Horsing Around
Meanwhile, as the meeting is in progress..
"Come on tell me! I want to know everything!" SweetieBelle begs Scootaloo
Scootaloo rubs the back of her head in embarrassment trying to hide her blush then shushes SweetieBelle with her hoof as Fang gets out of his practice match and bows to his opponent before he walks over to the weights on the opposite side of the bleachers. Scootaloo watches then turns to Sweetie Belle. "Shh Sweetie Belle, not so loud. I don't want him hearing us." Apple Bloom walks up to them with a towel whipping her face before sitting down next to Scootaloo, "Hear what?" Says Apple Bloom.
"That Scootaloo likes Fang" SweetieBelle immediately says disregarding Scootaloo's warning.
Apple Bloom blinks and chuckles some before putting her hat back on. "I already knew about that. It was really obvious by the way she looks at him." Apple Bloom says before softly nudging Scootaloo with her shoulder before getting up to go. She turns over her shoulder and says, "You two would make a cute pair though." She says with a little giggle before going down the bleachers and into the mare’s locker room. Scootaloo smiles watching her go. She lets out a sigh of relief as if letting weights off her shoulders from hearing her say that. Sweetie Belle pokes her nose as she sits down next to her grabbing a hold of her arm.
"I need details! When did you first like him? What makes you blush when you think of him? Come on tell me already!" Sweetie Belle pesters with her big eyes and large grin. Scootaloo can't help but give off a light blush as she submits to her pestering friend and sighs looking at Fang as he starts doing laps around the gym with a light jog. Sweat drips down his brow and chest as he jogs. Scootaloo shakes her head and turns to Sweetie Belle and taking a stressful breath before speaking.
“Alright... alright I guess I really don't have a choice do I? Well I guess I had a crush on him since we saw him at Twilight's castle. He just seemed, um how do I say this. I guess different than other colts I met." She puts her legs together nervously as she continues,
"When we started hanging out more he was so nice and cool. He was determined but at the same time would let his feelings aside to help somepony else. Like when he got up on stage and sang for the chorus tryout." She looks out to the gym again before looking at Sweetie Belle.
“He is just so awesome that when he even looks at me I can't help but be nervous" Scootaloo nervously chuckles before Sweetie Belle blinks clearly satisfied as she nudges Scootaloo with her shoulder.
“I didn't think nervous was even in your vocabulary, but I guess love does all kinds of things to us mares." She smiles and giggles with Scootaloo as they turn back towards the practicing ponies.
Short of breath as Fang jogs along the edge of the gym, he looks up at the bleachers towards Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. He smiles softly before turning the corner toward the lockers. The whistle gets blown giving off the sharp loud noise to signify that practice was over for the day. Fang stopped jogging and turns to trot over to his water bottle, which lays against the bench at the bottom of the bleachers. He sits down and picks it up taking swig after swig before whipping his face off with his sweat towel. He looks up to look at Scootaloo again but sees that she and Sweetie Belle had started their decent. I guess I should get a quick shower before meeting up with them. Fang thought as he stands back up and begins to trot over to the colt's locker room. He looks around seeing the rest of the colts and mares that came to the practice begin to talk among each other or head into the locker rooms to shower or get their belongings. The coach begins to put away equipment with a few other students carrying boxes and pushing what looked like white wagons to carry the weights and heavier items. Before Fang knew it he was walking into the locker room. He trotted down into the room careful walking past the other colts that are at their lockers or leaving for the day. Hearing showers going in the back rooms behind a wall to the left of the entrance filling the room with a light cloud of steam. Fang goes and opens his locker pulling it open reaching in for a clean towel, soap and lo-fa. Trotting past the rusty blue lockers Fang gets to the entrance of the showers and looks in seeing if one is free. He sees several colts in the showers washing up with different soaps. The wet and exposed colts took their time enjoying the warm water. Lathering their faces and shoulders with water and soap as their manes lay down onto their coats and faces. Fang waited patiently as a brown unicorn finishes grabbing his towel and wrapping it around himself before walking by Fang. Walking up to the shower head fang throws his towel over the rack to his right. He turns on the water sighing as the refreshing warm water hits his coat and skin. Melting away his sores and aches of practice. He sticks his face up into the water closing his eyes as steam engulfs him. His shoulder blades relax while the water sends shivers of relief down his spine. Lowering his head Fang whips his face clear of water as he opens his eyes and reaches for his soap. He starts to rub his body starting from his chest and shoulders before heading down to his waist and colthood. After lathering the areas the water quickly washes the soap and sweat away to the drain under him with a gargle. He quickly lathers his legs before closing his eyes to do his face letting the water do its work. Setting down the soap Fang loops up again closing his eyes enjoying to water as he lets his mind wonder.
