DEC 17 Sunday.

I cast my spell again only to have the smell of burnt fish meat and guts in my nose again, it's not pleasant to be around.

After a while of thinking through it this was the best way I could think of to test out this new spell. Over the past week, I finished what I'm now calling the Stun spell, all it does is deliver a fairly powerful shock at close to medium range. I needed to test it though.

So after a little thinking, I decided to buy some dead fish, it was a bit of a hassle buying the fish itself instead of just the meat as not many places sell whole raw fish in bulk. I knew a place though and it's proven to be the best compromise for a testing subject I could find.

I still need to take other things into account, like a Changelings chitin and their size, but this has provided me with the testing data I needed. This is why I'm currently standing in Gaia's Eden in a field blowing up dead fish. By magic do I need a shower.

The good news is that was my last fish and I'm done with this for the day. I turn to see Entropy eating through a half-cooked fish I exploded with an overpowered Stun spell. At least she's happy, but I'll need to clean her as well now. I start to gather all the fish pieces and move them to the river before dumping them inside.

I turn to Entropy, who has a decent amount of fish bits on her along with blood. "Yup, we definitely need a shower, time to go home." She ruffles her feathers but I gave her a stern look. "We ARE taking a shower, or you are sitting out the party," I warn her, and she deflates a little before teleporting us back home silently.

When we arrive I pick her up and head straight to the bathroom so we can get cleaned up from this utter filth on our bodies. As we shower I go through my mental checklist of things I'll need to get done today, as a start I need to bake some sweets for the get-together later today.

A week ago my friends and I had another game night, and Blaz said he'd be leaving to visit family for Hearth's Warming I suspected. So just like the year before last, we'll all be having our Hearth's Warming party earlier so he can still join in with the fun.

That party is today and I need to get a few things ready for it. I already sent off Cadance's and Celestia's gifts, I decided that if I'm getting my gifts early so could they, I do hope they like their gifts. After getting me and the ball of shadows cleaned off I leave the bathroom and find my mortar and pestle. I also grab some Rocky Wheat grain I have around and start to make bread dough, along with some cookie dough using normal flour.

I glance over at a single empty plant pot sitting on my countertop, specifically I look at its shadow and spot the gem sitting inside of it. The gem has remained stable since Entropy placed it inside but a problem has shown itself pretty quickly and it should have been obvious in hindsight.

For some context, Entropy can shift into a shadow at the cost of some magic, but it also takes more magic to keep her in a shadow. This is a small amount and Entropy has more than enough magic regeneration to counteract the cost of letting her stay in a shadow for as long as she likes.

Now I can't check how much shadow magic is still Imbued into the gem, but Entropy can because she can sense shadow magic. So after a week we checked the gem only to find out some of the shadow magic imbued inside the gem has been lost over time.

The gem can't take shadow magic from Entropy to stay in a shadow so it can only take it from another source, namely itself. Entropy's band doesn't have this problem though, it is completely passive, and that's because it's in constant contact with her.

When she pulls the band into a shadow it still has a link to her and doesn't need to use the Imbued shadow magic inside itself. If the band was left in a shadow by itself I presume it would also slowly lose its shadow magic over time. But how do I fix this? I can't.

Not unless I find something that's able to naturally hold shadow magic like a shadow affinity gem. Anything I Imbue will simply not be able to stay inside a shadow forever. I could make a better Imbuing ritual to Imbue much more shadow magic into an item, letting it stay inside a shadow much longer, it's an option to keep in mind.

I tried to find a way around this limitation by having Entropy store the gem in her own shadow, just like I thought about. That didn't really work out, she was simply unable to add it to her shadow while she was also a shadow. She can still put it in her shadow when she's in her physical form, but it is removed from her if she becomes a shadow.

I think it's like layered pieces of paper, one piece is our plane of existence, and the other is the shadow's plane of existence. So when she moves something into a shadow like she does with herself it becomes solid there, just like I can't overlap blocks of wood inside each other with my hooves she can't overlap shadows of physical objects turned into a shadow.

She can move inside the shadows of physical things because they aren't the actual objects themselves. When the gem is a shadow it is both its own shadow and the physical object at the same time. They look the same but there are two different types of shadows at play here. So I've named these new shadows, Real Shadows, it simplifies my notes because I don't want another Gold Tree incident.

This limits my options somewhat when it comes to Imbuing items to put them in shadows. As long as Entropy is with an item when it's a Real Shadow then it can stay that way forever but that isn't favorable for storing items long-term. I've also been looking into anything that might have a shadow affinity or the possibility of a shadow affinity gem, but I've found little.

