Derpy couldn't shake off the chill of a long flight home, and found herself rubbing warmth into her stiff arms as she crept into her house, fighting back a yawn and hanging up her soaked messenger's jacket in the predawn twilight. She'd managed to ignore the bad memories throughout her long flight, but she knew she had to check in on Dinky.

Walking with great care to avoid tripping, Derpy made her way into the little filly's bedroom, despite her usual clumsiness, slipping through the door in the pitch black, and stepped with care up to her daughter's bed.

Dinky's sleeping form was outlined in the moonlight, a perfect little babe asleep and at peace. Reaching down with two fingers, Derpy smoothed them across the filly's brow and smiled as the girl shifted, nuzzling in closer to her touch.

"I'm- I'm sorry, Dinky. But, you're just too young to know everything about your sire, and his family. I really think sometimes, that Pan and Ame were the only two decent ponies. Your grand sire proved that."

Derpy slipped her hand down and took a gentle grip of Dinky's hand. She needed it right now, the last of these bad memories needed to be dealt with so she could move on, and things were only getting worse.

Derpy squeezed Pan's fingers, her eyes blinded by the flow of tears. She could remember when he'd last squeezed her back, but it felt like hours. She only knew the room was dark, and that the other doctors had left. Rain had come back several times. She had spoken to her several times, but Derpy couldn't recall the words; it was all just a background noise to the one thing that mattered.

Machines had been hooked up, and air was being pumped into his lungs. She remembered that much. The machine wouldn’t let her forget. And another measured his heartbeat with a slow, inconsistent beep.

The sudden pressure of a hand on her shoulder wasn't enough to make her clear her eyes or look up. Not until the voice followed. "Forgive me, my dear child. If I had any idea that your poor stallion was suffering, I'd have come for him and found a way to care for him."

That voice... that voice was probably the only one that could have made Derpy look up. But she didn't release Pan's hand, and thus found herself gazing into the sad eyes of the goddess herself.

Princess Celestia tried to offer her a smile, but it was thin and tired; Derpy wondered if it was a reflection of her own face, but she was in awe at having the goddess so close. She struggled to find words, but what came out felt like childish gibberish. "I'd give it back... He's too good... I can take the headaches if he'd be better... Can't I give it all back?"

Celestia bent down to one knee, and wrapped her powerful arms and massive wings around Derpy's body, the shock of the goddess holding her close and whispering soothing words in her ear was overwhelming.

But Derpy refused to let go of Pan's hand, not even if Celestia had asked. A smaller voice called from the doorway. "Princess... she... she wanted to see him, and she was going to walk here on her own if I didn't bring the wheelchair. I...- sorry."

One of the hospital's nurses pushed in the chair, the bandaged filly with the fiery red locks sat in the chair and watched with one uncovered and intelligent eye. When Celestia gave a nod, the nurse pushed the chair closer, and then stepped out of the room.

Derpy watched the filly, and felt Princess Celestia's hug at last end. Just as the goddess stood up, pressure on Derpy's fingers made her gasp, and turn back to the fragile stallion in the bed. Through cracked and bloody lips, he whispered words that made Derpy want to strangle him and kiss him all at the same time. "I... guess I ov- over did it this time. The goddess herself at my bedside and an angel weeping tears and clutching my hand. Truly I have lived a blessed life. Forgive my sins, goddess. In my vanity, I thought I could handle it... your student-"

Celestia's hand on Pan's forehead silenced him for a moment, but his grip on Derpy's hand grew stronger, and the machinery calmed down, except the heart monitor, which had grown stronger. "My student was guided by your hand. Never forget that. She has incredible power, but you have real talent. Maybe someday she will be your equal, but right now, you are one of a kind."

Derpy smiled at the way he relaxed a little, but the silence didn't last long. Pan turned his head a little, looking to the silent filly, her head wrapped in bandages and only one bruised eye exposed. Lifting his free hand, he pointed to her, his voice calm. "Congrats, girl. I didn't have long to look at it, but you really are one in a generation. You've got magic in you... magic unlike any I've ever seen. Make good use of it. You can do just about anything if you put your mind to it. Don't let it go to waste. Do something. Do something big and special, and don't you dare let anyone tell you what you're meant to do in life."

