I lay within the Daycare, glaring out at the white mounds of spite. Ever since the temperature had plummeted, I had been staying with the eggs, keeping them warm.
Gone were the bright blue sky's of autumn, the white fluffy clouds of summer. Only sheets of slate grey remained, drowning out the sun's soothing glow. Lush green grass smothered by a white death, fall's bright colors shorn away by howling winter winds.
My most hated season had truly set in.
Rainbow Dash had done what she could to insulate her home, but I could still feel the biting chill. At least the snow kept the Daycare well insulated. For the past few moons, I had stubbornly refused to leave the eggs without good reason, and only for as long as I needed to.
That's not to say I became a recluse. I did make sure to get my daily exercise by running to the marketplace and back, and Conner would stay with the eggs all day every Sunday so I could spend time with the others.
Speaking of, aside from my personal dislike, only two others of my pack had any issues with winter. Without a word to anyone, Villhiem had rooted himself in Apple Bloom's room, and fallen asleep. It quickly became clear he had started hibernating.
But Lulu had it the hardest. She had to stay somewhere warm, or she risked freezing solid. We discovered this problem when Rarity found her frozen to the door. Lulu was fine once she thawed, but none of us wanted to risk her freezing then shattering. If she had to leave the Boutique for any reason, she wore heavily enchanted booties and coat to keep her warm.
My musing was cut short by the sound of crunching snow. I leveled my glare at the flattened path as Zann's distinct footfalls drew near. As soon as he came into view, my eyes locked onto him, glowering at him as he scrambled up the icy ramp.
"No." I growled as he opened his mouth.
"C'mon," he pressed, "you didn't even listen to what I wanted to tell you!"
I scowled, waiting until he tried to speak again. "No."
"Oh, don't be such a cat." He teased. "Anyways, I came to see if Conner and Joy set the heaters up yet." He flinched back as I raised my paw. Once he stopped cringing, he followed my paw to see the cherry glow of the enchanted fire rubies sitting in the corners.
"Twitchy, much?" I grumbled.
Zann gave me a nervous smile. "We~ell, you did throw me out the last time I came here. And the time before that." He looked up in thought. "And the time before that, and the one before that too." His gaze returned to me. "I think I'm starting to notice a trend. Anywho, Yomega wanted me to come here to remind you that we'll be meeting early at the library tomorrow so that we can catch the Canterlot train with the ponies.
"He also said that if you don't show up, he'll drag you there through every snowbank he can find on the way there." Zann chuckled. "Y'know, I'm kinda surprised he sent me, after last time."
"I don't know where those snowshoes came from," I began to smile, "but watching you struggle out from the snow drift was the highlight of my day." I curled up next to my eggs, before arching an eyebrow at him. "Was that all?"
"Yup!" He smiled, making no moves to leave.
"Well, go on, then." I made little shoo-ing motions with a paw. "Tell Yomega I'll be there."
I closed my eyes, hoping to catch some more sleep. I figured Zann would catch the blunt hint.
"Hey, Leo?" Apparently not. "Wanna build a snowman?"
A new, Zann-shaped hole appeared in the snow outside the Daycare.
I sulked beside Yomega the next morning, grumbling about everything I could think of under my breath. We sat at the station waiting for the train.
<<Quit whining.>> Yomega scolded.
I wisely shut up, turning my ears to better hear the ponies' conversation. Fluttershy had been reassuring Twilight that the eggs would be kept safe while we were gone.
"Are you sure one of them shouldn't stay behind?" Twilight asked. "Leo's been staying with them all winter, maybe she should stay behind?" Yomega sat on my tail. I Glared at him in turn.
Moon Dancer placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "We all agreed that, Villhiem excepting, they could all do with a trip to Canterlot." I felt Yomega stiffen, and facepawed when I realized my mistake.
"I know." Twilight sighed as I pushed Yomega over. "And I know the Princesses want to see them again. Princess Luna really wants to see Abes in particular." I moved to sit beside Lulu, who was bundled up in her purple and pink coat.
Further conversation was cut off as the train pulled in. Thankfully, there weren't many ponies getting off the train this early in the morning, so we were able to board quickly.
Rainbow eyed Pinkie as she carried Yomega on board. "What's wrong with him?" Rainbow asked.
