[Sponsored] The Grand Ballroom

[Blueblood]

Even after waiting for the entire Gala for the other hoof to drop, Bluebelle was still surprised by why, where, and when it did.  Not because of Auntie Celestia's misguided sense of fun.  Not through her own well-intended efforts to get Auntie Luna to be more social.  Not even through the storm of flirtations and explanations her gender-swapped self had miraculously breezed through without incident.  No, this was simple, genuine drama, of the sort that the Princess knew a little too well.  However, from the sound of it, her own history of farce was repeating itself as tragedy...

"Oh, no..."  She groaned sympathetically, looking over to the scene between Limi and Mei.  "Sigrun had been telling me about her son and this Qilin before the festivities started."  She spoke in a low tone to Star Crusader as they glided across the floor, adjusting tempo to Dissy's new beat.  The unicorn spoke with the peculiar sorrow of a mare in love, seeing the happiness she herself enjoyed drop away from another.  "We both had high hopes... it would have been such a strong symbol of Whitescar's future..."  She shook her head.  "The bull will have to work out his own problem, though.  Hopefully Sigrun can help him pick up the pieces..."

 

Bluebelle sighed, closing her eyes as she leaned in towards her dancing partner, resting her head.  It would probably work out.  Eventually.  Not like anyone would predict, either, judging from her own experience.  But here she was, dancing with the mare she hadn't even dared to dream about.  As a mare, too, and Prince Blueblood would have laughed in your face if you had told him that five years ago.

 

Speaking of... she gave a quick peek in Valen's direction, but it seemed that the griffon she had met earlier was asking for a dance.  Well!  Hopefully they would accept; it would be a real shame to spend the evening in the ballroom without hitting the floor at least once!  The Princess could always signal another server, which she did, requesting some coffee.  After all, there was a finale planned, and it would help her stay awake.  Among other things...

[Bellosh]

 

Although this confrontation was inevitable, Lími now regretted daring to reveal his heritage so soon. If only the caribou had picked a more opportune moment, then perhaps it'd been less likely that he would've been on the receiving end of a dragon's wrath. Maybe Mei should have been taught to see caribou in a more favorable light over a period of time. Virtually everything other than what the bull did would have been a better course of action to take.

 

The fact that the broken couple were surrounded by bystanders made the argument all the more painful. It was bad enough for Lími to be around unfamiliar individuals, but for them to see the caribou at the exact moment of ultimate disgrace? This must be how it actually felt when Jarl Sigrun she lost a bout to the underdog dragon Craven, or when she couldn't prevent her clan from being struck down by the Plague. Not only would Lími have to live with the shame of deceit, but there would always be others who would remind him of it.

 

Reindeer did exist as a matter of fact; the descendants of those caribou clans that chose not to migrate to Whitescar in the Time before History. Electing to remain in the northern tundra of the Equestrian continent, reindeer lacked the specific "physical adaptations" necessary to thrive in viking lands, but were otherwise similar to caribou in most biological respects.

 

However, Lími currently lacked the ability to explain all that... or just about anything else. For the good part of Mei's hysterics, the young bull only offered random, disconnected fragments of incoherent words as his defense. Not even Lími's last encounter with the Red Jarl tormented him so. Every time the son of Sigrun tried to speak, Mei's incessant yelling made him forget anything he attempted to say.

 

Finally, a break came in which Lími actually had a chance to render a coherent apology; at least, that was the goal. "I-I-I didn't mean to hurt you, Mei!" he pleaded as if his very life counted on the mare's mercy; "I may be a caribou, but it changes not who I am in my heart! I'd... I would never bring harm upon you!"

With watery eyes, Lími made a last feeble attempt to reach Mei's hoof; "You must believe me!!!"

[Zeig]

 

 

More and more ponies were beginning to stop their dances and look her way, and Mei vaguely wished she could simply curl into a ball and slip between the cracks of the floor.

 

If there had been any cracks. The pristine features of said floor only drove the location of this horrible revelation further into the Qilin's mind, rendering every conscious thought into righteous indignation and raw fury.

 

Because what had the Caribou intended, if not to hurt and humiliate her? Probably with an entire raiding party of Caribou hiding out in the shadows and snickering over her surprise and fear. And here, this evening, in this royal palace that she had spent many afternoons gazing at from the faraway cliffs of Garden Gait, imagining and wondering and fantasizing about her first traipse into the finery and opulence of Canterlot. Here, at the Grand Galloping Gala, where ponies from around the world were witnessing her meltdown over an honorless Caribou that had been content to lead her about the dance floor, blithe and unconcerned, and now had the gall to stare at her with watering eyes that begged forgiveness, and curse him anyways for the tug in her heart that was drawing her gaze towards those shimmering green eyes in the first place, she would not be led on any longer and why was he reaching for her.

 

"Don't touch me!" Mei cried out, wrenching both her hooves away from the Caribou's own to clutch them protectively to her own chest, once again endangering a pair of Unicorns she nearly crashed into. Her eyes, blown wide and wild, remained fixed in front of her however, because all it would take was one, single moment of ill-concentration, and then he could strike with hardly a second thought. "I don't believe you," the Qilin hissed, to leave no doubt in the Caribou's mind, "I don't, and why should I? You've no honor, you're a liar and - and ugh! Just, get away from me!" she shrieked, voice having now reached a fever pitch that undoubtedly carried as far as the commotion from the lounge had just a moment earlier.

 

...Had it been only a moment earlier? Why did that feel like so long ago, almost a life removed from her current one?

 

Moment or not, she wasn't going to trust the Caribou to listen to her words, because when did they do anything but fulfill their own wants and wishes, anyways? With a gasping inhale that was more sob than breath, Mei flung herself around and away from the disaster, away from the being that had ruined everything, completely ignorant of the ponies she pushed past as she fled the ballroom at a full gallop. Somewhere quiet, she needed someplace dark and secluded to calm herself, to regain her composure.

 

Like a true Empress.

 

"Don't cry," Mei's thoughts whispered viciously to her, even while her face began scrunching up as the first began to fall, "don't cry. An Empress never cries where others can hear." 

