someone. I… Angel died this morning.”

Applejack froze with a box in her hands. The turned to face Fluttershy.

“Oh my word Fluttershy. What happened?”

“A dog got into his pen and scared him. The stress caused serious internal bleeding and the vet euthanized him.”

Applejack set down the box and hugged Fluttershy.

After a moment of hesitation Fluttershy melted into the hug. She started balling her eyes out.

Fluttershy’s world seemed to spin. She couldn’t catch her breath. She shook with each breath. Her nose began to run and she felt a wet spot grow on Applejack's shirt. Applejack just kept hugging her.

They stood like that for ten minutes.

Eventually Fluttershy got her breathing under control. She pulled back a little. Applejack did not let go. She looked up into Fluttershy’s eyes. Fluttershy had always been taller.

“Thank you. I needed that.” Fluttershy whispered.

“Anytime.”

“Can you not tell the others? I want to be the one who tells them and I want to do it in person.”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.” Applejack pulled Fluttershy in for another hug.

Applejack stepped into the shower and stood for a while letting the hot water run over her body. It always felt good to clean off.

She reflected on her day.

Her doctor's appointment had taken up most of the morning. There was a cancellation that allowed her to slip in. The appointment had been short and had gone went well. Her doctor's biggest concern was over exertion. Applejack had assured her she would take precautions to prevent another fainting episode. She also had a suggestion but she didn’t want to think about that now.

And then there was running into Fluttershy at the food bank. Applejack Was worried about her younger friend. She lost her pet. Applejack had had a hard time losing her pets and Fluttershy only had the one. She thanked her luck that Winona was young.

Then she went to Pinkie Pie’s house. That was an adventure. It always was. Pinkie Pie was trying to make a firework and Applejack and Maud had to stop her from blowing up the house. That had been intense.

Applejack had loved dropping off the boxes of food. Seeing the kids excitedly discover what treas she had picked out for them just made her day. After that she had come home and done chores.

Applejack washed her hair and body. Then she turned off the shower and stood letting the water drain off her.

Applejack climbed out of the tub and started drying off. Her reflection in the mirror caught her eye as she twisted her hair up in her towel. She approached the mirror and studied herself with a critical eye. After staring for a few minutes she continued her drying routine.

Applejack changed into her night clothes in her room. She wanted to lie down and read a book until she fell asleep but she found she was caving scrambled eggs.

After waging an internal argument she decided to indulge herself. Applejack climbed downstairs quietly. She heard Big Macintosh's snores and Apple Bloom’s light was off. She rounded the corner into the kitchen and was startled to see Apple Bloom.

“What are you doing up? It is after midnight and you have work tomorrow.” Applejack asked quietly.

“I couldn’t sleep. What are you up to?”

“I am hungry.”

“What are you going to eat?”

“Eggs.”

“Oh.”

Applejack walked over to their refrigerator and looked for the eggs.

“Hey A.J?”

“Yeah?”

“Did I do something wrong?”

“What?” Applejack jumped and tried to turn and face her sister and hit her head on the refrigerator. Applejack swar loudly. She bit her tongue. She hadn’t meant to do that. Tears came to her eyes but she blinked them away. She took a deep breath and looked at her younger sister.

“What are you talking about?”

“I… feel like there is a distance between us. Like we’ve grown apart somehow. I don’t know. I was wondering if it was my fault. Did I do something to piss you off?” Apple Bloom was quietly worried.

“No. Sugar cube. No. Why would you think that? Have I been acting differently.?”

“Probably not. This must all be in my head. I just don’t feel like we are as close as we used to be. To be honest I don’t feel very close to Big Macintosh or Granny either.”

“Well that is partially to be expected. You are growing into a young woman. It is only natural that your relationships change as you grow. Me and Big Mac’s relationship has changed a lot over the years. We have gotten closer and grown apart several times. Maybe our relationship is changing. Maybe that’s not a bad thing.”

“Your right.” Apple Bloom looked sad.

Applejack walked over to her little sister and hugged her. She ran her hands through her sisters red hair. Applejack shifted to cup her siters face in her hands. “Look at me Apple Bloom. You will always be my little sister and I will always love you. No matter what else changes I will always be here for you. Alright?”

“Alright.” Apple Bloom put her head on Applejack's chest.

The sound of Applejack’s empty stomach interrupted their moment. Applejack and Apple Bloom both laughed.

Applejack went back to the refrigerator and got the eggs out. She walked over to the stove and started it. Apple Bloom moved to sit at the table facing Applejack’s back.

