The Hearths Warming Hang-Up
Twilight Sparkle felt like she was the happiest pony in the world when she had left the Golden Oak Library on a crisp winter morning, a parcel she had neatly wrapped bouncing on her back. Normally, she would get Spike to do all of the wrapping for her, but this one was different, this one was special. This was a gift to her newly made mare-friend, Rainbow Dash, who was away at the Wonderbolts Academy serving as one of their reserves. Ever since she had first moved to Ponyville, there was something about the athletic Pegasus that the bookish unicorn had found attractive and through their common interest in literature, their relationship had gotten even closer, though there had been some tension here and there.
As she trotted down the main street of Ponyville, waving at various ponies who were decorating their homes and storefronts for the holidays, she could feel the festive spirit in the air. Light snowflakes fell from soft puffy clouds put there earlier by the local weather patrol Pegasi, the savory aroma of sweets and pastries from the local restaurants and bakeries could be smelt from miles away, and she couldn't help but hear some of the townsfolk humming carols as they worked.
Yes, Hearths Warming this year is going to be perfect.
During her trot through town, she happened upon the town's mail-mare, making her morning run delivering packages and letters to the locals. Friendly greetings were exchanged, the mail was handed off and both ponies went their separate ways, smiling and looking forward to the good days ahead of them.
*****
Taking to the air is the most relaxing thing a Pegasus could do, and the mail-mare Derpy Hooves was no different. As she soared along one of the many dirt paths that crisscrossed the land of Equestria, heading towards the direction of Cloudsdale with a heavy bag of mail in her hooves, she began to daydream about what she was going to do for Hearths Warming with her daughter, Dinky, this year.
Though her body was speedily drifting in the air, her mind was at her home, under a decorated tree, watching her foal open up a clumsily wrapped present, holding it in her hooves, turning to her mother and, with a warm smile, saying
“HEY! WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING, FEATHER-BRAIN!”
Snapping awake, Derpy swerved in the air, just in time to avoid another Pegasus, zooming past her with a barrage of curses. Unluckily, she did not have enough time to avoid the oncoming wagon on the next lane and crashed right into it, smashing the door, knocking over everything inside and somehow managing to set off about a dozen rockets speeding out the wagon’s windows into the air with a spectacular blaze of glory.
The wagon’s owner, Trixie Lulamoon, watched on in horror as her entire fireworks budget went up in colourful explosions and smoke on that lonely Equestrian road.
The magician could only stand and stare at the destroyed door of her mobile home, dumbfounded as Derpy poked her head out of the wagon, her head spinning and her eyes seeing stars. The impact seemed to have jumbled what coherent thoughts were left in her mind and she felt so disoriented, she couldn’t fathom what it was she was supposed to be doing right now, except give a parcel to some-pony that had a vividly blue coat, kind of like the one standing in front of her right now.
“Your package, Ma’am ….” she said as she held the parcel out to Trixie, who took it in her hooves, still dazed by the incident. Before she could recover, the Pegasus had already saluted, with a "Have a nice day ..." and had flown off, being miles away once Trixie could process what had just happened.
*****
Looking down at the package in her hooves, Trixie could see that the recipient’s address had been horribly singed by the blast of the fireworks, so there was no telling whether it was truly meant for her. After a few moments of consideration, she decided to take the mail-mare’s word for it and opened up the wrapping to reveal a small jewellery box containing a heart-shaped pendant with a starburst pattern at its centre, along with a note which had some sappy love poem about two ponies never truly being apart. The name at the end was what ultimately intrigued the travelling magician.
Twilight Sparkle.
Trixie’s confusion grew. Wasn’t that the new librarian from Ponyville? Though they had only met once, she could remember that fateful encounter vividly and that experience did not go so well for Trixie, having been humiliated and forced to flee the small town after an embarrassing incident involving an Ursa Minor. She had not heard from her ever since, so why is she trying to reach out to her? And not just that, to try and woo her, even? Perhaps it was because she was feeling bad for her? Or maybe she had heard of her achievements as a travelling performer and found her attractive enough to come running into her hooves?
