Thunderspite

It was early-afternoon the following day, and Thunderspite was working alone in the orchard while Applejack tended her stall in the market. She returned just as Apple Bloom was getting home from school, and Applejack had sent her little sister into the orchard to fetch him.

She found him bucking trees with his usual efficiency. “Thunderspite!” she called. “Applejack says you can quit for the day. Rainbow Dash is already at the house waiting for you.”

“Thank you,” said Thunderspite, bucking one last load of Apples. Apple Bloom sat and watched him load the buckets into the cart, then hitch himself to the cart and start towing it back to the barn. She trotted up alongside him, staring up at him.

Eventually he noticed. “Something wrong, miss?”

Apple Bloom stared at him a moment longer. “Thunderspite, how come you don’t like me and my sister?”

Thunderspite stopped dead in his tracks. “What makes you think I don’t like you?”

“You’re just so formal-like and polite all the time. It’s downright rude!”

Thunderspite took a half-step backwards while he processed this. “Is that what you two think? Applejack too?”

Apple Bloom nodded, looking hurt.

Thunderspite closed his eyes and shook his head. After a long moment, he opened his eyes and looked straight at the young earth pony. “Apple Bloom, I think you and your sister are just about the nicest ponies I’ve ever met.”

Apple Bloom mood quickly brightened, and she jumped in delight. “Really?!”

Thunderspite nodded. “You took me into your home, fed me... let me be a part of your family.” He looked down. “Ponies aren’t usually that nice to me.”

Apple Bloom made a face. “Well if you do like us, you sure got a funny way of showing it.”

“I’m sorry, Apple Bloom." Thunderspite's sincerity was self-evident. I really didn't mean to be rude to you and your sister. I just... well, I guess I just wasn't paying attention. I'm not very good with these sorts of things."

Apple Bloom rushed up and hugged Thunderspite, wrapping her tiny arms around him with surprising strength. After a moment, Thunderspite returned her hug.

Apple Bloom looked up at him. “So will try to loosen up a little?” she asked.

Thunderspite nodded emphatically. “Yes, I’ll try.”

* * *

That evening, as the sun was setting, Thunderspite came in from the orchard, carefully wiping his hooves on the welcome mat as he entered the house. “Hey Thunderspite,” said Applejack, glancing up from her cooking.

“Hi, Applejack. Mmm, smells good in here!” Thunderspite said with a smile.

Applejack looked back up at him. Well this is different. She thought to herself. He seems downright friendly. I wonder what changed?

She smiled back. “Lentil, Apple and Squash stew. I baked bread too. Why don’t you go wash up; it should be ready by the time you get back.”

"Okay." Thunderspite trotted up the stairs as Apple Bloom also came through the door, humming to herself as she went.

“Hey, Apple Bloom. How was your day?” asked Applejack.

Apple Bloom was looking very pleased with herself. “Fantastic!” she giggled to herself as she raced up the stairs too. Applejack made a puzzled face, but then went back to her cooking.

That night at dinner, Applejack could sense immediately that something had changed in Thunderspite. He kept his head up, looked each of Apples in the eyes as they spoke, and did his best to participate in the conversation where he could.

“So how’s it going with Rainbow Dash?” asked Applejack.

“She’s a quick study," Thunderspite said between bites. "I think she’s making great progress.”

“Well, you two sure are somethin’ to watch. I could hear your swords goin’ all the way over here in the house. Rainbow Dash said you were in the Royal Guard?”

Thunderspite froze for a moment, but then decided it was no use trying to put that particular cat back in the bag. “Yes, I was.”

Applejack flinched just a tiny bit. The question had seemed like a natural one to ask, but she had forgotten the unspoken taboo of asking about his past.

“Well, it sure seemed to come in handy the other day. It’s good thing you were there when you were.” Applejack reached over and stroked Apple Bloom’s mane. “And how about you, Apple Bloom? How was your day? What did you and your Crusader friends do today?”

“I’ve heard you talk about the Crusaders before. What are they, exactly?” Thunderspite asked.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Apple Bloom piped up. This was clearly one of her favorite subjects. “We’re a club dedicated to helping young ponies find their cutie marks!”

“I see,” said Thunderspite, clearly confused. “How exactly do you do that?”

“We do all kinds of activities,” Apple Bloom explained. “We’re just going to keep trying stuff until we find that one thing that makes us special!”

Thunderspite started to ask the obvious question, but Applejack was discreetly shaking her head. “I see. What did you do today?”

As Apple Bloom excitedly related the CMC’s attempt to get their cutie marks in fly fishing, Thunderspite listened with keen interest, laughing loudly during the funny parts of the story. Applejack watched the pair with a mixture of curiosity and pride. She didn't know what her little sister had said to Thunderspite to crack him out of his shell, but she was sure the rest of the gang would be excited to hear about their progress.