Starlight and Fluttershy were about to sit down for dinner when Coco Pommel came rushing in excitedly.
"Doamnă, doamnă!" she cried. "Count Trenderhoof and his sister are here!"
"Is he now?" Starlight beamed as she smoothed out her skirts. "Escort them to the east drawing room. We'll be with them shortly." She raised her eyebrow as she studied Coco's face. "Why are your cheeks all red?"
Her face became even redder at the mention of it. "Oh, I, uh…I'm just a little warm, doamnă, I…"
"Never mind. Just go, go!"
Coco curtsied and fled the room. Starlight let out a groan.
"If he's going to be fashionably late, he should at least do it before or after a meal, not during!"
She and Fluttershy were surprised to find not two, but six ponies in the drawing room. The mare and stallion up front were clearly the nobles due to their fine clothing. The mare was a light yellow unicorn with green eyes and a curly red and gold mane that resembled fire. She wore a neat blue gown and a flowery yellow sunbonnet.
Standing in attendance behind her were three earth mares in aprons. Something about them made Fluttershy shiver. Perhaps it was the seemingly sinister smile worn by the pale yellow one with sharp maroon eyes and an enormous puffed up orange mane. The one on her left was light violet with two purple and green ponytails sweeping out of her head and a bored expression on her face. The third one was light blue, her darker blue mane tied up in a single ponytail, her maroon eyes staring off to the side as she smiled absent-mindedly.
Not too far off was the largest stallion Fluttershy had ever laid eyes on. He was a pegasus with muscles so enormous he could easily be mistaken for a white hippopotamus. He stood still and silent, staring directly in front of him, not seeming to acknowledge that any pony had entered the room.
Then there was Count Trenderhoof, a tall, brown unicorn stallion with an excellently coiffed blond mane and a handsome stubble on his chin. As he smiled at the ladies, his pearly white teeth glinted, making Starlight giggle like a school filly.
"Lady Starlight," he said with a suave voice and a gentlecoltly bow. "We apologize for being so late, but we had some trouble finding our way here."
"Of course," Starlight continued to giggle. "No problem at all, Count Trenderhoof."
Her breath was taken away as he slowly took her hoof and kissed it. "It is a pleasure to meet you at last, doamnă."
She looked like she was about to faint when he turned his violet eyes to Fluttershy. "And this must be the famous Lady Fluttershy."
"H-How do you do?" Fluttershy stammered as he took her hoof.
"I've heard so much about you, domnişoară," he whispered. "You're just as lovely as your aunt described you."
As he kissed her hoof, Fluttershy had the sudden urge to cringe. It was strange. Stallions always kissed her hoof upon meeting her and no matter who it was, she would feel both awkward and flustered, as it was a form of physical contact she could never quite get used to. However, there was something about this hoof kiss that felt…wrong. Then she thought of Discord and how he had kissed her hoof. That had been exciting. Why did this feel so different?
The yellow noblemare coughed, calling Trenderhoof's attention away.
"Ah, where are my manners!" he exclaimed as he gestured to his companion. "Allow me to introduce my sister, Lady Sunset Shimmer."
"Charmed," Sunset Shimmer said with a curtsy.
"And, um," Starlight said, looking disapprovingly at the rest, "who are all these…?"
"My sister's chambermaids and our coach horse," Trenderhoof explained. "After all, one simply cannot travel without a proper entourage, don't you agree?"
"Oh, yes, I'm…sure. It's just that we weren't aware that…we only prepared rooms for you and Lady Sunset."
"Oh. Well, I hope it's not too much trouble if you could…"
"Not at all! If your maids wouldn't mind sharing a room."
The yellow maid smiled and curtsied. "Absolutely n—"
"Wait!" the blue one piped, as if snapping out of a trance. "Three of us in one room? But we'll get so crowded! Not to mention Aria snores like a bear—ouch!"
The violet one had jabbed her in the ribs.
"Shut up, Sonata!" she hissed.
"Adagio!" Sonata whined to the yellow one. "Aria hit me!"
"I'm envious," Adagio muttered.
