Stone Cold Pt. 2

>You walk up to the door and fish the key from your pocket.
>You slide the metal into the slot and turn to unlock, but look behind you.
>The sun is almost finished setting. It’s been a truly long day, you just want to make a quick meal and fall asleep.
>The orange glow is slowly fading to a deep purple before your eyes.
>It almost resembles Maud’s mane.
>Maud.
>She’s…
>You seriously have no idea how to describe her, and that frustrates you. She’s blunt, witty, sarcastic…maybe a little dumb.
>Or maybe it’s the sort of general malaise that only geniuses possess, and the insane lament.
>Whatever you would call her, it’s impossible for you to deny that she’s certainly an interesting person.
>You kick off your shoes as you step inside and head for the refrigerator.
>She’s also very…
>Beautiful, in a way.
>You rummage for something quick.
>Cheese sandwich. Whatever.
>At least they have pepper jack cheese in this world. Some things don’t change, thankfully.
>You sit on your easy chair and prop yourself back.
>As you sit there in the silence of the fading sunlight filtered through your curtains, you can’t help think of Pinkie’s words. They’re something you’ve been trying to cover up for some time now.
>You really are pretty lonely here.
>You get up from your seat and head for the sink and run the hot water.
>It’s almost the weekend…then maybe you can do something fun.
>You splash a handful of warm water on your tired face and release a sigh.
>Suddenly through the crippling silence, you hear a knock at the door.
>You could count the amount of visitors you’ve had to your home on both hands, but recently you’ve been having a friend come over every so often.
>By the timid knocks you know it’s her. If it were even a little loud in your home you’d surely miss the sound.
>You open the door to see the perfectly swooped pink mane of your friend Fluttershy.
Hey.
>”Oh, um…hello. I hope I’m not disturbing you…”
>She peers past you into your bare home.
>It’s her modesty; she knows you aren’t ever busy.
>You invite the timid pegasus inside.
>She has a small saddle bag around her.
Did you bring something for me?
>Fluttershy jumps a little at your words.
>”Um…y-yes…if that’s okay, that is?”
>You don’t turn down kindness. She means well.
No, of course not.
>She opens the flap of the saddle bag and pulls out a few long-stemmed yellow tulips.
>”Oh um, I got these for you…”
>You’re a little surprised.
Oh, for me?
>”N-no…well, I saw them on the way here and th-thought maybe you’d want them inside…n-nevermind…”
>You reach for Fluttershy’s bag and close the flap.
No, not at all. They’ll really brighten the room up. Thank you.
>Fluttershy gives you a shy half-smile which you relay back to her.
>You fill a glass with water as Fluttershy carries the flowers to your small kitchen table.
>She gently releases the plants into the makeshift vessel.
>They really do brighten up the dull look of your humble home.
>Fluttershy adjusts them slightly with her muzzle.
Thank you, Fluttershy. They really do look nice.
>You walk over and place your hand on her back. She lowers her head and tries to hide a bashful smile.
>”Y-you’re welcome…”
>She takes a seat on your small couch; the one that pulls out, and where you sleep and waits patiently for you to sit down next to her.
>You lower yourself onto the sofa next to the banana colored pegasus and let out a sigh.
>”H-how was work, Anonymous?”
>Unbearably difficult.
It wasn’t too bad; I had to work really hard because Pinkie wasn’t there.
>She looks at you in a concerned manner.
>”Why not?”
>You wave her look away.
It was nothing serious; she just had to pick up her sister from the train station.
>Fluttershy’s eyes sink a little, almost in the same manner that Applejack’s did earlier.
>”O-oh…w-was it…Maud?”
Yeah, why?
>She looks away.
>”N-no reason…”
>It’s nighttime now. Fluttershy wouldn’t want to walk home alone at this hour, and you’re too tired to walk her home.
>It seems that everyone who has come in contact with Maud avoids talking about her.
>It would be a lie to say that doesn’t increase her mystery.
>You decide to take a final chance to pursue it.
