Page 1150 - Back in the Bottle

To clarify the previous update’s Author’s Note a tad: I don’t truly believe gaslighting is Discord’s main technique. It seems to me more a byproduct of his relentless manipulative improvisation – an error of highly predictive and reactive GMing in general, perhaps. Sometimes what the “plan” really was and what the “stakes” really are is hard to pin down and keep there. (Especially when you’re on the fourth rewrite of a particular comic page and you’re starting to confuse yourself on what Discord’s dialogue should reveal at this juncture.)

There’s also something to the notion that the divisive Discord discourse in the comments (which, for the record, I’m okay with up until personal attacks get trotted out) is a result of people seeing different versions of the same events – applying their personal experiences to interpret certain implications, calling those interpretations facts, accusing others’ interpretations of those implications as being mere phantoms, and questioning whether others have actually seen or read the same material.

So yeah. I feel like I’m learning a bit about gaslighting by writing this character in this arc. I apologize for not expanding on that thought earlier.

Fluttershy: Oh yes, your big, intricate, diabolical plan. It worked out exactly the way you expected. I’m 100% convinced you’re not changing up what you’re gloating about based on how things worked out.
Discord: I’ll admit you might have me there. Isn’t that more impressive, though? Getting what you want with a flap of a butterfly’s wings instead of a bludgeon? More importantly… I WON!! HEE HEE HA HA! CHAOS REIGNS! I defeated friendship! I defeated harmony! This world is mine to command! To control!!
Rainbow Dash: Yeesh. I don’t think I’ve ever gloated this hard.
Applejack: <roll> That would be that moment o’ hubris y’all were talkin’ about. Let’s see about gettin’ away now. Rarity?
Rarity: I’ll roll Stealth. …So I can sneak “Tom” away from Discord, of course.
Discord: Why, what’s all the rush? The fun’s just getting started! Oooh, are you going to huddle up somewhere and think of a grand new strategy for defeating me? Can I come?!
DM: Discord’s laughter fades into the distance.
Discord GM: Aha… Uh, I highly doubt Discord’s going to let them go juuuust yet. He’s having a moment of triumph, yes, but he’s not blind and deaf.
DM: Discord feels like celebrating. Discord leaves.
Discord GM: But you said I could–
DM: Discord’s. Laughter. Fades. Into. The distance.
Discord GM: …Very well. This is your show. Discord merrily skates away on a freshly conjured road of soap, swaying and pirouetting.
Discord: BWA HA HA HA HA! AH HA HA HA HA! Ahahahaha…!
Discord GM: <ahem> Discord’s laughter fades into the distance.
DM: And with that, I think it’s high time for a break. Any objections?
Twilight Sparkle: Not at all.
Discord GM: Really? So soon?
Fluttershy: Yes please.
Applejack: Ah could use one.
Rarity: I’m a bit genuinely winded!
Rainbow Dash: Yeah, that got heavy…
Pinkie Pie: <cough> Bleh!
Twilight Sparkle: <sigh…>
DM: Hey. Can we talk real quick?
Twilight Sparkle: In a bit. I need a drink.