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 Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 4:35 pm
 First light welcomed a Prince of the trees and the branches embraced him in his natural camouflage. Green and browns served him in a home long ago and here. Needing a job, Everfree took to protecting the tree from the air. Before the explosion, he didn't think much of it, talk of blood pae were just words with no connections.
Now, even after all that time, looking at where the Tree was injured still made his heart clinch. That is when it became real and when his dedication redoubled. So, every morning the Prince patrolled the tree's branches looking for trouble from the air. He was careful to avoid getting in the way of the guards themselves as he hadn't officially joined their ranks.
During the morning patrols Everfree trained himself, pushing agility and reflex along the branches. It had been seasons since he actually ran into a branch. Either he had gotten better or the Tree took pity on him. That or the Tree didn't like having a faun run into Her. It was hard to tell.
Midday brought the faun Prince back indoors. A few steps within his monkey companion joined him, siting on his shoulder and chattering about something or another.
The animal brought a smile, he loved having her around. There were others he knew and enjoyed having around that he hadn't seen in a while. A conversion between two faun about rabbits brought to memory of a soft yellow Pegasus popped back up, beautiful daisy among the flowers that represented those he knew. Had she moved out of the tree? He couldn't remember seeing her recently and worried all the same. It was a good time to check and see if she was home.
Pulling together another lunch into the basket weaved for him so many seasons ago, he gathered gifts for if the fauness was home. From there, he walked towards where he last knew her live knocking on the door and waiting respectfully.
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Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 7:04 pm
 Those who knew the yellow pegasus well might have noticed a startling change in their shy friend following the night of her 'disappearance'. Then again, those who knew her well enough probably wouldn't have been startled at all. Very few could say.
And she certainly wasn't saying much herself.
Since her return, Fluttershy had locked herself in her quarters, answering for no one. She was quieter than she had ever been, quieter than even her tiniest of companions. There were no sounds coming from her hollow save from the occasional bear rumble or monkey chatter. Even her bird friends seemed to sing less or not at all.
A note from a certain unicorn fashionista lay on her desk, opened but ignored. Fluttersehy could practically hear the scandalous gasping, the simultaneously approving yet disapproving tone of her friend asking for every last detail. The excitement, fear and curiosity in her choice of words left little to imagine. The yellow pegasus was surprised her friend had not already rushed to the tree and was busting through the door asking multitudes of questions and comparing it to The Grand Galloping Gala.
Oh how it was vastly different from the Gala!
Lemon Heart had returned.... normal. For as much as Fluttershy could tell, her friend seemed as pleased as usual, nothing at all troubling her mind. Then again, Lemon had attended these things somewhat regularly. Fluttershy had to keep reminding herself of that. The way she spoke of them and of Him. Well she had met Hymn. Though it had become quickly apparent it was not quite the him Lemon had in mind. Still...
He was so charming...
He wasn't anything like she had heard stories of. Like the ones that had attacked the tree and dealt great damage to their home. From all she had heard about this particular Hymn, Rais had somewhat of a mutual understanding with them, and they in return respected the tree. At least some of them anyways. In all that time and chaos she had learned so much and yet so little. She still had so many questions left on her mind. So many fears, so many worries...
Something stirred her from her thoughts however, leaving her little time to prep herself. A knock sounded at her door and she squeaked, jumping underneath the tent of blankets she had made herself. Angel bunny used a paw to lift a corner of the fabric and peeked up at her with a disapproving glance. Songbird tittered a small tune as it darted around the room and landed on the pillows next too her. Fuzzy grumbled and Mister Nanners screeched a welcome.
"C-c-c-coming!" the pegasus squeaked, her tone scarcely above a whisper it was a miracle that whoever stood at her door heard her at all. Slipping out from her covers, Fluttershy crossed the threshold towards the door, cracking it ever so slightly and peered out.
A gasp lodged itself in her throat as she beheld the green and brown figure of her alicorn friend, Prince Everfree. "O-o-oh Everf-f-free...!" she said breathlessly, her gaze immediately darting down to her hooves, cheeks tinged pink.
Surely he had heard the rumors already and come question her.
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Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 2:09 am
There was temptation to strain his ears in order to hear what was going on in there. It wasn't the rumors that concerned him, it was the lack of seeing her. Was she okay?
More sound then he'd heard in a while echoed from her chambers confirming the animals were alright. If they were alright, she was alright. Moments passed and the ailcorn was counting appropriate minutes to leave. If she wasn't actually back or didn't want visitors standing outside her quarters would be rude even if the intentions were sterling.
