Showing a Brave Face
Step one, two, three, four, five. Left hindleg arabesque à la hauteur, sweep the forelegs. Step one, two, three, four, five. Right hindleg arabesque à la hauteur, sweep the forelegs.
As Velvet glided across the stage in perfect formation with the other corps dancers, she wanted to scream. She hated this performance. Swan Lake was full of slow, graceful movements that impressed viewers but were terribly boring for her. She wanted to jump, leap, spin, and really, really get into the moves. No—she had to stop, turn to the front, slide her left leg to the side, and raise her forelegs above her head. Everything had to be in sync with her fellow dancers.
"No, no, no," Perennial's voice called above the music, which came to a halt. "Was any of that swan-like?" She looked between them all with one brow raised. "Odette does not surround herself with pigeons. You are her swanmaidens! A swan is graceful." With a sigh, she waved a hoof. "Try it again."
The frustration inside Velvet boiled over and she stomped one hoof. While the others dragged themselves back to the starting line off-stage, Velvet swished into a grand battement, beat her legs together, and, as she came down, performed a fouetté at the last minute. It did little to release her pent-up energy, but the light stomping of hooves from Nightingale made her smile, at least.
"Don't worry," Nightingale said, giggling. "We just need to get through Swan Lake, and then maybe we'll do something more to your tempo."
Velvet rolled her eyes. "I doubt it. I don't think Perennial is going to let us stop performing Swan Lake for a while. With my luck, we'll do so well that we'll be put on tour and keep performing it until either I fall over dead, or she does." She shot a light glare over her shoulder at the oblivious diva.
Nightingale's smile fell and she blinked a few times. "Are you okay? You seem a little worked up."
"I'm fine." Velvet flashed a grin. "Don't worry about me. Let's just try to get through this practice without offending Her Royal Aggravation."
After they formed a line and the music started up, the boring repetition began again. She could feel her sanity slowly slipping away with every slow movement of her legs. Step one, two, three, four...
---
The darkness was probed by neon lights that flashed through every color of a rainbow on steroids. Music reverberated its way into Velvet's very soul, her heartbeat pounding with the thumping of the bass. She was free to move more the way she wanted, though of course a nightclub was no place for arabesques and cabrioles. The important part was that she was free.
A lusciously feminine form danced next to her, swaying and glancing over her shoulder to send Velvet unspoken signals. Tonight was not the night, however. Velvet turned away to make her lack of intentions clear to the mare who, on any other night, would already be splayed on her back on whatever flat surface Velvet would have found. That night she just wanted to dance and not in the sense of innuendo.
Above the techno a voice called out for shots. Velvet's ears perked and she tore away from the dance floor to seek out the action. Two mares stood at the bar, pounding their hooves as the bartender poured several shot glasses full of something bright green. Velvet licked her lips and approached them.
"Got room for one more?" Velvet hopped up onto the stool beside them.
The mares looked at her, looked at each other, and grinned.
"Only if you think you can keep up," one mare said, glancing at Velvet's cutie mark. "This might be a little too much for pretty little ballerinas."
Velvet returned their grins with one of her own. "Bring it on."
The other mare laughed and slammed her hoof on the bar. "More shots, then! I'm buying!"
With six little glasses in front of each of them, Velvet and the mares raised one, clinked them together, then tossed them back. It tasted just how it smelled: like crisp, sour green apples coated in liquid sugar. Velvet dropped the empty glass to the counter and offered a hoof to the mare beside her. "I'm Velvet, by the way."
"Blue Rhapsody," the mare replied and gestured at her companion, who was already tossing back her second shot. "And that's Hot Shot."
"Shots!" Hot Shot exclaimed, glaring. "Hot Shots!"
"Whatever," Rhapsody said and retrieved her second glass.
Velvet joined her and winked. "Nice to meet you. I think after a few of these we're going to be very, very good friends."
Two shots turned into three and three turned into four. A fire burned in Velvet's chest and there was a bit of fuzziness clouding the edge of her mind. Laughing was easier. Remembering was harder. Hooves were wandering.
