lemon-sugarcoats-nothing

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

Here put on this maid dress, cat ears, steampunk hat, combat boots, katana, and p90. Don't ask questions the world is in danger

"These aren't going to change the state of the world, silly goose. We're also still on hiatus but...Thanks for stopping in-!"

-Mod Bee 🐝

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

Hey yall, Mod note.

Even if I was always the less active blog of the duo, having always received less asks and having posted less of my characters; I'm sure you've noticed the lack of posts over the last year. Every now and then, I remember I have unresolved stuff on the blog and continue whatever it is for a few days until eventually dropping off the face of the internet again. This has been increasingly so as of the last few months - I get busy, pretend the blog doesn't exist, and hope no one asks when the next update is coming.

If I'm to be honest, it isn't even that I never have any time to update (because I have plenty of time to doom-scroll and procrastinate everything else I have to do), I just don't have the energy I used to have to dedicate to these characters. These are characters Mocha and I created in late middle/early highschool, and we have rebooted and rebooted their stories a bazillion times over the course of almost 8 years. I still love these characters - in many ways I feel I hold onto them TOO much - but the fact is, these characters were made for a version of me that needed them more than I need them now. As I'm getting older, I'm looking to tell different kinds of stories, so I've been slowly losing interest in the characters I used to fixate on day and night.

This doesn't mean I'll never come back to the blog but I think it's time to call an official hiatus. More updates will be made if and when I have a better idea of the future of this blog, but as of right now:

Thank you all for sticking around and thank you for supporting the story over on @ask-cinnavanillamelody's side.

-Mod Bee 🐝

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

Donna looks down, disappointed and ashamed. Sage goes over to comfort her, while Ginseng goes to the kitchen with Shade to chat and finish making dinner.

Shade: well that was a wreck-

Ginseng: ha- yeah- Sorry...I feel like I've ruined your heartswarming.

Shade: are you kidding-? heartswarming hasnt felt right since you left- Besides, theres still time! We can fix this-!...maybe. Maybe not all tonight, but something is better than nothing. I mean, if nothing else, at least by tonight we'd have already started making things better by reconnecting right-? It's going to be okay, it has to-

Ginseng: ...I want to believe you bud, but- some things just...never heal.

There's a moment of silence between the brothers. The tension in the room is only broken up by occasional whiffs of the warm comfort foods being made, and the fresh herbs Sage keeps all around the kitchen. Ginseng stirs a simmering pot of soup, taking liberty to add a few extra ingredients aside from his parents' cookbook recipe. Shade helps by staying out of the way, staying quiet while rattling his brain to fix things.

As the scent of home cooking fills the air, Gin begins to fall away from the happenings in the present and into the wonderful world of damn good food. He sings softly while losing himself in his craft, and dances ever so slightly to the rhythm of his knife on veggies. Shade looks up admiring his brother's skills and feels relief in seeing him smile for the first time today. He finally gets to see the stallion his brother's grown into all this time without any darkness from the past clouding the image.

He wishes they could stand in this moment forever.

Shade: what song is that?

Ginseng startles and drops the knife on his cutting board. Just like that, the moment's gone.

Ginseng: Oh- J-just a little something Suki and I like to listen to. I forget the name of it though...heh-

He tosses the rest of the veggies into the pot, turning the heat down just enough to keep everything warm.

Ginseng: Suki could probably tell you though.

Shade: Heh, right- Hey that smells really good-

Shade peers into the pot and takes a biiiig sniff. His face lights up and before Ginseng can tell him otherwise, he lifts the spoon and takes a taste.

Shade: aH- ah hah- hah- hot-! (insert suffering sounds of one who shoved food right off the stove into his mouth and is desparately trying to cool it down without spitting it out) oh thish ish goOod-! TvT painful but good-!!

Ginseng: Shade, be careful-!

Shade swallows and fluffs his wings a few times excitedly.

Shade: That's actually better than Omma's-! Where did you learn to cook like that?!

Ginseng: sHHHh- She'll hear you-!

Ginseng chuckles, flattered and slightly embarrassed. Shade chuckles too, but their laughter is broken when they open their eyes to see Donna suddenly standing in the doorway.

Shade: oh- heeeyy Ommmaaa-

Donna: You cook?

Ginseng: hahaha- maybe?

Donna: 내가 요리한 거 손도 대봤어? [Did you touch what I had cooking?]

