//------------------------------// // The First Dance // Story: Rocinante, The Best Knight Ever // by Charliemane //------------------------------// The ballroom below had an atmosphere that was as stuffy as it was intimidating. Everypony there was so focused on socializing with the right crowds they failed to even notice Princess Luna's arrival as she slowly and carefully entered the ballroom with Rocinante faithfully behind her. She was pleased at the fact no one had noticed her, for though she felt herself to be a new pony, the oppressive air about the room stifled her willingness to be too open about it. In fact, she would have turned back and waited to see her sister after the Gala had Rocinante not been right behind her. Scanning the crowds revealed that Princess Celestia was not yet present. Looking to her escort, Princess Luna motioned to the crowd. “Tell us, is this not a dance? Wherefore then doth the ponies of this Gala mill about as though they were waiting upon some signal before the fun may begin?” Rocinante looked around at the crowd and, seeing that Princess Celestia was not present, turned to Princess Luna. “Your Highness, it is customary at the Grand Galloping Gala for the Princess to lead the first dance. As she is not present, it would be a faux pas to dance before her grand entrance.” Princess Luna looked to her escort. Curiosity, mixed with disbelief filled her voice as she spoke. “This was most certainly not how the Grand Galloping Galas were in the past. When did such a tradition occur and for what reason?” “I know not, your Highness. However, if it should please you.” Rocinante offered his hoof towards the Princess. Immediately Princess Luna began to shrink back from his offer. “It would be unfavorable for us to break tradition, especially if we do not understand it. We are indeed willing to wait for Princess Celestia.” “If that is your will. But you are a princess, your Highness. If you so desire, you may be the one to commence the dance.” Luna looked nervously back and forth between the dance floor and the pony who offered her a dance. The easy path would be to retreat, to say that she needed to find her sister first. But the more she thought about it, the more she began to wonder if perhaps this was the the next step on her long road to recovering her role as Princess of the Night. Rocinante had clearly pulled her through the first step, using his wish to break her free of Nightmare Moon, shouldn't she at least try to move forward on her own? Looking to the stage, Princess Luna could see a pink pony already whispering to the band. Perhaps she had been recognized and they were already preparing for the first dance. It was with that thought in mind that Luna finally decided on what she was going to do. Looking down to Rocinante's hoof, Princess Luna gently placed hers upon it. “Very well. We shall be the ones to carry forth the dance past this dull and stagnant state.” Rocinante smiled and nodded before leading her to the dance floor. Either out of concern for Princess Luna's self-conscious state or perhaps because the band only gave them enough time to reach a neglected corner of the floor before the music began, they reached the edge of the floor and took up a textbook waltz position. But it was not a waltz that they were met with. At the front of the stage, Pinkie Pie was confident she was about to get this party started. Tapping the microphone to test that it was working, Pinkie suddenly burst with excitement towards the crowd which had begun to notice, not the Princess in the corner, but the bright pink pony on the stage. “Come on everypony! I know what will make you shake those groove thangs!” The music was far from what anypony had expected. In her surprise, Princess Luna looked towards Rocinante. Was this common now? Had the Grand Galloping Gala changed this much over the years? For his part, Rocinante was confused by the song choice, but he remained seemingly unfazed. The Pony-Pokey was far from the type of song one would hear at a formal ball such as the Gala and certainly not the type of song one would dance with a princess to, but it would be beyond the height of rudeness to turn back now. With no other options, Rocinante proceeded to dance the Pony-Pokey as politely and courteously as he could. Princess Luna, seeing her escort dance in such a manner, could only do the same. It was an awkward dance, to say the very least, but it was short and simple and as soon as it had begun, it ended with the pink pony's joyous shout into the microphone. Princess Luna breathed a sigh of relief once the dance was over. Looking around nervously to see what the crowds had thought of her leading the first dance, Princess Luna saw that the pompous ponies were so irritated at the song choice that they hadn't even noticed their Princess was dancing behind them. Though she had been proud of herself for stepping out into the limelight, Princess Luna was quite pleased with the fact that no pony appeared to have noticed them. The Pony-Pokey was a silly dance that perhaps would not bring the recognition she had hoped for. With a bashful smile, Luna retreated from the dance floor. Though she had been successful in stepping out of her comfort zone, she was still embarrassed. Rocinante however, seemed quite pleased with the turn of events and bowed low to Princess Luna. “Though the musical selection was unanticipated, your Royal Highness dances quite well.” Princess Luna, trying to keep from blushing further at Rocinante's flattery, nodded. “Twas a very unique piece. Though we had not heard such a musical composition before, the melody was easy to follow and the dance repetitive. Twas easy enough for us and though the dance was enjoyable, we are eager to find Princess Celestia so that we might make our renewed heart known unto her.” With another bow, Rocinante smiled and looked towards the hall that led to the grand staircase. “Her Royal Highness may typically be found cordially greeting each pony as they enter into the Gala. If you so wish, I am quite certain that we may cut to the head of the line to meet with her. Or, if you prefer discretion, we may wait until after her glamorous arrival to the ballroom.” Luna nodded silently. She had already put herself out onto the dance floor once and such attention grabbing actions were exhausting to the more reclusive princess. If she had the option to greet her sister in a more private setting, then that would certainly work better for her own tastes. After all, her struggles with Nightmare Moon would no doubt be best left in private.