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OSTFRIESEN CASTLE - MARY'S QUARTERS
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Mary gently pulls the ribbons off of Gleam. "Let's get these silly things off you~"
Icicle Gleam chuckles quietly as Mary removes one of the ribbons. "Happy Hearth's Warming, Mary."
Mary tosses the ribbons aside and gives Gleam a little kiss.
Icicle Gleam blushes and smiles as he returns the kiss. "Figured this might have been a funny 'gift'. I have my real gift stashed away for you, if you'd like to get it."
Mary blinks. "Oh? Where might you be hiding it...?"
Icicle Gleam nods towards the door leading to the study, a playful grin on his face. "Behind some books on a bookshelf in your study."
Mary curiously heads into the study. "But there are so many books..."
Icicle Gleam follows after Mary. "Second bookshelf on the left, fourth shelf from the top."
Mary climbs up the ladder and slides over to the right shelf. "Over here...?"
Icicle Gleam watches Mary climb up, stealing several small glances at her rump while still watching the shelf. "Yup! See some of the books sticking out a bit?"
Mary pulls out the odd books. "What's behind them, I wonder~?"
Narrator: A rather large and flat box wrapped in festively-printed paper sits behind the books. At a glance, the gift seems to have been there for several days, having been very carefully wrapped up, and tied with ribbons.
Mary blinks and wonders, "When did you sneak this in here...?"
Icicle Gleam chuckles, grinning happily. "That day I stopped by to cook dinner for us. I managed to sneak into the study with your gift while you were in the bathroom."
Mary examines the box, turning it in the air. "Very sneaky..."
Icicle Gleam hums a bit, still smiling brightly. "Makes it more fun that way, I think."
Mary slowly unwraps the box.
Narrator: Under the wrapping is a rather nondescript cardboard box, like the sort one would see transporting goods. A note is taped to the lid of the box, asking the viewer 'What do you get for the pony who already has everything?'
Mary smiles at the note and opens the box. "Why of course, you get a..."
Narrator: A second note sits on top of a rather fancy-looking saddle surrounded by stuffing paper, which states 'More of something they already enjoy! Happy Hearth's Warming, Mary!'
Narrator: The saddle seems to be sitting higher up in the box than one would expect, given the weight.
Mary chuckles and blushes as she lifts the saddle from the box. "Oh my...for fashion or pleasure~?"
Icicle Gleam chuckles. "Why not both? Fashionable, and functional!"
Narrator: Under the saddle sits a new set of reins, including a high-quality bit. A third note is nestled within: 'Something that will look good while out and about, and while in private!'
Mary blushes more upon seeing the reins. "Th-that's definitely for pleasure~"
Icicle Gleam grins. "See? Fashion and pleasure, depending on what you wear!"
Mary chuckles and replaces the books on the shelf. "Thank you so much~"
Icicle Gleam nods happily. "You're very welcome, Mary. I'm glad you like the gift."
Mary pulls Gleam into a warm hug.
Icicle Gleam hums and hugs Mary in return.
Icicle Gleam smiles as he leans back a little in Mary's embrace. "So, since it's Hearth's Warming, is there anything you wanted to do, Mary?"
Mary: We could snuggle up...by the fireplace.
Mary: S-sorry I haven't gotten you a gift...
Icicle Gleam chuckles and pecks Mary on the nose. "It's alright, Mary, I'm just glad you like what I got for you." He smiles warmly, "By the fireplace, couple of mugs of hot chocolate?"
Mary leans on Gleam. "Mmhm~"
Icicle Gleam gently wraps a warm wing around Mary. "Sounds like a perfect evening, to me~" He nuzzles Mary's cheek, "Shall I go and get the hot chocolate ready, then?"
Mary nods. "Sure. I'll be by the fireplace~"
Icicle Gleam gives Mary a gentle squeeze before releasing the hug. "Okay, then. I'll be there in a couple of minutes." He turns to head towards the door, but stops and looks back with a smile, "I'll grab us a blanket, too. Complete the image, you know~"
Mary smiles. "Of course~"
Icicle Gleam chuckles and trots out of the study.
