The run to Fluttershy’s cottage had been terrible. Negative thoughts of uselessness plagued my mind, and my hooves had gone all but numb from pain at this point.

I felt a small glimmer of relief as I crossed the small bridge over the frozen creek, and followed the path up to her house. I approached the door slowly and gave it a few soft knocks.

Please be home, please be home, please be home...

I turned back towards the path to town and danced in place, in the wake of my anxiety.

“Oh, Prism!” exclaimed a voice softly behind me. “It’s nice of you to visit me.”

I turned to see the smiling face of the one pony who could help me set everything in my head right again. Her happy smile vanished the moment she set eyes on my face.

“What happened? Why were you crying?” the worried pegasus asked before looking me over. Her eyes lit up as she covered a sharp gasp. “Prism, your hooves! You shouldn’t be on them with those burns!”

I tried to speak, but before I could reply, she hoisted me off my hooves and quickly carried me inside. She immediately headed for the green couch in the corner of the room before gently laying me to rest on it. The couch was very soft and comfortable, but that comfort was quickly extinguished as a flare of pain shot up my legs; a sharp reminder of my injuries.

“Okay, you stay right here and don’t move!” Fluttershy frantically instructed. “I’ll be right back!” Again, before I could get a word off she flew out of the room, returning as quickly as she had left, now carrying a familiar first-aid kit in her teeth.

“Now, hold still please,” she instructed as she took a seat on the floor in front of the couch, sitting down the box and popping it open without hesitation. Fluttershy removed a few small packages and quickly opened them.

“This will, um, probably sting a bit...” she warned softly. “But you have been running on those burns, they need to be cleaned before I can properly treat them.”

My ears fell back at her warning as she began to gently wipe down my hooves. I let out a sharp whine of pain and winced as she cleaned my injuries. It was very painful, but it’s what I got for not taking care of myself. She then proceeded to treat with a cream of some sort and dress them; and after finishing, she looked up to me a concerned look.

“Just what happened to you? ...How did you get these burns?” she asked, covering her muzzle with a hoof. I tried to speak, but only some tears and a weak sob followed.

The fact that it appeared she was getting used to this sort of thing weighed heavily on my conscience. I had already burdened Fluttershy enough lately with my problems and emotional stress, and here I was doing it again; I didn’t like it one bit.

I quickly launched myself at her and captured her into a tight hug, earning a small gasp and causing her to jump slightly. She paused for a moment before returning the hug, and shushing me softly.

“Shh... You don’t need to cry, I’m right here,” Fluttershy assured me before breaking the embrace and climbing up onto the couch next to me. “Now... why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry,” I sniffled as I wiped the tears from my eyes. “It’s just... I feel bad, because I keep bothering you with my problems.”

Fluttershy quickly shook her head. “Oh, no! You don’t bother me, not at all!” she reassured me quickly before looking to, and idly fidgeting with her forehooves. “If anything I, um... rather enjoy your company, so, uh, don’t worry about that, okay?”

“But... I  can’t help feeling like I’m taking advantage of your kindness...” I replied, my ears falling back as I turned away in guilt. “You’re just so kind, and seem to care so much... The only other pony to ever care so much about me was Mother.”

“You’re not taking advantage of me, I want to help you,” Fluttershy reassured me once more, slowly looking back up to me. “And I care because you’re a good friend. I feel that if I ever needed somepony to talk to, I could come to you... that is, um, if you wouldn’t mind, and if you're okay with it.”

Her words won a big smile from me. “Of course! You can talk to me anytime about anything,” I stated before pulling her into another hug. “Thank you, Fluttershy.”

she returned the hug with a warm smile. “Oh no, thank you.” the concerned mare paused for a moment before slowly breaking the embrace. “...Um, would you like to have some tea with me? If... If you wouldn’t mind, that is.”

“You already know my answer,” I replied with a small smirk. Fluttershy returned it with a big smile of her own.

