//------------------------------//
// Hearth's Warming Eve 
// Story: Pinkie and Bluie Twoie - A Pinkie and Bluie Hearth's Warming 
// by Talon and Thorn 
//------------------------------//

It was Hearth’s warming eve and Prince Blueblood was carrying out the last of his preparations for the big day. He had just dispatched a message to his caterers to ensure that the additional food required for Pinkie’s family would be delivered tomorrow morning. His cook had the day off but his stallionservant Duty Bound would be able to deal with presenting the meal once it had been delivered, he sometimes wondered what he would do without the old stallion.
 
Once that was done he prepared to head off to the station to meet with the Pie family. They were due to arrive this afternoon and spend the night at the Canterlot Royal Hotel. They would then turn up and surprise Pinkie just before noon on Hearth’s Warming day before returning to the farm the next day.
 
Before he left he made one last check of the decorations around his house. He generally preferred a somewhat understated effort, just the careful positioning of a few discreet (but very expensive) decorations. The only thing he allowed himself to go over the top with was his tree. Every year he had a twelve foot pine tree (any larger would just be showing off, it wasn’t like he had anything to prove) imported from the crystal empire and planted outside his house before it was decorated in the grandest style money could buy, it was quite the talk of the neighbourhood.
 
This year, however, was different. This year Pinkie was involved, her style of decoration was rather less minimalistic than his, thus there was scarcely a square foot of house which did not contain a candy cane, a wreath, a star, bell or other decoration, many of them hoof made by Pinkie. It certainly wasn’t a boring house any more although he found it all a little overpowering.
 
Pinkie had recognised this and had let him continue to organise the tree himself, although she had insisted that they put every decoration on personally. He had been unsure about it to start off with but as the day had worn on he had found it quite enjoyable clambering through the branches to place the decorations and although the final result might not have been as perfect as normal he felt a strong feeling of pride at a job well done.
 
Smiling up at the tree he left his house to meet his guests at the station.
 





 
Although the streets of Canterlot were clogged with early revellers Blueblood made good time to the station and arrived at the same time as the Pie’s train. He walked onto the platform just as they were leaving their carriage. The entire family was heavily burdened with full saddlebags. Inkie and Pinkie were looking around the station in astonishment, although Inkie was at least making some attempt to hide it. Blueblood assumed this was their first visit to Equestria's capital.
 
“How was your trip?” he asked stepping up to the family.
 
“Fine thank you,” said Sue, ”Although we almost missed the train because Clyde spent so long giving orders to the farm hands you supplied.”
 
“Well you know what the north field's like, the lines drift almost every day, they have to know to keep an eye on it,” grumbled the stallion.
 
“Do we have the time to do some sightseeing?” asked Blinkie, her eyes glued to the flanks of a guard as he wandered past.
 
Inkie raised an eyebrow at her single minded sister, “There are some places I’d like to see as well,” she said.
 
“I’ll take you to your hotel to get settled in then the rest of the afternoon is your own. I’m afraid I’ve arranged to meet Pinkie in Ponyville this evening for the Hearth's warming pageant there so I won’t be able to show you around myself.”
 
“Ah the pageant. Do you remember when you used to put on those for us girls?” asked Sue with a smile.
 
“Pinkie was always Pudding head,” said Inkie.
 
“And you were Smart Cookie but I made an awesome Platinum,” continued Blinkie.
 
Clyde reared up and let out a growl causing Inkie and Pinkie to jump in surprise, “And I was the Windigo, Woooo!” he gave a moan and waved his forelegs around before remembering where he was, he settled back down his face colouring, “But that was a long time ago.”
 
Blueblood tried not to grin at the stallion’s discomfort, “This way,” he said, “My carriage is waiting.”
 
The trip to the hotel went without a hitch and he made sure his guests were made comfortable. The concierge seemed somewhat put out that a group of rock farmers were staying at such a high class establishment, However, after Blueblood quietly took him aside and made sure he understood how important the family was to him, and what effect a bad word from him to the owner could have on the concierge’s career, the hotel had decided to provide the Pie’s with a few complimentary bottles of champagne.
 
