> The (hopefully) Scientific Guide to Possible Crushes > by LiveLife > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Hearth's Warming Eve Edition > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Momma?" Dinky called into the house as she got home from school. "Um, if it's alright with you can I, um...invite a pony or two over for, um, Hearths Warming Eve?" She heard a crashing from upstairs. "What was that Little Muffin?" "Can I invite some of my friends over for Hearths Warming Eve?" Dinky yelled. "Of course you can!" Dinky's mother flew down from upstairs. "I would love to meet your friends!" "Um...is it okay if they're...colts?" Dinky asked sheepishly. "Really? Yippee! Doctor, Dinky might bring a colt home!" Derpy called. "No...maybe? Oh, stop mom!" The purple filly ran upstairs to her room, hiding her face in shame. "Oh, dear! Now everypony will know! What am I gonna do?" she worried as she plopped onto her bed. Dinky felt something hard under her head. "Oh, right! The journal!" She used her magic to bring her journal out and flip it to the first page. There was some writing on the page. It said: Step one: Ask parents if I can bring a colt. Step two: Get them out of the house. Step three: Experiment and see what happens. "Well...step one is done, so I had better check it off..." Dinky checked it off with a blue pen. "Hey, sis! I hear that you're bringing a coltfriend over!" a voice from the doorway called. "Go away Amethyst!" "Nah, I'm gonna come in," she replied, closing the door as she sat on the bed across from Dinky. "What do you want?" "What's this?" Amethyst asked, grabbing the journal. "The hopefully Scientific Guide to Possible Crushes? Do you have a crush?" "Maybe!" "Well...since you might be bringing one over, I can get rid of Mom and Dad...they can be really annoying...and...embarrassing!" Amethyst blushed, obviously having some awful memories. "Really? You would do that? Could you leave, too?" "No...I would have to stay and 'foalsit' you...but I wouldn't get in your mane like Mom would." "Thank-you! Thank-you! Thank-you!" Dinky cried, jumping around Amethyst like crazy. "Easy! Don't hurt yourself!" Dinky flopped onto her bed. "Will you...help me?" she asked sheepishly. "With what?" "My book! I'm going to write down my experience and try to publish it...is that a good idea?" "Very ambitious...but smart! I will help you when I get a chance...is that okay?" Amethyst decided. "Yeah! Amazing!" "Alright...let's get some dinner and I can talk to our parents after to get them to leave you and this mystery colt," Amethyst told her little sister gently. ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ "Dinky!" Pipsqueak called across the frozen playground of the school. "Hey, Pip!" she called back, smiling despite herself. "How are you?" "I'm good...I wanted to ask you if you wanted to...um...come to my house for a sleepover this Hearth's Warming Eve?" "Of course! I would love that! I know that my parents would agree...should we meet here tomorrow?" he asked, nearly bouncing with excitement. "Sure! Sounds great!" "Alright class! Please come in for the last day of school!" Cheerilee yelled from inside the doorway of her classroom. Dinky could hardly focus during class that day; her mind was busy trying to decide what to do during the sleepover. At 12:15 the bell rang, signifying a half-day. "Have a great Hearth's Warming my little ponies! Stay safe!" Cheerilee called as her students packed up. Once everypony left, Cheerilee couldn't help but laugh. "Dinky is making it quite obvious that she has a crush...but does she know that? Hm...I wonder." ~~~ When Dinky got home she met Amethyst Star in the doorway. "Go put your stuff down, sis! We have some decorating to do!" she said, smiling. "Alright!" Dinky put her saddlebag upstairs via magic and went into the living room. A fire was crackling in the pit and a tree sat in the corner, waiting to be decorated. "Dinky, are you ready to put ornaments on the tree?" "Oh, yeah!" "Then let's get started!" The two sisters laughed as they started putting ornaments on the pine tree with their magic. This was the tradition: the kids put the ornaments and the adults put the star and lights up. Thirty minutes later they were all done. "What a pretty tree! We actually managed to mix up the colors this time!" Dinky yelled as she remembered that the tree last year looked like Rainbow Dash's mane. "Last year we had supervision," Amethyst added. "Thanks, sis...for everything!" Dinky replied as she tackled her big sister in a hug. "No prob! I like being a big sister...way better than having foals of your own!" "Tomorrow I'm going to pick Pipsqueak up at school...is that okay?" Dinky asked, a little bit worried that it wouldn't be. "That's fine! Mom and Dad are already at the hotel that I found for them, so anything is good!" "Woo-hoo!" ~~~ ~~~ The