Let’s see what else do I have to do today? Oh yea, Scootaloo wants to go do some skating. Ugh I hope I don’t embarrass myself in front of her. Fang rubs his face with his hooves to get his mane out of his face before turning his head to the side and sees that every other colt had finished and left the locker room. Wow, every pony finished in a hurry. Fang’s ears flick up when he hears hooves walking toward him from behind making his shoulder tense up some as he says with stern voice
“You know that sneaking up on some pony isn’t a good idea?” He turns his body to face to one trotting up to him and blinks in surprise seeing Diamond Tiara. She gave off a evil grin trotting up to him making sure to bounce her hips with her tail raised up.
“Oh my, such a tough guy. Don’t worry big guy” She says as she rubs her back under Fang’s chin making sure her tail rubs up his chest before flicking up showing off her flank as she turns to look over her shoulder and winks “I just wanted to meet up with the colt that beat Flare.” She walks around him looking him over. Fang turns his head watching her tilting his head before turning away from her saying, “You shouldn’t be in here. The mare’s locker room is next door.” Fang says but then suddenly jumps when a cold hoof cups his pair making him turn his head and moves away.
“Whoa, what was that all about?!?” Fang exclaims as he backs up against the wall while Diamond Tiara advances.
“What? A mare can’t look at what she is going to be stuffed with?” She says with a giggle before turning toward the wall next to Fang and grins putting her front hooves against the wall and spreading her hind legs raising her tail presenting her goods.
“Come on big boy show me what you got!” She says shaking her butt and hips giving an obvious invitation. Fang sits there looking at her getting off the wall for a second then gets down on all fours. He notices that she turns over her shoulder and looks at him questioningly. Why you hesitating? I’m tight I can promise you that.”
Fang can’t help but chuckle at her comment and walks back over to where his shower items are and turns the water off grabbing his towel to dry off his mane around his ears and shoulders before turning back to her and saying,
“Not all the colts here want to be in you. I don’t even know you name, so why would I want to mount some random mare?” Fang says while picking up his soap. Diamond Tiara turns around and runs up to Fang getting nose to nose with him yelling a retort back at him.
“What do you mean you don’t know me?!? I am the most popular mare in this school! It is an honor when I shake this refined flank for you! How dare you, you stupid oaf!” She snorts and flicks her mane making sure it slaps Fang in the face before trotting out of the showers giving off a final irritated “hmph!” Fang, blinking try to figure out what just happened, laughs to himself rubbing where her mane snapped him before he walks out of the showers himself. He walks over to his locker and begins to turn the lock knob. Once it’s turned to 2, 5 and then 7, the lock pops open. Fang takes the lock off and opens his locker, before putting his soap and wet sweaty towel inside. He takes out a dry white towel then shuts his locker, sitting down on the bench behind him. He rubs his face with It before drying off his chest and legs.
By the time he gets down to his thighs and colt hood he hears Scootaloo calling into the locker room, “Hey Fang, you almost done in there? I am itching to get started.”
“Yea, I am almost done. I just need to dry off and I will be right out!” Fang calls back as he dries off his hind legs and tail. Once he finishes up he stands and opens his locker again, putting his towel on the bottom shelf. He shuts the locker and trots out of the locker room, meeting up with Scootaloo.
