Paradox
Even as a Princess with and infinite life span, there are a few questions I will never be able to answer. An example of such a question is; if you try to fail, but succeed, which have you really done? I believe it to be more of a paradox than a question. Well scratch that, isn't a paradox a question with no answer, or a statement that contradicts it's self? I don't know, perhaps you humans can look it up on your interweb thingy. Yes that's right, I, Princess Celestia can also break the fourth wall.
But anyway, I would like to go back to the question of; If you try to fail but succeed, which have you really done? You see, as much as I value all my subjects alike, I have a problem. Yes I also have problems. You see, every single year, we hold a grand party, and whilst I don't wish any disrespect to the higher class Canterlot elite, which encompasses the whole guest list, it is usually a bit boring. This big party is, of course, The Grand Galloping Gala.
Just lately, I had an amazing idea. At first, I was ready to accept the fact that this year's Gala was going to be just as boring. I had invited my prized protégé, Twilight Sparkle, as well as a plus one. I had naturally assumed she would bring Spike, until she sent the tickets back along with a letter saying that if she couldn't take all her friends, she didn't want to go either. Seems she had learned a valuable lesson. Then it was that this idea struck me; send seven tickets. One each for Spike, Twilight and each of her friends. They would be guaranteed to liven the night up by a long shot.
Fast forward to right now. Here I am, greeting the many guests, who have turned up for the Gala. Twilight Sparkle is stood next to me, also greeting the guests. What said guests don't know is that tonight is going to be a bit revamped so to speak. I notice the really long line slowly starting to dissipate as the grand hall fills with ponies. It will soon be time to check on how the element barers are doing on livening up the Gala.
Now, time out, I know this begs a few questions. Firstly, you might be wondering why I can't liven the gala up myself. Simple answer is because, for me to do that, I'd have to behave slightly out of character. As a Princess, I can't be seen out of character at all. I must do all I can to make sure every pony is acting normally. Naturally, this includes myself. That may answer another two questions. Why the element barers? Well, they aren't Canterlot elite, they are bound to have a whole different expectation on the night, and maybe hopefully act as they would at a party in Ponyville. Secondly, Do the element barers know that they are meant to liven it up? No they don't, because, if they act in character, I'm sure they will.
With the last of the guests greeted, I think it's time to take Twilight and check on the other five element barers. Twilight has informed me that Applejack has a stand set up selling all manner of Apple based treats. That may be the first stop. I remember the giving earlier roots of the Apple family the land to build Ponyville on, and I've heard that some of the families produce is "to die for". I'm not sure there will be much to see in the way of excitement, but I am peckish, and eager to try some Apple family food, even of some of the elite would call it common carnival fare.
As I notice Applejack stood behind a stand, I decide that I am a bit put off. The food looked great, no doubt there, but the queue was monstrous. I'd say easily a hundred ponies. I'm a Princess, but I can't allow my status to be an excuse to cut in line. Next to the stand, I see several boxes filled to the brim, and over flowing with gold bits. It certainly seems she has had a good night of business. Onto the next.
Fluttershy was to found in the Canterlot gardens. I know that some of the animals here could be a bit, what's the word, difficult. This may be where there could be a scene for excitement perhaps a stampede through the main hall? The gardens can be pretty tricky to navigate at times, but before long I see Fluttershy simply surrounded by several forms of wildlife, gently talking to them. I wonder if it was because of the thing referred to as "The stare". Though it isn't much in the way of lively, Fluttershy looks happy enough, so I won't interfere.
So the night appears to be going quite well for Applejack and Fluttershy. Oddly, I don't feel surprised about this. Selling produce and spending the evening in the gardens could hardly bring around...
Ok I won't lie any further, not that I have being lying, I've been merely hiding the truth. I want a bit of chaos. Not like the chaos that he who shall not be named can create, but something a bit more fun than the usual gala material. Besides three out of six isn't awful, there's still Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Rarity to check on.
Rainbow Dash, as I might have guessed myself, was with the Wonderbolts. On speaking to Spitfire, I heard she save Soarin's Apple Pie, probably, well definitely, brought from Applejack. A Wonderbolt losing a pie, would that be a small scale of chaos? Nooooo I doubt it. Either way, I suppose Rainbow Dash might be forever known as the heroin of the Apple Pie. So, nothing much going on here then.
I barely had to move from seeing Rainbow Dash to account for the next element as I heard her voice communicating with an all too familiar stallion's voice. Wait, isn't that my nephew, Prince blueblood. This has to be good, no offense, I love him, but he's slightly pig headed and inconsiderate when it comes to the mares. But then, something seems off. After hearing a few more exchanges of words, I discover that he's actually having a pleasant conversation with a mare, Rarity in this case. for my sake (what? every pony says" for Celestia's sake" why can't I? Yeah I know you were thinking I can't say that) Blueblood, why is it the time I want to see a bit of chaos, your suddenly good with mares. Well, onwards and upwards.
Surely enough, there is no way Pinkie Pie can be not lively. In fact, The fact that I can't see her is giving me hope. She's probably appearing in many places at once without rhyme or reason, or about to start whizzing round the room so fast, or behaving in some form of Pinkie-esque behavior. Or...What!? Am I really seeing Pinkie Pie slow dance? My mind cannot comprehend this, perhaps if I rub them, I will see what's really happening. Nope, still slow dancing. It looks like that's something solid six out of six for the "not creating slight chaos" team.
Despite wanting to see a bit of chaos, The night has been successful. But I tried to fail. But I think I have come to a solid answer to the paradox, or question, whichever. I tried to fail, but I succeeded. Surely that means I succeeded right? I mean I'm happy enough that all of my subjects in attendance had a good night, even if I wanted something to go slightly wrong. And other seems each of the barers were able to "live there dreams" as Twilight Sparkle put it. We had spoken about magic, and what she had learned and seen, Applejack made plenty of money for the Apple family, Rainbow Dash had got to spend an evening with the Wonderbolts, Rarity had got along reasonably well with my nephew, Fluttershy made new animal friends, and Pinkie Pie had a party.
Yeah, I really think I succeeded after all, so there's that question solved, If you try to fail, but succeed, you succeed. Huzaah, Princess Celestia 1, questions with no answers/paradoxes 0. Next thing to figure out, Why did the chicken cross the road? Perhaps I need to see a pegasus Filly to answer that.
Author's Note
A/N. This is just a quick idea I had for a quick fic last night. I hope you enjoy it, but I won't take it too personally otherwise. Devoid is still my main piece, and I'm setting a goal for a new chapter of it by Friday night. So here's my silly little short for you to (hopefully) enjoy
