The Best Night Ever (Private with The_Pariah)

"Yeah... time to go." Harmony began slipping into her own emerald-green gown.

((See you!))

"You'll have to show me how to walk in those shoes." He muttered, eyeing them off.

"It's not that hard. You just gotta put your hooves in and then... uh..." Harmony twirls her hoof. "You... walk. I guess. It's all about how you align your fetlocks. Just need to tilt the tips of your hooves slightly forward. That ought to do it."

Paladin stares at them dubiously. "Really?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Roughly." Harmony replied. "I can't really put it into words."

Paladin rolled his eyes and slid his hooves into the shoes. He raised an eyebrow as he laced them up, and smiled, walking over to her. "This isn't that bad."

"That's good." Harmony eyed him. "Try walking around a little more. These shoes actually help your posture."

Paladin shrugged and walked around some more. "Tonight, you can call me Platinum Charite. I'm my own sister, if anyone asks."

"Nice name." Harmony smirked. "Did you think it up yourself, or do you really have a sister I should be getting to know?"

"I'm an only child. That was the name my parents would have given me if I was a mare." He replied, kissing her.

"Ah." Harmony nodded. "Speaking of your parents... I haven't met them yet, either."

"They live... a fair distance away from here." He chuckled. "You'd love 'em." He took her hoof and smiled. "Shall we go~?"

"Yeah, we should. It's getting late." Harmony levitated her violin to her and stepped out of the door, slipping a silver-chained necklace with an inlaid sapphire over her neck. "Do I look okay?"

"You look beyond beautiful." He smiled and opened the door, walking into the street.

"Thanks." Harmony smiled nervously and followed him, glowing violin clasped securely in her telekinetic grip. "I just hope this Gala isn't like last years'..."

"It won't be." He walked down the street quietly, glancing at her. "I love you."

"Me too." Harmony whispers, as the towering ballroom of the Palace draws ever nearer. "Me too."

He sneaks a peck on the cheek before walking up to the guard. "Evening~" He purred quietly.

"Um, evening, ma'am." He glances at Paladin. "Are you on the invitation list for the Gala?"

"Uh, not quite. My brother, Paladin Amor, was supposed to be here, but he caught something. I'm here in his stead."

"Paladin... ah, the officer." The guard snapped to attention. "If you his guest, you are welcome to the Gala. What about you, ma'am?" He addresses Harmony.

"Musician's Guild. Harmony, violinist." She replies.

"Ah, yes, miss Harmony." The guard nods. "You were here last year as well, weren't you? A shame about that. Good luck for this round."

"Thank you." Harmony gave him a light bow and trotted past, into the ballroom.

Paladin follows her, wiggling an eyebrow. "So, you have to go get ready no?" He chuckled, a spark in his eye. "I'm going to see if my disguise works on Cell."

"I don't think she's ever around this early. She usually comes only a few minutes before the actual Gala begins." Harmony looks around. "Anyway, I have to get ready now, yes. See you later!" She blows a kiss to Paladin surreptitiously and trots away.

"I might as well go for a walk anyway." He blew a kiss back and spun, walking off to observe the Gala.

There weren't many around yet, Harmony's definition of 'late' coinciding with many's definition of 'early'. A few pompous-looking nobles were wandering around, striking up conversations with each other, but ultimately the ballroom was primarily dominated by the security - a few guards in both Solar and Lunar armour standing around the room, watching the scene with faces of stone.