The Center of Her World

Fluttershy and Twilight departed out the back of the school and walked around to the street. Fluttershy let Spike hop out of her arms and walk alongside.

Twilight's fingers were hurriedly tapping on a device. Fluttershy looked at her, curious.

Twilight looked up. "Oh, I'm just texting her to meet us at my house. She already agreed to pick up Spike from the groomer's for me, so I'm just asking her to bring him to my place instead of hers."

"Texting?" Fluttershy said.

Twilight chuckled. "You know those journals Twilight and Sunset use to message each other?" Fluttershy nodded. "Well, pretty much everyone over here has one of those in their pocket." She waved the device.

"Wow…" Fluttershy said. "This world sounds amazing."

"I guess? I don't really know any others," Twilight said, laughing. "But I like it well enough! Anyway, my place is just down here..."

The three of them turned down a street and made their way to a small apartment building. "Here. I'm just on the first floor." Twilight lead them into the building, then used her key to open her front door. Fluttershy and Spike followed her in to find a small kitchen and sitting area, along with two doorways leading to a bedroom and a bathroom.

"You live here all by yourself?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yup! My family mostly pays for it—they were sending me to a much fancier school beforehand, after all." She laughed, slipping out of her shoes. "But I put a little towards it. I have a job at this aquarium downtown."

Fluttershy looked at Twilight's feet, now covered just in her long stockings, then down at her own boots. "Should I be…"

"Oh! Sure, it'll probably be a lot more comfortable. Here, let me help…" Twilight kneeled down and helped Fluttershy out of her boots, leaving her with long dotted pick socks.

Spike trotted in and cozied into a small dog bed in the corner sporting his colors. "Mine!"

Twilight chuckled, then looked at Fluttershy; she was sweeping her eyes over the environment. "I'm… having such a hard time getting it through my head that this is all new to you," Twilight said. "Fluttershy has been over so many times. It's so weird to see you… lost."

Fluttershy laughed softly. "Lost is right…"

There came a knock at the door. "Ah! That must be her," Twilight said, walking over.

"Aww. I just got settled in," Spike said, and rolled out of the dog bed. "Seriously, that's the comfiest thing I've ever slept in." He stopped. "...I think it might be time to start worrying about how much I enjoy dog life."

Twilight barely had the door open before the other Spike dashed in and jumped at her legs. "Hey Twilight! Hey! Hey Twilight!" he said. After receiving a few pats amidst his leaping, he ran over to the back of the apartment. "Hey! Hey other Spike! " He leapt on top of his twin and the pair began rolling around, laughing.

Fluttershy blinked. "So… your Spike talks too? Do… do all dogs talk in this world?"

"No, that was… that's new. There was… uh... " Twilight giggled. "It's a long story."

"I think Twilight's still getting used to it," came a voice so familiar yet alien. Fluttershy's breath caught in her throat as a perfect match to her came into view through the open door, down to the clothing and hair. "And you must be… me," the new arrival said, smiling brightly and clasping her hands in front of her.

Fluttershy unconsciously mimicked her, also clasping her hands in front of her, a tad more hesitantly. "Yup, that's… me."

They stood silently for a moment. Twilight looked between the pair. "I don't know if this is inappropriate for me to say, but… this is incredibly fascinating. Can I take notes? No, I won't take notes. That's weird." The Fluttershy she knew laughed; the Fluttershy she didn't chuckled softly.

The two Spikes climbed a makeshift ramp set in front of the open window near the kitchen and ran outside. "See you guys later!" one said; it was hard to tell which.

"Be back for dinner if we don't come get you!" Twilight shouted after them. Fluttershy watched them racing off, seeing a grassy park connected to the backyard of the apartment building.

Twilight moved to the kitchen. "Can I get you anything, Fluttershy? And you too, Flutter… uhh." She stopped. "I'm already seeing a problem here."

The new arrival giggled. "Call me Shy for now. Like Pinkie does."

Twilight nodded. "What about you?" she said, turning to the other Fluttershy. "That would leave you with 'Flutter'..."

"Flutters… works," she said, smiling.