The filly gave him a slow nod, not speaking, but watching everything closely. Celestia looked back to Derpy, her voice feeling artificially calm. "I can do no more for your stallion, dear. But come to me when you are done grieving. I promise that you will be cared for. For now, I must speak with this filly." Walking the wheelchair towards the door, she stopped, looking back at Derpy and Pan, her last words sad. "I'd only give him another hour, dear. Maybe two at most. If you have things to say, say them now. You don't have time to wait for the right moment anymore."

And as suddenly as she had came, the princess was gone, and they were alone. Derpy knew what the goddess had meant, but now the words choked in her throat as she tried to speak.

Pan understood however, and gave her time, laying back in his bed and squeezing her hand. Until his voice went cold as the door opened again. He said one word to the intruder, but for the first time in their short courtship, Derpy felt venom in his words. "Father."

Derpy twisted about, looking back at the doorway. A familiar face waited, looking back down at her. Disgust in his eyes, the old stallion Derpy had seen Pan arguing with a few weeks ago looked back up to the dying man, his voice held no sorrow "And so it comes to exactly to the end that I predicted. Alone in a bed, wasted away. All your 'good deeds' for not. The scum that calls themselves a race you wasted your life helping won't even remember your name tomorrow. Was it worth it, foal? Was this act of slow suicide worth throwing your life away on the garbage Celestia is too kind to throw away?"

Derpy couldn't help herself, she finally let go of Pan’s hand. Rising up like a tidal wave, she threw all of her weight behind her fist, and caught the elderly stallion in the jaw. Shocked at her own strength, Derpy could only watch as she rose into the air her wings beating to add extra lift to her blow by raw instinct alone.

The angry stallion was lifted by her strike, and hovered for a moment, when Derpy stopped rising, then collapsed to the ground before her, gasping for breath and clutching his jaw. Derpy didn't care. His words had been chosen to hurt Pan. She'd never let anypony hurt somepony she loved. Never again! Landing by Pan's bed, Derpy cupped his hand, and squeezed it again. "I will remember him. So will our foal. His child will never need to know of the vile creature that walked into a dying stallion’s room and sprayed only venom."

Shock filled the room, and Derpy finally realized what she'd said so bluntly to the wicked old stallion. Embarrassed with herself, she turned back to Pan, readying herself for anything. Instead, the stallion simply reached out, and squeezed her hand. "You'll make a good mother, Derpy. Don't ever forget that. I'm sorry I won't be able to see our foal personally. Take care of her, Derpy. You're a mare a foal can be proud of." Looking to the old stallion, Pan's voice went cold "You still here, old man? Feel free to leave anytime. I want my last day to be spent with family I love. If you feel up to being a real stallion, at least tell Amethyst. I’d like to see her one last time.”

The stallion reared up, but puffed his chest out, and spit at Derpy’s feet. His voice baneful as he waved a hand before his face. “Amethyst? As if I’d ever allow her to meet this sow you’ve selfishly chosen to breed with. You have proven it beyond my last doubt, you are no son of mine. I disown you, foal. Go to your grave unknown, unloved, and forgotten by all but some donkey.” Snorting with disgust, the old stallion stormed out, slamming the door hard.

Derpy returned to Pan’s side, kneeling down and squeezing his hand again, drawing it up to her lips and kissing his knuckles. “I’m sorry, Pan. I didn’t meant to hit him, but I …. I just couldn't let him continue! You’re a good stallion, too good for somepony like me.”

Pan gave a small chuckle, shaking his head. “Don’t say that, Derpy. You’re a wonderful mare, and I’m honored to have fathered a filly with you.”

Derpy gave him a little nod and squeezed his hand in return. Silence began to fill the room, and yet, Derpy didn’t mind. She leaned in and placed her head on his chest, listening to his breathing.

The sudden soft knocking at the door made Derpy sit up and look around. Stepping solemnly into the room, Pan's aunt offered her a smile before stepping to the stallion’s other side, kneeling down and taking a hold of his other hand. Stroking an open palm across his forehead, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, I sent one of the nurses to try and find Amethyst, but-"

Pan closed his eyes before she had finished speaking, a long sigh hissing between his lips. Whatever magic the princess had used must be weakening, as Derpy could hear the heart monitor slow and struggle. "Father was here. No doubt he's left orders. I'm... I'm sorry, aunty. I'm sure he'll make your life hell next, now that I'm not around to be the target of his ire."

