Style Quest: How Varick Met Bridgette

It was the sixth graders’ first day of the dance courses in physical education class. A twelve-year-old Varick looked around the gym nervously. He had no friends in this class or anyone he could ask to be his partner. Unlike the other boys, the young Clydesdale wasn’t concerned with whether he got paired up with a girl, just if he got a partner. An odd number of kids were in that class, so the last unpartnered person would have to dance with the teacher. An embarrassment that was deemed worse than death by the middle schoolers.

 

“You there! Horse! You’re my partner,” Varick looked up to see a white-furred wolf-headed his way. She was about the same height as the brown horse but had a metal right hand. The wolf girl wore a black tee with a band name printed across the front and torn blue jeans. “Can you dance as fancy as you dress?”

 

“I can dance a little,” Varick replied, a little intimidated by this wolf girl. He was wearing a lovely light blue button-up with darker blue dress pants but wasn’t considered as fancy as others. “My name is Varick.”

 

“Bridgette and if you ask about my hand I’ll use it to beat you,” the wolf introduced herself while making a fist with her metal hand. Varick nods and walks to the teacher to have their names written down as partners.

 

Over the next two weeks, the duo had plenty of time to get to know each other. Bridgette expanded Varick’s musical knowledge by introducing various metal artists with a particular emphasis on power metal. The blonde Clydesdale, in turn, taught the white wolf some simple sewing techniques so she could alter her clothing. As the second week ended, the class received the news that they would be responsible for choreographing their dance routine with their partner for the final dance grade. The course had a week of classes to plan and rehearse a performance that only had to be a minute long using all the techniques they learned.

 

Bridgette and Varick were up third on the day of the final dance test. The first two routines were mediocre but good enough to earn a pass. Always one to go above and beyond the call of the grade, Varick had worked hard with his partner to choreograph the perfect routine. Bridgette wasn’t quite as nimble as her equine partner, but she quickly picked up the steps. As their performance started, a power metal ballad started playing immediately, setting this routine apart from all the others that used slower songs. The horse and wolf duo started with steps they learned in class but started throwing in extra spins, flips, and a toss. Long past their allotted time, Varick and Bridgette ended in a pose and out of breath. 

 

“I got to admit, Varick, I didn’t think we would pull it off,” Bridgette laughed as the two left the gym with a near-perfect grade. “You want to stay friends? Even though this partnership is over?”

 

“Ok but you’ve got to promise not to fall in love with me,” the blonde Clydesdale smirked as he walked alongside the white wolf.