Chapter. 23 – Snow and Hearth
Mayor Mare was one pony on a mission; a mission that she had been holding off on for as long as possible. Her head was lowered, footing deliberately slow and steady, and all of her was wrapped up in as much protective clothing as possible while she made her way across the small town towards her destination.
For the last two days Ponyville has been suffering a winter onslaught, courtesy of the chaotic magic and wild weather of the deadliest forest in the land.
The Mayor fought her way onwards, unable to see more than a few meters in front of her, before what little shapes she could make out dissolved into the white void of falling snow. An extra gust blew around her, delaying her next step forward as the wind tried once again to take a woollen souvenir off of the pony walking by.
She kept her thick festive hat, but she still shuddered in displeasure. While the beast storming around her failed in taking anything, it was generous enough to send a snow laden pawful of air into her jacket and along her back.
Still it was her duty to keep going, and her powerful earth pony frame started to advance once again; each determined step bringing her closer to where she needed to be.
Her eyelids sealed the small crack she was spying through with a blink, as the silhouette of her destination appeared out of the blank horizon. It was large and rather top heavy with its domed roof. Getting closer revealed more of its shape and what could be made out would have confused most visitors to the town.
A rather large tree, still full of leaves, emerged out of the white abyss and was looming over the weary traveller.
‘There,’ she dare not open her mouth, but the relief she felt was enough to make her want to cry out. She doubled her efforts, and had almost managed a normal walking pace by the time she made it to the red door that had grown out of the giant tree. As yet another roar of wind encompassed her; she reached out with a fore hoof to open the door.
And then everything was still, and the world began to tumble.
As soon as she crossed the threshold, everything she had just been battling through was left on the other side of the door. The biting cold, the pieces of nipping snow; and more interesting at this moment, the battering force of the wind.
Without the wind fighting her and keeping her up, Mayor Mare was thrown for a loop, quite literally, and flipped over herself as she entered her destination; the Golden Oak Library.
Gathering herself up, Mayor Mare was glad her cheeks were already going to be rosy thanks to the weather outside, or else ponies would have seen her blushing. Her eyes scanned the main circular area of the library, and she was honestly surprised at what she found. There were ponies here, a lot of ponies that she knew from around the town; and all of them were out of the winter clothing she herself was smothered in.
Walking to the desk on the other side of the room to the main entrance, she greeted the few ponies who noticed her passing by. However the pony she wanted to see, the pony who she battled the wild weather outside to talk to, was not at her station.
Resting on the desk was instead a brown owl with intelligent eyes looking up at her. It tilted its head to one side and let out a gentle hoot, almost inquiring what it was she wanted. The Mayor looked around once again, but still found no sign of the mare that should have been stationed where this owl was.
The owl hooted again to gather her attention, and was almost pointing with its wing to a piece of paper that looked like it had once been sitting upright to greet ponies.
“Hello and welcome to the Golden Oak Library.
“If you are reading this then I am currently busy and away from my station, more than likely helping a pony.
“If you are looking for a book, then the Card Index is just to the left of this desk.
“If we do not have the book you are looking for, due to it being out on loan or simply not stocked, then please write down the title of the book and author along with your address for me to contact you when it is available.
“If you are looking to checkout a book, then please present it to Owlowiscious who will take the books library card. You can then take the book home with you to enjoy for up to one week before it is classified as late and it returns to us and a late fee will be issued.
“If there is anything that cannot wait for my return, please ask Owlowiscious and he will happily take you to me.
“I hope this has been of assistance to you in my absence,
“Sunset Shimmer – Librarian of the Golden Oaks Library.”
The Mayor blinked at the note before bringing her eyes back to the predatory ones of the owl who was perched comfortably on the desk. Clearly the owl was waiting for her to make the next move.
“Umm, can you take me to Sunset Shimmer? I need to see her.” She felt foolish for talking to an animal like this, like it knew what she had just asked it.
Apparently it did because the owl appeared to almost nod its head before taking off at a very leisurely pace up to the ceiling and headed off down the right hand corridor; it soon circled back to make sure she was following. Mayor Mare chuckled at the owl’s antics and once again wondered to herself why such a talented young mare was happy working in such a quiet town as the librarian.
