//------------------------------// // An Awkward Argument // Story: Awkward Celebrations // by Vore Crimes //------------------------------// Silence hung in the air like a water-logged blanket. Fluttershy felt tears prick against the corners of her eyes. She wasn’t going to cry, not here, not now. Except, she was. She felt the first tear trace a fat line down her cheek. Then, a second. It hurt. It felt like she had just swallowed a bowling ball. “I-I t-thought you’d b-be better.” she managed before her vocal cords shut off. The weight of her emotions squeezing the use out of them. Oh, how she’d wanted everything to work out, for her family to adore Discord for the wonderful creature he was. But they didn’t. For every step forward they took, they were forced back two. Discord raised his clawed hand, growling low at the offending pony. He knew he was bashing his chances with her family but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He had wanted this to go well if not for his sake, then for Fluttershy’s. She reached out with her hoof and tugged at Discord’s paw. He understood immediately, and with a snap of his talons, they were gone. “Well. Maybe you shouldn’t!” Rainbow Dash winced as she heard the line leave his throat. Granted, she was eavesdropping on her best friend’s Hearth’s Warming party. But still, that was pretty mean. On the other hoof, Fluttershy was dating Discord and had been for a while apparently. “Rainbow? I thought we were gonna be spending Hearth’s Warming with your family.” Scootaloo piped up. “Yeah, we’re gonna. I just wanna check on somepony first.” Rainbow Dash unfurled her wings and prepared to set a new world record for the Cloudsdale to Ponyville flight. Fluttershy sobbed quietly into Discord’s arms, letting his strong draconequus paw smooth out rogue tussles in her hair. Gently he brought her face up to his, gazing into her pearly blue eyes. “Now now, Fluttershy, my dear. These things take time. We can’t expect everypony to like me straight away.” “B-but they shouldn’t be so mean to you,” Fluttershy hiccuped. “Not all ponies are as kind as you, my dear, you’re the element of kindness after all. In my time I’ve gotten my fair share of ridicule, it hardly phases me anymore. Also, I think your mother, at least, was beginning to like me.” “Really?” Fluttershy sniffled, “But my brother.” Discord’s response was cut short by a rapid knock on the door. “Fluttershy! I know you’re in there.” “R-Rainbow?” Fluttershy gasped, “Weren't you gonna spend the day with your family?” “Yeah, but I kinda got sidetracked. Can I come in?” Discord made no move to let go of his pegasus. Not that Fluttershy particularly wanted him to stop holding her. “U-um sure.” she caved. Rainbow Dash prepared herself. Ok, your best friend is special someponies with the lord of chaos. Be nice, she doesn’t need anypony else judging her or him right now. Rainbow did her best to plaster a smile onto her face, then pushed the door open. Scootaloo followed her in, staying behind her older ‘sister’. Even though she knew the two of them were dating, she was caught off guard by exactly how affectionate they were with one another. Discord was holding Fluttershy in his arms, pressing her gently into the gray fur of his chest, and simultaneously combing his talon through the silky strands of her pink mane. Rainbow Dash did her best to hide her grimace. She couldn’t help but feel some annoyance at her friend for hiding this from her. But more scowls were not what Fluttershy needed now. Scootaloo, for her part, seemed completely unfazed by the couple. Discord gazed at the two pegasi, fixing Rainbow Dash with his mismatched glare. “Well, you were right,” he spat. “Here to rub it in?” “Wha- No!” said Rainbow Dash. “We saw Ms. Shy in Sky High Pies. We kinda figured out that you two were dating after that,” Said Scootaloo, bobbing up and down on her hooves. “Wait,” Discord paused, his eyes narrowing. “How did you know we were here?” “Well-” Rainbow Dash began a flimsy excuse. “We were totally spying on you guys and overheard your fight,” said Scootaloo “Oh really?” Discord said, his grey-haired eyebrow twitching. Even Fluttershy pulled her red-rimmed eyes from out of Discord’s fur. “Well, um, kinda.” “But we’re here to help now!” Scootaloo jumped, her wings buzzing, with forehoof proudly presented. “Ooh, this’ll be my first real friendship quest! I'm so excited!” Discord returned his talons to Fluttershy’s mane, pressing her into a hug. “Help? What can you possibly do to help us? And more importantly, why do you want to help me?” “We’re here because we agree with you, dummy. And, we’re your friends.” Scootaloo said. “Come again?” “We agree,” Rainbow Dash practically shouted. “Listen, Discord, I didn’t really like you until yesterday.” “Really? What a surprise?” He chided. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “But, you did show everypony how much you care about Fluttershy, and I think that the ponies of Cloudsdale treated you unfairly.” “Like you did?” Discord teased. “Don’t push your luck pal.” He was technically right, Rainbow Dash knew, but her pride would never let her admit that. “Oh! We’re pals now? How wonderful!” Discord said, snapping a multicolored hail of fireworks into existence behind him. Rainbow Dash gave him thoroughly disapproving frown. But, she couldn’t fault him too much, his antics had squeezed a giggle out of Fluttershy after all. Fluttershy for her part appreciated the momentary distraction from her family’s antics. She hugged his chest floof and gave him a quick nuzzle before turning back to her friend. “T-thank you Rainbow Dash,” she said, her voice still hiccupy from her recent bout of crying, “I’m glad that you support me.” “Ummm, I'm the element of loyalty remember? “ Fluttershy giggled, “I’m glad you’re my friend.” “You should be, you’re lucky I’m the first one who found out, you know. Somepony else might have had a panic attack.” Fluttershy and Discord giggled at the thought. Sweet Celestia he’s rubbing off on her. Rainbow Dash’s train of thought was interrupted by Scootaloo’s loud voice. “Didn’t you kinda have a panic attack?” Rainbow Dash groaned, everyone else in the room chuckled. Fluttershy scooted herself around in Discord’s lap to face the room, her laughter dying in her throat. “I do want my family to see Discord for how wonderful he is, but it just seems like nopony wants to even try to like him.” Fluttershy began. “So? When has Discord ever cared about what other ponies think of him?” “I care now.” “Well… Why?” asked Rainbow “What do you mean why?” said Fluttershy. “I mean, why do you suddenly care, Discord? You’re obviously in love with Fluttershy, and she’s obviously in love with you. Do you really think the opinion of a certain stuck up pegasus from Cloudsdale, is gonna change that?” “Well. No. Not really.” Fluttershy raised her head look up at Discord, a smile forming on her lips. Then, she turned back to face Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow, you’re missing the point. I want everypony to stop being so afraid of Discord. He is wonderful and I just want everypony to see that.” “Ok, let’s do that then,” said Rainbow. “What do you mean?” Asked Fluttershy. “As much as I hate to say it, you’re a good guy, Discord. And, I don’t think that Fluttershy should have to choose between her family and you. So let’s put Discord’s crazy brain to use and figure something out.” The midday sun hung directly overhead, and, once again, Discord and Fluttershy found themselves together in front of her house. Only, this time, they were joined by Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. Fluttershy pushed against Discord’s goat’s leg, and Discord rested his paw on her head, scraping at the cartilage behind her ear with one of his padded fingers. The way those two could understand each other so easily was starting to bug Rainbow. How had she not noticed sooner? Was she falling out of touch with her best friend? Now certainly wasn’t the time to worry about that. She pushed the annoying thought down and refocused on their plan. “Alright, everypony let's go!” Rainbow Dash yelled, scooping up Scootaloo. “Honestly, I don’t know what you’re getting all excited about. I have this remember?” Discord said, waving his talon slowly above her head. “Ugh” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Fine, take the fun out of flying.” “We don’t really have time,” Discord