Ginseng: ...maybe-

Donna: ^^ 시도해 봅시다! [Lets try it!]

Shade smiles and runs to go fetch Zay and Zora. He busts into the bathroom excitedly.

Shade: Dinner time!!

A [very belated] happy Hearthswarming

Feat. mentions of characters by @ask-cinnavanillamelody

Snow falls gently outside the cozy Canterlot homes, with everypony warm inside. Kodiak shares his family's traditions with Sanori and his family, James and Lillian with Lucious and Nexa have their family gathering, and Nightshade helps his parents cook an assortment of dishes for the new members of the family to try - Hoping to make their first proper Hearthswarming eve the best they'll ever have.

Just as they're setting the table, a gentle knock can be heard from their front door. The parents look between themselves for a moment before the knock sounds again. Sage takes the initiative and answers the call, concerned about their mystery guest.

He opens the door to find a familiar green stallion waiting anxiously on the other side.

"Haha- h-hello-! ...I was half expecting you to not open up..."

Sage stands and stares in tense silence. Donna, immediately feeling his energy shift, hurries to his side. However, upon seeing the stallion, she gasps lightly and she too freezes, shocked at the sight.

Shade: omMA-! what do i do next-

Shade enters the room, oblivious to the commotion until he sees his parents standing in the doorway. He steps closer, his head tilted until he can catch a glimpse of whoever's on the other side.

Shade: Hyeong-?!

His face beams with joy, and he lets out a childish excited laugh. He runs toward his brother, pushing past his parents and tackling him in a long overdue hug.

Shade: You came-!! you actually came-!!

Shade buries his face in his brother's chest, as an ignored and forgotten hole in their hearts slowly begins to fill itself.

Shade: Oh Ginseng, you have no idea how happy i am to see you-!!

Ginseng chuckles a reply while he reciprocates Shade's hug: Yeah-? I missed you too buddy-

.

Sage and Donna still stare, apprehensive and dumbfounded.

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

Donna now seems mildly uncomfortable herself, having let the overbearing mom guard down some, she isn't sure what to say now. She watches Suki for a moment, no longer looking at her so intensely but she still seems to be analyzing Suki's expression.

Donna, confused: 당신은 화가 난 것 같아요. 내 잘못인가요? [You seem upset - Is it my fault?]

Ginseng: ah- omma- 당신은 아마 그런 뜻이 아니었을 겁니다만, 스키는 자신의 실제 성격보다는 종족에 따라 판단받는 것을 걱정하고 있습니다. [I know you probably didn't mean it, but Suki is concerned about being judged based on her species rather than her character.] Its common back home...

Donna: oh Suki, hunny...네가 내 아들과 잘 맞는다면, 네가 어떤 종류의 포니인지는 내게 전혀 관심 없어. 지금까지는 친절하신 것 같아요. 우리는 첫인상이 좋지 않았을 수도 있지만 (그리고 소금만한 가치가 있는 사람이라면 아마도 과거에 우리 아들과 함께 있었던 일에 대해 강한 감정을 가지고 있을 것입니다), 저는 물지 않는다는 걸 약속합니다! [I don't care what kind of pony you are, as long as you're a good fit for my son. So far, you seem nice. Although we (Donna and Sage) might not have made great first impressions (and if you're worth your salt, you probably have strong feelings about how things went with Ginseng in the past), I promise I don't bite!]

Donna smiles gently, desperately trying to remedy the awkwardness of the situation. She looks around, looking for a way to switch gears, impatient for Suki's response.

Donna: ...ah-! Tea-?

She uses her magic to bring a kettle to boil, and pour Suki a cup of tea faster than she's seen anyone do before. It seems nervousness runs in the family.

A [very belated] happy Hearthswarming

Feat. mentions of characters by @ask-cinnavanillamelody

Snow falls gently outside the cozy Canterlot homes, with everypony warm inside. Kodiak shares his family's traditions with Sanori and his family, James and Lillian with Lucious and Nexa have their family gathering, and Nightshade helps his parents cook an assortment of dishes for the new members of the family to try - Hoping to make their first proper Hearthswarming eve the best they'll ever have.

Just as they're setting the table, a gentle knock can be heard from their front door. The parents look between themselves for a moment before the knock sounds again. Sage takes the initiative and answers the call, concerned about their mystery guest.

He opens the door to find a familiar green stallion waiting anxiously on the other side.

"Haha- h-hello-! ...I was half expecting you to not open up..."

