"Can I see them again, Mo Chroi?"
Trixie reached out to stroke the side of Gildas' feathery-crest. "I know how much of a thrill you get just knowing that we have them in our possession. Us, and not two others who will be attending that ball." With a flick of her hoof, she produced a pair of tickets, then brought them into the griffons' view.
Gilda smiled, gazing over the time and date printed on the tickets, along with their names. "I just want to be sure it's not another illusion." She reached out to grasp her ticket.
"I understand. We have fortune enough to be able to purchase tickets to such a prestigious event," Trixie placed her own ticket in a small pocket sewn into the interior of her cap. "Even greater is that it will be taking place at our Phuri Dajs' castle, in the old country."
Gilda looked from her ticket to Trixie. "We've busted our haunches to earn the bits for them, I think we deserve a little treat now and again."
"And we don't have to perform for our admission." Trixie said with a smile. "We get to mingle with the other guests. We might even get a moment with the Princess herself."
Gilda snickered, reaching over to ruffle Trixies' mane. "Dude, I'm so looking forward to this. The atmosphere is just right for all kinds of scares."
"Don't think I can't see your mischievous plan." Trixie mock-scolded. "Yes, some ponies are skittish around griffons, but playing on those fears would be a cheap tactic."
"Relax, fishcakes," Gilda said with a smirk. "I'm not gonna be as bitey this time, I promise. Besides, You've shown me how to properly file my beak, talons and claws for bluntness. It's not like I'd injure some pony intentionally."
"Still, there will be plenty of scares to go around. You need not add to them." Trixie replied. She leaned over and kissed Gilda on the beak.
"Speaking of which, what shall we go as this year?"
"An excellent question." Trixie answered. "Part of the fun is dressing up as somepony or something else. A shame that we've already cosplayed as each-other."
Gilda let out a squawk of delight. "That was the best, dude. And it was funny seeing you try to eat with a beak over your snout."
Trixie stifled a laugh with her hoof. "I suppose it was amusing. And I did get more food in my mouth than on myself." She lit her horn and grabbed a few catalogs from a nearby shelf, with her magic. "I thought you might like a new look. The local stores have some new costumes in stock this year."
Gilda took one of the catalogs and leafed through it. "I already have an idea in mind, but lets see what they've got available."
- - -
"Are you certain about this?" Cheerilee asked. "Last time we were there,-"
"I know what happened and what didn't." Toola Roola replied. "I owe it to myself to prove that the terror holds no more power over me. Besides, Why shouldn't I enjoy the fruits of my efforts?"
The pair made their way along the roads of Ponyville. "I worry about you, Toola. I think it's too soon to go back there."
Toola stopped. "And when won't it be too soon? Another five years? Ten?" She snorted. "You once chided me for being too delicate a flower, now you want to keep me as such?"
Cheerilee whirled around to face her marewife. "You may think that you've come a long way with your therapy, but I worry that one well-timed prank, with the right colored liquid, will undo years of work."
"And I trust that you'd find the culprit, and make them regret that their parents ever met." Toola replied. "Besides, I have gotten comfortable with this...ability."
Cheerilee trotted over and gave Toola a half-hug. "Listen, I know how much it means to you to go to Umbratara. I just don't want you to freak out again."
"I'll have you and Starsong with me." Toola replied. "That's why I got three tickets. And besides." She nuzzled the earth pony. "Even if we have to cut it short, we could always visit the Canterlot Carnival on the 8th terrace."
"That''d be lovely." Cheerilee smiled. "Thistle and Patchwork always do such a wonderful job of keeping the kids entertained." She looked to Toola "Maybe we could trade the tickets."
Toola shook her head. "They've got talisman spells on them. Keeps ponies from reselling to make a profit."
"Ah well. Let's go get our costumes then." Cheerilee said. A short walk later, they arrived at the shop where they reserved their costumes.
"Welcome to Carousel Boutique." A yellow pegasus at the counter, spoke in a soft melodious voice as they entered. "Where everything is sleek, chic and um, majestique."
"That's magnifique." Another pony called from the back room.
"Oh, Sorry."
"It's ok, Fluttershy." Toola said. "I would definitely use 'Majestic' for Raritys' creations."
"That's very flattering." Rarity added as she emerged from the back room. "And the wedding dress I designed for Princess Cadance, and Twilight's former Coronation dress certainly qualify."
