And We Danced

by iDash

Chapter 3- Welcome

“Fluttershy, would you hurry up already!?” Candy shouted out to her cousin.

The yellow blur that zipped around in the air responded. “I’m sorry... Candy... but I... just have to... make sure... everything’s... okay.” Fluttershy spoke in short bursts as she passed her cousin. The timid mare was hurrying to clean up her cottage and make various preparations for her critter friends before she left.

It had been two days since her first night at the Spot and she was still anxious to go again, to feel that experience once more. Candy happily agreed to her decision, although she was still quite surprised by it.

The mare had that they visit Simon before doing anything else; it would be a good idea to get Fluttershy caught up on everything first. Candy had arrived not too long ago to go with her cousin on the quick excursion to the stallion’s jewelry shop. It was about mid-morning, about a decent time to get started before things got too busy around town.

Fluttershy, however, did not understand this part of the plan. Instead, the mare was incessantly darting throughout her home and double checking- though Candy was sure she had double checked five times now- to make sure that everything was clean and that her animals were well taken care of.

“Your house can only get so clean, Shy,” Candy said impatiently.

Fluttershy hovered over the birds’ perches. “I know, just one more minute. And for the last time, it’s a cottage, not a house.”

Candy facehooved. “Oh, for the love- not this again. Dude, it’s a house!”

“No it’s not,” her cousin replied.

“What’s the difference anyways? Why can’t you just call it a house, you know, like every other normal pony?”

“Because it’s not a house, it’s a cottage,” Fluttershy insisted, now holding a feather duster in her mouth as she swept over her furniture and such. “At least that’s what it said on the papers when I bought it.”

“Who cares?!” Candy said incredulously. “You know, I actually looked it up the other day. The dictionary definition of cottage is a small single storied dwelling. Yours has two stories! So it’s a house!” she stated triumphantly.

Fluttershy paused and looked at Candy, then at the small second story of her abode for a moment, then back at Candy and smiled.

“It’s a loft. Doesn’t count.”

“Doesn’t- pffft- What!”

As Candy stuttered for words, Fluttershy alighted, giggling, in front of her. “Anyways, I’m all done. Shouldn’t we be going now?”

Candy opened her mouth as if to say something but just let out a frustrated groan. “Fine. We’ll settle this later,” she grumbled.

The shy mare nodded happily, hiding a victorious smile as she turned to her pet bunny that was observing the quarrel from the side. “Now, be good like I said, okay, Angel? I’ll be back in a little bit.”

Holding his carrot in one hand, Angel saluted his caretaker with the other. Fluttershy said a last goodbye to her animal friends and they all responded happily.

Satisfied, the two began their trip as they trotted through the door and out of the mare’s house/cottage/whatever.

The walk wasn’t all that bad; it was a pleasant temperature with the sun high in the sky and ponies were out and about enjoying themselves. The two smiled at the pleasant atmosphere around them, taking it in as they trotted along. They eventually began to fill in the comfortable silence with small talk about one another.

As the pair walked, they passed by a familiar shop. The door to Carousel Boutique opened and out trotted an elegant alabaster mare with an expertly done violet mane. resting atop said mane was a ridiculously large sun hat, complete with ruffles and an equally exorbitant feather. Two florid saddle bags the same color as her mane rested at her sides.

Rarity.

She smiled happily and shut the door gently behind her. As she started off in a direction, she looked to her side. Her face lit up even more as she spotted Fluttershy walking alongside her younger counterpart.

The mare quickly made her way over to them, catching Fluttershy’s attention as she did so. “Oh! Fluttershy! My dear, it is so good to see you again. How have you been? Oh, and hello to you as well, Candy Mane.” Rarity cheerfully greeted them.

Fluttershy turned to her designer friend slightly surprised then smiled. “Um... Hi, Rarity. I’m just fine.... What about you?”

Rarity was now trotting alongside the others. “I’ve been excellent! Things with the shop are going very well, and with Sweetie Belle at school now, I’ve had much more peaceful time for my work.” She turned her head and smirked at Fluttershy. “Though, I’ve certainly been missing visits from a certain yellow pegasus friend of mine.”

Fluttershy gave an apologetic look from behind her mane that was covering half of her face. “I’m so sorry, Rarity. I’ve just been so busy, and- and... well...”

The white mare shook her head dismissively. “It’s quite alright, Dear. I’m sure you have your reasons. Your cottage-”

Candy visibly flinched.

“Is probably quite busy with all of those animals of yours.”

