Aurora left the VIP area where Aster and the Wonderbolts were located and returned to the main hall to look for Meteora.
While searching, Aurora encountered two donkeys flirting in a corner.
They looked very familiar, and since donkeys were a minority in Equestria—especially those able to enter the castle for the Grand Galloping Gala—Aurora was fairly certain they were the donkey couple who would eventually settle in Ponyville.
When Aurora found Meteora, she was chatting with a group of dignitaries, among whom were ponies Aurora recognized, including Fancy Pants.
Fancy Pants was too easy to recognize: an expensive, neat suit, his cutie mark of three stacked crowns faintly visible beneath his tuxedo, and his signature blue mustache.
Although he was mostly a background pony in the story, he was a background pony with significant status and influence, established as a top-tier aristocrat in Canterlot, Central City.
Most importantly, while being an aristocrat, Fancy Pants was also a true gentleman, and Aurora had a very good impression of him from the show.
Even more importantly, Fancy Pants was often accompanied by a companion named Iris, a beautiful white pony with a pink mane, whom some fans jokingly referred to as the young version of Celestia.
Not seeing Iris here, Aurora felt a secret tinge of regret, thinking that perhaps Fancy Pants hadn't met her yet.
Aurora knew her mother was an aristocratic pony and that their family's connections in high society primarily came from Meteora's relationships, but she hadn't expected her mother to be friends with Fancy Pants, and it seemed their way of interacting was different from the sycophantic ponies around them.
It was obvious that the positioning of these ponies primarily radiated outward from Fancy Pants and Meteora, which explained everything.
Aurora couldn't help but reflect on whether she had been too indifferent to her family's situation; she seemed to know too little about her parents.
"darling, I'm so glad to see you've arrived. Come over and chat with us."
At Meteora's invitation, the ponies on the periphery consciously cleared a path, making it easy for Aurora to walk to her mother's side.
Meteora introduced a few ponies she knew to Aurora and also introduced Aurora to the surrounding ponies.
"So this is your daughter; she is truly remarkable. It seems Madam Meteora is also excellent at raising children."
"After all, Madam Meteora once served as a Royal Etiquette Consultant and was known as the 'Amarantha of the Social Scene.' Naturally, her daughter would perfectly inherit her poise and etiquette."
"No wonder she was handpicked by Princess Celestia as a student; like mother, like daughter."
When Aurora stepped into the circle, flattering words rang out like a reflex, though it was hard to judge how much sincerity was behind them.
Therefore, Aurora, who was occasionally spoken to, replied formulaically and didn't take their words to heart. Meteora also just listened quietly, without making any particular reaction to what others said.
Watching her mother respond to these ponies' greetings with diplomatic tact—neither neglecting anypony nor showing undue favoritism—Aurora couldn't help but sigh that experience really is the best teacher; Meteora's reputation in the social scene was truly well-earned.
It was quite funny to think about: when Aurora was learning pony speech and mannerisms as a child, she had used her mother as a reference.
After all, she hadn't drunk Meng Po's soup when she was born, and with behavioral cognitive modules already installed, it wasn't easy to insert new species behavioral modules.
Although biological instincts helped her initially adapt to walking on four hooves, further integration required acquired learning. And the most suitable reference template was naturally her mother, Meteora.
Aurora didn't have high standards; she just hoped she wouldn't end up looking like some bipedal creature awkwardly crawling around on four hooves. However, when ponies praised her elegant demeanor, it at least proved that her imitation of her mother was quite successful.
"Hello, Miss Aurora, I am honored to meet you. I have heard that despite your young age, you possess profound knowledge and are quite accomplished in the field of magic. Seeing you today, you are truly extraordinary."
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!