It was around sunset, exactly like any other Hearth’s Warming Eve. The morning storm clouds had been cleared for some time, and the first stars began to wink in the east. The sun swung low to glance off the horizon, and already the fresh snowfall lining the valley was cooling its golden flame. Whatever beams of light melted through the tops of distant snowdrifts streamed upward, illuminating clouds of pure ice high above Ponyville.

There, the shimmering radiance was separated by a million tiny crystals, blooming across the twilight sky in as many hues of gleaming frost. It was as though the stars themselves saw fit to hang celebratory garlands for the holiday, draping the whole heavens with great, nacreous veils recalling the auroras of the distant North. These glowing curtains flowed over the valley and bunched up over the steeple of Twilight’s castle, the crystal pinnacle of which caught the last tongue of smouldering sunlight and in turn cast it wide over Ponyville. It was a beacon for the whole town, who traced through the streets the paths of the shining clouds above, converging on the castle’s front gate.

It was at the threshold where Somnambula was striding through the bustling crowds of ponies preparing for the annual Hearth’s Warming Eve celebrations. The Princess of Friendship had been gracious enough to offer to host Somnambula for the holy festival, and though she was honestly looking forward to a traditional celebration in her homeland — the first she’d be able to enjoy in over a millennium — to be a guest of royalty was a great privilege. This privilege, unfortunately, was declined by the other Pillars, to whom Princess Twilight Sparkle had extended similar courtesies.

Each of them either had prior arrangements, responsibilities, or, in Star Swirl’s case, had simply announced their intention to seclude themselves in the Canterlot archives over the holiday. Somnambula shook her head and sighed; it was an obvious cover story for spending the holiday with the Princesses of the Sun and Moon, likely reminiscing over distant — or not-so-distant — memories. She was sympathetic to Star Swirl, though; if Princess Twilight got wind of a Hearth’s Warming party of three of her four favourite ponies, she was likely to abandon Ponyville altogether and fly to Canterlot alone.

In any case, Somnambula now found herself alone in a new time, in a new town, in a new castle belonging to the very newest Princess, come to celebrate the oldest holiday she knew. This one fact put her somewhat at ease; the culture shock of reappearing in Equestria over a thousand years in the future was by no means easy, and she was glad to find at least one piece of culture which she shared with modern ponies.

Now, as a southern pegasus pony, Somnambula’s body was slight and her coat thinner than the more hirsute earth ponies of the North. The December wind easily penetrated her fine linen dress, so she was all too eager to get inside the great hall of the castle. The throng split smoothly around her, and other ponies stopped their labours to admire the exotic visitor dressed in her foreign regalia and striding with the elegance of a noble. Somnambula gave a graceful blush at the attention and hurried forth to find her hostess.

The cavernous hall was filled with the sound of excited chatter and disjointed fragments of cheerful carols, muted by the tinkling and rustling of hundreds of ornaments. Earth ponies were hauling carts of wreaths and freshly-cut pine trees in the firelight, which spilled out from burning hearths like warm cider; unicorn ponies and pegasus ponies arranged lights and baubles along the crystal walls and rafters like thousands of little stars. The air was thick with the rich aromas of spices, candied fruits, and the cream-filled pastries which were piled high on every table.

It was difficult for Somnambula to navigate the large space, crowded as it was; the fact that she didn’t bump into anypony was its own kind of Hearth’s Warming miracle. Other ponies weren’t spared, however; on several occasions, the sharp crack of shattered glass would ring out from somewhere in the mass of ponies followed shortly by an anguished cry or barked reprimand. These seemed to come most frequently from the direction of the largest and most opulently decorated pine tree in the hall. There the Element of Generosity was yet again admonishing a cross-eyed pegasus who hovered unsteadily near the tree’s upper boughs. Somnambula frowned briefly at this before pressing onward through the crowd.

