The Prologue Part

Special thanks to Pure Note for editing this chapter.

As the hot summer sun tips into mid-afternoon a strange rustling comes from the Everfree forest, inside skulks a creature that which has never been seen in Equestrian history before. Said creature was also mouthing off some pretty distasteful swear words, as it approached the end of its destination, dragging its tired legs across the gravel.

The creature wipes a single drop of sweat from its brow, as it slowly marched out of the canopy. The humidity of said forest was not helping its situation at all.

Sighing, it holds its veterinarian coat at arm’s length, not wanting to risk smelling the foul liquid that covers most of it. It grimaces at the coat as it drips who knows what onto the floor, it’s not a pretty sight. Thank god it skipped breakfast this mornings and had nothing left to add to the already ruined cloth.

After a while it reaches the exit of the path, it can already notice the change in the atmosphere, the cool feeling of the open meadow breeze and sounds of the peaceful creek signals its arrival to its chosen destination. The serene atmosphere of the little cottage does wonders for its dower mood.

The strange mammal approaches the door, however it stops, noticing a furry white silhouette glaring at it from one of the ground floor windows near the side of the door. The white creature inside the house looks the intruder up and down and smiles wickedly as it notices the ape like creature's coat.

Finally the man narrows its eyes at it and extend a less than polite gesture with its finger.

You’ll get yours Angel, one of these days.

You swear to yourself, staring daggers at the bunny as you look around noticing the time that has passed from the only digital watch in this known world. You snap yourself away from your bitter rivalry with the fur ball, even for you staring down a bunny is a bit weird.

You grunt bringing a limp hand up towards the door and knock.

After hearing the snapping and clicking of a few latches, perhaps more than was necessary in your opinion, the door cracks open slightly revealing a light blue eye, hidden behind a wall of pink hair.

“H-hello who is…oh back so early?” she greets with a gentle smile.

“Hey Shy, yeah turns out everything was fine, just a little misunderstanding.” You sigh.

Fluttershy looks both ways, as if crossing the road before opens the door further to invite you in. Unfortunately she begins to see why your coat was away from your body, as she crinkle her nose at the horrid smell that covers most of it creeps into her nostrils.

“Oh my, what’s that smell?”

You take a tired glance at the coat and sigh, you liked this coat quite a bit.

“Yeah turns out Mr Manticore was sick of taking his medication... in more ways than one.”

“Oh my, is he ok?” Fluttershy asks her voice thick with concern.

“He’s fine now, he just had a bit more of a reaction to it than I originally hoped, I gave him something to calm his nausea and now he’s resting in his cave, he should be right as rain in a few hours, which is more than I could say for my coat.” you grumble.

“Oh I’m sorry I know you liked that coat, maybe I can wash it for you, in fact why don’t you come inside and I can draw a bath for you if you’d like?” she asks with genuine sincerity.

The prospect of cleanliness seems to lighten your mood greatly. “Yeah that sounds pretty sweet actually.” you grin nodding your head eagerly.

Fluttershy gestures you inside and you proceed to make you way into the centre of the house, again you feel your dower mood lift somewhat, as you feel the comfort and calmness of the rustic room wash over you like a waterfall. You would expect the level of noise to be defeating considering the amount of animals that skulk about the place, but if anything it’s a hell of a lot quieter than your house, and considerably cleaner.

Then again you don’t have Snow white like powers to command animals to clean up your dirty laundry when you come home, no you're only magically ability is that one card trick you learned ten years ago from your mate in school and even then you always mess that up when it counts. But besides that, you can’t help but inhale deeply as you take in the aura of the cottage.

“Um, if you would like I could wash your shirt as well? It um, it smells really bad too.” She ends with an almost mutter as she looks away but keeps her gaze on you, you swear you catch a small blush on her cheeks.

You chuckle. “If you weren't so adorable, I’d say you were up to something Boss.”

The mare turns a scarlet red almost immediately, and retracts herself behind her hair fully, scuffling her hoof against the floor. You hear a tiny voice reply, “I’m not your boss.”

You try and suppress a laugh with your hand and inwardly ‘aww’ at that, you know it’s mean to keep doing that, but her reaction is just too adorable, if cuteness could kill that mare would be the cause of pony Megadeath.

You turn your gaze down, looking at your shirt and agree with Fluttershy, slipping off your shirt and handing it down to the mare, who despite her friendly gesture reluctantly takes it into her hoof.

"Oh my, did the Manticore bite you as well?" Shy asks as she notices the additional marks around your neck, shoulders and chest that already match you’re pretty scratched up body, however these marks seem to lead all the way down a very specific trail.

You blush at the marks remembering last nights 'tumble' with a certain feathery friend.

"Uh yeah, something like that." you mutter, putting an idle hand over as many bites as you can.

“Why don’t I go put on some tea while you relax, you look like you had a long day.” She asks.

