MudBug

Wait. So she had to stand here and be all quiet and stuff? Lame. Completely and utterly lame. As Rarity looked at her though, Rainbow strained to say 'no' and just forced the biggest 'I'll try my best' smile before the pristine coated unicorn vanished to the other well groomed pony in the store.

She couldn't understand the need to endlessly being so styled, she had a speedy lifestyle and her hair was suited to that lifestyle, plus it just looked -awesome-.

But now with nothing to do she just tried to show some sort of interest in what exactly was going on in the boutique today.

The excitability of the two fashion ponies struck her as a bit odd, mostly because...well...it was obvious Rainbow wasn't a fashionable pony (even if she thought the design for her old outfit was AWESOME) and she just had to stand there and stare in faint confusion as to what everything meant.

And then the stallion said something that confused the chromatic maned mare even more.

"Avant-garde?" She asked out loud before looking to Rarity. "Is that some kind of weird fabric?"

For a few moments, Twinkle was beggining to worry that her advert had not found any fruitful takers and her head hung dejectedly until a distant *THUNK* caught her attention. It was subtle, but one of her ears swivelled in the direction, making her, ofcourse, turn her head in the same way before she noticed a rather bag addled pony coming in the direction of the woods.

Could she be....? She had to be! Not a lot of ponies came out here at this time of night, she would know! She practically stayed up all night!

Tail twitching away happily she flapped her leathery wings and took off in the direction of the figure, slowly however, she didn't want to startle the other by just suddenly poking out of nowhere!

Swooping happily over the grass she let her hooves gently touch the blades of grass that tickled them briefly before stopping a good ten feet from the other mare now that she was close enough to make out some of those important features atleast.

Hovering above the ground she waved a hoof eagerly.

"Hello there! Are you here for the Help Wanted sign I left in Ponyville?" She asked eagerly. Pink eyes blinking away as she watched on, hoping soooooooooo much that this pony was here for that reason!

Needless to say, Starlight was just a little relieved to have miss Tea Cozy come out of nowhere and have them stay inside where they were supposed to - not because it ruined the others fun - but it meaned they wouldn't get in trouble with their families later and besides, they could have a lot of fun here instead!

Watching as Sweetie Belle dished out the fake horns and wings for some of them, he couldn't help but giggle ever so slightly in the faintest amusement before he managed to make himself a little paper tabard befitting a little fake-page. Well, it may have been a -little- big. But it did the job none the less and he snickered slightly at Apple Bloom before dipping into a bow on one hoof.

"It's a great honor! Most noble and majestic Princessess...ses..." That was right wasn't it? He'd stumbled a bit over his last word but it was moreso right. He was sure of it....possibly.

Tea Cozy had grown with a sixth sense on foals so when she saw several of them slowly starting to go missing from the table Sunrise and her friends had been, it'd been natural for her to go investigate and, ofcourse, put a dent in their plans. But she felt a little guilty for ruining their ideas so prepared some tulip and sugar cane tea with some miniature rasberry and banana battenburg.

Perfect for a tiny tea party. All of this after taking care of all the other foals ofcourse.

All the smaller ones were all asleep in their cribs and the others were preoccupying themselves with their own games and play time. It was enough to cause the less than prepared ponies stress over how many foals there were in one sitting.

Tea Cozy however, was often or not always prepared.

Moving over, swollen as ever she rested the tea tray down on their table and chuckled softly at their playful banter.

"I hope these treats and drinks are good enough for our royal Princesses for the evening." She said with a soft smile.

Something put off the Princess greatly, it could be told in the great monarch's body language and stance as the tiny fuzzy beast as legs sprouted from its body and it chittered despite its sweet and small size and looks, it disturbed her on a great level. Why she couldn't figure out.

But it did.

Looking at this tiny creature brought back horrible feelings of dread and the sun princess actually found herself taking a few steps back to spread the distance between her and it, whilst still keeping an eye on her sister. Infact she spread out one of her wings as if to usher Luna back aswell.

