Fluttershy sighed as the last of the brown cardboard boxes were taped shut. Angel hopped over, batting her hand which made her slowly look to him. She forced a gentle smile.
"Okay, Angel. But remember, I have to be up in enough time to start finding a place. Let's get you some carrots." She stood, her teal eyes more dull than usual. Packing had taken her awhile, but luckily her friend's distracted her with their own news. Speaking of them, she let her mind wander to them. Raiinbow was working on earning points for a sports scholarship when they graduated in the next couple years. Twilight was still working on how to be a friend, though she continually got stuck in her head. AJ was working on her families apple farm more, Rarity on her clothing line and Pinkie was her usual party-goer self, making sure everyone laughed.
None of them were the wiser to Fluttershy's moving.
"Ow." She looked to her hand, she had sliced it while cutting the carrots. She let the blood pool and slowly run down her finger. She scrunched her brows. 'I packed away the bandages. Damn.'
Looking for a rag her eyes drifted to the family portrait she must've forgotten to pack. It was a Christmas one, taken just a few years prior, and she and her friend's were on spring break. In the photo, her younger, but taller brother Zephyr had a arm draped over her shoulder, index finger poking her cheek, his blonde hair done up. They all wore matching ugly sweaters. Her parents had gentle smile's, similair to her's. In the picture, she was looking up to Zephyr, a eyebrow raised but her lips quirked up. Forgetting about the finger still bleeding, she took down the decent sized portait in the golen elegant frame. From the corner of her eye, she saw Angel slowly approach. The frame shook in her clutch. The brown boxes in the living area and in different areas of the house stood out against the stained floor. A surge of anger flew through her veins, only to die out quick, her shoulder's sagging.
She sighed again, deeper and set the frame down against the wall. As she set Angel's food down, her phone began to ring.
'Odd. No one should be calling this late,' looking she saw the time, 'or...early.' She answerd anyway.
"Hello, this is Fluttershy Breeze." She faked a smile, adding to a chipper tone.
"Uh, yes, this is Derpy Muffins. I was friend's with your parents, I just got back from across country and heard the news. How are-"
"I'm fine. Just...finding a place is all, I am too young to keep up the lease, so..." Fluttershy wasn't sure where she was going with her train of thought, she shook her head, about to tell the woman everythig was fine. Her parent's had spoken of Derpy before, she was a mail lady who owned a manion that was passed down to her from her late husband's family and she'd been renting some of the rooms out to other's.
"Oh! Well, until you get a job and earn enough, you can stay here in a room. We could work out a deal for rent and all that. Your parent's meant a lot to me, so it's the least I could do. I also have a storage locker building with units I use for my other tenants. Not sure what you're keeping though. Sorry, I'm nervous so I'm babbling."
"No, no, I couldn't impose. What happened isn't your responsibility, Ms. Muffins. I was actually just going to sell most of it, so find-"
"Nonesense, Fluttershy, your studies are more important. You can sell what you need to and save it away for your own place or an emergency."
Fluttershy felt guilt eat away at her gut. "No, it's okay, I mean I also have Angel and-"
"One of my tenants have a beetle collection, so one other critter isn't going to bother me. Please, Fluttershy, if this is about feeling like you'd be imposing, you'd be worrying me more if you didn't take my offer. I will need help with my garden and meals, my shifts at work have been crazy, so you really would be helping out if you could take up some chores and in turn you can get a room."
Fluttershy sighed. She supposed it'd be okay, if Ms. Muffins needed help. She bit her lip. "O-okay, but just until I can get a job and save up for my own place."
Ms. Muffins perked and joyfully replied. "Sounds good. I'll bring a big trailer by to start getting your stuff packed and loaded later. Gonna make sure theres a room ready to go. See you soon."
She hung up.
Fluttershy looked to Angel. 'Beetles. How many people collect beetles?' she thought numbly. At least it was a thought.
She began to seperate boxes between keep and sell, which meant reopening some boxes and initally just repacking a good chunk. She didn't even notice when the sun rose and the birds began to tweet their 'good mornings' to the world. Upon moving most of the boxes to the livingroom and entryway, for easier access to the trailer, she only then realized the fingerprints of dried blood on the boxes. She groaned, seeing her left hand was a mess of smeared blood. She must've been so out of it she'd forgotten to clean up the wound.
She took her last shower in her family home, Angel sitting on the sink counter, concern etched in his white face.
Upon getting out and changed, she brushed her light pink hair into a ponytail for easier movement. Looking into the mirror, she cringed. The bags under her eyes were darker, her skin more white pale than pink pale, she was thinner. 'Can't change in front of any of my friend's.' she thought worriedly.
