//------------------------------//
// Intermission 
// Story: Dragon on the Hearth 
// by KidatHeart5 
//------------------------------//

	Most of the ponies in the audience went out into the lobby with tears in their eyes from the beauty of the song and the painting. The patrons weren’t the only ones to have been touched by such a combination of visual and audio delight. Discord was one of the several ponies – cast and crew – who were dabbing their eyes with handkerchiefs. 
Fluttershy asked as she wiped her eyes, “Still gets you, doesn’t it?”
He blew his nose and answered, “Every time. The song and my painting are so beautiful that when combined…” He pressed his handkerchief to his eyes to absorb the tears overflowing again. He continued in a choked-up voice, “…it’s so astounding!”
Just then, his ears perked up when he heard a conversation. He turned his head and blinked away any remaining tears to see Twilight – who wasn’t wearing her blurry contacts - and Flash – dressed up as the elderly gentlecolt – talking in her dressing room. The Lord of Chaos quietly slithered to a wall near the door. 
Fluttershy asked, “Discord, what are you…?”
He put a finger on his lips and whispered, “Shh! I want to find out what the two lovebirds are up to.”
“Lovebirds? They’re just acting, Discord.”
“Oh, come on, Flutters. I can see it in their eyes. They’re falling in love with each other.” 
“Ahem.” A voice said.
Discord’s pupils shrank and his ears drooped as soon as he heard that. He turned to see Twilight and Flash glaring at him. The draconequus whispered, “Busted.” 
Twilight said in an irritated tone, “Is there something that needs my attention?”
Discord sweated as he stuttered, “Oh! Um…I was just wondering if you wanted to go out to the lobby and grab some caramel popcorn balls. They’re really good. In fact, I’m going to grab some for myself. Well, see you in 15 minutes!” He flashed out of there in an instant.
Twilight said, “I hope his mouth doesn’t get too sticky. He’ll never say his lines otherwise.”
Flash rubbed his fake beard and said, “But that doesn’t make sense. This role means much to him. He wouldn’t dare do anything to jeopardize his acting.”
Fluttershy said, “Oh, he only said that. He doesn’t actually want to ruin his chances.”
Twilight said, “Now, I wonder why.”

*****

Out in the lobby, Discord grabbed some punch. He was drinking from his cup until he saw Princess Cadance.
When he made his drink disappear in a flash, he went to her and said, “Cady! What are you doing in the lobby?”
The alicorn answered, “I thought it was a good time for Shining Armor to spend time with the baby. Besides, I needed the break.”
“Well, that’s good to know. Er, listen. I think I know something two other ponies don’t.”
Cadance looked at him dubiously, “If you have a secret, then why are you telling me?” 
“Well, you’re the Princess of Love, after all. You see, these two ponies are, shall we say, bonding even though they don’t know it.”
“Are you talking about Twilight and Flash Sentry?” 
“Precisely.”
She chuckled, “Look, if they have feelings for each other, they need to admit to one another. You can’t make them confess and neither can any pony. You just have to wait and see if they do share feelings for one another.”
Discord pouted and said, “Oh, poo.”