Holy Celestia, Ah've fallen in love with Discord. Luna help me.
"Tirek tricked me into believing that he could offer me something more valuable than friendship. But there is nothing worth more. I see that now. He lied when he said that this medallion was given as a sign of gratitude and loyalty. But when I say that it is a sign of our true friendship, I am telling the truth."
The minute Ah heard those words, somethin' budded deep in my heart. Ah knew then that he was speakin' the truth, the entire truth, and he was talkin' from deep in his heart. Ah had always thought of Discord as a nuisance; a draconequus who was just bidin' his time by playin' along with this friendship gig, then strikin' when we let our guard down. But when he said those sentences, even though they weren't directed at me, they took root, down at the bottom o' my heart. O' course, Ah didn't know it then, but that was love Ah was feelin'.
Honest, crazy love.
Featured August 17-19th! A dream come true! I owe it all to all of you wonderful people! I honestly don't deserve this. Celestia bless you all!
I felt everypony's eyes locked on me, as if I were the only darn thing to look at in all of Equestria. Their eyes were as curious as Apple Bloom's when she saw somethin' new. It was like lookin' inta seven pairs of the scorchin' hot, eye burnin' sun; like there was sixteen of 'em instead of one. My emotions were darn tangled up deep in my stomach; exactly how I felt every time I ate too much apple pie at the Apple Family Reunion.
"Er...what now?"
Now, Ah'm no Twilight, but I do know one thing: Truth or Dare will surely be the death of me. Gosh darrnit, it shouldn't be this dang difficult ta answer a stupid Truth question. I mean, usually, it is pretty hard, considerin' the fact that every single Truth question ever asked is deep, down, and downright personal. But seriously, it really shouldn't take me two darn minutes to even acknowledge the question after it was asked.
Ya know what? Slumber parties will sure-as-apples be the death of me, too.
Shoot... I should've declined Twilight's offer. I should've stood tall an' proud and told her outright that I had other things planned. But naw, I told her that I'd ask Granny Smith, like some school pony askin' a parent fer permission fer a field trip. Gosh darnet, of course Granny Smith said yes, and that I could do my chores some other day. And gosh darnet, of course I showed up on time at Twilight's palace, with my silly littl' saddlebags in order and my ribbons tied up nice and neat, just as everypony got there and settled down in the throne room ta play a good game of Truth or Dare.
Bein' the Princess of Friendship that she was, Twilight had to invite every single one of her friends: littl' ol' me, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Spike...and, ta my sweet, yet horrible surprise, the darn Master of Chaos himself...Discord. And o' course, Twilight had ta ask fer suggestions fer games ta pass the time before it got late enough fer a campfire (because after the sleepover with me an' Rarity, she took to wingin' it instead of goin' by the book, bein' the creative pony she was), and o' course Discord was the first draconequus (and only draconequus) ta raise his paw. And o' course Discord had to choose the most annoying slumber party game of all times, with that silly, attractive (oh Celestia, did I really just say that?) grin of his.
And, in case yer wonderin', o' course Twilight let him go first.
Oh, and guess which pony he asked?
Littl'. Ol'. Me.
So, bein' the idiot I was, I looked at him, thinkin' about those handsome, red eyes o' his (gosh darnet, I really need ta keep my emotions in check), ignored the munchin' caterpillars in my stomach, closed my eyes, and uttered, "Truth," before I could even think.
And o' course, I had fallen right inta his trap.
"Do you have a crush, Applejack?"
He had probably been plannin' this ever since Twilight came ta him with the invitation. Hmmm...I have an idea. Why don't I suggest Truth or Dare, then ask the Element of Honesty the very question she's been dodging for two years? That'll be chaos, alright. Darn him and his maniacal, yet amazin' mind.
Dangit Applejack, get yer head on yer shoulders! It ain't gonna happen!
So, here we all were: Rainbow Dash lookin' uninterested at the ground, daydreamin' 'bout becomin' a Wonderbolt; Fluttershy, shyly but honestly gaping at me; Rarity, raising her eyebrows, lookin' fer some juicy gossip; Pinkie Pie, about to explode into a million pieces; Twilight, lookin' at me like I was her long-lost Smarty Pants doll; Spike, his scales sittin' straight up; Discord, lookin' at me with a malicious grin on his handsome face; and me, frozen senseless, about ta answer a question that might as well destroy the darn planet.
"I said, do you have a crush, Applejack?" Discord repeated, his hypnotizin' voice weavin' itself around my ears like a snake, ready for a meal. He stretched across the floor like an oversized cat (since he didn't get a throne), curled around a steamin' hot mug o' cider, made by yours truly. I smiled weakly, lookin' around at the eight pairs of eyes, borin' inta my coat like the drills I used ta fix loose screws on the barn's roof last autumn.
"Er...can I pass?" I asked hopefully, smilin' and flattenin' my ears as if that would be good enough ta get me outta this pickle. O' course it wouldn't. I winced as I heard a loud, irritated groan from all five ponies, one dragon, and one (and only) draconequus. Here comes the humiliation. Gosh darnet, why did I have ta be honest? Why couldn't I be the Element of Dishonesty or somethin'?
"Now, now, Applejack, of course you can't pass. Friends are supposed to be honest with one another, yes?" Discord slithered across the floor, getting closer and closer to me until those red eyes were so close that I could reach out and touch one. My skin prickled with hot stabs of somethin' I reckon was a lot different then hatred as Discord curled himself around my throne, those eyes swirlin' and reality becomin' a blur. "After all, honesty is your best policy, isn't it, Applejack?"
I gulped, my throat becomin' more dry than a desert. I couldn't lie. No, it wasn't because of the fact that Ah'm the Element of Honesty...it was because of the fact that Ah've never told a huge lie in my entire life. I've always found it hard ta tell lies, and Ah don't think I've ever actually uttered a single untrue fact in my life without takin' it back as soon as Ah said it.
Like I said, Ah ain't no Twilight, but I did see a loophole here. Discord asked me if Ah had a crush. A darn simple question, if ya ask me. But, he didn't ask me ta tell who it was. So, Ah saw an easy solution, as clear and satisfying as a cold, crimson apple in humid weather; say yes, but don't tell who. It wasn't the entire truth, but it was better than havin' my secret revealed right now.
I wasn't ready just yet.
It started two years ago, just before Tirek had been defeated ferever and Discord had seen the light. I was a pony that wasn't experienced with love; other than family and friendship love, o' course. That was just fine with me. I mean, some thoughts had started to bloom in my littl' head about startin' a family of my own, but they were just littl' ideas, nothin' more.
Until Discord gave that necklace ta Twilight.
"Tirek tricked me into believing that he could offer me something more valuable than friendship. But there is nothing worth more. I see that now. He lied when he said that this medallion was given as a sign of gratitude and loyalty. But when I say that it is a sign of our true friendship, I am telling the truth."
The minute I heard those words, somethin' budded deep in my heart. I knew then that he was speakin' the truth, the entire truth, and he was talkin' from deep in his heart. I had always thought of Discord as a nuisance; a draconequus who was just bidin' his time by playin' along with this friendship gig, then strikin' when we let our guard down. But when he said those sentences, even though they weren't directed at me, they took root, down at the bottom o' my heart. O' course, I didn't know it then, but that was love Ah was feelin'.
Honest, crazy love.
As we became closer as friends, all of us together, that littl' ol' plant began to grow. Every time he looked at me with those red wonders, spoke to me with that soothin' voice, touched me with his gentle claw and paw, a new branch grew. And suddenly, those little roots had become a healthy, blossomin' apple tree, twitterin' and tinglin' with littl' song birds whenever Discord was around me.
But o' course, I knew he didn't feel the same way.
It was ridiculous, really. I always tried ta show off when he was around; somethin' Ah wouldn't normally do...modesty is also one o' the best policies, in my opinion. But whenever Discord was near, I took upon myself to be a lot more outgoin'. Maybe then he would notice me. Maybe then Ah could finally tell Granny Smith about the feelings that had been burnin' in my chest fer a good share of moons.
Maybe then, somethin' would happen.
"...Yes. Yes, Ah do have a crush," answered, my breaths concentrated and my eyes closed firmly.
"Darling, that is fabulous! Who is it?!?" Rarity exclaimed, causin' me ta open my eyes. Discord lingered above me, smirkin' that smirk of his and narrowin' his eyes. He had obviously gotten the answer he wanted outta me; but the problem is, I didn't know why. Why in the hay would Discord want that answer? Maybe it was just 'cuz he wanted ta cause some friendly drama.
Or maybe, just maybe....
Applejack, I'm gonna slap ya in the head if ya think about that again. It's not. Gonna. Happen.
"Oh, ma belle fille, vous avez planté une graine dans mon coeur," Discord muttered, his face as emotionless as a statue's as he uncurled himself, returnin' to his position on the floor between Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy's thrones, curled around the steamy cup o' cider that Ah had made for him.
"Huh?" I tilted my head, confused at the jumble of radiant words that had just come outta his mouth. "I'm sorry. I don't speak fancy."
I was choosin' to ignore Rarity's question. 'Cuz, it was like I said: Ah've never told a lie in my entire life, 'cuz they've always been difficult ta tell. If I was put in the limelight and forced ta answer Rarity's question, then everypony would know the truth.
I was desperately, head-over-hooves in love with the Master of Chaos.
Immediately, as the strange words came outta Discord's mouth, Twilight froze, spitting out a gulp of apple cider onto the floor. She turned to Discord, her eyes sharp, as if he had said a disgustin' swear word. Discord cringed as if rememberin' a horrible nightmare, and the two stared at each other, alicorn and draconequus, havin' a silent conversation.
"Woah, Applejack, you have a crush?" Rainbow Dash looked across the high-ceilinged room at me, her face disbelievin'. Wow. I had no idea she was even listenin'. I mean, Rainbow Dash is great for a friend to exercise off my troubles with, and have a good, head-to-head talk about sports and strength with, but she ain't exactly the best pony to go to when ya have a strong matter on yer mind.
"Er...yeah," I answered, blushin' as red as an apple. Rainbow Dash shrugged, the subject only mildly interestin' her, and she flipped her multicolored mane out of her face. She yawned, stretchin' her back muscles.
"That's cool, I guess. As long as you don't get all lovey-dovey, or anything."
I nodded, keepin' my head down.
I couldn't look her in the eye, 'cuz...I kinda did wanna get all lovey-dovey.
"Applejack has a CRU-USHH! Applejack has a CRU-USHH!" Pinkie Pie was bouncin' all over the room, bein' the crazy party pony that she was. I smiled in spite of the awkward situation. No matter what, Pinkie Pie could always cheer me up.
Fluttershy was smilin' weakly in her throne, not sure of what ta think 'bout the situation. Ah'm right there with ya, sister. Right there with ya. I snuck a glance at Discord, hopin' that nopony noticed the hearts that I was positive were visible in my eyes.
"Well, Applejack," Twilight cleared her throat, forcibly breakin' away from that weird starin' contest, "according to the rules, it's your turn to ask somepony Truth or Dare. So, who do you pick?" There was somethin' strange in her voice...but I couldn't quite place what it was.
"Discord, Truth or Dare." I didn't even hesitate. It was gonna happen, no matter what I wanted ta do. I was goin' ta ask Discord the same question that had stumped me.
The draconequus looked up, his claw stroking his beard. There was an easy way he could get outta this: he could say dare, and all my hope would be dead.
Everything was so silent fer a moment, you could hear an apple fall from a tree a million miles away. There we all were, starin' at Discord, waitin' for somethin' ta happen, waitin' fer anythin' ta happen. I really can't believe I asked that question. Yeehaw, great job Applejack! If he doesn't answer this question the way ya want him to, then yer dreams will be crushed. Slow clap, Applejack. Slow, slow clap.
I stared at Discord, finally getting the first chance in a long, long time, ta stare at him without other ponies givin' me weird looks. I shivered, my heart racin' at the thought that he was in the same room, the same space, the same game, as I was.
Ta everypony's surprise (and my defeat) Discord's face was downright more impossible ta read than the thick volume Twilight lended me on organized orchards a while ago. Discord was just raisin' his uneven brow, lookin' at all of us as if we were the most unamusin' things he'd ever looked at. But his eyes kept flickering back to me, fer some reason. And fer some, odd reason...there was a littl'...pink in his cheeks....or was I just imaginin' it....
"Are you ponies serious? No, of course I do not take place in something as ponyish as crushing. I am the Master of Chaos. I have to have some dignity." Discord spat playfully. He snapped his finger, creatin' a tiny walnut in the middle of his palm. Ruthlessly, he crushed it, and ate the shells like the Mister Master o' Chaos he was.
I felt somethin' deep in my chest, like a pinch er a stab; probably the apple tree, startin' ta die. Well, Applejack, this has been fun, chasin' after the Lord of Chaos. Now put yer head on yer shoulders and find somepony else ta chase around fer the time bein', because it ain't. Gonna. Happen.
"Well, that was a bust, Cordy," Rainbow Dash snorted from 'cross the room, "I thought you really did have a crush."
Rarity turned her head ta Rainbow Dash and put her hoof on her chin, like she was thinkin' real hard. "Rainbow Dash, darling, you do realize that we are some of the only mares in Equestria that know Discord personally? So, if he did have a crush, it would have to be one of us, if not one of the Princesses." My ears, without my permission, perked up at this idea. I pray ta Celestia that nopony noticed.
Too bad I didn't notice the eyes of the draconequus locked on me, not movin' at all.
Holy Celestia, I hope he didn't see that. I really hope he didn't see that! I don't even know what would happen if the Lord of Chaos dated somepony. Maybe the world would explode! I really don't know!
"Perhaps, dear Rarity...perhaps," Discord mumbled, never lookin' away from my throne. Did I have somethin' on my face? Oh, please tell me I don't have somethin' on my face, especially when Discord's 'round. Please tell me I don't have...oh. O' course. O' course I'm blushin'. Celestia help me.