Blueblood was just about to alight on his carriage when he saw a strange sight. Well to him it was a normal sight, but in a strange context. There just across the street was his servant, Duty Bound, he was used to seeing the black unicorn most days but this was probably the first time he had seen him out of uniform. The old stallion was walking down the street with a younger dark blue pegasus stallion by his side, and most bizarrely, a young sky blue pegasus colt balanced on his back.
 
His curiosity getting the better of him Blueblood made his way across the street to get a better look, “Duty,” he called.
 
The old stallion stiffened and turned towards his master, “Sir,” he replied. The colt shyly ducked down behind the older unicorns head.
 
“What are you doing here?” asked Blueblood.
 
“It is my afternoon off, sir,” said Duty somewhat reproachfully, “I was spending it with my family, this is my son Homeward,” he indicated the older pegasus.
 
“My Lord,” said Homeward respectfully lowering his eyes.
 
“And this is my grandson Freedom,” the colt shyly waved a hoof before burying himself in his grandfather's mane.
 
Blueblood was flabbergasted, it had honestly never occurred to him that his stallionservant had a family. He had always seemed more like an item of furniture than an actual pony with his own likes and loves. Blueblood was struck by what he had come to think of as one of his, ‘what would Pinkie do?’ moments. Since meeting Miss Pie he had occasionally found himself questioning if what he was doing was something she would approve of. He had originally found them annoying, they had caused him to cancel several potentially profitable, if not entirely ethical plans. But over time he had come to accept them as the small cost of being with Pinkie.
 
“You’re on er.. duty tomorrow aren't you Duty?” he asked already knowing the answer.
 
“Yes sir,” said the servant, “You have asked me to manage your party.”
 
With a sinking feeling Bluie realised that by organising time with Pinkie and her family he was stopping Duty from spending time with his own family. He considered for a moment, he could probably arrange the party by himself although it would make the day more stressful than he had planned. He imagined a version of Pinkie wagging a hoof at him in disapproval. Blueblood swore internally, why did having a conscience have to make his life so hard?
 
“I think I will be able to do without your services tomorrow,” said Blueblood with some effort, “Hearth's Warming is a time for families isn’t it?”
 
“Sir?” said Duty looking astonished.
 
His son although no less stunned reacted quicker, he reached forwards and grasped Blueblood by the hoof, “Thank you sir, Luna bless you. I’ve always wanted dad to have a proper Hearth’s warming with the missus and the kids.”
 
Something strange seemed to be happening to Duty’s face he was grimacing, his face contracting and his mouth curling upwards. A shocked Blueblood realised that the older servant was actually openly smiling, he didn’t think he had ever seen that look before on the dower retainer.
 
The old stallion stepped forwards and for a second Blueblood thought he was going to hug him, then the servant regained some of his composure, “Thank you sir,” he intoned, “Thank you so very much.”
 
“Think nothing of it,” said Blueblood somewhat unnerved by the stallions reaction, “You’ve served my family well for longer than I can remember, you deserve some time to yourself.”
 
“Come on Dad,” said Homeward grabbing his fathers arm, “If you’re going to spend tomorrow with us we have more shopping to do.”
 
“Thank you again,” said Duty starting to be led off by his son.
 
“Thanks!” piped up Freedom from his place on Duty’s back waving a hoof at Blueblood as they moved off.
 
Blueblood found himself waving back for a moment. “I’ll see you the day after tomorrow,” he called watching the trio leave. Once they left his sight he made his way back to his carriage somewhat buoyed by a vision of a happy Pinkie hopping around in his head. Sometimes having a conscience felt good.
 





 
“A happy Hearth's warming to both of you,” said Blueblood raising a glass of wine in toast.
 
His trip to Ponyville had been uneventful and he had met Pinkie just as Sugar Cube Corner was closing for the holiday. She had vaulted over the counter and the last few customers as he entered, and enveloped him in one of her trade mark hugs, before kissing him deeply. She had then rushed up to her room to wash and change ready for their night out. It was still an hour or so before the play started so he had been persuaded by the Cakes to have a drink with them while they waited for Pinkie to get ready.
 