"They have no problem with it!" Sunset said quickly. "Do you, girls?"
Adagio locked gaze with her mistress, and Fluttershy could sense some resentment in it. But she forced a smile and said through her teeth:
"Of course, my lady."
"Coco!" Starlight called. "Show Lady Sunset's maids to the guest room on the third floor and situate the coach horse in the attic. See that some bedding is brought."
"Bulk Biceps can sleep anywhere," Trenderhoof chuckled as he patted his servant on the side. "Can't you, old boy?"
Bulk Biceps said nothing, only grunted in response. He and the three maids followed Coco out of the room. Fluttershy felt uncomfortable as the maids passed her. They all sent her condescending gazes that made her shrink. It was peculiar. Why should she be feeling this way about servants far below her rank?
"We were just about to have dinner," Starlight grinned at the count. "Would you care to join us?"
"Thank you," Trenderhoof politely replied, "but we already had a bite to eat on the way here. Though we can sit with you at the table and make conversation."
"Oh, of course! By all means!"
Fluttershy got a sense of déjà vu as she and her aunt sat down with their two guests. Once again, she and her aunt were dining while some pony else simply sat and watched them, only this time it was two some ponies. Starlight and Trenderhoof began conversing, though Fluttershy noticed him making frequent sideways glances at her. She tried to get a word in, but as usual, her aunt prevented her. They were talking about property and wealth, which did not interest Fluttershy, so she turned her attention to the count's sister, only to find her glaring intensely at her. Fluttershy quickly looked down at her soup, thinking she would start a quarrel with the noblemare if she stared too long.
"You say you're here on business," Starlight said giddily. "Might I ask what kind of business?"
"Oh," Trenderhoof replied, waving his hoof, "just some financial business with an old colleague of mine. Let's just say it involves a good ten thousand."
"Ooh. That's quite the deal!"
"Of course," he said as he glanced at Fluttershy, "I've also been meaning to…take a wife."
Fluttershy turned her head to avoid his gaze. Starlight simply smiled.
"Are you, now?"
"I haven't made any specific selection, of course! It is just a matter I've been dwelling on for quite some time."
"Well, any mare would be lucky to have you. What about you, Lady Sunset?"
"What?" Sunset Shimmer uttered as if she were surprised that she was being addressed.
"Are you married?"
Sunset opened her mouth but Trenderhoof interrupted her. "My sister is still single! But yes, she is of marriageable age. You wouldn't happen to know any noble bachelors in the vicinity, would you, doamnă?"
"Well," Starlight said, "there's Lord Fancy Pants, a wealthy widower on the other side of the forest. In fact, I told him you were coming and he asked me to invite you to his dinner party next week. All sorts of suitable stallions will be there, I'm sure!"
"I don't quite think…" Sunset tried to say.
"Sounds splendid!" Trenderhoof exclaimed gleefully. "We'd be delighted to come!"
His sister sent him a furious glare, but he didn't seem to notice as he looked back at Fluttershy.
"Has your niece considered marriage?"
Fluttershy bit her lip to stop herself from screaming.
"Oh, she's drawn the attention of several suitors!" Starlight bragged. "Including Lord Fancy Pants himself!"
"Uh-oh," Trenderhoof chuckled. "Looks like you've got some competition, Sunset."
"Yes," Sunset grunted, glancing briefly at Fluttershy. "Looks like."
"Though it is really no surprise. After all," he smiled at the pegasus, "your niece is quite charming."
Fluttershy recognized the seductiveness in his tone. She had heard it from Discord a few times before. All those times had made her shiver in the right places. From Trenderhoof's mouth, it produced the opposite effect. All the shivering made her desperate for a blanket.
Trenderhoof cleared his throat and recited:
"No beauty can compare
To this remarkable mare,
For she is one so fair
And must be handled with care."
Starlight squealed and applauded. "That was beautiful, Count Trenderhoof! I'm not familiar with that verse. Where's it from?"
He raised his chin proudly. "I composed it myself."
"You write poetry!"
"As a hobby. I find expressing my thoughts and feelings through words to be most relaxing."
