//------------------------------// // Chapter Fourteen : Party Plans // Story: CoH (Book One) : Of Magic and Masquerades // by Diespitris //------------------------------// Trixie rubbed her temple as a tired groan rumbled in her throat. It was early in the morning—far too early, in her opinion, but she couldn't ignore the party pony that pounded on her door and yelling that she had a “super-spectacular-terrifically-tremendous” party in mind for her coronation. It better be “super-spectacular-terrifically-tremendous,” or so help me, she thought irritably. Right now, her throne room (which was supposed to be elegantly sophisticated, like one that belonged to a true matriarch such as her regal self) was covered in streamers, balloons, and scraps of cloth. “Alright, Pinkie, inform Queen Trixie of your... party plans,” she said, refusing to think or say the convoluted string of adjectives for a third time. The other mare's sapphire eyes brightened. “Oh, you're so gonna absolutely love this!” she exclaimed. “I was up all night thinking about all kinds of parties to throw for you. Then I thought to myself, 'Pinkie, you silly-filly, normal parties are for common ponies, not Queens!' So, of course, I just had to toss my old plans and come up with new ones and I really, really, really, really think this is it!” She was close to trembling with excitement as she opened the sketch book, holding it up close—but not too close—to the unicorn so that she could see. There was a scribble of a stick-pony clad in a rather raggedy dress and a mask. “We're gonna throw a masquerade ball!” she squealed. Blinking, Trixie gazed at the sketch as she processed the idea. Instead of the crude drawing, however, she slowly began to see something else. Trixie's never been to such a celebration before. An entire chamber full of ponies in marvelous costumes, with Trixie having the most fabulous outfit of all? It almost hurt to bury her excitement. Pinkie was right. She absolutely loved the idea, but she couldn't let the party pony know. She cleared her throat, nodding; the action felt unbearably stiff. “Your Great and Powerful Queen likes this idea,” she said. “Tell her more about it.” Pinkie Pie released a joyful squeal, flipping through the sketch book at such an incredible speed that Trixie thought she would see smoke at any given moment. If that wasn't enough, the hyperactive mare spoke at about the same speed, which made it difficult to understand what she was saying. It was irritating. “Enough!” the magician hissed, placing a hoof over Pinkie's racing mouth. “Queen Trixie commands you to speak slower!” The party pony merely blinked and gave her a nod—prompting the future Queen to remove her hoof. “Oh, sorry,” she replied. “Anyway, as I was saying, since it's your coronation I was thinking that we could invite the entire Crystal Empire to attend. You know, to have fun and see your great awesomeness!” Trixie nodded. “Of course, that's a given. Everypony will get invites.” She raised an eyebrow. “You do have somepony to make and send invites, correct?” “Yep! Emerald Pen's providing the materials from his stationary store. He and his employees are making them as we speak!” “Good, what's next?” “Decorations! We're so obviously going to need a bunch of crystal decorations to make this place sparkle!” Suddenly contemplative, Pinkie held a hoof to her chin as she looked towards the ceiling. “Well, it needs to sparkle more than it sparkles now.” She held a hoof in the air and she twirled it. “Like, with crystal garlands and a gigantic crystal chandelier!” The unicorn turned her head upwards to regard the ceiling. “Wow,” she whispered. “That sounds like a... good idea. Who will make them?” Pinkie shrugged. “I already have Orchid Anvil and her team of crystal smiths working on some stuff.” Impressive... “What of the dresses and masks? Do you think Rarity has what it takes to make hundreds of outfits?” Because I sure don't. I'm not quite ready to work that pompous seamstress into the ground just yet. The party pony's eyes widened. “Oh, no, no, no, no, no!” she gasped. “Rarity's good, but asking her to do that would be so cruel!” She shook her head. “No, no, no! I got a whole bunch of the empire's tailors and dressmakers to do it!” “And the refreshments?” “The head chef has everypony in the royal kitchens working on it.” “And the music?” “I got Evanescent Jewel and