"So...!" Pinkie Pie bounced bounced as her dress flounced flounced. "What's the plan, Rare-Rare?"
"Pinkie! Do be careful with the bustle!" Rarity snapped, following her friend out the front door of the Boutique. One by one, the gussied mares in formal attire made their way to a parked stagecoach where Spike sat in a tiny dragon tuxedo. "Ahem. I do believe our dear Twilight is in charge of the itinerary..."
"Yoohoo! Equestria to Twi! What's the sitch?!"
"It's simple!" Twilight stammered, pausing momentarily to fuss with her mane-do. "We ride uphill to Canterlot. After entering the city, we follow the procession of traffic heading inward. We arrive at the Royal Palace gates. We enter. We enjoy the festivities over the next four to five hours. Then—after the ceremony is over for the general public—we regroup at the front entrance... take the Stagecoach over to the residential district... then retire for a night cap at my parents' home!"
"Oh, I do hope they don't mind the company," Fluttershy said in a demure tone.
"Are you kiddin'?" Spike cackled from atop the stagecoach. He tightened the reins to the two volunteer stallions hitched at the vehicle's fronts. "Twilight's Mom and Dad love having their little daughter over! I know it's just got to be the same for her friends!"
"Oh, I can't wait for them to meet you all!" Twilight said, her eyes shimmering.
"Also, all the places we get to show you around town!" Spike said, beaming. "For instance—"
"The library!" Twilight's knees went weak. "Heee-eee-eee!"
"Twilight!" Rarity barked again. "Do not drool on your bodice!"
Spike sighed. "Yeah, well, I had a few other ideas besides that—"
"Eugh... come on, guys!" Rainbow Dash pouted, tapping a slipper'd hoof. "Let's just go already!" She shook a leg, fussing with the lengths of her skirt. "Every second we waste is time I could be spending with the Wonderbolts!"
"Erm... I dun mean to be rude or nothin'..." Applejack fidgeted in place. "But I'm with Rainbow on the hurryin' bit. I've got loads of apple treats in the trunk of this here stagecoach that I'm rearin' to sell alongside the front gates to this hoity toity ballroom..."
"Pffft... oh come on, Applejack!" Rainbow rolled her eyes and smirked at the mare. "You can't possibly be planning on spending the entire Gala selling apples, can you?"
"I... uh... uhm..." Applejack coughed aside and waved her hoof. "Say! What was the name of that pale stunt feller you've been jonesin' to meet?"
"Oooh! Soarin'?! Oh gosh... he's so awesome! I can't wait to get his autograph! Hey! Rarity! You think it's okay if I get him to write his name on the hem of my skirt? It's the perfect white background for—"
"Most certainly not! Now get in the blasted chariot!"
"Soarin' doesn't have the best hoofwriting, that's because he injured his main leg years ago after a crash landing that saved the lives of two of his wingmates while performing outside of Seaddle. You see, they didn't know how to compensate for the wet rainy weather there and Soarin' had enough experience and dexterity to..."
Rainbow's rambling voice followed her into the stagecoach. Applejack and Fluttershy stood outside, stifling their giggles.
"Ohhhhhhh Rainbow..." Fluttershy smiled sweetly at Applejack. "You just pull the string and she goes."
"Heh heh heh heh..." Applejack guffawed. "I know, right?" She tilted her hat back and climbed into the stagecoach after Fluttershy.
Spike shut the door and that was that...