//------------------------------// // In the Zone // Story: The Masquerade // by Fenton //------------------------------// What am I doing here? Fancy pants was scanning the ballroom’s decorations at loose ends. They weren’t unusual for this sort of event even if they were a bit tawdry for his taste. All around him, ponies were enjoying themselves, chatting or dancing. Every so often, two of them, sometimes three, would hide, either behind the huge window curtains, or behind one of the statues, which seemed to have been placed at convenient locations near the corners. It was easy to guess what they intended to do there. Considering how the party was turning out, Fancy Pants thought it was just a matter of minutes before common sense and social convention broke down and the ball morphed into something his mind baulked to fancy. Why am I here? It’s not like if my absence would be noticed… The invitation card had been clear: nopony was supposed to be able to recognise anypony else. And while he hadn’t managed to identify any of his friends, or any of the ponies that usually took part in royal parties, he sensed that he had been recognised. And it had happened despite the garment that covered his body and the mask that concealed his face. Engrossed in thought he didn’t notice a stallion coming from behind, and started when he felt the other’s unexpected hug. “Hey, big boy,” said the intruder, slurring. “Want a good time?” “I'm afraid I must decline your offer... sir,” Fancy Pants answered with all the calm he could muster, trying to get his nose away from the other’s offensive breath. “You’re no fun!” the stallion grunted before letting him go. Fancy Pants watched him tottering to the buffet. On any other occasion the guy wouldn’t have got away like that. Unfortunately this was a masked ball, and Fancy Pants felt as confused as he did all those years ago during his graduation party. Perhaps I should follow suit. I might be able to blend in after a drink or two. He giggled at the ludicrous thought, but set out for the buffet just the same. He had mused enough admiring the decor. Okay Fancy, it’s time for you to start socializing. “Pardon me, milady,” he said to the mare to his left, clad in a surprisingly brown drab gown and wearing a patched hat of the same colour. “Which one of those fine wines would you recommend?” She scrutinised him silently for a few seconds. Fancy Pants wondered if he’d spoken loud enough to overcome the ambient music. He was about to repeat his question when the blue-eyed mare burst into laughter. He stayed put, looking at her guffawing, her teeth as white as her muzzle. He wondered why his words had caused such a hilarity but, unfortunately, the mare didn’t answer, not even after her laughter had subsided. Instead, she trotted away leaving Fancy Pants prey to a weird feeling of awkwardness. I’ve heard this high-pitched laugh before, he thought, though he couldn’t place it.Ugh! If we could drop the masks it would be so much easier for everypony, especially for me! Left without clear directions Fancy Pants decided to, for the first time in his life, let fate guide his decision and take a wine at random. That turned out to be more difficult than he’d expected: each time he was about to pick a glass, his brain would protest and stop his hoof midways. At last, though, he made up his mind and took a sip from one of the tumblers. Pretty good, he thought. A little raspy at first, but then the bouquet kicks in and the aftertaste is quite sweet. Excellent pick for my next garden party. Using his magic, he grabbed the bottle that stood close to the glass and examined its label. His left eye twitched when he realised the brand had been blotted out. He was torn between screaming, laughing or crying. Before he could even decide— “So what do you think of this little revelry, sir?” Fancy Pants turned to face the pony who’d just spoken. A horn poking from the mask meant she was a unicorn. Nothing else was revealed. She wore a stunning navy blue gown that hid her cutie mark. “I must say I’m a little… confused,” Fancy Pants replied, putting the bottle back on the table. “Confused? What could possibly confuse you?” the mare inquired. “How can I explain?” he sighed. His eyes wandered over the room. He winced at the sight of a pony puking in a bucket and tried to return his focus on the conversation. “I’ve been told that our national heroes, the Element Bearers, would be joining us tonight and yet I’ve not been able to recognise even a single one of them. I’d expected them to stand out as they did