 

[[ Exit ]]

 

[Ciraxis]

Swift Squall kept his promise, and the pair started to really own the dance floor. It wasn't surprising really, despite the fact that his exhaustion Swift was still a noble AND swordpony. And who could know hoofwork better then one versed in art of the sword? Fire was no slouch herself, picking up a thing or two from her stallion through their relationship, and her partner was quick to correct any mistake with a quick step in right direction or a spell. Not to mention their sizes weren't as mismatched as the Crusader and Blue. Squall and Fire were moving with such nonchalance ,that both made near no effort in maintaining the conversation while keeping up with a music.

 

"Then better keep that embarrassing parts under the wraps then. When I stepped out from the train in Fillydelphia months ago I was flocked by paparazzi's. And I am only noblepony billionaire who turned out not so dead as everypony thought. Almost everyday occurrence, seeing what's been happening recent years. But royal's romance with a bodyguard....ohhh they would have a field day with this." Squall pointed out, while both pairs circled around each other.

After performing extremely complicated dance figure emerald maned stallion picked up from where he left.

"Don't worry Blue. I can promise that nothing of this will go through any titles or channels owned by my family. Unless you permit it that is." swordpony promised

"A word of advice however, when possible 'keep the door open' as to say. The more you try to hold them closed, the more those scoop seeking hyenas will try to get inside. But when you are....ehem...'transparent' they lose interest."

The conversation shifted back to the topic of Blueblood.....maid.

"I doubt....she...." Swift started, with big dose of carefulness on the pronoun.."...would be interested in any job I have to offer, despite the salary. And be nice host Blue. Don't avoid the question."

 

The Gala continued, and Swift ended up leaning towards crimson mare's ear.

"You know Moto, I confess I've been little disappointed." he started. "Part of the reason I was...more enthusiastic then usual in accepting this invitation was the fact that....Triple G is beginning to develop quite the reputation for...unexpected turn of events in a recent years." Squall explained.

"I mean, is it to much to ask for for group of ninjas to crash through the windows and spice things up a little? Or maybe some punk rock group invited by Celestia as the stars of the evening to show up. This girl plays nice, but most of the attendants are so stiff that I think they took starch baths for whole last week. I mean, can you imagine their expressions if 'Anything Goes' would start playing out of sudden? Or 'Poison'? Oh, or maybe '2 Minutes to Midnight'?"

 

Those amusing thought - as well as dancing - was interrupted with a rumble coming form the lounge. Swift's sharp senses were wearied true, but one didn't had to posses panther's ears to hear the commotion coming form other room.

"That's not...exactly what I had in mind." stallion said, while one of his hooves was unconsciously drifted towards his blade. He however caught himself doing this, and after first giving his limb, and the disapproving fire a studious look, he put his hoof back on the ground.

"I doesn't matter anyway. I.....We are off the clock right now. Unless necessary I will be satisfied with playing supernumerary role this evening." he decided.

 

It wasn't meant to be for the couple to return to their dance however. The lovers quarrel - one between the same Lími that Swift clashed this evening, and his quilin marefirend - stole a spotlight. Everyone's attention focused on the pair to such extent that Squall wasn't sure if music was playing anymore. It concluded with the girl storming off the ballroom with a wounded pride. Noblepony sharp eye's cough that she failed to withhold herself from tears.

 

"Poor lad." unicorn whispered sympathy toward - devastated caribou youth. Although Squall doubted he could hear, or care, about those words right now  "We all wear masks at one or another point of our lives. But if we don't allow the one's that our heart's belong, to look under...." noblepony shook his head sadly "...Such thing can only end in sorrow. Lying to the one you love is like lying to yourself. It sooner or later will shatter you. Although hearing her words, he may had no other choice from the beginning."

This last observation made the unicorn ponder over his own former prejudices toward the horned folk, one's cast off not so long ago in the land of Whitescar.

[SteelEagle]

 

Watching events unfold like a terrible rolling flame engulfing a pristine forest. The couple that had earlier been lost in each other's gaze to an extent that spoke of puppy love and first times now became the epicenter of a meltdown of royal quality. He had been a liar and she was prejudiced, equal blame for two equal parties. Lies were the bedrock of distrust, which was in turn the foundation of betrayal. He had laid it down thick with his lies and was reaping what terrible misfortune he had sewn. She was far from blameless, however. Her discrimination was born from a history they all knew, this was true, of horror and terror and violence. 

 

But to judge a species down the individual based on their history, to treat and condemn as if they were simply stereotypes worthy of scorn and little else, spoke to a weakness within her and a prejudiced soul that was at war within itself. If she could find love in the arms of a caribou all this while, this brute, this uncaring monster, then what did that say about herself? If she was truly a mare of conscious, she would instead ask herself if her prejudice was warranted. If her little caribou was a monster or if she was. She would have to answer these questions herself, because nopony was going to interrupt the event to intervene. Valen might've, but something else took up his time.

 

It was the first officer of the pirate ship, if his sixth sense for adventuring (something most fillies and colts seemed to possess)was right. Minerva- that was quite the name for quite the griffon. Most of her type were intimidating and she would be too if she didn't look as uncomfortable as she did. More importantly, she had asked him to dance. How wonderful! He had begun to think that the event would pass by without him being able to move on the floor any. 'Cutting the rug', as they said. She looked like she was ready to burst. And in that way, Valen would simply provide a calm, comfortable partner o the floor, willing to go at her pace.

 

"I would be most delighted to dance with you, Madame Minerva," he said sweetly, taking her claw in his hoof ad leading her onto the floor, making sure to not get lost in the shuffle. The music was just right, though the tempo was obviously throwing a few old hats for a loop. And Swift was looking this way- why? Odd. Oh well- he had a dance partner to entertain. "I am an experienced dancer, Miss Minerva. Would you like for me to lead, if that would make you comfortable?"

[PrinceoftheNight]

Luna couldn't help it but chuckle at all the looks this pony was giving to her. Was he trying to flirt her? It looked that way, and who couldn't blame him! She was a princesses, and therefore quite the celebrity! Still, if these were normal circumstances on her daily basis, a two or three guards would had gone over to him and arrested him for acting... 'unpleasantly' before the princess. Yet this was no normal situation. This was the Grand Galloping Gala, a day for ponies to have fun, and she didn't wanted to ruin it for anypony, including her dancing partner.

