Set shortly after the episode "Three's a Crowd", Discord discovers an unforseen, and frankly upsetting, side effect of his illness. Thankfully, he has Fluttershy there to keep things in perspective.
After contracting whatever disgusting virus the Tatzlwurm was carrying, Discord discovers that a runny nose and hacking cough are the least of his worries. In his weakened state, his powers have stopped working! Thankfully, he's in good hooves with Fluttershy there to help put things in perspective.
“Have a safe walk home! Thanks for coming by,” Fluttershy said as her friends filed out her front door.
Bringing up the rear of the exiting party, Twilight Sparkle paused. “You’re sure you’ll be ok on your own?” she asked, “I mean…he was a handful when he was fake-sick, I can’t imagine he’ll be any better now that he’s real-sick.”
Fluttershy shook her head, then brushed at the strands of her pink mane that had fallen into her face. “We’ll be fine. And I’ll send word if I need anything.”
The newly-crowned alicorn frowned, craning her neck to gaze worriedly at the draconequus in the quarantine bubble in the center of the living room. She watched as the once terrifying creature raised a hanky to his snout and honked pitifully into it. “Ok,” she said at last, “Keep us posted on how he’s doing, alright?”
“Of course!” Fluttershy said brightly, “Bye now!” She shut the door gently behind her friend.
“It’s about time! I thought they’d never leave us in peace…”
Fluttershy turned back to her patient, trotting over to sit next to him. “Now, now, they only wanted to make sure you were all settled here, that’s all.”
“Psssh!” Discord stuck his tongue out. “They only wanted to see to it that I was out of their manes.”
“Well, you did give them a lot of trouble this weekend,” she chided.
He sniffled, then blew into his handkerchief again. “I was bored…”
She smiled and shook her head. “Speaking of which, can I get you anything? Twilight left us a big pile of books.”
Discord made another face. “Of course she did. I suppose I need some way to pass the time.” He raised his eagle claw and snapped his fingers.
Nothing happened.
He looked down at his claw, frowning. He snapped again.
Nothing.
Again and again, snap, snap, snap, and all that happened was the sound reverberated off of the cottage walls.
“Um…” Fluttershy began.
“Your precious princess must’ve enchanted this cursed bubble,” he declared, pawing at the elasticized walls of his illness-mandated prison, “I can’t summon anything to me!” He erupted in a fit of coughing.
The little yellow pegasus watched him concernedly. “Oh dear, she didn’t mention that to me…”
“*hack* No! *weeze* Why would she? That would spoil that *hackhack* surprise!” He paused to catch his breath, wiping his mouth on the back of his arm. “She thinks she’s so smart…just because summoning won’t work doesn’t mean I can’t–” He snapped again.
Still the room remained unchanged.
“Oh goodness,” Fluttershy said, “Her magic must be much more powerful now that she’s a princess.”
“No…no, plain alicorn magic can’t cancel me out,” Discord said, running his claws along the bubble walls. “Fluttershy, dear,” he said suddenly, whipping around so his face was as close to her as he could get it, “Could you please, be a lovely, and let me out of here?”
She bit her bottom lip. “I’m not sure I should,” she told him, “I still haven’t done enough research of what it is the Tatzlwurm gave you. It could be really dangerous to ponies.”
He clasped his mismatched hands together. “Oh please, oh please – and you know I don’t beg lightly – I promise it’ll only be for a moment. I just need to test something and then I’ll go right back in!” He drew a talon over his chest and batted his eyelashes at her. “Cross my heart?”
“Hmmm…” She cocked her head, considering.
He willed his eyes to brim with liquid.
She sighed, “Ok, but just for a minute.” She raised a hoof and tugged at the magical zipper that appeared on the side of the bubble. She’d barely begun to pull on it when he sprang forth into the open air. Tumbling head over scaly tail he didn’t even wait to right himself before he began snapping wildly, in every direction.
Fluttershy glanced around the room, peeked out the window. Reality appeared unaltered. “Uh-oh…” she said quietly. She turned back towards the draconequus, worry etched on her face.
To say that he matched her expression was a gross understatement. Discord was frozen in place, eyes wide, one large bushy brow and his upper lip twitching. His normally unevenly-sized pupils were drastically more so and despite his allover green hue from the sickness, the color had drained from his face.
In a rush of wind, he swooped back into the bubble, zipping himself back up from inside. Once secure, he began babbling to himself, “This can’t be happening – omniscient, omnipotent – impossible – what fresh hell – who would – how could –?”
“Um…Discord…?” Fluttershy said, approaching him once again, “Are you alri–”
The chimera let out a howl like nothing she had ever heard, her cottage shaking with the sound. Outside, the birds in the surrounding trees took to the sky. The Pegasus scrambled to catch the various breakables that tumbled to the floor, knocked from their respective spots by the ruckus. “Oh dear, oh my…Discord? Discord…STOP!” The shout was more forceful than she’d intended, having raised her voice in an attempt to be heard over the din, but it got the desired effect.
The draconequus quieted, for a moment, out of sheer surprise. He turned towards his caregiver, “I…I’ve lost my…my…”
“I’m sure it’s only temporary,” she said quickly, “It must be a side effect of the sickness. I’m sure your powers will come back once you’re better.”
His left eye seemed to have developed a tic. “B-but, you don’t understand!” he stammered, gesturing wildly, “My powers…that’s me! My essence! My very being! Without them…what am I? I’m the Spirit of Chaos, for Equestria’s sake! If I can’t make chaos, what am I?!” He clutched at his muzzle, dragging his fingers through his fur. “I’m the Spirit of the Ghastly Green Pallor, that’s what!! And what universe needs one of those???”
“There’s no need to be so over-dramatic,” she said, trying to suppress a smile.
He whipped around so they were nose-to-nose. “I know that’s generally my style, but my identity crisis is the least of our worries!” he said.
Fluttershy held his gaze. “What do you mean?”
He began chewing on his claws. “Surely you of all ponies, as my first friend in eons, should know that I’m much better at making enemies,” he said, “And some of them are in the habit of living a very, very long time.”
“I don’t know anyone besides you and the princesses who live so long,” she said, “And besides, if someone was still around who had a grudge against you, wouldn’t they have already come to find you? You’ve been out of your statue for almost a year now.”
“They wouldn’t’ve dared,” he told her, grasping his tail and twisting the tuft of fur at the end, “Why do you think they’d hate me in the first place? Back when I ruled Equestria, as fun as it might have been for me, well…not everybody appreciates my sense of humor, but what could they do? Nothing! Reality bent to my will! But now…” He shuddered. “If word somehow got out that I’m…” he swallowed thickly, as if the words had caught in his throat, “…helpless…well, that would be the opportune moment to strike, wouldn’t it??”
Fluttershy’s expression softened, and she put hoof against the bubble wall. She’d gotten to see the chimera express emotions that few others ever had – contrition, affection, even loneliness – but this was the first time she’d ever seen fear. While on one level it was unnerving to see a being normally so powerful and confident lose that, her overriding instinct was to put him first. “I’m sure there’s no need to worry,” she told him, “You and I are the only ones who even know. How would anyone else find out?”
He scowled. “I’m sure Applejerk and Rainbow Snot would be so beside themselves with joy – they’d laugh themselves from here to Canterlot with the ‘good news’.”
“That’s not true,” she said sternly, “And besides, I wouldn’t tell them.”
Discord gave her a hesitant, cautious half-smile. “No?”
“Of course not,” she said, “If it’s that important to you. And it’s not really any of their business, is it?”
He chuckled quietly. “You’re too good to me, dear. I can’t imagine what I’ve done to deserve it.”
She smiled. “That’s just what friends do,” she said, “Now, do you think we’re safe as long as we keep this a secret?”
He stroked his beard. “Hmm…yes, I think so. Of all the enemies I can remember, none of them were ever psychic,” he said. “Well, that’s that then,” she said, nodding sagely, “We were scared for nothing.”
“Scared??” he repeated, “Who said anything about scared?” He tried to straighten up to his full height, hit his head on the top of the bubble, and slunk back down.
Fluttershy smirked. “Oh, I just thought, what with all the fuss you were making…” Now that he seemed much less upset, a little bit of teasing was fair game.
Beneath a sickly green tinge, his muzzle flushed red. “Alright, maybe I was a little upset,” he admitted, crossing his mismatched arms, “But wouldn’t you be if you were suddenly missing a crucial piece of yourself?”
“I would,” she nodded, “Actually, I remember I had a similar reaction when you took my wings away, back when we first met.” He winced, “Yes, well, ‘evil’ and all that…”
“And while I like my wings, I wouldn’t call them a ‘crucial part of myself’,” she admitted, “I could live without them, and they don’t make me who I am. I think you’re right – you wouldn’t be you without your powers.” She put her hoof down decisively, “So I think we’d better focus on getting you healthy again.”
“You’re right of course,” he said. He sniffled and then blew his nose. In all the panic, he’d momentarily forgotten the more mundane symptoms of the illness. “My dear, what would I do without you?”
She flew up so she could reach the spot on the bubble where Twilight had put a hoof-shaped glove, so she could reach in and pat him on the back. He turned and clasped her hoof in his paw. He let the moment linger, just slightly, before cracking a smile. “You know, I never did get that glass of water…”
Fluttershy giggled. “Coming right up!”
As she flew off to the kitchen, Discord settled in, curling himself up with the blanket and pillows she’d provided. For as troublesome as his condition was, he found it all too easy to drift off to sleep knowing the little pegasus was nearby.
When Discord awoke, the cottage was bathed in the orange glow of sunset. ‘How long was I out…?’ he wondered, rubbing at his eyes. He was disturbed to find crusty mucus in the corners. He grimaced but it dissolved into a great yawn and he stretched across the floor, catlike, as far as the quarantine bubble would let him. He smacked his lips and took note of how dry his mouth was. He glanced around him and spotted the glass of water Fluttershy had left for him. Not caring that it was room temperature, he downed it.
The sound of dishes clinking in the kitchen caught his ear along with a soft humming. He smiled, and curled back up on his blankets and pillows, resting his chin on folded arms. She was no doubt preparing meals for her other charges. Angel was nowhere to be seen, so the little devil-rabbit was surely ‘supervising’ the construction of his salad.
The chimera yawned again. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so tired. Generally he only slept out of boredom, it wasn’t usually a necessity, but now he felt his eyelids grow heavy again.
