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Starburst's Not-Quite-as-Grand Galloping Gala


Starburst

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Starburst stands back up and moves back towards the refreshments, her cup balanced on the edge of her wing. She trots between the gathering herd of ponies and arrives again at the punch bowl. She hooks the ladle around her hoof, changes the angle of the ladle so the liquid inside dribbles into the cup on her wing, and sets it back down gently in the punch, moving back over to her seat.

When she sits down she notices that many more ponies appear to be arriving. "A colorful group for certain." she thinks, taking a ladylike sip of her drink. "The light blue pony and her friend appear to be hitting it off. Fleur and Holly appear to be striking up a conversation. A bashful pony and his promiscuous mare-friend. A red-hued pony nursing a crate like a newborn. Looks like we're going to have quite a bit of fun this evening. Hopefully all these drinks and food I made won't go to waste. Maybe The Wonderbolts will make a surprise appearance." she thought, chuckling audibly at her last thought. The Wonderbolts don't even know about the party most likely, even though they were sent an invitation.

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Dunder noticed that the Gala was filling up rather quickly. It almost seemed like the constant stream of new arrivals wasn't going to end. He hoped that with the unexpected arrival of Ice Storm, another one of his friends would arrive. Maybe a stallion friend, since he knew that mares were much harder to talk to than stallions. Except Ice Storm... the only mare that he found easy to talk to and he was definitely grateful for it.

"It is?" Dunder asked. He felt dumb now. He knew he needed to make it so that he didn't look like an idiot. "Well... It's just that..." Think, Dunder, think! "You look so pretty in the dress... that I didn't remember that you wore it to the party." Dunder said and gave a quick, hasty smile. Nice work... He thought. He knew he should probably change the subject again.

"I'm going to get some more punch.... Do you want any? I could get you some. Might as well since I'm going to get up anyway." He said before chuckling.

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Timbre Swing had been impossibly excited when he first got the invitation to play at the Grand Galloping Gala. His inability to properly understand Equestrian was bad like that. It wasn't until he was bragging to a mare over drinks that evening when he was informed (rather graciously, despite the mare's giggling) that it was an unofficial Grand Galloping Gala.

Timbre had just offered what was quickly becoming a catch phrase of his: "Close enough for jazz."

Nonetheless, Timbre Swing was preparing for it properly. He made sure his classic fedora was clean and proper, and being black, it fit perfectly with the dark suit he'd rented from a local shop near to the hotel he was staying in on that side of Canterlot. He'd even tried to tame his mane...emphasis on the tried. His mangy mane was going nowhere, which is why he often hid it partially under a hat, which today sat nicely on top of his head as he trotted his way toward this...Not-Quite-as-Grand Galloping Gala. Maybe it wasn't as Grand as the Grand Galloping Gala itself, but it was perfect. A chance to actually show off his talents to more than just ponies in bars (not that he minded that. Free food and drink, plus company, was always fun) and of course, THE Sapphire Shores, but to actually show off to a huge crowd and possibly some of the greatest musicians of Canterlot. Who else could be here, he wondered?

There was a soft squeak that heralded Timbre Swing's presence before he was even spotted. That, and the soft sounds of "Boop be bap, be-ba-do-bo..." as he practiced his talent on the way to the door. Not that he expected he'd get a chance to actually scat-sing, which is why he had his double-bass behind him, the wheel on the spindle sticking out from the bottom of the case being the source of the squeaking. He stepped through the door, a soft blue glow surrounding his horn and the massive case behind him as he took in the crowd ahead of him at the NQAGGG. Timbre Swing's lips tugged up in a smile, and the muted green pony stepped through the doors, making his way to the stage to set his case down before he'd go and mingle.

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Ice Storm smiled at Dunder as he fumbled for words about her dress. Saying that she looked so beautiful in it that he just didn't remember seeing her in it at the party. Ice Storm couldn't help but giggle a bit. "Nice recovery," she said teasingly. It seemed that even more ponies were starting to come in at this point and one of them that looked to be coming was carrying a large case and he looked to be heading towards the stage. Yay! Looks like a member of the band is here! I wonder what kind of band they are, she thought to herself looking back to Dunder. He asked if she would like some more punch. Seeing as he was heading in that direction anyway it would be silly for both of them to get up. "I would love some more punch. Thank you," she said with a smile.

