“Eh, you’ll do…”

February! The month of love (“and tolerance!”). As surprising as it sounds, Griffons also have a day of showing care to their loved ones more openly, other than the Blue Moon Festival, that they call “Clawhearts Day”*, the same way ponies have Hearts and Hooves Day. Grandpa Gruff is single and, according to a lot of creatures in and out of Griffinstone, Griffons and non, an eligible bachelor. He has his fair share of admirers (peers, of course), who are mostly impressed by his swiftness, nimbleness, and abilities. Some creatures consider his friendly ribbing and coaxy and wheedling trickery either as manipulation or as “flirting”. Most of them are either of which he’s seen before or creatures he meets during one of those dating games his friend Gilbert constantly puts him and Gruncle Gonsod on. Gruff, however, is not interested as he knows that the majority of his admirers’ crushes are only based on his ‘charm and muscles’ rather than his personality and traits. His attempts to get rid of the unwanted admirers have made him known as quite the heartbreaker on the romance field. Naturally, he believed that his childhood friend and future ex-“accidental” fiancèe, Grandma Grizel, was one more of them to add to the pile. However, he was surprised to learn that Grizel’s fondness for him was based on genuine interest in his traits and qualities and their mutual friendship. So, even if Gruff doesn’t really return his friend’s feelings and is constantly annoyed by her and her attempts to get his attention, Grizel is still a friend of whom he cares about and considers pretty special.

Single Griffons spend Clawhearts Day with friends and exchange gifts; Grandpa Gruff gives gifts to his friends and grandchildren. Usually, he gives practical gifts, but Gallus convinced him to give thoughtful ones this year. So, what did he get Grizel? Well, although chocolates and flowers are a typical yet very thoughtful gesture, Grandpa Gruff knows Grandma Grizel will appreciate something like a little, baby blue sapphire much more than a box of chocolates, as she likes the colour blue and jewelry, and appreciates the simple and little things in life. He found the flecks in the Griffon Gorge caves and carved it with his claws as “it was in the wrong shape”. It is nice and Grizel is nice so he thought it’s a good match. Despite assuming without question that the Griffoness will like this gift, he’s fairly nervous about giving it to her, because “he has horrible luck with women.” She’s a pain in the feathers but also a good friend. As the little heart-shaped gemstone reads, she’ll do. I hope I’ll be able to make a drawing with the rest of the Senior Group members and their own partners. Hope you like it! ^^

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*Much to many Equestrian creatures’ surprise, Griffons actually DO celebrate their own version of Hearts and Hooves Day: Clawhearts Day - in the old days known as Hearts and Hooves and Claws Day. It is mostly referred to as simply “Clawhearts Day”, but it also goes by various other names such as “Hearts and Claws Day”, “Lover’s Day”, or “The Day of Lovebirds”. An Equestrian take on Valentine’s Day, Hearts and Hooves Day (in this case, Clawhearts Day) is all about love and caring. Cards are given to show love, whether it be platonic or something more than that. The cubs celebrate by giving cards to their friends and parents; grown up Griffons celebrate Clawhearts Day with their special somegriff. Single Griffons celebrate with friends instead of despising the holiday like many single humans do for Valentine’s Day. Even the loudest and grumpiest Griffons have somegriff to love!