//------------------------------// // At the Ballet // Story: Fluttershy: an Anastasia Au // by halloweennut //------------------------------// Luna had already raised the moon and cast the stars across the warm, twilight sky, when the group, lead confidently and triumphantly by Cadance, exited the first of many stores. Discord already felt his patience begin to wane, despite the new, navy blue suit that suited his pony form well. He knew how many shops were in the city, and how long they had until the ballet - exactly enough to hit too many shops and get ready. But Shining Armor seemed happy about it, and Gr- Fluttershy was so excited that she lost her nervousness. Cadance had already bought her half a closet of clothing, porters trailing behind them, and an outfit to wear while they shopped. It was an elegant mint green dress that, apparently, had been designed by one of the other duchesses themselves. Discord hoped she was warm enough, since she seemed to press herself closer to him as they exited onto the street, and thought of nabbing something from the bags, when - and he was starting to become slightly concerned with how many times this had happened during this whole venture - Cadance, after buying some roses from a street vender, started singing, but was that something to be surprised about anymore, really? “Welcome, my friends, to the city,” she sang, levitating a flower to each of them, nestling one into Shining’s jacket lapel, all the while “casually” bumping Gracie into Discord’s side. “Here, have a flower on me. Forget where you're from - You're in the Capital! Friends, come! I'll show you how we joie de vivre!” Gracie had barely a moment to put Discord’s flower into his breast pocket, the red bud a startling pop against the blue, before Cadance grabbed her and Shining’s forelegs, pulling them out into the street. Discord felt her grab him and, nervously unwilling on his part, was pulled along as well, quickly trotting to catch up. “Canterlot holds the key to your heart,” the princess continued, and the group was quickly joined, for some reason, the flower vender and a random, well dressed stallion. “And everypony plays a part.” “Just stroll two by two down what the french call la rue!” they sang in unison, stepping in time with rest of group. It soon seemed like other ponies from the street were joining in, pausing whatever they we doing - shopping, walking, etc. - just to have part in a musical number, joining in for the last phrase. “And soon everypony will be singing to you!” Cadance weaved them expertly through a crowd of singing and dancing ponies, which seemed to continue for blocks, pulling them into various boutiques and shops as she lead them away from the shopping district. They ended up in front of one of the popular clubs in the city, the Bijoux, run by Sapphire Shores and her dancers, the Diamonds. The club was nearly in full swing, the floor littered with Diamonds and dancing couples all the same. As soon as they got a table, Cadance grabbed Shining Armor, pulling him onto the dance floor. He stumbled, looking flustered, and obviously out of practice with the fast-paced steps. Discord and Gracie couldn’t help but laugh, Gracie placing a hoof on Discord’s foreleg to keep herself balanced. “No wonder he didn’t want to dance,” Discord chuckled, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing by waiter. “He’s awful.” “No worse than you, Discord,” Gracie teased, gently poking him in the side. “Hey! I’m not too bad, your highness,” he shot back, growing quiet as the music shifted to something slower and softer. He had half a mind to ask Gracie to dance, when a stallion gently pulled her onto the dance floor. He hadn’t even heard him ask her to dance! All he could do was watch as they floated across the floor in time to the music. “Canterlot holds the key to her past,” he softly sang to himself once he was alone, holding his glass up in salute to her.” Yes, Duchess, I've found you at last. No more pretend, you'll be gone…” He felt his throat and chest tighten with an indescribable discomfort at the solemn thought of losing her back to where she belonged. The glass dropped back to the table with a soft thud. “That's the end…” --- Discord paced in front of the opera house, waiting alongside Shining Armor. There too many things in his head, and no one solution to solve them all. Should he tell her? Probably. But which truth? Which lie? What would be the consequence? The most startling thing coming to his mind over all of these was how he had never thought about things like that before. It all came naturally! “You keep pacing like that you’ll wear a groove into the pavement and ruin the suit my fiancee graciously bought,” the Captain of the Guard said. “Bit for