//------------------------------// // IX – Hearth's Warming // Story: Frequency // by PaulAsaran //------------------------------// Chapter IX Hearth's Warming Once the word got out that she’d been in contact with an extra-equestrial being, time flew for Vinyl. She had more than a few meetings with the princesses; the first time meeting Princess Celestia had been a real treat. Scientists and astronomers came from all across Equestria to speak to the ‘alien’ and learn as much as they could about Adi. There were plenty from beyond Equestria’s borders as well; Vinyl met more griffons, minotaur, deer, caribou and a plethora of other races than she’d likely never see again in her lifetime. There was even a couple diamond dogs – a true shock considering Vinyl never thought ‘science’ and ‘diamond dog’ could be used in the same sentence together. Then there were the interviews for newspapers and radio shows, calls from eccentrics asking about ‘abducted’ loved ones, neigh sayers seeking to disprove Adi’s existence and at least five ponies hoping to make some kind of book out of the event. There was even a high-browed fashion designer, ‘Hoity Something-or-other,’ who showed up to ask Adi about human clothing in hopes of starting an alien-themed line. Twilight was by far the most present of all Vinyl’s visitors, though. She bombarded Adi with questions for a full week before finally leaving them be, and even then she still contacted them via radio once every few days with a new question or ten. Twilight worked closely with Luna on the task of determining Adi’s position. This largely involved Adi moving her ship around in a defined area while astronomers from all over the planet watched the night sky hoping to detect her movements. It was tedious and boring, but Adi went through all of it with admirable conviction. It took a month for things to die down, at which point Vinyl was finally able to go back to her apartment without risk of being called back to the palace within a day or two. She went back to work at the club – which gained a significant boost to its clientele – and was treated like a celebrity there. She’d reveled in the attention at first, but before long it became annoying. Eventually, the buzz died down and she was allowed to go back to a somewhat normal life. Adi and Vinyl continued to speak on a daily basis. Adi’s days had become fairly routine, with at least an hour spent turning her ship in a new direction and a few hours spent talking with Vinyl. For a while ponies were allowed to speak to her and Vinyl on the government-protected frequency, but in time she got tired of repeating the same things over and over again and asked to limit such conversations to only once a week. Flash Sentry was officially reassigned to Canterlot Castle. He’d approached Princess Cadance to inquire about this, but she offered only one explanation: “It will be good for you.” He accepted the change in posting and continued to act as Vinyl’s guard, even though they both questioned why she needed one. Though he continued to live in the castle barracks, he was now a regular element of Vinyl’s life. He appeared in her club nightly and always walked her home; Vinyl stopped minding after the first month. It was mostly because she’d grown used to his presence and – on the rare occasion when she was fully honest with herself – could admit that she had come to enjoy having him around. Four months had passed. Adi was growing restless; while Luna insisted that progress was being made, there could be no certainty that her ship was going to be discovered. So when Luna promised to make an announcement on Hearth’s Warming Eve, Adi was beside herself with excitement. Now snow fell outside Vinyl’s window. Huddled in a warm blanket with some hot cocoa in her hooves, she watched the flurries with a pleased smile. Her father’s radio sat on the floor and she was leaning back against the side of her bed, on which her sunglasses lay. The world outside was still caught in the last rays of twilight. The lights were off, a trio of candles placed strategically around the bedroom providing illumination. If she tried hard enough, she could just feel her Dad’s warm hoof on her shoulder. “So,” Adi said softly, “you and your dad would stay up all night and watch the snowfall, huh?” Vinyl chuckled. “‘All night.’ Actually, we made a game out of seeing who would fall asleep first. I won a lot more as I grew up.” Adi was hesitant. “But… isn’t this supposed to be a social holiday? And you spend it all alone now?” “Yeah.” Vinyl sipped her cocoa, a pleasant smile on her lips. “Hearth’s Warming was the one time of the year that I could spend with my Dad. He never failed to be off, even with three jobs. He devoted this night to me… so this is my tradition. It’s only right that I return the favor.” “I guess I can understand that.” There was a long pause. “Are… are you really okay with me talking to you now? I mean, it seems like a private time.” “Nah, you’re good,” Vinyl said pleasantly. “It’s nice to have somepony to talk to while I stay up and play the game.” Another sip. “So, do they have a similar holiday on Earth?” “Yeah, as a matter of fact.” Another pause. “If the onboard calendar’s right, then it’ll be coming up in a couple weeks. It was called Christmas.” “Christmas, huh?” Vinyl let her eyes linger on the snow-covered roof of the building across the street. “What did they celebrate it for?” “It was a religious holiday. Christians believed the Son of God was born on Christmas Day. It was considered one of the two most important days in our calendar.” “Was?” Vinyl glanced at the radio. “So you don’t believe it?” Adi was silent. Vinyl paused as she considered the microphone floating at her shoulder. “Is something wrong?” “N-no, sorry.” Adi gave one of her patented sighs. “I did believe. I even brought a copy of the Bible… er, that’s the holy book of Christianity. But I don’t anymore.” Vinyl considered this, keeping her mug close to her face to absorb the warmth of the steam. “You can do that? Just give up a belief?” “I guess so.” Adi jumped to the next sentence a bit too quickly. “Are there religions in Equestria?” “A few, but they’re pretty isolated. Most ponies aren’t very religious.” Vinyl wondered if she shouldn’t press the topic. “So you’re not?” “Nope. I do believe in Elysium, but that’s about it.” “Elysium?” Adi asked. “Is that like Heaven?” Vinyl nodded and took a long sip. After a moment, she recalled that Adi couldn’t see her and said, “Yeah, that would be it. I can’t really imagine not existing, y’know? Other than that, I’m not all that big on religion.” “Must be nice,” Adi muttered. “It’s hard to be disappointed in God when you don’t put much stock in him in the first place.” Silence pressed in on them. Vinyl wanted to speak, but could find no words. Perhaps it would be better to not say anything. Adi’s voice came back in a whisper. “I’m sorry. You’re supposed to be relaxing, and here I am ruining the mood.” “It’s alright.” Vinyl shook her head. “I’m sorry I can’t think of anything to say. This isn’t really my area.” “It’s fine…” Another lingering silence, this one uncomfortable. Vinyl ran through possible responses for a while, her eyes on the ever-falling snow. “Adi?” It took Adi a few seconds to reply. “Yeah?” “I’m sorry you lost your faith. I’m here for you. You know that, right?” Yet another lengthy pause. “Y-yeah. I know.” Vinyl nodded with a smile. “So if there’s ever anything you wanna get off your chest, just say so. If you think this Christian God has turned his back on you… well, I hope you find something to heal that hole. I’ll help you find it if I can.” She waited for a response. Darkness had fallen in its entirety by now, and shadows flickered on the walls like specters. Vinyl watched them dance and tried to imagine that the shadows were Adi. She envisioned a two-legged creature like the minotaur, could see arms and legs in those ever-vibrant shapes. Perhaps it was a ghost, there to give Adi some kind of embodiment on this curious night. Adi’s voice arose, a voice for the shadow ghost. “V-Vinyl… You’re a blessing, you know that?” Vinyl’s ear twitched to the sound of a sniff. “Are you crying?” “No,” Adi replied hurriedly. “I’m not.” “If you say so.” Vinyl smiled and sipped some more of her cocoa. After a time, the ghost on the wall spoke again. “Thank you, Vinyl. I wish I was sitting there with you now, I’d give you a big hug.” “I wish you were here, too.” A new, familiar voice piped up, strong and clear. “Give it time.” Vinyl jumped, nearly spilling her cocoa. “Don’t sneak up on ponies like that!” “Princess Luna!” Adi’s entire demeanor had changed in an instant. “Am I glad to hear you.” “I’m glad you are glad,” Luna said, sounding amused. “My apologies, Miss Scratch. It seemed like an appropriate opportunity.” Vinyl settled back against the bed and chuckled. “Yeah, I guess it was.” “W-wait,” Adi whispered. “How long have you been listening?” “Since ‘are you crying.’” Adi made a sound akin to a whimper. “I see.” Vinyl flinched and hurried to cover. “So, is it time for that big announcement?” “It is indeed.” There was the sound of some paper being shuffled, something only that superior little white radio could properly pick up. “It’s taken some time for Twilight and me to check the numbers, and we sent them to a few noted astronomers to check our checks. We thought we had your location determined, Adi.” There was a long pause. Adi finally spoke up. “‘Thought.’ I guess that means you were wrong, huh?” Vinyl sighed. If Adi were in the room with her, she might have set a hoof on her shoulder, or hugged her or… or something. “Sorry, Adi. But hey, it’ll come in time, right Princess?” Luna’s response was quick. “Did I say we failed?” Another moment of quiet… then Vinyl let out a shout. “You did that on purpose!” “Did what? Are you implying something about your princess, Miss Scratch?” Luna’s tone had just enough emphasis to give her away, though. “That was cruel,” Vinyl grumbled. “Don’t you think Adi’s been through—” “Shut up, Vinyl.” With Adi’s words, Vinyl’s mouth closed so quick she thought the clicking of her teeth might have been heard over the airwaves. She stared with wide eyes at the radio, having never heard that particular tone from her friend. It was several seconds before Adi spoke again, and she sounded breathless. “Princess… are you saying that… that you’ve found me?” “Yes, Miss Longstaff, that is precisely what I am saying.” Something between a gasp and a sob burst from the speakers. “I… I was starting to think it wouldn’t happen. Does this mean you can guide me to Equestria?” There was no hesitation in Luna’s response: “Yes.” “Oh. Oh, merciful God… Vinyl…” Vinyl heard her friend’s sobs and realized that she too had tears. She smiled, set her cocoa down on the windowsill and took the microphone in her hooves. “It’s all coming together, ’ey Adi? I’m really looking forward to seeing your face.” Adi just kept crying, so Vinyl turned her attention to the princess. “Thank you, Princess Luna. I knew we could count on you.” “But of course,” Luna replied haughtily, “I am the Princess of the Night. I know the stars like the back of my hoof.” Vinyl rubbed her cheeks and grinned. “So why did it take four months?” Luna smoothly countered, “Well, I had an ignorant junior princess to educate on the matter.” Laughter burst from Vinyl’s lips, and even Adi managed to giggle through her weeping. “You’re alright, Princess!” Vinyl declared. “Does Twilight know you’re talking about her like that?” “She’s easy to torment.” Luna chuckled. “Make sure to thank her when you next hear from her, she’s been working very hard on this project.” “W-we will,” Adi managed to choke out. Vinyl smirked at the microphone. “Although we’ll be sure to let her know you’re getting all the credit.” “Please do, it will make for a most entertaining conversation afterward.” Luna’s tone grew abruptly soft. “I must warn you both that this journey will not be a short one.” Adi took a long breath, her sobs at last reduced to mere sniffles. “How long will it take?” Luna hesitated, prompting Vinyl to glance at the radio uncertainly. “Please understand that this is only an estimate. Adi, something must be speeding the rate of travel of the radio waves, because if we are accurate about your distance then we should not be able to communicate without a time lapse.” “One more mystery,” Vinyl replied with a dismissive wave of her hoof. “Adi is chock full of those.” “So it seems,” Luna agreed. When Adi said nothing, she continued, “If our estimates regarding your potential velocity and distance are accurate… Miss Longstaff, it will take you at least two years to reach us.” Vinyl sucked in a sharp breath. “Two years?” “Give or take four months.” “Whoa.” Vinyl leaned back against the bed and stared at the driving snow. “That’s… amazing. Adi?” Adi was silent for a long time. Vinyl slowly took her hot cocoa and sipped it, barely noting that it had cooled from burning to merely warm. The shadows continued to dance around her, but the dance seemed a sad one. “Two years.” Adi’s voice was firm. “I’ve been out here for almost two-and-a-half as it is. I can take another two. At least now I have a destination.” “I am pleased you are so positive,” Luna said. “We intend to give you your instructions tomorrow night. For now, take this time to celebrate. We all deserve it.” Vinyl smiled and nodded. “Thanks, Princess.” “Thank you,” Adi said quietly. “Thank you so much.” “You are welcome. Have a happy Hearth’s Warming, you two.” Vinyl continued to stare at the shadows, her mind wandering. Adi was coming to Equestria. It seemed impossible, but there it was. “Vinyl?” “I’m here.” “I… I don’t know what to say.” With a smile, Vinyl sipped her cocoa. “You don’t have to say anything, Adi.” “But I—” “No.” With no better option and feeling just a little silly, Vinyl reached over and patted the radio. “It’s okay. Let’s just enjoy this moment, huh?” “Y-yeah… Thanks.” The room was filled with silence. Vinyl devoted herself to her cocoa and the dancing shadows, delighting in a warm feeling that welled up inside. It was like… being close to a fire, but in a good way. The sensation swelled inside her, possessing a subtle power that made her eyes water. She set the mic aside, just in case; she wasn’t about to start crying, but if she did, she sure as Tartarus wasn’t going to let Adi hear it. She just couldn’t believe how… how good she felt. After all this time, Adi was coming to Equestria. She’d helped somepony, really helped. For the first time in her life, Vinyl felt as though she’d done something worthwhile. She set her empty cup side and approached the window, the blankets slipping off. The glass