Rarity started her week with a visit to the local notions shop. It was the place to get all her threads, zippers, buttons, and any other bits of extra sewing materials needed. The shop was run by a beige earth pony mare with light brown mane. She still bound back her hair but not in the strict fashion she used to do. Her cutie mark was a large white button with a silver needle connected to it by a dark length of thread. Button Stitch seemed like an odd pony to most. She unfortunately had OCD, but it had gotten better in the last few years.
The shop still had it's overly tidy feel. Every bit of material down to the last button was lined up perfectly. All the buttons sorted by color, shape, and size. Rarity carried her basket closed to her. She walked down the aisles with every step measured. She quite liked Button and the shop always had good prices so she felt it was fair to be nice to the easily agitated pony.
Rarity was looking over some thread when a shelf caught her eye. It seemed out of place. The perfectly straight shelf had multi-patterned stuffed animals on it. Each one lined up as best they can. She stepped over to it and marveled at a small cat plushie. Every part was a different piece of fabric. Cotton polka dots next to wool plaid. Silk monotone next to polyester flowers. It all came together to make a perfectly coordinated cat. Rarity stowed it into her basket then tried to line up the plushies back into order. She almost skipped to the register to check out.
"Hello Buttton, oh I just saw the most amazing thing in your shop! It's those little stuffed animals. The mixing of patterns! It's done so well. I know from experience that it takes an expert to make every pattern look so good next to each other. Did you make them?" Rarity said with excitement.
"Me? No, my father had hobbies to keep him busy. He always needs something to keep his hands busy." Button explained. She continued to ring up the purchases, including the cat.
"Oh, does, um, does he have problems too? If I might ask, given your own...issue."
"No, but some would thing that. He just really does not like to be bored. That would be 24 bits."
"A little expensive but well worth it. Who is your father by the way? I would just love to ask him about this."
"Haha, I don't think he would like that. Fashion isn't his thing. He just likes to put things together."
"But still! I would like to talk to him. Even for a moment. Just to find out how he does it. Please."
"Well, it sort of a secret. It's not some thing everyone should know."
"Oh, I won't tell. I promise."
"Well, you are a good friend of mine. Huh, come here." She said before gesturing for her to come in closer. "He's Discord."
"WHAT! I mean, good heavens! Discord."
"Yes, it's complicated. I'm sort of his daughter. I'm what his kind call a 'Temporary Existence'. I'm made up of his own powers and magic. I also have some power from another in order to stabilize me. I consider her to be my mother."
"So, in a way, you're like his 'spawn'?"
"Some put it that way."
"But then way aren't you more like him? Especially if you're made directly from him."
"Temporary Existences are made empty. I was allowed to develop my own personality. Even though I'm supposed to be 'Temporary', he came to like me and just never got rid of me. It's also the reason for my OCD. I have a need to few in place and have a place." She ended with a shrug.
"Oh, well you learn something new each day. Have a good day."
"You too."
Rarity walked out of the shop furrowing her brow. It was a big thing she just learned. Discord has a daughter! He made the plushies! She felt put off of her mission to talk to him about the little toys but she just had to. The expert mix of patterns was just what she needed to get back into the forefront of fashion. Rarity nodded her head. She'll go ask him.
Rarity didn't know where to start looking for the spirit. He could be anywhere. Then she got a thought and made her way to Sugarcube Corner.
"Pinkie dear! I need to ask you something." Rarity called out.
Pinkie bounced into the front of the shop.
"Hello Rarity! What cha need?"
"It's a slightly strange request but do you know where Discord is?"
"Dizzy? He's upstairs! He's taking a nap in my bed."
"He is? Oh that's great! I don't have go too far. Though, it's not surprising to find him in your bed."
"Shhh! Not out here." Pinkie blushed. She then shooed away Rarity who was smirking.
Rarity stared at the door. She took in a breath and grabbed the door knob. The spirit was wrapped up on the bed but instead of sleeping, he was sewing together what looked to be the start of a fish. The bed was swoon with fabric of every kind. It was amazing to see the different pieces put together.
"Hello my dear. What can I do for you today?"
"Hello, Pinkie told me you were sleeping but I'm happy to see you up. I would have hated to have to wake you. And actually, I was wondering if you would show me how you do that." Rarity pointed to the fish in his hands. She walked further into the room to stand by the bed.
"This? I would think you already knew how to make a stuffed animal."
"Oh I do! But that's not it. What I want is for you to teach me how to put mix patterns the way you do. We can start here since you already have it all laid out or we can go to my shop."
"Hmm, No."
"No? What do you mean by no?"
"No, as in, I don't want to teach you. I'm not interested in talking fashion and what clings or whatever it is you go on about."
"But Discord..."
"No but! Goodbye." Discord turned away and continued with his fish.
Rarity huffed and walked out the door. Pinkie greeted her at the bottom of the stairs.
"How'd it go?"
"He's resistant but I'm a persistent pony. I'll get what I want."
"What is it that you want so much? Haha, you want my man. Hey! Persistent, resistant. You almost made a rhyme!"
"Ha, that is true. What I want is for him to just show me how to mix patterns like he does. Is that too much to ask?"