The nap he’d intended on resuming, however, was interrupted by a fresh bout of wet, ragged coughing. For a moment, as he was seized in convulsions, his chest tightening, he worried he wouldn’t be able to stop. A wave of relief washed over him as it passed and he took in a deep, shaky breath. When he let the air back out, it had turned into a pitiful moan. He slumped back down on the floor.
Fluttershy’s head popped out from the kitchen doorway, “Oh, you’re awake! I’m so sorry. Can I get you anything?”
“…How about a shotgun…?” he grumbled into his pillow.
“What was that?”
“Just some more water, please,” he said, lifting his head up slightly, “When you can.”
“I’ll be right out,” she said, then disappeared. From the kitchen he heard her speaking in stern, hushed tones, only to be answered by a high-pitched squeak-chirping. This back and forth continued for a moment, escalated in volume, then ceased altogether. As she trotted out into the living room, a canteen around her neck, she called back, “You don’t have to be so difficult you know! And you don’t have to hide in there. You won’t get sick.”
A small white head topped with long ears peeked out, glaring daggers at the draconequus. Discord smirked back, waving. “What’s the matter, Angel? Scared of germs?”
The rabbit chattered something that made Fluttershy gasp and then ducked back into the kitchen. She sighed. “Sorry about that,” she said, unzipping the bubble just enough to slip the canteen through.
“No need,” he said, taking a big gulp as soon as he could twist the cap off, “A bunny with the mouth of a sailor is just the sort of absurdity I can get behind.”
She shook her head. “I hate to encourage him like that, but if it means you two might get along better, then I guess I’ll take it.” The pegasus began a slow lap around the bubble. “How are you feeling?”
“Dreadful,” he said, setting the canteen down, “Absolutely awful. My snout is a faucet, my throat feels like it’s been raked with a garden tiller, my head’s throbbing, heck, my whole body’s aching, and I had crusties in my eyes!” He made a point to embellish the last bit, making sure to point them out for her before collapsing in yet another heap on the floor. “I don’t know how you ponies stand it! Being impervious is such a preferable state.”
“Poor baby,” she said, half-teasing. “You know what? I think this is a good opportunity to learn a little bit about empathy.”
He snorted. “I’m well aware of what empathy is. ‘Walk a mile in another’s horseshoes’, ‘learn to be a better pony’, yadda yadda…”
“Come on now, you know that’s not what I meant,” she said, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that it’s not every day you get to feel, in a way, like every other pony.” He raised a hand, but she continued, “And I don’t just mean being sick. You not having your powers–” He cringed, but she plowed on, “makes you a lot more like, well, more like me right now. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “You don’t think being more like me is a bad thing, do you?”
“Honestly?” Discord asked, reaching for his handkerchief, “Yes. Now before you get upset,” he said, wiping his snout, “Let me explain. You said earlier that my…current handicap…” (he still couldn’t say the words) “…was like you losing your wings. I don’t think that’s a fair analogy. A better one would be if you lose you innate ability to communicate with animals. That’s something that’s an essential part of who you are – it’s how you got your cutie mark, after all. If I were the sort to have a cutie mark, well…I actually have no idea how you’d depict ‘utter chaos and reality bending’ on a flank, but you get the idea.” He paused, and was grateful to see her remain still, waiting for him to finish. “Without your wings, you’re still able to do what you love, what you were meant to do. Me? I’m just a freak of nature with a twisted sense of humor and only one real friend.” He waggled his lion paw at her. “Alright, I’ve said my piece. No more soul-baring for you today.”
“Discord…” Fluttershy said softly, placing her hoof on the bubble wall, “I’m sorry. It was wrong of me to trivialize what you’ve lost.”
He closed his eyes, shutting in the wetness that threatened to make an appearance. ‘You’ve gone far too soft, old boy…’ He raised his head, smiling at her. “Water under the bridge, my dear. Now…if it’s not too much to ask…I, er, I’m not sure how much of it I’ll hold down, but I am a bit hungry.”
She nodded, “Sure. I can heat up vegetable broth and bring you some crackers. How’s that sound?”
“Completely boring,” he said, still smiling, “Thank you.”
She smiled back and started towards the kitchen. Halfway there she stopped and turned back. “Discord? What did you mean ‘only one real friend’? What about all of that yesterday with Twilight?”
“Ah, ah, ah!” he held up both hands, “I told you – no more soul-baring for you! I’ve had quite enough mushy stuff for today, thank you.”
“Alright,” she giggled, “Maybe tomorrow.”
She left the room and the draconequus dragged a paw across his face. ‘Stupid, stupid, stupid…I swear when I’m better I’m turning the Tatzlwurm into a ball of twine.’
* * *
Evening passed uneventfully. As darkness fell, Fluttershy lit a fire in the fireplace. She settled down on the carpet, one of Twilight’s books open in front of her. Before she began, she turned toward her houseguest. “Would you like a book too?”
“Hmm?” Discord, opened one eye, “Oh, no, thank you.” His second eye opened as a thought struck him. “What are you reading?”
“A history of constellation creatures,” she said, “We had a run in with an Ursa Minor a few years back and I didn’t have much luck trying to reason with it. I know it’s rare that they come down from the sky, but I saw this in the pile and thought that now’s as good a time as any to learn a bit more about them.”
“Read it out loud, won’t you?” he asked.
“You…you want me to read to you?” she asked, smiling.
He pouted, “I didn’t say it like that… It’s just my eyes are tired. And I might have had a hand in bringing those constellations to life in the first place. It’d be hilarious to hear how the historians got it all wrong.”
She scanned the Index. “Hmm…looks like they forgot to mention you…”
“Of course they did. No one ever wants to give credit where it’s due. Go on; let’s hear what the revisionists have to say.” He rearranged himself so his head was closer to her.
She cleared her throat and began. Sure enough, the creatures made of patterned stars had apparently formed through sheer chance, or out of the ‘dreams of ponies’ some speculated. Discord chuckled, letting his eyes close again. While the outlandishly false tome was certainly good for a laugh, he found himself paying more attention to the sound of Fluttershy’s voice than the words she was reading. She was sure in her wording, and knew just when to emote and how. It was soothing, listening to her, letting the words wash over him.
He was suddenly struck with just about the most sentimental thought to ever cross his mind, ‘She’ll make a wonderful mother someday…’ He raised his head, startled at himself. It made sense, of course, being nurturing was her essence, but since when did he concern himself with those types of things? The paths of ponies’ painfully short lives had never given him pause before. He glanced down at his hands. With his powers gone, the constant swirl of endless possibilities that usually filled his mind had quieted, barely a hum in the back of his brain. He supposed something had to fill the space. He just hoped it wasn’t going to be all so saccharine.
With Fluttershy it was one thing. She was so sweet, even when she teased him he felt the sincere affection behind it. But the others? He set his head back down, praying that they’d steer clear. It would be bad enough if they found out about his predicament, but if he let slip something (ugh) kind or genuine to them…he knew he’d never live it down. He let out a low growl, ruing his lot in life. How had he been brought so low? He didn’t mind being ‘good’ (most of the time), not really. Generally he could still do as he pleased, so long as no one got hurt. But he mourned bitterly the loss of his dignity, especially at the present moment. For a being who had once inspired such fear, that was what was taking the longest to get used to.
He rolled over onto his back, now watching the little pegasus silhouetted against the fire upside down. The all-too serene tableau was given a much-needed does of ridiculousness and he smiled. She glanced up. “Not bored, are you?”
He chuckled. “Only eighty-five percent,” he said, “But I suppose that comes part and parcel with the quarantine. Speaking of which…didn’t you say you were going to research this disgusting illness of mine? If this thing isn’t any more or less dangerous to ponies than any other virus, I’d appreciate being set free of this thing.” He gave the bubble wall a sharp jab with a talon and it jiggled, making the outside world appear as if underwater.
“I did say that,” she said, “And I’ll go over to the library in the morning. I’m surprised Twilight didn’t leave me any books about Tatzlwurms, but I guess she was just in a hurry.” She put a hoof to her chin, thinking. “Maybe I should have Spike send a letter to Princess Celestia too. She might have seen this sort of thing before.”
The chimera spun around so he was right-side up again. “Oh, no, there’s no need for that, really. Besides, she’s got so much on her plate as it is, after all. She shouldn’t waste her time on–”
“Discord,” Fluttershy said, giving him a knowing smirk, “You wouldn’t be, oh, just a tiny bit embarrassed if the Princess knew you were sick, would you?”
He spluttered indignantly, and then, staring at her cheeky smile, couldn’t help himself from snickering. It was such a ballsy question; he was actually impressed she dared ask it. “Look here, you incorrigible marshmallow,” he said, waving a talon at her, “I told you no more getting personal tonight!”
She laughed, “Can’t blame a girl for trying.” She rose to her feet and stretched, yawning. “Ok, I think I’m going to turn in. Will you be alright down here, or would you want to roll up to my room?”
“No, I’ll stay here,” he said, “At least one of us should get a good night’s sleep.”
“That’s very considerate of you,” she said.
“Hardly,” he grinned, “I need you well-rested in order to better take care of me.”
“Sure you do.” She trotted over to the bubbled and gestured for him to hand his canteen back. “You just keep pretending you're selfish if it makes you feel better.”
“I am selfish!” he said petulantly, shoving the container through the magically zippered opening.
“Of course you are,” she said, her tone maternal, taking the canteen off to refill it.
He slid down against the bubble wall, arms folded. What a preposterous conversation! Where had this passive-aggressive sass come from? It was insulting! It was aggravating! It was…just the sort of thing he’d do. He watched her retreating form. It never occurred to him that, while her sweetness was rubbing off on him (loathe as he was to admit it), his sarcasm might be rubbing off on her. ‘Is that something that happens when you’re friends?’ he wondered. He couldn’t ask her, of course, but he made a mental note to observe the little ponies more carefully in the future. This new path he was on was an untrodden one and he still had a lot to learn.
As morning sun lit up the cottage, Fluttershy went about her routine quietly. She fed Angel, refilled the bird feeders in the yard, and tended to the chickens. As she worked, spreading seeds and scraps from Angel’ s dinner around the run, a blue bird landed on her back, twittering excitedly.
“Hmm? What’s that?” Fluttershy asked.
The little bird whistled and tweeted.
“Oh wonderful! Thank you! That’s a relief.” She emptied her basket as the chickens gathered around and then trotted back into the cottage. She set the basket down on the counter, then picked up her saddlebag. As she opened the front door, a voice made her pause mid-step.
