The fireplace roared inside Fluttershy’s cottage as she sipped her warm hot chocolate.
Fluttershy sighed as she looked out the window, smiling as she watched the snow falling down by her window.
As you can see, Today is Hearth’s Warming Eve, and everypony was outside celebrating the holiday season with their friends and their families.
But not Fluttershy. You see, instead of celebrating Hearths Warming with her friends, she chose to celebrate Hearths Warming with herself.
Of course, she would’ve chose to spend time with her friends for the holidays. But this year, she wanted to have time for herself. And surely her friends would’ve understood that.
So while everypony was celebrating the holiday season outside, Fluttershy was inside the confines of her cottage with her animals.
‘This feels nice.’ Fluttershy thought. But a part of her feels lonely. Almost like she needs somepony to be with her.
It feels weird to her. She always love to spend time with her friends for the holidays, but the fact that’s she’s spending time by herself makes her feel strange.
Almost like if she needs a friend to spend time with her this season.
Then came a knock at her door.
Fluttershy was confused. She wondered who could be visiting her at this time, and why they decided to come here when they should’ve been celebrating the holidays with their friends and families. So, she trotted over to the door.
When she got to the door, Fluttershy thought that it just might be a package that somepony’s delivering to her. But when she opened it, she was shocked to find that it was none other than Applejack who was right at her door.
“Howdy, Shy.” Applejack said, waving hello.
“Applejack? What are you doing here?” Fluttershy asked, confused on why her country friend is here.
“Well, when I didn’t see ya at Pinkie’s Hearths Warming Eve Party, I figured that you were here at your house. So I decided to stop on by.” Applejack explained.
Fluttershy smiled. Not only was she glad that Applejack was here, but she was glad that she wasn’t alone.
For some reason, when Applejack arrived, Fluttershy doesn’t feel weird about spending the holidays alone.
“Do you mind if I come in?” Applejack asked.
“Sure. Come on right in.” Fluttershy said, letting her country friend inside her cottage.
When Applejack came inside, Fluttershy fixed her up a warm cup of hot chocolate and they sat by the fireplace having a nice conversation.
During their conversation, Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile. She was so happy that Applejack was here. It made the lonely part of her go away.
For Fluttershy, it felt really nice that there’s somepony here despite her plan being spending Hearths Warming by herself.
Then, after a brief moment of silence, Applejack spoke.
“Y’know, it’s very rude of ya to celebrate Hearths Warming by yourself, partner.”
Fluttershy sighed. “I know.”
“So why in tarnation are you doing it?” Applejack asked.
Fluttershy stopped. She really didn’t want to tell her, because she didn’t know what Applejack would do if she did tell her.
But then she realized that she had nothing to worry about. As long as she told the truth, than nothing bad might happen to her.
“Well, I figured I might have some time to myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love celebrating the holidays with my friends, but sometimes I just need time to myself.” Fluttershy explained.
“And I really like it when I’m curled up by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate while I watch snow fall down my window. It feels relaxing and not stressful when I’m celebrating the holidays with my friends. Fluttershy added.
Applejack let out a chuckle, which made Fluttershy very confused.
“What’s so funny?” Fluttershy asked.
“Sugarcube, I understand what you’re saying, but gosh darn it, if you start staying inside your house for the entire Hearths Warming season, everypony’s gonna think you’re weird!” Applejack exclaimed.
Fluttershy gasped. “You really think so?” She asked frightfully.
“Maybe. You might never know.” Applejack said, giggling.
This made Fluttershy really embarrassed. And she was so embarrassed that she had no idea if Applejack was joking or wasn’t.
Applejack eventually stopped giggling and said, “Lighten up, partner. I was just joking.”
Fluttershy sighed in relief after hearing that. And she couldn’t help but giggle too.
“Look, in all seriousness, it’s nice to celebrate Hearths Warming inside, but it’s way better to celebrate it outside.” Applejack said.
“Because if you don’t celebrate it with all of your friends, then you won’t be able to make good memories that might last for centuries.” Applejack added.
Fluttershy smiled. “You know what, you’re right.” She said.
“Of course I’m right! When have I ever lied to you?” Applejack asked.
“You never lie.” Fluttershy said.
“Exactly!” Applejack exclaimed.
The Pegasus and the earth pony both shared a chuckle. Afterwards, Applejack headed for the door.
“Now get your coat on, Sugarcube. We gotta hurry to Pinkie’s party before Pinkie finds out that we’re missing.” Applejack said.
Fluttershy nodded, put on her coat and headed for the door. And right before she opened the door, she turned to Applejack.
“Thank you, Applejack.” Fluttershy said with a smile.
“No problem, Sugarcube. Like I said, it’s very rude to celebrate Hearths Warming by yourself.” Applejack said.
“Yeah, it really is.” Fluttershy said with a chuckle.
“Now come on partner, we got a party to head to!” Applejack exclaimed.
Fluttershy nodded and opened the door. And as soon as she did that, both her and Applejack raced on over to Sugarcube Corner.
Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile on the way there. It was fun to be inside her house for Hearths Warming, but being outside celebrating it with friends is way funner.
And it feels right to spend the holiday season with her friends, because it’ll be way more fun than spending it by herself.
So in a way, Applejack was right. It really is very rude to celebrate Hearths Warming by herself.