When the party was over and we were all partied out, Pinkie cleaned up the entire thing while I was outside seeing ponies off. This was "Just another Pinkie phenomenon", according to Twilight.
I saw Rainbow Dash off and got a hug from her, but I thought she was just being friendly. The other ponies were looking at me and whispering about it, though, when I turned around.
"What?" I asked.
"Oh nothing, it's just-" Pinkie Pie was cut off with a hoof to the mouth from Fluttershy.
"It's just that she's really friendly with new ponies, that's all!" Fluttershy said quickly.
"Well, that's not what I was going to say at all!" complained Pinkie.
"Well, whatever it was, I think we should all just forget about it." I said, standing there awkwardly.
"You know, you really are a very awkward pony sometimes, Velvet." said Spike.
"Oh, hush, Spike." said Twilight. "Well, I'm sure she's very tired, so why don't we all just let her get some sleep?"
"Actually, um Twilight?" said Fluttershy. "I was wondering, if it was okay with you, if she could sleep at my house? You see, I miss having company, and-"
"Say no more, Shy, I'll go to your house. Sorry Twilight." I said. Twilight looked a little dejected, but nodded.
"Yay!" whispered Fluttershy. "Come on, let's go."
We walked back to her house, Fluttershy walking with a content look on her face and a spring in her step.
This is going to be a very interesting night... I thought to myself.
As we quickly approached her house (me having to go at a light jog to keep up with her), I realized just how tired I was. That brought to my attention one more problem:
"Hey Shy, you only have one bed. where will I sleep?" I asked her.
"Isn't it obvious? We'll sleep together! As friends, of course, nothing... yucky. And since when do you call me 'Shy'?" she said.
"Oh, well, uh, it's easier than saying 'Fluttershy', and I thought it was a nice nickname so, uh- you know what?" I said. "I'm not even going to bother explaining. Let's just get to bed."
Fluttershy giggled, and opened her door. Being the huge klutz-on-hooves that I am, I tripped on the welcome mat and landed flat on my face.
Smooooothe. Reeeal smooooothe, I thought. Fluttershy just giggled and helped me up.
"Why are you so much more... I don't know, outgoing when you're just with me?" I asked her. This made her blush and hesitate.
"Um... I just feel like... I'm just more comfortable around you. I don't know why." she said, flustered. "Why don't we just get on to bed?"
"I could not agree more." I said. We laid down in bed and I fell asleep thinking of Rainbow Dash's hug.
The sweet smell of pancakes woke me up. I walked tiredly over to the kitchen and, sure enough, Fluttershy was cooking.
"That smell is just... heavenly." I said, taking a deep whiff of the air.
"Well, good morning to you too, sleepy head." said Fluttershy. I would've been slightly embarrassed at my rudeness, but I was too tired and focused on the sweet aroma of panned cakes.
She took the skillet off the stove and laid out three pancakes for me on a plate. I ate them in silence, until I finally couldn't take it anymore.
"Fluttershy, I need to get a job. I am sick of mooching off of people. I'm not that kind of person. At least, I don't think I am... But you know what I mean." I said.
She thought this over for a minute.
"I think that Sugarcube Corner is looking for a new cashier. You could apply there." she said.
"Do you mind showing me where it is?" I ask. She nods and heads out the door.
As we walked along the flower-lined path from her house to Ponyville, I noticed that she was getting more and more quiet as we got closer and closer to town.
"Shy? Is something wrong?" I asked. We stopped and she turned to face me.
"I... I haven't ever told anyone why I'm always so shy..." she said, hiding behind her mane. "If it will help us get closer together, then I... I'll tell you."
"I'm flattered, but... closer together? Fluttershy, do you... do you have a crush on me?" I said, my face reddening. Her face turned a dark scarlet shade as well.
"Um... Yes?" she whispered.
"I'm sorry Fluttershy, but I still have to get my life straightened out before going into a relationship. And besides, I still haven't decided if I like mares or stallions.
"Okay. I understand," she said with a sad look on her face. Then she looked up at me and had a more content look. "Does this mean that i still have a chance?"
I chuckled softly.
"Yes, Fluttershy. You still have a chance, now can we get a move on?" I said, completely forgetting that she was going to explain her shyness to me.
She nodded and we continued on the trail.
No sooner had we set foot in the bakery did Pinkie Pie spot us.
"Hey! I remember you! You're Velvet, right?" she said.
"Yeah, that's me." I said. "Hey, do you think I could apply for a job here?"
"I'll have to ask Mr. Cake." she replied.
"Ask me what?" said the orange pony I assumed to be Mr. Cake as he walked into the room.
"Oh, hello! My name is Velvet. I would like to apply for a job." I said, trying my best to sound professional. This earned a snicker from Fluttershy.
"Well, of course! And, there's no need to apply. I feel like I can trust you to use a cash register." he said.
"Wait, so... I got the job?"
"Well, of course!" he said, a smile starting to form on his face.
"Wow, that was incredibly easy. So, when can I start?" I asked.
"Well, I was going to do a double shift today, but you could fill in for me this morning. You need at least three days of work a week, and for every day you come in I expect 6 hours of work. You'll get paid 50 bits per hour, plus tips.." he explained.
"So... now?" I asked, feeling very slow in the head.
"Yes, now! Just get an apron and a hat from behind the counter." he said.
"Yes sir!" I said. I walked around the counter and got my "Uniform" on.
"Hey, I'd be happy to be your first customer." said Fluttershy. "I'll have one cupcake supreme, please."
"Are you sure you just want one? Why not get two?" I said seductively.
"Only for you, Velvet." she giggled.
"TWO CUPCAKE SUPREMES, COMIN' UP!" screamed Pinkie, bouncing off to the kichten behind two saloon-style double doors.
"I can't hear out of my right ear now." I said. A few minutes later, she comes back out of the kitchen holding a tray with two of the biggest cupcakes I've ever seen.
I look at the price list on the counter.
"That will be 20 bits, ma'am." I said. She grabs some bits out of her saddlebag and tossed some bits on the table.
"Keep the change." she said, also in a seductive voice. I laughed and picked out twenty bits from the pile.
"There were thirty four bits leftover. That's an assload of money for a tip." I said.
"Oh, I don't care. I get paid by the mayor for being a groundskeeper of the meadow." she explains.
"Okay. Enjoy your cupcakes!"I say as she left.
Four minutes down, three hundred fifty six more to go. Huzzah...
Hey, readers. I recently joined the wrestling team at my high school, so I may have big clusters of chapters, or have a metaphorical drought of them. Either way, keep on keepin on and reviewing as always.. Also, I would like to thank my good friend, who asked me not to use his name but instead the name "The Erect Slenderman", for his help in writing this part of the story. You rock, The Erect Slenderman. God, that's so awkward to type...
The pony who only cares a little bit, BigBadFluttershy