Pinkie’s employers and surrogate parents had originally been suspicious of Blueblood but over time they had come to trust him more. Carrot Cake in particular had become quite chummy, the two of them had found that despite their radically different backgrounds they had a mutual interest in hoofball. Although the lanky stallion had a doleful taste in teams Blueblood still enjoyed discussing matches with him, he suspected his fellow stallion was somewhat starved for male company living with both Pinkie and Cup Cake. Mrs Cake still remained distrustful of Blueblood, suspecting he was going to break her surrogate daughter’s heart, but she had thawed somewhat over the months. In fact today she was downright affectionate, although Blueblood suspected that might be down to the pregnant mare’s hormonal situation.
 
“And a Happy Hearth’s Warming to us all,” toasted Mr Cake raising his wine glass, the others followed him (Mrs Cake was drinking cranberry juice although she did sneak the occasional longing look at the wine bottle).
 
“How are you spending tomorrow?” asked Blueblood.
 
“As it’s the last we’ll have with just the two of us we thought we’d keep it quiet,” said Cup Cake, “We’ll have enough excitement next year when the foals are here.” She rested a hoof on her bulging abdomen. 
 
“Plus with the problems we had last year we could do with a rest.” said Carrot Cake.
 
“What happened?” asked Blueblood.
 
“The in laws,” said Carrot with a grimace.
 
His wife gave him a gentle kick, “Mum and Dad weren't that bad.”
 
“I suppose not, but it’s stressful. I always feel like they're judging me, I’m sure your father’s just waiting for an excuse to take me out back and give me a beating.”
 
“You think that’s bad, your mother couldn’t say one good word about my cooking.”
 
“She said she liked it.”
 
“No she didn’t she said she liked it, in a way that suggested she wouldn’t let a dog eat it.”
 
Not liking the way the conversation was going and already somewhat worried about the Pie’s visit Blueblood decided to avoid this argument. “I’ve just remembered,” he said, “Here are a few small gifts from me,” he levitated over a pair of envelopes tied up with blue ribbon.
 
“Oh you shouldn't have, dearie, we didn’t get you anything,” said Cup, giving Blueblood a quick hug.
 
“Think nothing of it. Consider them a reward for looking after Pinkie so well.”
 
“Wow, season tickets!” exclaimed Carrot tearing open his envelope, he examined the pieces of paper, “Wait a minute, Llamrei United!” he stared at the tickets as if they might grow fangs and bite him.
 
“You can take the foals to see a team that might actually win for a change,” said Blueblood with a grin.
 
“The Everfree Foresters are doing very well this season.”
 
“Yes, they might avoid relegation, whereas United look like they're going to be promoted.”

Mr Cake looked like he might explode for a second before his face broke into a smile and the lanky stallion laid a hoof over Blueblood’s back.
 
Mrs Cake opened her own present, “Vouchers for the Spa? Oh Luna bless you.”
 
“You did mention your hooves get swollen, I thought a hooficure or massage might help.”
 
“Thank you! Thank you!” said Mrs Cake her eyes tearing up and hugging him tightly.
 
Blueblood felt a little uncomfortable as the pregnant mare gripped him, then he felt another two pairs of hooves wrap around him. He looked up to see that Pinkie had pulled all four of them into a group hug. “I don’t know what this is about but it’s fun!” she exclaimed.
 
Mr Cake managed to extricate himself from the group, “You better get going if you want to make the play,” he said looking up at the shops clock.
 
“Okie, dokie, lokie,” agreed Pinkie rushing towards the door.
 
Blueblood noticed that she was wearing her dress from the gala, which brought back some memories, but its look was ruined by the heavily burdened saddlebags laid over it apparently filled with food. “You know you don’t need to bring all that,” he said, “I’ve ordered enough for tomorrow.” More than enough now he’d arranged for extra for the Pies as well.
 
“Oh you know how my appetite can be,” said Pinkie looking a little shifty, “You can never have too much food!”
 
Blueblood knew better than to argue with his marefriend when she was being strange (most of the time really).”Very well then, but at least leave them here, we can pick them up on our way to the station, the play doesn’t end that late.”
 
“Alrighty then,” said Pinkie shucking off the heavy bags and shoving them into the corner.
 
