Filly Aware

The day was much like any other for Fluttershy. She worked on her garden and had polite conversations with the numerous animals. That day had been sunny and warm, a pleasant late spring breeze blew across the peaceful forest. Accompanying the happy mare was Angel Bunny, the white mischievous bun tapping his foot impatiently.

“I’m sorry Angel, I’m almost done. I just need to check up on Mr Robin. Then we can go on our picnic, alright?” She had ruffled the grumpy bunny's head before trotting over to one of the many birdhouses that hung around her peaceful cottage. As she approached the bird sized home, a head poked out and chirped. Fluttershy smiled as the small bird hopped out of his home, one wing wrapped in a bandage.

“Why Good day Mr Robin. How does your wing feel today?” The bird chirped in response, and the kind pegasus nodded. “That's good. Though I do want you to keep it on just a teensy bit longer, I know you're anxious to fly. But It’s important we make sure it heals completely.” The bird just looked down and let out a sad chirp. Fluttershy just gave the robin a reassuring smile and gently patted his head. "I know what'll cheer you up." She opened her saddlebag with her wing and pulled out a small cup. Shaking it slightly, its content rattled and seemed to draw the little bird’s attention. Realizing what it was, he immediately began to hop about.

Fluttershy set the cup on the bird house and opened its lid. Inside was a sweet smelling collection of delicious seeds. The bird sang happily and hopped up onto the cup before diving head first in his meal. She watched as the bird ate his fill when she suddenly felt a tug on her leg. Looking down she noticed Angel looking up at her frowning.

“Alright, let's go. I’ll see you later Mr. Robin.” She waved goodbye to the bird and followed Angel. She admired the peaceful day as her and the bunny walked the trail to their usual picnic spot. The other creatures were already waiting by the time they arrived. “I’m sorry everycritter. I got a little sidetracked helping Mr Robin. I hope you all can forgive me.” Mr Bear and the other critters all nodded, chirped and grunted happily.

Fluttershy smiled and began to take various snacks and food from her saddlebags. Some honey for Mr Bear, mixed salads for the other bunnies, nuts for the squirrels and finally, a big juicy carrot for Angel. He greedily snatched it from her hooves and hopped on over to the other rabbits. With the animals all happily eating their meals, she sat down and joined them.

They were only halfway through their meal when Fluttershy noticed it was already getting dark. ‘How strange’ She thought to herself ‘It’s still only noon.’ Looking up, she saw dark clouds beginning to form. “Oh my! Alright everycritter, let's all gather our stuff and head back to my cottage. I wasn’t expecting rain.”

By the time they had all either finished their meals or had it put back in Fluttershy’s bag, the first bit of raindrops began to fall. The sky had grown darker and the trees began to rustle. Quickly trotting along, she picked up Angel and took flight. Keeping low to the ground and with her animal friends, they all fled towards her home to avoid the worsening rain. The wind began to pick up as the sky grew ever darker. Fluttershy felt a shiver as the rain turned into a downpour and the storm grew worse.

Finally, she had made it and quickly opened her door, letting herself and the critters inside. All the creatures ran, flew and skittered inside. But just before she closed the door, she gasped. “Mr Robin!”

Quickly she flew back outside and over to the collection of bird houses. While she knew the little homes could handle rain, she worried about the injured robin possibly getting sick or his bandages wet. When she arrived, the rain was coming down hard and the wind was getting bad. Opening the side of his bird house, she was relieved to see the bird inside. Carefully scooping him up and placing him into her bag, she turned to flee the storm.

Once inside, she shook herself off and took out the injured robin. He chirped a thanks and ruffled his feather, shaking off some of the rain on him. Letting out a relieved sigh, Fluttershy looked around. All the animals were safely inside, most cuddling each other or watching the storm unfold out the window. After drying off Mr Robin and changing his wing bandage, she placed him in one of the many indoor nests scattered about. With the room full of wet animals, some seemingly scared, Fluttershy knew it was gonna be a long night.

She was finishing making her rounds throughout the home. Checking up on the critters, picking up towels and empty bowls of food. The cozy and warm interior of the cottage was juxtaposed to the raging thunderstorm outside. Scattered around the main room sat the animals, most having already begun to fall asleep. Birds sat snuggled together in tiny nests while bunnies slept soundly in fluffy piles.

