//------------------------------// // The Royal Butterball // Story: A Taste-Test of Royalty // by Liquid Savage //------------------------------// Midnight huffed and puffed as she lumbered into the castle ballroom, sweat trickling down her forehead. Even the short walk from her new quarters by the Royal Dining chamber to the ballroom enough to exhaust her. Heads turned and eyebrows raised in concern and discomfort before going back to setting up decorations. The head chef groaned under her breath. Midnight’s gasps and wheezes echoed through the huge room as she waddled in, her barrel more like a keg as it bounced off the ground in her awkward gait and stuck out between her thick rolly legs. But despite her strained expression, Midnight was excited. Tomorrow night was the Grand Galloping Gala, and the castle staff were all busy making sure everything was ready for the biggest party of the year in Equestria. Even the Princesses were rushing around making sure everypony was doing their jobs. And Midnight had, in her opinion, the most fun job of all; as the royal taste tester, it was her job to make sure the Gala’s catering was suitable for the guests. It was almost as good as having a free pass to attend the invitation-only Gala, maybe even better. “Ah, there you are, Midnight,” said Princess Celestia, and the blubbery bat pony looked up to see the alabaster alicorn float down to the floor in front of her. “Are you ready? You seem a little...out of breath.” Midnight nodded, her double chin jiggling from the motion. “I’m fine,” she huffed, “no problem! Where’s the banquet?” “Right over here.” Celestia waved a hoof toward a table at the far side of the room. She followed Midnight over, giggling softly at how the bat pony’s rump wobbled and bounced to her step. “Well, it’s less a banquet and more of a buffet. I felt putting a pause on the music and dancing to make everypony sit at a table would dampen the mood a bit.” Midnight’s gluttonous smirk wavered ever so slightly. She had never been to the Gala before, but she always had the impression that it was this huge extravaganza with fireworks, special shows and a huge feast. It definitely had the fireworks since she could see them from her apartment, but just a buffet? But as she looked at the table, her disappointment had already begun to fade. Cupcakes, mini apple pies, muffins, hay and straw sandwiches, and even a huge punch bowl. They were only hoof-foods, but they were the best looking, and best smelling hoof-foods she’d ever seen. “Just a sample selection,” Celestia continued, “for you to try. With your critique, we can make them even better.” The head chef looked up at the Princess, not even trying to hide her irritation. “With all due respect, Your Majesty, I think she knows what to do by now.” Celestia looked and smirked at Midnight, who was already leaning over the table and pushing mounds of cupcakes and sandwiches toward her open mouth. “Well, I shall leave her in your charge then.” “Of course,” the head chef sighed, bowing her head and watching Celestia walk toward a group of ponies having a heated discussion about the design of the window drapes. She glowered at the quivering mass of bat pony gobbling up whatever she could, wondering if she was even tasting the food. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think Midnight only took the position just so she could stuff her face. Midnight was indeed enjoying the sample buffet, moaning and fluttering her barely-usable wings with glee. She burped and looked up at the dubious unicorn. “The cupcakes could use a pinch more sugar, and the batter on those apple pies is a teeny bit too tough but everything else is cooked perfectly. Maybe ease up on the lettuce in the sandwiches?” The head chef’s brow smoothed in pleasant surprise. She was doing her job. “Um, alright, I’ll make a note of that. What about the punch?” Midnight turned to the large bowl of purple liquid and licked her lips. “One sec.” She took the ladle in one thick hoof and poured herself a cup. She sniffed the punch inside and took a sip. She licked her chops, pleased with the fruity taste, and took a swig, then chugged the cup empty. She took a second cupful, then dunked the cup inside the bowl for a third, then a fourth. The head chef sighed and pressed her hoof into her face as Midnight tilted the bowl so the punch began to flow into her mouth, her belly distending even more than it already had been. Once she finished, she set the empty bowl down and let out a wet belch. She sat back on her haunches and rubbed and patted her belly, which sloshed and rippled like a water balloon. The head chef didn’t dare to look at her, but she was aware that almost all eyes were on the buffet table. “Well…?” “Mixed berry punch,” Midnight guessed, smacking her lips and wiping her face with her thick foreleg. “Very good choice, and a good combination of berries. Maybe a little more sugar, but aside from that, perfect.” “Wonderful,” snarked the unicorn, shaking her head. “Now I must take these notes to the kitchen, and I suppose you should stay around to make sure we follow your advice properly.” “Oh, I’ll be happy to stay,” Midnight giggled and rolled onto her back, her belly sticking up in the air and sloshing like the waterbed it was slowly turning into. “Just, gimme a little while to rest…” The head chef groaned and walked away, ears flattened angrily. Midnight, meanwhile, looked up and saw a familiar, dark blue face looming over her. She grinned, chubby cheeks dimpled. “Princess Luna!” “Somepony is enjoying her Gala duty,” giggled the alicorn. “Comfortable enough?” “Yeah,” she sighed happily, then rubbed her huge belly. “Though, if there’s anything else to test…”