//------------------------------// // The Exposition Explanation // Story: Fluttershy Seduces Discord // by GeekCat //------------------------------// Discord chomped on the foam ball as he mulled over the startling revelation. He didn’t have much experience with receiving flirting and seduction, but he was certain that was what Fluttershy was doing, or at least, trying to do. He didn’t know how to feel about this. Maybe most stallions found this sort of thing to be flattering, and maybe he normally would too. But really, he just felt uncomfortable. And if it had been any other pony, he probably would have left. But this was Fluttershy, and she was being so un-Fluttershy that not only was he curious, but concerned. He could smell the tea she was brewing in the kitchen. Ginseng. Finishing his extinguishing snack, a thought came to him. Perhaps there was some kind of magic involved? But no, he couldn't sense anything in the air, or on Fluttershy. Any spell or potion would leave some trace, and there was none. The image of the Fluttershy studiously looking over that pile of pages came into his mind. What sort of papers could cause such a change in his dear friend? He needed to see what was the cause of Fluttershy's change, but he couldn’t snoop if she was moving around in the kitchen. Being unable to immediately check made him desperately curious, as he was whenever he was told he couldn’t have something. Naturally, he began scheming. He had to find a way to get Fluttershy to leave, and not go into the kitchen. He stroked his beard as he tried to think of something, discarding anything that would make it too obvious, involving portals or illogical beasts. Beasts. A lightbulb flicked on above his head, which he grabbed and hid behind his back as Fluttershy cam back, holding a tray with a new tea set, sashaying as she slowly approached. Of course, sashaying in a dark room, using one forehoof to balance a tray, rarely goes well. She tripped over the rug she couldn’t see, and Discord lunged forward to catch her. One second, Fluttershy held been falling, and was prepared for another hurt chin and ruined tea set. In the next she found herself held up by two mismatched arms, with the tray being placed on the table by her savior’s tail. Discord's face was above and in front of hers, his hands under her forehooves as he leaned straight forward at an impossible angle. Looking up, she smiled sweetly, and opened her mouth as though to speak, but then shut it quickly. Her smile morphed into one more coy, and she once again began to lean toward his face, straining her neck. Discord, feeling chills crawling down his spine, quickly pivoted on his toes, gently tossing the Pegasus into her chair before flopping back on the couch. He wanted to sink into the couch and rest, but curiosity and his concocted scheme burned in his mind, sending energy coursing through his veins. He sat up, eager to start. Fluttershy still looked dazed from being tossed- he paused half a second to check she was alright. When he was sure, he twisted to face the curtains. “Fluttershy, dear, if you walk in the dark like that you trip! I thought you knew that, since you’re the rational one,” he teased. She blinked and blushed. “Well…” “Lets let in a bit of light, shall we?,” he continued, and before she could protest, he flung open the curtains. In came a stream of sunlight, and one coin that seemed to be made of solid light. Discord caught the strange bit and flipped it to Fluttershy with his thumb. As she caught it, his gold and ruby eyes scanned her yard. He quickly spotted her menagerie of critters-they were simply in the yard, wandering about, eating from large piles of food. A bribe to keep them quiet, Discord theorized. He turned back around to settle on the couch, grinning at Fluttershy, who was rapidly blinking from the sudden burst of light. He quickly poured them both tea, noting with disappointment that there was once again no snacks. Fluttershy, having adjusted to the light, took the cup in her hooves. “Discord, I know you were trying to be nice, but…can you ask and, um, wait for an answer before you do things like that?” “So sorry Flutters,” he batted his suddenly long eyelashes at her, “But I wouldn’t want my bestliest best friend to trip again.” Her lips started to curl into a smile, but she started to lean forward rapidly blinking again- trying to bat her eyelids. “I don’t suppose I thanked you for helping me, have I?,” she whispered huskily. Discord started to panic s she leaned closer. He quickly snapped his tail feathers behind his back, causing colorful sparks to erupt from the ground outside. Extra food or no, the animals began screeching and calling for Fluttershy in a panic. She immediately pulled back and ran to the door. “Everyone!? What’s wrong?” When she got up, the sparks stopped, but the panic continued. After she was out the door, Discord shot into the kitchen like a rocket, leaving grooves in the floor as he dug in his heels. Coming to the table, he groaned upon seeing the large amount of papers spread across the table. He knew he wouldn’t have time to look at everything- the pandemonium wouldn’t last forever. If only he could find the information that was actually connected to the plot! Another