‘Question your beliefs; only then will you know your strength.’
-Former Lady Inspector, Midnight Sun.
‘Your name is Coccinelle, thirty-three years old, born in Canterlot, of a family in service to the Strong Wing household, lived there until five years prior. The only member to have chosen outside the traditional family path. An independent photographer, once an employee for-’ He let her answer.
‘Hachera Group,’ she answered in a tired voice.
‘Ah! That is how we pronounce it, then. Good to know. Why leave Canterlot to Featherfall?’
‘I wanted to reunite with a friend I wronged.’
‘Seli?’ he proposed.
‘Yes.’ She had never mentioned her name prior.
‘She never existed.’
‘I spent four years with her, almost every day, and we would help each other at every occasion. She was real. She is.’
‘Oh, the creature posing as her, yes, but she is a ghost, a shadow in the records. Fake identification card and fake diplomas forged who knows how but with incredible mastery of the art.’
‘But she had a job as a cashier. She also had a bank account she would transfer me money from when I was in trouble.’
‘She was a really good forger. Why did your friend leave?’
‘I told her to leave and never return. I was angry.’
‘For what reason?’
She took a while to answer. ‘She broke a camera. A very expensive one. A Skaven 9.’
‘It is indeed expensive. Myes. How did you pay for it?’
‘With a bank check.’
‘Honesty,’ he played with the word. ‘When did that friend leave? Remember the date you had that dispute?’
‘In the start of summer, I think.’
‘After you bought the camera?’
‘Yes. Immediately afterward.’
‘According to your bank statement, you were debited by almost three thousand bits – two months after she departed, which was at the start of spring, not summer. “Seli” stopped paying rent then – and she was very diligent in that aspect. I ask you once more: why did your friend leave?’
She did not hesitate in her answer, but stayed somehow apprehensive. ‘The investment wasn’t worth it; I was losing money. Suddenly no one wanted my services anymore. Every potential client was diverted to other “colleagues”. She wanted to help. I blamed her for everything. She then left. We were having many disputes already. Going to Featherfall was just to make amends and perhaps find solace.’
‘A loyal friend, you are.’
She lowered her head, nodding slowly.
‘You indeed were bleeding money for a while. Featherfall is indeed less expensive-’
‘I had nothing to take with me.’ She raised her head once more; her voice painted with remorse but still almost emotionless. ‘I sold many of my belongings. I lived then with my few earnings. It was the better option and a good decision. The local elite wanted my services. I can give you the full list, Lord Inspector.’
‘Another day. It is not the only time I will call for you. Another thing – when you arrived at Featherfall, wasn’t it odd how no one knew of Seli?’
‘She was from the north – I knew that much of her past. She had an inane talent to divert questions and topics. It was simple for her. I admired her for that. I liked that about her; it kept things interesting. Sometimes she would lie – she would lie a lot, in fact – but I trusted her. She would never lie about major things, only the minor. She was,’ she smiled for the first time, ‘adorable when trying to convince me otherwise. She always succeeded.’
‘You were very attached to her?’
‘As a sister, yes.’
‘Bad relations with your actual ones?’
‘No. I just never cared for them. I never felt attached to them. I would be there for them out of principle, but I would never make myself for them. I had colleagues at work, no friends.’
‘And friends before meeting her?’
‘No one. I never liked any one I met. I can be open and friendly, but knitting something long term was difficult for me. Never had a romantic relationship either. But boys found me attractive – you understand?’
‘You are ruthless.’
‘I am a cold, detached creature – yes. My parents and siblings told me so many times.’
‘You don’t love them?’
‘Never liked showing it off. I never liked parties or festivities; I always avoided them. Even my own birthdays.’
He leaned forward. ‘Is anyone like you in the family?’
‘No. I was always like that. Even when I was only ten years old or eight. A mental problem they call it. I guess it is, but no one can do much about it. I made a good life for myself – better than anyone expected. I guess it is not a problem.’
‘But that Seli did, she solved that illn- problem momentarily.’
‘I already said the reason why.’
‘Then why did Queen Chrysalis take you aside? Why did she protect you? Was Seli her all along? Was she a Changeling close to the Queen?’
‘I don’t know. Maybe because I did not debate with her. I willingly accepted my fate.’
‘Chrysalis?’ he spat in hilarity. ‘Honorable?’ The thought amused him greatly.
‘Maybe. It is wrong to judge someone that fast – we were all taught so in school. She did not destroy Princess Luna’s feather, we can grant her that.’
He grunted. ‘Her actions are not ones that can be relativized. She has committed some- many atrocities.’
‘I heard some vague words hurled around. Nothing more ostensible than rumors of distant battles or something. Never cared much until the Changelings would get close. But, otherwise, everything can be relativized, Lord Inspector. Just need to find the loophole and you will claim victory. I enjoy messing around with people like that.’
