Chapter 3
"Awkward Dance Lessons"
Feeling that she could teach some moves to Octavia about being herself, Twilight trotted over to the center of the library while Spike turned on the phonograph with the strange dance music that was played at the Canterlot Garden Party. Octavia could see that she was going to not only see Twilight do the dance live again, but also learn something about herself that she had been forced to hide for some time.
So, Twilight began to dance to her strange music as Octavia watched carefully and intently. The actions that Twilight was doing were also being taken note of by Spike and Rarity, who could only watch with their mouths hanging open.
"This is what Twilight did at the Garden Party?" remarked Spike to Rarity. "I've never seen her do this before."
"That was because you weren't there to see it, Spikey Wikey," added Rarity, who could not believe what she was seeing.
Octavia continued to watch Twilight and after the music had concluded, Spike turned off the phonograph and Twilight had stopped dancing.
"Now, do you think you can do that?" asked Twilight, smiling at Octavia. "Go on, it's easy."
"If you say so," replied Octavia, timidly. "Just let me grab my cello."
But, before she could grab her cello, Octavia was stopped by Twilight, who knew that in order to get her point across, Octavia had to do the dance without the cello first. Using her magic, Twilight led Octavia to the center of the library and stood aside while Spike reset the phonograph.
"If you are going to dance with your cello," insisted Twilight. "Then, you have to learn the moves without the cello."
Gulping nervously, Octavia got down on her fours and began to dance in the same manner as Twilight. Although hesitant at first, Octavia eventually started to dance like Twilight, but after a few steps, she lost her balance and fell over. Twilight then motioned to Spike to stop the music and the baby dragon obeyed.
"I'm sorry, Twilight Sparkle," groaned Octavia as she got to her feet. "I wasn't meaning to embarrass you like that. I'm just not used to being so…lively, if you will."
"She does have a point," remarked Rarity, as Octavia walked back towards them. "You've got to, in the words of Rainbow Dash, 'party down, Ponyville style.'"
Taking these words to heart, Octavia heard the music start back up again and standing on her two legs, Octavia danced better to the music and began to show off the dance from the position she was always in when she was performing on her cello.
This is kind of awkward, Octavia thought as she continued to boogie down to the music. But, I am starting to love it!
Feeling like she was free of her chains, Octavia continued to boogie down to the music as Twilight and Rarity watched with keen interest. Rarity was shocked to see Octavia acting this way, given the fact that this was the pony who had attended finishing school with her as a filly. But Twilight could only smile, seeing now that her idol was making progress with her moves.
"Well done, Octavia!" laughed Twilight, running over to her. "You are starting to get the moves down very nicely!"
"I think I might get used to this for some of my lively performances," remarked Octavia, walking over to get her cello. "Now, let's see how I move while playing my cello."
"Sure, let's see how you dance with it," replied Twilight as Spike once again rewound the phonograph while Octavia thought of a song to play to the music.
"I was thinking of maybe doing that song that the pink pony sang at the gala," said Octavia. "What was it that she sang? 'Pony Pikey'? No, 'Pony Pinkey'? No, wait a minute, I think I know what it is."
"What is it, Octavia?" asked Rarity. "Don't keep us in suspense."
"It's 'Pony Pokey'!" cried Octavia, remembering the song that Pinkie sang at the gala. "That's what it is!"
So, remembering the song at last, Octavia began to play the cello to the song that Pinkie sang at the gala. As she performed, both Twilight and Rarity began to think back to that night at the gala, where their best night ever didn't exactly go according to plan.
"She moves so freely," cried Rarity, as Octavia bounced around the library, doing her own take on awkward dancing. "Although it's not like when we were in finishing school, you know."
"Who cares?" remarked Twilight, who was thoroughly enjoying herself watching Octavia dance. "She's acting like herself now!"
After a few more notes, Octavia finished her dance as both Rarity and Twilight broke into applause along with Spike.
"That was amazing, Octavia!" said Twilight, excitedly. "You certainly know how to party Ponyville style!"
"It will take a while to get used to," replied Octavia. "Although, I don't know how the ponies in Canterlot will react to my new techniques."
"I'm sure they will react when they get used to it," said Rarity, remembering words she said to herself while in Canterlot. "You may have lived most of your life in Canterlot, but you are a Ponyville pony at heart!"
Octavia could only laugh slightly at this remark by her friend and schoolmate. True, she had broken out of her chains, but Octavia still needed to figure out what to do with her life now that this side of her had been released.
"I'm sure that maybe you can multi-task with this new side of you," suggested Rarity. "Ponyville is often looking for fresh new talent for its events."
"It would be a nice change," said Octavia. "I have been thinking of moving out of Canterlot for some time, give me a chance to experience something new. But, there is no other place for me to go."
Both Twilight and Rarity looked at each other and smiled for they knew of somepony who would be more than willing to take Octavia in as a roommate.
"I think we know of somepony," said Rarity as she and Twilight grabbed Octavia and pulled her to the front door. "We'll introduce you to her. Come on."