A Swirled Moon
Rainbow Dash swirled downwards in a spiral as the red barn drew closer to her. The cool winter winds whipped through her rainbow colored mane and tail. Crystallized moisture rolled off her cerulean coat and clutched to a set of oak colored saddlebags. Her eyes squinted as she dove downwards. She had agreed to pick up Scootaloo at the Apple family barn after her sleepover with Apple Bloom; it gave her a good opportunity to deliver presents as well. Scootaloo had been sleeping over at the Apple family for the last week, while Dash had been stuck with preparing the weather for today; as scheduled, it would snow heavily at the beginning of the night. After some debate with the boss, she had managed to work double shifts earlier of the week to get today off. Tonight Scootaloo would finally be able to spend the night with her, and what a perfect night Hearth’s Warming Eve was for that.
She dived into a barrel roll, feeling a jittering sensation from within. She had worked many extra shifts to get enough money for Scootaloo’s present. She even had to go through the trouble of ordering it all the way from Manesail; with express delivery so it came in time. All the extra hard work and trouble would be worth it, for just the thought of Scootaloo’s face when she opened it made a grin appear over her lips.
Her smile vanished and turned to a worried frown. For some time now, she had given flying lessons to Twilight, and while they had had some talks about their feelings for each other before Twilight had turned alicorn; they had shrugged it off and decided it was just something in the spur of the moment. After months of working together each day, they decided at long last to try getting into a serious relationship; and they had now been in that for a few months. Nopony but their closest friends knew of it yet though, and they had promised not to tell anypony, not even their sisters. Being accepted by Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy was a relief, but her worry never was with them; she sometimes lay awake at night thinking about how Scootaloo would take it, or even how to begin to tell her. After a late night discussion, Twilight expressed the wish for them to spend Hearth’s Warming Eve together. Even though Dash agreed that it would be nice, she would never go back on the plans to to spend tonight with Scootaloo. In time they had decided to spend the night together with Scootaloo in the library; it would give them a good opportunity to finally tell her about them as well. Dash swallowed hard. It was also closer to the orphanage, if Scootaloo would rather stay there than with them.
She landed without a sound on top of the snow covered barn, then silently made her way to the edge of the roof to peek over. Her worried mind turned as she saw a gamboge colored pegasus hide behind a large makeshift wall of snow, while pressing together snow between her hoofs, making a bundle of snowballs. Her cerise mane was barely covered by a bright blue beanie and a bright red scarf.
Over by the fence she saw a yellow head with a bright red mane peek up before tossing a ball at the wall, giggling as she got a ball in quick retort.
Eyeing the scene unfolding under her, Dash decided to join in, acting on her advantage of surprise. She stood up and brushed away the snow from under her belly and started to gather up a huge ball of snow, just barely packing it so it wouldn’t be too hard. She then rolled it slowly out to the edge and craned her neck to see if Scootaloo was still hiding in her made believe safety of the white wall. Seeing Apple Bloom looking directly at her, she put a hoof over her muzzle and grinned wide, quickly getting the drift of what was about to happen Apple Bloom continued to hurl snowballs the the fort. Satisfied that her attack was correctly aimed, she gave it a hard push and let it drop. A dampened thump could be heard, quickly followed by a surprised gasp from Scootaloo and a bellowing laugh from Apple Bloom.
“How did you do that?” Scootaloo yelped as she swiped the snow off her fur.
“Tha’ wasn’t me!” Apple Bloom answered from behind the fence.
Scootaloo picked up another white ball and hurled it. “You can’t blame it on Sweetie Belle. She’s in Manehattan with her parents!”
Restraining a giggle, Dash lowered herself down behind Scootaloo soundlessly and dumped another heap of snow over her. “Did you really think I’d let you have all this fun by yourself, Scoots?” Dash boasted, still hovering.
“Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo cheered as she dug herself out of the snow and gasped richly for air and strived to fend off the snow covering her purple eyes.
“The one and only.” Dash retorted
Scootaloo dug out her beanie from the snow, shook it, and placed it tightly over her ears again. With a flutter of her wings, she lifted herself up, barely enough to get on her hoofs again. The moment Scootaloo turned towards her a ball of snow hammered itself to the side of Rainbow Dash’ head, sending her off balance. As she tried to regain her balance she felt something hit her stomach and fell back first into the snow. Stars played over her vision as she tried gaining focus on her attacker; it cleared just fast enough to see Scootaloo sitting on her stomach with hoofs full of snow. The filly grinned wide and let the white torment fall from her hoofs.
