Royal Greetings (Open: Throne Room)

[Bellosh]

"Welcome to the Gala, Balozi Zetti. It's an honor to meet somep- somezebra from a tribe I have never met! I'll be really excited to learn everything I can about your tribe, and we return the wish for peace and happiness as well, Balozi."

"It is my honour to meet you, Chief Zeti, as well to welcome you to not only the Grand Galloping Gala, but Equestria as well. May we work together to gain an ever lasting peace and friendship between our great nations."

"Greetings, Balozi Zetti.I am Lore Weaver, an owner of a bookstore in Ponyville. It is an honor to meet you as well, and to echo Princess Twilight Sparkle's words I do wish to learn as much as i can about your culture. I also wish for peace and happiness and if I'm bold enough to add a thirst for knowledge."

Such warm words of friendship brought great warmth to Chief Zeti’s heart. Just as she suspected, the drive to learn more about the outside world was just as strong in Equestria was just as strong as among her fellow kin in Unyasi. After all, did not zebra and ponykind descend from a common ancestor? Princess Twilight’s slip-up only served to highlight in Zeti’s mind the profound similarities despite the barrier of a wide ocean, which prompted her warm smile to widen even more.

After the ambassador shook Twilight’s hoof, Zeti addressed the three ponies who greeted her all at once; “I thank you kindly for your reception Princess Twilight, Princess Celestia, and Lore Weaver. Although I’m the chief of my people, it may just so happen that the difficulties of a return voyage... will keep me in Equestria for a long while. Long enough for me to satisfy everypony’s curiosity about my land… while my fully capable daughter takes up the duties I’ve long been preparing her for.” Anyone who could read Zeti’s mischievous glint in her eyes could tell that did not exactly plan on returning to Unyasi as a chief, no matter how the seas fared.

"Somepony kiss him, that should break the potion's hold. Then we'll see about ridding him of stone before we decide what to do for his real punishment."

It did no escape Ambassador Zeti’s attention that two gentlecolts, brothers it seemed like, grappled with a peculiar problem; that one of them was slowly turning into stone. They rather reminded the frail zebra of children meddling in things they didn’t understand only to run to their elders when something went wrong. All things considered, Zeti imagined that the two would look back on this night and laugh once everything was set right. Which on that subject, the wise mare had a rather simple and direct solution for. “Why don’t you two imps kiss each other to break the spell? Seems simple enough.” she offered through a tiny grin. And with that, Zeti slowly made her way out of the Throne Room, not wishing to keep the other attendees from greeting the princesses.....

*Exit Zeti*

[Paaaad]

"I have to agree with the chieftess on this... It isn't that unusual for siblings to kiss anyway... Er... I think... Well, family members anyway."

[SteelEagle]

It was said that zebras were wise beyond their years as a general rule, and that they always seemed to come up with the simplest ad best solution while cutting through all the chaff. And while that was a nice trait to have, it was unkind to saddle any one species with so general a personality trait. Not all unicorns were arrogant and intelligent. Not all Earth ponies were dull and strong. Not all pegasi were brash and heroic. Not all zebras were solitary and wise. Each individual was a puzzle, pieces falling in place as life's journey filled them up slowly but surely. However true what she said was, that didn't stop Zeti herself from being wise and she came up with the quickest and easiest idea of all to solve their little Fim problem. He was even kind enough to bring the solution with him to the gala. Whoever said a broken clock wasn't right twice a day?

"That is a great idea, Balozi Zeti. Maybe a brother should save his brother," Twilight laughed, "and I might even consider it to be punishment enough. Might. In any case, Flam, I would get to it now-" Twilight's face lit with some concern because as much as she disliked Flim, it would be a true hassle to get him out of stone and the experience was likely anything but good, "-I don't think he has but ten seconds left before he is all stone!"

[ShadowWalking18]

Razor watched the whole scene, though he didn't care to pay much attention to it, with a perplexed look.

"I'm so glad, I don't live here." He said to himself.

He debated for a moment over if he should get the greeting over now, or hang back till all the commotion died down. Though in the end he decided to get it over now.....and soon. He was getting these pseudo feathers out of his wings before he went nuts, they itched like crazy.

