"Poly, if you don't hurry, the carriage will go on without us, and we'll have to walk! Do you want to walk all the way to the castle?" Meta called, shifting his shoulders as his tux was a bit tight... he must've gained a few pounds since he last wore it.
"Coming, coming! Ack, my mane! Alright, that's better. Here I come!" she called, before stepping out into Meta's sight.
"Whoa... Poly, you look... amazing... I... I don't know what to say..."
"Say nothing, unless it's praising my artistic skills in front of potential customers!" she teased.
"Oh, haha. Come on, let's go." he responded, motioning towards the carriage. As he got in, something fell from his pocket.
"Hm? Oh, Meta! You dropped something!" Poly said, levitating the small box into reach. "Hm? This looks like a jewelry box... Meta?"
"Oh, um... it's... a, uh... surprise..." he nervously coughed out, quickly taking the box from her.
"Meta, what are you planning?" she smiled, suspicious.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?" he smiled back.
"Fine. Now, I have 3 pieces in particular that I want to talk about..." she began, as they went off to the Gala.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Welcome, fillies and gentlecolts, to the Grand Galloping Gala!" Princess Celestia announced.
"Well, I'm sure this evening will be thoroughly entertaining. What about you, dear?" Meta asked, smiling suspiciously.
"Hm... well, I'm sure it will turn out to be profitable, at the very least. Entertaining has yet to be seen. And why are you looking at me like that?"
"Like what? I'm just happy to be here with the mare I love."
"Hm... I've got my eye on you, mister." She giggled.
Then, a mare approached, asking, "Who are you?"
"My name is Poly Sketch. I'm an artist." she responded, with a smile.
"How did you get tickets to the Gala?"
"I sold a piece to a stallion with sway."
"And who might that stallion be?"
"Shining Armor. I hear he plans on making an announcement tonight."
"Indeed? I heard that Princess Cadence intends to make an announcement as well... how odd."
"Perhaps not as odd as you might think, if you think about it enough."
"I'll leave you two to chat, while I go strike up conversations elsewhere, alright, dear?" Meta asked.
"Of course, Meta, you know what to do!" she told him, and he was off.
~~~~~~~~~~
That was close, earlier... too close. Thankfully, they were at the Gala now, and he was now free to go get everything ready. He'd made connections over the past few months, connections that would allow him to make everything just perfect. Everything had to be perfect. He couldn't bear to think what would happen if things weren't perfect.They had to be perfect.
Later that evening...
"Meta, where are you? Meta, if you don't answer me I will undo that cloaking spell, so help me!"
"Boo."
"WHAAA. META! UGH. STALLIONS. Where in Equestria have you been?"
"Were you really going to undo the cloaking spell?"
"That's not an answer... but, possibly. If I got upset enough."
"Well then, I guess it's a good thing I found you when I did. Come with me."
"Meta, I- hey!" she called out, as he began to pull her along.
"Over here, silly filly. I've prepared something just for you."
"Meta, what could you possibly- whoa. Meta, this is..."
They had gone out into the garden, and little dots of light floated all over the place, lighting up the garden just enough to make it feel enchanted. Across the way, a picnic blanket had been set up, with a basket to boot, and a slender pony stood off to the side, with a canvas and easel.
"Come." Meta whispered, guiding her to the blanket, where they sat down.
"Meta, this is-"
"Shh. Here." he told her, pulling two gourmet hayburgers, fries, and a bottle of cider from the basket. "Eat. You must be starving."
"I... I guess I am. I didn't even think about how hungry I was... wow... I..."
"Eat. Enjoy. Be happy."
"Alright." she consented, enjoying the meal, and the scenery. Giggling when a rabbit tried to pick a fight with a flamingo. The Mare in the Moon seemed to smile down on them during this moment of tranquility. "Meta... it's so beautiful tonight. I feel inspired. I wish I had my supplies... I want to take down this moment for all eternity, but I'm scared I'll forget it before we get home."
"No need, Poly. That's why he's here. To record what's happening. To record what's about to happen."
"What do you mean, what's about to happen?"
Meta Break pulled the box out of his pocket, "Remember this, from earlier? Well, it's time you find out what's in it." He knelt down, and opened the box, revealing a ring. An engagement ring. "Poly, I can't imagine living without you. I would be honored if you would be my wife."
"Meta... I... I... I love you!" she exclaimed, attacking him with a hug. "Of course I'll marry you! Oh!" she cried, levitating the ring into place, just as cheering erupted inside.
"What the?"
"Oh, I was going to tell you, Shining Armor found me and said that he was going to make his announcement soon, but you didn't let me, and then I got distracted. I'm guessing that everypony just found out that Princess Cadence has a boyfriend."
"Oh. Alright then. You wanna go back in?"
"No. I wanna stay right here, forever." she sighed.
"We can't stay here forever, we'll never get married!" he teased.
She giggled, answering, "You know what I mean."
So, that's what they did. A while later, the artist came over with the finished product.
"I love it. Oh, Meta. Tonight has been just perfect. In fact, I think it was the best night ever."
"Agreed. Can we go now? I'm tired."
"Alright, let's go home." she giggled.
And so they did.