---

 

At the sidelines, the grey pegasus night guard that had escorted the princess and was making guard closed his eyes a bit, looking at Inkbrand with a face that obviously meant that he was watching him, but the sound that came from the lounge startled him a bit. He wanted to go and investigate, yet he had to stay in the ballroom, making sure Luna was okay and do what she needed, so he stayed in place, watching the two dance. He was far from jealous though, since he had been her dancing partner from the moment she started practicing until this day.

 

---

 

 Luna was a bit surprised by what he soon did. Well, this was getting interesting. "I know I have one~" She replied playfully just to follow his game. "And you are already doing it~" She then added. "Yet you still need to work in your lines~" She finally added with a smirk and a soft chuckle as she kept dancing, not looking uncomfortable with all the freedom this stallion was taking and keeping a calm yet playful face, though it had it's limits, and she wouldn't doubt on asking a guard to stop him if he went too far.

 

It was not until Inkbrand tried to pick her up to improvise a bit in the dance that she made a bit of a surprised face, yet she decided to let him and help him, pushing herself up and opening her wings a bit so she could move more gracefully until she landed opposite of where she was. "Oh, Miss Vinyl~" She soon said when she heard that name. "I had heard her music and I find it quite... amusing." She soon said with a small smile. "And she had come to certain events here in Canterlot, though not of the style I am guessing you are asking."

[Bramble Rose]

Woo, ah-ha, was it getting hot in here?  Oh, yes.  Too many ponies, not enough space, that's definitely why she was feeling flushed.  Definitely hot in here.  Not at all having anything to do with Carrot pouring on the flattery.  "Oh, like you're one to talk, prancing about in that kilt, looking all dashing." she said, letting him lead her for a little bit.  Less bumping into ponies that way.  The middle of a fancy party was not a time to crash into stuff.  Seriously, what was it about stallions in kilts?  So fun to look at, and even more fun to tease.  Not that this teasing came off too well.  "Looking all fancy so the other guests think you're some Fet Loch nobility instead of a farmer... "

 

It wouldn't hurt to just lay her cheek against his shoulder for a moment, right?  That wouldn't ruin her image.  They were dancing.  This was a dance.  That would be a dance thing to do, right?  Yeah.  Besides, it was nice.  She couldn't think of anything to say.  Were ponies supposed to talk while dancing?  They did at Pinkie's parties, but those weren't anything like this party.  Still, even a daredevil was allowed to do stuff like this, sometimes.  The Wonderbolts had special someponies, it was even in the Wonderbolt Monthly sometimes.  And it's not like there was some newspony here just waiting to jump out and snap a photo going, "Ha HA!  Dash is just a silly schoolfilly obsessed with colts!"

 

And it was ... nice.  Very nice.  They were having a moment, right?  This was a moment?  Sure.  And nothing was going to ruin her moment.  Not even that foreign Neighpon diplomat storming off of the dance floor.  Whew.  Glad she wasn't a diplomat having to deal with that.  Just dancing, like any Wonderbolt Element Daredevil Minister of Awesome might do.  She let her smile slip onto her muzzle, like she could have stopped it anyway, and let out a happy little sigh.

 

[starswirlthebearded]

While Dissy was busily playing her slightly unconventional waltz there was a bit of a scuffle between two guests. So much so that she felt that her own music was being drowned out... This was rather disconcerting for her, after all she was far more used to venues where silence is expected, so to have a full blown outburst that resulted in someone storming out was just... odd for her. At that moment she felt she needed to do something, and something drastic.... Something to make everyone forget what happened. The only thing she could think of was to play something from her usual repertoire... totally inappropriate, but it would certainly get everyone's mind off of the events that just transpired... 

Dissy finished off her whiskey and slammed down on the keys with her hooves to get everyone's attention. The musicians looked at her and she merely shook her head to tell them to not join in. This was her show now, at least for the next song. Now with everyone's attention on her she started to play a little boogie woogie. 
 

Not sure if anyone in this crowd would know what to do she didn't care, at the very least she'd have gotten everyone's mind off what just happened. Either because they liked the music despite it being different or because they hated it because it was so different... no matter the outcome they'd would have all forgotten what transpired and hopefully go back to enjoying the gala. And after all... with music that upbeat who could stay angry? Perhaps the dragoness would have been better served to stay around to hear it she mused to herself. 

Once the song was completed she nodded to the rest of the band to resume the usual music while she took a breather for a song or two. She knew she'd likely come back, so she kept the lid of the piano open, but she took her glass and headed off stage. Even if she wanted to continue to play after that stunt she felt it would be best to just let the band re-acclimate everyone to gala-type music. 

As she stepped off she looked for Valencia so she could properly thank her, and perhaps ask for another. It was good whiskey after all. She spotted her making her rounds about the floor and came up behind her and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Thanks for the whiskey 'Cia. It really hit the spot. Could you perhaps get another and make it a double?" She whispered into her ear rather familiarly. She gave her the glass and added "Perhaps when you get back you could take a breather for yourself, you seem to be working rather hard" Dissy said with a wink. 

Everyone seemed to be dancing and that was fine by her. That means everyone was enjoying the music, and there is no greater pleasure for a musician than to see everyone enjoying the fruits of her and her band mates labor. She was quite content to hang back until the ponies she was engaging were back. 

[IceStorm]

Ice Storm gave the princess a small smile and a nod as she made her departure to dance with the pony that had come and addressed them. When they did, she turned her attention back to her love. Everything so far tonight had been perfect so far. It seemed like she would be able to do her surprise tonight after the dance after all. She peered back into one of the small almost invisible pockets to make sure that the ring was still there. When she saw that it was, she smiled and continued to move the dance along with her marefriend. she even took a bit of initiative to lead a dance! she just hoped that her movements were okay and not too jarring. After all, she was known for her snow cones not her dancing.

 

However, her own dancing paused as she noticed the commotion right next to herself and Fire Heart. One of the Ambassadors had been dancing with Limi, and completely ogling over him just a few minutes ago and was now shouting obscenities at him. When she heard the topic of the argument, it ignited a fire inside of her. One that did not set well for the other diplomats that could be present, as she would now be watching them with the same distraughtful gaze that this make was casting on the son of her friend. So what if he was a Caribou? That didn't mean he was like the others that had attacked them before. She knew not her history with the Caribou, so she presumed that she could not judge her too hasrhly. If she had lost family in a Caribou invasion, then she would actually be somewhat justified in her reaction. However, not knowing the full story, she immediately sided with Limi in the argument.

