Eighth Note: Every Little Thing [Private Visual to All Princess Lunas and Celestias]

[tinkertytonk]

[He'd really only meant to send it to the princesses properly located in Canterlot, but Bertie hadn't been paying that much attention to the auto-search function on his scrolls when he'd named the princesses. The pegasus who appears on the scrolls is looking just a little unhappy, but given the contents of Hoovesweek and the fact that he's got hooves once more, that's probably not too surprising. Once he realizes he's actually recording this time, he quickly draws himself up, expression going to nervous before he settles on a bracing smile.]

Hallo, hallo, hallo, princesses, all! I just wanted to say, 'hallo,' and... and all that. [Yes, moving on.] Hoovesweek's a rather wretched sort of paper, but I did note one of the articles discussing the Grand Galloping Gala. Seems only yesterday we were hieing forth in our finest to Canterlot to sing and dance and do as you do at these sorts of soirees. Frightful lot of work must go into the whole affair.

[Now they're coming to the beating heart of the matter.]

I'd, um... well, I mean I know you're awfully busy. I was head of the Drones Club Dining Committee back in London, and I just thought: 'If you can manage to sort out dinner and entertainment for about 50 of the lads, young Bertram, why not a whole stable-ful of behooved birds and beazels?'

What I mean to say is, if you need any help, I'd really like to. Help, that is! With the Gala. Harvey and I can do the music again, or I'm sure I can get someone else through his agent if you're wanting a touch of variety!

Comments

[blamemysister]

The Gala is coming up soon? Curious how this falls in such a time. Tis surprising. We will need a new dress too...

[tinkertytonk]

[Wait, what? Shouldn't Princess Luna know about the Gala. Or is this... it doesn't sound like his Luna - if one can lay claim to princesses when they skulk about the commune you live in on occasion. But she's certainly a Luna.]

Oh... yes! Sorry, I'd meant to send this to the princesses in Canterlot, Your Royal Highness. [He bows his head.] If you're here in Ponyville, Dame Rarity does some dashed fine work.

[blamemysister]

[Not that Woona knew much outside of Woonacon 2014.]

Tis not a worry, we have need to speak with Tia in the latter coming days. You said that there is a party then we shall need to attend.

And we are familiar with Dame Rarity's work. Tis a most glorious thing to see the old styles worked up in such fashion.

[tinkertytonk]

Naturally? [The 'old styles'? Bertie's certain Dame Rarity only deals in the latest fashion trends, but perhaps this is a future Luna relative to her.] It ought to be brilliant with more than one of you running about, though, what? Won't have to spend the whole night minding the moon or standing on the steps of the entryway to greet everypony.

[blamemysister]

[Not really future Luna, but she had met Dame Rarity once before and praised her mightily for the type of reinforcement she had done on the cloth.]

Tis true, but we believe it may detract from our possible siblings. Thus, we may go undercover as it were. Take upon a new form, to pass the time without besmirching the good name of the Royal Siblings.

[tinkertytonk]

[Blink. Blink.]

You think you might besmirch the royal name, madam? [How?] Ah, well! I-I'm sure you know best, old girl - miss - Your Highness. [He's getting just a little too familiar here.]

[blamemysister]

We are not as restrained as our counterparts. Due in part to have shed our emotional baggage years ago.

[Which says a lot since she's now wearing a T-shirt reading "I'm the Pony Your Mother Warned About".]

[tinkertytonk]

[This... is a very different Princess Luna, then.]

Jolly good, then? I'm sure you'll have a dashed fine time flitting about, even in disguise. I suppose I shouldn't ask what you'll look like. [He taps his snout with a knowing glance.]

[blamemysister]

One would be remiss naught to figure out who I am. [Even if she did decide just to paint herself white after all and wear a wig.]

We were thinking of going under the name Moonlit Dancer.

[pirateponyprincess]

[Hey, look, it's Celestia!]

