The streets of Ponyville were covered in snow and many of the town's residents were walking the streets in colorful attire, nearly matching the splendid decorations littered around the town. Some wore hats, some scarves, some warm fuzzy stockings, and others a combination of them all.
The reason for such festivities and cheer, was because Hearth's Warming was drawing near. You and Irisa walked side by side, along the chilly streets, one seeking presents, the other treats.
"Alright do you remember what we are looking for?" you asked.
Irisa nodded. 'We are looking for some snacks to bring to the Apples for Hearth's Warming.'
"Very good."
After you assisted Applejack with her stakeout, the mare had wanted to repay you by inviting both you and a guest to the farm for the holiday. Seeing as Irisa was living with you, she was the obvious choice. Considering how it would have just been the two of you in your house by yourselves, you would’ve been a fool to decline the invitation.
While the weather in Ponyville was a bit chilly, the two of you were prepared for the freezing temperatures. You wore warm scarves; an early Hearth Warming present you got for yourselves. Around your neck was a double sided scarf, with one side being completely black and the other a deep crimson. Irisa's scarf was made of a pale blue fabric with pink polka dots.
Irisa looked a little uneasy not wearing her customary maid uniform, however you had insisted that she leave the garments at home, since both of you would be guests at the Apple family's residence. You had also hoped that this might help her grow less dependent upon the outfit.
Despite her nervousness, Irisa maintained control of her additional eyes, the scars along her body remaining closed and sealed, though you could see a few of her eyes peeking out from beneath her scarf.
"Let's split up and do our own respective errands," you instructed, "once we're done we'll meet back at this year’s Wishing Tree, in the center of town to meet the Apples. Okay?"
Irisa bowed her head. 'As you wish, master.'
As clear as it was by her tune that she was nervous, you knew that she had to do this if she was going to grow more accustomed to interacting with others under these circumstances.
While Irisa went to do her errands, you pulled out the list of gifts you were bringing to the Apples. Two weeks ago, both Irisa and you had discussed what sort of presents to bring them and after a long debate about what would be perfect, you came to a decision. Then yesterday, you had received a call saying that your packages had arrived at the mailbox.
It was up to you to pick up the presents while Irisa went to Sugarcube Corner to fetch some treats to bring to the event.
Approaching Ponyville's Postal Delivery building you noticed that there was a sign out from marking that it was closed. Of course, all this meant was that you couldn't buy stamps or boxes to send anything in; the mailboxes would still be accessible to those with the appropriate key.
A bell jingled as you opened the door and stepped inside. Glancing upwards you saw some mistletoe hanging over the door. You shuddered, very thankful that there were no ponies around looking for a smooch.
Going over to post box 112, you pulled forth your key and unlocked it. The metal door slid open to reveal two packages along with another key, signifying that one or two of your packages were too big and were being stored inside another post box that was specifically designed for such a purpose.
Taking the two packages and putting them in your saddlebags, you fetched the second key and walked over to the second post box. Unlocking it you revealed two more boxes addressed to you. Due to their size, it was difficult to push the two packages into your bags, but after a minute you managed to find a way to fit them in. So long as nothing bumped into you, they should remain secure until your arrival at the Apple family farm.
"Let's just hope, Applejack can keep her sister busy," you said to yourself.
The day before, you had warned Applejack that the presents you had ordered might be late and that Irisa and you might not have time to wrap them. Applejack informed you that it would be fine, so long as you were able to keep it a secret that there might be a point where you could wrap them privately.
Right as you were about to leave, the bell jingled once more as another pony walked in. However as they moved more bells could be heard.
"Hellllllo neighbor!" Proclaimed an excited pink pony wearing a green and red costume covered in silver bells. Over her shoulder was a large brown sack.
You instantly recognized this mare as none other than the local party pony, Pinkie Pie, a mare with a knack for parties, surprises, and giving you panic attacks. Weird holiday costumes were not foreign to her: you could recall her wearing a fuzzy green outfit one year, claiming that she was the Grump before Hearth's Warming. That was one itchy bear hug you wished you could forget.
