//------------------------------// // Jangle Lane // Story: Medley Hearth's Warming Everypony // by Talon and Thorn //------------------------------// Bluenote yawned as she trotted up to Ponyville station. It was mid-morning, normally a little earlier than she’d prefer to be up on a day when she had no work to do, still she’d be traveling all of today and tomorrow so she could probably get a nap or two in. She mentally ran over the content of her saddle bags to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything, a few reading books, her diary, basic toiletries, a few snacks, her tickets and a large-ish bag of bits. All of Medley’s friends had put in what they could afford, to pay for tickets for her family, Octavia had been particularly generous. Bluenote was somewhat curious as to what her stipend from the princess actually was, but it seemed rude to pry, she supposed the student didn’t actually have much in the way of outgoings apart from her rent to Bonbon. She lived a rather spartan existence. Lost in her thoughts she almost walked into Lyra as she walked out onto the single platform of the station. “Morning Bluenote!” cried the minty mare. “Ready to head out on our quest for Medley’s family?” Bluenote smiled, Lyra managed to make even the simplest of tasks sound like death defying feats, she was sure going to the shops for milk would become an epic quest to her. It was one of the reasons she liked her friend. “Morning. Yep I think I’ve got everything I need. Maybe a map of Manechester would help, but we can probably pick one up on the other side.” She glanced around the station and the half dozen or so ponies waiting. “Have you seen Vinyl? She should be here by now.” “No, should we check her house in case something’s happened to her?” Bluenote considered, Vinyl’s place wasn’t far, but the train into Canterlot was due to arrive in less than ten minutes according to the station clock. If Vinyl had overslept it would be tight squeeze to get there and back. Once they arrived at the capitol they only had an hour or so before their train to Manehatten left. Then they would be travelling for two nights before they arrived at their destination. Before she could reply to Lyra she caught the flash of a white coat out of the corner of her eye and turned to see Vinyl approaching. If Bluenote felt tired the DJ looked exhausted; if they hadn’t been covered by her trade mark coloured glasses she was sure the white mare’s eyes would be weighed down by deep bags. Vinyl held a can in her aura and took a swig as she approached, her saddlebags bulging. “Vinyl! I didn’t think you’d make it,” called Bluenote. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Inspiration stuck last night and I had some things I just had to work on, lost track of time,” she explained. “Well you’re here now. Got all you need?” “Yeah, and a few things to work on during the journey.” “Look! Look!” cried Lyra jumping up and down and pointing as the train appeared in the distance. Bluenote couldn’t help but smile at the mare’s reaction, she was just like a little foal sometimes. “Looks like a duel gage light engine, probably a class five fifty, maybe six hundred,” said Vinyl holding a hoof to her eyes. Bluenote frowned. “I didn’t know you were into trains Vinyl.” The white mare pinked up a little. “Well, Alder’s the real train nerd in our family but he used to drag me along sometime.” Her eyes grew a little distant. “He let me ride on his back if it was cold or wet, and we’d spend hours watching the engines rolling backwards and forwards, I used to make up names for them. Once it got dark we’d head off to granddad’s and have cocoa, I always fell asleep and he’d carry me home. Um, anyway,” she broke out of her revelry blushing a bit. “They’ve given me a few ideas for some gear over the years, trains are cool, although they could do with using more powered by magic, steam only takes you so far.” “Hi girls!” came a cheerful cry from beside her, “What are you doing here?” Bluenote turned to see the local postmare, Ditzy Doo, standing next to her. The mare was juggling half a dozen snowballs with her wings, sending them flying high into the air and then catching them as they fell without even watching. “Morning Ditzy, we’re off to Manechester.” “That’s a long way, you spending Hearth Warming there?” “No!” exclaimed Lyra rushing over as the train started to draw into the station. “We’re on a quest to reunite Medley with her family!” “She can’t make the trip this year,” explained Bluenote, “So if she can’t go to them we’re going to bring them to her. What are you doing here anyway?” “Oh, I’m waiting for the mail train, it got held up this morning, overloaded with presents no doubt. It’s nice of you to help out Medley, it just wouldn’t be Hearth's Warming if my parents didn’t make it, Dinky would be heartbroken.