light bulb went off above his head. He reached into his brown fur as though it were a trench coat , and pulled out a handful of brightly-colored highlighters. He dropped them onto the mass of papers, and they began to flit and twirl, coloring important information. The first thing to be highlighted was a note, written in elegant calligraphy: Fluttershy, I was honestly surprised when you said you had some pony special. Well, darling, here's some tips to make any stallion putty in your hooves! Discord blinked. Some pony special? The highlighters continued to dance, pointing out notes about keeping the dress clean, makeup she could loan her, and offers for additional lessons in grace, poise, and confidence. But Discord was most interested in the bullet points that covered the papers, some of the ones pointed out being: Sitting across from him alerts him that this is definitely a romantic setting. Make sure the dress slips of your shoulder occasionally- showing skin is sure to entice him! Dim lighting is best for a confession- draw your curtains, darling, and use some nice tall candles, not cheap ones. Bat your eyes at him-wear mascara to emphasize movement! Walk slowly- show off the grace of your body, and walk with a sashay to emphasize it. Dearest, your voice is lovely, but remember to try speaking in a lower tone- stallions find it much more seductive. When it’s quiet, ask him questions like: does he like the dress, does he ‘want’ anything- and keep pressing until you get a good answer! Discord scanned through the mess to see if he had missed anything, and just as he was digesting the information, the highlighters began circling what appeared to be the last note like ice skaters. He froze when he read the title: IMPORTANT: The Confession Dying of curiosity, he read on. Darling, the two of you should be alone for that confession, but in place you feel safe. Still, no animals! They might hamper a romantic mood, and you can find a safe space without them. Let romantic tension build with the seduction, and lean in for a kiss when you’re ready. Don’t kiss him- make him be the one to initiate. After the two of you pull away, tell him how you feel. I know you can snag any stallion, dear, and I hope this advice helps. Best of Luck, Rarity So he had figured out what the papers were, and who had sent them. He smacked himself over the fact he hadn’t realized it was Rarity right away- he should have been able to recognize that over-the-top calligraphy anywhere. So according to these, what Fluttershy was doing was a way to “snare” some pony special. And so it became clear to Discord- there was no magic, no scheme or plot, no illness, no strange incident where he somehow got sent to a totally different universe- Fluttershy was attracted to him. Normally he would puff out his chest and start boasting to himself and whoever was listening that it was inevitable, who wasn’t attracted to him, and so on, but not in this situation. All he could do was watch as the highlighters doodle on the fringes of the papers as he tried to absorb this revelation. The revelation absorption was not helped by the fact that the highlighters doodled simple pictures related to the plot, which in this case, was cartoonish hearts with F + D written in them. He groaned and pushed back the chair, pacing back and forth. His heart beat rapidly at the thought that Fluttershy cared for him in that way, perhaps even- he froze at the thought. She was so sweet and the kind willing to give all of her heart… was it possible she loved him? The question made his heart thump faster, his organs twisting themselves into knots. He didn’t know what he would do if that was the case. He could barely handle the idea of her being attracted to him! His pacing stopped when he realized how quiet it had become. Fluttershy must have calmed down the animals, and would be back inside anytime now! Fearing being caught snooping, Discord pivoted on one heel, figuring he could process revelations just as well in the other room- only to find a stunned Fluttershy standing in the doorway. His snaggletooth buried itself into his lip as his mind raced. How long was she standing there? Can I bluff and say I did anything but read the papers? Do I fess up? The last thought was immediately tackled, tied up, and gagged by the other thoughts for being so stupid. The winner of the ensuing fight was the second, and so Discord straightened up, preparing stories about snacks and invaders and random spatial shifts. All of which settled in his throat as he saw her shocked and distressed gaze turn to the papers. His left eye turned away from her to see if he had left some implicating clue. The prepared words died in his throat when he saw he had left the papers highlighted in a rainbow of neon colors, and that the highlighters had gone on to performing a ballet on them. Fluttershy brought her gaze back to him. “You…you read them?” Discord's ears drooped, and he nodded guiltily. Fluttershy's mouth opened and closed a few times, her eyes growing watery. A tiny whimper came out of her mouth, and then she fled the kitchen and up the stairs. Discord watched her with guilt as she left, before collapsing against the wall when she was out of sight. What do I do now?