In the kitchens below the mansion numerous servants and lesser chefs were slaving away to produce the treats and goodies for the great and good above them. Ruling over them all with an iron hoof was chef Ram Sea, the sheep stood out from the other staff his ginger coat glowing like the sun as he rushed backwards and forwards berating his minions.
“What are ye all waiting for?"he bellowed.
“Get that food out of yon door"
“Why are you all such fools?"
Around him his staff grumbled their dissatisfaction,
“Every day we do our best"
“Will we ever pass his test?"
“Still we get called such fools!"
“There is not a meal, not a crust can we make,"
“Not a pie, not a trifle, or crèmes,"
“That can stop us from feeling such fear"
“When he turns on us and screams"
“Fools, inglorious fools!" yelled Ram Sea tossing aside a plate of half completed aperitifs.
“You’re cretins and laggards!"
“When you’re in the mood --"
“Why not work faster!"
“Your food is disgusting"
“What next is the question?"
“You’ll give it to the gentry, colts --"
“Food Poisoning!"
“Fools, talentless fools!"
“We're worked to the bone." Complained one of the staff out of his bosses hearing.
“Three banquets a day --"
“We have to make it!" His hooves were a blur as he chopped carrots into sticks
“Just look at this pâté --" The head chef grabbed a plate containing a greyish material
“Ugly, undercooked and slimy." He hurled it at a wall where it slowly dripped down.
“Oh you fools,"
“Inglorious fools,"
“You hopeless fools,"
“Talentless fools."
“Fools, talentless fools!" Bellowed Ram Sea as he stalked through the kitchen.
“Why do we work for this monster?" Whispered the youngest of the chefs.
“Insulted, yelled at and chewed out --"
“Still there’s something we all want" Noted one of his friends.
“What is it we dream about?"
“What brings on a sigh?"
“That he will give just one"
“Word of praise!"
“Fools, inglorious fools!"
“Wrong all through the menu."
“Bland tastes for the first"
“Two courses and then you’ll"
“Ruin their appetite."
“With this ineptitude"
“You fools,"
“Once again, fools"
“Inglorious fools"
“Talentless fools."
Ram Sea walked down a line of staff each holding out a particular meal, he tasted each as he went.
“Fools, talentless fools!"
“Do you care what it looks like?"
“Burned!" He threw a pie at a crying chefs hooves.
“Underdone!" He mashed a samosa into a mares face.
“Crude!" He knocked aside a plate of sandwiches.
The angry sheep sampled a dip held up by a trembling stallion. He savoured it for a second then gave a satisfied nod before carrying on to another part of the kitchen. The staff all gathered around their favoured colleague.
“Don't care what the cook's like."
“Just thinking of getting that"
“Praise we are all seeking"
“One moment of knowing that"
“Satisfied feeling!"
“Fools, talentless fools!" thundered Ram Sea examining further treats for the party.
Behind him a number of staff huddled together.
“What wouldn't we give for"
“That extra bit more --"
“That's all that we live for"
“Why should we be fated to"
“Do nothing but brood"
“On praise,"
“Magical praise,"
“Wonderful praise,"
“Marvellous praise,"
“Fabulous praise,“"
The chef’s lined up again with their final dishes once again the sheep walked the line tasting each treat, this time each was accepted with a nod and small smile.
“Beautiful praise," they all sighed as they rushed to deliver their creations to the ball room.
“Talented fools!" mumbled Ram Sea watching the food being carried out of the kitchen with pride.
Bluenote waited patiently for her prey.
The servants had started to lay out the food for the night. Tray after tray of canapés, dips, pies and cheeses were set up. Bluenote had heard about a specific mushroom and walnut pâté that was said to be one of Ram Sea’s signature dishes. Her stomach was telling her to just reach out and grab the food now but her mind was telling her it would only be polite to wait until the tables had been filled before starting. Hopefully that wouldn’t be long now, a small herd of hungry ponies had begun to join her next by the buffet. She only just stopped herself from drooling as a platter full of pâté and golden strips of toast was placed in front of her. To Tartarus with politeness she wanted to eat now! She grabbed a plate and reached forwards for the goodies.
