Discord could snap his fingers and spawn a tray of beverages if he wanted to. Being a supernatural being of chaos, there was little he couldn't do if he desired. He found his own desires changing more and more as of late though, especially with his recent discovery of friends. So, instead of using his magic to simply make refreshments appear, he took his time and prepared six individual glasses of fresh-squeezed lemonade for his new friends. He then placed them on a tray and carried them out to his backyard.
"Lemonade, ladies!" he called out.
"Woo-hoo!!" Pinkie Pie shouted, jumping off the small diving board into Discord's modest-sized swimming pool. She splashed into the water, sending a good portion of it flying into the air. Applejack, Rarity and Twilight were swimming close to the water's edge while Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were taking the opportunity to tan on a pair of sunbathing chairs nearby.
"Nice one, Pinkie Pie!" Twilight said. The ponies swam over to sit on the ledge as Discord brought them their drinks.
"It's a nice place ya got here, Discord," Applejack complimented his abode.
"Why, thank you Applejack," Discord said, handing her a drink. "It's quite a beautiful area and it's a very friendly neighborhood."
"Yeah," Rainbow Dash added, walking over and removing her shades. "Probably a nice change of pace from being stuck as a statue, huh?"
The others were a little startled by the awkward mentioning of Discord's last 'position'. But the draconequus simply laughed.
"Hahaha, right you are, Rainbow Dash! Yes, the view of the Canterlot Statue Gardens did grow old after some-ought thousand years!" The other ponies laughed with him. "I am enjoying living here, I must say."
From the manicured grass to the fountains and bird feeders, Discord's place was regal but no more regal than its neighbors. The other homes in the community near Canterlot Castle were all fairly-sized estates reserved mostly for servants or associates of the royal family. Discord had chosen his to be near the princess in case she ever had need of his services.
Discord could've just as easily used his powers to fashion himself a castle as immense as Canterlot itself, upheave the land and build his own nation. There was a time in his life when if he wanted something, he granted it to himself without hesitation. But now, with friends, he was beginning to understand the joys of simplicity. It was strange at first but he realized that for those with long lives like himself, he found that sometimes you forget to enjoy life. He did his best to enjoy life every day.
"Are you enjoying working with the princess, Discord?" Twilight Sparkle asked. "Has she stopped by to see you?"
"She and the royal guard helped me move in but she hasn't required any of my 'services', not yet at least. I'm not sure what Celestia will want with me when the time comes. She does write me sometimes to tell me about her 'faithful student' and her friends," Discord explained with a soft smile. Twilight smiled back.
Pinkie Pie surfaced from the water nearby. "Honestly, Disco?" she said, casually abridging his name, "I was sure the moment you moved in, you'd turn your house into a funhouse or something! Or done something chaotic, crazy or... Discordy!"
The draconequus looked to the sky for a moment and put a claw to his chin. He thought for a moment and then looked back to the pink mare. "Discordy, you say? Hmm, perhaps I haven't felt the need to really 'improve' anything around here?" he suggested.
Rarity raised an eyebrow. "You're telling me you haven't used any of your powers since moving in?"
"You're allowed to use your magic, Discord," Twilight said. "It's just how you use it you need to keep track of. Surely, you've used at least a little magic since you've been here?"
"Of course I have! And don't call me Shirley."
Pinkie Pie looked unconvinced. "Don't tell me you haven't at least turned a statue to life, make the lawn mow itself or something!"
Discord narrowed his eyes and grinned. "Or made it rain chocolate milk again?"
Sheepishly, the pink mare averted her gaze. He was reading her like an open fanfic. "Well... maybe I'm a bit rusty. Perhaps I should do something to change that?" Without warning, he snapped his claws together and in a flash, the pool started bubbling. Instantly, the temperature rose and the pool became a hot tub. The ponies looked back at the water, amazed at the stunning display of magic.
Discord took a small bow. "Who's to say I can't still heat things up every now and then?" Twilight and her friends dove in the water again, relaxing though they had almost just dried off. Discord was careful not to knock over their drinks as they left them by the ledge. He continued following the edge of the pool as he delivered the last beverage.
"Thank you for inviting us over, Discord," Fluttershy said in a timid voice. Discord knelt down and handed her a drink.
"It's my pleasure, really. I'm happy you came over to see me," he stood back up, "It's been easier than I thought it would be, turning over a new leaf. Thank you so much for the opportunity." The two smiled at each other. Despite their friends splashing in the water behind them, the two only really heard each other as they felt their hearts touch and connect. Discord remembered how Fluttershy's other friends had been quick to judge Discord again and how Fluttershy had stood up for him. It was something he remembered almost every day, a second chance he did his best to repay.
Discord took a seat on the chair next to Fluttershy and leaned back, placing his paw and claw behind his head. Together, the two relaxed as their friends enjoyed the warm water.
