Chapter 26: Gala Plans
The slow rhythm of traditional waltz music played in my ears, moving in near-perfect time with the beat that it created, smoothly moving Rarity across the space that she had created in the middle of the room. I held her as gently as I could, allowing myself to be relaxed, no matter how much I wanted to tense up from how nervous I felt about making a mistake. This was the last dancing lesson that we could fit in before the Grand Galloping Gala the following evening and I wanted to be sure that I would be ready to offer Twilight the chance to dance with me, if I was able to pluck up the nerve to ask.
I gave her one last spin as the music reached its end, bowing to her once it was finished and she returning the gesture with a curtsey. Calming myself as best I could, I looked up to see her smiling radiantly and found myself returning it.
“Dusk, that was perfect.” she declared proudly. “I don’t think that there’s anything else that I can teach you.”
“So… I’m ready?” I dared to ask.
“You are ready.” she confirmed. “Once you dance at the Gala with Twilight, I guarantee that she’ll see just how wonderful you can really be, if she hasn’t already.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I mumbled modestly. “And thank you for taking the time out to teach me, even if it was a pain.”
“Think nothing of it. I shall simply be happy once you sweep Twilight off her hooves, as I have no doubt you will.” She removed the gramophone and put it away. “Are you looking forward to the Gala?”
“Very much so.” I replied. “I’ve never been, but at least it’s at home… well, my home at any rate. It’ll be great to spend the evening with you all.”
“Ah, yes.” She looked a little unsure. “Well, that’s an issue, you see.”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, you already know how I intend to spend a romantic evening with Prince Blueblood, but the others all have… plans of their own for the Gala.”
I was starting to feel a little apprehensive now. “I don’t understand. What do you mean ‘plans’?”
“Well…” Rarity shifted a little on her feet. “You must understand, Dusk. All of us have dreamed of one day attending the Gala. As such, we all have our own special plans or hopes to fulfill at the Gala, plans that may take up… most of the evening.”
“Oh… Okay, I, uh… I understand.” I stammered, feeling a little downcast at this news.
“Dusk, are you all right?” she asked, concerned.
“I, uh… I don’t know.” I picked up my hat from the hat stand. “I need to think about this. I’ll, uh… see you later.”
“I see.” She looked like she was going to try and stop me from leaving, but something told me that she understood how I was feeling. “Well… take care, darling.”
“You too, cuz.” I said quietly, leaving the Carousel Boutique and stepping back outside.
Even though the girls were the best friends I could have asked for, I still felt like the odd one out at times, even if I did share the same special connection. I was a Fire Dragon, I wasn’t one of the Elements of Harmony, and now there was this. I myself had never thought much of the Gala. It was a big social event that there was no way I’d be able to fit in with, so why would I? As such, I didn’t have any kind of special plan like the rest of them might have. It made me feel left out, like I was missing the point of it…
Before I could think further on this, I decided it would be better to hear them from the girls and guys themselves, just to be sure. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad as Rarity had said, or so I was hoping. As such, I was now scanning the sky for a tell-tale streak of colors that only Rainbow Dash could leave. I soon found her and Shield, snoozing away on clouds. They were a little annoyed when they were awoken, but lightened up a little when they saw who it was.
“Heya, Dusk!” She offered me a hoof to bump. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted to say hello.” I replied as casually as I could. “Looking forward to tomorrow night?”
“You know it! It’s gonna be awesome!”
“Really? Because I thought… actually, never mind.”
“No, come on. You said it now, you can’t take it back.” she told me. I didn’t want to say what I had thought of, but I didn't think she would mind if that was the case.
“I didn’t think it would be your scene, you know?” I tried to find the best way to word it. “Um… dressing up, if you know what I mean…”
“Eh, I guess not.” she shrugged, not noticing how uncomfortable I was mentioning it. “I might not make a habit of wearing dresses, but just for the Gala, I’m gonna be wearing the coolest dress anypony has ever seen."
“And I will be wearing the coolest tux ever made.” Shield said from the cloud.
“I have no doubt of that.” I agreed. Rainbow looked at me, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“You noticed I'm not much of a girly girl then.” she pointed out casually.
“You could say that, yes.”
“So what are you saying?” she asked aggressively. “That I should be a girly girl, huh? Doing all hair and make-up?”
“What? No, no! Of course not…” I was taken aback at this, afraid I’d said something wrong.
“Then what are you saying, huh?” she demanded, poking me in the chest. “Come on, spit it out!”
