The Gift.
I was bundled up in one of those ridiculous coats Rarity made me. It was red and puffy—I looked ridiculous. Especially with the hat that went with it, ’festive,’ was the word Rarity used. It matched the coat, and had small emeralds embroidered on it. I guess the gems made it more dragony?
I never liked the cold, but I could usually tolerate it. However, it has been unusually cold this winter; too cold for a dragon. I had been devout to staying indoors this winter, but Twilight had coaxed me out of the castle with the promise of the best apple cider in town. And Twilight was probably right, since this cider was made by the Apple family.
As I sat freezing my tail off, gently rocking back and forth to the rhythm of Twilight’s gait, I realized I may have accepted too quickly. Was cider really worth the trouble... and my warm bed? I could have been rehearsing my speech for Twilight, or finding the perfect gift for her.
Or so I told myself, I’ve been putting this off for too long. Today would have been ideal if Twilight didn’t insist on running all over town buying and delivering gifts, like she has been doing all week. As Princess of Friendship, she felt it necessary to deliver meaningful gifts to all her friends, and anyone else that was important in her life. I wonder what she got me... hmm.
I scooted up on Twilight’s back. Wrapping my arms around her neck, I held myself in place, just behind her withers. Her neck craned, as she turned her head, trying to get a look at me.
“Spike? What are you doing?” she asked, amused but slightly concerned.
“Trying to stay w-warm,” I replied, as I tried to turn her head with my numb claws. “You make a good shield.” I moved my face directly behind her head to block out the bitter bite of the wind.
“Oh, Spike,” Twilight chuckled. “It’s a little cold out, even for a pony. But don’t worry, Applejack’s hot apple cider will warm you right up,” Twilight said with confidence. “I just have to make a quick stop at Stirling’s.”
Even though Stirlings was one the more unusual stores around, it had one thing that I really wanted. Heat.
Stirling’s usually specialized in silver and things made from silver, but it also sold a variety of rare artifacts. Things like: crystal balls, talismans, plates with art on them, rare paintings, and so on. Rarity found some really rare type of silk there once, and Rainbow Dash found an old medal insignia worn by The Wonderbolts. Scootaloo was eyeing a vintage scooter in there a few weeks ago. Little does she know, Rainbow Dash bought it for her. I wish I could see the look on her face—
The soft jingle of a bell ment only one thing… and before I knew it, I was blasted with warm air. I searched the shop frantically, ignoring all the items on display. After a few seconds of erratic searching, I found what I was looking for. I jumped off Twilight’s back, unbuttoned my coat and let it fall to the ground behind me. I ran across the shop as fast as my numb legs would move.
“Good morning, Mr. Stirling—Spike, what are you doing?”
“Oh heater, oh glorious heater.” I wrapped myself around the thing radiating lifeforce. I heard Twilight giggle a little: probably at how ridiculous I looked.
“Sorry about him. Reptiles, you know…” Twilight said.
“No problem at all Princess. How may I be of service to you?” Mr. Stirling asked, as if nothing unusual just happened.
“I’m looking to get a gift for a friend. She’s very particular, and she has an eye for nice things.”
Twilight and Mr. Stirling went on talking about what kinds of jewelry Rarity would like, or something, I wasn’t really listening. I had already selected the perfect gift for Rarity, one of my best gems from my secret stash. I had to resist the temptation of eating it, but seeing her reaction will make it all worth it.
Smiling to myself, I walked around the store looking at the shelves. Most of them were empty, and the objects that were there didn’t really catch my eye. But, I did see a cool looking letter opener. It looked like a little sword; it had tiny gems on the hilt that gleamed in the light. I had to wrench my gaze away from it, as my stomach growled and my mouth watered.
I saw a small book on an adjacent shelf. Maybe it was just out of habit, due to living with Twilight, but I don’t know why I even walked over to get a better look.
The book looked old and worn, but something seemed familiar about the cover. The picture was faded, and the writing was in old Equestrian. Each page was uneven and yellowed with age. This is something Twilight would find interesting. She could probably spend days reading this book, then read other books to try and learn the history of this one.
History… that’s it! This is a very old Equestria: A Brief History. I knew that picture on the cover looked familiar. Twilight could use another copy. I know it was one of the things she was upset about losing, since her copy was given to her by Celestia.
“Twi—” I started, but stopped myself. Instead of telling her this is here, I’ll come back and get it as a gift for her. She will be so excited.
“Yes?” Twilight asked, looking over her shoulder while levitating a thin silver necklace.
“Oh… um, was just wondering if you were done shopping, but you are still looking,” I said rather too quickly.
