//------------------------------// // Hearths Warming // Story: Counterpoint // by Terrasora //------------------------------// ‘Twas the Eve of Hearths Warming, that magical day, Where hard work and trouble all give way to play. The snows had come down, painting Canterlot white, The sun had just risen, the whole town was bright. Octavia and Vinyl lay snug in their bed, The cellist woke first, took a moment, then said: “Vinyl, wake up! It’s finally here! You can’t miss Hearths Warming, there’s only one a year!” But Vinyl just grumbled, snuggling under the cover, Ignoring the holiday cheer of her lover. “Five more minutes Tavi,” she said half-asleep, “You can get up, but I’m gonna count sheep.” Octavia scowled, and her brow did furrow, As into the blankets Vinyl tried to burrow. “Get your flank up!” the cellist did shout “Off this bed, through the door, past the bathroom and out!” Octavia forced Vinyl Scratch to her hooves, Ignoring the DJ’s most humbuggy mood. And though Vinyl struggled, try as she might, Against a Holiday Octy, nopony can fight. Off the bed, through the door, past the bathroom they trotted, Onto their front lawn, the grass white and green spotted. “You stay here,” said Tavi, with a stamp on the ground, “I’ll go get the lights, don’t you dare make a sound!” Vinyl hardly heard her, as she let out a yawn, Standing all alone in the midst of her lawn. She stamped on the ground, breathing out a cloud “What’s the deal with Hearths Warming?” she wondered aloud. “It’s not something new, we’ve done it before, It’s cold and it’s damp, we should be indoors! But Tavi don’t think so; she’s all for this ‘cheer’ Decorations and lights that whole ‘once a year’. “What makes this day special? The history thing? Hardly worth the torture that carolers sing! The cold, the bright lights, those repetitive songs, Bah Humbug! I say, this day’s been too long.” Octavia trotted back with a smile, The lights trailed behind her, seeming almost a mile. “Now, most of it’s finished, but we’re still not quite done. Oh, don’t make that face, I promise it’ll be fun!” Vinyl rolled her eyes, a pout on her face, As she trudged towards the lights at a snail’s break-neck pace. Her magic flared sharply, shrouding her horn, The lights floated up quickly with intent to adorn. “Be more careful!” shouted Tavi, her nerves all a-shake, “Those lights cost a fortune, we can’t let them break! I think they’re off-center! A bit to the left! No, make that right! The right would be best!” “That light looks dim, that one’s slightly bent, Move the lights down! Wait, that’s not what I meant! Up a bit more, to the left once again, Try turning them slightly, a bit more, and then--” “Tavi!” shouted Vinyl, “The lights look just fine! Each and every one is in a perfect line! I don’t have to turn them, the lights aren’t too dim, There’s no room for more, the house’s filled to the brim!” Vinyl dropped her magic, shaking from the cold, She turned towards her marefriend and declared loud and bold: “I’m heading back in, I’m done with preparing For a holiday that is barely worth bearing!” And with that, Vinyl left, her nose in the air, Fed up with Octavia’s Hearths Warming flair. The cellist cried out, “Why the attitude nonce?” “Bah Humbug!” was the other mare’s only response. Octavia watched as she trotted away, Then glanced at the lights placed for this holiday. They were crooked and dim, too lighted in places, The green wasn’t perfect, the red slightly faded. Tavi imagined the ponies walk by, Watching her house with disapproving eyes. Pointing out dimness and straightness and color, Laughing at lights that seemed more like squalor. They would walk by and judge and prod, Exchanging mean glances and meaningful nods. “How pathetic,” she thought that they’d certainly say, “That there could be such slackers on this auspicious day.” Then away they would trot, laughing all the while, Tossing back manes coiffed in Canterlot style; That gesture that Octy had seen before, That same expression that Vinyl’s old parents once bore. “I swore,” thought the cellist, “I swear that I swore, Not to see that face High and Mighty once wore. Vinyl can stay in, I’ll do this alone, It won’t be long until she changes her tone.” Octavia nodded, her jaw firmly set, Determined to work through the cold and the wet. She brought out the ladder, climbed onto the roof, And straightened out the lights with a discerning hoof. She worked out the kinks with all of her care, Changing and fixing and working out tears. The wind howled as she worked, a terrible gale, That made the roof slick and almost froze her tail. Yet, Octavia worked, not one to be daunted, Not on Hearth’s Warming; the day so highly vaunted. So she worked and she worked and the wind blew its course, Making flurries and chilling cellists with its force. Octavia sneezed and she