* * * * * * * * * *

The two of us passed the time the tea needed to prepare with idle chit-chat. Fluttershy took it upon herself to place a makeshift table, using a stool in front of the couch for us. She insisted I not walk on my hooves, so the table itself was out of the question, and that she would instead bring a table to me. The whole scenario almost felt like breakfast in bed, seeing as back in my apartment all I had to sleep on was my sofa. It brought almost a sense of nostalgia. During this time, Fluttershy had avoided asking any questions about my day until the tea was ready.

“So, um, what exactly happened today? That is, if you don’t mind my asking...” she asked, looking back to me.

“Today has been awful,” I replied flatly with a hard sigh. “The past few days I haven’t had anything to do, so I figured I would go out and see if anypony needed help with anything before tomorrow.”

“Things didn’t work out...  did they?” Fluttershy asked with a touch of concern, covering her muzzle with a hoof.

I slowly shook my head. “Not at all.”

I went on to explain how I visited the girls. How Rarity didn’t want my help, Twilight didn’t need my help, that I only slowed Pinkie down and finally the incident with Applejack.

“...And to make it worse, when I returned home, Pinkie and Rarity had gotten me a surprise welcome gift.  A very expensive one...” I added, resting my head on my forelegs. “I didn’t deserve it, not after I had been no help to anypony, and certainly not after I have done so much damage to Applejack’s farm.” I let a long, drawn out sigh.

“I feel so useless, I couldn’t help anypony, Fluttershy,” I said, sighing again defeatedly.

Fluttershy quietly walked over and poured the two of us some tea before looking to me. “Oh, but you already have,” she commented with a wink, returning to her seat on the sofa next to me. I lifted my head and gave her a confused look.

“W-What do you mean?  Who, where... When?”

The yellow mare covered a small laugh. “Me, here and the moment you arrived,” She replied before looking down to her teacup. “I was, um, feeling a little... lonely...” Fluttershy fidgeted with her teacup a bit before looking back up to me.

“You, um... helped me feel better by visiting me,” She said before looking back down to her tea with a smile.  

I let out a mock chuckle. “All I did was unload all my problems and worries on you, I would hardly call that a visit,” I replied flatly before pausing. “... But if you would like, maybe I can make it up to you by making the rest of this a real visit?”

Fluttershy slowly looked back up to me. “I, um... w-would love that, very much... that is, if that's what you really want to do.”

I covered a small giggle.

Sometimes, I really wonder which of us is more self conscious.

* * * * * * * * * *

The next few hours I spent chatting away with Fluttershy, it amazed me how much the two of us had in common. I was quite surprised to learn that she too was teased and bullied as a filly.

“...Oh, yes. You see, when I was a filly, I was a very weak flyer. I had difficulty with even the basics, I couldn’t actually ‘fly’ for more than just a few meters at a time.” Fluttershy paused for a moment before continuing. “...The other colts and fillies would call me names like ‘Klutzershy’ or ‘Can-hardly-fly’.”

I nodded, finishing the remainder of my tea. “I know that feeling. Ponies would tease me and say that I ‘wasn’t finished’, or that I was actually a monster,” I said as my ears fell back. “The worst was when ponies wouldn’t even talk to me at all. If anypony did, they would get teased too.  So everypony just avoided me, either because they thought I was strange, or feared that they too would be teased if seen talking to me.”

Fluttershy covered her muzzle with a hoof in shock. “Why, that's... that’s just, awful!” she exclaimed softly. “Why was everypony so mean to you?”

“Because I was different...  Ponies in Manehattan aren't as friendly or accepting I guess,” I commented, fidgeting with my empty teacup. “Part of it was my fault though, I had an... outburst, the first day of school.”

“An, outburst?” Fluttershy asked, tilting her head

“You see, when I get angry, I mean really angry, I sometimes lose control of my magic.  Raw, uncontrollable magic surges and my mane and tail burst into flames,” I said before looking up to her. “A colt made me very angry on the first day of school. He insulted Mother and it happened in front of the whole class. After that everypony started spreading rumors that I was really a monster, or some kind of freakish abomination.”