“Apple Bloom, I got her!” Scootaloo bellowed, still sitting on top of the squirming cerulean pegasus.
“Ah’m coming,” Apple Bloom shouted, quickly followed by a giggle.
Dash swiped the snow away from her eyes as she heard the trampling of Apple Bloom’s hoofs. She jerked her hips upwards, sending Scootaloo head first into the snow with a surprised ‘whoa’. Dash quickly spun around onto her hoofs and jumped up into the air with the help of her wings. This caused Apple Bloom to barely miss her tackle, crashing with a loud thud into the barn wall. The shock of her crash caused the snow at the edge of the roof to fall down on them with a subdued thud, barely leaving a red tail peeping out.
“I’m not that easy to catch.” Dash laughed, her grin quickly disappearing once the yellow filly didn’t get up. “Bloom?” she carefully said while landing near her.
Dash leaned closer only to see a huge grin on Apple Bloom before she was hurled to the ground by a powerful tackle from Scootaloo. In what seemed like seconds both fillies sat on top of the blue pegasus, dousing her in snow.
“Alright, I give up!” Dash shouted as she felt her ears slowly go numb from the cold. She rose as the fillies removed themselves from her, “Is AJ around?” she asked.
Apple Bloom nodded, “Yeah, she’s inside helping granny with the food for tonight.”
“Great, you ready to go, Squirt?” Dash asked as she paced forward to the house together with them.
“Yeah, I’m coming back here tomorrow, so we don’t have to get my stuff.” Scootaloo retorted.
“Oh, we might as well fly right away then, you’ll be okay going back alone, Bloom?” the cerulean pegasus asked.
“Of course!” Apple Bloom huffed, “M’ah house is right over there.” She said while pointing vigorously with her hoof.
“How could I know, I heard both of you were scaredy-cats.” Dash mocked lightly.
“We’re not!” both yelled in unison, before looking at the other and let out a giggle.
Dash pulled an orange wrapped box together with a smaller yellow one out of her saddlebags. “Here, this is for you and AJ, take those in for me, will you?” Dash asked.
“Sure!” Apple Bloom said before she embraced Scootaloo, “See you tomorrow,” and sat off in lightning speed towards the house, presents in hoof.
“Yeah!” Scootaloo agreed happily before turning to Dash, “I don’t care much for hugs, they’re for scaredy fillies, but Apple Bloom likes them, so I guess it’s okay once in a while.” She said with a stifled cough hiding a nervous chuckle.
Dash placed a hoof on Scootaloo’s head and rubbed it. “Not all hugs are for scaredy fillies, Scootaloo. One day you’ll understand that.”
“Yeah, whatever,” Scootaloo retorted while a faint shade of red sprung to her cheeks, she shrugged it off and grinned, “can we head to the orphanage on our way?”
“Of course, what are we picking up?” Dash asked as she unfurled her wing to allow Scootaloo to climb on her back.
Scootaloo took hold of the wing and jumped up with a strong leap. “That’s a secret.”
Dash chuckled. “Alright then,” she tensed every muscle in her body and spread her wings. “Hold on tight,” she said. The moment she felt a set of hoofs around her neck she let the tensed muscles shoot her up into the air like a catapult.
Ponyville orphanage was located in the outskirts of the town fairly close to the schoolhouse. The fields they crossed between the farm and the town was riddled with apple trees, leaving little room for anything else. Almost at the very end they spotted Macintosh fixing a fence with Winona running around in the snow and barking at every innocent critter she could find. They waved at him before turning left towards the towering white mountains.
Dash let the tip of her wing feather slice through the light layer of snow. Having been untouched by anypony since it had laid itself like a coat over the mountain, it swirled up easily as they passed in high speed. The disturbance made a cocoon of white powder around them. She flapped her wings hard and went for a nose dive down the mountainside, slaloming through trees with a white comet tail; with Scootaloo cheering from the top of her lungs.
The mountain grew smaller and smaller behind them as they neared the lake just outside of town. They saw ponies of all ages sliding across the ice covered flat on their skates; some were couples sliding along gently, while others played a rough game on the ice. In a secluded area of the lake, mothers’ foals could be seen practicing skating away from the rowdy teenagers. Near the edge in a snow free area, the elderly kept a fire running, food warm, and drinks filled for those who needed to get some warmth before running out to play again.
