AUG 21 Tuesday.

I nearly chuckle at the sight as Blueblood's ears shift back a little, while he quickly bows.

His bow is short and more of a half bow than anything. "C-Cousin Cadance. It's a pleasure to see you again." His tone is slightly nervous but still friendly. Cadance just nods in greeting and moves over to sit on the other side of me. "Like you were saying, Scarlet?" He asks.

I can see the blatant trap he's placed, trying to get Scarlet to continue saying what she wants to while Cadance is next to us. "A pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty." Her tone holds a respect for Cadance as she gets over her shock. "Yes, I was just about to say that the last party we attended was rather fun, I'm glad you made it on time." I feel as if there is something unspoken there, a joke I don't get.

Cadance looks at them both and starts moving some food over to her, all while the Ponies around us take note of her sitting next to me. I nod to Cadance, "A pleasure Your Majesty, I hope the Gala is going well for you." I speak in a tone that is far too formal for my liking.

She smiles at all of us and makes herself comfortable right next to me. "It's good to see you all, I hope things have been going well for you." She asks me in a way that shows she's being polite. "It is good to see you Cousin, enjoying the Gala I hope?" She asks with a slightly teasing tone.

He's not the least bit shy about the mostly resolved problem between his legs and nods, even puffing out his chest a bit and spreading his back legs to stand straighter. "It's fabulous, and even more so with this, crowd of Ponies to liven things up. That's why I dressed well, after all, to bring everything together." He brags yet again,

Cadance looks him in the eyes for a moment, his smug smile faltering just a bit. "I can see that, though. Hmm, that tie is a little off-center, maybe something to adjust? Or you could have gotten your hooves fixed up a bit? Don't worry though you fit right in with everypony else, so I don't think others will notice." She gives something of a mix of advice and very light teasing.

Blueblood looks even more proud, but the imperfections pointed out make him look down in slight concern for a second. He adjusts his tie and looks even more pleased about how he looks. Opening his muzzle only to be cut off by Cadance, "You as well Miss Scarlet, are things well?" She asks, Blueblood raising a brow but looking around and smiling at all the Ponies staring our way.

I just nod once again and Scarlet takes the opportunity to talk to a princess with vigor. "Beyond well, I've had a good amount of business recently, I even did some of the decorations for the Gala this year." She brags but has a thankful tone to her words. "I was just talking with these two, they are rather interesting." She says with a seemingly happy tone.

I notice that Cadance is very much aware of the situation with the mares in heat, glancing around from time to time. "Hmm, yes my Cousin can be rather interesting indeed." She says with a slight tease thrown his way, hidden by a mask of politeness. "So how have you been with your work recently?" Cadance focuses more on me as she takes a bite of something.

I turn to face her and nearly glare a little, knowing full well she's trying to get some reaction out of them or me, probably both. "Not very different, the same as always I assume." I give a short and very vague answer, letting the other two try to figure things out on their own.

Scarlet stays in place as Blueblood sits down behind her to actually take a place at the table. "Yes, Scarlet seemed interested in his work Cousin, investing is a rather interesting subject. Well, as long as you know about it like I do." He again almost insults me, something I just find funny.

Scarlet narrows her eyes a bit and turns to him. "You're right, I just wish there was a Pony here who didn't know about it so we could teach them. I have to assume Mr. Shade and Her Majesty know as they seem competent, and I even know about how to invest my savings. I guess that just leaves you." I nearly raise a brow as she's a fair bit more blunt with that insult.

Cadance like me just eats and listens. Blueblood scrunches his muzzle a bit and shakes his head, "I can assure you I know more than anypony else. In fact, I'm rather gifted at it." He brags and I nearly laugh again, these two are proving to be a great distraction. "As for my Cousin? Who knows how much she has learned about it?" He emphasizes the word cousin.

I can sense the small twitch in Cadence's face as she smiles more, holding in a chuckle, I guess I'm not the only one finding this funny. Scarlet glances over at us but we are both just eating silently. "I suppose Her Majesty is the only one that can really answer that, sadly we don't have anypony that knows her well enough to say for certain." She says with an increase in focus.

I cough a little to remind them we are still actually here, and that we aren't deaf. "So, Your Majesty. Can you make it so they can't overhear us?" I whisper to her and a moment later she nods. "So?" She nods again. "I'd just like to say, those two are like quarreling lovers." I chuckle a bit and she smiles back.

She glances at them, "That's because they are, to a degree." I give her a surprised look and she giggles. "They dated when they were younger, I'm honestly confused by whatever they are doing now. They always do this and yet, well, they meet up in less busy times." She hints rather bluntly, getting another small blush from me as I try not to think about that too much.