<<He sat on something he shouldn't!>> Zann laughed.
Pinkie sat Yomega onto one of the seats. "Yeah, he really should know better than to bug her like that. Especially after the snowshoe thing."
<<That wasn't my fault!>> I shouted from my spot.
Lulu gave me a look. <<You pushed him.>>
<<Pushed is such a strong word.>> I countered as the train began to move. <<I just... gave him a little nudge.>>
Conversations died out as the train rumbled down the track. I mostly kept to myself, sulking the whole way up the mountain. I barely noticed the commotion as we rounded the final bend to the station. I shuffled off the train on autopilot, surly following the group as we made our way through Canterlot. I only started paying attention again when I heard my name.
"You'll have to excuse Leo, she doesn't seem to like the cold." I heard Twilight say.
"I have a couple of theories as to why, but I'll save those for after the play." Moon Dancer added.
"I look forward to hearing them." Celestia praised.
I leaned over to the nearest Eevee to me. <<When'd we get inside?>>
<<An hour ago....?>> Vince answered.
I took a quick look around. <<Where are we, and where's Abes?>>
Cy snorted. <<You must've been badly lost in your own little world if you missed all that. We're backstage at the theatre and Abes left to mingle with Luna.>>
<<We're allowed back here?>> I asked in surprise.
<<Yup.>> Vince nodded. <<So long as we stay out of the way.>>
<<We're even allowed to watch from the conductor's box.>> Cy continued. <<They're not playing any music, so we wont need to worry about being in the way.>>
I checked to see if Fluttershy was paying us any attention, before speaking as quietly as I could. <<But, they sang in the show with musical accompaniment.>>
<<Just the actors on stage as a choir.>> Vince assured.
I blinked at that. With a shrug, I watched as Celestia gave her well wishes and left to take her place in the audience with Moon Dancer in tow. It wasn't long before the argument I was familiar with broke out. Eventually, I got both cold and bored.
With two slams, I blurred up the wall and latched the windows shut. I Glared at all the ponies before making my way towards the conductor's box.
The others joined me shortly before the curtains rose. Yomega's glare told me that he and I would be having words later.
Turns out, we were staying the night in the palace before catching the morning train home. The play was wonderful, and I fully enjoyed it. Now, though, Yomega had pulled me to the side.
"Okay, I'm going to be blunt with you on this one." Yomega whispered. "What the hell is your problem?"
I arched an eyebrow at him. "Is this about the window?"
"The window, and your attitude all season!" He snapped.
"I was cold, and they weren't doing anything to deal with the window. I was just fixing both problems." I jabbed a paw at him. "And I'll have you know that I don't have a problem with winter in general, I just hate the cold." I turned to go back to bed.
"And Christmas?" I paused as Yomega continued. "Why do you hate the best time of year, Leo?"
"... The Christmas that everyone on Earth knows is a dead husk of the original." I said at length. "I once asked a family what Christmas meant to them. The kids only talked about what they got, the parents only mentioned the food. Then I talked about this with my own family, and they agreed with me: Christmas is dead, and now some other holiday is parading around in it's heavily commercialized skin." I looked over at my grey companion. "Do you even remember what Christmas stood for?"
"The celebration of either Jesus's birth, or the winter solstice, depending on what you believe." Came his confused reply.
"Wrong." I snorted. "Well, maybe you were right, once upon a time, when religion was still a key part of every community." I sighed. "No, I mean the more modern meaning of Christmas. The one with Saint Nick, the elves, the Grinch and Scrooge, the stockings hung by the chimney with care? That's the one materialism killed."
"So what did that mean?"
I turned to fully face Yomega. "It wasn't even a proper meaning. It was a feeling. It was the Spirit of Christmas! It was spending time with those closest to you. Family, friends, lovers. It wasn't just giving gifts, it was making memories! The gifts that were given had meaning beyond the material. It wasn't about what you did, it was about who you did it with!
"And you know the worst part? I can see it starting to happen here." I growled. "All I could hear when I was out of the Daycare was what every foal and filly wanted, every stallion and mare's concerns about hosting the dinner." My tail began lashing from side to side. "And the richer they were, the more material their thoughts. Only the Crusaders, Snips and Snails seemed to remember the true Hearts Warming!"
