//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: Warming the Hearth // Story: Retirement Blues // by Alaborn //------------------------------// Retirement Blues By Alaborn Standard disclaimer: This is a not for profit fan work. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is copyright Hasbro, Inc. I make no claim to any copyrighted material mentioned herein. Chapter 13: Warming the Hearth Colgate reached over and helped an elderly stallion out of the chair. Once he was safely standing, she spoke. “Now, Mr. Wattle, I have scheduled an appointment on the 3rd at 9:00, but if you have any problems with your new dentures, please come to my office, and I will adjust them.” “Thank you kindly, young miss,” Mr. Wattle said as he hobbled to the front door. As the stallion had paid ahead of time, all Colgate needed to do was escort him to the door. And as her last appointment for the day, she would be able to get home soon. As Mr. Wattle departed the Ponyville Professional Building, Sharp Eye exited his own office. “Good afternoon, Colgate,” he called. “Hello, Sharp Eye,” she replied. “Are you done for the day?” he asked. “Yes. You?” “One more appointment.” Sharp Eye paused. Colgate noticed him tracing little circles with his right front hoof, something he did when nervous. “So what’s going on with you?” she prodded. “Well, um, what do you think about Ponyville doing the Hearth’s Warming pageant this year?” “I think it’s a big honor for Ponyville, and I hope the Elements of Harmony are as good at acting as they are at saving the world.” “Yeah.” “It was kind of nice seeing the pageant again last year.” “Oh.” Sharp Eye bowed his head. “I was hoping you would want to go see the pageant with me, but if you saw it last year....” Colgate interrupted him by placing a hoof over his mouth. “Sharp Eye, I would love to see the Hearth’s Warming pageant with you.” She lowered her hoof. “You would? Great!” He hesitated. “What about afterward?” “Afterward?” “Well, there’s the special train back to Ponyville after it’s done. But I’m going to be staying for the holidays with my family, and, um....” “You want me to join you?” Colgate asked. “Yeah.” “You know, that’s a step above just being coltfriend and marefriend,” she observed. “I think we’re ready for that step,” Sharp Eye stated. “I just hope it goes better than you meeting my father.” Sharp Eye groaned as he recalled giving a statement to Gold Watch, where he had to describe the different shapes of two mares’ rumps. “Please don’t remind me.” “Yeah. So, we’ll depart on the special train Thursday?” Colgate asked. “Right. I’ll pick up the tickets,” Sharp Eye said. Colgate leaned in and kissed Sharp Eye. “I’m looking forward to it.” On a chilly Saturday morning, two weeks before Hearth’s Warming, Gold Watch approached a small shop. He knew the owner, Time Turner, sold clocks and various curiosities, and he hoped he had something that would make a good gift for Green Tea. He opened the door and stepped inside. A mechanical chime sounded, playing a six second tune. The back door of the store opened, and a brown earth pony stallion entered. Again, he noted how his hourglass cutie mark was remarkably like his daughter’s. “Good day to you, sir,” Time Turner said, a faint accent evident in his voice. “May I help you find anything?” “I’m looking for a gift for my marefriend,” Gold Watch said. He scanned the shop. “What do you think she’d like?” Time Turner asked. “A clock?” “Last year, I gave her a chest. She runs a shop, and displays her wares in an eclectic mix of crates, chests, and boxes. But this year, I want something for the home. Probably not a clock.” Gold Watch wandered over to a display of music boxes, and lifted the lid of one with his magic. “A music box would make an excellent gift,” Time Turner said. “The clockwork in each is hoofcrafted by me. I also fashion the cases, as you’ll see on both the music boxes and these jewelry boxes, but if you want something more ornate, I do work with some talented wood carvers.” “Ornate isn’t her style. Just unique.” He thought about what Time Turner said. “What would you think about a music box as the top element of a jewelry box?” “An excellent idea. I’ve crafted many such music boxes in the past.” Gold Watch and Time Turner worked out the details for his order: the style of the jewelry box, the wood, the stain, and the tune for the music box element. They negotiated a price, and