Drive You Insane

Chapter 2

Our cutie marks were not flashing. There were no current invasions that required our service. Pinkie Pie was not hosting another one of her ‘welcome to ponyville’ parties for any stranger. So, that made me wonder.

Why didTwilight formally request me to meet at her castle? No clues were left when she instructed me to meet her there other than the others’ supposed attendance, and she left in a bit of a rush before I could ask a quick question. It happened so fast I had to wonder if it even happened or if it was all in my head...

As I slowly trotted up the cobblestone path to Twilight’s tree castle, I thought of all the possibilities for our summons. What it could be. Surely there was no ‘emergency’ friendship ruination. Maybe Twilight wanted assistance? But why so formal about it? Further up the path I caught a glimpse of Applejack as she too galloped towards the direction of the castle.

“Applejack!” I called out to her. Applejack’s ears pricked as she turned her head towards me, slowing down to a jog.  “Wait up!”

“Howdy Rarity!” she greeted me with a toothy smile and a wave as I walked faster to catch up with her. Not too fast though, as I did have a level of elegance and grace to uphold. “How’re ya doing this fine day?”

“All right, thank you.”

            This day was indeed fine, to say the least. The weather ponies had cleared the skies of all clouds, letting Celestia’s sun shine down in all its grandeur and splendor. It was not too hot though, and left us room to breathe and sweat-free. It made the morning’s dew coruscate on the neatly trimmed grass placed on either side of the path, and gave off a rather cheery feeling. Birds chirping, ponies smiling- all of that.As for the bright blue sky, it provided a spectacle worthy of getting lost into, deep and vast like the ocean.

Seeing as neither of us had diverged to different paths yet, Applejack was inclined to say, “Let me guess, Twilight called ya too, didn’t she?”

“Yes she did. Have any idea about what it could be?”

She shook her head.

“Enope. Ah guess we just gotta wait till we get there. Discord knows though, Twilight has been a bit jumpy recently.” Applejack glanced to her right. “Speak of the devil,” she pointed, “there’s Fluttershy. And Discord’s with her.”

I looked over to the direction where Applejack was pointing and sure enough Fluttershy and Discord were walking towards the castle as well. And by the look of it I would say that the two were enjoying an interesting conversation. Fluttershy was laughing while Discord made motions with his right paw and his left bird limb.

“Ugh, Discord,” I sighed as I watched the duo. “I know we forgave him for betraying us when Tirek was around, but I’m still not fond of him. He’s got something peculiar going.” Applejack looked at me, her right eyebrow sticking up.

“Now what in tarnation do ya mean, sugar cube? He hasn’t given any trouble since that incident and that was a while ago. I can tell he’s learnt his lesson, and that’s coming from the mare that can smell a lie a million miles away. It’s about time too if ya ask me.”

I continue to cavil anyways though.

“I know, but he still makes me unhinged. Especially when he calls me ‘Rares’.” My mouth twisted into an irregular shape as I spat out my newly given nickname. “I don’t like it when he calls me that at all.”

“I know Rarity, but it’s his way of being nice to you. He’s at least making an effort. Ya gotta give him credit for that.”

I know my whines are becoming painful to Applejack by now, but I continue my protesting. It seems the stubbornness of both her and Rainbow Dash has truly began to rub off on me.

“I see your point,” I admit, “but I wish he would just quit it. He’s such a bother!”

I proceed to sigh as I rub my eyes with my hoof. I then let out a yawn.

“Excuse me, dear. Just tired.”

Designing the next lines of fashions is certainly a wonderful job, but it can take its toll.  Migraines are no stranger to me while trying to search and pull scraps of ideas from my mind and connect them together like a puzzle. It is no easy task, and Discord’s antics along with the name he dubbed me were not helping. Not one bit. Nevertheless I continued up the road in silence. Applejack simply shrugged as she shook her head and walked on.

But after a few minutes of silence I could see it had crawled under her skin, and soon enough she spoke up.

“Rarity,” Applejack said. I looked up. She was not looking back at me but I could see a bit of her face. She knitted her brows and her mouth held a Lilliputian scowl, eyes partially closed. She took a few breaths before she continued. “I think ya should give Discord a chance.”

“What do you mean? I tolerate him-”

“Yes, you tolerate him.” Applejack snapped as she stopped dead in in her tracks, turning towards me. “But that’s not enough. You need to give him a proper chance. And I mean a real chance.”

“I don’t know,” I murmured as I looked down at the tiny pebbles that lay scattered on the track.

“Look, Rarity,” with her hoof Applejack lifted my head, voice softer than before.  “Rainbow Dash still drives you nuts at times, but you two are friends, right?”

I was taken back by the remark.

“Yes, of course we are!”

“Exactly! So you could do the same with Discord. Right?”