Cheerilee took a slip of paper from her bitbag and passed it to Rarity. "So what are your plans for Nightmare Night?"
"This year, I thought we'd go out and visit the carnival of games at Sweet Apple Acres." Rarity answered as she took the slip of paper. "Then there's the midnight play that your theatre troupes' performing in the Town square. I assure you that Fluttershy and I will be attending that." She said before heading into the back room.
Toola nodded, then looked to Fluttershy. "Are you sure it won't be too scary. I watched their rehearsals, and the golem they use for The Fiend is scarily accurate."
"While I was frightened when it appeared that one time, seeing Rarity stand up to it was comforting. And why a golem?"
"It's because no-pony wanted to play the role of The Fiend." Cheerilee said. "So a golem is the next best thing."
"Don't worry." Toola added. "The animation spell has certain protocols built in that prevent it from hurting others. And removing any of those protocols is illegal under the Regulations for Thaumic-Powered Devices."
"Still, it's a shame that you won't be present to watch and enjoy it." Rarity said as she returned from the back-room, carrying three bundles in a magic aura. "I hear that Jasper and Centre are performing the other two lead roles."
Toola chuckled, taking the packages with her own aura, then inspecting them. "I've seen them perform several times over the past several weeks. They understand the roles well. And they also understand why I can't be there that night." She sighed wistfully. "It means more to them to actually get to perform the roles."
"Like I told the Mayor." Rarity said. "It's better to display our history in a dynamic fashion, than to keep a static legend." She smoothed back part of her mane. "And it also helps to have our communities work together. Right, Baroness?"
Toola blushed. "I suppose that my family has acted the role with benevolency. But I haven't told anypony about that yet. How did you find out?"
"Well, um, we found out from Twilight, actually." Fluttershy replied. "She let us in on what happened."
"Of course," Cheerilee replied. "You are her closest friends."
"And it's not like you'd lord it over us." Rarity replied. "I've been one of your dearest friends since elementary." She walked over and embraced first Cheerilee, then Toola Roola.
"So does the rest of the town know yet?" Cheerilee wondered. "This title thing might crimp my future plans."
"It's kind of working it's way around, but the Mayor is saying that unless he receives official confirmation from Canterlot, there is no truth to the rumors." Rarity replied.
"Everything looks to be in order here," Toola Roola said as she placed the packages on her back. "Thank you for your time and hard work." She took a roll of bills from her bitbag, and counted out enough to cover the price of the packages. "We'll wear these costumes with pride."
Fluttershy accepted the money, counted out the appropriate change, then wrote out a receipt. "Thank you for shopping at Carousel Boutique, you have thirty days to return the merchandise for a full refund."
"Thank you, and have a wonderful day." Toola said along with her. Fluttershy blushed. "I think you're a natural at this, Mrs Belle."
"Thank you, Toola." Fluttershy replied. "Iron Wills' revised assertiveness course has helped me a lot."
- - -
A caramel earth pony reclined on a fold-out bench. "Not many ponies know this," he began. "But among changelings, there exists a type even greater than the queens. They're called the Weyhyddion Breuddwyd. And I have met them."
A white unicorn snorted. "I find that rather hard to believe. Mr Ibai."
"That they exist, Blank?"
"Oh I know they exist." Blank replied, shuddering. "I just can't believe that you met them, if you're still alive to speak to us."
"I've been around a long time myself," another unicorn, gray in color, stroked his beard. "And I've never heard more than old written accounts of them. Supposedly they're taller and whiter than the Sun Princess, and have glowing green eyes. But how much of that is exaggeration?"
"Considering that we used to use the fae to frighten our own foals for centuries, I'm not surprised that they'd keep to themselves." A light-brown pony added. "Ponies and Changlings never really had a good relationship. Even now, some groups are reluctant to accept peace, and some ponies treat them worse than Dogs."
"The times are a-changing." An ebony black unicorn added as she entered the wagon. "But that is ever the one sure thing. Change. Fortunas' change."
"That and taxes, C.T." Blank added. "Even with all the bits we've made, we still have to give the Princesses their due."
"Anyways, tell us Kako." Clear Thought looked to the Earth pony stallion. "You were saying something about meeting the Elder Fae."
