Anonfilly and Twilight Hearth's Warming Green


                                            >A loud crackling noise pulled Twilight's attention from her book.

                                            >Twilight put down her book and looked over to the remaining log in the hearth, which had ejected a smoldering ember to the side.

                                            >She levitated her book on a nearby table before rising to her hooves from her cushion pile.

                                            >Stretching her wings and rolling her head, Twilight peered out the window of her study briefly.

                                            >It was a few days before Hearth's Warming eve and the Ponyville weather team had snow coming down in a light flurry on top of the blanket of snow that had been slowly piling up over the last month.

                                            >She finished her stretching and began to levitate her book to resume reading when a far off knocking echoed through the castle hallway.

                                            >Twilight cocked her head to the side, she hadn't been expecting any visitors today.

                                            >Levitating her book back to the table, she folded her wings and began to trot to the front door of the castle.

                                            >All of her friends were away this Hearth's Warming, her parents were spending Hearth's Warming in Hippogriffia, and her brother and sister inlaw were busy with with the new crystal Hearth's Warming holiday for the crystal ponies, while Spike was visiting Ember to experience the "dragon," Hearth's Warming.

                                            >Twilight mentally ran through about a quarter of the population of Ponyville that might be knocking on her door until a rapid galloping noise began to echo through the hallway and got louder as she approached the front door.

                                            >As quickly as she turned, Anonfilly galloped past her, beelining for the front door.

                                            >Twilight slowed her trotting and let a tiny smile creep across her muzzle, seeing the normally bratty and asocial filly anxiously move to answer the door as the knocking sounded again.

                                            >Anonfilly opened the door to usher in the visitor, Derpy, the ditzy mailmare inside.

                                            >Slowly walking towards the pair, Twilight watched as Anonfilly fidgeted on the spot with anxiety as Derpy sat and produced a large wrapped paper package.

                                            >Anonfilly relaxed as Derpy hoofed the package over to the small green filly, placing it on her back.

                                            >"Thank you, Derpy!" Anonfilly beamed to the grey pegasus, as Twilight finished walking over to the pair.

                                            >"Hello, Twilight, I have some mail for you too!" The grey pegasus said as she turned to her mail bag.

                                            >Derpy rummaged around for a few seconds before grabbing a letter, two postcards, a small flyer, deftly using her wing to give them to Twilight.

                                            >Anonfilly began to slink away as Twilight levitated and reviewed her mail.

                                            >One letter from Canterlot, two postcards; one from Hippogriffia and one from the Crystal Empire, and lastly a flyer with local deals at Rich's Barnyard Bargains.

                                            >Twilight levitated her mail into a stack, looked to Derpy and smiled, "Thank you Derpy, did you want to warm up before heading back out?" she asked.

                                            >The grey pegasus shook her head in the negative, rising to her hooves, "Nope, gotta finish delivering the little mail first then it's all packages in Ponyville today."

                                            >Twilight nodded to Derpy but ignited her horn and cast a warming spell upon Derpy.

                                            >Derpy smiled genuinely at Twilight and gave a small bow, "Have a wonderful Hearth's Warming, Princess."

                                            >Twilight returned Derpy's smile and opened the front door for her, "You have a good one as well Derpy."

                                            >The grey mail mare nodded again once to Twilight before exiting out the castle and taking low flight over the snow dusted path to town.

                                            >Twilight closed the door and turned to head back to her reading room, walking and reading her mail, starting with the postcards.

                                            >The Hippogriffia postcard had a picture of a beach at night with the recognizable mount Aris in the background, lit up by what must have been thousands of lights along the winding main mountain road.

                                            >On the backside Twilight Velvet's horn writing detailed the wonderful time she and Night Light were having in Hippogriffia, and offered apologies for poorly coordinating with Spike and Cadence for the holiday season, leaving Twilight alone with her "reformation project," in progress.

                                            >At the end of the card Twilight Velvet and Night Light encouraged Twilight to keep her horn up, and wished her a happy Hearth's Warming.

                                            >Twilight smiled with folded ears at her mother's words, while her mother and father told Twilight they'd be willing to cancel their plans for her; Twilight had insisted they take their trip and enjoy the Hearth's Warming celebration in the warm welcoming climate of Hippogriffia.

                                            >The other postcard was a very obviously homemade one, the construction paper was blue and its image was swaths of pink and white glitter with snowflakes made of macaroni.

                                            >Twilight giggled at the obvious Flurry Heart creation, moving the card left to right to catch the glitter before turning it over to read.

                                            >Shining Armour wrote first, wishing Twilight a happy Hearth's Warming and promising to come by several days after the Hearth's Warming celebration in the Crystal Empire with Cadence and Flurry.

                                            >Twilight smiled, looking forward to being able to see some of her family albeit slightly after Hearth's Warming day.

                                            >Returning inside her reading room, Twilight laid down again and resumed reading Cadence's part of the postcard.

                                            >Cadence also apologized for not coordinating well with Spike and Twilight Velvet about the Hearth's Warming holiday and promised to make it up to Twilight, by coming to Ponyville with Shining and Flurry.

                                            >Cadence also told Twilight to wish a happy hearthwarming to Anonfilly for her, and once again championed patience when dealing with the troublesome filly.

                                            >Twilight groaned; Cadence was so much better at taking care of foals than her, and while Anonfilly had been better behaved in the last few weeks than before, Twilight suspected the green filly was up to something and made a mental note to check on her after reading the mail.

                                            >Last on the postcard was Flurry's large and blocky writing, "HaPPy HeaRthswaRMing auntIe twIlIght, I wIll see yOu afteR HeaRthswaRMing day. lOVe fluRRyHeaRt."

                                            >Twilight cooed while reading Flurry's Hearth’s Warming greetings, it was only the second time her niece had written to her but seeing her niece's foalish writing made her very happy, as her cheeks tugged into a large smile.

                                            >Finished with the postcards, she levitated them up onto the table with her book, and turned to the flyer and letter remaining, opting to skim over the flyer first for last minute Hearth's Warming deals.

                                            >Finding nothing she needed or wanted in Rich's Barnyard Bargains flyer she teleported it to the wastepaper bin and turned her attention to the last piece of mail.

                                            >Carefully opening the letter with her magic, Twilight pulled out a card with a, "You're invited!" title.

                                            >Opening up the card she found a message and invitation for a Hearth's Warming get together from four ponies she wasn't expecting; Minuette, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, and Moon Dancer.

