Author’s Note: Sorry for the wait. I got into a big fight with my parents and lost my computer. I’m using my father’s for the weekend, so only expect one or two chapters for the next month, at the least. You guys (and gals) are most important here, and again, I am sorry.

I awoke with a start. I looked to my right, searching for Fluttershy. There she was, sound asleep, still resting on my side. I looked out the window. It looked to be about eight in the morning, judging by the sun’s angle in the sky. I gently untangled myself from the mare (being careful not to wake her), and moved silently downstairs. I began to prepare breakfast as quiet as a mouse, not wanting to wake her. While I did this, I thought to myself:

‘I think I may have feelings for Fluttershy. Romantic feelings. I can’t believe it. I just came here to start a new life, nothing more. But perhaps, love is just part of that. Maybe I HAVE found a new life… here. With her…’ I paused my thoughts while I diced some carrots. ‘No, what am I thinking? I can’t possibly have a life with her. I am a wanted stallion. All I would be doing is putting her in harm’s way if I were to stay. I was only supposed to stay a few days. That was the plan. Then move on into Canterlot and buy a nice house, and live the rest of my days in solitude.’ I breathed a heavy sigh as I plated some flowers with the carrots, before starting on some apples. ‘I am just merely in denial of one simple fact. I am in love with Fluttershy. However, I cannot stay without putting her in harm’s way…’ I stopped again while setting the table.

“…Or can I?” I said aloud.

“Can you what?” I jumped, spinning around, only to find Fluttershy standing behind me, rubbing her eyes with one hoof.

“Oh nothing, Fluttershy, my dear. Just early morning rambling, happens to the best of us. Would you care for some breakfast?” She nodded and sat down in a chair I pulled out for her, not noticing how I called her “dear”. She began to nibble on the meal before her, while I sat deep in thought. Apparently, I was frowning again, as she spoke up.

“Is something troubling you, Red Storm?” I looked at her, and had just then noticed how pretty she really was. Her glossy, perfect coat… Her lush, flowing, pink mane… And the glistening blue irises of her eyes… I shook my head lightly and responded:

“No, nothing’s wrong, I’m just once again deep in thought.” I didn’t have the heart to discuss my true problem with her now. Maybe later… I imagined a hilariously stereotypical moment in which I could confess my love to her; in the wake of a conquered peril, under a romantic moonlit night. I chuckled for a moment, and Fluttershy caught this.

“Sorry. Just remembering a silly foal’s tale.” Fluttershy accepted this explanation and continued to eat. Good save. Sort of.

“Say, Fluttershy, you never got to indulge me with the tales of last night? What went on with you and the other mares?” She shrugged.

“Oh, not very much. We had a little get-together at Sugarcube Corner. What did you do last night with Whitewash?”

“Actually… I found that Whitewash was occupied with company of her own…” The yellow mare’s eyes went wide.

“Oh,” was all she said. I continued by saying:

“However, I ran into Miss Doo en route and we wound up having a delightful dinner together.” I finished with a light-hearted smile. Fluttershy, however, met this with a blank look.

“So… you went on a date with Ditzy Doo?”

“Yes… I suppose you could call it that… why?”

“Oh, it’s nothing, just… well that’s nice to see that you two are getting along.” I could have sworn she seemed distraught when she trailed off for a moment, but she returned to her quiet, cheery self upon finishing. “How was it?”

“Oh, it was nice. We went out to a pleasant little restaurant in town, and had a swell time. We talked about our interests, past experiences… small talk really. Then, once we were done, I paid the bill, and walked her home. When we got back she… umm” I noticed how Fluttershy was looking at me. Almost with longing. I don’t think she knew she was making a face. “She gave me a kiss and I returned here. That’s about it.” As I wrapped up the short story, Fluttershy relaxed, but maintained a gloomy look about her. ‘Is she… jealous? No, no, certainly not… is she?’

“Something wrong, Fluttershy?” I asked, “You look troubled.” I was beginning to think that Whitewash might have been onto something the other night…

“Oh… no. I’m happy that you got to go on a date,” she smiled, but I didn’t buy it.

“Ok… thank you. Perhaps we can find you a nice colt too… eh?” She smiled again, but with less luster. ‘Perhaps Whitewash WAS right… could this squeamish, quiet, mare possibly have feelings for ME?’

I shook off the thought as she continued to eat, nodding me off. We finished breakfast in silence. I washed the dishes, and Fluttershy left me in silence to go to her animals. I sat alone in the living room in silence, sipping a cup of tea. However, my mind was filled with thoughts.

‘Might she love me? Do I love her? How can I know? How could I be sure it’s not just my imagination?’

‘You can’t, but it’s a safe guess that though she may not love you, she certainly harbors feelings of some sort.’

‘Don’t be foolish. She doesn’t love YOU. She simply sees you as a roommate. Nothing more.’

‘And how, pray tell, how would YOU know that?’

‘Because who has every truly loved you? Nopony.’

‘That’s not true. What about sister Scarlet Rain?’

‘She abandoned you. Left you for father and mother. They probably aren’t even LOOKING for you.’

