It was an early morning in Ponyville, the sun was creeping over the hill, the air was warm and inviting. A Gryphon named Gilda was sound asleep in a cottage owned by a butterscotch Pegasus known as Fluttershy. Said Gryphon was lying on the couch, her peaceful breaths passing in and out of her beak. She much preferred a cloud to lay upon but she wasn't complaining, besides, she was accompanied by a cute little Pegasus, if anyone caught her saying that back then she would have clamped their muzzle and thrown a few threats at them, now a days she can't stand even seeing somepony else hurt, ever since she was humiliated in Ponyville and kicked out of her own cloud home back in Cloudsdale. Thoughts of the day when her house was evicted came rushing back, she frowned a little at first but remembered what came out of it and let a small melancholic smile play on her face.
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The air was cold and damp, her talons took her mindlessly forward, her fur and feathers felt damp, there wasn't much meaning now, her cloud home was gone, she didn't really have family seeing as how she ditched the nest to go to flight school and never contacted them sense, then she had to go and blow it by mistreating her best friend. Gilda stopped near the edge of a cloud, letting herself collapse into the cloud the dam of tears broke, she couldn't take it anymore, there was no direction in life, nopony to help her. Peering over the edge of the cloud letting the tears drip off she stared upon the earth, she was about to spread her wings and take off to no where land, but an 'eep' caught her attention behind her, looking to see what it was her eye's widened when she noticed who it was, "Y-You're that Fluttershy dweeb..." she trailed off, claw hanging in the air.
"Oh, well, I mean, I don't mean to intrude, but I saw you crying, a-and mumbling to yourself." Fluttershy let out meekly, not sure how to explain sneaking up on the imfamous Gryphon. Gilda stared on at the shy pegasus, some red adorning her cheeks knowing that she had been heard, wiping off the tears in a vain attempt to still look like she had some dignity about her, but failed when she tried to choke out an apology, "H-Hey, umm, I just w-wanted to say, s-sorry about what happened in P-Ponyville..." Fluttershy looked meekly at her, trotting up towards the Gryphon she placed a hoof on her shoulder, "I forgive you." Fluttershy said in a soft voice, trying to be more confident in front of her she kept her eye's locked with the Gilda's, she could see the sadness in the Gryphon, "So, can you tell me what happened? only if you want to, that is." she finished, breaking the eye contact and looking to the side, peeping out from her hair.
Gilda finally regained her resolve, and told her everything from the beginning, after she finished up to where she was now, Fluttershy could only stare in disbelief, snapping out of her thoughts she helped Gilda off the ground, "Well, I was here to visit with my parents, but I don't see any reason to not let you stay with me. If you don't mind my animal friends, that is." Fluttershy trailed off, it was Gilda's turn to stare in disbelief before she stuttered out a question, "R-Really? I mean, i'de love too, but..." She trailed off, Fluttershy cocking her head to the side a bit as if asking what she wanted to finish, "What about your friends? I don't think they'll exactly welcome me back with open hooves." Gilda finished, "Well, I know they won't be too keen on the idea, but if I was allowed to teach Discord, then I should be allowed to help you." Fluttershy said confidently, almost happy to have somepony, err, Gryphon, to keep her company, not that she didn't mind the constant hum of her animal friends, it did get a bit lonely some days, "Well, umm, I have to go to my parents now, if you wanna come over that would be okay, you seem hungry anyways." Fluttershy said, at that Gilda's stomach rumbled, she looked at Fluttershy and nodded, "That'd be nice." Gilda said humbly.
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And the rest was history, now she had been snoozing happily ever sense she had moved in, eating home cooked meals and sneaking back and forth with Fluttershy to help animals or getting food from the market. I think her friends are catching on, seeing as how it's been a few weeks since she has been doing this, they agreed to keep this a secret for a bit, she wasn't ready to face them again after how she had acted before, "But the truth has to come out some time right?" Gilda thought, milling around in her head whether she wanted to get up or not.
