Doing the Double Shuffle

by The FraudulentBrit

Diamond in the Rough

Doing the Double Shuffle.

Chapter 1; Diamond in the Rough

Tender Taps stood in the wing of the stage. Even though Apple Bloom had helped him overcome his near paralyzing fear of stage fright, that didn’t mean he still didn’t have any butterflies in his stomach. “Come on, you can do this.” He said to himself, trying to calm his nerves. Tender went through a mental checklist. Tuxedo, check. Tap shoes, check. Hair, check. Everything was ready, or at least everything he could control.

On stage, a group of musicians were playing jazz music. It was the night of the Ponyville annual jazz festival, and musicians from all over Equestria were there to share their music. Hoofer Steps, Tender Taps’ dance teacher, had suggested that he should perform in the festival, given his skill and musicality. Despite some objections, Tender eventually decided to perform, largely thanks to some prodding from Apple Bloom. So there he was, one Ponyville’s best dancers, ready to do what he did best.

As the band finished their song, some slow tune that sounded like it was from Saddle Arabia, the MC, Zecora, said, “And now, to dance with the band, like a pen on a map, it’s our favorite dancer Tender Taps.” Feeling confident from the cheer of the crowds, Tender took a deep breath and made his way onto the stage. As he stepped onto a special 5x5 wooden mat (So he wouldn’t damage the stage floor), he could hear a certain filly call out, “You got this Tendy!” At least he knew Apple Bloom was here, cheering him on like always.

After a few moments, the band’s drummer began to beat, *Rat-tat-rat-tat. Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat.* Tender then did the same with his hooves, repeating the rhythm, only sounding much cleaner and crisp. The drummer continued, *Rat-tat-tat. Rat-tat-tat. Rat-tat-tatta-rat-tat-tat.* Tender Taps repeated the same rhythm, the colt noticing the gasps of amazement from the crowd. The rest of the band joined in, performing a quick ragtime melody. Tender went along with the group, acting as a second percussionist. As the song continued, the tempo increased, and Tender had to speed up his tapping, and in the process he could pick out a few ponies crying out, clearly unable to comprehend how skilled he was. As the end of the song arrived, Tender finished his choreography with a series of wings, followed by a “Shave and a haircut.”

The Applause was thunderous. Tender Taps gave a bow, sporting a very wide grin. Zecora called out, “Let us give a round of claps, for our fantastic tapper Tender Taps!” as the crowd erupted again, Tender Taps took another bow. With that, He exited stage right. As he descended down the stairs leading to a waiting area for other performers, he heard a familiar voice call out, “Vell done Tender!” he turned to see Ms. Hoofer Steps, his dance teacher. He replied, “Thanks Ms. Steps.” “Oh no my friend.” Hoofer Steps replied. “Zis Vas your making. You vere ze vone who vorked vith ze band and choreographed your own routine. Zis vas your moment.” Tender Taps blushed a little bit and replied, “Well I wouldn’t have known about it if you hadn’t told me about it.”

“TENDER TAPS!” another familiar voice shouted from behind him. Tender Taps turned to see a very specific yellow earth pony filly with a red mane and a bright pink bow running right towards him. Before he could react, Apple Bloom pounced him and wrapped him in a massive hug. “Apple Bloom. You’re crushing me.” Tender Taps managed to gasp out before his friend managed to loosen her grasp. “Heh heh. Sorry.” Apple Bloom apologized before continuing. “But you were still amazin’.” “Thanks.” Tender Taps replied. “You know I could hear you from on stage.” Apple Bloom just shrugged and cheekily replied, “Heh, It’s only ‘cause Ah’m your biggest fan.” “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Tender replied as he and Apple Bloom rubbed their cheeks together.

Once the show ended, Apple Bloom and Tender Taps made their way to two very specific ponies, his parents. After a bit of searching, they found them, two earth ponies. “Hey mom. Hey dad.” Tender Said, catching their attention. His father, a green earth pony with a red mane and tail named Hornpipe, happily called out, “There ya are me boy. That was some real fancy footwork.” His mother, a yellow earth pony with purple mane and tail named Soft Shoe, said, “Oh, and you were just so adorable.” “Mom,” Tender Taps said as his mother pinched his cheek. “You’re embarrassing me.” As he said this, Apple Bloom couldn’t help but let out a mischievous giggle. “Well ya are kinda cute.” Apple Bloom added. Tender Taps replied, “Well so are you.” Now it was Apple Bloom’s turn to blush.

