A Hearth's Warming Game
By Wanderer D
Epilogue: Family

Chrysalis refused to leave her room, but gave them some space, humming to herself as she went over to her things and started showing a very curious Flurry Heart her brand new collection of O&O stuff.

It wasn't ideal, but the ruling couple couldn't really trust Chrysalis if she left their sight, and well, it would keep both gamers occupied while they talked.

"So, what was this all about?" Shining finally asked, sitting next to Cadance on one of the chairs at the tea table in the room.

"I'm sorry, Shining," Cadance said after a moment. She tapped her hooves nervously. "When we were dating, I was okay with you playing O&O with your friends… I didn't have to be around for that, and you were not the typical gamer either. Being the captain of the hoofball team, and later on getting to be the Captain of the Guard, well, it wasn't something I was fond of, but it didn't involve me, so I sort of ignored it."

"I see," Shining said.

"But… I didn't realize this until I released Chrysalis that I was hoping you'd give it up once we were married."

Shining blinked in surprise. "But… you never told me it was an issue."

"It's not!" Cadance said quickly, taking his hoof with both of hers. "Honey… I know you've given up a lot of things for me, and I thought I was letting you be yourself as well when you did things that I thought were… okay to share publicly. But I was ashamed of the O&O thing, and when Flurry grew to love it to… I just felt like a failure."

Shining shook his head. "Love, why would you feel that way?"

"It's not that it's wrong," Cadance admitted. "I felt like a failure because it's something you both love and I couldn't be part of… because of my own bias. Cool ponies didn't play that at school, and while I was never disparaging to your roleplaying buddies, I did look down on them in my own way, as did my friends." She sighed. "When both the ponies I love the most in the world turned out to love it… I just wanted to pretend it didn't happen."

"And then, because I remembered roleplaying and having fun doing it with Chrysalis when she was pretending to be you… I mentioned to Flurry that you might be up for a game when she asked me if you'd like to join us." Shining pressed his lips. "I'm sorry, love. I didn't realize it had been Chrysalis until now… I just never thought about it."

"It's okay," Cadance said, smiling a little. "I felt really bad about not being able to share this with you. I never really gave it a chance, you see… and years of looking down on it were hard to challenge." She glanced fondly at Flurry and Chrysalis, who were excitedly looking together at the Monster Manual. "Chrysalis… you know, what she did at the wedding was awful. I'll… have a long, hard time fully forgiving her for it. But getting to know this side of her has been nice, and she cares about both of us… actually, all three of us now, in her own twisted way."

"She does?"

"In a very twisted and strange way," Cadane repeated. "But I've grown fond of her. She helped me see you in a different light, and despite all her protests, she taught me how to play… because she knew I wanted to make you happy."

Shining reached over and gave her a tight hug. "You've made me happy since the day I saw you for the first time."

Cadance giggled. "I know," she said fondly, leaning over to give him a peck on the lips. "But Hearth's Warming is about letting go of old grievances, bias and fears. I think sharing with my husband and child something they're passionate about is a great motivation to work on making you both… happier." She smiled gently. "I think I can even let go of my anger towards Chrysalis."

"Aww," Flurry heart said, hugging them both tightly. "I love you guys!"

Cadance and Shining hugged her back only to freeze as they hear the real Flurry Heart giggling from across the room.

The pair recoiled, looking at Chrysalis, who kept hugging them. "So, how about it?" The Queen said. "I can settle for every other Wednesday if you'll take me."

"Settle for every other Wednesday for what?" Flurry asked, joining them all for a hug.

"Nothing!" Cadance and Shining said, both blushing.

After a moment, the group laughed and separated. "Alright you three," Chrysalis said, strutting over to the pile of books she still had to read. "It's Hearths Warming day. Go spend it together post-game. Watch a movie or something."

The trio of royals glanced at each other with smiles and nodded, heading out of the room, until only Cadance and Chrysalis remained.

"Thank you," Cadance said, hesitating at the door. "You're really different than what I thought you'd be."

"Bah. I've just been hanging out with you too long. Your good vibes are rubbing off on me," Chrysalis said dismissively. "Anyway, you got what you wanted, so go have fun."

"Right." Cadance turned, then hesitated again. She looked over her shoulder at Chrysalis. "You know, we're having a proper family dinner later on tonight…"

"I thought I wasn't going to be sharing you guys," Chrysalis teased. "Besides, you said it, Caddie. 'Family Dinner', that's not me."

"Yet."

"What?"

"I said, I'll save you a seat."

Chrysalis chuckled as the princess joined her husband and child, talking animatedly about other games they could play together. She waited until they were all gone, then sighed a happy little contented sigh as she glanced down at the book again.

"Sure you did."

(The End)

Author's Note

So, yeah, this grew out of control quickly. The original request was to have Shining, Cadance, and Flurry having a nice little Xmas. (Or Hearth's Warming, since you know, ponies.) but I couldn't keep it simple, could I? Of course not. Why would I? So I added Chrysalis and Ogres and Oubliettes (which I never, not once wrote correctly on the first try). Yes, she's a more troll-y Chrysalis reminiscent of the one from The Three Sisters, but hey, she's a fun bug to write like that.

I hope you all like it, and especially Calladis, who this is for. I hope they'll forgive me for turning this into a DnD romp with random inuendo thrown in.

Also, as a side note, making the cover art was a trip. I was hoping to use a wonderful Flurry Heart I found online, but the artist chose not to let me use her, which, fair enough.