Failing Friendship (an Infection AU story)

“Discord, have you seen Flora?” Fluttershy poked her head into her cottage, looking up at the draconequus as he played cards with himself.

They both looked up at her, frowning as they tried to think. One runs his claws over his cards.

“Do you have any threes?”

“Go fish.”

One transforms into a fish, which the second swallows whole.

He does, however, then turn and look at his partner. “Not since she and her fawns headed into the Everfree a few days ago.”

“Oh, dear…” She frowns. “She was supposed to come back soon so I could check on their health… but if she hasn’t, either she isn’t because she’s healthy, or she can’t because they’re sick, and that’s… oh dear..”

“Don’t you mean, oh deer?” He tries to lighten the mood, but the unicorn’s worry made him pause, him landing next to her so he could gently pat her back. “I’m sure they’re alright. You did a great job caring for her, and she’s probably frolicking in a field right now.”

“You think?” Fluttershy looks up at him, gently rubbing one of her front hooves against her leg.

“Fluttershy, you are one of the best veterinarians in Ponyville. I’m sure she’s fine.”

“Still, maybe tomorrow I’ll go looking for her.”

~~In the Everfree, a deer’s carcass provides nutrients for small, button mushrooms that grow on it.~~

Sunflower Seeds sits at home, humming as she works on another salad. The mushrooms tasted great! At least, they did after she got a little more used to them. Her eyes were awfully teary, and her hooves ached, but she was probably fine! If it got any worse, she’d visit the hospital, but she has far too much to do. She has to finish her salad tonight, and maybe she'll make some more for her friends! Daisy Chain and Orange Blossom would love some of her salad, she thinks.

She tosses in the mushrooms, watching the way they bounce and tumble. Juicy, and delicious…

She shakes her head briefly, letting out a confused snort. What’d she been doing? Making the salad, right.

She catches a glance of her reflection in her kitchen window, pausing as she looks it over. Her eyes were a touch.. Off at the edges.

I’ll go visit the Hospital after lunch tomorrow. I’ve been waiting to visit with Daisy and Orange for a week now, and I’m not putting it off another day. Besides, I have eyedrops in the cabinet, I’ll use them before lunch. Nopony will know.

Sunflower Seed places the prepped vegetables in her bowl, moving to get the dressing for her salad.

I just need to make sure I share this with everypony.

Daisy Chain waved to Sunflower Seed as she approached, before her hoof lowered in worry. “Sunflower, are you okay?”

“I feel fine, Daisy..” The mare murmurs, but she did feel funny. Her chest had started to ache overnight, and her eyes kept watering. It’s probably just a bout of hay fever, or her allergies acting up. It wasn’t anything to be worried about. “We’ve had this lunch date planned for at least a month, I didn’t want to miss it.”

“Can I at least talk you into visiting Nurse Redheart after lunch?” Daisy half-pleads, looking up at Sunflower with the biggest, wettest eyes the earth pony could muster. Sunflower’s lip quivers, her trying to resist. Must... resist…

“Fine. After lunch I’ll go. As long as you two try this new mushroom salad I’ve been working on.” The mention of finally eating caught Orange Blossom’s attention, the unicorn looking up from her phone and raising a brow. Sunflower brought forth the bowl of mixed veg, and Orange Blossom picked up one of the slices of mushroom, looking it over.

“What are these? I’ve never seen them before.” She turns the mushroom over in her magical grasp, orange eyes flicking up to look at her friend before back down to it.

“A new species of button mushroom!” Sunflower’s started serving her friends, smiling. “They’re delicious, a slightly bitter flavor to them.” She leaned forward to eat the piece of mushroom Orange was holding, grinning as she swallowed.

“That’s.. gross. But alright, we’ll try it.” Daisy poured the dressing over her portion, digging in. Orange follows suit, and the three chat about the month’s events, laughing over things. It’s delicious, really.

Sunflower smiles, her eye twitching.