Behind the Scenes of the Gala

by GermanRubberBands

Rating: everyone
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Original Character, Comedy, Adventure
Length: 2525

We've seen the mane six at the gala, but what did the background characters do? Here is a story from the eyes of Marshmallow Heart, a pony with awkward-itis, at the gala.

Out of the sisters, Marshmallow Heart was always the one with 'awkward-itis', which her sister Cotton Candy dubbed as, 'The horribly awkward way somepony should talk to a stallion'. It got even worse when she invites Marshmallow Heart down to Ponyville to attend the gala with her. She wants her sister to settle down with a stallion or even just make a few friends, but Marshmallow Heart thinks there's no possible way. What will await this awkward mare at the fanciest gala of them all?

Published 2015-03-20 08:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2015-03-21 00:04:32 UTC

Chapter 1

Marshmallow Heart was just getting off the train into Ponyville. She was dragging her luggage behind her with her jaws, trying to use the utmost of her strength to just get out of the way so others could get off the train. It hit the ground with a 'thunk' and she continued to drag it. She hadn't even packed that much, but it seemed that her white suitcase was practically bursting!

"Need some help?"

She looked up at the sound of a familiar voice and saw her sister and her husband. Now, her sister was a very beautiful mare and this automatically made Marshmallow Heart a little more than jealous. She had a white body with a long pearl pink and baby blue mane. She wasn't a pegasus, so that made her a little happier because she couldn't out-stand her in the way of her wings.

Although her husband definitely made up for what Cotton Candy seemed to lack. He was buff in the chest and tall, his spiked mane seeming to sit perfectly around his tall horn. The unicorn had a orange and red mane and a brown body. His name was Flame and he was called that for a reason. His mane made him look like he was flaming all the time, and Marshmallow would never admit it, but he was hot enough to set her cheeks ablaze.

"Please?" Marshmallow asked with a small and awkward smile.

"I got it." Flame chuckled and lifted it up with his magic. "Come on, let's get you settled."

"It's good to see you again, sis." Cotton Candy put a leg around her shoulders before they started walking and then smiled at her. "So, are you excited for the gala?"

Marshmallow paled at the mere thought of it. "No, not really. Do I have to go?"

"I will send you right back to that city of yours if you don't come with us." Cotton Candy threatened and then playfully bumped her flank against her sister's. "I doubt it will be that bad, Marshy. I even had us dresses custom made. You look to be the same size as me."

"Ugh." Marshmallow shook her head. "You really thought of everything, huh?"

As they headed into Ponyville, the time was filled with awkward and idle conversation between the three of them. She had always gotten along with her sister. Ever since they were fillies, they did pretty much everything together. There was really nothing they did apart, except for sleep. Although, that all changed when their mother died. It was sad and hospitalized death that tore the sisters apart. Cotton Candy quickly moved to Ponyville and Marshmallow Heart stayed in Fillydelphia.

When they got to the home, Flame showed her to the room she would be staying in for a few days and then gave her some space and time to unpack. She shut the door when she got the chance and started to take out the things she needed out. With ease, she slid a hot pink heart necklace around her neck and smiled at her reflection in the mirror. That was a gift from their mother. Cotton Candy got one too, but never seemed to wear it.

"Hey, Marshy?"

"Come in."

She turned to see Cotton Candy step in the room with a small smile on her face. The mare approached her and her smile broadened at the sight of the necklace, but her eyes went back up to meet her sister's.

"Want to go and get the dresses adjusted?" She asked, her bright blue eyes glimmering.

"Well, I should be the only one who needs it adjusted." Marshmallow looked at little confused. "Why would you...?"

"I'm gonna have a foal, sis!" She exclaimed suddenly.

"R-Really?" Marshmallow practically choked over her breath. "Well, congratulations! W-wow!"

As they exchanged a giggling hug, Marshmallow felt her jealousy increase ten fold. She knew her sister and Flame had wanted a foal as soon as they got together, but things seemed to prevent them from having one. Marshmallow wanted one herself but she didn't have a husband or even a stallionfriend, so that kind of halted things on her end. Now that her sister was going to have one, she was going to be left in the dark yet again. She tried to remain smiling as she let her sister go.

"Does Flame know?" She asked with a smile.

"I just told him, like, twenty minutes before you came." She laughed and bobbed her head.

"That's amazing."

