The Holidays Are Made With Filly:
 
 
 
>Be Anon.
>What’s new?
>For starters, all this blasted snow.
>Apparently, Hearthswarming, or whatever, is upon us all.
>Of course, it’s all anyone talks about recently, so it’d be hard not to know.
>One things for sure, though.
>It’s as cold as the stare your mom would give you every time you broke the dishwasher thinking it was challenging you to a sword fight.
>That damn thing didn’t know when to quit.
>Oh, ponies are waving at you.
>You know these ponies.
>They’re your friends.
>Not something you thought you’d say until about eight months ago.
>This place isn’t too bad, honestly.
>Once you get past what seems like an oppressively girly exterior, you’ll find a surprisingly relatable bunch of little ponies who are as complex and likable as any other.
>”What are ya’ jus’ standin’ around for!?” Yells Apple Bloom. “C’mon!”
>Her and her two loyal companions continue to wave you down as if trying to save you from some disaster happening right behind you.
>What’s the rush?
>You thought you’d just walk solo a bit and enjoy the sights and smells.
>The smells being what you assume to be whatever they eat to celebrate their version of Christmas wafting from the windows of various surrounding households.
“Guys, calm down.” You say, holding your hands up in an attempt to cease their whooping and hollering. “I’m just gonna ride solo for a little while.” You finish lamely, but glad that they stopped causing such a bizarre scene.
>Shouldn’t they be celebrating with their families now, anyways?
>”Aww, don’t be like that!” Says Scootaloo. “Come celebrate with us! It’ll be fun!” She says, puffing her chest out, preemptively, well, celebrating her victory.
>”Yeah!” Adds Sweetie Belle. “We have so much planned to make this the best Hearthswarming ever!” She says, her voice cracking cutely to punctuate the sentence.
>Dang.
>Now you almost feel bad.
“Sorry, girls.” You say, rubbing the back of your neck. “You should go celebrate without me. I just want to walk around for awhile, y’know? It’s awfully pretty out, and I’d hate to miss any of the beauty because I was too busy stuffing myself with all manners of food.”
>Apple Bloom and Scootaloo simultaneously sigh.
>”Alright then.” Apple Bloom solemnly says, but gives a small smile nonetheless. “Ah hope you enjoy yourself at least!” She widens her smile a bit, but you notice that it’s somewhat forced.
>”Yeah, I hope you don’t get too lonely on your own.” Scootaloo says. “And if you do, you know where to find us!” She says, giving a noticeably forced smile of her own.”
“Yeah.” You simply say, not actually knowing where you’d find them.
>As they’re walking off, Sweetie Belle lags behind; giving you one last glance.
>You can’t tell what emotion was resting on her face, but it doesn’t matter.
>Where were you?
>Oh yeah, wandering around aimlessly.
>...
>You should continue doing that.
>...
>...How about, uh... Sugarcube Corner?
>You really only know of notable landmarks such as that; you don’t have any special hangout spots outside of these places.
>Maybe you’ll stumble onto one if you just go.
>Why not.
>You turn right around and head straight.
>No harm has ever come to someone for just walking straight, right?
>No, straight. Not right.
>Fuck it.
>Clearly this is a bad omen.
>No way in hell you’re gonna let yourself get stuck in some crazy maze filled with hallways and right turns.
>Though that doesn’t sound very hard to escape from.
>Did you mention that you’re constantly at war with your own mind?
>Nothing but Pyrrhic victories in there.
>The victory is being able to think normal thoughts again.
>The loss being your sanity.
>But enough about that.
>Hmm.
>Iiiideeaaaaa~!
>You exit town.
>Don’t worry, you’re just heading to a vacant field.
>When you arrive, you look around.
>Specifically, up.
>What you see, pardon the cheesiness, takes your breath away.
>Each individual snowflake is made twice as beautiful by having the sun as their backdrop.
>The way they nearly eclipse the sun from this angle creating beams of shadowed light that seem to pierce your very soul.
>It’s as if ol’ Celly herself made such a spectacle on purpose.
>You don’t know when, but you find yourself lying in the snow.
>You simply close your eyes...
>And exist.
>Of course, existing comes with its not-so-humble share of downers, and your mind drifts to your home on Earth.
>Specifically, your family.
>No doubt they’re celebrating right about now.
>Hell, you’re not sure if time even works the same from here to there, but you’re gonna pretend that it does.
>Like your little friends from earlier, you had plans to have quite an awesome Christmas yourself.
>Well, not on your own.
>You worked your ass off well in advance just to be sure it’d go as planned.
>Some might call you crazy, preparing for Christmas when it’s the better part of a year away.
>You would even call yourself crazy, but not for trying to brighten the day of those you love.
>Damn it.
>Is this why you refuse the warmth that your friends are kindly offering today?