during the last Grand Galloping Gala, especially miss Pie, but so far they’ve foiled my expectations!” “So?” she replied giggling. “I’m sure they enjoy not being in the centre stage tonight. Unlike our dear prince…” she spat out, cocking her head towards the only stallion that could not be mistaken, since he wore no mask. “Ha! Prince Blueblood has never been able to resist a chance to be in the spotlight,” Fancy Pants said. “And I would have been surprised if he'd acted differently tonight. I understand him, in a way.” “You must be the only one then,” she said, tilting her head to one side. “Maybe-” Fancy Pants looked away, a bit ashamed and sighed once again “-I must confess I considered dropping the mask too.” “You would be missing the point of this party then.” A cry, between a laugh and a moan, echoed through the room and made Fancy Pants’ ears twitched. “I’ve missed it since the beginning,” he groaned, his eyes still away from her. “I don’t know what Princess Luna was thinking when she planned this soirée but she may have been out of her mind at that time.” “Maybe she’s gone crazy and she’s on the verge to become Nightmare Moon again,” said the unknown mare. He heard a trace of sarcasm in her tone and hung his head. “I apologize, that was uncalled and rude of me to simply vent like a spoiled foal and insult one of our beloved rulers.” “You don’t get it!” she jeered. “You were about to but I see that old habits are hard to lose for you.” “I don’t understand.” “Look at the crowd and tell me what you see, here lies your answer.” Fancy Pants complied and looked disdainfully at the crowd of ponies. He saw his kind throwing themselves headlong into the party, dancing, drinking and acting as if there weren’t rules anymore. “I see ponies who have forgotten how to behave.” “And do you know why?” she asked, her mocking smile still shining. “Isn’t it because they don’t fear the consequences of their actions? But what’s the point?” Like the other mare, she burst into laughter. However, she didn’t leave him hanging long. “The point is to be somepony else!” she said between giggles. “Aren’t you ever tired of always being what you are expected to be?” “I’ve never really thought about it. Without false modesty, I see myself as an important pony, the 'creme de la creme' as one of my very good friends would say. So I'm used to be recognized and to recognize who I'm interacting with. I know who they are, I know their rank and their privileges and thus, I know exactly how I am supposed to act. Right now, without all those bearings, I have to admit that I feel a bit... lost,” he whispered. “So you should take this as an opportunity to act however you want! I believe that's what Princess Luna had in mind when she planned this soirée. Isn't that thrilling?” she asked, her eyes glistening with mischief. “You could act like a complete lout in front of one of the Princesses and never know it!” “That would be uncouth. Moreover, I think it would require a few more drinks to not be able to recognize our beloved rulers.The fact they are taller than anypony else may not help them to remain anonymous.” “Don't you know they can shapeshift their appearance?” “I- I didn't know but I think I see where you're going. I suppose I just need some time to learn how I should behave, or better, how I should not behave at all.” “Maybe a dance will help you to relax,” she suggested. “I don't know,” he whispered, “But I would be honored to be your partner,” he quickly added with a smile. The mare lent a hoof. “Are you familiar with waltzing?” “I would be a substandard aristocrat if I wasn't,” he said putting his hoof in hers. They walked to the dance area. The mare stood on two legs and waited for Fancy Pants who followed soon, putting one of his foreleg on her flank and the other joining Luna’s hoof on his right. “And remember,” she whispered to his ear, “you're nopony tonight.” She grabbed and led him in a wild waltz. She was strong for a mare her size and he could only let himself be guided by her hooves and gaze at the her beautiful green eyes. Whoever this mare was, she mesmerized him; he felt that ,at the moment, wherever she went, he would follow her without question or doubt. His frustration with the strange party faded with each waltz they danced to be replaced by a feeling of release he had never felt before. And by the end of the fifth dance, he had lost every inch of guilt holding him up. So he dared to kiss her. It was an innocent kiss, a light touch of lips and when he opened his eyes, he saw the mare smiling. “Now you got it.”