 

When the mare turned and bolted out of the ballroom, she watched the path that she took. If nothing else she could try to speak with her before the night was over to gain some clarity on the issue at hoof and perhaps at least attempt to shed some like on things. After all, a race was made up from individuals and there were ponies who were just as bad as caribou were at being savage and mean. They were a lot scarcer, but they still existed. When she turned back, she could still see Limi with his hoof stretched out, obviously without any intent to harm the mare that fled. Her heart ached, and while this was supposed to be a special night for her and her marefriend. There was a more pressing matter to attend to. Besides. She could always pop the question during the after part since Fire already said that she would be there.

 

"Fire sweetie, I'll be right back, or you can come with. I'm going to make sure he's okay. He's the jarl's son and I vaguely know him from a recent mission," she spoke to Fire Heart before breaking away from Fire with a small kiss and heading over to where Limi stood, placing a hoof on her shoulder, looking at him with sympathy in her eyes. "There was nothing you could do. Some mares just can't escape their prejudice long enough to see the good in others. I don't know what she, her family, or any from her land have been through, so I can't completely fault her, but I feel that she should have at least been able to see that you are not like the caribou that she knows..." Ice Storm spoke to him emphatically

[Blueblood]

It had to be said, that Bluebelle's opinions of the proper handling of the press did not exactly line up with Swift Squall's.  That was to be expected, she supposed, given that Swift was the son of a Press Baron, but really, she just did not have the time for full transparency.  If she stopped to answer the questions of every curious reporter about her every move, she'd never get a chance to actually do anything important.  When you're high enough up, they never lose interest...

 

But that was a secondary matter.  As she and Star split off from him and Fire Walker, the Princess hardly gave a thought to the press, save for a pitying thought on what the scandal sheets would make of poor Limi's disaster of a date.  A real baptism by fire into Canterlot society; there may be no battleaxes, but conflicts of honor, pride, and shame were universal.  It takes a big heart to rise above such things, and both he and Blue still had some growing in front of them...

 

Trying to cast the spell of gloom from her mind, the Princess spread her hostess gaze across the floor.  Unlike Swift, she was relieved rather than disappointed at her Auntie Celestia's restrain this year.  Perhaps it was the presence of foreign dignitaries, or even just plain consideration for her niece/nephew, but the evening had gone smoothly.  All other ponies (and non-ponies!) were dancing, some with dates for the night, others with their loves.  Even Auntie Luna was having a great time, taking the tattooed stallion in stride.

 

"A... mostly wonderful evening..."  She sighed, in happiness and relief, looking back up at Star Crusader.  A smile slowly blossomed on her face, looking up at her love with sparkling eyes.  "Was it everything you dreamed about?"

 

Whether it was so or not, she had one last surprise in store for the amazonian.  Just as the last waltz had ended, the server had returned with her cup of coffee.  Nodding thanks, she took it in her magic and raised it in a toast, "To love and friendship; may they sustain harmony in our land."  And she raised the cup to her lips.

 

Now, the plan had been that she would drink the coffee, which would trigger her magical 'curse' publicly, switching back to Prince Blueblood in public in order to demonstrate the true nature of the magic now attached to them.  She had intended to then cast aside the dress in one smooth movement, revealing the simple stallion's cravat underneath, so as to dance their next dance as a stallion.

 

The first part went off without a hitch... but Blue had forgotten to loosen the dress-straps beforehand.  So, in front of the whole ballroom, the beautiful Princess Bluebelle became the handsome Prince Blueblood... in a dress.  There was a moment of absolute stillness, before Dissy once again kicked up the music, this time in a much more swinging beat.

 

"Oh my..."  His white coat began to turn quite pink as his blush deepened.

[Zeig]

 

Alright, so.

 

Mysterious, almost ethereal aura was slowly giving way to enough playfulness that he could almost swear he was hearing tildes at the end of every sentence, a lilting quality that crested and valleyed in equal turns. Either the enigmatic and slightly aloof persona was just a front she used in front of her subjects, or the Gala was turning her into a mischievous minx that liked to give as good as she got.

 

Either or was bucking fine by him, and even if he had wanted to hide it, Inkbrand could hardly contain the rot-eating grin that spread across his -

 

SKREEEEEE!

 

- ears that were now bleeding profusely -

 

An exaggeration, perhaps, but the tattoo-clad was hard pressed to hide a wince at the sudden rise of voices, crescendoing into a rather shrill cacophony. The cause of which soon became apparent in the form of one of the Qun-Lins yelling her lungs out at a vaguely familiar Caribou, shrieking about lies and honor and some other bullrot. Inkbrand kept his hold on the night Princess, who seemed otherwise ignorant to the commotion, but the grey stallion couldn't help rolling his eyes and shaking his head as the Qun-Lin mare abruptly whirled around to storm out of the ballroom, all too easily reminded of past marefriends who'd victimize themselves over the most trivial things, in order to cast him as the villain of their dramatic play. 

 

Seriously. A farewell to go take care of his pet obviously meant he didn't value her as a pony and a friend, not at all. 

 

In any case, the mare had stormed out in a huff, leaving the Caribou - oh buck, he recognized that tattoo mark, he'd given it to the young bull alongside the large, hefty one - standing around looking like someone had kicked his puppy. All of which amounted to too much bucking drama for his tastes, and Inkbrand promptly returned his attention to the hoof-ful of gor-ho-ho-hor-geous mare he currently had in his grasp, catching up on the tail end of her words.

 

"Probably not," Inkbrand admitted with a careless grin and flippant little shrug, "her raves are more my style, 'ya know." The tattoo-clad stallion had no idea what sort of music Vinyl played in Canterlot, if not her classic sounds. Did she switch to hoity-toity, orchestral music, or rot? Seemed a bit counterintuitive to ask a DJ to play in Canterlot if one didn't want to hear her, well...DJing. But, he supposed an opportunity was an opportunity, in whatever form it appeared.

 

Before he could drill the Princess more however, the music once again changed - in a completely abrupt manner. Inkbrand was actually startled for a moment, along with several other ponies who glanced askance at the musician's stage, but that didn't last long as the grey stallion let out a sharp hoot of approval, grin stretching wider as his grip on the Princess tightened. "Now this is more like it, right?" Inkbrand hollered, body easily remembering the motions of a classic swing dance, grabbing opposite hooves with the Alicorn to extend the two apart before pulling them back together, "about bucking time!" They were starting to get attention now, most probably from his easy acceptance of the strange ballroom music, but the grey stallion could have cared less as he drew the Princess inwards, twirled her under one foreleg, then spun her back out.

