GREEN
56
0
1640 9.9 KB 166
1640 9.9 KB 166
-
x by Escapade
-
-
-
---
-
-
>”Do it again! Do it again!”
-
>…
-
>You are Nightmare Moon.
-
>Empress of the Equestrian Empire.
-
>…
-
>And currently, you find yourself sitting in your study, reading a military report regarding recent actions in the Badlands.
-
>Or at least, that is what you /were/ doing.
-
>”Oh ho! ho! Where’d the flowers go?”
-
>As you sit on your reading cushion, your eyes and ears can’t help but wander to the sight before you.
-
>Midnight Melancholy is cheerfully playing with her favorite friend.
-
>Discord.
-
>The Spirit of Chaos.
-
>...
-
>”It’s behind your back Uncle Dissy!”
-
>You smile, watching Melancholy enjoy herself.
-
>”Oh, I don’t /think/ so!!”
-
>The draconequus reaches behind Melancholy’s ear, and pulls a comically large, colorful bouquet of flowers into view.
-
>Melancholy’s eyes light up as Discord giggles.
-
>”How’d you do that Uncle Dissy?”
-
>He hands her the bouquet, which she pulls tight, and sniffs.
-
>”I can’t say — A /real/ magician doesn’t give away all his secret!”
-
>As she inhales the undoubtedly sweet smelling air, she smiles.
-
>”Thank you so much! Can I keep them!?”
-
>”I promise I’ll take good care of them! Honest!”
-
>Discord looks briefly toward you as Melancholy once again buries her full face into the flowers.
-
>Certainly unbecoming of a proper mare, but at her age, forgivable.
-
>He nudges his head toward the flowers, clearly asking for an answer to her question.
-
>You nod.
-
>He smiles, and turns back to Melancholy.
-
>”I think you can this time! But make sure you put them in chocolate milk, or they’ll get all dry and ugly!”
-
>You take a breath, before looking back down at the report in hand.
-
-
>Taming Discord has been a wonderfully beneficial decision.
-
>Being Empress, it’s difficult for you to find the time to fully care for and entertain Midnight Melancholy’s foalish energy.
-
>Countless meetings, briefings, and court sessions steal the majority of the night from your grasp.
-
>Discord however, had no such obligations.
-
>Instead, he seemed to /thrive/ off of Midnight’s enthusiasm.
-
>On numerous occasions you’ve found Melancholy, having expended all her energy even before bedtime, tucked tightly against Discord; his body curled into a impromptu sleeping cushion.
-
>His malleable form could be wonderfully soft and warm if he wished; a skill which he used to ease Melancholy into sleep on any number of occasions.
-
>From the corner of your eye, you see Discord rubbing his chin.
-
>”Now… where could we put these flowers…”
-
>Getting an idea, he snaps his fingers, and seemingly out of thin air, a small vase appears.
-
>”How about this?”
-
>Intrigued, you look up at the pottery in question.
-
>…
-
>Your gaze narrows as you realize exactly which vase he chose.
-
>The shape and patterns are instantly recognizable.
-
>/You/ made that vase centuries ago — before your banishment.
-
-
>He uses his magic and pulls it close, grasping it in his hands, and holding it before Melancholy.
-
>”Careful now, you won’t want to break your auntie’s vase…”
-
>With abundant caution, Melancholy tilts her head, grasping stems of the flowers in her mouth, as she carefully places them into the contain.
-
>…
-
>Perhaps you didn’t have a use for that particular piece anyways.
-
>Having placed the flowers into the vase, she lets go, and looks at her work.
-
>”It’s so pretty!”
-
>Her eyes fill with awe as she stares at the surprisingly simple bouquet.
-
>Discord quickly spawns a cup of chocolate milk, and pours it into the vase as well.
-
>As it settles in the vase, you feel his magic activate once again, presumably changing it back into water.
-
>”There we go! Now — me put this somewhere safe…”
-
>He snaps his fingers, and instantly, the vase disappears.
-
-
>For nearly an hour, Discord entertained Melancholy as you read your evening’s set of paperwork.
-
>Being the Spirit of Chaos, Discord was… surprisingly creative with his antics.
-
>From hosting a tea party and creating balloon art, to placing Melancholy in bubble and playing pin-the-tail-on-the-dragon.
-
>The list of activities was nearly endless.
-
>Of course, in typical Discordian fashion, his “list of activities” was kept on a physical list, which was, to the best of your understanding, very well organized.
-
>Everyday he would read from the same scroll, and cross of an activity after having completed it with his little friend.
-
>As one activity was crossed off, another would appear at the bottom to take it’s place.
-
>Surprisingly, each item seemed to keep Melancholy entertained and excited.
-
>…
-
>While the two did create a substantial amount of ruckus, with the assistance of muting spells, you were able to do your work in peace.
-
>Instead, the provided the occasional moment of refreshing reprieve.
