Long Horn
30 bits. That is how much I have gotten for my paycheck this Hearts Warming Eve. 30 bits isn't even enough to cover for more than 4 apples. Why do I even put up with this. Every year, I seem to be getting a smaller budget. And I know Cherry won't like it when she finds out I only bought her a few apples this year. It must be something bigger than a fruit!
I was finished with work. Early release due to the holidays coming. Snow covered the entire ground with pure white snow. Hoof steps and carriage wheel tracks were all over the ground as well. Almost everypony were carrying bags. Probably filled with cooking supplies and presents. Oh yeah. That's the one. That reminded me, I had to get a gift for Cherry. I kept thinking and thinking. Everypony who passed by thought I was going brain dead. Everypony who passed by kept staring at me. That's when I got it. I would get her that comb that Cherry's been eyeing for a long time! The only problem with that was that I didn't have enough bits.
I would love to give her my most prized possession. A watch my father gave me before he went to the Great Pony War. He never came back. Not that it was any surprise. Still, I couldn't help but cry over the fact that I'll never be able to sit on his lap, listen to him read me stories before bed time, or most importantly, ever see him again. I was heartbroken for months. I wouldn't talk to anypony. All my friends just thought I was being weird. I never told them that my dad went to war. But, every secret has to leak out at one point, right? After that, everypony surrounded me like I was a local celebrity. It got on my nerves very quickly. I know she would love to have the watch, but she knows how much this watch means to me. And so do I. She would never take it.
Cherry
My job hasn't gotten me that much bits lately. I've been saving, but that hasn't been enough for the present I want to get for Long Horn. This has really been stressful for me. I've been trying to buy a gold chain to replace that old worn-out rope that held the watch on his neck. But of course, the cost is getting in my way.
My most prized possession? Oh, it's my mother's flute. It was hoof-crafted in Appaloosa. It was passed down from generation to genration, starting from a direct decedent of the royal family! My mother gave it to me right before she passed away. I treasured it ever since. I practiced on it every single day, trying to get better in honor of my mother. It was made of applewood, a very colorful and rare wood, and every single key has a very beautiful design engraved into it. It has to be worth at least 3 to 400 bits! But I could never sell this! I've kept this since I was a foal!
At least we were off today. That got me more time to figure out what to do. I was sitting in a corner table, trying to figure out a plan that will actually work. It was quieter than the Annual Quiet Game Championship. The only source of sound was the laughing of a few fillies playing in the snow, throwing snowballs at each other, and the ticking of the old clock in our bedroom. Every tick seemed to echo throughout the entire house. Only one idea came to mind throughout that entire time. Although I didn't want to do it, I loved Long Horn enough to want to do anything to keep him happy. I was to sell my mane. Selling my mane would get me just enough to pay for the chain. But for some reason, I can't hep but shake the fact that it was my mane at first that made Long Horn fall in love with me. What would he say if I cut it off?
Long Horn
30 bits, and no shops in sight that are open. This is beginning to become pointless. Maybe I should just give up and not get her anything. But what kind of boyfriend would I be to do that on Hearts Warming Eve? A bed one, I guess. But when all hope seemed lost, I spotted one that was just about to close! Coincidentally, it was the shop that had the mane brush that Cherry has been eyeing for a long time. I teleported to the shop as quickly as I could. I managed to stop him right before he locked the store.
"WAIT!!"
"Um... Yes? Can I help you?"
"I would like to purchase that mane brush!"
"Sorry, pal. But I'm closing up shop here."
"Please! I have money!"
I gave him the 30 bits. He seemed unimpressed.
"30 bits ain't gonna cut it, kid."
I had to make some quick thinking. I had to get that brush for Cherry. But how? I don't have any more bits on me, unless...
"Hey, I'm willing to make a trade."
His ears perked up at the mere sound of it.
"Trade?"
"Yeah. My watch, for you brush."
"Let me see this watch."
I painfully gave him the watch. I tried to fight back the tears. It was the only thing left of my father. And I just gave it away just like that.
"Interesting. This was made in the Paleopony Era, during the outbreak of cutiepox. And it is in mint condition. I suppose we can do this trade."
I couldn't believe it. He actually accepted it. Now, I can give her the new brush. Looks like this holiday isn't going to be that bad after all.