On The Wings of Wind

When Zephyr woke up the next morning, the memories of the race that had gone on yesterday was still fresh in his mind. As he recounted everything that lead up to that point, the embarrassment and agony of the whole scenario made him start facehoofing over it.

"I am an idiot. There was no way I could of won, yet still I clung to a false hope that I could teach Rainbow Dash a lesson in so-called 'humility', but all I did was embarrass myself and prove my own hypocrisy."

Deciding to do his best to not dwell on it, Zephyr got out of bed. She could very well still hate my guts, which... I guess remains a good thing for me in a twisted sort-of way.

Opting for a breakfast of oats and granola in milk, He decided to write another letter to his mom while eating. However, because he couldn't concentrate properly, he ended up throwing out a few drafts before finalizing one.

April 24, 20XX

Dear Mom;

I often wonder how much of an idiot I am.

Last evening, I finally had my race with Rainbow Dash. All I can say, reflecting on my actions, is how stupid I was being leading up to it. I suppose It was unavoidable, but I'm certain that she won't be getting friendly with me anytime soon considering we antagonized each other plenty before the race. I just... need to deal with the aftermath from the rest of town.

Other than that, I learned more about her friends outside of Pinkie Pie, who I am now officially scared of. Seriously, she somehow managed to predict what I was going to think and predicted I would get greeted soon after by another friend of hers. And she's not even a Unicorn!

Anyways, first off is Rarity, a fashionista with considerable talent. While she does fit the typical stereotype, her skill in dressmaking is something that cannot be denied. Even with my limited fashion sense, I was gaping at some of the dresses she claims have made rather easily. I highly recommend dropping by Ponyville to check her dresses out, though I will warn you of one thing: she seems to be a big fan of yours so expect 'that' kind of reaction if you do visit.

Then there's Fluttershy, a really timid Pegasus who is the animal caretaker of the area. Not much else to say about her aside from her cheering being cute and my headaches becoming worse and more chronic when she is around.

Applejack is a farmer who runs an orchard called Sweet Apple Acres. Their apples are really good, considering I'm having to try and make the apples I bought last. Thing is, she seems to be rather skillful at telling lies from truths. At least that's the vibe I got, considering she doesn't trust me very much either, especially when she confronted me about my behavior towards Rainbow Dash.

Lastly, there's Twilight Sparkle, a librarian and student to somepony... don't ask, I haven't found out yet. I haven't interacted much with her, but from what I can glean, she often takes more convoluted paths in hopes of a complex answer but is willing to learn from her mistakes.

Outside of them, I haven't really interacted with the other ponies of the town. Still, if anything else interesting happens, I'll let you know.

Love; Zephyr.

One short sigh later, Zephyr put the letter in the envelop for delivery and headed out.

Things are going to be so awkward now... I just know the townsponies won't forget what happened yesterday

After depositing the letter and flying towards the plaza, Zephyr realized his premonition was true. The ponies around town were giving him a wide diversity of looks that he couldn't discern. Not wanting to overstay his welcome, he quickened his pace to try and avoid anypony from staring for too long. For all I know, they could be judging me... taunting me...

When he reached the plaza, Zephyr noticed Rainbow Dash just plopping halfheartedly down on the usual meeting cloud. When he landed on it as well, she turned in surprise. "You're, ah... earlier than usual. Couldn't sleep?"

When Zephyr looked at the clock tower, he realized what she said was true. Both had arrived a whole five minutes early.

With another sigh, Zephyr nodded slowly. "If you can call it that..."

"Guess you couldn't get over being beaten by 'the Dash'." She while it sounded like she was gloating, the lack of enthusiasm on her end was apparent.

Must be my imagination. "Lets just get this done with..."

She quickly shook herself out of her stupor and nodded. "Today is going to be slightly different from the last few days. The forecast is partially cloudy with a light breeze, just letting you know."

All Zephyr did was simply nod and follow her as the duo began their routine.

The entire time, various ponies were looking at the weather duo. Rainbow always did her best to give an enthusiastic wave, but Zephyr looked uncomfortable as he tried to ignore them.