next day Dinky galloped to the school grounds at 7:30. The sky was gray and every once in a while a snowflake fell onto the ground. As soon as she stopped running the cold penetrated her fur. Dinky saw Pipsqueak standing by the grassy spot where she and her friends always ate lunch. "Dinky! You're here!" he called, rushing over to the purple filly. "I've been waiting for half an hour! I'm starting to feel really cold...wanna run home?" "Sure! Last pony there is a melted snowman!" Dinky laughed, rushing ahead. She was surprised by how fast Pip was for his small thin legs. After half a mile they got tired and stopped. "I'm glad that you needed to slow down...I can't run anymore!" Pip told his companion. "I know, right? I was afraid that I would be left behind..." "I wouldn't have left you behind!" "Thanks...that means a lot to me!" "No problem...is that your house?" Pipsqueak asked, pointing at a cute little one-story next-door to hers. "Um...actually the two-story next to it is..." "That's adorable! I like it even more!" he exclaimed. "Really? Do you mean that?" Dinky asked. "Definitely!" "Well...come on in! My sister is home...but my parents are out...is that okay?" "Absolutely! Do you have hot coco?" Pipsqueak asked, his voice yearning. "Yes! We have tons of hot coco!" Dinky replied as they walked inside. The house smelled like fresh baked cookies and pine trees. "Hello Dinky! Would you care to introduce me to your lovely friend here?" Amethyst asked as she trotted out of the kitchen. "Oh...um...Amethyst, this is Pipsqueak! Pipsqueak, this is my sister, Amethyst Star!" "Pleasure to meet ya, miss!" Pip exclaimed as he offered his hoof. "The pleasure is all mine." Amethyst took his hoof and shook it gently. "Dinner's in the oven, I'll call you down when it's done...probably ten, fifteen minutes tops." "Okay!" Dinky called as they raced up the stairs. "That's the bathroom, that's my sisters room, that's the guest room, and that's my room!" Dinky stopped outside of a purple door. "Are ya ready?" "Let's go!" Pip responded, rushing into the room. "Wow..." "Is it okay?" Dinky asked, feeling nervous. "It's AMAZING!" he called, looking around the room in wonder. "It's huge!" "Um...really? I'm glad that you approve!" Dinky felt a huge weight leave her chest. "Are we going to sleep here?" "No...in the guest room with sleeping bags and a tent! It'll be camping, but inside!" "Amazing! I can't wait!" Pip said as he plopped onto her bed. "Thanks for inviting me over...it would've been boring without coming here." Dinky felt her heart flutter as he said that. "We...we also have presents...for you," she whispered, embarrassed by his thanks. "Dinner!" Amethyst called from downstairs. "Coming!" the two friends called in unison. They walked down the stairs, casting furtive glances along the way. When they got to the dining room they saw cucumber and daisy sandwiches on freshly baked four-grain bread. There was a side of cranberries in a really nice china bowl. The chocolate-chip cookies were sitting in the middle. "Save the cookies for last...at least try to! I know that you might need one...but save the rest for later when we open the gifts!" Amethyst told them as she lit a couple of candles. "Tell me when you're done! We can open presents, get the tent ready, then bed!" Amethyst Star left the room humming. "Thanks, sis!" "Thanks, miss!" They sat down at either end of the table, trying desperately to act proper. They succeeded for about a minute until they met eyes and burst out laughing. "Well...that lasted for a minute!" Dinky laughed as she levitated her sandwich into her mouth. "Longer than I thought!" Pip added as he put some cranberries into his mouth. They ate in silence, both giggling randomly as they looked at each other. They finished at the same time, Pipsqueak eating twice as much as Dinky did. "Amethyst! May we open presents now?" Dinky asked as she walked into the living room. Amethyst stood there, milk and cookies on the table in front of her. "Of course! Let's begin!" Amethyst Star, Pipsqueak, and Dinky all sat around the pine tree. Dinky handed Pipsqueak a bag. "Open it!" Pip gingerly brought the tissue paper out of the bag. Something heavy fell out and thumped onto the floor. "A HOOK!" he yelled, putting it on. "I have an authentic pirate hook!" "I'm glad that you like it!" Dinky replied, smiling. Pipsqueak came over and hugged her. The purple filly felt light-headed and her cheeks grew red. "Alright you two...next present!" Amethyst gave Dinky a small box. She used her magic to pull at the strings and remove the tape. "IT'S A MAGIC BOOK!" Dinky jumped around the room, opening the book. "IT'S BY PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE!" "Wow...I never knew that she was obsessed with magic," Pip thought aloud. "My sister wants to get better...her special talent is supposed to be