Soon the four ponies had seated themselves down and also gotten some dinner. Apple Bloom asked her friend, “Hey Tender Taps, what made ya wanna focus on tap dancin’?” Tender answered, “Well, for one, it’s the most fun style, at least in my opinion. Second, I love being able to be a musician as well as a dancer, and finally,” He gave a dramatic pause, “Well my name is Tender TAPS. Guess it’s just kinda part of me.” Apple Bloom giggled at the last part as Soft Shoe added, “Its cause our family has been dancing for as long as any of us have been around.” Hornpipe then added, “Oi, I forgot to say thank you for helping our son here get over his stage fright.” Apple Bloom replied, “It was nothin.’ Helpin’ Ponies find their special talent is what mah friends and ah do.”

As the group continued, Tender Taps suddenly got the feeling he was being watched. Tender began to look around, trying to see if he could find whoever was spying on him. “Honey, something wrong?” asked Soft Shoe. “Sorry mom. Just got the feeling that some pony is watching us.” Tender Taps replied. Apple Bloom nudged his shoulder and said, “Maybe it’s her.” She pointed to the source of the feeling. Needless to say, it wasn’t the kind of pony Tender Taps expected to give him an unsettling feeling.

Standing at the edge of the dining area, there stood a small filly. She had a coat of medium blue fur with a golden yellow tail and hair, which was up into a set of braided pig tails with two crimson bows, one on each tail. She had blue eyes, to everyone’s surprise; she wore a crimson bowtie around her neck. The filly was just standing there, pawing at the ground. Clearly she wanted Tender’s attention, but she seemed too nervous to walk up to her. “Hey guys.” Tender Taps said Apple Bloom and his Parents. “I’ll be back in a moment.” He then got up from the table and made his way towards the filly.

As Tender Taps made his way towards the nervous filly, he called out to her, “Hi there. You wanted my attention?” the filly didn’t move for a moment, but she eventually responded. “I…I just wanted to say you did a really great job performing.” “Thanks.” Tender replied. “I do aim to please.” He then said, “I’m Tender Taps. What’s your name?” the filly, seemingly gaining a little more confidence, extended her hoof and said, “I’m Double Shuffle.” Tender extended his own hoof, causing Double Shuffle to laugh. “What’s so funny?” Tender Taps asked. “You’re still wearing your tap shoes.” Double Shuffle answered. True to her word, Tender Taps was still wearing his shoes, black lace up shoes with metal plates on the bottom of each shoe. “Sorry. Guess sometimes I just don’t feel complete without them.”

Double Shuffle then said, “I know what you mean.” She then turned to show her flank, displaying a cutie mark of a pair of tap shoes. “Cool, so you’re a dancer?” Tender Taps asked. “Yup.” Double Shuffle answered. “My favorite style is tap.” “Same here.” Tender continued. He then got an idea. “Wait here.” Tender said as he turned to his family. A few minutes later, Tender returned with Apple Bloom and his parents. “Guys, this is Double Shuffle.” Double Shuffle then nervously waived to the group and said, “Hello there. It’s nice to meet you.” Apple Bloom walked up to her and introduced herself. “Howdy. Mah name is Apple Bloom. Ah’m a friend of Tender Taps.” “Nice to meet you Apple Bloom.” Double Shuffle said as she and Apple Bloom shook hooves. “Ooh, nice cutie mark.” Apple Bloom remarked upon noticing Double Shuffle’s cutie mark.

Double Shuffle then looked down, seemingly appearing to be a bit glum. “Did Ah say somethin’ bad?” “No.” Double Shuffle replied. “It’s just my dad and brothers don’t like my cutie mark.” “What?” Asked Soft shoe. “Why wouldn’t they like your cutie mark?” Double Shuffle meekly answered, “I don’t want to talk about it.” “Are you sure?” Tender Taps asked.

Before any pony could ask, a gruff stallion’s voice called out, “Double Shuffle! Where are you?” Double Shuffle suddenly started panicking. Tender Taps and Apple Bloom quickly found the source of the voice. From behind Double Shuffle emerged Pegasus stallion with a stoic expression on his face. His fur was a dark green, his tail and mane were olive khaki, and his eyes were a dark blood red. Around him were three colts. One was olive khaki with a dark green tail and mane and blue eyes. Another was dark blue with a white tail and mane and gold eyes, and the third was light green with a blue mane and tail and gray eyes. All four of them had buzz cut manes.