“Don’t worry yourself Shy, I’ll set the tea up and you can go wash the shirt or draw the bath, I’m pretty sure I know how you like it."

She nods in agreement, flying gracefully up the staircase with an outstretched hoof holding your vet coat as far away from her as she can. Manticore sick is not pleasant.

You turn towards the kitchen and flick though a few of the rustic cupboards, finding the cups you place them down before placing the kettle on an open flame, then you set about the annoying task of picking from a very large selection of tea.

Let’s see now berry flavour, cherry flavour, strawberry flavour, mint flavour and snozberry flavour? Screw it Earl Grey will do.

You never really were that adventurous, at least not with your drinks, as you slip the tea bags and sugar into the cup, before turning towards the sink and promptly dunking your entire head under it the smell is driving you crazy, you can't wait any longer for the bath. Thankful that there is a hot tap you pull your head back and reach for a kitchen cloth feeling a little more refreshed, you turn back to the hob just as the kettle begins to whistle.

As you reach for it you hear a light humming sound coming from upstairs and frown. I wish I could hear that sometimes, she can really be, NO, no its fine, shes a different girl and I love her for it, I just wish she would dial it down a bit.

You slouch against the counter and sigh, looking down at the floor dejectedly. You lift the kettle from the hob stopping the incessant whistling, after a moment you notice the pink and yellow mare standing next to you giving you a concerned look.

How long has she been there? man I need more sleep.

“Are you ok?” Shy asks in a worried tone.

“Of course Shy, never better.” you lie with the weakest smile you could muster, before turning back to the tea.

The mare gives you a skeptical look, before floating up towards you, lifting a hoof onto your shoulder as you pour the water into the cup and stir.

“We’re friends right?” Fluttershy asks causing you to spin round, narrowly missing the mare with the kettle. The relatively mundane question seems to have more weight to it coming from the fellow animal carer.

“Of course Shy, why would you say that?”

“Well, as your friend I feel I have to know why you’ve been acting so defeated lately.”

“I- I um-“

“Is it, because of Gilda?” Fluttershy asks, getting an immediate response from you as you accidentally spill some of the water onto the counter. The words pierce into you like a knife into butter, you look at her and then look down, watching the hot water gently leak down from the counter onto the floor.

“If it’s bothering you, you need to talk about it, I’m your friend but I can’t help you if you don’t let me in, a burden shared is a burden halved.” She softly lectures leaning her hoof on you further, as the gentle breeze from her flapping wings and disarming smile calms your inner resolve somewhat.

Your mind is racing for the best excuse to brush it off, but there’s no lying to this mare, you let out a deep sigh. She’s right, this might be my only chance to get some help with this.

You don’t really reply, you just nod your head slowly, you usually have a sarcastic witty comeback for everything, it is your greatest defence against feelings after all. But you really need some help with this, plus you can't deny that little mare even if you tried.

Shy leads you to the table, floating over towards the counter with a flap of her wings, she lifts the two teas up and lowers one to you which you take not really looking up at her, as you bury your gaze onto the table, trying to think of anything else while the awkward silence begins to rise.

Man even her table is better than mine, I’m so getting a better kitchen I swear to god. You think trying to distract yourself from the real problem plaguing your mind, this new concept of opening up is still something you're getting used to.

She sits there opposite you in patient silence waiting for you to speak up, you let it linger on for as long as possible you're both pretty socially awkward at least around a lot of ponies. But when it comes to a silent competition, well she wasn’t called Shy for nothing.

“Ok Shy, I trust you, but this is personal and I have no other options, no offence, it’s not like I don’t like talking to you it’s just… talking about my problems is really not something I do.”

Its true you always preferred the whole bottling it up effect, its worked for you so far, you never really talk about you problems, nobody did back where you came from. Except when they were drunk and that was usually followed by the phrase 'I love you man' or ‘hold my hair’ before emptying their stomach content onto the floor. Come to think of it your life really is surrounded by a needless amount of vomit.

To her credit Fluttershy simply sits still giving you her full undivided attention. You take one more look into her eyes, before gulping and moving onto the issue at hand.

“Ok, so you know Gilda and I have been going out for about nearly five months now.” You say lifting the cup of tea towards your dry mouth.

The mare suddenly brings a hoof to her mouth trying to stifle a small giggles, topped with a small blush. “Yes, I remember being there on your first day as a couple.”

You spit the tea out all over the table luckily missing Shy as you cough and hit your chest with a closed palm, a small matching blush creeps into your cheeks. “*cough* Yes *cough* well anyway, ever since then things have been amazing, well it was amazing, I mean it was all fine and then…”

“Its ok you can tell me?” She asks leaning forward from her seat.