He smiles in greeting, “Alright, I am ready to go. We just need to go to my room in Twilight’s castle.”
“Oh yea, I forgot that is where you are staying. You should get a job and buy your own place. Heck, maybe you should get a roommate even.” Scootaloo says as they walk toward Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, who are standing outside the mare’s locker room.
The two mares light their heads as they walk over, “Hey guys! You heading out to do your skating?” Sweetie Belle asks.
“Yea, we are heading out. See you girls later.” Scootaloo says giving Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom hoof bumps before walking away with Fang. He waves his goodbyes as they walk toward the gymnasium exit, pushing it open.
Fang turns to Scootaloo and asks, “Hey Scootaloo, do you mind if we get a drink at Sugar Cube Corner on the way?”
“Sure, on one condition though.” She says with a smirk.
Fang blinks then says, “Okay, what is it?”
“You know that pond outside of PonyVille?” Scootaloo says as they walk out of the school and begin heading over toward Sugar Cube Corner.
Fang nods replying, “Yea, I saw it on the train ride here. It was in the valley across from the Everfree Forest right?”
“Yea that’s right. You have to take me over there to swim some time.” She smiles and trots out in front of him stopping him dead in his tracks. “So you promise to take me some time?”
Fang chuckles and gives off a smile, “I swear that I will take you and if not then you get to dye my mane whatever color you want.” He raises his right hoof and holds it out. “So we have a deal?”
“Oh we most definitely do.” She hoof bumps him and turns around to continue their walk. “Just a heads up buddy. If you don’t take me I am totally going to make you dye it pink! And not any of that dark pink. Oh no, it will be bright as a newborn fillies back side.” She says giving off a grin.
“It sounds like you rather not go and just dye my mane! Jezz Scootaloo never knew you like to embarrass you friends.” Fang says with a light laugh at the end.
They finally get up to Sugar Cube Corner and walk up the steps. Fang gets to the door and opens it up, holding it out for Scootaloo, before following her in. The chattering of ponies hit Fang’s ears as he looks around inside. He sees several ponies from his class, sitting and enjoying their treats, from; milkshakes, cupcakes and, Fang’s personal favorite, cake. The walls and pillars were painted like candy canes, swirling in spirals from top to bottom. While the floors were tan and smooth wooden tiles, which sparkled, reflecting the colors of the red and blue tables.
Scootaloo nudges him with her wing and says, “Well you going to get in line Fang?”
“Oh right!” He says getting into the line of 3. He waits patiently as the line begins to dim and when its his turn he sees Mrs.Cake at the counter. She wears an apron and a small white hat with a carrot going through a piece of cake.
She smiles at Fang asks, “Hello, what can I get you young colt?”
“Yes I would like a cup of water if you don’t mind.” Fang replies.
“Sure hun. Would you like a water bottle? We just starting selling them this month since the sport teams are preparing for their games.”
“Oh that would be wonderful! I will gladly take one.” Fang says giving off a smile.
Mrs. Cake lowers down and picks up a bottle from below the checkout counter. The bottle is white with a orange lid. The shaft has the same symbol on Mrs. Cake’s hat with the phrase “Sugar Cube Corner”. She holds out her hoof and says, “Okay that will be 3 bits.”
Fang reaches into his saddlebag and pulls out three bits, dropping them into her hoof. He picks up the bottle and calls over his shoulder with a smile, “Thank you very much!” He walks up to Scootaloo, who is sitting at a table with her head on her hooves from impatiently waiting.
Fang nudges her and smiles, “Man you look bored out of your skull! I didn’t take to long you know.” He teases as she stands up with a grunt.
“Yea, but it still felt like forever!” She says before giving him a grin running out the door calling back to him, “Hurry up slow poke!”