"Uhh… hello, Pinkie."
"No silly," Pinkie giggled, "It's Hearth's Warming, soooo you're supposed to say, 'HAPPY HEARTH'S WARMING!'"
Somehow Pinkie's loud declaration, sounded as if it had come out of a megaphone, despite the lack of one being present.
"Uh, yes, happy Hearth's Warming to you, Pinkie."
Pinkie gave a wide smile in response to your words.
"Why, thank you kind, sir. Here take this!"
Reaching into her bag, Pinkie pulled out a small box, covered with green gift wrapping and red ribbon, before tossing it to you. Fortunately, you had learned at this point that it was better to try to catch such offerings with your magic then to fumble for it with your hooves. Catching the gift you brought it closer for a better look.
The container was small enough to fit in your hoof. The red ribbon glistening in the light.
"Thank you, Pinkie."
"You're very, hairy welcome!" Pinkie giggled. "Hey, do you want some advice?"
As weird as Pinkie's wisdom could be, you had learned that such knowledge had a strange way of becoming important within the near future.
"I guess."
Pinkie leaned in close, raising a hoof to her mouth as if to whisper a secret.
"Watch out for the mistletoe. There are a couple of mares out there looking to steal a kiss this holiday."
While you weren't too worried about sharing a kiss with a mare, you would prefer that it was with a mare you liked rather than a stranger.
"I will keep that in mind," you answered.
With a little chuckle, Pinkie Pie cartwheeled out the door and back into the streets. The fact that the door opened on its own accord just for her to pass through was quite impressive.
Stepping out of the post office, you only made it a couple steps before you bumped into somepony. As you fell over, you could feel your packages bursting forth from your saddlebags.
"I'm so sorry," you apologized as you stood up and recovered your gifts. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was..."
Glancing up you suddenly realized who you had bumped into. In front of you was a familiar blue mare with a light tan mane, a fuzzy tan collar around her neck and two curved horns at the side of her head. Even with the red and green striped scarf nestling her throat, you could recognize this mare anywhere.
"Amble is that you?"
The chimera pony hybrid looked up at you in surprise, a smile stretching across her face as she recognized you.
"Oh, hey!" Amble greeted. "Fancy meeting you here!"
"Uh, yes it sure is."
The last time you had seen Amble Barb, outside of your dreams, was when you had accidentally missed your stop on the Friendship Express and were forced to travel all the way to the Crystal Empire, before you could make a return trip. Due to Amble's job setting up a sanctuary in the empire for ponies possessing abnormal traits, you’d thought that you might not see her again. Yet here she was in the flesh.
"So what brings you to Ponyville?" you asked, as you helped her pick up her baggage. "I certainly hope your efforts in the Crystal Empire haven't been in vain."
"Oh, everything with the sanctuary has been going splendid," Amble answered. "Because of that, I was able to come visit my mother for Hearth's Warming."
"I see. So your mom lives here in Ponyville, then."
"Not exactly," Amble chuckled. "Would you like to meet her?"
"Uhh..."
You considered the options: while you had planned to meet Irisa in the middle of town, you were fairly sure that her chores would take her a while. Perhaps you could stop by for a visit and be back in time.
"Sure, why not," you answered.
"Then follow me."
As Amble led the way, you decided to ask her some questions to try to catch up.
"So what brings your mother to Ponyville at this time of year?"
"My mother is an... entertainer of sorts and travels from town to town. This year it just so happens that her journey has brought her here."
As Amble said entertainer, there was a slight hesitation in her words, like when a filly has to stand up in front of her class and tell everypony that her dad is a plumber.
"Really."
A part of you was both curious and concerned as to what Amble meant by entertainer. As you recall, Amble's father was a chimera, so what sort of entertainment could involve such creatures? However, you decided it would be best either to let Amble tell you herself or find in person when you met her mother. Hopefully this encounter wouldn't be embarrassing for either of you.