“I don’t know Shy, she was never like this before it’s just all so out of the left field you know? I mean she’s acting crazy all the time, one moment I come home and she’s normal old Gilda, the next thing she’s throwing lamps at me and yelling, which admittedly still falls under normal old Gilda, but it’s different. She always did stuff like that and it was funny or at least it was to her, now, she’s does it purely out of anger and for no reason, then I call her out on it and yell at her she just gets worse or sometimes she even starts crying and runs into the bathroom. She’s in there for a while, I try to talk her out of it but she won’t listen to me and when she comes out sometimes she… well she smells like sick.”

“Oh my.” was Fluttershy’s only response as it appears she's hanging off every word.

You look both left, then right, making sure your alone in the house its only Fluttershy and her animals, but a guy can’t be too careful, satisfied you continue.

“Also, do not, I repeat, do not tell anyone I told you this or she’ll kill me.” You say laughing nervously as you look around again, you swear you saw a white blur just a second ago.

Damn this lack of sleep is making me see things.

Fluttershy looks at where you’re looking in confusion she in turn begins laughing nervously with you as well, until she spots you're dead serious face.

“I mean it Shy, she’ll kill me.”

She gulps and nods in understanding.

“As I was saying she well she’s gotten sort of.”

"What, what is it." Fluttershy asks, leaning forward inquisitively.

“She.”

“Yes?”

“She’s gotten kinda’ fat shy, not that I mind, it’s weird she's tried all the time, I have to give her back rides even in the house, which I barely get a chance to leave because she gets all clingy and tries to make me stay with her, even though I explain I have to work to pay the rent, which starts the whole process off again." You say throwing your arms up in frustration.

"Did you try examining her?"

“I try, but I'm a vet Shy, she's more than just a dog or cat, I can fix broken legs, wings even fevers, but if this is a virus, or god forbid something genetic I can't do shit, besides she's funny with needles."

Maybe she sick because of the vaccination she wheezed out of. You contemplate tapping your chin with an idol finger before continuing.

"It’s not all bad really, but sometimes she gets these cravings, I don't even know if it has anything to do with what's wrong with her. But they're the worst of all, she made me catch fish for her Shy, I hate fishing, good lord do I bloody hate fishing!” You yell slamming your fist down on the table almost a bit too dramatically.

Fluttershy looks away, taking all the information in, before her eyes snap wide as you imagine some form of sudden realisation come to her mind, as she takes in what you’ve mentioned. Unfortunately at this point you’re already going into some sort of embarrassing breaking down in front of her to even comment.

“I mean really let’s face it, all you do is put a pole between your legs and drink beer, I could just go work at a strip club and do that at least I know the reason it smells like fish.”

Eww.

Shut up brain I’m having a moment!

“Um, excuse me.”

“And every time you go there, you’re dad always pretends to tip the boat and then when you’re not looking he does it for real and now you can’t even relax in a boat anymore because you afraid of capsizing.” You begin to yell flailing your arms around for dramatic effect as you go pretty much full psycho.

“Excuse me”

“And then, then when you’re not looking my brother or sister puts a live fish in your trousers, it’s not funny! That fish could have diseases, I know it’s a pond but what if it was somehow came from the sea? That fish could have radiation poisoning, do you even know how much crap fish swim in on a daily bases, I don’t think so!”

“Excuse me!”

The alien yell snaps you back out of your psychotic breakdown, as you spin you gaze towards the mare who lets out a small “Epp” before hiding behind her hair again.

“Sorry, it looked like you needed some help.” She’s whispers tentatively.

“Thanks” is your only answer to her, as you looking down in shame.

“I-I think I know what’s wrong with Gilda.”

“You do!?" You announce shooting up again to meet her eyes.

She nods “Yes, but I think it’s something I need to confirm with her in the room, this, this could be a little delicate.”

You raise an eyebrow, but you don’t let it phase you too much, as you rush up and grab the mare in a huge bear hug. “Thanks you Shy, thank you, thank you, thank you.”

The mare face turns an even darker shade of red in your bear hug, her wings fight to snap up in your arms, but you put that down to her lack of oxygen as you let go of her.

You drop her down gently as she reintroduces the precious air into her lungs, while you rub your neck sheepishly apologising to the mare.

“You'll need a professional to confirm it later after I see here.” She states finally catching her breath. “But for now you can bring Gilda over, I’m sure I can give you my opinion for now if that helps.”

You walk towards the counter and take the slightly wet but now clean T-shirt Shy placed next to you, totally forgetting you coat and the bath. As you proceed to leave the house before replying.

“More than you know, Boss more than you know.”

You rush back towards your house, running around the other side of the Everfree to avoid the afternoon rush as ponies get off of work. You spot a quaint two story house at the very edge of the forest entrance you've come to know as home.

You approach your humble abode, just as the sun hits the horizon reflecting the rays of light quite nicely on the outside giving off a warm and inviting feeling from the rustic structure.

Wish the inside looked like that. You inwardly mumble to yourself.

