Sugarcube Corner was a hive of activity. Moreso than ever, ponies filled the lobby with good cheer. The chatting and laughter reached a fever pitch of excitement as the occupants shared stories from years gone by.
"Whoops! 'Scuse me! Coming through!"
Armed with her pink roller skates and a platter with four cups of piping hot cocoa, Pinkie Pie weaved through the tables and crowd with expert grace and precision. Unfortunately, her years of finely honed skill failed her seconds later as she collided with a table. The carefully balanced cups of cocoa sailed precariously through the air and landed on the table completely still, not a drop spilling out. Rarity leaned down from her chair and looked at Pinkie, her eyes filled with worry.
"Darling, are you alright?"
Shaking off the hit, Pinkie rose to her hooves, her poofy mane bouncing as she nodded happily.
"Of course I'm alright! I'm Pinkie-keen! Good to see you and the fam together for Hearth's Warming!"
An older stallion sitting at the table wearing a hawaiian shirt laughed. "Are you kiddin'? There's no way we'd split for Hearth's Warming Eve. Nothing like family and a couple three cups of cocoa to keep the cold away," Magnum said, sipping from his drink.
Rarity agreed with a polite nod, wiping a small line of cocoa from her lips with a napkin. "I must agree, father. It is ever so comforting to have everyone home for the holidays."
"Yeah!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, leaping out of her seat. “Tomorrow night, me and the crusaders are going to have a huge snowball fight! You wanna come?"
Pinkie’s eyes lit up. "I’d love to! But…” the pink pony’s shoulders fell a little bit. “I don’t know. I might be busy. We'll see when tomorrow comes."
"Plans with the Cakes tomorrow?" Rarity asked.
The front door of the shop slammed open, setting the bell ringing. A blast of icy weather let itself in behind the new customer.
"Oh! I'll be back!" Pinkie shouted, skating away from the table. Zigzagging through the lobby, she approached the newest guest with her brilliant Pinkie Flash Smile™ "Hey there, Rainbow Dash! You look awfully cold. You should stick around and warm up a bit!"
Rainbow, wearing a light coat, a beanie, and a scarf, trudged into the shop. Her head hung low, and her lips formed a thin frown.
"Hey, Pinkie. I didn’t feel like cooking. I just came to get something to eat. Can I get a few raisin muffins?"
Rainbow’s sour mood was not lost on Pinkie. Regardless, she kept her smile, nodded, and skated behind the counter. Slamming her hoof against the display, she sent a scoop flying into the air and caught it mid-fall. Sliding open the glass she scooped up three muffins and and passed the bag over to the downtrodden pegasus in front of the counter.
"Here you go! Two bits, please."
Rainbow dropped her money on the counter and started off to the front door with her bag. She flinched as Pinkie appeared before her, merely inches away.
"Rainbow! You're not leaving already, are you? Look around! Twilight and her family is here, Rarity's family is here, even Fluttershy's made it down from Cloudsdale to visit. Why don't you stick around and warm your hooves with a visit?" Pinkie asked, waving toward an empty seat.
Rainbow stared at her a moment, her face unchanging. Shaking her head slowly, she pushed Pinkie aside and opened the door.
"Sorry, Pinkie. I just don't care."
The pink pony fell on her rump as the front door slammed in her face. Her bouncy mane fell just a little bit as she watched the pegasus take off into the freezing weather.
"What was that all about?"
Pinkie turned and offered a sad smile to Twilight. "This is a bad time for her. I hoped she would be better this year, but she's still upset."
Twilight tapped her head absentmindedly. "Wait, she seemed fine when we had the Hearth's Warming Eve play in Canterlot."
Pinkie rubbed her hoof on Twilight's head, gently mussing the unicorn's hair. "Of course. She was performing. She felt like she belonged. This year, she has to go home... alone… to an empty house."
"Oh. Maybe she’ll feel better tomorrow?" Twilight offered, her eyes brightening.
"Maybe, Twilight... maybe."