was frigid beneath her hoof; she delighted in that touch. Was it like touching a ghost? “Are you proud of me, dad?” She pressed her cheek against the window, her lips turned up in a big smile. “I helped somepony, just like somepony helped you. It feels so good. Is this how it felt when you worked so hard for me?” There was no response, but Vinyl felt that powerful warmth enveloping her, like a big, happy, loving hug… She jumped with a gasp; somepony had knocked on her front door. She shook off the surprise and hastily rubbed her cheeks dry. Grumbling over a killed mood, she turned and grabbed her microphone. “Adi, give me a minute. I need more cocoa—” A second knock made her growl, “—and somepony is actually knocking on my door on Hearth’s Warming Eve.” “Huh?” Adi said. “Oh, umm, okay then.” Vinyl dropped the mic, grabbed her mug and stalked into her kitchen. She had no idea who might be calling at her door tonight of all nights, but if it wasn’t for a good reason she’d buck them in the teeth. She set her mug on the table and went to the front door, scowling as a third, more forceful knock reverberated through her apartment. If this was some knucklehead hoping to get an interview with Adi… She jerked open the door, prepared to deliver a verbal onslaught, but her words caught in her throat. Flash Sentry sat outside the threshold, shivering despite a thick red coat. “It’s ab-bout time you opened up! Do you h-have any idea how c-cold it is out here?” “What the buck are you doing here?” she cried. “I thought you were with your parents.” “Explanation l-later,” he said, rubbing his shoulders. “Help me g-get this inside.” He reached over and pulled something that had been hidden in the darkness: it was a brightly wrapped box, and a big one at that. Vinyl gaped. “You… you bought me a Hearth’s Warming Gift?” “And I’ve been l-lugging it all the way from the c-c-castle in this weather. C-can I please come in now?” “Oh, right!” Vinyl stepped out, taking the bite of the cold to help push the heavy box through her doorway. It was tall enough to reach up to her shoulders. Her mind ran circles, still trying to work through the fact that Flash had bought her a gift. She glanced at him, but he didn’t return the look. Once the box was inside, she closed the door and relocked it. Flash collapsed on top of the gift, his wings drooping to the floor. “Whew, that was rough! Thank the Goddess for pegasus down, I might have become a popsicle without it.” “What were you thinking?” She shoved him. “Why didn’t you just bring it earlier before the sun went down?” He stood up properly and stretched, shaking his wings to get the snow off. “Couldn’t, I was paying Little Caster back for that time I owed her. She would choose Hearth’s Warming, of course.” Vinyl stared at him as he removed his coat, then at the gift. “Flash… why? I didn’t get you anything.” “Doesn’t matter.” He relaxed and patted the box. “You don’t give gifts expecting something in return, that’s not the point.” “B-but… But what are you even doing here? You said you were going home to spend Hearth’s Warming with your parents!” “Plans change.” He gestured to the box. “Are you going to open it or what?” She gaped at him, then slowly approached the gift. Why did she feel so anxious? Part of her wanted to refuse the gift outright, but she forced herself to find the seam in the wrapping paper. It only took a couple rips before she realized what was inside, at which point she hurriedly removed the rest of the wrapping. It was a synthesizer. Vinyl’s jaw dropped as she rubbed her hoof along the corner of the box. Then she spotted the brand name. “This… th-this is a MiniDoog,” she whispered. Her haunches hit the floor and her heart pounded in her throat. “This takes ‘top of the line’ to a whole new level. Flash, this had to have cost you a fortune!” He grinned. “You’re not supposed to ask about the price.” “I can’t accept this!” She turned to him. “Flash, y-you can’t spend that kind of money on me. What were you thinking?” He rubbed the back of his head with a lopsided smile. “Well, you were complaining about having to rent a studio to work on your new album, and how you have to pay them to store the recordings too, and then how you had to walk halfway across the city just to get the to the studio, and how the studio’s equipment wasn’t up to snuff, and so on and so forth. I thought this would save you a lot of time and bits.” “But a MiniDoog? This is…” Vinyl felt lightheaded and promptly leaned against the box. “Wow.” He chuckled. “I take it you like it.” “Are you kidding? This is the most amazing, the most incredible—” She stared down at the box, her forehooves pressed on top of it. The anxiety came back a hundredfold as she looked up at him. “Flash… why did you do this?” Flash’s cheeks went red and his eyes danced about the apartment. After a few seconds, he shrugged. “I just wanted to.” She shifted, then