//------------------------------// // Evil isn't born,it's learned // Story: Of Acts and Masks // by Sparkling blaze //------------------------------// Two years later... It wasn't easy to raise Cozy Glow,and the challenges of parenting as a single mom wouldn't stop suprising Space. The worst for Space was seeing Cozy starting to be as manipulative as her dad,she tried to stop it,but somehow Cozy always won her over...That had Space scared of what might be her daughter's special talent. After awhile Space started to wonder if maybe some friends would help Cozy, that having someone else to spend time with and care about would make her more considerate of others. But not having many friends of her own fewer with children Cozy's age she wasn't sure who to turn to. But one day in town while she was buying flowers she finally got her chance. She met an mare called Icy Flight,she had a daughter that was the same age as Cozy called Sun Fire,they scheduled a playdate for the kids. The playdate was at the park. "Hopefully Cozy will make friends with Sun and learn how to care about others before her manipulative ways become a problem."She thought to herself. Things seemed to be going pretty good at first as the two girls seemed to get along. "Looks like I was right, she just needed a friend." She thought to herself. But the more she watched them the girls only seemed to be doing what Cozy wanted to do. "Maybe the other girl just want to be nice." Space thought. But she saw the same sad look she used with her every time she gave in. "I really need to find a way to make her understand what she's doing isn't right." Space then tried to intefer: "Cozy,sweetie,why don't you let Sun decide what you're gonna play now?" "But we're playing what she wants,I'm just giving her ideas."Cozy said innocently. Sun even tho seemingly sad nodded in agreement. Something about that didn't sit right with Space. It seemed that Sun was only saying that to keep Cozy happy. But she wasn't able to prove it. "Okay girls, but if you need anything let me know." Space went away so the girls could keep playing. "Maybe I'm wrong."Space thought to herself. "Maybe I'm just not used to Cozy playing with someone else." Later that day After the play date Cozy begged Space to ice cream and like every single time Space wasn't able to say no to her,even if this was the 5th time they went there only this week.The big suprise about it this time was that Wave her ex-husband,Cozy's dad was there. "Oh hi Wave." Space said trying to be nice even tho the last that they saw each other they didn't part on the best terms. "Hi there, it's been awhile." Wave told her. He sees Cozy. "I see you really kept her." "Of course I kept her. She's just like you, both good and bad." "What do you mean, Sure she looks like me..." "Oh it's a lot more then just looks. She can talk anyone out of anything she wants. I know you didn't want anything to do with her. But I don't know who else to turn to. Do you think you can help me?" "Help you with her?"Wave laughed."Gosh,you really are pathetic, Space." Space sighed,scared of what he would ask in payment for his help. "I'll help you if she manipulate a few ponies for me."He then looked at Cozy enjoying her ice cream."She is a very cute filly,that'll make it easier for her to manipulate everypony." "No way you're using her for that."Space said. Cozy then finished her ice cream and looked at Wave, then she turned to Space: "Who is that,mommy?" "He's an old friend of mine." "Don't be like that, I'm more then a friend. I'm your daddy." "Daddy? I don't have a daddy?" "Everyone has a daddy. Would you like to help me out? It'll be like a game." "Ooooh I like games. Can I mommy?" Space looked at her. "No I don't want you around him." "What first you ask for my help, now you don't want her around me. Which is it?"Wave asked. "But mom I want to." Cozy gave her this sad look and sounded like she was about to cry. Space knew it was a bad idea and she would regret it but she gave in: "Fine you can play his game."