Seasons of Giving (Sponsored, Open!)

[SteelEagle]

 

 

The Castle of Friendship was open to everypony per tradition, and this year Princess Twilight Sparkle would be there to oversee the wonderful festivities. Ponyville was one of Equestria's most energetically celebratory towns and there were few paces better suited to tonight's event. Her castle was lined with decorations and the rooms were opened up, with dozens of smaller, more intimate parties in closed off sections while the larger public festivities conquer the majority of the space nonetheless. It was open to all creatures big and small and it was another in a long line of officially sanctioned celebrations that the Princesses of Equestria had held to mark the holidays. Like most other parties this one had plenty of drinks, food, song, and presents. And just like most of them, this party held a dual purpose.

 

Tonight they would be seeking donations for various charities, all for the greater good of Equestria and her citizens that were less fortunate. There was always more that they could all do together and she happy to do her part. Ponies were a giving sort by nature and the holidays were a great time to join with others in supporting the needy and less well off. The fire of friendship burned in their hearts but it could not just be for friends and family alone, but for all their fellow ponies. And with the warmth of the holidays spreading cheer, she had no doubt that the attendees would open themselves to the charitable happenings of the party. She was just happy to be able to share this with so many!

 

Not that she wasn't excited to just be able to let her mane down, if only a little. As the ruler of all Equestria her days were spent discussing issues minor and significant alike, and sometimes she was forced against her better judgment to treat them with the same level of awed seriousness that they truly lacked the standing to achieve with her. But today she could participate in the greatest holiday of all. She would love to say it would be with friends and family but she knew better than to say that. This castle was open to all and she knew that today was a day for the citizens of her fair nation to enjoy her in a celebratory fashion as well as the season as a whole. Sad but true. Nonetheless, she had plenty of eggnog on hoof for that and other duties.

 

She took a deep breath as she stood in the throne room, where the map once stood. It was a long straight away to the main door and only a few of the Twilight Guard were around- she certainly wasn't expecting any trouble. With a turn to a guard next to her and a nod, the doors to the castle were opened and this year's Hearts Warming Eve celebrations were started!

 

OOC: Every character must give something to a charity of your choice. You may use a previously mentioned charity. That is the price of entrance into a raffle that will randomly give a prize to one lucky character!

[Blueblood]

Of course Prince Blueblood would be at this party.  Having spent the past year in Ponyville, overseeing his first terms as Archancellor of the School of Friendship, he would be celebrating the holidays here with his new (and now growing) family.  It was no surprise that he was one of the first to arrive, standing right at the doors as they opened.  "Thank you once again for coming here to host; I've been able to give all my staff and guards the holidays off they very richly deserve."  Dressed to the nines in a deep purple velvet suit and festive tie, a sprig of holly in his buttonhole, he looked every bit the Canterlotian Hearthswarmer.

 

"Also, I'm pleased to be able to announce, that I've set aside funds for IMAGINE to now operate a scholarship fund for the School of Friendship, specifically geared to providing means for students from conflict-riven areas of the world to come and learn.  I've already arranged a few for the coming term for Whitescar and, hopefully, expand into Maretonia soon.  It's those places that need the lessons we have to teach the most."  He certainly looked pleased as punch, heading over to bowl to sample.  "Ah, good, I instructed the kitchen not to spike it this year; Dunnie should be able to drink this if she feels up to attending; she hasn't always had the energy to go out these past few weeks, for obvious reasons."

[KaityKat]

Myth was always excited to visit small towns. although with the School of Friendship in town, drawing in all the ponies and other, she couldn't very well call Ponyville a "small town" anymore, could she? Icy had told her she'd be here later, but Myth was just excited to be here. She looked at a spot in the room and smiled. This was where she'd met Icy just one year prior. Oh how her life had changed since then. No longer the homeless and alone mare she was then. Now she had so many friends that she could call family, and a job. An honest to Celestia job that paid rather well. And it was all thanks to that mare. She smiled as she produced a bag of bits that would've made her past self from last year salivate at the thought of all the food it could buy. She'd been saving up every bit she'd earned this past year that she didn't need for something important for exactly this moment. She looked at it and smiled to herself thinking about all the ponies who might be helped by her contribution. Wishing that such a charity hadn't any need, but still glad that it existed. "My only hope" she started "is that those who need this will have somewhere safe to stay this Hearth's Warming. My heart goes out to my fellow Equestrians, and I hope these bits find them well." she looked at the table with the different boxes and frowned. Last year, she'd just put her one bit in a random box, but this year she had somewhere she wanted it to go. But she couldn't see what the labels said. Heck, she could barely tell where one box ended and another began. Her clouded eyes searched the table for a moment before she finally spoke up. "U-um..." she chuckled nervously "Which box gets my bits to.... well, really any charity that helps specifically homeless ponies?" upon being directed, she'd place the bits inside the box and smile and nod in the direction of the one who helped her.