This was quickly picked up on by Rainbow. "Jeez, you're even tenser than usual today. Are you really that antsy over losing?"

Zephyr gave a start before shaking his head. "No, everypony keeps staring our way. It's making me very nervous because of how much I hate attention."

"Give them a day or two, then they'll stop. Besides, you seemed fine when you were singing and when you raced me."

"Those were different. I could drown out the attention with the music and I had something to focus on during the race. I've done this job for so long, I can't really drown anything out with it."

Rainbow had a thoughtful look on her face as she put her fore-hooves behind her head. "If it bothers you that much, you can probably head out now. You got all the currents set for the day and I still have stuff to do elsewhere."

There was a pause before Zephyr nodded. "I think I will, thank you. Apple bucking might get my mind off things. If that doesn't help, I can always head home to try and recover."

"Be seeing you then. don't think too hard about it!" With that, she flew away.

Why don't I sense any hostility from her? She doesn't seem like the one to get over being antagonized that easily... maybe she just needed that ego boost to help her get over it?

Shaking his head, Zephyr flew as fast as he could towards Sweet Apple Acres in an attempt to avoid any more attention.

When he got there, Zephyr saw a brief glimpse of Applejack, but otherwise immediately flew into the orchard and started apple bucking. He was so out of it that he was just bucking randomly, not bothering to utilize the trick for more efficient harvesting.

The townsponies staring at him was getting to him far more than he thought it would..

"Hey." Zephyr jumped two feet in the air in fright before looking at the source, Big Mac.

"H-how long were you there?"

"Long enough..."

Knowing Big Mac had already seen how shoddy of a job he was doing, Zephyr simply sighed and slumped against the tree that was the next target to buck.

"Hey, Big Mac. Everything okay?" Came Applejack's concerned voice before she came into view. She stopped when she saw the two of them. "Oh, Zephyr. Didn't realize you were here." When he sighed in response, she gave him a worried look. "You alright there, sugahcube?"

"I just... wanted to get away from all the stares, all the attention. I hate the attention, it feels like they're... judging me." Zephyr curls up a bit, his face turning a bit blue.

Applejack gave him a reassuring smile. "Ya don't need to worry about the towns ponies. They were more likely staring at you out of awe that you accepted ah challenge against Rainbow Dash in something she's very well known for."

"Eeyup."

"Not only that, being a full second behind her is no small feat. If ah recall correctly, that places you sixth in the list of ponies who are close to her in speed, an' that's nothin' to sneeze at."

Zephyr clearly wasn't fully convinced when he gave her a worried look, though he was no longer blue. "But... I still lost."

"Don' worry yer head over it. If yer that antsy over it, ya can head home early to recuperate. Ah'm sure the other ponies will stop staring by tomorrow."

"...Thanks Applejack. I... appreciate it, really."

"Jus' call me AJ, sugahcube. An' jus' make sure yer rested, okay?" Zephyr gives her and Big Mac a small, appreciative smile before heading home.

Am I forgetting something? Oh crud, I need to go to Rarity's place for my suit. Ugh, no... best not to keep her waiting...

Not wanting to keep the fashionista waiting, Zephyr changed direction and headed towards the Carousel Boutique. While there were no other ponies along the way, he made sure to hide in a tree in front of the building to make sure nopony was there. When the coast was confirmed clear, he went to knock on the door.

At least that was his plan was, had the door not opened right when he raised his hoof. Rarity was standing on the other side, wearing a green feather hat with a look of surprise. "Oh, so sorry Zephyr! I was about to head to the spa with Fluttershy."

Despite the mare not even being there, Zephyr flinched in pain which made Rarity give a curious glance.

Now the mere mention of that name gives me a headache... ow.

"Sorry to interrupt you while you were leaving, but, uh... you told me I could pick up my suit today?"

"Oh, actually... can that wait until tomorrow? I just want to make extra sure it looks and fits properly."

"That's fine. No rush."

Rarity breathes a sigh of relief before beaming at him. "Thank you so much for your understanding! Then I'll see you tomorrow!"

