Sergeant Blacks-

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‘Err, no, wait a moment. That was the disguise I wore for the presentation of the 'Whirlwind'.’

Purity Ebonshield

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Purity Ebonshield fought to regain her bearings. Clearly, all this drink was starting to go to her head. The food helped, but even so, she was feeling quite 'happy.' And she was greatly tempted to imbibe further, for at this Grand Galloping Gala of Equestria there was absolutely no shortage of alcohol. Still, she recognized she should restrain herself. After all, if she went too far, then she would have difficulty enjoying the dancing later. Besides, there was no need to drink for mere entertainment, as there was enough of that on offer already. A great deal of it, in fact.

‘Start with the larger show, more distant.’

The ballroom had opened once again, and from her table, Purity could admire the traditional and formal dances being conducted within. An orchestra of over twenty musicians sat on a raked platform at the far end, performing for a crowd consisting mostly of middle-aged and older ponies in elegant suits and rich, ornate ball-gowns. There were a few junior members in the crowd as well; débutantes and other scions of the nobility, according to Lily. Whatever their age, the dancers flowed around the room with grace, though the music was, in Purity’s opinion, rather stilted -- almost as if they were dancing to an Equestrian military march with a very rigid beat. The harmony of the orchestra was very pleasing, of course, but they were not playing the style of dance music she was used to, nor like what she’d heard at Canterlot nightclubs, which was more familiar and enjoyable.

Purity was looking forward to dancing to that sort of beat later in the night.

Regardless, the majestic sight of so much coordinated movement was still certainly something to behold, even if it was somewhat removed from her own table, and a little obstructed by the heads and hats of various interposed ponies.

And those were the next most proximate source of Purity’s amusement.

As they finished their meals, the ponies began to move from table to table, greeting each other, respectively admiring the latest fashions, and generally catching up. With all the furniture, it was not quite as social an environment as the grand staircase entryway and hall, but there were still many faces and outfits to be seen for a perceptive voyeur such as herself. Perhaps nothing quite so exotic as her genuinely otherworldly outfit, but still, she did not stand out quite nearly so much as she’d expected when surrounded by so many other styles, all adorned with glittering jewelry, tall decorative feathers, fur shawls, bold capes, and more.

She did attract attention, to be sure, and that too was amusing.

There were several very promising candidates for dance partners later, when the music was more to her taste and her belly was not quite so full. And, with a certain subtlety, she had made sure to let each of those handsome colts know that they would be welcome with her on the dance floor at that time. Not all of them were brave enough to come by and introduce themselves, but that's quite all right with her; she’d remember their faces for later, and she was perfectly capable of seeking them out herself if she ran out of, or grew bored with, the more aggressive suitors.

‘Ah, the beautiful game of romance hoof-loose and fancy-free. How hard would it really be to find a little bit of privacy later in the evening?’

Honour told all how the Royal Guard was corralling the guests in the main public areas in an effort to curb such dalliances, but there were always unguarded avenues, and the Stellar Dancers were, after all, masters of infiltration. A shortcut through a kitchen or closet, an unlocked second-floor window or skylight, or even an out-of-the-way lavatory…

In the worst case, Purity could simply go back to her own room upstairs in the West wing, though it was quite a distance to travel just for a quick little 'encounter.'

And besides, she ought to reserve her own chambers for the final catch of the night.

With so many attendees visiting from far away, the batpony doubted she'd find anyone to outright replace her young student, Gilbert Lionheart, but he was often busy with his studies at the Schola Magia, and it would be pleasing to have a 'backup colt.'

Which brought her attention to the closest source of entertainment: the poor, lovestruck pegasus Artemis Sparkshower.

It was really a bit villainous of her to enjoy this, but Purity couldn't help herself.