 

She saw that Princess Twilight was here which made her feel a little nervous. She remembered that Icy had told her that it was Twilight who made STAR an official branch of the military, and since, as sovereign, she was the Commander in cheif of all Equestria's military,  she was technically Myth's Commanding Officer. Her boss' boss, if you will. Despite having still never met her up close. As she bowed low to her with a "Your majesty." she wondered if the princess had ever been told anything about her. She successfully suppressed a giggle at the thought of her getting into one of her legendary research frenzies over little ol' Myth and her magic sight. When she surfaced from her bow, she sported a friendly smile, and turned to find her way to the refreshment table where she would wait for Icy to arrive.

[SteelEagle]

 

 

Twilight Sparkle welcomed Prince Blueblood in with an open wing, giving him a gentle hug as she allowed the oldest member of the Crusader Herd into her home away from home. Technically Blueblood needed Star Crusader's permission to be here- the laws governing Herds were, after all, high preferential to the Alpha. Twilight was not nearly drunk enough to needle Blueblood over this. Besides, she had to make sure that Blueblood was doing well. The pony used to be Canterlot bound but now ran the Castle and School of Friendship. As an ambassador of the brand, sublime. And as a pony? Probably the best turnaround in royal history. Well, after Luna..."Good to see you, Blue. How is the Herd?" She asked as she pulled away. "I am so happy to hear that. IMAGINE is one of Equestria's finest charitable organizations and it earns that praise every year."

 

Myth was a recent addition to STAR and one of the bright lights of that organization's future. She had once been destitute and now was a mare on the go, on the rose. That was the beauty of STAR. They would identify those who were of great quality and establish them as not only Equestrian assets, but citizens who could be counted on to provide examples that other ponies could rely on. Even now she was giving back, even if she was a little overwhelmed by deciding where to place her gift! "Welcome, Myth. A pleasure to have you. I was happy to see you come this year- an example to us all of what anypony can accomplish when given the chance. As for the charity donation, just tell me what charity you want. It will get to the right place."

[Skycoaster]

The normally grumpy Blizzard hid his true emotions well as he ended his shift and made his way to the throne room at the Ponyville Castle. It was quite odd for the newly commissioned officer... to be outside of the small little office that he had back in Canterlot for research and training. Still wearing heavy robes he'd enter and bow. "Your Majesty," as he bowed to his boss. Seeing Blue Blood, he'd give less enthusiastic "Your Highness," and shallower bow. It was going to take some time to get used to his new roll and the uniform that went with it. Formal events, as he remembered from his father, and the handbook that Fire Walker had given him to read cover to cover suggested it after all.

 

Blizzard would levitate out a rather decent size bag of bits from one of the many pockets in his robes. He had intended for all of it to go to just one charity, the one that gave foals books, however the unknown unicorns words struck a heart string as he remembered all his years alone in the Frozen North. He had chosen that life for himself, but the thought of little ponies living in boxes in the streets made his cold heart sink. "This was all supposed to go to the Foal Early Readers, but now that I think about it, some of it should go to help the homeless as well. They'll need a place to read their donated books."

 

Looking to his boss out of the corner of his eye, he'd sigh. Right, being social. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss...Myth was it." It wouldn't take him long to notice her eyes as he tried to politely smile. "Let me grab you a glass of punch. I'd hate to see you trip....um, I'll be right back..." Blizzard sighed and mentally face hoofed before retrieving two glasses full of the famous drink.

[PyroBlaze]

The next to enter the castle was Feather Blitz. The pegasus mare swooped in, hovering in front of the donation table for a second before depositing some bits into the homeless fund and some into the one for teaching pegasi to fly when they can’t learn otherwise. 
 

Once that was taken care of, she scanned the room a bit before spotting Myth and flying over. She waved happily over at Twilight and a unicorn that was probably Blueblood, then turned her attention back towards Myth and the stallion she was talking with. 
 

“Hey there, Vis! I see you got the donation thing figured out. Sorry, I would’ve helped, but I ran a bit late.” She said, touching down next to Myth and draping a wing over her. Pulling her marefriend into a hug, she watched the robed stallion come back with a couple cups of punch. “Thanks for that, it’s nice of you to get punch for others like that.” Feather smiled at Blizzard, nodding to him. 

[KaityKat]

She smiled at the Princess' words of praise. She was happy she knew things about her. How many ordinary— she giggled softly to herself —formerly ordinary ponies could say The Sovereign Princess of Equestria knew them by name? She gave the princess another low bow and turned her attention to the stallion who had come up behind her. She could see that the enchantments on his armor were the same enchantments as the Twilight Guard wore but that there were others in the mix as well, and an enchanted amulet in front. It seemed special and she assumed it meant a higher rank. She'd recognize the spellcraft of The Princess anywhere. Enchantments written by Princess Twilight, but cast by one of the few ponies who also do some of the Twilight Guard armor.  Basically put, she had every reason to believe he was who she thought he was. There was definitely something different about his armor but without invading his personal space, she couldn't find out what it was.

 

Myth smiled wide when she saw that he had been inspired by her words. That didn't really happen too often. Myth wasn't exactly known for being inspiring. More..... uplifting? Funny? Eccentric? She kind of liked the feeling of being able to influence somepony like that.

When the stallion came to approach her, she stiffened a bit. She was still really new to the whole rank and military stuff, and she didn't know how she should act around... who she assumed was a relatively high ranking member of the Twilight Guard.