As we talk I keep listening to the two talk. I take a second to look over the mare's appearance. A deep red coat, a two-tone mane of black and red along with rather dark red eyes, a very similar combination all over. She looks to be around twenty years old as well. It's not all that often you see a Pony with mostly matching colors.

I listen to them and notice that while Scarlet is vaguely and subtly insulting Blueblood, he fails to see that it's an insult. Meanwhile, Blueblood seems to be insulting Scarlet and others almost by accident, normally while boasting a bit at the same time. "So, they are together? Or is it just a sometimes thing?" I ask out of morbid curiosity.

Cadance smiles. "No they aren't, but they do rendezvous sometimes. I know they don't love each other, but there is still something there, it's just odd." I feel a slight chill at the idea that she can sense love, and she takes note. "What? Afraid I'll sense something?" She asks with a teasing tone.

I just bite into something and fight down the small blush at her accurate guess. "And this is why gods fear love," I mumble and she looks confused. "I would rather fight Celestia than you," I say completely seriously and she just laughs again. "I am serious, but they seem about done, you should probably drop the spell," I advise as I turn back to the pair of Ponies.

Scarlet looks a little frustrated and stands up from the table. "Well, I must check on a few friends and I think there are some rather interesting Ponies to talk to. It was an honor to see you again Your Majesty." She says to Cadance and gets a simple goodbye in return, Scarlet walking off a moment later.

Blueblood seems to be in a good mood, being oddly ok with her not even telling him goodbye, he's either very good at hiding his expression or something odd is going on. "I suppose I should be on my way as well, maybe I'll go find those mares causing this all, they could do with somepony interesting to talk to." He says and walks off before either of us says anything.

I turn to Cadance after a moment and she smiles wider, "I put it back on. So, investing huh? A great way to get a mare's attention." She starts off with some teasing and little warning. "But I think you'd like to spend time with a different mare." She continues and I blush more again hearing that, the situation in the room making it far too easy for her.

Cadance can see my struggle to remain calm and silently enjoys it. "First, she started talking to me, I just barely responded. It did keep my mind off of, THIS. Why are they still here? It's not illegal but it's still annoying to deal with a few mares in heat." I ask as I have no idea why they are still in the room.

She raises a brow and glances down. :D-Did she just?: She shrugs, "They are a group of mares with some political influence, and they are behaving themselves, so there isn't much of a reason to remove them. What I'm curious about, is why you are fine and unaffected, I didn't think you had this much control. What, are the thoughts of another mare not enough?" She speaks about it all like it's the most normal thing, which it probably is to her.

I sigh and keep my back straight while blushing more. "I made a spell to clean the air around me, I can't smell anything at the moment." She raises a brow in surprise. "What? It's annoying to deal with and, well, embarrassing." I admit and she just starts giggling. "Oh what now?!" I demand, adding some of my annoyance into my tone.

She stops after a moment and gives me a highly amused look. "Oh, I don't know. The fact that a stallion capable of staring down an adult Dragon is embarrassed about being seen, don't worry. With your body size, you have nothing to be concerned about." I feel my blush deepen quickly as she is pretty blunt about that. "Wait? You can't smell, anything?"

I rub my muzzle a little to try and maintain a normal-looking expression. "No I can not, and I'm just going to ignore that part." I bring over some fruit juice and take a few gulps. "I invented it years ago, as long as I keep calm I'll be fine," I mumble out, trying to not think about the subject more.

She laughs fully for a few moments. "You really are embarrassed about this?!! OH, Aunty would love this!" I have to stop myself from glaring. "Also, never publish that spell, please. We do not need to deal with a population problem." She says a little more seriously after a few moments.

I nod as I myself guess that could be a problem. "Seriously though? Giant wolves, Dragons, a literal war, and this is the thing? Getting a little excited?" I give her a glare as my blush comes back. "Don't worry, I won't tell Aunty. It would ruin the fun of you never knowing if I would tell her. And yes, that's for the heart." She says hinting at a past event. "How did you do that anyway?" She asks curiously.

I sigh a little at the face she makes, a smile that shows me how annoying she is. "It's the same thing as the Grape spell I gave Celestia, just reversed. Everypony but you can see it, I thought it would be a good one. And hey, you didn't even notice, I really had to hold in my laughter when we were talking though." I explain with some humor as I sit in slight embarrassment.