 

"Bet you've never danced swing before, eh Princess?" the tattoo-clad stallion questioned loudly, having to speak up over the louder music. "'Course, it never hurt anyone to try something new. Like a temp. tattoo! Ever think of getting one? A splash of silver here and there'd look real pretty. I've even got a special Alicorn discount at my parlor, effective immediately," Inkbrand cajoled with a cheeky grin, pulling the Princess back up against him. Even with his sales pitch going however, the music had his body rocking to and fro, and he could only hope the Princess wasn't about to start getting embarrassed about the figurative spotlight that was shining on them in between a bunch of shell-shocked or disapproving dancers.

 

A party was the perfect time to let her hair down, after all!

 

[tacobob]

 

As Swift Squall and the red mare made their way towards the dance floor, the young officer’s eyes darted around the large room. From the corner of her right eye, she spied a rather attractive mare near Silverheart. It appeared she was flirting with him. This was good. He was far too handsome of a guy to be without a dance partner. Fire's heart would have sunk rather low if she had to watch the officer sit by himself while the others were dancing. As the pair set their hooves on the dance floor, the Pegasus pony could not help but smile as the piano player started on a new song. This, the mare could not help but sing along. Thankfully, she kept her voice down low, so only her stallion and those close enough could hear.

 

"Danube so blue, so bright and blue, through vale and field you flow so calm, our Vienna greets you, your silver stream through all the lands you merry the heart with your beautiful shores." While the lyrics were rather old timey, they  managed to sound rather pleasant while the red pony sung them. She also spotted Inkbrand as he danced with Princess Luna. While the size difference did make things a little awkward, this was still something that would inflate his already oversized ego. He got to dance with a princess. Pffft! No biggie. Fire was dancing with a prince.

 

Her ears picked up a bit of drama that came from the caribou prince and his date. Being a proper, Canterlot pony, she would not stare. She had her handsome dance partner to work with. And hopefully she would be able to finish their dance with stepping all over his hooves. "Shoosh", she teased the noble pony, "I actually enjoy these when they're calm and relaxing. Considering the craziness I normally deal with, it's nice to have something to do that doesn't have me fighting monsters or avoiding giant slime beasts with top hats. And considering all the security my father and the others have set up, I don't think think we'll see the same series of shenanigans we have seen in the past." While it was known in a few circles that Princess Celesta had grown rather tired of the Gala, considering she has attended them since day one. But things needed to be a bit more tame as there were many people of different races that were attending this gala. Not just ponies and griffons. There were Caribou, Changelings, Dragons, Qilin and many others. This needed to be perfect.

 

She nodded her head as the stallion spoke of masks. She too wore her share. From one of fear and helplessness when she needed to be strong and brave, to one that  presented only hate and anger to others that she should have only given back love to. "Not entirely sure what's going on, but I have a feeling whatever is happening, he will figure out something to calm her down. Hopefully, before any guards swoop in and find a quiet place for them to work things out." She continued with their dance. So far, her lessons were paying off. While she doubted the pair would win any awards tonight, the stallion would be able to leave the castle and not be limping.

[Bellosh]

 

.....It was all over.

 

Lián Mei categorically hated Lími with every fiber of her being, and in all likelihood would continue doing so for all time. It's been said by ponies that love is one of the greatest magical powers in the world, filling beings with an endless well of vitality. Lími might have questioned such claims in the past, but his vitality was sure as heck slipping away in the face of Mei's rejection. Let there be no doubt that the caribou suffered tremendously from having his heart broken in such a merciless fashion.

All the good times shared between Lími and Mei? Absolutely meaningless. No matter how different the son of Sigrun was from the rest of his kin, he would never escape the collective fear that many beings felt towards the Viking Caribou. Yes, there were others who'd gladly vouch for the people of Whitescar when push came to shove, but honestly, what good did that trivial fact bring Lími when he just lost his cherished muse and inspiration to ages-old animosity?

 

There was nothing else left for the caribou to do other than slunk downwards as the dragon mare marched out of the Ballroom. Bleh; if Lími could reverse the flow of time, he would change history by never opening his heart to Mei back in Garden Gait. To not be duped by her bewitching appearance. To not have even bothered with going out to the flower fields to write that infernal poem in the first place!

 

By the gods, how could Lími have been so stupid???

 

As a single tear silently dropped from Lími's eye, Ice Storm arrived to provide the heartbroken bull with comfort. Lími's spirits wouldn't rise so easily... but he also knew how much caribou frowned upon displaying weakness in front of others. Sigrun's son shouldn't be seen as a pathetic mess! Fighting back more tears, Lími offered the saddest smile known to ungulate-kind as he briefly turned towards the sympathetic mare. ".....What's done is done," he gently placed Lady Storm's hoof off his shoulder, his eyes avoiding those of the unicorn's as he held the hood in place; "...There's no further need to speak of the past. Please... do not let my follies sully your night, Lady Storm. Fare well, and long may ice continue to spring from your horn."

 

Letting go of Ice Storm, Lími took one last look at his surroundings before he began his own sorrowful walk out of the premises. The downcast caribou took no notice of the strange happenings around him; all he wanted to do was leave the Gala, and not come back. Back during Lími's Will Test, his necromancer friend imparted a piece of advice the young bull would never forget: set aside one night to have a good long cry so that he'd never have to mourn again. Mei hurt Lími's heart more than anyone could possibly imagine, but Lími was first and foremost a Viking Caribou, and Caribou always got up to fight again after suffering grievous pain.

 

For one more night, Lími would weep for his lost Lián Mei. For tomorrow came the dawn of a new day; the first day of the rest of the bull's promising life.

 

A life which left no place for Lián Mei at all, or any memory of her whatsoever.....

*EXIT*

[Lux]

Just when Fire thought that the Gala was the perfect night free of worry or ponies being upset, her marefriend noticed that a certain caribou was saddened by his partner leaving unexpectedly. Something went wrong between the two and now the buck looked despondent. 