Yomega was silent for a time, holding me there with his gaze. "And so you're letting your anger and frustration bleed out to winter as a whole."
"What?" I tilted my head. "No, I-"
"Yes. You. Are." Yomega jabbed a paw into my chest at each word. "Justify it however you want, you still are." He pulled me into a hug. "I can't stop you from feeling this way, but you can't let it drive your actions all winter." As he held me, I let my thoughts drift back along my lines of thought, hoping to put lie to his words.
I found something else instead.
"I, I just thought -hoped- that ponies would be better than this." I sniffed. We sat there for a time, both pretending we didn't notice my tears.
poor leo on a side note I wonder if they need to move the egg (like in the games) to get it to hatch
Sweet, new chapter.
8859594
Gen 7 added a way to hatch eggs without carrying them around - leave them in a hot spring. Presumably a properly warmed area would work as well.
Leo was too serious into this. She should remember that MLP is originally a kids' show, no real-world problem should have any attach to it.
I know how you feel, Leo
8859617
Indeed. However, 2 things. First, that was when the creators were the gods and controlled everything in the show. But now they are in a world where the show is real. There is no god creating things 'for the show' anymore. It's now Real Life for the eevees.
Second, thanks to the Eevees being there, minor changes had happened to the 'MLP Story', which didn't impact much at first. However, when they caused too much mystery for Twilight and she had Moondancer was called down to investigate the mystery with her, MLP's Story went completely off the rail, as there is now a new main 6, or at least a very important side character like the cmc, that was going to have influences on how the normal events would, or not wouldn't, happen, and how they happened.
And some of those changes, might be a bit more adult themed. Remember, one of the eevees has already LOST AN ARM right at the start, and heavy blood loses and scars across multiple of them. That isn't very kid show friendly either.
8859617
8859816
Allow me to add onto this: there is a reason that I've rated it teen, and not just for the language. Zann lost a limb, Leo was K.O.'d by Spike in the Greed's Excess two parter, hell they all held a funeral for their past lives.
Just remember, things can, and most likely will, get worse for the pack. Will the Eevees get their happy ending, will Zann get his leg back when he evolves? Only my muse knows, and she's not telling.....
So does Leo really hate the cold, or just the lack of true “holiday spirit”? Because if it’s the former and he becomes a glaceon, that’d be very ironic. Or maybe it wouldn’t bother him anymore?
Doc still isn’t updated. I’m moved, but don’t really have the time while settling in. Right now it’s basically “it’ll be updated, but not soon.” It’s still relevant for evolutions at least...
Calling it now: How the B**** saved Hearth's Warming
Rose colored glasses much? Children never gave a flying fuck abut the "spirit of Christmas", we only think we did when we look back at our memories and only remember the good parts. If we hadn't gifts we didn't, but no child will enjoy it more or less if she was raised without said gifts.
Leo's reaction is just her trying to deny that she's not a child anymore and that reality was never what she thought it was. Refusing to grow up, all in all.
I see a lesson coming right there
Personally I agree with Leo, I love the spirit of Christmas not the actual holiday. Hating the cold, I don't like it myself-being the skinny twig I am- but I do find the snow to be beautiful. Plus, I can say that the character I share a name with has the same personality and attitude I would given the circumstances. Especially having knowledge of the show.
Still loving story by the way!
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Problem with 'Source material was X' thinking: THIS ISN'T THE SOURCE MATERIAL. You can apply that logic to literally every fan creation and half of them would have already made some change for whatever story they're telling, whatever art they're making, etc. Hell, this fandom made Rainbow Factory and Cupcakes- and you can't tell me those shouldn't exist because they were based on a kids show. People will do whatever the hell they want with their stories, you don't get to say things shouldn't happen for a reason like that. Huge difference between crying over a kids show and finding plot holes, discussing and debating on how they could break a story, and getting them fixed/changed that way.
Zann's distinct footfalls
good chapter we finally get to the origin of Leo's problem...all in all good chapter.
Would a Flareon Zenn seek fiery retribution against certain wooden wolves?
8861234
Thanks for the catch, don't know how I missed it.......
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Probably.
...
It's super effective!
And more 'natural behaviour' for Twilight to observe and speculate regarding the mysterious Eevees!
