"So, is this movie meant to be a representation of how Santa might have come to be?" Twilight asked.

"It's a fictitious account," I replied. "In reality, Santa Claus was based initially off of a Christian Saint called St. Nicholas. The modern day version of Santa Claus was actually based off of an advertisement for Coca-Cola. I'll do some more research on that, or you can use that laptop you still have at the library to look stuff us."

Twilight blushed a bit. "Heh, sorry…it's just so fascinating! An entire world's library right at my hooves! And not just books! Videos, research papers, sooo much!"

"Well, computers are pretty cool," Sunset said. "I wonder if Ponies will ever be able to recreate them?"

"Now that we have access to another Earth, I can go and buy a few and let you examine them," I said, "but for now, Christmas movies await us." So saying, I began navigating my folders to the location of the videos. "And this isn't as scary as A Christmas Carol, Fluttershy."

The yellow Pegasus, who was now sitting right in my lap, looked up at me and smiled. "I still want to stay here," she said softly.

"Awww! I wanna cuddle him too!" Pinkie pouted. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Twilight looking a bit eager as well.

I snorted. "Alright, how about this? There are three movies. Fluttershy gets first dibs on my lap since she was here first. Then Pinkie Pie. Then Twilight Sparkle."

Pinkie beamed happily while Twilight looked nervous, but also excited. "I like that plan!" Pinkie said.

Fluttershy pressed herself closer to me, and I wrapped her in my wings along with a Christmas blanket. "Here we are. Let's watch, shall we?" I clicked on the video.


"Hang on, isn't opening a letter not addressed to you a federal offense?" Sunset asked as narrator postman opened the many letters to Santa.

"Shhh, don't ruin it," I whispered, "It's just a children's film."

"Yeah, sorry," she whispered back.

"Awww, those animals are adorable," Fluttershy whispered at me.

"Yes, yes they are," I said with a smile.


"His name is really Burgermeister Meisterburger?" Rainbow Dash snorted in amusement as the antagonist was introduced. "That's like calling me Rainbow Dash Dash Rainbow!"

"It's probably just some funny name," I said.

"But aren't those old German helmets?" Sunset asked.

"Yeah, you're right, but hush," I said.

"I don't like him already," Pinkie Pie said.


"Winter Warlock?" Twilight muttered. "Huh…interesting name."

"Aww, those animals saved little Claus," Fluttershy cooed happily.

"I do hope the little darling wasn't hurt in that fall," Rarity said.

"He's fine," I chuckled.


"Haha! Those elves have such silly voices," Pinkie giggled. "Did they inhale helium?"

"They're elves," I replied. "They're meant to have silly voices."

"I must say, those elves have simple but somehow festive clothes," Rarity said. "I wonder if I could use that color scheme…"

I rolled my eyes and continued watching.


"Awww…all those unplayed with toys," Pinkie said sadly.

"Couldn't they just go around the mountain?" Scarlet asked. "Sure, it'd take longer, but it would be worth it."

"And there'd be no story," Sunset smirked.


"Hehe, the soldiers are standing erect," Scarlet whispered into my ears seductively.

"You behave or you get a spanking," I whispered back.

"Promise?" she winked.

I sighed and ignored the giggling horndog mare.

"When you're the first toymaker to the king!" Pinkie sang out loudly.


"Aww, animals teach me a lot too," Fluttershy said with the most adorable voice as Kris learned how to laugh from them.

"I've got a feeling I'll begin learning some things too," I whispered.


"That's a mighty unusual critter," Applejack said as Topper appeared on the screen. "what's a penguin, anyway?"

"They're flightless birds that live in the south pole back on Earth," I explained.

"That one looks adorable in that scarf," Fluttershy cooed.

"I wonder why the penguin wore black and yellow," Rarity muttered.


"Wow, he actually made toys illegal?" Spike asked. "That's like if Princess Celestia made books illegal."

Twilight's eyes went wide. "Don't even joke about that!"


"That dress that human mare is wearing is simply gorgeous!" Rarity said. "And why am I seeing sparks flying between her and Kris?"

