“...and...that’s what happened. I’m so sorry, Cheerilee…”
I sniffled. My face was redder than a beet, and filled with rivers of dried tears. I was a pitiful mess. Oh...suppose I should specify. After reporting the incident to Starlight--who would report the intel to Twilight, I went to Cheerilee’s house to get everything off my chest. I told her everything because I didn’t want any deception between us.
She reacted...in a way I didn’t expect: With empathy.
“Pale...honey...what in the world are you sorry for?” she brought me into a hug, and held me against her neck. One of her hooves stroked my mane which slowly calmed me down. “None of that was your fault. You did everything within your power to keep Cozy Glow safe. I actually adore you for it.”
“I...I don’t understand...you mean you’re...not upset with me?”
“Absolutely not,” she said with a stern, dignified air of confidence, “Who I’m upset with is that disgusting little monster that tricked a poor, innocent mare into taking advantage of you in front of her old lover. That beast is going to suffer a hundredfold for what they’ve done. And you...you need as much time as possible to recover from what you’ve experienced.”
Wow. I couldn’t believe it. I had honestly thought that...she wouldn’t have accepted what happened to me. Why? I don’t know. Call it an irrational fear. I guess it had to do with the fact that I as a stallion never really expected to be hurt in such a way. To put it simply, in the past I had dealt with a lot of cases in which mares who had been abused or taken advantage of by their partners--usually stallions. But it wasn’t very common for a stallion to be on the end of such abuse. According to my various findings, stallions were more commonly victims of aggravated assault compared to mares who usually suffered from abusive partners.
That being said, I experienced something that wasn’t...really in the norm. So I didn’t expect to be granted such sympathy.
“...Thank you, Cheerilee. I don’t know what to say…” I muttered while locked within her embrace.
I felt her place a kiss on my forehead. “Don’t say anything, Pale. You know how I am when it comes to problems with the ones I care about. Whether it’s one of my students or somepony special like you, I’m going to be there to do what I can.”
I fell silent, and sobbed for a little while longer. Part of me felt as if I didn’t deserve such a wonderful mare who took care of me in such a way. It melted my heart. “...Even so, I’m going to take some time off so I can get my head on straight. This has...really given me a new perspective on the dangers that are out there.”
“Regardless of what happens, I know you’ll bounce back,” Cheerilee leaned backwards so she could gaze at me in the eyes. “Why? Because you have lots of loving friends and family who want to see you succeed and be healthy. So no matter what, do as you wish. Cry, speak your mind--anything to aid in your emotional healing. We’ll all handle this together.”
I couldn’t even make eye contact with her. While her words comforted me, I still felt...unworthy of her presence. “I promise...it won’t ever happen again.”
She placed her hoof beneath my chin, and turned my head upwards. “Promise me something else: That you’ll always come to me whenever you have something on your mind. I will be the one to make sure that something like that never happens again. To you, or any other stallion.”
Huh? How? Just what did she plan to do? My tail flicked out of curiosity mixed with a bit of fear. “...What do you mean by that?”
“The Mayor is going to help us. She has her ways of keeping this town safe. And Ms. Inkwell can offer you therapy if you start to feel any worse. And me? I’m going to have a chat with Spectacle.”
Well now, that was a surprise. I was both comforted and intrigued by the idea of the Mayor assisting everyone. I wondered what sort of executive order she could implement to lower the rate of monster attacks--especially given the fact that the Everfree Forest wasn’t that far away.
But wait, why did Cheerilee want to speak with her?! That was a cyclone of horror waiting to happen!
I feverishly shook my head. “...Cheery, no. She was innocent. Her body was being controlled by that disgusting creature...who is unfortunately still at large.”
“Oh no...my dear. I know that. However, she’s still very much responsible for joining up with it in the first place.” She looked away from me for a moment. “I just want to know why. What drove her to do such a thing? Once I get a better understanding of the whole situation, I’ll make up my mind on what to do next.”
That was completely fair. After all, being unbiased was the name of the game when it came to criminal activity. I wasn’t about to persuade nor dissuade her from doing what she knew was necessary. I would respect the decision of my wife. “...Understood, Cheery.”
“Where is she right now?”
“If I recall, she and Jackpot are actually going to the Mayor’s office to check their medical records.” I lied down on the couch--on my back, “Since Trixie has taken up permanent residence here, they’re going to see if they can figure out what happened and why they aren’t listed on her family documents. I’m...a bit curious myself.”
“Then don’t you worry about a thing,” the beautiful pinkish-purple pony lied next to me to hold me close, and refused to let go. “I’ll see what I can find out later. For now, rest with me. Please?”
I was in absolutely no position to refuse. I left my coat at the door for a reason. There was no intention of me going back out there until I was ready.
“...Yes. I will. Thank you…” I slowly shut my eyes and started to feel my stresses drift away…
Meanwhile, I could only hope that Quick Draw and Guttersnipe would be okay on the mission they accepted.