> A Different Dance Date
>  by Rated Ponystar
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Announcement Of The Dance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are times I really don't understand ponies, and I've been with them for about a year or so now. Seriously, I often feel so out of place. Not just because I'm no longer waking up to the smell of lava and ash in the air, but because everything is done so differently in Equestria. Not that it's been bad, mind you. I wouldn't trade my time here with anything. When I arrived at Friendship Academy, randomly picked out of hundreds of other dragon kids, I thought this would suck hydra snot. Turns out, despite being weird creatures, ponies weren't so bad. Still, that didn't mean I didn't find them strange.


They're always so cheerful, even during the worst of times, to the point that I'm afraid I'm going to get diabetes one day. If you wanted something from them, then all you had to do was ask for it, as in just simply asking. Back home, if you wanted something, you either had to bargain for it, demand it, fight for it, or even steal it if you were that desperate. And if you got caught, it was your head. Here? I could just go to one of my fellow students, just ask to borrow their notes on a test, and they would give it to me while offering to help me study at the same time. No need, I got Ocellus for that.


Now, that's all weird. But what's really weird is just how nice ponies are. Look, dragons can be friendly. We just have to be careful who we show it to so we don't look weak or get taken advantage of. But ponies? They're nice all the time! They easily forgive you if you did something wrong. And, weirdest of all, these soft, cute, and easily squishable creatures had become one of the world's biggest superpowers for over a thousand years. Easily crushing enemies like the Changeling Hive, Discord, and King Sombra. All with the power of friendship and love.


It sounds cheesy, but I felt that power when we were saving Equestria from Cozy Glow. I've never felt anything like it before, and it was pure awesomeness! So yeah, ponies may be weird, but they're pretty good creatures. Bahumat's flames, one of them is my best friend. He's a bit of an airhead who doesn't seem phased by anything, but a good friend. 


He wasn't the only one. Since coming here, I've been able to bond with a griffin, a hippogriff, a changeling, and a yak as well. If you were to look at the six of us, I'm sure you could make a joke or two. And if it's a dirty one, I'm burning your sorry butt until you're extra crispy. But yeah, these five? Best friends ever. Friends that I've risked my life with before, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Growing up as a dragon, you were always taught the three most important things: family, horde, and power. 


Now? I've got friends to add to that list, and I'm not ashamed of it. Well, most of the time. Like right now, I can't believe I have Silverstream trying to get her head out of a large flask in science class. Because just because this is a school about learning friendship doesn't mean we're not going to learn the other proper lessons you get in a regular school such as math and science. 


"Okay," I say as I hold my claws to both sides of the glass. "One. Two. Three!"


I pull as hard as I can, gritting my teeth until a popping noise is heard, and I'm thrown back against the floor. Shaking my head, I look at Silverstream, whose eyes are twirling around in her head before she shakes herself back to normal. "Phew! Glad I'm out of that thing! It was really crampy in there."


"How did you even fit your head inside this thing?" I ask. I looked at its small opening that was barely enough to put my fist in. Seriously, how does she get herself into these messes?


Silverstream was about to answer before the bell rang, and we quickly got to packing up while our science teacher, Ms. Beaker, told us to enjoy the weekend. While Headmistress Twilight and her friends were our teachers in learning about friendship, Councillor Neighbutt suggested that she should at least hire professional teachers for the non-friendship lessons. It was probably the only thing I agreed with regarding that old stick in the mud. He might have changed his tune regarding non-ponies getting educated here in Equestria, but dragons have a long memory.


"So, what do you think we should do for the weekend?" Silverstream asks as we walk towards our lockers. "I think we should go for a swim at the lake! Oh, and then a walk in the park! Oh-oh! And then we can have a sleepover!"


"Hold the excitement, Silv," I say with my claw up in the air. Reaching my locker, I quickly dial the combination before opening it. "Let's see what the others have to say before we plan our weekend on the dot." 


"Sorry," Silverstream apologized as she put her own books away. "It's just that I'm so excited to spend time with you guys. We've been busy all week with these quizzes and studying."


"Ugh, don't remind me. I'm still seeing math problems appear in my head," I groan before shutting the locker. If there was one class, I hated it was math. I swear if I didn't have Ocellus and Sandbar (who was really good at numbers, much to our surprise), I'd be getting straight D's instead of C's. "All I want to do is kick back, get some of those sapphires that Spike gave me, and then sleep until-"


"Incoming!" 


Silverstream gasps before flying upwards as I turn around only to get knocked back by a giant rolling ball of yelping fur. Great. Another Yona Roller, as we call it. I roll down the hall with Yona as students jump out of the way. Our little ride comes to an end upon smashing into another row of lockers. My suffering didn't end as I soon found my face getting sandwiched between the school's waxed floors and a big brown fuzzy yak butt. A very smelly yak butt that just came out of Gym class. 


"Ohh, Yona feel dizzy..." my face sitter says, before asking, "Why is friend Smolder under yak's rump?"


"Because yak's rump is smothering friend Smolder's face," I mutter while puffing out smoke from my nostrils. "If yak don't get yak's rump out of friend Smolder's face then friend Smolder will make yak's rump fried and crispy!"


Seconds later, I could breathe again with a sudden need to take a long shower. I glance over to a sheepish Yona with a glare that could kill before I hear the familiar sound of laughter coming from a certain catbird. "Oh, haha. Laugh it up, Gallus. At least I didn't act like I was dying when it happened to you last week."


The blue griffin let out a few final chuckles before landing by to help me up. "At least, I didn't get a yak flank in my face when Yona smashed into me."


"Yona said she sorry!" 


"It's fine, Yona," Me and Gallus both say. Yona was the nicest yak you'll ever meet, but she could be such a clutz at times. I saw Silverstream and our other two friends, Ocellus and Sandbar, walk over towards us with their amused smiles. Taking a small whiff in the air, I could smell the hard work and sweat coming from them and Gallus as well. "I take it you just got out of gym class? Yona's fur smelled extra stinky." Upon hearing this, Yona smelled herself and winced.


"Yeah, we had volleyball today," Ocellus said, looking extra tired. "I'd rather it was badminton."


"Badminton's so boring though," Gallus complained.


"Yes, but at least it doesn't involve jumping without wings!" Ocellus complained as she laid down on the floor, panting. "I feel like I'm about to die of exhaustion."


"Can I have your notes before you pass on? Because otherwise, I'm going to have to learn resurrection magic to bring you back every time we get a test coming up," I joke, which got a laugh out of my friends too. "Anyway, before Yona decided to use me like a bowling pin, Silverstream and I were discussing what we're going to do this weekend."


"Want to talk about it over at the school cafe?" Sandbar asks, smiling. "After all that exercise, I could use some grub."


"You read my mind, Sandy," Gallus says with a grin as the remaining four of us nod in agreement.


***


We make our way down the hall, the others talking about their classes while I tried to think of what to get to eat. The cafe was a small hangout Professor Pinkie Pie made a few weeks ago to help students socialize and have a bite without the need to walk all the way to Sugarcube Corner. Pony food wasn't so bad, but it was really super sweet. I'm glad that at least two dragons lived in this town because I can get gems when I get the cravings for them. 


I do kinda wish we were allowed to eat meat more often, but I can understand how that might freak out some of the other students. Still,  Twilight gives Gallus and me permission to hunt in the forests for a fresh kill here and there since it's essential for our diet. So long as we didn't come back with it to the school. Hey, a predator's got to keep her skills sharp and all.


We're halfway there when we notice something near the bulletin board. Headmistress Twilight was putting up some kind of flier while many other students talked with each other in excitement. "What's going on?" I ask, flying in the air with Silverstream and Gallus while the others walk over.


Silverstream gasps as she rushes over to the board. "New posters! We never had those underwater!" 


I would think not considering paper and water do not go well together. Still, the rest of us were curious and were soon joining the other students in asking questions. Headmistress Twilight finished putting up another poster before pointing to it. I took a good look at the multicolored paper where two ponies were seen holding hooves happily, but that left me with only more questions.


"I won't keep you in suspense any longer! We're bringing one of Ponyville's oldest traditions back in our school!" Headmistress Twilight proclaims before pointing her hoof in the air. "The Fetlock Fete!"


