This is going to be great!

Lyra thought as she skipped in the direction of her house. Fluffy white snow fluttered and swirled around her as she made her way down the main street of Ponyville. The occasional biting breezes did nothing to dampen her high spirits. Of course, since Bon Bon was going to be in for a treat! Lyra would make sure of that.

She had recently vacated Sugarcube Corner which was jammed pack with ponies staying away from the snow and cold and to mingle with their friends and families. Until the usual Hearth Warming’s Eve pageant in the evening, that was. Then they would file the way to the town square—really more of a ring of open space around Town Hall—and gather round the stage that had been set up this morning.

Not that Lyra cared about such details anyway. All that filled her mind this moment was the recipe book hidden in the folds of her right saddlebag, just beside her golden lyre. Sweet Almond’s Guide to All Things Bonbons, according to Pinkie Pie, offered a great many recipes. Or in Pinkie’s words:

“A GREAT GAZILLION!”

Lyra never knew that there were so many different variations of bonbons in her life. Well, she only knew one Bon Bon but now she wanted to make bonbons for Bon Bon but there were just so many! There were sweets coated with chocolate, chilled cream with marzipan, fondants with chocolate, sprinkles, cookie crumbs and she didn’t know what even were fondants!

A tremor threatened to break out all over Lyra’s body, so excited she was. With a hop, skip and a jump, Lyra landed in front of the house she shared with Bon Bon. The door opened with a squeaky pop and Lyra prepared to step into the inky darkness—

Wait.

Bon Bon said she would be home… an hour ago, Lyra thought as her shimmering gold magic turned up the lights. Everything was neat, spotless and still where they were as she and Bon Bon left earlier in the morning. But it didn’t matter—the house was empty.

Bon Bon wasn’t here.

Lyra’s happy mood popped a hole, deflated and flew straight down into the wet embrace of sadness. A quick search of the rooms confirmed her fears—Bon Bon was nowhere to be found. Dejection of her face and the recipe book forgotten, Lyra dragged herself to the dining table and sank heavily upon its low bench.

That was when she noticed a note on the table.

Her shimmying magic picked up the paper and Lyra read:

Something urgent cropped up. Can’t go to the pageant.

Will make up to you tomorrow. Sorry.

Love,

Bon Bon

Tears welled in Lyra’s eyes. “But I was going to make you bonbons!” she said, letting the note flutter onto the table.

Lyra tossed the recipe in the corner and spent the next several hours curled up, staring at the dying embers of the fireplace. Well, she should have been making the bonbons but her heart just wasn’t in it anymore. The embers soon turned into smoldering ash, prompting her to peek at the clock. It was six o’clock.

Might as well just head to the pageant, right?

Lyra stood up and left the empty house.

The Hearth Warming’s Eve pageant drew a huge crowd unlike last year, which had a modest production and turnout in Ponyville. Not that Lyra knew anyway, since she was in Canterlot with Bon Bon. They had the time of their lives watching Twilight and her friends belting out the lines of the strife of the three tribes, the windigoes and unification and formation of Equestria.

But Bon Bon wasn’t with Lyra.

The loud, boisterous voice of ‘Commander Hurricane’ rang hollow in her ears. Lyra couldn’t tell whether it was the distance from the stage or the open air of the town square—which couldn’t have been good for the acoustic. Lyra was a musician, she would know.

She had left the house scant minutes before the play started. Trundling in after the general rush, Lyra barely squeezed into the back of the mob of merry townsponies. ‘Private Pansy’, her voice a soft, soothing register, didn’t quite lift her spirits.

The pegasi gave way to the unicorns and the haughty voice of ‘Princess Platinum’ grated on her ears. ‘Clover the Clever’ was no better.

… Okay, the pageant was actually great, maybe even better the one Twilight and her friends did. But it wasn’t fun when Bon Bon wasn’t here.

Lyra sighed.

“Why the long face?”

Lyra jumped. The lanky pastel red earth pony had appeared out of nowhere. She hadn’t heard her approach nor sensed her presence… Well, maybe she had been a little distracted… Why is she wearing a sunhat in the middle of winter?

Indeed, a bright yellow, wide brimmed summer hat sat on the mare’s head, her raven mane tucked haphazardly into it. And it looked wholly out of place on Hearth Warming’s Eve. The mare was lucky that the many winter breezes in the evening have not carried it away.