“Just a few more minutes…” Twilight frowned, as she continued to stare at me. I hated that stare, it’s like she knows I’m up to something. “Why are you suddenly so interested in going outside?”
“No reason. I just want some cider, you really did talk it up, you know,” I said, trying to keep an even tone. However, it wasn’t enough to escape that stare: the one with a single brow raised.
After what seemed to be an eternity of waiting, she turned her attention back to Mr. Stirling. “This is elegant, yet simple. I think this will do nicely for my friend.”
“Ah, yes... excellent choice, Princess,” Mr. Stirling said. He took the thin necklace from Twilight and placed it in a nice black box.
Now that Twilight was distracted again, I tuned back to the book. I needed to figure out the price, which didn’t seem to be displayed. And I know what Twilight said about having to ask the price of something…
But I didn’t care if I have to spend all of my gems on this book, Twilight deserved it, and it was the perfect way to tell me her—
“Come on Spike. Let’s get some cider from Applejack,” Twilight said, as she levitated a gift-wrapped box into her saddlebags.
I quickly moved away from the shelf. Hopefully she didn’t see what I was looking at. Twilight didn’t seem to be too interested in what I was doing, but it would be over if she saw the book. She’d immediately buy it.
I picked up my coat and put it on. As I was messing with the buttons, I heard the cling of the little bell above the door. A silver-colored filly with glasses entered the shop. Her expression seemed grim, and she took no notice of me or Twilight.
“How did it go, honey?” Mr. Stirling asked the silver-colored filly.
“Fine,” she replied quietly.
“Did you do it?” Mr. Stirling asked sternly.
The silver filly cast her gaze upon the floor. “Yes,” she said, in the same soft tone.
“Silver…” Mr. Stirling began.
“But daddy, her whole family is there!” The filly whined.
“You should have thought about that before being mean to that poor filly. If you don’t apologise to her, then I will go with you, and you will have to say it in front of me and her whole family. And you will be grounded longer than just the break!”
“But daddy—”
“No, Silver. No but daddy nothing.” Mr. Stirling glared at Silver. He seemed to have forgotten we were in the shop for the moment. But when his gaze met with mine, he gulped, and his chest deflated a little. “Silver.” He said softly, his eyes shifting to Twilight with a slight nod.
“Princess.” Silver said quietly, doing a little bow. She about faced and left the store, slamming the door behind her.
“Princess, I apologize for that.” Mr. Stirling’s cheeks flushed a little.
“Oh, it’s quite alright,” Twilight said.
I could tell she was feeling awkward. Knowing she wanted nothing more than to leave, I jumped on her back, and she hastily left the shop. “Happy Hearth’s Warming!” Twilight shouted over her shoulder, as the door closed behind her.
We were back in the cold again, but this time I wasn’t as bothered. I kept running scenarios in my head over getting that book, and Twilight’s reaction. She’d be so overjoyed, and then I’d tell her finally, on Hearth’s Warming eve. I couldn’t think of a better day to tell her—something I probably should have told her a long time ago though.
“Why howdy there, Twi!” Applejack’s voice snapped me out of my musings. “ And, Spike.”
We were in front of Applejack’s Hearth’s Warming booth. Part of the season’s festivities included several booths set up in the town center by the local shop owners and vendors. Some sold food and candy, and others sold decorative souvenirs. The Apple's was by far the most popular for their winter apple cider blends.
The strong aroma of apples and cinnamon filled my nostrils. Just the aroma was enough to warm my stomach. The sheer thought of the apples blended with cinnamon and mulling spice made my stomach growl. With a watering mouth, I hopped off Twilight’s back, ready to gulp down some delicious cider.
“Hey, Applejack. We are here to get some of your amazing cider,” Twilight said, closing her eyes as she inhaled the sent.
“Well, y’all got here just in time. Ah was just about to close up. Gotta pack so we can leave for Appaloosa early in the morning. It’s going to be a big Apple family reunion. 'Cause Hearth’s Warming is about family, and we Apples take no exceptions, err... mostly."
I stepped off to the side. It always made me feel strange when ponies talked about family. Ponyville always felt like home to me, even more than Canterlot, but around this time I always feel like I didn’t belong. Being a dragon had nothing to do with it per se… or perhaps it did. This time of year was always hard for me, except the times when Twilight and her friends all get together. Those Hearth's Warmings were always fun.
“Howdy, Spike. What’s wrong?”
I turned around, coming face to face with a smiling Apple Bloom. “Oh, um… hi, Apple Bloom,” I said gloomily.
“What’s wrong?” she asked again.
“Nothing, just waiting to get some cider,” I lied.