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Well, there was a couple Christmas's that were lackluster giftwise for myself. Still enjoyed it. I have always been one to look at the reason behind things though, even as a kid. Grew up reading about Scrooge and the Grinch was always a favorite. I guess you could say I have an appreciation for the small things in life. Like the spirit of Christmas. Though I have to agree with Leo on one thing: materialism fucked everything up. Easter, Christmas, And even Thanksgiving is all about the food and football season anymore. No one cares about the why.
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They have been materialistic for decades. We do enjoy being with family, because it usually feels good to be with them. But complaining that children have their minds on the gifts is extremely shortsighted. They are children, they don't think "oh, I receive gifts but the real meaning is to be with family". They think more on the lines of "awesome! I get gifts and get to play with Uncle Bob! Yeah!!".
Hell, children don't have minds mature enough to care for a lot we do after we grow up, not nearly like we see as "the right way". It's not a matter of "the spirit of Christmas being ruined" as children realising that what really happened was not the ilydic paradise they remember.
Then again, Leo is what, 20~21? She still hasn't seen many Christmas as an adult. To really see those you need to pass them as a family, but as one of the grown ups. She'd realise then that religion is just an excuse to get together with your family, and that gifts are actually just part of it. Just like religion, an accessory to the date, something to convince children to participate. Because children simply don't think the way adults do, and that's ok.
Obs: that's not to say that it is an extremely commercial holiday, but what isn't? Leo is in the stage to believe it became fake and that "in the good old days" it wasn't. Once she gets older and lives more she'll realize it has been like that for A LONG time, and that everything she lived was because it's not ONLY that. It's what the adults make of it that counts, be it having it as a family gathering or purely a gift fest.
When can we expect a update
8895223
Soonish. Need to get a few things ironed out, Zann ran off with my notes (he hobbles surprisingly fast) and I'm waiting on confirmation on something. It's coming though.
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I remember one year all I get was cloths and a cracked sled my dad found. That winter is probably one if not the best I've had ever. Me and my little sister spent so much time together. I think that year we went sledding upwards of 30+ times. Plus there was a neighborhood snow War that lasted almost a week. Me and her act as the heavy unit with piggybacking on me with my jacket hood holding snow balls while I carried the sled as a shield. Another thing that happened was the holidays is when my grandmother first taught me how to cook. I agree with Leo the holidays are for making memories with friends and family, not just the gifts you get or or the food you make.
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I found Heavy Weapons Guy!
Well, someone has a bit of a problem with winter, and it's not just Leo. Brace, this is gonna be a long one:
Typo: temperature
Tense Error: could
Grammar Error: wanted me to come here
Punctuation Error: the ponies' conversation
Tense Error: the eggs would be kept
Word Form Error: Princesses
Grammar Error: weren't
Grammar Error: gave - You're not starting a new sentence, only introducing a pause
Punctuation Error: you know the drill
Temporal Inconsistency Error: either have both present tense, or both past tense, either is valid, but don't mix tenses.
Typo: believe
Grammar Error: worst
Ooooooowwwwww right in the feels
Go away Anna.
Some wish for Christmas everyday other dont wannt it ever to come... harsh topic Well done
9686295
Or, alternatively.
I agree with that statement that Christmas is becoming more and more about materials like a green it is a part of Christmas but we need to focus on the family and friends
Over react much.
My best memory of Christmas is going home and it finally being over because fuck Christmas
I wanna destroy a snowman.
10299927
I make it you break it.
Leo's being dumb.
If you want to hit the brass tacks, holidays are just days, with no real meaning behind it aside from "this happened."
Its what it means to you. Kids are kids, they like toys and they like vacation. Parents have adult things, but there's a purpose behind it. I don't mind hosting dinners or going to family, because its a good time to do so! I get to have a nice dinner with family, friends and everyone in between.
cant belive this hasent been done
I'm reminded of the FOP Christmas special.
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Leo’s not being dumb, there’s your worldview that’s not in line with his, there’s a lot of people out there who appreciate more the material than the meaning behind it, while you and I and several others have lived in a community that has coexisted with the values that shape humans all their lives, from the most basic ones taught in MLP to those that you cannot put their meaning into words but you understand the feeling