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A snowy winter night. A crackling fireplace. A good book. Pinkie Pie curled up against her side. Twilight couldn't imagine a more picturesque night.
At least, it would be if Pinkie stopped fidgeting.
It wasn't a good fidget, to be clear. In the years since they became friends and the months since they started dating, Twilight had begun to learn Pinkie's twitches and jiggles and what they meant, in order to be the best possible marefriend.
The cutest was a wiggle that went through her whole body, which meant that Pinkie's happiness couldn't be contained in her body. Runners up were kneading whatever was in front of her with her hooves and nuzzling Twilight all over. Constant stretches and shrugging her shoulders meant Pinkie was nervous. Rapid blinks and head shakes was sleepiness.
Those were all fine. What Pinkie was doing just now was looking at the door, then back at Twilight, then back at the door again. That meant she wanted to leave.
Twilight wasn't hurt or anything. She certainly wasn't getting anxious about Pinkie's feelings or what it might mean for their relationship. It was fine. Just… this was their only time together a week. But if Pinkie wanted to leave, Twilight wasn't going to stand in her way.
Twilight steeled her resolve, took in a last bit of warmth from Pinkie's fur, and said, "Pinkie, you don't have to –"
"Are we sure that the mirror pool is sealed?" Pinkie asked, interrupting her.
The two of them silently looked at each other for a second, Pinkie's wide-eyed expression reflecting Twilight's feelings. She waited for Pinkie to explain.
Upon hearing no explanation, Twilight blinked first. "Last I checked. Why, have you seen another Pinkie Pie or something?" she asked.
"No, it's not that! I wanna make another clone of myself! For you!"
"For… me?" Twilight said. She tried to imagine what she could do with two Pinkie Pies. She started to blush before she shook her head. "Pinkie, one of you is perfectly sufficient. What I'd rather know is why you keep looking at the door."
A blush immediately blossomed on Pinkie's face. "Hehe. You could tell?"
Twilight nodded. "It's not a problem if you want to leave, but –"
"No, I don't! I really really do wanna stay! That's why I was asking about the mirror pool!"
Twilight squinted. She thought she saw the connection, but she never was sure with Pinkie. "Can you walk me through this?" she said, brushing Pinkie's fur with her hoof as extra encouragement.
Pinkie nodded so hard that her head became a blur. When she started talking, the words poured out of her. "I just have so much to do for Hearth's Warming. But I love spending time with you! It's the best thing in Equestria! And I know how busy you are being a princess and this is our night we get to be together. So I don't want to waste your time and I'm really sorry and…"
"Pinkie, it's alright!" Twilight said. She nuzzled Pinkie's face and was rewarded with a giggle. "It's okay to be busy. Still, Hearth's Warming? That's over a month away."
"I know, right? That's what I thought the first year I was here. But actually, ponies come from all over Equestria to Ponyville for Hearth's Warming."
"Really? I suppose it does have a certain atmosphere."
"Right? Plus there's decorating the town, planning parties, baking desserts, wrapping presents." Pinkie flopped to the ground. "Oh, if only there was a secret Pinkie Pie hour."
Twilight giggled. "What, like time that only passes for you? I think I have a book about that around here…"
Pinkie shot up into Twilight's face, eyes wide. "Wait, really?!"
Twilight kissed Pinkie. "Yes, but it's never enough. Trust me." Pinkie opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Twilight closed her book. "Let me help you. With both of us, it should be a breeze."
"Ooooh, yes!" Pinkie said. She jumped out of Twilight's lap and started to move around. "Party planning and spending time with my marefriend? That's the dream!" Then Pinkie's head tilted as she looked back at Twilight. "Wait, but don't you have princess duties?"
Twilight waved a hoof. "Around Hearth's Warming? Please. Unless Canterlot is invaded, I have more than enough free time."
To be honest, between Celestia's penchant for public appearances, Luna's nightmare duties, and Twilight's policy writing, Equestria was running more smoothly than ever. Fewer problems that needed to be addressed and more time and horsepower to address them. Twilight was looking for a hobby and helping Pinkie was the perfect opportunity.
Pinkie's face turned serious. "Fun and games aren't all fun and games, Twilight. This is serious party business. If our mission fails, all the little foals won't have a very merry Hearth's Warming. Are you sure you're up to the task?"
Suppressing a smile, Twilight tried to look her most serious and regal. "Of course, Pinkie. I'm ready for anything."
Twilight was one of the princesses of Equestria. She argued with foreign leaders, stood up to monsters, and saved her home countless times. It was difficult. This?
"Twilight! I need two bags of flour in the kitchen, stat!"
"Pinkie, Filthy Rich, Bon Bon, *and* Octavia all have Hearth's Warming parties tonight that you promised to cater! Did you know about this?!"
"Yeah, that's why I'm baking! Plus we have the tree lighting in the center of Ponyville!"
"What?! Then our schedule is all off! And there's a line out the door!"
"You mean *your* schedule is all off! I've been keeping track in my head!"
"Pinkie! You can't just – hi, welcome to Sugarcube Corner, can you hold on a second – you can't just… we don't have time for this!"
"I know! That's why I'm asking you to get the flour!"
This was agony.
As soon as they were out of sight of the last house, Twilight flopped onto the ground with a wheeze. "Pinkie," she gasped. "I can't feel my hooves."
Pinkie wiped some imaginary sweat off her brow. "Yeah, I know! I love the winter chill!"
"Not what I meant. Is it almost Hearth's Warming yet?"
"Almost!" Pinkie said cheerily. "It's just a week away!"
Twilight let out a very unprincesslike groan.
Suddenly, Pinkie whipped her head and stared off into the distance. "Ooh, hold that thought!" she said. Then she sped off in a puff of smoke.
Making a mental note to find a royal masseuse and tell her she's a rich mare, Twilight slowly lifted her head up to find Pinkie. Her eyes were bleary, but when they focused, she saw Pinkie talking to some pony she didn't recognize. Based on the number of layers they had on, it seemed like they came from somewhere out of town, but Pinkie was talking to them like they were best friends.
Twilight blinked and Pinkie reappeared in front of her. "I'm baaack~" she sang.
Twilight moved into a sitting position. "Who was that?"
"Oh, that's Desert Sage," Pinkie said. "She usually comes around to celebrate Hearth's Warming in Ponyville, but she wasn't sure if she was going to make it this year. I'm so glad I could give her her gift in person!"
Twilight looked at Pinkie. She *really* looked at her. It shouldn't have surprised her after all these years; she knew how much Pinkie lived for this. But still, to have the energy to talk to Desert Sage after the day, weeks, months they had been having? Twilight felt her heart skip a beat just thinking about it.
Growing up as Princess Celestia's student, she saw the smugness, the self-congratulatory behavior of ponies who treated their gifts like favors. Pinkie had a huge grin on her face. Her eyes were shining. There wasn't pride; only happiness. This was what Pinkie lived for.
She also saw how heavily Pinkie was breathing and how she swayed from left to right. Even when Pinkie was at her most active, she never showed it. But she was now.
Twilight got to her hooves and kissed Pinkie on the cheek. If she was going to be the best marefriend she could be, she knew what she had to do.
"Alright," she said. "What's next?"