August 8

Fluttershy stared at the ceiling. She was tired. She had gone to bed very late and had woken up a few minutes ago from a nightmare. She looked at her clock. Her alarm wasn’t supposed to go off for another two hours. She didn’t think she could go back to sleep.

Fluttershy sat up and and turned on her bedside lap. Squinting in the bright light she got up and got dressed for work.

Fluttershy listened to music while she made breakfast for herself. She checked her phone while waiting for her soup to cool down. Sunset and Twilight wanted everyone to meet for lunch. She had responded the previous night saying she could make it. Applejack and Pinkie had also said they would be there. Presumably the others hadn’t seen it yet.

After cleaning her dishes Fluttershy packed her bag. She grabbed a spare set of clothes to change into for lunch and checked her wallet for cash. She had four ones. She would figure out how to make that work.

On the way out Fluttershy checked on Angel bunny. He was fine. He still had food and water.

Fluttershy got into her van and set off for the animal shelter. Her drive was peaceful. Hardly no one was up and about. She parked in the staff parking, lacked her car and then unlocked the shelter back door. She was immediately greeted by several animal noises.

“Good morning everyone! Who is hungree?”

Four hours later Fluttershy was covered in sweat, animal hair, dirt and a little blood. She was even more tired but she tried to keep her spirits up. She was happy she brought an extra change of clothes she changed in the staff bathroom before heading out for her lunch break.

She checked her phone and say that everyone was meeting at Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow and Rarity had responded and said they were available.

As Fluttershy approached Sugarcube Corner looking for a parking space she spotted Rainbow dash and Gilda exiting Rainbow Dash's car. The two of them were wearing their matching college soccer tank tops. Fluttershy found a spot a block away and jogged all the way over.

Fluttershy walked into the store and way that everyone was sitting down together at a large booth by the kitchens. She was careful to shut the door slowly she didn’t like the loud noise of the bell.

She turned and jumped. Pinkie Pie was right in front of her. “You made it! Go order! And then we can discuss.” Pinkie zipped off before Fluttershy could respond. She sighed and waked over to the counter to order.

The sight and smell of the food made her stomach grumble. She wished she had more cash on her. She did her best to look away from the expensive pastries in the display case. She had been unable to make it to the bank on Friday or she would have a little more. She ended up ordering a small smoothie.

She turned from the counter and almost walked into Gilda.

“Oh. I didn't see you there. Sorry.” Fluttershy looked up trying to find Gilda’s eyes.

Gilda took a step back. “It’s okay. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Yeah it has been a while.” Gilda was taller and stronger then Fluttershy remembered. “What are you doing here?”

“I am here waiting for Rainbow to finish packing so we can drive to college together.”

“Cool. have you had to wait long?”

“Yes actually. An entire week.” she smiled and the look on Fluttershy’s face. “It was most convenient for me and my landlord for me to leave then and Rainbow’s family was fine with me hanging around. As long as I help then stopper her from bringing their whole house.”

Fluttershy chucked “she is such a hoarder! She can pack more then Rarity!”

Gilda laughed. “Well I’ll let you get to your friends.”

“Okay”

“See you later”

Fluttershy sat down next to Rainbow dash and across from Applejack. Fluttershy noticed a bandage around Applejack’s right arm.

Pinkie Pie startled everyone by clapping. “We are all here! I now Sunset and twilight have a friendship problem for us to work one but I think we should start with a standard friendship check in because one of us is leaving town tomorrow and won’t be back until November…”

Rainbow groaned.

“So who wants to start?” Pinkie Pie Asked.

“I will.” said Rarity. “Today I am doing great! My news of the day is that I have a date! I’m meeting Octavia tonight at eight! She is taking me to Orion's Belt! I can’t decide if I am excited or nervous. Maybe both! Next!” Everyone turned to Twilight who was next to her

“Oh. I’m doing well. I had a very good night sleep. My news of the day.... My text book all arrived and I already read one of them! I am so excited for my classes!” Twilight took off her glasses and cleaned them.

Everyone turned to Sunset to go next but twilight said “I think Sunset needs to go last.” the group next turned to Pinkie Pie who was sitting on the other side of Rarity.

Pinkie Pie sighed. “I am doing okay. The twins got into the medicine cabinet last night and Mrs. Cake has been at the ER with them scene. They are going to be fine but me and Mr. Cake have had to work harder. So I am more tired than usual. In better news I found a suitcase big enough to fit all of my confetty!”

Rarity groaned. “If you dare set of a cannon in the middle of the night I will personally remove all the sugar from our house! I need my sleep.”

The group gave a collective sigh before turning to Applejack.

“I’m doing fine today. Lots of chores. Big Macintosh was up late having sex and couldn’t do is morning chores. Luckily Applebloom woke up early so I had some help. I hate to make her do more around the farm. I am proud of her for finding a job. As for news Cheerilee’s* solution to our canning problem worked! We shouldn’t lose any money over the machine not working for a week.”

Fluttershy noticed that applejack’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. Looking closely at applejack’s face Fluttershy spotted a bruise on her cheek bone that was covered by some makeup.