Shy breathed in before stepping forward and wrapped Flutters in a tight hug. "It's so wonderful to meet you!" She pulled back, looking Flutters in the eye. "There's so much to talk about!" She sniffled.

Flutters was caught off-guard, squeaking in surprise at the embrace. "Um… it's good to meet you too!" She smiled shyly.

Twilight looked over. "Still sniffling, Fl—uh, Shy? Let me get you some water. Actually, I'm pretty thirsty, too." She pulled some glasses out of a cupboard.

"Oh, thank you. I'm mostly fine," Shy replied. "A lot better than I was this morning. I should be okay after a nice shower." She sniffled again. "Can I use yours, in a bit? I didn't have time back home. You can join me if you like."

Flutters' eyes widened in surprise, and Twilight made a small choking sound before spitting a full mouthful of water onto the wall above the sink. "S-Shy, that's—she's—!" She began to turn red.

Shy looked at Flutters earnestly. "Sunset told us that what our group has been doing for a little bit now, you've been doing for a lot longer. Right?" She turned to Twilight. "If there's anyone you can be open about that sort of thing with besides me, it's her." She gave a warm smile. Flutters blinked, but nodded sincerely.

Twilight was wiping her mouth with a hand towel. "I… suppose that makes sense…" Her face began to return to a normal color.

Shy turned back to Flutters. "Twilight wants to participate, but it can be an overwhelming experience, to say the least… so I've been working with her to ease her into it before we move on to multiple friends." Her gaze grew distant for a moment. "I was very nervous myself before Pinkie showed me that it was just all about having fun, and that there's nothing to be anxious about. So I want to pass on what I've learned."

Flutters nodded. "I went through something similar. Rainbow Dash showed me that I didn't need to be afraid. When she was there with me, I felt safe—and soon I didn't need her there with me at all. Just the thought that she was out there was enough." She paused. "Of course, I knew that I didn't need to feel unsafe with my closest friends, but—"

Shy giggled. "And I knew that I didn't need to be nervous, but… it's nice to have someone help you remember that."

Flutters smiled brightly. Though this wasn't how she had imagined the conversation going, she enjoyed speaking to someone who understood her so perfectly.

Shy moved into the sitting area and sat down on Twilight's couch. An older television was on the floor in the corner, in view of the couch. "So you and Rainbow Dash? That sounds nice. I hope you two are happy." Twilight walked by, handed her a glass of water, and sat on the carpet against the opposite wall. "Thank you, Twilight!"

Flutters sat on the other side of the couch. "We are! I hope you and Pinkie are happy. She's an absolutely wonderful pony. Or… um, person?"

Shy laughed and nodded. She thought for a moment, then grinned softly. "Rainbow Dash is so fast, isn't she? When she uses her tongue, it's always like she's trying to beat her own best time!"

Twilight pursed her lips, her face turning red again. "So we're still… here, huh?"

Shy looked at Twilight, then began to blush. "Oh, goodness, I do sound like… it's not normally all I can think about, it's just…" She looked down. "I don't like to complain to Pinkie or anyone else about how they do things. I don't want to look like I'm needy or ungrateful. It's all just for fun, after all. It's just nice to have someone else that, um… that I'll know feels the same way before I say anything."

Flutters pondered on this. "I did feel the same way… but I talked to her." Shy looked back up at her. "I told her what I liked, and she… she's wonderfully slow now. And it's such a wonderful feeling, knowing that she's doing that just to make me happy." She smiled, her eyes unfocused.

Shy cocked her head. "...Huh." She sipped from her glass

It was silent for a moment. There was a lot to think over.

With another loud sniffle, Shy stood up. "Goodness, I should have that shower before you two start to get sick of me being around. The steam should clear me up." She moved for the bathroom.

"There's fresh towels under the sink!" Twilight said. Shy smiled brightly as she passed by. Twilight bit her lip, hesitating before getting up herself and slipping into the bathroom behind Shy.

For a moment, Flutters thought she genuinely was taking up Shy's offer and wondered what she was going to do for the next several minutes. She heard them talking quietly, but made no moves to eavesdrop.