“Bluenote,” came Octavia’s voice from next to her, “Can I please talk to you for a minute?”
The blue mare’s eyes darted back and forth between her friend and the food for a second, then with a slight whine she put down the plate and focused on the grey mare. “Of course, what can I do for you Octy?” The two of them stepped away from the table.
“I am beginning to have second thoughts about putting myself up as a prize in this auction.”
“Well it is for a good cause.”
“Yes, I do understand that and I am willing to put myself through a certain amount of discomfort for that cause but I am afraid I have limits. There is a particular pony in the crowd, a slobbish looking stallion.” She looked awkwardly down at the ground, “I am worried what he would do if he was given control of me for a day, it might be humiliating.”
Bluenote looked over at the stallion in question who was talking to a small group of other stallions, “Maybe it won’t be that bad,” she suggested.
“I doubt that such a slovenly individual could be anything but obnoxious.”
Bluenote grimaced for a second “That’s a bit judgemental isn’t it? Anyway I don’t see what I can do about it.”
“I was planning to bid on a certain recording in the action,” Octavia looked back at the stage, a look a pain passing across her face, “But if I give you my money you can use it to bid on me so he doesn’t gain my services.”
Bluenote looked disappointed, “Aww, I was going to bid on that athlete guy. He could clean my guttering any time.”
Octavia glared at her friend.
“What, there’s no harm in me enjoying the view while he’s fixing my house up.”
“That is just the sort of behaviour I am expecting of my ‘admirer’. Please, do this for me and I will do your chores for you even if you don’t win me.”
The blue mare looked torn for a second, “Ok, fine. Give me the money. But you owe me for this.”
“Thank you.” said Octavia passing over her purse.
Bluenote stowed it away in her bag before turning back to the buffet table. While she had been talking to her friend the other guests had descended on it like a horde of locusts. Many of the plates had been emptied including the whole tower of pâté. The gourmand growled in frustration for a second, then brightened as she spied more servants starting to arrive with fresh trays.
Girding herself Fluttershy approached her target. Blueblood was mostly hidden from her view by the crowd of hangers on. She had hoped that they might have thinned out over time giving her a chance to talk to the Prince alone but the group only seemed to be getting larger.
Stepping forwards Fluttershy gently tapped the nearest pony on the shoulder, “Um, excuse me, can I get past please?” she asked.
“Sure,” said the pony stepping aside from where he had been trying to overhear the conversation.
Buoyed by her small victory Fluttershy stepped forwards and repeated her actions. However, this time the mare she had tapped seemed to ignore her. She tried again a little larger, “I’d like to talk to the Prince you see, it’s very important.”
Looking over her shoulder the mare glared at her, “Wouldn’t we all, honey. You can just wait for your chance like the rest of us.”
Blushing Fluttershy almost backed off but she steeled herself thinking of the animals that Blueblood’s donation could help. If she just waited then she could be here all night and never talk to the Prince. Observing the crowd she saw a gap open up momentarily and ducking down she pushed her way into it apologizing continuously as she did so. Several nearby ponies glared at her rude behaviour but apart from a bit of grumbling nopony complained.
Fluttershy was now close enough to the Prince to hear what he was saying. He was apparently telling a story of some sort, “And then griffin ambassador said ‘That’s not a chicken, that’s my wife!’” Fluttershy didn’t really understand what he was talking about but everypony around her seemed to think it was very funny. She had hoped there might be a lull in the conversation where she could speak up but others seemed to have the same idea and immediately several other ponies were talking.
Sighing Fluttershy looked around, maybe there would be another gap in the crowd she could use to approach Blueblood, she knew that if she could just speak to him for a minute she could convince him how important her causes were. She noticed that although many ponies were standing in front of the prince only a few were behind him. Maybe she could get round them and next to Blueblood.
