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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(Rainbow might not be that confident in her skills of romance or knowing how to handle things, but she's gotten a little better at recognizing when someone's got feelings for somebody else.)

...You like him...The same way I do Twi...don't you?

(As far as her own feelings, Rainbow would just hold off on anything of that matter until the day Twilight returned, assuming the Digital World needed her again. She'd figure things out then.)

[She hesitates for a moment, her eyes staring at the floor before barely just barely lifting them to look at Rainbow Dash.]

...Yes...

(That earlier pout? It's back again, after a moment of her eyes widening again as she stares at Fluttershy. She knows her friend knew how difficult it had been for her, so there was no need to rehash it.)

...You were gonna tell me, right? I wasn't gonna find out when you were halfway out in the wild?

N-No I...Of course I was going to tell you...! I...

I wouldn't even go unless I was sure you'd be okay with it...

(Rainbow holds her gaze once more befure pulling away and turning around, her wings folded tightly against her. Cue a quick, barely heard sniffle, before going on.)

...Of course I'm not okay with it! We've barely hung out at all since I got here, except for those times we made sure to get together and talk and even then you had to recuperate most of those times.

But...! (If Fluttershy had been about to protest or say something, she rose her hand up to stop her for a moment.)

[She had been, but Rainbow Dash's hand stopped her before the words could leave her lips. Instead she waited expectantly for her to continue.]

But... (A beat as she puts her hand back down.) ...I shouldn't let how I feel about this stop you from going.

(Twilight, Applejack, possibly Rarity...she was sure Fluttershy could tell what she was worried about.)

[She bit her bottom lip, her eyes once again turning away.]

Dashie, I...I-I don't want you to feel like I've abandoned you...I-It's just...

You and I...we'll always be friends...That's never going to change. And when all this is over...we'll be going to the same place...We'll be going home together...

B-But if...i-if either Chris or I get sent home, I...I-I'm never...going to see him again...

[Releasing a shaky breath, she closed her eyes as tears started to fill them.]

I-I just...want to...t-to spend some time with him...while I still have the chance...

Edited 2014-03-03 07:26 (UTC)

(Rainbow sniffles for a moment or two after hearing her fillyhood friend's passionate explanation, turning back around to press her hands against her tear-streaked -eventually- face.)

I know, Flutters...I'm just sick of this world taking all of our friends away...I-I don't want you to go back home...without me...

(She gives the pink haired girl a soft smile before pulling her back into a tight hug.)

Ha, spend time with him...while you have the chance, huh?

[She sniffled, smiling as she returned the hug.]

M-Mm...thank you...

(She held onto the hug for quite some time before pulling back.)

Yeah...if you ever need me for anything, just let me know...Element of Loyalty, right? I'll never leave you alone out there...!

Edited 2014-03-03 08:10 (UTC)

[She nodded, still holding Rainbow Dash's hands even after the hug.]

O-Okay...I-I'll call often too...I promise.

(She nods with a grin, squeezing Fluttershy's hands with her own.)

Yeah, I'll answer right away! And for some weird reason if I can't, it'll be Pinkie instead...!

[She smiled.]

Thank you, Dashie...You have no idea how much this means to me.

Heh, I could guess...but I wouldn't be anywhere close to right even if I did!

(Her grin widens a bit at her own statement.)

[She laughed softly.] You might be closer than you'd think.

(She laughs loudly, going silent almos instantly.) It'd be kinda like if I got another chance with Twilight...right, Flutters?

[Her smile softened at that.] M-Mm...I-It's just like that...

(She blinks back tears of gratitude while reaching into her pocket.) Thanks...a-anyway, I know you aren't leaving yet but when you do...there's something I want you to hold onto for me...

[She blinked a little, curious.] Hmm...What's that?

(Her grin comes back in full as she holds her hand up to reveal...the Rainbow Dash puppet Trixie made many moons ago ~~Actually a few months ago.~~!) Anytime you worry about stuff and wish anypony was there with you, just pull out this little one and think of me!

(The Twilight puppet stays with Dashie, obviously.)

[She blinks in surprise, carefully taking the puppet. She gently brushes the rainbow hair from the puppet's face, then smiles as she looks back up at Rainbow.]

I-I will...thank you.

Anytime...you're my best friend, Flutters...I'll always be there for you.

[She smiled, reaching over for another hug.]

(Which, along with the smile, is graciously accepted and returned.)

23 Butterflies | Video

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