As you unlock the door, you open up to the true extent of what you expect a bull and tornado would do if they had a progeny, let's just say the house has seen better days, as you walk over destroyed cushions, tables and even wallpaper.

Fuuuuck! Well I guess the house looks on par with the kitchen now, At least I have an excuse to get a new couch. You concede to yourself, as you kick at a pile of springs and a bit of fabric you wager was your easy chair.

Hearing noises from your, and recently your girlfriend’s room you quietly slip upstairs making sure not to draw any attention,as you remember all the stairs that don’t make an almost comically loud creak when you step on them. You turn the handle remembering to take the necessary precaution for what has for the last two months been a somewhat predictable routine.

Opening the door you peer into the room and as predicted you duck away from the lamp that fly’s into your field of view, you narrowly miss it, as it slams against the wall above raining bits of glass and porcelain on your head, thank god you remembered this time.

Huh, she used a lamp, I really thought it was going to be the bedside table.

“Gilda what the hell!" you yell behind the door on the off chance she's duel wielding.

“Where were you, damn it, you said you’d be here 25 minutes ago!” Gilda scream as you hear her wings flap up and down in frustration.

You slowly enter after a few seconds, arms raised above your head in surrender.

“Look, calm down you're not thinking rationally, its ok, I got some help she’s good with animals.” you calmly suggest, using the same tone you would to calm the now by comparison much less scary Manticore.

“What did you just say, did you just call me a buckin' animal!?” she says in disbelief, that quickly forms into oh so terrible anger.
Your eyes go wide with shock as you curse yourself for that particular slip of the tongue.

“Oh shi-“ is all you managed to say before shes on you.

Crash

You wince in pain as you try and lift yourself off the remains of your bed side table or what used to be one before she attacks again, you both roll over trying to pin each other down in the death struggle.

Bugger me, did she get stronger?

Somehow after fifteen minutes or so of her trying to claw your eyes out the struggle turns into something more, as she lunges forward kissing you on the lips passionately, she removes her hands from trying to kill you as she tightens her grip on the collar of your shirt while you're still stupefied by her actions before returning her affections.

She breaks from her kiss, panting heavily as you roll onto her pinning her down.

“Strip, now.” She commands to you with an almost desperate look.

You nod stupidly as natural reactions take over rational thought, reaching down you almost tear you now clean shirt off, however as you pull the shirt from above your face you notice whimpering noises.

You pull the shirt back over yourself, revealing you’re now crying Girlfriend, she’s turned away from you and wraps her wings around herself defensively.

Great and now I feel like a dirt bag for no reason. You think rubbing your neck awkwardly at the scene.

“Feathers what’s wrong?” you ask with a voice mixed somewhere between concern and confusion.

“I’m fat.”

"No, no you're not.”

“Don’t lie to me duffus, I know you don’t want to be with a griffon who can't even keep herself together.”

Now you're getting upset for an entirely different reason, what is this, this isn’t like her.

You, somewhat courageously clutch under her chin, forcing the She- griffon to meet your eyes as you stare into them with fiery determination.

"Ok look, maybe you got a little bit more over the average than you want, but I really couldn’t give a toss if you decide to get as fat as a whale or hell, even shave yourself bald I'd still love you, you feathery loon, I won’t leave you, no matter what, but I’m not gonna sit here and let you berate yourself understand?”

It takes a minute but Gilda eventually gives you a weak nod, as you release your grasp making sure to keep eye contact as you stroke her cheek with your thumb.

"But hear me out, I think you need help, something's not right sweetheart this isn't you.”

She opens her beak trying to formulate an excuse, but you pretty sure she wasn't expecting you’re to say any of this. Finally she replies.

“I-I know alright, I'm just in not comfortable with doctors.” she replays giving you the same excuse she's been using for the last three months.

"This isn't about doctors or hospitals and your know it, please don’t lie to me Gilda you have to go.” you state trying desperately to stay as calm as possible.

“I-I can’t go ok, I’m not going to the hospital, you know why I can't go.”

“No Gilda I actually don’t know, you don’t tell me shit about your past, hell I think I told you just about everything about my life, but you never share anything.” you're trying not to yell now but its hard to see her like this, you take a deep breath and slump next to the she griffon. Resting your arms on your knees you look over at her still lying on the floor.

Gilda stares up at the ceiling her stomach contracts and expands slowly with its added weight, she flicks her tail and clenches her talons as it looks like she’s trying and failing to contain her pent up emotions.

You look down at her and frown thinking you probably went too far.

No she needs to hear this, I'm trying to help her, but I can't when she’s being so stubborn all the time. Bite the bullet she needs me to be strong even if she can't understand it now.

You lay on your back next to the griffon who’s still hazed from the argument, you see her clench both her talons tightly, its hurts to see her like this but it had to be said.

You reach forwards coupling the griffon’s cheek in your hands and pull her into a loving kiss, after a moment you feel her lean into you more as the kiss does the job or reassuring and snapping her out of her thoughts.