 

"Fire sweetie, I'll be right back, or you can come with. I'm going to make sure he's okay. He's the jarl's son and I vaguely know him from a recent mission,"

 

It was no wonder that Ice wanted to help the poor caribou. Her compassion was something that Fire Heart recognized when they first met. 

 

"I'll come too," the red unicorn said as she walked off the dance floor and followed Ice there. As Ice tried to help Limi Fire kept quiet, not wanting to add fuel to a fiery situation. But despite Ice's comforting words Limi left the Gala saddened over the loss of his love. 

 

"You tried your best Ice. This is something that I think is even out of his hooves. Guess some wounds are too deep." 

[RedCedar]

As Red stepped into the Ballroom, with Naj at his side, he found himself taking in another breath at the sight of the exquisite room, from polished marble floors to the illusionary night sky above. All around, ponies were either chatting or, mostly, dancing. Each stallion in his sharpest suit, each mare in their most gorgeous gown, including Prince Blueblood...

 

Red stopped short, blinked, looked again. No, that was what it looked like. He gently touched Naj's hoof and nodded in the direction of the Prince wearing a ball gown. "I definitely think you wear a dress better than he does." he said with a grin.

 

Trying not to stare or snicker, he escorted Naj to the dance floor, oblivious himself to any stares of disbelief as he bowed to his undisguised partner and, with a little bit of awkwardness as Red tried to remember the few dance steps he learned in school, eventually began to find a slow rhythm that he could twirl around the floor with her to, his cheek against hers gently.

 

"You're beautiful," he whispered to her softly. "I'm so glad we came."

[DerpRavener]

 

8 hours ago, RedCedar said:

"I definitely think you wear a dress better than he does."

“Oh, be nice,” Naj instinctively said, halfway between chastising and playful, before even looking over.  When she didn't, she hadn't expected the statement to be quite so literal, though she recovered quickly enough.  She made a bit of a show of looking over and contemplating before turning back to Red with a grin.  “Maybe he and I should compare notes, I'm sure we could both learn something.”  Naj wouldn't be surprised to learn that Blueblood had worn a dress more often than she had, though that was more her own inexperience in that regard than anything to do with the stallion.

 

Naj put it out of her mind moments later.  She was here for a purpose, and she wasn't going to let herself be too distracted from that.  She followed Red as he lead the two of them out onto the dancefloor, feeling a little self conscious as she did though not yet letting it show.  She occupied herself by stealing glances at the ponies and others surrounding them, trying to give herself a starting point, and by the time they reached a good spot she was able to roughly approximate the starting stance.

 

The dance itself proved a bit more difficult, which didn't really come as a surprise to Naj.  Active hoof-work was of course more difficult than merely holding a pose, and although Naj was light enough on her hooves that she could just about keep up, it took all of her concentration to do so.

 

8 hours ago, RedCedar said:

"You're beautiful," he whispered to her softly. "I'm so glad we came."

All of a sudden Naj's hoof collided with one of Red's and she stumbled.  She managed to keep from saying the first word that came to mind, but she still let out a hiss of annoyance.  She took a breath and stood back up, a hint of colour on her cheeks.  “...thanks...I'm, I'm glad we came too.”  She took another glance around the room as the two of them started dancing again, partly to see if anyone was watching, but also marvel at just how far she'd come.  How far the two of them had come.  “...I haven't seen anything like it before.”

 

[moonshineTheleocat]

“I apologize for the pony handling,” Star Crusader hummed as she carried the two, one pair of hooves a swinging and the other on the ground, across the dance floor with grace. “But I’m afraid that ending the night with a pancaked host would be quite an unfortunate circumstance.”

She then caught her dance partner’s eyes wandering and followed their gaze to the Princess of the Night dancing with an unindentified tattooed stallion. Many would probably find the concept rather jarring. But Crusader truly found it… fitting. “Oh come now… do not look too sour, or you’ll look jelous.” The Pegasus mused. And though her face was stoic, there was a glint of amusement in her eyes.

“I truly would have pegged the buck for the Princess’s type. In my career I’ve come to learn that Celestia is quite the Minx when left to her own devices, and Luna…….” She paused momentarily in thought. There really wasn’t a word that she could used to describe Luna’s behavior from both the past, and more recently. The best that she could say was…

“in lack of a larger vernacular… she’s killing it.” After saying that… she did realize that there probably was a word. She tended to overkill things. Though she can’t hold too much of a weight over her with her words. She wasn’t one of her night guards.

 

And as the night carry on, she allowed herself to get completely lost in the moment. Dancing to and fro like a graceful machine. Her muscles relaxed, and her senses dulled to a mere sphere around herself and her partner. Though…

 

"Was it everything you dreamed about?"

 

Wait. What? How!? How! Oh dear how could the prince have known something like this! Oh dear! The flood gates to the stoic’s mare cheeks have opened! The rivers of red have flown dyeing the now surprised Crusader a bright pink!

Who could have told him this! Her brother!? Was it him? It couldn’t have been! He wouldn’t be that much of a gossip! Or a… dare she think… a bro! No! It wouldn’t be like him!

The large soldier was mentally hyperventilating as a giddy mental foal version of herself stared off into space with dreamy eyes at a picture of her Prince/Princess!

 

“Ah… er… y-yes…” She stammered now, trying to force the little filly back into her imaginary closet and regain her powerful composure. But unfortunately that was a huge miss. Oh no… the Prince had to push it just one step further.

Crusader hadn’t heard Bluebelle’s toast, and didn’t get much of a warning to steel herself for what was coming. Her brain was just starting to overload just as she began to question the sanctity of secrets with her brother. And it took one final push over the edge for her to truly show that she was her mother’s daughter in fact.

Now in her hooves was a handsome Prince Blueblood. The mare replaced by her original Ego… whom still wore the dress. And being a stallion now, the dress was obviously more filled in, and yet accented the buck in all the right places to be called… attractive.

The mare’s stoic expression was finally broken. Red faced, and eyes fixed on the handsome stallion. A moment later, a red stream rolled down from her nostril and to the floor.

[RedCedar]

The loud crack of Naj's hoof against his was followed by a sound out of Red that sounded like a cross between a grunt and a squeal, though thankfully muted so as not to echo through the ballroom's cavernous ceiling. He hobbled a few steps, as though not wanting to put any weight on his hoof while simultaneously trying to keep himself and Naj from falling completely to the floor, before he was finally able to help her up and regain his form. Taking a deep breath after their recovery, he smiled sheepishly to her. "Sorry," he said softly.