"Are you gonna make new clothes for every film we watch?" I teased. "I still have that Aragorn cosplay outfit you made for me after you watched The Fellowship Of The Ring."

"I can't help it, darling! Your culture has been an amazing muse!"


"Is it just me, or is this song a bit creepy?" Scarlet whispered to me as Kris Kringle was singing If You Sit On My Lap Today. "A kiss for a toy? Screams creep to me."

"This was made back in 1970," I whispered back. "It was a different time. It's meant to be more innocent I think."

"Why is this song so creepy?" Sunset echoed.

"Ugh…"


"Oh dear, he's about to meet the Winter Warlock again, isn't he?" Mica asked as Kris fled from the Burgermeister's soldiers.

"I hope he turns out okay," Fluttershy murmured.

I reached down and stroked her mane gently. "He'll be fine," I said. "Just watch."


"Why can I see Fluttershy doing something like this to get the Winter Warlock to turn good?" Rainbow Dash asked.

I stroked Fluttershy's mane again. "Because she's the epitome of kindness. She turned a manticore from a growling menace to a happy kitten."

Fluttershy blushed.


As Kris, Topper and the other animals walked through the snow door, a few of the mares in the room all went "Aww!"


"I really think this movie would go over well with the foals in town," Zecora said. She'd been silent most of the time, simply enjoying the movie and snuggling close to me. "They might even hope to see Santa Claus."

"That gives me an idea," I said, "but I'll look into it later."


"What do you get if you've been naughty?" Pinkie asked.

I paused the movie for a bit, then turned to the pink mare. "They won't share it here, but traditionally, if Santa though you were naughty, you'd get coal for a present," I explained.

"Why coal?" Twilight asked. "That's a useful gift."

"Useful and finite," I said. "I'm not sure where that tradition came from, to be honest. Good girls and boys would get presents, and bad ones got lumps of coal in their stockings."

"Stockings? What do you mean by that?" Rarity asked curiously.

I pointed to the mantle, where I'd hung a large red and white stocking with my name on it. It was my old stocking, made by my mother and the writing on it bore her handwriting. "It's a Christmas tradition to hang stockings by the fireplace or somewhere so that Santa can stuff them with more presents," I said. "It comes from a legend about the original Saint Nicholas. Apparently, he saved three young girls from going down a path of ill deeds by dropping bags of gold into them so that their father could pay a dowry so they could get married. Again, this is just a story. The real origins of the traditions come from many different events."

"Ooooh, I can't wait to research them!" Twilight exclaimed eagerly.

"Egghead," Rainbow smirked.

"Well-read!" Twilight and I both said simultaneously.

"Jinx! You owe each other a Coke!" Scarlet grinned.

"You're so weird," I grinned.

"Holidays are comin'! Holidays are comin'! Always Coca-Cola!" Sunset sang as I resumed the movie.

"Jesus, now I'm craving a Coke," I sighed.


"Normally, I would be against stockings being used in such a manner," Rarity said, "but this Kris is ingenious, hiding toys in stockings like that."

"I should do the same with my family!" Pinkie giggled. "Nopony'd know!"

"Heh, have fun there, Pinkie," I said.


"I really don't like this Burgermeister," Pinkie said, her ears flattened as the animated villain burned the pile of toys.

"He was being cruel to that poor penguin, too," Fluttershy exclaimed.

"I wonder why he's like that?" Twilight wondered in a subdued voice.

"Ah can't rightly say," Applejack said, "but ah can't help but wanna knock some sense into him."

"It's just a movie, guys," I said.


"Did Jessica just go full Pinkie Pie?" Scarlet asked during Jessica's song.

"What do you mean?" I asked. Pinkie also looked curious.

"She's more colorful than before," Scarlet explained, "just like how Pinkie was after she got her cutie mark."

"Oooh, she did get more colorful!" Pinkie said in realization.

"Guess you're right about that part," I said.

"I must make a dress like hers," Rarity said. "It's quite lovely."


"I really wanna know how Winter became disenchanted," Twilight muttered to herself. "Was it a result of him becoming good? I mean, we saw the same thing with Princess Luna…"

"You know, it's weird that they have flying reindeer there," Sunset said. "I know we have them here, too."