The young pegasus squirmed in her seat, sighing and looking wistfully at the formal ballroom dancers. Every once in a while she’d glance back at the Royal Engineer, their Very Important Pony (who wasn't actually a pony). He was enjoying the show, too, but it was clear he knew as little as Purity did about the steps for these formal dances. And while he was perfectly happy to practice for and then perform one of them earlier, he was certainly not about to get up and make a fool of himself by struggling to learn brand new moves in front of hundreds of Equestria's gentry. Even worse, unlike the 'Lipizzaner Waltz' he performed earlier, almost all of these dances she was watching were done down on all fours. Anonymous wouldn't even have the benefit of trying to copy other colts; he'd have to come up with his own maneuvers all himself. As a result, getting up and dancing with Sparkshower was completely out of the question, and understandably so.

Hence the frustrated squirming by their poor unfortunate pegasus comrade, who from the way her head bobbed at every beat and followed every bob and weave of the dancers, clearly did know the steps. She wanted to get up and dance, and who could blame her? The grandest social event of the year, a by-invitation-only exclusive ordinarily reserved for Equestria's gentry? Artemis was unquestionably a beautiful young mare, and in her adorable tea-length dress, Purity had no doubt that if she were to get up and dance then she would not merely meet the standards of the floor but, if accompanied by a suitable colt, actually raise them.

As amusing as it was to taste her silly self-imposed vexation, Purity couldn't sit idly by and watch it go on any longer. After all, what kind of a friend was she to let this suffering go on?

"Artemis, dear, why don't you get up and join the dancing?" The batpony pointed a forehoof at a gaggle of tuxedoed colts huddled around the bar closest to the dance floor. It was like a Canterlot cab stand of dance partners; a shop window with everything on display. "...Look at all those fine young stallions eagerly looking for the next elegant mare who will allow them the privilege of leading her out onto the floor."

From the way she writhed in her seat, Purity could tell Artemis had been thinking about this already. But in her mind she probably believed such a thing would be a 'betrayal' of her current beau, even if they were not formally attached.

Or even informally attached, for that matter.

Purity decided to go straight to the root of the problem, and turned to face the object of Artemis’ desire. "...Our little table ought to be represented in these formal dances, don't you think so, Great Lord?"

Anonymous smiled at Purity, then Artemis in turn. "Of course! I wish I could join you again, but I'm afraid I'd make a terrible fool of myself. The music is strangely familiar, but all I'd be able to do is repeat our dance steps from the waltz, and that's clearly not what they're doing out there." He chuckled. "Don't let my earlier request not to be left alone stop you from enjoying the party. It was partially in jest, anyways. We're all here as private individuals, and I don't want anybody thinking they're on a leash." Then he grinned, lifting an eyebrow and looking around. "I am definitely looking forward to getting up later, when the modern stuff starts. It's a lot closer to what I'm used to from my world."

Poor Sparkshower still seemed to hesitate, and she turned to her other comrades. "Well, if it's alright with you..."

Glamerspear was the first to reply, blowing out dismissively as she held her drink up in a teal telekinetic aura. "Pfft, of course you should go, marefriend! If you're worried about beating off unwanted suitors, I'd be happy to come with ya."

Honour shook her head, her recently-liberated mane flowing behind. "You'll be fine. This isn't my kind of dance either, but go up and enjoy yourself, Artemis. We'll keep our eyes on you from here."

With some trepidation, the pegasus climbed out of her chair and down onto all fours. "Okay..."

She took a deep breath and scanned the lingering colts in the distance, as if trying to identify a target, her ears flicking left and right as she did so.

"... Okay! Right!"

Having clearly made her choice, Sparkshower burst into what began as a marching gait, before relaxing into something formal but properly less rigid, trotting gaily over towards the dance floor. All four of those still seated at the table watched as she made her way around the tables and through, around, or over, the occasional crowded bottleneck, until she stood a few hooves away from that same little herd of colts. She had their attention almost immediately, and seemed to give them all a final look-over. Then she took another bold step forward and appeared to fix her gaze on a single individual. He was a dapper young unicorn stallion with a steely-blue coat and a brushed-back, orange-yellow mane, broad-shouldered in his suit compared to Artemis with her haunches bare and just as tall as her -- though the horn gave the appearance of him being slightly taller.

‘Mmm, tall, dark and handsome; she has a fine taste in gentlecolts.’

