//------------------------------// // After the Gala // Story: Mother Moon, Joys of Parenthood // by ShadowStar_IMHP //------------------------------// “I can’t believe she was so rude.” Buttercream says as she walks into Nightshade suite Cream Puff bouncing in the buggy. Princess Luna looks over to her friend. “Hello Buttercream and you as well Cream Puff.” Luna was sitting on the soft purple couch watching her daughter Nightshade playing with blocks. The blocks were set up like a town and Luna smiled as Nightshade set pony figures among the town buildings. That smile turns to a frown as Nightshade then starts roaring like a monster and wrecks the peaceful community she been set up for the last ten minutes. With a shake of her head, she turns back to looking at Buttercream the filly Cream Puff dragging her faithful stuffed bunny Mr. Hops charged into the rampage to join her friend. “What do you mean Buttercream who was rude? It wasn’t that annoying Upper Crust was it?” “No, it’s that... Applejack. I can’t believe she done something so insulting.” Luna's ears spring up as she tries to puzzle out that comment. “Applejack? Do you mean the bearer of the Element of Honesty? Let me guess she said something blunt in such a way it came off as an insult?” “Yes, the bearer of Honesty, and no. I’m talking about what she did during the Grand Galloping Gala last night. Get this she brought a cart of bake goods to sell. Who does that? One of the grandest parties of the nation and she brings food to sell.” “Perhaps it just my not understanding the cultural norms of the time. I do understand such is very odd, not many ponies would bother even bringing bits to such an event except pay for a ride home.” “Okay, the Gala is hosted by the Castle, by Princess Celestia, and you now. It’s a fully catered party event we Chefs go out of our way to find and prepare the best foods and recipes from around the world. Not only was it dumb to expect she could make a profit during a Party she was invited to, but she also insults the Castle kitchen staff by offering her own foods. Oh by extension you and Celestia as well.” Buttercream heads to the kitchen area where a maid stops her. “let me get you what you want Buttercream. Your off duty and being today's Maid for the princesses it’s my honor to serve Princess Luna’s guest.” The soft yellow and rose red-maned mare in the maid outfit says stopping Buttercream. “I know my way around a kitchen... oh yeah I guess I can indulge the benefits of having a royal as a friend. Thanks, Rosewater.” Buttercream smiles and heads to one of the overstuffed chairs. “Some ice tea please.” “Cream Puff don’t put that up to your nose!” Buttercream rant stops as she goes over and prevents Cream puff from trying to fit a pony figure up her snout. “Seems I’m lucky Nightshade doesn’t try to do such things.” Luna smiles thought a twitch of her tail that quickly hidden in the mystical waves of magic the only sign of her doubts. In the little purple filly that was her daughter is the mind of Nightmare Moon. Thought one that regressed to a younger state of being. “Where was I?” Buttercream settled down and thanks Rosewater with a smile before taking a sip of the ice tea. “I do believe you were stating how Applejack insulted not just the castle staff, but my own royal person by trying to sell some of her apple pastries.” “Yeah her... am I just being angry for no reason? Bad enough my cake was destroyed before anyone ate it. Perhaps I’m just projecting.” Luna sipped her own ice tea thinking it over. “No, I do see your point. Bringing food to a catered event and expecting ponies to pay for it, not only foalish it is insulting to the host. Though I’m sure Applejack didn’t mean such an insult.” Buttercream sighs “no I’m sure she didn’t, I am projecting a little. I worked for two days on that cake. five tiers, each tier is two layers of sponge cake with a layer of strawberry and cream in between, then the icing with four different colors... all went splat on that poor mare who was with Blueblood.” “Rarity was quite frustrated from what I heard.” “Heard? wait you didn’t go to the Gala?” After taking a sip of tea Luna spoke up “Go to the upper society social events, and deal with those snobbish Nobles? I will rather be stuck on the moon again. I chose to avoid those type of social events, it’s enough that Cadence drags me to the club from time to time. Oh and I do so enjoy going to some modern concerts.” “Perhaps it was for the best. It was so chaotic I’m still trying to figure out how the pillars toppled over as they did.” Luna got a thoughtful expression on her face as she thought over what she been told. ----------------------------------- Later that day Luna walked into the ballroom where the cleaning up was still taking place. Celestia was already standing there looking it over. “Sister, I been thinking about the odd events that happened during the Gala. What do you think?” Celestia smiles and looks to Luna “It was quite exciting. But you are right things are odd. First, it seems Fluttershy couldn’t talk to the garden animals. They even seem repelled and afraid of her, where normally animals are attracted to her. At least that what Twilight Sparkles letter tell me.” “Not to mention your own agents looking them over.” “Now Luna, that is a lie. I don’t have agents, nor would they be looking them over.” Luna smiles “No? I’m sure agent Sweetie Drops just there in Ponyville by chance.” “Hush you. Sweetie Drops is retired and enjoying making candy with her marefriend Lyra. It just so happens she retired in the same town where the Bearers of Elements came from. She just sends me a letter from time to time to tell me how she’s doing.” With that Luna looked over the rubble. “How did the pillars fall? Aren’t such constructions flush with the ceiling and floor?” Celestia shook her head “no they were just decorations to dress up the ball in accent Pegasus style. It was this year’s theme. It is odd though they were heavy stone marble pillars and shouldn’t have fallen by being bumped.” Now that Luna pointed it out Celestia looked again. “It seemed like something was causing all the bearers problems. Blueblood antics being his normal for such event withstanding, the fact he didn’t seem to recognize Rarity as one of the Bearers is odd. Fluttershy scaring the animals, Pinkie Pie who from what I understand was the one who knocked the cake into the air. Rainbow Dash knocking the pillars...” The two royal sisters exit the ballroom and entered the royal gardens and both look to a statue in clear view. One of a spirit of chaos, a statue who seemed to be laughing silently. “First Princess Cadence Cutie Mark, now chaotic events happening in such a way. I feel my return from the moon is just the first of troubles for Equestria.” “We just have to have faith in the bearers, and Harmony itself my sister.”