Nesting Instinct
Gilda was going to do the hardest thing she could ever do, swallow her pride and apologize. Under different circumstances she would rather pull out all of her feathers, one at a time even. Between failing flight collage, her angry demeanor getting her in even more tough spots, and burning more bridges than she built…yeah…she’s a failure.
She felt Dash would laugh in her face over this, or who knows, she might get a door slammed in her face. At this point she would take that chance; Ponyvile has to have something for a gryphon down on her luck, even if it was her own fault. At least making peace with Dash would get a place to crash. heh heh heh...crash
She arrived with little fanfare, not that she cared now. What fair she got though was not good. Ponies were either backing away, or glaring at her. She responded in kind. “Look, you dweebs! I’m not on display for you! Either you stop staring or go home!” Guess it worked, they backed off.
As Gilda walked the streets, she recalled why she bothered to go to town. With Dash’s house missing and no forwarding address, she would have to ask around. This brings her to the other hard and painful thing she would have to do today. She knew the sweet shop by its smell. just follow your nose beaky.
“Welcome to sugar…GILDA!” Gilda could swear her talons dug into the floor boards in shock as Pinkie was now pointing a accusing hoof. “I knew this day would come!” With that Pinkie pulled a box from under the counter labeled “Open when this day has come.” on it, Gilda just beak dropped. Pinkie proceeded open the box and pull out a note.
Now Pinkie was surprised. “Dear Pinkie." She read off the note. "I.O.U a way to make meany pants Gilda go away. Your BFF Pinkie Pie, P.S remember to ask Twilight if Fluttershy is up to…darn it me, that a secret! Did you just break a Pinkie promise? I didn’t mean to I…”
“Uh…what are you…?” Gilda could not accurately word all the wrong with this. “Oh! Sorry Gilda, it just that a pony-who-shall-not-named forgot to put some way to keep you from…” Pinkie said with some anger. “Pink…” Gilda started “I said shall not be named!” Pinkie yelled as Gilda's eye twitched.
“How’s Stinky then?” Gilda snarled. “I don’t think it’s time to change them, and that just mean to call the Cake twins that!” Pinkie replied. “Don’t make this conversation harder than it is P…” Gilda again tried. “NOT named!” Pinkie growled in Gilda's face, Gilda sighed. “Fine, what do I call you?”
Pinkie then stood on the counter and yelled. “The Mare Who Shall Not Be Named!” And there was then a crash of thunder, and a horse whiny. Gilda looked out the window to see it was still sunny and she could hear a voice shout “MY HOOF!” Gilda face clawed.
Los Pegasus was never this weird She could still see Pinkie still standing imposing on the counter. “And…?” Gilda said with a tired response to the spectacle she now had to watch. To her this was really, REALLY stupid.
“Look, uh, Mare who…never mind. I’m just looking for Dash, OK?” Gilda said with a shrug. Pinkie stopped her pose and jumped down as Miss Cake ran past to the kitchen. “What do you want to do with Dash…or was it… what does Dash want to do with you! Yes, that it and…” Pinkie began, but Gilda held her claw forward.
“I don’t know what you’re on about…and I wish I cared. I just need to talk to her alright." She let out a groan. "Geeze…what a pain.” She said rolling her eyes. It was then she could hear voices in the back kitchen.
“*pant* don’t just suck on it dear, here *pant*…yes right there.” And not soon after another voice...moaned? “Ohhhh…yes, that’s much better…ahhhhh, yes.” “Uh…?” Gilda said as she now looked and felt awkward. "What is...?" She began before Pinkie stopped her.
“She’s just putting his hoof in ice, I mean, what did you think Miss Cake was doing with Mister Cake back there?” Pinkie said in her usual glee. Awkward gone, annoyed back “Where.is.Dash?” Gilda made clear her intended path. Pinkie, however, was still unmoving on this. She had that "You will never get me to talk!" kind of posture. Gilda sighed in defeat.
