The rickety aged cash register clunked shut with a dull ding as Gilda handed her current customer their change. Today was another one of those days. The crotchety old griffon across from her grunted as a thanks and she gave him his scone with a medium cup of Happy Times Coffee. It was good stuff, shipped in from Ponyville's premiere party planning mare, Pinkie Pie.

Of course she would make her own coffee brand, that mare never stops moving! Gilda thought with a smirk.

"Come back soon, pal!" She growled back. The griffon, now at the door to her bakery, gripped his scone tighter and hissed at her in reply. In doing so, she caught the gentle smile he donned as he left. He was a regular, and their interactions always made her warm with happiness. The years might have started slowly ticking by, but one thing was always the same. Griffons were gruff, tough, but mostly all fluff. Choosing to hide their enjoyment or pleasure behind a scowl, locked doors , or in the privacy of their own nests.

Still, Pinkie Pie and those darn pony folk had been right, a little friendship went a long way. After Gilda's second meeting with the party planner/wonderbolt duo, She'd started to see things a little differently around her home town. What were previously pointless griffons plodding around town became her people. Empty buildings like the one she worked to now own, were opportunities, not setbacks. The random passerby that glanced in her bakery every now and then, were potentially friends and customer. Fellow griffons she could employ and via their hard work, improve the city of Griffonstone back to it's former glory.

Or at least one with running water, working rain gutters, actual glass in windows, power and electricity, doors that didn't fall off every other time they were opened, internal heating, ya know, necessary stuff for living comfortably and the like. As it stood now(barely), half the nests in Griffonstone didn't even have enough rooms to house the families that owned them. This hurt to see deep down, and Gilda felt they as a race should be doing a lot better.

It wasn't uncommon to see hatchlings get shoved outside in the early hours of the morning while the parents tried to get some time to themselves. Gilda knew it all had to change. The whole town needed rebuilding. The local library had been rebuilt thanks to Rainbow Dash's Princess of books directly intervening and funding it's reconstruction. That mare was dangerous when books were harmed, and Gilda had to smooth down her feathers as the memory surfaced.

Never get between Celestia and her ponies. Never get between Luna and her night. Never get between Cadance and her family. Lastly, never get between Twilight and her books.

Alicorns were weird. Powerful? Ungodly so. Kind and generally benevolent? Oh to a sick fault. Normal? Nope, not a chance in Tarturus were they normal. Too much magical energy flowing up in those skulls to ever be considered safe or normal. Gilda shook herself, ruffling her feathers out before opening and closing her wings so they sat more comfortably on her back. She looked about her store with a content sigh. Pride welled up inside her as her eyes beheld the work she and friends had put into it, but sometimes all on her own.

Red bricked walls, painstakingly smoothed, scrubbed, and cleaned of extra debris, with lively green potted plants hanging from the higher hooks drilled into places above booths. Two large, rectangular glass-less windows let the customers peer out to the world beyond her door, as well as let the wind and weather in occasionally. She'd have to fix that eventually. Getting dust in one's coffee and food wasn't pleasant. With winter closing in on them, it was more a demand of her customers than a suggestion at this point.

Directly in front of the door, was a very griffon like welcome mat, Enchanted by a friend so that it said "Come on in!" to any who stopped to see it. On their way out, it very enthusiastically said 'Get outta here!'. Gallus had gifted that to her without her knowledge. It was just there one day with a note that said "Good luck." in Gallus's poor penmanship. She wasn't going to complain. It certainly stopped customers from ogling the only other well made building in town besides the library.

Were one to enter her bakery, they'd immediately see two large glass protected, magically refrigerated cases, stocked full of twelve different confectionery goods Gilda had baked herself. The cases had been donated by another of Rainbow Dash's friends, a white unicorn she couldn't remember the name of. As for the food, well, Pinkie pie helped her learn and perfect the recipes.

Scones, muffins, small cakes, shortbreads, cookies, biscotti, griffon claws, and a smattering of other delectable treats lined her cases. All of it was done by Gilda. Solid griffon work she could be proud of, and boy was she. Half her products were simple treats, little delights that chicks or adult griffons could enjoy quickly between work shifts or while they enjoyed the morning paper, regularly delivered by the town post bird, Gabby. It helped bring good cheer to the town, and Gilda felt her feathers fluff out in pride.

To the right of the door were the only working bathrooms in town, and they got used a LOT. Gilda had been smart about it though, her resources were limited, so a griffon couldn't used the bathroom in her establishment unless they bought something worth at least 3 bits. This kept her well stocked in supplies, and her store was kept flowing with currency; It also kept out the riff raff.

