The Depression Contest
Fluttershy had always been an extremely good listener, even back before life let her down. As a small filly, she'd learned to play a little game with people. It was harmless fun, really, and kept entirely in Fluttershy's own head. She called it The Depression Contest. The rules of the game were simple. Firstly, she was always worse off than everyone else. Secondly, she wasn't allowed to show her inner doubts or struggles. Thirdly, the judgement was only skin-deep and completely innocent.
At least, that's what she thought as she walked into Ponyville's spa one morning. Waiting for her was the dazzling Miss Rarity, clearly ready to tell Fluttershy all of her problems. Fluttershy would support her friends no matter what. Isn't that what they expected of her?
Rarity looked fantastic as always, and had her hair up just in case they submerged themselves in the spa's luxurious hot tub. Rarity was always so precise with her mane, and hated getting it wet. Fluttershy always had her mane down, because she simply didn't care. Naturally, it looked good all the time. It was one of her few blessings.
"Oh darling!" Rarity hugged her friend warmly and genuinely. Fluttershy, feeling appreciated, hugged back. Rarity began to talk about her many, many troubles, and Fluttershy happily listened.
The mares got massages that day. The blue mare working on Fluttershy was very gentle and considerate, understanding that Fluttershy was ticklish and didn't really like to be touched. This happened every time, and Fluttershy was beginning to get used to it. Still, when the blue mare touched certain spots on her back, Fluttershy got nervous. She felt like something was digging into her, then, and had to focus very hard in order to keep her head on straight.
"I am in such pain!" Rarity cried, "I have an order due tomorrow, but I simply can't figure out how to do it!"
"Oh dear..." Fluttershy looked at her friend sympathetically, but really she was thinking about how her pain was more abstract than Rarity's, and greater. The blue mare working on Fluttershy touched her spine, and the pink-maned mare squeaked, kicking a leg out.
"I have cried a great many tears over this project..." Rarity sighed. Fluttershy acknowledged that Rarity had tears, but thought her own to be more nuanced. Fluttershy's tears were deeper, they meant more. Rarity would cry over anything, even as a show to fool people. Fluttershy's tears were always genuine, and only appeared when she was in great emotional agony.
As Fluttershy was massaged and Rarity continued to talk, Fluttershy wished that for once someone would pity her, instead of it always being the other way around. After all, Fluttershy's story was an epic. Rarity should just forget telling hers, she thought.
"Oh, and darling, I got into this terrible fight with my parents last night. They say that I should keep encouraging Sweetie Belle to get her cutie mark no matter what, even if that means escorting her around town. But I'm so busy, I don't really have time to care for her right now..."
Fluttershy felt as if Rarity had stock strife, conflicts she pulled out of nowhere when she felt like causing problems. Her problems could not win Fluttershy's Depression Contest. After all, Fluttershy's parents had been absent most of the time, and were definitely meaner than Rarity's.
Fluttershy stared at a nearby wall, feeling the sensation of hooves pressing on her back, and she remembered her childhood. Fluttershy was actually very independent, even though she could be clingy, because in many ways she raised herself. Without parents around to explain the world to her, Fluttershy could do nothing but figure life out all on her own. Her usually found some way to feed herself, and spent countless nights over at friend's houses, including Rainbow Dash.
Fluttershy had always been jealous of her friend's families. Applejack had a huge family that came together always and supported her. Rainbow Dash's parents had welcomed Fluttershy in warmly, and constantly supported Dash's dream of becoming a Wonderbolt. Pinkie Pie had two sisters and two loving parents caring for her. Twilight had a royal family and a biological family. She had princesses looking out for her!
Rarity, herself, had two proud parents and a little sister that always sought out Rarity's attention. Fluttershy wished that she could have a cute little sister that adored her.
When her parents were around, they always fought with each other. Her Mum blamed Fluttershy for their misfortunes often, and her Dad always told her to shut up or grow up. Rarity's parents always supported her, and were just encouraging her to do good for once. Rarity should have been thankful.
Fluttershy thought the damage of her childhood to be quite glamorous, in all actuality. There was a lot more damage in her life than in those of her friends. That's why she was shy, why she couldn't relax truly at the spa, why she wasn't successful...
Her reasons were precious, and better than Rarity's. Rarity could try, yes, she could cut and slice away at Fluttershy with confessions all she wanted. Still, her words were skin deep in Fluttershy's Depression Contest.
"I've been crying all the time, darling, I'm just so fed up!" Rarity confessed.
"That's terrible, Rarity, I'm so sorry," Fluttershy said, calmly sympathizing. She really thought about how her tears, unlike Rarity's sparkled and charmed as they fell off her face. Why else would other ponies always rush to help her? She was fragile. She had an advantage over Rarity.
Rarity could crocodile cry all she wanted, but Fluttershy had just won the Depression Contest. As she walked out the door that day, she smiled warmly.