You were just glad at this turn of fortune. Amble could have gone anywhere in Equestria to be with her mother for the holiday, but it just so happened that she had come to Ponyville. Perhaps your luck had changed.
The two of you had wandered to the edge of town, where there was a cart covered in faded purple and pink paint. Outside were a few decorations, covered with fancy lights. One that caught your interest was a wooden gargoyle seemingly tied and bound by the lights. The angry looking gargoyle was stationed next to the cart's door, like an annoyed sentry.
As Amble knocked on the door, you stepped closer to the gargoyle. "Well, that certainly is an interesting decoration."
"I wouldn't stand ther—"
Before Amble could finish her statement, the cart's door swung open. Instinctively, you turned to face the door, thus allowing the sturdy door to make swift contact with your snout. Pain radiated up from your nose as a result of the impact, bringing tears to your eyes. It would seem that you had misjudged your luck.
"Oh, hello dear..." A mature feminine voice graced your ears. "Oh, my I'm so very sorry."
Wincing you opened your eyes to see a mare who reached out and took your face in her hooves. From what you could see through your watery gaze, the mare possessed a pale blue coat with a curly pink mane which faded to gray the closer they drew to her scalp. Her mane was pulled back into two round balls that rested high on the back of her head. She examined you critically with a pair of soft purple eyes, that were filled with the kind of matronly concern that only a mother could have.
"Oh dear," Amble's mom stated, "it would seem that I may have accidentally broken your nose."
"It's fine," you said, though you're sure it sounded differently with your injured nostrils.
"Amble please pick up the poor stallion's packages, while I tend to him."
You allowed the mare to guide you into the cart, your face aching slightly. There was a jingling with the mare's hoofsteps and a rattle as you passed through a veil of beads in the archway. The room was brightly lit with various trinkets and ornaments hanging from the ceiling. In the center of the room was a table with pillows set out around it.
"Please, take a seat."
Sitting down on one of the pillows, you were able to examine your surroundings while Amble's mother fetched something. From what you could guess the cart was separated into two rooms. This room that served as a living area and a room in the back which served as a kitchen and bedroom.
Walking back over the mare brought over a piece of cloth and placed it on your nose. From what you could feel it was a cold pack wrapped in fabric.
"I'm very sorry," the mare apologized. "I suppose I was a little too excited. I hope you can forgive me."
"I'm fine, miss..." You replied, holding the cloth to your nose.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I haven't even introduced myself." The mare blushed, giving a small laugh. "My name is Misty Mirage, though you can just call me, Mira. I’m Amble's mother."
Amble returned with your packages and placed them back inside your saddlebags. "There, I organized them so that you shouldn't have to worry about them falling out again later."
"Thank you," you sniffled gratefully.
"I must apologize. Amble didn't tell me she was bringing a friend, let alone a stallion as handsome as you," Misty teased, giving her daughter a sly sidelong glance.
"Mother!" Amble shouted, blushing furiously.
Mira chuckled tenderly at her daughter's outburst. "Please allow me to make up for it with the use of my talents."
"Uh... sure," you answered nervously, "and what might these talents be?"
Misty Mirage sat down at the table across from you and pulled out a deck of cards.
"Fortune telling of course," Mira answered. "Amble dear, would you mind making some hot chocolate while I foretell your friend's fortune. The cocoa should already be heating on the stove."
"Yes, mother."
While her daughter went to the kitchen, Mira shuffled the cards. As she did this, you were able to examine her more thoroughly. On each of Mira's ears were a couple of big looping earrings, around her neck were a few necklaces made of beads and various bracelets encircled each of the mare's forelegs.
"Like what you see?" Misty Mirage asked with a raised eyebrow, noticing your gaze.
"Umm... sorry," you mumbled back, feeling your cheeks grow warm.
Mira giggled, "Oh, I don't mind dear. I'm sure you didn't mean anything by it."
Once she had finished shuffling the deck, Mira set out sixteen cards out in front of you in a square formation.
