//------------------------------// // 10 - Before the big day - Side A // Story: If Chaos prevails... // by The Marshmallow //------------------------------// The precious, Saddle Arabian silk curtains were open just enough to let some of the sunset light filter in the room, painting in a reddish hue the floor and finely carved columns made of Hippogrifian marble. Pinkie Pie was cheerfully jumping around, looking at the marvels surrounding her. "look at this, isn't it pretty?" Her hoof, now raised, pointed straight at the exotic plants imported from Zebrica, which were growing in golden vases chiselled by Griffonstone's artisans. "I think that, if you want, his super duper majesty might bring something like this to the castle, too..." Slowly, with a sad look of resignation, Fluttershy turned her head away from the large door in front of her, just to observe what the pink pony was pointing at "It's... It's beautiful", she mumbled, before letting out a sigh. Her eyes were pointing at the floor more than at the plants. "I'm just not in the mood". In any other moment, she could enjoy looking at all the luxury of the most beautiful palace in Canterlot, maybe at the precious metal of the door in front of her or at the precious gems nestled in it to form a beautiful mosaic... But not today. "Come on..." When she received her cutie mark and met Discord, Pinkie Pie promised to herself to bring him happiness and joy. And the oath, naturally, extended to all ponies she could meet. Being unable to do so was simply painful. "I'm sure it will not be that bad" "That's easy to say, for you" The answer came from Rainbow Dash, who was glaring at her "you aren't the one marrying him!" her tone was accusatory, full of resentment, and the blue mare did walk a few steps towards her. Rationally she knew it wasn't her fault, but her judgement was clouded by the grief. "N-no, I'm serious!" Dash's words hit her harder than they should have, but Pinkie Pie still managed to keep her proverbial smile, and almost unfazed went on with her talk "I know he doesn't look like it, but he can be nice and kind." Fluttershy started looking at her with greater interest. There was something weird in the way her eyes were gleaming. Something the yellow pony was having trouble deciphering "I think he will be a good husband..." And here she was abruptly cut off. Rainbow dash was glaring knives at her, while her angry voice trembled a bit "Who would ever marry a monster like that?!" "Ahah..." the pink pony didn't even change expression. She kept a half smile on her face, and her eyes kept looking at the two. "Right..." Just her voice had weakened a little bit "Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy's tone was now dry and serious. The blue mare had a chill run down her spine: nothing good could come from her friend calling her by her full name. "Say sorry right now!" "What?" she blinked, twice. She was completely oblivious to whatever she meant "Flutters, why should I-" She stopped mid-sentence, looking now at Pinkie. Her expression was still the same, unsettlingly so, as if her face was frozen for many seconds. But now, slowly but surely, her eyes were starting to fill with tears. And rainbow, almost in shock, could say nothing but "What?!" Fluttershy momentarily ignored her, quickly getting closer to Pinkie Pie and hugging her with her forehooves. With her wings, delicately, she tried to wipe away her tears "Does he know?" The royal advisor just accepted the hug, tears now flowing freely. "Sob..." And she even had a hard time answering, and simply shook her head slowly. "Didn't you tell him?" Fluttershy spoke softly, still holding her. "To him..." Pinkie was slowly getting better, although her voice was still cracked by the emotion. "I'll always be a kid" Fluttershy nodded understandingly, waiting a few seconds to ask the really grievous question. "And you are really fine with me marrying him?" For a little while, there was not a sound in the room. The question required time to sink in Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. the latter, after looking at the floor for a while, raised her head toward at the yellow mare. Although her eyes were still wet, now she had a smile on her face again "Yes. The only thing I want is for him to be happy!" She was now giving Fluttershy an ambiguous look, sombre yet hopeful "Please, make him happy..." An intense flush rose to the yellow cheeks, painting them red. And flustered she tried to mumble an answer "I..." "Wait!" Rainbow Dash was in shock, her eyes moving from one mare to the other as if balls in a pinball game "Are you saying that you..." Now they briefly stopped on the pink pony, still widened in disbelief "That him..." She stopped. She felt now a small feeling of guilt over what she had said. Not that she didn't believe all of it, but taking it out on the royal Advisor instead that on Discord himself was just wrong "I... I'm sorry." before anypony else had time to speak, though, the large door of the room, separating the lobby in which they were from the quarters of the host, suddenly slammed open. A red carpet still mostly rolled jumped out of the door, bouncing a few times on the floor while unwinding and getting closer to the three ponies. And when it finally stopped, Discord was standing on the end of it, as if he was somehow hidden in the coils. "mares and gentlestallions..." he was wearing a somehow elegant, although excessively colourful, tuxedo, and holding a microphone in his paw "Please welcome..." and a drumroll could easily be heard, although it was impossible to discern where exactly it was coming from "Uh?" The drumroll simply faded, while discord looked at the three ponies with a pleased smile. