The next day had Dry Quill coming down the stairs in the morning to find Zakuru making breakfast, of which Brain Storm was eating. "Morning," said Quill as he sat down. Zakuru responded likewise while Brain Storm gave a barely-noticeable nod. “ Ah, good to see that the potion has worn off on you Storm. Aaannnnnnd where is Dew?” he said as he spun around.

“Exploring, as usual,” replied Brain Storm, “most likely collecting herbs and getting a layout of the town.”

"But it's, what," he looked at his grey watch, "10:13? Hm, I never sleep this late." He grabbed a breakfast burrito and grey hat, "I'm going out to meet everyone."

"I don't see why you have the need to do that," Brain Storm said, "you already seem to know everyone."

"Not everyone," Quill replied as he walked out the door, then poked his head back in, "Oh, and Brain Storm, we need groceries. So, you know, get outside today and see the sun and all that." With that, he walked out.

Dry Quill walked down the streets as a cool wind of the approaching Autumn blew through. A musical number had broken out nearby about the joys of picnics and he could see kites being flown in the distance. There were surprisingly few ponies where he was; most of them were singing or inside due to the unexpected chill. He finally passed one by the name of Lyra Heartstrings and started up a conversation. When the discussion split off on a particular tangent on the fault of Lyra, Dry Quill invited her to his shop, stating that he had "something of interest" to her, then said goodbye. Presently he came to a shop called Stock House's General Goods, and then continued on seeing as he had no business there.

"Dew Drop I am going to collect; she has not come back yet." Zakuru said as he slung a saddlebag on his back. He turned to Brain Storm, "Outside I hope to see you too, for there is nothing else for you to do." He left.

Brain Storm sighed, Zakuru was correct, the lab materials were at the back of the storage room, and he had to complete the objective of acquiring some groceries. The only logical thing to do would be to comply with Zakuru's and Quill's requests. He put on his own pack and went out the back door towards the market.

Vendors lined the streets; some called out their wares, others painted signs or counted money. Brain Storm had managed to find everyone's favorite foods and was halfway done with his shopping. He spotted Dew Drop across the crowd walking with Zakuru and gave them a stiff wave, which they returned. He then came by Twilight, who then stopped and looked at him.

“Um, Brain Storm?” She said.

“Hm.”

“Your colors– they’re switched.”

“Yes, this is my natural color.”

“...”

“I had previously experimented with a color potion before my arrival here. Is that explanation sufficient?”

“Sure,” Twilight said a little unsure, then waved and went her way.

Brain Storm navigated the crowd, skillfully calculating each movement to minimize contact with others. He did not, however, anticipate two fillies run by and trip him up. He could have recovered, if not for a conveniently placed rock right where he stepped, and so, for the first time in one-hundred thirty-two days, Brain Storm fell over backwards. He landed on something soft which made a small yelp. Assuming it to be some pet, he rolled off and took a look at whatever he had accidentally assaulted. Well, he came face to face with a pair of blue eyes surrounded by yellow hair. It was the anomalous yellow mare pegasus from the welcome celebration.

"Engaging in conversation may give me clues as to the unique properties of this mare," Brain Storm thought, "I should start by sayingdhdurjvuwkqeixuzv---." It was by this time that Brain Storm got a full look at the mare, and found his mind scrambled by a foreign entity as his vision tunneled. His chest tightened and he felt his heart rate increase. "She's attacking my mind somehow- No, that's not it. Need to think. Oh no, she's talking."[/i ]Another burst sent him mentally reeling.

Fluttershy’s birthday was today, and after a panic-inducing surprise congratulations by Pinkie, Rarity treated her to the spa “Special”, which was like their regular visits, but twice as long and using arbitrarily exotic salves and distilled water. They then gave her a proper cleaning and powdered her fur and mane to give it a noticeably soft look to it, then topped it all off with a lotus pinned in her mane above her ear when she left.

This should all be noted because it was after this makeover that Fluttershy went to the market to buy a particularly large supply of apples, and subsequently had what looked like Brain Storm with switched colors trip over her.

“It’s okay, I’m alright,” she said automatically as she picked herself up and turned to face Brain Storm. He stared at her agape with wide eyes. “Oh, dear, have I given him a concussion?” “Are you okay?” she asked, not realizing that as she did so, she subconsciously tilted her head accompanied by a wisp of mane swinging lightly across her eyes. What happened next was a surprise to both parties involved, for three seconds later, Brain Storm did the most amazing and unexpected and certainly most illogical thing.