"Well, this has been fun," Twilight said suddenly, "but oh, would you look at the time? It's late enough for a campfire!" Smilin' a mighty fake smile, she gestured up ta the big window above her head. The sun was settin' majestically across the land, stretchin' from hill ta hill, from tree ta tree, with its beautiful colors. Sure as hay, it was time fer a campfire. Thank you, Celestia, fer lowerin' the sun early tonight. I didn't think I could take one more moment of bein' in this small room, close to that annoying, smart, handsome draconequus....
"Okay, then. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, you two are in charge of collecting firewood from the edges of the Everfree forest," Twilight pointed, not rudely, at the two mares. They laughed, plum-grateful that they were a team, and they high-hooved. "Fluttershy and Rarity, you two are in charge of making the campsite comfortable, so we don't get splinters and burs in our coats." The two mares smiled warmly at one another, also plum-grateful 'bout their team. Gee, Twilight really is the most organized pony in all of Equestria.
That only left a few choices fer my partner.
"Spike and I will take care of lighting the fire and protecting the area, and Applejack and Discord...." she trailed off. Gosh darnet, look what you've gone and did, Twilight! Now I'm stuck with Mr. Master of Chaos, the most handsome, amazin' draconequus in the entire world.... Discord looked at me, somethin' set, hidden, yet sincere, in those crimson orbs o' his that made my darn insides turn around and melt inta goo. I don't know how long we sat there, his eyes holdin' me in some kind of mental prison, but I sure as hay know that it was long enough fer Twilight ta clear her throat.
"Okay, everypony! Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, stay out of the center of the forest, and off you go!" Rainbow Dash saluted, bein' the jokester she was, and grabbed Pinkie Pie by the hoof, jumped outta her throne, and the two trotted happily down the hall ta the front door.
"Fluttershy and Rarity, no cushions or objects that weren't created from nature. Off you go!" The two mares nodded once, stood gracefully, and followed Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie's hoofsteps, until they were all but a mere memory; ponies who just ain't there no more.
"As for you two, Discord and Applejack..." she paused fer a moment, as if she didn't know what ta say, which was highly darn unusual for Twilight Sparkle. I downright refused to look 'im in the eye again; I'd be trapped in a weird world o' mushy insides, awkward emotions, and swirlin' pupils.
"Erm...just...just be careful with the knives." I glanced at Twilight, my eyebrow raised. What in the name of Celestia's Tiara was happenin'? I already knew that. I mean, what kinda cowpony would I be if I didn't know not ta play with knives in the kitchen? I mean, Ah don't know about Mr. I-Juggle-Knives-Daily over there, but I sure didn't need caution 'bout bein' careful with knives.
"Er...okay then, I guess."
"Alrighty then, that's settled. You two, go into the kitchen and start preparing the food to be taken outside. Make sure to remember the the chocolate for the s'mores; you know how nightmarish that was last time. Pinkie Pie went completely berserk," Twilight ruffled her wings, a grimace on 'er face from the memory. I sympathized; Pinkie Pie went absolutely chocolate-insane at our last big slumber party, when Twilight and I had forgotten ta buy chocolate...I still have the scars from hidin' in that thorn bush feer three hours.
"It was actually quite amusing to watch," Discord said. He snapped his lion paw, creatin' a floatin' movin' picture of Pinkie Pie throwing hoof-fulls of dirt at Twilight's face. Twilight gave him 'nother good, hard stare. What was it with these two? Were they sharin' some sort of secret? Friends ain't supposed to keep secrets from one another! I felt myself gettin' hot from anger, furious littl' parasites leechin' onta my coat.
Applejack, are ya'll actually getting jealous of Twilight? Ya silly pony, there ain't nothin' goin' on between those two.
"Well, c'mon Spike, we have a couple books to find about what type of fire to build. Normally, I could remember which fire is ideal for cooking, and how we can shift it to a fire that's ideal for heating, but I guess today is just one of those days," Twilight glanced accusingly at Discord and I as she heaved herself from her crystal throne, and gestured ta Spike, on a lower throne, to follow 'er inta the library.
Holy Golden Delicious, I completely forgot that Spike was here.
He stood up from his throne, his face completely confused, straightened his littl' spikes, and turned to follow his...er...ya know, I really can't say I have a great definition of what ta call their relationship. Mother an' son? Sister an' brother? I reckon it's a mix of both, ta tell ya the truth.
And then, guess what happened?
I was alone with Mister Master of Chaos himself, the draconequus who annoyed me, yet interested me, like heck.
"Well, Applejack, looks like it's just you and me, in the throne room, all by ourselves," Discord snapped his eagle claw, the result bein' that we were suddenly in the kitchen, the silverware and pots gleamin' and shinin' like Hearth's Warmin' Eve. I froze, starstruck, as he patted my Stetson and ruffled my mane, kinda like somethin' Big Mac would do when we were cookin' breakfast.
Snappin' the end of his tail, he summoned a ragged ol' chef's hat an' an apron that said Kiss the Cook in big, swirly letters.
Which was, I have to admit, exactly what I wanted ta do.
"Well, time to get cookin', Sugarcube!" he mocked my accent, snappin' his fingers and addin' freckles, just like my own, to his oddly attractin' features, with a goofy look on his face. He strutted over to the pantry like some big shot as a Stetson appeared on his head.
I reached up to my own and growled at his back when all I felt was empty air.
The royal kitchen in Twilight's castle was nothin' short of breathtakin'. It had expensive, granite countertops, a few impressive stoves, modern appliances, a huge selection of cabinets and pantries, and a refrigerator-sized cooler fer keepin' the food fresh an' nutritious when we weren't usin' it. There were grand windows 'bove the sink, and the cooler, providin' a beautiful view on my hometown, Ponyville.
Us eight friends rarely used the kitchen. It was more of a place ta get food, not ta cook it. An' usually, when we did cook food, it was Spike, Twilight, and I ('cuz I knew 'bout bakin' and temperature) orderin' the rest 'round while we checked things over and did some of the more difficult jobs. But besides that, we only used the kitchen ta store food; like marshmallows, chocolate, an' hayburgers.
"Discord," I said irritatedly, tryin' as hard as I could not ta lose my lunch, "we ain't cookin' the food. We're just gettin' the materials ta cook food at the campfire. Then we'll cook the food. Now gimme my hat back." I started ta walk towards the other side of the kitchen, where the cooler was. The hayburgers oughta be in there, 'cuz if not, I'm a flyin' apple.
"Applejack, do you know what a joke is?" Discord replied from the other end, as I felt a ligh' weight drop onta my mane, just behind my ears. I turned my head ta see him twirlin' the bag o' marshmallows on his finger like a basketball, his face jokin' and silly. I made a rude sound and rolled my eyes, turnin' back ta the cooler. Thank Celestia he didn't see the blush, like pink paint, on my cheeks.
"Yes, yes I do, thank ya very much."
"Really? Because you've never laughed at one of my jokes; not one."
Now, now, that ain't true. Ever since he said those words, I've secretly laughed at every single one of his jokes, suddenly findin' them more funny than I'm willin' ta admit. But I guess, lookin' at it from Discord's point of view, it sure does look like I've only chuckled weakly at one from time ta time.
I sighed as I grabbed the handle to the cooler. "Discord, why do ya'll even care? It's just jokes; everypony has different humor, includin' me." I leaned forward, my frontlegs bent, and started ta rummage threw the various food items from our many gatherin's, dinners, and slumber parties, lookin' for hayburgers, buns, and tamata ketchup.
Discord gasped as if that were the most darn offensive thing I could possibly say. "Dear Applejack, I care because you are my friend. Friends are supposed to make other friends laugh, yes? Or is that yet another thing about friendship that is incorrect?" I turned around ta see Discord, still wearin' his ridiculous chef's outfit, with some fancy monocle and a comically large stack o' documents, the top page marked; Things About Friendship That I Thought Were True But Aren't.
"Discord, yer jokes are hilarious. But I'm just not a pony fer showin' her emotions too much," I replied, shovin' aside a packet o' Pinkie's famous candy-coated popsicles from our last slumber party. I chuckled in triumph when I saw the hayburgers and buns, stacked on top of the chocolate-covered apples that I had brought a while back. Gosh darnet, Twilight, ya'll really need ta clean out this fridge. I reached for the two packages, strainin' my back muscles in the process.
"Applejack, has anypony ever told you that you look pretty when you stretch your back like that?"
I hit my head on the top o' the cooler the minute he said it.
My cheeks done went as crimson as an apple blossom as I answered, my voice shakin' a lot more than I would have allowed it. Celestia, thank you so much for makin' my face bein' in a cooler. "Say what now?" I wasn't sure if I heard right. Did Discord, as in, Discord Discord, really just say that to me? That I look pretty when I stretch my back? Naw. Naw, it's just the fumes of the rotten candy apples.
"I said, has anypony ever told you that you look pretty when you stretch your back like that?"
Oh. Alright, then. Maybe it ain't the candy apple fumes.
Maybe it's just that I'm darn losin' my mind.
"Er...no. But thank ya, Discord," I thanked him, my brain as numb as the candy-coated popsicles. Could it really be true? Could Princess Luna finally be answerin' my prayers, at last? I tilted my head just a fraction, so I could get a decent view of Discord without him seein' the direction of my eyes.
Could Discord really find me...attractive?
"No problem, Applejack. After all, it is a friend's job to compliment, correct?"
I paused fer a second.
"Friendship is whatever ya make of it, Discord. Friendship is whatever ya make of it."
"You know, Applejack, you should really take out your guitar. I love a good campfire song or two."
I looked up at the draconequus above me, ta see him smilin' like I'd never seen him smile before. Why was he bein' so nice ta me? I mean, it is just me, or has he always been this nice?
"Oh, so boring, Celestia. Really? Fine, I'll tell you, but I'll only tell you my way. To retrieve your missing elements, just make sense of this change of events; twists and turns in my master plan...then find the elements back where you began."
Naw.
"Ya really think so, Discord?" I inquired, my hoofsteps echoin' 'cross the entrance hall chamber. We were approachin' the front door, Discord carryin' the supplies with his magic, givin' them faces and makin' them fight and twirl in the air. If this was the draconequus that didn't have a crush on anypony, was he always this sweet 'round the others?
I hate ta admit it, but I hope not.
Discord snapped his paw, summonin' a pair of iceskates on his mismatched feet. He jumped out of stride with me and began ta dance 'round the hall, leavin' scratch marks on the floor. "I really do, Applejack!" he exclaimed, doin' a downright impossible flip and landin' perfectly at my hooves, in the position in which a pony would propose ta somepony else. I chuckled warily, a small blush creepin' onta my cheeks. My instincts were tellin' me ta back up, ta politely put a hoof on his head and shove 'im aside.
But instincts and heart were two very, different things.
"Aw shucks, Discord," I pawed the ground awkwardly, "ya don't haveta go inta all that." My face was so hot, I felt like I was kissin' the sun; a long, passionate kiss. My face, sure as the hat on my head, was probably as red as a ripe tamata, ready ta harvest. And don't even get me started on how fast my heart was beatin'. Heck, it was breakin' records, records that were most likely righ' here in this very library.
Discord raised his head, slow as a snail, and looked inta my eyes, his face bearin' a concealed message...his eyes holdin' more secrets than I could ever imagine. "Applejack, I know you're a modest farmgirl, but seriously, show some pride once in a while. I myself have heard you play guitar, and I found it quite delightful." With a snap of his fingers, my old, acoustic guitar was hung 'round my neck by my guitar strap, causin' my knees ta buckle slightly from the surprise.
"Why thank ya kind-wait a darn minute," I realized somethin', quick as a flash o' lightnin' from a cloud. I've never played my guitar 'round Discord before; that I was darn certain of. So how in Equestria could Discord know how my guitar playin' sounds like? I mean, have I played at a party when he was there at some point?
Or...has he been...spyin' on me?
Yup. It definitely ain't the candy apple fumes.
I'm sure as hay losin' my mind.
"How do ya'll know what my guitar playin' sounds like? You've never even heard me play!"
"Oh, would you look at the time! We're late, we're late!" Discord snapped his fingers yet again, causin' the skidmarks and the iceskates ta disappear with a loud fwoosh and a bunny costume, with a waistcoat, ta reappear in its place. He tapped his bunny foot anxiously, checkin' a pocket watch that hung outta of the breast pocket.
What in the name of...? "What er ya'll talkin' 'bout? We have plenty of-"
"Gotta go, gotta go!" With that, he clicked his fingers tagether and disappeared, along with the cookin' supplies, leavin' nothin' but a blank look on my freckled face and a dark, gapin' hole where my heart usta be.
"Applejack, where have you been? The campfire started a good twenty minutes ago," Rainbow Dash as I slowly sauntered inta the the clearin' where the campsite was, tryin' my darndest not ta attract any attention, but failin' miserably.
Our campsite, as usual, was chosen by Twilight, who always flew above Ponyville 'bout a week before a scheduled slumber party, lookin' fer a new spot ta hold the campfire. See here, these campfires had become some kinda tradition 'tween my friends and I; a place where we can share secrets, sing songs, and laugh 'til our muzzles turn purple. A sure-fire way ta relieve the stress of our everyday lives...especially Twilight's. That poor gal barely sleeps a wink on the weeknights.
Twilight, per the norm, had outdone herself with the spot. It was a good-sized clearin' near the edge of White Tail Woods, with a clear view of Luna's radiant nigh' sky, the beautiful mountains, and a downright fantastic take on the magnificent forest 'round it. There enough space ta make a fire pit and lay down a few good quality sittin' logs. The ground was sturdy and wasn't full o' residue; which was a great factor in a campsite, because late at night, it's a lot more likely fer somepony ta trip on somethin' if the ground ain't cleared.
Rarity an' Fluttershy had done a decent job on arrangin' three long, smooth logs in an almost perfect triangular shape 'round the circle o' large rocks that formed the fire pit, where a healthy fire was radiatin' all the way to where I stood. Hearty stumps were placed 'tween each of the logs; alternative places ta sit. Rarity and Rainbow Dash were sittin' on the log ta the right of me, while Spike, Flutteshy, and Twilight were sittin' on the left. And straight across, above the flickerin' fire, waverin' like my heartstrings, was that son o' a devil, Discord, sprawled across the log like he owned the place.