All the ponies seemed to know what this was as they began talking about it with excited whispers. Even Sandbar's eyes were wide with joy. Of course, us non-ponies were still confused. "The what-wha-what?" I ask, scratching my horn.


"It's a pony dance party! One of the best!" Sandbar answers with a smile.


"Well, I'm ready!" Blue energy quickly envelopes Ocellus, who soon came out looking like a yellow earth pony with long light blue hair and a ladybug cutie mark. I gave her a thumbs-up as she did a pose.


"You don't need to do that, Ocellus," Headmistress Twilight says with a giggle. "This year, the event's at school and open to every creature. We're calling our dance the Amity Ball!" 


"Even better!" Ocellus proclaims as she turns back into her standard form.


"Yona not know Amity Ball dance," Yona proclaims before smiling with pride. "Yona only know traditional dance at Yakyakistan! Go like this!" 


Oh boy. I make sure I'm well above the ground the moment I hear that. Sure enough, Yona starts jumping around like a rabbit while her huge size ends up making everything to shake with each landing. Every creature made sure to jump back as Yona continues dancing until she posed on one hoof with her rear hoofs in the air. 


"Ta-da! Ball dance like that?" She asks before she loses her balance. 


Sandbar chuckles before walking over to her. "Not exactly. It's not just one dance, but a whole night of them! And an awesome party!"


"We'll also be having all of the Fetlock Fete traditions!" Headmistress Twilight announces as she walks over to a nearby trophy case where a big dancing trophy was held. "The Pony Pal Contest. The Lucky Potluck Dinner. You'll love it! So like this says: get your pony pal and come along!"


"Wait, like a date?" One pony in the crowd asked, which got a lot of heated whispers to emerge. Suddenly, you could see various fillies looking at colts with stars in their eyes.


"Well, you can bring a date. Or bring a friend. But every creature is invited regardless if you come alone or not," Twilight said as she levitated more fliers. "Now, who wants to help me put up more fliers?"


"Me!" Silverstream says while flying forward. 


"I do!" Ocellus seconds as she rushes towards the alicorn's side. 


The others were soon agreeing to help out, so I shrug and join in as well. While the idea of dancing didn't interest me (mostly because I don't know how to dance), I had nothing better to do, and free food was free food. Plus, it would be really lame if all my friends were going and I wasn't. 


So, I take a few fliers and join my friends in spreading the good news. Huh, that makes me sound like an evangelist. My pastor of an uncle would be proud.


***


"Dude, I'm even more beat putting up those fliers than I was in the gym," Gallus says before taking a long sip of his milkshake. "Though I think Silverstream looks like she could still fly around the school twice and still put up more."


"I can't help it!" Silverstream cheerfully says. "It's so much fun putting fliers up on the school! It's like a game to see how much attention you can get with each one! Maybe I should be a professional flier flyer?!"


"Is that even a thing?" I ask Sandbar, who shrugs. The closest pony I ever saw do something like that was that weird eyed-mail pony. What was her name? Ditzy? Droopy? Eh, who cares? "So, we're all going to the dance on Sunday?"


"Yup! I'm going to go by myself, but I plan on trying out something at the Lucky Potluck! I got a new recipe I found in a cookbook I want to use," Ocellus answers with a happy buzz of her wings. 


"Eh, I guess I'll go by myself too," Gallus says as he continues to drink his shake. "I doubt anyone's planning on asking me out on a date."


I smirk as me, Ocellus, and Yona turned our attention to a blushing Silverstream who was doing her best to avoid looking at the griffon while playing with a napkin in her claws. For a long time, it was obvious to all of us, save for the boys, that Silver here has a major crush on Gallus. We finally got her to confess it to us last week at an all-girls sleepover during truth or dare. It turned out she started falling in love with him ever since our tests by the Tree of Harmony. Silverstream told us how Gallus had helped her overcome her fears of the Storm King and been one of her closest friends since. I still don't understand her affection for the guy, but so long as he doesn't hurt her, then I guess I can wish her the best.


Then again, I don't get romance at all. It seems dull and lame. Sure, all adult dragons say you need to find a mate one day and have hatchlings of your own, but I'm years away from that. I want to enjoy my life without worrying about such things.


"Yona want to dance at ball party!" Yona announces. "Yona wishes she had yak partner to show all yak dances, but she do her best with herself!"


"Sure, just tell us when so we can all duck and cover first," I snicker before Ocellus elbows me. "What I mean to say is, we'll enjoy seeing you dance."


Just so long as we enjoy not needing the hospital later.


The four continue to talk about the upcoming event while I decided to tun out to nibble on my ruby flavored muffin. Strangely enough, one of us has been quiet all this time. Turning to Sandbar, I notice he seems to be in some kind of deep thought while focusing on his empty plate. Weird. He seemed interested in the dance just as much as the rest of us. Maybe he's thinking about asking someone out? Ohhh, perhaps that's it. Sandy has a crush, I bet. 


I wonder if it's someone from our group or a pony we didn't know? There are many students in our school, but I've never really seen him hang out with anyone but us five. So it can't be another pony. That leaves one of us. I don't think he has any affection for Silverstream, and I know I'm out because I'm a dragon. That leaves only three.


If I had to put someone in the first place slot, I would say Ocellus. The two liked to study together, and are really smart with numbers. They even won a math contest together. Second place? Maybe Yona? They were pretty affectionate at times. Plus, I think I saw him checking her out once when the two of us were doing yoga with Professor Rarity one time. 


Then again, he could be into guys and was interested in Gallus. Sorry, Sandy, but Gallus is as straight as an arrow if those dirty magazines I saw in his room indicate anything. Plus, I hate to see a love triangle between him, Gallus, and Silverstream. I shivered at the thought of an angry Silverstream. I don't know what happened that caused her to finally show her angry side at times, but even I'm terrified of her when she gets mad. 


I can still remember the first time I saw her pissed off. I don't know the details of why, but apparently, a student said something very hurtful to Gallus about him being an orphan. That's a low blow even by dragon standards. Out of nowhere came Silverstream, who dragged the pony into the air, slammed him into the wall, and yelled at him so loud that it caught every creature's attention in the hall, including mine. Silverstream demanded that he apologize or she would get her Aunt's spear, shove it right up his plothole, and drag him to the deepest darkest depths of the ocean where his body would be left to be eaten by underwater creatures the likes of which are nightmares come to life. 


I couldn't help but shiver at the tone Silverstream used. I swear, I'd rather face an angry Dragon Lord Ember than her. Needless to say, the pony quickly apologized rather profusely and took a lot of detentions for his remark. So yeah, let's hope Sandbar isn't suicidal and thinking of asking Gallus out.


Of course, it could be something else bothering him and not related to the dance. Eh, he'll tell us when he's ready.


I pop the last of my muffin into my mouth and burp out a few flames. "Well, I'm going to head into my room for the rest of the day. I'll see you all at dinner." 


They say their goodbyes to me as I get up and make my way towards the exit hall. I wonder what I should do now that I have free time. Sleep? Read one of those cool comic books Spike let me borrow? Maybe plan out that prank in the second level's bathrooms I've meant to try out.


"Hey, Smolder!" I pause before turning around to see Sandbar rushing down the hall. I raise an eyebrow as he stops in front of me, and I notice he's blushing like a raspberry. "D-do you have a minute?"


"Sure, what's up?" I ask, crossing my arms.


Sandbar took a deep breath and closed his eyes. I was about to ask what was wrong when he opens his mouth and stares at me in the face. "Will you go to the dance with me?"


...What?


No seriously. What the flames?!


What did Sandbar just say?!


"W-what did you just say?" I ask in disbelief. My jaw is slowly opening in shock as I feel my blood rushing through my cheeks.


"Do you...do you want to go out...to the dance...with me?" Sandbar asks nervously. His left front leg was rubbing the back of his right one as he turned to the side. "I... I'd like us to go together...if that's okay. Maybe even...try for the dance contest?"


This has to be a joke. Seriously, was this a prank? No, Sandbar wasn't a prankster, and I doubt he would do something like this even if Gallus egged him on. Holy sapphires, was Sandbar asking me out?! ME?! 