I walked on without an answer. Could I really do the same? Could I gain and maintain the same level of friendship as I had with Rainbow Dash and the others with Discord? Even after the things he did? I was not quite sure. With that thought in my head I continued my way to the castle in quietude. I simply could not come up with an answer for the time being.

We soon arrived at the castle where Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Discord, and Twilight were already waiting.

“Hey Rarity, hey Applejack!” Twilight greeted as I entered the throne room. Even though I have been in here many times it has never failed to steal my breath away every time. “Glad you showed up. Pinkie Pie couldn’t make it because she and Maud had a trip planned.”

“No problem, Twilight. I had some chores to do, but I could spare a few hours or so for you guys,” Applejack responded with a simper as she took a seat on her throne. I followed suit. “What’s going on?”

“Well,” Fluttershy spoke barely above a whisper while we strained our ears to listen, “um Discord wanted to tell you girls something. That’s why Twilight asked you here.”

Well that’s peculiar.

All eyes turned to the draconequus who, quite surprisingly stood without a sound next to Fluttershy’s throne. He seemed almost sad as he tilted his head down to the ground, scratching away idly at the marble floor.

“So,” Rainbow Dash said, “what’s going on? Why’re we here?”

His attention was caught. Ears perked up, he looked over to Dash’s throne, where she sat cross-armed.

“Well, I just think that I’m not, well, appreciated that much.” Discord closed his eyes and also crossed his arms while he pouted.

“Discord, what’re you even talking about?”

Discord flattened his ears and growled as a reply to the rainbow-maned mare.  “With that attitude, why should I tell you?”

There was the childish draconequus I knew.

Throwing her arms up in the air, Dash turned back to Twilight with a look of annoyance.

“See? This is why we don’t take Discordseriously!”

I merely sat there in silence as the scene played out, though I couldn’t say I didn’t agree with Rainbow’s opinion.

Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Dash, Discord’s one of us now. And while me may be acting juvenile, we have to take him seriously, or else how can we call ourselves his friend? How can we call him a friend?”

Rainbow grumbled, nodding back to Twilight.

“Yeah, I guess.”

            Though she still shot a death glare at the draconequus, who smugly grinned back before untwining himself from Fluttershy’s stone chair. Clearing his throat, he began to speak once more.

“Alright, alright. All joking aside, I… I  just feel that ever since I, well, disregarded what was right and what was wrong with the Tirek… thing, I’ve felt as though ponies have pushed me away.”

Everypony besides Fluttershy and Twilight had their jaws drop the ground, especially me. It was rare that Discord actually spoke pensively, even in little bits like this, and we were shocked to say at least.

“They look at me like… like I’m a monster. Like I’m an animal needed to be put back in his cage. I… I know I’m a goofy, crazy creature. I’ve done wrong, but does that mean it’s okay to ignore what I’ve done right? I understand that I really messed up with Tirek.”

He shot a glance at Rainbow Dash.

“And I get that it’s hard to take someone like me seriously. But, if you’d just listen to me now, I… I need everypony to see that I’m really trying to be a good guy. I understand my mistakes, and I’m trying to learn from them. That I can be serious. Pinkie Pie’s a goofball but you all understand that she’s not a foal. She’s mature. An adult. So, why can’t you do the same with me? Have everypony do the same with me? I’m sick of being the untrustable clown of this town. I want to be looked at in the same way everyone else is.”

Now it was time for all of us to be dumbstruck. Either Discord was being Discord and he planned his little speech in front of a mirror, or he really meant what he said. But then again, didn’t he just say he was sick of ponies thinking just that?

“Wow. Okay Discord,” Rainbow Dash lowered her head and she spoke noticeably calmer than before. “I’m sorry. But, what are you really asking for?”

“I just…”

He sighed. So much sighing today, it seemed.

“...want to do the same things you do, to have fun the same way you have fun, to make jokes and laugh the same way you make jokes and laugh. But I really to share the same friendship with you the same way you all share your friendship with each other. It’s a step to acceptance.”

I never thought for once in my mind that Discord could say something with such heartfelt meaning. That he could be genuine.

Maybe Applejack was right. Maybe he really was trying to make such an effort to create a bond with us. Maybe I’ve been too cold to him.

I breathed in, mentally preparing myself for what was to happen next,

Okay, Rarity. I’ll give him the chance he deserves. It is the least I can do.

“Well Discord,” I rose from my throne and swiftly hopped down to the ground with a small clop and stood right before the draconequus. His shoulders were slumped and his head was lowered. His aura was obviously different from before; I could detect no mischief. “You can start with me. Would you like to spend time with me tonight?”

I could clearly remember the astonished faces portrayed from my friends. Even Discord’s jaw was dropped and his eye were wide open. I let out a tiny smile, though kept my posture stiff and boss-like.

“D-do you really mean it Rares?”

