//------------------------------// // Subject 149: Progress Report // Story: Interviews With Equestrians // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// Alright. The plan was simple. From this point forward, Cozy’s home was to be heavily monitored with anti-magic cameras filled to the brim. With that established, I felt more comfortable speaking with her than before. It was from her that I could learn more information about what she knew as Grogar. In short, she was my wild card in a deck filled with confusion and insanity. It had been about a week since she was admitted. Now, she was going to be released from the hospital. So first thing that morning, I got up, and headed out. To my surprise, the first individual I came across on my way there was Flurry Heart. She flew down to me with a disguise on, though she let me see it was her via deactivating the illusion exclusively for me. “Psst. Hey Pale. You on your way to see Cozy?” As I walked down the grassy road, I looked over at the mare. “Oh? Yes, I am. She’s going to be let out today so I decided to go check on her myself since I don’t want anymore risks.” “I can respect that,” she replied, “But whoever did this...I won’t ever forgive them. They’re gonna pay for what they did to her. Mark my words, Pale.” Well now. That was a bit surprising to hear from the Heart Alicorn herself. I never would have suspected that revenge could ever be on her radar. “...Huh.” She looked at me with a confused stare. “Hm? What’s wrong?” “Nothing it’s just...I never would’ve pegged you for the vengeful type.” The alicorn looked down at her hooves as she stopped dead in her tracks. “I...yeah, me neither.” I stopped as well, and chose to question her. “Then why do you feel this way? If you don’t mind me asking.” “...I...I don’t want to lose her. Cozy has been such a good friend to me that if something bad happened to her, I...I don’t know what I’d do.” Wow. She really did make a lot of progress, didn’t she? And while I normally didn’t like to pry into things, I was a bit curious. “I see...and just how well have you both been getting along?” She looked up at me with a slightly happier face. “Well, just a few weeks ago, we went shopping together. Right here in Ponyville at a thrift store…” A few weeks ago… So after Hearth’s Warming, Cozy and I decided to do some shopping. Right, okay, so it wasn’t that crazy. Usually the post-holiday store rush is nonexistent so we could both take time to enjoy ourselves. And first, we went to one of the clothing stores in Ponyville to check out what they had. Nothing too crazy. I went straight for the section on hats while Cozy went to see the coats. She had the time of her life as she picked something out. Who could blame her? She actually had the ability to buy things now instead of the constant need to look over her shoulder. “Wow…” she said, “This jacket looks so cute. I love the little bow on the top.” “It’s not bad,” I replied with a flash of my horn to teleport over to her, “But you know what’d be really cute? Ribbons!” So we tried on a few outfits. Little of this, little of that. I even took our pictures with a camera and we looked super adorable. I knew Pound Cake would love what I had on! Oh right, Cozy. Well, after all of that, we stopped to pose in the mirror and got to talking… “Hey Cozy?” I asked as we both looked at ourselves with the cute berets we picked out. “Hm? What’s up, Flurry?” I was a bit hesitant on this question, honestly. But it was something I had been dying to know for a while. “Do you happen to like anypony?” “As friends or…?” she took a moment, and giggled to herself when she understood what I meant. “Oh you mean like that. No. Not right now. To be frank, I don’t think I’m really...desirable from a relationship standpoint. Who’d wanna be involved with somepony that nearly destroyed the world when they were younger?” ‘Destroyed the world when they were younger.’ See, it’s funny because I was totally in her horseshoes at one point. Yes, I was lucky enough to be raised in a good family with a positive influence on my life. But as I’m sure many are aware, I was quite the dangerous little filly when I was younger. I fired off spells that my parents and their friends had no idea how to deal with. And yet, they stuck by me through it all. Had it not been for that, I would’ve probably turned out like Cozy Glow. If not worse. “...Um, Cozy?” I replied with a half-hearted grin, “You’re looking at somepony that could’ve easily hazed the entire planet if they didn’t have anypony to watch their backs. And yet Pound Cake loves me.” “Oh, well that’s true.” Though, that wasn’t enough to sway her from her deprecation. “Still...I wasn’t so lucky. So I don’t think there’s a chance that I could find anyone that loves me for who I am.” There was no way I’d allow her to put herself down like that. I pulled her over to me with my magic, and put a hoof around her. “Hey, chin up. If somepony