Belle of the Ball and the Night of the Glowing Sun

by KingdaKa

Rating: teen
Tags: Rarity, Romance, Sex, Scootaloo, Princess Celestia, Human, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 20331

Sweetie Belle is given her first invitation to the Gala. Her first formal dance awaits- but she goes without a date!

Sweetie Belle is all grown up.

It feels like a lifetime has been spent as both child and teenager, though her family insists it passed by in an instant. She is a true adult in the eyes of herself and the law. So, of course, it's high time she starts to enjoy grown-up things.

Including the Gala! An invitation with her name on it is the perfect beginning of this new life that lies before her, and how much fun will it be to enjoy. A night of celebrity. Of excitement! Of romance! Oh, how could she resist?

Though she doesn't have a date, and every invitation offers a plus-one.
And she'll be the only one of her friends without. Hmm.

Featured 04/24/23 - 04/25/23. Thanks y'all!

Published 2023-04-24 18:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2023-04-24 18:20:01 UTC

Anticipation

She ran as fast as her slender legs would carry her, movement given excess strength by the overload of joy that now currently consumed her. Those who saw her rush by at such a lightning pace would ponder in amusement buoyed by curiosity; she’d been so determined to act like a lady ever since her entry into the teenage years, to follow in the steps of refinement and grace that saw to a dignified pace through life’s moments. What had been so powerful as to transport this girl into such a wildly jubilant state? Judging by the rush of giggles that streamed from her lips, it was no ordinary thing.

Sweetie Belle paid the rest of the world no heed, their stares and small spates of laughter unable to pierce through the bubble of happiness that now surrounded her. She was ecstatic, she was elated, she was- was- she didn’t know quite the word to use! Just that this combination of happiness and excitement was unlike anything she’d ever felt in all her life; validation, sweet and wonderful, was here at last!

Through the village did she race until the sight of the comfortable little cottage home that was to be their hangout spot for the morning, in so desperate of a need to share the news that it was akin to a pain in her chest. Oh, what if they hadn’t received an invitation also? Would it be considered bragging if she mentioned it, boastful gloating? No, surely they’d be happy for her nonetheless; they were her friends, they wouldn’t burst her bubble like that!

A series of hurried raps on the door and Sweetie was delighted to see the face of Scootaloo there on the other side to greet her- and upon her strong features was a look of anticipation! Her eyes recognized the glow of delight in her lovely friend and knew something truly magnificent had to have transpired. The very same sort of thing that might have just happened to her…

“Scoots- hi, by the way- umm.” She was trying to catch her breath and assemble her thoughts all at the same time, a tall order when there was so much racing through her at once. Where did she start? Did she compose herself first and then make known her good fortune or just ask outright? Goodness, this was difficult! “Look at what I go- Twilight talked to me, and- did you get one, too?”

“Yeah! It just came in the mail today!” Scootaloo replied, ushering her friend indoors and feeding off the aura of excitement that Sweetie radiated. “I mean, I’ve been before with Rainbow, but not as- you know, a guest!”

“Me, too! Twilight gave it to me herself, look at it!” Sweetie held aloft the ornate invitation as though it were a priceless treasure for them both to behold, too awed by its beauty to open the envelope and read its contents just yet. She needed to savor it, celebrate it alongside her friends! And when footsteps came from down the hall and Apple Bloom revealed herself, she soon had a new companion with whom to share the news.

“You’re going, too! You’re going, too!” Apple Bloom cried, rushing over and giving her friend a hug. “I got mine today, same as Scoots!”

“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it! This is going to be so much fun!” Sweetie raved. “We’ll have to ask Rarity if she can make something for us to wear, we’ll be dressed up all night-”

“Twilight’s in charge of the event this year, she told me. So apparently she’s trying to make it the best one yet!”

“And apparently Luna and Cadance wanted to make sure there was a ton of different kinds of music, so we’ll be able to dance, like, all night long! It’s gonna be a blast!” Scootaloo added. “And Donut Joe’s going to stay open all night so we can go there and hang out once we’re done-”

“Can you believe it? We’re actually going!” Sweetie said. She was beside herself with the delight of it; even though it was an event she had attended before as a young child, she had gone as her sister’s plus-one. To go as an invited guest, her name printed upon ink in gold lettering that flowed, was another matter entirely. She was awaited, expected, anticipated at the most prestigious night of the year and she was going to be there with her best friends! “We got invited to the Gala!”

Sweetie Belle so dearly had wanted to grow up. With one so refined as Rarity as her sister, what else was she supposed to think? Adulthood seemed to offer the best of everything, with all the fine things in life there for her to enjoy. The world of playing games and youthful silliness wasn’t meant for her once she’d begun to come of age- for the nightlife was hers to eventually claim, filled with a world that had always held such allure. Art galleries and cafés, parties of all kinds, high societies and simple things were all for the adult world with no inhibitions. To be a child, or even a teenager, meant that someone was always going to be looking down on you because of your age; adulthood saw that vanish entirely. Never again did she wish to be mistaken for the little girl she’d once been, but seen as the woman she knew herself to be.

When she’d entered high school, the young singer had been determined to leave that part of her life behind; Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were still her closest friends, but what interested her was forcibly change. Perhaps some of this shift in taste was of her sister’s influence, but her time began to be filled by things that carried a more refined aura. While Apple Bloom spent time in the soil and world of things that grow, while Scootaloo tinkered and learned to create things of might and metal, so Sweetie turned to softer things filled with word and sound. Older novels that had once been dreadfully boring seemed to find new appeal, films of black-and-white filled with dialogue stood out in her mind as masterpieces. More time was spent indoors now; there were songs to practice, her mind filled with ritzy stages as she gently crooned beautiful love ballads of an age gone by. She wanted to be amidst the glitz and glamour of fashionable society, a silver-screen starlet with an angel’s voice to match. Only a woman of true refinement could achieve such a thing.

High school had been enjoyable, yet wearisome all the same. Sweetie had spent so much of it looking forward to the future, waiting for the inevitable day she would enter the world of adulthood. Reaching her eighteenth birthday had felt like the end of a marathon that had seemed to offer no finish line; finally, she was an adult in her own eyes as well as the rest of the world! The opportunities that now presented themselves were of every style and flavor she’d dreamed of, so long as they were something she could achieve. She just needed to be seen as a lady by someone who could offer her the chance to shine- and this invitation to the Gala was going to be the best chance she’d ever get.

But that was a month away- to spend time daydreaming or planning was rather pointless right now, especially when she had friends to celebrate with! They allowed themselves to be gleeful, girly messes in their own way until the pent-up energy was able to be extinguished and they could at last bask in the afterglow. There was so much to discuss and talk about, and that meant company.

Sweetie took a slow sip of tea, still tentative as her face was warmed by the steam that wafted from the freshly-brewed mix. Though the seat she currently occupied was a comfortable one, she could help but feel a tinge awkward; after all, she was the only one sitting properly- and in an actual seat. Scootaloo was leaning against the couch and pounding down energy drinks at a disturbing pace, while Apple Bloom held a mug of black coffee and waited for it to cool. She’d been invited to join them, but the pleated skirt of her dress probably wasn’t meant to be rubbing against carpet; better to just sit a tinge higher than they for now.

“It’s weird to think about, you know?” Apple Bloom remarked. Torn between the contents of her mug and the conversation at hand, every new sentence that spewed from her mouth was of a new topic. “The last time we went to the Gala was almost ten years ago. Like, we were still in grade school!”

“I know. I feel like everyone let us off the hook for being idiots just because we were kids,” Scootaloo said gaily. “I mean, I’ve loved Rainbow Dash to death for years, but honestly she was the best for putting up with me when I was like that. Can you imagine willingly spending an entire night with someone who behaved like that sort of an idiot?”

“You weren’t all that bad,” Sweetie countered, and meaning every word. Considering her own behavior, she wasn’t at all keen at condemning her friends for childhood faults in the slightest. “You seemed to usually be in a good mood and you never made Rainbow mad. I think you were probably the happiest of us by a mile.”

“Oh yeah? So who was the worst of us, then?”

The challenge was a difficult thing to match. “Umm…”

Laughter came in response to her current stupor, a sound she did not enjoy but tolerated all the same. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were mocking her for something that was unknown to her, so she had to be the butt of the joke. What a horrible thing to do!

“So you know she’s thinking it was herself. Has she ever said anything good about herself when we were kids?” Scootaloo remarked.

“Not since she became Miss Prissy for some reason,” Apple Bloom said, and the scowl that arose on Sweetie Belle’s features only incited them to further laughter. If the jab weren’t of a true nature, then there would be no bite- but oh, how fanciful she’d become to allow the mockery to ring clear. “Oh, don’t get so mad, Sweetie Belle, we’re just teasin’ ya. It’s all in good fun!”

“It doesn’t feel very fun to me,” Sweetie said surly, trying to sip upon her tea a bit further. If only she could be like her sister and retain some measure of dignity within this beastliness!

“But we’re just kidding you! We wouldn’t hang out with you if you were a pain in the butt,” Scootaloo said. “Come on, relax a little. You used to be able to do the same sort of thing with us, you know. Why do you need to take everything so seriously?”

“I- well.” She was a bit stumped by that. “A- a lady should always mean what she says, and…”

“Oh, just because you take everything seriously doesn’t mean you should, you know. Try and have some fun with us again! You’ve been all prim and proper for so long now, shouldn’t you try cutting loose a little? We’re going to the Gala, that’s the best reason for it.”

It was a fair remark, much as she didn’t wish to consider it. She had taken her ‘ladylike behavior’ a bit too far every now and then. Maybe loosening up and enjoying an evening with her friends was the best opportunity for her to act like a true adult- albeit with a bit of dignity involved. There would be fine drinks available, high society all about them; she couldn’t completely act the fool.

“Well… I guess it wouldn’t be too difficult to enjoy ourselves, would it?” Sweetie mused. “Now, I find myself wondering… do we want to wear matching outfits since we’ll be going together? The same color? Or do we all want to do our own thing?”

She could have heard the record scratch even if she hadn’t caught sight of her friends’ faces. Upon both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo was a painful grimace, shared between one another and not at all pleasant to behold. With only a moment to spare, they’d allowed a semblance of an explanation to be shared to their friend and leaving her discomforted; there was an important tidbit of info that she lacked.

“Umm… so, is that a no? I thought we’d go together as friends,” Sweetie said.

“Well…” Scootaloo bit her lip, trying to buy time so as to see her words assembled. “Well, I kinda- I wasn’t planning on going alone, you see. Umm, since Rumble didn’t get an invite and all, I was looking at-”

“Rumble?” Scootaloo’s boyfriend; what did he have to do with the Gala? “What about him?”

“Uh, Sweetie, did you not read your invitation yet?” Apple Bloom seemed prepared for a worst-case scenario, shame-faced as she caught wind of her friend’s obliviousness. “Ooh, you… you might want to read that real quick…”

They weren’t dropping hints and she wasn’t going to find out the truth otherwise. With nowhere else to turn, Sweetie ripped open her ornate envelope and delved through the contents of her invitation as thoroughly as she could manage. Grand Galloping Gala, night of the year, formally invited, can bring a plus-one along for the night-

Oh. A plus-one. As in a date, a desirable, a person with whom to spend the night. Sweetie suddenly felt very much in the splotlight and not at all pleased because of it. “So you’re bringing your significant others with you,” Sweetie surmised.

“I went by Silver Spoon’s soon as I got the invite and she said yes,” Apple Bloom admitted. “So we were gonna go together, yeah.”

“And I’m gonna ask Rumble to go with me,” Scootaloo added. “Umm… I mean, we can still all hang out, that’s not an issue-”

“It’s OK.” Sweetie Belle knew her answer was to be influenced by her sister’s romanticism and she wouldn’t have it any other way. The Gala was a special night, meant for intimate feelings and wondrous love; she would not interrupt such a thing for her friends in all the world! “You guys- you guys should have fun, and be silly with you girlfriend- boyfriend- you know what I mean,” she said. “I’ll figure something out.”