Ice Storm was still very nervous inside though. The simple fact that she knew that she had at least one friend here was helpful, but so far at this Gala she had only met one other pony from Canterlot. Granted She was as nice as she could be, but that was still only one pony in a city that she's gone through nothing but turmoil in. AS much as she wanted to mingle and talk with other ponies, in the back of her mind she was just told that she would be shunned by everyone here just because she's not from here. It would be just like she moved here before. A lot of that was pushed aside by Starburst, but still, it was in her mind. At the bery least I'm not making a scene, and if other ponies want to speak with me that I don't know, they can come speak to me. That way I can be positive that I'm not interrupting anypony and upsetting them. she thought to herself. It seemed like the best solution to her, but she knew that she would be really upset with herself if she didn't at least try. She decided that she was going to wait here for a bit and if no other ponies came to talk to her, then she would try to make some other friends as well. Hopefully the ponies in this part of Canterlot were just as nice as the ponies back in Ponyville.

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Starburst sees the musician come in after handing off his ticket and hurries over to him, walking beside him as he pulls the large case up to the stage. She helps him get it up onto the stage, where the harpist and pianist are already playing a song, and welcomes him to the gala. She begins to point out each of the tables, and what they contain, and that he can help himself to the contents if he should get hungry or thirsty. After she shows him around she quickly hurries into the back room of the room.

Soon after, finely dressed ponies carrying silver trays of cheese-crackers filter into the room, offering their various cheeses to the ponies who have arrived, and who are now arriving to the event.

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Timbre had been about to hop off stage and find some drinks when a pegasus in a stunning dress walked over to greet him. He was so taken aback that he just kinda nodded along with what she said, mentally making notes about the tables. "Attendenz!" he said as she hurried off to the back. He watched her as she hurried off and sighed, then turned to look at his fellow musicians with yet another sigh. Slower kind of music than he was used to but hey, it was something. " 'ello." he greeted them as he unlatched his contrebasse and brought it upright with a flash of light blue levitation magic. With a small kick, he brought down the hoofstand at the base of the instrument and rested against it for now, looking out into the crowd. There were quite a few ponies around. With a forehoof, Timbre Swing tipped his hat back a little and waited for the song to end so that he didn't interrupt anything by just jumping in. He noticed some sheet music ahead of him, so he took the time to page through that while he waited.

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One, two, three new ponies.

Hunh, they already had a stage? Here she though a couple disenfranchised record players were droning somewhere hidden in a forgotten corner somewhere, lost and disregarded b just about anyone ever. Even those that thought that quiet, wussy little bemoanings of an instrument's previous lives probably couldn't hear that mewling little plinking of strings. Wait, hold on, a double-bass, a piano, and a harp? She didn't even care about that wussy choral stuff, and that seemed like a really weird combo to her.

It might've been time to buck it up a notch, but really, there were a lot of notches to be clobbered up for this party to be, well, a party. But, not yet, not yet. This wasn't a Germane Nachtklub, nor that ridiculously powerful Miskolcvafest. Heck, this wasn't even a discothèque. But, hey, she wasn't here to rock out. She was here as a hired hoof. On the plus side, at least she wasn't getting bugged about the big crate, nor was anypony thinking to bug her about the scratchy suit she was wearing - it was bad enough to have to wear the stupid thing, but hey, there were some snazzy-looking ponies here too. Like that lady in the sleek black dress? That was a cool dress. Kinda goth, but that was cool too. Still, she didn't really approach. She had stuff to do. Like kick this box open and play guitar.

But, there was a signal she was waiting for.

Iron Will had received his 'notification' that he was going to be requested at a doorman. The doorman should, of course, wear a suit. Everypony knew that. Everyone knew that.

But Iron Will was not the doorman the gala needed.

Iron Will would be the doorman the gala deserved.

