>Winter is your favorite season.
>Not the cold though, but the way everything was covered in snow. Like a sheet on furniture, or a present waiting to be unwrapped.
>In Equestria, it signals three months of mostly staying indoors and less labor. Though that never stopped the locals from going outside and continuing on regardless.
>Though today is very special to them, why? It’s Hearth’s Warming Eve.
>A national holiday that is the founding of this land and the unification of the tribes, or so you’ve been told.
>You are Anon and this is your first time being apart of said holiday and thankfully, it is with friends.
>Namely Eri and a couple of her friends, but you hope to befriend those two.
>Some laughter echos from the living room drawing away your attention for a moment.
“Sounds like somepony is having fun.”
>Connie turns her attention to you as she works with the dough.
>”That’s how Deep Rest is when she gets some cider. A little loud, but I hope you don’t mind that.” She says with a wink.
“Really now? I don’t know her that well yet. Didn’t take her for a drinker.”
>”She has her moments, but she can handle her liquor. That I can promise.”
>You nod and the both of you turn your attention to cooking once more.
>Most ponies have some family tradition they follow for the holiday, so you just have to wing it this time.
>You reached out to the small group of Eri’s friends to get them to join you two. Of them, only two managed to come, but that is better than you expected.
>Connie offered to help you out in cooking up a pre-feast for tomorrow, just like mom used to. The other two are chatting in the other room.
>”So Anon? If you don’t mind asking, how do you feel about all this?” Connie asks.
“It’s interesting, and good to have company, especially with friends. It’s my first Hearth’s Warming after all.”
>She laughs lightly.
>”I couldn’t agree more, and is it really now? I do hope you enjoy it. By the way, I do appreciate you inviting me and Rest your home.”
“Eri needed this, and I am thankful you both were able to show. Especially after Eri told me you are in the Manehatten Symphony Orchestra, so I was worried you wouldn’t come. Along with Rest since she is a nurse.”
>”The letter you sent was enough to convince me, and fortunately my parents were understanding, plus I rather them not show me off to their friends as usual. As for Rest, I was shocked as well. She is often very busy this time of year.”
“I can imagine, considering all the sick ponies during this season.” You nod.
>Stirring the sauce again, making sure it doesn’t burn. Connie is finishing up shaping the dough and just finished setting some of it in a baking tin.
>”I’m sorry that Mellow and Paper couldn’t show. I know you understand, but do you think Eri does?”
“It’s alright, they are a couple after all, so they like their time together. As for Eri though, I am sure she does. The fact that the two of you showed up made her quite happy.”
>”How is she by the way? I haven’t seen her like this since we were fillies.”
“She still has her days, but we get through it. It is getting better for her, and I am certain there is a light at the end of this tunnel.”
>”That’s good to hear. She has a long way to go.”
>She picks up the tin and moves it into the oven before heading to wash her hooves off.
>The sink turns off shortly after and you notice her standing nearby watching you with a question on her face.
“Something on your mind?”
>”Maybe it’s because Eri trusts you so much, but if you don’t mind I’d like to make a confession.”
“I’m used to hearing confessions, just one moment though.” You say as you turn the stove top to a simmer to let the various pots finish cooking.
>Turning to her to give your full attention, you nod for her to continue.
>”I won’t go into details too much, but I feel awful that I wasn’t able to be there for her. We grew up together, we had one another, and then I got my cutiemark. Everything changed. I had new friends and new opportunities. I was blind to it all, blind to see what it was doing to my best friend. It still hurts to know that I likely was the catalyst in her downward spiral.”
>You’re not that surprised she is beating herself up over this.
“From what I know about ponies, which admittedly is very little. I know that your marks are tied to your destiny. So you shouldn’t let that get to you. She would’ve likely gotten that way one way or another.”
>A sharp look gets in her eyes.
>”It’s not always so black and white Anon. You’re assuming that she would just fall into darkness just because I was there? I was her friend, her best friend, and I failed her. I don’t know much about humans, but you clearly don’t know anything about this world works.”
>You can feel some venom in those words.
>What the hell is this? One moment she is cordial and friendly, and the next she is pissed at you.
>Tension sits between you two now, and honestly, it’s a bit worrisome.
>You’re not sure what to do, she is Eri’s fillyhood friend after all. The last thing you want to do is have a fight with her.
>Another bit of laughter shatters the tense atmosphere, seemingly breaking her.
>She shakes her head and looks away.
>”I’m sorry, it was wrong for me to lash out at you like that.”
>Alright, maybe you touched a nerve, time to resolve this.
“It’s alright, I get it. I know I’m not from here, but I assure you that I just want what is best for Eri.”
