Why is Romance So Hard?

Fluttershy had stared intently at the ground while walking down the market place in the main center of town. Everywhere, there were dashing colors of golden and red advertisements for various edible foods and miscellaneous objects that cluttered stands on the side of the road. Earth ponies lined up far and wide, calling out their deals and arguing with the rivals that perched next to them. This was all a blur to Fluttershy who normally came in the early morning before most of the stands were even open, and there was scarcely a pony or two walking among the street. Everything was always quiet and blissful in the morning, everyone exhausted but prepared for another day of work.

It was now mid afternoon and she recalled receiving an invitation to the newest announcement that would be following pursuit with her friend Applejack, and her mind wandered back to the morning of when she had received it. It'd been three days since her confession to Rarity, and while the news and rumors had slowly died down as everything else of news always did, it seemed that the personal matter hadn't left neither Rarity nor Fluttershy. No eye contact was made between them except a few exchanges of nervous glancing when the two bid each other a hello on the street. Even the days at the spa was now evolved with the two of them clinging to the farthest side of everything, attempting to keep a moderate distance.

That wasn't all that appeared to be shocking the rest of the friends, as the newest surprise was instead of Pinkie Pie and her usual informal attempt at bringing ponies to her infamous parties, she had been disturbed while preparing Angel Bunny's favorite breakfast of daisy, lettuce, and tulip sandwich this morning. The knock on the door was urgent, but even the animals heads turned and drifted with interest. Fluttershy had flown to the door and nervously peeked behind it to see who it was and what they wanted, her eyes widening as she saw the familiar glow of magenta from her longest time friend and the bravest pony she'd ever met, Rainbow Dash.

"Hi Fluttershy," the rainbow mare had began slowly, her words appeared vacant, but the windows of her souls were clearly telling another story. Fear and pain fled to them, and a very scarce redness could be seen that the tough mare had been weeping. The twinge of fear sprung into Fluttershy's chest while she heard the rest of the story,"Could I come in for a quick second? I have some news about AJ.." Her words drifted away as she stared to the sky, momentarily lost in thought.

"Of course Rainbow Dash, you are always welcome in my abode. Please, come in. There is something that is disturbing you, Dash, and I'm afraid of what it may be." Fluttershy's soft voice was already quivering as she lead her friends to the nearest couch where she often spent most of her afternoons cuddled up for a nap with Angel Bunny, or where she sulked around and wept for hours if she was upset. The rabbit's decent sized bed was beside the couch, and the cotton white rodent was still slumbering peacefully, his foot moving rapidly as he scratched behind his ear for a moment.

Rainbow Dash slowly entered the house, her shoulders and flanks slumped while her neck hung low, her ears were down and hanging sadly. Even her tail and mane appeared limp, not even windblown as normal. It had appeared as if the pegasus hadn't gone flying on her normal routine this morning, but it was Thursday after all, when Rainbow Dash normally would have a day off to sleep or relax. Fluttershy perched herself gracefully onto the green couch that resided next to the window she favored the most, where she could watch her beautiful animal friends and bask in the sunshine of the day. Rainbow Dash followed pursuit after her, treading across the wooden floor and then onto the rug with a very slow pace.

At last, the two mares sat down next to one another, but Fluttershy reminded herself to remain a safe distance away from the mare. Her wings stretched out for a moment while she positioned herself, and then once more turned to Rainbow Dash."... Fluttershy... I don't know how to say this... but, something happened this morning that is going to change AJ a lot, and if it changes AJ, its going to change me as well. It'll be a chain event that changes all of us, because this involves a special pony that has been with us for a long time." Her voice was beginning to crack as she spoke.  Fluttershy remained quiet, but moved over and wrapped a comforting wing around Rainbow Dash.

"I understand. I do hope that everything will be alright," she timidly commented as she felt the panic beginning to twist in her stomach.  The emotional sickness that she always suffered from was beginning to mimic her.  Rainbow Dash appeared to be watching her now, but her body only tensed under the soft feathers of her friend touching her.  In retort, Fluttershy pulled away and tucked them in at her side.

"I know that this is going to be hard for everypony, but we need to stay strong for AJ. Above all else, I want to be there for her when this.. time finally come. She wants us all to come to Sugarcube Corner at one o' clock sharp this afternoon. It's a dire conversation we all need to listen to." With that, Rainbow Dash stood up and walked hastily towards the door of the cottage, retreating into the afternoon light, leaving the yellow pegasus to wonder what could possibly be going on.

Fluttershy had been wandering aimlessly across the rows and aisles of the market place now, searching for no particular item. She just enjoyed walking here, where less ponies came at the end of the market place. The yellow pony was beginning to just suspect the smallest of moments that she would see her, and Rarity appeared in her view, turning around, she met eyes with Fluttershy.