//------------------------------// // Planning For Cotillion // Story: Descendants of the Isle 2: Back Among The Hidden // by Melody Song //------------------------------// “Hey, Pharynx?” Thorax raced up to his brother. “Y-You’re taking Tempest to Cotillion, right?” “Well, duh.” Pharynx rolled his eyes. “I mean, she is my girlfriend.” “Y-Yeah, I know, I just…” Thorax sighed “What’s the best way to ask someone to go with you?” “Alright, listen.” Pharynx said as Gallus, Tempest, and Luna trotted up the stairs nearby to join them, Gallus holding Monarch. “All you gotta do… is look like me.” “Oh ha-ha. Very funny Pharynx, this is serious!” Thorax protested “What’s serious?” Luna asked, as Pharynx joined Tempest and nuzzled her. “Baby bro here wants to ask someone to the Cotillion.” Pharynx said Luna gasped. “Really?! Who is it?!” Thorax gulped and blushed. “W-Well, it’s-” “Gallus!” Celestia strode up, Ember and Snowdrop behind her. “Oh, hey everyone.” she shared a quick hug with Luna. It figured the two cousins would both be helping out. “Hey.” they all greeted Thorax, now blushing very hard, stepped closer to the blue dragonness in the group. “H-Hey Ember…” “Oh, hey.” Ember smiled at him. “I was, uh, wondering… uh… if you liked… the carrot cake last night.” he finished lamely. Ember blinked. “I had the gem encrusted cupcakes.” “O-Oh… right…” Thorax’s ears drooped and he backed up, hiding behind his brother. “Smooth.” Pharynx teased, and Thorax sighed. “Oh, while I have you all.” Luna spoke up. “I have a free space for a fitting at three.” “I’ll go, I’m free then.” Ember said “Alright, I’ll see you then.” Luna said “Yeah, alright. Might as well just get it over with.” Ember said, stretching slightly. Thorax shuddered “Geez you’ve got it bad…” Pharynx murmured, and Thorax blushed. “Um, Gallus?” Celestia stepped forward, holding a clipboard in her magic. “I hate to keep bugging you but the decorating committee needs more answers.” “Oh, sure. But, I actually put Tempest in charge of decorations so…” “Oh, well, then Tempest then.” Celestia looked towards her with a smile. “Alright… what do you have so far?” Tempest asked “Well… chair swags, entry banner, fae lights, napkin design, and table bunting. But the party favours still haven’t been picked yet.” Tempest blinked. “Uh, well, honestly, whatever you think is probably-” “We could do chains or key charms or pen toppers… I mean, I kind of love these pen toppers but we could do… all… three… Temp?” Tempest had screwed her eyes shut and was wincing. Pharynx trotted over and laid a hoof on her back. Her eyes flashed electric blue but she shook it off. “You know… I’m with you on this. Pen toppers.” she said, smiling slightly. “Well, uh, Gallus, what do you think?” Celestia asked “Pen toppers are fine.” Gallus replied. “Okay, you won’t regret it!” Celestia checked something off. “Heh, I can hardly wait to see what the wedding’s going to be like.” Snowdrop said “Heh, yeah-wait, what?” Gallus asked, startled “Well, the Royal Cotillion is like getting engaged to be engaged to be engaged.” Celestia said “I knew it!” Luna cried “Yes! Gilda owes me fifty bits!” Pharynx pumped his hoof. “Heh, everyone knows it around here.” Ember explained, putting a hand on her hip. “Well, I didn’t…” Gallus ran a claw through his feathers. “Wow…” “Yeah wow.” Tempest muttered “How come no one told you that? Are our entire lives just planned out in front of u-” “Hey Gal.” Sandbar trotted up, nuzzling him. “Hey Sandbar.” Ember, Celestia, Snowdrop, and Luna greeted “Oh, Sandbar, while you’re here, a word?” Celestia grabbed him with her magic and dragged him a little bit away from the others. “What is it?” “They’re almost finished with the surprise.” Celestia squealed softly Celestia pulled out her tablet and showed him. An image of a stained glass window with Sandbar kneeling and holding out a hoof for Gallus. Gallus himself was hovering above him, reaching out a claw to take Sandbar’s hoof. “What do you think?” Celestia beamed “It’s perfect. But, uh, his eyes should be lighter blue.” Sandbar whispered “Okay then.” Celestia smiled and reached into her bag. Sandbar looked over at Gallus. “So, are you…?” “I have class.” Gallus explained. “See you later Sandy.” “See you!” he called as the villain creatures headed off, Ember and Snowdrop following. “Sandbar, which color blue is it?” Celestia asked, holding up a few samples in her magic. Sandbar looked at them each carefully, before plucking one out of Celestia’s aura. It was a bright sky blue, with small gold flecks in it. Sandbar smiled. “This one.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “What about peacock feathers?” Blueblood asked “Yeah, I bet ya no one’s gonna have those at Cotillion.” “Blueblood.” Luna said They were in Luna and Tempest’s room, and Blueblood was being fitted for an outfit for Cotillion. He wore his sports jersey while he posed. Luna and Snowdrop were sitting at a table, smirking knowingly. Upon hearing Luna say his name, Blueblood looked over. “Yes?” Luna stood and moved over to him. “When I look at you, all I can see is… ‘King’.” “Ohh…” “Yes, and fake fur says it all.” “Loud and clear.” Snowdrop murmured, adjusting the glasses that let her see. Pharynx suddenly barged into the room. “Blueblood! Amphitheater in five, move!” he said, before leaving. Blueblood huffed as he trotted after him. “I don’t see why Coach made him captain instead of me. I’m obviously better.” Luna and Snowdrop ignored his grumblings, instead going over notes on the price of his outfit. “King Blueblood, though… I do rather like that.” Blueblood turned to them. “You know who else would?” “Hm?” Luna hummed disinteredly. “Yona.” Snowdrop and Luna looked at each other, then Luna spoke. “I think you’re right. She would.” “Blueblood! Let’s go!” Pharynx shouted from the hall. “I’m coming!” he trotted out the door. Snowdrop and Luna both chuckled. “Not a lot of there there.” they said together. Luna began picking up the fabric she’d scattered around the room. “Someone’s obviously having some trouble dealing with his breakup with Yona…” she commented “Yeah.” Snowdrop looked down at the paper. “Oh wow… Lulu, come here.” “What is it?” “Well, I’ve been doing the numbers and…” “Yeah?” “Well, after we collect from all the girl’s gowns and Blueblood’s cape… minus Gallus’ because he’s a friend-and the guest of honor… we have…” Luna stared at the figure on Snowdrop’s paper. Snowdrop beamed. “Woah… no wonder creatures work. What am I gonna do with all this money?” “Well, I was thinking… in the next few years, you’d probably have enough to buy that castle you always wanted.” Snowdrop smiled softly. “That way, you won’t need a prince.” “You’re right. I don’t need one.” Luna booped Snowdrop’s nose. “I already have you.” Snowdrop blushed heavily and hugged her. She hugged back.