For the rest of the time, they sipped hot cocoa with marshmallows while eating the low-sugar snacks Aurora had brought from home.
The three ponies huddled together to read "Daring Do and the Sapphire Stone," completely losing track of time.
If Spike hadn't woken up hungry and started crying, they might have kept reading until evening.
Because the three of them were so engrossed in their reading, a bored Spike spent his time playing with the Hearths Warming Eve gift Sunset Shimmer had given him—a wooden rocking horse. As for the children's alphabet book Twilight Sparkle had given him, he didn't even want to open it.
He ended up falling asleep while playing, and upon waking up hungry to find them still reading, he had no choice but to make a fuss.
He needed to remind one of his three pony mommies to hurry over and soothe him.
"This book is actually better than I imagined."
Sunset Shimmer said, still wanting more. She regretted not buying a copy for herself; now that it had cut off at the most exciting part, she felt like something was clawing at her heart.
"I told you A.K. Yearling was popular."
Aurora, who was feeding Spike, turned back to wink at Sunset Shimmer and said in a tone that sounded like she was trying to lure someone in.
"I have three identical copies at home; they'll definitely let you read to your heart's content."
I've got the good stuff at home, you know? Though I can't exactly teach the Senior Sister how to do that.
"This story is so amazing, I feel like I could read it all night without feeling tired!"
Twilight Sparkle reluctantly inserted a bookmark and closed the book.
The author, A.K. Yearling, wrote with such immersion that it felt as if she were Daring Do herself.
"Twilight, you can't stay up all night. The aftereffects of an all-nighter are very painful. Don't ask me how I know."
In truth, Aurora was already a bit sleepy, but just thinking about the Senior Sister provided a better wake-up effect than coffee.
Having taken care of Spike's physical needs, they prepared to head home.
Today was the eve of Hearths Warming Eve, and they had to go home to participate in their respective family traditions.
"Did you bring everything?"
Before setting off, Aurora reminded Sunset Shimmer not to forget her things.
"Yes, and the Princess agreed as well."
Sunset Shimmer nodded, confirming that everything was arranged properly.
"What are you two..."
Completely unaware of all this, Twilight Sparkle looked suspiciously at the two Senior Sisters, who were acting unusually close, wondering what they were whispering about behind her back.
"The Senior Sister is spending Hearths Warming Eve at my place this year."
"Wow, that sounds like a lot of fun!"
It was a pity that Twilight Sparkle had to spend Hearths Warming Eve at her own home and visit relatives, otherwise she would have wanted to be with them too.
"Spike and I are heading home now. Happy Hearths Warming Eve, Senior Sisters!"
"Happy Hearths Warming Eve!"
After seeing Twilight Sparkle and Spike off, Aurora locked the door to The House of Academic Studies.
It probably wouldn't be used again until after Hearths Warming Eve, and she had even retrieved the spare key from the pony responsible for cleaning the place. Every year at this time, it was always this desolate.
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