He turned tail and ran.

Spike attempted to steel his nerves as he approached the Carousel Boutique. He wasn't sure what he would say when he got there, but he dragged his feet as he had when he left, knowing that he would have to face Rarity eventually. He had tried talking to her at the party, but ended up avoiding her the entire time. He hesitated when he got within thirty feet of The Boutique, feeling less confident by the second. It didn't help that the streets were empty.

"Lady problems?" said a familiar voice.

Spike spun around to find Dry Quill standing behind him, causing his expression to turn from one of anxiety to skepticism. "Why do you need to know?" he said.

In a tone that was both sincere and somewhat patronizing, Quill responded, "I know that look, that walk; it is one that I have seen," he said with a dramatic toss of the head, "in others many times before." He then looked sideways at Spike for a moment before fully facing him again. "Rarity and you, you are close, are you not?"

Spike's eyes dropped to the ground, "Sure. I mean, I couldn't really say clo–"

Quill abruptly put a hoof to Spike's mouth, "So do you think a little torn cloth is going to get between you two?" Spike didn't say anything. Quill continued, "No." He sighed. "Oh, and Spike, I realize that you don't like me too much, and I know why. However, I am very sure that you don't." He started nudging Spike towards the Carousel Boutique, "When you can figure that out, feel free to come by and we'll talk, stallion to dragon."

Spike's face remained how it was, but he nodded and walked towards the Carousel Boutique with renewed vigor. But then he stopped and narrowed his eyes, "Wait," he said as he turned around, "how did you know that the drapes were–" Dry Quill had disappeared without a trace, "...torn." Spike heard Rarity scream and dashed towards the Carousel Boutique.

Spike threw open the door and found parasprites swarming the area. Rarity had set up a barricade of tables, behind which she protected her belongings and zapped any parasprites that got too close.

"Spike!" She cried as she swung at the swarm, "thank goodness you're here."

Spike ran over and joined Rarity, "Wait, you're glad to see me?" He said as he swatted away a parasprite.

Rarity launched a scented candle at the swarm, "Of course, why wouldn't I be?

Spike looked down and kicked the ground nervously, "I got your drapes torn up," he said as he stomped on a sprite, more from self-pity at the moment than duty.

"Oh Spike," Rarity cooed as she lifted his chin while her back leg kicked a sprite, "It wasn't your fault; Opal can usually climb the drapes harmlessly, but I had been too busy to trim her nails." She smiled, "I am ever so grateful for your help that day. And between you and me, those drapes were out of style" she said as she winked. In the background, Sweetie Belle threw a bucket of hot water at the parasprites accompanied by squeaky a war cry. "Now," said Rarity as she stood up, "I need a big strong dragon to save me from these pests."

Spike smiled, straightened up, and bowed, "Whatever you desire, my lady."

Dry Quill had returned to his shop and was writing in his book; Zakuru was cleaning the windows, and Dew Drop was in the lab, working with potions. Brain Storm had not returned yet, and it was 4:33. Zakuru thought this strange, "Where is Brain Storm, has he found harm?"

Without looking up, Quill responded, "I don't know, perhaps he found a marefriend" he said sarcastically. He looked up, "here he comes now," he said calmly.

The same could not be said of Brain Storm, who nearly broke down the door as he dashed in. He stopped and composed himself, and made an attempt to walk past his housemates with indifference. His right eye twitched, and his mane was messier than usual. "I'm going to bed," he said simply, and went upstairs.

"That's odd," Quill said as he turned to Zakuru, "Brain Storm slept only two days ago."

"I would think," Zakuru said, "perhaps he is sick."

Quill shrugged as he continued writing. Dew Drop ran in, "Daddy! I think I did something wrong with my potion!" Quill slammed his book shut. Half a second later, there was a loud whump and the house instantly filled with rainbow smoke.

Big Macintosh stood in the middle of the orchard. A fly landed on his nose, of which he shook off. “Eeyup” he said for no reason in particular.

Author's Note

Just a little reference for how Fluttershy looked:
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/364/a/b/_mlp__fluttershy_by_awsdemlp-d5pqipq.png
~~Credit to Awsdemlp. Check his page out.~~
(Artist account is deactivated, which is a real shame. If anyone knows where that really well-done art of Fluttershy with a lotus-type flower in her mane is, that would be nice.)
Yes, I am now aware that there already exists an OC named "Dew Droplet" on Deviantart with similar talents. Any resemblance is purely coincidental.

Comment and like please.