>You spend the next few days working on your special arrangements.
>The arranging was fairly simple:
>Take a flower basket.
>Take one larger plant, can be either an ornamental grass or big flower.
>Put it in the middle.
>Surround it with four to six smaller plants.
>Make sure the colours and shapes look nice and accent each other.
>And you were done.
>That system could be applied to any kind of arrangement, from tiny pots to huge urns.
>It was really that simple.
>All you needed was the right colours.
>Pain singed your leg again.
>You had worked hard today, half the shop was ready for customers already.
>Your gift for the Princess was also ready.
>It was marvelous, considering you had little idea of what you were working with.
>It was a hanging basket, with tiny white flowers flowing over the sides.
>You weren't sure what this flower was called, you hadn't seen its like before, however, there were a great many of the flowers dotting the sparse foliage, and it gave the basket a feeling of an overflowing flower fountain.
>The centerpiece was a variety of Iris that you'd never seen before, pure white insides with a touch of golden yellow around the edges.
>Canterlot was big on white and gold, so the pure white flowers seemed like a suitable choice.
>You had all six of them stowed away in the locked room behind the counter.
>It was pretty exciting to work with flowers you'd never seen before.
>Your old friend nagged at you for attention.
>You decided to take a break.
>You'll be ready for all the p0nies coming to check out your shop.
>You hear a knock on the door.
>Strange sound, hooves made it sound more like a 'clop' than a 'knock'.
>You lock the door to your special gifts and answer the front door.
>It's Twilight and Fluttershy.
 
 
>"Hey Anon, we were about to have a picnic and wondered if you would like to come!"
>"Uh... if that's okay... we know you're very busy."
>You shift your weight onto your good leg.
>There had been lots of work to do, you really hadn't seen your new friends, or even let anyone see you.
>Your arrangements were supposed to be a surprise, after all.
>You shut the door and lock it behind you.
"If you insist, lead the way."
>They smile as you double tap your leg to dismiss the pain.
>It wasn't perfect, but the pain would subside enough so that you could function.
>Your thoughts returned to better remedies.
>No, you didn't have a problem.
>The cane would be a suitable replacement.
>No it wouldn't.
>It would have to do.
>The pair of p0nies led you to a park in town where the others were waiting.
>Pinkie Pie was already laughing.
>As you set yourself down, you take a look at the picnic setup.
>Fruit, some pastries, more fucking apples, veggies, sandwiches... cupcakes.
>You eye the cupcakes.
>The others are talking about the upcoming Hearts and Hooves Day, about all the available colts and other nonsense.
>Cupcakes.
>You reach out and grab one with pink icing.
>It’s still warm, and it’s delicious.
>"Anon?"
>"Are you alraight?"
>You stop, mouth full of cupcake goodness.
>A moment of silence descends on the picnic.
"Cwuupcwurrks"
>The group giggles at you and starts to eat.
>You try a bit of everything, but avoid those damn apples like the plague.
>You had enough.
>The girls talk more about Hearts and Hooves Day, as well as the Princess' upcoming visit to P0nyville.
>They also talked about what the Princess did on Hearts and Hooves Day, none of them seemed to know.
>More eyes fell upon you.
 
 
>"So what did you make to get the Princess to visit?" Rainbow asks.
"A special gift."
>"Is it a floral arrangement?" Rarity next.
"A special gift."
>A few more guesses shoot forward, some of them close, some of them...
>"A balloon with silly faces on it?  Ooh I love this game!"
>...not so close.
"You'll have to see when I give her the gift."
>That was the point, the nature of the gift was supposed to be a secret, to entice p0nies to check out the store.
>The curiousity you saw felt good, that plan had worked hook, line, and sinker.
>The group sat in frustration; they really wanted to know what your gift was.
>You shrugged.
>"Oh, Anon."  Twilight moved to change topics.
>"Have you thought about who you want as a special somep0ny for Hearts and Hooves Day?"
>Suddenly you feel cornered.
>You hadn't thought about it.
>Suddenly the memory of Fluttershy seeing you off to sleep comes to mind.
>Maybe she'd do?
>But picking a 'valentine special somep0ny' wasn't a light decision, was it?
>And they were crayola horses, for christ's sake.
>You feel more edges of your sanity crumble.
>For a dream, it felt too real.
"I've been busy preparing the shop.  There's a similar day where I'm from, the busiest day of the year."
>"So you don't have a special somep0ny?"
"No. I'll be too busy."
>The mood seemed to darken a bit.
>Smooth move, Anon.
"We'll see how it goes when the day arrives."
 
