Free Parking

What felt like weeks, with the hours ticking by: in reality just a few days. As Flurry stared at the phone on her wall. Surrounded by the mess of life, her failed attempts at laundry piled on the floor, the sink empty but the counters full. A failed groan rolled from her lips as she walked away once more: focusing again on her work. Finding something was harder than she had initially expected, anything in person was off the table. After all, just one slip with her wings and everything would crumble down. A simple job at home worked instead, not just to hide her: but to isolate her. The tale of the missing princess would never make it to the headlines. No.

Her deadbeat father would never let that happen. Of course, they had many ways to hide it. In the days and weeks after she left, the rollercoaster of emotions had consumed her. No missing posters, no radio shows looking into the scoop, and worst of all-
The changeling.

Not even one month away and Flurry had to meet herself eye to eye. A simple poster for a crystal gala plastered the streets, and in it a photo of her family. Her mother and father were there but she was across the kingdom and yet there she was standing proudly next to her mother. It really didn’t surprise her much but the pain it sparked certainly did. So easily replaced, pushed to the side, and the true reality of her situation had cemented over her: she truly was alone. Cut not just from her kingdom, her first home, but her whole family.

Snapping free from the thoughts, she found that once again the phone was locked into her vision. “FINE! I will. . . I will call them.”

Her horn lit up as it spun the wheel, dialing Dia’s number as the tone left Flurry frozen in place. What truly set her heart running was the calm and icy voice that came through the plastic:
“You finally called.”

The panic that set over her body as hair stood on end all across her, “how- how did you know?”

“Oh I didn’t. That’s just how I answer the phone,” the laugh on the other end broke the ice below her. Letting the chilling cold set over her whole body.

“Well that is- Unique? It is, this is Gale.”

“I recognized. Surprised it took you so long to call.”

“Life has been- busy. I was hoping to take you up on the off-”

“Coffee.”

“I am sorry?”

“Coffee. I don’t believe I stuttered. I know a place on 6th street. Why not tomorrow?”

“That sounds- that sounds nice. What time?”

“High noon. It's always the best time, you’ll see the Yak sign outside. Goodbye Gale.”

A solid tone set Flurry reeling. Dia- hung up. She had a- date? Meet up? Pity hang? Worst of all: high noon. The deep breath seemed to settle her down as she finally took in air, but in all honesty the next part still put the fear of Celetia in her. More literally than she’d like to admit. The phone's tone rang as she held firmly, eyeing the warm jacket with disapproval.

“Auntie, I um- I am sorry. I need to impose again, my wardrobe needs let us say: warmer items?”

Dropping the package off she waved goodbye to the crop and needle logo of her job, before trotting downtown towards the true end destination for the day. Stood in the lobby, the bright white coat of one of her saviors held her attention while fussing over a clothing rack. “Rarit-” Blindsided, she was cut short by the sudden force of hooves wrapping around her. Pinky had already caged her in affection as Rarity smiled, her magic lifting both of them up and into the back. Trying to make sense of Pinky’s bubbling words was a foal's errand, rather Flurry focused on Rarity.

“Thank you. I know this is short notice. I just did not know-”

“Hush! Now I don’t mind at all. If anything this was a great excuse to come visit. Now do tell me, ‘Gale’ how is Manehattan treating you?”

“Well I am meeting someone for coffee today! My job is- well it is something.” Rarity nodded as she finally managed to peel Pinky off and move her and Flurry into a more isolated room filled with fabrics and tools.

“Everything has still been- well a lot. Has. . .”

“No. I am sorry Flurry but; I did warn you that your parents wouldn’t be looking.”

“I know… It still just helps to ask. Thank you. For everything this is-”

“Ah, ah, ah! Hold your breath and IN,” the sudden sinching of a tape measure around her chest kept her quiet as her auntie worked her magic. “You need not thank me for anything dear. At least not yet. Once we get you all ready for your date! Then you can thank me.”

“I do not even know if it is-”

“Sweet little Flurry; it is a date.” The furrowing of her brow held firm as fabric started to fly around held in the deep blue magic of Rarity.

“Okay, it is a date then. I just do not know what I am-”

“What you’re meant to do? Nothing. At least nothing unique. Talk darling, embrace yourself, and remember not-” The sinching around her wings caught a gasp, “to forget about these wings.”

Pinky was already calmed down as they all walked out of the fitting room, her new outfit on full display. Like her jacket, the deep blacks contrasted against the pale white of her fur with soft cyan accents hinting at the highlights dyed purple. “YOU LOOK WONDERFUL! Oh little Fl-” Pinky was cut off as Rarity pinned the pink mare’s muzzle shut.

“She is right though, you look fantastic. Now we will be in town for a few weeks to make sure that things are once again up to parr. After all Summer is here now, but fall is around the corner.”

“Dinner! Could we pretty please do dinner this week Fl-Gale?” Pinky’s wide and excited eyes filled Flurry with a sense of hope and clarity she had sorely been missing.

“That sounds wonderful Pinky. Only if you show me pictures of Little Cheese over the meal,” Flurry was smiling as she worked towards the door. The beaming light ahead beaconing her forward, “after all I have to make sure I am still cuter than them.”