Fang laughs and runs after her, putting his water bottle into a pocket of his saddle bag. They run laughing throughout Ponyville, weaving through the crowd, trying to stay in front of one another. Fang sees his chance to get past her coming up on her right. He picks up the pace going faster and faster until he is move then a tail’s length ahead. Scootaloo looks after him panting from the long run as they come upon Twilight’s castle.
Fang stops at the front door and sits down panting as he looks over to Scootaloo, “Haha! I won! Though I don’t think I won anything.” He says as she gets up to him and sits down laughing.
“That was nothing! I am going to blow you away in the next race we have! You can count on it!” She exclaims with a smile.
Fang smiles back and stands up turning toward the castle’s front door. “Oh I don’t know about that Scootaloo. I mean I had that race in the bag!” He calls over to her as he starts trotting into castle and up the stairs.
Scootaloo snorts and trots after him catching him at the middle of the stairwell, “Pft please!” She says as she passes him flicking her tail underneath his chin. Fang stops when he feels her tail brush under his chin and watches her go up to the top of the stairs. He chuckles and starts walking up again till he gets next to her and turns right down the hallway heading to his room. He gets out his key from his saddlebag and puts it in. He pushes it open after unlocking it and turns to Scootaloo, “Well here is the room I’m staying in. You can come in if you like. I just need to put my saddlebag away and get the skates I bought yesterday.”
“Sure, I was wondering how you been living since you got here.” She says as she trots in after Fang. Scootaloo shuts the door and starts looking around the room. She sees the two pony bed with the purple blanket and blue pillows. Next to the bed is a side table with two drawers, a clock and lamp. Fang puts his saddle bag on the marble table before walking over to the clothes closet closest to the bathroom. He opens it and grabs a pair of four wheeled skates that are blue and white. Scootaloo tilts her head noticing two black suit cases with a gold unicorn insignias on them.
Curious, she reaches for it but her hoof is stopped from Fang. She jumps and looks at him seeing that he is looking at her with stern eyes, “Sorry Scootaloo I didn’t mean to scare you, but those mean a lot to me.” He holds her hoof up and rubs it with his other free hoof before letting it go.
She blushes lighting when he rubs her hoof but turns her face to the side to hide it, “O-oh it’s okay. What’s in them exactly?”
Fang smiles softly and looks at them saying softly, “They are the last things my father gave to me before he died. He told me that these were passed down in his family and that it was my turn to keep them safe.” He shuts the doors and turns back to Scootaloo.
Scootaloo lowers her ears and simply says, “Oh…” She looks at him as he closes the doors. He must have gone through a lot when he was a filly. With both his parents dead before he was even 18. Even if I don’t live with mine at least I know that they are still around if I need them. But he doesn’t have anypony.
She thinks in a somber mood but lightens up as Fang turns around with a smile on his face. He tilts his head and says, “What’s with that look? I said I was sorry.”
She flicks his nose with her wing and smiles replying, “It’s nothing. Come on we are losing daylight.” Scootaloo opens the door but then turns back around and says, “Oh yea do you mind if I leave my saddlebag here? I don’t feel like having it on me the entire time we are out.”
Fang nods and walks over to her as she gets out her own skates, which are orange and white with four wheels. He sets it next to his own on the table and then opens the door again and holds it open for Scootaloo. Once out in the hallway Scootaloo starts putting on her skates.
Fang blinks confused, “Shouldn’t you wait till we are outside? Or at least on the ground floor?”
“Nah, I can just grind down the stairwell.” She says as she ties her last skate.
Fang chuckles looking at her, “You just want to show off don’t ya? Well I guess I better try these on, though I might regret it.” Fang sits down and starts to put on his own skates as Scootaloo stands up and begins rolling up and down the hallway with ease. She spreads out her orange wings and goes back towards Fang. Using her wings to slow down she slides to a gently stop next to him as he finishes putting on his last skate.
