Above Eagles

    "Andrew, how are you doing in there? Everything turning out well? You've gone awfully quiet."

    I responded with possibly the most stupid response one could perform when behind a door, a million pounds of vaporized water spewn up in the foggy air, and a relatively thick shower curtain: I nodded. Because, apparently, I got it in my head that Rarity somehow obtained x-ray vision, and that she was a major pervert.

    Well, you can't blame my stupified, blind expression that much, considering a white bar of soap was currently levitating in front of me. In the shower. Surrounded by water of every form.

    "...Y-yeah, I'm fine," I finally made out, shaking my head slowly, as if it'd somehow make me know everything about this new, unpredictably inconsistent life.

    Here I was, living my week-or-whatever old life as happy as could be, thinking - no, WITH PROOF THAT - my talent did not apply near the elements, when I subconsciously levitate the soap to myself, and it actually works. Surrounded by the most abundant, steriotypical element of all time, in both liquid and gas form, and I was levitating this bar of soap mere inches from my face. It even inturrupted a pretty legit solo I was singing -

    ...Wait a minute.

"Rarity, were you listening to me?!"

    My face burnt with a murderous vengeance. I drew my knees to my chest in the chest-level water, and hugged them like they were my wife on my deathbed. The cause of death: Embarrassment. With a little Ebola thrown in, but mostly embarrassment.

    "Oh! Uh-hum...! I'm sorry! D-didn't know you didn't like to be... Oh, there's no getting out of this..." Rarity's voice grew quieter as she trotted away, embarrassed. Meanwhile, I let my entire face burn, going back to staring at the soap directly in front of me.

    What... the fuck buckets.

    I remember my fatigue when levitating near the elements, crystal clear. It was an Automatic-IV machine, just above Nurse Redheart's head, and just waiting to drop to drastic consequences. Before, I could have easily levitated... pretty much any sarcastically big object that came to my brain. Rainbow Dash's mouth. Or Pinkie Pie's want to obliviously frollock in the heavenly fur of a mile-wide chinchilla. She told me to think that.

    I'm getting besides the point! Point is, why the Hell is my life suddenly becoming a playground for mystery-movie directors?

    I sulked, and felt my ears intentionally flop down to my skull. My tail twitched from underwater, and I instinctively reacted by dragging the soaking wet apendage to my face, and letting out a long sigh. The soap dropped from my grasp, meanwhile, emitting a distinct plop in the steaming water.

    Rarity had nagged me to take a long bath this morning, the occasion being "a darling friend coming to meet you! Awha-ha! My accent it so amazing!"

    Yes. Yes, it is...

    ...So, that's the why. Now, I'm currently in the fanciest damn bathtub I've ever been in. It was a eight foot-wide, four foot-long, snow white tub with several designs of Mommy-Daddy-Fun-Time scenarios decorating the outside and inner bottom. The tub was attached to the corner of the room, for Celestia's sake! The bathroom around said pimpmobile wasn't half bad either, being at least twenty feet wide, and thirty feet long, and the long sink in front of the mirror hosting a large colony of different colored bottles of every design, with different words of every fancy font imprinted on. And, I still couldn't read. Except the occasional "A." Thanks, Purple Smart.

    I took a moment to straighten myself in the bobbing bubbles, before gradually levitating the soap from the water. It rose like a UFO had a hold of it, the spawn of its cleaning capabilities dripping into the froth below. Did my talent work around water? That would explain me being able to move clouds on my first night. Or, am I able to do anything around all elements, besides smoke? Or, was it something completely different? My anti-magic radius completely failed around Rarity; is that connected to my limitations somehow?

    I shook my head, sighing out a grunt. The more I lived, the more I wished Rainbow Dash hadn't pulled me out of that forest. She could have saved herself some bloody hooves, and a confused, telekinetic psycho as a friend.

    Well... I wouldn't say friend. More like acquantice, in the words of Nurse Redheart.

    I narrowed my eyes, before scrubbing myself with the soap. It felt bizarre and alien, having the bar rub against my short fur, etching its fresh scent into the skin below. I scrubbed myself, raising my arm to give the soap more of an entrance as it went up and down the thin apendage, covering it with bubbles and freshness. I started to hum the tune which I remembered from a time long lost.

    It came to me like a blocked off memory, etching itself into new memories with each high note, each inspirational phrase, and each mention that it'll all turn out fine soon. I let the tunes imbed themselves into my brain before opening my mouth, closing my eyes to the darkness of my mind, and singing the song which came from the dead place of my otherworldly memories.

"It's not about the money, money, money... Forget about the money, money, money...~"

    The soap nicked the stitches on my chest. I gasped out as the firey sensation spread, before containing my despair to a simple whimper. A few seconds was spent biting my lower lip, before I continued my washing.

"...We just want to make the world dance... Forget about the price tag.~"

    The door was closed behind me touchlessly, shutting out the steamy air of Rarity's overly fashionable toilet room. My vision and hearing were both cut off, however, when my bush of a mane was assaulted by my towel, shaking and beating it to its dry defeat. As the dirty blonde mane was dried, I started to make my way from the restroom to my own room.