"Hehe, good," I said.

"You're planning something, aren't you dearest?" Zecora whispered.

"I'll tell you later."


"I do love a good romance," Rarity said, "but it is going a bit fast."

"It's a children's program, Rares," I said. "Short programs held attention better."

"I suppose," she shrugged.


"Jethro, isn't Earth's North Pole directly over ocean?" Twilight asked. "Why there? Wouldn't the castle be structurally unsound?"

"Twilight, don't ruin the story!" Rainbow said in annoyance.

"Oh, sorry," she said sheepishly.

"That's just the legend," I chuckled.


"That's a beautiful message," Rarity said during the ending before Fred Astaire began singing. "I can see how this Christmas and Hearth's Warming are similar."

"Ah wholeheartedly agree." Applejack said.

"Peace on Equestria, good will towards all," Twilight said.

"Think Princess Celestia would go for that being Hearth's Warming's motto?" Spike asked.

"Pretty sure that'd be an amazing way to spread it," I said.

"I can make banners saying that," Rarity said.

Fluttershy snuggled closer. "It's a beautiful message," she said.

"Eh, normally I'm not into the mushy stuff, but yeah, it's a good message," Rainbow said.


"So, what's the next movie?" Spike asked eagerly as the first movie ended.

I smiled. "Well, the second one is a favorite of mine. One with a message all its own." I maneuvered towards the second video. "This one is titled The Year Without A Santa Claus."

"That doesn't sound like a happy story," Pinkie said worriedly as she came over and climbed onto my lap while Fluttershy reluctantly vacated. She looked up at me. "It's not too bad, is it?"

I ran my hand through her soft fluffy mane. "Well, you'll just watch and see what it's about," I said as I clicked on it. The screen hovering in front of us went black and the movie began.


"Poor Santa doesn't sound too good," Pinkie observed during the first scene as Santa lay back in bed.

"Overworking can have negative effects on somepony," Twilight said.

"Don't I know that," Spike said softly.

Twilight's ears flattened a bit at that. A while ago, I'd talked to Twilight about how the show version of her had treated Spike. Her and her friends. Ever since then, she'd been trying her best not to go down a similar path. "Spike, I'm sorry," she whispered.

"It's fine," he said reassuringly.

"That doctor really is crotchety," Applejack observed as the scene shifted to the elf doctor looking a sick Santa over.


"I'm not sure just anyone can be Santa Claus," Scarlet said with a frown as Mrs. Claus sang.

"I think she's just trying to help," Fluttershy, who now sat in the same pink bean bag Pinkie had, said.

"Still, it's kind of a weird message, especially when Santa's feeling so low," Pinkie said.

"Maybe so, but I still think she's trying to help," Fluttershy retorted.

"Maybe," Scarlet trailed off thoughtfully.


"Those Miser brothers sound pretty mean," Pinkie said.

"Here they are," I said as the two brothers appeared on screen.

"Quite the clashing pair," Rarity said as Mrs. Claus talked about them.

"Oh my!" Fluttershy exclaimed as Heat Miser shot down Jingle, Jangle and Vixen.

"That's just wrong!" Rainbow frowned. "Even I wouldn't do that!"


"Poor Vixen," Fluttershy said when Jangle observed that the young doe was looking sick. "She shouldn't be so far south."

"Deer are northern animals back on Earth," I said, "and I suspect the Deerfolk here are similar."

"From what I know about them and their culture, yes." Twilight said.


"Believing in Santa isn't for little kids!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I'd like to believe in him!"

I pulled Pinkie down and turned her to face me. She didn't look too happy, but I reached and scratched behind her ear. "Relax, Pinks," I smiled. "Just keep watching. And congrats. You're the first Pony to believe in Santa Claus."

"He's a nice human," she said, nuzzling into my hand affectionately.

"Yes he is," I said as the movie continued.


"Well ah'll be…ah like Iggy's father already," Applejack said after Iggy's dad admitted he believed in Santa. "Iggy's kind of a brat right now."

"Just wait," I said, "He gets better."