“Where are you going?” Discord was rubbing sleep from his eyes.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” she said, turning back towards him, “I told you I was going to go try and find some books on the Tatzlwurm this morning, remember?”
“So early?” he asked, yawning.
“Don’t worry,” she told him, “I’ve got breakfast for you covered! Since you handled your dinner so well, I asked Pinkie Pie to come by with some fresh pastries from Sugarcube Corner. She should be here shortly.”
Discord’s eyes widened, the sleepiness gone from his face. “You…what?”
“Mmhmm!” she nodded, resuming her exit, “Have fun, but be sure to keep taking it easy. I’ll be back before lunchtime.” Then she left, the door shutting tightly behind her.
The draconequus blinked at the closed door, dumbfounded. ‘She said…but why would…what in Equestria could she be thinking??’ On a normal day, Pinkie Pie was the pony who’s presence he minded the least (second of course to Fluttershy), as she had a distinct appreciation for his sense of humor, but currently… He weezed and then coughed raggedly. Currently he didn’t have the energy that dealing with the peculiar pink pony required.
He reached for his handkerchief, mentally steeling himself, when the front door slammed open and in she bounced. “Gooooood morning, Dizzy!”
‘Dizzy?!’ “Ah, yes, good morning, Pinkie. Fluttershy mentioned you might pop in,” he said, forcing his grimace into a smile.
“Yep!” Pinkie bounded over, a bakery box balance precariously atop her curly mane, “She sent a bird to my window this morning saying she had to go to the library and check out a book about that giant purple worm that sneezed all over you, to find out how contagious you are, but she didn’t want you to be here by yourself so she asked if I could come over and keep you company for a while, and I said ‘No problem! We didn’t get to hang out when you were fake-sick so I really wanted a chance to hang out now that you’re real-sick!’ And then I thought, when you visit a sick friend you should always bring something and then I smelled the Cakes baking downstairs and so I rushed down and packed up a bunch of ‘em, fresh outta the oven, and told the Cakes, ‘Bye, I’m off to Fluttershy’s!’ and they said –”
“Pinkie!” he cried. She paused. “Remember what Twilight said about remembering to inhale?”
She blinked, wracking her brain, then smiled and sucked in a big breath. “Wow! Thanks, I felt like I was forgetting something!” She laughed, and took another deep inhalation. “So as I was saying…”
“I, er, I think I get the gist of that story,” he said, hoping to stop her before she started up again. “Now, you said you brought me something…?”
“Yeppers!” she said, undoing the magical zipper on his bubble and head-butting the box inside, “Help yourself! They’re all awesome!” He caught the cardboard container deftly in both hands. Even with his nasal passages clogged he could make out the aroma, and he had to admit it was tantalizing. He opened the box and surveyed the goodies. Croissants, Danishes, donuts and muffins stared back up at him. “You realize that now you’ve given me these, I can’t share, lest I pass this wretched illness on to you,” he said, one eyebrow raised.
Pinkie laughed. “Aw, I know that! I already ate. Those are all for you.”
“Huh,” he said, bemused. “Well alright then. Listen, while you’re being so doting, can you refill this for me?” He pushed his canteen through the zippered opening.
She caught it, slipping her head swiftly through the strap as if it had fallen in slow-motion. “You got it!”
As she hopped away (it occurred to him that he rarely saw the earth pony move in any way that wasn’t bouncy), he returned his attention to his treats. He plucked out a raspberry Danish with his eagle claw and a chocolate chip muffin with his lion paw. Out of habit he tried to conjure an extra set of arms so as to grab more delectables. When his limb count went unchanged, he frowned. “Oh…right…” he grumbled.
“Who’s right? Mine or yours?” Pinkie asked, reappearing at his side so suddenly he actually gave a start.
“Nothing, never mind,” he said quickly, then moved to steer her thoughts in another direction. “For a creature with hooves, you move remarkably like a cat,” he said, stuffing the Danish in his mouth unceremoniously.
“Hmm? Well, my mom always said I was bubble-headed, so maybe I’m just lighter on my hooves than other ponies!” She laughed, then sat back on her haunches, watching him.
“Heh,” he smirked, “Yes, I suppose so.” He moved the muffin towards his open mouth, and then paused. She was still staring, and he felt a pang of uneasiness that he couldn’t quite define. “Do you mind?” he asked, “Surely you have other things to do today. I appreciate the breakfast, but I don’t need constant monitoring.”
“Aw, I know that.” She waved a hoof at him. “But when I’m sick, I like company. It gets super boring cooped up in my room all by myself. And we both know that you and boredom go together about as well as spinach and chocolate.” She raised a knowing eyebrow at him and he was uncomfortable all over again.
He turned his attention back to his food. Under normal circumstances that was true – it was what had gotten him into the mess in the first place – but in his current condition, he could go completely stir-crazy and still be no threat. At least no more than a mortal colt throwing a tantrum. The thought sent a shiver up his long, Slinky-like spine. He glanced up and she was still staring. He sighed. “Very well, Pinkie,” he said, “What sort of entertainment did you have in mind?” He only had to wait for Fluttershy to return. Surely this was a ‘taking shifts’ sort of arrangement. Then he could go back to his previous peace and misery.
“Glad you asked!” the earth pony said, hopping up. “I was thinking a change of scenery would be good for ya!”
Before he could ask for clarification, she was up on her hind legs, pushing at his bubble with her front legs. His cage began to roll forward. “Hold on, what are you–” He was cut off as he was suddenly flung onto his stomach, like a runner losing their footing on a treadmill, as Pinkie rolled the bubble in front of her at a fast clip, steering it towards the front door. Discord, having nothing to grab hold of, was forced to roll right along with it, head over tail, over and over until Pinkie brought them to an abrupt stop and gravity caught up with him. Having been glued to the top of the bubble by centrifugal force, he then dropped straight down to the floor with a THUD, the remaining pastries raining down around him. It was all he could do to remain still and hope the world stopped spinning soon.
“Much better!” Pinkie declared, “Don’t you think?”
He mumbled incoherently.
“I knew you’d like it,” she said, beaming.
After a moment the dizziness and nausea past and he was able to get his bearings. Still lying on his back, he could see a canopy of tree branches above him, birds flitting from branch to branch, apparently undisturbed by his arrival. He sat up, clutching his head, and glanced around. Pinkie had rolled him out to the backyard, where the menagerie was still enjoying their breakfasts. Reminded of breakfast, he turned his attention to the sorry remains of his. “I believe our little move was premature,” he sighed.
“Hmm?” Pinkie turned, and then gasped. “Omigosh! What have I done?! I’m so sorry, I’ll go get more, I’ll be right back – don’t you go anywhere!”
He couldn’t even begin to retort pithily before she’d zipped away, leaving a pink puff of dust in her place. “Huh…” ‘Wasn’t even trying to get rid of her…’ He chuckled, gathering up the crumbled baked goods and shoving them out of the zippered hole in his bubble, where they were instantly swarmed by the flock of chickens.
The chimera slumped back against the bubble wall, paw and talon folded over his stomach. Poultry eating pastries was amusing enough, but the rest of the scenery left a lot to be desired. The yard was entirely peaceful and orderly and boring. But the general animal din made for some excellent white noise and he found himself drifting off again.
“I’m BACK!” Pinkie’s announcement jolted him out of his half-sleep and he clutched at his chest, feeling his heart beating furiously beneath the fur. He whipped around to glare at her. She merely beamed back. “Sorry it took so long – there was a line at the bakery.”
He grimaced, but couldn’t hold the expression for long. She was pushing a fresh batch of baked goods in at him and he had to twist around to keep them from winding up like their former comrades. For an earth pony, she had unusual abilities, and as he ate, he mused over how she could have acquired them. He hadn’t noticed anything so unusual about her during their first encounter, but then again, he hadn’t been paying attention to more than their particular Element that he had to unseat. And once he’d accomplished that, he’d figured he was done with them. And once he’d been freed for the purposes of reformation, Fluttershy had been his main focus. Aside from the other day with Twilight and Cadance, he hadn’t spent any one-on-one time with the other ponies.
Discord watched Pinkie chase the chickens around the yard and pondered. There was ‘quirky’ and then there was ‘supernatural’ and he was curious on which side of the spectrum she fell. He licked the crumbs from his claws, puzzling. “Oh Pinkie?” he said. “Hmm?” her curly pink head popped out of the cupola of the chicken coop (an opening that should have been much too small for her to fit), “What’s up?”
He raised an eyebrow. “A word, if you please.”
She squeezed out onto the roof of the coop, balancing on the peak like a tightrope walker. “Why just one? There’s so many awesome words! Today, I think my favorite is ‘humdinger’. What’s yours?”
He smirked. “Just…come down here a moment, won’t you?”
“Oh, OK!” she chirped, hopping from the roof to the nearest fencepost, then to the ground. “What can I do ya for?” she asked, trotting over to him.
“I was just observing that you’re a great deal more…agile than I’ve found other earth ponies to be,” he said. He paused to blow his nose. “Would you agree?”
“Hmm…whaddya mean?” She cocked her head to one side.
He gave a great snort, scowling. These blasted flu symptoms made carrying on a conversation difficult. Especially as he worried he wouldn’t be able to hold the hyper-active pony’s attention long enough to get the information he wanted. “I only mean that…well, like just a moment ago – you seem to be able to fit places other ponies might not. And you’re practically faster than a Pegasus.”
“Don’t forget the Pinkie Sense!” she added proudly.
“The, uh…the what?”
“Oh, it’s just this thing where I can tell when stuff gonna happen before it does – like falling things and stuff.”
Intrigued, he leaned in towards her. “You don’t say?”
“I do!”
“And you’re sure you’re a pony, and not some other, more mythical creature?”
She paused, taking a moment to look herself over: mane, tail, cutie mark, hooves. “Pretty sure.”
“Huh.” He sat back. “OK then. “
She grinned at him. “I’m pretty special though. Not that I like to brag or anything.”
The draconequus chuckled. “Of course not. Tell me, how long would you say you’ve been special?”
Pinkie sat down next to the bubble. “Oh, I think I’ve always been this way, but I didn’t realize it until I got my cutie mark. And,” she leaned in conspiratorially, as if the chickens or other birds might overhear, “to tell you the truth, I think I’ve been getting more special as I get older! I can do more cool things now than when I was a filly!”
“Really?”
“Yep! It’s pretty awesome!”
“It certainly would appear that way.” The more he knew, the more confused he was , but also more entertained. This little pink ball of energy might just call it ‘being herself’, but he’d bet anything there was something more interesting behind it. She might just be worth keeping a closer eye on.
