How to create wonder and fantasy...

What a piece of work is a pony! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in action how like the angels, in apprehension how like the gods!

Yet all ponies crumble to dust, and are soon nothing but a mere memory, which fades like starlight in the face of dawn.

Such thoughts were always on Elegance's mind, and they were a constant reminder that she only had limited time on this Earth, and that every second should be one not wasted. Every moment should be dedicated to the pure, the good, the meaningful. For all things fade, even eternity itself.

That was why she, a very young mare, was overseeing construction of her next great work, making sure nothing was delayed, everything was working at peak efficiency. The Midnight Palace was quickly forming shape, the giant skeleton of a building even rivaling the Old Royal Palace. It was here that Elegance walked, checking the details matched the ones inscribed in her dreams. Her reverie was only broken once today, when some ignorant tourist (typical) complained about the construction being just 'snooty rich ponies throwing around bits'. Elegance had rounded on the poor pegasus, scolding him so thoroughly that onlookers were witness to a fully grown strong pegasus crying and fleeing from a unicorn mare half his size.

Elegance cared not for those without vision.

Satisfied after making her latest rounds, the young lady nodded to herself, and sat down on a chair somepony had brought for her before looking out at the construction site. She smiled the thought of the finished product.

Vastile was trotting slowly down the street shortly after having finished with a show, he was putting on for the patrons of Canterlot. He was remembering how happy they seemed during Act III, my death scene was good. Hell, when you can use magic to make it seem like are stabbed clean through with a spear, your bound to get a strong... reaction. Probably shouldn't have labeled that a Family Feature... Anyway.

Now he was passing time, maybe he would put on a music show later, I could use a few bits for lunch.

coming around a corner, Vastile played witness to a very unfortunate looking Pegasis as he ran passed him, odd... A distress Unicorn just down the road plopped into a chair and was fuming for a few moments, but focusing on a building under construction, her expression softened. She must have her hooves in it somehow... Well, I'm killin' time anyway.

Time to met some new ponies in new places. Vastile trots on over to the building.

Anyway, where was she? Oh, that was right. The grand scheme. Shuffling in her bags for the paper she desired, she hummed in thought of the discussion she had earlier that day with one of the workers that was surprised at the level of accuracy that she required with the roofing. Elegance had stressed that it was essential to what would become, she hoped, the great work's most magical feature.

As she drew the parchment from her bag, her keen gaze noticed a rather bohemian looking stallion approach her. Lowering the paper, she addressed this new arrival.

"May I help you?" she asked, wondering what he wanted with her.

Vastile smiled and nodded slightly, "Ah, yes. I was walking by and I decided to investigate the goings-on in Canterlot. I was admiring the edifice of this structure, I take it you have a big part in it's construction."

The building was looking nice, after all, I never lie... unless it is prudent.

"Thank you kindly," Elegance replied, "But most of its beauty is in what it strives to be."

She held out her hooves, as though trying to grasp the immense size of the project. "It's is merely a child, born from the conception of a dream, but with enough care and love, I believe it would be something that stands for many generations." Her voice was calm and formal, but it was flavoured by distinct pride. "I hope the Midnight Palace would be something proud enough to make its mark on Equestrian history. It is an ambitious hope, but I plan on fulfilling it."

She turned her gaze back to the stallion. "Sir, you look like a stallion of the arts, are you not? I presume, then, you would be familiar with the feelings I am describing."

Vastile returned her gaze, "I am indeed. I have an idea, if you will indulge me. Do you have any concepts of the finished product, Promenade and all?" Vastile had a gift to give to her, simple to do and a small bit of magic. I'm a showman, I need to put on a show.

Let's see, not much of a crowd, but that doesn't matter, it'll be an interesting feat.

I know that feeling... Therefore, we are of the same ilk. Architecture is a thing in which I have some experience anyway... I did build a ship, that looks quite homely on the inside... I do tend to focus on the interior, though.

"A ship?" Elegance asked with some curiosity, replacing the parchment she was carrying back in her bag and casting around for something that showed the complete exterior, "I believe one of my ancestors, Lord Daring Design, was in the business of designing such titans of transport." She pulled out a long roll of paper. "Hold the other side of this down, if you please..."

