The light snowfall coated Ponyville in a thin, white blanket. But despite the small amount of snow, it was very cold outside, just below thirty degrees fahrenheit. Even so, it was optimal weather for Hearth’s Warming Eve.
Most of the town’s residents were at home, either with friends or family, preparing food for each other. There were a small amount of ponies out and about through the town taking of advantage of last second deals before the holiday that arrives tomorrow.
One pony in particular, Applejack, was a vendor, still out with her apple cart, trying to sell apples to the citizens of town at a bargain price. She was only supposed to have the cart open from eleven in the morning to about three in the afternoon. It was currently twelve and she was shivering cold. She thought the weather wouldn’t be that bad for a heavy coat, so she grabbed a lighter one. Oh boy, how wrong was she.
Her hooves have gone numb to the cold ground, her teeth were chattering so much, they could be mistaken as maracas, and the rest of her body was quaking. In short, she was cold.
“C-c-c-come g-g-g-get some a-a-a-apples, preserved from the f-f-f-fall. Still j-j-just as tasty and c-c-c-crunchy from then. Three apples f-f-f-for one b-b-b-bit!” she proclaimed to any passing ponies, or to those within earshot. Within the past hour of her short shift, she only got three ponies to buy her products. Though it was only three customers, they graciously paid for a lot of apples. One customer was Cheerilee, who can not get enough of Sweet Apple Acres apples; another customer being Caramel, who said he was making some holiday apple pies and needed a large amount of them, and the most recent customer was Mrs. Cake, who wanted some apples for some new holiday treats.
Though shaken and cold to the bone, Applejack was still able to fathom a smile on her face. A happy vendor means happy patrons. Even if it was forced happiness.
“G-g-g-g-goodness gracious,” she muttered to herself. “I should’ve expected c-c-colder weather. D-d-dang it all.” She looked around the town very briefly and there was only a few ponies in her peripheral. “Well, at l-l-least there are s-s-still some po-po-po-po-potential customers out and ab-ab-about.”
“Applejack!” a voice called out to her. Applejack turned her head to see a happy looking Starlight Glimmer in a nice, warm teal jacket, saddle bags on her sides, and some shopping bags floating around in her magic. “Happy Hearth’s Warming!”
“H-howdy there S-s-s-starlight!. Happy H-h-hearth’s Warming,” Applejack said, shaken. “What’s w-w-with those b-b-bags?”
“Just taking advantage of some last minute deals. Got some great gifts. Got Spike a new coffee maker for only eleven bits! Such a great bargain.”
“S-s-s-sweet Celestia!”
“I know, right? Got a lot of other good things too. What are you doing out here in the market?” The unicorn looked to the farm pony, who was shivering uncontrollably and her nose was looking a little red.
“Doing a s-s-short sale my s-s-self. Three apples for one b-b-bit. Interested?” Starlight looked at the red fruits that were on display, looking as fresh as they did back in the beginning of fall.
“Sure! I’ll take four bits worth.”
“That’s one d-d-d-dozen right there. Wanna b-b-b-bag for that?”
“Sure.” The apple pony grabbed a paper bag from the back of the cart, opened it and carefully placed the appropriate amount of apples in it. She gave them to Starlight and in return, she pulled out four bits from her saddle bag and gave them to Applejack. She collected the gold coins and put them in a wooden bit box, where the other bits were. “How’s business today?”
“T-t-t-to be honest, n-n-n-not that b-b-b-bad,” Applejack answered. “Got a f-f-f-few ponies to buy some Apples today.” Starlight didn’t respond to her answer. She was looking at Applejack’s coat, it appeared to be a rather thin coat to wear in such cold temperatures. “S-s-s-starlight?”
“Huh?” She snapped back to reality. “Oh, sorry. I was just looking at your coat. Isn’t it rather thin to wear with the weather right now?”
“Yeah...I d-d-d-d-didn’t think I would need th-th-th-that heavy of a coat, but I was w-w-w-wrong.”
“Can’t you just go back home and grab a thicker coat?”
“Can’t l-l-l-leave the c-c-c-cart all by i-i-i-i-itself.”
“Hmm.” Starlight brought a hoof to her to her chin, and looked down in thought. Her face brightened up. She brought one of her floating bags close to her and pulled out a thick, green jacket. To the shivering farm pony, it looked nice and warm to wear. “Here, you can have it.” Applejack’s eyes go wide with surprise.
“Wh-wh-wh-what?”
“I kind of got a little carried away when I stopped by ‘Coats, Coats and Coats.’ Couldn’t help myself to those deals. Consider it my Hearth’s Warming gift to you.”
“Aww, S-s-s-starlight!” Engrossed with joy gratitude, she lunges herself towards Starlight and gave her a hug, savoring her warmth at the same time. Starlight let out a quick, little giggle and reciprocated the hug. They stayed in an embrace for just a small moment and let go. Starlight levitated the new coat to Applejack, and she quickly took hold of it. She tore off any visible tags with her teeth and put it on faster than Rainbow Dash could fall asleep. To her surprise, she felt instant warmth.
“That coat is made with a special type of fabric,” Starlight pointed out. “It’ll channel your body heat to keep you nice and toasty.”
“That’s some fancy stuff right there.”
“I know right! I’ll keep you nice and warm for the rest of your sale, and throughout the holidays.”
“Well Starlight, I greatly appreciate it. Thank you very much for your gift.”
“You’re welcome Applejack. Happy Hearth’s Warming.”
“Happy Hearth’s Warming, Starlight. Thanks again.”
“It’s no problem.” For a small moment, there was a pass of silence between them, until Starlight spoke up. “Well, I should head back to the castle. I promised Spike and Twilight a game of poker tonight. Appleoosa Hold ‘Em. They don’t know that I am the best Appleoosa Hold ‘Em player, ever.” Very proudly, Starlight thumped a hoof to her chest and pointed her nose in the sky.
“Heh, well best of luck to ya Starlight. Tell Spike and Twilight I said ‘Happy Hearth’s Warming’ for me.”
“Sure thing Applejack. Take care now!” Starlight turned around and started to trot home, but making sure to wave the farm pony goodbye as she did so. Applejack returned the wave back to the unicorn, gratitude full in her heart. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the jacket or not, but she felt warm and fuzzy in the pit of her belly, grateful for Starlight’s gift.
“So nice of her,” she mumbled to herself. Feeling the joy swell up in her a little, a non forced, and big, smile came upon her face as she proclaimed to the town, without shivering and stammering: ”Come by some apples! Three for one bit!”