I've never been asked out. Not by any boy dragon. Not that I ever expected it to happen. I've seen other girl dragons around my age get asked out to the Shimmering Scale Mountains to watch the stars or the Lava Lakes for lunch. No boy dragon has ever asked me out. N-Not that I'm bothered by that. But Sandbar, a pony, is asking me out. One of my best friends is asking me out!


"I..." I keep trying to say something, but my mind is still processing this. Why is he asking me out? When did he ever show any sort of affection towards me?! Sure, we've hung out together on our own a few times, but I can't for the life of me-


"I-If you don't want to go together, I-I understand," Sandbar whispers as he slowly droops down. Ah, crumbs. Now he thinks I'm rejecting him! Am I? Should I?! "S-sorry, let's just-"


"No, wait! I...well," I close my eyes and rub the back of my head. Okay, let's think. Sandbar has asked me out. Ignore the why's and how's for now. I need to answer him. Yes or no? Darn it, I can't think! Stall him, Smolder! 


"I...need some time to think it over," I say quickly. " I just...I never expected this."


"Oh! Well, sure. Take all the time you need," Sandbar says with a small smile. "Just, let me know by at least tomorrow, okay? The dance is in two days."


"R-right," I say before giving a weak smile back. "Um, I'll see you later!" 


"R-right, later!" 


The two of us wave goodbye while slowly back away from each other. Oh, Bahumat's wings, this is so embarrassing and cheesy! The moment I'm near the corner, I turn to it and place my back against the wall with one claw over my heart. It's beating so fast that I can feel it ready to burst out of my chest. 


Sandbar asked me out.


He asked me out on a date to the dance.


But why?


Why me?
> Questions and Dances
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Sandbar asked you out?” Spike was just as shocked as I was when I finished telling him what happened. We were in his room at Twilight’s castle, where I burst in without warning, saying I needed his help. I don’t know why I picked him, but Spike was the only other dragon I could talk to. Even if he was raised by a pony and knew nothing about dragon culture, I’ve grown to see him as one of my closest friends. Kind of like a kid brother, you know?

“Yeah, and I told him I need to think about it, but I’m still trying to figure out why he even asked me out in the first place!” I shout before flopping onto Spike’s bed. I stare at the ceiling with so many thoughts in my head. I feel like I’m going to explode. “Why me? Why not Ocellus or Yona or even Silverstream?! Why me?!”

“What’s wrong about you?” Spike asks as he jumps onto the bed with me. “You’re pretty cool, and you’re one of his best friends.”

“Y-yeah, but...” I bit my lip. “I’m a dragon. He’s a pony.”

“So? Silverstream likes Gallus, and they’re both different creatures,” Spike pointed out.

“Yeah, but they’re more similar to each other due to being bird-like. Sure, Gallus is part lion, and Silverstream can turn into a fish, but they still have some kind of physical similarities,” I point out. “Have you ever heard of a pony and a dragon getting together?”

“No, but I kinda wish they did more often,” Spike muttered. I winced upon forgetting that he had that crush on Professor Rarity. I didn’t want to be the one that told him that it wasn’t going to work out. Not because he was a dragon, but because she was just too old for him. “Still, mixed species relationships aren’t as uncommon as you think. I’ve seen ponies dating griffins, donkeys, and some changelings now that we’re friends. Hay,  Twilight’s cousin, from Van Hoover, dated a minotaur for a while until they broke up.”

“I guess, but what about dragons and ponies?” I ask.

“Never heard of it, but there are theories that the Kirin are descendants of ponies and dragons breeding together,” Spike points out before rubbing his chin. “Of course, those theories haven’t been proven.”

“Well, the problem isn’t the fact I’m a dragon! It’s the fact that he asked me out!”

“What’s so wrong about asking you out?” Spike asks, crossing his arms. “Why do you think it’s a problem.”

“Because...” I really don't want to say this, but I feel like I can trust Spike. “Because I’m not beautiful!” 

He must not have been expecting that answer because his eyes were wide. I sighed a bit before continuing, “Look, I may like dressing up a bit and occasionally wear makeup, but even I know I’m not pretty by...any kind of standards! I’m short nosed, my scales never shine, my tail is not long enough, my horns look weird, and I’ve got a bad attitude! I’d be a terrible marefriend or dragonfriend or whatever it would be!”

“...Do you really think that, or do other dragons say that about you?” Spike asks, which makes me wince. 

A few voices from some very nasty female dragons I never wanted to think about again echo in my head. I close my eyes and turn away. “...Both.”

A few seconds later, I feel Spike’s comforting claw by my side as I look down at him and his warm smile. “Look, I don’t know who told you such things in the dragon lands, but I think they’re blind and stupid.”

I snorted. “Can’t argue with that.”

“The point is that if Sandbar asked you out, there must be a reason for it,” Spike pointed out while grinning. “He must find something attractive about you to do so. I mean, isn’t there anything about Sandbar you find attractive?”

That I found attractive? About Sandbar? Well, I guess you could say he had a charming set of eyes. They were such a strange green color that I wish emeralds could be that green. Plus, there was his mane. Some ponies think he should comb it, but it looks a lot cooler the way he just let it stay wild and free-flowing. Says a lot about his personality. He’s so easy going that barely anything phases him unless it's super serious. You’d think that means he was lazy, but he’s really calm and collected. His plan of freeing us during Cozy Glow and Councilor Neighbutt’s take over of the school was pretty awesome. So he’s not dumb at all, and if anyone says that about him, I’ll pop their face in.

I really am glad he didn’t betray us that day. I was hurt thinking that Sandbar really left us after everything we’ve been through, but then he came through and helped us escape. It’s no wonder that the Tree of Harmony said he represented the Element of Loyalty the best. Sandbar was somepony you could trust and...well, I do trust him.

“You’re smiling,” Spike says with an amused tone. I freeze up before he continues. “And you had a certain sparkle in your eyes.”

I sigh and lower my head. “...I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try?” 

“You’re the one who has to answer that,” Spike shrugged. “But what’s the harm in trying it out? At best, you start a close relationship with someone you care about. Worst? It’s just an awkward moment, and you two just stay as friends. It’s not as bad as you think.”

True. I doubt one wrong date would ruin things between Sandbar and me if we decide it doesn’t work out. Might even be something we laugh about years later. Still, if I’m going to say yes or no, I need to find out why he wants me to go with him to the dance.

I decided that there was only one way to do it as a dragon: confront him about it.

***

Dinner was BLT’s, with tofu bacon, and hay fries with fizzy drinks, but I was too focused to really eat anything. All I did was occasionally stare at Sandbar, who also glanced at me whenever he had a chance. The two of us were quiet the entire evening. Just nodding our heads and answering when our friends had something to say to us.

I want to ask him, but not in front of our friends. That’s too embarrassing. I mean, they’ll find out eventually, but I don’t want to make a scene of it. Sure, a real dragon would be saying just get it over with! Who cares what others think and ask him right now! But there aren’t any other dragons here, so I can bend the rules a bit.

I saw my chance when Sandbar said, “I have to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

“Oh, I have to go too!” I said as well, much to his surprise. 

“Heh, are you going to the bathroom together?” Gallus joked, which got him a slap on the back of the head by Ocellus. “Hey! It was a joke!”

We ignore him and walk out of the cafeteria together. Sandbar seems to have gotten the hint that I wanted to talk to him as he kept following me until I saw an empty classroom. I grab his foreleg and drag him inside before shutting the door behind me.

“Uh, Smolder?” Sandbar looked at me with those green eyes of his, and I can’t help but find they do look kinda cute. No, Smolder! Focus!

“I...I wanted to give you my answer, but I want one question answered before I do,” I say, which gets his attention. I take a deep breath. “Why? Why me? Of all of the creatures in this school...why ask me out?”

Sandbar was quiet for a few seconds. During which, I braced myself for whatever answer he’s going to give. I still want to know the truth, and I trust him to be honest with me. 

“Because I like you,” Sandbar said with a smile.

“Y-you like me?” I whisper in disbelief. “Seriously? That’s it?”

“Y-yeah,” Sandbar walks closer to me, and I find myself just staring at him as he continues to smile. “You’re one of the most honest creatures I know. You’re not afraid to tell others what you’re feeling, and you act out what you think is right. Sure, it's a bit of blunt honesty, but I think that proves that you’re not afraid to tell others how you feel. Especially if something is wrong or needs a good dose of truth.” He rubs the back of his head. “I also think you’re really nice.”

