“And that – “Luna let out a large yawn “– concludes our discussion of Starswirl the Bearded’s theories about the nature of the self when using magic to disguise or alter the body.”
The end of the lesson was punctuated with the heavy “thwomp” of Debates and Discussions on the Nature of Magic closing, startling the Sleepy and Not-Paying-Attention Trixie back into a state of semi-consciousness. Helping in this matter was the stream of sunlight that was beginning to flow into the room, blinding her as she tried to turn and look at Luna.
“Uggh, okay, are we done now?” Trixie said with a groan, a hoof raised to block out the light.
While she couldn’t quite see it, she could hear Luna yawn.
“Perhaps I made this lesson a little too long. You do have to admit, though, a debate about what it means to be really ‘you’ when using magic designed to disguise or transform the body was quite the fitting end for your probation.”
Her eyes finally adjusting to the light, Trixie stretched before standing up, one hoof taking a moment to rub her eyes to wake herself up just a bit more.
“Yeah yeah, the choice of appearance can provide insight onto the mind of the user something something. Right now, though, I just want to be the ‘version of Trixie who is fast asleep.’”
“Fair enough, I suppose. I thought it would at least provide some insight into how your draconequus appearance manifested the way it did.”
Luna joined Trixie in stretching and standing, levitating all the various studying supplies back to their appropriate places. The mess cleaned, she began to head towards her bed, a clear sign to Trixie that it was probably time she left. Luna could get rather grumpy once she decided to head to bed.
“But yes, I do think sleep would be a refreshing change of pace. Have a good day, Tri –“
“Oh Luuuluuu, Trixieeeee, I made celebratory pancakes!”
The door to Luna’s chambers slammed open. Napkins and three plates of pancakes stacked high and absolutely drenched in syrup, whipped cream, and fruit made their way to the table that had just a moment ago been covered with books. It was the one levitating the pancakes, however, that provoked in irate series of grumbles from the tired princess, and just a hint of drooling from the just as tired but also quite hungry Trixie.
“Good morning, dear sister. Exactly what are we supposed to be celebrating?”
“Why, your apprentice’s successful recovery from being draconequus-ified!” Princess Celestia said, walking over to the table and taking a seat on one of the cushions.
“This is all for me?” Trixie said, slowly starting to sit back down. She could feel her stomach growling and gurgling, and while the siren call of her bed was strong, the sweet music of the pancakes was even stronger.
“I figured that after a hard night’s lesson that you would like a special treat. Plus – “ Celestia leaned close to Trixie “- I honestly just enjoy having an excuse to make pancakes.”
Celestia laughed as she began to cut into her pancakes. Trixie was about to dig in herself when she noticed that Luna still had not joined them. Glancing back at the bed, she watched as Luna began covered herself with blankets.
“…soooo, you don’t want pancakes, then?” Trixie yelled out, eyeing the potentially available stack.
“I’ll take the fruit, but I would appreciate it if the two of you would take your breakfast elsewhere,” Luna replied, the various strawberries and banana slices levitating off of the pancakes and flying towards the head of the bed before disappearing under the blankets.
“Oh, don’t mind her. She never has been much of a morning pony,” Celestia said, happily continuing to eat her pancakes.
“I am the princess of the night, after all,” Luna yelled back, muffled somewhat by the pillow she had put over her head. “I believe I have the right to disappear at the start of the day.”
Trixie simply remained quiet, happily eating her pancakes as she watched the two sisters’ exchange. Sugar and a show was a good way to reenergize in the morning, after all.
“The day has just barely begun, Lulu. Look, you can still see the moon,” Celestia replied, pointing to the moon still just peaking above the horizon. It swiftly disappeared, however.
“There, it is officially day. Please let Trixie and I get some sleep.”
“Uhm, I’m okay?” Trixie replied, taking another bite of pancake. It was probably best to not get involved, but, eh, grumpy sleepy Luna was too fun to not poke at.
“See, she’s perfectly fine. Now stop being so grouchy and just OOF.”
Trixie had to hold back a laugh, both out of politeness and not wanting to choke on her bite of pancake, as a pillow was launched right into Celestia’s face.
“Alright, alright, your point has been made. Before I go, however, I did have one other matter of important business to address.”
With a glow of her horn, Celestia summoned forth a scroll and levitated it to where Luna hopefully could read it. It was a little hard to tell exactly where she had gone under the massive pile of blankets that now surrounded her.
