“Without a doubt, that was by far and away the happiest day in Mom and Mother's lives. They were married within three months of Mom's proposal, and about fourteen months later, Mother gave birth to me,” finished Tootsie Flute. “Mom certainly wasn't joking about her commitment to her family either; when I was about eight years old, she was offered a music course at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. She accepted the invitation, but only on the grounds that half her studies took the form of 'open university', so as to make it easier on me and Mother – and the rest is history.”
Apple Bloom was the first to break the silence. “Wow,” she murmured. “That sure was a great story, Tootsie Flute.”
“Yeah, it's good that those two managed to work it all out,” added Rumble.
Tootsie Flute smiled and nodded in agreement. “The point is, Apple Bloom,” she explained softly, “if Mom and Mother could work around their differences and enjoy a happy marriage, there's every chance that you and Featherweight will be able to do the same with your relationship. Yes, certain issues have a habit of getting in the way at the best of times, but it's how you feel about him that counts.”
Another brief silence ensued as Apple Bloom let Tootsie Flute's words of wisdom sink in. Even though the tiniest element of doubt still lingered in the back of her mind, she could no longer deny her feelings for the off-white Pegasus colt, let alone the truth in what the aqua-furred unicorn had told her. “Ah guess yo' right, Tootsie. Perhaps it was wrong o' me ta ignore Featherweight a' this time,” she decided. “But Ah'm gonna go make it up to 'im. If Chip Mint wants Cotton Cloudy as 'is fillyfriend, then let 'im, say Ah!”
“That's the spirit, Apple Bloom,” cajoled Scootaloo heartily; and the rest of the Crusaders watched as the yellow-furred filly strode determinedly out of the clubhouse, intent on finding Featherweight.
Sweetie-Belle grinned broadly at her old friend's renewed gusto. “Looks like Apple Bloom's back to normal,” she stated cheerfully.
“Sure does,” chimed in Dinky. “All we need now is for her to hit it off with Featherweight, and then – mission accomplished.”
“Ah, she'd be a fool not to go for him after what Tootsie has been telling us,” laughed Tornado Bolt.
“Oh, I'm sure it'll all work out between them,” mused Tootsie Flute. “Still, only time will tell.”
“Yeah, and if I didn't know any better,” remarked Pipsqueak, who wasn't quite listening, “I'd say it's already about to tell us something even worse.”
Tootsie Flute raised an eyebrow. “What are you talk...?” she began, but suddenly broke off when she saw what Pipsqueak was talking about. To the surprise of all, including Apple Bloom who momentarily forgot about her resolution and came to a stop halfway down the gangplank, they could see a distraught grey filly approaching the clubhouse. Her braided mane was somewhat dishevelled, her blue-rimmed glasses appeared to have been scratched rather badly, and there was a noticeable bruise on her cheek. Her eyes were brimming with tears, and she barely even seemed to take any notice of her surroundings until the Cutie Mark Crusaders, in almost perfect unison, blurted out her name in confusion...
“Silver Spoon?!”