“What? No way, come on,” Apple Bloom insisted. “We’re still friends, we can have a good time. Just because we’re bringing dates doesn’t mean you need to go off and hide in a corner or something.”

“Yeah, we’ll all sit together and have a good time. Don’t try to be all melodramatic and stupid,” Scootaloo said.

“And if I get in the way?” Sweetie countered. “Or you all feel like dancing? That makes it a little awkward, don’t you think?”

“I think pretending to ignore you would be way more awkward than that,” came the reply. “Sweetie, we’ll- we’ll have a good time no matter what, I promise. If… if it makes you feel that bad, we can just go together and we’ll-”

“Not a chance.” She loved the romance novels of old, and the Gala presented her friends the best opportunity to see such momentous occasions come to life. “We’ll… have fun together, yeah. Don’t worry about it!”

Her companions seemed cheered by the remark, but Sweetie found her mind racing on at a million miles an hour; what sort of solution was she supposed to find in a predicament such as this? Heaven knew she hadn’t considered that her friends’ romantic lives might actually interfere with a good time. And she was happy for them! Apple Bloom had struggled early on in her dating life before finally becoming comfortable with Silver Spoon; Scootaloo and Rumble had been sweet on each other since they were kids. Who was she to ruin that sort of intimacy, even if no one loved her the same way?

But then again… what was she supposed to do?

If there was one thing her growing span of years had gifted her, it was the joys of a sibling relationship becoming that of friends. The rivalries of old that could come between the young, or the angst and coldness that so easily arose were a thing of the past. An older sister was a friend and confidant as well as a good advisor; with Rarity having a wealth of experience to provide in a number of matters, she would be a trusted source of wisdom that would also keep her secret. After all, this was a genuine matter. How awful it would be if she treated it with little respect.

“Hmm… so you’re worried about being a third wheel to your friends,” Rarity surmised. Having offered her younger sibling a calming cuppa to help ease the mood, their friendly chat had avoided any unnecessary drama that could so easily make a problem appear all the worse. “Perfectly understandable. High-profile events like the Gala do have the tendency to magnify the powers of romantic feeling. It would be easy to feel like you’d be in the way.”

“Am I just being stupid about all of it?” Sweetie asked bluntly. She’d been called a drama queen a fair few times over her high school years and she dreaded holding on to such a childish habit. “Like I’m not just… dying a thousand deaths over something trivial?”

“It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if you went without a date,” her elder sister counseled. “After all, you all know one another well. It can be a gathering of friends that so happens to include couples. Hardly the first time such a thing has happened, and it won’t be the last.”

“And when the dancing starts?” Was the dry counter. “Or they feel the need to… you know, go off on their own for a bit?”

Rarity pulled a face as the fair point hit home. “Yes, that would… it could be an issue to be clearly on your own, if such things arose. But- well, besides dancing- actually, do your friends even dance? I genuinely don’t know.”

“Apple Bloom and Silver are actually pretty good together,” Sweetie said, though her lips broke into a smile at the last time she’d witnessed Scootaloo and Rumble ‘dancing’ at prom. “And, well, Scoots and Rumble are real close, so I think they’d want some time together. Alone, without everyone else over their shoulder.”

The fashionista gave a raised look. “That close. Are they planning on getting married?”

“I kinda think he’s gonna ask her at the Gala, honestly. It’d be a good night for it.” The two sisters were of a romantic mind, and for a time the women were bound by the clouded memories of imagination as each conjured the scene in hand. Yes, the two were a rough-and-tumble pair and lacked any sort of romantic refinement, but they were happy and could be at ease together; it was a sweetness of a different kind that suited them alone.

“Well, if that is the case,” Rarity continued, “Do you have anyone you’d like to ask to go with you? Surely there’s someone.”

“I mean… there’s no one I’d like to ask,” Sweetie said. An honest answer, though an unhappy one; there were plenty of people she wouldn’t have minded going with, but there was the particular problem that none of them were available. She’d had a crush on Rainbow through high school, but the magnificent woman of colors was a little entangled with a certain farmer; Twist was still dating Featherweight, Cheerilee was Twilight’s open secret that she continuously denied, and Diamond- well. “I’m not sure what to do. Is it going to be really weird if I just go alone?”

Rarity pondered the thought for a good while, giving her sister’s concerns a genuine look-over. She herself would have been petrified of the very same issue if she was in Sweetie’s shoes. Come to think of it, how was Sweetie single? She was so naturally lovely, all her efforts at maturity and loveliness an unnecessary addition. Long hair that fell in silken curls down to her waist, soft features and warm eyes, demure lips that seemed so keen on smiling, not to mention a pleasant figure. She knew full well that there had been more than one person in town who considered her younger sibling attractive- more than even her older sister. Had that growth spurt into adulthood really transformed her into something so intimidating that none would dare ask for her hand? Rarity was the one brimming with glitz and glamour; Sweetie was the gentle-hearted girl next door. Such a mystery. Someone’s going to get lucky one day, if they have any sense.

“You don’t have to go, if you don’t wish,” the beautiful seamstress said slowly. “If it would be that much of a detriment to your enjoyment, it’s likely best that you don’t put yourself through such misery. There’s no point in going if you don’t have fun.”

Not an option Sweetie hadn’t considered, but she’d hesitated to say it aloud all the same. If she chose to decline the invitation, she would miss out on something she’d dreamed of doing all her life: her first true event as a grown woman, a sign she really had become an adult! And then if her friends accepted –and found out she hadn’t- they’d know full well why. It would be horrible to have her friends feel bad on her account because it would just ruin their fun. Neither option felt particular pleasant, but which one would be worse was difficult for her to tell. Maybe rather than spend so much time trying to decide, it would be best if she just chose one and stuck with it.

“No, I’ll- I’ll go,” the young beauty finally decided, though there was a sorrowed sigh evident in her voice. “I can still have fun, right? And I’ll know a lot of people there, so it’ll be a chance to catch up and say hello.”

Rarity’s eyes gleamed with pride; her sister had been dedicated towards being a grown woman for so long now, yet occasionally her behavior spoke to her youth. It was wonderful to see her be the genuine article, and at a far faster pace than what she’d managed. “Now that is the mark of a lady,” Rarity said. “Of course, so many people will be happy to see you. And I’m sure we’ll have time to chat while I’m there.”

Now that was a magnificently bold-faced lie and Sweetie knew it. “Really. Like you and Diamond won’t be running off to make out somewhere thirty minutes after you show up.”

Their romance was a torrid thing for certain, but Rarity had yet to feel any sort of shame in having been romanced by such a brilliantly beautiful paramour; so what that the rich heiress had approached her only a month after graduation? She was a delight of all kinds. “I surely don’t know what you’re talking about,” the elder sibling replied proudly, rising to her feet and signaling an end to that sort of talk. “Now, of course I’ll see you adorned in something wonderful. Do you have any requests, any sort of specific style?”

Sweetie had learned long ago that such specifics were usually insignificant in comparison to her sister’s imaginations, so a shake of the head was her best option. “Surprise me,” she said.

“Lovely. Now, I’m thinking- I know blue is so often your color, but how do you feel about purple? It’s such a regal color, and fits the elegance of the night perfectly. You’d have everyone’s eye in a heartbeat!”

There was so much planning ahead before the long-awaited night came to pass, and two sisters had plenty of time to discuss and laugh and enjoy one another’s company. What worries there were to be found could wait a little while longer.

Infatuation

Well, no matter what came the rest of the night, at least she was beautiful.

Rarity had insisted she only endure her final fitting the afternoon of the Gala; with her measurements so deeply woven within her sister’s brain, any sort of pre-fitting was unnecessary despite the younger woman’s predilection to fretting. So what that she hadn’t seen the dress before? Rarity knew her and wouldn’t dare see her adorned in something even ‘merely decent’ for such a momentous occasion. So when Sweetie stepped into the dressing room so as to see her figure properly covered, what potential worries that had swum about in her mind were put to rest in a heartbeat; her brilliant, fashionable sister had outdone herself yet again.

Satin, exquisitely soft and easy on the skin, lay gently across her frame, from just above her bust and all the way down to a gentle trailing across her sandaled feet. The neckline was sweet, not too daring and yet not entirely conservative; this was a gown meant to tease, not entice or dissuade. No straps rang across her shoulders, which meant a tighter fit across her body than perhaps what she was used to, but such a style was proper for an occasion so lavish as this. Even the excess of fabric that fell down across her hips in a long ribbon fitted the outfit perfectly. There were trails of sequins across the edges of her chest to add a bit of glamour, and fingerless gloves of matching lavender that matched with her outfit perfectly. Though she had desired to see further fire added above her eyes and seeing her whole body aflame, Rarity had determined that any sort of eye-popping makeup was unnecessary; some small hints of shadow, small touches across her cheeks, but nothing to dispel the natural beauty that she so thorough possessed.

When Sweetie beheld herself in the mirror, it was hard not to feel like she’d grown a few years. Was this her, truly? For so long she’d wished to be a grown adult, yet who she now saw in the mirror was someone of a different kind entirely; perhaps this was a beauty who had only known a life in high society, a debutante in the midst of the world she knew best? No, it was somehow just herself, even if somehow she saw her own form as an adult for the first time. She was genuinely beautiful for the first time in her life.

Standing just a bit behind, Rarity had required only a few moments to take in the breathtaking loveliness that was her sister before she’d decided what stood before her was something exquisite. Oh, so what that there might be countless others the world beheld as more lovely? They weren’t Sweetie Belle, and her sister was a lovely spirit that went far beyond what looks could provide; she was so glad that she could add to that aura of natural beauty even if it was only for a night. “Oh, you look wonderful, darling.”

Sweetie smiled. Not bashful, not embarrassed in the slightest, but genuinely delighted. She was a lady! A lady about to make her debut into the adult world of high society in all its glitz and glamour- and she seemingly to make a perfect fit. How could all the worry and stress she’d possessed this past month dampen her joy in this moment? She’d never been like this before in all her life. Even prom night was a far cry from this picturesque magnificence!

“You do like it, don’t you?” Perhaps Rarity was more accustomed to greater depths of emotion from her clients, for she looked upon her sister with a mite of concern. Surely Sweetie didn’t dislike the dress..?

“What? Of course I do! It’s- it’s amazing!” Sweetie laughed at her reflection in the mirror, no other reaction seemingly appropriate for such a thing. She couldn’t cry or else she’d ruin her makeup; dissatisfaction or anything of its like was stupid. Joy demanded she laugh, even if she couldn’t quite figure out why. “Rarity, just… thank you. Thank you, so much!”

“Oh, you’re very much welcome!” Her fashionable sibling cried, arms coming about her sister to provide an embrace. “Now, please remind me: were your friends meeting you here, or were you going to meet them?”

“We were going to meet up at Scootaloo’s house before heading out,” Sweetie answered. Knowing what concerned her sister’s mind most, she knew what explanation to give before the demand even came. “We all pitched in to rent a carriage that’d bring us there. Starts at Apple Bloom’s, comes here, then we pick up Scootaloo and head out.”

“And you’ve a plan for getting back tonight?”

“We were actually going to finish the night off at Donut Joe’s before just staying at a hotel for the night, unless you think we should do something else.” It was a fair amount of money she was spending, so Sweetie found herself open to suggestions.

“No, no! That sounds perfectly sensible. Now, I’ve got to finish up getting ready myself, so if you leave before I’m done, don’t let it bother you,” Rarity said, and upon her face was a coy smile at the thought of what might ‘delay’ her. “I’ll see you tonight, alright? And have fun; you’ve already decided you would!”

