It had been some time since JW's adventure through the multiverse.
Or rather, that particular adventure anyway. His memories, over the next few years had compressed into that hazy state of a dream you had ages ago but only just remembered. Flashes of images and feelings, almost like an itch. He'd had loves and lost loves, had jobs and lost jobs.
Had friends and watched them pass on.
Now he was in his forties and making his way down the long crooked stone path from his front door to the mailbox to see what new bill he'd have today. His hair had grown a bit shaggier and his ghoul's eye was long gone, the hole covered by a simple black patch. He'd grown less accustomed to his ugly shirts and more likely to wear drab sweaters or wifebeaters stained with god knows what. He'd, over all, kind of dulled.
The antlers stayed, though, the curse not having finished its job. It was fall and the velvet had worn off and while he always felt a little spunkier in the cooler months, it was hard to stay cheerful without Deuteronomy. She had only been gone a couple of years. Horas came and went but it wasn't the same.
Discord didn't know why he was here. He didn't know, and he couldn't understand why his abilities couldn't just bring him home. Perhaps it was nothing more than an extension of the City he'd been trapped in for so long and his chaos magic just couldn't influence the surroundings like they used to be able to.
Whatever the reason, when he ended up in a brand-new place full of humans he didn't know, his first reaction was to figure out how he could use it to his advantage. Naturally, he'd had to switch to a more discreet form, and so he took on the look of a thin, slightly scraggly gray dog with an unmistakable snaggletooth, floppy ears, odd yellow and red eyes, and a balding tail. It sure did earn him sympathy points, which is what he wanted!
At least until he sorted things out.
It's as he's exploring the surroundings anew that he comes across a quaint little home. He might have gone snooping in the mail just for mischief's sake if the owner hadn't decided to check the box himself and...well.
He freezes and stares. Because that is a face he didn't expect to see ever again.
Congratulations, JW. You're being stared at by the most obvious not-a-dog in the world.
Discord's disguise was a little too good because when JW looked down, all he could see was a gross mangy mutt. He wrinkled his nose and kicked gravel at him with his heel.
"G'yat!"
He'd gotten a couple of bills and some coupons and now it was time to start the uphill trek. His lower back was not thrilled.
Rather than actually leave, the dog appears petulant and rises onto his hindlegs while crossing its forelegs.
"That's hardly the type of greeting I expected from you, but I guess it has been a long while," he says airily. "Was that even a word you used? Is that a human thing? Or is it some sort of vernacular from this kind of Podunk town of which I'm not familiar?"
JW was no stranger to animals suddenly standing upright and sassing him. He didn't really have the energy to be scared anymore. He was already technically part of the fae court so it wasn't like they could fuck him up MORE wihtout breaking their own rules.
But when the creature spoke.
The thin man's graying brows lifted and lifted and lifted and his heart hitched. It was like...when you go into your old school for whatever reason and it still smells the same. Everything came hurtling back to him.
"You got out..." was all he could say in a sort of breathless voice.
Usually, Discord would play the smartass, say of course he did, he's chaos you silly billy! But there's something about the tone, and this whole situation really, that sort of takes the wind from his sails.
He's never been spoken of in such an incredulous voice without first doing something to thoroughly inconvenience someone.
So he just sits back on his haunches and perks his floppy dog ears a little.
"This is out? Then why aren't I home?" he asks after a few long moments. "Are you sure you aren't still..."
Where, in the city? Haha...then he'd been a terrible friend, hiding from Discord and making him feel sadness...
Discord doesn't intend to sound dismissive, he's just unnecessarily old, and...well, he's always been a little insensitive. Besides, the decade isn't even the important thing here. He's actually more concerned with why he's here? Why not Equestria? Why would JW think he wanted to be here?!
...
"I suppose it's good to see you, and I should be focusing on that, yes? Friendship, yada yada..."
JW caught onto that quite quickly but let out a huff anyway because he'd much rather spend his energy on being offended than worried.
"Yes, Friendship, that lesson the princess nailed into our heads." And with memories of Discord came memories of...everyone. Friends. Kids in need of a guide he'd left behind. Love he'd left behind. AND NOT HAVING TO PAY TAXES. His chest hurt.
"Reckon I ought to invite you in then..." JW turned so the draconequus couldn't see the kaleidoscope of emotions play across his face and started to climb the stone walkway, grunting in pain with every step. "I just made a cobbler."