Cotton Candy must have noticed the sour note in her voice, because she frowned a bit. "I'm sure you'll have one someday Marshy, you just have to find the right stallion first."

"I-I know." Marshmallow nodded and then forced a grin. "So, let's go get those dresses altered! I really hope you chose something I like."

"Don't worry," Her sister brushed it off and grinned herself. "You'll adore it!"

Author's Note

Hey, mares and stallions!

I hope you're enjoying this story and if you are, please do me a favor and tell others about this. Thank you so much!~ <3

Chapter 2

"Well, I can't lie, you definitely chose something I like."

Marshmallow Heart was looking at a beautiful gown that was on display as an example, but it was tagged as 'reserved' and also 'custom made'. The mare wanted to ask her sister how much it cost, but there was no way Cotton Candy would tell her. The neckline was padded with a white fur and the silvery metal would dip down to her lower chest. The actual dress part of it was a hot pink that had been darkened slightly and amazingly enough matched her eyes. It was long and would drag against the ground, but that part faded into a clear-ish material. It was decorated with white hearts on the faded part. The headpiece was made of silver beads and the center was a hot pink heart that would rest against her forehead.

"I told you it would be beautiful!"

"Ah, Cotton Candy!"

They both turned to see a white unicorn with a curled purple mane. She was rather pretty and it was obvious that both her and Cotton Candy were close, because they gave each other a hug. It was short, but still very awkward for Marshmallow Heart and just another reminder that she was practically forever alone.

"This must be your sister!" The mare approached her. "It's so wonderful to meet you, darling! Your sister has said so much about you!"

"Really?" Marshmallow smiled and then looked at her sister.

"Oh, don't worry," The mare laughed. "she only says good things, I swear."

"Rarity, is there a chance I can get my dress sized too?" Cotton Candy asked.

"Well, of course," Rarity tilted her head slightly. "But you shouldn't have to have it re-sized unless..."

"It worked." Cotton Candy laughed and she blushed a little bit. "I will forever follow your advice."

"Oh, Candy," Rarity squealed and bounced slightly. "I am so delighted to hear about this! I'm sure you'll make a wonderful mother!"

"Thank you." She smiled.

"That news has permanently brightened my day!" She laughed and then looked at them both. "Okay, let's get your sister sized first."

Marshmallow had never been sized for a gown before, and she wasn't going to lie to herself; it was super uncomfortable. Rarity had a little more adjusting to do in the length department because Marshmallow was taller than she had expected. She had to do all the sewing and such right then and there, seeing as the next day was the gala.

As Rarity and Cotton Candy chirped about the gala and how amazing it was going to be, poor Marshmallow Heart was practically having a mental breakdown. She was never good with big crowds or stallions... and definitely not both in one setting. She wasn't exactly the most graceful pony and she didn't do well with being polite, either.

"Are you okay, darling?" Rarity's voice caught her attention.

"I-I'm okay." Marshmallow took a deep breath and sighed.

"She doesn't do well with crowds." Her sister said and then grinned teasingly. "Or stallions... or mares. Really, anypony."

"Oh," Rarity sighed and adjusted her headpiece. "Don't worry Marshy- may I call you that?"

"Sure." Marshmallow shrugged.

"I'm sure once you get there you will really enjoy yourself." Rarity said, flipping her hair to see as she sewed another portion of her dress. "So, have you never been in any sort of relationship before?"

"No," Marshmallow glanced out the window as a few ponies passed the shop, laughing and talking. "I've never really even had a true friendship, either."

"You know, I'm surprised," Rarity looked at her with slightly widened eyes. "You're pretty, you're kind as far as I know, I bet you can flirt really well if you try, and you are surprisingly gentle."

"Surprisingly?"

"Your sister is not as gentle as she looks."

That evoked a laugh from Marshmallow Heart. Rarity jumped slightly in surprise, but smiled and then laughed herself when she saw Cotton Candy's flush cheeks.

"I only tease!" She said quickly and then smiled. "Alright, Marshy, get down. It's your sister's turn and do not look in a mirror yet! I want you both to look together!"

"Yes, ma'am."

Author's Note

This chapter is a bit longer and Rarity makes an unexpected (and far too short) appearance in this chapter!

