Evening was fast approaching and the pair of pegasi wandered back to the would-be office of Sweet Feather Sanctuary for the final time. They had just finished delivering meals for all the animals staying overnight. Neither were very tired but each were happy to finally be rid of full saddle bags for the night. The sky was a very dark grey, as if all the clouds from the morning had just stayed in place getting heavier and heavier.

“Looks like it’ll rain tonight.” Fluttershy exclaimed. “We’d better finish up soon. The road back to Ponyville is no fun in a storm.” They entered the stone room and Rainy proceeded to take off her saddle bag and place it back where she'd seen Fluttershy fetch it from earlier. “Oh no, you don’t have to do that.” She cried. “Keep it! It’s the least I can offer to my first volunteer.”

Rainy was over the moon, she loved surprise gifts. “Are you sure? I mean it has your cutie mark on it, isn’t it yours?” Rainy asked, feeling confused.

“Oh no I’ve been using this old thing for years now.” She gestured at her own bag. “When I told my friend Rarity I was looking for a volunteer she wanted to design a whole uniform for them.” She rolled her eyes. “I told her that a uniform wasn’t the most practical idea for a sanctuary worker but she insisted.” She picked up the bag and handed it back to Rainy. “We settled on this as a compromise.” She said looking into Rainy’s eyes.

Rainy graciously accepted the gift and Fluttershy draped it over Rainy’s back. She poked her wings out from under the strap and rested them over the pouches. She gave Fluttershy a nervous look. “I don’t like my wings being smushed.” Ending with an awkward smile. Then, she remembered. “Oh and thank you, really. This is one of the nicest things anyone’s ever gotten me.” She said with a touched look. “I’ll make it up to you I promise.”

Fluttershy put her hoof on Rainy’s shoulder. “Honestly Rainy you don’t need to worry about that. Now come on it’ll be dark soon.” She said making her way to the door.

Rainy followed closely. “I mean it’s not everyday you get a bespoke item from the famous designer Rarity.” She said trying to be casual. “I don’t think I've ever owned anything this posh.” She said thinking of the random patterned patches and loose threads of her scarf. She’d even been wearing the same faded lilac knit cap since she was a filly. She looked again at the bag, admiring the quality. The fabric was thick and durable but soft to the touch. The colours were vivid but subtle and the embroidery shone even in the dim light of a cloudy evening. “It’s really such a wonderful gift Fluttershy I can’t thank you enough.”

“I’ll have to tell Rarity how much you like it the next time she visits.” She smiled. The two mares were now coming up on the edge of the sanctuary. Fluttershy looked back as they crossed onto the road with the slightest hint of concern in her eyes. Rainy wondered why she might be looking back and began to worry over the idea that Fluttershy was anxious about her disrupting the sanctuary’s routine.

“I always lose sleep on nights like this.” Said Fluttershy. Rainy was confused. “I know they can handle a bit of bad weather but I just wish I could be there to make sure they’re okay.” Rainy felt a weight come off her shoulders and let out a sigh of relief. She looked to her mentor and saw her head hanging low. Rainy felt so sorry for her; a day was all it took to see just how important those animals were to her. She wanted to help her but she couldn’t really find what the problem was. She thought for a moment and realised there was nothing to say. Fluttershy would always find some reason to worry over her animals. She admired that in a way.

“You inspire me Fluttershy” Said Rainy. “I’ve never seen anypony who would dedicate themselves to something like you do.” She took a deep breath. “I honestly don’t think you could do any more than you already have.” She said, looking to her mentor.

Fluttershy poked her head up and looked at her student. “Thank you Rainy.” The worry vanished from her face. “That’s very kind of you to say.”

“Don’t mention it.” Rainy smiled.

The two ponies were keeping a steady pace down the road back to Ponyville, and a thought popped into Fluttershy’s head. “What are you doing for dinner tonight?” She said in a perky tone.

“I was probably just gonna have some porridge in my room” Rainy replied.

“Would you like to go out instead? My treat!” Fluttershy asked with a smile.

Rainy was flabbergasted. She had no idea this was coming and had many questions on her mind but there was no way she was going to turn down such an offer. “Uhh sure! Wh-what were you thinking?” She stuttered, resisting the urge to smack her forehead.

“What do you like?” Fluttershy enquired.

Rainy didn’t know what to say. She had somewhat peculiar eating habits that she often felt judged for. She awkwardly asked. “Does anywhere do breakfast food?”

Fluttershy thought and answered. “I think the Hay Burger does in the morning; I’m not sure if they’ll serve it now but we could try?” She asked with optimism.