 

When he addressed her, she stood at attention for a moment and spoke in her official voice she'd been practicing for just such a moment "Sargent Specialist Mythic Vision, reporting, sir." before she relaxed just a little to speak more casually but still standing straight "I apologize, I don't recognize you.... and frankly, I'm still new to the whole rank thing, so I don't really know how it works." she laughed nervously.

When he offered to grab her punch, and kind of put his hoof in his mouth a little, Myth suppressed a giggle. She did have some sight, but it was true, still, that she was visually impaired. And anypony seeing her eyes would have no reason to think she wasn't totally blind. Still, it was probably best that somepony else get her punch for her anyway so she didn't make a mess. She was never very good at using ladles.

 

It was then that her marefriend Feather Blitz arrived. Her face lit up and she smiled at her friend happily. "Feather!" she greeted,  waving ecstatically as she approached, "Oh pffff!" she waved a hoof dismissively "You know I've got it! Princess Twilight helped me out. I'm glad you could make it." she leaned into the hug Feather gave her and turned to add a little peck on her cheek and wink. 

 

When the stallion returned she smiled at him "Hi again! This is my Marefriend, Feather Blitz. Feather this is..... you know actually I don't think I got a name." she laughed. She felt much more comfortable with Feather here by her side and she knew that if she wasn't being respectful enough for this stallion's rank, whatever it was, Feather would let her know.

 

Upon being offered any punch, she would take it in her hoof and sip it once politely before offering a sip to Feather.

[SteelEagle]

The next guest was Blizzard. A tricky customer he could prove to be. There was something about power that seemed to make unicorns look at the world with a negative lens. He was no different from Ice Storm in that way, as much as both would be loathe to admit it. They were also ponies that were in different lengths working for Equestria as opposed to against it. One could be a problem and was becoming a friend; the other was a friend whose desire to keep others safe made her toy with extremism. They were similar in so many ways! Made sense then that Blizzard would have wanted to send his bits to a charity built to help younger ponies read. He switched over to a charity to help the homeless. It sounded like he had been shamed into it. Why? Both were worthy causes. Some pony's got caught up in the worthiness debate, the worst debate of all when it came to charity. Nonetheless, she was happy to have him and all of his interesting ways. "Welcome, Blizzard. The season wouldn't be the same without you, our master of ice and snow," she said without a hint of irony. After all, Ice Storm was the *Mistress* of ice and snow! "I'll make sure your donation goes to the right place."

 

Myth's very special somepony was next. Feather Blitz moved and flitted as fast as the name would suggest and did a great job with the donations. The homeless fund was getting many bits, but now a new one entered the fray. Not all pegasi were lucky enough to be able to attend flight camps or other official training. That created a grave imbalance in later life. There were whole classifications of jobs where this imbalance came into play. Pegasi who started behind often stayed behind and were locked out of many well-paying jobs. Getting them better training, increasing that access, was as important to pegasi as training early was to a unicorn. "Pleasure to have you. I hope you and yours enjoy tonight's frstivities, Feather Blitz. An excellent charity."

[Blueblood]

Blueblood felt himself more a host than a guest, partly due to the fact that this castle had been his living quarters for the past year.  He would have to constantly check himself from time to time to keep from usurping Twilight's social position.  This was a refreshing break for her, don't steal it, boy!  "Well, the herd is in the process of expansion, we're expecting our first filly in a few short months.  If Dunnie feels up to coming downstairs, Star will be with her."

 

Turning now to each of the guests, he gave a smile to each over the rim of his punch glass.  Only one seemed to greet him, using the proper title, at least.  He raised a glass to his fellow stallion.  "Happy Hearthswarming to you as well.  Glad to see you in the spirit of the season."  From what he'd gathered from some of Icy's letters, that had not been a typical thing for Blizzard in the past.  Actually, come to think of it, he knew of most of the newly-arrived guest through Icy's letters.  He supposed she had been mostly responsible for rounding them up and shooting them towards Ponyville.

Speaking of which... "Ah, Myth, was it?  Ice Storm wrote about meeting you in one of her letters.  Mentioned you quite a bit, as a matter of fact."  Looking between her and Feather, he raised a brow and smirked a little at the introduction of the pegasus as her 'marefriend.'  "And based on that and what she told me as well... I take it you are a fellow herd enjoyer?"  He laughed a bit, hardly one to laugh at the polyamorous himself, having pushed through a few legal reforms to have his own marriage.  "Well, good luck to you all."

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

When Myth came to Ice Storm a month ago and told her that she wanted to make sure she could attend the Hearth's Warming Festival here in Ponyville, Ice Storm almost told her no. That would be to say that she didn't think that she would be going to Ponyville to celebrate the holiday without the rest of her family going with her! Ponyville had as much of a special place in Icy's heart as it did Myth's. It was her shop here that she... nope, wait that was her Canterlot Shop that she had the secret meeting in the basement when she first founded STAR. But Ponyville was where that shop really took off and got started, and it was where Icy and Raven had met Myth! and the three of them have been the best of families ever sense! She was also expecting Feather Blitz to be here soon. She was surprised just how much her herd grew over the last couple of years, but she certainly wasn't complaining. Plus, with the way magic was now, they didn't need a male in the group at all! A couple of quick spells and any one of the mares could be a fully functioning stallion for a few hours. 