Deciding to rest a little longer she thought about how she was falling for the most amazing pony she could imagine, it was hard for her to admit seeing as how she's only been here for a couple of weeks, but how could she not fall for her? She was willing to pick her up from the streets even after she had bullied her and betrayed her best friends trust, she only showed her kindness and love, Speaking of love, she didn't even know if Fluttershy swung that way. Her beak frowned at that, only hoping that she had an ounce of chance to be able to swoon her, she couldn't even Gryphon up and ask her, she was a coward now, old Gilda would have slapped herself in the face for thinking that.
Her talon twitched as she heard soft hoof steps descending down the stairs, she cracked open her eyes to see the yellow pegasus coming down, her mane looked rough with dark circles under her eyes, "Rough sleep?" Gilda croaked, Fluttershy jumped a little, now staring at Gilda's half lidded eye's, "Oh, um, yes..." Fluttershy said, trying to hide the fact that a certain Gryphon was the reason she couldn't sleep.
"Well, why did you have trouble sleeping?" Gilda persisted, Fluttershy started to get a bit nervous but calmed down before she spoke, "I'm just used to having my bunny sleep with me is all." Fluttershy replied, feeling confident with her answer, seeing as how Angel was raising his own family now. Shrugging Gilda decided to let it go, knowing Fluttershy that was the real reason.
"Would you like some breakfast? I'm gonna make some before I tidy up." Fluttershy said, changing the subject, "Sure!" Gilda exclaimed at the sound of food, already up and heading to the kitchen.
Fluttershy was set in front of the stove cracking open some eggs into the skillet for her and Gilda, the smell of breakfast in the morning always woke them up and the critters. The animals started poking their heads out, some of the birds already leaving their nest to make for the open air outside.
Deciding the eggs were finished she placed them on separate plates, two eggs for Gilda and one for herself, that's the way she always made them. Walking over to Gilda she set the plate in front of her and carried her own to the other side of the table before taking a seat on the wooden chair, it was always hard against her flank, but she would re-position to get comfortable before taking a few quaint bites from her egg. Looking up at the Gyphon she noticed that she had already almost finished her eggs, staring at the Gryphon she admired how she paced herself, her beak moving up and down in a hypnotic motion.
The Gryphon noticed the pair of teal eye's upon her and looked up to meet Fluttershy's eye's before the pegasus bashfully looked back down at her eggs, hiding behind her hair.
"Hey Shy, you sure you're alright? Ya' seem a bit off." The Gryphon asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
"Oh, um..." Fluttershy looked up and around as if to look for an answer, she finally met the Gryphons eye's sighing heavily, "Now or never."She thought.
"Oh, uh, I'm just really tired, is all." Fluttershy answered, mustering up her best smile. "Nice one."
Gilda raised an eyebrow, "If you say so." The Gryphon replied, she didn't exactly believe it, but seeing as how anxious Fluttershy was becoming she decided to let it go.
"Hey, Gilda, you think we should tell our friends that you're living with me? I know you left a poor impression, but i'm sure they're willing to give you a second chance." Fluttershy asked, Gilda got up from the table and carried her plate over to the sink.
"I don't know, I don't really mind if they know or not, sure I might not get the greatest reaction, but if they're like what you say then I don't mind, otherwise, I'm enjoying my stay with you, and I personally prefer it like that." Gilda gave her best reply while washing off her plate before looking back at the Pegasus who had a slight tinge to her cheeks.
"Wow, that was pretty cheesy, huh?" Gilda asked, scratching the back of her neck and letting out a small laugh. Coughing into her talon she started walking up towards Fluttershy, "Look, how about you take me to a nice spot by the lake before we get into that whole mess, how about it?" Gilda asked, "Come on, get the hint Shy."