"Ah hope so," Applejack said.


"You know, even if Santa doesn't exist," Twilight said softly, "he's a good symbol. That's the impression I'm getting. Am I wrong?" She looked over at me as .

"He's one symbol for all things wonderful during the Christmas season," I agreed.

"A perfect example of the generosity of the season, Christmas or Hearth's Warming," Rarity observed with approval. "Giving without asking for anything in return."

"I wish I could be Santa," Pinkie said.

"You'd make a great Santa," I said, wrapping her closer to me. I heard her purring contentedly.


"Why aren't those three going to the pound to check to see if Vixen's actually there?" Spike asked.

"Yeah, I'm with you there," Mica agreed.

"Nobody's perfect," I reminded them.


"Snow Miser's a fun guy," Pinkie giggled during the Snow Miser song. "He's Mr. White Christmas, He's Mr. Snow. He's Mr. Icicle! He's Mr. Ten Below!"

"He does seem like a plum pleasant-ish feller," Applejack said, "but ah dunno…there's somethin' about him that seems weird."


"You never told me Heat Miser lived in Mount Doom," Scarlet giggled.

"Where else would he live?" I chuckled.

"Princess Luna would have a fit if she saw him melting the moon," Twilight said.

"Yes, yes she would," I agreed.


"Wouldn't having a summer day at the North Pole be disastrous for the environment?" Twilight asked.

"Oh trust me, humans are doing a fine job ruining the North Pole without his help," Sunset smirked.

"Yet another reason why I'm glad I'm here and not there," I admitted.

"Is it weird that ah don't like it when them brothers are fightin'?" Applejack asked.

"I might fight with Sweetie Belle sometimes, but I always try and make up," Rarity added.


"Did Mrs. Claus really tell on the brothers by going to their mother?" Scarlet asked with an amused smile.

"Yes, yes she did," Sunset laughed.

"That's harsh."

I shook my head in amusement and pulled both Scarlet and Zecora closer. Pinkie nuzzled closer. "I hated being told on as a filly," she said softly.

I stroked her mane. "Yeah, I can only imagine."


"You can tell this was made decades ago," Sunset said. "Look at the racial stereotypes for those children."

"Don't ruin it, phoenix girl," I muttered with a playful glare. One she matched back.


"After all that effort, Santa goes back to his job?" Twilight asked.

"He's got a big heart," Fluttershy said.

"Yeah…yeah he does," Pinkie said with a smile.


"Ah might be a workin' Pony," Applejack said as the credits rolled, "but even ah need a breather now and then. And travelin' the world in a single night? Ah doubt even Rainbow Dash could pull that off."

"I'm fast, but I'd need to go really fast to do what Santa does," Rainbow admitted.

"And he'd need to break so many scientific laws, too," Twilight said.

"Magic really has no rules," I said.

"Maybe in your myths," Twilight argued, "but here there are plenty of rules! We can't just go breaking every scientific law!"

I held out my hand, pointing towards a pillow. "Teacup." With that, a beam of magic shot out and the pillow changed into a pink teacup with a purple swirling pattern around it. The base and handle were a similar shade of purple. I floated it over to me and caught it. "This can't just happen, Twilight. That pillow was bigger than the teacup." I pointed again. "Pillow." The teacup reverted to the same pillow as before.

"You…just did a transfiguration spell!?" Twilight gaped in awe at me.

"Nothing fancy," I said. "Just something I saw in an episode of the show."

"This is huge! You're learning so fast!" Twilight said excitedly.

"Think you could transform something into a glass of eggnog?" Pinkie asked sheepishly.

"I've made an eggnog addict," I groaned as I stroked her mane. "I don't think I can do that quite yet," I added. "So…sorry."

"It's okay! I'll make more later!" Pinkie giggled, jumping out of my lap and bouncing over to Twilight. "Okay, Twilight! Your turn! His lap is cooomfy! And he gives some of the best ear scritches!" She all but hoisted the startled Unicorn up and a few seconds later plopped her in my lap. "Have fuuuun!" And with that, she jumped into the bean bag where Twilight had just been, snuggling into it.

