You've already moved to Canterlot and you were already missing home, sure your teacher Ms.Leila was nice enough, but you weren't having much fun. You missed Lotus, Aloe, Octavia, and Vinyl. Sure they were obnoxious from time to time, but they were fun to be around.

Though you weren't alone, Evie was sleeping on your bed her soft growls were heard as she began running making you sadly smile. You walked over to the balcony of the room to see snow heavily impact the glass door. With it snowing you wouldn't be able to visit your parents or even celebrate with them until well after Hearths Warming. You were miserable and even close to asking Celestia if she'd remove you from the school and send you packing.

Speaking of Celestia, she always came up to your room and just talk. She'd usually share some words of wisdom from your race like famous writers and their quotes and rarely she'd just talk to you about life. She was busy and you knew she wasn't your mother to coddle you when you were feeling down.

Every time you faked being happy you knew she saw through it, but she did nothing about it. Probably thinking she wasn't your mother, and she shouldn't worry about your needs and complains. You were unhappy about moving and you'd never know when you'd be happy again.

"Aiden." You heard someone say through your room door, you remembered that familiar French accent as Celestia had informed you that your species talk in many accents and dialects. "Are you okay? You didn't come to dinner."

Pushing the door open you spotted Black Lotus, or Riley as you called her. She was a guard who often talked to you and even hung out with you when you felt lonely which was almost everyday. You stayed quiet and just stared up into the wall.

"Are you okay, bon ami?" She asks as she enters the room.

"No, I'm so miserable. I can't even go back to my hometown because of this stupid Blizzard. I wanna leave this school, I'm so darn lonely." You say with a sigh pouting a bit.

"Non non bon ami, if you leave who am I to spend my lunch times with?" She asks with a slight frown as she walked over to you placing your dinner on the bedside table next to you.

"Probably with somepony who actually deserves being with you." You said with a sigh.

"Non non, ponies here aren't very fun to be around. You're very fun to be around."

"But we only known each other for a month and half. Ponies around the castle ignore me or don't even say hello or goodbye. Heck the only pony who even acknowledges my existence besides you is Almond Breezie and Milky. Milky's too shy to even speak to me and Almond she's busy with her maid duties to notice."

What've the princess or your teacher, ami?" She asks

"You think I'm important enough for the princess to notice me? Please, I feel like the only reason she accepted me was because of my species. Mon ami." You mention with a smile.

"Non non ami, she loves you, you just don't know it." You rolled your eyes and looked up to the ceiling. "Mes amis were planning a Hearths Warming Eve party and I wanted to invite you mon ami."

"A-a p-party with your amis, I mean friends?" She nods and brushes your hair and looks to you.

"Celestia even gave me your present, you'll get to open it tomorrow during the party, I even got you a present too." She mentions brushing your hair.

"I guess that's a start."

"Non non, no pouting would you like me to sleep with you. So you won't feel so alone." You nod smiling as she continued brushing your hair and hummed a soft tone.

The next day
Hearths Warming Eve...

Hearths Warming is always a special occasion even for royalty, while you dealt with not being able to see your family and your friend giving you a pity date. The royal family were busy with other assortments mostly visiting a neighboring nation as friends.

"And lets take this too." Dago mentions as he puts a jar full of cookies in his luggage.

"I don't think we'd need cookies on our trip sweetheart." Celestia mentions with a giggle.

"Well you never know right?" He pushes it in trying to fit the large jar into his luggage only to hear a crack, as he gave an awkward chuckle and blushed. "That was nothing."

"Why don't you let me handle the luggage Dago." She mentions with a giggle

"Okay." Stepping back he sees his mother beginning to clear off the cookie and jar shards from his bag starting over as she picked out new clothes for him. "Can I help with anything else instead?"

"No it's fine just relax."

"Fine." Dago pouts as he walks over to Philomina and Salvatore as started petting his tiger. "Oh I can't wait to show you to Helena she's so going to love you, oh yes she will, oh yes she will." He repeats as he rub his belly making Philomina to let out a cry of disappointment. "Oh she'll love you too Philomina."

"Looks like the two need affection from their favorite pony in the world." Celestia giggles a bit.

"Well you heard her guys, go get her." Dago points at his mother, but they instead tackled him into the ground. "Philomina…hehe…Sal…salvatore…stop, that tickles!" Dago shouts as he tries to escape the attack of licks and nuzzling

"Mom help I'm trapped by adorable pets!"

"I don't know maybe they should just keep you there."

"Noooooo!" Dago pretended as he continue playing with them for awhile until he lifts Salvatore in the air. "And you said he'll be dangerous, king Saba really is the best uncle ever." He hug Salvatore before looking at Celestia. "Please don't tell uncle Giblitz I said that."

"I won't." She says smiling as she helps him up, Dago giggles as he sits on her bed while Salvatore comfortably sits on his lap while Philomina perches on Celestia's shoulder.

