//------------------------------// // Round 3: Think About It // Story: Just A Game // by Ice Star //------------------------------// "Oh, Loony-Moon, open up!" Discord hit the door at least six more times than was necessary and he did so loudly. The hallway of Canterlot's castle that housed Luna's wing and private chambers echoed with the unwanted noise as the usually peaceful place was disturbed. Anypony that might have been keeping to themselves and enjoying their own company would do so no longer. Discord tapped his claw impatiently on the door frame. That too, was obnoxious. He even started tapping his donkey's hoof in a childish, impatient way. Then he began looking every which way for a pony that might have walked down the pleasantly chilly hallway — only to immediately spy Luna herself, completely unaccompanied. There was quiet and still, with a heavy silence about the hall as soon as he saw her. This entire part of the palace reeked of introversion that bordered on reclusion, and that came from just observing the hallway. It was Discord's own Tartarus. Celestia's quarters were so much nicer and more active. And, well, sunnier — something that Luna could certainly strive to improve upon. He didn't see any windows here, but at least it wasn't stuffy and stale. Or maybe it should have been. Then Discord could have conjured a nice, simple jumbo power fan — like the kind in warehouses that he loved. Every so often, he would enjoy leaving one somewhere in order to create various states of disarray for no reason at all. Sometimes, he didn't even think about wanting to. It just seemed like such a nice thought to have and pretty soon— "What is it?" Luna spoke with neither warmth nor coldness. She was the very definition of aloof as she stared at him from where she stood ten pony lengths down the hall, shadows poured out in front of her from a source he hadn't bothered to pay attention to. Maybe there was a window? He couldn't read her expression. Either there was too much or too little there. Discord just thought about how she looked decidedly creepy standing there, all moody with a small group of books (of which he counted three before getting bored) clutched to her chest in her magic's grasp. A small herd of post-it notes and tasseled bookmarks poked out from between the pages in a pattern even he couldn't make sense of. She looked unfriendly. Even when she was a filly she always seemed so... avoidant. She wasn't friendly. Discord can't recall Luna ever having any friend ever. Celestia said she never talked about anypony or kept any non-family company. At least he had Fluttershy, and Fluttershy was always willing to share her friends. "I brought these!" He proudly held out a small bouquet of unromantic gag flowers clutched in his paw and puffed out his chest in an annoyingly exaggerated way. A grin that was too goofy to the point of being cheesy was on his face. "See? Aren't they—" "They still have a price tag on them, Discord." Luna's gaze rested directly on the offending label which he made sure to tear away quickly. The motion made the glitter and silly faces painted on the flowers quiver. He coughed awkwardly and waved a gaudily colored handkerchief he pulled out of his ear. Luna gave him a quick look and walked toward him. Discord thought the temperature in the hallway dropped even more. In order to make the point more obvious to Luna, he began to shiver as he turned blue from his horns to his tail's tufted tip. His effort did nothing to win her sympathy. She even began to look a little annoyed. "Celestia likes lilies best, and those roses still have thorns on them." She continued to walk by him and lit her horn, Discord saw that she was just about to open a door when he decided to snatch one of her books from her to get her attention. "Discord!" Luna exclaimed irately, instantly whirling around, and no longer making an effort to hide irritation. "Give my book back! What reason do you have to simply snatch things from me?! What have I done to warrant this treatment? I have not offended you in any way, have I?" "You don't talk to me," he complained, placing a paw on his hip in an attempt to come across as dramatic even though he still clutched a bunch of roses. "I've reformed and everything, Loony." "Do not call me that," she hissed, eyes on her stolen book as she swiped at it lamely with telekinesis. He only held it higher and she humored him by letting him hold it for a little while longer. "But you're reformed too, aren't you?" Luna didn't answer. "You used to like talking to me." "I gave you advice on how to maintain Tia's romantic affections. Now, may I please have my book back?" He didn't look at her and instead began to examine the book. "Do you just sit around and read all the time?" "No, I have other pursuits that please me. Now, Discord, may you please return my book? It is new and I don't want it to go through any kind of wear so early in its time with me." Discord didn't listen. Luna wasn't surprised. "Who would want to pass time reading things like this? Blegh, it's poetry." "I am very fond of poetry." "You know, I have lots of friends. Why, Princess Cadance was kind enough to lend me some books when I was feeling boring just last week. They were actually rather good. Spoiler—" "Nopony likes those." "The dolphins did it," Discord whispered in a voice that really wasn't at anything close to a whispering volume at all. Luna just stared stoically at him. "I would like my book back." "I know. Sheesh," Discord huffed. "Then please return it." Luna's horn flashed with a couple of sparks of lightning. Instantly, Discord winced before promptly returning ignoring her. "The only ponies who read these things are foals and moody-mopey types that are absolutely no fun-" "Discord," Luna cautioned, her tone now unkind. "Just listen to how dreary this is: 'I'm Nopony! Who are you? Are you — Nopony — too?'" "Discord, just return my book if you do not like it!" "It's terrible! Who would want to be nopony? Are they invisible? Or—" Luna snatched the book back abruptly and gave the draconequus a mild warning glare. "I went to get new books so I could spend the time I have free today by myself—" "Oh, but Loony, that's all you ever do!" "And with good reason! I am a grown mare, Discord, I can make my own decisions on how I spend my time! No matter how little you and Tia grasp that, I can monitor myself, thank you very much." She clutched the poetry volume to her chest protectively after placing the others at her hooves. "Why don't you come to visit Ponyville with me?" He smiled at her. She did not return the expression and took a couple of large steps away from him. "Why do you not visit Ponyville and your friends on your own, Discord? Or bring Tia the roses that you have brought her? Do you not have a date with her?" "W-Well..." Discord sputtered, instantly conjuring a sign that read 'SUBTLE DISTRACTION' in dazzling, bright letters and holding it at a distance, clearly hoping that she'd fall for the trick he grasped in his now empty claw. "I had something to ask you—" "Then you should have told me that from the start, Discord. Or simply write a letter, if you must reach me at all." "...Do you have any friends?" Claw and paw wrung in a twirling, exaggerated, and nervous display. "Friends are actually pretty—" "Yes," Luna said shortly, cutting him off. "I have Cady. We talk on occasion, and she does not make an unwanted ruckus in my wing of the castle. Seeing as this is my home, I will ask you again to lea—" "Why aren't you my friend anymore?" Luna finally looked at him coldly. Her magic flared brightly, and she scooped up all her books, shiny new bookmarks gleaming in her aura before she teleported away. Discord frowned. He really couldn't think of much else to do. Wasn't this making friends business supposed to be easy? There was Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Cadance... It was just like a game, wasn't it? Discord smacked his claw to his face. Game or not, he still didn't like losing. ...So why did Luna still act like she could win?