My head, my body... so sore, so stiff...

These were the first thoughts that came as my mind welcomed my previously absent consciousness. As reality slowly began to piece itself back together, I noticed I was laying on something rather soft, though I could not tell what. Any attempts at investigation failed. My body did not respond to my cues of movement. The only response it gave back was the sensation of sore muscles and dull pains. My eyelids felt heavy and glued shut; all efforts to open them were met with much strain and an ache in the back of my head.

I was unsure what fate had befallen me, but one thing was very certain: It felt like I had fallen out of a speeding train, followed by many tumbles down a hill, only to to end up being run over by a stagecoach and trampled by a small parade.

After some time of running mental diagnostics and trying to collect my thoughts, I noticed sound had slowly begun to come back to my world. I could hear the faint hints of something crackling, accented by a bubbling sound. I guessed the crackling was a fire, judging by the warmth I felt.

Warmth? Where am I? What happened to me? Why am I so sore? Why can't I move my body?

A slew of questions hit me all at once as my brain tried to process the situation. My memory was fuzzy at best, but the last thing I was sure about was being outside, and very cold. The warmth of a fire didn't add up, and then there was the bubbling noise. My mind couldn't begin to wrap itself around why it was there, or even why I was here for that matter.

My thoughts were interrupted by the creaking of what was likely a door, judging by the closing sound that followed after some hoofsteps. Wherever I was, I was no longer alone. The hoofsteps approached the direction the fire and seemed to stop in front of it.

"A dash of this and a pinch of that," spoke the entity. "Some of these and a few of those should do, the perfect ingredients for the perfect stew," it added in a chipper tone.

Perfect stew? Wait... fire, bubbling, stew...

Suddenly, everything added up. I felt the icy grip of fear jolt through me.

It's going to eat me! It's going to turn me into pony stew!

Fear-fueled adrenaline quickly overpowered my heavy eyelids and my eyes shot open, only to be met by blinding light they had yet to adjust to. Much to my horror, I involuntarily let out a small squeak from the pain of the sudden brightness.

"The little pony finally makes a peep. Could it be, she has awoken from her sleep?" asked the creature in a curious tone.

Hoofsteps approached and stopped just before where I lay.

This is it, she knows I'm awake, she's coming in for the kill!

"Please don't eat me!” I cried out as I began to softly cry in fear. “I'm small and hardly have any meat on my bones. I would make a terrible pony stew!"

"You think it is you that I am to eat? Silly pony, zebra do not consume meat!" It dismissed my concern with a hearty laugh.

"Y-you're... n-not going to eat me?" I asked softly, still unsure whether to trust this ‘zebra.’

"I eat flowers and hay just like you, I assure there are no ponies in my stew," the zebra replied in a calm tone.

"W-who are you and where am I? ...what happened to me?" I asked with great interest, and a little concern with the later.

"Relax my little pony, do not fret. There is much I have to tell you yet," it replied. "I am Zecora, and brewing remedies is my fame. Now if may I ask, how about your name?"

"I-I... I'm Prism," I answered hesitantly. "Do, you mind if I ask why you talk so... strange? I’ve, um, never heard anypony talk in rhymes before."

"The way I speak is of my native tongue, it I have spoken since I was very young," Zecora answered enthusiastically. "My home is where you are, so relax and rest. So long as you are here, you are my guest," she added as her hoofsteps walked away.

Somehow, I felt that I could trust this pony—er, zebra. She gave off a kind and calm aura, making her surprisingly easy to talk to for somepony I didn’t know.

"Thank you, but... what happened to me?" I asked nervously. Part of me was afraid to know, judging by the condition I was in.

"Don't worry little one, soon I will tell you more, but that's best saved for when you're not glued to the floor," Zecora remarked as I heard her approach again. "Drink some of this, but do beware. For its taste, you're in for a scare," she cautioned as she pressed a spoon to my mouth. I paused for a moment before reluctantly slurping down the liquid.

No amount of warnings could have prepared me...

The rancid creation assaulted my senses instantly. The smell, the taste, the texture, there were no words that could describe the sheer horror of this viscous monstrosity. It was as if a liquid nightmare from the darkest depths of the imagination had invaded my mouth, set to conquer the rest of my body. I grimaced as I let out a hard whine from the torment.

"Kill... me..." I groaned in wake of the horrible aftertaste. Zecora tried to suppress a laugh, but she did a terrible job. For a moment part of me wondered if she enjoyed that.

"The most foul of medicine you did take, but you shall thank me when you awake," she commented. Her voice suddenly sounded distorted and distant.

"W-wha..." was all I managed to stammer out before quickly falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.

* * * * * * * * * *

Warm, Comfortable, Refreshed?

These were the sensations I felt as I stirred awake. This time, my body gave no hesitation in response to my requests of movement. In fact, I felt... great. I slowly opened my eyes to find the room a bit dimmed; the only light was that of the fire.

What time is it? How long have I been asleep?

Slowly lifting myself, I noticed that I lay on a rather comfortable bed of straw. Peering about the room, I couldn't help but notice the decor. It was very... foreign, perhaps shamanistic.

