“Grande plier. 1, and 2, and 3, and 4.“

Suncrisp’s movements were concise and measured. Years of practicing had gotten him this far. His core was tight but his limbs were light and flexible. The room was mostly silent as the little grey unicorn practiced alone in the theatre.

Class began in one hour but his mentor Dovely always pushed for him to be there sooner. That was one of the many sacrifices Sunny gave to study Ballet in Canterlot under the tutelage of Equestria’s most famous stars.

“Grande plier. 1, and 2, and 3, and 4. Sous-sous.”

A light clicking could be heard at the entrance of the classroom. It echoed sharply as it slowly became louder and louder. It was the sound of perfectly manicured hooves on the hardwood. Suncrisp looked to his left for the source of the sound.

It was his mentor’s lover Minnie Macabre.

She wore an expression of mild indifference with a smile that was far too formal. They knew each other well and while Suncrisp had liked the sour mare, the feeling was not reciprocated. She said nothing at first, suspiciously eyeing the classroom. Her muted lilac hand moving stray black and white hairs back into place.

“I see you’re here early, hm?” she mused.

Suncrisp faced her, tail wagging excitedly at the new company.

“Yes ma’am! Dovely told me I needed to work twice as hard as the rest of the dancers in this company. So I decided I’d start coming early to warm up.”

Minnie smiled that stiff smile and adjusted her stance as she came to stand beside him. She turned away from the barre where Sunny was practicing and looked back at the entrance of the room. Her eyes scanning for any movement outside.

“Well don’t let my presence interrupt your practicing. Clearly you need this time.

Sunny smiled sheepishly, as Minnie’s tone tended to bring down the energy in the room. He nodded at her shyly and returned to his practice.

“Tendu 1st. Demi, demi. Ma always said I got distracted easily. Even back home I was a bit of a scatterbrain.”

Minnie gave the foal a side glance but didn’t respond. Her gaze seemed peppered with annoyance, her red eyes dull and cool. She sighed and forced another smile, this one more stiff than the last.

“You’re definitely a Ponyville unicorn. It must be hard going from dirt to dapper.”

Sunny paused at that comment. He could not understand the meaning of her words. Dirt? Was she referring to his family occupation as farmers? How bizarre.

“Um…yeah it’s different. Ponies in Canterlot are a bit less friendly but my ma always tells me not to judge a book by its cover. ‘Sides, I’m sure they’re just shy.”

He smiled cautiously and at that, Minnie erupted into laughter. It was not a kind laugh. In fact, it sounded like a sort of mocking tone. Her laugh was explosive but died down quickly into snickers.

“Dear Celestia, you have a lot to learn boy.”

Minnie turned and faced him, her eyes still gazing lazily at the door. Her stance loosened and she seemed to be relaxing.

“Let me teach you a little something about Canterlot. Don’t stop your practicing.”

Suncrisp could feel his shoulders stiffen as he looked out the window once more. He tried to focus on something outside as he could feel his balance faltering.

“You really have to stop spouting little parables your “ma” taught you. You’re a young colt on the cusp of something great. You left that life behind because you wanted to be taken seriously. Ponies will not take you seriously if you consistently remind them of your…less fortunate upbringing. Ponies want to see a success story in you. You left the farm to be a famous household name, like your two older siblings Little Lady and Bramley.”

Those two. He hadn’t heard from them since he arrived in Canterlot. Sunny could feel a cold sweat run down his back as Minnie’s voice echoed quietly through the classroom. Her intense red eyes singeing a hole in his left cheek.

“These are the things my lover will not teach you because he fears you’re not ready for reality. But I think you are…or at least…you have to be. The crowd wants a show and they want something beautiful. As long as you’re in the public eye, you are an elegant dancer. This is your role. Dancing is all you have to offer your audience and that’s all they want to see.”

“5th position. Demi, demi, grande plier.”

Sunny felt a cold hand on his shoulder and he stopped his routine abruptly. Minnie’s voice fluttered softly over his left shoulder as she spoke.

“I’ll teach you all I know but you have to do yourself a favor. Don’t stop dancing. Never stop dancing, ‘til the curtains fall.”

With that, the light tapping of hooves could be heard entering the classroom. A few students sauntered in not paying any mind to the exchange occurring at the farthest corner of the room. Minnie’s movements were smooth as she turned and walked towards the door. Without turning to make eye contact she called out her goodbye and left the room.

Suncrisp remained silent as he stared out the window at the city below.

“Grande plier. 1, and 2, and 3, and 4.”

————————————————————————-

I was rewatching Bojack Horseman and I noticed I see a lot of Suncrisp in the song Don’t Stop Dancing and its reprisal.

“Life is a never-ending show, my friend,

A twisting-turning, ever-bending show.

The audience is everyone you know, my friend;

Leave them with a smile when you go!

You can bet, that you’re a star, so don’t forget

How fun you are!

Get up there and give it your all

And don’t stop dancing, don’t stop dancing ‘til the curtains fall!”

I’ve really wanted to deconstruct Minnie Macabre’s relationship with Sunny because I feel it’s very weird. Minnie is a confusing but manipulative beast. One can argue that Sunny is possibly more naive than the average colt and Minnie knows this. I’m gonna explore this more.