Heart's Warming In Ponyville
It was the day before Hearth’s Warming. The entirety of Ponyville was decorated for it. A small part of the town was dedicated to a holiday market. Everypony was excited about it. Creatures from all nations visiting the town and selling their goods. From Yaks sharing food to Changelings sharing art, it was a large event. This was where Fluttershy and her griffon girlfriend, Gilda, found themselves.
Fluttershy had told Gilda that it was a special event for Ponyville. One that Twilight had made even bigger since becoming a princess. Gilda had never really been able to experience something like this in Griffonstone or Cloudsdale. Griffons never really found a need to celebrate a pony holiday and pegasi usually leaving for Ponyville. This left Gilda to her own devices. Now she was here. Celebrating Hearth’s Warming with someone she loved.
“Oh, Gilda-“ Fluttershy had told her. “-you are going to love the Hearth’s Warming market. They have so many wonderful things from every culture.”
“As long as they have tasty food-“ Gilda told her. “-I’ll be one happy griffon.”
This caused the pegasus to warmly chuckle at her. Gilda smiled as she walked alongside Fluttershy.
When the two reached the market, Gilda was overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds. The smell of warm cider being made and cookies of all kinds wafting through the air. Colors that the griffon didn’t even know existed lighting up booth upon booth. She was amazed.
“It’s a lot to take in,” she told Fluttershy. “But it is…wonderful.”
The pegasus smiled at her.
“I know. It was very overwhelming for me when I first came. Didn’t know what to do. How about we go get some hot chocolate to start the night? It’s getting a bit cold.”
“Yes, let’s get some.”
The pair wandered the booths looking for the drink. As they wandered, they saw many amazing things. From cookies to art, to books. The market seemingly had it all. Finally, they had found the hot chocolate stand. It being maned by Applejack and her family.
“Well howdy, love birds!” Applejack greeted. “I see you are up for the Apple family’s world-famous hot cocoa. It’s half off for best friends.”
“Oh, Applejack-“ Fluttershy laughed. “-thank you for the offer but I would like to support you and your family. No half offs for me.”
“Well thank you kindly. I’ll be sure to add some extra peppermint as thanks.”
The farm pony then disappeared behind the booth. Making the hot chocolate for the pair.
“Fluttershy-“ Gilda said. “-you don’t have to get it for me.”
“But I want to,” she told Gilda. “You deserve nice things.”
Gilda blushed at that and covered her face with a hand. This caused the pegasus to laugh and take her hand. Soon though, Applejack reappeared with the drinks.
“Some cocoa for you two with extra peppermint. Enjoy!”
Thanking the pony, the two walked off with the cocoa. Going to look at all the goodies in the market. As they looked, Gilda watched as her girlfriend happily pointed out everything she thought they both would like. Some pieces of art to little decorations.
“Look at this Gilda-“ Fluttershy said, picking up a small glass blown ornament. “-it looks like you.”
The ornament, sure enough, did kind of look like her. It was a griffon with outstretched wings and colored similarly to her. The only difference she could see was that it had blue eyes instead of her yellow. Also that it had no head feathers like hers.
“It’s cute.”
Gilda carefully took it from Fluttershy to inspect it. The kirin running the booth smiled at them.
“That was inspired by an old friend,” the kirin told her. “They are long gone now but I made that so their spirit lives on. I believe that is what they would have wanted.”
Gilda smiled as she dug into the bag around her chest. Putting down some coins on the booth.
“For this ornament. Fluttershy, is there anything you like?”
“Oh Gilda, you don’t need to. I can buy my own.”
“I want to do this for you. Besides, you have already bought me something.”
Fluttershy smiled and began to look. Gilda then put down the ornament she chose so the kirin could wrap it. Watching Fluttershy. Noticing how beautiful she is.
Soon Fluttershy found an ornament. It was one of a pegasus. Also looking very similar to her like Gilda’s. She smiled at it before putting it down next to Gilda’s. Gilda placing some more coins down. The kirin clapped happily as she began to wrap the two ornaments.
“These are my favorites,” the Kirin said. “I'm so glad they went to you guys. They match you both perfectly.”
They then handed a bag to Gilda. The griffon blushed a little as she took it.
“Haha, thank you.”
The two then took off. Gilda holding the bag with one wing.
“I hope you don’t mind-“ Fluttershy said as they continued to walk. “-but I got that pegasus for you.”
Gilda laughed.
“Looks like we had the same plan. I got that griffon just for you.”
The two laughed. Gilda putting a wing over Fluttershy. As the night went on, the two continued to buy stuff from the other booths. Either it being more ornaments or some unique handmade item. The cocoa had been forgotten and now was less warm. The two didn’t mind though. They warmed each other’s hearts.
As Gilda sipped on her cocoa, she watched as Fluttershy looked around. Her occasionally stopping to comment on something. How could this griffon be so lucky? After a while, they had bought enough trinkets and food to satisfy them. Deciding on sitting down on a secluded bench near the market. The two then dug into what they bought. Showing them off to each other and commenting on them.
“This has been a wonderful night,” Fluttershy told Gilda. “Thank you so much for coming along.”
“Well-“ Gilda said. “-I’m glad you invited me. It would have been another year of me cooped up inside. Just watching boring Hearth’s Warming movies and shows. Eating cookies and making fun of them.”
“Of course, Gilda. If one year you want to make fun of those awful movies together we could do that.”
Gilda chuckled.
“Maybe one year. For now, let’s just enjoy this moment.”
The two sat in silence for a bit. Enjoying each other’s company. After a bit though, they heard some giggling. Looking up, they saw some mistletoe hanging above them. It being suspended by a string held by Rainbow Dash. Gilda gave Rainbow a look that said “really”. The pegasus just chuckled. Fluttershy smiled and looked at Gilda. Gently pushing her beak down to look at her.
She then kissed the griffon. Surprising her. Gilda got over it though, closing her eyes and leaning into the kiss. She could yell at Rainbow later.
