The last major Eve of this year
"The main reason why holidays and celebrations exist is not for exchanging gifts, or trying to look the best. They are a way for family and friends to come together and celebrate as one large group of equals."
Princess Luna, princess of the night and ruler of the dreamworld. It was sundown already when she decided to let her sister deal with the citizens of Canterlot while she would watch over the Hearts Warming celebration in Ponyville.
She flew with her own wings, taking in the scenery of nature as she went along, basking in the dusk that joined both the sun and moon.
Mere minutes before she would arrive she casted a locator spell to try and meet up with one of the elemental bearers. She found the locations of each of them with ease. She also used an emotional spell to know how they would be feeling.
Pinkie pie was at Sugarcube Corner, ecstatic as always. Rarity was at town hall, happy. Fluttershy on a dirt road that seemed to be going towards the town with a cheery mood. Twilight Sparkle was with the white mare and Rainbow dash lazing away on a cloud most likely. The one that intrigued her the most however was Applejack. The mare was in the far outskirts of the town, with negative emotions flowing.
She decided to go find out what she was doing so far away from everypony else. It was Heart's Warming Eve. A time to come closer with family and friends.
When she got within a closer distance she decided to try the spell again, by now it was darker, the sun had set and it was early into the night so her powers were heightened a great deal. After casting it she found that Applejack hadn't moved from her original spot. Something's wrong.
She landed within a couple of meters away from the orange mare's location and came closer. She noticed the mare had her stetson pointed downwards in the direction she was facing, Applejack was sitting down, her expression unknown to the princess of the night.
Luna called out to the orange mare. "Applejack?"
The orange pony ignored her and just stared upwards into the moonlight sky.
"Applejack is something the matter?" She asked coming closer, until she placed her right hoof on her shoulder.
"What do ya want." She retorted without turning around.
Luna was furious by her rude attitude but noticed what was in front of her, two graves.
"I don't want anything Applejack, but i think you do."
"Ah don't need anything but for ya to leave. Now." She growled.
"Are those your parents?" She asked calmly.
"Why do ya care! JUST GO AWAY!" She roared turning around, knocking the hoof of the princess off. As soon as her eyes laid upon the speaker however, her facial expression dropped. "P-p-princess L-luna?"
"Hello Applejack." She learned from her sister to be tolerant of other's attitudes especially those in emotional distress.
"Ah'm sorry about that your highness." She stumbled backwards before bowing her head, cowering in fear. Luna walked up to her and spoke.
"Rise Applejack you do not need to bow in my wake and please call my Luna, you and your friends deserve to drop the formalities." As Applejack rose Luna read the gravestones. They were indeed her parents, Harvest Apple and Cider Apple. As she sat on her hind legs Luna grabbed her in a hug.
Applejack was surprised and started to push her away but Luna spoke. "It's okay Applejack, I know how it feels to lose those close to you. Just let it all out." Applejack pushed her away more fiercely, getting out of her grasp.
"NO YA DON'T! YA DON'T KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE, DON'T TRY AND LIE TO ME!" She yelled angrily, pointing her hoof towards her.
"Applejack, before I was imprisoned do you know how long it had been since my parents died?" She asked her but without giving her a chance to speak and continued. "It had been less than a year. I had nopony except my sister, but we slept and woke at opposite times so i was truly all alone. I had to try and deal with it myself, but that failed miserably and I have to live with that fact." She pulled Applejack into another hug. "You have friends and family who can help you through this. Don't be alone when you have others who care about you greatly including me." Applejack simply gave up this time and started to weep into her chest.
"It-it's just not fair. Why did this have to happen to me?" She said speaking to nopony in particular.
"Sometimes life isn't fair. We just have to make do with what we get." Luna soothed.
"Ah know but, it's hard sometimes ya know? Every Hearts Warming Eve ah see everyone else with their parents, enjoying themselves an' ah remember about the times when ah had them around. It just doesn't feel the same without em."
"But you have family and friends to share it with, why not accept their kindness? Now come along, this is no way to spend this special evening." Luna smiled.
"Thank ya Luna. Ah'm glad ya were here, but would ya mind waiting a minute?" Applejack replied weakly.
"As long as you need, and i'm happy to help when I am able." Luna walked off slowly, stopping only 20ft away watching her.
Applejack seemed to have mumbled something at the grave and then ran over to Luna.
"Thank ya kindly for waiting ah just need to say something in hopes that they would hear me." They started to walk in the direction of town.
"If it is of no problem, do you mind if I ask of your words?"