Velvet blinked. What was that last part? There was one hoof on her thigh and two more behind her, one on each flank. Velvet waved her forelegs and stumbled off the stool, scowling. "No! Not tonight. I don't, I don't, I don't tonight." She glared at the blue and red mares in front of her. "You're both totally hot but I don't tonight."
Rhapsody snorted and laughed. "But you said to!"
Velvet's left eyelid sagged as she searched her memory. Everything was fuzzy. Too much alcohol. Finally, she stuck out her tongue and turned away from them. "Not tonight."
She had to go somewhere. Clean up. Sober up. She couldn't go home like this. Stumbling out of the club, she grabbed her suddenly aching head and groaned. Where could she go?
Home. Not home, but the other home. It would be safe there.
She walked the streets with as little staggering as she could manage. Home wasn't too far. She blinked her tired eyes to keep her focus. The road would take her home as long as she followed it. It was strangely difficult, but she managed the task.
"Mooom," she called, knocking on the door to her parents' condo. "Daaad! Open uuup!"
After a while, the door to the condo behind her opened and a hoof reached out to grab her by the back of her neck. She squeaked as she was dragged away from what she then recognized as distinctly not her parents' condo door.
"Sweetie, it's four in the morning." Sunbeam muttered while shutting the door. "What happened?"
Velvet dropped down and closed her eyes. "Shots."
Sunbeam stood with her back to Velvet, then sighed. "Okay, hot shot—"
"Shots," Velvet interrupted with a small, snorting giggle. "Hot shots."
"Okay, hot shots, get your rump off the floor and into the bathroom. If you're going to be sick you're not doing it on the carpet." Sunbeam walked over to the kitchen. "I'll get you some water and some ginger."
Velvet rolled over, flailed her hooves for a bit, then finally righted herself. "'Kay." She wobbled her way to the bathroom. "Thanks, Mom."
The bathroom floor was cold, a welcome contrast to the heat she felt all over her skin. She sprawled out in an attempt to get as much of her pressed against the cool tile as possible until her mother returned.
"Here you are, sweetie." Sunbeam set a glass of water and a ginger root by Velvet's head. "Now, do you want to tell me what happened? Drinking this much isn't like you."
Velvet craned her neck and took a bite of the ginger. After chewing it slowly and then swallowing, she muttered, "Bad day at work."
Sunbeam settled on the floor beside her. She pulled out the clip that kept Velvet's bun in place, then ran a hoof through the wavy mauve tresses. "You seem to have a lot of those lately."
"Ugh." Velvet dropped her head back down. "It's this stupid Swan Lake. I don't know what's up Perennial's rump but I'm sooo sick of her attitude."
"Are you playing nice?" Sunbeam asked, raising one brow. "I love you, Velvet, but you do have a habit of—"
"Whatever," Velvet interrupted as she shoved herself upright and grabbed the glass of water. "My fault or her fault, it's too late now. I can't stand her and she can't stand me." Her ears folded back. "I just gotta get through this Swan Lake and maybe the next one won't get her so worked up and snooty."
The water was room temperature, which was strangely offensive where water was concerned. She didn't mind lukewarm juice, but water? If it wasn't crisp and cold, it was gross. She knew she needed the fluid, however, so she chugged it down nonetheless.
Sunbeam smiled and rubbed a small circle into Velvet's back. "Well, all right. But if this keeps up then we're going to have to have a serious talk, all right, sweetie? Now you just sit here until you feel up to walking. I'll go get your bed ready."
Velvet bobbed her head. "Okay, Mom. Thanks."
She waited until the sound of her mother's hoofsteps disappeared around a corner before she let out a heavy sigh. Why wasn't life easy anymore?
---
Velvet yawned and dropped down onto the couch in her and Crystal's living room. She had overslept at her parents' place, was late to practice, stayed late as per Mistress Perennial's command, and now only had five minutes before Crystal came home from school. Five minutes to herself. Five minutes of peace.
