KINDRED SPIRITS
Starlight Glimmer was walking down the street in ponyville. She has been living in ponyville for a few weeks now. Twilight and her friends have accepted her wholeheartedly into their circle but the same couldn't necessarily be said for everypony. Sure everypony treated her nicely enough, but she couldn't shake the feeling that many just didn't trust her,as if she might snap at any second for all they knew.
Just as Starlight was beginning to brood on these thoughts, she was snapped out of her funk by a trio of townsponies in full gallop coming around the corner narrowly avoiding collision with her. Starlight Glimmer was immediately startled and confused by this, of course. Her second reaction was to assume that this meant some sort of danger in the direction those ponies came from. She then darted in that direction, knowing that is what her new friends would do. As she rounded the corner she saw immediately what the three townsponies were fleeing. She immediately saw a offended Discord standing near the flower stand.
As wave of relief washed over Starlight Glimmer to see the commotion was the result of Discord’s antics and not something more sinister. Discord, visibly upset turned to Starlight and asked, “What did I say? I just popped by to buy Fluttershy some flowers from her favorite shop.”
Starlight, who had met Discord before at gatherings with her ponyville friends but never really interacted with him, was momentarily at a loss for words. After snapping herself out of her befuddlement, Starlight replied by asking, “ Why are you buying flowers instead of conjuring them from nothing? You can do that, right?”
Discord replied sounding annoyed and ever so slightly taken aback by the question, “ Because… Because Fluttershy would appreciate me getting them from this place and by doing so they are less likely to blink out of existence the same way they would blink in if I conjoured them.”
Starlight, satisfied by the answer then asked, “Did you do something to startle those ponies besides teleporting here?”
Discord, contemplating the question, “Perhaps I was in a bit of a rush, I am running late for afternoon tea”
Starlight said, “ You’d better get going then, you don't want to keep Fluttershy waiting, she might worry.”
“Would you care to join us? Starlight Glimmer isn't it?” , Discord asked.
“Yes, we met last week at Twilight’s pancake breakfast, and tea sounds lovely. I’d hate to impose, though.” said Starlight.
“Nonsense” said Discord, “ Fluttershy won't mind a bit, especially since its another friend.” with that Discord grabbed Starlight by the waist and the pair were gone with a bright flash.
An instant later they appeared on Fluttershy’s front porch just as Fluttershy was escorting a kindly bear, who seemed to be recovering from a sore back out of her cottage. Fluttershy noticing their arrival, “ Ooh, perfect timing, I just finished with one of my animal friends.” Fluttershy waved the pair into her cozy cottage where a menagire of animals darted about.
Angel, Fluttershy’s pet bunny, paused in front of Discord, hugged his claw, and appeared to beg. Discord looked at Fluttershy, wordlessly seeking approval and getting a nod.
Discord said, “alright, since Fluttershy is okay with it” with a snap from Discord Angel grew long, deer like legs as he and the other rabits did when Discord was first released. Angel scurried excitedly out to play.
The three had a lovely time sipping their tea. Discord related the story of the incident at the flower shop to Fluttershy.
Fluttershy replied with, “ Oh, you poor thing. I had hopped the Ponies in ponyville would be more accustomed to you by now.”
Starlight said, “ I don't know, they don't seem used to me either.”
Discord looking surprised asked, “Why would they be afraid of you, my dear?”
Starlight Glimmer, a bit embarrassed replied, “Because of what I have done in the past.”
Discord, yet again taken aback by the pony beside him, couldn't help but feel a wave of affection for the pony he had only just now begun to know.
As the days passed, Discord found exuses to see more of Fluttershy and Starlight Glimmer. Starlight enjoyed spending time with Discord, perhaps more than the others did, besides Fluttershy, of course. Discord made her feel less alone in her struggle with finding and making new friends. Starlight knew she had trouble trusting others since her traumatic experience with her first good friend. Discord was different somehow. Discord took Starlight, history and all and immediately accepted her, and she him.
At another tea party at Fluttershy’s, Fluttershy couldn't help but ask Discord, “ You seem to have bonded more quickly with Starlight Glimmer than you have with anyone else, I dare say maybe even me. Why?”
Discord replied, “Because, in many ways, we are alike. Maybe not in appearance or demenor, but in personal history.”
Starlight couldn't help but nod. She had never really thought of it that way, but it made perfect sense.
Discord continued, “ On our first real meeting, Starlight said some of the Ponies still look at her with fear, because of what she had done in the past. That is something I deal with every day, even from those I call friends. Not many in equestria can relate to that.”
Fluttershy could not supress a smile that crept upon her face.
Discord, confused asked Fluttershy, “Why are you smiling? Aren't you a little jealous of how close I am with my new friend?”
Fluttershy replied, “ Maybe a little, but I am even more glad that my two friends could find kindred spirits in each other.”
Starlight Glimmer, couldn't help but feel a wave of affection for them both, and hugged them tightly, ever grateful for such good friends. Starlight said, “I am very glad to have you both as friends.” She turned to address Discord, “Knowing that I am not the only pony to have a hard time being accepted has made this all alot easier.”
Discord replied, “having you around, Starlight, has helped me realize that many of the fearful reactions I receive are less about who I am and more about who I was. Fluttershy and the others have come to trust accept me more since that awful incident with Tirek, but most still fear what I might do. It wasn't until I started spending time with you, Starlight, that I came to truly understand why. Perhaps together we can change how everypony sees us.”
Fluttershy, sounding her agreement, “and the rest of us are here for both of you every step of the way.”
As Starlight and Discord leave, Discord says, “Maybe we should talk to Princess Luna, you know, see if we can start a support group.”
Starlight laughs and agrees, “maybe we should.” The two stroll back towards Ponyville as Discord escorts Starlight back home.