“Then why are you standing over here all sad like. Twilight already got her cider. See?” Apple Bloom gestured to Twilight drinking from a mug with gusto.
“Spike, your cider is right here. Come get it before it gets cold, Sugarcube.” Applejack placed a steaming mug on the counter. But before I could even move, Apple Bloom darted over to retrieve the mug.
“Here,” She hoofed it over to me. “Now, why are you standing over here all sad.”
Well, there was no point in lying to her. I know I could have used the old, ‘I’m just tired,’ line with her, but she’d never believe that. “It’s just this time of year. Part of it is about how Equestria came together, but it’s the other part that gets me.”
“Which is?” Apple Bloom asked.
I don’t know why, but it was always so easy to speak to her. I should haven’t have said anything… but here I was telling her everything. Maybe it’s because she and her family valued it so much, or maybe I just felt comfortable telling her things that were personal. I just wish it was this easy to talk to Twilight sometimes.
“Family.”
Apple Bloom frowned. “What do ya mean?”
“Being with family is important on Hearth’s Warming. For many ponies, it’s the one day they can all come together. Seeing everyone get together and be happy with their families… and I don’t have a family.” I looked down at the ground.
“Spike, you do have a family. We are your family.” Apple Bloom smiled warmly as, she put a hoof on my shoulder. “Ah know it's not a family like what most have, but we are family nonetheless.
"We look out for each other, we always help each other out, and sometimes we don't always get along but at the end of the day we still love each other. Surely that all counts for something."
She was right. It did help me feel a little better, and after taking a sip of the amazing cider, my worries only remained as a faint shadow in the back of my mind. As I continued to drink the cider and take in the amazing flavors, I noticed the silver-colored filly from the shop watching us at a distance. We made eye contact briefly, and knowing she had been spotted, she reluctantly walked toward us.
“Hey blank—I mean um... Apple Bloom?” Silver said with a surprising amount of confidence, even after fumbling Apple Bloom’s name. “Can I talk to you over there.”
Apple Bloom frowned suspiciously when she saw Silver pointing to another booth selling candy. “Ya can talk here,” she responded aggressively.
“V-very well. Apple Bloom, I wanted to say sorry for being so mean to you. I’m not asking you to be my friend or to like me, but I hope you can forgive me. I promise to never do it again. And I will make sure Diamond leaves you alone too...” Silver trailed off. Apple Bloom remained silent, totally lost for words. “I made this for you…” Silver lifted a thin silver chain necklace with a silver heart-shaped locket off her neck. It dangled from her outstretched hoof.
Apple Bloom blinked, then accepted the necklace, putting it around her neck. “Um… thanks, Silver Spoon. Ah-ah—it really means a lot to hear you say that. Ah forgive you.”
“Oh my gosh! Daddy was right! I feel so much better.” Silver hopped up on her hind legs, wrapping her fore legs around Apple Bloom’s neck. “Happy Hearth’s Warming! Now, I have to apologize to the other two and so many more.” Silver released her embrace, and happily trotted off.
“Well… that just happened.” I said to a stunned Apple Bloom. It was one of the sincerest of apologies I’ve heard. Maybe there was something about this time of year that was magical. If that filly can find the courage to say that to Apple Bloom, then I can find the courage to tell Twilight.
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. A bag full of gems smacking my back with each step. I figured there were only a few minutes before Mr. Stirling closed up shop. The festivities were coming to an end anyways. Ponies could be seen taking their booths down; among them was Applejack and Big Mac taking down their cider stand. Apple Bloom sat off to the side studying her new necklace, ignoring the commotion going on around her.
I couldn’t help but smile. This was going to be the first time I get a real Hearth’s Warming day. Apple Bloom was right, Twilight and her friends were family. I’ve always kind of thought of them in that way, but I always felt apart from them too. Just hearing Apple Bloom say that helped with what I’ve been wanting to ask for so long. And tomorrow was Hearth’s Warming. What couldn't be a better gift?
I opened the door to the shop, and quickly shut it behind me. There was no pony in the front desk area, but the ringing of the bell above the door will no doubt inform him of a customer. Or I hoped… no one seemed to be coming.
“Hello?” I called out to the vacant shop. I carefully pulled the book off the shelf, as I waited for Mr. Stirling. “Hello!” I said a little louder. My heart began to race with anxiety. What if they closed and forgot to lock up? No, surely Mr. Stirling wouldn’t be that careless to leave all these valuable items up for grabs. Maybe I should just leave a note, and some gems, then leave? It wouldn’t be stealing, would it?