I stop my mental rant and also stop petting Entropy, much to her displeasure, and move over to check on the baking bread. It's ready so I take it out and start on the cookies, they shouldn't take that long to bake properly. I cast a Heat Retention spell over the fresh bread to keep it warm.

For now, it seems my ambitions of convenient shadow storage will have to wait a bit. I do think the ability is still useful though, from what Entropy can tell the gem has lost only a small amount of the shadow magic inside it. It probably will stay in that shadow for months, maybe even a year or two.

I have no idea what happens when the magic runs out, but I think the gem would just return to its normal form as it does with Entropy's Real Shadow, I'll be testing this gem to see what the actual result is and plan from there. I'm still thinking of Imbuing that one gem I have hidden in Gaia's Eden.

Even if it only lasts a year that just means we need to do the Imbuing ritual once a year to keep that gem safe from others. This method isn't practical to do for more than a few items as both the ritual and Entropy recovering from the ritual take time, but it's worth it for a few selective items.

I continue to think and slowly draw inside my sketchbook while waiting for the cookies to bake. Once they are done I check the time and start to gather everything I'll need, mainly the food and gifts. Once it's all ready I turn to Entropy as she preens herself on her perch. "Get your dress on, it's time to go."

Her head snaps to me and she quickly activates her illusion before flying over to ride on my back. "Friends! Gifts?" She asks excitedly. Last year she got a small gift in the form of a scarf, I got one as well and am wearing it right now. That thought gives me an idea and I go over to the box that contains all of Entropy's toys.

She watches as I take out her scarf and place it around her neck. "There we go, now we can leave. As for gifts? You'll just have to be good and wait." She shifts from leg to leg happily as I put the scarf on and positively vibrates in excitement as we leave my apartment and move across the hallway.

I knock on the door and a moment later Daisy opens it with a smile. She opens her muzzle to speak but stops after seeing Entropy. "Oh, by Celestia. She's adorable!" She squeals a bit at the sight of Entropy before stepping to the side. "Get that lovable fluff ball inside my apartment, right now!"

I chuckle a bit at her excitement and nod in greeting while closing the door behind me. "You think you're happy? She was thrilled a moment ago to put that scarf on. Not that I'm disagreeing, she is adorable." I joke back a bit as Entropy wags her tail feathers excitedly, she just loves the attention.

Daisy brings over a few pieces of fruit while I place the bread and cookies on her countertop before setting up my gifts under the tree she has. "So, when is your stallion going to show up? He shouldn't be long with how often he comes around." I tease her a bit as I sometimes see Stone around the apartment building with Daisy.

She glares a bit at me teasing her. "He was here with Maple a bit ago, but they left to get some things. I think Maple went to get some pie and he joined her because I needed some more sugar." It seems I wasn't the first to arrive then. I nod and take a seat on the couch as Daisy brings over some small snacks.

I smile at her mischievously. "So, did he come over early or just wake up here?" I tease her more and she throws a small pillow at me, I just catch it and rest my forelegs on it. "Thanks, my forelegs were pretty tired." I continue to mess with her for a moment.

But it seems I went too far as she smiles back while bringing over some hot chocolate. "And what about you, hmm? Dancing with a princess, you know I'm starting to think that there is more going on than you're admitting." She teases me back and I blush a small bit.

I don't rise to that one as it's a losing battle. "How have you been recently? It's been a while since I've heard anything about the library." I ask out of curiosity. They don't talk about work too much with me, mostly because I know they complain about it to each other in the breakroom like I once did.

She smiles in victory and smiles a little. "Same as always, a whole lot of nothing, with a dash of politics." I cringe a little at the mention of politics, I've been in too much of that recently. She chuckles a bit and nods, "The only news I can say is that Maple is no longer an apprentice, she is a full-fledged librarian."

I blink a little but nod in agreement. She started working around a year after me so while it's a bit early, she might have had a more relaxed contract that let her be promoted now. "Good for her, it's a good job. The pay bump is probably nice as well. What does she do now?"

She's about to answer but there is a knock on the door. "Maybe you ask them yourself. Come in!" The door opens to show both Stone and Maple with several items. They walk in and I nod to Stone as he goes to Daisy, he nods back before nuzzling against Daisy some.

Physical contact like nuzzling and kisses are more common for ponies than humans, at least in public they are, it's yet another small thing I've gotten used to. "Friend, hello." Entropy happily greets them both from the arm of the couch next to me that she's sitting on. Maple smiles at her and puts a few things in the kitchen before walking over to steal some snacks.

I smirk at her. "So, Daisy said you got promoted congrats. What do you do now?" She eats a few more snacks before turning to me with a simple nod.

