>You are Anon, Prince of Equestria.
>But that isn’t important now.
>What is important is that Mommy said you were finally old enough to go to the Grand Galloping Gala.
>Every other year you had to go to bed and miss it.
>You are finishing getting dressed into your more formal royal clothes.
>You never really liked them.
>They were stuffy, too warm, scratchy, and you couldn’t really move in them.
>But Mommy said that you had to wear them if you wanted to go to the Gala.
>You hear a knocking on your door.
>”Are you decent my little one?”
>Mommy calls from outside your room.
“Yes Mommy.”
>You respond.
>She opens the door and enters.
>”My goodness, just look at how good you look.”
>She says appraising you.
>You grin and giggle at her words.
>”But there seems to be something missing.”
>She says while tapping her chin with her hoof.
>You start looking down at yourself, unsure what you forgot.
>”Oh, I know.”
>She uses her magic to get your crown from your nightstand.
“Aww, Mommy do I have to wear that? I hate wearing my crown.”
>You plead with her.
>”I know you aren’t fond of your crown, but you need to be well dressed tonight. And that includes your crown. Now come along, let’s get you to the party.”
>She says placing the crown in your hands.
>You pout and follow her out of your room and down the hall.
“But it’s heavy, it hurts my head, I can’t run with it, and I don’t like it.”
>You made some good points, she has to let you not wear it now.
>”Well you won’t be running tonight so that’s a nonissue. Also Mommy and Auntie Luna both wear our crowns all the time, and you don’t hear either of us complain do you?”
“No…”
>You huff.
>”Also, it has Mommy’s cutie mark on it. You said you loved it.”
>She says turning and looking at you.
>You look at the golden crown in your hands and see her mark in the center and yourself reflected in it.
”I do…”
>You reluctantly say.
>You both stop walking and are waiting at a set of closed doors.
>”So will you be Mommy’s good little stallion and wear your crown for me? Please?”
>She asks you.
>You don’t want to wear it.
>But you do want to make Mommy happy.
>You slowly put it on your head.
>Mommy smiles.
>”Thank you Sunshine. Now you look so handsome, you’ll need to be careful. All the mares will want to talk with you, or maybe dance with such a fine looking young stallion like yourself.”
>She says while adjusting your crown with her magic.
“Ewww, gross Mommy.”
>You say sticking your tongue out.
>”Will you at least have one dance with me?”
>She asks.
“Okay.”
>You reply with a smile.
>The doors open and you both enter the ballroom.
>”Now honey, I want you to stay by me tonight. There are a lot of other ponies here and I don’t want you to get lost. Alright?”
>She leans down so you can see her face better.
>You grab her leg and nod.
>”You don’t have to be that close sweetie, and I’m going to need that leg back so I can walk.”
>She laughing.
>You let go of her leg and continue to walk into the party.
>”Dear Sister, so good of you to finally make it. And who is this date you brought with you tonight?”
>Your Auntie Luna says as she approaches you.
“Auntie Luna, it’s me.”
>You tell her while giggling.
>”Oh so it is, I barley recognized you with your crown on.”
“Mommy said I had to wear it. I didn’t want to though.”
>”Why ever not? You look ever so regal with it on.”
“It’s heavy, it hurts my head, it makes me stand out, and I can’t run or play while wearing it.”
>Mommy rolls her eyes at your list of reasons.
>”Hmmm.”
>Auntie hums while lowing her head to inspect the crown.
>”Indeed I see your predicament. Unfortunately there is not much I can do to assist you tonight. And as for how heavy it is, that is what is called ‘The weight of the crown.’ Get it?”
>She says laughing
“I don’t get it.”
>You tell her shaking your head.
>“Hmm, perhaps because you are too young you do not get it. Had you been older you would be rolling on the floor laughing, as the fillies and colts say today.”
>You don’t think they say that actually.
>”I will catch up with you two later. Because for now, I must mingle.”
>She says with a sigh.
>She leans down and kisses your cheek causing you to fidget and wipe away the kiss.
>”Please save me a dance young prince.”
“Okay.”
>You watch as she walks away deeper into the crowded room.
>”That’s two appointments my little prince has on his dance card tonight. Looks like somepony is awfully popular with the mares.”
>Mommy teases.
>You feel your face start to warm up.
“M-mommy.”
>She covers her mouth with her wing and starts to laugh.
>”I’m sorry Sunshine, I was only having a little fun. Now come along, everypony is just dying to meet you.”
>You follow closely behind Mommy as she makes her way through the party.
