“I look like an idiot!” Gallus mumbled in annoyance as he wore an oversized Duckie float around his waist.
With each disgruntled breath it squeaked childishly.
Smolder tried to hold back a series of giggles but failed miserably. “Hey, I think you look cute.” She nudged her feathery beau, trying to offer him a tender kiss, only to be snubbed as he turned away.
“Phst, learning to swim isn't worth this mockery!” His claws clenched embarrassed as a loud growl echoed from deep within his throat.
Smolder shrugged as she nodded along.”It's fine Gallus, like I said, we don't have to go to the beach.” She flaunted a claw and gave him a reassuring hug.
“I know you're getting bored of hanging out in the forest…” His voice deepened slowly finding confidence.
“No, I love the little spot we found…” She tried to let him know all was well, but he stomped his way out of the changing tent near the school pool and made his way to the main event.
“Silverstream I'm ready to learn!” Gallus screeched as he and Smolder walked out to the bright blue waters of the school's Olympic pool.
Bright pink scales glistened in the light as Silverstream flipped majestically out of the pool. Violet hues sparkled bright as the sun above, her slender hourglass frame landing on the edge of the pool. She flashed a beautiful warm smile to Gallus and welcomed him over, Smolder flashing a smile but felt a pinch of jealousy bubble within.
“Omigosh, I'm so happy you decided to take my offer!” Silverstream squealed as she clapped her finned hooves together happily.
“I'm just going to watch if that's ok?” Smolder sat on the edge of the pool, her orange feet sliding gently into the cooling waters.
Silverstream giggled and slid into the water herself. “That is perfectly fine!” She patted the water as Gallus groaned, easing himself into the pool as the duck rocked side to side.
“Didn't you have a float that's I don't know…less humiliating?” Gallus grumbled as the waves carried him in place in a lackluster fashion.
“Donald has been my teaching aide for several moons!- I could never replace him!!” Silverstream giggled, gently patting the duckie on the head.
Without missing a beat, she instructed her student to move his legs in a calm, flowing motion, to kick forward, and use the duck to keep balance and stay afloat. Gallus rolled his eyes in return, kicking with minimal effort. Earning an exaggerated applause from the hippogriff.
“Good, now kick and float! Kick and…” Silverstream turned her attention towards Smolder.
“Hee I was meaning to ask you, Smolder.- Are you waterproof or do your scales absorb water?” She asked the dragoness a completely random question out of the blue.
Smolder thought about it, her snout scrunched in deep thought.”I guess waterproof? We get a little bit of the liquid to sink in, but I wouldn't say it's…” She was cut off by Gallus coughing.
“Can I stop?” He kicked a little more water half-heartedly.
“Hmmm, no. Don't interrupt, and try tilting forward and practicing kicking with both your arms and legs.” Silverstream grabbed the float and tilted Gallus, who growled in surprise.
The hippogriff turned back to the dragoness smiling.”So you're not slimy?” Silverstream quipped to Smolder, who laughed kicking water with her feet.
“Haha, like with mucus? No…” Smolder tried to speak as Gallus gave a loud groan.
“This is dumb!” He sneered as Silverstream glared in disapproval.
“Tsk, interrupt again, and I'm teaching you how my aunt taught me.” Silverstream huffed as both cheeks inflated.
“I can't help kicking is the extent of your wisdom! Kicking is dumb, plus Donald is a dumb name, too!” Gallus kicked all fours in place with growing annoyance.
“I'm teaching you the basics! Now kick and float!! So you're not like a frog?” Silverstream turned back to Smolder, who didn't even try to talk this time.
Gallus laughed with a loud sneer.”Does she look like a frog!?” He cracked wise towards the visibly annoyed hippogriff.
“That's it! We're doing Auntie’s style!!” Silverstream grasped Donald by the neck, with a powerful tug removing him from a horrified Gallus.
“What the buck!? Are you crazy I …can't… argh....” Gallus struggled to speak, splashing around violently before sinking underwater with a terrified gurgle.
“There!- Smolder, of course, I didn't think you were a frog! I just wanted to know if you had a mechanism to stay cool.” Silverstream smiled at the shocked dragons.
“Uhhh, should we help him!?” Smolder began to stand in a panic, yet was stopped by Silverstream nodding no.
“Let him learn.” She mused.
Bubbles popped and swirled on the surface.
“But he…” Smolder tried to protest.
Silverstream silently nodded no.
The bubbles slowly come to a halt.
“You killed him!” Smolder whimpered frozen in shock at the murder that took place.
“Wait for it.” Silverstream narrowed her eyes, Gallus erupting to the surface and paddling to the edge near Smolder gasping wildly.
“You both just watched me die!- What the buck!?” Gallus gasped, coughing and healing.
Smolder gasped in delight, hugging him with love and affection.”Babe, you swam!” She screamed in a voice of pride.
“I …I did!?” Gallus laughed, swimming in place excitedly.
“Mm-hmm, my work here is done.” Silverstream flipped out of the water, turning into a winged form proudly.
“What!?-You didn't do anything!?” Gallus looked confused at the nut in the sky.
With a knowing giggle and a wink, she hovered. “Didn't I?” Silverstream squealed, flying off into the horizon after swooping down to grab Donald.
“Awww, don't worry about her! We have a beach day to plan!!” Smolder helped Gallus out of the pool, both sharing a laugh about the experience.
Gallus suddenly narrowed both eyes and spoke seriously.” No, we're telling Twilight about what just happened.” He locked eyes with Smolder intently.
“Yeah, of course! She really shouldn't be teaching any other creatures this way.” Smolder pursed her lips, still clearly shocked.
Author's Note
Yes I know Gallus can swim in the show, but this picture was just too cute and funny. XD.