“So A.J. in the spirit of maintaining our sisterly bond, do you have anything you want to talk about? Any news or something else?” Apple Bloom asked. Applejack could tell that her sister was prying.

“If you have something specific just ask. I will decide what I want you to know.” Applejack said in a slightly exasperated tone as she cracked an egg on the pan.

“I sort of wanted you to volunteer the information you want to share.”

Applejack turned around and faced her sister. “You lying.”

Apple Bloom sighed. “Fine! I am curious about a lot of things but I don’t want to be nosie!” she sighed again. “Where did you get your cuts and bruises. They can’t all be from the turkeys.”

Applejack salted her eggs. “Most of the cuts are. The ones on my arms are. The one on my thigh is from our barb wire fence and the one on my shin is from a one of the chickens.”

“Geese sis. Maybe you shouldn't live on a farm.” Apple Bloom said sarcastically.

“Says the girl to broker her arm falling out of the hay loft.”

“I was joking!”

“I know.”

“And the bruises?”

“Work.”

There was comfortable silence.

“Hey I just remembered, yesterday when we were driving to crystal county Big Mac’s drivers license fell between the seat cushions and while digging it out we found a recite for fiber powder, stool softeners and and anti heartburn medication. Is Granny having problems again.”

Applejack’s heart skipped a beat. “Yeah. It’s not too bad I just don’t want it to escalate.”

“Are you sure we can afford that?”

“We can afford to keep ourselves healthy.” Applejack said flatly. She flipped her eggs.

Apple Bloom stayed quiet. Applejack finished cooking her eggs and served herself. She walked over to the table and sat across from Apple Bloom.

“So in the spirit of maintaining our sisterly bond, do you have anything you want to talk about?” Applejack said slyly.

Apple Bloom laughed. “I suppose I should have seen this coming.” Apple Bloom sighed. “I have some news that I am rather nervous about sharing. Actually this is perfect because I wanted to talk to you first before Big Mac. I think you’ll take this better.”

“Yeah? What’s up?”

Apple Bloom took a deep breath. “Do you remember Pip Squeak?”

“I think so.”

“He has longer messy brown hair and his voice hasn’t changed yet?”

“Yeah.”

“Well he asked me out. Just a lunch date to test the waters. He told me that he likes me and wants to try.”

“And what did you say?” Applejack asked.

Apple Bloom squirmed. “I said I would go out to lunch with him and we could go from there.”

Applejack waited a moment. “Right! So how do you feel about him?”

“I don’t know!”

“You lying to yourself.”

“How do you know?”

“I can just tell.”

Apple Bloom sighed. “I guess I don’t see him that way. He is nice enough but I don’t find him attractive.”

“Why did you say yes to him.”

“Because… because I liked the idea of having a date with someone. Because I didn’t want to be rude. Because I knew it would make Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle jealous. I don’t know!”

“That’s okay.”

“But it doesn’t feel like it!” Apple Bloom groaned loudly.

Applejack chuckled.

“Look. My advice is to go on this date and keep it platonic. If he tries to force something romantic do your best to steer away from it. If he gets pussy then walk out. Don’t worry about feeling rude.”

“Easier said than done.”

“True.” Applejack put the last bite of egg in her mouth.

“I just don’t know what to do!”

“When is the date?”

“Wednesday.”

“You have some time. Don’t stress about it now.”

Applejack got up and walked over to the sink to clean her plate.

Apple Bloom sighed. “A.J? Can I ask you for a favor?”

“Sure. What do you need?”

“Will you cuddle with me tonight?”

Applejack hesitated. She wasn’t too keen on it, but if not now when? “What is going on?”

“I’m stressed out. I don’t know why. I am tired but I can’t fall asleep.” Apple Bloom growned. “I just need some comfort I’ll fall right asleep I promise.”

“I’ll cuddle with you but don’t expect this to become a habit. Okay?” Applejack walked over to her sister and hugged her.

“Thanks sis! I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

Author's Notes:

*I forgot to mention in the last chapter that Applejack works at a food back on Mondays. I hope that scene wasn't too wired. Personally I love working at a food bank. I also want to drive home the idea that the main six/seven are from different socioeconomic classes.

Also I am interested in getting feedback on what you think is going on with Applejack. I want to know if I am including too many hints or too few. Please be honest. Also up vote comments you agree with. it will help me moving forward.

Thank you all so much! Hopefully I can get the next one of these up soon.

ps. I'd be happy to hear your Rai theories!