    "Mr. Andrew?"

    I stopped in my tracks, lowering the blizzard of cloth from above my face, to my face, to a hoof. Sweetie Belle was currently in front of me, her lowered eyes reflecting an abashed expression. The snow white filly was kicking her hooves in shame, and admiring how fascinating they were as they did it.

    I raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Ms. Sweetie Belle?"

    Sweetie seemed to beat herself up in her mind as she peered upwards at me. Her eyes stole a glance or two at my chest, but soon they stabilized, holding firm. "I, uh... wanted to say I'm sorry for overreacting when we first met. I realize now that we're going to be spending a lot of time together, so I might as well deal with the fact that my new housemate has a grotesque laceration on his chest, rather than avoid him at all costs.--" Say what? I hadn't noticed that. "--So, um... I was wondering if we could start over? My name's Sweetie Belle."

    I looked around the room we were in. We were standing in the living room, no ridiculously beautiful white unicorn in sight. Still, to make sure, I asked the question of the day: "Did Rarity tell you to say that?"

    Sweetie Belle's face flushed pink as she pouted, and I instantly saw the resemblance. "No, for your information, she did not! I am telling you this because I thought we should get rid of the pink elephant in the room."

    I nodded, the resemblance all too clear, before smiling. Okay, not to look like an idiot too much, but Sweetie Belle was pretty freaking adorable. "Alright. But tell me, it's not that noticeable, is it?" I puffed my chest out, and Sweetie held down a gag.

    "It is very noticeable when you puff out your chest like that!--" The young filly might have continued her statement, too, if she hadn't taken the time to choke down another gag.

    I chuckled, before extending a hoof and looking the small pony in the eyes. They were light green in color, but a steady red in annoyance. "Apology accepted."

    Sweetie Belle gave me another glare before grabbing my hoof (WEIRD FEELINGS WEIRD FEELINGS) and shaking it. I kept a wry smile on my face as I followed suit. After the formal shaking of the hooves, Sweetie glanced at another part of my body.

    ...A very invitation-only part of my body!

    My tail did the job quickly, covering my bare flank as I scowled at the filly. Sweetie Belle looked up at me, as if surprised. "What?" she asked casually.

    "That's my butt, thank you very much," I informed her.

    "Wait - no!" Sweetie shook her head quickly, frowning and blushing. "I was looking at your flank! Those are two very different things, Mister!"

    "And the difference is...?"

    Sweetie Belle's ears flattened to be engulfed by her curly mane. "You really did lose your memory."

FUCKING RAINBOW DASH.

    She read the frown on my face like a distinct "Please, explain."

    "Your flank has your cutie mark on it. Your butt is what my sister is going to kick if you tell her I was looking there! Because I was looking at your flank!" She frowned. I frowned. We all frowned.

    Sweetie's face eventually turned from sour to sweet, though, as a concerned look implanted itself on her features. "...I noticed you don't have a cutie mark, is all. I'm really sorry about that - well, I know how that feels is what I'm trying to say. But at your age-?"

    "Cutie mark?"

    If a heartwarming monologue was about to commence, I dipshitted it to nonexistence. Sweetie Belle merely gave a furreel? glare.

    "Welcome to the Carousel Boutique," Sweetie Belle deadpanned, before trotting away.

    "Apology accepted!" I called after her, before opening the door to my room.

    "I take it back."

    Alright, good talk, good talk. The friendship vibes are really making themselves known.

    I turned myself in to my room, just in time for Rarity to call to me, "Andrew! Fluttershy is here-- ...Oh. What? Why...?"

    I stopped in my tracks, my ears perking up into the air. Even Opalescence, sitting on the floor just in front of me, had some perking of the ears herself. Rarity had instantly quieted after her questioning, giving away to a still-sounding voice in the house. It was small and high-pitched, as if Pinkie Pie had suddenly decided to do the world a favor and whisper for once.

    I turned my butt flank around, before lifting a hoof. The door in front of me was opened to just a peep, yet it let in the vocalization I needed.

    "...around him," the quiet voice susurrated timidly. "I mean... I know he must be a wonderful colt on the inside, but I really don't think I can be in the same room as him. Have you seen what he can do...? ...I don't want to start a rumor, but...- oh, nevermind."

    "Fluttershy, what are you talking about?" Rarity questioned, and I was caught off guard by her sincerity. "After all you two have been through? Dragging him from that forest, seeing him on the brink of death? - Oh, my goodness, I'm sorry! Please don't do that here, this is a new carpet!"

    I heard the sound of somepony swallowing their lunch for a second time.

    "I'm sorry," 'Fluttershy' whispered.

    "It's alright, but why must you leave so persistently? You're hurting his feelings! Forgive me for sounding pugnacious."

"Pug... nacious?"