After a moment, Twilight emerged, her cheeks fading from a flushed tone once again. She stopped mid-step for a moment before walking over to close the window the Spikes left through and pull the drape down. She sat down on her knees near her original spot by the wall and took a deep breath.

Flutters looked at Twilight questioningly. "Is something wrong?" They heard the shower start up.

"No time like the present…" Twilight said quietly, then shook her head. "No! Not at all." She paused. "Um… I wouldn't normally be so forward, but… well, Fl—Shy was right. I might not get another chance for a long time, since you're about the only other person I can be totally comfortable about this with." Flutters sat up straight, giving Twilight her full attention.

"Shy has been great helping me out, but… if I'm going to join the others, I—Oh, and let me be clear, that is something I'm really looking forward to doing." Twilight made eye contact with Flutters, blushing just slightly. "That sort of intimate connection, sharing in each other, having fun… and as a rule, I'm all for more freedom of sexual expression and just generally not making such a big deal out of this stuff, but—" She grew more flustered as she continued on, but took a moment to sigh deeply and relax. "—it's hard to get myself to fully jump on board with that.

"Anyway, I'm comfortable around Shy now, so the next step, of course, would be to bring someone else in… but I'm just not sure how. I don't trust anyone else like I trust her, and the work to get to that point…" Flutters smiled softly, seeing where this was headed.

"Like I said, who knows when I'd get another chance, uh, to be with… two people I can be comfortable around." Twilight smiled shyly. "I was just in there proposing the idea to her—I didn't say when it would be happening, but she said she'd be ready whenever."

"I'd be happy to help," Flutters said. "I am surprised you have such trust for me, though. You don't see me as someone else after all?"

"Well… no, I know you're not the exact same person. But..." Twilight took a moment, thinking. "I can tell you're every bit as kind and gentle as she is."

Flutters' heart warmed. She moved off the couch and sat on her knees in front of Twilight, mimicking her position. Twilight continued to speak, growing a touch more flustered. "I-I don't know if it makes any sense, that I would trust you over—"

"It's okay," Flutters said, smiling gently. "The six of us in the other world have a bond we've never been able to explain… maybe it just carries over here." She leaned forward on her knees. Twilight did the same, meeting her gaze and smiling timidly back.

Flutters looked down, passing her eyes over their two forms. "I don't exactly have experience with this body, so feel free to lead me, um, wherever." She met Twilight's eyes again, then looked to her mouth. "But I do know one thing Twilight likes…"

She began to press forward; Twilight quickly removed her glasses and put them to the side before following suit. Their lips met, and they kissed gently as Twilight ran a hand through Flutters' hair and grabbed hold.

Immediately, Twilight's breath grew heavier, her heartbeat raising. Her other hand traveled up alongside Flutters' side and stopped at her breast. She traced its frame over Flutters' top and bra before squeezing lightly. Flutters gasped softly and broke the kiss. "Oh, my…" she said, looking down.

Twlight giggled quietly, but didn't say anything. She moved both of her hands down and hooked her thumbs into the back of Flutters' skirt before tugging it down. The elastic frame cleared her hips and it fell to her knees on the floor, leaving her in her white tank top and matching underwear. Flutters had her forehead on Twilight's shoulder, looking down and watching Twilight work.

Twilight's hands moved up and down the back of Flutters' bare legs, sliding in the back of Flutters' panties. Flutters breathed deeply. "Without my coat, just a touch feels so much… closer," she said.

Twilight grinned and blushed. "I can get closer."

Flutters watched as one of Twilight's hands moved to her front and disappeared inside her panties. Twilight's wrist flexed as she began to stroke gently. "Oh…" Fluttershy breathed. "Mmm…"

Flutters removed her head from Twilight's shoulder, her hands traveling down Twilight and tugging at her skirt. "Oh, right, just…" Twilight said, using her free hand to unclip it at the back. Flutters pulled it down and let it drop to Twilight's knees, exposing panties the same shade as her dark blue hair. Flutters ran her hand up Twilight's stomach gently before moving downward and pressing into Twilight gently, over her panties, wet to the touch.

"Oh… should I be—" Flutters was cut off as Twilight moaned softly. She giggled. "I guess that works?"

