The ambiance, as usual, was lovely. There were lovely garnet and rose gold tones everywhere and the band playing in the background was lovely. It was a Saturday night at the Silk & Feathers and the air was filled with music and the sounds of female voices talking. Applejack sat down at the bar and picked up the cocktail menu. A deep, luxurious, feminine voice spoke up from behind the bar. "What can I get you, Jaqueline? Will it be an appletini?"
Applejack looked up to see what looked like a pony with stripes. Her wings were a mixture of black and white feathers and her mane and tail were mixed black and white, too. Her eyes were spring green and her facial features were somewhat pony-like. On her flank was a clear sign that leaned towards her pony ancestry. She had a Cutie Mark, specifically a rocks glass filled with ice and whiskey. Applejack chuckled. "I get it. Because mah surname is La Pomme. That joke is gettin' old, Onda."
The winged zony, Onda Rocks, smirked and said, "Yet you laugh every time. But seriously, what's your poison tonight?"
"I'm feelin' like havin' a cosmopolitan tonight." Applejack replied.
Onda laughed and said, "My lips are sealed, Jaqueline."
Onda prepared the drink with great skill before setting the glass down in front of Applejack, who quickly paid for it. Applejack brought it to her lips and took a sip. "That's the stuff." she sighed. The farm pony then looked at the zony and said, "You sure can mix a drink, Onda. No offense to you and your kin, but ah've been to Whiskey Neat's bar with mah brother a few times and your pa can't make anythin' other than whiskey drinks. Ah don't mind an old fashioned, but mah brother likes 'em more than ah do. Ah don't know how to explain it. Sometimes, well..."
"Sometimes you just want to be a mare?" Onda supplied. "Don't worry. It's not a bartender's job to judge you. Well, a bartender might judge you if you don't tip."
Applejack laughed and placed a few bits in the tip jar. She glanced over at the band and said, "The Bee's Knees are doin' even better than usual tonight."
"Well, the lead vocalist, Honey Potts, just got engaged." Onda said cheerfully.
"Really?" Applejack asked. "To her marefriend, Sugar Cookie?"
"Yep." Onda replied. "They've been together for seven years. They just made it official this past Monday."
"Good for them." Applejack said with a smile.
Onda gave Applejack a once-over before commenting, "That's a nice dress, Jaqueline. I've never seen you in it before."
Applejack smiled awkwardly at the zony. She was wearing a black flapper dress and a matching cloche with a lace bow and false red rose, which was made from silk. She also wore a bit of mascara and some rouge. Her mane was hidden under a wig cap and the wig she wore made her look like she had a wavy, blonde bob cut. Her tail was also styled so it seemed wavy. Normally she wouldn't be caught dead in this outfit, but for some reason, nopony ever recognized her as Applejack in a dress and makeup. She felt oddly incomplete without a hat, so of course all of her outfits had a hat of some sort. To everyone who saw her like this, she wasn't Applejack. She was Jaqueline La Pomme.
Often the humble pony, Applejack looked down at her drink and said, "It ain't nothin' to brag about."
"You don't give yourself enough credit." Onda said earnestly. "Come on, Jaqueline. You're gorgeous. Between you and me, your lashes are nicer than Rarity's. Did you know that she gets eyelash extensions? It's not that there's wrong with somepony doing that. It's just nice to see somepony with natural lashes that nice."
"Blonde lashes don't show up as well unless ah wear mascara." Applejack admitted.
"Well, you rock it." Onda said. "You're also rocking the dress. Where did you get it?"
"Tuille Cascade's Fine Mares' Wear." Applejack replied. "It's in Canterlot."
Applejack had been there many times before to buy dresses. She usually went to the clearance area. Even at the clearance area, she could find some dresses that even Rarity would envy. During her last visit, Applejack had worn white lemon-print sun dress and a wide-brimmed straw sun hat. It had been hot that day and the only makeup she wore was some tinted lip balm. Her eyes were concealed by a pair of imitation tortoiseshell frame holly glasses. She had also curled her mane and tail. Sometimes she really loved that curling iron. The proprietress, Tuille Cascade, had never seen Applejack outside of her disguise, so she didn't recognize her. When the farm pony first started going out in disguise, she had been afraid that somepony might recognize her voice and accent. Fortunately, ponies with her accent weren't exactly rare and weren't limited to the Apple Family Farm. Still, as her pa always said, it was better safe than sorry. She made sure to remain vague about her regular life on the days when she wasn't Jaqueline La Pomme.
Onda grinned and said, "Maybe I should check it out next time I'm in Canterlot." She laughed and added, "Or not. My style is a bit more androgynous."
Applejack nodded. Onda was currently wearing a burgundy waistcoat and a white button-down dress shirt with a black bowtie. To be honest, the earth pony had never seen the bartender wearing anything feminine. Apparently Onda's elusive marefriend sometimes wore dresses, but the mare's identity was a complete mystery to Applejack. The disguised farm pony took a sip of her cosmo. "To each their own." she said with a shrug.
