Alone and afraid, Sunset Shimmer has been living off of the streets in Canterlot ever since she ran away from home. On a particularly cold night, she's out searching for something to eat when she bumps into the last pony she expects to see.
Princess Twilight Sparkle has done something unheard of: she's found a changeling right outside Canterlot borders! But much to his surprise, Twilight saves his life. And when life gives you lemons, you will feed.
Twilight was surprised when a straight-maned Pinkie Pie showed up at her door on a cold, winter night. The pink earth pony had brought her a gift, but the meaning behind it went much further than a simple present.
Twilight has had trouble sleeping. Perhaps it was the change in surroundings after her old home was destroyed. Or perhaps something deeper is troubling her. As she wanders the midnight streets, a fellow traveler may grant her the solace she seeks.
Mister Lonely Heart is a self-styled "Grievance Counselor", a changeling who mimics ponies that his clients have issues with. When Twilight Sparkle pays him a visit, he finds out how painfully neurotic the Princess of Friendship really is.
Twilight Sparkle is lonely. So lonely, in fact, that she spends many months devising a plan to get Rainbow Dash to snuggle with her in the hopes that doing something so intimate would let Rainbow see just how much she cares about her.