The Warmth in our Hearths

by Deathscar

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 4946

Twilight goes to a Hearths Warming party at Sweet Apple Acres, where she's reminded how the simplest things can make the greatest memories.

Sometimes we forget just how amazing the simple things in life can be. When hidden meanings don't exist, when friends can just gather together and have fun. At a party at Sweet Apple Acres with her dearest friends, Twilight is reminded just how special these times can be.

Credits:
Proofreading done by Jaybee_bug

A song that helped me immensely in writing this fic and one you should listen to while reading this fic. Click here!

Published 2012-12-25 11:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-12-25 11:20:01 UTC

The Warmth in our Hearths

Author's Note: I recommend listening to this while reading this fanfic.

Twilight swung her scarf around her neck, tightening it with a glow of her horn. Next, she lifted the pair of earmuffs to the top of her head, covering each of her ears with warm fur. Surrounding all four hoofwarmers with a light pink hue, she danced them to her hooves, making sure that her ankles were warm in the chilly weather.

“Spike, I’m going out!” Twilight shouted in her treebrary, lifting her saddlebags onto her back. “You behave at the party alright?”

“Ugh, Twilight!” Spike yelled back, walking out from the kitchen to the main door, where Twilight stood with a smile on her face. “I’m just going to Carousel Boutique to celebrate with Sweetie Belle and the other Crusaders! You can trust me!”

Twilight felt her smile grow, trotting up to the dragon and giving him a small kiss on his forehead. “I know. Just don’t go eating all their gems!” she joked.

“Twilight!” Spike whined as Twilight drew him into a tight hug, their cheeks pressed together.

Twilight giggled lightly at Spike’s long drawn call of her name. “I’m just joking, Spike.” Twilight trotted to the library’s wooden door, pushing it open lightly with her hoof. Immediately, a wave of cold air rushed into the heated room of the treebrary, blowing Twilight’s mane to the side. “Oh. And Spike?”

“Yeah, Twi?”

“Happy Hearths Warming,” Twilight beamed as she uttered the greeting.

“Happy Hearths Warming to you too, Twi,” Spike replied, a heartfelt smile crossing his lips.

Twilight gave a nod before trotting out the door and pushing it shut. She trotted down the street, her hooves kicking up snow with each step. She gazed up at the wondrous scenery. The roofs of familiar houses were covered entirely in the beautiful white dust. Familiar features of the streets and trees were hidden, giving them a whole new look.

Twilight stared wide eyed at the beautiful view, completely awestruck and silent. Her mind was blank, her hooves moving on their own. Every so often, she would be brought back to Equestria by the sudden shiver of her body, reminding her just how cold it was. However, Twilight didn’t despise the cold. Instead, she loved it. It made her look forward to meeting her friends more, to make her anxious for that cup of hot cocoa. She grinned, trotting up the hill towards Sweet Apple Acres

Okay, Twilight. Remember what that ‘Hearths Warming Guide: From parties to ponies’ book said. All you have to do is have fun. Twilight found herself outside Applejack’s door, her eyes locked onto the white teak rectangle. Her mind raced to remember what she had read in that book, only worrying her further. Oh! I wish that book had been more specific! What if I can’t have fun!?

Twilight took a deep breath in before exhaling a puff of smoke. She lifted her hoof up to the door, knocking several times before pulling it back down to the snow.

“Ah’m coming!” Applejack’s muffled voice echoed from behind the door. Not a second later, the door slowly inched open, the cold air blowing into Applejack’s eyes. She swiftly planted her hoof to the top of her head, holding her hat in place as she turned to the left, shielding her eyes from the frosty breeze.

“Twi! Ya arrived just in time! The others are inside, go and join them at the table!” Applejack welcomed the unicorn.

“Thanks, AJ!” Twilight moved into the home, immediately feeling her body warm up from the heated environment. She levitated five presents out from her saddlebags and slid them under the large, bright green tree. The tree was decorated with many beautiful ornaments. From different colored glass orbs to a bright star and moon which sat at the top, the tree was mesmerizing and emitted a warm feeling towards Twilight. The tree was definitely not as big as those which stood in Canterlot, and the ornaments were also not as luxurious. There were no diamonds, no rubies or any sorts of gems. Applejack’s tree was simple, but Twilight loved it. It had an elegance like she had never seen before and it captivated her.

