One could go into full, and complete detail on how Twilight was feeling at the moment. We’ve all felt this feeling, especially for the Holiday season. Not knowing what to get someone who’s close and only having a short amount of time to get something for that said, someone. That feeling that made you believes you could never find anything perfect for that someone. In short, Twilight was panicking and stumped on what to get her newest friend: Starlight Glimmer. Shopping for her other friends was easy. Rainbow liked Wonderbolt merchandise and anything sporty, Rarity preferred the finer things and exotic material for her shop. But her generous soul kept her from really asking specific this season. Applejack enjoyed anything hoof-made, and from the heart. Didn’t need to be an expensive item, just something somepony put a lot of effort in making. Pinkie enjoyed anything fun. Heck, Twilight could get her a child’s toy and Pinkie would love it. Like Rarity, Fluttershy didn’t ask for much, her meek nature would prevent her from asking for anything so it was a gamble when shopping for her sometimes. But then again, Fluttershy’s kindness would accept any gift you would get her. But to be safe, Twilight usually got her things such as more animal books or something of that nature.

But Starlight Glimmer was her biggest challenge this season. Twilight had no clue what to get her new friend. She wanted to get her something nice so she wouldn’t feel left out, but she didn’t want to get her something better than what she got for the others. Twilight was definitely in a pickle this Hearth’s Warming. Twilight’s first idea was a book of a topic that would peak Starlight’s interests like magic or something of that nature. But that would be going back to her original dilemma. She didn’t want to get something that simple for her new friend. Twilight had to think and think fast. Tomorrow would be Hearth’s Warming and by then, all the good things would be gone. Thus forcing her to get something simple, and she knew Starlight would, at least, accept the simple gift with a smile, but she wanted this holiday to be special for her friend. Celestia only knows what Starlight had to go through every Hearth’s Warming.

Twilight stood in the middle of Ponyville, ponies hustling and bustling from store to store looking for a last minute gift for their loved ones. Twilight looked around, noticing the rush everyone was in and sighed in defeat. She wouldn’t be able to get Starlight something like this. With everypony hustling and bustling to get what they could. Twilight shook her head, knowing full well she would need to think her options over and really go into depth on what to get Starlight. With that, Twilight made her way home, the snow crunching under hooves with every step she took.

Ten minutes later, Twilight arrived home to find Spike lounging about on his chair and Starlight doing the same. Since Starlight would be living in Ponyville now to learn from Twilight, she would be staying with Twilight until they can find her a home. While Spike spent his time reading a comic book of some type, and Starlight only staring off towards the walls. Looking like she’s thinking about something. Something Twilight wanted to know about, but she decided against it, worrying it would be something personal. Twilight took a seat next to Starlight who took notice of Twilight’s presence.

“Hello, Twilight. How was shopping?” Starlight asked Spike must have wondered the same thing as he glanced up from his comic.

“It was fine. I finished up for Rainbow and Spike…” Twilight paused, expecting Spike to burst out with a certain question.

“You did!? What is it?” Spike asked, proving Twilight’s theory.

“You know I can’t just tell you, Spike. That would ruin the surprise!” Twilight answered. Spike frowned, but couldn’t help but chuckle. Seeing no reason to debate, he went back to his comic. Twilight then looked to Starlight who was once again in her own little world.

“So, Starlight. What’s going on? Have you been alright?”

“Yeah, I’ve just been thinking for a while now…” Starlight answered, rarely blinking as she began to explain. “I want to get you all something this Hearth’s Warming, but I don’t really know what to get. I mean, I want to show my appreciation, but I have no idea what I can get you all to show that appreciation.”

“Oh, Starlight. I’m not expecting you to get me anything. It’s the fact you’ve been thinking about getting me something that means that you care. And that’s what matters in the end really.” Twilight stated, but this didn’t seem to be enough for Starlight.

“I know, I know, but I still feel like I should, at least, try to get you and your friends something…” Starlight huffed.

“Would you like for me to give you some tips then? On who would like what?” Twilight asked. Starlight smiled and nodded. “Okay. In a sense, my friends are pretty easy to shop for.” Twilight then proceeded to explain what each of her friends would usually ask for Hearth’s Warming. Starlight seemed to be on board with everything Twilight would talk about. From Rainbow’s needs to Fluttershy’s. When she was done, Starlight then asked Twilight what she would like. Twilight couldn’t really give a straight answer. The best she could do was, ‘books’ but she had pretty much every book under the sun it would be almost pointless for Starlight to get her a book. She then told her she didn’t usually want much, as long as it’s from the heart, it would mean a lot more to her than a materialistic thing. Almost as if she were taking notes, Starlight nodded and listened to everything Twilight said.