Fluttershy quickly shook her head. “That has actually happened to Twilight a few times, so I don’t think that makes you a monster, it's, um, probably a unicorn thing.”

I gave her a curious look. “I’ve never heard of it happening to anypony else before though,” I replied, sitting up. Fluttershy paused for a moment, looking deep in thought.

“...Now that I think about it, I don’t think I have ever seen it happen to Rarity. And she has gotten really angry on a few occasions,” she added before looking up to me. “Maybe, Twilight knows more about it?”

I scratched my chin with a hoof while in thought. “Maybe... I’ll have to ask her.”

* * * * * * * * * *

The hours continued to roll by, while talking with Fluttershy. Before we had even realized it, the sun had already begun to set.

“Has it really gotten that late?” Fluttershy gasped, looking out the window. “Oh, I am so sorry!  I didn’t mean to keep you here so long!”

I stifled a small laugh at her needless worry. “Don’t worry, I enjoyed myself.  It was nice to have somepony to talk to and I... I feel a lot better now, thank you,” I replied before looking to the floor in thought. “Though I probably should get going, I have some apologizing and explaining to do...”

Rarity is probably worried sick about me by now.

My ears flattened as my thoughts shifted to Applejack.

I need to find someway to repay her, I can’t leave things as they are...  I really messed up.

I let a slow sigh before looking back to Fluttershy with a soft smile.

At least I did manage to do something right today...

“Thanks for everything, Fluttershy.” I went to get up from the couch, but stopped dead in my tracks with a wince; a sharp pain shot up my foreleg once I put pressure on my injured hoof.

Fluttershy hopped off the couch and gently pushed me back onto it. “No, you mustn’t walk around until your hooves have healed,” Fluttershy stated. “Let me take you home, I’ll carry you.”

I quickly shook my head. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“W-Well... um, i-if you wanted to, you could always...” The timid pegasus quickly trailed off into an inaudible whisper.

“What was that?” I asked, leaning in closer.

Fluttershy paused for a few moments before trying again. “...Stay here tonight?” she whispered softly before shyly looking away.

I stopped and thought about the situation for a few moments.

Even if I was to stay here tonight, somepony would still have to help me get home tomorrow, and tomorrow is a busy day. Unless I were to stay here for a few days, but I don’t want to get in Fluttershy’s way... So I may as well get it over with now.

“I, um... appreciate the offer, Fluttershy, I really do, but I don’t want to get in your way, and I’m not about to ask you to have to take care of me; and besides, Rarity is probably worried sick about me by now,” I replied, looking down to my hooves. “...So, I guess I’ll take you up on your offer to take me home, I just hope I’m not too heavy.”

Fluttershy let out a soft laugh. “Oh no, you’re not heavy at all, so don’t worry about that,” she reassured me before turning around and sitting in front of the couch. “Now, climb on and, um... wrap your forelegs around my neck.” I paused, hesitating for several moments before slowly scooting off the sofa, and doing as she instructed.

Now, Fluttershy has picked me up and carried me before, twice actually, but this was different. I was climbing onto the yellow pony’s back of my own free will. The first thing I noticed was how warm and soft she was, she obviously took very good care of her coat. Fluttershy’s mane also had a heavenly smell to it, it was almost intoxicating; she smelled like a field of fresh spring flowers.

“Ready?” she asked, looking back to me. Her face was slightly flushed, but then again, so was mine. I felt more than a little embarrassed, but it couldn’t be helped. What's a mare to do when she can’t even walk herself home?

“As I’ll ever be...”

As we left the cottage, it gave witness to the world around us. A brilliant golden hue bathed everything as far as the eye could see. I couldn’t help but watch in awe; the view of the sunset from here was simply breathtaking.

“...It’s so beautiful,” I cooed.

Fluttershy stopped in place before looking back to me. Her vision slowly trailed off to where mine was locked.

“Oh, yes, it is,” she said as she turned us to face the sunset. “I love watching the sunset.”

