themainframe | 23 Butterflies

[The feed comes to life as Sprout rubs the back of her head, looking a little embarrassed.]

So uh...hey guys...

[While not entirely whispering, she does seem to be making an effort to keep her voice down.]

So...sorry that we uh...disappeared for a bit. The three of us kinda got...swept up in a data stream that dropped us off in some forest...without the D-Terminal, conveniently. [You can hear the sarcasm dripping in her voice.]

We just got back...like literally just got back. Seems we missed a bunch'a stuff, huh?

[Her expression sobers for a moment.] Looks like a lotta people left, huh? [Sprout glances behind her with a bit of a concerned expression, and her next words sound more like she's talking to herself.] Hope she doesn't get too upset...

[Then she clears her throat, turning back to the camera.] So yeah, uh...Just wanted to let you guys know Fluttershy's back, safe and sound. She's doing okay, nothing some days resting up won't fix.

...Oh yeah...Chris, if you uh...whenever you see this, mind giving us a call? I think Fluttershy wanted to ask you something...

[As Sprout moves to turn the D-Terminal off, there's a brief glimpse of Fluttershy - a little scratched up but on the whole looking all right - on the screen behind her, lying in bed with Choco sleeping against her side and a rabbit plush tucked in her arms as she slept.]

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Yes, Arcee...

[She manages a small smile.]

I-It's...sad that they're gone, but...I'm glad they were able to leave together...

...Yeah.

(She won't say she wishes she could've left with Twilight, since she thought that for some time after she first left.)

Is this how you felt when the others left?

...More or less...

...At least now you've got more than just your non-pony friends to help out.

(She gives her a faint grin.)

...Y-Yeah...

[Though she manages a small smile, there's something about her that seems a bit distracted. Like her thoughts were a little farther away.]

...Flutters? Is something wrong?

(Rainbow's able to pick up on it pretty easily. She's usually quieter than this in most cases.)

[She hesitates for a moment.] Um...Rainbow Dash...there's something...I-I need to tell you...

(Oh, boy. Her expression deflates almost instantly. Plus, she used her full name.) ...What is it, Fluttershy?

Would...you mind coming over? It'd be better to tell you face-to-face...

[Even if it doesn't make it any easier...]

(She's outside the window of her apartment, rapping impatiently on it in less than 10 seconds. Would've been five but she had to make sure Pinkie and Speedy were ready, too.)

[Choco's the one who opens the window for them to let them in.]

Hey guys...!

...'Sup? (Rainbow quickly pets Choco while zipping in and dropping in front of Fluttershy.)

What's wrong? Where does it hurt?! Who tried to attack you while you were out there alone? Who's flank do I have to kick?

(Pinkie can't stop laughing; Speedy's smiling apologetically.)

Edited 2014-03-02 06:37 (UTC)

[Fluttershy blinks.]

N...N-No, Dashie, it's...nothing like that. I'm fine...really...

...That's great, Flutters. But if it's not that...?

(Rainbow doesn't wanna ask, but she suspects something's up.)

Edited 2014-03-02 06:43 (UTC)

W-Well, um...

[She tucks some hair behind her ear, trying to think of what to say.]

You know...Chris and Martin...?

Yeah...they're your friends and I've talked with 'em a few times, I think. (Or maybe one of them.)

W-Well...the two of them are out...traveling right now...exploring the continent...But before they left, Chris had...had asked me if I...wanted to go with them...

...You said 'yes,' didn't you?

Well...n-no, actually...

Not...not that time, anyway...

(Rainbow almost sighed in relief...until hearing the last part.)

'That' time? When did they offer it again?

W-Well, they...they didn't offer it again exactly...When I turned Chris down the first time, he...he said that if I ever changed my mind, I...I could go with them...

S-So...a little while ago, I...asked him if I still could...

...So, you're just stopping in town to get your stuff and leave...?

(She's not gonna cry. Rainbow's made of stronger stuff than that! She probably just has something in her eye, that's all...)

Well, I-I...I have to wait for them to get back...

Please don't be upset, Dashie.

Upset? Why would I be upset, Flutters? Just 'cause I haven't been able to help look out for you since I got here, and the last few times your wings were hurt or you got caught in a data stream...why would I be upset?

(Denial, denial, deniaaaaaal...nore than just a river in Egypt.)

Oh, Dashie...

[She reaches over to give her long-time friend a hug.]

None of that was your fault. Those were all circumstances that were far out of our control...

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