There were a lot of troublemakers in her town sadly. It was a constant battle to keep her property clean. She'd had multiple issues with graffiti, fights breaking out in front between territorial toms, but the first two problems resolved themselves pretty quickly when the city council stepped in. Gilda's property was now considered her territory and if caught breaking her rules, the griffon responsible would have to pay a hefty fine of fifty bits. The graffiti only happened twice more, and the fights still happened ,but they stayed well away from her bakery.

The biggest issue was littering customers, who'd eat the food and then toss the wrappers to the ground. At first she did what any griffon would do, She screeched and raged at them, and they did the same back. Thus, nothing got done until she wrote a letter to Pinkie Pie, explaining her plight.

Who of course, had an ingenious idea.

Using the power of persuasion, young chicks that were bored out of their minds in the early mornings, and an eagerness to devour yesterday's treats, the store front and her main property were now the cleanest and most valued area in Griffonstone. It was these two factors that gained her some credit with the older griffons of the village. Seeing her make such changes seemed to urge the other griffons to change their ways as well.

Albeit really really slowly. It was noted by her though, that things over the last few years had changed. Public trash cans that were going to be torn down for scrap were instead donated by a few work crew griffons. A local work board was set up near the library, run by a unicorn mare named Steady Flow. So far she'd been the only pony citizen of Griffonstone. With this set in place, Griffons down on bits or just looking for a boredom killer could take job requests and earn income. In Gilda's case, they could earn supply slips for her shop. Free coffees, half-off tickets for scones and other treats, or the biggest prize, a three day pass for use of the only working bathroom in nearly a thirty mile radius of the town.

Only two griffons had earned enough slips for this privilege and that had been Gabby and Greta of course. Now with a good reason to do some work around town, nests had begun looking better, gardens had started up, and produce was starting to be traded. Gilda had access to some of the best vegetables first, as the town had sort of named her the top merchant griffon. Her shop was bringing in trade and commerce, and that meant more bits.

While it didn't make her a leader (thank King Grover for that!) It meant she had some sway in town, even with the older griffons like Grandpa Gruff, who'd been named Mayor recently. The old codger hated change of any kind, and liked to swing his stories of 'the good ol days' and how they should stick to tradition. Gilda would agree wholeheartedly that he was completely right in the moment...and then do the exact opposite of his advice later, and more often than not proved him wrong right to his beak. It infuriated him to no end, because his good old days were being improved upon and changed without his approval.

The two had begun to butt heads enough that she just up and moved out one day, stating she could buy her own place now and wouldn't have to deal with him. That got his feathers in a bunch real quick. The old coot had thrown a tantrum about it, saying it wasn't right for younguns to leave their elderly alone these days. So when she retorted with how he'd shot down her proposal for a better living arrangement for the elderly griffons of Griffonstone, he very quickly shut his beak.

Gabby hadn't been too pleased about it, but Gilda decided that If Gallus could live in Equestria, and she could live in her own apartment, then why couldn't Gabby tag along? She was a good griffon, worked harder than most! Plus it'd be nice to not live alone. Griffons might act like they didn't need anyone or anything, but in the core of their beings, griffons were highly social, they needed each other. Gilda couldn't think of a better griffon to have as a roommate, than the only other working bird in town. Plus, it meant that when her bakery wasn't doing too good, the bits still flowed.

The apartment had been built above her bakery, and set up with three rooms just in case she needed extra space for storage and other things. Gabby had dove at the chance to live with Gilda, and had taken the room closest to the sunrise, saying it helped her wake up with the sun on her heels every day as she left for work. Gilda felt a smile creep onto her beak. Gabby was a doofus. Energetic and spastic to a fault, but she was a good friend.

Apparently she was also a year younger than Gilda, who found that very surprising. But after sitting down over a cup of coffee one morning and swapping birthdays, they'd verified that she was indeed younger.

Only by three months, that's not much of a difference to boast about. Gilda mused. She grabbed a rag and began cleaning down the counters and tables found off to the left of the bakery. There were four circular tables for paying customers to rest their feet and enjoy their meals. The tables were currently empty, so it was a good time to remove any crumbs.

As she wiped the last table down, the door bell chimed, and she turned to see none other than Gabby waltzing in, her head on a swivel as she looked around. At her side, just under her wings was the well worn postal service satchel she'd made herself years ago. The cutie mark clips polished to a shine. When she spotted Gilda she chirped happily, her neck ruffling out.

"GILDA!" Gilda grinned as the griffoness hopped over and hugged her. This was a regular thing with Gabby, hugs were non-negotiable.

Gilda grunted as her friend squeezed her. "H-Hi Gabby, back from work early? You must have flown through the abysmal abyss to get here this fast."

Gabby let go and waved a hand at her, "Oh please no! I'd lose my feathers in an instant in that pass. No I actual have YOU on the list of deliveries today!"