He stepped over and shook his head at the pony turning to stone, "I'd just leave him like that. From what I could tell he seems to be an annoyance, so this should be an improvement." He then turned his attention back to Princess Celestia, and the other princess next to her.

He extended a wing and then folded it over his chest and gave a deep bow, keeping his head low, "Fair winds to you Princess Celestia. I am Razor, and it is a most high honor to be in your presence."

He folded his wings once more and lifted his head up. A perfect greeting. Now if he could get through this without any mishaps....or temper explosions he should be fine.

'Oh I hope it goes well.' He thought, begging nopony said the word s-h-o-r-t.

[Lux]

"Yes, nice to meet you as well," Lore said happy that Twilight seemed happy to be around him, especially with the crazy things happening in front of the two, "Perhaps in the future we can meet again since knowledge and magic are something we have in common and especially since we are almost neighbors in Ponyville. That is if you have the time between your royal duties and such. And if you are in need of a book or scroll that you don't have in your library, doubtful since I've seen the sheer amount of knowledge there, my bookstore is always open. Except now of course."

The idea of the two brothers owning up to their mistake by having to kiss each other put a smile on Lore Weaver's face. He was not a vengeful stallion by any means, but he knew that ponies had to learn from their mistakes and make sure to not repeat them. Some ponies, like these two brothers, were learning a mistake the hard way.

"I agree, you should take care of this," Lore said to the brother not being turned to stone, "unless of course you'd like a lawn ornament as a brother."

[Mojo]

Flam swallowed hard as he realized time was running out. None of the mares here would kiss his brother, who could blame them? It was up to him, but would a kiss from a brother be enough to break that part of the spell? Only one way to find out.

Flam rushed over and kissed Flim.

Now, he waited. Would this kiss stop the progress of the stone transformation? Even if he succeeded, how could Flim be rescued from the stone already formed on his body? All the mustached twin could do now is sit, wait, and hope for a miracle.

[SteelEagle]

Twilight had lost any ounce of honest commercial sympathy for the brothers as Flam seemed to hesitate, sealing their reputation in her eyes as tweedle dee and tweedle dumber and a pair or rapscallions to boot. The kiss eventually took place against Flame's earnest desire and an uneasy air settled over the room as they observed the reaction by the spell. Indeed, it worked as predicted, the growth of stone on the unicorn halting immediately. Good, he had somehow managed to make it correctly and not make it immune to certain counters. Knowing their luck she had doubted the kiss would work but even a broken clock was right twice a day- and this was the second time that day.

"Good. The transformation shouldn't continue. Now as for the rest of him..." She sighed, "I don't know the correct spell for this situation. Celestia, you can do this, right?" Twilight offered with excitement, happy to see powerful spells in action. She turned her attention to subjects that weren't as vexing as the brothers, nodding and smiling with Lore Weaver.

"Sounds great, Lore Weaver. You're always welcome in my library. Enjoy the Gala!"

With all the commotion, Twilight had not heard the great thumping of Calliope and her instrument. Twilight saw that the mre, while not in distress, probably wasn't in the best situation.

"Need a helping hoof? Where are you trying to go? I could swear we had already placed all musical instruments where they needed to be beforehoof..."

[Hippo]

Luna was relieved. Embaressing, but necessarily. If there was anything sure about the mysterious persona that was Princess Luna that anypony could know about, it was her body clock, always rising and sleeping at the same times. Always eating the same portions at the same time of day. And always using the little fillies room when it was absolutely necessary. She fluttered back into her spot beside the other princesses with a bounce in her back legs that wasn't there before. "Did I miss anything?" She smiled briefly and innocently before seeing the rocky pony sculpture before her. "What caused this to transpire?"

​

[Paaaad]

With all the commotion, Twilight had not heard the great thumping of Calliope and her instrument. Twilight saw that the mare, while not in distress, probably wasn't in the best situation.

"Need a helping hoof? Where are you trying to go? I could swear we had already placed all musical instruments where they needed to be beforehoof..."

Calliope started, having been focused on the brothers. "Prin- Princess! Was I supposed to call ahead? Uh... I was actually going to ask you where I should set myself up."

As Princess Luna entered the room she dropped into a deep bow for several seconds before returning to her upright stance.

