'Can this day be any worse?'
A mulberry-colored earth pony looked at the shot-glass full of saltwater, that rested between her hooves. She took a sip, tasting the flavor that she found to be the most comforting. An ocean based brine with cherry blossoms infused throughout. Replaying the events of the day in her mind, she tried to figure out what had gone wrong.
"If I only had a special somepony, this could have all been avoided." She muttered to herself. She took another sip then sighed.
"Is something troubling you, Cheerilee?" A copper colored earth pony with a light green mane asked. "I'm willing to listen, It's sort of my duty as bartender."
"Thank you Copper Hoof." Cheerilee replied. "It's just this stupid holiday."
Copper Hoof nodded. "Ah yes, Hearts and Hooves day."
"Applebloom and her friends tried to get me together with her brother."
"That big red farm pony over at Sweet Apple acres?"
Cheerilee nodded. "That's the one. Big Macintosh."
"And?"
"They used a magic potion. You'll probably read about it in tomorrows paper."
"How do you feel about this situation?" Copper Hoof asked.
"I'm rather upset."
"Why's that?"
"Cause I don't have a special somepony." Cheerilee replied. "And it's not from lack of trying. I just can't find any stallion in Ponyville that catches my interest."
Copper Ear nodded. "So don't look for stallions in Ponyville."
Cheerilee snorted. "Copper Hoof, I'm a schoolteacher. My salary doesn't allow me to travel around to other cities and meet ponies elsewhere." Another sip. "And while the stallions around here are friendly, I don't feel love for any of them."
"Mmmhmm, mmmhmm." Copper Hoof mused. "Maybe it''s not a stallion you want."
Cheerilee tapped her cheek with a hoof. "Well there's Twilight Sparkle, but she's more of a friend who shares my interest in academics."
"What about your friends here in the Chateau?" Copper Hoof asked.
"Toola Roola and Starsong? We grew up together. I do have strong feelings for them, but they're like family to me." Cheerilee finished her saltglass. "It just feels wrong to look at them in that way."
"In what way?"
The mare rubbed her eyes with her hooves. "This is so confusing. I think I need more salt." The Earth pony refilled her glass. Cheerilee lifted it to her lips and sipped, savoring the flowery marine taste. Thanks. Neighponese Sunrise is my favorite flavor."
"I know, Cheerlee. You order it frequently." Copper Hoof replied. "I thought about putting your picture on the label."
Cheerilee giggled. "Cheerilee brand saltwater. For when your class has gotten the best of you."
She set the glass on the bar-top. "What about your, Copper? You ever had any trouble with love?"
Copper Hoof looked over at the empty seats of the bar, then poured himself a bottle of herbal liquor. He trotted around, and took a seat next to Cheerilee. "Love is like a juvenile draconequus." He said, smiling. "You can't reason with it, you can't fight it, best you can hope for is that it doesn't get too vicious." The earth pony swirled his glass. "I had a school sweetheart. We dated many times in high school, but, like many good things, it couldn't last." He took a sip. "We wanted to get married, but it costs alot. She decided the best way to save up for it, was for her to become a nurse. She went to med school, and when she was finished, she got a job at Ponyville hospital. Whenever she gets time off, she just wants to spend it at home resting." He sighed. "I've been thinking of faking sickness or injury, just to see her again."
Cheerilee patted the pony on the shoulder. "What was her name?"
"Redheart." Copper Hoof replied.
"Wait. you mean Nurse Redheart, was your sweetheart?"
Copper Hoof grinned. "Yep. Guess she she got sidetracked with the job." He sighed. "Que Sera Sera, as the old stallion says."
Cheerilee set her glass aside. "I've decided." She began, "That I should let them know how I feel."
Copper Hoof smiled, raising his glass. "Don't be like me. When you get your special somepony, hold onto them tightly."
"Thank you, Copper Hoof." Cheerilee replied, before trotting off.
A pink unicorn had just put the finishing touches on a large painting, when there was a knock on her studio door. "Come in." She called out.
The door opened, and a mulberry colored earth pony walked in. "Hey Toola, can we talk?"
Toola set her paintbrush and palette on a nearby tray. "Sure Cheerilee. What's on your mind?"
Cheerilee took a deep breath, then walked over to the unicorn artist. "Toola, we've been friends a long time, right?"
Toola nodded. "Of course! You, me and Starsong. We've grown up under my fathers roof."
"Yeah." Cheerilee rubbed the back of her neck. Spotting the painting, she walked over and gazed at it. "That's a very nice portrait. You always were good at painting. Did you do this entirely from memory?"
Toola beamed. "The pose I borrowed from a magazine, but the subject is one I know well." She winked. Cheerilee blushed.
"That's very flattering. I wasn't sure how to approach this, but I've often felt the same way about you."
Toola held up a hoof. "Let us take this conversation to a more appropriate place then." Cheerilee placed her hoof on Toolas, and allowed herself to be led to the unicorns bedroom. She had often been in this room, but never before under these circumstances. "We'll rest here. You know how comfortable my bed is."
As she climbed onto the soft plush mattress, Cheerilee sighed in contentment. She scooted over, making room for Toola. The unicorn snuggled close. "Maite Zaitut, Cheerilee." She whispered, touching noses with the earth pony.
"Maite-" Cheerilee began, but was interrupted by Toola putting a hoof to her mouth, and shushing her. She pressed her muzzle to Cheerilees neck, and inhaled.
Cheerilee smiled. Here, right in front of her, was the answer all along. Somepony to love, and one that loved her in return. And after all, wasn't that what Hearts and Hooves day was for?
'Can this day get any better?'