“Since it has been some time since you attended a Gala, I thought that you might appreciate attending a dinner party that Fancy Pants is hosting as a sort of…practice. He even invited Trixie to come, if she wishes.”
“And Fancy Pants is?” Trixie said, her plate now quite clean of pancakes. She was quite full now, but Luna’s stack of uneaten pancakes was looking awfully lonely…
“He’s another one of the more influential ponies in Canterlot, but he has always been so helpful with organizing many of the events that the Castle hosts. In fact, I think he’s been on the organizing committee of just about everything the Castle hosts,” Celestia replied. “This party is supposedly a ‘pre-Gala’ Gala sort of deal. The unicorns in this city do quite love an excuse to socialize. So many, many parties…”
For a moment Celestia just stared blankly, looking almost a little tired herself, but soon was back into her normal air of elegance. Well, as elegant as one could be first thing in the morning and a dash of whip cream on the muzzle.
“In any case, I figured it would be a good chance for both of you to socialize in a more low-stakes environment. You don’t even need to wear any dresses,” she said, gently nudging the poster closer to the blanket shell encasing Luna. All that came out, however, was a groan.
“Well, I’ll go, at least,” Trixie replied. “I am going to need all the practice I can get if I want to show Blueblood that I can be the best guest that the Grand Galloping Gala has ever seen!”
“That’s the spirit! I think…what’s this about Blueblood? Has he been bothering ponies again?” Celestia said, leaning in towards Trixie. “If he’s really being a problem, don’t hesitate to tell me. I don’t mind having a little talk with him. Again.”
“Pfft, nah, it’s fine. I have it all under control,” Trixie said, casually biting into the pile of pancakes once meant for Luna. “All he did was imply that my attending the Gala was going to be a disaster, so I just need to prove that I can be a more graceful and elegant pony than he is.”
Trixie failed to appreciate the irony that, as she said that, she had not quite swallowed all of her bite, little crumbs flying out as she spoke.
Celestia sighed.
“That is the sort of thing I’ve tried to talk with him about. If you think that you can handle it, however, I’ll sit this one out.”
Celestia turned her attention back towards the bed, wiggling the flyer one last time.
“Last call for dinner party invites. I did say that I would get back to him before noon. Preparing for a royal guest does require a lot of effort.”
A few seconds of rustling and Luna’s head popped out from under the blankets, glaring back at Trixie and Celestia.
“Ugh, fine, tell Fancy Pants that Trixie and I will be attending his dinner party, conditioned on you getting out of my room.”
“Agreed,” Celestia said, and Trixie couldn’t help but notice she had the slightest smirk on her face. She couldn’t see it for long, however, as she found herself wrapped in the yellow glow of the princess’s magic and dragged out. Right before the door closed, however, Trixie was able to grab ahold of the plate of pancakes. It’d be bad to waste food, right?
“Well, that went better than I expected. Normally I would have been pelted with books long before this point,” Celestia said, chuckling. “And I see that you liked the pancakes. I’m glad at least one pony appreciates them.”
Trixie was freed from Celestia’s magical grip, leaving just her and the pancakes.
“Oh, yeah, they’re really good…but did you really need to barge in right away? We kind of were just about to head to bed,” she said, recoiling just a bit at having contradicted Celestia. Sure, she had found herself increasingly comfortable with Luna, but Princess Celestia was a whole different level. Granted, after this morning, the mystique had taken quite a hit.
“If I hadn’t caught her now, I never would have gotten a chance to talk to her till after the dinner party happened. She practically sleeps the day away,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Uh, well…”
“…right, point taken. Still, even if she doesn’t show it, I know she’s nervous about the Gala. My sister has never really been the social gathering type, and a millennium of social changes likely isn’t helping matters. This dinner party will be a great way to ease her in, instead of just jumping straight right into the deep end. She just needed a little push is all.”
“Riiiight…and was having me go along a part of that push?”
Celestia smiled mischievously.
“Well, perhaps. But, if you want to master the art of socializing, it wouldn’t hurt to attend the party either, right? It’s a win-win for everyone!”
“I guess. Are you going to be there?”
Celestia began to sulk.
“No. Unfortunately I do have a meeting with Blueblood about Gala preparations. He wanted to go over security detail at the last minute, and I’m only just now connecting that with what you said earlier,” she said, sighing. “He is family, but sometimes his obsession with status can make him into a downright pain in the flank.”
“Speaking of which, how exactly are you…”
Before she could finish asking for clarification on just how Blueblood was related to her, a nearby clock’s chimes began to ring.
