As the pair put down their drinks, both of them came to a startling conclusion at the same time...they had no idea what to say next. Both of them had thought a lot about the preparation of the date, but neither had thought past that first initial point. Celestia could only think of boring “being-ruler-of-a-country” stuff, and Discord couldn’t think of anything except tales of pranks he had recently pulled...unlikely to impress Celestia during a formal date.

The was an awkward silence developing, which then made it more difficult to think of a conversation good enough to start with, and a vicious circle had begun. Luckily for the immortal pair, a pair of not-so immortal ponies were keeping an eye on them. Rarity was closer than Twilight, and so took the lead by trotting over to the pair.

“Sir, Madam, would you like some olives or flowers whilst you browse the menu?”

Celestia's eyes lit flitted over to Rarity, a look of appreciation that Twilight had seen regularly but was fairly new to the unicorn. “Yes thank you, some olives would be delightful.” Celestia quickly scanned over the menu “What is the soup of the day?”

“Sweet Potato and Roasted Walnut” Rarity replied and added with an flourish “Of course if that is not to your liking, the chef can always try to create a dish just for you.”

Discord smiled as Celestia rolled her eyes a little as Rarity slipped into treating the alicorn as a Princess. He scanned over the menu and asked “And what is the fresh fish option?”

Rarity stiffened slightly “Today’s catch was salmon, which the chef would aim to serve either as blackened salmon, or is suitable for...erm...eating raw.”

“Thank you” Discord replied. Rarity bowed as she left to get the olives.

Celestia was tempted to look at the menu again, but had to bring up the subject “Fish?”

“Yes, it’s right here on the menu.” Discord started, before pausing “Wait, would that offend you?”

Celestia thought for a moment, and a smile formed on her face “Of course not. Whilst ponies may be vegetarian, plenty of the animals in Equestria are not. Living with Fluttershy, you must know that at least some ponies understand that some creatures eat others?”

Discord still looked a little sheepish “Yes, but those are wild animals, and they are not on a date with the most perfect pony in Equestria.”

Celestia blushed a little at the compliment, but saw that Discord was fidgeting a little. She had dealt with enough nervous ponies in her life to know how to deal with this “Do you enjoy eating fish?”

Just at the moment, Rarity returned with the olives, delivering them in her aura and quickly retreating as it was clear the pair were finally talking.

“I’m not going to lie, that’s not what friends do to each other” Discord sighed a little “Truth be told, yes I do.”

Celestia picked up an olive with her aura, and delicately popped it into her mouth. Discord picked up a toothpick and proceeded to do the same. Celestia swallowed, and smiled at her date “There’s nothing wrong with that Discord. I’ve always wondered what you like to eat.”

“I’m like a dragon, I eat pretty much anything...although staying at the castle does not provide me with much variation”

Celestia's eyes shifted slightly, the faint hint of something behind her eyes but her voice keeping the same warm tone “Why’s that?”

“Most ponies don’t like handling meat or fish...of course for pets they do and for a foreign dignitary they will do whatever is required. But the chefs were quite adamant that they were not going to cook anything different for me than they were serving for you and Luna.”

Celestia’s eyes softened, and she reached her leg over the table to take one of her dates claw in her hoof “Discord, I had no idea. I must apologise and will sort this matter out first thing tomorrow morning”

“There’s no need for that. I believe I could force the issue myself, but I wouldn't want to make anypony to do something they weren't comfortable with -”

Celestia sniggered a little and Discord smiled at the irony of the statement “Well, not again anyway. Besides, they signed up to serve you and your sister, but thank you for the offer.”

Celestia tried to compose herself, a slight internal rage building. She took another olive to give her time to cool before replying with affection “No, you do not understand. I made it clear to all the Guards and workers at the palace that you should be treated as equal to my sister and I.”

“You did?” Discord replied with a little shock.

“Yes, your recent actions proved that you obviously did not feel like a genuine part of Equestria’s society...of it’s Royalty. But you are, or at least I hope you choose to be -” Celestia highlighted the word “- It would be such a shame to have to rearrange the palace gardens again to find space for your stoned form.”

“Well, without the elements of harmony how do you expect to do that?”

Celestia giggled a little “We still have Cockatrices…”

The pair looked and each other and shared a laugh but then looked down to see them still holding each other. They quickly recoiled their limbs with a faint blush. A silence started again, and celestia levitated up her menu. For the next minute or so both of them snacked on the olives whilst looking over the menu.