"Do you remember how scared he was when he arrive? I never thought a grown up stallion could yell like a filly like he did?"

"Me neither it was rather surprising."

"Yeah he was really impressed that I apparently tamed one of the most violent creatures in the world, do you think he will ever stop being afraid of him?" Dago asks

"One day mostly likely he'll have to." Celestia mentions

"By the way why were you so mad at him? I told you I love Salvatore even if it was a mistake at first, and turns to be a fierce predator."

"Because I didn't know if he was a dangerous creature I'm being safe even though he was docile." Salvatore jumps and starts to nuzzle her legs while purring.

"I think he is saying thanks for giving him a chance" Dago says with a smile

"And I have been, I'm just worried about my son is all." She says petting him

"Mom, you worry too much." Dago takes some bird seeds and feeds them to Philomina until he remembers something. "Mom, can I ask you something?"

"Of course what is it?"

"Well ever since I saw Aiden's parents and start noticing other families with their children having a good time, there has been something that kind of bothers me." He sighs before looking at Celestia. "Mom…Am I adopted?"

"Of course not, your father was a brave stallion. He would've been proud seeing you grown up you look a little like him too." That gives Dago a smile for a moment, but then looks down.

"Then why have I never seen him before? Even uncle Giblitz doesn't know him, did you two have a fight?"

"N-no he's gone, please don't mention it's saddening." She mentions as she begins to tear up.

"No, no mom please don't cry." Dago runs toward her and hugs her their pets doing what they can to console her. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything, I promise I won't mention the subject again please don't be sad."

"Thank you sweetheart, it's comforting."

"Some other time we can talk about him for now, I'm just happy you two love each other very much."

"Of course if only you could've met him."

"Don't think too much about that mom, he wouldn't like to see you sad, I know! Lets go to the kitchen and grab a slice of that chocolate cake you love so much!" Dago take her hand and guide her to the entrance.

You woke up rather late into the day, with no school for almost the whole week you were allowed to sleep in. Riley would always wake you up and take you to your class which was in a garden near the castle grounds. Riley had left since the area where Riley slept was empty. You rose from bed and looked towards the end of the bed to see Evie sleeping, she wasn't moving and almost looked as if she was dead. Luckily enough she wasn't, she was just completely tuckered out.

"Good girl Evie." You mention with a smile as you scratched her head, before patting her side and making look around as her head lifted up from bed. She instantly saw you and yawned getting up from bed and began stretching as she wagged her tail.

As you continued playing with Evie scratches on the door were increasingly starting to gain in volume. Walking forward you open the door to see Salvatore sitting down looking up at you.

"Hey there little guy? What're you doing here?" He purrs and approaches your room, you smiled and stepped aside.

Salvatore was always an odd cat, he seemed more explorer focused, his tenacity to find almost anything enjoyable was commendable. Along with the strong nose of his able to smell anything from a mile away.

"Mon ami, are you up?" You heard Riley asks as she enters your room, her casual attire confused the ever living hell out of you. You only saw her in her guard's uniform and from time to time you'd see her only wear one thing and that was a bright green bow on top of her mane.

"Mon ami, I'm so glad you're up. The blizzard has subsided but it's still very very dangerous to go anywhere." You sadly smiled and nodded. "I know you were looking forward to the party, but unfortunately many of the guards had plans. I'm very sorry mon ami." You sighed and looked down, you were looking forward to spending time with an actual happy event for the duration of Hearths Warming.

"Oh I guess I'll just sleep through Hearths Warming." You mention with an upset tone.

"Non non, you shall not be alone this Hearths Warming Eve mon ami." She mentions with a smile.

"What'd you mean?" You asked confused for a second before she took your hand and dragging you out of your room.

"You and I shall celebrate together!" She happily proclaims, you had a small smile on your face knowing that the mare in front of you refused to say no to you on Hearths Warming made you happy beyond belief.

Hearths Warming is suppose to be a time of friends and those you care for. You knew that the mare who tried her hardest to make you smile was the absolute best feeling in the world.

Later...

Things were different more or less, Riley had many plans for you. She held your hand as she walked towards the dining room of the castle, with Celestia and Dago gone you supposed that it was empty. Though ponies were walking around getting ready for something.

"Ah Madame Riley I'm glad you're here we've-" Riley instantly covered the mare's mouth.

"Excuse me mon ami, I've but need to talk to someone I'll be just a moment." You sighed and nodded letting go of Riley's hand as she walked with the pony away from you, you walked into the dining room and sat in the long hall. You sat in one of the seats your hands underneath your head as you waited.

The ticks and hoofsteps of ponies was all you heard as you began creating a flower from a small table cloth, tearing off the table cloth you created small red roses with dark green forest stems. You created around twenty without knowing or even stopping for that matter.