"That works," Twilight said, grinning. While one hand stroked Flutters, her other hand traveled back up to Flutters' head and pulled it towards hers, locking lips once again with more passion than before. The sound of the shower had stopped.

The pair continued to kiss and stroke each other. Twilight took a moment to pull down Flutters' panties more fully before returning her hand, this time using two fingers to gently penetrate. Flutters slipped her hand inside Twilight's underwear and tried to mimic the motion, using two fingers to prod inside. Both were breathing heavily and beginning to sweat.

The bathroom door opened behind Twilight, and Flutters saw Shy poke her head out, a towel wrapped around her. "Is my phone out—" Shy cut herself off, her eyes falling on the half-undressed pair. She smiled; Flutters met her eyes and put on a friendly, inviting look.

Shy moved behind Twilight, letting her towel fall to the ground. Her body was completely exposed, water droplets tracing the contours. She pressed her body against Twilight's, and Twilight broke her kiss with a start. She turned her head and looked into Shy's familiar eyes, relaxing. Shy leaned in and began to kiss Twilight from the side, her hands working on unbuttoning the front of Twilight's uniform.

Distracted, Twilight's hand slowly stopped moving inside of Flutters until it exited entirely, just hovering. Flutters smiled, simply focusing her own efforts. She moved her fingers gently in and out of Twilight, experimenting to see what elicited the best reaction. Her mouth traveled to Twilight's neck, kissing gently.

Sandwiched in between two Fluttershys, Twilight simply closed her eyes and absorbed the pleasure. One hand was still in Flutters' hair, and she gripped tighter. "Mmmnn…" she moaned, muffled by Shy's mouth.

Shy unbuttoned Twilight's purple vest and let it slide down her shoulders; Twilight removed her hand from Flutters' head to allow it to come off completely. Shy loosened Twilight's tie next and pulled it over her head, then began unbuttoning the light blue shirt underneath. The water from Shy's arms left spots on the cotton fabric.

Flutters had her head back, watching the various articles of clothing come off. "There's a lot of parts to this outfit, huh?" Flutters said.

Twilight and Shy both laughed softly. "Tell me about it," Shy said, briefly breaking the kiss. Unfastening the last button, Shy opened up Twilight’s shirt and exposed her dark blue bra. However, she made no moves to pull it off and, instead, moved her hands up the back of the shirt and started fiddling. . With a soft 'click,' her hands slid around to Twilight's front and pushed her bra up, squeezing both of Twilight's breasts. "Mnnnn…!" Twilight moaned louder. She moved her hips towards Flutters' hands, leaning back; her chest rose with each breath, her shirt slipping further off.

Flutters stared at Shy's hands, fascinated as they worked Twilight's breasts. Perfectly mirroring each other, they pressed in deeply and tightly before her fingers spread, rubbing the tops and bottoms of Twilight's nipples. It seemed to make Twilight writhe just as much as what Flutters was doing in between her legs, if not more.

Shy removed one of her hands and moved it between her own legs, stroking her labia softly. She broke the kiss and turned to Flutters. "She really likes to feel a tongue there…" she said, smiling and motioning at Twilight's breast. Twilight looked at Flutters as well, only breath coming out of her open mouth.

Flutters looked from Shy to the open breast, then put her free hand on Twilight's shoulder and leaned in. She wrapped her mouth around Twilight's nipple, kissing gently. Immediately, Twilight's chest pushed out further. "Ohhh…! Mmnnn, this is..."

Shy continued to fondle Twilight's other breast with one hand as her other prodded into herself. After a moment, she removed the latter hand and used it to pull down Twilight's panties fully, then reached between her legs from behind, using one finger to touch Twilight in what space there was below Flutters' two fingers. She moved to Twilight's neck and kissed deeply, and Twilight began to tremble.

Twilight's head was angled towards the ceiling, her eyes closed. "This is incredible… Fluttershy, I'm almost…!" Flutters felt a shuddering in Twilight's breast as she came. "Yes yes yes YES!" Her back flexed at an extreme angle. Only Shy kept her from falling over.

