A Chance of Rain

Rainy clopped along the road to Sweet Feathers at a modest pace. The leaves strewn along the ground were all soaked and matted to the dirt, depriving Rainy of their satisfying crunch beneath her hooves. The clear sky shimmered in the many puddles down the embankments. She entered the thicket that led to the sanctuary, with shafts of light coming through the canopy that pulsed and dissipated as the gentle breeze shook the trees. The long grass felt cold brushing against her legs. She came upon the clearing to the waterfall and saw Fluttershy floating down like a falling leaf to the stream’s edge.

She caught a glimpse of Rainy and waved from a distance. Rainy waved back and flapped her wings for take off to shorten the trip across the stream. She landed delicately on the edge of its bank and gave Fluttershy a chirpy greeting. “Good morning!”

“Good morning!” Replied Fluttershy in kind with a sweet smile. “I see we’re an early bird today.”

“I like to make sure I’ll be on time when someone expects me.” Said Rainy avoiding eye contact with Fluttershy.

“Perfect, we can just get started a little sooner then!” She said with glee. “Let’s get all packed up and we can start the breakfast deliveries.” Fluttershy said, turning toward the supply room. Rainy followed with diligence. Fluttershy pushed open the large wooden door and walked over to a shelf. She began to scoop little amounts of food pellets into tiny paper bags. “Could you pack the saddle pouches while I do this please?” She mumbled, still holding the scooper in her mouth.

Rainy nevertheless understood the request and approached the table of crates and threw her own bag on top next to Fluttershy’s. She went about filling the pouches with each bag Fluttershy had completed. The room felt different from yesterday. She seemed to take in more details this time, noticing that the tarp covering the crates was practically falling off one edge and the ends cascaded over the floor in crumpled piles. The jars on the shelves were all crooked, knocked over, many were even empty. The only section still in order seemed to be the medicines and first-aid supplies.

Quickly the bags were packed and the ponies were on their way. The schedule was the same as yesterday’s, Fluttershy mentioned that none of the animals were likely to leave soon amidst last night’s poor weather. Rainy had taken to the sanctuary’s routine like a duck to water and they quickly finished with most of the animals roosting in the immediate area. Last on the the list was the otter den which Rainy approached with great enthusiasm which seemed to unnerve the critters inside. Her heart sank as she realised they were refusing to come out. Fluttershy came over once she realised what the situation was.

“I know you’re eager but some of these critters still have to get used to having a new pony around.” She placed her hoof on Rainy’s shoulder. “Don’t feel bad you’re not doing anything wrong, these things just take time.”

Rainy took the reassurance to heart and nodded in agreement.

“Come on out you two, it’s only me and a new friend.” Fluttershy cooed. The two ponies were welcomed to the sight of the two otters, one with a slight bump on her belly. Fluttershy poured out their food. “They’re expecting.” She said with excitement spread across her face. Rainy smiled in kind.

“That’s so precious, how far along is she?” Rainy enquired. Following Fluttershy as they began to walk back to the supply room.

“It’s hard to say since she was already pregnant when she came but I’m thinking a month and a half or so. We should have a litter of pups in just a couple of weeks.” Fluttershy’s face beamed.

Rainy and Fluttershy finished the rest of their work without incident. Some of the animals had even already begun to remember Rainy and were very accommodating to their new caretaker. The two ponies swapped stories as they travelled back and forth to resupply with mutual enthusiasm. Fluttershy’s were of adventures big and small, the latter of which Rainy appreciated given the meagre nature of her tales from back home. The wolf from the day before was in much higher spirits which warmed Rainy’s heart to see. She was even treated to a few licks right in the face from her. She remarked that she was 'Just a bigger version of Storm Cloud.'

Eventually the day was done and the two friends headed back to drop off the supplies and be on their way home.

Rainy followed Fluttershy as they trudged through the doorway of the supply room. Fluttershy let out a sigh as she entered, Rainy assumed it must have just been from exhaustion. Fluttershy threw her bag onto the table and emptied its contents, empty feeders and bags mostly. Rainy did the same and proceeded to go about putting the items back in their place by going to the back wall to consult the directory.

“Oh no you don’t need to worry about that, I’ll take care of it.” Called Fluttershy from behind. Rainy turned with a sense of shock.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind.” She responded.

“I let it get like this in the first place, it’s not your mess to clean.” Fluttershy said with a diffidence.

Rainy walked over to her. “I don’t mind Fluttershy, honest. I actually kinda love tidying, it’s like... satisfying you know?” She smiled. “Besides two ponies’ll get it done in no time.”

Fluttershy smiled and nodded in agreement and they set about reorganising the disarrayed room.

“I meant to tell you, I’m taking some of the animals to the friendship school for a class tomorrow and I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind helping me take them there?” Asked Fluttershy as she swept up a pile of disused baggies.

