The Captive of Discord

      It was morning. Fluttershy was the first aside from Smoothie who opened her eyes, welcoming the first ray of morning sun. She stretched, yawning heavily, and looked around. The same room as yesterday, but with happier atmosphere than last night. Discord was still asleep, lying next to her in a funny pose as if he hadn’t slept all night admiring his captive. This kind of pose is usualy called “Draw me like one of your French girls”. And the fact that the magician admired her all night was confirmed by his right hand lying directly on the girl’s shoulder. Most likely, he passed out during his fantasies, stroking her at the same moment.       Smiling gently on him, Fluttershy gently put his hand off her shoulder, got up and keft the bedroom. The corridor was filled with a divine smell so you could simply guess what happens and in with room. Did you guess, what? That’s right, Smoothie cooks breakfast again. Flutty couldn’t help but think that in this house chubby man plays a role of loving mother or grandma who us taking care of their kid. Well, it’s hard to tell from Discord’s skinny bodytype, but at least he's trying.       Fluttershy carefully entered the kitchen and almost got hit by a thrown away egg shell. Thanks Faust she dodged it. As she looked at the curtain, she saw Smoothie peeping out of his "lair" with a guilty expression on his face. "Sorry. I didn't see you." "It's okay," the girl smiled, "Cooking something again?" "Yep. I had hust started, it usually doesn't take too much time. But I wanna prepare something special today to celebrate your last day at this house. Anything but sweet stuff, Dee hates when I do it not for holiday." "Can I help? I am quite skilled at cooking." "Are you sure you want to take that responsibility?" "Yes." "Then bow down on your knee."       Flutty was confused but she did as she was told. Smoothie took a spatula in one hand, touched her solemnly on each shoulder and said: "I dedicate you to the Knights of the Kitchen table."       Fluttershy giggled. Smoothie gave her a crooked smile as always, putting spatula away. "What a funny ritual." "Thank you. Dee invented it back when we had to travel across the nation. I was so proud to be there. And oh how proud he was that I accompanied him in this adventure!" Smoothieblob sighed with nostalgia, "Good old times... Can you please cut some veggies and cheese?" "Sure", Flutty started cutting, "How long have you known each other?" "Since college," cubby took out some nesecary utensil, "We both entered theater college, only I was on a budget, and he, as rich people usually go to college. He already had this top-hat hiding these horns of his. He was shy, only on stage he was able to reveal his true potential. Overall, he's a good actor until he paired up with his cousin." "Oh... He cannot lie to her, can he?" "Yup. He said it's some sort of habbit he had as kid, sharing his secrets and worries with her. Because of it his dad didn't believe he studied properly." "It's so sad..." "It surely is."       Durring the cooking the chubby and the girl were chatting about lots of things. But mostly about Discord, so Flutty felf a bit more empathy for him.       Soon breakfast was prepared, the only thing left was to wake our sleeping beauty up. In that exact moment shuffling steps were heard from the corridor. It seemed like our dear magician just got up without waiking. As soon as Smooze heard these steps he immediately went to the door and looked out into the corridor. "Buddy! We were afraid you may not wake up, like, ever." “Don’t worry,” Discord answered after a long yawn, "I'm too young to die and don't really want to." "While you were asleep me and your girlfriend made some breakfast. Want to take a bite? 'Cuz you look skinny as buck." "Ha ha, very funny, Smoothie. Bur alas, I can't stay for brakfast." "Why so?" Smoothie looked surprised as his smiked disappeared. "Sorry, my friend, but have some very, very important buziness today," saying so, Discord put his hat on, hiding his horns, "I'll eat as soon as I come back, okay?" "...Fine. Don't get in any trouble on the way here, I know too well how you are when not getting enough sleep."       Discord just chuckled in response. No saying a word after, the magician left. Smoothie waved him goodbye and returned to kitchen upset, because now he had to "figure out how to use a microwave for their food". Fluttershy held back a giggle. She let herself to be sorry for the chubby and, after some cleaning, left the room. Looking aroud, girl desided to go through several rooms that had got her attention earlier. As you've already guessed, while Discord went to prepare for a perfomance yesterday, Flutters had her time to observe a few rooms in his house and some of them got her attentuon specificaly. We are talking about Discord's old bedroom, which is now belonged to Smooze, and the bedroom of his parenT. It was easy to tell who these used to belong to: first of all, in Smooze's bedroom interior was similar to the one from Dee's memories. Secondly, in the chest of drawers there were a lot of funny and unusual trinkets, clearly made by a child’s hand, and a drawing from the “Me and Mommy” category (I think it’s not difficult to guess what is depicted on it).       In the next room, all the furniture was made in a very elegant and delicate style, but before Flutty appeared there, everything was covered with sheets. It made one wondering if the memories stored in here were tried to be hidden. It was true in fact, because girl found there lots of old photographs mostly depicting Discord and his different maturation stages: from infancy to adolescence and college age. At the same time, their distinctive feature was a neat, beautiful signature, which was no longer on any of Dee’s photographs after his 12th birthday. Most likely, all the other photos were taken only in tribute to the tradition of the one who preserved the memories of the growing magician. All of these were kept in a big card board box so Fluttershy, after blowing off the dust from it, took these goods to Discord's current room.       