Gold Watch departed, happy at completing the easier of the day’s tasks. He returned home to find the movers busy at work. It looked like everything was packed in crates, a task made easier by not having unpacked a number of crates. A pair of earth ponies were loading the crates onto a large wagon. The burly pegasus stallion with a crate cutie mark was watching them, so Gold Watch went up to him. “Why aren’t you loading the cart?” he asked. “They asked me not to,” he said. “Name’s Crafty Crate. I normally work in air mail, in the long distance shipping division of Fet Ex. I pull the cart; my hooves aren’t good enough to load and unload.” “Normally? So why are you working with the movers?” “Earn a little extra for the holidays, you know? I use my talent to lighten the load and move the cart, helps them get done faster and saves their strength for the crates.” “That a common thing?” Gold Watch asked. “Yeah. Friends help each other, right? Makes things run smoother, you know? Except when it doesn’t.” “When it doesn’t?” “Remember when all those crates fell from the sky, ‘bout a year ago? That was the mailmare helping out. Last time we let her do that, you know?” “Wait. The mailmare was responsible for that?” Gold Watch set his hoof to his chin and pondered the news. “What?” Crafty Crate asked. “I was without coffee for a week. That was a serious crime. I’m just trying to figure out what law applies there.” Crafty Crate looked at him, surprise evident in his eyes. Gold Watch tried to maintain his serious expression, but eventually a smile broke through. Seeing that, Crafty Crate laughed heartily, pounding Gold Watch on the back. “That’s a good one. You’re all right, you know?” One of the movers came up to them. “The crates are all packed. I wanted to confirm what’s being left here.” “The furniture in the bedroom, that couch, and the appliances in the kitchen,” Gold Watch said. “Just make sure the coffeemaker is packed.” “It is.” The movers loaded the few pieces of furniture Gold Watch was moving into Green Tea’s home. With that done, they did one last check of Gold Watch’s house. “We’re ready. Crafty?” The pegasus nodded, and hitched himself to the wagon. It looked far too heavy for one pony to pull. Yet the stallion flapped his wings, and lifted both himself and the wagon into the air. Gold Watch and the movers followed on hoof, crossing Ponyville to reach Gold Watch’s new home. Green Tea met them at the door. Gold Watch strode up and greeted her with a kiss. “Don’t you have a shop to run, dear?” he said. “I think this is important enough to close early,” she replied. Together, the couple directed the movers. They rearranged the living room to add Gold Watch’s favorite chair, and placed his coffeemaker safely on the counter. From the saddlebags he wore, he removed bags of coffee beans. “You didn’t trust the movers to pack those?” Green Tea said with a smile. “It was by far the most precious thing in my old house,” he replied. “I can think of something more precious,” Green Tea said. She draped a foreleg across his withers and pulled him in for a kiss. The sound of somepony clearing his throat broke them out of their reverie. Gold Watch looked up and saw the movers. “Everything’s done,” one of them said. “Yes. Good.” Gold Watch took a bag of bits out of his saddlebags and levitated them over to the movers. “Thank you for your hard work, gentlecolts.” “Have a good night,” one replied. “Yeah, I bet,” the other added. Gold Watch and Green Tea couldn’t help but laugh. Some hours later, having finished dinner, they shared the couch, and each other’s company, by a roaring fire. “Is your daughter coming for Hearth’s Warming?” Green Tea asked. “No, she’s going to see the Hearth’s Warming pageant in Canterlot, and then spend the holidays with her coltfriend’s family.” “Sounds like a big move,” she said. “It is, and it isn’t,” Gold Watch replied. “I think Colgate still has her doubts about their relationship, but meeting his parents should help her decide one way or another.” “Well, I hope they find their happy ending.” She leaned in and kissed him. “Like ours.” “Did you want to go to Canterlot?” Gold Watch asked. “Oh, I saw the pageant the last time Ponyville did it. Gosh, that must have been twenty-five years ago. It was fun, but let’s let the younger ponies have a chance to experience it.” “I’m quite content to share a quiet Hearth’s Warming with you.” “Mm-hmm,” Green