The sound of wood splintering resounded through the orchard as I bucked yet another tree. My hind hooves ached as well as my back but it would be worth it; Parasol, Mana Springs and I were planning to go to the Arcade later today as they would both be pre-occupied with their special-someponies tomorrow for Hearts and Hooves day, which I had spent another year alone. "Hey, ahm ain't paying y'all to stand around, Crimson! Get to buckin'!" yelled Applejack a few trees away from me. "Sorry, AJ" my reply came out a little too downtrodden. "Ahm sorry, sugarcube. It's jus' Hearts and Hooves day is tomorr'a, and there's such a high demand in Apple Family products such as cider and baked goods. It's got me a little riled up as ah don't have as much help today as Big Mac is pre-occupah'd at the other side of the orchard with a caterpillar swarm and Apple Bloom is out crusading for her cutie mark, bless her heart". "Its okay, AJ, I'm just a little distracted is all. You see-" I stopped talking before I told her the REAL reason I was upset. "Ah see what? Come on, boy, now ah know sumthin's up". I sighed heavily and braced for the reaction. "Every year, on Hearts and Hooves day... I spend the day alone..." I held my breath as I waited for her to respond. "Don' worry, ah understand how yer feelin'... well, actually, ah don't really, but ahm pretty sure what it must feel like. Why don' you hang out with a friend o' yers who's alone this year?". "All my friends, well both my friends, have a special somepony. Parasol met a stallion last year at the Nightmare Night costume party at Sugarcube Corner, and Mana Springs met a mare just a few weeks ago at the Winter Wrap Up". Applejack looked at me with a pitiful gaze and sighed deliberately. "Ah know it hurts now, but y'all meet a special somepony sometime, ah mean... well... er..." AJ pondered something. I was grateful for the sympathy, but it just hurt more when she was struggling to think of someone who was alone, but unintentionally alone. "It's okay, AJ, lemme just finish my work and go". Applejack sighed exasperated and placed her hooves down from her pondering stance. "Ahm really sorry, sugarcube, it's jus' that, I don' know what to say. Ah've never really wanted a special somepony, so ah've never felt heartsick. Ah know yer feelin' sore now, but ahm sure there's someone out there for you. Why, yer jus' not looking hard enough, ah'd give you a hand in a search, but ah've got an orchard to harvest". She stopped talking, and place her muzzle into her side-satchel. She pulled out a small coinpurse and threw it at my feet. "Here, ah'll take care of th' rest of the orchard, y'all head off and go spend time with yer friends til tomorr'a, then if yer still feeling lonely tomorrow, come down to Sugarcube Corner with me and mah friends, Pinkie's throwing a Hearts and Hooves party fer all th' couples in Ponyville" "But I dont-" "Come down anyway, it'll be fun!" "Well, okay, thanks AJ!" I said as I turned to head for Ponyville. "See y'all tomorr'a!".