Completely stretched out, the paper showed a level of grandeur that hadn't been seen for the longest time. The Lunar Princess had requested styles that were over a thousand years old, forcing Elegance to research deeply in the library's archives. Though it took tips from the deep past, Elegance had made it so it didn't feel out of place in the now modern city. The thing that stood out the most, however, was the massive central dome, truly immense in size, with smaller domes circulating it, like moons orbiting a planet.

"So," Elegance breathed, "What do you think?"

"I think ambition is a true sign of genius... The Dome one of the hardest architectural designs to build." Can be. "My Ship isn't built only for transport, she is designed for maximum comfort, while moored on land or water."

Well, time to start concentrating. "Now that I see what you are going for, let me try something."

Vastile's horn began to glow with a light grey radiance. The magic began to form images of mist in many colors, the mist moved towards the base of the structure and crept up the scaffolds like ivy sent on a mission. The Mist moved and formed around the skeleton and began to solidify. In a matter of moments the mist had solidified into an exact image of the plan, shown by Elegance.

Here is my Gift... hope she likes it. This is going to kill me without some food soon...

"There ya go... what do you think of your finished product? I think she is grand."

Elegance gasped as the dream she had started to form in front of her very eyes. After gazing at it's wonder for a few seconds she closed her eyes. "She will be. She certainly will be. But not yet," she breathed, "You may stop now. I can't imagine the toll that illusion is having on you."

She opened her eyes to look at the stallion with gratitude, and curtsied. "My most sincere thanks at your efforts." Straightening herself up, she continued. "My name is Lady Elegance of the noble Design family, and I'd like to respond to your kindness by inviting you to tea. I think you would need something like that after attempting that feat."

"I'd be happy to have a spot with you." Not the hardest illusion, but... close "I am Vastile of... Well, Manehatten, I suppose."

The image began to deform and become mist once more, the image slowly disolve into nothingness, leaving the possibility of things to come.

"I'd be happy to show you more later, but for now, were should we meet for Tea?"

"On Phar Lap Lane, there is a little place called the Black Caviar," Elegance exposited, "The owner is a dear friend of mine and does a nice blend." She rolled up the plans and placed them in her bag. Looking over the skeleton of the building, the image that was just there a few moments before still lingered in her mind. Shaking the thoughts out of her head, she turned to address the stallion known as Vastile.

"Shall we head off?"

"After you, my dear. I think I'd like to hear more of your projects once we reach our destination."

Looks like I'll get some food and drink after all, though I'm not one for... caviar.

Vastile nods and motions for Elegance to lead the way.

If Black Caviar knew anything, it was that nobles loved their tea. How else could you explain that despite the overabundance of cafes this city had her little establishment shined? She recalled the somewhat humourous reaction Canterlot had when a popular chain of coffee places tried to muscle in on its turf. In the end, the chain just cursed and gave up.

It was rather satisfying.

Her father had opened the cafe and had named it after his newly born daughter. Now the daughter had grown up and was running the show. It did rather well, especially since that Memorial Monument had been built nearby. Now Black got to see a whole host of veterans, war widows and the like pass by.

The most interesting regular (or at least one of the most interesting) had to be the young Lady Design, the one who came up with the idea. They had gotten along swimmingly, despite their differences in background, and conversations between them were never boring.

---

"That," Elegance said, motioning at the elevated structure surrounded by garden, "Is the project that got me my cutie mark. I was surprised by the fact that there was no place at all to honour the ponies who gave up their lives for military service. I sought to correct that, and the Memorial Monument on Phar Lap Lane is the result. And over there," Elegance pointed at the cafe, "Is the Black Caviar. Family owned cafe, now a bit of a meeting place for those with reason to drop by the monument. Good place for a good old cup of tea. They don't really go in for the exotic stuff."

Entering the cafe, Elegance said, "Black! How are you?"

"Fairly well," came the reply, "Another mystery guest? I suppose inviting ponies to tea is the Canterlot way..."