Chapter 7

Today was holiday that a lot of couples in Equestria look forward to, Hearts and Hooves Day. That is except for Dewey, it seemed every year he spent this holiday alone. He woke up, like he would every other day only with less vigor then he normally would. Sighing deeply he got out of bed. "Well Mr. Pendleton. Another year alone." he said to his fat black and white cat. He then heard something rubbing against his sliding glass door. He went to it and found Jinx the neighbour's cat pawing at the door. "Jinx? What she doing..." Dewey asked. Mr. Pendleton started meowing at him. "Oh Mr. Pendleton, you can't leave me. You're the one who won't leave during Hearts and Hooves Day." he said. Mr. Pendleton just stared at him and he sighed, opening the Mr. Pendleton ran out with Jinx over to the neighbor's backyard. "Don't be out late!" he called.

Later, Dewey went towards archives. He figured that at least the holiday wouldn't interfere with work. Upon entering he found Pen shuffling some documents around. "At least I count on you Pen." he said. "Hm, oh Dewey. Glad you're here, we're taking off for the day." Pen said. "What?" Dewey asked. "Yes, uncle Print left earlier this morning and asked me to tell everypony we have the day off." he explained. "Then why are you here?" Dewey asked. "I'm just putting a few things in order and then I'm going to spend the rest of the day with the Misses." he explained. "Well I can't be the only one." Dewey said. "Wish I could, but I'm married and Cotton and Windy are a couple so they'll be spending day together as well." he said. "What about Ash and Sabbath?" Dewey asked. "You know Ash always has a mare or two for this day. As for Sabbath, he's actually acts like a marriage counselor." he said.

"Oh, I'm going end up alone for the rest of my life!" Dewey whined. "Now cheer up, you'll find someone." Pen said. "But what if I don't? What if I end up dying alone?" Dewey asked. "I'm sure there's at least one mare out there who's just as lonely as you." Pen said trying to make his brother feel better. "I guess you're right." he said depressedly. "Good, and since you're here lock up for me." Pen said leaving.

Later, Dewey walked the streets of Canterlot in sadness. He pass a lot of happy couples, this made his heart ache. He sat down on the ground and looked up at the sky. "Oh surprim sky begins give me a sign, a sign telling me I won't be alone." he prayed. Then, as if someone answered he was blinded by something white. "Ah! Giant white bat!" he screamed. He got the object off his face and found it to be a plain white sun hat.

"Oh thank goodness, my hat fell off my head when I was getting off the train." A mare said running up to him. "Oh sure no problem." he said giving it back to her. As he was, he looked at her and spark went off inside his brain. She was an Earth pony, brown mane and tail, yellow eyes, light pink coat, and the cutie of taffy.

"Thank you again for grabbing it." she said taking her hat. "No problem..." he said as if he was hypnotized. "My name is Saltwater Taffy, and you are?" she asked. "Huh?" he said still hypnotized. "Uh...your name?" she asked. "My name?" he asked back. "Yeah, that thing you're given when you're born. You have one don't you?" she asked. "My name...uh, Dewey. Dewey Decimal." he said, snapping back to his senses. The mare giggled a little and Dewey gave a nervous chuckle. "Well, thank you. I'll be going." she said. "Wait, you said you got off a train?" he asked. "That's right." she answered. "So, you must not be from around here." he said. 'Dewey, what are you doing? Don't look like an idiot!' he mentally said to himself. "Why yes, I'm from Baltimare in fact. In fact, can you help me a little more.?" she asked. "Uh, sure." he answered. "I'm looking for the Riverview Hotel. Could you help me find it?" she asked. "Sure, I know where it is." he said.