Many pots, bags and pouches were found neatly arranged all throughout the room. There were also some plants hanging from the ceiling that I guessed must have been herbs. Though, what really caught my eye was a peculiar pair of what appeared to be painted masks in a corner of the hut; they looked a little spooky.

I wonder what those are for?

My thoughts shifted as my eyes fell on Zecora. The zebra was at a table with many smaller containers, much like those stashed about the room. I figured that must be her workbench, as the number of items on the table rivaled that of the floor. She was using a mortar and pestle to mix something. I watched silently for a time before she turned, noticing me.

“Oh, now that you have rested for a spell, tell me, are you feeling well?” Zecora asked with a smile.

"Actually... yes, much better, perfect in fact," I replied with a bit of surprise. "What was that you had me take?" I asked, looking over my body. I noticed my scratches from my dive into the bush earlier had vanished.

'Wait, scratches, body...where's my...'

I slowly went wide-eyed and gasped in fear as I realized my cloak was no longer on me. Frantically, I began to search the immediate area around me, but the cloak was nowhere in sight.

After a few moments of panicked searching, I realized Zecora was now staring at me with a puzzled look. I suddenly froze before slowly turning to face her. She gave me another odd look as I sank back down to the bed of straw I sat on.

She saw me. All of me! She probably thinks I'm a freak or a monster now.  The way she looks at me says it all!

"What is—"

"I'm sorry! I can't help it!" I interrupted with a sorrowful yell. "I was born this way, go ahead, laugh! Call me a freak! Everypony else does!" I added, burrowing my muzzle into my forelegs as heavy tears and sobs escaped.

Zecora looked taken aback in shock for a few moments before a warm smile spread across her face. "I may have seen more than just a peek, but I do not take you for a freak," the shaman commented as she slowly approached me.

"Y-you're... you're just saying that," I replied, shaking my head in my forelegs. "The way ponies look at me, the things they say when they think I can’t hear them..." I added with a sniffle.

"I do not judge a book by its cover, for that pony could become a friend like no other," she stated before sitting down beside me. "I too am considered strange here, for my homeland is nowhere near," Zecora remarked. "Ponies first thought of me as evil and scary, but once confronted, they found me quite ordinary," she added with a small laugh.

"R-really?" I asked softly, lifting my forelegs and turning my head to face her.

Zecora nodded. "Not unlike you, I look different too," She commented, gesturing a hoof to her chest. "But stranger things I have seen in my time. Griffon without feathers, and zebra who do not rhyme."

"Okay, but... please don't tell anypony, about me," I asked before grabbing her hooves. "Please?" I begged with puffy, pleading eyes.

Zecora responded with a warm smile. "Worry not, for I will not tell what I see, rest knowing your secret's safe with me," she added with a wink. I managed a weak smile at her promise.

"Thank you, Zecora," I sniffled as I wiped the tears from my eyes. "Thank youso much," I added as I leaped at and embraced her in a sudden hug.

Zecora was a bit surprised, but quickly hugged me back before softly stroking my mane.

* * * * * * * * * *

After a few minutes of calming down, I soon learned that I had been asleep for several days. Zecora explained how she found me turned to stone, which was most likely caused by a cockatrice.

She had used a special paste made from rare herbs and ingredients that can cure petrification, but leaves the body very weak as a result. The potion she later gave me was a potent healing remedy, mixed with a strong sleep inducing herb. The combination is intended to heal the body quickly as the pony sleeps.

As thanks, I decided to satisfy her curiosity and share my story with her. I told her about my pet rabbit, and what the pain and sorrow of my loss almost drove me to do. I also explained what I did to my precious artwork and my apartment. I then went into how I was intending to escape to Ponyville by train, but to flee the authorities, I was forced to leave the city on hoof and run into the Everfree.

Recalling the memories of Mr.Wiggles and what I had done to my beloved paintings was painful, bringing many fits of tears and sobs of pain and regret. Even so, it felt good to let it all out and talk to somepony about them. I hadn't talked to anypony like that since mother passed away a few years ago. Zecora listened intently, only asking the occasional question and giving acknowledging nods.

I concluded my story with a heavy sigh as I turned to look out the window. It was now morning and light was shining through into the hut.

Wow, we must have talked for some time.

"Hmm," Zecora hummed, eyes closed, tapping a hoof to her chin. "You travel from Manehattan to Ponyville, and wish to stay? If you would like, I could show you the way," she offered as she got up to her hooves.

"You already have done so much for me, and I don't want to take up any more of your time," I replied softly.

"To get here you have experienced much danger, but the forest still yields more; and things far stranger,” the zebra explained. "And my time you do not waste, for nothing I do today requires haste," she continued as she walked to the door. She took my lost cloak that had been hiding and returned it to me.

"There you are," I said to my cloak as I got up and threw it over me.

I instantly felt much better. It was like a safety blanket to me when I was outside my home; I felt naked without it. I paused for a moment.

Wait... I normally am naked...

