Aisede

Well that complicates things. 

"Do you have any objects on you that bear personal significance to your loves? Anything they may have touched or seen that left a mark on them?" Rose went on to elaborate. "If I'm to tie you to them and vice versa, I'll need something from them first. Especially something emotional."

Gently, she placed the rings on the counter, watching the pony. Naturally, she conducted a subtle scan to check her health and status as well. There was something... Different about this one, but it didn't appear to be a part of her. Not technically. 

Well, this was a surprising visit. When Rose withdrew the rings, she immidiately knew what this was for. What's more, she was apparently familiar with Aloe.

Rose smiled, recognizing the pony. "Oh, Ice Storm! We met once at a party. I beleive Blueblood was announcing his engagement back then." It sure did feel like so long ago. That was when she was still putting together and expedition team and encountered Tiger Blood. Before she had met Aloe.

She levitated one of the rings in her aura, analyzing its composition with a simple spell to gauge how much magic it could handle. "It's nice to see you again. You said you want to be able to respond to one of your herd in trouble, did I hear that right?"

So a Help Other spell. 

"Do you only want to be able to interact with them under those conditions?" Perhaps a Soul Bond spell instead? Her own country would have her on the 'block for such a thing, but Equestria appeared to be more lenient. "There are... Other ways to achieve such ends. But they'll require something more than you have presented to me."

Of course, she could just enchant it as she said, but Rose knew a thing or two about love now.

It was a pretty average day, all things considered. Rose hadn't started showing any signs yet of her own baking bun, but that'd come soon enough.

A few ponies dropped by asking for this and that. A potion to make their mane more festive. One that created an artificial winter, and another to revitalize an old family tree. She still didn't have as much experience on agriculture as she'd like, but making a tree more lively was far from beyond her.

She was just cleaning out her display case when a pony came in. 

"Hello, and welcome to Rose Compass's Cure-all's and Curios," she'd announce with practiced sweetness, swapping out some expired potions for fresh ones. She could always recycle unused materials. 

A less disciplined Rose may have been slightly intimidated by so much attention and taken the appropriate action to make said attention disappear, but as it was, the nascant queen simply smiled.

Albedo was safe so long as she was close.

"She," Rose corrected, addressing the prince first. "And she's maybe a month old. She just hatched, but hasn't developed her lungs yet."

She turned to smile at the little guppie, then chuckled as Feather began doting on the foal. Albedo, with those wide pink eyes of hers, stared at the strange pony. Then she started mimicking her... Although perhaps not for the reasons Feather may first assume.

She nodded back at Windwright, then her eyes widened when she set sights on Myth.

"Oh, Myth!" She chuckled, a little self-conscious after the talks she'd had with Hou more than once. "Yes, that is the hope! Raising a broodling in a peaceful environment will be a novel experience, and one I hope to repeat many, many times ~" she directed the latter half of the statement towards Aloe, dropping an octave or two as her smile turned a little more... 'warm.' 

The 'guardian spirit', upon closer examination, seemed to possess a simple but powerful protection enchantment. Simply having it on his person would protect him from a myriad of environmental and artificial hazards, from magic attacks to corrosive swamps. It seemed to operate on an abstract level, however- something rarely seen in modern magic.

"I spent over a thousand years searching for ways to keep creatures alive," Rose continued, and a note of melancholy tainted her tone. "Necromancy. Animancy. Alchemy. So many failures... "

If allowed, images would flash through his mind like a film. Experiments of every nature, often on ponies but other creatures as well. Many of them did not end well for the subject.

"Eventually I came to the conclusion that a little bit of enchantment and alchemy both would work. Nothing of this earth or otherwise will easily bring you harm.

May it serve you well, Rising Star ~"

Inside, nestled on a monochrome cushion, was a little charm. It appeared to have been hoof-carved out of a silvery-gray metal with the makings of alchemy, shaped into a mare standing upright. Her forelegs were raised above her, with intricate wings framing an arc above her head. As the box was opened, a miniature rainbow highlighted the arc like a chromatic aurora.

"It's called the Indalo Mare," Rose's spoke up. It sounded like she was right next to him, but a quick check would confirm she was only speaking telepathically. "It's a good luck charm from the Llamería province. Andalusia."

"Some ponies believe it is a link between the physical and spiritual worlds," she went on, her voice travelling the room as if she were physically present. "Whilst others see it as a representation of a guardian spirit. It was actually found, thousands of years ago, scrawled onto the back of a cave. This figure... Primitive equines seeking wisdom and truth in the universe. It made me think of you."

Rare materials, huh? And from a dragon alchemist she hasn't heard of... It couldn't be anything bad, and the prospect of new materials to work with was quite endearing.

Keeping one eye on the hyperactive mare, she began to carefully unwrap the present, already bombarding it with an arsenal of observatory spells to tell her what it was before she even set eyes on it. Force of habit, but one that's never backfired. 

"Sure, we can be friends. Although I won't always be able to spend time with you. I'm a very busy mare."

Rose snorted in surprise, blinking at the pony as she licked her nose. Then did it again!