“ She bit her tongue for a moment. “Actually that explains something, Medley was at the post office yesterday, she had a load of parcels with her.” “Oh, do you know where she was sending them to?” asked Bluenote, this could be good way to find out where her parents lived. “Um, Manechester I think,” the postmare closed her crossed eyes, a look of extreme concentration passing over her face. “Feed-Bagley, some lane?” “Hey Bluie, we better get going,” called Vinyl, the train had come to a stop and ponies were starting to stream on and off of it. “Hold on a minute, Ditzy might know where Medley’s folks live,” Bluenote called back. “Was it Jangle lane?” she asked turning back to the grey mare. “That’s it! One hundred and twenty three Jangle Lane, Feed-Bagley, Manechester!” exclaimed Ditzy. Bluenote paused for a moment, “Girls!” She called to her companions, “Ditzy’s got Medley’s family’s address we could just write to them.” “Where’s the fun in that?” yelled Lyra from the train. “This is a quest, we should meet her family in person or die trying.” “Plus if the mail’s running late it might not make it to her family in time,” said Vinyl. Bluenote shrugged, she guessed they were off on an adventure then. “Thanks Ditzy!” she called as turned towards the train. “Have a happy Hearth's Warming! Say hi to Dinky for me!” She hopped up onto the train itself just behind Vinyl, the guard slammed the door behind her and moments later they were off. “Hey look at that forest!” cried Lyra staring out the window. “Who knows what monsters and treasures could lurk in there! Did you know that Sir Grain found the Green Knight’s castle in that very forest, well one quite near here anyway.” Bluenote looked up from her book, a Rushian comedy (you would tell it was a comedy because she had almost finished it and only half of the cast were dead), and tried not to roll her eyes. It wasn’t until you were cooped up in a confined space with Lyra for an extended period of time that you realised just how annoying the mare could be, she loved her dearly, but she just never stopped! Even when she wasn’t talking she tended to fidget and pace like she wanted to be in several places at once. Bluenote liked to relax when she was on a train, it gave her time to think over her student’s lesson plans, and when she’d done that she could lie back, do a little reading or take a nap. No such luck while Lyra was about. It wouldn’t have been so bad if it’d been possible to get away from her, but apart from their cramped cabin, with its bunk beds only just long enough to fit an average sized pony in, there was only the corridor outside, an observation carriage which was packed most of the time and the dining carriage, which was currently closed. The first class sections of the train were off limits, her vouchers only applied to second class tickets unfortunately. Lyra quietened for a moment still staring out the window and Bluenote relaxed returning to her book. Then there was a whinnying snore from the bunk beneath her, somehow Vinyl managed to sleep most of the day despite Lyra’s chattering. The unfortunate downside of this was she then tended to be active most of the night. She was somewhat less distracting than the bard but she had been working on a device to record and playback music, like a record player only much smaller. It played the music back via some devices Vinyl put in her ears but they didn’t entirely block the sound making it seem like insects were whispering away in the corner, an image which didn’t help Bluenote sleep. Unfortunately she’s have to put up with the situation for at least another night. They’d made their connection to Canterlot without a problem and had been traveling for a night and most of a day now. Putting down her book Bluenote looked out the window, the sun was starting to dip behind the, admittedly spectacular, forest as Princess Cadence put it away for the night, unless of course Princess Celestia had built up the strength to return to her old duties. “Wow, look at that sunset,” said Lyra staring up into the sky. “It’s beautiful! Almost as beautiful as my lady love, the sky is almost the colour her mane. I’ve got the write that down!” Horn glowing she lifted a book and her lyre to her and began to scribble while strumming a few cords. With a groan Bluenote put aside her book and rolled off the bed landing on the ground with a thud. “I’m going to see if the dining car’s open yet,” she explained, hoping Lyra wouldn’t ask to come with her, but the minty mare seemed engrossed in her writing and just nodded. Bluenote left the cabin and stood outside for a moment basking in the silence, only the regular clatter of the train itself could be heard. Just one more night, she thought to herself, only one more night and a few hours of daylight and they would be in