As he was leaving Blueblood looked back at the Cake’s silhouetted in the door frame and waving as the two of them left. He was glad his relationship with Pinkie’s employers was going so well, he could only hope her parents would get on with him as well.
 





 
The queue to the foal’s play was surprisingly large. It seemed like most of the population of Ponyville were waiting to enter the large tent that had been erected for the play next to the representative’s residence. Most of the crowd paid no attention to Blueblood although one or two gave him looks of disdain as he passed, his part in slowing the flow of aid to the stricken town had not been easily forgotten by some. Pinkie, however, was almost always greeted with delight which she returned several fold.
 
Inside the tent a rather substantial stage had been set up at one end with ranks of seating facing it. Blueblood spotted most of the element bearers already seated near the front, apart from the school teacher Cheerilee, who he assumed would be involved in the production of the play, and Trixie. He could not see the representative anywhere and that made him nervous, her dislike of him was well known. He scanned the crowd but couldn’t see the blue unicorn. To his surprise he saw another familiar face though, a white unicorn mare with a red mane he had seen around court, she was sitting in the front row munching her way through a large bag of popcorn. He screwed up his face for a minute but couldn’t put a name to the face, it would probably bother him all night now.
 
“Here are our seats,” pointed out Pinkie hopping over several seated ponies to get to the right place. They were about halfway back and off to one side but the view of the stage was uninterrupted. Blueblood trotted over and sat down.
 
“I’m so excited,” said Pinkie vibrating in place, ”I hope the Windigo get defeated and Equestria founded this time, it’s so sad when it isn’t.”
 
Blueblood raised an eyebrow and was about to ask her about this when the lights darkened indicating the start of the show.
 
A single spotlight blazed into light highlighted one side of the stage, there stood a yellow unicorn filly with a purple mane, she shuffled uncomfortably in the gaze of the crowd and looked like she was going to be sick. She screwed her eyes shut and opened her mouth but no sound came out. She opened her eyes again and looked out at a spot in the crowd where a unicorn and pegasus couple sat smiling on with pride. The nervous filly relaxed slightly and opened her mouth again, with more success this time, “Once upon a Time,” she began in a weak voice. “Long before the peaceful rule of Luna, and before ponies discovered our beautiful land of Equestria, ponies did not know harmony.” Her speech began to grow in strength, “It was a strange and dark time, a time when ponies were torn apart. By hatred.” Next to him Pinkie gasped in horror and clutched at his hoof. Below the curtains opened to reveal small crowds of Ponies of different tribes arguing with each other. A pair of colts seemed to be taking their roles rather too seriously and a small scuffle had broken out between a unicorn and an earth pony.
 
To Bluebloods astonishment a pair of wings flicked open on the ‘unicorn’ narrators back. An alicorn! No wait, it must be a unicorn / pegasus hybrid, “Pinkie,” he whispered, “Who’s is that?”
 
“That’s Alula, she’s a pegacorn, or is that unisis, unipeg?” Blueblood tuned out his marefriends babbling for a moment. Whatever, she was called she was a rarity and looking like an Alicorn had its advantages, if he could get control of the filly she would be useful in court, imagine how it... His train of though was derailed by a gentle smack to the head by Pinkie’s hoof. “Ow.. What was that for?”
 
“You had your schemie face on,” she explained, “This is a no scheming zone, we’re just here to watch the play.”
 
Rubbing his smarting face Blueblood turned his head back to the stage. The leaders of the tribes were being introduced. The orange filly clad in tin foil armour playing Commander Hurricane was playing the role bombastically, as per the normal interpretation of the national hero although to his surprise the young actress cast as Private Pansy played her role with the same if not more volume, several ponies in the front row flinched as the cacothenus filly bellowed her lines.
 
For the Earth pony delegation the Chancellor was played by an orange filly with a red mane and a pink bow tying her hat onto her head while her secretary was played by an unhappy looking pink filly wearing for some reason a crown on top of her otherwise simple robes.
 