As she got inside the room, she started to carefuly sort the photos chronologicaly and observe them carefuly. On a first six photos the magician was still a baby: on first one he was a newborn just given to his mother, on second he celebrated his first birthday with a small rag dolly in his hands, etc. From seventh photo to eleventh changes in his appearance and it's most inportant part - horns - were getting more visible. With each next photo his horns were getting bigger until taking their current look on 12th-13th picture. And every time young man's smile was getting more wide and unnatural.       The next image was clearly not taken at the best moment, because in it Discord was no longer smiling or looking at the photographer, and all the following photos showed Flutty that the future magician no longer wanted to be photographed and put aside in memories that no one needed anymore nor found it interesting. By this time, those circles under his eyes were gradually appearing, clearly indicating lack of sleep. In the last photo, he extended his thin, clawed hand to the photographer and was terribly angry, and in his eyes the enchanting tints of color were again visible (I hope everyone remembers what this means). Flutty found this "ending" quite disturbing. "Poor thing... No wonder he let it all out on me and Smoothie," She carefuly stroked Discord's face on the last photo with her index finger, "He... He deserves better... I wonder if there's a copy of his childhood photos?" Fluttershy suddenly thought and started to rammage throught the box. Luckily for her, the copies were there, so she could keep them with a clear conscience. I wouldn't be so sure about it though.       It was getting dark. After admiring childhood photos of our beloved antihero Fluttershy put everything back in the box and returned it to tge closet, going back to bedroom after tgat because it was still a mess. I won't waste your time, so I'll just say that as she had everything done footsteps were heard approaching the bedroom. It seems Discord had finaly returned. Flutty jupmed to the door before it oppened. Turned out it was true: Discord appeared before her eyes in a lightened up mood. "Missed me?" he asked her, chuckling. Instead of responding Fluttershy hugged him, "Oh ho, why so tender all of the sudden?" "I've been waiting for you." "Really? I thought Smooze is the one who missed me more, waiting when I finally try our cooking," saying so he patted her on the head. Fluttershy blushed, hid her face and embarasely cutely tapped magician's chest. He only found in amusing. "Come on, chill." "W-Where have you been?" "I was with your parents," Flutty looked at him in a big surprise, "Seriously, I've been at their place. Let's sit down and I'll tell you everything."       Fluttershy nodded approvingly. So, magician sat on the bed, let the girl sit on his lap and told her about him visiting her parents. "I explained the situation to them. Told them that you are at my place safe and sound, apologized for not notifying them immediately. But honestly, I had to lie about how you got here..." "What dod you tell them?" Girl lied her head on his shoulder. "Well... I told them saw you fainting and rushed to help so I had to bring you to my house. I'm still surprised they believed in this nonsense." "After all, your years of studying at theater college were not in vain, hehe." "Yeah. I also asked them to keep information I gave them a secret, and in case anybody ask, to say that you were at a charity convention in another town. I must admit," Discord looked into her eyes, smiling, "Your parents are great." "They are. Well... until they learn I befriended a guy." "Yeah, about that... They tried to convince me to become your husband. I was deemed worthy for once!" "R-Really?" Fluttershy said holding back her laugh, "But you're old enough to be their brother." "Hahah. Maybe you're right," Discord didn't take his gaze off her, "But, you know, I wouldn't mind it."       The girl was si shocked by that twist that she stopped lauthing. "Wouldn't mind it? Is that a joke? He can't be serious, right?" Oh no, Flutty. He was absolutely confident when saying that, no hints for joking, still looking into her eyes. Fluttershy kept looking at him without realising that Discord used his hypnosis on her again. Her mind slightly clouded, weird but pleasant burning-pressive feeling formed in her chest. Everything around her vanished, only features of magician who was gently stroking her cheek were visible, and his pleasant calming voice was audible. "How do you like that?" He asked. "Tell me the truth, I won't tolerate any lie." "I-I..." mumbled the girl in mesmerized voice. "Hush. I know it's unexpected. But if that's the case, we could promise eachother to be together after this is all over. I want to be together with you, Fluttershy." "Be... together..," the girl slowly repeated, giving in to hypnosis. She saw everything, heard everything, understood everything, but her body was so relaxed that she could hardly control her own speech and thoughts. Discord with a gentle smile that looked more like a shy grin was stroking her cheek with made her blush slightly. "That's right. Together forever. Do you accept it?" "I... d-do..." "Brilliant. Now you shall rest. The earlier we get up and the sooner we bring you back the better. You look sooo exhausted.~" "Y-yes," languidly said Fluttershy snuggling to his chest, "I.... am s-sooo... exhausted...~" Her really tired eyes were slowly closing. Discord chuckled. For him it was so amusing to watch this harmless girl helplessly repeating and doind what she was told. He grabbed her chin with his hand. While poor thing's eyes were still open, he grinned and gently kissed her in the lips. She shuddered but she couldn't do anything about it, so she let her "master" do it.       Fortunately, this kiss didn't last for long. Discord gently pulled away from her after a minute. Fluttershy fell deep asleep a moment after. He put her in the bed, covered her with a warm blanket and lied next to her, pulling her close to his chest. "Sorry, I did it again. But do not worry. Hypnosis wears off faster durring sleep so by the morning your dream will be normal and healthy again,'' saying so, he kissed her in the forehead, "Sweet dreams, my sweet little pegasus."

