Arc 10: Holly the Toy Maker
The Joy of Hearth’s Warming Eve
It was a wintery evening in the city of Canterlot. Ponies walked around the town with cheer in their voices. Decorations were hung around the city. Everyone chanted “Hearth’s Warming Eve is here once again.” Some were buying gifts for their loved ones. Others cooked up delicious baked goods for this moment.
At Canterlot Castle, the exterior was decorated to reflect the warmth and cheer of the holidays with lights strung around the edges and a big wreath hung on the front. But on top of the roof, Eleanor Young looked down on the city with a smile on her face. She wore a heavy coat to cover herself up.
“It amazes me how similar the ponies are to us,” Eleanor Young said. “Even though this is another Hearth’s Warming Eve for me.”
“And this time, you won’t be alone.” Eleanor turned her head to her left to see Princess Celestia walk up to her, holding two mugs full of cocoa. She placed one down next to Eleanor, who picked it up and took a sip.
“Still one to be full of cheer, Princess Celestia,” Eleanor Young said.
“Of course,” Princess Celestia said. “But I also take it you have a holiday of your own to celebrate with the people of Evevanya.”
“But of course,” Eleanor Young said before taking another sip of cocoa. “Have you ever heard of the Blessing of Winter?”
“The Blessing of Winter?” Princess Celestia said. “I’ve heard of tales about the Blessings of Winter, a holiday almost similar to Hearth’s Warming Eve.”
“As we Evevanyians are more attuned to nature,” Eleanor stated. “They see winter as a time for rest, a time for cheer, and a time for joy. We settle down in our houses and castles, plan a feast for our people to celebrate the year, and to mourn those who have passed. After all, we see the Blessings of Winter as a means to reflect back on the year, on moments that made us smile, and moments that made us sad.”
“Guess our own species do have more in common when it comes to the holidays,” Princess Celestia said.
“And not just that,” Eleanor said. “My husband came from planet Earth. Like with Hearth’s Warming Eve and the Blessings of Winter, they have holidays they celebrate, from Hanukkah to Kwanza to the Winter Solstice. But there is one holiday that the children there look forward to: Christmas.”
“Christmas?” Celestia laughed.
“Some say that a jolly man by the name of Santa Claus pays a visit to the good girls and boys, and brings them toys,” Eleanor said.
“Sounds alot like the three Gift Givers of the Grove,” Princess Celestia said. “Aurora, Bori and Alice.”
“Or like the two spirits of Winter,” Eleanor said. “Kazahana and Hyoushou. They identify the Evevanyians with warm hearts and gifts them with toys to get them through the cold winter.”
“Sounds like we, along with the Earthlings, may have more in common than we realize,” Princess Celestia said.
Eleanor and Celestia laughed as they both took a sip of cocoa.
“But it does sound like Evevanyian lore is also tied to the folklore of the Japanese people of Earth,” Princess Celestia said.
“You’d be surprised by how similar Evevanyian lore is tied to when it comes to the people of Earth,” Eleanor Young said. “Mainly Japanese like you said, along with Chinese and Hawaiian.”
“It does make me wonder if we three planets used to be one,” Princess Celestia pondered.
“Well that being said,” Eleanor said. “I think my daughter could use your attention.”
“Oh right,” Celestia said. “She said she was helping the Dazzlings with dinner tonight.”
But before Princess Celestia could move, Eleanor tapped on her wing.
“One last thing,” Eleanor said as she pulled out a book of some sort. “I borrowed this from your bookshelf just out of curiosity. But I recommend reading that to them when you can.”
Princess Celestia levitated the book towards her face and looked at the cover.
“Holly the Toy Maker,” Princess Celestia said. “I like that idea.”
“Now go,” Eleanor said. “I’ll join you in a bit.”
Princess Celestia nodded before she took the book and her cocoa and walked towards the door leading back into the castle. Eleanor just looked back down at the ponies of Canterlot before sipping her cocoa again.
“Hearth’s Warming Eve, Blessings of Winter, Christmas,” Eleanor Young said. “Maybe there is more to the three planets. Perhaps we used to be one.”
Inside in the kitchen of the castle, Sonata Dusk placed a large plate onto the counter before placing down hot tortillas on the plate. She took a spoon with her hoof and placed spoonfuls of black beans on each tortilla before adding in shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onions and salsa before folding each one up.
“Is this what they call a taco?” Wanda Young said as she licked her lips.
“Walla,” Sonata Dusk said. “Taco ala Hearth’s Warming. Dig in.”
With that, Wanda reached out and grabbed one taco before a number of hooves grabbed their own, leaving only a few left. But it didn’t take long for a cat’s paw to reach out and grab the taco.
Around the counter, Wanda Young, Abigail Albright, Sunset Shimmer, Cozy Glow, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Trixie, Ditzy Doo, Aria Blaze and Adagio Dazzle were enjoying their black bean tacos with delight, all while Sonata Dusk continued to cook more tortillas and black beans on the stove. Nearby, Majordomo Kibitz just stood there, observing Sonata’s cooking skills.