[starswirlthebearded]

The commotion that was surrounding the throne room wasn't going to deter Princess Celestia from greeting anypony whom approached her. A young sandcat griffon seemed undeterred by the scene that the Flim Flam brothers had caused and approached Princess Celestia.

He extended a wing and then folded it over his chest and gave a deep bow, keeping his head low, "Fair winds to you Princess Celestia. I am Razor, and it is a most high honor to be in your presence."

Celestia noticed the rather formal bow,, and returned it with grace. "Greetings and welcome Razor to the Grand Galloping Gala. Please enjoy yourself while here." Celestia said with a smile.

While she was greeting the griffon apparently Flam had kissed Flim to cease the transformation to stone. Unfortunately because it wasn't from somepony whom held romantic feelings for the victim the kiss merely stopped the transformation to stone rather than fully releasing him.

"Good. The transformation shouldn't continue. Now as for the rest of him..." She sighed, "I don't know the correct spell for this situation. Celestia, you can do this, right?" Twilight offered with excitement, happy to see powerful spells in action. She turned her attention to subjects that weren't as vexing as the brothers, nodding and smiling with Lore Weaver.

"Did I miss anything?" She smiled briefly and innocently before seeing the rocky pony sculpture before her. "What caused this to transpire?"

It was true that Celestia knew the spell and it looked like she had no choice but to cast it. "I can indeed Twilight." Celestia said.

Right before she started to cast the spell, her sister, Luna came in. "Only an ill conceived attempt to give us a love potion, my sister." Celestia answered her sister's query very directly and very plainly, as she was preparing to correct the situation.

She began to concentrate and her horn began to glow. "Now please remain calm Flim." A bolt of light shot from her horn at Flim, and his body began to glow as the stone started to crack. A few seconds later the stone around Flim shattered and Flim was released from his stone prison.

Once the spell was through she looked at Flim and Flam sternly. "I do hope you two have learned something from this ordeal. Attempts at forcing the hearts of others never turn out well. I believe the two of you have some serious introspection to do." Celestia was rarely harsh towards any pony, but when their actions hurt another pony or caused trouble because of ill will, she knew it was time to put her hoof down.

Celestia took a deep breath before addressing Calliope.

Calliope started, having been focused on the brothers. "Prin- Princess! Was I supposed to call ahead? Uh... I was actually going to ask you where I should set myself up."

"Musicians that were planning to perform during the Gala made arrangements several weeks earlier. However I'm sure we can arrange something for you on short notice." Celestia wasn't going to turn away anypony who wanted to show off their special talent for the enjoyment of others, especially one dedicated enough to carry a heavy instrument all that way and up stairs to the throne room.

[Lux]

With the issue between the two brothers resolved with a kiss and a little humility, Lore was happy to see that the Princesses' greeting wasn't ruined. After all it was just as much their night as it was everypony else's night.

"Thank you," Lore said to Twilight sparkle with a little, "Hope you enjoy it too as well as you Princess Celestia."

The unicorn stallion made a final bow and was about to leave when he spotted Princess Luna entering in.

"Good Evening Princess Luna," Lore Weaver said with a bow not wanting to miss the Princess's appearance, "I am Lore Weaver of Ponyville. It is an honor to meet you as well."

[SteelEagle]

Twilight loved musicians. They saw in the sweet and hypnotic notes what she saw in the unseen aura that pervaded the atmosphere around a spell or a horn. A world of possibilities and enchantment existed in both magic and music and they intertwined more than any pair of subjects Twilight had ever studied. Who was she to deny the desire of a musician if she was going to do as much as she did for as long as she did to get this far? It took years if training, just as it did with Twilight in her maical studies, to become even base competent at the art of music. And to drag it all the way here- no, this mare was given all the help she could have asked for if not much more.

Twilight held up a hoof in denial, shaking it lightly as she smiled broadly.

"No, it's perfectly fine for you to get set-up now. You may not have as much time as others and we ma need to find you some fair space since all the formal locations are booked, but anypony who is willing to carry such a piece around won't be turned away. Well, by myself, anyway," She looked around, spotting the object of her hastily assembled search. A tall unicorn guard nearby caught the gaze and dutifully trotted forward.