magic but she isn't that good yet," Amethyst replied. "Sis! Are you done yet?" "Sorry!" Dinky ran back to the triangle of ponies. "Guys...I feel guilty! I don't have anything for you!" Pipsqueak whined, feeling just a little bit sad. "No, no! This is our pleasure! Please don't feel bad...this is all for you!" Amethyst comforted. "Are ya sure?" Pip asked. "Of course we are!" Dinky added. "Alright! Let's get the tent set up!" Pip decided, rushing up the stairs. As soon as Dinky saw where he was going she raced after him. "Was I ever that energetic?" Amethyst Star asked herself as she walked up the stairs. "I highly doubt it..." "Sis! It's up already! We did it!" the pink mare was surprised when she saw a tent filled with sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows in the middle of the room. "Good job! Go get ready for bed and go to sleep! It's important that even though this is a sleepover you still get your sleep...just btw Mom made me say that," Amethyst recited. "Okay, Amethyst!" Pip replied, smiling. After minutes of teeth brushing and mane combing the two young ones were ready for bed. "Goodnight Dinky!" Pip whispered as Amethyst turned the lights off. "Goodnight Pip," Dinky yawned. ~~~ ~~~~ Pipsqueak left at ten-thirty the next morning. "Thank-you guys so much for having me over! I had a wonderful time!" Pip told them as they walked him back to the school playground. "Thank-you for coming over! We should do this more often!" Dinky responded. Pip nodded in agreement. Dinky watched Pipsqueak walk towards his house until she could no longer see him then walked home. > Hearts and Hooves Day Part 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The bell was about to ring, and everypony sat at the edge of their seats. Cheerilee was just finishing up her lecture on the advantage of deciding what job they would do to enhance their special ability when she abruptly interrupted herself. "Class, remember that the Hearts and Hooves Day Semi-Formal is tomorrow evening! I believe that everypony has turned in a permission slip, so we will all have fun after a day jam-packed with learning and partying!" It seemed that she had timed her speech perfectly to the millisecond because as soon as she finished the bell rang. "Come to school, or else no dance!" Cheerilee called as her students left. Only Pipsqueak and Dinky Hooves were left. They always waited for their classmates to leave or else they would get trampled. "So, um, I guess that you're going to the, um, dance?" Dinky asked as she levitated her books into her saddlebag. Pipsqueak smiled. "You betcha! I even have something nice to wear!" "Oh, um, cool! I guess that I'll see you tomorrow then, right?" "I wouldn't miss it, unless a group of pirates ask me to join, but that's unlikely," Pip responded. "Go on you guys! I would like to leave as well!" Cheerilee called to the pair. "Bye," Dinky whispered as she rushed off home. "Bye," Pip replied, smiling as he trotted the other way. <3<3<3 "Amethyst?" Dinky asked as she got into her house. "Yeah?" Dinky galloped upstairs and into her sister's room. "Whoa, what's up sis?" Amethyst asked, taken aback by Dinky's fast action. "It's the dance tomorrow!" Dinky replied earnestly. "Yeah...and?" "And I don't know what I'm going to wear, who I'm going to see, or even how to DANCE!" Dinky fell onto her sister's soft bed, exasperated. Amethyst laughed. "I wondered when you were going to realize that. Don't worry, I'll help you tomorrow afternoon before the dance." "You do realize that I get out of school early, right?" the purple filly asked. "I have the day off, remember?" "Oh, right..." Dinky trailed off. "But what if Pip asks me to dance?" "Then say yes!" Amethyst said it as if it were the most obvious thing in Equestria. "But-but-" "No buts, you have to! You would break his heart if you didn't! He's such a nice colt, you don't want to do that to him, do you?" Amethyst Star asked. "No..." "Then you will say yes. I'm sorry, but I'm a bit busy right now, so go do your homework! I swear that I will help you and answer all of your questions tomorrow, okay?" the magenta mare questioned. Dinky sighed. "Fine..." "Listen, I'll get your dress and everything ready. Don't worry about a thing. Where do you think I'm going now?" Amethyst hugged her sister. "But Rarity's boutique is so expensive!" Dinky exclaimed, her eyes wide. "She owes me a favor...anyways, she likes you! I really have to go now if you want a dress!' Amethyst warned. "Okay...thank-you!" Dinky called as her older sister walked out of the house. "She really is awesome..." she whispered as she walked into her room and closed the door. <3<3<3 The school yard was a sea of ponies rushing home to get ready for the upcoming dance. Amethyst Star stood a little to the side, waiting for her sister to walk out. "I can't believe that that dork is coming