“Huh?” Rainy was writing a label for a food jar, she released the pen from the grip of her mouth. “Anything you say boss.” She raised her hoof in exaggerated salute and Fluttershy giggled.

“Thank you Rainy, you can just take the rest of the day off until I get back from teaching.” Said Fluttershy.

They continued their work and Rainy took it upon herself to make small additions to the room’s planning. She added labels to the jars, grouped items together in old milk crates, and neatly boxed the tarp over the crates among many other small details.

“Oh my.” Gasped Fluttershy at the immaculate display. “Where did you learn to do that with the table cloth?” She asked, closely admiring the new neatness of the 'table'.

Rainy took pride in her work. “I may or may not have been a hostess back home.” She said with a feigned modesty.

Fluttershy was beside herself with gratitude. “I can’t remember the last time the place was this clean. Thank you so much.”

Rainy blushed. “It’s nothing honestly.”

Fluttershy felt a need to show her thanks and hugged her new friend. “I couldn't ask for a better volunteer.” Rainy blushed even more. “Come on now you’ve spent more than enough time here today.” The pair of pegasi proceeded to prepare for the trip home.

Rainy threw her new bags over her back and wrapped her scarf round tight in preparation for the chilly autumn evening. The sky was a bright orange, with blue mixing in at the periphery as the sun began to set. There still wasn't a cloud to be seen. The road to town had dried slightly as the day passed but it was cold to the touch.

Rainy and Fluttershy shared the walk for a short while before Fluttershy broke off to return home. She mentioned having plans with a friend for dinner.

“I’ll see you tomorrow!” Cried Fluttershy as she trotted down the alternate path at the edge of town.

“Bright and early!” Rainy cried out in kind. She passed through the streets of Ponyville with a calm gait. She felt mellow, which was a welcome treat. There were more ponies walking around tonight, leaving her feeling a little self-conscious. Soon enough she’d arrived at the inn. She went into the reception room, a large and welcoming space lit by a gently roaring fire. It had a rustic charm, old-fashioned wallpaper, slightly gaudy picture frames, and antique furniture; all well maintained. There was a familiar silver maned pony sat on the chaise lounge reading a newspaper. Rainy sat in the armchair by the window, she took in a deep breath of the warm air which felt strange going down her throat having just come out of the cold. There was quiet for all but the crackling fire and rustling of newspaper.

The Mayor looked up from her paper once Rainy had settled and gave a polite smile. Rainy responded in kind.

“Lovely night isn’t it?” She asked.

Rainy rushed to formulate a reply in her head. “Oh, yeah.” She fumbled out.

“Couldn’t agree more." The Mayor softly replied. “I love a crisp autumn evening, only wish I could be out to enjoy it more.” She peered over her paper. “I’m always going back and forth from somewhere or another.” She said with a jovially dour expression.

Rainy wondered what to say. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She said, with a rising intonation, almost like a question.

The Mayor smiled. “Just part of the job, keeps me on my hooves at least.” She set her paper down beside her to look at the pony she was conversing with. “Oh! I remember you, you're that pony I saw outside town hall the other morning.”

Rainy faltered to respond, her head preoccupied with the memory of her embarrassing attempt at a greeting from that encounter. “Uhh…”

“I don’t believe we’ve met before, I’m Mayor Mare and you are?” She smiled awaiting a reply.

‘At least I can answer that.’ Rainy thought. “Rainy, Rainy Day.” She answered.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Day. What brings you to Ponyville?” The Mayor asked.

Rainy racked her brain to find a concise explanation. She must have taken too long or shown her distress more than she thought since the Mayor quickly retracted on her question.

“My apologies, I don’t mean to intrude. I just try to get to know everypony in town, if only a little bit. Part of being a good mayor if you ask me.” The Mayor said feeling like she’d put her hoof in her mouth.

Rainy rushed to correct her. “No, no I’m sorry, it’s not like that! I’m just not the best speaker. I’m volunteering at Sweet Feathers.”

The Mayor had an insightful smile on her face. “Oh I’m sure that’s a match made in heaven.” Rainy wondered what she meant by that. “I know she’s really come out of her shell but to me, Fluttershy will always be that timid filly I met all those years ago.” She giggled. “Oh it must have been days after she first arrived before I even got her name. How does that story go again...”

‘Oh. I see what she means. Two introverted ponies trying to work together. Hilarious.’ Rainy thought to herself. She almost missed that the Mayor had continued speaking.

“...And then I finally realised that she was saying ‘Fluttershy’! I don’t think I’ve met a pony with a voice so quiet since. To think, all that just to get her name.” She let out a hearty chuckle. “Sorry I do go on a bit. You said you were volunteering at her animal sanctuary?” Asked the Mayor.

“Well, I only started yesterday, I just got back from there actually.” Rainy thought for something interesting to say but failed to find any. Thankfully she was saved by the inn pony’s abrupt entrance.

