//------------------------------//
// Entry 8 - The Grand Galloping Gala 
// Story: My Adventures in Equestria 
// by Lotus Moon 
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Dear Azure,

Tonight's the big night, the Grand Galloping Gala. Ponies from all over Canterlot are coming, all dressed in fancy attire, jewelry, and other accessories. I'm wearing the dress Rarity made for me...still can't get over how good I look. Even Sparkle was a little shocked at how amazing I looked. I wish she could come with me to the Gala, having another friend there would certainly give me a little more confidence. Unfortunately, she's on duty behind the scenes and will be busy for the whole event.

A little earlier, Princess Celestia came by to tell me to not worry about how things will go and to just enjoy the night. Easier said than done, but hopefully things will be ok. Especially if there's a lot of wine flowing. Anyway, I better grab my camera. The Gala's starting and I want to be at Princess Celestia's side.

Through the camera

I walked through the castle halls until I started hearing the excited chatter of the Gala attendees. The sound made me stop dead in my tracks, causing me to point the camera to my feet. "Well I was asked by the Princess to attend the Gala and I can't very well just not come after having a gorgeous dress made for me. Plus, I may never get a chance like this again. So time to make a good impression and hope for the best," I mumbled to myself. 

Taking a deep breath, I continued walking to the main hall. As I walked, the guards who usually stayedsilent and at attention, I could hear them talking silently about me. From what I could hear, I think it was along the lines of how stunning I was.

Finally arriving at the doors to the main hall, I hesitated for a moment. I could hear the ponies and music inside. Socializing, maybe dancing, perhaps chatting with the Princesses. Not wanting to suddenly lose my nerve and run away, I entered the room. And the moment I did, nearly everything went silent. I looked around the room and almost everyone was looking at me. Some in confusion, some in awe, and others in slight intimidation. The first to break the silence was Princess Celestia, wearing a lovely cream dress with gold trim.

"Ah, Lotus, glad you could make it" She smiled at me, eliciting some murmurs from her subjects.

"I-I couldn't just stay in my room. I mean, you personally invited me, and you've been so gracious to allow me to live here. How could I be rude and just not show up?" I said, catching every pony's attention. The mere shock on their faces was enough to give me a little more confidence.
"Well I'm glad you could make it. Now, feel free to socialize and come to me if you have any questions." With that, she went to strike up a conversation with one of her subjects and other conversations started up as well. I made my way to the nearest wall and observed my surroundings. I noticed a few ponies glancing my way and chatting, probably about me. 

The band was playing something slow and there were a few pairs dancing. Servers walked around and one came to me, offering a glass of wine, which I graciously took and downed before returning the glass. As I looked around, I noticed Twilight was near Princess Celestia, Rarity was chatting with a few stallions, Pinkie was being Pinkie, Applejack was with Fluttershy near the food tale, and Rainbow Dash was with some ponies dressed in blue jumpsuit uniforms.

"Well you're certainly a peculiar creature," A male voice said, snapping my attention into focus. I looked over and it was an red-orange colored Unicorn stallion with a mane and tail that were a light violet. It was like he was a sky at sunset. "If I may ask...what are you?"

I cleared my throat a bit so my voice wouldn't let out an awkward squeak as it usually did when I was nervous. "I-I'm a human. I guess you've never seen anything like me before."

"If by that you mean an exquisite and interesting creature, then yes. I must say, you've quite lovely, my dear."

I felt my face turn red, no one had ever said something like that to me...not even any of the guys I've dated. "Thanks. My name is Lotus Moon."
The stallion lifted his right hoof to take my unoccupied hand. "Astral Dusk, my lady." He kissed my hand, a motion no one ever does anymore in my world.

"Thank you. And you're very handsome." I smiled and then caught a peek at his Cutie Mark. It was a constellation, the Aquarius constellation If I remember correctly. "Your Cutie Mark is quite interesting."

"Why thank you. For the life of me, I never knew completely what it meant. I've always been interested in the stars since I was a colt. Especially when they seemed to make shapes in the sky." Astral said.

"The constellations in the sky. In my world, they're actually used for a number of  different things."

"Oh? Such as?"

"Horoscopes...like a way of telling one's future or just giving them a confidence boost for the day. Some are used to dictate what other constellation would be a good pairing for them, while others simply use them. To tell stories." I pushed some of my hair back from my face.

"Interesting. Tell me dear, do you dance?"

His question caught me off guard. "I-I'm sorry?"

"Dance? Do you?"

"W-Well yes. I haven't in a long while, but yes...I do dance."

"Well then, while the band is still playing, shall we dance?" Astral extended his hoof to me.

I was self conscious with my decision. I mean how would we dance, wouldn't it be awkward? I mean, he is quite charming and I really don't want to say no. But at the same time, I really didn't know how to go about it. Even with all these thoughts going through my mind, I wanted to experience this. So I accepted his hoof and we were headed for the dance floor. 

There were some murmurs as we moved, but that didn't stop us. Once there, and the music accommodating us, Astral and I started to dance. It was awkward at first, especially while holding my camera, but we got the hang out it. As we danced, I noticed he was looking into my eyes. His blue-green eyes were mesmerizing  and I couldn't look away. There was just something about them.

"For one who claims to not have danced in a long while, you dance quite well," He said.

"Thank you. You dance really good too." I glanced down and realized he was standing on his hind legs, his left arm around my back while his right slightly held my camera hand, my chest lightly pressed against his. His coat was soft and gentle to the touch like Sparkle's. "I-I'm sorry if this seems uncomfortable.

"Not at all," He smiled at me and gently dipped me low, causing me to squeak a little. "Has no pony done this to you in your world?"

"N-Never," I said as he pulled me back up and we continued our dance. "B-Boys in my world are too immature to try being romantic."

"Shame, they seem rather barbaric in that nature."

"That's one way of putting it."

"To not treat an intriguing female such as yourself with every formality through dance is unthinkable."

I glanced away. "If only you were a human...you could teach them how to be better gentlemen." Before he could respond, the music started to die down and we stopped dancing. I felt a bit disappointed as he backed up a few paces to stand on all fours again.
"Quite an interesting compliment. My dear, you are a joy to talk to, but sadly I am needed elsewhere. But I do hope to speak with you more in the near future" He kissed my hand again before walking away.

I watched him go and my heart fluttered. As the night carried on, I stayed by Princess Celestia's side. Many of the attendees, after seeing that I was alright to be around, opted to try and get to know me better. While I would indulge in polite conversation, I would scan the room for Astral Dusk, but was unable to find him again. I can only speculate that he asked me to dance so that I would only be focused on him instead of being nervous with all eyes on me. When the Gala ended, I made my way back to my room and set the camera on the desk before dropping with an "oomph" on the bed.

"I'm so glad I attended the Gala" I mumbled and thought of Astral. "It was so worth it." After that, I turned off my camera.