@Meanlucario  
She probably freaked out because she wasn’t used to having so much sensory input or being able to remember things that occurred more than 30 seconds ago

She looks pretty great this way.

Dreadlocks = master race

@Dirty Bit  
They’re coming from all sides!!!
 

@ShimmeringStallion
 
That was merely a cling of fear…
 
THIS…  
>>418199t (merged)  
…is a hug!

@Badumsquish  
TCH! You call that a HUG!?
 

 
Show you a goddamn HUG… That’s a “Soviet Russia”-joke! BAH!

@ShimmeringStallion  
They do :P  

@Badumsquish  
Do they ever hug? I feel like if they didn’t THEN, the universe would implode if they did NOW…

@Collin Magney
 
This.

I’m honestly not too bugged by her dreadlocks, but I also like this hairstyle.

@ShimmeringStallion  
I’m not declaring, like matter-of-factly, that they did that on purpose, but if Slice of Life proved anything it’s that they know tons of fandom this’s and thats. I think I’d be more surprised to learn it was a complete coincidence that the character who was friends with Fluttershy and went as her “guest” (_^date) to the Gala was named “Tree Hugger” :P

@Meanlucario  
Well it was shipping fuel ALREADY, but her wanting to be a tree after knowing “Tree Hugger” isn’t even just fuel; that’s a Mac-Truck of Shipping.

@Dracorex
 
I love that song!

Well, I keep on thinking about you  
Sister golden hair surprise  
And I just can’t live without you  
Can’t you see it in my eyes?
 
_{3perfect5me. Faved.}

@ShimmeringStallion  
Or just more shipping fuel.

So her name’s Tree Hugger.
 
… You know, if you put Fluttershy’s comment of “I’d LIKE to be a tree!” AFTER Tree Hugger’s introduction, the context is… even sweeter.

Never met a single person with dreads whose hair did not reek like sour milk.

@Badumsquish  
Mullets can also serve a functional purpose: if one is working outside during summer months, the “business up front” helps keep your head cool while the “party in the back” protects your neck from getting sunburned.

@Badumsquish  
The drugs are the reason she has dreadlocks to begin with. I love to imagine her reaction when they wore off the first time.

@Dirty Bit  
Dreadlocks are like a self-inflicted injury. Say what you want about the mullet, but at least you can wash it :P
 
@PonyPon  
I tried to make her more alert. The way they stylized her eyes she looks baked off her gourd in every scene:  

Ah dang it, I looked at the picture a few more times and couldn’t stop myself. Relax, no clop in this, just cute.
 

 
She sat under her namesake, Tree Hugger was swishing her head from side to side slowly, her eyes closed to the midday sun. Her chakra were clear and flowing, her humors were balanced, and even her Chi was in harmony. She didn’t so much wait, as existed, every sense reaching around her, touching the tree that swayed its branches like she was her whole body.
 
Tree Hugger felt somepony.
 
“Tree!” It was the softest yell ever heard; Fluttershy trotted up the low hill, waving a hoof in greeting. “I brought everything for lunch.” She watched her friend keep swaying, moving with the breeze, with nature itself. “Y-Y-Your hair…”
 
She started to open her eyes. Tree’s four senses, plus her enhanced ones, were joined by her vision in beholding the yellow and pink mare. “Isn’t it like, totally awesome?” She lifted one hoof up, running it back from the daisy-crown she wore, feeling the soft hair swaying in the breeze. “I helped Lotus and Aloe with a chakra emergency, they totally turned the karmic wheel for me.” She smiled, remembering the pampering.
 
“That is great. You look really good like that.” Now that she knew what to look for, Fluttershy discerned the little things that were different, as well as her friend’s mane. “Look at the work on your hooves, oh, your tail smells of—”
 
“Peppercorns.” Tree smiled more, the two mares had not only treated her to a full treatment, but somehow they knew exactly what to do to really make the morning a treat. “I am so going to have to help them more, the world is so clear.”
 
Unfolding the lunch-basket, Fluttershy set out a blanket first, then started to lay out plates, and finally sandwiches joined them. “You should.” She worked her shoulders a little, a stray memory flickering to life. “Remember that time you gave me a massage? I felt amazing for days. You should do that there, help other ponies—”
 
“…chill out. Righteous.” Tree reached out for the sandwich and started munching, her thoughts swirling around the serendipity that had brought her to the spa that morning. Serendipity, or fate. “I might do that.”

🎵 My hippy horse, sitting in the field 🎵  
🎵 Where are you going with your long locks blowing in the wind 🎵

She looks so pretty here. Well done!

She’s so much more approachable like this. Love the loose mane and open eyes!
 
Dreadful locks amirite?