Then the door opened and with it a flood of relief. She at least looked fine if a touch shier than normal.
Giving a gentle smile he greeted her, "Hello, Lady Fluttershy." Even without anyone looking, he still offered a bow though less flashy then when he had first arrived. Slowly the Tree's way had started to become normal. Even still, she was a lady from his homeland respect was still deserved.
Shifting the basket he gave the reason for his calling upon her, "I wasn't sure if you had eaten. I brought you food if you desired, including as best a recreation of what Angel requested last time." The basket had way more then the average pony could eat, but she was far from average. Fluttershy cared for so many critters, anything average wouldn't make the cut around them.
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Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 7:10 pm
He wasn't insulting her or calling her names...and he wasn't avoiding her gaze...
And he still bowed!
At that gesture alone, Fluttershy almost burst into tears but she bit her bottom lip and held back. Still, she kept her gaze cast towards the ground. "Oh...thank you, that's s-s-o kind.... I'm f-f-fine though..." she said softly, bowing her head and ushering a soft apology before attempting to close the door.
Or at least she would have except the sudden thudding of a paw against the bark made her stop. Angel bunny was standing in the door way looking up at her angrily. He waved a paw towards the green Prince before shaking it at her and chattering a serious string of unhappy noises.
Shaking her head but smiling softly, Fluttershy ducked back behind the door to calm herself before opening it fully. "I'm... so sorry.... Please come in. Angel thanks you most graciously...." she nodded, quickly scooting back to tidy up a few things, hopefully before he noticed. Her mind raced with a million 'What if's as she thought of all the things he might question her about. Would he ask her where she had gone? About the party? What she did? Who she met? Would he judge her? Would he hate her? The suspense ate away at her as she stood, twiddling her thumbs and hooves together uncertainly, eyes still darting every which direction but upon him.
Angel however, was all over Everfree. Quite demanding so as he waited, paws open for his meal.
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Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 7:48 pm
Velvet ears started to droop when she went to close the door on him. No way could he force the door on her but he still wanted to reach out. Just to know if she was okay. At a loss on what he could say to get her to talk to him, a little white bunny came to his aid. Soft smile and a little short chuckle followed as a little mental thank you to the rabbit was issued.
Ducking into the room, he thought it quite fitting for her. Animals and life made it cozy yet comfortable. Lack of noise from the room previously was worrisome but a quick glance seemed everyone was at least in good shape.
Ignoring Angel now would be quite rude, and likely impossible. "Pardon me," Before placing the basket down on a flat surface an apology was issued to Fluttershy. Eyes caught, the Prince paused losing his train of thought. None of the time he'd known her had she ever seemed so distressed. Could it be him in her room? It would have been likely if it wasn't for what seemed to be distress before he entered.
Not confident in his reading, the stallion hurried back to removing a plate of food made specifically for Angel. "This was made from memory, if anything is off I apologize, Angel. I'll do better." The logical rest of the sentence tapered off.
Unsure what to bring Fluttershy, once Angel's food had been presented, flurish of wings in a show if playfullness, he presented Fluttershy with a bowl of sliced apples, touch of honey and some oats. "I didn't know if you were hungry." Dropping playfullness for the more serious concern he asked her, "Are you alright, Fluttershy?" There wasn't another question he wanted answered besides what he could do for her.
Instinct in him wanted to hug her, arms and wings to try and calm whatever was haunting her so. That felt very much like a very bad idea right now so he stood back and just offered the bowl with no more prompting. She'd do or say what was right for her, he'd stand there silently waiting.
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Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 5:14 pm
Fluttershy managed a small smile, though her gaze remained on her bunny companion rather than the stallion entering her room at the moment. She watched him set his basket down and proceed to treat her dear Angel Bunny to a salad treat. He was always so kind to animals, something she appreciated about him very much so.
Still, her mind was else where.
Angel, however seemed pleased. At least pleased enough. He thumped his foot a few times and pointed a paw at the stallion, squeaking something at him as if the Prince had forgotten one tiny detail but that he'd be a gracious bunny and forgive him. It didn't take long for Angel to dig into his treat either, suggesting he was more than excited to be spoiled by someone other than Fluttershy.
The yellow pegasus was almost completely lost in her thoughts again when the ruffle of wing feathers drew her attention back towards the green alicorn and his offering of fruits, delicately glazed with honey and oats. Cheeks not able to turn anymore pink, Fluttershy bit her lip and held back a few tears.