>Because you’ll never be able to share that same warmth with your parents, your sisters, your niece...
>Your friends.
>Despite the frigid temperatures, your body risks shedding a few tears.
>Listen to yourself, Anon.
>You have friends here, and they want to see you happy.
>What’s stopping you from letting that happen?
>...
>Are you afraid that if you move on completely you’ll forget them? Their faces?
>You don’t know.
>But you feel that it’s better, for everyone, that you enjoy today from a distance.
>It’s not all that bad, honestly.
>You are starting to get rather cold, what with you lying— and crying— in the freaking snow, ‘n all.
>With no short amount of effort, you hoist yourself up into a sitting position.
>Looking around, you spot something unexpected.
>Why, it’s Sweetie Belle!
>She’s pivoting her head as if to look for something.
>You’re not sure how much snow currently covers your body, and you can’t be arsed to check, but you may be unintentionally camouflaged.
>After taking a deep breath, you decide to stand up.
>She notices you right away.
>”Anon!” She exclaims, galloping your way. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” She finishes, arriving at your side post-haste.
“What?” You ask, raising an eyebrow. “Why?”
>She turns her head to the side, and you note a slight red color adorning her cheeks.
>”Well, I just felt... I didn’t want you to be alone on Hearthswarming of all days, so I excused myself to come and find you.” She looks rather embarrassed by the end.
“Well, you found me.” You say, more tersely than you intended.
>She flinches slightly, but takes on a determined look.
>”Why would you want to be alone today anyway?”
“You wouldn’t get it.” You state, not liking where this is going.
>”Why not!?” She shouts, stomping her tiny hooves into the snow.
>Control your breathing.
“Listen, for real this time, why do you care?” You start. “Isn’t it clear that I want to be alone right now?” You ask, narrowing your eyes.
>”The only thing that isn’t clear is—!“
“If you ask why again...”
>She looks to the ground, as if she’ll find an answer there.
>When she looks back up, it’s with tears in her eyes.
>Control your—
>”You might think I won’t get it— and even if I don’t, that doesn’t mean you have to keep it to yourself!” She nearly screams the last part, tears flowing freely.
>This is exactly what you didn’t want.
“What’s the point in telling you something that’ll only make both of us sad?” You plead. “Wouldn’t you rather be happy?”
>“I’d rather you be happy WITH me!” She yells/sobs. “You’re allowed to share your feelings with your friends! Or have you only pretended to be my friend to “protect” me!?” Her voice breaks on the last part, now panting with sad frustration.
“JUST LEAVE IT ALONE, ALICE!” You yell, more hot tears leaking out, only to freeze moments later.
>This causes her to stop.
>Wait, what did you just say?
>”W-who’s Alice?” She quietly asks.
>Oh no...
“No one. Forget it.” You say.
>”Is that somepony, err, someone you knew on Earth?” She gently asks.
>You sigh.
“Yeah. She was... she’s my niece.” You relent.
>She says nothing.
“I-I always wanted to do something special for Christmas, which is just like Hearthswarming, but I guess I never tried hard enough. I had made plans for the next one; which would be around now, I think, I even worked myself to the bone just so I’d be able to afford what I had planned... but as you can see, it was all for nothing.” You don’t even try to hide your tears.
>She doesn’t either.
“I’m so sorry, Sweetie Belle.” You start. “I’ve ruined this day for you just by being stubborn.” You look away.
>She walks up to you, placing both hooves on you and looking into your eyes.
>”You didn’t ruin it for me.” She smiles softly, frozen tears somehow making the gesture more comforting. “Because there’s still a whole day left to enjoy. Why don’t we enjoy it together?” She ends with a smile that makes Charmin seem ultra coarse.
>With a smile that found its way to your face one way or another, you pick her up.
>She’s somewhat surprised for a moment, but ends up giggling anyway.
“Now, why didn’t you say that the first time?” You jest, earning an earful of melodious laughter.
>What followed were moments that you would treasure forever.
>Everyone was happy to see that you were willing to join them after all, welcoming you as if you were part of the family.
>Right now you’re currently at Sweet Apple Acres, which has renovated slightly to accommodate the large group of close friends that appear to have chosen this place as their celebration destination.
>Of course, by renovate you mean tables and such have been placed outside.
>It’s an incredible scene that you never thought you’d be a part of.
>You and Sweetie are inside enjoying the delicious, as usual, food that they’ve prepared for this day.
>Many laughs are had, yet you find yourself crying.
>”Are you okay, Anon?” Sweetie Belle asks, resting a hoof on your shoulder.
>You laugh softly as more tears come unbidden.
“I’ve never been better.” You say, sharing a warm hug with the small unicorn who saved you today.
 
End.