//------------------------------// // Traveler Of The Winter // Story: Snowflakes Of Past Friendships // by Lonely Fanboy48 //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie are placing boxes filled with Hearth's Warming decorations by the front door of the Castle Of Friendship, ready to give them to the citizens so they can put them on the Hearth’s Warming tree in the center of Ponyville. “I think that’s the last of them.” Twilight said. “I know, I can’t wait to see what the Hearth’s Warming tree is gonna look like tonight!” Pinkie cheered. “Are Applejack and the others gonna get back here in time?” “I’m sure they will, they’re just taking their time to get more citizens from the outskirts of Ponyville.” The Princess Of Friendship took out several ornaments in different colors. “Princesses Celestia & Luna are gonna be here tonight and we really want to make this Hearth’s Warming ceremony really memorable.” “What’s the difference? Last year, we had the ceremony at Canterlot and it was just as memorable as it was.” “But do citizens from Canterlot come to Ponyville to be part of the ceremony?” Twilight snarkily asked, giving Pinkie a casual look. “A few are debatable, but not a whole lot.” She placed the ornaments inside her saddle bag. “I guess you're right.” Pinkie putting the Hearth’s Warming lights in her saddle bag. “But at the same time, it would have been sweet to see something unexpected.” As the two ponies put on their winter gear, they placed their saddle bags on their backs. “What do you mean by that?” Twilight put her winter earmuffs on. “I love the Hearth’s Warming holiday more than any other holiday, and I always wanted something new every single year.” “Don’t you think that’s praying for too much? You always pray during this time of year.” This caused Pinkie to give her friend a sorrowed look. “You know it’s always different with every single year that passes right? Not better than the last but still to expect the unexpected.” “Yeah, I guess that is true.” Twilight smiled. “I always think this holiday can be unpredictable in a good way.” “That’s what I just said.” Pinkie walked up to Twilight with her eyes closer to hers. “Expect the UNEXPECTED!” The alicorn backed away from the party pony’s confession. “Maybe we should leave instead of discussing this.” “I’m just being honest.” Pinkie backed away. “But yeah, the citizens are probably waiting for us.” Twilight and Pinkie head to the town square after leaving the Castle Of Friendship. Every single pony is pepearing the ceremony by placing the decorations on trees or making food for the feast inside the town hall. The two walk up to Mayor Mare, who’s been waiting to receive more supplies. “Here’s more decorations.” Twilight opened her saddle bag, using her magic to lift the ornaments out of her saddlebags. “Do you think this is enough?” Pinkie asked, taking out the Hearth’s Warming lights. “It’s okay.” The mayor responded. “By the looks of it, there’s enough ornaments for this one.” She pointed at the biggest tree that was set up by the citizens of Ponyville. “Well that’s a relief.” Twilight commented. “Is there anything else we should get?” “I think we should be fine.” Mayor Mare placed the decorations in the bucket. “Just don’t be late and miss the ceremony.” “Don’t worry, we won’t miss it!” Pinkie cheered. As Twilight and Pinkie leave the town square, they take a walk through Ponyville to see the houses being decorated with families putting on their winter gear. “So what do you want to do to pass the time Pinkie?” Twilight asked. “I don’t know, usually I want to check out what Mr. & Mrs. Cake made for this holiday.” “Well we should wait because it could be a surprise since you're not helping them.” Twilight looked at her surroundings. “I was thinking maybe we should head back to the castle until the cenemory comes. Maybe we can make cupcakes for our friends when they come back.” Pinkie begins to shake in excitement, eager to make more cupcakes like she always does. “For only a few hours!? Perfect idea!” She squealed. As the two friends head back to the Castle Of Friendship, they realize that the block they’re at in Ponyville only has one other pony besides them, who’s sitting on a bench all alone. She’s wearing a hood, disguising her appearance from anypony she comes across. “Is that...a pony over there?” Twilight looking closely. “What’s the deal? That sometimes happens when ponies are lonely during this time of year.” Pinkie commented. “I don’t think this is really the case. Every single citizen from Ponyville and even outside of Ponyville hasn't been like this in years. I expected a filly, but by the looks of it, this pony is too old.” As Pinkie looked closer to the pony, she noticed that her eye color was lighter than darker like everypony else. “She doesn’t seem...depressed whatsoever.” Twilight took her time to think about her choice on either helping the pony or have her handle it on her own. But she made up her mind, knowing that there’s plenty of time before the ceremony comes, she could be the only one missing it. She makes her next move as she walks up to the pony with Pinkie by her side. When she sat by the pony to the left, Pinkie sat on the right, which caused the visitor to take notice. “Sorry to bother you but...do you need any help?” Twilight asked, trying to be kind. The pony slowly looked at the Princess Of Friendship face to face without anything distracting her. “I’m actually waiting for somepony.” She responded. “Who?” Pinkie wondered. “Princesses Celestia and Luna. They’re gonna arrive here later tonight, right?” “Yes, they won’t miss a ceremony involving a holiday like Hearth’s Warming.” Twilight answered. “What’s your name.” “I’m Snowdrop, I left Equestria to go on journeys by myself.” “Why do you want to do that?” Pinkie asked. “I wanted to see more mountains...where more snowflakes fall down. I