//------------------------------// // Home and Hearth (Twilight) Part 1 // Story: dC/dt ≠ 0 // by I Thought I Was Toast //------------------------------// Changing Times’ Notes: Holidays: they are the days we take a moment to celebrate, to commemorate, to commiserate, to mourn. All are welcome, but some stand out more than others. Hearth's Warming, in particular, is a holiday all ponies, both young and old, look forward to with fondness. It is the ultimate celebration of harmony – of the unification of the three tribes. It is a time of joy and jubilation, centered around one of the darkest times in pony history, the icy terror of the windigos was still told as part of the ceremonial story. The fact that we made it through – that we learned to accept all ponies no matter their tribe – is a miracle worth celebrating. It makes me wonder, though. Someday in the far off – or maybe even near – future, there will be those who wish to commemorate what we’ve gone through to achieve integration. It may even be starting to happen as I write this. In Manehatten, there are talks of an official, crown sanctioned day to remember those who fell in the riots. To be honest, I’m not sure how to feel about it. I want my friends to be remembered, yet I could never imagine such a holiday as being a happy occasion like Hearth’s Warming. It would merely be a day dedicated to the darkness, to mourning what was lost. We need another holiday – a sign of joy and unity that will let us celebrate that we succeeded despite whatever darkness reared its ugly head. A holiday celebrating the royal wedding, perhaps. Home and Hearth: A Report by Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria There are several milestones to a relationship – certain dreaded inevitabilities. One of them is being introduced to the parents of your paramour. Thankfully – on Mo’s end – we had nothing to worry about. Neither of us cared if Chrysalis disapproved. It was rather different on my end, however. My parents had been in Canterlot during the invasion; they had seen what Chrysalis did to me, my brother and their soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Now that our relationship was real and I’d had time to think on it, it was completely nerve wracking to consider whether or not they approved. There hadn’t been any correspondence of any kind from them on the matter despite months of media coverage, and I couldn’t help but worry at the implications. As luck would have it, though, Hearth’s Warming was approaching. After the chaos of the riots, that was something I deeply needed, and I was hoping that maybe – just maybe – that it would also be the perfect time to introduce Mo to my folks. The train ground to a halt in Canterlot Station, and my thoughts rushed to a stop with it. The doors opened with a hiss, blinding us with the cold light of the winter sun, and I wrapped my wing more tightly around Wicked. “I can’t do this….” My muscles were tense, my tail twitched, and I stared at the door to the royal carriage, unable to move. “Relax, Twilight.” Wicked nuzzled— No. Mo nuzzled? I wasn’t always sure which name I should use when he was guised as Wicked anymore. Did the Chrysaling change that? My coltfriend nuzzled me briefly as he pulled himself out from under my wing. “I’ve already dealt with your overprotective brother. Ve’re sure I can deal with your parents after that.” “Ha! Shows what you know!” Spike hopped down from his seat. “There’s a reason Shining and Cadance kept their relationship a secret for so long.” “Really?” Morpheus arched his brow. “Ve would have assumed that was just the typical difficulties that came from Cadance being royalty and your family being made up of  – despite all your talents and accolades – commoners.” “Nah. They’re pretty bad. I’m going to just love watching you wiggle out of being grilled for grandfoals,” Spike cackled. “Oh, even better! With Shining and Cadance coming, you’ll be squirming twice as much when they ask about the wedding!” “Foals?” The whistling whir of Mo’s voice broke through the illusion, and his wings gave a discordant chirp. “Spike, please! I’m trying not to panic! I know you don’t really approve, but it’s not nice to— Oh, sweet Celestia, did I remember to tell Shining and Cadance about us? I don’t think I did.” My wing twitched, aching to reach out and snatch Mo back up. “That’s going to be one hay of a Hearth’s Warming present.” “Oh, dear…” he muttered with a frown. “Cadance is sure to be… intense.” With my legs locking up, he had to pull me up and lean me on himself just to get us out of the car. “Come along, Hera, Bulwark.” “Yes, My Lord.” Hera stood to follow as a bulky tan pegasus mare. The mountain of an earth pony next to her gave a low, gravelly grumble, and she flicked him with her