mylittlejamjar | First Attempt: Arrival (video & action)

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First Attempt: Arrival (video & action)

[ It's a little traumatic to go to your nice, cozy home on the outskirts of Ponyville and find it already occupied. But indeed, what Fluttershy hears upon arrival at the front door is... her own voice coming from inside.

She stays just long enough to peek in a window and see herself cleaning things up before she flees the scene.

At which point she decides that the bridge in front of her house is the safest place to take up residence until she can muster the courage to go inside and see what's going on. In the meantime, she examines the new scroll in her possession. ]

[ A video post goes out some time after her arrival. ]

Um. Excuse me. I’m sorry to bother you all… it’s just that… um…

[ She opens her mouth and tries to speak, then glances behind her, offscreen, looking towards what was until very recently her hut. If she had the courage to go talk to her double right now, she would. But alas. ]

I was just… wondering. Well, it’s not very warm right now and… well, if anypony has a blanket they could spare? Just for tonight, I promise.

Oh, this was a bad idea. Never mind. [ The video clicks off. ]

[ The pegasus might be found wandering around Ponyville in something of a daze a little later, hiding under bushes and things while she tries to figure out what's going on. But for the most part, she'll stay under the bridge until it gets too cramped. And then she'll stay a little while longer. ]

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...I let her live. Is that enough of a chance?

You--

[ Her eyes widen. ] Oh, Twilight.

[ She's not sure what to say. ]

(Twilight sighs. She has a lot of explaining to do...)

The wedding wasn't my only encounter with Chrysalis. Let's just say I saw what happened if her invasion was successful. It took a lot of restraint to not finish the job during her most recent invasion a few months ago.

[ Fluttershy nods slowly, and swallows some of her initial worry and fear for her friend. It made sense that for Twilight to be pushed so far, she had to have been badly hurting. Even if she was still a little afraid for her. ]

Maybe you're right, and that's the most you can do right now. [ She'd understand if Twilight was staying away from the library on purpose. ] But everypony deserves more than life.

[ She bites her tongue. Maybe she's said too much. ] Um. I can find the library if you don't want to come...

...And that's why you're the element of kindness and I'm not.

(Twilight laughs weakly shakes her head.) I'll come with you. Just because I can't be there for Chrysalis doesn't mean I can't be there for you. I can't guarantee her safety if we're in the same room, but I can at least wait outside if you need me.

[ Fluttershy places a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. ] Twilight, I know this didn't happen to you, but the night you got your wings, Celestia pointed out something: the element of friendship has a little bit of all of the other elements inside it. So in a way, you're the element of kindness, too.

Well--

(Stop right there, Twilight. Don't say anything else; just take the compliment for what it is and keep everything moving. She places a hoof on top of the pegasi's.)

...Thanks, Fluttershy.

(She smiles.)

If you're really sure you want to do this, then let's not put it off any more than we have.

[ Fluttershy nods and starts walking again. The library is pretty close now. ]

I'll be right back, Twilight. [ She gives her a shaky smile and hopes she doesn't notice her hooves trembling. Then opens the library door. ]

(Twilight puts a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder.)

Remember: I'm right outside, if you need me. Don't hesitate to call for me if you get too worried.

[ She gulps and nods, but doesn't quite trust her throat into saying anything. So she gives Twilight's hoof a squeeze and tiptoes into the room. ]

(Twilight has taken a few extra precautions, in the event that Fluttershy becomes too nervous to even whisper, let alone shout for help, so in that regard, the matter is taken care of.

There is, however, the matter of Chrysalis, who is occupying herself with organizing books on the middle and lower shelves of the library. The higher ones are more difficult to manage without her magic, so she's saving them for last. She either hasn't noticed Fluttershy coming into the library or simply doesn't care. It's hard to say, but either way, here the former changeling queen works.)

[ Fluttershy looks around for Spike, but doesn't see him. So she clears her throat (inaudibly) and speaks. ]

Um. Excuse me.

(Chrysalis snorts and rolls her eyes, pausing for a moment before returning to her chores.)

What now, Fluttershy? If this is another "let's be friends" attempt, then get out and let me finish my work. It'll be as much of a waste of breath as all your other attempts.

Well... no. It's not.

[ With all the strength in her, she trots over to the towering changeling pony and examines her books. ]

I just wanted to... give you a hoof. [ She flies up towards the top shelf, peering down at the deposed monarch's work. ] Are you organizing these alphabetically by author?

(Chrysalis glanced over at the pegasus, her eyes robbed of the confidence that usually filled them, but filled with arrogant pride.)

What does it matter to you? I don't need your help; I don't need anyone's help.

[ Fluttershy peers at the bookshelf. That's the best she can seem to gather about Chrysalis's organization attempts. Goodness, some of these have been hastily and improperly shelved. ]

Of course. And-- [ It takes her a couple of attempts to slide the book back into place on the shelf ] --even if you don't want it, I'm giving it to you.

[ It's a miracle her wings haven't locked up, but she doesn't want to involve Twilight at any cost. She quietly flies a book down to the pile besides Chrysalis (its place is lower). ]

(Intentionally shelved hastily and improperly, mind you. Mostly so, anyway; certain neat sections indicate that Chrysalis is fully capable of proper sorting, but lacks the inclination needed to treat the entire library that way.)

Well I'm giving it back. Don't you have your animal friends to tend to or that other self of yours to pacify?

(Yeah, guess who hasn't realized that you're a new Shy entirely.)

Well... my other selves have gotten that in control for now, I think, so I have more free time. [ She gives a small smile before returning quickly to the shelving. ] This library can get sort of empty, can't it?

("Selves..." wonderful. Another Fluttershy.)

Hardly. Twilight and her pet crowd the library more than I could prefer.

Now, now. Spike isn't a pet. He's our friend.

[ "Our" implying he's Chrissy's friend, as well. ]

He's your friend. ("Your" implying he's everyone's friend but Chrissy's.) He's my keeper.

(The venom in her voice describes her feelings on their relationship quite well.)

He's just trying to help. He could be your friend if you just give him a chance.

[ Which she is determined to do with Chrysalis. ]

Tell that to his spray bottle.

(Seriously, that thing is the bane of her existence, especially with how trigger happy he gets with it.)

He- he uses one? Oh, I'm sorry. I can talk to him. That's not what friends are supposed to do at all.

That's because I'm not his friend; I'm his pet.

I don't have friends; I don't need friends. Never have; never will.

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