"Sure. Ah said, ah love ya two greatly but nothing ah do can bring ya'll back. Ah'll live on for the both of ya and make ya'll both proud until the end." Applejack smiled.
Luna had tears reaching the corner of her eyes. But she turned away before the orange mare could see her.
"That is most touching." Luna said, trying to reattain her posture. Those words are not so different from what we said before.
The two mares had made the trek through the trees and onto the dirt path. Within a few minutes they had made it back to the town square where the big tree was going to be lit.
They went around trying to find out where the girls were. Luna was going to use her magic but Applejack insisted that it would be fun just to wander around trying to find them. Luckily they found Twilight near the tree.
"Heya Twilight." Applejack remarked.
"Oh hey Applejack." Twilight smiled. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you in awhile."
"Ah was just talking with somepony, nothing much."
"Greetings Princess Sparkle. It is a pleasure to meet you again."
"Princess Luna? What are you doing here?" Twilight's face adorned a puzzled look.
"Please the formalities are getting dull call me Luna."
"I'll drop the formalities if you do as well."
"Deal and about me coming here, I wanted to get away from those snobbish nobles, I like this town much more than Canterlot truth be told. But royal duties must be done there." She sighed. "What I would give to live here instead of Canterlot."
"Well regardless of your reasons I'm happy you could make it. You know what they say. The more the merrier."
"I can second that, but where are the rest of your friends? Rarity, Pinkie pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy right?"
"Yes and sadly all of them waited until the last minute to do their jobs but they should be here in time."
"There are jobs to do during Hearts Warming Eve?" Luna asked puzzled.
"Yes and they make it a much more memorable day. Pinkie is finishing the party, Rainbow Dash is getting the last few clouds for a white Hearts Warming, Rarity is helping Pinkie with the decorations to make sure she doesn't go overboard and Fluttershy is correcting the animals in the choir."
"And ah'm the one who brings the food to the party. Did that hours ago though." Applejack beamed with pride.
"Fascinating, if I knew about this I would have came earlier and helped."
"Well there is one job that you could help me with if you want?"
"Yes of course anything." Her eyes sparkled like the stars above. "What kind of princess would I be if I couldn't do one task?"
"Well my job is to light up the tree but how about we try to mix up the colours to make something special for the record books. It's going to start in an short while if you're still interested. Still need to finish some last minute preparations."
"Oh Twilight your ideas never cease to amaze me. I would gladly help you with this task."
"Well how would you-
"HEY, Twilight! Incoming!" Rainbow yelled from up above flailing madly, dropping like a rock.
"What is- She faced upwards as she was barrelled down by the cyan mare.
"Oww..." Twilight grumbled
"Twilight Sparkle are you alright?" Luna asked.
"How bout you RD?" Applejack questioned right after.
"I'm fine." She got up noticing Twilight underneath her. "Sorry about that Twilight." She chuckled nervously lending her hoof towards the fallen mare.
"Ugh really Rainbow? Could you please be more careful next time?" Twilight moaned accepting her hoof.
"I said i'm sorry, what more can I do?" Rainbow groaned.
"Maybe you can give me a little apology later." Twilight smiled, giving her a wink.
"Is thou implying what I think she means?" Luna whispered to AJ a slight blush appearing on her muzzle. "And if so, when did this happen?"
"Yes she is, still a little rough if what RD tells me is right, and ah have no bucking idea when they got together. Just one day they said they were together." Applejack whispered back. "Maybe when Rainbow was teaching her how to preen her wings they bonded? Beats me. As long as they're happy they can do anything they want. Legal of course."
"Have you ever thought about finding love Applejack?" Luna asked her innocently. "Anypony catch your eye?"
"Not really."
"Really not anyone at all? Or.." Luna gave her a menacing smile before whispering into her ear.
"WHAT?!" An extremely large blush appeared on her muzzle. She could not create her next few words, it came out only as incoherent babbling.
"Relax Applejack I was only pulling your leg."
"That was mighty mean o' you." Her blush taking over her face, receding very slowly. Applejack at that moment was happy she wasn't a pegasus even more. Everyone would see her and give her awkward stares.
"No but really I honestly don't believe that nopony has caught your eye. You can tell me."
"If ah tell ya do ya promise not to tell? Anypony at all."
"Of course. Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye." She made the motions in sync with her words. Applejack chuckled from seeing the princess of the night do such actions. "What? I want you to trust me and this is the fastest way."