"No, but if he's not interested, he's not interested. I can just hope you're as persistent as you think you are."
Pinkie walked back to the kitchen. Rarity furrowed her brow again. She will get her way.
"But Discord! Darling! It's not that hard to do. Just a moment of your time." Rarity called out as she followed him through the market. He didn't like grocery shopping to begin with. Now he's got a stalker bugging him.
"My time is precious. I don't want to waste it on something I'm not interested in."
"My time is precious! You live forever, I don't. Won't you help to make my short time here a little better by sharing your expert talent?" Discord just kinda gobbed like a fish before finding his words.
"Really? You really want fashion advice from me? You do realize who you're talking to don't you?" He snapped and was clothed in a red Hawaiian shirt, cargo shorts, and shoe with sandals. Rarity recoiled but stood her ground.
"I do but please Discord! It would help me so much!"
"As much as I like begging, I'm. not. interested." He then snapped again and disappeared.
Rarity growled in frustration.
Discord was lounging by the lake while Pinkie and Fluttershy played in the water. Fluttershy was gently swimming around. Pinkie decided to take a breath and go under. Fluttershy looked around for her. She waited and waited and looked around more quickly. Suddenly, she squeaked and jumped as Pinkie popped up under her. Pinkie was laughing. Fluttershy pursed her lips before smiling herself.
"Oh! How wonderful!"
Discord almost jumped at the sound of Rarity's voice.
"I was just looking for you. I had made this lovely dress and was wondering if you could use your keen eye to see if the patterns look right." Rarity announced before practically shoving the garment in his face.
It was a little oblivious that it wasn't done with her level of skill. The colors clashed and the patterns pulled the eye in too many directions. Yellow with green dots next to purple and lime stripes made him nausea.
Discord raised an eyebrow. She was baiting him.
"I think it looks just..lovely. Yes, lovely is the word. The pure chaos of the piece make you want to, want to..um"
"Well, if it doesn't look that great maybe you could help me then." Rarity's eyes sparkled and she looked up to him. Discord leaned away and tried to come up with a way out. He looked over to the lake.
"I can't right now! I'm life guarding." He said. Discord snapped his fingers and appeared on top of a high guard tower seat. He was wearing red swim trunks, a whistle, and sunglasses.
"But you can still give me some advice on it!" she yelled up to him.
"What!? I can't hear you!" he yelled back as he looked through a pair of binoculars. Luckily for him, Pinkie decided to play 'victim'.
"Swimmer in danger!" Discord yelled. He then jumped off the tower, summoned up a red floater and ran, Bay Watch style, to the rescue. He dived in and swam out to 'save' Pinkie. He pulled her over to the beach.
"Good graces! It looks like this victim needs...mouth to mouth resuscitation." he announced before spraying his mouth with freshener. He then proceeded to 'resuscitate' her.
Oh brother. Rarity thought. She pulled a face at the dress she had and threw it over her shoulder. She'll find a way to get him next time.
Discord was manning the counter of Sugarcube corner when Rarity came in. He looked up and hoped to high heavens she just wanted a non-fat muffin.
"Hello, darling."
"Hello, dear." they squared off.
"I could always make you something. A suit or a robe maybe? Something nice to wear out with Pinkie." she cheered.
"Why would I want you to make me something when I could snap up anything I want?" He was leaning against the counter, playing with a jar of candy.
"It'll be different! It'll be the thought put into it. And it'll be something of my own design." She threw her hooves onto the counter.
"No." he threw some candy in his mouth.
"Uuuggh! I'll have you know I have many different ways to get what I want." she leaned in close to him. He met her stare.
"Luckily for you, I've got many different ways of saying No." he leaned back and went back to scanning the room for any customers that might need help.
Rarity growled in frustration and threw herself off the counter. She stomped her way out the door.
Discord loved the way the candles lit her face. He and Pinkie were at a nice restaurant for date night. She had been done up with a shimmering lipstick and eyeshadow. Her hooves were polished in his favorite way. Pink Sugar Coat. He also greatly admired the dress she was wearing. It was a sparkling silver dress. The fit was slim and formed to her body. The glow of the candles gave it a champagne color with only served to compliment her more.
"I have to say my sweetheart. You look ravishing." he toasted. He swirled a glass of sparkling apple cider in his hand.
"Why thank you. Rarity made it." Pinkie replied. She looked up at him with coy eyes. Discord stopped his swirling and stared at her.
"Did you say Rarity? Sweetie?"
"Yeah! She insisted. I think it turned out very well, don't you?"
"Yeah, yeah it did." He dragged his hands down his face.
"Something wrong, Diz?" Pinkie put her hoof on his hand.
"Yes, of course. You can just say, I have even more reason to want to rip that off you tonight." he recovered.
"Hehe, you'll just going to have to wait." she flirted back. He smiled, mostly at saving the mood.
They dined and talked for a while afterwards. They were waiting on dessert when Pinkie spoke up.
"Hey! What a surprise. Well, maybe not that much. You would expect to see her here in these kinda places but not here, here like now, now."
"Who are you talking about?"