Rarity noted the awkwardness again, but fate decided to intervene. The nervous waitress from earlier was carrying a tray full of drinks over to one of the parties when she tripped over an empty chair, spilling the tray and sending drinks hurtling towards a pair of young lovers on a date.

Discord and Celestia both noticed this and Celestia started charging her horn. However, before she had a chance to react fully, the drinks magically jumped back onto the tray and the pony heard the familiar snap of Discords claw. Everypony that had seen the spill looked round in surprise, but guessed that either Twilight or Celestia had done something.

However, the two alicorns knew that only creature in the room could perform such a feat so quickly.

“Did you do that?” Celestia asked, even though she knew the answer “Discord, just you just stop a bit of chaos from happening?”

“Erm, yes?” the draconequus replied scratching behind his head nerviosuly.

Celestia then burst out laughing “Oh, I never thought I would see the day.” She then leaned toward so she could whisper “To do that you must be crushing on me hard!”

Now it was Discords turn to blush and Rarity returning to get the order stumbling into the scene. “Are you ready to order?”

Celestia looked over to Discord and answered the question wordlessly with a subtle nod, and Discord turned to Rarity “Why yes, I believe we are!” and motioned for Celestia to go first.

“For the main course, I’ll take the daffodil and chestnut salad, with some bread on the side. And for the starter…” the pony paused for a second and flicked her eyes over to her date “I know it’s not on the menu persay, but could I have some salmon sashimi with perhaps some wild rice on the side, and some ginger if you have it?”

Rarity managed to keep her calm exterior with Discord looked with a genuine look of surprise “Of course, I’ll see what the chef can do, and for you sir?”

Discord slightly shook his head to clear his thoughts “I’ll have the same starter, and may I have roasted carrot, bean and cheese salad.”

“Excellent choices!” Rarity replied with calm slightly french accent that was getting more pronuced throughout the evening “Do you require any more drinks?”

“No, we are fine for now” Celestia replied, and Rarity left the pair.

Discord just looked over at his date, with Celestia just looking around deliberately nonchalantly “Fish? Really?”

“I’m an alicorn, I can eat fish” Celestia replied. She slowly levitated up an olive, keeping eye contact with Discord, and popped the olive in her mouth leaving it paused on the lips for just a second “And as a Princess, I can eat whatever I like, whenever I like” Celestia’s eyes twinkled a little as she spoke, and Discord’s saw the hint of mischief that was always hidden behind her calm exterior.

Things just got interesting Discord thought to himself.

With the ice broken, the pair soon settled into their date with conversation flowing much more freely. Rarity along with the other waitresses and Twilight kept an eye on the pair but with the immortals now happy they could also make sure the other guests for the evening were having a good time.

Spike’s music was soon joined in by Lyra and Octavia, and Spike soon left the pair playing to take a break. He walked over to the bar where Rarity was paused waiting for the next order of drinks for Rainbow Dash’s group. The pegasus was enjoying the evening immensely as she could get to order Rarity around and generally be a pain in the flank.

The strain of being civil towards her friends unreasonable demands meant that Rarity was getting visibly annoyed. However, when the next drinks order was ready Spike offered to serve it instead. Rarity tried to insist it wasn’t his job, so Spike just pointed out the Mr and Mrs Cake needed to be served their food so Rarity trotted off to do that. Spike carefully carried the drinks over to the table, and started serving the drinks.

Leaving Rainbow Dash’s drink till last, he turned to serve his friend but deliberately tripped over his own tail, throwing the drink all over the pegasus (Discord and Celestia both noticed this in progress, but neither of them choose to intervene). Rainbow’s friends originally froze as their boss wiped herself down, but then started laughing at the wet pony.

Spike apologised and offered to get another drink, but Rainbow Dash knew he did it on purpose. The rash speedster was about to argue with the dragon when she remembered where she was and who else was in the room - not only was Princess Celestia on her date but she had a special bond with Spike. And Twilight was also nearby and might object to Rainbow Dash insulting her brother/son thingy.

Rainbow publically acknowledged the apology and laughed along with her friends, but leant in to Spike “I know you did that on purpose Spike!” Rainbow quietly hissed to the dragon, staring daggers at the whelp.

Spike however was unmoving and simply stared the pegasus back “And I know how you’ve been treating our friend Rarity...so that was from her because she would be too polite to ever do anything like that to you!”