She couldn't help it. She broke into a fit of giggles, although when they died down... Something else began to simmer, and it wasn't the hot drinks.

"You know, it occurs to me that this would be the perfect moment to spend some... Quality time." She trailed a hoof down Aloe's chest, parting the fluff there as she followed the limb with her eyes. That gaze continued downward...

"Perhaps this conversation can continue elsewhere. I may even extrapolate on my own winter holiday, if you wish." Her eyes met Aloe's, a silent question there. 

Somewhere in between 'now' and 'then', something changed in his environment. Well, changed wouldn't quite be the right word- displaced would be better. As a unicorn, he could likely feel the change in the air, even if there was no light or sound to herald its arrival.

'It' being a non-descript black box, just large enough to house a small accessory. With just basic senses, he couldn't detect anything overtly magical from inside, although a dedicated check without opening it would reveal there was something in there of note. 

There was a small card slipped in between the two halves of the box, and if he retrieved it, he would see, in fancy flowing Andalusian script: Happy Hearth's Warming ~

The letters flowed in a spectrum of colors, like the writer had used rainbows instead of ink. 

Rose smiled, and it was warmer even than the drink lovingly prepared by her love. 

"It is... Not quite like the winter holiday I am familiar with, not that we ever got winters where I come from. Cold winds, sure, but tropics stay balmy even when the rest of the world has frozen over..." She made a mental note to look into wendigos as well. She can probably learn more about the true origins of this holiday through them. 

"We will be together until Celestia's dear sun has burned out into a cold iron core, and beyond then." Getting up, a little rosy cheeked, she trotted over to Aloe's side of the table and embraced her. "Our family. It has been... a long time since I have used our in anything. You have changed me, my love. And for the better. I hope you know that."

Rose had been on her way to greet a friend of her own- or an acquaintance, really- but was stopped dead in her tracks before she could even get a read on him. 

To say she was surprised was an understatement. A less disciplined Rose would have erased her before she got the first syllable out of her mouth. As it was, she simply stood, stunned and wide eye'd, as the apparent Equestrian changeling prattled on about...  Friendship? By the Queen, was this one of Twilight's School's students? Or a graduate. Who could really tell, but that word certainly stuck in her head. Regular creatures are not this enthusiastic about making friends.

"Ahem." She quickly recovered from her shock, adopting a calm façade and equipping a wan but appreciative smile.  "Why thank you, Flux," She accepted the box, studying its dimensions in her aura without opening it right away. She was more curious about the individual in front of her. "Who is this friend of yours, and... Why do you want to be friends with me?"

Rose perked up. "Oh! Pardon me," with an incline of her head, she introduced herself: "My name is Rose Compass, soon-to-be royal alchemist of Ponyville... Or is it of Equestria?" She looked off into the distance with a contemplative look, hoof tapping her chin. Then she shrugged.  "Donde fueres, haz lo que vieres."

She offered Sunrise a smile as well, giving her a brief look-over. As usual, she threw in a subtle scan as well. You can never be too sure of one's health, after all. "Quite the fashion statement. I take it you have an affinity for such things?"

In truth, she had barely noticed the unicorn before. She was a rather unremarkable specimen in her eyes, but this was a social gathering... So she would be social.

So, this was what a local Hearth's Warming looked like. Festive. 

Little Albedo rolled around on her back, quietly watching all the ponies with wide, curious eyes. It'd still be some time yet before she developed lungs, but that didn't mean the albino changeling should be robbed of this experience!

Rose came dressed for the occasion, too, representing her culture with a glittering gold cloak. She'd have explained the significance of such an ensemble to Aloe, and suggested a purple one for her. The theme fit, in her opinion. 

Naturally, Rose would donate to the charity responsible for keeping ponies healthy, albeit with a subtle enchantment snuck onto the coins that would imbue anypony who touched them with... Visions... Of very particular formulas she felt would be beneficial.

Surely nothing could go wrong with that?

"You are as lovely always this fine evening ~" she'd nuzzle her love, then nuzzle her belly too. "I must admit I am excited to get these festivities underway! See one of these 'pines' you told me about." 

Symbolic items, such as the wayfinder Twilight had given her. But to whom? Is it a communal gift giving, or simply to close friends and family? Well... 'family.' As of right then, that only counted for herself and Aloe, and Albedo. 

"I cannot say I have ever seen an evergreen," or if she did, she did not know of it at the time. "They are of the cold, are they not?" Another sip, and another moment of contemplation. "And as for carols, would these pertain to the mythology surrounding the unification of the three tribes? There was a... Flame, right?" The Flame of Friendship, a paradoxical sort of magic. The emotions of ponies could not possibly generate so much energy, yet alone be focused into one point through the will of an entire species. The statistics simply didn't support such an event.

Right, she should probably get a tree of her own real soon- in fact, she was already on it. She still didn't understand the significance of a tree in a tradition rooted (no pun intended) in unification and fire. 

And as Hearth's Warming, shouldn't a fire be the main theme of the holiday? Decorating fireplaces and, perhaps, chimneys?