your thoughts?” “It’s just...ugh!” Discord groaned, turning to face him. “It’s Gracie.” “Alright…” Shining replied, stepping over to him. “You’re worried about her meeting Celestia, then.” “Well, yes...and no,” Discord said. Shining shook his head, placing a hoof on his shoulder. “We trained her well, she can do this!” he said. Discord shook him off. “No, she’s the real thing! She’s actually Fluttershy,” he hissed, leaning closer. “Her explanation on how she escaped? I was there! I opened the wall!” Shining paled, jaw dropping in shock. He looked around him, making sure no one else heard. “Then...we really brought her home...my mission actually completed...We have to tell her.” “And tell her what, exactly? Oh so, you’re actually the missing duchess, and we were just using you to fulfill our own needs, but never expected this outcome? Gee, that’ll work Shining,” Discord said, tapping on his horn. Shining frowned. “Better than let her live a lie,” he replied. “You’ll have to tell her.” “But…” “They’re here,” Shining interrupted, watching as Cadance’s carriage pulled up. The princess had insisted on helping 'Fluttershy' get ready, in part to get to know her better and get a better feel of the mare. “You better think and think fast, Discord.” Shining Armor turned back to the carriage, smile brilliant and adoring as Cadance stepped from the compartment, glittering like a crystal - properly so, being the heir apparent to the Crystal Empire and surrounding territories -, wearing a sky blue gown embedded with small, snowflake shaped crystals, and a golden wool shawl to shield her from the cold edge of night air. He stepped over, moving in front of the coachman to offer his hoof in helping her down. Cadance kissed his cheek with a grin, and stepped beside him to allow Gracie from the carriage. Discord was and had never been a great judge of beauty. Gracie had always been lovely, from her satin-like coat and sparkling eyes to the very kindness that set her apart. Maybe it was because he had come to terms with the fact, at that very moment as he watched her step to the ground, shimmering like a piece of morning light stolen from the sky, that he was unmistakably falling in love with her. And once again, the tightness in his chest came back, but he shoved it down, and walked over to her. “You look lovely,” he said, gracefully bowing. “You outshine dawn.” Gracie smiled, raising a hoof to her cheek. “Thank you. You look handsome as well.” “You can’t say I don’t clean up nice, huh?” Discord laughed. “You can thank her highness for that.” “Oh hush,” Cadance replied. “It was my pleasure. We should head inside - I have to get the family box and you should get to your seats, as well.” “Right. We should be able to see your box from our seats,” Shining replied. “Though I may prefer to watch that than the ballet.” That received a collective groan from the group, along with a few elbows to his chest, before they ascended the steps in the already crowded opera house. --- Cadence woefully detached from Shining Armor, and began to head up to the royal box. The area was coveted by all - for it’s view, the excellent sound, the proximity to power, all of it. Unfortunately it was closed to anyone save Celestia’s family and on occasion a few of their guests. A wooden door was it’s entrance, delicately carved with the cutie marks of the royal family, added as they were earned, at least in the crown princess and duchess’s part. There was, however, a small space at the very end that remained uncarved. Cadence frowned at the sad spot, but was optimistic that it would be filled soon, if her gut told her correctly. A Lunar guard bowed at her arrival, and opened the door for her, revealing her beloved uncle Sombra sitting in the foyer. It was richly decorated with various insignias and encoutrement of both Equestria and the Crystal Empire, gold and silver and blue, all warmly lit by candlelight. He looked up at her and smiled. “Ah! My favorite niece has arrived!” he cheered, beckoning her over before tightly hugging her. He had gotten older since Ponyville, or at least looked it, ever so slightly despite being immortal. There appeared to be lighter streaks in his air, and line of worry and sleeplessness ringed his ever glowing, ever sharp eyes. “Uncle, I’m your only niece,” Cadance laughed, gratefully returning the hug. “Why aren’t you seated with the girls yet?” “Waiting for you, to simply put it but…” Sombra trailed off. “Things are...tense.” “Tense?” “Since Celestia called off the search,” he replied in a hushed tone,” the girls have been, understandably, upset, so have I and your aunts. And they’ve gotten an idea in their collective head that if everything goes perfect tonight and their mother cheers up, they can...talk