Before Fang could stand he hears voices coming from below. Looking over to his left he sees multiple Royal Guardsmen, The Element Round and the Princesses. Fang starts grinding his teeth as he stares at the princesses. What are they doing here! And what were they doing with the Element Round? He thinks as he turns toward the other end of the hallway and freezes. At the other end stands Shining Armor. Shining Armor waves at Scootaloo and looks at Fang. Their eyes meet making Fang tense up as he tries to remain calm. Calm down! He and the others have no way of finding out! It’s impossible! Fang takes a deep breath through his nose and nods a greeting to Shining Armor before seeing him walk into a room.
Scootaloo nudges Fang impatiently, “What are you sitting there for? You look like you have seen a ghost or something.”
Fang laughs nervously and smiles up at her, “Sorry about that Scoot. Royal Guardsmen make me a little nervous.” He starts to stand up slowly to avoid slipping.
Scootaloo looks at him getting in front of him bending her head down to get at eye contact as he shakily stands, “Why’s that? I mean I know they look intimidating but it’s not like they are out to get you.” She says as he gets up and tries to take a step but slides forward making him fall forward. Scootaloo catches him against her chest helping him back up. “Whoa! Maybe you should take them off until we get outside. It would be bad if you hurt yourself even before we start.”
Fang nods and starts taking them off, “I don’t really know why I get nervous around them.” He says as he unties his last skate. He stands up holding his skates in his right hoof and starts walking down the stairs. Scootaloo grins and jumps on the railing, grinding down it with great speed.
At the bottom she notices Twilight, Celestia, and Luna talking. Twilight turns her head and sees Scootaloo and runs over using her Levitation magic to pick her up stopping her from grinding and softly puts her onto the ground. “What were you thinking Scootaloo? You could have hurt you or somepony else!”
Scootaloo rubs her left arm and chuckles replying, “Yea sorry about that Twilight.” Twilight stares sternly at the young Pegasus before seeing Fang reach the bottom of the stairs with his skates in hoof.
Twilight's face changes into a grin and leans in closer to Scootaloo whispering, “Oh I know why you did it now. Some pony has a crush.”
Scootaloo jumps blushing, “I do not!”
“Oh you so do, but don’t worry I will keep it a secret. If you stop doing dangerous stuff within the castle.” Twilight says. Celestia and Luna giggle behind her from overhearing the conversation.
Fang gets up to Scootaloo and bows his head to the princesses, “Afternoon Princess Celestia, Luna and Twilight.”
Each princess bows their heads in return but before they can say anything Scootaloo grabs Fang’s hoof and runs toward the entrance calling over her shoulder, “I agree with your terms Twilight! See ya later!” The princess wave as the fillies leave and giggle amongst each other.
Fang sits on a bench slipping on his last skate. Scootaloo watches him before standing up to get in front of him.
He starts standing up while holding onto the bench to keep his balance. Once he is finally up he looks at Scootaloo, “Alright, now that I’m up and not shaking like a leaf how do we start?”
Scootaloo smiles and holds out a hoof, “Well first you should get some practice on how it feels to roll around.” He takes her hoof as she starts to slowly roll backwards. He slides with her wobbling forward and back. She extends one of her wings to push him forward saying, “Don’t think about keeping your balance. Focus on how it feels under your hoofs.” She says as she starts going around a fountain surrounded by smooth cobblestone.
Fang nods to her and feels his wheels under his hoofs sliding smoothly over the ground. He ignores the nagging need to bend backwards to pull away from the sliding freedom as he looks into Scootaloo’s eyes. He smiles as he looks at her. The air blowing through her mane and beautiful wings.
She smiles back at him and says, “Now how do you feel?”
“I feel free! Like I am soaring through the sky.” He says as the world around him begins to slow down. Confused Fang looks at Scootaloo who holds up both of her hooves.
“That’s because you are! I haven’t been holding onto your hoof for a while.” She says before pushing to the side to get next to him putting her hooves behind her back to give him space.