"I don't really frequent dress shops." Onda admitted. "I'll talk to Rarity sometimes, but I'd never buy anything from her. A lot of her stuff isn't my style. No, I prefer to go to Windsor Knot's stallions' wear store, WK's Suits and More."
"Ah don't think Rarity likes the competition." Applejack said with a smirk.
"Well, WK's fills a niche that was left open." Onda said. "Sometimes a pony just wants a good suit that doesn't sparkle."
Applejack snickered. She then cleared her throat and said, "Ah don't really care for sparkly dresses. Sequins ain't mah thing. Gems, either."
"You're a mare of fine but not ostentatious taste." Onda said with a smile. "You're a mare after my own heart, Jaqueline."
Applejack chuckled. "Don't you think that yer gonna be able ta seduce me."
Catching on to the joke, Onda smirked and said, "You're not really my type, Jaqueline. I like my mares the way I like my coffee: strong, dark, and Coltlumbian."
"And yer marefriend?" Applejack questioned.
"She's more like dark chocolate: smooth, bittersweet," Onda grinned salaciously. "and absolutely delicious."
Applejack laughed and said, "TMI, Onda. TMI."
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
It was a few days before the concert and Fluttershy was getting ready for her first date with Pretty Boy. Discord was hovering nearby, his arms folded over his chest as he sulked. "I still don't trust that stallion." the Draconequus huffed.
As Fluttershy ran her brush through her mane, she said, "Pretty Boy is a nice stallion, Discord."
"Oh, yes." Discord said sarcastically. "His baby-blue eyes, his silky navy coat, a mane and tail the color of sunshine, and utterly statuesque. He's tall, dark, and hoofsome- every mare's dream."
Fluttershy didn't pick up her friend's sarcasm. Instead, she blushed and said, "He is hoofsome..."
That did not have the effect that Discord had hoped. The butter-colored pegasus was not in any way discouraged. Not for the first time, the Draconequus wished he had both fangs. That way, when Pretty Boy showed up, he could possibly intimidate him into not going out with Fluttershy. Alas, while he was frozen in stone, a group of careless colts started playing a bit roughly and throwing things around. One of the things that they were throwing hit one of his fangs, breaking it off. It was starting to grow back, but it was taking forever. Discord continued to scowl and let out a huff. "He's not that hoofsome."
"Discord, he's a nice stallion." Fluttershy said with a slight frown.
"'Nice stallions' still only want one thing, and they're the worst about it." Discord growled.
Fluttershy frowned for a moment but then she seemed to realize it. She smiled and asked, "Discord, are you worried about me?"
"No!" He said, feeling a bit flustered. "You're a grown mare and I'm sure that you can- yes."
He finally admitted it. Fluttershy placed a hoof gently on his thigh. In a soft, gentle voice, she said, "It's going to be okay, Discord."
Discord looked in her soft, innocent eyes. He felt his heart clench. "I just don't want you to be alone with him." the Draqonequus admitted. "If you're alone with him and something happens..."
He wouldn't be there to protect her, he thought to himself. Fluttershy batted her lashes at him, still so innocent. Discord felt his heart skip a beat again. The pink-maned pegasus seemed to come up with an idea. "Discord," she said gently, "we'll be in a public place. If it puts you at ease, you can keep an eye on me. Just don't let Pretty Boy see you, okay?"
"Fine." Discord huffed. Secretly, he was relieved.
There was the sound of a knock on the door. Fluttershy set her hairbrush down and headed over to the door. She opened it and when Discord saw the stallion, he inwardly groaned. Pretty Boy's mane was held perfectly in place by a nice-smelling pomade. Not only that, his goatee was immaculately groomed. For the love of chaos, the stallion looked better with a goatee than he did! The bastard was gorgeous! Pretty Boy smiled at Fluttershy and said, "Fluttershy, you look as beautiful as ever."
The stallion then held out a bouquet of red roses. Discord glared at him, but the stallion didn't seem to notice. If looks could kill, Pretty Boy would have disintegrated on the spot. Fluttershy blushed and smiled. In her soft, lovely voice (Lovely? Where had that come from?), the pegasus said, "I'll put them in some water."
Discord waited by the door as his best friend found a vase and put the roses in with some water. Fluttershy then headed over to the door. With a smile on his face, Pretty Boy asked, "Shall we go, Fluttershy? It's a quiet night and I've made reservations at Le Cheval D'or."
"Goodness, you didn't!" Fluttershy gasped.
"A lovely mare such as you should be catered to you by the finest." Pretty Boy said, still smiling that stupid, stupid smile.
"If you insist." Fluttershy said shyly.
"Well, let's go, then." Pretty Boy replied.
