Princess Twilight’s first gala was a tremendous success.
 
Well, technically speaking, it had only started an hour ago, but Rarity firmly believed her friend’s event would be terrific. Any party Rarity attended always was. 
 
She made her way through the crowds of ponies, smiling at them as though this was her gala. And it was, in a way, since Twilight had practically begged for her to keep watch and make sure everything went swimmingly.
 
After a lovely chat with Fancy Pants, she made her way to the ‘VIP Section’. In other words, the enclosed spot where the princesses were supposed to mingle during the gala. Only the crème de la crème could enter, and Rarity supposed she would grace them with her presence in a little while.
 
Right now, however, she noticed Princess Celestia was missing, and she assumed that was the cause of Twilight’s look of concern.
 
[i]Maybe she’s fashionably late, [/i]Rarity thought, trotting off and settling down in a nice solitary spot near the bar.
 
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to talk, but why move around when ponies would come to her naturally?
 
“May I sit here?” a voice said.
 
Rarity turned. “But of cour—[i]Princess Celestia?!”[/i]
 
Celestia did say anything at first, patting down on her dress – one of Rarity’s own designs, thank you very much – before sitting down and taking a sip of her tea. Eventually, she finally turned to Rarity.
 
“Who?”
 
Rarity blinked. “…Princess Celestia...?”
 
“Oh no, I’m not a princess,” she replied, levitating her invitation over to Rarity. “I am only Celestia.”
 
Indeed, looking it over, Rarity realized it was addressed to “Celestia”, and no princess title was included. No doubt a miss-sight at the time of printing. Even more so, when Rarity looked up to return the invitation, she noticed Celestia was lacking her usual lovely crown.
 
“I see...”
 
Celestia cleared her throat. “How are you, Rarity?”
 
Rarity cleared her throat as well, eager to wash away how disconcerted she felt. “I’m quite alright, Princ—“
 
“Who?”
 
Rarity bit down on her lip. “I’m quite alright… Celestia,” she said, and she felt both shamefully thrilled by being on first name basis with Princess Celestia. So many nobles would be green with envy!
 
“Princess Celestia!”
 
Rarity turned around to find Twilight rushing towards them.
 
“Princess!” she exclaimed upon reaching them. “There you are! I’m so sorry! Spike made a mistake with your invitation, and forgot your title! Did you have to wait outside?!”
 
“Twilight,” Celestia said, her voice kind yet stern, “As my invitation states, I am not a Princess, just a pony and I am having a lovely conversation with Rar—“
 
“I’ll go print you a new one right away!” Twilight blurted out, rushing away.
 
Celestia sighed in reply, and Rarity laughed.
 
“Dare I venture you’d like a day as a ‘normal’ pony?”
 
Celestia frowned. “I’d like take away my title and give it to somepony else, yes.”
 
Rarity gasped theatrically. “Really?! That's why you're here, isn't it? Oh, Princess, I'm honored! You don't even have to give me the wings or the walk through limbo! Just the crown will do!”
 
“Is that what Twilight said it was? Limbo?” Celestia asked, laughing. She brightened up and asked, “What do ‘normal’ ponies discuss at galas?”
 
Rarity hummed thoughtfully. “Well, you know, our daily lives, the news, gossip. Nothing special, frankly.”
 
“Gossip?” Celestia looked conspiratorially to her sides before leaning down and whispering, “You know… Raven told me she saw Duke Tulip Sword getting on a train to [i]Puerto Caballo[/i] last weekend with Countess Lavender Hoof.”
 
Rarity nearly snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s dating Lilly Garden, and besides, everypony knows he was too sick that weekend to even attend the fashion festiv...” She gasped, jumping away from Celestia. “No! [i]He didn’t![/i]” She put her hooves on her mouth. “…Did he?”
 
Celestia sat up straight and took a long sip of tea.
 
“Do you even [i]realize[/i] what this means?!”
 
“Yes, I imagine it’ll be quite the social disaster to deal with for Princess Celestia,” the mare replied. She turned to Rarity and smiled. “I assume I have your complete discretion?”
 
“Yes, but—! You must tell me more! It'll be the scandal of the year!”
 
“Princess Celestia!” Twilight called, an invitation floating above her. “I’m back!”
 
No sooner had she arrived did Rarity take the invitation and stash it inside a nearby flowerpot.
 
“Rari—[i]mmph!”[/i] 
 
“Now, now, darling, be quiet!" Rarity chastised, magicking Twilight's mouth shut. "Celestia and I have criminally important affairs to discuss!”