Chapter 2: After the Gala
There would have been a spring in the young whelp's step if he hadn't been floating on a white fluffy cloud. A few servants trailed Solaris undetected as they mopped up the occasional rain puddles and pie crumbs.
He licked his gooey sticky hooves. The palace chefs weren't bad but nothing could beat Mrs. Applejack's apple treats. Setting the empty pie pan aside, Solaris reached into the cloud and pulled out a paper bag of apple fritters. He took a bite and smiled. Rainbow Dash had been right, the cloud had kept them fresh and delicious. Solaris finished the rest of the fritter and reached for another.
Solaris had to admit, the Grand Galloping Gala hadn't been as bad as he expected. He had fun. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and the rest of that strangely tight group of mares had fun. Even Discord and Celestia seemed to enjoy the Gala in the end. Solaris beamed at the memory of their smiles as they watched him and Fluttershy chase after the small army of critters that had escaped the garden perimeter. Well, at least his father was smiling. Celestia was more in shock. The three did share a nice laugh at the end, however, and Solaris grinned as the memory of his mother's musical chuckle rung in his ear.
Lost in his reminiscence, the young princeling floated into a wall and found himself in the very ballroom that held the main event. Credit to where it was due, Solaris was impressed by the speed and deligence of the castle's servants; one could have never guessed that just last evening this room had hosted a giant stampede of animals before being flooded by a mixture of tropical fruit punch, carbonated apple juice, and jelly beans. Besides the sizable hole in the wall he had just floated into, there was no sign of the destruction that served as this Gala's highpoint.
In all honesty Solaris was a little disappointed by the lack of evidence. He hoped they would at least keep the hole. Even as he made his childish wish, a group of repair ponies made their way toward the damaged wall.
The colt watched the hard-hatted ponies work, quantifying the destruction and sorting out the costs. It took him a few moments to realize that nopony had brought explosives and so nothing exciting was going to happen. Ignoring the workers' annoyed shouts, Solaris went through the hole one last time.
"Good bye hole," he whispered sadly, touching the jagged edge. "May we see each other again someday soon."
Now what? Solaris wondered as he wandered through the corridor. He reached back into his cloud, producing nothing besides a moist hoof. He tried using his head, only to pull it out of the improv cooler and wipe away the moisture on his face. "Empty," he muttered with a pout. "Drat. Now what?"
The young colt rolled over onto his back and sighed. He could always try raiding the kitchens. Who knows, maybe they were baking a cake or perhaps a few leftovers could be found. Applejack always left a few fritters and pies whenever she visited...oh wait. Solaris wiped the crumbs off his face. Those were already gone.
He could always find his father. Discord always had something to do, whether it was a new game or a new prank to pull. Sometimes the two would even sneak off to Ponyville. That was always fun. The trick was, of course, finding the tricky Draconequus, something Solaris had never been able to accomplish. Every single time the boy would throw his hooves into the air in frustration and turn around to find the self-proclaimed King of Chaos grinning at him.
Maybe he could go see if Aunt Luna was awake and could play a game. Maybe he could try flooding the bathroom again or "reorganize" the library. Or maybe he could try sneaking out and visiting Ponyville. Yeah, that sounded fun. It couldn't be too hard to find. What's the worst thing that could-
Solaris's train of thought derailed as he floated and smushed his face against another the wall. As he dusted himself off, the guards standing on duty considered him with raised brows before returning to their default stoic expressions.
He could always try to make one of those guys laugh. Rainbow Dash swore she managed to do it once but Solaris didn't really believe her. As he reviewed the collection of jokes Pinkie Pie had provided him, guaranteed to make milk spurt out of your nose even when you're not drinking any, the young princeling noticed the line of important looking ponies waiting just outside a pair of regal looking door. The entrance to the Day Court, Solaris realized, where Princess Celestia did...stuff.
What did his mother do during the day? She always seemed busy but with what Solaris didn't know. Sometimes she'd be too tired to even join in the games he and his father played. The curious boy had asked the princess several times before about her work, once when Celestia had begun to doze off in the middle of a bedtime story, but he never received anything more than a sleepy smile, a pat on the head, and the assurance that it wasn't something he had to worry about. He was too young, Celestia had told him, too young to be exposed to the strife and stress of "poly-ticks". Apparently, the word was a bad one as every time Solaris tried to bring the term up around Fluttershy or one of her friends they would immediately change the subject. Well, except for Miss Twilight, but her explanation made the poor boy's head spin like a top.