Purity did not know what she said, or how he replied, but immediately after that exchange, Artemis gave a petite curtsy and he a quick bow, and moments later he was leading her to the dance floor. And just a few steps after that, she became a part of the fluid, elegant display.

Honour glanced over towards the batpony and spoke softly. "Thanks for giving her that kick, Purity. She needed it." She just nodded and resumed her enjoyment of the show.

It was difficult to keep a constant eye on her comrade as she sailed and whirled across the ballroom along with her colt, but Purity did try, at least for the first piece. After all, she was curious to see if Artemis would stick with the same companion for a second go-around...

When the music slowed and the dancers came to a halt, Purity was pleasantly surprised to see the pegasus still standing with the same colt, waiting expectantly as the orchestra paused momentarily to flip their music sheets to the next tune.

Just as the musicians took up their instruments once more, that's when the sound of an all-too-familiar voice spoke up from behind her. "My dear Royal Engineer, how good to see you again! I was so hoping we would run into each other again this evening..."

‘Great Mother help me!’

Purity was far too drunk to handle her actual mother right then.

Putting on her most pleasant smile, the younger batpony pivoted in her seat along with everyone else to once again greet Carmen Ebonshield, Reverend Mother Superior of the Children of the Stars. She didn't have to turn far, for after a quick introductory dip, and faster than their VIP could get to his feet, Carmen strode over to Sparkshower's vacated chair.

"... Please, please, don't get up on my account. May I join you?" Without waiting for any more answer than the absence of a frown, she immediately seated herself and tucked right in, clasping her forehooves together with a smile before spreading them wide on the tablecloth, as if holding court.

‘Holding court is what she generally does in the Rookery and on the Moon, so why not here, too?’

Even with the friendly, casual veneer she was presenting at the moment, her imposing presence was enough to make Glamerspear straighten up a bit in her seat. With a faint smile, Carmen looked around the table before settling her gaze on Anonymous. "Well. It seems I owe a number of debts to you and your entourage, my Lord."

Raising her eyebrows, she shot a knowing glance at Honour, and then at Purity, before shaking her head and lifting her eyebrows. "I must confess, I am beside myself with shock at the events which have transpired this evening. But let it not be said that I am incapable of admitting my own faults or of trying to remedy them, though of course I must first pay penance and seek absolution." Inhaling deeply, she faces the Corporal, turning her forehooves frog-up and bowed her head in a posture of supplication. "My child, I am deeply in your debt for your actions on the front lawn. I shudder to think at what tragedy might have resulted if Reynauld's Swarming Meteors had been unleashed upon those unsuspecting Equestrian sailors, and your timely intervention saved not only lives but has also prevented a scandal that might easily have ruined this wonderful evening." Tilting her muzzle back up, she continued. "...And, if you'll forgive a little brutal honesty -- I'm afraid I must blame it on the free-flowing drink -- such an incident would certainly have been a considerable setback for the Great Mother's goal of reintegrating our peoples."

The stoic Corporal didn’t quite seem to know what to say. "Uhm... You're welcome, Your Reverence. It was nothing; I saw the potential for trouble, and I dealt with it."

‘Is that a hint of rosiness in her cheeks? Will this earth pony forever be embarrassed to take a compliment?’

Carmen tittered with amusement at the reply. "Ohh, but you are too modest! You must know that I consulted privately with Lieutenant Orange afterwards, and he expressed his appreciation. The Sixth of Meteors also spoke most admiringly of your prowess. By his account, you completely outplayed your opponent." Reaching out a forehoof, she gestured at Honour's mane. "And, lo! You've come out of that brawl looking, if I may be so bold, even more stunning than when the evening began! What a beautiful mane you have; you really must consider wearing it down like this more often. And how well it goes with that lovely red dress! I can't imagine why you're not already surrounded by suitors eager to ask you to the dance-floor. Don't tell me you're so demure as to turn the poor gentlecolts away? I'm sure your coltfriend, that handsome Sergeant, wouldn't mind his mare being exhibited in the ballroom for all to properly appreciate."

Their brown comrade's cheeks become a little more red. She had to clear her throat before answering. "It's not really my thing, your Reverence."