"Oh! That would be wonderful, when do you wanna go?" Fluttershy exclaimed, her obliviousness killed the Gryphon, but she wasn't going to complain, she could never get mad at the Pegasus.
"Well, I was thinking after you finish your eggs." Gilda replied.
"Oh, I'm really not that hungry, i'll just go tidy up." Fluttershy said hurriedly before rushing off to the bathroom.
"Ugh...That pony sometimes." Gilda said to herself aloud, "I wonder when she'll start getting the hints I've been throwing at her." She wondered, eyeing the egg that Fluttershy barely nibbled on, she reached out and grabbed the plate taking it to the garbage.
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Fluttershy was looking at the reflection of herself in the mirror, running a wooden brush through her tangled hair until she was satisfied with the result. she stared at herself a little longer with a small smile, truth be told under that smile she was nervous, ever since she had brought Gilda in she had grown attached to the Gryphon, these feelings had emerged and she's done her best to hide them. She let out a small sigh, Okay Fluttershy, just tell her how you feel at the lake, it's the perfect opportunity. She gave herself a pep talk turning around to exit the bathroom, only to have her smile falter, "But what if she doesn't like me back? She stomped her hoof, straightening her posture and re-gaining her smile, "I can't think like that, it won't get me anywhere." Feeling re-invigorated she stepped out of the bathroom and headed back to the kitchen.
Stepping into the kitchen she called out to the Gryphon, "Alright Gilda, I'm ready." Gilda placed Fluttershy's plate in the sink before turning around, some egg was still left on the corners of her mouth. "Gilda, you have some, um..." Fluttershy pointed at her muzzle, Gilda getting the hint she let out an 'oh' before wiping her beak with her talon. "Thanks for cleaning my plate by the way." Fluttershy said, "Oh, uh, no problem...I guess." Gilda replied, "Anyways, you said you were ready?" She questioned, Fluttershy looked back up at Gilda giving her a slight nod. "Oh wait!" Fluttershy exclaimed at the last moment causing Gilda to turn her head and look at Fluttershy. Fluttershy ran back towards the bathroom and opened the closet beside it, grabbing two towels she placed them on her back and re-joined the Gryphon. "Okay, let's go." Fluttershy said readily.
"Lets get going then." Gilda replied making her way outside the front door, Fluttershy followed closely behind, a light breeze filled the air, the sky was slightly cloudy and the sun was full and bright as always. Fluttershy took in the beautiful day before letting out a long sigh, Gilda was already way ahead of her, turning around but keeping her light jog Gilda called out to the Pegasus, "Hey, you coming!?" Fluttershy snapped out of her reverie before her eye's fell onto the Gryphon who's smile was bright, she was waiting for Fluttershy to answer, "Oh! I'm coming!" Fluttershy called back, falling into a light canter to catch up to the Gryphon. She spreaded her wings out to catch the breeze as she made her way.
"Sorry Gilda, I got distracted." Fluttershy said as she walked up next to Gilda, "I could tell." Gilda replied is a teasing tone, she reached out and grabbed Fluttershy's hoof and began to drag her along causing the Pegasus to blush in response.
"Um, Gilda?" Fluttershy whispered trying to get the Gryphon's attention.
"Hmm?" Gilda stopped in her tracks and turned around to see the bashful Pegasus blushed profusely, "Oh! Sorry." Gilda responded, letting go of Fluttershy's hoof, "Didn't mean to get 'handsy'"
Fluttershy muttered a "thank you, Gilda just smiled at her and picked up her pace again, Fluttershy caught up to Gilda and they both walked on side by side. The pair fell into a comfortable silence, they would steal glances here and there, sometimes their eye's meeting for a brief second before snapping their attention back on the road.