pulled her scarf tight, Reaching over the edge to get her lights just right. She mumbled her curses towards cold and towards snow, Towards forecasts of blizzards and of five below. Tavi hung over the edge of the roof, Balanced on the ground by the tip of a hoof. The wind quickly gusted, the snow shifting sloppily, Octavia’s hoof slipped, she felt herself toppling. The cellist flailed out and let loose a cry, The ground rose up sharply as she fell through the sky. Tavi felt a tug at the end of her tail, A powerful pull, stopping Tavi’s wail. Octavia silently hung in the air, A shiny white aura holding up her hair. Vinyl rushed out, her glasses askew, Her mane was a mess, every strand of blue. The DJ breathed heavily, her face slightly flush, With the effort of running and magic and such. “What are you doing?” Vinyl Scratch shouted out loud, “Are those lights worth your life, are you really so proud?!” Octavia closed her eyes in relief, Feeling a few tears threaten to seep. “Thank you,” she said, her voice very soft, “But I’d rather that you not hold me aloft.” Vinyl nodded and put Octavia down, Looking at the cellist and the lights with a frown. “Well, if that’s it, then I’ll head back inside,” She gave one last nod before turning aside. “Tavi,” said Vinyl, still looking away, “Do you mind if we talk about… today?” Octavia gave one last glance towards the roof, Then she nodded and walked forward, hoof before hoof. Vinyl had built a fire, blazing in its place, She sat herself down, a frown on her face. Tavi sat across from her, quietly shaking, The cold and the fall left her slightly aching. The DJ spoke first: “Harpo’s busy, right? No chance of seeing him this Hearths Warming night?” Octavia nodded, and Vinyl Scratch sighed, Using a hoof to knead at her eyes. “Alright, then I think that I should explain, Why I’ve been used today to be such a pain.” Vinyl Scratch paused, thinking back a bit, Calling forth thoughts that best seemed to fit. “Hearths Warming isn’t what I want it to be, Or, I guess, it was always different for me. “It’s a day for family, friends, and caring, Ponies drinking drinks, hearing music blaring, It wasn’t that way for me. “There’s supposed to be singing and playing and laughter, And no anger or worry until the day after, But it wasn’t that way for me. “Back in the day, when I lived with High and Mighty Hearths Warming Eve was always a bit flighty. I’d have to dress up, and they’d comb back my mane, And we’d go out to galas held in snow or rain. “They’d all say kind words and pat each others’ back, Then they’d walk away and their words would turn black. I did that for years until I ran away, Once a year every year on each Hearths Warming day. “So when I saw you worry about lights, About the way our house looked in a stranger’s sight…” Vinyl trailed off, tapping a hoof on her chair, “So that’s what I thought of when I saw you care--” “How about we stay inside?” Octavia blurted, “Here where it’s warm and we’ll leave the outside deserted?” Vinyl looked up to meet Tavi’s eyes, Her face graced with a look of surprise. Octavia smiled and glanced at the snow, The glare of the sun setting Canterlot aglow. “I’m done with all of the decorations, I think that it’s best if I took a vacation.” The DJ’s face lit up with glee, Then Vinyl asked, “So you’ll stay in with me?” Octavia gave one last look outside, Turned back to Vinyl and said, “Alright.” Vinyl jumped up and ran to the next room, Returning quickly with some drinks to consume. She gave Tavi a cup and she poured out the drink, Touching their glasses together with a clink. “This is gonna be awesome,” said Vinyl with a grin, “We’ll go play a game, sing some songs, drink some gin! Or if you’d rather just do nothing and stay in a heap, We’ll stay here by the fire, grab a blanket, and sleep!” Vinyl waggled her eyebrows with a lascivious smile, “But if you’d rather not sleep, I’ll make it worth your while.” Tavi rolled her eyes and brought her drink to her lips, “We’ll see how it goes,” she said, taking a sip. Vinyl’s magic flared, drawing the curtain, Looking forward to a day packed with fun, to be certain. And they stayed inside, away from the cold, The lights still outside, shining bright and bold. And ponies walked by, and some of them sneered, But what they saw didn’t matter when compared to real cheer. And the sun shone high, making Canterlot bright, As ponies all over saw their holiday sights. The day quickly past, Hearths Warming had ended, With memories made on a day most splendid. Octavia and Vinyl lay tangled in bed, Their breathing synchronized, their dreams in their heads. Empty cups all around them, used game boards, After a day of singing, eating, and drinking galore. They had kissed and cracked jokes and forgotten their lights, The world was for them and their Hearths Warming Night.