The rain had come as quite the unexpected shock to her as she hadn’t remembered hearing about a scheduled storm for the day. Now she trotted about, making sure every creature was comfortable. Occasionally she would see a flash from outside and braced herself for the rumble that typically followed. Thunder had always scared Fluttershy and while she managed to mostly overcome those fears, she still felt anxious from those loud booming sounds.

Looking over at the sleeping animals, she did find herself relaxing slightly. They all slumbered peacefully, huddled together, warm, and dry. Breathing a sigh, the tired mare finally decided she had done enough and began to settle down. Sitting on a cushion by the lit fireplace, she watched the flames dance and opened a book. Just before she could get comfortable, she suddenly heard a bang. Jumping from her seat, the sound wasn't like the rumbles or crashes of thunder.

Some of the animals awoke and seemed confused, most looking towards the source of the sound. The banging came again and again. Each time louder and more erratic. Something was at the door. She froze and looked over at the sound as it continued. Maybe a branch had fallen loose and begun to beat against her door? Or maybe something was trying to get in? Was it friendly? Fluttershy gasped to herself. Was it some sort of evil monster that caused the storm in the first place?

Birds chirped and animals whimpered. Fluttershy’s imagination was abuzz with various ideas and fears on what this monster was, but before she could panic, her ears suddenly perked. She could hear crying, no not just crying. Screaming and from a foal no less, it was coming from the door. Begging for somepony to let them in, crying for the scary thunder to go away.

Fluttershy knew what she had to do. Suddenly gaining a surge of bravery, she took a deep breath and rushed over to the door. Her hoof froze just momentarily before grasping the handle, a small ounce of fear still gripped her. But she knew she had to help whoever was crying out.

Pulling open the door, she looked out, but before she could see who it was, she felt a small shivering, wet form lunge and grabbed onto her chest. Looking down, it was revealed to be a quivering, crying filly. Whimpering as she buried her face into Fluttershy's soft yellow fur.

The relieved pegasus quickly embraced the small pony and closed the door, shielding them both from the harshness outside. Her wings enveloped the still crying filly as she began to comfort her.

"Shhh… It's ok, you're safe now."

She held the filly tight, nuzzling the top of her head as she felt her tremble. Fluttershy’s heart ached at the idea of this poor defenseless filly being caught up in that nasty weather. She was able to hold the filly up with her wings as she clung hard to her chest. Caring the scared pony over to the fireplace, she had grabbed a blanket and towel to hopefully clean her up.

By the time Fluttershy had brought the scared filly to the fireplace and wrapped her in a warm blanket, she had dozed off. The poor thing was exhausted, Fluttershy thought as she cuddled up close. They both sat curled together as the storm continued to rage. Carefully, the gentle pegasus began to wipe away the dirt and mud from the sleeping pony. Her years of tending to small animals let her effortlessly clean the filly without them even stirring.

The storm appeared to calm ever so slightly as the room remained dimly lit by the glow of the fire. Fluttershy frowned as she tended to the little one’s cuts. Why was she out so close to the Everfree and where were her parents? Fluttershy hoped they were searching for her. But she knew this harsh storm would make that difficult.

She examined the slumbering filly, her cream coat now clean of mud. Her mane was messy and brown fading into a light pink at the tips. She also seemed to have freckles all around her cheeks and muzzle. The filly lacked a cutiemark and looked no older than Applebloom and her friends. Was she even from Ponyville? She certainly didn't recognize this pony. Ponyville itself isn't that large of a town, maybe her family was visiting.

The puzzled pegasus had so many questions and not enough answers. She knew she couldn't figure any of it out now, so no reason to worry. What mattered now was that she’s warm and safe. Leaning in, Fluttershy nuzzled her and gave a gentle smile. She felt her move and curled up tighter. The now distant sound of thunder caused the filly to shiver. Cuddling closer, Fluttershy draped her wing over the small filly and began to gently hum a lullaby.

Fluttershy’s comforting sounds and soft wings seemed to calm her. Surrounded by a seemingly warm cloud, the mysterious filly slept. Her nightmares were gone as she was enveloped in a world of peace. The mare finished her song and let out a yawn. The stress of the day had finally worn her out. Lowering her head, Fluttershy closed her eyes. She softly nuzzled the sleeping filly, before she herself drifted off to slumber.