Vinyl Scratch changed the music in her headphones to Hearth’s Warming music as she stepped outside her home. The snow on the ground felt as if it wished to hold her hooves in place. Even as snowflakes dropped onto her horn, she could hear her music shift from its typical beats to Hearth’s Warming themed beats.
From behind her, Octavia said “A change in your personal listening habits was not what I meant when I insisted you find some way, distinct yet proper, to celebrate the holidays this year.” Despite her scolding tone, Octavia’s fond smile could be heard through her words. Even though she couldn’t hear Vinyl change her music, Octavia knew her well enough to know what she was doing. Unfortunately, Vinyl did not feel as confident about Octavia’s actions as Octavia was about Vinyl’s.
Vinyl glanced back to where Octavia closed and locked the door to their home. Typically, by now there would be a dark green wreath on the door, with berries and leaves here and there. But at the beginning of this month, Octavia had successfully convinced Vinyl to take on the responsibility of decorating their house.
“Hearth’s Warming is this week Octavia,” Vinyl said, as she and Octavia made their way onto Ponyville’s busy main road. “I’m getting started on bringing the holiday spirit to us.”
“Only you would think changing the music in your headphones contributed to decorating for the season,” Octavia groused.
“I’ll be sure to play music in the house once we get home,” Vinyl replied, grinning.
Octavia started to reply, but the background noise of conversation from above rose to a sudden shout.
Octavia and Vinyl gave quick glances towards the sky. The weatherponies were rushing as they molded clouds and shaped winds. Vinyl smirked, not unkindly, to herself. While the weather factory brought winter in, Ponyville’s pegasi were still responsible for the details.
“It should be snowing more than it is right now. More of a winter wonderland instead of a winter dusting. I will never understand why we always have to be behind in some way,” Octavia said as she and Vinyl dismissed the pegasi from their thoughts and continued their stroll.
“It’s no big deal,” Vinyl said, glancing at Octavia with some amusement.
“Not for us, not this time. But last year they messed up the weather in the opposite way. Ponies who were going out of town for the holidays had to face heavy snows as they left. It was worse for ponies coming in. You think they would work to be on time.”
“Eh, sounds like its cooler to be a bit late than too early,” Vinyl said with a grin. “I’m not the only pony who isn’t ready for it to be Hearth’s Warming yet.”
Pinkie Pie skipped past them, shouting, “Hey Vinyl! Hi Octavia! Happy super early Hearth’s Warming!” As she continued down the road, she shouted greetings to everyone she passed.
Vinyl shouted a greeting back as Octavia waved in response as they continued walking towards the marketplace. While Pinkie Pie was the only one skipping, most of the other villagers who were out barely stopped to pay attention to each other. The nods, careful steps, and beams given in passing made the whole scene more pleasant than stressful.
Somehow, the “Happy Hearth’s Warming!” and overenthusiastic wave just made Vinyl more aware of her quiet worries about the season. Surely there had to be a plant or something which would suffice. Vinyl wondered if she could find a way to fulfill Octavia’s request without dismissing the anxiety she felt. She had not felt the general cheer of the Hearth’s Warming season consistently for some time.
Now, as the holiday crept closer, Vinyl could not simply bury herself in her music as the days passed. Not with Octavia counting on her.
As they stepped into the marketplace, their stroll slowed into stillness. There were so many different things for sell, she didn’t know where to start. Besides, what counted as special yet appropriate, or whatever Octavia asked of her? The amount of trouble caused by deciding these things was why she always left it to Octavia.
“A lot of stuff here,” Vinyl said, with a frown. “What exactly did you have in mind for the house again?”
“No,” Octavia said, her tone amused.
“Uh, no?” Vinyl asked, tilting her head a bit as she stared at Octavia.
“You need to really feel some ownership over decorating the house,” Octavia said. “If I choose everything for you, or tell you what to do, it destroys the purpose. Now, I will do some window shopping in preparation for next year.”
As Octavia attempted to disappear into the crowd, Vinyl placed a hoof on her shoulder. “If you stick with me, I won’t ask you about the decorations again.”