Manechester, then the job of finding Medley’s family could begin. She trotted down the train enjoying the feeling of stretching her legs, she wondered if the train would stop anywhere soon so she could actually run about for a bit. The conductor had told her the schedule at the beginning of the journey but she’d forgotten most of it. She opened the door into the observation carriage and the quiet mumble of conversation rolled over her. One of the trains staff was off to one side pointing out sites of interest as they passed, she sounded scarily similar to Lyra, although she tended to wave her hooves around less. In one corner a pair of old stallions were playing chess. She wandered past them all towards the dining car. She stuck her head in to find the staff setting up for the next meal, giving them a friendly smile she sat down at a table. “I’m afraid food will not be served for another half an hour,” explained one of the staff. “Is it ok, for me to just sit here and peruse the menu?” she asked, a bit of time to herself would be very welcome. “Of course, madam.” She glanced through the menu, Courgette and cheese tart, Green salad with Avocado, Risotto with Squash and Sage, Peach Melba, this was more like it than the slop they’d served for lunch! Her mouth began to salivate at the possibilities. “I’m sorry madam,” said the waitress glancing at her, “That is the first class menu, I don’t know how it got here, that is the second class menu.” She passed over a smaller sheet of parchment showing the choice of a rather bland sounding stew or macaroni and cheese, her ears dipped in disappointment. “Hey Bluenote.” The music teacher looked up to see Vinyl enter the carriage her mane even scruffier than normal. “Hey,” replied Bluenote as the DJ sat down next to her and picked up a menu. “Yum, mac and cheese, one of my favourites!” “No, Lyra?” Bluenote looked around the carriage. “Na, she conked out just after I got up.” Bluenote smiled. When the Bard did fall asleep almost nothing could wake her, she even tended to stop half way through sentences. “So,” said the DJ looking a bit uncomfortable. “You think we’ll find Medley’s family?” “Shouldn’t be too hard with what Ditzy told us, as long as she was right. It could be tricky to persuade them to come with us I suppose, but Hearth's Warming is a time for family to be together.” Well for most families anyway, she thought of the number of times he dad hadn’t made it home for the holidays, she knew he tried but he always seemed so busy. “Yeah, I suppose it is, it would be a shame if I missed Mogwy’s first Hearth's Warming,” mused Vinyl. Bluenote reached out a hoof and laid it on top of Vinyl’s. “Don’t worry, I’m sure we’re get back in time for you to see your family. We’ve got a whole day to find them and get them to come with us before the last train back.” “Yeah,” said Vinyl perking up. “I guess you’re right, not much can go wrong really.” I hope you’re right, thought Bluenote as she picked up the depressingly boring menu again. Bluenote staggered out of the train and gave a long sigh as she stretched out as much as she could, enjoying the cracks and pops from her joints and back. It felt good to be out of the train after two days cooped up and wasn’t looking forwards to the return journey. Next to her Vinyl was doing the same, rolling her head around and trotting on the spot. Lyra didn’t seem to want to waste a moment and was already making her way through the crowded station towards the nearest exit. “Come on,” urged Vinyl. “We don’t want to get separated, we don’t have much time.” Bluenote raised an eyebrow as she took off after her two friends, Vinyl was normally more laid back than this. “We need to find Bluenote’s family, get them to come to us and get back here in less than a day,” she clarified. “Wouldn’t want this whole trip to be for nothing.” Bluenote nodded, they’d discussed their plans on the train. They should find a map as quickly as possible to track down Medley’s family, visit them and get them to agree to the trip, then find a hotel for them to spend their night in. She felt her stomach rumble a little, well maybe they could find a cafe or something first, it was about lunch time. Bluenote and Vinyl pushed their way out of the station to find Lyra looking around in wonder at the city outside. It occurred to Bluenote that Lyra might not have been away from Ponyville much in the past, she knew she was a native of the small town and although she often disappeared on ‘adventures’ she tended to travel under her own power rather take the train. “There are so many ponies!” gasped the mint unicorn. Looking around Bluenote had to agree; although not as grand as Canterlot, Manechester seemed to be much more crowded. Around them earth ponies and unicorns made their ways through streets of red brick building stretching