The school bell rang as they passed, marking the time to stop the days work. The schoolyard had been turned into a gathering point for foals, who were having snowball fights in the playground landscape and using seesaws and climbing cages as cover. While ponies made snow alicorns on the white ground, the old caretaker walked past; a grin dawned over his lips as he enjoyed the cheerful laughter around him. Fillies and colts alike stopped to wish this old pony a good Hearth’s Warming Eve because, although he was not family, he always cared for the little ones as best he could. As he walked, he left a single path of hoofsteps in the snow as he always did Later, when the hour neared night, the foals would follow those steps as they always did; at the same time, they sang for the elderly before turning home to a warm meal.
Past the school, the orphanage came into view. The white house was covered in bright lights and other decorations. As soon as they touched down, Scootaloo jumped off her back and raced in. Dash decided to wait outside to admire a bonfire created outside of the building. Ponies of all ages gathered close to it. Many sat down on a bench that had been placed nearby and roasted a marshmallow while others just sat near it, enjoying the warmth and company it gave.
While Scootaloo disappeared inside, Dash’s mind wandered as she stared intently into the flames. Dash was sure that it wouldn’t matter much to Scootaloo, but a huge part of her said, ‘what if?’. She smiled carefully. Not once in her life did the confident, fearless pegasis imagine herself worrying so much about the opinion of a foal.
She barely felt Scootaloo putting something in the saddlebags and climb up on her back again. “Right, let’s go,” she chirped, snapping Dash out of her trance.
They took off quickly and flew over the town’s snow covered rooftops. Elegantly passing the other pegasi that flew, with each jarring turn Scootaloo laughed audibly in excitement, and at times let go of Dash’ neck to wave her hoofs in the air. They flew straight for the library, towering over the smaller houses at the outskirts of Ponyville.
The white blankets lay thick on the branches, covering the evergreen color, only slits in the snow hinting that there was something under there. In the window of the second floor, Dash saw the shadow of Twilight moving around in the flickering light of the fireplace. Dash touched down in front of the cherry red door and let Scootaloo climb down.
The filly look at her quizzically, “What are we doing here? I thought we were going to your place.” Scootaloo asked.
Dash sat down and sighed, “That was the plan, but things have changed a little since the two of us made those plans.”
“In what way?” Scootaloo inquired.
The cerulean pegasus felt her heart pound harder, it almost felt like blood would shoot out of her ears. She flopped her ears back and the heat in her cheeks came to a level which it could melt ice.
“Are you blushing, Rainbow Dash?!” Scootaloo asked.
“No!!!” Dash retorted, “I mean… no.”
Scootaloo tilted her head slightly, “You are!” she giggled.
Dash scratched the back of her head, “I guess I am.” she patted the snow next to her, beckoning Scootaloo to sit next to her.
The smaller pegasus sat down close to her, “What’s wrong?”
“Scoots… do you know the thing about the birds and the bees?” Dash asked, and cleared her throat as the filly nodded intently towards her with a skeptical look on her face. “Well… you see… a blue rose goes well together with a red rose, and most of the time they find each other.”
“Roses? I didn’t know you were into such girly things, Dash.” Scootaloo snickered.
“I’m not! Not that kind of girly things anyway…” Dash retorted.
She rubbed her hoof to her forehead and tried to think of an easily understood metaphor for two mares dating. Her frustration grew by the seconds, as more and more ideas came out too weird to explain. Slowly a grin formed itself over her lips.
“You know how magnets work, right?” she asked.
Scootaloo rolled her eyes, “Yeah, we learned that in second grade.”
“Alright, now bear with me, the south pole and the north pole attach to each other, like, opposites attract.” Dash said and nodded, satisfied with her analogy.
“Yeeeeaaaah…” Scootaloo answered hesitantly.
“Well, you see… sometimes two south poles will attract each other, and attach.”
The door creaked up, lighting up the snow in the slowly creeping darkness. Twilight looked at them both with a smile. Her violet eyes glimmered in the light, and her mulberry coat was finely brushed. Her mane and tail was violet with streaks of sapphire blue and rose colored streaks in it, and near her chin the hair swirled up in an arch.
Twilight moved closer to Dash, “Have you told her?” she asked.
“I just did,” Dash smiled in retort.
“I have no idea what you’re trying to tell me, Dash.” Scootaloo said in bewilderment.