Whatever that little thing was. Whatever it did. She didn't want Luna exposed to it and that was as simple as that.

"Doctor, as curious as you are, I think we should vacate...quickly." There was a deep sense of urgency to her voice, almost a pleading.

It made her guard's anxious as they stepped forward and took their stances infront of their charges, a slightly irate snort escaping their nostrils.

Blinking where she was upside down till she was sorted out, the rainbow haired filly shook the senses back into her head and made sure nothing was damaged. A bruise here. A bruise there. But nothing a good night's sleep wouldn't cure or a trip to nurse Redheart and she finally looked to Rarity, still trying that winning smile, if a bit tenuos and downtrodded as she was being told off, scuffing a hoof against the ground as her bottom jaw jutted out in the faintest of pouts.

Following after the unicorn as she ranted, the sky blue pegasus fluttered after her as was her rason detre and tried to butt in at some point, only finding herself cut off.

"Rarity I said I was sorry for the roof last time and I'm sorry now! A bird got me off my flight pattern, it's not like I MEANT to crash into here!" Trailing off slightly she gave a small, nervous chuckle. "...Heh, y'know, not like last time, b-but I said sorry for that too!"

Blinking at the bell ringing again, she glanced at the door and tilted her head at the navy colored pony with the really big hair. Wasn't he the guy at both Rarity's fashion shows? As soon as she heard that thick, snobby accent, she deffinately knew and couldn't help but smile at her unicorn friend. Maybe this would make her forget about the incident.

I adore your art it's so smooth and simply beautiful to look at.

The young pegasi was hoping that her paper had been noticed on the notice board of Ponyville, she'd done it very nice and neatly...well as neatly as one can when writing with your mouth. It had read simply -

Help Wanted

Somepony to help with the constellation data and star count for the evening, aswell as nocturnal animal care.

A good nap during the day and a packed lunch is advised, but food will be provided.

Report to Meadow's Edge, Whitetail Woods at Sundown on the dot.

Note - Please do not apply, if you have a phobia of Nocturnal Animals (i.e. - Bats )

Twinkle had gotten everything ready, worms, fruit, scarves, hats and all the snacks for anybody that would have bothered to read her written plea. It's not like she didn't enjoy doing things on her own...it's just it got a little boring and nowadays it was very hard to count ALL the stars and keep track of all the constellation measurements whilst still having time to make sure everything was in order with the bats and the fire flies and the owls.

ASWELL as the night weather. Night weather was the hardest to keep track off when most pegasi slept during the night and she slept during the day, so was often bright and peppy for the events.

Oh well. She'd hopefully have someone come around this evening. Sat out at the edge of the meadow where the grass met the woods, she smiled and waited patiently for...well...anyone. Wings tucked gently to her sides.

Whilst Rarity was working on her craft, the 'world's finest flyer' was perfecting hers whilst at the same time trying to clean up the sky, today's forecast was sunny and clear so she had to deal with that seeing as most of the other pegasi were working on the other parts of the Ponyville territory.

But it was SO boring! Just moving clouds.

So she'd chosen to do it in a much more interesting manner, by performing great loops and rolls within the air and barrelling through the clouds like a speeding bullet that ripped through the air currents and caused great screeches as her wings sliced against the wind. She was in her comfort zone, her element and she felt in complete control of herself...well...up until the bird.

Yeah, so content as she was, she'd forgotten birds also inhabited this airway and the minor weight pushing against the side of her belly caused her to spiral and fall suddenly until towards the ground, pulling up before she ended up causing a mess of the ponies beneath. But in doing so, had made her aim rather strong and true as she ended up shooting herself across the square and the streets and towards one of her friends door.

Oh this was going to sting.

Her hooves connected with the front door and it swung open with the ringing of the bell it often had when visitors came to call, now it jostled and swung violently with its knell as the rainbow haired mare streaked into the store and ended up crashing into some of the distant models that were stacked by the wall, along with a few rolls of fabric now wrapped arounmd her in an odd show. Only when the world stopped rolling and she could see clearly, could she see that she was upside down and caught up in the grasp of the mannequins and taffita.