Carmen nodded as if she understood everything implied by that sentence absolutely perfectly -- which, given her considerable information network and expert skills at personal manipulation, might actually be the case. "Well, perhaps I have something more to your liking. Carlos?"

At her command, the same young, dark-grey mustached colt Purity had seen her with earlier approached the table with a rectangular wooden box tucked under one foreleg. Sitting down on his haunches, he pulled it out and presented it, removing one of the sides with a forehoof to reveal a large wine-bottle inside, surrounded by straw.

Making sure she had the attention of everyone present, Carmen gestured at the offering. "This is a magnum of what I consider to be the Moon's finest cava, the word we give our sparkling wine; it means 'cellar', since of course the wine must be cellared to become bubbly..."

Everyone leaned in to take a closer look, Purity included.

‘Is it the vintage I think it is?’

"...Grand Mountain sparkling wine, aged fifteen years. On the Moon, you know, wines and beers are considered precious because of the amount of water required to produce them, as well as contained within the finished product. Distilled spirits such as 'Maestro Cazador' are the preferred tipple of the lower phases, owing to their reduced water content and therefore price. We Lunars reserve gifts such as 'cava,' which requires additional water, time, and labor, for only the most deserving of individuals and occasions. I think you will find this Grand Mountain vintage is more than competitive with the best Prench Champagnes."

Yes, that was the good stuff, all right; but was that a direct attack on Purity’s prior choice in smuggled liquor? She couldn’t help but riposte. "It would seem Your Reverence has come to the Gala bearing more than just pretty mares and handsome colts with which to woo the Equestrian elite."

As she expected, Carmen wasn't fazed in the slightest by that irritated outburst. "Of course! One mustn't come seeking favors without bringing gifts. But this is for you, as well, Stellar Seven. I owe you a great apology; far greater than I could repay even with all the sweetest wines of the Moon..."

‘What is she talking about, now?’

With a deep sigh, Carmen raised one forehoof towards her, then dropped it defeatedly back down. "...You were right, my daughter. You were right, and I was wrong."

‘This is a joke, right?’

Purity had never heard her admit to being wrong before.

"It was a mistake for me to try to subvert the Great Mother's wishes by manipulating her into taking one of my Lunars for the Royal Engineer's bodyguard. I thought I was improving our chances at progressing integration by preventing someone untrained and unprepared for diplomacy from being assigned here on the surface, and yet here we are. There have been troubles, yes, but even so you have done more in these few weeks than I could have imagined happening for months..."

‘She's playing again, acting. This is not sincere; it can't be.’

"...An Equestrian soldier who rushes to rescue Stars from their own inadequacies. Batponies openly attending the Grand Galloping Gala. Equestrians who come freely of their own will into the Rookery, to converse with our Rocks and our Stars and our Eclipse, to trade and to train, bringing gifts and opportunities..." Carmen indicated the Royal Engineer. "...And the prospect of Rocks coming to the surface to aid in an Equestrian project, as well. All of this, without any command or instruction, let alone scheme or grand plan."

Purity’s mother, her coat almost unrecognizingly bare of the chalky makeup she had worn for the Stellar Seven’s entire life, looked at her ruefully, her speech slowing from her usual rapid patter. "The Great Mother's blessing is upon you, my child, whether you know it or not. There is no other explanation. I bore the blessing when I correctly predicted Her return and secured my place at the top of the Lunar hierarchy. I thought that would stay with me forever, and in my arrogance I have lost it." A tear escaped her left eye, and she brushed it away with a forehoof. "...I know I am very demanding, and I have asked a lot of you, Purity. I never approved of your choice to live as a Star. And when you refuse me even the slightest thing, I am sinfully filled with wrath. I have commanded outrageous things be done against you in my vengeance. And yet here you have given the Children more than I could even have conceived of asking for."

Taking a deep breath, she sighed. "I'm not going to pretend I'm capable of stopping my petty schemes and manipulations; they're simply in my nature. And I'm not going to beg your forgiveness here and now. But I am sorry, my child. I am sorry for what I've done, and I'm stunned and ashamed at what great strides have been made in spite of me, rather than with my help."