"Well, you're an artist! Fluttershy here just adores poetry!"
"Actually," Fluttershy tried to say, "I don't really read that much…"
"Could you recite another?"
It was official. She missed Discord more than ever now.
For the next hour they listened to the count's poetry. Fluttershy had never seen her aunt so giddy, and it must have been genuine because there was no way a pony could fake so big a smile for so long. Sunset Shimmer seemed to enjoy her brother's poetry even more, for she could not take her eyes off him. Fluttershy just sat quietly as Trenderhoof droned on and on. It wasn't that the words weren't beautiful, but there was something about the way he said them that seemed contradictory. He sounded like he meant every word, but his expression lacked sincerity. His smile was warm, but whenever he looked at her through those shining spectacles, she felt cold.
Then she began reflecting on her thoughts. This whole evening she had done nothing but judge this stallion when he had done nothing to offend her. She had even compared him to Discord, which was unfair. Whether she loved him or not, she shouldn't be so quick to judge.
"This next one is for you, domnişoară."
Fluttershy's head shot up when she felt Trenderhoof's hoof on hers. His violet eyes were boring into hers. For a brief moment, his irises became yellow with red pupils.
"Like the gentle wings of a butterfly," he said as he took her other hoof, "So is my sweet Fluttershy…"
She didn't hear the rest. She was staring down at their hooves. His were soft and smooth, as hooves should be. Suddenly, one of them became a paw, which wrapped tightly but tenderly around her left hoof. Its palm was rough, but the fingers were soft and warm. His other hoof became an eagle claw, skinny and a bit cold, but as its talons closed around her right hoof, they caressed her gently, making her shiver.
"Domnişoară?"
Fluttershy looked up into the eyes behind the glasses and became aware of to whom they belonged. Or rather, to whom they didn't belong. She swiped her hooves out of his grasp.
"F-Forgive me," she stammered, standing up, "but I, um…have a bit of a headache, so I, um…need to lie down. Mă scuzați!"
She rushed out of the room before her aunt could protest. Starlight's mouth was open in shock. She coughed and forced a smile as if nothing was wrong.
"I'm sure once she gets some rest, my niece will…remember her manners."
"That's quite alright, doamnă," Trenderhoof said with a yawn. "It has been a long day of travel for us. I think we shall retire early too."
"Yes, yes, of course. Double Diamond, escort the Count and Lady to their rooms."
Double Diamond bowed and led the two guests upstairs to a small but elegant guest room with a king-sized bed.
"And yours is next-door, domnişoară," he told Sunset, indicating the door to the right.
"Mulțumim, my good stallion," Trenderhoof grinned. "Could you fetch our servants? My sister and I would like a word with them."
"Of course, domnule!"
Double Diamond bowed once again before setting to his task. Trenderhoof waited until he was out of sight before pushing his sister into his room, glancing both ways down the hall and shutting the door.
"How many times have I told you not to rush me?!" Sunset growled through her teeth.
Trenderhoof ignored her remark. "So, what do you think of Lady Starlight's niece?"
She huffed and pretended to be interested in the edges of her hoof. "Not much of a talker, is she?"
"Yes, but she has a significant dowry. At least she has that going for her. Well, that and her youth and beauty."
Sunset narrowed her eyes. "She's not that pretty."
Trenderhoof smirked. "Jealous, are we, sister?"
She snorted as her green eyes turned red. "Don't call me that in private! It's bad enough that I have to endure that title twelve hours a day! I'm sick of you telling every pony that I'm your sister!"
"Well, Lady Starlight wouldn't let me marry her niece if she knew you were my mate."
She scowled. "Yes, darkness forbid you should cause a scandal with two wives!"
"Sunset, Sunset!" he cooed as he cupped her chin. "My little phoenix feather, you know we're short on money! Even if old Caballeron has what he promised us, it won't be enough. You want to continue living in splendor, don't you, my fiery sparrow?"
Sunset grunted as she swatted his hoof away. "Don't you use your pretty words on me! We would still have Lady Cherry Jubilee's fortune if you hadn't squandered it all on your little concubines!"
