“Wow! What an exciting Hearths Warming holiday we had.” Pistachio cheered with his parents washing the dishes. It’s getting close to night time but Pistachio decides to help before he gets to bed.
“Are you sure you want to stay up a little. Tomorrow is going to be your chance to go to Manehattan to be Rarity’s fashion guests.” His mother reminded as her husband cleans up the table.
“Yeah, this is way better than the field trips you got when you we’re a filly.” His father added.
“Oh no no, not a problem. I need to show Rarity that I’m really generous just like her. She would probably make separate hats for both of you if I success.” Pistachio put one of the dishes in the sink and begin to wash them.
His parents both look at each other in concern a little. They’ve took care of him for decades but in Sweet Acorn Orchard and not in the big apple.
“It’s not that, it's just that your going to a city that isn’t where we go normally.” His mother explained.
“Manehattan is a huge city that neither me and her went to when we were your age.” His father replied. “Can you imagine yourself meeting thousands of ponies who don’t live their lives like we do?”
Pistachio’s parents do make a important point. Pistachio only made friends who live closer to him in Sweet Acorn Orchard and Ponyville. He did encounter several ponies who made visits to Ponyville but he never talked to them about their places they live.
“Your meaning to tell me that the other guests Rarity is bringing won’t accept who I I’m and what I do?” He took off his hat and put it on the table as he’s now worried about the citizens in Manehattan. “Like they question why I’m here since I’m younger than them?” He looked at his hooves.
“We don’t know for sure of what Rarity’s guests will be like, but I’m sure they might find you a little off there.” His mother bite his hat and place it on one of the hooks by their jackets.
“Especially I heard that the people who judge Rarity’s designs are more mature and less happy.” His father said while he tries to be very honest with his son.
Pistachio is starting to feel more stressed about tomorrow’s trip. “I….I…..”
He became speechless to the point he’s having second thoughts on going. “I think I should get to bed now. I’m not going to help you with the dishes.”
“It’s okay maybe we can work this out in the morning.” His morning went back to the sink and continue to finish the dishes.
“I just….I don’t know what to feel tonight.” Pistachio’s ears went down as he went to bed covering himself with his blanket. He didn’t even bother to question himself about the events that caught happen with him being one of Rarity’s guests. He is confident but not the opportunities he’s ready.
During That Night
It is past midnight with everypony in Ponyville asleep. Both Pistachio’s parents are sleeping in their mattress while Pistachio after several hours is still laying his head on his pillow still awake.
“What am I going to do?” He thought to himself. “I only met Rarity by pure luck and I’m going to Manehattan. Neither me or my relatives ever went.” He begin to lay up and place both of his hooves on his face. His sleepless night makes it difficult for him to even close his eyes in bed.
For the sake of keeping him a little better, he went down the ladder from his bedroom and while his parents are still sleeping, he went out the front door. Outside the ground is still covered in snow but the sky has no clouds for any possible blizzard storm. He went to one of the benches that shows a view of Ponyville and took a seat.
“Tell me, is everywhere I go gonna be a task of what society is like?” He looked at the stars shooting to the right. He always enjoyed looking at shooting stars with his family when he was a filly. It’s one of the only things it keeps him clam during times like this.
While he’s panting in peace, he notice three different reindeers flying in the sky. The Gift Givers Of The Grove we’re impressed after what happened back at Twilight’s castle.
Alice, Aurora, and Bori were flying in the sky above Ponyville. They use their antler magic as they see everypony at home deep in their sleep reading in the morning of Hearths Warming.
“It’s really amazing that everypony is having the best time of this year right?” Aurora replied.
“Big Time!” Alice cheered. “Especially of what Pinkie Pie learned about friendship with her friends.”
“I know, is there anything they can do that will surprise us?” Bori added happily.
Before they get back to where they live, Bori stopped while she notice an pony sitting on a bench.
“Bori? What’s going on dear?” Aurora notice as she and Alice stopped. “We really need to be at our Grove.”
“But Aurora, look on what Bori is staring.” Alice pointed to the location.
This made Pistachio really nervous with his eyes wide. He never in his whole life have ever been in the most awkward moment where three Reindeers are staring at him. Things get more weird when the Gift Givers made their way to Pistachio which cause him to take a few steps back.
“Maybe going outside was a bad idea.” He said to himself. He turned around to get back inside but Aurora landed, blocked his path while Bori and Alice came from behind. He’s in a middle of an unexpected meeting from three reindeers who he barely met and he thought meeting Rarity wasn’t enough.
“Umm….” He began to sweat due to the predicament he’s in.
Then Bori place her hoof on Pistachio’s shoulder. “Calm down, your not in trouble we just notice you sitting on a bench in the middle of the night.” She recalled. Pistachio took deep breaths in order for him to understand what he’s getting himself into.
“Why did you decide to talk to me? Who are you reindeers?” Pistachio asked.
“I’m Bori, this is Alice and she is Aurora. We are The Gift Givers Of The Grove.”
“We spend our time to help ponies and other creatures in Equestria during Hearths Warming season.” Aurora explained.
“So what’s wrong? Why are you outside in the middle of the night?” Alice added.
Pistachio didn’t wanted to discuss his personal issues but for the sake for his decision he needs to make tomorrow, there’s no option for himself.
“Okay the thing is, do you know Rarity?”
“Oh I know her, she’s one of Pinkie Pie’s friends.” Bori replied.
“Yes. She went to Sweet Acorn Orchard to which me, my parents live and we greeted her to show our respect of her generosity. I’m a huge fan of her so before she left, I gave her my hat to show my generosity but instead, she wants me to come with her to be her guest of fashion week in Manehattan.”
