“Hey moms~, Dawn and I are heading into town.” Applejack had won our race by a nose into the house so spoke up first.

“Ok sugar you two have fun.” Pear, the only mom available, replied from the kitchen. “Granny is working the stall today, Morning is working at town hall, and Forest will be on patrol later in case you two need any help while in town. Oh and take your sister with you, I’ll be busy making applesauce and I just remembered Mac is going out too, with his filly friend.”

“Okay.” We both replied as Bloom happily ran into the front room, tail wagging, having overheard the conversation. After adorning her winter gear, a cute scarf and hat, she looked between us then held her hooves up towards me and said. “Up?” Daw.

“Sure Bloom.” I playfully lifted her onto my back with magic as she giggled, doing my best to keep a straight face. It probably looked funny from the outside, since I’m not much larger than her, when compared to the size difference of me and my parents, but my new earth pony strength made it even easier to carry her.

“Now Bloom you shouldn’t expect a colt to carry ya around.” Applejack looking more disappointed that she hadn’t been picked than me being a colt.

“Dawn is brother, so it’s okay.” She playfully stuck out her tongue. “Mac told me so last time he carried me.”

Applejack sighed. “So long as ya know it’s only proper if it’s just family that helps out.” She lead our group back outside into the snow. “So, where should we go first? I vote we visit Pinkie and Ms. Swirl.”

“Sounds great, I could do with some hot chocolate.” I bounced through the snow behind AJ, Bloom laughing while clinging to me

“Yay, hot chocolate.” Bloom excitedly yelled then almost fell off when she raised her forehooves skyward.

As we got closer to town the snow was at much more manageable levels, unlike the farm where only the paths were clear, the town had just a light dusting of snow to give it the Winter look.

“Mom and the team did a good job.” I commented with a grunt as Bloom decided now was a good time to hop off my back so she could walk alongside us.

“Hehe. Yeah, mom Forest has been a real blessing. It was rough for the town not having a dedicated weather manager especially with us being on the edge of the Everfree.” Applejack replied as we made it into the center of town.

Quite a few ponies were out playing in the snow or doing last minute shopping before the holidays. I could see Granny off in the distance working our own families stall.

“Mom made all the snow?” Bloom tilted her head and her hat Pom-Pom followed.

“That’s right sugarcube. Mom and the weather ponies are the ones responsible for bringing in the snow we like to play in.” Applejack answered as we reached our destination.

“Hi there you three. Here for some treats?” Pinkie interrupted while flinging open the front door of Sugarcube Corner.

“Pinkie!” Applejack stepped back and yelled in surprise as Bloom and I laughed. AJ just sighed at her antics then answered. “Yeah Pinkie we’re here for some coco.”

“Great!” The Pink pony rushed inside behind the counter to ring us up and fulfill our order. She also offered us some muffin samples of a new recipe she was trying out as Applejack passed over the bits.

“So Pinkie where is Ms. Swirl?” It still felt weird saying her name, instead of Mrs. Cake.

“She’s in back working on a big order for Mr. Rich’s holiday party.” Don’t worry just one more year until it’s changed. I could have sworn I heard Pinkie sing song something else while she practically dragged us to an empty table. She then pronked back behind the counter as another pair of ponies pranced in. Meh that one needed work.

“So, Granny mentioned something about that party and how we’re invited. Us being his business partners and all that.” Applejack mentioned while getting comfortable in the booth.

“Really, wonder if we’re going?” After asking I noticed Apple Bloom was already digging into her snacks instead of showing interest in the conversation.

“No thanks. Maybe that new filly Rarity would enjoy it but not me.” She sipped her coco.

“What don’t like fancy parties?” I replied. “Maybe I’ll invite her then.” I tapped my chin as if actually considering it. Rarity always was looking for her prince. I joked to myself.

She huffed and looked away from me. “Had enough of them fancy types when I was pretending to be something I wasn’t back when I lived in Manehatten with aunt and uncle orange.” She didn’t say anything much after that so we just snacked in silence.

At leas we did until Bloom yelled. “Done!” And broke the silence. Applejack and I shared a look then laughed before finishing our own snacks.

Once finished we clambered out of the booth, thanked Pinkie and headed outside.

“Epp.” A demure Filly let out after I bumped into her as we left the shop.

“You alright Fluttershy?” I held a hoof out for her after recovering.

“I’m… fine.” She blushed then took my hoof so I could help her hoof.

“Hey! Watch where you’re, oh. Hey Dawn, thought someone was picking on Shy. Hehe.” Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck after she landed next to her fellow peagsus.

“Sugar, how many times have I warned ya to think before ya speak.” Applejack growled. Bloom had already ran off to play but I wasn’t worried after noticing a pink blur following behind her. Thank’s Pinkie. No problem.