 

Tonight though, Ice Storm was wearing her signature dress that she usually wore to events like this. Black Sequins glimmered in the light as she walked threw the doors of the Castle of Friendship. She was also seen carrying two large bags across her back, and her amulet secured snuggly around her neck, her spheres safely docked in it. She could already see a few familiar faces. Well, more than a few. She recognized every pony in the room. Twilight was unmistakable, so was Bluebelle, whom looked like they were actually Blueblood for this event. Ice supposed that she couldn't be a mare all the time, even if she thought she was even sexier like that. Tonight wasn't the night for that though. She had no doubt she'd be engaging in such activities later, but that would be with her own herd, one of which was already here. Actually after a bit of looking she saw that two of them were here. Both Myth and Feather had arrived! That made her quite happy! Now they just needed to wait for Raven. Ice knew that Myth had been saving bits all year to donate for the homeless, and being a pony herself that grew up homeless, she understood. In fact, she planned on matching Myth's donation.

 

Then her eyes shifted to another familiar face. She was a bit surprised to see this one here, but was relieved to see that he hadn't been going down the path of darkness that she had suspected. It was Blizzard, the ice mage that she caught breaking into the library that one night. Ice still hadn't trusted him for a while after that, and who could blame her? A pony that avoided society, that... albeit at the time was a the same society that had done atrocious things to herself, and Myth, and Raven, and pretty much everypony that had signed up for STAR... You know, thinking back she could understand why he simply forsook society and gave them the proverbial middle feather. Well, if he had wings that was. Now looking at him, he seemed to be dressed in robes in the same colors of the Twilight Guard. She smiled before turning back to Myth, giving both her and Feather a hug before speaking to Twilight.

 

"Good evening Twilight, Blueblood! Good to see you two again! You too Blizzard. I'm quite pleased to know that I can't be right about everything. I'm glad you were able to turn over a new leaf!" she told him, looking back to Twilight. "I also see you two have met at least a couple parts of my own family. Myth," she said jestering a hoof, "And Feather Blitz," She added, her hoof following suit. "Raven and Nira should be here soon as well. I have my donation that will also be going to the homeless. It matches the donation that Myth gave. I also have a donation that I have brought from Wind Dancer. She was planning on bringing it herself, but she had to give her apologies. She is expecting soon and the day before we were to leave to get here, she started having labor pains so she's currently in the LPMC. I think she's about to have the best Hearth's Warming out of all of us. Well, she and her fiance that is. This is a check for a million bits and she wants it to go to the Ponyville Hospital. She also sent me with this note..." Ice said, clearing her throat. 

 

"

To Princess Twilight Sparkle,

 

I would like to personally thank you for inviting myself and Sky Sailing to Ponyville for last years Hearth's Warming Celebration and allowing us to put on out performance. That performance meant the world to the both of us, as it was our first performance outside of Las Pegasus together, and it was the performance that we both had altered without the other noticing to where we were proposing to each other in the finale! You and the ponies of Ponyville have given me so many fun, lasting memories that I will never forget. It saddens me that I will not be able to attend the festival this year like I had hoped, but by the time this letter gets to you, I will likely be bringing a new life into this world. That is why I have sent my donation of one million bits with Miss Ice Storm here to the Ponyville Hospital. Because the real, true magic of joy and hope only happens at one and I know more often than not they are underfunded.

 

I want this donation to pay for all of the medical expenses of every single filly and colt that is currently at the hospital, and any that have been treated within the last year and any treated with the next few months. Even if this donation wouldn't be enough to cover that expense, I would ask that the Ponyville hospital bill me instead of the families of the little ones in care. They have enough to worry about right now making sure their little bundle of joy gets well enough to come home, without having to worry how they are going to pay for it. I can't begin to thank you enough for everything that you and everypony around you has done for Equestria, and I can only hope that my contributions what little they can be, help the families that it needs to.

 

Sky Sailing had a bit he wanted to add as well, so here is him.

 

Hello Princess,

 

This IS Sky Sailing. I wanted to write along with Windy to say that I am also grateful for your invitation. Ponyvilled was one of those places where I come and if feels like all my family and friends got together to have a good time. And I'm an only child, so that was a little weird! But good weird. I sent along a donation as well to pay for instruments of little musicians in the making. I wouldn't have gotten where I am today if I hadn't gotten a keyboard as a colt to play around with and on, so I wanted to give others the opporunity to do so as well. 

 

With lots of love from your favorite Las Pegasus Duo,

Windy & Sky

"

 

With a breath Ice Storm finished reading the letter and handed the donations to the princess. "It warms my heart to know that there are still gems in Equestria like these two. I wish more of nobility would be more like them and less like... well themselves, but I'm working on that," she smiled. "That being said, how have you been Blue? How have things with IMAGINE been?"