Before she could dwell on this Mr. Cake arrived with their orders.

“Just a smoothy?” Rainbow asked.

“I ate some at the shelter.” Fluttershy said quickly. She took a long sip of her smoothy. It tasted wonderful she wished she could have gotten a bigger one. She looked up and noticed that all of her friends were looking at her. “Did I do something?”

“It’s your turn to check in.” Pinkie Pie informed her.

“Oh yeah… woopse! Umm… I’m doing okay. I didn’t sleep well. And we ad a medical complication at the shelter this morning. Everything is fine now. The police called us just before I left and said they had found someone in the south of the county with a tiger who they haven’t been feeding properly. They don’t have a license to own one and tiger isn’t in good shape. After lunch I am going to drive there and meet with the police and see if I can help them rescue the animal. As for news I was able to meet with the access and disabilities coordinator at Canterlot Community College and all my accommodations from high school will be transferred.”

“That’s great!” Rainbow Dash said. Everyone turned to her. “My turn! I am done packing my boxes and suitcase! All I need to do is load them up and pack some last minute toiletries and stuff. I finally got it done! I am so proud of myself. Gilda helped me narrow it down. Also Fluttershy said she would mail me some stuff, so thanks for that! I am so happy right now. I guess I sort of said them in reverse. Oh well. Next!”

Everyone turned to Sunset with expectant looks. “I guess it’s my turn.” Sunset sighed. “I’m kind of stressed today. Last night was wired. I think some of you heard that Twilight look me out on a date last night. It was great until the end. As we were wrapping up another couple walked in. and I am pretty sure that It was my umm… counterpart and her partner. What was her name?”

“Moon Dancer” Twilight said. Applejack sat up strait.

“Right. Anyway. My counterpart seems like she is a few years older than me. Also I think she is married and she is pregnant. I don’t know I just feel inadequate next to her.” There was an odd look on Sunset’s face, like she hadn’t meant to say that last bit.

There was a silence at the table.

Twilight cleared her throat “Me and Sunset are going to meet with the other Sunset and Moon Dancer for dinner and try to get to know them. That is what we wanted to talk to you all about. We also decided for now to to say anything about the other place or the geodes…” Twilight twilight touched the cord around her neck. (They turned them into generic looking necklaces.)

“Well. That was not what I was expecting.” Applejack said.

“You said it.” said Rarity.

“So you are going to try to talk to her about why you look alike and have the same name without mentioning… you know what.” Rainbow said.

Twilight sighed. “I guess. I feel like they have the right to know. I for one was horrified until you all and the princess explained everything to me.”

“But will they take it so well. They have never seen magic and way think you are well not all mentally there. Maybe you should get to know them first and spring the truth on them later when you are more serton they won’t run away screaming.” Said Rarity.

“My thoughts exactly.” Sunset said. “We should wait.”

“I think you should bring it up right away!” Pinkie Pie announced. Everyone stared at her.

“Why?” Rainbow asked.

“What if they have already experienced magic? What if they know or suspect something. They also might notice you hiding something and get suspicious. You could end up putting up barriers instead of connecting with new friends!”

“Your last point makes sense but why would you think they would have been exposed to any you know what?” Sunset said.

“Well we all seem to be attracted to it. Your the only one from a m... other world. Maybe it has to do with having an important counterpart and you are hers so perhaps she has had a random encounter.”

The group contemplated Pinkie’s idea. Fluttershy noticed Applejack absentmindedly itch at a spot above her eyebrow the spot started looking a little yellow. Rainbow Dash started to speak but Fluttershy was too busy staring at Applejack. Why does she have bruises? She thought to herself.

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow’s Voice cut through her thoughts. She jumped. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah! I just spaced out. What did I miss.”

“Are you available tomorrow for lunch?” Twilight asked her.

Fluttershy was about to say yes when her mind flashed to her empty wallet. She pushed it out of her mind. She would figure something out. “Yes.”

“Great. See you all at my good by party tonight!” Rainbow said standing up. Fluttershy scrambled out off the booth to let out Rainbow. Gilda walked over.

“You ladies can sure talk for a while!” Gilda remarked. “Are you ready to load your car up?”

“Yes. Let’s go!” Rainbow and Gilda started walking towards the exit followed by Fluttershy.

“Rainbow!” all three turned to see Applejack approaching them. She had an odd look on her face and gesture to Rainbow.

“I’ll be by the car.” Gilda said and walked out. Fluttershy turned and walked after her.

Through the window of the store Fluttershy saw applejack handing Rainbow Dash a wrapped item. It was the shape of a DVD container. Why now? Why not at the good by party? Fluttershy thought. Is she- the sound of her cell phone ringing cut off her thoughts. She didn’t recognize the number.

“Hello?” she said cautiously. She hopped it wasn’t a telemarketer.

“Hello. Is this Fluttershy? This is Officer Bailey I am wondering how far away you are we are definitely going to need someone with lots of animal experience here.”

“Oh right I can get there in fifteen minutes!”

“Great see you soon!”

Author's Notes:

*This is for a retcon. I am in the process of rewriting and editing.

Please leave thoughts comments and concerns!