Octavia considered her request as ponies walked past and around them. “Fine. And we should talk if you wish to Vinyl. I just want you to take the lead.”
Vinyl nodded, then looked about the marketplace.
She walked towards the area which was easiest to get to. There was a pony selling beach balls, beach chairs, picnic baskets, and similar items.
“They would probably make a decent Hearth’s Warming Gift for someone who loved being outside in the summer, “ Octavia said softly to Vinyl.
Vinyl didn’t think Octavia would like such a gift much, and nothing about the available items fit the season. She was probably just making conversation.
“Maybe ponies are buying them for the summer? While most ponies don’t need them,” Vinyl suggested, more hesitant than she was comfortable being about anything.
“The beach balls are fifty percent off!” the sales pony said, gesturing them towards him as he smiled.
Vinyl and Octavia smiled at him, even as they searched the marketplace for ponies selling items more relevant to their interests.
“Maybe that pony has items which you’ll like?” Vinyl asked, her head tilting towards where a pony was selling ornate looking baubles and arts.
“You’re leading this dance Vinyl, remember?” Octavia shook her head.
“Yeah, of course. Cool.” Vinyl decided if current Octavia was going to be difficult, she would have to recall the Octavia from earlier during the month.
Vinyl had been drinking a soda on the first day of the month, looking through her records for music to play during a birthday party that was going to come up in a few days. Octavia had come inside, talking about the importance of them sharing the responsibility of joy, generosity, celebration. In other words, decorating.
“Greenery everywhere. Ribbons on the chairs, red flowers in a vase on the table. Oh, and we need a tree. And not the small, plastic thing you picked up last year Vinyl. And of course, we must avoid being ostentatious,” Octavia had finished her statement by lifting her cello and beginning to play some old Hearth’s Warming carol.
Last Hearth’s Warming, Octavia had decorated for the holidays. She had the year before last as well. She had done half of the work of decorating the house this year. The only reason Vinyl knew it was half was because Octavia told her as much.
“Are you sure the tree and the Hearth’s Warming dolls aren’t enough?,” Vinyl asked, forcing herself to focus on the present.
“I put up the tablecloth too,” Octavia said.
“I-what?”
“I only take the tablecloth out during the holidays,” Octavia explained.
Vinyl nodded at this, as Octavia clearly was not interested in answering her question. Best to get to the point. “I don’t get why you do, though. I mean, I don’t hate it. I like how it looks?” Vinyl was struggling to be delicate and honest at the same time, so her statements where petering into questions. “What I really mean is, I can... you always…”
"Vinyl?" Octavia said, her eyes intently searching Vinyl's face. Octavia’s pretty purple eyes were scrunched in worry.
Vinyl smiled at Octavia, before processing the concern lacing Octavia's tone. Vinyl groaned, then said, “I don’t mind Hearth’s Warming. I like it, at least when I’m spending it with you. But… I don’t know how to create it, if that makes sense?”
Octavia sighed. Even if the weather team were supposedly failing at their job, it was still cold enough for Octavia’s breath to hang in the air for a second before dispersing.
“I’m sorry,” Octavia said.
Vinyl continued to look at Octavia, but frustration mixed with fondness was replaced with confusion. “It’s nothing,” she said looking away. “You just wanted me to pitch in for once.”
“No. I am sorry. I thought I was supporting you. That you might have your own ideas of what our Hearth’s Warming should look like. Instead, I just bombarded you. Every holiday I do most of the decorating and planning. But…” Octavia’s voice slipped into silence.
Vinyl glanced at Octavia in time to see her wince.
“Hearth’s Warming is okay,” Vinyl said. “Especially when you’re leading the way. It was never the biggest deal growing up. And as an adult, I just kind of ignored it. But I like how it makes you feel. And since we’ve been together, I like seeing you change the house and play music. I miss the wreath you put on the door.”
Octavia smiled and blushed, the latter which she rarely did. “Want to put it up together?”
“If you’ll handle the rest of the decorating,” Vinyl replied.
Together, they left the marketplace, and took Ponyville’s road towards home.