her into restarting it.” Sombra sighed, and moved to the curtain separating them from the seats. He peered around it, carefully spying on his family. Celestia looked down on the crowd with benevolent grace, but he knew how much her heart was hurting, how it had been hurting for ten years. The girls were uneasy themselves, trying to look and be cheerful, for appearances and for their plan, but more importantly themselves. Luna looked serious as usual, but she always had her emotions on her sleeve. “But it’s taken a toll on all of us…” “I know, uncle, I know,” Cadance replied, pulling him back. “That’s why I need to tell you something.” “What?” he asked, eyes going wide. “What have you-” He was interrupted by the curtain being pulled open, revealing Twilight. “Dad, the shows about to start- Oh Cadance! You made it!” she said cheerfully, rushing over to nuzzle her cousin. “Of course! I’d never miss this for the world!” Cadance replied. “Let’s get seated shall we?” She sent a glance back at Sombra, but couldn’t communicate that she had found what could’ve been the last cutie mark to be carved on the door. Meanwhile across the opera house mezzanine, Shining Armor lead Discord and Gracie to his box, once again the privilege of being captain of the guard and royal fiance having perks. The took the two plush seats in front, letting Shining take the back, much to his chagrin as he actually enjoyed the ballet more than many would assume. But he allowed it, the side effect of having a matchmaker for a lover being that he attempted to facilitate some sort of romance between the two. Gracie fidgeted in her seat, unable to fiddle with her necklace as usual. She had taken it off for the first time in years and despite the flowing dress she felt oddly naked. To distract herself, she began looking around the room, trying to catch sight of Cadance and her family. To her surprise, a pair of opera glasses levitated in front of her muzzle. “Here,” Discord said, while pointing in the general direction of the royal box. “This should help.” “Thank you,” she whispered, and raised them to her eyes. She immediately saw Cadance, who was leaning over to whisper something into the ear of a mare with curly, wild pink hair, pinned expertly under a bright blue fascinator. There was something very familiar about her that she couldn’t place, but chalked it up to seeing multiple portraits and pictures and being quizzed on her name time and time again, and quickly remembered her as Pinkie Pie. The same familiarity and conclusion happened for the rest of the duchesses and the princess as well. But when she got to the matriarch of the family, alongside her husband and sister, she froze, unable to see them clearly - the lights were going dim. If she didn’t feel nervous before, the butterflies in her stomach might as well have turned to rabbits. While her eyes locked on stage, watching the intricate moves of the dancers, she couldn’t pay attention. She wanted to look at the royal box, but at the same time, couldn’t, and took to fidgeting the hem of her skirt. Gracie felt Discord’s paw rest on her hoof, gently squeezing it. The dark must have been deep enough where he could shed his disguise for a few minutes. “You’ll be fine,” he whispered. “I got you, my dear.” Gracie felt some comfort from the words and the soft paw holding her hoof, but nerves are nerves, after all. When the lights went up for intermission, the rabbits came back in an honest to goodness stampede. Shining had already disappeared, presumably to find Cadance and then come back for them to escort them to the family box, but Discord had another plan. “Come on,” he said quietly, already back in disguise as he headed out to the hallways. “Let’s go to the box.” “B-but what about Shining Armor?” Gracie panicked. “Shouldn’t we wait for him?” “He’s probably making out with Cadance, let’s be honest,” Discord deadpanned, causing the pegasus to blush. “Personally, I believe we should take agency and go forward.” “I don’t know...but okay…,” Gracie said, following slowly behind. She hoped that Shining and Cadance would meet them halfway. But as they weaved through the elegantly dressed groups of ponies, there was no signs of either pony, and soon she found herself in front of the door to the Royal Box. Gracie felt her heart in her throat, and she began to backpedal, both physically and mentally. Discord noticed, releasing the door handle from his magic to go to her. “Gracie, you’ll be fine,” he murmured, gently holding her hoof in one of his. “Just stay right here, breathe, and I’ll go introduce you.” And with that, he disappeared behind the wooden door, not noticing, however, that the door bounced off the doorjamb, leaving it open just enough for Gracie to peer inside.