"The path from here is nice and steady, we can leave whenever you are ready," Zecora announced as she wrapped a yellow scarf around her neck.

I felt a mix of excitement and fear. I was excited that I was finally going to make it to Ponyville, but I was scared about what to do when I got there.

I guess the first thing I should do is find a place to stay tonight.

I nodded to myself before joining Zecora at the door and beginning the last leg of my trip to Ponyville.

* * * * * * * * * *

The walk to the edge of the forest was a quick and quiet one. I was paranoid of my surroundings. After the incident with the cockatrice, I couldn’t afford to distract myself with idle conversation while in this forest.

Zecora turned her head to me and watched as I skittishly scanned the forest around us. She let out a small laugh before stopping in place.

“Worry not, Prism, for here we are. You see? I told you the journey was not too far,” Zecora assured with a smile as she turned to me. “The pony you seek lives near the middle of town. The village is full of ponies, so try not to lose that gown,” she gestured to my cloak.

I looked over my shoulder at my cloak, then back to her. “Thank you Zecora. I owe you so much...” I felt tears beginning to swell in my eyes, and leapt at her to embrace her in another hug. “I don’t know what would have happened to me if you hadn’t found me; thank you so much!” I added as I nuzzled my face into her coat.

Zecora returned the hug with a warm smile and patted my head. “I require no thanks from you, for what I did was the right thing to do,” she commented before breaking the embrace. “If you ever find yourself feeling alone, remember that you are always welcome in my home.”

“I’ll be sure to visit you soon. Hopefully I can repay your kindness somehow.”

“There is nothing you need repay, but if you’ll excuse me, I must be on my way,” Zecora replied. “I have much that needs to be done, but it was nice to have company, it was fun,” she added with a smile as she turned to walk away.

“B-but... I thought you said you weren’t busy?” I stammered out as I extended a foreleg to her.

Zecora looked back to me over her shoulder and gave me a wink before walking back into the forest.

“I will repay you somehow!” I called out to her.

She lifted and waved a hoof in response. My ears flattened as I closed my eyes. I felt bad, taking up so much of her time when she really was busy.

I quickly perked up as I remembered where I was. Having turned around to face the road into Ponyville, I let out a small, giddy burst of excitement as I danced about in place, kicking up some snow in the process.

I began to happily trot towards the road, but was quickly distracted by a small cottage off to my right. I slowed to a stop as I turned my head to admire its beauty. It looked like something straight out of one of Mother's paintings. It had a very warm and cozy feel, in contrast to its snowy surroundings.

“I wonder who lives there?” I asked myself aloud. The sight of something so small and comfortable was new to me. I had never seen anything like it in-the-flesh before, having lived in the big city all my life; it was like a breath of fresh air.

This would make a wonderful painting! I hope the owner won’t mind I paint it sometime...

I turned back to the path ahead and continued the walk to Ponyville. The snow seemed to get more shallow the closer I got to town. I crested a small hill that happened to overlook the town; the view took my breath away.

It was like a small, snowy paradise. Colorful and shapely buildings littered the streets of the village below. There were many ponies going about their business in the town square. Ponyville was a far cry from the humdrum greys and blacks of Manehattan; there were a lot less ponies too. Not far from the town was an extremely large orchard, accented with a large building that resembled a barn, with an actual barn nearby.

That must be Sweet Apple Acres...

Scanning the surrounding hills, I noticed apple trees blanketed with snow stretched out as far as the eye could see.

“It’s huge!” I exclaimed aloud to myself. “How in Equestria do they manage all those trees?!”

Shaking my head, I exited the daze the sight had left me in and began the short descent down to the edge of town. I didn’t get but a few steps before I heard a faint whistling sound. I stopped mid-step as my ears perked up to attention. The sound was quickly getting louder, and closer.

What’s that noi—

“LOOK OU—” I heard a voice cry out, but before it could finish, or I could even react, I felt a hard impact in my side. Whatever it was had sent me sailing downhill, turning me into a large snowball that quickly took shape and grew in size as I tumbled. My little adventure ended in an explosion of snow as my boulder slammed into a tree further downhill.

What in the hay just happened?! Who or what just hit me? It’s hard to breath in here... I should probably get out. of this. snow. first—ow-ow-ow... okay, this isn’t going to be easy.

“Eh... Um, hehe... Sorry about that...” I heard a muffled voice say from above. “Here, let me help you,” it added, the sounds of digging quickly followed.

Thank Celestia, I’m saved!

I began to try and push myself up out of the snow again. Before long, I was able to pop my head out of the snowy prison. I looked up to find a cyan pegasus hovering above me. She had... a rainbow mane and tail?! The mare was laughing sheepishly, and scratched the back of her neck idly.

A rainbow mane? Those are so rare...

“You see, I was practicing this new trick, and I guess I sorta lost—” The rainbow pony quickly cut off into a loud gasp and pointed a hoof at me.

“Is... there something on my face?” I questioned, tilting my head curiously.