>”No you don’t understand, I just get that way sometimes. Especially when I get emotional. I want what is best for her as well.” She says looking back to you now with a sullen look on her.
>You hate seeing sad ponies, and thankfully, you have a solution for this.
>Approaching her, you kneel down and offer up a hug.
>A stunned look appears on her face before she nods and quickly accepts it.
“It’s okay, I mean it. You are here for her now and that is what matters” You tell her as you gentle rub her back.
>She shudders in your arms and a small sniffle escapes her.
>Somehow, you’re not surprised she is damaged in some way too.
>With everything going on in this world, you didn’t expect to find echos of earth, but here you are.
>She pulls out of your embrace and has a teary eyed smile.
>”Thank you Anon, I needed that.” Her makeup is running a little. “Could you excuse me for a moment, I need to clean myself up and I don’t want them to see me like this.”
“You’re welcome, take as long as you need. I’ll hold down the fort.” You nod to her.
>Connie nods in return and hurries off.
>You are now alone in the kitchen, so you figure you should clean up and check on the other two.
>As you enter the living room, you find Rest and Eri sitting on the couch talking.
>Well that is a bit of a exaggeration. Rest is talking, and Eri is listening.
>You manage to catch the end of her story.
>>”-can you believe it? The nerve of that stallion. I’m the head nurse for crying out.”
>”That’s just how some of them are. They can be a royal pain.”
>>”Yeah, well that doesn’t excuse-oh, hey there. Didn’t see you come in. Are you two still cooking?” Rest says looking to you with a slight tinge in her cheeks.
>Eri turns around to face you.
>”Oh hey Anon.” She says with a small wave.
“Hello ladies, yeah we both finished up the prep work. Connie is using the bathroom and everything is going just fine. So we will have dinner on time.”
>>”I can’t wait, Eri here tells me you’re a great cook.”
>You chuckle and give a look to Eri.
“Really now? I’m alright at it, plus Connie is helping out as well.”
>”Well it’s true, at least I think it’s great. I do appreciate her helping out though.”
>>”So then, where did you learn to cook? Some school?”
“No, I wish. Long story short, when I lived on my own money was tight. So I had to make do with what I had. That often ended up with me trying out different recipes.”
>>”I wish I was that lucky, when I try to follow a recipe, I mess it up. So that often forces me to buy premade food.”
“Well maybe sometime you could over, and we could show a few things. I am certain we would enjoy your company.”
>>”Yeah I would like that. I just need to find the time from work is all. You can’t imagine what it’s like to work in the hospital, the hours suck, and it’s thankless.”
“True, but I have heard the stories about the hospitals on earth, they always told me the hell they went through. Hard to imagine it’s much different here.”
>>”You would not believe the number of ponies that come in over a simple sneeze and thinking they are dying. I know we can’t turn them away, but you would think it would just be allergies or just a minor case of being light headed It’s often we deal with hypochondriacs.”
“That’s a shame, you are healers and deserve some respect for saving lives. It’s not too much to ask.”
>>”See! That’s all we want, especially us nurses! The amount of stallions asking for me to take their ‘temperature’ is annoying. I could be a doctor if I wanted and was even offered a position in Canterlot, you know. I turned it down, because I cared about this small town and my friends. Even with some of the rudeness, it’s worth it to help others.”
>Eri is just watching the exchange between you two, and she looks happy.
>You can’t help but laugh and smile.
“Yeah it sounds it, and that is very noble of you. Can’t say I know many who would turn away such a position.”
>Rest nods and drinks a little more cider from her glass.
>>”I can see why Eri likes you.” She says as she pulls the glass away from her lips.
>Eri’s eyes widen and raises her hooves at her.
>”Rest! Shush! You’re not thinking straight.”
>>”Like hell I’m not. I’m not drunk yet, you have seen me drunk, remember? If anything I am a little buzzed. By the way Anon, mind if I get some more?”
>As you start to reply to her, Connie joins you three.
>>>”Alright, what did I miss, I heard a small commotion out here.”
>>”Hey, there you are. I was just talking to Anon about the pain in the flank that is working in medicine. Then Eri got defensive over me speaking the truth.”
>”That’s because you’re not thinking straight.” Eri says again with daggers in her eyes.
>>”I told you, I’m not drunk.” Rest throws back at her. “So Anon, how about that cider?”
>A knock at the front door stops you before you could answer her.
>>>”Anon could you get that? I’ll take care of Rest.”
“Yeah, thanks Connie.” You nod to her and head for the door.
>Opening the front door to the winter evening, find a pair of ponies standing on the porch.
“Hi, how can I help you two?”
>”Um, hello there. My name is Mellow Drama, and this is my marefriend Paper Cut.” The stallion points to himself and to the gray mare beside him. “You’re Anon right? I was hoping we found the right place.”
