She sucked in her lips as she thought of the mountain of paperwork she still had to get through before the Gala -- all the invitees meant more VIPs, which meant more bodyguards. Even if virtually all of those guards were going to be left at the gate during the Gala itself, more and more dignitaries were arriving in Canterlot by the day, for nopony with any sense would show up just before the start of the event. On Friday night and all Saturday long, the city was an absolute zoo, and anyways, such late arriving guests would miss all the fabulous pre-Gala private parties held by the various noble houses. None of those little gigs compared to the Gala itself, of course, but for the visiting socialite looking to make new connections or re-forge old bonds, they were as essential as the big weekend event itself.