“Of course, it’s not like I can make it rain chocolate or anything,” she licked her lips, “Now that’s awesome! And would totally hit the spot right now…” she eyed him.
He coughed roughly, then swallowed. “Oh, er…sorry, I’m sticking with water these days,” he said, fearing he sounded as lame as he felt.
“Aw, darn,” she pouted.
At that moment, they heard Fluttershy’s voice calling them from inside the house.
Fluttershy decided that the backyard was a good a place as any to read The Tome of the Tatzlwurm so that was where they stayed even after Pinkie had departed. Without the hyperactive earth pony’s antics to keep him awake, Discord spent most of the afternoon drifting in and out of sleep, occasionally awakening to Fluttershy reading out a relevant passage from her book (“They’re actually generally very friendly, but they hate surprises…like unexpected visitors,” she’d read, looking at him pointedly.) The chimera was content to merely mutter ‘yes ma’am’s at her and drift off again, until he heard the sound of the bubble’s zipper being undone. His ears pricked up.
“Does this mean what I think it means…?” he asked, half-sleepy, half-cautious not to get his hopes up.
“Mmhmm,” she said, “There wasn’t anything in the whole book about Tatzlwurms carrying viruses any different than the type anypony could get – just that their particular strains are more contagious to magic-users. So I think you’ll be just fine if I let you out. We’ll just have to warn Twilight and Rarity to keep their distance.”
The bubble collapsed around him and he stretched as if he’d been encased in stone again. “So good news all around then!” he exclaimed.
She rolled her eyes.
“Oh, come now,” he reached out and ruffled her mane, “After the past weekend, it’s not like Her Highness would want to see me anyhow.”
She smiled wanly, “You know, it’s a new day…maybe you want to tell me what exactly you were thinking with that stunt anyway?”
He stiffened. “Not really, no.”
“Aw, come on,” she started slowly towards the woods that lined her backyard. “Let’s go for a walk. If you want to talk, no one else would hear.”
Discord frowned. He flapped his mismatched wings a few times, but found they wouldn’t lift him. Without his magic they were purely decorative. He grumbled, but followed after her on foot. After the warmth of the open yard, the shade of the forest canopy was a drastic enough change to shake the last vestiges of sleep from his brain. He glanced around him as they walked, observing how many of the birds and other critters seemed to be following them, from a distance, in the tree branches. “Certainly a lot of eavesdroppers around,” he said, scowling.
Fluttershy looked back, brows furrowed into what he recognized as ‘The Stare’, and the woodland interlopers scattered. After they had gone, she smiled at him. “Sorry about them. They’re a curious bunch.”
“Yes, well, I suppose I am a curiosity,” he mused. As if being made of a dozen different creatures weren’t enough, his fur and scales were still green and spotted. He plucked at the tufted fur on his chest. It was slightly matted, and he couldn’t recall a time it had ever been so before. Could it be that his magic had kept him clean all these eons? (Sure he’d been in the bath when Twilight had summoned him back when the Plunder Seeds were sprouting, but that was just to make her uncomfortable.) He sighed. Green and grungy. The levels of pathetic just kept piling on.
Fluttershy had paused, waiting for him to catch up so they could walk side by side. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s not like they haven’t seen you before, or even that you’re strange looking – which I don’t think you are – it just that usually when they see you, you’re turning the trees into candy canes, or you know, something like that.”
The corner of his mouth twitched upwards. “Yes, I suppose not having their homes disturbed is the anomaly. Even the rodents can tell I’m not myself. On that subject…did you book happen to mention how long this is going to last?”
“No longer than any other flu,” she answered, “So, as long as you take it easy – and do what I ask – you should be back to your old self in a week or two!”
He didn’t like the look she gave him when she’d said ‘do what I ask’…what exactly was he going to be instructed to do? And how could he refuse anyway? He desperately wanted to get things back to normal; he’d try just about anything. Maybe the book had given her a recipe for some kind of disgusting tonic he’d have to ingest. He resolved to put up with whatever she had in mind. “That’s excellent news, my dear, though you don’t have to glare at me like I’m some disobedient school colt. Whatever it takes to knock this thing out, I’ll do it.”
She smiled, “Sorry about that. Angel gives me the hardest time whenever he’s sick. He hates his medicine, even when I hide it in food he likes.”
Discord smirked, wishing the damned little fluffball had been within earshot. It was silly to fight with a rabbit over Fluttershy’s favor, but did Discord care? Not in the slightest. “Well you’ll have no such trouble from me. The sooner I’m well, the better.”
“That’s the spirit!” she said.
The two fell into a comfortable silence after that. As silent as a sick draconequus could be, anyway. After the third coughing fit, he stopped walking. “Might we head back now?” he asked, rubbing his throat with his paw, “I’m getting awfully tired.”
“Oh! Of course,” Fluttershy said, “Actually, this path goes in a ‘U’, so we’re almost home. I’m sorry if this was too hard – I just wanted you to keep your strength up.”
He could see the path brightening ahead, signifying the end of the tree line. “That was good thinking,” he told her, “I’m glad I can count on you for that.”
“C’mon,” she said, circling around so she could nudge him from behind, “You can take another nap and I’ll get dinner ready.”
“Actually…” he said as they reemerged onto the lawn, “Would you mind if I washed up while you did that? I…er…” he rubbed the back of his neck with his paw, the sentence trailing off. The escalation of his level of vulnerability over the past twenty-four hours was staggering.
She smiled, “You don’t have to ask about that sort of thing – my home is your home, remember?”
“Well I…” Discord took a deep breath, and then exhaled a “Thank you. I’ll just…I’ll just be upstairs then.” He slinked off before he could make an even greater fool of himself.
* * *
Safely behind the locked bathroom door, Discord rested his back against it and slid to the floor, pouting. He was being ridiculous, there was no need to be awkward around Fluttershy. She was Fluttershy for Equestria’s sake. This being sick and tired and magicless was wearing on him and he knew it. With no pun-based transformations or prop-comedy summoning spells to spice up the conversations he was stripped bare – not a Spirit of Chaos, just Discord, the draconequus. The thought made him shiver.
With a groan (every inch of him still ached), he picked himself up and set to work running himself a bath. Fluttershy’s tub was pony-sized, and would be a bit of a squeeze, but it would have to do. He made sure to run the water extra hot. The steam would be good for his stuffed snout, and the heat good for his muscles. Climbing in he almost regretted it – tail-end first might not have been the best choice – but after a moment he was used to it.
He couldn’t exactly lounge or relax. No matter what some part of him was sticking out of the basin. If he slunk down so the water covered his shoulders, his legs and tail stuck out over the edge. If he pulled them in, he had to sit upright, the water only coming up to his stomach. He sighed. Just another reminder of how little he fit in to the world of his new friend. He fumbled for the soap and began scrubbing.
It wasn’t anyone’s fault, just the way things were, but the thought lingered. One that, like his observation about Fluttershy’s being well-suited to motherhood, came to the forefront of his mind now that there was no chaos magic to occupy him. Being the only one of his kind hadn’t bothered him for eons…not since he’d first been spat forth into the world – from where even he wasn’t quite sure – and had embarked on his original quest for purpose.
The image of a small, white unicorn filly with pale pink hair popped into his head and he dropped the soap. It bounced off of his knee and onto the floor. Grumbling, he retrieved it. ‘Damn it, Tia…’ he thought bitterly, ‘Aren’t I miserable enough as it is without you floating around in my head?’ He forced himself to focus on the task at hand. Once he was clean, he could go back downstairs and sleep, and his idle brain could quit pestering him with things better left forgotten.
Finally finished, he climbed out of the tub, fighting the urge to shake himself dry. Fluttershy wouldn’t appreciate the mess, and he was too tired to be a good guest and clean up after himself, so the less mess that got made, the better for them both. He did use every towel on the rack, though. Being nearly three times bigger than your average pony would necessitate that. And that she wouldn’t mind.
He ran the last towel over his head and then caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror over the sink. He almost baulked, then stepped closer. ‘Who is this wretched creature…?’ he mused, poking at his own face. His eyes were bloodshot, the dark circles that normally framed them even deeper. And the green tinge to his…his everything was worse than he’d imagined. ‘Sweet Tartarus, it’s as if I were a vomit-flavored jellybean.’ The thought of conjuring such a thing and slipping it into the general supply cheered him some. He made a mental note to remember that once he was well again.
Feeling a bit better, and certainly fresher than he had before, he draped the towel over the bathroom door and headed back downstairs.
No sooner had he set foot on the ground floor than he heard a voice that was distinctly not Fluttershy’s coming from the kitchen. Even without being able to make out the words, the twang was familiar enough to make him twitch.
“Well lookie here,” Applejack stepped out of the kitchen, and apron tied around her front, and her hat missing, “Don’t you look fresher than a daisy in April? Betcha smell like one too.” She grinned and waggled her eyebrows at him.
He bristled, the fur along his back standing on end. “And to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, Miss Apple?”
“Getting’ yer sorry hide well again, that’s what,” she answered, strolling into the living room. “While you were tendin’ to yer ablutions, Fluttershy sent word that she needed my help mixin’ up the medicine in that there book she got from Twilight. Between the two of us, we had all the ingredients. Once ah brought ‘em here, she asked me to stay on fer dinner.” He grimaced, and her smirk faded. “Not that ah ain’t still sore at ya fer makin’ me sick and causin’ all that trouble, but it’s not like yer the first friend ah’ve had to make boneheaded decisions. So ah’m gonna try and let it go.”
He snorted, “Please, as if I care at all what you–” He stopped, blinked twice. “Did you say ‘friend’??”
She pursed her lips. “Well…friend of a friend anyhow.” She drew closer, poking him in the stomach with her hoof. “And if’n ya want the upgrade, ah think an apology would be a good start. Ah never did hear one before.”
Discord rolled his eyes, but inside his head was spinning. What was she doing, giving him this out? He’d expected her to stay mad for at least a few months…or until he did something new to incur her wrath, whichever came first. This…extending of an olive branch, especially from a pony known for her stubbornness, was a surprise. Best not to let that show, however. He leaned down towards her. “You’re right, Applejack. I’m sorry you didn’t appreciate my sense of humor the other day.”
She poked him again, harder this time. “That’s a cop out an’ you know it, ya big galoot!”
He gasped, the wind knocked out of him. He let out a wheezing laugh as he straightened back up. “Right you are. But that’s all you’re getting out of me right now.”