“I was just, er… just saying that, um… you’re not much of a, um… a girly girl, as you say. Not that that’s a bad thing.” I said quickly. "I mean, it’s what makes you who you are and I’m not sexist or anything of the sort I, uh…”
Then she laughed and rapped me on the arm. “Chill out, Dusk! I’m just messing with you. I didn’t mean it.”
“Oh, right…” I rubbed the back of my head, feeling a little foolish. “Sorry, still getting used to that.”
“Yeah, you always end up stammering like that when you’re nervous.” She flew and looked at me upside down. “You’re pretty sensitive for a guy.”
“And you're rather, um… tough for a girl.” I countered unsurely.
“I know, right?” She laughed again and gave me another rap on the leg, which I winced from. “Maybe I should try and toughen you up a bit.”
“Perhaps…” I cleared my throat, returning to what I wanted to ask her. “So, will you and Shield be busy during the night of the Gala?”
“Are you kidding? We’re gonna be showing our skills off to the Wonderbolts!” Shield told me. “They perform at the Gala every year and this is gonna be the best chance for us to show off what we can do.”
“Ah… I see…” Shield didn’t notice what I’d said and carried on.
“Just you wait and see, Dusk. We’re gonna show ‘em what we’re really all about.” Shield said, picturing what would happen at the Gala. “Rainbow, with the Buccaneer Blaze and the Sonic Rainboom, and me, with the Cloud Slingshot Mayhem and Triple Tiger Sashay! They’re gonna be blown away and we’ll be one step closer to joining them. Can you picture it? Us, in the Wonderbolts…”
“I can see it already.” I agreed absently, not really listening anymore. "Anyway, um…sorry to cut this short but I… need to be somewhere.”
He gave a pout at this. “Aw, you sure? We were just gonna show you what we had planned for the Gala.”
“Um… surprise me.” I did my best to smile and turned to go. “Have a nice nap, you two.”
“Will do. See ya!” Shield said as Rainbow flew back up to her cloud and they both set their heads down to sleep, me walking back down the road.
Despite the blow that the coolest of my friends would be busy on the night of the Gala, in a way, I supposed that I’d known that all along. The Wonderbolts did perform at the Gala, so Rainbow and Shield would be fools to miss out an opportunity to show off their skills to them once more. I wondered what it actually took to join the Wonderbolts. If I were Spitfire, I would have taken on Rainbow the instant after she performed the Sonic Rainboom along with Shield with the Triple Tiger Sashay. But, for whatever reason, she’d waited. I shrugged, putting the thought aside. The workings of the elite flyers didn't really matter right now.
Caught up in my meanderings, I didn't notice as I collided with something bright pink that suddenly jumped out of a bush.
“Oops! Sorry, Dusky!”
“It’s all right, Pinkie.” I assured her as she helped me up. “I was miles away, that’s all.”
“No, you weren’t. You’re standing right here.” she corrected brightly.
“No, I mean I was…” I let it go, knowing she was just being Pinkie. “Never mind.” I looked over her to see that her fur was tangled with leaves and bits of twig. “What have you been up to?”
“I’ve literally been up! I wanted to see if traveling through the trees and bushes around town was any easier than taking the paths, you know, mix things up a little.”
“I…see. And was it?”
“Mm… no, not really. Going on a path might be more boring, but I think it’s a lot cleaner than traveling by tree.” Pinkie said as she knocked the side of her head, leaves falling out of her left ear. “So what are you doing?”
Disregarding all that she had just said, I returned to reality. “Nothing much, just wandering.”
“I do that too when I’m bored. One time, I wandered so far, I ended up in Trottingham. Didn’t quite understand how that happened, but they do have great fries there, but they call them ‘chips’. What’s up with that?” Pinkie shrugged and beamed at me again. “You looking forward to the Gala?”
“Sort of.” I said noncommittally. “I take it you are?”
“Of course! Why wouldn’t I?” Pinkie said. The next part, she said all of it without pausing for breath. “The Grand Galloping Gala is the biggest, fanciest, swingiest, cakiest, danciest, most funeriffic party in all of Equestria. It’ll be great, especially when I’m there because I love parties, especially the Grand Galloping Gala because it’s just so fun.”
“Well, I can certainly tell you’re going to be having a fun evening.” I noted, unable to suppress a smile.
“I most certainly will. What are you planning for the Gala?”
“Nothing, really. I don’t have anything planned.” I said honestly.
At this, Pinkie gasped dramatically as if I’d just suddenly said all parties had been declared illegal by royal command. “But how can that be? You’ve gotta have a special plan for the Gala, you just gotta!” Pinkie said.