“I can’t wait!” Rainy said with glee before a drop of rain fell on her nose. “Oh.”

Fluttershy felt the spattering of rain as well. “Maybe we should pick up the pace.”

The two ponies began a gallop down the road, hooves splashing in the small puddles growing in the mud. Their coats were quickly saturated as the rain fell harder and harder. Rainy could barely see where she was running, all she could make out was the bright yellow pony in front of her. Her best bet was to stick as close to Fluttershy as she could. The wind began to blow them from the side, whipping Fluttershy’s mane into her face. At least she knew she hadn’t lost her guide in the storm.

They soon came upon the outskirts of Ponyville which emanated a light orange glow in the dark. They clopped along the cobblestone paths as other ponies rushed about to take shelter; the rain was fast becoming a downpour. Fluttershy cried out to Rainy. “It’s just down this street!” Rainy followed her as close as she could, she could feel her wings brush against Fluttershy’s but could barely hear her as the rain smashed against the stone, ringing out like a snare drum.

Finally they arrived at the Hay Burger.

They took shelter under an awning above the door, both ponies completely drenched. Fluttershy’s tail had been dragging in the mud, thankfully the rain had washed it out. She squelched the water out of the lengths of her tail and mane. “I should really think about wearing my tail up.”

Rainy plucked a few loose pink hairs off of her muzzle. “You might want to consider your mane as well.” She said with a jovial smile. Fluttershy blushed. The curls of Rainy’s mane were in complete disarray, she flattened them down with her hooves as best she could. She suddenly remembered the bags beneath her wings and was sure they'd be ruined. Luckily her wings had kept them bone dry. Both ponies shook themselves off and wiped their hooves before finally entering.

Rainy held the door open for Fluttershy and they each trotted in out of the torrential weather. Rainy hung her hat and scarf on a stand to dry. She followed Fluttershy to a booth by a window. They settled in across from each other, Rainy scooting right up against the cold glass of the window pane, her breath fogging it up. She stared outside. “This looks nice.”

Fluttershy was already looking at the menu. “Doesn’t it just? I’m not sure what to get.”

Rainy turned around and realised she should follow Fluttershy’s lead. She sifted through the menus in the holder to find their breakfast items. Thankfully they had the one special she wanted: blueberry pancakes. A wide grin spread across her face. “Well I know what I’m getting.” She said looking up from her menu. ‘I just hope they’re still serving breakfast.’ she thought.

Fluttershy set down her menu as she decided and looked at Rainy with a smile. “I’m so happy you decided to volunteer Rainy.”

Rainy was glad to feel like she was on good terms with Fluttershy, but she had some niggling questions at the back of her mind. “I was wondering actually, how am I your first volunteer? I mean you’re Fluttershy. I would have thought you’d have ponies filling up the sanctuary looking for a chance to meet you.”

Fluttershy was confused, and gave Rainy a very matter of fact answer. “I only put up one flyer.” Rainy looked at her completely bewildered and fluttershy giggled. “I only needed one volunteer.” Rainy remembered the day she found the flyer on a board in town square. It was practically buckling under the weight of posters and flyers pasted and pinned over each other. All save for a postcard sized flyer asking for volunteers stuck to an otherwise bare spot in the bottom corner. ‘That’s so her.’ She thought.

Rainy opened her mouth to speak just as a server pony came to their table. “Good evenin’ girls, Ah’m Gingham Frill, I’ll be your server tonight. What can Ah get ya?” Asked the bubbly pony.

Rainy and Fluttershy looked at each other, neither knowing who should order first. “I’ll have-” They spoke in unison and laughed. Fluttershy interjected. “I’ll go first, I think we could be here for hours otherwise.” She joked. “Could I have the spice pumpkin soup please?” She asked very politely.

“Certainly, and you hon’?

Rainy was worried she would look stupid but ordered her desire anyway. “Can I get the blueberry pancakes please?” She said demurely.

“Of course sweetie. Drinks?”

Fluttershy replied. “Just water for me please.”

“I’ll have a cup of tea if that’s okay.” Said Rainy.

“That’s perfect girls, your food’ll be ready soon, Ah’ll be back with your drinks in just a minute.” Said Gingham as she pocketed her pad and pencil in the pouch of her apron.

“Tell me more about yourself Rainy.” Said Fluttershy as soon as the waitress had left.

Rainy was caught completely off guard, she had no idea what to say. “What would you like to know?” She asked, afraid of what she might say.

“Anything you want. I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable.” Fluttershy said in a sweet voice.