"Sorry, everypony," I apologized breathlessly, walkin' closer to the group until I at the front o' the stump between the two logs in front o' me, " I had a little...complication." I narrowed my eyes questioningly at Discord, who seemed completely nonchalant 'bout the situation, stretchin' and yawnin' like it was none of his business. That littl', handsome prick...
I shook my head insignificantly and slumped down on the hard ground, leanin' against the stump and utterin' a comfortable noise once I set my guitar down and got situated. I closed my eyes, pushin' my hat back, inhalin' the saccharine scent of the crisp, evening air, the body heat o' my friends, and the serenity of the nigh'. "So, what have ya'll been doin' when I wasn't here?" I asked, out of curiosity. It was highly unlikely that they just sat here in silence, waitin' fer me ta show up.
"Well, it just so happens that Discord was telling a story about Princess Luna's incident with a mutant cupcake when you came," a quiet voice uttered from my left. I opened one eye, seein' Fluttershy, starin' down at me with compassion in 'er eyes, her light pink mane flowin' over her face like odd-colored waves.
"Oh. Well, that sounds interestin'."
Somethin' that I noticed, after those littl', life-changin' roots warped my mind until all I could see was Discord, was that every time his name was mentioned, a chill slithered up my spine, like a littl' replica of Discord, climbin' up my spine whenever he heard his name. Every time the name Discord found itself in my mind, my heart seemed ta glow, as if I had swallowed thousands o' little fireflies.
Every time I heard that name, another branch grew on the healthy apple tree, buried somewhere in my soul.
"I, yes, I was telling a story about the time Luna accidentally cast a 'Come To Life Spell' on a chocolate-chip cupcake when she was a filly, causing one of the most chaotic days ever in Canterlot Castle, but I'd much rather get the hayburgers started and have somepony sing a campfire song," Discord's voice cut through my spine, rockin' my brain with too many emotions. I could feel his scorchin' gaze turned on me, scannin' me, tryin' ta find my secrets. Not that I have many.
Gosh, this draconequus really wants to see me sing fer some reason.
"Ooh! That sounds great!" Twilght clapped her hooves together enthusiastically, smilin' like Hearth's Warmin' Eve had come early this year. "Here, Applejack, you get the music started while Discord and Fluttershy can start with the hayburgers," Twilight fluttered her wings excitedly; she always had fun at these gatherin's.
Some kind of furious monster, somethin' below the soil of the roots, stirred, growlin' an' howlin' as Fluttershy grinned gratefully and hopped up ta join Discord with preparin' the food. Why's she doin' it? She can't cook as well as me! I should be up there with Discord, workin' together and makin' that food....
I stopped myself. Applejack, that was a horrible thought. Discord's everypony's friend; he ain't just yours. Calm down.
I cleared my throat, mainly to steady my constantly changin' waves of emotions, and I adjusted my position, takin' the guitar from the place where I'd left it and strappin' carefully 'round my shoulders. I crossed one backleg over the other, maintainin' extra support fer the guitar. I bit my tongue as I concentratedly, and cautiously, began ta tune it.
"So, what song do ya'll want me ta sing?" I asked, as I strummed a sour chord and started ta adjust it.
"Something pretty, melodic and soothing, like a lullaby," Discord replied immediately, his voice achingly soft an' sweet. I licked my lips, contemplatin' that suggestion, when I started ta wonder....Discord wasn't a draconequus fer lullabies. Why would he, of all ponies, request one? Dangit, this day ain't makin' any sense.
I swear, Truth or Dare will be the death of me.
"OOH, OOH! YEAH! DO THAT, DO THAT!" Pinkie Pie's alarmin'ly high-pitched voice buzzed in my ears as I started ta tune another chord. I looked up briefly, ta see Discord's red eyes flash in my direction. Yup. A lullaby it is.
"A beautiful song would be most delightful," Rarity agreed, bouncin' her curls on her hoof outta habit.
"Eh," Rainbow Dash shrugged, "Whatever, as long as it's cool."
"I for one enjoy a good melody," Twilight added.
I looked up once again at Discord, who was sittin' by the roarin' fire, now placin' hayburgers on a grate he an' Fluttershy had laid on the coals. He was still lookin' at me, his eyes crimson swirls, pullin' me in like a fish on a fishin' hook.
Yup. A lullaby it is.
"Um...well, I do know one song that's soft an' slow, like ya'll want," I explained, unsure of what they would think 'bout the song in question. "It's...it's an ol' song that Granny used ta sing ta me, before I got my cutiemark," I strummed a sequence of notes on the guitar, pleased that it was done tunin'.
"Go on," Discord drawled, his eyes focused on me, but his mind focused on flippin' the hayburger with the spatula he was holdin'.
I bit my lip, punched fear square in the muzzle, and let my soul, an' my voice, completely embody my guitar.
"Song of the willow, Fast as a sparrow, Twisting and turning the wind as it flies, Voice of the mountain, Soothing the river, Bashing and crashing the tide as it cries.
All of the creatures gather at your feet, Bring to you their problems and their worries, Anxious souls, pulsing and incomplete, Bring to you the despair of their countless journeys. The wind carries away their hope, Taking it far across a land of another time, You, willow tree, will be their leader, Your arms will be their guide.
Song of the willow, Fast as a sparrow, Twisting and turning the wind as it flies, Voice of the mountain, Soothing the river, Bashing and crashing the tide as it cries.
The crimson fox dares to come forth, Begging and pleading, Choosing this choice was a last resort, Her heart and soul were bleeding, The wind carries away her hope, Taking it far across a land of another time, You, willow tree, will be her savior, Your words will be her guide.
Song of the willow, Fast as a sparrow, Twisting and turning the wind as it flies, Voice of the mountain, Soothing the river, Bashing and crashing the tide as it cries.
'Creatures of the forest,' The willow tree cried desperately screamed, 'There will be a way to save the lowest, There will be a way to save your dreams, The wind will carry away your hope, Taking it far across a land of another time, You, my creatures, will be my teacher, Your words will soothe my mind.'
Song of the willow, Fast as a sparrow, Twisting and turning the wind as it flies, Voice of the mountain, Soothing the river, Bashing and crashing the tide as it cries.
'Dream on, dream on, Don't let your dreams die, Dream on, dream on, Let your spirits fly. Dream on, dream on, You must believe. Dream on, dream on, You will reach the crack of the sky.'
Sooooooooonnggg, Of the willoooowwwww, Fast as a sparrrowwww, Flying higher and higher to the land of another timeeeeee."
The last note of the song hung in the air above our heads as the stars sprinkled their own kind o' magic on our campfire tonight. Dream on, dream on, don't let your dreams die, Let your spirits fly, I repeated in my mind. My eyes slowly turned to Discord, before I could think, before I could feel.
"Discord, can I please talk to you for a minute before you go?"
Discord turned to look at me, clear confusion and suspicion planted on his face. I ruffled my wings anxiously as I smiled reassuringly at him. I scratched the back of my head and cleared my throat, trying to get my senses together and functional. For a confrontation, one needs to be calm, questioning, and graceful.
"If you must, Twilight."
During the most awkward Truth or Dare game Equestria has ever seen last night, Discord said a few words that I spit my cider out because of. How could he have forgotten that I know French? How could he have forgotten that I was right there, listening intently? From the infuriated look on his face last night when I glared at him in confusion, I could tell, by deductive reasoning, that if he'd remembered that I speak French, he wouldn't of said it.
He would not of said, "Oh, my dear girl, you have planted a seed in my heart," after Applejack answered the Truth question.
Applejack has been acting skeptically mysterious ever since Discord put the necklace on my neck, after he confessed, that to him, there wasn't anything that was more important and beautiful than friendship. I've noticed her blushing, staring at Discord for bizarre, unreasonable amounts of time, and unattainably avoiding discussions about crushes or interests.
I've read many romance novels, and even though I'm not first-hoof at it, I know a lovestruck pony when I see one.
Oh, you injured soul, Applejack. To fall in love with a creature as elusive, unpredictable, and rare as Discord is a trail of heartbroken despair; I've seen it occur in many tragic romantic novels, sagas, and trilogies. While Discord may be experienced to friendship's open arms and caring hooves, love is an area that he has never even stepped into, a place he has never seen before; full of awkwardness, passion, and unbearable emotion.
"Goodbye, Twilight! It was delightful!" Rarity's voice, as crystal clear as a diamond, echoed from the entrance chamber; a faint shout. I smiled, elated to perceive that she enjoyed it.
"Bye, Rarity! Have a great day!" A distant echo of the grand, fifty-hoof front door closing vibrated through my ears.
The Lord of Chaos and I were the only ones left in the throne room. The girls had all left; were all occupied with their daily lives, whilst I explained to Spike that there was a matter I needed to discuss with Discord, without any distractions or witnesses. Silence spread thickly in the air, a dense fog.
"Discord, go ahead and make yourself at home. We're going to be here for a while."
Sticking out his lower lip, he half-smiled and snapped his claw, summoning a luxurious maroon armchair that hovered in midair above my head. I rolled my eyes as it grew a cartoonish face, made a dreadful retching noise, and regurgitated an unrealistically tall glass of chocolate milk. Discord transformed into a red-and-white drinking straw, placing himself in the glass of chocolate milk with an un-embodied lion's paw, and surprise surprise, started to drink the glass.
"Well, you did say to make myself at home."
I groaned knowingly and trotted considerately to my throne. Hoisting myself onto the crystal surface, I began to envision how this conversation would proceed. Having read thousands of books on therapy, I knew that it would require many icebreakers, since Discord was a more complex subject, before I could really grate the question: How would you consider your relationship with Applejack?
I had always suspected that Applejack had more...acute feelings about Discord, ever since the celebration after the 'Tirek-Betrayal' situation. I had wished that it was just a schoolpony crush, like a crush on a colt by a filly; meaningless, brought on by hormones, and the intricacy and emotion of the situation. But as the years went by, Applejack's feelings became more profound and noticeable, until I couldn't ignore it anymore; Applejack was dramatically in love with an immortal, unpredictable spirit.
Celestia bless her.
I shuffled my wings, adjusting my position slightly so I could look into the red, uneven eyes on the drinking straw above me. I puffed my cheeks out, a common gesture of abstruse deliberation in stories. How to begin? If I dive in too quickly, Discord might cave in on himself and block me out. But if I slowly ease into it...then possibly...I'll get something out of him....
"So, how'd you like the campfire last night?"
It was an amateur beginning question, I know, but it was the best I could achieve on the spot. If I had been given a forty-hour notice from my future self that I would soon be attempting therapy on an eon-old draconequus who was about as easy to reason with as a rock, I would've prepared a twenty-page strategy and memorized it before the sleepover. But, unfortunately, the time spells were removed from the Canterlot archives, after Celestia found that they could cause dangerous time rifts. Dear Princess Celestia, I need to borrow that time spell....
"Twilight, I'm not an idiot," Discord spat irritatedly, snapping his paw to turn back into his original form and creating a cone-shaped hat that said: DUNCE near the rim, "We both know why you wanted to speak to me. It's not brain surgery." Snapping his paw yet again, the top of his head flipped off like a lid on a rubbish bin, revealing a rather unappetizing, realistic brain, throbbing and pulsing like it was alive.
I sighed. Well, that was unsuccessful.
Mental Note: Never try therapy with a draconequus.
"Well, then, let's get straight to the point. Discord....WHAT IN THE HOOF ARE YOU DOING? I MEAN, WHAT WAS WITH THE WHOLE, 'Oh, ma belle fille, vous avez planté une graine dans mon coeur?' WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO, CREATE CHAOS?!?!"
Wow. That came out a lot worse than I had imagined.
The only other time I've ever seen Discord's face as miserable and despondent as it was now was when Tirek had tossed him to the ground like litter, claiming that he didn't need him anymore. His entire essence seemed to sag as he sat in the floating armchair, as if carrying extra weight upon his shoulders. Seeing this forlorn sight made my insides shrivel up, like a dying plant in the deserts of Saddle Arabia. Some Princess of Friendship I turned out to be.
I sighed regretfully, spreading my wings slightly. "Discord, I'm sorry. That came out completely warped. I just seem hot-tempered because of the confusion," I explained, tapping a hoof to my horn as an example, "what I mean is: What do you mean by it? Why would you say to Applejack, 'Oh, my dear girl, you have planted a seed in my heart?' It isn't in your nature to be so sincere when the situation isn't dire." I focused on transforming my tone into a silky, consoling platform that Discord could relate to; something he could lean against.
Who knew that silence was the most troublesome noise of all?
"A year ago," Discord began, his voice laced with unshed tears, "I was walking-or rather, flying on a cotton candy cloud-above Sweet Apple Acres, looking for Applejack to see if she wanted to participate in a race. I was scanning the apple trees, looking for the orange farmgirl, when I heard something. Something...strange, like a melody, slowly drifting from the ground; like a butterfly, soft and delicate," Discord snapped his claws faintly, bringing into being an extraordinary, multicolored butterfly, flying and spinning in the air like a Wonderbolt. "Being the curious draconequus I was, I transformed into a tree, listening closely for the sound."
I blinked, understanding the story thoroughly so far, but I was troubled. What does this have to do with my question?
"And then I heard it. A voice, serene yet strong, hard, yet as soft as a feather, mixed with beautiful strums of a guitar. I rearranged my face, swiveled around the trunk, and there she was, leaned against a trunk of a healthy apple tree, not twenty feet away. Applejack was taking a break from her chores to sing a song.
Then I listened closer. I tried to understand the lyrics as they came so quickly through my mind, triggering something deep inside me. I guess then, after I finally figured out what they were about, the tingling made sense." Discord snapped his fingers, and suddenly I heard a voice, exactly as he described; serene yet strong, hard, yet as soft as a feather. It seemed as if the voice was coming from everywhere, even inside my own thoughts, yet it seemed as if it was coming from nowhere at the same time.
"My heart is throbbing,
My mind is clouded with daydreams,
I'm close to sobbing,
Love ain't as easy as it seems,
You're so darn far,
I won't ever reach your hand,
You shine brighter than a star,
Your soul I will never understand.
Oh, you chaotic,
Draconnnnequuus,
You make me fly higher than the sun,
Oh, you amazing,
Draconnnnequus,
It's my frantic heart that you've won.