The mare laughed, but was crying at the same time, and winced when she saw a tear trickle from his eye. Derpy leaned in, and gently wiped it away, while his aunt answered. "Pan, don't be a fool. He doesn't matter. Stop thinking of others and be selfish for once!"

The stallion grinned, but didn't open his eyes, his voice was getting weaker, smaller. "Then... do me one last kindness. Derpy and our foal need a home. A proper home. Can you... can you give them your place in Ponyville? I remember spending summers there with Amethyst... I think it's the perfect place for a mare."

Weeping openly now, the mare nodded a few times before remembering his eyes were closed. "Of course, Panacea, she can have it. It’s too big for me and I'm too busy anyways."

The stallion smiled at her and deflated back into the pillows of his bed. A pained sigh and a struggled breath followed. "Then my last request, auntie... find Amethyst. Tell her the truth... I couldn't stand the thought of whatever lies father has told her... she's a good mare, Derpy... I hope you two can be friends."

Derpy couldn't answer, but it didn't matter. Pan's breathing stopped, and his heart faltered. The low steady buzz of the monitor rang out for several minutes until at last, the aunt flipped a switch to silence it. Pan was dead, and that was the end of it.

Derpy felt the gentle summer breeze blowing through her hair. It helped calm the beading sweat on her head as she bent down, reaching past her round belly, pulling another soaked shirt from the basket and clipped it onto the line just above her head. The effort of laundry had become worse over the last few weeks, and she'd started to wonder if she should give in and hire somepony. The hospital board had given her Pan's back pay right away, but the lawyers from his father's family were still trying to tie up the ownership of his home and property. She'd have to make the money last; who knows how long it would be before she could find work again.

"At least the ponies here are kind and understanding. Most of all those Apples. They were so kind to let me foal-sit their colt and filly while I could still get around."

Taking care, Derpy bent down again, her back aching the whole time, and fetched up the last shirt. As she clipped it to the line, the distant sound of knocking caught her attention. "Somepony at the door? Not another lawyer..."

Lugging up the wicker basket, Derpy carried it back inside under her arm and went straight through the house to the front door. For a moment, she considered just letting them knock, it had only been two days since the last creep had come around. It was only because of Mac's sudden arrival with a heavy basket of apples from his parents that she was able to keep her cool.

Unlatching the door and pulling it open, Derpy was surprised to see a friendly face waiting. "Rain! You got time off work!? That’s amazing! It's been so long!"

Leaning forward and hugging her friend around her stomach, a sudden kick from the foal came as a shock, and Derpy couldn't help but rub her belly and try to soothe the rolling foal. "Oh, calm down, calm down. That's just your auntie Rain." Looking up and realizing that the mare was staring at her a little, Derpy blushed. "Sorry. Dinky has learned to kick in the last few days. And she's good at it!"

As Rain laughed and cupped her hands around Derpy's belly, it finally dawned on her that they were not alone. A wan-looking unicorn mare with a pink horn and a violet and purple mane stood behind Rain, looking embarrassed and uncomfortable. Realizing how she'd been behaving, Derpy stumbled over herself trying to backpedal. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't notice you were there! Can I help you, miss?"

The timid mare looked from Derpy to Rain, who remembered herself and looked embarrassed for just a moment before letting go of Derpy's belly, stepping over to gently take the mare by the arm. "I apologize, Derpy. I got too caught up. This is Amethyst Star, Panacea's little sister. It turns out her father had her shipped off to one of the family estates out in Manehatten and had her ordered into a law school there."

Giving the new visitor a few gentle shoves forward, Rain pushed for her to step up to Derpy. At last giving in to the older mare's prompting, she stepped forward and attempted to smile up at Derpy, but was sniffling, trying not to cry.. "I'm... I'm sorry I couldn't have met you when things with Pan were better. He and father fought all the time, I... I didn't know Pan was even... gone... not until his letters stopped one day. Sorry... Derpy."