Tea said, nuzzling Gold Watch. “And you know what I want to share right now? Our bed.” “Good morning, Gold Watch,” Mayor Mare said. “Good morning, Mayor. This should hopefully be a short meeting,” Gold Watch said. “They normally are. Nothing new from Canterlot?” “No communications from the bureaucracy or the Canterlot PD,” he replied. “I’ve seen nothing....” Gold Watch winced as a drop of water landed in a bucket elsewhere in the room. “As I was saying, I saw nothing on my patrols, nor has anypony I spoke to noted anything unusual.” “That’s good. The Royal Guard reports the same,” Mayor Mare added. “Now, Thursday morning, most of the town is taking the train to Canterlot. I’d like to request your presence at the train station. Not because I expect anything to go wrong, just that it’s always good to have somepony around when there are large crowds.” “Noted, Mayor. I’m going to be....” Again, he was interrupted by the dripping water. “I’m staying in town.” “I’m sorry about the leak, Gold Watch,” Mayor Mare said. She sighed. “Believe me, I know how annoying it is. But there isn’t any money in the budget for Town Hall repairs.” Gold Watch looked outside, where a light rain made for dreary gray skies. “It’s the last rain of the year, right?” “Yes. The cold weather will stop the drips, but I shudder to think what the ice will do to the roof.” “The roof’s going to have to be fixed,” Gold Watch said. “If you’re not going to raise taxes, maybe somepony can donate bits or labor towards the repair?” “It’s an idea,” Mayor Mare said. “I’ll make some inquiries, but I’m not holding out much hope.” She rose from her chair. “If there’s nothing else, I should see you at the train station Thursday. I’ll be heading to Canterlot and doing my mayoral schmoozing.” Gold Watch rose. “Actually, there is one more item. I need to update my address.” “Go ahead and talk to Red Tape on your way out.” Mayor Mare smiled. “Moving in with your sweetheart?” “That I am.” “I wish you two the very best.” Colgate and Sharp Eye joined the crowd departing the Royal Theater. The afternoon show, as near as she could tell, was only for the guests from Ponyville, and everypony in the crowd was familiar to her. She spotted Cheerilee and Twinkleshine talking, Lyra standing with Bon Bon, the flower mares chatting, and Golden Harvest chaperoning a group of foals. The crowd parted into two groups. One proceeded in the direction of the train station. The other spread out, heading into Canterlot proper. “So, who’s going to be there?” Colgate asked. “Everypony,” Sharp Eye replied. “My parents, both my sisters, and their families. It’ll be crowded, but there’s room for everypony.” “I just wish I knew more about them,” Colgate said. In all her talking with Sharp Eye, she realized she didn’t know much about his family. He was the youngest of three; his parents were still alive and married, they were all unicorns, and his family didn’t have any noble ties. That was all she could recall hearing. “Let’s see,” Sharp Eye began. “The basics. My older sister, Sunny, is a teacher, married to another teacher, and they have a four year old filly. Written is a scribe, her husband is a civil servant, and they have a three year old colt. Mom is a glassblower, and Dad is, well....” “Yes?” “He’s a public defender.” “So my father probably knows him?” “Sounds likely.” “Awkward,” Colgate said. “He gets along fine with the prosecutors outside of court, so I’m sure Dad wouldn’t hold anything against your father,” Sharp Eye said. “I’m more worried about my father,” Colgate said. “Then it’s a good thing he’s in Ponyville, right?” He paused. “One more thing. They’re a little old-fashioned.” “That’s okay, Sharp Eye. I can get along with all types.” Colgate and Sharp Eye stopped for a cup of hot chocolate, and then enjoyed the decorations and a little window shopping as they made their way to Sharp Eye’s old home. It was a larger, freestanding house in a quiet neighborhood. Sharp Eye had mentioned growing up in Redbridge, and while they were technically in that part of Canterlot, it was a nicer home than what the name Redbridge conjured in her mind. Sharp Eye opened the door. The sound of holiday music and ponies talking greeted them. “Mom, Dad?” he called. They stepped into the foyer, which was soon filled with six more ponies. Sharp Eye endured a flurry of hugs and kisses from his relatives before stepping clear. “Mom, Dad, this is