My spine tingles,
My cheeks heat up at your name,
Your eyes twinkle,
My love's a burning flame,
You've planted a seed,
It's grown into something I can't contain,
My soul has finally been freed,
This feeling's hard to explain.
Oh, you chaotic,
Draconnnnequuus,
You make me fly higher than the sun,
Oh, you amazing,
Draconnnnequus,
It's my frantic heart that you've won.
Oh,
You stole my heart with your honesty,
Oh,
You swept me off my hooves with your apology,
Oh,
I'm not any kind of princessss,
Oh,
But oh Dissccoooooord,
You've won my interest.
Ohhhh, you chaotic,
Draconnnequus,
You make me fly higher,
Than the sun,
Ohhh, you amazin',
Draconnnequus,
A new story,
Has begun."
"Discord," my voice was a skeleton, a hoarse whisper, as a tear slipped down my cheek. Applejack had written this out of her heart, clouded and misted with emotions that would make my intestines turn inside out. The pain, the irrecoverable feelings that she must have experienced overwhelmed me, as if I was suffering them for myself. Her thoughts about Discord were more ardent than I could have ever imagined; they were a blooming rose, rising higher and higher until it disappeared into the clouds.
"What does it mean?"
I was shocked when the words came out of his mouth, squeezing my throat, ready to choke me. I realized that Discord understood that the song was full of emotion...but he didn't quite understand what type of emotion. He didn't...he didn't understand that love was the only substance that could rival the magic of friendship.
"It...it means...."
I paused, the unbearable hooves of silence resting on my shoulders.
"It means...she...she really did plant a seed in your heart, Discord."
Discord didn't respond. I could tell, that somewhere, beneath the magic of chaos and the miracle of his soul, that he knew. He knew what love was; the definition was just unclear, like before you study for a complicated test. He knew...he...he just needed to study it. He needed to get closer to his own heart; he had already wormed his way into Applejack's without even being conscious.
"Discord, did you lie when Applejack asked you that question?"
He had to have been. There was no way in Equestria that a creature could feel this strongly about another without having an interest, or being a part of their family. Perhaps he lied to protect his heart; perhaps he locked his own heart in a cage in those thousand years of being trapped in stone.
"Happy Birthday, Apple Bloom!" I uncovered my littl' sisters eyes, waitin' fer a reaction.
I couldn't believe it. Apple Bloom was turnin' a whole 'nother year older! It seems like just yesterday I was standin' at her crib, singin' her the same lullabies that Granny Smith had sung ta me. I swear, she grew up too fast.
Big Mac and I had gone full-out this year with the decorations on the front of the barn; balloons with the Cutie Mark Crusader logo on 'em, a gianormous cake with Apple Bloom's favorite flavor: Raspberry Sweet, a chocolate fountain (thanks ta Pinkie Pie), a big banner with Apple Bloom's face on it, and bows the same color as hers hung everywhere. It was her special day, after all, and everypony's birthday should be perfect.
But my favorite touch was the western band, The Travelin' Taradiddles, ready ta play.
"Applejack, I love it!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, causin' a warm smile ta spread 'cross my face. The littl' filly hopped inta the air, bouncin' like one o' Pinkie's bouncy balls; one was probably near by. I crossed my legs, watchin' my littl' sister dash 'round, her eyes flyin' all over the place.
I felt the wind knocked outta me as Apple Bloom smashed inta me, pullin' me inta a tight hug. "Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!" she squealed like a pig, her eyes shut tight and her smile takin' up her whole face. I held her there for a moment, rememberin' the times she first walked, first talked. She was such a big filly now.
"Yer welcome, SugarCube."
She broke off, bitin' the bottom of her lip and hoppin' up an' down in place. "When are Sweetie Belle an' Scootaloo comin'?" she asked, her eyes dartin' excitedly down the pathway outta the orchard. "I really, really wanna spend this day with them!" I swear, if she bounces up an' down anymore, she's gonna explode.
"Calm down, Apple Bloom, they'll be here in five minutes. An' so will the other guests, so get yerself ready if ya have ta," I warned her, my eyelids half closed. O' course, Apple Bloom was still hoppin' around, mutterin' things like "Wow!" an' "Oh my gosh!" in a high-pitched voice. I rolled my eyes. One year older, hasn't changed a bit, I thought, shakin' my head.
Normally, I wouldn't even bother with tellin' Apple Bloom ta fix 'erself up, but like I said; this year, Big Mac and I had gone full out. Last nigh', Big Mac and I had sat at the kitchen table after we finished the decorations an' wrote up a mighty big guest list; so long, it took up an entire roll o' parchment.
Guest List For Apple Bloom's Birthday party
Sweetie Belle
Scooterloo Scootaloo
Peppermint Twist
Diamond Tiara
Sliver Silver Spoon
Rumble
Pipsqueak
Snips
Snails
Featherweight
Dinky Doo
Pinkie Pie
Twilight Sparkle
Rainbow Crash Dash
Slutterfly Fluttershy
Rarity
Cheerilee
The Cake Twins
Ditzy Doo
Mr. Breezy
Spike
Zecora
Roselick Roseluck
Discoball Discord
Despite Big Mac and I's bad spellin', we managed ta get the invitations out before one of us spewed a leak. I don't think Apple Bloom knows how many ponies are comin'...boy oh boy, is she in fer a sweet surprise.
"APPLE BLOOM! COOL CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN!" two voices screamed, makin' my ears ring. That's Sweetie Belle an' Scootaloo if I've ever heard 'em. I swear ta Celestia, those two fillies are gonna break my eardrums someday, I thought, flattenin' my ears in an attempt ta stop the ringin'.
There they were, gallopin' up the path inta Sweet Apple Acres like it was nopony's business, grinnin' and gigglin' like Pinkie Pie. The three fillies embraced in a warm, meanin'ful hug. I smiled, the ringin' beginning ta clear up. I was just so darn glad that those fillies have such a steady friendship; that can be useful in latter life.
A silhouette, framed against the mornin' sun, started ta creep inta the farm measurably, takin' their time. I gave a lopsided grin as I saw others behind it, some small, some tall. Well, looks like everypony's startin' ta come, I trotted over ta where the path ended, preparin' ta greet the guests like a polite host should.
"Howdy, Ms. Cheerilee," I welcomed the mare as she came inta view, holdin' a decent-sized, azure package with a yella ribbon tied neatly 'round it. "Thank ya'll fer comin', and I hope ya enjoy the party. Gifts go over there, on the checker-patterned table," I explained politely, gesturin' ta the table that was directly next ta the platform where the band was settin' up.
Cheerilee smiled that sweet smiled o' hers as she passed. "Thank you, Applejack. How hospitable of you!"
She turned away before she could see me blush and respond, "Aw, shucks. It ain't a problem, Cheerilee. Ya'll enjoy yerself!"
I turned back to the path and sighed thoughtfully as I opened my mouth ta greet the next pony in line.
I was holdin' the guest list up ta my muzzle as I stood at the edge of the party, overlookin' the scene and checkin' off ponies that had arrived as I went. It was important ta never start the main events of a special gatherin' before every guest invited had arrived. It was a lesson that Granny had taught me on my third Apple Family Reunion; I had wanted ta start the apple fritter tastin' early, but Granny said that if we started that before everypony got there, then the ponies who were late might not be able to get any fritters.
"Pipsqueak's here, Snips is here, Snails is here, Featherweight's here...."
So far, it was lookin' like pretty much everypony was here...but I had a hunch that somepony was missin'...I just didn't know who.
"Fluttershy's here, Cheerilee's here, Cake Twins are here, Ditzy's here, Mr. Breezy's here, Spike's here, Zecora's here, Roseluck's here...."
I stopped.
"O' course. Discord ain't here."
I scowled, shovin' my hat over my eyes and leanin’ against the trunk of the apple tree. "Dangit, Discord, wherever you are! I bet yer plannin’ some kinda big entrance, even though this my littl’ sister’s birthday party! Yer so selfish, keepin’ me waitin-er, I mean, Apple Bloom waitin’.” I winced, hopin’ nopony had heard that last part.
“Everything alright, Applejack?”
I pushed up my hat ta see who spoke, my thoughts still swimmin’ around Discord’s fadin’ image. What if he ain’t comin’? If he ain’t comin’, oh boy, the next time I see ‘im Imma give ‘im a good punch in the muzzle!
Rainbow Dash stood over me, raisin’ her eyebrow and flexin’ her wings. She was lookin’ at me like I was the darn silliest thing she ever did see (which was hard ta believe, since she was friends with the Queen of Silliness ‘erself, the one and only Pinkie Pie). I cleared my throat, tryin’ ta get myself inta conversation mode.
“Oh. Er...yeah. It’s just Discord. He’s late,” I retorted, takin’ a deep breath and adjustin’ my position on the tree by jabbin’ my elbows inta it, so I could get a better view of Rainbow Dash’s confused face. I tried as hard as my brain would let me ta keep the sorrow outta my voice.
Rainbow Dash shrugged, bitin’ the inside of ‘er cheek. “Eh. You know Discord; always fashionably...something,” she slicked back her mane with a hoof, lookin’ eagerly out of the corner of her eye at the sizable cake on the red table, just waitin’ to be eaten.
I nodded, agreein’ full-heartedly. No matter what he was doin’, he was always...er, ‘fashionable.’
“I just hope he shows his face soon. I wouldn’t wanna make ponies bored by havin’ them wait too long,” I narrowed my eyes at a root, poppin’ outta the ground near my tail. There was a littl’ glint o’ silver at the end of it that looked suspiciously like...
...a claw.
All too soon, I was fallin’ backwards, yelpin’ like a filly, into soft, brown fer, between two legs; one goat leg, an’ one dragon leg.
“Discord!” I screamed, heat crawlin’ onta my cheeks. Littl’ pricks, like thousands o’ millions of sewin’ needles sewin’ a blanket outta my skin, began ta crawl up my body like spiders. “How long have you been there?” O’ COURSE HE WAS THE TREE! HE HAD TO BE THE TREE! OH, YOU SILLY, SILLY APPLEJACK!
“I’ve been here this entire time, you silly Applejack!” As Discord chuckled, reachin’ down an’ rufflin’ my hair, I could feel his stomach vibratin’ against my back, joltin’ all my joints like a lightnin’ bolt. He put an arm ‘round my neck, as if he didn’t wanna let me go. “I wouldn’t want to keep anypony waiting, now would I?”
Oh, horseapples.
He was so darn close.
So, so close.
“Discord, you wacknut,” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, pullin’ a hoof to ‘er stomach. “Now c’mon, you two, let’s get the party started before I starve to death.” She turned, raisin’ an eyebrow at the draconequus and I, and started ta walk towards the party.
I breathed in.
He was so darn close.
So, so close.
His hold was so gentle, so kind...unlike I’d expected. A part of me, somewhere in the trunk of the ever-growin’ apple tree inside my soul, never wanted ‘im ta let go. I knew it was just a joke, that he was gonna release me any second and laugh that deep laugh o’ his. I knew in my heart that the great, handsome draconequus of my dreams would never, ever feel the same way.
Yet still, he held me there, our breathin’ completely in sync. Still, he held me there, his slow, steady heartbeat the drum of my internal song. He was holdin’ me, high above the stars in the nigh’ sky, in a land of another time; away from everypony, away from fears. We were the only two creatures in the entire universe.
Then he released me; the magic of his hold flyin’ away like an angel, goin’ back ta heaven.
“Howdy everypony! I’m Applejack, Apple Bloom’s big sister, an’ I’m here ta say a few words before we get this party kicked up,” I said inta the microphone, my words catchin’ the attention of the loiterin’ ponies, casually talkin’ and lookin’ curiously at the overwhelmin’ table o’ gifts. Their littl’ strings o’ conversation began ta weave inta one giant yarn ball as they gathered below me, their expressions interested and excited fer the party that was ta come.
“Apple Bloom, could ya’ll come up here, please? It is yer special day, after all,” I craned my neck ta look down at my beloved littl’ sister at the very front of the crowd, winkin’ at ‘er. The apple blossom’s eyes lit up, brighter than the moon in the nigh’ sky, as Scootaloo an‘ Sweetie Belle urged ‘er on, whisperin’, “Go on up, Apple Bloom!” and “C’mon, everypony deserves a chance to shine on their special day!”
Ponies started ta stomp their hooves on the ground in applause, whistlin’ an’ cheerin’, as Apple Bloom climbed up the circular stairs ta the platform, blushin’ as vividly as a fresh rose. I smiled as she turned ta stand by my side, sayin’ nothin’, but at the same time, sayin’ everythin’ with her sparklin’ eyes. “Thank you, Applejack,” they seemed to whisper, their words carried across the waves of Apple Bloom’s mind inta mind, crashin’ inta me with a mixture of happiness and pride.
“Well, as ya’ll know, today is Apple Bloom’s birthday,” I pulled my sister inta a hug, smilin’ assurin’ly and proudly at ‘er, willin’ my mind ta send a message ta hers. “Congratulations, Apple Bloom. Fer movin’ one year forward in yer life, and makin’ yer big sister’s heart fill with joy.”
More cheers filled the sky as Apple Bloom smiled, her jolliness radiatin’ ‘cross the crowd.
“Apple Bloom, not even the stars can tell ya how proud of you I am. All the lessons that ya’ll have learned, all the journeys that ya’ll have taken, all the while makin’ yerself a better pony, is enough ta make a grown stallion cry.
"How much ya have grown, inside and outside, is gosh-darn unbelievable. Yer mind is as crisp and clear as the apples on our apple trees. Yer heart is as pure an’ as golden as the cider durin’ cider season; a type that’s hard ta come by, yet fresh an’ rare.
"Oh, littl’ Apple Bloom, ya’ll have so much ta look forward ta. Ya have yer whole life ahead o’ ya; yer cutiemark, your destiny. There’s so much that ya’ll will see, that ya’ll will do...more than you will ever imagine. You have yet ta find yer place in this world. Even though ya might not have yer cutiemark, you are one special littl’ pony, Apple Bloom. There ain’t another pony in Equestria with a heart as big, and as strong, as yers. Not one.