Sweetie smiled, though she couldn’t quite help but bite her lip. Yes, she’d decided to have fun, and that might occasionally mean truly forcing herself to do so. She would enjoy her night, even though she was the only one of her friends going without a date. She would enjoy her night, even as the carriage showed up and Sweetie found Apple Bloom and Silver Spoon making eyes at one another without so much as giving her a glance. She would enjoy herself even as Scootaloo and Rumble joined in their midst and added their friendly chaos to the throng, breaking up the awkward tension of being a third wheel and allowing Sweetie to join in the friendly banter that came from this unified group. She would have fun even as they arrived to Canterlot and looked out upon the magnificent palace that now shown beneath a curtain of fireworks, igniting the marble glory in colors of red and gold and blue.

Though she couldn’t quite push past the lingering doubts that might turn true, Sweetie refused to bow without any sort of evidence. She’d come here with the determination to enjoy herself in a wondrous night amongst friends, and there was no reason why she couldn’t succeed.

“Jeez, just- wow.” Rumble had been a boy of smaller places, in the village since his earliest days and no place else. To be greeted with the vastness of the capital city as well as the magnificence of his ruler’s palace all in one evening might be something overwhelming; the suit he wore was even a novelty, the colors of deep black in formality a rare match across his skin when so much of his wardrobe was built for exercise. “And you all have been here before?”

“It’s been a while, but yeah,” Scootaloo answered. Though not fully ditching her more tomboyish look in honor of the night’s formality, the young grease monkey was lovingly adorned in a knee-length dress of the color periwinkle, the skirt occasionally dotted by glittering sequins and giving her the appearance of being covered in evening starlight. “Rainbow took me here last time for a Gala, once. And then there was Cadance’s wedding before that, too.”

Cadance’s wedding, when the Changelings had revealed themselves to a nation and almost dealt a death blow to the empire in a single, masterful stroke. Scootaloo spoke of it so calmly even though the event was something of legend. “I… forget sometimes just what y’all have been up to, sometimes,” the young man breathed.

“That’s what happens when you’re awesome.” Silver Spoon added her voice to the mix, a darling sound that so clearly flowed with affection. Practically affixed to Apple Bloom at the hip, the once-haughty brat had all but fully dismissed her old demeanor in favor of being overly complimentary- though perhaps in excess. Sweetie didn’t mind Silver’s upbeat nature but couldn’t help but wonder if the constant praise had ulterior motives from time to time, especially when it seemed to tickle Apple Bloom so thoroughly. “You and I just got to be spectators when we were kids. Isn’t it way better when we get front-row seats?”

Apple Bloom nearly turned a shade of red that only her hair could match, freckled skin standing as stark contrast to the pale-green colors of her dress. She and Rarity had spent a fair amount of time discussing she and Silver’s ensemble for the Gala, eventually settling upon a matching pair of rather poofy ballgowns the color green and grey respectively. Though a sharp contrast to their usually casual attire, they seemed more at home in this regal place than perhaps any other would appear.

“Do we wanna take our time going in, maybe?” Sweetie inquired of the group. She had no desire to escape into the confines of the palace and be settled just yet, not when there was so much natural beauty that was being enhanced by artificial colors of man-made fire.

“Where else would we go?” Silver asked without malice, though the question stung the songstress all the same; she was trying to delay the inevitable, admittedly. There were gardens to see, courtyards and glory of the palace that did not require them to enter just yet, so why not suggest some momentary distractions before the evening’s romanticism bit deep?

“Oh, well… yeah, that’s fair.” Two souls gave a shrug and turned away, momentary confusion hardly a distraction from their evening’s joy; two others tried to hinder their sympathy for they knew Sweetie would disdain such things.

Though the magnificence of the royal palace had not changed since their childhood days, what awaited their eyes when the massive doors of the entrance hall opened was something of particular grandeur: pillars of stone had been erected and now stood in the form of great legends of the past, fine pieces of art had been across the ceiling had been summoned from secure places and hung along the walls so as to tempt the eyes, and illuminating their glory were floating lamps bearing flames that flickered in color, all spectrums of the royalty that now strode through this place tonight and giving the opulent scenery a sense of myriad emotions. Serenity when there was golden flame, excitement at the sight of pale-blue, magic as magenta crackled, and feelings of the heart as a soft-pink flickered; the great leaders of their country beckoned for them to join in this place, partake and feel the might of what they brought.

“It’s beautiful…” Sweetie couldn’t hold back at the glory of what her eyes now witnessed, awed and delighted that such things could bear down upon her. Oh, just to be enveloped by the regality and loveliness of the world that now surrounded her and forget the worries that tried to spear her heart! “This is… different. From what I remember.”

“You know it has to be Twilight’s doing,” Apple Bloom remarked, eyeing the gleaming tongues of flame and recognizing the mark of their old tutor. “Who else would think that up?”

“Well, we could just ask her,” Scootaloo said casually.

“Yeah, let’s just go up and chat with the busiest person here tonight,” Apple Bloom said drily. “Why even try to think about it?”

“Because she’s standing at the top of the stairs and waving at us.” All eyes turned from the scenery about them and to the grand staircase that fell from the upper halls and found that indeed the Princess Twilight stood there. Gracefully coated in a lilac gown that bore the styles of ancient days, trims of gold rang along the edges of her sleeves and neckline, with flecks of pale color that matched the glory of her crown and giving the youngest royal the image of having walked from days long gone. In her mind was the wisdom of countless generations, time and space forgotten to all but save herself, that brilliance radiating through at last in the visage of a great goddess descending unto earth to grant wisdom to her people- and yet, in a total loss of decorum, the lovely Princess did indeed bob up and down upon her heels as she waved to the young students she had been so delighted to teach.

The summons had been given and they were perfectly content to respond; the group of five young adults pushed through the crowd and up the stairs, finding themselves in the happy embrace of the stellar royal who felt no need to hinder any good feeling for the sake of her status. Greeting each of them in turn, kind words upon her tongue and freely used whenever she could, Twilight was clearly not the neurotic young librarian they’d once known; she was coming into her own at last.

“I was worried I’d be so busy that I wouldn’t be able to see you tonight,” Twilight said. “When did you get here?”

“Just now! We figured it’d be best to arrive early,” Sweetie Belle answered, trying not to take note of Twilight’s counting their number; the less attention drawn to her solitude the better. Yes, they were an odd number, but why make it awkward? “Are we the first people from home?”

“Hardly! Your sister and Diamond were here last night, they were just about the first to show up.” Twilight knew full well the young woman’s opinion on the lustful relationship and kept additional remarks to herself. “I think they already went into the great hall, if you were looking for her. Though you’ll be at a different table than they’ll be at.”

“Different table?”

“Yes! Oh, I’m sorry, I never mentioned it. Talk to the usher at the door when you go in, he’ll have one of the staff take you to your table for the evening,” the brilliant royal explained. “Every table has their own waiter, so that way there’s less waiting. And-” she looked this way and that, trying to find one who might listen in to their conversation. “Your table is on the house tonight, since everything they’re offering is so expensive. These bunch of whiny nobles can pay for themselves, but I’ve got you. Try and enjoy yourselves!”

Fine food, high society, and free drinks? This entrance into adulthood was to be something of special magnificence, it seemed, and the group of friends stammered out their thanks as best they could. Though there would be plenty to see throughout the night, the appeal of food and beverage was too good to resist at the moment. Their table bid that they dine upon it.

Their stroll through the crowd of riches and decadence kept them silent save for small catches of breathe born from awe. Surrounding them at every turn was power and high society, riches of such grandeur that even a lifetime’s worth of effort might not ever amount to half of what currently lay in their pocket. Rarity’s work was by far the finest attire in the building –Sweetie would not even begin to consider otherwise- but they had been gifts freely given, not costing them a dime. What some of these folk wore was likely worth a year’s wages back home and that didn’t even include their jewelry. To be an adult was one thing, but the throng of souls about them felt like a different species entirely; in her mind, the young woman wondered if she would ever even rise to half their measure.

The great hall, courteously tended to by a rather formal-looking usher, gladly saw them enter and brought to their table. Within the spacious place was a magnificently lit room of white and crystalline, the majority of the floor left clear so that the beauty of formal dance could eventually come to life within its quarters, and in the back corner was a chamber orchestra that gently filled the room with notes of both brass and string. Surrounding the marbled floor were elegantly covered tables decorated in cloths of satin the color gold that reflect the candleflames that rested atop them in the center, light shining back onto fine dishes and cutlery until it seemed that every table was a gem of shining brilliance. As they were seated, Sweetie felt compelled to give the pitcher of water that their table held further inspection; studded with sapphires along the center, and a thin line of emeralds at its base.

“Jeez, this is…” Rumble’s eyes went everywhere all at once, looking at everything and anything as it seemed the whole palace was intent on catching his attention and singing out its glory. To one who had known a life in a simple town, what now surrounded him was the might and glory of a kingdom at its very zenith unlike anything his young mind could have conjured. “Is… has the Gala always been like this?”

“They’ve been fancy, yeah,” Scootaloo remarked, “But, uh… yeah, this is something else.”

“You don’t think this is because of Twilight, do you?” Silver inquired. The most accustomed to riches in their number, even her elite status back home was left redundant in the face of this unrivaled splendor; a big fish in a small pond had now been brought to the ocean to find itself with far greater rivals. “She was supposed to be in charge of the Gala this year, right? Is she trying to show off, or something?”

Sweetie couldn’t say. A slow look throughout the room took in the multitude of faces that had come to this place so as to celebrate, from honored guests to mandatory nobility that had seen this event transpire for centuries and a whole host of the in-between. A night that had once been catered only to the elite was beginning to see a shift of demographics; though there was riches and money to spare, she couldn’t help but take note of younger faces than the usual elite- and simpler adornments than her last visit to this night. The palace was opening to the rest of the world, inviting them in so that they might join the fun and celebrate one another without the barriers that might divide. Perhaps this was Twilight’s doing, but not an act of bombast, but instead an opportunity for all to feel like something especially rich. From those who would attend every year of their life to those who might never afford attending again, this was a night for them to be treated as royalty.

Their waiter came and saw them swiftly attended to, the uncertain group of young adults flustered at this spectacle that invited them in. Apple Bloom and Silver were content to order a glass of cider, but their three tablemates were slower off the mark; what sort of familiarity were they supposed to have with alcohol? Scootaloo abstained for the moment, Rumble tentatively ordered a glass of gin, and Sweetie followed in her sister’s footsteps with a glass of sauvignon blanc to help ease in to a dining mood.

“Ooh, that looks good,” Silver said as their songstress friend’s glass was placed before her, the pale-gold beverage a delight to the senses with is alluring color and dry scent of peach within its grasp. “I didn’t know you drank wine, Sweetie Belle.”

The remark earned a short chuckle from the young woman. “I don’t, really. At least not that often. Rarity’s been teaching me about a lot of them lately.” Upon request, and her sister had struggled not to hold back laughter as she’d witnessed her younger sibling struggle with those first sips. She’d demanded to try the finest in her sister’s cabinet and promptly been faced with flavors she’d not found at all palatable. There had been continued attempts since, but little progress had been made in finding an alcoholic beverage that suited her tastes; too dry, too juicy, too something. Perhaps something fine from the palace would at last meet her desires.

“How’s the gin?” Scootaloo’s bright face held a grin as she watched her boyfriend take his first hesitant sip of liquor; away from his brother’s more stifling reach as well as the rigorous exercise regimen, tonight had called for him to cut loose and try something new. A small glance at the clear beverage, then a quick swig- and a veritable stream of reactions immediately following! Shock at the bitterness of the alcohol that saw life come to a disgusted face, puzzlement over the flavors now roaming across his tongue, a forcible push to swallow and then a strained breath as the last mementos coursed across his burning throat. Rumble regarded his drink for a moment longer, appraising it and seemingly wondering, only to soon realize the entire table was watching him and laughing wildly at the sight.