“I-I hope I’m not being rude…”

And she still hadn’t answered the earth pony, whose hopeful expression withered into bashful awkwardness.

Okay, she was very distracted. “… Oh, no! No, you just startled me, that’s all,” Lyra finally said.

The earth pony dipped her head. Scuffing a hoof, she said: “I’m sorry if I’m imposing, but you looked unhappy… I thought Hearth Warming is supposed to be happy?”

The question hit Lyra like a punch in the gut. She wanted to deny, to say that she wasn’t. But the words died in her throat when the image of her cold, empty house flashed in her mind. Empty without Bon Bon.

“Well, my best friend and I were supposed to watch the pageant together—” she motioned to the stage, “— but she couldn’t make it.”

There was a flash of recognition in the mare’s eyes, almost too subtle to be seen and the mare deflated.

“Oh, I see.”

Her voice came out just a little too flat, despite the sweetness of her voice. Lyra’s ear twitched—was there a hint of sadness and pain in her voice?

The mare pull herself together. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said.

“It’s all right! It’s not like we can’t watch it again next year!” Lyra said, chuckling. She hoped she didn’t sound too disappointed.

“But that’s not right!” The mare was suddenly in her face, her words hissing out almost like a threat. She wasn’t quite shouting but the proximity turned the statement harsh and loaded it with more than just a little anger.

Lyra found herself nearly stumbling onto her haunches. “Woah, woah! Calm down! It’s fine, really. Bon Bon’s coming back tomorrow,” she said. “She’s the friend I mentioned, by the way.”

The mare froze, a blush creeping on her cheeks. “S-Sorry… I didn’t mean to be angry.” She turned her gaze aside. “It’s just something personal to me…”

Something personal, huh? Lyra eyed the mare. The azure eyes of the mare were quivering, tears welling and on the verge of spilling. Something about Lyra’s words hit particularly home to her.

“Well! Let’s not dwell on that, Miss… Uh, I didn’t catch your name…”

The mare froze again, her blush deepening. “Oh! It’s um, Scarlet.”

“Hi Scarlet, I’m Lyra! Nice to meet you!” Lyra beamed.

Scarlet dipped her head, offering her hoof. “Likewise…”

Lyra shook it, a wide smile on her face. A new friend! And she should be happy…

Right?

Scarlet was a strange mare.

Well, she was cheerful, merry and certainly hyper. She looked like a foal on Hearth Warming morning, all starry-eyed and trembling with barely constrained joy. Not to mention, completely enthralled by the play.

Lyra sat through the play with one eye on the stage and the other on Scarlet. The mare gasped at the sight of open fight between the three tribal meeting. She whined in suppressed worry as the respective leaders conferred with their aides, expressing their displeasure at the other leaders. Finally, a grim look settled on Scarlet’s face as ‘Princess Platinum’, ‘Commander Hurricane’ and ‘Chancellor Puddinghead’ all declared they would find a better land to settle.

Pfft, everypony knew how that went and of course, Scarlet knew too.

But there was that certain quality of wide eyed attentiveness that whispered in Lyra’s ears that Scarlet had never seen the pageant before. And that would be ridiculous. Even the most shut-in pony—like a certain lavender alicorn princess—have to had seen it at least once.

And Scarlet’s rollercoaster enthusiasm was nothing like Bon Bon’s quiet musing, with that cute little smile tugging at one corner of her lips. And then she would comment on every single missteps and missed cues the actors and actresses made. Lyra never knew what was with Bon Bon’s attraction to such innocuous quibbles. But after Bon Bon revealed her identity as Agent Sweetie Drops, Lyra had an inkling why…

Not that it changed their relationship. They were still best friends. Even though Bon Bon abandoned her on this lovely Hearth Warming’s Eve evening. And she wasn’t angry or upset. Not at all.

…

Lyra blinked the sand away from her eyes. A hole gnawed at her heart, swirling and roiling in her chest.

A hoof shook Lyra in her shoulders. Startled for the second time in the night, she turned her head around to see Scarlet boring into her with a very knowing look. All around them, ponies were leaving, either in small herds or couples. The pageant had ended.

