Brocade sat in her study in the basement. She sat at a wooden desk with a quill and a blank parchment in front of her, illuminated by the lamp on her desk. She had an idea in her head, a new chapter for the novel she was working on. However, she had no idea how to expand on that idea, how to structure the chapter. She breathed in and, hoping for the best, lifted her quill up with her magic and put her writing skills to work. The words went through her head and onto the parchment, her horn and quill acting as a conduit. Soon enough, her husband came down into her study. Her left cheek, two of her right ribs and both of her hindlegs ached as Facade made his presence known, a result of the beating she received two days ago. He tried to kill Cozy Glow over her screaming during his own attempts at sleeping so she was worried if Facade was still mad about that. After all, it's neither Cozy Glow nor Brocade's fault that Cozy Glow suffers from night terrors. But luckily for Brocade, Facade's tone of voice when he spoke washed away any fears of that being the case.
"Working on that novel, honey?" Facade asked.
"Yes indeedy," Brocade replied happily "I'm currently on the third chapter."
"Heh, third chapter already. And here I am thinking you had been suffering writer's block for the past couple of years. What's it about?"
"Remember when I told you I couldn't decide whether to make it a crime novel or a romance novel."
"Of course," Facade lied "It was last week, wasn't it?"
"Actually, it was on our first date."
"That's what I meant. I was reminiscing about our first date last week."
Brocade frowned at Facade, his smile never disappearing despite her knowing he was lying. If she had learnt one thing about Shining Facade these past three years, it was that Facade was a terrible liar. Both in the sense that ponies can see through most of his lies as well as the fact that he does it on a regular basis. But one thing she believed to be true was his love for her, even though she thought of it as very tough love. Why else would he stick around with somepony like her when he could have any mare he wanted?
"Anyway," Brocade said "I decided to go with a crime story. But it has heart to it. You see, it's about this stallion who works for the mob and, one day, he finds an abandoned baby filly in the middle of nowhere and decides to take her in. However, when his boss finds out about it, he wants the stallion to kill the baby. As one could guess, he isn't going to do that so he hides the baby away, pretends he did the deed to keep up his tough-guy image while visiting the baby behind the rest of the mob's back."
Facade stared coldly at Brocade, then chuckled, which quickly turned into full-on laughter.
"Dearie, I love you," Facade said "But nopony wants to read about some softie trying to protect a baby when he could have easily done what his bosses told him to do."
"But it's got action in it, with a shootout between the stallion and one of the mob boss' men."
"Yeah, but nopony's gonna be interested. What they want to see is a rise to power story, you know. Like how some little nopony eventually rose to the top of the ranks in the criminal underworld. And I'm not talking some abused orphan or anything like that. I'm talking about some guy who was already bad to begin with and now wants more power."
"But why would audiences invest in a character like that?"
"To Tartarus with investment! Everypony loves the bad guy."
"I beg to differ. My grandma used to tell me stories about this ancient evil named Discord, who ruled Equestria in a state of unhappiness until the two sisters stopped him and turned him to stone. I was scared out of my wits that such an evil and powerful creature could exist."
"Ever heard of the phrase 'love to hate'? Just write a story about a grunt's rise to power."
"But I'm three chapters in!"
"Then scrap it."
"Do you have any idea how hard the writing process is?!"
"Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to sell stuff?!"
"Oh, please! You're the most charismatic stallion I know, as well as a compulsive liar! Or are you afraid you might get arrested for false advertising?"
"It's not false advertising! I just spruce the truth up a little!"
Before Brocade could retort, she saw Cozy Glow sitting right next to her and Facade. The light of the desk lamp illuminated the curious and sorrowful look on Cozy's face.
"Mommy? Daddy?" Cozy Glow asked, "Are you two fighting over me again?"
Brocade trotted over to Cozy Glow and embraced her.
"No. Nonononono, it's nothing like that, Glowie," Brocade said, "Your dad and I were just discussing the story I'm writing."
"The one you read me at bedtime?"
"Yes, that's the one."
Brocade looked to Facade, who wore a cold, blank expression on his face.
"See, honey?" Brocade said to Facade "She thinks the story is good."
Facade continued staring at them with that emotionless look of this, then he cracked a smile.
"Well, who am I to argue when it's two against one?" Facade said before chuckling "Tell you what, let's make it a bet. If I publish the book when you're done and it sells well, I'll talk with Fancy Pants about giving you that modelling job you always wanted. Maybe even have Cozy Glow join in for some foalswear."
Facade leaned in towards Cozy Glow. Cozy felt uncomfortable since, while Facade didn't lose the smile, she got a crystal clear view of the empty soulless eyes hidden behind Facade's sunglasses.
"But if you don't win the bet," Facade said, not losing that jovial tone of his "I'll hand Cozy Glow to some friends of mine, where they'll take real good care of her."
"What do you mean?" Brocade tilted her head.
"Oh, I'm not talking about my drinking buddies," Facade said coldly "No, I'm talking about some friends in places that are...less than foal-friendly."
Brocade and Cozy Glow looked at Facade. While Cozy Glow was confused by what her dad meant, Brocade knew full well what Facade meant, especially since he once showed her photos of his younger years as a bouncer at L'Harmoneigh. An ironically named night club due to it having a reputation for drug-fuelled fights and crooked customers. She ought to know, Facade once took her there for their third date. Without warning, Facade grabbed Cozy Glow in a headlock and gave her a noogie.
"But at least you get to be a movie star like your dear old dad if that happens, right, Cozy?" Facade said.
Both Cozy Glow and Brocade giggled in a confused manner. While it was easy for Brocade to tell when her husband was lying, courtesy of the frequency he does it, but she always had difficulty knowing when he was joking or not. Facade released Cozy Glow from the headlock.
"Well, I better get going," Facade said, "Hope to see you mares later."