Colgate,” Sharp Eye said. “Colgate, my mother, Crystal Clear; my father, Stalwart Defender; Sunny Day and her husband Notebook, and Written Word and her husband White Paper.” “It’s nice to meet you all,” Colgate said. She tried to link all the names with faces and place them in her memory. “I’m so happy Sharp Eye found somepony to bring home,” Crystal Clear said. “Mother...” Sharp Eye hissed. “Thank you for inviting me into your home,” Colgate said. She levitated a bottle of the Goldens’ carrot vodka from her saddlebags. “A gift from Ponyville.” “Thank you very much, dear,” Crystal Clear said. “Why don’t we all go in and sit by the fire?” Stalwart Defender said. “We won’t be sitting down for dinner tonight, so please help yourself to something from the kitchen.” The food laid out in the kitchen was an impressive spread. Pickled and roasted vegetables, dried fruits, cheeses, and breads covered a table pressed against one wall of the kitchen. That table probably had a name, Colgate thought, but she didn’t know what it was, given that something like that would never have fit in her father’s apartment. She filled a plate with food and carried it to the living room. With a few extra chairs, the room had enough seats for everypony. On the floor, two young foals babbled and played some game only they understood. Colgate had just enough time to sit down before the questions started. “So, how did you two meet?” Written Word asked. “Our offices are in the same building,” Colgate said. “So we can’t help but see each other.” “Are you a doctor, too?” “Yes, a dentist.” “Is this your first Hearth’s Warming away from your family?” Sunny Day asked. “Yes.” Technically, she spent several holidays by herself, but she chose not to mention that. “Fortunately, my father found a special somepony to share the holiday with.” “You’re from Canterlot, right, Colgate?” Crystal Clear asked. “Born and raised. I attended Celestia’s School and dental school here, and moved to Ponyville to start my practice.” Knowing Canterlot unicorns, the question about Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns was going to come up, so Colgate made sure to mention it. That statement elicited approving nods. “Is your father in Canterlot?” Crystal Clear asked. “No, he retired to Ponyville. Perhaps retired isn’t the right word anymore, as he’s been working as Ponyville’s police chief.” “Oh? Was he in law enforcement in Canterlot? What is his name?” Stalwart Defender asked. “Yes. Gold Watch. Did you know him?” “Yes. He is a good stallion.” “Even though you and he were on different sides?” “Colgate, we were on the same side, the side of justice,” Stalwart Defender said. “In the legal system, we all do our duty. The only failure is for Princess Celestia to step in and render summary judgment, because that means you were not doing your duty.” “I’ve never thought of it that way,” Colgate said. “Ponies don’t think about matters of law and justice as a rule. Your father probably talked about that.” Colgate nodded. “He did.” “I still have several good years left in me, and I will spend them working for justice.” Crystal Clear rolled her eyes. “Dear, it’s the holidays. It’s a time for family, not for talking about work.” “Sorry. And to think there’s somepony who hasn’t heard all my old stories!” True to Crystal Clear’s desires, the conversation shifted to family. Her initial grilling complete, Colgate was able to listen, learning about Sharp Eye’s family as they shared conversation, snacks, and tea. Once the two foals were put to bed, the evening continued with drinks and parlor games. Luna’s moon was well into the sky by the time the family was ready to turn in. “Let me show you to the guest room,” Crystal Clear offered. Colgate nodded, and was taken by the older mare to a neat room decorated simply in blue and white. “There’s a bathroom down the hall. We’ll be going out to brunch in the morning, but we won’t be leaving until 10:00,” Crystal Clear said. “Thank you, Crystal Clear.” Colgate washed up and brushed her teeth. On the way out of the bathroom, she passed Sharp Eye. “Is everything okay?” he asked. “Yes, everything’s good,” she replied. “Where are you sleeping?” “My old bedroom,” Sharp Eye said. “It’s been redecorated, but it still feels funny.” Colgate chuckled. “It was worse with my father. He never took down my fillyhood decorations.” “Yeah.” Sharp Eye paused. “Well, um, have a good night.” Colgate