The Incantation

        Later that day, Fluttershy informed me that I was more than welcome to stay until I got back on my hooves. She only had one bed - hers - so I was to sleep on the couch in the living room. No problem. It wasn't much different than what i was used to, anyway.

Nighttime rolled around, which to me seemed fast. But all day I'd been helping her around the house and talking. Innocent conversations. But by dark, when we'd settled down to sitting on the couch sipping tea, the questions got more personal.

"So, what did you do in Canterlot for a living, when you had a job?" she asked me, taking a drink of tea. She'd prepared some for us shortly after finishing the last of the chores.

I took a sip of mine before replying. "Um,  well, I was a photographer for somepony. That job didn't last very long, though. It paid for my apartment, which was not nearly as nice as your place. What do you do to get such a home?"

Angel hopped onto the arm of the couch and Fluttershy gave him a pat on the head. "I'm a pet-sitter and animal caretaker. I love animals so much, I even care for the wild animals of the forest."

I chuckled. "I see that. You're amazing at it. The best I've ever seen," I admitted, grinning at her.

She blushed lightly. "You're too kind..."

"And that reminds me - do you live here alone? Do you do all this by yourself?" I went on, setting my teacup in my lap. Asking if she lived alone wasn't my intention, and I had no damn reason to ask except being nosy.

She took a long sip of hers. "Um...yes. Sometimes my friends help me, but usually I'm alone." Then she added, "Except you live here now, at least for a little while, so I'm not alone. Plus, Angel is a big help, when he wants to be."

Angel blew a raspberry at her and hopped off the couch, leaving the room.

I nodded. "Oh, I see. I was expecting you to have somepony, like...somepony."

Her eyes grew wide and her pupils shrank to pinpoints. "Oh, no...I'm...single. I-I don't d-date..." That, apparently, was a touchy subject.

"Wow, I'm surprised," I said. I legitimately was.

She cocked her head sideways at me, a questioning look on her face. "Why would you be surprised?"

Yeah, why? "Well, because...you know, I figured a nice mare like you would've had somepony."

She took that better than I expected. "You're very sweet - but no, I've actually never had a date. I've never been asked out, either," she said, sounding embarrassed.

Never been asked out?! I guess that wasn't too crazy - neither had I. "Oh - well, that's crazy..." I looked down into my lap and seen my tea, which I'd completely forgotten. "You'll find somepony. Everypony does."

She sat silent for a few moments. "I-I'm kinda tired. I think I'll b-be going t-to bed." She stood up and went into the kitchen. I heard her dump her tea out. She returned and have me a weak smile before going upstairs. I heard her door shut loudly.

I sat there in confused silence.

What did I say?

Princess Celestia was writing a return letter when Sergeant Armour Wing rushed in her quarters after a brief knock and being called in.

"Your Majesty! A moment of your time?"

Princess Celestia stopped writing and looked up at him. He was just another of her Army, although higher up than most. Only Lieutenant Thundercloud and Captain Shining Armor outranked him. They all performed spectacularly due to meticulous and highly-advanced training.

"Yes, Sergeant?"

He bowed quickly before answering. "Your Highness, the warrant served on the Canterlot thief Emerald Rain was unsuccessful. We have no idea where he is, no doubt in hiding. Orders, Your Highness?"

She sighed. She grew tired often of dealing with crimes such as theft. Even though she always did something about it, the smaller crimes usually went with little to no punishment. "Place a bounty on him. 500 bits. He'll come up, Sergeant."

The soldier bowed. "Of course, Your Highness. I will do so at once." Then he left to carry out the order.

Princess Celestia calmly watched him leave her room, then returned to her letter.

I definitely could not get sleep that night. I had a million thoughts running through my mind at once. Most involved concern for my safety and well being. Here in Ponyville, so far at least, I felt safe. But it was an unfortunate possibility that it wouldn't last long. As soon as news of my screw-up in Canterlot spread to surrounding towns, like here, my cover would be blown.

I also realized how stupid my alias was. Really? Mist? That's the best I could come up with? I could've at

least changed my first name.

At least I was getting help. Fluttershy was being far more helpful than I could've imagined. She told me she was always helping others when she could. Somehow, though, this felt like more than just some "help".

For some reason, I had a hunch that because of her unconditional kindness, maybe ponies used her. I certainly wasn't and wouldn't. She offered to let me stay without me asking.

But I still felt guilty about lying to her. As much as she was helping and willing to help, I owed her the truth at the least. But I simply couldn't jeopardize my freedom and safety, not for anypony or anything.

And I still had to sell the crown. I needed to get rid of it in case of capture. Maybe if I didn't have the crown in my possession when they found me, they'd just let me go.

Not likely, now that I think of it.

Chances are, everypony in Canterlot knew my face, name and crime. Anypony that travelled there from someplace else would catch wind and bring it back with them when they left, and share the news.

Perfect.

Not only was my whole life compromised, it was likely that any help I'd receive would soon learn the truth about me. It wasn't like I killed somepony, or kidnapped somepony, I simply stole a piece of jewelry to survive.

Understandable, right?

I immediately thought of Fluttershy. I didn't want to hurt her. She seemed so fragile. But I wanted her to find out the truth from me. I wanted to be the one to inform her. She seemed the forgiving type. But if she found out from others, the truth may not even be the truth anymore. Of course, the truth wasn't the truth anymore, anyway. Better for her to hear it from me.

I rolled over on the couch, pulling up the fleece blanket Fluttershy had given me without a word shortly after she'd gone upstairs. She did, however, provide me with a smile.

I yawned, putting a good over my mouth to suppress the noise. I'd been laying there awake for hours, and was just now growing heavy-lidded. My silent reverie was doing me no good, except maybe wearing me out for sleep.

With another quiet yawn, I finally gave in to sleep.