"So, as yer big sister, I yell ta the stars, Happy twelfth Birthday ta ya! May yer life be as wonderful an’ as full o’ surprises as one o’ Pinkie Pie’s parties are; may yer life be as satisfyin’ an’ enjoyable as a cool drink on a hot day! Yeehaw, Apple Bloom, an’ Happy Birthday!”
I threw my hat inta the air, spinnin’ like a wheel on a wagon, then caught it again, as everypony erupted inta the heartiest applause I ever heard in all my days of thinkin’. “Thank ya, Applejack,” Apple Bloom whispered, nuzzlin’ my chest and sendin’ the stunnin’ beauty o’ gratitude through my hooves, squirmin’ up my body until it reached my brain.
“Yer very welcome, Sugarcube.”
Apple Bloom giggled, givin’ me one last meaningful look of thankfulness that I put deep in my heart, then trotted down the steps ta join the spirit of the day.
“C’mon, everypony! Let’s get this party started!” Pinkie Pie jumped high inta the sky from the middle of the crowd. I chuckled as she pulled ‘er pink party cannon outta nowhere, pullin’ the string and causin’ sparkly confetti to fly across the crowd. All the ponies gasped in jubilation as the littl’ strips o’ paper landed on their noses, the fillies swattin’ at ‘em and chasin’ them as they flew, like littl’ butterflies, in the air. That pony sure does know a thing or two ‘bout parties, I thought, smilin', my eyes fallowin’ her craziness.
“Hit it, guys!” I cupped a hoof ‘round my mouth, yellin’ ta the two stallions and one mare that were poised behind me with a microphone, a cello, an‘ an acoustic guitar. I smiled as the ponies below whooped an’ cheered as a tall stallion started up an upbeat western song.
“Forget your troubles, Your worries and your fears, Get outta that rubble, Don’t ya’ll dare shed any tears, Grab somepony, Get out on the scene, Don’t ya’ll dare feel lonely, This day is gonna be peachy keeeeennnnnnn!....”
I laughed, giddy as a filly, and jumped off the stage as everypony in the crowd grabbed the pony nearest ta them and started ta skid and hop with one another, beamin’ like the rays of the sun. Before I knew what was happenin’, I was swept inta the chaos by a pink hoof, yellin’, “C’mon Applejack, let’s party!”
“Pinkie Pie!” I groaned jokin’ly as the earth pony swirled me around in circles by the hooves, the world blurrin’ inta one big blob o’ colors ‘round us.
“Take somepony by the hooves, Twirl ‘em round an’ round, If you just ain’t ready to, Smile and don’t stop now, Keep ‘em there just long enough, For their lips ta twitch, Make sure ya’ll don’t hold ‘em too rough, Are ya’ll ready? Switch!”
“Wooo-wee!” I hollered as Pinkie Pie let go of my hooves, sendin’ me flyin’ ‘cross the dirt, twirlin’ an’ kickin’ up a whole storm o’ dust as my laugh rang inta the crystal sky. The world seemed to flash ‘round me, an abstract paintin’ of euphoria as I landed in the hooves of Twilight, who’s face I’ve never seen happier.
“Don’t be shy, Step up and be confident, Yell into the sky, Remember all the times you’ve spent, Put a hoof on a shoulder, Cheer is swarming through the air, Push over that boulder, Life’s about spending time with the ponies who carrrreeee!
Take somepony by the hooves, Twirl ‘em round an’ round, If you just ain’t ready to, Smile and don’t stop now, Keep ‘em there just long enough, For their lips to twitch, Make sure ya’ll don’t hold ‘em too rough, Are ya’ll ready? Switch!”
“Ha ha!” Twilight’s laugh faded away inta nothin’ as she let me go, my heart pulsin’ with the overwhelmin’ sensation of everypony bein’ here, together, enjoyin’ the presence of the ponies we care about, the ponies who matter, the ponies that will always be there for ya, no matter where yer lives will split or change. My heart grew wings and flew, high above the rooster’s perch, as Ah rejoiced in the elation of celebration, of company.
Suddenly, the world seemed to lurch forward, my heart beatin’ loudly in my ears, as I felt two familiar things, wrapped tightly ‘round my hooves.
A lion’s paw an’ an eagle’s claw, suspendin’ me from the rest of time.
“Love all around, As ponies all come together, Laughing is the best sound, We’re all birds of a feather, Our hearts are one, Our voices twined with every thought, Under Celestia’s sun, We’re all tied in one big knottttttttt!”
I looked inta Discord’s eyes, those red swirls o’ his still holdin’ so many secrets, so many honest words. His chaotic spirit, his love for laughter and friendship...it made me want to lean closer an’ kiss him on the forehead. My heart cooed like a songbird at the feelin’ of his skin, his slow, steady heartbeat. How could a draconequus so amazin’, so complex an’ full o’ knowledge that I couldn’t even imagine, ever love a simple farm pony like me?
My stomach felt like it flew outta my throat as he twirled me and dipped me low to the dirt, restin’ me carefully in his arms. His eyes were full...of emotion, of somethin’ I couldn’t quite place, somethin’ I wouldn’t dare believe. It was as if...he was the Prince, and I were the Princess...as if...he...
...as if he loved me.
“Bein’ here, Seein’, Lookin’, Believin’, Learnin’ ta love, Thinkin’, Wonderin’, Dreamin’, Look into your future’s eyyyyyes... Your life is just beginning.”
The crowd might’ve cheered, an’ stomped, and whistled, but I didn’t hear ‘em. They might’ve begged fer more, another song might’ve started, but I didn’t hear it. Heck, Luna could’ve turned inta Nightmare Moon again an’ surrounded the land with eternal night; the point is, I didn’t hear a thing.
All I heard was the sound of Discord’s heartbeat, slow an’ steady.
“Um,” I squirmed outta Discord’s grip as another song began, my whole face turnin’ as red as a phoenix, risin’ from the ashes. My ears flattened, my eyes focused intently on the ground; my vision becomin’ blurry and strange, my skin buzzin’ with the tepid ghost of Discord’s hold. Eeyup. I just screwed up everythin’! GOSH. DARN. IT!
Purple hooves appeared on the dirt in front o’ me; the only things I could look at without coughin’ up my intestines right now. Well, that just happened.
“Discord? Wha...?” Twilight started ta say, her incredulous tone rippin’ a horrible tear the trunk of my apple tree. The littl’ songbirds flew far, far away as the sunny sky of my soul clouded with miserable storm clouds, filled with heavy, tear-filled rain. Figures. What was I thinkin’, fallin’ in love with Discord? My friends would never approve. My family would never approve.
“It’s nothin’.” I cut ‘er off, my voice as sharp as a knife. Blinkin’ back the tears that had attacked my eyes, straightenin’ my back ta look her straight in the face. Hard as a stone, I stared inta her eyes, smilin’ the most assurin’ smile I could muster.
“No, no, Applejack...” Twilight started, reachin’ out ta put a hoof on my shoulder. I dodged, coughin’ as the dancin’ ponies behind ‘er kicked up another dust storm. I was about to retort, ta dismiss ‘er concern with a wave of my hoof, when I caught somethin’ in her eyes. Somethin’ that made her pupils wobble, somethin’ that made my expression soften, somethin’ that kept my apple tree from shrivellin’ up an’ dyin’.
Somethin’ a littl’ like...understandin’.
“She’s right; it was nothing,” a voice deadpanned beside me, drippin’ with sarcasm, “it was nothing but a joke; a little chaos, if you would. What, did you think I was serious?”
Twilight’s eyes flashed dangerously as Discord snapped his claw, makin’ upside-down sunglasses appear on ‘is face. He grabbed ‘em with ‘is paw, his eyebrow flyin’ off of his forehead (I’m serious, that’s what happened) an’ he pulled ‘em low on ‘is nose, a gesture that Rainbow Dash made when she was wearin’ ‘er sunglasses, lookin’ at somethin’ like she couldn’t believe that she was seein’.
My heart deflated, the joy, the hope, and elation I had felt while in Discord’s arms driftin’ away faster than ya could say, “Oh.”
“Discord.” Twilight muttered threatenin’ly, her tone icy cold an’ her eyes narrowin’ inta slits. I dug at the ground feriously, fumin’. Have yer littl’ secrets, Twilight. I don’t care one. Littl’. Bit. Heck, go off an’ marry Discord fer all I care. All he ever cared 'bout was his stupid jokes an' pranks.
He never, ever cared ‘bout me.
“What? You know me, Twilight. I always like a good joke or two,” Discord shrugged, his voice sendin’ shivers down my back as he reached forward and tapped Twilight’s horn, which turned into a rubber chicken. He laughed, puttin’ a claw on ‘is forehead like it was the funniest darn thing in Equestria.
I really, really wanted ta laugh right then.
But I was empty.
Discord had stolen my heart, ripped it apart, put it back together again, all the pieces in the wrong places.
“Ya know what? I think it might be time fer cake,” I piped up, hot an’ unconcerned. Or at least, I tried ta sound unconcerned. Is there a class fer becomin’ emotionless? ‘Cuz that would be a whole lotta help righ’ ‘bout now.
“But Applejack,” Twilight interjected, rufflin’ her wings and puttin’ a hoof in front o’ me as if ta stop me. She wanted ta say somethin’ ta me, somethin’ ‘bout Discord, somethin’ ‘bout the way he held me. I could tell it was caught in ‘er throat, like the hairball Opalescence had coughed up onta my hooves last week. Her eyes were shinin’ with unsaid words, her lips fumblin’ with difficult sentences.
I wouldn’t hear it. There ain’t nothin’ she could say that could make a difference.
Discord had never cared.
“But nothin’, Twilight. Now c’mon, I’m hungry.”
I placed a hoof on ‘er shoulder, smilin’ like everythin’ was just peachy keen, and started ta trot over ta the table where the cake was. Discordant notes from the song that was playin’ swarmed in my mind like a chorus of inferiated wasps, a horrible reminder of my heart, broken and torn. I didn’t look back.
Discord an’ Twilight were left alone, in the blazin’ ruins of my masked sadness.
“Make a wish, Apple Bloom!”
The cake was by far the hardest thing that I had ta prepare fer this party. It was a large, three-tiered Raspberry Cream an’ vanilla delight, topped with homemade whipped cream, strawberries, an’ a littl’ plastic flag on the very top with the Cutie Mark Crusader logo on it. Littl’ designs o’ apples an’ flowers, made out o’ golden frostin’, lined the sides delicately. On each of the layers, there were four candles, pink an’ white, their tops dancin’ with littl’ fire spirits.
Everypony was gathered ‘round the long, red table, squeezin’ forks like they were the only things that kept ‘em alive, droolin’ as they stared at the cake. My littl’ sister was sittin’ at the head o’ the table, her eyes glazed with the reality of this day, of this moment, when she was ‘bout to move a whole ‘nother year forward in time. The candleligh’ reflected in her wide eyes as she sucked in a breath.
She closed ‘er eyes, lifted ‘er shoulders, and blew a long, graceful breath, blowin’ out all of the candles, until there was only one candle left, on the top; an abandoned soul. I wonder what she wished fer; the possibilities were endless, knowin’ Apple Bloom. I just prayed ta the stars that she chose with a good head screwed on ‘er shoulders.
It took a few moments fer me ta realize that Apple Bloom was starin’ at me, as the last candle began ta fold in on itself and dwindle inta nothin’. I blinked twice, raisin’ my eyebrow slightly as I put a hoof on ‘er shoulder, leanin’ low ta whisper in ‘er ear.
“Whaddya waitin’ fer, SugarCube? Go on an’ blow out yer last candle!” I urged ‘er on, my voice wearin’ a crystal-clear smile. Why’s she starin’ at me like that?
Oh, darnet. I probably have somethin’ stupid on my face again.
“I want you to blow out the last candle, sis,” she whispered inta my ear, her voice soft an’ serious. My vision blurred as I processed what she had said; the candle fadin’ fast in front of me. She wanted me ta blow out ‘er last candle? It was her special day, not mine.
I opened my mouth ta protest, ta insist that she do it.
But then I closed it again, realizin’ that she’s never asked me ta do that before.
When Apple Bloom was but a seedlin’, she was selfish, always wantin’ more fer ‘erself. But then, I guess, every filly goes through that stage at some point in their life; complainin’ and wantin’ every last thing fer yer own use. Apple Bloom had always wanted ta open all the Hearth’s Warmin’ Eve presents, had always wanted ta eat the first slice o’ cake at ‘er birthday party.
An’ she’s always, always wanted ta blow out all the candles on ‘er birthday cake.
Maybe, just maybe, this was a sign that she was growin’ up. That she wanted ta share this special occasion with me because she wanted me ta have a wish too; because she wanted ta share the magic of ‘er birthday with ‘er big sister. Her selfishness was fadin’ away, bein’ replaced by the golden hue o’ compassion, o’ selflessness, shinin’ through in the littlest things, like askin’ ‘er big sister ta blow out one last candle.
“Are...are ya’ll sure?”
Apple Bloom looked up at me, her smile warm an’ sure, full of charity an’ kindness. “As sure as hot cocoa on Hearth’s Warmin’ Eve, big sis. Make sure it’s a darn good wish, a wish fer yerself, ‘cuz what’s the point o’ givin’ ya’ll this if you wish fer me?” she elbowed me jokin’ly, shovin’ me forward a littl’ bit.
My littl' Apple Bloom has finally blossomed.
Takin’ a deep breath, I trained all o’ my attention in the wish in my mind. As I blew, I imagined the wish bein’ absorbed by the wind, bein’ carried away to the clouds, to another land where wishes were as normal as the fer on my back.
I wish that someday, somehow, I will know the truth ‘bout everypony’s heart. I wish that I could understand what ponies want, what ponies need...
...I wish that I could understand what a draconequus needs.
Ponies cheered an’ clapped as the last candle flickered out, leavin’ nothin’ but a singed nub and the ashes of Apple Bloom and I’s wishes.
“Okay, everypony, soup’s on!” I called out, grabbin’ the cake cuttin’ knife as Cheerilee, who was sittin’ on Apple Bloom’s left, started ta pass paper plates down the table.
