Gilda slept peacefully, wrapped in gossamer clouds on the bed she had not used for many long weeks. At her side, the newest family member, Tank, hovered in his own sleep. The whirls of the blades made a relaxing white noise, and in her peace, Gilda dreamed once more.
She was flying high above the ground, Dash mere inches away from her as they soared. Loops, rolls, flips, they were tempting fate to be so close, yet they were simply too happy to be in the air together once more. Down below, Words, Cheerilee, and of course the other Bearers were all gathered at a picnic table. They applauded the feats of flight above them, raising the duo's spirits almost as high as their wings did their bodies.
Gilda and Dash looked at each other, then smiled. Grabbing each other, they began to fall to the ground. Their embrace was forcing them to plummet, and their friends gasped in horror. They corkscrewed downward at a sickening pace, yet they held each other tenderly. Then, at the last second, they kissed for the briefest of moments before they forced themselves apart, and took to the air once more. Wild cheering broke out among their friends, and the fliers gently soared down.
"Well, after all that, I'm starving. What do we got to eat guys?"
"Oh, the usual pony picnic fair. Smoke, fire, and heat."
It was then Gilda sat upright, head surrounded in smoke. Cloud homes did not catch fire, but burning food sure did. Gilda worked her way to the kitchen, where Dash was furiously flapping her wings to make smoke dissipate. Gilda decided to ask questions later and opened the windows a bit wider. That is, since it was a cloud home, she ripped a few bigger holes in the walls. With the extra exits and two living fans blowing, it wasn't long before the smoke was gone in all but memory.
"Alright, Dash, I have some questions. Why are you up so early? Why were you cooking? And last but not least, what were you cooking?"
The pair looked at a dish, full of what could charitably be called charcoal. Dash put it in the sink with a heavy sigh.
"It was my contribution to the Harvest Feast today. I was gonna leave it as a surprise to you, but yeah. With harvest about done, all the ponies are gathering up for a big feast, since for the rest of Winter we'll have to watch how much we eat to last us til Spring. I'm not one for stuffing my face, but it is a big thing for everypony, so I try to do my part."
Gilda looked at the still blackened dish.
"So you try to help by making fire safety videos?"
"I need to make something epic, and epic food is hard to make. I need it to reflect my own coolness, and showing up with some boring mash potatoes is not going to cut it."
"Considering what I've seen... I think even that might be too much for you."
Gilda got rat-tailed with a kitchen towel for that. Rubbing her rump, the griffin repressed a laugh as Dash chased her out of the kitchen. Dash snorted, as the griffin took off.
"Go bug Words! It's hard enough trying to cook without you distracting me! Ugh... scalloped potatoes was bunk, I guess I should start boiling what I have left..."
Gliding out over town, she saw a large chunk of the populace was milling around the town center, setting up different stands and rows upon rows of tables and chairs. Spiraling down, she landed next to Words and Big Mac who were trying to muscle a log along. Shouldering the middle, the three took it to where a big bonfire was to be. Mac steadied the bottom, while between magic and flight, Gilda and Words got the log upright. The three sat at the base, bumping hooves and claws in mutual congratulations.
Gilda went and grabbed them some water, which they accepted with a nod. The two stallions were looking quite worn down, but it didn't stop Words from his usual habits.
"Ah, thank you kindly Gilda. That would have been a lot less smooth without the help. The Post Master would have been helping us, but Boxy's been busy lately."
"Eeyup."
"He that big pegasus that's been delivering the mail? What happened to the little blond?"
"I can explain darlings."
The three looked at Rarity, who had quite a few decorations hovering around her, being put into place at the center of the tables. She set them down then walked back over, stepping around some of the bark that had fallen off the trunk.
"Ah, the bonfire is always so lovely, it's amazing it starts off as such a brutish pile of wood. Now, the explanation: Ditzy quit, or really asked for extended vacation, so she could be an actress for some old show revival. I was invited to come on for a guest spot, and I think I understand why she quit. The lead actor is, well seeing as I'm the only one here interested in stallions, take my word for it, he's quite the catch. Charming stallion, every sentence like music to the ear, and excellent taste in wardrobe. Handsome face as well. She's quite smitten"
Gilda resisted the urge to correct the sexuality assumption, seeing as it really wasn't any of Rarity's business on that. And if anyone sounds smitten, it's you. Only time I see a pony look like that is when Dash talks about the Wonderbolts.
Words digested this all, nodding.
"Poor soul. I'm afraid I don't know her very well personally, but she's one of Cheerilee's friends. If she quit her job just to try and find someone, she must have been lonelier than it seemed. I think the next time they have a get-together I'll invite myself along, just to get the full story from her. Though it might be a bit rude, better to know to truth than risk spreading lies. Not that I call your side of it lies, Miss Rarity."