She eventually found her way up a staircase to a balcony overlooking the hall, where the Princess of Friendship was surrounded by attendants. Not wishing to interrupt the Princess in her royal duties, Somnambula waited respectfully by the wall. She waited, at least, until the Princess noticed her presence and immediately broke off her previous conversation. As the Princess rushed over, Somnambula straightened herself and prepared to make the traditional greeting to royalty. She began in her canorous accent:

“Princess Twilight Sparkle, I am humbled to be -”

“Somnambula! I’m so glad you could make it!”

Somnambula found her recitation cut off by an eager embrace and a very familial nuzzle with the Princess of the land. Twilight tightened her forelegs around Somnambula’s neck, who quickly raised an elegant hoof to return the expression.

“How do you like the decorations?” Twilight withdrew from the hug and displayed a beaming smile. “It looks like this year’s festivities are shaping up to be the biggest yet! Everypony’s been working so hard to put them all together.”

Pride swelled up visibly in Twilight’s cheeks, and she looked around to the joyful faces of the surrounding ponies, who returned her affection with their own nods of appreciation. Somnambula gave a warm smile, although her brows knit uneasily.

“The decorations are quite extravagant,” she noted in melodic tones, “and certainly demonstrate that the ponies of this era remember the importance of Hearth’s Warming. We of the past had always hoped that the spirit of the holiday would persist far beyond our time; and now, those hopes have borne fruit.”

Twilight giggled at the apparent praise at her logistical efforts.

“Every year, we get more ponies who volunteer! It’s a task and a half to organise everything, so I’m sorry I wasn’t able to meet you at the door.”

“It is quite all right. I wouldn’t wish to hoard the attention of royalty, nor place a further burden on you.”

“You, a burden? You’re an ancient hero of Equestria!”

The crowd of attendants behind the Princess nodded vigorously, eyes wide.

“If anything, I’m honoured that one of the Pillars was able to come to our little town.”

“I am flattered, Princess. But I am sure any of the Pillars would have accepted your invitation, were they able.”

Twilight made a resolute smile and stepped closer to Somnambula, draping a wing over her withers.

“Don’t be so modest, Somnambula; I’m sure everypony is thrilled to have a Pillar of Equestria here for the celebrations.”

Somnambula chuckled sheepishly and glanced around at the restless crowd of ponies.

“Thank you, Pr– Twilight. Why don’t I take a look around the preparations?”

“Oh, feel free! And let me know if you need anything.”

“Of course.”

Somnambula bowed gracefully and took her leave. Two of the attendant ponies immediately launched into reports about separate issues. Twilight listened coolly, looking back and forth between each while levitating no fewer than three quills in her magic.

Somnambula retreated back down the staircase into the bustle of the great hall, unsure of what to observe first. A heady aroma beckoned to her from the nearest hearth, and she cantered over to a table covered in stacks of baked goods. With any luck, they’d have something familiar…

Pinkie Pie had just finished passing out all two thousand, seven hundred and forty-five candy canes to hang on the wreaths, garlands, ribbons, bells, lights, mistletoe, and everything else hanging from the ceiling that the pegasi could reach. She’d even gone out of her way to go and meet them halfway up the wall (how thoughtful she was!) and now trotted back down to ground level. Those suction-cup shoes she’d received last year were really coming in handy–

That’s right! The presents! She still had cartloads of neatly-wrapped boxes to un-cart and strew haphazardly around the hall where lucky ponies would find them underhoof. It was always music to Pinkie’s ears when somepony found one of her presents. The crunch of the cardboard giving way under an errant horseshoe, the cry of joyous surprise at a newfound gift, the crack of the stack of porcelain dishes the pony was carrying hitting the floor, oh!

It really put her in the holiday spirit.

And Hearth’s Warming Eve was the perfect day to share her joy with everypony! Pinkie rushed over to the heap of presents in the back hall, waiting to be distributed, and began to set aside the first round. As she shuffled through the base of the mass of ribbons and paper, however, Pinkie accidentally knocked a load-bearing box out of alignment.