The earth pony squinted at him. “Suit yerself. But ah’ll be waiting.” She turned sharply to head back to the kitchen. At that moment, they heard the back door open and close and Fluttershy appeared in the kitchen doorway.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, “Is everything ok in here?”
“Fine,” Applejack said. She stuck her nose in the air.
“And dandy,” Discord added. He mirrored her movement.
Fluttershy frowned. “Applejack, you look just like you did back in the labyrinth…how come you’re fibbing?”
The orange earth pony’s face flushed red. “Ah…well, ah’m just tryin’ to keep the peace, that’s all. Didn’t want’cha getting’ upset.” The pegasus trotted into the room, looking from one to the other. “There’s no need to pretend you get along for my sake,” she said gently, “But I did think that it would be good for you both to spend some more time together.” She turned to the chimera. “Sorry if it was a bit of a surprise.”
“That’s putting it lightly…” he grumbled, then, seeing her expression saddened, he did his best to smile. “Er, that is, nevermind. Surely you girls have things in the kitchen to attend to, hmm?” He put a paw to one ear, “I think something might be boiling over in there.” “Dagnabit!” Applejack hurried into the other room.
Fluttershy looked torn about following her. Discord patted her head. “Go on, I’ll just be resting in here.”
She nodded, “Ok,” and then walked off as well.
The draconequus draped himself over the couch dramatically, though no one could appreciate it but Angel, who had to scramble off of it to avoid getting squashed. The bunny chattered angrily at him from the floor. “Zip it, furball,” Discord sneered, “I’ve had quite enough aggravation for one day.” ‘Though I fear this day’s not over yet…’
True to his hunch, the evening dragged mercilessly slowly. First, the ponies had given him a concoction that might once have been composed of edible ingredients but had been boiled so ruthlessly that it looked, smelled and tasted like hot tar. He’d gagged it down only because Fluttershy had reminded him of his promise to follow her instructions where his illness was concerned. The self-satisfied smirk on Applejack’s face nearly made him throw it right back up.
Then he had to fight for the right to eat his dinner on the couch instead of at the table. He won, but found the victory hollow. Listening to the two girls chat happily across the room was distracting. And making him jealous. He scowled, peering over at them. Angel, seated in a booster seat next to Fluttershy, noticed the draconequus watching and stuck out his tiny pink tongue.
Discord bolted upright, consumed with an (admittedly exaggerated) coughing fit. As it ended, he sucked in a ragged breath and then called out, making sure to lace his voice with pitifulness “Fluttershy…?”
“Oh, dear, poor thing,” the Pegasus hopped down from the table, “Can I get you anything?”
He folded his hands together under his chin. “Some water please. Or maybe, if it’s not too much trouble, some tea?”
“Of course,” she nodded, then headed into the kitchen.
Angel glared. Discord stuck his tongue out. Applejack caught him.
Eyes narrowed, the earth pony got down from the table and crossed the room. He tried to look innocent as she leaned in to scrutinize him. “You promise you ain’t fakin’ this time?” she asked quietly.
“Cross my heart,” he answered, making the motion with his claw. “Do you really think I’d tolerate these incessant indignities otherwise?”
She thought it over a moment, then nodded. “Ah guess that makes sense.”
He decided to throw her a bone. “I’ll admit though, I might’ve made that sound worse than it was,” he said quietly, “Can’t blame a guy for wanting a little extra attention when he’s sick, can you?”
The smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth looked surprisingly genuine. “S’pose not,” she said, “Seems a might childish though, fer someone your age.”
Discord chuckled. “What can I say? I’m eternally young at heart. Also exceedingly immature.”
Applejack let out a surprised laugh. “Well, that there’s some of the straightest shootin’ I ever did hear!”
The chimera smiled widely. “I’m glad you approve.”
“Shoot, things get so sugarcoated around her sometimes, honesty like that’s mighty refreshing,” she told him.
He lay back against the couch cushions. “That’s one thing you can count on me to never do – unless we’re talking literally. Then no promises.”
“Fair enough.” She nodded, sitting down on the floor next to the couch. “So you really ain’t never been sick before?”
“Never,” he shook his head vigorously, then regretted it as it made him dizzy. He put a paw to his forehead. “I don’t know how you ponies can stand it.”
“Oh, some handle it better’n others,” she shrugged, “Mah little sister can whine with the best of ‘em. She’d give you a run for your money for sure.”
“Not you though,” Discord said.
Her expression softened, “I learned early on that complainin’ don’t do ya no good. Granny did her best when we was little, but there was three of us, and Apple Bloom needed her more than me an’ Mac did. So I got good at taking care of mahself.”
“I’ve been there.” The words were out before he could stop them. ‘Damn it!’ He could feel his cheeks burn as he stared at his hands. ‘This was exactly why I didn’t want Fluttershy inviting the others over here! Stupid, stupid, stupid…’
“Ah never thought about it like that before,” Applejack said, and the sadness in her voice forced him to look up at her. Her green eyes were shiny with tears and she looked to be fighting them. “Guess we got something in common, huh?”
He cringed, “Yes, I suppose we do. But, please, let’s not make a big deal out of this, hmm? I can hardly handle the mushy stuff with Fluttershy. I’m…I’m not ready to go there with anyone else just yet.”
She wiped a hoof across her eyes. “You’re right, Ah’m sorry. Didn’t mean to go all soft on ya.”
He forced himself to give her a pat on the shoulder. “There, er, there. No worries. This whole experience has just been…taxing in every sense of the word.”
“Ah can imagine,” she said, her composure regained. “Well…we’ll do our best not to make it any worse than it has to be – and maybe pound a little humility into you in the process.” She poked him in the ribs, the teasing tone back in her voice.
He was relieved to hear it, and put up his hands in mock surrender. “Yes, yes, very well. Consider me humbled, Miss Apple.”
“An’ don’t call me that,” she chided, “Just ‘Applejack’ is fine.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
At that moment, Fluttershy emerged, balancing a tray of three teacups on her head. “Here we go! Everything all right out here?”
Applejack helped her maneuver the tray onto the coffee table. “You bet.”
“Certainly,” Discord added, helping himself to the oversized cup Fluttershy had purchased especially for him a few months back. He caught her eye, and from the depth of her smile, wondered just how much she’d overheard. “Thank you, my dear.” He took a long sip and marveled at how quickly it soothed his throat.
“My pleasure,” the pegasus said. She picked up her own cup and blew on it gently. “Applejack, thank you again for your help today.”
“Anytime, sugar cube,” the earth pony nodded. She took a swig of her tea and set the cup down. “I should get goin’ though – I gotta be up with the sun after all.”
“Oh! Yes, of course!” Fluttershy said, rising and walking her friend to the door, “Have a good night! I’m sure we’ll see you soon.”
Applejack pulled her hat off the rack and set it atop her head. “Sure’s shootin!” she grinned, then craned her neck to look past Fluttershy, “You behave yourself, ya hear?”
Discord smirked. “Clear as crystal.”
“Good. Night y’all!”
Fluttershy shut the door behind her and headed back towards the couch. “That went pretty well, I think.”
The draconequus took another sip of his tea. “Not a complete disaster, anyway. I do wish you’d give me more of a head’s up when we’re having company. Being caught off guard like that…it’s not a feeling I’m particularly fond of.”
“That’s fair,” she conceded, climbing up to sit next to him. “I’m really proud of you, though – for being patient with Pinkie, and not picking fights with Applejack.”
He shrugged, “In my current state I’m not in much of a position to do otherwise.” He caught her disappointed expression and quickly added, “Not that I hated it…exactly. Pinkie’s quite the anomaly, so truthfully she fascinates me. And Applejack has a certain coarseness about her, but she’s not ornery just for the sake of being so.” He leaned back, draping one arm over the back of the couch. “I think, given the right circumstances, she might be frightfully fun to argue with.”
“Huh?”
The bewilderment on the yellow pony’s face made him laugh. “Strange as it may seem, it’s something I enjoy. You might prefer the term ‘debate’ but what I really love is a no-holds-bar, all-out argument with someone who won’t pull their punches.” He paused, realizing he’d been gesticulating with his arms, nearly spilling his tea. “Not with you, dear, of course,” he said, settling back down, “You’re far too sweet, and I prefer it that way. But it might be nice to have different kinds of friendship with the others.”
Fluttershy stared at her cup a moment, and then said, “If that’s something that would make you happy…I guess that would be ok. But only if you really thought Applejack would like that kind of friendship.”
“Hmmm…” he took another sip, “I can’t say for sure. I’ll have to tread lightly to start. But I hope it’s something she’d enjoy. I haven’t gotten to have a good argument in a long time!”
“Did you used to have them a lot?” she asked.
“Oh yes!” he said, smiling at the ceiling, “Tia and I used to have the most glorious spats back when she and I were–” He stopped short, eyes wide, his cup clattering to the floor. ‘What is wrong with me?!’
Fluttershy looked like she’d just been let in on the best secret ever, completely ignoring the mess he’d just made. “You mean you and Princess Celestia used to be–?”
He clapped his paw over her muzzle. “Ah, ah, ah! Don’t you dare! NnnngGAH!” He raked his talons over his head, tugging on one of his ears. “What is with you ponies?? How is it you keep prying these things out of me??”
She reached up and pulled his paw away from her mouth, grinning. “It hasn’t been very hard. Maybe you just feel comfortable enough to start sharing some things?”
He pouted, his face hot. She had a point. Neither she, nor Applejack had pressed him on anything, he’d just shot his mouth off without thinking. And why wasn’t he thinking? “Is that…” he began, casting an embarrassed glance at her, “…is that something that happens when you’re friends…?”
“Mmhmm.” She nodded, then scooted closer to him, wrapping her arms around his torso.
He stiffened. Affectionate physical contact was still so foreign; he was at a loss as to how to respond. Slowly, he let his arm drape around the little Pegasus. She nuzzled his chest. He assumed that meant it had been an ok thing to do.
He rubbed his temple with his talon and let out a heavy sigh. She stayed quiet, which he was grateful for. The slow, easy rise and fall of her back as she breathed was soothing. When he spoke again, his voice was low, all of the usual animation stripped away. “I’ve been alone for a looong time, Fluttershy. None of this is easy for me. But I wanted you to know…that I appreciate what you’ve been trying to do.” He kept his eyes trained on the ceiling. If he looked at her he wouldn’t be able to finish. “I can’t promise you anything, except to say that I’m trying. I really am. I just…don’t know what in the hell I’m doing.”