I nodded. “Me too, and this one is extra special; it's the last sunset of winter. Before the next, the colors of life will have returned to the world,” I commented before leaning in and tilting my head around to her. “You already know why I love spring so much, so tell me... what makes you love spring, Fluttershy?”

She looked back to me with a warm smile. “Spring is a happy time for me. The animals all wake up from their long winter sleep, ready to start new families,” she said, before looking off into the distance briefly. “I’d love to introduce you to all my animal friends... that is, if you want to.”

I looked down to her with a big smile. “Of course! I would love to meet them; I love animals too, remember?” I replied with a wink.

She beamed me giant smile before looking back to the setting sun, and slowly laying us to rest in the snow.

A comfortable silence fell over the two of us as we watched the remainder of the sunset together; neither of us speaking, silently enjoying each others company. I had gained a whole new appreciation for the yellow pegasus today. I learned a lot about her, and she a lot about me. I never would have imagined that I could share, and so openly, with another pony. The traumas of the past, joys of the present and hopes for the future; all comfortably and safely entrusted to this wonderfully kind mare.

“...I’m really glad to have met you,” Fluttershy stated suddenly, her sight still fixated forward. “It’s nice to have somepony that I can really relate to, and that I have so much in common with.”

“You took the words right out of my mouth, and thank you... for taking me home, for introducing me to such wonderful friends, for being there when I need you, for... for everything,” I admitted softly, leaning into her with a hug and nuzzling her mane. “If there is anyway I can repay you please, please let me know.”

Fluttershy covered a small giggle before looking back to me. “You can repay me by simply continuing to be my friend,” Fluttershy replied. Her expression slowly sank as she looked down to the snow. “I, um, love the girls very much, but... when it comes down to it, they really don’t share a lot of the same interests as me. It can be a real challenge to get some of them to do the things I love.”

“Rainbow Dash didn’t exactly strike me as a pony who gets thrilled to go butterfly watching, or Rarity to go bug hunting; especially for worms.”

She suddenly turned back to me with an exaggerated, ‘sophisticated’ look. “Digging for creepy crawlies in the dirt is so... uncouth!” said Fluttershy in an almost perfect impression of Rarity.

The two of us stared blankly at each other for a brief moment before exploding into a shared fit of laughter. After a few long moments of recovery, I looked up to the now starry sky. The moon was out in crescent tonight.

“We probably should get going, but... thank you. I haven’t taken the time to sit and watch the sunset in a very, very long time.” I looked down around me, suddenly realized I had been needlessly laying on her back this whole time. I looked down to her with a sheepish smile.  “And, um... sorry for squishing you this whole time.”

She quickly shook her head. “Oh no, it’s fine!” Fluttershy interjected before fidgeting under me. “Besides... I, um, hardly noticed...”

I let out a small laugh. “Well, If you say so,” I commented, looking to the path into town. “So, shall we?”

Fluttershy gave a soft nod before climbing to her hooves. “Yes. Let’s get you home”

* * * * * * * * * *

Thankfully, it was now dark out and most ponies had returned to their homes. A timid yellow pegasus carrying an injured, mysterious cloaked figure would have raised more than a few eyebrows from passersby. As we made our way across the town square to the boutique, a lingering feeling of guilt hit me once we approached the door.

I could only imagine what Rarity might be thinking. I come home crying, storming straight to my room without a word. Then just as soon as I came, I leave again without a word of explanation as to what's wrong. To top it all off, I end up staying out the rest of the day, again without a word to her.

I really hope she isn’t mad at—

My train of thought suddenly derailed as a white and purple blur nearly tackled the two of us over as we walked through the door. A visibly flustered Rarity quickly bombarded me with a slew of questions before we could recover.

“Prism, darling! I’ve been so worried! What happened? Why were you crying? Where did you go? Where have you been? Are you okay?” The unicorn paused as she examined me, seemingly just realizing my yellow saviour's presence. “Fluttershy, dear, what happened to her hooves?”