“What? What?”

“How-” Scootaloo had asked originally in earnest, but was now being sundered by the giggles threatening to devour her speech. “Did you like it?”

“I… I don’t know!” Rumble said, ego small enough to join in the laughter that came at his own expense. “It’s- wow, that was strong, guess I never thought alcohol would taste like that. It’s kind of… spicy? Almost like it’s got dirt in it, so- earthy? And something else in it, too. It’s weird, it’s kind of like ginger ale I’d drink when I was sick as a kid, but less sweet and not like a soda.”

“My mom likes gin with a tonic,” Silver suggested. “Or maybe try it with club soda, it’s a mix called- umm, what was it?- Oh yeah, an ovation!”

“Maybe after we eat,” was his reply, his gaze flickering back down to the drink as he considered another sip. “Anyone else hungry?”

The menu was finite, but to say it lacked variety would be untrue. When their waiter learned of their desire for sustenance he was quick to react, swiftly tallying the various items on menu and the means by which they would be prepared. For Sweetie, it sounded like heaven; finely-crafted meals fit for such a wondrous occasion! For Scootaloo and Rumble, more used to grabbing a grease-coated burger at the local diner, the level of posh was intimidating. How was one supposed to decide on anything when more than half the menu sounded unrecognizable? With a little help from Silver and Sweetie, the rough-and-tumble couple settled on what sounded a little more familiar, with beef steak wellington and a lovingly spiced plate of steak and potatoes. Dissuaded from her original choice of salmon, Apple Bloom ordered a plate of scallops upon baby spinach so as to soothe her seafood cravings, with her more elegant girlfriend requesting eggplant parmesan. Sweetie rounded up their number with an order of cauliflower steaks with a covering of hazelnuts, hoping that a less heavy meal was a more suitable choice for the evening.

“You’ve never had a rare steak before?” Sweetie Belle was rather mystified that Rumble had seemingly avoided the opportunity throughout his life; a well-cooked steak was a gift to the taste buds! “Ooh, I’m jealous. I wish I could experience that feeling all over again, it’s so good.”

“I mean, we kinda never have steak in the house,” Rumble said. “It’s usually too expensive at the market for us to get, you know?”

“Fair. But still, you’re going to love it. Especially getting your first one here at the palace! It’ll be the best thing you’ve ever tasted.”

For a moment there was an expression of amusement on his face as the young man glanced back to his side where his oft-tussled girlfriend was, just as she had been for several years and counting. “I mean, it might be the second-best thing I’ve ever tasted…”

Thus came the mixture of responses from across the table at such a bold, obviously suggestive statement: Sweetie Belle was left appalled at the debauchery in the midst of this finery, Silver Spoon gasped and gave a start. Apple Bloom gave a barking laugh that was quickly forced back down, only to fail when Scootaloo’s face turned bright red and she slapped her beau across the shoulder. It may as well have been a breath of the morning breeze across his face for all Rumble cared, for he instead laughed on and on even as the young woman beside him scowled.

The meal came in due to time to help usher in a period of silence, each young soul tending to their plate with relish. Oh, the scintillating scents that wafted up to meet their nostrils and make mouths salivate! First bites came in swift pace and were gloriously savored by all, the luxurious coatings of flavor cast about on every bud until, though for only a brief moment, their whole world was only that symphony of joy within their mouths that could only be forged by a fantastic meal. Talk was ushered to the wayside for now so that they might partake further; in fact, little was said at all until the very last bite of any plate was found and devoured. Even Scootaloo, who had been their most hesitant member of the table to try her plate, only let muffled sounds of delight pass by as she greedily consumed her tender cuts of beef.

“Oh man, that was good.” Apple Bloom pushed back her plate and let free a faint sigh of contentment as the last memories of her final bite soared off into the unreachable past. “I haven’t eaten something that good in- gee, it’s probably been years.”

“Not even the roast chicken I made for your birthday last year?” Silver Spoon inquired lightly, teasing notes in the sound of her offended tone. “And I worked on it for two whole days, too. You’re going to make me feel bad.”

“Sorry, but even that just got outmatched,” the crimson-haired farmgirl replied, not an ounce of shame to be seen on her features. “That was amazing. I could eat that for months and not get tired of it.”

“It was all really good. Thanks for helping us figure out something,” Scootaloo said to Sweetie Belle. “I’ve never really eaten anything like that before- but it was good! It makes me wanna try something like it again.”

Sweetie Belle smiled. The evening was going swimmingly, as far as she was concerned; the mood was pleasant and genial, this formal place not dampening their group’s typical banter but instead allowing for it to become something gentle and relaxed. This was no place for roughhousing or teenage crudeness, yet their distinct personalities were shining through and finding themselves as something suitable for such a place. It was so easy for each of them to talk with one another, far away from their usual haunts that could keep each party separate and perhaps severed; why not chat gaily about whatever lovely thing suited their fancy? There was so much for their eyes to feast upon that could ignite conversation, old tales of childhood adventures that had brought a few of them to this place before, hopeful words of daydreams ahead as adulthood took them on a new course in life. What step was next, to where would they go? With youthful days now forever behind, there were such stories yet to be told, and eager were they to reach them.

As they talked, to their attention came an absence of sound that had once been present in quiet undertones beneath every word: the chatter of voices all about them had become hushed, the lilting music that had beckoned them into the great hall had gone cold. All about them, the various tables of guests were upon their feet and gazing at a pair of figures that now stood before the orchestra.

“Oh jeez, that’s Cadance and Shining!” A tad behind their fellows yet quick enough to cotton on, the five young souls leapt to their feet in honor of one of their hosts and prayed that there was no one who looked their way.

Ever the perfect pair, Cadance and her husband looked completely at ease as every eye fell upon them. Had they not endured far more scrutiny and stress in other days? What could haughty expectations of tepid nobles do to intimidate them when they had wrestled wills against demigods? Instead they looked out at the crowd and beamed, smiles so warm and bright that they seemed to invite every guest to join in their happiness.

“Good evening to you all!” Cadance declared happily. “And thank you for joining us here tonight as we celebrate our kingdom together! May the joy and unity of this night radiate within you and fill all those who meet you with light!”

“Here we stand as friends, for in this night are all barriers broken,” Shining carried on, “the classes that can so easily separate are divided and left to the wayside. For do we not have a kingdom united as one people? Look upon your friends, upon strangers, look upon all and cheer them as you would a brother!”

“Without you, this kingdom would be diminished,” Cadance continued, “Without you, the happiness of us all would be so deeply lessened.”

“Without one another, we would fall,” Shining added, “Without one another, the greatness of our kingdom would never be.”

“So join with us in our revelry. Come and celebrate, for the night belongs to us all!”

“Join with us in song and dance, for this floor is offered to everyone!”

And on cue did the orchestra play, Cadance and Shining not missing a beat but instead falling into one another’s arms as the first waltz played and saw their footwork be brought to life; bright and fair were the notes, lovely to the ear just as their movement was to the eyes. Yet so small did they seem in such open space, for the floor upon which they danced was meant to hold many- and oh, how many had been beckoned.

“Ooh, now that’s more like it!” Silver breathed happily. Taking Apple Bloom’s hand in hers, the two women smoothly departed from their place at the tableside and made their way to the open floor of marble so that they, too, might join in the delight of the evening and be lost amidst the crowd of dancers.

“I’ve- I’ve only slow-danced once,” Rumble admitted, though he looked over at his girlfriend and tried to force down the rising shade of pink upon his still-boyish cheeks. “Umm, do- you feel like giving it another try?”

“Sure. I think we need the practice, anyway.” Scootaloo wore a smile- one that faltered when she caught sight of Sweetie Belle standing at the table’s edge alone. “Oh, umm- yeah, I, umm-”

“Go on and enjoy yourselves,” Sweetie said bracingly, hating to see even the slightest drop of sympathy –or was it pity?- form in her friend’s eyes. “Rarity said Twilight was planning for a bunch of different kinds of music to be played, too, so you two will get your turn to have some fun.”

She wanted to ignore the feeling in her stomach as she watched them rush out to join the throng of dancing couples. Like a rug swept out from beneath her feet, reality had snapped Sweetie back to what she had spent the length of the evening doing her best to forget, and how nearly had it been forgotten completely: she really was alone in moments like this, wasn’t she?

Her judgments were fair, she was at least sure of that. Even in the early days of high school when she’d been more easily swayed by emotion, Sweetie had at least known she wasn’t ugly nor a terrible person. Not as flawlessly beautiful as her sister and not the most perfectly pleasant person in the world, but she wasn’t awful. It wasn’t arrogant to think of herself as something attractive, one that might appeal to someone’s romantic senses. Yet the dating world was passing her by and she had yet to have a single person ask for her hand- she’d been unrelentingly grateful that Scootaloo and Apple Bloom had wanted prom to be a night amongst friends instead of something romantic. But throughout the night, Sweetie had watched others enjoy brief moments of genuine love that only came through that entryway into adulthood. Ones that she craved for herself to someday experience, yet not one had ever come. Even to this day, she couldn’t quite figure out why; perhaps something was wrong with her, something so subtly wrong that it eluded even her best efforts of self-reflection- some flaw in her character, some chink in not-quite-perfect armor. But if there was, not even Rarity had been able to perceive it.

The sight of the dancers sank her spirit. Twirling colors and sound all aglow beneath the shimmering lights of the chandeliers above, a heavenly sort of happiness that was filled with smiles of all kinds as bodies came close together in movement and rhythm. Though she was not the only soul who had remained tablebound for now, Sweetie didn’t allow her gaze to go elsewhere lest she find others staring at her solitude. She really might be the only person here who’d come alone! And since she had no use for anyone’s sympathy or pity- well, that, and she detested any feelings of bitterness or jealousy…

It’s better that you distract yourself with something, the young woman counseled herself, trying her very best to take the high road. You know plenty of people here, why not find someone to talk to? Not everyone is out on the floor.

It didn’t quite dispel her gloom but it was enough to be a temporary distraction. Come to think of it, she hadn’t even seen her sister yet, despite Rarity and Diamond apparently having been among the first to show up; where had they gone off to? Considering the numerous places where they’d been caught getting up to all sorts of mischief, it wasn’t unlikely that Sweetie might regret her search. But still, anything would be better than simply staying here! Off to the hall entrance and off towards the rest of the palace made available to the public-

“Oh, I beg your pardon for- Sweetie! It’s lovely to see you!” Her gaze torn between what was left behind and what lay ahead, Sweetie barely had enough time to step to one side and avoid a head-on collision with a vision of utter beauty and refinement. Smiling and delighted at the sight of her younger sister stood Rarity, a paragon of elegance in a gown of shimmering gold, more akin to the loveliness of a goddess in summer than that of a mortal being. With her flawless application of makeup and eyeshadow, not to mention the slightly golden hue of her lipstick, it was easy to see why so many still fell at her feet. And with all that grace and wondrousness within her, the irony was the woman who was close at her side, Diamond Tiara matching her girlfriend in a minidress of metallic gold that was likely the shortest piece of attire in the building, and definitely the most scandalous.

“Rarity! Diamond- it’s good to see you,” Sweetie said, and doing her best to mean it. She held no ill will against Diamond and they’d even been friendly with one another over high school. But the fact that she was dating her sister, such a mismatch of personalities, was difficult to tolerate. “I was just wondering where you’d run off to!”

“Yes, well, a lady does need a moment, sometimes,” Rarity said, and the deformity to her smile was perfectly suited for the flush of pink upon her cheeks. “We were- were…”

“We wanted a little privacy. You know what I mean,” Diamond said, quick to her lover’s rescue though her smile was coy. “There were just so many people about, and- well, it’s enough to make a girl fret about a few things.”

