Aleksandr

Chapter 6: At The Gala

The next morning, I ate my breakfast, and set off to find Rarity's boutique. I carried my greatcoat draped over my arm with my ushanka on my head. I continued to walk around the town for about an hour, and eventually realized I didn't know where the fuck I was going. Looking around, I found the best pony to ask for directions: a guard.

"Excuse me miss," I began.

"Yes?" The mare replied.

"Could you point me to the Carousel Boutique?"

"Just continue down this road east and you should see it. You can't miss it." I nodded to her, and followed her directions. I eventually found the place, and nearly gagged at it's color scheme.

Ugh, does everything here have to be brightly colored? I walked up to the tacky building, and pushed open the glass door. A bell rang, and a female voice called from a few rooms away.

"I'll be right there!" I sat down in a chair, but remembered I would probably break it. I opted to stand and wait patiently. I held up my coat, and noticed how much caked mud, dried blood, and holes there were. I must have put it through a lot of abuse. I waited for another five minutes, and the sound of clopping hooves was heard. A stark white unicorn trotted in through the door, and smiled at me.

"Good morning, Rarity."

"Same to you, Aleksandr. What can I do for you on this fine day?"

"All I need is for these to get cleaned up."

"Oh, my! I simply cannot let you wear that! That is an insult to fashion!"

"This isn't some fashion item, Rarity. It's part of my battle dress. All I need is for you to clean it off, and fix the holes. That is all."

"Oh, I can do that within the hour."

"How much?"

"Oh, it's free, since it's your first time here. I am the element of generosity after all." I nodded and smiled.

"Wait, what are you and your friends going in?

"We all have dresses, some simpler than others. They are strictly for special occasions." I sat in the corner, and began to strip my pistol while she worked. I cleaned the parts, inspected for any damage and reassembled it. I practiced a few combat maneuvers such as cornering, reloading, quick-drawing, and a few others.

"Alright, I'm done. What are you doing?"

"Oh, uh, just some combat exercises. Thank you for fixing up my clothes."

"Think nothing of it, dearie." It was only then I noticed what she had done to them. The holes looked as if they were never there, and the stains were completely gone. My ushanka looks brand new, it was cleaned, and the Red Star was polished to a mirror sheen. Now, we just had to catch the train, and we set off.

///\\

We were all gathered at the train station, the ponies were wearing simple-ish dresses, and I wore my coat and hat. They had packed a few suitcases, while I just had my Tokarev and PPSh, in addition to some spare rounds. I had my knife tucked into my boots and my SMG hanging from my shoulder.

"Is everypony ready?" Twilight asked.

"Yep"

"Yeah!"

"Yes."

"Y-yes."

"Yup."

"Да."

We all filed into the train, and sat down. Most ponies scooted away from me, some staring. I didn't care. I gazed upon the beautiful Equestrian countryside. Maybe living here won't be as bad as I thought. The locals are okay, the food is good, the weather's nice, and the countryside looks nice. I was snapped out of my thoughts when Twilight spoke to me.

"Aleksandr, do you always have to carry those things around wherever you go? It's not like we're in a warzone!"

"You never know. Besides, I want ponies to know I mean business. To know not to fuck with me."

"But they're afraid of you! How is that good?"

"That is exactly what I want. I want to be feared. I am part of the Red Army. I must act the part."

"I still don't like it. You should be more friendly!"

"Look, I just came from Berlin! Give me a break for fuck's sake!"

"Okay, okay! I'll leave you alone then!" By now everyone in the car was staring at me.

"What the fuck are you all staring at?!" They all jumped and looked away. The rest of the ride was uneventful. I would get the occasional glance from a pony, I would stare at the passing land, or hum a simple tune to myself. One pony actually had the balls to talk to me. She was a grey mare with a black mane. She had a treble-clef cutie mark.

"Are you going to the Gala?"

"Да."

"Do you like music?"

"Да."

"Do you play anything?"

"My parents made me take piano lessons when I was small. Do you play anything?