love winter.” “Well that’s actually nice, creatures usually travel during the seasons.” Twilight said, looking at the snow covering the ground. “How about we take you to our castle so we can continue our conversation?” “Is there anypony in there?” “Well it was until our friends headed out of Ponyville to get citizens from Canterlot and The Crystal Empire.” Pinkie smiled. “Come on! It will be a great way to pass the time.” Snowdrop and Twilight followed Pinkie Pie all the way back to the Castle Of Friendship. “You seem very anxious, huh?” Twilight asked. “I have partial blindness. It’s hard to make friends for myself.” Snowdrop replied. “You don’t have any friends?” “Well...Celestia and Luna are my only friends.” This made Twilight feel very surprised. She may have Celestia as her teacher, but not so much as a friend. She wondered what her time was when she met Celestia and Luna for the first time. Inside the Castle Of Friendship, Twilight, Pinkie and Snowdrop are sitting by the Cutie Map table. “So you’re actually a princess like Celestia and Luna?” “Well...not internally. Let’s just say I’ve done something that hasn’t been done in Equestria history.” Twilight said, looking at her wings. “A lot has happened between us and our friends.” Pinkie added. Snowdrop could only imagine there could only be two princesses in the land she once lived, but it goes to show a lot has happened since she was gone. “So Snowdrop…” Twilight getting the attention from Snowdrop. “When you told me that Celestia and Luna are your only friends...do you wish they were with you on your journeys?” “Well yes, but they’re princesses.” Snowdrop looking at the map where Canterlot is located. “They told me they want to show their support in the season of winter from where they live, so others can receive the recognition.” Twilight looked outside the window with more snowflakes falling from the sky. When it comes to her favorite holiday, she always prefers Spring, but Winter to her feels special, not only for her, but like what her long time friends experienced. “I truly give Winter the recognition, mainly when Hearth’s Warming comes. Without snow, it wouldn’t be the same.” She smiled. “However Princess Celestia never told me who you are.” “She usually keeps her past to herself.” “You mean...like keeping you invisible in the present?” “That seems a rude thing for Celestia to do.” Pinkie frowned. “You do understand that her life isn’t always to be spoken to everypony right?” Snowdrop said in concern. “If I was the ruler of the land, my personal life wouldn’t be that exposed.” Twilight took the words in progress from Snowdrop and saw the point. “I guess you're right.” She responded. “Every creature, whatever if there is a pony or other, sometimes keeps their personal information to themselves.” “But I’m wondering,” Pinkie spoked. “If Celestia and Luna do keep some of their personal information, how are they gonna feel when you meet them again?” Snowdrop took notice from Pinkie’s question. “Oh...I guess I never had a reunion other than with my parents since returning.” “You really are too timid to make any contact with others.” Twilight commented. “I’m not really the best at making more friendships.” The three ponies went into silence when the visitor made her confession. As much as Snowdrop wants to meet the friends she made as a filly, she never had an actual reunion with a friend she missed for so many centuries. Especially where her only friends were the ruler of Canterlot and her sister who appears in the dreams of other ponies. After leaving the room where the Cutie Map is located, Twilight takes Snowdrop to the crystal library. She found a way to help Snowdrop to make a good impression when she meets Celestia and Luna again. “I never imagined that you were able to run a school where creatures can learn more about friendship.” Snowdrop replied, walking by the alicorn. “I’m trying to make Equestria a better place than it was in the past.” Twilight responded. “We’re here because there’s something I want to show you.” As she walks up to the amount of books being placed on the shoves, there’s only one book she took out, thanks to her telekinesis. She places it in front of Snowdrop with a closer look which surprised her. “What’s this?” She blinked. “This is the Journal Of Friendship.” Twilight answered. “This is where me and my friends write friendship lessons during our journeys in Equestria.” “Believe us, we went through a lot to learn what friendship truly means.” Pinkie squealed. “If you read some of the lessons in here, you might be able to make a good impression when you meet Celestia and Luna again.” When Snowdrop grabbed the journal from Twilight, she opened it and felt over the hundreds of pages. She didn’t think there were so many lessons involving Friendship while she was gone. Upon feeling several pages involving the importance of making good impressions, it caused Snowdrop to become interested. “Give me about thirty minutes until I’m ready, you and your friends learnt about some great friendship lessons.” She commented as she sat on the floor.. “Thanks Snowdrop, we'll be in the kitchen if you need us.” Twilight smiled. “We're gonna make Hearth’s Warming cupcakes!” Pinkie cheered. Twilight and Pinkie left the library, giving their visitor some time herself as they prepare to make cupcakes for their friends. “Do you think she’s gonna do well once she meets Celestia and Luna again?” “We'll just find out when she’s ready.” Twilight responded. “I can’t do much for her since Celestia never once told me about her.” Pinkie turned to the door, she and Twilight came out, as well as Snowdrop reading in there. Even for her, she can’t find a solution to help Snowdrop after the centuries, and all the  journeys she took outside of Equestria. She wanted the ceremony to be memorable, not something Snowdrop would want to forget.