Tales of the Sapphire Carousel: Beyond the Bordello

The world was so big.

Fluttershy knew this intellectually, of course. Her parents had ensured that her tutors educated her on geography, so she knew all about the political structures of the nations surrounding her and beyond. She was also well aware of the size and population of the various cities in her own country, including that of Canterlot.

But it was one thing to read about far-off lands, or to hear the mother's friends speak in hushed whispers about what went on in the other districts of Canterlot, and quite another to be walking down the streets of the Lunar District alone. At night.

Fluttershy huddled in on herself, pulling her shawl tighter around her head as she kept sparing fearful glances at every dark alley she passed by. They looked ominous enough in the daytime, with their broken windows and walls marred with gang symbols, but at night, when they were huge gaping voids ready to swallow her up or spit out some monster who would do terrible things to her...

For the hundredth time, Fluttershy cursed herself for losing track of time at the zoo. She had to remember that things weren't like they were before, that there wasn't a driver waiting to pick her up whenever she was done with her work.

Now, if she was late, she'd have to walk back to her apartment by herself, in the darkness, jumping at every shadow and rustling of discarded newspapers in the wind.

Footsteps echoed behind her, and Fluttershy's heart raced as she picked up her pace, trying to stop herself from breaking out into a run and putting a target on herself. It was probably just someone else coming home late from work. Probaby.

Or maybe it was an axe murderer.

Fluttershy nearly tripped over a rock in her path as she stumbled forwards, desperate to get away from the shadows that seemed to be closing in on her. The apartment complex she was living in was still nearly a half-hour walk away, and she wasn't sure if she'd be able to make it there. The footsteps had stopped, but that didn't mean the danger had passed, right?

Looking up, she saw the bright lights of the Sapphire Carousel up ahead. It would be embarrassing to seek refuge there, after all that the residents of that establishment had done for her, but Fluttershy really, really didn't want to have to walk the rest of the way home, and she knew there were always spare beds she could borrow.

Decision made, she scurried over towards the harsh lights of the theater, letting its glow ward away the darkness and still the sounds that menaced her.

With the last of her courage, Fluttershy rounded the corner and made her way to the back entrance, which was lit only by a dim lightbulb. She knocked frantically on the door, the rising panic in her gut enough to overwhelm any sense of propriety or pride.

Fortunately, the door opened within seconds to reveal a familiar, scowling face. "Yo, I get that you're horny, but you don't have to break the damn do—" Rainbow Dash cut off her tirade as she Fluttershy trembling in front of her, and her expression immediately softened into a smile. "Oh hey, Fluttershy. Whatcha doing over here so late?"

Fluttershy swallowed the lump in her throat, bowing her head and staring at the ground. "Oh, umm, well, you see, I got off work late and I was hoping I could stay here for the night becauseit'sdarkandscaryoutthere?" The words tumbled out in a mad rush by the end, and Fluttershy looked up, worried that Rainbow might judge her for being such a scaredy-cat.

There was no judgment in the bouncer's eyes, however, as she simply shrugged and opened the door the rest of the way. "Sure. We'll let the boss know to save you a bed." She gestured inside. "Come on in."

Fluttershy nodded as she did so. "Thank you," she said quietly, feeling her heartbeat slowly return to normal.

"No problem." Rainbow Dash waved at the receptionist. "Hey, Aqua, Fluttershy's gonna be staying here tonight. Mind letting her hang out while I let the boss know?"

Aqua Swing nodded. "Sure." She gestured towards one of the chairs in the room. "Just take a seat, please."

"I'll be back in a few minutes." Rainbow reached out an arm towards her, then froze as she seemed to reconsider, before awkwardly putting it back down. "Try not to wander off or anything, and shout if one of the guys creeps on you."

"O-Okay." Well, at least Fluttershy was good at screaming, if it came to that.

Rainbow Dash took her leave, and Fluttershy quietly took a seat, staring down at the floor. She should probably make conversation with Aqua, as was polite, but she didn't really know how to start small talk with someone. Luckily, Aqua didn't seem to care about talking either, so Fluttershy felt a little less awkward about it.

