juice_factory | (no subject)

[He had been trying to find a way out of that place all day now. First it was the bugs, then the plants, then the weather. It seemed everything was setting out to be a pain in the antlers for him. But the moment the young doctor tumbled out of a nearby thicket, he looked up and felt the sun upon his face, saw the green grass, heard the harmonious birds, and gazed towards village a mile or so out, and knew he had finally gotten out of that forest. While still looking slightly ghastly with branches, brambles and mud covering his fur, Chopper stood up, brushed himself off as best he could, adjusted his backpack and began to walk, oblivious to the winged Yellow and Pink horse not very far away at all.]

[The sound of the rustling behind her makes Fluttershy jump, and give a quiet gasp when she turns to see a dirty creature stumble from the thicket. Oh, look at the poor thing, all mussed up and tangled... she wasn't quite sure what sort of animal it was at a glance--familiar in appearance, but she couldn't quite put her hoof on it--but that didn't really matter, it must have been exhausted and surely it would need a bath. She moved slowly towards it, hoping not to spook it.]

Oh dear... look at you, poor thing, where did you come from? Are you all right? [She doesn't expect an answer, but it's best to try and comfort new animals at first.]

[At first he was so taken in by the scenery to even notice the sounds of the- what was it Robin told her they're called? Pegasus! Yes! -the Pegasus walking toward him, but his ears did start to pick up on the sound of her voice. It was very soft and comforting, not at all meant to be scary sounding. Usually if it were any other person talking he may have tried to run behind something, but her voice kept him from moving, and her advance slow enough that Chopper only simply tripped a bit, forcing him to sit down again, with his head sunk between his shoulders. His hooves shook nervously as he responded.] H-huh?

[She smiles sweetly when it turns to face her, still trying to appear as nonthreatening as possible... but when it speaks, it startles her.] O-Oh! [She takes a step back from surprise. Dealing with talking creatures is a whole different area, and she's not even sure what type of animal this is, or... She shrinks back a little] Oh, I'm... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you... um...

[His shaking hooves stopped as the pegasus suddenly and curiously shrunk before him. Looking at her actions, she's clearly surprised, and even maybe scared herself, causing the Doctor's head to tilt to the side confusedly. Her voice became much softer, more timid, leaving the small reindeer befuddled as to what to do as her sentence trailed off. He hoped it wasn't a matter that she was scared of him, that would have been the worst thing for him, after all, but he hoped it wasn't the case. He tried to reassure her with his own nervous squeaks of speech.]

I-it's ok... A-Are you alright? I hope I didn't scare *you*.

[Oh no oh no now she had gone and made it uncomfortable--or, no, it wasn't an it, it was a he, wasn't he. Oh, she was being so rude, and he hadn't done anything to bother her, and she should really speak up, but...]

No, it's... really not a problem... I just wanted to... You looked a little lost is all and I just thought you might need some help but I don't mean to be a bother...

[Her voice became so timid that Chopper could barely hear her now, he felt as if he had done something wrong now... She probably thought he was a monster or something, like everyone else ends up doing, and so he lowered his head further, and reached for the brim of his hat as he would instinctively pull it down past his eyes in moments like these, and reached, and reached, and still could find nothing. His eyes then opened wide with alarm as he realized what must have happened. He frantically grasped for something on his head that clearly wasn't there as he became more and more very clearly worried. Scampering in a panic in front of the lady pegasus.]

M-My hat! WHERE'S MY HAT?! I LOST MY HAT!!!!

[He ran about frantically looking anywhere around them, to no avail.]

[Ever more uncertain of herself, Fluttershy missed the moment where the unfamiliar creature's attitude shifted to a sudden panic. She was startled into only staring at him a moment, before biting her lip and stepping closer.]

Now, calm down, little one, don't you worry. [Her voice is still soft, but at least carried with more certainty as her attention is diverted from her nerves.] We can find your hat. It certainly can't be all that far away.

[In his panic he did her some murmuring from the filly, but was far too scared and worried to pay it notice. Once a footstep from the filly became noticed by him, he noticed her voice seemed less timid, still shy, but less nervous and more thought out. The little doctor looked upon her with eyes that were beginning to tear, appearing like a lost child and attempted to stifle a sniffle from his blue nose.]

Y-You think we can find it?

[Well, at least he's stopped flailing about, now. She gives him a little smile, though she really has no idea if what she says is true, and she'd just hate to lie if it turns out they can't find it, but he really does look so very worried about it...]

Of course, sweetie. We can just go back and look for it where you were. [She looks back where he came, and falters.] In the... forest...