The blackened sky hung over Rainbow's head as she walked through the snow. She hated turning Pinkie down like that, but she knew it'd be better than the hanging around as the stick in the mud. This time of the year was always hard on Rainbow Dash. Being a pegasus, the cold never really bothered her. It was the weather. So gloomy and nasty. Snow had to be the absolute worst.
That isn't it and you know it.
Peeking into Sugarcube Corner's window one last time, she saw Twilight chatting with her parents along with Shining Armor and Cadance. They seemed so happy. Twilight had that dopey grin she wore like when she got a new book, or solved a friendship problem.
Whatever.
Onward Rainbow walked through Ponyville, emotions boiling over in her heart.
I'm strong... independent... I don't need anypony feeling sorry for me.
Those thoughts did little to dull the fact that tomorrow night, she'd end up at her home...
Alone.
She'd wake up the next morning like she did every year. To an empty house. She told herself that it wasn't important. Ponies lose their parents all the time. Heck, even Applejack lost hers, and she's okay.
But, Applejack has a family.
Her eyes drifted to another window. Glancing inside, she saw Scootaloo trotting happily around the living room with tinsel dragging behind her. Her parents were close behind her giving chase, laughing the whole time.
At least the little squirt has somepony to come home to.
Letting out a sad sigh, Rainbow's shoulders slumped. She'd give anything to have those early Hearth's Warming Eve’s back. Self-pity took hold as the memories washed over her.
No! I'm no loser! Those ponies are weak and soft! They need each other, but I don't! Rainbow Dash doesn't need anypony!
Rainbow Dash spread her wings and took off into the sky.
Still... it would be nice...
Pinkie's fierce blue eyes scanned her table methodically. Somewhere in the scattered pile of papers was the answers she needed. All the pink pony had to do now was to put the pieces together. From behind her, the sound of four ponies coming down her slide brought Pinkie to attention.
"Hey, girls," she said, without looking back.
"Ummm, what are you doing down here in your party cave?" Fluttershy asked.
Pinkie shuffled her papers, hoping for something to pop out at her.
"Just doing some Pinkie Planning."
Twilight put her head over Pinkie's shoulder, staring at the mess scattered on the table. "This is about Rainbow, isn't it?"
"Mmhmm."
"Uhh, Pinkie Pie, I know y'all wanna help and all, but maybe we should just let Rainbow alone. Sometimes it ain't smart sticking your hoof in a rattler's nest," Applejack suggested.
Pinkie scoffed and turned, bumping a set of balloons. "Applejack, when have we ever solved a friendship problem by doing nothing?"
The cowpony put a hoof on Pinkie's back. "This ain't a friendship problem, sugarcube. This is a family problem."
Crossing her hooves, Pinkie huffed. "But, we’re your friends, and your honorary family. Therefore this is a friendship problem. Besides, something else is giving me the twitches."
Removing her hat, the cowpony scratched her head. "Beg your pardon?"
Rarity flipped the stetson back onto Applejack's head. "Oh wake up, Applejack. Pinkie has a crush on Rainbow Dash."
Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie all gasped.
"Say what!" Applejack exclaimed.
Leaving her seat, Pinkie walked up to Rarity, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "How did you know?"
A refined, yet smug laugh escaped Rarity's lips. "Oh please. You two aren't even the slightest bit subtle about it. Watching you two traipse around town is quite the pastime among gossip savvy ponies like me."
Twilight squeezed in between Applejack and Pinkie. "Is what Rarity said true?"
Pinkie nodded. She lazily fell on her back and stared up at the ceiling. "I've had a crush on Rainbow forever. Well, forever since she moved to Ponyville. I tried so hard to get her to notice me... but she always thought I was dumb and annoying. Maybe she still does..."
"Now, now. None of that, ya hear?" Applejack said, pulling Pinkie up to her hooves. "None of us were really friends until Twilight here came along. Now, you and Rainbow seem joined at the hip! Ain't no sense giving up before the game starts, sugarcube."
Twilight nodded in agreement. "Applejack is right. You shouldn't assume anything. You should trust Rainbow by now."
