"I have to admit," Twilight said with a sigh, "I'm glad I didn't lose Spike forever over a life debt." She giggled softly. "I don't know how I'd ever get by without him!"
Applejack scratched her head. "Seriously?" she asked. "No offense, sugarcube, but...ever' blessed thing he tried t' do was a disaster. He couldn't even sweep right!"
Twilight blinked. "Really?"
"He made an epic fail of an apple pie, made a huge mess everywhere he went...why, he jes' made a total mess outta ever'thing he put a claw to!"
"Huh," Twilight said with a puzzled frown. "That's funny. He keeps the library spotless, does all the cooking—his blueberry pancakes are to die for, by the way—he baked those amazing cookies we had when we watched the meteor shower that one time, and he stays on top of all the household chores with the efficiency I've come to expect from years of faithful assistance!" She shook her head and smiled. "Not to mention he always seems to know what I need before I do."
Applejack's muzzle scrunched up in confusion. "Huh. So how in th' hay does that even...Ah mean..."
Twilight shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you," she said. She frowned and tilted her head. "Well...unless," she drawled thoughtfully.
"Unless?" Applejack prompted.
"Well, sometimes—sometimes—Spike gets a little overeager, usually when he's trying to make a really good impression or when he's done something wrong or feels guilty about something. Around here, when it's just me and Spike, he just does what he always does, but..." She smiled. "I guess since he thought he needed to impress you because he felt like he owed you, he got carried away. That's when he makes mistakes." Her smile turned somewhat sheepish. "Maybe if I'd been paying closer attention, none of this would ever have happened."
"Aw, shoot, sugarcube," Applejack said dismissively, waving a hoof. "You can't be on top of Spike all the time."
"True," Twilight said. With her ears folded back, she added, "Actually, sometimes he's the one who has to stay on top of me."
Applejack raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, you know what I mean," Twilight said defensively. "Like that whole thing with the tardy friendship report."
Applejack chuckled. "Ah know." She shook her head. "Well, Ah'm jes' glad this whole thing's behind us." Adjusting her hat, she added, "Now, if'n you'll excuse me, Ah gotta git on feedin' th' pigs." She sighed. "Seems t' take longer every time fer some reason..."