[Her smile calms him down, and she seems fairly sure that they can find his hat; Chopper's mania has been brought to a calm almost supernaturally quickly. Even her calling him "sweetie" makes him smile back just a little bit. He looks over to the forest with her, not yet noticing her worry about entering the forest. He nods back to her.]

Yeah, I got lost and didn't know where I was, then came out here... do you know where I am?

[She swallows hard and tries to maintain her smile, very uncertainly moving towards where he came in. Maybe it's just in the bush there.]

Y-yes... this is just outside of Ponyville. And, um, that's the Everfree Forest. How long did you get lost in there...? [Something so small, she can't imagine how he managed to get around without getting attacked by monsters or the like.]

[Ponyville? He repeated the town name over in his head, hoping to find some familiarity in it, but he had never heard of this place before. His thoughts as to his location kept him from noticing the yellow and pink colored friend of his and her rather clear trepidation towards walking into the forest he had just emerged from just moments earlier. He wouldn't have blamed her, frankly. That forest was decidedly unpleasant to Chopper, and going back was not something he wanted to do, but to get his hat back, he would have to brave it. Seeing her hesitant hoof move towards the forrest, the small doctor took it as a sign and began to walk over there with her.]

I was lost in there since this morning. My friends and I were exploring this island, and then we got separated. And then I got lost. [His head sank with embarrassment as he admitted his mistakes to his new friend.]

Island...? [Equestria was an awful large place, and she didn't know anyone to refer to it as an island... he must have been even more lost than she'd thought. But he mentioned that he'd gotten separated from his friends... how awful. A little thing like him shouldn't be left alone!]

W-well... I'm sure it will work out. They'll be able to find you before long, if we just keep our eyes peeled. They must be looking for you, I'm sure. [As gentle as she kept her voice, Fluttershy couldn't keep her smile on as they stepped into the thick shade of the forest. Ooh, she hoped they could get in and out as quickly as possible...]

[He gives the filly a nervous smile, letting her know her words are helping. His friends are bound to find him, he's certain of it. He just hopes they don't leave without him! His smile falters at the same moments her's does once they set hoof into the forest. With the glare of the sun out of his eyes he could hopefully spot his hat more easily. He stepped a few paces ahead and searched, leaving no branch, no stone, and no leaf unturned.]

It's big and pink! Like yer mane!

[He called out to her from behind a tree.]

Ah... I see...

[Ducking her head low to the ground, she treads soft and quiet, just hoping they won't need to go too far.] You seemed very worried. It must mean an awful lot to you. I bet--

[Nosing around some bushes, she hears some rustling.] Eep--! Oh, um, s-sir... is that you, or--? [She looks around, and realizes she can't see him anymore. Oh dear, oh no...]

[For all of the filly's trepidation and caution, Chopper does not appear to be heeding the same worries. He wanders about like a child as he looks about for his most important belonging. He wasn't sure he heard all of what she had said, (he wishes very much that she would speak up!) but he tries to answer her.]

It belonged to a great man! He gave it to me years ago!

[He called out to her over his shoulder as he looked, but couldn't help but feel distracted. There was some sort of intrusive scent that was very much bothering him as he searched. Something smelling... weird... but it was more important to find his hat so he and his friend could get out of there.]

[Oh--he was over there! But, if he was over by the tree, what had she heard lumbering through the bushes over there?]

[She backs away from the spot as the leaves shake again.] Um... I think we should... [A large, hulking figure rises from the bush--more than twice as tall as the pony, with a mess of feathers and shaggy fur hanging from it, and a long, wicked beak. Glassy eyes turn and meet Fluttershy's, and the creature gives a cross between a roar and a squawk.]

RUN! [Fluttershy turns and takes her own advice.]

[Digging about and picking away as he went, the young reindeer searched to the best of his ability to find his cherished hat. He heard some sounds over by where his new friend was, but he assumed that it was her, searching as best she could and paid it no mind. It was when he had heard her mutter something, then her cry of fear, that he looked up to see what was the problem.

Well, now that he saw what made her cry out like that, everything made sense now. When the doctor's eyes looked to the beast, his face was a awash with confusion. He had never seen a creature like that! It was like two animals got mixed up! Even it's cry was mixed up. Chopper's jaw almost hit the floor.

Seeing the filly run off like she did, the doctor assumed the worst and that the creature was ready to attack her. he charged at the monster in his small form, with a determined look upon his face. With a leap, he stood between his new friend and the beast.]

DON'T HURT HER!

[Fluttershy stumbles away from the lumbering owlbear, moving as quick as she can--until her new little friend runs past her, in the wrong direction!]

