Secrets of the Night

Fluttershy opened her front door to see the familiar glamorous face of Rarity. Before she could speak, the elegant white unicorn held up a hoof.

"Fluttershy dahling..." She began in her thick, cultured accent, "I was just on my way to see you when I ran into Twilight, who happened to be so gracious as to inform me that you are sheltering an alicorn that just so happens to be the daughter of Princess Luna. Is this not correct?" Rarity asked sweetly, smiling at her friend.

"Oh...um..y-yes it is correct. She was dying last night, and I um...found her...and well...she is a very strange alicorn if I ever saw one...and um... I have seen a few." Fluttershy said nervously, her gaze flicking back at the stairs.

"Might I come in? I would like to see her for my...self..." Rarity trailed off as her eyes rested upon a figure behind Fluttershy.

Fluttershy turned to see Moonflower standing quietly behind her, and a small squeak of surprise escaped her lips. "M-Moonflower? How did you get downstairs?" She gaped as the incredibly tall alicorn looked down at her calmly.

"I walked," The alicorn answered, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, "How else would I get down?" She chuckled and turned to Rarity, "Yes. I am an alicorn. Yes. I am the daughter of Princess Luna. And who are you?" She peered at the mare curiously.

"My name is Rarity, dahling," Rarity replied as she stepped closer, "I know how this might sound dear, but you are beautiful, just like your mother."

Moonflower's eyes widened and she stepped away, "I am sorry..but I don't know how to respond to that..." Moonflower turned her head away and sighed, "I don't ever recall being called beautiful by a mare...it is..disorientating..."

Rarity scrunched her face and blushed, "I do apologize...I see now that I may have come off a little...odd..."

The alicorn let out a strange strangled choke, her cheeks flaming red as she scrunched her face as well. "Would it be rude to advise one to hush? I am feeling very awkward..."

Rarity simply nodded, her white face beet red as she realized her mistake, "I do apologize..."

"Apology accepted ma'am." Moonflower sighed.

"Well um..Rarity?" Fluttershy shyly butted it, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Not really, dear." Rarity admitted. "I simply wished to see if what Twilight said was true."

"Well...it is true..." Fluttershy looked down at the ground. "But I don't see how it is important..."

"It is important that you let your closest friends know that you have a strange alicorn living with you. What if Applejack or Rainbow Dash were to barge in?" Rarity scoffed, "They might upset the poor dear."

"W-Well...you do have a point Rarity. Applejack and Rainbow Dash can be pretty...um...assertive." Flutershy sighed softly.

"Who are ya callin' assertive, Fluttershy?" A thick southern accent said. The mares looked up to see an orange earth pony trotting up to them, followed by a blue pegasus with a rainbow colored mane and tail.

Fluttershy let out a soft, exasperated sigh. Hanging her head and closing her eyes, the yellow pegasus muttered, "It was only a matter of time..."

Moonflower didn't hear her, her eyes trained on the two newcomers. She shifted nervously, her nostrils flared.

"So this is the alicorn Twilight was talking about?" The blue pegasus snorted, "She doesn't look like much."

"Rainbow Dash!" The earth pony glared at the pegasus beside her, "Just cause she is a scrawny lil' thing, don't mean she ain't as powerful as any other alicorn we know." The orange mare huffed and walked up to Moonflower, "Howdy pardner, Ah'm Applejack. This here feather-brain is Rainbow Dash."

"Oh thanks alot Applejack," Rainbow Dash said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "That means a lot coming from a numbskull like you."

"Who are ya callin' a numbskull?" Applejack retorted, "Ah happen to have plenty of smarts! Unlike a certain blue pony. Ya don't see me insultin' a strange alicorn who just magically appeared overnight."

"Oh yeah? Well..." Rainbow Dash thought furiously for a snarky comeback. When none came she just said, "Whatever." With one mighty flap of her wings, she took off and flew away.

"Sorry 'bout that ma'am." Applejack turned back to Moonflower, "Rainbow can be a bit...well blunt. Unfiltered ya know?"

"I am sorry, but it seems I fail to understand..." Moonflower flicked her ears, "But it is fine I suppose. I am Moonflower. It is a pleasure to meet you Applejack."

