//------------------------------// // The Warming Of Hearts // Story: Honey's Hearth's Warming Tale // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// The great snowball war that went down in Canterlot was recorded in history on that day. Well maybe not the actual history books, but it was certainly something that Princess Twilight recorded in her journal of, ‘Well That Just Happened’ on her desk. Though it’s much more likely that she was simply jealous that everyone else got to play in the snow while she had to stay behind and sign paperwork for the winter gala event… Which was about to start in about an hour. With Tungsten… The stallion was preparing the black leather vest that he had ordered from Sassy Saddles. Nero was standing near the mirror to give him a secondary opinion. “...think she’ll like it?” he asked. “My boy, she’ll love whatever you put on…or take off,” the older mare teased with a wink. Tungsten rolled his eyes and faux-gagged, sticking out his tongue. “Blech. Don’t embarrass me, moms,” he said with a chuckle, then continued, “Though…you were the one that organized that whole snowball war earlier weren’tcha?” It was Nero’s turn to laugh. “Hm. Guilty as charged, boy. Of course I did. Well--I had Nebula do most of the running around to invite and inform everyone.” She flexed one of her wings only for it to crrrackle upon doing so, causing her to immediately retract it. “...yup. These old bones are past their prime. Once I explained everything to the kid, he was happy to help.” “...He’s wonderful, ain’t he?” Tungsten added with a relieved smile, “Nice to know I’ve got folks who look up to me.” “It’s more than that. I believe he sees you as a brother figure at this point, boy,” Nero added as she recalled Nebula’s determination to follow Tungsten. “I’m honestly glad he doesn’t wanna enlist though. The boy’s got a bright future ahead of him that I wouldn’t want bogged down by this position.” “Well you know I ain’t gon’ quit, right?” Tungsten replied, “I’m in this for everybody’s sake. So kids like him can sleep safe at night without worrying about their homes burning to the ground around them.” Nero patted him on his neck. “Of course. You’ve proven to me that you can rise up against these challenges and that you won’t suffer from it long-term. Just promise me that you’ll keep him out of trouble as much as possible, hm?” “What? Not like I’m gon’ drag him into doin’ combat drills,” Tungsten replied with a scoff, as if taking offense to such a statement. “I thought you knew me better than that, moms.” “...what’s with this ‘moms’ thing now?” Nero asked with a confused, yet appreciative tone. “...I don’t mind it, but…do you really see me as a suitable mother figure, dear?” “You the only one takin’ care’a me here,” he replied with a casual shrug. “I appreciate ya. Ya know that?” Nero looked up at him with a smile, then turned her head. “Ah…well, I do what I can, boy. For now, you should focus on getting yourself ready. You look dashing in that vest. Almost akin to what you used to wear during your Year 10 Academy days.” “Aw naw, don’t remind me of that,” Tungsten exhaled with a small whinny, “Back then I couldn’t even talk to nobody without scarin’ ‘em away.” “Putting a hoof around somebody’s neck and going, ‘Hey’ isn’t exactly the best way to do it,” Nero giggled as she walked towards the door. “But you still found a way to get through it in spite of that. Now are you prepared for whatever music Princess Twilight has planned for this event? You haven’t practiced a lick of a step, boy.” Tungsten waved his hoof dismissively. “Pssh. I can handle anythin’ they throw at me.” “You say that now…” Nero rolled her eyes with a smile as she started to leave. “Anyhow, this will be your first real date with Honey. Make it count, hm?” “Of course, ma. Don’t worry,” he waved as she left and shut the door behind herself. Tungsten then took one last look at himself in the mirror. “Yea I think she’ll like this…” A few moments later, Flash Sentry and Leo Cantus appeared at his door. "Ey, bud! You ready?" Flash called out. "C'mon, mate. We're gonna be fallin' behind the crowds if we don't mosey," said Cantus. Tungsten turned to them with a smile. "Yes I am." At Canterlot Castle… At long last, the Winter Gala was finally underway. The ballroom was filled to the brim with well-dressed ponies and various creatures from all over who were dancing and grooving to music provided by Octavia Melody, accompanied by Vinyl Scratch who put a bit of an EDM-based spin on Octavia’s bass. Lemon Hearts approached the castle wearing a simple white dress. Next to her, Twinkleshine was wearing a pink and blue skirt with flowers adorning her mane. Lastly, Honey Lodestar was with them, wearing a black and yellow dress. “...Hoo boy. Can’t believe my first date with Tungsten is already here.” “Me neither,” Lemon commented, “You always seemed so nervous around him. I was wondering if you’d ever managed to talk to him without stumbling.” Twinkleshine cleared her throat while glaring at Lemon. “Ahem…” “Er, I mean--” she tried to quickly correct herself. But Honey merely giggled in response, taking her words in stride. “It’s fine. You’re kinda right honestly. Before this, I didn’t think I could even talk to him. But now? Well…I think we’re gonna be okay together.” “Pfft,” Lemon scoffed with a whinny, “Just ‘okay’? Girl, give yourself some credit. I think you two are gonna be together for a happy, long while. Right, Twinks?” “Hey, for once, Lem actually makes a good point,” the