Hearth's Warming Party~

Icarus nodded, Scratching the back of his head with a blush. "Y-Yeah... I-I could a-always m-make more, t-too..."

Indigo took a seat on the floor by the fire, levitating his glass back to the punch and scoops some more in with the ladle before bringing it back to his lips. He was glad to be in the company of other unicorns where he could flex his magic more without looking like a show off.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

Intel knocked. On the door. Of Icarus' house. With a bunch of poorly wrapped presents. How was a pony supposed to use sticky tape effectively, anyway? How would a party like this go with a bunch of ponies unrelated by blood, and only newly introduced to each other by circumstance? Icarus wouldn't dare put mistletoe around in a misguided attempt to follow every single HW tradition, would he?

All these and more were running through Intel's head as he waited warmly in the snow.

Shala heard the knock and looked to the door, then back to Icarus. She wasn't one to open doors for other ponies.

Icarus opened the Door, grinning. "I-Intel! H-Happy H-Hearth's w-warming!" He said, motioning over to snacks and the Tree.

Indigo pointed an eye and waved at the young noblepony while he drank down his punch.

"Happy Hearth's Warming to you too!" Intel replied, walking into the house. "I, um, where do I put these?" he asked, motioning to the presents.

Shala smiled a bit to herself at the arrival of Intel. She pointed a hoof toward the tree, but otherwise kept a low profile. She had been to parties before, but never ones that got personal enough to have gifts. For now she just enjoyed her drink.

Icarus motioned to the Tree, before putting another log on the Fire. "W-We'll o-open g-gifts o-once e-everypony's h-here..." He said, sharing a smile.

Indigo points his hoof at the tree.

"Over there noblepony where all the others are."

Night Flare took a moment to check herself, making sure she didn't forget anything. It would be horrid if she had forgotten someponies gift. Sure she had everyone's gift she straightened her ugly Hearth warming sweater and shook out her newly dyed Candy cane striped hair before stepping up to the door.

Knock Knock

Icarus opened the Door for Night, Giving a broad Smile. "H-Happy Hearth's w-warming! W-We've g-got p-punch, (A-Alcoholic a-and non-A-Alcoholic,) S-Snacks, a-and a W-Warm f-fire... C-Come in!" He said happily, heading upstairs to grab his Record Player.

Placing the presents down under the tree, Intel asked the room, "So how is everypony? Alright? Stickytape no trouble? I tell you, it was really really difficult to get these things wrapped up."

He motioned to the disaster that was his attempts at wrapping. It was if someone tore up wrapping from other presents and desperately tried to stick together the pieces with gratuitous amounts of tape.

Shala only shrugged at that. She refused to point out her gifts, but who wouldn't notice several brown paper bags in the shape of bottles?

"You could always try bags...." She said quietly.

Icarus came back downstairs, A nice Record Player floating behind him, Being placed on a corner tucked away, and soon, was playing some Hearth's warming Music, Giving him a Quick smile. "D-Do you g-guys w-wanna p-play a g-game?"

"Come on out of the cold Night and warm your feathers by the fire."

He started to chuckle at her candy cane hair.

Night Flare trotted in, Giving Everypony a smile and a wave. As she placed her gifts next to Intel she stared from him to them. "You are a unicorn right?" Hers were As flamboyant as she was, with ribbons and bows.

She trotted over to the Fire and Fluffed out her wings. Hearing Indigo Chuckle she fluffed her Mohawk. "Do you like it? I thought I would be festive."

Giggling she turned to Icurus. "What sort of Game Icurus?"

"Oh dear Luna, no, not a game," Intel suddenly interjected. "That's one of the quickest ways to a HW argument."

It always ended in arguing. Especially if money, gifts, or pride was involved. And it was about this time that Intel just retreated to his study to study, beyond the insults and jabs of half drunk, half tired, all irritated family members.

"What harm is there in a game Intel? It depends on the game and whether somepony is drunk or not."

Indigo said as he slowly looked toward Shala.

Night turned so her other side had a turn by the fires warmth. "Ahh, I can feel my joints again."

"Well as long as its not spin the bottle, we are a little young, and not drunk enough!"

Icarus blushed at the mention of Spin-the-bottle. "N-No! Not t-that... I-I was t-thinking... W-Well, I d-don't k-know, S-Something... W-Well... H-How about..." He fidgeted, not knowing what game to play.

Shala perked up at the mention of drunk. "Did someone say my name?" She said, now at attention. The idea of a game was not thrilling to her, but drinking put a whole new spin on things.

Indigo chuckled.

"I was saying only drunks ruin games."

"And betting," Intel interjected, "Or anything involving gifts or secrets."

Icarus blinked. "... W-We c-could... u-um..." Icarus thought long and hard. "... E-Erm, How's t-the Punch? D-Did I d-do okay on it?"