//------------------------------// // Rthö Pxaeüf: Harvest Day Date // Story: CYCLED // by The REAL Mister Pkmn //------------------------------// Twilight woke the next morning to find a letter being handed to her by Spike. She took it in her magic, and saw that is had an azure seal embossed with Trixie’s Cutie Mark. Twilight gave a little chuckle at that as she opened the letter to read. “Dear Twilight, “I know that I haven’t been keeping as I should. I must admit that at first it was because I was jealous. Though, I’m better now that Sapph has been talking me through my misgivings. It’s amusing that you thought it would be me in your place as Maestro’s fillyfriend. I must admit… I thought the same way for quite some time. But, such is not the case now. I think… my affection for him is petering off now. I have come to accept that I will only ever be his friend. Though… I think I’ve found somepony else. I’ll be popping by Ponyville in a week or so, once my show in Manehattan is finished. “Your friend, Trixie Lulamoon.” Twilight smiled. It was good to know that Trixie was doing well. Though, it was a bit surprising that she had moved on so quickly. Who was the lucky stallion then? She supposed that she could just wait until Trixie stopped by. As she was putting the letter away, a knock came from her front door. A bit curious, she went down to answer and see who it was. She opened it to see that it was her coltfriend, Maestro. “Mae-Mae! Is it Harvest Day already? I wasn’t aware…” He came into the library, and Prism followed him in. He gave a chuckle. “Well, time does tend to get away from us some times. I hope you don’t mind that I brought Prism… She hasn’t seen Spike in a while, so she’s been kind of eager.” At that, Prism blushed. “Dad! Must you do that?” Maestro ruffled her spines a bit. “Aw, don’t be like that. You know I only tease you a bit because I care.” He smiled as Spike came into the room. “Speaking of your boyfriend…” Prism lumbered over to Spike. “Spikey! Oh, it’s been too long…” She gave him a hug. “Sorry that I haven’t been in touch… helping dad with his shop is pretty much a full-time job.” Spike hugged back. “I missed you too, Prizzy. I knew that the wait would be worth it…” At that, Twilight let out a chuckle as she raised an eyebrow. “Oh? That’s not what I heard. You kept debating if she’d left you.” At that remark, Spike fumed as he was released from the hug. “Hey! That doesn’t mean that I gave up on her. I’ve been waiting this long, haven’t I?” Maestro gave a nod. “You do have a point, Spike.” He then jerked his head towards the kitchen. “Say, since you forgot that today was Harvest Day, I’ll get dinner going. Is that alright, my Sparks?” Twilight blushed and gave a nod. “Sure! Mind if I ask what’s on the menu?” Maestro grinned as he teleported in his portfolio. “Oh, you’re gonna love this.” He unzipped it, and rummaged through it for a bit using his magic. He then proceeded to pull out the following: a pumpkin cheesecake, a bowl of salad with all sorts of fixings mixed in, an uncooked turkey- most likely for Prism and Spike-, and some sort of strange bread-like food that Twilight was unfamiliar with. He opened the oven, and popped in the turkey. He set the oven with quick-set, and left the turkey to cook. He set the salad and bread-like substance on the table as Twilight was finishing setting it. She raised an eyebrow as he set the cheesecake on the counter. “Are you sure that this will be enough? My family always eats a lot on Harvest Day…” Maestro chuckled. “Oh, my Sparks. You haven’t seen the best part.” Once more, he reached into his portfolio, and rummaged a bit. He frowned. “Hm. That’s odd. It was in here…” He rummaged a bit more before his face lit up. “Aha! Here we are.” He pulled out a pie, and judging by the aroma it was cranberry. He set it carefully down on the counter next to the cheesecake. He spoke with confidence. “Old recipe that I got as a gift when I left the orphanage. Prism likes it, and I hope that you do too. I only whip it out twice a year- for Harvest Day and Hearth’s Warming.” Twilight, Spike and Prism sat down at the table while Maestro pulled the turkey out of the oven. Maestro set it down, and Prism spoke up. “I think I’ll go first. I’m grateful for my dad. Who if he had not found my egg out in that storm, I would likely not be here today.” She grabbed a turkey leg and pried it onto her plate as Maestro dished out the salad to everyone. Spike shrugged. “Well, I’m grateful for my spunky girlfriend. Without her, I might be still pining for somebody that I cannot have.” He grabbed the other turkey leg and put it on his plate as Maestro served up the bread-like substance. Twilight went next. “I know that it’s cheesy, but I’m grateful for my family. I’m glad that they raised me the way they did.” She saw Maestro’s pained look. “Oh! Sorry Mae-Mae. I know family is a… sore subject for you.” He shook his head. “It’s alright. I’m used to it. As for what I’m grateful for…” He looked around the room. “My friends. Without whom, I would fall into darker paths.” He raised a glass that was full of pear cider. “To all the things we have that we are grateful for.” They chatted amicably through the night, Twilight commenting about the “stuffing” as Maestro had called it. Once the main course finished, the cheesecake and pie were cut and shared. And for once, when it all was over… Maestro stayed the night.