The small purple filly playing Princess Platinum seemed to have thrown out all the usual subtlety of character shown in most Canterlot versions of the performance in exchange for pure scenery chewing. “How dare you!” she screeched as the commander of the pegasus accused her people of using their ‘freaky magic’ to influence the weather. For a moment it looked like she might physically attack the orange filly before turning to the door and flouncing away with her nose in the air. Unfortunately she tripped on her robe and fell into part of the scenery which collapsed with a thud. The actors all froze for a moment and there was some desperate hissing from offstage before they carried on again as if nothing had happened.
 
As the three leaders abandoned their summit Pinkie leapt to her hooves booing and hissing for all she was worth, causing Blueblood to almost fall from his seat. At any other performance Pinkie’s behaviour this would likely have resulted in her being ejected from the proceedings but the population of Ponyville seemed to be used to the behaviour of their eccentric member and only a few eyebrows were raised as the curtains closed signalling the end of the first half.
 
The lights were lit again and the crowd fell into chatting about the performance so far. Pinkie leapt up saying she needed the little filly's room. Blueblood decided to leave his seat and stretch his legs while he waited for his date to return. To his surprise the white unicorn mare he had seen earlier made her way to him, it bothered him he still could not remember her name.
 
“Lord Blueblood,” she began, “I did not expect to see you here, I understood that you had tickets for the Royal Canterlot performance tonight.”
 
“Well those performances can become somewhat samie after a while... Moonbeam,” he finally remembered her name although he still couldn’t recall what position she held, “I thought a change might be better.”
 
“The same for me, I tend to find the larger productions so stuffy, plus,” she stuffed a hoof full of popcorn into her mouth, “They don’t serve this at the Canterlot play. I don’t know why I like it so much, it tastes like sweetened cardboard. Would you like some?” She trust the container under his nose.
 
“No thank you,” said Blueblood backing away slightly from the suddenly manic mare.
 
“I’ve heard they even serve it with salt, I suppose there are some plays that would be better if you were half baked,” She mused. “Anyway,” she seemed to calm down with some effort, “What do you think of this performance.”
 
“We’ll the foals certainly put their all into it.”
 
“Yes, it’s good they seem to understand the meaning behind the play, it certainly gives one hope for the future.”
 
“I was worried about the poor narrator to start with but, she certainly seems to have come into her own.”
 
“Yes. Although I’m rather fond of the actress playing Pansy myself she really reminds me of the original Pansy, she really didn’t live up to her name,” she faltered for a moment, “Or so I’ve read.”
 
Pinkie bounded up to Blueblood and draped herself over his back, “Hi your majesty,” she grinned at Moonbeam.
 
The unicorn blinked for a second, “I’m afraid you are mistaken, I don’t even hold a noble title.”
 
“Oh sorry I must have you mixed up with somepony else,” apologised Pinkie, “Come on Bluie, we better get back to our seats, it’s about to start again,” she grabbed her stallionfriend and began to drag him away.
 
“Goodbye,” muttered Moonbeam, “You are a very sweet couple.”
 
Returning to his seat Blueblood found that the second half of the story played out as expected, the three tribes set off to settle what would later become Equestria and then fell into fighting again. It was a fairly pedestrian interpretation of the traditional play, thought Blueblood, although the young cast certainly did put a lot of energy into it. The use of foals to play the scenery such as trees and flag poles was unusual to say the least, a certain grey filly did not seem to be very happy to be playing the rock that the tribes were fighting over.
 
The only truly unusual part of the play were the suggestions of romance between ‘Smart Cookie’ and ‘Hurricane’ as the earth pony spent much of the play staring at the pegasus leader with a silly smile on her face, as the latter marched around the stage trying to out volume her assistant. Blueblood assumed that the classes’ teacher had read the recent ‘historical novel’ ‘A Hurricane of the Heart’ by the well-known author Bodice Ripper, while she had been directing the play. The book reported a similar attraction between the two historical figures although it described the relationship in a rather foal unsuitable level of detail. 
 
By now the play was coming to an end, the leaders had been encased in ice (had frozen in place on the stage, although 'Pudding Head’ had frozen on two hooves and after desperately trying to maintain her balance for a few minutes had collapsed to the ground and remained lying there.
 