closed the gap and kissed Sharp Eye. “Good night.” Retiring to her room, Colgate reflected on surviving her first day with her coltfriend’s parents. She hoped her father was doing as well in Ponyville. “That wasn’t your normal patrol,” Silver Shield said to Gold Watch. Gold Watch nodded to the guardspony, who noticed he wasn’t on his normal schedule. “I wanted to be sure to be back when the mail arrived.” “You’re expecting mail, at the station?” Gold Watch nodded. “Something very important.” The mailmare was good at her job, and so always delivered to the police station within a few minutes of 1:15. It was a rare day that the mail did not come on time. Unfortunately for Gold Watch, today was one of those days. “Would you stop pacing?” Silver Shield said. “The mailmare’s probably on vacation, like most of Ponyville.” “You’re probably right. Maybe she stayed in Canterlot.” He sat down. “Did you go?” “No. But Thunderlane took Rumble. They enjoyed it. And I had the time to wrap their gifts.” Gold Watch tried to work, but he couldn’t focus. He kept looking out the window, every 90 seconds. Finally, Silver Shield had enough. “Chief, you need to leave the station if you’re going to get your mind off of this. Go on patrol. I promise to protect whatever package you receive with my life.” Gold Watch sighed. “You’re right.” Walking the streets of Ponyville, Gold Watch was struck by how quiet it was. Normally, there would be something, friends talking, foals playing, or the sound of somepony working. But with much of Ponyville still in Canterlot, and the rest no doubt safe inside with their families, Gold Watch only had the sound of the wind to keep him company. At five minutes past two, he stopped by the marketplace. Only a few ponies had set up their carts. Golden Grain was among them, and the farmer called to him. “Need a last minute gift?” he said, holding up a bottle of carrot vodka. Gold Watch trotted over to the stallion’s cart. “I’m good, thanks.” He looked over the wares. Raw carrots, jars of cooked carrots, candied carrots, carrot vodka, and plain, ordinary flour. “I’ll take a bundle of carrots,” he said, levitating over two bits. “Did you see the Hearth’s Warming pageant in Canterlot yesterday?” “We did,” Golden Grain said. “We came back right away. Goldie’s foalsitting for a bunch of parents who wanted to spend the night in Canterlot.” “That sounds nice.” “A few extra bits in winter always helps, and Goldie loves to be around foals,” Golden Grain said. “Course, that means I’m stuck at market on the slowest day of the year.” “I wouldn’t stick around too long. It’s cold out here.” “I’ll stick it out. You have a good day, Gold Watch.” Gold Watch returned to the police station at 2:37 PM, and had to endure another ninety-eight minutes of waiting before the mail arrived. An older unicorn stallion carried in a small package. “Gold Watch?” he called. “Over here,” he replied. “I am so glad to see you. I was worried when the mail didn’t come at the normal time.” “Well, Ditzy Doo’s on vacation, so with only two of us there, we can’t go as fast. I’m Express Mail, the postmaster, and I normally don’t deliver the mail. Sign here.” Gold Watch took a quill and signed for the package. “Last minute gift?” Express Mail asked. “Something like that,” Gold Watch replied. But it was something more than that. It was a very important item, crafted by the same jeweler from whom he had made the most important purchase of his life, thirty-three years and twenty days prior. And just like that purchase, it was a gift to be given on Hearth’s Warming Eve. “Well, you have a pleasant Hearth’s Warming, Chief,” Express Mail said. “You too.” Gold Watch tucked the package securely in his saddlebags and headed for the door. “I’m heading home,” he told Silver Shield. “Happy Hearth’s Warming!” The elegant formal dining room of Stalwart Defender’s and Crystal Clear’s home was set for the Hearth’s Warming feast. The traditional stew, baked in a pumpkin shell, was the centerpiece. Baskets of bread and plates of vegetables, fruits, and salads were set out, ready to be shared family-style. Colgate took a seat next to Sharp Eye, as did the other couples. Stalwart Defender and Crystal Clear sat at the ends of the table. Once everypony was seated, Crystal Clear rose. “On this day, we remember the darkest days of Equestria’s past, that time when friendship and harmony were almost lost forever,” she intoned. “When