>>39762454“Uhm, I feel like you should know, I-I’m not really a medical doctor.” Fluttershy bashfully clacked her hooves together. “I’m really a veterinarian. As you may have guessed already.” She coughed awkwardly. “But ponies and animals aren’t that different, so I-I’ll do my best!” she added in a hurry with an awkward smile.
Thus began the long procedure. Fluttershy inspected all of Applejack’s hooves, her mane, looked at her scar, looked into her ears, listened to her heartbeat, and even made her stick out her tongue. “In terms of physical health, I really can’t find any issues,” she told Pinkie. “Except for that nasty little scar, but sadly it’s far too old for me to do anything with it.”
“That’s alright, Flutters! It’ll help sell the character anyways,” Pinkie beamed. “Thank you so much for your work!”
Fluttershy accepted the praise with a small smile and nod.
“Now test her memory,” Rainbow said, snickering into her hoof.
“Uhm, a-alright, if you want me to.” She turned back to Applejack. “Please repeat after me: Peas, unicorn, paperclip, chestnut, apple tree… It’s not too many, I hope. Your turn.”
“Uhh, apple tree.”
Fluttershy smiled. “From the beginning, please,” she asked in a soft voice.
“Apple tree.”
“That’s… all you remember?” Her smile wavered a little.
“Afraid so.”
Fluttershy sighed and raised a hoof to her temple, massaging it for a second. “It’s okay,” she said sweetly, with a giant measure of patience. She turned towards the others. “I understand the issue now.” Her tone became surprisingly firm. “Pinkie, Rainbow, please leave her to me. I know what to do.”
“Hah, if ya say so.” Rainbow stretched her sore limbs and began trotting out. “Just call us once you’ve done your thing.”
“Yup, see you soon Flutters, Jackie! Good luck, you two! Bye-bye!” Pinkie waved enthusiastically, before leaving herself.
Fluttershy placed a blanket on the table. “Please lay down here.” Applejack climbed up and laid down. The pegasus gave her another blanket and a pillow. “Okay, umm, can you fall asleep by yourself? Or should I… umm… sing you a little song? That usually works for my bunnies,” she whispered, turning tulip red.
“Naw, thanks, I’ll manage.” Applejack placed her head on the pillow and turned to her side.
Meanwhile Fluttershy took the testimony into her hooves. “Ahem,” she cleared her throat lightly. “It was about fifteen years ago that I first became the acquaintance of Twilight Sparkle. A mutual friend…” she read slowly and softly, stressing every syllable.
Before she could continue, Applejack’s loud snoring filled the quiet of the room. Fluttershy’s animals looked at the pony, but she could only shrug. She began again, almost imperceptibly louder, “It was about fifteen years ago…”