With that said, the two headed out the door. Discord watched them walk away until they were nearly out of sight before slamming the door shut. Deep in his gut, he felt that metaphorical monster stirring once more.
oooooooooooooooooooooo
Discord followed. Of course he followed. He had Fluttershy's permission. The Draconequus watched them through a pair of binoculars. He scowled at the stallion who was on a date with Fluttershy. He refused to call that stallion, formerly known as Pretty boy, by name. He didn't deserve it, especially after he kissed Fluttershy's hoof like that.
Stupid Stallion placed a hoof on Fluttershy's. Discord's metaphorical monster clawed at his insides. That stallion didn't deserve his precious Fluttershy. No, Discord thought, Fluttershy wasn't his, but she was precious.
Stupid Stallion said something stupid. It must be stupid, coming from him. However, it still made Fluttershy laugh. When the stallion gave that stupid, charming smile that made Fluttershy giggle shyly again, the monster was straight-up gnawing at Discord's insides.
You should go in, on internal voice suggested.
If you do, Fluttershy will never speak to you again, another, more irrational voice argued.
Discord watched in silence as the two ate and conversed. Fluttershy seemed to be falling for Stupid Stallion's charms. It was horrible to watch them like that. It was horrible to watch her like that. He desperately wanted to go in there, but Fluttershy had told him not to let Stupid Stallion see him. This was one occasion where Discord was listening to her. So he waited, watching them through the binoculars. When the meal was done, the Draconequus watched Stupid Stallion pay for the meal before placing his hoof on Fluttershy's back and leading her out. When they exited the building, Stupid Stallion said something again, but it was too far away for Discord to hear it. The Draconequus, even in the low light, could see Fluttershy blush. He seemed to be asking something. Fluttershy nodded. Stupid Stallion leaned in and kissed Fluttershy on the cheek. Discord could feel that monster clawing relentlessly at his insides. Stupid Stallion backed off and had an expression on his face with a certain subtle look that Discord could recognize. Fluttershy, sweet, innocent Fluttershy, was too inexperienced in the ways of stallions to recognize the meaning of the subtle look that Stupid Stallion was giving her. Never before had Discord truly wanted to destroy somepony. Even back when he was 'evil', he had never deliberately caused serious harm to anypony. No, he was just too selfish to think about, let alone care, how his actions were affecting anypony else. Had he matured? Possibly. He was still a mischievous bastard, but he was slightly more considerate. He didn't always anticipate the results, though, as indicated by the worm thingie during the blue flu incident.
When Fluttershy and Stupid Stallion began to head back to the pegasus' dwelling, Discord transformed into a firefly and followed his best friend and the stupid earth pony. When they eventually arrived back at Fluttershy's dwelling, Stupid Stallion smiled and said, "It's been a lovely evening, Fluttershy. Thank you for gracing me with your presence."
"Thank you for taking me out to dinner." Fluttershy said with a shy smile. "It was wonderful."
The stallion leaned in and kissed Fluttershy on the cheek again. Discord couldn't take it anymore. He teleported back inside his best friend's house. He settled down on the couch and summoned a book from Fluttershy's book shelf. He looked at the title. It was a copy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespony. That did not help his mood at all. When he heard the door start to open, he flipped the book open and pretended to be reading it. When Fluttershy stepped into her house, she had a smile on her face. Looking up from the book, Discord asked, "Did the date go well?"
"It went very well." Fluttershy said happily. "Oh, Discord, you were wrong about him. He was the perfect gentlecolt."
"Right." Discord frowned. "A gentlecolt."
Fluttershy noticed the title of the book that Discord had been 'reading'. "Romeo and Juliet?"
Discord shrugged. "I was in the mood to read a tragedy."
"I haven't read Romeo and Juliet in a while." Fluttershy admitted. "It always makes me sad."
"Indeed." Discord said. "A tale of love and strife that only ends up with two people in love losing everything in the end."
Fluttershy had a thoughtful expression on her face. She then said, "It's been a nice night, but I have to get to bed." She looked at the Draconequus and smiled. "Good night, Discord."
Discord's harsh gaze softened as he looked at his friend. He smiled at his friend and, in a soft voice, said, "Good night Fluttershy."
He watched as she headed to her bedroom before turning his attention to the book in earnest. He then started from the beginning and began to read it.
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Marona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hooves unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Discord slammed the book shut. Love. Who needed love? It was a ridiculous emotion. It was stupid, to feel that way about somepony. Especially when it was somepony that you weren't supposed to feel that way about. Love didn't happen to creatures like him. He knew that even if he felt that way about a mare, she would still go into the arms of somepony else. It didn't matter if he fell in love, he thought. He would avoid falling in love at all costs, he thought as he gazed forlornly into the darkness as the last candle went out. He would avoid it because creatures like him weren't meant for that. If he loved, just like Romeo and Juliet, he would only lose in the end.