Twilight looked up at me, an awkward smile on her face. I reached down and put a hand on her head. "Sorry," I said softly.

"N-No, it's alright," she said reassuringly. "It's just Pinkie being Pinkie." Her tail fluttered a bit as I began stroking her mane. "Oh…I forgot how good that feels. It's so…relaxing."

"Well, don't go relaxing just yet," I chuckled. "We still have one more film to watch. Ladies and gentlemen-"

"Fillies and gentlecolts," Twilight automatically corrected me.

"…Don't start," I teased before I maneuvered the mouse to the third and final Rankin & Bass film, "may I present one of my favorite stop motion Christmas animations of all time: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer."


"That Mrs. Claus looks kinda mean," Pinkie observed when Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared.

"Are these stories not in the same continuity?" Sunset asked.

"This isn't the MCU Cinematic Universe, Sunny," I chuckled.

"Fine, fine," Sunset said, waving her hoof.


"How in the bloomin' apples does that reindeer have a shinin' nose?" Applejack asked.

"I've no idea," I said, "but I've seen in the show that you guys not only have flying reindeer, but that their horns glow when they fly."


"Did Santa really say that he hopes his nose stops glowing?" Scarlet asked.

"That's pretty mean," Pinkie said. "Who wants to be normal?"

"Certainly not you, darling," Rarity giggled.


"Why do I have a feeling that this is gonna be a story about accepting other differences?" Sunset said as Hermie appeared on the screen.

"He didn't get a break? That's a toxic work environment," Rarity said.

This coming from the same Pony who had her friends work in sweat shop-like conditions to make clothes out of window shades, I thought, but I immediately had to remind myself that this wasn't the same Rarity. I nodded. "Everyone needs a break."


"I…wanna hug that poor buck," Pinkie said. "He needs a big party!"

"Yes, yes he does," Fluttershy said.

"Hiding such a beautiful gift is criminal," Rarity said.

"How is this a children's program?" Scarlet asked.

"Different time, remember?" I said.


"Am I seeing sparks again between Rudolph and Clarise?" Rarity asked.

"That's what I'm seeing," Pinkie said.


"Why is Santa being so mean in this movie?" Pinkie asked, her ears deflated a bit. "Isn't he meant to be a nice guy?"

"The story called for it, I guess," Twilight replied, a sad look in her eyes. "Reminds me of…well, of how we all treated Zecora." She looked past me at my fiancée with a sorrowful and apologetic look in her eyes.

Zecora only smiled down at her. "My dear mare, be not distressed. That is all in the past. You learned the lesson already."

The Ponies in the room all seemed to breathe a sigh of relief at her words.


"Is that Bumble monster really as big as a mountain?!" Applejack asked incredulously.

"Not sure why you're surprised," I said. "Plenty of beings here are massive. And he isn't that big. You'll see later on."

"Oh dear," Fluttershy said.


"I like Yukon Cornelius. He's funny," Pinkie giggled as the aforementioned character was introduced.

"He's definitely a solid character," I said. "Just wait."


"Superior intelligence equals running like crazy?" Twilight chuckled.

"Now ah see how big that Bumble is," Applejack said.


"So now Donner feels bad? He should have been better than that before," Fluttershy said in a surprisingly angry tone. "I wouldn't do that if I had a foal!"

I didn't miss the sideways glance she gave me. I nodded. "I know how you feel, Flutters. I'm the same way."


"Man, they're really shoving the misfit lesson down your throat, aren't they?" Sunset chuckled.

"Coming from a misfit in Equestria, it's a good lesson to learn," I said.

"But you're not a misfit," Rarity said.

"Heh, I've been lucky," I said.


"Those toys all look really fun," Pinkie said. "I'd play with them, and I know other foals would too."

"I should start a weekly movie night or something and show you all the Toy Story movies," I said out of nowhere. "I think the foals would enjoy that."

"I can ask the mayor about it," Twilight said helpfully.

Her smile returned when I stroked her mane. "I'll do that later, Twi."


"Wow…Rudolph's attitude reminds me of somepony here," Rarity said as she gave me a knowing look. "Self-sacrificial much?"