Gently pushing past her neighbours Fluttershy made for the gap. To her surprise one of the ponies behind Blueblood, a stallion in a simple black suit and dark glasses stood in her way, “Excuse me,” she squeaked and tried to go around him, he sidestepped putting himself between her and the prince again. Once again Fluttershy tried to get around the silent pony and once again he blocked her, this time physically pushing her back, “Please can you stop being mean? I just want to talk to the Prince.” she asked tearing up slightly.
“I’m afraid being mean in part of Barrier's job,” came a warm plummy voice, “He is one of my bodyguards after all.”
Fluttershy looked up to see Prince Blueblood standing over her a drink in his aura and a smile on his face, “Now, of whom do I have the honour?”
“Fluttershy,” she squeaked.
“Please to meet you Fluttershy and why do you want to speak to me?”
Fluttershy opened her mouth and suddenly couldn’t think of a single thing to say, a wing reached for her bag and the scroll that wasn’t it in, “I.... errrr... I, mean...” she managed.
“You live up to your name I see.” There was a smattering of rather mean laughter from the crows, “What does it begin with A? B? C?”
Swallowing hard Fluttershy tried to marshal her thoughts. Think of the animals, she scolded herself. That was it, animals.
“I hope you....” she began. Suddenly the music from the band stopped and the lights seemed to dim. A gasp came from the side of the hall, Blueblood and most of his group turned to look what was happening.
Rarity had just entered the room from the top of the staircase. She was haloed in light and wore a flowing pink dress highlighted by strings of pearls and gems that stretched along the floor behind her. The bodice covered in silk ribbon. Her hair was done up in a beehive inlaid with further gems. A golden tiara graced her forehead resting on her horn which glowed brightly as she generated her own spot light. Her tail was held high as she strutted downwards towards Blueblood gracefully putting one hoof in front of the other.
The band started up a new tune and the white unicorn began to sing as she approached her target.
“The minute you walked in the house”
“I could see you were a”
“Stallion of distinction”
“and so big hearted”
“Good looking, so generous”
“Say wouldn't you like to know”
“what brought me here at this time?”
She reached the bottom of the stairs and a waiter glided up to her a tray with a bottle of champagne and several glasses on it held on his back. She picked them up and levitated them along behind her.
“So let me get right to the point”
“I don't act this way”
“For every guy I see”
Her gentle magical manipulation of the bottle caused the cork to pop into the air and a thick stream of bubbly white fluid to spurt out. Gracefully avoiding the stream Rarity poured two glasses and passed one to Blueblood who took it in his own aura.
“Hey Prince Blueblood”
“Make; a little donation to me”
“Wouldn't you like to be kind, kind, kind”
“How’s about a few gifts, gifts”
“I could show you a... good cause”
“Let me show you a... good cause”
Rarity curtsied in front of the bemused stallion and looked up at him a smile on her face.
“The minute you walked in the house”
“I could see you were a stallion of distinction,”
“and so big hearted”
“good looking, so generous”
“Say wouldn't you like to know”
“what brought me here at this time?”
She rested a gentle hoof on the stallion’s leg and slowly raised it until it was touching his face. He took the hoof to his mouth and kissed it.
“So let me get right to the point”
“I don't act this way for every guy I see”
“Hey Prince Blueblood”
“Hey Prince Blueblood”
“Hey Prince Blueblood”
“Make; a little donation to me”
“...” said Fluttershy, once again lost for words at the spectacle.
“That was quite the entrance, Miss...?”
“Rarity, your royal highness. I do hope you forgive me going rather over the top, I just had to talk to you.”
“Well you had my curiosity,” said Blueblood finishing his drink, “Now you have my attention. What can I do for you?”
“I had heard tales of you, your handsomeness, your power, your wealth, your generosity. But now that I meet you in person I can see they were understatements.”