“Ain’t it beautiful?” Applejack asked the purple mare, who stood, silent, with her head cocked to one side. Twilight responded with a soft nod of her head, which drew out a chuckle from Applejack.

Applejack trotted to her table where the other four ponies sat. “Come on, Twi!”

Twilight had to force herself away from the tree, moving towards the circular table which was covered in food. Her eyes drifted from dish to dish from the tantalizing deep-fried petal mash to the celery stalks rolled with thin bread, deep fried to a crispy perfection. Several slices of peanut butter and jelly sat to the side, right in front of Rainbow Dash. Apple jam could clearly be seen dripping from the sandwiches, along with thick globs of peanut butter, topped off with a slice of perfectly melted cheese.

In the middle, the centerpiece of the whole table sat proudly. A huge apple pie, baked to a mouth-watering golden brown. Several scores at the top revealed a filling of caramel apples, cooked to a titillating sauce-like consistency. The very aroma it emitted caused Twilight’s stomach to let out a growl.

“Sit down, Twi! We’re just about to start!”

Twilight pulled up the only empty chair, sitting between Rarity and Pinkie. Across her sat Rainbow and to her left sat Applejack. Finally, to Rainbow’s right sat Fluttershy, who wore a small smile on her face.

“Alright y’all. Dig in!”

The others wasted no time, pulling in their favorite pieces from the large spread available. Twilight leaned forward, using her fork to draw in a large portion of fried petal mash to her plate. With a large bite, Twilight felt the delectable taste fill her mouth. She closed her eyess, savoring each flavor which the crispy food released. What she enjoyed most, however, was the warmth it brought to her shivering hooves.

“This is awesome!” Rainbow exclaimed, chewing on a large piece of baked lettuce & cheese.
“I agree. The food here is simply delectable!” Rarity added, slowly slicing off a tiny piece of her apple pie.

“Aw shucks, you guys. It ain’t nothing special!” Applejack’s cheeks blushed bright red.

“Everypony’s right! This is party-worthy!” Pinkie chewed continuously on the sweet saffron stars, a huge grin drawn on her face.

“Pinkie’s right, AJ. How did you make all this?” Twilight asked.

“It’s real easy. I can teach all of ya if y’all are interested.”

“Oh yes please. I would love to prepare some of this for my late night dress-making sessions.”

“And I would love to make this for my parties! It’ll be a hit!”

“Alright then. Ah’ll teach all of you one of these days!” Applejack said, her cheeks still a noticeable pink.

“Aw yeah! This is gonna be the best Hearths Warming ever!” Rainbow commented loudly, pumping her hoof in the air.

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Ya say that every year, Rainbow!”

“Yeah but am I ever wrong?” Rainbow rebutted with a smirk.

Twilight shook her head at Rainbow’s statement before speaking. “Typical Rainbow…”

The air was filled with soft laughter, with everypony beaming wide. Even Rainbow Dash, who would usually act angry when laughter was pointed at her, was chuckling along with the rest.
“You know girls,” Twilight started upon regaining her composure. “It’s been a while since I had a Hearths Warming party. I almost forgot what it felt like!”

“Been a while? What do you mean, Twilight? Don’t you do this every year?” Rarity asked.

“Well… no. I haven’t had a Hearths Warming party for years. Ever since I went to Celestia’s School of Magic for Gifted Unicorns, I just haven’t had the time,” Twilight explained, “not to mention with Shining going off to Guard school and me moving to Ponyville shortly after that, our schedules just haven’t aligned.”

“Oh my! I’m so sorry, Twilight!” Fluttershy apologized, her hoof covering her mouth.
Twilight quickly shook her head. “No need to be sorry. Luckily, my parents understood perfectly. I’m just happy to be here with you girls!”

“Then we need to make sure this Hearth’s Warming party is the best. Party. Ever!” Pinkie yelled out, leaping into the air.