Pinkie blew her mane out of her face. "You're right.... but maybe Hearth's Warming Eve isn't the right time?"
Rarity walked over and lifted Pinkie's chin. "Darling, I think it's the perfect time. If you really want to be careful, give her an out, just in case."
Pinkie turned and looked at the papers on her desk once more. She gasped and her eyes widened. "I've got it! Twilight, I need a rune.
Twilight rolled her eyes and pushed aside a bundle of balloons that had swayed in front of her face. "Pinkie, I told you runes aren't for pranks! Magic is dangerous if it isn't handled correctly."
"It's not for a prank. I just need one for my plan. I'll be careful with it," Pinkie said. Taking a pencil in her mouth, she scribbled something on the paper and dropped the pencil. "Perfect."
"Uhhh, what exactly is 'Home for Hearth's Warming'?" Rarity asked, peering over the earth pony's shoulder.
"Only the best plan ever..."
Hearth's Warming Eve went by like a blur. Pinkie and the Cakes scrambled to keep up with all the last minute orders from ponies who truly knew how to procrastinate. Even though they closed early, they still sold more than they usually did in a single day any other day of the year.
Wielding her mop like a champion’s long sword, Pinkie Pie did battle with the dirt and grime of the lobby. On a whim, her eyes flew to the clock.
"Ohmigosh! It's almost time!"
"Almost time for what, dear?" Cupcake asked, peering through the kitchen doors.
"It's almost time for the Hearth's Warming Eve party at Twilight's castle! I have to hurry!"
Mrs. Cake pulled the kitchen doors shut just in time to avoid being "mopped" by the pink fury. Water splished and splashed and flew everywhere, and then just as quickly as it started, the noise stopped. Slowly, the motherly pony looked through the doors again.
Every window, every table, every counter-top in Sugarcube Corner shined and sparkled like a fresh cut diamond. She put a hoof forward, daring to step foot in the battle zone.
"I'llbebacklaterbyeMrsCakeloveyou!"
Once more the kitchen doors slammed shut.
"Is it safe?" Mr. Cake asked, his hoof scrubbing away at one of the ovens.
"I'll give it five minutes just to be sure."
Decorating was on Pinkie's shortlist of top tier abilities. After much discussion with Twilight, she got the okay to make the castle feel a touch more like home. Stockings lined lined the wall, (as there was no fireplace to hang them from) a few tastefully placed lights hung from the ceiling, and a couple strategically placed cinnamon candles gave the place a more homely feel. It was in this room that everypony gathered, sharing tales from days gone.
"So get this, Twilight decides she's going to get a cookie one way or another, and so Velvet and I were in the other room reading when we heard a noise. We both run into the kitchen, and there on the table we see a purple butt sticking out of the cookie jar!"
The room erupted in laughter. Even Fluttershy's giggles could be heard among the ponies gathered. Twilight for her part could do nothing but roll her eyes and look mildly displeased.
"Yes, dad. Thank you for sharing that one with everypony."
Her pouting was cut short by her father's hoof stretched around her shoulder. "I knew Twilight was going to be special one day, but I never would have guessed she was princess material. I'm so proud of you, sweetie."
Her embarrassment pushed aside, Twilight couldn't help but let a tear slip out. "Thanks, dad."
Whispers of unrest spread through the crowd as the story came to an end.
"Well, I think it's about time we 'eaded on home, eh girls?" Magnum asked.
Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and his wife nodded. "Indeed. It's getting very late," Rarity said, rising to her hooves. "We have to get our beauty sleep or else we'll have to sleep in and that would mean having to wait all morning long to open your presents like last year."
Sweetie Belle's eyes widened. "No! Let's go! I don't want to have to wait like last year again!"
Rarity grinned as the tiny filly dragged her out of the castle. "I guess that answers that. We'll stop by tomorrow, Twilight."
The ponies shuffled out one by one, all headed to their respective homes. Pinkie Pie had already managed to dart around the room and give a hug to everyone before they set off into the night.
Actually, all but one.
