My Little Fluttershy

Chapter 5

Ch5

We lay there at the zenith of a small hill, lush green meadows spanning as far as the eye can see. A willow tree above provides shade from the bright noon sun as it's branches sway in the crisp breeze. Just me and the squirrels and the bunnies and the tiny sparrows with their sweet little song, relaxing on a breezy mid-September day. As I lay there feeding the critters from a saddleside satchel, the white clouds above paint pictures in the sapphire sky like an airborne art convention. The aroma of sweet cinnamon drifts by on a wind, whispering of fresh baked pastries. 

My snout quivers slightly at the scent, stirring me from my dream. I sit up yawning, rubbing my sleepy eyes. As they adjust to the blurred surroundings, memory of the previous night begins to return; everything from the traumatic fall to the gentle caress of the kind human's hand. It's all so much to take in, like a nonsensical dream. Yet this can't be a dream... I know what a dream feels like. I was just dreaming a minute ago and that felt completely different. 'I still have no idea where I am,' I sigh thinking to myself, 'well at least I have somewhere to stay.'

He was sleeping now, the human, his chest rising and falling with his steady breathing. It had been so scary at first, when he was yelling at me. But then it was like he just melted, feeding me and dressing my injuries. I nuzzle up against his arm, just lying there for a few minutes, listening to the strange array of noises drifting in through the open window. But then the scent of cinnamon returns and my tummy begins to rumble. Whatever the neighbors are baking smells delicious. 

Hungry, I trot up the bed and whimper softly next to his ear. But he just grumbles inaudibly and rolls over, pinning my wing under his arm. Luckily he's not very heavy, so I'm able to free my wing. With the human asleep, I decide to find my own food. I make a quick stop at the washroom to clean up and fix my mane, the morning routine somehow hardwired into my memory from repetition in a previous life. 

The stairs look different in the sunlight, a large arching window allowing the wintery rays inside. I make my way downstairs, nose to the ground, sniffing for something to eat. Up on the counter, I spot a large bowl with yellowing bananas and fresh apples, out of reach. They're way to high to jump to, but then I see the trash can. If I could just leap from there onto the counter, I could get an apple. 'But it would be dangerous, Fluttershy,' I tell myself, 'Don't do it, you're going to get hurt.' My tummy grumbles again and I ignore the voice inside my head, cautiously hopping onto the lid of the trash can. It wobbles, and I quickly jump to the countertop, causing the can to fall over. A whimper escapes my lips as it hits the ground with a crash. It's contents pour out, shards of glass bottles and half finished chip bags strewn across the floor. 'Oh no... I hope he won't get upset. I'll clean it up after,' I think to myself, hoping he didn't wake up from the noise. 

On the bright side, at least I can get my apple now. I trot across the counter top, towards the bowl just past the sink. I walk slowly, against the wall as I cross the sink basin, trying my best not to fall in. As I sidle along the wall, my wing brushes the center handle and water begins to trickle from the faucet. The sudden dripping reminds me how thirsty I am and I lean over the edge, tongue extended to catch the drink. Reaching too far, I lose my balance, falling right into the basin with the water still on, causing my fur to get all wet. At first I enjoy the steady stream of crisp water, drinking until I'm satisfied. But when I try to escape the steep wet slope of the sink, the water turns from a welcome treat to a slippery hindrance as the faucet continues to drip. After a whole lot of effort, I manage to make my way out of the basin, shivering and soaking wet. I reach the bowl of fruit, leaving a slippery trail along the countertop. I pick the shiniest of all the apple and I try to bite into it, but my teeth just scratch the surface. Wrestling with the fruit, I slide along the counter as I try to sink my teeth inside from all angles. Too absorbed in my fight with the fruit, I lose track of where I am and I wind up sliding off the counter, still clutching the apple.