Dash put a hoof on her forehead and sighed, “Apparently not good enough.”
“I’m freezing, can we go inside already?” Scootaloo said as she stood up.
Twilight smiled towards both of them, “Of course, I’ve made some warm cocoa for you girls inside.” She said as they all moved inside.
The temperature inside was in stark contrast of what they came from, quickly warming up their cheeks. Dash and Scootaloo hung saddlebags and clothing on small hooks on the wall while Twilight closed the door behind them. She made her way over to a table in the middle of the oak colored room and embraced a tray with three goblets in her raspberry colored magic hue. She offered both of them a goblet that warmed their hoofs slowly as they took hold of it.
They sat down in front of the fireplace on a few pillows made ready. A smile grew on Rainbow’s lips as she saw her present to Scootaloo was placed carefully in the corner of the tree colored walls, towering compared to the smaller ones next to it. Twilight sat down on the pillow next to Dash and rested her head on her shoulder, and let out a relieved sigh.
Scootaloo dove down into the saddlebags and took up a brightly colored present, rushed over to the corner and placed hers in the bundle, she turned and inspected the biggest one and let out a gasp of astonishment. “This is for me?! Really?! It’s so big! It gotta be totally awesome when it’s from you, Dash.” The small filly fluttered her wings in excitement, lifting herself barely up from the floor. “Can I open it now?!” she asked, almost bellowing.
Dash chuckled and shook her head, “No, not yet, wait a little longer, enjoy your cocoa first.”
Scootaloo flopped her ears and sidled over to her pillow and began drinking slowly while keeping a constant watch on her present.
Twilight picked up on Scootaloo’s interest for the package and decided that it would be a good time to nuzzle Dash’ neck. She giggled and quickly turned her eyes to Scootaloo, which now was sitting with a mouth wide open, gawking at them. Dash felt her cheeks instantly heat up, and looked elsewhere, wanting to disappear from the face of the planet in this moment.
“What was that?!” Scootaloo asked.
“Err… you see, when two of the same pole—“ Dash started.
“What does magnets have to do with this?” The filly interrupted.
Dash was about to try another metaphor when she felt Twilight’s hoof on her shoulder. The alicorn smiled, “Let me try…”
“Try what…” Scootaloo said in a skeptical tone.
Twilight rose and made her way over to Scootaloo, sitting down next to her. “Scootaloo, you know how Sweetie Belle has a mother and a father?” Scootaloo nodded in retort but remained silent, Twilight continued. “There are times when two mares, or two stallions, find each other in the same way a mother and a father find each other. While it is not normal, there is nothing wrong with it, but it might be a bit odd.”
Scootaloo looked between Dash and Twilight, “So… you two are like… together?” she piped after a minute.
Dash nodded in confirmation, “That’s what I tried to tell you, and that’s why we are here, celebrating Hearth’s warming Eve with Twilight.”
Scootaloo blinked, as if some form of epiphany had struck her, “Twilight... but not Spike?”
Twilight made way next to Dash and sat down, she smiled at Scootaloo, “Spike knows about us, he was one of the first we told. I arranged for him to be with Rarity and Sweetie Belle today, we thought it best to tell you when it was just us three, and now that I think of it; he was a bit too eager accepting that solution... poor Rarity.” Twilight chuckled lightly, “I wanted to tell you earlier, but Rainbow thought it best to wait until today when we all were together.”
Dash inched closer to Scootaloo, “Squirt… I understand if you want to be alone a little bit, it was maybe the wrong day to tell you. I really didn’t know how else to tell you; and both Twilight and I really wanted to celebrate together with you.” Dash swallowed, “I... I can fly you back to the orphanage if you’d rather want that.”
Scootaloo shook her head, “No, it’s fine.”
“You sure?” Dash inquired.
“Yeah! I was sorta looking forward to spending time, just the two of us.” Her lips tugged back to a small frown. “Could be worse ponies to share you with,” She chirped.
Twilight blushed, “I’m very happy you see it that way, Scootaloo.“
“Yeah! Not everypony get to celebrate tonight with a princess!” Scootaloo laughed. “Why on equestria would I want to go back to the nurse in the orphanage?”
“Not everypony agrees with what Dash and I are doing, we just want you to know that you don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to.” Twilight answered.
Scootaloo smiled, picked up her goblet and took a deep sip. “You’re still you, no matter what or who you like. That doesn’t change who you are, so why would I change because of it?” she said in a simplistic manner, leaving both Dash and Twilight dumbfounded.