On stage the windigo were unveiled as the source of the ice. The aforementioned creatures were represented by a number of colts hanging from the ceiling by wire and slowly rotating around, presumably the class had a lack of pegasus to play them. Despite their lack of reality the appearance of the winter spirits caused Pinkie to clutch him close and bury her head in his mane for comfort, so it wasn’t all bad. To Blueblood’s surprise the fire of friendship itself was rather more impressive. Instead of the spotlight effect he had been expecting a large tower of fire seemed to erupt from the horn of the orange foal playing Clover the Clever forming into a heart shape above the stage. Around him much of the crowd gasped, Pinkie, who had produced darkened glasses from somewhere, cried out in excitement.
 
Unfortunately the effect was so impressive that it entranced the actress playing Clover and she forgot her lines, having to be prompted by her fellow cast members several times before she managed to spit out an adlib that fire was cool. Meanwhile the foals suspended from the ceiling playing the Windigo were wheeled away looking rather queasy.
 
Once again the spotlight was trained on the hybrid narrator standing at the edge of the stage. She seemed to have overcome her earlier stage fright and stepped forwards to give the closing monolog. “The three leaders agreed to share the beautiful land and live in harmony for ever after, and together they named their new land... Equestria.”
 
The entire cast trooped out on stage to take a bow they were joined by Cheerilee and Trixie, Blueblood assumed that the fire effect had been her work. The crowd whooped and stomped. To his surprise Blueblood found himself expressing his appreciation of the play as well. Although it was not up to the Royal Canterlot production it had been just as enjoyable, maybe even more so in its ramshackle way. Next to him Pinkie was leaping up and down, screaming in joy.
 
Above the crowd music started to play, Blueblood recognised the famous Hearth's Warming carol and he joined in singing with the rest of the crowd.  Below he noticed that Moonbeam had grabbed several neighbouring ponies and was singing along with gusto. 
 

The fire of friendship lives in our hearts


As long as it burns we cannot drift apart


Though quarrels arise, their numbers are few


Laughter and singing will see us through


We are a circle of pony friends


A circle of friends we'll be to the very end.

 





 
It was getting late by the time that the last train from Ponyville drew into Canterlot station. Pinkie and Blueblood dismounted and the white stallion started to hail a carriage to take them to his house. He had just stopped one when Pinkie seemed to remember something, “Oh, you go on ahead, I’ve got a thing to do.” she said.
 
“What kind of thing?” asked Blueblood.
 
“Oh you know just a thing, not a very important thing, but it needs to be done or we’d be without a thing and what would we do then, we’d be thingless,” babbled Pinkie.
 
“We can both go to do this ‘thing’ then.”
 
“NO! I mean it’s Gummy’s thing.” A small green reptilian head poked out of one of Pinkie’s bulging saddlebags. Blueblood leapt back in shock, he really didn’t like Pinkie’s pet alligator. There was nothing he could put his hoof on but he felt that the little creature really despised him for some reason. He’d had nightmares that the creature would attack him in his sleep and, well he didn’t really know given it lacked teeth, smother him or something. Gummy stared up mindlessly at Blueblood blinking one eye then the other causing the stallion to break out in a cold sweat. “I forgot his favourite rubber ducky and he won’t be able to sleep without it.”
 
“Will you be able to get one at this time of night?” said Blueblood fixing his eyes on the reptile incase it scuttled away.
 
“Oh don’t worry I know all of Canterlot’s rubber ducky shops inside and out.” Pinkie gave a reassuring smile.
 
“Very well, I’ll see you back at the house then,” Blueblood backed away from Gummy, not fleeing just moving away from the creature as quickly as he could before vaulting into the carriage and telling the driver to drive away, now!
 
After watching the coach disappear into the distance Pinkie turned back to the train station and checked the time table before hopping over to one of the platforms. A few minutes later a train pulled in and Baron and Prestige dismounted, their luggage carried by a porter.
 
“Hello!” cried Pinkie bounding over to them, restraining herself she only gave each of them a quick gentle hug. “I’m glad you made it!”
 
“You know I’m sure that journey used to be longer,” said Baron.
 
“That’s because you slept for most of it,” said Prestige before turning to Pinkie, “The journey was acceptable, are you sure my son does not know we are here?”
 