“Thank you, darling,” Rarity cooed, leaning over and giving her sultry girlfriend a slow kiss; an act of affection that could only show themselves off, even if there was no intent to do so. Sweetie dreaded being around them when they were in this mood, the awkwardness unbelievable-!

“Well, I was- was just going for a walk, I think,” Sweetie stammered as she tried to look elsewhere. Diamond was returning each of Rarity’s kisses with one of her own and these two hormonally-crazed women were far too in her face. “I hope I haven’t kept you.”

“Of course not, dearest!” Rarity replied, forcing herself away from Diamond’s mouth so as to answer her sibling. “We heard the music start to play and wanted to join in. Now, don’t let us keep you, Sweetie!” And without further ado the two giggling beauties rushed towards the filled floor and added their sensuous movements to the throng.

Was that what being an adult was like? Sweetie found herself comparing her sister’s relationship to that of her friends. Yes, Rarity was definitely older, but her romance with Diamond seemed… less mature, somehow. Rumble and Scootaloo honestly seemed more relaxed and adult together than they. Was it just another kind of love, or a better one? Sweetie wasn’t sure which was truer, and making any sort of judgment seemed unfair when she’d never experienced any of it herself. Who was she to say when no one… no one loved her?

She came to a pause at the bottom of the grand staircase and allowed herself one last look towards the great hall. She seemed rather alone here; Twilight was gone, off somewhere else now that some duty had summoned her- So one less person to spend your time with, Sweetie thought ruefully. Goodness, she wasn’t going to get a moment’s respite from her gloom, was she? She was going to have to deal with it. Yes, being in love wasn’t the most important thing in the world, but she felt so childish having never experienced what it was like for such a feeling to be reciprocated. Like there was a part of her that had yet to blossom into maturity, that one corner of her mind remained untouched. And to think she’d been so willing to judge Diamond and Rarity, what right did she have? It wasn’t as if anyone had ever cared about her, and probably no one ever would. What did she have to offer? She was barely an adult, still more a child trying to play grown-ups. She’d struggled with school most of her life, she’d be lucky if her singing talents would ever get noticed so she didn’t know how she would take care of herself. She hardly felt like a homemaker so if she couldn’t attract anyone, what hope did she have of becoming a spouse? She’d come here hoping tonight would be her debut into true adulthood, but Sweetie knew all the more that she was just a fraud.

And heaven help me, if you don’t get a hold of yourself, you’re going to start crying! But she couldn’t help the stinging sensation behind her eyes, growing ever stronger and threatening to make her face crumple. And if she cried then it would ruin her makeup and stain her face and then people would know and then her unhappiness would ruin her friends’ night and that was unacceptable, which just made her feel even worse-!

“Oh, thank heaven I found you, sweetheart! I’ve been looking all over for you!”

She’d thought the entrance hall had been empty of people, but the sound of another’s voice broke through the panicking monologue within and sparked a flame of panic; make sure there was no sign of despair, and fast! As Sweetie looked about to find the source, footsteps came from behind her and the young woman turned about to see Princess Celestia descending the staircase and a pair of wizened gentlemen trotting slowly behind her.

And the Princess just so happened to be looking right at her. With a smile on her face, arms wide in greeting, beautifully adorned in a premier gown and most definitely making her way towards the stunned Sweetie Belle.

“And here I was beginning to worry I wouldn’t find you!” Celestia cried. She took Sweetie’s hands in her own before the young girl could quite realize what was happening and pressed a kiss to her cheek, a slow and lingering thing without an ounce of discretion or shame. “Would you be so kind as to lead your lady away from the crowd for a moment? I think you and I need a few minutes alone…”

She had no idea what was going on. Sweetie could still feel the pressure of Princess Celestia’s lips upon her skin as well as the mark that had been left behind, her hands somehow still within the regal woman’s grasp and kept there. The Princess was actually gazing at her with a shining warmth, eagerly awaiting a reply as though desperate for a brief, romantic respite from whatever she had just left behind. And then there was the matter of the two men who still remained at the top of the stairs, staring at Princess Celestia and wearing an expression of having been forced to drink sour milk.

If she didn’t know better, this was a prank. “I- I.” Sweetie was left flabbergasted. What was she supposed to do?

“Help me,” Celestia whispered, words so quietly slipping through that they didn’t immediately register with her companion. “Hide me!”

So she was being used, but for what cause Sweetie didn’t know quite yet. Only that the Princess was trying to escape these two men for some reason and was actually begging her for help, and that somehow meant she needed to pretend that this young woman was entwined with her- romantically. It didn’t make any sense at all, but it seemed cruel to not comply, at least for the moment.

“Umm… sure- sure!” Sweetie said, trying to regain some semblance of composure and not appear as though she was totally mystified. But where was she supposed to even go? “Hope you don’t mind ma- making it up to me.” Is that a good response? Do I come off sounding like an idiot or is this working? I don’t know what to do!

“Aww, don’t be mad, sweetheart,” Celestia said. Aglow at the young woman’s compliance in her strange scheme, she took Sweetie’s arm and led them on down the stairs, away from the great hall and towards a nearby hallway that led to who-knows-where. “I promise I’m worth the wait.”

The confusion was unrivaled, her face was likely as red as an overripe tomato, and she had no clue where she was going; Sweetie simply did her best to keep pace with the Princess that now guided her and tried to ignore the burning sensation that came from two pairs of eyes boring into the back of her head. Should she try to add to the façade, say something or sound all romantic? With a mind that amounted to little more than mush, making any sort of decision was difficult. For a time longer, all she could do was comply until they were out of sight, when she was suddenly swept through a nearby door that was promptly slammed shut behind her. The world became deeply darkened save for a single flickering light above, illuminating a tiny broom closet not meant to house two people at all.

The sigh that came from the Princess was the deep relief of a soul, so loud and pure that Sweetie felt willing to help in whatever means she could. Goodness, what had the Princess just escaped? Surely she hadn’t been in any danger, right? What could two old men do an immortal princess? “Oh thank heavens you were there,” Celestia breathed, using what little space they had to lean back against the wall. “I thought I was never going to get away from them, goodness’ sake!”

She hadn’t been this close to another person for this long before. This cramped little broom closet was hardly big enough for one person to dwell in, much less another! Pressed against her was Celestia in a manner that could be best summed up as intimate, allowing Sweetie to examine the resplendent royal in ways she’d likely never have the chance to again. How her hair seemed to always maintain just the smallest hint of movement, light causing it to flicker and wave as though ripples of color through the air; there was such a smoothness to her heart-shaped features, fair skin gently brushed by makeup and adding just the smallest tinge of color to her cheeks, with a bright-pink eyeshadow painted just above her eyes. Adorning her body were rhinestones, a pair of earrings dangling down just beyond the lobe and shimmering, a perfect match to the set that hung around her neck in the form of a necklace. And across her tall, slender frame was a magnificent gown the colors of soft pink that were paired with matching-color gloves, a diamante chain wrapping about the garment and giving it an air of days gone by that so brilliantly contrasted the high leg slit and plunging neckline that revealed the finely crafted body beneath. And- and a rather substantial… it did not require much examination to realize Princess Celestia was rather buxom, and her gown –as well as Sweetie’s very near proximity- did quite the job of revealing it.

She didn’t mean to do a double-take. Or the next two that came half a second later. But there was so much of her brain that wasn’t under her control any longer, and the remnants that hadn’t been left completely confused were desperately crying out that Princess Celestia was extremely beautiful and attractive.

“I do apologize for this,” Celestia said, having regained composure of herself and attending to her current companion. “I hope you don’t mind hiding out with me for a little while longer. You’re truly a lifesaver!”

“It’s OK,” Sweetie replied, and trying not to sound too breathless as she said it. Goodness, this woman was pretty-

“They’re a pair of noblemen in the House of Commons,” Celestia said, peering at the door as though she could see the two souls she’d left behind just on the other side. “Brothers, and quite ambitious. They’ve gotten it in their heads that I need to get married to one of their sons so they can be elevated to the House of Lords! As if I’d do either thing, really. But they keep trying, and this evening they rather had me cornered! I thought I wouldn’t be able to shake them the entire night! You’ve no idea how glad I am I found you at the stairs.”

“So- so you need me to pretend to be your… girlfriend, or- something?” Oh goodness, please stop blushing, I can feel my face burning!

“I need them to stop thinking I’m available. And you’re perfect at getting them to give up!” Another sigh streamed out, Celestia seemingly left exhausted by the antics of two aspiring siblings. “Thank you, Sweetie Belle. It’s lovely to see you, by the way. You look wonderful.”

“Oh. Oh! Th- thank you, Princess!” Sweetie managed. Goodness, she was pressed up against the pinnacle of ethereal beauty and she was being called pretty!

“I was speaking with your sister last night, she came to visit with Twilight for a little while and I happened to run into her. She told me you were quite excited for tonight; I hope it’s lived up to your expectations.”

Her gaze fell from those lustrous eyes- but she caught herself. Sweetie was a lady, after all, and she could hold her emotions together. So what that she’d been on the verge of tears for no good reason? That moment was long past.

It had only been for an instant that she’d faltered, but apparently that had been enough for the Princess’ keen eye to catch it. “No?” She surmised. “Is… everything alright, Sweetie?”

“I’m- fine, Princess,” Sweetie answered. Well, lied.

A raised eyebrow was given in response. “I don’t think you and I have much need for formalities, seeing how familiar we are right now,” Celestia said playfully. “Why not just call me Celestia from now on- or Cellie, if you’re feeling brave? Maybe that will help you tell me what’s on your mind.”

“I’m really fine…. Erm, Celestia.” That feels weird. It is kinda weird, right? “I was just being silly for a moment, that’s all.”

“And you’re sure?” It was not pushy, but still did the sunlit woman not truly believe her. Nor did she seem intent on anything but wanting to be helpful. Maybe this was someone she could open up to, if just a little bit.

“I- I, umm… just felt a little lonely. For a bit,” Sweetie admitted. “I didn’t bring a plus-one tonight, and my friends did. So it’s sort of… different.”

Celestia gave a small, little start at the remark. “You came alone?” She said. “I would have figured you would be flooded by people desperate to go with you. After all, they’d get to dance with you, hold your hand, be all flirty and romantic… did no one meet your standards, I’m guessing?”

“I…” she didn’t hold that deep gaze again, that creeping sense of shame trying to resurrect itself. “No. No, I- there was no one I wanted to go with, and- and all my friends are taken, so I can’t do that and make it difficult for them. I just figured it’d be alright if I went with Scoots and Apple Bloom tonight and just… you know, tried to have fun anyway.”

When she found the will to recompose herself, Sweetie found Celestia studying her intently. That dark gaze of stellar color was looking right at her- if not giving her a look-over, and seemed to be thinking fast. The young woman prayed she wouldn’t be met with pity; anything that would be intended to cheer her up would only make her feel worse. She’s not thinking of making me leave or anything, is she? Surely wouldn’t chide me, right? Oh, calm down, you’re trying to freak yourself out for no reason.

“So… you’re available right now?”

The words hadn’t actually been heard because there was no way she’d said them. “I’m sorry?” Sweetie replied.

The beautiful royal’s grin was playful, teasing. “Well, I never get to actually enjoy myself at this silly thing. I have to be all formal and official, I never get to just kick back and have fun like any other guest,” she said. “But with you… oh, people leave me alone, I can enjoy the party- and I get a pretty young woman on my arm all night. I can’t think of a negative. You mind doing me the favor?”

This wasn’t happening. Celestia was asking her to join her for the evening, and things like that just don’t happen. Besides, this was more about keeping those two noblemen off her tail than anything else, right? Or it was meant to try and make her feel better. Sweetie couldn’t actually be considered for this role. “I, umm…”

“Please? Pretty please, with a cherry on top?” Celestia pleaded. Her graceful features contorted into the cutest pout, pooched lip and puppy-dog eyes gazing at her companion as though desperate for a positive outcome. Even what little space that lay between them disappeared, Celestia leaning against her so that her body’s curves and assets might be felt… “I never get to go on a date with anyone, do you know what that’s like? Can I please be your date for the Gala? Help your Princess be a silly girl for one night?”