high into the sky where pegasus flew. In the distance numerous cloud buildings could be seen among further rows of houses. Lyra seemed to vibrate in place unable to decide what to see and do first, before she could run off Vinyl enclosed her in her aura and lifted her gently off the ground. “Let’s stick together shall we?” said the white unicorn. Lyra pouted. “But there’s so much to see!” “We need to find Medley’s family, then we can do some sightseeing,” said Bluenote, she hated being the sensible one, it didn’t suit her. “Well, we are in a hurry,” added Vinyl, “But there are some clubs around I’d like to look at, they probably aren't open yet, but it’ll be good just to see them. It shouldn’t take that long.” She sounded conflicted. Bluenote sighed. “I suppose we can spare a few hours to look around, maybe get something to eat first. The train doesn’t leave till midday tomorrow.” “Yay!” cried Lyra bursting out of Vinyl’s aura. “Let’s see what’s in this direction first.” She trotted off into the crowds followed by her two friends. It was starting to get dark by the time the taxi carrying Vinyl, Lyra and Bluenote rolled into Jangle lane. At first glance it seemed like most of the other streets in the area, lines of red terrace housing stretching along as far as the eye could see, but a closer inspection showed specks of colour here and there, small homemade Hearth's Warming decorations could be found in almost every window giving the place a more homely feel. The road itself was hardly deserted, ponies sat on many of the door steps chatting to their neighbours, a large herd of foals were rushing about in a rough and tumble game, something like a mix between tag and hoofball. A street market must have taken place earlier as a few sellers were still present, calling out their last minute bargains or dismantling their stalls for the night. Despite being in the outskirts of a large city it strongly reminded Bluenote of Ponyville. It was nice, not as stressful as most big city life. “So this is it?” said Vinyl looking around as the taxi trundled away. “Jangle Lane,” confirmed Lyra looking up at the sign at the entrance. “So where’s one hundred and twenty three?” Bluenote glanced around, she couldn’t make out any numbers on the doors. “I don’t know, I guess we ask somepony.” “Excuse me madam,” said Lyra turning to an elderly earth pony sitting on a nearby set. “Do you know number one hundred and twenty three?” “That’s Trotsy’s place. What do you want with her?” asked the mare good naturedly. “We’re friends of her daughter Medley. We’ve come to make sure they have the best Hearth's Warming ever!” exclaimed Lyra. “Medley? My I haven't seen her for years,” the mare mused, “She moved to some town out east didn’t she? Pony something I think it was called, Pony Town?” “Ponyville,” corrected Vinyl. “It’s where we’re from.” “That’s it, Ponyville! Helped deal with the tyrants didn’t she, not that her mother ever stops talking about it, that could have been my Foggy if he’d been lucky,” she grumbled. “So which one is her house?” said Bluenote, glancing down the road, the street was starting to empty and weather pegasus were pushing in dark clouds, as she watch the first few snowflakes began to fall. They were beautiful to watch but she didn’t want to spend too much time outdoors now the temperature was plummeting. “Trouble!” yelled the old mare making Bluenote jump. “Is your aunt home?” A small body detached itself from the scrum of foals and trotted over, at first glance it seemed to be a young pegasus colt, his, somewhat scuffed, coat dark blue and his mane dark green. Then Bluenote noticed his mane was not a mane but a thick layer of feathers, and he had a beak and talons! A pony / griffin hybrid, a hippogriff! She’d seen one of two in Canterlot, but even in the capital they were rare, there were none in Ponyville. He was quickly followed by a second identical looking creature. “Yeah, she’ll be back from the library by now, Mrs Cloudson,” said the first hippogriff. “No she won’t be, it’s too early” said the second stepping up alongside his twin. “It’s gone dusk stupid,” said the first turning to his brother. “She said she was going to see Mrs Fire today, and I’m not stupid,” said the second raising a tiny clawed leg. “That was the second, and you are so!” said the first pouncing on the second, their disagreement quickly dissolving into a whirling ball of hooves, talons and beaks. The old mare waited a moment, “Honestly they're as bad as their father. Boys!” she called in a raised voice causing the two to stop mid fight. “These young mares are friends of your cousin.” Both colts leapt up in excitement, their fight forgotten. “You’re Medley’s friends?” asked the first excitedly. “You’re just as she described in her letters!” said the second walking around them as if to examine