//------------------------------//
// 20 - The Reason for the Season 
// Story: My Life as a Post-Adolescent Pony 
// by Unicorncob 
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Hearth's Warming Day had finally come, and I was certain I hadn't been this nervous before in my life. 

I arrived in the park in the late morning and took a seat on a bench. Naturally, every follicle on my body stood on end the moment my backside made impact with the icy wood. Luckily, nopony was around to hear the noise that had come out of my mouth. I wasn't sure if it was a noise any kind of living being should make.

A fresh blanket of snow had coated the town in the night, so the only hoofprints in the park belonged to me. For the moment, all was silent, and I looked down at the wrapped gift that was clutched protectively in my hooves. As I stared at it longer and longer, my mind began to race. Would Rivershine like the gift? Would she take the hint? What if she rejected me? What if she was already seeing somecreature? Did I really meet who I thought I met last night?

Before I knew it, voices were ringing out around me. The locals were beginning to emerge from their houses--families going off to visit relatives and friends, or kids trying their new outdoor toys and clothes. I felt a little sorry for the ones breaking in some new ice skates, since the pond would only be frozen for another month at least. I flinched when a colt fell flat on his face trying to skate. I absolutely felt his pain--for a long while, even when I had traction on my hooves I couldn't walk straight.

I heard a large bell strike twelve. I took a deep breath, my heart starting to speed up. It was noon, so hopefully...

"Happy Hearth's Warming," said Rivershine as she approached up the path. She was wearing her scarf once again. It looked really cute on her, if I was being honest with myself.
I stood up to meet her. "Thanks, you too," I said, trying to keep my voice level.
"You're lucky I found your note first, or I'd be getting hounded with questions. Or you'd be in the hospital."
I blinked. "Huh?"
"'Meet me in the park at noon tomorrow'? It's pretty sketchy."
I pursed my lips. "Fair point. I just didn't want to mess up the family vibe by letting myself in, y'know?"
"You were outside my house last night?"
"I was wandering around and just sorta ended up there. Lost in thought and all that."
"What was stopping you from coming in? My family likes you, remember?"
"Your family that you only get to see every once in a while," I pointed out. "You get to look at my dumb mug every day."
She nodded. "I see your point. So, what's this all about? What am I doing out here 'getting a bit of air', as I told my folks?"

I swallowed and glanced down at the gift for a split-second. A split-second long enough for River to notice it.

"What's that?" she asked, then her eyes widened. "Wait, is that for me?"
"I... yeah." I pushed it out to her. "Happy Hearth's Warming."
River took it in her magic grip, and I almost hyperventilated as I watched the paper tear off bit by bit in the air. 

The jacket unravelled, and her jaw almost hit the floor. She stared at it for a long while, then slowly looked at me.

"Sharp... you...!" she breathed.
"You were saying how much you wanted it," I said, rubbing one leg behind the other, "so, um, here you go."
She wasted no time tugging it on, but took plenty of time looking herself over. I couldn't even measure the amount of joy on her face. And the dark leather with bright studs definitely looked good on her. Like a stylish neo-punk chic. 
Yeah, that's a fancy bit of word vomit that'll never leave my mouth.
"And it's a perfect fit!" she gushed. "How did you know?!"
"Lucky guess," I lied.

I froze as that neo-punk chic (blech) found itself wrapped around my neck in a hug.
"Thank you so much," she murmured into my shoulder.
My face flushed bright red and my brain shut down, so my attempt to say "You're welcome, now do you wanna go out with me?" came out as incomprehensible mouth noises. 

I finally calmed down when she let go of me, and looked me right in the eyes. Then I felt the nerves flare up again.

"If you're not doing anything tonight," she said, "do you wanna come over for dinner?"
"R-really?" I croaked. "Um, I wouldn't wanna be a burden."
"It'll be fine," she assured me. "Mom and Dad always make too much, so it's not like you'll eat us out of house and home."
"Um, sure, I'd love to," I said, then my eyes widened. "Oh! I've got something I can bring for dessert if you need it."
"I dunno if we'll need it," she remarked, "but sure, the more the merrier."
"Great!" I grinned, probably like a moron if her raised eyebrow was anything to go by. "So, um, see you tonight?"
She smiled. A genuine, warm smile. "Totally. I'd better get back before Dad sends a search party, though."

I bid her goodbye for the moment, and it took every fibre of my being not to squeal in public.





I trotted--nay, pranced through town. The streets were becoming busier in the moments before Hearth's Warming dinners, so families and friends were comparing gifts and generally sharing laughs. Of course, the smile on my face didn't look out of place for the day. Even if mine in particular probably looked pretty creepy. 