It was ridiculous, ludicrous, and every other adjective she couldn’t think of. But what resistance she could muster was utterly useless in the face of such an adorable plea, particularly when only the finest superlatives could describe Celestia in every conceivable way. Sweetie was being asked out on a date- for politeness more than anything, most likely. But Princess Celestia was pleading for her to be her date, and refusing seemed completely foolish. So maybe the best thing she could do was go along with it. Even if the whole thing was an idiotic scenario that couldn’t be described by human adjectives.

“I- sure? Sure,” Sweetie stammered. “I guess I can-”

“Yes! I actually get to have fun tonight!” Celestia cheered, fiercely pressing another kiss on Sweetie Belle’s cheek in delight, not knowing the brilliant heat that soon arrived after. “Oh, I never get to show up and be just any old guest. But with you- thank you, Sweetie, truly! Now let’s go enjoy ourselves, shall we?”

Looking back, Sweetie would find herself thinking that it was perhaps the strangest evening of her entire life, though also describing it as one of the most enjoyable wasn’t too far-fetched either. Celestia was, despite her public persona, one of the most wildly immature yet mature people she’d ever known. To describe her beyond the wondrousness of her beauty would have taken a book in of itself to even begin the basics.

But goodness, did she have fun!

The thought of people expecting the Princess hadn’t really kicked in by the time she and Celestia had entered the great hall; why on earth had she not considered that the Princess of Equestria might garner a little attention? When the two joined the Gala crowd, the music came to a halt and a spotlight shone down upon them to illuminate them both so that the throng of people might celebrate their entrance. Celestia played it up perfectly, waving to the many faces before them with a joy that seemed actually genuine, while Sweetie was left a little overwhelmed. So many people gave her their attentions, curious gazes flickering from the sunlit beauty to the mysterious unknown that was currently held fast against her side. Just how many whispers were about her when they came to the midst of the dance floor, she wondered? Sweetie wasn’t quite sure she wanted to know. The world of the elite was, at least from what Rarity had divulged to her, not particularly kind; if there were rumors about her presence, then they weren’t going to be fun.

To her surprise, the façade portion of their date was not something Celestia seemed to fiercely cling to. When the music had begun again and the dancing crowd resumed their own personal joys, the brilliant princess brought her into their midst and led the way through a rather stately waltz. Sweetie wasn’t a terrible dancer by any means, but keeping to a line she did not know was difficult, and grateful was she for the quiet queues of her lead. Celestia was gifted with phenomenal footwork, and the best she could do was to keep up- and probably maintain her distance, lest she be cause any real disruption.

“No need to be shy,” Celestia purred as they danced, and she pulled her partner close so that they were cheek-to-cheek, striding through the crowd at her behest. “I don’t mind having you with me- wait, I’m not making you uncomfortable, am I? I’d hate to ruin your evening.”

“It’s- not really that,” Sweetie said, hoping her face wasn’t a new shade of red to showcase her flustered emotions. This Princess was far, far too soft! “You’re just- this is so different. To anything I’ve ever done, I guess.”

“The same for me, if truth be told,” Celestia admitted as they continued their dance. “With Twilight running everything in the background, I actually get to join in the fun for once. And I have you to let me feel like a normal person, too! I hate how I never get to just be a girl, do you know what I mean?”

Seeing as she’d chased elegance and the refined world for so long now, the idea that one would want to escape it was something of a novel concept for one still so young. “No, umm- not really,” Sweetie admitted, before hastily adding, “Sorry.”

“You’re perfectly fine. I know it must sound strange,” Celestia said. “Everyone thinks being royalty is such a grand life, but goodness is it all so formal. Even the simplest thing as making friends is so difficult- and forget about romance! Who on earth is going to actually love you and not your position? And how would you even know the difference?”

“I- I never thought of that, actually.” Not exactly a highborn person, Sweetie couldn’t conceive of anyone desiring her for something beyond who she was. To be a village girl with no title to her name had afforded her a worth that could not be earned or possessed. “Does- are you lonely, Princess?”

Celestia gave her a cheeky grin. “Tonight? I’m Cellie, to you, sweetheart. Indulge me, won’t you?”

She knew her face turned a beet red at that. “Oh heavens- are you- ohmygosh- are you lonely… Cellie? Like, really?”

“Oh, every now and then,” Celestia answered, a mild tone in her voice though there was a genuine sorrow in her eyes. “It’s a difficult thing to explain. Making friends is so difficult because you never know if it’s you they value… or the titles attached to you. And everyone expects you to behave a certain way! I’d much rather be like you, so young and free. You even get to be silly.”

“Well, I- I guess so,” Sweetie said. “But I try to act my age. I don’t think anyone would like me much if I was all silly and light all the time.”

“Hmm… I don’t think so,” Celestia countered, and she smiled as the young woman gave a start of surprise. “You’re too lovely to be serious all the time, Sweetie Belle. Why not spend more time being young while you can? Very little in life is worth taking seriously; smiles and laughter always suit us better. Actually, do they suit me? Please be honest.”

It was a glow akin to the rising of the sun, but to describe it with words felt too difficult for her to achieve, so Sweetie was only able to flush red and give a little nod that seemed to leave the Princess delighted.

“Wonderful! Now, I think your friends have actually just returned to your table. Mind- introducing me to them?”

That she’d once been concerned over seeing pity in her friend’s eyes was something laughable in comparison to the slack-jawed gaping that now overtook the companions who had traveled with her here tonight; if they had ever suspected anything of this like to occur, not one of them would have ever dared given it voice or much less believe it. With Sweetie held fast about her arm lest embarrassment try to make her escape, Celestia gave the young souls a joyful wave of greeting that was met with only wide-eyed stares. Their first Gala as true invitees wasn’t meant to include this.

“Scootaloo! Apple Bloom! Really, it’s been too long,” Celestia said, rushing up to the table and greeting the two as though they were old friends. “I see your sisters all the time, why haven’t you ever tried to come and visit? I would have loved to see you. How have you all been, what have you been up to?”

Silver Spoon and Rumble were not yet acquainted, but to see their significant others be treated with such warmth was enough to boggle the mind for a few decades. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom did their best to recover, but a few stammered sentences was the best they could immediately conjure. And yet… the more Celestia remained amongst them, the more comfortable they became, a radiating warmth escaping her form as though the calming glow of sunlight in the spring morning. Difficult to ignore, much less to resist, the whole table of young souls soon found themselves entangled in a conversation with the elegant princess- who just so happened to be keenly ignoring the crowd of nobility that eyed her with displeasure.

“Did- did you seriously have Princess Celestia as your date tonight?” Scootaloo whispered, taking the opportunity for a word as the solar beauty turned and shared a laugh with the young man at her side. “And you weren’t going to tell us that you were going with her? Come on, I thought we were friends!”

“She- she asked me to go with her for a while,” Sweetie Belle admitted, though the truth did a fantastic job of ruining the fun. “I think it’s just for show or some-”

“Wait, she asked you?” Scootaloo echoed. “High score, girl! Aw, you’d better try and get a kiss out of tonight or else I’m never letting you live it down. Told you that you’d be a chick magnet someday, it just took the best to come along!”

That wasn’t what she’d intended to come across, but her protests otherwise fell on deaf ears- no matter whom she talked to! The whole host of her friends, no matter which she found, all seemed convinced that Celestia was actually displaying some measure of romantic interest. Apple Bloom and Silver Spoon gushed in excitement, Rarity and Diamond were left squealing- anyone and everyone she knew was strangely positive that the façade was just the opposite, and Sweetie was left unsure of what she herself was even supposed to think.

After all, this wasn’t exactly normal.

“Ooh, do you mind sharing a drink with me?” Celestia asked. As her friends had returned to the dance floor, the mismatched couple had found themselves alone together once again. “I don’t think the bar would say no to me if I asked for whatever I wanted… anything tickle your fancy?”

With no draw towards any particular offering, Sweetie felt a bit torn; try as she might, even the wine she’d tried at dinner hadn’t been quite something she’d enjoyed. How was she supposed to pick anything when nothing tickled her fancy- and even if she made a wild guess, what sort of selection wouldn’t reflect poorly on the princess?

“I can offer a suggestion, if you like,” Celestia said, perhaps shrewdly guessing at the young woman’s hesitation. “Do you trust me?”

Not really. Celestia’s behavior was unpredictable and she hardly had a clue as to what the brilliant woman was up to, but it hadn’t exactly been unpleasant; was this what the Princess was like when away from the public eye? If so, maybe a little bit of a trust fall wouldn’t hurt. “Umm… surprise me, I guess.”

What came next was a quick order of drinks, a glass of brut champagne for the both of them to gently sip, as well as a minute offering of fine scotch that positively glowed beneath the warm lights of the hall. Led back to their table by the joyous royal, Sweetie had no clue what she was in for- and did she really want to? The bottles both of these concoctions had come from didn’t seem particularly casual. Just how expensive were the items she now held?

“First! A toast, to a lovely evening with a beautiful woman at my side!” Celestia declared, taking the shot of scotch in hand and raising it high, a gesture that the younger woman soon echoed. “Many blessings on our night together, Sweetie Belle, and may it be all that you ever hoped for.”

A clink of glassware, and then a quick knocking back of liquor as the potent liquid poured down her throat in the manner of a second. For a moment, Sweetie felt fine, but then- oh goodness, how it left such a rush! Burning like fire from the age the brilliant substance possessed, a cacophony of flavors that seemed in a fight to dominate and overwhelm the other. She tried to contain herself, but the cough that came from her lungs was involuntary. If she’d even enjoyed the drink, Sweetie wasn’t one to say; there were many positive to speak of, but she didn’t quite know how to put it all together when the prized liquor seemed intent on beating her to a pulp.

Celestia laughed, albeit gently, at the sight of the young girl struggling with the concoction. “That scotch is likely older than your father,” she remarked, “And a particular favorite of mine. I hope you don’t mind having indulged for a time.”

“N- no, it was- it was really good, actually, but just- so strong!” Sweetie was doing her best to compose herself, trying not to let the Princess down any further. “I’m sorry, I’m not- I don’t really know spirits that well yet.”

“It comes with time, if one’s willing to know them,” Celestia replied, “and it’s not as if anyone must. You’re perfectly fine without them. But if you’re willing to trust me a bit further, do you mind joining me on a sip of champagne instead? I believe you might enjoy this a bit more.”

The prediction was a correct one; as soon as the smooth substance met her lips, Sweetie was left delighted by the sweetness of flavor that now coursed across her tongue. Ooh, it was so rich and bready! No flavor could overwhelm the other, and the texture was so gentle within her mouth, no harshness or excess of fruity sugars to overwhelm her. It was the first sort of alcoholic drink that she’d ever truly enjoyed on its own merits. In fact, she wouldn’t have minded if Celestia had offered a little more.

“Ooh, did I choose wisely?” When the songstress gave an eager nod, Celestia’s face was left aglow by a smile. “Wonderful! I was worried I might be wrong on two counts! Cheers, my darling, and let’s relax together. After all, we’re alone, aren’t we?”

Not in the truest sense, but they were solely by themselves at the table. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were allowing the two to have some measure of space separate and none of the nobility that permeated the place were willing to approach her just yet. Was there some aura she couldn’t see that kept them away, perhaps? There were certainly eyes upon them, but none were willing to break the circle and intrude. In a strange sort of way, they actually were alone. “I- I think we sort of are,” Sweetie answered.

“Good. Now I get to have you all to myself,” the sweet Princess purred, and so close did she come that the presence of her, as well as her beauty, were enough to take her date’s breath away. “Now, tell me Sweetie… when am I going to get to hear you sing?”

