"Sweetie, this isn't going to work," Brandon told her. She wouldn't have that, "No negativity! This plan will work!" Brandon was annoyed, "The plan is we dig until we find one. That's not a very good plan." Applebloom shrugged, and took the tiny shovel out of her mouth, "Well, we can't ask Rarity to use that gem searchin' spell! Or Twilight! Rarity's a terrible gossip, and Twilight's shut up in her home trying to get all her shoppin' done." This really is the craziest time of year. Brandon felt he couldn't argue with them. They were actually pretty big smart-alecks. They all started shoveling, hoping to find the perfect gem.

Fluttershy knocked on Twilight's house, she had a letter to send to one of the Paladins. "WHO IS IT?!" the unicorn screamed from inside. "It's Fluttershy," she said in that normal quiet voice. "GO AWAY! I'M JUST ABOUT TO WRAP YOUR PRESENT!" Fluttershy took the letter out of her mouth, "I just have to send a letter. I'll go away-" but without finishing, a purple aura opened the door, took the letter out of her mouth, and shut the door back.

Fluttershy realized she wasn't welcome and walked to Rarity's home. They met, and decided to walk to the market, seeing as how Rarity had to get some grocery shopping done. Rarity decided to ask a couple of questions, "So, how's your present for Brandon coming along?" "I just gave Spike the letter to send to Ayala," Fluttershy said, looking pleased with herself. She giggled with excitement, and accidentally bumped into some pony. Not just any pony...Crown Jewel. Diamond Tiara's older sister. She's WORSE than Diamond Tiara. "What do you think you're doing?" She asked, giving Fluttershy a mean look. Fluttershy immidately knew she just walked into Hell, "I'm sorry. I didn't see you-"
"You think that just because you and Brandon are going out, you're on top of the world? Well you're not! It's disgusting! You whoring yourself over for some guy, who's ancestors tried to kill us twice? I bet you slept with him, haven't you?" Fluttershy looked down, about to cry. Crown Jewel kept interrogating her, "Oh my gosh, you did! You're disgusting." "Shut up! Stop talking! Just be quiet!" Rarity was just about to butt in, when she heard a voice,
"Bullying is just so sad." They all looked over and it was Brandon, shovel in his hand. He walked up to the group, "Crown Jewel, I really thought you wouldn't stoop to terrorizing some pony who accidentally bumped into you." Crown Jewel gave him that snooty scoff, "Just what are you going to do about it?" Brandon looked at her with some evil intention in his eye, "I think all of that weight is making you grumpy," he said as he looked at her saddlebag, "Why don't I just take it off your back?" Crown Jewel scoffed at the idea, "As if!" "I wasn't asking." He then proceeded to grab the mare's saddlebag and actually threw it as far as he could! Which was actually pretty far, considering not that much was in there. Crown Jewel didn't have time for some snooty remark, or an empty threat. She ran like crazy after her saddlebag, hoping her precious belongings didn't get stolen by some pony when it hits the ground.

Brandon kneeled down beside Fluttershy. What just happened drew a couple of looks, but no definite crowd. "Hey, beautiful. Are you ok?" he asked as he wiped her eyes. No answer. Just a fake smile. He looked at her and kissed her, this was their first kiss out in public, she still wouldn't answer. Brandon looked at her and told her, "We'll talk when we get home, ok?"

The two walked home, his hand on her back, in silence. He tried to get her to talk, but she wouldn't. It was until they both sunk into bed when he tried again. "Shy, I know what Crown Jewel said upset you, but there's more. Tell me what's wrong." Fluttershy rolled over to look at him and told him exactly what was on her mind, "I was right. Crown Jewel says what every pony is afraid to say. They think what we are is weird. I know it shouldn't bother me, but I've been getting teased all my life. And who's to say our friends don't think it's weird, too? Now every pony knows that we..." "Shy, Crown Jewel's a bitch and nothing will change that. No pony has said anything negative about our relationship, they have only said things like 'you two are adorable' or 'you and her were meant for eachother' I've heard nothing but good things. Not many speak to me about us because they treat it as a normal relationship. A while ago Applejack told me she thought we were adorable, she never lies, right?" Fluttershy nodded as a smile tried to push through, but not quite there yet. He continued, "And so what if every pony knows that we...did 'that'. We thought that we were ready, didn't we?" She nodded again. "I was told to only do that with someone I love, and I did. I hope you know how much you mean to me," he told her as he stroked her neck.

Fluttershy was obviously feeling better now. Brandon always knew just how to talk to her when she was upset. He kissed her, a bit more tender and longer than he usually does. She smiled, wrapped her arms around his stomach, and put her head on his chest, "I love you," she told him. He replied by putting his arm around her and laying his hand on her wing.

"I love you too, beautiful."