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Post by Snowdrop on Apr 30, 2012 23:33:54 GMT -5
It was a misty spring morning. The sun was just rising over Whitetail Wood, but it hadn't burned off the mist inside yet- and here and there, where the sun broke through in strong slanting beams, it hit the mist and threw off little rainbows. Snowdrop was out for a gallop, but when she discovered the mini rainbow splashes, she actually slowed to a walk, just to enjoy it.
So cool, and fresh, and magical! The little white pegasus filly spotted a clearing which held a rather pretty cottage. Overhead, birds were twittering and singing more joyfully than she'd ever heard any birds sing. She wished she could understand what they were singing- but it seemed happy at any rate!
She was about to go into the clearing when she heard a weak chirp. Normally, such a faint little noise would have been indistinguishable from the riot above, only... this chirp sounded sad. And it came from down on the ground! Snowdrop froze, one hoof lifted, and looked around. It took her a long time before she found the source- a tiny, shivering baby sparrow nestled at the base of a tree. It must have fallen from a nest, but Snowdrop couldn't see where that nest might be.
Poor thing. You look so cold and frightened. Looking back at the cottage, Snowdrop noticed all the birdhouses hanging on and around it. She brightened a bit. Maybe the owner knew where the sparrow's nest was. And even if they didn't, they might know something about birds! Snowdrop gently, very gently, picked up the shivering baby and tucked it under a warm, feathered wing. Then she marched up to the front door of the cottage and tapped lightly with a hoof!
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Post by Inkie Pie on Apr 30, 2012 23:56:12 GMT -5
Sigh...
Inkie Pie was out joining Snowdrop for her little morning gallop. But she seemed to have a totally different point of view on the day. Where she saw color, Inkie saw shades of gray.
Snowdrop happily galloped and splashed through the puddles.
Inkie carefully trudged through the choking midmorning fog, making sure to avoid the muddy, cold water that lie scattered about like a minefield.
Snowdrop heard birds singing.
Inkie just heard unintelligible garbles of chirps and squawks.
But that sad, weak chirp was something they both heard loud and clear. The greyscale filly followed her bright white friend all the way to the source of the noise. "Poor little guy..." Inkie commented with her usual dismal pessimism. "Must've gotten kicked out of the nest by the other birds..." She looked up, as if expecting proof to be plainly visible from so far below. "Or maybe he wanted to escape... and just hated being in the nest..."
Inkie looked around, and watched as Snowdrow ever-so-carefully tucked the baby bird under her wing. She carefully trotted alongside her, and up to the door of the cottage. "Fluttershy..." She mumbled, reading the name on her mailbox. "That name... I think Pinkie mentioned her before... I'm not sure though... that name definitely sounds familiar..." She stood there, thinking hard and trying to remember just who this pony was, and if she'd be any help.
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Post by Fluttershy on May 1, 2012 11:06:31 GMT -5
Fluttershy was having one heck of a morning. She had woken to the thumping of Angel's foot that tapped impatiently as she slowly tired to wake up. Though it was never voiced, or acted on, she was not a morning person. She loved to sleep in, but her snow white little bunny always needed her help. She not only had a responsibility to her, but all the other animals that looked up to her! Like every day that came and went, she pulled herself out of bed and made her way to the kitchen, Angel trailing right behind her.
Quickly, she made Angel's breakfast: strawberries, cherries and some carrots before going on right back to bed. "I'll just take a small nap."she yawned. "Then I'll get right to work,"she said, resting her head.on a soft pillow. But it wasnt long before another animal came through: Twilight's pet, an owl. It wasn't like she didn't trust Twilight to care of her own pet, but Fluttershy just loved to make every animal feel as happy and as loved as they could.
Though it wasnt really a tough choice (would she really leave any creature hanging just because she wanted a bit more shut eye?), she still had to drag herself out of her warm bed. She grabbed an assortment of grains for him to take his pick, simply because it was either that, or the mice that lived in her walls.
Suddenly, there was a knock at her door. Odd, she thought, not many people came around at this hour unless their names were Rainbow Dash or Pinkie Pie, both of which don't knock, but instead let themselves in. Leaving the owl to his snack, trotted over to the door, opening it wearily.
"Oh!"she exclaimed seeing two slightly familiar faces. The fray one looked like someone she knew... The white one she had seen and heard about many times but never actually met. But they were just so cute and young and small it didn't really matter! She was about to ask what they were here for and to offer a snack when she noticed the bird under the white one's wing. "Oh no! Here, permeability help,"she squeaked, gently taking the bird and galloping around her cottage. Soon, the little bird was in a small mound of blankets and some birdcarrots feed in athe little bowl near it. She sat next to the bird for a while, wondering what else she could do for the poor thing.
With her attention back to the young fillies, she gave them a warm smile. "Thank you both for bringing him to me. You did the right thing. Would you like some snacks?"she she asked, her voice soft and gentle.