“Perfect!” Starlight said, looking as if she were taking a mental note of everything Twilight said. Almost as though Twilight knew what Starlight was about to do, she stopped her as her friend began towards the front door.

“I wouldn’t go shopping now if I were you. It’s really hectic out and you’ll be lucky if you’re not trampled by a desperate shopper if you go out there.” Twilight warned, stopping Starlight in her tracks.

“Then how else am I supposed to get the things I need?”

“Wait a while, perhaps the crowds will die down. For now, let’s talk! Kill some time.” Twilight suggested.

“Ok. What do you want to talk about?” Starlight asked as she went back to her seat. Twilight thought and thought. This was her chance, to get a shot at learning what she could get Starlight as her Hearth’s Warming gift!

“Well, it’s the holiday season. I’m wondering what you did as a tradition when you celebrate Hearth’s Warming! Do you have any traditions?” Starlight shook her head.

“No, well… Sorta. When I was a kid at least. When I was running that town, we didn’t celebrate it. And when we did, everypony got the same thing.” Starlight admitted.

“Which was?”

“A wool blanket…” Starlight answered.

“Just a wool blanket?” Twilight asked.

“Just a wool blanket,” Starlight repeated.

“Well, tell me about when you were a kid. You were about to tell me something about your childhood.” Twilight reminded.

“Right! Right, so when I was a kid I’d wake up and unwrap my presents that I would get each year then I’d take my favorite toy, which would be something outdoorsy like a sled, or a ball. Anyway, I’d take it straight to Sunbeam’s house and we would play with our toys for the whole day! Sometimes, our families would join together for one big Hearth’s Warming feast,” Starlight seemed to get lost in her memories. The bright, excited look in her eyes made Twilight smile. “For some reason, Sunbeam always managed to get something for the outdoors too, and we’d sometimes switch off and play with each other’s toys. It was really fun… Then, you know… His cutie mark appeared.” Starlight said, in a less excited tone. Not wanting Starlight to feel bad, Twilight thought of something fast, but it wasn’t fast enough to keep Starlight from talking.

“Every year after that, he’d be always with his new friends. Spending the day with them…” Starlight muttered.

“Did you try hanging out with his friends?” Twilight asked.

“Do you think I didn’t try that? Of course, I did, but since I didn’t have my cutie mark yet, they wouldn’t let me play with them either. After that, I didn’t bother trying. Even when I got my cutie mark. I believed Sunbeam had moved on.”

“Well, now that you’ve had time to think on it, do you really think he’d just forget you like that?” Twilight asked.

“No. He was my best friend, of course, he wouldn’t forget me. But, I was a stubborn little girl. I honestly thought he had forgotten about me, and I didn’t want anything to do with him back then…” Starlight admitted. Although it was a depressing inspiration source, Twilight had somewhat of an idea of what to do for Starlight. But now, she had to help her friend. But how? Twilight felt as though she couldn’t ask any more questions. Fearing Starlight would think she was trying to poke and prod her past. But Twilight wanted to ask as well! Fearing if she didn’t, Starlight would think Twilight wished to avoid the conversation.

But once again, Twilight’s over thinking made her miss another chance to speak.

“Look, thanks for the advice and warning about the crowds. But I’m pretty sure I can handle myself out there. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Starlight said as she arose from her seat and headed for the front door. Soon, she was gone, leaving Twilight and Spike alone.

“Do you think she wanted to get away from the conversation?” Spike asked.

“You were listening to us?” Twilight asked, slightly surprised her and Starlight’s conversation was overheard by Spike. Whenever he was reading a comic, it was like he was in his own little world.

“Probably, Spike. But I can’t help but think I could have avoided it.” Twilight admitted.

“Well, do you, at least, know what to get her?” Spike asked.

“I have an idea… But I don’t think it would work.” Twilight sighed.

“Probably not, but you’ll never know unless you try. Right Twilight?” Spike assured. Twilight got a twinge of inspiration from her companion.

“You have a point, Spike. But, based off what she said, I could be taking a gamble on this. What if it doesn’t work?” Twilight asked.

“Well, I need to know what ‘it’ is before I can give my full opinion…” Spike reminded. Twilight sheepishly grinned and proceeded to explain Spike her plan for Starlight.