//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: All Aboard the Gala Express // Story: A Night at the Gala // by Locomotion //------------------------------// The next few months were fairly pleasant for the most part, but by no means uneventful. Not long after Hornette and Locomotion had had their new Gala attire made up for them, Steamer and the Cutie Mark Crusaders took the young changeling for a week away in Manehattan while her room was refurbished under Locomotion's supervision. The decoration work had been a bit of a fiasco, but they just about managed to finish it before Hornette returned home. Then there was Locomotion's 17th birthday the following month. In the aftermath, he wrote to Thorax asking when Hornette's was; and when he replied that he had only just found her birth certificate among the remains of the old main hive, now being rebuilt as the City of Moskitow, the red-furred railway enthusiast began planning a surprise party to make up for all the birthdays she had missed. Even though it led to a misunderstanding on Hornette's part shortly before the big day, it was still worth it to see the look of joy on her face! There were of course a few other little adventures here and there, not to mention Hornette receiving lessons from another resident changeling on how to change her form, as well as Locomotion going back to working trains on the main line. Otherwise, things carried on largely as normal, and the two teenagers soon forgot all about the Grand Galloping Gala. But come the middle of July, their worries came flooding back with a vengeance as they prepared themselves for the event. Since the Friendship Council and their significant others would also be attending, Steamer had generously chartered a special train for them; but even that did little to soothe Hornette's anxiety. She stood on the platform at Ponyville Central Station, fidgeting as she watched the yard shunter arrange their coaches. “Nervous, Hornette?” ventured Applejack softly. Despite the farm pony's gentle approach, Hornette was still a little startled. “Very,” she affirmed sheepishly. “I...I don't think I can do this.” “Hey,” cajoled Rainbow Dash, “don't sweat it, Hornette. You've put up with sixteen years of being bullied left, right and centre by other changelings – a bunch of snobbish ponies should be water off a duck's back for you.” “More like a stab in a changeling's back,” countered Spike gravely. Pleased though he was for Locomotion and Hornette being invited to the Gala, he couldn't help worrying for Hornette in particular. “Aren't you forgetting, Dash, how sensitive she is?” “So what? At least she's got Loco backing her up.” But Applejack was on Spike's side. “Ah wouldn't bank on it, Dash. Loco may be a one-time movie star, but that don't mean he's gonna fit in as well as, say, Rarity or Twilight,” she observed. “Ah got a hunch they're both gonna be outta their depth with this Gala.” She smiled apologetically as Hornette cringed with dread. “Where is Loco, anyway?” wondered Caramel. “He'll miss the train if he doesn't hurry up.” “He ain't gonna miss no train, darlin'!” laughed Applejack. “He's actin' as firepony fo' the first leg of our journey, remember?” “Oh...” Caramel gave an embarrassed chuckle of his own. “I only wish he was with me right now,” murmured Hornette. “Don't y'all worry none, Hornette,” soothed Applejack. “We'll be here fo' y'all if'n ya need reassurance, won't we, Big Mac?” “Eeyup.” Evidently, Big Macintosh wasn't exactly enjoying himself either. His usual yoke had been left behind, and Hornette could see how awkward and exposed he felt without it. Sensing her husband's discomfort, Fluttershy sidled up to the red-furred stallion and gave him a reassuring nuzzle, earning a fond smile of appreciation in return. After what felt like an age, the shunting engine finished assembling the train and the party were allowed to board. Just as they were doing so, Apple Bloom happened to look along the platform, and could only smile when she saw the engine buffering up in front. “Well,” she remarked with a chuckle, “don't that beat all?!” “What's up?” asked Hornette. “Seems we've got one of Loco's favourite engines on our train.” Hornette's eyes lit up with intrigue. “What, a Claud Hoofington?” “Yeah, and not just any Claud Hoofington,” put in Scootaloo knowingly. “That's the No. 1900 'Claud Hoofington' herself! Loco must be over the moon to be firing her right now.” For a fleeting moment, a hearty smile registered on Hornette's face as she gazed upon the royal blue engine. “Claud Hoofington” must have been chosen specially for this train; and in the back of her mind, she had a good idea who had requested it, and on whose behalf. Perhaps, she thought hopefully as she stepped aboard, this would make the journey worthwhile for them both. Locomotion, on the other hoof, was having trouble showing any such enthusiasm. Inwardly, he was delighted to have “Claud Hoofington” pulling his train; he had worked with others of her class before, but to be on the original engine herself had been a lifelong ambition of his. Even so, any excitement he felt was greatly overshadowed by the uncertainty of the Gala, and how the other guests would react when they saw him and Hornette entering the ballroom. Having coupled up the coaches, he climbed back into the cab and sat back in his seat with a heavy sigh; “Maybe I should've invited Thorax after all,” he murmured. “Say what now?” As chance would have it, Steamer had been assigned to drive the engine as far as Trottingham, where he