01-02-2016, 06:13 AM
Chapter 20: The Gala
----
The carriage I was in was fortunately big enough for me, Princess Cadence having been kind enough to give me a ride. She and I had met a few days ago when, after I spent some working up the courage, walked into Carousel Boutique since apparently Rarity was the only clothes maker in Ponyville. Because obviously no formal attire for humans existed in Equestria. I was left awkwardly stammering and she being a touch icy towards me until Princess Cadence walked in and we were all able to work things out. Since then I could say we've somewhat befriended each other. The inside of the carriage was warm and inviting, with soft cushions and colors of romantic red and pink. The carriage would occasionally jostle lightly as we passed over the road and approached Canterlot Castle.
"Nervous?" Cadence asked teasingly from where she sat comfortably. Her mane (which somehow reminded me of ice cream) was lavishly done up in what was apparently referred to as "The Royal Ceremonial Headdress." Numerous jewels along with her little crown, her dress being a blue color that stopped just short of her back hooves.
"A little," I glanced out at the streets of Canterlot, which were steadily growing more and more vacant as ponies made their way to the castle. I made sure my suit was spotless and adjusted my tie. I was insistent on it being a tie...NOT a bow tie. Somehow the idea of me in a bow tie seemed too goofy. It was silky to the touch and dark red, the suit being black, primarily. In my hands I held a single, perfect blue rose. It's scent faintly wafting up to me.
"I'm sure you'll be fine, just jitters," Cadence said with a kind smile. I learned she was the Princess of Love and naturally she seemed excited at the thought of helping a relationship in any way.
"Thanks for all your help, Cadence," I smiled back at her, "couldn't of done this without you."
"Oh it's no trouble at all," she replied, waving a hoof slightly, "just have the time of your life with her in there."
The carriage stopped, even from in here I could hear the muffled voices of ponies and the driver coming around to the door.
"Going to have to say my goodbye here Michael, royal duties and all that."
"I understand," I replied in time before the door opened, I had considered sending her my wishes in hopes that she reunites with her husband here, but she had worriedly informed me she hadn't heard from him in days.
Immediately I cringed when a blaring voice exclaimed:
"ANNOUNCING THE ARRIVAL OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MI AMORE CADENZA OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE!!!!" The announcer pony lowered the horn away from his lips as ponies applauded and cheered her arrival. Cadence politely smiled and waved as she made her way down the red carpet.
"Wow, five seconds in and something already made me cringe. Gotta be a record," I mentally quipped as I briskly passed the Princess, a few camera flashes went off but I ignored them as I hurried towards the entrance, holding up my ticket for the guards to wave me in. Sighing in relief as the noise died down. The castle's interior was massive, mostly white, tapestries and banners hung along the walls. The red carpet I stood upon had what appeared to be the image of a glowing sun at its center. Princesses Celestia and Luna stood at the top of the stairs that were ahead of me, Celestia smiled warmly at me whereas Luna seemed to be making an effort to remain indifferent to me. Though I saw a flash of recognition in her eyes. And not in a pleasant way either.
I felt my lips contort into something of a quick smile at Celestia before I decided to make my way to some sort of party room where everyone else seemed to be gathering. The room was big, just like practically everything else about this castle, tables set up with snacks and drinks, with lavishly chosen light purple tablecloth; a band stood playing quiet music to set the proper mood. I felt a bit awkward being much taller than anyone else, trying to weave my way through bustling clusters of ponies. Then the whispers at seeing me. Figures.
I made my way to the table that had punch since I wasn't a drinker, ducking under some streamers and reaching for the ladle. The punch bowl itself was well detailed, almost like it was made out of crystal or diamond, distorting the juicy red punch. I was pouring myself a glass when I heard the sound of hooves behind me and a voice clearing her throat.
"Nope, not Nightmare."
I suppressed a sigh and turned to see...a whole collective of ponies. Stallions and mares alike had gathered around in wonderment. Others with haughty looks on their faces as they looked me over. Awkwardness transformed into irritation fast for me. My eyes scanned around looking for excuse to just avoid them, sadly my efforts were futile.
"Oh you must be the new human in Equestria, see I knew he'd be here!" A female voice said from within the mass of ponies, all wearing formal attire that was much too over the top and colors that made my eyes hurt. "You simply must tell us about your world-,"
"Sorry but I'm waiting for my date," I lightly made my way through the small sea of ponies, leaving the punch behind just so I could get away easier.