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Post by Snowdrop on May 1, 2012 11:34:43 GMT -5
[[Autocorrect on a phone can be eeeevil]]
Snowdrop took one look into Fluttershy's eyes when the mare opened the door- and loved her instantly. Without needing to explain a thing, Fluttershy gently took the bird from her and seemed to know just what to do with it! Her confidence was all that the little white filly needed to see to be reassured. Snowdrop smiled joyfully over to Inkie Pie- wasn't it lucky that they had been so close to an expert? Then she tucked herself on a couch out of the way as Fluttershy rushed here and there, attending to the poor baby sparrow, who, soon wasn't looking or feeling very poor at all.
There was a lot to look at, in this pretty cottage! Though some ponies might have objected to living with mice or rats in their house, Fluttershy treated them like welcome friends, and even fed them! Snowdrop noted that there were rabbits- she took particular notice of a rabbit as white as herself!- and squirrels inside too, and that birds were able to fly in and out through an open window, which apparently they felt quite free to do, at any time. All in all, it seemed like a wonderful place to live, and Snowdrop wondered why anyone would want to live any other way!
When Fluttershy had finished all she could do for the little bird and had turned to ask them if they would like a snack, Snowdrop didn't hesitate. "I'd love one, if you don't mind!" she told the mare happily. "You have such a pretty house and so many nice friends. I know it's a bit rude, but I couldn't help staring- I've never seen any place so nice! Oh!" Snowdrop remembered that in all the concern about the bird, they were still somewhat strangers. Well, she could fix that, and she intended to! "I'm Snowdrop, and this is Inkie Pie! We're happy to meet you!"
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Post by Fluttershy on May 1, 2012 13:57:26 GMT -5
(sorry, splatter. I think inkie will have more to do if fluttershy replied)
With a smile and the nod of her head, Fluttershy strolled into the kitchen, wondering what they would like. Again, she wasn't one to have a lot of company from other ponies. The animals were her friends (aside from Twilight and the rest of the group) and she was fine with that, but it also meant that most of her snacks were for birds and other animals.
She decided to brew up a pot of mint tea and found some gingersnap cookies that Pinkie had dropped by a day ago and decided now would be perfect to dish them out. She carried back a plate full of cookies, then went back to bring the tea. Fluttershy sat down, arms and legs tucked in.
"Well, its nice to meet you, Snowdrop," she said. She turned to the gray filly, giving her an overly warm smile, thinking she was too down in the dumps. "Inkie Pie? Oh! You must be Pinkie's sister! She's talked about you before!" What happened next could be anyone's guess, for every word she said was mashed together.
"ItsgreattofinallymeetyouInkie.Howslifeattherockfarm?Howdoesoneponyevenfarmrocks? Areyouheretovisityoursister? Idontknowwheresheis,butwecouldgolookifyou want." She took a breath. "But we could wait. Try the colonies; Pinkie gave me them."
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Post by Inkie Pie on May 1, 2012 18:14:09 GMT -5
Inkie instantly remembered why the name was so familiar when Fluttershy opened the door. This was one of Pinkie's best friends, and probably the kindest pony in town. She drearily followed Snowdrop inside once Fluttershy had taken care of the poor little bird. Inkie felt a little bit better knowing that the little hatchling was safe... though her face didn't show it at all. As usual, she wasn't in the best of moods, so when Fluttershy offered snacks, she simply waited until Snowdrop took the lead, and added "Same".
Snowdrop seemed to be 'running the show' so to speak, and Inkie was content to just sit there, not thinking that she had anything interesting to add. That is, until a torrent of mile-a-minute words hit her, one that she would have only expected from her older sister. "Huh?" It took Inkie a moment, but she was able to desipher it, and just like when she was talking to Pinkie, took it question by question.
"Yes, I'm Pinkie's younger sister, Inkie Pie. Nice to meet you Fluttershy. Things are fine at the farm, but I'm staying with Pinkie now, at least for a little while. You farm rocks like anything else, you care for it, you harvest it. I'm not sure where Pinkie is right now, but I think she's around town running errands." She gave a melancholy shrug, as if to signify that she was done.
She sat back a bit, just in time for one of Fluttershy's many animal friends, a squirrel to scurry up, and curl itself up in it's big, bushy tail right next to her. Inkie just looked down at the furry little squirrel, raising a single eyebrow curiously.
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Post by Snowdrop on May 1, 2012 19:10:24 GMT -5
Surprise was not quite right word for the feeling Snow got when Fluttershy launched into a torrent of words. Amazement was far nearer the mark. But then again, it seemed everypony had a lot to say when it came to Pinkie Pie. That bubbly, fun happy pony knew everyone in town, or almost. The little pegasus bit into a cookie with a giggle.
