After much searching Cloud Chaser finally spotted the smoke from Fluttershy's cabin and dove down to the path that led to it. After she landed she heard her sister not far behind. “I'm glad we found this place before it got too cold. If it would have gotten any colder we'd practically freeze to death looking for this cabin in the middle of the night.” Cloud scoffed. “Why couldn't Rainbow just have us meet her at her place?” She shook her head.
“Well, y-you do remember her saying she couldn't leave Fluttershy by herself in the winter like this. She's so lonely without her animals.” Flitter replied, trailing Cloud's hoof steps to the door as she shivered, uncomfortable with the chill in the air.
“You don't even know Fluttershy.” Her sister remarked.
“I know her a little bit and I know what it's like to be alone though. She doesn't exactly live near anypony else.”
“That's her fault.”
“Don't be rude!”
Before Cloud could retaliate the door they were approaching opened and in its frame stood the cyan pegasus. “Geez Cloud, what took you so long?”
“You told me to find a cabin in the middle of the woods with no other directions than west of Ponyville. That's what took so long.” Cloud snorted.
“Yeah yeah well you're here now. Get in here before you're tails freeze off.” Rainbow stepped aside, granting Cloud and Flitter entrance to the warmth of the cabin. “We need this month's weather schedule done by tonight.”
“Well you should have thought about that before ditching me last week.” Cloud huffed.
“Well excuse me, but you're the one who decided she'd rather sleep in the day after.” Rainbow replied, shutting the door behind them.
“My schedule does not revolve around you, contrary to popular belief.”
“And mine doesn't revolve around yours.”
“Why did I have to come all the way out to this cabin anyway?” Cloud asked, ignoring the glare from her sister that questioned why she had disregarded her order not to be rude.
“You already know why, I am not going to leave Fluttershy when she needs company for your convenience.”
“I'm sure she would be fine for a night.” Cloud rolled her eyes.
“Well Flitter isn't part of the planning process, why is she here?” Rainbow retorted.
“Because... Because she doesn't like to be alone.” Cloud sighed.
“See what I mean?”
“Oh whatever. Why in hell did the weather factory pair us up anyway?” Cloud asked.
Flitter shook her head and continued to trot deeper into the living room of the cabin, drawn by the warm glow of the fireplace that lit the room. She'd be able to enjoy it better if the two pegasi behind her weren't arguing like school fillies. Just as she was about to sit down however she spotted Fluttershy in the door way of the kitchen.
With a wave of her hoof she invited Flitter into the kitchen before disappearing inside.
Flitter wasn't exactly warm yet but the opportunity for friendly conversation and an escape from the fighting was too good to pass up. Besides, even though the rest of the cabin wasn't as warm as the living room it still felt good.
When Flitter entered the kitchen she saw Fluttershy sitting at the table with a cup of steaming chocolate in her hoof. Across from her was another cup that was left untouched. Fluttershy smiled, mitigating any hesitation Flitter had of taking the cup.
After the first sip of the beverage that warmed her throat and body from the inside out her eyes grew wide. “This is really good Fluttershy.”
“Thanks, nothing to it really.” She shrugged, maintaining her smile. “I figured you wouldn't want to be around their bickering.”
“Yeah... I don't think they like each other too much.” Flitter sighed, looking down into her cup.
“I disagree.”
“How so?” Flitter asked, looking up from her hot chocolate.
“Rainbow fights with everypony like that. Most just give in because they know they would be hard pressed to convince Rainbow of anything even if Rainbow is wrong. She argues because she wants ponies's approval. It's when shes stops arguing that you know she doesn't like you.”
“I-I think I can understand that. Cloud is pretty much the same.”
“That's a good thing in their case, they keep each other on the ground. If everypony gave in to them every time they got into it with them there would be no limits to their egos. They keep each other in check.”
“That actually makes since.” Flitter took a sip from her coco then brought the cup back down. “Never thought of it that way. Still... I just wish my sister wasn't so abrasive all the time.”
“I know what you mean. Rainbow is my best friend but she talks a lot more than she listens.” Fluttershy sighed.
A brief moment passed before Flitter let out an involuntary yawn, then turned her head away when she saw Fluttershy smiling at her. “Sorry... Just a little tired. Cloud didn't tell me we were headed here until the last minute and I was about to hit the hay just a moment before.” She didn't mention that the coco wasn't exactly keeping her up.
“Well... seeing as you're going to be here all night, can I show you you're room for the night?”
“I'd appreciate it.” Flitter gave her a sleepy smile.
Fluttershy took another drink from her cup, enjoying the warm feeling of the chocolate soothing her throat. “Come with me.”
As they passed back through the living room Rainbow and Cloud were still arguing, but at least this time it was about the weather schedule and nothing trivial.
