//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5 - A Hearths Warming All Our Own 
// Story: Fall's Hearths Warming 
// by Yosh-E-O 
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	Gallant Gust took a moment to ask all the ponies who were on the first floor about what they liked to do and if they would like to work with anyone to do it.  His purpose in doing so was to show all of the orphans the power of working together.  This was something his mother and father instilled in him and his sister at very early ages.  He felt it was very important not only for returning order to the orphanage, but also honoring the parents he was still mourning.
“The three of us like making crafts!” proclaimed a cream colored filly who, like her friends, had likely just grew out of being in the nursery.
“Great,” stated gallant.  “Does any pony want to hang things up?”
“I do!” announced a much older Pegasus while fluttering about the room.  “It’s fun to put stuff up in places no pony else can reach.”
“Well,” said Gallant.  “What we need is to have some colorful streamers to be hung all over the place.”
“Can we make the streamers?” the cream filly asked.
“Sure can!” grinned Gallant.

After a while, some ponies walked up to talk with Gallant.
“I think I know what you’re doing!?” one announced.  “You’re making Hearths Warming!”
“No,” grinned the orange Pegasus.  “’’We’re’ making Hearths Warming!”
“Did some pony say Hearths Warming?” asked a younger voice.  “I think I remember it.”
“That’s great!” cheered Gallant.  “Does any pony else here know about Hearths Warming?”

Pretty much every pony in the large room began to nod and announce how they knew of it, remembered it, or actively recalled being a part of all the ceremonies and activities that went with the holiday.  Only the foals fresh from the nursery seemed to be at a loss for what every pony was so excited about.
“Wow!” awed one.  “I never thought we’d have a Hearths Warming here!”
“With all your help,” stated Gallant.  “We will!”

“What’s Hearts Warming?” a very little Unicorn asked.  
There seemed to be no shortage in older ponies who wanted to tell the little Unicorn and his other foal friends about what Hearths Warming was.  
“I’ll be right back!” announced Gallant Gust as he took this opportunity to get his sister and Fall from back on the second floor landing.  


***

Upon returning to the first floor with Soft Steps and Fall, Gallant was pleasantly surprised to see that every pony was really getting into the spirit of the season.  Some ponies were so happy to think back on times before they were put in the orphanage.  Others were brought to tears upon recalling happier times with parents and siblings they hadn’t seen in a very long time.   But most importantly, every pony was being nice to each other by clapping for each speaker, while also helping to comfort those who felt sad knowing they’d never celebrate a Hearths Warming with their families again.

Fall listened with amazement as she saw the normally mean kids being so nice.  She never thought any of them were capable of friendliness.  However, here they were all looking out for each other in discussing the very event her best friend’s, Bucky and Pint, had just got done telling her about.
“Do you remember Hearths Warming?” asked Soft Steps.
“No…,” sighed Fall.  “It sounds wonderful, though.”
“That’s the magic of friendship!” cheered the purple pony as she gave Fall a gentle hug.  “This is the time of year we put aside our differences and celebrate how, even with our differences, we’re all friends.”

Fall looked at all the ponies talking about how to make a Hearths Warming right there in the orphanage.  Those who didn’t know were being told by those who did while others delightfully added points about the occasion and ceremony that others had forgotten, or never experienced.
“We should do our own ceremony!” suggested a very peppy, older Unicorn.  “I remember all about Unicornia and could even play the role of Princess Platinum!”
“Ooh!” a younger Unicorn exclaimed.  “I could be Clover the Clever!”

The children were all excited about putting on their own play for Hearths Warming.  There were some squabbles over who did what, but Gallant Gust, Soft Steps, and some of the other ponies made sure to keep the arguments from getting out of hand.
“I have an idea,” stated one of the Earth Ponies.  “Why doesn’t Fall play Private Pansy?”
“Who?” wondered Fall.
“She’s the one who helps Commander Hurricane of the Pegasus Tribe realize the meaning of friendship,” said Soft Steps.
“You’re smart,” squeaked a young filly.
“Hey!” announced one of the ponies who knew of Hearths Warming.  “Soft Steps could be Smart Cookie!”
“You…,” blushed the purple Earth Pony.  “You really think so?”
“Why not?” asked another pony.  “You and your brother know probably the most of all of us!”
“Who thinks Gallant Gust should be Commander Hurricane?” asked an older pony.

The cheering for Gallant Gust to be Commander Hurricane was growing, but Fall had another idea.
“Rawhide…,” she said softly to the bully who had broken away from the group.
“What do you want?” he asked with a sniffle.
“If Hearths Warming is about friendship,” she said nervously.  “Why don’t you be the Commander Hurricane?”
“Me?” he asked with a snort.
“Yeah,” said fall.  “I’d rather be friends than not friends with you.”
“But…,” he said.  “I’ve been so mean to you and so many others.”
“If Hearths Warming is about friendship and every pony being nice to each other,” stated fall.  “I don’t see why we can’t get along.”

Gallant Gust was about to accept the role of Commander Hurricane when Fall and Rawhide approached the group.
“Sorry to bother you,” said Fall.  “But I think Rawhide would make a great hurricane commander.”
“Really?” asked gallant.  “Isn’t he the one who bullied you and made you do all his chores?”
Rawhide lowered his head in shame.
“He is,” replied fall.  “But, if Hearths Warming is about friendship and being nice, I don’t feel right knowing he’d be left out.”
“Well,” thought Gallant.  “The story is about how Private Pansy played a part in helping Commander Hurricane understand the power of friendship.  Yeah, I think it would work great.”
“Really?” asked a beaming Rawhide.  “Really,” assured Gallant.  “I can be the Narrator.”
“What’s a Narrator?” asked a younger colt.
“You’ll see,” said a slightly taller pony as she rubbed the colt’s head.
“Okay!” proclaimed Gallant gust.  “Let’s all get this place all nice so we can decorate it for Hearths Warming!  Then we can all practice to put on our very own Hearths Warming Ceremony!”