This isn't a slice of Heaven
Cloud Three: This isn't a slice of Heaven
It was just another evening. I loved chatting with the pretty birdies. I hadn’t quite gotten the hang of the language of robins yet, but I was making progress… I think. Though, I might have mixed up a present participle when I pronounced “twirrup-twirrup-tweet” with an unexpected indention on the last long “e” sound. Mister Robin tilted his head at me in confusion before tweeting a hearty chuckle in response. He was so nice.
“Why can’t you do anything right?”
The weather looked lovely tonight. There were some slight breezes here and there, but nothing too devastatingly cold. I think I even saw a gentle snowflake from the cirrus layer higher up.
“But, I was just going to-”
“Going to what? Put it off indefinitely and never actually get around to doing it?”
My smile faltered. “Please, excuse me, Mr. Robin.”
Mr. Robin nodded in understanding. He tweeted a farewell, flapped his wings, and moved along his merry way. Meanwhile, I had a slightly different creature to face. Sadly, I wasn’t making any progress with learning the language of this particular species.
“Look, I promise I’ll get it done soon.”
“Hah! You made that promise yesterday and the day before that.”
I could hear it through the door as I leaned ever closer. I didn’t wish to intrude upon their important discussion, but it was getting late. Some fillies would find staying out in the cold and dark an adventure. I didn’t really want to get involved with an adventure, not tonight.
Slowly turning the metal handle, I entered the creature’s lair.
Oh, I made too much noise with that entrance, I thought. They didn’t have to stop talking just for me.
“Fluttershy,” growled the mama-creature.
“Y…Yes?” I inquired, trying to hide behind the long curtain I used as a mane.
The mama-creature sighed. “I… it’s late.” She shook her head. “Could you just go upstairs and wait? I’ll… read you a bedtime story in a few minutes.”
The papa-creature started, “But that’s my-”
“Duster, not now,” Mama-creature said through her gritted teeth. “Fluttershy, please? Go upstairs.”
“Okay,” I said, though it sounded like a yell in my head. Slowly… and surely… I scrambled up the stairs! I cleared the doorway with barely an inch between the mahogany and my wings.
I stood there breathing heavily for what felt like an eternity. As soon as I felt that I was sufficiently around a wall and safe from Mama-creature’s wrath, I let out a slow, concentrated breath. I was relieved to be safe.
Sadly, I could hear just what kind of scratching she could do to Papa-creature.
“You’re good for nothing! You know that?”
“I work with the weather team so that I can make enough to keep a roof above our heads.”
“Then you don’t do anything with it! You think buying the house proves that you care about it but that just proves how inconsiderate and stupid you are.”
Good for nothing. For some reason, my mind’s eye brings up a memory that I don’t want to relive. It was the second week in Flight School. I was still getting picked on by the buffer pegasi.
As soon as the bell rang, I was out the door in tears. I could still hear their teasing words, taunting me as I ran. But the world was so blurred. I couldn’t see where I was going.
*WHAM!*
I ran smack into a fur-covered wall. I let out a slightly pained groan before looking up at the wall. It turned out to be a much more alive and not wall-shaped at all kind of wall. I hastily ran a hoof past my eyes before putting on my best effort for a smile.
“H-Hi, Mom,” I stammered.
“Fluttershy?” she wondered, “Were you… no. Never mind. Who was it this time?”
That was the look. She just knew I had been crying and she knew it was because of a bully. How did mommies know these things?
“It was Basket and his pals again,” I admitted while looking at a very fascinating piece of the asphalt on the road.
“Hm,” hummed Mom. “Maybe it’s time we transferred you.”
“No, Mom.” I shook my head. “I can’t leave yet.”
“And why’s that?” she wondered out loud.
“Because Rainbow Dash is still here,” I muttered, “I can’t leave my friend here by herself.”
“I’m sure that Rainbow Dash can handle herself if bullies start to become a problem.” Mom smirked.
“I know she can,” I smiled back, “But I still want to keep an eye on her just in case.”
Mom sighed. “Well, it wouldn’t do for me to try to break up such a cute couple.”
I swear that my cheeks burst in flames at that moment. “Mom!”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said while still smirking, “I meant such a cute couple of friends.”
I couldn’t hold it anymore. She was just too good at getting me to laugh when I wanted to feel anything but happy. Luckily, I was able to infect her with the giggles. There is no proven vaccination for the giggles.
“Why do you have to shout at him? He didn’t do anything wrong! If any pony is useless around here it’s me! I can’t walk two steps without getting into trouble or wasting time with my animals! If you want to yell at anyone, yell at me!”
My hooves clasped over my mouth. Did I really say all of that… out loud? Oh, no.
Mama-creature rushed up and pointed her face with snarling mouth at me.
“This has nothing to do with you!” she yelled. “I am not angry with you! Do you understand?”
Her words said one thing. Her voice said another. With those juries in conflict, I couldn’t believe both simultaneously. I couldn’t look at those eyes. I closed my eyes and tried to hide in my mane.
“No, I guess I don’t understand,” I whispered.
“No, you don’t understand!” the creature continued. “Where in the wide world of Equestria did you get it in your head that I was upset with you?”
“I’m good for nothing,” I muttered. Why am I still talking? I should back off and stay out of the beast’s cave. “I can’t do anything right.”
“Listen.” Mama-creature slammed her hoof against the floor. “One, you actually do your work. Two, you do it competently and exactly as I tell you to do. You are good at what you do and you do everything right.”
You’re still lying. I think without voicing. I have perfect pitch. I can hear it in your tone.
Mama-creature growled again. “Darn it!” She turned around and stomped down the stairs. “That’s it! I’m leaving this feathering place! Don’t wait up on me!”
“Barricade!” hollered Papa-creature, but Mama-creature had already slammed the downstairs door. She was gone.
My mother is dead… and it’s all my fault. My eyes rain and my nostrils flood, but none of it matters because she’s gone forever.
Dad sits next to me on the bed. I can tell that he’s just trying to make me feel better, but it doesn’t do any good. I’m still a miserable wreck.
I guess we can be useless together.
Author's Note
I shouldn't write when I'm upset.
I quickly lose track of where to go with my results.