“Well, that’s just how things always are at my cottage.” Smiling knowingly to herself, Fluttershy put extra emphasis on the word ‘cottage’, which certainly did not go unnoticed by the mare’s cousin.

“I can only imagine, Dear,” Rarity said. “Oh, I know! We really should go again to the spa some time. My poor hooves have desperately been needing treatment.” She looked down tenderly at her hooves, then sighed.

“Oh well.” She turned once more to her friend and smiled. “So, where are you two headed on such a pleasant day?”

Candy spoke up this time rather than Fluttershy. “We’re actually going to see the jeweler on the up side of town, Radiant Simonize.”

Rarity’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you know Mr. Radiant? I was just heading there myself. I’m working on this fabulous dress and I refuse to use anything but the best jewels, and Mr. Radiant is one of few that seems to understand.”

Fluttershy smiled. “Let’s go together, then,” she said happily. “I’d love to catch up while we walk, too.”

And catch up they did. Their talk, however, which lasted for most of the trip, was very one sided and pretty much just a seemingly endless monologue by the fashionista about the latest trend, her recent fashion exploits, or simply whatever came to mind. Strangely enough, neither of the other two mares seemed to mind. Fluttershy was just too kind to interrupt, and Candy easily blocked out the entire conversation. This was due to the fact that the mare had received excellent practice from blocking out her friend Chime, who, at times, was a lot like Pinkie Pie. And you have to admit, it takes serious skill to be able to block that out.

It wasn’t much longer until the group finally reached their destination. A white shop on a short hill stood in front of them. A sign hung above and read “The Radiant Jewel” in elegant lettering. The clean, white door was engraved with ornamental designs. Through the windows, they could see wonderful displays of jewels, gems, and trinkets that ranged from tastefully simple to simply exquisite.

This was Fluttershy’s first time seeing Simon’s shop. As the others continued inside, she found herself almost rooted to the spot while she gazed into the hypnotizing brilliance of the sparkling jewels.

She was snapped out of the trance as she heard somepony giggling beside her. The mare turned to see Rarity looking at her with a smile.

"Beautiful, aren't they?" she said. Fluttershy just nodded in response and Rarity giggled again. "Mr. Radiant truly is amazing with his craftsmanship. I've never seen a more beautiful gem than any that came from him."

Rarity had a look of admiration about her as she too looked at the display in the window. After a moment she snapped back up. "Well then, that's enough of that. Shall we go inside?"

Fluttershy nodded and they trotted inside. The interior was just as pristine as the exterior. The walls were a polished alabaster and there were several glass displays lined up as the jewels inside sparkled. There were a few wealthy looking ponies browsing the shop with avid regard.

The shy mare’s eyes drifted over to the other end of the shop where there sat a familiar white stallion with a neat black mane standing behind a counter holding another small glass display. After a moment, the stallion turned his head and spotted the mares. He instantly brightened up and waved at them with a smile, gesturing for them to come over.

“Hello, Rarity, Candy. Oh, and Fluttershy as well,” Simon addressed the group as they approached the counter.

“Ah! Mr. Radiant, how are you today?” Rarity said cheerfully.

“I am excellent, Dear,” he replied. “So, I assume you’re here to check up on your commission?” The mare nodded and Simon smiled. “Well then, I believe you shall be quite pleased.”

As he spoke, he bowed his head down behind the counter and fumbled around a bit until he found what he was looking for. He had something grasped carefully in his mouth when he came up and placed it on the counter. The object elicited a gasp from Rarity and looks of awe from Fluttershy and Candy.

“Wow, Simon,” Candy said. “This is really-”

“It’s...” Rarity cut her off. “It’s... It’s absolutely amazing! You’ve really outdone yourself this time.”

In front of them sat a flawless, polished piece of amber, about two inches in diameter. It was cut into a perfect circle, no nicks or scratches in sight. The color of the gem was so lustrous that is almost seemed as if light itself had been trapped inside it and was swirling and churning effortlessly within its confines.

Simon chuckled. “It’s nothing, really. Only the best for the best designer in Equestria.”

Rarity smiled as a slight blush crept onto her face. “Oh, you flatter me. I’m going to be using this as a pendant for my latest design, and I promise that you will be the first to see it.”

“It would be an honor,” the gentlecolt said with a small bow.

Rarity leaned over and picked up the amber between her teeth and placed it gingerly inside her saddle bags. She then turned back to the group.