Sage stands and stares in tense silence. Donna, immediately feeling his energy shift, hurries to his side. However, upon seeing the stallion, she gasps lightly and she too freezes, shocked at the sight.

Shade: omMA-! what do i do next-

Shade enters the room, oblivious to the commotion until he sees his parents standing in the doorway. He steps closer, his head tilted until he can catch a glimpse of whoever's on the other side.

Shade: Hyeong-?!

His face beams with joy, and he lets out a childish excited laugh. He runs toward his brother, pushing past his parents and tackling him in a long overdue hug.

Shade: You came-!! you actually came-!!

Shade buries his face in his brother's chest, as an ignored and forgotten hole in their hearts slowly begins to fill itself.

Shade: Oh Ginseng, you have no idea how happy i am to see you-!!

Ginseng chuckles a reply while he reciprocates Shade's hug: Yeah-? I missed you too buddy-

.

Sage and Donna still stare, apprehensive and dumbfounded.

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

Donna for a moment seems convinced but the mom-guard comes back up and she maintains her stern attitude.

Donna: Mm... good... 生意気ですね…平和な結婚生活を送る妻としては不適切ですが、今は許してあげましょう。 [but sassy...Unbecoming for a future wife in a peaceful marriage... I'll ignore that for now. ]

Ginseng, getting increasingly anxious.

Ginseng: すみません、緊張するとこうなるんです。 [Sorry, she gets like this when she's nervous-] heh-

Donna narrows her eyes at Suki and rapid fires questions at her, pausing only briefly for suki to respond to each before being hit with the next.

"[Do you smoke - Tobacco or otherwise?]" "[Do you consume alcohol? How much?]" "[Have you ever tried other substances? Do you plan to]?" "[What is your job history? Anything...suspicious]" "[You're a doctor of some kind now?? Where did you study?]" "[Who are your parents? When are we meeting? ]" "[How many men have you swooned before my boy?]" "[Are you planning kids?]"

Shade, having begun to cover his ears with his hooves, snaps before she can get another word out.

Nightshade: oMMAAA- Please-! Too much-!

Donna: eh-? *she blinks* どうして？[How so?/Why?]

Nightshade: T ^ T my braaiiin-

Donna blushes slightly, awkwardly scratching her head. She takes this moment to let herself and Suki calm down.

Donna: ah...ちょっと夢中になりすぎたかもしれません… [Maybe I got a little too carried away...]

Nightshade: 私の夫をこんなに強く押し付けた覚えはないわ… [I don't remember you pressing my husbands this hard..]

Donna: pshhh, あなたの話は違います。私たちはあなたの夫をあなたが子供の頃から知っています！ [Your story is different. We knew your husbands since you were kids!]

Ginseng: *processing what's being said* eh- Husband..?

Nightshade: -s

Ginseng: I don't understand...

Nightshade: Husbands - its prulal

Ginseng: you're married-??

Nightshade: twice B)

Ginseng: and I missed it over a dumb standoff...

Nighsthade: -! its okay, most did. we maybe told no one and eloped after we all turned 18...omma and otosan kicked me out for 2 months over it heh-

Ginseng: Oh! but...where are they?

Nightshade: we're working on the "living together" part. kai's a sparkling student, cherry's a model, and im bumming around between mr. kodi's couch and omma's basement-

Ginseng: Gotcha, heh-

Shade fluffs his wings a bit excitedly.

Nightshade: But! kai said that mr. kodi, thats his dad btw, might have an apartment close enough to the school and to cherrys work stuff that we might be able to use once the guys living there now move out!

Ginseng chuckles: Uh-huh...

A [very belated] happy Hearthswarming

Feat. mentions of characters by @ask-cinnavanillamelody

Snow falls gently outside the cozy Canterlot homes, with everypony warm inside. Kodiak shares his family's traditions with Sanori and his family, James and Lillian with Lucious and Nexa have their family gathering, and Nightshade helps his parents cook an assortment of dishes for the new members of the family to try - Hoping to make their first proper Hearthswarming eve the best they'll ever have.

Just as they're setting the table, a gentle knock can be heard from their front door. The parents look between themselves for a moment before the knock sounds again. Sage takes the initiative and answers the call, concerned about their mystery guest.

He opens the door to find a familiar green stallion waiting anxiously on the other side.

"Haha- h-hello-! ...I was half expecting you to not open up..."

