//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 Hearth-Warming Eve (complete) // Story: Growing Bonds // by Zack Catcher //------------------------------// As I was sleeping, I woke up from Flurry shaking me awake. Saying "It's almost Hearth's Warming Eve, get up" I got up from Flurry's bed and looked at her, confused, saying, "Hearth's Warming Eve, what's that?" Flurry looked at me with a surprised face and said, "Oh Zack, how haven't you heard of Hearth's Warming Eve?!" I shook my head and replied, "No, I've never heard of it" Flurry says  "Hearth's Warming Eve is a holiday that we celebrate in Equestria. It's a time when we remember the founding of our land and come together to celebrate friendship and community. We usually have a big party with singing and dancing, and we give gifts to each other. It's a really special time of year, and I always look forward to it" I look down at the floor, feeling sad since I can't bring myself to get out of the room  Flurry came over and looked at me saying, "Why are you sad? " I replied "Because I want to go with you to the Christmas party but I can't" Flurry looked at me confused and said, "Why not?" I sighed and said, "Cause I am afraid" Flurry tilted her head and asked, "Afraid of what?" I replied, “Because cadence told me not to" Flurry responded, “You didn’t care what cadence said before why now” I looked at her and replied, "Because I am scared, of what other ponies might think of me" Flurry replied, "Zack I know other ponies did not think too highly of Changelings but that's in the past. A lot of ponies actually like changelings and would like to see one."  I look at Flurry and said " But how do I know other ponies won't react to me the same way your mother did" Flurry paused for a minute and said "I understand where you are coming from Zack but you don't know how other ponies might act unless you give them a chance" I let out a sigh and said  "Ok I will come with you to the party with you, but I have a condition" Flurry asked, "What is it?" I replied, saying, "I need you to promise me we will be with each other the entire time" Flurry smiled before saying said, "I promise I will be with you all night" I smiled and hugged her. Then Flurry spoke "ok now that we got that settled, let's go to bed and get some more sleep. The party is going to go on until midnight" I nodded as I climbed into bed with Flurry but couldn't fall asleep. I wanted to get Flurry something to show her how much she means to me but after a while, I figure out the perfect gift and fell to sleep with a smile on my face an hour later Cadence came into the room saying "ok Flurry it is time, get up and ready for the party will start in a few minutes" As Cadence said that, me and Flurry jumped out of bed to go to the party but when Cadence saw me she said "Where do you think your going zack, your aren’t going to the party if that is what you are thinking" Flurry looked at Cadence confused and said, "What? Why not?". "Flurry, please try to understand this party, is important Twilight is here and som-" Flurry interrupted Cadence saying "Anti twilly is here" Cadence replied to her, saying, "Yes as well as some very important ponies are here as well, which is why Zack can't go" "But why?" Flurry asked, still confused, and a little frustrated. "Zack is my friend, and I want him to be with me. I don't understand why he can't come to the party." Cadence sighed, trying to find the right words to explain. "Look, Flurry, this is about protecting you and ensuring everyone's safety. Zack's presence could jeopardize the delicate balance of the event, and I don’t want to explain that my daughter is housing him It's for the best if he stays behind." Flurry's frustration flared, her brows furrowing as she fiercely retorted, "That's not fair! Just because he's a Changeling shouldn't mean he can't go to a party." Cadence, unable to contain her rising anger, raised her voice, her tone laced with frustration, "Life is not fair! There are many times when we don't get what we want, and I am not asking, I am ordering you! Zack is not going to" Flurry, taken aback by Cadence's sudden outburst, took a step back, her eyes welling up with tears. She looked at me, a mix of fear and hurt in her gaze. It was then that I stepped in between Cadence and Flurry, my own voice raised in anger as I defended Flurry, "What was that for? She is your daughter. If you have a problem with me, then yell at me, not your own blood!" Cadence, still seething with anger, shot back at me, her words dripping with frustration, "You are not going to that party, and that is final!" With that, Cadence abruptly turned and left the room. I turned around seeing Flurry sitting on the floor looking shaken I quickly hugged her and when I did flurry began to cry into my shoulder feeling her tear fall onto my back as she said in between sobs with her voice cracking, "I didn't mean to make her mad, I just wanted you to be with me"  I start to hug her tighter as I said "It's ok Flurry you did nothing wrong" As I said that my body started to glow a crimson hue making my body feeling warm to the touch. As I saw this my eyes widened seeing my body glow. But it seemed up help calm her down and as she stopped she lay her head on my shoulder  A few moments passed and my body went back to normal flurry looked at me saying “We are going to the party” I replied to flurry in a concerned voice “but cadence said” flurry interrupted me saying “I don’t care what Cadence said you are my friend and I am not going to let her push me around I am done” I looked at her transforming into a pony “ok if that’s what you want” , Flurry smiled before asking me to leave the room so she can get ready, I didn't really understand why, but I left the room waiting on the other side of the door, a few minutes later Flurry walked out, and As I turned to look at her and my jaw dropped she was wearing a beautiful white pinkish dress with different coloured crystals weaved in the fabric. When Flurry saw me staring at her she giggled saying "So I take it to you like the dress" I responded to her question with a slow nod still stunned by her beauty. Flurry spun around to show off her dress, and when she did I snapped out of it and looked at her with a warm smile on my face as I said, "You look beautiful". Flurry blushed as she said, "Thank you for everything, oh I also got a suit for you to wear, hope it fits" I took the suit from her, put it on and said "It's a perfect fit". I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. "thank you" I told her sincerely.  she replied  "Well, are you ready for the party?" I nodded my head as she led me to the ballroom.