"You called?"
Sunset turned to the door and growled upon seeing Adagio, the other two maids and the coach horse enter the room.
"Shut the door, Bulk Biceps," Trenderhoof ordered calmly. "We mustn't be overheard."
Bulk Biceps kicked out his back hoof and slammed the door with ease. Trenderhoof turned back to his fake sister.
"I have told you time and time again, darling. Just because I keep a few of my…conquests, doesn't mean I have…relations with them."
Sonata tilted her head. "But what about last—ouch!"
Aria had silenced her with a kick to the knee.
"They're just here for my protection," Trenderhoof explained, taking Sunset's hoof. "Our protection."
"I don't need protection!" Sunset shouted, wrenching her hoof out of his hold.
He chuckled. "Of course not. You're a strong, clever mare. That's why I mated with you."
"Humph!" she huffed, turning her back to him.
"And just think," he murmured seductively, slithering his hooves over her shoulders. "Once we have enough…recruits, we'll have an army big enough to conquer all of Tramplevania. I will be King forever, and you," he whispered into her ear, "will be Queen."
Sunset rolled her eyes and used her magic to send him flying across the room.
"Master!" Sonata cried, rushing to his side.
"You've been saying that for over a decade!" Sunset howled, her horn glowing dangerously and her eyes glaring red.
As she became angrier and angrier, her fur stood on end, her teeth grew into pointy fangs and her gown ripped as orange bat wings sprang out of her back. Adagio, Aria and Sonata transformed too and stood around Trenderhoof protectively.
"Since you bit me, you've promised me world conquest, that I would become the most powerful mare that ever lived! Instead, all you've done is chase every pretty set of legs you've come across!"
Trenderhoof laughed. "A stallion's got to eat, dear."
Sunset laughed too, though mockingly. "Didn't your mother teach you not to lay with your food?!"
He shrugged. "Whatever it takes to get close enough."
She scowled at the three maids. "And these?!"
"You have to admit the Dazzlings here have been very useful. I knew they would be strong as vampires, but I couldn't have predicted their hypnotic singing powers."
"Too bad it only works on stallions," Adagio smirked at Sunset. "I would love to have you under my spell."
Sunset roared as she leapt at Adagio and pressed her against the wall, pointing her glowing horn threateningly at her head.
"You forget your place, Adagio," she snarled. "I am the alpha female here!" She moved her horn closer. "Or do you want me to prove my power once again?"
Adagio gritted her fangs together and felt ready to rip out the unicorn's throat. Then she glanced at Trenderhoof, who raised his hoof and shook his head. Adagio grinned innocently at Sunset.
"I was only jesting," she said sweetly, "mistress."
"Put her down, Sunset," Trenderhoof commanded.
She didn't want to, but as soon as he said it, her hooves dropped from Adagio's shoulders, letting her slip to the ground.
"Leave us," Trenderhoof ordered his servants. "Return to your rooms."
"Yes, Master," the Dazzlings said, curtsying in unison.
Bulk Biceps bowed silently before following the maids out and using his back hoof to close the door behind them. Sunset slowly changed back into a pony, but did not turn to face her mate. She didn't realize he was eyeing her now bare back.
"Sunset," he cooed, slowly approaching her. "Dearest, darling, Phoenix Feather…"
He set his hoof on her shoulder. She shrugged it off.
"You know these minions mean nothing to me. The only time I ever advanced upon them was when I was trying to recruit them."
"Why didn't you just hypnotize them?" she grumbled. "It'd save a lot of trouble."
"True, but where's the fun in that?"
She spun around, glaring furiously at him.
"Admit it!" she exclaimed, poking him in the chest. "You like seducing your victims! It's all a game to you! I suppose you're going to do the same to Lady Fluttershy!"
"I may not have to. Her aunt already adores me. She'll give me her niece before the week is through! Then we'll be rich again and we won't need the pretty little pegasus. In fact," he sneered as he wrapped his hooves around her, "I'll give you the honor of disposing of her."
Sunset raised an eyebrow. "Truly?"
