Come in when you arrive. 
Shining Armor read the text message he received several minutes ago as he was driving. After gathering his overnight bag from the trunk, he locked his car. It was late, and the only light came from the lampposts lining the parking lot and the apartment complex. He had just spent a long day at work - nearly ten hours - and was more than ready to spend some quality time with his girlfriend.
Cadance. Just thinking about her was enough to rejuvenate him. He had never known a more caring person - one who worked tirelessly to bring out the best in others. This combination of spirit and vigor won her the admiration of her students and peers as Dean of Crystal Prep Academy and was just one of the many reasons he adored her. Her beautiful smile never failed to lift his spirits when he was feeling down or stressed.
Holding his head high, he entered the lobby. He was so very tempted to ride the elevator up, but his deep-rooted discipline steered him toward the stairwell. Tired as he was, he summoned the strength to climb up three flights of steps. As he neared Cadance's apartment, he reached into his pocket and fished out his copy of the key - a sign of her trust in him. Given the instructions in her text message, he forewent the customary knock and unlocked the door.
Upon entering, he was greeted with a faint, sweet fragrance. Inside, several candles cast a dim light throughout the living room. His eyes drifted down and he found the source of the scent - rose petals scattered all over the hardwood floor. On the coffee table was a platter filled with strawberries and grapes. The sofa was adorned with more cushions than usual.
He quietly set his bag down by the sofa. Was today a special occasion? It was neither his nor Cadance's birthday nor the anniversary of their first meeting. Whatever reason she had for setting up her place like this, he now wished he had stopped to pick up flowers and chocolates.
"Welcome," purred a familiar voice.
Shining Armor glanced up to find Cadance emerging from the hallway. Her face was made up and she was draped in a diaphanous blue veil. Even in the dim light, he could see that underneath its translucent folds she was wearing her blue and gold bedlah (belly dancing outfit).
He felt his throat knot as he looked her from head to toe, his eyes lingering on the places where her skin was visible. He had only seen her wear her bedlah twice before - both times during her belly dance recitals. It took him a moment to regain his voice.
"Hello, Cadance," he said, his voice wavering ever so slightly.
She giggled as she sauntered into the living room on her bare feet. "You know the drill."
"Of course." Without taking his eyes off her, he powered off his phone and set it facedown on the coffee table. They would have no interruptions.
She motioned for him to have a seat on the sofa, which he did. She then tapped her portable music player and set it in its docking station. The sound system came to life and a soothing string melody filled the room. As she took her place on the floor, the strings were joined by a slow, entrancing drum beat, punctuated by the faint chiming of zills (finger cymbals).
Slowly, she circled her hips, her willowy form fluidly undulating beneath the veil, unraveling it little by little. When she finally unfurled it, revealing her bedlah in all of its glittering splendor, it was like witnessing a butterfly emerge from its cocoon. The candlelight cast a warm glow on her skin as she sashayed across the floor, her long legs emerging from beneath the flow of her skirt.
Shining Armor sat enrapt. The only time he had ever seen Cadance belly dance was during her recitals. It was a far different feeling, sitting in the audience while she performed on a stage. Now, she was dancing less than two meters directly in front of him. He did his best to emulate the cool detachment of an iconic fictional secret agent.
He fondly remembered the day he and his sister Twilight Sparkle happened upon Cadance's recital by sheer chance. Up until then, his knowledge of belly dance had been limited to what he had seen in the movies. He was pleasantly surprised to witness a paradoxical mix of playful innocence and feminine elegance that did not strike him as the least bit raunchy. It was nothing like its frequent portrayal onscreen - it was infinitely more beautiful. When he watched Cadance perform her solo, he knew right away that he was seeing her at her most authentic.
That day, he made Cadance a solemn promise to keep quiet about her hobby - a promise that extended to Luna, and later to Twilight and Celestia. Even with the increased acceptance of belly dance in recent years, few folks regarded it as a pursuit becoming of three respected school administrators, or an honor student for that matter. He certainly did not need to go bragging to his friends about having a belly dancing girlfriend.
He would never forget the shock he got at Cadance's next recital when he discovered that Principal Cinch had been in the audience. When he saw "ol' Abacus Pinch-Face" emerge from the crowd after the show, he expected her to go off on a vitriolic tirade and fire Cadance on the spot. Much to his and everyone else's surprise, however, Cinch actually commended Cadance on her performance along with Luna and Celestia. It was nothing short of a miracle!
Cadance turned as she cast off her veil, letting it float to the floor atop the rose petals. Gingerly, she rolled her arms and wrists as she shimmied closer and closer to him. She had definitely picked up a few moves from Luna. Every swivel of her hip, every roll of her belly, every curl of her wrist carried a verve that stirred not only his heart but his very soul.
While Cadance's tempo remained steady, Shining Armor felt his temperature rise. Undulating within arm's reach, her soft skin beckoned for his touch. He wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and hold her gently. Quietly, he mustered his restraint. Climbing up the stairs had not taken this much effort! "Not yet," he thought to himself. He was going to savor every moment of this dance she had prepared especially for him. Composed as he kept his face, he could tell from her playful smile that his cheeks were deep red. She always got a kick out of making him blush. He would have made a lousy secret agent!
He had learned from his research online that the first rule of dating a belly dancer is to never ask her for a private performance. Ever the gentleman, he steadfastly abided by this. Still, a small part of him yearned to experience just that - Cadance dancing for him and no one else. It was a shameless Orientalist fantasy straight out of old-time Applewood, and he chided himself for even thinking it.
Alas, Cadance was nothing if not perceptive. Like countless times before, she had read him like an open book. But while she had now granted his unspoken wish, the woman before him was not some meek odalisque (harem girl). No, she was something far greater. As the song faded out, she brought both hands behind her head in a statuesque pose worthy of a goddess. No photograph or video could ever do her justice. She had never looked lovelier.
Shining Armor softly applauded. "C'etait magnifique."
Cadance leaned forward to wrap her arms around his neck.
"So what's the occasion?" he asked.
Gazing into his cerulean eyes, she touched her forehead to his and whispered. "Do we need one?"
She traced a line down his jaw, closed her eyes and planted her lips on his. His heart aflame, he finally surrendered to his passions and drew her into his embrace.
***
Sometime later, they lay together on the sofa, adrift in a sea of bliss.
Cadance smiled sleepily as she brushed her toes over his ankle.
Shining Armor gently ran his fingers through her long violet-rose hair. He wished that they could stay like this forever. He did not know what the future held for them, but come what may, he would always cherish the wonderful gift she had given him this evening.
One thing was certain, however: he would need to take some extra time wiping the glitter from his clothes before he left.
Author's Note
Tete-A-Tete literally means "head-to-head" in French. The term can refer to (1) a private conversation between two people, or (2) a piece of furniture (such as a sofa) intended for two people.
I previously touched upon the notion of Cadance giving Shining Armor "an extra-special performance" in Chapter 4 of Our Principal Is A Belly Dancer.
This little rendezvous was inspired somewhat by episode six of Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet. I decided to explore Shining Armor's thoughts on Cadance's belly dancing.
I hope you enjoyed this short, sweet and (hopefully) tasteful tale!
Happy Valentine's Day!