"Ah'm sorry, just seeing a princess do it seems weird in a funny way. Ya didn't need to do it anyways, ah know i can trust you." Her smile turned neutral. Her blush was gone before she continued. "There is maybe this one mare, but ah doubt she would want me back."
"What's she like? And does she know you?"
"Well she's been a friend for years and she's one of the most gorgeous mares ah've ever seen still up to this day. She is a minor addict of cleanliness but besides that ah love everything else about her." A smile grew onto her lips. She felt better talking about her secret crush to someone she could trust.
"If she's your friend you should go ask her."
"It's not that simple sadly." She stared at the ground. "Ah've tried to ask her many times but ah always decide against it or have butterflies at the door, i'm scared of rejection. Sometimes ah would give 'er subtle hints, but she would see it as a friendly thing ah did for her as a friend. Nothing more. Also our current friendship is something ah might ruin if ah ask and ah never wanna lose it."
"I see and I presume there is also someone else going after her too whom is also your friend?"
"How did-
"It seemed obvious to me because of your actions around her."
"Was ah that obvious?" Her cheeks turned rose red once more. She scratched the back of her head in embarrassment.
"Well I can't say for sure but I think I may be the only one who knows, so there is nothing to get worried about."
"You should ask her soon though, she might be taken by the end of the month, maybe even tomorrow." Luna said.
"Maybe one day and if she was taken by somepony else then ah guess that's nature's way of saying we weren't meant to be."
"Oh Applejack don't say that, you two are perfect for each other and would look wonderful together."
"Thank ya kindly for your words." AJ smiled. "So how about you? Any lucky ones in your line of fire?" The princess's smile faded away instantly and she turned away but not quickly enough to escape Applejack's notice.
Applejack was expecting maybe a blush or an embarrassed smile but not a frown. "Is something the matter princess?"
"Nothing at all Applejack." She smiled once more. Applejack didn't buy it for a second.
"Princess ah know you aren't telling me the truth." She frowned.
"It's something i'd rather not talk about." The princess said walking slightly faster.
"Luna, if ya don't want to talk about it ah understand. Let's go see how Pinkie and Rarity are doing instead, we're nearly there."
"Thank you for understanding Applejack and yes that would be nice." Luna put on a half-hearted smile. Her old memories haunting her. How are you doing Shift? I hope your still alive. She thought to herself.
They arrived at town hall within minutes as the grand celebration surrounding the tree was near the centre of town.
"This has been bothering me for awhile. Applejack why isn't the celebration closer to the party? Wouldn't it be better to make them both closer together?"
"Well the celebration goes late into the night and they serve drinks sometime before midnight, so parents an' children usually don't go there and with the long distance from between the two places there's less traffic. Friends and families can go home to have their own small little celebrations."
"Oh... Then i should probably leave before midnight if you would be so kind as to let me join the party."
"Of course ya can stay, but why before midnight? The princess scared of a little hard cider?" She gave her a little nudge.
"Actually yes." She sighed. "Truth be told, I had a bit of a drinking problem before and was and currently am sort of a light weight as they put it." Applejack laughed profusely. "What?" Luna's cheeks blushed weakly.
"Oh ah'm sorry Luna ah don't mean to be rude. Ah just saw ya as a heavy drinker for some reason."
"Wha-
"Hello Luna!" Pinkie interrupted, popping in front of her which caused her to tip backwards a little too far.
"Agh Pinkie Pie." She said when she landed. Luna was a tad bit angry by her antics.
"Sorry about that Lulu, let me help you." She stuck out her hoof.
"Please don't call me that, my sister calling me that is more than enough." She accepted her hoof. Don't question Pinkie pie.
"Lulu?" Applejack questioned a smirk appearing on her muzzle.
"Yes that is the nickname my sister gives me when not many are around. Same thing goes for you Applejack." She scolded.
"But it's such a nice name-
"For a child maybe." Luna sighed.
"Oh well whatever. What are you two doing here anyways?" Pinkie asked. "Not that there's anything wrong."
"We have nothing to do for awhile so both me and Applejack were going to find the rest of the group. Hopefully meet up by the tree together."
"Okie dokie. Me and Rarity are almost done here, she's just making the last few touches over there." Pinkie pointed to a corner where a marshmallow was standing on a ladder.
"Oh I see, this really does look dazzling I must say. Quite a lot of work went into this am I right?" She looked around at the fancy but also festive decorations.
"Yep! But it'll be all worth it to see the smiles on everypony's faces when they see it."
"I suppose so."
"Pinkie darling, do you mind helping me over here." She yelled across the room, not angrily just trying to get her voice through.