I sped into Ponyville, straight for the Arcade, passing by many denizens of Ponyville, (almost all with a special somepony), and waving to a few people on my way. A poster caught my eye for the new "Equine Kombat" game, it looked so cool! I subconsciously carried on running. "LOOK OUT!" I spun my head round and collided roughly with another pony. I only stumbled, the pony was knocked to the ground. "I am so sorry! I wasn't looking... oh, Parasol!". I helped the yellow pegasus back to her feet. "Really, Crimson, you should watch where you're going" she giggled lightly. "I'm so sorry, I was on my way to the Arcade" I explained. "You do realise the Arcade is about 10 yards back?". I looked back and the poster was actually on the entry-way. "Oh, heh" I replied, embarrased. She laughed mildy at my embarrasment, "Come on, Mana's already waiting for us". We entered the Arcade and scanned the area for Mana Springs. We found him in the "Everfree Escape" booth, leaping side to side erratically. We walked over to find him entranced with the game, but becoming increasingly aggravated with the fast moving Timber Wolf Alpha. "Stay... grrr... STILL!" He yelled at the screen in exasperation. The wolf bit savagely into the screen, which now displayed "GAME OVER". Mana shoved his hoof into his satchel and pulled out a bit, slid it into the coin port and sheathed the light gun into it's holder. His horn began to glow vividly and the screen began to crackle with static. Slowly, a mass of pixels began to leave the screen, and began to reform at Mana's hooves. Now, a Timber Wolf Alpha, now just a little smaller than an average pony was at the feet of Mana Springs. It looked around and began to howl a synthesised call, which was abruptly interrupted as Mana brought his frontal hooves down onto the Timber Wolf, causing it to fall into pixelated timber and twigs, flash for a while, and then dissipated. Mana laughed out loud maniacally while the screen displayed: "CONGRATULATIONS: YOU ESCAPED THE EVERFREE FOREST". Parasol and I just stifled our laughter as we watched him close by. He only stopped when he turned around and noticed us, which caused him to recoil in shock and crouch down slightly while his face turned bright red. Parasol and I burst into laughter as he smiled weakly while he was still bright red. "Uh... hey guys" he muttered. I knocked his shoulder playfully while still in a fit of giggles, "It's okay, Mana, we were the only ones that saw". He changed his expression from a weak smile to a wide grin. "Hehehe, so what are we playing first? The new Equine Kombat? Parasprite Outbreak? Ooh! Maybe-" BOOM! We looked at the source of the explosion, which was the booth that Mana was previously in. It had burst into violet flames. "Maybe you played with that one too hard" Parasol said, trying hard to suppress her laughter. "Well, now that I think of it I already have a Pony Entertainment System at home with some games so, lets go" he said quickly. He quickly ushered us out despite our uproarious laughter. Parasol, Mana Springs and I travelled to Mana's house. It was quickly darkening and the street lights were beginning to light up. "Well, here we are, my house" proclaimed Mana Springs. He swung open the door and flicked a light on. It was of modest build, a narrow hallway, with a door at the end, leading to the kitchen, and a door to the right, leading to the living room. "Mana! You're home!" called a white (coated) earth pony, with a vivid pink mane, with light pink stripes and a swirled lollipop cutie mark. "Hi, Candy, you know Parasol". She looked at Parasol from the top of the stairs and smiled warmly, "Good to see you again" she said kindly. Parasol simply said "Hi" and waved a hoof at her. "And this is Crimson Dream" Mana announced. She looked at me with a calculating face. I shuffled my hooves nervously, thinking she didn't like the look of me. "Are you okay?" She said. I looked up and tilted my head. "Me?" I asked perplexed. "Yes, you. You seem quiet. I thought with Hearts and Hooves coming up you'd be elated, spending the WHOLE day just with your own special somepony" she said, smiling compassionately. I looked down, my emotions shattered. Parasol winced noticably at the sting of her words. Mana Springs started "Oh! Erm... Candy. The thing is..." Candy's eyes widened at the realisation, "Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry! I didn't know!" "It's okay, really, you... *sigh*... you didn't know". I looked up at her and tried my best to smile. Only a small grimace appeared. Candy looked down at me and looked crestfallen. She turned to Mana and gestured him to come upstairs. He made his way upstairs, but looked back, "The console is in the living room, guys. I'll be down in a minute" he smiled. "Okay, lets go, Crimson" Parasol said enthusiastically as she ushered me into the living room. We sat down on one of the hay bails placed around the room, which were amazingly comfortable, which made me realise how much my hooves and back ached from apple bucking. Parasol hovered over to the T.V. and turned on the P.E.S. which began to hum silently. "Whatcha wanna play?" she said in varying tones with each word said. It made me giggle at her playfullness and her attempt to cheer me up. "What we got?" I asked. "We have *hehehe* Everfree Escape, Super Equestria Land, Daring Doo and The Caverns of Ahuizotl, etcetera. Anything take your fancy?" "Hm. Maybe-" The door swung open and Mana stood there with an excited look on his face. He looked and me and said "You free tonight?". "Well of course, why?" I asked, partly excited and nervous. Candy walked in with a piece of paper in her mouth. She walked over to me and placed it down next to where I was sitting. "My friend doesn't have a special somepony and she likes the sound of you from Mana's description", she glanced back to Mana Springs who stood upright with a modest smile on his face, "and she is free tonight, you interested?"

