Newly single, Chrysalis decided it was a good time to go and dispose of the food she'd eaten so far. There was a sizable queue to the restrooms, so she opted for the garden.
It was only after plunging a hoof into her throat that the retching royal noticed a pair of puffy eyes boring into her, unable to meet their shocked gaze before her stomach's contents splattered wetly on the grass.
"You--" Rarity sniffed, "--you really are impossible, you know that? I came here to berate you for arresting my friend, and this is what I find. Why couldn't you have simply been a jerk?"
Stuck between a rock and a hurled place, Chrysalis wiped her mouth. "Sorry to disappoint."
"But your affliction...as awful as it is, it doesn't give you the right to take out your frustrations on my friends!"
"I suppose not."
"So relea--"
"Would you mothernatures be quiet!?" interrupted a shout from the bushes, causing a flock of birds to take off. Rarity's face had gone from red back to pale, and even Chrysalis was startled.
A frazzle-maned pegasus poked her head out from behind the decorative hedge, her eyes taking a moment to focus on them. "Rarity?!" she exclaimed, quickly approaching.
Chrysalis looked to Rarity. "Another one of your friends?"
"Why, yes," affirmed Rarity. "Prince Blueblood, Fluttershy. Fluttershy, Prince Blueblood. I wish I could say this was the least pleasant introduction I've made this evening."
"Don't worry, I won't arrest her too."
Fluttershy placed a hoof over Rarity's back. "What happened?"
"Dash started a fight and got arrested by my date," answered Rarity, pointing to Chrysalis.
"Oh, dear. Just like flight camp. Is she alright?"
"Applejack's gone to check up on her, I've got enough to deal with over here," repeating her gesture.
"Didn't your mother tell you it's rude to point?" asked Chrysalis.
"Didn't your mother tell you it's rude to...imprison innocent ponies?"
That got a chuckle out of Chrysalis. "No, I suppose some things were glossed over."
"So you'll let her go?"
Chrysalis looked at Rarity, then at Fluttershy, eyes settling on her wings. "Very well. So long as she stays out of trouble, she can enjoy the rest of the Gala free as a bird."
"Good!" Rarity turned to Fluttershy. "Say, what happened to you?"
"Um, I...tripped?" she answered. "...Repeatedly?" she added, seeing her friend's eyes tracing the vivid green streaks that now covered her dress.
"It's brilliant!" declared Rarity. "So full of life, and," pausing to sniff the fabric, "esters!"
"Uh...I think I'll go find Rainbow."
"One more thing," said Chrysalis, once Fluttershy had gotten out of earshot, "tell nobody of what you saw me doing here."
"Heavens, I wouldn't dream of airing out somepony's dirty laundry."
"That makes one of us," thought Chrysalis.
==========
"I believe you, I really do," said Applejack. "Trouble is, these fellas don't."
One of the guards spoke up. "Prince Blueblood has ordered her imprisonment. You are welcome to submit an appeal if you disagree with his ruling."
"Great, so I can be out of here just in time for next year's Gala," snarked Rainbow Dash.
"Look, Rarity's working on it."
"Oh, I'm sure he'll be all ears after a night with her, but I'll still spend it here!"
"Come on, I'm sure she's trying her best."
"Well it's not quite the--"
Dash was cut off by a guard trotting in. "Message from the prince--he's ordered her immediate release."
Applejack couldn't help but smile. "You were saying?"