She rolled over onto her back and stared at the ceiling. Maybe she could convince Crystal to go out for dinner. She didn't feel like being cooped up in the house today. A nice little dinner out on the town, two gals palling around without a care like they used to, before Crystal started dating and socializing and doing everything else that detracted from their time together. A smile crept onto her face and she nodded, commending herself for the idea.
Right on time, the lock jiggled before the door opened and Crystal hurried inside. "Velvet, I'm so sorry for coming home so terribly late last night!"
Velvet blinked. She had almost completely forgotten that they hadn't seen each other yesterday. "Oh. Uh." She offered a lopsided smile. "It's okay?"
Crystal dropped her school bag by the door and trotted into the kitchen to put the kettle on the stove. "I just, oh, where to start?" She shook her head.
Velvet's smile fell and she sat upright. "Making tea already? What's up?"
Crystal turned to look at her. "Silent's father died."
"Oh my gosh," Velvet gasped more than said, a hoof flying to cover her mouth. "That's awful! What happened?!"
"I've not exactly been privy to the details," Crystal admitted as her ears drooped. "Most of last night was spent in tension and uncertainty. His mother is a different kind of mare than I'm accustomed to, but I need to go back there tonight. Winterspear can't handle it on her own and she won't let Iridescence help her."
Velvet blinked slowly. Though she had several questions, all she could say was "Oh."
Crystal shook her head. "I'm sorry. I know we hardly see each other as it is, but I'll be spending my evenings with them until Silent comes home."
This conversation was not going the way she had planned. Where was the gabbing? The galavanting around town without a care? "And when is that?"
"I don't know." Crystal turned back to the stove. "Anyway, I'm going to make some tea, catch my breath, then head out. Why don't you tell me what's going on with you?"
Velvet laid back down on the couch. "Nothing new. The usual. Ballet, parents, Red, you." She snorted. "Well, less you than usual, but you're still a part of my life somewhere in there."
Crystal gasped and walked over to close the distance between them. "Hey! I'm sorry, all right? Things will ease up when school is over and when Silent returns. This is just temporary."
But Silent wasn't temporary. Neither was Crystal going to social events. Velvet kept her gaze fixed firm on the ceiling. There was nothing temporary about them not spending time together at all. "I know," she said with a forced smile. "You take care of his mom and sister, okay? I'll be here when you get a chance to come home."
Crystal eyed her with reasonable suspicion before she sighed, leaned down, and nuzzled Velvet's cheek. "As soon as Silent is home, I'm taking your cranky rump on a date."
Velvet stuck out her tongue. "We broke up, remember?"
Crystal winked. "We can't have broken up since we were never dating, which means I'm free to take you on a date."
"That's pretty loose logic," Velvet said with a laugh and shrugged. "Okay, fine, whatever. Go have your tea and run along. I'll be fine on my own."
It wasn't like she wasn't already getting used to the idea of being alone, anyway.
---
Two dinners.
In the past three weeks, Crystal had found time to have dinner with Velvet twice. At least one of them had been because Crystal managed to remember her birthday in the middle of everything else going on, but that wasn't much comfort in the face of loneliness.
Velvet shook her head and tried to focus on her movements. Ballet was the only constant in her life. Red was growing up, Crystal was moving on, she hardly ever saw Horsey anymore—but ballet would never change.
That had its benefits, of course. She could rely on it to be there for her. The downside, however, was that Perennial would be a constant, too.
"Velvet?" Nightingale asked from behind her in a low whisper. "Are you okay?"
Velvet blinked. "Huh? Yeah. Why?"
"Because you haven't moved in the last like, minute."
Velvet looked at her forelegs to see that they were frozen in mid-sweep. All the other dancers were standing around her with their forelegs in fifth position, staring. She laughed, straightened up, and rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry, girls. My head was in the clouds."
Soft laughing responded and she took position. If she made a habit of that, then perhaps ballet wouldn't always be there for her. She hardened her resolve and pushed away the other thoughts clouding her mind.
She made it through practice without another flub and she thanked Celestia for that. While the other mares showered, she sat on one of the benches along the wall and stared at the ceiling. She didn't have much hope for seeing Crystal that evening for more than a few minutes, if any. Maybe she'd just go over to her parents' house and spend some time with Red.