“Look, there is no guarantee that it will be cold enough to snow on the sixth. If we take the chance and it rains instead we are going to have to schedule a small blizzard on the eighth, then nopony will be happy.” Rainbow stated, pointing at a map that was laid out on the coffee table with her forehoof.
“It'll be plenty cold for it to snow. If we don't take the chance we're going to have to work twice as hard on the third and fifth.” Cloud retorted.
Flitter tuned out the rest of their dialogue as she followed Fluttershy up the stairs and into a decent sized bedroom that was well decorated. “Fluttershy, this looks like your room.”
“W-well... It is. I don't have a spare and it would be oh so rude to have you stay on the couch. You can stay in here tonight. I'll be okay.”
“Fluttershy I couldn't.” Flitter replied. “This is your home.”
“Please? I'd feel worse to know you were down there listening to them bicker and lose sleep over it.”
Flitter didn't know what to say from here. On second thought the bed did look comfy, and refusing her offer would be rude. “If you're sure.” Flitter said with hesitance.
“Oh I'm very sure.” Fluttershy moved off to the side to let Flitter by.
Flitter walked slowly to the bed, and climbed on to it with caution. She turned and sat at the edge looking down at Fluttershy. “Thanks.”
“You're very welcome. Don't let me keep you up, I'll head down stairs and let you sleep.” Fluttershy stated as she began to turn away.
“W-wait.” Flitter called.
“Is everything okay?” Fluttershy turned back quickly, taking a couple of steps toward Flitter.
Flitter blushed at having spoken with such alert. “Y-yes I'm fine, its just... I... Well I-”
“Didn't want to be left alone up here?” Fluttershy guessed. She'd overheard Rainbow and Cloud's initial statements on Flitter not wanting to be left alone.
“Yeah.” Flitter replied looking defeated. “Sad I know.”
“No it's not. I understand completely.” She replied with a reassuring smile. “I'd like to stay and talk with you a while longer anyway.”
Flitter smiled and scooted over to allow Fluttershy room to sit next to her.
Fluttershy happily complied, jumping up next to her. After she situated herself she looked over to Flitter who still looked rather upset with herself and couldn't help but to feel for her. “What are you thinking about?”
“My sister, we're twins, but... we're so different. I mean sure we look the same. Same fur color, mane color, eye color an so on but... I don't know.” Flitter sighed. “I'm just a little upset that we turned out so different in the end. Why she is so much braver than I am. It's upsetting to think that our personalities were decided upon a simple event of our foalhood.”
“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked curiously.
“It was around the same time as when you and Rainbow were in flight school. You were not the only one getting messed with. Me and my sis were to... Though out of the two of us she chose to lash out first. I feel like, you know... Since she stood up for us, that is when we began to differ. I never had to stand up for myself afterward because ponies were afraid of my sister. That's why I am so docile now... I think. Makes me feel weak.”
Fluttershy let out a discontented sigh. “You're not weak Flitter. Certainly a lot braver than me.. I mean, you're still up there, flying right along side your sister. I'm down here, on the ground where I think it's safe.”
“I don't think I am braver than you. Think about it. Despite what everypony thinks you chose to stay out here with your animals. Not a lot of pegasi turn the clouds down for the ground, some because they don't know what the other pegasi would think of them. You didn't seem to care.” Flitter felt a tad bit bad for influencing Fluttershy to look down on herself. To her surprise, Fluttershy smiled.
“Thanks... I don't think you should spend so much time looking at what you're sister is and what you are not. Rather... I think maybe, you should look at it the other way around. In a short time you got me to open up to you. Yes... I am in my own environment but still. You actually listen to what you hear. Can't you think of a time when you're sister was feeling down and you were able to cheer her up when nopony else could?” Fluttershy asked.
Flitter didn't need to think too long on this one. Anytime Cloud Chaser was frustrated or upset she had always turned to her. “You're right.” Flitter admitted and smiled halfheartedly. While not completely convinced she had to admit that Fluttershy had made her feel better.
Fluttershy could still see the doubt in her eyes. “How do you normally comfort your sister?”
“Well... when she is upset over something. No matter how silly, I act as if it is important because it might actually be to her. I drape a wing over her while she vents and wait patiently for her to finish. When she is done, I make my suggestions and try to convince her that her problem isn't so big. If that doesn't work I like to remind her of what an amazing sister she is.” As Flitter finished her explanation she felt something across her back and was a bit startled to see that Fluttershy had spread her wing over her. Though the feeling was comforting.