"Could you help her move this? I am thinking the Garden would be a good place. It might not seem the best spot, but since this produces steam that would actually be the safest for everypony. Plus, it's the only space we have!" Twilight offered, looking it over with a chuckle.

"Can't say I've ever seen this intrument before. Some sort of specialist organ?"

[Hippo]

Celestia informed Luna of Flim and Flam's attempt to trick her with a love potion. "Oh. You mean a love poison." Luna nodded in disappointment. For, she knew exactly what was detailed in an elixir that intoxicated a pony's mood in love for the one's around you, especially the very next ones you see.

Luna acknowledged Calliope and Lore Weaver's reverence. "Greetings to you. And to you, Lore Weaver of Ponyville, hello. Are you having a good time at the Gala?"

​

[Mojo]

As the stone casing around Flim started to crack, Flam leapt up excitedly, using his hooves to help remove the excess stone from his weary brother. After the brothers shared a hug of relief, they turned to hear Princess Celestia's words. Instinctively, the straw hat wearing stallions bowed humbly before her.

"We are sorry for our folly, and we apologize by golly," Flim said.

"And we thank you most sincerely, saving Flim from a fate most dreary," added Flam.

"We both thank you with all our heart!"

"Brother, I think we should depart!"

"But maybe now I can catch her eye.."

"No I think it's time to say GOOD-BYE!!" Flam sang, getting up as the mustached unicorn stallion started shoving his brother away from the royals and towards the door. During Flim's skidding on the floor, the two bumped into the smoking hull of the firecracker rocket that had flown into the room.

"Egad Flam! Look at this!" Flim neighed, picking it up. "Crude design, but with a little more work,"

"I hear ya, Flim! We need to find the pony that created this flying masterpiece. Perhaps the three of us could collaborate on creating a new line of fireworks!"

"Brilliant suggestion, dear brother! Maybe this night won't be a total loss!"

"And just think of all those sweet, sweet profits we will make! Let the search begin!"

"Mayhaps we'll find some clues that will lead us to the rocket's inventor! No time to waste!"

Neighing happily, Flim and Flam galloped out of the throne room to begin their quest.

(Exit Flim and Flam)

[SunsetSombra]

Spike found his way to the throne room at last - he'd finally decided to come see how things were going up in the throne room...and the rather numerous amounts of ponies and other critters around the area almost threw the l'il dragon through a loop - he knew he should have expected large numbers, sure, but for such a l'il dragon as himself it was kinda intimidating to have to make his way through.

" 'scuse me, comin' through....hey, WATCH the tail! " the dragon utters as he manages to make his way through the crowded room, all the while bearing in mind to keep eyes out for Twilight and co - it wasn't hard to look for her though, since she was up there with Celestia an' Luna somewhere nearby...all the baby dragon needed to do was to continue his strugglin' and battling through the pony crowd in order to get from A to B. Still, it was no easy task, and Spike found himself being jostled and nearly stepped on by those whom may not notice his passing by - all the while, keeping a tight clutch on what remained of the bag of gems he'd received from his friend QuickLime back in Ponyville.

He manages to make his way towards where Twilight and co were currently located - he raised a claw and called out to the mares.. " HEY, Twi, figured I'd come see you in here....and, uh, hi to you too, Princesses! "

Truth be told, he wasn't really sure why he figured that coming into the throne room was a good idea, but he figured that it was better than bein' bored outside where he'd been talkin' to random ponies all night.

[Paaaad]

"Musicians that were planning to perform during the Gala made arrangements several weeks earlier. However I'm sure we can arrange something for you on short notice." Celestia wasn't going to turn away anypony who wanted to show off their special talent for the enjoyment of others, especially one dedicated enough to carry a heavy instrument all that way and up stairs to the throne room.

Twilight held up a hoof in denial, shaking it lightly as she smiled broadly.

"No, it's perfectly fine for you to get set-up now. You may not have as much time as others and we may need to find you some fair space since all the formal locations are booked, but anypony who is willing to carry such a piece around won't be turned away. Well, by myself, anyway," She looked around, spotting the object of her hastily assembled search. A tall unicorn guard nearby caught the gaze and dutifully trotted forward.

