Hearts and Hooves Day

Hearts and Hooves Day

Chapter 5: Visitor

I can feel my stomach rumbling as I continued my journey to my apartment. I told it to hang on for a minute as I saw a road sign leading to Sweet Apple Acres on the right and White Tail Woods straight ahead. I followed the sign to White Tail as my appropriate destination as it lead me to where I need to be. I can hardly wait to eat my pizza, take a nice shower, and play my Playstation 3.

In a few minutes, I got to Lancelot Road where I approached Rolling Hills Apartments, situated near the river that divides Ponyville and White Tail Woods. The total number of residence range at approximate 280, mostly ponies and a few humans. The amenities that this place provides are decent but not exciting. In the middle, there's a leasing office with a fitness center inside, a pool behind it, and a playground on the left side. It does allow pets though that only adds more money to the rent for all residence who decide to own them. Floor plans range from Studios to 3 bedrooms, all which include their own laundry rooms and balconies. The rent is only 300 bits per month, which isn't bad since I own a 1 bedroom apartment while everyone else pays 500 bits for 2 or 3.

As I got there, I can see the Ponyville Pizzeria wagon parked outside Apartment row 400. I looked up at the sixth floor and saw the Pizza Delivery Pony carrying a box of pizza with his teeth in front of my door. He was knocking on the door with his right hoof. I shook my head as I'm disappointed at myself for making him wait and ran up the stairs to meet the impatient Earth Pony.

“Hey, man.” I called as I reached my floor. “Sorry for the wait. I had to stop for groceries. How long have you've been waiting?”

The stallion gave me my pizza and cleared his throat to speak. “I've been here for 8 minutes. If you didn't show up in the next 12 minutes, I would've left.”

“Like I said, I'm sorry about that. I'll give you 10 bits as a tip. Let me open my door first.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my keys to open up the door. I set my groceries and lunchbag near the closet and took the pizza to my dinner table. I reached into my pocket, pulled out 10 bits, and gave it to the Pizza Pony. His muzzle dove into his uniform pocket as he took out a small bag. I placed the bits inside of it and he walked away after thanking me. I nodded in response and closed my door. It's time for rest and relaxation!

When I first came to Equestria, I pretty much don't know how was I going to live my life in this new world. I had a feeling that it won't be the same back on Earth. I mean, when I first accepted the invitation, everything that I've grown to attach to will have to be forgotten back on Earth and settle in for what Equestria has to offer. In other words, aside from finding new friends, all my favorite personal possessions will be missed and it's going to take some time for me to move on.

However, that wasn't the case anymore. When I came into Ponyville, I was thrilled to find out that the town has a dam that generates electricity for the town. I knew what I had to do and was about to tell Princess Celestia what I wanted back on Earth but she informed me, at that time, to wait for two months until my parents on Earth send my stuff to charity. When it happened, Celestia and Luna transported to Earth, found my belongings that I asked for, and have them inside my new apartment that they paid for. However, after our agreement, I'm on my own to pay for the rest of the rent. My walls were decorated with WWE posters that I collected for years. From the WWF years of the 80s and early 90s to the Attitude Era to the day that CM Punk dropped the best shoot in years. In the living room was my TV with my PS3 at the side and the games and DVDs I use for it. Sadly, Equestria does not have WiFi nor Internet so playing Battlefield 3 online is rather pointless. My sofa set consisted of an armchair and a love seat that's all black leather and I have a wooden coffee table in the middle. I do have a marble dining table near the kitchen with four chairs accompanied to it with a flower vase and two candles ontop. It feels great to have a place like this.

Before I have a slice of pizza, I grabbed the groceries and put them away in their designated place around the kitchen. Next, I ran into the bedroom to disrobe real quick and put on something more comfortable. I put on a pair of blue shorts and a white t-shirt while left my socks on. I opened up the closet door and took out two hangers that were hanging in the middle of the rack. I put my Equestrian Gem and Loan uniform on one hanger and my beige tackies on the second as I put them away in the closet. I went into the bathroom and washed my face and hands as I prepare myself to eat. After freshing up a bit, I made my way to the dining table and picked up my pizza box as I head to the patio.