"Hey, Velvet." Nightingale sat down beside her, startling Velvet out of her thoughts. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Velvet lowered her gaze to look at the tawny brown mare. "Yeah, I am." She smiled. "Just got a lot on my mind right now."
The feathers of Nightingale's wings raised before smoothing back out. "Something up with your roommate?"
"What?" Velvet's ears perked upright and her gaze darted away in a tell-tale admission. "What gave you that idea?"
"Well, I'm just saying, like, you two are besties, so if it's on your mind you're not talking to her which means it's about her." Nightingale laughed. "Right?" When Velvet didn't respond right away, Nightingale offered, "I'll be at the bar tonight if you wanna talk."
Velvet leaned away from her. "I thought we agreed to ignore that fact?"
Nightingale shrugged and stood. "We're kinda like friends, right? What's wrong with two friends chatting?" She shrugged again. "Up to you! Just thought I'd offer. I'll be there if you wanna drop by. See ya!"
Velvet watched the mare walk away before she slumped against the wall. They had agreed to ignore the fact they both went to the same fillyfooler bar, and now Nightingale wanted to have a chat there? She sat in silence as she mulled the idea over, then finally shrugged, stood, and trotted over to an empty shower stall.
Why not? She didn't have any other plans, anyway. It couldn't hurt to have somepony to talk to, at least for one night.
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I have a feeling that they're going to do a lot more than talk.
Lonely Velvet makes me sad
Life always tends to pile up and hit you all at once. Annoying like that, never can be decent and space it out regularly.
Rehearsal for moving out, success.
I have been wondering for awhile, how does Velvet get by with back up ballerina money? Do her parents cover her costs? Is Upper Crust funneling money to her? Is the debt racking up while the loan sharks circle just out of sight? Does the ballet pay a lot better for a pony in her position than I would expect?
6498312
Me too. Tissue?
We gotta find this girl a date. Even if it kills us!
6498312 She did say she has a pretty strict policy about her workmates! Of course, we don't know Nightingale's opinion on the matter...
6498347 It is extremely frustrating how that seems to be true so often.
6498375 Being in the corps is definitely not great pay, you're right!
In seriousness, I just haven't really explained it (totally my fault, I never know what's important to people 
), her parents pay her for her help at the bakery, and of course they pay a little extra because she's their applecrumblepie.
6498379 Well, that is one way to fix loneliness for sure!
Girl needs a good night... geeze.
Velvet definitely needs a larger social circle.
And I'm not talking about "prey" here.
Nightingale seems nice, so I hope those two can at least bond over some drinks or so ...
I JUST CAN'T STAND TO SEE VELVET SO DOWN !!!
6498542 Hopefully Nightingale can help with that!
6498585 Sorry.
It will get better, she just has to be ready for the changes it'll take...
6498952 I would say you might be one of the most correctest commentators for this chapter thus far!
I'm shipping Velvet and Perennial, and I really wish that I wasn't.
6499074 It's okay.
There is some interesting potential chemistry there, I can understand it entirely.
6498585
Interesting thought, I always thought her love line was muddled because she isn't clear on what she wants in love, although she also doesn't really know what she wants from life.
It's hard to make good friends, that requires being social in a way that she isn't. She only has fillyfoolery or business relationships in her life for the most part and one of those should evolve into an actual friendship or relationship, i'd go with the business relationship and hope she gets to have a good talk with Nightingale.
Also hoping for an upfront confrontation between Velvet and Perennial
Like the new avatar Crystal, so cute!
6499200 Hmm, but the real question is, is her love line muddled at all?
Tomfoolery aside, I am very much enjoying you sharing your thoughts, thank you for doing so!
I look forward to the next update! Back to Wishes for now, however!
It just occurred to me that, I had never shipped Velvet with anyone until now.
gib nightywighty most character development plox
I can understand how Velvet feels here. I've been there. It feels like the world is moving on without you.