She froze, hoping that the pile would settle itself naturally. A ten-foot stack of presents teetered close over Pinkie’s head but gradually leant back the other way. Pinkie breathed a sigh of relief at the disaster’s aversion; the stack of presents presently fell away from her with a crash. From behind the pile, a melodious shout rang out at the sudden deluge of “newfound gifts”.

Pinkie’s interest was piqued by movement beneath the peak of the resulting mound of boxes. The shape of a pony became clear, and a pair of orange wings poked out amid some stray ribbons. Pinkie gasped once she identified the lucky present recipient, who turned around, wincing, rubbing her forehead with a wingtip.

“Somnambula? Twilight said you were coming, but I didn’t expect to find you back here. Don’t you want to go out and party with everypony else? Or were you too eager to open a present?”

Pinkie wiggled her eyebrows playfully. Somnambula met Pinkie’s gaze briefly, then looked down.

“Ah, the Element of Laughter, Pinkie Pie. I am taking some time alone. To rest.”

“Oh, partied too hard? I totally get it! Ponies hardly wait to finish setting up before starting on the cider.”

“No, I am simply … thinking to myself. That is all.”

Pinkie’s smile shrank.

“Is something wrong?

The forelock of her mane stuck up suddenly.

“Oh! Are you having trouble finding a way to help out? Twilight had the exact same problem her first Winter Wrap-Up here in Ponyville; you should have seen her. She had no idea how to ice skate. And the bees! It’s a miracle we got things done on time.”

Pinkie, whose gaze had drifted up in nostalgia, snapped her muzzle back toward Somnambula, who revealed only the barest hint of surprise.

“But that’s just the thing! Twilight eventually found a job she was good at: organising everypony! And with her help, everything went smooth as pudding. If you feel left out, I’m sure we can find something for you to help with.”

“Thank you, Pinkie Pie…”

“Call me Pinkie!”

“...Pinkie, but it is not lack of skill, exactly, that is making me feel somewhat isolated. Although,” she chuckled softly, “it is comforting to know that the Princess has faced similar difficulties. Is that disrespectful of me?”

She and Pinkie shared a silly grin before Somnambula’s face fell again.

“It is the activities themselves which confound me. The name of the holiday remains unchanged, but your ‘age-old traditions’ could not feel more foreign. Tell me, has another holiday been invented with the name ‘Hearth’s Warming’?”

Pinkie’s smile flipped completely over to a concerned frown. Here was a pony who didn’t enjoy Hearth’s Warming Eve parties! Or this particular party, at least.

“Huh? Ponies have been celebrating Hearth’s Warming Eve like this for as long as Ponyville’s been around! Are the traditions in your homeland different?”

“Indeed. For one thing, the ruler of the land has always presided over the holy ceremony but has never taken an active role in the festivities themselves. Here, she seems to labour more than anypony else. Would it not be proper for her to take a lofty position above the commotion and leave the toil to others?”

Pinkie frowned more narrowly and rubbed her chin with a hoof.

“Not necessarily, I don’t think; and not that Twilight would ever agree to do something like that, anyway. The Princesses are ponies just as much as anypony else and deserve to celebrate!”

Somnambula seemed to think to herself before perking her ears up.

“Are you saying that the work itself is part of celebrating?”

It was becoming clear to Pinkie that there was a deeper misunderstanding between the ancient and the modern, and she cleared a space in the sea of presents for them both to sit and chat.

“In a way. Tell you what, how about you tell me what you’ve been doing since you got here, and you can also tell me how you used to celebrate Hearth’s Warming Eve.”

“Are you sure it is appropriate to speak with me right now? I do not wish to distract you from your duties.”

“If I have a friend who’s not having fun at a party, then helping them is my top priority! Just trust your Auntie Pinkie Pie on this one.”

Somnambula furrowed her eyebrows at the word “Auntie” for some inexplicable reason but relaxed and began to tell Pinkie her troubles.