I held the phone to my shoulder while Mana Springs, Parasol and I fought against each other in "Canterlot Arena 2", each ring making me more and more nervous as I waited for her to pick up. I was about to hang up when the last ring was abruptly interrupted and a voice said "Hello?". My whole body froze up, I was at a loss for words, what do I say!? Parasol smacked me upside the head with a wing without breaking concentration from the game, "Say something!" she said in an agitated tone. "Er, h-hello. I'm Crimson Dream. Is this Snow Sweet?". There was an uncomfortable silence as I waited her reply. "Oh! Hello!" she replied in an upbeat tone, "Mana Springs told me all about you! How are you?". Her sweet tone made me feel much more comfortable. "I'm good, how are you, how was your day?" I asked. Mana Springs and Parasol paused mid-game and turned to watch the phone call, both grinning comically. "Im okay, work has got me down a bit with the high rise of treat sales close to... Hearts and Hooves day" she replied, this time a little crestfallen. "Tell me about it" I said agreeably, looking down at my aching hooves. "Soo... " she enunciated "Candy tells me you don't have a... special somepony?". She was going to ask this quickly? What did Mana Springs say about me? I glanced over to Mana to see him waiting for my next words. He made a "go on" gesture by rolling his hoof in a small circle. "Well, no... I don't. Why do you ask?" I replied. "Well, neither do I. So, do you wanna... maybe..." she stopped mid-sentence. No turning back now, I had to bite the bullet. "Would you like to come to Sugar Cube Corner with me tonight for something to eat?" I blurted out. Silence. Oh no, why did I have to ask so soon? She's gonna think I'm- "Yes". What did she just say? "Pardon?" I asked. "Yes, I would like that very much". I did it! "Okay, what time do you want me to pick you up?" "How about now?" she asked, unfettered. "Sure!" I replied, "I'll come over now, where do you live?".

I made it to Snow Sweet's house, convienently it was near the Library. I raised a hoof to knock. Tap, tap, tap. I heard quick thudding and the door opened smoothly. "Hi". Snow Sweet was a pegasus with a light, ice blue coat. She had a dark blue mane, with cyan stripes and her eyes were a shiny teal colour. I was truly amazed at how she looked. "Hello" I said, with a noticably broken tone. She laughed at the break in my voice. "Ready to go?" I asked, fortunately with no break in tone. She smiled warmly, "Yeah, let's go!"

We walked down to Sugarcube Corner, side by side. It seemed like such a short walk as we spent all of the trip talking about anything and everything about ourselves. I found out that Snow Sweet worked in the frozen department of Ponyville Treats and Sweets, and as a pegasus, she was tasked with finding the cumulus nimbus clouds that created snow for the ice cream, (as hinted by her snowflake cutie mark). We arrived at Sugarcube Corner to find the door closed and covered with police tape. "What happened here?" I asked a pink earth pony with poofy hair. She sprang into the air, gasping loudly in shock "OH! Hey! Don't scare me like that. And I can't tell you that, it's doctor-patient confidential!" she said in a stern voice. "Don't you mean it's just confidential?" I asked quizzically. "Oh yeah! And how would you know that?". Suddenly her hair exploded outwards and then back to its poofy self. "You seem to know an awful lot about this here, I bet it's because YOU DID IT!" she yelled. "What!? No, I don't even know what happened here!" I retorted. "Well you should, cos you were the person who did-do-dunnit! And I have proof!" she exclaimed. I didn't reply, I wanted to watch this. "Exhibit A, you're hoofprints are at the scene of the crime!" she yelled, pointing at my newly-made hoof prints. "I just walked by there, that's why they're there" I said a-matter-of-factly. "Oh yeah!? Well-" "Pinkie!, what's with all the yelling?" a lavender unicorn asked. "I did found who did-dunnit, Twilight!" she claimed. "It was HIM!" she pointed at me. "I don't know what she's talking about" I replied exaperatedly. "No, Pinkie, it was me" said Twilight, eliciting a tremendous gasp from Pinkie. "I dropped a cupcake, went to the back of the shop to find a broom, and when I came out I found all the doors and windows covered in police tape". "Ooooooh! I get it. Sorry, Crimson, Snow. You two have fun!" she said before darting around the shop to remove the tape. How did she know my name? "So are we going in or are you still in Pinkie Pie's custody?" asked Snow Sweet in a giggly tone. I nodded and smiled as we entered the shop. We found a table near the window with no police tape with our freshly made treats. I ordered a simple oat and raisin muffin while Snow Sweet instead enjoyed a simple eclair. We just made idle talk while occasionally taking bites out of our baked goods. "Sorry about that" Twilight said apologetically. I didn't even know she was approaching. "It's okay, it's not the first time I've met someone unorthodox". I turned back to Snow Sweet to continue our conversation to find her gazing out the window at something. "Whats up?" I asked, slightly concerned. "I could've swore that trashcan just moved" she said, still entranced. I looked a little closer to search for something. "TWILIGHT!" yelled Pinkie who suddenly appeared from the behind the trashcans. Snow Sweet leapt back and screamed from shock while I fell backwards from the sudden appearance. Twilight didn't flinch. "Pinkie!" she scolded, "You scared the customers!". I looked up to find Pinkie giggling at me and Snow Sweet soon joined in. I blushed and smiled nervously.

