[Backdated to Friday/Open]

[elementofloyalty]

[Not everyone was off having a grand old time at the Homecoming Dance.]

[For example, take this pegasus pony, who -- after clearing the clouds out from around Balamb as promised -- has snuck a purloined cumulus into the Training Center. Not terribly deep inside, but high enough to be out of range of danger, she lies on her cloud and looks miserable.]

[She is, after all, clearly not cool enough to go to the stupid dance where no one wants her around anyone and it's not like she has anyone to impress so she gets an invite onto the Wonderbolts so why should she bother even showing up.]

[Stupid dance. Stupid Garden. She's way too cool for ANY of them.]

Comments

[elementofloyalty]

Huh?

[She picks her head up to look down, then tries to muster a smile.]

Sure! I'm feeling great, just... great. Great!

[morphitudinous]

You usually sound happier when you're 'great'. I thought I heard about a big show with you as the star tonight.

[He taps his foot. Yes, this is odd.]

[elementofloyalty]

Well, today I sound like THIS while I'm great! It doesn't mean I'm any less great!

[Huffing loudly and dramatically, she flops back down very pointedly.]

[morphitudinous]

[He winced, pressing a hand to his ear. Ow.]

...I see. So you'll have a great performance tonight, right?

[elementofloyalty]

Yeah, sure, best in the world! Really great!

[She lifts a hoof and waves it. Unconcernedly. SEE HOW UNCONCERNED SHE IS.]

[morphitudinous]

If acting is part of your show, you might need some more practice.

[He sees what you're doing there. If she ever sees his face, he's trying to hide concern. She doesn't like that, does she.]

[elementofloyalty]

Luckily I'm just flying, huh. Because that's what I do. I fly. Fast and far and better than ANYone else!

[It's all true! And said without a stitch of modesty! And somehow doesn't cheer her up at all...]

[morphitudinous]

Right. Compared to our sample of other flying Garden residents, of course.

So you're getting ready to dazzle them?

[elementofloyalty]

Yeah, sure. Dazzle. [She waves a hoof distractedly.]

[morphitudinous]

That's what you're doing, right?

[Still not buying it. He folds his arms.]

Because even I can see that you seem distracted.

[elementofloyalty]

I'm fine.

[And stubborn.]

[morphitudinous]

I'm not sure I agree. Something's going on.

[elementofloyalty]

Yeah, I'm taking a nap!

[She promptly closes her eyes and proceeds to deliver some of the most hilariously fake snoring ever seen.]

[morphitudinous]

[Billy listens skeptically. He raises his voice out of 'concern']

...Miss Dash, are you congested?

[elementofloyalty]

[She cracks an eye open.]

No, I'm asleep!

[morphitudinous]

That's some very lucid sleep-talking. Either that's the case, or you're really agitated about something.

[elementofloyalty]

I'm not agitated!

[Again, the most convincing tone of voice EVER.]

[morphitudinous]

Your actions and words are opposing each other.

[They can do this all day, but neither of them want that. He frowns up at her.]

I understand that you don't want to talk to me, but...your friends will listen. All you have to do is find them.

[elementofloyalty]

[She stubbornly crosses her forelegs.]

I'm perfectly fine! Being here! Alone! All by myself! I don't need anyone to come hang out with me!

[morphitudinous]

If you're sure, I can't force you.

[Billy turns away, walking a step or two in the other direction.]

But make sure you get to the show! You have an adoring crowd waiting for you. Maybe their cheers will help?

[elementofloyalty]

Oh yeah. Sure. Adoring. Yeah, I'll give 'em what they want.

[Hello, shocking core of bitterness that she's casually trying to play off.]

[morphitudinous]

What are you talking about?

[That's weird. It's almost like she thinks people don't like her. No, people don't like him. That was thoroughly demonstrated earlier---wait could it be? But she wasn't him, she was always so confident. Boastful was the better word, maybe.]

No one can do what you can. They are waiting for you...you might be flying solo, but you're flying.

[elementofloyalty]

Yeah, and everyone is so interested in the flying pony.

[She's apparently forgotten she's supposed to be faking being fine in favor of bitter sarcasm.]

[morphitudinous]

If it helps, they're not interested in...

[Billy hesitated, trying to find a way to describe himself.]

Geeky humans either. But having a date isn't everything. Maybe you'll spend time with someone who missed the auction. It'll be impossible not to notice you.

[elementofloyalty]

Who said the date auction had ANYTHING to do with this?!

[Bingo. With a question like that, there's no way it could be anything BUT that.]