“First of all, the cuisine of this time is quite decadent. Just one of those pumpkin pies could feed two ponies for a day, and you all have hundreds of them prepared. And each one is so sweet, you must have used a pound of sugarcane for each one. I could hardly manage a slice!”

“I know; aren’t they great?”

“I thought the baker ponies out there would never stop insisting I eat more than my fair share. Not to mention the abundance of cider, which seems to contain every variety of spice traded in the old kingdom and a few more, besides.”

“Perfect to warm your belly after being out in the snow! And don’t worry, we have more than enough pies for everypony!”

Somnambula sighed.

“I must be misunderstanding something, as it all seems so regretfully wasteful. I was told that … ‘egg-nog’ drink is made of fresh eggs and cream. How can you spare such luxuries? Is this not a lean time of year, especially here in the North?”

“Ponies have always had a big feast to celebrate the longest night of the year. Singing, eating, and laughing together helps us rekindle the friendship that kept the first ponies warm from the windigoes!”

“But what of the traditional fast? Ponies have long restrained their appetites during the holy time in memory of the tribes who persisted through the night, subsisting on only their love for one another. Do you mean to tell me that the ancient sacrifices are ignored, all for the sake of indulgence?”

Pinkie cocked her head at Somnambula’s distress, who slowed down to explain.

“The three tribes forsook worldly pleasures for the sake of friendship and survival through the barren winter. We suffer in kind, in hopes that we might survive until the next harvest, and to sustain the future generations of ponies. I cannot understand how such an honoured tradition could have vanished.”

Somnambula stamped a hoof with a clack against the crystal floor.

“That feast in the main hall could have fed the old capital city for a week, and this single village will consume it in a single night! Hearth’s Warming is meant to be a time to appreciate the ponies around us, not squander their labour through gluttony!”

Somnambula had become somewhat heated, and Pinkie would have rolled up her sleeves if she’d had any. Seeking to escape the resentment she’d provoked, Pinkie changed the subject.

“Um, OK! Forget cakes, and cider, and apple pies, and pumpkin pies, and rhubarb pies, and…”

Pinkie tugged at a lock of the back of her mane and refocused her gaze.

“And all that tasty stuff! How about the decorations? Did you like all the lights?”

Somnambula rested back on her haunches.

“At first, I thought that I had found a familiar tradition, albeit in a new form. In the past, we would light lamps and small candles to burn through the night, symbolising the hopeful endurance of our ancestors in the midst of the storm. It was appropriately humble for this solemn holiday.”

She sighed again, and stared upward at the towers of gift-wrapped boxes surrounding them.

“I was glad when those pegasus ponies in the hall asked me to help arrange the lights. They were the first who seemed to accept me as a common pony, rather than as a foreign noble to be lavished. But the opulence of the light displays was blinding.”

Somnambula’s wings broke their graceful pose at her sides and ruffled slightly.

“There were more lights hung in that hall than stars in the sky! The whole space was illuminated like daylight. Ponies seem to me to have taken the celebration of light too far, and seek to forget the darkness entirely. The ornaments alone might well have consumed all the glowpaz in the old kingdom’s treasury.”

Pinkie was having a hard time understanding how anypony could find the cheerful spectacle to be anything short of dazzling, but she strained to keep her mouth shut and continued to listen patiently. Lucky she’d been practising with Twilight. Somnambula went on.

“The presents, too, seem excessive. It is wonderful that ponies in this time do not want for food or warm clothing; but the holiday should be a simple, peaceful time; not a lavish celebration of worldly comforts. Would it not be better to do away with them, so as to focus on the simple companionship of others?”

At this, Pinkie chimed in.

“I don’t think so! Presents are just a way for ponies to express their love for each other. Having lots of stuff doesn’t take away from that, because the real gift of Hearth’s Warming is how much everypony cares about each other.”

Somnambula hummed and straightened her feathers. Some fell down among some loose bows and paper scraps.

