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_A storm began looming over Sweet Apple Acres when Soarin' saw the Apple children returning from school, all of them except his little Meadow Honey. At first the stallion paid no heed: his daughter much be at chorus rehearsal, and would be back in an hour or so. However when that hour went by and Meadow did not show up at the farm gate, Soarin' began to grow worried. When he told Applejack that Meadow was missing, she went to the one Apple child who knew Meadow the best.
"I might know where she is, Ma'm" Azalea told Applejack as she looked to the apple orchard and the rain storm that loomed over it. Without a pause, Azalea went outside into the rainstorm toward the apple orchard. As Azalea went deeper into the orchard, the rain storm grew heavier. When the unicorn reached the thickest tree in the orchard, Azalea was soaked; however she ignored her ruined mane, most unusual for Azalea, and instead listened for something. At first nothing, then a small whimper from behind the tree trunk. Azalea circled the tree to find Meadow crying. Even through the rain, Azalea could see the tears on her cousin's face._

"Honey, what is the matter?" Azalea asked Meadow.
"Nuthin'" Meadow responded sharply, turning herself away from her cousin.
"Sugar, something is obviously bothering you if you are out here catching your death. Now please, why are you out here?"
After a silent pause, Meadow turned herself to face Azalea, attempting to hold back more tears.
"You'll think it's stupid." Meadow huffed, her eyes watering.
"Honey, it must have hurt you something fierce if whatever it is brought you out here in tears."
Another silent pause. Then Meadow spoke. "It was Piper and his gang. They called me a 'talent-less hick' and threw mud at me…again. This time they heard me humming a tune mama taught me."
"Oh Honey…." Azalea cooed, inching closer to Meadow.
"Maybe I am a talent-less hick." Meadow continued. "Maybe I-"
"Now you stop just stop right there honey!" Azalea snapped. "You most certainly do have talent! And Piper be darned! He would not know true talent if the good Lord gave him any!" With this, Azalea's horn began to glow, her magic picking some nearby flowers. "Now you listen here, Meadow: I do not want you to believe any of the words those mean bullies say!" Azalea continued to magically pick and twist flowers while Meadow watched silently, her tears slowly drying. "You, my cousin, are the most talented singer among us Apples, if not all of Equestria! You have the heart and grace that only a farm girl could have, no matter what anyone says." Azalea then gave Meadow a warm smile and extended her hoof, bringing a smile to the pegasus filly.
"Besides," Azalea continued, her magic twisting the flowers she picked into a flower crown. "even if no one else agrees with me, you will always have me as your biggest fan. Now, would you please sing for me?"
With a nod, Meadow began to sing the same tune she hummed earlier, her melody carrying through the rain storm. While Meadow sang, Azalea placed the finished flower crown on Meadow's head. When the song was over, the two cousins went back out into the rain storm and headed back to the house where the Apple family waited to greet the fillies with warmth and love.

—
Azalea Apple and Meadow Honey are the sisters they both secretly wanted. Family by birth, and friends since infancy, Azalea and Meadow are the closest cousins within the Apple family, and every Apple knows this. Although the two fillies have their differences, Azalea being a southern belle and Meadow being a tough country gal, both girls support each other when things get rough.

Despite her confident exterior, Meadow secretly suffers from major insecurity, mostly in regards to her singing and appearance. Meadow sees her cousin as a beauty that she simply cannot compare to, especially in her demeanor. Meanwhile, Azalea sees Meadow as an angel: a voice beyond compare and a beauty both outside and inside, something Azalea feels she could never emulate. At the end of the day though, neither cousin admits their insecurities to each other, instead helping each other when one is upset.

Azalea and Meadow also support each other's talents and help the other go beyond their comfort zones: Meadow will eventually convince Azalea to open a (successful) flower shop, of which Meadow will be her first and most loyal customer. Meanwhile, Azalea will sign Meadow up for a singing competition in Canterlot where Meadow will be discovered and become a famous country singer, with Azalea always being in the front row of Meadow's concerts.

Although these cousins are close, their interests are quite far apart: Azalea enjoys garden tea parties and romance novels, while Meadow loves jumping into hay, rolling around in the meadow, and watching horror movies. Both of the fillies try to get the other to indulge in their interests, which leads to some interesting situations.

—
Wow I really need to work on drawing my own backgrounds: this one is not my best, I'm sorry. Also sorry for the sappy story I wanted to write one. This is another image for my "Next Generation Friends" project where I draw the Mane 6 brood with their closest friends. Here we have two Apple cousins: Azalea Apple and Meadow Honey. I like the idea of exploring a close cousin relationship, especially with these two being the only NG characters their own age.

More to come. Enjoy!

Upvotes at import: 13 | Stars at import: 6
Posted previously at: 2017-11-08T07:19:08 | Posted previously by: Mildgyth