"Yes!" Rainbow Dash squealed. Applejack let out a slight chuckle as the rainbow mare's fingers slipped and the little avatar she was controlling fell to its doom, followed by a series of vulgar curses. "Of all the... How is this fair? I hit the space bar! I hit the space bar damn it!" She yelled. "How am I supposed to work with these horrible controls, let alone these slippery appendages?" She scanned her finger tips. "Why does the cat stand on two legs, anyway?"
"Uh... Rainbow Dash?" Twilight frowned. She entered the room holding a ridiculously complicated looking book in her hands. "What are you yelling at?"
Rarity scoffed. "Oh, please. I'm sure its not that bad, darling."
"Oh, don't mind her." Pinkiepie giggled. "Rainbow is just upset that I beat the game on the first try."
"Game?" Twilight mumbled. "What-
"Cat mario!" Rainbowdash groaned. She looked worn out and tired and her palms were red and sweaty. "Try as I might, I just cannot get the damn thing to do what I want. And I'm twenty percent cooler then all of you guys!" She crossed her arms and slumped back in her chair, pouting.
Rarity rolled her eyes. "A game like that requires patience and grace, darling. Two things of which you don't possess, Rainbow Dash. Let a lady try."
Rainbow Dash grit her teeth. "By all means, Rarity, go ahead. I'm done with this crap anyway."
She swung herself out of the chair and went to stand by Twilight. "Ten bits says she loses her shit." Rainbow Dash whispered to Applejack. The cow girl chuckled and the two fist bumped.
"Your on, sugar cube." She whispered back.
Just then, however, the door bell rang. Twilight went to get it. "I wonder who that could be." She said. "I mean, its not like we get many visitors." She opened the door. On the other side was a man holding a box.
"Good afternoon, ladies." The man said. "I take it your spending the day with your friends?" He handed Twilight a card, which she examined. "I'm from the Seasonal Shack, and I've been hired to deliver all these Christmas decorations to the residents of Buckland Apartments at 30% off. Thats right! A 30% discount!"
Twilight frowned at the card and then looked slowly up. "The Seasonal... Shack? Whats that?" She said. A shack can't be seasonal, she thought. Unicorn magic can obviously capture the illusion of seasons and back in Equestria we, of course helped move things along but that doesn't seem to be the case here. So what does he...?
"Oh, of course. You see, the Seasonal Shack is a big time company and the main supplier of holiday decor around here. As a holiday draws nearer and nearer, we start to stock up on supplies. Around halloween, we were selling candy and costumes and the like but now the festivities are drawing in. If you buy this packet for only 33.99, You will receive 30 baubles, 5 randomly selected tinsel and a golden star for your tree, plus a complimentary Christmas themed tree stand!" He shone Twilight a big, cheesy smile. "So, what do you say? I promise it won't be a waste of your money."
Twilight frowned. She'd heard vaguely of halloween. From what she had gathered, it was a bit like Night Mare night in Equestria. Stil, she'd never heard of... 'christmas' but she supposed it could be a good cultural experience. She took a crisp fifty off the table and handed it to the door-to-door salesman. "Here you go." She said. The man handed her the box, which turned out to be rather heavy.
"Hey, Twilight, who was it?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Just some salesman. Said something about some human holiday called 'Christmas...?' Ah well, we'll find out what it is soon enough. I bought some decorations."
"I heard him say something about a tree." Pinkiepie piped up. "Why would they want a tree?"
"In the context, I think the decorations are supposed to go on the tree, Pinkie. But, since we don't have a tree and we don't know where to get one... well, I don't think we're allowed to just go out and cut one down somehow. I can't see anybody else doing it." Twilight explained
Rainbow Dash blinked interestedly. "So... Its sorta like hearths warming eve?" She suggested.
Twilight nodded. "Seems that way. Ooh, I wonder if there are any other human holidays similiar to ours? I already know Halloween for Night Mare night and Christmas... How about Hearts and Hooves day? Ooo! Or the Summer Sun Celebration?" I've just gotta do some research!" She blushed. "... After we put the decorations up, of course."
"Sweet!" Pinkiepie squeed. "I bags the baubles!"
"Ooh. Shiny." Rarity commented. She admired her well-groomed hair in the reflection of a silver one. "I suppose I'll do the tinsel. They do remind me of scarfs. And besides, only I have the grace and beauty to wrap the tinsel properly. It really is a shame when it looks all messy, and I simply cannot bear to have them crossing over or having loose ends with nowhere to place them."
"Perfect." Twilight said. She levitated a notepad and pencil over to her and clumsily tore out a page with her thumb and forefinger. "I'll organize where the baubles and tinsel should go and Rainbow Dash..." She looked at the pegagirl's wings rather unsurely. "Well... she can fly up and put the star on top."