Calliope shrugged. "Oops... Uh... Well, at least I know for next year... Name's Calliope by the way. Calliope Steammusic."

"Could you help her move this? I am thinking the Garden would be a good place. It might not seem the best spot, but since this produces steam that would actually be the safest for everypony. Plus, it's the only space we have!"

"That should work. Thanks!"

Twilight offered, looking it over with a chuckle.

"Can't say I've ever seen this instrument before. Some sort of specialist organ?"

Calliope grunted, picking her instrument up off the floor. "It's a Calliope actually. Organs have pipes, this has whistles. It's like the difference between a brass instrument and a woodwind." She panted, then continued. "Not entirely surprising you haven't seen one before though. As far as I know, all the others currently in existence are in my basement."

[Lux]

"Oh yes, Princess Luna, I am definitely having a good time at the Gala. Although I still have some hings to still do here this is turning out to be the best night ever! I hope that you enjoy the gala too."

With that Lore Weaver, realizing that he still wanted to see what food there was and some dancing, the stallion gave a final courtesy bow to the three Princesses in attendance and made his exit, the thoughts of having fun leaving a smile on his face.

Exit Lore Weaver. Thanks for the fun!

[SteelEagle]

Twilight enjoyed that this Calliope wasn't just a musician, but an inventor of instruments. That spoke to a skill and dedication that was rare and beautiful, and was just what the gala was looking for. She may have been late but twilight was happy to add somepony like her to the festivities.

"You invented it yourself? That's amazing! It's rare that you see somepony creating instruments nowadays. I can't wait to visit the garden and see how it goes! Welcome to the Gala, Calliope Steanmusic, and good luck with your...Calliope!" Twilight finished, shaking the musician's hoof in between a break as she moved her instrument. She then nodded towards the huge unicorn nod, who bowed and went to aid Calliope in setting up. As Twilight finished up with Calliope, and indeed her role in greeting ponies as Luna had arrives, Spike arrived.

She was a little shocked to see him at the Gala. He had worked so hard for so long ever since she had become Princess that tonight of all night she expected him to take a breather and maybe relax, allow himself the time to do as he willed if only for a few hours before he devoutly threw himself back into her service. For all of that she was happy to see him, her number one assistance, number one confidante, and great friend. Plus it didn't hurt that her hoof was hurting from greeting all these ponies! Except, well, it did hurt. But she understood what she meant.

"Spike! I'm surprised to see you here. I thought you would have taken the night off, but I'm happy you came!" Twilight said excitedly, trotting up to her dragon and beaming.

"Anything to report, Number One Assistant?"

[starswirlthebearded]

He manages to make his way towards where Twilight and co were currently located - he raised a claw and called out to the mares.. " HEY, Twi, figured I'd come see you in here....and, uh, hi to you too, Princesses! "

Celestia smiled as Twilight Sparkle's oldest and possibly most loyal friend made his entrance. Naturally heading straight to Twilight and greeting her, with Celestia and Luna being after thoughts. "Greetings Spike." Celestia said warmly. "I trust you have been keeping my faithful student out of any trouble?" Celestia said in a joking, inquisitive tone. She knew that Spike and Twilight were always there for each other, and though problems rarely arose, they helped each other out without question or second thought.

Calliope shrugged. "Oops... Uh... Well, at least I know for next year... Name's Calliope by the way. Calliope Steammusic."

"Hello and welcome to the Grand Galloping Gala Calliope. Please enjoy yourself" Celestia smiled. "And worry not about the musical arrangements. We normally don't publicize those details, as it would create scheduling conflicts and too many acts, so it was natural for you not to know. However I do look forward to hearing you play." Celestia replied to Calliope's slight confusion on the situation.

Calliope grunted, picking her instrument up off the floor. "It's a Calliope actually. Organs have pipes, this has whistles. It's like the difference between a brass instrument and a woodwind." She panted, then continued. "Not entirely surprising you haven't seen one before though. As far as I know, all the others currently in existence are in my basement."

"If that is the case, then I look forward greatly to hearing you play it." Celestia said excitedly. It was rare to hear something new. Celestia figured that she would have heard something similar to it, but not what that is. For a pony who has lived a thousand years, it was a great rarity to hear something new. Celestia was greatly looking forward to the new experience,