Gloriosa headed towards the docks to get things set up. She still couldn't believe Filthy had the nerve to show up like that!
Something collided with Gloriosa, interrupting her thoughts. She opened her eyes to see Sunset Shimmer, slightly dazed.
"W-What did you say," Sunset asked with a confused look once she regained her bearings.
"I... didn't say anything. Just here to make sure everyone was headed over to the docks! Did you need something?"
"Nope," Sunset said with a smile.
"Because if there is anything I can do to make this the best week ever, you just let me know." Gloriosa pointed her thumb at herself. "I've got this!"
"Thanks," Sunset said with a smile as she held out her hands. "I'm good."
Gloriosa nodded with a smile and walked over to the next tent where two other campers were conversing. "Hey there, are you guys ready to go over to the docks?"
Timber sat at the dock, alone with his thoughts while staring out at the vast wilderness before himself.
You're going to lose this beautiful place to someone who's going to tear it all down. Your family would be so ashamed of you.
Timber grit his teeth. He wasn't going to let that happen.
What could you possibly do to stop it? Face it. You're useless.
Timber sighed as he stared at his reflection on the water. It didn't take too long for those negative thoughts to return, and when they did it was with a vengeance. Thankfully, he was snapped out of them by a pair of footsteps from behind. He turned around to see the camper with a stetson hat and tied-up long blonde hair.
"Howdy," she said. "Hope I ain't interrupting anything."
"Don't worry, you weren't..." Timber trailed off, realizing he didn't know her name.
"Applejack," she said as she extended a hand.
Timber took Applejack's hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you."
"Same," Applejack said as the handshake was broken.
"So what'll it be?"
Applejack grinned. "Been a while since I went canoeing. I wanna really get in a good workout before everybody else gets here."
"All righty," Timber said as he made his way to the boats. He returned to see Applejack with a life jacket and a paddle.
"I'm ready an' raring to go," Applejack said excitedly.
Timber grinned. It seemed Applejack's enthusiasm was a little contagious!
It won't last forever... just like Mom and Dad.
Timber's smile remained, but his mood fell significantly. He sighed, then tied a rope to the canoe, then tied the other end of it to the dock's post. He then shoved it off.
Applejack eagerly got into the canoe, and Timber untied the rope.
"Have fun," Timber said, then watched as Applejack paddled off. He sighed as he let a frown show on his face. He didn't understand how she could possibly have fun being by herself.
Probably because she's not as lonely as you are.
Timber remained silent as he watched Applejack out on the lake.
Gloriosa ran a hand through her hair as she reached the clearing which led to the dock. Filthy Rich's unexpected arrival aside, today had started out smoothly! As she neared the dock, she saw Timber sitting and watching Applejack, who was whistling a cheerful sounding tune while canoeing.
Gloriosa neared Timber, and he turned around. "Hey," he said softly.
"Hey."
A moment of silence passed between Timber and Gloriosa. Timber slowly stood up and smiled warmly. "Apology hug?"
Gloriosa returned the smile. "Yeah. Apology hug."
Timber and Gloriosa embraced and sighed. When they were younger, they fought frequently. To remedy that, their parents taught them to hug each other after a cooldown period. The siblings decided to call it an "apology hug", and the name stuck.
"How are you holding up," Gloriosa asked as she broke the hug.
Timber put a hand behind his head. "As best I can, I guess. How about you?"
"Not as pissed as I was when Filthy arrived unannounced."
"What?!" Timber's eyes widened in shock.
"Yeah," Gloriosa said as she felt her anger return. "Right after you left. I managed to get him to leave at least." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then exhaled.
Timber peered over Gloriosa's shoulder to see campers arrive in the clearing. "Looks like it's back to work," he said as he pointed behind her. "Are you going to be okay," he asked as she began to walk away.
Gloriosa turned around and smiled. "I've got this," she said cheerfully.
Timber folded his arms as he watched her walk off the dock. "I sure hope you do," he said softly.
Because you sure don't.
Timber shook his head and grit his teeth, then turned around and cupped his hands to his mouth. "Hey, Applejack," he shouted. "Other campers are coming, you might want to start heading back!"
Off in the distance, Applejack gave Timber a thumbs up, then started making her way back towards him.
Twilight put on a life jacket and grabbed a paddle. She was looking forward to having a new experience or two out here, not to mention the fact that she needed a distraction from-
You can't ignore me. We're one and the same! Midnight cackled.
Twilight frowned, then shook her head and headed up to the dock. Fluttershy was sitting and feeding ducks near the front.
"Aren't they just the cutest," Fluttershy asked.
Twilight turned around to respond, only for one of the boards to break. She yelped and fell backward, only for Timber to catch her.
"Whoa," Timber said. "I know I'm charming, but you don't have to fall for me."
Twilight smiled.
"Here, let me get that for you," Timber said as he took off Twilight's life jacket.
"Oh my god, that was so cheesy," Twilight said as she playfully took a swing at Timber.
Timber grinned. "But you're smiling."
"Yeah," Twilight said softly with a nod. "I am."
Gloriosa walked to the dock ahead of Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna. "All right, everyone. Off the dock."
Applejack, Fluttershy, Twilight and Timber vacated the dock as the trio inspected the damaged board.
"This is a safety hazard," Vice-Principal Luna said as she picked up Twilight's discarded life jacket. "I suggest we close the dock for the remainder of the camp."
The onlooking campers groaned and complained.
Gloriosa began to worry. She didn't want a single camper to fell left out or disappointed if she could help it. "Oh, I'm sure it won't have to be for the remainder of camp," she said with a hopefully reassuring smile. "It just needs to be... patched up a bit. I've got this!"
"Hmm," Applejack said as a smile formed on her face. "Or maybe we do!" She began walking up to Gloriosa. "If ya ask me, this whole dock needs to go." She effortlessly kicked the top off of one of the posts to prove her point. "Building a new one could be our camp gift," she said excitedly.
Gloriosa smiled widely. She could just hug Applejack right now!
"Sure, it would benefit us," Applejack continued. "But a nice new dock would benefit future campers too!"
"I dunno," Timber said. "It's an awful lot of work. I wouldn't want you guys to miss out on doing other fun camp stuff because you're so busy building a dock for-" he gave Gloriosa a nasty look. "-Future campers."
Gloriosa narrowed her eyes. "Didn't we just have an apology hug," she whispered just loud enough for only Timber to hear.
"We'll talk later."
"I hear what you're saying, Timber," Rainbow Dash said as she hurried over to Timber and put a hand on his shoulder. "But we're Canterlot Wondercolts! We've got a reputation to uphold! And there was no way we were gonna leave this place without contributing the most awesome camp gift ever! I'm with AJ. Building a new dock is definitely it! What do you guys think?"
All the campers cheered.
"Looks like it's settled," Gloriosa said with a smug expression.
"Looks like it," Timber said with a frown.
"Now why don't you come along and tell me what that 'future campers' remark was all about?"
Gloriosa and Timber walked away from the clearing as the campers began to dismantle the dock.