The maid and the prince

I sat scowling in the car with my arms crossed over my chest.

"Oh come on Rainbow, were not asking much from our friend, besides they have alcohol, you'll be fine" I looked up at Rarity with a raised eyebrow.

"No way am I drinking with Pinkie around, she gets me involved in way too much, I can't afford to get really hammered, I do have work tomorrow." They all turned to Pinkie

"Don't worry Dashie, I don't have time to get you really drunk, I only have time to get myself really full of the cakes I made." I shook my head and gave a weak laugh, Pinkie really did love her cake. I leaned back against the seat wondering what I was supposed to even do at the party. I can't have too much to drink, I can't dance because I hate it ... what would I actually be able to do?

"Um, do you know if Apple Jack will be there, I haven't seen her in a long time." Twilight smiled at me, looking exited, but not for Apple Jack. Oh yeah, I forgot, her brother was practically a prince now married to Cadence, they must be going too.

"Yeah, she sent me a text saying she was exited to see you all, I saw her last week in my day class. She hasn't changed I can assure you, to be honest I don't think she wants to be a princess, she loves her family's farm an awful lot. I'm sure she'll fill you in when we get there."

I huffed, this was so boring, I'd rather walk, at least that way I could have music on, but then i'd be walking in a dress so I guess I should stop complaining. A little.

"Uch, when are we gonna get there? I want to get out of this thing." I waved at the dress to emphasis my hatred for the clothes, they all rolled their eyes at me before settling into their own conversation. Fine, in that case I'll juts take a nap in the car.  Closing my eyes I drowned out the sound of their voices, focusing on the blank canvas of my eyes.

"Raaaaainbooow" My eyes snapped open for Pinkie's face to be all I see, taking in a breath I pushed her away.

"Please say where here" I yawned, wiping the corner of my eyes. I gave a few small blinks before knowing I was awake.

"Yup, we would have let you sleep otherwise silly" Then she bounced from the door, great I'm the last to leave.When I got out Rarity shoved something black in my hand, I looked down then back at her to see she was wearing a mask.

"Masquerade, are you kidding me. Well at least now I can hide myself a little better, my head still a dead giveaway"

"Oh come on live a little, when was the last time we all went out to have fun!" They all looked at me nodding.

"Easy, I was 18. We all got drunk, I saw one of the Wonderbolts, and they said if I was in that state I'd never be part of the,. Oh and then, then they told me I was over qualified to join." I watched as they all went quiet. Twilight stepped forward taking my free hand.

"That's the past, were all a little different now, come on I'm sure something good will come out of this for you" I sighed, she's right. I fixed the mas on my face before giving a toothy grin

"Well I guess I better make the most out of this,come on!" I pulled Twilight along, and soon the sound of five pairs of heels rang across the pavement.

"OK follow me girls,I know where our table is, I made a few ...specifications" I looked behind me at the girls faces,i

"Rarity, that has me worried. You're planning something" She turned round and grinned.

"Maybe I made sure our table was as close to AJ's as possible, I'm sure she won't mind" We all laughed and followed her, I kept my eyes focused on the back of her head, wanting to ignore any looks from anybody. As soon as we got the the table I let out a sigh of relief. I looked at the decorations around the place, it was all light. Everybody was wearing bright happy colour and then there was my wearing red, with a black mask. I was glad the lights were low, making all the colours seem dimmer, I turned to Rarity.

"Rar, any reason why I'm the only person in murderous colours?" She shrugged not looking at me, before changing the subject.

"Oh Apple Jack, come over here darling." I turned round to see her, and to be honest she didn't look much different. Older but I could still see it was her. She looked at us, a bright smile on her face as she made her way over as quick as possible.

