Comet's Tale

Through thick and thin

"A lil' to the right!" Applejack said to Braeaburn and Big Macintosh as they were holding a long wooden table. They did as they were told.

"Too far, move left now!" She gave the new instruction. They both gave her a look that could kill but followed the order.

"Perfect!" She exclaimed, both stallions sighing with relief. Braeburn removed his hat.

"Are ya sure ya ain't worryin' yerself too much 'bout the festival? He asked.

"I'm worried as much as I oughta be, thank ya kindly." She replied with a pencil in her teeth writing something down on a board.

"It's just that..." Braeburn's eyes darted around. "Me and Mac are worried bout you. You've barely had anything for breakfast.

Applejack sighed. "It's just that ...everypony will be judging us extra hard if something goes wrong today... you know?"

Her cousin nodded his head in understanding. "Trust me I get it. I also once wanted to impress somepony so hard I almost lost myself." A slight smile formed on his lips. "But then I remembered on who I can rely on."

The mare looked at him questioningly.

"Family." He finished.

Applejack could feel a warm feeling creeping up into her heart.

Braeburn put a hoof on her shoulder supportively. "We will always have your back, not matter what."

"Eyyup." Said Big Mac.

Applejack hugged both of them. "Thank you guys."

Something suddenly hit the ground with a thud loud enough to catch the attention of the gathered Apples.

"Weather patrol is in town!"

It was Soarin standing with a wide grin and folded wings.

A new voice sounded in the air.

"It's up to your supervisor to announce the arrival of the patrol, not you."

The farmers looked in the direction of the voice to see no one else but Thunderlane.

"But since you've already jumped the gun, I will just say that we're ready to start working right away." The pegasus said the last part looking at Applejack.

The mare smiled warmly. "Thank ya kindly for the help, Thunderlane. I promise I'll try not t' take up too much of y'all's time."

"Don't sweat it AJ. Everypony in town wants this festival to perform well." Said the pegasus stallion while looking at the sky. "First and foremost we need to do something with these clouds."

"We think alike then." Said Braeburn. "Once you guys are finished with the sky and we folks on the ground are with the stalls there will be a lunch break. Don't be late, though otherwise there might not be any food left."

Soarin grinned. "We'll try our best."

Cloud gathering proved to be easier than anypony in the weather patrol thought. Nevertheless because Thunderlane had to supervise everything the pegasi did he ate as the last of them.

He was about to place another Daffodil sandwich on his plate until he heard a familiar voice.

"First to work, last to eat, huh?"

He turned his head to see Applejack pouring herself some turnip soup.

"Guess I'm not the only one then." He replied. "Mind if I join you at the table."