In just a few years of magical studies, Sandy had learned everything a unicorn could care to know about the mechanics of wide-field telekinesis and bulk object encapsulation. He’d cast spell after spell until his bones hollowed out and he had to be bodily dragged back to his dormitory. Aging sorcerers showed him how to make a room of sand and rocks march - however briefly - to his tune, and how to make dunes grow from nothing. They taught him twelve different ways to detect a pebble beneath a mountain of dirt, and seven to melt it into sand. They crammed theory into one ear, practice into his horn, and self-discipline into his soul.
And not once had they told him how incredibly adept those lessons were at exterminating dust bunnies.
What a dayyyyy this has been
What a raaaaare mood I’m in!
The unicorn whistled a happy work tune, wrangling a herd of dirt and debris with his trusty push broom. Two blasts from his spray cleaner, a swipe with his rag, and the floor sparkled underhoof.
Why, it’s alllllmost like bein’ innnn love!
Put down the broom, pick up the wax; onward to the living room! He polished the great grandfather clock, tenderly wiping the dust from its hands as if they were tears on a foal’s cheek. Sofa cushions flew out the window, beat the dust from each other, then were laid to rest and fluffed to plush perfection. Sandy squinted one eye as he delicately arranged the throw pillows; identically posed, one to each side like a perfect mirror image.
There’s a smiiiiiile on my face
For the whooooole pony race!
He proudly beheld his work, and allowed himself another happy trill. The family would soon be home, and what a homecoming awaited them! Father, Mother, and Daughter would all come home to a clean, organized house. Their faces would beam, hours of dreaded toil falling off their shoulders and the peace of a tidy living space coming to rest in their hearts. And all it cost him was one afternoon. Less than that; they even paid him!
Why, it’s alllllmost like bein’ innnn love!
With a bright grin, Sandy skipped into the kitchen and swept his mop up in an energetic foxtrot. Dust and grime cleared the dancefloor, fighting to get away from the lively colt and his elegant partner.
All the music of life seems to beeeee
Like a bell that is ringing for meeeee!
They turned through every tight corner. He dipped her into the bucket. They spun dizzying circles around stains and scuff-marks. And their pace only grew faster.
And from the waaaay that I feel
When that belllllll starts to peal
Laughing aloud, he leapt over her as she ducked below the oven. Steps and form were soon abandoned altogether; no dance could hope to contain their energy. Pony and mop shimmied and ducked and wiggled and rolled in time to the whistled tempo.
I would sweeeear I was falling
I could sweeeear I was falling
The crowd couldn’t contain themselves! Feather duster, rag, broom, bucket, sponge, and all flew to Sandy’s side and circled around him in a fervent, uncontrolled dance. Though he strained to hit the last notes, all he could hear were the drums, the horns, and his own imaginary, silky-smooth singing voice;
It's alllllllllmost!
Like beeeeeeeeeeeein’
In looooooooooooooooove!
*clop clop clop clop*
The applause, on the other hoof, was far from imaginary.
Sandy froze mid-bow, his head slowly swiveling to the source of the sound. There, in the doorway, were Mother and Father, their faces twin masks of stunned silence. On the floor, their Daughter clapped her forehooves and delightedly called, "Again! Again!"
As his dance partners all bid him adieu and clattered to the floor, Sandy felt heat rise through his cheeks and up to his eartips. “Oh. You’re...home early,” he croaked.
***********************************************************************
Just a little canon, goofy story from Sandy's college days, showing some of what he did before he went to go live and work in Ponyville. The art was done by the fantastic mod of Ask Ashling, whose commissions are still open, I might add.
Go! Get some fantastic art!
EDIT: Oh, and his little work tune is "Almost Like Being In Love." Not the original version, but it's the one that helped inspire the story.