"Okay, Angel Bunny. Let's get these last few things packed and you some breakfast before I pack up the rest of the food I can. If you can stay put, I won't put you in the carrier, okay?" She asked softly. Angel pointed to her and then his mouth. She shook her head. "I'm not hungry, Angel. I'll eat later."
When Derpy arrived, Fluttershy put on a smile and began helping move her things. Angel stayed out of the way, but in sight. As she rode in the car with Derpy (she insisted being called by her first name) Fluttershy still didn't feel anything, watching her family home, empty, holding all those memories within, fade far into the distance. She stayed gazing out the window even as the home was long out of sight.
Her life was moving on, but, where was she?
Derpy seemed to be the only one home as they put what Fluttershy wanted to keep, but what couldn't fit, inside her storage unit.
Even as she put the boxes in her room, it was on the bottom floor with a view into the woods and the garden. It was lovely, though obviously needed some TLC, both the room and garden did. She heard Derpy tell her that she'll introduce her to the others when they return later on, the other tenants being at work or school. Fluttershy simply smiled and giggled. She still had Angel to get set up and her school things to unpack as well, so she smiled and said she'd help with dinner, but she asked simply for some time to unpack.
She texted her friends on and off, school would be starting the next day, so, part of her was grateful she found a place so soon and didn't have to worry her friends or the Dean, Celestia, about her absense. Though, she knew she'd have to make address changes soon. That was a worry for another time though. Looking around her new room, even as she unpacked, she was amazed at the size. The mansion itself was old but elegant and semmed regal, like something from a historical drama. Her room, though, was large with fading white walls but soft carpet. There was already a large bed, too large for just herself and Angel in her opinion, as well as a small bathroom as well as a vanity and dresser that looked just as old, but still in pristine shape. The room itself was just big, too much space, it made Fluttershy feel small.
Her body ached and her stomach growled, but, Fluttershy ignored it. She still had unpacking to do. She could nibble on something while helping make dinner.
Walking across the home towards the kitchen, she wore a t-shirt she got from volunteering at the local shelter and a stained pair of jeans she usually wore while doing chores or dealing with animals. Angel was on her heels, not wanting to leave her in a new place.
Fluttershy peeked her head in. The kitchen was large, a giant island in the middle, it almost looked similair to a resturaunt's kitchen. Derpy was cleaning some chicken from the bones.
"Do, um, you need any help?" Fluttershy walked in. Derpy looked to her and smiled.
"Sure. Just prep some of those veggies I have out. Bite-sized pieces please. This way it can also help you get to know where everything is. It's still a bit early, so before the others get home, I'll explain some rules."
Fluttershy began prepping as she nodded. Derpy's yellow eye went inverted, but she didn't seem to notice.
"Okay, so, I have 3 other tenants aside from you. Some people come and go, but those 3 have been here for a bit longer and seem to be staying until...well, I'm not sure." Derpy paused. "Anyhow, everyone's thing are labeled, I can have them explain what you can and can't mess with. We can figure out your spot in the fridge later. You won't pay rent but I will ask you to help out a bit. Maybe dinner once in awhile and take care of the garden. Oh, and get passing grades, okay?"
Fluttershy tried to take that all in, she had some trouble, but nodded anyway. She could do this. Learn new rules and pass her grades and help out and not think about her family, as well as be a great friend, help them out, help at the shelters and sell her family's things and get settled and make new friends with these tenents as well as adjust to this new place and find a job so she wouldn't be a burden. Yeah, she could do this...right?
Fluttershy and Derpy ended up packing the leftovers away after making the other's their plates, Derpy explaining who would want more of what, since the others explained to Derpy over the phone why they wouldn't be back by dinnertime. Seemed Sundays were usually the only days of the week that all of them had time to eat together. Derpy was the one made it one of the rules. She wanted to be able to make sure they all got at least one good meal through the week.
An idea occured to Fluttershy as they put foil over the plates.
"Hey Derpy, is it because their schedules overlap? I'm curious because maybe if I helped make more dinners or even packed lunches, you wouldn't have to worry over if they're getting good meals. Then days like today wouldn't be too much of a concern." She asked softly. She hadn't had a dinner with other's in months and even a bit before.
Derpy thought for a moment, her eye returning to normal for a moment before going inverted again. "I could ask them. Two of them work and the other is in college, so it might be nice if they could get a homecooked lunch at least. I do worry. All three have bad eating habits."
Derpy sighed. Fluttershy's heart swelled for the first time in a long time and she smiled wide.
