"Thanks again, this dress is perfect for my cousin's party tonight!" A pale pegasus mare with raven black mane and tail called as she waved back to you before trotting excitedly out the door that shut with a ding of the bell above. You sigh and wipe your forehead free of sweat with a handkerchief you carry within your chest fluff. With the final customer of the day taken care of, you withdraw the keys to the store from a nearby drawer and make your way to the door with your sadlebags readied and a final look back at the store. You breathe a quiet goodbye to the shop for the night and walk out into the brisk winter air of Canterlot's shopping district, turning and locking up as you have for the last few years since you started.
With your duty done for the night, you make your way down the snowy paths of Canterlot. Jolly pony passersby in groups of friends laughing on their way to a party, couples snuggled close as they enjoy one another's company, a dusty brown colt and his cream coated mother walking past, a bag with the words 'GameTrot' on his little back as he ranted and raved about how excited he was to defeat the Dark King or some other. You giggle a bit looking back at them as he seems to have paused and stared curiously at your pawed back legs and then meets your gaze. You tilt your head a bit but wave regardless as he goes wide eyed and smiles, excitedly waving back at you before having the top of his little propeller hat tapped and spun as he looks up to his mother who gestures for them to get going. He huffs but turns back as he calls out, "Happy Hearth's Warming, Miss Azure!" He calls as his mother sighs and smiles at you as well, giving a wave as you nod to them and wave back before they go on their way.
You turn and continue on your way, reminiscing on the first time you'd met the little colt after work. He had the exact same reaction to your hind legs and their more canine build but unlike some ponies, he didn't question it for long as he would tell you how cool it was. How you were like a 'super cool videogame character', being different from other ponies. He helped make you feel normal among the more pompous ponies of Canterlot as well as your boss, of course. Soon, you realize while you were having your flashback you ended up in the square where you're met with a choir of ponies singing carols.
You take a moment and sit to listen, a few giving you appreciative glances and one grey pony with a cello playing alongside providing some instrumental to the performance opening one of her eyes to look at you and smiling as she once again shut her eyes and continued on. Their voices fill the otherwise bustling streets and as you listen, you find yourself slowly closing your eyes and concentrating on the melodies. Their harmony carrying you away as the warmth it elicits within you brings equilibrium to the cold around you, making you unconsciously smile and sway to the rhythm. Before you know it, the song ends and trails in your mind before you feel a hoof on your shoulder, "Hello darling, nice to see you enjoying your Hearth's Warming Eve." Said a familiar voice as your eyes quickly open and you turn your head towards the smiling, aged face of your boss, Rarity.
You quickly stand up and nod to her, wishing her a happy Hearth's Warming with a bit of embarrassment having her find you the way you were. She giggles and pats your shoulder, "Darling it's fine, truly. I came to listen to them as well, as I've done every year." She explains as she turns to face them, of which you follow suit. You wonder for a moment and then break the silence between you, asking why she's here alone instead of with family or friends. She chuckles and sighs, "Well, I normally would be with the girls, but Applejack and Rainbow are spending theirs with family out of town. Twilight's visiting the Crystal Empire with Spikey-Wikey and her parents, Fluttershy's with Discord, and poor Pinkie Pie's been planning a party with her family and the Cakes. Even my little sister and her friends are busy setting up a Hearth's Warming Concert for their friends at the School." She admitted with a small partially sad smile adorning her face, "And so, here I sit. Alone for the holiday... Though," she looks to you with a warmer smile, "I do hope you won't mind keeping your lonesome boss company tonight at least." She inquires which you quickly reciprocate, telling her you had no plans yourself.
With your agreement, she hops up and gives you a hug around your fluffy neck, "Oh thank you, darling! I do so appreciate your willingness to spend time with this old mare." She said as she pulled back and onto her hooves once again with a clearing of her throat, "Dinner, then?" She inquired as you nod, your stomach giving a not-so-silent gurgle in agreement as she giggles and leads you off down the bustling streets once more. As the two of you take in the sights and sounds of Hearth's Warming spirit through the streets, Rarity is the one to speak up this time, "My goodness darling, I'd nearly forgotten! You'd started working at the boutique about going on five years ago almost to the day now, haven't you?" She said in shock as you basically nod and smile, "I can't believe such an occasion almost escaped me, that would've been awful of me, simply awful! And after such diligent and outstanding work you do to keep the store tidy and customers happy!" She said as she sighed, "I do suppose memories begin to slip with age. Mind you I'm still easily as fresh as a daisy and a pep in my-- HIP! Oh, my hip!" She groaned as she caught herself bouncing in place only for a light pop to escape her as she groaned, leaning on you for support. You bring one of your wings around her to keep her steady as she lightly hyperventilates before adjusting herself as another pop comes and she breathes a sigh of relief, "Thank you dear, I do so appreciate your help." She says as she steadies herself, "Now then, we should be coming upon our destination soon. I do hope she's open." She says, a newfound spring to her step as she heads off and down an alleyway, you nod and quickly follow behind her.