Rainbow looked away slightly annoyed by that barb and Spike took that as a win. He re-served Rainbow Dash her drink and went to sit down at the bar. Within moments Twilight had walked over to her charge “I saw that!”

Spike looked guilty towards the floor “Yeah, I know, and I expect to be punished. I presume no ice-cream or gems for a week?”

Twilight looked around to make sure nopony was watching, and confirming they weren’t lent in and gave a very quick hug “Good thing you did that, as I was about to do the same!”

“But...I did something wrong?” Spike asked confused.

“Oh, it was wrong...but did it for the right reasons, so lets call it a wash shall we? Of course I suspect Rainbow Dash may be looking for some revenge later.”

“Oh, I didn’t think of that!” Spike bit his lip “And she pranks gooooooddd!”

Once everypony had been served their deserts, Spike, Octavia and Lyra started playing music suitable for dancing. Discord and Celestia watched as a few of the couples got up and started dancing with the music, pairs of friends from some of the groups joining them.

Celestia looked over towards Discord with a bit of a false pleading look in her eyes, a gentle hint to her date that the draconequus didn’t fail to pick up on.

“Would you care to dance? he asked in the most formal tone he could muster.

Celestia giggled “I thought you’d never ask.”

As he was about to stand up, Discord paused for a second watching the pairs of bodies moving in perfect rhythm. “But how will we do this given your a quadruped and I’m bipedal? I could transform into a pony if it would help?” Discord shrugged his shoulders a little.

Celestia rolled her eyes “Are you a pony?”

“No...and I know you want ‘me to be me’ and you have to stop using that trick!” Celestia just stuck her tongue out to Discord, causing him to laugh a little “But how will we do this?” he continued.

“Do you think you can hold half my body up? Remember, if you say no then you’re basically calling me fat?”

“Given how the question was phrased...of course I can, it is but a feather sweet princess!”

Celestia and Discord stood and and walking to the dancefloor. Discord stood there as his alicorn date reared up onto her hind legs, and placed both her front hooves on his shoulders.

“Put an arm around my trunk” Celestia half asked/half commanded.

“You sure?”

“Yes, I need the support. Besides, the dress gives me a certain amount of privacy from any prying eyes or fingers” she raised her eyebrows once in a look that told the draconequus not to get any ideas.

Discord held the pony with one arm, whilst celestia dropped her opposing front leg round his body until the pair was settled. With the weight sorted out, the pair began to dance slowly to the music.

The other ponies almost stopped dancing in surprise to see the larger pair standing up, but remembered they were suppose to be treating the pair like any other so continued their own movements.

Once the immortal pair had picked up the rhythm and were comfortable in the pose, Discord spoke first “I was slightly surprised to see you in a dress to be honest...I thought you would be in your usual regalia.”

“It was my nieces idea...as was the mane and makeup”

“I must thank her for that!”

“Oh, and whys that?” Celestia asked a little cheekily.

“Because you look rather ravishing in that dress...and whilst your flowing mane is wonderful, having it up lets me see all of that wonderful face of yours.” Celestia looked away bashfully, but Discord continued “And whilst your natural beauty can’t be beat, the makeup does add a bit of mystery to that majestic face”

Celestia was unfortunate that she was a white furred pony as the deep blush she was now wearing was clear for everypony to see. Twilight and Rarity, watching from one side with nopony to serve, hoof bumped each other.

Celestia was too taken back to formulate a fancy reply, so just mumble “You look rather handsome yourself” before resting her head against her dates.

After a few hours mixed between dancing and drinks, one by one the other guests started to leave. Wanting to make sure that they weren’t last, Discord and Celestia got the attention of Twilight and asked for the bill.

Twilight smiled at the pair “It’s on the house.”

“Oh no, we can’t accept that!” Celestia replied, Discord nodding in agreement.

“Consider it a present for the Princess of Friendship for two close friends finding a new friendship.” Twilight turned to Celestia “And payback for all you did for me as a filly, a mare, ...and what you continue to do for me”

Celestia lent in and gave Twilight a nuzzling “Thank you, my faithful student” she whispered, a slight tear forming on her eye

“Anytime, my wonderful mentor” Twilight nuzzled back.

Discord didn’t want to break the heartwarming moment, but he couldn’t resist it “And me?”