“Nice?” I ask to make sure I heard this. “You’re nice. Silversteam is nice. Ocellus is nice. Yona is super nice. Even Gallus can be nice at times. I’m not exactly nice with my behavior.”

“Oh, really?” Sandbar smirks while pointing at my chest. “I seem to recall a nice dragon helping Ocellus during our little tests by the Tree of Harmony. Or helping a little dragon who was heartbroken that some other dragon pretended to be his father. Or helping to save a nation that isn’t of her own but one she’s grown to care about.”

“If your goal is to make me blush with flattery, you’re doing a good job of it,” I say while hiding my redding cheeks. 

“My point is that you’ve got a lot of aspects about you that I like, Smolder.” He then took my claw into his hoof and held it. Now I was really blushing up a storm. “I don’t care that you’re a dragon if that’s what you’re worried about. I like you for who you are: an honest, kind, and caring dragon who would do anything for her friends. Plus, I think you got a cute nose.”

“...Yes.”

“Yes, you have a cute nose?” Sandbar asks, tilting his head.

I laughed. “No, silly. I mean, yes, I’ll go to the dance with you.”

“R-really! You mean it!” He asked, smiling brightly.

“Yes, I’ll go out with you. I don’t know how this is going to go, but I’ll give it a shot,” I answer. A part of me still thinks this is weird, but this is Equestria. Like I said earlier: ponies are weird. I guess weirdness just spreads. 

To my amusement, Sandbar kicks his rear legs in the air and makes a ‘whinny” sound before realizing what he did and blushes in embarrassment. I can’t help but laugh at his adorable actions. “W-well, I’m going to go get the tickets! Right after I use the bathroom! I promise you’ll love it, Smolder!” I watch him rush out of the room before I hear a “Woohoo!” as he gallops away.

I look at the claw that he held earlier and think about all the things he said about me: honest, kind, and brave. Darn it, he’s such a smooth talker. I can’t believe I’m going to dance with Sandbar.

Wait a minute. 

I don’t know how to dance!

***

Contrary to what some believe, we dragons do date like all other creatures. It involved a lot of wooing, impressing your future mate, and giving them lots of gifts to show you cared about. It was one of the few times a dragon could be less ‘tough’ and more ‘sensitive.’ That being said, dancing was not something dragons often did. At least not the kind of fancy dancing that ponies did. Dragon dancing was more about flying around in the air in a formation similar to the Wonderbolts only with a lot more dangerous stunts and flames. 

As such, I’m completely stuck on what to do for a pony dance, and I doubt the faculty would like the school burning to a crisp if I tried doing dragon style dancing. That left me pretty much a whole day to get a quick lesson on how to dance like a pony. Or at least enough to make sure I don’t break Sandbar’s hooves. 

When I returned to Spike and told him of my predicament, he quickly recommended the one pony who could help me out in a flash: Professor Rarity. I’ll admit, she’s not my favorite of all the teachers I have. She’s so...fru-fru. Like seriously, I’ve never seen any creature care so much about their looks to the point that a little mud makes them faint. Again, why does Spike have a crush on her?

Still, she wasn’t the Teacher of Generosity for nothing and accepted my request without a single hesitation. At the gym, I find myself where, much to my surprise, Professor Rainbow Dash, Professor Fluttershy, and her pet bunny were waiting for us with a record player. “Um, what are you two doing here?” I ask.

“Rarity told us that you needed help learning some pony dancing, so we’re here to help out,” Rainbow Dash answered with her hooves to her hips.

“Really? Professor Fluttershy, I can understand, but you?” I pointed out.

“Sure, I’m awesome at pretty much everything,” Professor Rainbow Dash proclaimed before pausing and shrugged. “Well, except for baking. There’s a reason I’m banned from using stoves at Sugarcube Corner.”

Professor Fluttershy walked over and smiled at me. “I think it’s wonderful that you want to learn how to dance, Smolder. Why my mother used to teach me when I was a little filly.”

“Really? My mother was teaching me the quickest way to kill your prey was to go for the neck and drag their heads across some pointy rocks,” I say, which makes everyone else turn green save for Professor Fluttershy, who was backing away in a nervous twitch. “Um, but yeah, let’s get started!” 

“Uh, right,” Rarity says, clearing her throat. “There are two main traditional dances that everypony does at the dance. Both aren’t so hard once you get used to it. By the time the dance comes around, you’ll have them mastered in no time. First, the slow dance is known as the Pony Cotillion!”

“Fluttershy’s an expert at that dance,” Rainbow Dash pointed out, making the other pegasus blush.

“Oh, I wouldn’t say I’m a specialist,” Fluttershy answered, covering a part of her red face with her mane. “I just think it's fun.”

I saw her pet bunny come in by with large rolled-up paper. He spread it out across the floor, and my eyes widened upon seeing just how long it was with all these various colored hoofprints in different directions. Professor Fluttershy stepped onto it and smiled. “All you have to do is follow these steps, and you’ll master it in no time.”

“Um, you do know I walk on two feet, right?” I pointed out while directly showing my feet. 

“O-Oh, that’s...” Professor Fluttershy’s ears drooped. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think of that.”

“Can the dance work without four hooves or limbs?” I asked.

“Um, no, I don’t think so,” Professor Fluttershy whimpered while lowering her head. 

“Well, that’s no biggie! My dance doesn’t require that kind of stuff,” Rainbow Dash proclaimed as she nodded to the rabbit. 

It quickly changed the record, and suddenly a much faster song started playing with a hip beat to it. I found myself snapping my fingers to it and bobbing my head. It was actually pretty good. Professor Rainbow Dash grinned as she spun around before landing in front of me. “The Pony Prance is all about speed! You just let yourself go and rock to the beat!” 

Professor Rainbow Dash started bouncing up and down while waving her limbs around. Occasionally, she gives a cool kick here or there, but her rhythm is focused entirely on the music. Okay, I think I can do this one! Yeah!

I start bobbing my head a bit before shaking side to side. My arms flowing with me as I step to the left, then to the right, do a spin, and a quick tail twirl. Rainbow Dash cheers me to go on more as I dance closer to her, followed by slapping wings and bumping flanks. I let out a fun laugh and go faster, my scales sweating as I move more and more to the beat. “I’m doing it, right?!”

“Yes, you are darling! Yes, you are!” Rarity shouted.

“Keep going, Smolder!” Spike cheers.

I keep dancing and dancing, but eventually, I feel like I’m about to pass out. Thankfully, the record player ends, and I take a deep breath before sitting down on the floor. I’m gasping for breath, but I feel a warm feeling in my chest. I may not be able to do that slow dance, but at least I can do the fast one.

“I think she’s a natural!” Professor Rainbow Dash compliments before landing next to me. “Just a few hours of practice, and I’m sure you and Sandbar will do well.”

“Thanks,” I say before getting up with Professor Dash’s help. “Still, I feel like I need to learn at least one slow dance.”

“Maybe I can help with that,” Spike said as he walks over with a smile. “When Twilight and I went over to the other world to get the Element of Magic back, there was a whole world of two legged creatures called humans. There was a dance there as well, and I saw how they did a slow dance. I practiced some of that in case I ever...uh...” He glances at Professor Rarity, who tilts her head before he turns back to me. “Anyway, the point is that I can teach you one.”

“I guess it’s better than nothing,” I say before standing in front of Spike. He takes one of my claws and holds it up with me before taking my other arm and putting it around his back. He tells me to keep it there as he puts his claw near my-wait a minute! 

“Hey! Watch the claw! Personal space!” I shout, blushing upon feeling it near my rump cheek.

“S-sorry!” Spike apologies. “I was aiming for your back, but I guess our height is too much. I’ll just go to your side.” He does so, but I’m keeping my eye on him. “Now, just follow my lead.”

I huff but calm down as the music plays. Before I know it, Spike is guiding us around the gym as the music plays. Our eyes focused on each other as he twirls us in a slow circle while never letting go. It is indeed a slow dance, but it's one that I feel a bit relaxed under. That was until I felt my leg bump into Spike’s, and we tipped over. Letting out a yelp, I collapse on top of him and groan upon feeling his head pound into my stomach.