“I’m sorry, OK? That’s what I want to say, alright? Thought I could patch things back up, maybe find a place to crash…?” Gilda tried to put on a friendly smile on that last part, with the mental though of "I'm going to regret this, huh?" “Why do you want to crash Gilda? Isn’t that painful?” Pinkie said with a hoof on her chin. Gilda was not sure if she should laugh or face claw again at Pinkie's confusion.
“Oh wait…OH NO!" Pinkie jumped at some realization. "GILDA, why didn’t you talk to someone sooner?” At this Pinkie grabbed Gilda into a hug. “If only we had seen the signs! If only you were here so we could see the signs. You are not alone…there’s hope…th…”
“GET OFF ME NOW!” Gilda roared in anger and threw Pinkie backwards. “A.Place.To.Stay!” Gilda plainly stated. Pinkies demeanor changed to some degree of normal again.
“Well…" Pinkie said, looking up. "There’s the hotel in town.” “I said I was sorry.” Gilda responded rubbing the back of her head. “And I accept it, really I do. It’s just that there’s no room here and Dash is…um…not here.” Pinkie seemed guarded on that last part, Gilda blinked a few times.
“Then who does weather now?” Gilda asked wide eyed. “Oh, that Blossmforth's job now.” Pinkie answered Gilda. “Great…just great…” Gilda said, now looking at the floor, this could not get any worse for her.
“I’ve got it!” Pinkie jumped with glee in declaration. “What is it now?" Gilda more or less sighed. "I’m the one disturbing your customers?” Gilda continued, not looking up.
“No silly.” Pinkie pulled Gilda’s head up to see her face. “Fluttershy can help you!” Pinkie said with a smile and bright eyes. “Why?” Gilda said with the only surprise being her personal space invader.
“She lives out of town over…there!” Pinkie said pointing her hoof in a direction, and not really answering the gryphon. “Is she any less weird then you?” Gilda dead panned.
“Er…yes?” Pinkie stated after little contemplation. Gilda replied by shoving Pinkie away. Just then, Mr. and Mss Cake trotted by, Mister Cake’s hoof still in ice.
“Don’t worry it will be just fine.” Miss Cake said. “Right, OK, I just didn’t think it was that hot.” Stated mister Cake, with a tear in his eye as the two walked out the front door. “Pinkie we’ll be right back." Miss Cake shouted from outside. "I need to get my husband to Nurse Readheart. Keep an eye on the store, OK?”
“Don’t worry Miss Cake.” Pinkie shouted back. Gilda huffed and was on her own way out. “Gilda…” Pinkie now sounded, oddly dead serious. Gilda looked behind and saw Pinkie’s serious face. “Do something bad there and we’ll know.” Pinkie's expression did not change as she spoke this. “Right…” Was Gilda response with rolled eyes and she kept on walking. I don't care anymore. I had enough of this weirdness.
The seemingly random direction was spot-on. There was a cozy looking house surrounded by animals. Best part was they knew to back away, so she didn’t need to shoo them away. She wanted to minimize anymore contact at this point. She still needed to deal with this Fluttershy pony. She knocked and the door opened. “You are joking…” Gilda said in flat surprise.
“Eeep.” And with that soft cry, the home owner slammed the door shut in front of Gilda, she sighed. “Not more of…HEY!” She hit the door with a shout, and another Eeep could be heard. “That Pinki…” Gilda was stopped when Pinkie popped out of nearby bushes to shush her.
“Will you stop that?” She growled as Pinkie ducked out of sight and mind. “Your cupcake friend sent me here.” Gilda dead panned and the upper door slowly opened, as Gilda‘s annoyance increased.
“She did? But why would she do that Gilda?” Shy said softly with some confusion. “I told her I was looking for Dash and I needed a place to stay. Then she said you could help me so…you helping or what?” Gilda said tapping her talons. So help me if she…
“Sure!” Shy said with a smile. “Huh?” Gilda said with surprise. For the first time today, somepony helpful. “Well…I could use the company, do you mind if I clean up first. I have a few things to take care of...first. Um…then you can come in.” Shy said looking to the side on occasion.
