Fluttershy was surprised to hear a faint, slow rat-tap-tap on her door. The light had long faded outside and she had curled up in the silence of the night to read before going to sleep. She turned her head toward the front door and waited a moment to see if she had heard right. A long minute later she heard it again, slightly more feeble this time than the last. Angel didn’t so much as twitch from his place in his soft bed, his poor old ears letting him rest peacefully, and Bulk Biceps was already asleep in the bedroom. Shy slid down from her chair and trotted curiously over to the door. Upon opening it she took in a small breath as before her, standing in the dark, his tiny face looking at the floor so that all Fluttershy could see what his shining blond mane, stood her nephew, little Charkra Blossom. She heard a sniffle as he took a couple steps forward and placed his forehead gently on Fluttershy’s leg.

“Oh dear, Chakra, does your mother know you’re here this late?” Fluttershy asked in a worried tone. His reply was only silence. She smiled sadly at him as she put her hoof behind him and gently pushed him inside the little cottage. He quietly strode to the rug in the middle of the room and laid down, his face still staring resolutely at the floor. Shy walked around him and laid herself in front of him, waiting patiently for him to speak first.

“My head hurts.” His voice was so faint Fluttershy almost couldn’t hear him.

“Did your dad try to do your hair again?” She asked, although it was obvious as his normally matted mane and tail were shining brilliantly, soft and feathery. Charkra sniffed again and then finally looked up at his auntie Shy. His face was a contorted mix of rage and sadness, his little lip puckered out as he tried to keep the peaking tears from spilling over.

“It doesn’t matter if it hurts me, as long as he can do what he wants with it!” He growled angrily. “He pulled on it for so long, it feels like it’s going to fall out!” He stamped a hoof on the floor in frustration. Fluttershy shook her head.

“I promise, it won’t fall out,” She said reassuringly. She put her hoof on his head and stroked it lovingly. Chakra’s face seemed to melt its anger just a bit at the gesture. He pulled his wrist to his face and wiped his nose with another sniff.

“Auntie, can I stay here tonight?” He asked hopefully. He looked up at Fluttershy, amethyst eyes sparkling with tears, and suddenly she heard his tiny tummy growl out in hunger. Shy’s heart clenched.

“Of course you can, Chakra,” Shy cooed at him, touching her nose to his. His wavering mouth moved up into a gratifying smile, the affection warming him from his nose to his tail. “You can stay here whenever you want to. I’ll let your mother know.” She moved to stand up before her nephew spoke.

“She’s not there,” Chakra said matter-of-factly. Fluttershy hesitated and her face fell a little in disappointment. She quickly rounded herself toward the kitchen and changed the subject.

“Well, then, let’s get you something to eat, huh? I made some delicious Everfree Pie for dinner, you can have as much as you want.” Chakra followed her excitedly, stomach grumbling lowly again at the image of the food.

“Thanks, Auntie Shy, you’re the best!”