//------------------------------//
// Introducing Traditions 
// Story: Equestrian Eeveelution. 
// by Symphonicdysonince 
//------------------------------//

"Leo, could you help me with this?" Rainbow asked, holding a ribbon in her wing tips. Nodding, I jumped onto her back and began threading it through the back of her dress. "Thanks. Ugh, this is the only thing I don't like about this holiday. Why can't I wear the suits and spats?"

<<Because it would be scandalous in that time period.>> I shrugged before tying the ribbon into the best bow I could do. <<Who normally ties this for you?>>

"Fluttershy." Rainbow sighed. "That reminds me, I'm going to need to-"

<<Leo, dear! Are you home?>> I jumped up to the nearest window, leaning out to spot Lulu sitting on the ground with a box beside her. <<I need you to come down here, Rarity and I made you something.>>

Noting Lulu's dress, I grimaced, walking to the door with a sigh. <<Rainbow, I think I'm about to agree about the spats...>>

Rainbow picked me up and carried me down to Lulu. "Something tells me that I might need to help you put it on."

<<Alright, this should be easy to slip into.>> Lulu began when Rainbow dropped me off. <<Now, I know that you may not be fully comfortable with feminine clothing, so I tried to keep it simple while still embracing the time period.>> She pulled a thick, simple pink dress out of the box. <<Jush 'ut yer 'ead fru th' 'ottom.>>

I rolled my eyes and took it from her and held it out to Rainbow. With my mare holding it open, I walked my way into the sleeves. Giving myself a quick shake to settle the dress, I glanced back at Lulu to check to see if there was anything else she was going to give me. I scowled at the matching pink booties she held with a smirk.

<<You're enjoying this way too much.>> I growled as I forced myself to put them on.

<<Very much so.>>

<<How can you stand to wear these things?>> I slowly walked around in a circle to get use to not feeling the ground.

Lulu frowned. <<You don't like the dress I made for you?>>

<<No, I do like it, it's very cute.>> I flicked my tail to try and make the dress settle on it better. <<It's just that, it feels kinda claustrophobic with it pressing down on my fur.>>

<<It does take some getting used to.>> Lulu agreed with a hum. <<Well, it's only for a day. I'm sure you can handle it for that long. I've got to go deliver the rest of these. Can you believe that Eros asked for one made for her, too? Sweetie tried so hard to make it, but Rarity and I had to, erm, touch it up. Just a little.>>

I raised an eyebrow at her. <<Well, see you later then. Rainbow and I are heading into town to look over the events.>>

<<Have fun!>>

"Bye, Lulu." Rainbow waved as the Vaporeon lifted her box and left. "So, you wanna do the sled pull first or...?"

<<Nah.>> I sighed as I led the way into the town proper. <<If I know the Duo like I think I do, they're both entering as well, and they can pull more than I can.>>

"So you're not even going to try?"

<<Maybe next year.>> I nuzzled one of Rainbow's legs. <<I'd rather spend today with you.>>

Rainbow chuckled as she rubbed my head. "Are you hitting on me? Goof."

We made our way through the throng of ponies and stalls. We spent some bits on the beaver tails Pinkie and Zann were selling, then wasted the morning cheering the Duo on at the sled pull. Afterward, we grabbed a lunch from the stall Big Mac was running, and settled in to eat at the fountain.

"So, what do you want to check out after we eat?" Rainbow asked around a mouthful of fritter.

<<How about checking out the ice sculptures?>> I mused. There's something I'm missing. Something that I need to do to make today feel like home. What is it?

"I thought you'd never ask!" Rainbow crammed the last of her food into her muzzle. "I love seeing the awesome stuff that gets made!"

I glanced up at her. <<Really? I didn't take you for somepony who'd like that.>>

Rainbow scoffed. "Yeah, I can see the confusion. But most of the carvings tend to be of the Wonderbolts or of the Guard, so they're always worth checking out."

<<Really?>> I repeated myself, scarfing down the last of my food. <<Okay, this I have to see.>>

We quickly found our way to the right area. Most of the sculptures were well on their way to completion, although a couple of blocks of snow remained untouched. I figured that they were set aside for ponies that had yet to arrive. True to Rainbow's word, there were many, many sculptures of pegasi in varying aerial poses. There were only a pawful of exemptions, including one of a large snowflake.

Rainbow and I went and admired each in turn, staying out of the way of the ponies still at work. I had to be dragged away from Derpy's carving. They way she made a stacking set if near translucent spheres was enthralling.

Eventually, we found ourselves back at the fountain. We were enjoying each other's company while watching other ponies enjoying the festivities.

"Hey, Leo?"

<<Hmm?>>

"Is there anything that the ponies near where you lived do differently for Rendezvous?"

I paused in thought. <<Well, not much. There was an area filled with fun and games for young foals, and a musical chairs game where the winner could win a cake. There was also a dogsled race that happened at the same time, but it was only the start or finish. The race was several days long. There was also a...>> I bolted upright. <<That's it!! Rainbow, do we have any syrup at home, preferably maple?>>

"Yeah, why?" Rainbow drew the words out in confusion.

<<What about popsicle sticks?>>

"I think so?"

<<Sweet! Go grab some, I need to find a patch of clean snow!>>

"What are you planning, Leo?"

I grinned, rubbing my paws together. <<Something that might make Pinkie jealous for not thinking of first!>>

Curious, Rainbow rocketed off to get the needed supplies. I jumped off the bench and quickly found a suitable spot. I didn't have to wait long for Rainbow to return.

"Alright, so what's this plan of yours?" She asked as she placed the syrup on the ground.

<<Just watch.>> I smugly said before popping the syrup top off and pouring a couple of strips out onto the snow.

Rainbow quickly took the bottle from me, hissing as she did so. "What are you doing?! Why are you just wasting the syrup like that?!"

<<I'm not.>> I insisted, rummaging for a pair of the sticks that she brought. <<You need to do this on fresh or clean snow to make this treat just right.>> I poked one of the sticks into the cooling syrup to gauge when it would be done, before jabbing one into one of the strips of syrup. I quickly, but awkwardly, rolled the almost solid sugar up onto the stick and held it out to Rainbow. <<Here, try it!>>

She took it in hoof, but cautiously eyed it while I made my own. I sat back onto my haunches to hold it properly, and began sucking on my syrup treat. I watched Rainbow reluctantly try hers, before she began sucking on it as eagerly as I was.

<<Good, huh?>> I smirked.

"We have got to show this to Pinkie!" With matching grins, we rushed off to share this simple recipe with the party pony.

I smiled to myself. Today has been the perfect day.