Creepypasta Collection Book 3

Stained Memories

The familiar tinkle of a shop bell was heard when the pink pony entered. She didn't pause to take in the overly red and pink decor that the owner had insisted upon, but instead walked to the counter looking bright and hopeful.

"Oh, hi! I'm here to pick up my order." She said; far too cheerful for a Tuesday morning. The clerk behind the counter looked at her uninterested and said nothing, waiting for her to give more information.

"Don't you remember me? I came in about a month ago to order that custom made quill and scroll set."

The clerk set down his necessary cup of coffee begrudgingly and opened the cabinets behind the counter where personal orders were stored. He sifted through boxes and gifts ordered for the holiday, but found no custom quill set. With a heavy sigh, he reached for a clipboard beside the counter instead. The custom order pages it held were thick this time of year, ponies desperate to find something unique for their loved ones was a boom for business. The only quill and ink set recorded, however, was at the bottom of the page indicating that it was the next order to be completed. He showed her the order, making sure it was indeed her own.

"The one with the ebony inlays with the box set. Yes, I wanted that one specifically. I know that it would have taken you awhile to make it, but it's Hearts and Hooves Day."

The clerk pointed to the paper again, indicating the approximate completion time being ten minutes from now.

"Oh? You need a bit longer? Well, I guess I can wait. Though, please do try to hurry up."

Ten more minutes with this highly-too-chipper pony was not exactly how the clerk wanted to spend his morning, but he figured that it was his duty to keep the customers happy. He decided to engage in small talk, asking about the stallion who would receive this expensive gift.

"Who's the lucky stallion? Heh, well, she. She's still at work and I wanted to surprise her with this set. You know, since it's such a special day. Everypony makes such a big deal out of today, but really, isn't every day supposed to be like that? She works so hard for us. Long, hard days at work... So she's been stressed and a bit out of it. I just thought for once I wanted to spoil her. I mean, she takes care of me. She's done so much for me, I can't seem to keep track of it all. I was able to finally focus on my writing because of her, live out my dream, and I just... She really is my whole world... and I'm her Little Bird. That's what she calls me anyways. I wouldn't be where I am now, if not for her."

Something in the way she talked about this mare struck a chord in the clerk. He couldn't quite put a hoof on it though, like a double meaning behind her words.

"I had a little set aside... for a rainy day. Well, a lot aside. I was planning a trip... but I decided I would do this instead. She doesn't even know that I'm going to surprise her with this. I had just promised a nice meal, you know, quiet, quaint dinner with candles for Hearts and Hooves Day. But this! I'm so excited, I can't wait to see the look on her face when she sees this. She's going to be over the moon about it, I just know it. I mean, who wouldn't love a set like this right? Heh, Right. This is going to be perfect."

That same undertone she had when she spoke about her supposed 'true love' was leaking through her words again and it piqued the clerk's curiosity. He opened his mouth to ask for more details when another pony pushed open a door beside him coming from the back room with this mare's order in hoof. He smiled and placed the box on the counter, delighting in the way the mare brightened when she saw it.

"Oh! Yes, thank you. This looks just... exquisite! She's going to love this! Thank you so much for finishing this!"

The pink mare hurried out of the shop with a smile on her face and skipped in her step.