                                            >Blinking in surprise, she read the message; "Happy Hearth's Warming, Twilight! We're going shopping together the day before Hearth's Warming eve, we thought to invite you along since Spike said you'd be alone this Hearth's Warming with your new student."

                                            >Spike regularly wrote back and forth with Minuette and Moon Dancer in Canterlot; he must have mentioned Twilight being alone with Anonfilly to them.

                                            >Twilight continued reading; "You and your student are more than welcome to join us; we'll be meeting at Joe's around lunchtime before we go out, if we don't see you that's okay!"

                                            >Going out with her old friends from Canterlot would be a good way to spend a day, and the Canterlot stores would probably have a few things Twilight could grab for her visitors after Hearth's Warming.

                                            >There was just one snag in this get together... Anonfilly.

                                            >Twilight levitated the card over to the table with the postcards and rose to her hooves, exiting the reading room, and walking towards Anonfilly's room.

                                            >Anonfilly had been Twilight's reformation project for just over a year, a "human," incarnated into Equestria, forcibly transformed into a filly after coming into contact with the tree of harmony.

                                            >She was a troublesome charge to say the least, and while sometimes malicious with pranks and tricks she could be encouraged to behave well.

                                            >But lately the small green filly had been strangely well behaved, if withdrawn, and that bothered Twilight.

                                            >Anonfilly had not taken her transformation well, being incredibly irate and even violent at first before demanding that Twilight change her back, though Starswirl himself had shot that down immediately.

                                            >Celestia, Luna, and the Pillars of Equestria decided that Twilight should guide and teach Anonfilly to integrate into Equestria, and curb any anti-harmonic behaviors.

                                            >Twilight frowned as she approached Anonfilly's bedroom door, the green filly had spent most of her holiday time in the castle, and Twilight wasn't sure if she was going to join the Hearth's Warming celebration.

                                            >Twilight knocked on the bedroom door.

                                            >"Anonfilly may I come in?" Twilight asked in a soft tone.

                                            >There was no reply to her question.

                                            >"Anon?" Twilight probed again, to no response.

                                            >Twilight wrinkled her snoot briefly and pushed open the bedroom, revealing the filly's untidy room; her bed wasn't made, there were scrunched up paper balls around the room's small desk, and the large wrapped package the filly had received at the door earlier from Derpy rested on the desk.

                                            >Twilight let out a sigh seeing no sign of the filly and approached the desk where she had left the wrapped package and some blank paper out with a pen.

                                            >Regarding the package for a moment Twilight levitated it over with her magic, reaching out with a foreleg, she touched it to try and figure out what was inside.

                                            >The brown wrapping paper obscured the material underneath but judging from the dimensions of the package, it was either a box or a book.

                                            >After carefully levitating the package back into its original position on the desk she grabbed one of the scrunched up pieces of paper, unfolding it and reading what Anonfilly had written.

                                            >"Happy Hearth's Warming, Twilight. I know I haven't been a good pony at all, and we're-," the filly's short attempt to write a Hearth's Warming message to Twilight ended abruptly as Anonfilly must have not liked what she had written.

                                            >Twilight took a look at all the scrunched up balls of paper around the room before scrunching up the one she had, and grabbing another out of curiosity.

                                            >"Happy Hearth's Warming, Twilight. I'm still angry at you, but I'm getting over it and thought I'd get you something-," this entry ended shortly after beginning as well.

                                            >Biting her lip in doubt as she scrunched up the paper again, Twilight debated leaving the remaining scrunched paper behind on the ground and leaving the room, but curiosity got the better of her as she levitated another scrunched up paper to read.

                                            >"Happy Hearth's Warming, Twilight. I was talking with Spike before and he mentioned you might be immortal like Celestia and Luna. I figure you will probably read every book ever written at some point so I thought I would get you a-," the attempt at well wishing ended abruptly again as the filly had scrapped this attempt as well.

                                            >Smiling genuinely at Anonfilly's attempts to wish her a happy Hearth's Warming Twilight scrunched up the discarded draft attempt and returned it to the floor.

                                            >Looking to the discarded papers and back to the package Twilight realized this must be Anonfilly's Hearth's Warming gift to her, a book or box with something.

                                            >Twilight backed away from the desk and moved to the door, the filly's saddlebag and scarf were missing from the clothes tree in the corner by the door.

                                            >She must have only just ran out to get something, the Twilight thought, exiting the bedroom and closing the door behind her.

                                            >Walking to the castle foyer, Twilight thought about the two gifts she had gotten Anonfilly, a book on earth pony customs, and a nice black sweater Twilight had commissioned from Rarity.

                                            >The earth pony customs would be helpful for integration, and Anonfilly had commented that she had liked Maud's sweater when previously meeting the rock dedicated Pie sister.

                                            >Twilight wondered how her choice of gifts would be received by the green filly as she trotted into the foyer of the castle.

                                            >Looking at the calendar mounted on one of the walls, Twilight saw a hastily scribled note posted up.

                                            >"Grabbing some Hearth's Warming stuff, back before lunch; AF."

                                            >It was nearly lunch now, she would be back soon.

                                            >Twilight ended up going to the kitchen and making a pair of flower sandwiches, one for herself and one for the soon to arrive filly.

                                            >She was halfway through her sandwich when the echo of the front door closing sounded through the castle.

                                            >"Anonfilly!" Twilight called out. "Come to the kitchen, please!"

                                            >Twilight finished her sandwich as a trotting noise came closer and closer to the kitchen until a green filly with a black scarf and small brown saddlebag stood in the double doorway.

                                            >"What's up Twi?" Anonfilly asked neutrally.

                                            >Twilight patted the cushion next to her, and levitated the other sandwich up from the low table briefly before speaking, "Some slight changes to the Hearth's Warming schedule."

                                            >The filly trotted into the kitchen putting her saddlebag down, placing her scarf within it, and sat down next to Twilight.

                                            >"So! I've gotten some mail from Cadence, Shining and Flurry; they're going to be visiting us a few days after Hearth's Warming day!" Twilight announced giddily, "Also, Cadence wishes you a happy Hearth's Warming."

                                            >Anonfilly nodded as she checked the contents of the sandwich; preserved perennial flowers, she stuck out her tongue in disgust.

                                            >"Should I get them something for Hearths Warming?" The Anonfilly asked, turning to look up at Twilight.

                                            >Twilight tapped her hoof on the side of her muzzle for a second before answering, "I don't think that will be necessary, I'm going to get them their gifts; though I would like you to sign the card I'm going to give them."

                                            >Anonfilly gave a nod, turned and began to slowly eat the flower sandwich.