"You Ponies would tear me a new one if I did that," I said sheepishly.

Twilight snuggled up closer. "You're never alone here, you know that right?" she asked softly.

"I do," I said gently as I stroked her mane.


"Wow, talk about rotten luck," Rainbow said as the storm hit. "Shame they didn't have me there. I'd have taken care of that storm in ten seconds flat!"

"I don't doubt it," I agreed with her.


"They've been looking for months? That's real loyalty!" Rainbow said again as Burl Ives talked about how Yukon and Hermie had been searching.

"True friendship means sticking by them through thick and thin," Twilight agreed.

"Damn right!" Spike said, giving me a knowing nod.

Twilight gave me a sharp look. "You've been a bad influence on him," she said quietly.

"Yes, dear," I said with a sigh.

That put her off her guard and she blushed.


"Did…Hermie really pull out all of the Bumble's teeth?!" Fluttershy asked in horror. "That poor creature! How will he eat?"

"Yeah, that is a bit dark," I agreed. "But plenty of children's stories have dark parts in them. Human ones, anyway."


"Yay! Yukon's alive!" Pinkie squealed happily at the reveal. "But how did he survive?"

"Didn't I ever tell you about Bumbles? Bumble's bounce!"

"Never mind."

"He still has no teeth," Fluttershy said mournfully.

"It's just a movie, Flutters," I said. "It's not real."

"Yeah…I guess." I made a mental note to hug the poor Pegasus later.


"So…what's the lesson? If you're a misfit, it's best to have a useful talent for society?" Sunset asked.

"I think it's more that there's always a place for someone in society no matter what," I replied.

"That's just a more positive spin on it," Sunset said.

"Again, different time," I said.


"I liked those films," Pinkie said as we began to reset the living room. "They're cute."

"When they're not making sense," Twilight said.

"Making sense? But where's the fun in making sense," I said in my best John de Lancie impression. "Again, these were made for human children. Just like My Little Pony, they're meant to teach them life lessons and be entertaining."

Twilight, who really didn't want to get off my lap, looked up at me. "Speaking of, can we watch any more of those episodes sometime?"

"Maybe," I said. "It'll have to be from the first season. But that's about it."

"Awww, I wanted to see more!" Pinkie pouted.

"Like what? A lot of the events from the first season have already happened. Out of order, but they've happened. Fluttershy being a model, the CMC forming, Trixie, the thing with Gilda-"

"You saw Gilda?" Rainbow asked incredulously.

"Not in person, but on the show," I said. "And I should probably say something about that." I looked up at Rainbow. "I have a feeling that the reason for Gilda's attitude isn't as clear cut as you think. I don't know her, but from what I saw in the episode and from what I saw in another episode featuring her, she probably wanted to spend time with you and Pinkie was getting in the way of that. How long was she in town for?"

"Not long," Rainbow admitted.

"Was I really getting in the way?" Pinkie asked.

"Don't beat yourself up about that, Pinks," I quickly said, "I know how excitable you can get. And yes, Gilda did some mean pranks in the episode I saw, so she isn't completely at fault here. There's fault on both sides, I think. But I know something about her that no one here does. She lives in Griffonstone, and currently that place is a dump. It's fallen into disrepair ever since they lost the Idol of Boreas. They don't even have a king anymore."

Twilight looked up at me in shock. "They…don't?"

Rainbow and Pinkie both looked a bit unsettled by this news as well. "She lives in a dump?" Rainbow asked.

"I'm sure the show glossed over how bad it might have been," I said, "but yes. Griffons aren't really living very well. Remember what the Griffon ambassadors said at the council? They couldn't help since they had their own issues. If I had to guess, the Griffons are all suffering from either some kind of communal depression or an identity crisis."

"I…I think I'll write her a letter," Rainbow said softly.

"Good idea," I said. "Shame I couldn't meet her. She turns out okay in the show in the end. I know deep down she misses you."

"Yeah…I guess I miss her too," Rainbow said.

"Dashy, I'm sorry." Pinkie said.