Which is to say, he wasn't going to be the doorman. He hadn't shown up there at all so far, and no letter had been written in advance speaking of his attendance. In that position, he was totally absent. Iron Will was missing; Iron Will cannot be seen.

That was all about to change.

A single sound rang out from the crate - a ringing, like an alarm going off. Ah, there was the signal. Ignition took to the air briefly, kicking up a bit of wind with her colourful wingspan. Then, not one, but two hefty kicks to the side of the crate, and the whole thing unfolded into a secondary stage, slamming into place with no measure of caution - a small, perhaps somewhat finicky one at that, but one complete with the large, grey soundboxes that seemed to come standard whenever Iron Will.

In the midst of it all, however, was the Minotaur himself, standing at full height in nothing more (or less) than a Gryphon-feathered leather vest, studed with iron, and holding a fairly large enchanted guitar, painted with tribal blades.

And, if that ridiculous edifice of intrusive showmanship wasn't enough, he decided to make absolutelysure everypony knew he was there. A moment of staring down at those gathered, and then he ripped out a few thick, piercing chords.

http://soundcloud.com/halide/opening-chords-1

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Starburst quickly brings her hooves up to her ears, to protect from the suddenly obtrusive music, and trots up to Ironwill with a slightly-sour expression on her face. She stands up on two hooves, points a hoof at her wrist to indicate that he's sufficiently late, and motions to the larger stage, where an amplifier is set up behind the piano, next to a set of drums, covered with a clean white sheet of cloth.. "The stage is set up over there... If you'd like to play..."

Starburst busily moves between all of the ponies, making sure that all of the ponies weren't too surprised by the outburst of hot rock music. She passes by ignition, bumping purposefully into her flank as she passes towards the kitchen. She brings back another plate of crepes and sits them down on the table, taking the empty plate and dumping it into a large sink in the kitchen. She picks up a freshly prepared tray of warm Gruyere puffs, which are baked puff pastry pieces slathered with Gruyere cheese, herbs, and a savory sauce, quickly depositing them on a table surrounded by chattering ponies looking in Iron Will's direction.

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Dunder Blust nodded to Ice Storm and winked at her. "Thank you." He said with a smile and a chuckle. He stood up to get some punch for himself and Ice Storm. While he was getting the punch he watched some new ponies arrive. some of them More ponies... maybe I should go out and meet some of them. Ice Storm will be fine He thought as he fulled up two cups with the red juice.

Dunder jolted, spilling some of the juice on the floor and bumping the table when an alarm went off. He quickly stopped the punch bowl from spilling before he shifted his gaze to the crate. It unfolded and a pegasus who was in the air landed on it. Dunder watched him with an expression of surprise and awe. This pony had some guts to do what he was doing. Although, this pony was either a charismatic type or the extremely arrogant type.

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Ice Storm nearly jumped out of her seat when the Minotaur blasted out of the crate and started playing heavy chords out of no where. After she regained her stomach and pushed it back down to where it was supposed to be she gave a very dissatisfied look to his direction. She very much disliked loud sudden noises, and she was relieved to see that Starburst was taking care of the situation. Ice Storm knew though that there would probably be some heavier rock here now though, which she didn't really like but she didn't hate either. She looked back and saw that Dunder had spilled some of the punch as a result of the outburst that had occurred. She pushed herself out of her chair and walked over to him. "Here, let me give you a hoof," she said taking the partially spilled one and filling it back up, "I'm going to go see if I can meet any other nice ponies here. Hopefully proving all of my suspicions to be false in the process," she added turning towards Fleur and the other pony she was talking to and timidly walking over to them.

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Timbre Swing's reading of the sheet music was interrupted by a loud noise, followed by the scratching of a pick along the metal strings of a guitar. It took him by total surprise, and admittedly, made him grin like a fool. A huge minotaur, with an impressive guitar and jacket, was the player. While everybody was shocked, Timbre laughed when it was over and gave the stage a quick little thump with his forehooves. He appreciated impressive, loud, and energetic performances. Then again, he also appreciated all kinds of music. The musicians seemed to have been interrupted by the music, and that was fine by Timbre. Gave him a moment to greet his fellow musicians and get ready for the next song, once Iron Will was done...whatever it was he was doing.