[With a gasp, Fluttershy skids to a halt and looks back, seeing the huge, clawed, sharp-beaked creature looming over the tiny, horned one. It gives a squawking snarl, and she trembles.]

Oh--oh no, get out of there, quickly!

[As she looks at the massive creature, she recognizes--it has a large, pink hat on its head. Could that possibly be...?]

HEY! [The small furry doctor shouted to the creature before him. he wasn't certain if he had hurt his new friend, but even scaring her was not a nice thing to do! Chopper's eyes flashed bravery and determination brought about by serving with his friends on their many adventures, even if he himself never felt he properly displayed any of it. He puffed his tiny chest out before the monster.]

YOU BETTER NOT HAVE HURT HER! SHE'S MY FRIEND! AND-- HEY!! YOU HAVE MY HAT!!!!

[He pointed a hoof to his opponent accusingly so.]

GIVE IT BACK!! IT'S MINE!

[The beast let the little doctor know his response by clawing at the ground next to him. By then Chopper had had enough. Suddenly his muscles bulged, his height grew to a size equal to the owlbear, his antlers vanished, and suddenly, the small doctor looked like more than a match for the beast that was wearing his cherished hat. Both challenging each other with their respective roars, Chopper swung first, connecting with a thunderous blow to the monster, that did not at all budge.]

[Fluttershy knew she should rush in and help her new little friend, he could be hurt, or WORSE, but her legs were shaking and she couldn't will herself to move, and he was in so much danger--]

[But suddenly her little friend was far from little, and Fluttershy gasped--oh goodness, oh gosh, what was he?! He'd gotten so big, and angry!]

[Before she could make any sense of it at all, he'd gotten into a fight with the owlbear, and suddenly fists and claws were lashing out at each other, each of the combatants roaring. Fluttershy, too terrified to move, could only watch, crouching to the ground and trembling, and trying to find her voice.]

P-please... no... stop it...

[He swung again, missing as the owlbear connected with a blow of his own, sending the doctor reeling for a step or two. The creatures here sure fought hard, he mused to himself. As he took his step back he checked behind himself for a moment to make sure his new friend was alright. He could only see her cowering on the ground, trembling, causing the doctor to think the worst had happened. He turned to the monster again with anger in his eyes, as his blue nose snorted. His usual child's voice remained, to make the scene terribly surreal.]

You DID hurt her didn't you?! YOU HURT my friend AND you have my HAT!

[As the Owlbear returned with a cry of his own, one Chopper didn't stop to think that he couldn't understand it, he charged out towards it in a classic meeting of an unstoppable force and an immovable object. Lunging at the monster, the reindeer tackled him through the trees and vines and into what appeared to be a mud pit. The two thrashed about continuing their battle.]

No, stop... you two...

[They're very much not listening, though, as the brawl continues, and a terrible feeling of dread wallows in Fluttershy's gut.]

Please... stop it, just... p-please listen--

[They crash through brush and bramble, and Fluttershy gasped. This was getting out of hand--terribly so! Both the owlbear and her new friend were being completely careless and unthinking in their actions. If they keep up like this... she just knows, they're going to hurt one another, and she simply couldn't allow something like that to...!]

Hold on... hey... Now, stop that! [Fluttershy stood up, scowling.] I think that this is quite enough!

[Flaring out her wings, she advances on the muddy, entangled pair, glowering.] You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves! Causing such a mess, like fillies! This is no way to handle your problems!

[As punches flew and connected, both Chopper and the Owlbear seemed to fight at quite an even level. Their strength was quite high, and their endurance was tremendous as well. They continued their struggle with both covered in mud until the sound of a very concerned (and now rather angry) new friend stood before the two, her eyes positively burning a hole into the two combatants.]

[After hearing her very stern command, the two stood in mid grapple in the mud hole, looking towards her with a very nervous expression shared by the pair. Then she began her reprimanding, causing the pair to let go of the other and stand there in embarrassment. Her words cut through the two opponents quite efficiently, as anyone could tell they felt very ashamed of themselves. His eyes looking very much like child's would when in trouble, Chopper looked to the pegasus and tried to explain.]

B-but he hurt you, I thought, and he has my hat!

[Both hulking brutes now held their heads low, shamed to the point they couldn't even look at winged pony. Their eyes listed from side to side and to the ground as their heads sunk low, past their shoulders.]

He didn't hurt anypony. Maybe if you hadn't been so eager to get in a fight without finding out everything first, you would have realized that! [She sets her hooves firmly in the ground, frowning hard. No, she wasn't angry. Just very, very disappointed in the both of them.]