After a moment she pulls away from the kiss and leans her head against your shoulder, wrapping your hands around her soft white neck. Instinctively she wraps her tail around your leg something you know she only does when she needs comfort.

“What’s wrong with me?” She whispers at an almost inaudible volume into your ear.

You tighten your grip around Gilda to reassure her as you begin stroking her silky feathers.

“I’m not sure honey, but I can tell you one thing you can't stay like this for both our sakes, we need to get help and Fluttershy says she can help for now so would you go with me to see here she might be the only one who can.”

Gilda doesn’t say anything for a long time as she buries herself further into your shoulder you take her silence as an agreement.
“Ok then, we probably have to get going.” You tighten the hug one last time to calm her and also your own nerves.

"Jeez you really can be such a love struck filly sometimes.” She roasts, smiling softly to you as she wipes away a single tears that escapes from her eye.

“Hey, one of us has to act at least a little like a girl.” You mocking joke, earning a swipe from her right claw which you thankfully avoid.

“I’m sure whatever it is will pass, Fluttershy says she might be able to help you but you’ve got to calm down and trust me, you do trust me right?"

“Of course I trust you, you big ape.” Gilda states slugging you in the shoulder with more determination.

"OK, tough gal, let's go" you state, lifting yourself up and making your way to the door.

You look back but the griffon isn’t moving well she is sort of, she's struggling and wiggling, but shes not moving exactly.

“Uh Gilda, are you come along?”

“What do you think I’m trying to do idiot!?”

So much for staying calm.

"You need any hel-"

"Don't you dare, I got this so if you don't mind, buzz off."

You shrug your shoulders and move to open the door, however you opted to stay in the archway, if she can't get up you're gonna have to help.

She continues to flail around on her back for a few moments trying and failing to find a way up from her back, you know to give Gilda space for these things. Once again she’s got more pride than sense sometimes, but it’s getting a little awkward now and you really want to sort out what's wrong with her as soon as you can.

Shaking your head you walk over towards the still struggling griffon and despite the protests and added weight you lift her up into your arms. Something she is not happy about.

“No way, put me down, now!”

"Come on you were complaining about your sore talons and paws the whole morning, let me take care of it for you, besides no one’s going to see you I’m going through the Everfree.”

Gilda opens her beak to argue, but you can tell she’s weighing the pain of walking on her sore talons all the way around the Everfree or a free ride.

“Fine! But put me on your back, and if you tell anyone.”

“I know, I know you probably going to use me as an exotic one of a kind punching bag or something like that.” You say sarcastically rolling your eyes.

“You know for a monkey you catch on quick.”

You finally reach Fluttershy’s cottage after an hour or so of traipsing around the edge of the Everfree, even at the very edge of the forest it’s still not an easy trek. Especially when you have to stop every so often for Gilda’s nausea, as much as she appreciates you carrying her the bumpy path is doing terrible things to her stomach and you’ve had just about enough of stomach bile on your person for one day.

As you leave the forest you think it’s interesting how little the ponies use the Everfree even during the day. Yeah it’s got some pretty dangerous animals and plant life but like the ocean that stuff is pretty much in the deeper end of the forest, for the most part it’s pretty safe barring a few painful thorns here and there. Then again you and Gilda use it so you don’t have to see any ponies, so for ponies to use it would kind of defeat its point you coincide to yourself.

As you reach the path you look back at her. She's resting her head against your shoulder as she sleeps every so often she winces and groans with every other step.

You turn towards the cottage frowning deeply.

I didn’t realise it was this bad, the sooner she’s fixed the better.

Crossing the familiar bridge you notice that most of the lights in the house are still on. You find it strange that she would need so many, but you think that it’s probably her way of letting you know she’s still up and waiting for you, or at least something like that.

As you step up towards the cottage you glance once more over your shoulder at the sleeping griffon whose snoring gently on you, it’s pretty adorable even if your back and arms are killing you.

You hate to wake her she looks so peaceful for once, but you know what you need to do, plus it wouldn’t be fun for her to wake up being inspected on some table.

Yeah she’d probably attack first, ask questions later, better wake her. Slowly you bring your head over towards hers and nuzzle it softly.

“Hey sleeping beauty, time to get up.” You jokingly whisper, watching as she begins to stir from her sleep.

You hear a soft popping noise as Gilda stretches her wings out to full with an exaggerated yawn.

“Huzza what? Where are we?” she replies tiredly with her eyes still mostly closed.

“At Flutter’s, remember? She’s here to help.” You respond calmly trying not to let the strain in your voice show, as you back and arms sting from the weight of the griffon and an almost hour long trek.

However Gilda doesn’t look so sure about all this.

She turns away for a moment in contemplation, before turning back at you and sighing in resignation.