"You are so kind." she spoke softly, almost more soft of a tone than her usual as she gently reached out and took the bowl from him. She held it close to her as if she were hugging a stuffed animal, still too scared to meet his gaze for more than a few seconds.
[]b"Have.... have you....heard anything.... ab-b-bout the last.. c-couple days?" she turned her head to the side though peered at him from the corner of her eyes curiously, wings postured in a way that suggested she was ready to use them as cover to hide behind depending on the answer he gave.
In her mind she had told herself so many times that rumors were spreading quickly about the tree of her 'wild night' and that she was no doubt labeled as a traitor. It didn't matter that no one outright called her such or even gave her awkward glances. Not even her nosy fashion friend who seemed more interested in details about the party and the deities rather than the fact that Fluttershy had been drug along.
Still, a panicked, naive mind could convince itself of many things... EvilSilverDragon i am so sorry. pls feel free to send me to the dungeon for my slowness x.x
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Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:09 pm
Ears and eyes could not go everywhere, even in such cozy quarters. Even with the battle of concern, Angel managed to bring levity to the field. Grinning down at the little white rabbit, large of attitude and charm, he remarked, "I am honored you approve." Tiny paw movements indicated there was probably more to the exchange than he gathered, but actions spoke louder.
Chest swelled, warmth radiating from within at the sight of Angel eating away. If his memory failed, clearly it was over looked. The added bonus, a happily eating white rabbit wouldn't demand attention.
In a room full of critters, the one that projected a demand for attention was the most silent. Oh it wasn't intentional, even he could see how badly the soft yellow Pegasus wanted to retreat. Pulled by something deep inside, a call to do something was strong. Lessons of life taught to be still when an action wasn't clear.
Charm and beauty faded against the soft blanket of blue, a cloud over the Pegasus in front of him leaving conflicting pictures. Set by itself, the blush blazed radiant against her yellow cheeks. The compliment against her hair set so natural like it was meant to have always been there. Liken to azaleas on a bush, the vibrant green leaves looked beautiful on its own. Addition to the flowers set the softness enhancing but never distracting or demising.
Sense of blue didn't suit her, but he was at a loss on how to move the cloud, let in a little sun.
Eased by her acceptance of his offering, "Anytime, my lady." That was something, at least she might eat.
At once he found himself swallowing and shifting his own wings, ear flickering back than forth as he observed as much as heard. Fancying himself a fairly good observer, he had to use moments of silence to try and read what she was really asking. Shifting of her wings and the turning of her head, it was almost like she was afraid of him. The chill started from his chest and quickly raced around, winters breeze in summer.
Just what had happened?
Brow knitted tight, earthen eyes glued to the lady in front of him trying all at once to read but not to read too much. "You were away, with another unicorn I believe." Words came slower, deeper tone that came with keeping his own voice gentle. This came from hearing snippets here there, originally he'd thought she and Twilight had gone somewhere. Of the few fauny he knew well enough, they at least knew one another.
That hadn't been true to case, there was still know real sense of who the other was that accompanied her. A murmur here or there about leaving the tree being a fools act at best, part he understood because of the attack. Nothing physically seemed wrong with her besides the body language but had harm come?
Could those murmurs be the cause for worry? No fauny or faun could pretend they didn't know about Faroth's trial. What was best for the Tree made perfect sense, harder to follow that logic when the deeply rooted call to defend said otherwise.
What did she fear from him, from others? Trying to balance the scale of cautious wording with the silence that could speak louder was a hopeless game. To avoid loss by forfeit, he asked softly, "Has anyfaun caused you harm?" Those more social with all of the Tree could have heard more, something he missed but seemed to give context that didn't exist. Nofaun was supposed to go, talk beforehand spoke of attempting to halt the more rebels among them from going.
Admittedly at the time the conversations were overheard they were dismissed. He had no reason to listen further or be concerned. The idea that any of them would go again seemed farfetched. Until, that is, it all the sudden was not. To his knowledge nothing else had come of it, even when the return happened. Could he have been wrong?Fea Line To the dungeon! Bail is set at one post biggrin
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Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 9:14 am
So.... he had heard some things. Perhaps not all of it it seemed... or was he keeping that from her on purpose?
Glancing at him briefly, Fluttershy could only sign and sink into the chair nearest to her, still holding the bowl of fruit tenderly. Gently she turned to place it on the table next to her, eyes locked on the bits of honey glazed over the apples and dappled with oats. A pain in her stomach reminded her that she could use something to eat; now if not soon.
