Discord's Perfect Dinner Date
The Grand Galloping Gala...a few minutes after the events of the Smooze getting riled up...and Discord threatening to send Tree Hugger to another dimension...
After the Grand Galloping Gala, Discord walked outside with Tree Hugger, Smooze, and Fluttershy. Tonight was definitely a wild night, but at least everything went water-under-the-bridge between him and his friends, all the while making him much more relaxed.
But, it wasn’t until they were in open ground that Discord noticed that the high-class ponies of Canterlot were glaring at him fiercely, obviously over nearly ruining the Gala with the Smooze. Two fillies in particular, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, were glaring daggers at Discord.
“I can’t believe Princess Celestia would invite that mixed-up troublemaker to our party after all the trouble he caused,” Diamond Tiara rudely said, “First, he invites Tirek to Equestria; now he gets the royal palace covered in ooze!”
“He’s worse than the blank flanks. If he can do all of that, who knows what he’ll do next.” Silver Spoon added.
Their words caused Discord’s head to droop in sorrow, and even to take off one of his ears and pick at it like there was nothing else to do.
Upon finding what was happening to Discord, Fluttershy felt nothing but annoyance towards Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. She steps up in front of them like a firm adult, and gives them “the Stare,” causing their eyes to go wide. They ran away screaming. She finished her stare when the two fillies were out of sight, and gently flew to Discord, up to the level of his head.
“Don’t let Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon get you down, Discord,” Fluttershy said, “They don’t know what they’re saying.”
“No, Fluttershy. They’re on the ball with what they said,” Discord said sadly, before putting his ear back on, “I was given a second chance from everypony in Equestria after the events with Tirek, but tonight...tonight I only made myself all the more monstrous.”
Smooze mumbled bubbly. He mumbled a lot, telling Discord that everyone makes mistakes.
“Thank you, Smooze,” Discord said, “I know everyone makes mistakes, but mine are just...just not the kind to be so easily salted.”
As if to literally show his point, a giant salt shaker appeared above Discord and shakes salt onto him like one would do with a plate of spaghetti.
Then, out of nowhere...Maud showed up like she appeared out of thin air, startling Discord and causing the salt shaker to disappear.
“Don’t worry, Discord,” Maud said, “Despite the act of jealousy you performed, on and off stage, I had a really good time. I heard that the galas get so boring, even Celestia herself thinks so. You gave a more memorable party than my sister and her friends ever could.”
Discord felt surprised by the fact that somepony besides Celestia had fun because he was around.
“Oh. Well, thanks a lot.” he said.
“You’re welcome,” Maud responded, “If you’ll excuse me, Boulder wants to sample the leftover sweets.”
Maud walked away with her pet rock in tow.
“I still have a hard time believing she’s Pinkie Pie’s sister.” Discord whispered to Fluttershy.
“You and me both,” Fluttershy replied.
“Don’t worry. Maud and I get that a lot.” Pinkie whispered, appearing out of nowhere in front of Discord and Fluttershy.
The two of them became wide-eyed upon finding Pinkie suddenly in front of them. However, they didn’t let it take hold of them because they knew how common it was for her to do that.
“Hey, Discord. I wanted to come tell you that I also had a great time. I mean, sure, things did get a little messy, but, if you and the Smooze weren’t around...things would’ve been uneventful,” Pinkie told him, “You’re still A-Okay in my book, buddy.”
And with that, Pinkie walked away to rejoin Maud for the evening.
It was at that moment when Discord suddenly remembered something. Something that he just realized he wanted to tell Fluttershy. His expression went from depression to a smile.
“Uhh…Fluttershy, I’d like to take you up on the offer of having dinner with you, Tree Hugger, and Smooze.”
“You do?” Fluttershy asked while cocking her head.
“Why, of course,” Discord assured her, “When and where is it more appropriate?”
“I know this nice cafe that serves salads of all kinds. We can go tomorrow night.” Fluttershy said with a smile.
“Excellent! Smooze and I will pick you two up from your cottage at sundown.”
As a token of their agreement, Fluttershy and Discord shook hands, eagle-claw to hoof.