"Now pick a card."
You reached forward to flip one but Misty raised a hoof to stop you.
"Don't be so hasty," Mira said quickly, "focus on the cards, let the strings of fate guide your hooves."
Heeding the fortune teller's advice, you examined the cards. All of them possessed a blue backing, with no distinct symbols or shapes. Holding out a hoof you guided your appendage over the cards, until you thought you felt something change. Reaching down, you picked the card in the first row, second from the left.
Flipping the card over, you revealed the image of a tree possessing strange, alien fruit. Beneath the tree was a diamond dog who was watering its roots with a hollow, bronze box.
"I see, the Eldritch Gardener." Misty Mirage said, putting her hooves to his temples. "Yes, this card has revealed to me that you have come across various oddities and will continue to do so. Now pick another card."
While this seemed to be accurate, it was possible that Mira deduced this from you meeting her daughter. You would need to go further to know for sure how true of a fortune teller Mira really was.
Repeating the process, you chose another card, the one on the far left corner. Turning it over, you revealed a pegasus among the clouds with a heart shaped harp in her forehooves.
"Ah, the Strings of Amori!” Mira said with a glint in her eyes. “This card shows that you have met your soulmate."
"Does it say who it might be?" you asked, a little bit skeptical of the fortune teller's statement.
"No," Mira answered, with a smile, "but that is what makes the search fun. Now for the final card."
As you considered which card to pick, some motion caught your attention. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Amble by the stove preparing the hot chocolate. You turned to look at her, giving a smile. She looked so peaceful and calm as she tended to the ketal.
“So what do you think of my daughter?” Mira asked, noticing your glance. Like a school colt caught staring at a pretty filly during class, you blushed and looked back at the cards.
“She’s… uh… she’s nice.”
“Not very many stallions hang out with my little Amble,” Mira said. “Most are intimidated by her chimera traits. Of course there have been a few creepy stallions that have tried to woo her for their… tastes. You’re not one of those, are you?”
Misty Mirage’s expression became completely serious, her eyes seeming to pierce through yours into your soul. You shook your head vigorously.
“No, not at all,” you answered, “we’re just friends, that’s all.”
For a moment, Mira continued to stare at you, before a smile crept across her face along with a small chuckle.
“Oh, I’m sure you’re not. If you were, Amble would have beat your to the curb long ago.” Mira let out a mournful sigh. “Still it would be nice if she found a coltfriend. I would love to have grandchildren someday.”
“I can hear you, you know!” Amble called out. Her mother smiled smugly.
Wanting to change the subject, you reached forward and flipped over the card in the far right corner.
As you flipped the third card, you were shocked by its bizarre imagery. On the card was a white alicorn, her horn broken and her wings plucked of all their feathers. Her injured horn and wings tainted scarlet. In her hooves was an hourglass containing a red liquid with a single yellow eye looking up at you. The card's background was that of a black desert.
"Well, that's a rare card," Misty Mirage said, her face going pale at the revelation. "I've only seen the Bleeding Timekeeper card, flipped once before."
"What does it mean?"
Misty Mirage paused, though whether it was because she was unsure how to answer or if she was trying to add some tension to the atmosphere, you couldn't tell. Finally, the fortune teller broke the silence.
"This card signifies that somepony is stalking you, that you have either met with them or have interacted with something associated with them," Mira answered. "All I can say is that they are coming for you and that the clock is ticking."
There was another long pause, before Misty Mirage let out a slight chuckle.
"Or so they say," Mira giggled. "I'm sure it probably means nothing. There is no need to trouble yourself."
Despite her reassurance, you couldn't help but feel nervous about Mira's premonition. It was around this time that Amble returned with a tray carrying three cups of hot chocolate. One cup was red, another green and the last cup was purple.
"Here we are," Amble said, as she sat the tray on the table.
"Thank you, dear." Mira picked up the red cup and took a sip.