The late night air was bitter and cold. I never really felt it but Snow Sweet was shivering mildly. I wanted to do something but I didn't want to push my luck. Soon her teeth began chattering lightly. Forget luck. I took my work shawl from my side-satchel and placed it on her back. She looked up at me with her shiny teal eyes, "Thank you". I smiled and nodded, "Your welcome!". We arrived at her house and she pushed the door open. "It's too late to wonder out on your own, why don't you stay over?" she asked. "It's okay, I don't want to impose. Besides, if anypony tries something funny, it'll be BAM!" I bucked out wildly, kicking the air. But back pain set in and I lost my balance and fell down... again. Snow laughed warmly, "It's no imposition, besides, you look exhausted". The house and fireplace did look inviting. "Okay, I'll stay". We walked into the main room and sat down infront of the fire. The wool carpet felt fantastic on my aching hooves. I didn't realise how tired I was until I started to drift off right there and then. No. I've just met this pony, I need to make a good impression. I looked over to Snow Sweet to find her laid down and staring into the fire. "You okay?". She up at me "Yeah, I've just never had...". She stopped talking and looked away. "A special somepony?". She nodded slowly, "Yeah... that". I placed a hoof on her shoulder, "Well me neither! I'm glad I met you before somepony else did. Why I think of myself as the luckiest colt in Equestria when I'm with you!" I proclaimed excitedly. "Really?" she asked, looking into my eyes. "Yes, really". She sighed happily and rested her head on my shoulder. For the first time in a while I felt complete. I finally had a special somepony.

My eyes slowly opened to the glare of the morning sun that was now on the horizon. Where was I? I looked around quickly, but settled when I remembered I was in Snow Sweet's living room. I looked across my right shoulder and found Snow Sweet still sound asleep, breathing lightly with her midsection slowly rising and falling with each breath. I sighed, content, and rested my head on hers. I was about to fall back asleep when a light buzzing came from my satchel. I searched through it and pulled out my mobile phone; I had received a text from Mana Springs. It read "Where are you? We're waiting at Sugarcube Corner, bro. Get over here!". I had completely forgotten about that. But Snow was sleeping peacefully and I didn't want to wake her. I could always go to the night event. But then again, Mana Springs and Parasol were waiting for me. I didn't know what to do. "You okay?" Snow Sweet asked sweetly. I must've woken her up with all the moving. "Yeah. Sorry I woke you" I replied apologetically. "It's okay" she said, nuzzling my shoulder playfully, "I don't mind, besides, we need to get down to Sugarcube Corner don't we?".

Sugarcube Corner was packed with various couples, each with their own special somepony. Mana Springs was over by the food table, talking about something. It must've been hilarious because Candy was in hysterics and Mana was trying to continue the anecdote but had trouble stifling his laughter. Parasol was sat with a white coated Pegasus with blue hair and blue eyes, talking gently and resting her head on his shoulders, with her eyes half-lidded with contentment. Snow Sweet tugged my hoof a little to lead me over to Mana and Candy. Snow Sweet nudged Candy on the shoulder, who turned around and squealed in excitement and began talking at a rapid pace... and Snow Sweet actually understood and replied at the same speed. Mana and I looked at each other quizzically as we were both equally confused by the display of conversation, but were happy to see each other regardless. "Good to see you, Mana!". "You too!" he had to yell due to the noise of the music and surrounding conversations. Mana Springs pulled me aside from the oblivious mares, "So, how'd it go?" he asked eagerly. "It was a good night" I replied nonchalant. "A good night? Is that it? Come on! Tell me!". I placed a pondering hoof on my chin, "Well, we went to Sugarcube Corner, I got interrogated by Pinkie Pie, we ate, got scared senseless then we went to her house-" "Woah!" Mana Springs interjected. "Really? Already? *I must've oversold him*". "Hey!" I retorted, "Don't you think I could've just been attractive by being myself?". "Well-" "Just leave us alone!" called a familiar voice. Mana and I looked at each other confused for a moment then went back over to Candy and Snow Sweet.