The sad way the mare held her hands before her with a heavy bag weighing them down, refusing to look Derpy in the eye, made her heart go out to her. She'd been suffering too. She'd only just discovered the loss of her brother. Derpy at least had the opportunity to say goodbye. Unable to help herself, she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around the mare and pulling her into a hug. “It’s okay, Amethyst. Really it is. I wish we’d been able to meet in better times. I promise that you’re welcome here, though, no matter what else comes. I… I’m sorry you couldn’t have had a final word with Pan… he was a kind stallion.”

Amethyst flushed, and it took her a while to soften up, but she finally returned Derpy’s hug and relaxed, if only by a little. Drawing fingers to dry away the mare’s tears, Derpy looked over Amethyst’s shoulders, at Rain. “Thank you, Rain. I know it meant a lot to Pan that we could meet. Can I invite you in for tea, or maybe some lunch?”

And thus, the trio went inside, and talked quietly over fruit and juice. The truth came out when Amethyst finally relaxed and became more comfortable.

“It all started last week, Derpy. Auntie finally found where dad had sent me away to study. She came to visit, but it was during one of my classes, and dad had bribed the staff at the dorm. So I missed her visit, and he was already there when i got back. He’d torn up auntie’s note and… he threatened to strike me when I asked why he’d destroyed my mail. It took me two days to get the truth from the dorm maids, and by then I had to come see auntie. I needed to know why she’d leave Canterlot when her hospital is so busy? Why dad was so angry. That’s when I found out about Pan. He mentioned you in his last few letters, said you’d just moved in in the last one. I’m… I wish I had thought to bring my letters with me. It was all such a rush. I think… I think dad will not let me back in after this. But I don’t care! Being a lawyer was his idea. I want to take care of Pan’s foal… That is… if you’ll have me?”

Derpy could picture the stallion she’d seen in the hospital doing all that, and more. Far more. Worried, she snatched up the mare’s hand and squeezed it. “Are you sure? He’s… he’s still fighting with your auntie’s lawyers over Pan’s possessions. He keeps saying there is no proof I didn’t simply pay Pan a stud fee, and that Dinky is at best a bastard foal at most. We’ve no proof, so-”

Amethyst's eyes went wide and she looked to Rain, who nodded in agreement. “Hold it! We covered at least this much in inheritance law! A single stallion with a common law mare, most of all one with a foal and no other known lovers? That’s straightforward basic stuff! Maybe with all the money dad has to spend he could slow things down, but still! This much later, there is no way he could still be arguing this!”

Confused, and with no real understanding of the law, Derpy gave a shrug, and Rain joined in. Suddenly excited, Amethyst sat up a little more and looked around, her voice suddenly excited. “Do you have a quill and paper?! I could write my teacher, Truth Seeker. He’s a huge fan of Inheritance Law! I’m sure if I asked, he’d put a word in with whatever magistrate is handling the case and get things cleared up quickly.”

Later that day, Rain returned to Canterlot with a letter for Amethyst’s former teacher. It was shocking how quickly the right words by the right elder could go. In days, the case was settled. Amethyst had managed to find work with the Ponyville labor board, mostly for the town’s small tavern.

A few weeks passed, and Derpy sat on the back porch of her house, watching the young colt Mac working in her small garden. She had offered the Apple’s a few bits a day for the assistance, but they’d refused, and ordered their son to stop by every day for an hour after school. When Derpy had tried to offer him the coin directly, he’d refused there too, but was never one to say no to her when she offered to split an apple with him.

She found herself biting down into the rich fruit when Mac grinned up at her a little. “Ma finally says to tell you… We’ve a new lil’ filly now. They named her Apple Bloom, and she’s got bright orange eyes!”

Derpy laughed a little, swallowing the juicy apple chunk in her teeth and reached a hand out to fluff the colt's hair. “I kinda figured your ma had a foal on the way. No wonder she was happy to have my help for a few months. Thank you for telling me, Mac. I’ll have Amethyst give your Ma something to show my congratulations.”