Reaching forward you picked up the purple cup and noticed a slight twitch in Amble's face.
"Are you okay?" You asked.
"It's nothing." Amble chose the green cup and sat down. "Purple is just my favorite color is all."
Admittedly, you were fairly fond of the color purple as well. Of course, you didn't want to offend your host.
"I'm sorry," you answered. "I didn't know. Would you like to trade?"
"No, it's fine." Amble took a sip of her hot chocolate. "Please enjoy your drink."
A little self conscious that you might have accidentally offended Amble, you took a careful sip of your chocolate. The warm beverage went down smoothly, heating your insides.
"It's very good," you said.
Amble smiled at the remark. "Thank you."
"Yeah, my daughter takes good care of me," Mira said with a pleased smile. "Though I do wish that she would be less paranoid about my traveling."
"Mom, you're growing old," Amble answered with a concerned look. "You need to find someplace to settle down."
"If I can survive being with a chimera, I can survive anything," Misty Mirage grumbled, before taking another sip of her chocolate.
Mira's remark reminded you about something Amble had told you when you first meet, a while back on the train.
"It isn't really all that complicated," Amble replied. "My mother was a pony and my father was a chimera. They met in the badlands, fell in love, and then nine months later I popped out."
"I wouldn't worry too much about your mother, Amble," you said, giving your head a small shake. "After all, if she has your father then I'm sure she will be fine."
The room went deathly silent and you were sure that somehow your hot chocolate had gone cold. It was as if you had stepped on a landmine. Looking at Amble you could see her giving you an annoyed glare. After looking down at the table for a moment, Amble took a deep breath and stood up.
"Well, I think it is time we returned to Ponyville." Amble said, picking up the cups. "We better be leaving now."
Even as you stood up from your seat, you glanced at Amble's mother, who was looking sullenly down at the table.
"Uh, it was nice meeting you, miss Mira."
Misty Mirage looked up and gave you a smile. "I hope we meet again, friend."
Amble stepped out of the cart and you followed, using your magic to close the door.
"Come on. Let's go!" Amble called out.
While you tried to keep up with Amble she continued to keep pace five feet ahead of you, keeping her gaze forward and unwavering. Her hoofsteps crunching loudly with the heavy hoof falls.
"Amble wait up!"
She didn't respond and continued to keep her pace.
"Amble, I'm sorry," you called out. "What did I do wrong? I was just trying to be friendly!"
There was no response, Amble continued her course toward town.
"Please Amble, let's talk about this!"
Amble slowed to a halt, and you slowed your steps as well, giving her her space and waiting for her to respond.
"I'm sorry, Amble; I really am."
There was a moment of silence, as you watched Amble as she stood there in the snow. The silence came to an end when she let out a sob, her head slumping. Hearing her cry, you cautiously approached, her tears falling down her cheeks and into the snow.
"Amble are you alright?"
Amble shook her head in response, letting out another sob.
"Do you want me to leave?"
The gesture was repeated, with Amble sniffling. After pulling herself together, she looked over to you, eyes red with her tears.
"I've... only learned recently that my parents have... separated. According to my mother, it was a mutual agreement."
You felt shame at your earlier comment bubble in your chest. "I'm sorry."
While your parents hadn't been divorced, you had known others growing up with similar situations. You also knew that some described such catastrophe as losing somepony dear to them, something you were quite familiar with.
"No. No, I'm sorry," Amble responded. "I should not have acted that way back there, it's just..." You placed a reassuring hoof on Amble's shoulder as she sobbed a bit more. "I... I just need some time to process all of this." Amble sniffled, wiping away her tears with her scarf.
"I can’t imagine how hard this must be," you say, giving her shoulder a soft pat.
"Tell me about it," Amble answered, "and to make matters worse, the work with creating the sanctuary hasn't been going so well. With all the hoops I've had to jump through, and the piles upon piles of paperwork... It's just been so discouraging."