 
>A bit while later the picnic breaks up and you find yourself back at the Nursery.
>A special somep0ny.
>The phrase floats in your thoughts while you examine it.
>You figure it was the same as Valentine's, with all the lovey-dovey nonsense.
>Those days you rolled in cash.
>The entire thing was a scam, a 'celebration of love'.
>The celebration should happen a little bit every day, not just because everyone else is.
>You grimace.
>You wish you were dead already.
>This dream land was starting to get to you.
>You'd lived your life not knowing if you would wake up the next day.
>That made life easier.
>You didn't have to invest in things, because you knew that you'd be buried sooner rather than later.
>Now that you weren't sick anymore, the finish line was farther off.
>You knew that this was all just a dream.
>A damn fantasy.
>Another lie to make you feel better.
>You slump down on the stool behind the counter.
>You wanted to hate this place.
>It wanted to love you.
>It wasn't real.
>Your hands strangle your cane.
>It couldn't be real.
>It was just some bullshit dream.
>You were dead.
>This wasn't really happening.
>You tapped the ground with a foot, to distract yourself from wanting to slam Titan down on the counter.
>You hated this place.
>It loved you.
 
 
>Your eyes bolt open.
>Hearts and Hooves Day.
>Your lead up has been busy, but it was finally here.
>Lovey-dovey extravaganza.
>You grimace.
>Pain lanced your leg, you didn't want to move.
>You grab Titan and tap your leg twice.
>The familiar icewater sensation pours through your bones.
>Shivering, you stand up to get ready.
>You'd done a number on one of Rarity's creations, a black pair of kind-of-khaki pants.
>The pants were laden with pockets, and various other straps and designs.
>You'd added three straps to the right leg that could tie around, anchoring your cane properly to your leg.
>Being crippled meant learning new ways to deal with life.
>Even learning how to add straps to new pairs of pants.
>At least the straps worked properly.
>Hopefully Rarity wouldn't mind you adjusting them to fit your needs.
>At least the crotch was generously spacious.
>You'd slept in a bit, you had done everything needed in order to open up and be ready last night.
>All you needed to do was open the door.
>After washing up and eating a fruity breakfast, you hobble downstairs.
>You could see p0nies outside, trying to peek in.
>A few pointed out the plants you had set up.
>An excited customer was a paying customer.
>You strap Titan in.
>Go time.
 
 
>You unlock the door and step outside.
>The p0nies gathered seemed eager to see what you had set up.
"Not before the Princess arrives, folks."
>A few minutes and a tour of your garden later, fanfare announces the arrival of the Princess.
>Right on cue.
>The Princess arrives on the scene and every p0ny bows low.
>You feel disrespectful, but kneeling wasn't your strong suit.
"Princess Celestia, welcome to the Ponyville Nursery."
>And with that, you open the door and lead her inside.
>Half the town also floods in behind you as you show the Princess your work.
>You had a bit of everything set up, from decorative pots, vases, and baskets, to single flowers and bundles.
>She seems impressed, and happy to see the rest of Ponyville enjoying what you have set up.
>The main attraction was ready, however.
>You lead Celestia to the counter and unlock the back room.
>Perfect.
>You walk out with the flowing basket, the tiny white flowers sway softly as it moves.
>All eyes are on the gift.
>You hear a few jaws being collected from the floor.
>By far your most impressive work.
>Fit for a Princess (or Prince!).
>Princess Celestia studies the gift closely.
>This was the make-or-break part.
>She notes the colours, the flow from the center Iris to the outside, and the smaller plants cascading downwards.
>"Anon..."
>You're tense.
>If she didn't like it, this party would be over very fast.
>"...this is a wonderful gift.  Thank you."
>She takes the basket from your hand and beams brightly, showing it to the rest of the crowd standing behind her.
>A cheer erupts.
>They love it.
 