‘Gentlemen, please. Let us settle this rationally. Is it not possible she DOES share feelings for him, if not love him?’

‘Perhaps.’

‘Fat chance.’

‘Then let it be said, that until further notice, Fluttershy is Red Storm’s Crush.’

‘Very well.’

‘Good enough.’

‘I can live with that.’

I came back to as she re-entered the room again. ‘My Crush. I like that thought… wait... did I just have a four-way conversation with myself?’

“Pray tell, Fluttershy. What are we going to be doing today, anyway?” She stopped, and cocked her head sideways, thinking about it. “I mean, not like I have anything planned.”

“What about Ditzy Doo?” she said, frowning.

‘She has the hots for you.’ A voice said.

‘Shut it!’ I curtly responded to the voice. I returned my attention to Fluttershy.

“I think it is safe to say that that was a friendly rendezvous.” I said, and she just looked at me the same for a moment, before returning to some sort of normality. It seems like I am really having a negative influence on the yellow mare, because she is much different from when I first met her. The quiet, jumpy frightened mare is never to be seen whenever I was present, at least not for several weeks.

‘Perhaps… she feels more comfortable around you?’

‘…Perhaps. That does make sense…’

I must stop talking to myself like that.

“Ok. I guess I can live with that. Besides, wasn’t Pinkie preparing a party for tonight? Shouldn’t you be preparing for that?” My heart skipped a beat.

“T-t-t-t-t-t-t-t…”

“I guess if forgot to mention that she told me to tell you last night, didn’t I?” I merely continued sputtering:

“T-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-” before finishing with: “t-t-t-Tonight? I do need to get prepared! How many ponies will be there?”

“Lots… maybe everypony in town.” I gaped for a moment before shutting my mouth.

“I must make myself presentable! How’s my mane? My coat? I must shower, and brush my teeth! I must do everything I can to look my very best! This is a once-in-a-lifetime event! Not like I will ever get another “Welcome Party” ever again.” As I scrambled to get myself ready, Fluttershy stood for a moment before asking:

“You can always have another “Welcome Party”… unless… you’re planning to stay?” I didn’t look to her for several minutes as I searched for my toothbrush. When I found it, however, I turned to her with a caring smile and replied:

“Yes, in fact, I do plan on settling here. I feel like there may be a future here for me… But for now, I must prepare for this PARTY.” I swiftly killed the moment by running into the bathroom to prepare, leaving Fluttershy alone again.

As the sun began to creep down again, I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable in my own skin. Nopony has ever thrown me a party before, and the only celebration I ever got back home was a day of relaxation and no training… and that was on my Birthdays.

“So, are you sure I look ok? I feel… incomplete.”

“Red Storm, you are wearing Mithril chainmail under your suit, and even the suit seems a bit much. How did you find a suit at this hour, anyway?” I looked at her sideways before saying:

“Firstly, the Mithril is traditional, lightweight and incredibly strong, not to mention plain awesome. Secondly, one must always, always suit up for big occasions. Occasions such as parties. And I got the suit from Rarity, for your information,” I said, trying to sound snooty, but failing when I chuckled. She just giggled lightly, rolling her eyes.

“You know you look silly, right? You’re in a full suit going to a party where nopony else will be wearing anything?”

“Oh well. Where is the party, anyway?”

“At Sugarcube Corner, why?” I gulped.

“Very well, let us get there as soon as possible. My nerves are being tested as we speak.”

We arrived at the party minutes later, and when we finally arrived, the whole building was simply bouncing. There were strobing lights coming from the windows, the thump-thump-thump-thump of a bass stereo pumping. The windows rattled, and if I didn’t believe that everypony in town was there, I would have suspected somepony to be calling some sort of law enforcement due to the party “Disturbing the Peace”.

We trotted up to the door, where a familiar pink mare stood, wearing shades and a vest, obviously trying to be a bouncer… how queer, seeing as everypony was already inside. We neared her, and Miss Pie nodded curtly to us, before asking:

“Name?” I couldn’t help but be confused.

“Pinkie, its Fluttershy and me, Red Storm, and why are you dressed like that?”

“You ain’t on the list.” She said, making her voice gruff. “But you are,” she said, pointing to Fluttershy. Without another word, she pushed the yellow mare inside and followed her in, before stopping at the door, turning to me.

“If you ain’t on the list, you don’t get in. Sorry pal, it’s the rules.” She then stepped inside, and locked the door. I stood there, for several minutes, utterly confused.

Out of nowhere, the door blew open, and Pinkie Pie jumped out in a hail of streamers and confetti, no longer in her bouncer outfit.

“Just kidding!” She said, laughing. “No way I would keep the stallion of the hour out of his own party! Come on in!” She stepped aside, and allowed me in. What met my eyes was spectacular and near-seizure inducing.

Author's Notes:

Is anyone even looking for my references anymore? Cause no one's sayin' jack about finding them. There are two vauge ones in this chapter alone... come on! Throw me a bone here, people! Anyway, hope you're enjoying the story and everything like that.