You gave a small nod of understanding. It wasn’t hard to see how the stress of having to take care of a single mother, as well as struggling with the challenges of creating a haven for monstrous ponies in the Crystal Empire could be quite overwhelming. As you considered this new information, a thought occurred to you. A smile stretched across your face as an idea of how you could encourage Amble began to flourish.
"Follow me," you said suddenly, motioning with a hoof to Amble, who was rubbing away her tears.
"What?" Amble asked, puzzled by your gesture.
"Come with me," you repeated. "There’s somepony special I’d like for you to meet."
As you began walking to the Wishing Tree, you could hear the sound of crunching snow behind you, signaling that Amble was following.
After the Tree of Harmony was destroyed by King Sombra, it became a tradition in Ponyville to pick a random tree in town for Hearth's Warming to be that year's Wishing Tree for the holiday. While the custom had no magical connection to it, there were some ponies already forming superstitions around the tree.
White lights were strung among its bare branches, adorning the tree like a garment. While there were some ponies claiming that the white lights represented purity, you were fairly certain that it was merely convenient for the mayor's funding. Still if others wanted to find a hidden meaning, then who were you to dampen the holiday spirit?
Drawing near to the tree, you caught sight of Irisa waiting there. Your maid looked nervous, her right forehoof digging a small pit in the snow. Looking up, Irisa smiled for a brief moment before noticing Amble behind you. Immediately her expression changed from happiness to caution.
'Master who is that?' Irisa inquired.
"Irisa this is Amble," you said, before turning to face Amble. "Amble this is Irisa, a friend of mine."
Amble stepped forward, cocking her head slightly. "It's nice to meet you."
Irisa moved shyly behind you, like a foal hiding behind one of their parents. This action caused a confused expression to stretch across Amble's face.
"Irisa can't talk," you explained, "and for similar reasons she has difficulty trusting others."
"Oh, I see."
'Are those horns?'
You glanced back at Irisa who was looking questioningly at Amble's horns, making you give a small chuckle.
"It seems she's noticed your horns," you said simply, looking back to Amble.
"Yeah, these are my horns," Amble giggled, tilting her head forward slightly. "Would you like to touch them? They're real."
Irisa looked up at you with a questioning stare. 'May I?'
"If you want to," you answered, assuring her.
Cautiously, Irisa stepped out from behind you and walked toward Amble, who stayed completely still as the skittish mare drew near. Slowly, Irisa raised a hoof up to Amble's left horn before reaching out and touching it. There the hoof remained for a few seconds before she began tracing the horn's ridge.
"See, they're totally real."
Irisa turned around and smiled at you.
'She really has horns, master! Can you believe it?'
You gave her a nod. "Yes, it is pretty incredible, isn't it?"
"Well, howdy there!" Hearing a familiar country voice, you turned to see Applejack and Apple Bloom standing there.
"Hello Applejack," you replied, giving a small nod of introduction, "it is great to see you."
"Likewise. It's nice seeing ya too, Irisa." Applejack said.
Irisa nodded, her gaze turning to Apple Bloom as the young filly walked up to her.
"You're Irisa, right?" Apple Bloom asked with a smile. "Applejack told me all about ya. Like how you can't talk and that you're a maid."
"Apple Bloom, that isn't very polite." Applejack warned.
"Sorry," Apple Bloom apologized. "I was just wonderin' if it true, is all."
Irisa blinked rapidly a few times before smiling and giving Apple Bloom a nod.
"That's so cool!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "When I was younger, my friends and I tried to be maids to earn our cutie marks. However, we couldn't find any maid outfits our size, so Sweetie Belle tried to make us some. Rarity quit letting Sweetie read her books, after that."
Irisa looked at you, with a slightly confused look. 'This filly is a little odd, sir.'
Applejack turned to Amble. "And who's this?"
"This is Amble Barb," you said back, introducing your friend. "She is here for a visit."
"Oh, well, if you want to come along that is fine," Applejack said, "we have plenty of food."
Amble waved a hoof. "Thank you, but I will have my own celebration to attend, but thank you for the offer."