“I’ll, um, explain in a moment. Right now we really need to get her to bed,” Fluttershy said, looking back to me.

The fashionista visible shook herself. “Oh! yes, right, of course! Right this way, darling.” Rarity gestured for her to follow.

The walk up to the guest room was silent and the guilt of worrying somepony so much started to really weigh down on me. I very much looked up to Rarity and admired her, the last thing I wanted to do was cause her trouble while staying under her roof.

Reaching the guest room, Fluttershy gently laid me to rest on my silky soft bed before taking my cloak from me and tucking me in soon after. Rarity stepped up to the bed and opened her mouth to speak, but I quickly cut her off.

“I am so sorry for not telling you anything!” I interjected before sitting up. “Today was just so awful, and I was panicked and—Oh, please don’t be mad at me, Rarity! I—”

The fashionista covered my muzzle with a hoof, softly hushing me. “Relax, darling. I’m not angry or upset, I’m simply worried if you are alright,” Rarity commented, removing her hoof. “Now... whatever happened to you, dear? You burst through the door earlier in tears!” Rarity exclaimed, holding a hoof to her muzzle in concern.

I shrank away from her with a guilty look, I felt just awful. While I had been enjoying myself at Fluttershy’s, she had been worrying about me this whole time.

Rarity paused briefly before looking between Fluttershy and me. “Oh, how rude of me! Would you girls like some tea?”

Fluttershy looked to me with a wink before turning to Rarity. “We would love some, if it’s not too much trouble,” she replied. Rarity gave a quick nod and immediately made for the stairs, and down to the kitchen, without another word.

Fluttershy turned to me with a small chuckle. “She will calm down once once she knows what happened. She may not look it at times, but she actually cares very deeply for the wellbeing of her friends,” Fluttershy added before scanning the room.

As I watched her, I ventured a guess that she was looking for someplace to get comfortable.

“Sorry, the room doesn’t really have any extra furniture, but you can sit up here with me if you like,” I offered, gesturing to the unnecessarily large, empty space of bed in front of me.

“A-Are you sure? I, um, wouldn’t want to crowd you...” she replied timidly.

I glanced to the large expanse of excess bed, before giving her a flat look. Fluttershy returned with a sheepish smile and small squee. After a moment of hesitation, she slowly approached the edge of the bed, pawing at the mattress with a hoof, before turning to me with a look of reluctance. I let out a long, slow sigh. Sometimes she was far more polite than she really needed to be.

“I won’t bite, come on up,” I encouraged with a small laugh.

She hopped up before circling about in place a few times and laying down on the bed next to me.

I looked down to my forehooves with a sharp sigh. “Looks like I’ll have to miss out on tomorrow's festivities; and I was really looking forward to it too...” I paused for a moment, bringing a hoof to my muzzle. “I hope the rest of the town won’t be upset that I didn’t help.”

“Oh no, they won’t mind,” Fluttershy assured me. “This won’t be the first time a pony was injured and couldn’t participate, they will understand.”

I looked up to the mare with a small smile. “That makes me feel a little better, but...” I trailed off, looking down to the bedsheets in shame. “I may not be the only pony unable to help tomorrow...”

My thoughts quickly drifted off to the red stallion from Sweet Apple Acres. ‘Big Macintosh’ if I remembered correctly.

Now that I think about it... That was incredibly brave what he did. Acting without hesitation, even throwing himself in harms way without a second thought. Strong, tall, handsome and brave... talk about sexy...

I felt a goofy smile creep across my face as my cheeks began to flush. I covered my face with both hooves and visibly shook the thought away.

“Are you, um, okay, Prism?” Fluttershy asked, tilting her head.

I turned to her with an embarrassed look, while I fidgeted with my forehooves nervously. “Y-Yes, I-I’m... fine,” I replied, taking a deep breath as I composed myself. “Sorry, I, um... got lost in thought.”

She cocked her head further, giving me a confused look before shaking it off. “Anyways, what did you mean by, “I may not be the only pony unable to help tomorrow?””