“Sorry, but would you mind if I looked around a bit? I’ve been looking for the perfect sapphires to compliment the amber.”

“Of course, Rarity,” he said and gestured with his hoof to the rest of the room. “My shop is always open to you.” Delighted, Rarity trotted off to examine the jewels with eyes sparkling almost as much as the diamonds.

“So how are you two?” Simon asked as he turned back to Candy and Fluttershy.

“We’re doin’ great,” Candy said then leaned in a little closer. “Actually, me ‘n Shy wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Okay, go ahead,” Simon consented.

“Um, well... It’s about the Spot. She... she wants to join.”

Simon looked back and forth between the mares before nodded in understanding. He brought a hoof to his chin and tapped it in thought. “So, you want to be a breaker, huh?”

Fluttershy paused. “Um... a breaker?...”

“That’s right,” Simon nodded. “Dancers, B-mares, B-colts, breakers- that’s the proper term for what we are: Break dancers.”

Fluttershy lowered her head and stuttered a little. “Oh, I-I want to join, b-but I don’t even know how to dance.”

This elicited an unexpected chuckle from the stallion. “It doesn’t matter, Dear. In fact, that’s how most of our members started out. Just because you don’t know how doesn’t mean you can’t. You just have to move how you feel to the music.”

He adorned a thoughtful look again, then sighed. “I’m sure Candy’s already told you, but we try our best to keep this a secret, to keep it safe from others.” He locked eyes with Fluttershy with an unwavering expression. “If you join, can you promise to keep our haven a secret?”

Fluttershy gulped. It was a huge responsibility, and she had never had to keep a secret before. She began to question if she could handle it... no, she had to. It was as if her heart were talking to her. She didn’t know why, but she wanted this- she needed it. And so, she listened to her heart and nodded to the stallion in front of her.

“Yes, I promise,” Fluttershy said with new determination.

Simon stared into her eyes for a moment longer, as if searching something, and then his gaze softened. “Alright then, I trust you Fluttershy,” he said with a friendly smile.

There was a breath of relief from Candy. “Jeez, don’t scare me like that, Simon. Since when did you start getting all scary?”

Simon just smirked at her and turned back to Fluttershy. “Well, you’re going to join, there is one more thing we need to do.” He looked back and forth to make sure nopony heard him. “We’ll be meeting again tonight. Come to the Spot with Candy and I will tell you what’s next.”

Fluttershy hesitated for a moment then nodded in agreement.

“Alright,” Candy said with a grin. “We should probably get going then. It was nice seein’ ya Simon.”

“You too, girls. Have a nice day, and I’ll see you tonight.”

After they said bye, the mares turned and headed for the exit to the store. Candy stopped just before the door, though. “Wait, what about Rarity?”

“Um...” Fluttershy looked around and spotted Rarity. The fashionista was giggling as she gazed at gem after gem, as if she were a filly at Sugarcube Corner. She was letting out a series of ‘ooh’s and ‘aah’s while she jumped from display to display. “I think she’ll be okay,” the shy mare said with a chuckle.

They left the store and began on their way back to Fluttershy’s cottage. They passed through the marketplace where Fluttershy stopped by Applejack's stand. The farmer kindly gave them two mouth watering apple fritters. After they left, Candy turned into one of the adjacent neighborhoods, making Fluttershy follow as they went along the new path.

"Where are we going?" Fluttershy inquired.

Without turning around, Candy replied, "We're stopping by my place real quick. I got somethin' to give you."

Fluttershy nodded and followed silently until they reached the younger mare's house. It had been a while since she had been here. It was pretty simple on the outside. Beige walls stood on each side with a tiled roof on top. Clear windows reflected the sunlight. The house was big enough for two or three ponies to live in even though Candy lived there alone.

They trotted up the steps to the front door. Candy opened it, motioning for Fluttershy to enter, then followed her inside. The inside was pretty simple as well. The light carpeted floor covered the living room and the hallways.

"Stay right here. I'll be right back," Candy said then trotted off down the hallway. Fluttershy looked around for a moment. The place was much cleaner than she thought it would be. Her cousin wasn't exactly the tidiest pony in town.

'Hmm. She probably just stuffs everything in a closet somewhere,' Fluttershy thought.

From past the hallway, she heard a muffled rustling and then a loud thud, shortly followed by an 'ouch!' that most likely came from her cousin.

'Yep.'

A minute later, Candy returned holding something gray in her mouth. "Here ya go," she said, though slightly muffled by what she was carrying.