"Okay! I'll try my best to make their meals nutricious and fun! Might have to ask Pinkie for some pointers...or AJ." Fluttershy giggled, helping do the dishes and chatting lightly with Derpy, trying to get the big things like her new growing list of to-do's and the fact she moved from her family home, to somewhere new, where she knew barely anyone, off her mind. She didn't see Angel pull his ears and shake his head, concern worsening in his eyes.
She couldn't sleep that night either, the days without sleep growing. So, she sat at a desk chair, grabbing a notebook from her backpack and began thinking of a variety of lunches and dinner ideas she could run by the other tenants, of which she reaized, she still didn't know the names of. She also had to save Derpy's number in her phone. Fluttershy began making not just a meal list, but a short to-do list. She kept forcing herself not to think about the elephant in the room. To not think of the amount of space in her room, or about her family, about the things she had to sell, about the memories. She looked outside after her head began to hurt as too much was swarming.
"The only person up might be Sombra. I wonder if he's busy with an assignment." She thought out loud. Deciding to risk it, she grabbed her phone, checking the time, 2:27 AM, she sent a text.
Fluttershy: Hey Sombra. I'm sorry if you're busy, or if you're trying to sleep you can ignore this, but, um, just seeing what you were up to. It's...another one of those nights and yeah, was just checking in.
She set her phone down and went back to gazing at the moon. It was cresent tonight. She had hoped for a full moon, though she knew it'd be like this.
By the time it was time to "get up" Fluttershy decided to act as if she did just wake. She got a good morning text from Pinkie and even Rainbow, who she replied to. She wore jeans with butterflies going up one leg and a sunny yellow flowy top with a white knitted shawl. She put the brettes Zephyr gave her a few years ago in her hair, keeping the long hair out of her eyes. Deciding she had everything, she and Angel, who was not a morning Bunny, went into the kitchen to pack a lunch for the first day back, and judging by how Derpy divided the dinner the night before, she used that to judge how she'd prepare their lunches as well.
Since she still didn't know their names, she put the descriptions on the bags, hopefully they'd enjoy them. She giggled as she packed Angel's lunch as well, deciding to take him along.
Fluttershy underestimated how long it would take to walk to school from the side of town she currently now resided as opposed to before. She ran, trying to make it before the bell.
"Oh no, oh no!" She panted. She wasn't as fast as she thought, her days running on fumes and limited food was beginning to show. Her vision blurred but she shook her head and continued.
She wound up late. As she panted, trying to catch her breath as she walked to her first class, knowing she'd have to explain why, her phone dinged.
Slowing her pace, she checked.
Sombra Knight: Was busy with an assignment and my phone was dead, I apologize, Fluttershy. I hope you got rest, I know how these few weeks have been for you. I'll be at the park this afternoon. The usual place.
Fluttershy smiled. 'He replied.'
Sombra didn't know all of what she'd been through, she simply spoke to him about nightmares and he offered advice. They had met at the library a couple months before "it" happened. It was hard getting him to open up and even now, the fact he replied was a big thing between them. They'd usually meet at the library or the park, usually she'd just listen to him ramble about a problem or assignment, about facts and stories of history or astrology and many more topics. She even admitted to him, she barely understood what most of the topics were about or what a thing was, but, he was patient enough with her and was happy she seemed to be paying attention as she asked questions or put new ideas in his mind. The man was 2 years older and burly for being someone of knowledge, or usually what media would preceeve he should be. He has wavy black hair usually hand brushed back, like his hand was always combing through it and had auburn eyes that almost seemed red in sunlight. His skin was slightly tan with sideburns, his jaw more square.
The bell rang signaling the end of class and Fluttershy facepalmed. She was later than she'd thought. Sighing, she went to find her friends to apologize for her tardiness.
"So, you saw a animal and got sidetracked? Isn't that like, normal for you though, Shy?" The raspy voice of Rainbow made her presence known as she laid an elbow on her shoulder.
Fluttershy chuckled softly, it was forced. "Yeah, but I was running behind as it was. Thanks for saying you'd get my notes for me, Twilight. I really appreciate it."
Twilight nodded. "Of course, Fluttershy. I totally get running late."
"Sweetie, are you feeling alright? Your complextion is looking, well, um...drab." Rarity butt in after the other's began a different topic. Her curly hair was brushed over one shoulder and her pale skin shined.
Fluttershy nodded. "Yes, I'm fine, just didn't get to sleep till late."
AJ wrapped one arm around her shoulder and shook it, "Well, don't go overdoin' stuff. Don't want yer parent's ta scold ya, Sugarcube."
Fluttershy visibly tensed. 'Why would-' then she remembered, she never told them. It was too horrible and Fluttershy could never even get a syllable out without breaking into uncontrollable sobs, so she never told her friends. Maybe she should. She'd have to tell them she moved as it was.