                                            >"There's one other thing; my old friends from Canterlot invited me to go shopping with them tomorrow." Twilight said, pausing.

                                            >Anonfilly swallowed and paused eating for a moment to reply, "Alright, you'll go then I take it?"

                                            >Twilight nodded, "Yes I will, it's been a long time since I've seen them in Canterlot and doing some late holiday shopping with friends is a great way to spend the day!"

                                            >Anonfilly gave a single nod, and continued to slowly work on her sandwich.

                                            >Twilight's chipper attitude fell slightly at Anonfilly's lack of enthusiasm.

                                            >There was a pause as she continued to eat and Twilight watched her before speaking, "You're invited to come as well. Would you like to join us?"

                                            >Anonfilly stopped eating to look at Twilight sheepishly then turned and began to rummage in her saddlebag for something.

                                            >Producing a small bit purse; Anonfilly looked inside it before turning to Twilight and speaking,

                                            >"That sounds like fun Twi, but I need to find something to get Spike tomorrow, and I'm not sure if I spent money on the train tickets that I'd still be able to get something nice for him."

                                            >Twilight smiled genuinely at Anonfilly, and levitated the small bit purse back into her saddlebag.

                                            >"Anonfilly," Twilight began while wrapping a wing gently around her, "You've been very well behaved recently, and I've noticed."

                                            >Twilight paused as Anonfilly offered a tiny smile and leaned slightly into her wing.

                                            >"I'm trying," Anonfilly quietly said, looking back at the sandwich on the table.

                                            >"You are," Twilight answered as she stroked Anonfilly with her wing, "I'll pay for your train tickets up and down, and help you pick out something nice for Spike."

                                            >There was a pause as Anonfilly wore a tiny smile, leaning into Twilight's one wing embrace,

                                            >"Thank you, Twilight." Anonfilly replied.

                                            >"I'm happy you're adjusting well, Anonfilly, but are you okay? You've been quite reclusive for the past few weeks now." Twilight asked with concern as she stroked her with a wing.

                                            >Anonfilly's ears flattened and straightened several times before she spoke, "I'm just working through some thoughts is all," Anonfilly paused, "I'll get over it."

                                            >Twilight could see Anonfilly had more on her mind than just gifts and the Hearth’s Warming season, but let the filly have her privacy.

                                            >Anonfilly moved out of Twilight's one wing embrace, reaching to her sandwich again.

                                            >Folding her wing back and standing to her hooves, Twilight ignited her horn and began to clear her part of the table.

                                            >Anonfilly continued to work slowly on her meal, taking a few bites at time and pausing.

                                            >Finishing her cleaning up of the table Twilight began to exit the kitchen, but turned back to Anonfilly for a moment, "Please clean your room, Anonfilly, I went looking for you earlier and your room was a mess when I saw it."

                                            >Anonfilly nodded to her between a bite, watching Twilight exit the kitchen.

                                            >After she was gone, Anonfilly took the sandwich and placed it within her saddlebag next to the three Hearth’s Warming cards and her bit purse for later.

                                            >After cleaning up her room, she'd have some card writing to do for Spike, Starlight and Twilight.


                                            >The train's whistle sounded, Anonfilly was getting her scarf back on while Twilight peered out the window to the Canterlot station platform.

                                            >"Are we going to be late?" Anonfilly asked Twilight.

                                            >Twilight turned to Anonfilly, shaking her head in the negative, then speaking, "We'll have to trot over to Joe's but it should be fine."

                                            >Anonfilly gave a quick nod to Twilight, finished putting her scarf on, and checked her saddlebag.

                                            >The pair began to exit the train with the other ponies, filling onto the station platform and then onto the outer ring of Canterlot.

                                            >Moving slowly with the crowd, Twilight led Anonfilly through the narrow gaps in the crowd to get ahead, eventually reaching the front.

                                            >"Not much snow here." Anonfilly remarked looking around at the thin blanket of snow and slush along the street.

                                            >Twilight looked back to Anonfilly, "Unicorns use their magic to help keep the streets mostly clear. Canterlot is the capital of Equestria and it'd be pretty embarrassing if it got covered in snow."

                                            >Anonfilly cocked her head, "Why not just get the Pegasi to not make it snow? Seems more efficient that way."

                                            >"Hearth's Warming is cultural, Anonfilly. It's about the pony tribes coming together as friends in the cold and snow." Twilight informed in a teacher's tone.

                                            >Anonfilly simply nodded to Twilight as the pair continued to trot further into the city.

                                            >Along the streets ponies in scarves and toques walked back and forth, going to and from shops with friends and enjoying the festive atmosphere.

                                            >As the pair passed a park Twilight and Anonfilly observed a large herd of colts and fillies flinging snowballs at one another with magic from snow forts.

                                            >A few of the snowballs were thrown towards Twilight and Anonfilly, whether by accident or not, who could tell?

                                            >Twilight merely smirked and raised a small magic shield, preventing any snowballs from connecting with her or Anonfilly.

                                            >"Useful skill to have in snowball fights," Anonfilly remarked.

                                            >Twilight turned to smile smugly at Anonfilly, "My brother, Spike and I were the reigning champions on our street growing up."

                                            >"Isn't it kind of cheating if you use a shield spell though?" Anonfilly asked with a raised eyebrow.

                                            >"Only if you're being thrown at by a non-unicorn," Twilight clarified.

                                            >"Makes sense I suppose," Anonfilly answered.

                                            >The two continued on in a brisk trot, snow crunching under their hooves until they reached a small diner with glowing neon lights; Joe's Donut diner.

                                            >Twilight opened the door with her magic, letting herself and Anonfilly inside.

                                            >The diner was rather busy with the majority of the tables filled with ponies drinking hot beverages and snacking on donuts.

                                            >Twilight took an uncertain step forward into the middle of the diner with Anonfilly close behind, she scanned the tables looking for a familiar face.

                                            >"Twilight Sparkle!" A voice from the far end of the diner called out.

                                            >Twilight turned to see Moon Dancer, wearing a red scarf, waving them over to a table with Twinkleshine, who was wearing a bright pink toque.

                                            >Anonfilly and Twilight walked over to the table, and Moon Dancer stood up to walk over and greet Twilight, giving her a brief hug.

                                            >"Twilight! You came!" Moon Dancer was surprised and happy to see her.

                                            >Anonfilly stood awkwardly to Twilight's side looking at Moon Dancer and Twinkleshine with a small smile.

                                            >"It's great to see you both, Moon Dancer, Twinkleshine!" Twilight spoke, smiling to her friends.