Considering that only a handful of people knew she even sung at all, if ever in her life, to hear this woman of all souls ask about her musical desires was enough to stagger her somewhere into next week. Celestia knew she could sing- well, knew she sang! Who on earth had even told her in the first place? “Who even told you that?” Sweetie gasped, and promptly trying to not appear so mortified at the revelation of her greatest secret. “I mean- no, actually, who really did tell you that? I’ve been trying to keep that private until I’m good and ready, I wasn’t really interested in telling a whole lot of people.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll keep my lips sealed,” Celestia replied. “But your sister says you sound lovely, wonderful even. Won’t I get the chance someday to hear you flex your golden pipes?”

“Well… maybe someday,” Sweetie said. Her smile came as emotion coursed through her, embarrassment and delight igniting reaction without her beckoning. Goodness, she didn’t want to appear vain, what was she supposed to do? “I just… I’m not really as good as I think I can be yet. Being consistent is the hardest part.”

“In what way? Writing your own work, or what you expect from your voice?”

“Both, I guess? I can sing fine, more or less, but all of it… I just want to make sure I’m actually that good. You know, before anyone really hears me.”

“Well I want to hear you sing,” Celestia remarked. “Maybe I might get lucky, and- oh, make you sing tonight.”

The smirk and wink that immediately came after made Sweetie wonder if this whole thing was a big, fat gag. Goodness, how was this woman royalty? Celestia did her utmost to avoid behaving according to her station, a lack of decorum and dignity that could only be described as astounding. Just what sort of person was she, really?

“Do you have no shame?” Sweetie Belle asked, just inebriated enough to provide a delicate swat across Celestia’s bare shoulders and eliciting a laugh, only for the young woman to recall just who it was she had just struck. “Ohmygosh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean-”

“You are Rarity’s sister, for certain.” Celestia continued to laugh, undeterred by the spate of horror that had run through her young partner’s mind. The whole ordeal was too humorous for anything else to get in the way, nor was she too bound to the weight of her crown to take any of it seriously. “Oh, sweetheart, why do I need to be ashamed? I’ve no need to take everything seriously, do I?”

“But- well, I guess so,” Sweetie admitted, though not keen on losing any further ground. “But you’re a princess- the Princess! Aren’t you supposed to be, I dunno, regal?”

“Only when I have to be,” the solar royal answered. “And unfortunately, that is far too often. There’s very little in life worth that sort of effort.” Celestia gave a sigh that was rather whispy, her jeweled gaze turning away from her companion and out towards the crowd that filled the great hall. From one pair of dancers to another, to different tables and all the souls in between, the sight of them seeming to add to an invisible weight upon her heart, and the whole of them brought upon her sorrow that was a melancholy in her smile. The appearance of her was a longing, yearning for a life that seemed so close yet so out of reach all the same.

“I’ve spent many years wishing I was just like one of you, you know,” Celestia murmured. “To be young, to grow up with your friends and just be a normal person. No titles, no duties… I would love to be just a girl. So I guess that’s why I love being silly and girly whenever I can. It really is the most fun I can have in life.”

Perhaps it was something she shouldn’t have been privy to, but Sweetie Belle had borne witness to it all the same. Sitting there beside her evening’s company, the young woman’s heart twisted in sympathy and out came a hand that came to bind with the older woman’s grip. What words were she supposed to say? If there were any, they were beyond her reckoning of thought- but this seemed adequate enough, even if it probably wasn’t going to matter much.

To her surprise, the touch roused Celestia and she peered down at the songstress’ hand and gave a smile. “I am fine, don’t worry,” she said, and the more her smile grew the more her sorrows seemed to melt away. “I’ve good friends, and really… my life is as good as it’s ever been! And now I have such young, beautiful company as my date tonight. What more could a girl ask for?”

“I… don’t really know, I guess,” Sweetie Belle answered, and she tried to meet that joyful gaze with a grin of her own. “Thank you for telling me. I- I promise I won’t mention it to anyone.”

“Oh, I’m hardly worried about that.” Celestia waved the words away as though they were dust upon the wind, giving them the most minimal of considerations she could offer. “Come now, we’ve got a few drinks in us. I hope you don’t mind slow-dancing with your girlfriend until we can’t stand.”

Words capable of flushing her red, but Sweetie Belle was gladly led along all the same back into the crowd, she and Celestia becoming lost in the throng as their new dance came to life and saw them bound together. This splendid royal had no qualm in sharing her dance card with just the one woman on her arm, nor with the lack of distance that was between them as they performed each new step. She’d never been held so close like this, enough to feel the body heat, the muscles moving as they tensed and relaxed with every motion. Celestia was elegant in her footwork, stately even- yet never so dignified as to leave Sweetie behind or look down upon her for the slightest mistake. She was not the most magnificent of dancers but the young beauty could not resist the radiant happiness that came from within her partner; Celestia reveled in this night, in a way that she’d only been given the slightest glimpse into understanding why. And seeing that she’d been given a chance to know that precious detail- and then add to her happiness? Sweetie knew what she experienced tonight would be far better than any jewels or treasures of luxuries that would ever cross her path, for she was able to help make such a lovely woman happy.

How the rest of the Gala passed, Sweetie would hardly be able to recall. The night went on and she remained in Celestia’s arms, the two dancing on and enjoying the sound of glorious music as each new ballad called for them to join in. With the sunlit beauty as her guide so she followed in suit, the more time spent upon the dance floor seeing to Sweetie’s intuition helping her in predicting the next step. Though she would likely never reach Celestia’s prowess, her footwork was becoming something lovey; indeed, though she reckoned it not, a particular favorite of the sun-kissed Princess was played by the orchestra and the crowd allowed the two space so as to dance apart from the rest and enjoy one another’s company in a strange sort of solitude. Did they offer up congratulations, applause, or praise of any kind? Others would be able to tell her, for Sweetie did not offer them any of her attentions. Seeing Celestia happy was all that seemed to matter any longer, at least for tonight.

“You sure you’re not tired?” Celestia would ask after every song came to an end.

“Only if you are,” Sweetie would answer, and so she would flow with the river in each new ballad as the joyful princess carried her away into a new dance that saw them further together down the road.

She knew it not, but the crowd had begun to dissipate. The Gala was beginning to grow old and wane, like the Ghost of Yuletide Present a temporary thing. As some of the higher nobles and those less keen on a late hour began to fall away, still did Sweetie and her Princess dance along. Though perhaps their movements were less flowing and more a simple teeter back-and-forth, they still held one another close and enjoyed the feel of one another. Old friends gave them one last, giggling glance and fell away to stories unknown; familiar faces grew long with the night and bid departure so that they might rest. The callings and needs of lives beyond them were brimming and seeing the host of guests filter away, whittling them down ever on and on until perhaps only the most spare few remained- and two beautiful ladies held fast in the midst of it.

The last, crooning sound of a glorious song came through and filtered off into the darkened skies, the spare few couples that had remained alongside the Princess and her beauty coming apart so that they might give a final round of applause and bid their departure. Was it the same evening as when the Gala had started? Was the dawn on the horizon, waiting for tired eyes to close and flit away to darkened rooms before the first rays of sunlight could creep over the edge of the world? Perhaps it would come in due time, but the long and lovely night was enough for many to find themselves yearning for elsewhere; perhaps, instead, there were far more intimate scenes that now called for them to come and see.

As the last few, most eager celebrants of the night bid the great princess their farewells and gracious thanks for the evening, the two women soon found themselves standing in the midst of an almost-empty room. The orchestra was packing up their instruments and departing for the nearby staff doors so that they might seek out the comforts of home that now called them, too tired to even offer a goodbye to their ruler. What souls that remained within the great space were merely servant and staff assigned for cleanup, dutifully attending to their work that demanded the myriad messes and décor be cast back into storage before the sun rose. In a short few hours, few would ever know that such a gala had been hosted in this splendid castle, for not a trace of it would be found anywhere save in memory.

“Are- Princess, are you sure you’re alright?” To be in the way of cleaning was not either of their styles, so Princess and village lass had begun to make their way back to the entrance hall so that each might turn to their homes at last. But after many an hour of happy dancing, and perhaps some rather potent alcohol, Celestia was beginning to stumble forward on unsteady legs and totter. Fearing that she might stumble, Sweetie kept the woman’s arm locked about hers, hoping that even this minute amount of extra weight might help her balance.

“Why, Sweetie, you didn’t call me Cellie!” The sunlit princess exclaimed, and appearing positively hurt because of it. “So cold to your date, tut-tut! And here I thought we’d gotten comfortable. Call your girl by her favorite name.”

She’d become more like this the more weary she’d become, the night lending the younger woman just enough familiarity to go along with the royal’s silliness. If she wouldn’t answer to any other name… “Cellie- are you alright?” She asked.

The result earned an adorable little squee and Celestia nearly fell because of it. “I am perhaps a bit more tired than I expected,” she answered, and her meager footwork regained its strength as they headed over to the first steps of the grand staircase. With a huff, she plopped down upon the marble and let herself lean back; likely not the most comfortable of positions, but enough to keep weight off her heels and that was what mattered most. “Goodness, I haven’t had this much fun in… heaven knows how long. Tonight’s almost always a bore. I always have duties to attend to, tonight I just got to…” One eye cracked open and regarded Sweetie Belle for a moment; the other blinked wide as though she truly saw her companion for the first time. “You really are so pretty, did you know that?”

“I think you might have had a bit too much to drink,” Sweetie giggled, and doing her best not to pay attention to the buzzing that still carried on within her brain; at least she’d had enough sense to have smaller offerings.

“No, really! Sweetie, I think you’re hotter than your sister. How would you feel about another date with me, hmm? Somewhere more private?”

Her giggle became true laughter, the inebriated flattery welcome even if she knew it was little more than a loose tongue with a bit too much freedom. Celestia had certainly been pleasant to be around, even if she was hardly what she’d expected. But then again, nothing about this night had really been what she’d expected, either. From potential hope to misery to awkwardness to- well, whatever time spent with Celestia could be described as. But it had been fun; she was at least certain of that.

“Thank you… for tonight,” Sweetie murmured, playing with the edge of her glove and letting the fabric shimmer in her eye. She’d not known what to make of tonight, but the memory of it would be something she cherished forever. “And for cheering me up. That meant a lot.”

“Oh, no, don’t go feeling like you were a burden to me!” Celestia was upright and alert, her wild spirit resurrecting so that it might attend to this latest falsity. “You cannot imagine how miserable tonight would’ve been if I’d had those two old fogeys hounding me non-stop. And you kept all the nobles away, I got to have fun and be silly- date night was perfect, and I won’t let you think otherwise.’

“But, I mean- you didn’t have to-”

“Ah-ah! Not another word,” and this time Celestia insisted. Cheeks rosy and eyes just the smallest tinge unfocused, yet determined to have the last say on the matter. “I never get to go on dates, and tonight I got to enjoy a date with you. You’re not… unhappy about that, are you?”

Now that wasn’t what she meant at all! “What? No, I just- I just figured you were being polite,” Sweetie Belle stammered.

“You don’t want to go on another date with me?” Celestia asked lightly, pressing her advantage and grinning from ear to ear. She was starting to lean close now, the loveliness of her features consuming the younger woman’s attentions.

“I- I definitely didn’t say-” Hold that thought for a second. “Wait, did we really go on a date?” I didn’t think she’d meant it like that!

“Oh, and it was perfect,” Celestia breathed, lovely gaze misting over as she recalled the numerous joys and delights that had passed them by. “So pleasant, and especially so romantic. I never get to do anything like that!”

“Yeah, well, umm…” Sweetie hesitated; perhaps details didn’t really matter, but the fact that her first date had been with the most famous woman in the world was something she’d never could have conceived of even in most wild imaginations. “Me neither. So- so thank you. So much.”

