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// [Non-canon] Intermission: A Day in the Life... 
// Story: A Song of Transformation 
// by Honey Lavender 
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It's a frigid morning in Ponyville, with Winter having been brought into full swing almost a month prior. Alighting on one of the many grey clouds I'd helped move into place, I pause to reflect on the events of the past several months, even as a shiver rakes through my body. As cold as it is on the ground, it's much more noticeable just a few thousand feet up. Taking my scarf in my teeth, I pull it tighter in an attempt to retain more of my body heat; I may have grown a thicker coat for the Winter, but that doesn't change that the weather is colder than I'd been used to.

"I thought I'd find you up here," a familiar voice calls out. I look over in time to see Rainbow Dash push another cloud nearby before settling down on it in very much the same way I'm resting on mine. "What's on your mind?"

"Not much," I respond with a sigh. "I was just wondering what's happening back on Earth... I mean, it IS just a couple weeks away from Christmas, after all..."

"What's this 'Christmas' thing you're talking about?" she asks.

"Well... best I can tell from what you and Twilight have told me about pony holidays, it's our equivalent to Hearth's Warming. Except instead of celebrating the founding of our society, it's a day to spend with one's family," I explain, staring at nothing in particular off in the distance. "I just can't help but wonder..."

"You're worried about your folks back home, aren't you?"

I look Dash in her magenta eyes, attempting to determine her motivation for such a question. They betray a certain degree of concern... but also sorrow, for some reason. Almost like she pities me for my "loss," if it can really be considered as much.

"Truthfully? Yes," I begin. "I am. This will be the first year that I've spent away from them... I'm worried about how they're taking it. Especially since I won't return... I just don't know, Dash. I don't know..."

I return my gaze to the distance, taking in the view of everything, and yet nothing. I feel a wing extend over my back as Rainbow draws me closer, and for a time we just remain there, staring off into the distance. Finally, almost a half hour later, she withdraws her wing and stands up; my cue to do the same.

"Come on... Pinkie Pie's got the perfect cure for this cold weather," she offers. "Besides; you don't want to miss out on her hot chocolate. It's the best stuff you'll ever taste, AJ's cider aside." That's enough to draw a grin from me, as I recall the sweet substance I had sampled at harvest time.

"Okay, then. You win," I tease, blowing Dash a raspberry. "Last one there buys."

"Oh, it is ON!"

I take off with a shout, Rainbow hot on my trail. Of course, I'll let her win... it's become something of a ritual anyway. After all, it's just another day in my life as a pony.