Zephyr waves good-bye before heading home himself. With all the excitement going on today in his mind, he only wanted to spend the rest of the day home alone.

Like Applejack had told him, all the ponies around town stopped staring at Zephyr the next day. Thanks to the attention dissipating, he managed to calm down a good deal was able to focus on his jobs more properly. His routine became rather normal after that, with him doing weather with Rainbow Dash in the morning, then helping out at Sweet Apple Acres, and then finishing with either some grocery shopping for what was needed or just lazing around at home.

One thing Zephyr found odd was that Rainbow Dash didn't seem alright herself, like she was missing something. While he was slightly concerned, he chose not to bug her about it. I'm only a coworker and I don't want to start the whole antagonizing thing up again unless she starts again first or gets too friendly.

Zephyr also managed to get his completed suit from Rarity. Midnight blue with a few emeralds crested right underneath the collar for a stylish finish. It fit and looked good on the stallion, much to his joy. Rarity, while happy everything turned out great, was excited over something else. She mentioned somepony named 'Photo Finish' and was wanting to make a good impression.

A few days later, after Zephyr heard a commotion over Photo Finish's "new model", he began noticing changes around town. There have been different posters and what-not starring Fluttershy, to the stallion's pain and dismay. Even Applejack was using her image to try and sell apples.

I swear, are they TRYING to kill me? Then again, nopony knows she causes me headaches and I feel the poor mare already has enough on her plate. She didn't seem like the modeling type...

Opting to just laze around in his house, Zephyr had just settled down for a nap in the bedroom when he heard shouting outside.

Ugh, what the hay is going on? So much for small towns being quieter--

The yelling got louder and the sound of a front door opening and slamming shut rang out through the house.

Note to self: lock the door.

Heading downstairs, Zephyr saw Fluttershy cowering by the door in obvious fright. his headache returned in full force, but his curiosity got the better of him and he wanted to know why she picked this house in particular "Let yourself in?"

It was one way to get a surprised squeak and a fearful look from Fluttershy, which made Zephyr's headache worse again. "Ooh, I'm s-sorry. I-I just wanted t-to avoid a-attention and I-I picked a house a-at random." Somepony was banging on the door.

That was the question that was on Zephyr's mind at the moment. "Why did you start modeling? You don't seem like the kind of pony to... put yourself out there, in a manner of speaking."

"I-I started modeling for Photo Finish a-at Rarity's behest. F-for some reason, Photo Finish found "the magic" in me..."

"That explains the random images of you strewn about." There was more knocking at the door when Zephyr noticed something. "Wait, you started modeling because Rarity asked you to?"

Fluttershy gave a shy nod. Jeez, how nice it would have been to have a friend like Fluttershy. Bleah, I gave up a long time ago, no sense going back on it now. "Well... I suppose you're good then."

"Y-you don't m-mind me in your h-house?" Fluttershy knew it was rude barging into somepony's house, but she was desperate and cornered at the moment.

Zephyr let out a small sigh. "I do kind of mind to be blunt, but I understand the dislike of attention. Plus, that doesn't mean I can be a bad host so you may as well stay here as long as you need."

"Oh thank you! I thought you would be like everypony else."

One snort of laughter later, Zephyr rolls his eyes in amusement as he sat down on the couch with Fluttershy. "I'm not one to follow things like that. Honestly speaking, I couldn't care less."

Both ponies flinch in pain, though Zephyr noted hers as well. She looked like she was suffering from something similar to him.

Clearing his throat in an effort to ignore the pain, Zephyr gets back up. "I forgot to ask, want anything to eat? Drink? Or do you simply want to wait it out?"

Fluttershy paused with a surprised face before looking uncertain again. "C-could I have s-some water please? All the fleeing I've b-been doing has been, uhm, making me thirsty..."

"Sure. Stay there while I grab a glass for you." She cautiously watched as Zephyr went to grab a glass and fill it. He could feel her attention on him, which not only reignited his nerves, as not only was this the first time he's been alone with a mare other than his mom for an extended period of time, but it also increased his headache.

