The holiday season was always the most exciting time of the year. Though, truth be told, things HAD slowed down considerably over the years her owner grew older. Fellow toys and dolls were replaced with bigger and typically older books, books that were so big it could be used as a tea party table! Though none of that ever bothered Smarty Pants all that much, because she was the most lucky little plush in all of Equestria. Out of all the bright eyed filled she could have ended up with, her owner was none other than the smartest unicorn in the entire world, Twilight Sparkle. Faithful student to the Princess of the Sun herself, and one of most loyal owners as she never left Smarty Pants behind. Even after leaving Canterlot on Princess Celestia’s orders, moving countless miles to the small town of Ponyville with the single goal to make some friends. Though, truth be told, Twilight definitely had much more adventures than that over the year that they’ve been in town.
Said purple poindexter was zipping to and fro' throughout the cozy library they called home. For you see, tonight was Hearth's Warming Eve, and holiday preparations were almost complete! The stockings were hung neatly above the fireplace awaiting to be filled with goodies, there were countless lights strung all around the library only adding to the cozy and festive feelings inside. And the twinkling lights all culminated around the centerpiece of the entire room, the tree. Reds, greens, golds and blues, not even a single inch of this green fir tree was left exposed without some sort of decoration on it. Below the covered branches, was all the empty room needed to be filled with presents once the morning arrived.
Yes, all is all, the library was ready for the holidays indeed! There was only one thing missing, and that wa- DING DONG The doorbell rang throughout the library with a little holiday jingle, bells ringing proudly as the pair of non-plush inhabitants bounded towards the door with glee. “Alright Spike, I hope you’re ready for the biggest Hearth’s Warming party ever!” Twilight clapped her hooves together excitedly, whilst the last few set pieces of the plethora of food that was made landed onto the main table. The purple flow fading softly before the knob of the door turned and it opened, letting a brief but brisk breeze waft its way into the library.
The entire library echoed with the chatter of many voices, tons of seasonal greetings, warm wishes, and even a dozen or so balloons from Pinkie Pie's party cannon that she had somehow wheeled past the gaggle of ponies at the door. One by one, Smarty Pants counted each and every one that came in the door. The five closest friends of her wonderful owner, the three fillies that called themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and… A new face? This was puzzling, Smarty Pants WAS the official attendance counter for every party and this mystery mare wasn't on the list. As Spike and the young girls ran upstairs probably to play video games or whatnot, the little plush on the shelf couldn't help but watch as Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and this mystery mare talked by the door.
She looked kinda dull from a distance, though her coat was almost the same colour as Smarty Pants herself, so she couldn't be too bad, right? There was a hoofshake, the mare motioned to her sweater pocket and then Twilight smiled before nodding and pointed to the shelf Smarty was sitting on. With what looked like a chipper statement, Twilight seemed to have excused herself so she could stoke the fire to help keep the temperature nice and cozy inside.
The music quickly started up as Applejack placed a keg she brought with her onto the main table next to the plates of food, and of course Rainbow Dash was right behind her the ENTIRE way, almost as if she were latched onto said keg. Fluttershy and Rarity were gossiping nearby the punch bowl; though that wasn't a fair assessment as far as Smarty was concerned. Rarity was busy talking while Fluttershy meekly nodded with a soft smile, sipping away at her cup of red liquid.
“Hello Smarty Pants.” A soft but direct voice almost startled the stuffing out of the plush. Not moving a single inch, her button eyes rested on the mysterious mare as she stood in front of the shelf. She silently reached into a pocket in her frock, digging around for a moment before pulling out a small, smooth rock onto the bottom side of her hoof. “I'd like you to meet Boulder. Twilight said you wouldn't mind, and I figured you could keep Boulder company during his first party. He’s a little shy, so I'm sure he appreciates it. You be nice Boulder, I’ll come get you when it’s time to leave.” Though there was hardly any nuance in her voice, the mystery mare placed the small rock beside Smarty with a very small smile. With a tilt of her head, eyes looking over the small doll before the mare walked away and started making her way over to the punch bowl, where Rainbow Dash was now trying to fish out some ice cubes with a spoon much too big to hold in her mouth.