“I always wonder where these stories come from, as you can see I am none of the above.”
“Oh but you are, you are the most handsome stallion I have ever seen, you’re magnificent.”
“Ah, I never tire of hearing that, say it again.”
“You are magnificent,” repeated Rarity breathily.
“And again.”
“You’re magnificent,” said Rarity again a hint of confusion in her voice.
“Hum, that’s never happened before,” Blueblood sounded thoughtful, “I am tired of that now. Oh well,” he brightened, “You can think of something else nice to say about me. I’ll be back in a bit.” With that he pushed past the bemused unicorn.
“What just happened?” she muttered.
The piece the band was currently playing came to an end and they began to pack their instruments away. Blueblood once again leapt onto the stage, “I’ve been enjoying the music so far tonight,” he called, “But after a while it gets a bit samey. I think it might need a more modern sound.” A new group of musicians started to shuffle onto the stage and set up their equipment.
By the food tables Bluenote had just started to fill her plate with various snacks. A new tray of pâté had just been set up and she scooped a generous helping of it onto a slice of bread.
“I was passing through Neigh Orleans when I came across a rather talented group that I thought I’d introduce to you all.” A sharply dressed pegasus reared up onto his hind legs using his wings to keep balance and put a clarinet to his lips blowing a single pure note.
In the crowd Bluenote’s ears pricked up and swivelled towards the stage. She dropped the bread and her head was drawn to the stage like a magnet, “Is that..” she gasped.
“Bix Bridlebeck and the Timberwolf orchestra,” announced Blueblood. He leapt from the stage as the band started their first number. From the floor a piercing squeal of joy could be heard.
For a moment Blueblood danced alone on the floor then a number of his hanger-ons began to gravitate towards him moving awkwardly.
“Come on Octy,” called Bluenote her hooves tapping on the spot. “This is real music, get up and dance.”
“I am afraid it is not my music. I do not really understand it and I do not know how to dance to it.”
“Come on, I’ll show you.” Bluenote reached for her friend grabbing her by a hoof.
“Maybe another time,” replied Octavia extricating her leg from her friends grasp.
Bluenote looked at her recalcitrant friend and sighed, “Fine, but you don’t know what you’re missing.” She turned her back to her friend and rushed onto the dance floor joining some of the younger nobles who had started to flock there.
Octavia stood watching for a moment and to her surprise her hoof started to tap with the beat. She understood this music better than Vinyl’s noise, but is still was not familiar to her, at least she recognised and could enjoy the bands skill particularly the clarinet player. It was just a shame they had chosen that particular style of music.
Fluttershy nervously stared at the boogying ponies starting to fill the dance floor. Blueblood was near the centre dancing with a group of his followers while his bodyguards slowly rotated around him. She had been so close to talking to him, if only Rarity hadn’t chosen that moment to turn up and spoil it. She glanced around and saw her rival standing like her off to one side of the dance floor looking unsure of herself. Drawing strength from this Fluttershy stepped forward and was drawn into the swirling crowd of ponies throwing themselves about with abandon.
The shy yellow pony tried to match the other dancers as best she could, bobbing her head in time with the music while avoiding the flailing limbs of her fellows. She soon found herself overwhelmed by the noise and the actions of the other dancers. This had been a bad idea, all she wanted to do was to flee but she couldn’t see a way out. Panicking Fluttershy started to hyperventilate.
“Fluttershy?” came a familiar voice.
The pegasus looked up to see Bluenote standing next to her legs tapping in time with the music. “I didn’t know you danced,” she said.
Calmed by a familiar face Fluttershy forced her breathing to slow “I can, sort of,” she said, “But not like this, the music’s so loud and it’s all so chaotic.”
“Yeah, isn’t it great?” The blue earth pony rearing up and shaking her forelimbs to the sky. “If you think this is something, you should go to one of Vinyl’s ‘raves’”
“Um, no thanks,” squeaked Fluttershy.