Okay seriously, I'm going to the hospital to get some headache medication after this. This is getting ridiculous...

Stifling a sigh to keep her from worrying more, Zephyr flew over to Fluttershy and gave her the glass, which she gulped down.

"T-thank you very much. Y-you're... very sweet."

* * *

"I couldn't care less about that!"

* * *

"You're very sweet, big brother."

* * *

"AAAAAUUUUUGH!" With a cry of agony, Zephyr fell onto the floor while holding his head.

"O-oh my goodness! I didn't mean to!" While her own headache was getting bad as well, Fluttershy was more concerned about Zephyr at the moment.

"Head... splitting... open..."

What happened next shocked Zephyr. He suddenly felt her pick up his head and hug it an earnest attempt to comfort him. While the headache didn't go away, Zephyr suddenly felt relaxed.

"I-I'm so sorry... P-please forgive me..."

Why... why does this feel... familiar? And... why does it feel like my heart hurts now?

Zephyr hesitated before putting a hoof onto one of Fluttershy's in his own attempt to comfort her. The two of them stayed like that until more banging at the door brought both of them back to Equestria. Zephyr leaped up in surprise and panick while Fluttershy scooted away from him with an embarrassed squeak.

"You should probably go before somepony decides to let themselves in by kicking down the door. Take the back exit and hope nopony is there waiting in ambush."

"T-thank you. A-and sorry f-for being a n-nuisance." With that, she flitted out the back door as fast as she could.

Shaking it off, Zephyr decided answered the door. There were a bunch of mares with cameras around their necks. "Is Fluttershy still here?"

Ok, think fast! "Why are you looking for Fluttershy at my place? This hardly seems like a good spot for her."

"We saw her come in here a little bit ago, and we were wondering if she was still here. We're pretty sure because she never came back out!"

Zephyr decided to play dumb. "Are you positive? I'm absolutely sure I didn't see her in my house. Maybe try elsewhere?"

Their eyes widened in shock, followed by disappointment. "Oh, darn it. We must have somehow missed her. Sorry!"

Wish a shrug, Zephyr waves it off. "No worries. Good luck finding her, but do take it easy on her." All the mares gallop off in their presumably fruitless search. She owes me one now...

The Spa, day after Fluttershy renounced her role as a model.

"... Now will you take down my letter to Princess Celestia?" Twilight was soaking in a simple bath and was conversing with her assistant.

"I would love to, but I'm a little busy at the moment..." Spike was fanning a seaweed-covered Rarity in the steam room. Twilight simply gave an amused groan and rolled her eyes.

"U-um, Twilight?" Fluttershy was relaxing in the bath right by Twilight's when she spoke up nervously. "C-can we talk?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"U-um, during my model fiasco, I-I entered Zephyr's house by accident when I was being chased."

"I'm sure he would understand. He doesn't seem like to type to go gaga over things like that. He doesn't seem like that type of pony, at any rate but I could be wrong."

"H-he isn't. But it's what happened after he accepted me in his house."

This got Twilight's attention. "After?"

"W-when he said 'I could care less', t-the way he said it made my headache around him worse. it seems like he was affected too..."

"Oh my gosh, are you still alright?" The conversation got Rarity's attention as well, though Spike was still preoccupied with fanning his 'love'.

"I-It's not me I'm worried about. After telling him he's very sweet because he was being hospitable to me, who was nothing but an intruder, he collapsed on the floor with a cry of agony. H-he said his head was splitting open."

Twilight put a hoof up to her muzzle in thoughtfulness. "Perhaps he's suffering from something similar to you? If he is, that's got to mean something was between you two in the past."

"T-thing is Twilight, I don't remember anypony like him at all..." Fluttershy looked down, on the verge of tears. "And... the more I wonder why I get these headaches, the more my heart hurts in turn. I just... don't understand..."

Twilight made a mental note to search her library for books related to memories. It pained her to see her shy friend suffering so much, plus it would be a good chance to learn more about Zephyr if the connection was there.