The brief feeling of awkwardness Fluttershy felt quickly disappeared when she saw Flitter smiling at her though the blush in her cheeks remained, mirroring that of Flitter's. This didn't feel as strange as she thought it would. Maybe it was because they were so much alike. “It's good to be different. I don't have anything against your sister but if you acted like her you would probably be down their arguing with them instead of talking to me right now. Then I would have nopony to keep me company while Dash was busy.”
Flitter couldn't find a valid answer. The more Fluttershy talked the sillier Flitter felt and in this case, that was a good thing. “I guess I'm spending more time looking at what everypony else has instead of looking at what I have.” Flitter shrugged. “I guess, now I have a new friend?” Flitter looked just over her muzzle at Fluttershy.
“If that is okay with you.” Fluttershy replied.
Flitter rolled her eyes and nuzzled Fluttershy's shoulder. “That's why I asked.” A thought that crossed Flitter's mind made her recoil a bit. “No... that's just... a little too personal.” Flitter muttered to herself.
“What is? Did I do something wrong?” Fluttershy retracted her wing and shied away from the mare. “I'm sorry if I did.”
“No no no, Fluttershy not you.” Flitter added quickly. “No, it was something else. I... Well you know the things that can go through a ponies mind and this thought just took me by surprise.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” Fluttershy let out a breath she hadn't even known she was holding. “Well, if you don't mind... Could you possibly share with your new friend?”
“Um... I-I don't know.”
“It's okay, whatever it is.” Fluttershy urged her. However she thought of a reason she may be so hesitant about an idea she had while with her. “Oh... my.”
Flitter shot her a confused glance before being struck with the realization. “No, not what I mean.” Flitter stated quickly, sure that by this time her whole face was red.
“Oh... okay, alright. Then, I mean... If it's not as bad as that, then... What is it?”
The misunderstanding was almost enough to convince her to tell her. The fact that Fluttershy didn't exactly reject the misunderstood meaning of her confusion almost peaked her interest but she shook the thought away. “Well, okay... I was just thinking... I don't want to sleep up here alone and I certainly don't want to kick you out of your bed. When I'm uncomfortable as a filly my sister would snuggle with me until I fell asleep... Even to this day even though we are a little older now. My sister is busy.” Flitter looked away from the canary Pegasus, wondering how much of a filly she sounded like.
“Sure.”
“Huh?”
“I... I don't have a problem with that. It would solve both our problems anyway. Rainbow wanted Cloud to meet up here, which was nice... However she is still... as you say, busy.”
“Are you sure it would not make you too uncomfortable?”
“Everything is uncomfortable at first. You think the first time I was with my other friends wasn't embarrassing? I was much more shy back then.”
“Okay.” Flitter smiled warmly.
As expected, it was a bit awkward at first. Though the inviting warmth of the bed soon nullified the feeling. Flitter knew she had been tired, however Fluttershy had not known how tired she was.
When they were settled in the bed. Flitter bopped Fluttershy on the snout playfully. “You're not so shy.”
Fluttershy blushed but didn't move away. Instead she stretched a foreleg over Flitter and nuzzled the side of her neck. “I guess not.”
Fluttershy's fur was soft and warm against her own. She returned her embrace and nuzzled her ear that twitched. Fluttershy giggled and gave Flitter a gentle squeeze.
For a while they poked playfully at one another like young fillies and were completely at ease doing so. It was a wonder to find such comfort in a pony she barely knew but who was she to question it? After a while the playful prodding ceased as one shortly after the other fell asleep.
A few hours later a couple of disgruntled pegasi signed off on an agreed weather schedule for the month. Only then did they realize they had seen not mane nor hoof of Fluttershy and Flitter.
“Where did Fluttershy and Flitter go?” Cloud asked.
“How should I know? I've been doing this right along with you.” She replied tapping at the schedule.
“It's your friends house.”
“Cottage, but whatever. They should be somewhere in here.” Rainbow trotted into the kitchen doorway and sighed. “Not in here. They must be upstairs.”
So they climbed the stairs, then noticed Flutterhsy's door was slightly ajar. With a gentle tap Rainbow pushed it open. “Well then, that's unexpected.”
“What is? Let me see.” Cloud walked up beside her. “Aww.” Cloud beamed. “That is adorable.”
“A little uncool though.” Rainbow feigned disgust until Cloud shot her a skeptical glare. “Oh alright... It is kinda cute.” Rainbow admitted.
The sheets had been half kicked off of the two sleeping mare though Flitter was still being held by Fluttershy in their slumber. They looked so peaceful and happy it made Rainbow and Cloud feel all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it. Though they probably wouldn't admit it.
“Lets go back downstairs.” Rainbow suggested.
“I call the couch.” Cloud replied quickly, already headed toward the stairs...
Rainbow rolled her eyes but was too tired to argue. “Whatever.”