“Yes I am, I’m surprised though. Didn’t expect you both to show up, but you are more than welcome to join us. The more, the merrier.” You attempt to show them in, but the mare stops you.
>”Unfortunately we can’t stay, Mellow landed a big role in this year’s Hearth’s Warming play. It will be this evening, and we are already running a little behind.” Replies Paper.
>”That’s right, I’m Clover the Clever.” Mellow puffs out his chest.
>While you don’t know who that is, you smile and nod in respect.
“That’s wonderful. Not to sound rude, but if you’re running behind, why are you here?”
>”I, uh, um, er.” Mellow stumbles over his words for a moment before Paper answers for him.
>”We felt bad about not showing up, so we brought some gifts. We also decided to join you tomorrow for Hearth’s Warming, just not tonight though. Who else is here?”
“I understand and I’m certain the others will as well. Other than myself and Eri. Connie and Rest are here as well.”
>”Anon who is it?” You hear Connie call out from the other room. “Just have them come in, or step outside and close the door at least please. You’re letting the cold air in.”
>Closing the door behind you stand outside with the couple.
>Paper giggles and Mellow smiles.
>”It’s probably best if we get going, sounds like you got your hooves- I mean, hands full. Dear, please give him the gifts.” Paper says looking at Mellow.
>”Yeah, of course.” Mellow says.
>He steps off the porch for a moment and grabs a sack near the front steps with his mouth.
>As he pulls it from the ground, it catches on a hidden branch and it accidentally splits the sack open with the wrapped gifts spilling out.
>”No!” He cries out “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to rip it. I’m such a screw up.” The stallion says looking upset.
>”It’s okay Mellow, it was an accident. Don’t say those things dear, you’re not a screw up. I’m sure Anon understands.” Paper nuzzles Mellow gently and he looks a little happier.
>Just like before, you’re not shocked at his troubles. Odd how they all found one another, and yet still have problems. You can only help one pony at a time though.
“You couldn’t have known about that branch, and neither did I. The gifts are still held in their wrapping paper. It’s alright Mellow. No harm, no foul.” You offer up.
>He looks back at you with a smile, but you can see the doubt in his eyes.
“See? Just a little snow, nothing I can’t just brush off.” You demonstrate to him with one of the presents.
>This seems to calm him down a bit more.
>”Yeah, okay. Well then, we should get going. Tell the others Happy Hearth’s Warming Eve from us and to you as well Anon.” He says.
>”Also don’t forget to mention that we will be joining you all tomorrow as well.” Says Paper.
“Of course, and a Happy Hearth’s Warming Eve to you both as well. Oh and Mellow?”
>”Yeah?”
“Break a leg.”
>He looks at you in horror for a second before it hits him.
>”Oh sure, yeah. Thank you, I’ll do my best.” He says standing a little taller.
>The two start to head off down the road, you can hear Paper and him talking a little. They are lucky they have each other for support.
>You pick up what’s left of the bag and the gifts before heading back inside.
>”Who was at the door Anon?” Eri asks you from the couch.
>Walking over to the fireplace, you start setting the gifts down and bag to the side.
“Mellow and Paper, they will be joining us tomorrow. The couldn’t stay because Mellow is playing Clover the Clever in a play tonight. Also, they wished us all a Happy Hearth’s Warming Eve and brought us some gifts.”
>”That’s awesome. They actually brought us gifts?”
“Yeah, they’re a little wet, because the sack ripped, but it’s not a problem. They can dry out by the fireplace.”
>”Okay, I just didn’t expect them to do that, let alone even show up.”
>Finishing placing the gifts, you turn and notice it’s just you two.
“Where are the other two?”
>”Rest had to use the bathroom, no surprise there, the cider went through her. As for Connie she is in the kitchen checking on things.”
“Alright, so how are you holding up?”
>“Good. I am feeling good.” She says with a small smile. “Anon, thank you for reaching out to my friends for this. I’m sorry I couldn’t work up the courage to do it myself.”
“You’re welcome Eri. You don’t get courage in a single day though, it takes time.”
>”I know, I haven’t forgotten that. You remind me often.”
>”Did I miss something?” Connie asks as she joins you two.
>As you are about to tell her, you hear Rest call out. ”Hey guys, I need help, I think toilet is broken.”
>You all share a laugh.
>”I’ll tell Connie what you told me Anon. Go help her please.” Says Eri.
>Making your way to the hallway, you hear Eri call out to you.
>”Oh and Anon?”
>You stop and turn back to her.
“Yes Eri?”
>”Happy Hearth’s Warming Eve.” She says smiling at you.
>You smile back
”Happy Hearth’s Warming Eve Eri.”
>Turning back, you think maybe you could get used to this.