                                            >Moondancer stood to the side to let Twilight walk over to Twinkleshine who embraced her in a brief hug as well.

                                            >Moon Dancer turned to Anonfilly and then to Twilight, "This must be your student!"

                                            >Twilight gave a nod to Moon Dancer and Twinkleshine, "Yes, this is Anonfilly."

                                            >"Hello, Moon Dancer, Twinkleshine. I'm Anonfilly, or just Anon, it's nice to meet you two.”

                                            >"Well any friend or student of Twilight's is a friend of ours! Come sit down you two!" Twinkleshine said, waving a half eaten donut with her magic.

                                            >Moon Dancer, Anonfilly and Twilight each took a seat on the cushions around the table, and Moondancer levitated a powdered donut from a box on the table to the two newcomers.

                                            >Anonfilly looked at the donut and then to Twilight, asking an unspoken question.

                                            >"Just a pastry, like one of Pinkie's cupcakes or muffins," Twilight answered.

                                            >Hearing her confirmation, Anonfilly dug into the donut with some enthusiasm.

                                            >Moon Dancer and Twinkleshine watched the exchange with curious smiles until Moon Dancer broke the silence, "So what late Hearth's Warming shopping do you two have to do?" She pointed at Twilight and Anonfilly's respective saddlebags.

                                            >Twilight spoke first, "Cadence, Shining and Flurry are coming by Ponyville a few days after Hearth's Warming so I wanted to make sure I got each of them something."

                                            >Twinkleshine and Moon Dancer nodded and turned to Anonfilly, who swallowed the last piece of her donut and spoke, "I need to get something nice for Spike; he helped me pick out something nice for another pony and I want to repay him with something nice too."

                                            >The three mares at the table listened with smiles, and Moon Dancer spoke first, "I know he still plays Ogres and Oubliettes! Maybe something along those lines?"

                                            >Anonfilly gave a single nod before replying, "I heard that as well from Big Mac, there's apparently a hobby shop just off one of the Canterlot plazas. Can we make sure to check it out?"

                                            >Anonfilly looked at the other ponies at the table who nodded.

                                            >"Spike helped you get something nice for another pony?" Twilight asked, looking at Anonfilly, "Who was it?"

                                            >Anonfilly rolled her eyes at Twilight before speaking in a mock tone to Moon Dancer and Twinkleshine, "He helped me pick something out for a pony with a horn, wings, and purple coat."

                                            >Twinkleshine and Moon Dancer giggled, looking at Twilight who had wrinkled her snoot in amusement.

                                            >Anonfilly wore a grin, looking at Twilight for a few seconds before laughing as well.

                                            >All the ponies at the table, save Twilight, laughed for a few seconds before calming down.

                                            >"Well I'm glad you've been so thoughtful, Anonfilly, I was worried, you were so quiet for the last few weeks that I thought you hadn't done any shopping!" Twilight gently chided.

                                            >Anonfilly was about to respond when Twinkleshine spoke first, "And what do you want for Hearth’s Warming, Anonfilly?"

                                            >Twilight, Moon Dancer and Twinkleshine looked to Anonfilly for her answer, "Oh I don't really want anything for Hearth’s Warming." Anonfilly replied.

                                            >Twinkleshine and Moon Dancer gaped while Twilight blinked and did a double take, "What?" Twilight sputtered out.

                                            >Moon Dancer followed up with her own words, "Come on, every filly and colt wants at least one thing for Hearth’s Warming!"

                                            >Anonfilly tapped a foreleg to the side of her jaw for a few moments, thinking.

                                            >Twinkleshine snacked on another donut from the box at the table while Twilight and Moon Dancer listened in anticipation.

                                            >"Well," Anonfilly began, "Maybe, one, specific thing; but I'm pretty sure whatever Twilight's going to get me will be perfect." Anonfilly stated, with a confident smile looking at Twilight.

                                            >One of Twilight's ears flicked nervously, "I-I didn't think to even ask if you wanted anything specifically." She admitted.

                                            >Anonfilly cocked her head and looked up at Twilight. "Don't doubt yourself Twi, I trust you," Anonfilly reassured her.

                                            >Twilight smiled genuinely at Anonfilly for a second and opened her mouth to speak until somepony from near the entrance to the diner shouted at her.

                                            >"Twilight Sparkle!" Twilight was interrupted by a blue unicorn mare with a two tone mane and a plain white scarf, the ponies at the table turned to the mare who suddenly called out to Twilight.

                                            >A mint blue and mustard yellow unicorn trotted over to the table, with Twilight rising to greet the newcomers.

                                            >"Minuette! Lemon Hearts! It's so nice to see you both!" Twilight exclaimed, giving both quick little hugs.

                                            >"Twilight! You came, and with your student too!" Minuette spoke, turning to Anonfilly with a hammy smile, "You must be Anonfilly, Spike and Pinkie have told me a lot about you!"

                                            >"Good things I hope?" Anonfilly asked neutrally.

                                            >"Oh! I may have heard you're something of a troublemaker!" Minuette answered in a cheery upbeat tone.

                                            >Minuette reached over to Anonfilly and ruffled her mane with a hoof.

                                            >Lemon Hearts took the chance to speak up, "Hey everypony I won't be able to stay the whole day, Fancy Pants and Fleur hired me to do an impromptu winter party at one of the noble's houses in the evening."

                                            >"Awww, that's too bad." Twinkleshine said sadly, levitating a donut over to Minuette and Lemon Hearts.

                                            >"Ah don't be! Fancy Pants is a good gentlecolt and always pays amazingly well for the last minute stuff." Lemon Hearts said.

                                            >Twilight smiled and spoke, "Fancy Pants is a kind stallion, and he's always courteous and flexible for all the events he hosts."

                                            >Lemon Hearts nodded and turned to the rest of the group, levitating her donut beside her, "Should head out now, then?" She asked the group.

                                            >The ponies at the table shared looks and nods of confirmation, rising to their hooves.

                                            >Leaving out of the crowded diner together, the small herd began to walk over to main street going through Canterlot, which was quite busy as ponies of all colours and ages were walking and shopping.

                                            >"Oh I meant to ask, does Lyra still come by to get togethers with you four?" Twilight asked.

                                            >"Not as often anymore," Moon Dancer answered. "She likes to spend a lot of time with her mare friend, Bon Bon, now in Ponyville."

                                            >"They seem like a happy pair together," Minuette remarked.

                                            >Moon Dancer and Twilight stopped to peer into one of the shop windows, a clothing store with pony mannequins sporting sweaters, frocks and plain dresses.