He felt something warm and soft brush against his cheek and it took him a moment to realize she’d kissed him. Befuddled, he finally turned his gaze back to her. She was smiling up at him. “Trying your best is all I could ever ask of you, Discord. It’s ok. You don’t need to worry so much.”
He returned the smile half-heartedly. “If you say so.”
“I do say so,” she said, with a decisive little nod. She hopped down from the couch. “Now, we should head upstairs and get ready for bed. I think you could use some serious cuddles.”
Fluttershy’s bedroom was new territory. True, Discord had seen it before, but he’d never been inside (even he had more manners than that). As the little yellow pegasus flitted about the room, humming to herself as she untucked the covers from the bed, he hovered in the doorway. What was she doing, inviting him up here? He really didn’t know what to think.
She flew past him to the bathroom and he followed, perplexed. Peeking inside, he found her brushing her teeth. She gestured for him to do the same, pointing at a second toothbrush next to the sink. He hadn’t noticed it before. He supposed that, if he needed to bathe without his powers, he'd have to handle dental hygiene unassisted too. He joined her at the sink, marveling at the domesticity of it all. Had he ever done this before? He couldn’t recall.
With the task completed, and feeling unusually minty, he followed her back towards the bedroom. “I really don’t know if this is a good idea,” he found his words at last, “I’m sure I’ll still be tossing and turning all night…not to mention the coughing, sniffling and general misery. You don’t want me in here with you.”
She fluffed the pillows. “It’ll be alright. Come here.” He remained in the door way. She smiled. “I promise. The medicine from earlier wasn’t all Applejack and I made for you. Come over here.” She patted the mattress with her front hoof.
He took one step into the room as if testing for land mines. Fluttershy shook her head, and flew around behind him, pushing him towards, and then onto the bed. He sank into the mattress, eyes wide. She picked up a jar from her nightstand and unscrewed the top. She dipped one hoof inside, and raised it covered in what looked like greenish grey jelly. “This will help with the congestion,” she said, “Lay down.”
The draconequus was too confused to do anything but obey. Suddenly she was spreading the stuff all over his chest and an overpowering scent of peppermint cut through his stuffed sinuses and he took his first deep breath through his nose in forty-eight hours. “That’s incredible,” he gasped, “What is it?”
“A poultice made mostly out of menthol leaves,” she said, “It’ll make it easier to breathe when you’re sleeping.”
“Astounding,” he said, “You’re quite the ingenious species sometimes.” He sat up. “Well, thank you my dear, but I think I’ll just go park myself on the couch down–”
She put a hoof on his shoulder and gently pushed him back down. “Don’t be silly. Stay right there.” She turned the dial on the oil lamp that sat on the dresser and the room went dark.
Apparently his powers usually provided him with night vision as well. Discord stared straight up into nothing, wondering how long it would take for his eyes to adjust. He felt the mattress shift as Fluttershy climbed up next to him, and folded his hands across his stomach, mind racing. What was she planning? Had she taken his return of her hug earlier the wrong way? He adored her, this was true, but those feelings were as innocent as could be. He was running through all the different scenarios in his head when he heard her voice, right next to his ear. “Now I couldn’t help but notice that it made you awfully uncomfortable when I hugged you before.” She began nuzzling her face against his and he felt himself freeze again. “See? You seem so scared when I touch you, but you don’t need to be. It’s alright for friends to be affectionate, and I think it would be good to get you used to that. Don’t you think so?”
He wanted to say no, that he was perfectly fine as-is, but the feel of her soft fur brushing against his was causing a lump to form in his throat. He swallowed thickly, “…Yes.”
“Ok,” she said, “I want you to hold me, all right? Don’t worry, you won’t hurt me. I’m just going to lay here…” She was nestling into the crook of his arm. “…and we’ll go to sleep like this. If you really want to get up and go downstairs, you can. But I want you to try it this way first. See if you can get comfortable.”
He let his lion arm wrap itself around her again. He was thankful for the darkness. It made him less ashamed of the fact that he could feel tears welling up behind his eyes. He took her hoof in his eagle claw and squeezed ever so slightly. He couldn’t thank her, for fear the words would catch in his throat, so he hoped the gesture would be enough.
Gradually, he felt her breathing slow as she drifted off to sleep. By then his eyes had adjusted, and he could make out the shaded details of the room in the moonlight. Dully, he hoped Luna wasn’t watching. Though, after a thousand years on the moon, she would understand more than anyone. She knew loneliness nearly as well as he. He heard Fluttershy murmur in her sleep, and almost felt guilty for letting his mind wander to anyone else. Cautiously, he stroked her pale pink mane. To think such a tiny creature has such an enormous capacity for compassion. He still wasn’t convinced he deserved it. But it felt so nice, lying there with her, that he forgave himself the selfishness. Surely that had been her intention. To allow him to indulge without judgment, in the sanctuary of their friendship.
Before he could ponder further, he had fallen asleep.
* * *
When Discord awoke, the early sunlight was pouring into the room. He blinked, trying to get his bearings. He felt something warm against his chest and looked down. At some point in the night he’d rolled over onto his side, and now, clasped in his arms like a teddy bear, was Fluttershy. He fought the urge to spring up from the bed, the events of the night before slowly coming back to him. He couldn’t believe he’d made it through the night, that he was still in her bed, that he was holding her like this. She was still sound asleep. He let his muscles relax, reveling in the feel of her in his hands. His lion paw was resting on her side, rising and falling with her easy breathing. His talon was under her head, cradling her face. ‘She’s so…warm…’ he marveled.
He was just about to let himself drift back off to sleep when he felt eyes on him. He raised his head slightly off the pillow and turned it, only to find Angel glaring at him from the foot of the bed. The chimera scowled right back. “Buzz off, fur ball,” he hissed. With a swift flick of his tail, he knocked the bunny from his perch and onto the floor. He heard quiet angry chattering, and then the padding of rabbit feet off down the hall. Smiling with satisfaction, Discord settled back into the pillow, burying his muzzle in Fluttershy’s mane. For someone who worked with animals all day, she smelled surprisingly of flowers.
She stirred, then stretched. Her eyes fluttered open. “Hmmm…?”
He cursed silently. That was what he got for pushing his luck like that. “Apologies, my dear,” he said quietly, “Didn’t mean to disturb you…” She turned slightly, noticed the position they were in, and smiled. “You stayed.”
“Mmhmm,” he nodded. On impulse, he pulled her closer. “It seems that the key ingredient for a good night’s sleep was you.” “I’m so glad.” He felt her body give a little shiver and lifted himself up so he could see her face. There was a tiny streak of wetness on her cheek.
“Wh..why are you…?” his own voice broke. Had he done something wrong?
She wiped at her cheek with a hoof. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I’m just so happy.” She wriggled around so she was facing him. “I wanted so badly to help you. I’m so glad I could.”
He felt his whole face flush. Now that she was looking at him, big blue eyes shining, he felt the same sensation in his chest that he’d felt the day she’d thrown her ice skates across the pond. If he could have conjured it, an x-ray of his heart would’ve shown it melting. ‘You’re a goner now, old boy…’ He shut his eyes tight. When that didn’t work, he rolled over onto his back and covered his face with his paw. He drew in a shuddering breath. “More than you’ll ever know…” he said thickly.
She shifted beside him, and laid her chin on his forehead. “It’s ok…It’s ok,” she cooed.
The liquid streamed silently from beneath his paw. He labored to keep his breathing steady, to regain his composure. What had he become? This puddle of emotional goo…like a raw nerve, feeling everything so acutely, and reacting to it all despite the constant blows to his pride. Had he really been without kindness for so long that this was what it reduced him to? He sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly, then lowered his paw from his face. She was watching him closely. He met her gaze with just an inkling of his familiar smirk. “You’re too kind, my dear,” he said, “To put up with a pitiful wretch like me…”
She kissed the top of his head. “You’re not that at all,” she said. She leaned in and pressed her forehead to his. “Thank you for not being afraid. It means a lot that you trust me.”
He let her continue nuzzling him, amazed at how soothing her touch was. He had to admit, he did feel a bit better. “You’re a good girl, Fluttershy. I’m…I’m lucky to have you.”
Again she kissed him, on the temple that time, and then sat up. “And you always will have me, whenever you need me. I promise.” He gave her a small smile. She tapped his cheek with her hoof. “That’s more like it. That’s what I like to see.”
He chuckled, “Yes, yes. Thank you, my dear, truly.”
“You’re very welcome.” She smiled down at him. “What do you think, are you hungry?”
“Very,” he said, without having to think about it, “But…I think I’d like to stay here a bit longer, if that’s all right. Still not feeling quite like myself.”
“How about I bring something up to you?”
“That’s not necessary. I didn’t mean to imply–”
“You didn’t,” the pegasus said, “But I want to anyway. You rest up. I’ll be back with some porridge in a little while.” She climbed out of bed and shut the door behind her as she left the room.
Discord was left with his thoughts, raw nerves and all, and yet he found it easy to curl up and fall back to sleep.
* * *
When he next awoke, it was because he felt he was being watched. Fluttershy, no doubt, not wanting to disturb him. Eyes still closed, he could just imagine her, hovering in her own doorway, a bowl of porridge balanced on her back, adorably nervous. He yawned widely and blinked a few times. As the room came into focus in front of him, he found that there was indeed a pegasus watching him. Just not the pegasus he’d been expecting.
Rainbow Dash was lounging on a tree branch just outside the window. “Ya know…” she said, smirking at him, “You’re almost cute when you’re sleeping. Almost.”
The draconequus sank low into the mattress, glowering at her. “Miss Dash…” he grumbled, voice muffled by the pillow, “How nice of you to grace us with your vexatious presence…”
“Yeah,” she stretched lazily, “I figured I should check up on ya. Pinkie said you might be gettin’ ansty all cooped up in here, but I’d say you seem pretty cozy.”
He clutched at the pillow, resting his chin atop it. “I’ll have you know I’m perfectly miserable. And I don’t need you all popping in, keeping tabs on me. If I wanted to cause trouble, I’d have done it by now.”
“Yeeaahh…” she said again, rising. She hopped gracefully onto the window sill, “What’s up with that? The cottage isn’t even floating or anything.”
The chimera was saved from having to respond when the bedroom door opened and Fluttershy’s tiny gasp reached his ear. “Rainbow Dash! What are you doing up here?”
“Huh?” the blue pegasus turned towards the yellow one, “Whaddaya mean? I said I was coming over this morning.”