She rolls her eyes, "Fine, I can admit it was clever. But do you know what's even more clever?" I shake my head. "Me trying my absolute best to get you to think about Aunty, I mean, you said yourself, you just have to stay focused. Have you seen how she looks right now?" She asks with a smile I know all too well.

I try not to look over but still glance in the direction of Celestia. She's wearing a very nice dress, a mix of yellows and whites that blend well and draw the eye. I feel my sheath react a bit and turn away to focus on Cadance. "I swear to magic Cadance, I'm already annoyed, don't push it." I half threaten and half beg her to leave it alone.

She giggles again but nods. "Fine, always ruining the fun or making it. I will say that Aunty has been rather happy since her birthday, but winter is getting close." She actually looks a tad bit sad at the idea. "You do make sure to check in with her during this time, right?" She asks and finally drops the teasing for the most part.

I feel the mood rapidly shift and nod a little. "I do, and she has plenty of space at her home. She's taken up carving a lot around that time of year, she mostly makes mundane things but I think it helps." I share as I want her to have some reassurance with her concerns. "And she's not alone on that night, it's small but well, it's all I can really do." I also share something more personal just because I feel as if she should know.

I've grown to trust Cadance, she is a friend and a pretty close one at that, she's even the only Pony I've ever asked for relationship advice. She nods slowly, "Good, she doesn't deserve to be like that. Honestly, I think you help her more than I can when it comes to all that, every time I've tried she just smiles and tells me she's fine." She laments.

I pass her something, a small pastry of some type. "She tried the same thing on me... I think it's because of your family." I give my best guess before shaking my head a little. "Sometimes I have no idea how I ended up here, in all this," I say as distant memories of a children's show flash through my mind.

She smiles at me and looks around. "I think you work too hard." I give her a confused look. "Effort is often noticed, maybe not always acknowledged but noticed. Tell me, how many projects do you have going at the moment?" She asks, slightly amused at my words, helping to move us past the previous topic quickly.

I think for a few seconds and she chuckles again. "The FACT that you actually need to think about it is almost an answer by itself. How do you even keep it all going at the same time? Do you just make a schedule and go with that?" She asks more things before I can even answer.

I hold up a hoof to stop her. "Six, and a few others that I haven't started yet, just research for now. And yes I have a schedule." She just giggles more. "You know, I wonder what the alicorn of love actually does in her free time, I assume that just means doing Shining but you must have some hobbies." I try to tease her back and her laughter ends a little short.

She keeps her face under control but looks at me a little shocked. "What? The only reason I don't swing back as much is because Ponies can be a little too, sensitive, Dragons are so much better." I am completely honest as a way to add to the teasing.

She huffs a little but keeps her expression happy. "Well, since YOU want the details, I could give you some advice in that area. I am the alicorn of love after all." My eyes widen a bit but I just raise a brow at her in silent challenge. "I WILL if you don't say sorry." She says in a very serious tone. "And I like reading, along with knitting."

I sigh a little and just move on. "Sorry." I say in Dragon, causing her to look confused. "I made the book, you can at least try and learn some Dragon with your immortal life," I say with a smile. "Enough teasing me though, anything actually interesting going on recently?" I ask to finally move us away from the topic.

She just smiles back. "Maybe I will. As for leaving you alone? No. But I have some actual news about Griffonstone." She agrees after a moment and I nearly thank her. I'm still trying my best to ignore the situation in the ballroom, which has remained mostly unchanged. "I'm going to be making yet another trip there, for another trade deal, it should be even more productive than last time." She revealed with some slight annoyance. "I blame you."

I raise my brows at that. "You made the first trade deal too good, with the things you invented there was just too much profit, and now I have to go back, AGAIN." I chuckle a little at that but nod in thought. "You went through there on your trip, how was it?"

I shrug and grab an apple. "Not bad, they are very good hosts. Also, the youngest one of them might have the ability to see through illusions or just prophecy." She turns back to me quickly from her food with a demanding look. "Turns out that Silvis could see what Entropy actually looked like, no idea how and no idea if even she realizes herself, but she can in some way see her."

Cadance looks throughfall for a long minute before speaking again. "That is, huh. How did you even figure that out? If she really does have such an ability then it's something to keep an eye on." I approve of her slight caution, even if she looks more curious than anything.

"Silvis gave two drawings she made, little gifts from a little filly, both depicted Entropy as she really is." There is a quiet chip from underneath me that we both hear. "You can speak up Girl, just for the moment though," I say while looking down at one of my shadows, all being cast from the many lights in the room.

"Hello." There is a caw and Cadance smiles wider after hearing it. "Look pretty, pretty princess, need be less mean." Entropy caws out before her shadow turns to me, "Sleep." She finishes and I know what she means. I nod and a second later she's gone from my shadow entirely.

