//------------------------------// // Sick Day // Story: What is this feeling? // by SaturatedBubble //------------------------------// On the day she was supposed to go out with Discord to his oh so fun bar in the realm of chaos, she had come down with a nasty cold. How lovely? Honestly, she hadn't thought better than to lay in bed and try to feel better. Her mane was a frenzy, and she sniffled constantly. The mare even swore her throat was clogged up! Really, it wasn't any good. She hoped deep inside she hadn't upset poor Discord, and she was even more concerned for her poor Flash. She had almost neglected him the other night just because of an urge to see Discord and see what tricks he had up his sleeve. She had to admit, Discord was more fun than anypony else to be around, Pinkie Pie was just as good though. As her mind wandered, she huffed quietly, before a loud sneeze erupted from her muzzle. " Ugh! " She shouted, her magic swirled around a tissue nearby, and she levitated it over and quietly blew her nose into it. She felt miserable and sick to her stomach. She hadn't vomited, thank Celestia! But she honestly didn't feel any better about the situation, she also hadn't felt more alone. Everyone was too busy to talk to her, and honestly, it made her feel worthless. She was fully aware that everyone was busy, but she longed and yearned for someone to hold her close, cover her up warmly. The only company she had now was her own thoughts. She half expected Spike to barge in, and read her a book to calm her nerves, but he was out with Rarity. They really had hit it off that night. She tossed and turned, she wanted to be covered up, but she was sweating and overheating at the same time. As her mind wandered back to Spike, she had recalled him coming in, hoping to aid her with her cold. Though she insisted greatly for him to go have fun, she'd do anything for Spike, he was like family. If he was sick, she'd stick behind for days just to take care of him. That was different though, he was young and had a life to live, she on the other hoof? Gave that up the moment these wings were forced on to her, sure from an outside view it might seem fun, but nobody including her friends saw how busy you got. Spike always insisted on helping, he did, and she appreciated that. But lately, she's been yearning to give him a break for once. The entire workload was on you, and you love writing, but sometimes you had to give up time with your friends and family just to catch up on work. It was a sick day, she had an excuse now not to work, but what was the price? Being alone, that's what. She'd even take a day with Discord over this... I'd take a day with Discord over anything. She blinked at that thought and blinked again, what did her brain just say? Well, at least nobody heard, what if Discord heard? He's all-powerful, what if he read your mind at that exact moment? She felt her eyes widen, and her hooves tremble a bit. Of course, Discord obviously didn't, and maybe he couldn't. She didn't know, but she was quick to panic. She relaxed, she didn't have any truth in that statement at all, she just wanted someone to talk to. Sure, Discord was a fine enough friend but she didn't want him making her upset while she was sick. Though she wouldn't mind his embrace, no, you'd hate it! You shouldn't even be thinking of him like that, only a friendly hug, but you imagined.. him embracing you closely, and warming you up in a way nopony's thin coat could manage. She didn't hate him, but she didn't like her brain clouding her with these thoughts. The purple mare just liked to think about her amazing Flash, even if he hadn't even made an offer to visit her, it was her fault. She almost went with Discord over him, everybody even Princess Celestia told her that they weren't much of a match. Was it her fault? He was a handsome stallion, kind even. Though everyone arched a brow when she tended to go on rants about how amazing he was, at first they all supported, but they added 'there wasn't much chemistry' as they put it, but she was supposed to love him. Her heart certainly didn't beat for him as much, it was the rush of a kind handsome stallion that had her swooned. He wasn't big in the smarts category, and he didn't much like the books she read. Her heart stopped when her mind remembered that night. Her horn swirled with magic, and she opened her jour nearby, and a letter levitated in front of her wide eyes. She noticed the stains, her hoof traced along with the tear stain that was still so vivid, she knew one pony who'd be here right now if she knew that Twilight was sick. A pony since day one she called her mother, the letter was written in the most beautiful handwriting she ever had the decency to lay her eyes upon. Her mother's last breath was saved for this letter before it was too late. Her tears were plentiful that night, what did this have to do with her beloved Flash? The ugly truth