The blue mare scoffed. It would take more than that to try and charm The Great and Powerful Trixie. She had met ponies who were just as regular and average as Twilight who were practically falling head over heels to be partners with the accomplished magician. Granted, they were all in her head, but a little confidence booster hadn’t hurt any-pony in the slightest.
Still, it was the first sign of genuine compassion towards her she had felt for a long time, and so she wore the pendant around her neck, feeling the warmth on that cold metal and proceeded to get her wagon moving again on that chilly winter road.
*****
Rainbow Dash wasn’t coming home to Ponyville, at least not on this Hearths Warming. An avalanche at Mount Everhoof had trapped a climbing expedition and the Wonderbolts’ captain, Spitfire, needed all-hands-on-deck for a full rescue operation, including all of their newly trained recruits.
Twilight Sparkle read and reread the letter in her hooves, the concern on her face growing with each time the words passed her gaze. Not only had her plans to spend time with her mare-friend during the holidays been dashed, no pun intended, but Rainbow would be spending it nearly freezing to death assisting the search and rescue party in their efforts. Nevertheless, she understood how important Rainbow’s job was to her, and if she was willing to skip having fun at home to help other ponies in need, it only made her even more admirable in the eyes of the bookish unicorn.
And so, as a sign of support for her soul-mate, Twilight had decided to send her something that would help ease her troubles. Paying a visit to the Carousel Boutique, she placed an order for a custom-made blanket from Rarity, to at least keep her warm in the freezing winter nights in the northern part of Equestria. Rarity, in turn, obliged, touched by a gesture that was both romantic and heart-warming and was all too glad to send it over with the other supplies going to the Wonderbolts to help with their rescue efforts.
As she watched the snow fall outside beginning to grow and the wind beginning to pick up, she prayed in her heart for the safety of her beloved and that her gift to Rainbow Dash would reach her in time.
*****
Windigos. Why did it have to be Windigos?
The thought crossed Derpy Hooves mind repeatedly as she flew through the blizzard, the heavy satchel of mail in her hooves weighing her down. Her troubles began when the blinding wind and snow had separated her from the caravan headed for Mount Everhoof that evening. Things had gotten even worse when she found out that she had been surrounded by a herd of Windigos.
True, they had been vanquished by the Flame of Friendship during the First Hearths Warming, or so the story was told, but the roads north of Equestria were so cold, harsh and unfriendly, that fights often broke out between travellers, thus making it an excellent breeding ground for the ethereal frost bringers of legend.
It would have been a fascinating lesson on the mythology, history and wildlife of Equestria, but Derpy was much more interested in trying to get away from them before they would turn her into a Pegasus popsicle. Ducking and weaving through the clouds, she tried to escape them, but no matter what the mail-mare did, she couldn't seem to shake them off. After a long and arduous chase, she thought she had overtaken them, only for another one to show up right in front of her and knock her over slightly. She had managed to regain her bearings, but unbeknownst to her, one of the packages from the sack she was carrying had been knocked loose during the scuffle and was sent tumbling to the earth below, among the strong winds and ghostly neighs.
*****
Trixie Lulamoon shivered in her hammock, pulling her cape around her as she tried to sleep through the chaotic night, which wasn't an easy thing to do with the howling tempest making constant noise outside and the flame of her wood stove not being enough to counter the strong chilling breeze coming in through the now broken door of her wagon, despite her best efforts to repair it herself. The nearest town was miles away, so she had to rough it out if she were to survive the night, staring helplessly at the dying embers in her stove and the snow outside threatening to bury her in.
Sleeping in this weather would require a miracle, and a miracle is what she would get on that fateful night.
A loud thump on her wagon's roof startled her from her thoughts and she quickly sat up on her hammock for a few moments, listening for other noises throughout the night that might suggest an intruder. When none came, she fired up a light spell using her horn, deciding to brave the cold outside to find out what had dropped onto her mobile home.
Searching through the snow was difficult with the wind and snow blowing around her but Trixie had managed to retrieve the heavy package and returned to the safety of her wagon, where she examined it closely. The wet snow had blurred the ink writing on the parcel, but she wasn't going to question the gift she had been given. And so, she opened the package, revealing a blanket, large enough to cover her entire body and keep her warm for the rest of the night. The light from her fire was too dim to make out the patterns on the sheet, but one of them prominently stood out to Trixie: a familiar starburst pattern.