They walked together and in silence. Dewey was sweating buckets, trying hard to think of something to say. "Are you okay?" Taffy asked. "Uh, yeah...what, yeah. Totally, totally cool." he stammered. 'Come on, don't blow this! You might not get a chance like this again!' he swoar to himself. "So, what're you doing?" he asked. "I'm visiting a friend of mine." she said. "Uh, you're colt friend?" he asked uneasily. "Well, his is a colt and his is a friend. But no, actually I'm not seeing anypony." she said. "Why not?" he asked. "I just can't find the right stallion, you know...well maybe you don't, but still." she still. Dewey could feel his heart in throat, he just needed to play it cool. "We did you do in Baltimare?" he asked. "Well, when I'm not working at my parent's food stand at Baltimare Pier, I work with a production company as an actress." she said. "Really? Have you done anything good?" he asked. "Only supporting in Sliver of Grey and Arctic Winds. Although I did get the lead in Starlight Express." she said. "Wow, I love that one, in fact Crimson Primrose is my favorite." he said. "Really? Not many stillion like plays, especially Starlight Express." she said.

They reach her destination about five minutes later. "Well this is me, thanks for everything Mr. Decimal." She said. "Oh please, call Dewey and you're welcome." he said rubbing the back of his neck. 'Wait, we're doing! Ask her out! Do it, do it, DO IT!' he internally shouted. "Wait! Since it's Hearts and Hooves day, and you're new here...maybe you would like to go out?" he asked. Taffy thought for minute, all the while Dewey's heart was beating so fast it felt like it would explode. "Sure." she answered. "Well, I see. I mean it was a little sudden and we hardly know each other and..." Dewey said, but was cut off. "Dewey I said yes. I would like to go out with you." she said. Dewey didn't say anything as she walked away. "I pick you up around 6!" he shouted. "Alright, don't keep me waiting!" she shouted back.

Taffy got herself check into a room and went to another room and knocked on the door. "Can I help you?" a Pegasus answered. "I'm sorry to bother you, is there a stallion named Cotton Candy?" she asked. "Cotton!" the Pegasus yelled. Cotton came to the door. "What is it sweetie?" he asked. "Who's this?" she asked angrily pointing to Taffy. "Oh my...Taffy!" he cried, running over and hugging her. "I've missed you so much." she said. "Alright, who is she!" Windy asked. "Sorry, this is Saltwater Taffy, my little sister from Baltimare." he explained. "You never told me you had a sister." she said. "You never asked." he pointed out. "Anyway what are you doing here?" he asked. "I got time off work so I thought I'd come visit." she said. "Well, where are you staying?" he asked. "I staying here at the hotel." she said. "That's great, you want to come in and something to eat or..." he began. "Well, actually I can't stay. I have to get ready for a date tonight." she said. "Wait, you got a date for tonight?" he asked surprisingly. "Yeah, I meet a nice stallion who was very kind in helping me find this place." she said.

"I don't know Taff, I don't want some stallion taking advantage of you." he said. "Listen Cotton, I not some little filly. I'm a mare who can handle herself." she said. "Besides, he seems harmless enough." Later, Dewey was rushing all about Canterlot going through various shops for a gift and into a restaurant for dinner. "I NEED TABLE FOR TONIGHT!" he screamed at the maitre d'. "Well sir, I normally wouldn't give you one what with you're manners and all. That and the fact it's Hearts and Hooves Day. Luckily, a couple canceled their reservation at the last minute for around 7 tonight." he said. "Wow, that's like some weird plot element or something." Dewey said. "I don't know what you're talking about, but I suggest you don't be late if you still want your table." the maitre d' explained.

Later, Dewey stood outside of the Riverview Hotel with bouquet of roses. He was more nervous then he ever had been. "Dewey?" Tuffy asked. Dewey jumped dropping the bouquet on the ground. "Oh, Taffy. Sorry...uh this is for you." he said levitating the slightly damaged bouquet. "Oh, how sweet of you." she said taking it. They stood in silence for a while until Taffy spoke. "Should we get going?" she asked. "Huh...uh, yeah sure." he said.