This was not good...glancing towards the machine where Rarity was sat, she tried her best winning smile.

"Hehe...hi Rarity, thought I'd uhh....drop in?"

The princess watched as her sister made her way to the table where she'd laid out the books, hiding the worry and concern behind a reassuring smile that had become plastered over her muzzle since Luna's confession and hadn't left since. She wanted Luna to feel happy and calm during this, if she stressed herself, she wouldn't want to learn anything.

And that wasn't on the solar princess's agenda one bit.

Making her way over with her sister, she raised a hoof to gently brush some of her multi colored, wispy hair back out of her face so she might see with both eyes instead of just one like most of the time. Honestly it was much easier when she was younger and this uncouth mane of hers was shorter.

That done, her eyes wandered over the books infront of her with a try at enthusiasm, she liked to learn, yes, but these books were so old and dusty it'd almost become a monotony to look at them sometimes. But it was for her sister.

And she loved her sister dearly.

"So, we have the recent history and such to look over, the new alliances and all that." Looking to Luna she offered a smile. "But it's a younger book so none of those boring large words that pony's have to twist their tongues to speak."

Oooo I love it, I can't wait to see where you go with this.

Watching Pinkie's overactive self, Rainbow couldn't help but smirk ever so slightly before nodding to her pink pal's suggestion before soon soaring down to ground level so she could follow the earth pony. Offering a small nod towards the other two pegasi as she briefly let her footfalls land on solid ground.

Very interesting! I'd love to see where you go with this.

The princess. The monarch of the sun, ignored the looks of her subjects as she quenched her thirst with the smooth tasting liquer. But she did catch the kiss on her sister's cheek and that made her arch a brow curiously. Oh the reaction there would be quite a thing to see, but she hid her smile as best she could as the good Doctor introduced his friend who approached.

Something in the female's stride made Celestia smiled before the fireworks began.

Blinking in faint surprise at the odd show, she just stared for a moment, maybe two or three before a smile came across her muzzle and she chuckled in good natured humor.

"Well, it's an honor to have such an interesting unicorn here at the Gala, miss 'Lovely and Powerful' Trixie."

Blinking as he pulled himself closer and rested his chin atop her head, there was a soft smile on her face, she felt rather giddy for no reason at all and yet...it made sense in her head to feel giddy as a soft chuckle escaped her and she looked up at him. The music slowly dieing as the crowd clopped in appreciation, along with MudBug and then the filly's attention was brought back to her dance partner.

"Great song." She said with a small smile and a blush on her cheeks, unsure what to do now with the music dwindled and nothing else to go on as the band took a well earned break and the dancing couples took to the sidelines for refreshments and a rest themselves.

An opportunity.

Smiling brightly to herself she looked back to Bramble and tilted her head slightly.

"Wanna head out and see the garden? I need my hooves set on some nice soft dirt."

Having her ear nosed made it wiggle slightly, giggling ever so faintly at the ticklish feeling that now pestered it before she looked back to him. Noticing that goofy smile yet again....was he okay? Blinking with faint concern as she watched him slightly falter in his steps before returning the motions of the dance, something niggled at the back of MudBug's head, like something wasn't right.

Or paticularly even.

But that went away when he said that he felt comfortable with her and that, in itself, made her smile just a little as she snuggled him once more and listened to possibly the corniest thing she'd ever heard in her entire life.

It made her...well...it made her blink a little.

Peering at him through her mask and smiling impishly to stop herself from giggling before she finally did and playfully nudged his cheek with her nose.

"That was a little cheesy." She replied good naturedly and rested her chin on his shoulder yet again. "But I gotta say, you look really handsome tonight...really dark and myserious."

Watching the pink pony trotting out, the mint colored unicorn couldn't help but smile ever so slightly at the bouncy filly. That'd gone much better than she'd anticipated and as she walked out she'd, yet again, get a rather large shock as her eyes rested on no one but the Mayor of Ponyville herself.

