Move
Sun-kissed grass swished against hooves, green blades soft and tickling against yellow legs only a few inches longer than their tips. Apple Bloom trotted merrily through, red-maned head held high and proud as she hummed a bouncy little tune.
Spring had just turned to Summer; the cool weather chased well away by the glowing brass disc of the sun above. The air was delightfully warm, the grass cool, and all around the birds and bugs and trees worked a cacophony of twittering and buzzing and rustling. Shadow and light turned the world to dappled motley beneath the orchard trees of Sweet Apple Acres; the pattern shifting and flowing with the wind in the boughs and leaves.
This time of year was probably Apple Bloom's favourite: everything was just so alive and vibrant. A pony could feel the energy and excitement in the air, couldn't help but have a bit rub off and make one feel restless and wanting to just do something. Of course, living on a farm meant there was almost always chores and work to be done, but sometimes everything just fell into place and you were done hours before you usually were. This meant free time to do whatever you pleased, and in Apple Bloom's case, she was pleased to venture out into the quiet privacy of the orchards for no other reason but 'because'.
The little filly liked being out among the trees, especially now when the last of the apple blossoms were just falling away. Delicate white petals drifted down in ones and twos around her as she strolled, their dance in the air somehow cheerful in itself. Apple Bloom neatly stepped around what fallen blossoms she could, feeling them much too pretty to just trod over.
The tune she was humming had her head bobbing from side to side, curly tail flicking in time. She wasn't sure just where she had heard it, but it didn't matter all that much. The song did have a mind of its own though, and before long Apple Bloom wasn't merely trotting through the orchard. She was doing a kind of quick-paced, high-stepping walk that didn't actually move her forward any faster than normal. Trotting hooves kept pace with the playful tune in her head though, and it wasn't long for rest of her body to start getting ideas in the same vein.
It wasn't all that unusual for her to wander out here; the orchard was a comfortable and private place to do all kinds of silly things that Apple Bloom didn't want other to catch sight of.
Dancing happened to be one of those things.
She wasn't any good at it. This had been made painfully obvious awhile ago: Apple Bloom dancing was either a national disaster in the making or the funniest event of the year. Neither was really something she was proud of, so she didn't even try it where others could see… but, here in the orchard? There was no one to see, no one to point and laugh and make fun of her later. Bad at dancing she might be, but Apple Bloom loved the feeling and the movement; she loved to just let herself go.
She was bouncing along happily now with a bright grin, eyes closed, her curly tail following in her wake. She spun and whirled, up onto her rear hooves to drift across the open grass, whirling as she went: all light as a feather. Well, she thought of herself as moving light as a feather. She fell down twice and hit a tree once, but those were outside problems. After a few moments there were fresh green stains on her legs and flank, and a few errant blades of grass stuck in her mane. Her pink bow had a twig stuck through it.
It was stupid and silly and awkward, but out here with no one watching, all that mattered was how fun it was.
And, maybe, just maybe, Apple Bloom might have been starting to get better. It was a secret hope in her heart of hearts; a wish that she would actually turn out to be an amazing dancer after all, if she just practiced hard enough. The filly could see herself in her mind's eye, gliding across dance floors and putting every pony around into slack-jawed awe with her grace and style.
Everyone in town was watching her again, but now their eyes with wide with shock as the little filly shimmied (wobbled drunkenly,) pirouetted (bounced off a tree and tumbled,) and executed an absolutely perfect en-pointe landing (on her face.) The real world might have had problems with the idea of Apple Bloom dancing, but that's what imagination was for. In her own private world, every step and twirl was perfection.
She was giggling and breathless in a few short minutes, and so brought her imaginary dance recital to a close with a (wobbly) bow, the sound of applause and whistles sharp in her mind's ear. She opened her eyes.
Applejack was standing not half a dozen steps away, leaning against a tree and staring right at Apple Bloom. Smirking at Apple Bloom.
Every good feeling the filly had up to that point bled away in a rush. Suddenly she could feel eyes all around, could hear the intake of air into a hundred mouths that would storm out in gales of laughter directed right at her. Apple Bloom suddenly felt heavy as lead, awkward, funny looking. She was painfully aware of the grass and twigs stuck in her mane and tail, the green stains on her legs… Her back knees gave up the ghost and her bum thumped to the ground. The filly cringed, waiting for Applejack to start laughing at the uncoordinated flailing she had witnessed: it was what everyone did.