Sage stands and stares in tense silence. Donna, immediately feeling his energy shift, hurries to his side. However, upon seeing the stallion, she gasps lightly and she too freezes, shocked at the sight.

Shade: omMA-! what do i do next-

Shade enters the room, oblivious to the commotion until he sees his parents standing in the doorway. He steps closer, his head tilted until he can catch a glimpse of whoever's on the other side.

Shade: Hyeong-?!

His face beams with joy, and he lets out a childish excited laugh. He runs toward his brother, pushing past his parents and tackling him in a long overdue hug.

Shade: You came-!! you actually came-!!

Shade buries his face in his brother's chest, as an ignored and forgotten hole in their hearts slowly begins to fill itself.

Shade: Oh Ginseng, you have no idea how happy i am to see you-!!

Ginseng chuckles a reply while he reciprocates Shade's hug: Yeah-? I missed you too buddy-

.

Sage and Donna still stare, apprehensive and dumbfounded.

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

Donna: ehhh-? 子供よ、これは君の外見とは何の関係もない! あなたがコウモリであろうとなかろうと、私には関係ありません。私はあなたが何よりもまず自分自身を大切にしているかどうかを見たいと思っていました。それはとても重要なことです。あなたが自分自身を大事にできないのに、どうやって私の息子を大事にし���くれるのですか？[Child, this has nothing to do with your appearance! Bat or not, I don't care. I was looking to see if you care for yourself first and foremost - its very important. How will you care for my son if you cannot care for yourself?]

Donna, under her breath: Tch... Kids these days, offended so fast...

Ginseng, whispering to Suki: It's okay, she isn't like that...She will insist on the interrogation though, just...go along with it okay-?

A [very belated] happy Hearthswarming

Feat. mentions of characters by @ask-cinnavanillamelody

Snow falls gently outside the cozy Canterlot homes, with everypony warm inside. Kodiak shares his family's traditions with Sanori and his family, James and Lillian with Lucious and Nexa have their family gathering, and Nightshade helps his parents cook an assortment of dishes for the new members of the family to try - Hoping to make their first proper Hearthswarming eve the best they'll ever have.

Just as they're setting the table, a gentle knock can be heard from their front door. The parents look between themselves for a moment before the knock sounds again. Sage takes the initiative and answers the call, concerned about their mystery guest.

He opens the door to find a familiar green stallion waiting anxiously on the other side.

"Haha- h-hello-! ...I was half expecting you to not open up..."

Sage stands and stares in tense silence. Donna, immediately feeling his energy shift, hurries to his side. However, upon seeing the stallion, she gasps lightly and she too freezes, shocked at the sight.

Shade: omMA-! what do i do next-

Shade enters the room, oblivious to the commotion until he sees his parents standing in the doorway. He steps closer, his head tilted until he can catch a glimpse of whoever's on the other side.

Shade: Hyeong-?!

His face beams with joy, and he lets out a childish excited laugh. He runs toward his brother, pushing past his parents and tackling him in a long overdue hug.

Shade: You came-!! you actually came-!!

Shade buries his face in his brother's chest, as an ignored and forgotten hole in their hearts slowly begins to fill itself.

Shade: Oh Ginseng, you have no idea how happy i am to see you-!!

Ginseng chuckles a reply while he reciprocates Shade's hug: Yeah-? I missed you too buddy-

.

Sage and Donna still stare, apprehensive and dumbfounded.

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

Ginseng chuckles softly, sniffling and wiping tears from his face.

Ginseng: I'm fine, dear... My prosthetic is okay I think- I already yelled at my dad too much heh... I don't want him to think badly of you too. We still have to tell them we're engaged after all-

Donna: Ehhhh??? Why you no tell me you have girlfriend? =3=

Ginseng: -! Omma! Your English has gotten so goood-! Ahaha ha ha-

Donna gets a little flustered for a moment.

Donna: aahh~ I practice English for kids heheh! ^ ^; ...이제, 내 질문에 대답하세요. [Now, answer my question.]

Ginseng: heh-엄마, 이 사람이 제 여자친구 스키예요... 저는 군의관으로 복무할 때 그녀를 만났습니다. [Mom, this is my girlfriend Suki...I met her when I was serving as a military medic.]

Donna: oohh, i see-

Ginseng: 그녀는 내 인생의 사랑이며, 나는 곧 그녀와 결혼할 것입니다. [She is the love of my life, and I will be marrying her soon.]

Donna: ^ ^ Nani?