‘I cannot deal with this right now; not with my mind so foggy from alcohol.’

Evaluating the truth of anything Carmen said was difficult enough without also being a little drunk. Then again, she was more than a little drunk herself as well -- though that too, could be faked, and she had a greater tolerance for the stuff than Purity did.

‘Best to just change the subject to something more immediate.’

"I see. Well. I suppose we can speak of this more later. I take it having delivered your apology and the cava you will now be off to entice some other elder statestallion in the name of the Children?"

Carmen whinnied, tossing her head back and actually slouching down a little in her chair. "Oh, no, I'm spent for the evening. I'm not the young mare I once was, you know; and anyways, the crowd of 'elder statestallions', as you say, is growing thin. They, like me, are forced by age to retire earlier than you young foals and fillies. And I'm afraid my own talents are rather disadvantaged when dealing with youth."

With a chuckle, she pointed at the table's own white-label champagne bottle, and her companion Carlos quickly reached over to pour her a dollop into one of the unused glasses surrounding the floral centerpiece. Looking frankly exhausted -- Purity had never seen exhaustion under her eyes before, not with all the makeup she always wore -- she tipped back and downed the glass in a single mouthful, before signaling for another.

While that was being sorted for her, she looked over at Purity and a wry smile appeared on her face. "But what's this I'm hearing? Say something else, my dear. In Equestrian."

‘Eh?’

"Huh? Say what? I don't understand what you mean, Reverend Mother."

Lifting her eyebrows, Carmen started chortling uncontrollably, looking all around at everyone else. "Ohohoho! Don't tell me I'm the only one who hears it? No?" As the second serving of champagne was presented to her, she lifted the glass, still laughing. "My dear darling daughter, you are skilled without equal in a great many things, but your Equestrian has always left something to be desired. Understandable, of course, for as a Star you were not extensively trained. Yet here you are, a few hours after we last met, speaking now without an accent and without any of the errors in grammar so common to our kind when they use the Solar tongue."

With tears in her eyes, she took a drink. "...You must be absolutely hammered. Ahaha!"

Flabbergasted, Purity turned to her companions for confirmation. Anonymous nodded pensively. "You know, now that your Reverence has pointed it out, I can hear it, too."

‘Impossible!’

Lily chimed in as well. "Hey, yeah. Your accent's gone. That's pretty funny."

Even Honour shrugged and nodded at her.

‘This is absurd! Liquor can do a great many things, but it can’t suddenly make one speak proper Equestrian, err... speak the Equestrian proper -- wait, which order are the words supposed to be in?’

Purity clearly needed to lay off drinks for a little while.

‘Just how much alcohol is in this special celebratory 'rum punch' drink, anyways? The fruit juice must be masking the bite.’

Still giggling at her revelation, Carmen sat up straight again and set her glass down, once again appearing to hold court. "Now, I just have one more item I would like to discuss. I see that Specialist Sparkshower is enjoying herself on the dance floor, and we've already discussed Corporal Bound's present situation. My dear Purity, I know you're unfamiliar with these formal Equestrian routines, though I'm sure you've already got your keen eye on several choice stallions for later. But Specialist Glamerspear? How is that so luxuriously-accoutered a mare such as yourself does not have a handsome colt to hang on her foreleg and dote on her every need?"

Lily swallowed, before licking her lips. "I'm actually taking a break from playing the field right now."

Purity’s mother feigned shock. "Heavens! Don't tell me some tragedy has befallen your love-life?"

The unicorn narrowed her eyes before replying. "Something like that. Not that I'd say 'no' if the right colt came along, but I'm gonna play things slow for a little while."

The Reverend Mother Superior smirked knowingly. "I see, of course. You must forgive my prying; it is one of the responsibilities for a Reverend Mother to play 'matchmaker' for the Children of their House, particularly the Stars and Lunars who are required to breed as instructed, but we also help facilitate matches for Rocks and Dust as well, and this is a duty which I absolutely relish. Sizing up potential mates, determining who would be happiest with whom, and calculating which pairings will produce the finest of offspring -- it's a grand, complicated game, and I do very much enjoy games -- and the more complex, the better..." She grinned, turning to the Royal Engineer. "...Which brings us to the final member of this table. Come now, my Lord Engineer: tell me you've already had several proposals this evening from eligible members of the landed gentry. Or at least, given your proclivity for military affairs, a fine young officer or two -- a Captain, at least, or perhaps a Major."

