The Wavering Storm

>it's a quiet day on the apple farm
>you, the red-legged, C cup beauty all the boys and most of the girls wanted, rests quietly beneath a tree
>a brisk breeze pushes up against you, causing your eyes to flutter open
>the sky was charcoal black in the near distance, a storm ready to burst at any moment
>you rise and stretch, grunting softly while you hear your mother calling you
>you laze your way over to the house, not minding as a snowflake landed on your freckled face
>as you prepared to enter the house, something short and stout, but lacking a handle, tugged gently on your jeans
>you look down to see Spike's child, Thistle, looking up at you with beady eyes and a note in her grasp
>you hold out your hand for the note, which actually turns out to be a list
>"My daddy sent me here to grab some things before the storm..." she let out quietly
>it read '1 lb Jonagold, 3 lbs Granny Smith, 2 lbs Honeycrisp, 1/3 lb Grapple'
>you run your fingers through your hair, looking at the rapidly approaching clouds
"Let's go inside and get you loaded up, alright? We've got dinner too, which I strongly suggest you stay for."
>a worried look crosses her face, but after a small inner conflict, she nods in defeated agreement
>her eyes dart back and forth, as if being on 100% on time was all that ran through her mind
>you remember how she was at the Christmas party
>it was a real shame what the Sparkles did to this poor little girl
>you twist the knob, and once inside, a variety of scents wash over you, nearly making you melt
>you hear apple fritters being fried, souse being seared, and peach pancakes being flipped
>you enter the kitchen with a wide smile on your face, catching sight of mustard greens, turnip tops, and a few mashed veggies
>your mother and Applejack both go to greet you, but their eyes lock on to the frightened one hiding behind your leg
>"Why hello there, lil' Thistle!" Applejack coos. "Never thought we'd get the honor of seein' you here."
>you look down at the little one, whose blush covers her pudgy lil' face
>"What brings ya here, Thistle?" Your mother asks, leaning in for the answer
>you can feel her undeniable want to leave, but while the little one attempted escape, she stepped back first into more of your family
>she lets out a little whine as your little brother and cousins embrace her
>"We've finally got our own playdate!" Lil Mac chimes
>"Oh yeah, party night!" Cider squees
>"I'll go get my RPG books." Bucky added without much response
>early in her pregnancy, Applebloom squeezes between her relatives and the house guest
>"Hey now, stop scarin' her!"
>as the family giggled and chatted it up, Thistle tried to creep towards the door, order not even in hand
>"I don't think I've ever seen Thistle not runnin' errands!" Applejack says at you gleefully
>your eyes and thoughts are focused on the young dragoness
>she slinks closer and closer to the exit, alarming you
"Whoa, hey!" You start, intercepting her escape route. "Why are you in such a hurry? Look outside, t'aint safe."
>and right you were
>outside, flurries had already begun to fall, and strong winds buffeted the house
>there wasn't a pony in sight
"You can sit in the livin' room if you're so against the crowd, sweetie."
>"Aww! But we wanted to play!" Lil Mac whines
>while the kids protest, you decide you should keep Thistle company, even if only for a little bit
>when you peek into the living room, you see Thistle sitting quietly beside Winona's old bed, looking from picture to picture on the walls
>cautiously, you enter
>you can see Thistle trying to shrink to nothing
>you're starting to feel as if you inconvenienced her by bringing her in
"Is something wrong, sweetie? Did I offend you by accident? Did I disturb the peace somehow? Just give me a hint here..."
>as you trail off, Thistle's lip quivers, followed by her bowing her head
>"I'm sorry, Darcy! I didn't mean to make you feel awful. I've just been worried about family..."
>you hesitate
"I don't quite understand."
>Thistle looks at the wall of photos again
>"My family isn't like yours, Darcy. My family is disjointed and disfunctional.	"
>she squeezes her hands tighter as you approach
>"I just want to go on fun little adventures like dad and aunt Twilight always brag about. I don't wanna just be the kid, I want to be the hero."
"Do you know a family that ain't disfunctional?"
>you sit on the couch next to her, placing your hand on her head and running your fingers through her short hair
"Life ain't always about havin' fun. I'm sure your dad has a reason for not always being around, right?"
>Thistle shrinks in defeat
>"Yeah, he has to deal with Princess Twilight as her personal advisor, 24/7."
>you smile and start pointing up at the pictures
>"That one's from when Lil Mac won his first apple pie eating contest. That over there is from Granny Smith's young days. And this'un," you say, holding the frame that stood on the coffee table behind you. "This here is the last picture we got with Winona."
>you wipe your eyes, smile unwavering
"Life is what you make of it is all I'm sayin'.	 If your blood relatives ain't willing to nurture you like a child such as yourself needs and deserves, you gotta make your own family. You gotta find people who'll be there through thick and thin, all for you."
>you look down to Thistle, who can't stop the flow of tears
>you reach down and pull her in for a hug, letting her cry as she pleases on your shoulder
"I'll be your family, Thistle. I'll be the best big sister you ever had, so long as blood pumps through these veins." You pause as you take in a huge whiff. "Now let's get you fed, sweetie. Mom'll be upset if you don't eat."