Ginseng: 우리 약혼했어요 [We're engaged]

Donna: ahahahaaahh- …우리에게 말도 없이..? [Without speaking to us about it..?]

Ginseng: Omma- 우리는 방금 이것에 대해 이야기했습니다…내가 스스로 선택할 수 있는 공간이 필요해요. [Mom- we talked about this... I need space to make my own choices.]

Donna: mmm... 하지만 이건 큰 일이야, 그녀는 우리 가족의 일원이 될 거야. 우리는 그녀가 누구인지 알아야 해! [But this is a big deal, she's going to be part of our family. We need to know who she is!]

Ginseng sighs softly and nods.

Ginseng: 그래서 내가 그녀를 여기 데려온 거야… 널 만날 기회도 없이 결혼은 하지 않을 거야. 하지만 그녀는 내 아내가 될 거야. [Which is why I brought her here...I wouldn't marry her without giving you the chance to meet her. But she is going to be my wife.]

Donna looks unsure of Suki. She begins to circle her, inspecting from ear to hoof and all places in between.

A [very belated] happy Hearthswarming

Feat. mentions of characters by @ask-cinnavanillamelody

Snow falls gently outside the cozy Canterlot homes, with everypony warm inside. Kodiak shares his family's traditions with Sanori and his family, James and Lillian with Lucious and Nexa have their family gathering, and Nightshade helps his parents cook an assortment of dishes for the new members of the family to try - Hoping to make their first proper Hearthswarming eve the best they'll ever have.

Just as they're setting the table, a gentle knock can be heard from their front door. The parents look between themselves for a moment before the knock sounds again. Sage takes the initiative and answers the call, concerned about their mystery guest.

He opens the door to find a familiar green stallion waiting anxiously on the other side.

"Haha- h-hello-! ...I was half expecting you to not open up..."

Sage stands and stares in tense silence. Donna, immediately feeling his energy shift, hurries to his side. However, upon seeing the stallion, she gasps lightly and she too freezes, shocked at the sight.

Shade: omMA-! what do i do next-

Shade enters the room, oblivious to the commotion until he sees his parents standing in the doorway. He steps closer, his head tilted until he can catch a glimpse of whoever's on the other side.

Shade: Hyeong-?!

His face beams with joy, and he lets out a childish excited laugh. He runs toward his brother, pushing past his parents and tackling him in a long overdue hug.

Shade: You came-!! you actually came-!!

Shade buries his face in his brother's chest, as an ignored and forgotten hole in their hearts slowly begins to fill itself.

Shade: Oh Ginseng, you have no idea how happy i am to see you-!!

Ginseng chuckles a reply while he reciprocates Shade's hug: Yeah-? I missed you too buddy-

.

Sage and Donna still stare, apprehensive and dumbfounded.

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

[Mod note: wowsa! sorry for an even more belated heartswarming reply! I have been procrastinating this wall of text for months now...I'm mostly sorry.]

Sage and Donna gather themselves and mumble replies back. Shade looks back at her and smiles warmly.

Nightshade: Come on in! Food's almost all ready, tea is piping hot!

He turns to ginseng and whispers teasingly, in korean, "Was bringing me a sister your heartswarming gift?" and snickers. Ginseng's face flushes and he stumbles over a reply.

Sage adjusts his glasses. Making a displeased expression, he grunts and shuts the door a little harder than expected.

Sage: How dare you-!

The group (Ginseng, Shade, Suki) startles and they look back at Sage. Donna, still by his side, looks at him surprised as well. He grits his teeth.

Sage: よくもそんなことができたものだ！私たちの家族を軽蔑した上で、ここに来るなんて！留まらせませんよ. [How dare you! You show up here, even after disrespecting our family?! I will not allow for you to stay."]

Ginseng looks at the ground, ashamed. Shade steps toward Sage defensively.

Shade: -! Otosan! I invited him-! I wanted to see him- Please, if you just give him a chance to-

Sage: SILENCE.

Shade quiets immediately, Ginseng winces at Sage's outburst. Sage pauses before continuing.

Sage: 彼は私たちの家族を引き裂いた。彼は自分が何にも値しないことを知っている。[He tore our family apart. He knows that he deserves nothing.]

Ginseng scoffs under his breath, saddened that his father holds a grudge, and offended at his accusations.

Ginseng: Really...? 내가 우리 가족을 찢어 놓았어..? 진심인가요..?[I tore our family apart..? Are you serious..?]