"I'm a cellist. I'm playing this year at the Gala. How good are you?"

"I only know a few songs. You know, I may just play at the Gala. I can probably make some arrangements with the princesses."

"What do you mean?"

"I want to make a good impression."

"No, by 'Make arrangements with the princesses'?"

"They invited me here, so I can probably just ask nicely."

"Wow! They personally invited you? That's such an honor! Either way, what song would you play?"

"You'll see. What is your name?"

"Octavia. I already know yours. Word gets around." Our conversation was cut short by the train whistle announcing our arrival.

"Well, I look forward to seeing you at the Gala." I finished. The ponies filed out of the train, and we regrouped at the station platform. We all gathered our bags, and were on our way. We had small conversations on our way to the castle. After about 45 minutes of walking, we reached the castle gates.

"Halt," Shouted the guard. "Please present your tickets." Twilight handed him the tickets and the letter. Instead of a ticket, the princess wrote that I am to be allowed entry in the letter. The guard nodded, and we proceeded into the large structure. We passed by multiple guards, who nodded to me. The nobles just gave me disgusted glares. I flipped them off. It's a vicious cycle. We eventually reached the dining room and the princesses looked up from their conversations when we entered. They beckoned us over to their table, and pointed at seven reserved seats, each had our names on them.

"So nice of you all to join us!" Princess Celestia greeted warmly.

"I trust you're well, Aleksandr?" Said Princess Luna.

"Good evening to all of you." I said smiling.

"Auntie, why must you let this ape sit at our table? Last I checked it was for royalty only!"

"And special guests!" Celestia said with a glare.

"Blueblood, I will not allow you to insult our guests! Hold your tongue!" Luna chastised.

"Apologies..." Blueblood replied, glaring daggers at me.

"Anyway, we're here tonight, that's all that matters. What has been going on with you all?"

"Nothing special, just having to listen to nobles ramble on about their petty requests." Celestia replied.

"Same here. You know Aleks, I enjoy being able to have a conversation as equals. That is one of the things I like about you. I dislike all of the formalities. You need not call me 'princess' every time you address me. Simply call me Luna." Said Luna, smiling at me.

"Thank you for the compliment. Anyway, I have a few things I've been meaning to tell you."

"What might they be?" Celestia asked.

"The first, is I wish to join the Equestrian Military. I have the perfect skill set for it, and I've seen heavy combat. I would be perfect."

"You would have to go through initiation, but we can make arrangements. I think you would be perfect for it." Luna said.

"Secondly, I know I am making many requests, but, is there any way I can make a surprise performance at the show tonight?"

"What do you plan on playing?"

"Oh, just one song on a piano. That is all."

"That can be arranged." Soon after, dinner was served, and we all enjoyed a meal together. Laughs were had, stories were shared, and food was eaten.

*///\*

A few hours after dinner, the show started. Multiple ponies performed, but I wasn't really impressed. Then, Octavia, the pony I met on the train trotted onstage, holding a cello. She began to play, and to be honest, I enjoyed her much more than the other ponies. When she finished, I clapped, and waved to her. A grand piano was wheeled onto stage shortly after she finished. Soon after, a male voice was heard, sounding like it was coming from all around us. Probably magic.

"And now, a surprise performance from... Aleksandr!" The ponies stared at me as I walk up onto the stage. I sat behind the piano, and they fell silent. Unlike the other ponies, my song had more energy to it. Everyone else's was too... Weak. I lifted my hands up to the keys, and began to play.

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"Wow! That was great!" Said Luna.

"That was definitely the best song I've heard in a while!" Celestia complimented.

"I thought it was rubbish!" Said Blueblood bitterly.

"I didn't ask for your opinion, Blueballs."

"Anyway, Flash Sentry will lead you to your rooms for tonight." She said, nodding to an orange-coated guard. He did as he was told, and we were escorted to our rooms. We all bid each other goodnight, and entered our temporary quarters. I stripped down to my underclothes, and hid my SMG under my bed. I kept my knife and pistol on my bedside table, and fell into a deep sleep.