them from all directions. “Yeah! Lady Octavia, Vinyl Scratch and Fluttershy! Wow!” “You’re just as cool in real life!” Vinyl grinned at the foal’s mistake. “Sorry kids, but you got us mixed up, She,” she gestured to Bluenote, “Is Bluenote not Octavia and she,” she pointed at Lyra, “Definitely isn’t Fluttershy.” “Of course not! She’s Vinyl Scratch, isn’t she,” said the first foal hopping over to Lyra, “The best DJ ever!” “The most powerful unicorn ever!” added his twin. Lyra grinned, “It’s not often I’m recognised by fans.” “’Fraid you got it wrong shrimps, she’s not me, I’m me,” said Vinyl her horn glowing. “You are?” “I thought you were Lady Octavia! You look like a nob!” Vinyl scowled. “That means noble around here,” whispered Bluenote. “Really!” said Vinyl her eyebrows raising above her glasses. “I don’t look like Tavi do I?” “Like you were separated at birth,” said Bluenote with a grin. “Sorry to tell you kids, but I’m not Fluttershy either. I’m Bluenote, and that’s Lyra,” she nodded to the mint unicorn. “Oh, well that’s almost as good,” said the foal. “Almost,” agreed the other looking a little downcast. Bluenote wasn’t sure how to react to that. “So what are your names?” she asked. “Were Trouble and Double,” said the two small pony hybrids together. “I’m Double,” said one pointing to himself, “He’s Trouble.” He pointed to his twin. “I’m Double,” said the other. “He’s Trouble.” He pointed to his twin with a grin. “Clear as mud,” muttered Bluenote with a smile. “Can you take us to your auntie? We need to talk to her about Medley.” “Not a problem,” said Double or Trouble. “Follow us,” they yelled rushing off down the road hopping into the air to glide for a distance before running on their mismatched legs and jumping again. The adult ponies took off after them, having to gallop swerving between the remaining pedestrians to keep up. They zoomed down Jangle Lane past a barber shop its windows full of pictures of various manes and a uniform wearing pony polishing a picture of Princess Cadence positioned just inside his doorway. It wasn’t long until they came to a stop outside of one of the anonymous houses that made up the street. “We live there,” said one of the foals pointing to the house next door. “Aunt Trotsy and Uncle Dogger live here,” said his twin pointing up to the door before scampering up the steps quickly followed by his brother. “Auntie Trotsy!” they bellowed. “You’ve got guests!” “Quiet you two!” came a replying cry as a rather harried looking pegasus mare rushed to the doorway. Her coat was a dark red and her mane a light green speckled with grey. She saw the three strangers and came to a halt. “Oh, evening,” she said. “Evening,” replied Bluenote. “I’m Bluenote and this is Vinyl Scratch and Lyra Heartstrings. We’re friends of your daughter, we’d like to talk to you about her.” “Friends?” she frowned, “Oh you’re from Ponyville! Whatever are you doing here? Come in, come in out of the cold. You too you little terrors.” The girls, Double and Trouble all filed into the house. The hall way was quite cramped and they were forced to flatten themselves against the walls as they shuffled in. Trotsy lead them down a short passageway and into the house’s living room. It, like the rest of the house, was cramped, but warm, thanks to the large fire burning in the hearth. The walls were covered in pictures of the family including several of Medley, Bluenote noticed the newspaper clipping of the report of them dealing with the Tyrants. In one corner sat a rather sparse looking Hearth's Warming tree. The room was already crowded with two stallions present. “This is my husband, Dogger,” said Trotsy indicating a large pegasus stallion lying back in a cloud chair. Even if he hadn’t been introduced Bluenote could have guessed his relationship to Medley, his coat was only a little darker than his daughter although his mane was straw yellow and mostly covered by a flat cap. “And this is my brother in law, Rockall” she pointed to a short but stocky earth pony with a dark blue coat with the same mane colour as his brother. “These are Medley’s little friends Lyra, Vinyl and Bluenote.” “Dad!” yelled Double and Trouble as they pushed past the girls and rushed up to the earth pony. “Evenin’ terrors, how’s your day been?” he asked. “Been fightin’ again?” “Not with anypony that didn’t deserve it Dad,” they chorused. “Good Lads,” he said mussing their feathers. “You’re the lass’s that helped our Medley deal with the Tyrants?” asked Dogger standing laboriously from his chair. “I’d like to shake you by the hoof.” “We just did our duty,” said Lyra as Dogger gripped her foreleg and pumped it vigorously. “You and our little girl saved us all from the Tyrants,” he said. “That’s more than just duty, you’re heroes.” “That last thing we need are more Princess’s,” said Trotsy. “At least