Blinking in faint surprise, she let it pass quick enough. It was a shock to get the Mayor here, but then again, she was one of the finest smiler's in the town and it tickled her to get her in her office.

"Miss Mayor, it's a pleasure to see you! What can I do for you?"

Her mind already began to tick off the possibilities and the method's that would have to be taken just incase it was that particular dental care.

Watching the girls move off, she shared a faintly worried look with Sweetie Belle, they could get into a lot of trouble and as much as he liked the girls. They were his friends, how could he possibly dislike them! He was scared for their tooshies if their family members found out they'd snuck off and he rested his chin on the table surface for a moment or two as he watched Sunrise and Scootaloo sneak off.

Moving over to Sweetie's side he looked at her briefly before looking over to the potted ferns.

"You think miss Tea Cozy will be mad at us?"

Starlight had managed to nab himself a piece of carrot cake before joining Sunrise outside, as much as Champ annoyed him at times, he had to admit that he did look really banged up. Sat down beside his new friend, he rested the cake in his tiny hooves and ate it quite contently as his muzzle covered with a thin layer of cream and chunks of finely minced sweetened carrot.

Not joining in the conversation just yet, but mentally preparing himself for his turn when it came to speak for show and tell.

The blue colt was...in a less than chipper mood.

Sat outside by the tree, he hadn't expected anyone to come out and meet him in the slightest bit. Mostly because he didn't want company right now with himself in utter shambles...and mostly because it just ached to move so socialising would be just a little hard at the moment.

But never the less, when Sunrise and Starlight came waltzing over, he could barely contain his wince as he stared at the two under a furrowed brow.

At the question, he snorted and then gestured to his bandaged hooves.

"Oh I'm -dandy-, don't I look dandy?" He sneered before trying to sit up, limbs shaking before he winced and sat up, peering at the two as his ears fell back. The voices of his father and miss Cheerilee kept ringing through his head as he looked over his wounds, jutting out his bottom jaw in thought.

However when Sweetie Belle came along, he blinked at what she brought with her.

She brought food. Food for him. Blinking curiously as it was set down, he watched the pale unicorn for a moment and then tilted his head. Why was she so nice?

"Uhh...nah it doesn't hurt that bad...'m not a baby y'know." Peering at Sweetie Belle with faintly narrowed eyes. He didn't like to be babied and if that was the case....well...he didn't like it. But the anger in his voice had become reasonably restrained.

Smiling somewhat thankfully for him atleast having confidence in this, she leant forward and gently took the rose from his mouth and held it delicately in hers as the dance began. Okay. Okay she could do this.

Doing as he said, she slowly got into the rythm and smile, she was -actually- doing this, never in her entire life would she have thought she'd actually be able to do this and she was. Well how did you like that? She didn't even mind how close he was now and was all too content to dance with him and not make a total horse apple of herself.

When he leant forward however, she had to hold her breath. Wow...heh, she never noticed how nice this felt. Actually being near someone...made her feel funny, like there were bubbles in her stomache. Probably indigestion and yet...his whispers made her blush just a bit as she listened to that soft voice of his...

Ofcourse his words threw it out of the window by the end.

But it was still nice.

Pulling back her head briefly to offer him a slightly unsure smirk and an arched brow, she rolled her eyes playfuly and brushed her cheek against his as she whispered back. Ignoring most of what was going on around them.

"I think being a filly, part of me should've technically been offended by that," She teased playfully before unconciously resting her chin on his shoulder with a soft, contented sigh. "But I'm too happy right now to mess up your hair."

Smiling softly at her nervous little sister, she glanced over the gown she wore and couldn't help but find herself beaming just a tad more, she looked lovely. Like a princess should do, she was highly regretting not wearing her own gown that the poor tailors had painstakingly put together. But her wings needed to breath.