“Wait really!? That means I have been skating myself this entire time?!” He looks at her as she nods. He starts kicking his legs forward propelling himself forward slowly. He smiles and starts speeding up before turning down a path leading into the park. “Woo! Ha-ha! This is amazing!” He exclaims as Scootaloo catches up to him
She laughs giving off a smile, “Just wait till you get good enough to go off ramps! It’s just like your flying!” She says.
Fang starts speeding up as they get to the center of the park where ponies are eating lunch at the picnic tables. He notices Mrs. Charlie and Big Mac sitting under a tree having a picnic while fillies throw around a frisbee.
Fang zips by table after table feeling the cool wind blow through his mane. His blood pumping from the rush of speed. He feels like he can do anything and nothing could stop him! He looks over at Scootaloo who calls over to him, “Hey watch this!” She speeds up and goes toward a bench. Fang watches what he can seeing her jump over the bench with ease. She laughs waving over to him with one of her wings.
Fang calls out, “That was awesome!” He smiles then turns his head and jumps in surprise as he comes up to the end of the path. “Hey Scootaloo! How do I stop?” Before she could reply Fang hits the grass and tumbles forward. He rolls onto his side then sits up rubbing his head.
Scootaloo skids to a stop in front of him, “You okay Fang?” She says with concern as he sits up.
He rubs his head and right shoulder, looking up at her, “Yeah I’m okay Scootaloo. Just some bruises here and there.” He smiles at her to calm her worries while she sits down next to him. “You never did tell me how to stop.”
“Haha true! That was my bad but I’m glad you’re okay.” She says with a small smile. She looks over him looking for scratches but then turns to look at the slowly setting sun over the horizon. A shadow looms over them making her look up to see that they were under a large oak tree. Its leaves slowly float down to them landing on Fang’s muzzle. He sneezes from it tickling him. Scootaloo giggles at him and then starts taking off her skates, “I think we should call it a day. It’s going to get dark soon, plus I bet you’re tired from all you did today.”
Fang nods and begins to take his own off, “Yea it’s probably for the best, but we should do this tomorrow after class.” He stands and holds out a hoof to Scootaloo. She takes it and smiles up at him as he helps her up as they start walking back toward the Ville square.
Scootaloo looks at him confused, “Isn’t Twilight’s castle that way?” She points a hoof in the opposite direction.
“Yea it is but I thought I would walk you home.” He says with a smile. Scootaloo turns her head away to hide a light blush before nudging him with her left wing as they walk into the square.
They walk past several houses with hay roofs, red doors and windows. I never noticed how all these houses look alike. This Ville needs a makeover. Fang thinks as they come to another house but it has a scooter door mat and the windows painted blue.
Scootaloo turns around to face him, “Well here we are! The place I call home here in the marvelous Ville.” She spreads her wings as she talks.
Fang chuckles with a smile, “Well my lady, it is quite marvelous indeed!” They both laugh as the sun finally sets over the mountains outside Ponyville. Fang walks up to her and gives her a hug letting her head press into his neck, “Thanks for today Scootaloo. It was really fun.” He says as he pulls out of the hug with a smile.
Scootaloo looks at him trying to keep her composure, “Y-you're welcome Fang. Let’s do it again sometime!” With that Fang waves goodbye and starts walking back toward Twilight’s. Scootaloo walks inside and sets her skates next to her door. The walls around her are white with picture frames. The living room contains a television, a small wooden table and a long three pony coach. Scootaloo stares off thinking about today’s events. She shivers letting her wings rise up. I don’t know why I’m so excited over a hug. I mean, that’s just what it is. A hug. She thinks to herself as her face turns red and her ears get hot. She slaps her face with her hooves and shakes her head. Calm down! No need to get overly excited over it. She walks over to the stairs and starts her ascendance. The stairs are red with ten steps turning to the right to go into her bedroom. She pushes her door open and flops onto her bed. Pulling her orange covers over her and laying her head down, she closes her eyes and slowly starts to drift to sleep.
Before she is completely asleep her eyes pop open and she sighs, “Damn it! I left my saddlebag at Fang’s.”