Now that the panic had mostly faded, Fluttershy felt very, very silly about herself. She was a grown woman, far too old to be jumping at shadows, and not for the first time, she felt wildly out of her depth.

She'd been educated in management and politics and a thousand other subjects that she had no interest in, and later had taught herself everything she could about natural philosophy, especially concerning animals and their care. No one had told her how to find an apartment to rent, or how to navigate the streets at night, or anything else that would be useful in her new life.

It was humiliating, feeling like a child all the time, and every day Fluttershy considered going home and apologizing to her mother. But, she had friends here, and even this existence was better than what she'd endured before.

That didn't make it any less humiliating, though.

The sound of footsteps to her right pulled Fluttershy out of her thoughts. Her body tensed instinctively as she waited to see who would appear. While the girls had been nothing but kind to her, some of the clients who visited here were... Well, Fluttershy had seen what some of them could be like at her mother's soirées, after they'd had a few glasses of wine to lower their inhibitions. She didn't want to think about how they'd behave in an establishment like this.

The breathtakingly beautiful woman who appeared was one who was familiar to Fluttershy, but also one whom she would never have expected to see here. "Fleur?"

Fleur de Lis glanced over at her in surprise. "Mademoiselle Fluttershy, is that you?"

Fluttershy nodded. Fleur had always been one of the kinder residents of the Solar District, along with her husband, and so Fluttershy didn't quite feel so nervous around her. "I, ahh, didn't expect to see you here."

Fleur let out a soft titter. "Unfortunately, Fancy had other business to attend to. North Ridge and Frost Flower had something to show him. And so, I am here."

"Oh." It was disappointing to find out that Fleur was cheating on her husband, but Fluttershy supposed it was her own fault for expecting better of the Canterlot elite. "I hope you had fun," she said politely.

"Bien sûr," Fleur replied. "Rarity never fails to entertain. A shame that Fancy could not join us tonight. He very much looks forward to our sessions with her."

"Oh." Well, that was unexpected. "So you and Fancy Pants...?"

"There are many things you don't know about us, dear." The secretive smile on Fleur's face was more playful than condescending. "Though, there is more to you than meets the eye as well, n'est-ce pas? Rarity told us of your courage in standing up to your mother. You are a very brave woman."

Fluttershy almost laughed at that. "I'm the least brave person I know," she admitted.

Fleur shook her head. "And yet, you stand here, in a place your parents would never dare step foot in, after standing up for a woman you had not seen in years. Bravery is not strength in battle or a desire to fight. It is about doing what is right, even when it is difficult."

"I... I guess so." Even to her own ears, Fluttershy didn't sound very convinced. "But I can't even walk home by myself without getting so scared that I have to hide in here."

"It's very late," Fleur said. "And this is not the place for a young woman with no training in defending herself. You are wise to stay here, where it is safe. However, if you wish..."

Before Fleur could finish her sentence, the door to the back area opened up to reveal Rainbow Dash and Lady Luna. "Fluttershy, you are always welcome here," Luna said. She paused as she saw their new visitor. "Ah, Fleur. I take it you are finished your business with Rarity?"

Fleur nodded. "Please convey my compliments to her, as always. She is a delight." She gestured towards Fluttershy. "Also, I understand that this young woman wishes to return to her home. I would be happy to escort her, if she is comfortable with me."

Luna glanced at Fluttershy. "Is this what you wish, Fluttershy?"

"It is no imposition," Fleur replied. "I would welcome the company of someone who is walking a similar path that I once did. And the dear Lady can attest that we will not be harassed on our way back."

Luna sighed. "You know I do not approve of all of your companions, but I cannot deny that they afford you a degree of protection on these streets." Something passed between them, an understanding that Fluttershy couldn't quite figure out. Luna turned her attention back to Fluttershy. "As I said, you are always welcome here, Fluttershy, but I believe you can trust Miss De Lis to take you home safely."

Fluttershy glanced between the two older women in the room. She'd trusted Luna with basically her life before, and the Lady had never let her down. If she said that Fleur would keep her safe, then Fluttershy believed her.

And the way Luna was looking at her expectantly, as if she wanted Fluttershy to go with Fleur, but didn't want her gone, also told Fluttershy there was more than met the eye here.