Twilight laughed heartily, watching Pinkie’s animated movements as she danced on the chair she used to sit on. “I have no doubt about that Pinkie. I have no doubt about that.”

“Pass a slice of pie please, Fluttershy!” Rarity asked politely.

“Oh, sure, Rarity.” Fluttershy gripped the knife, slicing off a large piece before carrying it to Rarity.
“Thank you, Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy acknowledged Rarity with a soft nod of her head.

“Now where in Equestria is Rainbow at?” Applejack inquired.

“She said that she had to take care of something outside,” Twilight reminded Applejack, who was cleaning up tray after tray of finished food.

“Ah know what she said! But she’s been gone for about ten minutes! What could she be doing that’s taking so long?”

“Maybe Dashie’s throwing us a surprise party!” Pinkie suggested.

“In the snow? Ah don’t think so Pinkie.”

“Well, whatever it is, she—”

“I’m here! I’m here!” Rainbow shouted, trotting up to the table from the kitchen.

“Now where did ya fly off to, Rainbow?” Applejack questioned.

“Nowhere! I was just…”

“Just what?”

“Nothing! Come on, we still have a little bit of food left over.” Rainbow sat in her seat, hurriedly stuffing food into her mouth.

“Yer acting jumpier than a rabbit on a pogo stick, Rainbow. Ya sure ya alright?”

“Yes, I’m sure!” Rainbow quickly replied, throwing her hooves in the air.

“Applejack, would you kindly pass me some of that apple sauce?” Rarity asked.

“Sure thing, Rares!” Applejack lifted the ornate brown bowl which held the sticky brown liquid.

“Thank you. And Rainbow, would you pass the dip around the tab—” Rarity’s request was cut short as, without warning, she felt something smash into her face. She immediately recognized the soft white powder which was splattered around her muzzle and didn’t need to think twice about which pony was guilty of the act.

Rainbow hugged her stomach, her face contorted in intense laughter. Everypony could only stare at the pegasus, whose unfurled wings showed signs of snow underneath the wing, showing them as to how Rainbow managed to keep the projectile hidden.

“It. Is. On.”

Applejack leaned close to Rainbow, before whispering into her ear, “run.”

Rainbow’s laughter immediately ceased, her eyes opened to see Rarity’s horn glowing, levitating the snow off her face with her eyes shooting daggers at her.

“Uh-oh.” Rainbow shot out of the door, with Rarity in hot pursuit.

“Come back here and fight like a mare, Rainbow!” Rarity screamed out in anger.

For the next few seconds, nopony dared to say a word. The four remaining ponies had their eyes glued to the door where Rainbow and Rarity had rushed out, listening intently for any signs of the two ponies. Moments later, Rarity appeared at the doorway, a satisfied smile on her face.

“Sorry for that everypony. We appear to have a new ornament outside.”

The four ponies galloped out the doorway and sure enough, just a few feet away stood Rainbow, stuck in a snowpony-like formation, her eyes peering through holes made at the head. All five ponies simultaneously busted out into laughter, their eyes closed as they collapsed onto the snowy ground. It took a few minutes for them to regain their composure, with Rarity’s horn glowing bright as soon as she did.

With a quip and flash, Rainbow was once again free. Her eyebrows arched together, her heavy breaths could clearly be heard.

“Rarity!” Rainbow screamed.

“Oh hush now, Rainbow. You should know better than to mess with me. We’re even.”

Rainbow snarled. “I’ll get you back when you least expect it, Rares. Just you wait!”

Suddenly, Twilight felt a large pile of snow hit the back of her head. She spun around, her eyes scanning at the two ponies behind her.

“It wasn’t me, Twi. It was her!” Applejack pointed to Fluttershy with her hoof. Fluttershy’s expression immediately changed to one of horror, her breaths getting short and stuttered.
“It-It wasn’t me, Twilight! I didn’t do anything! P-please you have to believe me!”

“Applejack! You should know better than to accuse Fluttershy like that.” Twilight smirked, lifting up an armada of snowballs from the ground around her, her gaze locked onto the orange mare.
“W-wait! T-Twi!” Applejack brought her forehooves up to her face, even though she knew it would provide little protection.

