During the next couple months, Autumn in full bloom, the air nippy, Fluttershy had very little luck with obtaining the other Elements. Pinkie wouldn't sit still long enough to hear her out and Applejack and Rarity wouldn't give her a chance to speak.
She also avoided Twilight like a plague along with Celestia.
So...she decided to try and think of another plan. Then again, her housemates weren't a threat. At least, not globally. There's not a single thing she could think of that would make them bring on the apocalypse.
October 10th was approaching fast and she had an impulse to make Zephyr's favorite dinner, just because it was a ritual. Every year, aside from THAT year, she spent it getting Zephyr a gift then they'd make his favorites for breakfast, lunch, even if he was leaving, and dinner. Even dessert!
As that day neared, she absentmindedly began getting ingredients out to make veggie lasagna from scratch along with making the dough for garlic bread.
She began to hope, with 2 out of the 6 Elements out of commission, that no harm would befall her housemates. So, with that hope, along with semi-peaceful days, her stress began to lower and even Rainbow commented that she began to see traces of the old Fluttershy. Fluttershy was almost offended until Rainbow explained it was a good thing. She missed fun and carefree Fluttershy.
Nightmares still plagued her, along with looking over her shoulder and her guard on high alert. She missed spa days with Rarity or helping Applejack on her farm, helping Pinkie with parties and laughing at her jokes, or learning something new from Twilight. But, at least with the other three, not including Twilight, Tree Hugger had been right that things would move on. Things would get easier.
Certain things were still rocky between her and Rainbow, but like they agreed, they'd agree to disagree and be there if the other needed it.
The Madame had been right. Nothing was done about Fluttershy's actions towards Cadence and Shining Armor. She wondered what her price to pay would be?
Sombra seemed happier since getting back together and hanging out with Capper and Capper's neighbors more.
Chrysalis seemed happier as well since knowing Shining Armor got his "just desserts" and they had a proper "goodbye" for her stillborn, even though it was 6 years later.
Safe to say it had been a productive few months. Fluttershy quickly realized that even though she couldn't eat the food she made, it still made her happy knowing those she cared for ate and ate well.
Aside from making sure she had everything for the veggie lasagna Zephyr loved, she was making cheddar chicken 7 bean soup with veggies for Discord since he'd recently returned a few days ago from another "episode".
She had been reading when he'd gotten back. She had smiled at first but then gasped and ran to him in horror as his arm was almost severed from the shoulder, along with an already magic healing gash along his neck, and bullet wounds being picked from his skin by the magic, landing heavily on the floor with loud thuds.
He tried brushing her off even as he stumbled and bled all over the wood floors. Fluttershy rightfully freaked the fuck out and made sure he was healed properly, stitches and all to assist the magic, before he'd been in bed for the last 3-going-on-4 days, recovering and when awake long enough, getting antsy.
Even as she tried wrapping his wounds, they ended up in a argument. Her out of fear and anxiety and him out of pain.
She had tried asking him what he was doing to come home hurt a good percent of the time. He refused to say, almost guiltily.
He had fought her at first, only relenting and listening when she began to burst into tears.
No, she didn't care that was a low blow.
She sighed sadly, going back to mixing the filling. She knew Zephyr was alive, but she had no way of giving him his birthday dinner. She didn't know if Sombra, Capper, or Chrysalis knew where The Madame lived and Fluttershy was so distraught that she didn't try and remember where they were.
She was getting ready to put together and build the lasagna when she heard knocking. "Who on Earth?"
Everyone who lived there had a key so they'd just waltz in. Tree Hugger knew to call or text and Fluttershy made it a new habit to keep her phone near her if she could, to avoid unwanted guests.
Maybe someone ordered something and Derpy didn't know so someone else brought it?
"C-coming!" She hollered at hearing a more persistent knock. She tried wiping her hands on her jeans. Looking down at hearing Angel's incessant noises, she saw he slowly went to the door, ears perked happily. He was getting older, but his senses, most of them, were still good. "Who is it Angel?"
Angel clawed at the door and Fluttershy figured it couldn't be anyone bad if Angel was excited. Maybe. She smiled, opening the door (it lacked a peep hole) and opening her mouth to say hello, when she was tackled. Her immediate instinct was to punch and kick, which she did, then stopped abruptly when she recognized the whine.
"Shy~, that was mean. That actually hurt." Zephyr whined. He wore a button up and slacks.
Fluttershy's eyes were wide and she broke into a large grin, until she heard heels and smelled the familiar, unsafe scent of Accord.
It seemed Zephyr didn't come alone.
She knew he could feel her tense in his arms.
"Shy?"