Fluttershy reached out with her hoof and took it. It was some kind of cloth. She turned it over a few times until she finally figured out what it was.

"Um... A sweater?"

Candy smiled. "Yep, you get your very own hoodie." She pointed a hoof to the hoodie. "Wear this when we go to the spot tonight. Bright yellow tends to stand out at night, and since we're trying not to be seen..."

Fluttershy nodded in understanding. "Alright," Candy said. "I'll stop by and pick you up tonight, 'Kay?"

"Okay. Thank you, Candy." She turned and headed for the door. "I'd better get home, then."

"You sure you don't want me to walk you home?"

She shook her head. "It's okay; I'll see you soon anyways."

The two said their quick goodbyes and Fluttershy left to return to her cottage, where a certain bunny was waiting rather impatiently for a much needed carrot.

The crescent moon shone brightly among the stars in the night sky. All was quiet and still. Not many ponies were out and about at this time of night. That is, except for two certain light yellow mares making their way through the various unlit neighborhoods of Ponyville.

Fluttershy and Candy walked in silence. Fluttershy had been quiet for most of the trip- quieter than usual. Candy looked over to her and noticed that she was staring at the ground with her head down. Her steps were stiff and rigid as if she were nervous. The hood of the sweater Candy had given her covered most of her face.

“What’s wrong, Shy?”

Fluttershy looked up at her cousin, then down again. “I’m... I’m just worried. What’s going to happen? What if they don’t accept me?”

“What do you mean?” Candy asked with a raised brow.

The mare looked up enough to look her in the eye. “I’m a newcomer, and I can’t even dance! What if... What if they don’t want me there? It’s your ‘haven’, just like you said, and I would just be an intruder.”

Rather than responding right away, Candy turned her head and looked up at the sky. After a moment, she let out a breath and turned her gaze back down. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about, Shy. Honestly, you won’t a find nicer group of ponies anywhere you go.”

“But-” Candy held up a hoof and cut her off.

“They will accept you, I promise.” She paused. “You know, we’re closer than just a group of friends. We’re like- no, we are a family. We support each other, and we’re always there for each other. And you’d just be another addition to the family.”

Fluttershy looked at her as they walked. “A family... are you sure they will?”

Candy nodded. “I’m positive. Besides, you’ve already been accepted.”

“I-I have?” Fluttershy said, surprised. Candy grinned at her.

“Yep. Simon and Chime accept you, and so will everypony else.”

The shy mare thought about the two she had first met when she came to the Spot. Chime was a lot like Pinkie Pie, who accepted everypony, and Simon had been so friendly. They had both been so quick to welcome her.

‘Hmm... I believe Candy, but still...’

“Welp, here we are,” Candy said, interrupting Fluttershy from her thoughts.

She looked up. Indeed, just as Candy said, they had arrived. Fluttershy blinked; she must’ve been too wrapped up in her worried thoughts to even notice how long they’d been walking.

Together, they trotted up to the rusted metal door and opened it, the hinges screeching as they entered. The lights were as dim as Fluttershy remembered, as well as the dusty air. This time, though, she wasted no time observing and headed straight down the stairs with Candy. They reached the bottom of the stairs and proceeded down the dark hallway.

It was different from what the shy mare remembered. The music was there, although not quite as loud. There was the low rumble of talking, but it seemed more concentrated than last time, as if all the voices had congregated into one large group.

She approached and walked through the billowing plastic sheets, only to be suddenly yanked off to the side when she entered.

“There you are, Fluttershy!” came the voice of a very jubilant mare. “We’ve been waiting forever for ya!”

Fluttershy looked over to see Chime, whom had pulled her to the side. “Um, y-you have?”

The tan mare grinned. “Well duh, you’re the reason we’re all here, anyways.”

‘The reason they’re all here?’

“Ah, there you are, Fluttershy.” The mare turned once again, this time to see Simon trotting towards them with a smile of his own.

“Are you ready, dear?” Fluttershy hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Her anxiety was very noticeable. “Good, then let us go. We wouldn’t want to keep them waiting, seeing as everypony will most likely head home right after this.”

“Why’s that?” Fluttershy asked.

“It’s not really the usual meeting. I just called them all here briefly for tonight.”

“Called them here... For what?”

Simon gave her a puzzled look as if it were obvious. “Well, for you, of course.”

‘...For me?’

She stumbled over to the side as the excited Chime collided with her and threw a hoof over her shoulder. “What are we waiting for, then? Let’s go!” She began walking forward, forcing the shy mare to follow along.