“If that is the case, why is it that such grand ceremony is made for such a pure holiday? In my time, ponies would gather by their own hearths, close to their families. Now, the village is involved in a single party. Even the Princess herself is made to work; in fact, she hosts the entire village in her castle. Is it really proper to intrude on the space of royalty like this?”

Pinkie smiled sweetly at Somnambula, who looked back in bewilderment.

“Somny, I told you before that Twilight is happy to host the party in her castle. I don’t know how things were in ancient Equestria, but nowadays, ponies aren’t so strict about keeping royalty all cooped up in their castles. You can bet Twilight wouldn’t stand for it! And like I said before, helping set up everything is its own kind of celebrating. Working together is how ponies of this time connect with each other and share the fun!”

“I suppose that is one way of looking at things. However,” she pursed her lips, “it doesn’t explain why the traditions of my time were forgotten. Even the carols are unknown to me.”

Pinkie beamed, while her mane seemed to suddenly grow more poofy.

“That’s an easy problem to solve! We can teach you all the best ones: the ‘Heart Carol’, ‘Hearth’s Warming Eve is Here’, and ‘Pinkie’s Present’ are my favourites.”

“You have a carol named after yourself?”

“Don’t ask me! It was written down in a book before I was born. And anyway, I know that not knowing some carols, or not liking the food or the decorations, isn’t the real reason you’re feeling down.”

Pinkie shuffled closer on the floor to Somnambula and lowered a hoof around her. Somnambula, for her part, dropped her muzzle and nickered softly.

“You are correct, Pinkie Pie. It is true that I feel out of my element here, as a stranger in a strange land. It has been most disorienting for the appearance of a familiar holiday to become so unrecognisable.”

“However…” she sighed.

“More than the superficial trappings, it is the spirit of the holiday itself I am worried about. The traditions which I grew up with seemed as time-honoured and ancient as the ones which you all celebrate now; yet, they are completely different. It makes me wonder: does Hearth’s Warming still stand for the same thing for which it did all those years ago?”

She played with her hooves on the floor before her without making eye contact with Pinkie Pie. The ancient hero, the lauded Pillar of Equestria symbolising the element of Hope, suddenly looked like a little filly who had moved to a new town and didn’t know any of the games played by the other foals. Which — in a way — she was, thought Pinkie Pie.

“It is frustrating. Ponies of this time just seem to have no respect for the past, and no cares for the future! I try to see the good in the new traditions, but they’re all so different from what I am accustomed to.”

Somnambula’s rant trailed off into a sombre tone, and she looked to the side wistfully.

“It reminds me of the Hearth’s Warmings of my childhood. When I was young, Hearth’s Warming Eve was a quiet, peaceful time of reflection and remembrance. It was very private. Ponies would retreat to their houses, huddling with their families by the fire. I remember my father would sing the old hymns, to remember how the fire of friendship kept the three tribes warm through the night.”

“There was no snow in the southern lands, but the cool months still signalled the end of the harvest season, and everypony had to begin to conserve food by fasting. We would give thanks for the simplest meals, content to allow love and friendship to nourish our hearts, hopeful for a bountiful harvest and new memories in the next year. The little lights in the windows of every home would remind us that we were not alone in the darkness; the spirits of other ponies would protect us in friendship.”

She looked up at Pinkie, eyes firm.

“Do you see, Pinkie? Back then, Hearth’s Warming was about taking joy in small things; connecting with the ponies closest to you; staying hopeful for a better future. Now, Hearth’s Warming feels like it is just about having … fun.”

Pinkie stared back, mouth tightened. Somnambula sighed and made to stand.

Pinkie sniggered.

Pinkie chortled, then snortled, then broke into peals of laughter, rolling through the mess of cardboard.

Before Somnambula could open her mouth in protest, Pinkie spoke.

“Oh, Somny! I was getting worried for a bit, but now I’m sure that Hearth’s Warming is just the same as it was in your time!”

“Excuse me? What do you mean? We just spoke at length about the differences between the old and new traditions.”

