Ghostly Waitresses Spotted
Who's that little darling up front? We've sure never seen her, but one thing is for sure, we want to see more! Problem is, if you tried, you probably wouldn't notice. Yes, that's right. You wouldn't notice until you blinked that cute as she is, the teddy-bear bearer herself would seem to be able to simply disappear, or perhaps walk through walls, even! Trust me, we were just as surprised to see the ghostly face show up in the Kamera. Certainly doesn't seem like they are at all upset to be part of the photo either, bless them (Or don't, that might be bad for them)!

Who is this ghostly Antean tailing the party? Are they haunted? What the heck did those Bannermanes get up to to incur such a haunting, and above all… Why is she working service at the party? Certainly the first time something incorporeal has ever attended, and even stranger, seems to be one of the only employee spotted without a covering over their face or head! "Maybe it's time to consult the crystals themselves, but heh… only the best of the best of us have those,aye?" says a rather well-dressed anonymous inside source. "Only ones I know that have 'em are the Calligraphers themselves, inn-aye? Keep those kinds of things on lock."

At the very least, this would almost certainly imply they are simply not with the Service Workers protest, but what could have brought in these new, nearly-invisible helpers? Clearly our diamond has something in store for us this ball, and the more we see, the more and more questions continue to come forward!

~Pearlescent

Electra Avoiding the Kamera!
Alright all you out there, this is getting uncanny. Time after time, we've seen her in the background. Always a subnote in the grander pictures that our lovely Kammy has an incredible eye for, she constantly seems either surprised, or hiding from everything we do. Now, clearly, she's been travelling with them and apparently paid a crucial part in the Wati rescue effort. There's something special about this kirin, and the more and more she shows up in our photos, the more and more questions we reach out and ask. The odd thing is, though, that none of these questions ever yield results. Any leads we have down to before the events at Wati only lend to one conclusion, no one knows where she is from, or really who this Kirin is!

Now some of our readers might ask if this is… a bit intrusive on her privacy, and to that we say… Its what we do! We do it for you, Kalidai. No one should be saved from the spotlight at such a key event of our city's traditions, and the lack of background on this individual has a lot of us wondering how much a Scaletip influence is going to be present in what she has to present to us on the runway come tomorrow.

~The Edge

Saint Tangent's Doodles
What's that in the back there? A saint herself doodling on a napkin? Well dames and fellas, you've heard of The Author in toast, now get ready for art straight from the mind of one of the Sun King's more prolific icons of this day and age. Some say so prolific, in fact, that you feel blessed by simply being around her. I… can't say I know exactly what that feels like, but several of our news-ponies have confirmed such a feeling, so who am I to question the divine?

Local bards are clamoring to see what she has to draw though, that's for certain. Many ponies are curious if any of her more… known pieces are going to show up in this year's auctions, especially now that they have been made public! One thing is for certain, anyone betting against anything A Pimp Named Buckback wants better have some deep pockets… If you know, you know, folks, I say it time and time again. If — You — Know — You — Know!

-Stitch' O Mulligan

Upfront Personality
Disorganized, pushy, overly cautious… These are words you wouldn't expect to be associated with a group presenting themselves at the Krystal Ball of all places, but it would seem all too common amongst them. But I do know all you readers may not be aware of who all these individuals are, and trust me, at first neither did we. Heck, it wasn't even until this first day that we'd even noticed some of these creatures following the Wati headliners, but fear not, Kammy's got you kovered as always. I've kept my eyes and ears out, gathering names and stories (and nearly getting roasted myself) from all of them so I can truly get to you, the readers, the inside scoop on this gang of unlikely adventurers. Who are they? Are they dangerous? Why are they travelling with the group? Turn the page to find out the Good, the Bad, and the Unsightly!

The "Good"

Ginger Scotch (Unaffiliated)
Oddly enough, didn't even notice her there in front of the giant teddy bear until I had snapped the photo! Turns out ghosts really do show up better on Kamera, you learn something new everyday. I have to admit, she does look exceptionally cute all done up with her bowtie. Who would have thought that a ghost could dress up for such an occasion. The fact that the giant teddy bear seems to be part of her ensemble makes the whole look even cuter, and honestly…, I kind of want one myself…!

Jinx (Unaffiliated)
Jinx, Jinx, Jinx. A classic Kirin we see just about every year. Though this year, it seems that something is different. While normally she comes to the event with her equally as cute sister, Misty, this year doesn't seem to be the case. Its rather odd given how closely they seemed to tail each other, and all things considered, I have to wonder if there's any juicy underlying drama between the two. I'll have to prop up the subject at some point with her, but until then, stay tuned folks.