“Um… why?” I asked unsurely.
“We all have special plans for the Gala, Dusk! It’s what they expect!” Pinkie said.
“Who? Our friends?”
“Yeah!” Pinkie said. “And you’re the one who’s prepared for everything.”
“Yeah, sorry, Pinkie.” I then began to edge away before things get a little out of hand. “I’m going to go and see Fluttershy and Leon now.”
“That’s nice of you.” Pinkie said happily. “Have a smiletastic day, Dusk! And tell me when you have a plan.” Pinkie tapped her face knowingly and bounced off in the opposite direction.
I looked unsurely back into the sky again, then back at Pinkie, and finally shrugged. She was just being herself, as usual. As I set off for Fluttershy’s cottage, I processed this new information. Should I have a plan for the Gala like the rest of them supposedly did or was that just Pinkie in one of those odd moods? I supposed it might make me feel less left out but… what could I do at the Gala that I couldn’t do anywhere else? What would make my evening special? Mentally noting to think about those details later, I continued onwards down the road.
So Rainbow, Shield, and Pinkie would be busy on the night, but I was fairly sure my emotional equal would be free. She was just as tentative about social events as I was, especially with a big group of strange ponies. Maybe Fluttershy and Leon would be free for the Gala as I met them at the cottage and they invited me into Fluttershy’s garden for some tea. At first, the conversation turned to my new pet.
“Oh, she’s doing wonderfully.” I told her happily. “She’s really made a difference in my home.”
“I’m glad she is. The poor thing was so nervous and scared when I first found her, I didn’t think she’d be a pet or friends with anypony.”
“Remind you of somepony?” I asked knowingly. “Maybe that was why I was drawn to her. We are quite alike.”
“You got that right.” Leon said. “You were basically the same when you met me and the boys.”
“Thanks for the reminder, Leon.” I said, sarcastically.
“Yes, I noticed.” She sipped her tea and smiled at me. “I’m sure you’re doing a wonderful job with her.”
“I try my best.” I shrugged, wanting to return to the topic I wished to discuss. “So… the Gala tomorrow night?”
“Oh, yes. It’s going to be wonderful!” she said, dreamily.
“I didn’t think you’d be so excited by a big social gathering.” I noted curiously.
“Well, it’s not so much the dance itself, but the gardens that surround it.” she explained. “The beautiful flowers that grow in the garden will all be in bloom only on the night of the Gala and that’s not all. There are all sorts of animals that live in the gardens, all kinds of different critters and creatures for me and Leon to make new friends with.”
“So…you’ll be busy for the Gala too?” I asked, knowing the answer.
“Yes. We’ll be in the gardens all night.” Leon said, he then came close to me and whispered “And this is will be a good way for me to really impress Fluttershy by helping her befriend those critters.”
After Leon went back to his original position, Fluttershy noticed how forlorn I must look and her smile faltered. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you want to do something?”
“No. No, I’m fine…”
“You could join us in the gardens, if you like. You’re interested in animals too.”
“Thanks, but I wouldn’t want to bother you on your big evening.” I declined, remembering what Pinkie had said to me. “Besides I, uh… have my own plans for the Gala.”
“Oh, really? What?” I suddenly realized what had come out of my mouth. Why had I said that? I had no such plans at all!
“I, uh… um… I’d rather not say yet, it’s a, um… a surprise.” I tried to cover it up with a smile, hoping they wouldn’t notice.
“Well, if you say so.” Leon said, making me feel thankful that they didn’t notice and didn’t ask any more questions on the matter.
When I left the cottage a few minutes later, I was thoroughly depressed. Even Fluttershy and Leon had a special plan that they’d been waiting for on the night of the Gala. If they had their unique dream for the Gala, there was no doubt the rest of the girls and guys would too, even Twilight. They’d all be busy with them at the Gala, while I’d be on my own for the whole evening. I’d never be able to ask Twilight to dance with me now, not now she’d be so busy…
I sniffed and wiped away the tear that threatened to trickle down my cheek as I stopped to rest under the shade of a nearby tree overlooking Sweet Apple Acres. Suddenly, I wasn’t looking forward to the Grand Galloping Gala at all. I was now wishing that the night would come along and be over and done with as quickly as possible, just so I wouldn't have to suffer the embarrassment of having nothing to do for long, of being even more of an odd one out…
“You’re lookin’ a little bluer than usual.” Dog looked up to see me, wearing my saddlebags and a tender expression. “You okay?”
