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// Chapter 1 The Grand Galloping Gala 
// Story: Octavia x Rarity 
// by Ryan Hambrick 
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	Rarity had never dreamed that she would go back to the Gala in all her life, not since the last time where all of her friends had almost destroyed the entire palace. To her surprise, Twilight had given her a ticket and none of the others, and Princess Celestia even checked to confirm that she would be attending. She caught up with some of her old friends from her last visit to Canterlot and even noted that Fancy Pants was wearing one of her designer suits that had just come off of her new line. A smile went across her face as she realized that she didn’t have to lie about who she was to be accepted by the upper class ponies that lived here or anywhere.

But Rarity’s main goal here had not changed; she still felt deep in her heart that she would find her prince who would take her away to a wonderful life, not to say she disliked the one she had. She walked around the castle and the gardens outside the palace. Roses were blooming; a brilliant shade of crimson lined them as water dripped off of their petals after a light rain that had just passed in a few minutes. She looked up and thought about how wonderful it would be to have a high society life like living in Canterlot, but at this point she had no reasons for moving there except for her own good, and that would betray her friends.

Music came from the ballroom, a slightly baritone pitch was ringing out; Rarity could tell that it was off metal strings and a wooden body that filled the air with music. She hadn’t heard such wondrous music as the last time she was here Pinky had taken control of those affairs and made it more of a party. She wished Pinky had not done so, because she was sure that if Pinky hadn’t changed the music, she would have heard the beautiful sound before. Rarity began to prance to hear it for all of its true glory and hoped she wouldn’t be too late to hear it in the ballroom.
As she neared the ballroom the music died away.

“Oh, Celestia, please don’t tell me I’m too late.” 

She used her magic to open the doors and as she did, she saw a grey pony putting away a cello into a soft case along with the bow. She ran up to the pony and began to speak, completely forgetting her manners and not introducing herself at all.
“Oh please don’t tell me you’re done already, I just arrived here and really wanted to hear you play.” 

“Unfortunately, my set is over and I have to clear the stage for the next act, some accordion playing unicorn-“ 
The grey pony cut off looking at Rarity’s horn and stopping herself before she truly showed her dislike for unicorns. 
“Wait, you’re not a unicorn?” Rarity’s eyes grew wide, “You’re an Earth Pony and you can play this music?”

“And why shouldn’t I be able to?” the grey pony had a slight tone of anger in her voice at this point. “You think that only unicorns can do beautiful things like this, we’ll you’re wrong.” She closed her eyes and pointed her nose away from Rarity, continuing to clear off the stage for the next act.

“I didn’t mean to offend you, I’ve just never met an Earth Pony with such refined tastes and such a spectacular talent.” Rarity said, hoping that her apology would be accepted. The grey pony stopped and looked back at her for a second, but went back to straightening up the stage. 

“If you wanted to hear me play, you should have come here sooner.” The grey pony said. Rarity started to bite back her sorrow that the pony no longer wanted to play for her and thought of what to say to her.

“Perhaps, if you are playing again sometime, I could come see you then? I’d be right on time, I promise.” Rarity said, putting on a huge smile but before the grey pony could answer; the according began to play and drowned out most the sound in the ballroom. The grey pony picked up the cello case, standing on her hind hooves and putting it on her back with the 
strap, slowly walking out of the ballroom, Rarity just a few steps behind her. Before Rarity could stop the pony, she slammed the door in her face and stopped Rarity from following her. Rarity’s ears dropped in sorrow looking down at the ground and going over to the table to get something to drink. 

Nothing at the party could possibly cheer Rarity up at that point. She always loved her drinks, but the only ones offered at the party were cheap box wines that were poured back into nicer wine bottles, along with some beers and cheaper strong drinks. Rarity would never even touch such a thing as cheap hard liquor, and left the castle. She walked around the streets of Canterlot, wrapping her scarf around her neck to keep her warm as night grew darker and darker. She neared a bar that she had become familiar with when she had spent time with Fancy Pants up in Canterlot and went in.

“Rarity, long time no see. I didn’t even think that I’d see you here again.” A younger colt said looking at her. His mane was combed back rather well, even though it was worn in a rather boring manner.

“Yes, yes, I know. Can you just give me some of the good stuff?” she asked him. He gave her a strange look, using his magic to take a bottle of vodka from the top shelf and pour it into a rather large glass.

“Night not going so well?” he asked, Rarity shaking her head no as she sat down at the bar. “How could you say that? I heard that Princess Celestia herself wanted you alone at the Gala this time, that’s quite an honor.” Rarity took the glass after he was done pouring and drank a rather large sip putting it back down in front of her.

“There was a filly at the Gala, and she played the most beautiful music. I offended her and she wouldn’t play for me, I forgot to even ask her name…” Rarity trailed off thinking about it. The barcolt looked at her then his face lit up with an idea.
“Wait, was this pony by chance an Earth Pony?” he looked at Rarity who looked up at him rather quickly.
“Yes, she was. Do you know her?” Rarity’s excitement had returned

“Yeah, her name is Octavia, she lives in Canterlot, here is her address.” The barcolt wrote it down for Rarity as she ran out with it in her mouth. The barcolt was calling out to Rarity as she had completely forgotten to pay him even for the drink. He shook his head as she ran out of the bar towards the train to Ponyville. Rarity knew that she could not possibly just show up at this filly’s house and ask her more questions, so she would make a peace offering. She decided that when she got back to Ponyville, she would make Octavia a beautiful dress for her next performance. 

As the train neared, Rarity’s excitement grew exponentially. She hopped into the car that she was riding in and asked the conductor on the way if he could give another trip to her. He explained he’d have to ask Princess Celestia if it was okay, but Rarity had hope that it would be. And so she set out for Ponyville, yet again.