Apple Bloom wanted to run away: to just up and dash off and hope maybe somehow Applejack would forget seeing her and her stupid dancing. She wondered why she kept trying, wondered why she ever bothered hoping she'd ever be good at anything. She wanted to cry.
A hat settled lightly on her head. Apple Bloom sniffled and blinked back the threatening tears. She could see a set of hooves in front of her, the rest of Applejack hidden by the brim of the hat. Cautiously, she lifted her head a bit until she found big sister's kind face, green eyes soft. She was still smirking… no, that wasn't a smirk; it was a smile: gentle and warmed with a sister's love.
The hateful feelings in her heart recoiled in the heat of her sudden shame for having ever thought Applejack would laugh at her. The filly wanted to cry all over again, but the first sob was brought up short by the hug big sister gave her. They stayed that way for a moment, chasing off the hurt and shame, then Applejack helped Apple Bloom back up to her hooves. Instead of leading her back to the farmhouse though, the blonde mare sidled up next to the red-maned filly, and did something with her front hoof.
Ta-tap.
It was a curious movement: a neat little side-to-side with the ankle that touched either edge of the hoof to the turf, smartly. Applejack did it a second time, then gave little sister a playful bump with her flank. Apple Bloom tried to mimic the motion, frowning mightily in concentration and was suddenly wide-eyed with wonder when she repeated it near-perfectly.
Okay, so it wasn't a pirouette-en-pointe, but she was still upright and hadn't gained any new grass stains. This was an improvement.
Applejack showed her a few more simple steps, joining them together with the easy grace she had, and Apple Bloom followed as best she could the patient advice. It wasn't all that hard, but it took a kind of coordination the filly just never seemed to gain. When Applejack tried to have her turning in place with the steps, it only resulted in Apple Bloom somehow ending up on her back with her legs flailing. There was laughter in the air now, but it wasn't the hateful, hurtful sound it used to be; it was Apple Bloom laughing at herself.
The two sisters kept trying the little step-dance, kept mucking it up and laughing themselves silly with the effort. By the end, Apple Bloom was giving Applejack the dancing lessons, which meant the two were whirling and tumbling about the orchard like mad things. Grass and leaves and petals and twigs were stuck in their manes, hides stained green in spots from particularly energetic tumbles into the turf.
It was stupid, and silly, and awkward, and it was the most fun Apple Bloom had ever had in her life.
As the sun set over Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack trotted home with Apple Bloom laying on her back. Her cheek was nestled in big sister's long blonde mane, and she was snoring softly through a smile that just wouldn't go away.
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What a sweet little story. It's rare to find a story that is so easily described as heart-warming and fun.
Kudos, my good sir/madam.
I cannot dance yet I do all the time. Why? Because I like making people laugh at how stupid I look. I am getting better.
Um....Apple Bloom? Can you give me some lessons?
Wah sure!
Thank you! Tonight at....8? I don't want anypony to see me.
Nope. Thay maght think your thinkin' o' doin' sumthin' else.
But...but....fine. Just tell me when a good time is.
H'bout noon?
Fine. I'll be there noon tomorrow.
See ya then!
Bye Apple Bloom! And thanks again!
YOU'RE DANCING AT YOUR BEST WHEN YOU'RE FLAILING MADLY
Glad Applebloom understands how to ~DANCE~.
Seriously tho', beautiful story! Me likey long time.
When in doubt, just dance! Can't wait to read this tonight!
Lovely story, I loved it
Edit: And I have just discovered the story is incomplete.
Dude, you're awesome.
1557009
Er, sorry; it actually is quite done. Just a little one-shot of good feels. I do have others stories with good feels to be given, and more coming soon.
1557080
Aw... But still, I love how you write, and when accompanied with the music... Priceless
1557276
Thanks kindly, glad you enjoyed it!
1556307
1556180
I aim to give people the warm fuzzies, yes. Glad you enjoyed it!
Me with writing
I love these sweet oneshots you write. They're short, but still very emotional and relateable for just about everyone. I just auto thumb anything you post because i know it will be good enough for it anyways.
1559135
One of these days I am going to publish an absolute bomb, then what're you gonna do?
Heh, glad you enjoy what I have made thus far, though.
1557621
I will have you know I read your little story and found it absolutely wonderful. I insist you produce more!
I have two problems with this - the first and foremost would be that I dance like Applebloom all the time.
Secondly, why am I loving your writing? Fuck. Piss me off, you're good. Maybe even great.
