Tempest curtsied as she met Princess Twilight at the top of the stairs leading into the palace ballroom, clad in a pale golden dress and wearing a simple matching tiara that capped her broken horn, a topaz gem sparkling beneath it on the unicorn’s forehead.
“Well, you certainly didn’t take half measures with your uniform tonight,” Twilight smiled warmly. “Does that mean you actually brought along a date as well?”
“‘Date’ may be a strong word,” Tempest admitted. “But I did bring company. I need a pony to watch the side of you that I’m not on, after all.”
Twilight rolled her eyes and chuckled, turning to start down the stairs.
“Tempest, I sincerely doubt that anything will happen. And if it does,” she added, looking down at her unicorn friend, “I want you to focus on protecting the other ponies here, not me. So, who did you bring along?”
“I actually believe you’ve met.” Tempest followed on Twilight’s right side, eyes scanning the gathered crowd. “I invited a new friend from Hope Hollow to come along.”
“Well, I’m glad that you’re meeting new ponies.” Twilight smiled, nodding to Fancy Pants and Fleur as she passed them.
“With a little help from ones she’s already met,” Rarity tittered as she came up to give Twilight a hug. “I’m glad that you and Kerfuffle got on so well!”
“Ya could have told her why ya were referring her to me, ya know.” Kerfuffle smiled as she followed Rarity over, dressed in a rose gold gown that offset the light tones of Tempest’s outfit.
“Kerfuffle! So you’re Tempest’s date?” Princess Twilight leaned forward, giving the pegasus a friendly hug when she flew up to just a bit beneath eye level with the growing alicorn.
“If ya can convince her to call it that,” Kerfuffle teased. “Fizzy’s still figuring things out. But for tonight, I’m yer left flank.”
“Of course,” Twilight sighed, rolling her eyes indulgently as Kerfuffle took up position on Twilights side. “Just remember that the ambassadors are generally friends of mine, and not being aggressive if they get within arm’s length?”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Princess,” Kerfuffle giggled. “Just try to enjoy yourself, and we’ll stay out of yer way.”