But all my anxieties were washed away when I heard hoofsteps approaching. A confused looking Mr. Stirling emerged from the back of the shop. “Hello?” He said, looking around the shop. “I thought I heard something…” Then he looked down and saw me, staring at him with a pleading look. “Ah you again. So sorry, I was in the back doing inventory. We are about to close up. What can I do for you, Dragon Sir, assistant to Princess Twilight?”
I cringed internally at his remark. I wasn’t just an assistant, I was her number one assistant. “I would like to buy this book.” I placed in the counter for him to see.
“Equestria: A Brief History, this is a first edition, you know. Very rare, not many can afford such a rarity as this,” Mr. Stirling condescended. “I hope your princess gave you enough money for it.”
I slammed the bag of gems on the counter, letting some of them slide out of the bag onto the counter. It was hard to miss the gleam in his eyes at the sight of the gems, even if it were only for a fleeting moment.
“Gems, hmm? Usually, I take payment in bits.”
“Please, Mr. Stirling, these gems are the best. I found them myself. They are worth loads of bits,” I pleaded. I could see that he wanted them, very much so.
“They are quite nice, but I accept bits. Gems aren’t currency. The price of this book is two hundred thousand bits.” Mr. Stirling said, as he tried to push the gems back into the bag.
“But you can sell these gems for lots. Please, sir, it’s a gift for Twilight. It would mean the world to her to have a first edition Equestria: A Brief History.” I dumped the contents of the bag on the counter. I made sure the bright blue sapphire was visible to him.
Mr. Stirling fetched a magnifying glass, and examined the gems closely. He paid special attention to the rubies and the sapphire. “These are all flawless,” he said, mostly to himself. He looked up at me, then sighed, “okay.” He sat the magnifying glass down, he looked at the book, then at the pile of gems. “If it’s really that important to you, then maybe we can work something out. This is a very impressive collection, and this is a very rare book. I think we can call this an even exchange.” He smiled, and pushed some of the smaller emeralds back to me, then grouped all the other gems in one pile. “Does this sound fair, Sir Dragon?”
“Y-yes!” I was expecting him to take the entire bag—he nearly did—but he left me some emeralds.
“Alright, well, it was a pleasure doing business with you.”
“Thank you, thank you.” As I turned to leave, the door opened and the silver-colored filly came bursting through the door again, grinning ear to ear.
“Daddy I did it! I said sorry to everypony I was mean to. They were all forgiving, and Sweetie Belle said she wants to be my friend!”
“That’s my baby girl! Didn’t I tell you? Come here, honey.” Mr. Stirling shouted with glee, as Silver Spoon rushed to her father’s waiting embrace.
“You did. I feel much better about myself.” Silver Spoon snuggled into her father’s hooves. “I’m just worried about Diamond. I’m afraid she will be mean to me now.”
“You two have been friends too long to let it be squandered over being nice for a change. I’m proud of you—even though I taught you bullying was wrong and you did it anyways, but at least you learned your lesson. You are still grounded until school starts though.” He smiled at his daughter, kissing her on the cheek.
I left the shop with a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart. I had the book in my arms, a little bounce in my step, and Silver Spoon learned a lesson of some kind. I’ll have to ask Apple Bloom one day how mean she was.
As I almost literally skipped home, I snacked on the remaining gems. Emeralds never tasted as good as rubies, but oh well. I was going to eat the rubies anyways, at least now they went to a better cause than my stomach. I still had my prized ruby under my bed, but that was for Rarity.
I couldn’t wait to see Twilight’s expression when I give it to her. Should I leave it on her desk, and let her find it? Should I just walk up to her and give it to her? Oh! I should put it in one of her bookshelves and see how long it takes her to notice. Yes, that will be pretty funny. I bet she faints from pure shock.
The castle was empty when I get there. I checked her bedroom and the library, but she wasn’t there. Maybe she went to deliver her gift to Rarity… yeah that’s probably where she went. Perfect, now where can I put this book?
As I searched for an open spot to place the book, curiosity got the better of me. I had to open the book, I had to have a look at its contents. This was a first edition after all, so many things have changed in Equestria since this book was published. It may even have information on dragons in here. A quick look can’t hurt…
I opened the book to the first page. A cloud of thick dust rose up from the page. It tickled my nostrils. Pressure build up in my nose— “oh no! No—” I tried to put the book down and turn my head away in one motion, but… to late.
The first thing to greet my sense of smell was smoke. I looked down in horror to the charred remains of the most perfect gift. My eye walled up with tears.
Everything was ruined. My perfect Hearth’s Warming was ruined. This is why I won’t ever be family, this is why I’ll always be the assistant to the princess. This is the second time this has happened. At least this time, Twilight won’t be disappointed, because she will never know.
