Author's Note

This was my first attempt at writing an abstract dream for the sake of subconscious suggestions.

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Sounds of chirping crickets, vibrant nightlife and a crackling log fire kept the brooding pony awake. She had many questions, and few answers.

As she turned in bed, Fluttershy let out an elongated sigh. Worry had kept her awake, and the lack of down time had worn her thin. It's all for the greater good, she told herself, glancing over at her sleeping animal friends.

She couldn't sleep before addressing the gnawing questions in her mind:
Why did she put that thing in her mouth?
Would they find out?
Surely not, she assured herself.

The fair coloured pony clambered from her bed, wracked with hedonistic guilt. She quietly meandered to her kitchen, swerving past the assortment of sleeping animals as she tried to rationalize with herself, believing she was curious, and nothing more.

Fluttershy brewed some medicinal tea, and to the best of her ability, tried to do it quietly under the cover of her fireplace. She soon poured and drank the tea and once she got back into bed, she was fast asleep.

Her tongue caressed the shiny ball in her mouth. The straps dug deep into the sides of her lips.

She could feel her dress around her body. It was tight.

She was dusting some shelving, but she didn't know why. It just felt appropriate.

She groaned as piles of red-stamped envelopes began to flood at her feet, rising like a water basin. She tried to scream but it was nothing more than muffled grunts.

Panic set in as hands clutched her body, pulling chunks of her body away. She couldn't move; she was glued to the floor, sinking into the quicksand envelopes. She lost all hope.

Fluttershy jolted awake in a cold sweat. She turned in her sheets to see the rising sun. She had a moment to herself to recoup her thoughts and slowly clambered out of bed once more to stretch her wings before an audience of her hungry compatriots.

There was an emphasis on the pertinent dark circles under her restless eyes that she could clearly see in her windows’ reflection. After many nights of repetitive work, it was beginning to take its toll.

Like any other morning, Fluttershy tried her best to accommodate her animal friends, going out of her way to ration and prepare meals for each and every one of them. Her new purse had already begun to lift weight from her shoulders.

On her way to deliver Angel’s food, Fluttershy caught a glimpse of another letter carefully parachuting its way from her letter hatch to her door mat. Reluctantly she approached it, leaning down to pick it up, only for the dreaded red label to dress its cover.

She was interrupted by Angel's impatient thumping that could be heard from a room over.

“Coming,” Fluttershy called, hastily dropping the envelope on an ever growing field of letters.

Fluttershy gave Angel his carrots with a strained smile before fixing herself some oats and having the morning to herself. That was until she glanced back at her front door to see another letter trapped in the letter hatch. She sighed and grabbed the letter, taking it from the door to read:

Fluttershy, you are needed down at the rich’s residency, ASAP.

Sincerely,

The rich family.

The letter was short and sweet, but made fluttershy assume the worst. She quickly packed her things and left without saying so much as goodbye to her animal friends.

Colourful bunting lined the balcony. The sounds of childish laughter, music, and chatter could be heard through the open door that fluttershy soon welcomed herself into. She looked around for Spoiled Rich, gingerly walking into the foyer only to be greeted by balloons, banners and a flock of sprinting fillies, nearly knocking her over as they stampeded.

“Fluttershy, over here,” called a familiar voice.

Fluttershy turned her head and smiled in delight to see Spoiled Rich. She picked up the pace, standing to attention before the woman, now carrying a tower of gifts.

“It’s Tiara’s birthday. Make sure the table is set. We will be opening presents soon”

Fluttershy responded with a nod and watched Spoiled Rich walk off towards the kitchen, while a moment of judgment went through her mind..

She found a free room to change in, realizing only after she stepped out of the guest room of her risqué appearance.

She took a deep breath and shook her head. Being the jobsworth she was, Fluttershy didn't have time for such concerns.

Entering the dining room and kitchen area, she prepared the table as instructed, finding the party covers for the tables and setting them out appropriately. Once she was finished, she meekly stood in the corner and watched Diamond Tiara open her presents.

“Another diamond? Real creative with these presents this year,” Diamond Tiara cooed sarcastically.

Fluttershy couldn’t help but wince at such an ungrateful attitude, only spurred on by her mother’s displeased eye rolling. Many gifts were thrown aside, from gemstones to clothes with the only exception being what she could adorn her neck, wrists and head with: jewelry.

The tower of presents were soon tackled, and eventually a large cake was cut. All the while, Fluttershy cleaned up after them, wastefully brushing gems into a dustpan with a look of disdain on her face.

As the sun began to set, the party came to a close and Fluttershy looked through her amassed collection of ‘garbage’; cogs in her mind began to turn as she brandished Tiara’s neglected presents. Checking over her shoulders a couple of times, she held a shiny gem between her fingers.

They won't notice if it's gone, surely. She doesn't need it, but it's wrong to steal. But is it really stealing? If she notices it's missing, I'll buy it back, Fluttershy thought to herself as she jostled her pan of goods, hypnotized by the solution to all of her problems.

She had made her decision as she quickly pocketed a clear gem and rushed to the nearest free room to change. She didn't make the mistake of sticking around after the job was done, but before she was able to leave, she was blocked by Spoiled Rich. Her heart raced, but instead of a scolding, Fluttershy’s hand was taken, and a hefty bag of coins were placed into her palm.

“You did good today, I'll see you tomorrow.”, said Spoiled Rich, through a seemingly genuine smile that made Fluttershy’s guilt accrue.

“Thank you…” Fluttershy shamelessly uttered in response before leaving for the door, hanging her head.

(line here)

Canterlot’s streets were bustling during the night. Lights filled the street and many individual shops were open into the early hours of the morning, including jewelers. Fluttershy had taken the gem to be appraised, and was astonished to see the many stacks of coins she was offered for such a piece. This only made her feel worse after the day's interaction, but she couldn’t help thinking: it's for the greater good.

All things considered, she slept easy that night, for the first time in weeks.

The day then repeated itself, with her waking at sunrise, finding time to forage, and visiting the supply shops for much needed food. She even took a trip to the bank to lay down her first of many payments and before the sun had even begun to set, she found herself feeling a sense of accomplishment, and it was all down to what she believed to be the lesser of two evils.

Fluttershy readied herself for her next shift, powdering her nose, making her way down the village path and greeting Spoiled Rich energetically. The exchange was fairly generic, with Spoiled Rich saying a few words as always and Fluttershy finding some place to change. The night would pass like usual, with Fluttershy scouring for expensive items to liberate. Carelessly flung heels or a gemstone free from its jeweled housing, she quickly took upon herself to take.

When the night ended she returned to canterlot to sell these items, making far more than she was earning. She began to pay off her debts, and things were looking up.

The following night, like clockwork, Fluttershy continued down the same dirt trail towards the Rich household, her face embalmed with an eager smile, which was soon faced at the door by the stony stare of an unimpressed Mrs. Rich.