"Gilda isn't guiltless either," I repeated. "Remember, she pretty much terrorized Fluttershy. Living in a gutter and selling scones without baking powder or not, there's no excuse for some of her behavior. Still, I'd like to meet her sometime," I admitted.

Rainbow smiled a bit. "I'll tell her you said that. I'm sure that'll surprise her. Jethro, Emperor of all Dragons, wants to meet a simple Griffon."

"Indeed," I chuckled as I finally stood, lifting Twilight up and holding her in my arms. "But it's getting late, and I'm sure everyone here is getting tired. So let's break out the sleeping bags or blankets and bedding or whatever you want and we can get some shuteye, huh?"

"I call dibs on sleeping next to Jethy!" Pinkie said, zooming to my side.

"Um…can I do that too?" Fluttershy asked. "He has two sides, you know."

"What about the actual members of his herd?" Scarlet asked in a teasing tone.

"Oh, um, then…never mind," Fluttershy said, quickly retracting her statement.

"Relax, Flutters," Scarlet said, flying up next to her and putting her hoof on Fluttershy's back. "We get to sleep with Jethro all the time. This week is gonna be special for everyone. You all can snuggle him as much as you want."

"Provided he is okay with it," Zecora added.

"Cuddling with the most adorable Ponies in the universe?" I asked. "Who could say no to that?"

"Yay!" Pinkie said excitedly.

"Yay…" Fluttershy said with a warm and excited smile of her own.

Twilight looked up at me, smiling a bit as well. "Thank you, Jethro," she said softly.

"You all are too cute to deny," I said with a smile. "So let's get things set up, okay?"


And that was how I found myself surrounded by the most adorable mares in Equestria. I was lying on a comfortable mat in front of the fireplace, which was still roaring with a massive fire which Twilight had enchanted to keep going for at least half the night. I was lying on my back, with Pinkie Pie lying right under my blanket to my write, both her forelegs wrapped around one arm, Fluttershy to my left with one wing placed on my chest, and Twilight lying directly on top of me, curled up under a blanket of her own. I'd always loved the feeling of something heavy being on top of me whenever I lay down, and while Twilight wasn't really heavy, the presence of three amazing and beautiful Ponies all around me made me feel safe and secure.

The others were scattered around the room. Rarity was sleeping on one of the couches underneath a fancy looking quilt. Spike was on the floor next to her, lying underneath one of my spare blankets and a mat as well, already snoring. Rainbow Dash was on one of the other couches as well, curled up in one of the cutest poses I'd seen her in.

To my surprise, Applejack had made a spot very near me. She made the excuse that it was for my protection. I knew better than to say anything whenever she was this stubborn, so I let it go. She was lying on a mat of her own and an old quilt with an apple tree image sewn into it.

Mica had actually returned to his room to sleep. When Spike had asked if he wanted to say, he politely declined, stating that he had a hard time sleeping in a new spot.

Sunset had taken the last couch and was already completely sound asleep, breathing regularly. Her mane was already a mess, and I remembered the small Equestria Girls short that showed her hair being a mess.

Zecora and Scarlet were sleeping near me as well, curled up each under blankets of their own. Zecora wasn't using a mat, proving to me how tough my fiancée really was. Scarlet, too, was sleeping on the carpet. I had to remind myself that she had lived alone in this house when it was falling apart, so she was tougher than she looked.

I was the only one awake, the only sounds coming from the roaring fire near my head and the breathing (and snoring) of those around me. It was so relaxing that I was about to fall asleep. My eyes were closed and I was just about to pass into dreamland when something soft and warm pressed against my lips.

Opening my eyes wide, I found myself staring into two gorgeous purple eyes. Eyes which widened in fear as their owner moved away. "Ah, I'm sorry," Twilight said with a terrified tone. "I just…I didn't-"

I put a wing over her mouth gently. "Shhh…you were just curious, right?" I asked softly. When she nodded, I smiled. "Well? How was it?"

She relaxed and lay back down on top of me. "Best…feeling…ever…" and with a peaceful smile on her lips, she fell asleep instantly.

I stroked her mane gently with my wing. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Twilight…very glad…"