Mosshoof of the Everfree Forest
Early one autumn morning, Fluttershy was on the outskirts of the Everfree forest. She was picking flowers for a center piece in her library. She preferred the blue ones, because they were the most lively and vibrant. Although it was not uncommon to hear strange noises from the Everfree forest, this one particular sound caught Fluttershy off guard.
*Crack* *Snap*
Fluttershy squealed and dropped her basket of flowers.
"Who is it? Rainbow Dash? Is that you?" Fluttershy called meekly
"Need some help?" Called a voice from beyond the forest rim
Fluttershy jumped a little, not fully expecting a response.
"Wh-Who are you?" Fluttershy called in her quiet, shaky voice
"No one important" said the voice as somepony stepped out of the brush. Startled again by the sudden form, Fluttershy jumped into a hover and backed up, but what she saw amazed her. A stallion with a slick speckled white and grey coat and coal black mane and light blue eyes emerged from the forest.
"My name is Mosshoof. Who might you be?" The stallion asked
"I-I'm Fluttershy" stuttered out Fluttershy
"Very happy to meet you." Said the mare quietly, in seeming awe of Fluttershy
"Is there something wrong? Something in my mane?" Said Fluttershy, sounding increasingly self-conscious.
"No, no, I just, well, y-you are very pretty." Said Mosshoof
Fluttershy couldn't say anything. She was stunned by the entire situation. Never had anypony said something like that to her and sounded so sincere. Of course Twilight had called her pretty when her mane was done up, or Rarity when she was modeling for her. However, this was a different. He seemed genuine, in a way not often seen.
"Would you like to take a walk with me, perhaps?" asked Mosshoof, sounding very tense, but earnest, none the less.
Fluttershy's nerves started clenching up. She was unsure what to say. It wasn't that she didn't want to, for, she did. It was a seeming inability to form a word or any thought.
"I-I d-don't know!" She said with inadvertent volume.
Her face turned red and she sped off towards Ponyville. Fluttershy was confused. But, she realized what she needed to do. She needed advice. She turned her path towards Twilight's house and picked up speed. Behind her, still standing by the forest was Mosshoof. Although surprised, he understood Fluttershy's reaction. He could tell that she meant no offense, but his heart still sank when he received no distinct answer. He let out a shallow sigh and turned to the forest and disappeared into the brush.