Classical music is really, really boring. At least with operas and plays there’s something to watch, some kind of story. Not tonight. Tonight I’m stuck in a squeaky chair that’s super-uncomfortable, squinting down at all the weird instruments and the weird ponies that play them. I don’t care about what Daddy said, about how the Canterlot Symphony is a ‘big deal,’ and about how it’s a ‘special treat’ for ‘cultured ponies.’ There’s something wrong with ponies that like this stuff. ‘Cultured’ always means expensive, and if this whole place is so expensive, how come the seats hurt? How come we have to seat way up high on this balcony when there’s all those other seats down close to the orchestra? Maybe if I could see the stage better, I wouldn’t be so bored!
Daddy nudges me just as I roll my eyes for the hundredth time. I straighten up and glance over at him. He’s smiling, and Mom’s frowning. That’s what they always do, but now it’s different. Daddy never wears his ‘watch me close this deal’ smile anymore, like when he used to take me to work with him. Now it’s always the ‘almost time for a big surprise’ smile. I guess that should be a good thing. Daddy gives great surprises. He got me my first tiara as a surprise. But now it’s different. I don’t know why.
Mom always frowns now. I kind of stopped caring so much after the whole class president thing. I just wanted her to back off, you know? I just wanted to be my own pony. Except now she doesn’t say anything to me, ever. She just frowns and looks somewhere else, like right now she’s staring at the pony playing the piano.
Daddy nudges me again. I put on my ‘good little filly’ smile just like he taught me. He leans in and pats my head. “See that mare down there with the cello? They say she’s the best in Equestria, and this is the last night she’s playing before her baby’s due.”
Mom gives a humph and says something. I can’t hear what, but her lips look like they’re saying ‘shameless’ or something. Daddy’s smile goes away for just a second, and he looks angry and sad at the same time. He probably thought I didn’t see. I don’t want him to be sad, but I wish he’d stop trying so hard to smile. Holding all those bad feelings in isn’t good. I would know.
Daddy pats me again. “Just one more piece, then how about we get some ice cream on the way back to the hotel?”
I automatically smile. “Thanks, Daddy.”
I don’t really want ice cream. I don’t think Daddy does either.
I stare at the ponies on stage again. Sometimes I can hear the cello over the other instruments. I know I should pay attention since that pony is the best. She’s having a baby, too. Before I thought she was just fat.
At least the family vacation is almost over. All the way to Canterlot, Daddy kept talking about how great this was, just the three of us having family time. We see each other every day, so why do we need a family vacation? I just want my room back, and all my stuff. I miss having a butler, and a maid. I even miss school, a little. Having a bunch of new friends is great. Everypony is nice to me now. I mean, they were always nice before, but now it’s because they want to be, and that feels so much better! Now when they smile, they mean it.
Except I don’t, sometimes. Daddy isn’t happy anymore. Mom’s never happy, but now she doesn’t even try to fake it when I do what she wants. That’s why being around the ponies at school is so nice. Well, except for one. Silver Spoon and I don’t hang out much anymore. It’s like she’s mean to me or anything, and I’m not mean to her. She just talks to other ponies all the time, and I do too. I guess that isn’t bad, but it’s not great either. I miss the two of us hanging out.
Then I see something else. Why didn’t I see her sooner? Princess Celestia is sitting on another one of these little balconies, almost right above ours! I guess that confirms the ‘cultured’ thing. Or maybe the seats up there are more comfortable and come with binoculars. That doesn’t matter anymore. I mumble something about needing the little filly’s room and hop out of my seat. Daddy says something back, but I can’t hear it over the thump of hooves. The last song is over, and everypony’s pounding their front hooves like it’s the best night of their lives.
Maybe it’ll be mine too, if I can figure out how to get up there fast enough. I just need to ask her a question really quick, then I’ll go back to my seat. The more I think about getting an answer from her, the faster my legs go. I can’t trust anypony else with this. Princess Celestia knows everything.
Getting to the aisle where we came in is easy. There’s a winding staircase by the doors at the back. Climbing up three flights just to sit here all night hadn’t been fun, but now I take steps as fast as my legs will let me. The whole staircase is ringing with the sound of applause. The metal vibrates under my hooves and makes me slip. I catch myself just before bashing my face against the next to last step. That was close. I wouldn’t want to see the Princess looking like that.