‘If only you knew.’ Rainy thought. “Well...” She looked up at Fluttershy, smiling and awaiting. She searched her mind for anything about herself that was worth talking about, but there was only one thing she could think of. “...I’m really happy I’ve met you Fluttershy.” The words came out with a surprising ease.

Fluttershy’s heart sank, Rainy sounded as though she’d never met a pony in her life, and Fluttershy was the first to find her. “You’re so sweet Rainy.” She giggled. “Although that can’t be all there is to know about you can it?”

Rainy realised that Fluttershy was determined to find out at least one new thing about her, and conceited defeat. “I don’t really know if there’s much to hear about me.” She said, eyes pacing slowly from side to side. She looked down at the menu she was fidgeting. “I grew up in a small village in the north-east of Trotland. It’s right in the middle of a huge forest but it’s pretty close to the seaside.”

Gingham returned with their drinks on a tray. “One glass a’ water..” She set down the glass in front of Fluttershy. “...And one cup ‘a tea, piping hot; to keep ya warm. Ah’ll be back with your food in just a bit you two.”

“Oh, you were saying?” Said Fluttershy in the most polite voice.

Rainy scoured her head for another cliché. “I have a big sister, Sunny. She’s a unicorn. She takes after our dad and I take after mum.” She said attempting a chattier cadence. She dropped two sugar cubes in her tea and attempted a sip, but it was too hot for her liking. “I like to read, but I’m a bit behind since I can’t seem to find a library in Ponyville.” She said dumbfounded.

“Oh no there is though.” Fluttershy chimed in. “A lot of ponies didn’t realise at first but Twilight’s old castle library has always been open for anypony to use.” She said cheerfully.

“Oh I had no idea.” Rainy responded.

“I know, they should really work on their advertising.” Rainy tried to stifle her laughter behind a grin but finally let out a hearty chuckle.

“Thank you, thank you, you're too kind.” Blushed Fluttershy.

There was a prolonged silence. The two mares sat merely enjoying each other’s company as the storm raged outside.

Gingham approached the table again, this time with a bowl of soup and a stack of pancakes.

“Looks like we’re all havin’ a good time here.” The mares smiled. Gingham served the food. “One spiced pumpkin soup…” She laid the bowl down. “...And one stack of blueberry pancakes. Enjoy your dinner girls.” She said with a smile and left.

Fluttershy looked down at the creamy bowl of soup in front of her, steam rising in thick wisps up into her nose. She took a deep whiff. “Oh that smells wonderful.”

Rainy’s mouth watered at the sight of the syrup drizzled delight before her. She plucked a single blueberry to enjoy which bursted with flavour. “Gosh I love blueberries so much.” She remarked. Fluttershy blew on a spoonful of her soup with a gentle, sustained breath, and finally swallowed a mouthful. There was no indication that she’d enjoyed it save for the tiniest of smiles between slurps. Rainy on the other hoof couldn’t hold back the pleasure she took in her meal. Each forkful nearly stuffing her face with an adequate amount of each ingredient. She quickly remembered her present company and reserved her behaviour accordingly. Still, she finished long before Fluttershy. Thankfully her tea had cooled enough for her to begin drinking.

“Those must have been some very good pancakes.” Fluttershy observed. Rainy responded with a mortified grin.

“I really like blueberries.”

Rainy patiently waited for Fluttershy to finish. The two ponies sat across from each other, basking in the warm light of the lamps shining in from outside. The pattering of rain against the window the only sound in the silence. Rainy wiped the condensation from the glass to see through. The streets were covered in an inch of water, each raindrop let out an amazing splash as it hit the ground. She could see the inn down the street and thought that at least it wouldn’t be another long walk in the dripping wet to get back. Finally, she just stared, sipping her tea, looking out at the kinetic painting of the night.

“Not what many ponies would call a lovely evening is it?” Fluttershy said.

“I would.” Said Rainy turning back.

“I would agree.” Replied Fluttershy leaning in.

“All finished here girls?” Gingham unknowingly butted in.

“Oh yes. Thank you, that was wonderful, wasn't it Rainy?” Fluttershy asked.

“It was perfect.” Rainy smiled.

“Glad to hear it, can I get y'all anythin’ else?” She asked.

“I wouldn’t mind sticking around and sharing a pot of tea. How about you?”

Author's Note

This chapter was by far the most frustrating to write; it took the longest and went through a moderate rewriting phase.

I'm still not quite sure about it but I'm publishing it in hopes of getting more feedback to help improve my writing.

Either way I hope you've enjoyed it and feel free to comment!