What’s her story? I mean, she doesn’t seem to even be related to Pinkie. They don’t seem to be anything alike.
>Fluttershy’s eyes meet the floor.
>”She’s n-nice…just a little…um…”
>Her small wings twitch a little and readjust themselves before looking up to your and forcing an innocent smile.
>”She’s just a little…different.”
>You wish she wouldn’t lie; friends don’t usually lie to one another.
Hmm. I could tell that already.
>Maybe this wasn’t the best thing to bring up.
>You fake a yawn and stretch your arms above your head.
Are you tired?
>Fluttershy’s eyes open wide. She’s probably been keeping herself awake to spend more time here.
>She’s like you. You know she gets very lonely living near the forest away from other ponies. She has her animals, but more social interaction does her good.
>”N-no…I’m not…”
>You tilt your head at her and smile.
Are you sure?
>She grins, knowing she’s been found out.
>”Well…I could sleep a little bit…”
>The two of you exchange smiles.
Great, well I’ll get you a blanket.
>”O-okay.”
>This is only the third time Fluttershy’s stayed over. It’s no problem for you, as she usually makes you breakfast.
>Her fried potatoes are something actually worth getting up for.
>You return to the mare with a puffy quilt that you use for winter.
Here you go. Do you want me to pull the bed out?
>She looks surprised.
>”Um…aren’t you going to sleep on it with me?”
>You were hoping she wouldn’t ask. You like Fluttershy a lot, but not so much in a romantic way. She’s very kind and understands you, but you aren’t fully committed to a relationship with her.
>The last time she stayed, she slept in bed with you. But it was only because you had forgotten to put it up that morning and the two of you just laid around while she was there.
>It was a good experience waking up to someone you knew who cared for you.
>Is that to say Fluttershy isn’t girlfriend material? Certainly not.
>She just may not be the one for the time being.
Actually Fluttershy, I think I might just sleep in the chair here.
>It’s only a few feet, but Fluttershy tries her best to hide her disappointment.
>”O-oh, th-that’s okay, Anonymous. M-maybe next time?”
Sure thing, when I’m not working maybe. We could have a sleep over.
>It might not be the wisest thing to promise, but it cheers her up nonetheless. Maybe you’ll come around, too.
>”Okay, Anonymous.”
>You gently lay the blanket over the huddled pony on the couch and pet her head.
Goodnight, Fluttershy.
>She nuzzles your small pillow.
>”G-goodnight.”
>You turn off the light next to you and lean back in your recliner.
>In the darkness you recall the day, much as you always do.
>However, today was not a normal day.
>In addition to working much harder than usual, you met someone who was truly unique.
>Just from hearing her name, she was instantly on your mind.
>Then Pinkie’s words echo throughout your mind, in her same high-pitched squeal.
>You’re single.
>It’s a bittersweet feeling.
>In the dim moonlight cast through the room, you see Fluttershy asleep next to you.
>She’s not that bad. In fact, she’s very great.
>She lightly snores; so light that you can’t hear it when you breathe.
>You watch her body inhale and exhale until you fall asleep.
>The room fills with the scent of grease and the sound of popping oil.
>Ah, Fluttershy’s making breakfast…friend potatoes as usual.
>The scent of the frying starch wafts through your small shack.
>You lean up and stretch from your small once-comfortable chair and throw the leg rest back into their upright position.
>The mechanical thrust startles Fluttershy who jumps at the stove.
>”Eep! Oh, good morning, Anonymous. Did you sleep well?”
>You groan as you try to regain your shape after your little ordeal of sleeping.
Eh, it was okay.
>You watch her ears droop a little at your words.
>”O-oh, I’m sorry…a-are you hungry?”
>Her small smile, warm heart, and steaming plate of breakfast make you feel a lot better already.
Of course I am, thanks.
>You take your seat as Fluttershy releases the plate of steaming goodness from her mouth in front of you.
>It really does look delicious. Steamed red peppers and diced onions pepper the plate of cubed potatoes.