“Fine, but if this turns out to be a bunch of bull, no sex for a month!” she threatens.

You can't help but chuckle at least her threats involve less blows to the face this time. You turn back and knock on the door, after the first few knocks you hear some muffled noise coming from the other side, you and Gilda both focus your attention on the door.

Is she talking to someone in there? Nah don't be paranoid.

However you still can't help but lean closer to the door. When suddenly the sound of the locks flicking open makes you jump back in fright, not an easy thing to do carrying a heavy loaded griffon on your back.

Thank god she can't read minds.

After regaining your footing and huffing in annoyance as you hear a mocking chuckle from behind you, your again for the second time today greeted by the same wall of pink hair and blue eye.

“Hey Shy, sorry I’m late we had a bit of an issue.” You say looking over your shoulder just in time to see Gilda shrug.

“Oh I don’t mind, it was actually better that you came here later, it gave me more time to prepare.”

You raise your eyebrow. “Prepare in what way, Shy?”

"I um, I think it’s best if you two came inside.”

With little to go on and questions to be answered you agree with the mare, stepping into the middle of the room and softly placing Gilda down onto the floor. For a moment you think you glance something out of the corner of your eye turning towards it, it slips away from your view, you shrug thinking it’s one of Shy’s animals and turn back to Gilda who is looking at where you were with narrowed eyes, you’re about to comment on it when your thoughts are cut off by the mare behind you.

“Um is everything ok, I mean did you get here alright?” She asks, looking at you with a courteous smile.

“Yeah, it wasn't too bad, the forest isn’t that intimidating if you take the outer path, no ponies around staring at you like some gormless tit.”

"Now there really isn’t any need for that language is there.” Fluttershy states disapprovingly.

You look down apologetically at her. “Sorry Shy, been a long day.”

How does she keep doing that? I never apologies for shit normally.

“It’s ok just be careful around the walls Mr Squeaks has a two year old, their very impressionable at that age.” She states happily accepting your apology.

You snap away from Shy focusing your mind back on your girlfriend, it's been a while now and she hasn’t said a word.
“You doing ok there darling?” you ask with puzzled concern.

“Where is the other one?” Gilda states suspiciously turning her head towards Fluttershy.

Other one?

"Wait you mean angel?" you chime in, subconsciously putting a little venom into the name of your furry nemesis.

Gilda however doesn't seem to hear you as she turns and storms towards Fluttershy, towering over the now shivering mare who was trying and failing to not shrink into herself.

"Don't lie to me, I maybe sick or whatever, but I saw something go into the other room before we got here, my griffon eyesight is 20/20 there’s another pony in this house."

"I- I mean we." Fluttershy fights to say cowering as Gilda puts a single talon against her chest and begins poking it with each word.

"You better start talking pipsqueak or else I-"

"Gilda enough!" you finally yell back trying to defuse the situation, both parties look back at you in shock, you try and ease Gilda's 'mood swings' with care but threats were not going to help anyone.

"look, we talked about this you can't just threaten peo- I mean pony's like that, besides I trust Shy, she wouldn't just be hiding ponies around the house, why would she? Now could you please at least apologise she's helping us out of her own kindness, the least you could do is return some of that."

Gilda looks at you with a stare that back in the day had you backing into a corner, however after almost four months of this type of death glares you're getting pretty good at holding your own.

After a few tense moment Gilda finally slumps away from Fluttershy and you even make out a barely audible "Sorry" from the griffons beak before she angrily stomps back in your direction, you sigh in relief and wipe some sweat from your forehead, thankful that went as well as it did.

It takes a moment, but Shy manages to come out of her fortress of hair and even cracks a small smile.

"That's okay I forgive you, especially given your, um, predicament."

Wow that mares got some patience, well they don't call her the...um chemical of kindness? Was that it, whatever she's not know for that without a reason. You concede to yourself reaching over and stroking Gilda's feathers trying to calm her down a bit she tries to pull away, she's kind of embarrassed by public display of affection but your fingers make short work of any protests as you idly preen and stroke them.

"Yeah, so about that, I mean can you help her in anyway?"

"Hey! I am right here you, oh yeah right there that's it" she says slumping into your side as you fingers hit a particularly sensitive spot.

"Sorry hon, anyway Shy can you help us?"

"Oh yes I can certainly try but before I do, I-I have to apologise you see, there is somepony with me." She tentatively declares pawing at the ground and looking up at you dejectedly.

Oh god damnit no. You think face palming with your free hand.

"I knew it!" Gilda yells, pushing away from you hand.

"I'm sorry! I know you two aren't ready for your relationship to go public, but I needed to be sure that I was correct and I only knew one other pony who had books I could use to study griffon anatomy." Shy pleads backing away from Gilda.

"Yeah right! You Pegasus ponies are all the same, I'm out of here come on lets go." she motions for you to come along with a wing, as you try and think of how to best handle the situation.