And you, Mister Owlbear. I know that our moving around woke you up, but I don't care how grumpy you are after your nap, or even if he started it, getting into a fight is no way to handle things!

[With a huff, she somehow manages to stare down her nose at them while still being less than half as tall.] Now. I believe you have something that belongs to my friend. I believe it would serve best if you, [a pointed look at the deer] apologize for your rash behavior, and politely ask for it back.

[Her words showed Chopper just how rash and unthinking he had been in all this. Simply assuming the owlbear had hurt his friend without checking for sure, assuming the creature took his hat, right down to throwing the first punch. Chopper had indeed made an ass of himself and the owlbrar who simply wanted a nap. He felt terrible. He turned to his opponent, both still sulking, and extended his paw to him, his face showing how bad he had felt about it all.]

I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have done what I did there.

[And Chopper meant every word. Thankfully, the owlbear felt very much the same. With the same sullen expressions, he took the doctor's paw in his, and they shook on it. Bygones to remain bygones. He hooted and grunted his own apology to the reindeer. Though verbally it wasn't fully understood, his actions did speak very clearly to Chopper, who could only half smile as he accepted; he still felt very embarrassed about all this.]

[They finally, turned to the frowning pegasus, their eyes asking for her forgivness.]

[With that spat taken care of, Fluttershy happily falls back into a much more pleasant demeanor.] There we go. Everyone is always happier when we make sure to understand where others are coming from.

[With a flit of her wings, she lifts off the ground, and nods to them.] Now then, if you'll please give my friend his hat back, Mr. Owlbear, we can leave you to get some more rest. [As the shaggy, feathered creature takes off the bright pink hat in question, the pegasus gives her new friend a smile.] And I think you're in good need of a nice bath.

[Much like anyone would, given the situation, both Chopper and the Owlbear let loose a longly held breath once the lady pegasus smiled. She was certainly quite scary when she wanted to be, so to see her expression lighten was a great relief to them both. Of even greater relief to Chopper was having his hat returned to him, and he accepted it with a smile.]

Thank you! [He even bowed his head to his former opponent.]

[Looking at his hat his smile did falter. All that thrashing in the mud left his belonging in quite a ghastly state. With concern he turned to the filly.]

Is it ok if we clean my hat too? [He certainly didn't wish to impose upose upon his new friend's kindness...]

[Meanwhile the Owlbear looked himself over. He might need a bath as well after all that thrashing.]

Oh dear. Mister Owlbear, you got awfully messy as well, didn't you. Well, if you'd like, I can draw up a nice big tub for you, as well. [The big animal gives a small chirp, and Fluttershy smiles] I'm glad to help. We've caused an awful lot of trouble, I just don't want you feeling upset.

[With an appraisal of the cherished item, Fluttershy gives a nod. The hat looks old and well-worn; she'll be sure give it a gentle wash.] Of course we can, it's no trouble at all. [Better to not let Rarity see it, or she may try and redesign the garment.]

Now, come along, you two. Thankfully, it's not too far a walk back.

[The young doctor smiles at his two new friends, then returns to his toddler sized form, nodding in agreement with the pegasus. He feels very much the same way as she does.]

[Hearing that she can clean it for him makes the reindeer smile even wider now; he wants to begin cheering but keeps his enthusiasm saved and he bows to the pink and yellow pony, sounding positively overjoyed.] Thank you very much!

[He turns to follow wherever his new friends are heading, but then pauses; he turns to the filly first and extends a hoof to her.]

I'm Chopper!

It's no problem at all, Chopper. My name is Fluttershy.

[She leads the way for them to head back to the edge of the forest, and to her home. Before long, a large tub has been filled for the owlbear, and a smaller one for Chopper.]

Here we are. Chopper, if you'd like, I've got some bath toys you can play with if you like, but you'll need to promise to wash yourself very thoroughly, okay?

[The young buck trotted at first to keep pace with the fil-er Fluttershy, then regained his usual walking speed as she showed him and the Owlbear to her cottage. It looked like something out of his storybooks back on the ship! Before they set hoof or foot inside however, it was time for a bath.]

[So quickly did she have everything all set for them that the young reindeer almost didn't notice the number of various types of animals that cheerfully followed and helped her as she went about. There was one rabbit in the group that seemed to grumble a bit as they went, but he paid it no mind.]

[Then, something the lady Pegasus said gave both him and the Owlbear a look similar to any child's.]

You have bath toys?!

[The pair of muddied monsters positively beamed at this thought.]

[It was not long at all until the two emerged with their pelts positively soaked but any traces of mud removed, The bath toys floating atop the dirty water. Placing the toys together, they emerged from their tubs.]