“Wow,” Cozy Glow said. “So this is what a taco tastes like.”
“Duh,” Sonata Dusk said. “What did you expect?”
“Not much,” Cozy Glow said. “Considering what my mother usually feeds me.”
“I take it that what you have are all those bland hor d’oeuvres and not much else,” Pinkie PIe said.
“Now Pinkie,” Rarity said in disgust. “Not everyone would consider them bland. I happen to be an expert in that profession.”
“No she’s right,” Cozy Glow said after swallowing another piece of taco. “All she served me and Majesty were all those hor d’oeuvres. And they were the blandest thing I have ever tasted. Didn’t have as much flavor nor a good texture. Then again, I dunno why Majesty enjoyed them.”
Pinkie Pie looked at Rarity with a smile on her face, while Rarity just placed her hoof on her face.
“You’re right,” Rarity said. “One day, I am going to teach that alicorn filly how to make really good hor d’oeuvres.”
“I’ll take tacos over hor d’oeuvres any day,” Applejack said. “In fact, have you tried my mom’s apple tacos? They are such a treat.”
“I happen to be a taco fan myself,” Rainbow Dash said. “But boy. Are these the kind to sink my teeth into? The spice, the bean quality, the tortilla. Delicious.”
Majordomo Kibitz walked up to the group and said “You can thank Princess Luna for having a huge garden of a variety of peppers. Though personally, I’m more of a fan of the El Diablo pepper. Spiciest stuff on this planet.”
Rainbow Dash laughed with embarrassment before she said “Thanks. But I tried that stuff. Waaaaaay too much for me.”
Kibitz laughed and said “Suit yourself.”
Fluttershy looked up at Adagio Dazzle and said “So you and your sisters used to live in an orphanage?”
Adagio Dazzle swallowed a bit of taco before she said “The ruins of an orphanage. And back then, I swore off Sunset Shimmer as a friend because I assumed she ditched me and my sisters for trading away our friendship for hers. It was the biggest mistake of my life.”
“But what matters is that we’re now together again,” Sunset Shimmer said. “And Princess Celestia is looking into reclaiming the land and building a new orphanage.”
“But I still miss that place,” Adagio Dazzle said, turning her head towards Sunset. “There was something special there, even back when we grew up together.”
“Surprisingly, so do I,” Sunset Shimmer said. “Even back when I moved in with Princess Celestia, I still remember the halls that we used to travel down together, the fun we had, the food we ate and even the only Hearth’s Warming Eve that we enjoyed.”
“Yeah,” Aria Blaze said. “It felt like a magical place.”
Wanda giggled before she said “You know, it does make me wonder what would have happened if I did wind up with you guys at the orphanage instead of being found by mommy.”
Abigail looked at Wanda and said “Curious.”
“It is a curious thought, Abby,” Wanda said before she scratched Abigail on the back of her ear.
“One thing is that we may not have met our friends at the School for Gifted Unicorns, nor these guys from La Maresa,” Sunset said. “But I think our friendship would have been strong.”
“One small problem,” Pinkie Pie said. “Your demon form.”
Sunset sighed before she said “You’re right. I forgot all about that.”
“Yeah,” Ditzy said. “It’s horrifying to see it pop up when we least expect it. But how come it always happens, Sunset?”
“Lately,” Sunset Shimmer said. “That very form that Princess Celestia was able to bury under my head began to root itself out at random points in recent times. Sometimes I try to resist it, but it always takes my mind over.”
“Well I’m not going to let a demon form get the best of all of us,” Trixie said as she put her taco down and climbed onto the table before standing on her hind legs. “For I, the Great and Powerful Trixie will hold the field back so that Sunset Shimmer can become whole again.”
Sunset laughed before she said “Trixie, I don’t think you have what it takes to soothe my mind and let me become myself again. But I appreciate your concern for me.”
Trixie took off her hat with her right upper hoof, twirled it into the air and said “Well I’m willing to learn.”
Trixie placed her left upper hoof under her hat to catch a falling egg that emerged. She squeezed the egg with her hoof hard enough for it to burst into stardust. Trixie turned around and threw the stardust into the air and away from the group, causing them to oooh and aww at the sight.
“You’re pretty amazing,” Sonata Dusk said as she placed down another plate of tacos on the table.
“You can thank my father, the Legendary Jackpot,” Trixie said before putting her hat back on. “In fact, I should invite you all, plus the other unicorns, to his stage shows. It’s a real blast.”
Wanda clapped her hands and said “Yes. I always wanted to meet Jackpot the Legend. Maybe he’ll show up in the new Equestrian year.”
“And that I can guarantee.” Every youngling in the vicinity turned towards the entrance of the kitchen, where Princess Celestia arrived, still carrying her hot cocoa with her magic. Underneath her left wing was the book that Eleanor Young gave her.
“Mommy,” Wanda said as she waved towards Princess Celestia. “Come and have some tacos that Sonata Dusk made.”
“Sonata Dusk made tacos?” Princess Celestia said. “Don’t mind if I do.”
Princess Celestia walked up to the counter where everyone was enjoying their tacos before she picked one up from the center plate. She opened her mouth, took a bite of her taco and chewed with delight before swallowing her bite.