“If you don’t dance, why are you here?” asked the earth pony hoping in a circle around her friend.
“I want to talk to Blueblood and I thought it might be easier on the dance floor, I think I was wrong,” she yelled over the music.
“No, I think it’s a good plan, let me give you a hoof,” the blue mare grabbed Fluttershy and the two of them spun around the dance floor.
Her partner blurred in the pegasus’s eyes and suddenly disappeared, she staggered around for a moment before noticing that she was standing in front of Blueblood. “Ah, Miss Fluttershy nice to see you again.”
“Err, hello,” she said staggering around and almost falling before finally getting her hooves under control.
“What was that move? I’ve never seen it before,” said the stallion sounding intrigued.
“Uhhhhh, dizzy,” muttered Fluttershy.
“Interesting,” mused Blueblood before raising his voice, “Everypony do the dizzy!”
He began to stagger around copying Fluttershy’s uncoordinated movements, for a second most of the dancing stopped and stared at the two of them making Fluttershy wish the ground would open up and swallow her. Then a nearby pony began to sway in the same way, then another, then another and soon the whole dance floor was staggering around.
“Thank you, you have shown me a new move. What can I do for you in return?”
Fluttershy almost jumped for joy, things were starting to go right! “I’ve heard that you’re very generous..” she started.
“I don’t know how these rumours get out, I keep having such gossips killed but to no avail.”
“Killed!” cried Fluttershy.
“It was a joke,” said the stallion with a smile. “Continue.”
Suddenly Fluttershy felt a hoof on her leg and her vision blurred for a second, when it cleared she found herself in the hooves of another stallion she had never met. Her new partner looked as surprised as she was although not upset with finding a strange mare in his arms. Fluttershy’s head darted left and right in astonishment trying to figure out what had happened.
“Ah, your highness,” purred Rarity, she was standing in front of Blueblood her front hooves draped over his shoulders. She had just spun Fluttershy out of the way. “How fortunate we meet again, I do not think we got off on the right hoof.”
“Well you sounded like the standard sycophant who hang on to me all day and not even an imaginative one at that.”
Ignoring this slight Rarity continued, “On I assure you I am nothing if not imaginative. Particularly where it counts,” her voice deepened and she ran a hoof down Bluebloods back enjoying the feel of the muscles under this coat.
“You might find that my tastes are rather out of your abilities,” noted Blueblood raising an eyebrow.
“I’m sure you will find I’m very flexible,” noted Rarity bending her spine she used her hind left leg to scratch her right ear despite the cumbersome dress she still wore.
“Very impressive. I take it such skills do not relate to your day job?”
Rarity coloured for a second, “Of course not, I am a dressmaker and designer. You must let me make something for you. A suit maybe, pale blue to match the limpid pools of your eyes,” she began to warm to her subject. Suddenly she was grabbed by a hoof and spun aside.
“Now where were we?” asked Fluttershy rather surprised by her own actions.
“If I remember correctly we were talking about having gossips killed,” said Blueblood with a smirk on his face not seeming at all discombobulated by the butter mare’s sudden reappearance.
“Oh, err, yes well...” Fluttershy tried to calm herself while Blueblood spun on the spot in front of her. “I was hoping you could help me..”
“Ah, you want something from me. Most do.” His tone darkened slightly.
“Well it’s to help those less fortunate than you.”
“There are very few more fortunate than me so that doesn’t cut it down much.”
“Well I’d like you to help..” again Fluttershy felt a hoof yank her away from Blueblood, this time she gripped the hoof with one of her wings and both she and Rarity ended up tumbling away from their target. They found themselves dancing in front of each other.
“What are you doing?” asked Rarity through gritted teeth.
“I was just asking Blueblood if he would mind donating to the animal shelter, or the people of Yokohamare or the plight of the dragons, or..”
