//------------------------------// // Discourse with Discord // Story: The Equestria Chronicles: Prelude // by Slippin_Sweetie //------------------------------// As the two left the castle and made their way toward the cottage, that uneasy feeling inside Twilight grew more and more the closer they made their way toward Discord. A heavy feeling, like a weight tied to her heart and sinking into her stomach.  Before Twilight even realized they had already arrived. Boredom today, just as yesterday, the day before, and the day before that, had been consistently boring for Discord. The Draconequus lay aloof on his friend's couch, juggling Angel Bunny with his feet, with the rabbit's irritated squeaks being the only source of noise to entertain him aside from the dreadfully mundane chorus of flat-sounding birds. Despite this, he patiently waited for something, anything, as he flipped the page of his book upward, despite the fact it was made to be turned left to right—just another violation of the laws of physics for Discord. A small smile formed at this display of seamless disregard for logic. He quickly kicked Angel before snagging the bunny by its pelt and looking it in the eye. To say he looked unimpressed was more than an understatement. A sour frown, an impatient gaze, and crossed arms greeted Discord. Discord rolled his eyes, “Don’t give me that look; being frustrated is certainly better than being bored!” Angel merely scowled before being placed on the couch next to him. Angel didn’t hesitate to scamper out of sight to avoid being a victim of Discord’s boredom. The Draconequus yawned, stretching outward before ripping a page out of the book he was reading and greedily tossing it in his maul. The book was a collection of poems and short stories from Equestria. He was once asked by Twilight why he chose books and paper as a snack; the information was rich and fulfilling, just like the content inside the book itself. The texture itself was also a factor. Before he could rip out another page, the front door would slowly creak open, with Fluttershy and Twilight quickly coming into view. Discord quickly stuffed his claw into his mouth, retrieved the paper he had previously eaten, and stuffed it back into the book. With Twilight only barely getting a glimpse at that scene, a perfect amount to make her look twice and question whether or not that happened. Giving her a deviant look as he quickly approached, “Well, what a lovely surprise, Twilight Sparkle; what brings you here? Tea? A looking for a lost trinket or artifact of some kind?” Twilight paused as her eyes shifted between Discord and Fluttershy instinctively. She began biting at her cheek; she could’ve been in this loop of biting her cheek and moving her eyes between the two before Fluttershy gently tapped with her hoof on her shoulder. Awkwardly Twilight gave an unsure smile between the two before clearing her throat. In her most firm, authoritative but personable voice, she said, “Discord, in light of recent news, me and the girls, including Fluttershy, will be leaving Ponyville for awhile.” Discord raised his brow, his smile never departing from him, “A vacation, family emergency, or something involving Celestia, I presume? I appreciate the gesture ‘your Highness,’ but I think I can handle a few days to myself.” Twilight gave an unimpressed look at the term, ‘your highness,’ she despised it; she had remembered the uncomfortable time of correcting anypony, whether it’d be a well-meaning Ponyville resident or Canterlot castle staff member. Despite her status as an alicorn, she made it her objective to let everypony treat her like everypony else. Discord, however, would always refer to her as ‘her highness’ or ‘her royal highness’ if he was feeling particularly belligerent, subtle enough to fly under the noses of anypony but frustrating enough to annoy Twilight. Holding back a sigh, Twilight looked up toward Discord, “Well, you’re right,” she said, attempting to placate his ego. “Buuut…we don’t know exactly when we’ll come back, the map that tells us where friendship problems are. Seems to be directing us across Equestria and into the Griffinlands.” Discord shook his head, tsking doubtfully, “Oh no no no, this is a terrible idea.” “Terrible, what do you mean? I’ll make plans for our absence.” Insisted Twilight. “Plans always fall through, and besides, everypony has a responsibility here. Applejack’s orchard, Fluttershy’s animals, even something that seems insignificant like Pinkie Pie’s parties are important.” Fretted Discord Twilight paused; she was surprised by Discord’s concern, but she knew better than to take it at face value. Nothing was ever as it seemed with him. ”Why do you care?” She asked in a blunt demanding tone. Discord took pride in getting a small rise out of Twilight as he quickly masked his pleasure with a playful shrug and an innocent smile, “What me? Of course, I care about the precious ponies of Ponyville; I mean, I’m reformed after all.” Twilight gave a rather unimpressed look as she raised her brow in reply. “With a few bumps in the road,” He conceded, “But I care! I only have the best intentions. After all, what will the ponies here do without their dear Princess or their good friends? Who will watch over them?” He mourned, raising his lion’s paw to his head as he dramatically sighed before flopping on the couch, kicking his hoof into the air. “I mean, I can only imagine all the terrible things that could go wrong without you all here.” “Like what?” Questioned Twilight. “Oh, famine, disease, hunger, natural disasters, unrelenting sales ponies knocking on our doors. I’m sure I could think of something…that you couldn’t plan for. You’ll need somepony to protect them, someone who’s trustworthy, powerful, and of course capable…someone like…me!” Twilight turned pale, as much as she hated to admit it. There were some things she couldn’t account for. Something that could go wrong, and without anypony left for the locals to turn to, she had to find somepony, anypony to be their guiding hoof, but most certainly and absolutely not Discord. Fluttershy spoke up, “That’s not a bad idea. I think it’d be good to see your growth by giving you some daily chores and responsibility.” “No!” Shrieked Twilight, she quickly composed herself as she awkwardly chuckled and smiled at the two. “While it’s…an ‘interesting’ idea on paper…I think it’s a bit too much….responsibility to give to Discord.” Discord sat up from the couch and sighed, “You’re right; after all, I have done so much. How could anypony trust me? But…wouldn’t this be the perfect opportunity to make amends? To show the local community that Discord is a changed, reformed, reached a sort of friendship…enlightenment!” Twilight remained unconvinced; this seemed like a ploy to her, an obvious trick considering it was Discord, “Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s just see if there’s anypony we could choose.” Discord sighed, shaking his head, “You’re right; I’m sure there’s somepony who isn’t bearing the burden of your departure that could balance their day-to-day responsibilities and the responsibilities each of you have.” Twilight couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated at Discord. She sighed, “I’ll make a list for everyone to follow. I’ll find somepony to take care of our responsibilities.” Discord slowly raised his thumbs, gesturing to himself as he shifted his eyebrows at her. “No!” Yes, go find something to do; I’ll find somepony to help me! She quickly ran out of the cottage and soon out of sight. Fluttershy nervously smiled as she gently patted Discord’s back, “Um, I’m sure she’ll come around; just give her some time.” “Oh, I plan to.” Discord said with a smile as he watched Twilight flee the scene, slowly summoning a bag of popcorn from the aether, “Trust me.”