[Skycoaster]

The cold unicorn would give a half smile to his boss...well his boss's boss that was. "Glad to be here. It's somewhat odd to be having Hearthswarming with other ponies again after so many in the Frozen North, though I can't say that I hadn't come back to Canterlot one or two early on. Hearthswarming food can be a powerful draw, especially when living off rations for so long." Blizzard chuckled as he remembered how his mother would leave food out for him in hopes of luring him home. It did to an extent. He did have to make note to visit her at least once this season now that he is back in Equestria. As Twilight called him a master of Ice and Snow, the normally stone faced unicorn would beam. "So, how much snow would you like for tonight? I'm sure I can give the wendigo's a run for their bits." as he chuckled once more.

 

Looking to Blue Blood, he would nod. "And to you as well," before returning to the odd blind unicorn with two glasses of punch held in his blue gray aura. He was taken by a bit of shock by her sudden greeting of her name and rank, as he stepped back a step. With a sigh he would greet her with his own name and rank. "Blizzard Blitz. Lieutenant of the Twilight Guard...and Wizard," he whispered that last part as it was more a self given title.

 

When Myth introduced Feather, Blizzard cocked his head to the side in though. "Blitz...I wonder if there is a connection somewhere in the past somewhere." With a smile he'd drink his glass of punch before nodding to both mares. "If you will excuse me, I have a 'secrete princess' engagement to take care of in town I'll be..." Blizzard heard a familiar voice not to far away and froze in his hoofsteps. "Of course," he muttered to himself as he heard Ice Storm. Turning to face her, he would put on a forced smile. "The pleasure is all mine. Equestria has changed a lot since I have enjoyed my last Heathswarming with others. As for the new leaf, I consider it more of a new snow flake," he'd jest for a moment. "Captain Fire Walker and the Princess where both willing to take a chance on me, and I'm glad to say I think its working out well. Plus I got the be issued the first set of guard mage robes. That was Fire Walkers idea."

 

"Now if you all would excuse me," he said with a somewhat shallow bow, "I have a pony to track down to give a gift to."

[Windwright]

Windwright, alchemist extraordinaire, had checked her saddlebags after having made a Hearthswarming gift delivery and trotted into the main hall like she was walking on air. She could, of course, but she wasn't. Her wings were extended above her to keep the second of the parcels she'd brought this evening from clouting anypony about the ears, as it was a hefty basket laden with some of her best soaps and shampoos in a variety of scents. She was feeling more herself this evening, having finally managed to replenish her stores of Poison Joke extract in time to make a dose of her usual potion, even if she hadn't had time to get dyed for this year's event, but she wasn't like to miss this party any time. In addition to the titanic tower of toiletries, the pegasus made sure to drop a pouch of bits into the donation box for a charity she knew did Science, Technology, Engineering, Alchemy, and Mathematics work with foals across Equestria. It was important to promote STEAM, after all.

Charity managed, she sidled over to the buffet table to assess the state of the crowds surrounding the royals. Courtesy dictated she exchange greetings with the both of them, after all she'd made both of their personal acquaintances and was rather indebted to Prince Blueblood in particular for how far House Platinum had allowed her research to go. Still, she couldn't well interrupt conversations ongoing between the hosts and their other guests.

[IceStorm]

~~~Aloe Blossom~~~

 

 

 

Aloe smiled as she walked through the doors of the Palace of Friendship. This was her first Hearth's Warming with Rose and Albedo, and she was going to make it the best Hearth's Warming ever for them. Especially since this was Albedo's first ever Hearth's Warming and she was pretty sure that this was Rose's Hearth's Warming with an actual family. She did just have to teach the mare about it herself after all. She found herself waiting behind a couple of other ponies to get in, but that was okay. This way her and her family would all be able to enter the palace together. It also let her get out her donation. She overheard some of the donations being giving already and it... made herself feel a bit inadequet about her own. There was no way she could match some of the ones that had been given. She was but a humble spa owner. She wasn't trying to take anything away from the others, they were quite generous, but her couple thousand bits to the school seems a bit meaningless now. Still, she liked to think that every bit would help.

 

~~~Nira~~~

 

 

This festival was unique, but at the same time, it reminded Nira of home. Specifically, The Cherry Blossom festival. That was Neighpon's big family festival that had all of the same meanings behind it as Hearth's Warming, minus the tales of the three tribes. She'd heard a lot about it from Commander Storm, and Commander Shadowfire during their travels back to Equestria. This was actually her first time here, that she could remember, and she found herself in awe of the sights. For not having the amount of magitech that Neighpon had, Equestria was quite Extravagent. Las Pegasus was a place that she could get lost in. Actually, scratch that, she did get lost in it the second day that she was there. She eventually ended up having to stop for directions about ten times before she finally relented and took the thing that they called a taxi back to the hotel where STAR was located. Of course, it didn't help that she had forgotten the name of the hotel and casino and was just calling it "The STAR Place" which had gotten a few looks. She was confused by that. She could have sworn that the Commander said that the branch was known. So that meant that ponies should... Nira's eyes went wide mid thought as she realized something. IT would be just like in Neighpon, they know different agencies exist, but knowing they exist, and knowing where they are at are two different things, and were usually done by design. She just hoped that she hadn't made too much of a mess of things.