Ginseng looks up from the ground, tears welling up in his eyes. He wipes them away and adjusts his glasses.

Sage huffs: あなたは一度も手紙を書いてくれない、一度も訪問してこない。まるで私たちが存在しないかのように振舞う。私たちがあなたのためにあれだけしてあげたのに、あなたは私たちがあなたを台無しにしたかのように振舞う。[You never write, you never visit. You act like we don't even exist. After all we did for you, you act like we ruined you.]

Ginseng, laughs in disbelief: 당신은 학교에서 완벽해야 한다고 나를 압박했어. 당신은 나에게 약초를 배우게 했어. 당신은 나를 의대에 가게 했어. 당신은 나의 학습과 치유에 대한 사랑을 죽였어. 당신은 나를 모든 것을 앗아간 직업으로 밀어붙였어.[You pressured me to be perfect in school. You made me learn herbalism. You made me go to med school. You killed my love for learning and healing. You pushed me into a career that cost me EVERYTHING.] You DID ruin me-!

He stamps his prosthetic hind leg down, mustering all the strength and assertiveness from every fiber of his being to face his father like this. Sage opens his mouth to respond but Donna quickly stuffs a hoof in it.

Donna: Stop-! stop-! Kids are afraid...

She gestures over to Zora and Zay, and everyone settles a little upon seeing the two frightened. Sage softens, remembering the kids and their history. Ginseng looks between his parents, the kids, and Shade confused.

Ginseng: New siblings?...when did this happen-?

Sage:...Long story.

Nightshade: less siblings, more just.. omma and otosan fostering them until they can stand on their own hooves...their dad used to be a total prick but he's learning heh.

...Reminds me of someone actually... *said quietly despite his parents' limited understanding. He nods his head toward Sage.*

Ginseng sighs, putting his pride aside: ...Dad- ごめんなさい。姿を消して問題を解決しようとしなかったことをお詫びします。[I'm sorry. I apologize for disappearing and not trying to solve the problem.]

He looks away, still hurt but accepting defeat if it means keeping the peace. Starting to see Ginseng more for the hurt young man he is, and less of a malicious actor, Sage too sighs and sets his pride aside.

Sage:...죄송합니다. ...내가 너에게 너무 많은 압력을 가했고, 그것이 너를 멀어지게 만들었어. [...I'm sorry...I put too much pressure on you and it pushed you away.]

Sage falls quiet again, as per his usual stance. Donna, knowing both what she and Sage wants to say, fills in the rest.

Donna: 우리는 당신을 다치게 하려고 한 적이 없습니다… 우리는 그저 당신이 잘하는 것을 보고 싶었을 뿐입니다. 당신이 학교에 가서 돌아오지 않았을 때… 우리는 우리가 무슨 짓을 했는지 깨달았습니다. 너는 착한 사람이야, 우리가 그걸 지지했어야지. [We never meant to hurt you… we just wanted to see you do well. When you went to school and didn’t come back… we realized what we had done. You’re a good boy, and we should have supported you...]

Ginseng: Omma...

His voice quivers, tearing up again at the words he's so desperately needed to hear for years. He pulls his parents into a hug, and they hug back warmly.

A [very belated] happy Hearthswarming

Feat. mentions of characters by @ask-cinnavanillamelody

Snow falls gently outside the cozy Canterlot homes, with everypony warm inside. Kodiak shares his family's traditions with Sanori and his family, James and Lillian with Lucious and Nexa have their family gathering, and Nightshade helps his parents cook an assortment of dishes for the new members of the family to try - Hoping to make their first proper Hearthswarming eve the best they'll ever have.

Just as they're setting the table, a gentle knock can be heard from their front door. The parents look between themselves for a moment before the knock sounds again. Sage takes the initiative and answers the call, concerned about their mystery guest.

He opens the door to find a familiar green stallion waiting anxiously on the other side.

"Haha- h-hello-! ...I was half expecting you to not open up..."

Sage stands and stares in tense silence. Donna, immediately feeling his energy shift, hurries to his side. However, upon seeing the stallion, she gasps lightly and she too freezes, shocked at the sight.

Shade: omMA-! what do i do next-

Shade enters the room, oblivious to the commotion until he sees his parents standing in the doorway. He steps closer, his head tilted until he can catch a glimpse of whoever's on the other side.

Shade: Hyeong-?!

