It had only been four days since Hearth's Warming, and the cold refused to subside. Winter Wrap Up wasn't scheduled to happen for another month or so, which gave everypony in Ponyville enough time to enjoy their Hearth's Warming gifts. On this particular night, the gleeful squees of Vinyl Scratch could be heard all across her and Octavia's brand new house, built very close by to the club. The DJ mare gave Octavia a tight hug as she shouted "Oh thank you Octavia!!! Thank you so much!!!" In her hoof she held a pair of brand new headphones, fresh from the box that lay forgotten near the Hearth's Tree in their living room.
The fire in the fireplace crackled with heat and power as Octavia wheezed, struggling to breathe from Vinyl's crushing hug "V...Vinyl I'm glad you like...like your gift! But honestly...I...need...to...BREATHE!" She took in a heaving breath as Vinyl finally let her go out of her crushing embrace, muttering "Sorry the gift was so late...I had a bit of trouble gathering the bits."
Vinyl shook her head and put a hoof on Octavia's cheek, whispering "Don't...it's ok. Times are hard for everypony, you really didn't have to get me anything! Your love's all I'd ever need baby..."
Octavia smiled and whispered "You mean that?" Vinyl nodded and leaned her head in, meeting Octavia half way as they shared a warm, wonderful kiss. Hooves were wrapped around bodies as Vinyl gently leaned Octavia on her back, setting her on the rug as their hearts throbbed with heat that one could swear was hotter then the raging fire in their fireplace.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Ponyville, near the Everfree forest and inside a small cottage, Fluttershy carefully poured her kettle of tea into two small cups. She made sure that not a drop was spilled, gently placing the kettle back on the stove and picking the tray up in her mouth carefully. With slow, precise movements, she walked back into the living room to where Big Macintosh was laying, his belly pushed against the carpet and his smile warm and loving.
The stallion took a cup and said "Why thank ya kindly Flutters...ah can't tell ya how much ah missed the taste of tea." Fluttershy giggled and set the tray down on the ground, laying next to her coltfriend and snuggling up against him.
The yellow mare smiled as she took her own cup, whispering "I didn't know you liked tea so much Macintosh, I would have stocked up a bit more if I'd known that!"
Macintosh smiled and simply nudged Fluttershy's cheek with his nose, whispering "It's alright...yer the only thing ah'll ever need, so don't you go worryin' bout' it." Fluttershy blushed at this, tilting her head up and sharing a passionate kiss with her new found love, the tea and their love spreading warmth in their bodies.
Love was in the air in Ponyville, with Sweet Apple Acres being no exception. Applejack smiled a little as she heard the sounds of playful barking and Rainbow Dash's giggling from the living room. She had brought Tank over, as well as a few of her belongings. Since the air was so frigid and cold, Applejack didn't want her loving Marefriend to have to spend the winter up in her cloud home, turning into a genuine Pegasicle. The earth pony sighed as she carefully scrubbed the plates in the sink, her eyes wandering over the shiny plates that they made SURE were clean. She didn't want to get a good scolding from Granny Smith, knowing the hours she'd have to spend trapped under the old mare's glare. Rainbow Dash had offered to help of course, but the Apple Mare's natural, stubborn pride when it came to help had kicked in, shooing the Pegasus away. At long last however, the dishes were done and the drying rack full. With a happy sigh, Applejack started to walk towards the living room, the sounds of laughter still echoing out from the doorway. As she stuck her head in, she laughed herself, watching as Winona chased her favorite squeaky toy around the room. The ball was attached by a string which in turn was attached to Tank's shell, the helicoptering Tortoise flying about the room and bringing tears of laughter to Rainbow Dash's eyes.
Rainbow shouted as Applejack walked towards her "Oh...oh my gosh, this is freaking HILARIOUS! Man I could watch this for hours!"
Applejack chuckled and scooted up real close to the mare, whispering seductively in her ear "Ah hope that's not the only thing ya'll wanna do fer hours..."
Rainbow Dash blushed, her wings popping open with a loud 'FWOOMP!', her voice a soft caress on Applejack's ears "Mmmh...Applejack where did this suddenly spring out of?" To this, Applejack pointed a hoof up and waited as Rainbow Dash looked up, smiling at the hanging mistletoe that rested above them on the ceiling.
Applejack whispered as she pulled her marefriend into her hooves "Now...let me show ya how to really rodeo." The two mares giggled, sharing a deep kiss as Tank flew from the room, Winona chasing after him for his toy.
The night lumbered on gently, the stars twinkling above. It was like the perfect piece of artwork crafted by Luna, her canvas the never ending sky of Equestria. Studying this sky, was none other then the Star Pupil, Twilight Sparkle, her breath coming out in puffs of steam. She pressed here eye against the eyeglass of the shiny new telescope Celestia had gotten her for Hearth's Warming, her body warm with the magical blanket Luna had given her.
"It's a coat I often wear at night when I manage the sky" She had told the Lavender Mare, "It keeps me warm at night as I work. Good thing too, last time I went outside without the coat, I sneezed and caused Starswirl's constellation to turn into a Walrus!". Twilight chuckled as she remembered that night, also remembering the new books Spike had gotten her for Hearth's Warming. It was a pair of spell books that she had her eye on for awhile, but had never found the time to journey to Canterlot for. Spike, being summoned to Canterlot for Royal Business, easily got his claws on the pair, his efforts well rewarded as he received a giant Emerald from Twilight.
Twilight took her eye away from the telescope, a small smile on her face as she jotted down some notes on her notepad. She turned her head briefly and smiled as she saw Spike asleep in his basket, snoring a little but not so loud that it would bother the unicorn outside. She looked upwards towards the sky, taking in its dazzling beauty. She sighed, flipping her notepad closed and levitating the telescope back inside, trotting after it and shutting the window-door behind her. She then made her way downstairs and into the kitchen, a cold kettle of tea waiting there for her. She frowned and lit up her horn with magic, the kettle suddenly letting out a sharp hiss. Smiling, she poured herself a cup and headed into the living room, her fire still raging in the fireplace. Laying herself down on the carpet, she stared into the fire and sighed. A lot had been on her mind lately, most of it centered on her own emotions. She was the only one alone on Hearth's Warming, the Sister Princess's and Spike having their gift opening a day early. Twilight understood, knowing that a dragon ambassador had picked an unfortunate date to have a meeting, thus keeping them away from her on Hearth's Warming.
She rested her head on her front hooves and slowly let her smile turn into a frown. She envied the others who could be warm with others who loved them, the feeling of togetherness and love burning in their hearts. Twilight could feel nothing of the sort at the moment, her heart thudding with a cold, dreary beat, her body only warm from the fire. She gently plopped herself on her side, wrapping Luna's blanket around her tightly and singing quietly to herself "Twinkle...Twinkle...little star...
...how I wonder...what you are...
...Please hear me now if you care...
...please give love to this poor mare..."
She fell asleep, her voice trailing off and mumbling as the air of Ponyville continued to swirl with the warmth of love...and the bitter cold of loneliness.