"What about me and Applejack...?" Fluttershy murmured.
"You two can go and find a tree." Twilight beamed. "After all, you work on an apple farm, Applejack. You work with animals, Fluttershy and many of your little friends live in trees, so together you should know a good tree when you see one."
Applejack smiled determinedly. "You bet the hat on my head I can! Come on, Flutters." Before she could protest, the orange mare slipped on a jacket and grabbed her arm, forcefully pulling her out the door.
The group sat silently for a little while. Eventually, it was Rarity who broke the silence. "What do we do now then?" She asked.
"You know..." Rainbow Dash chuckled. "I never did get to see you finish cat mario..."
* * *
"Of all the...This game is worse then the time I was captured by those diamond dogs. Its positively awful. No, its worse then that! I-its negatively awful! Why in the world does everything want to kill this poor little cat?" She moaned. She let out a tired sigh, sinking back into her chair dramatically. "Oh woe is me! It appears I cannot complete this game. But for my credibility I must- no, I will not let this game go unbeaten! I will beat this game if it is the last thing I do, as Celestia or whatever ruler these people worship as my witness, Rainbow Dash will not defeat me in this event."
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Seriously Rarity, chill out. Its just a game you know."
Rarity whipped around. She appeared to have taken on a new aura, eyes blood red and face flushed. Rainbow Dash even thought she could see a little steam coming out from her nostrils and ears. "Just a game? This is my credibility on the line, Rainbow Dash. You should know, being the competitive one. I agreed to this on your word, and as such-
"And as such, you should finish it on my word!" Rainbow Dash groaned. "You've been doing this for the last hour now!"
Rarity stuck her nose up haughtily. "And it will continue for an hour more."
Rainbow Dash groaned. "Where are Applejack and Shutter- I mean, Fluttershy when you need them?"
Twilight frowned. "You must really be tired, huh. I mean, mixing up our friends names-
"Silly filly!" Pinkiepie chirped. "They're right outside the door!"
Rainbow Dash sighed. "Phew! Lets go greet them." She opened the door to reveal Applejack and Fluttershy carrying a massive tree above their heads. Fluttershy was sweating and her arms were shaking from the pressure but years of apple bucking had obviously paid off in the human world also as Applejack was holding her half like it was nothing more then a pound of light metal.
"H-here you are." Stammered Fluttershy. "O-one tree!"
Applejack frowned. "What in tarnation were you lot doin' in there? We've been knockin' for ages."
"You probably didn't knock hard enough then." Rarity accused Applejack.
"Uh, hello? I have the strongest fists out of all of us here. Strongest legs, too." Applejack retorted.
"Wanna bet on that?" Challenged Rainbow Dash.
"Girls!" Twilight yelled. "Break it up, okay?" She turned to Fluttershy and Applejack. "Uh... Just how long were you out there for, anyway?"
"T-ten minut-
"A good ten minutes." Scowled Applejack, cutting Fluttershy off. "I can't believe this."
"Sorry about that." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "We probably couldn't hear you over Rarity's obnoxious whining."
"Why...?" Applejack stared at them inquisitively.
"Lets just say you owe me ten bucks." Rainbow Dash chuckled. "She flipped her shit alright."
"Ten bucks? Ouch, but would that be painful! Besides, we don't even have hind legs any more. How can you buck something without hindlegs, silly?" Pinkiepie giggled. AJ and Rainbow Dash rolled their eyes.
"You got the tree?" Twilight stated, coming into the room. "Oh, thats good. Now we can start on the tree. I've drawn a diagram up on the lounge as to where I want every decoration to be. And don't forget to make it symmetrical. There can't be any uneven spaces between the tinsel, Rarity. The tinsel on our last tree for Hearths Warming Eve was off by at least a centimeter." She glared at the diva.
All of the ponies groaned, take for Twilight and Applejack rested a hand on Twilights shoulder. "Look now, Twilight... I know you mean well and all but decorating a tree is supposed to be fun! Not... well... Taxing. Your ordering us around for something as insignificant as this tree so... why don't you just help set it up into the stand? Nopony is doing that yet."
Twilight stubbornly stomped a foot on the ground. "Applejack! This is not just some petty tree!"
Rainbow Dash frowned. "Uh... It isn't?"
Twilight looked exasperated. "No! This is the very basis of human culture we are dealing with here. Everything has to be perfect!"
"Twilight..." Rainbow Dash bit her lip. "Just because its a human holiday doesn't change the fact that its a holiday and... uh... Just tell us where you want the general tinsel to go, okay? Stop ordering us around for once!"
Twilight growled in fustration. "'Ordering around'? I'm just trying to make sure you guys don't screw up."
"They say I'm the diva," Rarity muttered.
Twilight glared at her. "We are going ahead as I planned. And I am not a diva!" She let out a sharp, annoyed grunt and stormed into the opposite room, slamming the door on her friends groans.