His face beams with joy, and he lets out a childish excited laugh. He runs toward his brother, pushing past his parents and tackling him in a long overdue hug.

Shade: You came-!! you actually came-!!

Shade buries his face in his brother's chest, as an ignored and forgotten hole in their hearts slowly begins to fill itself.

Shade: Oh Ginseng, you have no idea how happy i am to see you-!!

Ginseng chuckles a reply while he reciprocates Shade's hug: Yeah-? I missed you too buddy-

.

Sage and Donna still stare, apprehensive and dumbfounded.

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

A [very belated] happy Hearthswarming

Feat. mentions of characters by @ask-cinnavanillamelody

Snow falls gently outside the cozy Canterlot homes, with everypony warm inside. Kodiak shares his family's traditions with Sanori and his family, James and Lillian with Lucious and Nexa have their family gathering, and Nightshade helps his parents cook an assortment of dishes for the new members of the family to try - Hoping to make their first proper Hearthswarming eve the best they'll ever have.

Just as they're setting the table, a gentle knock can be heard from their front door. The parents look between themselves for a moment before the knock sounds again. Sage takes the initiative and answers the call, concerned about their mystery guest.

He opens the door to find a familiar green stallion waiting anxiously on the other side.

"Haha- h-hello-! ...I was half expecting you to not open up..."

Sage stands and stares in tense silence. Donna, immediately feeling his energy shift, hurries to his side. However, upon seeing the stallion, she gasps lightly and she too freezes, shocked at the sight.

Shade: omMA-! what do i do next-

Shade enters the room, oblivious to the commotion until he sees his parents standing in the doorway. He steps closer, his head tilted until he can catch a glimpse of whoever's on the other side.

Shade: Hyeong-?!

His face beams with joy, and he lets out a childish excited laugh. He runs toward his brother, pushing past his parents and tackling him in a long overdue hug.

Shade: You came-!! you actually came-!!

Shade buries his face in his brother's chest, as an ignored and forgotten hole in their hearts slowly begins to fill itself.

Shade: Oh Ginseng, you have no idea how happy i am to see you-!!

Ginseng chuckles a reply while he reciprocates Shade's hug: Yeah-? I missed you too buddy-

.

Sage and Donna still stare, apprehensive and dumbfounded.

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

It be the holiday season (Read from right to left)

Happy hearthswarming <3

Pink bat pony by @ask-cinnavanillamelody

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

Ha! even if that was the case, who's to say that's w r o n g. I mean, if i was a changeling, free food is free food right?? hehehe...

heh...

maybe this is why i was *not* born a changeling.

-🍋

Cinna some are saying you use your changeling powers to get extra free samples like a rude pony! What say you to these allegations!?

Cinna: Who's saying that!? Did Jack tell you that? Don't trust a thing that Griffin says! I do no such thing! 🧋

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

bring back tumblr ask culture let me. bother you with questions and statements

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

piggybacking off of mocha's update to way that this blog is also still up, just also been busy with life stuff! Boyfriend, side projects and preparing to see doctors while working!

That being said, I will be continuing the current plot happenings soon.

-Mod Bee

Life/Blog Update

Okay! So it's been a while.

Mod Mocha here, I realize I have been on a bit of an unofficial Hiatus, and this is to explain where I've been, what's happening, and how this blog is gonna be going forward.

So around November of 2024, I met my wonderful partner/future boyfriend Starlight, (not his actual name). and I've been spending time getting to know him, and I'm pretty sure this is the guy I've been wishing for for years. He's sweet, he's attracted to my intelligence, he thinks I'm wonderful, and he's everything I've ever wanted. The only problem is, he lives in another country an ocean away (go figure) but we talk frequently, almost every day (I do know what he looks and sounds like) and I'm the happiest I've ever been.

I've been spending time on my other non-pony centric platforms, (Tiktok and YouTube) and developing my content. I've also been brainstorming ideas for another project, either a comic or animated show, or maybe a book, (I haven't decided fully) I've made the cast and two concept videos, but it's not a fully fledged project yet.

As far as this blog, i'm in a situation where updates to the blog regarding story rely heavily on my collaborator Bee to respond to reblogs and the like in a timely fashion. (due to many factors, this isn't possible) Bee works, and has her own life, and less free time and overall vested interest, (from my pov anyway) to devote to this Blog than I do. Currently being in college and the overachiever student I am, I have a lot of downtime, which is why when things are lulled, I fill the space with asks, side storylines, and new characters to keep interest in this Blog. It gets a little exhausting, and sometimes I take a break, but I truly want to tell an interesting story everyone will enjoy.

