1. Greywind very quickly outgrew her twin brother, Thunderbird, when they were both still very young. She was consistently a few inches taller than him throughout their childhood, and exceeds him in height when they reach adulthood. Thunderbird, naturally, hates this. It's a shot to his fragile little ego.

Here, their moms just finished measuring their heights, and Thunderbird was not happy with the results. Greywind doesn't really care all that much, and for some reason, her refusal to rub it in makes it worse for Thunder. It's like, she's not even doing it on purpose, and that's so annoying to him. He resorts to a lot of quick insults to let her know she is hated for the simple crime of being taller (because how dare she). His insults will improve as he gets older.



2. Even as an adult, Thunder is constantly trying to compete with her. Greywind, as always, does not care at all. She goes to all of his shows to support him knowing full well he'll deliver some grand speech to her every time, and he secretly loves that she listens. All he wants is to be appreciated, and although he is constantly comparing himself to Greywind, he only ever uses comparisons that he knows she won't take insult to. It's a win for them both in his eyes. Her feelings don't get hurt, and he gets an ego boost. Greywind will endure whatever BS speech she has to as long as she sees her bro flash that smile of his.

Also, this is taking place before he finds out she's being bullied! After he figures it out, he really lightens up on her.


3. So, I've mentioned before that Greywind had a bully in high school. Her name is Vegas, and although her bullying was rooted in some logic, she was unnecessarily harsh. Windy was a nepotism baby who didn't know what nepotism was, so Vegas's bullying really opened her eyes to some of the truths of her acceptance into the Wonderbolts Junior Academy. After incessant subjection to Vegas's tormenting, she becomes incredibly self-conscious about her worth, and whether or not she actually has… talent. She worries that she's earned nothing at all throughout her life, and that everything has instead been handed to her because her mother (Rainbow Dash) is famous.

Thunderbird is outraged when he finds out his precious baby sister (by 8 minutes) is being bullied by a pony shorter than him. He only notices because Windy's demeanor drastically changes when the bullying becomes routine, and he picks up on the loss of her usual cheeriness. In response, Thunder gives Vegas a warning. It's not that successful, and when Thunder realizes that, he takes it a bit further.

"I won't just knock you off the roster. You'll never move up the ranks if you keep messing with my sister. I promise you, I can make that happen faster than you can blink." Thunder leans in closer to her. "I'll also beat you to a pulp, Vegas. Not during practice, not during a show- you. I'll make you feel the words you've been saying to Greywind."

Something in Vegas's eyes changes. The smallest hint of a frown forms at the tips of her brows, and she looks him from the top down. He's… serious.

Thunder continues to close in on her space, and Vegas struggles to stand her ground. "Yeah," Thunder mutters, his face cast in shadow. "I'm not messing with you. You leave her alone, or you'll never fly again." Finally, he steps away from her, his face lightening, though not much. "It's your choice."


4. Vegas does apologize, but it's only when they're adults.

"It's been so long," Greywind mumbles to the ground. "Honestly, I don't really remember much of what you said."

It's a lie, and they both know it. She hears Vegas sigh, then a soft pressure on her shoulder. She looks up, and can't hide her surprise when she realizes Vegas is touching her. Just one hoof, but the gesture is a welcome one.

"Don't," Vegas replies. "Please. I don't want to pretend like it never happened."

Greywind looks up at her now, blue eyes meeting green for a short moment before Vegas looks away and sets her hoof back down.

"I think… I think a part of me was always really jealous of you. Like, yeah, your mom is Rainbow Dash, but my parents are Flash Sentry, the head of the Queen's Royal Guard, and Sunburst, the princess's Crystaller, wizard of the Crystal Empire. And both of them are friends with your mom." Vegas sighs again. "I don't know. I was stupid back then. None of that was even your fault."

"You're not stupid," Greywind says. "I understand. You were right about that, at least. I only got into the Academy because of legacy. My audition was atrocious."

Vegas laughs. A heartfelt, full laugh, and Greywind can't help but smile at the sound.

"You're a great flier, Greywind. I'm sorry if I ever made you feel otherwise. You really are."

Greywind's smile remains, but she says nothing. After moments of silence, Vegas finally looks her in the eye.

"I'm sorry. I really am. I was so awful to you, and you didn't deserve it."

And maybe, even this many years later, a piece of Greywind's shattered heart falls back in place.



~


spoiler alert, vegas is in love with her

her conflict is that she knows she can't pursue it because of how much harm she did to Greywind when they were young. it's a lil Lumity situation but slightly more intense.


and if you couldn't tell, greywind is a woman of very few words



also u can probably tell i put less and less effort into each one of these drawings lol