RelationShy - Prologue

>you shove more pancake into your mouth as you ponder life's greatest mysteries.
>what is life? Why are we here? Why in the name of fuck did I get transported to some land inhabited by sentient marshmallow ponies?
>however, these questions go unanswered, and probably always will.
>you check your watch. Another 15 minutes until you have to get to your desk job as mayor mares secretary.
>you were soon promoted, within a month of working, to top secretary and general manager.
>probably due to your dexterity with your hands.
>and of course your MacBook kinda helped.
>you get the same pay as all the other secretaries across equestria, but since ponyville is pretty small, you rarely have to do much work.
>like only 4 hours of work a day.
>pay is generous
>work is minimal
>life is good.

>you glance over the equestria daily.
>bunch of old rubbish news.
>suddenly, you catch rainbow's photo in the paper.
>for the best young flier competition.
>she won.
>again.
>you think back over your time with her.
>when you two used to be a couple.
>it wasn't a bad breakup actually.
>mutual agreement.
>she didn't want to be seen as being in a relationship.
>she wanted the single life.
>so did you.
>you still see each other just about every day.
>you still show affection for her in many ways.
>in many ways, you are still friends.
>with benefits.
>and boy, those benefits are sweet.

>you get up and leave the bits on the table.
>generous tip included.
>make your way to the mayors office.
>work some hours.
>not much happening
>go home at 2.
>you have a nap.
>you decide to have a walk around ponyville.
>walk like sir.
>you stop over at the library
>Twilight is busy studying as usual.
>"o hey anon. What brings you here?"
"nothing really. I was just thinking, you know... How are our relationships different?"
>she looks puzzled.
"I mean... Whats different between human and pony relationships?"
>"You mean like non-platonic relationships."
"yeah."
>she thinks for a few seconds.
>"why do you ask?"
>shit, curveball

>"I Donno. I've just been thinking about rainbow all day."
>"anon... I know how much relationships can mean to you humans. If you need any help...."
"it's fine twilight. I ain't even mad... It's just... Where I come from, relationships seem a lot more... Serious. And I can't understand why."
>twilight instantly gets out a quill and paper and writes it down.
>"I don't know why anon. It's just the way it is. I guess it's just a culture that has developed."
>she writes more.
>"not to mention the fact that there are far fewer stallions here than men on earth."
>you consider this.
>and suddenly, for no reason at all, you ask a dumb question.
"hey twilight, have you ever had a coltfriend?"
>the sudden question takes her by surprise.
>"I... I... Erm, no, actually."
>you feel like asking why, but you know that would be kinda dick move
>"it's just... I have met some ponies I liked but... Well I mean my studies take up much of my time and all that... And plus, I don't usually go out and meet people."
"I see."
>it suddenly dawns on you that you have never seen a single member of the mane6 in a relationship, not counting you and rainbow.
"hey twilight... Has rainbow ever had another coltfriend?"
>"she told me she did... One or two... But they were assholes by the sound of it. Well, that's what she called them anyway."
"oh."

>"Applejack has had a few colt friends… But I guess her work keeps her busy most of the time so, she never really has time for them. oh! and then theres Rarity, she has also had a few… but not really serious relations, more like one night stands if anything… and then theres pinkie… same thing basically. I guess all the stallions find her a bit…"
"Insane?"
>"well, yeah that. and then there is… Fluttershy."
>She looks down, her expression changing.
>"She… she… she's never been with anyone."
"Well thats not really a surprise I guess. she is FlutterSHY after all."
>Oh anon… you so funny
>no but srsly
>"Yaeh… But she…"
"but she what?"
>"She doesn't LIKE being shy. its just the way she is. In fact… She's…"
>You are waiting patently as twilight struggles to decide if she wants to tell you this.
>"She has been feeling really lonely lately."
"So would I if I lived by myself and hardly saw anyone except animals all day."
>"Yeah but… Its more serious than that."
"What?"
>"I think she's been real depressed lately."
>You think over the last few times you met fluttershy.
>Holy shit. twilights right. She HAS been acting differently.
>"Im really worried about her anon… She usually doesn't get like this. even rainbow said this is the worst she has ever seen her."
>You feel slightly guilty for some reason.
>"I don't know what it is."
"You don't think its because she doesn't have anybody to love?"
>"She has the animals…"
"Yeah, but you can only love them so much. They can't really return it."
>Twilight magics her pen up and starts taking notes.
>"I really don't want her to be like this anon. If only there was something we could do."
>You ponder for a moment.
"I think Im gonna go see her now."
>"What, Right now?"
"Sure, why not? ill cook her spaghetti or something for dinner. It'll just make her happy at least. And plus, Maybe I can talk to her about her depression."
>"Good idea anon. you do that, but come back and tell me what she says."

>You arrive at fluttershy's cottage and knock at the door.
>you can hear her coming down the stairs, and slowly unbolt the latches.
>She opens the door slightly apprehensively, but immediately her expression changes when she see you.
>You walk in.
"Hello, Fluttershy."
>You bend down and hug her.
>"Anon… What are you doing here?"
"I just thought Id come by and cook you dinner."
>Fluttershy does not compute.
>"But… why?"
"Well, I haven't seen you in so long, I just thought id come by and do something nice for you."
>She makes a squeeing noise.

>Sitting down, spaghetti ready.
>"Im so glad that you decided to do this for me anon."
"My pleasure. I just wanted to do something nice."
>You talk about shit in general while you eat your spaghetti.
>They may not have mince or meatballs in equestria, but this olive oil sauce thing makes up for that.
>But eventually, you try to get to whats bothering you.
"me and twilight were talking about the differences between human and pony relationships today."
>"Oh, why is that?"
"Oh nothing, I was just wondering about myself and rainbow."
>"Its a shame that you two broke up."
"Not really. we still see each other every day, and plus, it gives her more time for the weather team and all that."
>Fluttershy nods.
"Hey flutters, you have never had a coltfriend, have you?"
>This question takes flutters by surprise.
>"oh my… um… erm… no."
>You change your tone. to one of sincerity.
"Twilight tells me you have been feeling kind of down lately."
>Fluttershy is becoming quieter and quieter.


>"well… yeah, kind of."
"do you know whats causing it?"
>She looks down.
"Flutters, listen here."
>You rest your hand on her mane.
"Im your friend flutters. I just want you to be happy. and If you don't tell me why you are so depressed, ill never be able to help you."
>She sort of looks up.
>"fine."
>You stroke her mane.
"Good. now tell me whats making you sad."
>She takes a breath.
>"well, Iv been feeling really lonely lately, and I don't know why, It never happened to me before, and Now its just… I don't know. I just want to be normal like the other ponies. I just want to go out and meet somepony… somepony who will love me back."
>These words drive home how hard she must be feeling about this.
"Listen flutters. I can't control who is attracted to you or not, But I'm gonna help you on this."
>"how?"
"The only reason you can't find that special somepony is because you aren't looking."
>Fluttershy looks up at you.
"Your… Your too shy."
>"So how are you going to help me?"
"Im going to help you overcome your shyness and find that special somepony."