She looked around, not seeing the other pink-haired one of their group.
"Uh, girls, where's Pinkie?"
Rainbow burst into a chortle. "She's off having some time with her boyfriend before class."
Fluttershy blinked. "Since when have her and GC been dating? Last I heard they were still doing that weird flirt-rivalry thing."
Rarity rolled her blue eyes. "Since 2 days ago when another girl decided she would flirt-flirt with him. Pinkie decided she had had enough. I thought you knew?" She quirked a sculpted brow.
Fluttershy shrugged. She either wasn't that in the loop with them anymore or with everything else going on she must've forgotten. She hoped it was the latter.
"Well, at lunch I need to tell all of you some stuff. Or after school. Yeah, let's do it after school. We can get shakes while we chat." She waved to them as the bell rang.
"Let's do it after school then. Sound good?" Twilight asked the others as they seperated.
Everyone agreed. Fluttershy felt an unease in her belly as the day dragged on and she wasn't sure why. The girls were her friends...they'd accept her anyway. So, why did she still feel like she was about to confess to something bad?
At lunch, Fluttershy texted Sombra back. He may leave her hanging when it came to these things, but she figured even if it wasn't important, everyone deserves a little message everyday. It might cheer them up.
Fluttershy: I hope your studies go well! Make sure to eat something other than protien bars and energy drinks please. Remember you won't be able to study if your brain doesn't get the right nutrients. And thank you for your concern, I will explain when I see you. What time do you want to meet?
She spotted her friends coming and she quickly sent the text but not before adding some smiley faces. She felt herself smile. She accomplished a great goal with Sombra that day and she was giddy.
The rest of lunch went by as drab as it usually would. She learned rainbow had an admirer, Pinkie was indeed dating GC now. She smiled and laughed and Angel had his lunch as well.
After school, Fluttershy waited out back where the field was, waiting on Twilight and the others, watching Rainbow practice. Sombra hadn't replied, so she had time. She let Angel wander, he wouldn't go far.
As AJ and Rarity approached, Fluttershy spotted a hawk or eagle. Though, upon looking closer, or trying to, it seemed rounder, at least in the head. Wait.
It was too late, the owl swooped down and picked up Angel.
"ANGEL!" Without thinking and with her friend's yelling after her, Fluttershy ran after. As it went over the school roof, Angel was still struggling, she barely thought as she climbed and jumped up onto the roof, luckily a ladder was close as well. She ran across the tiles, some slipping out from under her.
Upon getting to edge of the front, she knew it was now or she'd never see Angel again. Her chest burned as she lunged off the roof toward the owl and Angel. Her hands grasped the loose skin of Angel's scruff and the other grasped the owl's leg and she heard a snap as it screeched and released Angel.
Her animal loving nature made her hurt knowing she broke it's leg, but she had to save Angel. She knew they were falling. She wrapped Angel tightly in her arms, using her back as a shield, except, before she landed on ground, as her friend's screamed her name, having been chasing after her, her head hit the statue that was outside the school. Black spots and stars burst from her eys as she felt a crack and pain rippling through her side. Her and Angel fell with a thud. Everything went black.
On the other side, at the same time, in the land of Equestria, Twilight and her friend's were trying to subdue a creature that had infiltrated the castle. The meeting room with the crystal table was a mess. The beast was large with horns and a terrible odor that made it hard enough to try and efeat with one's eyes watering and keeping yourself from gagging.
"Fluttershy! The Stare!" Twilight yelled, her horn glowing to get a spell ready. Fluttershy nodded, her brows furrowed. Her fangs pierced her gums as she tried The Stare, flying as close as she could safely get to the creature.
It seemed to work, but her heart stuttered, she broke contact as Pinkie's cannon went off, Pinkie yelling about "oopsie" in the background. The creature snapped out of it and lunged towards Fluttershy, who was too slow as Twilight shot off her spell, not able to stop it before it was released.
The horn, one of them, pierced Fluttershy's side as she screamed, the spel hitting her instead and she landed loudly against the table. Before her friend's could reach, the table, instead of showing a map, it became a mirror, showing the Human Fluttershy lying on the opposite, feet running towards. Fluttershy's small fangs shrank to nothing as the pink ribbon surrounded her again. She was loosing blood and conciousness. Her heart stuttered again.
Angel was the only one, back with Human Fluttershy, to notice the glazed teal eyes turn red for a moment as a surge of magic escaped the crack in the statue, trailing into Fluttershy.
Her eyes slid closed as her friend's rolled her onto her back, thay all frantically yelling and trying to call an ambulance.
Angel stayed by her side even as the ambulance arrived and took Fluttershy to the hospital. Since no one was family, her friends had to follow.