Later in the Evening, At Clockwork's first Gala.

"Hi."

Clockwork looked up and saw gray fur with a blond mane, dressed in a simple light blue dress, looking at him with a shy smile on her face. He quickly wiped the tears from his face, hoping that she hadn't seen them.

Speaking of seeing, her eyes were looking in multiple directions, moving about randomly like a lizards. He found it... exotic... he loved new and different things. Even though it was likely nothing more than a birth defect. He saw such beauty, in those eyes.

She looked at the bench Clockwork was sitting on and, understanding the subtle gesture, Clockwork quickly moved a bit to make room.

The mare silently sat down. Calmly looking out at the garden. Clockwork did not know what to make of this; a mare sitting next to him at her own request. The only thing he could do was to copy what the mare was doing. Which was looking at the garden, silently.

After approximately 32 seconds, Clockwork was good with time after all, the mare decided that somepony had to do something about the silence, and it looked like it was up to her. "Nice garden."

In Clockwork's opinion, it was alright. Or, in a more honest opinion, it looked like any bucking garden he'd ever seen. "Uh, I guess it seems...lovely?"

She coughed a bit, as she shot him an apologetic giggle. "Sorry, the silence was getting to me."

After his discomfort melted into sympathy, Clockwork let out a small smile. "It's alright. I may have ended up being the pony to break it. Probably would have mentioned something random, like custard or muffins."

"Ooooh, I love muffins!" The mare cooed as she clapped her hooves.

"Well, glad to have something in common then," Clockwork responded with a chuckle. After all, he had a sweet tooth for English muffins, covered in butter. "My name is... Clockwork." deliberately leaving out his princely title.

Clockwork extended a hoof for a quick hoof bump. The mare completed the gesture. "Mine's Ditzy Do."

"So what brings you to the gala? A date?"

Clockwork's question was initially met with a blush, before an answer was given. "Oh no, nothing like that. Honestly, is my first time here."

"Mine to." Clockwork commented, "Mother insisted, since I'm an apprentice now, I should be mature enough to handle the Gala."

Ditzy sighed, "That's rough."

"Do you mind if I ask what you do for a living?" Clockwork tried to keep the conversation going, using his etiquette training.

Ditzy shrugged. "I'm a mail mare in Ponyville."

"Ah, Ponyville. I've heard so many things about it."

"Like?"

Clockwork crossed all four of his legs, as he began mimicking the nobles' opinions. "How it's a boring place, with nothing to do. No potential there. Nothing but backwater farm ponies, tipping cows."

Ditzy looked like she was about to be offended, so Clockwork explained. "Of course, this is what I heard the nobles say, and I take their opinions with a grain of salt.

"The Nobility is always underestimating the power of small towns. I come from pretty humble beginnings myself. And... it can be hard when the nobility forget that."

"Is that why your out here?" Ditzy asked. "All by yourself... Where is your chaperone?" after all, it was just proper for "Stallions of breeding" to have a mare watching them. Usually a bodyguard, to make sure other mares didn't take advantage of the poor guy.

Clockwork managed to smile, "I was able to ditch them. I have nothing against heir Fancy Pants, nor his own bodyguard, but it can be so restrictive, being followed around everywhere."

Clockwork half expected the mare to give him the typical speech. About how Clockwork should be grateful and mindful of the mares in his life.

It was just so stuffy, and mares had no sympathy for stallions that liked to wander on their own.

"That does sound hard," Ditzy sighed. "I get that Stallions are important and all. I mean there are so few of you. But I never got why so many mares are obsessed with sheltering you. I'd probably want to slink off to."

Clockwork just stared at her, mouth slightly open. Not expecting that at all.

Ditzy sighed again. "It's even worse with nobility. I guess I heard too much from the mares, who always squeal about going to these kinds of parties. But Everypony here is sooooo stuck up!" Ditzy started to chuckle, as Clockwork cracked a grin at her. "You're probably the only pony here who isn't like that. And yet you dress the part. I, sure as Tartarus, couldn't afford a getup like that,"

Clockwork looked down at his suit, and rolled his eyes. "I hate this thing." he muttered, "It will take hours to brush the matts out of my fur."

"Tell me about it," Ditzy muttered, as she looked at her dress. "The girls, at the Ponyville Spa said, that this is the latest fashion. But I'd rather wear my mail carrier digs. This thing is sooooo uncomfortable."

"Looks like we have a lot more in common, Ditzy," Clockwork flashed a charming grin. Before jumping from the bench. "Tell you what. Let's spend the last hours of the gala together. Just you and me."

"Oh, I dunno." Ditzy giggled, showing she actually liked the idea. She twirled her hair a bit, before Clockwork gently took her hoof.

"Nonsense, love!" Clockwork shouted as he pulled her from the bench, causing the mare to giggle more. "The night is still young and we must take advantage! How about we sneak into the kitchens. The staff is always eager to hide me from my Chaperones."

Ditzy allowed a toothy smile. "Lead the way, Clockwork!" She responded. Following as the stallion ran through the garden.

Unfortunately, before they stepped hoof out of the Garden. Celestia found them.

Ditzy eeped, at having the Princess of the Sun stand before her... wearing such a stern expression on her face.

"Clockwork," the Alicorn gave her wayward ward... the look, the Stare that filled him with guilt like a chastised foal... it was not a power she wielded often... but Clockwork kinda deserved it for hiding from his chaperone. "You know better." Celestia pointed out, yet it still wasn't in a scolding tone. "And after miss Fleur de Lis was kind enough to offer to escort you."

As Ditzy tried to figure out, how this was such a grievous act, that the Princess would get involved, Clockwork forced himself to act nonchalant... though couldn't quite get himself to roll his eyes.

"The Fancy clan was just using this as a chance to suck up to you. Setting me up on a playdate, as if I was a foal." He pouted.

Celestia gave another sigh, her eyes momentarily landing on Ditzy. Then went back to Clockwork, "So long as you stay by Lady Doo, I suppose it won't be a problem."

Clockwork blinked, "You know Ditzy?"

Celestia eyed the mare, who obviously didn't want the Princess to say more. Unfortunately, She was not one to let a friendship start based on deception. Even if it was a lie by omission. She may not have wielded the Element of Honesty, but she indeed valued the trait.

"Remember how I told you, the Elements have recently chosen new Bearers." Celestia informed, and watched as Clockwork's eyes quickly widened. He was a smart colt, after all. "Lady Doo is the newest bearer of Kindness." Then turned to Ditzy, "I hope you don't mind looking after my son?"

"YOU'RE SON!!!" Ditzy eeped. But recovered quickly. "Y-yes your majesty. I'll look after him."

Celestia nodded. "The truest path to friendship, is honesty. I would like you two to remember that."

Both apprentice aged ponies, gave a blush. Though they simultaneously answered, "Yes Ma'am," almost immediately. After all, with how old Celestia was, all were foals to her.

Celestia then turned, and waved them to follow.

"So much for the kitchens," Clockwork muttered.

Ditzy sighed back, then whispered. "How hard do you think it be to ditch the Princess?"

"Harder then you expect," Celestia called, from a few paces ahead.

Ditzy blushed, trying to hide behind her mane. Remembering Celestia was a literal star, so must have better perception abilities then the average pony... regardless how Quietly Ditzy whispered, even in a crowd. There was a reason ponies exclaim "Celestia Knows!"

Clockwork chuckled, feeling slightly better, despite having just been on the receiving end of his mother's harmony fueled LOOK... Ditzy really seemed like a fun mare... so... exotic...