Twilight didn't like the plan. She didn't like the plan at all. No, not because she didn't think it would work. She was very confident her brother's plan would work perfectly... She didn't like the plan because it felt too sneaky, too manipulative... like the motives were too well known behind each action. It would be too obvious the moment the plan worked. Wouldn't Princess Celestia feel tricked?

Regardless, knowing the plan would work, trusting her brother's judgement, and wanting to see her friends and Rainbow Dash again, she was determined to follow it to every last detail.

While she knew it wasn't necessary... and while she knew it didn't count, and wouldn't be an issue soon in her life—it was still rather embarrassing having two princesses and her brother going around Canterlot's public places finding her dates.

"Wait! Princess Cadence!" Twilight shouted to her before the princess could approach yet another stallion underneath a park tree.

"Don't worry, Twilight. I understand we're not really finding you a date," Princess Cadence responded.

"No, it's not that. It's just, uh maybe we could you know throw a... a ball or something. Yeah! Like they did for Cinderella's prince! Get everypony here at once and then I can 'choose' my new heart throb?"

"A ball! I love it, Twilight! Every eligible stallion in Canterlot. This would be so much more fun if it was for real... ah well, don't worry Twilight. This will be the best!"

Twilight watched Cadence leave the park, and not a moment too soon. This would be the best, except what fun would a ball be without Rainbow Dash?

And planning a party's really Pinkie's forte... and she'd need a dress. Maybe Rarity could... no, no, no! Finding out anything about the ball could really hurt Rainbow Dash... telling anyone about the plan could backfire if information was leaked, or didn't work afterwards.

If Twilight was to fall back into Rainbow Dash's forelegs it would have to be a surprise.

Planning the ball was actually painful to watch. Everything went to... smoothly. It was hard to remember at times that Rarity wasn't the only fashion designer in all of Equestria, Pinkie Pie the only decorator, Applejack the only caterer... Equestria had gotten along just fine without them before, and they weren't always used for every fancy occasion now.

It still stung.

Cadence brought Twilight her dress a few nights before the ball was scheduled. It was beautiful. It was purple with pink fringe, and complimented her mane perfectly. Her mane, and not her personality. Whoever was royally in charge of her dress had only this to go off of. How could they make a dress, perfect to fit who she was, and not just her body as Rarity could? Twilight didn't want to hurt anypony's feelings—Cadence or whoever would see her not wearing their designed dress— but she asked Cadence if she could wear her old Gala dress. Cadence understood perfectly, and had no objections.

Finally the night came, and Twilight found herself actually becoming excited despite herself. Her dress was beautiful! The castle was beautiful! And she was a pretty awesome dancer...

Princess Cadence, and Shining Armor were glad to see Twilight be happy for once during this visit.

Twilight bounced onto the balcony of the ballroom. She surveyed the mess of stallions in tuxedos. There had to be at least three hundred.

The purple unicorn had never been happier this wasn't for real.

After a quick announcement to thank everypony for coming Twilight glided down the stairs. After her first hoof touched the ballroom floor a white unicorn zoomed up to meet her.

"Ah, the fabulous Twilight Sparkle!" He kissed her hoof. "Sister of Shining Armour, the captain of the Royal Guard, sister-in-law to Princess Cadence, and who's parents—"

"Yes! We all know my family is prestigious... I'll be right back!" Twilight had of course recognized Prince Blue Blood, and would have never been rude to a pony other than the one who had ruined the Gala for Rarity.

"This is from Rarity!" Twilight splashed the Prince with a glass of punch, and smirked as she walked away.

She was already feeling over crowded, so she took to walking in the outside courtyard.

Then she saw it.

In a small walled patio entrance room, some yards away a stallion was leaving. He was about to run off back inside and hit a flight of stairs. He was with a younger stallion. The older stallion looked around quickly to find they were mostly alone, with only a few other ponies scattered around them. The older stallion took a few frantic step in leaving and in search, and then gave the younger stallion a kiss. The quickest, most forbidden, most passionate kiss Twilight had ever seen. The older stallion began the walk away when his eyes locked with Twilight's for a split second.

Twilight realised her eyes showed shock, and to the stallion it must have looked like not only shock, but disapproval as well! It was too late, and the moment had pasted too quickly for Twilight to show what she had really felt.

But at least she now had what she needed.

Background story you ask? Well, that totally happened to me! A couple of weeks ago at the main entrance area of my school I think I saw two guys kiss like I described. I could have imagined it... and I suppose I could have imagined catching one of their eyes, and having him read my expression as shock before I could change it to the smile I carried all day thereafter... I wish I could have gone up to them and told them how happy I was for them. I wish them the best, and there really wasn't anyone I could squeal about this with... so here you go internet strangers! EEEEEE! You wouldn't believe it! It was so cute! Why can no one be open at my school! (I think there's one guy, but still!) Anyway! *clears throat* Thanks for reading! ...I'll try to get Rainbow Dash back in our little story soon. (I still don't own the characters.)