//------------------------------//
// I'm Here 
// Story: Count's Traveling Haunted House 
// by misskoifishpony 
//------------------------------//

Fluttershy  didn't mind Discord bumping into her, her mind was too occupied by the two paths in front of her. She gave them a quick side to side look, before casting her eyes nervously down at her feet. Discord found that little gesture slightly unusual, even for his nervous Fluttershy. However, he tried to ignore his gut feeling and focused on the fork in their road. After a minute of silence, Fluttershy turned her head slightly to Discord and asked "Which way should we go?"

Discord returned his gaze back at Fluttershy, to see if she was still casting her eyes to her hooves. Even though her head was in his direction, he could tell that something was distracting her. So, he decided to give these two hallways another glance. He noticed that one hallway was lit and decorated with armored knights, while the other was completely dark just like the hallway they have been traveling in. He knew that more tricks and illusions lurked in the dark hallway, but he had this inkling feeling that Fluttershy knew this fact as well. Maybe that was what was making her act so strangely? She didn't want to ruin his good time.

He pretended to ponder on this and stroked his beautiful beard with his eagle talon. He smirked before answering "Let's go this way." He pointed to the lit hallway on the left.

He was about to enter confidently and proudly into the hallway, expecting praise or at least a thank you from Fluttershy, but was stopped when she said nervously "Are you sure that way…is…the way?"

He stopped in mid-step, and turned his head robotically towards Fluttershy who looked even more anxious and tensed then she was before. He gently placed his front leg forward and answered her "Well this hallway is lit. And it can take us to more lit hallways. I have a feeling that the lit hallways is part of this Count Batula's map for this place. If we are on the right path, we will be out of there before you know it! And besides…I'm sure there are less ghosts and ghouls down this way. That is what you want, right?" He added a little toothy grin in order to soothe Fluttershy's worrisome thoughts.

Fluttershy rapidly lifted her gaze from her hooves and looked directly into Discord's eyes with a slightly surprised look on her face. But her eyes also expressed as if Fluttershy forgot something important…as if she forgot an important detail to always keep in the back of her mind. She quickly shook this expression from her face, and she responded sweetly but also hesitantly "Oh um, of course…let's…go down the lit hallway."

Fluttershy slowly walked by Discord and entered into the hallway. Discord extinguished the green flame in his lion paw, and watched Fluttershy in concern. Discord scratched his head in confusion, why does this pony have to be so confusing sometimes?! Discord wondered to himself. He also thought to himself She sure loves to puzzle me, doesn't me? And yet…I love it when she does that. Wait…what? Stop it! This is no time to thrive on the chaos of this situation! 

Discord slowly followed closely behind Fluttershy as they softly progressed through the haunting hallway. He let out a soft sigh before rubbing the back of his long neck. Discord couldn't shake this feeling that Fluttershy is scared or anxious about something, but what was it? Why can't she tell him? They tell each other everything. Then again, Discord knows it takes him a while to open his own hard shell about certain issues. Maybe the topic of her own fears and cowardly thoughts are one of her more sensitive issues? But still…he wants to let her know in some way…that she is okay…especially with him.

Discord's tail gradually and gently creep by Fluttershy, and started to coil around Fluttershy's waist. To Fluttershy, this coil didn't feel constrictive or hard…it felt like a soft embrace. Like a wing hugging a cloud. The end of his tail was especially soft as it brushed against her withers. Once the tail wrapped itself entirely around her waist, Fluttershy immediately stopped and blushed. However, Discord continued to walk forward as if nothing happened.

Because of Discord's walking, Fluttershy was quickly snapped out her thoughts and followed in his lead. Even though Fluttershy felt so embarrassed in this situation, she strangely felt safe being in the embrace of Discord's tail. It was as if he was holding her hoof like they have done many times before. Except this time, it had the squeeze and warmth of their hugs. Fluttershy then let out a small smile at Discord and blushed.