Short Story: Farewell Tea
“Discord, do you want another cup of tea?,” asked Fluttershy politely. Her soft voice was scarred by time and grief. It's been a long time since they became the best of friends. A long time since other friends left or galloped into the endless fields. She stood up before she even finished her question, already knowing the answer.
“Certainly yes, my dear Fluttershy. It's always been a pleasure having our weekly tea parties and may I add, the carrot pie you baked is just marvelous,” answered her friend in an almost sarcastically content tone. Fluttershy's mouth formed a shaky smile when she poured some more tea into his cup, facing away from him.
“I am already looking forward to our next session, the upcoming week.” She closed her eyes upon hearing him say that, a single tear rushing down her face and falling into the cup of tea. Discord looked down, knowing what the splashing sound meant. Of course, he knew he had been visiting her for decades, every week over and over again. Every time, he listened to her stories, about her animals, her friends, her life. No matter what she talked about, he always listened closely. He noticed that her stories had grown lonelier, her mane had become grayer and her walk shakier. The King of Disharmony knew the signs, but he denied the truth to himself until her words broke his walls.
“Sorry, I'm afraid this will be our last tea party,” puled Fluttershy, tears rushing down her face like rain on a stormy day. He tried to suppress his grief and asked innocently “But what do you mean, my dear?” - “You already know what I mean, Discord. We both know what I mean... I... I'm sorry, but I'll have to go...” She was barely able to formulate these words as she limped to the window to glance out of it for one last time.
The vale outside was sunny, the day bright, birds chirped and even at the remote position of her cottage, you could still hear the laughter and joy of the young fillies playing outside. Innocent creatures growing up. Still unaware of their cutie mark, unaware of their destiny. The sky was painted a deep and clear blue, not a single cloud to be seen, almost how it used to be. It all seemed like the perfect day, yet it felt like all the colors of the world lost their saturation.
“I miss Rainbow, Rarity, even my brother so much...,” she sighed. Discord looked away, he couldn't bear the sight of his best friend like this. He felt his ever-beating heartbreak to pieces inside his chest. Its thousand shards were digging into his skin from the inside, he could feel the stinging pain growing. Emotional or physical? He wasn't sure anymore. The lines between were blurred, all he knew was that it's too much to take. Too much for him. But he stood strong, if not for himself, but for his closest friend.
“So, I suppose... This is good-bye..?,” asked Discord regretfully, since he already knew what she was going to answer. These simple words seemed so surreal, even for a creature of his kind. His body shrunk, overwhelmed by dismay and despair. He wanted to look directly into her eyes for the last time before their spark faded forever. Even in this very moment, he couldn't imagine it. As far as he can remember, the light was always there and now it was about to decay. It was as if the sun was about to extinguish its light forever.
Fluttershy turned around to meet his eyes. She was holding back her tears, just to see his appearance clearly as he cannot follow where she was headed.
“Look, I'll see Angel bunny again after all these years. I bet he missed me,” she was trying to smile. She wasn't losing her hopeful character, even in this moment of grief, Discord thought to himself.
“Fluttershy-,” he half-whispered, but she covered his mouth and hugged him with all of her remaining strength. He closed his eyes, teared up and bit his lip. In this moment, it all unloaded like an avalanche. He didn't want to show her how much he'll be torn apart by her absence. He never wanted her to see him cry like this. But why, he asked himself, she always knew how vulnerable he really was. How much he depended on her. This pony won't be by his side anymore, just like that.
“This is not fair..,” he sobbed in between his words, “You taught me the most powerful magic is the magic of friendship... Why isn't it helping right now..? Why is our friendship ending right now?” His desperate tone changed into despaired anger until Fluttershy gently brushed his cheek.
“There, there, Discord. Our friendship isn't ending here. I may be gone in front of your eyes, but I'll always stay your friend,” she put her hoof on his heart, “I'll stay right here.”
Discord held her hoof gently and put on a weak smile, trying to enjoy this moment while it lasted. Trying to remember the warmth of her touch. The pressure of her body against his.
“I'm afraid I won't stay this way without you, my dear Fluttershy. I can't stay this happy and be caring with you missing. After all, you were the one who showed me affection, that there's always a kinder solution.” He looked at her, desperate to catch the last moments of her with his own eyes, desperate to catch any detail he may have missed in all these years.
“Stop talking like that, Discord. I'll always watch over you and I want you to promise me something before I go,” her body and voice became weaker, she could feel the life draining from her body. Her soul and flesh reached the end of their shared path.
Discord widened his eyes and tightened his grip.
“Whatever it is, Fluttershy, I'll do it.”
“Promise me to stay good, to keep doing what I showed you. Friendship, compassion, kindness... They won't die with me, you'll carry them on, I know you will,” she laid down on the ground, looking up at him.
“I promise, Fluttershy, I promise you...,” he looked at her helplessly. He learned how to make a friend, how to fight for his friendship, how to make his friends happy. Yet he never knew how it is to watch a friend say farewell. Until now.
“Goodbye, Discord. Thank you for being more than just a friend for me... I love... You...,” she closed her eyes, smiling from the last thoughts of him.
“Thank you for warming my cold heart, my dear... I love you too, Fluttershy... I'm sorry my magic wasn't powerful enough to hold you here...,” he stuttered bitterly and curled his long body around hers. Maybe he wouldn't sleep the same way she did now, but they were together.