The filly slammed the goblet down on the floor in front of her and grinned, “There, done! Can we open the presents now?”
Snapping out of her trance, Dash smiled, “Yeah… go ahead, Scoot.”
Bouncing up with a cheer, she ran over to the big package and began tearing up the paper, sending it flying all over the room before it eventually landed on the floor. She shuffled the crate over and sat down, staring intently at it. “No way!” she gasped.
Dash looked at Twilight, who shrugged, before she went over next too Scootaloo. “Everything alright, Scootaloo?” she asked carefully.
“It’s totally awesome!” she bellowed, still staring at the crate. The image of a scooter with bright red wheels and a board of pure white; the handlebar had a metal color, while the grips had deep blue. “It even got winter skis, it’s the best version of it! With titanium handles, board made out of whisperwood tree, making it super light and sturdy! It’s the signature edition as well!” Scootaloo jumped around Dash’ neck, “Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!”
Dash let a hoof fall on top of the filly’s head, “Glad you like it, you should open the one from Twilight as well.”
Scootaloo’s ears flopped back instantly and she let go of her grasp around Dash’s neck, “I didn’t get anything for you, Twilight.” she slowly muttered in a sullen voice.
“Don’t worry about that, Scootaloo.” Twilight reassured before she grabbed a richly colored present the size of Scootaloo’s head and hoofed it over. “Just promise to enjoy this one,” she reassured.
With a nod, Scootaloo began to tear into the present, making it snow richly inside. “Woah!” she gasped and put on the chrome and blue colored helm, with dark monocles from the box. “This is awesome! A Wonderbolt exclusive speed helm! They’re going to be sooo jealous back at the orphanage. Thank you, Twilight!”
Bobbing her head, Scootaloo took the present she had placed there earlier and hoofed it to Rainbow Dash. Her toothy white grin contrasted the black goggles she still had on.
Dash gently shook the package and listened as a clank came from inside. She saw Scootaloo grinning wide towards her, and began to slowly open the paper. Once the paper was away, all that was left was a wooden box with the names of both Dash and Scootaloo burned into it. The cover slid easily to the side and revealed a set of flying spectacles. The band which was attached to it was cerulean as her coat, and between the glasses a small pin with her cutie mark was glued neatly to it.
Scootaloo bounced up, “Do you like it?! I made the box myself in woodcutting class; and the glass is fog resistant!” She asked gleefully.
Dash put them on and turned towards her. “Hah, they’re awesome, and they fit perfectly.”
The rest of the night they used to open presents from the rest of their friends and continued to drink cocoa. Lastly, Dash and Twilight opened the presents to each other, Twilight had gotten her hoofs on a signed edition of the very first published Daring Doo novel. She winked at Dash and said being a princess had its perks. While Twilight got a brand new table to place her books and write her now royal letters, together with a brand new quill.
Eventually they turned their attention to preparing the food for tonight, starting by taking out the raisin bread from the oven, filling the room with a sweet scent. All the time that they marched around the library preparing plates, food, and desert, Twilight had taken quick nuzzles and just as quickly turned away to continue with what she had been doing before. Over the course of the evening, this happened over and over again, leaving Dash in blushed bewilderment. Scootaloo giggled at them while she polished her new helm and scooter. After they had eaten the food, Twilight stopped Dash, curled a smile and kissed her warmly on the lips. At first confused, for this was just one of many during the evening, she finally looked up seeing a mistletoe hanging over her and all the other places Twilight had kissed her. They sat down in a huddle together in front of the fireplace, while Twilight read tales of past Hearth’s Warming Eves to them. As it neared midnight, Scootaloo had fallen asleep in Dash’s lap, and snored lightly.
Dash flickered her ear and stood up while carefully placing a pillow under Scootaloo’s head. Twilight had gone in search for a book earlier when something had caught her attention when she was reading to them some time ago. She tiphoofed herself out of the library and closed the door as silent as she could, before standing alone outside, staring intently up into the sky. She squinted her eyes and looked around her, shifting from the lights far away from the other houses, to the intent blackness that was in the way for the forest.
The door opened again, and Twilight stepped out in the snow next to Dash, “It’s outstanding how much truth the simple logic of a foal can have.” She looked at Dash
Dash turned her attention to Twilight and smiled, “Yeah... I feel relieved.”
“I can imagine; you’ve been worrying long about telling her.”