can’t love you for who you are, then they aren’t worth having around, ya feel? You’ll find someone eventually. I know you will.” I could tell that she held back some tears from the way she wiped her face. But I didn’t comment on it. “You...really think so?” she asked. I replied with a snicker. “Hehe! I know so. You already have a family that cares about you so who’s to say that won’t extend to romantic love? Besides, you’re a great friend to have and a joy to be around. I can always count on you when it comes to, well--everything that involves rational thought.” I rubbed the back of my head with an awkward smile. “I’m uh...not very good at thinking things through sometimes. But the way you break things down is amazing. You always know how to prioritize and organize things. Strategies for Pale to use, that celebration in Sire’s Hollow...you’re awesome.” She blushed--it was so adorable. “Oh, I uh...I guess.” All I could do was giggle as we went up to the register to buy our clothes. The stallion behind the counter rang us up, and we paid for what we purchased. “Thanks you two,” he said, “It’s been a while since I’ve had a sale around here. My products don’t exactly compete with the bigger stores and pop-up shops in town.” Hold up, was he for real? “Wait, seriously?” “Yeah, for whatever reason ponies just aren’t buying my wares,” he explained as he pointed to the other clothing racks. Come to think, the store was rather empty. “I dunno. If this keeps up, I may have to sell the place. I’d hope that I could avoid doing that since my dad and I used to run this place together before he...left, let’s say. Half the profits we make are donated to the senior center, so I’m trying my best to keep things afloat.” But I could sense it with my magic. This store was important to him and his late father. I could relate. My dad and I did lots of things together. If I were to lose something that I held dear to me, then I’d feel just as bad. But to be honest, I didn’t know what to say. It was something that I didn't feel comfortable enough to tackle yet. But then, Cozy came up with something. “Uh, sir. Not to be rude but how much are you selling this saddlebag for?” she asked as she pointed at the rack of bags behind the counter. The salespony looked up at the rack that held the saddlebags behind him. “Those? Twenty bits. Why?” “Well, again, not to be rude, but…” Cozy flew up and took a look at them, “All of these appear to be genuine tatzlwurm leather soaked in various colors.” Color me shocked. I had no clue such things even existed. “Wait for real, Cozy? Are ya sure?” The salespony shared my skepticism. “...Yeah, are you sure? I just sorta found those at a garage sale last week.” “Uh-huh. The pattern on the leather used to make these saddlebags are the exact ones you’d find on tatzlwurm skin,” she gave us the details while she inspected each bag, “Whoever made these had to spend a fortune to weave them into the appropriate shape for a saddlebag. In essence, these can be sold for two-hundred bits each at the minimum!” He chuckled, and leaned on the counter. “Well I’ll be. Still. That doesn’t exactly solve my problem. Most ponies don’t tend to come here because they feel like my items aren’t of good quality.” Then he gazed at the various racks of clothing and accessories within the store, “Hrm. Guess I should find somepony to gimme an appraisal on this stuff. If I knew I had items of a higher quality, then I could start advertising that more.” My pink pegasus friend had a scheming, plucky grin on her face as she flew down and leaned over the counter. “Look no further! I’ve been doing lots of research on foreign and ancient materials in my spare time, so I could help!” Now this was news to me. I had to get some details. “Wait what?” I raised a brow, “Since when have you studied enough to know the value of random articles of clothing on thrift items?” “Well...let’s just say research is a hobby of mine,” she replied with a smirk, “I can’t stand not knowing things so I make an effort to learn all that I can. For example, that old rug you have hanging in the window? That’s a replica rug owned by an old monarch from Trottingham,” she stated while she pointed her hoof at the item in question, “And...hold on, I think you have a hat here that was made of Bugbear silk!” “Woah, really?” the salespony gasped, “If you know so much, then please tell me more!” “...She really did all of that?” I asked, “Just out of the goodness of her heart for somepony else?” Flurry nodded. “Yup.” “And how is that thrift store doing now?” The alicorn pointed to the shop that was at the end of the road. It had a swarm of customers who desired to donate and purchase new items! “Wow…” “All thanks to Cozy’s help,” Flurry commented as she walked on towards the hospital, “You really should be proud of her.” I followed after a minute once I got through with having stared at the crowd. “...That I am, Flurry. That I am.”