"But wait...," the same mare called out from somewhere behind me, though I raised a brow at why she suddenly trailed off, I shot a glance over my shoulder at her and saw the whole group was utterly stunned. But not at me. A hush fell over the room, even the band stopped playing. A deep cello note carried over the room as its player trailed off, all eyes fixed towards the entrance.
When I saw her...my heart about stopped.
Nightmare Rarity had arrived. She was always beautiful, but tonight it seemed enhanced. Her mane glinted and gleamed all the brighter, soft and lush. Her eyes shined like sapphire stars in the radiant galaxies above...and her dress, oh her dress. It was black, or perhaps a deep midnight blue, or maybe it was slowly shifting colors. It too gleamed like a thousand stars were held in its fabric, forming shapes of constellations. The sleeves of her dress were delicate, transparent like gossamer curtains. Her necklace was dark gray, swirling patterns etched perfectly into it, a single blood red ruby carved to resemble a bursting star in its center. Her tiara a similar color.
And she was coming towards me.
The world around me melted away as I looked at her, purposeful steps carrying her gently across the floor. It was like I was in the farthest reaches of space. At the edge of the universe itself, with only her at my side, swimming in stars. Every eye was on us as she approached me with the powerful grace of a angelic goddess.
Nightmare Rarity stood entirely before now. I remembered to breath now as I set. The room as silent as the beginning of time. My eyes never leaving hers I took her hoof in my hand, thin exquisite fabric sent a warmth spreading through my whole body as I kissed her hoof and held out to her the single blue rose I had brought.
Nightmare's horn glowed to life with magical energies as she looked it over, a small but stunning smile adorning her lips before her eyes held me whole once more. Wordlessly she draped a foreleg over the crook of my arm when I offered it to her and we proceeded out to the garden. I never once felt the amazed, prying eyes of the ponies as she and I made our way out.
The music cautiously restarted as soon as my foot touched the freshly cut grass outside, and chatter resumed. But neither of us cared. I happiness glowed from me in waves in my elation of her presence.
-----
Princess Celestia had watched the whole proceeding silently and from afar. Luna was confounded, utterly stupefied. Celestia couldn't help but smile.
She knew love when she saw it.
----
The carriage I was in was fortunately big enough for me, Princess Cadence having been kind enough to give me a ride. She and I had met a few days ago when, after I spent some working up the courage, walked into Carousel Boutique since apparently Rarity was the only clothes maker in Ponyville. Because obviously no formal attire for humans existed in Equestria. I was left awkwardly stammering and she being a touch icy towards me until Princess Cadence walked in and we were all able to work things out. Since then I could say we've somewhat befriended each other. The inside of the carriage was warm and inviting, with soft cushions and colors of romantic red and pink. The carriage would occasionally jostle lightly as we passed over the road and approached Canterlot Castle.
"Nervous?" Cadence asked teasingly from where she sat comfortably. Her mane (which somehow reminded me of ice cream) was lavishly done up in what was apparently referred to as "The Royal Ceremonial Headdress." Numerous jewels along with her little crown, her dress being a blue color that stopped just short of her back hooves.
"A little," I glanced out at the streets of Canterlot, which were steadily growing more and more vacant as ponies made their way to the castle. I made sure my suit was spotless and adjusted my tie. I was insistent on it being a tie...NOT a bow tie. Somehow the idea of me in a bow tie seemed too goofy. It was silky to the touch and dark red, the suit being black, primarily. In my hands I held a single, perfect blue rose. It's scent faintly wafting up to me.
"I'm sure you'll be fine, just jitters," Cadence said with a kind smile. I learned she was the Princess of Love and naturally she seemed excited at the thought of helping a relationship in any way.
"Thanks for all your help, Cadence," I smiled back at her, "couldn't of done this without you."
"Oh it's no trouble at all," she replied, waving a hoof slightly, "just have the time of your life with her in there."
The carriage stopped, even from in here I could hear the muffled voices of ponies and the driver coming around to the door.
"Going to have to say my goodbye here Michael, royal duties and all that."
"I understand," I replied in time before the door opened, I had considered sending her my wishes in hopes that she reunites with her husband here, but she had worriedly informed me she hadn't heard from him in days.