"Thanks. I review new books to be added to the library." I nod as it's a common but somewhat complex job. You need to know the laws and rules about what can and can't be in the library and then read through a text to make sure it follows all of them. It's tedious work but Maple seems happy enough with it.

Stone joins us and I notice he looks me over a bit. "Colt." A simple greeting which I return with another nod as he lays down on the carpet with a book to read. Turns out Stone is a bit of a bookworm, not like me or Daisy and certainly not like Twilight, but he still enjoys reading.

Maple takes another snack and asks me something. "What have you been doing?" She asks in her normal blunt manner as I look at the cover of the book Stone is reading. It's something about military history and events, maybe a good gift idea for him next year.

I wasn't able to get him anything as I was only told he'd be joining us a few days ago. I turn back to Maple, "Not much, I'm still volunteering and learning. I am dipping my hooves into spell crafting a bit more, working with the more complex stuff." This is the normal answer I use these days.

It's not a lie, I still am doing both of those things. But I've been showing my knowledge and skill a bit more often as time goes on, eventually I'll need some other answers but this works for now. I chuckle a bit, "So basically nothing different from any other day."

She smiles and nods. "You have dedication. More than me." She compliments me in her odd way and I settle in as another knock breaks the silence. "It seems Blaz is here. Did you bring cookies?" She asks abruptly and I nod before motioning to the kitchen and looking at Blaz as he walks in with gifts.

He says hi to Daisy and moves over to Stone and me to place his gifts under the tree. "Hey, the drunk found his way here. Are you up for a drinking contest? I promise to let you have my drinks as well." I joke at his expense right off the bat and he huffs out a chuckle.

"Says the colt who still doesn't have a mare friend. Or maybe you just like stallions instead?" He jokes right back after putting his gifts down and joining me on the couch. "So what miraculous things have you brought to outdo our heartfelt gifts this year?"

I see Stone listening in but ignore it as he's still a bit new to our group. "Sorry to disappoint, I just got more of the normal stuff this year. Couldn't really think of something good enough, I think I outdid myself with the jewelry." I shrug a little as I honestly couldn't think of exceptional gifts for them this year.

He smiles a bit softly. "Don't feel bad, you're just on our level now, seriously though you did outdo yourself. The amount of conversations I've started with mares by showing this off." He chuckles showing his piece of wooden jewelry and I roll my eyes.

A moment later Daisy and Maple join us stallions and we're finally all together. "So, are we all ready?" Daisy asks and I nod, it's become a bit of a tradition at this point to start with the gifts and just hang out afterward. Everypony else nods as well and she happily bounces over to the tree and starts passing gifts around.

Most of the gifts are small normal things, but a few catch my eye. Daisy got a nice set of glass cups, Stone got a scarf for himself, and I got a mug. I turn it over and look at all of them with a glare in my eyes and a smile on my face. "Where did you even find this?" I ask them slightly bewildered.

I get several laughs from them as they look at the mug. It says, I garden like an earth pony in plain text. I look at them and see the smile on Stone's Face. "No, really? You?" He just smiles more and nods. "Great, now I can't even be mad because I expected literally anypony but you. Well played." I admit, dropping my fake annoyance and keeping the mug.

Blaz looks at his new puzzles and nods in satisfaction like some dragon with its horde. "Now this, is what I love. No complicated games or tricks. Just some nice puzzles." He says with blatant satisfaction. I also notice Maple doing much of the same as him with her pile of candy and treats.

The last gift to be passed out is once again for Entropy. Inside was the Absolute last thing I'd ever expect them to get her. I look at all of them again as Entropy struts around showing off her new item, "Are you all trying to turn her into a fashion icon, because you might succeed." I admit in a slightly joking tone.

Entropy looks thrilled and hops over to me with blatant pride. "Hat!" That's all it takes for Blaz to start laughing, and soon enough we all start cracking up as Entropy looks to be on top of the world. Even Stone looks amused at the display. Entropy just wags her tail happily while wearing her new fancy top hat, which is just the right size.

I look around at my friends and Entropy with a fond smile. This is what makes everything I do worth it, these moments and these ponies. I wonder if Celestia is enjoying her gifts?

POV shift Celestia.

I sip my tea slowly with some mild impatience, not that I'd let such a thing show. It doesn't change that the gifts in front of me are rather tempting to open right away, but Cadance is still yet to join me.

It was a bit of a surprise to get Shade's gifts early, but I am certainly not complaining about it. It is good to hear as well that he's doing fine after the meeting, I was a bit concerned afterward. My concern wasn't unwarranted, he did do something rather unpleasant that has left an impression on him.