"Rarity!" Pinkie answered, then pointed her out. Discord's face paled as he spun around to follow her hoof. Rarity was sitting a few tables down. She waved at them. Discord turned back. He felt a cold sweat coming on.
"I'll ah go say hello and a little thanks for the dress." he quickly said.
"Okay."
He got up and tried not to dash away. Rarity looked a little confused but then smiled. Her smile dropped when he grabbed her arm and escorted her to the bathroom hallway.
"What are you doing here!? This is nuts." he harshly whispered.
"I can patronize here can't I?" she whispered back.
"No, not when I'm here with a mare in one of your dresses while you're tried to convince me to help you with your little fashion thing."
"It's not a little fashion thing. It's a big fashion thing! And I thought you would be happy with the dress."
"I am but not so much now. Especially under these circumstances."
"I told you have ways to get what I want! I could, I could tell everyone about your daughter." Rarity threatened. Discord glared at her. This was going too far.
"You would resort to blackmail? You're acting like a crazed lunatic." he waved his arms in the air.
"Fashion knows no bounds."
"Well, good for fashion. But unlike fashion, I have a limit. Stop it."
"I refuse." Discord put his hands on his head and felt like pulling his hair. Then he got an idea.
"I refuse too. Have you every hear of the story of The North Wind and the Sun? The harder you try, the harder I'll try. Now give up and leave me alone."
He marched back to his seat. Pinkie smiled at him from under a mound of ice cream. He smiled back. Rarity could see them talking. She wondered how he was explaining their time together. Probably going on about how he thanked her for the dress and remarked on it's shine. Pinkie giggled and spoke. He blushed and grinned then spoke back. Pinkie probably was thinking he wanted to talk to Rarity about some clothes for after the date when they were alone in their room. Rarity sighed and walked back to her own seat. She still had a meal to finish and pay for.
"Oh Button! I just don't know what to do! I've tried everything." Rarity moaned and threw her arm over her face. She was back at the notions shop for her weekly restocking. She took her arm away and played with the tail of this week's newest stuffed animal. It was a cow.
"Maybe not everything. It's like he said, you've got to stop trying so hard. Or just face it. You can't get everything you want. Or else we're be out of a job and the whole world will be at peace and just rather very boring." Button explained. She was trying hard to not want to straighten the shelf of toys.
"I know, you're right. I just really really don't want to give up."
"Huh, okay. I'll help you." Rarity looked up quickly. "But only cause you're one of my best customers and a good friend."
"Oh thank you Button! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
"Okay, calm down. It's simple in a way. All you've got to do is convince Pinkie to ask him to do it. She knows just how to flatter and lead him into a decision he wouldn't want to make ordinarily."
"That does seem simple enough but she's already stated that 'if he's not interested, he's not interested'."
"That's the thing Rarity. He's not interested. Your job is to get Pinkie interested." Button tilted her head in a 'get what I mean' sort of way. Rarity brightened up at the thought. Her mind started to race with all sorts of ideas on how to do that.
A couple of days later, Rarity was working on a dress when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in! I'll be right with you!" she called out. The bell above the door chimed as the patron walked in. Rarity put in the last pin. She was going to turn to help the customer when she saw the outline of him in the corner of her eye. Discord was leaning on the ponnequin with a sour look on his face.
"I had it in mind that you would be happy with my little gifts to our dear Pinkie Pie." Rarity pouted.
"I did, until I found out who gave them to her. I also believe you offered her a 'Friends and family' discount for any future purchases of that nature."
"Oh that, well, she is one of my best friends. And I know how embarrassing it can be to buy those sort of things." Rarity played innocence.
"Yes, very. But my problem now is that your little discount has turned her to your side. She gave me quite the talk about helping you."
"Really now? What did she say?"
"Nothing I'll tell you but...sigh, fine. I'll help you." Discord grumbled as he draped himself over the ponnequin.
"Yes! Yes! Woohoo!" Rarity jumped around the room. Discord slumped over to a chair and pouted. Rarity's grin spread from ear to ear as she ran around to obtain fabrics and threads.
"Okay, how do we start?" she was a bouncy as Pinkie.
"Ugh, why? Why do I have to be so weak to the whims of that clever, jolly mare?" Discord asked the sky with his hands out wide. "Okay, first, is color blocking. Once you have the blocks set you pick your patterns. You pick them based on theme, color or feeling. Like if you want a happy dress over a regal one." He droned on. He looked so happy to do so.
Oh this is great! A little lace and a discount. And who knew edible underwear could work such wonder! Oops, I should take notes on this. Rarity thought as she scribbled down Discord's words. Thank the stars, as he says.
Author's Note
Button Stitch is a character I'm borrowing from a really great story called The Turning of the Screwball - The Strange Case of Button Stitch. It has two equally great sequels. Though, in my story I have a slightly different explanation of Screwball/Button.
I know some writers have Discord say things like 'By Chaos!' or something along that nature. I have him say such things as 'By the stars!' as I think it fits him better. Chaos is his thing but not his call upon.
I also have him say 'Oh Lord!' as it's a very general exclaim and something he could have picked up. I know for a fact that Q did say that. Also, the definition of Lord is 'a deferential appellation for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief, or ruler'.