"Would I lie to you, my little meadow lark?"
"Is that a trick question?"
"Alright, I'll admit. It can be…fun, tricking mares into loving me and seducing them to their deaths, but we," he whispered as his hoof slid down to her front leg, "are mates. We share each other's blood. Don't you remember what that means?"
How could Sunset forget? He had told her the day they had mated. They had been sitting on a hill at sunset, overlooking the sleepy village she was from. He had said the light danced off her hair, making her look like a phoenix burning bright. As they had looked down on the ponies below, she had revealed her desire to one day rule over them, to show them what a mare was capable of. As a filly she had been fascinated with magic and wanted to become a powerful sorceress, but every pony had told her magic was not something a mare should affiliate herself with and should learn no more than simple levitation. This had only convinced her to study more magic so that someday, she would get them to eat their words.
And he had promised he could give her that. Before she had known it, his teeth were sinking into her neck. He had cut his foreleg with his horn and commanded her to drink, and they had become one.
"We are bound together for all eternity," he whispered as he stood on his hind legs and pressed her against him. "I am yours and you are mine. Nothing can come between us."
Sunset panted heavily as he removed his glasses so she could properly gaze into those gorgeous amethysts.
"I gave you everything," he continued. "I gave you wings, immortality, and more power than you could ever imagine. Once we have our vampire army," he leaned into her ear and whispered, "I can make you a goddess. The world will be ours, and those foolish mortals will bow to our will. They will never mock you again. As for those who try to fight back, we will drain them of their blood and pick our teeth with their bones."
Sunset shivered with glee. "Oh, keep talking!"
"You will be the most powerful, most feared creature in the entire world. They will be on their knees, begging for your mercy, but you won't give it to them."
They bounced as they fell back onto the bed.
"Don't stop," she heaved.
He smiled as he lifted her skirt. "Now why would I do that?"
And so she surrendered herself to him, for no matter how angry she was, she could never say no to him.
Once again, Fluttershy lay awake in bed thinking about Discord, though this time it was for an entirely different reason. Angel, whom she was petting, didn't need to ask to know his mistress was missing the creature. He had never liked the beast, but these past few days Fluttershy had been very mopey, even forgetting to feed him sometimes!
Not to mention she wouldn't stop talking about him when they were alone.
"Do you think he'll be back soon, Angel?"
The rabbit snorted angrily.
"I know you don't like him and I know I shouldn't be missing as much as I am, but I am! I never had a friend before him…"
Angel squeaked harshly.
"Except you, of course, Angel. Oh, but Angel, if only you knew him like I do. Yes, he's a vampire who feeds off animals' blood, but he can't help that. I'm sure if carrots were sentient, they would hate you for eating them, but you have to eat them to survive. But if you would just spend time with Discord, you would see that he wouldn't hurt a fly…unless he was hungry."
She blushed as she smiled. "And he's such good company. He makes me laugh, he takes interest in my thoughts and opinions, and he's actually…oh, you'll think me silly for saying this, but for someone of his species, he's actually sort of…handsome."
Angel looked at her as if she were crazy.
Perhaps she was. Before, Fluttershy could not stop shivering at the thought of Discord's frightful appearance. Now, when she imagined gazing into his red and yellow eyes, she did not see ferocity, but gentleness. She recalled how he would hold her hoof, in either his large paw or bony claw. Both she knew were strong, yet would hold her with the greatest of care, and he would look at her with those gentles eyes as if she were the most precious thing in the world.
Weeks ago, she had claimed she could never love a monster like him. She regretted saying those words now that she knew the only thing truly monstrous about Discord was how he looked. Loving him looked like more of a possibility now.
Was that why she couldn't stand being with Trenderhoof? He had done nothing wrong and seemed like a decent stallion, and yet she yearned for Discord. Was it more than just missing him? Could it be she was starting to have…feelings for him?
For some reason, the idea didn't disgust her, but it did make her slightly uneasy. She had never been in love before, so how could she be sure that's what she was feeling? If it was, what would that mean for her and Discord? She knew he was in love with her and wanted her to feel the same, but if she did, what then? They would get married, meaning he would change her, and she'd have to start…feeding on animals.