is, he hadn't made an effort to come and comfort her through the night, that made the scars on her heart widen. All the love they shared dulled a bit. The memory was so vivid, and now she had the time to remember what sparked her interest in Discord, even if she hated to admit it. She tried to remember the moment vividly. The memory, dialogue and all. It came back to her. It was a dark night, the rain was more violent than ever. Its' timing couldn't be more disgustingly perfect, it was the night after her mother had been pronounced no more. Only a few came to her aid, mostly her friends, but in the end, she was left alone in her dimly lit ..cold castle. If it weren't for Spike, she swore she might've gone crazy. The memory was in parts, she found it hard to try and remember since she had suppressed it so far back in her mind. She was crying by the fireplace and all she could think of was her mother. She didn't want t to be alone. She wanted someone to tell her it'd be okay. That's when he came by. A warmth wrapped around her, and she was awestruck at first. It was a comforting red blanket, and it was neatly wrapped around her. She hoped and prayed it'd be her Flash, she turned with a weak hopeful smile. But it wasn't. It was the Lord of Chaos. She recalled being in shock, unsure of what to say, that's when he offered her hot cocoa. She accepted it with hesitation and took a sip, lavishing in its' creamy flavor. Discord gave her a soft smile, and she returned it, highly appreciating it. She had not expected it, but she was grateful. There were barely words exchanged, nothing but a smile, and a gesture of warmth. He sat, and wrapped his arm around her. She was in shock, but before she knew it, she was crying into his fur. Letting every part of her break for him. Yes, that's exactly when it happened. That's when they started to pass more glances to each other, that's when she had made an effort to be even kinder around him, that's when he infected her thoughts. It was then she noticed all the kind gestures he did for her, the secret smiles he passed to her, and the extra amount of pranking that occurred in her direction. She liked him before but after that night, she recalled his heartbeat to her's. It filled her in a way she didn't understand. Too bad he was in love with Celestia. He had full right to be. She saw how he looked at her, how he bragged to Fluttershy about their long conversations. They weren't official, nor were she and Flash, but a part of her longed for his presence. She was annoyed by him at the least, but she loved how she laughed and even occasionally snorted after her annoyance subsided a bit, he wasn't perfect, he wasn't any knight in shining armor, he was.. Discord. He didn't try to be anything else, he surely tried not to wreak havoc, but he still was himself in the end. That's what she admired. Everyone tried to be perfect, scared if they weren't, and she found herself attacking the lack of perfection in herself. It wasn't like organizing a book collection by color, she meant perfection as in . . . you can't always be the kindest or the most organized, even if she truly wanted to be. Discord was chaos, and it was odd whenever he wasn't. Sure you wanted him to be 'normal' but, you didn't at the same time. Her heart thumped as her mind kept thinking of him, seeing so many things right, and no longer wrong. She caught herself and shook her head. " Ugh... " She huffed, she was still sick beyond reason. She had only her thoughts to keep her company, that's why she was startled when a box poofed in front of her. Her ears flattened as the box opened, and flying tissues swirled around her, a low surprised gasp came from her. A teddy bear magically flew jumped out and snuggled her. A warmth came to her, gradually the tissues entertained her as they flew around. A bowl suddenly appeared, captivating her attention, liquid from nowhere poured into the bowl and a spoon appeared inside. The bowl swiftly dropped into her hooves, she had a bright entertained smile. She sipped the soup and felt suddenly much better, not as great as she'd hope, but the unbearing illness in her stomach lifted a bit. Her coughing even almost ceased a bit, wow! She had supposed Discord had might've put a spell on the soup, maybe if she ate it all she'd be at a healthy state? Well, she began to sip and eat away. As she was getting familiar with the area once again, a happy balloon with a face appeared suddenly out of the box and yelled a happy, " Get better soon! " Before flying off to Celestia knows where. She felt joyful at this and knew exactly who caused it, she knew it the moment the tissues flew out, Discord. Her heart warmed, and she laid down, holding the bear closely. It was a quick few things, but she appreciated it oh so much, she huffed quietly. Suddenly, she was even able to find it in herself to find the power to sleep, a smile on her face as she fell into a slumber.