“Well, indirectly you did get me wings and a castle, so I guess it’s a thank you for that” Twilight giggled, given the draconequus a playful poke with a hoof “But thats it now, we’re even! Besides, having the Princess in town always boosts the towns profile so I’ll put it under the governments marketing budget.”

“So it’s my money afterall then?” Celestia joked

“Our money now” Twilight replied with a ruffle of her wings, before the three of them laughed together. “Anyway I best go say goodbye the remaining customers, have a pleasant rest of the evening”. Twilight bowed at the end, and trotted off to serve the remaining ponies.

As soon as they stepped outside the town hall, they were greeted by the Royal Guards waiting for them. Celestia could sense that they had done as she asked and had a couple of drinks, but that they were still more than fit for duty.

“I hope you gentlecolts had a nice evening?” Celestia asked.

“Yes Princess!” the guards replied in unison, before the captain added “I hope that you...both of you...had a pleasant time?”

The pair nodded before Celestia addressed her guards “If you don’t mind, can we have a few moments of privacy?”

The guards stepped back a few paces, but were still clearly protecting the Princess. They both noticed this, but continued anyway.

“It was a wonderful evening, I do hope you enjoyed it Celestia?”

“I did indeed, Ponyville really pulled out all the stops for us.”

“It was nice of Twilight to pay, but that just means I’ll have to pay next time...it’s traditional afterall.”

“Oh, and what's to say theres going to be a next time?” Celestia asked, smirking as she did.

“How could you say no to this?” Discord laughed waving his hands dramatically over himself.

“I would like that, but one thing.” Celestias face fell to something more seriously looking, grabbing his attention “Discord…I don’t mind you causing a little chaos when I’m around. I appreciate your efforts tonight, but you are the god of chaos. I know it’s in your nature and I don’t want you to suppress it completely.”

“Oh, of course, but this was a first date so it just seemed wrong. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow somehow...how about I make your lunch come alive or something?”

Celestia put a hoof to her chin in thinking mode “Hmmm, lunchtimes no good for me, how about two thirty?”

The pair giggled but as Celestia went to put down her hoof, Discord grabbed it. The guards instantly sprang forwards, two of them readying their spears.

“Stand down” Celestia ordered, before turning her attention a little confused back to her date. Discord lent down whilst raising the hoof and gently kissed it “Till next time my lady”

Celestia blush was visible to everypony as the guards walked her to her carriage, Celestia giving a wave from inside before she was whisked away, leaving the draconequus by himself.

However, moments later he was joined by Rarity and Twilight “So how did it go?” Rarity asked.

Discord turned to the unicorn and wanted to give her a hug. But as he approached with his arms ready, he remembered who had ask the question and just stopped short of touching her.

“You were about to hug me weren’t you?” the mare asked with a little confusion.

“Yes, but I know you don’t like me mucking up your mane style.”

Rarity smiled at the lovestruck draconequus “Oh, I think it’ll be okay this time...one time.”

Discord picked Rarity up and swung round in circles with her “It was wonderful, thank you so much for all your hard work!”

Setting down the pony, and noticing with a smile that she immediately started brushing her mane and tail, Discord moved over to Twilight, discussing how the date went with the other immortal in town.

Meanwhile Spike was sat nearby looking back towards the Town Hall, just as the last guests were leaving. Rarity sat down next to him, her aura still active in brushing her mane casting a soft glow over them. Twilight subtly took a few steps away along with Discord, to give the two a little space as they deserved.

The dragon and the pony looked in silence at what they achieved that evening, as it was clear that it had been an outstanding success. Mr and Mrs Cake had thanked all the staff very thoroughly for the wonderful dinner, the pair having not had such a romantic evening since before the twins were born. Other couples, new and established, had felt the same.

Rarity lent slightly to the side, pressing up against the dragon. Whilst his first reaction was surprise, something inside of him told him it was okay and Spike leaned back against the one pony he had different feelings for than any other.

“We did it Spike, the whole plan went off without a hitch” the fashionista sighed happily.

“Yeah, we did it!”

Rarity paused for a moment, holding the contact between them for a few moments, before easing the pressure, both of them standing up straight again.

Author's Note

The fish thing isn’t new, it’s in a number of other fics I’ve read that Alicorns have different diets. And I needed some sign from Celestia that she accepted Discords differences.

Oh, and this is the end of the Sprarity bit of the story, but I write enough of that as it is.