“Oh, I believe it’s time for me to hold morning court. I’m sorry Trixie, but we can continue our chat another time. Thank you again for eating the pancakes,” Celestia said, breaking out into a trot as she headed towards the main hall, leaving Trixie alone with her half-eaten plate of pancakes, which she quickly pawned off to a nearby guard (who was happy about the extra breakfast) as she headed to her room to finally get some sleep. After all, she had a party to attend to.
-------------------------------------------------
It felt absolutely amazing to sleep through the day. Her sister’s earlier intrusion and subsequent pancake-fueled harassment had not thrown off her sleep schedule too much, and having gotten the chance to rest, Luna was actually feeling somewhat excited for this party. Because of her late-shift and dream walking, she rarely got to experience much of the social life of Canterlot. Sure, it was not as much of her thing as Celestia’s, but the occasional soiree could be pleasant enough. Besides, it would be good to meet more ponies outside of the context of their screaming in terror or shaking with anxiety as they faced their nightmares.
Still, she could not say that she wasn’t experiencing her own anxieties. While not having the high stakes of the Gala, even a small dinner party was a potential minefield of social faux pas, and she didn’t know the rules. She could, roughly, relate to ponies in the formal manner of a princess, helping them as a counselor in their dreams, or even serve as a terrifying monster for Nightmare Night. Relating to them at the level of “small talk”, though, was a more difficult challenge. Sure, she doubted anypony would say anything – her station in life afforded her the privilege of ponies not saying anything negative to her face – but she still feared the awkward stares and silence from messing up.
In short, she just really wanted them to like her independent of her being their princess.
Glancing across the open-aired carriage, she had to look on with a bit of envy that Trixie seemed rather relaxed, simply laying on the bench with her eyes closed and humming along to some song playing in her mind. The mare had forsworn her usual hat and cloak, having apparently decided it was perhaps not the most appropriate wear for a, to quote her, ‘fancy schmancy party’.
“…Trixie, do you have a moment?”
Apparently, Trixie was rather engrossed in her song as her words startled the mare.
“Yes?” Trixie said once she regained her sense of place.
“You’ve never attended a function of this kind with ponies of this level of influence, right?”
Trixie paused to think.
“Well, I did go to school dances before, and a lot of them were kids of ponies like Fancy Pants. I’m guessing it’s basically the same thing.”
Luna looked at her apprentice incredulously. Her point of comparison was diplomatic dinners, and from that perspective a dinner party did not seem on par with a school dance. Then again, knowing the clientele of Celestia’s school, perhaps they were on par with this affair.
“Do you…have any advice for how to behave at this type of event?”
Part of her was unsure if this was the best idea – Trixie’s confidence, after all, was not the best measure of her actual competence at the task at hoof, no matter how admirable a trait it could be at times – but it would at least give her some things to think about.
“You want advice from me on relating to the rich and powerful?”
Apparently even Trixie had a hard time believing it. However, she kept a confident smile as she continued to lay comfortably on the carriage bench.
“Well, first, in my experience these type of ponies tend to like the sound of their own talking more than anyone else’s. Just nodding along and agreeing with what they say usually goes a long way,” Trixie said, waving a hoof nonchalantly. “Second, flattery will usually get you everywhere. And third, if there’s a lull, just, like, mention you were planning to go golfing or out on the yacht or something this weekend.”
“I mean, she’s not wrong,” a third voice popped in, bringing Luna’s attention to the front of the carriage where Star Breaker and another guard were busy pulling the carriage.
“Did you want to offer some advice as well, Private Breaker?”
“Well, I mean, I’ve only met the guy a few times, but Fancy Pants probably would be fine if you were just yourself. Sure, he kind of talks about us lower-income ponies a bit like we’re an exhibit, but he doesn’t seem like that bad of a guy. You’ve talked with him, right Shiner? How’d he come off to yah?”
Luna looked over at Breaker’s companion, a newer recruit to the Night Guard by the name of Moon Shiner. Despite what the name suggested, his talent was in boxing, and he even apparently thought of going pro before becoming a guard.
“Uhm, yeah, I met him once when I was looking for a sponsor. Like you said, he seemed nice enough. Even asked to go a round in the ring sometime for fun.”
Star Breaker looked back at Luna.
“See, the guy asked to get punched in the face, basically. I’m sure you’ll be fine. Just relax and be yourself, Princess…and maybe laugh at a couple of his jokes even if they aren’t funny.”
