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// Happy hearth's warming eve, Tia! 
// Story: Little loony Luna and crazy caffeinated Celestia's life in Canterlot 
// by Vidhwansak 
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Happy hearth's warming eve, Tia!




Hearth's warming eve; the time where ponies celebrated coming together to become what is now known as Equestria, spending time with family and friends, exchanging gifts (and kisses, if one was lucky) with each other, and enjoying the holiday spirit that seemed to be in the air. Chrysalis, however, wasn't enjoying the festivities as much as she should have been, mostly because she was fretting over the fact that she needed to send a gift to Celestia. Luna was easy; Chrysalis just bought some limited edition Hearth's warming eve holiday flavoured moonpies for her. Celestia, though, was the challenge.

I'm not sure what would please Celestia...I understand that she likes cake, but she eats that every other day, so another cake wouldn't mean too much to her. She's already content with most physical needs, and I can't think of anything I could actually get her that she couldn't already get herself. Hm... Chrysalis was with Luna, and both were in the frosty castle gardens, taking a stroll through them. While it was argued that the royal gardens were the most beautiful thing in Canterlot in the summer, in the winter, it certainly didn't lose any of its grandeur by any means. Chrysalis was staring at one of the many frosted over stone statues before getting hit in the back of the head by a snowball.

What th-?! Chrysalis turned her head around to pout at a grinning Luna, who had been quiet this entire time, making a snowball behind Chrysalis' back. "Ow! Lulu!"

The alicorn rather maturely blew a raspberry at her. "It was only to be expected, Chrys!"

Grumbling under her breath, Chrysalis straightened the scarf and beanie she was wearing, having been knocked slightly askew from the snowball. "Yeah, expected."

There was a silence that stretched between the two, with Chrysalis continuing to look at the statues scattered around the garden. It was clear she was lost in thought, and Luna wanted to know what was troubling her friend. She slowly crunched through the frosty ground, ending up by Chrysalis' side with a slight frown on her face. "Is something wrong, Chrys? You're making me worry a bit."

Despite the fact that Luna was probably the best absolute choice to go to for advice, Chrysalis hesitated before telling her what was on her mind. "I still need to get something for Tia, and I have no idea what that's going to be."

Oh, is that it? That's nothing to worry about! Luna rolled her eyes, and punched Chrysalis on the shoulder playfully. "Well, you could always give a gift from the heart; it doesn't have to be something expensive, or even a true gift."

Chrysalis punched her back, not happy with the advice she was given. "...I don't think I could do something like that, Lulu. It's different for you, you're her sister! You could give her a rabid rabbit and she'd be happy with it."

Luna pressed up gently against Chrysalis' side, attempting to gain a little warmth as she was still feeling cold even through her warm winter jacket and scarf. "I actually did give her a rabid rabbit once; she said it was the thought that counts. Tia 'donated' the rabbit down to a pegasus family, if I remember correctly. I think the descendant of that rabbit is Angel Bunny, though that's another thing entirely. The point is, Chrys I don't think you should worry too much about getting a 'suitable' gift for Tia. After all, it's almost like you're family now anyway!"

"Yeah, 'almost'." Chrysalis stiffened slightly as Luna pressed up against her, but didn't pull away from the sudden body contact. "I don't think I'll be able to find something with as much meaning like your wrapped up holiday themed Twilight plushie."

I didn't expect that coming. Luna looked at Chrysalis in shock, slightly upset that her gift was so easily found out. "How did you know I was giving Tia a plushie?"

"It's not that hard to figure out once you realize that Tia is a sucker for Twilight plushies, and the fact that the tag is sticking out."

Oh... Luna groaned, and slapped a hoof to her head, immediately regretting it when she realized how cold the ground was, and the fact that she just rubbed snow on her face didn't help. "C-Cold...Ah, I knew I was forgetting something when I p-packed that up. Can we talk about this inside, Chrys, so I don't hit myself in the face with cold hooves?"

Smirking at the lunar alicorn, Chrysalis nudged her towards the castle. "Alright, you silly."

Immediately, Luna whined at being called silly. "I'm not a silly!"

Ignoring her for the moment, Chrysalis strode into the castle, which had been decorated beautifully with ornaments hanging, candy horns being passed out, ponies running around everywhere, bringing food and friends along in preparation for the hearth's warming feast, the whole nine yards. Even with all this joyous spirit in the castle, it somewhat paled in comparison to the gardens, in Chrysalis' opinion. Still, she was glad to be inside, where it was warm, dry, and safe from snowballs. She discarded her scarf, beanie, and winter jacket onto a changeling, who then proceeded to take them to the laundry room after gathering up Luna's winter wear as well. The two alicorns wordlessly made their way to the massive hearth in the main, public dining room that was only used in feasts and holidays such as this one, and sat down in front of it, enjoying the warmth that it radiated along with a few other ponies that had were already there. A few minutes of sitting in front of the raging fire contained within passed before Luna spoke up lazily. 

"Chrys?"

"Hm?"

Luna didn't speak for awhile, busy as she was cuddling up closer to Chrysalis for more warmth. "Why not just give Tia a hug? Sometimes the simplest things are the best things to give to somepony."

The simplest things, eh? A hug is one of them? "A hug, as a gift? Surely that can't be the only thing you expect me to give her."

Luna looked up at the ceiling, and gave a smile as she saw a little cluster of mistletoe, just above them. "...Well, you could add a kiss under the mistletoe, under where we're sitting."

"Oh, ew!" Chrysalis made a face, and would have attempted to move away from Luna if it weren't for the fact that she was so warm. Darn body heat. "I can't believe you'd actually suggest that, Lulu, much less point out the fact that we're underneath some right now."

"Hey, it was worth a shot, playing matchmaker for my sister!"

A new voice sounded out, disagreeing with Luna's exclamation. "You're a terrible matchmaker, Lulu."

The two alicorns turned their heads around to see Celestia smiling at them, who then sat down on the other side of Chrysalis with a smile. "Hello, you two."

Chrysalis turned around, and gave a nod at Celestia. "Hello Tia." Inwardly, she was scared; she still hadn't found a present for her yet! Luna hadn't really helped her, either, in trying to get a gift for her.

"Tia!" Luna scrambled over to give her sister a hug, which was eagerly given back by her sister. Chrysalis watched the tender moment of sisterly bonding with a touch of jealousy. It's so simple for them...All they really need is each other. They don't need gifts, they just need each other's love...Heh, that's almost like us changelings.

That was when she was surprised, once Luna untangled herself from Celestia. The white alicorn still had her hooves out, and she winked at Chrysalis. "Come on, Chrys; I know you haven't got a present for me. That's okay, though; all I need is a hug from a friend, and that's present enough." 

"I told you so!" Luna crowed, sporting a cheeky grin on her face.

Ignoring what Luna said, Chrysalis walked over to the waiting alicorn with her hooves outstretched, and hugged Celestia, somewhat awkwardly, but it was a start. She felt a warm set of hooves wrap around her neck, and soon after, also felt a strong surge of love come from her. It tasted like friendship; warm, strong friendship, laced with cinnamon and very filling. Chrysalis pulled away slightly, only for Celestia's strong hooves to pull her back in tightly. "Happy hearth's warming eve, Chrysalis."

"Happy hearth's warming eve, Tia!" Another set of hooves wrapped around her from behind, and from the smell of marshmallow, she assumed it was Luna, which was confirmed by her voice a moment later. 

"Group hug!"