"Sharp Sight?" I heard in the direction of my house. I trotted over and spotted a familiar looking winged Unicorn/magical Pegasus.
"Hey, Twilight," I said once I was close enough, "happy Hearth's Warming."
"Oh, there you are," she said, blinking. "Happy Hearth's Warming, and thank you for the gifts. Everypony loved them!"
"Really?"
"That book on ancient magical crystals is so intriguing." She pattered her front hooves in the snow. "I'm already four chapters in!"
Already? I'm dealing with the world's most powerful bookworm right now.
"Spike especially loved his treats," she continued. "How'd you know what his favourite kind was?"
"Lucky guess," I lied. "So, did you need anything else, or were you just here to say thanks?"
"Well, that's one reason," said the princess. "But there's... something else. Don't worry, it's nothing bad," she assured me, noticing the look I was giving her. "In fact, I think you'll like it."
I blinked curiously, and decided to humour her. "Just go easy with the teleporting, huh?"
"I'll do my best," she promised, and with a glow of her horn and a flash of bright light, I was suddenly inside a room. My stomach played up and I instinctually put a hoof over my mouth, but thankfully the nausea passed as quickly as it came this time. 

As I followed Twilight through the castle, I wondered if this was really the right time for this kind of mystery, given the occasion and how much would be going on. For her, anyway. I wasn't going to do much apart from probably hang around the house until I went over to Rivershine's. We ended up passing Spike and Starlight on our travels, and they both thanked me for their gifts. I really wasn't sure if Starlight was going to like that Kite Culture: Equestrian Skies and How to Celebrate Them book I found--admittedly, I was at the "I'm desperate and need to find something" phase at that point.

Eventually, Twilight stopped in front of a door, at the end of a hallway that felt isolated from the castle somehow, and she fixed me with a grave glare.
"Sharp Sight, before we go further," she said, "what I'm about to show you is incredibly secret. I intended that nocreature outside of the Council of Friendship knows about this, but your situation is a dire exception. I need you to promise that you won't breathe a word of what you're about to see to anyone."
"Sure, no problem," I promised. "Though, if you're that worried, why not just hit me with a memory wipe spell or something?"
"Think of it as a test of character," she answered as she pushed the door open. "Plus, memory wipes can be messy if you don't do them just right. I don't want you forgetting your name, or how to use the bathroom."
"Fair enough."

I stepped inside, seeing what seemed to be some kind of study. Pieces of paper were strewn along the table and scattered on the floor, all having doodles and equations scribbled on them. At the end of the room, which really caught my eye, was a large mirror adjourned in a very majestic frame. One half golden, the other half dark blue, both sporting the caricatures of what I assumed were Alicorns at the top. The mirror itself was crystal clear and it looked big enough for me to step right in. In fact, I almost felt the urge to try just that, if I knew I wasn't just going to headbutt myself.

"Remember when I told you I was working on a spell to get you back to your universe?" she asked. "I've... made some progress."
"Really?" I asked. For some reason, I wasn't as excited as I thought I would be.
I watched as Twilight's horn glowed, and the horns on the Alicorns on the frame sparked themselves. The mirror glass distorted, mine and Twilight's reflections rippling like disturbed pond water, until the images vanished and made way for... something new. Something familiar, at least to me. Streets, cars, and the fully-clothed humans occupying both. I didn't recognise anyone, but that was definitely a street near my old college.
"I've managed to get a lock on the world you came from," she went on. "I can only keep it open for a small time for now, and... for the moment, the mirror is choosy about what goes through."
"Choosy?" I raised an eyebrow. "What, do I have to pass a test to prove I'm worthy or something?"
"No, nothing like that," she said with a weak smile. "I can't exactly send any... living matter through just yet. I tried an apple the other day, and it came out as a mound of juicy dust."
I winced and pulled my legs close together. "Yeesh. Well, hopefully Applejack doesn't know about that."
That got a snort out of the princess. "But the good news is I can send other things through. Small things, like books and stationary."
"Well, that's some progress," I said, in an attempt to reassure her. It put a grateful smile on her muzzle.
"I wasn't going to say anything to you until I was sure I had it finished," she continued, "but I figured, considering the season, you'd want to... send word to any loved ones? Let them know you're okay?"

I stared at Twilight for a long moment. As much as I'd grown hesitant about going back for the moment, I felt this overwhelming sense of gratitude. She'd gone to all this trouble for stupid little me (granted, I was here because of her, but still), and had even made enough headway for me to drop a line.

"I do normally send a card to my parents this time of year," I said, "just to let them know I'm thinking of them, y'know?"
She nodded in understanding. "I did some digging and found where they live, if you'd like to send them a message."

She passed me a quill and an empty sheet of paper, and I sat at the desk, mulling over what to say. What could I say? What would they think if I told them I was in another universe full of magic and living as a colourful equine? I'd already once made the mistake of getting in touch while in the middle of... 'experimenting'.

After a few moments of thinking, I finally put quill to paper.

Hey, Mom and Dad.