I bit my tongue as I sliced each slice, my hooves quickly gettin’ inta a continuous routine; cut, lift, put ‘em on the plate, cut, lift, put ‘em on the plate, cut, lift, put ‘em on the plate. My mind started ta wonder down the table, past Cheerilee, past Zecora, past Snips, past Snails...until it finally landed on Discord.
Cut, lift, put ‘em on the plate....
I am such a silly filly, havin’ a crush on Discord. He’s unpredictable, practically impossible ta know, an’ downright chaotic. For Celestia’s sake, he’s the spirit of chaos! He ain’t no Prince Charmin’, that’s fer sure...
Cut, lift, put ‘em on the plate....
But the way he speaks, the way he held me, the way his spirit is so free, so humorous...it makes my heart flutter. I ain’t no pegasus, but I’m pretty darn sure that whenever he looks at me, whenever he snaps those fingers o’ his, I fly.
Cut, lift, put ‘em on the plate....
Boy oh boy, was he a annoyin’ fly before the Elements o’ Harmony showed ‘im the light of friendship. I smiled as I remembered the soap roads, the dancin’ buffalos. I chuckled thoughtfuly ta myself as an image of a gray-colored me filled my mind, spewin’ lies like Pinkie Pie spewin’ words outta her mouth. Oh, Celestia, did he sure as hay trick me!
Cut, lift, put ‘em on the plate....
“Um, Applejack?” Apple Bloom asked, her worried and concerned tone buzzin’ at the back o’ my head like a mosquito.
I turned ta her, my eyebrow raised. She had obviously already taken the first bite, because her face was littered with cake crumbs and frostin’, an’ all the ponies ‘round us were pokin’ at their cake unsurely with their forks. “Huh? Whatsamatter?” Colnsarnit, I have been stared at like a circus pony too many times this week.
“You’re slicin’ empty air. There ain’t no more cake left.” Apple Bloom pointed ta the empty, silver servin’ tray, her lip stuck out, as I looked at my movin’ hoof, slicin’ cake that just ain’t there no more.
I flinched, wrinklin’ my nose. Whoops, I thought, gulpin’ an’ settin’ the knife down on the tray. “Sorry ‘bout that. Lost in my own head, I guess,” I chuckled awkwardly, givin’ my littl’ sister a false, affirming smile. Beads o’ sweat began ta form an army on my forehead as I backed away from the servin’ platter, turnin’ away from Apple Bloom ta scan fer an empty seat.
After lookin’ high an’ low, far an near, ta my sweet, sweet surprise, the only seat left was between the last two ponies I felt like talkin’ ta right now; Twilight an’ Discord.
I sighed internally as I pulled back the chair with my hooves.Just my luck, I thought, a ghost of a scowl linin’ my face as I sat down, I swear, it’s like the universe is out ta get me. I adjusted my tail out from under my hindquarters, then thrusted my chest forward ta push the chair back in.
I refused to look at either of the ponies on my sides as I picked up my fork, licked my lips, and jabbed it inta the cake that I had spent so much time preparin’ last night. There is no reason that I should talk ta them, I thought, takin’ a rather brutal bite o’ my cake, I am not in the mood ta speak with either of 'em righ’ now.
“So, Applejack...you...er...you never told us about your crush. What’s he like?” a delicate voice said ta my left. My muscles froze as I turned ta purple alicorn, who was eatin’ ‘er cake politely an’ neatly like she hadn’t said a thing in the world...but I definitely not imaginin’ it. Her words hung in the air, like frosted holiday lights, burnt out from use.
I blinked rapidly, clearin’ my stuffed mined ta find some space ta think. I could ignore ‘er, pretend like I hadn’t heard ‘er at all, but that would be really rude, considerin’ that the conversation ‘round us wasn’t that loud.
“Ooh, OOH! Yeah, Applejack, tell us about him!” My head snapped in the direction of the high-pitched voice that had spoken. Directly ‘cross the table from me, in between Rainbow Dash an’ Rarity, sat Pinkie Pie, her face holdin’ enough frostin’ ta frost a weddin’ cake. She was smilin’, her pupils dancin’ in ‘er eyes, like hearin’ ‘bout my crush was ‘er biggest dream.
“Ooh, yes, darling, do tell. I for one was left at a rather annoying cliffhanger when you said yes to the question.” O’ course. O’ course Rarity had ta join in. Gosh darnet, Twilight, I swear, you’re some kindof tickin’ bomb, ready ta blow my entire world ta smithereens!
“I would like to hear about him too, if that’s okay with you, of course,” said Fluttershy from the other side of Discord, ‘er voice hopeful, yet receptive.
It was so temptin’ ta slam my face in my cake.
I waited a second, ta see if Discord would add anythin’ clever ta the conversation-an’ knowin’ him, he probably would-but his hypnotizin’ voice never came. He could’ve been gone, judgin’ by his unusual silence, but I could feel the tension radiatin’ from ‘im, waftin’ in through my nose like the smell some kinda radioactive pie.
I looked down at my cake, jabbin’ my fork inta it and scoopin’ out ‘nother bite. If I was goin’ ta answer the questions they threw at me honestly, I would have ta think really carefully ‘bout how I worded ‘em. One word, an’ I might set our entire friendship on fire.
“Um, alright then.”
“So, what’s his personality?” Twilight inquired, her voice curious, yet not too personal. I could hear the distant scrapin’ o’ her fork as I thought ‘bout it, frownin’. Well, let’s see here...he’s chaotic, humorous, handsome, amazin’...an’ oh! I almost fergot. He’s Discord, the Lord of Chaos, an’ he’s sittin’ right here, at this very table!
“Um...he’s funny, and er...he likes doin’ things that are outta the ordinary,” I refused ta look anywhere else but my half-eaten piece of cake, keepin’ my eye level under my Stetson so nopony, even if they tried, could make eye contact with me.
“OOH, OOH! I like doing things out of the ordinary too! I like eating cupcakes with hot sauce, putting pickle juice on cherries, and doing stand-up comedy for Pound Cake and Pumpkin! Are those the kindof super-out-of-the-ordinary things that he does?” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, ‘er voice echoin’ in my mind like a voice carried ‘cross a wide mouth of a canyon.
“Um...actually, he likes doin’ much weirder things,” I admitted, my tone waverin’ slightly, “but yeah. He does do those kinds of things.” I shoved the remainder of my cake out towards the middle of the table, puttin’ an arm over my stomach. I wasn’t hungry anymore.
“THAT’S SUPER-WUPER-DUPER-LUPER! This stallion sounds like my kindof pony!”
“Mh-mm,” I nodded, pushin’ my hat up so I could look Pinkie in the eye, “he definitely is yer type, Pinkie Pie.”
The pink pony smiled, her face painted with newfound joy as she opened her mouth wide an’ swallowed the rest of her cake in one bite, chewin’ like she was suckin’ on a rock. Ah chuckled, a smile gracin’ my features without my permission.
“How did you meet him, Applejack? At the Gala, perhaps? Or does he live in Ponyville?” Rarity questioned as she elegantly levitated ‘er fork to ‘er mouth with a blue aura of magic. See, now that righ’ there was the question I was worried ‘bout. I sucked in air through my mouth as I weaved an’ answer, like a spider weavin’ ‘er web.
“Erm...he was sortof a pony I knew when we were all runnin’ ‘round, protectin’ Equestria with the Elements of Harmony. He was assigned ta do some royal business in Canterlot; go an’ capture an enemy, when he, er...sold some information out ta the enemy fer an offer. Then, when the enemy hurt him after they completed the deal, he apologized fer his actions and I grew ta love him. He lives in Ponyville.” I wished I could take all o’ the words back immediately as they’d come outta my mouth. Oh, boy, I wouldn’t get this passed them! There ain’t no way they wouldn’t know it was Discord after that heck of an explanation!
“Ooooh! That sounds so...romantic!” Rarity squealed, flutterin’ ‘er eyelashes an’ starin’ at the sky, lost in a world o’ diamonds and enchanted moonlit strolls.
I blinked twice.
They didn’t have an inklin’ ‘bout who I was talkin’ ‘bout.
Holy. Celestia.
“How serious are you about him?” Twilight asked lightly from my side, dabbin’ her face with a napkin. I wrinkled my muzzle, as if there were some irritatin’ fly that kept landin’ on it, stretchin’ an’ rubbin’ the disease that it had all over my face. “I mean, is it just a crush, or do you love him profoundly?”
I looked outta the corner o’ my eye to the side where Discord sat, unusually still an’ full o’ apprehension, his paw an’ claw clutched ‘round a fork an’ knife. He was fiercely starin’ at his uneaten cake like it had just punched him in the muzzle, his eyes never even blinkin’. Heck, I didn’t even see one muscle twitch as my eyes traveled up his neck ta his face.
There it was again.
That littl’, warm smile, an’ the tiniest paint stroke of pink, stretched ‘cross his cheeks like a nervous grin.
“I love ‘im. I love ‘im so much it darn hurts my heart.” And that was the cold, hard truth.
Twilight sniffled, the emotion in my words causin’ her dam o’ tears ta crack a littl’ bit. I turned ta look at ‘er, my face containin’ a small, meaningful smile.
Twilight’s eyes were shinin’ again, ‘er pupils havin’ a merry ballroom dance. They flickered back an’ forth between my two eyes, as if scannin’ me; as if confirmin’ my words were as gold an’ true as they sounded. Her hoof covered her heart as she stared at me, her breathin’ leisurely and delicate; like Granny Smith’s durin’ on o’ her afternoon naps.
The secret language o’ silence flowed between us as she searched my eyes, searched my soul, reached deep inta my heart ta examine the flourishin’ apple tree, lyin’ in its depths.
Then she blinked, an’ the conversation was over.
“That’s beautiful, Applejack,” Twilight gushed, her voice tremblin’ with the tears that lined the bottom o’ her crystalline eyes, “he sounds absolutely magnificent.” She tilted ‘er head an’ smiled at me, as if pushin’ me forward, as if finally movin’ me past the boulder that has been in my path for a while now.
“He really is, Twilight,” I grinned, lookin’ outta the corner o’ my eye at Discord, “he really is.”
I don’t think I’ve even seen a tamata as red as Discord’s face was in that moment.
I waved ta the two mares as they walked towards town, their faces jeweled with littl’ satisfied grins. I chuckled, lowerin’ my arm as they dropped below a hill, outta my sigh’. I turned away, my head tilted slightly, an’ let out a long, thoughtful breath as I observed the mess of the party.
I sure as hay had a lot ta clean up.
“Whoowee, Applejack, that was one heck o’ a party,” I muttered, yawnin’ as I leaned down ta pick up a napkin that had fell on the ground. Celestia’s sun began ta disappear, Luna’s moon beginnin’ ta outline the night. This party had lasted a lot longer than I’d expected it ta.
“Applejack, are ya’ll sure ya don’t need any help?”
I looked up, one o’ my eyelids half-closed, ta see littl’ Apple Bloom, barely standin’ upright. Her eyes were slits, her figure slouched an’ exhausted. Poor littl’ filly, I thought, shakin’ my head, she can barely even stand up.
“Naw, SugarCube, I can handle it jus’ fine on my own,” I insisted softly, pullin’ ‘er inta a blissful hug, “you go on an’ go ta sleep now, my litt’ twelve-year-old filly. Ya’ve had a darn big day. Ya need yur rest.” I ruffled ‘er hair light’ly as ‘er eyes reflected the newborn stars in the sky.
“Alrigh’, big sis,” Apple Bloom pulled away, yawnin’ again, “but don’t stay out too late.” She smiled at me slyly, then picked up ‘er front hoof, turned towards the path ta the household, and sauntered down it until she was but a tiny dot in the distance.
I blinked slowly at her reatreatin’ figure, then rotated back ta the barn.
I sure as hay had a lot ta clean up.
I walked over ta the nearest clutch o’ balloons, connnected ta a white stake, plantin’ my hooves firmly on the ground. Leanin’ forward, I adjusted the position o’ my head an’ bit down hard at the base o’ the knot, where the balloons were all joined, startin’ ta strain my back and jerk my head. It was like buckin’ an apple tree; buck ‘em good an’ hard ‘round the base, ta get all o’ the apples out faster.
“Mh-mm-hm-mm-mm, Mm-hmmmm hm-hm,” I hummed through clenched teeth as I untied the last significant twist between the balloons. It was the tune of a song that I had written a long time ago; ‘bout the chaotic draconequus that had turned my entire world upside down.
I still remember all the words.
I sing it from time ta time; at breaks, in my bedroom, alone, at the waterhole. It’s the song that the littl’ songbirds sing in my heart, the tune they always whistle ta whenever Discord’s ‘round. It’s the song that dances in my ears when the fireflies flicker in my heart.
The white strings o’ the balloons fell limply inta straight lines as they started ta drift inta the nigh’, a group of wishes, a group of dreams, flyin’ higher an’ higher until they were just ‘nother whirlpool o’ stars; more jewels embellished in the crown o’ Luna’s sky.
The frigid nigh’ air chilled me ta the bone as I lay beneath the apple tree on the edge o’ the front o’ the barn, my eyes glazed, my mind somewhere else. The grass tickled my legs as I yawned, my eyelids droopin’, starin’ at the blank slate o’ the barn.
I had just finished cleanin’ up ‘bout five minutes ago, decidin’ that I needed a littl’ rest ta regain my strength fer the walk ta the homestead. It was a decent half-a-mile from here, an’ my leg muscles were pinchin’ and wobblin’ from hunger an’ lack o’ sleep. I ain’t the smartest pony, but I don’t think that it’s best ta walk when ya can barely stand.
The front o’ the barn was so clean that if you hadn’t been there fer the party, you wouldn’t have guessed there even was one. All o’ the tables, an’ the platfrom, had been put in the storage barn, the paper plates, bowls, an’ cups put in the kitchen, an’ the tablecloths stored in the cupboards fer the next year. Whew, am I glad that I got this done tonight. Gettin’ up an’ havin’ ta do it later is worse than gettin’ it over with now.