 

As it was though, here in Ponyville, she had come with Ice and the rest of the ponies that she had met with in Neighpon, some of them a bit closer than others. Ponyville had a special meaning to a majority of them. Each of them had told a story to her about why, and if this was important to them, and was part of their tradition, then she should make a conscious effort to learn about it herself. When she heard that a donation was required though, she did falter a bit. At least at first until Ice let her borrow some bits from the casino for a donation. That way she wasn't empty-hoofed. She wasn't entirely sure what was major issues here though, so she decided to listen and give a donation to a charity that had already been named. That seemed like the proper thing to do for somepony that didn't know the area.

 

That being said... there was one other teensy little problem that Nira had... She was so caught up in the decorations and the like, that she had lost the entourage that she was with and she was now standing in the center of Ponyville looking around. Many ponies were already inside for the evening so that made it hard to ask directions, but she did notice several heading toward a giant castle that looked to be made out of crystal. She presumed that's where she needed to be and started following the others until she found herself waiting at the door to get in. 

[Aisede]

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." 

[Blueblood]

 

 

Ice Storm was the next of his friends to arrive, come to join the punctual members of her herd and introduce the stragglers, eh?  "That's... four mares you've got so far, if I'm counting correctly?  Maybe its just as well that Star and Dunnie aren't downstairs yet, you might activate their competitive streak!"  He laughed, pausing for a moment as Ice read out the letter from her friends in Los Pegasus.  "They both sound like good ponies, though I can't say I've seen either of them perform.  I'll have to keep them in mind when I treat my herd to a date night.  And I'm doing well, so far.  Professionally, IMAGINE and the School have entered into an official partnership, since their missions dovetail so nicely.  Having a young, trained local cadre in each country we do peacemaking initiatives in makes everything go much smoother.  Personally, well, Dunnie and I are expecting our first foal... and I shall probably end up carrying the second myself, the way things are going!"

 

His intention was at this point to go and greet his alchemist friend, it really was.  But being a prospective parent rather changed what one saw as salient, and what commanded the fullness of his attention right now was Albedo, a little changeling nymph happily bubbling on the back of her mother.  "Oh, that's adorable!"  He practically cooed, his feminine side emerging unbidden, even without any transformative tea.  "How old is he?  I'm expecting my first in two months!"  Suddenly aware of his manners, he coughed, stepping back a bit.  "Sorry, I didn't mean to rush like that.  But I see both the best alchemists I know have arrived as well!  Journey up treat you well, Windwright?"

 

[PyroBlaze]

Feather had been pretty silent after Myth's response to her greeting, giving a bow to Twilight as the alicorn spoke to her. She smiled happily as Icy arrived and joined the two of them, though it made her kinda worried that Nira was nowhere to be found. She kinda snapped back to reality as she heard her name, and the unicorn in front of them giving his. She chuckled a bit at his joke about them sharing part of their name.

 

"You never know, there might be. Never knew my Dad, after all." She shrugged before Blizzard headed off to fulfill his Secret Princess duties. She kinda wished she had signed up for that like Icy had, but maybe next year. "Hey, Icy, where is Nira anyways? Wasn't she supposed to come in with you?" She asked, turning towards her other marefriend/boss. That was still kinda wild to her, not only getting with a wonderful mare like Myth, but also becoming a part of her boss's group of loved ones. Her attention was brought away from the others once again by the arrival of a new guest, one carrying what looked like a baby changeling in a bubble of some sort. Interested, she flew over to get a closer look, tilting her head for a moment before it looked towards her and she let out an "Awww..." At the cuteness of it, starting to try and make it laugh with funny faces.

[Windwright]

Windwright bowed as she approached the prince, not wanting to shout across the room for a friendly conversation. "Not too bad. A bit of snow, but I left my kiosk back in Rainbow Falls, so I flew most of the way. With that extra project of yours, I'm seriously considering taking out a lease on a dorm room I'm here so often, heh." she said, sipping a mug of cider she brought over from the refreshments table. She nodded politely to Rose as she drew close, and half-fluttered her wings in an energetic little gesture. "But tonight is not for talking shop. How's the herd doing?"

[PyroBlaze]

The next one to come into the party was a brown earth pony stallion pulling a cart of chocolates behind him. Tiger smiled at the guests he saw inside already, looking back at the mare walking with him before he put his donation in for the same one she wanted to, one to help ponies with mental health. With that done, he entered the party fully, following his companion’s directions for where to park the cart and unhitching himself from it. 
 

“Well, here we are, Cocoa! I’m sure things will do great with your chocolates.” He smiled at her before turning towards the rest of the room. “Hey there, Blue, nice to see you here. How’s it going, Rose? I see you’ve got yourself a kid now.” He said, nodding to the two and giving Icy a wink. 

[KaityKat]

Myth frowned slightly when Blizzard excused himself. She kind of wanted to get to know him a bit better before he left, but she didn't want to be rude. She smiled "It was nice meeting you" she offered before he left. that was about where Icy came in. Myth smiled at the letter Icy read "Those two are truly an Equestrian treasure." she said, giving Icy a little kiss when she got close enough "You sure have a lot of great friends, Icy. I'm so lucky to know you." she nuzzled her marefriend.