to the dance!" Amethyst heard the school bully talking to a group of fillies and colts. She thought about going over there but then decided against it. She would just make it worse for whatever pony Diamond Tiara was making fun of. "Yeah, Dinky really is a dork!" Silver Spoon added. Almost against her will the magenta mare found herself marching over to the group. "Do we have a problem?" she asked. Everypony gasped. "Hehe, no...ma'am!" "Nothing at all!" "We are just-" "You are just calling my sister a dork and spreading rumors...right?" Amethyst finished the filly's sentence. Silence was her response. "Well...let me tell you this. My sister is the best pony in Equestria. If I hear of this again, then all of your parents will be told. Understand?" The school ponies all nodded and galloped off. "Amethyst?" The small voice came from behind her. Amethyst Star turned around and found her sister there. "Thank-you," Dinky whispered as she hugged the mare. "What else would I have done? Now, let's go and make you the Star of the Dance, okay?" Dinky nodded, and as if on cue, Amethyst teleported both of them home. They were in Dinky's room but something was different. "You cleaned it?" the filly gasped. "Yeah...I couldn't work in here like it was before...is it okay?" "Okay? It's GREAT!" Dinky exclaimed, bouncing around her newly-cleaned room. "Hey, I know that you're excited, but calm down! I can't help you get ready if you can't sit still!" Amethyst laughed, faking exasperation. Dinky Hooves sat on her bed. "Sorry..." "Don't be sorry!" her sister replied. "I'll be right back!" Dinky sat on her bed, trying to stay calm as she waited for her sister to return. About five minutes later, she did. "What's that?" Dinky asked, pointing at a plastic bag in that Amethyst had brought in. "Get ready to be excited," was the reply that she got. Amethyst used her aura to slowly move down the zipper. "Ta-da!" Inside the bad was a dress. It was light pink with three violet ruffles. The hem had hearts in varying shades of reds, pinks, and whites. The strap came around front and ended in a bow. The headpiece was a simple wreath of roses and daisies. Dinky just stared at it, her mouth wide open. "Well? Do you like it?" Amethyst Star asked, dragging Dinky back into reality. "Yeah...a lot..." "Then put it on! Ask me if you need any help, alright?" "Okay..." Amethyst Star walked out of the room, a smile plastered to her cheeks. "Well? Does she like it?" Derpy asked from on the stairs. "She loves it mom...you did a great job making it!" "Good! I'm so glad that I can do something for my little Muffin..." "Amethyst! I'm done!" Dinky called from her room. "Go on! Help her finish getting ready!" Derpy whispered as she pushed her daughter towards Dinky's room. "Wow." Amethyst Star was speechless. The dress was stunning on her. It fit perfectly. If my sister, she thought, was just a little bit older, then she would look totally different. "Do I look okay?" "You look fantastic! Every colt will be sad that they didn't bring you to the dance!" Amethyst replied, smiling. She stared for a few moments longer, then shook her head. "Let's go do hair and make-up now!" Dinky nodded. "Okay, let's go." The two sisters meandered into their shared bathroom. Amethyst pulled out a stool and motioned to Dinky to sit down. She did, with only a minimum struggle with her dress. "Okay, I'm going to turn you around now, okay?" Amethyst asked. Dinky merely nodded, still mesmerized by the dress. Amethyst Star turned the stool around with her magic and grabbed some hair tools that Dinky didn't know the name of. She did her best to sit still as her sister messed with her hair. She tried to make conversation but Amethyst was so concentrated that she hardly noticed her feeble attempts. Eventually she put the strange tools down on the counter. "Sorry, that took longer than I was expecting...now can you close your eyes please?" Amethyst questioned, smiling at her sister. Dinky sighed. "How much longer?" "Not much; it's almost time to go, okay?" "Yeah..." Dinky closed her eyes and relaxed as her sister applied the eyeshadow to her eyes. About five minutes later, Dinky Hooves heard a loud snap as her sister closed the container. "All done, sis! Look in the mirror!" Dinky took a breath and turned around. The carbon dioxide caught in her throat. Her hair was straightened and completely even. There was not a hair out of place, and it framed her horn in a way that it looked slightly larger. Her hair also seemed longer and more silky. Her eyes slowly drifted down to their own level and she saw a faint layer of pink sparkles on her eyelids. Wow, Dinky thought, I look beautiful. "Do you like it?" Dinky whirled around and tackled her sister in a huge hug. "I LOVE IT!" she exclaimed. "Can we go now?" Amethyst laughed. "Of course, let me get my coat and I'll walk you over."