While waiting to see just what the minotaur would do next, Timbre Swing looked around at the crowd. Only a few more ponies had come in, but still, enough that this could be considered quite the get-together.

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Mal groaned. Here they were at a fancy party, and he actually wanted to introduce her to some farmer or something. "You can't dance? Seriously? How do you ever expect to not get killed in a fight if you can't even do something as simple as dancing? It's all coordination and agility, with a bit of reacting to your partner. If you can pull of crazy tricks in the air, you can do this."

She yanked on him with her magic and pulled him towards the band. They still seemed to be warming up, so she pulled Zephyr up to her. "Ok, I'll show you a few things while the band is still playing boring stuff, ok? Are you even paying atte-" She was interrupted by the sudden arrival of a minotaur shredding some harsh riffs. She stopped what she was doing and stared as he played. When he stopped, she reared up and waved her forelegs in the air, cheering.

"Yeeaaaaah! That's what I'm talking about, come on band, you just gonna let him show you up like that? Come on, kick it up a notch!"

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What did she mean how did he expect to be able to fight if he couldn't dance? "I think you're getting confused, I fight really well, but dancing is... UFF" Mid-phrase, Mal seemed to not care, she drug him with her magic close to the band. This was one of those unicorn magic tricks that he didn't like. Mal had him brought right in front of her, nearly muzzle to muzzle. He lightly pushed himself away for a bit of space and she began speaking again. Something caught his eye. A box to the side, a rather large box with a red pegasus next to it. There was something odd about this crate. Seemed kind of boring to stand around on the sides next to some boring box. Why did she have that suit on? She seemed to ignore or pass off any pony that came her way. She wasn't here to party with the others, she was on a mission. Was it sinister? What if he was the only one who knew and was able to thwart a pony's ill intentions? Since it happened in Canterlot, would his sentence get shortened? That would mean he wouldn't have to work for Max as long.

While thinking about why this pony would want to wear a suit if she wasn't here for the party, aside from trying to blend in, he realized he wasn't wearing anything at all. Hopefully there wasn't any dress code for these uppity Canterlot parties, Zephyr wasn't going to wear anything. He was comfortable how he was now. Still, eyes on the target.

"Are you even paying atte-" He heard from the side just after the red pony kicked the box and there stood a minotaur surrounded by... something unfamiliar to Zephyr. He recognized the instrument the minotaur held though. Just then, he let loose a loud chord that rippled through the room. Zephyr's ears curled back and he raised a hoof to his face for some indecernable reason as if those very chords brought a powerful force with them. This wasn't the kind of music Zephyr was used to, but the longer he heard it, the more it struck a good nerve in him. From his side, he heard Mal shout, she had reared up, excited. Trying to rile up the band on the stage. It brought a grin to his face. This place was rather boring before, but now... this is just what was needed. He followed with Mal's idea and reared up as she did, waving his forelegs with excitement. The tracer blacelet on his left leg glared from the light shining down in the room.

He didn't have anything to say to cheer on whoever it was they were supposed to cheer on, but Mal seemed to have that covered... and he didn't think his voice would be heard over this now, pleasant rocking chord that ripped through the room. This was going to be an exciting night.

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Oh, pff, please. That wasn't a hipcheck, that was a nudge. "Just doin' what I was paid to, lady. You can like it or lump it." Hey, her stage had unfolded just fine, and although in her professional opinion the acoustics were slipshod at best, it got the point across. The big guy had a way of making an appearance, though, she had to give him that much. Still, given that there were more ponies looking glad for the action - herself included - rather than running for some form of cover, this might kinda backfire! She'd only built the stage for a quick performance, not a full-on show by a hefty Minotaur. Still, hey, he was rocking, her stage wasn't breaking - all was good there. Now, she'd just slip around back and take up her own position at the drums.

