"Challenges make life interesting, however, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." - Mark Twain
-- After --
It is snowing like never before, the snow blowing hard across the Crystal Empire. The citizens are scared and frightened, they are looking at me with fear. I did this, I am to blame for the blizzard.
I look at my hooves and see how I feel like I have let everyone down. I can't stop this, I can't control it.
The blizzard goes on with me standing in the middle of it. My white hair flowing with the cold breeze; I'm not cold from the breeze; I am one with Ice.
-- Before --
Winter is here in Ponyville. The first snow of December has finally arrived. Snow lightly covers the ground like a huge light blanket never seen before. And the sky was filled with snow clouds like no tomorrow. At the carousel boutique it was a boring day, stuck inside my house.
Sweetie Belle has gone back to our parents house for Hearth's Warming Eve. It is drawing near and her school is on break.
So it is quiet for the moment, with my sleeping mask covering my eyes. I could feel my dear Opal sleeping on my bed beside me. She rarely purred, and had a nasty hatred of me. She never forgave me for dousing her in water, making her perfect white coat of fur soggy wet when I had to have a cover for not coming back to Ponyville.
She hasn't slept by my side in forever. It's nice to know that maybe some ponies can be forgiven.
I just finished decorating for Hearth's Warming Eve. My stockings are hung up by the chimney, Hearth's Warming Eve tree is decorated with ornaments, lights and a star on top. Pretty popcorn garland is hung on the ceiling, spreading everywhere across the room. It is a great festive touch if I do say so myself.
As I jumble around in my bed I feel like something is missing, like I need to be doing something like making a dress for a fashion show, but I don't have anything to do and that's the problem. For the first time in a while I can relax and enjoy the cold weather.
I've been busy for months working on outfits for big names of the fashion industry for months on end. My creative thinking is ready to work, but there is no work to be done.
Maybe I secretly loved to be working all the time, but I am glad to finally have a break.
A knock is heard from downstairs. It beckons me forward to get out of bed.
My hair probably looks terrible, like a rat's nest, uncombed, uncurled, and unruly. My hooves clop downstairs to the front door and I open it.
It is my wonderful friend Twilight, she smiles happily at me, she is wearing a nice purple scarf around her neck. She is pacing, waiting to tell me something I can see the excitement in her face.
"Hi, Rarity!" She greets me with her eyes filled with wonder.
"How are you, Darling?" my wonderful fancy Canterlot accent speaks out. I let her come into my house, she gladly steps in.
"Great! I've just finished re-organizing my library and wanted to come over here and ask you a question." She paused waiting for me to answer her.
"Sure, what do you want to ask me?"
"Are you doing anything this Hearth's Warming Eve?"
I shake my head, "No, I'm just stuck here for this holiday."
"Good!" She exclaimed, hugging me tightly.
I looked genuinely confused, "Why are you so glad that I don'the have anything to do?"
"I just wanted to see if you wanted to come spend Hearth's Warming Eve at the Crystal Empire with Cadance and my brother Shining Armor."
"You know how much I love the decor there!" I said dreamily.
"So would you like to come?" She nudged me playfully.
"Well of course!" I threw my hooves up in the air. "When are we leaving?" I asked with a spike of excitement in my voice.
"How about tomorrow?"
"Perfect, I'll have all my suitcases ready by tomorrow morning!"
"Be sure to pack light this time Rarity, last time a bag carrier broke his back carrying all your stuff there."
"I can't pack light! I have to have all my clothing and jewelry crying to go on a trip!" I complained.
"Please, Rarity?" Her lip was quivering, she was trying to guilt trip me.
I gave in, "Alright, I'll pack lighter." My voice filled with reluctance.
She hugged me again, "This is going to be so fun! I already have a list of fun things to do while we're there!"
Twilight loved to make lists and organize her books. She liked the feeling of order to home. Whether it was a castle or a tree she always had an organized system to her house.
And when it comes to making lists she is the one that goes over the top. She will make a list that shows how many lists she made that day. It's that ridiculous!
But there is something about that just makes you want to love her, she has an adorkable quality to her that makes her seem so fun-loving you can't ignore her.
"So who else is coming?" I asked.
"Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash. I haven'the been to Fluttershy's place yet, so it's still depending."
"Did Shining Armor invite them?"
"He invited all of us, he's such a nice brother."
"That was very generous of him, I'll have to thank him in person. It's such an honor to stay at the Crystal Empire."
"You don't have to do that. Us just spending time together is going to be a great enough thanks to them."
"But I must! It would be rude of me not to thank them for doing this!
She changed the subject and looked around my house, "Do you have any food to eat?" she asked looking at the kitchen in another room past me.
"What did you have in mind?"
"Something sweet."
I pointed my hoof in the air my face was gleaming, "I have some yummy cookies Pinkie Pie made yesterday, would you like some?"
"Sure, what kind are they?"
"Chocolate brownie with white chocolate chips."
"Mm!" She licked her lips, "That sound wonderful, I would love one please."
I went and got a cookie from the refrigerator and heated put it on a paper plate and set it in the microwave to heat for 30 seconds, and then I ran back to Twilight. She was already sitting down on a comfy vanity chair next to a beauty mirror. "Milk?" she nodded and I went back and poured a glass of milk for her. She waited for the little snack ever so patiently.