white unicorn replied with a snicker, “Just hope Kemuri will be okay. She seemed to like Tungsten as well.” “...Hm…” Honey mulled over that information as they entered the castle. “I think I’ll figure something out. You guys got your dates?” “Nope,” Lemon replied as she pranced inside, “Running solo today.” “Same here,” Twinkleshine said as she followed her friend, “Looks like Honey’s the only one of us with a date. I’m proud of ya,” she added with a wink. Honey’s jaw dropped as she made her way inside. “...You guys…” She’d eventually walk past Atomic Nebula. The young unicorn was wearing a dashing black suit and red bowtie. “Oh, hey, Nebula. Is the choir gonna be performing here tonight?” “Hm? Nah, just hanging out with some of my friends from school,” he replied with a shake of his head, “None of us have dates so we figured it’d be better to just come as a friend group.” “Seems like everyone has the same idea,” she replied with a chuckle, “Seen Tungsten around?” “Hm? Oh yeah, I saw him a few--oh there he is,” Nebula spoke and cut himself off mid-sentence with his eyes going wide. “Wow, he cleaned up for this one.” Tungsten approached Honey wearing his leather vest and put on his best smile. “...Hey.” Honey’s heart began beating so fast that she could feel it in her ears as she stared back at him with a cartoonishly, squiggly smile on her face. “H-hey yourself! Er…you look great!” “Yea, I tried,” he replied with a toothy smile as he took a closer look at her. “But that dress you got on is pretty clever I won’t lie. Bee colors do wonders for ya.” “Oh…t-thank you…shall we dance?” she asked nervously while prancing in place. “Of course--” he paused and looked at Nebula for a moment. “Hey, brotha. Thanks for all your support. If you ever need help with somethin’, lemme know.” “Not a problem at all,” Nebula replied with a smile as he started to back away. “But I should leave you two be. Go on and have fun, yeah?” And without another word, Nebula left them alone. Soon enough, Tungsten and Honey were in the middle of the ballroom dancing and spinning with each other to the electrical-classical combination of music that was being played for all to hear. “...finally,” Nero commented from a corner of the ballroom. “That boy’s finally alive again. It’s a wonderful thing to see.” “I’ll say,” Nebula added as he passed her by, “I’m almost jealous. There’s no way I’m capable of landing a partner like that.” “Don’t worry yourself, boy. You will in time. Just remember--focus on what matters most to you and you’ll achieve what you desire,” she explained, “That’s the mantra Tungsten has followed--for better or worse.” “Oh trust me, I got that no problem,” Nebula replied with a sigh as he watched Tungsten and Honey enjoy each other’s company on the dance floor. “I’m just…happy to see the guy I look up to enjoy himself for a change. It’s been a long time coming, ya know?” “That it is,” Nero said with a nod as she looked out over the crowd and spotted a certain pink changeling dancing alongside her friends. “...whew. Yup. All crises have been averted. Go have fun yourself, eh, kiddo?” She encouraged Nebula while pushing him over to the ponies and creatures in his class, “You might just find out more about yourself too.” “Wait wha--?!” And on that Hearth’s Warming Eve, everyone came together to enjoy themselves without any fear or worry of a tomorrow. Honey Lodestar had overcome her fears and began to work towards crafting a relationship with her newfound lover. Tungsten Wolfe had finally started to feel his heart beat once more and made sure to take more time off from guard duty. All while everyone from both sides supported them from afar, looking to see their love bloom… "...wanna head back to my place when we're done?" Honey leaned in and whispered in Tungsten's ear. "...I'd like that, yea," he replied with a blush. “...and that’s why Tungsten Wolfe of the Royal Guard is the pony I admire. For his bravery, his courage, but most of all, his willingness to open up his heart to somepony else. I want to be that strong someday. Not just physically, but mentally as well.” Atomic Nebula’s classmates clapped their hooves/claws once his presentation was finished. “Well done, Mr. Nebula,” his academy professor, an older-looking forest green unicorn stallion with a monocle, spoke in an eloquent tone. “Quite the dissertation indeed. Truly elegant. You may return to your seat.” The young unicorn went back to his desk--the freckles on his muzzle beamed alongside his wide smile. And next to him, a gloomy-looking, young pegasus mare with a pale-violet body color, and a two-tone blue-black mane that was done with twintails that traveled down to her neck, turned to look at him--her gray eyes half-lidded and unmoving. Her voice was feminine, but deep with little change in tone or inflection, “...I felt that. You wrote that from your heart. Wicked, Atom,” she droned with a neutral expression. Her cutie mark was a purple primrose bunch. “Thanks. If I grow up to be half the stallion Tungsten is, then I’ll be happy with myself,” he replied as he put his hooves behind his head in a casual manner. “You have my dying, and undying support,” the young mare went on in the same neutral tone with utmost sincerity. "Your dancing was absolutely killer on that night." “A bit morbid, don’tcha think, Grimrose? But thanks,” he replied with a chuckle all while a disgruntled griffon could be seen scoffing and rolling her eyes in the back of the classroom… Thanks to Tungsten, Nebula had aced his final.