The colt sat tall, puffing his chest out. “She figured you’d like to know!” The happy colt looked up to the sky, and frowned a little, shaking his head. “Sorry miss Derpy. I think I gotta be heading home. It’s getting cloudy to the south, and ma will be unhappy if I get caught in the rain!”

Derpy walked the boy to the front door, but let him go the rest of the way from there alone; Dinky was getting too restless, and made her belly so heavy, she struggled to get around comfortably. She’d just started back towards her favorite spot to rest in the warm sun when Amethyst rushed through the door, grinning like a mad loobie. Derpy was taken back when the mare shoved a thick envelope into her hands and squeezed her hands a little until she took hold of the thick brown package. “It’s from my teacher, remember?!! Got his seal right here! The double-headed eagle with a scroll of law in each clawed foot.” When Derpy just nodded at her and stared on dumbfoundedly, Amethyst gave her a hug around the shoulders, and gave her a little push. “Well?! Open it!”

Derpy had to swallow. This had been a long time coming and she’d known what it was before Amethyst had pointed out the important signs. She trembled a little and her lower lip quivered, as she turned the package over and peeled open the seal. The layer of papers inside was mixed, from the yellowed note paper that curled up at the edges, to the crisp pure white of legal documents. There was even a small cube-shaped box that was a deep red and had a texture that she couldn’t place. Her heart stopped as she stared at the box, and she could feel the single line of tears running down her cheek. “It’s…”

Amethyst saw the box and gently closed Derpy’s fingers around it. “You don’t need to open it yet. Let’s find Truth Seeker’s letter. He probably has a lot to say from the magistrate’s final decision, okay? Just take it slowly, right?”

Derpy gave her a nod, and found a chair at the kitchen table, still clutching the small cube tightly to her belly and fighting to keep calm. The …. the velvet?... Whatever the material was tickled her fingers, tormented her imagination. “I… you’re right, Amethyst. Thank you, and… sorry, I… I guess this just brought a lot back.”

Amethyst found two letters in the crisp white legal papers that she settled on, waiting for Derpy to calm down. She even gave her a one-armed hug around the shoulders when it was clear just how upset she was feeling. “Ssh… easy, Derpy. It’s okay, it’s okay. I think it’s damn clear what was decided by now. Not that I ever doubted Truth Seeker. It was kind of him to take on the case personally when dad started piling on the extra lawyers and started making trouble for Auntie.”

When Amethyst gave her that hug, Derpy felt warmth and support, and she couldn’t help herself. She leaned in and gave the mare a soft nuzzle on the cheek. It was often like this, the mare’s kind words and gentle touch were so nice. Finally catching her breath, Derpy gave a sigh, grinning up to her. “Okay, Amethyst. I’m better, I’m in control. Please read.”

Looking into Derpy’s eyes to make sure she really was okay, Amethyst finally gave a nod and lifted the first of the legal pages, reading quickly and summarizing for Derpy. "The Magistrate apparently grew tired of the continued use of excuses that dad's lawyers kept coming up with and finally took personal interest in the case. Says here he went and examined the contents of Pan's apartment, and found reference to a safety deposit box. That's when it ended. With the proof found in that box, it was the magistrate’s ruling that Derpy is legally Golden pacena widow, and therefore shall be treated as such, with all inheritance to be dealt out to her and with no further delays. All legal fees in this matter will be charged to the complaint."

When Amethyst’s voice stopped so suddenly, Derpy knew what was in the box she still held. Placing it on the table she looked up at Amethyst and back at the box again. "Did... was there a note or anything with... with it?"

Amethyst quickly scanned both letters and then started leafing through the pile of letters. At last finding a small and well worn brown journal. Flipping it open to a page marked with a note in the sharp and precise script that Derpy now knew to be a scribe or clerk's work. Reading aloud again, Amethyst blushed darkly at the words her brother had penned. "I love this sweet mare, my darling Derpy. Last month, when I wanted to ask her to be my bride, I chickened out, and simply asked her to move in with me instead. She's near ten years my junior, but I feel a great joy when I hold her close. I have moved the ring to my deposit box. Was it because I didn't want to frighten her should she find it while cleaning? Or am I too much a coward to ask such a sweet mare? Enough of this doubt. Our anniversary comes in a few short weeks. I'll ask her then, and with The Lights grace, she'll say yes."

