[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

[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.]

[morphitudinous]

I think you might have said it.

[Billy watches her carefully.]

You know your fellow cadets. I know what it's like when people pair off and you feel like the third wheel, you're not the only one.

[elementofloyalty]

Look, I don't want a date. There's nopony in this whole SCHOOL who's cool enough to date me.

...you'd just think people'd be lining up for the chance.

[morphitudinous]

...Maybe they know you're too good for them?

[Hey, it was worth a shot, though he's not entirely serious.]

[elementofloyalty]

If THAT was true, they'd have paid ANYthing for the chance.

[morphitudinous]

They could be intimidated by you.

But honestly, I wouldn't worry yet. I'm sure they'll be lining up to see you at the show.

[elementofloyalty]

I'm not intimidating! I'm awesome!

[morphitudinous]

Sometimes they both add up to the same thing.

[elementofloyalty]

Sometimes, but not ALWAYS, and not for EVERYPONY.

[She's very prepared to be stubborn about this.]

[morphitudinous]

How do you know it's not true this time?

[Billy raked his fingers through his hair and sighed.]

I just know they like you out there. You'll have more attention than anyone with a date.

[elementofloyalty]

...You really think so?

[It isn't that she wants a date, it's that she wants attention and respect and awe. If she can get it by performing... even if no one thought she was cool enough to bid on...]

[morphitudinous]

I'm sure of it. It's simple mathematics. Most of those people have one person's attention due to the way dates work. You'll easily have more than one pair of eyes.