 

Starting another, much more careful whirl around the dance floor, he smiled a little more as she said to him, “...I haven't seen anything like it before.”

 

Red lifted his cheek from hers long enough to cast a slow glance from her face to the hem of her dress and back again, taking in the lovely sight of his fiancee before him before replying, "Neither have I."

[brianblackberry]

The entire night was nothing more than a build up for this one special dance on the ballroom floor.  This time, the gala was special, well more special, they were all special in their own right.  His first time was as a winner to a "Meet the Wonderbolts" event, and that was great, getting his goggles signed by Spitfire and Soarin', the second one was just a general lottery win and he got to dance with a few beautiful mares, including Dash, but nether of those compared to actually having a special somepony to attend the Gala with, even if she didn't like 'labels'.

 

Of course he was being a goob with the flattery, but it was all in fun, besides he enjoyed watching her turn red and pretend his words weren't making her feel a little special.  At least she was giving as good as she got with her pointed compliments.  " Weel Ah main be nae Cirrus Mcclood, but Ah am a Fet Loch prince reit noo, efter aw Ah am wi' th' princess ay awesomeness."

 

That moment though when she laid her head on his shoulder, to him that was the moment everyone else melted away.  Nothing was going was going to take this moment away from him, not the loud argument on the Ballroom floor, not the sudden change of one unicorn from a stallion to a mare, nothing.

 

He was content to dance like this for several minutes, his confidence and belief that this was really going to work restored, how could have doubted in the first place?  If there was a problem, a real problem, she would have told him, Dash wasn't the type who was reserved in her thoughts or beliefs.  Well, there was one exception, expressing any romantic feelings, he always had to take the lead there, at least in public and this event was a public as any.

 

Carrot cupped Dash's cheeks in his forehooves and looked down at her with a warm smile and whispered softly, "Ah loove ye" before giving her a kiss right on her lips, just for a moment, he didn't want her to get too red, besides no one was looking, there was far too much commotion going on.

[Dubstep]

Letting out a heavy sigh of relief, Minerva relaxed a little bit. In one way it may have been better to not have to dance, but she'd rather not be made a fool of by being rejected. Though truthfully though, what would make her look the bigger fool? Being denied a dance, or stumbling over herself? Oh well. When the maid took her by the claw she smirked. "Nothing but but six pints of ale could make me more comfortable, but it'll help at least. Just rough me up a bit if I step on your hooves or something, alright?"

Before they could make their way onto the dance floor however, the band had switched back to a more, well, gala style music. Which was just as well, it'd be a lot easier to deal with something slow and steady than...whatever that was. A brief moment later a mare wandered over and spoke to the maid, handing the filly an empty glass and asking for a refill. Now normally this would be innocuous enough, but this mare clearly wasn't blind. Could she not see that they were kinda busy? Or for that matter that she was even here? In a dress like this it'd be no surprise if she could be seen from space!...At least that's what it felt like anyway. She knew most Canterlotians were snobbish but sheesh! Why was she getting that upset about it anyway? All night long she'd rather not be noticed. Galas are weird.

Biting her tongue for a moment Minerva grumbled softly before speaking again. Easy Minerva, easy. "If you need to take care of that, it's fine. Who am I t'keep someone from their libation eh."

[PrinceoftheNight]

Princess Luna was kind of surprised by the sudden events that had happened. Some guests where shouting stuff and she had no knowledge of what was going on. And perhaps it was better to leave it like that. She didn't wanted to get into the private life of the ones that were making the commotion and perhaps it was better to leave it like that. From what she had heard, almost all the galas have had problems on their own, specially with the last one when Discord brought his friend...  though she heard it didn't ended up that bad. Still, something going on in it was not that new from what she had heard.

 

The princess soon focus her attention back to her partner, who had just replied to something she said earlier. "I thought so." She soon replied. He didn't looked like the kind of stallion that would like some of the music the Dj would had played on the various events she had gone to in Canterlot, though she also played some of her own music to change the phase, something Luna liked from time to time.

 

It was not until the second sudden change of music that the princess was rather... startled and surprised, and her face showed so as she looked at the ponies in charge of the music. She was definitely not prepared for this! "Uhm... this is not my kind of music..." She admitted just before Inkbrand grabbed her to dance more with her. Perhaps he was getting too much attention from her. She let out a small blink when she herd him talk about testing new things and even dared to asked if she would like a tattoo! That was not something a princess would do! "I am sorry, but I have to refuse your offer." She soon said to Inkbrand politely as she did her best to dance along with the music. "As a princess I must maintain certain status, and make sure it looks like it, and getting a tattoo will harm it." She did seemed not looking forward to getting one. And perhaps she was starting to get way more attention than she had hoped for.

 

"This should be the last song, as other ponies might like to dance more, or my attention might be needed somewhere else." Luna soon said to Inkbrand as she kept going. Her movements were not as fluid and graceful as before, but she was managing to keep up... somehow.

[SteelEagle]

Valen was excited to get a dance in with a griffon. It felt so excited, so fresh! But Celestia knows that it was good to just be involved. He was here to work, here to do well by others as part of his mission for the day. He wasn't here for fun after all even if the Princess would allow it. But that didn't mean he didn't WANT to have fun. On the contrary- so much work made his desire for fun grow ever more. And while dancing wasn't on the very top of his list of activities that got his blood pumping it would certainly do today, what with the fine company. Plus he enjoyed cutting the rug from time to time. And with a pirate that was so much cooler! It made him think to those awful novels Babs Seed would read about harlequin romances. "Well, I don't think I could rough you up. Something tells me a bit of that swashbuckling nature would give you more comfort with that, yes?" He said lowly, his accent sweet and peppered with Prench without really giving any of the vocal cliches tha-

 

-Actually, scratch that. Dissy complimented Valen and asked for another drink. It was a buzzkill to say the least even though he wouldn't allow his mood to be visibly changed. He was here for work. This was work. Any dance partner of his would have to realize that some things were beyond his control. And besides, the piano had been played so well that he was comfortable with the idea of helping her. She had done stellar work, so foalish on him to believe he could return the favor poorly. He took the glass, allowing Minerva to leave his orbit. "Oh, most certainly Madame. I knew I had selected well for you! Miss Minerva, hopefully I shall return soon. If not, please find yourself a nice partner!" He asked and pleaded, not wanting to be the source of a poor night out.