                                            >Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, Anonfilly and Minuette stopped to join them with Anonfilly standing on her hind legs against the glass to try and see all the mannequins.

                                            >"This dark lavender one would match your mane well, Twilight!" Twinkleshine said, pointing to a relatively plain summer dress with a mid length hem.

                                            >"It could also work well with your mane too, Twinkleshine." Twilight complimented to a smiling Twinkleshine.

                                            >"Oooh look at this one!" Minuette gushed over a tiny cyan dress with pink bows.

                                            >"That one would work really well on you, Minuette, the pink bows add some real pop!" Lemon Hearts suggested.

                                            >"What do you think, Anonfilly?" Minuette asked, tapping her on the withers as she stood against the glass.

                                            >Anonfilly turned to her and gave a sheepish grin, "I think I'm not qualified enough to offer an opinion on fashion."

                                            >"It's not like moving the sun or something, Anonfilly!" Minuette teased.

                                            >"What should I be looking for, in terms of fashion then?" Anonfilly asked, ignoring the teasing.

                                            >"Well for you since your mane is black and your coat is green, you'd want something that works with your dark mane; like that frock over there." Minuette pointed to a black frock on one of the mannequins.

                                            >Anonfilly scooted down the glass window to look at the frock, before looking back at Minuette and speaking, "So that's why you picked a cyan dress, because it works with your mane?" She asked.

                                            >"Well I have a two tone mane, so maybe I'm an exception to the rule, but generally a mare would pick a dress or piece of clothing with the same dark or light tone as their mane," Minuette suggested.

                                            >"No wonder Rainbow Dash dislikes dressing up so much," Anonfilly deadpanned.

                                            >Twilight snickered and the rest of the mares had a laugh as well.

                                            >"Well I'm going to bite, it'd be nice to have another summer dress!" Minuette announced, walking to the door of the shop, "Go on ahead without me, I'll catch up!"

                                            >The small herd continued along the street minus one minty unicorn.

                                            >Slowly trotting along, they passed a wide variety of different stores and shops, ranging from furniture and carriages to candy and art supplies.

                                            >Lemon Hearts dipped into the candy shop to grab some sweets, while Twinkleshine looked inside the art supplies store.

                                            >Twilight, Moon Dancer and Anonfilly waited patiently between the two stores as they waited on the three mares.

                                            >Minuette was the first to show up, carrying a small paper bag with the pink bows of the dress poking out.

                                            >"Fifty five bits!" Minuette exclaimed with a grin, she levitated the bag back and forth in the air.

                                            >"How'd you manage that?" Moon Dancer asked curiously.

                                            >"They said it had been on display since autumn! And no pony had even asked about it so they wanted to get rid of it!" Minuette said incredulously.

                                            >"Lucky!" Moon Dancer said, playfully sticking out her tongue.

                                            >Minuette scrunched her snoot for half a second before smiling and replying, "Yeah I guess so!"

                                            >A short while later Lemon Hearts joined them out on plaza with several small bags, followed by Twinkleshine, with no bags.

                                            >"Didn't find anything, Twinkleshine?" Anonfilly asked her.

                                            >"Sometimes they'll have old paint on sale, or if they stocked too many brushes or canvas pieces in anticipation of buyers for the holidays." Twinkleshine clarified. “No such luck this time.”

                                            >"Everypony ready to continue?" Moon Dancer asked, looking around. "I think Twilight's favourite store might be next up the street."

                                            >Twilight wore a wide smile and nodded, taking the initiative to lead the group on.

                                            >Anonfilly looked between Twilight and Moon Dancer, speaking to the latter "What's the next store?"

                                            >"The bookstore," Moon Dancer said with a knowing smile to Anonfilly who chuckled.

                                            >The herd walked to the bookstore sitting on a corner of the main street, Twilight picked her pace up to a trot.

                                            >"They aren't going anywhere, Twilight!" Moon Dancer called out playfully.

                                            >Anonfilly snickered and the other mares gave light laughs.

                                            >Twilight halted her trot, turning and waiting for the others to catch up with a sheepish smile.

                                            >"Sorry." Twilight apologized.

                                            >"Don't worry about it Twilight," Minuette said as the herd continued together.

                                            >As the group approached the store, Twilight opened the door with her magic, and stood to the side to let everypony else in first.

                                            >Filing inside the cozy and nearly empty bookstore the group began to poke around the various sections.

                                            >Twilight and Moon Dancer went to the non-fiction section, while Minuette and Twinkleshine went to the romance section, lastly Anonfilly and Lemon Hearts both went into the fiction section.

                                            >"You must read quite a lot with Twilight as your teacher, Anonfilly." Lemon Hearts commented.

                                            >Anonfilly looked over to Lemon Hearts who was reading the blurb on the back of a newer Daring Doo novel.

                                            >"Actually it's been more hooves on experiences actually, gotta learn how to fit into Equestria without being ignorant or troublesome." Anonfilly answered.

                                            >"You seem to be pretty well behaved to me." Lemon Hearts put the book back on the shelf and smiled down to Anonfilly.

                                            >Anonfilly offered an awkward smile in return, "I can say I've changed a lot over the last year. It hasn't been easy, learning all this... pony etiquette."

                                            >"You're doing a good job, and if you mess up a bit I'm sure that Twilight will direct you in the right way," Lemon Hearts reassured.

                                            >Minuette and Twinkleshine turned down the aisle to Lemon Hearts and Anonfilly, chatting about something but stopping as they approached the pair.

                                            >"Find anything good?" Twinkleshine asked.

                                            >"No new Daring Doo stuff. And nothing by that Martingale fellow since the last book," Lemon Hearts said to Twinkleshine.

                                            >Anonfilly looked to the three mares, speaking, "I suppose we should go find Twilight before she tries to tell one of the clerks how to optimally organize one of the shelves."

                                            >The mares giggled, and followed Anonfilly as she began to walk over to the non-fiction section, spotting Twilight and Moon Dancer perusing one of the heavier tomes together.

                                            >"Twilight?" Anonfilly queried, "Do you think you should grab some foal's books for Flurry while you're here?"

                                            >Twilight snapped up out of the large text, turning to Anonfilly and the mares standing behind her speaking, "That's a great idea! I should get her several-”

                                            >"Twi," Anonfilly interrupted, "Something a foal at her level would like."

                                            >Twilight paused, blushing, as Moon Dancer levitated the tome back onto the shelf behind her.

                                            >"You're right, maybe you can all help me?" Twilight asked, looking at the group.

