"-no problem. We'll talk later, I'm going to anchor myself at the buffet. Bonbon?"
>The clique chuckles, the conversation closing over your head as you gently guide your date towards the food.
>By the looks of things, several curious ponies have already staked a claim.
>Bonbon nudges your leg, fighting the urge to look backwards.
>"That was Trenderhoof!"
He seemed like a nice enough guy. Little artsy-fartsy, but nice enough.
>Bonbon shakes her head. "What were you -thinking-, just dropping me in like that?"
It worked out, didn't it? He seemed impressed.
>"You don't understand: if he writes about my sweets in his next column, this could be make or break - the big break!"
Big break?
>She's using her 'excited' voice now; higher register, occasionally falling over herself, and it's oddly endearing.
>"Yeah. Like full-on, fresh start, my own customers and everything. I could be shipping candies to ponies all the way from home to Las Pegasus!"
Mmhm. Let me grab a few canapés, and we'll say hi to Princess Celestia.
>"What?"
 
Yeah - I'm sure she'll say hello, if we catch a quiet moment with her.
>Bonbon looks dumbfounded. "The Princess. Really? Princess Celestia? I can't - I don't know what I'd say, or do, or - or anything!"
Don't worry about it. She's nice, really.
>"Really? You've spoken to her?"
>You nod, loading your plate. This is some quality finger-food: not a single cheese-and-pineapple stick to be found.
I didn't have a choice, really. Come on, help me out here or I'm going to look greedy.
>"Holy smokes. ...Give me a moment here, Anonymous, I'm still figuring this all out."
Hold onto that thought-
>A long, creamy-white horn just appeared, cutting through the sea of headgear.
-and follow me.
>"Huh? But I didn't-"
Take mine, and come on.
>"I - okay, I-yaah~"
 
>"-one moment, Twilight. Anonymous! Good to see you."
>You bow your head respectfully.
And the same to you, Princess - it's certainly good to be back.
>Celestia smiles. "As I recall, you promised to send me a letter every month. Should I check with the mail service?"
Not necessary. I've,
>you put your arm around Bonbon,
been, ah, introducing myself...
>"I don't think we've been introduced, Miss...?"
>Bonbon finally finds her voice. "Bon-Bon, Your Highness. I'm, ah, I make sweet treats, only part-time though. And there's the voice..."
>"Wonderful. Funnily enough, I also seem to recall Anon having something of a sweet tooth."
>What.
>"...well, I did have to pry him away from the buffet."
>What?
>Both ponies chuckle. Well, this is going great. Good for them.
>Celestia raises her glass. "I must move on. It's been great chatting to you both - if you'll excuse me?"
>"Sure!"
>You raise an eyebrow as Celestia leaves, trailled by one of her students.
Star-struck, huh?
>Bonbon smiles, lifting her nose in the air. "I think that went very well. She's nice, really."
Yeah, yeah. Where's my plate?
 
>"Thanks, Anonymous - it's been a wonderful evening."
It was certainly something, alright: I don't look forward to the newpapers tomorrow, that's for sure.
>"Look, I had a wonderful time. I would never have -dreamed- of meeting the Wonderbolts, talking it up with the fancy ponies - and Princess Celestia, Anon, the -Princess-!"
Still. Kind of a downer, when the place just falls apart around you like that.
>"Well, everyone came out OK. And once we'd removed critters from clothing, huh?"
Brr.
>The cab draws to a halt: the driver opens the side carefully. "We're here, ma'am."
>Bon-Bon carefully bunches up her dress and steps out, before leaning back into the rear and smiling tiredly.
>"Coming in for coffee?"