"Luna why don't you do it and give Rarity a little spook. I don't think she knows you're here yet." Pinkie giggled quietly.
"Ah don't know Pinkie." Applejack whispered.
"It's just a harmless prank." Luna said smiling.
"Pinkie? I need your assistance now please."
"Okay Rarity, I'm coming." She replied in a sing song voice.
While walking Luna used her spell to hold the two drapes in place as Rarity pinned them together.
"Ah thank you Pinkie..." She looked down to see nobody there. "AHH GHOST!" Rarity jumped back in fear, falling off the ladder in the process.
But Luna was ready, she cast another spell and held her. Slowly levitating her down.
"Let go of me! Pinkie help me!!" She screamed, her eyes closed shut.
"Umm Luna do ya mind letting her go." Applejack asked blushing.
"Oh I apologize. I seemed to have forgotten." Luna let the hold of the spell go as she placed a magical pillow to cushion her fall.
When she landed she opened her eyes slightly to see the Pink mare in front of her.
"You okay Rarity?" Her smile hasn't left her muzzle. She was giggling slightly.
"Oh Pinkie we need to cancel the party there's a ghost here!"
"Oh no it wasn't." She replied smiling even more. "It was all Lulu."
"Lulu? Who in Equestria is Lulu?"
"I told you Pinkie call me by my real name." Luna spoke walking up to the both of them.
"Is that..." Her faced turned into shock and then embarrassment, a blush forming on her cheeks.
"Hello there Rarity. I apologize if I went a little far on the prank." She bowed.
"P-princess Luna wh-what are you doing here?" Rarity said trying to hide her embarrassment. "And please stand back up."
"Me and Applejack were trying to find you girls so we could all meet up for the lighting." She replied with a smile. "And please. Luna is fine."
"Hello Rarity." Applejack chipped in right after, tipping her hat.
"Oh hello Applejack where have you been? You've been gone for a long while, I was worried you weren't going to come." Rarity smiled even greater.
"Ah wouldn't miss it for the world." She replied tilting her stetson downwards a bit to hide her small blush.
"You can tell her Applejack, there's no point of hiding your true feelings." Luna whispered, low enough so both Pinkie and Rarity wouldn't hear her.
"Ah can't... ah know ah shouldn't be running away or nothing but ah cant." Applejack replied weakly.
"Running away from what?" Rarity asked, somehow only a mere 4 feet away from them. A blush exploded onto Applejack's cheeks once more.
"Nothing, nothing at all!" She said a little too quickly. Rarity simply gave her a puzzled look and spoke once more.
"Oh Applejack it hardly seems like nothing at all. I mean come on something your afraid of, oh i must simply know."
"It's nothing like ah said." She replied calmly.
"Aww you know you can tell me anything darling. I won't judge you no matter what it is." Rarity soothed.
"Umm well..." She scratched her head, thinking of a way to get out of this situation.
"See Applejack. Just tell her." Luna gave her a little nudge and walked forwards past Rarity.
"Um well you see..." Applejack started.
"Yes?" Rarity asked.
"Ah'm scared of cats." She said quickly. Rarity gave her an awkward glance before speaking.
"Oh is that all. Oh pish posh that's nothing to be embarrassed about." Rarity smiled coming closer until she embraced her in a slightly more than friendly hug.
Applejack tried to make words but they just came out as incoherent babbling, her blush returned once more. Luna merely sighed and shook her head at Applejack. The orange mare felt terrible and decided to push her away.
"Thanks Rarity..." Applejack sighed.
"So what's really bothering you Applejack? I know that wasn't what you were talking about. You're always forward and never try to hide stuff unless it's really important or shameful." Rarity said with concern backing away from the hug.
"Oh um..." The orange mare mumbled, playing with her hooves. Luna gave her another look that seemed to be saying 'you have to tell her.' "There is something but can i tell you later?"
"Of course take as long as you need and just remember, no matter what it is I won't judge you."
"Thank ya Rarity, sorry for trying to avoid the subject." She chuckled weakly.
*CRASH*
"What was that?" Luna asked as the three mares ran into the other room. When they arrived they saw Pinkie with drapes around her body trying to get out, a broken table and streamers everywhere.
"Oh no no. Pinkie! What happened?" Rarity asked worried.
"Well I thought there wasn't enough party decorations so I shot my party canon. Turns out i used a little to much powder." She smiled sheepishly.
"This is a disaster, it'll take too long to fix." Rarity sighed. "I guess we have to close this part off for the celebration."