Keeping track of the flying owl was not nearly as difficult as she feared; as it made sure she was following it. It was also not a long journey as it appeared Sunset was sitting at one of the group work tables in the area more laid out for studying. She did pause, however, when she noticed who it was that Sunset was helping.
The owl landed on the table where Sunset was sitting and quickly got her attention. The mare looked over and smiled, before excusing herself from the filly’s side. The filly appeared to barely notice, her tongue was poking out the side of her mouth and her brow was creased in concentration as she manipulated a quill.
“Good afternoon Mayor. How can I help you?”
“That’s not Sweetie Belle you’re helping with magic, is it?”
Sunset looked back over to the small silvery white filly with light pinks and purples in her mane. “Yes, she started coming by after the inspection from Trixie Lulamoon and asked for assistance with her magic. Since then she comes by about every other day.”
“She’s been learning magic for two months?!” the mayor’s eyes were a little dilated and she had taken an involuntary step back. Sunset appeared not to notice the early signs of distress.
“I think she has been getting lessons from her sister Rarity before she came to me. But yes, Sweetie has been learning magic from me for two months and six days.”
The mayor gulped down the tonsils in her throat. “And. Ah. How is she coming along?”
Sunset sighed, her face appeared to minutely sadden from its former calm and relaxed state. “Well, I think. Rarity gave me a copy of the lesson plan her parents wanted Sweetie to follow; after making me Pinkie Promise not to deviate from the plan without her consent.”
They mayor let out a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding in; relief washed over her at the news. Hearing that one of the crusaders was learning magic was a scary thought; that she was being taught by the very talented mare in front of her was terrifying. That a Pinkie Promise was in place not to go off of the conservative plan set up by herself in conjunction with the Belle parents eased her nerves greatly.
“Yeah, I have had to calm down Pinkie Pie three times so far. The last time included a presentation stating the reasons why I have not broken her sacred vows. Hmm, which reminds me; I need to get a timer spell organised. I’m curious to know if she’s faster arriving to see if I’ve broken the promise, or leaving after one of my presentations?” The fiery mane’d mare muttered to herself for a moment, once again not noticing the worried look returning to the older earth pony.
“Umm, well regardless. The reason why I’ve come to see you is to ask when the library will be closing?” the mayor stated, unconsciously tugging at the hem of her thick woollen jacket.
Sunset blinked. “Six o clock. The same time I close the library every day.”
“OH, no dear. I meant when will you be closing the library for the holidays?” Sunset stared at the Mayor, a slight tilt of her head and a slow blink indicated to the senior mare to elaborate further. “You know, Hearth Warming? I’m pretty certain Vanhoover celebrates it as well?”
“Yes, we do celebrate Hearth Warming. But what does that have to do with closing the library?” Sunset’s voice had recognition resonating throughout her response; but it still left Mayor Mare a little confused, and a little concerned.
“Well, I was expecting you to want to go back to your home and celebrate with friends. I know you’re an orphan, but still I would have expected you to have some close bonds you’d want to see over the festive period.”
Sunset on the other hoof was feeling foolish and was beginning to sweat a little, and not just because the library was wonderfully warm and comfortable. She had forgotten about Hearth Warming, had forgotten that it was a public holiday and thus expected that her library would be closed.
“W-Well I don’t really have many friends, especially around my age, back in Vanhoover. Uh, and I’ve already made so many new friends here I figured I’d just stay. And since I was staying here I figured, why not keep the library open. You know in case ponies needed someplace warm and quiet to read. Heh, Heh.” ‘That had to be the worst story I’ve ever said in my life. There’s no way she’ll buy it. But I need to be here in case of an emergency.’
The Mayor’s mind clicked and the slight frown on her face evaporated instantly to one of sympathy and understanding. ‘The poor dear. Growing up at an orphanage cannot be easy. But this is the most I’ve seen her react since she started working here. She must have had a very bad time there.’
“Oh, Sunset. I’m so glad to hear you’ve made some good friends here in our little town. There have been more than a few ponies who just could not make it here, believe you me. Regardless though, I simply cannot let you open the Golden Oak Library during the festivities.” There was a crack in the young ponies face, a fleeting look of panic appeared for an instant. “However this is your home, and I cannot very well force you out of it while you are working as the librarian. If you’d rather stay in Ponyville than return to Vanhoover that perfectly fine with me; just make sure you do actually take the time off to relax and unwind from this busy year. And if I see a pony or two entering and leaving; I’ll just assume they are there to wish you a merry Hearth Warming.” The Mayor blinked in amusement at the stunned pony in front of her.