Deciding that she was tired of being scared, Fluttershy nodded. "Thank you, Fleur."

"Then, shall we be off?" Fleur gave Luna a polite nod. "Until we meet again, Luna." She then walked over to Rainbow Dash and gave her a hug. "Please send Shimmer Glass my love."

Rainbow snapped off a salute. "Will do. And you're coming to the wedding, right?"

"I would not miss it for the world," Fleur promised.

After a few more goodbyes, they were on their way. Fleur took the lead, her stride brisk and confident, and Fluttershy found herself standing a little straighter next to her.

"Where do you live now?" Fleur asked as they walked.

"Oh, I'm on Fifth Street and Cookie Avenue," Fluttershy replied.

Fleur nodded. "Ah. Yes, the route there from here is not the safest at night. You were wise to go to the Sapphire."

"You seem pretty comfortable going around so late, though," Fluttershy said. "Aren't you scared too?"

Fleur smiled, and something about it sent chills down Fluttershy's spine. "I have a reputation, here," she said before reaching to pull up her dress, revealing a dagger nestled in a scabbard strapped to her leg. "And I know how to defend myself as well, if the worst should happen."

Fluttershy's eyes widened. "Oh, wow," she said softly, cringing away instinctually from the weapon.

Noticing her discomfort, Fleur quickly let go, hiding it beneath the silk cloth. "Unfortunately, the world is not as kind as you are, Fluttershy," she explained. "Sometimes, we must fight for what we believe in."

"I guess." Fluttershy wasn't sure she agreed with that, but she didn't really want to argue the point. "You, ah, aren't really what I expected."

Fleur laughed. "I am happy to hear that. It is better if those in the Solar District think I am just a silly little foreign girl with a pretty face spending my family's money." Her predatory smile returned. "The most dangerous beast is the one you invite into your home, non?"

Fluttershy could only nod mutely.

"Do not fear, mon amie," Fleur said, her smile softening. "You are far too interesting and your heart is far too good for me to wish ill on you. Once again, Fancy and I must thank you for helping our dear Rarity in her time of need."

Cheeks reddening, Fluttershy could only say a quick "thank you" before they were on their way again.

"So, what is it that brought you out so late?" Fleur asked a few moments later, as they crossed a street that was still busy enough to have a few people walking down it. "A party with friends? Or were you meeting ton amour in secret?"

Fluttershy quickly shook her head. "I was late getting off work. There was a baby tiger who injured himself trying to climb a tree, and I needed to calm him and his mother down enough to be able to treat his wound."

Fleur raised an eyebrow at that. "You say you are not brave, and yet you would step into the tiger's cage to help her child?"

"Animals are... they're dangerous, but if you respect them, and follow their rules, you'll be fine." Fluttershy took her time, trying to find the right words to convey her thoughts. "They're not predictable, but they're honest. You can trust them more than humans."

"And yet, you trust me to walk you home safely?" Fleur asked.

"Luna trusts you, and I trust Luna." A small smile played on Fluttershy's lips. "She's honest too, and she's very protective of her people. It was scary meeting her at first, and I know she can be very dangerous, but she cares a lot. Almost like a tiger."

Fleur smiled back. "I wonder how Luna would feel about being called a tiger. She is very much like one, it's true."

"She'd probably find it funny," Fluttershy replied.

"Perhaps," Fleur said noncommittally. "She is a very interesting woman. I do not think we are friends, but we respect one another, and that is enough." Her smile widened. "You are also a very interesting woman, Fluttershy."

"I don't want to be interesting," Fluttershy admitted. "I just want to feel safe."

"Maybe I can help you, then." From her purse, Fleur fished out a business card and handed it to Fluttershy. "I have taught others to defend themselves, and I would be honoured to teach you as well, dear."

For a moment, Fluttershy stared at the proffered card. If Luna trusted Fleur, then it should be fine to take it. And Fluttershy truly did not want to live in fear anymore. "Thanks," she said, slipping the card into her own purse.

"De rien." With that, Fleur turned her attention back to the road. "Shall we continue?"

Fluttershy nodded, and the pair began their journey once again.