If you enjoy it, please tell others about it!~ <3

Chapter 3

Her sister was even more beautiful than before. The dress complimented her white body perfectly, the pale blue ruffles coming up and forming a cushioned top and front sleeves for her front legs. As the dress went back, the ruffles faded into pale pink and ended a quarter way down her back legs. It was much shorter, but she also had a full set of four shoes to go with it. They were the same pallid pink with blue insides and bottoms. Her headpiece was a tiara (Marshmallow had to hold back a rude comment when she saw it) with blue and pink jewels.

Rarity squealed, "My, you both look wonderful! Like two princesses. Take a look!"

Marshmallow Heart and Cotton Candy both gasped simultaneously. It was quite a sight and Rarity had been right; they looked like royalty. It was quite beautiful compared to anything that both sisters had seen before and they didn't care how vain that thought was. It really did look perfect. They let out laughter and looked at Rarity with big and thankful eyes.

"We look wonderful!" Cotton Candy exclaimed.

"Thank you so much!" Marshmallow grinned. "How can we thank you?"

"By letting me style your manes for tomorrow night." Rarity had a happy look on her own face, obviously pleased with her handiwork. "Candy won't let me touch hers on a regular basis, but maybe she'll make an exception now...?"

"Oh, alright!" Cotton Candy laughed as she ever so carefully shed the dress so that she could box it up. "I suppose I could let you mess around with it for the evening. "

"And I could care less either way!" Marshmallow laughed, flipping her bangs away from her face.

"Perfect!" Rarity laughed happily, looking at them.

Marshmallow slipped out of the gown and watched as Rarity used her magic to move them over and into boxes. She glanced over to see Cotton Candy rotating to look at her stomach and had to smile. Even though she was jealous of her sister, she had to admit that she would make a wonderful mother. She used to foal-sit when they were still pretty young and did an amazing job with it. Even the most stubborn colt would go to bed and the brattiest filly would cuddle and watch a movie with her. She was just naturally gifted as a mother.

"Here are the gowns, girls!"

They both turned their attention to Rarity as she moved the boxes to them and smiled.

"Thank you, Rarity," Marshmallow Heart said as she took her package; the box inside of a bag for easy carrying. "You are very kind."

"Well, my element of harmony is generosity!" She said and raised her nose to the air. "Happy I live up to the title!"

"We'll see you tomorrow evening." Cotton Candy said before picking up the bag, and then murmured a muffled, "Thank you again!"

Both mares left the store with smiles on their faces. Marshmallow Heart noticed that it was just beginning to get dark outside as they reached her sister's home. Flame met them at the door with a smile, opening it for them and taking the box from his wife. Marshmallow Heart hurried upstairs to put it away in a safe place and then looked at herself in the mirror.

She always examined herself through the evenings she had some alone time. She would flip her mane and remove her headband, bat her eyes and then rub the freckles on her cheeks; it was a routine. She did it every evening and she wasn't even sure why. It was just instinctual. She supposed it was because of her lack of self-confidence.

When she heard both her sister and her husband yell their goodnight's, she responded with her own. She crawled into the bed and yawned slightly, but was far from sleep. She laid there on her belly and looked out the window with tired eyes.

She was thinking hard about the evening ahead of her. She knew that her anxiety would act up quite a bit and she wasn't prepared to answer any questions about who she was, where she was from, or what her cutie mark showed.

Instinctively, she glanced back at the heart with the bandages around it. The cutie mark held meaning, but not enough for her to really believe that was her special talent. She got it when she was just a filly and playing with a bunch of other ponies. One of the pegasi was being a show-off and tried to fly from the top of his house, but broke his wings. She managed to make a make-shift splint that later on, according to the doctors, saved his wing from being permanently disabled. However, it had happened once. She hadn't even helped someone wrap a wound since then.

She sighed and rolled onto her back. Her pink wings splayed out underneath her, the feathers prickling in just the right directions to make them look longer. Her body was a little more pale in the moonlight, but her eyes were still a bright and pure magenta. She looked around for a moment, thinking of nothing anymore, and then crawled under the blankets.

"Maybe... maybe tomorrow will go okay." She murmured, closing her eyes tightly.

Author's Note

I cannot tell you how happy I am!

I received two comments, one pretty positive and one not so positive. I'm not discouraged though. Obviously, because here is the next chapter! xD

Anyway, if you like this story, please tell others about it and don't be afraid to drop a comment!