But who is she to scrutinize their culture?

After being dismissed, she respectfully inclined her head and progressed further into the castle, idly examining the architecture. She'd have liked to socialize with the princess, but, upon noticing a particular- lone- figure, she realized exactly how she wanted to spend time with.

She approached him with a cordial smile and an outstretched hoof.

"Ah, you must be Shining Armor. Your sister is an astounding mare, and the best friend a creature could ask for." She could practically smell the familiarity between them, if not notice it in their magical auras.

As Twilight began putting in more effort, so did Rose. She actually had to stop twirling in circles, but that didn't mean she was anywhere near out of the race.

She didn't sound overly pleased to receive this news. 

"Ah... Truly unfortunate." She was quiet for a moment, briefly taking the lead, but slowed down a bit when she resumed the conversation. "Am I to assume that... My kind... Are also absent from these waters?"

She had never thought about it before- too busy building a family on land, after all- but even meeting another of her kind, even pink ones, would be... Nice. To know she's not essentially an extinct species now.

Equestrian changelings just felt too different. They were inefficient, prone to errors such as the infamous Wedding fiasco, and overall too alien for her to relate too beyond surface level.

They were changelings, yes, but they were not her kin. 

Rose waited about five seconds before shooting down after her, and she did catch up pretty quickly. However, she didn't take the lead. No, she kept just the right pace to narrowly avoid exceeding her, grinning at the pony the entire time and- perhaps in a mocking sort of way- literally swimming circles around her.

"It occurs to me to ask if there are any sea-pony societies in Equestria. So far, all I have found are ruins, and a single kelpie." She'd heard about hippogriffs, but she knew the sound of transformation when she heard it. They weren't real sea creatures. 

"Bevel Gear... Yes, I believe I worked with her once. I was trying to find a solution for blindness using artifice..." She trailed off, quickly getting back on track to follow the conversation.
 

"Oh, time won't be a problem Mister Niilavin, I can make her live centuries without being turned into a sphinx- but I'll need time and... " She shook her head. "It can be done, don't you worry. Thank you for taking us into consideration ~" She bowed her head, offering all due respect for such a being.

"Windright, I'd like to meet up some time to better coordinate our efforts. And... Enbarr, would you mind a chat some time? If Niilavin is okay with that." She glanced at the sphinx. It would seem he made decisions for her. 

Rose snorted, trying not to laugh. Although she had only been joking, so she didn't have anything in particular in mind.

"There are always... Dogs. Some ponies took dogs to sea, and some townsponies kept them to herd livestock."

There was another momentary pause, and her eyes narrowed in thought. She rubbed her chin with a hoof. "There are also cats. They make great familiars. In fact, I think I may have had one for a brief time while I was learning witchcraft, but it... Er..."

She blinked and looked at Aloe, suddenly going silent. 

"I didn't tend to it as well as I should have."

What she found was complete pandemonium; something was burning, the ponies were in a ruckus, and somepony was singing in the background, but not very well. 

If Reflection strained her ears, she may recognize that voice. It was coming from whatever passed as the kitchen in this place- and was also where the loudest voices were coming from. 

Guess I'll go first. 

As fate would have it, the firstcomer would also happen to be a newcomer to the Crystal Empire- which was not, in fact, an empire- who was quite surprised to encounter her second alicorn ever in the form of a... Filly.

She had presumed that alicorns were artificial in nature. A transformation achieved through great effort and the nebulous power of cosmic fate, but here stood a pony so young she could hardly imagine she had the life experience to have achieved such heights.

She'll have to talk to Twilight after this.

Slapping on a cordial smile, she nodded to the filly. "And to as well... Princess Flurry Heart?" Obviously she'd done some research on the strange city-state, including who the ruling family was. 

Noticing the ornament, she exchanged the toy boat in her aura for the little trinket, studying it fastidiously. "Ah, this must be for the 'tree'." Thankfully Aloe had helped her understand some Hearth's Warming traditions. 

Last but not least (so as not to be too long a post), Rose was dressed in a simple gold cloak. A cultural reference of her own, but one most likely lost on the Equestrians. 

But do you want to? We could probably turn this into a module but I don't really have much experience with those systems

"You'll see ~" She purred, summoning a replica of the Shaper's Stone and a black crystal chalice. "But for now I'd suggest catching up with your little friend. Some of the charming patrons are currently daydreaming about..."

She perked up, giggling and raising a hoof too her lips. "Why, it's much too graphic for a pony your age!" 

Cracking the Stone over the lip of the cup like an egg, liquid moonlight spilled into the chalice. She swirled it around, took a sip, them gave the pony one last smile.

"It was nice of you to visit. We should do this again sometime ~"

The last thing she'd see was a splash of-

---

-Sunlight streaming in through the narrow window. The bed was empty, but the covers looked as if a hurricane had come through.

Rose. Naturally. She's been meaning to take a trip down there to see just what a 'crystal' pony is, and how the heck a whole society just goes missing.

I hope I'm not overusing her or anything @_@