Unbeknown to the two adults talking, a curious young filly had finished the task she had been left with and had snuck up to the two talking mares. She had missed some of the stuff at the start but what she did hear made her feel both happy and sad. That Miss Shimmer wanted to stay in Ponyville over Hearth Warming was awesome, her magic lessons won’t be interrupted.
But it was also sad; her staying in Ponyville meant she had no one to celebrate Hearth Warming with. She’d be all alone in the library with all her books and her pet owl; and while Owlowiscious is pretty cool he’s still just an owl. If Miss Shimmer’s Hearth Warming went badly then maybe she’d get bored of Ponyville and leave. Sweetie couldn’t let that happen! Miss shimmer was so cool; it would be a disservice to Ponyville if she left.
She needed to do something! But something this big couldn’t be done with just herself. She would need help from the other crusaders at least.
“Miss Shimmer!” Sweetie Belle shouted from her position just to the side of the mare in question. The Mayor jumped a little into the air from the sudden outburst; and while Sunset had reacted in a similar manor, Sweetie Belle could tell it was more to make the mayor feel better than actual fright. It was almost as if she knew Sweetie Belle was there from the start, ‘so cool!’
“Sweetie Belle! Don’t sneak up on ponies like that, it’s very rude. What would your sister say if she found out?”
“Sorry Mayor. It’s just that I finished the exercise you assigned to me Miss Shimmer.” The mayor had just finished putting back the few hairs shocked out of position, when a few more tried to flee at the news.
“Oh, you did? Then could you bring the quill over to us?” Sweetie beamed up at the flaming mane’d mare; there was no fear in her eyes, no nervous edge as she asked Sweetie to do something with magic. ‘SO COOL!’
Frowning in concentration the young filly’s horn lit up in a soft pale green aura that also appeared around the quill she had been writing with earlier. A grunt of effort brought the quill up into the air and, with the grace of Rainbow Dash after more than a few apple ciders, the quill started to slowly float over to the three ponies.
Sweetie closed her eyes in concentration, and thus missed the step back from the mayor; she felt her magic fighting as she struggled and so put more effort into it. However Sweetie was losing control. She was about to put even more effort into her magic; when a stern cough from beside her caused her to momentarily freeze. “Remember what I’ve been teaching you.” Sunset’s words pierced through Sweetie’s panic; she took a breath and calmed down.
The quill was still erratic, still stumbling about in the air, but it was closing in on the small filly; who was still struggling, though not nearly as badly as before. With a last ditch effort the young filly floated the quill over her head before her magic gave out and it started to fall; only to be caught up in the raspberry coloured magic of the elder unicorn.
“Very good Sweetie Belle. That’s the furthest you’ve managed to levitate the quill yet. You still need to remember my lessons though while you are casting; I know they are not perfect for you, but clearly they are helping.” Sweetie Belle opened her eyes to find the quill she had been levitating over to them was now resting perfectly still right in front of her, surrounded in the familiar glow of Sunset Shimmer’s magic.
She beamed up at her tutor from the praise and conveniently ignored that the other mare was several paces further away than from before. ‘So. Cool.’
“Ahem, well I can see that you are very busy. So I shall simply put that the library will be closed for the three minimum days that is required by law from the Princess.” They mayor’s eyes travelled to the large window at the end of the room looking over the work desks; the weather outside was still just as bad as when she arrived, the world was nothing but a white emptiness. She wilted at the sight.
“Oh I do hope this storm doesn’t last too much longer. No one wants to leave their homes, not that I can blame them; who would want to be out in that? Actually I am surprised at how busy the library is? And how warm it is, I’m roasting in this jacket.” It may have taken her this long, but Mayor Mare finally noticed how hot she was in all her layers.
“It’s the Golden Oak library. It sustains itself by siphoning magic from the nearby layline that runs under the Everfree Forest. It’s actually a rather interesting phenomenon that uses the trees roots in a very intricate magical arr…” Sunset stopped herself as she noticed her two companions eyes were glazing over. “Well, simply put the tree is using the nearby layline to sustain itself and to keep its interior warm in the winters and cool in the summers. It’s also using the magic to prevent the worst of the storm from entering.”