I popped a foreleg out of the snow and felt my face.  Nothing felt wrong... Puzzled, I scratched the back of my head and realized immediately something was very wrong. I froze in fear.

My hood... my cloak, It’s gone!

I slowly turned my head to look back to the Pegasus. She hovered in place, frozen with a look of shock on her face. I felt a slow chill run down my spine.

“Y-you—”

“NO!” I screamed out, interrupting the mare as I exploded from the snow in a dash to get away from her.

“Wait!” the mare called out to me from behind.

“Don’t look at me! Leave me alone!” I cried out as I continued to run away.

The pegasus flew ahead of me and began to fly backwards, facing me. “If you would just let me—”

“NO! GO AWAY!” I yelled at her as tears quickly came to me. The mare looked me in the eyes before slowing to a stop; then flying away.

I closed my eyes tight, as I continued to cry and run in panic. Eventually, I slowed to a stop. I slowly opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. I was right in the middle of town... Peering around I found that everypony had stopped what they were doing and stood frozen, staring at me.

There was a long awkward silence.  Nopony said anything, nopony moved... The chilling silence was broken abruptly by the voice of a young filly.

“Mama... why’s that pony all white like that?” the filly asked, pointing a hoof to me and turning to her mother. The fillies mother quickly hushed her. Muffled talking, whispers and murmurs filled the air.

“She’s as white as the winter’s snow...”

“She’s like a ghost!”

“I never seen anything like her...”

“There's not a lick of color on her.”

“Look at her cutie mark!” gasped a mare from the crowd, gesturing to my flank. “There's no color.  It’s only shades of grey!”

The crowd’s talking quickly escalated. I could no longer make out what anypony was saying. Flashbacks from school quickly flooded my mind. How all the fillies and colts made fun of me, were scared of me, bullied me. The negative thoughts echoed until I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Stop...” I uttered just above a whisper, taking a step back from the crowd. “Please... stop...” I added with much difficulty as my eyes began to water again.

The crowd only continued to talk amongst each other and gesture towards me.  A few ponies had now begun to approach me. Before they could reach me I cried out.

“STOP!” I wailed, closing my eyes tight as my horn sparked to life and enveloped me with magic.

I felt my body shift in direction as my head spun in a daze. I opened my eyes to find myself upside down, in the air, and falling fast. I flailed about before I slammed down into a snowbank with a hard thud. The fall didn’t really hurt as much as it stunned me.

As I came to my senses, I quickly perked up to attention and began to slowly dig myself out of the snow. Poking my head out, I scanned my surroundings... I was in the general area I intended to be. Moments later, my mind quickly attacked me for my stupidity.

YOU FOAL! Never teleport! NEVER TELEPORT! How many times has Mother told you? You could have been killed! What if you appeared higher? Or in the ground? Or never reappeared at all!

I aggressively shook the thoughts from my head, and then let out a small whimper; I was right... I knew better, but I went and did it anyways in my panic. I sniffled and rubbed some tears from my eyes. I knew I couldn’t stay here any longer, but I was forgetting something.

I have to find my cloak...

Little good it would do now that everypony had already seen me for what I really was, but I took solace in the false sense of security it gave me. Right then I needed that comfort, no matter how fake it might be. My eyes fell on the familiar mound of snow pressed against the tree from earlier. I pulled myself out of my snowy landing zone and slowly cantered over to the mound. I quickly became depressed as my mind went over the events that had just transpired.

They’re all the same... Everything's the same...

Reaching the remnants of the snow mound, I wiped some more tears from my eyes and slowly began digging.

I just want to be accepted, wanted... loved... Is that really too much to ask?

Up until now, I had forgotten how alone I was. When I reached Ponyville, I had hoped that I could meet somepony who might accept me. Perhaps make a new friend, or maybe even find a very special somepony someday. Deep down I knew better, but... I couldn’t help but hope; hope that maybe the ponies here would be different, more accepting to somepony like me.

I was wrong.

After quite some time sifting through the snow, I saw the hint of a brown object. I paused for a moment before slowly grasping it with my teeth and pulling it from its resting place. My cloak was now encrusted in snow and ice, but I didn’t care; I threw it over myself anyways. The icy touch sent cold chills all across my body, but none of that mattered. The comfort of my security blanket was already taking effect; I felt myself able to relax a little.

I closed my eyes and let out a slow, hard sigh as I tucked my cloak close and fell back against the mound of snow. My emotions were a jumbled mess. I wasn’t sure what to feel; I just felt... drained.

After laying down for some time, I turned over and crawled to the top of the mound, and peered back to the town below. Everypony had already gone back to business as usual, like nothing had ever happened. Everything was just fine now that I had left. I laid my muzzle down as I felt my eyes begin to water again. Warm tears streamed down my cheeks to meet the cold snow below.

There really is no place for somepony like me... I may as well go back to Manehattan and accept my fate. At least there I wouldn’t be in anypony’s way.

As I got up, something inside of me snapped, and the pain I had been holding back poured forward.

I tried to find change, to find someplace new to start my life’s painting over, but I failed... This place is no different than Manehattan. Everypony thought I was a freak when they saw me.