Hoofsteps... of course Twilight shows up now.
“Fluttershy loved her gift, and she gave an interesting book on rare animals found in Equestria.” Twilight said off in the distance. I couldn’t be sure where she was, but if she had a book, then she was coming the library. “Spike? Where are you? I’m going to Rarity’s next. You can give her that ruby I know you’ve been hiding under your bed.” She was getting closer. I hastily dried my eyes, turned around to face Twilight standing in the doorway to the library.
“I-I’m—I’ll give it to her later. You-you go.” Just looking at her was painful. I fought against my lip quivering, but I couldn’t stop my somber stammering.
“Spike, what’s wrong?” Twilight asked softly. She moved closer to me, making me retreat further away.
“Nothing.”
“Spike,” she sighed. “You can tell me.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s ruined. I ruined it,” I said, fighting the tears again.
“Ruined what, Spike?”
“Hearth’s Warming. Everything—it doesn’t matter anymore.” Twilight moved closed to me. With a hoof, she raised my head so she could look me in the eyes.
“Spike, how could you have possibly ruined Hearth’s Warming?”
This is not at all what I wanted. She was supposed to find the gift, be overjoyed, then I was going to ask her. I might as well tell her what happened. Then maybe I can enjoy Hearth’s Warming, in search for a new home, because surely Twilight wouldn’t want a clumsy assistant that set things on fire by accident.
I took a deep breath, “ I always feel alone on Hearth’s Warming because I’m a dragon and there aren’t any other dragons around but I wanted this Hearth’s Warming to be perfect so I had to find the perfect gift for you so I could ask you to be my mother so I could feel like I had a real family on Hearth’s Warming day.” I took another deep breath after I finished. Twilight simply looked at me, blinking. I realized I blurted it out without meaning to. The thing I wanted to ask her, the most important thing I wanted to ask her, just blurted out like nothing. “I found you a copy of Equestria: A Brief History, in Stirling's, but when I got it here, dust came out of the pages and made me sneeze—”
“Spike,” Twilight said softly. Her voice had a slight quiver to it. “Spike… say that again.”
I gulped, I knew what she was referring to. My heart pounded in my chest, my face felt flushed. Even after accidently saying it, it was still a big deal to me. I’ve never had anyone I could call mom, but Twilight was the closest thing to a mother I had ever known. “I thought about asking this for a long time, but I could never work up the courage to say it. Even after today when I saw that filly from Stirling’s apologize and ask for forgiveness—I still don’t know how to say it, I thought the perfect gift would make you so happy, that I could get caught up in the moment enough to just say it spontaneously—pretty dumb plan when I say it like that, but in my head, it sounded pretty good. So, Twilight, I may accidently set things on fire from time to time and you may not want me now, but you’re the closest thing to a mother I have even known, and I want to ask you... will you be my mother, Twilight?”
“Oh, Spike—” Twilight’s eyes watered. She pulled me into a back-breaking hug, holding me tightly. “I didn’t know you felt that way, Spike. Yes, I would love to be your mother.” Twilight kissed me on the cheek a couple times. “I love you so much... my son.”
It was too much for me to handle, I let the tears flow. Everything went so horribly wrong, yet so right. I just wish this went the cheerful way. “I-I’m s-sorry I ruined t-the book, Twi—M-Mom.”
“It was a Equestria: A Brief History. I was being sentimental about the one I lost, we can get another one anywhere.”
“But it was a first edition, written in ancient Equestrian…” Even though I couldn’t see it, I could feel Twilight cringe.
“That was very thoughtful of you. First editions are extremely rare. It was an accident. Don’t worry, they are rare but there are more out there for us to find.”
“Are you sure, Twi—Mom?”
“Trust me,” Twilight said in a soothing tone. “The book isn’t a big of a deal. You wanted to give me the best gift for Hearth’s Warming, and well… I think you just did.” Twilight took a breath, her hooves rubbing my back. “I gained someone I’m proud to call my son. Let’s spend tomorrow as mother and son, and have the best Hearth’s Warming ever.
“That sounds good to me, Mom.”
“Now, why don’t we go give Rarity out presents, before she leaves for Canterlot?”
"Okay." I broke free of her embrace, heading off to my room to get my present for Rarity.
As I entered my room, I watched the snow fall from the window. Somehow everything felt different, everything felt new, and amazing. Maybe nothing changed, but just being able to say mom, brought new meaning to everything. Because today, I learned family goes deeper than blood, and there's no easy way to say the important things, just speak from the heart.