Chapters I watched as the ponies from all over Ponyville walked into the castle, singing, cheering, and just having fun together. I walked to the edge of the balcony, and turned around when I heard Twilight’s voice.
“Hey, Starlight!” she called. “Ready to celebrate your first Hearth’s Warming Eve here in Ponyville?” she asked.
I rolled my eyes. “I was thinking I might just skip it,” I replied. Twilight and Spike gasped in shock, though, honestly, I couldn’t see what was just so surprising.
Spike spoke up, and with a look of horror on his face, too. “Skip Hearth’s Warming Eve?!?”
I almost laughed at his expression. “I just find it all a little… silly,” I said, dropping my smile and walking away. “It’s mostly a day dedicated to presents and candy, isn’t it?” I asked dully.
“And why would you deny yourself presents and candy,” Spike said, walking in front of me, and confusing me entirely. “That’s CRAZY talk!” This last part surprised me, but then Twilight pulled him away with her magic.
I watched in intrigue as she corrected him. “I think what Spike means to say is, ‘Hearth’s Warming is about more than presents and candy. It’s a time to spend with friends, and family, when we celebrate a very important day in Equestria’s history,” she explained, leaving me unimpressed at that last part.
“I think to most ponies it’s just an excuse for silly songs and fun!” I threw back, trying not to yell. Today was an important day, too important to just waste the rest of it singing songs around a fire. And no, it wasn’t Hearth’s Warming Eve. “Not a day to remember some old story,” I added, sounding a bit dismissive.
I continued to walk to my room, right before Twilight teleported right in front of me, almost giving me a heart attack. “Maybe you just haven’t heard the right Hearth’s Warming Eve story yet,” she said positively. I saw a bit of hope sparkle in her eyes.
I try to get back to my own things, so I quickly try to dismiss her. “Earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns sing songs around a hearth to fight back an eternal winter, caused by the mythical windigoes?” I laugh. “Every foal and filly knows that story.”
I want to just leave this whole situation, but Twilight just won’t let me be. “Not that one,” she rejects. “My favorite holiday story: A Hearth’s Warming Tale.” I boredly lower my eyes, but Spike just has to run up to Twilight and support her.
“Ooh, I love that one!” he says, proceeding to beam at me. And for some weird reason, Twilight does too.
And so, Twilight tells me her favorite story, A Hearth’s Warming Tale .
“It all began many moons ago in Canterlot. Every home in Canterlot was filled with holiday spirit! Every home but one. It was said of Snowfall that she was almost as studied as Starswirl the Bearded! Almost, since everypony knows that Starswirl was an expert at everything from transfiguration, dimensional calibration, teleportation!” she starts trailing off, lots of excitement in her voice. She probably would’ve kept going if Spike hadn’t interrupted.
“We get it, Starswirl’s awesome.”
“Right,” she says blushing. “The point is, Snowfall was also a powerful unicorn. She wanted to be perfect, and anything that got in the way of that was a waste of time!” My ears went down as I heard this. Snowfall sounds a lot like who I used to be, and I don’t think I want reminders of what a terrible pony I was, especially not on a day like today.
Twilight kept explaining how Snowfall hated Hearth’s Warming, how she just couldn’t stand delays. And every time she described Snowfall, I couldn’t help but be reminded of everything that I had done in the past.
“‘Snow Dash!’ Snowfall called, and a pegasus flew into the room. Snow Dash was Snowfall’s loyal assistant,” Twilight read. And as Twilight explained how Snow Dash did everything for Snowfall, I kept thinking of how Double Diamond and the rest of my villagers did everything for me. Then, she sang a song that touched my bones.
“Happy Hearth's Warming, they say in the streets,” she started. I looked at Spike while Twilight continued singing her song. He casually shrugged when I shot him a look of confusion. I mean, I followed her here for a story, not a song.
“After today!” Twilight concluded.
“Once the spell is cast,” Twilight read, “all of Equestria will be better off. And they’ll have me to thank for it!” I gaped when she read this.
“Wait a minute,” I paused her, “Snowfall doesn’t like Hearth’s Warming Eve so she decides to cast a spell to get rid of it altogether? I don’t know. That seems a little extreme,” I said, rubbing my chin.