Sorry I haven't called sooner or made it up to visit. I'm doing this thing abroad for school right now, and you know what call charges are like. It's one of those hidden countries that's awkward to spell, you know? I would've told you sooner but it all happened so fast. I'm fine, though. Making some friends and really learning new things about the local culture. They're really into horses here.

I just thought I'd drop you a line for the season. I've been busy, but so busy I've forgotten you. I'm not sure when I'll be back in the country, but I'm hopeful it'll be sooner rather than later. Once I'm absolutely certain how to write the address, I'll send it in another letter so maybe you can write back.

Mom, remember the garbage guys don't come until two days later. Dad, go easy on the eggnog. I don't wanna hear about you getting into another 'snowball fight'. And tell the others I said hi. I'll try to send souvenirs next time.

Love you guys. Happy Hear Holidays.

A drop fell into the page, and I wiped a tear from my eye. A sniffle escaped me.

"Are you okay?" asked Twilight from across the room.
I took a deep breath. "Yeah, sorry," I muttered, trying to steady my voice. "I dunno what's come over me."
"It's okay, I understand." Her tone was soft. "If you're finished, I can get that sent off right away."

I nodded and folded up the letter. Twilight took it in her magical grip and set it into an envelope. I wrote down my parents' address and Twilight conjured up a stamp to put in the corner, just to help make it look legit. Hopefully my parents wouldn't question the stamp having Princess Celestia on it. I watched the image on the mirror change to a door I knew all too well; my parents' front door. With her magic, she slipped the letter through the threshold, into the slip.

"Thanks, Twilight," I said, looking at her. "Really, I appreciate this a lot."
"It was my pleasure," she smiled. "Think of it as my Hearth's Warming gift to you, and my way of saying sorry for getting you wrapped up in all this."
"Hey, I'm getting used to it here," I said, "so it's no big deal. Take your time working this out--I'm not really on a time limit, remember?"
"Of course," she said. "I should probably get back--Shining Armour brought his Ogres and Oubliettes set and he's itching to get started. I'm gonna have a lot of rules-explaining ahead of me, for Cadence's sake."
"Oh, totally," I said with a nod. "Thanks again, Twilight. I'll get out of your way."
"Do you want a ride home?" she offered, nodding upward.
"Sure, I think I'd need a map to get out of here on my own anyway."





That evening, I was trotting through Ponyville to Rivershine's house, with Applejack's pie wrapped around my leg. The locals were still out and about before they had to get home for Hearth's Warming dinner, and I wore a smile on my face as I wished a Happy Hearth's Warming to anypony I knew the name of. I was even singing under my breath. Something I hadn't done for a long time.

"They've got carts big as barns, they've got streets made of gold,
The magic goes right through you, it's no place for the old.
When you first took my hoof on a Hearth's Warming Eve,
You promised me Bridleway's waiting for me!"

I was very certain I'd heard that tune back in my old world, but I didn't care. I was on cloud nine, and it was the one holiday song I had to listen to while working at Barnyard Bargains that didn't made me want to ask Twilight to magic my ears off.

I was happy when I gave Rivershine my gift, but after sending a letter to my parents, I felt... glad? Relieved? Whatever it was, it was like a weight had lifted off my shoulders when I let someone on the other side know that I was still kicking. Well, bucking. Tomato, tomato. Either way, the Stockholm Syndrome hadn't quite set in just yet.

Or would that be Stockhoof Syndrome? Gotta work in those puns where I can get them.

My heart raced when Rivershine's house came into view. I was nervous, but the good nervous. I wasn't sure why, since she'd invited me over before. Not long ago, in fact. I figured because even in so little time, so much had changed.

I tapped my hoof on the door and took in a lungful of crisp evening air. The door soon opened, and there she was, dressed in an adorable green sweater with reindeer prancing along it. My cheeks flushed red as I smiled at her.
"The guest of honour finally arrives," she said, smiling back. "Let's get you out of the cold."
I followed her inside. "Thanks for letting me come over. You sure your folks are fine with it?"
"Absolutely," she nodded. "C'mon, you're just in time."

She led me into the dining room, where the table was piled up with quite the spread. Corn, mashed potato, sprouts, carrots, the works. In the centre was quite a large mound of roast hay and straw. Hard Dough and Lakesong were already seated, but the latter was happy to get up and hug me in greeting. Even Pudding Pop graced me with a hoof-bump. Either he was in a good mood from getting showered in gifts, or he'd forgiven me for making a donkey of myself in front of his friends. I wasn't about to complain, or ask.

We were soon digging into the meal. And let me tell you, roast hay and straw hits a lot different with equine taste buds. The pie went down a treat too, which I hoped helped endear the family to me a bit more. Especially since it really was a good pie.

Thanks, AJ.