Shy shuffled Twilight's shirt and bra off of her completely, then shifted her over and sat her against the couch, her eyes still closed. She smiled brightly as she basked in the aftershocks of her orgasm. Shy pulled her skirt and panties off her legs, leaving her naked save for her stockings.

Flutters looked down and shuffled her legs out of her own panties and skirt. Shy turned to her, and moved for her tank top. "Let's get you out of those…" Flutters raised her arm as Shy pulled the tank top over her head, and then brought them forward as Shy unclipped her bra and slipped it down her arms. Shy cupped both of Flutters' breasts and met her gaze, smiling as Flutters' breath caught in her throat at the sensation.

Taking her hands away, Shy spoke softly, a touch teasingly. "If you'd like to lie back…" Flutters lowered herself to her back on the floor, and Shy spread her legs gently. "...I can show you what I like."

Shy lay down on her stomach, curled her hands around Flutters' thighs, and wrapped her mouth over Flutters' sex. Her tongue went deep, but was slow and methodical. Flutters' back arched at the slow sweeps along her walls. "Ohhh… ohh, that feels wonderful…" She clutched at the carpet.

Twilight began to sit back up. "Is there something I should be doing…? I can—"

Shy pulled her mouth from Flutters. "It's okay just to watch. We do it a lot at Pinkie's." She gave Twilight a friendly smile.

Flutters looked over. "Our Twilight loves to watch." Shy giggled, and Twilight hesitantly leaned against the couch once more, though Flutters was noticing her squinting just to see the faces of whoever was speaking.

Shy grabbed Twilight's glasses from near the opposite wall. "Oh—These would help." She handed them to Twilight, who leant forward to grab them.

As Twilight put her glasses on, Flutters sat up and leaned forward, speaking just loudly enough for Shy to hear. "She also likes to direct." Shy raised her eyebrows before lowering her head once more and entering Flutters, who fell back, moaning softly.

Now able to see much clearer, Twilight moved herself up and sat on the couch. Her eyes flicked between Shy's bobbing head and Flutters' euphoric expression—before she had time to think about it, one hand was playing with her own nipple. The other moved down her stomach and she moved her fingers in circles over her own wet folds.

Flutters' legs were gradually bending and unbending intermittently, biting her lip as her double perfectly hit all the right corners. She looked to her side and a smile spread across her face as she saw Twilight enjoying herself, gently masturbating. Seeing what Twilight was doing to her breast, she brought her hands up and squeezed her own breasts. "Oohhh—!" The sensation complemented the experience perfectly. Twilight's hand spun faster at the sight.

Shy slid her hands up and down Flutters' sides and mouthed her clitoris. Flutters looked down towards her, seeing gently moving pink hair, the view flanked by her own breasts pulled apart by gravity; it was all a decidedly different sight from usual.

Shy opened her eyes, angling her head to check on Flutters. Flutters looked into her own green eyes, seeing a genuine, caring earnestness—but also an electric excitability. Flutters smiled gently, wondering how it compared to what Rainbow saw back home.

She let her head fall back and reached for the back of Shy's, pushing it in gently. "This feels so good… I'm getting c-closer…" Twilight bit her lip, her hand moving faster.

Shy's tongue pushed in deeper at Flutters' urging, sliding up her walls as she felt Flutters begin to clench. "Oh… ohh… oh… ohhhHHHHHHhhh!" Flutters flexed her back with her climax. She lay still for a moment, letting it ripple through her body. She looked down at Shy, unable to contain her smile.

Shy wiped her mouth and sat back up, and Flutters followed suit. They looked to Twilight, whose hand slowed without coming to a stop. "I do like watching," she said, grinning. Flutters and Shy both laughed.

"What can I do for you?" Flutters said to Shy, smiling. "I'd be happy to do the same."

Shy thought for a moment before raising her eyebrow at Flutters again. "Twilight can tell you what to do." She looked at Twilight. "Something different!" She smiled brightly.

Twilight stopped moving her hand for a moment and blinked in surprise. "Really…? Hmm…" She sat up a touch straighter and resumed teasing herself. "How about… you lie on top of her—" She pointed at Flutters, then at Shy. "—and start with… a really good makeout session." She giggled, blushing slightly.

