Update Schedule AND Preview of MCNE Sequel!!! · 2:41am Dec 30th, 2016
Hi everyone! 
Happy (early) New Year! I was going to wait until the weekend to post this blog update but I just couldn't help myself (plus I really feel bad leaving things as they are in MCNE without any hint about what's to come 
). And I wanted to let you guys know what I'm planning to post next! So here you are! (And the preview for the sequel will be below!)
Updates (no set dates in mind of publication yet):
1) Loose Ends (working title)
This is a slice of life one shot set after the season six finale. It's very similar in style to my story "Slices of Postpartum Life" except I think I'll make each segment it's own small chapter. There were just so many great characters that got put together in the finale, and I wanted to explore some of the unusual pairings.
2) We're the Same! sequel (no title yet)
Now that we've seen more Starlight, Discord, Trixie, Luna, and even Sunset Shimmer, I'd like to revisit OOREV for some fun. During this meeting, it'll be 'bring a new recruit' day :33 Some fun people show up, shenanigans abound, it all takes place in Discord's house--I promise a fun time!
3) Keep Calm and Chaos On one shot sequel (no title yet)
I may post this as it's own story depending on how much the tone differs from the main story (Discord's humor starts to get a little suggestive at times in the draft, so we'll see lol). We'll be seeing Discord and Celestia several months after their little 'dating in a practicing dating way' has progressed and where they want to go from here.
4) Interesting Nights one shot sequel (no title yet)
Discord actually does get Celestia to go to a cider mill with him one night to help work on her social skills. She's self-conscious (and ponies are a little intimidated by her and Discord) so the two of them disguise themselves as ponies and attempt to have some fun. Shenanigans abound, especially when Discord finds himself getting a little jealous that Celestia's actually doing great at getting attention from other stallions 
5) The Most Chaotic Date Ever!!! (a sequel to MCNE)
A few years have passed, Discord is a regular teacher of chaos at Celestia's school, and the two of them are excellent friends. Celestia goes on 'outings' with potential suitors from time to time, though she finds herself having trouble ever wanting to be more than just friends with them. Meanwhile, Discord's gotten much better at making friends, especially in his travels, and especially with ladies. It's summer break now, and Discord, for the first time, has decided to spend the whole season away traveling. Celestia, of course, can't come, but they write letters...and time passes...and she starts to feel something she can't quite place, something that goes beyond missing him. She even finds herself too restless to sleep. But soon enough (and with a little help from Luna) she faces the truth about her feelings about Discord. And as he returns from his trip, she can only hope that Discord's feelings haven't faded away after all of these years.
This will be much shorter than MCNE, but much quicker paced. Rated teen for ridiculous amounts of kisses lol. 
The Most Chaotic Date Ever!!! Preview
This segment is from near the beginning of chapter one. It's a dream sequence of Celestia's. This is very rough first draft stuff, so a lot of wording may change, some things may be added in, etc. (And I feel like Dream Celestia is a little too snarky at the moment). Not too spoilery.
In the land of dreams, Celestia found herself resting in one of her favorite places—the small valley near the edge of the statue garden. She smiled as memories of all the picnics and talks and pranks she and Discord had shared here over the years went through her mind.
And then she heard a burst of magic and someone approaching from behind her.
She blushed lightly but smiled more. “Discord?” Celestia turned…and then blinked.
There before her stood…herself?
Indeed, a second Celestia looked at her with an all-knowing smile.
Celestia remained still for a moment then let out a breath. “I’m dreaming.”
“Either that or I’m afraid Queen Chrysalis has gotten rather bold in terms of who she’s willing to impersonate,” the dream Celestia replied.
Celestia hesitated for a moment.
Dream Celestia sighed. “I was joking. But if it makes you feel any more certain that I’m not a changeling…sometimes you used to hid on that balcony that overlooks the unicorn academy courtyard and secretly watch Twilight at recess—and one time you saw the kids were all partnering up for a game but she ended up the only one alone, so you quickly sent a message asking her to meet you in your study for something very important, and the two of you spent the next hour playing hide and seek.” Dream Celestia’s smile warmed. “You’ve never told that to anyone, not even Luna. Chrysalis wouldn’t know.”
Celestia sighed and smiled warmly too. “So I am dreaming.” She approached. “Funny, I’ve never dreamed of myself before.”
“Yes, well, you can thank Luna for this.” Dream Celestia explained. “She knows you haven’t been sleeping well lately, and she thought some time for introspection might be helpful. Ponies often find it illuminating to confront themselves in dreams; you can’t hide the truth from you, after all.”
Celestia paused and blushed slightly. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Dream Celestia sighed. “You thought I was Discord. And you were hoping I had come to laugh and tease you…and then to pounce you to the ground in play…but then of course, as usual in this dream of yours, your eyes catch and he lingers over you, and then he playfully asks if you want him to stop, and you just blush and smile, and then he leans in for a kiss, but before your lips separate, you wake up. Sound familiar?”
Celestia was blushing now, but she shrugged. “Discord and I have been friends for years. And I’ve been looking for a romantic companion on and off for years. And I’ve used Discord in my dreams to stand in for a special somepony for years. It’s nothing special.”
“He’s been gone three months—the entire summer—on adventures, and you’ve missed him a little more each day.” Dream Celestia’s smile warmed.
Celestia tried to smile. “It’s hard for anypony when a friend leaves. We’ve grown attached, and this is the longest he’s been away since his reform. Missing him isn’t anything special either.”
“You look forward to writing him each week like a filly looking forward to Hearthswarming.” Dream Celestia raised an eyebrow.
Celestia nodded. “Of course—who doesn’t look forward to keeping in touch with a good friend?”