Before you knew it there was about 200 roses all similar in more ways then one, exactly the same amount of petals, with the exact same amount of thorns. You looked around the dining room to see the bland white color, and looked at your hand. Waving your hand you made a small whirlwind of pollen slowly picking up the flowers and hovering them just above the table as a empty vase had flowers placed in them. There were more flowers around you began placing them on the walls and near the windows.

Finishing up the impromptu decorating situation the pollen hovered around your hand as it was placed back into your body. You looked around the dining room in complete awe as you just realized you did that all on your own, you laughed a little excitedly jumped around as the swirl of pollen circled you before you knew it you created tiger stripes roses from in weaved curtains.

You heard clapping from behind you, turning you saw the castle staff as they cheered and clap making you blush as you shrink in your stance.

"That was amazing kid!" One of the guards said with a smile.

"I never knew why Celestia chose ya as her student, now I know." One of the maids said with a smile. You looked down embarrassed as the ponies all entered along with the chefs who placed food on the long table, you were surprised as you saw Riley approached you, you ran towards her and hid behind her.

"Why are they praising me?" You asked with a whisper.

"Because nobody has seen magic like yours, they thought the way you moved the flowers using that dark blue pollen of yours was just wonderful and beautiful." You smiled and even blushed a little. "I planned every pony in the staff to have a little luncheon, they seem happy enough to come and I know you'll love everything presented." Riley smiles and brushes your hair.

You approached your seat as everyone in the staff happily smiled and took part in the small lunch, they cared for you and you loved them all for that.

Later...

The blizzard had lighten down a bit as Riley wanted to take you somewhere, you held her hand tightly as your disguise made for a perfect winter overcoat, it was both slim and form fitting. The random material cap was a reminder of your mother's loving attitude as she made it with love, then there was the scarf Almond Breezie made for you Milky's mother. It was black with gray snowflake patterned stitches, it managed to cover your mouth and nose from the cold. Everything else was a given, the gloves were store bought, the pants made by your mom, the undershirt and fleece coat was again made by your mom.

As the two of you continued on you got closer to Riley huddling closer to her warm body, she didn't mind her smile was all worth it. She seemed giddy, she wore a black fleece double breasted winter coat with four buttons in the front along with a belt that tied around the cost just in case it wasn't warm enough, she also wore a black pair of skinny jeans that fit perfect, you blushed a little looking at Riley, she was cute and it was embarrassing she'd go through all this trouble to make you feel happy. Nothing besides a scarf was wrapped around her neck, it was festive.

"Where are we going Riley?" You asked curiously trying to get her attention, she stayed silent and happily laughed continuing on through the snowy streets. Walking a bit further you passed by the grand tree near the city center and stopped in front of several houses, one of which was one of those bookcase house. The ones that looked extremely slim but had enough room for anyone who lived in, basically small on the outside with a huge interior.

"We're here, I think it's time you met my family." She mentions smiling as you continued on.

"B-but why? I'm just a dumb kid." She knelt down to your height and brushed your cheek smiling a bit.

"You're very special to me, and you're adorable when you question things." She approached the door and knocked a few times a few seconds later the door opened as you saw a tall, but beautiful unicorn mare. She had a light gray colored coat with a light magenta mixed gray colored mane with white colored streaks.

Her outfit looked beautiful too, a dark purple skirt with black tights under it. She had a white colored ruffled blouse, the back of her hand had a trio of fleurs-de-lis with one being a goldish yellow while the others were a light mulberry.

"Black Lotus? You finally made it, and to think you'd be late." The mare says smiling as Riley happily approached her and hugged her.

"I made it so don't worry too much." Riley then enters the house leaving you outside as the mare smiles and steps aside.

"Aren't you going to come in? It's awfully cold outside." You nodded and entered the house, looking around it looked like any other house. You looked towards the living to see a fireplace with presents underneath a tree to the corner of the room. There was a record player near a window where several records were just underneath the actual player.

"Sassy! Black Lotus is here!" The mare shouts as you looked up to see a filly about you'd say Rarity's age.

"Really where?" She runs down stairs to see Riley sitting on the couch smiling as she was instantly hugged by the filly.

"Easy there kiddo, you really missed me?" She asks giggling a bit. She happily nods and sits next to her with an eager manner.

"You must be Aiden Hart, Black Lotus has told us so much about you. You're very proficient with floral magic." You blushed a little and nodded.

"Mmhmm I guess you can say that, I think I'm just normal." The mare giggles and smiles.

"No need to be so modest, by the way I'm Fluer-De-Lis. It's very nice to meet you." Smiling she takes your hand as you walk with her into the kitchen.

"Oh don't you want to take off your coat? It's awfully warm in here." She mentions

"Uh um I'm fine thank you. Um I'm assuming that you're a supermodel huh, u-uh n-not that I'm trying to pry or anything." She giggles and crouches down to your height.