But my ears perked up when Spike responded to that, sipping his cocoa as if it didn’t really mean anything. “Says the pony who tried to make everypony the same by replacing their cutie marks with equal signs.” And as he said that, I couldn’t seem to get over how right he was. I felt terrible, even when Twilight covered him with her wing.
“I think what Spike is trying to say,” she said with a glare in his direction, “is that everypony has their reasons for doing things. Even Snowfall.” Even me , I thought to myself. “And if I could continue the story, we might just find out what they are,” she hinted. As Spike pushed her wings away, I couldn’t help but wonder what they were. When Twilight told me all I needed to do was make a friend, she somehow showed me that I had overreacted, that I had gone for the hidden answer and not the obvious one. And for some reason, that was the clearest thing. So I grabbed onto it and held it to my heart.
I wondered if Snowfall had really bad reasons for doing things, or if they were tiny details that misguided her the way I was misguided.
“Proceed,” Spike said, which Twilight playfully rolled her eyes at.
“Snowfall was all set to cast her spell that would erase Hearth’s Warming Eve for all time, when a voice from the hearth caught her attention. ‘You sure you wanna go through with this?’” she voiced, sounding a bit like Applejack. “‘Huh! Who’s there?’ Snowfall asked, frightened. And then, a ghost rose up, out of her cauldron. ‘The Spirit of Hearth’s Warming Past, that’s who,’ it replied. The Spirit explained a bit about why she was here, and tried to convince Snowfall to come with her, but Snowfall refused. ‘I’m not going anywhere,’ she scoffed. ‘I’ve got a spell to cast, and I don’t need a history lesson about Hearth’s Warming Eve.’ But the spirit had more to say. “We aren’t going to the past to learn about the holiday,’ she said, grabbing Snowfall’s attention. ‘We’re going to learn about you .’”
I was already attached to the story. And if this was my gift, I guessed that that was fine. But then, Twilight interrupted the story for yet another song.
“As a young thing, life sure is something.
Twilight explained how Snowfall used to love Hearth’s Warming, how her teacher yelled at her for liking it, how it hurt so badly.
At this point, I was already moven. I even joined in, singing with her.
I let Twilight take over again, because I was almost crying already.
“Snowfall opened her eyes to find that the Spirit was gone,” she read. “‘Spirit?’ Snowfall asked with a quavering voice. ‘What am I supposed to-’ Snowfall stopped when she turned and saw a giant present box. She walked closer to the box, and just like that, it burst open. ‘Snowfall Frost!’ it chanted. ‘It is I! The Spirit of Hearth’s Warming Present!’” I’m lost dead in my tracks. Now she was starting to sound like Pinkie Pie. And my suspicions were confirmed when she started singing. Again.
“Take a look at everything
I laid back in my couch, a smug smile on my face. Twilight drops the book down and sees my face. “What?” she asked.
I almost giggled. “You know you’re doing your Pinkie Pie voice, right?” I told her.
She covered her face with the book, blushing. “I was not!” Spike did giggle at that, and I try to get the story back on track.
I leaned forward, wanting to know the whole story. “So… What happens next?”
“Well,” she started reading again, “the party was-”
“Wait!” he shouted, interrupting Twilight. “Can we take a quick break? I need to refill my cocoa ,” he says, showing her the empty mug.
Twilight was obviously agitated to stop the story. “Ugh,” she groaned. “Fine. But hurry up, we’re almost at the best part!” she called after him as he ran towards the kitchen.
I curled up into a ball on my chair, and if it weren’t for the fact that she was bored as well, I swore Twilight would’ve thought something was wrong. Which it was. Terribly wrong, actually. I closed my eyes, and almost fell asleep, but right then, Spike ran into the room, climbing back up on the couch. I sat up as he blew his cocoa and smiled at Twilight. “Okay, I’m ready,” he said. Twilight and I looked away, in annoyance, though my feelings were probably more true than hers.
“The party was in full swing,” she continued. And boy did the character’s names sound like her friends’ names. As she described Snowfall’s true intentions being revealed to the crowd, I thought about her past and knew that she had done a better job than me at handling things. I hung my head in despair. And that’s when I heard her singing again, and for some reason, it stood out to me. Maybe it’s the fact that this song was incredibly creepy and bone chilling. And I thought her first one was bad.
“‘I see a cold wind blowing through
The future should be filled with magic
Whatever might have been,
“Wendigos? They aren’t real!” I exclaim. “It’s just a little filly’s story!”
