//------------------------------// // Act 2: The Book // Story: The Hearths Warming Woodcarver // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// ACT TWO The next day, Twilight woke up, and she felt a little beat from not sleeping well in the night-- too busy thinking about Woody and how he acted the other day. She then went to Spike’s room to get him up. “Rise and shine, Spike.” she called through a yawn, but when she used her magic to open all the curtains to let the sunlight shine in, she found Spike’s basket bed was empty, with a note attached to it. “Twilight… I’ve gone out to make some extra money so I can buy Rarity that music-box clock I saw at the woodshop yesterday.” I’ll still help you with your stuff… if I can. --Spike.” Twilight chuckled, “Aw, Spike…” she couldn’t help but feel proud of him for trying to show maturity and responsibility. She just wished she knew what exactly he was doing for work. Suddenly, there was a knock at her door, and a voice calling for her, “Open in the name of her majesty, Princess Celestia!” Twilight nearly leapt up to the celling. “Princess Celestia, here…?!” She immediately got hold of herself and teleported to the doors of her castle. Soon, the two princesses were walking merrily through town. “I was surprised to see you at my door this morning.” said Twilight. Celestia nodded, “I apologize for not writing ahead to you, but there’s just so much going on with the holidays, you know. I came here to Ponyville on a little side mission, and thought I’d take a moment and drop in with you. After all, Hearths Warming is about good friends.” Twilight blushed. “So, what exactly do you need done here?” Woody had been awaken since dawn, and was already hard at work in his shop. Beautiful, soft-hearted music was playing on a record-player while he worked… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Ua79-Xm_E He carved, he chiseled, and he dusted, and even engraved on his works to make things just right. Then he took time to smooth the wood down and varnish it to make it all smooth and even. He had finished making a beautiful statue of a pony figure skater, which looked so lifelike, he almost swore the figurine winked and smiled at him. Woody sighed happily, but then his sorrows began to catch up to him, as this figure once again reminded him of his deceased wife. His sorrows were interrupted by the sound of his shop door bells jingling. “Coming…! Coming…!” he called, and he was most surprised to see, “Princess Celestia?” and he almost fell into a stammer. “Forgive me, but what brings you here?” “I was told I would find an expert woodcarver here in this shop.” Hearing her call him “expert” made Woody feel honored, and he bowed to her saying, “That you have, majesty. Please, come in.” He led her tenderly towards the counter, while the guards kept close to her to ensure no trouble. “Now then,” asked Woody “What is it Your Majesty had in mind?” Celestia levitated a book out from her royal saddle bag. “My royal woodcarvers are all terribly busy with their work for the season, and I would hate to give them more. Therefore: I ask this of you… …This book has been passed down in Canterlot for many generations, which details stories and histories of Hearths Warming.” Hearing this began to trigger Woody’s sadness again. He looked at the cover of the book almost grimly. There were woodcarvings across the covers showing pictures of a decorated tree and very large star above it, along with tiny flakes of snow, but the book was so old, the carvings were rotting away. Celestia had asked, “I was hoping that you may be able to restore the cover to its former glory.” Woody looked up at her with a look of remorse in his eyes, and he spoke calmly, “I am deeply honored, Your Majesty,” he paused “…But… I fear I cannot help you. Hearths Warming and I don’t get along very well.” He tried to give her back the book insisting, “Please, take this to someone more worthy than I.” Celestia would hear none of it. “Now, now… I’m certain you are more than worthy and will do a fine job… …But tell me… Why is it that you don’t like Hearths Warming?” Woody almost teared up, “Oh, Princess…” he murmured “…I dared not say to anyone but…” he hesitated and finally confided “…I am a pony with no hope, and failing strength. All that I ask this Hearths Warming is that my life may end!” The guards felt shocked to hear such a thing, and could barely maintain their stance. Celestia also felt hurt to hear such things… The shop door was open a crack, and Twilight stood by it, listening to every word said, and her mouth hung open in shock too, and it began to make sense to her now why Woody acted how he did yesterday. Celestia, having centuries of seeing things like this, could see through to Woody’s despair. “…Perhaps you feel this way because you live only for yourself.” Woody looked up at her miserably and asked, “…What else have I