tail. “It doesn’t matter if Prince Morpheus is not your princess, nor if she’s stuck in another castle. You have orders to follow both My Lord and Princess Twilight, so show some proper respect. Oh, right, my guard. It wouldn’t do any good to just leave him here – no matter how much I wanted to. Bulwark was one of the guard’s more massive members with his broad shoulders and barrel chest, but he was quieter than a mouse. It was kind of unnerving, really, how often I forgot he was there until something brought him jarringly back into my mind. I couldn’t wait to pick my own guard just to give him back to Celestia. Or maybe I wouldn’t… once I picked out my own guard, I’d end up with more than just one guard. Stupid Antiquity and her stupid riots. This was all her fault. “You forgot he was there again, didn’t you?” Mo tsked before leaning in to peck my cheek and whisper in my ear. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t like having a guard, but trust me it gets easier. Do you want to give him the slip?” “I don’t want him here,” I huffed, “and, no offense, but the same goes for Hera.” The cold mountain air bit into me as we exited the train, causing me to lean further into Wicked. The station wasn’t quite swarming with ponies, but it was busy enough that we would have to search for my parents. “I want this meeting to go well, and two giant, hulking guards are not going to help.” I cast my gaze about for a hint of white or blue. My parents had to be here somewhere, and I’d much rather find them before they found me. “If that’s what you really want…” Mo sighed. “Hera, execute—” he gave several clicks, whistles and whirs in Chitri, the illusion around his face briefly blurring in the process, “—and take Bulwark with you.” Bulwark grunted, eyes narrowing at us – or rather, at Mo. Hera hesitated for just a moment, looking between us. She saluted, but there was a stiffness to it. “Ve believe that most unwise, but it shall be as you wish, My Lord. Shall I teach him the ropes?” “Please do.” Mo gestured to the earth pony. “Make sure he understands what needs to be done, and the consequences for discovery.” Hera nodded, brusquely pulling Bulwark to the side and whispering in his ear. Said ear flicked. Once. Twice. Thrice. Then, his eyes widened slightly. He glared at us, snorted, and pushed himself away from Hera to walk towards the front of the station. “Alright, what did you just do?” I arched my brow. “I made a compromise,” he muttered, watching Hera follow Bulwark with a frown. “That doesn’t answer my question.” I poked him with my hoof. “What. Did. You. Do?” He rolled his eyes. “Relax, Twilight. You said you wanted them gone, so I made sure they were gone – or at least the closest to that Hera allows. They’re out of sight, and therefore out of mind.” “But they’re still here somewhere, watching us?” Spike looked from side to side, scrutinizing the crowd our guards had disappeared into. “Why do I feel like that’s even worse?” “Not everypony can be happy with it.” Mo shrugged. “I know for a fact that Hera hates playing stalker. It makes her job over a hundred times harder. However, she also knows that sometimes I – or you, in this case – need space.” “That doesn’t explain why Bulwark is going along with this.” I frowned, going back to looking for my parents as we talked. Mo hummed. “From what I could hear, she relayed him my original threat to her from when the two of us first established this practice.” “Which was?” The frown shifted into a smile as my lips twitched upwards. “Simple.” He grinned back. “If she didn’t give me the space I needed, then I would do everything in my power to get away from her for a bit. Run away. Teleport. Fly into the sunset. You name it. I made it the easier option to just give me some space.” “Huh….” I blinked. “And that worked?” “Their job is to keep you safe and happy.” Mo chuckled. “You aren’t just a prisoner in need of watching twenty-four, seven. Just make sure you apologize and thank them them for this when all is said and done. Ve know all too well just how much more difficult their jobs are from a distance.” “I’ll put it on my checklist.” I turned to peck him on the cheek. “Right next to properly thanking you.” “Twilight! Twilight? Well, would you look at that?! All those newspapers and magazines were actually right for once!” The familiar voice of my dad came from off to our right.. My ears splayed back across my head as I pulled away from the kiss. “Of course they’d show up now…. Better than Shining and Cadance, I suppose….” “You think the other rumors are true, then? It’s so hard to imagine our little sparkling star in a herd. Still… a herd would mean more grandfoals.” My mom had the most ridiculous pair of fluffy earmuffs on – all covered in little purple stars and