“There you are.” The Stallion said. “Sorry dad.” Double Shuffle said somewhat defeated. “I just wanted to meet Tender Taps.” Her father sternly answered. “Well now you met him. But now it’s time to go home.” Double Shuffle then turned to Tender Taps and said, “Guess this is goodbye. I hope we can meet again.” As she then walked over to the colts, whom Tender Taps figured were her brothers, the olive khaki one glanced at Tender and remarked, “Wow, What a dork.” The gray one added, “Yeah, Tap dancing is for wussies.” “Hey, I know plenty of colts who dance.” Tender Taps called out to the other colts. The green colt simply remarked, “Guess they’re a bunch of wimps. Not tough colts like us.” Their father called out, “Hey! Stop that squabbling and fall in line!” The three colts quickly organized themselves into a row. Their father then turned to Double Shuffle and remarked, “That’s an order young lady.” Double Shuffle then moved to the back of the line as her father started chanting, “Hup, two, three, four. Hup, two, three, four.” All four young ponies began marching away as their father continued, leaving Tender Taps, Apple Bloom, and his parents stunned.

“Wow, that was kinda scary.” Tender Taps remarked. “Yeah.” Remarked Hornpipe. “That stallion was treating his kids like a platoon.” Soft Shoe asked, “I mean, they’re just kids. Why drill them like they’re in the guard?” Apple Bloom asked, “Uh, was it me or did Double Shuffle seem kinda scared of her dad?” “I know” Remarked Tender Taps. Unfortunately, it had gotten somewhat late and soon every pony headed home.

Later that night, Tender Taps, having taken off his tuxedo and showered, was laying in bed thinking about Double Shuffle. Sure, she seemed friendly and somewhat enthusiastic about dance, but in general seemed to be somewhat shy and reclusive, almost like he was not too long ago. Before he fell asleep, Tender thought to himself, ‘I do hope I run into her again.’

Two Days Later

“And five, six, seven, eight!” Hoofer Steps called out. Tender Taps and the rest of class began their warm ups. Each pony would rotate their hooves in circles to help make the intensive dance class slightly less straining. Tender Taps went through the motions in an almost drone-like manner, still thinking about Double Shuffle. “You alright?” Apple Bloom asked, having noticed how surprisingly glum her friend was. “Huh?” asked Tender, snapping out of his trance. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about filly at the jazz festival.” Before, either could continue, Hoofer Steps called out, “Tender Taps, Apple Bloom. Stay focused.”

Class continued as usual. Most of class was a sampler of most styles; Ballet, Street, Ballroom, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Tap. Around the half way mark, Hoofer Steps said to the class, “Alvight everyone, take ten minutes break. Vhen ve come back, ve shall start ze Specific styles. Any pony who doesn’t do vone shall vait in ze spare studio. And any pony who doesn’t specialize any stule permission to leave for the day.” A few of the fillies and all of the colts (Excluding Tender) exited the dance school, while Tender, Apple Bloom, and the rest of the fillies left to refill their water bottles.

As Apple Bloom refilled her water bottle, Tender Taps asked, “So Apple Bloom, What styles are you specializing?” Apple Bloom replied, “Ah’m doin’ ballet and tap. What about you?” Tender Taps replied, “Tap. I would have done ballet as well, but my parents said they could only pay for one.” “Ah know the feelin’.” Replied Apple Bloom. “Honestly Ah wanted to try everythin’, but Applejack said ah could only pick two. Ah thought ballet sounded graceful.” She finished filling her bottle and continued. “And Ah’ve always wanted to tap since I had the cutie pox.”

“Huh?” asked Tender Taps as he approached the water fountain with his now empty bottle. “What’s the cutie pox?” Apple Bloom explained, “Well, not so long ago, before ah got mah cutie mark, I tried to get it by drinkin’ this potion Zecora made. At first ah had a cutie mark in hoola hoopin’, then one in weight liftin’. That night, Ah started dancin’, and suddenly there was a cutie mark of a tap shoe on mah flank.” Tender Taps was surprised, a potion that granted you more than one cutie mark? Apple Bloom continued, “Then ah started talkin’ fancy. Eventually Twilight and Zecora were able to help me by findin’ the cure.” “Wow,” Tender Taps remarked. “Guess you didn’t use a potion to find your cutie mark after that.”

As both filly and colt laughed at the remark, Tender Taps heard the sound of the door opening. As he turned around, Tender Taps was surprised at what he saw. Standing in the doorway, sporting a dance bag slung on her back and a nervous look on her face, was Double Shuffle. “Uh,” she said somewhat unsure, “Is this Hoofer Step’s dance school?” “Yes.” Replied Tender Taps. “We’re about to start the specialized classes.” Double Shuffle’s eyes lit up and she asked, “Oh, they start tap yet?” as she asked, Hoofer Steps called out, “Apple Bloom, ve are starting ze ballet session.” “Commin.” Apple Bloom called back and made her way to the primary studio.

