I made my weekly shopping stroll, looking for average groceries anypony could need to comfortably last for another week. "Apples: Check! Lettuce: Check!" I say to myself as I check off things on my list. Everything seemed ordinary, just as I have always enjoyed on these errands of mine.
But then, it all changed.
There, in the distance, was her, buying celery for Celestia knows what.
All I could think about was how amazing she always was. I was convinced she would look this beautiful even when she wasn't trying. All her neatly organized features throughout her body each had it's own special reason for making the wonderous creation of the univerese that is her.
That signature mane, never out of place & woven into a beautiful light pink thread that flows like a natural, still, waterfall.
That wonderous tail, being the same color as her mane, has a luxurious sensation to it, being like a seperate being that if it was not present on her body, something would always be missing from her being.
Her face, while some would see as any regular pony, I see as a gateway to all things known to the word happy, with mesmerizing dark teal eyes that leave you to ponder, while her angelic voice pulls you in for the capture.
As I gawk at her amazingness, I suddenly snap back to reality, realizing I have been imaging all of this in the middle of the shopping grounds. Now I just stand here, questioning myself. "Dare I fantastise again?" I wondered, for it would most likely end in abolishing embarassment.
Then, I saw her, trotting to where I was standing, seemingly not noticing my presence as if I was an imaginairy obstacle.
My mind was in shock, half from her beauty, half of what not knowing what to do.
She bumped into me.
To others, it seemed as if it was some mild accident that doesn't need to be cared about.
To me, however, it's quite the opposite, as my entire mind was at a standstill.
I helped her pick up her things, as she dropped them during the crash between us. Afterwards, she barely managed to blurt out "Thanks for the help..".
Even as soft as she said it then, her voice was like the angelic song of angels. Dared I ponder how she actually sounds while singing. I tried to say something, but all I managed to muster was a "no problem.." ever so softly.
I tried to gain some confidence for small talk. "So, what was the rush?"
She stayed silent.
It was moments like these that were stabs to the courage I had to actually talk to her.
I tried again. "Do you need any help with your shopping?"
Again, she stayed silent.
I started thinking. "There's gotta be a way to stop this...". Then an idea came to me.
"So, do you take care of all of those animals as a job, or are you that generous?"
As I said this, she slowly perked her head up to see my face. Never have I seen something so beautiful up close before.
"Actually, those are all my friends from the Everfree Forest, I love to take care of them."
She said.
"Really? That sounds great knowing they can trust you for care." I said.
She blushed at my compliment. "Thanks." She said.
From that one reaction, my mind started racing, questioning about what she just did.
"Does she like me? Was it a coincidence? I hope it wasn't some sort of pity blush." It kept on & on, asking itself what the reason was for her blushing.
I could tell i've been thinking for too long, as now she was giving a questioning stare.
I snapped back to reality for the second time today, thinking what to say to her next.
"Well, do you need help with these groceries? I'm really curious about your profession & want to know more, so I could help you & you could tell me all about it. You know, if you want to..." I quickly added.
She just gave me a smile & nodded.
So the rest of the time I was there was spent by helping her do the grocery shopping she planned to do, while she told me all about her cutie mark & her friendship with the forest creatures. All of this coming from the only pony I ever cared for. Never have I gotten this close to speaking to her before. Actually, I never HAVE spoken to her before. The small bits of info I knew about her before were from around town & other ponies talking about her. Well, that & my few glimpses of what she usually does daily.
When we finally finished, I was actually sad we finished a bit early. We were only shopping for 2 hours, which was only because she was talking about her occupation.
"Well, it looks as though your finished, at least it's what I think." I told her.
"Actually, I still need to grab a few..." She pulls out a shopping list from her saddle.
"...cherries."
"Well, that doesn't sound too difficult. Let's go find 'em."
As we walk over to the cherry stand, I notice a sign nailed onto the pole of the stand.
"...Couple purchases...60% off?" I said as I read it off the sign. "If there's that much of a discount, how much are they?"
My answer was all over her face as she just stared at the sign with extreme joy.