Fireheart and Moon Planter (Sacred Skeins)
Fireheart and Moon Planter came to to this ball together, and it certainly seems like out of everyone in the group, they seem to be the most serious. Now at the ball of all things, I would like to ask where little bits of drama between the two of them exist, but… there just doesn't seem to be any. Why so serious? Well that's the question. Now usually when Bannermanes get serious about any topic it spells out something odd is up, and I'm curious to know what that might be.

Pengwen (Aeriolonian Bannermanes) and Duk (Sacred Skeins)
Pengwen and Duk are… an odd couple. In such a setting as the ball, one wouldn't expect to be balancing soup spoons and summoning curly straws, but here they are. Its perhaps a little refreshing to know that at least someone in this group is having a bit of fun. I hardly realized that Pengwen was wearing something until I saw the collar! Quite the surprise, but a clever one nonetheless. A tuxedo on a penguin… who'd have thought! They don't seem to be above a bit of drama either by the looks. With a few peas and a silver platter, they seem to be more than okay scrying up on a few of their friends, likely for a joke, I assume. All the more power to them if their friends don't mind!

Balcony Blitz and Wicker Wind (Snippstone Postmanes)
Balcony Blitz and Wicker Wind are as easy to find as I'm sure they are easy to talk to. They are a good example of your friendly neighborhood Postmanes, and certainly above all else, the best of friends. They seem inseparable! My faith in the postal service is at an all-time high knowing how seriously these deer take their job too, and given its the very night of the the Traveler's Travel, I am curious on what songs they have to sing around for us from all their adventures. That's what those Snippstonians are known for after all!

Fortuna (Goldenport)
The walking, talking machine herself, Fortuna seems to be the clown of the group, and I mean that in a good way! From what I've noticed she always provides morale to the group, as well as a guiding word or two. Now I can't be 100% sure that these fortunes mean anything, but I mean… As much as she's tailed around this group, it means something that they haven't had worse happen to them! That internal clock of hers seems to be good for reminding us too that Swift Sails birthday might be soon as well, given the small cupcake being brought to him! I wonder when it might be!

Belle Hop (Bellmare)
All the way from Bellmare, we have Belle Hop. Now I'm curious as most as to how a Bellmare landed herself amongst the party. Quite frankly, all I know about this Earth Pony is that she has an eye for the unusual. I could honestly probably talk details with this mare for hours and never get bored of it. Perhaps I can coax her into a get-together over a nice hot bowl of chili.

Saint Tangent (Sacred Skeins)
Saint Tangent, the better of the two saints (in my humble opinion), is a Sun Cat of the Sacred Skeins. I assume she's worked closely with Doctor Amden on account of her own ability, and it certainly shows. She, however is part of the Sun King's faith, rather than The Authors, and a darn fine example of it as well. Even the other day, passing by one of the schools in the city, I was able to overhear one or two little songs the school children had invented about her while skipping rope and having fun. She herself seems to have more of an imagination than I thought as well! Occasionally, she can be heard talking to someone named "Thumbtack", but no matter how hard I look, I can't seem to see him. Is this one of her own inventions? Or perhaps a Celestial only she can communicate with? Questions to ask for sure!

Kaffe (Basin Sage)
Kaffe is taking her usual annual trip out from her vacation home in Basin Sage, and as as always, she is an absolute treat. I've already had the honor of speaking with her a few times, and she's always got sense of humor about her. Still though, she seems just as adamant as ever, that as much of a gossip that she likes to be, I can't seem to crack a secret out of her. Maybe one day!

Swift Sail (Whitewater)
Swift Sail, the one I know you were all waiting to hear about. Best for last, I always say! Well Swift Sail is undoubtedly the only one in the group who seems to be here to make an impression for us and to be a part of the ball. Not to say that the others aren't, just that he seems to be the most comfortable here in this setting to begin with! Being as shiny as he is (a fact I'm all too familiar with), I have to say, he's in the perfect place for it. Having now met him more personally, he seems more mature than I'd originally noticed! It compliments his attire quite well, certainly. The amount of mail we get here at the Kalidaily from girls clamoring to get into contact with him are quite frankly, astounding. I can assure you all they will get to him much quicker if you go through the post office. I'm sure those two deer will have a much easier time delivering them to him directly.
Swift himself seems to be an advocate for the press as well! While typically outsiders coming in to this event are more shocked by the advent of Kameras, he seems more than fine with them, and even goes so far as to chastise those who yell at us or even attack us for just doing our jobs (See Ophiucus, page 10). The shining star himself seems to even come accompanied by another star of the Krystal Ball's past repertoire in the form of Jinx! Though this does lead to a question of if Swift and A Pimp Named Buckback are currently at odds, given the fact that Jinx doesn't seem to be at all nearer her sister or him. Certainly a mystery we here at the Kalidaily will make sure is looked into!