“Umm, well, it was doing pretty well there,” Professor Rarity pointed out.

“Yeah, but I think our height is too different,” Spike says as we both get up and rub ourselves. “Why don’t you girls try? This time Smolder leads.”

“I’ll do it,” Professor Fluttershy says with a step forward. “It looks enjoyable.”

We get into position again. This time, Professor Fluttershy’s much easier to hold on to, and her hoof is around my back just above my tail where it should be. I make a note to make sure Sandbar knows this. This is just our first date, and I’m not ready to let hormones take over just yet. The music starts again, and I led the dance by doing my best to follow the same movements as Spike did. It feels the same, but a lot harder since I’m the one directing, and neither of us has done this before. I think my wings might also be flaring out by instinct, but I’m too focused on keeping us moving to be sure. A few more twirls, and we finish when the music stops.

“Well, that was somewhat easier,” I admit backing away.

“I think it’s pretty exciting,” Professor Fluttershy says.

“I think it feels romantic,” Professor Rarity sighs.

“I think it looks boring,” Professor Rainbow Dash mutters. “Anyway, I think Spike’s dance from that other world works best. So we’ll practice both of these for the next few hours. Sound good?”

I nod with a determined grin. I was going to nail these dances down even if I feel sore in the morning!

***

Okay, forget the morning. I feel sore right now. Seven hours of dancing and I’ve not felt this much ache all over my body since the time my brother and I decided to try rock surfing on Death Trap Mountain. Still, I feel more comfortable dancing tomorrow than I did just a few hours ago. The Pony Prance I think I’m going to nail, and Spike’s slow dance might be a bit awkward, but if there is a slow dance Sandbar wants to do? I’m ready for it. Much better than trying that one with the numerous dance moves. 

Of course, in being so occupied with the dancing, I almost forgot about the dress until Professor Rarity asked me what I was going to wear. I had nearly freaked out until she told me she would have a dress for me tomorrow morning. I’m glad she has all our measurements from the various classes we’ve done together, but I just hope it's something really cool. I mean, I’m alright wearing a fancy and cute dress sometimes, but not in public if I can help it. 

Well, that’s tomorrow’s problem. Right now, I just want to get to my room, take a bath, and get something to eat for dinner. I’m nearly there when I pause before I turn around the corner. I see a confused Gallus and a very nervous Silverstream all alone outside our dorm rooms. I hide behind the wall and look with wide eyes. Wait a minute. Is Silverstream finally going to do it?!

“So, what did you want to talk about?” Gallus asks with his eyebrow raised.

“Um, Gallus? D-do you...have a partner to the dance?” Silverstream asks with a nervous smile.

“No, why?” Gallus answers, which makes me silently roll my eyes. Seriously, anyone could see what was happening in front of you, dude. 

Silverstream puffs out her chest before getting on one knee and shoving out a black box in Gallus’ face, much to both our shocks. Holy Bahumat, Silverstream! You don’t need to ask this now! Wait a few years!

The box opens, but I don’t see a ring. It’s just a ticket to the dance. Oh, thank the gods. For a second there, I was worried I would have to stop my friends from going to Las Pegasus. I would not want to see Queen Novo’s face when she learns her niece was getting married, underaged no less, to someone she never met. I’d be asking Rarity to make a dress for a funeral instead of a dance.

“Will you go to the dance with me!” Silverstream asks in a rush. 

Gallus stares at the ticket, then at Silverstream, and finally the ticket again. He picks it up and looks at it very carefully before gulping. “Y-you really want to go out with me.”

“Y-yes,” Silverstream answers as he gets up, holding her claws to her chest. “I-I’ve always liked you, Gallus. Ever since you told me to be brave and stand up to my fears. I’ve...I’ve treasured you as one of my closest friends and I...” She looked at him with a warm smile. “I’d like to try and make it something more.”

For a moment, I couldn’t see what Gallus was expressing before he let out a small chuckle. “Well, I guess I better rent a suit, huh?”

Silverstream gasped. “You mean...”

“Yeah, I’ll go with you to the dance, Silver-UGH!” Gallus barely has time to answer before Silverstream has him in one of her bone-crushing hugs. 

“Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyou! Eeeee! I can’t wait for tomorrow to come! We’re going to have so much fun!” Silverstream shouts as she carries a stunned Gallus in the air. I quickly buried my mouth into my claw to cover my laughter. After a few more air twirls, she lets go of her date before gasping again. “Oh my gosh! I need to get ready! I’ll pick you up! No, wait. Come pick me up! Or um...”

“How about,” Gallus groaned as he got up, “we meet here twenty minutes before the dance?”

“Perfect! See you then!” Silverstream shouts as she cheerfully flies off while doing a loop-de-loop.

I chuckle as I walk out of my hiding place so Gallus can notice me. “Well, you seemed to have made her day.”

“Yeah, what can I say. I’m Mr. Happy Bird,” Gallus joked before raising an eyebrow. “Were you spying on us?”

“Not intentionally,” I confessed. “I was coming back to my room when I saw you two. Glad Silver finally confessed. All of us were starting to wonder if she was ever going to ask you out.”

“That long, huh?” Gallus looked towards the direction Silversteam had flown off towards. “You know, I kinda did feel something was going on between us. I just never pictured this would happen.”

“Well, now that you’re together,” I say before wrapping my arm around his neck, “let me just say one thing.” I glare at him so hard he starts to sweat. “You ever so much as even hurt her? I will destroy you to the point that you’ll be nothing but ashes. Then I’ll take those ashes and flush them down a toilet. Then, I think I’ll have a nice big bean burrito and sit on that toilet so that you can have some company to keep you in your nice little sewer graveyard. Got it?”

Gallus snorted and smiled back. “Sure, but I get to do the same to you if you hurt Sandbar.”

This caused me to lean back in surprise. “Wait, how did-”

“You girls have your sleepovers. We boys have ours,” Gallus answered as he took my arm off his neck and had his turn to glare at me. “I’m serious. Sandbar is my brother in all but blood. The guy lets me stay with his family over breaks, and they’ve treated me more like family than anyone else in my life. There are things we trust about each other only fellow boys can understand. You hurt him, and I don’t care if you’re a dragon.” He huffed and flared out his wings. “I’ll skin you alive and sell your scales for a nice tombstone to claw your name on before I piss on it.” 

I could tell he meant it too, but I wasn’t going to back down without glaring back. The two of us continued to stare at each other harshly before we both laughed at the same time. “Oh geez,” I muttered with a chuckle. “Look at us. We’re top predators, and yet we’re caring about two creatures our kind used to hunt thousands of years ago.”

“Times are a-changing',” Gallus quoted before shaking his head. “But I don’t think I have to worry about anything. I trust you to keep Sandbar happy.”

“Same with you and Silverstream,” I answer back while holding my fist out. Gallus bumps me before the two of us start to head to our rooms. I pause before turning around. “Hey, you do know how to dance, right?”

“Yeah, I learned when I was six,” Gallus answered, much to my surprise. He saw my expression and nervously rubbed the back of his head. “The head of the orphanage was a former dancer. She gave out lessons to us when we were bored.”

Huh, you learn something new every day.
> The Dress And Big Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, today is the big day. I’m going to be going on a date, my very first date. I’m torn between hiding under my beds like a wimp and flying out to let the world know I’m going out with someone. I still never thought I’d ever get to experience something like this, especially with someone who isn’t a dragon. I woke up at the break of dawn and was already flying down to Professor Rarity’s place for my dress without even eating breakfast. Eh, I’ll just have a big lunch and wait for that Lucky Potluck that’s going to happen at the dance.

I land in front of the door and knock on it. A few minutes later, a yawning Sweetie Belle opened the door and looked at me with a tilted head. “Oh, hey, Smolder. Aren’t you a bit early?” 

“Umm, I couldn’t sleep?” I said with a nervous smile. Not entirely untrue, I kept thinking about what my dress was going to look like for the dance all night. I’m just glad that I’m the only dragon, well, save for Spike, who would be at the event. If any of the other dragons saw me this excited for a dress, I’d die of embarrassment. Right before I bury them first for making fun of me.

“Well, come on in,” Sweetie Belle says, opening the door for me. “Sis spend all night on yours. I think it looks terrific.”