“Well, I can certainly see why ponies want to be here then. I may even take a spot myself and bring the office here if this storm keeps showing no signs of stopping. Oh I do hope the weather team can breech through soon; goodness knows they’ll need a rest after this.”
Ponyville’s weather team have been battling with this behemoth of a storm from the moment it was located, but unfortunately such a chaotic beast was proving difficult to tame. They’ve managed to keep this monster of a storm from turning into a real threat to the lives of the townsfolk; but they were already on the point of exhaustion and the storm showed little in the way of calming down.
The pair of mares and a filly follower arrived at the red wooden door that was the entrance to the library tree. An out clove to the side had been clearly converted quickly into a winter clothing storage area for the many patrons it was currently experiencing.
The door was opened with the librarians well known magical aura revealing the raging storm outside. Though interestingly enough the wind wasn’t penetrating any further than they were standing.
“I see what you mean about preventing the storm from entering, most impressive indeed. Well Sunset thank you for your time and as I said I’ll note down that the Golden Oak Library will be closed for the three days around Hearth Warming.” The mayor turned and the smile on her face had left by the time she was looking back out at the storm.
A shake of her head and a whip of determination from her tail, the mayor stepped out into the deep white void of the storm; her brightly coloured jacket vanishing into the snow by the third blink of their eyes.
“Miss Shimmer I need to get going as well.” Sunset Shimmer looked back around to the young filly standing just off to her side. It had clear signs of nervousness, but they eyes were filled with determination.
“Sweetie, your sister asked me to look after you for the afternoon as she was too busy to do so.”
“She just wanted me out of her mane for a while; she’s got a few dress orders that are close to completion and needed to concentrate. She’s still at the boutique though.”
“Be that as it may, I cannot in good conscious send you out in that weather unescorted. And I’m afraid the library is just too busy for me to leave it all in Owlowiscious hooves – uhh, talons.”
Sweetie giggled slightly at the obvious slip up. However the upturn of her mouth was wiped out quickly, she was still determined to go home early.
“Aww come on, please.” Sweetie stared pleadingly up at the amber coated mare, her pale jade coloured eyes wide open and quivering almost as much as her upper lip was.
Sunset stared back at the filly with confusion. This was a look that Sunset had never seen before; it almost felt like it was trying to manipulate her in some way. That didn’t make any sense though; Sunset knew that Sweetie Belle was a good filly at heart. Besides the young girl was struggling to lift a quill with her magic, the power required for manipulation magic in comparison was beyond night and day.
Sweetie was not used to her puppy dog eyes not working; they were a lethal weapon according to her sister. But Sunset was not melting at all.
It was a painful blow to the young filly; she just wanted to help the adult that helped her with her homework…
“Hey, could you teleport me back then?” Sweetie’s expression morphed back into one of hope and excitement at figuring out a way around the problem they both had.
This caused a reaction from the adult standing in front of her. “Teleport?”
“Yeah, like what you did with my homework that time I couldn’t find it?”
“Sweetie do you know how much magic is required to teleport a pony in comparison to a few sheets of paper. Not to mention I would need to be able to fully visualise the destination and hope there is nothing at the location to cause interference.”
Sunset received a slow blink of those pale green eyes and the smallest of tilts of the fillies head. “Yeah, but can you do it?”
“Sigh, yes Sweetie. I can do it.”
Sunset watched in confusion as the young filly pranced and hopped around her all the while chanting “Yes” over and over again. Her pink and purple mane and tail following the eager filly like lost puppies.
“So how does it work?” the filly asked when finally calmed down enough to at least stay in the same spot, she was still trembling and dancing in place.
“Look Sweetie, just because I can doesn’t mean I will do it for you.” this stopped the filly completely.
“Aww. Come on, Please? Please please please?”
Before Sunset could comment anything, there was an almighty shriek from the only owl in the tree. A noticeable line of ponies had formed at her desk wanting her help; most of them with frowns on their faces. No doubt from waiting so long already.
“Ok, ok. I’ll do it. It’s clear you’re not going to let me get back to work until I do.” The beaming smile the filly let out could have helped fend off this storm, it was so bright.