Tender Taps and Double Shuffle soon found themselves alone in the lobby of the dance school. “So…” Tender Taps said before Double Shuffle interrupted him. “Sorry about the sudden departure. My dad only brought my brothers because I wanted to go.” “Yeah, I kinda noticed.” Tender Taps replied. “I don’t mean to sound rude but your brothers came off as jerks.” Double Shuffle simply shrugged and replied, “Yeah, they kinda are.” She then asked, “So, if it’s not too much, wanna practice?” Tender Taps thought for a few moments until he simply replied, “Sure.”

Both ponies made their way to the spare studio, and set down their bags. Tender Taps was somewhat surprised to see double shuffle pulled out her own pair of tap shoes. They were a set of four black oxfords, and from the looks of them, they had seen better days. The area around the toes were incredibly scratched, with the black having given way to a dusty gray. One of the shoes had red laces rather than black ones like the others, and at least two of them had black duct tape on the soles. It was as if her shoes were falling apart at the seams.

As both ponies finished tying up their laces, Double Shuffle said, “So, show me what you got.” Tender Taps turned to face his new friend, and was surprised to see her with a confident smile and a front hoof crossed against the other. “Huh?” Tender asked, now genuinely confused. Double Shuffle then nervously backed up a bit and said, “Sorry, I guess I just wondered if we could do a cutting contest.” Tender Taps thought about it for a moment, and then replied, “Well, ladies first.” Double Shuffle took that as the opportunity to start.

Tender Taps was surprised with what he saw. Double Shuffle was certainly living up to her name. She certainly had very good technique, most of her taps were clear and audible, though a few blended together here and there. Once she finished her current combo, she struck a pose, her confidence having returned, and playfully said, “Your move.” Tender Taps took that as the opportunity and began with a triple time step. As he continued, he sped up, figuring he could show off, and finished with a maxi ford. “Your turn.” He said to Double Shuffle.

After about thirty minutes, both ponies began to wear themselves out a bit. “Hey, maybe we should stop. Don’t want to be too worn out now.” Double Shuffle replied, “Ok.” Both ponies soon made returned to their bags and pulled out towels to wipe their brows of sweat. Tender Taps turned to Double Shuffle and said, “You’re pretty good. Where’d you learn to dance?” “Well, my mom was a dancer, and she taught me just about everything I know.” “She must be amazing.” Double Shuffle then started to move her hoof in circles on the studio floor and solemnly said, “She was.” “Oh.” Tender Taps said, realizing he unintentionally struck a nerve. Double Shuffle simply answered, “It’s fine.”

After twenty more minutes, Apple Bloom entered the spare studio and said, “Tender, Double Shuffle, Ms. Steps is ready to begin the tap session.” Tender turned to Double Shuffle and asked, “You ready?” the blue filly gleefully replied, “You bet.” As the three young ponies made their way to the other, Double Shuffle couldn’t help but start giggling. “What’s so funny?” Asked Apple Bloom. Double Shuffle simply pointed to her and Tender Taps’ feet. Apple Bloom realized it was because they were still wearing their tap shoes.

As the group entered the studio, Hoofer Steps saw the unfamiliar filly and asked, “Uh, Tender Taps, who is zis?” “This is Double Shuffle.” He replied. “She’s a dancer I met at the jazz festival, and she’s pretty good.” He turned to Double Shuffle and said, “Show her.” Double Shuffle then demonstrated some of her skill, especially when she reared up on her hind legs and demonstrated her ability to pull of the scissors step. Hoofer Steps, somewhat impressed with the filly’s skill, said, “Impressive. You certainly have ze talent.” She then pondered for a moment and said, “Vell, ve usually don’t allow students to join classes zis suddenly, but I sink ve can make an exception for today.” Double Shuffle then began jumping up and down excitedly, repeating, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

As the class began to line up, Hoofer turned to Apple Bloom and asked, “Apple Bloom, vhere are your tap shoes?” Apple Bloom meekly answered, “Uh, ah don’t have any?” Hoofer Steps took a deep breath and said, “Very vell. Alvight everyone. Let’s start from ze top. And a five, six, seven….”