The water was room temperature, which was strangely offensive where water was concerned. She didn't mind lukewarm juice, but water? ]If it wasn't crisp and cold, it was gross. She knew she needed the fluid, however, so she chugged it down nonetheless.
Velvet, I like you as a character, but you are dead wrong here: hot >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> cold. :P
Velvet remarked in an earlier chapter that she felt something was missing despite having the sex she wanted (that it wasn't fulfilling iirc). It looks like maybe what she wants is companionship? Could explain her loneliness... She also seems to get hung up on Crystal. IIRC it was during one of the chapters of Crystal Wishes that one of them (can't remember who) stated the two had a relationship like sisters. However, that story is done from Chrystal's POV, even if that's what Velvet said - it doesn't mean that's what she was thinking/feeling.
I think this is the huge thing though. People (or ponies in this case) handle change differently. Some handle it better than others. It looks like Velvet can't handle it. Which leads back to my earlier point... maybe what Velvet really wants/needs is companionship. I know she said isn't romantic, but that doesn't mean she can't have some companionship. I think BlizKriegBob is right in that Velvet really needs to expand her social circle.
I guess it says something about Velvet when the first thought people seem to have about her going to meet Nightingale is sex. It may be true, but I think that would be a mistake. I don't think that's what Velvet really needs. It comes back her needing to expand her social circle/companionship. I think what she may need more than ever is for Nightingale to essentially become what Velvet is feeling like Crystal isn't - a friend who is always around. I think at the moment Nightingale is more of a coworker and not quite a friend (yet). Maybe that changes in the next chapter...
6499457
I quite agree on this point. It has been one of my long running theories that Velvet liked Crystal as something other than friends but was to much of a good friend as Crystal pined away after hunky stallions. Velvet was happy enough at the time being best friends with Crystal then along came Silent Knight and ever since Velvet has been a bit lost.
Velvet is basically caught in an abusive relationship with herself.
6498542
Not really. A single night is just a diversion. What she needs is more than one; something that she can come home to because that's what she's missing with Crystal.
6499074
6499170
I'm still waiting eagerly to know whether the two have ever actually talked to one another or if it's all been off-hoofed sniping. It does seem like their personalities would lean more toward the latter - Perennial skilled and entitled, and very aware of it, and unwilling to stoop down to those beneath her, and Velvet being forceful and energetic, relatively flighty in comparison, and unwilling to take guff from anyone. They were almost tailor-made to butt heads.
6499612 Exactly. Their personalities compliment each other extremely well. And honestly, Velvet's one night stands aren't doing her much good in the long run, Velvet craves stability in her life and the instability of her sleeping around only exacerbates the underlying cause of her depression. She's lonely.
6499563 Basically Velvet got what people refer to as "friendzoned" right?
Which would mean that Velvet isn't going to get happier/better until she comes to terms with that and moves on.
Awww.... I feel sad for velvet. She never lets anyone see whats bothering her in the other stories aside from her parents.. But I can understand what shes going through. Been through some rough times like that myself the past year or so. I think her and Nightingale would make a good pair of friends atleast. And atleast crystal is trying. Loved the chapter. and love the new Halloween profile picture.
6499651
Even worse than being rejected which would let her move on in some manner, she friendzoned herself.
I've gotta say, of all the QnB characters, Velvet's easily my favourite. She's just so... relatable.
6499074
Fear not, friend. You may be shipping them, but if you look back at past comments, you'll realize that I am captaining that ship. Speaking of ships, you ever given any thought to be a First Mate? If I'm gonna captain this thing, I'll need a crew.
6498404
I shall now divine Nightingale's opinion of the matter... hm... yes... oh, yes, very interesting... ah! And now, I shall predict the future of this upcoming chat! And that future is all of you singing with me. Sing with me now, you know the words.
Bang, bang, bangity bang....
6499232 Hmm, most? I don't know if I can guarantee most! I think Velvet will have the most character development.
6499452 It really does suck when you just have to sit by and watch your friends moving on while you're standing still. It feels even worse because you just feel guilty for being mad at them for being happy.