“Ok, just like when I got your homework. Fully visualise where you want to be teleported to in the boutique.” Sweetie did so, choosing a clear spot in the kitchen because her room was a mess.
Sunset said nothing as she lay her horn on the fillies head.
Sweetie felt her hairs start to stand on end due to the build-up of magic around her; it was tingly and warm, but didn’t feel threatening. She was beginning to find it difficult to breathe however; but Sweetie couldn’t tell if it was from all the magic around her, or just out of sheer excitement from having such a powerful spell cast on her.
Even through her closed eyes Sweetie Belle could see the flash of light and along with it the fuzzy tingling feeling around her disappeared.
A squawk of surprise and the clattering of china made Sweetie open her eyes; they opened a lot more at what she saw.
“Sweetie Belle? Wh-what’s going on? How did you just appear there?” Her sister asked from her position at the kitchen table, a tea cup was toppled over and its contents now covering the pristine white cloth.
“I JUST TELEPORTED! SOO COOL!”
“SWEETIE BELLE! Did you harass Sunset into teleporting you home instead of waiting for me?! Why I sho–”
“Rarity! I need your help! It’s Miss Shimmer. She’s staying here for Hearth’s Warming!” The porcelain white mare stopped short at the outcry from her sister. She blinked at the words and wondered what was wrong.
“Sweetie, whatever do you mean?”
“I mean she’s not going back to her home for Hearth’s Warming. She’s staying in Ponyville! But she’s not got anyone to celebrate it with. I need your help so that she can have an amazing one and so will want to stay in Ponyville and not a bad one making her leave and never come back!” Sweetie Belle had her eyes set for full lethality, the added tremble of her lower lip spelling doom to any anger that Rarity had for what her sister had done; especially since it was for such a thoughtful thing.
“Oh, Sweetie Belle, what will I do with you? Alright, help me clean up this mess and together we’ll think of something.” The young filly’s tail resembled Winona’s getting food as it rapidly started to sway back and forth.
It took the two sisters only a moment to replace the stained cloth with a fresh and clean one, before sitting down together to discuss the possibilities for their mutual friend.
Hearth Warming Day
It was quiet, very quiet, almost unnaturally quiet inside the library; especially for this time of day. It was Hearth’s Warming and the second day Sunset was forced to have off; and she just didn’t know what to do with herself.
The weather had finally calmed down leaving a town almost buried in white fluffy powder. Every able body was called to help clear the excess snow to a field south of the town; the Mayor was so desperate to clear the snow quickly that she allowed Sunset and the other unicorns to use magic. Especially since the weather team had still not surfaced from their beds.
It took two days, but the town was back to being the lightly snow covered picturesque scene Mayor Mare had planned it to be. It was another day after the clear up that a team from Cloudsdale arrived to help with the chaotic storm. The scowl on Rainbow Dash’s – as well as the rest of her team’s faces – at the late arrival would have turned a Timberwolf.
The Cloudsdale pegasi had the decency to at least apologise for their late arrival, and agreed to remove the fields worth of excess snow before the end of winter.
Sunset was in her private living room, sitting across from the lit cast iron wood burner, reading a book. Her day off yesterday was filled with her researching in the basement; planning for the Summer Sun Celebration as well as going over public available records of the orphanages in Fillydelphia. Both projects were hitting brick walls.
Hoping that a change of pace would help; Sunset had planned absolutely nothing for today. She was just going to sit here and read whatever she wanted to from the fiction section of the library under her care; perhaps even bring down her duvet for that additional bit of comfort.
A clear and precise knocking travelled up the stairwell and reached the small bastion of comfort that sunset had established. A growing part of her wanted to ignore the stubborn pony at her door; larger than she had ever known her rebellious side to shout. But Sunset still felt it prudent to attend to her assigned duties; even with the public holidays as an excuse.
The main door was politely pounded upon again as Sunset reached the main circular room of the library. “I’m coming, I’m coming.” Sunset said out loud as she passed the central bust of a horse.
“Good mo- oh, Applejack; what brings you by this morning?”
“Well nice to see you too Sunset.” Came the stoic reply. The tone held a hint of being offended, but the smile on the tanned earth ponies face took away any real bite.
“It is good to see you Applejack; I just wasn’t expecting to see you at all today. I’d have thought you’d be with your family.”