Trixie stared at the blanket in her hooves, a rush of emotions swirling around in her mind. Was this another present from Twilight as an attempt to court her? Did she know she was going to need it out here in the freezing cold? What does this mean for their relationship going forward?
Despite the swarming questions, the show-pony was never one to look a gift blanket in the stitching and promptly wrapped it all around her, feeling the growing warmth on her body from the insulation and in her heart, which practically grew three sizes from the emotional weight. And so, she lay in her hammock and slept peacefully in the cold cruel night, her thoughts and dreams drifting over to the mare that had inadvertently saved her life.
*****
Twilight Sparkle put down the quill and looked at the penmanship with a smile on her face, looking forward to the week to come. Not only was the expedition on Mount Everhoof saved, but the Wonderbolts are being allowed to return to their homes for the holidays early. The good news and heroic deeds of one particular Wonderbolt reserve is a cause for celebration and who else would suggest a get together involving the whole of Ponyville than its resident party planner, Pinkie Pie?
As she put the invitation she had written into an envelope and sealed it, she began to fantasize of all the fun that was to be had now that she would be together with her mare-friend for the holidays. Twilight would read the next edition of the Daring Do books with her by the fire and Rainbow Dash would teach her how to ski at her favorite slope. With a wistful grin and a stack of invitations, she left the Golden Oak Library for the post office once more. She had lots more to do before the homecoming of her mare-friend and everything would have to be perfect.
*****
Derpy Hooves yawned as she left the post office that evening. As with all other days close to Hearths Warming, today had been a grueling day, with mail coming in from and to all over Equestria, mostly in the form of greeting cards and packaged gifts many ponies had sent to their families and friends abroad. She was known for being one of the most diligent mail-mares in Ponyville, and putting smiles on every-pony’s faces each time they had received their presents or cards was a reward on its own, but this was too much for even her and her colleagues at work to handle year after year.
She needed a break, just a little break.
And the cloud over there seems nice and inviting.
No-pony would even know she had taken a nap.
Maybe just a few minutes would do.
Soon, she was dozing off on the fluffy cloud, taking an impromptu break as the cloud drifted lazily across the roads of Equestria. The gentle breeze blowing it scattering envelopes from the stuffed top of the mailbag she was carrying, including one in particular with a starburst seal on it. And so, it sailed on the cold winter winds, taking it to where it was destined to be.
*****
Trixie Lulamoon opened the front door on the next morning to find a sealed letter in the snow. The return address was once again smudged by the wet frost but the starburst pattern on the seal gave away its sender. It was from Twilight, there was no doubt about it. Quickly breaking the seal with her magic and opening the letter, she began to read:
To Whom It May Concern
You are cordially invited to a fun festive evening at the Golden Oak Library in Ponyville on the eve of Hearths Warming. There will be food, drinks and games galore, and a nice time to spend with your friends and family.
Have a Happy Hearths Warming and see you at the party!
Yours faithfully,
Twilight Sparkle.
Again, the mix of emotions returned to the young magician. Now Twilight wants her to return to Ponyville to spend some time with her on Hearths Warming Eve? Usually, Trixie would have dismissed that sentimental nonsense as she would be on her way to Canterlot, dazzling the upper-class folk there with her skills at stage magic and earning a great sum of bits that would see her through the next few months.
And yet, the promise of true companionship seemed intriguing. If Twilight's intentions are genuine, as shown by the previous two gifts, then she would have a companion to spend time with and share the highs and lows of life together. Sure, she had her wagon as her only friend for so long that she was surprised that it wasn't given a name yet, but this was different.
This was special.
And so, she hitched her wagon, making her way as fast as possible on the road headed towards the so-called capital of friendship, her heart practically soaring with the expectation of what she might find there.
*****
Twilight Sparkle was all rainbows and sunshine when she headed back to the library from the marketplace that day, carrying a few paper bags loaded with various festive decorations from baubles to streamers. In a few moments, she and Spike would be covering the whole treehouse from its branches to its roots, making the place lively for the Hearths Warming party to come.