Slowly placing down her brother's journal, Amethyst looked to Depry. "Well, come on now! Open it!"

Fingers numb, Derpy lifted her hand and forced her unwilling fingers to grip the lid, pulling it open. On a white pillow, a silver ring with a pair of stones rested. One yellow and another orange, the twin stones were not flawless, but had been formed together. Derpy wiped her nose, sniffling a little. Amethyst however filled in exactly what she was thinking. "Just like your eyes, Derpy. Twin jewels: beautiful, but natural. Their flaw makes them special." Realizing what she had said, Amethyst quickly tried to apologize. "I mean, I didn't mean your eyes are flawed, I mean- I... sorry, Derpy."

When Amethyst hung her head, Derpy smiled a little, reaching out and squeezing Amethyst's hand. "No, you got it right. And they're even off center, just like my eyes. Somehow... somehow that makes the ring more special, doesn't it?"

Grinning Amethyst wrapped her arms around Derpy's neck and hugged her close. "You're too forgiving, Derpy. Thank you, and I'm sorry for being rude."

Derpy looked up into the younger mare's eyes, saw that familiar spark in them, and gave in. She'd seen it so many times before, but she'd pushed it aside, not sure if it was just her imagination, or just a reminder of Pan's eyes lingering in Amethyst's. She leaned up, and gently kissed the mare's lips.

Derpy ran her fingers through Dinky's hair, and smiled as the young filly yawned and rolled over. "And after that? Two, maybe three weeks later, you were born. Since then, things have gotten better. First you, and nine months later, Princess Celestia came to visit me. Ponyville needed a new mailmare, and by then you were old enough to stay home with Amethyst. And it payed better than what coin Amethyst made at the bar. Then? Then three years later, I put Pan's ring back in its box and offered it to your other momma, Amethyst. We've been a proper family ever since."

Leaning down to kiss the sleeping mare's cheek, she finished retelling the story. She felt better now. And arms slipping around her neck told her that while Dinky has slept through the story, she had somepony listening. Leaning back in her lover's arms, Derpy gave her a nuzzle. "Sorry if I woke you-"

She was silenced by a kiss, and Amethyst’s lips made the fatigue of a long night melt away. Her fingers massaged at Derpy's shoulders and over the sore muscles at the base of her wings. When their kiss ended, Amethyst nuzzled her cheek to Derpy's neck. "It's okay. I wasn't sleeping very well anyways. Thanks for hanging up your new coat, who knows how much it cost!?"

Derpy laughed and squeezed Amethyst's hand, her finger stroking over their ring. Looking deep into her eyes, Derpy saw that same glow dancing in their depths. Placing her lips to Amethyst's ear, she whispered her love.

December 12th, 1700

Dusk laid his quill back into its inkwell and finally let himself smile. A finger ran across the edge of a different parchment on his desk, humming quietly to himself. Satisfied at his work, he folded the paper to prepare it for mailing. The envelopes waited on the desk to his right, the black ink of the names drying at last.

Fingering through the empty envelopes, Dusk double-checked the names from his list. "Aloe & Lotus, Amethyst Star, Bonbon, Cheerilee, Dinky Hooves, and Granny Smith. Fantastic! A good assortment of ponies to give Princess Luna a broad swath of Ponyville’s population.”

Content with himself, Dusk leaned back in his chair and gently laced his fingers together, cracking his jaw before reclining back in his chair, taking a break while waiting for his papers to dry. Any plans for a lazy Saturday came quickly to an end as four fillies came charging into the library hall, all noise and energy.

Following after the girls who had gathered around Dusk, Applejack wore a broad smile and lifted two fingers to her lips, whistling sharply to get their attention back from Dusk. “Apple Bloom! Sweetie Belle! Dinky! Peppermint Twist! You fillies promised you’d help decorate the library! Not scream Dusk’s ears off! Now quiet down. I put the boxes of Hearth’s Warming decorations by the big window, and if you’re not sure where to put what, ask and I’ll try to figure things out.”