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Like a bad rash...
Or rather, that particular adventure anyway. His memories, over the next few years had compressed into that hazy state of a dream you had ages ago but only just remembered. Flashes of images and feelings, almost like an itch. He'd had loves and lost loves, had jobs and lost jobs.
Had friends and watched them pass on.
Now he was in his forties and making his way down the long crooked stone path from his front door to the mailbox to see what new bill he'd have today. His hair had grown a bit shaggier and his ghoul's eye was long gone, the hole covered by a simple black patch. He'd grown less accustomed to his ugly shirts and more likely to wear drab sweaters or wifebeaters stained with god knows what. He'd, over all, kind of dulled.
The antlers stayed, though, the curse not having finished its job. It was fall and the velvet had worn off and while he always felt a little spunkier in the cooler months, it was hard to stay cheerful without Deuteronomy. She had only been gone a couple of years. Horas came and went but it wasn't the same.
no subject
Discord didn't know why he was here. He didn't know, and he couldn't understand why his abilities couldn't just bring him home. Perhaps it was nothing more than an extension of the City he'd been trapped in for so long and his chaos magic just couldn't influence the surroundings like they used to be able to.
Whatever the reason, when he ended up in a brand-new place full of humans he didn't know, his first reaction was to figure out how he could use it to his advantage. Naturally, he'd had to switch to a more discreet form, and so he took on the look of a thin, slightly scraggly gray dog with an unmistakable snaggletooth, floppy ears, odd yellow and red eyes, and a balding tail. It sure did earn him sympathy points, which is what he wanted!
At least until he sorted things out.
It's as he's exploring the surroundings anew that he comes across a quaint little home. He might have gone snooping in the mail just for mischief's sake if the owner hadn't decided to check the box himself and...well.
He freezes and stares. Because that is a face he didn't expect to see ever again.
Congratulations, JW. You're being stared at by the most obvious not-a-dog in the world.
no subject
"G'yat!"
He'd gotten a couple of bills and some coupons and now it was time to start the uphill trek. His lower back was not thrilled.
no subject
Rather than actually leave, the dog appears petulant and rises onto his hindlegs while crossing its forelegs.
"That's hardly the type of greeting I expected from you, but I guess it has been a long while," he says airily. "Was that even a word you used? Is that a human thing? Or is it some sort of vernacular from this kind of Podunk town of which I'm not familiar?"
no subject
But when the creature spoke.
The thin man's graying brows lifted and lifted and lifted and his heart hitched. It was like...when you go into your old school for whatever reason and it still smells the same. Everything came hurtling back to him.
"You got out..." was all he could say in a sort of breathless voice.
no subject
Usually, Discord would play the smartass, say of course he did, he's chaos you silly billy! But there's something about the tone, and this whole situation really, that sort of takes the wind from his sails.
He's never been spoken of in such an incredulous voice without first doing something to thoroughly inconvenience someone.
So he just sits back on his haunches and perks his floppy dog ears a little.
"This is out? Then why aren't I home?" he asks after a few long moments. "Are you sure you aren't still..."
Where, in the city? Haha...then he'd been a terrible friend, hiding from Discord and making him feel sadness...
no subject
"You didn't come to Hawksaw on purpose?"
With his mind reeling with sudden memories, he easily imagined Discord going wherever he pleased once the City loosed its grip on him.
"It's nearly been a decade!"
no subject
"A decade, that's all?"
Discord doesn't intend to sound dismissive, he's just unnecessarily old, and...well, he's always been a little insensitive. Besides, the decade isn't even the important thing here. He's actually more concerned with why he's here? Why not Equestria? Why would JW think he wanted to be here?!
...
"I suppose it's good to see you, and I should be focusing on that, yes? Friendship, yada yada..."
Nailed it. 10/10.
no subject
"Yes, Friendship, that lesson the princess nailed into our heads." And with memories of Discord came memories of...everyone. Friends. Kids in need of a guide he'd left behind. Love he'd left behind. AND NOT HAVING TO PAY TAXES. His chest hurt.
"Reckon I ought to invite you in then..." JW turned so the draconequus couldn't see the kaleidoscope of emotions play across his face and started to climb the stone walkway, grunting in pain with every step. "I just made a cobbler."