earth pony fought unicorn, when unicorn fought pegasus, when pegasus fought earth pony, there was strife. There was hunger. There was cold, bitter cold. Only when they came together, and fought the cold as one, did the fires of friendship rekindle. “In the meal we share today, we symbolically unite the three tribes. From the earth ponies, we have a base of hardy vegetables, those vegetables that were among the last to be grown as eternal winter approached. From the pegasi, we have the sweetness of cloudberries, grown only with sunlight and cloud magic. And from the unicorns, we have the bitterness of manaca root, praised by the great wizards for its ability to let a unicorn recover her magical strength.” Colgate bowed her head and listened solemnly. Most families dispensed with the speech and changed the recipe, mostly because manaca root didn’t taste good. But Sharp Eye’s parents were traditionalists, and she would respect that. The two foals at the table watched with rapt attention, though she doubted they would remember much by the next day. Crystal Clear removed the lid from the pumpkin and lifted it into the air with her magic. From youngest to oldest, she ladled a small amount of stew onto each pony’s plate, and then paused. “When we embraced strife, there was want. When we embraced harmony, there was plenty. Tonight, let the fires of friendship warm our hearths. Now, let us eat.” The table burst into activity, sharing the bounty of the Hearth’s Warming feast. Despite the formal beginning, the meal was like any shared by a large family, full of lively conversation and warm feelings. Colgate even allowed herself a small slice of cake when dessert was served. Following dinner, the ponies separated into family units, finding a quiet corner of the large house to share with those closest to them. Sharp Eye and Colgate shared a sofa in the parlor. “Thank you,” Sharp Eye said. “For what?” Colgate asked. “For eating cake. I know you don’t like eating sugary foods.” Colgate laughed. “As sacrifices go, that’s not a very big one. I think I can eat cake one a year.” “Thank you for spending the holidays with me,” Sharp Eye added. “I hope your father is okay.” “I think he’ll appreciate some time with Green Tea.” “And thank you for accepting my family. I know they’re not like your parents.” “That doesn’t mean I can’t love them and respect them as ponies. Besides, the traditions are beautiful. It felt nice to be reminded of the fires of friendship.” Sharp Eye looked up. “Speaking of traditions....” Colgate followed his gaze, seeing the hanging mistletoe. “Well, we should respect tradition, right?” The two ponies shared a passionate kiss. In a small home in quiet Ponyville, two ponies snuggled on a couch, enjoying the warm fire and mugs of hot chocolate. “I hope you like your gift,” Green Tea said. Gold Watch had come home to find the fanciest coffeemaker he had ever seen set up in the kitchen. It must have been installed while he was at work. “I love it,” he said. “But you know all those fancy dials and gadgets are going to be wasted on me.” “Let’s learn what kinds of coffee it can make, together.” Green Tea gave him a peck on the lips. “Now, since you got your gift early, it’s only fair I get your gift tonight, don’t you think?” “I was going to anyway. I’ll be right back.” Gold Watch headed to the basement, where he had hidden Green Tea’s gift. He returned with the jewelry box held in his magic. “It’s beautiful,” Green Tea said. “This one’s not for your shop, but for us. The top is a music box.” Green Tea lifted the top of the music box. Gears turned and music chimed, an old romantic tune that was already beloved back when they had been young. “And in the drawers, you can keep safe what’s most precious. She opened the first of the three drawers. It was velvet-lined and organized in small sections, perfect for storing earrings. The second drawer was also lined, but only had two containers. The third was one large drawer, and in it rested a bracelet. An earth pony engagement bracelet. Green Tea gasped and looked up. Gold Watch was on his knees before her. “Green Tea, would you make me the happiest stallion in Equestria and share your life with me, until the day we are called to the Great Pasture?” “Yes!” she screamed. She carefully set the jewelry box on the coffee table. “Yes!” Green Tea reached down, and with all her earth pony strength, pulled Gold Watch to her.