“You are very, very welcome,” the solar goddess said, wearied no more as she rose to her feet and offered her companion a helping hand. “You are a wonderful young lady, Sweetie Belle. Please don’t think otherwise.”

It could not have been a more exquisite end to the night. Hand-in-hand with a stellar loveliness that knew no rival, Sweetie found herself lost in that colorful gaze that held all the brilliance of galaxies; she could see stars upon this woman’s cheek, tiny flecks of gold that still lingered and shimmered down with a unique beauty all of its own, traces of starlight in her smile that could only dazzle. Though she had not meant to ever reach such a conclusion, this young songstress knew, and would know for the rest of her life, that the most beautiful woman in the world was this magnificent Princess Celestia.

“Oh! I almost forgot!” Celestia said, and in her eyes came a new gleam that the younger woman did not recognize. One of her hands came free and went about Sweetie Belle’s waist, bringing her all the closer and allowing no chance of farewell. “Since this is a date, and you are oh so pretty… I think a lovely woman such as yourself needs something extra special tonight, don’t you?”

“What do you mea-”

And the answer came before she could even ask, luscious lips the color of darkened gold falling upon her own and chasing all breath away in an instant. Celestia kissed her, that slight tinge of liquor on the mind taking away what hesitation or discretion that might be found, transforming the kiss into a thing so passionate that its fierceness was overwhelming to the senses, Sweetie so utterly starstruck that she knew not anything else in her world but the feel of Celestia’s lips. So smooth and soft, their plumpness ensnaring her thinner pair and pressing deep as she provided further flavor; the feel of her lip gloss, the force of her furthered passions, that small tingle as an excited moan crept through from the royal, all of it so much to take in at once!

“Mwa!” She was released only a moment too soon, Celestia left delighted by the ravished effect she had left upon her young date. Still holding her in her grasp, the brilliant sunbeam was content to gaze upon those delicate features and marvel at her handiwork, for the totality of Sweetie Belle was lost in the aftermath. What could she say? What should she do? Could she even speak, or why would she even want to? Celestia hadn’t been her first kiss, but the majesty of her lips was something that went beyond spectacle and into the realms of heaven. Never, not once, had she ever been kissed like that.

And yet… when young Sweetie regained her senses so as to gaze at her newfound crush in awe, there came upon her a cold thrill of horror as she recognized the appearance of vexation on Celestia’s face. Oh no, what did I do wrong? She wondered, mind set to fall into a panic. I’m a terrible kisser, there’s something on my breath, she wanted me to do something I can’t even think of!

“Hmm…” Celestia didn’t allow her young paramour a reprieve, instead swooping down for another kiss that held just as much fierceness, and yet again she returned with a strange look on her face. “Not enough,” she muttered, and she kissed Sweetie Belle again. And then again, then twice more in quick succession as though she needed more pressure and release of lips to be satisfied. She began to let her hands travel across the young beauty’s body, fingers stroking across clothing and skin alike, through hair, body coming closer so that she might feel the heartbeat within-

Sweetie thought she had swooned before, but the weight of this woman’s rush of kisses were sending her arousal into overdrive. Oh goodness, Celestia was kissing her magnificently- she needed to kiss back! But her body would not follow through entirely, starstruck by the romantic fervor of her royal partner, only able to meet those delicious lips again and again with as much eagerness as she could offer-

But still was it not enough! Celestia’s tongue came to life and poked through her thin mouth, seeking out its mate and lathering it in eager licks that the young and inexperienced woman could not hope to match. Oh, she tasted wonderful! The creaminess of liquor still on her tongue that made her morsel wriggle, the hint of wine that saw them twirl and tangle together; there was more to enjoy, to relish and delight in, all of it Celestia! Sweetie was trying to keep up, but the ferocity of this unrivaled princess was beyond her, and how this new heat within was bubbling! She tried to sigh and let it flow freely even as their saliva mingled together in a wet rush, hoping that sound might abate her. But if only she could move, feel more of this woman, taste all of her at last-!

Celestia gave a deep moan and plucked out Sweetie’s tongue for her to suckle upon, ferocious sucks sending dripping lips across drooling muscle over and over again. If this was meant to be a gentle thing than she cared not, for this fiery royal knew only that she needed to taste more, to feel more, to make Sweetie Belle sing aloud so wildly that the sounds of joy could not hope to be contained within these palace walls-

But for Sweetie, at the epicenter of this passionate maelstrom, was finally overwhelmed. A desperate, beseeching cry escaped her throat and begged for a release that was finally granted; though the feel of Celestia’s mouth about her tongue was no more, she was not yet free from her grasp so as to compose herself. Yet again, why would she even want to? She needed to keep these kisses going, needed more of them for that had been so magnificent and yet nowhere near enough! But what could possibly make any of this more perfect?!

“That’s it. I knew it,” Celestia said, and her flush-red face became resolute. “I need you to come with me, Sweetie. Right now- please.” And without further ado she took the young woman in hand and saw them take a mad dash up the staircase to worlds and places further beyond in the palace depths.

“Ohmygosh- but where are we going?” Sweetie asked, even as she found herself giggling madly. After all, the private quarters of this castle were on the upper levels, Celestia was a denizen of this place- Where else could they be going?

“My bed, of course! And if you make me beg, Sweetie, I swear~!”

Beg? After that very first kiss, Sweetie Belle knew that this princess probably wouldn’t have even had to ask.

Explanation

She held her head high though the brilliance of her garment was not something typically seen on an average afternoon. Rarity’s descent from the luxurious carriage Diamond had graciously offered her for the return home only added to the spectacle, and the seamstress knew that people were likely staring. Let them; she had enjoyed the Gala thoroughly, as well as the company throughout. So what if she had yet to change attire? The event had only come to a conclusion last night, and a lady did so need to spend quality time with a loving girlfriend after a romantic evening. She had every right to take her time.

“Sweetie? I’m home,” Rarity called as she entered her home, finding the kitchen dark and no different from when she had departed this place. The table was clear of both plate and crumbs, the sink showed no sign of use today yet, the tea strainer hadn’t been left to dry… unless she was rather wrong, this room hadn’t seen any use since yesterday. It seemed that Sweetie had yet to arise and return to the waking world after such a long night. Goodness, and that girl is so obsessed with keeping a strict sleep schedule. She must be exhausted!

Though she’d been more focused on the pleasures of the sensuous heiress at her side, Rarity did recall the sight of her younger sibling in the arms of Princess Celestia, dancing through the crowd- or at a table with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, or sitting alone and seemingly chatting in private. Try as she might to have kept up confidence regarding her sister, the lovely seamstress had been rather worried that loneliness might lead to melancholy and thus ruin her first true Gala night. It had been such a dream for her, treating as a ceremonial entry into adulthood; how horrible it would be if that long-desired evening was marred by unhappiness. So to see the Princess come to her side and treat her so warmly-! I’ll have to thank her myself the next time I see her, Rarity mused. She absolutely saved Sweetie’s night.

For the first time in years, the pristine fashionista found herself attending to a duty she had not undertaken in years as she turned the corner to the stairs and headed toward her sister’s room. To be the alarm bell again? Not a task she found enjoyable, considering how difficult it could be to make the young woman actually arise and stay awake. But nevertheless… “Oh Sweetie, darling! Rise and shine, you’ve already let half the day pass you by-”

The door to her room was open; a quick peek inside its darkened confines was all it took to see that the bed remained empty and the sheets were neatly tucked. Had Sweetie already awoken and gone elsewhere? Maybe she’s out at the farm with Apple Bloom, or at Scootaloo’s house. Hadn’t Sweetie mentioned they’d wanted to visit Donut Joe’s before leaving for home again? Maybe the group of friends had decided to stay so late that they had simply remained in Canterlot until the next day rather than travel back home in exhaustion.

But as Rarity racked her brains for a reasonable conclusion, she found her mind perturbed by a rather intrusive observation: she herself had remained rather late, and hadn’t she seen Scoots and Apple Bloom depart before she had? And when Diamond had insisted they head to their hotel room for a little romp, hadn’t Sweetie still been dancing with the Princess?

Maybe Sweetie hasn’t come home yet. She wasn’t searching for a reason to fret, nor was Sweetie the type to behave foolishly, but she couldn’t help being a little concerned. This was her sister, after all.

Her puzzlement over the matter came to an end when her ears caught the sound of the house-side door opening, aged hinges creaking and followed by a heavy slam that gave birth to the sound of light sandals against tile. Down the stairs did Rarity go, and the sight awaiting her in the kitchen was that of Sweetie Belle attending to brewing a cup of earl grey, kettle on the boil and awaiting the rise of heat. Not an uncommon sight, but the fact that the young songstress was still wearing her evening dress was a shock- as well as her tussled appearance!

The thought darted into her mind and she pushed it aside just as quickly. No. That is preposterous.

The feeling of eyes boring into the back of her head must have alerted some inner sense, for Sweetie Belle turned about to find her sister standing there, and to her did she give a smile. “Hey,” she said, her voice a bit croaky but mild and pleasant all the same. “Did you not change?”

“I only got back a few minutes ago, actually,” Rarity admitted, hoping that continued scrutiny might unveil the reason for her sister’s lateness. She seemed in good spirits, perhaps still a little drowsy- or was she weary? Dancing for that long could certainly tire one out. “Did- did you just leave Canterlot?”

“Mm- yeah, I did. Cellie was kind enough to give me a ride back home in her carriage. You’ve ridden in it before with Twilight, right? It’s nice.”

Cellie? The intrusive, sneaking thought entered her head yet again and seemed intent on remaining until its suspicions could be allayed. “Y- yes, I have. It is lovely…”

For a time, Rarity was willing to let their afternoon carry on in continued silence. Sweetie tinkered with her tea and saw to a small plate of cakes for the two to share, unwilling to take a seat until her mug of earl grey was in hand and she could at last relent from any task. The sigh that came after her first sip was a pure and lovely sound, so deeply filled with contentment that it could testify to nothing less than a true peace of heart. “That’s nice,” Sweetie murmured.

Shuffling in her seat, the edge of Sweetie’s gown slipped just a tinge- enough for the gown’s low neckline to falter and reveal the sight of a golden mark upon the edge of her sister’s bosom. Rarity gave a double-take; now seated across the table, Sweetie’s neck showcased another golden mark, this one clearly having been the stain of lipstick, just above the collarbone.

The intrusive, impolite thoughts were going to win out this afternoon, for what Rarity was seeing simply wasn’t possible. The very preposterous, absolutely outlandish explanation for Sweetie Belle’s late return to her home was because she had been romantically entangled with Princess Celestia was- was-

“S- Sweetie? Darling?” Rarity began tremulously. She tried to keep her smile pleasant, but surely it had to be just as shaky as her voice.

Held within her own serene thoughts, the younger woman hadn’t taken note of her sister’s intense observations until now, eyes opening and finding herself the subject of gawking. “What?”

“Is-” She didn’t want to say it aloud; too improper! But curiosity burned in her like wildfire and Rarity knew she absolutely had to hear this one explained. “Is that a hickey on- on, erm- on your neck?”

Sweetie Belle froze, and right to the lipstick mark did her fingers immediately rush as though she already knew its placement upon her form- and then to her chest as she seemed to recall the memory of what had transpired in her private world, the lovely songstress beginning to turn red and becoming more crimson with each passing second. “Umm.”

It was utterly impossible. Things like that didn’t just happen. But if Rarity was right, and she had every reason to think that she was, then her sister had just left the arms of- things like this just didn’t happen! “Sweetie,” Rarity breathed, “What did you and Princess Celestia do?”

Sweetie put down her cup of tea and sighed, grateful that she had yet to fully delve into its contents. This story might take a cup or two for her to finish.

Author's Note

I can't seem to make myself content with how this turned out. My wordplay feels stagnant.

Oh well. Enjoy, I guess.