they’re paying off their debt to society with real work now, Cadence could do with more of that herself.” “Let’s not bring politics into this dear,” said Dogger. “I suppose it can wait,” she agreed. “Sit down, would you like a drink?” Bluenote, Vinyl and Lyra all agreed and Trotsy headed off to the kitchen to get them. While she was away Rockall moved to one side of the battered settee drawing the two foals with him leaving just enough space for the three mares to slip in. A few minutes later Trotsy returned with their drinks and took her own seat. The presence of the five adults and two foals almost filled the entire room. “Now what brings you to our city?” asked Trotsy. “Well, you know your daughter isn’t visiting for Hearths Warming this year,” began Vinyl. “Yes,” nodded Dogger. “It’s a shame but she had a big order come in and she just can’t make it this year. We’ll miss her but this sort of thing happens.” Vinyl looked a little uncomfortably at her friends, it hadn’t occurred to them that Medley had lied to her parents about the situation. “Well that might not be entirely true, there was a mix up with the train tickets and we don’t think she could afford them this year.” Dogger look surprised for a moment then his face darkened. “The shop isn’t doing well?” “It’s going great! Medley’s great at making instruments and stuff, a bit old fashioned inn her methods but they still work. She just didn’t expect the price of the tickets to change, and well you know how she is about money...” she trailed off awkwardly. “She’s got you there,” chortled Rockall, “You know Medley’s a lot like you that way, you old miser.” “I’m financially responsible! Not miserly, there’s a difference, I don’t throw all my money away down the pub! or the bookies!” “Well we thought about getting Medley tickets to come and get you,” said Bluenote, “But we didn’t think she’d accept.” “So we came here to bring you back with us to make sure she gets the best Hearth's Warming ever!” continued Vinyl. “We clubbed together and we can get you tickets,” said Bluenote. “Octavia was particularly generous.” “You can put away your bits,” snorted Trotsy. “We can pay our own way to see our daughter, I’ll not accept charity from the nobility to see my own baby!” “Now Trot...” began Dogger. “No, we’ve been saving up for a holiday, well this is it, a week or so in Ponyville will make all the difference.” “She’s got you there Doggy,” chortled Rockall. “You’ll have to prise open the purse strings now.” “Can we go too, dad?” asked Double. “Can we?” said his twin, “It’s been ages since we saw Medley.” “Ages and Ages!” Rockall turned to the element bearers. “Me and the kids are in as well, I managed to pick the winning wonderbolt at the last derby, it got me a pretty jangle, and was far more fun that being financially responsible.” He made a face. “So that’s settled then,” announced Trotsy. Bluenote smiled, this seemed to have worked out easily enough. “Good, do you know any good hotels around where we can stay the night?” “I’ll not have my daughters friends stay at a hotel! You’ll stay the night here, we can sort you out somewhere to stay, Medley’s old room is empty for a start.” “Somepony can use my room,” said Rockall, “My settee is just as comfortable, and probably cleaner.” “Don’t worry dear,” said Trotsy with a scowl. “I’ll get him to tidy up before you use it.” “Can one of them stay in our room dad?” asked Trouble. “I think it might be a bit crowded, Lad,” said Rockall, “I thought it would be a few more years before you wanted fillies to spend the night.” “We can set up some sheets down here for the last of you,” said Trotsy. “It’s no problem, we don’t want to force anyone out of their beds,” said Bluenote, Vinyl and Lyra nodded their agreement. “No, you are our guests and we will look after you, any friend of Medley is practically family after all. I’ll hear no more of it!” exclaimed Trotsy. “Now I better put dinner on. You can tell us all about how Medley is doing in Ponyville.” Bluenote yawned a little as made her way down the stairs. After a bit of deliberation she’d ended up sleeping in Medley’s old room, Lyra had taken Rockall’s offered room and Vinyl was camping down in the living room. Her quarters had been rather cramped, but pristine, frozen in the moment that the mare had left home and clearly well looked after. There had been a few posters of various musicians, mare and stallion, stuck to the wall was well as some part completed instruments displayed on a table, Bluenote had recognised what looked like a scale model of Medley’s harp. There had also been, to her surprise, quite a few knitting magazines and half-finished crosswords stacked up, she’d have to ask her friend about those when she next saw her. Breakfast was taking place in the living room which was just as packed as last night. Despite