sat properly by the box. “Why did you come here tonight? What about your parents?” At that question, he smiled warmly. “We have a belief in my family: nopony should be alone for Hearth’s Warming. I wrote Mom and Dad about you. Not only do they understand, they were encouraging.” He leaned forward to stare intently into her eyes. “I’m not letting you spend tonight alone in your apartment.” Vinyl had no idea what to say. Butterflies were merrily flying through her insides, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to throw up or sing. She gazed upon Flash and realized just how good a stallion he was. If Velvet knew what was going through her mind at this moment, she’d never hear the end of it… but Goddess, why did he have to be so cute to boot? Her eyes fell on the box at her side. It really was going to be a lifesaver. Flash had just solved so many of her problems. To think that he would invest so much in her, not just financially, either… For just a moment, she saw her father’s smirk. The image made her chuckle. “Lay off, ya old dog,” she muttered under her breath. “What was that?” She turned to Flash and grinned. “We have some Hearth’s Warming traditions, too. You like hot cocoa, Bolt Butt?” He cocked his head and smirked. “Is that a trick question?” Vinyl began making two fresh cups. “I can’t believe you bought me a synthesizer. I don’t think you understand just how big this is. I’ve got to find something for you now.” “You seem to be having trouble with the whole ‘gift giving’ concept,” he replied with a chuckle. “Really, Vinyl, it’s okay. I’m happy enough to just be here.” She blinked and glanced his way, but Flash was already looking in an entirely different direction. His eyes were wide and he appeared to be cursing himself, which only made her smile broaden. The microwave chimed and she pulled out the bubbling milk. Within seconds, she had the cocoa mixed in each mug. She threw in some cinnamon and marshmallows and then turned for her bedroom, mugs floating before her. “C’mon, let’s get comfy.” He nodded and followed after her, but paused at the threshold of her bedroom. “Uh… why are we going in here?” Vinyl chuckled. “Mind out of the gutter, Bolt Butt.” She sat by her radio and set the mugs down on the windowsill. Half the blankets wrapped around her as she leaned against the bed, and she held the other half open. “You coming or what?” Flash’s hoofsteps moved around the bed, slow and timid. His face was crimson as he rounded it and saw what she was offering. She patted the floor next to her, and after a few anxious seconds he sat down. Vinyl let the blanket drop on him and took the mugs in her magic. He was keeping his distance, which she’d expected. “Back, Adi,” she said. “Flash has decided to pay us a visit.” Adi gave a cheerful, “Hey, Flash! Happy Hearth’s Warming.” He blinked at the radio as he took one of the mugs in his hooves. “Oh, hey, Adi. How are you?” “Incredible.” “Oh… uh, good.” He fidgeted, his cheeks still red as he made a blatant attempt not to look at Vinyl. “Did something good happen?” “We’ll tell you about it later,” Vinyl said before Adi could speak up. “For now, why don’t we just…” She hesitated; how to get her message across without being too obvious? “Enjoy the moment?” Adi asked, a certain wry touch in her tone. Vinyl smiled warmly at the radio. “Yeah, that’s it.” “Sounds good to me. Actually, I need to work the garden, so I’ll leave you two to it. G’night, Vinyl, Flash.” “G’night, Adi.” Vinyl grinned and set the mic down on the radio. Silence. The ghosts continued to dance on the walls, the snow continued to drift beyond the window. Vinyl watched Flash out of the corner of her eye; he was sitting up straight and his hooves toyed with his mug. Every now and then he took a sip. He kept shifting, as if afraid of the consequences of accidentally touching her. It was adorable, and she silently snapped at her father’s ghost before he could burst out laughing at the thought. “S-so,” Flash managed to get out, “are there any rules to the Hearth’s Warming traditions around here?” Vinyl smiled and took a sip of her cocoa. “Only two. First, whoever stays up the longest wins.” He gave a weak chuckle. “Oh, you’ll win that for sure. What’s the second rule?” “The second?” Vinyl chewed her lip and stared into her cocoa. She waited for the voice in her head to tell her to turn back now while she still could… but it never came. Upon realizing it wouldn’t, she relaxed and did something that would have seemed crazy four months ago: she leaned against him. Flash tensed as she rested her cheek on his shoulder. “The second is to relax and enjoy one another’s company.” Seconds passed… and then Flash began to relax. He leaned against the bed, heaved a long sigh and rested his head against hers. “Yeah… I think I can handle that one.” Outside, the snowflakes waltzed on the wind. Inside, the shadows flitted and danced.