"Not necessarily. Let me try something." Luna said conjuring up magic in her horn. Her magic aura enveloped the entire room and flashed for a fraction of a second.
When the blinding light subsided the room was spotless and completely fixed. Even the extra streamers were added in a way to make it still look reasonable. "Is this okay?"
"By the stars, that was amazing. That saved us, thank you Luna." She remarked, praising the princess.
"It was nothing." She smiled.
"Sorry to bother ya'll but ah think we better get moving. We don't want to miss anything."
"Yeah! The tree is the most super duper thing about Hearts Warming. Well other than the presents and the party and the treats and-
"We get it dear." Rarity interrupted.
"Well yes, I certainly don't want to miss it." Luna spoke, slowly walking towards the door. "Let us go together."
"Yes let's go find Twilight. Most likely Rainbow is with her with Fluttershy tagging along." Rarity said.
The four mares left the building into the snowy street to see it more crowded. Ponies of all ages, going into the direction of the large tree. Nopony stopping, merely waving or saying hello before continuing on their way. It wasn't uncommon for a princess to come to the town and they had their very own so they merely got accustomed to it.
Within minutes they had made their way back to the ever so grand tree, blank of any decorations or imperfections. By now it was crowded a fair bit.
It hadn't taken them long to find Twilight along with both pegasi.
"Hello Twilight." The purple mare merely ignored Rarity.
"Twilight? Ya alright?" Applejack asked. Fluttershy turned around hearing her.
"Oh hello Applejack how are you..." She laid her eyes upon the princess. "Meep!"
Fluttershy still had a slight fear of Luna, nobody was sure why exactly especially since she had changed a lot since before. She's permanently used to using modern Equestrian instead of old, even the Royal Canterlot voice gone.
"I'm sorry if I have frightened you Fluttershy." Luna sighed, she hadn't made much progress in the way of getting Fluttershy to understand that she wouldn't do anything wrong.
"No, I'm sorry." She whispered walking backwards.
"Are you still scared of the princess Fluttershy?" Rainbow questioned. "Like we've known her for what, two years now? Come on give her a chance."
"Umm I..." Fluttershy stuttered. It wasn't that she didn't want to give her a chance to be friendly, it was she just couldn't. She felt terror emanating off Luna.
"Rainbow Dash it is fine." Luna smiled. "No matter who I've become, I have still done terrible things in the past. Leave her be."
"I'm sorry Princess I don't know why I'm acting like this..." Fluttershy apologized.
"Do not worry, it is fine." Luna smiled. "Call me Luna if you wish. Formalities are a-
"Bothersome now." Applejack gave her a sly grin.
"So like i said before, what's wrong with Twilight?" Rarity asked.
"Oh she's just checking for imperfections on the tree. I've told her many times it's perfect but you know." Rainbow smiled. "Here watch this." Rainbow grinned evily. Rainbow came up close to the purple mare and let a warm breath travel down her neck. Instantly the purple mare's wings blew up straight and her face turned bright red.
There were mixed reactions from those around them. Some had a disgusted looks on their face, others shielding the eyes of their young ones.
"Rainbow dash, I don't think that was the greatest idea. There are children here." Rarity scolded.
"Wha-what happened?" Twilight asked trying to close her wings, her blush seemed to never have the possibility of leaving.
"Ya were in some sort of trance and Rainbow over 'ere got you... excited to try and get ya out of it." Applejack explained.
"Rainbow!" Twilight yelled. The cyan mare winced from her volume.
"Yeah..." Rainbow chuckled awkwardly.
"Care to elaborate?"
"Well I couldn't think of another way and.." Rainbow hesitated.
"And?"
"I got no excuse." Rainbow sighed, defeated.
"Your lucky your so cute." Twilight smiled, nuzzling her cheek. Rainbow returned it whole-heartedly.
"Kay can we start this lighting? Don't mean to rush ya'll or nothing but other ponies probably want to get to the party or be with their families at home. And don't forget what we're doing tonight Twilight." Applejack reminded.
"Oh yeah, got a little carried away." The purple mare grinned sheepishly. "So Luna are you ready?"
"At your command Twilight." Luna smiled. Don't mess this up.
"Alright everypony, if you would all please stand back from the tree." She yelled to the large gathering. They all complied knowing what her intentions were as they were told a week before this very evening.
"Okay Luna..." Twilight hesitated. "Now!" She yelled.
On cue Luna let out a series of colourful mists from her horn that slowly crept everywhere. Some going around other ponies who just treated it as regular, some however were wary of the mysterious substance but then realized it was harmless.