I have nothing else! BAH!
1560476
Urgh, the ending. Nothing is wrong with it, just, you know, it ends.
Once again a very good story!
1560630
and drunken hugs for you.
1560345 i'm gonna read it of course because with the level of writing skill that has been displayed in these stories tells me that anything you write eill be worthy of my time.
And i've read 120 days of blueblood and background pony so i challenge you to write anything so horrendous or long that i will not read it.
Very enjoyable, and proof that not only is Applejack best pony, she is also best sister.
That was so sweet. Wonderful work! I loved it
D'aaaaww
(whaddya know? not only did I read it within the month, but within a few hours! madness.)
Awwwwwwwwwww. All your stories are so cute.
1658222
This story.
You've executed it beautifully.
I liked this, it's a nice little story. So many Apple Bloom stories seem to be nothing but sadness.
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simplicity is indeed beauty, Great!! I love it!!
I was smiling through the entirety of this fic. Hell, I'm still smiling. Go away smile! Ugh! I can't rid of it!
Such a heartwarming little story. The simplicity of it makes it diverse. You paint the scene so flawlessly, it seems effortless. HOW ARE YOU SO GRACEFUL?
Goddamn I love this.
- Church
Applebloom is the cutest thing in all creation, and you've done an amazing job of getting that to the page without pictures (or dialog, even.) And of course Applejack can dance. If Applebloom's a good filly, I expect there's a story her sister can tell about it, too.
Excellent work, this is what 'Slice of Life' is all about.
I approve of these Original Feels.
Original Feels - the feels that come from the things that are.
Nothing is more pure. Nothing is more serene.
Thanks for making me.... content. Which is something people just aren't anymore.
All my Twists.
1961465
OH MY GOSH! SO CUUUUUUTE!!!
I love this~!!!
Do I spy a Happy Feet reference?
1968185
If you did, it was unintentional, but not unwanted.
Glad you enjoyed it!
1968219
I did! I just thought the shuffling kinda mimicked it...heh, this was very well written!
Your stories are sweet. How do you not have more followers?
2363997
Well, every month or so I got snooker loopy in my journals for reasons that are ridiculously childish at their best... Doesn't paint me in a good light.
And, well, nothing I write is long enough to get featured, sooo... not much exposure. Quite frankly, I am stunned by what recognition and love I get from those who do find me~
2365778 Well, I was pointed in your direction by a FIMFic friend when I told him this fandom has been getting on my nerves with its stupidity and drama. Your stories made me feel... relaxed, if you will. Thanks.
2365825
I try to make people feel good.
I think I might have -- feelings after reading this.
What is this witchcraft? What is this blaspheming work?!
May it burn in hell for all of it's well-executed heart-warming kindness! Nobody makes YST have feelings! NOBODY!!!
Seriously though, great work.
That was awesome!
Much to my surprise, this little gem has lodged in my mind more thoroughly than almost anything else I've read on FIMFiction. Every time I reread it, I come away grinning like mad. What a beautiful and heartwarming scene.
2617764
i.imgur.com/yXDJNIM.gif
Thank you so much. You've no idea how much I appreciated seeing that lovely comment tonight~
I didn't think it was possible. But I think this just possibly might be the second Apple Bloom fic in forever I'll actually be hitting that star button for. I simply love it. Playing that acoustic guitar piece on loop, while reading this just added to the feels. I actually got chocked up for a pinch when AB started imagining and thinking the worst things to come. And the joy from the obviously expected loving AJ, still got me smiling ear to ear during that tender moment.
This is now my favorite Apple Bloom story. And like the only one I can say I would recommend to my friends. Simply lovely.
This didn't make me cry, but it made me want to cry. By the time I got to the end, my lips were crinkled into a joyous smile (and I've been in a dark-ish mood most of the day, so this really lifted my outlook) and I was trying to cry.
Also, you've taught me some very important lessons on imagery with this story, so thank you for that as well.
Love it, makes me feel like dancing on my 2 left feet.
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Pardon me while I add this to as many groups as I can...
tinyurl.com/mbho6go
I can relate to Bloom here. I like dancing, but only when alone, where I'm free to make a fool of myself
Awww, this was a very adorable and sweet story!
Sometimes You just have to Let loose and Dance like nobody's Watching. this story was more like a fond memory than anything else. I can't count the times I've lost myself to the music in my head when I thought I was alone, and There are few more freeing and exhilarating experiences than Letting loose like that. It's fun.