I let out a soft whine as I tried to shake the thoughts from my head. I took one more look down to the town below before quickly turning away, running back for the Everfree. My thoughts continued to haunt me as I ran. I closed my eyes and tried to shake them, but to no avail.

I’m just a freak, a monster. I belong in the Everfree Forest along with all the other monsters... I shoul—

I felt myself crash into, and tumble over something. I let out an involuntary squeak from the sudden impact, and coincidentally, there was a second simultaneous squeak; but not from me...

I noticed I was now laying on something warm and soft.

Slowly opening my eyes, I found myself staring down into the large aquamarine eyes of another mare. I noticed that our muzzles were only a mere inch away from one another. Our breathing hastened as both of our faces went flush, but neither of us moved for a time. Having gathered my senses, I quickly tried to leap off of her, but she tried to roll away at the same time. Only to end up with us fumbling and falling over each other again.

“I-I’m so sorr—” we both spoke up at the same time.

There was a long pause that followed.

“I-I wasn't watching—” we talked over each other, once again.

I slowly turned my head to face her, and she did the same to face me. We were both blushing profusely. Clearly, she was just as embarrassed about this as I was. There was another long, awkward silence before I managed to quickly scrambled off her. I shrank down and slowly backed up as she sat up to her haunches. Now that I got a good look at this pony, I saw that she was... beautiful.

The mare was a butter yellow pegasus with a long, pink, flowing mane and tail. She wore a well-knit baby blue scarf and was hiding most of her face behind her mane. I couldn’t say that I blamed her; I would have too after an awkward situation like that.

I felt compelled to run away, but I was too dazed and flustered to think straight. All I could think about was how bad this all must have looked to this poor pony. I half expected her to scream, yell or even run away, but she only sat there, staring back at me through her mane. She had a pitiful, embarrassed expression. I quickly felt really bad.

“I-I’m, uh, r-really... sorry about this,” I managed to stammer out.

She turned her head away and let out a very faint whine.

My ears fell back as I shrank farther down. “A-are you... hurt?” I asked softly. I got a slow, slight shake of her head in response.

I must have really scared her, but she, um, seems okay...

“A-again, I’m really sorry, about all this, so... I’ll just be, uh, going... then...” I replied awkwardly. The butter yellow pegasus again only gave a faint whine in response.

I let out a slow sigh before slowly turning away, but as I took a step, I tripped over my own hoof and fell hard to the ground. My head hit something jagged and rough at the end of my fall.

The mare’s expression quickly perked up. “Oh my, are you ok?!” she asked with great concern as she hovered over, landing next to me. Her movements were very graceful, wasting no time reaching me.

“I-I... I think so.” I responded, picking myself up from the snow.

I looked to see that I had hit my head on a sharp rock protruding from the snow. I turned to face her and she let out a sharp gasp as she covered her muzzle with a hoof. I paused for a moment before realizing a warm, wet sensation sliding down my face. I raised a hoof and brushed it across the side of my face, and brought it before me.

Crimson red.

Like a bucket of red paint splashed across a clean white canvas, my hoof was covered in blood, my blood.... I felt myself pale.

“Oh my goodness! S-stay there, don’t move! I’ll be right back!” she instructed in a mildly panicked tone. She hastily flew off to a cottage in the distance, the same cottage from earlier.

So she’s the owner.

As quickly as the pegasus entered, she exited, now carrying a small first aid kit in her teeth. Hovering back over, she landed next to me and laid down the case in the snow. The concerned mare turned to me and raised a hoof towards the hood of my cloak. I let out a small whine and backed away from her hoof. She gave me a surprised look.

“I need to see how bad it is, now please... let me see it?” the mare asked softly, once again extending a hoof to my hood. I shrank down a bit and turned my head aside.

There was something about this pony... It was almost as if she gave off some sort of soothing aura. I felt that I couldn’t yell in her presence, let alone at her, but...

What will she think of me?

“It’s okay, theres no need to be afraid, I won’t hurt you, I promise,” she reassured me with a warm, comforting smile.

Whatever happens, happens...

I nodded slowly to her, and the yellow pegasus slowly folded back my hood, then quickly covered a sharp gasp with both her hooves, eyes wide in horror. I winced.

There it is.

“This wound is awful! Are you sure you’re ok?” she remarked, looking me straight in the eyes with an expression of great concern and worry.

I-I... I don’t understand...

“This needs to be treated right away!” she announced as she quickly turned to her first aid kit and popped it open. I turned away and stared down to the snow in thought.

She didn't scream, or run away or even comment about it...

“Please hold still,” she asked, gently turning my head to face her again.

The next few minutes, she quickly went about treating and dressing my wound. I was confused; she seemed more surprised about my cut than... how I looked. In fact, it was as if she hadn't noticed at all. Then again, I could imagine how bad the wound must looked to her. My coat and mane made every cut or scratch look much worse than it actually was. Mother would always worry when I got hurt, far more than she really needed to.