"Well howdy girls, ya'll just saved my hide back there" I blinked. Princess AJ just said howdy she really hadn't changed, she must still have that challenging attitude to her. I glanced at her soft orange dress, more of a ball gown look to it. She grabbed a chair and sat down with us. "I have certainly missed spending time with sane people. Everybody I talk to seems to complain about people like how I am" I frowned at her as she looked round the table

"Oh, they complain about tacky farm types that are muddy, and well, I'm still that girl. Even Mac's still the farming type, built like a bull" She laughed and patted her dress smiled at us "I really have missed ya'll"

"Well, you missed me least, we have seen each-other a lot at school" I stretched a little and yawned before

"So, how've you been living in the palace, or whatever?"  She frowned at me

"I hate it, there's no sense of family, I'm just glad I have Mac and Apple Bloom, though she's been forced into boarding school for now. Speaking of Mac have you seen him? He said he had things to check up on but  haven't seen him. H'll be easy to pick out of the crowd"

"How would we?" She ginned

"Well, he matches your outfit quite well..." I stared flashing Rarity a look, though she seemed delighted bout this new found information.I just shook my head.

"I need to go girls, people to greet, I really wish I could stay and chat, this is one of the parts I hate about this title. I hope we can catch up more later. Bye." She walked of, putting a fake smile on her face, she really must hate aspects of this, I'd hate wearing a dress almost all the time.

"Come on lets go mingle ourselves girl" I shook my head as they all started to get up

"No thanks, my glass is empty" They rolled there eyes patting my shoulder. They knew not to push me, i'd mingle later, when I feel a little more relaxed.I waited for a waiter to bring me a drink, and another, and one more until I felt ready to talk to these rich people. Though I still didn't want any of them talking to me so I just leaned back into my chair watching the girls dance, having fun. Part of me wanted to, but the stubborn part forced me not to move. I wasn't entirely sure I had been sat here, they it must have been a while because FlutterShy would never dance with a guy she met so soon.

"Care to dance?" I jumped at the thick voice, I turned round to see glimmering green eyes. I swallowed the rest of my drink as he smiled. His suit was black, but all the details were almost exactly the same colour as my dress including his mask. I shook my glass.

"I don't think i've had enough to drink to think about dancing" I glanced at where the girls were to see them staring at me mouths opened, even those next to them were staring, I looked up at him again to see his hand was extended, obviously he wasn't taking my no very well. "I-"

"Don;t say anything darlin', just take me hand and dance with me. I'd rater dance with somebody unaware of me than girls throwing themselves my way." I blinked, his accent making me feel safe and warm. Slowly I took his hand. It felt warm, as it closed around my own. A perfect fit? I gave my head a small shake casting the though from my mind as he pulled me toward the dance floor.

"Do I know you?" I looked up into his eyes as he gave a small nod.

"Eeyup, but not like this." I blinked. Oh right that accent this must be Mac. Oh great.

"Your Apple Jacks brother right?" He nodded, forcing my feet to move along with him. Making me realize we were just standing.

"Eeyup, but thats not how you know me, though I need to say. I didn't approach you just because you unaware of me." He picked up the speed a little

"Ok, why? I really don't think I know you any other way..." He simply brought his head close to me ear, his breath sending a small shiver down my back.

"That change did help, though, your the only generous person I know of here" I frowned, mulling it over, before I stopped dancing.

"Wait, your telling me you dressed as a begger on the street to test people generosity!" I yelled in a whispered voice. He wrapped his hand around my waist again staring the dance over

"Well, it was a small test, I wanted to find a place for me and AJ to get away from this life, and everywhere else I took this test, got nothing but looks from passers by. So, because of you. I have a permanent hold on a hotel room in this place" i just danced thinking it over.

"Is that all you wanted to say?" I made a silent prayer in my head to hope he'll say no. Though I don't know why.

"Nope" The challenging side of me came out, as I raised an eye brow.

"Is that so ...care to share?" His eyes sparkled and his arm wrapped around me a little lighter, as I felt my cheeks burn, I was so glad that the lighting was dark

"Well, that depends on it your really sure you want to know. Spin" I did as told, before pushing myself into him. Looking up at him to see he was smiling widely.

"I'm sure I can take it" He brought his head next to my ear as he whispered

"Well then-" The lights suddenly became bright, and I came back to my senses my eyes wide.

"I'd like to thank you all for coming to one of my special Pinkie parties, held for my friend Apple Jack and her brother, so come on you two get up here and make a speech!" She smiled around the room, her grin getting wider when she spotted me. Great, now everybody is going to see Mac like this with me ... prince mac.