“Well... Remember when I—”

My attention was quickly distracted as Rarity ascended the stairs levitating a small table, two chairs and a tray of tea cups in her magic field.

“I am terribly sorry, Fluttershy. I had forgotten that there was no extra...” Rarity trailed off, glancing between the yellow pony and I a few times with blank look. Her expression slowly crept into a sly smile. “Oh... Well, nevermind then.” The fashionista covered a small laugh.

Fluttershy and I traded clueless looks before I dismissed the comment with a shrug. Rarity sat the extra chair in the corner of the room before sitting the small table at the edge of the bed. She sat down her own chair and then placed the tea on the table, before taking her seat.

“So, Prism, dear. Did things go bad at Twilight’s?” Rarity asked, levitating her tea and taking a sip. “Pinkie told me you also had helped her this morning.”

I glanced down to my hooves then across the table to my teacup, out of reach. “Not really... Twilight didn’t need my help,” I replied softly, eyeing my tea eagerly. “And I didn’t really help Pinkie, I only managed to slow her down.”

Rarity look back to me confused. “Slow her down? Darling, trust me, you helped speed it along,” she assured me. “You have seen Pinkie’s attention span, dear? Without you there to keep her focused, why, it could very well taken her all day to get all those muffins done. Not to mention the possibility of her getting sidetracked by other things entirely.”

I looked up to her with a small smile. “Y-you... really think so?” I asked softly.

Rarity gave me a flat look. “Darling, I know so,” she stated with a small grin.

Fluttershy reached over and took her teacup in her hooves. “Pinkie Pie is a very hard worker, but she is, um, very easily distracted,” she added. “Just you being around would have helped her stay focused, so you did help her, yes.”

I looked between the two with a warm smile. “Thank you girls, that makes me feel a lot better.” I glanced to my teacup again, and then up to Rarity. She returned the look with an innocent smile.

...She’s plotting something.

Now, my love of tea was no secret to the girls. It can drive me to get overly excited, or do things I normally... wouldn’t...

Oh, I see now... Keeping my teacup out of reach and not offering to pass it to me... You want me to use my magic, don’t you, Rarity? Well, I’m onto you.

“Um, Fluttershy? Would you mind passing me my tea, please?” I asked, turning to her and gesturing a hoof to my teacup. I made a quick glance back to Rarity to stick my tongue out at her playfully.

Prism: 1, Rarity: 0.

“Um... You really shouldn’t be holding anything hot with your burns. You, um... should probably wait for it to cool first... I-If thats okay with you...” Fluttershy replied hesitantly.

What?! Cold tea? That won’t—

I slowly turned to Rarity. She had a smug smile plastered on her face.

Prism: 0, Rarity: Checkmate...

I let out a slow defeated sigh as I focused my magic to my teacup, my prismatic aura enveloping it as I levitated it to me. I took a large sip from it before flattening my ears and giving the fashionista a small glare. She returned with a very satisfied smile and nod.

“So, Prism, darling... Whatever happened to get you so upset anyways?” Rarity asked with a hint of reluctance in her voice.

“Um, it was a mixture of a lot of things, actually.” I answered slowly, sitting down my cup. “You see, everypony has been so nice to me, and I’ve had so little to do. So I wanted to do something to show my appreciation to everypony, to lend a hoof and help out, but...” I trailed off into a heavy sigh.

“Nopony seemed to want or need my help, and those who did I got in their way, or rather thought so in Pinkie’s case.” I fidgeted with my forehooves as my ears fell back.. “But... in Applejacks case, I more than just got in the way... I, um... kind of, sort of... lit her cellar on fire.” I smiled sheepishly, tapping my fore hooves together.

Rarity looked aghast. “You, WHAT?!” she exclaimed, dropping her teacup from her magical grasp.