Fluttershy cast a worried glance at Candy and received a reassuring smile in return. They all walked and passed other groups of ponies as they made their way to the center of the room. Fluttershy’s excitable new friend wasted no time once they were there and shouted out, “Hey, everypony! Hurry up and gather ‘round!”

The reaction was quick. Every set of eyes turned to them, and they all obliged and trotted over to the center of the room until they were surrounded by a small crowd of ponies, each with expectant expressions.

“Alright!” Candy began. “This is what you’ve been waiting for. I’m sure you’ve all heard already, but we’re getting a new member today! So, with permission from ol’ Simonize over here,-” this elicited a few chuckles within the crowd as Simon playfully rolled his eyes, “I’d like to welcome our newest B-mare, Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy could feel the awful anxiety course through her body as her name was shouted. There was a moment of tense silence, and then that silence erupted into cheers that shocked the poor mare as she jumped. The crowd quickly closed in on them, making Fluttershy try and scoot back to escape, but she was stopped by Candy.

It wasn’t until Candy gave her another reassuring smile and nod that she realized what was going on. The ponies in the crowd were exuberant, those that reached her giving her a pat on the back while they all expressed words of welcome.

“Welcome, Fluttershy!”
“It’s nice to have you.”
“Cool! Welcome to the club, Shy!”
“Woah, I didn’t know you liked to dance, Fluttershy. That’s so awesome!”

“W-w-what’s going on?” Fluttershy asked, befuddled.

She felt a hoof rest on her shoulder and looked at Simon, who gave her a warm smile. “Welcome to the family, Fluttershy.”

‘I’m... in the family.’ The mare smiled to herself, hardly noticing amongst the joyous clutter of the crowd.

“Okay, everypony!” Simon shouted when the excitement began to die down. “That is it for tonight, and thank you all for coming on such short notice. I will see you all next week at our next meeting. Don’t forget!”

They all acknowledged agreement and, gradually, began to file out, one-by-one. Once the room was almost empty and nearly everypony had gone, Candy spoke to her cousin.

“See, I told you,” she said, tapping her lightly on the shoulder.

Fluttershy giggled. “I know, I know, I was just... surprised.” She was still a little astounded by how welcoming they were. “You really are like a family, aren’t you?”

“That’s right, and you’re part of it now.”

Fluttershy was silent for a moment before she spoke. “...Thank you, Candy.”

The mare gave her a confused look for a moment, then her expression softened. “No problem, Shy.”

“Ah, you two are still here. Good.” Simon, who had been off speaking to somepony else, joined their conversation. He paused and turned his head around the room, as if looking for someone, then sighed when it was apparent that he could not. He mumbled something under his breath, then spoke to the two mares. “I must apologize, Fluttershy. There was somepony I wanted you to meet tonight, but she decided not to come, I suppose.”

“It’s fine, Simon. And, um... thank you, for all of this,” Fluttershy said.

Simon nodded happily. “Of course, dear. And welcome again.”

“Oh, I almost forgot. Wait right here a moment please.” The stallion turned and briskly trotted off to one of the crates, where he picked something up in his mouth, and returned to the waiting cousins. In his mouth, he held a piece of paper with something scribbled on it. He motioned for Fluttershy to take it. She set it down on the ground in front of her and read it.

It was an address: 224 Birch St.

“I understand you don’t know how to dance, which is why, Fluttershy, we are going to teach you.”

The mare gave him a surprised look. “Y-you’re going to teach me how to dance?”

Simon chuckled. “Yes, but please do not worry, it will be fun.” He pointed at the piece of paper. “Come to this address at, say, nine o’ clock tomorrow morning, and we’ll get started. You should come as well, Candy.”

“Huh? Why do I have to come?” Candy said, taken aback.

“Well, she is your cousin after all. And besides, you don’t work tomorrow anyways, so you can help out.”

Candy grumbled, then just shrugged and said, “Alright, I guess it’ll be fun.”

“Good,” Simon nodded with a smile. “It is rather late, you should probably head home, Fluttershy.” As if on cue, the shy mare yawned, pronouncing her exhaustion to the world.

She giggled. “That sounds like a good idea.”

After they said goodnight, they left the Spot and ventured out into the peaceful night. Candy led her tired cousin home, where Fluttershy settled into her soft bed. Amongst the silent snores of her sleeping critter friends, Fluttershy fell asleep to the thoughts of her new family.