Singled out once again, their VIP couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm afraid I'm flying solo at the moment, your Reverence."

Carmen sighed. "Tragic. I accept that you refused one of my nubile young Lunars and declined Purity's offer, but you must allow me to help you in this matter as best I can. I assure you I have made several contacts of interest already; all I need is the information to better understand your Lordship's pleasures."

At that, Anonymous' chuckle turned into laughter, and Lily guffawed behind a raised forehoof. "It's not the first time I've been asked to explore that topic tonight. I'm not sure if a second interrogation will yield much better results than the first."

With a sly expression, Carmen looked over at the unicorn. "I see. It's good to know your guardsmares are on top of things when it comes to your best interests. I suppose the best I can do is make a few more proposals of my own..." Picking up her wine-flute, she swirled the champagne around a little bit, observing as the bubbles precipitated. "...Upon reflection, the landed gentry are likely to be too provincial for someone who wishes to industrialize Equestria. You need someone more urbane; an heiress, perhaps, to a brewery or distillery, or a mine or mill. Something largely self-sustaining, so she can give you and your projects the attention they deserve." Tilting her tufted ears, she tapped a forehoof against her chin. "A military mare would still be a good match, I think. You are trying to bring a new, higher order to the Equestrian economy, and as a capable military is also well-regimented but forward-looking, a proper officer should appreciate and support such an endeavor."

Taking a sip, she licked her lips. "Or perhaps you aspire to loftier heights? We have not yet conversed at length, true, but I judge you a fine gentlecolt from what I have seen so far. You are learned, with an impressive physique as well. And I understand you have formed a close relationship with the Equestrian diarchs, particularly Princess Luna..."

Purity couldn't help but snort out as soon as she realized where Carmen was going with this. "Reverend Mother!"

Carmen only pursed her lips slyly. "What? Am I not the head priestess of our Great Mother? Am I not obligated to tend to her every need? And she is a mare, with a mare's needs..." Leaning forwards, she lowers her voice. "...Believe me, I know. Her Majesty has, at my urging, availed herself on several occasions of the services of my prime Lunar stallions. But the lamentable truth is that she restrains herself to an unhealthy infrequency, probably out of some desire to not overindulge to excess. I think it would be far better for her mental state if she had a single, dependable partner to rely upon for her needs, both physical and emotional."

Purity couldn’t believe she was hearing her mother propose this openly. The shock of it made her even ignore the fact that Mother Carmen had just casually spilled a very secret detail of the Great Mother's private life. Her jaw hung down, and when she glanced around the table, she saw bulging eyes and open mouths all around. "You would endorse the joining of Anonymous and Luna?"

The Reverend Mother Superior gave the slightest of shrugs. "Why not? Not to insult the Lord Engineer, but I can certainly think of worse matches." Carmen licked her lips, gesturing dismissively with one forehoof. "It's no secret that the Great Mother has difficulty communicating with we, her Children. After all, we developed on our own for a thousand years while she slumbered in torpor. She made us physically, yes, but our society is alien to her, and this saps her confidence in dealing with our issues. Even Equestria has changed in ways she doesn't recognize, and this makes things worse as she's without any stable base besides the support of her sister -- which is considerable, to be sure, but still a very narrow platform."

She turned her gaze to Purity. "You've spent some time in her company, and the Stellar Dancers are mystics who profess to understand the Great Mother through asceticism. Surely you have noticed these issues as well."

The Stellar Seven furrowed her brow.

‘She's not wrong.’

Yes, the Great Mother sometimes appeared unsure, probably in part because of the reasons that the Reverend Mother had described. And Purity would be overjoyed to see her people's Goddess paired up with a handsome stallion who could live up to the very high standards expected of him. The Royal Engineer might just fit that bill, and personally, she did not see anything wrong with the Great Mother pairing up with any creature at all, provided they were worthy.