“Yes, but I asked you to use the front door,” Fluttershy said, setting the bowl of porridge she’d brought on the nightstand.
“Well yeah but –”
“No ‘buts’,” she said, trotting over to put herself between the window and the bed, “ I don’t like it when you sneak in here and wake me up, and I told you that Discord wouldn’t either. I’m sorry, Discord.” She smiling sympathetically over at the draconequus.
Discord was pleased to see the expression of abashedness on Rainbow Dash’s face. He smirked at her before turning a gentler smile towards Fluttershy. “No need for you to apologize, my dear,” he said, “Some ponies just have no manners.” He turned pointedly back to Dash. “And to think, the one raised in a barn showed far more decorum.”
“Hey!” Rainbow started to protest, but Fluttershy cut her off.
“Discord’s right, Rainbow,” she said, her tone firm, “I think you should apologize.”
“But I –”
Fluttershy gave her a less-intense version of The Stare.
The blue pegasus hemmed and hawed and made gurgling noises not unlike a cat trying to bring up a hairball. After what Discord had to admit was an impressive amount of struggling, she mumbled, “…Sorry…”
The chimera smiled in satisfaction. “That’s more like it. Now…where’s my breakfast?”
“Are you really going to hang around here all day, waiting for me to cause trouble?” Discord asked.
The little group had relocated to the living room, where the chimera had reclaimed his spot on the couch and the blue pegasus had stationed herself directly across from him. “That was kind of the plan,” she said, planting her front hooves on the coffee table.
“Well, as I said, it’s wholly unnecessary,” he pouted. “I’ve been a model house guest, isn’t that right, Fluttershy?”
The yellow pegasus looked up from across the room, where she’d been trying to coax Angel into eating his breakfast. The rabbit, clearly miffed about the combined insult of being booted from the bedroom and then being served after the draconequus, was having none of it. “Oh yes,” she nodded, “He was patient with Pinkie Pie, and he didn’t fight with Applejack last night. He’s been nothing but well-behaved.”
“And that doesn’t strike you as odd?” Rainbow asked, incredulous, “I mean, even on a good day he’s switching up the seasons or founding animal biker gangs or something!”
Discord took that moment to cough. He’d intended it to be a short, indignant one, but the pile of phlegm in his lungs had other ideas, so it turned into a prolonged, painful fit that sent Fluttershy rushing to bring him the canteen of water. Gratefully he downed its contents, then inhaled sharply. “Ahem,” he finally said, blinking back the bit of water that had pooled in the corners of his eyes, “I’m right here, you know. No need to talk about me as if I weren’t. And let me ask you this, Miss Dash. When you’re ill, how much do you feel like performing aerial tricks, or bucking clouds or what have you?”
Rainbow Dash looked abashed. “Not that much, I guess.”
“I thought not,” he said, “So did it not occur to you that I might just not feel like playing with the fabric of reality?”
“No…” she said, picking at a ding in the table with one hoof.
“Well. You learn something new every day.” He stretched out across the couch, hands folded behind his head. “All I want is peace and quiet until this cursed disease is through. And Fluttershy,” he added, leaning back further to aim an upside-down grin at his friend. The little yellow pegasus leaned in to nuzzle her head against his. Discord cast a quick glance at Rainbow Dash. On a different occasion, he might have been embarrassed about the spontaneous display of affection, especially since they weren’t alone, but it had had the desired effect on their audience.
The blue pegasus wrinkled her nose. “Oh gross,” she muttered.
Fluttershy made a ‘tsk’ noise, shaking her head.
Discord smirked. “As you can see, things are very much under control here. Your supervision is wholly unnecessary.”
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “All right, fine, you’ve made your point.” She rose and flapped her wings a few times. “I still don’t trust you.” She jabbed a hoof in his direction, then turned to the other pegasus. “But I do trust you, Fluttershy. You sure you’re ok here alone?”
Fluttershy nodded, smiling. “We’re fine. You don’t have to leave though. You’re welcome to stay if you want to.”
The draconequus shot her a pointed look. They had just nearly succeeded in convincing the interloper to leave! What was she doing asking her to stay? Fluttershy either ignored him, or didn’t notice.
Rainbow tilted her head, “Hmm…I guess I didn’t really have anything else planned for this morning…I’m due to bring is some rain, but that’s not until after lunchtime.”
“Well,” Fluttershy said, “I need to get some work done in my garden before that rain. I could use a hoof with it, if you wouldn’t mind.” Discord deepened the intensity of his stare. The pink-maned pegasus continued to not react.
“Chores?” Rainbow asked. She then noticed Discord gesturing at Fluttershy and smirked. “Sure! Always happy to lend a hoof for a friend.”
The chimera slapped his paw to his face.
“Wonderful!” Fluttershy said. “Thank you.” She turned, finally, to her houseguest. “I’ll lay out a blanket for you in the yard, ok? You can get some fresh air while we work.”
He sighed. “Fine.” At least she didn’t expect him to pitch in with the yard work.
A short while later he was spread out on a patchwork quilt on his stomach, arms folded under his chin, watching the two pegasi pull weeds from among Fluttershy’s flower beds. He comforted himself with the fact that Rainbow Dash looked thoroughly bored with the task. If she was going to be a nuisance and insist on hanging around, at least she wasn’t having fun.
Her appearance at the window that morning had been unpleasantly jarring – though at least she’d gotten scolded for surprising him. Knowing Fluttershy had taken his wishes to heart when it came to her friends made him happy. Happier than he’d thought it would. He’d never thought the words and deeds of a little pony could affect him the ways hers did. He watched her, in her silly, adorable sun hat, patiently explain to Rainbow what were weeds and what were not, and found himself smiling.
‘Damn it, Tia…’ he thought, though not as bitterly as usual. ‘You really knew which one would be able to get under my skin, didn’t you?’ From a distance, the whole thing was utterly embarrassing, that such a tiny, gentle, soft-spoken creature had tamed the wild beast, but up close, especially when no one else was watching, he was strangely content with the whole thing. He closed his eyes and let his mind drift back to the night before. Sleeping beside her had been – what was the right word? Wonderful. Foreign and strange and nerve-wracking, but wonderful. Did he dare hope she would invite him to join her again come nightfall? He decided he dared.
Eyes still closed, his ears perked up as the girls’ conversation turned away from weeds. Rainbow Dash was asking, “Sooooo, seriously, Fluttershy, how much of a nightmare has he been?” They must’ve thought he was asleep. He endeavored to keep still, curious.
“I wasn’t lying before,” Fluttershy replied. “He really has been fine. No worse than if you or one of the others was sick. For having never been sick before, he’s doing as well as I could expect. You missed a few over there.”
“Oh, sorry. So how’d he even really get sick anyway? Isn’t he supposed to be all-powerful or something?”
“Tatzlwurn Flu is more contagious among magic users, according to the book Twilight found for me. I think, because he has so much magic, it hit him really hard.”
“That cough did sound pretty bad.”
“It was worse yesterday, so I think he’s improving.”
“That’s good, I guess.”
“Of course I want him to get well soon, but I think I’ll miss him when he leaves. He really is very nice company.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Huh. I wouldn’t think you’d ever get lonely out here, what with all your animals and everything.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love my little friends, but that’s very different.”
“How so?”
“Well,” she paused, “they need me to feed them, or tend their injuries, or help repair their homes, but to be honest, another pony could do those things. With Discord, he needs me, and specifically me, to be his friend. It… well, it makes me feel pretty special. That’s all.”
They were quiet for a moment. Discord opened one eye, just a tiny bit. They had their backs to him, so he couldn’t see their faces. Fluttershy was sitting upright, while Rainbow was still hunched over the garden. A moment more and the blue pegasus had risen to join the yellow one. “I never thought about that,” she said, “I kinda feel that way with Scootaloo. It’s nice.”
“Mmhmm,” Fluttershy nodded. “Anyway, that’s why I’ll miss him.”
Discord decided that he had eavesdropped enough and yawned loudly. “Watching you ponies work sure is tiring,” he said, “I didn’t miss anything exciting, did I?”
They both turned to look at him, both smiling. “Nah,” Rainbow said. “Just girl talk. Didja need anything?”
He blinked. “No. No, thank you. Carry on.” He waved a talon at them lazily.
The morning passed uneventfully after that. He catnapped on and off while the ponies worked and chatted idly. Once or twice a few of the chickens came near him to investigate, but he found they steered clear if he gave them his best tooth-baring smile. Even Angel was keeping his distance, though the chimera did catch the rabbit watching him warily from the back stoop. Fluttershy must’ve noticed too, because she called him over to sample the carrots she’d been tending. This placated the animal, who chattered happily as he hopped among the green fronds in the garden.
Discord was surprised at the pang of jealousy that shot through him as he watched the pony and her pet. That was ridiculous. What cause had he to be envious of a barely sentient creature? None at all, and certainly not the attention the little furball was currently enjoying. Still, he couldn’t help but sulk, just a little bit.
Rainbow sidled over to him. “Kinda wishin’ you were Angel right now, huh?” she asked.
He rolled his eyes. “That’s absurd,” he muttered. “Don’t you have some rain clouds that need herding?”
“You just wanna get rid of me.”
“Goodness gracious, you’ve figured me out,” he said drolly.
The blue pegasus flapped her wings. “Maybe a little more than you know,” she said. She rose up a few feet off the ground. “Fluttershy, I’ve gotta head out. The rain should be rolling in within the hour.”
“Oh, ok!” Fluttershy raised her head. “Thanks, Rainbow! Have a good day!”
“You too. I’ll catch you later!” With that, she took off, vanishing over the treetops and leaving Discord more than a little disconcerted. Fluttershy trotted over to him. “We should probably head inside. Why don’t you get settled while I clean things up here, and then I’ll make us some lunch.”
He nodded, pushing Rainbow Dash’s words to the back of his mind. “Certainly.” He stretched, catlike, and then got to his feet. “Thank you, by the way.”
“Not at all.” She shook her head, smiling. “I don’t exactly trust you in the kitchen, after all.” She giggled.
He smirked. “Well, of course for that, but I meant for earlier. When Rainbow Dash was pushing me about why I wasn’t using my powers. Thank you for letting me answer, even though it meant omitting certain truths.”
She reached out and touched his paw with her hoof. “I promised I wouldn’t tell, remember?”
He fought the instinct to pull away, and instead placed his eagle claw over her hoof. “I do. I’m just not used to promises being kept, that’s all. So…thank you, again.”