-
>Whenever Octavia would deliver a snack, or a cup of coffee, you would take the moment to simply sit, and observe.
-
-
>As Empress, and Melancholy’s feminine role model, it would be improper of you to frequently participate in such activities; lest she misunderstand the manners expected of a proper mare.
-
>However, even simply watching them play brought you a certain degree of happiness.
-
>No doubt you’ve inherited that from your sister.
-
>Luna was always fond of foals, and took special care to ensure their wellbeing.
-
>And with Melancholy, that concern was even more pronounced.
-
>You were responsible for her finding proper courtship.
-
>You were the one her permitted her to continue her bloodline, and experience the essence of a higher stallion.
-
>This foal; Melancholy, was a much a product of your oversight as she was a product of Octavia’s womb.
-
>To see your favorite foal happy brought you a sense of pride — of hope.
-
>/This/ plan, however minor it may be, was successful.
-
>…
-
>You can only hope the same holds true for your Empire.
-
-
>Time passes.
-
>You turn the last page of your briefing andy gently close the folder; laying in next to the candlestick, which is coated in the freshly melted wax.
-
>You glance over at your now cold coffee, and quickly flash it warm again.
-
>As you bring the cup to your lips, you look up, and see a familiar sight.
-
>Melancholy, gently sleeping against Discord’s side, as his body surrounds her, forming a small ring on the carpet.
-
>Quietly, you stand, and walk toward the mixture of fur and scales before you.
-
>Looking down, you stop for a moment, and just… watch.
-
>…
-
>The coffee warms your mouth as you take a long, yet shallow sip.
-
>Both of them look peaceful, their sides slowly rising and falling with each breath.
-
>Discord’s body was in an almost protective position around the filly, as if somehow expecting an imminent in your private quarters.
-
>Melancholy’s flank is tucked underneath Discord’s jaw, his snout laying gently on her side.
-
>Her breaths cause small ripples in his fur, and moves his small, delicate tail feather.
-
>No doubt they could sleep through the evening here if permitted.
-
>But unfortunately, that was not an option.
-
>…
-
>You gently nudge Discord with your hoof.
-
>Instantly, his eyes shoot open, and look toward the filly in his grasp.
-
>Realizing she’s not awake, he slowly look toward your hoof, the source of the disturbance, and then up toward you.
-
“Come, we have work to tend to.”
-
>The reports mentioned that you’ve captured a high ranking officer from the Badlands, one who is believed to have caused a number of attacks over the last few months.
-
>Certainly he had information which would be of use to your guard.
-
>Discord’s eyes narrow, and nods gently, before looking toward Melancholy.
-
>Slowly, he cradles her body in magic, before uncoiling himself, and levitating to the left of your shoulder.
-
-
“How was she today?”
-
>Both of you are now looking at Melancholy, who is floating a few hooves off the ground.
-
>With Midnight asleep, Discord’s voice is significantly calmer.
-
>”She was fine…”
-
>You smile.
-
”Oh?”
-
>He nods.
-
>”We made a house of cards, and colored on my scales…”
-
>He does a small roll, revealing what appears to be paint on his side.
-
>You snort gently.
-
“Such tasteless tendencies you have.”
-
>Instead of his usual witty reply, you notice him take a breath, as if uncertain if he should speak.
-
>Out of interest, you look toward his serpentine form.
-
”There is something you wish to say…”
-
>He thinks for a moment, eyes locked on Melancholy.
-
>”She said that she’d like to play with you more often.”
-
>You turn, and look at Midnight as she sleeps.
-
-
>”She wanted to have a tea party…”
-
>He pauses.
-
>”I tried to have one — to make her happy — but I could tell that she wanted…”
-
>You interrupt.
-
“Our Empire is in difficult times; certainly you know that.”
-
>He shakes his head.
-
>”I don’t care about the /Empire../ — all /I/ care about is Melancholy…”
-
>You look at your servant, and then back to Midnight.
-
>”She looks up to you…”
-
>…
-
>…
-
“She… wanted to have tea with us?”
-
>You curse your weak voice.
-
>He grins and nods; his energy instantly returning.
-
>”A tea party!! with cupcakes and candy, and-“
-
>You speak, your tone much more confident and firm, silencing him before his ignorance woke the filly from her rest.
-
“We shall arrange for afternoon tea tomorrow, before supper…”
-
>His looks up, before offering a more reserved, gentle smile.
-
>”I’m sure she’ll enjoy it.”
-
>You snort.
-
>No doubt her manners will be appalling and crude.
-
>You shall make sure that her etiquette instructors address this topic in the morning.
-
>…
-
“Lay her to bed and return; we wish for your assistance with this new guest of ours…”
-
>You can see a darker, much more predatory grin creep onto his face.
-
>”Can I play with him /before/ you ask questions this time?”
-
>You chuckle.
-
”Such tasteless tendencies…”
by grapenut