An all-knowing smile came to dream Celestia’s lips. “But you secretly avoid reading his letters…because you’re afraid he’s not just going to mention a few names of cute girls he’s met to tease you—he’s going to tell you he met someone very special. And you don’t know what you’ll do if he does.”
Celestia just stood there, eyes wide, a blush on her features.
Dream Celestia came closer. “Just admit it to yourself, Celestia. It’s okay to. Discord’s friendship means something special to you.” Her horn glowed, and then a shimmering cloud of magic appeared and began to play scenes from their friendship over the years—Discord and Celestia playing in the hedge maze, the two of them grabbing a milkshake at Sugar Cube corner, watching the Cake Twins together, Celestia helping Discord prepare for his first day of teaching at the Unicorn Academy, the two of them visiting the Crystal Empire to see Flurry Heart, Discord teaching Celestia how to ice skate in the summer, the two of them having a cake eating contest for fun, countless picnics in this very spot… “You always help your little ponies confront the truth when they’re having trouble. Why not help yourself?”
Celestia used her magic to dissipate the cloud. She frowned, her eyes down. “If you’re me, you know the answer to that. I still won’t pursue Discord just because I like the fact that Discord fell in love with me.”
Dream Celestia’s voice softened, and her gaze warmed. “And that’s what we’re here to get past. Don’t you see, Celestia, in each of those memories—Discord’s having a wonderful time, but so are you. You always wondered how it would feel to care for someone so deeply…and that ache you feel now for him, you know it means something.”
Celestia glanced away. “Part of me wishes you were Chrysalis—villains are easy to deal with compared to this.”
Dream Celestia’s smile picked up a little on one side. “If you need more proof I’m not…would Chrysalis know that sometimes when you wake up from a bad dream, you put your foreleg over a pillow and imagine someone beside you…and eventually think about Discord until you fall asleep?”
Celestia’s blushing burned.
“You’re afraid to fall in love with him.”
Celestia took a breath, her voice quiet. “Even if…I told you, I can’t just…and our friendship—if we tried and didn’t end up… I love Discord so much as my friend. Losing him would hurt me. I can’t handle going through that kind of loss again—not after what I went through with Luna.”
Dream Celestia frowned and nodded. “I know—you fear being left alone more than anything else. But you also trust that Discord would respect your feelings and your confusion and keep you safe. Don’t you think your friendship is strong enough now that it could bear anything, even the weight of love?” Dream Celestia’s smile was so tender.
Celestia blinked a few times, looking into her eyes, her own eyes shining. “But…”
“You can say it, it’s okay. I know what it is anyway.” Yet dream Celestia didn’t stop smiling.
Celestia took a breath. “Even if I didn’t like his feelings and even if I didn’t worry so much about keeping our friendship safe…Discord hasn’t said a word to me about loving me in years…and he dates a lot…and the ladies really do seem to love him. I don’t know if he cares for me anymore.”
Dream Celestia’s eyes hazed in that wise way they could. “Well, if you’re not sure about that, then how could you possibly only have feelings for him because he has feelings for you?”
Celestia’s eyes widened completely.
Dream Celestia stepped back. “I think my work here is done. You probably need some time alone. I’ll just…entertain myself somehow.”
“Well, well, well…two Celestia’s,” a familiar voice suddenly observed, “I’m not sure whether to be more confused or intrigued.”
With light blushes (but with Celestia’s eyes still wide while Dream Celestia smiled), both mares turned to see Discord standing before them wearing a smirk.
Dream Celestia approached. “Real Celestia was just leaving to think about real Discord, I’m afraid. But if you’d like some companionship, I’m very available.” She passed by him, casting a half lidded look over her shoulder.
Discord glanced after her with a blush. “Well…if you ladies really have settled everything…” He glanced to real Celestia and gave a nod, “Have a fun time with real Discord.” And winked then he followed after dream Celestia. “Where shall we go, my lady?”
“How about the Everfree Forest…under your thinking tree?” she replied with a demure glance down.
Discord gave a low chuckle. “With pleasure.” He snapped his tail, and they both disappeared in a shimmer of magic.
Celestia had watched them go. And then she let out a breath and closed her eyes.
In reality, Celestia woke up in her bed. She could tell from the position of the moon and the faint breath of light at the edge of the horizon that sunrise would be upon her soon. Her thoughts were instantly too full to even consider falling back asleep. Instead, she took one of her pillows and laid her leg over it. She let out a breath and took some time to think.
By sunrise, she was smiling.
I want to work on a few of those one shots I mentioned first, but I'll try to get the first chapter of this polished up and posted soon
Happy New Year!
~Azure129
Looking forward to it!!!
I look forward to muchas smooches!
Alright! I like it already. You've put thought into developing this, instead of throwing two ponies in a room and they suddenly fall in love. Automatically better.
But seriously, this looks pretty good. Can't wait for those others either. Fun at Discord's place, eh? Randomness inbound.
4360963 Thanks!
4361164 It is seriously excessive, lol.
4361258 Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the preview :) I've been drafting this as I've been editing and posting MCNE because I definitely want to make sure and captures the same tone and has the same quality.
And thanks, glad you're looking forward to the other stories too!
Well, that's quite teasing.
4361164
Who doesn't like reading fictional characters commit the smoochening?
Ugh. Too good already!! So is this going to be like a multi chapter thing?
looking forward to it
4500626
Yes, it will be :) It isn't going to be nearly as long as MCNE, but I'm thinking at least 6-8 chapters. I'm doing the second edit of the first chapter today (I do a total of 3 to 4 before posting), so I'll try to have it up very very soon