Flutters and Shy turned to each other, grinning. Flutters gently pushed Shy over, laying her on the carpet, and then let her own weight fall onto her, their breasts squishing against their match, their legs interlocking. Flutters pressed her mouth into Shy's, the two of them closing their eyes and inhaling deeply, their tongues dancing and twisting. "Mmm…" Shy moaned softly.

Twilight's hips moved towards her own hand unconsciously as it spun faster at the sight, her other hand twisting her nipple gently. "Ohh, that's good…" Shy's arms wrapped around Flutters' neck loosely, and Flutters clasped her hands behind Shy's head.

The sound of smacking lips was easily audible to Twilight, and both Fluttershys felt the breath of their double wash over their face and mix with their own. Flutters, hardly thinking about it, began to move her body against Shy's, still finding a thrill in the contact between their bare skin.

Twilight's eyes were drawn to Flutters' thigh moving between Shy's legs. "Ooh, yeah," she breathed, "keep rubbing her there, with your leg."

Flutters took a moment to focus on the positioning, shifting her weight to her other leg, then rubbed Shy's sex with her thigh; slow but purposeful, teasing her. Shy's eyes shut tighter as she reacted to the sensation, spreading her legs wider, and their heads turned as they tried to get their tongues ever deeper. Twilight gave her breast a solid squeeze.

"Use your…" Twilight could hardly speak. "Use your fingers, now."

After a moment of interpretation, Flutters moved her slicked leg back and slid her hand down Shy’s stomach. She broke the kiss to look back, a trail of saliva running between their mouths, and penetrated Shy with two fingers. Shy shifted, turning her head. "Mnn…"

Just as Flutters did, Twilight switched from rubbing herself to using two fingers, in and out. "H-harder. And… suck on her breast." Her movements became more forceful.

Flutters moved her head back, her lower back raised in the air, and wrapped her mouth over Shy's nipple. She used larger movements with her hand, thrusting in and out while still keeping it focused and purposeful. She followed Shy's breast as she writhed on the floor. "Ohh, yes! Don't stop, please…" Shy moaned. Flutters placed her other hand on Shy's free breast, and Shy's hand wrapped around hers, squeezing tighter.

Twilight had one foot on the couch now, and one hand was alternating between breasts; soft wet smacks were heard as she drove her own hand in and out of herself. "Don't stop…" she echoed. "Don't—!" She threw her head back in ecstasy. "MmmhaAAAAAHH! Haahh! Haah…" Trembling in orgasm, she fell to her side on the couch, panting. "H-hahh… I have got to get to one of Pinkie's things. Like this, but six people? Seven? Seriously, just drag me there." She chuckled and wiped the sweat off her forehead.

Shy clutched Flutters' head with one hand. "I'm almost there… I'm almost there…" Her toes were curling.

Twilight cocked her head. "A world where I control everything… You two better be careful, or I'm definitely going power-mad."

Flutters grinned, and Shy did as well, just briefly. "Ohh, I'm coming—!" Her hips raised in the air, and Flutters' hand raised with them, still sliding in and out and feeling Shy clench . "Mmmmnn…!" She collapsed, her arms falling to her side, and her grin returned. "I'm okay with that world," she said, catching her breath.

Twilight giggled and sat up, grabbing a pillow and hugging it in front of her. "Gosh, did I really say 'Harder'? You don't even like it hard! That's mean."

"Your rule was harsh but fair," Shy said, laughing. "I'm okay with changing things sometimes. You know that."

Twilight looked at a clock. "Shoot, I'd better get ready for my class. Just…" She fell back. "Just a bit longer." She closed her eyes, smiling.

"When were you planning to go back, Flutters?" Shy asked.

Flutters thought for a moment, frowning. "I…" She paused. "...I'm not sure yet. But I don't think I'm done here." Shy nodded.

"Alright, I gotta get dressed. Knowing our Fluttershy, I'll probably be the only one…" Twilight sat up off the couch, dropping the pillow but keeping her arms crossed in front of her, and headed into her bedroom, shutting the door. Shy giggled at Twilight's words and stood up off the floor to take Twilight's spot on the couch.