“Yeah, I could never imagine her accepting it so easily.” She said with a small appreciative chuckle.
“If just everypony would see that you’re still you...” Twilight turned a smug grin at her, “even when you’re now courting a princess.” she lastly giggled.
Her cerulean cheeks flushed with a bright red color, “I-I... yeah,” she stopped, feeling the presence that caused her to go out growing more intense.
“What’s wrong, Dashie?” Twilight asked, seeing Dash squinting out in thin air.
“I don’t know, it’s just…” she responded.
“You feel it as well then?” The alicorn inquired.
“Yeah, somepony, or something is watching us,” Dash shuddered, “it sorta freaks me out.”
“It’s a pony, and I have a good feeling about who she is, and I’ll have a chat with her when I meet her again, but she’s harmless.” Twilight assured.
Dash turned her gaze at Twilight quizzically, “What makes you say that?”
Twilight smiled, “Close your eyes and feel the presence.” She said and made a show for Dash to follow.
Dash nodded and closed her eyes, furrowing her eyebrows as she focused. She felt the presence move closer to them before it hesitated and froze. In her mind, Dash reached out and touched it, getting the feeling of serenity and calm washing over her. It inched closer to her like a critter carefully inspecting a newly found object; no hostility could be felt, just calm curiosity.
She tilted her head as she imagined a ripple in the air in front of her, like something pressed towards them in the thin air, reaching out, but stopped by an invisible wall. It moved around them, but never getting closer than a few hoofs, like a shield enveloping Dash and Twilight.
Dash kept her eyes closed and whispered to Twilight, “What is that? It feels so…”
“Old?” Twilight suggested.
The pegasus nodded, her mind following it as it moved towards the house, stopping by the window; and just watched. It gave off a calm hum, mirroring a form of serenity, before it vanished, leaving no trace of ever being there.
Dash opened her eyes and looked at Twilight, “It looked in the window at Scootaloo, it felt so… sad.”
Twilight leaned forward and nuzzled the groove of the pegasus’ neck, “Yes, it does, doesn’t it? It followed me last year as well, I think it is from a time not like ours; searching for its place among us that belong in this time. I tried to study it last year, but every time I made an advance it vanished, only to return again the next day…” Twilight hesitated and looked towards Canterlot. “searching for something it has lost.”
Dash tilted her head and cocked a brow up, “What do you mean?”
Twilight shook her head, “Never mind, just a random thought.” She turned her violet eyes upwards, “I think we better call Scootaloo out, the moon is about to change.”
Dash chuckled, “I’ll never get wise on you, but you’re right.” She opened the door and stuck her head inside. “Scoots! Wanna come out and see the moon dance?!”
Quickly after a loud thud could be heard from inside, followed by a loud ‘oohf’. Then the sound of small hoofs hitting the wooden floor in rapid speed got closer to the door.
Then, Scootaloo stood between Dash and Twilight with a huge grin. “What a dumb question, Dash!” she responded.
Dash nudged the filly on the side, “Hey, I didn’t know you were such a tough filly.”
Scootaloo shot her chest forward and grinned before she turned her eyes up to the sky. “The moon dance is so awesome, I often sit and look at it from my window in the orphanage.” she looked at Dash, “What is it anyway?” she inquired.
“That’s… err…” the cerulean pegasus stumbled, “it’s hard to explain...”
Scootaloo sighed and turned to Twilight, “Do you know?”
Twilight turned a smug smile towards Dash, and responded. “We’re not entirely sure why the moon acts as it does on this night, there is very little written history of any stages before this phenomenon. From the looks of it, it just appeared almost a thousand years ago, and has stayed ever since. Even Celestia herself has no idea what to make of it, that’s at least what she says.
“That does bring up certain interesting theories about how the whirls around the moon appear, and why they are arching down in a spiral towards Equestria. Perhaps it has something to do with Nightmare Moon? Or perhaps it is something about the gravitational pull being stronger on this night than any other night? That as well brings up—“
“Twilight,” Dash interjected. “we’re not in class tonight.” she said adding a mock yawn.
She released a chuckle as she saw the perplexed look dawning on Twilight’s face that followed the interruption. Dash looked at Scootaloo, who having just woken up from her nap; easily fell back to sleep due to Twilight’s ramblings.
Twilight giggled, “I guess it is a bit late for that.”
Dash nudged her carefully awake, “It’s about to start, do you want to sit on my back for a better view?”