The unicorn cowered under the fashionista's glare. Big Macintosh moved the hay between his lips, thinking it over himself.
"Eeyup. Best know her side of things, it could be a lot nobler than courting."
"Speaking of courting, darling, I'll be needed you to come by the Boutique at your earliest convenience. Come to think of it, all three of you."
There was a unified "Why?" that left Rarity gawking at them.
"Why, to get you fitted the wedding apparel! Surely you weren't going to just go in... whatever was clean, were you Big Macintosh? Your sister Applejack stated much the same sentiment when I started talking to Fluttershy with her wedding gown..."
"Er, I was planning on my Pawpaw's vest and hat. That's what he wore."
Rarity sighed, shaking her head.
"Macintosh, while it is a lovely ensemble, it is not the level of dress appropriate for what is the happiest moment of a pony's life. We can use the design and material, but I insist we... ehm spruce it up a bit. As for you two, I've never even seen you wear cloths!"
Gilda shrugged, her feathers having always worked well for any weather, and she rarely attended anything fancy. Words opened his mouth to argue but another glare cowed him to silence.
"It's settled. Come together or separate, just swing by tomorrow. Now, I must get back to decorating, it's only a few hours until the feast begins."
That was the cue for the stallions to return to work as well. Gilda offered to help more, but they politely refused. She would have been upset, weren't they so nice about it. Your wing just healed up, we'd hate for you to strain it again. Macintosh offered to let me pull a plow when the Wrap-up comes around, heh, didn't know he had a joking side. Well, I still haven't found something to do, let's find Cheerilee.
It didn't take long before the griffin found the school teacher, working in the kitchen tent, which also connected to the Corner's bakery. The Cakes, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and others were all bustling to cook the majority of the feast. Pots simmered with all sorts of soups, stews, gravies, syrups, teas, cider (hard or soft), and what felt like a hundred other culinary items. Coal ovens were shoved full of breads, casseroles, roasting vegetables, pies, cakes and cobblers.
Despite her preference for meat, the scents of garlic and onion made her mouth water. The heavy steam filled her chest nearly as well as she hoped the food would her stomach. Noticing everypony was busy, Gilda gave in to temptation and plucked a cherry off a cake, popping it in her mouth.
"Watch out! Run away plate!"
Gilda ducked just in time as a plate whizzed past at head level to smash against a pole. The Crusaders had been helping to do the dishes, emphasis on had as they were now being guided out by Applejack. Gilda shook her head, finally having a moment to chew the stolen morsel. A broom and dustpan were shoved under her nose by an annoyed Mrs. Cake.
"Well, what are you doing girl? Nopony just stands around in my kitchen during Feast preparations! Sweep that up... and no more sneaking treats. We can eat at the same time as everypony else."
Being caught red handed and faced in guilt, the griffin cleaned up the broken glass. Gilda was roped into a few other services, like helping get out heavy things from the oven, peeling and cutting, and the most dreaded of kitchen chores: dish duty.
Cheerilee grabbed her tail and dragged her outside nearly an hour after she had arrived. The two sat down on the other side of the tent to rest. She hadn't noticed, but the heat of all the cooking had made the tent a sweat box. The griffin wiped off her face as Cheerilee sipped a paper cup of water.
"Hey, the boys only had water too. And come to think of it, nobody has even mentioned lunch or breakfast. I had a cherry, but I had to steal that."
Cheerilee splashed the remaining water on her face before answering.
"Well, we fast for this day. It's symbolic of the ponies waiting for Fall to gather food, as doing it too early in the year isn't good for well anything. So we wait for the "Fall" of the sun, that is, sunset, to eat. That, and it is at Sunset both Celestia and Luna will be awake to join us. They're very special guests this year."
Gilda nodded, even if all the symbolism was a bit odd to her. Still, food was nearly done, so Mrs. Cake came out to tell them to go ahead and clean up before dinner. Refreshed with a quick facial scrub, they found Dash, the other Bearers and of course everyone associated with them chatting off to one side. Dash had a covered dish, as did many other ponies. Cheerilee explained away Gilda's confused annoyance.
"Besides the main feast, many offered up their own dishes to offer a wider range of tastes. So all the work we just did was not in vain. Stay calm. Let's get seated."
With all of Ponyville gathered at their seats, the mayor took position at the center of the massive table right in front of the bonfire.
"I speak on behalf of everypony gathered hear today when I give thanks to all the good fortune that has come our way! The crops harvested were some of the biggest, and tastiest, in years! All because of the dedicated work of the farmers who toiled to provide!"
Everyone clapped as ponies like Carrot Top, Applejack and family, and many others stood up.
"I would also like to thank everypony who helped set up everything, those who cooked, and those who volunteered for clean up. Let's give a big thank you to them now, before we're too full and sleepy to remember!"