“Of course, at the end of the day, you are a princess,” Trixie added, lazily pointing a hoof at Luna. “I’m sure you could get drunk and wear a lampshade on your head and they’ll still like you.”
“Personal experience, Trixie?” Star Breaker replied.
“No, not this time,” Trixie snapped back.
Luna giggled for a moment, but she didn’t feel it worth informing Trixie that it was that last bit of advice that worried her. Still, the advice overall had made her feel much better about tonight. At the very least, she had enough confidence that Trixie was probably just as unsure of what to do as she was but simply had the confidence to act like she did. There was a sense of solidarity to be had there, and perhaps she should emulate that confidence, just a little.
“We have arrived at your destination, Princess Luna and apprentice,” Star Breaker announced as the carriage came to a stop in front of a rather ornate looking building.
“Kind of expected his mansion to be bigger?” Trixie said as she made her way out of the carriage.
“It’s a country club, Trixie. That’s the club, and in the back is the ‘country’ aka a very fancy garden,” Star Breaker replied.
“In any case, I’m sure it will be a lovely evening,” Luna said, following after her apprentice. “You are dismissed for now, Private Breaker and Shiner.”
“Yes, your highness,” the two bat ponies replied, giving a brief salute before heading off to park the carriage with the other fancy carriages and then…well, she wasn’t sure what the two did with their evenings off.
“So, are you ready, Trixie?” Luna asked as the two lined up at the end of the entrance.
“If anything, I am the one who should be worried about being ready, Princess Luna. After all, it is so rare that I have the honor of hosting you or your sister at one of my parties.”
The two mares turned towards the doors, which had just been opened by a pair of unicorns who were now bowing: one a stallion in a tuxedo and monocle, the other a mare whose hair reminded Luna somewhat of Celestia’s from when they were younger. Luna waited for them to rise before offering a response.
“Yes well, the duties of the night can be very demanding. It is my pleasure to be here, however. as my sister informs me you throw some of the best parties in Canterlot,” Luna said, giving a nice, teeth-showing smile. This was a good first impression, right?
“Did she now?” Fancy Pants replied, and Luna couldn’t help but notice his more formal smile soften and widen just a little. “I must send her my regards for such a compliment, and I hope this evening will be above your expectations as well. May I ask who this is that is accompanying you this evening, Princess Luna?”
“Oh, yes, this is my apprentice, Trixie Lulamoon,” Luna said, standing to the side and motioning towards the mare with a hoof. She watched as Trixie took a step forward and gave a little bow herself.
“A pleasure to meet you, Fancy Pants. I am ever so honored that you invited me to this evening’s soiree,” Trixie said, though Luna couldn’t help but notice she had put on a bit of an accent to try and match Fancy Pants’s own voice.
“Why of course, my dear. I could not in good conscience not invite a pony who the Princesses themselves deemed so important. Speaking of important ponies, I don’t believe the two of you have had the chance to meet one of the most important ponies in my own life,” he said, stepping aside to allow the pink-haired mare to speak.
“Fleur de Lis, your Majesty,” she said, bowing once again.
“A pleasure, Miss Fleur. I did not realize that you were married, Fancy Pants,” Luna said. She was surprised when the two unicorn’s eyes widened and quickly looked away from each other. Fancy Pants in particular seemed to be particularly put off.
“Yes, well, it is a common mistake to be sure, your highness, but Miss Fleur and I are not exactly married,” he replied.
“O-oh my, I’m so sorry, I had simply assumed based on how you just talked about her that was the case,” Luna stammered out, her own face joining the two in blushing.
“It is quite alright, your highness. As he said, it is a common mistake many ponies make,” Fleur said. “Though, it is one that would be quite easy to fix, too,” she added, though she was looking away and mumbling as if she was trying to hide it, but poorly.
“A-anyway, why don’t we all head inside and enjoy the party,” Fancy Pants said, obviously wanting to change the subject as quickly as possible.
“Yes, of course. Just, lead the way,” Luna said, putting on a forced smile. She let the two hosts get a bit of a distance, watching as they began to silently bicker with one another, before leaning over towards Trixie and whispering, “How did that go?” as they walked along.
Trixie waved a hoof back and forth.
“It went…okay. Good start, but apparently marriage is a no-go topic for those two. But don’t worry, you’re doing great” Trixie whispered back.
Luna wished she had her apprentice’s confidence, but the night was just getting started, and there were plenty of other conversations to be had. She just hoped that they would go a lot better than that one had.