But she found it impossible to understand how Carmen could make this proposal.

Purity remembered her eagerness to trigger the invasion when Nightmare Moon awoke, how she spoke of the dream of a world dominated by their kind, with other breeds serving at best as second-class citizens, and all other intelligent creatures relegated even further beneath. She remembered, too, her frustration and almost complete breakdown when the invasion failed and Nightmare Moon was 'reduced' -- that had been Carmen's choice term -- to Princess Luna.

Perhaps she really had altered her goal to be the successful integration of batponies into Equestria, but Purity couldn't imagine that she had completely abandoned her racist principles. She was unquestionably a batpony supremacist; and this was no surprise, for batpony supremacy was part and parcel of everything taught to foals in the crèche. The Children of the League of Stars were the predestined rulers of Equestria and of the whole world. The Children were smarter, faster, stronger, and purer, than the Equestrians could ever hope to be. The Children would win because the Moon is harsh, producing a hardy breed with strong institutions, while the Equestrians had grown soft in their lush paradise.

They were weak, and the weak should tremble before the strong.

This was the dogma all foals of the Children were made to take to heart, Purity’s own foalhood included. It was only when she had joined the Stellar Dancers that Master Draxon was able to open her eyes to recognizing that truth was not to be found in the repetition of absolutist mantras and simplistic arguments of supremacy.

She never fully appreciated that lesson while he was alive, but afterwards she’d been infinitely grateful, for it deadened the impact when the inconceivable news arrived that the invasion had failed. The Shadows, Dust, and Rocks were also fortunate; they may have had this fanaticism drilled into them in the crèche, but in the absence of reinforcement in their mundane daily lives, they soon lost it like a useless appendage. But for the other Stars, and worse, the Lunars? The invasion's failure was considered apocalyptic, and many of them were still struggling, two years later, to come to terms with reality.

And that's why Purity was perplexed that Carmen, of all Children, would ever accept, let alone propose, not merely a non-batpony, but a complete non-pony, as a suitor for the Great Mother. Purity knew she was a creature of very few scruples, but surely this was a line she was incapable of crossing while still maintaining her supremacist beliefs.

And she refused to believe she had abandoned that supremacism.

As these deep thoughts continued to tumble about in her half-drunken mind, it was Anonymous who came to the rescue by grounding the conversation once more. "Your Reverence advances a number of intriguing ideas. I appreciate the offer of your services as a, uh, facilitator in these matters, but I'm in no rush. I've been in love before, and I find it's best to let things happen naturally."

Carmen appeared half-frustrated at being denied and simultaneously half-amused for the same reason. "Hmph. Well, let no-one say I didn't try. As for letting things 'happen naturally'..." Downing the rest of her champagne, she delicately fluttered out of the chair and back onto all fours, smirking. "...I suppose all I can answer is that I am curious to see where this magical night of nights leaves you in the morning. I do hope you awaken with a warm and supportive presence beside you. And with that, I bid you all a good evening; I shall retire to the Rookery." After a graceful bow, she waved a forehoof at the boxed bottle of sparkling wine. "Carlos will deposit my gift at your office, my Lord, so that you needn't be burdened with keeping track of it tonight. I don't dare try to upstage Their Majesties' cellars, and there will be an occasion for you all to enjoy it in the future, I'm certain." With a bow of his own, her colt closed the box and placed it back under one foreleg, before bowing again and following the Reverend Mother Superior off towards the main hall.

There was a long silence at the table. Carmen did have that kind of effect on things: sweeping in like a tornado, leaving destruction in her wake.

Anonymous puffed his cheeks and blew out loudly. "Your mother sure is something, Purity."

It was the understatement of the century, and it completely wiped away the troubling thoughts she’d been having. Purity couldn’t help but laugh and relax into enjoying the pleasant vibes of the Gala once more. "Yes, she is."

---

Suggested interlude music: Axwell - Feel The Vibe (Original) [2005]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=889H0Am7vFo

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