Talk:Molt Down/@comment-4531340-20180527111249/@comment-4531340-20180529112027

Yeah, I can see that - actually, the way it was phrased on the EqD episode followup really helped me understand. Basically about how, whereas Spike is essentially a pony in a dragon's body, Smolder has grown up as a dragon proud of her heritage, so like you said, the aspects of the molt (including being kicked out of the house) are totally natural to her.

With that in mind, actually, I think she does a pretty good job of being sympathetic towards Spike, especially once he tells her about how he grew up around ponies, instead of dragons. Now when I watch it, it comes off as mostly just teasing with no malicious intent behind it - kind of like how siblings might tease each other, hmmm... (actually, honestly, she seems to have a somewhat similar personality to Spike), as well as it being completely natural (as well as something to be proud of, even) to her. Just the fact that she sought him out in the first place, when she realized what was going on, in addition to some of her body language, shows, I think, that she has a softer heart than she likes to let on.

And it also shows, in a way, how far things have progressed for Spike since Dragon Quest, going from knowing essentially nothing about his species heritage (as a dragon), to having that species join as allies of Equestria, to having a fellow dragon living right next door, whom he can (presumably) ask about things regarding being a dragon.

As an addendum, now that I think about it, I think the thought of being kicked out, of Twilight leaving him, was what freaked Spike out the most, considering that I believe The Crystal Empire revealed that as his biggest fear. I can't fault Smolder for not picking up on that - she wouldn't know that about him and like I said, I think she was trying pretty hard to be sympathetic.