 

And so he went to fetch the drink. That wasn't very hard- but immediately, he was disallowed from returning. Valencia was needed in another room to help clean up a mess left by the Jarl Sigrun, and they were overtaxed and needed somepony with cleaning experience. A butler came and took the drink and would deliver it to Dissy while Valencia was sent to the Lounge to clean up. And then sent to the scene of a phoenix fight, and clean up. And then needed to help escort little old mares out of the gala, and helped a drunk patron to seek aid. And after that was done Valencia fetched the finest spinach salad for a Maretonian couple. And then humored the flirtations of a colt and then a filly, shined the shoes of a rich mare on request.

 

And then

 

And then

 

And then

 

[Valen End]
 

[DerpRavener]

Red, after recovering from stumbling a bit himself, helped Naj get back on track and back into the rhythm of the dance.  “Thanks...” Naj muttered.  Really it had been her fault, but having the debate seemed pointless, and she'd rather spend her focus on the dance itself.  She was starting to get the hang of it she felt, and as long as she kept her current level of focus on the steps.  Then Red spoke again.

 

There were many compliments Naj could receive that she would handle in stride, such as 'you hold that stance well', 'I'm impressed with how you took down that enemy', or 'that was a really good idea'.  'You look really good in that dress' was not one of them, but she couldn't imagine he'd meant anything else after the way he'd looked at her.  Her concentration strained, she stumbled again though this time managed to avoid falling, instead merely bumping lightly into another dancer before getting back on track.  Naj mumbled a quick “sorry” before looking back at Red.  She was hesitant about what she was going to say next, but the way he looked at her now...

 

She did want him to be happy, and in truth it wasn't so bad an experience. “Maybe we'll just have to do things like this more often, then,” she said with a faint smile.  The smile only grew as Naj continued to dance, with her love.

[Blueblood]

Truth be told, Java had blabbed, at least about Star Crusader dreaming of dancing with her love.  It really wasn't all that unusual, as far as foalish fantasies went, and the guard mare would hardly have been the first grown-up to hold on to such things.  Such was the nature of things that Prince Blueblood tended to encounter said dreamers a lot.  Of course, one expected such things less from a mare who stood easily head and shoulders above all others, with enough muscle to lift up and throw down any half-dozen chosen at random.  Still, Blueblood knew that Star was no less a mare than any other, (rather more of mare than all others, if you asked his opinion), and besides, the blush made her look cute!

 

What Java had not told him about was her likely reaction to seeing him, as a male, in a Gala dress tailored for Bluebelle.  The only thing he would have had was a vague prediction based on her parentage, and even if he had known for certain, he might not have been willing to go quite that far.  It was one thing to maintain a separate male and female identity at once; that was just a matter of adapting to magical circumstances.  Mixing the two... that brought in other issues.

 

But... seeing Star Crusader's reaction, the Prince knew that he had to give way on this point.  It was as clear as the nosebleed on her face that she really loved seeing him like this.  Silently, he wished that there was a mirror nearby that he could sneak a peek at.  Maybe he didn't actually look as ridiculous as he felt!  The only ones readily available, however, were Star's eyes, which he did look into as he pulled out a kerchief from the folds of his dress to help wipe off her face.  "Here love, you look as if you could use this."  He levitated it up to clear off the blood drips, trying not to pay attention to any pairs of eyes that might be staring at them.

 

Most of the Gala, however, had other things to deal with.  In fact, altogether, Blue had to admit that he had really not been the center of this whole event from the start; whether happy, comic, or tragic, all other guests had been going through their own stories, intersecting with his briefly.  While that was humbling, it was also... liberating, in it's way.  It freed him to be just a little bit ridiculous, in order that the mare he hardly dared to dream of could have her dreams come true.

 

Best.  Night.  Ever.

[Zeig]

 

It wasn't like he hadn't been expecting it, but he still couldn't help the shape stab of disappointment that coursed through him.

 

Not at the refusal, something he'd been prepared for and hadn't really been counting on anyways, but...well, from being a mischievous and playful minx to a suddenly formal and painfully polite princess, who worried about her appearance and what might 'harm' it, it was a pretty jarring transition. Inkbrand wasn't sure why he'd been expecting anything different from the Princess of the night, really - maybe because she'd been so receptive the entire time he'd been dancing with her - but no, straight back to the boring and aloof Princess who watched Equestria from afar, it seemed. 

 

...A tattoo would harm her image, huh? Like it harmed his image, in her eyes?

 

Tch. It must be a Princess thing. 

 

A Princess thing that seemed to be extending to his entire presence, as Princess Luna expressed a desire to end their impromptu dance and go mingle with others. Or rather, seemed concerned that others weren't getting to dance with her. He didn't particularly see any ponies crowding around and waiting for an opportune moment - most were focused on the earlier commotion - or the Alicorn had simply seen some hopeful ponies that he hadn't. Or she had finally gotten sick of him and was excusing herself in the politest way possible. 

 

...Nah, definitely not the latter.

 

Whichever case was accurate however, didn't really matter - he could take a hint. The music was grinding to a halt too, good timing. "Hey, whatever you say, Your Royalship," Inkbrand said cooly with a wry grin, hooves releasing the Alicorn to casually raise upwards in the universal 'I surrender' position. "If you ever change your mind about your, 'image'," he continued, with air quotes emphasizing the word, "look me up in Manehatten. Thanks for the dance." Under any other circumstances, Inkbrand would have fully capitalized on the setting, taking the mare's hooves for a cheesy kiss, or even boldly slaving one on their cheek. 

 

Not this time. The tattoo-clad stallion ran a hoof through his mane, nearly mussing it back to its usual disheveled look, before tossing the Princess a quick wink and a nod. 

 

And that was it for the Grand Galloping Gala, it seemed.

 

But not its after party.

 

Grin already spreading to a more genuine stretch at the thought of kicking back and letting loose - and with plenty of alcohol, to boot - Inkbrand trot around and left the Princess on the dance floor so she could tend to whatever business she needed, mind already fast-forwarding to the night still ahead. After all, he'd yet to get drunk and loudly proclaim his love for Sharp Zing while dancing from a ceiling fixture. 

 

Which meant that the night was far from over.

 

[[ Exit ]]