"I went.... with Lemon Hearts to..... to...a p-par----tt...eee." she found herself unable to say it. Why had the words felt so hard? His next question was what really through her however and her current train of thought derailed and corrected its course back on Hymn.
Had anyfaun hurt her? No, she hadn't been hurt. And certainly not by any faun. More like a charming deity and some strange feelings she was now beginning to suspect had been the cause of some unfamiliar magic. Even still, she couldn't say that he had hurt her, not in the slightest. At least.... not when she had been a willing participant.
"N...N-no... no one hurt me.....at least, not really." she glanced shyly at him, her cheeks tinged in pink. She wanted to add 'if anything, he kept me safe when things got dark' but she kept that part to herself, at least for now. Perhaps telling someone about it would make her feel better. She hadn't yet written Rarity back, but Everfree was here now.
"I don't want to be a traitor!" she suddenly burst out, burring her hands in her face in shame.
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Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 3:47 pm
Standing as still as he could, Everfree didn't even move a feather as she struggled to speak. Passively he waited respectfully for anything she wanted to tell him. Even his chest was constrained, careful low breaths caged by anxiety. This wasn't fully body jittering to escape his own skin, rather empathy. There was a battle not to try and escape his own skin to get to her and soothe what he imagined she was feeling.
There was no way to know for sure but the tenseness of his muscles warred epically between wanting to give her a hug soothing away her worries and being respectful to her space. Stiffness helped, the declaration that she'd gone to a party almost surprised his eyebrow to rise along with his surprise.
Maybe he didn't know her well, but Fluttershy didn't strike him as a mare who enjoyed parties. Yearly one that got some of the rebels within the Tree in trouble never sounded like one she'd go to. Admittedly, maybe a party mare was in there and it just wasn't a side she showed?
Her teal blue eyes drew a warm smile from the attempt to be impassive. He couldn't help but melt into a smile for her. Knowing she wasn't hurt drained the stiffness out of his whole body, first fear was that she'd been treated unkindly.
Resolve shattered with her outburst, prompting the stallion to carefully approach the yellow Pegasus. As gentle as a feather, he placed one hand very lightly upon her shoulder. Any sign the contact was unwanted and he'd withdraw. Something more than words seemed necessary, a show of support. With all of him wanting to surround her in a hug, a compromise was made with himself to avoid putting his eye of comforting above hers.
"Oh, Fluttershy, no faun in their right minds could ever see you as a traitor. You love this tree and your friends inside it." By virtue of being in the Tree itself with her animal friends proved how loyal she was to them.
A voice low, not quite to her normal levels but lower in an attempt to convey the myriad of feelings he had, he offered "Every year a few faun go to their version of hearts and hooves day." Against Rais' direct orders but she didn't need to be reminded of that, "None of them have ever been accused of being traitors. If you enjoyed yourself then you've done nothing so terrible." One of Celestia's foals was among the famous rebels, if they could go year after year with no problems how on earth could she be blamed?
With not a speck of hesitation he followed up, "You are no traitor, my lady." He didn't have to be there to know that, just to believe in her which he did in spades. It hurt to see how panicked and pained she was over this. There had to be something he could do to help, anything that might ease even a little bit of her concerns.
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 8:20 am
The soft touch upon her shoulder startled her briefly, but it wasn't unwelcome. She peered through her hands hesitantly as he spoke to her, tears still falling into her palms though with every word he spoke they seemed to slow their pace. At least briefly.
What he told her came as a wave of relief. However only briefly. The feeling faded almost as quickly as it came and she couldn't stop the unease creeping back into her being, tightening her muscles and frame as it went. "I d-didn't....w-want to go....at first.....b-but I thought....maybe it would be like t-t-the Gala..." she admitted softly. It was certainly true, she had not wanted to go to this party of sorts. Every part of her had wanted to tell her friend no, she was staying home, nice safe and sound in her tree. But there was that small part of her that had become curious....and that curiosity pushed her to be a tag-along.
And then so much more.
Shaking her head again, Fluttershy pressed her face into her hands, rubbing tears and weary from her eyes. She kept her head down, gaze at her own hooves and spoke low. "If Princess Celestia.....R-r-rais..." she said in broken sentences, not able to complete the thought that came to her mind at first. She took in a huge breath to try and calm herself before letting it out slowly, speaking in what perhaps was her most fluid and calmest of sentences yet. "I'm... afraid he'll... toss me into the dungeon as well...." she fully admitted. Quietly, but fully.
