The clubhouse could be called many things. It could be called a headquarters, where the most daring and clever plans in all of Equestria were hatched, each more brilliant than the one before. It could be called a sanctuary, a place where the taunts and teases of bullies like Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon could not invade. It could be called a hideaway, a place where somepony could take refuge from the terrors of unwanted chores or those annoying Sunday baths or the tirades of a sister driven crazy by too much work.
The one thing the clubhouse could not be called, however, was insulated.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shivered together, huddled into one corner of the clubhouse under the idea lamp. Of all days for the weather pegasi to schedule a blue norther, it had to be today when some very important Crusading business for Hearth's Warming Eve was to be discussed. Of more immediate concern however, was the fact that Scootaloo had not yet arrived. She usually was the first to show, making sure to check off her name on the roll call sheet so she could call the meeting to order.
The two fillies wrapped their Crusader cloaks even tighter around their small frames as the whistling of the wind was joined by the sudden tap dance of rain against the window.
"Maybe she's not coming," Sweetie Belle said dejectedly.
"I dunno, she's always made it before, I jus' hope she's not caught out somewhere in the storm," Apple Bloom replied hopefully.
"Me either," Sweetie Belle agreed.
A couple of minutes passed, then Apple Bloom said through chattering teeth. "Ya think we should try an' head back to the farmhouse?"
Sweetie Belle rubbed her hooves together and nodded. "I'm freezing, let's go get warm." A look of concern crossed her face. "Should we leave Scootaloo a note or something?"
"I reckon so, so she won't wonder where we went to," Apple Bloom said.
Suddenly, the door to the clubhouse jerked open and Scootaloo dragged herself inside, tugging at the door against the power of the wind. Apple Bloom grabbed a hold of Scootaloo and pulled, but it wasn't enough. Sweetie Belle wrapped her forlegs around Apple Bloom and tugged. A brief power struggle ensued, ending when the door slammed shut and dumping the three Crusaders in a soggy, cold heap.
From the bottom of the pile, Scootaloo's muffled voice called up, "Sorry I'm late!"