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A LITTLE WHILE LATER
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Mary settles down in front of the fireplace, lighting the logs with a quick puff of her breath.
Icicle Gleam nudges his way back into Mary's chambers, a small tray bearing two large mugs of hot chocolate balanced on one of his wings and a large, exceptionally fluffy blanket folded up on his back. He chuckles as he approaches the hearth, watching as the fire flickers into being. "Looks like I won't have to embarrass myself trying to start it by hoof."
Mary smiles back at Gleam. "One of the perks of being the one to warm my bed~"
Icicle Gleam smiles warmly as he bends over to place the tray down by Mary before he reaches behind to grab the blanket on his back. "I guess I'm a lucky one, huh? There's some nice perks to it."
Mary chuckles. "Then again, I usually don't get benefits like gifts and fireplace snuggles. So, I guess you're a little special too."
Icicle Gleam manages to get a good grip on the blanket and pulls it off of his back, swishing it open and letting it settle over Mary's back in a single, smooth motion. He winks with a playful grin. "A couple of the perks of being the one to warm my bed, I guess you could say~"
Mary hums and leans onto Gleam. "That's one way to put it~"
Icicle Gleam twitches the blanket so that it covers his body a little more completely, then leans against Mary in kind, giving her a gentle nuzzle as he settles in. "The snuggles are part of the package, with me, as you've seen whenever we're just about ready to fall asleep after a night of fun~"
Mary chuckles. "Of course, that's only when I run out of magic..."
Icicle Gleam smiles again. "It's a nice way to wind down the evening, though. Just snuggling up until we both fall asleep."
Mary hums nostalgically, seeming to remember something from years past. "One of the great pleasures in life~"
Icicle Gleam sticks a hoof out from the blanket and carefully slides the tray a little closer to Mary. "It definitely is." He chuckles as he picks up one of the mugs, "One of the nicest ways to stay warm on a cold night, too~"
Mary sips at her cocoa. "Mmm...toasty~"
Icicle Gleam takes a sip of his cocoa and sighs appreciatively as he leans against Mary again.
Mary stares into the flames, feeling the heat waft against her face.
Icicle Gleam likewise gazes at the flames for a little while, seemingly entranced by the dancing patterns formed by the fire. After a while he smiles slightly and takes another sip of cocoa before speaking up. "Happy Hearth's Warming, Mary."
Mary rests her head on Gleam's shoulder. "Happy Hearth's Warming, Gleam~"
Icicle Gleam hums happily as he tilts his head and rests his cheek against Mary's head. "Mm... This is a nice change of pace, don't you think?"
Mary hums in agreement. "It's nice to just get cozy once in a while..."
Icicle Gleam chuckles and gently slips a warm wing over Mary's back. "It is... And it's even better to cuddle up with you because of how warm you can be~"
Mary: Heh, that's just my generous heart~
Icicle Gleam: And what a generous heart it is~
Mary blushes and sips her cocoa
Icicle Gleam stretches his forelegs slightly before taking another sip of cocoa and setting the mug down for the moment. He sighs quietly as he gazes into the fire again, feeling perfectly content.
Mary begins to doze off as she basks in the warm glow of the fire.
Icicle Gleam senses the shift in Mary's weight and glances to the side as he moves to support her better. He can't help but smile at the expression on her face. "Hehe... Feeling nice and comfortable, Mary...?"
Mary 's head droops forward as the fire lulls her further away from consciousness
Icicle Gleam gently nudges his hoof under Mary's chin and carefully guides her down until her chin is resting comfortably atop a bundled-up corner of the blanket. He takes a moment to place both mugs back onto the tray before he nestles a little closer to Mary, gives her a gentle kiss on the cheek, and rests his head beside her's. "Have a good night, Mary~..."
Mary snores loudly.
Mary chuckles. "Just messing with you~"
Icicle Gleam blinks open his eyes in surprise. "...Wait, you aren't... you weren't actually falling asleep?"
Mary snores softly.
Icicle Gleam stares at Mary for a few seconds before chuckling quietly and shaking his head in amusement. With a smile, he sets his head back down beside Mary's.