And that was not all that the librarian was looking forward to. Her mare-friend would be arriving tomorrow just in time to kick off the day’s celebrations. Refreshments would be served, stories would be shared, laughs would be had, and every-pony would be having a good time. In fact, Twilight had planned the whole week Rainbow Dash would be in Ponyville down to the minutest detail of all of their favourite activities so there wouldn’t be a dull moment in the meantime.
But that was all in the future. At the present moment, Twilight removed the ‘Closed for Lunch’ sign on the door and grabbed her keys with her magic and deftly unlocked the door. It was dark inside and Spike didn’t seem to have returned from his lunch break, so she turned on the lights and did a double take when she saw whoever was in front of her right now.
Trixie Lulamoon, the blue-coated, white-maned, show-pony was lounging on the table in the foyer in a promiscuous manner, looking at the surprised unicorn before her with a sly grin. She was wearing her glittering purple magician’s outfit and trying to carry herself with as much pomp as possible when she next spoke.
“Twilight Sparkle, you do not know how long the Great and Powerful Trixie has been here waiting for you.”
Twilight stood stunned. There were many questions running around in her mind, but the largest question at the forefront was
“Trixie? W-what are you doing here? H-how did you even get in here? Did Spike let you in? The library was closed!”
“Oh, I have my ways.”
It was then that Twilight glanced behind her into the kitchen where there were pieces of a broken window on the floor, next to a sizable stone and an unconscious Spike the dragon beside it. Once again, Twilight was at a loss for words, so Trixie involuntarily volunteered to break the silence.
“As for why I am here, I got your invitation.” she said, brandishing the letter as proof “And so I can keep you company for the holidays. That’s what your gifts are implying, is it not?”
“G-gifts? What gifts?”
“Oh, do not tell me you have forgotten the lovely pendant and blanket you have sent over to my humble abode. Don’t you worry, the Great and Powerful Trixie never forgets a genuine gift of affection, and I came here to say that I accept your offer!”
“O-offer?”
“I am to be your mare-friend of course! Consider yourself very lucky to be my assistant on the stage of love! Think of all the things we could accomplish together now that we are soulmates! I could see it now: The Dynamic Duo of the Great and Powerful Trixie and her assistant The Terrific Twilight! I know, the name could use a little reworking, but imagine the possibilities!”
Twilight was definitely imagining the possibilities, and she did not like where this was headed. She opened her mouth to speak up, to clarify things, to protest even, but she was interrupted when Trixie shushed her. She was now in control of the conversation and there was little Twilight could do to stop her.
“There’s no need to say anything, my Great and Powerful mare-friend. I know you are overwhelmed by emotions and need some time to think about it. I understand. Thus, I will leave your humble home and return on the day of the party. Farewell and Happy Hearths Warming!”
And with a puff of smoke and the shattering of another window, she was gone, leaving Twilight bewildered and speechless, her mind racing a million miles a minute trying to comprehend what had just happened, though the first thought that she had after that was
“She could have just used the door.”
*****
And that was how Twilight Sparkle came to find herself in this situation. Sitting at one of the tables in the foyer of the Golden Oak Library, she could only hold her hooves over her increasingly reddening face as her unexpected mare-friend beside her, Trixie Lulamoon, bragged of her exploits and exaggerated their relationship over multiple cups of punch at the Hearths Warming Eve party, as the other ponies who attended the gathering looked and listened on in shock, disbelief and maybe even curiosity at her tall tales.
Twilight’s other mare-friend, Rainbow Dash, sat at the table opposite them with her friends, glaring daggers at the show-pony on the other table, as her true soulmate kept giving apologetic looks at her. She and her friends would have interfered, but Twilight didn’t want the festive atmosphere to be ruined, and Trixie seemed genuinely happy for once, at least as far as she remembered her being. And so, she was left to cool her hooves with mugs of cider as she was consoled by her other friends.
And as for Derpy Hooves? She was sitting at a table at the corner of the treehouse with her daughter, Dinky, a clumsily wrapped present in her hoof, a smile on her face and delicious refreshments on the table before them. The year had been long, and the work had been grueling, but as far as she knew, she had done her tasks well and could enjoy a well-deserved break with her closest family member beside her. And she smiled happily, taking in the wonders of the holiday season enjoyed by the ponies around her and blissfully unaware of the chaos she had inadvertently caused.