Applejack shrugged. "Well, no problem then."
You felt Amble tap you on the shoulder. "Can we speak privately for a moment?"
"Um, of course," you replied with a small nod. "Will you please excuse us?"
Applejack gave a nod. "Go ahead."
At first, Irisa gave you a worried expression, however it disappeared as Apple Bloom proceeded to list off all the fun stuff they would be doing for Hearth's Warming.
Following Amble, you were led to a nearby tree with some white lights hanging from it.
"Is everything alright?" you asked. "Irisa didn't hurt your horn did she?"
Amble shook her head. "No, she was fine. Actually she was quite gentle compared to most. However, I did have a question pertaining to her."
"What is it?"
"Irisa's scars; they aren't self inflicted are they?"
The subject of Irisa's scars was a little bit sensitive, for obvious reasons. You shake your head. "No, they are not."
"I see."
For a moment, Amble's scowled as if she was heavy in thought.
"I must confess that I can't say much about them," you said somberly. "At least not without her permission. It’s a very personal matter."
Amble nodded. "Yes, that is quite understandable."
You pause for a moment, looking up to the tree, before you speak again. "But regardless, there was another reason why I wanted you to meet her."
Amble tilts her head to the side again, blinking. "Oh, why is that?"
You motioned toward Irisa. "Because despite her appearance, Irisa is one of the ponies you've been trying to protect.” Amble’s eyes widened slightly, but you continued speaking. “I just thought you might find it encouraging to see that there are some who are able to thrive, with just a little help. And you are that help, Amble. Your sanctuary helps these ponies every day."
Amble peered over at Irisa as she listened to the two Apples. A small smile stretched across her face as she seemed to ponder what you had said. Looking back at you, there was a twinkle in Amble's eye.
"Thank you. That was really sweet."
Even as you stared at each other in silence, you could feel that this moment had strengthened Amble's resolve.
"Hey come on!" Apple Bloom called out, disturbing the silence. "It's time to go!"
"I guess I need to leave," you chucked as the mood dissolved. "Are you sure you don't want to tag along?"
"No, I really should get back," Amble replied softly. "I'm sure my mother is worried, after I stormed off like that."
While you understood Amble's reasoning, you had to admit that you felt a little sad that you weren't going to be able to visit with her much longer. However, you pushed those feelings aside and gave Amble a kind smile. "Well then, I suppose that we’ll meet again, Amble."
As you were about to leave, you felt a hoof on your cheek, turning your head back to Amble.
"Before you go..."
You felt a peck on the cheek as Amble gave you a small kiss there, your flesh seeming to grow warm from the contact.
Pulling away, Amble gave you a smile. "Just a little gift. Happy Hearth's Warming!"
Surprised, all you could do was watch Amble as she trotted away, her goat tail wagging happily. Placing a hoof against the cheek that Amble had blessed, you wondered why Amble had done that. You also wondered how long you could go without washing it.
Catching something out of the corner of your eye, you looked up to see something hanging from the tree branch above you. Among the lights, hanging by a silver string was a sprig of mistletoe.
Somewhere in the distance, you could hear somepony yelling, "I told you so!" over the wind.
While Amble hadn't stolen your kiss quite like how Pinkie had said, it had been a bit of a surprise. With a smile on your lips, you rejoined the group, all of whom appeared to be shocked to some degree.
"Well, shall we be going?" you asked.
"Uh, yeah, let's do that," Applejack answered quickly. "Come on Apple Bloom, let's get goin'."
As Applejack and her sister began their walk toward the farm, Irisa stood there looking down at the ground, her hooves fidgeting in the snow and her cheeks bright red.
"Are you okay?" You asked, taking a step closer to her in concern.
'Y-yes, I'm fine, master.'
As your maid turned and followed after the Apples, you couldn't help but feel that something was off about Irisa's mood. A few of the scars opened, Irisa's eyes peering back at you as she followed the Apple sisters.
"Hey, wait up!"