“Stop!” commanded Rarity halting Fluttershy’s tirade, “Look I agreed to stop collecting for the orphanage in Ponyville, why are you trying to spoil this for me as well? Blueblood is rich enough to set the orphans up for years. If you try to rope him into supporting all your causes you still wouldn’t get anything done in the long term. Not to mention that there are certain other benefits that I could get from such a handsome and eligible bachelor.”
“I knew you weren’t just here to help the orphans, you’ve got designs on Blueblood,” Fluttershy accused.
“Designs? I’ve practically got a scale model built, darling. I’ve been planning our wedding since I was a foal. And what a model he is...”
“Rarity!” cried Fluttershy is shock
“Well excuse me if I have needs beyond just helping others, you prude!” spat Rarity.
“Oh, you harlot!” squeaked Fluttershy flushing red before looking mortified and bringing a hoof up to her mouth.
Around them some of the dancers looked on at their show in thinly veiled interest. The music came to an end and the jazz band gave a bow before leaving the stage. Looking around both Rarity and Fluttershy saw Blueblood leave the dance floor and join his crowd of sycophants again.
Turning to each other and almost snorting steam the two mares spun on their heels and stamped away.
Bluenote had been having the time of her life swinging along with the music of the Timberwolves. She had spun from partner to partner but had ended up spending most of her time with a rather handsome stallion who had given his name as Citron. She hadn’t danced like that for years! She liked hanging out with the foals teaching them music but it had been a while since she got to party with adults for a change.
As the final piece came to an end and the original band returned to their places Bluenote found herself with aching hooves, ringing ears and a rumbling stomach. She was starving! Politely excusing herself from her partner she made a beeline for the snack tables again. While she had been dancing many of the older ponies had decided to start on the food and long queues stretched from the goodies. Grinding her teeth in frustration Bluenote joined the end of one of the lines, she hoped there would be something left by the time she got to the tables.
Fluttershy took a drink of the punch provided by a passing waiter trying to cool down after her confrontation with Rarity. She knew she shouldn't be so upset, Rarity was trying to help others as well as herself but something about what the other mare was doing was getting her so angry. Taking a deep calming breath Fluttershy looked around the room, Octavia was near the entrance talking to the host and his wife and Bluenote was waiting in line near the food tables, she looked impatient her hoof tapping on the ground as the queue moved at a snail’s pace across the floor. The original band had returned to their station and a small number of ponies were dancing more conventionally. Blueblood and his entourage were standing near the stage apparently examining the various lots of the auction. Her glance fell upon Rarity who was standing among them talking with the Prince. Fluttershy gasped, she would have to do something now or Rarity might get the money from Blueblood and then what would she do?
“And these are some of my finest work,” said Rarity proudly indicating her dresses which were hung amongst the other lots.
“They are quite fetching,” announced Blueblood and a wave of approval passed through the other ponies around him, “And the design is rather innovative.”
“Thank you,” said Rarity glowing with pleasure, “As I said earlier before we were rudely interrupted, I could make something for you, a suit. You would need to come to my studio for a filling of course. I’d need to get the measurements of everything.”
“And what would this suite cost?” he asked raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, I would do it for free. Well maybe a donation, you see there is a certain orphanage in Canterlot that...”
Suddenly Rarity found herself pushed aside as Fluttershy barged into the crowd and took up the space just in front of the prince. “Your highness,” she began, “The city of Hoofington recently set up an animal shelter to help and try to find homes for the large number of strays in the city but they desperately need more funds or they’ll have to turn away so many poor animals, please could you find it in your heart to...” she pleaded.
Rarity barged Fluttershy aside while Blueblood looked on a frown starting to grow on his face. “Obviously animals aren't as important as foals so if you could just...”
Fluttershy pushed back, “But what about the foals of Yokohamare? Many of them have lost their homes and families, they're worse off than the foals in a Canterlot orphanage.”
Rarity reached out with her aura to push her rival aside but Fluttershy resisted, with a tearing sound part of Fluttershy’s dress ripped free making the outfit peel away from her shoulder. Rarity jumped back looking appalled, “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she cried.