Cadance looks both amused and flattered, "She's really getting talkative, have you been teaching her more words?" She asks as I keep my senses trained on the room around us. Celestia seems to be walking closer to us but isn't here yet, I'm not sure I should talk to her because it would add more attention to me, I don't think I get much of a choice though.

I tilt my head back and forth a little. "Yes, but I've been doing that for years. I'm not sure if she just needed to grow more, or if she just liked talking shortly. At the moment I'm also teaching her how to read, she's doing well, mostly reading foal books at the moment." I compliment Entropy as I know she's listening in.

Cadance blinks. "She can read?" I nod firmly. "Wow, I never would have thought, I knew she was smart but actually reading. Do you think she'll get as smart as a Pony?" I think about that for a few moments before slowly nodding. "Huh, I guess you are good with foals, you are basically raising one already." I give her a deadpan look but take the compliment while ignoring her teasing.

A few seconds later Celestia gets close enough to us that we can't ignore her anymore, I turn to her and smile while bowing. "Princess Celestia." I use a somewhat formal tone and really try my absolute best to keep my eyes to my damned self. I doubt she'd care but I would, it feels weird to look too much.

Celestia smiles back and takes a seat on the other side of Cadance, Cadance now wedged between us. She looks to Cadance who nods, I guess the spell to hide our words is still active, "Hello Shade, I hope things are going well tonight." She greets me with a friendly and non-formal tone but stops as Cadance fails to hold in some laughter. "What did he do now?" She asks amused.

Cadance waves her hoof a bit and I feel some dread as I realize what she's laughing about. "Oh, nothing much. He's just being himself." I stop my dread as I'm surprisingly not embarrassed by Cadance, she just moves us past it. "So, you two dancing again?" She asks excitedly, it seems that while she kept quiet about one thing, she is happy to embarrass me on another.

Celestia keeps her smile and expression unchanged but I feel my face heat up at her words, my blush again coming back. I quickly speak up to put an end to this idea. "Preferably not, I'm already getting far too much attention. Maybe dance with some other Pony though, or nopony, just NOT ME." I insist, much to their amusement.

Celestia nods and actually looks uncertain herself. "I do have to agree, two years in a row is a bit much. Maybe next year." :Wait, what?: "So how much have you been teasing him? He looks mostly alright, maybe a little red." I can't glare at Celestia with all the Ponies watching us but I can stare at her rather intently.

Cadance looks like she wants to push the idea, but doesn't and lets it go. "Hmm, well. Did you know he has a spell to block out the scent of those mares?." Celestia raises a brow and I feel myself blush much harder, I try not to look embarrassed but that's basically futile. "Apparently he finds it worth blocking out. It does fit, apparently, he made it years ago because it's annoying." She says with a laugh.

Celestia keeps a calm look but laughs quite hard as well, seemingly finding humor in it just as Cadance did. I really don't understand Ponies sometimes, what's confusing about not wanting to be like that in public? "That might just be the oddest thing he's ever made, Really?" I want to hide my face but just nod. "You never cease to amaze and utterly confuse me, you also never answered my question." She looks at me expectantly.

I try to remember and look around again. "I'm fine. It's the Gala, it's big, flashy, and louder than it needs to be. I prefer the other rooms and the garden." I remember the air room I've been to a few times now. "I wonder if that one room where they practiced music is still around?" I question out loud.

Celestia smiles and looks to the side doors. "A good question, I haven't really checked what they do in the side rooms recently." She thinks about it for a few moments. "Well, maybe next year we can make them more varied? Add something new to the Gala?" She suggests.

I shrug as Cadance just sits there silently listening to us. "I'd just go for some games, maybe a game room actually. It's not like it could hurt, well, unless you pick the wrong kind of games." I chuckle and neither of them really gets the joke, but Celestia does nod at the suggestion.

"It's not the worst idea, maybe." She teases me and I just give her a blank stare. "I wouldn't mind reacquainting myself with all the little things at the Gala, let's go then." She stands up like it's decided and I can tell she's doing this to mess with me a bit.

But I don't overly mind, a walk around with Celestia doesn't sound bad, and it means I can leave this damn room. "Sure, let's see what mayhem we can get up to." I agree, Ponies have already seen us talking and will gossip like mad, I might as well try to enjoy the rest of tonight.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading. :]
Current year is 996

I really tired, but I couldn't think of anything big to do for this Gala, so I hope you enjoyed the horrible jokes and half decent dialog.