She beamed up at him. “You’re welcome. Now you head inside. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
“Yes ma’am,” he said teasingly. Her cheeks flushed pink, but she said nothing, only giving him a nudge towards the cottage. He obliged her, gathering up the quilt at his feet and returning to the house. Inside, he spread the blanket over the couch and settled in on top of it. Then, feeling like he’d laid around for too much of the day already, he got back to his feet. He scanned the room. His breakfast bowl still sat on an end table where he’d left it. Without much thought, he picked it up and carried it to the kitchen, depositing it in the sink. He turned to leave it there, then stopped, glancing back at it. ‘Well, you’ve come this far already,’ he thought. ‘Might as well finish the job.’
He was still scrubbing the dish – who knew oatmeal hardened like cement when left out? – when Fluttershy came into the kitchen, Angel on at her hooves. She let out a little squeak of surprise. “What are you- oh! Oh, you didn’t have to do that. I would’ve taken care of it.”
“I know,” he mumbled, keeping his eyes on his task. He hoped not turning to face her would hide the blush that he could feel creeping up his neck.
She came up beside him. “I guess this means you’re feeling a bit better, if you’ve got some energy, hmm?”
He shrugged. “I guess. A bit.”
“That’s wonderful!” she said. “I’ll start on lunch. We want to build your strength back up.” She turned with a little bounce and began rummaging through the pantry cabinets.
Discord gave her a sidelong glance. It was a good sign, hopefully meaning that the worst was past and he’d be back to himself soon. So why did he have a heavy feeling in the pit of his stomach thinking about it?
The rain rolled in as scheduled. Watching from the window, Discord ruminated on how predictable the ponies liked their world. It was no wonder they were generally so boring as a species. Then, in a moment of clarity that surprised him, he had to admit that, with a new calamity, enemy or predator popping up as frequently as they did; maybe there was a deeply ingrained psychological reason for wanting to control the weather. Still, it made for a dull afternoon.
Fluttershy was enjoying it. She was sitting on the living room rug, a basket of sewing supplies at her side and a newly started quilt spread out in front of her. Carefully, delicately, she was pinning squares of fabric in place.
Discord drew a talon along the fogged window. The shrill, grating sound made Fluttershy look up from her work. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
He let his shoulders slump dramatically, pressing his forehead against the glass. “I’m booooorrred.”
She shook her head. “Why don’t you come over here and help me with this?”
He gave the little pegasus and her project a long look, considering.
“Come on,” she said, waving him over. “How about you pick out what colors should go where?”
His long ears pricked up. “I guess that might be fun,” he said, ambling over to her. He sat himself down opposite her, Indian-style on the rug. “You won’t mind if it turns out ugly?”
“Not as long as you like it,” she said. She pushed the basket closer to him. “Go ahead. You place them, and I’ll pin them down.”
He perused the fabric selections. She seemed to have every color under the sun. ‘Maybe Rarity’s been offloading her scraps here?’ he wondered. ‘That would explain the glitter to non-glitter ratio.’ He plucked a shimmery gold square and placed it in the center. Smiling, Fluttershy slipped a pin in it.
The draconequus built out from there, picking out each next square that caught his eye and plunking them down, patterns be damned. He was even actually enjoying himself. It wasn’t magic, but the opportunity to buck against convention was a welcome one. It was also a suitable way to kill time. He was finally starting to get some energy back, so for the first time in days he hadn’t felt like napping. The task she’d set him with, while menial, was almost fun. Not exciting, but he was still sick after all; he wasn’t quite ready for exciting anyway.
By the time he was nearly done, over an hour had passed without him realizing. He stuck the last square, a black fabric with silver spiders, and straightened up, stretching. He surveyed the final product with a touch of pride. It was a glorious mess, an absolute hodge-podge. “Perfect!” he declared.
Fluttershy giggled, setting the last pin in place. “It’s so unique!” she said. “I’ll try to have it all sewn together by the time you’re well.” He cocked his head to one side. “That’s oddly specific. Why the deadline?”
“So you can take it with you when you leave, of course,” she answered.
“So I…?” The words trailed off as he felt the too familiar lump forming in his throat. He glanced down at the quilt again, then back up at the face of his friend. Fluttershy’s smile was demure.
“That is, if you want it, I mean,” she said. “I still don’t actually know where you live, but I thought it must get cold sometimes at night. I don’t know if that sort of thing bothers you, actually, now that I think about it. I’m sorry, maybe this was a silly idea.”
He reached out with his paw and chucked her gently on the chin, which served the dual purpose of quieting her and turning her gaze to him. “Maybe a touch silly, and sickeningly sweet, but I wouldn’t want it any other way, my dear. I’ll treasure it.”
She beamed and then launched herself at him, wrapping her front legs around his torso. Knocked backwards, he put a talon out to steady himself and laughed. “You and your pet should switch names,” he said. “You’re infinitely more the angel than he is.” She squeezed him tighter. “Easy now,” he gasped exaggeratedly. “Watch the ribs.”
“Sorry,” she mumbled. She released him, backing up slightly. “I really don’t know where you live, you know,” she said. “I put my letters in my mailbox, just like you said to, and I know they reach you. But where do you stay when you’re not in Ponyville?”
“Oh, here and there.” He shrugged. “Sometimes I open a pocket in between dimensions and explore. I find the wastes beyond Equestria are an excellent place to have fun without disrupting anyponies lives, so I spend a good amount of time there. Once in a while I poke around the castle in Canterlot and bother the princesses, but only when I’m really bored, or they have something important to do.”
She made a ‘tsk’ at him, but didn’t scold. “Well.” She touched the folded up piled of pins and fabric. “I guess you can find a, er, dimensional pocket to keep this in. I guess it makes sense that you wouldn’t really want to stay in one place very long.”
“True, it generally takes something drastic to make me sit still for any decent length of time,” he admitted. “Like my current illness. Or being a statue.”
“Speaking of your illness, I should get you another dosage of that tonic Applejack and I made yesterday,” she said, rising to her hooves.
“Eurgh, if you must.” He shuddered and stuck out his tongue.
“Now, now,” she said. “I think it really helped.” She headed for the kitchen. “You’ve been coughing a lot less than yesterday. And you’ve got more energy today too.”
He stroked his beard. He supposed that was true. The whole time they’d worked on the quilt he’d almost forgotten he was sick. His all-body ache had subsided, and he was feeling more restless than tired, which was a change. When the pegasus returned with a glass of the greenish black sludge, he obediently chocked it down.
“There you go,” she said, taking the glass back from him. “At this rate, you might be better by the end of the week!”
“We’ll see,” he said, gagging slightly. “Don’t want to rush these things, after all.”
“Of course.” She put the glass in the sink and returned to him once more. “What do you think, still bored? I’m afraid I didn’t have much else planned for this afternoon other than some cleaning.”
He stared at the ceiling. “I guess I could help with that.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to imply that,” she said quickly, “You should rest, by all means.”
“I’m not particularly tired,” he said, standing up, “Come now, what would you have me do? Lie on the couch and watch you work?”
“Yes?”
“Pssh!” He waved a talon at her. “How little you think of me! I only wish I could conjure my maid costume.”
She giggled. “Well, all right. If you wouldn’t mind, it would be very helpful if you could dust the high shelves. Flying with the dust broom in my mouth is terribly awkward to do, so I hardly ever take care of that.”
“Certainly.”
They passed another few rainy hours that way – she pointing to hard-to-reach places, and he reaching them. Each time she thanked him, a feeling of contentment in his chest and it took him nearly the whole afternoon to figure out why it kept happening. It finally dawned on him as he cleared cobwebs from the ceiling beams. He felt useful, which was wholly new to him. He was surprised how much he liked it. He found himself asking for more to do, which led him into the kitchen, chopping vegetables for a stew Fluttershy had planned for dinner.
“You’re very good at that!” she observed.
“It helps to have fingers,” the draconequus said, waving them at her.
“I guess you’re right.” She nodded. “But we get by.”
He carried the cutting board, now over-laden with produce, to the stewpot and dumped them in. “What’s next?”
“Nothing,” she said, putting the lid on the pot. “We have to let this simmer for a while. I was thinking of lighting a fire, since the rain brought cooler air with it. But I can do that myself,” she continued, raising a hoof to stop him offering help. “You’ve been more the helpful already. Why don’t you rest a bit until dinner?”
He pouted, slinking after her back out into the living room. He settled onto the couch and watched her set about starting a fire, itching to jump up and do something, anything to aide her. She’d done so much for him already, after all. Didn’t she deserve it? ‘That and universes more.’ But the little pegasus, timid and mortal though she was, wasn’t helpless. She made short work of the task and soon the fire was blazing splendidly. She pulled the unfinished quilt out of its basket, settled on the rug in front of the fireplace and set to work sewing the patches in place. Angel appeared at the foot of the stairs and scurried over to snuggle up against her side. She leaned down, nuzzled his head once, and turned back to her work.
Discord sunk lower on the couch, his tail twitching. The little vermin didn’t appreciate her. Not like he did. What had the little fuzzball ever done but take her for granted and give her a hard time? He pointedly shot death glares at the rabbit, who was either ignoring him or contentedly oblivious.
Fluttershy looked up, and he wasn’t able to look away quickly enough. She frowned, glancing from the chimera, to her pet and back again. “Discord, would you like to come sit over her with us?”
He furrowed his brow as he felt his face grow hot. “I’m fine,” he muttered.
“Oh come on,” she said. “There’s plenty of room. And the fire feels so nice.”
He scowled more deeply, but his expression faltered as she smiled at him. After a moment, he asked quietly, “No judging?” “No judging.”
In one swift movement he was down from the couch and across the room, curling his body around her, the little vermin, and her sewing project. His head, resting on his folded arms, was positioned near hers.
“There,” she said. “Isn’t that better?”
“Oh hush,” he mumbled, shutting his eyes. He felt her rub her cheek against his temple. He curled himself a little tighter around her.
“This is nice,” she said. “It’s like we’re a little family.”
He opened one eye, gazing curiously up at her. She was smiling so serenely, with the firelight dancing across her face, she looked practically ethereal.
From her other side, he heard Angel make a gagging noise.
“Oh Angel, that’s not nice,” Fluttershy chided. “You’re just going to have to get used to the fact that you’ve got a big brother now, and try to get along.”
Discord closed his eye again. ‘Big brother, eh? Guess we’re really sticking with the ‘family’ metaphor. There are worse things to be, I guess.’