Following down the alleyway, your nose is suddenly shunted by an intoxicating and rather mouthwatering aroma as you near a restaurant you don't quite remember visiting before, though looking at it you'd recognize it easily if you had. It's colors and the design of the building are far more exotic and bright than the average neutral and cool colored culinary locations. Coming up to a sheet you'd assume leads to the front door, you are met with the sight of Rarity talking to a long and bushy maned orange mare with vibrant purple eyes, the two stopping their conversation short as Rarity turns to face you, "Darling, this is Saffron Masala, the owner and proprietress of this exotic masterpiece of a restaurant! Saffron, this is my friend and employee here at the Carousel Boutique location, Azure." She said as she introduces the two of you.
Saffron smiles and walks up to you with a bow which you quickly return as politely as you can, "It is so good to meet another friend of Rarity's! After all, she is the one that made this place what it is today! She and Pinkie Pie both! Speaking of which, will she not be joining you?" She inquired as Rarity shook her head, "I see... Well, I was just about to close up for tonight but I'd be remiss if I didn't make an exception on such a wondrous night, no?" She said as she gestures for the two of you to take a seat.
"Oh Saffron, you needn't make such an exception for us! But if you so insist then I shant turn down such an offer." She said as she climbed up to a table to seat four, the menus being placed down in front of yourself, Rarity and then a couple more at either side of the two of you. You go to question the extra menus but before you can speak, a small basket of what looks like an oddly doughy bread is placed in front of you with a small dipping bowl of a beige dip with a red and green tinge in the center. The smell is tantalizing and quickly drives away any question you might've had as you pick up a firm doughy disk and give it a scoop and bite. The heat of the bread contrasts so wonderfully with that of the cool spice of the dip and with that bite alone you're enthralled.
Rarity chuckles watching you as she takes one for herself and tears it into fourths with her magic, making a dainty scoop and bite of her own. "Do order what you like, Darling. It's truly the least I could do for your selflessness and keeping my night not so lonely." She says, causing you to stop stuffing your face to ask if she's sure. She nods swiftly and looks at her own menu, "But of course! No price is too high on a Hearth's Warming Eve! Especially not for you who've helped me so long... I do wish there was more I could do for you to celebrate..." She said with a more distressed, guilty tone. You shake your head and tell her that her giving you a chance and being here were more than enough, how she made your dream come true giving her such a position was more than you ever could've dreamed.
She stares a moment as she wipes her eyes and takes your hoof into her own, "Thank you so much, Darling. But... There must be something you'd like." She persists as you think on it, mentioning how there was a Princess Luna style dress she'd heard about that'd stopped being sold years back before you started. She chuckles and nods, "I do remember that dress and how much you look up to Princess Luna. So... I have a surprise for you." She says as she smiles looking a little bit past you as you tilt your head confusedly before turning back towards the doorway and looking up slowly seeing a dark navy blue coat joined by a main like a flowing night sky, two piercing aquamarine eyes gazing upon you as you see Princess Luna herself standing before you with a bag floating at her side, "Tah-dah~!" Rarity says in a sing-song manner.
You stare up at Luna speechless as she smiles down to you, "Rarity told me that thou art a fan, I believe was the word. I am happy to make your proper acquaintance, Azure. Also, to give you this," she said as the bag at her side is floated into your unconsciously outstretched forelegs as you look inside. Upon seeing it, your eyes glisten as you withdraw the exact dress you'd asked about with gemstones matching your coat adoring the seams as well as slots for your wings and adjusted for your hidndlegs.
You stare awestruck at the dress and then slowly look up to Luna and then to Rarity with disbelief as she smiles and nods to you, "Happy Hearth's Warming, Darling. I am beyond honored to have you in my life and taking care of the shop." She said as Luna walks over and sits between the two of you, "Now then, with that business done, how about some dinner and not just the appetizer." She says with a giggle as Luna gives one herself. Through happy tears you find yourself giggling as well as you all talk and enjoy one another's company throughout the night. You can't help but think that this was, and will always be, the greatest Hearth's Warming Eve you've ever or will ever have.
Though, after a few moments you finally remember your prior question and ask why, even with Lady Luna here, are there four menus? You see Luna start to answer and then pause before looking to Rarity of whom shrugs as well, "Perhaps Saffron is planning to join us?" She questions before you see a grey unicorn with glasses and a hoodie sitting at your side, a teal streak in his mane as he waves.
"Nope, just me. Don't worry, I won't take much more of the story time." he says before turning to you, "I just wanted to say, personally, Merry Christmas and Happy Hearth's Warming. I don't know you very well but your character here is amazing and my friend believes so too. Going into the new year, remember: You're awesome, you're worth it, and you're part of the team no matter what, yeah? Merry Christmas, Amaru! And a rocking new year!" he says before raising a shaker cup with his magic as he looked around at Rarity and Luna staring at him bewildered, "... Alright, alright, I'm goin'." he says as he stands from his seat and wanders out.
The two of them look to you as Rarity asks, "Was that a friend of yours, or...?" She asks as you shake your head and tell her you've never seen him in your life. The three of you simply ponder on what had just occured before you all break out laughing and decide to simply carry on with your night of moonlight and elegance.