“I just hope it's not something too fancy,” I say with a bit of pleading behind my tone. I wasn’t going to a ball at the Princess’ Castle after all. 

We make our way towards the main fitting room, where I spot a dress that has me stunned. I freeze in place while my eyes go wide in both awe and excitement. It’s a dark blue silk dress with some aquamarine gems in specific areas to make it sparkle in the light. There are no sleeves, but orange flowers are stitched in the shoulder holes and look fresh. The dress's lower area is also blue but split down the middle to reveal a gold and jade mixed under colored dress that I could see through thanks to the unique light fabric. A familiar light green sash goes from the top right shoulder to around the waistline with a pretty bow at the back. Its color reminds me of the coat of a specific date I had. Finally, there was a set of light blue velvet gloves with rubies for the back of the hands' that sparkle in my eyes. 

I’m in love with this dress, and I haven’t even worn it yet.

“Well, by the smile on your face, I’ve either outdone myself, or you’re thinking of eating those aquamarines,” Rarity says as she walks into the room in a pink robe. A bright smile spread across her cheeks. “Do you like it, Darling?”

“Like it! I love it!” I shout while dashing forward to touch it. It feels so smooth and fresh. I turn to Rarity with a giggle. “And you really are giving this to me for free?”

“Of course, Darling,” Rarity says with a nod. “It’s your first date, after all! And the first date is always the most memorable one!”

“Aww, I wish I had a date,” Sweetie Belle pouted.

“You’re not dating until you’re twenty-nine!” Rarity hisses with a clear overprotective expression that I’ve seen in my brother a few times. “You are way too young to even start thinking of such things.”

“Oh? Mom told me how a certain unicorn had a crush on Big Macintosh when she was my age,” Sweetie says with a grin as she turns around to leave. “Maybe I’ll find those drawings of you and him getting married in our attic. It could be good blackmail material for the future when I get asked out. I’ll need my own dress, after all.”

I snicker upon seeing Professor Rarity’s eye twitch before she grumbles something under her breath. Reminds me of the time I poked fun at my brother for his obviously flirting with Fizzle. Seriously, can those two just kiss already? 

“Well, the dance isn’t until tonight, but since you are here, let’s see about putting it on, shall we?” Rarity says as I nod with excitement. Well, that is until my stomach growls so loud it could wake up half the town. Giggling, Rarity points to my belly. “After we have breakfast and a shower.”

Blushing, I nod before following her towards the kitchen.

***

After a good meal, I decided to fly through Ponyville on my own. The dress fitted perfectly with my size, thankfully, so no extra measurements or changes needed to be made. Since I had hours before the dance, I decided to get some light flying down while preparing myself for my date. I seriously can’t believe this. I don’t know what I’m feeling. Nervous? Happy? Confused? Whatever it is, I find it both annoying and nice at the same time.

Landing on a nearby house, I sit down and think about what this date might cause if it ends up being a success. If it's just a simple date and we decide not to go forward with anything else, then I’m okay with that. We’ll still be friends, and we’ll have a good time. If this becomes...more?

Well, I don’t know. Would it be so bad? Can I see Sandbar and me having a serious relationship? 

Ignoring the fact that we were different races, there was the prospect of our lifespans. It was a very...hard lesson to go through that day when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna came to talk about a very harsh lesson in friendship: losing a friend. The two had lived longer than most creatures ever did and had gone through so much loss. That day, I realized I was going to outlive my best friends in the whole world.

I had a long talk with the princesses after, but they assured me that friendship, no matter how brief, was worth it in the end. The memories we have today give us the strength to face the dark future that lies ahead. One day, my friends will be gone, and I will be here still, but I’ll always remember them and have them in my heart until it's my turn to join them. Unless something happens that causes me to croak first. Hey, dragons die young all the time back home.

Okay, so that’s one thing down. What about having a family? I’m not saying that one date will equal wedding bells, but I have to consider it, don’t I? If Sandbar and I do get married, can we even have children? Maybe we can adopt. It’s a popular thing for dragons to adopt little ones if they’ve lost their family. We never leave hatchlings to fend for themselves. We’re harsh, but not ruthless. 

Plus, where are we going to live? Well, okay, that’s an easy one. Equestria. Yeah, I love home and all, but it's safer in Equestria. Easy choice.

“Geez, not even one date, and I’m planning my future with him,” I say to myself with a chuckle. “Am I just falling for him or overthinking it?”

I guess I’ll find out tonight.

***

I spend the rest of the day at Professor Rarity’s getting ready. I made sure to shower my scales, eat a light lunch, and do some last-minute dance practice. I turned away from doing any makeup because I didn’t think it was something that I looked good in personally (though I do like trying it in private), and I didn’t want to waste any time. 

Putting on the dress felt like putting on a second layer of skin. It was so smooth and relaxing that I thought I put on a quilt instead. When I saw myself dressed in the mirror, I couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of how I looked. I looked so...so...well, I guess whatever Sandbar will say when he sees me. Of course, if he says the wrong thing, I’m dumping him into the lake, and that’s not even counting on what Professor Rarity will do. 

I walk back to the school with my dress ready while a few stallions and mares look at me with wide eyes. I don’t know if it's because they’ve never seen a dragon in a dress before, but I couldn’t help but wink to a few blushing boys as I go right past them.

Finally, I make it back to the Academy with minutes to spare before opening the doors. All the other students, dressed in their gowns and suits, are all waiting outside. Some of them have their dates beside them, while a few others are just by themselves or talking to their friends. I look around for my own group of friends before seeing Silverstream waving at me with excitement while spotting Ocellus and Yona beside her.  

I take a good look at the dresses all my friends are wearing, and I kinda feel more relaxed knowing that we’re all dressed up. Silverstream is easily the most expensive-looking dress out here, but I guess that’s kinda expected when you’re related to royalty. Her long silver ball-like dress sparkles in the starlight with pink pearls around her skirt. There are two cute golden bows wrapped around her waist that look to be made of pure silk, and her front has a flower placed over her heart. She has a diamond necklace and earrings while a touch of eye lighter, blush, and lipstick on her face. Yona and Ocellus are more straightforward, with the former using a bigger and greener version of her back coat that had a skirt to cover her lower body and the latter just wearing a plain dark purple dress with no sleeves. 

“Wow, Smolder! You look amazing!” Silverstream cries out while zooming around me. She even lifts my arm to get a good look at my details. “You look so good in this!”

“Which begs the question of why you’re wearing a dress, to begin with? I thought you’d be coming to this without clothes,” Ocellus asks with her eyebrow raised.

“Well...somepony asked me out...and I said yes,” I confess, which gets all three of my friends to gasp.

“Eeeek! I’m not the only one with a date! Yay!” Silverstream cheers to the point where a few others are looking at us with confusion. Silverstream dashes to my face and holds me by the horns. Her face getting ever so closer with each question. “Is it a boy or a girl?! Somepony we know?! Are you in love?! What’s their name?!”

“First off, personal space!” I shout, pushing her back. Then I notice two familiar boys coming over and smirk. “And second, he’s right there.”

“Hey, gang,” Gallus says, walking over. He’s wearing a typical black tux and purple bowtie for his front body while leaving his lower body wholly uncovered. “You’re all looking wonderful tonight. Especially Silver over there.” Gallus makes a gun with his fingers and winks, making Silverstream blush and me roll my eyes. “Ain’t that right, Sandy?”

Sandbar just stares at me with his mouth wide open. I blush while taking a good look at his choice of clothing. Like Gallus, he’s got a tux on, only his is a darker shade of blue with a long red tie. Plus, he’s wearing pants, unlike mister show my butt to the world. Slowly walking forward, I take the skirt part of my dress and show it to Sandbar. “Um, you like it?”

“You look...beautiful,” Sandbar says with an honest smile.

“No, way!” Silverstream gasps again and gets between us. “You two are dating?! Since when?!”

“Just now,” I answer while pointing to my blushing date. “Turtle butt here asked me out to the dance, and I said yes.”

“Yona feel left out. She wants a date too!” The yak said before eyeing Ocellus. “Friend Ocellus wants to be yak’s date?”

“Uh, I don’t swing that way, Yona,” Ocellus says, rubbing the back of her head. “Sorry?”

“What do you mean swing what way? This some kind of swinging dance Yona not know?” Yona asks, tilting her head.