I closed my eyes, the heavy weights on ‘em becomin’ unbearably heavy. I laid my head on the crook o’ my elbow, my mind foggin’ with the whispers o’ the stars an’ my jumbled thoughts. I’ll just rest my eyes fer a second...there ain’t no harm in that, I thought, my words floatin’ through my mind like a leaf on an autumn day as my Stetson fell over my muzzle, obscurin’ the ligh’ o’ the moon that shined through my eyelids.
I lasted ‘bout five seconds before my thoughts plummeted inta a black hole, an’ I fell asleep under the stars.
“Applejack....”
“Mhm...”
“Applejack....”
“Whaddya want!”
“Applejack!
My eyes snapped open, my senses alert an’ wide awake as I sprang to my hooves like a frog leapin’ from a lilypad. “Huh? Who’s there! Show yerself!” I whispered venomously, my muscles, inta the nigh’, my Stetson fallin’ over my muzzle. I’m gonna die! It’s probably some serial killer, jus’ waitin’ ta strike! Oh, I hope I can run fast enough ta warn my family before he gets me...
“Applejack, seriously, calm down,” a achin’ly recognizable voice from behind me drawled, “it’s only me, the one and only Discord. Now, what in the name of Celestia’s Lucky Horseshoe are you doing out here?”
The blood in my veins went as cold as ice as an all-too-familiar bucket o’ pink paint was splashed on my face, dowsin’ my cheeks with a tinglin’ brush. Okay, I have two options here: Run fer the hills, or turn ‘round an’ face ‘im.
Suckin’ in a breath, I turned ‘round, pushin’ my hat behind my ears.
“Oh, um...it’s just you, Discord. Er...I kinda fell asleep here after I finished cleanin’ up the party. I guess I was just too tired ta make it home,” I yawned, lookin’ away sheepishly, “why are ya’ll here?” It jus’ occurred ta me that we were alone; under the beautiful stars, under a milky crescent moon. There ain’t anypony watchin’ us, scannin’ our every move. It was jus’ us; the only two ponies in the entire universe.
Or at least, that’s what it felt like.
“You work yourself to death, don’t you? Well, you see, dear Applejack, I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to take a little fly above Ponyville to get me tired. I came to Sweet Apple Acres, because apple trees are a soothing sight for me, and I saw you sleeping under one,” Discord explained, gesturin’ ta the tree that we stood under. “By the way, you look really peaceful when you’re sleeping. It’s actually quite a sight,” Discord stroked ‘is beard with his paw, snappin’ his claw an’ summonin’ a slip o’ parchment, floatin’ above ‘is head.
There I was, a movin’ picture; my chest heavin’ up an’ down as I slept, sprawled out like Winowna on Granny’s rockin’ chair, my eyelashes flutterin’ like littl’ butterfly wings. My coat gleamed in the moonlight, the wind blowin’ astray pieces o’ my mane up an’ down.
Then I realized...that doesn’t look anythin’ like me.
First of all, the Applejack in this picture had a clean, brushed coat; whereas I haven’t taken a bath in ‘bout two weeks. Second of all, ‘er mane was untied, gracefully layin’ ‘cross her shoulders; I don’t wear my hair like that. An’ third of all, this Applejack was way too purdy ta be me... ‘er face was perfect; mine was full o’ grime an’ gristle from work in the orchard.
I raised my eyebrow, openin’ my mouth ta object, when I saw what was at the bottom o’ the picture, as sneaky an’ as sudden as a parasprite attack.
My name, written in cursive, outlined in littl’ pink hearts.
If I was Discord, an’ I had the magic o’ chaos insida me, my jaw would’ve disconnected from my face, dropped ta the ground, an’ turned inta a frog, hoppin’ away through the trees behind us.
The best I could do was a big, wide ‘O’.
Discord twitched ‘is ears, followin’ my eye trail with a pursed bottom lip. “What are you staring-oh, pooh,” Discord winced when he saw the letters, clear an’ bright as day, his cheeks tinted with pink. He cleared ‘is throat, quickly snapped ‘is claw, makin’ the parchment disappear. “You didn’t see that,” he waved ‘is claw an’ paw in front of my face.
That’s when I realized somethin’.
“This is a dream,” I whispered, lookin’ at the ground. I picked up my hoof suspiciously, wavin’ in in front o’ my face. It all felt so real...his presence, his words, his face. But it had to be a dream. There was no way that would actually happen in reality.
This was all in my head.
“Yes, yes, this is a dream, Applejack,” Discord assured me, ‘is face oddly relieved, “this is all inside your head.” He blinked slowly, his face spreadin’ inta a strange, amused grin as he stared at me, his red eyes makin’ my insides melt.
“Alrigh’, then.”
Discord snapped ‘is fingers, appearin’ next ta me, causin’ my heart ta jump outta my chest an’ my stomach ta turn upside down. My skin tingled as he wrapped ‘round my legs like a snake, coverin’ my entire body with his circles ‘round me, until his face was inches from mine. His hot breath, washin’ over my skin, felt so dang real.
“Since this is a dream, and since this is your imagination doing the talking...Applejack, will you dance with me? I, er...quite enjoyed the one we had when you were awake,” Discord whispered, low an’ almost impossible ta hear in my ear. His eyes were full of swirlin’ stars, collidin’ an’ flyin’ together as they sang in ‘is pupils. They were full of hope, full of dreams...full of love.
Yup. Definitely a dream.
“Of course, Discord,” I whispered back, my voice threatenin’ ta boil over with wantin’, “there ain’t nothin’ in the world I want ta do more.” A dream could be anythin’ ya wanted it to be; a kindof magic that can’t be found in hard, unbendable reality. That’s why it only happened when ya were asleep; that way, when ya had a beautiful dream, perhaps ‘bout a certain dance with a certain draconequus that ya didn’t want ta share, ya could keep it close to yer heart.
This was gonna be a dream that I would remember ferever.
Discord pulled away, standin’ up straight an’ beamin’, his happiness radiatin’ through my veins like the sun would shine down on Ponyville on a cloudless day. There was no way that Discord would ever be this excited ta dance with me in real life. It was jus’ my imagination on overdrive.
He snapped ‘is claw, an’ suddenly, a floatin’ acoustic guitar, exactly like mine, appeared next ta me, the strap suspended in the air like it was on somepony’s shoulders. I giggled as it sprouted black, angelic wings an’ the hole in the middle o’ it started ta bend like a mouth would. I observed it as the strings started ta strum on their own, my fuzzy mind overwhelmed with how familiar the tune was.
It was the start ta the song I’d written a year ago.
I jumped when I felt a light, sharp tap on my shoulder, my head turnin’ abruptly. There he was, my draconequus in shinin’ armor, kneelin’ on his dragon leg like he was proposin’, his head bowed an’ his hand stretched towards me, silently askin’ fer my hoof. I felt like jumpin’ ta the moon an’ back; I felt like a shootin’ star that a filly was wishin’ on a thousand miles away.
“May I have this dance?”
Smilin’ a secret smile, I placed my hoof ligh’ly in his claw, my songbirds chirpin’ and twitterin’ on the branches o’ my apple tree, which I’m pretty sure just sprung another trunk, another web o’ complex emotions, another world o’ love, another reality where Discord really did love me. “Yes, ya may.”
Oh, the magic o’ a dream.
Discord clasped my hoof, risin’ ta his hooves. I willed my eyes ta shine like Rarity’s, I imagined my face as flawless as dream-Discord had seen it; I imagined myself as beautiful as I had appeared in ‘is picture. I would never be as radiant in real life...but in a dream, anythin’ was possible.
I felt the ground leave my hooves.
I gasped, blinkin’ rapidly at Discord as the nigh’ sky crowded ‘round us, our background the untold stories o’ the stars, our mother the milky bowl o’ the moon, shrowdin’ Discord’s face in the shadow. I looked down at my hooves, which were in the same position they were in when I was standin’ on the ground. It was as if there were an invisible floor ta the sky, that bounced on the lines of reality.
Somethin’ told me I wasn’t gonna fall.
“What? Haven’t you ever danced in the sky before?” Discord asked, his voice hypnotizin’ly smooth as he joked. I turned back ta him, in awe of how handsome an’ free he looked in the moonligh’, in awe at how loud my heartbeat was in my ears.
“No...but now I want to,” I sighed, my voice givin’ birth ta a chuckle. The tune from my song, mixed with the chirps o’ the crickets, wafted up ta where we stood, suspended in the nigh’ sky, weavin’ ‘round my ears like a gentle snake. I tilted my head in sligh’ly, drownin’ in how breathtakin’ly real this dream was.
“Well, now you can.” Before I knew what was happenin’, Discord pulled me in close, my cheek brushin’ his soft fur, sendin’ shivers up my spine. As the music created a barrier around us, created another spot in time, in another universe, just fer our sake, the draconequus’s hooves started ta move.
I was surprised ta figure out that my dream-self didn’t know howta waltz, jus’ like I didn’t in reality.
“What’s the matter, Applejack? Something troubling you?” Discord asked, haultin’ the movement of his hooves when he sense my hesitation. I bit my lip, the pain feelin’ unbelievably real.
“Oh, it’s just...my dream-self doesn’t know howta waltz,” I explained, my own words makin’ me laugh. As if this were the funniest thing he’s ever heard, my head bounced on his stomach as I felt the rumble o’ his chuckle vibrate deep in my chest.
“Not a problem, Applejack. I will teach you.”
My hoof was lifted inta the air softly by Discord’s claw, reachin’ in the direction of the stars. I felt the silky fur o’ his shoulder under my rough frog, causin’ another chorus from the songbirds; makin’ the fireflies glow brighter than ever before. He grabbed my other hoof in his paw, an’ lifted it slightly as I breathed in deeply, my breath loud in my ears. He was so...real.
“Now follow my lead,” Discord instructed softly, an’ started ta step slowly in one direction. My hooves followed his, our souls twinin’ an’ huggin’ the music, stayin’ in beat an’ step. The stars swirled inta bright blurs as my hooves became blissfully connected ta his step. “You’re doing splendidly, Applejack.”
Oh please, Luna; let this dream never end.
Discord waltzed me gracefully inta the stars as we danced, our hearts one. We were part of the sky; another joined soul, displayed ‘cross the blackness for all to see. We marched ta the same tune, thought on the same wave...a fantasy that can only be found in the land of sleep.
My heart trembled as he threw me inta the air, the stars an’ the moon blurrin’ inta a thousand white dots, creatin’ the same picture that was graved inta my mind. I jumped between the lines o’ dreams an’ the lines o’ love as I flew through space, sproutin’ wings an’ cryin’ out ta the countless faces that watched me.
His breath whispered on my neck fur as he caught me, dippin’ me low ta the bottom o’ the sky. The crimson eyes that were usually emotionless were misted with unbelievable warmth, clouded with desire, as he stared at me, as he got closer an’ closer until we were just inches from each other.
“Do you know what I said that day, when you answered my Truth question?”
His voice rumbled my heart as I searched ‘is eyes, shocked ta the bone. I was surely gonna wake up before he said it, ‘cuz my mind didn’t know what he had said, so neither could my dream-Discord. I sighed, preparin’ for the magic ta disappear.
“No. What did ya say?”
“I said, ‘Oh, my dear girl, you have planted a seed in my heart.’ Because you have, Applejack. I don’t know how you’ve done it, but you’ve taught this crazy old draconequus what love is.”
I waited for the scene ta collapse inta darkness, fer me ta start fallin’ back through the portal of reality.
But it didn’t.
We just stood there, in that moment of time, lost in each other’s gazes; lost amongst the stars that I had wished on, the stars that I had prayed on. Discord an’ I were two stars, twinklin’ an’ shinin’ as the nigh’ twisted ‘round us. We were two wishes in a heart, pleadin’ ta be let free.
We were two star-crossed lovers, trapped in a dream that felt as real as time.
Dancin’ in the sky with the pony I’ve been dreamin’ ‘bout constantly fer two years was definitely a dream. Yup, I’m pretty darn sure of it. There ain’t no way that it was real. Nope. Ain’t no way.
So I bet you can imagine my reaction when I woke up the next mornin’, my head in Discord’s lap, sittin’ under the very apple tree that I had fallen asleep under.
“Discord! Wha-? Did you...did you...ah!” I screamed breathlessly, my chest heavin’. I sat up, my cheeks tickled pink, my eyes dartin’ every which way. “That was...that was...real? You’re...you’re alive? That...that happened? You...you danced with me in the sky? You know my song? WHAT IN THE NAME OF-?”
I was hushed by a claw over my mouth an’ a soft, “Shhhhhh.”
“You can scream at me all you want after the sun is up,” Discord whispered, ‘is eyes soft an’ makin’ me feel like a pot o’ honey, “but for now, let’s watch Celestia’s ‘grand masterpiece’ in silence, shall we?” He smiled a littl’, sly smile, gently slid ‘is claw off my face, an’ turned slowly ta glowin’ sunrise, peepin’ outta the horizon like a chick, scannin’ the outside of its nest for the first time.
OH. MY. CELESTIA. HE’S HOLDIN’ ME, THAT WAS REAL, AN’ NOW HE WANTS ME TA WATCH THE SUNRISE WITH HIM?!? THAT WAS REAL?!? HE’S TOUCHIN’ ME, HE’S LOOKIN’ AT ME OUTTA THE CORNER O’ HIS EYE, AN’ HE OUTLINED MY NAME IN LITTL’ HEARTS?!? THAT WAS REAL?!?
As Discord stared at the risin’ orb, ‘is face outlined in shadow, I searched ‘is gaze, tryin’ ta dig up the truth with the tiny, rusty shovel o’ my brain. He had taken my hoof in ‘is paw, ‘is eyes had filled with dancin’ stars at the thought o’ dancin’ with me. The object o’ my desires had twirled me through the stars; through love, through time itself. He had told me that I had planted a seed in ‘is heart; just like he did mine.
He had said that I had taught ‘im what love was.
