//------------------------------// // Subject 126: I'll Do My Best // Story: Interviews With Equestrians // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// “So how’s life treating you, Flurry?” I asked as we walked through another exhibit of frozen sky crystals. “Good for the most part. We’re working on securing the Northern region of Equestria from unknown threats.” Now that sounded pretty exciting. I just had to know more. “Really?” I stopped my walk so I could speak with her at length about the topic. “What sort of threats.” “Uh, they’re unknown,” Flurry responded rather flatly, “A-duh! That’s what makes it an unknown threat. We don’t know who they are yet.” Oh. Right. To be honest, I felt a bit silly now that I thought about it. It made sense. “Oh right...hehe.” “And what about you?” she asked, “Just how’s your time living among other ponies as an equal been?” “It’s been...nice, honestly. They say you never really know what you have until you lose something. You ever heard of that?” Flurry looked at her horn, then her wings. She sighed, and looked at the ground. “More than you know. Mom and dad had to remind me of it constantly as I was growing up. It wasn’t until I reached a certain age that I came to understand just what they meant by not taking things for granted when I’m very fortunate.” Very steadfast of her. Being a natural-born alicorn princess came with many advantages at first glance. But nopony could quite comprehend the drawbacks unless they were in the horseshoes of such an individual. For a moment, I was reminded of the time I became one. Brrgh...those were the darkest of times. Anyhow, I had to recollect the point I attempted to make. “For me...I didn’t know what I had until I found something. That being Pale, his friends, and my new friends like you.” Her face lit up, and she put a hoof around my shoulder. “Aw, shucks. I’m not the best, but I try my hardest. Thanks, Cozy. Oh. That’s the other thing--what’s it like having Pale around?” “Hm? She let me go. “What’s he like? Is he treating you well? It’s not stressful to hang around him is it?” I shook my head. “Oh no, not at all! In fact, I love hanging around him. He’s kind, courageous, and smart. Though he can be a bit of a nutcase at times...I think all fathers are in some way.” Flurry chuckled. “Hehe. I’ll drink to that. My dad is so protective. But I love him all the same.” “Mm-mm,” I denied with another shake of my head, “Pale is on a different level. He’s so devoted to his job and keeping everypony safe that he’s willing to throw his sanity out of the window for it. It’s something we’ve had to talk him down from.” The alicorn’s face dropped with a long face of sadness. “Oh...I’m sorry. I didn’t know…” “Nah, don’t worry about it. He’s going to start taking therapy so things are gonna get better over time.” “Oh...that’s good. I wouldn’t want anyone’s parents--or parental figures--to go insane…” “Thanks Flurry,” I replied with a smile and started to trot onwards once more. “Now come on, let’s go see what else they have. I think I’ve warmed up to this place.” The alicorn snickered. “Heheh. You’d think this place would make you feel cool.” I simply rolled my eyes at the joke, but I held my laughter back. She flew up to me, and have me a nudge with her hoof. “C’mon, you know it was funny!” “Ahh...no.” I responded as deadpan as possible to avoid letting her get a rise out of me. Although, that made me feel warm inside. I know it was already a thing for me, but to hear somepony concerned about my well-being was awesome. It made me wanna do the same thing in return. So I made a promise to keep watch over Flurry in case anything bad ever happened to her. I took a look around at the old, blue building that we were inside of. I had to admit, it was a lot more fun to learn about how snowflakes were made, formed, and fell to the ground during the winter season. As a pegasus myself, it was important to know the history behind the traditions involved with what my ancestors used to do for the land. We had roamed the place for a while, and it seemed like we were the only ones there. Only on occasion would we come across another pony that had also shown up to the exhibits. One was a unicorn mare scholar who probably sought research here, another was a pegasus stallion who looked fairly well-built--probably desired to become a Wonderbolt, and a female dragon who probably wanted to understand how ponies generated ice. Of course, this was all conjecture. I had no real way to get inside of their heads. After a while, I heard a familiar voice call out to me. “Cozy! I need your help.” I turned, and saw Pale walk up to me with a strangely excited pair of eyes. It almost...unnerved me to see him so ecstatic. He was usually so serious and stalwart, so I had no clue what to expect there. “Um...what’s up?” “Stellar Flare has some issues with her schedule, and I know you’re an excellent strategist. So I think you could help.” “Wait, wait, what?” I put a hoof to my forehead. Even for somepony as mentally proficient as myself had to take a minute to process it. After one quick explanation, I was caught up. “...And that’s basically the gist of it,” Pale finished up, “Do you think you can manage?” “Is that all?” I asked with a bit of skepticism. “Seems to me like she’s really off her rocker if she can’t figure that out.” The gray earth pony raised an eyebrow at me. “Now, Cozy. There’s no need to be rude. Stellar has...quite a lot on her mind. She isn’t in the best place right now and could use some support.” His expression softened, and he gave me those proud eyes of his. The ones he made at me when I knew he would express some sort of praise. “I only asked you because I knew you’d be the one most capable of assisting since you’re so good with tactics and numerical organization.” “He’s got ya there,” Flurry added. I held back the desire to roll my eyes out of embarrassment. I knew he meant well by what he said. Yes, it was true that my penchant for structure and schemes was top-notch. In ways that I honestly wanted to forget. But maybe it was time that I could use such a gift for something other than myself? “Alright, alright. Based on what you’ve told me--the machines, the performers, and the fireworks--those all need to be prioritized in a specific order so that the schedule can accommodate them. Since it’s…” I paused to look at a clock on the nearby wall, “already 4PM and the show is meant to start at 6PM once it gets dark, we need to start planning right away. Pale, I’m gonna need to speak with Stellar Flare so I can get all the information I need. Flurry, I’m sorry but I gotta go.” My alicorn friend shrugged it off. “Eh, I’m good. I’m honestly excited to see you in action and what you can do for the ponies of this little town. Go for it!” Guess I couldn’t exactly refute it. Her faith in me was pretty much incomparable and I couldn’t be happier for it. If Cozy wanted to see how much I had progressed, and Pale wanted me to do something for a leader of a town, then I was motivated to prove to them that I had been worth their time in the end. “Alrighty, then,” I said with a smile as I headed out of the museum, “See you guys later!” As I watched Cozy leave, I couldn’t help but shed a tear. I felt like a father who had watched their child grow up to do great things. “...Good luck, kid.” To my surprise, even Flurry Heart took note of it. “You’re an alright pops, pops. Keep it up, and you’ll make this world a better place. But don’t go crazy on us now,” she said as she trotted out of the building as well. What an odd, yet meticulous compliment. But she was right. I won’t stop there. Maybe now I could finally head back to the hotel and relax with Cheerilee.