“There, that should do for now,” the pegasus declared, circling me slowly, examining her work. “You will need to change the bandages tomorrow though, you wouldn’t want it to get infected,” she added, placing a hoof to her chin and giving me another look of concern. I nodded.

“T-thank you, uh...”

“Oh! I’m... I’m Fluttershy,” she replied softly, looking to the ground and twirling a hoof in the snow.

Fluttershy. That’s a pretty name.

“I’m... Prism, nice to meet you, Fluttershy,” I said as I got to my hooves.

“Nice to meet you... too,” she she replied slowly, turning her head away.

I looked up to my bandages and poked a hoof at them. They were very expertly applied. she must have had a lot of practice or medical training.

I wonder what her special talent is... Butterflies cutie—

“No, don’t touch it!” Fluttershy gasped. “It will start to bleed again.” she added with concern.

I turned to face her and she shrank down, hiding behind her mane once again. There was a long pause, and an awkward silence. I scanned the area around us for something to talk about.

My eyes fell on the cottage.

“So, um, do you live here?” I asked, gesturing to the cottage.

The yellow pegasus turned her head to look to where I had pointed before nodding. “Yes... I live there; with my animal friends,” Fluttershy answered as she looked back to me. “But most of them are sleeping since it’s winter, so things are pretty quiet right now...” she continued, looking back down to the snow, pawing at it with a hoof.

“Your home is beautiful!” I exclaimed, with a lot more excitement than I intended to, which startled her, causing her to jump. I shrank back slightly with a sheepish smile. “I mean, it looks very peaceful and cozy. There's nothing like that in Manehattan.”

“You’re from Manehattan?” she asked. “And... thank you, I love it down here,” she added as she scanned the trees around us with a warm smile.

Down here...?

It suddenly hit me. She’s a pegasus, living in a cottage... on the ground?’

“Wait, I thought pegasi lived in the clouds?” I asked quizzically.

“They do, but... I prefer it down here, with all my animal friends. They would get lonely if I lived too far away.”

I can relate to that. I don’t think I could live too far from an arts and crafts store.

“So, you really love animals then?” I asked, Fluttershy’s expression perked up immediately at my mention of animals.

“Oh yes, very much so. Caring for them is my special talent,” she answered enthusiastically before looking back to her cutie mark.

That would explain the bandages.

“I love animals too, especially bunnies,” I commented “I have... had a pet bunny until recently...” I added slowly, my expression fading into sadness as I looked down to the snow.

Fluttershy silently took a few steps forward and placed a hoof on my shoulder, likely in an attempt to comfort me. There really was something else about this pony. She was so calm and composed, far kinder than anypony I had ever met before. Being near her actually made me feel better rather quickly.

“I have a bunny. Although, he isn’t too good with strangers...” She mused as she brought her hoof to her muzzle, turning her head aside.

A strong, cold wind blew through us, causing us both to shiver.

“Would you, um, like to come inside? ...If thats okay with you,” Fluttershy offered timidly, gesturing to her cottage. “I was just about to make lunch. You’re welcome to join me, that is, um... if, if you want to.”

I shook my head. “Thank you, but I wouldn’t want to impose, and you already have helped—”

A loud rumbling from the pit of my stomach interrupted me at the thought of “Lunch.” My ears fell back as I shrank down and smiled sheepishly with a small squee.

Wow, I haven’t eaten yet today, have I? ...when was the last time I ate anyways? Days?

As if to be an annoyed reminder, my stomach let out another low rumble. Fluttershy giggled and began to hover in front of me.

“Oh, I insist, and by the sounds of it, you could probably use some lunch too,” she added with a wink.

“Okay... you win,” I sighed before smiling up to her. “I’ll be your guest, and thank you.”

“Oh, wonderful!” Fluttershy exclaimed softly, closing her eyes and doing a little twirl in the air before floating off toward her cottage; I quickly followed after her.

* * * * * * * * * *

The cottage looked far more warm and cozy on the inside, and it was also much bigger than it appeared to be from the outside. Also, although it was winter, the faint aroma of flowers filled my senses as I walked through the door. Fluttershy quickly closed it behind us as she entered.

“Um, do you like tea?” she asked as she hung up her scarf.

My eyes lit up as she said the magic word. “I love tea!” I blurted out with far more enthusiasm than I had intended. I felt a faint blush fill my face. “I mean, yes... I would love some please,” I added while trying to compose myself.

Fluttershy covered a soft giggle before leaving the room.

I took this time to get a good look at interior of the cottage. it was like something out of a children's story book. The first thing I noticed was that the room was filled with many homes for small animals; from birdhouses to tiny mouse holes. The most prominent features were a large stone wood stove and a rather comfortable-looking couch in the corner of the room. I quickly began to envy Fluttershy; this place was like a paradise compared to my former run-down apartment.

That reminds me, where am I going to go? ...what am I going to do?

I lost my train of thought as Fluttershy reentered the room. She carried a kettle of water and placed it on the stove to boil.

“Feel free to make yourself at home, that is, if you want to...” the yellow pony commented, gesturing to my cloak as she walked past me and back to the other room again.