After making a few rounds Luna decided to join Twilight's own display on the tree. Luna suddenly had a surprised look on her face when she started whispering something to the purple mare. When she finished Twilight had a large grin on her muzzle.
"That would be amazing let's try it." Suddenly both of their displays joined up near the top. They seemed to be dancing around each other, sometimes leaping through one another. Then Luna let her mist float above Twilight's and it just paused.
Twilight however let her mist flow down the tree, wrapping it in a colourful spectrum, decreasing the brightness and increasing it every second. Those who weren't so affixed on the mist surrounding the tree noticed Luna's mist suddenly vanished. Some were confused by this, asking questions like where did it go.
Luna answered their questions by releasing her mist onto the tree. She changed the colours from Rainbow to the colours of the starry night. Black purple and white. Following Twilight, the princess wrapped the entire tree in the dark colours when it suddenly flashed white instantly. Everypony had to shield their eyes from the blinding light. When it subsided the tree was sparkling. The colours transformed into a dull multi-coloured star that slowly flew upwards and landed gracefully atop the tree. Once it landed however, the saturation of the colours increased by the second until it became a sight to behold.
Everypony stood in silence, awestruck of the sight they had just witnessed. Never before had the tree looked so magnificent.
Luna merely fell onto the ground exhausted, this was the first time she'd ever tried to manipulate the colours of her mist. When she looked around she saw shocked faces everypony was giving. It must have been terrible. I should've let Twilight do it herself.
Then a long whistle came from a mint coloured pony in the back. Suddenly the crowd erupted into cheer. Whooping, whistling but the majority stomping their hooves in approval. "Luna! Twilight! Luna! Twilight!" The crowd yelled in sync. Many of them running over surrounding the two princesses.
"You liked it?" Luna asked, a puzzled look adorned her face. The princess of the night rarely got praise from others."
"Are you cra- I mean of course, it was amazing!" A stallion remarked.
"The most beautiful thing i've ever seen!" A mare encouraged.
"Really?" Luna asked once more with a large smile. "You aren't pulling my hoof?"
"Now why would we do that?"
"Princess Luna, my colt has something to ask of you." Said a mare. "Go on sweetie."
"Yes? Is there something you wish to ask?" Luna graceful smiled lifted the spirit of the young one as he came forward.
"Can you pwease come again next year? Your wights were really pretty and you made this Hearts Warming Eve even better." He smiled with all of his might.
"That would be amazing! Could you actually? I think everyone here would agree." Everyone around who heard nodded their heads in approval.
Luna wanted to cry at this moment, never before had she ever been wanted. But they wanted her to come on one of the most popular and memorable days of the year. A few tears reached the side of her eyes. She wiped the tears off with a hoof.
"Is something the matter princess?" A pony asked.
"Nothing's the matter, I apologize for that." She cleared her throat. "I do think it is time for a party, is it not Pinkie Pie?" She turned to see Pinkie smiling madly.
"It's time to PARTAY! COME ON EVERYPONY!" Pinkie yelled as loud as she could, running towards the party, many others following her.
Some decided to walk slowly towards town hall to enjoy the warm snowy wonderland that is their town. Others, especially families with foals went home.
Within a few minutes the square was nearly empty, a few ponies including Luna and Twilight just enjoying the peace and quiet.
"Why aren't you going to the party Twilight? They're probably going to be expecting you." Luna asked.
"In a bit. What are you going to do now?" Twilight countered.
"Well I might go to the party and then back to Canterlot after. I didn't make any pre-arrangements so i'll be gone whenever." She sighed.
"Well why don't you join me and the girls. In an hour we're all going to meet up at the library for our own little celebration."
"I wouldn't want to bother you girls."
"Nonsense we would all love to have you come with us."
"If you insist, I guess I could maybe come. Thank you Twilight."
"You're welcome. Care to join me on the way to the party?" She asked.
"I think i'll stay here awhile longer thank you." Luna replied with a smile.
"Take care. I'll see you in a bit." Twilight waved trotting off to the party.
Luna just sat their motionless. She looked around. It seems I am alone.
"Princess Luna?" A voice came from behind her. Or so i thought.
"Yes?" She replied, turning around to see the Rarity standing a few feet away. "Is there something you need?"
"What were you and Applejack talking about before, back at town hall? I think i know but I wanted to make sure."
"Well I sadly cannot say much as I have Pinkie promised, but tell me. What did you hear?"
"I didn't hear much but judging by her actions and how dramatic she made it seem... Does she love me?" Rarity blushed slightly from speaking her thoughts.