“Sorry to leave ya waiting there Mayor Mare I oughtta keep the books more organised don’t ya know.” She chuckled, trotting through the cased opening to the parlour. “Looks like we’ll be fairly open come Nightmare Night so I can get all your relations separate rooms if ya like?”

“That’s wonderful Hearth. If you could book that for me that would be lovely.” Said the Mayor.

“Consider it done Miss Mayor, anything else I can do for ya now?” Hearth asked.

The Mayor got out from her seat. “Oh no that’s everything thank you. I do apologise but I must be off, Ponyville never rests these days.”

“Oh don’t I know it! Sorry again for keepin’ ya.” Said Hearth as she escorted the Mayor out the parlour.

“It’s quite all right Hearth, Miss Day here has kept me company.” She turned back to look at Rainy. “It was lovely meeting you dear.”

Rainy smiled. “You too, Miss Mayor.”

Hearth ushered the Mayor to the door. “Oh and give my best to Humble won’t you?”

“I will Miss Mayor, see ya later now!” Chirped Hearth. She quickly returned to the parlour. “Sorry dearie, were ya wanting something to eat now?” She asked Rainy.

“Uhm, yeah just a bowl of porridge please if that’s okay?” Rainy replied.

Hearth smiled. “Sure thing sweetie I’ll get the other half on it right away.” She left the parlour for the kitchen.

Rainy sat in her seat, admiring the soft glow of the fire. She noticed some of the photographs framed on the mantle. A few looked old and faded but in a place of prominence she saw a large shot of what must have been the whole town at the time. Rainy noted Fluttershy and her friends featured front and centre. ‘Princess Twilight doesn’t even have her wings.’ She thought.

“That’s Humble working on your dinner sweetie.” Said Hearth as she entered the parlour, she picked up the newspaper from the chaise, folded it neatly and set it down on the coffee table before stoking the fire.

Rainy saw a tired look in Hearth’s eyes. She hadn’t had a proper conversation with her host in the week she’d been staying at her inn. Her stomach churned with tremendous guilt at the thought. It was enough to cause her to blurt out the first thing she could think of. “Your husband’s name is Humble?”

Hearth spun round with surprise. It was clear she was caught off-guard by Rainy's sudden loquacity. Still she was happy to oblige. “Oh you haven’t met him have you? Well sure that’s how the inn got its name!”

Rainy quickly realised the connection, while also feeling more guilt churning in her stomach. She hadn’t known either of her hosts’ full names yet. “Ohh ‘The Humble Hearth’ I see.” She smiled.

Hearth smiled back. “Owned and operated by Hearth Keeper and Humble Abode.” She said as she sat down on the sofa across from Rainy. “It’s good to hear you talk dear.”

Rainy responded with an awkward smile.

“Sorry, I can’t help but worry about a young girl in a new town. I always worry about our younger guests, especially when they’ve come as far as yourself.” She rolled her eyes. “Humble says I border on intruding on other ponies' business but I just want to let them know I’m here if they need someone.”

Rainy respected Hearth’s caring nature. She had an embarrassed smile on her face. “I may have looked a little strange when you did it but I always appreciated your smiles in the morning.”

Hearth’s heart was warmed by the sentiment. “I knew you were a good one when I first saw ya! You remind me of the kinda ponies we used to get way back when. Didn’t used to get these tourist types, ‘course that all changed when that castle came up out of the ground and then there’s that friendship school!” She emphasised with an exaggerated gesture. “Don’t get me wrong, business is business I know, I just get a little nostalgic sometimes.”

Rainy was intrigued. “How do you mean?”

Hearth responded with gusto. “Oh I don’t know. It was a little more… spontaneous would be the word I suppose. Ya can tell when someone’s just here for the sights and attractions. Used to be I had no idea what somepony’s business was until I spoke to them. Ya had merchant ponies coming to sell their wares, postal ponies staying the night before the trip home, your ponies who travelled just for travelling’s sake. Used to get the best stories from all of them.”

‘How do I remind her of any of those ponies.’ Rainy wondered in her head.

“My favourite will always be the ones who stayed before settling into town. Felt like I was getting the first pick of the newcomers.” She smiled. “We had Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie when they first moved here don’t ya know!”

Rainy was surprised. “No I didn’t.”

“Mm-hmm. ‘Course it’s all different these days. It’s a lot easier to move in for the few ponies that do and most of the new faces that stick around are students at the school so they all got rooms there.” Hearth seemed to trail off.

Rainy didn’t know what to say. She just felt sorry. “You never know.” Hearth looked up. “It might change again.”

It looked as though Hearth’s spirits were raised, if only a little. “I suppose it always comes when ya least expect it!” She got up from her chair. “Anyway I’ve been yammering on long enough don’t ya think? I’ll go see how Humble’s getting on with your dinner. You want me to send that up to your room dear?”

“No.” Rainy replied immediately. “I’ll stay here if you don’t mind?”