Gilda blinked in surprise as Gabby plucked a letter from the side of her satchel. "Huh, that's weird, I don't remember writing anyone recently, whose it from?"

Gabby handed it over. "That's the weird part! It has no return address, or name of the sender!" The griffoness leaned in, peering at the letter suspiciously. "I thought we should check it for traps, but the postmaster said it couldn't hold one...so I guess your safe."

She still backed up as Gilda held the letter up. A plain white envelope with no former address, name, or info as to where it came from. Her name was scrawled across the front in curved loopy writing. She looked to Gabby. "Who brought it in? You guys had to see who delivered it to you right?"

Gabby shook her head. "Nope! we get em in batches of two hundred or more, plus this one was in the international bin, meaning it came in with the train mail." She rolled her eyes exaggeratedly. "And that's like...five hundred letters or something." She put her claw to her chin and glanced at the floor "Or was it six hundred...?"

Gilda Ignored her and sat at the nearby table. Slicing through the top of the envelope with a claw, she pulled the tri-folded paper out and was surprised to see something else fall to the table. It was a thin flattened flower petal. She tilted her head and picked it up, sniffing at it. It was a rose petal, fresh and still slightly damp.

"Huh, well that's weird."

Gabby nodded, claw still on her chin as she watched Gilda open the letter.

To Gilda Griffoness.

It has been some time since I wrote to you, too long since I reached out. I seek to inform you that I have not forgotten you. Far from it in fact, my feelings for you have only increased over the years. You have grown into one of the finest griffoness in Griffonstone, with intelligence, boldness, and a skill in business that defies my understanding.

I'll admit, it took a lot of encouraging from my friends to pluck up the confidence to write this, let alone send it. I believe I've written over thirty similar letters, but not once have I had the courage to send them to you. I didn't feel it was right, you had a lot on your plate these last few years, and I won't lie, several times I have secretly helped you achieve some of your goals, as well as eased some of your burdens. I couldn't stand seeing you do it all alone. A hen of your beauty and strength, you deserve so much more.

Please do not feel slighted, I know griffons take pride in their work, and I assure you, nothing I did detracts from that. What you did, you did by your claws alone. Something I envy for sure is your willingness to never give up. So keep fighting, keep flying towards your goals. I'll be right behind you, helping where I can, and showing my appreciation where it's possible.

In one weeks time is the Festival of Life. I'll send another letter then.

I'll receive all your replies if you leave them in the town mail post box. It'll make it so I can safely collect your replies. I cannot drum up the bravery at this time to show myself to you or others, but I hope that via these correspondences, courage will follow, and we can one day meet in physical.

P.S: It might be too early to say this, but I feel it necessary to state my intentions, I love you.

Gabby was poking her. Gilda didn't pay her any heed. Her cheeks were red, her wings were twitching, and she was acutely aware of a worried warbling from her friend. Or maybe that was her, she couldn't tell.

"I...I...I...it's..." Why wasn't her brain working? Oh, Gabby had take the letter and was reading--

"SHIT NO GABBY!" Gilda snatched the letter away as fast as she could, hoping to the stars above that Gabby hadn't gotten to the--

"IT'S A LOVE LETTER!!!!" Gabby squealed, leaning over Gilda's shoulder and trilling excitedly.

-End....Gilda growled and spun around, putting Gabby in a headlock and clamping her talons over the griffoness's beak.

"Will you shut it, birdbrain!!!" She hissed.

Gabby was squirming and giggling loudly through her talons, and that was bad, Griffons were starting to turn their heads in the direction of her shop trying to spot the commotion. Quickly looking around she ducked behind the glass cases and held Gabby's beak shut until the giggling had died down.

"If I let go of your beak, will you be quiet!? I don't need the whole town knowing some dweeb sent me a freaking love note!" It took a few seconds, but Gabby nodded.

Gilda sighed and let her go, slumping against the case wall, sighing. She ran her talons through her now very ruffled feathers. Whether they were fluffed due to frustration or embarrassment, Gilda wasn't sure.

"Gods...a freaking love letter...what am I gonna do?" She mumbled. Gabby smirked and gripped Gilda's talons in her own giggling more.

"Isn't it obvious? You write back! Whoever they were they care, and that's a good thing right?" The darker hen put her talons to her cheeks. "Ooh! Did it say what they were?"

"What they were? I...huh." Gilda lifted the partially torn note, and re-read it. "It...doesn't give any clues as to their species..."

Gabby chirped and hopped up and down, only to have Gilda yank her tail back down, forcing her to sit.

"Oh this is so cool! My best friend got a love letter and the writer is a mysterious, unknown figure, lurking around waiting to strike with love and adoration!"

Gilda smacked her forehead with a paw. "No it's not!"