I sighed, hoping my voice wasn’t shaking from holding back tears. "Not really, no. You don’t have to concern yourself with me though, you’re probably busy.”
“That may be, but I consider a friend in distress of much greater importance. Ya should know that by now.” He placed himself on the ground next to me. “What’s on your mind, Dusk?”
"It’s, um… It’s silly, it’s not important…”
“I’ll be the judge of that. I ain’t leavin’ till ya tell me what’s eatin’ ya.” he said firmly, in typical Dog fashion.
Knowing he was telling the truth, I looked at him. “Dog… do you have plans for the Gala?”
He seemed surprised at the question but answered regardless. "Well, I’m gonna be helpin’ AJ sell the stock there from the farm. Apples, apple fritter, apple fries, apple pie, ya name it, we’re sellin’ it. Should be able to raise a pretty penny for business here on the farm and do some renovations with it. Least, that’s what both me and AJ are hopin’.” He tilted his head sideways. “Why do ya ask?”
“It’s just… well… you all have special plans for the Gala, hopes or dreams to fulfill. And I…” I bowed my head in shame. “I have nothing.”
“Nothin’? Nothin’ for what?” he asked.
“I mean no special plan for the Gala, no secret wishes or childhood dreams to finally live, not like you. I never thought much of the Gala, just as another big social event that I would have no chance of being invited to or enjoying myself at. Now that I’m actually going and I hear about what all of you are hoping to do… I just feel like I’m missing out on something when I shouldn’t be.” I broke eye contact with him, knowing how pathetic I must sound.
“Dusk… I understand why you’re feelin’ like this.” His voice was still gentle and kind. “But I think the fact that ya have no plan for the Gala makes ya just as valid ta come as the rest of us.”
I looked back into his kind, honest face. “Really?”
“Sure, 'cause that means ya can just make it up as ya go. Ya know, get in there, talk to some new ponies, make some new friends, and just have yourself a good time like that. You’re a very different pony from when ya first thought about the Gala, I think. Sure different from the one I met years ago.”
“In a way… yes, I suppose I am.” I agreed, realizing what he was getting at.
“So ya can get in there and show 'em just how different ya really are and just enjoy yourself. Besides,” he added, “we may not be busy all night with what we have planned for the evenin’.”
"Is…that so?" I asked, my spirits rising a little more.
"Ee-yup! We may get some time to spend together durin’ the Gala. Ya never know, we’ll just have to wait and see.” He saw the smile that was growing on my face. “Feelin’ better now, I see.”
“Much better, thank you, Dog.” Giving him my warmest smile and a tip of my trilby, I turned to leave. “If you would excuse me, there’s something I need to do.”
“Sure thing. I gotta get this stuff to the farm anyway. Glad I could help, Dusk!” he called as I galloped off towards the library, my hopes renewed.
This latest news was a great source of comfort for me. Not only did I not feel as bad about the upcoming Gala, but I was also relieved at the discovery that the girls and guys might not be kept busy all night by their own plans, specifically one of the girls. I thought it would be best to ask her, right now, just so that I at least had something to hope for. It would be easier said than done as my stomach was doing backflips and every instinct that I had become accustomed to was screaming at me to stop. Doing my best to ignore them and remember all that Rarity had taught me, I pressed on towards my workplace.
Still smiling, but feeling butterflies begin to flap frantically in his digestive system, I slowed down when I reached the library, caught my breath, and composed myself, entering through the door. They weren’t in the tree itself, but I saw both Twilight and Spike at the top of a nearby hill. Taking a few deep breaths, I went out to meet them, Spike rocking back and forth on his feet while Twilight had her head in a book, an apple standing before her.
Knowing she was busy and secretly looking for an excuse to postpone the moment of truth for now, I watched silently. Twilight soon put aside the book and Spike suddenly watched alertly. She shut her eyes in concentration, her horn aglow with purple magic, an aura surrounding the apple. It suddenly swelled in size as if pumped full of helium, growing a set of wooden wheels and glass windows, as well as a set at the front for a driver to sit and a harness for ponies to attach themselves. I marveled at the apple carriage for about five seconds until it reverted back to its original state.
“Wow! Nice work, Twilight!” Spike praised. “This’ll be perfect for the Gala.”
“I hope so. I just need to try and do the other spell I’m working on, but I think we’ll be ready in time for the Gala. Let’s take a break for…” She stopped and beamed when she saw me. “Oh, hello, Dusk!”
“Huh? Oh, hey, buddy!” Spike said. “How long have you been there?”