Iron Will, on the other hand, simply looked down at the ponies. Their eyes pleaded up at him and seemed to cry out 'Entertain us!'; he looked down on them and whispered 'Yes'. And the host had wanted him to be the doorman? This, to him, was far more likely where he should have been in the grander scheme of things! After all, was he not an entertainer? The drummer'd need a moment to get herself set up, as simple as her part was - Ignition's suit-jacket quickly came off, and some of the shirt unbuttoned for the sake of freedom of movement. But, that was all further back of him, not something to be paid much attention to.

Seeing as the already-assembled band did little to take him up on the challenge, he snorted, the ripped into another riff.

http://soundcloud.com/halide/challenge

And, with that, the mighty minotaur grinned. "Now, everypony, all of you let Iron Will know how much you want some entertainment that will shake your very hooves!"

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Dunder smiled and nodded to Ice, "Alright, have fun!" He said to her before she left. He glanced around at the other ponies. His heart started to beat faster... so many ponies. Which one should he talk to? There we so many, what if they didn't like him? What if he made a fool of himself? He took another drink of punch to calm himself down. As well as trot off, away from there. Away from the place associated with the thoughts.

He didn't know where to go. All the ponies were stressing him out, too much going on in his head. He sat down at a table and laid his head down on it. Why did he have to be so bad at socializing? He asked himself.

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Fleur stood there, talking for a moment to the pony. There was no reply. She waved her hoof in front of the blank, expressionless face. "Hello? Hmm.." Suddenly there was a loud clamour which filled the hall. Her ears perked up and she turned to face the stage. She looked upon Iron Will, who was standing atop it with an electric guitar... What an odd party.

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Ice Storm had finally gotten a bit f courage inside of her and decided to go ahead and approach Fleur. After all, she couldn't make any new friends herself if she just stayed in the background all night. "Well that's something you don't see at a gala everyday. At least I wouldn't think. This is my first Gala of any sort, so of course I may just be mistaken," she said aloud next to Fleur, but not directing it to anypony. More or less she was just thinking out loud hope that Fleur would comment on it, as she was still too nervous on the inside to approach any of the well-knowns in Canterlot.

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The actress shifted slightly, still looking up towards the stage with a surprised expression. Fleur blinked, and stood there for a moment, watching the minotaur slam out a few more riffs. What had Starburst been up to, inviting Iron Will?. She had been expecting something a little... different. "Hmm?" Suddenly she heard what sounded like somepony talking. The mare turned to face Ice Storm. "I'm sorry, did you say something? I couldn't make you out over all of that noise..." Fleur Smiled. "And I think my ears need to be cleaned now."

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Well the minotaur seemed to have the entertainment in order. As Timbre Swing's fellow musicians chatted amongst themselves, the green pony hopped off the stage, his hooves hitting the group with a clopping noise. He trotted over to the nearby refreshment table, looking around the room. Over at the table a grey pegasus walked off to sit somewhere else, and nearby was somepony he'd seen before, because, well, so had everypony. Fleur-de-Lis, famous actress. Out of his league, even if he was likely the only other Fancy-speaker in the room.

A soft blue glow surrounded his cup as Timbre took a sip, looking around the room from near the refreshment table. This was turning out to be an interesting night. And if he didn't think Iron Will would be able to lay him flat the moment he tried to take his contrebasse up against the minotaur's guitar, he'd have already tried to challenge him. Timbre was good, but not that good, though. No way he could keep up to the minotaur's playing.

With a chuckle, he tilted his fedora back a little and shifted a bit. Rented suits were uncomfortable, he decided then and there, and his next one was going to be tailored to him...if he ever got the bits to afford something like that.

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Ice Storm smiled back at Fleur after she commented tha she couldn't make out anything that she said because of Iron Will's guitar. Shewas very polite, and she did not disappoint her reputation, at least not yet. She added comedically at the end thaat she might need to get her ears clean after all of that and Ice just nodded with her. "Yeah, I was just saying that I wasn't expecting this to be at a Gala. This may be my first Gala, even after living here in canterlot for so many years, but I'm fairly sure that rock and roll isn't normally on the musical list. Personally, I liked the clasical stuff onthe phonographs better," she commented with a smile. "I'm Ice Storm, I used to attempt living in the nobles district of Canterlot, thiough that proved to be troublesome and I live in ponyville now. It's a lot quieter there," she finished hoping that she wasn't boring the famous actress.

