Butterflies

CharmingBy Spiritofsky

Fluttershy walked through the market, her teal eyes scanning the stalls to look for the very specific fruits and vegetables Angel had asked for. She tripped up when she lost her balance due to her new wings. Her Friendship Charm Wings so far had proved to be more of a nuisance than a good thing. They we're massive, just one was even bigger than her whole body and she couldn't figure out how to fold them. They had sparkly pink details and intricate patterns just underneath the surface.  The Friendship Charms she had put on them, thought she loved them as each one was a symbol of friendship with the pony that had given it to her, dangled from the edges and annoyed her when they brushed her wings and made noises when they hit each other. However, none of those things were the worst part.

They drew attention.

She could hear ponies whispering...

She pricked her ears and tried to listen in.

They we're talking about her.

They we're talking about her.

They we're talking about her.

She knew it, she just knew it. She could feel their eyes boring into her. She could hear them talking about her, laughing at her.

Judging her.

They were talking about her wings, she knew it, she could hear it. She hid her face behind her hair and just tried to block it out and get back to her shopping. As she went to buy a cucumber from a stall she heard somepony laughing.

She looked over, only moving her eyes, not daring to move any part of her body in an attempt to not draw attention. Peeking out between two large pieces of her sleek mane to see two mares talking and laughing.

It was entirely possible that they were just laughing about something funny in their conversation. In fact, they probably were but Fluttershy couldn't help but think they were laughing at her.

She felt her body burn up underneath her soft,butter yellow fur and her eyes became fixed on the ground. She made herself seem as small as possible.

They were still talking, occasionally laughing.

Why?

Why were they talking about her?

Laughing at her?

The pony at the stall asked if she was going to buy anything but Fluttershy didn't hear it. She was rigid and the pony asked if she was okay.

Her eyes snapped over to the general direction of her cottage and she hesitated for a moment before breaking off into a run. She felt tears starting to form in her eyes and the uncomfortable sensation of sweat all over her body.

She slowed down as she got closer and closer to her house. She wasn't even moving at her regular walking speed by the time she was on the bridge in front of her house, tears streaming down her face and her light pink mane all messed up.

She opened the door to her cottage and then struggled to get inside with her massive wingspan. Once she had finally managed to get inside she shut the door behind her and slid down it with a sigh, her eyes closed.

Angel stood in front of her, his foot tapping impatiently on the wooden floorboards.