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were just then ending their long hug "You're becoming friends already? that's great!" There wasn't even an inch of irony in his voice, and his eyes were almost glimmering. To the point that he actually forgot what he was doing... "Yep!" Pinkie suddenly seemed fresh as a daisy and cheerful as usual. The sudden change made the other two ponies somehow speechless. Both understood, though, that Discord was the last creature Pinkie would have wanted to be seen sad by. "Uncle Dissy!" All the heads then turned towards their host, that was just then entering the room. And everypony but Discord ended up blushing wildly just at the view. "Didn't you want to introduce me?" Her voice tried to seem disappointed and annoyed, but couldn't hide the playfulness in that teasing. Her very steps formed a seductive gait, the gaze of her purple eyes was simply mesmerizing. her elegant blue dress managed to emphasize her curves and went perfectly both with her pinkish mane and her purple, magenta and golden mane. "Do you even need an introduction?" Discord obviously poked back, with a smug smile on his face. her appearance was quite striking, and the golden regalia she wore at her hooves and around her neck made her status quite clear. And so did the combination of wings and horn, both also larger than those of an average pony "Well, she is Mi Amore Cadenza, the one and only princess of Equestria. Mia, for short" And now, contrary to his (and her) initial intention, presented her with a very matter-of-fact tone, as if meeting THE princess was an everyday occurrence. "Uff... You know I prefer Cadence!" This time a pinch annoyance was certainly there. Although she knew pretty well he used that nickname to just to get a reaction from her, and she didn't want to give him the satisfaction, she still couldn't resist. "Well, yes, use whichever you prefer." She was now talking to Fluttershy and Rainbow, which would usually have questioned if it really was ok to go on a nickname basis with the princess just after meeting her. But they were still admiring her beauty "by the way, this pretty pony is Fluttershy, my fiancée. And she is Rainbow Something, her newly appointed personal attendant." "I... I'm honoured to... Meet you." Still blushing, Fluttershy stuttered her answer. Rainbow's mouth was still a bit agape but managed to compose herself just a bit "R-rainbow something. M-my pleasure" Not much, though "Cadence?" Pinkie, on the other hand, was quite used to the situation "Can you stop using your magic, before Fluttershy ends up asking your hoof instead?" "My magic? Oh, I'm sorry. Force of habit!" The sneaky smile suggested that was pretty intentional, though. The fact she had learned how to use her power under Discord watchful eyes instead of under a more sober teacher had certainly influenced her way of using them, and probably the ways she had fun altogether. "It's my pleasure, really!" She was still chuckling a bit, while removing even the little bit of magic that she was previously making flow through her horn, and which was affecting the ponies around her "Are you sure that's your name, though?" "W-what?!" The blue mare suddenly snapped out of the trance she had fallen into, and her thoughts became actually a lot more lucid "No, sorry, It's Rainbow Dash actually!" "Magic?" the blush was now vanishing from Fluttershy cheeks too. She still recognized her to be beautiful, but now she didn't feel the attraction from before. "Love magic!" cadence winked at her, "When I was younger I used to have so much fun having pony fall in love with one another..." Fluttershy was at the very least perplexed by how relaxed she was when revealing something so... Horrible, in her opinion. But at the same time, the look full of pride that Discord was giving her was quite telling "Now I mostly use it on myself. It's great for public events and diplomatic meetings..." "I see..." And now Fluttershy felt like they were just being let in in some national secret. Overall, she would never have expected royalty to be... Overall so relaxed around her, while she (as much as she was trying to hide it) was still extremely tense. "Well, uncle Dissy, why are we still standing in the lobby? I had my servants make some tea!" With her right hoof, she pointed toward the now open door, where her living quarters are, inviting them all in. Only her servants, Discord and Pinkie Pie were allowed in there, usually. So it was quite the occasion to have two new ponies in there "And for you, I had prepared your favourite kind of cup" "Very good..." Discord was licking his lips, while Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. Were they implying he would actually eat the cup? It made no sense! Right? "It will also be the perfect chance to discuss the details for the ceremony!" Rainbow was quickly taken aback. That was a line of thought liked even less. She gave a worried look to Fluttershy, which although slightly flushed was keeping an overall poker face. Not even rainbow, which had known her for so many years, was completely sure of what she was thinking "And also to know each other better." She gave the two ponies a warm smile "If I have to officiate my uncle's marriage, I want to make sure he is marrying the right pony!" It was kind of her duty as a princess of love, after all. And even if she wasn't the princess of love, she would find some reason to meddle with Discord marriage nonetheless. "What are we waiting for?" Pinkie started jumping towards the door, leading the way, cheerful as always. Discord and Cadence followed suit. After a few moments of hesitation, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy did exactly the same, measuring their steps and looking at the room they were now entering. The opulence was no less than that of the lobby. The beauty of the mansion had no equals, and all the servants were giving them deep bows. The tea and the food? They were going to be top notch as well. And that kind of luxury was theirs to have, for the whole life if they just wished so. What more could anypony ask? And yet, they both just felt completely out of place.