live for?” Celestia chuckled and smiled, “There is much you have to live for. You just need to discover it.” She told him to read the book, “…It may help inspire you. I will return for it in a few days.” She took her leave, but not before wishing him, “Take care, Friend. You are more loved and appreciated than you believe you are.” “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Celestia left the shop, and Twilight looked up at her anxiously. “Well?” Twilight asked, sounding desperate. Celestia gave her a strange expression… Twilight had told her about Woody-- which did help Celestia’s need for a carver anyway-- and she was hoping she could talk to him and find out his troubles, knowing her respect and honor as Princess, who would object to her. “…I think he’ll be just fine.” Twilight felt her paranoia creeping up on her. “How can you say that? What if he doesn’t get better? What if he does something crazy?” “Twilight Sparkle…!” snapped Celestia, which instantly calmed Twilight down. “Don’t deny you, it’s possible he may do something bad to himself, but we can’t judge people from a future that is unclear-- that we can’t see, and I don’t think he will do himself in. …I sensed the goodness in him, and I know he will be fine.” Twilight still wasn’t so sure. That night, as Woody was finishing his work and ready to retreat to his upstairs home, when he was actually feeling a bit overwhelmed by heat from pushing himself too hard, and the heat from some of the hot carving tools. So he decided to stick his head out the window for a few seconds of cool air. The second he opened the window, the strong winter winds billowed inside, prompting him to shut the window at once. Some of his things had blown off his workbench, including Celestia’s book, which lay open on the floor. He relit a candle and found himself drawn to the words and pictures within. He read a story about a poor and lonely merchant, whom people took advantage of, and would offer him very little pay or compensation for his services, and yet the merchant had a heart of gold-- still offering his services even to those who shamelessly treated him, especially at Hearths Warming… …He would only give, and give, and give, regardless of not being paid well, or even paid at all for his kindness. Woody was positively amazed. “How could he do that?” he wondered. “He would offer so much, and keep offering, even to those who were bad to him.” He thought about his own business, and wondered, “I offer good services. I give to my community. Is that not enough?” Meanwhile, at Twilight’s Castle. Twilight and the other ponies were sitting around the friendship map table, sipping hot cocoa, and talking about their days and how much progress they had made with their charities. “We would’ve sold more goods,” groaned Applejack “But somepony couldn’t stop licking her chops!” Pinkie nervously wiped the crumbs from her face. “I said I was sorry, and we’ll have loads of more goods tomorrow.” Applejack rolled her eyes, “Well alright, but don’t you be eating another crumb.” Pinkie double-promised, and did so by putting tape over her mouth… which rendered her unable to eat, talk, and even sip her cocoa, much to the hilarity of the others. Suddenly, the doors flung upon, and Spike came in, looking exhausted and all covered in snow, and a few icicles dangling from his red snout, while he dragged a small plowing shovel behind him. “Spike!” cried Twilight. “Oh, darling…!” Rarity wailed as she rushed up to him, and felt his spines which were all stiff and cold. “You look as if you’ve been through an avalanche!” Spike sniffed, “I was helping clear snow away from sidewalks and in front of stores all day.” He let out a sneeze. “Oh, precious pants.” said Rarity. “You’d better get warmed up before you catch a cold.” “My thoughts exactly.” agreed Twilight. Soon, Spike was all wrapped up warm in his basket by the fireplace, but he was still a little chilly, and Rarity could see he needed more warmth. So she walked over to where the tree and presents were setup, and un-wrapped a gift which was her gift to Spike. Inside was revealed to be a large, and beautiful blue quilt was more tiny sapphire embedded into it. “What are you doing?” asked Rainbow. “Spike needs this now, more than ever.” protested Rarity. “Here you are, Sweetness.” She said while wrapping him warmly with her gift. Spike felt his insides starting to warm with joy and love. “You made this, for me?” Rarity smiled at him, “I thought it would go with that scarf I made you, seeing as you loved it so much.” Spike didn’t know what to say, yet he felt so warm, and was still tired, that he dozed off to sleep. Rarity couldn’t help but peck his little head. Spike did feel, but he was too tired to move. Now he was more determined than ever to buy Rarity that clock. Twilight’s features then changed to concern as she said to herself, “I wonder how Woody is doing?”