moons. I sighed. “Hi, Mom…. Hi, Dad….” “Oh, it’s been too long!” My mom cantered up to pull me away from Mo, and into a bone crushing hug. “I stopped by a few months ago.” I squirmed slightly. “I’m sorry it isn’t more, but you know how busy I am.” “Oh, you were certainly busy last time.” Dad winked at me before turning an appraising eye on Wicked. “Spike’s jokes about a sparkling vampony coltfriend are seeming far more real all of a sudden.” Spike snickered. “Oh, don’t think I’ve forgotten you, little guy!” Mom bodily lifted Spike into the hug with her telekinesis. “How have your dreams been lately?” “They’re great!” Spike laughed. “Better than great, actually! After everything in Manehatten, I thought I wouldn’t get any sleep for sure, but Princess Luna has been such a big help.” “Well, we’ll need to make sure to send her something for Hearth’s Warming.” Mom hummed, stroking my mane and Spike’s fins. “Already sent the sisters their gift.” I grinned smugly, pulling back towards Mo. “They’re getting a non-debatable vacation to Whinny World – including one of the more luxurious spas and hotels.” Ruffling my wings I puffed out my chest. “They won’t even need to raise the sun and moon! I’ve got that covered, and Mo here promised body doubles to handle the rest of their work. All they need to do is set a date, and we’ll do the rest.” “That’s great, champ! I mean, look at you.” He smiled with far too many teeth showing. “Only a few years as a princess and you’re already dating an evil overlord and throwing your first coup d’etat!” “W-what?!” I sputtered. “Dad! I would never—” “Ve believe your father is merely joking.” Morpheus quickly cut in, tilting his head to the side. “At least, I think so…. It might also be a test of my character, now that ve think on it.” “Oh dear….” Mom giggled, putting Spike on her back. “I can see you picked somepony just like yourself. Is he going to over analyse every word we say like you did the last time you brought a colt home?” “I did not overthink things!” I huffed. “Also, you never confirmed nor denied that you weren’t testing my coltfriend – now or back then.” “Not everything is a test, Twilight.” Dad chuckled, picking up our luggage. “You should know this by now.” “Of course, that’s exactly what you would say regardless of whether or not you were testing me.” Mo hummed. “Knowing I’m being tested would skew the data, after all. What did they do when you brought Flash home, Twilight?” “Well, they asked questions, teased us a bit, made dinner….” I squinted at the ponies in question. “Basically, they followed the gist of a generic sub-plot from any one of Rarity’s less risqué romantic comedies, the one’s where the parents are always testing the coltfriend.” There was a brief chuckle from my coltfriend. “Aren’t you the one who always says those books are unrealistic?” “They are!” I stomped a hoof. “That’s why it was suspicious!” “It could just be they were being excellent hosts….” Morpheus scratched his chin. “Ve guess ve need more data to know for sure.” “Ah, he doesn’t just overthink everything! He also thinks things through!” Dad slapped Morpheus on the back. “Heh… more data…. I like this one already, Twilight.” “That’s… great!” Was that progress or was it just part of the test? I didn’t know, but I was going to take it. As we walked out of the station, the air turned even chillier. The wind was rather fierce today, and I soon found myself leaning into Mo for warmth. My parents walked next to Mo – likewise leaning together – and started peppering him with all sorts of questions. I… didn’t want to stress myself further, so I took a break from listening to look out on the streets. The stone streets were all shoveled, thankfully. The earth ponies must have been through just this morning, too. Little bits of salt dotted the road to help with the last of the ice, and the piles of snow on the sides of the road were tall and untouched. They wouldn’t stay that way for long, either. There were already a few foals out making snow ponies or snow forts or even – in the case of one filly – snow cones. “No, Marigold! Don’t eat the yellow snow!” I giggled. “No, Crescent! Don’t lick the salt on the road! You’re too young for that!” I laughed. “Thinking about foals already, hmm?” Ahhh! When did Mom and Dad switch sides?! I jumped a few meters off the ground into a clumsy hover before shakily fluttering back down on Mo’s other side. Snaking my head around him, I glared at my parents and Spike – the dragon gleefully chortling at my mom’s question. “No. It’s far too soon for that.” I shook my head. “Besides, I don’t think Mo can give you grandfoals exactly the way you’re thinking of.” “Funny thing about that.” My coltfriend – completely missing the hint – blushed beyond his capability to conceal and