"Sweetie. We are not feral beasts." The Madame spoke, prim as the first time Fluttershy saw her.
It was Fluttershy's turn to feel Zephyr tense before he got up, helping her as well. He turned to The Madame and bowed slightly. "My apologies, Madame. I simply got excited. You have granted me a great wish so I should have acted accordingly."
Fluttershy looked at Zephyr like that wasn't who it was. Zephyr had never used "proper" speak. He'd always went with the flow and insisted on using the most current slang. "What's going on, Zeph?"
He seemed to realize she was there again and looked at her with a smile. "Since I've been good and it's my birthday, The Madame said we could see you!"
Fluttershy smiled, though she side glanced The Madame and Accord, who looked at her like he'd rather be anywhere else.
"Shy, what are you doing?" Zephyr asked, worry etched in his brow.
Fluttershy didn't reply. Accord looked to her unimpressed.
"Accordant. That is enough, thank you." The Madame said as she placed some silver hair behind her ear.
"Now, you were beginning dinner, correct? Mind if we join? I believe there is a few things that need to be discussed." The Madame spoke. It was obvious by the look in her eyes that joining for dinner or not, wasn't an option.
Fluttershy glared at her. "As long as you and Accord-no, even Zephyr, stay away from upstairs. Unlike before, you're in MY home." She walked slowly towards the kitchen. She hated that "on edge", anxious feeling. She wasn't sure what this woman wanted.
Zephyr held her hand as she walked them to the kitchen.
Zephyr also picked at the ingredients before it was even built, which made Fluttershy smile. The Madame and Accord stayed in her range of sight. Angel snuggled Zephyr for all his worth.
The two hours it took for it to bake was spent chatting lightly with Zephyr and what he'd been doing since the last she saw.
He was being taught more about combat, stealth, interrogation, though he wasn't good at that.
She explained-minus the magic-what she'd been up to. There was a lot she didn't speak of since she didn't want The Madame and Accord knowing.
They spoke about memories and Zephyr seemed to be having a great time there with her.
When the bean soup for Discord was finished, she got a decent bowl of it for him, it turning out thicker than planned. If he was to heal, he needed fuel. She glanced at them warily. "I'll be back down. Please don't touch anything."
The Madame grinned and waved her off. "Of course, Child."
Fluttershy didn't trust them. She had a feeling, and she hoped it was paranoia, that Zephyr was also someone she shouldn't trust.
With that thought, she climbed the stairs.
Opening Discord's door, she peaked in, seeing he laid on his stomach, his magic still pulsing like static across his skin, it still trying to heal what it could. It was frustrating because his magic was trying to heal him, but it exhausted him to use his magic this much and this long. When his eyes opened, they were moving erratically and he looked exhausted, hence why she made soup. Or...stew. It was a little thick to be soup. "Hey, Dissy. Any more energy or no?"
Discord yawned, trying to sit up, he leaned heavily on the uninjured arm. "Been awhile since injuries have hurt this much. I'm alive, so that's good." He reached for the bowl and she handed it over.
He ate slowly, it seeming to take a lot. She had a suspicion that he was more injured than what she'd seen and that's why it was taking his magic so long.
She wanted to stay there, but for one, he needed rest, and two, she had to find out WHY that woman was there. She's the one who told Fluttershy to stay away. After a bit, it seemed he ate all he could which was more than she thought. She smiled fondly and lazily rubbed her knuckles against his cheekbone. "I'll check on you later. I have something cooking."
He gazed at her tiredly, too much so to sense her tone and he nodded, tilting his head against her knuckles. "Sorry it's taking so long, my Dear."
Fluttershy leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "I'm just happy you're alive. Get rest."
She didn't expect him to nuzzle his forehead against her cheek. "As you wish."
She giggled. "I'm going to smack you for that later."
He laid back down, trying to get comfortable and gave her a small grin, already half asleep. "I look forward to it."
She smiled at him, gazing fondly, her heart aching. Out of what, she wasn't sure, before she left, only remembering the people downstairs once she closed the door. Sighing, she took the bowl down and to the sink, knowing the other three were watching.
It was almost a tense silence. There was something that woman wanted to "talk" about and Fluttershy wasn't about to warn Discord when he was still healing. It spoke of how hurt he was that he didn't sense them in the first place.
Once the meal was done, she served them all, minus herself, Zephyr still babbling. It was silent for a bit longer. Only when The Madame urged him, did Zephyr eat.
That made Fluttershy bristle but she stayed still and silent.
The Madame gazed at her for a moment longer, observing, before she straightened herself and cleared her throat. "Would you like me to cut to the chase?"