Her cookie was now nice and warm and her glass of milk was perfect temperature. The glass and cookie lifted up into the air by my magic and I brought them to her. She sat there with delight, "Thank you Rarity," and began nibbling on the cookie. Small little crumbs fell onto the small paper plate like raindrops.
She looked at all the pretty Heart's Warming decorations hanging around the room, "Did you do all this?" she gestured to the decorations.
"Yes, I was hoping that Sweetie Belle would be with me for Hearth's Warming Eve, but her parent's asked if she could stay with them at the last minute. I made all these decorations just for her." My voice sounded lonesome. I wanted Sweetie Belle to spend some time with her best friends and I was hoping that we'd get more time to spend together as sisters. But I understand how things must be.
"That was sweet of you to do it for her," the purple pony said kindly. "Its too bad she wasn't able to be here."
"I know, but we must not drag on the past, we need to move forward into the future."
"Agreed." She nodded, "Well I better let you get packing, we have a big day tomorrow," ending on a happier note, she got off her small sitting chair and headed out the door, thanking me as she left. "Don't worry, there will always be time for you to spend with her." Her voice echoed as she was long gone down the road to Fluttershy's.
Hopefully Fluttershy can come, she is such a sweetie.
She left a golden ticket for the train, sitting on the vanity fair. It had a date and time the train would arrive. It said it would arrive tomorrow by seven o'clock sharp in the morning, so to be early I would get up at six thirty and hopefully arrive there with a few minutes to spare. Ooh! and it looks like we get a nice train that has fancy food, sleeping, and more, Cadence and Shining Armor surely know how to treat us!
Heading over to the train station I was already packed with only a few suitcases just like Twilight asked. My energy was overflowing with confidence, my head held up high, I was wearing a nice comfy purple jacket with with edges and matching snow shoes. Hair was perfectly brushed and combed exactly thirty times each; I was ready to go.
The station was hidden behind two buildings, that if you passed them would would hardly think a train station was hidden on the other side, when you turned that direction all you could see was the alleyway and train tracks, but if you knew your way around Ponyville it would be very simple to find. It was hidden between Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon's house.
I made my way to meet the other, as I got closer I saw them waving at me from afar, Twilight was glad to see I had a less suitcases and lighter baggage. (The things I do for friends.) My luggage's clacked against the ground, with their tiny wheels spinning, while I simultaneously pulled them using my magic.
Fluttershy was among our little group, looks like she was able to come spend time at the Crystal Empire as well. Along with Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight.
We all grouped hug and greeted each other, "So glad you could come Fluttershy!" The yellow pegasus was startled for the moment, but was still shy as she ever was, "I was glad I could attend," she replied in her calm, soothingly sweet voice.
"Looks like the whole gang is here!" The Rainbow haired pony said bravely.
"I'm so glad were all together, were going to have so much fun!!" Excited beyond belief, Pinkie Pie jumped up and down while we all hugged each other.
"It's so great to see all of you," I perked up, and turned towards Twilight, "Are you ready to spend some time with your brother and his wife?"
"I am always ready to spend some time with them, they're my family!"
The train was mere miles away, blowing smoke into the air, it was rimmed with gold and red. It tooted its horn signaling that whoever is coming on needs to get ready.
"Ooh, its coming guys!! I'm ready to get my party on!"
"Seems like they went all out to treat us like royalty, we get comfy rooms, fancy food, plenty of train cars to explore, this is nice."
"Aw, they didn't have to do that for us!"
"Yes they did." I said very quickly, they all looked at me sternly, "I mean, they didn't have to, but I love what they did. I love fancy things." I smiled awkwardly trying to get their attention off of what I just said a moment ago. "Ooh, look!" I pointed to the train, "Its here!" I distracted them, they turned their attention to the train as it screeched to a stop right next to them.
A pony dressed in fancy concierge clothing stood in front of them, "All aboard for the Crystal Empire!" he said projecting his voice to all that could hear it.
We waved our tickets to show that this was our train, he stepped out of his way and gestured us in. Our little group of six filed in a straight line and entered, we were soon surrounded by Heart's Warming decorations. I was amazed at the wonderful job they did making it look so Hearth's Warming. "If you need any food, beverages or just about anything, let me know," He said kindly. What a gentleman! "We'll be leaving shortly, so find a place to settle down for a little bit. We should arrive at the Crystal Empire in the afternoon."
He seemed kind, with a warm heart, eager to serve. It was as if he was made for the job, he had a warm smile that filled the air with infectious happiness. I've never seen anyone have a good work ethnic as him. This will be nice.
I settled myself down in a small booth right near the train entrance, I scooted over for all of them to enter in. Twilight sat right beside me along with Fluttershy on my right. We had our own little nice table to sit in. We all put our luggage's in small carrying compartments above us.
"Are you ready for some Hearth's Warming fun?"Twilight asked.
"Of course we are!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"I wonder if its snowing there!" Fluttershy said aloud.
"I'm ready for it!" I said.
"I can't wait for the yummy desserts!" Pinkie licked her lips,
"Maybe I should make some delicious Apple Pie!" Applejack suggested.
I was ready to have a good time with my best friends.
The wheels of the train started off onto it's next destination: The Crystal Empire. I turned towards the window and saw the view of the train station from the outside. I waved at everyone as we left.