His father had been less helpful, providing only a joke about whips, rope, wax candles, and octopi and the most confusing punchline ever: the aristocrats. When Celestia attempted to chastise the Draconequus, Discord argued that the jest was far cleaner than the actual topic. His offer for a second explanation in the form of a puppet show had been instantly vetoed the instant he had shown Celestia the puppets.
The most straightforward answer he received was from one of the gardeners: his mother was a princess and so she did princess stuff. But what exactly were princess stuff? He didn't know but with determination found only in the misguided mind of a child, Solaris had settled on finding out. Maybe he could help Celestia finish early, then the two of them could play for the rest of the day. Now he just had to slip inside without anypony noticing, else the surprise would be ruined. If only he had a cardboard box...
*****
"...this is inconceivable! Inconceivable I say!"
Solaris dangled from the ceiling, unnoticed by the princess, her advisers, or the angry yelling nobles. As he tried to free himself, Solaris observed the happenings of the Day Court. He remained largely unimpressed.
"I'm sorry, Sir Vizzineigh, but my decision stands," Celestia said. Solaris paused in his struggling as he heard the hint of fatigue mixed with mild annoyance in the princess's voice. "I will be reviewing the current garden's designs but I will not cage the animals. No pony was hurt and I see no reason to punish innocent creatures. Is there anything else?"
"No, Princess," the Unicorn grumbled. "That is all."
As soon as the noble was out of the room, Celestia let herself sag a bit and sigh. Solaris reach down toward his mother, trying to offer her a comforting hug, as she would to him whenever he was upset. Alas, several feet of air stood between the two and while Solaris was confident that a hug would cheer the princess up as much it would him, the lack of contact between the two rendered the service useless. He returned his attention to the snare, hoping to surprise Celestia with an embrace later, just like his father would.
"Are there any more Gala related issues today?"
One of the scribes, a white Unicorn with a black mane and tail and glasses looked over her notes. "Well, the orchestra will be here later to discuss payment, Lady Upper Crust has a complaint about the beverages and has a few suggestions for next year, Madam Big Wig demands repercussions for damages done to her toupee and would like any pictures of her without it destroyed before they can be published, Sir Gilded would like the chiefs fired immediately, says the food had too much flavor, the Wonderbolts have requested not to make an appearance next year, again, Sir Legal Eagle plans to press charges, again, Lady Posh-"
"Milady," a guard interrupted. "The next petition, Lady Clout Right, is ready."
"Send her in then," Celestia said, quickly recovering her queenly visage. "Lady Clout, how wonderful to see you. I trust you are well."
"If I may be honest, dear Princess," the salmon Unicorn said as she straightened herself from a bow, "I could be better, though I cannot complain seeing how I could be in your shoes."
"In my shoes? I'm afraid I do not understand."
"I am talking about the disaster last evening of course. I cannot even hope to fathom how you are feeling as of now." Clout shook her head. "To act so calm in the face of such embarrassment, you are truly an inspiration."
"Thank you." I think. "I'll manage, of course, like every year."
"Oh, but Princess Celestia, surely you recognize just how horrible this year's Gala was. An utter debacle. I dare say this has been the worst Gala of all time. Again, I cannot even bare to fathom the shame you must be suffering from right now. Why, if you would pardon my morbidity, if it were me I would have died of shame straight then and there, on the spot."
"Really?" Celestia lifted an eyebrow. "I can't say this one has been anymore memorable than the others."
"I am talking about...the prince."
"Discord? Odd, I hadn't heard of any complaints about him beyond his attire, his entrance, his sense of humor..."
"Oh, not him," Clout said quickly, shaking her head. "I meant..." The Unicorn took a deep breath. "...your, ahem, son."
"Oh."
