Grim, bleak, and utterly devoid of joy. Out of all the holidays of Equestria, there was one worse than any other. Despite the foals galloping through the streets, ponies gathering for cider and cheer, she couldn’t work up the energy to smile.
Perhaps it was the abundance of mirth in the air that caused her to recoil into herself in disgust, or perhaps it was simply the circumstances of the task she had to undertake. The shops were open all the way up to the eve of celebrations, giving her all the time necessary.
To find that perfect present.
Inky Rose sighed into her shopping list again, barely looking up to see another trio of carefree fillies rush past, giggling away. The streets of Canterlot were filled with ponies and a coating of imperfect snow, the streets trampled down by the hooves of residents since the start of the holiday. She knew she should have picked up something before leaving Tall Tale. She simply knew it was a bad idea to leave her shopping until she was in the capital, yet it was too late to change that. Like usual.
The next stop was near the famous Trinket’s Tacks and Tantalizing Travels. Of course, going to that store itself would be chaos. Everypony wanted something from there for Hearth’s Warming, as it was THE place to go for interesting presents. No, it was a store about two shops down she was aiming for. She took flight to skip the busy streets of the city, receiving a nasty look from a mare ground-side but missing it entirely.
From above, the city was truly a marvel. With its off-white streets, colorful shingles peeking through the blanket of white laid atop, and thousands of ponies going about the holiday’s fourth most busy day, she could almost forget her impatience and aggravation. Ugh, the holidays...
Her flight took her straight past the best gift store in all of Canterlot, landing her at the doors of Grinlike and Ferry Ways. She took a deep breath in before entering. The indoors had the distinct smell of pine and desperation. Being so close to the legendary store, it wasn’t any surprise to her there were only two other customers inside browsing the miscellaneous wares. Clothes, knickknacks, snow-globes, dolls, books, and much more were along the shelves, a single wrinkling mare behind the counter sallying out to meet her.
“Welcome, welcome! Welcome to the second best shop in all of Canterlot for your Hearth’s Warming gift needs! How may I help you?”
Rose wrinkled her nose. “I’m... looking for something specific. I’ll be fine looking on my own.”
“Oh, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for here, my dear. Please, have a browse.” She motioned off to the aisles. “If you have any questions or need help, give me a holler and I’ll be there in a jiff. Name’s Granular, or ‘Gran’ if you’d prefer.”
“Thank you.” Inky Rose went past the shorter mare into the first aisle. At the closest end, there appeared to be necklaces with various symbols or gems on them. Low quality, of course. This wasn’t a jewelry store, and, moreover, it didn’t seem like an appropriate gift even if she found one interesting. Further down the aisle were bracelets, bow-ties, and clip-on ear jewelry. Mm, still not what she was looking for. Next aisle.
In the next, she came across shelves with a variety of dolls on them. Inky picked one up of Princess Twilight, checking it out. Not half-bad in terms of quality, but still not what she was looking for. After putting it back, she continued down to the statuettes and figurines. She could get one of Princess Luna. It was an idea, and there was only one left. But she wanted to look elsewhere. To the next aisle.
Another customer was browsing the shelves further down, one who looked to be a night appreciator if the pin of a crescent moon in her mane was anything to go by. Rose sighed as she took a poster roll from the shelf to unfurl, checking it out. Wonderbolts. Great... No. Back to the shelf it goes, and onto the next. Some country singer band she’s never heard of. Nope. Every roll she checked ended up making the defeat all the worse. She didn’t know what to get for them.
For weeks she’s been putting off getting a present for her, and for weeks she’s been stressing about what she could get. Now, she had a hard choice to make, one that would probably lead to disappointment for both her and the recipient. What would her parents say? ‘You should have bought ahead! Shame on you, Inky!’ or something along those lines.
As she reached out for another scroll, the pale purple glow of the other pony selected a scroll from the top shelf to float over to her. Inky looked, lightly gasping. It was... perfect. The sun and moon, with the respective monarchs holding them up, and Equestria crudely displayed beneath. She had to get it!
“Excuse me.” Inky poked her head around, the pale blue mare with a dark purplish-blue mane turning her disinterested eyes onto her. “Are you going to buy this poster?”
“I was thinking of it.” She said, her voice somewhat aloof as she checked it out. “It would be the perfect gift for my sister.”
