//------------------------------// // The ball, part 1. // Story: The Father. // by Fapman //------------------------------// The first anniversary of the enactment of peace assembled a lot of strong and wealthy ponies, who came from all around equestria. The canterlot palace was bright and shining. The streets were full, which in and of itself was a rather normal state, but there were emissaries of almost every civilised nation. The griffons already had some small problems with city guards. Zebras tried to buy some fillies which in normal circumstances would cause a political faux pas, because slavery was illegal, but zebras didn’t care about that. Golden Bullet had taken his daughter, Twilight Sparkle to go shopping couple days earlier. They had bought some fancy stuff, including a new green cravat for him and Twilight’s first dress. It was a simple yellow dress, with a violet loincloth. When he had seen how she had looked at that dress he had recognised the bright sparkles of hope in her big eyes, and for him that had been and still was more precious than all the money in equestria. And talking about the money; his money was shrinking in a faster pace than he had expected. But it was a time of joy, the national feast. “Daddy, Can we go there?” Twilight Sparkle inquired, laying or rather sitting at hers father’s head and neck. She pointed at a bakery on the other side of the road. “With pleasure princess, but we have to be in the palace’s garden in less than half of an hour. Did you forget?” “No. Not at all, but I’m hungry.” “But we ate before we went out and that was less than an hour ago.” “Yeah, but, we didn’t eat any cake.” Golden Bullet chuckled, she loved cakes as much as he when he was in her age. “You know what? If royal cakes will not please you enough, we will come here after the ceremony, or at least die trying to go through this crowd.” She pondered for a while, “but, I thought the war is over.” “Because it is, it was, er, a joke, you know. Because, there are a lot of busy ponies and we move so slowly we could die of age,” the stallion paused, trying to find a way to express himself. “Oh, now I see,” Twilight poked his head with a hoof, “thank you for letting me climb on you, dad.” “All the pleasure is mine, princess." She giggled, and soon enough, they were in the place. Canterlot garden which was around the castle was already filled with a high number of ponies. The music of the local orchestra was loud and energetic, but aside from dancing and meeting and admiring the gardens, which were truly the best, there was nothing more to do. That’s why he, still with her on his head, came to a firth palace guard he saw, and he stayed next to the entrance to the big hall.. “Welcome citizen, how can I help you?” said a unicorn in a golden armor. “Hello soldier, I have a this little card here, and it says that I will receive free food,” Twilight poked him gently, “cakes, especially cakes.” The guard inspected the card, “I’m sorry, but this invitation is only for veterans.” “I’m veteran, the 1st army 3rd regiment 3rd division 7th group.” Twilight nodded like a little puppy. “Sir, anypony can say that, I’m afraid I can’t let you in, especially without your uniform.” Golden Bullet was ready to argue but Twilight interfered. She caught his head in her small hooves and leant down looking at his face, being upside down, “Daddy? What does that mean?” “That means,” he sighed, “we will have to go to the bakery.” She hiked up back on his top of head, said nothing. He could feel her sadness. Even the guard looked a bit confused. But rules are the rules and nothing could change them. That’s how the world works. “I’m sure they have got your favourite chocolate cake.” “It’s ok. I-I’m not sad.” Golden Bullet noted for himself to talk with Greeny Hoof about that. When he moved Twilight lost her balance and fell from his head. “No!” He panicked and moved fast to catch her, but she wasn’t in the air nor on the ground. She was in a mare’s snout. The guard saluted. A tall white mare with a shining rainbow mane and golden hooves kept hold on Twilight Sparkle. She put the filly back on her father’s head. “Did someone say they were sad?” Princess Celestia’s voice was soft and playful. “Yes, I did. Um, miss.” Twilight started but paused, when she noticed that this mare wasn’t a common one. And she was right, because Princess Celestia could be described in a variety of different ways, but the word common never suits her. She looked at the filly smiling, “On a day like this, nopony can be sad. It’s my personal duty to keep my subjects healthy and happy. What is your name, little filly?” But Twilight was already embarrassed. A small crowd gathered around the event. Princess Celestia smiled, but didn’t look at them, focusing her eyes at Twilight. “So, maybe you can tell me your daddy's name?” Twilight looked straight into Celestias face, “Daddy.” It was said completely serious. The crowd laughed. Princess Celestia giggled. Golden Bullet rolled his eyes. Twilight scratched her head and looked around. “Oh, my, my, You are a very funny filly.” Celestia looked a judging look at Golden Bullet. He shivered under that look. The feel of being naked and weak and naked filled his mind, but he didn’t turned his head away. “Soldier, what is your name?” “Golden Bullet, ma’am,” his voice trembled as he saluted. Celestia’s eyes locked at his daughter again, so he quickly added, “and this is my daughter Twilight Sparkle.” “I’m a princess!” she chirped. A wave of simultaneous laugh ran through the crowd. “It’s nice to meet you Golden Bullet, and you too,” she eyed the purple blank flank, “ and you, princess Twilight Sparkle. It’s always a pleasure to meet another princess,” she winked to the filly as she exhaled with happiness. “I suppose you have a little problem with getting to the castle, hmm?” “Yes! We want to eat all the royal cakes!” Twilight Sparkle chirped again. Her father felt as his legs trembled as Princess Celestia covered her snout with a hoof. “All of them?” “Yep!” “You will get sick.” “Princesses can’t get sick.” “How do you know?” “I read about that.” Celestia’s eyes opened widely. It was uncommon for a such young filly to read. The corners of her mouth rose up slightly.