"What an adorable little colt you are, you'd assume right. I am, I'm not trying to boast or anything but it's true." You happily nod making the mare smile once more as she began pouring hot chocolate into four separate cups, with a few marshmallows in it.

"Would you like some cookies?" She asks smiling as placed the hot chocolate on a platter.

"No thank you, you asking is enough." You followed her to the living room seeing both Riley and filly talking with one another. You approached the record player and tilted your head, you looked at each vinyl and found one of your favorite artists. He was born a long time ago before you were even born. The title said Ol' Blue Eyes, you smiled and looked at Riley.

"You found one of my dad's favorite records, he actually got that from my grandpa I also heard you sing from time to time. Luck Be a Lady was it?" You blushed as you looked down.

"Y-yeah I loved listening to that song, my dad has one of his records. He loves old music and usually put it on when I couldn't sleep. And I wouldn't even sleep even after the record was finished. I'd just ask him to play it again." You mention laughing as you took a sip from your hot chocolate.

"Oh my goodness, you love that song too? Oh by the way I'm Sassy Saddles." The filly mentions as you smiled and nodded.

"Oh I'm Aiden Hart, it's nice to meet another one of Riley's sisters." She giggles and sees the vinyl cover being held by you, she saw your excited look wanting to listen to the record.

"Hear let me put it on." Taking the vinyl cover from you, she took the vinyl and placed it on the record player and switched it on.

As the song began you listen closely to the song smiling as you heard the song play, the pure whimsical and vibrant tones of the orchestra just made you excited. You continued hearing the record until it suddenly stopped.

"Awww it stopped." You complained making Riley giggle.

"You have to flip it over dear." The filly rose and flipped the vinyl as more music from Ol' Blue Eyes continued playing.

All of you talked to one another happily hearing the music go, you had no idea why Riley suddenly brought you to her family. But something told you she wanted to share you with them. They were nice and always happy, their smiles made you happy never have you thought you'd feel so welcomed.

"Oh bother, can someone help me." I got up and looked around the corner to see a mare, she looked older then both Riley and Fleur. You presumed she was their mother approaching the mare you helped her out by carrying three neatly wrapped boxes while she carried two small bags in her hands.

"Oh thank you young colt? Are you one of Sassy's friends?" The mare asks smiling as she looked at you, shaking your head you walked with her as she placed them under the tree.

"I'm one of Riley's friends, I mean Black Lotus. She brought me here from the castle." The mare smiled and giggled.

"Oh you must be Aiden, Lotus has told us so much about you. And here I thought you'd be a stallion and not a colt I imagine you made quite an impact on Lotus's life. All she ever talked about was the pure boredom of the castle and all she ever did was protect the princess, but one day you came and her life changed. It was for the better and Black Lotus has never been happier, she always goes on about your magic and how you're good at what you do. It's nice she has someone there to keep her going. Oh and forgive me I was so wrapped up with who Lotus was I never gave you my name, I'm Kind Serve." Smiling a bit you nodded as Riley entered the kitchen where to the two of you were talking she had a platter of used mugs and placed them in the sink.

"So you're enjoying talking to my mom, she's pretty cool huh?" Riley asks smiling as her mother giggles a bit.

"You smiled and nodded happily talking to them, even if they weren't your family. Riley, did her best to capture the image of a true family, something that of course was great.

Later
Back home...

Hearths Warming eve was a special time of day, ponies constantly danced and talked with you. Of course you absolutely loved the idea ponies had enough time with you, it was enough to perk you up. The presents were next on the list, you looked at three presents in front of you. One was from Riley, you looked at the green wrapped present with a giant red bow. Taking the bow you tugged on the tie and removed the top of it, you removed the item from the box to see it was a dark gray flat cap. You removed the mismatched material cap that your mother made for you as a disguise and placed on the gray flat cap.

"I saw that hat and decided to give you that instead, a pony like you deserves something like that." You smiled and nodded as you took Celestia's gift and removed the top like before and within a small box. Opening the box you removed the pocket watch from the box and tilted. The etch of what looked like a leaf with sparkling sapphire looking sparkling coming out of the flower.

"Hehe seems like Celestia decided to give you a cutie mark, it's cute." She mentions with a smile as you took the pocket watch and placed it on your neck, like a necklace.

The last present was from Dago, taking the box you opened it to see it was a rod like stick, it had a crimson looking color. You began waving it around as the grassy green aura came out of it and replaced a porcelain vase into a batch of flowers along with a bonsai tree.

"Seems like Dago cared for your magical potential." Riley mentions with a laugh.

"Best Hearths Warming Eve." You say hugging Riley as she hugged back.

Author's Notes:

Few characters that Rarity would meet in the future that Aiden meets now, and who knows they might recognize him later in the future.