"I can tell you she see's you as more than a friend." Luna winked. "And why do you ask? Are you perhaps in the same thought process?" Rarity's weak blush instantly blew up like a red balloon. Rarity could not formulate words, anything that came out was just incoherent and unrecognizable. Luna put a stop to it by placing her hoof over her muzzle. "Relax. Take a deep breath and let it out." Rarity followed suit a few times and then spoke.
"Yes it's true. For awhile now i've been attracted to her. I don't exactly know why but I just do." Rarity said calmly before posing a question. "Is it wrong to love another mare?"
"Rarity you should understand that love has no limitations. As long as both parties want to be together nopony else should have a say in it and in this town I doubt anyone would be against it. I can even presume they would cheer you on."
"That helps a lot thank you Luna." Rarity smiled. "Your words are as graceful as your stars."
"I am always glad to help."
"Well i'm probably bothering you right now. I'll be at the party with everypony else if you need me." Rarity said waving.
Now I am alone in complete silence. Luna stared straight up to her moon and stars that adorned the night sky. She did one of the things she'd never had the chance to do in over a millennium.
Cry tears. Not any regular tears, but tears of happiness. They slid down her muzzle and down her coat. Some reaching as far as the snowy ground that lay beneath her. This town is amazing. These ponies are amazing. Never before have I had the chance to be praised for something i've done. All my life all I wanted was to be accepted. In all my life, never before have I been so elated, so surprised.
So happy.
She just stayed there in her spot not moving, her tears had subsided in a minute and her thoughts were calm. She watched the snow drift from the clouds. "Another great job young one." Luna spoke to nopony whom was alive before walking towards Twilight's home.
When she made it over to the library she opened the door and sat at one of the tables after getting a quill and a parchment. She wrote a letter and left it near the small tree Twilight had set up.
She left the library moments later and flew back to Canterlot.
She arrived in a very short amount of time and noticed everypony with their families enjoying the holiday. The princess ignored everything and went straight to her room, flying through the balcony.
Inside of her room she rummaged through one of her closets and took out a few select items.
She brought them all and some wrapping paper onto her desk, starting to wrap them.
She had two books, a large spool, a jar with a flower, a refined blood diamond and a dimensional storage. After wrapping them all she picked a frame from one of her drawers and started to draw.
It took Luna a few hours to finish her masterpiece and she wrapped the last gift, labelled them all and sent them away to their destination.
Once she confirmed it was finished she retreated to her bed to take a small nap before her nightly dreamscaping.
The six mares by now had all made their way to the library. They shared some laughs and cheers. Talking about the past year's events. Enjoying some hot cocoa and marshmallows.
They had stayed together like a real family for hours, but sooner or later they would have to go.
Twilight let out an audible yawn.
"Ya gettin tired Twilight?" Applejack asked.
"A little." She looked at the clock. It read 9:45. "It's pretty late now."
"Yes that's true. We were up early today, getting ready for this evening." Rarity spoke right after.
"If you girls want to end it here i'm with you." Fluttershy let a weak yawn out.
"Well I can always party at town hall." Pinkie smiled, her energy no less than before.
"I think i'm gonna hit the hay as well. Need to be up extra early." Applejack said.
"WHOA!" Rainbow suddenly yelled. All eyes fell upon her.
"What's wrong Rainbow?" Rarity asked.
"Underneath the tree. Presents appeared out of nowhere!" She pointed. They all turned towards the tree and sure enough there were seven gifts, all with different sizes.
"Where did they come from?" Fluttershy whimpered.
"Let me check, I would assume it was by magic." Twilight responded, trotting over to the tree.
"Just be careful Twilight. Ya don't know what they may be." Applejack gave her a concerned look. When she picked up the first present she smiled. She reached for the others and sure enough there was one for each of them. What she didn't notice at first however was the letter that was conveniently placed underneath them.
"It's fine. They're from Luna and she left a letter too."
"Really? Well that was awful kind of her. She didn't need to give us presents." Rarity looked surprised.
"You going to complain?" Rainbow sneered.
"Well of course not, a lady never denies a gift." Twilight handed them all their presents, leaving spike's off to the side.
"Let's read the letter first, it's the least we can do."
"No arguments here." Applejack replied. "Anypony have a problem with that?" Everyone shook their head. "Well ya got the floor sugarcube."
"Okay." Twilight took off the seal of Luna. A crescent moon with stars inside the crescent. She cleared her throat.