“Deal." Gilda replied, and then realized something. "Can I get something to eat while I wait?” “Well I…wait. If you were with Pinki…” And now Fluttershy was being shushed by Pinkie who popped up next to her and disappeared again. “How do you stand this?” Gilda said to no one, Fluttrshy just shrugged.
“Anyway I’m broke, so…you know…please?” Gilda rubbed the back of her head looking to the side. “I have some turnips.” Shy said flat. “That works for me.” Gilda sighed. Gilda waited outside as Shy got said vegetables and came back. Shy said she would tell her when she could come in and closed the door. Gilda ate her meal and rested for a while on the grass. And let out a sigh of relief. Things will turn out well now…right? A bed to sleep in, and hopefully a job that will take me. Or better yet that I can stand. Maybe delivering packages or something? As she pondered these thing she felt the need to take a nap.
“Gilda.” He name came out of nowhere. “AHHHH!” Gilda jumped awake from the nudge she just got. There was a pause. “I'm sorry..Uh…Pi…I mean my friend doesn’t scare you so…how…?” Shy started before being interrupted. “She just annoying, alright?” Gilda said. "Besides, you just startled me." She continued with some confidence.
“Er, fair enough…come in.” Shy said and with that, the two went inside. Gilda spotted a couch and hopped on it. “This will do well…uh, if that’s OK with you?” Gilda figured some mock politeness would do her well here and now.
“Heh.” Fluttershy started to giggle. “They say that’s my line.” Well she IS less weird in comparison, right? Gilda though. It was then that a thump came from another room. Fluttrshy jumped to attention, and ran off. Gilda was speechless, well almost. “Or is she?” She said to no one again.
Gilda shrugged, got a drink from the sink, and sat back down again. It was then Shy came back. “Sorry about that, I..have…” Shy started. “You got a kid or something?” Gilda asked with one eye closed.
“Uh…yeah! She is a darling!” Shy said with a nervous smile. So much for peaceful sleep…great! Was Gilda’s thought on the matter. “So…you know what happened to Dash?” Gilda asked, and then she could swear she could smell sweat.
“Well she fine Gilda, just fine.” Shy then changed topic. “I’m sure she would forgive you…well at least I have. And Pinki…” Pinkie popped up from behind the couch.
“I said…” Pinkie was then interrupted by Gilda. “WILL YOU STOP THAT?” There was a beat. “No.” Said Pinkie and with that Pinkie ducked out of view, and another beat.
“Yes." Gilda said, ignoring the surprise. "She said she forgave me too. That’s nice and all, but, really now, what happened to Dash?” She was getting tired to getting no clear answers to this question.
“Happed to me?” Said a voice both recognized. At this Gilda turned her head. Dash was there, with baby mitts and a diaper. In an instant, part of Gilda really, really, REALLY wanted to laugh. Another part was in shock, and a last wanted to cry. However another sensation kicked in. She caught the stool Fluttershy nearly hit her with and promptly pinned her to the floor.
“What the heck is going on here?!” Gilda yelled at the pony. “Mommy! Mommy!” Gilda paid Dash no heed as she had one claw on Shy's neck, however Fluttershy responded with her stare. To Gilda it felt like a powerful blow came to her own mind. Compelling her to stop acting now and listen.
No! She thought. Is this how you did it? I’ll never submit to you, to anypony or creature! And with that Gilda’s grip tightened, Shy lost focus and couldn’t breathe. “Stop! Please, no hurt mommy. Please!” Said Dash and now Gilda could now feel blows to her wings. Dash was hitting her while crying.
The thing was, the blows barely hurt. She knew Dash could hit harder than this. She let go to Shy’s neck and used that claw to push Dash’s face and head away. At this Dash lost all balance and fell on her back, and Dash just kept flailing, even with her hooves no longer even reaching Gilda.
