It was later that same day, but not too much later. That is, not too long after the awkward incident in which Rainbow acted on an impulse and kissed me. Since that, Rainbow and I -- along with ‘Shy and Derps, who had flown up here to Rainbow’s house about 15 to 20 minutes after the aforementioned incident -- had been helping pick up around the house. It wasn’t an absolute disaster, but it did need some cleaning up. Usually, such a mess wouldn’t concern me: I have relatively good reflexes and good night vision, so I rarely -- if ever -- trip over things in the dark. However, considering that Rainbow’s house floats in the middle of the fucking sky, I didn’t want to take any chances. Fortunately, I didn’t have to -- even if jokingly -- use the incident from earlier as blackmail to entice Rainbow to assist me with the task; she actually chose to of her own accord. Whether any secondary implications exist, however, I do not know.

“Um...”

I turn and look at the yellow pegasis. “Yes, Fluttershy?”

“I...um...think I should, maybe, go and let the others know that we...um...found you. Well, if that’s okay with you, that is...”

“Actually, that would undoubtedly be best.” I turn and give Rainbow a look. “After all, they’ve likely been worrying about me for longer than they’ve known me.”

Rainbow blushes at my glare, and lets out a nervous chuckle.

“Oh, well, um, okay then. I won’t be gone too long...”, ‘Shy says as she’s walking toward the door, nearly tripping over Derpy, who had been who had been sitting on the floor, drawing with some crayons we gave her to keep her ‘occupied’ (Rainbow still doesn’t trust her as much as I do...but then again, I’m the only pony who really trusts Derpy with anything...).

As soon as I could officially determine that 'Shy had taken wing and left, I walked toward Derpy.

“Hey...Derpy?”

She stops coloring and looks at me, derped as can be...she seems to be more...relaxed...about that around ‘Shy, Rainbow and me...but seemingly more so for me. As a comparison, Derpy doesn’t care much around ‘Shy and Dash, but around me it’s more like she doesn’t give a fuck at all. I have my theories for the ‘why’, but I plan on keeping them to myself until I know for certain...

“Um, well, I talk to Dash about something...” At this point the aforementioned cyan pegasis turns her attention towards me, with an eyebrow raised. “So, if you could...”

Derpy beat me to the point, and slammed forward in front of her, as if gravity had suddenly been doubled. I’ve always wondered how she could instantly fall asleep at will...

"Thank you, Derpy!" I said with a laugh, doing so only to imply to the cyan pegasis that that was what I had planned, which I actually had.

Rainbow chuckles. “I forgot she could do that.”

“It’s a good thing I didn’t then.” I said with my half-smile.

Rainbow lets out a sigh as we both turn our focus to talking before Fluttershy returns. “It’s about earlier, isn’t it?”

I decide to go straight to the core of my idea. “Well, more specifically, how I suggest you confront Fluttershy and ask her for some advice regarding the feeling that led to the impulse you had.”

“Wow, you went straight to the core of that idea, didn’t ya?”

“That’s precisely what I just narrated...”

“Wait, what?!”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Okaayyy...”

“Aaaanyway...”

Rainbow cuts me off. “So you pretty much just want me to ask ‘Shy for advice about what I ‘felt’, so you have some more information to help you come up with another one of those ‘plans’ of yours.”

I grin widely. “‘Pretty much’ indeed.”

We both hear ‘Shy starting to land just outside. Dash starts heading over to wake up Derpy, but half-way she looks over a wing at me.

“You know...I’ve always liked those ‘plans’ of yours...” she says with a wink, before walking the other half of the way, then following up by heading over to talk with Fluttershy outside...