****
The next day...at sundown...
Discord and Smooze were heading to Fluttershy's cottage. As they walked towards the door, they each couldn’t help but take a gander at their surroundings: a family of possums were preparing themselves for the night, and a family of birds were preparing themselves for the morning. None of that, however, could ease Discord from his surprising nervousness.
They stopped in front of the door, each of them ready for tonight.
“I can’t mess up again, Smooze,” he said, “I have to make sure everything is perfect for us.”
Discord took a few deep breaths, with three last breaths being blown into a paper bag. Ready to let the girls know they were here, Discord prepared to knock on the door, only...instead of knocking on it, he made a large tuba appear on him. With a clearing of his throat, and a couple of blows, he loudly played the tuba, loud enough to let Fluttershy and Tree Hugger know they were here. He made the tuba disappear after that.
Then, the door was opened by Tree Hugger.
“Groovy, Discord,” she said, “You made it.”
“Salutations, Tree Hugger,” he greeted his former rival, “Is Fluttershy ready?”
“Totally. I lent her one of my favorite synthetic threads to make her look like the natural beauty she is.”
When Discord heard that, he couldn’t help but shake his head back and forth rapidly in case he heard right, until he stopped to look at Tree Hugger again.
“Really?” he asked.
“Yay, come on in and I’ll show ya.” Tree Hugger said with a wave of her hoof.
Discord and the Smooze walked into the cottage, and when they fully entered...Discord was in awe. There, in front of him, was Fluttershy, in a lovely white gown. Additionally, her mane was braided. Smooze had to close his open mouth for him, especially since he didn’t even realize his lower jaw slacked onto the floor.
“Hey, Discord,” Fluttershy greeted, “Ready to go to dinner?”
“I-I am,” he stuttered, “Let’s go.”
The four walk to the cafe Fluttershy mentioned, closing the door behind them and leaving nothing but silence in the cottage.
****
Ten minutes later...
The gang was at the cafe, sitting at a table as Fluttershy told Tree Hugger about what it‘s like to have Discord as a friend.
“And then, he gave Twilight the final key to open the chest, and it released a power that defeated Tirek. It also gave Twilight her castle and helped her become the Princess of Friendship.” she finished.
“Very rad,” Tree Hugger said, “So, he like regained his positive vibes and redeemed himself?”
“Not really,” Discord said, “Most ponies still hate me. Fluttershy’s friends, with the exception of Pinkie Pie, still have some trust issues to work out.”
“They‘ll trust you at some point, Discord.” Fluttershy assured him.
Discord smiled at the assurance Fluttershy gave him.
Then, the waiter came with their orders, the tray full of food held by his mouth until he slowly set it in front of the group of four.
“Here are your orders,” he said, “Two salads for the ladies, shrimp alfreido for the draconequus, and…a jewelry platter for the…whatever your green friend is.”
“He’s called the Smooze.” Fluttershy told him.
“Right.” the waiter said in thanks.
The waiter handed the Smooze his food. The four began eating dinner, the Smooze in particular gobbling the platter of jewels and gems whole, when suddenly, the door to the restaurant opened.
“Miss Fluttershy!” someone shouted.
The four turned their attention from eating to find two familiar ponies: Diamond Tiara, and her father, Filthy Rich. What stood out to them the most was that Filthy Rich was holding Tiara by her ear. He dragged her towards the group while she kept saying “OW!” because of the pull on her ear. They stopped in front of the table.
“Sorry to bother you on your group outing, Ms. Fluttershy,” Filthy Rich said, “But Celestia informed me about how rude my daughter and her friend were towards your friend. I brought her here to apologize for her actions.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry for what I said back at Canterlot, Discord,” Diamond Tiara insincerely said.
Although Discord could tell she didn’t really mean that, he decided to nevertheless accept it for Fluttershy’s sake.
“Apology accepted,” Discord said with a roll of eyes.
Filthy Rich let go of his daughter’s ear.