 
>The store is busy for the rest of the day, and you periodically go to the back to award a p0ny with a present when the excitement seems to wind down.
>The energy in your store bustles, everyp0ny wants a new gift for their significant other.
>You make a note of who the presents go out to.
>One of them was a strange mare named Lyra, she was shopping with another p0ny introduced as Bon Bon.  They kept eyeing your hands, almost appearing envious.  Weirdos.
>Next was the colt from the clock store.  You were onto him.  He said he had somep0ny special in mind for such a gift.
>Applejack's brother Big Mac had picked up a simple bundle, and you added your gift to his purchase.  He said something about how his shoopie doopie moopie would be happier than ever.
>Pinkie Pie had shown up for your opening, and it looked like she had bitten off a few flowers to eat before buying.  You remembered some of the food you'd seen had had flowers in it.  
>Maybe some side business would be p0nies wanting a snack.  You hadn't thought of that.  
>The bubbly p0ny shot off like a cannonball out of the store, happier than ever at her new gift.
>As things began to wind down, a new unicorn had sauntered in with a pair of huge goggles.
>Insanity opened its gaping maw.
"Can I help you find anything?"
>"Well dude, I got no idea what to get my special somep0ny, any ideas?"
>Before you could answer, a pegasus tumbles through the door.
>"Vinyl Scraaaaatch?  Are you in heeere?"
>Both of the mare's eyes googled in different directions.
>"Uh, right here Derpy."
>Derpy.
>You nearly fell over.
>"Can you help me out?"
"I think I can.  Just a moment."
>You pick up the last gift for the day and present it over the counter.
"A gift.  Enjoy Hearts and Hooves Day."
>The goggles come off as Vinyl's red eyes examine the arrangement.
>"Dude..."
>"Vinyl thoshe flowers!  Octaviuh is gonna looove thoshe!"
>You smirk.
>"You didn't hear that, okay?"
"My lips are sealed."
>The odd pair once again saunters out of the shop.
>Another satisfied customer.
>Things had really quieted down now, all the p0nies were out doing whatever it was p0nies did.
 
>You decide to close up: it was starting to get dark out.
>You doubt that you'd get any more customers for the day, the big bonanza was over and your best stuff was sold and gone.
>You'd made a mountain of cash.  Gold coins.
>That's rich.
>You felt rich too.
>Your leg bothers you as you move to lock the door.
>You weren't sure about how many times your cane's new power was supposed to work, but it had run out during the busy day.
>You winced a bit as the pain was brought higher up in your attention.
>Shut eyes.
>Deep breaths.
>Open eyes.
>Short breaths.
>Repeat.
>You unhooked Titan from its place on your leg.
>You supposed Twilight could use company.
>Stepping outside for a walk, you notice a few of your plants hanging and decorating different spots in town.
>They looked nice. You'd put in a lot of effort to make a lot of pots, so these plants would last quite a while if they were taken care of.
>You were a minor celebrity: a few couples complimented you on your talent.
>At least reputation wasn't in short supply.  The Princess trick had worked.
>Indubitably.
>Finally making it to Twilight's library, you notice light coming through the windows.
>Fluttershy answered the door.
>"Oh-oh, hello Anonymous," she greets you.  You were very unexpected.
>Walking inside, you notice Twilight reading one of her books.
>"Oh, hey there Anon! We were just enjoying each other’s company."
>You swallowed hard on the implications.
>"N-Neither of us have... a s-special somep0ny..."
>You knew the type.  Singles had it rough in that respect.
"Well if I'm interrupting..."
>"No no, you should stay," Twilight motions to a pillow on the floor.
>You gingerly sit yourself down.
>Twilight seems to be deep in thought.
>"I saw how busy it was at the Nursery," Fluttershy says to you.  "You must be tired."
"Plenty of time for rest when I'm--" ...
>Dead.
"...now that the busiest day of the year is over."
>"Oh, and... I also saw the gifts that you gave out... they were very beautiful..."
"It’s what I do Flutters, my raison d'être."
>You accented the French a little bit.
>She seemed to understand.
"Now that Hearts and Hooves Day is over, I can try to settle into a routine.  Honestly... I've never really made any plans before with my... predicament."
>Twilight seemed to snap back to the library.
>"It's not over yet, you know."
>A sinking feeling descends upon your jimmies.
"What do you mean?"
>"Well, neither of us have a special somep0ny, maybe we should spend the rest of today together?"
>You look at Fluttershy, who looks crestfallen.
>You stammer.
>No, no no no.
>You didn't want to hurt Twilight's feelings, and you didn't want to hurt Fluttershy either.
>The rock crushed you against the hard place.
>"B-But..." Fluttershy trails off.  "I-I don't have... a special s-somep0ny either..."
>"Hrm."  Twilight thinks on this conundrum for a moment.
>You squirm and rustle in your seat.
>"Maybe we can all share."
>You wished you were dead.