The next morning right before dawn Applejack wakes up to her sister Applebloom jumping on the bed. In her high voice squealing out' Cmon sis im going to be late for school. The orange mare opens her tired eyes and reaches for her Stetson hat. They exit the room and head for the kitchen for breakfast.

I awake with my tiny friend beside me. her warm body touching my cold skin. I slowly get off the bed and without waking her made my way downstairs. We had a big day ahead of us. I had to pick up my clothes at Rarity's and attend the party Pinkie Pie had planned today.

I begin to make breakfast and set places at the table. I had just finished cooking when the sun broke through the horizon filling the kitchen with its warm light. Fluttershy woke up a short while later and joins me downstairs. As we ate we talked about the days events.

She asks if i would join her to walk to town to pick up some items for the trip. I happily agree with her and got dressed. We exit the house and make our way down the dirt trail. We meet Applejack and her sister a short while later making their way to town as well.

We stop and Fluttershy greets them before we all group up and continue down the trail into town. I fall behind while they talked The conversation caught my attention when Applejack gasps out and reminded herself. 'Shoot its Hearts and Hooves day and i didnt even make my tag yet i completely forgot about it!' She asks Fluttershy if she could walk Applebloom to school while she ran home to make one.

She nods and Applejack thanks her before she took off back to her farm. I didnt want to seem nosy but when we reach the town it was decorated with all sorts of banners and flags with hearts on them. All of the mares walking around had tags on their sides with their Cutie marks crudely drawn on them.

Curious i ask Applebloom what was going on. Her green eyes fixed on mine and began laughing hysterically. 'Its hearts and hooves day!' She shouts. I ask what that means and she put a hoof to her face and with less excitement she explains to me. ' The mares wear tags with their cutie marks on them and the object is for a stallion to chase them down and grab her tag then that stallion owes that mare a date understand now?'

I ask her if Fluttershy was participating in this game of tag and with a cold glare she asks 'Why do you want to know?' I tell her i was just curious i didnt see a tag on her. She replies ' No i dont think she ever played.' This gave me a great idea. I was going to get her hitched with somepony. We dropped Applebloom off at the schoolhouse. I tell Fluttershy i would be right back i had to take care of some business.

She smiles and said back. 'Ok ill meet up with you later Dax.' I hurry behind the school and rip a piece of paper of a poster and drew her markings as best i could. I didnt have a pen so i found a bucket of paint and brushes nearby. I look for her in the crowds of mares finding her sitting by the fountain. I sit next to her and smile. She asks whats got me so excited and i attach the crudely drawn tag on her side.

She looks at me like i strapped a bomb to her.'Dax whats this?' still smiling i said 'You forgot your tag.' She was lost for words when a shout rang out. ' Its about to begin take your places. The crowd of mares moves to the town square. I tell Fluttershy she should get going. She protested saying.' Do i have too?'

I smile and put things in perspective for her.' Fluttershy i think your amazing any stallion would be lucky to have you. They just dont see it yet. If somepony is worth it you have to put yourself out there at least you tried your best.' My speech gave her confidence and she smiles brightly before walking over to join the other mares. I sit and watch the game of cat and mouse every mare in town was apart of from the fountain.

I see the stallions from all over town on a separate platform. A older mare stands between them and announces the start of Hearts and Hooves day. And when she gave the signal and all the mares and stallions scattered like the platforms were on fire. It was madness some of the stallions had their eyes set on certain mares tackling them and forcefully ripping their tags off while a few grabbed multiple tags.

I saw all her friends awhile later with tags ripped off ans smiling ear to ear. They sat with me at the fountain and ask about Fluttershy. When i told them she was competing in the race they were ecstatic. Another shout booms out and all the stallions gathered at the starting platform with tags in all their mouths.

I didnt see Fluttershy anywhere and was starting to get worried. The older mare concluded that all the tags were taken and the race was over. I was relieved  when i heard this only to have it shatter when i saw Fluttershy galloping with her face towards the ground past us.

We all stood shocked as she ran out not saying a word.' What was that all about? asked Rarity. I ask her if she could hold onto my clothes till tomorrow i had something come up. She nods and tells me tomorrow was fine. Pinkie asks if i was going to make it to the party tonight.

I was in no mood and asked to take a rain check. 'Okie Dokie lokie' she replies. 'Every pony is busy tonight anyway'. She adds with a devious chuckle. I wanted to know what happened to her and figured she went back to the house.