"We heard about your little caper the other day," said River. "You stopped somepony from framing Applejack for robbery?"
I blinked. "How'd you find out about that?"
"It's in the papers." Her horn glowed, and she hovered up a copy of yesterday's newspaper. "See? Handypony Turned Slueth: Sharp Sight Stops Sven!"
I looked at the photo of me and those involved with the case inside Carousel Boutique. By the scowl on Svengallop's face, I was in the middle of my big final deduction. Who even took that photo?
"That's the long and short of it, yeah," I answered, shrugging. "I didn't really do much. Just wandered around until clues slapped me in the face."
"And without any resources from the Royal Guard," said Lakesong. "You're very sharp indeed."
"Oh, I just did what anypony would do," I said modestly, my face flushing warm again.
"Anypony coulda done it," added Hard Dough, "but you're the one who stepped up. You did good, kid." 
"So you're a detective, huh?" asked Pudding. I picked up on his tone of voice, like he was actually impressed. "Do you wear the coat and hat and stuff?"
"Well, uh," I muttered, "not yet. If I stick with it, I could see about getting them."
"You should think about it," said River. "We've got Twilight and her friends to stop the world from ending, and Ponyville could use somepony to solve the smaller problems, y'know?"
"From what I've seen," added Lakesong, "these Ponies are too good to have some hotshot Canterlot detective throwing away accusations like they're yesterday's calzones."

I had to admit, they had good points. Solving that case on my own was pretty fun, and it felt good to help somepony in need. It helped that it wasn't some kind of world-ending disaster, so not that much pressure. Plus, if somepony like me didn't hadn't done what I did, that Detective Hawkshaw would have Applejack spending Hearth's Warming in a cell.

Wonder what Basil's up to right now? Probably leaning over his desk and monologuing over a bottle of cheap apple whiskey. With a wreath on the door. Yeah, that's good and festive.

"I'll definitely think about it," I said, trying not to smile with too much pride.





After dinner, we all worked to clean up and stow away the leftovers for later. Even Pudding lent a hoof, much to his chagrin. I couldn't blame him: cleaning up on the holidays when you just wanted to play with your new toys was the biggest buzzkill of the year.

"You don't have to pitch in," said River, washing a plate with her magic. "You're a guest."
"I'm not gonna sit on my butt watching everypony do all the work," I insisted, taking the plate to dry it off with a cloth.
She gave me a cheeky smirk. "I would've."
I returned it. "I know. I'm practically doing your half."
Her smile wavered ever so slowly. "Hey, when we're done, I've got something to give you."
I tilted my head. "Yeah?"
She nodded. "I kinda wanna do it somewhere... y'know, nice. How about in the park?"
"Your house is nice," I offered.
"It's also crowded. This is... well, I don't want Pudding hovering around us."
My eyes bulged ever so slightly. I had a feeling I knew what this was about, but I tried not to get my hopes up. "Y-yeah, sure. The park sounds great."
"Cool," she smiled. "Let's head over when we're done."

Soon enough, the two of us were walking toward the park together. The snow crunched softly beneath our hooves, and from the steam flowed from her nostrils, River seemed a bit nervous herself. She had put on the jacket I got her over her sweater, which I tried to hide my joy over.

Calm, Sharp. You have no idea what this could be about.

We arrived at the park and stopped at one of the bridges. The river and pond were still frozen, and the warm lamplight helped me make out a few distinct scratch marks from ice skates gliding across the surface. It was nice and quiet, with only a few couples that kept their distance from each other.

"Well, here we are," I said. "So, what's up?"
Rivershine's eyes darted for a moment before they fixed on mine. "I... I got you something too. For Hearth's Warming, I mean."
Her horn glowed, and I watched as a small box emerged from the jacket pocket. It lowered onto my raised hoof.
"I was mulling over whether to give it to you or not for a few days, but this?" She nodded to the jacket. "This kinda told me that I should."
I pursed my lips for a moment, then flipped open the lid. Inside was a small collection of green stems, sporting little leaves and tiny red berries. A pink bow tied them all together at the base.
I furrowed my brow, wondering what this was about. Then my heart skipped a beat. I knew exactly what those stems were.
"The fact you're always willing to spend time with me," she went on, catching the look on my face. "How you're always willing to go along and help me out with stuff, and the way you turn into even more of a dork when I'm in your line of sight. And then taking a holiday retail job just to buy me a gift? It's pretty clear what's going on."
My ears drooped and my face flushed even redder than my maroon/burgundy fur should have allowed.
"So, since you got me this jacket," she continued, "I got you a gift too: My answer."

Her horn glowed, and the mistletoe rose from the box, hovering in the air above our heads.

"Y-you mean...?!" I squeaked.
She gave me the warmest, most inviting smile I'd ever seen. "Let's give it a shot."

My mind went blank from then on. But the one thing I was sure of was that, even with my eyes closed, I could tell our lips had locked together.