"Yes, the colt, though he takes more after his father than any pony I've had the...experience of seeing," Clout said with a sniff. "I come as a delegate of several other Canterlot nobles who find Prince Solaris a...a poor representation of royalty and of this fine city, unlike Prince Blueblood. Quite frankly, the notion that that...child may one day rule over all of us keeps me up at night."
"What are you trying to say, Clout?"
"Well...dear me, is that a draft?"
"No, I do not believe so," answered Celestia coldly, ignoring the shivers of her advisers and the worried glances from her guards. "Continue."
"My apologies, I suppose I'm just a little sensitive to cooler temperatures. Yes, we feel it best that in order to avoid another catastrophe like last night young Solaris should avoid public events like the Grand Galloping Gala."
Celestia's pale magenta eyes darkened as they narrowed. "Weren't you one of the ponies that demanded, excuse me, requested Solaris's appearance."
"Yes, because he is a prince and it is traditional for the subjects to see who we are to cast our future support behind. As of last night however it is obvious that Solaris is not fit for the title of prince. He shouldn't even be considered part of royalty after such behavior."
Solaris flinched at the sound of shattering marble. He was not the only one.
"I'm sorry," Celestia said, pulling her hoof out of the floor. "Please, do continue."
"Ur, well, ahem, yes, we deem it best that the title of prince be removed from the boy immediate and perhaps given to somepony more deserving. My son, for instance-"
"You'll have to forgive me, I thought I heard you say remove Solaris's title."
"Yes, that is what we believe is best for Canterlot. Now, my son, an admirer of your nephew by the way-"
"That title was bestowed onto him by blood," Princess Celestia interrupted. "He is royalty directly through me. Are you asking me to denounce my own son?"
"Denounce is such an unfortunate word. We prefer repudiate. It is, of course, for the greater reputation of Canterlot. I am sure you, in all your vast wisdom, will understand."
"No."
"No? Well I do have a written explanation detailing our purpose and our reasons." Clout began to present a large scroll.
"I understand perfectly. I have made my decision. As long as Solaris wishes to keep the honor, he is a prince."
"But-"
"The status of the royals is not in the hands of a few elite, Clout. Do not think I have forgotten the objections directed at Princess Twilight Sparkle's ascension and before then the arguments around the position of my sister Princess Luna."
"T-this is completely different! This is the entire reputation of Canterlot at stake," Clout protested. "We can't be represented that...thing!"
"Take care to how you speak of my son, my little pony," Celestia nearly growled. Several of her secretaries inched back.
"He's an abomination, a monster! I refuse to bow to a freak and neither will the rest of us. You've seen the destruction last night! He is capable of far more. All of Equestria will end in ruin if that grotesque bastard takes power! Can't you see? Can't you-"
"That's enough." It wasn't a shout but Celestia's words rung clearly, echoing through the court and cutting through Clout's objections like a sword. An appropriate metaphor, considering her voice was as cold as steel. Princess Celestia's eyes, however, were aflame, nearly shining with barely bridled fury as she regarded the mare before her. Clout took a step back.
"That's enough," Celestia repeated. "I will hear no more on this subject. Is that clear?" The last word came out as a hiss.
Clout Right tried to regained her composure. "V-very well, Princess," she said, trying to control her shaking. "B-but do not think this is the last word. Discord's boy will not receive our support."
"He won't need it," Celestia said to Clout's retreating figure. The Unicorn made no sign suggesting that she heard.
A guard nervously cleared his throat as he reluctantly broke the reigning silence. "Princess? The next petition-"
"Day Court will be taking a ten minute recess. Captain, please let everypony know. I wish to be alone during the break."
The bespectacled advisors and the armored guards gave each other fearful looks, before bowing respectfully and leaving. The door closed with a resonating slam.
Celestia let her majestic mane fall over her face. Her head fell into her hooves and her shoulders began to shake violently. The acoustics of the courtroom carried her soft sobs off, stopped short only by the solid thick doors at the entrance built for the purpose of deterring eavesdroppers.
Ten minutes later, Day Court resumed. Three minutes in and Day Court was interrupted by the petitioner screaming on the way out as a coil of rope fell onto his head. Surprised and more than a bit confused, Princess Celestia scanned the roof, expecting to find some wayward Pegasus or maybe her husband.
She found no one. The owner of the rope had long since disappeared.