My lips tingled, my swarm o’ fireflies morphin’ together ta create one big ligh’, as beautiful an’ as radiant as Celestia’s sun, shinin’ an’ weavin’ through my veins, tyin’ all my limbs ta my heart. He was next to me, righ’ next ta me, ‘is heart beatin’ rapidly against my ears, takin’ my heart by a storm o’ indescribable emotions, tangled in a knot ‘round my brain. The one an’ only Lord o’ Chaos, takin’ a mornin’ ta watch the sunrise paint the land in beautiful colors...it seemed impossible; a vision, stolen from the deepest part o’ my thoughts.
The songbirds inside my soul chirped discordantly like I had hit ‘em in the face, squawkin, "Go on, Applejack, tell him! He obviously loves you too; c’mon, he wouldn’t have danced with you, waltzed you around the sky, if his heart didn’t sing for yours! We can hear his own songbirds, a perfect harmony to our melody! Scream to the stars, tell him that you love him! Tell him, tell him now!"
I opened my mouth, a collection o’ dreams, o’ hopes, o’ wishes ticklin’ my throat, thrashin’ my tongue. They were about to tumble out, ta fill the empty space o’ silence, when I felt somethin’ tender, ligh’ly fallin’ down my mane like a wave, tricklin’ back inta the ocean.
The pink sky colored my cheeks as I realized that it was Discord’s kind paw, strokin’ my mane like it was gold.
“Okay,” I whispered, nearly chokin’.
A tensity that I didn’t know was there fell outta Discord’s muscles as his face split inta a relieved grin. His eyelids drooped as he continued ta look at the golden angel, risin’ higher an’ higher; flyin’ up inta the sky, her soft eyes watchin’ us with consideration.
I turned my head slowly, my eyes widened, my entire body pulsin’ with red electricity, followin’ Discord’s gaze. Littl’ streaks o’ ligh’, the sun’s long, silky fingers, spread across the orchard, castin’ the barn in a beautiful twist o’ pinks, yellas, purples, an’ reds, turnin’ the tips o’ the trees, an’ the rollin’, grassy hills golden. It felt as if one o’ them touched the middle o’ my heart, strokin’ the fireflies, as I felt a shift by my side. Was it my imagination, or did Discord just move closer ta me?
My stomach rolled, clutched, an’ seized, as the small fur on ‘is paw touched my skin as he stroked my mane. A weight lifted off of my head; my Stetson, bein’ gently taken off by Discord’s claw, an’ placed on his other side. I would’ve screamed at ‘im, tellin’ ‘im ta give him my hat back...but...it’s jus’...I’d never known he could be so kind, so compassionate, so good-natured.
Shoot. I sound like mushy applesauce.
“Applejack, why do you always wear your hair in ribbons? It’s so silky, so golden...like butter; why do you always tie such extraordinary hair back?” Discord asked, ‘is voice hushed an’ serene, like a single note on a guitar.
I blinked rapidly as the sun rose another inch, creepin’ towards our hooves like a tiger on the prowl. He thinks my hair is silky an’ golden? I thought, starin’ at the ground, my face gettin’ as hot as a volcano.
“Er...I guess it’s because of my work in the orchard,” I explained, narrowin’ my eyes at a beetle that was crawlin’ near my flank, “I would wear it down all the time if it weren’t fer the fact that it gets in my eyes when I’m workin’ when I don’t tie it up. Why?” I tried ta keep my tone as conversational as my heart would let me, but even I could hear the unmistakable emotion embedded deep at the core o’ the words.
“Oh, no reason. It’s just that...perhaps more ponies would see your raw beauty that way,” the words tumbled outta Discord’s mouth, ‘is ears flattened embarrassedly as his cheeks matched mine, “I mean, you do have amazing, natural beauty; a very rare occurrence nowadays. Of course, there are ponies like Rarity, who bust their chops trying to make themselves beautiful and attractive; but then there are ponies like you, who carry beauty around everywhere they go without even thinking about it. Look at yourself, Applejack; you have glistening, emerald colored eyes that sparkle like gems, an extraordinary orange coat, and naturally satiny hair of a goddess-” before he could continue, his claw disconnected from his body, hopped angrily up ‘is chest, an’ slapped over ‘is mouth, causin’ ‘is voice ta become muffled an’ distant.
‘Is eyes went impossibly wide, turnin’ inta the size o’ dinner plates, ‘is voice trailin’ off. ‘Is snow-colored eyebrows rocketed off o’ his forehead, flappin’ their sides like littl’, odd birds. “I said too much, didn’t I?” he muttered ta himself, wrenchin’ the claw off an’ stickin’ it back inta it’s socket with a crunch.
A goddess. He had called a littl’ ol’ farmpony like me a goddess. Comin’ from anypony else’s mouth, I would’ve blushed, dismissed their compliment, an’ my heart would warm from the praise. Then I would’ve tucked it away somewhere; most likely in my heart, an’ I would’ve moved on with my day with a littl’ smile on my face.
But comin’ from Discord...Discord, who had been ‘live fer millions a years, seen thousands an’ thousands of beautiful things, beautiful ponies, beautiful creatures; it made my soul fill with words, with love songs, with new branches o’ the apple tree...all the way until it spilled inta my mouth, fillin’ my mind with fumes of crimson emotion.
I looked up ta the sunrise, flowin’ up just higher than the barn, flyin’ inta the sky like my heart. Who would’ve ever thought...who’d ever knew, that one day, I’d fall in love with the Spirit of Chaos? Who’d ever guess that me, a pony who had disliked Discord from the start, would ever feel anythin’ stronger than friendship for ‘im?
Who would’ve thought...that maybe, jus’ maybe, he’d love me too?
“Er...um...thank...er...you...Discord....” I said stupidly, lost in Discord’s labyrinth all those years ago, searchin’ fer the center. I felt somethin’ tug at my mane gently, the tension at the end o’ it caused by the ribbon suddenly disappeared inta thin air.
I looked outta the corner o’ my eye ta see my red ribbon, floatin’ gracefully ta the ground like an autumn leaf. Strange. I hadn’t worn my hair down in years; it felt so awkward...like I had stolen somepony else’s hair an’ glued it onta my head.
Small trickles o’ feelin’ speckled my neck as I realized that he was gatherin’ my loose mane inta three sections; like a grand, golden waterfall, parted like a curtain by little clusters o’ rocks. My entire body went numb, like I had taken one o’ Big Mac’s afternoon ice baths, when I felt my hair bein’ weaved tagether like the delicate stitchin’ I saw Granny do when she made Apple Bloom’s baby bonnet.
One strand over the other, Discord was braidin’ my hair.
If it was anypony else, I would’ve swatted ‘em away, sayin’ that I don’t like havin’ my hair done. It’s an honest waist o’ time, in my opinion, an’ I would prefer not havin’ ta go through that kindof trouble every mornin’; brushin’ an’ washin’ an’ shampooin’. How does Rarity do it? It seems downright impossible, ta tell ya’ll the truth.
But with Discord, everythin’ I would normally find annoyin’, everythin’ I wouldn’t do or say...jus’ felt so right. In too many ways, that draconequus has turned my entire world topsy-turvey (literally and figuratively). He’s like a puppet master behind the strings o’ my emotions, twirlin’ an’ twistin’ ‘em ‘round like he owns me.
So, that’s exactly why I didn’t flinch as he braided my hair, one loop after the other. Exactly why I exhaled deeply an’ watched the purple sky fade inta baby blue, blendin’ like a harmony an’ melody.
Exactly why I shivered when he spoke in my ear.
“Words,” he whispered, “they are really the killer of us all, aren’t they? So many things one could say that could hurt another, so many hopes one word could crush. I don’t know what you ponies were thinking, writing words. They just get tangled, like hair, and then you can never get them out of your ribcage.”
I blinked.
Say what now?
“I mean, here...let me give you an example, shall I? Okay, so...let’s say that there was this random, completely run-of-the-mill draconequus-who, by the way, is completely unrelated to me-is trying to say something to a pony. Say something that he’s been holding back for a really, really long time, but can’t, because he doesn’t know how to put it; because there are not enough words in the dictionary to define what he means, what he thinks,” Discord said casually, as if he were sayin’ somethin’ ‘bout how the weather was.
There was a long, ringin’ silence, as I felt a small squeeze at the end o’ my mane. Discord had finished the braid an’ tied it neatly with my ribbon, drapin’ it tenderly over my shoulder with a swift sweep o’ his claw. It cascaded down, past my stomach, restin’ a few inches above my waist. My eyes skimmed the top o’ it, widenin’ at what they saw.
It was a fancy braid; a hairstyle that even Rarity would be proud of, tied with a bow knot at the end. The sun caught the strands, bathin’ them in a radiant light that coulda been in one o’ those romance novels that Rarity hides under ‘er pillow, makin’ my normally dull mane shine with golden color that I didn’t even know existed.
But that wasn’t what nearly stopped my heart.
Along the braid, spelled out in mornin’ dew, sparklin’ from the ligh’ o’ the sun, there were words. Three words, ta be exact. Three littl’ words, causin’ all o’ the eggs o’ the songbirds ta hatch, causin’ my entire world to shine an’ shimmer in the sky o’ my heart.
I love you.
“Let’s say, erm...that this certain pony...the one that the draconequus wants ta say somethin’ ta...wants ta say somethin’ to ‘im,” I breathed, my words shakin’ with adrenaline. No, I have ta be dreamin’, I have ta be dreamin’...I’m still asleep, under this apple tree alone.... “Let’s...um...say that she has a problem with sayin’ those words too...has a problem with words in general.”
I heard a littl’, almost silent gasp come from Discord’s mouth; one peppered with disbelief, one candy-coated with longin’.
“Let’s also say that the draconequus wants to ask the pony, right now, a question. A little, teensy-weensy question that may or may not affect their lives forever, that may or may not make the draconequus the happiest creature alive if she were to say yes. If he asked her, do you think that she would say yes?”
I turned my head ta Discord, the breath stolen outta my lungs.
He was lookin’ at me like I’d never seen ‘im look at me before. All o’ those emotions that were hidden inside o’ his eyes broke through the barrier; I could see them, sprinkled across ‘is pupils like cinnamon, sprinkled ‘cross an apple pie, as he sat there, waitin’, listenin’. Even though ‘is heart was buried, deep below ‘is magic an’ ‘is mind, I felt like I could see it, burstin’ with the effort of not explodin’.
“Yes...I think she would,” I whispered, but even I couldn’t hear myself over the invisible magic, seepin’ through the cracks o’ this moment, this one, beautiful moment, that my life was leadin’ up to; the sun, smilin’ down upon us; Discord, the one who consumed my dreams like I consumed apple pie; an’ me, my songbirds flyin’ in a formation as I realized what was ‘bout to happen, how my world was gonna change ferever.
“That’s all I needed to hear.”
Chances are littl’ moments, littl’ fragments o’ ponies dreams, that have escaped from Luna’s hooves. Chances come by so quick, like rabbits; if ya don’t decide if ya wanna take that chance, it’ll dash away an’ you won’t even know what hit ya.
If I didn’t take this chance, it would dash away, an’ I would never know. If I didn’t take this chance, all o’ the questions, engraved inta my heart, would fade away, an’ never be answered.
A slow melody filled my brain, tickin’ with the beat o’ my heart, as Discord’s head moved closer ta mine. My breath straggled in my chest, fillin’ my ears, as Discord’s lips puckered, ‘is eyelids flutterin’ shut.
Holy Celestia, this is actually happenin’.
I’m ‘bout ta kiss the Lord o’ Chaos.
The rest o’ the world blurred, colors fadin’ inta one another, straight lines becomin’ curved, angles becomin’ wider. All I could see, through the heavy emotion cloudin’ ‘round my head, was Discord’s face, shinin’ like a beacon through a snowstorm.
My songbirds transformed. They transformed inta great big eagles, rare phoenixes, an’ other gianormous, screechin’ birds. One by one, they were swirled in a cloud o’ sparkles, an’ thrown inta another league of their life, the next stage of their time.
The next stage o’ love.
Chances are littl’ moments, littl’ fragments o’ ponies dreams, that have escaped from Luna’s hooves. Chances come by so quick, like rabbits; if ya don’t decide if ya wanna take that chance, it’ll dash away an’ you won’t even know what hit ya.
So I took the chance.
‘Is face was so close ta mine, ‘is breath competin’ with my heartbeat. I felt like I was a machine, vibratin’, waitin’ for somepony ta turn me off. My stomach sloshed an’ bubbled with wantin’; this may be the only chance I will ever get.
My mind as clear as crystal, I leaned forward, flutterin’ my eyes shut; passin’ the boundaries o’ life, my crayon colorin’ outside the lines.
My entire body gave a jolt when ‘is lips connected with mine.
A space, a giant, gapin’ hole inside o’ me that I didn’t even know existed was suddenly filled; the missin’ puzzle piece ta the jigsaw o’ my soul was found. I knew now that my feelin’s fer Discord ain’t some schoolpony crush. Discord was my other half; the apple ta my pie, the ‘best’ to my ‘friend’.
It was impossible.
Soul mates are real. Granny Smith once told me that everypony, every mare, every stallion, has a soul mate. They may be ‘cross the country, they may be the very pony that they’ve hated ever since they were a littl’ foal.
She always told me that my soul mate was waitin’ somewhere, ready ta sweep me off my feet, ready ta make my heart complete.
But who woulda thought that at the time she said it, my soul mate was encased in stone?
Our souls finally found each other, after years an’ years an’ years o’ searchin’.
‘Is lips felt so soft, so right, so perfect. Love spilled from ‘is heart, travelin’ up ‘is throat, pourin’ inta my body an’ findin’ my heart. The warmth, the craziness o’ it all...it was a dream, a dream, as Discord kissed me, held me, under Celestia’s risin’ angel.
Righ’ there, righ’ then, the world shifted. Time wavered, nature shook; thousands o’ stars, masked by the azure sky, looked at one another, bewildered, as two hearts, two unlikely souls, entwined. They looked at one another, as the galaxies painted this moment on a black aisle, suspended in a forgotten universe, parallel ta our own.
Dancin’ in the sky with the pony I’ve been dreamin’ ‘bout constantly fer two years was definitely a dream. Yup, I’m pretty darn sure of it. There ain’t no way that it was real. Nope. Ain’t no way.
But then again...everyday was a dream with Discord.