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Starburst comes back from the back of the room carrying a large pitcher, pouring it into the punchbowl. "Busy busy busy... " those around her can hear her saying, quickly moving between each of the tables and keeping them refreshed. If her hair wasn't tied up in a beautiful ribbon and if she wasn't wearing a magnificent dress you're sure she would belong with some of the servers. However, this is her event, and she's only concerned that everyone is having a good time.

After she finishes tending to the punch she goes around to the tables and lights the waxy candles on the candelabra. The candelabra are of special design. Suspended around them are blown glass bubbles, filled with rainbow that the light from the candles passes through, projecting a myriad of colors out onto the cables. A larger version, a large chandelier, is suspended above the ballroom, without hesitation she flutters up and lights the pristine white candles, which floods the room in rainbow color. After landing back on the solid floor, she walks over to the windows and closes the blinds to prevent large amounts of light from entering the room, setting a sort of.. romantic atmosphere.

"Anything to settle the crowd down after that shrieking.. " she thought to herself.

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Timbre Swing hummed a little as he looked around the room, smiling at the pegasus that had greeted him as she filled the punchbowl next to him, then ran off again. He watched her as she got up to light some candles around the room, setting off beautiful colours through the blown glass bubbles around all of the candles. It was quite the sight to see. He trotted over to her, grinning at her.

"You look like you could use, uh, some time to relax." he said, his Fancy accent thick and making his speech a little halting. "You 'ave done well. Zis is your party, oui?" he asked. He rolled his Rs in a strange way, just part of his accent.

"Mon nom est Timbre Swing. I was invited to be zee entertainment, mais..." he nodded to the minotaur's stage.

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Starburst grins a little, withholding a chuckle. Eventually the pressure builds behind her lips to unimaginable levels and she sputters, laughing heartily in Timbre Swing's face.

"If you were supposed to be the entertainment you should be entertaining then. Your accent is as thick as your charm." she says, smirking. "Now if you'll excuse me, I must attend to the door, I'm sure somepony is just waiting to join this wonderful party from outside." she says, moving towards the thoroughfare between the street and the ballroom.

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"You and me both, no?" the mare chuckled and then continued "Well, I'm most glad to meet you, Ice Storm, is it?" Fleur shifted slightly and smiled. "As well, you are right, the nobles in Canterlot may be more trouble than they are worth. ( and the nobility is worth a lot. )" She then tossed an idle gaze off towards Starburst as she flitted about and outside the hall. "I haven't really been much to Ponyville, but from what I see the ponies who live there seem very kind." She said, looking back down towards Ice Storm.

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Since her arrival to the party, Blaze had became mostly invisible to the other party goers. It was mostly through a pleasant dinner at a tea shop that Blaze knew the host, Starburst. She had discussed a deal about selling copies of future releases of any of her books after the controversy of "One Pony" had worn away somewhat with the pegasus. Not that it was of any particular matter now. Blaze had wanted to pass the invitation to her sister, Ash, but it was her unfortunate luck that the mare had encouraged her to come to this thing. She even had went to the trouble of buying a new black and gold dress for her.

Playing the wall was not completely boring. Blaze thought of it moreso of an opportunity to continue her social studies. There were many ponies doing their best to have a good time it seemed, and the celebrity/motivational speaker, Iron Will had even played some amazing chords. To some ponies, that kind of music was uncouth, and therefore a social nono, but Blaze found that she rather liked it. That there was a strange beauty in the brutality that she could only see. She observed a couple from afar. A blue mare and a green stallion, attempting dancing it had seemed. She chuckled as she watched them. If she had to guess, it had to be one of his first times to an event like this.

Blaze set her rump against the floor and leaned back against the wall. She didn't feel lonely, and she wasn't not at want for company. But what was she to do? Mingling wasn't her thing. She liked less....forced methods of conversation. She liked how events would bring ponies together. That fascinated her. Yet, as it were, no such thing were to happen yet. With a sigh, she lifted her cup telekinetically to down the rest of her punch before tossing the it in the trash.

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