Author's Note

The Vibe.

Ch66. The gala Pt2.

“Hello there, would you be so kind as to dance with me?” It was the fourth time I had been asked by a random filly while making my way to the buffet table. I had made the mistake of walking alone to get food. I shouldn’t have turned down Twilight’s offer to come with.

The gala was still in the early stages at about an hour into the event and ponies had finally stopped hounding Imago and the Princess to spread out, mingle, and enjoy the evening. This also meant more ponies had noticed Twilight and I.

“Sorry but I’m quite hungry and currently on my way to get a snack. Perhaps later.” I fell back on the lessons from the princess and gave a polite dip but not a full bow. I was told to never bow as I was an Alicorn, even if hidden.

“Oh okay.” The filly blushed and trotted off back to her group of friends. At least none of them had been pushy.

When I finally found the buffet my eyes actually went a bit wide. There were tables filled with all kinds of different dishes from around Equis. I grabbed a few plates and floated them in my magic, easily filling a few with delicious food. I was also grabbing some for Twilight so I might have looked like a glutton.

I grabbed small amounts of almost every dish before I found a few very interesting ones. “is that?” I walked over to the table that had a few Griffins around it.

“Hey Colt this table has…” the Hen stopped talking as I grabbed a strip of sweet, crispy bacon in my magic. I was drooling at the memory of what it tasted like. Oh how I missed you, I can’t stand the fake ‘hay Bacon’.

“Look, pony, you really shouldn’t eat that.” A cock reached out to grab my floating bacon strip and I slowly turned my head towards him. “It’s pig meat.” He finished, trying to sound intimidating.

“Excuse me.” I looked him dead in the eye and he froze. I didn’t even notice the shadow under me growing or the fangs, similar to a thestrals, that had grown in my mouth that were on full display as I smiled.

The cock gulped at my appearance.”yes?”

“Did you just try to touch my food good sir?” emphasis on ‘my’.

I didn’t wait for him to answer and levitated the bacon to my mouth to take a bite. Oh sweet harmony. I immediately relaxed and let out a little moan of pleasure that must have confused the griffins.

They all shook their heads, looking both surprised and impressed while they backed away from the table to make room for me grabbing more bacon.

After eating a few more strips I crumbled up the last few I was holding onto the salad I had made for myself earlier. Sweet harmony I missed this stuff.

Luckily the loaded plates made a great deterrent and I wasn’t asked to dance again.

Twilight sighed a breath of relief as I sat back down next to her.

She had been left alone when everypony else had gone off to enjoy the gala during my trip to get us both food. I could tell she didn’t like letting a colt go alone but had insisted I would be fine.

“Hey Twilight I got you some things you should like. Hey, you okay?” As I finished getting settled I noticed she looked a little down.

“Yeah, just nervous. I have never been to such a big event with so many creatures.” She fiddled with her hooves. “It doesn’t help our families are off doing their own things and a few ponies stopped by to greet me.”

I get a bit worried about her treatment so bumped her side in the hopes of cheering her up. “Try some of the food that should cheer you up.”

She gave me a smile and dug into the vegetarian lasagna on one plate. “Mmm, that is good.”

“See.” I smiled back. “So anypony interesting come say hello?.”

“Your right and yes. A lord Fancy Pants and his wife came to greet me while you were gone.” She then deflated a bit. “I just don’t know why the Princess brought us. While the gala is nice I would much rather be studying, alone with you preferably.” Her words sounded a bit contradictory as she happily munched on more of the food.

“Yeah I’m not one for big events either but the castle looks really nice and the food is good.” I had already finished half of my bacon covered salad.

“Tonight has been going surprisingly smoothly.” Celestia whispered into Imago’s ear.

Imago pushed against her side. “Yeah. I can’t say I hate making all the stuck up nobles jealous.”

It is nice seeing them squirm.Oh, hush.
“I can’t disagree with you there but I was more referring to ponies and the other creatures accepting you as my marefriend.” Celestia draped her wing over her partner and they continued to mingle amongst the crowd.

“Just remember you promised me a dance later.” Imago playfully swatted Celestia with her tail.

”um mom.” Ceres spoke up through the hive mind. ”I hate to interrupt but we have a problem.

”What is it my Daughter?” Imago sighed.

“Everything alright?” Celestia had noticed something up with her.

“Just talking through the hive mind.” Celestia nodded in response.

”Digit and Ditto ran off… upstairs.” Ceres waited for her mother to respond but it never came.

“Buck.” Imago face hooved while Celestia gave a concerned tilt of her head.

“The castle really is looking good tonight.” Pear commented as she walked with her herd.

“Yeah the princess really knows how to throw a party.” Forest Breeze took a sip of wine from a glass held in her wing.

“It’s not a party it’s a gala.” Morning Dew playfully flicked her wife’s ear with her magic.

