Sassaflash was impressed with all of the decorations and the ponies at the Gala. No pony had started actually enjoying the party yet, they were just talking with each other on the edge of the floor, but Sassaflash knew once things got truly started the Gala would live up to its reputation.
She was considering going to the buffet for a few hors d'oeuvres, when suddenly Pinkie Pie burst into the room. She was clearly excited to be here as she began singing joyfully and bounced across the room with her beautiful dress. Typically such antics were met with more than just a few smiles in Ponyville, but tonight Sassaflash noticed that she and Pinkie were the only ones smiling. Soon Pinkie Pie began to notice too that she was the only one pleased with her actions and her volume quickly dropped.
“...it's all I've ever... dreamed?”
The air in the ballroom suddenly became very awkward very quickly and Sassaflash could see Pinkie slipping away to a corner of the room. Uncertain what to do, Sassaflash began looking around. The air was uncomfortable and she wanted to just quietly slip outside, but Pinkie Pie looked lost and confused over why the Gala ponies looked at her like they did.
Sassaflash took a deep breath and began working her way past the haughty Gala ponies to where Pinkie Pie was sitting. If there was one thing that her cousin had taught her on their adventures, it was that you could not just leave somepony in trouble behind.
“Pinkie?”
Pinkie Pie looked up from the table where she was sitting.
“Sassaflash? You're here at the Gala too?”
Pinkie Pie perked up at the idea of a fellow friend from Ponyville at the Gala, but the unmoving atmosphere kept her from getting too excited.
“Are you having a good time? I was, but this place is stuffy and kinda boring. When does the real party get started?”
Sassaflash looked around at all of the ponies milling about and discussing business and other important matters. It seemed as if no pony was actually here for the Gala itself.
“I don't know. But the Gala just started, maybe they're waiting for somepony in particular to get things going first. I'm sure it will pick up soon. I was thinking about going for a walk in the gardens while I wait, wanna come?”
Pinkie smiled at the idea that the only thing wrong was that she was too early. She and all her friends had been insistent that they not miss a minute of the Gala. It was only natural that they would get there before things had actually started.
“No thanks. I'm gonna be right here when this party gets started!”
Sassaflash breathed a sigh of relief to see Pinkie Pie back to normal. It felt exceptionally out of place for anypony to be cheering up Pinkie Pie.
“Well, okay then. I'll see you later, I'm sure.”
“If you see Fluttershy in the garden, be sure to say hi!”
Pinkie Pie waved as Sassaflash left for the gardens to escape the stuffy feel of the ballroom. Outside, Sassaflash found one of the courtyards already filling with ponies. While it wasn't the gardens she was looking for, it at least had a different atmosphere from the ballroom.