“Run.” Twilight warned and instantly, Applejack took off to the back of the house. Twilight’s horn glowed a bright pink, sending snowball after snowball towards Applejack.

Pinkie cocked her head to the side, trotting up to Fluttershy. “I didn’t see Applejack throw a snowball!”

Fluttershy hung her head low, rubbing her left hoof with her right hoof. “Umm…t-that’s because…,” she stuttered out before unfurling her left wing, showing several perfectly made snowball hidden in them.

Pinkie released a huge gasp, pointing at Fluttershy in shock. “It was you!”

“Shhh! Pinkie, please don—”

“I’ll get you! You… snowball thrower you!” Pinkie shouted out, already making a snowball with her hooves. Fluttershy wasted no time in spreading her wings and taking off into the sky. “Oh no you don’t! Come back here criminal!”

“H-here y-y-ya go, T-Twi,” Applejack said shivering, before passing a cup of hot cocoa to Twilight, who was gathered with the rest around the fireplace. All of them were wrapped in a long blanket, their muzzles a bright red.

“T-t-thanks, A-AJ.” Twilight stretched her shaking hooves out to grip the light orange cup, steam rising from the top.

Applejack sat next to Rainbow, wrapping herself in a blanket of her own.

“M-m-maybe t-that snowball f-fight w-w-wasn’t such a g-g-good idea…,” Rainbow stuttered out.

“Y-you s-started it!” Rarity said, lifting the cup up to her mouth before taking a long sip.

“S-so what now?” Applejack asked, taking a sip of her own. “Ahhh, that hits the spot.”

“How about a…” Pinkie leapt up into the air, throwing the blanket aside. “Dance party!?”

The others shook their heads. “No thanks Pinkie,” Twilight politely declined.

“How about a story?” Rainbow suggested, drinking the last bit of her cocoa.

“A story?” Fluttershy repeated.

“Yeah! Of Commander Hurricane and how he single-hooftedly united all of Equestria!” Rainbow flew up into the air and onto the couch, posing with her chest out.

“Rainbow, Commander Hurricane didn’t unite Equestria,” Twilight pointed out.

“Twilight’s right. Commander Hurricane did nothing but power up the Windigoes,” Rarity rebutted with a smirk on her face, taking a long sip of her cocoa.

“Says Princess Copperhead,” Rainbow insulted.

Rarity almost spat out her cocoa upon hearing Rainbow’s words. “It’s Princess Platinum!”

“Whatever,” Rainbow shrugged.

“O-oh, I’d love to hear a story about Commander Hurricane,” Fluttershy spoke in a meek tone.

“Ah wouldn’t mind either. Ain’t like we got anything else to do.”

“What about presents!?” Pinkie shouted.

“We’ll open the presents after Rainbow’s story, alright, Pinkie?” Twilight reasoned.

“Oki Doki Loki!” Pinkie agreed with a wide grin of her own, sitting down with her eyes glued onto the cyan pegasus.

“Alright!” Rainbow hovered in the middle of the air. “The skies were raging with thunder and rain! Commander Hurricane was on his way back from the annual meeting of the three tribes! He weathered through storms in the past, but this storm was much worse….”

“And then, boom!” Rainbow shouted, her hooves animating the story like they had been doing for the past hour. “Commander Hurricane, with the help of Private Pansy,” she flew down and picked up Fluttershy, holding her hoof triumphantly in the air. “Saved Equestria!”

A wave of applause erupted from the four ponies. Rainbow spoke as she bowed, “thank you! Thank you!”

“Present time?” Pinkie inquired.

“Present time,” Twilight answered with a glow of her horn, levitating all the presents to the middle. “Okay everypony, find the presents which belong to you and we’ll take turns opening them,” she instructed.

Not more than a minute later, each pony had a beautiful present sitting in front of them. Six different-sized parcels sat in front of six different ponies, each of them wondering who their secret giver could be.

“Can I open mine first? Can I? Can I!?”

“Ah don’t see why ya can’t, Pinkie. Go ahead.”

“Alright, whoever is Pinkie’s Secret Pony Giver will open her present next. That way we can be organized.”