***

      There was a light scient of burning candles in the air. Over the lake, as clear as glass, was a misty fog. On the stone-paved shore, in a bed upholstered in various fabrics, lay a girl with pink hair. She was wearing a white, old-fashioned nightie that went all the way to the floor. The girl opened her eyes. She looked around, looking at her current surroundings with confusion. The damp, bare walls were lined with mirrors, in one corner there was a small organ, and next to it a small model of a theater stage.

"I remember there was mist"

"Swirling mist upon a vast, glassy lake"

      The girl gazed upon the lake, getting up slowly. Small reflections of candle fire were seen there unclearly.

"There were candles all around, and on the lake there was a boat"

      The girl slowly walked along the shore towards the boat moored nearby. Opposite the boat, a slender, tall man in a black formal suit and top hat was sitting at a desk, writing something down. On the table around him were written sheets of music.

"And in the boat there was a man..."

      The man, hearing the girl’s voice, stopped writing and turned his head towards her. He had a mask on his face, hiding his eyes. He looked at her for a few seconds before turning away and returning to work.

"Who was that shape in the shadows?"

"Whose is the face in the mask?"

      The girl came closer to the man and put one hand on his shoulder. The man looked at her and smiled tenderly at her. He was about to turn his gaze back to the paper and continue working, but the girl, looking for curiosity, slowly and subtly extended her hands to his mask and sharply tore it off. She wanted to see the face of this man of mystery. But he, as soon as the mask was in the girl’s hands, jumped up from his seat, covering the right side of his face with his hand, and his face was distorted in an expression of horror and anger. He turned sharply towards her and swung at her, making her jump back in horror.

Damn you!

      The man in a rage swept all the papers off the table.

You little prying Pandora!

      He quickly went to the nearest large mirror and removed his hand, but literally a few seconds later he covered his face with it again and turned to the girl, looking furiously into her eyes.

You little demon - is this what you wanted to see?

Curse you!

You little lying Delilah!

      He began to approach the girl, extending his terribly crooked, free hand to her neck.

You little viper - now you cannot ever be free!

"D-Discord! Please, stop! Stop!"

      The man closed his eyes, shook his head and looked at the girl again. This time there was horror in his eyes. Discord was in his room, his skiny clawed hand squeezed the throat of Fluttershy who was pressed against the wall in fear and shivered, looking at the magician. He watched her for over a minute befor letting her go, taking a step back. "It cannot be," magician thought, "Again?.. I haven't had these seizures for 5 years! Why did it happen again?.." “Fluttershy... Fluttershy, I..,” he gently took the frightened Flutty by the shoulders and pressed her closer to him. She literally pressed herself into his clothes, burying her nose in his chest. Discord strokedher, trying to comfort. Magician realized it was his fault and if he keeps this behavior, poor girl will soon loose her mind completely. He glazed at the clock on the wall. 3:10 AM. Sighing quetly, Discord looked at Fluttershy with al the seriousness he could ever use. "Come we must return - those foolish friends of yours will be missing you."