Future Short Story: Cult Case · 1:49am Sep 21st, 2016

Yes, I am still alive! My inactivity has been due to college and this game called Overwatch. But don't worry, it's mostly been college.

So, I have a short story (6 chapters long) in the works. It's about Starlight's techniques in convincing ponies to join her cult. I have quite a bit of it written thus far. Here's a part of the prologue:

The subject matter of this study was sitting right before me. She looked nervous and was breathing in an unsteady manner. I did not mind such nervousness, however, as I was used to it. Now, I did mind her constant moving. I was gathering my notes and questions to ask the young mare, but her twitches distracted me considerably. I could not blame her at all though, as I knew this was her first time being put in such a situation.
I, Dr. Blue Study of Canterlot's Department of Sociology, had taken this prime opportunity to study and document Starlight Glimmer's fascinating cult village that she constructed in the northeast corner of Equestria. Ever since the news of her reformation at the hoofs of Princess Twilight Sparkle arrived, I pushed the suggestion that we should investigate Miss Glimmer's action further as to understand why and how they came to be. The success of Miss Glimmer's village was startling to all and I planned to help Equestria learn from it so that future cult leaders will not so easily deceive us.
I used my magic to click my pen and placed my blank notebook on my lap. When I looked up, signalling that I was ready to begin, she smiled back at me with one of the friendliest grins I had ever seen. I was going to enjoy this chat, I just knew it. So I returned the smile and spoke the first words.
"How are you, Miss Glimmer?" I asked.
"Pretty swell," she answered. "You?"
"I am good, very good," I nodded. "So, Miss Glimmer, do you know why I am interviewing you today?"
"I think it has something to do with me being some sort of cult leader," she chuckled.
I was glad she was becoming comfortable. "Hehe, yes, I believe it does."
"Well, then you have the wrong mare," she giggled. "I don't believe I ever was a cultist. I mean, who does that? Weirdos, that's who!"
"Haha!" I played along. "Ahem, now Miss Glimmer, let us start this interview with some numbers gathered by the Bearers of Harmony. It's been reported that you had 74 ponies living in your village. Is this correct?"
"Yes, it was 74. 75 including myself," she said in a more serious tone.
"Did you convince every single pony?"
"No, I didn't. I spoke with about 60 ponies on their own. Some brought friends or family along with them, but only few of them. But yes, I convinced the vast majority to join my community on my own."
I could not help but feel impressed. "Incredible..."
"Not really. I could have easily convinced a hundred more," Starlight shrugged.
"You see, that is why I wanted to speak with you," I leaned forward. "You have a skill, Miss Glimmer. You can persuade anypony to drop their live and follow you into a desert. I find it remarkable. How did it feel to manipulate dozens of ponies?"
Her smile turned into a confused frown. "Manipulate? No, I never manipulated any of them. I know what I did was wrong and I'm fully sorry for it, but I didn't manipulate them. I only told them one lie ever."
It was my turn to be confused. "So you believe what you taught?"
"Absolutely. I don't think I could have convinced them so easily if I thought I was lying."