looked toward the sky. “I was talking to Lyra, and she said my new—” he coughed, “—equipment, is fully functional. I can, in fact, sire foals now.” Yes, I already know that, Morpheus. Lyra already told me when I grilled her for details on the Chrysalings. You should know that. I refuse to believe that Hivemind of yours didn’t consider that, so why did you have to say that?! He grinned sheepishly at me. “What? I’m not saying we make them now! Ve just figured your parents would be happy knowing it’s an option! I gave him a look, and he blinked his haws. “Oh… You wanted me to— Yes. Ahem. Sorry—” he coughed again, “—I just figured that you’d want me to… Perhaps I should be quiet.” He squirmed away slightly, and I immediately brought him back with my wing. Spike had apparently gotten Dad to dig out his gem stash from the luggage; he crunched on the stones like popcorn, watching us with a grin. “No foals,” I grumbled, turning back to my parents. “And before you ask, no we don’t have a wedding planned, either.” “Actually, my next question was if you were using protection. You know, since you don’t want foals yet.” Dad narrowed his eyes. “Quite a lot of stories in the paper about the unsavory things changelings do to get a little love.” “Most of those are complete fabrications, ve assure you.” Mo bowed his head. “There are a few changelings who, admittedly, have certain tastes, but they are the minority.” The scrutinization continued. “Would it help if I told you ve plan to take things slow?” My coltfriend cocked his head to the side. “It might.” My father nodded warily. “Then again—” he smiled, “—you’re both consenting adults, so I suppose it doesn’t really matter.” “You’re sure this isn’t a test?” I huffed. Dad laughed, shaking his head. “Well, excuse me for wanting to play the overprotective father figure. Would you rather I share embarrassing stories from when you were little?” “You wouldn’t.” I frowned. “We aren’t even back at the house yet.” “But everypony loves the potted plant story! Come on. It’ll be fun.” He turned to Mo. “So back when she got her cutie mark, she turned her mother and myself into potted plants. Perfectly normal for such a massive magical surge, if a bit uncomfortable. Obviously, we got better, but that spell lingered on for quite awhile without us knowing. Every month – when the moon was full and high in the sky – the magic would stir and we’d…” Oh, look, Canterlot Castle! What an interesting distraction! The castle staff had really outdone themselves this year. The swirls and spirals of ice painting the walls glimmered spectacularly in the sun, while icicles were hung like ornaments around the roofs and windowsills. No doubt the halls were lined with festive banners and holly – the smell of cookies pervading the air as the kitchens churned them out in hundreds. I could stare at it for hours if need be. Or maybe… I flicked an ear. “...and nopony knew until one night when the full moon coincided with a thunderstorm.” Dad chuckled. “Twilight, bless her tiny soul, tried to sneak into our room for comforting snuggles only to find herself getting cozy with a cactus when she climbed under the covers! Poor Shining was completely lost when he…” Yeah, no. Back to ignoring Dad being Dad. Oh! Was that Fifth Street’s giant candy cane? That would mean we were close to— Yes! There it was! The smell of Madame Butterhoove’s legendary gingerbread! I glanced at my parents to see their full attention was on Mo. It’d be tricky, but… Gingerly lighting my horn, I picked Spike up in my telekinesis. He squirmed a little at the sudden ride, causing Mom to look over, but she shrugged, smiled and went back to giggling at Dad’s story when I put him on my back. “Listen carefully, Spike,” I whispered. “I need you to head across the street and buy a gingerbread house for me.” “What?! But Dad’s in the middle of embarrassing the horseapples out of you!” Spike hissed back. “I’m not going to miss this!” “Language, Spike!” I frowned. “And what’s so wrong with helping me? You’re my number one assistant, after all. We both know I have no hope of escape, but you…” I trailed off. “Look, I was going to share, but we’ll make it two gingerbread houses – one for each of us. Celestia knows I’ll need something to get me through this.” “Just the two of us?” Spike arched a brow. “Morpheus won’t get any?” “I snuck a glance to the side and Mo subtly shrugged his shoulders, telling me he could hear and was fine with whatever. I dreaded the grin upon his face, though. He was far too amused by Dad’s story. “Yeah, sure. No cookies for Mo.” My eyes locked back onto Spike and I smiled. “Hrmm….” Spike scratched his chin with a claw. “Deal!” With lightning speed, he was heading back towards the confectionary. I chuckled at the sight before bringing