I get off the steps just as a bunch of other ponies get on. The staircase thunders with the sound of ponies going down to the exit. I slip between ponies lining up to use the stairs and try to get my bearings. The seats are different up here. There’s no big middle section with a bunch of seats and a few little spots off to the side. Up here there’s just a hallway with doors, and a sign on the wall. If only all these ponies weren’t in my way! I don’t care about how fancy and refined their clothes are, not when they’re blocking the view.
I push forward a little more, brushing way too hard on some mare’s jewel-studded dress. The gemstones scratch my own dress and dig into my skin, but I don’t care. I’m staring at the sign now, wondering which box number is reserved for Princesses of Equestria.
Left. It has to be the left. My seat was to the left of the staircase, and Princess Celestia was almost right on top of it, so her seat has to be to the left. I push my way past more ponies, hearing all sorts of scoffs and rude things that I probably shouldn’t repeat. I really need to stop memorizing stuff like that when Canterlot ponies treat me like a nobody. I’m a different pony now. Nice ponies don’t say mean things. I guess all the stuck-up ponies sitting up here just aren’t very nice. Or maybe they’re mad I’m going the opposite way. I can’t help it, though. This is important!
The crowd isn’t so bad once I go a little further. I guess not as many seats up here means not as many ponies. They’re probably all really important, though. I hope Mom doesn’t know any of them; she’s freak out if she knew what I was doing. At least then she’d have to talk to me.
Every seat looks the same. Every door I look in has four empty seats. There’s only one door left at the end of the hall. This has to be it!
Then the conductor’s voice is everywhere. “Thank you, everypony, and a special thanks to our humble orchestra’s patron and dear friend, Princess Celestia!”
There’s this weird tinkling, pop sound, and I know I’m too late. I round the corner and stare at the empty spot where the Princess was before she teleported. There’s no chairs here. There’s just a big open spot on the floor. She must have been sitting on a big pillow or something. That doesn’t matter. What matters is I missed her.
I’ll have to try again tomorrow. It’s our last day in Canterlot, and that means it’s my last chance, too.
Daddy wasn’t mad. I just told him there were too many ponies in the way. That’s why he couldn’t find me. That’s why there was a tear in my new dress. Mom didn’t say anything. Not to me, anyway. I could hear them talking in the hotel, even though my bedroom was on the opposite side of our suite. I was glad we didn’t get ice cream. I really didn’t feel like acting happy after missing my big chance at the symphony.
Last night doesn’t matter. Today matters. Today I’m asking Princess Celestia my question, no matter what. As soon as Daddy says it’s time for breakfast, I use my best ‘good little filly’ smile on him. “Can we take a tour of the Castle today instead of going to the art museum?”
Daddy’s eyes are droopy and his walking slow, even though he just got up. He sighs and shakes his head. “Sorry, Diamond Tiara. I already reserved our tickets and your mom loves fine art.”
My special talent isn’t working. I hate it when that happens! I concentrate really hard, so hard that it feels like my cutie mark is glowing. I want this. I need this. He just has to let me!
Mom comes back from the bathroom right as Daddy finishes explaining. “What does it matter, Rich? If our precious Diamond Tiara wants something that we don’t happen to—”
Then Daddy lowers his eyebrows and bares his teeth. I’ve never seen him this mad!. “It matters! You love the art museum, so that’s where we’re going!”
I don’t want to go anywhere now. I don’t want to stay here, either.
Mom throws back her mane and sneers. “I’m so happy you still remember. Would you care to accompany me, or shall I go alone?”
Daddy’s mouth is hanging open. “Alone? B-but it’s a family vacation! We came here to have fun together.”
“Please. It’s been three days of nonstop ‘family vacation’ already. If you truly want us all to enjoy ourselves, then let Diamond Tiara go on the castle tour. You and I can meet her there for lunch.”
“Alone?” This time it’s me saying it. It comes out sounding a little scared, but I’m actually kind of excited. I don’t have to figure out how to ditch them now! I can walk right into the throne room and ask Princess Celestia my question. It’ll make this whole vacation worth it!
Daddy fake-smiles at me. “You don’t have to, Diamond Tiara.”
I smile for real. “It’ll be fun! I'll act like a respectable member of high society the entire time.”
Mom gasps when she hears me use that phrase. It’s one of her favorites. “See that you do.”