Immediately I cringed when a blaring voice exclaimed:
"ANNOUNCING THE ARRIVAL OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MI AMORE CADENZA OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE!!!!" The announcer pony lowered the horn away from his lips as ponies applauded and cheered her arrival. Cadence politely smiled and waved as she made her way down the red carpet.
"Wow, five seconds in and something already made me cringe. Gotta be a record," I mentally quipped as I briskly passed the Princess, a few camera flashes went off but I ignored them as I hurried towards the entrance, holding up my ticket for the guards to wave me in. Sighing in relief as the noise died down. The castle's interior was massive, mostly white, tapestries and banners hung along the walls. The red carpet I stood upon had what appeared to be the image of a glowing sun at its center. Princesses Celestia and Luna stood at the top of the stairs that were ahead of me, Celestia smiled warmly at me whereas Luna seemed to be making an effort to remain indifferent to me. Though I saw a flash of recognition in her eyes. And not in a pleasant way either.
I felt my lips contort into something of a quick smile at Celestia before I decided to make my way to some sort of party room where everyone else seemed to be gathering. The room was big, just like practically everything else about this castle, tables set up with snacks and drinks, with lavishly chosen light purple tablecloth; a band stood playing quiet music to set the proper mood. I felt a bit awkward being much taller than anyone else, trying to weave my way through bustling clusters of ponies. Then the whispers at seeing me. Figures.
I made my way to the table that had punch since I wasn't a drinker, ducking under some streamers and reaching for the ladle. The punch bowl itself was well detailed, almost like it was made out of crystal or diamond, distorting the juicy red punch. I was pouring myself a glass when I heard the sound of hooves behind me and a voice clearing her throat.
"Nope, not Nightmare."
I suppressed a sigh and turned to see...a whole collective of ponies. Stallions and mares alike had gathered around in wonderment. Others with haughty looks on their faces as they looked me over. Awkwardness transformed into irritation fast for me. My eyes scanned around looking for excuse to just avoid them, sadly my efforts were futile.
"Oh you must be the new human in Equestria, see I knew he'd be here!" A female voice said from within the mass of ponies, all wearing formal attire that was much too over the top and colors that made my eyes hurt. "You simply must tell us about your world-,"
"Sorry but I'm waiting for my date," I lightly made my way through the small sea of ponies, leaving the punch behind just so I could get away easier.
"But wait...," the same mare called out from somewhere behind me, though I raised a brow at why she suddenly trailed off, I shot a glance over my shoulder at her and saw the whole group was utterly stunned. But not at me. A hush fell over the room, even the band stopped playing. A deep cello note carried over the room as its player trailed off, all eyes fixed towards the entrance.
When I saw her...my heart about stopped.
Nightmare Rarity had arrived. She was always beautiful, but tonight it seemed enhanced. Her mane glinted and gleamed all the brighter, soft and lush. Her eyes shined like sapphire stars in the radiant galaxies above...and her dress, oh her dress. It was black, or perhaps a deep midnight blue, or maybe it was slowly shifting colors. It too gleamed like a thousand stars were held in its fabric, forming shapes of constellations. The sleeves of her dress were delicate, transparent like gossamer curtains. Her necklace was dark gray, swirling patterns etched perfectly into it, a single blood red ruby carved to resemble a bursting star in its center. Her tiara a similar color.
And she was coming towards me.
The world around me melted away as I looked at her, purposeful steps carrying her gently across the floor. It was like I was in the farthest reaches of space. At the edge of the universe itself, with only her at my side, swimming in stars. Every eye was on us as she approached me with the powerful grace of a angelic goddess.
Nightmare Rarity stood entirely before now. I remembered to breath now as I set. The room as silent as the beginning of time. My eyes never leaving hers I took her hoof in my hand, thin exquisite fabric sent a warmth spreading through my whole body as I kissed her hoof and held out to her the single blue rose I had brought.
Nightmare's horn glowed to life with magical energies as she looked it over, a small but stunning smile adorning her lips before her eyes held me whole once more. Wordlessly she draped a foreleg over the crook of my arm when I offered it to her and we proceeded out to the garden. I never once felt the amazed, prying eyes of the ponies as she and I made our way out.
The music cautiously restarted as soon as my foot touched the freshly cut grass outside, and chatter resumed. But neither of us cared. I happiness glowed from me in waves in my elation of her presence.
-----
Princess Celestia had watched the whole proceeding silently and from afar. Luna was confounded, utterly stupefied. Celestia couldn't help but smile.
She knew love when she saw it.