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“Ma, can I ask you somethin’?” Ghost Apple said as he approached his parents in the orchard. His father looked over and waved, but his mother continued bucking an apple tree. She looked at him as she worked, a smile on her face.

“Howdy! Come to help your ma and pa?” Applejack asked in a cheery manner. Ghost faltered for a moment when he noticed the tree his mother was bucking was dry and dying if not dead already.

“What are y’all doin?” Ghost asked, sidetracked. Applejack stopped her bucking to take a breath, the summer air just a bit humid.

“These trees here got collar rot, need ta knock ‘em down. Yer father will help rip out the roots.” Applejack nodded to her husband. “That ain’t what ya came to ask is it?”

“No.” Ghost frowned. “I wanted to ask if you knew a certain somepony. A pegasus, kinda grey, storm cutiemark, and uhh…”. He trailed off.

“Speak up now boy, can’t get an answer if you don’t ask a question.” Applejack said firmly. Ghost jolted and stood up straight.

“Well he was wet, and there’s this cloud above him. I saw him at the market today.” Ghost explained. Applejack nodded her head.

“Ah believe you’re referring to a stallion named Thunderlane, he was one of Dash’s old teammates back in the Wonderbolts Academy.” She swished her tail as she thought.

“Alright, but why was there a rain cloud above him? He was soaked to the bone ma!” Ghost raised his voice slightly.

“Ghost, watch your tone when you speak to your mother.” Trenderhoof chided and shook his hoof disapprovingly.

“Sorry pa.” Ghost lowered his ears apologetically and Applejack half frowned at her son.

“Ah don’t believe ahm the best pony to explain that.” Applejack turned to her husband. “Why don’t you take over while I get this tree down?” She turned and resumed bucking. Trenderhoof sat in front of his son and affectionately placed a hoof on his shoulder.

“You see son, Mr. Thunderlane is effected by what we know of as a curse. Curse’s, in their most basic form, are simply a combination of dark magic and intent.” Trenderhoof explained. “Mr. Thunderlane has been cursed by someone, and that curse makes a cloud rain on him constantly. It’s miserable really.” He frowned.

“Poor thing is always sick.” Applejack chimed in.

“But what about the foal?” Ghost asked with a frown. His father looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

“What foal?” Trender asked.

“There was a foal on the cloud. Every time he kicked the cloud it rained harder.” Ghost said. Trenderhoof stared at him.

“Son, the cloud is just a dark magical manifestation, pegasi can’t walk on it.” Trenderhoof replied with confusion.

“I saw him!” Ghost argued.

“Tone son.” Trenderhoof warned. “Don’t get yourself worked up over nothing.”

“It isn’t ‘nothing’!” Ghost insisted as he grew frustrated. There was a small crash as Applejack finally managed to knock over the diseased tree.

“Now what are you doing arguing with your parents? Ahm sure you THOUGHT you saw a foal, but it’s just not possible.” Applejack said firmly. Ghost groaned in annoyance.

“Mother, please, I honestly saw a foal on the cloud!” Ghost pleaded. His mother quickly frowned.

“Watch what ya say boy, ‘honest’ is a strong word. Now I’m not exactly callin’ you a liar, but I know you didn’t see no foal. It. Ain’t. Possible. End of conversation.” Applejack spoke in a low stern tone. Ghost pressed his ears flat against his head and looked down.

“Yesum.”
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Curse Effects:

The effects of the curse on Applejack and Tenderhoof can be seen here in a small way. They don’t listen, they think they their son better than he knows himself. He’s just a child, he doesn’t know what he saw, mother and father know best. AJ expresses herself honestly but doesn’t take her son’s feelings and concerns seriously, almost directly calling him a liar. Tenderhoof takes instruction from his wife and supports her, even when she’s wrong. She’s the beautiful love of his life, he won’t risk the peace by disagreeing with her.
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Upvotes at import: 12 | Stars at import: 6
Posted previously at: 2020-06-16T22:42:42 | Posted previously by: Mildgyth