Gabby stopped hopping and her brow raised in confusion. She tilted her head. "Huh? How so? Isn't it good that you have a lover?"

Gilda groaned and bonked her head back against the case gently. "Urg, No! No it isn't Gabby, this is more Greta's thing, or yours for that matter! I don't know the first thing about love!" She smacked the letter and growled. "So whoever this writer is they're gonna see my writing and realize I don't know a thing about courtship! I've never even had a date!"

She paused, and found Gabby frowning at her. "What?"

Gabby stood and held out her paw to the letter. Gilda sighed and handed it over, flinching back once, "No loud noises got it?" When Gabby nodded, she handed it over.

Gabby stayed calm while she read the note over and gained her typical inquisitive research pose. claw on her chin, wings twitching, tail flicking back and forth. Gilda tried to calm her breathes and pounding heart by watching the tail movements. It was a therapeutic thing for griffons. They could be seen doing so quite regularly if stressed, even with their own tails.

Purring was another way to calm stress but Gilda couldn't remember the last time she'd done that. It required really good emotional stimulus. She was kind of lacking in that department to be fair.

"Well, it looks to me like whoever this is, their considerate, cautious, and know that you don't want a big spectacle to happen regarding their feelings. If I had to guess, their probably aware you've never dated. But then again if they aren't aware...hmm."

Gilda cocked her head to the side and huffed. "Gabby, if they aren't aware of my lack of lovers syndrome, then it'll be a disaster, a literal crap falling from the sky disaster. " She waved her paw around the room. "Besides, I don't have time for a relationship! I gotta run my shop! It's been putting me on the fast track to success and financial security, and that's important!" Gabby was silent.

They both were.

Gabby slowly handed back the letter, curiosity on her face. "So...why not try anyway?"

Gilda looked up at her incredulously. "Are you daft, Gabby? Did you not hear what I just said?"

Gabby nodded sitting up and folding her wings matter o factually. "Yup, I heard fear and excuses."

Gilda's eye twitched something fierce. "What?"

Peering over the counter, Gabby clucked her tongue at something distasteful. "You heard me. You spoke of bits and how you have to run this store. Last you boasted to me, you had two thousand bits in your safe upstairs, and another five hundred as a back up purse in case some real serious stuff went down. The most expensive thing in this town is your shop goods. So you don't have bits for an excuse. You can buy just about anything you need, and most griffons here will just give it to you for a chance at your bathroom pass."

Gilda grumbled, shuffling her wings nervously. "Yeah okay but--"

She snickered and then put a talon up, stopping Gilda once more. "Then there is the fact that you said you don't have time for a relationship."

"I don't!" Gilda hissed. "Gods why is this so important to other griffons, it's my love life!"

"You mean the lack there of." Gabby stated bluntly.

Gilda growled. "Don't push it, Gabby."

Sighing, Gabby stood and walked around the counter, nabbing a strawberry scone from the case and depositing a couple bits on the counter for it. "Look, you can deny it, but you close the shop on the weekends and most partners understand that their potential mates have work. Just reply back with what ever you feel is honest, I've learned that's the best way to do things when love is involved. Ask Applejack or Princess Cadance. Matters of the heart can get really nasty if left unchecked."

Gilda grumbled "Yeah? how would you know? Your only one year younger than me!"

Gabby stopped at the door, her wings drooped a little and Gilda paused, questioning if maybe she'd gone too far. But Gabby perked back up, and she smiled the brightest smile Gilda had seen all day.

"I know cause love is something I wanna explore too! I did research! I talked with friends, and found out how best to attack it. What to avoid and what to do in hard times! So you reply to that letter, be the brave bird that the sender believes you are!"

She grinned boldly, scarfed down her scone, and and took a running leap into the sky. Once up in the air, Gilda exited her building and watched Gabby soar off, a cry in the sky of excitement exiting her fellow friends beak.

The wind picked up for a second, ruffling her plumage. A warm surge of air tickled her underbelly, making her wings twitch with a want for the flowing air currents above.

"Be brave huh...?" Gilda murmured, looking down to the letter clutched in her talons. For the first time in a long time, Gilda questioned if she herself had the courage to do so.

It was terrifying in the best way possible, and she couldn't help but grin. It was a challenge, and like her chromatic friend in ponyville, Gilda couldn't be beaten by something so simple.

"Fine, little mystery...I'll reply."

Walking back into the bakery, she closed up shop, locked the door and finished cleaning the facilities. She scooped up the remaining treats and set them in the fridge for the chicks the next morning that helped her clean up. She then went to the nearest table, sat down with a quill, and began to write on a new sheet of parchment. She smiled.

"To mystery writer..."

Author's Note

We who are left alone fight the hardest to be acknowledged.