The lake came into view, Gilda unfurled her wings before taking to the sky, the wind whipped up against Gilda's face, savoring the moment in mid air her eye's fell onto the lake she then looked down to where she took off to see Fluttershy cantering towards the lake, looking back at the lake she dived down towards it aiming for the center, just before making impact with the water she curled into a ball closing her eyes, hitting the water she touched the bottom of the lake, pressing her rear leg against the lake floor she propelled herself back to the surface, re-emerging she opened her eye's and searched for Fluttershy, spotting the trail where they came from she saw Fluttershy still making her way down.
"Come on in Shy! The water feels good!" She called out to the yellow Pegasus, dropping the towels on the grass just outside of the shore she spreaded her own wings and flew towards Gilda, lightly dropping into the water beside the Gryphon, the water was luke warm, it soaked deeply into her fur and relaxing her muscles, she breathed out a light sigh closing her eye's, only to feel a splash of water hit her face, she opened her eye's to see Gilda flashing her a cocky grin, Fluttershy smiled back, unfurling her wings she pushed them forward to splash Gilda back, but the water barely landed in front of the Gryphon making Gilda laugh.
"You've gotta try harder then that Shy." Gilda responded.
"Oh, well, I really didn't want to get water in your eye's." Fluttershy replied, Gilda smirked and rolled her eye's. Fluttershy saw this and decided to try splash a little hard, she hit the water as hard as she could in front of her creating a big enough wave to envelope the Gryphon. Blinking the water away she looked to see Fluttershy peeping out from behind her hair, Gilda let out a chuckle and swam up to the Pegasus and wrapped her talons around Fluttershy, pressing each other into a hug.
Gilda's amber eye's stared into Fluttershy's cyan, their chest's pressed against one another's, Fluttershy adorned a blush across her muzzle. The silence was broken when Gilda spoke again, "That's more like it." Fluttershy tried dodging the other's stare but would fail and find herself staring back, "Hey Shy, I-I have something I want to tell you." Gilda said, her expression became more serious, she had Fluttershy's full attention, just staring back at her waiting for her to say something. She opened her beak but closed it again, she didn't know what to say.
"Alright Gilda, now or never." Gilda thought, looking down at Fluttershy's lips she stared for a second before moving closer, she closed the distance and pecked Fluttershy on the lips, it was rather awkward but none the less a very soft the thing to come from the brash Gryphon. Fluttershy could only stare, the gears in her brain stopped turning. Gilda looked at her quizzically before shaking her lightly.
"Shy?" Gilda said trying to get the Pegasus to snap out of it, Fluttershy blinked and looked away bashfully. "Hey, I didn't mean to-" Gilda began before she was cut off by a pair of lips, Fluttershy wrapped her left hoof around Gilda's head and pulled her into a full kiss, Gilda returned the gesture, their tongues danced slowly against each other. After what felt like an hour the two pulled away taking in air they smiled at each other.
"What are we suppose to tell our friends?" Fluttershy said abruptly, to which Gilda moved her talon through Fluttershy's hair.
"Well, I guess we tell them the truth, and take it from there." Gilda answered, their eye's still locked on each other's.
"We should probably get out, we have a long day ahead of us." Fluttershy broke the small silence, Gilda nodded, grabbing Fluttershy's hoof she back paddled her way to the shore, helping the Pegasus out of the water.
They made their way to the towels still laying in the grass, grasping them they began drying off. Fluttershy rubbed her coat thoroughly with the soft fabric, making sure to get as dry as possible, Gilda stepped up to Fluttershy and threw her towel over her head, causing an 'Eep' to come out of Fluttershy before started slowly drying her hair for her, she guided the towel slowly her mane to make sure she got all the water out. Deciding she was finished she pulled the towel away, Fluttershy smiled up at the Gryphon and whispered a "Thank you."
"No problem, we should get going." Gilda replied, Fluttershy nodded in return. They started down the path at a slow trot, they walked closer to each other then before, Fluttershy almost hugging against the Gryphon, Gilda took the opportunity to unfurl her left wing and drape it over the Pegasus. The path before them would be an interesting one, but all worth the while.
