//------------------------------// // ...By Accident // Story: Coming Out // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Soon enough, all the students and teachers had returned from the winter holidays. They brought with them stories and presents and plenty of new news. Of course, in the eyes of four particular students, no one had bigger news than them. With the beginning of the new semester came the Spring season's Family Day. And that meant a very big moment for Smolder and Ocellus. Where they would reveal their relationship to Dragon Lordess Ember. Gallus and Sandbar had promised to be there for moral support. "I don't know if I can do this..." Smolder whispered Smolder, Ocellus, Gallus, and Sandbar were standing in a group huddle in a corner of the courtyard. They were ignoring the rest of the crowd, which went unnoticed since Pinkie Pie had started a few party games. Smolder glanced nervously at her leader. The blue dragoness was talking to King Thorax, the two of them laughing as they ate some of the pink professor's pastries, Thorax's brother standing on guard nearby. "It's going to be okay Smolder, just get her away from the others... oh, you could go over there." Sandbar suggested, pointing to a shaded area that was a bit away from the crowd, similar to where they were currently standing. "I guess..." Smolder muttered Ocellus placed a hoof on her claw. "Smoldie, it's okay. I'll be right there with you the whole time, just like you were for me. Okay?" "O-Okay Celly." Smolder gave her a brief but affectionate hug. "Great, now that that's taken care of, I'm gonna go check out that spread." Gallus grinned. "I'm pretty sure I saw a couple shrimp dishes... you coming Sandy?" Sandbar gagged slightly. "Uh... I'll come with you Gallus, but... I think I'll stick to cupcakes." "Eh, that's fair. Come on!" Gallus flapped his wings and flew towards the tables where food had been set up. "So you two will be okay?" Sandbar asked "We're fine, just go be with Gallus." Smolder replied Sandbar nodded and trotted after Gallus. Smolder took a calming breath, then led Ocellus towards Dragon Lordess Ember. "U-Uh, Dragon Lordess?" Smolder asked Ember turned to face her. "Oh, there you are Smolder." "Y-Yeah, uh, listen, Ocellus and I kind of wanted to talk with you... a-alone. If that's okay." Smolder stammered "Sure." Ember shrugged, then looked at Thorax. "I'll be right back Thorax." Thorax nodded with a slight blush on his face. "Okay Ember, take your time." Ember smiled slightly before letting Smolder and Ocellus lead her off. Thorax smiled after them knowingly, mouthing a silent "good luck" to Smolder and Ocellus as they glanced back. "So, what did you need to talk to me about?" Ember asked when they reached the shaded area Sandbar had pointed out to them. "W-Well..." Smolder trailed off and mumbled something. "What?" "See, Ocellus and I..." Smolder began. "We kind of have... a special bond." "So? You're friends, of course you have a bond. Right?" Ember looked between them. "It's... well, it's more than just friendly." Ocellus tried next. "More like... uh... well..." "You know, if you aren't going to be clear, I can just go." Ember said "No!" Smolder stopped her. "W-We do have something to tell you." "Then spit it out already." Ember said, looking at them. "I... see... we..." Smolder stammered. "Ocellus and I are... we're kinda..." "Well?" "I... we..." "Smolder..." Ember snorted out a bit of smoke, clearly growing impatient. "Come on, you obviously dragged me away from Thorax for a reason, I'd like it to be quick so I can get back to him. I was trying to finally get him to take me on a-I mean, about to get him to agree to a trade deal." Smolder gulped nervously. In the back of her mind, she registered what Ember had nearly said. The idea that her leader was also with a changeling, or at least, trying to get with one, should have helped. But her nerves were clouding her thoughts and she didn't comprehend it. "Smolder!" Ember snapped, and Smolder yelped. "Do you have something to tell me or not?" "I-I do!" "Then say it already!" "I..." Smolder broke off, the words refusing to form in her mouth. "Smolder..." Ember growled. Smolder balled her claws into fists and screwed her eyes shut. "Oh for the love of Torch!" Smolder cried out, frustrated at herself for not being able to say it already. At the dragon's exclamation, many creatures looked over. Ember stepped back slightly, surprised at Smolder's outburst. Twilight, nearby, opened her wings slightly, fluttering them to fly closer to the three creatures. Just as she was about to say something, Smolder continued yelling. "Ocellus and I are in love, okay?! L-O-V-E! That's what I wanted to tell you!" Smolder screamed. Smolder then stepped back, relaxing her stance and opening her eyes, taking a few breaths. That was when she looked up. Her jaw fell open. Everyone was staring. Silverstream and Yona were blinking sympathetically from by the fountain. Gallus, who was standing beside Sandbar, dropped a cupcake he was clearly in the process of passing to Sandbar. The pony in question was biting his bottom lip and looking at them worriedly. Thorax and Pharynx, the only other creatures there that knew already, seemed startled, Thorax more sympathetically. Everyone else's eyes were wide in shock. Smolder turned red, then looked at Ember. She had seemingly recovered from the surprise, and was reaching out a claw to her. "Smolder..." "Bah! What kind of lousy excuse for a scaly fire breather are you?" a voice rang out. Everyone turned to look. Grandpa Gruff was limping closer with his cane. Gallus, having recovered from his shock, stepped over. "Really Gruff?!" "What? Am I wrong?!" "Yes!" Gallus shouted. "Don't you argue with me boy!" "Well I'm gonna!" Gallus snarled, stepping forwards. "What gives you the right to say anything?!" "They're both a bunch of miserable gay-" "Gruff! We are on school property and you will not use any foul language!" Twilight Sparkle cried out. "Oh whatever! I'm not wrong, am I?!" "Hey!" Ember flew forwards. Smolder yelped, terrified that Ember was going to side with Gruff. She stood protectively in front of Ocellus, shielding the smaller creature as she cowered, despite shying away herself. Ember landed in front of Gruff, snarling. "You do not speak about Smolder that way!" "Or Ocellus!" Thorax joined in, striding forwards. "She is my student and doesn't deserve to be treated that way!" "The likes of them shouldn't even be considered worthy of being at this school!" "Then what about me?!" Gallus shouted, and they all looked to him. He stalked over. "What about me Gruff? If 'the likes of them' don't deserve to be considered students then I don't deserve to be either!" "What?! Boy, don't tell me that you're-" "Yeah! I'm gay!" Gallus announced loudly. "I'm gay and I'm dating Sandbar, happy?!" A few gasps of shock spread through the crowd. Gallus opened a wing slightly to let the green pony slip underneath it. Gruff growled and jabbed his cane at Gallus. "Boy, you take that back!" "What? Take back my sexual identity? Don't see how that's possible." Gallus scoffed. "You miserable excuse for a griffon!" Gruff yelled. "I knew I should have left you to die in the cold, you filthy orphaned street rat!" Gallus' eyes widened and he pulled Sandbar closer. He backed away, towards the school. Then, in a flurry of feathers, Gallus scooped Sandbar up in his talons and shot into the building. Smolder wiped tears from her eyes and grabbed Ocellus, lifting her up and holding her close to her chest. She then spread her wings and bolted after him, ignoring the startled yelp from Ocellus. "Gallus! Smolder! Wait!" Smolder heard her Headmare calling out for them but ignored it, pumping her wings harder. She flew down the hall, chasing the blue blur that she knew was Gallus. Behind her, she heard on last cry from Gruff. "Yeah! Go ahead and run you miserable little dy-" Smolder whipped around and sent a burst of fire at the door, forcing it closed with a slam, cutting off Gruff's insult. With that, she turned and sped down the hall, letting tears stream from her eyes, seeking the sanctuary of her and Ocellus' dorm room.