"Okay, I guess we should get started." Applejack said.
"I'll get the stand!" Pinkiepie began to dig through the boxes next to her, scooping up an armful of the baubles. "Baubleicious!" She warbled.
Rarity had all of the tinsels wrapped around her neck, admiring the shininess. "Which ones do you think I should put on first? The silver? The gold? Ooh, how about this smashing crimson? There's also a rather nice green- then again there's a green and red one- oh, I just can't decide!"
"Just pick one at random." Applejack suggested. She slouched down at the couch next to Fluttershy, as their work was done.
"But then there might not be a good color contrast!" The diva whined. "I don't want to have to do it all over again!"
Rainbowdash grabbed the star, looking over it curiously. "They have a star, also. Why so many similarities to 'Warming's Eve? Maybe Twilight should look that over."
Applejack smirked. "I never thought you'd be the one to be curious in their culture, Rainbow Dash."
To this, Rainbow Dash turned a bright crimson. "C-curious? N-no, I'm not curious! I just thought it'd be cool to know, that's all! Its not like I'm an egghead or anything. I'm going to put this star up now, that way you guys can see how not curious I am."
"That doesn't make any sense." Applejack pointed out.
\ "Of course it does! With the 'Dash, everything makes sense. Thats just how awesome I am, okay?" Rainbow Dash planted the star atop the tree swiftly and returned to the ground. "Twilight entrusted me with this, not any of you."
Applejack rolled her eyes. "Thats because your the best flyer in here, Rainbow Dash. Possibly the best flyer this world has ever known, but I digress."
"H-how about those big, metal birds that fly across the sky? They look like their pretty good at flying. They're noisy and scary, too." Fluttershy muttered. She jumped as a high pitched squeal hit the air. "Eek! ... There's one now!"
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure I could fly better then those penis-shaped tin cans. At least I could fly faster,"
Fluttershy looked around wildly. "Don't say that! They might hear you..."
Applejack let out a fustrated growl of her own. "Rainbow Dash, don't swear. Both of you, lets just get back onto the tree, okay?"
"Sure thing!" Rainbow Dash said. She leapt onto the couch and buried her hands behind her head. "My work here is done."
"But what if theres a place on the tree we can't reach? We don't have a ladder so that means that you'll have to fly up there and put it there and even if we did have a ladder that we don't have it means that the ladder might fall and then we fall and if the ladder falls the momentum might be enough to topple the tree and if the tree topples that means that all our work will be finished and we'll have to do it all again!" Pinkiepie went through whole sentence frantically, breaking down and sobbing.
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Fine," she said with annoyed grunt. "Just tell me when you need me. I'm going to take a nap."
Pinkiepie frowned. "You know, this is why so much of the fandom think your element should be swapped with Applejack's!"
Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Uh... they do?"
"Who's this fandom? If their an enemy, I can totally take em' on!" Rainbow Dash snorted.
"Yeah, they do sound mighty shady..."
Pinkiepie giggled. "Nevermind!"
Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at each other rather uncertainly. Finally, they both came to the agreement that Pinkiepie had finally, at long last, gone off the deep end. "Uh... huh." Rainbow Dash said. "I'm going to take that nap now."
"Okay," Pinkiepie beamed. "I'll wake you up if we need anything."
Rainbow Dash shot Pinkiepie a rather strange look but closed her eyes an rested her head against the pillow. "Okay, Pinkie. I'm going to go to sleep now, okay?"
"Okie-dokie-lokie!" Pinkiepie agreed. Soon after, Rainbow Dash begun to snore. "Ooh! Ooh! I've got a song about Christmas that I just made up! Anybody want to hear it?"
The remaining ponies looked at one another rather unsurely. "Uh... No, darling- that's really not necessary-
Pinkiepie cut Rarity off with the starting note of one of her songs.
"Its time for Christmas coldness- an awesome hol-id-ay!
The snow upon the rooftops grow and little children play...
All the food they've bought is running out and with fatness they shall pay
Cause thanksgiving is on and out and Chris is on his way!
The time has come to cele-brate
And hang our flashy lights
But its also time to welcome back a new year and new heights.
How can we help? We're new you see!
What does everybody do? How can we fit in without time here?
I haven't got a clue!
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-up!
I'll finish this holiday cheer!
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-up!
Because soon it is new year!
Bringing in the yearly haul
A person's job begins!
Gotta buy all that you buys
To let the kids cheer in!
We set the stage and we welcome the white snow!
When the sun comes up the festivity will show!
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-up!
I'll finish this holiday cheer!
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-up!
Cause soon it is new year
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-Up!
Cause soon it is new year,
Cause soon it is new year!
Little baubles string the trees, the pavements? Snow and ice
We wake up all the sleepy heads by screaming at them thrice.