“And first thing tomorrow, she’s going to Canterlot to apologize to Celestia for how rude she was in her presence,” Filthy Rich said, “Afterwards, she’ll be grounded for the next week.”
“But Daaaaaaaaaad…!” she whined.
“Would you prefer to be sent to Ms. Proper’s Reform School for Impolite Fillies?”
Tiara’s eyes widened upon hearing that, because she did not want to be going there.
“Grounded for a week it is,” she said, her ears folding down.
Both Tiara and her Dad left the four to prepare for their trip to Canterlot. But after they left, Fluttershy noticed Discord looking depressed, because it reminded him of the growing lack of trust he caused last night.
“At least Diamond Tiara apologized,” Fluttershy said.
“Only because her father made her, Fluttershy," Discord said despondently, “Other ponies don’t have to listen to their parents anymore.”
But Fluttershy wasn’t going to quit trying to help Discord feel happy.
“After we eat, how about I take you to somewhere special?” Fluttershy asked him.
Discord’s attention got drawn towards her when she asked him that.
“Special? O-okay.”
“Great! Tree Hugger, would you mind letting the Smooze take you home after we eat?” Fluttershy asked Tree Hugger.
“It’s all good, Flutters.” Tree Hugger said.
Smooze nodded ‘yes’ to the idea.
****
After dinner...
The group of four parted ways as they exited Ponyville. Fluttershy took Discord into the Everfree Forest while the Smooze took Tree Hugger to Fluttershy’s house where she could wait for her friend to come home.
As Discord and Fluttershy traveled deeper into the forest, Discord couldn’t help but feel surprised by how brave Fluttershy was being in walking in the Everfree, because normally she was often skittish when coming here.
“Where are we going?” Discord asked Fluttershy curiously.
“Someplace that I know will lift your spirits,” Fluttershy said.
They continued walking, the sounds of animals entering their ears as they do. Then, they approached some vines that were blocking their path. With one grab of her hoof, Fluttershy pulled the vines out of the way to reveal a nice moonlit meadow.
“Fluttershy, what are we doing here?” Discord asked.
“This is where the firefly swarm comes out,” Fluttershy explained, “The fireflies would light up in a special pattern whenever I need cheering up. After I came home last night, I went to them and asked them to do me a favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
Fluttershy giggled upon the inquisitive look he gave.
“To cheer you up.” Fluttershy said to him.
The two friends sat down next to each other in front of the moonlit meadow.
Suddenly, small light-green lights shined into the air, right in front of Fluttershy and Discord. They formed a ring of light around Discord and flew away from him.
Then, they began forming a pattern of star constellations like a soaring pegasus, a roaring lion, a fire-breathing dragon, and finally, a laughing draconequus. Their routine put a smile on Discord’s face, finally cheering him up. It didn’t go unnoticed by Fluttershy, who was glad she was able to help.
“The rest of Equestria may not trust or accept you, Discord, but I’m willing to. You’re my friend, and I know there’s good in you,” Fluttershy stated.
Fluttershy’s words warmed his heart, and he immediately hugged her.
“Thank you, Fluttershy,” he said while hugging her, “How about if I return the favor by escorting you home?”
“That would be wonderful.”
And with that, Discord and Fluttershy spread their wings, and flew above the trees to Fluttershy’s cottage. While they flew, Discord looked at Fluttershy with dreamy eyes.
****
At Discord’s home...
Smooze was sleeping on the couch because he was waiting for Discord to come back. He was awoken when he heard the door suddenly open. He saw that Discord had returned home, with a completely jovial mode. He muttered, asking how it went with Fluttershy.
“It was truly magical, Smooze, and not the chaotic kind of magical either.” Discord told him.
As Discord took a seat on one of his chairs, as well as floated in the air and turned upside down, the Smooze questioned Discord about what he meant.
“Next to Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy is the one who would always make me smile. Maybe I won't earn back the trust and friendship of all of Equestria, or even Twilight and the others (outside of Pinkie), but as long as Fluttershy is in my company, that’s good enough for me.” Discord told him.
The Smooze smiled upon what Discord told him, happy to know that he had a great time and that he found someone for him.