I sat dawn on my lawn chair while enjoying the view of Ponyville as I set my pizza on a small table next to me on the right side. I reached and pulled a slice as I begin to munch on it, feeling the hot, buttered popcorn toppings mixed with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce. I can feel my taste buds tingle with every bite as I swallowed my piece down my throat. I let my eyes scan around the town as I noticed that nopony and no one was on the street at this time or even enjoying the beautiful night sky created by Princess Luna. When I get bored at night, I go out to my balcony for a few minutes looking at the stars and the bright moon, hoping that I can get a quick glimpse of Luna's face on it or see her fly over Ponyville. On some occasions, I put my mind ease and start thinking about what I want to do or think about how my family and friends back on Earth are doing without me. This night, however, I was thinking about next week for I have a lot to do. First off, Monday I have a bowling game after work. Tuesday through Friday is nothing but work and no fun to be found. Finally, that damn holiday and dance ball they're having at Princess Celestia's castle Saturday. I must remind myself to find a way to avoid it after work. Perhaps sleep through it or play PS3 all night? Whatever the case, I just want time to move fast and when Sunday comes, it's thankfully over!

I reached into the box once again to take another slice...only to find it empty. I turned my head to the right in a flash to find out what happened to my dinner and found somepony making her presence without me knowing that she was stopping by. It was Princess Celestia and she was eating a slice of my pizza with her magic.

“Mmm,” The princess said licking her lips. “I kind of prefer banana slices on my pizza.”

I hesitated and got off my chair to bow in front of her.

“He...Hello, Princess Celestia.” I stuttered a bit. “Ho...how...how are you tonight?”

The alicorn princess sets the pizza back down into the box and looks at me as I sat back down into my chair.

“I just came here to check up on you.” She admits. “I want to know if things had changed since our last encounter.”

“Well you're out of luck.” I replied after I sat back down on my chair. “Everything has been the same way ever since I stepped foot into this world.”

“So you haven't done anything as of late? Not even finding your special somepony?”

“Aside from working at a pawn shop near your castle grounds and being harassed and threatened by moronic customers everyday, no. My days are up, work, home, and bed. Put that on repeat mode and that's what I get. However, I do spend time with my friends and hangout with them if they're not busy and all. That makes some of my days even better.”

“I understand that but...you haven't answered my question: have you found your special somepony?”

I quietly let out a frustrated sigh as I turned my head away from her, not knowing if Celestia noticed.

“That's not nice, Frank.” Celestia said, feeling a bit disgusted.

How was she able to hear that? Does she have super hearing or something? How else was I supposed to let out my anger?

“Okay, I'm sorry about that.” I replied calmly. “To answer your question: no. I did not find my special somepony...yet.”

She took another slice while I took another as we both ate. “And why is that?”

“Because...” I paused for a brief a moment, trying to think of a good reason. “Because...I don't know what kind of mare out there likes a human who works at a pawn shop or is more like a nerd when it comes into video games and is into WWE and stuff.”

“Is that what bothers you?” She asked in a concerned way.

“Yes, it bothers me!" I snapped. "It's just like back on Earth when I was trying to get a girlfriend! When I tell them what I'm into and what I do for a living, all I get back in return are narrowed eyes, they brushed their hair back with their hand, and walk off with their heads up high like as if they're saying 'I'm not speaking to you ever again, you unattractive nerd.' Back then, I can't even tell what girl out there had a crush on me and I just either brush her away or ignore the fact that she did like me. I did not figure it out because in the past, I was such a dumbass to know the signs and hints that those girls were giving me! It's the same thing with your loyal subjects here in Equestria: I see a beautiful mare and I make a move...and she's not impressed about who I am or what I do. They want to be judgmental and nitpick everything that I do for a living or what my hobbies are that sound unimpressive! More so, what mare out there likes me and...I...I...just don't know that yet!”