However, any words that tried to come out were extinguished when the doors slammed open much to the surprise of the solar princess who raised her head and watched the wobbly earth pony slide forward with glasses in hoof.

It was him again!

Blinking at Dr Whooves for a moment or so and at the lovely unicorn filly who'd followed in after him, whom she assumed was a relation or his date for the evening, she watched the interaction between him and her sister. Smiling ever so gently as Luna's night was praised. She hadn't made it...but the praise would've done well for the other to hear.

And then the drinks.

Oh the drinks.

Floating hers to her mouth, she sipped it and sighed in relief as her parched throat was quenched by the blend of flavours that it'd been aching for. The earth pony certainly did bring with him a wild variety of fun.

"Have you been enjoying yourself, Dr?" She asked before smirking. "What am I saying? It looks like you've been enjoying yourself."

Letting out a soft giggle as she was 'dipped' she listened to him as he spoke and looked so confident and proud of himself as he cut a rug and, even if it embarassed her, dashing in the way he did so. Catching herself before she stared at him too long before he pulled away and did his hat trick and she playfully tried to look aloof and uncaring, despite the smile that plucked at the corner of her mouth before the dance continued on its merry way.

Rolling her eyes playfully she met his steps with hers and smiled.

"My mom got a ticket but she couldn't come with her being pregnant, so naturally she gave it to me."

The music wad drawing to a slow close with the tempo, to her slight disapointment as she looked to him and smirked amusedly at the rose in his mouth.

"Although I'm kinda glad now that I came."

Once the music stopped, the band was given a round of applause. MudBug glancing to them eagerly to see which music would come on next, but she had to freeze in her hooves as the tune this time was...much slower and much softer than the previous.

Uhm...

Okay. How did you dance to this one? Glancing at the other ponies that had began to dance, her face went slightly red. That was awful close. Awfully really close. Looking to Bramble, she went even -rosier- and cleared her throat.

"Uhhhm...do you happen to know the moves to this dance?" She was really hoping he didn't.

Even if his aunty hadn't gone to the Gala, she'd suggested he go around to Tea Cozy's and help with the Gala babysitting. Seeing as miss Cozy was really getting close to having her little baby soon. So Starlight was currently going around, a tray atop his large head as he 'waited' the activity tables with sippy cups of milk and dishes of cookies for those that were still awake.

He was happy to help out, especially since some of his school buddies were here aswell and seeing the girls cloistered around a table, he slide another tray onto his head and shuffled over with a big smile on his face as he did. Only hearing part of the conversation as he blinked and settled the tray on the table as he poked his head up next to Sunrise. Large purple eyes blinking curiously.

"Are you guys talking about sneaking off to the Gala?" The little colt flopping his large ears atop his head as he blinked softly at the three fillies, chewing his bottom lip gently.

"What if you get in trouble?"

By this point, Dash must've been beaming with pride as she focused on Scoot's technique, she was getting better every time they met up and the pegasi could see a mini her practically growing in the little filly.

So ofcourse another voice out of nowhere caught her offguard, the cyan mare blinking before she halted herself in mid air and searched out the source of the voice. The familiarity softening her features as she found the yellow and pink form of her childhood friend and smiled towards the other.

"Hey, Fluttershy." The rainbow haired speedster started with a smile still placed upon her features. It only grew in its intensity as the other pointed out her good deed and her wings propped up like a proud peacock.

"Yeah, Scoots here is REALLY comin' along, she'll be tearing through the sky before y'can say butterscotch!"

This dance was interesting, not that she'd ever really danced before, but there was a certain passion to it that made her smile border on a light hearted chuckle whenever she advanced on him and then slowly retreated. It was like a game of chasing the waves at the beach, just, not.

His attempt at a joke made her snicker before playfully nudging his cheek whilst they danced and kept up the rythm whilst she continued her innocent banter.

"So how'd you get a ticket for the Gala? If you mind me asking?" Looking genuinely curious about him as at one point, she twirled and then faced him yet again eagerly awaiting his answer.