//------------------------------// // An Unusual Request // Story: A Touch Of Kindness // by DissyDiscord //------------------------------// Fluttershy set down the blanket and started setting down the plates and utensils. She set everything down and took out a vase, filling it with water. "Oh my..." Fluttershy looked inside the basket, looking for the rose she was suppose to put in the vase. "Did I forget it?" "Forget what my dear?" Discord said, panting a bit from the run. Fluttershy squeaked at the sudden appearance of Discord, but then answered back. "I seem to have forgotten the rose for the vase I brought." Discord seemed relaxed at hearing her angelic, sweet soft voice, and then shot a sudden look at Fluttershy. "Will these work for the vase?" He quickly threw his lion paw toward Fluttershy, holding the bouquet of daisies. "Oh Discord, they're lovely." She took the flowers and but them in the purple vase, setting it in the center of the blanket. "I'm glad we planned a picnic on such a beautiful day." "Beautiful day indeed, Fluttershy." He strolled his thoughts and started daydreaming while facing the sky, laid out on his back. "What will we eat on this special day, my friend?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the sky. "Would you like a cucumber salad?" She took out a bowl of freshly made salad, and a variety of dressings. "Please accept my dearest apology, but I pass." He responded, summoning a glass of chocolate milk and pink cotton candy. "How has your day been, dear?" Discord asked, still not taking his eyes off the sky. "Oh it has been quite lovely. I woke up to sunrays illuminating my room in all directions. Its Saturday, so I do my usual routine at the spa with Rarity, which was very relaxing. I then came home to feed all my awakening friends outside and I gave a quick clean to my cottage. Last, I set up the picnic basket and I arrived here. How has your day been, Discord? "Hm, oh yes, it's been.. also lovely." He started remembering the scenes that had happened earlier that day. He was wondering if he should tell her or not, but he will have to eventually bring up the topic since she was his only friend, and he had a question needing to ask her. "Is something wrong Discord," Fluttershy asked, breaking the silence. "You seem to be oddly quiet, and staring at the sky more than usual." The tone in her voice seemed more worried than usual also, and Discord didn't want her to feel like that. "My dear Fluttershy you see, you are my only friend. I don't know what would happen if you ever lost trust in me.." He paused, a horrified expression in his face, imagining what would actually happen. He shook the thought and stared at Fluttershy, continuing his words. "Today, I went around Ponyville, and many ponies were insulting me and treating me differently. I can't make friends, and less.. a mare friend. Fluttershy, will you teach me how to approach a mare and get her to like me?" Fluttershy sat in silence, then sighed and answered. "First of all Discord, I would never lose trust in you, you are such a good friend and you have really changed. And, oh my.. I don't know how to help with the mare situation.." Discord frowned at her last words, but quickly looked at Fluttershy and smiled at her next words. "But, I will do anything to help a friend." She squeaked as Discord brought her into a sudden hug, but relaxed and answered back with embrace. "Thank you very much, sweet Fluttershy." Fluttershy stared into Discord's eyes, seeing that tears began forming into his eyes. "Anything for a friend, right?" "Indeed. Now, how about eat some blueberry muffins?" He took out a muffin from the basket and started eating out of it. "I simplfy love vthese mufvins." He tried talking with his mouth full, then apologizing for such act. Fluttershy simply smiled at him, and turned her head to look at the sight of Ponyville downhill. She opened her mouth as if to ask something, but quickly shut it, sighing in the process. "What's the matter Fluttershy?" Discord asked, a concerned tone in his voice. Fluttershy stared at the grass, then into his eyes. "Is something bothering you? You can tell me everything.. friend." He had paused at the last word, but giving Fluttershy a reassuring smile. She sighed, and gave in to what she had to said. "Discord, if you don't mind me asking, why do you all of a sudden want a mare friend?" she asked, grabbing a muffin for herself. Discord didn't answer, as if trying to figure out what she meant. "Have you ever had a mare friend?" "Is this important?" Discord snapped back, making Fluttershy a bit afraid of the situation. Again, silence stood while they ate their picnic. Discord looked up at the sun, it was two hours past noon. "My dearest, I think we should get going, you don't want to be late to feed your animals." "Yo-ou're ri-ight.." She stammered, quickly putting everything away in their place in the basket. "Same time M-monday?" Discord thought of her question, and responded with delight. "How about your cottage next time dear?" He responded with delight in his tone. "I bet we can have much more fun! We can also discuss more about today that day, how does that sound to you?" Fluttershy was trying to process what he said. "That would be new, but surely it will be delightful." She smiled at him, and lunged to hug him. Discord wasn't such a person to receive hugs so often, on the count that this is his second one today. "I should get going to my friends, I don't want to be late. I'll see you Monday then?" She let go of the hug, and grabbed her basket, heading off to her cottage. "Bye bye, dear!" He waved and smiled to her, but then changed his expression, tears forming in his eyes. Maybe if you were still here, you could show everyone that I wasn't such mean creature before. He wiped the tears, and flew to his cave in the Ever Free forest, still wondering about a certain pony he used to know.