"Dear Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy:
I am sorry to say that I decided not to come and join you all in your small get together at the location you are at which I presume is the library. No there is nothing wrong, everything is perfectly fine but I needed some time alone at the moment. Never before have I been showered with praise before this very night. It was a lot to take in for me and anymore I felt as if I would have a mental breakdown. I am pleased to say if next year comes I will join you once again for Hearts Warming if you so wish.
I presume that you all wish to know what are in the gifts if you haven't already opened them.
For the intelligent Twilight Sparkle. I know how much you love reading and learning. So for you I got a book on Advanced Magic Theorem. This has yet to be released to the public but the company who owns and publishes the book gave me a special copy that I hope you will enjoy.
For the daring Rainbow Dash there is something I know you love dearly, almost as the much as the Wonderbolts. In your gift lies a Daring Do book. It is the limited edition version of the first book that has many differences from the original story and a special surprise at the end that I will not reveal. I know the author quite well.
For the fair maiden Rarity. Your love for fashion is astonishing and what you can make with simple fabrics is simply breathtaking at the very least. A few months ago a few traders came to Canterlot and were selling spools of golden silk, that has been extracted from the ever rare Jade Spider. I hope you may use this to create finer works of art.
For the timid and reserved Fluttershy. I know you do not have many likes for materials such as books, or a necklace. So I went for something that suits you. Inside you will find a snowdrop corsage laced with a layer of magic that prevents time to pass for the object. I apologize for giving you something simple as apposed to the others but I could not think of anything that would suit you. The snowdrop like you has a strong base but is humble and likes to keep it's actions below in less sight.
For the enthusiastic Pinkie Pie I had a tough time figuring out what you would like. So i decided to let you do your favourite thing on the go. This device will let you transfer anything to a separate place that is used as storage. Anytime you press the button your things will appear. It is also heavily dependant on your imagination so don't go too crazy. This works similar to your Party Canon but is much easier to use.
And Finally for the hard working Applejack...
"Twilight why did you stop?" Rarity questioned.
"Well there's just a large blank spot and then it continues." She turned the letter so all of them could see.
"That's so spooky. It's like she did it on purpose or something." Pinkie grinned.
"What are ya'll talking 'bout. Ah can see it just fine." Applejack gave them glances.
"Maybe only Luna wanted you to read it?" Twilight inferred.
"Maybe. Gimme here, ah'll read it and if it's fine ah'll tell ya what she said." Applejack started to read out the words.
Your gift gave me the toughest time, up until today I had absolutely nothing in mind. You seem to be happy with everything you have and anything with materialistic value would pale in comparison. But when I saw you today by the graves when you spoke your words, a spark of inspiration grew in my mind and I knew that it would be something special to you. So go on, open it Applejack.
Applejack put down the letter and unwrapped the large gift. The gift was thin but very long, from the feel of it she noticed metal in the surrounding portion. Everything else was a soft material. Not unlike paper but a lot more firm and stretchy. Once the entire wrapping was off she saw the image. It was of herself from a side angle looking upwards in front of the graves of her parents. It was snowing in the picture and she was smiling at the souls of her parents who were above their graves.
Applejack stood there without motion. She was completely awestruck by her gift. Then tears suddenly poured out of her eyes without her notice.
"Applejack?" They all asked in unison.
"Wha?" She asked her tears not stopping.
"Why are you crying? What's in the frame?" Twilight questioned.
"Oh ah'm sorry." She said, quickly wiping away her tears, but they would not let up.
"So what mighty picture makes Applejack cry? Let us see it!" Rainbow remarked.
"Okay... Here." Applejack turned the picture around.
"Aww." All four mares excluding Twilight came up close and gave her a hug. She had no idea who the two ghosts were.
"Thanks girls." Applejack hugged them all back.
"Am i missing something?" Twilight asked.
"Those, are my parents Twilight." She spoke quietly.
"Oh Applejack i'm sorry about that." Twilight quickly spoke, running over joining their little group hug.
"It's fine Twilight. Ah still have both my real family and second." She smiled. "You gals."
Happy Hearts Warming Eve
Princess Luna
Author's Note
Holy cheese. First off I want to apologize once again for the low level detail that i've shown here. This was a project that came and I just made stuff on the spot for the last few days. This was meant to be heavily based off the first scene with Applejack and Luna but I wanted to finish it. But then explaining everything... Yeah I don't know what i was thinking.
Enough of my ramblings, as usual if you see any mistakes feel free to point them out. All forms of Criticism are welcomed (No blind hate prz).
Oh and spike is alive he's sleeping like always.