“It’s all right, Lyra,” Scarlet said. “Bon Bon… she’ll be back! Just like papa always do…”

Lyra barely caught the mumbled words but before she could comment, Scarlet said: “I’m famished, what’s there to eat in this town?”

Huh, so Scarlet was an out of towner. She must have been more distracted than she thought.

Still, Lyra had to answer Scarlet. “Well, there’s Sugarcube Corner, the Cakes sell the best cupcakes and sweets around here.”

Scarlet smiled. “That’s sounds great! Um… would you kindly lead me there? I’m kind of not from around here…”

“Sure, just follow me,” Lyra said, turning and trotted into the throng. A quick look over her withers showed Scarlet following closely in her wake, lest she got lost in this clumpy mob.

Not surprisingly, many of the townponies were headed in the same direction. No doubt to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa or eggnog. Sugarcube Corner wasn’t far, and soon Lyra could see the roof of the white frosted pink gingerbread house.

“We’re almost there—”

Scarlet stood rooted to the ground a little ways away, eyes wide. Was she surprised by the décor? Sugarcube Corner can be pretty shocking to a first timer, not to mention having Pinkie Pie around… There would be blitz talking, lots of ponyhandling and finally a party with everypony… in Sugarcube Corner.

But Scarlet wasn’t looking at the bakery. Instead, her eyes were levelled at two large and identically cream colored earth ponies, dressed in smart, black suits and red ties. Crew Cut and Long Mane, Lyra decided, based on their mane cut. Their head scanned the crowds, seemingly looking for somepony.

Lyra turned back to Scarlet. “Hey, something wrong, Scarlet?” she asked.

Scarlet jumped with a tiny squeal. The two earth ponies turned in Lyra and Scarlet’s direction. Are they looking for her? Lyra thought as she backed towards Scarlet, whom now turned a shade of pink.

“Scarlet, you okay?”

Scarlet didn’t answer. She simply stood there, eyes locked on the burly… bodyguards?

“Mistress?” Crew Cut called out.

“No!” Scarlet squeaked out, turned and took off. Crew Cut and Long Mane bulled past Lyra after Scarlet.

Woah! What’s her problem? Lyra stood watching the trio disappear into the crowds. Murmurs and whispers rose from the ponies gathered around her, wondering what had just happened. Soon when it was clear that nothing else was going to happen, crowd scattered.

Lyra frowed. Well, that was the end of that. Lyra turned and walked off in the direction of her house. And back to the emptiness.  Nopony bothered her this time as she walked through the fast deserted street.

Snow fluttered to the ground for the second time of the day. The biting breezes that came with it spurred Lyra into a trot and to reach home… and to spend a night without Bon Bon. At least she would still be warm with the fireplace going in her house.

As Lyra passed a dark alleyway two blocks from her house, there was a soft gasp.

“Lyra!”

Lyra stopped, peering into the brilliant blue eyes of Scarlet. The mare had lost her sunhat, her mane now cascaded down her neck in wavy lengths. She motioned Lyra to come in.

“Scarlet, what happened? Why are those guys chasing you?” Lyra asked as she stepped into the dim lights of the alley.

Scarlet sighed. “Those were papa’s stallions… I-I kind of left home without telling anypony.” She slumped, tears welling in her eyes.

“What? But why?” Lyra asked, taken aback. “Your parents must be worried sick!”

Scarlet’s downcast look twisted into an angry snarl. “Papa wouldn’t! He’s always busy! It’s always just me alone! My birthdays, New Years, Hearth Warming! He doesn’t even give presents!”

Lyra took several steps back at Scarlet’s sudden outburst. “Woah! Calm down! What about your mom?”

Scarlet froze, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Mama’s gone… since two years ago…”

Lyra winced. “Oh… Sorry…”

“I-I miss mama…” Scarlet sobbed. “She would read me all the Hearth Warming stories and stories about the Princess…”

Lyra stepped forward carefully and took Scarlet in her hooves. “There, there,” she said, stroking gently down her back.

“Papa just doesn’t care… He’s never been happy since mama’s gone…” Scarlet burrowed into Lyra’s chest.

Lyra patted Scarlet. She seemed so small, smooshing against Lyra right now. In a flash of realization, she knew Scarlet was barely an adult, a teenager.

“I’m sure your dad didn’t mean it,” Lyra said.

