"Oh, darling, you look dazzling!" Rarity said, impressed as Anna turned like a ballerina to show the full effect of her dress.

"And it fits me perfectly~" Anna chimed with a grin. "Natalie's clothes are usually too big for me."

Lance was busy using tissue boxes and their contents to keep his nosebleeds at bay. Trust me, he really needed them. For all we know, he might as well have stuck his face in a mountain of boxes!

Blake was adjusting his ruby-adorned tie, letting his crimson, slender tail be exposed for once in his life, and during a momentous event no less. He was ridiculed among the demons for having a non-evil, caring mother and a human father who was much the same way. In short, both humans and demons (before the party he wound up with, at any rate), saw his whole family as ungodly abominations, and as a result, he was often torn: which side should take over, human or demon?

Katie had all nine tails exposed, her rainbow kimono ensuring she'd stand out if the tails didn't give that away already. The outfit was comfortable, magically enhanced to prevent overheating, and still allowed her to fight should the need arise. Such a lovely flower, torn from innocence thanks to a whole monsoon of bastard rapists, who were killed off alongside their spawns. The thought of having children almost scared her--she was tossed right into forced adulthood and had almost no say in anything. In short, where she came from was similar to Blake, except it was hell and back 20 times in a row nonstop. And with unwanted spawns thrown into the mix.

Fen-Fen had tried on a kimono for men of his bulk. It fit him like a glove, though tufts of fur stuck out around the collar. It was adorned with stars, crescent moons of cyan hue that contrasted the darker purple, and a white obi adorned with paw-prints to contrast his black fur.

Matt was wearing his chosen outfit, busily brushing his somewhat-Goku-esque hair. He needed to look his finest, and the pirate hat was meticulously clean. Just the hair that needed fixing.

Natalie was making sure the Red Dress fit her, the little red roses adorning her hair hanging by elongated matching ribbons dangling at the sides of her head. She'd never seen a Grand Galloping Gala, whatever that was. But it sounded like an event similar to a celebration, so why not? Hopefully Matt and Blake would have a permanent truce of sorts, if any truce at all. Unless they were drunk, and then there was the worry. Hopefully, no booze would be present. And then she began to fantasize. This place would make the perfect...location of a honeymoon.

Coryza was wearing her black dress and a few matching accessories, and it fit her like a charm. A brilliant contrast to everyone's bright colors if they had any. She began wondering why Katie was so damn talkative. She went over everyone else's instrumental preferences. Natalie liked the piano, Anna liked flutes and ocarinas, Lance liked the drums, she and Matt liked guitars, Blake liked violins, Fenrir like the synthesizer, and Katie really liked xylophones because of the versatility of her tails, though she also liked flutes. Hell, she had a yellow plastic flute she could use to annoy absolutely everything on the battlefield with, all she needed was lung power. Her thoughts were stopped when Zecora showed up dressed in a sort of tribal dress.

"The Gala will be here soon! This is my first time in a blue moon!"

"Same here." Coryza sighed as she got up and walked out the door.

____

"Ponies of Equestria and the Crystal Nation! Gryphons from the reformed Kingdom!" Celestia bellowed, "We shall have a Grand Galloping Gala for all to participate in! There are guards present, so if an issue arises please consult them! With that, let the Gala commence!"

The audience cheered and clapped as many events such as apple-bobbing, pin-the-tail-on-the-pony, ring-tossing and the like began right then and there, complete with food and beverages. Due to the liberated Gryphons present, there was a vast assortment of meats and vegetables for all to choose. Fish, shrimp, steaks....good god the place was loaded. Of course, per Shining's wish, there was no alcohol for the kitsune--or for anyone, at that. Nobody would want a drunk fiasco.

An undisguised changeling approached the party and joined immediately. This was a slave changeling from another hive, and she thanked the party for helping her escape. Her name was, strangely enough, Azure.

Zecora was tending to Azure while everyone else was enjoying the Gala.

"This is fun!" Natalie called.

"Yes it is!" Anna chimed as she bear-hugged Lance who had a smile on his face.

"I dare say," Blake started, holding a wine glass full of soda, "I always wanted to be accepted. Apparently, this is where my wish is granted."

"I could say the same." Katie stated, a few sticks of celery in her hand. She proceeded to take a few bites and her eyes suddenly twinkled in delight. "Well, I was accepted in a way, but...not the way I would've liked. There's a reason I ain't on a Playboy magazine."

"Being accepted is kinda hard," Fenrir pointed out as he half-grinned, "but it is damn well worth it."

"He has a point," Matt agreed as he cleaned himself up after downing his fillet of salmon, "and I couldn't agree more."

"I lived in a place where nobody cared before I met you guys," Coryza sighed as she closed her eyes, "Here, it's just so peaceful. Well, save for the evil running about, but other than that...it's just dreamy."

Everyone else immediately agreed. They all raised their glasses in the air and clinked them...

Cheers!