Snowdrop had still not met the famous Pinkie Pie. She didn't know if it was bad luck, merest chance, destiny or fate, or if (as she once suspected) Inkie Pie might have had something to do with it, for reasons of her own. Not that she really believed that!
Snowdrop, her mouth full of cookie for a moment, gazed at her friend affectionately. She had come to know her new best friend a little better, and was beginning to understand Inkie's weary and somewhat vauge patience with 'The Rock Farm Question'. Every pony asked her that. Even Snowdrop had asked it. She had to admire Inkie for not losing her temper over the question, at least, not that she'd ever seen.
Washing down her mouthful of cookie with a sip of yummy mint tea, Snowdrop couldn't help asking, "How come your animals are so friendly? All the animals I've ever seen before are always so shy and they never let a pony get close. Is that your special talent? Taming animals, I mean." Snowdrop watched a striped badger make off with a cookie.
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Post by Fluttershy on May 1, 2012 20:10:47 GMT -5
Fluttershy nodded, approving of the answers Inkie had given her, though not totally satisfying. Mostly about the rock farm. Though they might think it was an easy concept to explain and that you didn't need to go into detail with it, she felt like she was missing out on some key points on how to farm rocks. Usually a farm requires things to grow. Didn't rocks form slowly? Anyhow, she decided not to harass the young pony about details.
Snowdrop spoke up, asking about her animals. "Oh, yes, they are rather nice, aren't they?" she replied, looking at the squirrel that cuddled up next to Inkie. "Tame them? Oh no. Gosh, no. I would never ask them to change themselves. I treat them with the same respect I would with anyone else and wait for them to come to me. If somepony were to just run up to a rabbit, the poor creature would run off, frightened," she tried to explain, hoping they would understand. Oh, okay, she realized, this is how Inkie must feel then.
"Mostly, I think it's just because I trust them, so they trust me," she thought out loud. "Why were you two in this area, anyways? Well, not that I don't mind that you brought the young bird to me, but why here? Wouldn't it be much more fun in town?" she questioned.
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Post by Inkie Pie on May 2, 2012 12:40:23 GMT -5
Inkie just stared at that squirrel for a few minutes, unsure whether to let him sleep there, or gently shoo him off. It's not like she didn't like the furry little thing, but she was mostly worried that Fluttershy might get a bit offended. After all, animals were her special talent and Inkie... well, as far as she was concerned, she didn't have any talents.
She nodded slowly, understanding Fluttershy's explanation as to why she doesn't tame them, if not quite the how of her explanation. "So... you don't tame them, you just... make friends easily?" She asked, hoping that her simplification was correct, and not accidentally offensive by making her special gift seem trivial.
To distract herself, she slowly started munching on a cookie... and immediately went back to her worrying. I hope that Pinkie doesn't get mad that I might have too many treats today, not that she ever does, but she could start today, and then I'd really be in trouble, I really don't want to make her upset with me, not that she ever has been, but I don't want to find out if she....
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Post by Snowdrop on May 2, 2012 13:02:26 GMT -5
Snowdrop glanced at Inkie Pie, to see (since she had spoken last) if she wanted to answer for why they were in the woods today. But Inkie had that inward, worried look again. Snowdrop was becoming familar with that look, and she accepted it when she couldn't distract her best friend...But only after making an attempt to! As for the squirrel who had curled up, Snow barely noticed him. She barely noticed the bluebird who was thinking that Snowdrop's head and mane might be the makings of a capital nest and was even now weaving some twigs and grass into it!
"I like to run in the woods in the morning," Snow began, beginning to lean towards Inkie. "Because it's quiet and I can practice my wing-strokes for flying." She leaned a little farther. "Or I can just have a good gallop without running into anypony." and a little farther still, she leaned. "But today was especially pretty, with mists and little rainbows and sweet birdsong-" Snowdrop was off balance now, and she slid over to end up with her head on Inkie's flank, looking up at her with a grin. The bluebird flew off with a mildly disgruntled chirp, that his 'ideal' nesting site had been disturbed. "-And so, when we found the little baby bird, your house was nearby. I saw the birdhouses out front and thought that you might know something about birds and be able to help!"
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Post by Fluttershy on May 2, 2012 20:29:58 GMT -5
Fluttershy blushed lightly. "Well...I don't really make friends easily, but with animals... oh, I don't know how to explain it. It just feels...right," she said. With other ponies, she was either a doormat and no one even paid attention to her, or she could barely even make eye contact, wishing she was a doormat. With animals, she didn't have to worry about embarrassing herself or doing something wrong. They all looked up to her, and she wouldn't let them down!
"Oh, I see. That's a good reason to be there, I guess," she said, concerned about the fillies' safety. "Did you let an adult know you would be there? Just in case something happened?" she asked, her eyes showing her worry. "If not, come by here whenever if you plan to. Afterwards, you could come back for another snack," she suggested, hoping the two would accept her offer.
