Another awkward preening later, and we were finally headed outside. "Alright, this is really happening," I breathed to myself, my anxiety rising back up. "I'm really moving here to Equestria."

Fluttershy gave a knowing smile, "Nervous?"

"Absolutely terrified," I nodded, and we both shared a chuckle at that.

"I know it's scary moving to a new place," she began reassuringly, "but I also know that everypony here will welcome you with open hooves."

I nodded, my fears just a little bit sated.

Eventually, we reached the front door. I paused, taking a deep breath to try and ease my anxiety. "Alright, this is it," I muttered to myself. "Welcome to your new life in Equestria."

With that, I opened the door and stepped into the—

"SURPRISE!"

"Gah!" I stumbled backward in surprise, tripping over my own tail and promptly landing hard on my back.

Then a familiar pink face came up to help me. "Whoops! Sorry, Graff; didn't mean to scare you!"

Pinkie grabbed my talon with her hoof (I'm not even gonna ask how), and pulled me back onto my feet. I took the opportunity to look around, and blanched.

Everyone I'd met so far, and then some, was standing in the middle of a large welcoming party.

My jaw dropped at the sight. "P-Pinkie, did you..."

"—plan this all for you?" she finished. "Well, of course! I wouldn't be the Super Duper Party Pony if I didn't throw a party to celebrate your big move!"

I stood there for a moment, blinking back tears, before I smiled. "Th-thank you, Pinkie."

"No problem-o, Graff. Now, let's party!"

For the next few hours or so, the party roared on. I got to properly meet Rarity and Applejack, as well as several other Ponyville-ians; plenty of cake and sweet treats were had; and I got drunk on the absolute best Apple Cider I'd ever had.

That was certainly an experience, my first time being drunk in my Griffon form. I don't remember much of the specifics, but other ponies would later tell me that I spent a good chunk of time trying to stand on two legs, only to fall over every time.

But the one thing I do remember from my drunken state is my second meeting with Discord.

I'd just downed my second mug and was feeling my thoughts blur together, when I heard something that sounded remarkably like a motorcycle engine. I, along with several other partygoers, turned around to see a cardboard box with a crudely-drawn motorcycle on the side approaching. I was certainly confused at that point, but all of the alcohol in town couldn't have prepared me for what was sitting inside that box.

It was a hodge-podge of animals, to say the least. Lion's paw, eagle's talon, goat's leg and head, draconic leg, serpentine tail, mismatched antlers and wings, and silver facial hair with a black zebra's mane — it looked like a crazy person's illustration of a monster they thought to be under their bed. In fact, it was so strange that my drunken mind simply decided to accept it rather than have an aneurysm trying to make sense of it.

He was also wearing riding goggles and a black leather jacket, to go along with the 'motorcycle' he rode.

With a screech of gravel, the box slid to a halt just inches from where I stood — and then a moment later, my inebriated mind caught up to what nearly just happened, and I reflexively jumped back.

The strange creature stood up, using his wings to— wait, no, his wings remained completely stationary as he floated out of the box and waved. And by 'stationary', I literally mean 'they stayed in the exact same spot, becoming detached as soon as he'd gotten far enough away'. What the hell.

"Good evening," he stated drolly as he surveyed the scene. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"

Even in my drunken state, I recognized the voice — how could I not, when he'd scared me awake just a week prior? "Are you Discord?"

He gave a mock bow, "The one and only. Why, have you heard of me?"

I nodded, "How could I possibly forget last week?"

Discord frowned, tone suddenly becoming serious. "Ah yes, that. I hope you've considered what I said?"

Thanks to my drunken state, I just bluntly stated, "Yeah, and frankly, I don't give a damn."

The crowd gasped, and Discord looked like he'd been slapped across the face. "What?"

I staggered to one side as the world lurched. "I understand that you're protective of your friends, and that you have a special connection with Fluttershy. But I've got a connection to her, too — she was the first face I saw here in Equestria, after all.

"And I like her, too!"

Silence. A deadly silence hung in the air for the longest time. The crowd was shocked at my boldness, and Discord had an unreadable expression.

Then he clapped, a slightly-too-wide grin on his face. "Well, when you put it like that, I can't really argue."

I faltered. "Wait, really?"

He nodded, although I distinctly remember that one of his arms was reaching behind his back. "I wish you luck, Graff..."

Then his expression became the most sadistic grin I've ever seen as he finished, "You're going to need it."

And with that, he disappeared.

I blinked, then turned to the crowd. "You all saw that, right? I didn't just imagine that whole thing, did I?"

The members of the crowd nodded their heads, causing my drunken self to shrug. "Alright, I guess I'm the enemy of a Chaos God now. Time to hit the drinks!"

With that, I took a long pull of cider, and the rest of the night became a blur.

The next morning, I woke up in the middle of the venue, which looked like a drunken tornado had blown through. Streamers had come loose and now laid on the ground; the banner was halfway detatched, blowing lazily in the wind; ponies were passed out anywhere they could fit, including (but not limited to) the street, under tables, and even atop the record player.

Oh, and Pinkie Pie was still dancing, despite the lack of music.

I grunted as I got up, wincing at the headache that threatened to shut me back down. Unsteadily, I made my way to the pink mare. "Pinkie?"

No response; she simply kept dancing, eyes closed.

"Pinkie?"

This time, she did respond, but in the last way I could've possibly expected:

She snored.

She FELL ASLEEP WHILE DANCING!

I didn't have the energy to question it. Groaning, I grabbed her with a talon. "Pinkie, wake up!"

She jerked upright, eyes snapping open with a disoriented "Hzz-whah?" She blinked owlishly, then smiled at the sight of me. "Oh hey, Graff. Did you like your party?"

What? That was her immediate concern? "...Pinkie Pie, you're an enigma."

She giggled, "No, I'm a pony, silly!"

My headache intensified.

I was thankful that we'd already gotten everything pre-planned; by the time I got to my new house, all I wanted to do was sleep. I approached the door, only to pause when something caught my eye:

A bouquet of the prettiest flowers I'd ever seen. The way their cerulean petals played with the sunlight was absolutely indescribable; 'beautiful' didn't even begin to cover it!

I picked up the bouquet, wondering where it came from. Turning it over in my talon, I soon found myself an answer in the form of a note:

"To Graff, my favorite griffon in the whole wide world. From, 'Fluttershy'."

I was too hungover to wonder why the name was in quotes. Instead, I gave a dopey smile at the first part, and brought it inside.

Author's Note

Edit (3/10/2023): Colored the dialogue, as well as general polish.