He smiled. ‘Typical for those born around those parts of Canterlot. Speaking of which.’ Lord Inspector took out documents from his binder. ‘You were an average student overall. You were not argumentative but – according to your professors, and those are the words of your last literally one – would “hit the force of a quiet, ravaging storm when provoked”.’ He paused to think about it. ‘Surely an idiot.’ She nodded, approving fully the Inspector’s statement. ‘At any rate, you learned one other language. Can you speak in that barbaric tongue everyone insists is fancy?’ He knew the language very well but hated it deep to his core.
For the first time, he saw her truly smile. It nearly frightened him.
‘T’as un look vlah gud sa mère. Franchement t’es le lemaitre ici. Je prendrai bien des leguides de toi en SAH. Tah pas l’aire vlah costaud mais t’as une cervelle super houge. Get moi ça comment tu te fringues, frère. Chui aussi sûr que ton chibre donne du bon mesper comme l’eau de la fontaine de la leprincesse. Sa changera du mesper vlah dégueulasse que j’me tapes des collègues au boulot parfois. Je suis supair volontaire en SAH.’ She made an off sound with her lips, mimicking a kiss, all the while pointing her hoof back and forth suggestively.
Of course, he demanded a translation of that gibberish, and he readily received one.
‘You disgust me.’
‘Good. No corruption charges for you, then.’
‘Very funny. I shouldn’t have asked,’ he murmured for himself.
‘Bah, cheh, Lord Inspector.’
‘Ça veut dire quoi?’ he amusingly attempted, hating every word he uttered.
‘Ça veut dire feur, mec.’
‘Hein?’
‘Deux.’
He got blocked for a second before aggressively dismissing her with both hooves, ignoring Coccinelle for the exquisite beauty of an empty cup of Arabian coffee.
‘Mange tes grands morts.’
Again, he ignored her. He declared a break, excusing himself to refill his mug and get a croissant. Though he wasn’t sure about the last one, he asked for one and he felt obliged to get her one.
‘I don’t like it,’ said Coccinelle, still mashing her bite.
‘I have to agree – their chocolate is terrible,’ he agreed.
‘Next time you should get griffonscones. Tasty little things.’
‘I will note it.’ He took a pen and did so. ‘Anyways,’ he ate the last of his croissant and sighed loudly. ‘If you had seen one of the Changelings here, would you flee or – simply – greet them?’
‘If they don’t engage me first…’ She paused. He let her think, her expression, already troubled by the scars of drainage, turned more twisted. ‘I think…’ She stopped her thought. ‘If it was Seli, I would not be acting that way. I would still hesitate but not much.’ He let her continue. ‘When Chrysalis attacked Featherfall, I thought she was Seli. Both looked the same; the same colors, height, and color of eyes. But Chrysalis’ were of someone mad. Her voice also sounded similar, but Seli’s was far more gentler. I… You know that feeling – felt it before, Lord?’
‘No.’ He paused. ‘Was Seli Chrysalis?’ he asked, plainly.
‘No. Chrysalis even threatened me by telling Seli was dead.’
‘She knows her.’
‘I called her by that name first.’
‘But she took you to safety.’
‘Maybe I tasted good. Bitter-sweet, I would imagine.’
He smiled. ‘I would imagine that also.’ He adjusted his papers. ‘Would you be returning to Featherfall?’
‘Yes. My house is there. My clients too. And Seli might one day show up again. And other than that and the attack, life is pleasant up there. Winters are particularly good when you are alone, book in hoof, cat purring, and the heater churning.’
He had to admit, it sounded cozy. ‘You have a cat?’
‘The neighborhood cat. His name is Cooky and he is a very good boy. He loves me and I do too.’
He smiled again. ‘Not scared of returning, then? Even with the financial hit?’
‘No. The Princess has promised to unblock funds and force the bank to give up our deposits in full. Je suis à l’aise financièrement. Je ne me plains pas, non.’
He cringed. ‘The former might take a while. The wise Princess is very busy.’
‘Because she never or rarely delegates. I had half-expected her to be present, not you, in all honesty. But, still, it is an honor being the guest of the Lord Inspector.’
‘You are a pleasant mare, too. Cold, distant, and… unique, but pleasant mare nonetheless.’ He quickly examined her. ‘I understand your work colleagues. The lucky stallions they are.’
‘And lucky mares – when I feel like it.’
‘Ah.’ He wondered why he had omitted that fact from his notes and reports.
‘I have a good basin, Lord. Money and work, I imagine, will never be issues for me. Though I do not greatly appreciate the act with the latter. Though I do a good sixty-nine.’
‘Excuse me? Enlighten me.’
‘I tell the girl to close her eyes and to start counting to sixty-eight, then at sixty-nine, I kiss her.’
He closed his eyes, cleaned his face, and took a deep breath. ‘Regardless-’
‘Wait until I tell you about “la position du neuvième étage”-’
‘Regardless,’ he raised his voice, ‘with whom it is conducted or the positions you are doing it with, what you are mentioning is illegal.’
‘Then preemptively arrest me,- What is your name, Lord Inspector?’
‘That’s it.’
‘Lord Inspector?’
‘Born literally and figuratively for the job,’ he boasted.
‘Imagination must be a rare commodity where you are from.’
‘The interview is over.’