There they finally were, inside the great castle doors and at the Grand Galloping Gala. All her friends began to dash away, but Twilight remembered her promise to Spike. She stopped them all with a bit of magic.
"Let's stay together girls. Being here with friends is what makes it fun."
All of them paused for a moment, looking deep. One by one, though, they came around.
"So, what should we do first?" Twilight glanced between them.
All five took in a deep breath, ready to yell their own opinion.
Twilight stopped them. "On second thought, how about we draw straws to see who goes first?"
* * *
"Ugh! This guy is such a jerk! Can we go now?"
"Rainbow Dash! That is no way to talk to a—"
Applejack held a hoof up against Rarity's mouth. "Honey, that colt is treating you like dirt, and I won't stand for it."
Rarity sighed and shoved Applejack's hoof out of the way. "You're right." She shook her head. "So, who was next, Fluttershy, was it?"
Blueblood just walked on, apparently oblivious to the fact that his mare was no longer following him around.
* * *
As all seven of them left the castle gardens, Twilight undid the invisibility and inaudability spell she had put on them all.
"Thank you, Twilight." Fluttershy gave her a quick hug. "I would never have guessed the critters in the castle gardens would be so skittish... but it was wonderful to be able to watch them in their undisturbed environment."
* * *
Applejack shouldered yet another curious pony out of the way, preventing him from getting in between Rainbow and the Wonderbolt captain. "Is she about done hobnobbin' over there yet? I'm not sure how much longer I can keep 'em away."
"Just a little while longer, dear, then it will be your turn." Rarity blocked another pony with the bulk of her own dress. "Have patience."
* * *
Raking another pile of bits into her suitcase, Applejack let her grin spread even wider. With all of her friends out there advertizing, and Rarity's advice about overpricing things, this was turning out to be the best business day in years. She'd be able to do all she wanted and more!
* * *
"Woo-hoo! Time to par-tay!" Pinkie bounced into the ballroom, more energetic than ever.
Rarity halted her in her tracks with a levitation spell. "Hold it right there, Pinkie."
"Huh?" Pinkie turned her head – all she could do – and stared at Rarity. "What's the matter?"
"This is a formal party, Pinkie." Rarity let her friend free again, but stayed close to her side. "There is still a lot of fun to be had, but it is going to require a whole new set of mannerisms. Are you ready?"
Pinkie stared at her and blinked a couple times. "I... guess so."
"Good." Rarity smiled. "Now, follow my lead."
* * *
Twilight sighed. "With this many ponies waiting to be seen," she whispered to her friends, "I'll never get a chance to talk to the Princess!"
"Twilight's right," Applejack whispered back. "We've got to do somethin'."
Fluttershy stroked her chin. "Hm... we probably need a distraction. A big one."
"Say no more!" Rainbow Dash strutted out with a huge grin on her face. "Time for me to put on the moves!" Without waiting for any response, she jumped and flew up into the high-ceilinged entry hall. As her stunt routine grew more and more daring, ponies in line to greet Celestia began to stop and stare. Before long, all of them had stopped to watch, leaving Celestia unoccupied for a few precious moments.
"So nice to finally get a chance to talk to you, Twilight." The Princess gave a much more genuine smile than she'd been giving everypony else.
Twilight smiled back. "I can't wait to get caught up!"
Celestia glanced at her friends. "It doesn't seem like everypony is here, though. Where are Rarity and Spike?"
"Well..." Twilight blushed slightly. "Rarity was disappointed that her date was a disaster, so Spike invited her to go see the golden apple tree."
"As in a..." Celestia's eyebrow rose slightly.
"Yep, Rarity has a new date." Twilight giggled. "I'm sure nothing will come of it, though. It's just a childhood crush... right?"
"Only time will tell." Celestia gave one of her characteristic enigmatic smiles.