.
Cozy Glow stared intensely at the envelope in her hooves. The name she read on it reverberated in her mind. She turned the envelope; one time, two times, three times, before she finally brought herself to open it. Very slow, she pulled out the letter, then put the envelope away. It took her another minute before she unfolded the letter and started reading it.
Dear Cozy Glow,
this is Moondancer. Do you remember me?
Cozy Glow cocked her head and squinted her eyes, pondering like she was actually supposed to give an answer on Moondancer's question.
I was writing you when you were very upset over Princess Luna's letter.
Cozy Glow huffed.
And I was wondering how you are doing now. It's been a while since my first letter must have reached you. I hope that my letter helped you, Cozy, and that it made you feel better. I want that you feel good.
“Really, huh?” Cozy tilted her head even more. “I'm not so sure about that. What would you gain from making me feel good, Moondancer?” She put a searing emphasis on Moondancer's name. It sounded like a warning.
Speaking of feel good, I got you something! I found this on a flea market in Canterlot last weekend and I thought you would like it!
Cozy Glow cast her eyes down onto the envelope. She noticed a little bulge in it and realized how she must have overlooked it earlier while deciding whether to open it or not. She put the letter down in her lap and reached for the envelope. Turning it, she shook the little object out of it. A green crochet bracelet fell onto the letter. In the middle, the word “COZY” was stitched onto it with big, bold, pink lettering. Her name. The bracelet had landed right under the next sentence.
The vendor called it a “relaxation bracelet”. You look at the word on it and it eases you. I'm not sure if it works but, if it does, I hope it will help you to be more calm, Cozy. You were on edge lately.
Cozy Glow picked up the bracelet and looked at it for a good long while. A slight trembling went through her lower lip. Her face darkened. Cozy emitted a long-stretched whistle and flung the bracelet out of her cage. Cerberus ran past it, panting, his stomps letting Tartarus shake.
“I don't need any dumb gifts,” Cozy muttered. She picked up the letter again and continued reading.
And, to be honest, I hope you will accept this as a sign of friendship. Because I would really like to be your friend, Cozy. I heard that you are an extraordinarily friendly, kind and helpful filly. And I would like to know more about such a nice filly as you, maybe you can tell me something about yourself in a letter?
I need to finish this letter now, but I will write again soon. I hope to hear from you, Cozy!
Bye!
Moondancer
“What would you gain from that, Moondancer?” Cozy asked the same question as before. “And what would I gain from it? There's no way for you to help me with anything while I'm locked up in here.” It was a harsh response, but Cozy's voice lacked the energy it was known for. It sounded dull and distant.
“I don't care,” Cozy whispered, before she proceeded to stare blankly out of the cage.
That is a good point. I'm not sure how they think those letters will get her to change her ways while she's stuck in that cage.
If only instead of letters, Cozy got a visit from a psychiatrist...
The way I see it, Tartarus is now absorbing her heart. Soon, she'll lose her reason to care.
Will Cozy Glow be seeing a psychiatrist in this story?
Did Moondancer not read a newspaper lately?
An appeal to self-interest?
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Not enough bits in Equestria for that.
Very nice! I loved the idea how they got back to Moondancer, as well making it that Lyra and co were friends with Twilight.
Ouch! Though, given she is now trying to establish a partnership with Tempest, letters from anyone else are good for only reinforcing how ponies, like Moon Dancer, are weak and guilable while she sees herself and Tempest as 'better'.
The idea of a relaxation bracelet is interesting. I've found my anxiety and depression can often be quelled with minimal use of medication through positive thinking, writing, and certain types of clothing / comfort items. (I was actually quite happy when Cozy first met Starlight and Ms. Glimmer had all those comfort items in the office)
I wonder if Tempest / Fizzlepop will advise the others to stop writing? Though, now that I think more on it, if they keep writing while she writes back-and-forth to Cozy could further build the filly's trust, bring down her defenses, and provide Tempest a great chance to give the little Pegasus a shock to her beliefs.
Perhaps, in the end, Tempest will weave a plan wherein she frees Cozy under the pretense she and the filly are going to do what the Storm King could not. However everyone else is in on it and the alleged victory is followed by everyone coming out and showing how even a master manipulator can be manipulated?
Question how many chapters do you plan on writing I,m having a blast reading them
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The best psychiatrists are good friends and people who care.
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I can't confirm any of this, but these are all good theories.^^
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I don't know. Usually, I have a story largely planned out, but for once, I don't know how many chapters there will be in the end. It all depends on Cozy's progress. But Cozy isn't an easy patient to treat and her problem not easy to solve, so we can probably expect a very long therapy.