Dusk had been overwhelmed by all the girls that were dancing and screaming around his chair as they pressed him into his chair from all directions. Now that they cleared off and quickly broke off into two small groups, Dusk felt as though some sanity had returned. Standing up, he slipped his hand into Applejack’s, giving her a squeeze. Leaning in close he whispered into her ear, only loud enough for her to hear over the jabbering fillies. “When exactly did I agree to this small riot?”

Laughing with quiet joy, Applejack squeezed his hand in return. “Oh come now, it’s only a few excited fillies! Besides, you did agree to it. Remember? Last week when you came to speak at the school about the history of Hearth’s Warming, and how the celebration began. All the school foals were asked to volunteer around town to assist with decorating. Besides, the library is public property, and it could use some proper holiday spirit!”

Dusk leaned against his taller lover, resting his head a little against her shoulder. “That I can’t argue with. I’ve never been a big person for parties, but I do think Hearth’s Warming is important. It shows the power our tribes can muster to protect one another when we work together.”

Applejack liked his words, and squeezed his hand as she watched the girls already at work. Dinky and Sweetie Belle working together with their magic to place things that were too high up for the taller earth fillies to reach. For their part, Apple Bloom and Twist placed small figures on the bookshelves, replacing the carved wooden bookends with fancier painted and gilded ones from the box.

The sudden violent bang of the door being thrown open caught Dusk off guard, but even as he turned to look, Rarity’s panicked voice became his first warning that today was going to become another very long day very quickly. “Dusk! Dusk!!! This is a tragedy! A disaster! Ahh… Ah…. This is the. Worst! Possible! Thing!”

Worried, Dusk let go of Applejack, moving to rush towards the door, only to run into Rarity as she rushed in. Gripping her arms, Dusk looked towards the door for what danger had worried her badly, but nothing in sight suggested the unmitigated disaster she spoke of. “I- What is it Rarity! What has happened?! What’s attacking Ponyville this time!?”

Instead of answering, Rarity paused for a second, looking over Dusk’s shoulder and admired the fillies’ work on decorating the room. When she realized he had asked her a question, she snapped back, the letter in her hand lifted, pushing a letter in his face. “This! This, Dusk! I thought the old stallion was joking! But he really did it! He invited us to the biggest wedding of the year! And it’s next week, in Canterlot! How are we ever going to have something proper made to wear! How will we ever pick out a proper gift! Who will babysit Sweetie Belle! And what about my hair!?”

Still in shock, Dusk stared at the mare in his arms, his jaw dropping slack in pure disbelief. “Rarity… this is all about some wedding? Just… Just… just tell me whoever’s getting married is at least important or interesting in some way?”

Insulted, and shocked in return, Rarity cupped his head with both hands, staring up at him. “Dusk!!! How could you ask that!!? This is the biggest wedding that will happen this generation! At least, unless Shining Armor and Princess Cadence ever got married! This is the wedding of Fancy Pants and Fleur-de-lis!”

“Alright, that helps explain a few things, Rarity. After all, Fancy Pants is part of the oldest established family in Equestria. If I remember correctly, you can even trace the family all the way back to Princess Platinum herself!” Picking up on some of Rarity’s excitement, Dusk turned to Applejack and the fillies who were all watching them, their looks ranged from delight by Dinky, boredom by Apple Bloom, to a range of amusement at Rarity’s powerful reaction by the rest. “Applejack, do you think you and Apple Bloom could babysit Sweetie Belle for a day or two next week?”

Laughing a little, Applejack shook off the distant look in her eyes and stepped up to rest a hand on Sweetie’s shoulder. “Well, of course I can. I think of Sweetie as my second lil’ sister! Besides, with all the snow lately, there ain't much we can do around the farm but fix up the buildings around the farm. Sweetie can help with some work in the attic we were gonna do anyways.”

Excited, Sweetie and Apple Bloom rushed from their work and linked arms, dancing in circles and singing at the top of their lungs. “Pre Hearth’s Warming sleepover at the Apple farm! Hurray!”

Apple Bloom grinned up at her sister, pulling Sweetie into a hug and turning her biggest pout up at her sister. “Applejack~ can we have cider and roast marshmallows by the fireplace? Can we? Please?!!”