living next door Rockall and the twins were present and it seemed like the family migrated between the two properties as needed. As she entered the scruffy stallion was serving up the meal to the rest of the family, Double and Trouble were squabbling about who’s breakfast was larger, little claws flailing, until quietened by a glare from their auntie which caused their father to chuckle. “Did you sleep well?” asked Trotsy from behind her newspaper. “Like a log, you might have heard the sound of sawing,” she grinned. She sat down and flipped half a slice of bread towards the nearest of the twins who caught it in his beak before crunching down on it and grinning at his brother. “This is good,” she said biting down on the other half of the bread. “Thanks,” said Rockall. “So, the train leaves in a few hours,” said Vinyl levitating their tickets in front of her, “We should get home just before midday on Hearth's Warming Eve. Then you can spend all of the holiday with Medley.” “Once we finish eating, I’ll go talk to Pumpernickel about borrowing his cart to get us to the station,” said Dogger. “We can get a taxi.” “Waste of money.” “I’m glad you can all get away for the holidays,” said Bluenote. “We booked our holidays for Medley’s visit,” explained Trotsy. “When we found she wasn’t coming it was too late to change.” “Normally they want all hooves to the pump at the weather bureau this time of year, heavy snow all day for the Eve then a full melt on Hearth Warming day as always, but my little girl comes first,” said Dogger. “So there’s going to be eight of us heading back to Ponyville then?” asked Bluenote. She wondered where the twins mother was, the family had not mentioned anything about her so far, almost pointedly so. “Yep, I’ll be nice to see Medley’s new home, and her shop, she’s told us so much about it and we’ve never had the chance to visit before.” “And the colts have never left Manechester before,” said Rockall, “It’ll be an adventure.” “Yeah, isn’t Ponyville next to the Everfree Forest?” said one for the foals, Bluenote decided he was Double. “Where all the monsters are?” “Oh yes,” said Lyra with a twinkle in her eyes, “There are all sorts of creatures that live in there.” “And they all come out for Hearth's Warming to put on a big parade,” added Bluenote with a grin. “Really?” gasped Trouble his mouth wide, his brother looked equally excited. “I think Miss Lyra and Miss Bluenote might be playing a joke on you boys,” said Dogger. “Sorry,” said Bluenote with a laugh, “No monster parade, but there are still lots of cool things to see in town.” “Yeah, the monster parade isn’t at Hearth's Warming, it’s nightmare night. It’s quite a sight.” said Lyra seriously, earning her glances from her friends. Breakfast was soon over and the family hurriedly packed for the trip before loading themselves and their belongings into the back of a wagon for the trip into town. The station was, like last night, completely packed, it took quite a while for them all to fight their way to the ticket office and even longer for Bluenote and Trotsy to get to the front of the queue. That was when the problems started. “What do you mean there aren't any seats remaining?” asked Trotsy her voice a bit shriller than normal. “Sorry Madam,” said the stallion behind the desk. “But the Canterlot sleeper is full, even first class, and there isn’t another until after the holidays, sorry.” “First class is the problem!” she cried, “How many more hard working ponies could you fit on if you treated them all the same?” She flushed for a moment, then her head slumped. “I’m sorry, that’s nothing to do with you. I just want to see my daughter,” she mumbled. Bluenote felt her heart go out to the older mare, there’d certainly been enough holidays when her family couldn’t be together. Trotsy had already had her heart broken when Medley told her she wouldn’t make the holiday, then she and the girls had seemingly held out a life line only for it now to be snatched away again. She thought about their carriage on the train, it was built to hold four and Double and Trouble were only small, they could probably be fitted into one space. She was about to offer to give away her own tickets when she stopped, she should talk this through with her friends first. “Look, Trotsy, I might have any idea how you can see your daughter this year,” the mother looked up in hope, “But I need to talk to the girls for a bit. I’ll be right back.” “I think that’ll work,” exclaimed Lyra after Bluenote explained her plan, “Medley will get her perfect Hearth's Warming.” “But we end up stuck here, that’s not cool, we won’t get to see our families, you won’t get to see Bon Bon,” pointed out Vinyl. Lyra blinked a few times, her smile dipping a little. “And that will hurt, but I don’t have to be near her to love her. I wouldn’t