Flutters shrugged. "Well, this is how I am most of the time as a pony…" She looked at her feet. "...Except for the socks. I don't usually wear socks."

"Maybe it's the pony part of me that explains why I'm so comfortable without clothes, then," Shy said. They both giggled.

After a moment, Shy continued. "I couldn't imagine leaving this world to go to another. Who convinced you to do it? I know they'd have to drag me through…"

"Well, Spike suggested it… but I think he might have been kidding. It was certainly my decision. He just came along."

Shy raised her head off the couch and met Flutters' gaze. "It was your decision?" Her mouth hung open. "That's incredible to me. Did you have any idea what was going to be on the other side?"

Flutters shook her head. "Not much. I knew that Twilight had gone through multiple times, and she obviously made it out fine, but other than that…"

"Even then!" Shy said. "You're braver than I am… but you did mention that earlier, didn't you? That Rainbow helps you to be brave."

Flutters nodded slowly. "But you didn't need that…" she said quietly.

"Hmm?" Shy cocked her head.

Flutters took a moment to get her thoughts in order. It was silent.

"My world," Flutters began, "has… gigantic beasts and monsters. Humongous, towering dragons that could eat you in a single bite. Evil creatures that can't be reasoned with—who want to take over the world and make everyone their slaves, or kidnap your friends and take their forms. As a filly, I spent some nights afraid the sun might never come up again, just because of a legend I heard—A legend that eventually came true."

Shy stared wide-eyed. "Well, if I wasn't afraid of crossing over before…" she said under her breath.

"There's so much danger in my world, but Rainbow makes me feel like she can protect me from anything. She's kicked dragons in the face. She's broken the speed of sound to save her friends. I've never seen her back down from… from anything.

"But this world isn't like that, is it?" Flutters said, looking at Shy.

Shy looked at the floor, thinking. "I didn't grow up with fear like that," she said. "Well, school liked to talk about tornadoes and quicksand a lot, but you can't, um, kick those in the face…

"There was only one real fear I had that affected me as I grew up—the only thing that really made me freeze up, time and time again, unable to speak, until I was just so frustrated with myself I wanted to scream."

"Other people," Flutters said suddenly, realization spreading across her face.

Shy nodded. "Pinkie showed me that people aren't that scary—If you smile at them, they usually smile back. Whenever I get nervous talking to someone, I just think about what Pinkie would do, and how many friends she has doing what she does." She smiled.

"That makes perfect sense," Flutters said. "We grew up in different worlds, so we need different things. There's nothing wrong with that."

Shy frowned. "Of course there's nothing wrong with that. Why would there be?"

Flutters stammered softly for a moment. She opened her mouth to speak, then sunk against the wall. Twilight emerged from her room, fully dressed in a replacement uniform, making sure her hair was properly done up. She stayed quiet, sensing the mood.

"...Do you ever wonder," Flutters said, "for all Rainbow and Pinkie offer us… do you ever wonder what we offer them?"

Shy gave a resigned chuckle. "All the time," she said. "I just try to think that as long as she's smiling, maybe I'm doing okay."

Flutters nodded, but stayed silent.

Twilight spoke hesitantly. "Um, I did talk to Rainbow a bit today, in school. Before she ran down the stairs. I know it's not much, but…" She rubbed the back of her head awkwardly. "She was quieter than the Rainbow I know. Just enough that I could tell there was something different about her. Like I said, it's not much, but… I dunno. I think she is getting something from you."

Twilight turned and grabbed the clothes by the front door. "I'll chuck these in the wash in the basement as I leave. And hey, Flutters," she called back, "don't feel like you need to leave. You can even stay here until tomorrow, if you want. The couch pulls out!" She walked back around the corner so Flutters could see her face. "I dunno if you'll be here when I get back or not, but… it was nice to meet you. Even if I felt like I already have." She smiled brightly.

Flutters smiled back. "Same here," she said, giggling softly. Twilight turned around and walked out the front door.

"So do you feel like you're done here now?" Shy asked.

"Yes, I think I have something to go back with," Flutters said. "Although… there's something else I'd like to take with me. Or, someone else."

Shy looked at her questioningly.

"...When does school end?" Flutters asked.