>”Princess Celestia, a pleasure to see you again.”
>Both of you turn to see a Griffon looking at her.
>”Ambassador Talon, so glad you could make it tonight.”
>”Why I wouldn’t miss it for the world your majesty. A lovely party as per usual.”
>He says and then looks down to you.
>”And who might this be?”
>Suddenly you begin to feel nervous and step closer to Mommy.
>”This is my son, Prince Anonymous. It’s actually his first Gala, so he is just a little shy right now. Why don’t you say hello to Ambassador Talon, Anon.”
>You move away from her ever so slightly and look up at him.
“Hello Ambassador Talon, how are you this evening?”
>You say with a slight bow, trying to be polite like you have been taught to.
>”I am doing very well your majesty, thank you.”
>He returns your bow.
>”First Gala eh? Well I hope you’re enjoying it so far.”
>”We actually just arrived.”
>Mommy adds.
>”Then I won’t keep you. Princess, if I don’t see you the rest of the party, have a pleasant evening.”
>He again bows his head and leaves.
>Mommy leans down to you and kisses your cheek.
>”That was very good honey. I’m so proud of you.”
>You smile ear to ear with her praise.
>You follow behind her and most of the night goes on like that.
>Somepony calls out to her, they want to talk a bit, she introduces you, and then somepony else shows up, and everything starts all over again.
>After the hundred millionth pony she was talking to, your tummy rumbles.
>You remember you didn’t eat dinner yet.
>Mommy said there was going to be plenty of food at the party, but where was it?
>You look around and see a pony carrying a tray of food.
>Your tummy rumbles again and you lick your lips.
>Looking up, you see Mommy is still talking with a pony.
>Or they are still talking with her more accurately.
“Mommy…”
>You whisper and tug lightly on her dress to get her attention.
>She doesn’t seem to notice so you tug again a little harder.
“Mommy… I’m hungry. Can I get something to eat?”
>She is still talking with the other pony but you think you saw her nod.
>Since she knows you’re going to get food it should be fine.
>You walk away from her and try and follow the server with the food tray.
>It’s pretty hard because of how crowded the room is.
>There he is, he’s walking into the next room.
>You quickly chase after him, being careful not to run.
>Mommy said no running tonight.
>You finally catch up to him.
“Um, excuse me?”
>You say trying to get his attention.
>He looks down to you.
>”Yes sir?”
“Can I please have one of those?”
>You ask pointing to his tray.
>”Of course sir.”
>He lowers the tray for you to grab a sandwich from.
>You reach out to grab one.
>…
>Those are very little sandwiches.
>They have to be the smallest sandwiches you’ve ever seen.
>You look at the tray, back to him, then back to the tray again.
>”Is… is everything alright sir?”
“Um, I’m kinda hungry. Is it alright if I have more than one?”
>”Of-of course. Please take as many as you would like.”
“Okay.”
>You nod and take 4 tiny sandwiches.
>That’s about the same as a real sandwich.
“Thank you.”
>You walk away and begin to munch on your first sandwich.
>After you finish your first little-wich as you now are calling them, you get thirsty.
>Luckily you see another server walking with what looks like glasses.
>You start to follow her into another room.
>You catch up with her and try to get her attention the same as the other server.
“Excuse me.”
>She looks at you.
>”Yes your highness?”
“I’m thirsty, is it alright if I have one of those?”
>You point to her tray.
>”Oh, I’m sorry sir. But these drinks are for grownups.”
>You lower your head in disappointment.
>Grownups get the best stuff, like their special drinks you can’t have.
>”But I know another server who will have something for you. Please follow me.”
>You smile and follow her into another room, while eating another little-wich.
>Actually small-wich would probably be a better name.
>You look and see the mare you were following talking with another mare with a different tray of drinks.
>The second mare walks over to you and lowers a drink to you.
>”Here you are your highness.”
>You take the drink from her and smile to them.
“Thank you both so much.”
>You bow slightly and walk away.
>You make short work of the rest of your small-wiches, totally better name, and your drink.
>Another server took your empty cup.
>There are a lot more working tonight then you normally see during the day.
>Mommy wasn’t kidding when she said there were going to be a lot of ponies here.
>You start to scan the room and look for Mommy, but you can’t find her.
>You start to panic a little.
>Then you remember that you left the room and came into this one, you just need to back track a little.
>You return to the other room and look for Mommy again, but like before you can’t find her.
“Mommy…”
>You say in a panic as you begin to look the room over again.
>This isn’t good.