He sent me a letter to talk about it and I sent back what advice I could give him. Time with his friends is best though, it will give him a sense of normalcy and calm, I should visit when I next can though. I think for a moment going over the memories of that meeting yet again.

It was a success in many ways. We made contact, got a basic non-aggression agreement signed, and even got a better line of communication through a new guest. The palace now has a messenger who will send letters to her when needed and bring a response back.

I am having them be watched and tracked, but they have acted well and I've already sent a letter and received a response. It will still take a lot of time to make more progress, we need to build trust, look out for problems, and form deeper agreements and relations all at the same time.

The first step is often the most crucial though and it went well, in no small part because of Shade's actions. His invention and actions tipped things in our favor quite a bit, I really wish I could reward him more for it. Still, he was rather blunt in his approach to the problem that arose.

Not that I truly expected anything different, and despite the brutality he did good work and the right thing. I also find Queen Chrysalis to be an interesting individual, if a bit more blunt than I'm used to. I remember the days when politics were so much more simple and clear, that meeting was a bit nostalgic actually.

She seems competent and intelligent, but unused to negotiation and how to properly act as a ruler. At least from a pony point of view, it is something to ask Shade about as he has a perspective that would be helpful in that area. All around though Queen Chrysalis is someone I can work with.

Shade has prepared me a bit for dealing with such paranoia, and as long as I'm mindful our future relations are looking hopeful. I leave my thoughts as a knock comes on my door, I open them and my smiling niece walks in and closes the door behind her. "Hello Aunty, so yet more gifts from Shade then?"

I chuckle a little and nod. "Yes, it seems he's yet again determined to wow us, or just be nice I can't tell. I might know about a few of the boxes though." I motion to several larger boxes that have been placed to the side. She raises a brow as she sits down to join me. "He was able to change the flavor of the Blood Leaf Tea, so I asked for a few new flavors for us," I explained.

She smiles wider and starts to look over the boxes, each marked with a different flavor. "Yes! I'm tired of the same tea every day. I mean it's amazing and beyond luxurious, but it gets bland." I can't help but agree, the normal Blood Leaf Tea is helpful in several ways but it is not the most interesting of flavors.

My niece and I use the tea to let us more freely spend our magic. It's more of a problem for her, but It is helpful to me as well as I can teleport more often if needed and more efficiently spend my time when I practice magic. "Yes, I can agree. But first, our more personal gifts." I push a box over to her.

Another two are moved towards me and the last stays in the middle. "It seems he got one for both of us as well." She says reading the names on the middle package. "Do you want to start with this one?" I nod, because why not? "Perfect." She happily opens the wrapping paper and pulls out a few sheets of paper. "What?" She is confused by the sight and so am I.

She spends a moment reading it before smiling widely. "You know? He gets us the BEST gifts." She passes over the papers and after I read them I can't help but agree. It's a simple enchantment to help us deal with our royal regalia and jewelry, a small but very much appreciated gift.

"I couldn't agree more, well go on then," I say with a smile and she rips into her gift like an excited filly. Inside is a piece of paper, a few fruits, and a bag of seeds, on close inspection they aren't normal fruits but giant strawberries. "It seems he got creative this year." I chuckle a bit while she smiles widely.

"Ten thousand bits, and then a literal Strawberry Tree. He even offered to grow one somewhere for me." She seemed very happy with her gift and I started to open the larger gift I was sent, the one instructed to only be carried one way up. Inside is a thing of simple beauty. "Although, it seems he saved the amazing things for you." My niece teases me a bit.

The small tree is a miniature Stardew Blossom and it is beautiful to look at. "He does." I place the tree to the side for a moment and open my other gift. Inside is a wooden pyramid and a medium ruby along with instructions. It shows a small drawing of what to do.

I always found the little sketches in his notes cute. I tap the wooden base twice after laying it down and let go of the gem in mid-air above it, the gem floats in midair spinning slowly. I tap the gem twice and watch an illusion take form to cover the gem from sight.

In mid-air floats a little world, with clouds, rivers, weather, and even the night and day cycle. It floats and spins in a beautiful way and it is unlike anything I have seen before. I smile widely at the illusion, watching it with great interest, "Yes, he really does get me great gifts." I choose to ignore the suggestive and teasing look she shows me, too happy with my gifts to care.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading. :}
Current year is 995, for now.

Not too much to say, I added in some downsides to shadow storage and thought it would be nice to get the gift-giving out of the way. I didn't have any interesting gifts for Shade and friends so I came up with a few jokes and just had them hang out.

Also, a crow birb with blood red scarf, wooden band, and black top hat. You fools, you thought this arc was about the Changelings? NO! It was about birb fashion!