I walked over to the stand. "Excuse me, but exactly how much are those cherries?"
I asked the worn-looking stallion over the counter.
"80 bits a pound, but as you can see, were having a sale for couples." He said with his brute voice, not sounding fit for selling fruit.
Even I can see how expensive that was. This con artist apparently finds amusement in seeing couples in his shop. I guess there is only one way out of this.
"Well, me & my fillyfriend over here would like to buy some." I said. The mere thought of that actually being true filled me with pure exitement, like some schoolfilly obsessed with romance.
"Right, babe?" I said to her. I winked at her to make sure she understood. Seems as though she did, as now she was cuddling my leg like couples do. The feel of her coat against mine sent electric shots of comfort through out my entire body. At least, it was comfort to me.
"Well, you seem like a legitimate couple. That'll be 12 bits." Said the standowner in his sightly uncomfortable voice.
I handed him the bits. "Thanks." I said to the suspisous standowner.
While my "fillyfriend" was Looking at something else, I asked the standowner,
"So why exactly why did you give me an additional discount?". After this, he looked at me with a serious face & said: "Look kid, i'm not an idiot. I know about you, & I know you're not in a relationship with her. I also know how much you actually want to be in a relationship with her.". This really caught me offguard. Then I tried to ask him something else. "So why did yo-"
"Because I feel really sorry for you. I'll tell you once & never again.." He leaned in close. "..Don't let her get away. You never know when some other stallion might fancy her & just snatch her." I noticed the seriousness in his voice & nodded. "I'll try my best." I told him in an unconvincing tone. He didn't seem to notice & also nodded. As I walked away he said to himself "I also know the fact she's never met you before. Poor kid.
"Oh Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" she said to me as we walked back to her treehome. Her happy face at that moment was all I would ever need to brighten up my day. "Everytime I shop for cherries, he always would take most of my money, & I never understood why." she said to me. As she told me this, I remembered I had a lingering question in my mind.
"I've been wondering, how come your not as shy today as you usually are?" I asked her.
She told me "I'm not really sure. i just feel..... safer around you. You look like a friendly pony." On the outside, I took it like any regular compliment. On the inside, however, it felt like fireworks were set off inside me & my body was having a celebration. I barely have enough courage to say thanks.
"Well, I guess were here. I guess this is goodbye..." I said with a sour taste in my mouth. By no means did I want to go back to the grocery store to get the groceries I "forgot" about.
"Is alright, you could come in, you know, if you want..." she told me. I was smart enough to know how much my body couldn't handle it, as it would most likely explode from the sheer exitement that I would experience after entering her tree home. "No, it's alright, I actually still need to get my groceries anyways." I told her with a nervous laugh.
"By the way, all of this time I still haven't gotten your name." I told her. "It's Fluttershy." She said. I already knew her name, but I thought if she knew that, she would start questioning where I get my info.
"Well, I'll catch you later!"
I trotted away with an extra spring in my step back to the grocery store, knowing that for the first time, I managed to speak to the true love of my life. Maybe the next day would bring even more progress with knowing Fluttershy.
So, what do you guys think? Like it? Hate it? Put it in the comments. I would appreciate it if you leave some tips or advice, as this is my first story i've ever written.
I woke up, as I do every other seemingly average day, at 6:00 A.M. To ready myself for the work that lies ahead. I lazily walk around my apartment room, searching for my cooking supplies, as I took a part-time job at Sugar Cube Corner upon moving here to Ponyville a little over a year ago. Gathering all my items & placing them in my satchel, I begin to recall yesterday's events at the grocery market. How refreshing it felt to finally carry a conversation to the one pony that would linger in my thoughts throughout the entire day.
This obsession of mine has been going on for months, with me doing little to stop it. I don't recall making plans to stop either, as I will most likely end up enjoying my daydreams as a pastime rather than an annoyance. Dare I try to make a friend in this said "villiage of friendship"? I suppose it's worth a shot, I told myself.
My thoughts were interrupted by the smell of something buring in my kitchen.