“Not long.” I admitted, walking over, trying my best to sound casual. “That was some great magic there. Though I wouldn’t have expected any less.”
“Yeah, pretty awesome, huh?” Spike added as Twilight blushed at the compliment. “I get to be the driver… once Twilight gets the pullers sorted.”
“You’re a dragon of many talents, Spike.” I said. “I’m sure you’ll do a fine job. Looking forward to it?”
“Oh, yeah! I mean,” he added hurriedly. “I’m not into all that girly stuff, if you know what I mean.” he muttered that last sentence in an undertone.
“Don’t worry, I do.” I replied, winking. “But it’ll still be a great evening.”
“Sure, yeah, especially seeing how us Canterlotians will all be back home. Maybe you and me could hang out there, Dusk, see the sights and everything. Do you like donuts?”
“Who doesn’t?” I said.
“Great!” he said brightly. “ʹCause you’re gonna love this donut shop me and Twilight used to go to. And you can show us where you used to hang out.”
“I didn’t frequent many places apart from the library or my house in Canterlot. Even with the guys, there weren’t many places where we would usually hang out longer than at my house.” I admitted. “But it could still be fun, I suppose.”
“Yeah, it will be.” He gave me a fist bump as Twilight came over. “So what brings you here?”
I felt the nerves come back once more, knowing the time was close. “Actually, I came to ask Twilight something.”
“Really? What about? Is there something wrong?” she asked out of concern for me. I was touched by this and echoed her blush.
“Nothing, don’t worry. But… can I talk to you? In private?” I added pointedly to Spike.
“Huh? Oh, right, yeah, of course.” he nodded, walking back down the hill, leaving the two of us alone. As he did, he gave me his own wink and knowing smile, setting off back for the library.
Now I was alone with her, I didn't really know how to begin. I opened my mouth a few times to start speaking, but shut it again when I thought about it a bit more. Twilight must have noticed my discomfort and spoke up instead.
“Are you sure everything’s okay, Dusk? You can talk to me, you know that.”
“I, um… already have.” I said cryptically. “Anyway, um… listen, I was wondering… do you have any plans for the, um… for the Gala?"
“Oh.” She seemed a little disappointed, but she covered it up quickly. “Yes, I intend to spend the evening talking to Princess Celestia. It’s been so long since I’ve had a proper talk with her that this will be a great opportunity to catch up on everything. I’m really looking forward to it. What about you? What do you have planned?”
“Nothing really, I’m just going to go along and see what happens.” I said proudly.
“Good for you. I hope that works out well. I couldn’t imagine going along without some kind of plan for the evening, but I suppose that would work for you.”
“I hope it does.” Summing up all of my courage, I returned to the issue. “Anyway, the reason I asked was… well… I was wondering if, um… if you weren't too busy, that, um… you might… well…”
“Yes?” she prompted gently, not losing her patience with my nervous stammering.
“Um… if you would… like to have a… a dance… with me?” I said quietly. I diverted my gaze to the ground, not daring to look at her face.
“You…you want to dance with me?” she repeated. She sounded just as surprised about this, but I couldn’t tell if she was angry or happy.
“Well, um… I mean, it’s just I've been taking lessons… you know, for the Gala, because it’s a dance and I…I don’t know how to dance so… I was taught and, um… just thought you might…” I trailed off and sighed, thinking that I was just embarrassing myself. “You know what? Never mind. It was a stupid idea anyway. I just thought… Never mind.” I was about to leave, staring at the ground when…
“Wait!” I looked back, daring to look at her face. She was smiling. “I’d like that.”
“P-p-p-pardon?” I asked, hardly daring to believe it.
“Provided I’m not too busy doing the evening then…” She paused, took an intake of breath, and beamed at me. “Then yes, I would lo—I mean very much like to dance with you, Dusk.”
“Y-y-you would?”
“Yes, I would. I’m sure you’re a great dancer.” she added warmly, her own cheeks turning red. “I don’t know much about how to dance myself but…I suppose I could just look at it in a book, right?”
“I’m sure you could.” I said, grinning all the while. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then. Good luck with that spell and, um…thank you for accepting my offer.”
“I’ll do my best and thank you for offering.” she said, smiling widely herself. “See you tomorrow evening!”
I absently returned the farewell as I headed back down the hill, trying my best not to leap and whoop for joy until I was out of sight. Once I did, I then leaped, flew into the air, and whooped out loud. She’d said yes! She’d actually said yes! Now, I was definitely looking forward to the Grand Galloping Gala just as much as everypony else.