Half the morning had passed since the Grump was launched from the castle. Thankfully, with the abundance of snow in Ponyville, he was able to cool down his keister as soon as he landed. While it would have been simple to continue with his plan to kidnap Princess Flurry Heart, he decided to drop it after his last failed attempt. Those kids could sure put up a fight, and that dragon made it pretty clear what would happen if he returned, and the Grump preferred his keister not be turned into charcoal.
With that decision, he just checked out, sitting on some random bench. He did not bother to go home or even change out of his costume. With all of his failures throughout the year on top of Hearth's Warming, he just did not have the will to move on, so he just sat there, beard and all.
The morning sun would soon arrive, and other citizens were already beginning to celebrate the holiday all over Ponyville.
Oh, how the Grump hated Hearth's Warming. It was nothing but noise, gluttony, sickening music, and materialistic shopping to him, just another way for corporate Equestria to get more bits just like any other holiday. It made him sick.
But what could he do?
He just sat there, letting the day pass by him. He would receive the occasional "Happy Hearth's Warming" from a random citizen every so often, but he did not care. He just wanted to be left alone.
While he was busy sulking, the Grump felt something flutter close to him. He looked up from the ground to see Princess Flurry Heart hovering in front him, holding a stuffed ladybug.
"Huh?" He stared.
She smiled. "Thank you, Santa Hooves! It my favowite pwesent ever!" She hugged him.
The Grump looked down at the toddler. "Uh..."
"Come on, Flurry."
The Grump looked across the street to see Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor with a stroller.
Shining Armor spoke out again. "We've got to get to Spearhead's house before breakfast."
"Okay." Flurry Heart flew back into her carriage. "Thank you, Santa Hooves! Happy Hearf's Warming!"
Cadance and Shining Armor also waved at the Grump. "Happy Hearth's Warming, Santa Hooves!"
The Grump watched as the royal family walked off. He saw how Princess Flurry Heart played with the ladybug and a snail, and he could not help but notice just how... happy she looked.
"Huh." He watched as they trotted along, seeing Princess Flurry Heart playing with her toys. "Um..." He stood up. "H... ha... happy Hearth's Warming!"
Princess Flurry Heart responded by happily waving from her carriage.
"Hmm..."
"Excuse me, sir?"
The Grump turned around and saw a young mare.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but I couldn't help but notice your holiday spirit. Would you like to make a donation for young fillies in need?"
"I, uh... I... yes." He nodded. "I'd like to donate twenty bits."
"Really?!" The mare jumped. "Thank you so much! The children will really appreciate it!" She took out a notepad. "And just who is making such a generous offer?"
"The Gru—I mean..." He smiled. "Green Lump."