When she noticed the changeling with the magic bubble, it seemed everypony was attracted to what was inside. She was about to ask what it was when it hit her. All the love everypony was pouring out and the ways they were interacting with the bubble, it had to be a baby. She wasn't that familiar with changeling biology, but perhaps the babies needed extra protection. When she got close she could barely make out the faintest of shadows inside the opaque sphere. The way it moved told her it must be suspended in fluid. She smiled as she recognized the faint shadow of magic as an infant. She could tell only that the child was happy, and that was enough for her. "If I heard correctly, you're an alchemist? The child is sure to grow up well and healthy with somepony with your set of skills." she smiled wide.

 

===============

 

Cocoa followed behind Tiger. She'd asked him if he wanted to join her on Hearth's Warming, but she hadn't expected him to come to her shop and insist on pulling her cart. She smiled at him as he donated to the "Voices of Colts and Fillies" charity. She had, of course, told him all about her intention to donate what she could to the VoCaF charity, tonight, and it made her happy to see that he would help in something that mattered to her. She came up next to him and kissed his cheek, blushing at the fact that she'd just done that in public. She was still new to being in a relationship like hers and she was a little nervous. "With you helping me, it sure will." she said in response.

She pulled a small bag of bits from the depth of her mane and gave them to the princess "The Colts and Fillies of Equestria will be eternally grateful for your willingness to work with me in gathering funds for them, your highness. I truly appreciate the opportunity to use your event to raise both awareness and funds for the cause." She bowed low.

 

"I think we can just put the cart by the refreshments table. Unless Princess Twilight has somewhere in specific she wants it." she turned to the princess for confirmation, then followed Tiger to where she set up the display on the cart. She put plates of chocolates and candies out and set up a chocolate sculpture she'd made the night before. an intricate depiction of the three ponies from the Hearth's Warming story, Cover the Clever, Smart Cookie and Private Pansy gathered around the Fire of Friendship.

 

Among the chocolates and candies were some connections made to look like the air mentioned three ponies and their leaders as well as the Equestrian flag and hearts and snowflakes.

 

She set up a sign that said "Please enjoy some free chocolate from The Cocoa Hut!"

and put some business cards beside it that told ponies where to go to find her shop. On the back of the card, it outlines what she was about to say aloud to any of the ponies who had gathered to partake in her chocolates.

 

"Don't forget to stop by shop soon. All my profits for next two weeks will be going to the Voices of Colts and Fillies charity to help the mental health the Colts and Fillies of Equestria!" she said with a smile

[Aisede]

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.' 

 

 

[KaityKat]

// sorry guys i didn't realize this character would be Equestria until just now lol. I just kind of wanted to do a couple things with her lol //

 

Kaito's little arctic fox legs tried to keep up with Nira. Her yokai form was much faster, but she thought it would draw far too much unwanted attention. last time she was here, ponies were scared of her in Yokai form. So she had decided to stay in her fox form, appearing as a small arctic fox. She was just as unfamiliar with this land as Nira was. Perhaps moreso. Even tho she had lived in this land before, that was millennia ago. Everything was entirely different. There were a lot of new sights and sounds and nopony spoke a language she understood. Except Nira. Nira could speak Neighponese. and although her mother language was rather rusty, not having spoken it in a few millennia, Kaito could at least get some thoughts across. She kind of wished somepony spoke Old Ponish. She was much more fluent in that. "Nira please slow." she asked in her broken Neighponese "Fox small. Pony too fast." when she finally caught up with her, she was at the entrance to the castle. Kaito looked up at the Longma scolded her silently for walking too fast. she sighed. And looked at the other ponies going in. It seemed everypony was giving currency to get in! Kaito panicked "Oh no! I don't have the admittance fee!" she muttered in Old Ponish before she tapped Nira and spoke in broken Neighponese again "I don't have money." she worried aloud.

[Blueblood]

"Oh, it's a girl?"  Blueblood wasn't sure if 'filly' would be an appropriate word for a non-pony, a bit ethno-centric, perhaps.  Still, he stood corrected.  "Adorable either way."  He followed Rose's gaze towards Aloe, quickly catching on to the implications.  "And my congratulations also to the other parent.  Well, good luck, all I can say.  And many happy hearthswarmings for you and your family."

 

Stepping back so as not to overwhelm the proud mothers, he chatted with Windwright.  "The herd is doing fine, and will growing soon, once Dunnie gives birth next year.  I'd been hoping she could come down to have a nice time, but, well, the little one is not always cooperative, and she has to get what rest she can, when she can.  I'll probably switch shifts with Star Crusader a little later this evening, staying with her."

 

He gave a little wave to Tiger.  "How do you do?  I think I saw Berry here earlier, she made the punch."  He kept up with his guards well enough to have some insight into their private lives, and knew full well that Tiger was the sort of stallion to attract and welcome that kind of attention.  "Ah, there she is now!"
 

As the stallion pointed out, the Burgundy mare had just emerged from the crowd, eyeing Cocoa's chocolates.  "Oh, how lovely!  I know these are free, but do you mind if I give a donation tonight for the chocolates?  I suspect I'll be kept rather busy at home these next couple of weeks..."  

