Gord awoke early that bright, sunny morning to mares squealing loudly outside his window. He had left it open since it was warm that night and he needed to cool his one room flat.
''What in Celestia's green Equestria is all that racket?'' He said as he looked out to see...hearts, everywhere. He mentally groaned as the mares were kissed by there partners. He watched as they were handed cards and flowers.
''I guess it's time for a visit.'' He mumbled in sorrow as he got out of bed and walked to the sink for some water.
After his water had been drained from the cup, he decided to see if the Cake's were having a sale on his wife's favorite pastry. He went to the door and put on his saddle bags and went off. He went down the stairs.
''Good morning Gord! Happy Hearts and Hooves day!'' Said the land mare as he passed.
''Good morning Mrs. Bell.'' He said forcing a smile. ''Happy Hearts and Hooves Day.''
As Gord walked through the streets he saw a large red stallion trotting with the school mare. He then tripped over an old brown cloak on the ground.
''Hmmmmmm.'' He said as he picked it up looking for a name on it. ''Odd...no name....huh.'' He folded it and put it in his saddlebag as he headed on a search for a pastry.
As he trotted he saw many couples kissing. His heart sunk as he looked toward SUGAR CUBE CORNER. Several couples were being lovey dovey with there other.
''Every year this goes on...stallions getting gifts for his very special some pony... just shut up and suck it up Gord, you can do it. Just get what you need and go visit them.'' He said as he walked up to the shop's door and went in.
''Well hello Gord! what can I do for you this fine day?'' Said Mr. Cake happily.
Gord forced a smile and asked ''Have any vanilla cupcakes?''
''I sure do! One left I think. Oh, and it's on sale too! Oh, and everything sold comes with a free cookie!'' He went to ring the transaction up.
''One vanilla cupcake at half off with a free cookie. that'll be 2 bits Mr. Gord.'' Said Mr. Cake with a grin.
Gord paid him what he owed and turned to leave.
''Thank you for stopping in, and Happy Hearts and Hooves day!'' Mr. Cake said gleefully.
''You as well.'' Gord said as he went outside with his cupcake, and cookie in a small brown bag in his saddlebag.
Eyebrows were raised at his choice in confectionary delights.Some ponies just couldn't figure out how a simple vanilla cupcake would be a good idea. Didn't he know you need an extravagant one to win your lover over? Truth be told...it didn't have to win her over.It was her favorite and he was going to give it to her. The entire way there all that cupcake did was remind Gord of his need for the one he loves on this day, but he knows he can't get her back. Even with her favorite cupcake.
''Has it really been 8 years?'' He said as he sat by the stone. Tears flowing down as he got out the bag. It seemed to be a tradition of great sarrow to him, but he would always think of that day when he came to see them.
It replayed in his head. The scream of horror from Srittore as he was pushed through a wall by a mad bull trying to rob them. The shelves knocking over, Ink splattering, The bull breaking into the safe. The heavy iron door to the safe falling down...on them.
''DADDY!!!!'' His filly screamed out, but was cut off. He tried to get there in time to save them, but it was to late. they were crushed. He had ran to them as fast as his broken hind legs could carry him. The bull ran off, but was caught by two off duty guards. They Injured the scoundrel and arrested him. Meanwhile. His wife, and his daughter were clutched in his hooves as the paramedics arrived. The bull was sentenced to life without chance of parole.
''I miss you Srittore...'' His tears started to fall from his eyes and dripped off his chin onto the pastry after he set it down on the stone. '' As well as you too Margin... my sweet little filly.'' He said as he kissed the stone next to it, placing the cookie down for his now 13 year old daughter. She had died when she was only 5. It hurt him to think of what she would be like now.
'' Happy Hearts and Hooves day girls....'' After sitting there for a good two hours, Gord rose up slowly and bid them a sorrowful au due. He exited the graveyard and walked on to work. Leaving his wife and daughter alone on a day like today hurt him more then anything he could imagine. Nothing, be it real or imaginary could hurt him more then this. As he walked there came a breeze slightly colder then normal. He remembered the cloak he found, and put it on. As he walked his mind raced with his beloved family at the forefront of his thinking. His walk toward his shop on the east side of Ponyville seemed so much longer the usual. It always did after seeing them.
''I should have tried harder...'' He said as he reached his business he owned. His wife was a writer and wanted a cheaper way to order paper, quills and ink. Rather then having to deal with the sofa stallion again. So, Gord being Gord, built her a shop. Just for her and himself to help others in that predicament. He liked his end of his deal, he restocked shelves ,and kept the books. Scrittore was the people pony. Always talking to somepony about what they needed, or general conversation.
'' Why do I have to be open today...'' His mind replayed the words like a broken record. He went inside his shop getting ready for ponies coming to buy a last minute card. He tried to not think of that day. He ended up sobbing outside the door as he unlocked it and went in.
He sighed as he wiped his tears away ,and opened up shop for the day
He flipped the sign to the side that said OPEN. He waiting for about 10 minutes before some customers arrived.
''Welcome to Scrit and scraps!'' He said as afew turtledove patrons trotted in looking for cards and paper to make there own. It was going to be a very trying, and very long day.
Author's Note
Please, comment your thoughts on it if you like. :)