[...In a fancy hat and strange clothes. Perhaps not the one Bertie was intending to contact.]

I suppose it would be that time of year, wouldn't it?

[tinkertytonk]

[Oh, dear. How many princesses are out there now? This doesn't look like the usual Celestia. Bertie dips his head to her respectfully, nonetheless.]

Yes, Your Highness! Hard to believe it's been a year already since the last one. Hopefully there won't be anything frightful this time, what?

[pirateponyprincess]

I do hope so. Last year was quite a shock, from what I heard. I was not able to attend it, unfortunately.

If you don't mind my asking, what sort of music do you perform?

[tinkertytonk]

I'd say that was more fortunate you weren't in attendance. [Being properly in her own time and space rather than ripped out of it.]

Harvey's a, ah... I think he calls it crooning? It's a bit like jazz. That's my business, properly! We Woosters love a good tune to get the hooves tapping and the body swinging round the dance floor. [His smile brightens as he says this, recalling the rousing song and dance during the dark day of Tezcatlipoca's stay. Lighting up the room with music and teaching some of the ponies, new and native, to sing and dance had felt like something, even if it was small. He might not have been able to fight, but Bertie and Harvey had kept spirits high.]

Have you got any favorite sorts of music? If Princess, er... if the other Princess Celestia wants any help with the entertainment, I can see to adding it to a set list.

[pirateponyprincess]

I see. Your confidence is inspiring; I look forward to your performance.

As for me, I have no particular preferences. Every form of music has its own merits, and I shall trust my other self and the Gala committee to choose well.

[tinkertytonk]

Ah, but surely a gi- er... mare with such a fine hat has got to have a certain inclination. [He's not entirely sure how much he should be pressing his luck with royalty, but he adds just a touch of cheek to his tone and grin.] I'm sure the Gala might like a rousing shanty if you've got any recommendations.

[pirateponyprincess]

[Celestia will simply allow him to press his luck like that. It's fun to watch.]

You needn't worry; I've got shanties aplenty for the Gala. One doesn't sail the greatest sea of all for several centuries and not pick up at least a few.

However, if you must have an answer, I have picked up a taste for electronica in recent years.

[tinkertytonk]

Elec... tronica? [He says it like he's trying to speak a foreign language. For Bertie, it really is. He cocks his head, brow furrowing.] It's not something to do with appliances, is it?

[visual] FINALLY

[solequus]

Oh, I would certainly appreciate the help of setting up the Gala, Bertie.

Do you have any experience in dealing with royal parties?

[visual]

[tinkertytonk]

Not... royal parties, no. [A pause.] But a fairish cut of the lads at the Drones will probably earn a title once their fathers or uncles kick off. And I did a kid's party once! [By which he means he crashed a kids party and started conducting the band whilst trying to escape the yacht the party was being held on.] He was a fussy sort of kid. A bit like American royalty!

[visual]

[solequus]

Ah, I see. But I do need to know more.

How many invites were there to the party you did?

[visual]

[tinkertytonk]

All told, around 150 with friends and sweethearts in the mix. [He has a feeling he knows where this is going.] But I'm sure I can do more!

[visual]

[solequus]

Well, then. What do you think of helping to organize a party that's, say, 50 times that size?

[And he would be correct on that feeling.]

[visual]

[tinkertytonk]

[50... times...

Bertie gulps.]

W-well, ah... [Right, she'd said 'help.' That implies there will be more than just him.] I think a good team of birds and beazels can pull anything off, madam! And I'd like to cast my hoof in to help lighten the load on everypony else.

[visual]

[solequus]

Of course. And I'm certain that you will do a wonderful job at it, as well. My next question would be, what part of the party do you wish to specialize in?

[visual]

[tinkertytonk]

Music's probably the best spot for me. Managing the entertainment, more broadly? Is it only music that you're wanting, or will there be a show like Ms. Trixie's from last year, too?