“But he never smiles anymore… He avoids me…” Scarlet sniffled. There was a moment of pause where she rubbed her eyes, blinking. “Um, could you let me go? It’s getting a little warm…”

Lyra did, smiling sheepishly. “Heh heh, sorry,” she said. “Anyway, did you try cheering him up? It’s what I always do when Bon Bon’s feeling down.”

“Of course! I…” Scarlet’s eyes went wide, horror dawning on her face. “I-I… never did.”

Lyra smiled warmly at Scarlet. “Well, you can start now.”

Scarlet’s horror turned back into teary eyes. “Is… is it too late though?”

The image of the tossed recipe book flashed in Lyra’s mind. “No,” she said, “it’s never too late.”

“But what should I do?” Scarlet asked, slumping. “I’ve never done anything like this before…”

“Just do something hoofmade, it’s what I’d do,” Lyra said. Like the bonbons I was planning to do…

“Even if it’s just a trinket, it being hoofmade shows your love and care for him.”

Scarlet considered Lyra’s word for a long moment. Finally, a smile broke on her face. “I might have something in mind.” She stood up. “Thank you, Lyra.”

“Happy to help!” Lyra beamed.

Scarlet blinked and wiped the tears off her eyes. “I-I should get going. Papa must be worried about me…”

“I’m sure he is.”

Scarlet trotted past Lyra and out into the street. “Thank you for putting up with me…” She inclined her head demurely. With a small wave, she was gone.

Lyra stepped out into a flurry, snow crunching under her hooves. She turned towards her house, the cold no longer bothering her. The two blocks of houses disappeared in a blink of an eye, replaced by the familiar face of her home.

Without a second thought, Lyra nudged the door open and stepped into the cold interior.

But it no longer felt empty.

And her eyes settled on the recipe book.

The door to Lyra-Bon residence creaked open, admitting a haggard looking Bon Bon.

“Whew… I’m glad that’s settled.” Bon Bon wiped her brows with her hoof. “Lyra, I’m home!”

There was no answer. Bon Bon blinked. In her slow adjusting night vision, nothing stirred in the dark interior of the living room.

“Lyra?”

Still, there wasn’t answer.

Bon Bon crouched, her hackles rising. Scanning her eyes, all she saw were the clean and orderly furnitures and knick-knacks just as they were this morning, along with the decorated pine tree in the corner.

Was the nefarious Dr. Nibbles back? Have he and his henchponies nabbed Lyra while she was away to save Aunt Sweet Caramel’s last minute bake sale? No, it couldn’t have or the Crown would have notified her. But then—

A loud buzzsaw of a snore interrupted her train of thought.

Or Lyra could be passed out somewhere. Again. Seriously, ever since the Bug Bear’s reappearance, she had been quite on edge… Bon Bon released a breath of air she didn’t realize she held.

Locating Lyra afterwards wasn’t hard—Bon Bon simply followed the direction of the snores. Just when she entered the threshold of the kitchen, she paused at the sight.

Everything was covered in a good facsimile of the snow covered town outside. Butter-sugar mix blanketed the fridge, stoves, ovens and tabletops in a thick slushy. Chocolate and sprinkles splattered against the mush like thrown snowballs. Calling it a mess was like saying the ocean was a little wet.

And in the middle of it was a soundly sleeping Lyra, slumped over the island. Powdered sugar dusted her face and ears, speckled by flecks of chocolate and sprinkles. Her mane was rat’s nest of tangled hair, chocolate and… was that icing? Lyra opened her mouth wide and emitted a very good impression of sawing wood.

Bon Bon scrunched her nose.

A baking tray lay in front of Lyra and on it were bonbons laid in three lines of six. One line was chocolate coated, the other chocolate with sprinkles and the last with vanilla icing. Bon Bon picked one of the white bonbons and popped it in her mouth. … Yes, it was vanilla icing and a fondant filling.

That was when she noticed the note beside the tray:

Happy Hearth Warming, Bon Bon!

A smile broke upon Bon Bon’s face and she planted a kiss on Lyra’s forehead.

“Silly Lyra… having you here with me is the best gift I’ve had.”

The Hearth Warming morning just got brighter. Next Chapter: Seasonal... Help? (for TartarusFire) Estimated time remaining: 34 Minutes