'Twas the night before Hearth’s warming. Snow fell lightly from the sky and onto the busy streets of Ponyville. Ponies were all abustle, talking with friends and going from stall to stall for that last minute gift before the long awaited holiday. Out of all these ponies one stood out in particular, in the center of all the livelihood stood Ponyville’s resident Zebra, Zecora. Her eyes darted from pony to pony, watching as they frantically ran around looking for that perfect gift for their loved ones.
She let out a long sigh, her head hanging low. In all the time she’s lived here not one person has ever got her a gift, or even wished her a happy Happy Hearth’s warming, not a genuine one at least. Just a passerby or two but most ponies just shoot her an uneasy glance before hurrying away. She huffed, her breath visible in the chilled air. It was hardly fair, she never hurt anyone, infact she has saved this town multiple times, where would they be without her.
She turned away from the commotion and began the trot home. Just as she left the crowds of mad ponies she bumped into somepony.
“Oof-” The pony huffed as they were both knocked onto their haunches.
“Ohmygosh! I’m terribly sorry!” The white stallion began to sputter out as he quickly recomposed himself, but stopped when he realised who he bumped into.
“Zecora!? Oh, I’m so sorry!” He said as he frantically moved to help the poor zebra out of the snow. Zecora happily took the offered hoof and began brushing herself off as she stood up and she also got a good look at the stallion before her.
Christmas Spirit was his name, she had met him a few times before. A pure white stallion with Ice coloured eyes and mane to match, also one of the few ponies that ever spoke to her. He offered a sheepish smile to Zecora and re-adjusted his hat and scarf, both a deeper blue than his eyes, before clearing his throat and speaking.
“H-hey, Zecora, Fancy meeting you here,” he began, sinking his face into his scarf to hide the blush he knew was showing through, “What have you been up to?”
“huh? oh, I came into town hoping for some herbs but the lack of spice stalls has me rather perturbed,” she replied in her usual rhyming fashion.
“Yeah,” He started, rubbing the back of his neck with his hoof, “At this time of year you’re more likely to find a reindeer than good spices. Ah crap.” He said, noticing the gift that had fallen into the snow.
he quickly scooped it back up and put it in his saddle bag before turning back to Zecora with yet another sheepish grin. Before Zecora could properly apologise for bumping into him in the first place he spoke again.
“Well I have to go find the Hearth's Warming cards in this mess” He began, looking over Zecora’s shoulder with a look of unease.
”Catch’ya later, Zecora,” he said as he trotted past the mare and into the crowd. “Oh and Happy Hearth’s Warming!” He called over his shoulder. Zecora stood there for a moment, watching the Stallion disappear into the mass of ponies. She shook her head before shrugging and continuing her trip back home.
===Later===
Love, Christmas Spirit.
“There” Christmas said, spitting out the pen in triumph and neatly refolding the card, tucking it inside it’s envelope and sealing it. He looked around the room for something to top it all off, reaching for a stick-on-bow, he placed it gently in the center of the envelope. He eyed it carefully before giving it a nod of approval.
Carefully he tucked it into his saddlebag and fastened it to his waist, putting on his scarf as he opened the door. Instantly he was met with the cold chill of winter and he greeted it with a smile. He stepped out of his warm home and into the frigid air and began towards his destination, he’d never actually been there before but tracks are fairly easy to follow in the snow.
He broke into a brisk trot, the cold brushing against his fur causing shivers to run up his spine.
finally he reached the edge of the mysterious and infamous Everfree Forest. Quickly finding the tracks he was looking for and taking a deep breath before looking up.
“Hmm, best hurry” He said to nopony in particular, “A storms a brewin’.”
===Meanwhile===
Zecora sat alone in her hut, the fire before her blazing, casting light and shadows all though her home. She quietly sipped at her herbal tea and snuggle deeper into her blanket, if the weather keeps up like this she’ll catch a cold, she thought to herself before looking out the window on her left. The snow was falling harder than it was earlier. All the more reason to stay inside.
She turned her attention back to the fire Idly staring as thoughts of home came to her mind, thoughts of her parents and siblings. Back where she came from they didn't have the same holiday, it went by another name, she remembered all the fun times she had back then. Playing games with her sisters, her mother cooking her special recipe, Father telling such wonderful stories late into the evening. She missed them all terribly.
A sudden knocking at her door broke her out of her melancholy thoughts. She muttered something under breath and stood up, placing down her cup before approaching the door and hesitantly opening it.
“What?! Oh, Christmas Spirit?! I wasn't expecting anypony to come for a visit.” She said opening the door slightly, as to not let too much cold air in.
“Hi!” He said, visibly shivering, as much as he loved the cold it was bloody freezing out here.
They both stared at each other awkwardly for a few moments, the silence in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife, Finally Zecora cleared her throat and spoke up.
“Was there something you desire? because if you don’t mind I’d like to get back to my fire.”
“Oh! Of course!” he said with his usual Sheepish smile. He reached into his saddlebag and produced a small box with a red envelope and handed it to Zecora with a smile.
She stood there for a moment before hesitantly taking it from him,
“Please, won't you come inside,” she began, her gaze alternating from the box to him,
“no need to stand out here with your pride.” she said gesturing him towards the fire.
“Oh, Thank you.” He said, carefully removing his hat and quickly trotting towards the fire.
Zecora slowly sat down beside him, Her eyes never leaving the box and card. Slowly and carefully she slid off the box’s lid and peered at the contents. Inside were a small collection of herbs and spices, all in neat little bottles.
She looked back up at Christmas with a look of mild shock, he turned his attention from the fire to Zecora, he looked down at the box and chuckled.
“Ya know, You’re supposed to wait until tomorrow.” he said with a playful grin, “It’s not much, I was having trouble thinking of a gift and you mentioned you were having trouble finding herbs so I figured I’d find you some.”
She was at a loss for words, she offered him a weak smile before turning her attention to the card. She carefully removed it from the envelope and began to read.
Dear Zecora,
I couldn’t help but notice how sad you look on hearth’s warming eve,
so I thought that this year I might try and cheer you up.
I know that this card and gift aren’t much but It’s the thought that counts, right?
Honestly, I didn’t know what to get you but I hope you like it!
Love, Christmas Spirit.
Zecora looked back up to Christmas, a few tears forming in her eyes as a blush began forming on his face, showing right through his white coat. They stared at each other, His ice like eyes staring into hers, so cold yet as warm as a blazing fire. Suddenly and with no small about of hesitation he leaned over and gently kissed her on the cheek and whispered to her;
“Happy hearth's warming, Zecora” as he began to move away however she wrapped her Hooves around him and pull him closer to her. At first he sat motionless but quickly eased into the hug and happily returned it.
They sat like this, embracing each other in front of the fire for what felt to them like ages before Christmas’s attention was drawn towards the window.
“The storm is picking up” He said breaking the hug and reaching for his hat. Zecora outstretched her hoof and took a hold of his and bringing it to her chest, squeezing it gently.
“All the more reason to stay” She said, her rhymes at this point abandoned as she gingerly leaned closer and returned the kiss before resting her head on his shoulder with a sigh and closing her eyes.
“So I take it you like the gift?”
Zecora simply smiled as she began to doze off on this, the best Hearth's Warming Eve, Ever.
Author's Note
Stay tuned, I'm probably going to write an epilogue!
If you notice grammar and such please tell me.