“What’s the difference?” Forest tilted her head.

“I honestly don’t know either.” Pear chimed in while tapping her chin.

Morning Dew sighed then spoke eloquently like a ‘proper’ noble lady. “A gala is typically a formal and prestigious affair, often associated with charity fundraisers, high-profile events, or grand openings. It exudes an air of elegance, sophistication, and exclusivity. On the other hoof,” she reverted to speaking normally. “A party is a more general term that encompasses a wide range of social gatherings. Think more along the kind of thing Pinke does back home. Personally they’re more fun as well.” She laughed.

“Ohh.” They both nodded.

“So how do you know so much?” Pear tilted her head.

“My parents made sure I knew.” She huffed. Her partners shared a look and decided it best they drop the subject.

“Big Mac, good to see you again.” Big Mac and Shining armor shared a hoof bump.

“Who’s this with you tonight?” Cadence motioned towards Cheerilee.

“This is my mare friend, Cheerilee. She’s an apprentice school teacher in my home town she’ll be taking over in a couple years.” He said proudly.

“Meaning she’s great with foals? I used to be a foal sitter myself before my duties became to much.” Cadence smiled at Cheerilee and her potential new friend.

“Really princess? Also it’s an honor to meet you.” Cheerilee bowed.

“Yes,and no need to be so formal.” Cadence gave her a friendly nuzzle. “Hopefully we can become great friends like our colts here are.”

Said colts were already busy nerding out about O&O. This caused both mares to giggle and share a knowing look. “Colts.”

The two then began discussing their own experiences with watching over foals which made both young stallions gulp when they tuned back in.

“Wow.” Twilight’s eyes practically sparkled as the two of us explored the gala. We had finished eating a while ago and left the main ballroom before entering the dance hall. I always forget how big the castle actually is.

“The music is really nice.” Twilight’s ears had perked up to listen to the band. I was more interested in the unique instruments. Glad to see the show got it wrong and Ponies have instruments more developed with hooves in mind.

“Yeah. I really like it.” I honestly did like the classical music that the band was playing. They were mostly using string instruments used via magic or hooves. Is that a young Octavia?

“Um, Dawn?” Twilight fiddled with the front hem of her dress and looked over at me with puppy dog eyes when I focused back on her. “Would you like to dance?”

So cute! “Of course I would Twilight.” She happily wrapped her tail around mine and trotted with me towards the dance floor.

• -

She’s still really bad at dancing. Twilight and I had taken to the floor and joined in with the dancing. Almost all formal pony dances were either intimate or group dances with no in between and currently it was all group dances that made Twilight’s mistakes stand out even more and she kept almost bumping into other ponies.

“Is she really Celestia’s student?” I heard one mare whisper to her group. Thankfully Twilight was so focused on the two of us she didn’t notice but it made my blood boil a bit.

Twilight must have noticed something was up because she looked my way and I immediately calmed down. “You alright Dawn?” She gave a cute tilt of her head that caused her ears to flop and dress sparkle.

“Yeah.” I smiled back. All the stress lately must be getting to me. I wish Starlight and Trixie could have joined us. I gave a small shake of my head and focused back on Twilight.

She may be a terrible dancer but I wouldn’t change a thing. The song ended and we both took a breath. Another song, designed for couples, began playing moments later.

Twilight began walking off the dance floor until I stopped her. “Twilight, where are you going?”

“Well this is a couples song.” She didn’t sound quite sure of herself.

“Yeah, I know.” I held my hoof out so she knew I was completely comfortable dancing a couples dance with her.

Her eyes lit back up and she held my hoof and nuzzled her neck against mine. Shes much better with a dance partner. As the two of us slow danced she continued to nuzzle close until the song ended.

“Want to go for a walk?” I didn’t know why I was feeling so nervous considering we were already so close. It’s not like I haven’t been on a date before.

Twilight nodded happily and we began walking through the castle again.

The two of us eventually found ourselves looking up at the starts in the garden. “You know. I never thought I would get a colt friend.” Twilight leaned against my side. “Mom always said that competition for a good one is really tough.”

“So I’m just a prize?” I sarcastically asked. I knew she didn’t think of me like that but I was still feeling the sting from Starlight.

Surprisingly she didn’t get flustered. “Yep. You’re the best prize a filly could ask for.” She then touched her horn to mine, a very intimate act among unicorns, and gave me a kiss.

I wasn’t quite sure how to respond so instead kissed her back. After the last few rough romances it was nice to be in a good one. I didn’t even notice I had teared up a bit during the kiss.

“Dawn you okay? Did I say something wrong?” Twilight gave me a worried look when we broke our kiss. She raised a hoof and tenderly touched my cheek. Sometimes the role reversal isn’t so bad.

“No Twilight, you did something just right.” I nuzzled her and we went back to relaxing in the garden.