I looked over my shoulder to my cloak. The snow and ice that had encrusted it were now starting to melt, the cloak quickly becoming wet. I stopped and thought for a few moments.

It would be nice to to get this off before it begins to soak... and I’ve had my hood down this whole time, she has yet to say anything... I suppose it can’t hurt to get a little more comfortable...

Nodding to myself in reassurance, I slowly took off my cloak and hung it to dry near Fluttershy’s scarf. The warm air from the fire felt lovely on my damp coat. I had been wearing my cloak for quite some time now, and in the cold winter weather no less. As much as I loved my cloak and the security it brought, I needed a breather from it.

I sat down on my haunches. Reaching back, I loosened and removed my hairband. I gave my head a soft shake, allowing my mane to fall, though carefully, as not to disturb my bandages. I let out a slow, relaxed sigh, rolling my shoulders as my mane came to rest along my right side. With one final adjustment, I turned to my side and unrolled my tail that I had also tied up.

Ahh, much better...

It had been a while since I been able to relax and let my mane down outside of my own home. There was something about Fluttershy’s company and the atmosphere of the cottage. I felt myself able to relax rather easily. Normally, I wouldn’t be nearly so comfortable in somepony else’s home.

Unknown to me, Fluttershy had already returned to the room and was now at the stove with a large pot. I caught the trace movements of her head turning back to the stove when I looked up to her.

Was she, watching me?

“Strange isn’t it?” I asked softly as Fluttershy jumped a little.

“W-what is?” the pegasus replied sheepishly, not looking away from the stove.

I managed a small smile. It was sweet of her to pretend not to notice, but how could anypony not?

“My coat, my mane... my cutie mark,” I responded slowly, looking down to the floor and smiling to myself. “You know, you’re actually the only pony who hasn’t said anything after seeing them in... in a very long time.”

Fluttershy slowly turned to face me. She looked as if she was about to say something, but then quickly turned back to the stove.

“It’s okay, I don’t mind talking about it with you if you’re curious.” I reassured her.

The yellow pony slowly turned to face me again before looking down shyly, and twirling a hoof along the floor.

“I... I wasn’t going to ask, ” Fluttershy replied faintly above a whisper. “ I didn’t want to be rude, but... I’m sorry,” she added, flattening her ears and looking away for a moment.

This pony is really kind, and very polite. Most ponies wouldn’t be so hesitant to ask me about it.

“There's no need to be sorry, you haven’t done anything wrong... If anything you have helped a lot,” I commented, gesturing to my bandages. Fluttershy managed a small smile, which I warmly returned.

The pegasus turned back to the stove and poured two cups of tea before bringing them to the table. She then gently placed one at either end and took a seat. I picked myself up off the floor and joined her at the table. The smell of the tea hit me right away.

Lavender and daisy...

I picked up the cup in my hooves, blowing on it a few times before taking a sip. I closed my eyes as the relaxing warmth of the tea filled me. In that moment, all my worries and troubles seemed to just melt away.

“Somepony likes tea,” Fluttershy commented, muffling a small giggle.

“Sometimes I think its the only thing that gets me through the day,” I stated as sat down my cup. “Anyways, about my... condition. As I’m sure you might have guessed by now, I’m albino. With your love for animals I’m sure you may have heard of it in animals before.”

“Oh yes, I have. I even found a baby albino squirrel once; he was so cute!” Fluttershy cooed, cupping her forehooves together by her face.

Over the next half hour or so, I chatted with Fluttershy over tea about how my condition had affected my growing up, and the reactions ponies have when they would get a good look at me. After finishing our tea, she checked up on lunch. Once she seemed content with the soup, she fetched two bowls from her cupboards, filled them, and laid them out on the table.

“I can’t imagine what it must be like, everypony staring at you... It sounds awful!” she gasped with a nervous look, tucking her forelegs close to her as she took her seat.

“It’s as bad as it sounds... If I were to say otherwise, I would be lying,” I replied, looking at the soup bowl in front of me; it looked and smelled delicious.

I picked up the bowl in my hooves and gave it a few cooling blows before taking a sip. My eyelids shot up in surprise, It tasted twice as delicious as it smelled. What was only meant to be a little sip turned into a few large gulps.

“Careful!” Fluttershy cautioned softly, extending a foreleg to me. “You wouldn’t want to burn yourself...”

I set down the bowl and looked up to her. “This is absolutely delicious!” I exclaimed. “In fact... I think, this may be the best soup I have ever had in my life!” Fluttershy’s cooking was obviously leaps and bounds better than mine.

The yellow pony bashfully turned away. “Thank you... but I’m sure it isn’t that good,” she replied softly. “It’s just something I put together with what I had,” she continued humbly before turning back to me.

I gave her a surprised look. “If this is something quick, I can’t begin to imagine what you could do if you tried.” I said, picking up the bowl and finishing the rest of the delightful contents.

