//------------------------------// // A Dizzying Duet // Story: Pony Tails // by Bluecatcinema //------------------------------// Apple Bloom dashed through Ponyville, in a serious rush. "Can't believe I overslept..." She muttered to herself, as she struggled to put on a tutu as she ran. "Come on, AB. You can still make it in time..." Apple Bloom's destination was Hoofer Step's dance school, where she had recently started learning to dance professionally. Though her first day there wasn't exactly exceptional, she was intent on continuing to learn. She had always liked dancing, and getting better was an idea that really appealed to her. Perhaps one day, she could be as good as a certain other pony... Apple Bloom rushed into the studio, only a few seconds late for class. The rest of her fellow students were already gathered there. One in particular was quite pleased to see her... "Hey, Apple Bloom." Tender Taps greeted her. "Hi, TT." Apple Bloom smiled. "How's tricks?" "Pretty good." Tender Taps smiled. "Then again, everything's been good since I got my Cutie Mark." He glanced at his flank, which was covering by his dancing outfit. "Too bad this old thing covers it up. Sometimes, I feel like staring at that incredible mark all day long. Weird, huh?" "Not as weird as ya'd think." Apple Bloom chuckled, recalling her fellow Crusader's similar adoration of their own Cutie Marks. "How are Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle?" Tender Taps asked, as if picking up on her thoughts. "They're doin' great. Right now, Scootaloo's practicing her scootering, and Sweetie Belle's fishin' with her dad." Apple Bloom declared. "They told me to say 'hi' ta ya, though." "Well, when you see them, say 'hi' back." Tender Taps grinned. "Will do." Apple Bloom nodded. "Okay class, that's enough of the chit-chat." Hoofer Steps declared. "Time to begin today's lesson." The rest of the students joined Apple Bloom and Tender Taps in gathering around their teacher. "Today, we will be continuing our duets." Hoofer Steps declared. "Please pair up." Apple Bloom couldn't help but notice most of her fellow students making a point to edge away from her. After the mess she caused last time, she didn't blame them. Fortunately, she had another pony in mind for a partner... "Hey Tender Taps, wanna be mah partner?" She asked. "Sure." Tender Taps nodded, offering his hoof to her. "Thanks." Apple Bloom took his hoof. "Ah know Ah'm not that great, but Ah figure a pony as good at dancing as you'll be able to teach me some decent moves." "I guess." Tender Taps said humbly. "But believe it or not, I'm still learning myself." "Guess we'll be learnin' together." Apple Bloom grinned. "And seein' as how bad things turned out last time, Ah'm gonna need all the help Ah can get..." "You weren't that bad." Tender Taps told her. "Seriously?" Apple Bloom snorted at the memory. "Ah wuz a dancin' disaster!" "Yeah, but it could have been worse." Tender Taps shrugged. "How?" Apple Bloom asked. "...I'll have to get back to you on that." Tender Taps admitted. "Begin." Hoofer Steps instructed. The pairs of students began slow dancing together. "Okay, follow my lead." Tender Taps told his partner. "Right." Apple Bloom nodded. As Apple Bloom tried to keep in step with Tender Taps, she accidentally trod on his hoof. "Ow!" Tender Taps yelped. "Sorry!" Apple Bloom cringed. "Guess Ah shoulda bin watchin' where Ah wuz steppin'..." "Yeah, try not to do that again." Tender Taps winced. "And... dip!" Hoofer Steps declared. Tender Taps placed one hoof around Apple Bloom's waist, dipping her down. But then, he lost his grip, and Apple Bloom dropped onto the floor. "Oof!" Apple Bloom grunted. "Whoops!" Tender Taps cringed, helping her back up. Sorry. Guess I'm a little better at being a soloist than I am at dancing with a partner." "At least now, we can call it even." Apple Bloom chuckled. "Yeah." Tender Taps smiled. "All the same, I think I'll try to hold on a little tighter next time." "Please do." Apple Bloom smirked. "Mah back will thank ya." As practice continued, Hoofer Steps provided another instruction. "Move in closer, students." She declared. "You and your partner must move as if you are one pony." Tender Taps pulled Apple Bloom in closer, so that they were cheek to cheek. Apple Bloom felt a pleasant tingling running through her. 'He really is good at this.' She thought, as she followed his lead. 'Ain't Ah lucky to get a partner like him...' "And now, another dip!" Hoofer Steps called. "You ready?" Tender Taps parted from Apple Bloom, snapping her out of her thoughts. "So long as ya don't drop me this time." Apple Bloom teased. "I'll give it my best shot." Tender Taps declared. "Trust me." Gripping her waist more tightly than before, Tender Taps dipped Apple Bloom down. Apple Bloom braced herself, just in case, but no fall ocurred (to her relief). Tender Taps pulled her back up, and their noses touched as they became level with each other again. As Apple Bloom looked into Tender Taps' eyes, she felt the pleasant tingling sensation again. 