                                            >Minuette, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts and Moon Dancer trotted over to the children's section with Anonfilly and Twilight in tow, each picking out a book after a short while.

                                            >The books were tiny and colourful, with half pictures and half big printed words on nearly every page for new readers.

                                            >"This one was my favourite growing up," Twinkleshine said, levitating over a book titled, Blueberries for Saddle.

                                            >"I remember this one," Twilight said, levitating it up to her face.

                                            >Each mare brought over a favourite foalhood book for Twilight to see, with her eventually settling on five books for Flurry plus one for each of her parents.

                                            >Twilight made her purchases with Moon Dancer, who got a tome on magical theory for herself as the herd exited the bookstore.

                                            >It was darker outside, the sun had gone behind Canterlot mountain, shrouding the city in the early stage of twilight.

                                            >"Oh my! It's late, we'd better finish up quick before the stores start closing," Twilight said, with some worry in her tone.

                                            >"And I should probably get going now," Lemon Hearts said, turning to the group, "It was nice to meet you, Anonfilly."

                                            >"It was nice to meet you too, Lemon Hearts," Anonfilly kindly responded.

                                            >Lemon Hearts took her time giving each pony a hug and a small bag of candies with Anonfilly being last, giving her a playful boop on the nose.

                                            >Anonfilly scrunched her snoot as Lemon Hearts gave a wink, then turned and galloped off up the street.

                                            >"We should go to that hobby shop off the plaza now, they stay open late usually, but I don't know how late on the holidays," Moon Dancer said, looking to the group for approval.

                                            >"Why are we going to the hobby shop?" Minuette questioned, looking confused.

                                            >"Anonfilly wants to get a gift for Spike, and the hobby shop has Ogres and Oubliettes stuff," Twinkleshine answered her.

                                            >Anonfilly gave a small nod to Minuette, and turned to Moon Dancer before speaking, "Lead on I suppose."

                                            >The slightly smaller herd continued up the main street of Canterlot until they reached a plaza with a large statue of an unknown unicorn raising a hoof to the sky.

                                            >Following Moon Dancer, the group made their way off the plaza down one of the larger alleyways until reaching a pair of stores at the end, Canterlot Game Emporium, and The Tack and Crop.

                                            >Anonfilly saw the Canterlot Game Emporium, but looked at The Tack and Crop with its bright neon pink signage showing a stallion with a riding crop in his mouth looking at a mare wearing a tack and bridle.

                                            >The other mares seemed uncomfortable being outside the rather obvious sex shop.

                                            >Anonfilly turned to Twilight with a smug smile before speaking, "Well if I can't find Spike something at the hobby store, maybe I can go next door and- OW!"

                                            >A scowling Twilight, using her magic, pulled Anonfilly by the ear into the Game Emporium.

                                            >The other mares laughed hysterically at Anonfilly's unfinished implication.

                                            >"It was a joke Twi!" Anonfilly pleaded as Twilight pulled her inside the Game Emporium, before releasing her.

                                            >Twilight took a deep breath, turned to face her, and spoke, "You know better, Anon."

                                            >Anonfilly moved to say something, but bit her tongue and looked down with folded ears.

                                            >"I'm sorry, Twilight. That was... not a nice joke to make about a gift for a friend," Anonfilly said in a worried tone.

                                            >The three other mares filed into the store behind Anonfilly, they each had very, very wide smiles with lots of teeth showing.

                                            >Twilight looked at them with a deadpan expression then spoke in an equally deadpan tone, "Please do not encourage her."

                                            >The mares maintained their expressions and nodded several times in rapid succession.

                                            >Anonfilly ventured a nervous look up at Twilight, who returned a deadpan look that began to soften.

                                            >Walking beside her, Twilight unfolded her wing and stroked Anonfilly's back once then spoke, "Let's go find something nice you can get for Spike, okay?"

                                            >"Okay." Anonfilly replied, with a less nervous tone.

                                            >The hobby store was nearly empty except for a few teenaged colts and fillies playing a game of some sort at one of the tables together, and a disinterested pegasus cashier glancing between them and the new arrivals.

                                            >Minuette and Twinkleshine passed Twilight and Anonfilly to go and observe the game the colts and fillies were playing.

                                            >Anonfilly approached the cashier who looked at the small approaching filly flanked by Twilight and Moon Dancer with no expression, before speaking "Hello, I'd like to get a gift for my friend, he plays Ogres and Oubliettes, can you point me to where I might find something?"

                                            >The pegasus simply raised a wing and pointed over to a corner of the store, "Thank you!" Anonfilly said, to the uncaring pegasus.

                                            >Walking over, the trio could see that there was a wide variety of merchandise related to Ogres and Oubliettes with everything from dice and do-it-yourself figurines to terrain pieces and rulebooks.

                                            >"I should have done some snooping around Spike's room before I came here so I'd have a better idea of what to get him," Anonfilly spoke, looking over the wall of goods.

                                            >"I know Spike already has a rulebook and his own dice set, Anonfilly," Twilight said, pointing to the rulebooks and dice boxes.

                                            >Moon Dancer stepped up and began to speak, "When I used to play Ogres and Oubliettes there were some things everypony needed, dice, a character figurine and maybe a rulebook if you couldn't borrow one from a friend," She paused for a moment tapping her snoot in thought, "Is Spike the Dungeon Master?"

                                            >"I'm fairly certain that Discord is the Dungeon Master in the Ogres and Oubliettes games that Spike plays," Twilight answered, looking at Anonfilly.

                                            >Anonfilly wrinkled her snoot in thought before speaking, "If Discord runs the games then maybe something like terrain? Or figurines? Something I can give Spike that can be used regardless of Discord running the game?"

                                            >"That's a good idea. I'm sure Spike can use and appreciate that," Twilight said, smiling down to Anonfilly.

                                            >Anonfilly began to look through the terrain and figurines for sale on the wall, carefully going over each of them, and checking their prices.

                                            >Moon Dancer gave Twilight a wink and turned to join Minuette and Twinkleshine watching the game on the other side of the store.

                                            >After a few minutes of picking through the various figurines and terrain pieces, Anonfilly showed two to Twilight; a large, black castle, and a dragon perched on top of a massive hoard of gold.

                                            >"What do you think?" Anonfilly asked Twilight.

                                            >Twilight levitated up the castle terrain piece and the dragon atop the hoard, turning them and looking at them in their transparent boxes, before checking the price tag on both.

                                            >"These are nearly eighty bits together, Anonfilly," Twilight said, looking concerned at Anonfilly.