gestured to the sun overhead. “Alright, fine, let’s go.” With a snap of Discord’s fingers and a flash of blinding light, Fluttershy’s doorstep was empty once again. The three ponies and one draconequus re-appeared in front of the quaint villa that Bow Hothhoof and Windy Whistles called home. Rainbow, for her part, had to admit that teleportation was convenient. Discord’s ability to be anywhere with the snap of a finger had to have helped the two of them cover up their relationship. I mean there’s no way it’s gone on for thaaat long, right? “Oooh, I’m so excited to see them again,” said Scootaloo, her wings buzzing, doing their very best to pull her from Rainbow’s grip. Rainbow Dash released Scootaloo from her hold, plopping the orange pegasus flank-first on the cloudy ground. Scootaloo made a mad dash to the doorbell before attacking it with all the ferocity of a woodpecker. Discord and Fluttershy stayed back, listening to the excited swish of hooves on cloud as two parents raced to answer the door. “Who’s our favorite Wonderbolt?” Windy Whistles and Bow Hothhoof, practically trampled each other to get to Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. The four horses collided into a Rainbow modge podge of fur, wings, and hugs, completely oblivious to Fluttershy and Discord standing less than a meter away. Only after minutes of vigorous squeezing and complementing did Rainbow Dash’s parents notice the extra two creatures waiting nervously at the sidelines. “Dashie, dear,” Bow Hothhoof began calmly, “what the hay is that?” “That’s Fluttershy,” said Rainbow Dash, “and her special someone, Discord. He’s a friend of mine.” Windy’s expression brightened instantly. “Oh Fluttershy, it’s been ages since we’ve seen you. I mean it’s really been far too long. Did you know that our little Dashie grew up to be a Wonderbolt. I mean, how cool is that?” “Um, yes I knew. And um, it’s very cool.” “And you, you’re a very interesting creature, but a friend of Rainbow’s is a friend of ours. Would you guys like to come in for lunch? I hear Rainbow dash picked out the best cloud cake for us.” “That sounds wonderful,” said Fluttershy, a hopeful smile returning to her mouth. “Well, at least somepony gets me. I swear if all of Cloudsdale has been as uppity as Canterlot, I might just have followed your advice and turned it upside down,” Discord said, fixing Rainbow with his mismatched stare and following Fluttershy back towards the house. “No! I said- argh, whatever!” Rainbow spat after him. The four ponies and one draconequus sat around a rectangular wooden table. Blue and silver plates ladened with all sorts of loaves of bread and grains sat in front of them. Scootaloo stuck her face into her meal, a brown ring of crumbs and oats quickly forming around her muzzle. Rainbow Dash tried her damndest to eat slowly, like the mature mare she was supposed to be, but her parents’ food had always been irresistible and she ended up just as messy as Scoots. Discord and Fluttershy, on the other hand, barely nibbled at their food, more interested in staying close to one another than actually eating. Discord lowered his clawed hand below the table and wrapped it around Fluttershy’s hoof. Fluttershy pressed the soft pads of her hoof against his cold, hard scales relishing the sturdy feeling of him. “So, why’d you two come over?” Asked Bow. “Fluttershy’s family are having a hard time accepting Discord,” said Rainbow flatly. “And we want you to help,” Scootaloo chimed in. “How’re we supposed to help?” asked Windy “Well,” Fluttershy started. “We were wondering if you guys wanted to come to my house for a hearth's warming dinner” “Rainbow Dash thinks that if the Shys see other Pegasi accept me they might be more ready too.” “Well, that sounds like a great idea. I’d love to have a big get together with everypony. I mean we haven’t seen Mr. and Ms. Shy since you two were in flight school,” said Windy, gesturing wildly between Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. “Well then, it’s agreed,” said Discord, snapping his fingers. He was instantly covered in frilly maid regalia. “Fluttershy and I will prepare the house, and Rainbow and Scootaloo will talk to the Shys together.”