'Were his eyes always this... nice?' She wondered. "That was... pretty good." Tender Taps told her, as they parted slightly. "You're definitely getting better." "Aw, shucks..." Apple Bloom said modestly, her cheeks becoming rosey. "You ain't so bad at this duet stuff yerself." "Thanks." Tender Taps grinned, a bright red tint coloring his own cheeks. As they continued dancing, Apple Bloom couldn't stop thinking about Tender Taps. 'He's such a sweet guy.' She thought. 'Heck, he came ta talk ta me, a complete stranger, after Ah messed up the first time. Not many ponies do that...' "Okay, ready for the spin?" Tender Taps asked. "As Ah'll ever be." Apple Bloom nodded. Tender Taps raised his and Apple Bloom's forelegs up, then gently twisted. Apple Bloom stood on one leg, spun around. 'Feelin' a little dizzy...' Apple Bloom thought, as she wobbled. Apple Bloom tilted back, and was caught by Tender Taps. "I gotcha." Tender Taps grinned. As Apple Bloom looked into Tender Taps' eyes once again, she felt something in her stomach that had nothing to do with her dizziness. "Ah never had a doubt." She beamed. "You wanna give it a try?" Tender Taps asked, tilting her back up. "Okay." Apple Bloom nodded. "Just be ready ta brace yerself. You saw what happened last time." "I think I can risk it." Tender Taps smiled. "Besides, a duet's all about trust. And I trust you." "Thanks, Taps." Apple Bloom blushed again. "Ah'll try and live up ta that trust..." They reversed their positions. Apple Bloom spun Tender Taps around, and, unlike the last time, didn't send her partner spinning out of control. 'So far, so good.' She thought. As Tender Taps leaned back against her, Apple Bloom felt her knees weakened. She toppled backwards, both of them landing on the floor. "Whoops." Apple Bloom cringed. "Mah bad..." "Hey, at least you didn't knock down the whole class this time." Tender Taps joked. "I'd call that a definite improvement." "Real funny." Apple Bloom snorted. "We can always try again." Tender Taps offered his hoof. "It's yer funeral." Apple Bloom joked, taking his hoof. "Not with a little more practice, it won't be..." Tender Taps smiled, pulling her up. "Come on, more time." They repeated the move, but the second time around, Apple Bloom was able to stay vertical (though her knees still felt a little weak). "I knew you could do it." Tender Taps grinned. "Couldn't've done it without ya, partner." Apple Bloom beamed. "You really know yer stuff. Ah couldn't ask fer a better partner." "Thanks." Tender Taps blushed. 'He's kinda cute when he does that...' Apple Bloom found herself thinking. 'Wait, "cute"? Ah probably meant funny, right?' Her only answer was more tingling as Tender Taps pulled her close again. 'I can live with cute, though...' She thought, gazing into Tender Taps eyes again. The two of them continued dancing together until the end of class. "Well done, class." Hoofer Steps smiled. "I could see much improvement today. Until next time." "Guess that's it fer today." Apple Bloom shrugged, a little tired out from all the dancing. "Yeah." Tender Taps nodded. "Fun, wasn't it?" "Sure wuz." Apple Bloom grinned. "Pity it had ta end so soon." "No kidding." Tender Taps grinned. As Apple Bloom looked at Tender Taps' smiling face, she felt the pleasant, tingling feeling again. 'Is this feelin' what Ah think it is?' She thought, coming to an inescapable conclusion. 'Do Ah actually like Tender Taps? He is a real sweet colt, with nice-lookin' eyes... But what do Ah do? Should Ah jest ask him ta get a smoothie with me? That ain't no big deal, romance-wise. He'd probably say yes...' "...Hey, Apple Bloom?" Tender Taps asked. "Yeah?" Apple Bloom smiled. "I was wondering... maybe you'd like to go grab a hay smoothie with me?" Tender Taps said awkwardly. "My treat." Apple Bloom was frozen for a moment, surprised that Tender Taps had apparantly beaten her to the punch. Not that she was complaining... "Ah'd love to." Apple Bloom nodded. "Great." Tender Taps grinned. "But ya don't have ta pay." Apple Bloom urged. "Sure I do." Tender Taps declared. "I owe you for helping me get my Cutie Mark. Besides, you did so well today, I think you deserve a reward." "If you say so." Apple Bloom chuckled, unable to argue with such faultless logic. After taking a moment to change out of their dance outfits, they went to Sugarcube Corner, Apple Bloom walking side-by-side with the colt who might have just swept her off her hooves. 'Guess Ah might jest have more than a dance partner after today.' Apple Bloom thought. 'We do make a great pair, that's fer sure...'