Before we could tell Yona what it meant, the dance doors are open, and music starts playing from inside. The crowd, excited to get inside, rush together as we look at each other and smile. Yona grabs Ocellus and drags her inside, much to her surprise, while Gallus holds his claw out for Silverstream as the two blush and follow along in flight. I turn to Sandbar as the two of us just silently look at each other before he slowly offers his hoof to me.

“Ready?” He asks, smiling.

“Honestly? I’m excited,” I answer as I take his hoof with my claw and hurry up to catch up with our friends. 
> The Best Evening Ever
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have to admit, the teachers really went all out on this dance. The entire auditorium was filled with enough chairs to host the whole school with a big buffet table on one end of the room, a place set up for your photo on the other, one large dance floor that could fit a regular-sized dragon, and...was that Spike?! I narrowed my eyes and soon found myself laughing at the giant sparkling helmet he had that was a giant-sized version of his head. I knew he would be the DJ at the party, but was he really going to dress so silly?

The snorting I hear from the others indicates I’m not the only one to notice as the six of us look around for a table we can share. We quickly find one and sit down while waiting for everything to officially begin. Spike is playing some simple party music that is catchy but not too upbeat to keep the mood normal. 

“Wow, this looks really cool!” Ocellus whose eyeing every detail with her bug eyes. “I really hope the Hive can do something like this in the future!”

“I take it you guys never had a big dance before?” Gallus asks. 

“When Queen Chrysalis was in charge, we weren’t allowed to do any dancing. Or partying. Or any kind of fun, really,” Ocellus answers with a heavy sigh before smiling. “But King Thorax has really been throwing a lot of parties lately! I’m going to have to recommend this kind next time I go home!”

“Yaks have many dances at home in Yakyakistan, but all outside instead of inside!” Yona proclaimed.

“Considering the dancing you guys do, I’m not surprised,” I whisper under my breath with a snicker. 

“Has friend Sandbar been to many dances before? Ponies do them all the time, yes?” Yona asked.

“Well, this is only my second kind of dance event. Middle-School prom was my first, but I went alone on that one,” Sandbar says before eyeing me with a light blush. “I’m just glad I’m with my friends.”

“And your special draggy waggie?” Gallus teased, which earned a kick from under the table by yours truly. 

“Anyway, I think we can all agree that Silverstream has been to these kinds of events the most,” I say, to which I get a nod from the hippogriff.

“Yup! It’s kinda part of the deal when you’re part of the royal family, but those get boring after a while,” Silverstream waves her hand in the air before her eyes start to glitter. “I want to see what is like up here on the surface with other creatures! I can’t wait to dance and eat and have fun with everyone!”

It looks like it's going to be sooner than Silverstream wishes as Headmistress Twilight gets near the DJ booth and clears her voice on a microphone. Everyone quiets down as the alicorn smiles and waves. “Hello, students of Friendship Academy! Tonight is our first annual Amenity Ball! I know you’re all excited as I am, so we’ll start soon after a few rules! Any problems you have can be addressed towards me or our chaperons who have volunteered to watch your kids! Second, please just be careful where you dance! There are a lot of us, and we don’t want to cause a pile-up by accident! Third, if you have a request, you just need to ask our DJ for the evening, Spike!”

“Uh, that’s Scales-n-Tail, Twilight,” Spike corrected her on his mic.

“Um, right. Scales-n-Tail,” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Now, if you want to take your photo with your friends, or your date, we have world renown photographer, Photo Finish, who has volunteered to assist!”

The ponies all began to clap, and I just joined as the mare who assumed to be this famous pony slightly bowed her head. I had no idea who she was, but I figured I’d just clap anyway. 

“Next, the Lucky Potluck will start right after an hour of dancing! Please remember to not dance so soon after you eat, or you’ll get cramps in your stomach,” Twilight warned. “Lastly, as per tradition, the first two dances shall be the Pony Cotillion and the Pony Prance! The best dancers will win a trophy and, as a special prize, one free week of no homework!”

“BUCK YEAH!” someone shouted in the crowd.

“No cursing!” Twilight shouted, which caused the pony to utter a “meep” and quiet down. “As I was saying, the winners will get no homework for one week! After that, it's just dancing how you like for the rest of the evening! Well, until 10:30 at least. So let’s get this party started!”

There were cheers and claps as Twilight flew off the stage before Spike started playing a soft tune. “Alright, you lucky couples out there! We’re going to start things off with the Pony Cotillion! So grab your special partner and woo us with some slow dancing!”

Just as soon as Spike finished, Silverstream takes Gallus’s claw and drags him over to the dance floor where other couples were starting to get ready. I turn to Sandbar and wait for him to take us there, but he’s just sitting there with a smile, to my surprise. He notices me staring at him and asks, “What’s wrong.”

“Um, aren’t we going to dance?”

“Oh!” Sandbar looks at me with a surprised look on his face. “I...I didn’t think you like slow dancing. So I figured we could just go up during the prance.”

I give a grin as I take him by the hoof and wink. “I may not be able to do the Cotillion due to standing on two legs, but I can slow dance.” 

Before he can react, I drag him to the dance square, where we pass by a few couples before finding a spot for ourselves. I take a deep breath. Okay, Smolder. This is it. Don’t screw it up.

“S-So, what do we do?” Sandbar asks.

“First, stand on your hind legs,” I tell him before quickly helping him position himself right for the slow dance. He has his one front hoof around my waist while I hold his other one in my claw. The two of us are chest to chest while we stare at each other eye to eye. I can feel my cheeks blush a little, but that’s nothing compared to the red I see on Sandbar. I get a little daring and place my claw that’s around his waist and lower it close enough that I’m barely touching his rump. A gasp escaped his lips, but I wink at him. “Just follow my lead.”

With a single step, we begin the dance. Sandbar is slow to join at first, but he soon gets the hang of it as we slowly step side to side, swinging our hips and holding each other. I keep a close eye on our surroundings, so we don’t bump into anyone. Everyone else seems to be doing that proper pony dance, but a few are staring at us with confusion. However, I don’t care, and I’m smiling as the two of us perfectly synch in harmony. He smiles at me, and I feel my cheeks blush. You know, now that I am this close up to you, he really is cute. I think of all the boys I knew back in the dragon lands, but none of them come close to the feeling I have in my heart. Maybe I just like boys outside my own kind? Or perhaps Sandbar is just unique. I don’t know, but I’m glad to be here with him.

I wonder how it looks to others: a dragon and pony dancing together. Honestly, I almost feel sort of left out if it wasn’t for the fact that Silverstream and Gallus are dancing up in the air. I smirk as the two use their wings and tails to keep them afloat while twirling and flowing around like water in the wind. Seriously, I think I already know who's going to win the trophy tonight.

I turn my eyes back to Sandbar, who is blushing up a storm as we continue our own special slow dance. “Where did you learn to do this?” Sandbar whispered.

“Spike learned it from some creatures called humans,” I reply. “You...like it?”

“Yeah, it's nice,” he whispers before gently moving his chest onto mine. I close my eyes and feel our hearts beating as one. “Hey, Smolder? I really am glad that you said yes.”

“Me too,” I whisper as I then ask him, “Um, what happens after tonight? I mean...are we a couple or...?”

Sandbar looks at me and giggles before winking. “Let’s discuss that after the dance?”

“Sounds fair,” I answer as I hear the song slowly coming to its final keys. A few more twirls and steps, and before I know it, the dance is over. Clapping from those who didn’t dance echoes in our ears as we bow to our respective partners. I blush and sigh in relief that the most challenging part is over. 

Silverstream and Gallus land next to us with big smiles. “Wow, you two really looked great dancing like that!” Silverstream says with awe. 

“Please, you two looked like angels up in heaven the way you were dancing,” I reply, which made me then ask, “How did you two know how to dance in the air so easily?”

“A lot of hippogriff and griffin dances are similar,” Gallus says with a shrug. “I think our races are distantly related due to looking so similar.”

“Wait, does that make us cousins? Am I allowed to date my cousin?” Silverstream asks, which makes us shake our heads in amusement.

“No, Silver, I’m not related to you, so relax,” Gallus answered as he wrapped a wing around his partner, setting her face up to be red. 

