//------------------------------// // Plain Vanilla [One Shot] [Celestia/OC] // Story: Missing Pages & Scrawled Footnotes // by Ice Star //------------------------------// Vanilla Bean was a simple stallion. He wasn't somepony you would ever notice in a crowd, with his pale blue coat that seemed washed out and faded instead of just light in hue. His unusual - though only vaguely so - white mane and tail with brown stripes that was neither curly, wavy, straight or anything distinct was too simply styled to be noticeable. The gala around him - his very first - was bustling with ponies of all kinds; mares in elaborate gowns and stallions in fine suits surrounded him. As for him? He had lost a bet - it was how a simple ice cream merchant like him had been able to attend such an event - to his dearest sister, Chocolate Pie... who really wasn't as sweet as her name suggested when she could get him into this kind of situation... It had been her choice after all, to have them both buy an opportunity - tickets of paper with numbers scrawled on them in dull, sterile looking print all meant to add up to one possibility - a fleeting chance at something grand and far away - the Grand Galloping Gala. Somehow, he had been the one to get that ticket. But that also meant that he had to wear whatever Chocolate wanted him to. And so here he was... at the Grand Galloping Gala in nothing but a bow tie and mask that matched this years theme - that of a masquerade. He silently thanked himself for being too plain to draw any attention, despite the scandalous nature of his attire... which was scandalous by Gala terms, at least. Or maybe it was only a matter of time before somepony noticed him and gossip ran wild. He gulped nervously at the possibility and drifted away from the nearest table, as it was cluttered with foodstuffs too irresistible for the gala-goers to resist. That would certainly be a bad stop if he was trying to go unnoticed. Usually, he was as sociable as a pony could be - the wide circle of friends and acquaintances that usually accompanied him was currently replaced by the lack of any company at all on what would either be the best or the worst night of his life. He adjusted his mask - it was pale green, and just light enough to help him blend in with the bright colors of all the other suits, gowns, and masks but not so bright that it stood out, which was a relief. The lack of any sequins of glimmering threads woven in anything but simple patterns was no doubt in his favor too. As he hurried away, his gaze dropped to the floor so he might avoid staring at anypony - not that they would recognize him - and to avoid being distracted by the two feathers adorning his mask that bobbed on the edge of his view. If he kept this up, it really would be the perfect disguise! Even if he likely wouldn't talk to anypony - it was embarrassing to think that the only Gala he might attend would be one on a bet of sorts. With his eyes to the floor, he did not see the shape walking toward him - and if she saw him coming, she never said, but the next thing he knew was that he was walking straight into- -none other than Celestia, goddess of the sun and moon, and Alicorn Princess of Equestria... She smiled at him. It was a surprised, modest smile that somehow managed to fit on the regal face of the great goddess. He gulped and tried not to let his gaze linger out of politeness. She didn't wear any gown - which was surely going to be the talk of all of Equestria by the Gala's end - as if that could somehow cause her to blend in more. Only a plain mask covered her face, like a thin frame to her warm magenta eyes. She was too obvious. Too noticeable. How hadn't somepony noticed her walking in plain sight? How hadn't he?! ...And why was she still looking at him? "Good evening, my little pony. I trust that you are enjoying the celebration?" Vanilla nodded dumbly. Was he still staring? He wasn't sure, his mind felt blank. Was part of her power numbing ponies like this, so they could do nothing but look at her in awe? To Vanilla it certainly felt like that. Here was the mare who raised and lowered both the sun and the moon standing before him... "What is your name?" ...and she just asked him his name! Vanilla flushed under his mask. So much for going unnoticed. "Vanilla Bean," he managed. "And what is it that brings you to the Gala?" Princess Celestia asked warmly. Vanilla blinked. She, the princess of all the realm - currently without a bit of finery on her - wanted to talk to him? He knew the princess was social, none doubted that she loved all her subjects but... "A bet," he blurted. "I'm here because of a bet. Not that I'm not enjoying anything, Your Majesty, but you see-" "Would you like to talk some more in the gardens? It is a little crowded in here, isn't it?" He nodded again. It would be best just to listen to her. She was the princess after all, and one did not doubt the princess. Besides, how bad could it be talking to such a kind, pretty mare like Princess Celestia? He nodded a final time, stronger, but not in a particularly assertive way. "Yes. Yes, Princess. I'd like that a lot." She smiled at him. Again. "Well, I'm glad you are so willing to join me." When she turned to go, he followed without question. This really didn't seem so bad at all...