“Yay!” Pinkie cheered, lifting up the cylindrical present in her hooves. “Ooooo,” she exclaimed, inspecting the present from every angle. “Wonder who this is from.” The wrapping was a simple shade of pink, featuring party balloons all over. It was crudely wrapped, with signs of scotch tape everywhere. Pinkie wasted no time in tearing through the wrapping, an eager grin sprawled across her face.

“Hmm… Oh!” Pinkie pulled out a long can with the words ‘Happy Birthday Pinkie Pie’ sprawled across it in crayon. “Hehe, let’s see what’s inside!” She flicked the top of the can and without warning, several long rubber snakes shot out. A loud scream echoed through the house but it wasn’t from Pinkie. Just to her left, Fluttershy covered her head, quivering. “It’s alright, Flutters. They’re just rubber snakes! See?” Pinkie comforted, lifting up the flexible toy.

“Did I scare you, Pinks?” Rainbow asked.

“Oh yeah! Totally!” Pinkie laughed and snorted. “Good one, Dashie!”

“Rainbow, please tell me you got her an actual present,”

“Of course, Rarity! Hold on!” Rainbow answered, taking out a nicely wrapped cuboid shape from behind the couch. “Here you go Pinkie!”

Pinkie’s grin grew even wider; something the ponies in the room thought was impossible. “Two presents!? This is the best Hearths Warming day ever!” She quickly snatched the present, her hooves a blur as pink wrapping paper scattered all over the room. Soon, she had torn open enough of the package to see the words at the top. ‘Sky Flying Machine 3000. A life-size helicopter for non-pegasi to ride in! Put it together and reach for the clouds!’

“Dashie…” Pinkie started, holding the box in her hooves.

“I know, I know. It’s pretty awesome, isn’t it? Well, I figured that since Gilda kinda destroyed your helicopter that you’d like this.”

“I don’t like it, Dashie…” Pinkie said, a frown on her face as her ears drooped.

“Y-you don’t?” A look of horror washed over Rainbow’s face.

“No… I love it!” Pinkie leapt at Rainbow, giving her a tight hug. “Thank you so much, Dashie!”

“Heh, you’re welcome Pinks! Now would you please let me go?” Rainbow requested, feeling the hug getting tighter with each second.

“Mmm…” Pinkie maintained the hug for a few more seconds before releasing the pegasus.
“Okay!”

“Okay, Rainbow. Time to open yours,” Twilight instructed.

Rainbow gripped the extremely small box, bringing her ear close to it and shaking. However, she heard nothing. “Hmm…” Rainbow rotated the curious present around , which was no bigger than the bottom of her hoof.

“Why don’t ya just open in, Rainbow?” Applejack suggested.

“Okay, okay!” Rainbow stared once more at the multi-colored wrapper which was folded and taped fairly well. With a swift pull of her hoof, the wrapper flew clean off, revealing a polished brown box. “What’s this?” she asked, turning the box at every angle conceivable.

“Open it!” Twilight instructed.

Rainbow pulled the top half of the tiny box open and inside sat two rectangular pieces of paper. She would recognize the blue and yellow hue anywhere. “Oh. My. Gosh.” She picked up the two pieces of paper, letting the box drop to the ground. ‘WONDERBOLTS VIP BACKSTAGE PASS! ONE DAY ONLY. ADMIT ONE.’

“Oh my gosh!” Rainbow squealed, her hooves trembling as she gazed at the tickets. “This is amazing!”

“You’re welcome, Rainbow.” Twilight was elated to see the pony in question enjoy her gift.
“You got this!? Twi! This is amazing!” Rainbow leapt forward, giving Twilight a tight hug. “How’d you...?”

“Being Celestia’s student does bring its own set of privileges,” Twilight explained with a playful giggle.

Rainbow zipped back to her place on the floor, a ear-to-ear smile on her face.

“You’re up next, darling.” Rarity gestured towards Twilight.