Bloody hell, why can't things be easy for once.

Just before Gilda reaches the door a voice call out from the top of the stairs.

"No wait!"

The mare behind the voice suddenly materialised into view with a flash of blinding violet light. You recognise the mare immediately it’s the one that used to badger you for information about your old world. The purple princess one that sort of looks like the other two that occasionally come to check up on you.

Dammit what was her name again? Names are hard and here in Equestria they're pretty ridiculous, I mean ones called Fancy Pants, Fancy Pants I mean really who do you have to be to be given a name like that? Then again apparently he’s a cool guy, so what do you know.

Thankfully Gilda stops, for now at least, although you can see her eyeing the door ready to make a break for it. Not that she could really get anywhere given her condition.

"I'm sorry." The Purple one yells running up between Fluttershy and Gilda who is now near the front door. "Don't blame Fluttershy, it was my idea to come here, when she came to my library asking for griffon anatomy, I maybe' kind of made her tell me what it was for." she finishes lowering her head with an uneasy laugh and a sheepish smile.

"That still doesn't explain why you're here exactly?" Gilda grows.

You look back at the Purple mare who now almost looks like she's doing an impression of Fluttershy, as she lowers her head and paws at the ground.

"Well you see, I know I wasn't around much when you visited Ponyville the first time, but I was there for the party so I know you could be a bit, how do I put it, aggressive, I wanted to make sure Fluttershy was going to be ok, I didn't know you three knew each other for this long and I especially didn't know you where her coltfriend." she finishes pointing at you with an idle hoof.

You respond with a shrug mostly because you have no real idea what a 'coltfriend' even is, you guess it means boyfriend here, but to be fair most of your time is spent either in the house or the Everfree your still getting used to the new lingo which is harder to get since you still haven't really gotten over the whole pony's staring at you all the time thing.

"Yeah, we were trying to keep it on the low down, until your nerdy flank stuck your muzzle in our business." Gilda growls venomously towards the Purple mare.

You give Gilda a disapproving look, but she doesn't see it and to be fair you're a bit angry at the Purple one as well. Nobody like someone who sticks their nose in someone else's business.

"I know, I know and I'm really sorry I just wanted to make sure Fluttershy was going to be fine, considering how you yelled at her last time you were in town."

Wait is she talking about the first time I found her?

"Why did you yell at Shy, I thought you said she had nothing to do with whatever it was that went down that day?" you say more out of genuine curiosity than anything else.

"Look it was nothing personal, I was having a sorta’ bad day and she got in my way so I snapped at her. For what it’s worth I didn't mean anything by it, jeez it was months ago so don't go all sappy and make me apologise now." Gilda states folding her arms across her chest slumping down on her flank.

“It’s ok, I forgave her way before that." Fluttershy chimes in quietly.

"For what it’s worth Shy did vouch for you two, I just wanted to make sure myself, I guess I should be a bit more trusting of my friend’s word next time, but if it’s any consolation I still want to help you and Gilda out I have a pretty good grasp on griffon anatomy and medicines." She finishes sitting on her hind legs with a sincere look across her muzzle.

Gilda glares at the Purple mare with suspicion, she doesn't look entirely convinced but she's not moving towards the door anymore, which you take as a good sign.

"Just who else did you tell." She states to both Shy and the Purple mare hunching over at them.

"Nopony else I swear! Dash doesn't know and neither does Pinkie it’s just me and Twilight." Fluttershy quickly interjects.

Twilight! That that was her name, you think snapping your fingers in recognition. Wait did she say pinkie as in...Oh no what's she got to do with it? And how does she know this Dash pony before. Actually that name does sound familiar…You think scratching the five o'clock shadow developing on your jawline.

"So let me get this straight." Gilda states "You let Princess book worm here, who probably hasn't even seen a griffon besides me in her life and who has friends who she knows hate my guts come here and help purely because she's doing it out of the kindness of her heart, I'm not buying it."

Once again Gilda turns towards the door.

"Wait before you go tell me, have you been experiencing mood swings?"

"I guess, what it to you" Gilda answers still walking towards the door.

"Nausea?"

"Sometimes, why?" Gilda nonchalantly states placing her talon on the door handle.

"What about terrible stomach cramps, for minutes at a time?”

Gilda stops turning her head quickly in the direction of the Twilight.

"How do you know about that." she states her voice a mixture of suspicion and shock.

"Please Gilda let me and Shy help."

"How do I know I can trust you huh?”

"You need to have some faith, I promise by Celestia’s crown, me and Shy will help you."

The she griffon looks at both Shy and the Purple pony for a while before turning her head back to you her eyes solemnly begging for your two cents into the conversation.

"This is up to you, Darling, I trust Shy and she trusts the…uh crap what was it again the purple one? You say clicking your fingers as you try to remember.

"Twilight" chimes an annoyed voice.

That was it, man I suck at names.

