Candy Cane Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses

Dear Diary,                      23/12/08

More often than not, I often find Heartswarming the most exciting time of the year. Not only is it good for business, but it's so romantic~

I often find myself wishing for a colt like the one in all my romance novels, but there is only one I truly want.

She's in my class, really, and we've never actually spoken, but she's so... Bold! No... Outspoken! And brash, and loud, and yet caring and soft.

I don't suppose I've mentioned her before, but she really is quite spectacle.

The way she struggles to keep her hay blonde mane out of her face, and watching her wrinkle her muzzle in thought... I want to squeeze her freckled cheeks! I've never met anyone so capturing...

Let it be known diary, I will certainly never forget the name...

"Applejack! Do be a dear and put that tinsel over there! No, at the banister, dear, yes now you've got it."

I sigh to myself as Applejack, my absolute heart-wrenching crush since fillyhood, hangs up the silver tinsel.

She's wearing her adorably old-fashioned and out of style chunky scarf and a cherry red sweater to keep out the weather. Hmm, I'm practically a poet.

"That about it, then?" she asks, shooting me a happy grin. Oh, how I adore that grin.

"That is it, darling. Why don't you head home and I'll see you later tonight, hmm?"

Applejack nods, probably seeing the wisdom in my words. It's not like she could stay here, bored... Though, I know a very good way of passing time.

"Yeah, alright. See ya later, then!"

She picks her hat up off the lounge table in one hoof and waves with the other, showing herself to the exit dutifully.

I watch her go, biting my bottom lip. I wave back.

"Ta-ta!"

My words are a lot more downcast than they pretend to be.

Oh, well.

She exits, leaving nothing behind but the faintest scent of cinnamon.

I must find out what deodorant she uses. For practical uses, of course. Not so that I can spray it on my pillow and pretend she was there.

A lady doesn't do such petty things, and they most certainly do not watch through the window as the farmpony they've been infatuated with since childhood trudge home through the crisp snow and wrap their chunky scarf tighter around their neck.

But, I suppose if that is what a lady acts like, I am no lady.

Besides, if all goes right tonight, I won't have to pretend.

I turn to look at the lounge, which has been decorated specifically in different shades of silver and blue for my Hearth's Warming party.

The tinsel swaps between these two colours as they trail around the top rim of the boutique and various windows, shimmering marvellously in the faint light radiating off the pale blue icicle-shaped lights that dance around the room.

White decorative snowflakes hang from the ceiling, held in place by thin silver thread that only a trained eye for detail such as my own could spot with ease.

A silver faux tree sits in the corner, covered in blue ornaments and fairy lights. On top is a silver star, put up by Sweetie Belle. Oh, sure, she almost destroyed the tree and it's decorations, but it was well worth it to see the happy smile upon her face.

Goodness, the festive cheer certainly is getting to me.

Three tables have been pulled out, the middle table decorated by a silk deep blue table cover, the other two tables decorated with silk silver table covers. They glisten with pride, as those the glitter that is spread across them. They sit at the back of the lounge, in front of the curtains that keep my designing and tailoring supplies out of sight.

Atop of the first table sit a large tray of fairy cakes, simply decorated with swirled blue icing. Beside them is a bowl of punch provided with a ladle, along with blue plastic cups. Easy to dispose of, and easy to handle. A smaller tray of mini cherry pies sit in front of them. The table opposite it mirrors it exactly.

The table in the middle, however...

A massive, white, three-layer cake covered in white fondant sits on display, little blue fondant Hearths Warming trees decorating the first chocolate flavoured layer. That meaning, chocolate icing between each chocolate cake half.

The second, my personal favourite, is vanilla icing sandwiched between two red velvet layers, and is decorated with blue hearts.

The top layer, which a simple Victorian sponge cake, has crushed cherries between the two halves, and is decorated with little blue snowflakes.

I happily remember my gleeful reaction when Pinkie first presented it to me, but only after making sure absolutely no one seen it during its short travel from the bakery to here.

"Pinkie, it looks absolutely divine!"

"Wait until you taste it! I got to taste the crash test cake! It's absotively positutely delish!"

I sigh collectively, and my eyes are drawn to the kitchen door. Inside I can see the press cabinets decorated with fairy lights and tinsel.

The kitchen's decor, however, is not what gains my attention. My eyes trails upwards toward the top of the door frame, where a single decoration hangs.

The most important decoration of all. The mistletoe.

I shudder with anticipation. That small plant is my ticket to Applejack's heart. Weeks of planning and scheming are all going in to play tonight.

This time it's not as simple as getting  Applejack to lower the price on her apples just once, or to come be my living mannequin for a little bit.

No, this is different. This time Applejack is going to fall for me, not the other way around. Yes, by the end of the night the cow pony will practically be begging for the attention of Rarity Diamond Belle!

I giggle girlishly at the very prospect.

"Oh, Applejack!" I say, clutching my hands to my heart.

"Oh, Applejack!" I hear three squeaky voices mock.

I turn to face my sister and her friends with a frown.

"