She looked down at Angel.
"You wouldn't like me very much as a vampire, would you?"
The rabbit's eyes widened in fear. Fluttershy sighed.
"I don't want animals to fear me, and even if I let Discord hunt for me, it might be hard to contain myself around you." She stroked her bunny. "I might have to say goodbye to you to keep you safe."
Angel gasped and flung his tiny paws around Fluttershy's face. She giggled and held him close.
"I couldn't get rid of you, Angel, but I might not have a choice if there's a chance I'll cause you harm."
She sighed. It certainly wouldn't be easy marrying Discord, regardless of how she felt about him. She wasn't sure if it was love yet, but she certainly missed his company.
A rap on the window made her sit up in bed. Angel bared his teeth and Fluttershy gasped in delight when they saw the cause of the noise. Fluttershy leaped out of bed, rushed to the window, quickly unhitched it and shouted:
"DISCORD!"
The draconequus nearly fell backward as Fluttershy attacked him with a hug, her forelegs squeezing him around his neck. It caught him completely off-guard. He had not expected such a warm welcome, let alone a hug. She was hugging him! She was willingly touching him! Not just any touch, a physical sign of affection! He didn't know how to respond, as he had never received such a gesture from her!
When Fluttershy realized what she was doing, she pulled away and hastily smoothed out her skirts.
"I…I'm sorry, I…" she stammered, her cheeks turning red. "I was, um…I didn't mean to…"
"Did you," Discord asked in bewilderment, "m-miss me?"
She averted her eyes to the floor. "Um, uh…m-maybe…a little?"
When she looked back up he was wearing the widest grin she had ever seen on his face.
"Is that…" she murmured, "silly?"
"No!" Discord squeaked before clearing his throat. "No, it's not. Actually…I missed you too."
As he took her in and saw how the moonlight framed her gentle face, tangled hair and white nightdress; he swore she was even more beautiful then he'd remembered, but he didn't say it aloud. Meanwhile, Fluttershy was only now realizing as her heartrate increased that she had never been this happy to see Discord. Had absence truly made the heart grow fonder?
"Where have you been all this time?" Fluttershy finally asked.
"Sorry I was away so long," Discord said apologetically, "but I was getting a surprise for you."
"A surprise? What sort of surprise?"
"Close your eyes and hold out your hooves. Oh, and give me permission to touch them."
She raised an eyebrow. "No tricks?"
He chuckled. "I can't come in. There's not much I can do from here."
She granted his request and waited. She felt his paw take her hooves and smiled at the sensation of feeling its softness again. Then she felt something drop into her hooves. It was smooth like clay and circular at the bottom. She sniffed and smelled something fresh. She had an idea of what it was before she opened her eyes.
It was a flower pot. Inside was a single purple iris.
"Discord, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed in elation. Then she frowned. "Though…why would it take you a week to get me one iris?'
"Not just any iris!" Discord smirked. "Watch."
He reached out his claw and plucked one of the flower's petals. Fluttershy was about to scold him when something miraculous happened. Right before her eyes, the petal grew back. She gasped in amazement.
"It's the…it's the…"
"The Infinite Iris!" Discord declared.
"But…this is…"
"One of the rarest flowers in the world? I know."
"But however did you get it? The only known location of the Infinite Iris is…"
"Zebrica. At the top of the highest waterfall in the Coltgo jungle, to be exact."
She gazed at him in wonderment. "You mean…you went all the way to Zebrica…just to get me…a flower?"
"Not just any flower!"
"Still! You went all that way for…me?"
He smiled lovingly at her. "I'd fly to the edge of the world for you." He looked down at the flower. "You know why it's called the Infinite Iris, right?"
Fluttershy nodded. "It lives forever. Even when its petals are plucked, it forever stays in bloom."
"That's why I thought it appropriate, because that's how long I'll love you."
She was speechless. He'd traveled thousands of kilometers to get this small but rare gift. It also appealed to her interest in flowers, which showed that he had been listening to her. And he had been in Zebrica, a sunny land! He had risked being fried, and yet he had gone anyway!