“Well, yeah. It is Hearth Warming and all. B-but there’s something I need your help with back at the farm.” Sunset quirked an eyebrow at the statement; even with all the offers she had given to help at the farm, Applejack still hadn’t accepted any yet.
It was clear that Applejack realised this too. “L-look, I do need you at the farm. Call it a Hearth Warming present.” The farm pony managed to look Sunset in the eyes at least for that statement, though she was scratching the back of her neck a little too much.
‘Same mannerisms, hooves neither floating, nor sunk into the ground. Eye colour is the same as well as the cutie mark; no shimmers or distortions masking any extra features. This is either a very good illusion spell, or this really is Applejack.’
The thoughts flew past Sunset in the time of a few blinks of her eyes, weighing up her options before she smiled and nodded her head in agreement. “Certainly Applejack I’d be more than happy to help you. I take it you would like me to do some of your chores while you enjoy the day with your family?”
Applejack couldn’t even face Sunset when she agreed it was something like that.
“Are you sure I’m not interrupting anything? I’d hate to intrude.”
“Nonsense. Just come in and say hi, will ya?” Applejack was all but dragging Sunset through the rustic front door of her family’s farmhouse. It wasn’t hard, so much as an annoyance.
The two ponies entered the small but comfortable sitting room; its pale salmon coloured walls complemented the light wooden support beams and flooring. To the left was a set of stairs leading up into the house; and opposite them, on the far right wall, was a rustic stone hearth with a wonderful fire dancing merrily and spreading warmth throughout the room.
Furniture had clearly been recently moved over to the far walls, with a rocking chair and a sofa positioned around the crackling fire. And there in the middle of the room was the reason why; the family dining table had been brought through from the kitchen.
It all was laden with plates filled to the brim with mouth-watering festive foods as well as some Apple family classics. All these grand dishes were centralised around five place settings and chairs; two of them were unoccupied. The meaning was obvious even to an emotional novice like Sunset.
“The girls and I felt it wrong that you’d have nopony to enjoy the day with. The others always leave to visit their own families. But mine is right here in Ponyville, and it’d be an honour if’n you’d join us for Hearth Warming.” The statement brought agreement from everypony else around the table.
Sunset was lost for words; she was at a loss for everything. She felt light headed, weak and confused; it was getting more and more difficult to breathe as she looked over to the ponies who wanted to include her in such a family orientated day. Her eyes started to itch terribly and even began to mist up as she found her legs were unable to support her anymore and she landed on her haunches.
It was painful, so very painful; certainly one of the most painful things she could remember experiencing…and yet it was strangely nice. Her eyes were leaking, but her face couldn’t help but form a smile, even without her trying.
Applejack’s face came into view with a look of concern in her eyes, but the soft smile on her face held understanding. “It’s alright Sugarcube, take your time. It was Sweetie Belle who told us that you’d hadn’t had a proper Hearth’s Warming before and that you were just going to read all day.
“She got us all together and we all came up with lots of nice ideas, but it was actually mah Granny Smith there who suggested you join us when she overheard me grumbling. Said that the honesty of a good meal with family was all you were looking for. Chuckle, by the looks of it I’d say she was right.”
Gently Applejack pulled her friend up and towards the waiting table, where the rest of the local Apple clan was waiting with soft smiles. It looked as though the younger ones wanted to help but the eldest pony of them all had kept them seated with a single look.
Seated next to Applejack, and across from Apple Bloom; Sunset followed suit as Granny Smith, the matriarch of the clan, blessed them all and welcomed Sunset with a smile, before telling everyone to dig in.
The day was nothing but chaos after that for Sunset Shimmer; there was good food and drink that turned into games with Apple Bloom, or friendly competitions with the elder siblings. She did very well for a unicorn, but without cheating and converting her magic she just could not match the two powerful earth ponies.
Sunset used her talents in magic to entertain the family in return, with fireworks, levitation, and an assortment of doable requests that anypony made. Apart from helping with the dishes, Sunset was forbidden from working, much like the rest of the family. For all of them it was a real day for rest with family according to Granny Smith, and she made sure that all of them knew it; especially Sunset.
Sunset’s mind was experiencing things it couldn’t remember. It was overwhelming, quite terrifying, and gave her a headache.
But it was all worth it. She couldn’t remember feeling so accepted.
She felt, happy.