                                            >Anonfilly smiled up at Twilight, "Good thing I rarely spend my bits."

                                            >Twilight gave a single nod to Anonfilly, and both walked over to the pegasus cashier.

                                            >The cashier perked up as Twilight levitated the two boxes onto the counter and Anonfilly grabbed a large bit purse from her saddle bag.

                                            >Standing on her hindlegs, Anonfilly placed the large bitpurse on the counter and started to count out the larger value bits to seventy.

                                            >"That'll be seventy-seven bits," the cashier said looking at Anonfilly counting out her bits.

                                            >Finishing with the counting, Anonfilly pushed over ten bits in equal value to seventy-seven, then took back her much lighter bitpurse.

                                            >Twilight smiled down to Anonfilly who was busy sticking her bit purse back in her saddlebag when the cashier caught attention, "You want these bagged or boxed?"

                                            >"Uhhh..." Anonfilly responded uncertainly, looking up to Twilight for some assistance.

                                            >"Boxed please," Twilight answered, which the cashier obliged.

                                            >"I don't think those will fit in my saddlebag, Twilight," Anonfilly said, looking back at the smaller saddlebag.

                                            >"I'll teleport them back down to the castle before we leave Canterlot, Anonfilly," Twilight quickly clarified.

                                            >"Thanks, Twilight," Anonfilly said as she levitated the large box onto Anonfilly's back.

                                            >The pair turned back to find their group, and Twinkleshine was behind the pair levitating the box of a single Luna Marine, and Minuette and Moon Dancer were waiting by the door talking to each other.

                                            >"Grabbing something for yourself, Twinkleshine?" Twilight asked, nodding to the figurine in her aura.

                                            >Twinkleshine smiled and answered, "You have to assemble and paint these ones, I thought I would give it a try."

                                            >Twilight and Anonfilly walked over to Minuette and Moon Dancer by the door, the group waiting for Twinkleshine to complete her purchase.

                                            >"Get something nice for Spike?" Minuette asked, smiling at Anonfilly.

                                            >"I got a terrain piece and a figurine for him, should be able to be used in his campaigns or Discord's," Anonfilly answered.

                                            >Twinkleshine approached the group from behind, speaking, "Are we going to head out now?"

                                            >The herd left the store together, turning down the dark alleyway and returning to the plaza.

                                            >The sky had turned to night at some point, and the plaza and storefronts that were open and closed were decorated with lights of all colours of the rainbow, illuminating the square.

                                            >As the herd entered the middle of the slow moving plaza, a clock tower on one of the corners began to chime, signalling five hours' time.

                                            >"Well, I think that's the end of this year's happy Hearth's Warming unicorn donut crew!" Minuette exclaimed, pausing, then quickly speaking again, "Plus alicorn and earth pony," she added with a friendly wink to Twilight and Anonfilly.

                                            >"Thank you for inviting us! It was so nice to see you all again!" Twilight said, looking at each of her friends.

                                            >"It was really nice to see you again, Twilight, will you be in Canterlot at all, in the new year?" Moon Dancer asked Twilight.

                                            >"I will definitely set aside some time to come and visit, maybe we could do another walk together, along the storefronts in spring or summer?" Twilight suggested.

                                            >"That sounds lovely! We could all try to get time off just after winter wrap up!" Twinkleshine happily intoned.

                                            >"That sounds like a good idea, Twinkleshine!" Minuette responded.

                                            >The mares happily chatted together, pitching plans to each other, with Anonfilly waiting quietly off to the side for a while before speaking up, "Can I come to the spring and summer ones?" She paused and asked one more question, "And next year's Hearth's Warming one too?"

                                            >"Of course, Anonfilly!" Minuette said trotting over to Anonfilly and ruffling her mane.

                                            >"So long as you continue to behave well, Anonfilly," Twilight said with a more serious tone.

                                            >Twinkleshine, Moon Dancer and Minuette gave happy chuckles, hearing Twilight's conditions to the filly.

                                            >"I'm sure Anonfilly will graduate from being your student soon, Twilight," Moon Dancer said to her with confidence.

                                            >Twilight opened her mouth to respond but closed it and smiled.

                                            >"Thank you, girls," Twilight said, smiling at each of them and then Anonfilly.

                                            >"Give me the box and your saddlebag, Anonfilly," Twilight said, levitating her own saddlebag off and depositing it on the ground before her.

                                            >Anonfilly placed the box gently on the ground, followed by her saddlebag.

                                            >Twilight levitated the saddlebags and box for a few seconds, and then teleported them down to the castle in Ponyville.

                                            >"I guess we'll see you some other time then Twilight, Anonfilly," Minuette said to the two.

                                            >"We'll head back towards the train station, but let's keep in touch by mail, so we can mark down a date for spring," Twilight said.

                                            >Minuette gave a nod, followed by Twinkleshine and Moon Dancer.

                                            >Anonfilly and Twilight gave quick hugs to each of them and then began to head back to the train station.

                                            >"That was more fun than I was expecting," Anonfilly casually commented.

                                            >Twilight looked down to smile at Anonfilly, and spoke "And you were quite well behaved. Except for that one part."

                                            >"How much trouble am I in for that?" Anonfilly asked with flattened ears.

                                            >"I think I can let you off the hook. This time," Twilight said with a reconciliatory tone.

                                            >Anonfilly perked back up, hearing Twilight let her off easy, as the two began to approach the empty train station.

                                            >"Hey where's the train?" Anonfilly asked Twilight, looking towards the empty station and platform.

                                            >Twilight turned to read the notice board of train arrivals and departure times for the day.

                                            >The most recent train departure to Ponyville was at four thirty and the next one would be at seven thirty.

                                            >"Seven thirty? That's ridiculous!" Twilight huffed at the sign.

                                            >"Why can't you just teleport us again?" Anonfilly asked, slightly annoyed.

                                            >"I can't just teleport ponies everywhere filly-nilly! I have to keep a large magical reserve incase of an emergency." Twilight said, slightly annoyed.

                                            >Anonfilly looked down and tightened her scarf, looking back up at Twilight speaking, "Well I guess we better get comfortable for the next little while then."

                                            >She took a seat on a low bench on the train platform and Twilight opted to pace back and forth.

                                            >Time passed very slowly and coldly until Twilight tried to keep her blood pumping by flexing her wings, giving her an idea.

                                            >She looked over to Anonfilly who was starting to shiver, then cast a warming spell on her and herself.

                                            >"What was that for?" Anonfilly asked, confused.