Smarty Pants turned her attention away from the commotion going on as she now had somepony new to meet. This is just like when Twilight came to Ponyville! If she could make friends, then so can I! I won’t let you down!
With a deep, non-existent breath, the doll turned slightly, to better face the new stone that rested atop her shelf. She reached out one of her stuffed arms to introduce herself to the newcomer. “Hello there! My name is Smarty Pants, though you can just call me Smarty if you'd prefer. Welcome to Ponyville, more specifically the Golden Oaks Library where I call home with my family. Happy Hearth’s Warming!
…
There was no response from Boulder, the rock merely sat there as unmoving and lifeless as ever before. A long and awkward silence filled the air, plastic eyes staring unblinking as if looking for any kind of movement from the shifty stone. “I uhh… So your name is Boulder, right? At least, that's what that mare said. She never did introduce herself though!” Nervousness started to overtake the small pseudo-pony, if she were flesh and blood there would be sweat starting to bead up on her forehead. Things were NOT going to plan, though this should've been easy, right? At least Twilight made it look easy…
The smooth stone continued to do nothing, its dull surface didn't seem to hold any secrets nor did it let Smarty Pants get a read on this strange new friend. “I guess you really are just shy with all the new ponies to meet here. That's okay, I'm not one for meeting strangers much either.” Plopping down next to the tiny boulder named Boulder, she looked out into the room at the ponies (and dragon) enjoying the festivities. If Smarty could smile, it'd be as wide as a mile for sure! The laughter and joy that filled the air was starting to rub off on her, she wanted nothing more than to join in and have a wonderful time with the rest.
Though, aside from being way too high up to realistically get down on her own, something else stopped her. Glancing a magenta button eye at the stone beside her, she smiled as much as she could as a question Twilight had been pondering years earlier finally seemed to have an answer to the tiny plush.
“Ya know, I want to ask, what do YOU think Hearth's Warming is all about?”
… … …
“That's true, the decorations and the pretty lights are nice and all. I quite like the smells of holiday baking, it tickles my nose in wonderful ways.” Rubbing her snout with a hoof, Smarty then leaned against Boulder who was surprisingly warm to the touch.
…
Smarty giggled. “That too! Snuggling up close to the fire on a cold wintery night is really great.”
…
“In? No no no, I couldn't be IN the fire or I'd be ON fire! I don't have the same tough exterior as you do.”
…
The stone seemed to move beside her, as if its attention was somehow turned to Smarty Pants. “I used to think the same thing, gifts. Things, items ponies give to each other because it's just what they do. But I think there's more to it than that. I think Hearth's Warming is about others, it's about friends and family, thoughtfulness and even joy. Getting together with those you love, sharing gifts picked out with care and even just having a day to forget the troubles of life to just have a moment together. That's what I think Hearth's Warming is about.”
Boulder seemed to get warmer, maybe even buzzing a bit seemingly in agreement. “I think when I was younger it was more like that, when it was just me in the Sparkle household. That was the last time I had a big family, the last time the magic was still in the day. Though I think it's coming back, looking at Twilight and how she has fit in so well and come so far. Makes me want to start my next chapter, make my own friends and have my own adventures. Will you be my friend, Boulder?”
Boulder did not reply, though Smarty Pants didn't really need one. She knew deep inside her stuffing what his answer was, and she never felt as happy as she did now. She was just like Twilight, making a friend right on Hearth's Warming day. It's never too late to be kind, to give the gift of good company.
Maud Pie found herself enjoying the company of her sister's friends, they were quite… Pleasant. Sure she wasn't as into it all as her rather ‘off the wall’ sister Pinkie was, but she enjoyed it all the same. Glancing towards the shelf that she left Boulder on earlier, she noticed the stuffed toy Twilight Sparkle had called Smarty Pants was leaned against the stone. She smiled. A real one, which felt a bit strange to the otherwise stoic mare. A new sensation welled up inside her chest, the last throes of hesitation and uncertainty faded away. Taking a sip from her cup to try and cover up her small smile, Maud couldn't help but quietly giggle to herself. This was definitely the best Hearth's Warming ever, and she couldn't wait to do it again.