“Yeah, yeah. So what are you two up to?” Rainbow dismissed her with a wing then circled around and gave me a friendly nudge with her wing.

Applejack glared at Rainbow while Fluttershy hid behind her mane. “Just hanging around town.” I nudged her back with my shoulder. “What about you two?”

“Shy and I were about to get some lunch but how about we hang out with you instead? I can show ya some of my new tricks.” She said a bit too friendly then laughed at my eye roll.

“Rainbow that’s, um, no way to talk to a colt.” Fluttershy quietly spoke up.

“What it’s just Dawn.” She put her foreleg around my back. “His mom is the weather captain and she’s cool with me.” She kept her cocky grin.

“Yes Dash we are cool, however you still have work to finish after your lunch break, so no hanging out and flirting with my colt for you.” Applejack giggled as Forest spoke after landing behind Rainbow.

“Er, right mam.” Rainbow removed her foreleg and sped inside with Fluttershy following behind her after politely telling us goodbye.

“Haha, mom she isn’t all bad.” I gave mom Forest a loving nuzzle.

“Speak for yourself.” Aj mumbled under her breath before doing the same.

“We’ll be that as it may she still shouldn’t be slacking like that. Rainbow has quite the potential. Anyway you two have fun, I have to get some lunch myself before getting back to work.” Mom flew off towards the town’s dinner for something less sweet.

I nudged Applejack’s side to get us moving again, just in time for Pinkie to plop a happily laughing Applebloom onto her sister’s back. “Back to work for me.” Pinkie then sped inside to resume her own job.

We both shook our heads and headed towards the market.

It wasn’t long into our browsing before AJ and I decided to split up. Some of the other fillies wanted to go sledding so she decided to take Bloom with her and join them in their fun while I continued to browse the market. I was on a mission to find some last minute Hearths warming gifts for the family.

“If only I knew where to look.” Most of the stalls were for preserved food or other wintertime items. Eventually I did notice one stall that stood out. “Rarity, what are you doing here?”

“Oh hello darling.” She smiled and flicked her ear.

“So what’s with the stall don’t you have a store?” I sat down and tilted my head at the booth filled with scarves and gemstones.

Rarity sighed. “Yes, however I felt it much better for business if I ‘put myself out there’ as it were. Aside from Nightmare Night business has been slow, considering the demand for clothes.” Another sigh. “Most ponies around here only need repairs on existing items or practical items like custom saddle bags.” She dipped her head and rested her chin on the counter before springing back up. “But I shall not give up.”

It probably was rough to be in the clothing business considering the modesty charms that were in use to hide a ponies bits. I had learned about them recently during an awkward class on pony sex education. Granted it was an informative lesson on why I didn’t end up getting flashed with every tail flick.

“Yeah, anyway, let me see what you’ve got and maybe I’ll buy something.” I took a good look at what she had. The scarves were very nice but my family all had newer ones. I then took a closer look at the gems, “can I buy some of the gems?” An idea was growing on making some gifts.

“Well, they’re really there for adding to the scarves… oh, why not. Which ones would you like?” She asked as I pointed a few out. After making my selection I hoofed over quite a few bits, at my insistence.

“Thank you darling but after all the help you and your sister gave me with the house I couldn’t expect you to pay full price.” She insisted.

“Rarity, as your friend I insist you take my bits and help another pony less fortunate. Okay?” She beamed at that then let me go on my way for more shopping.

“Well that’s gifts for the mares but I still need something for Mac.” I stopped when I spotted the game store then smiled at the O&O display. “Perfect.”

With my gift shopping done I met back up with the fillies before we all made our way home. Bloom excitedly told me all about the sledding they did until we got back into the farmhouse.

“Welcome home you three. I was beginning to wonder if you’d be home for dinner.” Morning Dew was waiting for us on the front porch.

“Mom!” Applebloom excitedly ran up to nuzzle her then began retelling the sledding story she just told me.

“Well that sounds very exciting. Why don’t you two go wash up while she finishes.” She directed the statement towards Aj and I. We both gave her a loving nuzzle in passing before heading inside to get comfortable.

Author's Note

Bit of world building;

The ‘Modesty charm’ is a small spell incorporated into every pony washing product that helps hide a ponies sex organs. Ponies can decide to show off with a conscious thought, such as a flagged tail, when showing interest and is socially acceptable to do so to another mature adult.

The charm typically lasts a day but is re-applied with every hoof, mane, or coat wash thanks to said products. The charm is also available in other forms such as clothing, wearable accessories, saddlebags, etc and unicorns learn the spell as part of their sex education class along with pregnancy prevention charms for estrous season.