    "It doesn't matter.--" There was a pause. "--Fluttershy, please come in. You've already done yourself the trouble to come all the way over here, why not just sit down for a cup of tea, and I'll get Andrew for you? I'm sure you'll end up liking him before you know it! --"

    "Andrew killed--..."

    Fluttershy went dead silent, and I could feel the surprise emminating from Rarity. My hoof steadily drew back from the door, leaving the extending lock to lean against the door frame. I felt myself taking a step back. Then, another, and another. The door in front of me seemed to shrink in my clouded eyesight, the windows to this world. The only things I can trust.

    "Andrew killed..." Fluttershy couldn't finish her sentence. It started as a sniffle, but soon escalated to choking back tears. "He... he... ...Where is he?"

    Rarity took a minute to answer, before silence crept to her voice. I could feel her gesture to my room. "Fluttershy, you're traumatized from the days passed."

    "No!" Fluttershy hurriedly put in. "...No."

    I felt something warm dribble down my lips. I saw my hoof reach up to reveal that it was blood. And, it was flowing. My brain started feeling numb as I heard myself repeating what Fluttershy had to say, more quietly, more weakly.

    "Let's not make this what it doesn't have to be," I heard from behind that thin wall of concrete and paint. It was concrete and paint, right? "Just... I'm sorry. I don't mean to cry, I just don't want to see him. Ever."

    "Fluttershy, think about what he's been through," Rarity said, hints of desperation creeping in her voice. I could tell she was trying to keep quiet so I couldn't hear, but her panicked shrills gave away her revealing words. "You are acting extremely unacceptable. You came to see him, did you not? You were worried about him, yes? Then why the Hell are you shutting him out now?"

    "Please don't talk to me like that."

    Rarity stayed quiet for a time. I knew she was closing her eyes. "...I'm sorry. If you do not want to see him, that is your choice. Just... think about it, okay? He's been through a lot, and you have, too - for him."

    "I know. And, I feel sorry for him. But, I cannot see him. Goodbye, Rarity."

    Opalescence started to hiss. I calmly looked at her across my room. She was backed up in a corner, her back arched, her hair bristling, and her dagger-like eyes trained on me. I let her stare. I let the blood flow, and I let that pegasus fly away just behind this thin wall of reality.

    "Come on, Fluttershy."

    My head snapped up at that voice. It belonged to Twilight Sparkle.

    There's a thumping going on in here.

    Why would someone let something thump in this place? It was beautiful the way it was, this shack of mine. A little small, true, but it more than makes up for it in insanity, emptiness, and anger. What more could someone want in their little shack, that's always with you, and that you're never without? Because, if you really want to have one, you must make it fun - for yourself and for everyone else.

    Look at this shack of mine. Small, but that's really the only downfall. It's cozy, it's important, and it's mad enough for the next person who dare thinks they can stand beside me. So, why would someone be thumping on it, over and over, with the intent of seeing me in it? They all know what I look like when I'm outside of this shack. How could I be different when I'm in my natural state?

    I was calmly sitting in a small, wooden chair inside this small, wooden shack. The thumping kept inturrupting me, however! I couldn't focus - not now, with this thumping!

"STOP IT!" I screamed at the top of my lungs at the thumping. Surprisingly, the culprit responded.

    "We care for you."

    I recognized that voice, but chose to act like I didn't. The thumping stopped momentarily, as if waiting for my response. I tried to give my reply, but my skin had peeled over my lips, leaving me mute. When I saw the restriction on my speech, I calmly and intently waited for it to dissappear. When the thumping started once again, my lips were freed.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU CARE FOR ME?" I questioned earnestly. The thumping continued, so I continued. "I HAVE NO FRIENDS - NOBODY TO CARE FOR ME. AND, WHO ARE YOU, FOR THAT MATTER - AND WHY ARE YOU THUMPING ON MY SMALL SHACK?"

    The thumping ceased, and my lips were sealed again.

    "We care for you. Why won't you let us in?"

    When the culprit waited for a response again, I felt great impatience with my lips sealing. But, I was a good person, so I reinforced my efforts of amity. My anger was left to simmer in the volcano inside me.

    The thumping continued.

"WHY WOULD I LET YOU IN? I HAVE NO FRIENDS. WHO ARE YOU TO SAY I DO? I KNOW WHAT YOUR KIND IS LIKE - YOU ARE VIOLENT AND IGNORANT, AND YOU HURT THOSE WHO ARE SMALLER THAN YOURSELVES."

    The thumping stopped. My lips were sealed, and I lost control. I screamed inside my own mouth, lurching up to throw the chair from underneath me to across the room. Still, the voice continued, and was as calm as ever.

    "We care for you. Why won't you let us in? After all, we only want to come in to destroy the innards of this empty shack - this useless shack - to save you. You are going mad, Andrew. I want to help you. I want to fly away from here, to start over somewhere else. It's not too late, Andrew. It's not too late..."

    I kept screaming in this personal Hell of mine, before the thumping started once again.

"IT HAS BEEN TOO LATE FOR ME FOR A LONG TIME!"