Part of her thought it silly, to think such a thing. Rais hadn't tossed anyone into a dungeon for attending one of the parties. At least not yet anyways. But still, the thought of what happened to one of the former Princesses of Equestria? Someone Fluttershy had always silently looked up too and respected in her own quiet ways? The timid, easily scared yellow pegasus couldn't help her currently rampant imagination on what could possibly happen to her.
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Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 4:38 pm
Gauging her response for several breaths he hadn't realized he'd held, Everfree relaxed himself. Keeping his hand on her shoulder, gentle physical attempt to comfort. Without obtruding further, the stallion just remained silent, ears perked forward to pick up her every-word. Some times, even when words cannot comfort, just being heard helps. Cycles of friendships in Equestria became that when the words of wisdom failed. If there was any faunie in this Tree he did not want to fail, it was her.
Gala earned a twerk of the ear. He hadn't been to any of the more recent ones, but he certainly remembered those parties. Some years they were sedated others could be come...well something to write home about. There used to be a garden if he remembered correctly with all manner of animals. Several times, back when he attended, that's where he tended to stay after Alicorn duties were done. The Gala was for the Princesses and their fauny anyway. Then it had suited him just fine. Here, the answer remained the same.
Celestia's fate, and that of her chosen stallion was more then enough conflict in his bones. Just the word of it sent his feathers to rise against his wings. Taking off was useless and trying to fight Rais was about as good an idea as taking flight in a closed room. Which of those that would be more painful became a toss up.
Rise was the chief of the Tree, in charge of its protection. Blood pae had shown themselves to be dangerous, his call was not out of the realm. He hurt for Celestia, naturally, and all but bled with pain for Fluttershy. Just picturing her in the root cellar called to the rebel hiding within. The defender he had always been urged to fight a battle that had not even started.
Weighing what to say, he tried an approach that seemed the best idea. Only she'd tell him otherwise, "Princess Celestia is one of the most respected among us, I can understand why what happened to her would frighten you." The situation was not completely dissimilar but under different circumstances. There wasn't a single one among them, hailing from the same land, that wouldn't be able to say the same.
A few minutes followed where he fought himself again, another battle upon the war of what to do. Hug her, wipe away the tears, find some way to battle her fears. If he knew any humor making her laugh would be a trick in of itself to pull right now.
"I understand why you feel like that, you are bearing burden so much more than any fauny should. Most go, have fun and return without a thought. That it bothers you so speaks volumes about how much you love this Tree and how serious you take your place in it." Lowering himself in an attempt to look into her eyes, convey his feelings in the strongest way he knew how.
The eyes were always honest, windows to the soul as he believed them. Seeing her in fear from a monster he couldn't fight directly would be torment itself. However, allowing even one moment for her fears to be compounded by believing his response was insincere would be the sin on his soul. As always, if his Lady seemed more uncomfortable the stallion was ready to back off. "You wouldn't worry if you didn't care, it speaks volumes to your intent and the purity of your heart." Fear wasn't an emotion he'd ever want her to feel, but it was raw and real. Not without cause as much he was loathed to admit.
"If it came to the worst, and Chief Rais lost all respect I had for him by viewing you as a traitor." That would be the hardest thing he'd ever have to watch, next to her suffering in fear right here and now. Oh to be able to some how lift that burden. "If your fears grew flesh, you could chose to leave the Tree instead, stay in the forest near by so your friends could visit, and your animals run free. A little like your old home, right near mine. Only I'd take the forest over the Tree then" No fauny had ever accused Everfree of lacking courage, yet even so there was some measure of gathering it unsure if his own choices were right. Was he adding fuel to the fire or water?
Touching her hand lightly in his other, near enough to touching her cheek through the shield of her own hand. "If the worst, you'll never have to face it alone. Not here, not there. Might get myself locked up with you, if i helped? You'll be safe, I'd see to that even if we needed a jail break. You've angel as well, no one should dare make that bunny unhappy." He tried a half smile, attempting to gauge if he'd just stuck his hoof in his mouth or pulled a laugh.
Encouraging her to try and see something positive he asked at last, "That is the worst, what would be the best?" Sure the answer should be obvious, but if he asked it she'd have to think it. If she could think it, there was hope. Feelings followed thoughts just as much as the other way around.
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