//------------------------------//
// Seven 
// Story: The Iron Ho-Ho-Horse: Hearth's Warming By The Numbers 
// by The Hat Man 
//------------------------------//

Turing Test came down from her room (one of the many unoccupied guest rooms in the house) and passed by the parlor. She paused when she saw 004 standing there silently and staring at something.

“004?” she asked. “What are you doing?”

He turned to look at her and then pointed at the tall Hearth’s Warming tree erected in the middle of the room.

“Ah, that is a Hearth’s Warming tree,” she said. “It is traditional that each family—”

“Your information is appreciated,” he said, “but unnecessary. I am aware of what it is.”

“Understood,” Turing said. “I assumed you were confused by the sight, as you seemed to be staring at it in confusion.”

004 shook his head. “I was merely interested in the sight. It is a strange thing… cutting down a tree, placing it indoors where it does not typically belong, and then decorating it with colorful orbs…”

“Apparently 001 was even more confused,” Turing said. “Auntie Bellum informed me that she attempted to pick the ‘fruit’ from the tree and make jam from the glass ornaments.”

“I have resigned myself to not understanding many things about the habits of organic ponies,” 004 said. “Though I am learning to enjoy their company, they often act illogically and carry on traditions that make little sense simply because it is how they have always done it.”

Turing nodded. “You are correct. Maud Pie informed me of her Hearth’s Warming traditions and related how Applejack and her family were greatly confused by them. It seems such traditions are not even uniform from one family to another. Still, I find them intriguing.”

004 tilted his head. “Is that so? What is the reason?”

Turing tapped her chin. “I suppose,” she said slowly, “because such traditions and family histories are as unique as they are. Twilight Sparkle, for instance, exchanges a present with Spike the Dragon on Hearth’s Warming Eve due to an incident when the latter was young and impatient. Maud Pie’s family hides presents for members to find. Others build snowponies or go on exotic vacations.”

“Understood,” 004 said. “It sounds enjoyable.”

He lowered his head.

“004? Is something wrong?” she asked, putting a hoof on his shoulder.

“Not physically,” he replied. “However, this year has been a period of difficult change for me. When I was first created, my role was simple: to protect TechQuestria and defeat its enemies. While it was not a rich experience, I felt little to no confusion about my place in society. After my encounters with you and your friends, however, I began to question such matters. Now that I am free, I wonder what role I should fill and find it difficult to fit in with others. Though I do not wish to return to how things were before Father freed us, I do wish that I felt less out of place among others.”

Turing Test leaned against him, putting a foreleg over his shoulders. “I understand completely, Brother,” she said. “I often felt the same way when I lived in Ponyville with Twilight Sparkle. Others feared me or mistrusted me. It was difficult to make friends and find acceptance among organics. Though Twilight and my other friends were a source of great comfort, there were no others like myself that I knew of, and I often felt that nopony could truly understand my struggles.

“That is why, when I first met you, it was one of the happiest moments of my life.”

004 looked down at her. “It was? Truly?”

Turing nodded.

“Even though I attacked you?”

“Ah. That portion of our interaction was less enjoyable. But still, knowing that I was not alone for that brief moment when I first saw you was truly joyful.”

004 leaned down and placed his head against Turing’s. “Sister… thank you for informing me of this. Perhaps, as Equestria’s first family of robots, we may establish a new set of traditions that are all our own.”

Turing nodded. “That sounds like a wonderful idea, Brother.”

From the kitchen up the hall, they heard Auntie Bellum call: “Everypony? It’s time for dinner! I know most of y’all can’t eat, but I’ll not have tradition cast aside in my house!”

The two robots looked at each other. “It seems we have a new tradition to experience,” 004 said.

“Indeed so. Let us go, 004.”