The three reindeers became surprise since no other pony will have the chance to be a guest of Rarity’s trip to the big city. “That sounds pretty lucky.” Alice commented.
“So what seems to be the problem your having?” Bori added.
“My parents told me that I’m meeting other ponies who are less charming and I could get embarrassed. Like they will see me as an outcast since they live in Manehattan. Manehattan is a city I never went to nor my parents.” After he finished his story, he went back to the bench from before and sat down. He lowered his head with his ears hung down in shame.
The Gift Givers looked at each other in concerned, luckily for Pistachio this is the perfect time before the reindeers go home until the sunrise. Both Bori and Alice sat by Pistachio as they try to cheer him up.
“Don’t be sad, just because your an outcast that doesn’t mean Rarity’s guests won’t accept you.” Alice said.
“What do you mean?” Pistachio asked while Bori placed her hoof under his chin.
“From what I heard, Rarity had been going to Manehattan time from time ever since she got better with fashion and people like her guests respect her friends even if they aren’t like her.”
“You mean ponies like Rainbow Dash?”
“Of course.” Aurora chimed in. “Manehattan maybe a big city is still similar to Ponyville.”
Then Bori and Alice got off the bench, stand by Aurora as they show Pistachio the meaning of Manehattan.
“Manehattan is supposed to be the city of big dreams, a city that ponies who never went to will feel more happy to see places that isn’t enough for them.” Bori replied.
“Bigger is better, that’s the point of it.” Alice added.
“And besides, going there isn’t going to be a one day thing because Rarity will take you to different places like taking you out to a dinner restaurant.” Aurora finished.
“You really think she will?” Pistachio blinked with his ears hang up.
“Oh trust me, Rarity is more nicer than you think.” Alice grind.
“And by the way, you’ve been a fan of her since you liked her talent and when she saved the world. Tomorrow is your once in a lifetime opportunity to show her everything about you.” Bori begin to place both hooves on Pistachio’s shoulders to give her attention to him. “Show her what you like about her, show her your times of being one of her biggest fans, tomorrow is your destiny.”
This made Pistachio tear up in relief. At first he was worried about the events tomorrow but after what he heart from the Gift Givers, he’s not afraid to step in Manehattan with Rarity as her guest. He slowly warped his hooves around Bori for a hug.
“Thank you for that helpful advice.” He smiled with more tears coming down his face.
“It’s okay. We always help everypony in Ponyville when they’re down and sad. Everypony who’s nice gets what they deserves in Hearths Warming.” Bori hugged back while Alice and Aurora join in.
Before The Gift Givers Of The Grove leave, they give Pistachio an candy cane and a bag of chocolates to show their respect to him. And as for Pistachio, he will be prepared for his trip to Manehattan while enjoying the places he’ll go to like what Rarity likes and possibly what he likes. He went back inside and went back to bed. He managed to sleep for the rest of the night with no problem as he’s more happier than ever.
In The Morning
With the sun rising over the hills of Sweet Acorn Orchard, Pistachio woke up and immediately went down to the kitchen where his parents are awake. They’re eating acorn waffles for breakfast and they saved 2 more for their son.
“Morning son.” His father said.
“How was your sleep? Did you make up your mind for today?” His mother asked.
“You bet I am!” Pistachio happily cheered as he took his seat by the table. His parents were surprised after hearing something positive from their son.
“What do you mean?” His father asked. Pistachio didn’t wanted to expose the fact he went outside in the middle of the night but he will tell them about what he learns last night.
“I understand that Manehattan has different ponies from societies but Rarity’s guests have know her friends and they accept them. And it’s supposed to be the city of big dreams.” He then took the gift he got from Rarity last night and pulled out his new hat.
“She gave me this and I realized, this is a once of a lifetime opportunity. An opportunity I can show Rarity what I enjoy about her. If I don’t go I will never get another chance like that.”
Both of his parents looked at each other completely impressed of what they heard from Pistachio. Even if they never went to Manehattan, they didn’t see that other side of what the big city has in store. They also remember how confident Pistachio was when he was a filly when some of his activities involve helping their yard, doing good at school and also made a picture of him, his family and friends during art class. They looked at the picture that’s on the wall by the left window. The coloring of Pistachio and his family was very amateur during Pistachio’s fourth grade of school.
“You know something Pistachio.” His mother spoken. “You did a lot of good things in this family so I think you should show Rarity what you have that she hasn’t know about you.”
“And maybe when we have the money, we could go to Manehattan as a family field trip.” His father added.
Pistachio’s heart was warm while also at the right amount of relief that his parents were willing to take him to Manehattan again in the future. “I guess anypony like us will easily be accepting in their society.”
Then the door bang as his father answers it. It is revealed to be Rarity with her pony assistant who’s carrying her things for her trip to Manehattan. “Is Pistachio ready because I am darling.” She nicely greeted.
“Rarity!” Pistachio reacted as he finished his waffles as fast as he can. Once he finished he washed his dish, brushed his teeth and met Rarity outside of his house. “Sorry I just woke up and I finished eating.”
“No problem Pistachio, after all I also had a rush morning when I put up my makeup.” She sweetly replied. “Are you looking forward to our trip to Manehattan?”
“You bet I am!” He then put on his jacket and his new hat he got from Rarity. He hugged both his parents before he leaves as he and Rarity went to the train station.
“You know something,” Pistachio’s mother said.
“Yes dear?” Her husband turned her attention.
“We should go to places to see what kind of society is like. Maybe they could be forgiven for how we are.”
“We’re talk about that once Pistachio comes back. We really need to understand what places and species Equestria has.”
His wife agrees but on the other hand, they never know what they see in order to be believe.