my head back around to check in on the dreaded conversation. “...and so – to make a long story short – the cactus in the living room is technically Twilight’s little brother.” Oh, thank Celestia, it was over. “Now, let me tell you about the time—” “And here we have home sweet home!” I gestured to the small brick building squeezed between the two larger houses flanking it. “Oh, my poor, little Twilight.” Mom pouted. “Night, I do believe that’s enough for now. Just look at the poor dear’s mane!” My mane? What was wrong with my mane? I looked to Mo, who shrugged. Nothing? Mom’s horn lit up and began to thoroughly comb me with her telekinesis. Yep. Noth— Ow! I flinched as Mom hit a well hidden knot. “There! All better!” Mom thankfully released me. Freakish parental perception powers. “You know, it never ceases to amaze us how humble your origins are.” Mo looked to the cozy, quaint, little home with something approaching reverence in his eyes. “And now I get to see it for myself. You started here as a unicorn, in this—” he gestured strongly with one hoof at the building, “—and ended up in Castle, a princess, with these.” He gently brushed a hoof through one of my wings. “It’s just so…” he bit his chops, “...incredibly improbable, and I love it.” “Such a flatterer.” Dad chuckled as he unlocked the door and ushered us in. “Is that how you won her over, Morpheus?” “That may have been part of it,” Mo hummed. “Personally, ve believe it to have happened so gradually that no one factor dominates.” “Factors?” Mom tutted as she put her earmuffs in the closet. “You poor dear…. You’re just like Twilight was the first time around. Love is not a math problem.” She squinted at me. “Which reminds me! How many pages of notes are you up to?” “What?!” I blushed, waving a hoof dismissively. “I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about!” Mo turned to look at me. “Really? Ve’re pretty sure their talking about all the notes on me you had catalogued in that journal under your bed.” “You know about those?” I squeaked, head rearing back, eyes wide. “Of course!” He nodded before cocking his head to the side. “Why? Were they supposed to be a secret?” “Yes, they were supposed to be a secret!” I brought a hoof to my forehead to massage it. “Couldn’t you tell?!” “Twilight…” Mo tsked. “You didn’t even have a ward on it. I thought it had just fallen off your bedside table.” “That doesn’t mean—” I began to mutter. “Besides, it’s not that big a deal, is it? It’s only twelve pages last we checked.” He shrugged. “My own notebook is at least twice as long as yours.” He had a notebook on me? An actual, honest to Celestia notebook that wasn’t part of the hivemind? I grinned triumphantly – a bubbly warmth infusing me as I giggled. “You hear that, Mom? He has one too! You can’t lecture me on mine because he’s keeping one and he thinks it’s normal! It’s perfectly fair if we’re both doing it!” Mo shook his head, bringing around his head to nuzzle me briefly. “I wouldn’t say normal, but, then again, we’re not a very normal couple” Mom gave a mighty sigh. “And there goes all my hard work…. Still, I suppose it’s alright.” She smiled slightly. “As long as you’re both happy.” “Auntie Twilight!” A flurry of pink feathers rocketed out of the living room and into my side. “You didn’t come to see me last time you visited!” Oh…. Whoops. I had been rather busy sorting Mo and my brother out, hadn’t I? The little alicorn pulled back to look around. “Where’s my new uncle Mo Mo?” Uncle? But I hadn’t told Cadance or Shining?! “I’m right here.” Morpheus thrummed as he dropped his disguise – wings flicking from their cases to chirp once or twice. He shuffled from hoof to hoof as he warily watched my niece, and I arched an eyebrow at the sight. “Have you… met?” I ruffled my wings. “Briefly,” my coltfriend muttered. “She hugged me thinking I was Shining and I had a small heart attack as punishment.” That left me with more questions than answers. “She’s been looking forward to Hearth’s Warming ever since you both left.” Cadance was smiling as she walked into the hall. “Been bragging to all the staff that she has a new uncle.” Mo chuckled. “Oh? And you didn’t correct her?” Cadance’s grin grew smug. “I didn’t see the need to then, and I certainly don’t see the need to now.” Ah! I forgot she could just sense love! How far was the range on that? Did it go through walls? Did Shining already— My brother walked in from the living room and settled into archway to glare at Morpheus the exact same way he had glared at Flash when I first brought him home. Yes. Yes, my brother almost certainly knew, and I wasn’t the one to tell him. That was going to make things so much worse. At least he wasn’t glaring like he had when he’d first met Mo. Diplomacy check don’t fail me now!