The "Bad"

Ophiucus (The Unusual Isles)
Readers, I have to preface… You know me. I don't try to insert myself into any sort of dramatics where I can avoid it. I prefer to be a casual bystander to what is happening, and to simply report on it. But all that considered there is one kirin in this group that seems to have a problem with me, so I'll be more than happy to spill that tea.
Saint Ophiucus, or Ophie, as they call her is a Kirin from one of the cities in the south around the Unusual Isles. I can never get a straight answer whenever I ask anyone, I swear. Being from where they are from, one has to wonder how addled that kirin's brain might actually be to actually be crazy enough to shoot someone (Yours truly) at the Krystal Ball for taking her picture! Girl if you think you're all that and a bottle of Kirin Special with that twisty horn of yours, you're in for a rude awakening. All I'm saying is that it comes to no surprise that the fez-adorned pony she initially came in with now seems to have left her side. :tea:

Jackpot (The High Rollers)
(There is no pictures to accompany this article)
Jackpot was truly the hardest one to find on this list, but I finally was able to track down his name from one of his good friends, and long-time ballgoer, A Pimp Named Buckback. He seemed to know the pony quite well, and inquiring more about him, my own perception of him seems to align with his. What can I say? He's good at evading me and I'm intrigued at what I had gleaned from his rather sly personality. I'm cautious, yet curious to know more, but that's all I'm going to say on the matter! If you know, you know, right? :wink:

Lisa
There is one mare that doesn't seem to want to make too many waves when it comes to making an impression, and I have to say it would be Lisa. She is undoubtedly dressed for the occasion, and accompanying someone else who is as well, so why is she so down? If you're reading this, Miss Lisa, know that lil ol Kammy is down to talk the talk. Lets see about getting you off this list. Last thing I want is someone with as good a dress as you to be on is a list with Ophie of all creatures.

Scales (Basin Sage)
Scales is of course accompanying Kaffe, and its always stark to see the differences between the two of them. As per usual, his personality is abrasive and rude, but what else is new? Can't complain about the fashion at least, he's rocking those shades! But at the end of the day… If Kaffe is happy, then I'm happy, so you keep doing you, Scales. I'll be sure to keep my distance, don't you worry.

Eugine Mango (Unaffiliated)
Eugine Mango, bat pony "Number 1" extraordinaire. Or so he says. As unique as this bat pony's style is, I have to say I'm unimpressed by the way he carries himself. It's almost painfully obvious how much he is simply riding on the coattails of these Bannermanes just to seemingly want to show off all of his inventions. News flash, Mango, the toaster's been a thing for years now. One has to wonder if he's simply trying to weedle his way into the Bannermanes in the first place. I'm sure Goldenport is hiring Mr. Mango, get on it!

Electra (Unaffiliated???)
Electra has been a secret interest of mine for a while now. At first, I thought it might be a coincidence that she'd been avoiding my lens in the past, but a few snaps later, and I've come to find it a recurring state of her being. I can simply never get a good picture of this kirin no matter how hard I try. It's almost like she has a 6th sense for what is about to happen or something, I swear it. Equally as perplexing is how no one seems to know much about her. Where did she come from? Where is she going? Past her name, its hard to tell, but I speculate she's from the Scaletip Bannermanes if anything. One thing is for certain, she's not getting off this list till she blows me away tomorrow night. I warn you, Electra, I'm a hard kirin to please!

The "Unsightly"

Sarsaparilla Surprise (The High Rollers)
Surprised? I'm surely not. Sarsaparilla Surprise is the oldest of the group without a doubt. Turns out the one to dress like they did to the ball was the second one of the group to look like they were about to attack me, to no ones surprise. Luckily, she seemed to be slow on the draw, hardly able to even pick up her weapons before the group had to help her come to her senses after dutifully reminding her of her own expiration dates. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she's probably losing her edge. But alas, I just so happened to overhear that she was possibly able to land herself a date for the ball.

But I'll believe it when I see it. I imagine anyone who'd take her to such an event like she is probably has no taste as well. Where does she think this is? On vacation?

The beginning of The Bannermanes ongoing journey can be found here!
Information on the world of Astillon can be found here!