Twilight nodded. “That’s what Snowfall Frost thought. But the Spirit proved her wrong. ‘They are all too real, Snowfall. And your actions will allow them to return. The future of Equestria shall be bathed in a blanket of eternal snow!’ the Spirit chanted.”
My ears dropped. “No! She never meant for this to happen!”
Twilight nodded yet again. “Unfortunately, it’s all true. ‘I didn’t understand!' Snowfall shouted, cowering. 'I didn’t see how important Hearth’s Warming Eve was! Please, Spirit! I haven’t cast the spell yet! Is there still time? I’m sorry!’ she shouted to the cold air, tears forming.”
Twilight paused at that part and revealed her face from behind the book, and I noticed she was eyeing me, a content smile on her face. Then she put the book back up and continued. “Snowfall looked out her window and saw all the ponies celebrating, singing songs, ringing bells. ‘There’s still time!’ she exclaimed. She ran over to where the party was being held, carrying along with her a numerous amount of plainly wrapped gifts. When Marity and Flutterholly opened the door for her, they were really shocked. Especially Snow Dash, who spit out her eggnog. ‘Boss?’ she asked. Snowfall explained how she should listen to the ponies in her lives more often, and that she had finally learned how great friendship can be! And from then on, it was said that of all the Hearth’s Warming Eve celebrations, Snowfall’s was the Hearth’s Warming-est. The end,” she concludes.
But I’m lost in thought until Twilight closes the book, creating a thud that gets my attention back into Hearth’s Warming Present. “Well, that’s it! Thanks for letting me read you the story,” she says, hopping off her couch, eyeing me as she walks to put the book away. “Guess you can call it a night. Spike and I are heading downstairs, and if you wanted to, you’d be welcome to join us.”
And with that, she and Spike walk out of the door, probably headed downstairs. Should I do the same? I’m so confused, so confused I can barely stand up straight. I lay down on the couch, thinking of the answer. And though I know the right choice is the one I dread the most, I decide to roll with it anyways. I can pretend to be happy, it’s just for a few hours, right? Ugh, I’m so confused, so confused, so confused.
I open the door and walk to the edge of the balcony, placing my hooves on the railings. I hear the ponies cheering, and I eye Twilight, hoping she might not notice me? Unfortunately, she does. “Welcome to the party! Happy Hearth’s Warming, Starlight,” she invites me. And so I quickly turned my frown to a smile.
“Happy Hearth’s Warming, Twilight,” I beam, hopping down the stairs, deciding to sing a song to show everypony just how not fake this is.
“Hearth’s Warming Eve is filled with presents,
And by now, everypony in the castle has started to sing along.
“Now it’s time to celebrate!”
“Hearth’s Warming Eve is here once again!”
“All together, feeling great!”
“Hearth’s Warming Eve is here once again!”
“Can hardly wait!
“Hearth’s Warming Eve is here once again!
We all laugh at ourselves, jumping up and down, running around, and creating a ruckus with our bells. I laugh even harder as I get another thought. It's going to be impossible for me to fall asleep tonight.
Luckily, we were in Twilight's living room. Now, we were all alone and it was just Spike and the girls, and Discord too. I hadn't even noticed that he was at the party until we went into the room.
I took a big bite of the cupcake I had grabbed from Pinkie's platter earlier. I was in a relaxed position. Maybe I really was warming up to the holidays. Ugh, friends do a lot of things to you. “And, that’s the last time I ever went to a dragon wedding!” Spike concludes his story, making all of us laugh. Surprisingly, he makes me laugh, too. A real laugh, and not any fake ones like I’ve been doing all day.
Twilight starts to tell a story. I don't want to come off as rude, but I still reluctantly stand up, throw away my cupcake wrapper, and walk to my room, feeling tired, despite all the noise and energy of tonight. I lay down on my bed and close my eyes, just for a short while. No one will need me tonight, right?
I sit up to the sound of a knock. I don’t respond; I’m a bit too lazy to move right now. But I still open the door with my magic. And just as I suspected, Twilight is at the door. Probably to invite me to have fun or something. Whatever.
"Starlight?" she asks, walking closer to me and then sitting on my bed. "Hey, I didn't even think you would be in here." Yeah right, I think to myself.
"So why are you here?" I ask her.