Again, all the volunteers stood up, Big Mac, words, Gilda, Cheerilee etc. The mayor motioned for everyone to sit.
"Finally, I believe our biggest thank yous should go to our beloved Princesses, who's warm sun give the plants we eat now energy, and beautiful nights allow them to mature. Those first fall frosts are very important to the flavor of it all, but I need not tell you that. Now, everypony, the Princesses!"
In twin chariots, the Alicorns flew down, on one Celestia with her shining white guards. The other, Luna and her dark duo. They landed to great cheers, and as they walked, ponies bowed in respect. Celestia coughed, and all was silent. The entire town waited on baited breath to hear her first words of the evening.
"Could somepony pass the gravy?"
And, with that and a get clattering of forks, spoons and knives, everyone began to eat. Compliments to the cooks were spouted with every bite, and drink flowed like rivers. Many sang gaily of the wondrous meal, the kind ponies around them, and the grace of the Princesses. Poems, stories and jokes were all spoken freely, and the massive bonfire died down long before the conversation did. Even as the hours stretched into the early morning, everyone was still up and eating, drinking and performing.
Finally, with the last of the food being plated up, Words was shoved forward by his friends. Celestia smiled down at him.
"Ah, Mister O'Wisdom. How are you enjoying the game? Spike says you're learning quickly. And no, taxes need not be repayment."
The unicorn gulped and pulled out a scroll, nervously averting his eyes from Royalty.
"That's um.. actually what this is. I wanted to read you something... and for Luna as well. It's about you two, if that is alright."
Luna paused, a piece of pumpkin pie halfway to her lips.
"It's been a thousand years since I listened to such a thing. Big Sister, I think we should let him."
"You say that as if I was going to say no, Little Sister. Now, please, speak loudly, let's hear some... Words."
The stallion smiled nervously, as if there were two great wolves smiling at him instead of the lovely sisters.
"Heh, haven't heard that one before you Majesty...
With Summer gone and Winter here
I send my thanks and heart
Not only mine, but from all I know
Who appreciate your art
To Celestia, who rules the sun
and gives the light each day
To Luna, in who's night we sleep
And with our loved ones lay
The sun, the moon, the day, the night
Their beauty holds us in awe
Some love more than others,
Especially the Twilight..."
"HEY!"
The stallion jumped, turning to explain he didn't mean Twilight SPARKLE, when his tail knocked over a pitcher of fruit punch right onto Celestia herself. On reflex, he grabbed the tablecloth and tried to wipe it off, which caused half empty gravy boats and soup bowls to dump over. Luna's pie was tossed by the sudden grab, right into her face. Twilight was running in circles, trying to find some towels for them. At the table, commentary began.
"Trixie is amused by this, greatly. Spike, tell me you have a camera."
"Way ahead of you. I'd grabbed a new one that records video."
"Hey, Dash, you don't think Words will go crazy again from all this?"
"Naw, but I think it's just as well, that definitely was not one of his best poems. Looks like he's lost his chance to read for Royalty..."
"Sugarcube, Ah think he's gone and dun lost more than his chance..."
"Um, girls, I think he's fainted. We should help him... if that's OK."
The stallion had collapsed, and was in fact drowning in a pudding. Cheerilee managed to help him up and wipe his face off. The Princesses were just laughing it off, using the fresh towels Pinkie had finally brought for them. Luna looked dejectedly at the ruined slice of pie that now lay on the ground.
"Well, I think he's repaid us enough."
Celestia giggled, wringing the punch from her hair.
"I certainly would hate to have him indebted to us if this is how he regularly repays ponies. Let's just call it a fun slapstick routine and end it there. He meant well."
Entertainment over, everyone headed home to let the cleaning crew get into it. Gilda and Dash flew up to their cloud home, enjoying the night air for just a moment. Dash gave a contented sigh.
"Great day wasn't it? Good food, chat with friends, that ending show..."
"Yeah, but your mashed potatoes had too much salt. And what happened to epic food?"
"Shut up, you you... turkey."
…
Happy Thanksgiving! May good fortune smile upon you and your loved ones. Today, I'd like to say how much I appreciate living so comfortably in the house I do, with food in my belly and the spare time to be able to write these stories. I am thankful for everyone taking time out of their own busy schedules to read than and give feed back.
Not to go all Thanksgiving Special, but days like today make you realize how well off each and every single one of us is. We can afford to waste money on internet, and time reading stories about ponies. There are those without a crumb to eat or a penny to spend trying to fix that. I think I'll try and find the time to volunteer at the nearest shelter in the near future, though I shouldn't have waited for the holidays to express this urge.
May God, or the deity, spirit, alien lord, or mathematical equation that gives you hope to live each day, bless you, just as they already have.
Kyle
P.S. Now, seriously, where's the gravy?