her orchestra to play!” “Entertainment?” Pinkie's eyes widened, but her smile grew even wider as, without warning, she reared back onto her hind legs and twirled in place. She looked like a miniature pink tornado, until she ceased—suddenly clad in a jester's uniform. “That would be my job!” she exclaimed. “Party pony extraordinaire, Pinkie Pie, will keep all your loyal subjects entertained!” Then, she paused. “Well, that's a whole lot of ponies, so I and some other jesters, trapeze ponies, fire breathers, and dancers will keep all your loyal subjects entertained.” Very, very, very impressive. “Well done, Pinkie Pie, you have pleased your beloved Queen,” she said, keeping her voice as even as possible. “I shall allow the masquerade ball to proceed. I trust that Rarity and the blacksmiths will have my coronation ensemble ready by then?” “It'll be ready, Queen Trixie! I promise!” “Good, you are dismissed.” She smiled in relief as Pinkie Pie bounced out of the room without another word—taking her sketch book, her confetti, and her balloons with her. Though her throne room wasn't completely clean, it was an improvement. Now that the pink mare was gone, however, it was also uncomfortably empty. Everypony is busy putting my coronation together, she thought, stepping down from the throne. Maybe I'll catch up on some of my beauty sleep. All of a sudden, the Alicorn Amulet flashed. It felt a little warmer than usual around her neck. She lifted her hoof to touch the crimson gem. Then, there came a voice. “Sleep?” it whispered. “Queens don't sleep. Queens rule with an iron hoof and bask in the admiration of their lowly subjects.” She had heard this voice before, and she wasn't at all intimidated by it. Yet, she was cautious. “But Queen Trixie is tired,” she said aloud as she made her way to her bedchamber. “And she will soon have complete control over the Crystal Empire. Is she not entitled to a quick nap?” “Oh, of course you are,” the voice replied. “But a glorious Queen such as yourself shouldn't get comfortable.” “Why not?” “Because it's not going to all be sunshine and rainbows from here on out. Somepony will try to stop you. Do you recall what happened to King Sombra? He took the throne and the Empire for himself, then the Royal Sisters came knocking.” There was a momentary pause in Trixie's movements. “The Royal Sisters then banished him to the ice of the Frozen North,” she muttered. She didn't know how she knew that piece of information, but she knew it to be fact. A sense of dread washed over her. Stars above, I completely forgot about Celestia and Luna... Once they discover my takeover, they'll try to take the crown from me! She slammed the door behind her upon entering her room. No! I don't want to give up my rightful place as Queen! She then began to pace back and forth—the Alicorn Amulet flashing once more in response to her growing ire. I deserve this! “Yes, you do,” cooed her inner voice. “You can't let them take your crown, especially not after everything their precious Elements of Harmony did to you.” “What a few of them did to me,” she corrected. “The rest are just as guilty, if not more.” “And why is that?” “Remember what happened before you exiled that troublesome Twilight Sparkle? Everypony spat on the evidence you presented and those who harmed you were defended by their comrades as though they had done nothing of the sort. It's not a flawless road, friendship. Aren't friends supposed to let friends know when they're in the wrong?” Trixie frowned. “Then, if that kind of behavior is tolerated amongst the Elements of Harmony...” She turned to face the nearest mirror, where she was met, of course, with her reflection. It appeared more sinister to her than she actually felt. “All of them are guilty,” she whispered. “Some are less guilty than others, but they are guilty nonetheless.” The other Trixie grinned. “There you have it. Queens don't allow lesser creatures such as they to trot all over them like that.” “Trixie won't let anypony trot all over her!” She twisted her head to the left, causing her mane to bounce; the shine of her crystalline hair cast an array of colors across the room. “That includes those awful Royal Sisters,” she added hautily. Chuckling, she left her chambers. “Now, where would Shining Armor be at a time like this? His Queen needs him to do his job!” Like adding a bit of extra security around here...