Dewey and Taffy got to the restaurant. "Welcome to the Royal Garden how can I...oh, it's you again. Follow me to your table." the maitre d' said. They got to their table and sat down. "I'll have a waiter to come by and give you your menus." he said and went away. "Did he seem angry to you?" Taffy asked. "Rough night I guess." Dewey said. "So, what do you do for a living?" she asked. "Well, I work at a company owned by my uncle where I work in an archive with my brother." he said. "Is a lot of your family work in this company?" she asked. "No, we have a lot of employees working for us. But our company has been family own for a long time now." he explain. "So tell me about yourself Dewey." she said. "Well, like I said I have brother. He's married with daughter and I was born here in Canterlot." he said.

"But enough about me. What about you?" he asked her. "Well, I was born Baltimare like I said and I have a brother also living in here in Canterlot." she said. "Do you get along with him?" he asked. "Yes, in fact I don't just see him as my brother. I also see him as my friend." she said. "Do you get along with your brother?" she asked. "Uh...sometimes." he said sipping water nervously. "I sorry to hear that." she said. "Oh that's alright. I get by." he said nervously chuckling. "Have all your dates gone this well?" she asked. "Well...uh, sure...I mean, yeah. No, because this is actually my first date." he confessed sadly. "Well, this is my first date too. And your doing well." she said.

After Dinner, Dewey walked Taffy back to the hotel. "Thanks for everything Dewey. It was one of the best Hearts and Hooves Day I ever had." she said. "Yeah, me too." he said. They stared at each other, Taffy smiled softly while Dewey just grinned nervously. She closed her eyes and leaned towards him. 'Ok Dewey, moment of truth.' he said to himself. He closed his eye and leaned towards her. "Dewey?" someone asked. Dewey opened his eyes and saw Cotton. "Cotton, hey...what're...what're you doing here?" Dewey asked. "I live here with Windy you know that and I stepped outside for some air. What are you doing here?" he asked. "I-I was ah..." he stammered. "Dewey, how do you know my brother?" Taffy asked. "He's your brother?" Dewey asked. "Wait, Dewey how do you know my sister?" he asked. "I-I ah..." he stammered again.

"Wait, Taffy don't tell me this was stallion you were going out with?" Cotton asked. "And what if he is?" Taffy asked. "Taffy I love you, but Dewey isn't the kind of stallion you want to be involved with." Cotton said. "Uh..." Dewey said as if it was all he could say. "So, it's my decision to make not your's." she argued. "I don't want you seeing!" Cotton yelled. "Why not? I don't understand, why can't I be happy?" she asked. "I'm not saying you shouldn't, but trust me Dewey isn't the kind of pony you want to get involved with!" he said. "Or maybe I shouldn't be involved with you!" she shouted. Dewey couldn't take the yelling if he do something it would ruin Cotton and Taffy's relationship. "STOP IT! Stop it both of you!" Dewey shouted.

"Look Cotton, despite your insensitive comments, I think Taffy is right. She has the decision on who she dates." Dewey began. "And Taffy, tonight was one of the best nights I've ever had. But if you and your brother are unhappy because of me, then...I just couldn't live with myself." "What are you say?" she asked. "I'm saying if I have to give up my happiness so you can be happy then I guess it has to be." He said and started walking away. "Dewey wait." Cotton and walked over to him. "Look, you don't have to do that. Give up your happiness, but the fact you're willing to give it up then I guess you alright to date my sister." he said. "Really?" Dewey asked. "But if you break my sister's heart. Then I'll break your face." Cotton said leaning in close to Dewey. "Noted psycho." Dewey agreed.

A few days later. "Dewey, thank you for everything. These last few days were magically." Taffy said. "Do you really have to go back?" Dewey asked sadly. "Don't worry, I promised to write to you once a week." she said. "Really?" he asked. "Really." she answered. The train whistle blow and Taffy got her stuff together. "I have to go goodbye." she said. Just before she left she planted a small kiss on lips and boarded the train. "There she goes, back to her life and out of mine." he said. "The train hasn't left yet." Cotton said. "Yeah." Dewey said wistfully. They both waved to Taffy as the train pulled out. "So does this mean we're brothers?" Dewey asked putting his foreleg around Cotton. "Don't touch me." Cotton said.