“Alright, everycreature! Now that we got the slow-mo stuff out of the way, let’s shake our tails and dance crazy! This is the Pony Prance!”

I grin as the hyper sounding beat starts playing. The four of us looked at each other before nodding as we let the music guide us to the beat. Sandbar starts stomping in place and shaking his flank around while swinging my tail back and forth while bobbing my head. We get closer to each other as he places his hooves on my hips, and I place claws on his shoulder. We shake left and right together and then bump flanks before slapping tails. 

Twirling around, I flare up my wings and get an idea. With a wink, I grab Sandbar and lift him up into the air bridal style. He’s shocked initially, but then I throw him up into the air and catch him before floating us down. “That was cool!” Sandbar said before he wraps his arms around me and winks. “Wish I could do that.”

“Eh, grow some wings, and we’ll see,” I say before helping him down. We continue to jump and dance while sweat begins to form on my head. While a part of me is worried about the dress getting ruined, I just can’t help but find myself lost in fun. 

Eventually, the sound dies down as everyone cheers and keeps dancing. “Alright, everycreature! That was one heck of a dance from you all! I bet you’re all hungry so head on over to the buffet! The winners of tonight’s dance will be announced soon!”

I feel a grumble in my stomach as I motion to Sandbar towards where the food was, and he nods in agreement. Getting on line, the two of us take a moment to catch our breath while noticing that Silverstream and Gallus were still dancing. “Heh, look at those two. I think they’re so lost into it they barely hear anything else.”

“That or they're lost in each other?” Sandbar points out as I see the two love birds pressing their foreheads against each other while dancing so close you could swear they were about to kiss. 

“Hey, guys!” We turned around and saw Ocellus and Yona in line behind us. “That was great dancing you two did. What was that first one? I’ve never seen it before.”

“Something Spike showed me since I don’t use all fours to walk around for the traditional Pony Cotillion,” I answered. 

“Well, I liked it,” Ocellus said with a smile. “Maybe I should try it too?”

“Yona wants to do a traditional yak dance after eating! Maybe she will get other ponies to do the same!” Yona proclaims.

“Uh, sure, Yona,” I say with a smile before we arrive at the buffet. Naturally, there isn’t any meat or gems, but I decided to take the pasta, fried onions, and a slice of cake. Thankfully, I got a bag of gems back in my dorm, so I’ll be able to eat well afterward.

Ocellus then points over to a strange green bulb of jello looking stuff. “That’s my dish! The Lovebulb! Try it!”

Shrugging, I take a slice of it and put it on my plate before the four of us head back to our table. Gallus and Silverstream were waiting for us while drinking as much water as possible. The two looked like they hadn’t stopped dancing until now, with all that sweat coming down their bodies.

“Ugh, I’m so hungry, but I’m so tired...” Gallus moans as he rubs his head with a napkin. 

“Here you go,” Ocellus says, pushing some plates over to our other friends. “I figured I’d grab you both something just in case.”

“Thanks!” The two say with joy before diving in. 

I take a moment to look at Ocellus’ dish before deciding to dive into it. I take a big bite and-HOLY MOLEY THIS THING IS DELICIOUS! Forget everything else; I’m devouring this baby like it was my last meal! I’m not the only one doing so as everyone else is eating Ocellus's strange Lovebulb like it came from the gods themselves. 

“Wow, Ocellus! This dish is amazing! What’s it made out of?!” Sandbar asks.

“Oh, it’s got sugar, green pepper, some herbs, and solid love I borrowed from home,” Ocellus proclaimed, which made me pause.

“Wait...we’re eating actual physical, emotional love here?” I ask.

“Yup, I asked for a solid love from a wedding a few years ago. I think it was some noble pony or something,” Ocellus pondered. 

The five of us just look at each other and shrug. If it tastes good, who cares, am I right?

“Alright, boys and girls! We got the winners of this year’s first dance contest!” Spike proclaims as we all turn our attention onto him. He has a note in his hand, and he plays a drum roll on the set before reading the paper. “And the winner is...Silverstream and Gallus!”

“Yeah! Woohoo!” The two scream as they fly up to the stage where Twilight is holding the trophy for them. The two take it as a duo and raise it up high as cheers are given. While I am a bit disappointed that we didn’t win, I am glad my friends could do so at least.

“No homework for one week, baby!” Gallus proclaims as he gives a “V” sign with his talons.

“I can’t wait to put this on the trophy shelf back home!” Silverstream says with stars in his eyes. “And we did it together!”

Then, to everyone's surprise, Silverstream grabs Gallus by the shoulders and kisses him right on the beak in front of everyone. My jaw drops before laughing at the sight of Gallus, red as a tomato, babbling nonsense as Silverstream then nuzzles him while in a hug. Some ponies are whistling and cheering louder as Gallus falls semi-unconscious before Silverstream drags him back to the table with their trophy.

Spike goes back to playing music as others go up to dance some more, but the four of us are just grinning at the winners. “I think you might have knocked him out, Silver,” I say, pointing to Gallus, who's still blabbering and rolling his eyes in confusion. Seriously, if he’s going to be like that for his first kiss, I wonder what he’ll be like for his first time. 

“Oh, no! Was it my breath? Did I not brush well enough?” Silverstream said, breathing into her palm and sniffing it.

“Relax, Silverstream, he just needs a few moments to reboot himself,” Sandbar says as he turns to be and holds his hoof out. “Want to get our pictures taken?”

“Sure,” I say. After all, it's going to be a long night. 

***

I danced. I ate. I laughed. I never had so much fun in all my life. Sadly, all things come to an end, and the dance finally close after a long and exciting time of merriment. After showing a few yak dances, Yona was the first to fall asleep, and Ocellus offered to take her home. Since she didn’t win the Lucky Potluck, she figured she’d turn in early. At some point an hour before the official closing, Gallus and Silverstream had left as well. Their little kiss had inspired other couples to mash their lips together as well, so they had become celebrities in a way. 

I just hoped they didn’t leave early to do some...adult stuff that I heard rumors a few other partners were planning to do. That left Sandbar and me to dance and talk until Headmistress Twilight officially ended the dance while thanking everyone for coming. Since our dorms are so close to each other, Sandbar and I started walking each other home under the full moon evening. None of us said anything, but one thing I felt was his tail wrapped around my own, and I did nothing to stop it.

Now, here I am at my room door with my belly full, body sore, and yet smiling like I won a lottery. Turning to Sandbar, who smiles back at me, I gently hold his hoof and say, “This was a really great evening. I...I really loved it.”

“Thanks, I had a lot of fun too...” Sandbar said, looking down at the floor.

I turn away, as well. I guess the big question is, what happens to us going forward? Treat tomorrow as if it was another day, or are we going to be something more? I’m not going to lie; I like Sandbar. I really do like him. I open my mouth to say something, but Sandbar is the first to speak. “Smolder, will you be my girlfriend?” 

My eyes widen before I smile. “R-Really?”

“Yeah,” Sandbar says as he sits up and wraps a hoof around me. “Smolder, I like you. And I want something out of this. I want us to go out on more dates like today. If you want to, that is.”

I giggle a bit before placing my claw on his cheek. “I like you too, Sandbar. And I want to be your girlfriend.”

He then leans forward as I close my eyes. His lips connect to mine, and we kiss. My heart is bursting like a trumpet as my entire body lits on fire. I’ve been in hot lava before, but nothing feels more soothing than this kiss. I slowly place my arms around him, and he does to me. I kiss him harder, and he pressed equally as hard before the two of us break apart. I stare into those beautiful and handsome eyes and wonder if I am falling in love. Maybe but I got all the time in the world to see.

“So, tomorrow night? Just the two of us?” He asks, and I nod. 

“Just the two of us,” I whisper as we kiss once more, but just lightly. I slowly open the door to my room with my tail, and I lure Sandbar inside before closing it.

“W-wait, are we-”

“No, we’re not going to do that,” I tell him as I slowly take off my dress. “But I do want to kiss your face over and over again until my lips are dried.” Maybe one day we’ll mate, but for now, this dragon just wants her treasured boyfriend’s lips.

Sandbar seems to relax and grins before taking off his suit. The two of us climb into bed with him on top and me on the bottom. Our lips do the talking for the rest of the evening.

The best evening I’ve ever had.