Regiftmas - A Christmas Story in the works · 5:21am Dec 22nd, 2017
YES I still have a Christmas plug page to do, and other things, but I'm hoping to get this short story out in the next 4 days. Nothing fancy, just a little snapshot into the stuff that goes on behind the scenes at Hearth's Warming:
Queen Chrysalis has given Princess Celestia an unwelcome gift for Hearth’s Warming. Thankfully, she can regift it to somepony. Who can regift it to somepony. Who can…
(more below the break, but not all of it, because then you won't read the story)
Picture of a changeling in a hat by pein078
“Oh, a present!” Luna and Celestia struggled to see who would get to the large wrapped gift first, despite the two guards surrounding it with drawn spears and fierce scowls. “I love Hearth’s Warming. Who does it say it’s for?” asked Celestia.
“Both of you, actually,” said the first guard. “It just showed up without going through security, so we’re going to take it to the receiving yard for scans and a thorough examination to find out what’s inside.”
“And if it’s cake, I’ll never see it,” said Celestia.
“Well,” admitted the guard with a short licking of his lips. “I’ll admit there’s a little sampling that goes on this time of year.”
“Or we could just open it,” said Luna, pulling off the top and looking inside, followed almost immediately by Celestia.
The changeling in the box looked up at them and smiled. “Hello.” Then it closed its eyes and gave out a quiet, satisfied hiss that was vaguely suggestive. “You’re so full of love, Your Highnesses.”
The sound of a pony clattering down the hallway shook Celestia and Luna out of their stunned disbelief, with Celestia slamming the lid back down on the box and Luna writing on the label.
“Send this to Twilight Sparkle right away,” snapped Celestia.
“But—” managed the guard before Luna shoved him toward the exit.
“Cadence would have kittens if she saw a changeling right now. Just go—”
He fairly fell out the door as Cadence bounced in with a happy, “Happy Hearth’s Warming eve, aunties! Isn’t this just the most wonderful day ever?” She hesitated with a look at the box. “Did that gift just moan?”
“It’s a puppy,” said Celestia. “For Twilight. She was asking about one and I thought I’d give her one for Hearth’s Warming, but it’s all packed up and ready to go and the guard was just on his way to take it there so we don’t want to keep him waiting.”
Luna promptly moved to escort her fellow princess into the room. “Come on in and have breakfast while you tell me all about your time in the Crystal Empire” She made shooing motions behind Cadence’s back until the guard had gotten out of the room and closed the door.
“I didn’t even get breakfast this morning,” grumbled the guard while he got a good grip on the box’s ribbon and started flying.
The box burped. “I did.”
“Shut up,” said the guard. “I’m taking you to Twilight Sparkle, like I was ordered.”
* ♥ *
“Oh, a Hearth’s Warming gift from Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!” Princess Twilight Sparkle nearly danced around the Royal Guard carrying the large box while Spike stood to one side, out of immediate trampling range. “I wonder what’s in it! Should I go stick it under the tree and open it tomorrow?”
“I’d open it today,” said the box in a muffled voice.
“Wait.” Twilight eyed the guard, who was slowly edging away. “What did they send me?”
“Hey, it’s a changeling,” said Spike, who had taken advantage of Twilight’s distraction to open the box and look inside. “That’s unique.”
“My own changeling?” Twilight looked into the box with a smile that turned rapidly into a terrified frown. “Oh, no! My parents are coming over today for Hearth’s Warming!”
“I’m sure they’re very loving ponies,” said the changeling. “I’d love to meet them.”
“Your mom will freak,” said Spike. “Want me to go over to Rarity’s and get her started on a wedding dress?”
“No!” Twilight turned her disapproval on the little dragon. “Mom’s not that obsessed about finding me a coltfriend. Really!”
“I’m a mare,” said the changeling, peeking over the side of the box. “But I’m open to that kind of relationship, provided there’s love in it.”
“No, I don’t want a relationship with a changeling,” snapped Twilight before casting a determined look at the guard, who started to immediately backpeddle.
“Don’t look at me! I’m… married already.”
The changeling snorted. “Ha!”
“Not a guard either!” protested Twilight. “Just… I’ll bet Applejack would appreciate having somepony out at the farm to help out this winter.”
Spike rolled his eyes. “Is this anything like the way you hide Brussel Sprouts in your napkin every time we visit your parents?”
“No!” Twilight slammed the lid back down on the box before the changeling could crawl out. “It’s a gift.”
Oh, this is going to be glorious!
I want. Give it to me now.
Oh man. That was some good Spike.
They don't have Goodwill store? Sad. I send the gifts my family sends me that I can't use to that place, or to a local rescue mission. Surely someone can use a set of flannel sleepwear sized for a man twice my weight, for instance. I'll get around to it. It's been sitting in a plastic shopping bag under my couch since last Christmas, just in case anyone in the family writes to ask about it.
I believe I already see Chrysalis's true plan. Clever bug...
i love the art work this is grate.