Near the back of the line was one pony in particular. One pony who remained cheery much of the night, but occasionally let a frown or sigh slip through. Strategically, Pinkie Pie slowed her walk and let other ponies cut before her. One by one all the ponies exited until Rainbow finally walked through the door. Quickly, Pinkie Pie followed and sprang out in front of her.
"Hey, Rainbow Dash!"
"Oh, uhhh hey, Pinkie. What's up?"
Cracking a bright smile, Pinkie threw her arms around the pegasus' neck. "Just wanted to wish you a happy Hearth's Warming Eve. We'll see you sometime tomorrow, right?"
Rainbow pushed her off and chuckled a familiar chuckle. It wasn't her "someone just dumped gravy on Rarity's dress" chuckle. It was her "I came in second place" chuckle. In other words, it wasn’t one of Pinkie’s favorite chuckles.
"Sure. I'll stop by sometime. See you later, Pinkie."
And just like that, Rainbow took off into the sky, her blue form disappearing into the black sky.
"See you soon, Dashie… I hope," Pinkie whispered into the night.
Rainbow stood in front of her door, looking for all the world as if she were having a staring contest with it. She knew what awaited her on the other side.
An empty house.
Don't be such a filly. Just get in there.
Obeying her inner thoughts, Rainbow pushed the door open.
"What the..."
In her hall was a large banner that proclaimed "Happy Hearth's Warming!" Given the message and its delivery, it was clear that only Pinkie Pie would have done so. Looking into her living room, she saw sprigs of holly placed along the walls of her cloudhome, and a lone stocking filled with candy. The sweet smell of cinnamon lingered in the air from another candle, burning quietly on her coffee table. In an instant, she was transported back to Hearth's Warming's in the past. The excitement she fought with while she tried to fall asleep. The morning after where she enjoyed a hearty meal and opened her gifts. Her tear-stained eyes flashed back to the banner.
"...shut up..."
Rainbow took off like a shot, ripping the banner from its string.
"There's nothing to be happy about! My stupid friends are all hanging out with their stupid families, and I'm stuck here alone! Again! Screw you!"
The pegasus thrashed and shredded the banner in a fit of swinging hooves and gnashing teeth. Tears usually held in check by her bravado now streamed with reckless abandon as she cried. A few minutes of rage later, all that remained were sniffles and shredded paper. Somehow, letting loose eased the torturous pain weighing on her heart.
I guess I needed that more than I thought.
Walking past the shredded banner she turned her gaze to the living room, only for something on the floor to catch her eye. Warily, she trotted over to the object. It looked like a piece of wood upon which some weird markings had been etched.
"What in the hay is this thing?"
Sneaking closer to the strange object, she slowly extended her hoof to pick it up.
"Ouch!"
The wooden object shocked Rainbow, giving her a good jolt... but that wasn't all it did. Looking around, Rainbow realized she wasn't at her home anymore.
"What the..."
A slight chill nipped at her side. She was very clearly inside someone else's home, yet the sting of the cold was present.
This place is familiar...
...very familiar.
A quick survey of her environment revealed several items adorned with balloons and party related paraphernalia. Turning around completely, she saw Pinkie Pie wearing a full winter coat. One of the windows was open and had a pile of snow lying beneath it.
"Pinkie Pie? Did you bring me here?"
The pink mare nodded, her smile tenuous. "Yes. Errr no... well, kinda actually. It was the rune that brought you here, but I was the one who put it up—"
Rainbow growled, her eyes still red from crying."Yeah yeah, whatever. I hope you have a darn good reason for dragging me here."
Pinkie's head lowered. "I...I don't know if it's a good reason or not. You'll have to tell me that."
Rainbow Dash glared at Pinkie, demanding she continue.
"See, This year I didn't go back to the rock farm, so I won't be visiting my family. I... I know it's not the same. Your parents will never come back, but I was thinking, what if this year I could be your family?"
Rainbow's purple eyes narrowed.
Is she saying what I think she's saying?
"I understand if you don't wanna. That's why I left the window open. If you want, you can fly on out and go home... or you can stay here with me."