Fluttershy slowly looked down at her ruined dress them up at Rarity her eyes wide before calmly reaching up tearing all a strip of Rarity’s clothes as well. The white unicorn cried out as if she had been cut and staggered back tears in her eye, “Why did you do that? We have our differences but my dress was an innocent. It. Was. Innocent,” she sobbed.
Guilt rushed through Fluttershy, what had she done? “Rarity, I’m sorry, I didn’t...” she pleaded.
“Don’t look at me!” cried the distraught unicorn turning and galloping across the floor towards the exit. Not pausing for a second Fluttershy ran off after her hoping to get a chance to apologize to the crying mare.
“Interesting,” noted Blueblood watching their rapidly retreating forms.
“Ah, Blueblood,” simpered one of the hangers on, “You always have the mares fighting over you.”
“It’s a curse,” he announced, but his eyes were not smiling.
Bluenote's patients was beginning to wear thin. She had been waiting all evening to taste the mushroom and walnut pâté but it kept slipping through her hooves. Now it was close enough for her smell, and what a smell it was, layers of scents were wafting into her nostrils, was that a touch of honey? There were other treats surrounding her main target as well, salads and pastries and cakes beyond her wildest imagination. The line of hungry ponies was slowly inching its way forward and she was only a few dinners away from the front but one picky pony had seemingly taken an hour to choose their meal and it was driving her crazy! She wanted to leap onto the table and devour everything in sight, she was only just holding herself back.
“Bluenote,” came a voice to one side, she looked around and saw the stallion she had been dancing with earlier.
“Hi, how you doing?” she asked welcoming the distraction.
“You’ll never guess who I’ve just been talking to.” He sounded excited.
“I don’t know, Blueblood? Everypony seems to want to talk to him.”
“Even better, Bridlebeck and the orchestra. They’ve heard of you and want to chat.” He gestured across the room where the band stood talking to a few other ponies.
“They’ve heard of me! Wow. Give me a few minutes to grab some food and I’ll be right over, I’d love to talk, maybe even jam with them.”
“They’ve got to go soon, if you want to talk it’s now or never.”
Making a pained sound Bluenote looked backwards and forwards between the food and the band at the opposite side of the hall. In front of her the fussy pony finally decided on what to have and scooped a hoof full of pâté into her plate before taking a bite and moaning in enjoyment. “This is really good,” she muttered with her mouth full.
“This isn’t fair,” mumbled Bluenote caught between two of her loves. She dithered back and forwards for a second. Finally she decided to follow her new friend towards the band, she could eat anytime but talking to Bridlebeck might be a once in a lifetime thing. Her stomach was of the opinion that her lifetime might not be very long unless she filled it soon but she tried to ignore that.
Octavia was deep in conversation with Count Glitter when a white blur sped past her followed by its yellow twin, “Rarity? Fluttershy?” she gasped, before turning back to her host “Excuse me I should see what has upset my friend.”
“Yes,” agreed the Count looking rather shocked.
Octavia turned on her heels and rushed after her friend and the fashionista as quickly as she could while still looking proper. She arrived at the entrance hall just in time to see Rarity dash into the cloakroom and for Fluttershy to follow her. Octavia herself was just about to go after them when there was a commotion at the front door. She looked up to see a number of servants being barged aside by a stream of animals. There were mice and rats, cats and dogs, eagles and hawks, rabbits and reptiles, however, the sight that caught her attention the most was a bear which with some effort squeezed itself through the doorway and advanced on her with a roar.
The servants took one look at the shaggy brute and ran screaming from the fearsome creature. One collided with the cloakroom door slamming it shut where it automatically locked with a clunk.
Octavia stood frozen in shock for a moment, jaw hanging open, before being shocked back to reality by a further roar and turning and running back towards of the ball room. She had to warn the guests of the invasion. She fled as quickly as she could, a herd of critters at her tail.