and his nephew would hand over to another crew. “I was just saying, Uncle Steamer, maybe I should've let you and Thorax have those spare tickets. Just so we have someone familiar there with us.” “Who says you haven't?” put in Steamer optimistically. “You've invited your favourite sister, remember? Not to mention Twilight, Applejack, Scootaloo, Rumble, Featherweight...” “I know,” interrupted Locomotion unhappily. “It's just...yeah, Thorax is a bachelor, but he's still a better friend to Hornette than most, and...” He sighed again and eyed the scuff marks on his front hoof. “...I mean, just look at me – a lowly, scruffy railway worker with hardly a drop of noble blood in his veins. Even if Hornette doesn't get so much as one sneer from that lot, there's bound to be at least one in my direction.” Steamer smiled kindly and gave Locomotion a gentle pat on the shoulder. “Hey,” he soothed, “keep your chin up. I'm sure it'll all work out fine.” If only, thought Locomotion gloomily. This couldn't possibly work out, even with the best will in the world. How he wished the Gala invitation could've at least waited another year, until changelings became better established in high society... But he couldn't stay anxious for long. Once “Claud Hoofington” was out on the main line, he soon found himself distracted from his woes by the eager puffing and panting of her exhaust, the metallic hum of the rails beneath her wheels, and even the gentle breeze past the cab. Even though he still had to watch the line ahead, pausing only to add more coal to the fire or tend to the water levels, he found it strangely soothing – perhaps it was because he had something to occupy his mind, rather than just sitting back in a carriage and brooding over matters beyond his control. And yet, as a locomotive firepony, he really was partly in control; for as dirty and demanding as the job may be, nopony else had the skill required to get this train safely and punctually to its destination. Passengers and freight alike depended on the likes of him and his uncle, and it was this sense of responsibility which made Locomotion feel proud to be part of Equestrian National Railways. Surely, he told himself quietly, even the high and mighty Canterlot elite had to give him that at least... It was nearly midnight when the special pulled into Trottingham City Station. After handing “Claud Hoofington” to the waiting relief crew, Steamer and Locomotion went to sign off at the sheds. That done, Locomotion left his cap and cravat with Steamer, who promised to return them to his locker as soon as he got home, and both uncle and nephew wished each other a safe journey before parting ways. Hornette and the others had already retired to their compartments, so having boarded the train and taken a nice, relaxing shower, the red-furred teen wearily followed suit. He awoke the following morning with a renewed sense of anticipation and resolve, knowing it wouldn't be long before they stopped to collect his sister and her boyfriend. Shortly after receiving their tickets, Locomotion had written to Firelli asking if she would like to join him and Hornette at the Gala, and was most relieved when she accepted his invitation. “Foalchester Station, next stop! Passengers have ninety minutes to explore the town before final departure for Canterbury West Station, Canterlot, and are reminded to set their watches back two hours.” Hornette gave her stallion a wry smile. “I can never get used to that,” she observed, “leaving one station and arriving at another...about an hour before I set off.” “Well, that's time zones for you,” chuckled Locomotion as he corrected his watch to 8:43am. To him, it still felt like around half past ten. “Ah well – only a few more minutes to go yet.” As the train began to slow down, the two teenagers stood up and made for the entrance vestibule at the far end of the coach, where Sweetie-Belle and Lickety-Split were already waiting to disembark. Locomotion gave them a polite nod, but Sweetie-Belle could see he was still a little irritated with her about the Gala, so she wisely avoided the subject. “Sure will be good to get out and stretch our legs, won't it, Hornette?” she commented, trying to sound casual. “Yeah – and to see Elli again,” agreed Hornette with a twinge of eagerness. She looked up to Firelli Brazen almost as much as she did Locomotion and Twilight, and even a whole week with her didn't seem like enough to the young changeling. “Kinda weird, though,” continued Sweetie-Belle thoughtfully. “I'd have thought we'd be stopping in one of the bigger towns.” “Yeah, well,” explained Locomotion, “Uncle Steamer requested it. We thought it better to stop here and pick Elli and Mistral up directly – save them the expense of booking into a hostel or an inn at, say, Cobham or Lancanter.” He smiled faintly as the station nameboard rolled past their window. “And let's face it,” he added, “this is way more charming than some overcrowded city.” “You're not wrong there,” chuckled Lickety-Split, gazing out at the scene that lay beyond the station building. With a final squeak of its brakes, the train drew gently to a halt, and the four teenagers stepped out onto the platform. Several other members of their party closely followed suit before dispersing to explore, while Locomotion took the opportunity to photograph “Claud Hoofington” before she went to take on coal and water at the shed. That done, he left his camera in his compartment and trotted off to join Hornette, Sweetie-Belle and Lickety-Split for a wander through the town.