I shrank down, curling myself into a ball. “I-I was only trying to help, but I wasn’t strong enough to carry the bags!” I replied hastily. “So I figured I would try my magic, but they were too heavy for that too, so I got frustrated, and I tried harder, and—”

“—The bag caught on fire.” Rarity interjected with a knowing look. “It happens to Sweetie Belle all the time, dear. She tries hard, too hard to levitate things and they, more often than not, burst into flames. I have since banned her from using any magic in the house until I have been given the clear from her teachers.”

I covered a sharp gasp, knowing well my magic was equally as hazard prone. “I’m so sorry! I-I won’t use magic inside anymore, I promise!”

Rarity covered a laugh, while Fluttershy turned to me with a confused look.

“Oh-no-no-no-no, darling! You see, the poor dear hasn’t even been to magic kindergarten yet,” Rarity declared, dismissing my concern with a wave. “You at least have the education and some control over your magic.”

I paused before scratching the back of my neck nervously. “Um, y-yeah, you’re right... Anyways, thats why I came home so upset; and why I left again...” I trailed off, looking to the easel across the room.

“I felt really bad. I had done so much wrong today, so when Pinkie told me the two of you had bought me this gift, I... I didn’t know what to think,” I added, shifting uncomfortably. “...I felt I didn’t deserve it, that I didn’t deserve such a wonderful thing when I hadn’t done anything special to earn it.” I quickly looked up to the fashionista with a worried look.

“And why?! Why did you get me such an expensive gift? You haven’t even known me very long. Do you realize how special these are?” I asked gesturing to the easel. “I... had always wanted one, so when the reality of me actually having one set in, I panicked. It was like a dream come true, but... at such an inappropriate time.” I looked down the bed with with guilty expression. “I’m sorry...”

“Prism, darling, you have nothing to be sorry about. If anything, I’m the one who should be sorry,” Rarity replied, biting her lower lip. “You had asked several times if you could do soemthing, anything to help me. But I was being too... finicky, when you were quite capable of doing more than what I asked of you; and for that, I am very sorry.”

“It’s alright, Rarity. I understand how it can be when you are so engrossed into a project, everything else just seems to slip away,” I replied, levitating my cup to me and finishing the remainder of my tea. “I would get so entranced by a flash of inspiration, that I would just have to paint, often for hours. I would easily lose track of the time, but Mr. Wiggles would quickly remind me of mealtime.” I looked down to my teacup with a gentle smile at the memories.

Fluttershy nodded. “Angel bunny never lets me miss meal time, he is very adamant about it.”

“Opalescence too, Celestia forbid I am late to feed her...” Rarity trailed off into a nervous laugh before she quickly composed herself with a cough. “Anyways, darling. About the easel...” she turned to face the object in question before looking back to me. “You love to paint, so it only seemed appropriate to give you something to paint with.”

“Yes, but you didn’t have to get me something so... expensive. Just some simple supplies and a standard easel would have done just fine.”

“Nonsense!” Rarity stated, dismissing my notion with a raise of her snout. “You are my guest, and newly acquired friend. You deserve only the very best my hospitality has to offer; and besides, I am quite curious what masterpieces you will come up with.”

“Oh, me too,” Fluttershy added with a touch of excitement. “I can’t wait to see your paintings, Prism.”

I pulled the bed sheets over my face to hide a heavy blush. “T-Thank you, girls... but I’m really not that good, honest!” I exclaimed, looking between the two mares bashfully.

“Oh, don’t be so humble, darling! I imagine the works of a pony with art as their special talent would be a touch above mediocrity,” Rarity declared.  “I’m certain you are quite the gifted painter, dear”

No longer able to hide my furious blush I quickly threw the covers over my head. This prompted a small fit of laughter from the other two mares.

I felt so embarrassed, but I just wasn’t used to compliments. What's worse, they hadn't even seen anything yet. I was beginning to worry that I might not be able to live up to their expectations.

But I will try my best...

I slowly poked my head out from under the covers. The warm smiles of both mares greeted me, and I couldn’t help but manage a smile in return. It felt so good to have friends, even if they do fluster me a bit from time to time; it is all so very worth it for this feeling right here.