With Sweetie assisting in the pleading, curling up a lip and whimpering a little to help make herself as cute and pitiable as possible, Applejack couldn’t keep herself from laughing. “Oh come on, girls! You’re as bad as Rarity! We’ll see about marshmallows and cocoa. Maybe some weak cider if you’re really good!”

Delighted, the two fillies rushed back to their friends, getting only louder and more excited as they went back to decorating the library, hanging foil and other cute decorations upon the walls.

Turning back to Rarity, Applejack tried to continue, only to have an accusing finger thrust in her face. "Applejack! How could you?! I'm not melodramatic! Now the fillies will think I just exaggerate everything!"

Applejack stepped forward and linked an arm around Dusk’s elbow, pulling him back a little. “Now now, Rarity, don't go getting all offended. It’s a wedding between two ponies you've never met, right darling?" A little embarrassed, Rarity nodded. "Then me and Dusk will help. Why don’t you go see Aloe and Lotus about your hair? They’ve done wonders for you in the past, right?” As she made her case, Applejack watched her older friend, grinning a little at the end. “As for me? I’m claiming Dusk for a few hours if you’re taking him away for a few days.”

Rarity didn't resist as Dusk moved away, but looked worried for a moment. “Well… of course Aloe could manage my hair. She’s so good with that… but the fittings! And we need a good suit for Dusk, and some kind of a proper dress for myself!”

Dusk saw where Applejack's mind was going and took a step to follow her lead. “She’s right, Rarity. Besides, we can think about gift ideas while you're gone. And you can handle the dress just fine. I can wear the new magistrate robes. Might as well show them off, you put more than enough work into them, somepony might as well see them before they fade and there are no important events coming up before Hearth’s Warming and Winter Wrap Up.”

Shocked, Rarity’s eyes went wide, but creative joy sparkled in their depths. “Of course! And I can whip together something that goes with your robe! Oh, that’s such a fantastic idea! Really it is! As for the present? Just, please, don’t go with something tacky like a cooking pot, or some newfangled dinner-making contraption, please?”

Too caught up to wait for an answer, Rarity blew them each a kiss, then rushed from the house, only just taking the time to scratch a stunned Barb on the underside of her chin before charging out the door. Mesmerised, Barb took a minute to close the door that Rarity had left ajar for the second time, before padding in a daze into the library, waving a hand lazily. “What was that all about? Rarity’s in a really good mood, and excited to boot.”

Laughing a little, Dusk squeezed one of Applejack’s hands. “She was invited to some wedding in Canterlot. I’m sure she’ll run herself ragged worrying about her hair and the dress till the last second as well. But what about that gift?”

Applejack slipped her free hand across the top of Barb’s head, scratching between the first and second scale where she seemed to like it the most. “Simple. Get them a set of matching bathrobes and towels.”

Shocked at how quickly Applejack answered that question, Dusk stared at her. “Did… did you already have that planned out?”

Applejack laughed, and gave him a small nudge on the cheek, while still holding him close, her chest to his back. “Of course. You don’t want to count the number of times me and Rarity have talked about how you could use a spare bathrobe. It’s far nicer to be able to shower and come downstairs for breakfast without having to change and dress. And a matching set is just practical.”

Impressed with her line of thought, Dusk leaned against her. “That gift idea really is you in a nutshell, Applejack. It’s straight forward, extremely useful every day, and yet feels like a luxury that doesn’t scream for extra attention. It’s settled. I’ll look into having a set prepared in Canterlot right aw-”

A finger on Dusk’s lips stopped him mid sentence. Barb had joined the fillies in decorating, and was now being decorated in turn. With a grin wide on her lips, AJ suggestively motioned with her eyes towards his bedroom upstairs. Her voice a whisper, she asked a simple question. “Later?”

Dusk had no resistance to the tall mare, but really didn’t mind. Turning to look at Barb, he called out. “Keep an eye on the girls, Barb. Just… just don’t eat the tinsel, again. Remember how embarrassing that got when you went to the bathroom afterwards?”

Author's Notes:

Sorry for the long sidetrack with Derpy, but I hope it have proven to be an exciting diversion!

I will post the blogs as I can and will add the links. They are all finished but as I'm at work, it might be hard to add them properly.