“Mmmm,” Princess Celestia said. “A nice crunch, with black beans, vegetables, and some house salsa.”
“I know,” Cozy Glow said. “Isn’t it wonderful? Tacos are my favorite food.”
“They’re mine, too,” Sonata Dusk said. “And I’ve waited a long time to make them for just about any pony.”
Princess Celestia turned to Kibitz and said “And I take it you taught her how to make them, plus utilized the peppers in the royal garden.”
“I did,” Majordomo Kibitz said. “But I would have recommended the El Diablo pepper for their salsa.”
Princess Celestia laughed before she said “That won’t be necessary. Besides, when Cinch was a kid, she tried that stuff out, and it took three tubs of peppermint ice cream to get rid of the heat.”
“Yeeouch,” Applejack said. “I heard they were spicy, but I didn’t recall them being that spicy.”
“Oh dear,” Fluttershy said. “Even I wouldn’t be able to handle that kind of heat.”
Sunset Shimmer looked at Celestia’s wing and noticed the book that was tucked under. She cleared her throat and said “Mother. Why do you have a book with you?”
“Glad you were able to take notice, Sunset,” Princess Celestia said.
Princess Celestia placed her hot cocoa on a nearby table and proceeded to pull the book out. But before she could lift it into the air, Pinkie Pie said “I take it the book is about a toy maker named Holly, and how a mean-ol Duchess of Auric wanted her to give up making toys.”
Princess Celestia only laughed before she said “I guess someone knew I was going to read this to you all.”
“Wait,” Adagio Dazzle said. “You’re going to read us all a story about that?”
Wanda turned to Adagio and said “Mommy used to read that story to us on every Hearth’s Warming Eve, and we both look forward to it. Besides, it does make me interested in wanting to learn how to make toys.”
“Toys,” Abigail said with a delightful cheer.
“Now why would you want to learn to make toys?” Rainbow Dash asked. “That sounds like an interesting hobby.”
“Well what’s wrong with wanting to make toys?” Wanda asked. “Especially ones that are super-awesome?”
“Now you’re reading my language, kid,” Rainbow Dash said with a wink. “After all, any toy that screams awesome deserves a spot in my set. Be it balls for kicking, birds that fly, or action figures that are two hundred percent cooler.”
“She’s right,” Pinkie Pie said. “After all, the best thing about the toy is who made the toy. Maybe Wanda could become the number one toymaker in all of Equestria.”
“Well I would,” Wanda said before pointing to her flower cutie mark on her shoulder. “But my destiny was decided for me with my cutie mark.”
“Now who said cutie marks made you stuck to the way you are?” Princess Celestia said before she gave Wanda a hoof noogie, causing her to laugh.
“Mommy,” Wanda giggled. “Cut it out.”
“She’s right, sis,” Sunset Shimmer said. “I may have a cutie mark that represents the sun. But that doesn’t mean I won’t have other interests.”
Princess Celestia lifted her hoof off of Wanda’s head before placing it on the ground. She pulled the book up and walked towards the end of the table.
“So,” Cozy Glow said. “Is it true that toys bring miracles to the younglings?”
“Let me guess,” Aria Blaze said. “You never had a toy before.”
“Before I met any of you guys, I did have a fascination for toys,” Cozy Glow said. “And surprisingly, so did my sister Majesty. But our mother forbade us from owning a single toy.”
“So Majesty used to be almost like you?” Sunset Shimmer asked.
“That’s a story for another time,” Cozy Glow replied.
“Aww,” Ditzy Doo said. “I feel bad for you, Cozy.”
As Ditzy Doo flew up to Cozy Glow and cuddled with her, Princess Celestia approached the end of the counter and opened up the book.
“So I think since this has been a yearly tradition,” Princess Celestia said. “I will read to you all ‘The Tale of Holly the Toy Maker.’ Does anyone have any questions before we begin?”
Rarity raised her hoof into the air, attracting Princess Celestia’s attention.
“I do have one,” Rarity replied. “Where are Princess Luna and Princess Cadance?”
“That’s an easy question,” Princess Celestia said. “They’ve gone to help Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle go shopping for the others’ Hearth’s Warming Eve gifts, plus a little surprise if you are all nice.”
Rarity lowered her arms down and crossed them before she said “Oh I have been very nice.”
Rainbow Dash reached over to Rarity and said “More like very…Naaaaaaughty.”
The other younglings laughed hard as Rarity blushed with embarrassment. Their laughter only stopped when Princess Celestia whistled into the air.
“That will be quite enough,” Princess Celestia said with a smile.
“Sorry mommy,” Wanda said. “Too much of a habit.”
“Anyway,” Celestia said as she shifted her eyes towards the book. “Prepare yourselves as I tell you the tale of Holly the Toymaker, the two daughters that she looks after, a handsome young captain of the guard, and a terrible duchess who has seized control of the kingdom with the intend to rule as she sees fit, and to make the ponies completely miserable.”
To Be Continued in…
The Tale of Holly the Toy Maker Part 1