“Ha ha, Discord. As long as you don’t call me that.” I mock laughed as I threw him a death glare which in my mind promised eternal pain if he did not comply. Discord’s face froze.

“Yes Ma’am. Understood.” Discord snapped his fingers and a military helmet appeared atop his head as he saluted. I rolled my eyes as I shook my head.Hmm, there’s been a lot of that too...

“Good enough. Anyways, I was thinking a picnic of sorts. But I wont be free until later tonight. Let’s go with six o’clock. Meet me by the bridge. Okay?”

I wasn’t going to waste time with small talk. I wanted to get straight to the point. This was to make Discord more welcome, and help with the rest of the town accepting him once more.Help with our little group becoming more accepting towards him.

Discord grinned. “Gladly.”

Then, with a flash, he was out.

“Um…” Applejack was the first to speak up. “Not to be blunt, but did that really jus’ happen? Rarity’s gonna hang out wit’ Discord?”

My proud smirk switched to a glower.

Twilight was equally surprised though, and gave a confused look to AJ.

“Er, it seems so.”

Fluttershy was the only one wearing a confident smile among us.

“I think it was very kind of Rarity to step up for him.”

I couldn’t help but grin goofily at the comment.

“Ahm kinda shocked to be honest,” Applejack gave Rarity a warm smile. “But Ah’m really proud of you for doin’ it too. Didn’t think you had it in ya.”

She then looked around the room.

“I think I could say I’m proud of all of us today too.”

But soon Dash was quick to speak up.

“Pft, Rarity was the only one to speak up! None of you did anything! Not even you, AJ!”

I was ready to defend Applejack as I looked at Rainbow irritably, but I was beat to it.

“Ah don’t know what’s got your panties in a twist Dash, but you were against Discord at first! At least the rest of us were willing to sit down and listen to what he had to say like good friends!”

“...but I’m not even wearing panties…”

“It’s a metaphor, dang it!”

            “Girls!”

It was Fluttershy who spoke up this time. Everypony had hushed themselves as an eerie ringing filled the room, all eyes on her. Fluttershy twiddled with her hooves.

“You two need to stop your bickering. We all did good today, and we’re really making progress with Discord. Especially you, Rarity.”

I beamed at the praise.

“But that’s not the point. It’s understandable that Rainbow Dash was a bit, well, suspicious. But she knew when she messed up. You saw that she regretted what she said after listening. And now it’s time for both of you to say sorry to each other.”

Fluttershy crossed her hooves.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash glimpsed at each other while they both let out awkward laughs.

“Uh,” Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head, “I’m sorry. I guess I shouldn’t have flown off the handle like that. That wasn’t cool of me. Twenty percent less cool, to be exact.”

“Well... Ah’m sorry too sugarcube.” Applejack removed her stetson. “Guess I shouldn’t have started pointing hooves like that. Are we good now?”

Rainbow Dash smiled. Not one of her smug smiles, but a true, honest smile.

“Yeah, we’re cool.”

“Well,” Twilight said from in between the two, “since Discord left, now what should we do?”

“I don’t know about ya’ll, but Ah got chores to do back at the farm. Granny’s gonna start nagging in my ear if ah don’t get back soon too. Guess I’m heading out now.” With that Applejack took her leave, hopping off her own throne and heading out the door.

“I was reading the new Daring Do book you gave me yesterday.” Rainbow Dash told Twilight, “I think I’ll head back how and finish it. Right now she’s in an abandoned is-”

“Don’t tell me!” Twilight covered her ears as tightly as she could. “I haven’t started reading it yet. I don’t want any spoilers.”

“Oops, hehe. Well, I’m gonna head out. Also need to go rig up a prank in Pinkie’s house while she’s gone...  um, you didn’t hear that. See ya!” Rainbow flew out through the nearby open window leaving a colorful path behind.

“Well, Twilight, it seems we all have things planned, so I’ll see you tomorrow then. I think I’ll stop by Aloe and Lotus for a massage or something in the meantime.”

“Yeah. That sounds nice.”

She then cavorted off her own throne, doing a spin in the air before landing gracefully on all fours. “I think I’m just going to go ahead and enjoy the time I have without paperwork!”

We both shared a laugh.

“Yeah, I should be leaving soon.  I also have next season’s fashion to work on, and I must  make it perfect enough for the Canterlot Showroom next month. And I have to prepare for the evening with Discord. I have to find something perfect to wear and-”

“Well don’t let us stop you,” Twilight was in the process of shutting me out through the door as I found myself floating in the air.  “Let us know how it turns out. Byeee.”

With a playful grin Twilight shut the door and dropped me on the ground. I rolled my eyes and stepped to all fours,  leaving to the direction of my house as I daydreamed about what to wear and how Discord and I would casually chat. Strangely, I could not wait.