"Pleasure's all mine Miss Moonflower." Applejack lunged forward and grabbed the alicorn's hoof and began shaking it enthusiastically, "Ah live at Sweet Apple Acres, righ' here in Ponyville. If ya like, I can show ya 'round, meet new ponies, and help ya settle in for a while! How does that sound?"

Moonflower was too busy trying to pull her hoof away from Applejack's iron-like grip. "It..It is fine!" She squeaked, "Please stop crushing my hoof! It is already injured enough!" Applejack suddenly released her hoof, and the alicorn mare flew backwards, crashing to the ground in a tumble of feathers and hooves.

"Oh Ah'm real sorry Miss! Ah didn't know yer hoof was hurt." Applejack said as she took her hat off and placed it over her heart, her ears splayed sideways as she looked down.

"It...It is fine..." Moonflower said quietly as she scrambled to her hooves, "No damage was done..." She checked her shoulder to see it the stitching had come loose. She sighed in relief to see that it hadn't. "I am fine. Now what was that about showing me around?"

"Oh no Moonflower! You're hurt! You need to rest..." Fluttershy protested.

"Fluttershy is right dahling," Rarity said kindly, "Such an injury needs constant rest and care."

"Since when has a light walk hurt anypony?" Applejack argued. She put her hat back on her head and raised a brow.

Fluttershy puffed out her chest angrily, her feathers ruffled, "A light walk will strain her shoulder too much, and flying will only reopen her stitches." She hesitated, "But if she wants to go, who am I to stop her?" She deflated, her ears drooping, "I'm sorry...I got carried away..."

Moonflower hesitated, but her curiosity was overwhelming. "I want to see it....so I will go. I will try not to do too much, ok Miss Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy looked at Rarity, "I...I suppose..."

"I will walk back with you." Rarity announced. "I need to get back to the boutique anyway. Fashion cannot make itself you know." She flicked her mane and smiled.

"You have a boutique?" Moonflower asked, "I would like to see it. Um...you don't mind, do you Miss Applejack?"

"Nope. Not one bit." Applejack chuckled, "While yer getting a makeover, Ah need to return back ta mah farm. Apples ain't gonna buck themselves ya know."

"Oh I see." Moonflower smiled, "So can we go? I want to see this...Ponyville..."

"Ponyville is such a lovely place," Rarity smiled as well, "And don't worry Fluttershy. While she is at my shop I will make sure she gets the rest she needs." The white unicorn said to Fluttershy

"Thank you Rarity...." Fluttershy murmured before turning to look at Moonflower, "And I want you home before sunset. Do I make myself clear?"

Moonflower blinked in surprise, "Y-yes Miss Fluttershy..." She looked back at Rarity and Applejack, who seemed just as surprised as she was.

Fluttershy nodded, "Good. Now go and enjoy yourself. I will have dinner ready when you come back." She trotted back inside and closed the door. It reopened again and she popped her head out, "Um...what would you like to eat?"

"Oh um...I really don't know..." Moonflower replied.

"Alright then. I will make us a large meal. Now have fun on your walk." The door shut once more and Moonflower looked around at the two ponies behind her.

'Well? Shall we go?" The alicorn asked nervously. Fluttershy's behavior had caught her off guard. Now, she felt guilty and selfish for wanting to explore.

The two mares exchanged a glance, a silent message passing between them. "Ah think Ah will let Rarity show ya 'round Miss Moonflower. Ah need to get back soon. See ya later!" Applejack waved and trotted away, and Moonflower sighed in disappointment.

"Don't be sad dahling," Rarity placed a gentle hoof on her good shoulder, "I'm sure she will still take you on a tour. But in truth, her farm is on the other side of Ponyville, and it is simply too far a walk for you at the moment. Now come along dahling, I have dresses that I know will look absolutely fabulous on you." She began walking away as well, and Moonflower followed, a slight limp to her walk.

"You know...I have never really been one for fashion...but I am curious to see your designs." Moonflower smiled as she followed Rarity, but her eyes betrayed her and she glanced at the forest behind them. With a soft sigh, she turned her gaze back and focused on her day ahead.

Soon...very soon, I will find it...and I will find peace at last. she bit her lip as she had a sudden flash of doubt, I hope...