//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Life after Death // by Short-tale //------------------------------// The dance club was loud. I didn’t understand the need to meet ponies in places where you couldn’t hear what they were saying.  It was filled with ponies dancing and undulating to an ear splitting beat. It was also dark. Like a cave filled with lasers and steam. I suspected the darkness kept you from seeing the debris and refuse on the floor. The sticky substance I put my hoof into when I walked added more weight to my hypothesis. It also smelled bad. Starlight said you needed to say it all on the dance floor. She and Night Flyer were certainly “speaking” a lot out there. I sipped my cider and looked at my own date. He was blue, and his mane puffed out like Pinkie’s. He also talked a lot. I don’t think I really got enough of what he said to put it all together. Something about balloons. “I can bend a balloon in any shape you want,” the pony shouted with a wink. It made me shudder. It felt like he was trying too hard. What had Starlight told him? “So, what shape do you want?” “A rock.” “A rock?!” “A rock.” The pony looked at me like I had two heads. I got that a lot. He didn’t get me. He wasn’t the first.  My heart ached as I remembered Mud Briar. He never looked at me like that. He never implied anything sleazy, either.  My eyes returned to the dance floor. The pegasus and unicorn were all over each other. They were probably intoxicated. I would have to deal with both of them in the morning.  Starlight caught my eye and shook her way over. “Maud! Isn’t this great? I feel so alive out here. You should dance! It’s really fun.” I looked at the “fun” the other ponies were having. It looked like Starlight wasn’t the only pent-up one out there—ponies were gyrating and twirling in a chaotic mess that was barely in time with the music. It looked more like they were drunkenly trying to sleep on each others’ shoulders. And failing.  “C’mon Maud, let’s get out there and strut our stuff.” The drunken unicorn grabbed my hoof and pulled me out of my leather-lined booth. My date still looked at the balloon on the table like he was figuring out a math problem.  Despite my own reservations, I followed Starlight’s lead. I wasn’t used to this type of music, but I could take advantage of the rhythms to emulate the other dancers. I found the dull, lifeless banging of the song's heart and matched my movements to it. It was graceful and elegant, but still erratic enough to seem modern.  It wasn’t long before a crowd gathered around me. They stared star-struck at the pony that seemed to know what she was doing. The spotlight was on me. The crowd became a darkness of whispers and awe.  I danced. I danced what I felt: my pain. My ponies. My love for Starlight. If anyone knew how dance worked, they would have seen my heart’s confession in front of a crowd of strangers. But nopony knew. They didn’t get it. Not even the pony it was meant for. They didn’t get me. I was in the middle of a triple spin when I noticed Night Flyer and Starlight’s forms by the door. They were leaving. The bed would be occupied, and I would be alone once more. It felt awful.  Starlight suddenly walked away from Night Flyer and I couldn’t take it anymore. I pushed my way through the crowd, making a straight line for the waiting pegasus.  She glanced up as the crowd parted. There was a smile on her face. Of course there was; she was leaving with Starlight. “Hey Maud, having a good time with Party Favor?” she cheerily asked. It annoyed me. “Who?” “Umm… your date?” The smile fell when she noticed I wasn’t even aware of him. I glanced back and was momentarily distracted by the rock-shaped balloon he held in his hooves. How had he—? It didn’t matter. I couldn’t lose focus. “You can’t go home with Starlight.” I flatly told her. “What? Why?” “She’s not ready.” “She seems pretty ready.” There was a smirk on her lips. I felt worse. “Well, she’s not.” The pegasus opened her mouth then closed it again. She stared at my typical blank expression. Then her face changed to one of sadness. “Oh Maud, why didn’t you say so?” “I just did.” “You really have to tell her. If you wait too long, she’s going to find somepony else,” Night Flyer placed her hoof on my shoulder. “Thanks for stopping me. If she means that much to you, I’ll come up with an excuse to leave. Best of luck.” I didn’t even get a chance to process what she was saying before the pegasus took off into the air. She landed by Starlight as the happy unicorn left the bathroom. I couldn’t hear what they said, but I watched as Starlight’s head drooped and her tail sagged. It was almost like she lost her sparkle.  I wanted to take back what I’d done, but Night Flyer waved a hoof over to me. I ambled over, feeling my stomach turn. I was supposed to be here for her. Why was I only thinking of myself? But the look on Night Flyer’s face said there was no going back now. Whatever she’d told Starlight was final. “Maud will take you home,” I heard the pegasus say as I approached. “You need to rest and drink plenty of water.” “I really don’t feel that drunk,” Starlight countered. “And it’s not like you’re taking advantage—” “It just doesn’t feel right,” Night Flyer insisted, cutting off any further protest. “Sorry, Starlight. Go with Maud now.” Starlight looked like she had been smacked in the face. All the excitement she had fell out of her steps as she slowly obeyed. It was like walking with a pony made of putty. She barely said a word the entire way home. *** I climbed into bed after we got out of our dresses. My transgression was still wreaking havoc on my stomach. Every sigh Starlight released set my nerves on fire. I had no idea how to tell her this was my fault. How could I betray her like this?  “I just can’t believe it.” She finally said as she flopped next to me. “Do I seem drunk? I’m not slurring my words or anything. I thought she wanted me. That's why she came.” The sadness in her voice caused me to turn and look at her. She looked defeated. My stomach twisted again.  “You are very pretty,” I said. I didn’t want to overwhelm her with compliments. It would sound disingenuous.  “Thanks. I just wanted a little relief, is that too much to ask?” “No.” “Now I have to lay here feeling all pent-up.” She rolled away from me in a pout. The guilt tore at me. If I took away her fun because I really did love her, then it was time to step up. This was what I wanted after all. I just hoped I wasn’t making the biggest mistake of my life. I faced her back and placed my hooves around her once more. I was going to say something corny, but I decided actions were louder. I felt that warm hoof clasp mine once more and knew there would be no going back. I could feel her shoulders shake once more and pull her close. “Thank…you,” she gasped between sobs. I bit my lower lip and flicked my tail between her legs. I hoped that my aim was true. Her sobs stopped immediately. “Maud… what was that?”  I decided to answer with another flick of my tail. I let it linger a little longer this time before slowly drawing it back. “Okay, okay,” Starlight said, turning around to face me. “You don’t have to do this. I know I’m a little down, but if you don’t—“ I cut her off with another well-placed flick. “Maud… now you want to? But last night you said you didn’t want to play around.” Confusion graced her face. Then she got it. She was one of the few ponies that really got me. “Oh, Maud…I don’t know. It’s only been a few months, and…” I stared. I could feel the tension in my stomach increase. I was glad I could hold my cider, or I might have lost it all over her then and there. “Well.” Starlight’s tone suddenly shifted. “You are already in my bed. And we already know each other, and I do like you. I did think about it. As you probably guessed last night. But I thought you liked stallions.” “I like ponies,” I finally spoke. My voice sounded much quieter to my ears than I have had. I never admitted this to any pony before. Not really even myself. “I like the individual pony. Gender isn’t important.” “So you think I’m special enough to cross that line?” “Yes.” “Have you, umm… ever crossed that line before?” “No.” “So, do you know what to do?” I stared at her. I don’t like the gaps in my knowledge pointed out. The truth was, I hadn’t expected her to go there with me so fast. But I had started it: I’d offered a solution, and she’d accepted.  I simply shook my head. “Okay,” Starlight’s voice was barely a whisper. “Then I’ll help you first, and then you can help me.”