Twilight acknowledged Rarity’s statement with a nod, picking up her present. It was a fairly small box, though she still needed both of her hooves to even hold it. She didn’t waste any time looking at the purple wrapping more than she needed to, swiftly using her magic to undo the tape on each side. Each fold was done professionally, the wrapping absolutely free from creases.
Although it took a little longer than the others, she finally managed to undo the wrapping without so much as a tear. Staring back at her was a simple red box with a ribbon tied around it, a bow completing the gift.

Giving the lid a slight tug, Twilight was greeted with a beautifully-sewn scarf consisting of various shades of purple. Her cutie mark was embroidered clearly in the middle. She lifted the accessory up slowly, feeling the extremely smooth wool with her hooves. She could already feel the warmth the scarf would bring.

“I… This is…” Twilight stuttered, awestruck.

“Oh, I knew you wouldn’t like it,” Fluttershy said, her head tilted down towards the ground. “I’ll change it, Twilight. Don’t worry!”

“You made this, Fluttershy!?” Twilight exclaimed, to which Fluttershy gave a small nod.

“I know you don’t like it, it’s okay. I’ll make you another one!”

“D-don’t like it? Fluttershy, this is amazing! I like it! No! I love it!” Twilight shouted, feeling the scarf thoroughly.

“Really?”

“Yes!” Twilight took off the scarf which she was wearing, instead tightening the scarf she had just received around her neck. “Thank you so much, Fluttershy!”

“Oh… you’re welcome, Twilight. I’m so glad you like it!” Fluttershy grinned. “I guess it’s my turn.”
Fluttershy held her present in her hooves, staring at the yellow wrapping paper which covered it. The wrapping was once again done flawlessly. The present was much larger than the rest, almost huge. She was only able to grip the bottom half of the package, carefully undoing each tape and pulling out any folds the wrapping may have.

“Ugh, come on Fluttershy!” Rainbow urged.

“I don’t want to ruin this beautiful wrapping. The pony who did this may be very hurt!” Fluttershy reasoned, undoing more tape. After a few silent minutes, Fluttershy finally unwrapped the wrapper fully, laying it on the ground next to her. She gazed at the large green parcel; one that was decorated all over with gold ribbons and patterns. It looked extremely luxurious.

Fluttershy lifted the top off slowly, making sure not to damage any goods that may be inside. Upon laying eyes on the gift, she dropped the lid, giving a soft gasp. Everypony saw what was inside; a long, flowing gown of a green, yellow and light purple hue. The ball-gown was extremely eye-catching, yet its elegance was unlike any the ponies had ever seen before. Tiny little butterflies were embroidered all over the dress, from its shoulders to its bell-shape. Yet, they did not stand out like one might think. Their colors blended seamlessly with the rest of the dress where they were positioned.

Nopony could muster any words for what Fluttershy had just received. Especially not the pony who was lucky enough to call this gift her own.

“I take it you like it?” Rarity asked Fluttershy, who was still sitting with her mouth agape.

“I… I l-love it…” was all she could muster out.

“Ah shucks, sugercube. That dress looks amazing!”

“Yeah! You totally need to wear this to one of the parties I’m hosting!”

“I’m not that into dresses but that’s cool.”

“That’s amazing, Rarity.”

“Thank you, girls. I did spend quite a few hours on this, but it was worth it for dear little Fluttershy!”

“Oh my, Rarity. I… don’t know what to say. I’m… I…”

“Thank you , Fluttershy. For being my spa buddy all these years and taking great care in undoing the wrapping.” Rarity leaned forward, bringing Fluttershy into a tight hug. “You are a great friend.”
“You too, Rarity. I couldn’t ask for a better spa buddy.”

Rarity broke the hug, returning her gaze to the present which awaited her. “Time for me to open mine!” She was clearly eager, looking down at the package. It was fairly creased and rough, obviously the work of a pony who tried to wrap professionally as best she could. Rarity undid each tape carefully, much like Fluttershy, though it was much harder to do for such a rough wrapping.

After a minute of tinkering, Rarity finally got the last of the tape of and reached in, pulling out a small bottle not more than fifteen centimeters in height. ‘Appleloosa Luxurious Down-to-Equestria shampoo’ was written on the front.

“Do ya like it, Rares?” Applejack questioned.