Pinkie's eyes brightened and a face splitting smile shone across it. It was a smile of hope, begging Rainbow to stay.
This is the last place I need to be right now.
Heavy hoofsteps followed one after another as Rainbow walked over to the window. Looking over once more, she saw that Pinkie’s hopeful smile had faded slightly. Turning back to the window, Rainbow placed her hoof on the sill. A sharp gust of wind hit her, stinging her eyes.
This is it. This is what you wanted. You wanted to wake up with someone on Hearth’s Warming Day, and now you’re just going to throw it all away.
Rainbow cast one last look at Pinkie.
You know she likes you. Heck, she clings to you like a lost puppy sometimes. If you do this, you’ll be sending her a message. Maybe all she wants is to tie you down.
She turned and looked out the window at her cloud home in the midst of the snowy weather.
You say that like it’s a bad thing. Heck, some ponies around town already think you’re together. Remember that pony at the cafe who said you two make a cute couple?
Rainbow shuddered even thinking of the c word.
Now or never. Go back home and wake up alone, or stay here and wake up with somepony who cares.
Rainbow put her hooves on the window and pulled it down with a soft, yet satisfying slam. Through her tear-stained eyes she gave a smile.
"I'd love that, Pinkie Pie."
A whoosh of pink tackled the pegasus, wrapping her in a vice-like hug.
"Oh my gosh! This is gonna be the best night ever! I've got cocoa, and cake, and games, and balloons, and frosting, tons of frosting-" a gentle hoof on her lips silenced the mare.
"Easy, Pinkie. Let’s start by getting this place warm again. Whaddya say?"
Pinkie Pie sped over to the thermostat and cranked it way up and zoomed back into Rainbow’s embrace before her hooves even had a chance to fall.
"Done! Now hot cocoa?"
Rainbow chuckled and pulled the pink pony closer. "Heh, heh, heh. Sure, why not?"
The two ponies laughed and ate the night away. All troubles and cares were forgotten as their spirits rose with the temperature. Sometime after midnight, their energy waned. Pinkie and Rainbow sat on her bed, the pink pony's head resting on Rainbow's side.
"No offense, Pinkie, but I'm beat. I think I'm gonna conk out here in a moment," Rainbow muttered through a yawn.
"Oh! Just a minute!"
Pinkie scooted to the edge of the bed and reached under it. Rainbow tilted her head in confusion until the pink pony pulled up a small box covered in wrapping paper. Flashing Rainbow a smile, Pinkie held it out toward her.
"I have a present for you... not your real present, that one comes tomorrow. Open it!"
Rainbow did as she was told and tore open the packaging. The wrapping paper fell to the bed in colorful shreds as Pinkie looked on, her hooves clamped together in excitement.
"It's... a heart?" Rainbow asked, plucking a felt heart from the box.
"It's not just any heart, it's my heart, and I'm giving it to you," Pinkie corrected her, a blush breaking out upon her cheeks.
Rainbow stared at the felt heart, turning it in her hoof.
"Your heart..."
Pinkie's smile waned.
"Huh."
Pinkie sighed. "It's dumb isn't it? I knew you’d think it’s dumb. Here, I'll just take it back and we can forget I said anything," she said, reaching out to take the felt heart back.
Rainbow pulled her hoof back defensively, yanking her prize away from Pinkie's clutches.
"I didn't say it was dumb..."
Pinkie pulled back, a puzzled look on her face.
"I think it's kind of cool actually."
"Y-you do?"
Rainbow stared at the felt heart and back at Pinkie. It seemed like the pink pony was holding her breath. Slowly, she wrapped a hoof around Pinkie and pulled her close. "C'mere you goofball."
Pinkie smiled and melted into Rainbow's hooves. Her mane played at the edges of Rainbow's vision and a faint hint of bubblegum pervaded her nose.
One thing's for sure, this beats sitting at home by myself.
Pinkie lifted her head and gave Rainbow a peck on the cheek.
"Happy Hearth's Warming Eve, Rainbow Dash."
"Happy Hearth's Warming Eve, Pinkie Pie."