Scootaloo jolted up, “I don’t want to go to sleep!”
“Relax, Squirt, come on, climb up and get ready.” Dash said stretching her wing out to allow Scootaloo to climb up.
Scootaloo took hold of the wing and dragged herself up on Dash’ back, she placed her front hoofs on the rainbow colored mane and stared intently at the moon. The pegasus took her blue feathered wing and stretched it out over Twilight, whom had taken a spot right next to them. Dash felt her cheeks heat up slightly as the violet alicorn took a step closer, allowing the wing to completely embrace her.
*~*~*~*~*
Luna exhaled.
The strain of using her mind’s eye to watch the elements of harmony was creeping up on her, but rewarding. She let the storm in her mind soothe, and slowly opened her green eyes, jolting back as she met Celestia’s stare.
“Boo!” Celestia whispered as she saw Luna’s expression at her intrusion of her personal space.
“Sister! What are you doing?” Luna exclaimed, feeling her heart race.
“I could ask you the same, Luna.” Celestia said, craning her neck back.
“I was just looking,” The smaller sister said.
“You mean spying…” Celestia stated with an arched brow.
“No! I mean…”
“I’ve told you, Luna, our connection with the elements is not to be misused like you just did.” Celestia answered.
Luna sighed, “You’re right, sister, but there’s so many things I don’t understand anymore. There is so much that has changed in the time I was away.” She reasoned.
Celestia smiled, “I understand that you want to learn more about the time we now live in, but you have to respect the privacy of the Elements.”
“I just want to understand… so I can be loved like you.” Luna started. “What is today? It’s not the same as it was before. The little ponies are gathering around in their homes under the night, singing songs and sharing gifts with each other… they’re so happy in my night, I want to understand!” She said loudly, feeling her voice straining not to crack.
“Tell me, Luna, on this night last year, did you look up on the moon?” Celestia asked with a caring smile drawn upon her lips.
Luna shook her head, “No, I was in the library catching up on events that I had missed.”
Celestia turned towards the balcony, “Come then, I think it is one important detail you might have missed.”
The princess of the moon tilted her head as she slowly rose. “Can’t you just tell me?” she asked.
“I could, but I think showing you would be better.” Celestia answered with a slight chuckle.
They stepped out on the balcony watching over Canterlot, small inkling lights flickering in the windows, some barely visible behind the layer of snow that danced upon the cold night winds. Bells rang out in the streets, some in tunes, and some not. Thick blankets of snow fell as far as their eyes could see, laying itself over the already white roofs and streets of the city.
From the gathering houses they saw ponies walking home with their families, foals running around their parents, cheering eagerly on their way home to a warm meal; and for once getting to stay up late for the moon dance. Some stopped to play around in the snow, and the elderly standing on the side watching with a smile drawing upon their wrinkled lips. Through the streets chariots were pulled, bells sounding eagerly from the neck of the stallion at work. From high over in the midst of night, they could see nothing more than the torches flickering, hissing as a poor snowflake ventured close to the flame. Couples rode the chariots, offering each other their warmth as their breath turned to iced smoke.
The orphanage beamed out in the night, giving light to those passing by, or warmth for those who wished from the fire in front of it. The sound of bits hitting metal could be heard as ponies generously gave some of what they could spare to those less fortunate, so they also could enjoy the night.
A small group of ponies, fillies and colts, young and old, stallion and mare alike, all ventured door to door singing a song together for those who opened, often earning them some warm, newly baked goods. They ate them together while moving over to the next house, hoping to gain more fill to their stomach with a happy tune.
“Do you hear the song they sing, Luna?” Celestia asked as she watched over the city.
“Yes… it’s beautiful…” Luna concluded.
“Close your eyes, and listen again, Luna, and hear what they sing.” Celestia said.
Luna nodded and closed her eyes, focusing all her energy to her ears. At first, she heard nothing more than the happy tunes of the song mixed together with bells. Scrunching her forehead, she concentrated. Finally hearing the word they sung, she opened her eyes and felt them well up.
“This song…” Luna squeaked as each word she heard warmed her heart.
Celestia nodded, “Yes, they are singing your song on Hearth’s Warming Eve, to mark the swirled moon.”
Luna looked up on the moon, “The moon looks like it always does?”
“I missed you, Luna…” Celestia said and turned to her younger sister. “that’s why I changed this night to a night where ponies share what they have with those that might not be as fortunate. A night where ponies are… happy, where they are a family, together.”