“Oh my, aren’t these bottles expensive, Applejack?”

“Psh, it ain’t nothing, Rarity! I knew that ya like those exotic types! I asked Braeburn to get me a bottle of this!”

“B-but Applejack—”

“But nothing, sugercube! You enjoy that shampoo!”

“Thank you, Applejack. This is amazingly generous of you.”

Applejack gave Rarity a friendly hug, leaving only her present left; a small box wrapped in brown wrapping paper. There was no more mystery, only one pony remained who could have been Applejack’s Secret Pony Giver. The present was expertly wrapped, no doubt from the many presents Pinkie had to wrap in her life. Applejack tore through the wrapping, feeling no remorse for the pieces she had scattered all over the room. Reaching inside, she pulled out a box with the words ‘Canterlot Candy Covered Cinnamon Apples’ at the top.

“I got you candy apples! Isn’t it perfect? I like candy and you like apples! Actually, who doesn’t like candy? So you can enjoy apples with the candy! Or the candy with the apples!” Pinkie snorted.

“Since when did ya go to Canterlot, Pinks?”

“Oh! Remember that time I said I had errands to run? I went there and rushed back!”

“Ya travelled all the way to Canterlot just ta get me a box of these apples?”

“Oh yeah! And they’re really good! And rare! So enjoy them alright?”

“Ah will, Pinkie. Thank ya kindly!” Applejack sat the box aside.

Not a second later, a loud yawn resonated through the room. All heads turned to Rainbow, who blinked several times.

“I don’t know about you girls, but I’m getting really tired.”

Applejack glanced out the window, seeing no traces of light present, save for the fireplace which they were sitting in front of. “Rainbow’s right. It’s getting a little late. Ah say we all get some shut eye. We can play more tomorrow.”

“Just no snow, please,” Twilight joked, causing a short spurt of laughter from the ponies. Soon, all the ponies had retrieved their sleeping bags and gathered around the strong warmth of the hearth, most of them falling asleep instantaneously. Most, that is, except for two.

Twilight gazed down at the floor she laid on, her mind lost in deep thought.

“Heya, Twi. Did ya have fun today?” Applejack asked the daydreaming unicorn.

“Yeah,” Twilight whispered, not wanting to wake up her friends. “The best time ever!” She turned her head up and a little to her left with a grin.

“Well, that’s good. That means those darn Windigoes ain’t gonna get us today!”

“With how much love we made, we could dispel Windigoes all over Equestria!”

Both ponies giggled softly, bringing their hooves up to their mouths to try and stifle the urge to burst out into laughter.

“Goodnight, Twi. Happy Hearths Warming to you.”

“Goodnight, AJ. Happy Hearths Warming to you too.”

Applejack nodded before spinning around to face the other way, quickly falling asleep. Twilight snuggled deep into her sleeping bag. She was no longer cold, but quite the opposite. She felt an inner warmth present in her heart. No fireplace could ever have replicated such a peaceful feeling inside her. It was something she never truly understood, but yet never wanted to. It was a sort of magic which she loved, one which she hadn’t felt on Hearths Warming since she was a filly.

Her mind started to drift away into the reaches of dreamland. However, just before she fell into a slumber, she recalled the last few verses of the book ‘Hearth’s Warming Guide: From parties to ponies’ before drifting off to sleep and signaling the end of Hearths Warming Eve.

‘Any cold heart you may have during this day
Can be immediately melted away
And even though some may snicker and jeer
All can be forgotten, in the midst of laughter and cheer

That is the wonder of Heaths Warming Day
Where ponies everywhere may stand up and say
‘The year I’ve led, may be coming to an end
But I do not care. Hoof, claw or hand

‘The things I’ve done, be that as they may
The regrets I’ve had for things I couldn’t say
But for this time, no more tears shall be cried
For our friends are here, standing by our side’

‘That is the wonder of Hearth’s Warming Day
Do not worry, my friend, your love shall not stray.’

The End

Author's Note

Merry Christmas, Happy Hearths Warming Eve, Happy New Year and (if applicable) Happy Birthday to all of you reading this. You are amazing.
-Deathscar