be worthy of her if I didn’t do all I can to make sure my friend has the best holiday ever. I left her present with Fluttershy, she’ll deliver it if I can’t.” “I can telegraph Mum to tell her I can’t make it,” said Bluenote. “She might even be able to catch up with Dad instead.” The white unicorn’s tail writhed in agitation and her ears lowered. “But I’ll miss Mogwy’s first Hearth's Warming,” she moaned, “And me Dad, Ash, Spruce and Alder always go out for a drink Hearth's Warming Eve, it’s nice to see them all.” Lyra put a foreleg over Vinyl’s back, “If you’ll miss your family than much, we’re work something out. Maybe one of Medley’s family would agree to stay home?” Vinyl glanced over at the rest of the family, Trotsy seemed to have broken the bad news to them, all of them, even the colts looked depressed. She thought about her own family, they lived only a few hours away, she could see them any time, Medley only saw her’s once a year, and not even that this year. She thought of all the times that the blue pegasus had been willing to give her up own time and resources to help her with some invention or another. She had to help her friend. Lyra and Bluenote were willing to give up their Hearth's Warming’s to help Medley, what sort of pony would she be if she didn’t stay with them? “No,” she exclaimed sadly. “If any of us stay, we all stay. Let’s make sure Medley gets her Hearth's Warming.” The three of them trotted over to Medley’s family. “We think we’ve sorted something out,” said Bluenote. “You can have our cabin, it’ll be a bit cramped but you’ll survive.” A smile passed over the family’s faces, then Dogger frowned. “But what about you, how will you get home?” he asked. “We’ll stay here, find a hotel or something, follow in a few days.” “No, we can’t accept that, it’s too generous,” he shook his head. “No, you have to,” said Vinyl. “We’ll be alright, but Medley hasn’t see you guys in a year, you need to go. This time of year it’s the time for fam-families.” She was glad her glasses hid her teary eyes. The family looked back and forth for a moment, then Dogger reached forwards and put a forearm around Vinyl’s neck. “Bless you lass,” he said quietly. “Thanks,” she replied trying to keep her voice steady. “It’ll give me time to really look around town.” “If you’re doing this for us I’m not going to let you stay in some hotel. I’ll give you the keys and you can stay at our place,” said Trotsy. “I’ll be more homely, tell Quick Change at number ninety seven I’ll calling in my favour and she’ll cook for you. She always makes too much for Hearth's Warming anyway.” Each of the other family members also thanked Vinyl, Medley and Lyra for their sacrifice, Double and Trouble looked up at the mare with their big eyes, glittering with the excitement of a train journey and meeting their cousin. Slapping on a fake smile Vinyl helped the family pile their luggage onto the train before returning to the cold and lonely station. She sighed as she watched the rest of the passengers getting on, all ready to meet their families for the holidays. She supposed she could see Mum, Dad and her brothers anytime but it just seemed sad to not be there for the festive season. Bluenote picked up on her undisguised depression. “Maybe there’s some other way to get a ticket,” she suggested. “I’ll check the ticket office again, somepony might have cancelled?” “I’ll ask the other passengers!” said Lyra, “Maybe somepony has a spare? While there’s life there’s hope!” Vinyl managed a weak smile as the other two ponies hurried off, she had some of the best friends, but it did seem hopeless. With another sigh she looked up and down the train, if nothing else it was a beauty, larger than anything that had ever run through Ponyville. Turning towards the mighty engine she noticed two ponies in the uniform of the train company arguing. Her curiosity peaked, she cast a quick spell to let herself listen in on their conversation. “What do you mean they’re not here yet?” said one. An older mare with her pink mane tied up in a tight bun. “No one’s seen them, ma’am,” said the other, a younger mare, looking rather nervous. “We think they might have been sent to the wrong station.” “You think?! Find out! You can’t have lost all three of them! We’re due to leave in less than a quarter of an hour and I’m already understaffed. Find me somepony!” “Yes ma’am!” the younger mare rushed off in a panic. Slowly a grin started to spread over Vinyl’s face as a crazy plan formulated in her brain. Spinning around she saw Bluenote standing in the ticket queue, she ran over and grabbed her in her aura almost lifting her off the ground as she dragged her back to the train while looking around for Lyra. “Come on!” she cried to her surprised friend, “I think I’ve figured out how we can get home for Hearth’s Warming, all of us.”