“It’s exactly like you said! The look of what we do is different, but the meaning is still the same. Ponies nowadays still want to celebrate their friendship and love together, they just do it in different ways.”

Somnambula cocked her head and raised her wings halfway, clearly still puzzled, so Pinkie began to explain further from her position on the floor.

“You represent the element of Hope, right? Your traditions show how wonderful that hope is! You all saved your food and your wealth carefully, hoping for the love you had for your friends would keep burning brightly. You shared stories and songs of the first Hearth’s Warming with your families, hoping that ponies would never forget the trouble the ancient tribes went through. You followed your traditions carefully, so that future generations of ponies would continue to pass on the message.”

Pinkie righted herself to stand and grin at Somnambula. Somnambula stood as well, with her face still downcast.

“Sadly, it seems that our traditions did indeed become forgotten over the ages.”

“I wasn’t finished!” Pinkie interjected. “More than anything, you hoped that future ponies would know how important friendship is, and never let that fire fade! Don’t you see? Ponies still remember!”

“I am sorry to be frank, Pinkie, but I am afraid modern traditions seem rather frivolous.”

“You just need to understand my element, Laughter! Ponies are still just as serious about Hearth’s Warming, they just celebrate it by having fun together. Laughter reminds us not just to worry about the big, scary stuff that we don’t know about yet, but to enjoy the little things in the moment, and to be happy for the good things we’ve already had!”

Pinkie rubbed her chin with a hoof, trying to think of a good example.

“Think of all the sweets and baked goods! The baker ponies know that all that food is expensive, but by sharing it, they can bring ponies together with joy. The lights, too! They’re so sparkly and shiny that they make a big, sparkly, shining feeling burst up through your chest that you just have to share with other ponies! Everypony gathers in the castle because we’re all like a big family together, and if we all celebrate together, the fire of friendship will be brighter than ever!”

“Ponies still know the old stories and the messages hidden in them. It’s because we know the stories that we can trust the fire of friendship to get us through any trouble that might come our way! And more than anything, we have faith that the ponies in the past have passed on the right message and kept the most important parts, even if the fuzzy details around the edges have changed.”

Pinkie clapped her forehooves together.

“So you see! The past ponies hoped for a good, happy future for the future ponies; and the future ponies can laugh because they have faith in the stories and traditions that were passed down. The message behind all of our traditions is the same: sparking friendship with other ponies! And on Hearth’s Warming Eve, the past ponies’ hope for the future and the future ponies’ faith in the past are united in the present …”

“... with love for each other.” Somnambula finished. “During Hearth’s Warming, we can gather together with our loved ones to enjoy the present together, and forget about the bitterness of the past or the fear of the future.”

“Now you're getting it!” cried Pinkie. “The meaning of the holiday is the same, even if the festival looks different. Ponies do different things and sing different songs, but deep down, they all remember the importance of friendship.”

Somnambula cracked a warm, if lopsided, smile. Despite its shakiness, it was the first all evening that came deep from her heart.

“And I do not need to feel out of place, or uncomfortable, because all of these ponies are celebrating the same virtues that I have celebrated all my life.”

“Yup yup! And it’s OK if you’re still getting the hang of things around here. Just focus on enjoying the moment, since the present is the only place anypony can ever be.”

“It is where all of my friends are gathered with me, as well.”

Pinkie and Somnambula looked at each other for several moments, beaming warmly, before Somnambula broke into a fit of giggles.

“Perhaps I should try viewing the festivities with a new perspective.”

“Sounds good!” Pinkie’s face collapsed into a sheepish grin as she held up her forelock and checked an imaginary watch. “And I’m sorry to have to leave, but I am actually running really far behind on getting all these presents out, and Twilight may or may not get upset with me, even though I know she probably won’t, but there’s still a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to-”

Somnambula silenced Pinkie with a hoof and extended her wings.

