The Softness of Her Heart

Cherries

Fluttershy's P.O.V:

I woke up as soon as the sun rose. Then, I folded my blanket, brushed my teeth, had a shower, and then I brushed my mane.

Then I flew downstairs and started giving every creature their food. Every creature is happy with what I give them, except for Angel.

Angel pushes the bowl of salad away from him and I give it back to him saying, "Angel, eat your salad."

Angel puts the bowl upside down and I ask him, "You don't want to eat salad? But why? Salad is healthy, it tastes nice, it's very good for you."

Angel opens a book and taps the picture. I asked him, "You want to eat that?"

Angel nods and I say, "Ok. I'll make it for you."

I check the ingredients and see that I need three cherries, four blueberries, one apple, and some strawberries.

I open my cupboard and see that I don't have any cherries. I had everything but that.

I asked Angel, "This could be fine without a cherry, right?"

Angel shakes his head and I sigh. Because I had no cherries left, I had to go to buy some more, but the problem was that while I was gone, there wouldn't be anypony to watch Sombra, and he might...do something while I'm gone.

Angel looked at me and I sighed again. I walked to the sofa and woke Sombra.

Once he opened his eyes, I said, "Sombra? I'm sorry for waking you, you could've been in the middle of having a nice dream and I know how it feels to never be able to finish a dream, and I'd hate that, but I need to tell you something important."

Sombra sleepily said, "Hmm?"

I continued, "I need to go to buy some cherries for Angel, and I'll have to leave you here alone with nopony to watch you. When I come back, I want to see that every creature is fine and that you haven't hurt them or done anything. Ok?"

Sombra nodded and fell back asleep. I drank some water and then put my saddlebag on.

Then I walked to the cherry store. There was a long line when I got there. I joined the line and waited for it to become shorter. Slowly, it became shorter, and shorter, and shorter, until I was the only pony there.

I gave the shopkeeper 16 bits and said, "Could you please give me three cherries?"

The shopkeeper said, "The price has changed. Now it's 25 bits for three cherries. You only gave enough bits to buy two cherries."

"But last week it was 16 bits.", I said to the shopkeeper.

He said, "That was last week. Now the price has changed. So, either give more or take two cherries and go."

"But I don't have any more bits.", I told him.

"Bad luck for you then.", he said. "Take your two cherries and go."

"Can't you just give me three cherries for 16 bits?"

"No."

"But I really need three cherries. Can't you just-"

The shopkeeper cut me off. "No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"No."

What happened next was out of my control. I found myself giving him the stare.

The shopkeeper said, "You can take three cherries for 16 bits."

I thanked the shopkeeper, put the cherries in my saddlebag, and flew off.

I felt bad that I used the stare on the shopkeeper. I didn't know if I'd ever forgive myself for using it.

I only used the stare when there was no other option in a dangerous situation.

Not getting three cherries because I didn't have enough bits wasn't a dangerous situation.

I landed just in front of my cottage and opened the door, half scared of what I'd find inside.

But, instead of finding hurt creatures, I found everything just how it was before I had left.

Sombra was still sleeping. I made Angel's food and gave it to him. Then I got some grapes for me and Sombra to eat.

I waited until Sombra woke up to eat. When he woke up, I told him to make himself tidy.

So, he did. When he came down, I gave him some grapes and we both ate.

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After making sure that Sombra was sleeping, I went to my room and got on my bed. Then, I unfolded my blanket and slept.

Author's note: Fluttershy sure is very kind. I apologize for the delay in publishing this chapter. I nearly forgot about it. Don't forget to...Vote...Like...Comment...Share!