She knew Dash had dealt with bullies in the past, now she was…this. “What did she do to you Dash? What happened to you?” Gilda's voice began to crack. “Gilda?” Shy's soft voice said. “Can we talk please? I can explain…really…all of it.” Gilda looked Shy in the face, the look she gave was trying to reassure her, Gilda sighed and got off.
“Fine" Gilda said. "But if you come at me with a chair again…” “I know, and I sorry. I just, I panicked. I’m really sorry Gilda.” Shy said taking a few deep breaths as Gilda sat back down on the couch.
“Are you OK mommy? I’m scared!” Said Dash, crying as she crawled to Shy, Fluttershy then hugged Dash. “Mommies OK Dashy.” She cooed. Gilda could not believe what she was seeing as Shy began to calm Dash down, soothing her and telling her it’s OK or alright...or what not.
If someone told her this as a joke she would have to laugh. Seeing it like this, while she might still laugh, she might feel a little creeped out though. “What did you do to her?” Gilda said with fraying nerves.
“Who is she mommy? She’s not a pegacis.” Dashy said with fear in her eyes. “She’s from out of town Dashy. Listen, mommy needs to talk to her alone so…” “But she gonna…” Dashy said holding Shy tight.
“It’s ok Dashy, I’ll help her understand. Be a good baby, OK.” Shy said, with that Dashy nodded and Shy led her to her room. Gilda just watched in silence, only then aware that she had started to cry sometime ago.
When Fluttershy came back Gilda had her head down with her claws on her head. “If this is a prank, you got me…OK? I’m not angry, really. I know you guys don’t…” Gilda said with off smile. “Gilda, please…” Fluttershy started as she touched one of Gilda’s claws and was pushed away, she didn’t back away very far.
“It’s not a prank Gilda.” Shy finished. Gilda didn’t look up. “I was afraid you would say that.” Gilda said as she began to shudder. “I’m not hurting anyone Gilda, they know about this.” Shy said. At this Gilda looked up. “Wha…How…They?” Gilda struggled in making a response. Shy had to contain her giggles; this was how Twilight felt once.
“Let me explain…” Shy started. (Insert here a summary of Fluttershy’s motive bits and events from a fanfic about patty cakes I can’t remember the title of. I’ll have me a well deserved instant soba break in the meantime...Ah…that’s good soba.) “..and that how babies were made.” Fluttershy finished with a giggle, Pinkie would end a story on a funny note like this. Gilda’s emotional state had shifted between anger, disgust, and fear for the last ten minutes.
“They KNOW about this and let it continue…is this what Pinkie insi…” Pinkie popped up from the couch to again shush her name, Gilda grabbed Pinkie by the head. “DO.YOU.MIND?” Gilda snarled to Pinkie and pushed her back down. “She told me you could help me, and I find this?" She continued. "You want me as some…BABY?”
“I won’t do that to you…if you don’t want to. Are you sure that’s why she sent you here?” Said a nervous shy, Gilda huffed in response. “So I need a place to stay, so sue me.” Gilda said.
“Is that all you came back for?” Shy asked, Gilda looked away in shame and replied. “I may as well try to get old times back too, maybe get a job here.” Gilda then realized what was happening and could see a sort of “Tell me what’s wrong, I can help.” look on Shy’s face…whatever. So she did, failing a prestigious school, her attitude causing most to hate her, burning bridges when fired. The funny part was Shy looked like she was sorry she asked.
“So Dash is gone now, I’ve gone to crazy town, and…now what…it gets worse?” Gilda finished. Then the door knocked, and Gilda with surprising speed jumped behind the sofa. Shy shook her head and answered the door.
At some point Gilda would peer over her hiding spot to see Shy and a purple unicorn she could recognize having a conversation. “…so I thought you might need help with her. We are kind of worried about what could happen so…” The unicorn said standing outside the door.
“It’s fine Twilight, really. It got hectic at a point, but that was from me overreacting, things have calmed down now. I just told her what was going on, but you’re free come in! You could help me explain.” Shy said with a hopeful smile, Gilda however was hoping unicorns couldn’t smell fear.