Fluttershy’s face took a faint shade of red before quickly turning away again. “T-thank you,” she replied, fidgeting her hooves together. “So, you mentioned you were from, uh, Manehattan, earlier?” The pegasus asked.

I paused for a few moments as I recalled my words. “Oh! Yes, I lived in Manehattan all my life. That is, until a few days ago...”

“What brings you to Ponyville?” Fluttershy asked as she composed herself.

I brought a hoof to my chin as I took a few moments to collect my thoughts.

I can’t simply tell her about what happened with my apartment and the police... but...

“I needed a change of... scenery.” I answered cautiously. “And I’m also looking for somepony,” I added, nervously fidgeting with the empty soup bowl.

“So, you’re moving here?” Fluttershy asked, sounding a little surprised. “I haven’t heard from Pinkie Pie yet about any new ponies...”

Pinkie Pie?

“I’m... I’m not really sure yet. Something... happened, while I was in town earlier today,” I answered, followed by a long pause.

Fluttershy gave me a curious look. I gestured a hoof to my body and mane, then to my cloak by the door. The pegasus gave a surprised, but understanding look, followed by a nod.

“So, um, how did that go?”

“Awful...” I answered, hanging my head low. “Everypony stopped what they were doing... They were too surprised and shocked at my appearance. They all stared and started to talk about me.”

“Oh, my... I’m sorry I asked,” Fluttershy replied as her ears fell and she donned a guilty expression.

“No, it’s fine!” I commented, quickly forcing myself to cheer up. “You can ask me anything, I don’t mind.” I couldn’t stand to see her with a sad look, it was unbecoming for a kind pony like her.

“Okay... so, um, who are you looking for? That is... if you don’t mind me asking,” Fluttershy asked softly before bringing a hoof to her muzzle. “I may not know everypony in town, but I do know a lot, or have at least heard of them.”

“I’m looking for a unicorn mare named Rarity,” I answered as I sifted positions in my seat nervously. “You wouldn’t happen to know her... would you?”

Fluttershy let out a small giggle. “Oh yes, I do actually. She's my best friend,” she replied, closing her eyes with a warm smile.

My eyes quickly widened in surprise. “Really?!” I exclaimed, jumping out of my seat and slamming my hooves down on the table, knocking over my chair in the process.

Fluttershy jumped in surprise as I quickly realized how much I overreacted. With a sheepish smile, I very slowly picked up my chair, then hastily sat back down. The yellow mare let out a long, soft laugh. I felt really embarrassed.

“Oh yes, I was actually planning to go meet her soon.” Fluttershy commented, turning to look at a large cuckoo clock on the wall. “You can come if you like, I’m sure she won’t mind... at least, I don’t think she will mind,” she added, turning to me expectantly.

My eyes lit up. “I would love to!” I answered excitedly.

“Great, I'll get to introduce her to my new friend!” Fluttershy replied enthusiastically, putting her hooves together with a warm smile and a few flaps of her wings.

I suddenly froze up.

...Friend? She said I’m her... Friend...

I felt my eyes water and lower lip quiver as I tried desperately to hold back the tears.

Fluttershy tilted her head, giving me a curious look. “Are you... oka—”

I quickly dove across the table, knocking off the empty dishes and embraced her in a sudden hug.

“Oh!” she squeaked suddenly with a small jump.

I hugged her tight for a few moments, and nuzzled my face into her coat. Before long, my eyes shot open and I quickly realized what I just did... I slowly pulled away from the embrace, looking her in the face. Her face was frozen with a surprised expression, and quickly went flush there after. I blushed profusely before slowly climbing off the table and sinking to the floor, hiding myself from view behind the table.

“I-I’m... so sorry...” I whispered, flattening my ears and sinking lower to the floor. “It’s just... nopony has called me a, friend before... ever...” Fluttershy poked her head around the table.

“Really?” she asked quizzically.

I slowly nodded. “Please don’t hate me...”

“I don’t hate you... You just surprised me,” the pegasus assured me with a smile. “It’s not everyday that somepony leaps over a table to embrace you in a sudden hug, thats all,” she added with a small laugh.

I managed a faint smile.

“But... is it true?” Fluttershy asked, looking at me expectantly with an expression of clear concern. “About... friends?”

My small smile vanished as I nodded, turning away from her.

“You... you’ve never had a friend before...?” she asked, with even greater concern in her voice.

I slowly shook my head.

“Oh, oh my...” she replied, bringing a hoof to her muzzle.

The yellow pony slowly flew over and landed in front of me. Fluttershy gently put her hooves on either side of my face and turned me to face her.

“Well... now you do,” she stated softly.

She closed her eyes and pulled me into a comforting hug. I felt myself melt on the inside as I let a flood of pent up feelings and emotions go; I quickly broke down and began to sob uncontrollably into her chest.

“Shh... there's no need to cry,” she softly hushed, gently nuzzling me and slowly stroking my mane. “You’re my friend now, and I’m going to help you make even more friends.”

Fluttershy slowly broke the embrace and tilted my head up to face her. Looking me in the eyes, she gave me a warm smile.

“Welcome to Ponyville.”