"I was looking for you, and, well, I checked your room. You know, we were all worried about you when you left the room just like that. We were having so much fun, we didn't want you to leave," Twilight says, placing a hoof on my shoulder.
"Why? Do you only want me to celebrate the holiday with you? Do you not want me to have what I want?" I snap. Then I immediately clamp my mouth shut. I hope it's clear to her that I didn't mean for it to come out so rudely.
"Uh... Oh... Well, do you want to come make your own Hearth's Warming doll with us?" she asks, probably to lighten the mood. I knew it. I just shake my head. Twilight hops off my bed and looks back at me. "Well, at least join us in opening presents." I had already denied presents, and stories, and candy earlier. Maybe I should go. As Twilight walks out the door, I follow her.
We open the door to the living room and sit down. The other girls, and Spike, are there too, concerned looks on their faces. I don't see Discord, so at least tonight will be somewhat peaceful. I take it as an improvement. I look down at my hooves so that they won't have to see my face. Through my hair, I see them all glance towards Twilight. A quick nod from her reassures them all that I'm fine. That's so not true.
"Alright, so we have presents for everypony," Twilight announced. Looking to her side, she corrected herself, "Everycreature , I mean."
After hearing this, everyone, including me and Spike, nodded. I forgot that my gifts for everypony were still up in my room. I teleport them under the Hearth's Warming Tree and pray to Celestia that I didn't forget anything.
We finish opening our presents with smiles on our faces. Well, most of us have smiles on our faces. I'm the exception. I have a fake smile on, but I don't think that counts. Laid out in front of me are all my gifts from my friends. A spellbook, a stuffed animal, mittens, a recipe, a quilt, candy, and a weight. The weight is really questionable, and the quilt I don't really like much. But I have to appreciate them. After all, they were given to me by my friends, and for a while, I didn't really have any friends. But still, having the gifts stings. Real bad.
I guess I'm fidgeting with my hooves, because Twilight notices and speaks up. "Starlight, is everything okay? Do you not like your gifts?" she asks, eyeing the book.
"No, the presents were nice. I liked them a lot! And I was looking for some more spells to learn," I say with a tint of unsureness in my voice. I hope Twilight doesn't notice, but I can't tell right now.
Twilight nods. "If it's not the gifts, then what's wrong?"
Okay. She definetely can tell. I take a deep breath and decide to fill them in on the truth. The honest truth. "Today, I've been trying to avoid Hearth's Warming Eve. I said it was only because I didn't want presents and candy, but the truth is, there's a lot more to it than that." I eye Twilight, hoping she might let me stop explaining, but realize she's not the only one listening. Everyone is.
After a long pause, Fluttershy ushers, "Go on. We're listening."
I close my eyes, and when I open them again, I'm not looking at the girls. My gaze is turned down, my eyes wearily narrowed. "Today is a special day. To me, too. Today is... um... my birthday," I declare, getting a gasp from everyone.
"So why didn't you want to celebrate it? Even if you want to keep it a secret, which I don't understand, why not celebrate Hearth's Warming instead?" Rainbow Dash provokes.
"Having a birthday and not celebrating it? That's like... well, I don't know what it's like, but it's definitely bad. Really bad," Pinkie Pie tells me, sticking her muzzle in my face.
If I wasn't already looking down, I definitely am now. "I- I know. I guess celebrating Hearth's Warming Eve on my birthday makes me feel like it's being replaced. Like I'm not having real fun. I guess I just don't like stealing the spotlight on a night like this. I don't know, it's hard to explain."
"So you'd rather not have any fun then have any fun at ALL?" Pinkie screams. Note to self, please learn to get used to that.
"Well, I mean, it's just..." I stammer. "Yeah," I finally sigh in defeat.
Twilight walks over to me and sits down beside me. Then she wraps her wing around me. "You know, you could've just told me. It would have saved us a lot of trouble."
I chuckle. "Maybe. But I don't really like talking about feelings and personal stuff." Then the rest of Twilight's friends come over to me and surround me in a hug. I step back. "If you really want me to, I could make time next week to celebrate."
The girls all nod and let me do what I want as they all go back to their hobbies. I sigh with relief, walking back to my room. But before I have the chance to close the door, Twilight says one last thing to me. "Happy Birthday, Starlight."
My anxious grin just became a pure smile of joy. "Thank you, Twilight."