“Tempting." Twilight said. "But if you’re OK I should get back to Pinkie she is…” At this Pinkie popped up next to Gilda and shushed Twilight, and ducked away again as every person jumped in surprise. Well except Gilda and the reader at this point. “…Planning an apology party, for breaking a p…promise she made with you and I think she is going overboard on this. But this is the first time she ever broke one of her own promises, I guess she’s in shock.” Twilight continued and finished.
They said their goodbyes and Shy closed the door. “…is she coming back if I say no?” Gilda muttered. “No Gilda, she isn’t.” Fluttershy said now looking at the floor. “I don’t want to do that to you. I’m…not even sure what it will do to you. And…” Shy started to sound sad now.
“And…?” Gilda may have used a little too much cold in that word. “When you said Dash was gone…It…” Shy said as she walked up to Gilda and looked her right in the face. “I made mistakes too, Gilda, just like you…well…actually…not…er...” “Spit it out, will ya?” Gilda wanted to drop this conversation and go, but the fan-cult-babies outside scared her.
“I went too far with Dash, Gilda, and I’m sorry for that. I made a potent mix and…I can raise and be friends with the others but Dash is…I miss her too sometimes.” Shy said and now looked like she was about to cry. Gilda was having none of this pity scene.
“And the kid with the pacifier mark? She can't even function!” Gilda pointed out the other too far in Shy's story. “She failed her test Gilda. I wanted someone to help me, to feel as I feel, do as I do, and see as I see…maybe I was just too strict with her.” Shy said with a sigh. “I would rather be eaten alive by insects than end up like that.” Gilda mumbled.
It was then something happened. “I’ve got it!” Shy said with a smile, she had gone from sad to overjoy in horrifying speed. “I know how I can help you Gilda. Wait here, OK?” And with that Fluttershy ran out of the room leaving Gilda quite scared. This town is nuts. I should not have come back. Someone, just…wake me up. Gilda covered her face with a claw.
Shy was not gone long; Gilda lowered her claw and looked in Shy's direction. “Gilda…could you come here please?” Shy said simply. In front of Fluttershy was a tray, and on this tray was a fruit drink. “Oh no, I know how this song a dance goes.” Said Gilda wide eyed.
“It’s not foalmula Gilda." Shy said. "It’s just a knock out mix.” “It’s still a mickey.” Gilda sighed. “I can help you Gilda…I just need you to…” Shy began. “No!” Gilda shouted while backing away. “I’m not going to be part of you’re…”
“It’s a different game Gilda, how badly do you want a second chance at life?” Shy said with a look of compassion and a stern voice. “I am not going to be one of your little…!” Gilda yelled. “It doesn’t have to be like that!" Shy shouted back.
"Not if you….pass. It’s just that you…you’re still the immature bully from back then or have shades of it. If you can pass this game, you have proven to me and everypony that you grew up.” Shy said this with a hopeful look. “And if I fail?” Gilda said flatly. At this Fluttershy was silent, Gilda readied her talons. “And if I refuse?” Gilda asked.
“I can’t promise what they’ll do." Shy now looked concerned. "I know me and…she has forgiven you Gilda, but Twilight and the others still have anger. I don’t even know if anypony will even let you stay for long. If you play the game, I would promise…by…um…my friend’s promises they will have be nice to you. And even more so if you pass.”
Shy had that smile again, Gilda was claw-jerk tense with a scowl. “Live or die…er…I mean or don’t…um…please chose. I will do what I can to help you...but only if you take will take this first step. We can make you a better person than you are now.” Despite Fluttershys inability to make a cool one liner on this moment Gilda walked forward, ready to act. She wasn’t going to enjoy this.
(Sorry to interrupt, but I need to think of and write some manner of binary ending path in this. And think of fun games. It can be a nice game like the black death, the T-virus, and cities made of chocolate that melt fast in the sun, smothering the screaming in a tide to sweet death. Read, review, and comment please. I need you to like me…I feel empty inside. ^-^)
Author's Note
This still scare people today? Let me know that too!