“Uh huh,” said Pinkie nodding furiously, “It’s going to be one of the best surprises ever. Where are you staying?”
 
“Given the lateness of our booking we had to stay at the Canterlot Royal Hotel.”
 
“That’s pretty swanky,” commented Pinkie.
 
“We could normally do better,” said Prestige sticking her muzzle in the air, “Still, it will have to do.”
 
“Ok, I’ll see you just before noon tomorrow. This is going to be the best Hearth’s Warming ever!” With that Pinkie bounced away.
 
“That girl just doesn't have an off switch, does she?” commented Baron watching her go.
 
Prestige smiled for a moment before turning to her husband, “You should get us a carriage, I’m sure I saw one of those ruffians,” she pointed a hoof in the direction of a group of pegasus, “Eying our luggage.”
 
“Yes, dear,” sighed Baron sticking out his hoof to summon one.
 
The journey to hotel went well and both of the Bluebloods had a chance to admire the holiday finery that the streets of Canterlot were decked out in. “It’s been too long since I’ve been here,” sighed Baron soaking in the atmosphere.
 
The Bluebloods arrived at their hotel and checked in. Prestige was supervising the transport of their luggage to their rooms when they passed an earth pony family coming the other way. One of them, a young grey mare, staggered into their porter causing him to drop several boxes.
 
“Do be more careful!” snapped Prestige at the mare.
 
“I’m sorry,” said an older mare steadying the younger pony, “My daughter’s had a little too much to drink.”
 
“I’m not used to champagne,” noted the grey mare, “The bubbles tickle my nose,” she giggled a bit.
 
“That is all right,” said Baron taking the older mare’s hoof and kissing it, “I can forgive a lot from a pretty girl and her prettier mother.” The mother blushed looking flattered, her husband looked less than pleased and quickly hussled his family down the corridor.
 
“Did you have to do that?” asked Prestige as the porter picked up their luggage again.
 
“I’m allowed to have fun you know,” pointed out Baron.
 
Prestige sighed as they came to their suite. She didn’t think much of the standards of the establishment if they allowed commoners to stay here. Still at least she and her husband were only staying a few nights. There was no reason she would ever have to see those peasants again, she thought.
 





 
By the time Pinkie got back from her errand Blueblood was preparing for bed. It was relatively early but he wanted to be fully rested for tomorrow, particularly now that Duty Bound would not be around to help out. Pinkie bounded in carrying a rubber ducky which she claimed was the most duckie ducky ever but to Blueblood looked much the same as any other. She entered the on suite bathroom to put Gummy in his specially created habitat. After she had first brought the creature to stay Blueblood had insisted he create a place for the alligator to sleep and had made very certain that the beast would not be able to get out under it's own power.
 
Blueblood settled into bed, “Are you looking forwards to tomorrow?” he called.
 
“Of course,” came Pinkie’s voice from the bathroom, “Hearth’s warming is one of the most fun days ever.”
 
“Yes, it’s a shame it will just be the two us though. It’s more of a thing for families don’t you think?” he said with a smile.
 
“Yes,” said Pinkie sounding surprised, “Families are nice, it’s a pity yours can’t make it isn’t it?”
 
Blueblood shuddered at the thought of having to spend time with his family, “I suppose so, but no point getting upset about that. Who knows maybe your family might make it one year.” He bit his tongue, no point giving away the surprise at this late stage.
 
“I’m sure they're happy enough on the farm, they don’t need me there,” said Pinkie her voice a little strained.
 
Blueblood had to fight the instinct to rush into the other room and comfort her, at least her father should at last be able to tell her the truth tomorrow. “No need to think about that now, although I’m sure they would love to have you there. Still think of all the good things we have to look forwards to.”
 
“Yeah, we can have food and games and singing and dancing and presents tomorrow,” said Pinkie, her voice returning to its usual happy tone. “In fact,” she sashayed out of the bathroom wearing an intricate creation made from strips of silk which highlighted rather than hid her figure, all four of her legs were covered in striped white and pink socks. “I’ve got one for you now, would you like to unwrap it early,” she asked her eyes lidded.
 
With a grin Blueblood started to use his telekinesis to do that very thing.