Twilight Sparkle was having the most exhausting time trying to organise the decorations. Despite her best logistical efforts, the tree-hauling ponies had got their carts stuck in a traffic jam and were keeping the castle gate wedged open. The draught had already blown over some garlands into the vats of cider. None of the earth ponies could reach high enough to replace the decorations, the unicorn ponies were busy making lewd shapes with the strings of lights, and the pegasus ponies were more interested in chatting up by the rafters where they thought nopony would be looking than in doing anything to help.

All this, and none of the presents had even been brought out yet! She checked her list — by which she meant she ordered Spike to check it — for the pony who’d been in charge of gift-box distribution.

The answer came: Pinkie Pie.

Disappointed, but not surprised, Twilight set out to give her friend a piece of her mind. Suddenly, she heard raucous laughter from above and looked to the air.

Somnambula was gliding through the space down the centre of the great hall, somehow managing to stay aloft while carrying a stack of large presents on her back, along with a certain pink party pony.

“Hah, hah, hah! Happy Hearth’s Warming, everypony!” Pinkie squealed with delight, pelting onlookers with gifts from on high. She had covered herself in festive red wrapping paper, and Somnambula’s white veil flapped briefly up into Pinkie’s mouth, giving the fleeting impression of a thick, snowy beard.

Pinkie had actually managed to land a present to the skulls of many of the lazier ponies, eliciting a certain amount of schadenfreude in Twilight. It was nevertheless unbecoming of an Element of Harmony, not to mention a Pillar of Equestria, to make such a ridiculously cliche scene.

“Pinkie! … and Somnambula,” Twilight added reluctantly, “what in Equestria are you doing up there!?”

Somnambula shouted down, “We are spreading the spirit of friendship, and the love of the present moment!”

“Yep yep! The present is the only time for presents; don’t you know, Twilight?”

Twilight grumbled and tried to ensnare the pair in a levitational aura, more to spare them the embarrassment than anything. Certainly not to preserve what little remained of Twilight’s reputation as a hostess.

Fortunately, Somnambula swerved to avoid every magical assault, deftly weaving between suspended ornaments to cover the incoming fire. Unfortunately, her path took her towards the tall, open gate, where a fierce winter squall had just blown past the threshold.

The sudden gust of icy air and snow cut through Somnambula’s down, adapted for the desert heat, and caused her to reflexively snap her wings shut. She’d been flying in a steep descent in the direction of one of the vats of cider on a hearth and now began to tumble chaotically toward it. Pinkie noticed the support beneath her falling away, but was similarly powerless to change course. The remaining presents, for their part, were of no mind to do anything in particular but continue as they were going.

Twilight winced as the second- and third-most important ponies in the room splashed down into a cauldron of warm cider. Thankfully, it wasn’t hot, as it had already finished mulling; at any rate, it was better than landing in the fire.

Several presents did happen to land directly on the hot coals of the hearth and began immediately to combust and spark violently (their contents being firecrackers for the new year’s party in just a week’s time). Some of these shot out of the narrow space of the hearth up to the high reaches of the hall, where they exploded into clouds of multicoloured smoke which blinded the spectating pegasi and sent them careening downward.

The fireworks also caught some of the adjacent wreaths and pine trees alight, which some quick-witted earth ponies swiftly tossed entirely into the hearth. The rest of the explosions caused the cauldron to come loose of its supports and turn out, spilling warm cider and two laughing ponies over the sparkling crystal floor.

Twilight’s patience was run quite thin by this point, and she teleported directly to the scene of the incident to address the culprits directly.

“Pinkie! Somnambula!” not hesitating this time, Twilight cried, “look at this mess! What are we going to do!?”

Somnambula, heaped on the floor and soaked from head to hoof in fruit juice, smirked with all the decorum of an ancient Pharaoh.

“Why, Twilight, we will simply have to hope for a better celebration next year.”

Author's Note

Hi there, hawthornbunny! I hope you like the fic.
Happy (late) Hearth's Warming!

It has been brought to my attention that Flurry Heart is technically the "very newest princess" and not Twilight. Please forgive me for forgetting about the baby.