//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 - Winging It // Story: An Unprecedented Advancement // by GravelordNito //------------------------------// Discord had been stood waiting by the front door of the castle for what felt to him like an eternity. What is taking her so damned long to get ready?! Why does it feel like I'm anticipating an apocalypse? Discord anxiously pulled his talons through his beard, eliciting a harsh scratching as he did so, which sounded like a violinist trying to kill off the neighbour's dog. His patience slowly dwindling, Discord set about entertaining himself with thoughts of just what Twilight might have them doing today; he had asked her to figure something out for them, after all. Pushing away thoughts of concern which claimed that he had put too much pressure on her, Discord's mind wandered to all of the incredible activities in which she could have the two of them participating in the far reaches of Pony... ville. The dreamy smile on Discord's face slowly drooped into a flat grimace as he realised how little they had to work with in this bustling little village. After lifting his arm to perform an auto-face-lift, Discord chanced a glance over towards the mirror on his left. Looking good, you old devil! he chuckled, as he brushed his blue tie with a talon, causing it to giggle softly. Discord had decided that he would wear the same outfit as he had worn last night, as Twilight at the very least seemed not to dislike it. Better safe than sorry... he mused sagely, as he heard the clip-clopping of hooves approaching from the hallway to the back of the room. Straightening himself up, and with a bead of sweat dripping down his brow, Discord scrunched up his face in an attempt to loosen it up before he glazed over with his signature, half-lidded, arrogant smirk of an expression. ---------- Twilight Sparkle was sat in her over-sized bedroom, staring blankly into the mirror at her dressing table, unsure of what to do with herself. Her mind was a tabula rasa; she could not for the life of her decide what to do next... Where should I take Discord today? I have no idea what sorts of things he enjoys doing, what sorts of things I would like to do, or what would be best for uncovering his motives... Oh, Celestia help me, I just don't know! In a bout of frustration, she ruffled her hooves through her mane, whining in a desperate manner as she did so. As an extra punch to the gut, she realised that she had actually just considered moulding her decision with Discord's preferences in mind, and sank her hooves even deeper into her head, rubbing until she felt her scalp was going raw. I don't care what that Mad God wants! Why am I such an idiot for even offering to do him a favour?! Twilight halted her thoughts, and with a slow breath in and out, she flexed her hoof from her chest and outward, in an attempt to calm herself. Just breathe, Twilight... Let's just go with the flow today; no plans, no lists, just act natural and gain his trust. I'm used to winging it now after all the trials and tribulations of becoming an alicorn, right? Right?! Twilight sighed explosively before rolling her head around softly in an attempt to freshen up her mind and relax her body; fixating her sights upon the reflection in front of her, she set to fixing herself up for the day ahead, starting with her freshly-frizzled mane. ---------- Clearing his throat with a fist to his muzzle, Discord heartily greeted the apple of his eye, "Hello there, Twilight, my dea-UGH!?" Discord sputtered as an over-sized apple walked around the corner and into the room, before settling into the carpet. To Discord's horror, the apple then proceeded to speak to him in a voice identical to that of the apple... of his... eye... "Umm, Discord, are you alright?!" The apple squeaked in alarm, as it began to slowly back away. Discord's face once again slowly drooped into a familiar grimace, before he reluctantly turned towards the mirror on his left once more; looking back at him was a giggling draconequus with its arms folded across its chest. "That's not funny. It's not even remotely funny. At all." he said to the smug-looking reflection. Clearing her throat nervously, Twilight winced as she looked up at Discord from the corner of her eye and said, "Erm, Discord... Who are you talking to...?" Gasping in alarm, Discord looked back towards the mare in the centre of the room and upon seeing the familiar face of Twilight Sparkle worriedly staring up at him, he chuckled nervously, "Oh, no one, my dear, just practicing my lines for the upcoming performance," he said, as a curtain descended between the two of them, before quickly coming back up to reveal Discord balanced upon a giant inflatable ball, looking down towards a cardboard cut-out pony as he addressed it with the same lines he uttered towards the mirror. To the relief of Discord, after a few seconds of astonishment flew across Twilight's face, she seemed to simply accept this as being normal for Discord on account of his nature. She then proceeded to smile sweetly up at him and cheerfully sang, "So, shall we get going?" "Gladly, my dear," he said dreamily, as Twilight's voice was like honey to his ea-... Discord managed to catch himself before another disaster occurred on account of his metaphorical musings... Note to self: No more metaphors. Satisfied with this, Discord slid the note into his mouth, and opened the door for the princess, allowing her passage into the warm air outside. Looking back into the mirror, Discord pulled two talons up to his eyes, before pointing them back towards those of his reflection. He glared angrily at himself once more before he tore himself away from the mirror, nervously straightened his tie once again, and followed Twilight outside into the jolly little town of Ponyville. "So," he mused, as he snapped his fingers to give himself a pair of sunglasses with no lenses, which perched on the end of his snout. "Whatever will you have us doing today, then, I wonder..." Discord said as he looked down at the nervous-looking mare in front of him; she was staring off into the distance with a glazed look over her eyes. Upon noticing she had been asked a question, she replied, "Well..."