Bee is my best friend, and some of these characters are readapted characters we've had for years. (EX: Kodiak Darkstone, Sanori Kokoro) and I wanted to include them in the story, but that means there will be large delays in story progression because some characters aren't mine, and I hate bugging her about it because she's a busy bee most of the time, and I don't like bothering her.

All this to say, this blog, is still going, and if the current way it's going proves to be too much to upkeep, I may discuss other options with Bee behind the scenes.

Thank you for reading my lovlies!

-Mod Mocha 🍫

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

A [very belated] happy Hearthswarming

Feat. mentions of characters by @ask-cinnavanillamelody

Snow falls gently outside the cozy Canterlot homes, with everypony warm inside. Kodiak shares his family's traditions with Sanori and his family, James and Lillian with Lucious and Nexa have their family gathering, and Nightshade helps his parents cook an assortment of dishes for the new members of the family to try - Hoping to make their first proper Hearthswarming eve the best they'll ever have.

Just as they're setting the table, a gentle knock can be heard from their front door. The parents look between themselves for a moment before the knock sounds again. Sage takes the initiative and answers the call, concerned about their mystery guest.

He opens the door to find a familiar green stallion waiting anxiously on the other side.

"Haha- h-hello-! ...I was half expecting you to not open up..."

Sage stands and stares in tense silence. Donna, immediately feeling his energy shift, hurries to his side. However, upon seeing the stallion, she gasps lightly and she too freezes, shocked at the sight.

Shade: omMA-! what do i do next-

Shade enters the room, oblivious to the commotion until he sees his parents standing in the doorway. He steps closer, his head tilted until he can catch a glimpse of whoever's on the other side.

Shade: Hyeong-?!

His face beams with joy, and he lets out a childish excited laugh. He runs toward his brother, pushing past his parents and tackling him in a long overdue hug.

Shade: You came-!! you actually came-!!

Shade buries his face in his brother's chest, as an ignored and forgotten hole in their hearts slowly begins to fill itself.

Shade: Oh Ginseng, you have no idea how happy i am to see you-!!

Ginseng chuckles a reply while he reciprocates Shade's hug: Yeah-? I missed you too buddy-

.

Sage and Donna still stare, apprehensive and dumbfounded.

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

It be the holiday season (Read from right to left)

Happy hearthswarming <3

Pink bat pony by @ask-cinnavanillamelody

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

Sage and Donna I am curious and wish to learn more about your heritage!

I will admit my curiosity is partly due to the fact that your language though different from his, reminds me of my dad's.

But I also love learning new things especially the cultures of others!

Donna smiles warmly.

Donna: It's a long story, so get comfortable and enjoy some tea ^^

My family comes from Korea - I lived there my whole life and most of my ancestors also lived there! My parents owned a dry cleaners (We also did tailoring there) in a small city, and many of my early years were spent there after school as they were very busy with the business and didn't get home till late. My mother taught me to sew, and my father taught me to count money, so that when I was old enough I could help with the workload and allow my parents a little time for rest. I enjoyed helping my parents very much, but was also lonely. Especially as I entered into high school and my friends started dating *she giggles*

"No boys until graduation!" Father would scold me. And it made me so mad! But, I obeyed, and I do believe for good reason he was strict. Especially looking back to when I was in college, working weekends at their cleaners, and Sage walked in...

Sage wasn't from around town. His family came from Japan. He moved around a lot in-country as a kid because of his parents' work, and in his teens, but his parents' work led them across borders to the town I had been living in. Sage struggled with each move as a kid, but because they were foreign, he struggled even harder - The whole family was struggling to make roots in our town. They were learning our language though, and were trying to get involved in the community. He needed to have some uniforms tailored for a job he'd managed to get at a small local cafe despite the language gap.

I happened to be there when he was taking his uniforms home. Even though we didn't understand each other well, we felt a connection between us and well...you see us now! hehe!

We have since moved to Equestria, where we live a humble life with our little family, and own a small local tea shop. ^^

-Translation provided by Shade, proofread by Kai

[lemon-sugarcoats-nothing]

My familyy 💖

finally convinced omma and otosan to join in on the fun B)

plz send us aks, i will translate for my parents.

-Shade

[Send any asks for Zora and Zayden to @ask-cinnavanillamelody]