>You look again and again but can’t find her or Auntie Luna anywhere.
>You practically run into a different room and finally find her.
>Forget the no running rule now, you finally found her.
>You run up and wrap your arms around her leg and bury your head into her.
“Mommy, I found you!”
>”Oh what’s this?”
>Your eyes open wide.
>That wasn’t Mommy’s voice.
>You let go and take a step back.
>You see a tall unicorn wearing a similar dress to Mommy’s but it isn’t her.
“Y-you’re not my Mommy…”
>”No I’m not I’m afraid.”
>She shakes her head.
>”What do we have here dear?”
>A tall unicorn with a mustache asks her.
>”I believe it’s a lost prince.”
>”Good heavens, we can’t have that now can we?”
>You start breathing faster and feel tears starting to form in your eyes.
>You’re lost, scared, and you might not ever see your Mommy again.
>That thought was enough for the tears to start and the sobbing quickly followed after that.
>The unicorn you thought was your Mommy crouches down and puts a hoof to your face.
>”Shhh, it’s alright, there, there. Don’t worry. We’ll help you find your Mommy.”
>”We will?”
>She looks at him very seriously.
>”I mean yes, of course we will old chap.”
>Their words make you feel better and you stop crying.
>”There, there, everything’s going to be alright. Why don’t you hold onto my dress so you don’t get separated from us while we look for her, alright?”
>You nod and grab onto her dress.
>The unicorn looked like he was about to say something again but another look from her silenced him.
>You followed them into several different rooms but still couldn’t find her.
>Then as you were about to give up and start crying again you heard her.
>”ANON! Anonymous, where are you?”
>You look to the voice and see your Mommy looking frantically from side to side.
“Mommy!”
>She turns at the sound of your voice and you see tears in her eyes too.
>You let go of the dress you were holding onto and run to her.
>She crouches down and welcomes you into a warm hug, wrapping her wings around you.
>You start to cry again as does she.
>She holds you close for a while before breaking the embrace.
>”Anonymous! Where were you!? I was looking everywhere for you. Didn’t I tell you not to wander off?”
>The worry is gone from her voice and is replaced with frustration.
“I’m sorry Mommy. I was standing next to you like you asked me to, but I got hungry so I went to get something to eat. But then I couldn’t find you.”
>You start to cry again knowing you did a bad thing and made her angry.
>She sighs and kisses your forehead.
>”We’ll talk more about this later. Fancy Pants, Miss De Lis, thank you for bringing my son back to me.”
>”You’re ever so welcome Princess.”
>The mare looks over at him.
>”We’re just glad you are back together.”
>”Again, thank you. But if you will excuse me, I think a certain little somepony has had more than enough excitement for one night. Come along Anonymous.”
>You know that tone and decide it best to walk with her.
>You follow her out of the Gala and back up to your room in silence.
>”Anonymous, do you know how scared I was when I couldn’t find you?”
>She asks when you both enter your room.
“I’m sorry Mommy.”
>”Why didn’t you say you were hungry before walking off like that?”
“But I did. I thought you nodded it was okay.”
>”I’m sorry honey, but I didn’t hear you. If I did, I would have gone with you. It was very crowded down there tonight and I didn’t want you to get lost like you did.”
“I’m sorry…”
>You start to sniffle again feeling more tears coming.
>She leans down and wraps you in another hug.
>”Oh sweetheart, it’s alright. Don’t cry. I’m not angry.”
>She wipes your tear with her wing.
>”Just learn from this experience for next time alright?”
“Okay Mommy.”
>”And to make sure you remember, you are going to bed right now.”
“But Mommy-“
>She gives you a look that tells you this isn’t up for debate.
“Okay…”
>You get changed into your pajamas and crawl into bed.
>She uses her magic to tuck you in.
>”You know I am firm with you because I love you right Anon?”
“I know Mommy…”
>She leans in and kisses your forehead.
>”Sleep tight Anon, I love you.”
“I love you too Mommy.”
>She turns and starts to walk out.
“Mommy?”
>She stops.
>”Yes honey?”
“I’m really sorry about wandering off.”
>”I know.”
“Can you please sing to me tonight?”
>She turns around and walks back to the side of your bed.
>”You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.”
>You close your eyes and feel her brush the side of your head with her wing.
>”You make me happy, when skies are grey.”
>You always loved when she did this.
>”You’ll never know dear, how much I love you.”
>It always made you fall asleep so easily.
>”Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
>She leans down and kisses you again as you drift off into slumber.