[Skycoaster]

As Blizzard made his way through the crowd to track down his Secret Princess gift recipient, he would do a double take. What luck. The pony he was to track down was also in attendance. A slick grin would grace his muzzle as he got an idea. He was still new to this social interactions, but he remembered enough from his colthood. With a deep sigh, he would approach the pink mare and her…changing friend. 
 

“Aloe?,” he’d say standing next to them. “I need to have a word with you.” Blizzard’s face was deadpan for the moment. His Twilight Guard robes adding to the moment. “If you would come with me for a moment, then I will be out of your mane. Your friend may come with you.”

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

Ice Storm gave Myth a kiss in return when she heard her respond to the letter that Wind Dancer and Sky had written for their donations. She complimented her ability to make quality friends and she gave her another kiss. "I like to think that I have a good eye for a pony's character. You're pretty amazing yourself though Myth. Don't ever forget that," she said as Myth departed to mingle. Blue also responded in kind before making his rounds. With that in mine, Ice made sure the donations got to where they were needing to go before she looked down at the other package that she had with her. It was from Wind Dancer. She was planning in taking part in the Secret Princess event before she had to go into the hospital. She could hardly be faulted for missing something because of the condition that she was in, and bringing a new life. The name on the package though was what threw her for a loop.

 

"Of course she would get Blizzard. Though honestly, I'm kind of surprised I didn't get him if he was participating. Twilight setting something like that up, I'm surprised she was able to pass that up," she said chuckling to herself. She started looking around the room, both for her loves, and for where Blizzard might have run off to. She smiled as she spotted Myth and Feather, and then she noticed Blizzard talking to Aloe sternly. His face was deadpan. She wasn't sure what that could be about, but she knew one thing, surly he wouldn't be brazen enough to try anything to berate her or the like or worse. For his sake. Having used Rose's services, she knew the pony was a powerful alchemist as well as a changling. Things would not bode well for him if he tried to do something stupid. For that, she was now on high alert in case she had to diffuse a situation.

 

Still, she took a deep breath and started to make her way over to them. The light crinkling under her dress reminded her of the after effects of the meeting and the services from Rose, but a little bit of embarrassment was more than worth the lifetime of love that she would receive from her actions. The rings were the most precious give that she could give to anypony and right now they were tucked at home in a special spot that only she knew of. Well, and maybe Myth. Even if the magic wasn't active yet, Ice knew that Myth would be able to spot the rings almost immediately from anywhere that wasn't lined in lead. Her attention was halted a little bit though when she spotted the little guppy on Aloe's back. It appears Windy wasn't the only one that was bringing in new life this year. The little changling was absolutely adorable, and many ponies flocked to it. She also noticed that Nira and Kaito were behind them waiting to get in. She waved to the two of them with a relieved smile. When Feather asked where they were she panicked internally a bit at the prospect that they had gotten lost. Now that that was settled though, she turned to and watch what was going to unfold between the other three.

 

~~~Niradaña~~~

 

 

Nira had almost forgotten about the fox that had been following her until she spoke up, asking her to slow down. Small fox plus a big pony meant it was easy to accidentally out run her. Now that they were waiting to get inside though, that wasn't a problem. Nira would pick up the fox and place her on her back waiting in line. That was until she mentioned something about not having a fee to get in. Nira sighed and she split the donation that Icy had let her borrow from the casino with her so they could get in. Nira herself felt bad. All these ponies were giving amazing things, and she couldn't. She was but a healer that had only been in the lands for a couple months at most. "I will let you borrow some of mine. It looks like Ice Storm and the others are here already. That is good, as getting back to her home from her on our own would be a mess," She said waiting their turn.

 

~~~Aloe Blossom~~~

 

 

The sudden attention that herself, her love, and Albedo was getting was making Aloe nervous. There were so many ponies around her little one and oogling it that she nearly went into a maternal fight or flight. She had to take a deep breath before she could take in everything that was going on. She nodded and smiled as Rose seemed to handle Blueblood's questions relatively easily before he wished them a good Hearth's Warming before another unicorn came over. This oen was a light blue mare with kind of a frazzled mane and tail and clouded eyes. Rose seemed to know her from somewhere and instantly said her name. She was making faces at her little one and she couldn't help but giggle as Albedo tried to make some of the same faces back to her. She nodded when the mare spoke of them being alchemists. Or at least, Rose mainly. She was too of sorts, but she only recently started making things that weren't spa remedies.

 

"Indeed, her and her sisters will all be the best little ones that anypony could ever hope for. Though I'm certain that is something everypony says about their own little ones. But we will see to it that they grow up nice, strong, and healthy, as well as any that were to help us in our journey through parenthood," she said with a smile.

 

That smile was short lived though as she watched one of the court wizards approach them. His face was quite stern and he spoke to her directly by name. He told her to follow him and that her friend could come with her. She hadn't remembered breaking any laws, and a part of her wanted to rip this stallion a new one for the indignity in how he had addressed both her and her bride-to-be. Even if they hadn't made it official yet, they've already had little ones together and sworn their lives together. It was the next logical step. She was about to speak when she realized something. She couldn't be sure that's what this was, but she had a better hunch now of what thsi could be. She just hoped that Rose didn't rip him apart before hoof because she misread his intentions.