“Yes, I don’t doubt it. But, you see, I was hoping to get it for my own sister. She’s–”
“Sorry. Not willing to let it go. I’ve been looking everywhere for something like this.”
“Please, you don’t understand. My sister is–”
Inky stopped at the smirk on the mare. “We all have family we shop for. First to grab gets to choose. I can tell you’re sincere, but I need something for Hearth’s Warming and this is it.”
She watched as the other mare took the scroll up to the counter, leaving her standing there in disarray. She had nothing, not a single idea of what to get. If she ruined Hearth’s Warming for her sister... No, it would take more than one horrible present to ruin the holiday. And there were still other options. She just had to take another look.
I... I guess the doll might work...
The winds had picked up overnight, leaving the streets of Canterlot a chilly place to be for any non-pegasi. Inky was wrapped up in her dark scarf and one of her many formal vests, holding the present beneath her wing as she entered where her sister was stuck. She stepped up to the counter and cleared her throat, getting the attention of the secretary.
“H-Hello. I’m here to see Blotted Sky.”
“Let me see...” They got up to go over to a cabinet, checking inside before looking back at her. “And you are?”
“Inky Rose. Her older sister. I’m here for Hearth’s Warming.”
“Well, who isn’t when entering today?” She giggled a bit, returning to the counter. “Third floor, Room 307.”
“Thank you. Happy Hearth’s Warming.” She went a short way in, taking a left up the stairs and all the way to the third floor. It had been far too long since she visited, the last time being months ago when she took part in that young designers contest. She knew she had no excuse. As a pegasus, she should have flown in sooner than now to visit.
As she stopped next to the door, she could hear the coughs of her sister within. No doubt their parents would be here, and she didn’t look forward to getting chewed out by them. With a deep breath, she entered. The balding filly slumped back on the bed, wheezing heavily into her respirator mask as her unfocused eyes scanned the ceiling. Inky tried to force a smile to her face, coming up beside the bed.
“Sis?” She set the present down on the end of the bed, leaning in to nuzzle her ill sister’s cheek. It caused another two coughs before she turned over to her.
“I-Inky?”
“Y-Yes, it’s me.” She grabbed onto the foal’s hoof, looking around. No parents. Huh. “How are you feeling?”
“W-Worse than the last time you saw me.” She tried giggling, only getting a wheezing cough out of it. “S-Sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about.” Her forced smile declined as her eyes turned down to the sheets.
“Where’s mom and d-dad?”
“Their train must be late. I’m sure they’ll be here soon.” Inky nodded, her eyes already wetting. Out of all the times to be late, this Hearth’s Warming was the worst.
Sky gripped onto her sister’s hoof tightly, letting her know she understands in her own way. “I-I have something for you.” Inky grabbed the present and passed it to her. The filly’s smile grew as she tore at the wrapping, pulling off the top of the box. She reached in and gasped, pulling out the plush toy of Princess Twilight.
“It’s...”
“I-I’m sorry. I tried getting you something else, something to look at, something really, truly special, b-but–“
A ragged breath cut Inky off, wiping her eyes with a hoof. “I’m sorry, sis.”
The filly held up the toy in front of her. “This is... that new princess, right? Princess Twilight Sparkle?”
“Mm-hm.”
She pulled in the fluffy doll, holding it tight to her as her smile grew. “It’s so soft!”
“I-I guess it is...” Inky shut her eyes. She couldn’t do this. What a lousy gift, for such a wonderful filly, and... and...
“I love it!” Sky hugged it tighter, spotting her sister and tilting her head. “Sis?”
“I-I...”
Blotted Sky reached out and grabbed her hoof. “What’s wrong?”
“I shouldn’t... You don’t need me to c-cry over... I wanted to get you something truly great, a-and this is all I could think of...”
Sky’s smile declined a bit before picking back up. “I-It is special, sis. All I ever wanted was to see you. This... is just the best! Thank you!”
Inky tried to fight back, but inevitably letting go a sob. Her sister pulled her hoof to get her to lean in to bring her into a hug. “I love you, sis. It’s a wonderful present.”
Rose held onto her, feeling the doll between them. She was right. It is pretty soft.
“I-I love you, too. H-Happy Hearth’s Warming, Sky.”
