Twenty-Third Flutter [Video/Action only for Twilight]

[3_butterflies]

[Fluttershy is still holed up in her room at Goldenrod, but at least she's somewhat making an effort to talk to people now, if the turning on of her Pokegear is any indication. Her red eyes show signs of past tears, but she's trying to be strong now.]

... I'm sorry for bothering you, but... some friends of mine are gone... I know that happens a lot, ponies - I mean, people leaving... and sometimes they come back, but don't remember what happened here... So... so...

[She gulps, and twists the butterfly ring on her finger.]

... If Applejack does come back... If she doesn't remember her time here... Then... please don't tell her about... us being... together. I-It wouldn't be fair to her.

Comments

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

[She's already there. Heck, she's barely moved from Fluttershy's room since the others vanished.

Twilight can't help but remember what Shy told her when she first showed up. How all of them were here at first, and then one by one, they all vanished. Just like now... and left her all alone. And she can't help thinking that she might be next, and she might not have any control over it. At any moment, she could be ripped away.

It just makes her want to cram a little more into the time she does have. Particularly now with how much she needs a friend. How much they both do.

As she listens to her record the message, she can't help but think that just a few weeks ago, Fluttershy was literally proclaiming her love from the rooftops...]

This place is unforgivably cruel.

[Action]

[3_butterflies]

[She doesn't reply at first, turning off the gear once the message has been recorded. She then puts it aside on the bed, and keeps her face down. She feels selfish for being so upset - a silly notion - when her friend is hurting just as bad. But what is she supposed to do?]

... I'm sorry, Twilight....

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

That's my line. You're the one who's... who's had to go through all this twice now.

[She pats the bed next to her. She doesn't really know how to deal with this properly, but she can at least do what comes naturally.]

I just... I wish I could do something. Anything...

[Action]

[3_butterflies]

[She rubs her eyes a little, hoping to prevent anymore tears. Then she slowly makes her way over to the bed, carefully sitting down, clutching her dress in her hands as a way to try and calm down.]

Maybe it's just... supposed to be this way...

[ video ]

[uuing]

[ Oh no, Maria can't help but pout a little at this too - it sounds so sad, and she knows it's sad in general to lose friends here, so.. clearly this is her opportunity to try and cheer Fluttershy up, right? ]

Uu-. Fluttershy, don't be sad, don't be sa-d!

[ video ]

[3_butterflies]

[She swallows, but puts on her weakest smile.]

It's not easy, Maria...

[ video ]

[uuing]

Just use the magic of happiness and it'll all be okay..! Maria will believe too, so.. uu-! Uu-uu-!

[ video ]

[3_butterflies]

How am I supposed to do that...?

[video]

[tapestodiane]

I'm so sorry, Fluttershy. How are you holding up?

_{[Asking quietly, but with obvious concern. He doesn't know her very well, of course, but he knows the gravity of people leaving - and since AJ's disappeared twice...]}

[video]

[3_butterflies]

[She absolutely refuses to make eye contact.]

... I'll be all right... Eventually.

[video]

[tapestodiane]

_{[Aw, girl ... well, he won't press it.]}

I don't think anyone expects you to be much sooner than that. _{[Brief pause - it might sound insensitive.]} How many of your friends are left?

[video]

[3_butterflies]

[She holds up a single finger.]

Just one... Twilight Sparkle.

video;

[notakaijuu]

I'm very sorry your friends have left. [ Sakura's looking like a mix between sad and sympathetic. ]

video;

[3_butterflies]

[Fluttershy looks away.]

It'll be okay... It's happened before.

video;

[notakaijuu]

But, you know, maybe they'll come back. [ She offers a smile. ] And even though they won't remember their time here before, at least you'll get to make a whole bunch of new memories!

[Video]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[... Oh, no...]

[Of all the losses...]

[Heather might not know Fluttershy too well, but she's at least HEARD about the fact that she and Applejack were together.]</sub>

... Well, for what it's worth, I won't say anything.

... You gonna be okay?

[Video]

[3_butterflies]

Thank you...

... I'll be okay eventually...

[She avoids all eye-contact and just does simple head-bobs.]

[Video]

[foolishwren]

... I'm sorry it happened.

This place is really unfair.

[video]

[crimsondirge]

[...oh, that hits a little close to home, actually, so Naoto pauses for a moment before clearing her throat and--]

She may remember. There's-- I did, when I returned. I remembered ... who I was with and all the developments here.

[video]

[3_butterflies]

[She sighs, closing her eyes.]

... It's possible... but... if she doesn't... I don't want to burden her. She told me she fell in love with me during her time here... so she may not... have those feelings, if she comes back.

[video]

[crimsondirge]

That is true. But if she loved you-- I believe that even if she returns and has forgotten, she would want to know. Even if the feelings are gone, the her that was here would not want you to hurt.

[Naoto hesitates.] That's... how I would feel, if I had forgotten.

[video]

[darkenedgales]

So Applejack's--

[And that marks another friend down. Honestly, Crow has lost the count of how many of them disappeared in the past few months...

... but this girl -- pony, since knows better who Applejack hanged out with -- lost someone more than that.]

... Sorry.

If she comes back, I'm not gonna tell her anything, you've got my word.

[video]

[3_butterflies]

[She nods slowly, not really looking at him.]

Thank you... I appreciate that.

[video]

[darkenedgales]

No problem.

[... Awkward silence. What else can he do for her...]

... You're gonna be okay?

[Not that he even knows her or can offer anything other than Moral Support From Miles Away (TM), but it's... something.]

[Video]

[used_realtears]

[Legit tears here, that slowly spill out into actual sobs]

A-Applejack is gone? I didn't even get to meet her! And you said she was nice and she liked to make friends and I wanted to be her friend! [Some more sobbing]

Please don't disappear too, Fluttershy! I want to meet you! [A bit more sobbing]

[He asked her name in the last thread, but she never replied. I guess we'll just handwave that she told him?]