As the session proceeded, Hoofer Steps was amazed by Double Shuffle’s dancing. To say the young filly was a natural was an understatement. Just as her cutie mark demonstrated, it seemed she was born to tap dance. Eventually, the class ended, and Tender Taps said, “Alvight everyone. I am very proud of each and every vone of you. I shall see you all next veek.” As the young ponies began to take their tap shoes off and leave the studio, Hoofer Steps called out, “Double Shuffle, can I speak to you for a moment?” Double Shuffle made her way to the teacher and said, “I’m sorry I came into your class uninvited.” Hoofer Steps placed a hoof on her shoulder and said, “Don’t vorry about it. I vanted to say zat I am very impressed. You certainly have a very special gift.” Double Shuffle suddenly hugged the older dancer, replying with a quiet, “Thank you Ms. Steps.” Hoofer Steps then asked, “I vould like to speak vith your parents, I sink ve can improve your skills, but I vill need zeir permission.”

Suddenly Double Shuffle nervously asked, “Are you sure?” Hoofer Steps replied, “I’m afraid so.” Double Shuffle then let out a sigh and replied, “Ok. But I’ll have to go get my dad.” Double Shuffle began to walk towards the door, but she turned around and said, “You will be here later right?” Hoofer Steps nodded yes, and the young filly left.

Roughly an hour later, Hoofer Steps was still waiting for Double Shuffle. She was thankful her partner, Jimmy Slide, had taken over the jazz and hip hop classes. “Ms. Steps? You alright?” From behind her, Tender Taps walked up to her. “Tender, shouldn’t you have gone home by now?” Tender replied, “I wanted to practice a little bit. That and Apple Bloom asked if I could help with her wings.” Hoofer then answered, “Ah, vell, I’m waiting for Double Shuffle’s father.” “Ooh. You mind if I wait with you?” Hoofer smiled and answered, “Of course. A second opinion could alvays help.” So both ponies waited for Double Shuffle to return.

They didn’t have to wait too much longer. After a few more minutes, Double Shuffle returned with her father. As Tender Taps figured, it was the same green Pegasus from the jazz festival. And he certainly seemed to be unhappy about having to be dragged down to the studio.

“I take it you are Miss Hoofer Steps?” the large stallion asked. “Yes. You are Double Shuffle’s fazer I take it?” replied Hoofer Steps. The stallion answered, “Yes. I am Sergeant Semper Fi of the royal guard.” He then said, “I am sorry my daughter here disrupted your dance class. I promise she will not be a problem anymore.” Tender Taps replied, “Actually she was really great. She’s a natural.” Semper Fi coldly retorted, “Maybe, but I raised my daughter to follow the family tradition of entering the guard.” He then eyed Tender Taps, giving the colt a cold glare and said, “Not to prance around like a wimp.”

Both Tender Taps and Hoofer Steps were stunned by Semper Fi’s coldness. Hoofer Steps said, “It seems you have forgotten vhat your daughter found her cutie mark in.” Semper Fi observed his daughter’s cutie mark and said, “A slight oversight. One I shall deal with soon enough.” Tender Taps couldn’t help but shout back, “Hey, You can’t just change a pony’s cutie mark.” However, he was surprised when Semper Fi shouted, “YOU DO NOT TAKE THAT TONE WITH ME YOU LITTLE WORM!”

Hoofer Steps stepped in between the colt and stallion and said, “Zat is enough.” She turned to Semper Fi and very sternly said, “You do not take zat tone vith my students.” She then moved her head so she could eye Double Shuffle directly and continued, “Any of zem.” Semper Fi simply said, “Then she won’t be one of your students.” He then took his wing and told his daughter, “No daughter of mine will stoop as low as to become some performer.” He then nudged his daughter away, and eventually out of sight.

Hoofer Steps turned to Tender Taps and said, “I have a very bad gut feeling about zis.” Tender Taps replied, “So do I. Sorry about yelling at him.” Hoofer Steps then let out a relieved sigh and said, “Don’t vorry about it. But can I ask you to do something?” “Sure, what is it?” asked the young colt. Hoofer Steps said, “If you can, could you keep your eyes open for Double Shuffle? I have a very bad feeling zat she might be in trouble.” Tender Taps nodded yes, only to notice the time on the clock. “Uh oh. I gotta head home. See you later Ms. Steps.” With that, Tender Taps grabbed his bag and left for home.

Hoofer Steps sat in the lobby of the studio, taking in what she had witnessed. Double Shuffle’s father seemed to be almost disgusted with his daughter’s talent. She knew she had to do something. Because she had seen it before, and she wouldn’t let it happen again. At least if she could help it.

Comments

[Isseus]

The tragedy tag tells me things won't end up well.

[The FraudulentBrit]

Don’t be so sure

[The FraudulentBrit]

Upon reflection, and what I have in mind, I think drama works better than tragedy.