It was proof that he truly cared for her.
Angel hopped onto the window seat and jittered furiously at the draconequus. He merely rolled his eyes and frightened the bunny with a flash of his fangs. Angel squeaked and skittered under the bed.
"Sorry about Angel," said Fluttershy. "We were…talking about you before you came."
"Really?" Discord smirked, smoothing back his mane. "Am I really all that interesting?"
"Discord!" she scolded, yet laughed at his quip.
"I'm glad I didn't wake you. I almost didn't come because I thought I'd disturb your peaceful slumber." He glanced at the iris. "I have an idea. So I don't have to worry about waking you, how about we use this flower as a signal? If you want me to come visit you in the night, place it at this window. If you'd rather sleep or just don't want to see me, remove it from the window."
Fluttershy looked at the flower and then at him. Then she smiled as she lowered the pot onto the windowsill.
"Tell me about Zebrica."
And so Discord gladly recounted all that had happened on his trip, leaving out the details about hunting. When he got to the part about meeting his old master and mistress, he didn't bring up Sweetie Belle or the private conversation he had had with Sombra. Then he talked about searching all the waterfalls for the Infinite Iris. The reason it was so hard to find was because it looked like any other iris. Unfortunately, he had had to pluck a few flowers before finding the right one. Fluttershy forgave him, knowing he'd had good intentions.
"And Zebrica, what's it like?"
"Oh, it's beautiful!" Discord described. "Such magnificent trees, colorful vegetation, and the animals…" He trailed off. "Well, there are a lot of them. And the air is so clean and fresh, you can clear out all the waste in your lungs in one breath! And the sky is so…well, I can't tell you what it's like in the daytime, but at night, you can see millions and millions of stars! It's like looking at a sea of light!"
"Discord," Fluttershy said with a dreamy look in her eye, "could you take me there someday?"
He smiled, leaned closer to her and whispered, "It could be our honeymoon."
Her face fell at this, and Discord mistook her shock for discomfort. He'd forgotten how uneasy talk of marriage made her.
"I mean…" he stammered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yes, I will take you there, regardless of…whatever should happen to us in the future." He took a deep breath and looked at her sincerely. "I promise."
Fluttershy's smile returned and she gently placed her hooves over his paw. "That would be wonderful."
For a long while, they stared at each other, their eyes locked in gaze. Finally, Discord coughed and reluctantly slid his paw away.
"It's getting late. You should rest."
"Wait!" Fluttershy exclaimed, a little too loudly.
He looked back at her to see her blushing again.
"You've given me something…something wonderful, so I should…give you something too."
"Oh, no," Discord insisted, holding up his paw and claw. "You don't have to give me anything in return. The fact that you loved my gift is enough."
"Oh, but I want to! See, you've given me something simple, but…rare and…meaningful." She gazed up at him. "And that's…what I'm going to…give you."
He blinked. "What do you mean?"
She took a deep breath. "Close your eyes."
Discord complied, curious as to what she was going to give him. She couldn't possibly have known he'd had a gift planned for her, so when could she have had the time to get him something?
Suddenly, he felt something soft and moist on his lips. It was only for an brief instant, but the moment it made contact, his eyes popped open wide in time to see Fluttershy pulling away from him, her face even redder than before.
"S-Sorry," she stuttered. "You should know that's the first time I've…"
She trailed off as Discord's eyes spun around in their sockets, his wings fluttered at the speed of a hummingbird's and steam blew out of his ears, all working in tandem with a goofy smile even bigger than the last one.
The body spasms came to an abrupt halt and the draconequus let out a content sigh as he dropped backward. Fluttershy shrieked and leaned out the window.
"Discord! Are you al—?"
He shot up into the sky and did a somersault while crying triumphantly, "YES, YES, YES, YES! SHE KISSED ME! THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CREATURE IN THE WORLD KISSED ME! WOO HOO!"
Fluttershy laughed as he danced off into the night and blushed deeper, thinking about how much she had enjoyed that kiss too.