"Yeah, Twilight, sorry bad with names, either way it’s up to you. I'll support you no matter what, I just want you feeling better that's all." you finish staring into those shining amber eyes for what feels like forever.

Finally Gilda sighs and looks back at the other two mares, who are eagerly awaiting the griffon’s response.

"Fine, but no funny stuff got it!?" she threatens rolling her talon into the fist.

Both mares nod simultaneously before stepping over the invisible no man’s land that the argument had created.

"You have my word, now would you please follow me into the kitchen." Twilight gestures to Gilda to follow her in.

You attempt to follow her inside but Twilight stops you.

"This could take a while and because of the equipment I brought Fluttershy kitchen is a bit cramped and because of your you know..." she finishes looking you up and down as you realise she's on about your more than large physique compared to the ponies.

A wave of fear strikes you as you begin to protest, however Gilda lifts up a talon to stop you, funny as much as you can read her she probably just as good at reading you.

"Don't worry tall stuff, I'll be fine worse comes to worse I can take these two easy." She jokes with a cocky smile plastered on her beak flexing her overly shape talon for effect.

Actually, is she kidding?

Not wanting to take any more time up, you walk over to Gilda and plant one more kiss on her soft beak laying your hand gently across her side. "Okay, Feathers, just don't worry everything's gonna' be fine"

"Okay, mom." Gilda sarcastically states rolling her eyes just as she walks past you brushing her tail against your leg and turns back one more time with a small smile just as Twilight begins to shut the door with her magic.

That stubborn feather brain. You chuckle shaking your head as you make your way towards the couch a little of the fear leaving your clouded mind.

You stamp out another butt and reach into your side pocket to produce a tin labelled ‘Emergencies Only’ and produce another cigarette.

Yep the fears back.

It’s been nearly an hour now and the wait was driving you mad, so you decided to get a breath of fresh air, and well nicotine. You know you shouldn't you only really stated at the beginning when you came to Equestria, you were pretty sure you were dead so you decided smoking was the least of your troubles. After you were finally convinced it was another world and that you were at least in this form still alive, well at least you finally got to see what all the fuss was about.

You take another drag of the cigarette, as you come to the conclusion that at least now its ok to fall off the metaphorical wagon. Besides you needed something to take the edge off, the silence and waiting was driving you insane.

She's going to be fine, they would have called me in if anything went wrong. You try and convince yourself.

You flinch quickly gazing back at the door as you hear it unlock, apparently the universe, cosmic prankster that it is heard that, as you spot Fluttershy walking soberly out towards you.

You throw the cigarette onto the floor and stamp it out, before rushing over to the mare in question?

"Is she ok? What happened, tell me she ok." you say pretty much all at once.

Fluttershy gives you an uneasy look before casting her gaze towards the house then at you again.

"Um, I'm not sure how to say this, maybe you should come inside."

You gulp audibly, a bead of sweat drips down your forehead. "Shy, how bad is it?"

"It’s not... it’s uh, I really think its best you come inside."

You don't wait for her, as you all but run back into the house throwing the door to the kitchen, you survey the room which for all intents and purposes had become a hospital in and of itself. The dinning table acting as a bed with blankets and even a pillow the sound of heart monitor going at a slightly erratic pace takes you attention, as you spot Gilda.

You almost trip over the wires rushing over towards the bed and kneel by Gilda's side. She doesn't even registers your presence as she keeps her eyes firmly locked on the kitchen floor.

"Gilda, honey what's wrong, speak to me!" You plead waving a hand in front of her face, which gets no reaction from the she-griffon.

You look around the room for any sort of clue to help you understand, when you spot Twilight hunched over the kitchen counter surrounded on all sides with books, as she aggressively flicks threw several at a time with her magic, tosses them away from herself after every few pages.

"Hey Twi, what's going on, she won't speak to me." You worriedly yell, but you get even less of a response from the mare who's still desperately flicking through the pages.

"How is this possible? I don't understand!" she frustrated mumbles to herself, not even looking at you.

What going on, was there a gas leak of something?

You continue to try and snap Gilda out of her trance but it’s not working, a few moments later you see Fluttershy creep back into the room with a look you can't place its somewhere between apprehension and curiosity.

You turn to her ready to question what went on when Gilda finally speaks up.

"I-I’m pregnant."

The words hit you like a speeding train, as you automatically bolt upright fixing your gaze solely on her as the room begins to fade and blur.

The room is the essence of an abyss, no Man, Griffon or Pony moves, speaks or even breaths. Finally after almost an eternity.

"H-huh, would you fancy that." You weakly chuckle to no one, before your world goes completely black.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading everyone.
Hope you found it entertaining.
I'm exusted so im going to pass out now, will read your likes and hatred later so.................efnananananananananaujhcnwaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilcsnuyzzzzzzzzzkssssssssssssssssssssssssss