My reveling apparently resulted in my breakfast being inedible. And half of my kitchen being useless. I will never figure out how I manage to not notice.
Seeing as How I was almost late for work, I tried to mask it with air freshener. It worked to some extent, at least for the neighbors to not notice.
As I exited my now budget quality home, I tried to make up for lost time by flying to Sugar Cube Corner, as it was 7:27 A.M., 3 minutes before they open.
I Made it to the entrance in the nick of time, as the shop opened as soon as walked in. Mrs. Cake gave me a smile of approval.
"Thank goodness, made it just in time. Here, take these sweets & put them on the stand outside. After that, come back in, I have a few things for you to bake."
As the day toiled on, I carried out tasks for Mr. & Mrs. Cake & became partially entertained by what some of our customers had to say.
That, & the fact Pinkie Pie never stoped hopping around & helping all around Sugar Cube Corner.
Me living in Ponyville & watching what Pinkie Pie does all day is always remarkable. It's as though she is a new breed of pony with unlimited amounts of energy.
As I question how she manages to do that all day, she begins to trot over to me, most likely to ask for help on another one of her spontaneous parties.
Pinkie sat on the stool in front of me, as I work at the register leading to the kitchen.
"Hiya Stan!" The jubliant pony said to me. Unlike other ponies, my name is actually Stan Phillis, & is nowhere near being related to my cutie mark like most ponies names are magically related to theirs.
"I just had ANOTHER idea for the super-mega-tastic party i'm making this afternoon, So i'm gonna need some help!".
Pinkie is always making plans for a party, even when no one wants one. She tells me that's how she's never unprepared. This time however is a bit different, as she never outright asked for my help for one of her party plans. I answered with a simple "What is it?" as she has so many pointless activities to think of, i've grown to be annoyed of them for the past year.
"I need you to set up lots & lots & LOTS of cookies for a new party I planned up, & make sure it's only cookies. I also made an order for a HUGE cake!"
Now it was a bit intresting.
I began to question the whereabouts of her plan. "Why would you need a huge cupcake & only cookies?". The fact she didn't even answer my question made it all the more awkward to not know what she plans to do.
A few hours later, my shift was over, & I left Sugar Cube Corner in a flash, as my favorite pastime was launching away from my workplace & enjoying the view of Ponyville from up above. It was part of my daily routine after work to aimlessly fly over the crowds & sightsee. Seeing everyone's homes, such as Twilight's library & Fluttershy's beautiful treehome. My relaxing glide around the town was interrupted by a familiar high-pitched voice calling for me.
"Hey Stan! Come down for the party, you were invited too!" She yelled as I was spiraling down for a smooth landing.
As I landed down, Pinkie complimented me on my flying skills. "Wow, that was pretty cool, Stan!" she told me. "Well, tha-" before I could thank her, she then dragged me back into my workplace for the party she set up.
As we entered inside, it was near pitch black, enough to not be able to see what was making all the noise around Sugar Cube Corner. Pinkie was also missing, so I was standing alone in front of whatever was causing all the ruckus. Suddenly, the commotion stopped alltogether, & you could hear someone faintly whisper in the dark.
"1...2...3!". The lights came on.
"Surprise!" everyone said in unison.
After the lights came on, I noticed the party preperations set up evenly with cupcakes & punch. Not amazing, just your standard party flair.
What really stood out is how the cake was as big as 2 ponies put together, & as tall as a pony. The cake was also plastered with the cookies I baked earlier today on them. Sure enough, who else but Pinkie bursted out of the cake with some sort of party...cannon?
"We wanted to surprise you for your 1 year anniversary! I got everything prepared just for this day! I knew you would love it, knewitknewitknewitknewit!" she infromed me.
Pinkie Pie, Mr. & Mrs. Cake, & the rest of Pinkie's close friends were there for the party. Just as I noticed this, Twilight started to walk over to me. We don't talk everyday, but were decent friends.
"Pinkie wanted us to celebrate your first entire year living in Ponyville, so we all came to congratulate you." Everyone I know as more than stranger was there.
Including her.
Fluttershy.
