//------------------------------// // An Invitation // Story: Discordian Nights // by Pegashy //------------------------------// Angel woke with a start as the door opened. Squeaking threateningly, he jumped up and put his paws up as if preparing to fight. “It’s okay Angel,” Fluttershy put down the basket of groceries she was carrying. “I just happened to get home early today” Angel hopped into Fluttershy’s hooves, and she hugged him quickly. “I missed you too Angel, but now I have to fill the birdfeeder. The birds need to eat too, you know.” She put him down and walked back outside, the sack of seed still on her back. While Fluttershy was gone, Angel investigated the basket of groceries. Once he found the carrots he decided to snack on one. He was about to take a large bite when something slid under the door. Curious, he hopped over to see what it was. It was a small piece of paper. Since he couldn’t read it, he decided to hold on to it and give it to Fluttershy later after he finished eating his carrot A couple of minutes later, Fluttershy returned with half of the sack of seed left. . Angel squeaked and pointed to the piece of paper in his hand as she came in, putting down the sack of seed. “What is this, Angel?” Fluttershy looked at the piece of paper and read it. “I would like to apologize for not even asking your name by inviting you to lunch to get to know you better. You seem like a very nice pony, and I love to make new friends! You can meet me in front of the palace at noon. -D” “That stallion from yesterday feels bad he didn’t ask who I was! I can’t let him down, Angel!” Fluttershy looked at a sundial outside. “I’ll make you some lunch, and then get going. I’ll have to be there soon!” Angel grumbled as she set a bowl of carrots down in front of him. “I’m sorry Angel, but I won’t be gone long. In fact, I’ll even fluff your tail tonight as an apology.” Fluttershy petted him and he stopped sulking. “Bye, Angel!” Fluttershy walked out the door again, and Angel sighed as he watched her leave. “You look quite dashing, sir” Coco Pommel complimented a pony-form Discord as she walked into a small dressing room with a small box of handkerchiefs. “Ah yes, thank you Coco” A white unicorn mare grabbed the box with her magic and began flinging handkerchiefs into a pile on the floor. “No, that’ll clash…. No… Too bright…. This one’s ripped…. No, no, no… Wait, hold on..” The mare levitated a dark red handkerchief and put it in the pocket of the black suit Discord was wearing. “Ooh yes! It really brings out your eyes!” The mare gushed, levitating a basket of supplies. “I guess that will be all then. Thanks again for the help Coco!” “No problem, Rarity!” Coco Pommel held the door for Rarity and walked out behind her. Starlight Glimmer walked in after them. Discord clapped his hooves and transformed back into his draconequus state, the suit changing with him. “It truly is uncomfortable to stay like that! How do you do it?” He stretched, and laughed. “Not all of us are draconequuni,” Starlight Glimmer frowned. “and if I may ask, why did you want a new suit?” “Oh, I just invited someone…” Discord rolled his wrist, thinking. ”...special over for lunch” “I see.” Starlight Glimmer narrowed her eyes. “I’ll go and tell the cooks to make two meals. Again.” Starlight Glimmer left and Discord returned to his pony form. “Hmm… I’m pretty sure it’s past noon by now…” Fluttershy looked behind her into the palace garden, where there was a sundial. “Missing me?” The gray unicorn from the market walked towards her with a lopsided grin on his face. “Oh! Hello,” Fluttershy said softly, noticing his elegant suit. “I guess I’m a bit underdressed then” “Don’t worry about it. Why don’t you tell me your name?” He gestured to her. “Oh, I’m… I’m… I’m Fluttershy” She replied quietly. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t quite hear that. Do you mind repeating?” He pricked his ears so he could hear it this time. “Okay… I’m… I’m Fluttershy” She said again, a bit louder. “Fluttershy, is it? Well,” The stallion walked over to the gates and clapped his hooves together, making them open “I’m Discord” Fluttershy stood there with her mouth open. This mysterious stallion had been the sultan Discord? She stared, not believing it. “Are you coming in, or are you going to stand there gawking?” Discord walked through the gates. Fluttershy shook her head and followed him in. The path was lined with tons of exotic flowers, and Fluttershy stopped to admire every one. Discord clapped his hooves again at the door and it swung open. Fluttershy gazed up and her pupils grew small when she realized how high the ceilings were. “Wow, this palace is pretty amazing…” Fluttershy trailed off as she looked around. “Yeah, it’s pretty nice. Come on, the dining room’s this way.” Discord walked down a hallway and Fluttershy blindly followed, having no idea where anything was. “Here we are,” Discord gestured to a door and a servant opened the door for them. “After you, Fluttershy.” “T-Thank you, Discord,” Fluttershy nervously stuttered as she walked into the lavish dining room. “It’s my pleasure,” Discord followed behind her and sat down at the table. Fluttershy sat down and looked at the place setting, still in a bit of shock. One of the servants came over to her, a lavender-colored mare. “For lunch, we’re just going to have some daisy sandwiches. Discord thought that you might be more comfortable if we ate something simple” “That sounds good, thank you.” She smiled at the mare and she walked off into what she assumed was the kitchen. “Now Fluttershy, I have something to tell you. I’m not what I seem. But don’t be frightened. Whatever happens, remember, I won’t hurt you.” Discord clapped his hooves together, and he grew into the foreboding form of a draconequus. “You’re- You’re a draconequus?” Fluttershy’s pupils shrank yet again. “Precisely!” Discord playfully put his paws in the air. “Now that you know, let’s eat, shall we?” The server ponies came out of the kitchen just then with platters of daisy sandwiches. “This palace…. You’re…” Fluttershy babbled under her breath and suddenly collapsed onto the table.