>You pick up your fork as Fluttershy fixes herself a plate and sits next to you.
>You knew there was a reason you bought two chairs…
>”S-so um, i-is…”
>You look up at your guest.
Excuse me?
>”Well…are you going to work today?”
>You can’t think of a reason you wouldn’t.
Well, yeah…you knew that, didn’t you? It’s Friday after all.
>Fluttershy gives a strange look at her plate of food.
>”Well…d-do you think that, um…Maud will be there…?”
>As far as you can remember, Pinkie said she was going to stay there.
Yeah…I think. But I’m sure she’ll have her own stuff going on.
>You think, but aren’t entirely hoping she will. You wouldn’t mind talking to her more.
>But you need some friendship reassurance.
I’ll be too busy anyways.
>It worked; Fluttershy seems to have cheered up a little.
>You finish the last forkful of your breakfast.
>”Okay, Anonymous…um, you should probably get going.”
>The pegasus and the clock don’t lie.
Oh, you’re right…thanks. Are you going to go home soon?
>Fluttershy looks around happily.
>”W-well, I thought I’d clean up a little first.”
>She’s really considerate.
Are you sure? That’s not necessary…
>She gives you a bashful smile.
>”I-it’s no trouble…don’t be late, An-nonymous.”
>So kind.
Sure, I’ll see you later, Fluttershy.
>You close the door on your friend and make your way to the bakery.
>As you make your way through the increasingly less-dim town of Ponyville you finally get time to think about a few things.
>There’s a strange feeling inside you that you’ve never felt before.
>Two girls in your life that interest you in one way or another.
>The gas lights you pass are becoming more unnecessary as the sun rises further.
>Fluttershy is a good friend, probably your best friend in Equestria.
>Maud is…mysterious, alluring, different…
>Strange.
>Is it strange to feel this way for someone so new in your life?
>You keep pondering it even after you step into the Bakery and slip your apron over your head.
>”Hello Anonymous, Mrs. Cake will be out catering today and I’ll be leaving early as well so Pinkie Pie will be in charge.”
>You finish preheating all the ovens.
That’s fine, Mr. Cake.
>You finish putting dough in the bread pans to rise.
>”Anonon!”
>Here we go…
Hi, Pinkie.
>Pinkie comes bouncing toward you with her usual wide smile.
>”Whatcha doing?”
>You plop down a hunk of dough hard onto the floury table to get your point across.
Oh, just working, Pinkie. What are you doing?
>She inhales an enormous amount of breath.
>You cock your brow at the pink pony.
>”I just came to ask you what you were doing!”
>…
Oh, okay then.
>”Yep yep yep! So what are you doing tonight?”
>You think of Fluttershy. It’s Friday, but you don’t want her to stay over again so soon.
Nothing probably.
>After hearing your words, Pinkie bounces off.
>Weird mare.
>You continue your work for another few hours like a silent machine.
>As you slide a cake into the over you feel a nudge on your back leg.
Yes?
>No answer.
>You turn around to see Maud looking up at you with something in her mouth.
>The two of you lock eyes and stare for a moment.
>”Thith ith for you.”
>You offer your hand to her as she releases the piece of paper to you.
>You stare at the tiny teeth marks made on the folds. It’s not wet though
>”Read it.”
>You slowly unfold the note and read it:
>”I want to go on a date.”
>You’re a little confused.
Maud what is this?
>”It’s a piece of paper.”
>Well then.
No, I mean what do you mean? You want to…go on a date? With me?
>You’re more than confused.
>Maud thinks and looks away for a split second and then returns herself to your gaze.
>”Yes. Sorry, this is very difficult for me. I am very nervous.”
>Her voice hasn’t changed pitch, pacing, or tone; as uniform as her shadowy coat.
>Still, you have no idea what to say to her.
Um…I’ll have to…think about it. Is that okay?
>She turns around and simply walks away.
>”Yes. That is satisfactory.”
>A little bewildered you finish your work with a load of questions on your mind.