                                            >"I've got an idea," Twilight said, spreading open her wings.

                                            >"No way," Anonfilly said defensively.

                                            >Twilight merely cocked her head and smiled at her though, igniting her horn and levitating a flailing Anonfilly onto her back.

                                            >"Twi, please. You know I don't like flying," Anonfilly said nervously, clutching tightly to Twilight's neck with her forelegs.

                                            >"You'll be fine Anon, I won't drop you," Twilight reassured, pausing to adjust to the shaking Anonfilly on her back.

                                            >Twilight walked to the edge of Canterlot, which ended abruptly as the side street gave way to the open sky.

                                            >Unfolding her wings, and with a galloping start, she launched herself and her passenger off the side of Canterlot city.

                                            >Anonfilly clutched to Twilight even harder as she entered low decline to gain some speed.

                                            >Twilight banked around the side of Canterlot mountain, and lining herself up with a dimly lit Ponyville in sight, from here on, it was a gentle and carefree glide home.

                                            >It was truly nighttime now, the moon and stars were out and most of the western horizon was dark and barely illuminated save for odd lights and Ponyville in the distance.

                                            >"Anonfilly? Are you ok?" Twilight asked.

                                            >"I'm fine, now," she replied.

                                            >Twilight could feel her shaking a little bit, but not as much as before.

                                            >Twilight hummed to herself, occasionally flapping her wings to maintain altitude, thinking about the day in reverse.

                                            >Anonfilly had gotten two nice gifts for Spike, Twinkleshine had gotten a figurine for herself, and Lemon Hearts had gifted them all little candy bags.

                                            >Twilight straightened her neck, she'd have to return the favour to Lemon Hearts next time she saw her.

                                            >She'd gotten several books, for Flurry, Shining, and Cadence; and Moon Dancer had grabbed a text on magical theory.

                                            >Anonfilly was calm and relaxed now, no longer afraid of the nighttime glide with Twilight.

                                            >Minuette had gotten a nice summer dress, and they had all shared donuts together at Joe's donut diner.

                                            >Twilight smiled, everypony had gotten something nice today, except Lemon Hearts... and Anonfilly.

                                            >Twilight looked back to Anonfilly on her back, who had her eyes closed and simply breathed calmly.

                                            >"Oh I don't really want anything for Hearth’s Warming." Anonfilly's voice echoed in her head.

                                            >"Well, maybe, one, specific thing; but I'm pretty sure whatever Twilight's going to get me will be perfect." Her voice echoed again.

                                            >"Don't doubt yourself Twi, I trust you." The voice echoed for the last time.

                                            >"Anonfilly?" Twilight probed.

                                            >"What's up, Twilight?" Anonfilly responded, sounding tired.

                                            >Twilight paused, mustering some confidence before speaking.

                                            >"What did you want for Hearth’s Warming, Anon?" Twilight asked with a gentle tone.

                                            >"Nothing," she quickly replied.

                                            >Twilight paused again, thinking about Anonfilly's journey over the past year.

                                            >At first she denied she was a pony, thinking it was a crazy dream or a "bad trip."

                                            >Then came anger and rage; she was incredibly rude and mean to just about every pony around; earning herself a bad reputation, and often, a sore flank.

                                            >Twilight looked back at Anonfilly who nuzzled into her mane with closed eyes.

                                            >She had tried to bargain next, "Make me a human again and you'll never have to see me again, or turn me into a colt and I'll be nice."

                                            >Twilight exhaled, looking back towards Ponyville.

                                            >Then she was depressed; crying alone in her room, refusing to eat or bathe, and begging Twilight to leave her alone.

                                            >And now... she was quiet.

                                            >Mostly calm and behaved.

                                            >A bit asocial, but kind.

                                            >And honest.

                                            >Twilight cleared her throat, speaking again, "You mentioned you wanted one specific thing, Anonfilly."

                                            >Twilight turned her head to Anonfilly, she had opened her eyes to look back at Twilight.

                                            >"You know I'll get you what you want right? I just can't turn you-"

                                            >"I don't want that anymore." Anonfilly quietly interrupted.

                                            >Twilight nearly lost her flying rhythm hearing that from her, and looked forwards again, while Anonfilly held on a bit tighter with her forelegs again for a few moments, and then relaxed.

                                            >There were several minutes where silence reigned as Twilight began to approach the outskirts of Ponyville.

                                            >"What would you like then?" Twilight asked quietly.

                                            >Anonfilly didn't immediately answer, instead resting the side of her head into Twilight's mane.

                                            >Twilight bit her lip, waiting for Anonfilly to answer.

                                            >"I want to take advantage of this second chance at life I've been given," Anonfilly answered, pulling back her head slightly.

                                            >Twilight listened carefully to her, as the castle began to appear more clearly in the starlit night.

                                            >"And I don't want to be alone anymore," Anonfilly said, sniffling and pressing the side of her head back into Twilight's mane.

                                            >The upper balcony of the friendship castle came into view, and Twilight began to dip into a low banking maneuver towards it.

                                            >Anonfilly held tightly onto Twilight and breathed.

                                            >Finishing the turn, Twilight landed on the balcony and Anonfilly moved to get down from Twilight, but was levitated back into place.

                                            >Remaining still and a bit confused, Anonfilly carefully balanced herself on Twilight's back as she entered the castle, making way to her reading room.

                                            >Entering the cold reading room, Twilight levitated several logs from a pile in the corner of the room to the hearth and magically set them ablaze.

                                            >"I won't leave you alone," Twilight promised, levitating Anonfilly gently onto the cushion pile in the center of the room.

                                            >Anonfilly sat down on her haunches and rubbed her eyes with a foreleg.

                                            >The cold room began to slowly warm up and Twilight moved to the cushion pile in the middle of the room, slowly circling around the sitting filly, before laying half around her like a cat.

                                            >Anonfilly looked at Twilight, with a real genuine smile that was reflected back to her.

                                            >Twilight gave Anonfilly a little kiss on the forehead, and began to nuzzle her.

                                            >Anonfilly returned the nuzzle and spoke in a whisper, "Thank you, Twilight."

                                            >She didn't respond to the thanks, instead wrapping a wing around the sitting filly.

                                            >The fire in the hearth crackled, and Anonfilly slowly sank down into the cushion pile with Twilight.

                                            >She looked down at the filly who snuggled close to her side, under her wing.

                                            >Anonfilly closed her eyes, resting her head on Twilight's foreleg.

                                            >Twilight looked down at the content, resting filly with a smile; then she levitated her book over from the table, and began to read.