Bad Apple nodded. "It was sometime in the 70s," he began. "Not sure when though. It's all kind of muddled. Anyways. I happened to stumble across them when they were in the midst of capturing a red-chitin changeling. I thought I'd sneak in for a closer watch, but one of them apparently sensed me. I found myself being lifted and pulled over to their midst. I'll admit, I was a little bit afraid."
Clear Thought leaned against Blank. "I wonder, why were they capturing the red one?"
Bad Apple chuckled. "I asked about that, and they told me that the 'ling had violated one of their sacred laws. Seems that changelings are forbidden from completely draining a pony of all their emotion. I guess that's why Princess Cadance was able to rekindle Shining Armors' love."
Blank Slate nodded. "Yeah, but how were you able to get away from the Breuddwyd?"
"They were ready to simply execute me on the spot, but they halted when one of them said I was protected by a magic older than theirs. They extracted an oath of some sort, then let me go."
"What was this oath, Udan?" The aged unicorn inquired. "If it's something that's going to impact the Cabaret, I'd like to know."
"Here's the thing, Gray. I know there's an oath, but I can't recall the exact details. Every time I try, I get a piercing headache." Bad Apple replied.
"Fae magic; both vague and insistent." Blank chuckled. "I guess the Breuddwyd want you to know that you're contracted with them."
"Someday, and that day may never come." Bad Apple began. "We'll call upon you to perform a service...Oh Luna, they're like my brothers' business." He laughed.
"What is your brothers' business?" Gray asked "I know of the hotel and amenities."
"I suppose that I can let you all in on the real score." He shifted to stand up. "The family go their start as part of a loose network of ponies who ran pleasure cruises during the mid 700s. You want wine and drink that's not marked at ridiculous prices? Done. You want to spend your money on small luxuries instead of paying the outrageous taxes? Done." He glanced over to Clear Thought. "You want to show your love and devotion openly? There's a place to do it."
"I do recall stories that Roa were frequently hassled in Perch during that time. One Constable even tried to shut down the Court of Miracles. Jasmine Frolic."
"Speaking of miracles," Blank Slate looked over to Gray. "I'd call it a miracle if Six, Argent, and Locks returned before nightfall I'm ready to get back on the road."
"Patience, young one." The unicorn known as Gray Pearls replied. "The are just as important as the trip itself, and we'll be fully stocked on provisions this time."
"Besides," The earth pony mare added. "I'm liking it here. It's got a small town charm.."
"As charming as Palermino is, Pretz, it's also a little too warm for my tastes." A silver-feathered griffon declared as he entered the wagon. "Give me the cold and snow any day." A large yellow earth pony followed behind, carrying several boxes of food on his back. "We managed to get a good deal on the late season vegetables." He added, helping Six sort and store the food.
"So now we're just waiting on Locks." Pretz added. "She probably wanted to get in a few rounds of flying before we commit to a trip."
"You can rest easy now, my friends." A blond pegasus called out as she entered the wagon. "I saw a few updrafts off the coast, and I wanted to try one. Did you know that from a high enough altitude, you can see the coasts of Percheron and Caballo from here?"
"Really? That's an hour away by Zeppelin." Six commented. "I can't imagine how long it would take to fly there on your own power."
Clear Thought drew her tarot deck from her mane and untied the ribbon that held the cards together. "Now that the gang's all here, let's find out where we should head next." The other Cabaret members gathered closer as she began shuffling.
(That's odd) Bad thought to himself as a felt a familiar tingle in his head. He rubbed his chin. (There would be a seven of each suit, and one in the Major Arcana. Ah, I feel them now, but what's that sixth pull?) After Clears' preparation, he noticed one of the pulls coming from the top card.
Clear picked up the top card and turned it over, though Bad Apple perceived the action in slow motion. "What? Seriously?" He squeaked.
"Do you not like it, Uncle?" Clear thought asked, as the others turned to his sudden outburst.
"I think Fortunas' bucking with me-us." He answered. He reached over and picked up the card.
"I don't see why we can't visit." Blank added. "The countries' open again, and you've seen the posters all over town. She's having some kind of brouhaha. We should drop in."
"All in favor of going to Trotsylvania?" Clear proposed. Bad Apple was lost in thought as a chorus of 'Aye's sounded out.
(We've always cherished our time together.) Bad pondered as he stared at the card. (So why am I reluctant this time?) The image of Luna, offered no answers.