Growing Up Shy

Posey walked through the shopping center with her little filly huddled beneath her right wing. Market Square was always crowded on a weekend, but she had no other time to go. As she strolled through the various stands she noticed the usual, and, as she thought to herself, the typical behavior of the pegasi around her. One mare trying to cut another in line, another colt sneaking a carrot off of a produce stand, and a salespony trying to sell one cherry for ten bits. She kept her daughter close to her, trying as hard as she could to hurry through the tasks of the day so they could both go home. She wished that she could leave her filly at home, but there was nopony else there who could take care of her, and she was far too young to be alone, being practically a year older than foalhood.

"Fluttershy, stay close to me, sweetheart. We'll be home soon, I promise." She reassured her little daughter as she approached her desired produce stand, the stand that her friend owned.

The very little pegasus was eager to obey her mother, as she didn't want to be separated from her in such a huge crowd. She looked up at her mother who was conversing with the friendly salespony, and hoped that they wouldn't take much longer. the little pegasus looked almost exactly like her mother, having the same pale yellow coat and lovely pink mane, besides her foalsitter, her mother was the only other pony she really knew, as meeting new ponies was normally met with soft squeaks and teary eyes. Saying that the little filly was shy was an absolute understatement. She was afraid of new ponies, and didn't ever know how to react to them.

"How is little Fluttershy doing?" asked the mare selling produce. "And how have you been? You always look so tired, Posey."

Posey sighed, "Fluttershy's doing fine, she's been a lot more talkative lately. At home, mostly. As for me, I've been up late a lot of nights. mostly at work."

"I know what you mean, honey. I've had to keep the stand open later recently because it's hard keeping up with costs nowadays. I couldn't imagine trying to raise a child while working all the time. Especially when you're a single- oh, I mean... oh gosh I'm so sorry, sweetie. I didn't mean to bring that up."

"It's ok, Lightshine, you're right, it is a bit harder without another parent to help, but thankfully her foalsitter has been more available lately."

Posey felt a tug on her wing, and looked down to see her little one looking up at her sadly.

"I think she's a little tired of being out and about. I'll see you next time, Lightshine, and thank you for the great deal, it was very generous of you."

"Don't mention it, sweetie, I figured you needed a little break today. See you next time!"

"Ok, Fluttershy, we're done here. Let's get back home."

The silent pegasi perked up when she heard the good news, but there would never be a smile until they arrived back at their home. Posey walked her daughter to the outside of the shopping center until they were distanced from any other ponies.

"Are you ready, sweetheart?"

The little pegasi looked worried, but nodded. Posey picked her up in her hooves, while also carrying her bag of groceries, and began to take flight. Fluttershy clenched her eyes shut and held tight to her mother, as she began soaring through the sky, finally on their way back home.

As they arrived back at their little home, a small abode yet big enough for two ponies, Posey carried Fluttershy into the living room, which really only contained a couch and a table, and set her down on the couch, gave her a kiss on the forehead, and went into the kitchen to store her purchases of the day. the worried little pegasi sat quietly, curled up on the cushion of cloud. she was thinking about what her mother had said. Was she a nuisance? the thought of her being an inconvenience to her mother brought tears to her eyes, and Posey could soon here her crying softly, complete with sobs and squeaks. She worriedly rushed into the living room to find out what could've set Fluttershy off this time, and to calm and comfort her timid little filly.

"Fluttershy, sweetheart, what's wrong?" she inquired as she wrapped her hooves around her daughter, which prompted the little pegasi to hug her tightly. For the first time since they had left the house to go to the market, Fluttershy finally spoke.

"Mommy... did I do something wrong?"

Posey wasn't quite sure what to make of the question. Fluttershy had never broken rules or disobeyed her. "What do you mean?"

"You.. said that it... it was hard raising me" She stuttered through her words to express her sadness to her mother.

Posey felt ashamed that she had let Fluttershy hear that. "Fluttershy, you are the best filly anypony could ever have. That only hard part is that I don't get to spend as much time with you as I want. I wish I could explain but believe me, you are wonderful and I love you so much."

Posey wiped away the last of Fluttershy's tears, satisfied that the little one now understood that she was not a burden. They sat in silence for a while, and Posey held her daughter until she was calm enough to let go, which took quite a while. Eventually, the little filly spoke up again.

"Mommy... will Daddy ever come home?"

"Posey, listen, please listen."

"What's going on? Why is there a storm up here in the city?"

"Posey there's been a huge accident in the weather plant, and now there are wild storms spreading everywhere. Cloudsdale is being hit by a hurricane. I'm needed to help stop it."

"A Hurricane!? Sky Blaze you can't fly in a hurricane!"

"I have to or else the city could be destroyed! It's my job as part of the weather patrol to help stop it."

"Please, Sky, it's too dangerous! I can't- I don't want you to! Please!"

"Posey, please listen. I need you to listen. You know that I have to go, think about the other families worried about their loved ones. I'm scared too, scared for the two of you. Please take our daughter to the basement, it's in thicker clouds, and keep her and yourself safe. I promise I'll be back."

"I... I don't... I... ok. Just please be careful."

"Of course I will. I love you, Posey."

"I love you too, Sky."

The two exchanged a loving hug and goodbye kiss before Sky Blaze flew out into the night. Posey quickly gathered her little foal and brought her to the deepest part of their home. The mother could hear raging winds and thunder from the outside, as she tried to calm her crying daughter. after many hours, the foal fell asleep, and so too did the mother.

Come morning, Posey went out to see the result of the sudden storms, and found terrible damage to the city they lived in. she nervously anticipated Sky Blaze's return. He was nowhere to be found. Posey worriedly waited the entire day with her newborn, praying to Celestia that he would return. Eventually, there was a knock on the door. She immediately rushed to open it, only to find a pony in official clothing, who gave her a letter, and said, "My condolences, ma'am." He turned to leave, and Posey frantically tore open the letter.

Inside was a missing pony notice.

The caring mother laid her little filly into her bed, at the end of a long and challenging day. the filly's bed laid in the center of a small, yet clean room. A hardly used toy chest sat in the corner, and a bedside table with a small lamp, which Posey turned on so Fluttershy would not be alone in the dark. A very tired little pegasus looked up at her mother, and smiled expectantly. Posey leaned in to kiss the little one goodnight, and prepared herself to sing.

Hush now, quiet now,

it's time to lay your sleepy head,

drift, drift, off to sleep,

exciting day behind you,

drift, drift, off to sleep,

let the joy of dreamland find you.

By the time her lullaby was finished, the little one was already asleep. Posey smiled warmly, and silently trotted out of the room, closing the door softly.