"Anyhow, I'm super super glad that you two stumbled upon him. It's a horrible thing, to be all alone," she said, trying not to think of her younger days, before she met all the animals that became her friends.
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Post by Inkie Pie on May 5, 2012 22:40:10 GMT -5
Inkie was a bit too wrapped up in her worries to say much of anything, but she was still paying attention enough to add to Snowdrop's story with a simple "And I just came along..." She didn't really have much else to say. After all, Snowdrop was the one who took the initiative to actually do something about the poor baby bird. Otherwise, she would have just sat there, staring at it and worrying.
It seemed like all she did was worry, seeing the worst-case scenario. So, when the older mare started to express her concerns about the two fillys, she quickly tried to reply, thinking that somehow, if she didn't get satisfactory answers, she might somehow become upset with her. That was the last thing she wanted!
"Umm... no. I told Pinkie I'd be going out with Snowdrop, but I didn't tell her. I'm sorry, I'll be sure to tell her next time. And... and I'd like to come visit you again, if that's okay. I mean... I bet your busy taking care of all of these animals, I'd hate to get in the way... maybe it'd be better if I just stay home next time..." She lowered her head a bit... She finally added to Fluttershy's statement directed at the bird. "Yeah... it's horrible to be all alone..."
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Post by Snowdrop on May 6, 2012 4:33:22 GMT -5
Unlike Inkie Pie, Snowdrop wasn't very concerned about being in the way. If Fluttershy had been worried about that, she figured, the invitation would have been given a lot more reluctantly, with an air of required duty rather than one of genuine concern. So, cheerful little Snowdrop had no worries at all!
"I didn't tell anypony but that's okay because nopony really minds what I do." The little white filly announced, peeking over the edge of the couch to watch a family of mice. They too, had taken a cookie and the way they were sharing it amongst themselves made the filly smile. "But I'd like to come visit in the mornings and see you and all your animal friends! I wont get in the way, I promise! Inkie Pie won't get in the way too! And besides, I'll wanna see how the baby bird is doing. Although, since you're taking care of him, I bet he'll be fine. But I'd still wanna see him. And you, too..." That last part was added a little shyly.
Snowdrop, however, did not reply to the statement about being all alone so quickly. Actually, there were times when she liked to be alone. When she was imagining something silly, like the time she hid in a trash can and tried to pretend she was a can of peaches- She was rather grateful there was no one around to see that! But she had to admit there was a lot of truth in the statement otherwise. "Especially when you're cold and hungry and frightened." She finally added, after Inkie Pie agreed, watching the baby bird peck at the birdseed with satisfaction.
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Post by Fluttershy on May 6, 2012 21:51:49 GMT -5
"O-oh, okay," Fluttershy replied. Neither of the two really had told anyone where they were? Oh dear, that could be so dangerous! What if a dragon came along and did something horrible! Or if they had gotten lost and no one knew where they could possibly be! She felt the urge have them promise her that they would always tell her if they went into the woods near her house, but she decided not to. She had to have a little trust in the fillies.
"Oh, Inkie, you don't have to stay at home," she cooed. "I just want to make sure that you're safe," she told the monochromatic pony. She turned to Snowdrop and nodded when the exuberant pony said she wanted to come in the mornings to check on the bird without realizing she had said "morning". Oh no, she liked her rest. Oh well... If they wanted to come over, they could come over. She did invite them, after all. Did she?
"This little birdie with be feeling better in no time," she said. Though it was true she would prefer the two not to come in the morning, that didn't mean she wouldn't let the girls come in to check on the injured animal. Fluttershy was fairly confident that the bird was not in danger of any further harm unless something drastic happened.
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Post by Inkie Pie on May 7, 2012 17:22:20 GMT -5
Inkie lowered her head to the floor, just staring at that baby bird, and lost in her worries. Fluttershy's reassurances did little to quell the storms of pessimism that constantly surged inside the little filly. To anypony who didn't know her, she might even seem like she was sulking over something.
In reality, she was just in one of her usual moods. "Especially when you're cold and hungry and frightened" Inkie's eyes drifted up to Snowdrop as she added to her previous statement. Was she rubbing off on her? No, she brushed the thought from her mind. Snowdrop said it with far too chipper of a tone to really mean anything to Inkie, she was just being conversational.
Fluttershy's gentle voice brought Inkie back to reality, assuring her that she only wanted her to be safe. Inkie nodded slowly. "Of course you do, I understand." Inkie could tell that she genuinely worried for her safety, but she was far more worried about somehow upsetting the older pegasus, maybe by showing up at a bad time, showing up too often, or maybe not often enough! Either way, Inkie didn't want to risk it. What would Pinkie say if she upset her friend Fluttershy? So for now, Inkie just stayed quiet, nodding her head slightly
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