Luna took a hoof over her mouth, “Sister…”
Celestia nodded slightly, “The same thing I missed the years you were gone.” she said absently.
Luna stood silently and watched her sister’s warm smile towards her, not knowing how to react. The castle remained silent, only the sound from the ponies’ chants could be heard. At last she felt a tear roll down her cheek, crystallising as it fell from her chin. Luna stepped towards Celestia and let her head rest on her sister’s neck. She felt the warm wing of Celestia embrace her and hug tightly, and a head resting on hers.
Time passed and Celestia retracted her wing, brushed away the crystal tear from Luna’s cheek. “I have one more thing to do tonight, it is what makes this night complete; will you help me?” She asked calmly.
“I don’t know how…” Luna responded solemnly.
Celestia unfurled her wings, “Just follow my lead.”
The white princess flew off the balcony with a strong bat of her wings and stopped just above, waiting for Luna to join. Luna joined happily; they flew high, far out of reach of the wanting eyes that peered up at the moon this night, passing clouds and birds. Canterlot itself looked like a city of stars; dark with small flickers of orange light guiding the inhabitants forward. They breached the very upper layer of clouds, hovering above them, watching the few clouds that were out tonight slowly drifted past.
“Give me your hoof, Luna,” Celestia asked, “and focus on giving me some of your magic.”
Luna gladly placed her hoof on to her sister’s and looked at her eagerly, awaiting what would happen now. Celestia closed her eyes as her horn started to glow brightly, and once she opened them again they glowed with strong luminescent light. Luna felt a tingle at the tip of her hoof, it slowly expanded and enveloped her more and more, tickling her with a magical touch to her very core; and her fur sparkled with magical lightning. Lastly her sight was doused in a mirage of colors, painting anything she looked at in a beautiful hue of blue.
Then the energy slowly left her body and shot up towards the moon. As the energy moving in rippled motions hit the surface, the moon lit up like a starry sapphire like blue orb in the sky. The surface moved like water, swirling and sending rings away from where the beam hit. Glowing stronger and stronger, till the light reached all the way down to Equestria, bathing the land in a tranquil light. Then the light collapsed back in to the moon before the magic contained in it soundlessly exploded over the dark sky.
Luna covered her eyes with a hoof and gasped as she looked over it again. The moon shone bright as a blue sun. The night sky looked like a watery surface with small tranquil waves of colorful energy moving over it, away from the moon. White dust spiraled downwards to Canterlot, looking like a magical whirlpool of speckled colors. The light reached all the way over the horizon, draping the land in a warm soothing warmth.
“This…”
“Do you like it?” Celestia asked.
“That song… and this beautiful show of magic, it is not needed.” Luna said and turned to her sister, “Why?” she asked.
“I wanted the ponies to remember you, my sister, and not Nightmare Moon.” Celestia smiled, “I had to wait a few generations before I introduced the song and the swirled moon, but I think it was worth it.”
Luna sniffled and embraced Celestia, “Thank you…” she whispered as she nuzzled the white fur of her sister.
“I did miss you, Luna. Happy Hearth’s Warming Eve.”
*~*~*~*~*
The three ponies watched as the crescendo of magical colors danced over the night horizon. Exploding in a cascade of beauty unmatched by anything; orbs of magical energy floated on the waves, sending beams down towards them in all the celestial colors.
Dash felt Twilight nuzzle her cheek, “Reminds me of you,” the alicorn said.
The cerulean pegasus blushed and cleared her throat, “Thank you… I guess.” she squeaked.
Dash leaned forward and placed her lips onto Twilight’s in a tender embrace. Gaining the attention of the filly sitting on her head, who answered with a suppressed giggle.
“Just be quiet and enjoy the show on the sky, Scoots!” Dash laughed and made a mock attempt to shake off the filly. “Happy Hearth’s Warming Eve.”
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed this little feelgood story I put together for you guys this Christmas.
Some of you American readers might wonder why the presents are opened all at the same night, this is how we do it where I'm from, so that's what I based some of the things in here on; together with an old Norwegian saying, cookies if you spotted it.
Thanks to Root Note for editing help and Enix for being ever so lazy and patient in his pre-reading work. ^_^
For the rest of you, merry Christmas or happy holidays, no matter what you celebrate, I wish that all of you have the very best of time this year.
Cheers and merry Christmas!
~Tofazz~