6499457 Oh my, such a long comment! *nom nom nom*
First of all, oh my gosh, no, ew, cold water is the only water what is wrong with you!
It was Velvet who said that they were like sisters, in the Hearths Warming chapter:
I do think the big thing for Velvet is expanding that social circle, though. I also don't know if it says something about Velvet or if it says something about readers that the first reaction to Nightingale is that they're gonna do it. Granted, the first chapter, Velvet does go after a mare. In the prologue she had raging hormones (but that was her first (well, technically only) year of high school, so she JUST hit puberty, come on). But in this chapter she rebuffed three mares! So, I'd like to think Velvet doesn't come off as a total nympho, but I guess that first chapter was a little too much.
6499563 That is one way to interpret things!
6499657 Thanks and thanks! Yes, I am glad that readers are picking up on one of the key conflicts/plots: Velvet Needs Friends.
Hmm, don't we know another pony like that who's already been shown hanging around with Velvet in, with regards to this chapter, the future? 
6499749 I'm glad! Well, sort of. I don't know if I'm glad that people can relate to a lonely, "feeling left behind" character. Hopefully when things get happier (note the lack of a Sad tag) people can still relate to her.
6500876 Uh-huh...
6501373 Oh yes! I know who your talking about, and no spoilers of course. I love how they meet. im still abord the Velvingale ship though personally haha
6501373 Oh yes totally! You feel angry at first, but then realize it is not their fault and then guilt kicks in. By the end of this chapter I was wishing I could reach through my computer to give Velvet a hug.
I don't really know anything about ballet, but that description of Swan Lake did make it sound fairly boring to perform. A least for the cast, that is, perhaps Odette is more interesting.
I'm suddenly intensely worried for Velvet if she frequently does stuff like this. Wandering drunkenly through a city at night sounds like a good way to get mugged or worse.
Probably a good idea, everybody needs someone to talk to sometimes.
6505469 Hahaha. I tried really hard to find any kind of stage notes or choreography or something for Swan Lake... but either I'm bad at searching or that's not a thing. I just replayed this video over and over and tried to match the moves to what I could find. I really, really hope I used the right terms. Nonetheless, there is an amount of exaggeration on Velvet's part, but given that she is more of a "vibrant" dancer, that long entrance seemed like it'd be awfully boring for her.
I mean, they are very graceful and the coordination is fascinating to me, but... Velvet would be so bored.
As for your intense worries, I was hoping to assuage those with Sunbeam's line:
However... it is important that Sunbeam also said:
... That said, I'll be perfectly clear that Velvet isn't going to get mugged or worse, it's just supposed to be a clear signal that she's not dealing with her stress in a good way and that things are getting out of hand.
Uff! Finally read this piece! It's that something-something that the Q&B universe missed. It's that something hidden here under the spice of 'xual deviancy! Like curry!
6505486
Judging by the Swan Lake youtube video you linked your description was fine. I totally agree with Velvet on this one, I was dying after 20 seconds of watching that stuff. Not to say it doesn't take tremendous still that I do not have, just that it's ridiculously boring to watch.
I have a confession to make now that the story has progressed a little. When I first read the title and summary I was totally convinced that this was a story about how Velvet Step is actually a night-time vigilante known throughout Canterlot as the "Velveteen Mask" or something similar. I figured she wanted to fight baddies like her ballet-book hero. I was pretty far off the mark on that one, hah!
6522232 Whoo! Glad to hear!
Ahh, no worries, I was kind of trying to play up the mystery of the secret with multiple interpretations available.
If you are interested in reading that, though, someone has written that very story!
6522704 hahaha! I didn't know that pseudonym existed! one look at the word count and I thought "oh well this looks familiar"
6523633 There is a bit of a long story (all right, not too terribly long) behind it but it's not me. I swear!
I actually thought this would be about Velvet being a superhero fighting villains and criminals with awesome dance-fighting skills like some sort of pony cat-woman, but this is fine to.
6525380 Whoo Canada, and I was thought the same accept some illegal shit like the Mafia but I like this to.
6525380 I'm kinda disappointed but I'm still happy about this anyway.