I look at Celestia and realized that she just shook her head in disagreement on what I just told her. What is there to disagree about? Everything I just said is the truth.

“No.” She said. “That's not the real reason why you haven't found your special sompony.”

“Oh no?” I asked.

“No. You just don't want to find one because...once again...Hearts and Hooves Day is coming. You have been single for two years and you haven't done anything to make your life happy. You've been slacking throughout your whole life and making excuses to avoid my subjects. You're too focused on your job and hanging with your fellow Earthlings than spending time to get to know a mare and inviting her out to certain events. Am I correct?"

I was about to explode but I have to prevent myself from evening doing so.

“Okay, you got me!” I exploded emotionally. “I don't want to date a mare because I just don't find it comfortable and that holiday reminds me of the incident with Sarah and I. If I ask somepony to be my marefriend, or special somepony, pretty much, the results are going to be the same as Sarah did to me: she would dump me, start dating some stallion that's better than me, and finally, marriage! Meanwhile, I'll be back home crying in tears and listening to Untitled by Simple Plan on repeat mode! That's why I avoid Hearts and Hooves Day and that's why I don't want to date a mare!”

I felt as though my yelling almost broke the sound barrier around Equestria or even damage Celestia's eardrums. I can feel my chest burning like a volcano ready to burst after letting out my anger and I'm expecting Celestia to either cower in fear or slap me for what I spoke. Unfortunately, she just stood there like a statue with her eyes closed and her ears perked up. Did she even listened or did she fell asleep? In a second, she reopened her eyes, turned away from me, and looks at the moon.

“You're still thinking about the past, are you?” Celestia said. “For how long?”

“Ever since Day 1 after I made my appearance.” I confessed. “It has been plaguing my mind for years and it hasn't stopped."

I looked away from her and turned to the ground beneath me. I collapsed my head in sorrow as I about to shed a tear but I held it in before one was able to drop to the floor.

"I just...I just don't want this happened to me again." I said softly. "What can I do to stop it?"

Celestia looks back at me. “You need to put your memory of Sarah behind you. Having this affect you for a long period makes you weak and hopeless for your life in the future. However, you are on a different planet where all females are more open minded and friendly and that they don't care what you are or what you do in life. What matters is how you treat them and give them the respect and love that they've been looking for. You need to stop being frightened over rejections, take it for what it's worth, and just move on if that said mare isn't interested in you. Otherwise, you'll just be one lonely human.”

“Well,” I said trying to change the subject while still in a sadden mood, “How come your niece does not use her love magic to find me a mare?”

“Cadance is not a matchmaker! She does spread love, yes. However, she only uses her magic to save troublesome couples from a crumbling relationship. It's not her talent to have random ponies and humans come up to her demanding that she finds a significant other. It does not work that way! You, on the other hoof, have to find love on your own.”

I collapsed once again on my chair in defeat and held my head in my hands. I feel as though I'm out of options after hearing the enchanted alicorn's words about finding love. It seems that there's no hope for me left and my chances seemed dimmed to me. I can hear Princess Celestia approaching me and I felt her right fore hoof press on my shoulder as to comfort me. I lifted my head up and saw her with a warm smile on her face.

“You know how special you are, Frank.” She said. “I'm pretty sure that one day, that one mare will come up to you and you'll be a much brighter man.”

I nodded. “You're right. I just gotta keep my hopes up. Thank you, Princess.”

“You're welcome.”

She took her hoof my shoulder and sets it down. She walks back to her original space where she appeared before me. I saw the tip of her horn glow yellow and a light beginning to envelop down to her body.

“See you next week.” Princess Celestia said before teleporting out of sight.

“Yeah.” I said. “Good night.”

I got up from my chair and took the rest of the pizza inside. I put it inside the oven as I plan to eat it tomorrow for breakfast. I checked my watch and realized that I need to get to bed already. I have plans to meet up with Silver Dollar at the spa tomorrow and maybe do some other things as well.

“Alright.” I said. “No PS3 tonight. Shower, bed, wake up, and morning spa meetup. Gotta get to it.”