Fluttershy resisted a snarl, though she glared. "That would probably be best. I don't like any of you-save Zephyr-in this place."
The Madame grinned, the curl at the corners too sinister to be friendly. "I can understand. Though, you did not do as I said last we chatted."
To give herself things to do, she began to clean up the dishes, it being obvious Accord and The Madame weren't going to eat. "I don't think that's correct, Madame. I kept my nose out and I stayed from my brother. My brother, mind you, I had only found out was still alive a bit before. Maybe if you'd been more specific?"
There was humor in The Madame's tone. "Oh, but it is. I said for you and Discordant to leave once he awoke and for you to stay out of my World. Maybe you simply misunderstood?"
Fluttershy began fiddling with her hair, having run out of dishes to clean. "Maybe I did. You should've been more direct."
The Madame snickered, finding Fluttershy's answers amusing. "Discordant is still part of my World. He plays a Part, though he may think he does not. As long as you associate with him, you are interfering."
Fluttershy could feel that Vampire part of her rearing it's head. Not out of hunger, but her snarky attitude. "I'm afraid doing that is going to be difficult with us living under the same roof. Is that all?"
The Madame's smile curved at Fluttershy's blatant disregard for her orders. "When it comes to what we chatted about, yes. I should warn you of your tone. Be lucky I gave you a warning."
Fluttershy crossed her arms, looking The Madame in the eye, even as a shiver of fear slid down her spine. "What else then? To be frank, Madame, I don't appreciate you coming here under the pretense of rewarding my brother when it's to threaten me."
The Madame stood, deciding to stretch her legs. "Threaten? I do not believe I have done such a thing." A sigh. "Though...I suppose we should cut to the issue at hand. I know you have the Elements of Kindness and Loyalty in your possession. I would like to take them off your hands."
Her blood felt like lead and she could feel her body going tense in defense. She swallowed dryly. "I'm not sure that's your business. Nor your concern, Madame. I have them kept away safely."
The Madame smiled sweetly. "I assure you, it is, Child. Regardless..." she put a perfectly manicured finger to her chin. "If memory serves me correctly, Filthy Rich still has Zephyr's contract. I bet...if you gave Filthy Rich what he wanted-what he has always wanted from you, not your family-he would give Zephyr's contract to you. Or...you could ignore that little burden and continue to live your life in recovery from your little adventure and the loss of you parents, but ultimately abandon your little brother and Discordant. Perhaps even that King Knight boy. Since, if I do recall, he is...WITH that technician, who works in my World as well."
Fluttershy took a few steps forward, her nose scrunching as she fought to not bare her fangs. Then after a second, she smiled, trying to hide her panic. "I'm sorry, but...What makes you think those are my only options?"
The Madame broke into laughter, covering her mouth. "This World will chew you up like a rabid dog with a rabbit and spit you out. I would say it would be best to sever ties here and now, before more damage can be done. Before you grow roots of attachment to them. I am warning you for your own good, Child. I think it best you heed my kind warning."
Fluttershy held her head high, despite her shaking at her options. She went to the fridge. "Oh, what tough decisions. If you give me such a gracious warning too, oh how do I refuse?" Her voice was filled with sarcasm as she began packing most of the lasagna in a large container and handing it to Zephyr. "Here. Not sure anyone will eat it here. I think it might be best you all left for now." She smiled.
"S-Shy-" Zephyr began.
Fluttershy fixed The Madame a cold look after they left the front door and turned to say farewells. "Thank you for your concern, but I'm capable of making my own decisions."
She looked to Zephyr with a large grin, being genuine. "Hopefully I'll see you soon. I'll figure it out and when I do, you'll come home with me and we'll figure it out from there. If you want to...I mean."
She didn't want to shoo Zephyr away, but she had things to think about and she knew he wouldn't stay.
The Madame placed her hat better on her head, tilting it with a smile towards Fluttershy, her bright eyes glowing with amusement. Like a cat looking at a fish in a pond. "You best be quick with your decision." She tilted her up, gesturing to upstairs before she looked Fluttershy in the eye again. "Also, how is Discordant from the last I saw of him? Did he perish from his injuries? Judging from your defense, I would say the magic coursing in his veins might have been what kept him alive? Hmm...an interesting turn of events if I say so myself. Good day, Fluttershy Breeze."
Fluttershy didn't let her eyes leave Zephyr for a moment as she watched them enter a limo and drive away, not liking The Madame gave her an ultimatum. Not liking how much The Madame was beginning to reveal what she knew. She wondered if any choice she made, was her own, or was she a Pawn in The Madame's game?
She was already itching at her skin as she walked up the stairs to check on Discord.