We help them finish up their food
Grab their gifts below!
We welcome in the christmas air
family spirits that shall grow!
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-up!
I'll finish this holiday cheer!
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-up!
Cause soon it is new year
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-Up!
Cause soon it is new year,
Cause soon it is new year!
No easy task to fill the halls
Deck em' all with holly
With proper care and much time
Everyone be jolly
Apples, carrots, celery stalks,
so much more food too!
We must work so very hard
Its just too much to do!
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-up!
I'll finish this holiday cheer!
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-up!
Cause soon it is new year
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-Up!
Cause soon it is new year,
Cause soon it is new year!
Now that you know what they all do
You've got to find your place!
And help with all of your heart
Tough tasks ahead you face.
How will you do if its your first time
Help spread the Christmas cheer
You need wanna belong so you must
Welcome Christmas here!
Welcome Christmas heeeere!
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-up!
I'll finish this holiday cheer!
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-up!
Cause soon it is new year
Its-Christmas-Cheer-Up, Christmas-Cheer-Up!
Cause soon it is new year,
Cause soon it is new year!
Cause soon it is new year!
Cause soon it is new year!
Cause soon it is new yeeaaar!
Yeah!
"Whats thanksgiving?" Rarity asked.
Rainbow Dash, who had long since woken up to the noise, frowned. "And whats New Year?"
"I dunno what new year is," Pinkiepie confessed. "I only called it that because its the end of the year- silly filly!"
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, then widened them, looking at the Christmas tree. "You two already decorated the entire tree? How...?"
"We did it while Pinkiepie was singing, darling." Rarity explained. She finished wrapping the last piece of tinsel around the tree. "Is there anything else in the box? The tree looks nice but it doesn't feel... finished. Not yet, anyway."
"I dunno- I think the tree looks awesome!" Rainbow Dash said.
"Your tinsel wrapping is exquisite, Rarity!" Pinkiepie complimented.
Rarity looked smugly at her nails. "Why thank you, darling. Your taste in baubles is-
"Pinkilicious?" Pinkie suggested.
Rarity frowned and then smiled at Pinkiepie's antics. "Well, I was going to say 'magnificent', but that'll do I suppose."
Pinkiepie shot Rarity an ear to ear grin. "I thought it might. All I found were these things." Pinkiepie said. She pulled a handful of wires and bulbs out of the box. "I think they're lights."
"This tree is going to look so cool!" Rainbow Dash squeed. "I bags the lights."
"No fair!" Pinkiepie protested. "You did the star."
"And now I'm gonna do the lights." Rainbow Dash retorted. As Rainbow Dash plugged them into a power outlet and the lights turned on, everybody let out a gasp of awe. "They really are awesome." Rainbow Dash bragged. She wrapped them around the tree and the friends stood back to admire their work.
"Hey guys," Twilight said. She trotted back into the room just as they finished off. "I found out a bit more about Christmas." She stopped at the sight of the tree and smiled. "Wow, you well with the tree. Good job, girls. So, apparently we're supposed to have a large feast tomorrow. Surprisingly enough, today isn't actually Christmas. Its something that humans call 'Christmas Eve', which is the night before Christmas."
"That makes my brain hurt," Pinkiepie giggled.
Twilight rolled her eyes. "As I was saying, it is custom for humans to give each other gifts on Christmas day, so while you lot were doing that, I took the initiative to go down and buy us each a present. No opening them until tommorow." Twilight warned. "I'm talking to you Pinkiepie. I also bought us each 'stockings', which they put some of their smaller gifts in. Hang them on your doors tonight." She instructed.
"Stockings? Who'd want to hold gifts in a pair of tights?" Rarity shook her head. "Humans are strange."
"No- its more like a big sock." Twilight confessed.
Rarity shrugged. "Still weird."
"Cool," Rainbow Dash said. "Did you find anything out about the history?" She crossed her arms and blushed. "N-not that I want to know, or anything..."
"Actually, I did." Said Twilight with a smile. Rainbow Dash groaned when she realized she had just started Twilight on another lecture. "It all began with the star of Bethlehem, when it shone on the stable where baby Jesus was born. Jesus, by the way is the son of the god a lot of them worship."
"What do the rest worship?" Rainbow Dash asked. She decided not to ask what Bethlehem was, or why Jesus was born in a stable.
Twilight shrugged. "Other gods I guess. As Rarity said, humans are strange creatures. Thats why humans put a star on their trees. The tree itself is from another time era..." She continued on about the history of Christmas and thanks giving. When she got to the part about new years, Pinkiepie had a lot to say. Finally, Twilight unpacked the presents under the tree, hung some candy canes on the branches (which Pinkiepie found very delicous- the candy canes, not the branches) and then they hung their stockings up and went to sleep.
Or something like that.