We made our way over to Candy and Snow Sweet, only this time three brutish ponies stood nearby. The one talking to the mares had a large-build, had crudely crew cut hair and was a pegasus. He was the one Snow Sweet and Candy were arguing with. "What's going on?" I asked sternly. Mana Springs stood between Candy and the large pegasus and had his back arched into a defensive position. "That creep won't leave us alone" said Snow Sweet in an aggressive tone. I turned to look directly at him, "We gonna have a problem?" I glared directly at the brutish pegasus. "Look, pal. Don't try it. I'll have you on the floor in under three seconds. You really wanna try it on with me for her?" the pegasus said, pointing his abnormally large hoof at Snow Sweet. This pony was getting on my nerves. "She has a name. Step off, or else" I growled. Mana Springs took a step closer towards the pegasus. "You know what? I don't have time for this, she ain't worth the trouble, pal" the pegasus waved his hoof dismissively. He whistled sharply and his two other accomplices left Sugarcube Corner alongside him. Mana Springs raised himself back up and grunted angrily. "Punk" he said bluntly. Candy walked to his side and pressed herself against him affectionately, "Come on, Mana. I'd rather be home with you". Mana smiled warmly and began to leave Sugarcube Corner with Candy at his side. He waved back silently at me before he left. "You okay, Snow?". No response. I turned around to find Snow Sweet missing. Where'd she go? She probably went to sit with Parasol. I looked around Sugarcube Corner, Parasol and her coltfriend were gone too. I should go see if she went home.

I darted to Snow Sweet's house. Why did she leave? What did that punk mean when he said "she ain't worth the trouble"? I hope Snow wasn't upset. I arrived at her house and knocked on the door. "Snow Sweet! You alright?" I called. The door opened slightly."Hey" she said weakly. "What's wrong? How come you left, well, besides the creeps. Me and Mana Springs took care of it". She shook her head, "It's not that. S'just. Nothing. I'm okay". Snow Sweet began closing the door. I placed my hoof gently between the door. "Let's talk". I slowly opened the door, Snow Sweet didn't resist. "Can I come in?" I said half-jokingly. She nodded her head lightly. We walked into the living room and sat down on the wool carpet. "Tell me whats wrong, Snow. I want to help". She looked away from me and whispered, "Ok".

"I've told you, I don't have any money!, my company has took a hit due to the winter weather." "I don't care about you're problems, Snow, it's Friday and I don't want to be stuck in this hovel when I should be out with Tempest and Gale. I've had enough of this!" "Enough of what? You're the reason I'm broke with your reckless spending and "essential purchases", Jock, which I know is just money to spend on Gale. I'm tired of being treated this way, just GET OUT!" "Tell you what, I will, Gale isn't always broke and she knows how to have a good time, unlike you, Snow. I'm glad we're breaking up, I've been spending nights with Gale anyway! You know that overtime you thought we could go out with, it was for Gale. Hah! I'm glad I didn't spend it on you, what a waste-" "Get out before I call the Centurions..." "Whatever... see ya, Snow... I'm gonna have much more fun with Gale"

I sat and listened intently. As it turns out, that pegasus I squared up to was Snow Sweet's ex-coltfriend, Jock, who basically treated her like a money-bank, taking more and more of her hard-earned bits to spend on his co-worker/affair Gale, and when the company she worked for hit a snag, Jock pushed her too far and Snow kicked him out. Snow sat silently, staring into nothing, her eyes reddening with tears. I moved closer to her and placed a hoof over her shoulder and nuzzled the side of her face, "It'll be okay, Snow. I want to be with you, for you, not your money. And that Jock will have a hard time making contact with you with me around", I said reassuringly. Snow Sweet looked up at me, her teal eyes sparkling in the light. She smiled and laid her head onto my shoulders, closing her eyes. I laid my head ontop of hers and sighed, content.