Rarity levitated our empty teacups back to their tray before getting out of her seat. “Well, It has gotten quite late, and I must make a few last minute preparations for tomorrow before I am off to bed,” the fashionista informed us, before levitating the tray. “You girls have a good night.” She turned and made her way to the stairs before stopping and turning back to us.

“Oh, and Fluttershy, darling. Do be a dear and be sure to lock the door on your way out.” she looked directly to her with a sudden, sly smile. “...assuming you intend to leave, of course.” Rarity shot her a wink before turning away and disappearing down the stairs. I

cocked my head aside in confusion for a moment before looking back to Fluttershy. “Oh! You might be staying here tonight?” I asked with a wide smile. “That would be fun!” The yellow pony gave no response, covering her face with both hooves and turning away from me.

“Fluttershy... are you okay?” I asked, getting out from under the covers and crawling up to her.

“Flut—”

“S-Sorr—”

The yellow pegasus suddenly whipped around to face me, resulting in an unintentional, but painful headbutt. I felt the room spin for a brief moment as I tumbled backwards off the edge of the bed. Fluttershy quickly reached out and grabbed me, but my momentum was too great. Resulting in my falling and dragging the pegasus down with me.

I landed with a hard thud on the floor below and was quickly met with the sensation of the mare landing on me, nearly knocked the wind out of me. After a brief moment of recovery I opened my eyes to find a large pair of aquamarine eyes staring down into mine. Our muzzles where all but touching and I could feel her hot breath running along my face; a chill ran down my spine at the sensation.

Deja vu?

I felt my face heat up with a fiery blush, while Fluttershy’s did so as well simultaneously. The two of us laid frozen in place for many long moments of silence, which was abruptly ended by a loud ‘pomf’ sound as her wings had suddenly spread to full extension. Just when I thought the mares blush couldn’t go any deeper, she turned a whole new shade of scarlet.

I tilted my head and examined her right wing. I had never really gotten a good look at a pegasus’s wings up close before. Now that I really looked... Fluttershy’s wings were absolutely beautiful. Her plumes were very clean and well maintained. My curiosity piqued and I found myself extending a forehoof and gently brushing along the underside of her wing, running along the tips of her feathers.

They’re so soft...

Fluttershy let out a sudden soft whine and shifted uncomfortably above me. I quickly withdrew my hoof as she threw herself off me. I hastily sat up, worried that I may have hurt her somehow.

“I-I’m sorry, did that hurt?” I asked while trying to compose myself from the akward moment we just shared.

The yellow pony stammered incoherently for a few moments before hiding her face with both forehooves.

“Are you okay?” I asked, extending a hoof to her. She quickly shook her head before she shot up to her hooves.

“Y-Yes, I’m, um, okay. P-Perfectly fine!” she stammered out, looking back to either side of her at her extended wings. “I-I... I need to, uh, g-go get ready for, um, tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry...” I apologized, my ears falling back as I looked up to her.

Fluttershy again hastily shook her head. “N-No, you’re fine! I-I, um, just need to, uh... go...” the yellow pony replied before dashing towards the staircase. “Goodnight!”

Fluttershy’s right wing clipped the guardrail of the staircase as she began her descent down the stairs. She let out a small yip-like squeak before angling herself so her wings could pass and quickly disappeared down the stairs. I quickly began to retrace the events of the past few minutes in my mind.

I hope she really is okay... And her wings? What was that?

After some thought, I dismissed the thoughts as her reassurances replayed in my mind. Although flustered, she had assured me that she was okay. I slowly crawled back onto the bed with a sharp sigh.

I’ll apologize and ask her about it the next time I—

My train of thought derailed as a long yawn interrupted me.

I looked to the clock on the wall. “11 pm.” I said aloud to myself. “I should probably get some sleep, busy day tomorrow.” I haphazardly threw the covers over me with a lazy groan.

I looked over to the easel and paints across the room before closing my eyes with a smile.

Tomorrow, I will finally paint.