A steady wind blew through the quiet streets of Canterlot, kicking up drifts of snow here and there.
A light snow had fallen, covering the roofs in a magical, white glow.
Along the streets were homes that were illuminated by a single fire from within. Around the fire sat children, each wrapped in a blanket by the fireplace and holding a cup of hot chocolate in their hands. Their parents sat nearby, awaiting the moment for when the children would tire and go to sleep.
It was Hearth's Warming Eve in Equestria. The streets were barren, everybody that resided in Canterlot was either at home or doing last minute shopping.
In the city’s palace, there sat two children. They were home alone for the night, their parents being away on some important business.
“Okay Luna, you wanted to make cookies right?” Celestia looked down to her younger sister who was looking over the counter with eager eyes. Laughing, she said, “I’ll take that as a yes. Okay, let’s find the ingredients.”
The twosome wandered off towards the pantry, Celestia holding a list of ingredients and Luna carrying a basket.
“Okay, so the first thing on the list is… flour. Do you know where that is?”
“I think so…” With that, Luna walked through the pantry until she had found the flour. She returned with it, awaiting further instruction.
“Next, we need baking… soda.” Luna waddled off, the basket in her arms. She returned with the baking soda and was sent for the rest of the ingredients with Celestia close by.
After they had retrieved the necessary materials, they walked back to the kitchen. Luna immediately took up a step-stool and stood in front of the counter.
"Did you remember to wash your hands?"
"Oops, almost forgot!" She ran towards the sink, and began thoroughly washing her hands. She walked back to the counter and began on the cookies with her sister.
After they had been placed into the oven, Celestia turned to Luna and asked, "Do you want to go outside and play in the snow now?"
"Yes please!!" Excited, Luna ran into her bedroom and threw on her warmest clothing. Walking out into the snow, the first thing she did was trip purposely. As her body connected with the snow, she began to wave her arms back and forth, giggling the whole time. Celestia walked out not long after and looked at her, trying to suppress a laugh.
"C'mon, let's go build a snowman. I know how much you love to do that, right?" Luna stood up and began to walk towards a large pile of snow. There, she began to roll the snow into a ball, forming the base of the snowman. She continued this process until the entire snowman was complete. Once done, she threw accessories on her creation and decorated it.
After the accessories were thrown on, she turned around, only to be hit in the face with a snowball.
“Haha! I got you Luna!” The cold ball stung… she didn’t like that. In retaliation, she formed her own ball of snow, throwing it in her sister’s direction.
“THIS MEANS WAR,” she cried. She took cover behind a shrub, hoping Celestia wouldn’t find her any time soon. A snowball would fly by every so often, but that didn’t worry her. She had been building up her arsenal the whole time that her sister was firing shots.
Satisfied with what she had, she stood up, holding a pile in her arms. Grabbing one at a time, she began to throw them one by one at her sister who was standing in the open.
Snowball after snowball connected with her sister’s clothing, each impact making Luna feel better on the inside. Once she was left unarmed, she called out to Celestia saying, “Okay, let’s call it a truce. Can we go inside now? It’s getting cold.”
“Of course Luna. C’mon, you must be cold. Let’s go and sit by the fire.” The two walked hand-in-hand back into the palace, each taking a seat by the roaring fire.
Celestia got up and went to go make them hot chocolate for both of them to enjoy. Coming back, she found Luna sound asleep on the couch.
“It figures that you’d be tired. You had a long day.” She walked towards her sister and gathered her up in her arms, carefully taking her to her room. Once Luna was tucked in, Celestia walked back to the living room and settled down by the fire, a heavy sleep falling upon her. Before her slumber, she turned towards the clock and saw that it read 11:59 PM.
Celestia’s snoring could be heard from the living room, indicating to Luna that the coast was clear. Quietly, she arose from her bed and walked towards her closet, throwing on a red suit and a red hat.
Once she was in the proper attire, she grabbed a large sack that she had hidden behind her clothing and headed out the door.
As quiet as a mouse, she traveled from home to home, putting presents on the front step of each home. It was tradition to do this, and with nobody to deliver the gifts, she took it upon herself to deliver the toys.
There was one particular house that she hesitated to place something. It housed somebody who would one day become a princess herself, and who would save Equestria from destruction, along with her friends. She didn’t know it yet, but she would. The gift that Luna placed on the front step was a book.
Next, she went towards a farm. There was a hard working person inside, one who would never lie to her friends, no matter the circumstances. She left a lasso and a hat on the front step and wandered off to her next location, Cloudsdale.
How she got up there was a complete mystery. But, the first home she visited was that of a young child, who, though very shy, would exceed beyond the other people, making many many friends along the way. She would learn to love animals and care for them. For her, Luna left a baby rabbit named Angel.
The second home she visited in Cloudsdale was that of a small child who, no matter the circumstance, would never abandon their friends. Luna couldn’t remember what she had gotten for this child, and had to go digging through her sack. Then, she found it. It was a pair of goggles. An exact replica of the goggles worn by the Wonderbolts. She placed it upon the front step and headed back to Ponyville for the final stops.
After wandering around and placing gifts, she was left with a single home. She pulled out a spool of thread and some fabric, carefully placing it upon the snow.
“For one day, your work will be a sign of generosity,” she whispered.
Checking her list of homes, she had one last place to visit. A small rock farm that sat in the outer rims of Ponyville.
She got there as quick as she could. The sun was steadily rising over the horizon, and knowing farmers, they’d be up soon. There was but a single gift left it the bag, so she abandoned the bag on the front step and hurried home. What was inside was the finest party cannon in all of Equestria.
As she was running home, she thought to herself a simple set of words.
Happy Hearth's Warming to all and to all a good night.
