Cold
Tick tock tick tock
Fluttershy's room was deathly quiet. Its two occupants not daring to move a muscle.
At the foot of Fluttershy's bed was an earth pony...
At least, Fluttershy thought he was an earth pony.
While he had the build and look of a stallion, sporting a coat as grey as the thickest of overcasts and a slicked back mane that was as black as a clear, starry night, his eyes were surrounded by some of the deepest and heaviest bags she'd ever seen.
Topping it all off was the enormous grin he sported, which he kept even as he spoke.
“Hello, young one.” His voice was soft and soothing, reminding Fluttershy a lot like Princess Celestia. “You're Fluttershy, correct?”
“Oh dear…” Fluttershy gulped. The stallion had blinked all but once since he had woken her up, something he did by rhythmically tapping on the wall. Shaking, she responded. “Um, hello. I-I… I'm Fluttershy, yes.”
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Shy.” The stallion walked over to Fluttershy's bedside, ceasing movement for a brief second to blink, one eyelid closing before the other. “I am a gentlecolt who has greatly respected you and the other Elements of Harmony.” Bowing, he continued. “I would like to take a moment to conduct an interview, if you'd be so kind to do accept my offer.”
“Can… can it wait until the morning?”
The stallion shook his head. “I'm afraid not,” he said. “I have many interviews to conduct and it was very difficult to fit you in. If you do not accept this interview, this could damage my reputation and get me fired.”
“Oh...” Fluttershy went to get out of bed, but stopped as she lay eyes on the stallion once more. The manic look in his eyes was quite unlike anything she'd ever seen. Although she'd seen some terrifying looking ponies in her time. Yet, at the same time, it was hypnotic.
“Do not mind me,” the stallion said. “I've been up for a few days as I'm a very busy pony.”
With a sigh of reluctance, Fluttershy got out of bed. She stretched out, a few satisfying cracks and pops breaking the once-more silent air. “Okay, where do you want to interview me?”
The stallion walked to the stairs and picked up a saddlebag before beckoning to Fluttershy. “Let us go outside,” he said. “I’m fond of the outdoors and it is much too dark in here to write.”
Fluttershy nodded and walked over to the stallion’s side. “So, do you have a name?”
“Indeed I do,” the stallion replied as he descended the stairs. “My name is Indrid Cold, and I work for a reputable news organization in a place not too far from Canterlot.” Once the two reached the bottom, he continued. “I do not believe you’ve heard of me though. I only recently became a journalist, but I was able to take up the task of interviewing you as my associates were busy with other tasks at the time. It’s an honor to be able to meet you by the way.”
Fluttershy blushed. “It’s… an honor to meet you too.” She craned her head to the side. To her surprise, her animal friends were all still asleep. Even Angel Bunny, who was tucked beneath a blanket on her couch, alongside Harry the Bear.
“Come.”
Fluttershy jumped slightly, only to see that Indrid was near the front door. She hastily made her way to his side and stepped outside; the cool, summer breeze brushing against both of them. “So… mind if I ask a question first?”
“Not at all, my dear.” Indrid took a pen and notebook out from his saddlebag.
“How did you get into my house?”
Indrid chuckled and began to walk. “I broke in,” he said. “Now then, first question: what sort of power does kindness bring you?”
“Um…” Fluttershy thought for a moment. “Well, it lets me bring out the best in everypony, and through it, I’ve calmed those who are often sad or angry.”
Indrid wrote something down in his notepad. “Next question: when you aren’t at home, where are you usually?”
“With my friends…” Fluttershy rubbed the back of her head, an uneasy feeling filling her. She cautiously trotted up to Indrid’s side.
Once more, Indrid wrote something down in his notepad. “Third question: are you happy with being an Element of Harmony?”
Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. “Yes.”
Indrid nodded and, for once, didn’t write anything down. “That wasn’t actually a question I had in mind, I was just naturally curious.” He cleared his throat and said, “actual third question: what does death mean to you?”
Fluttershy’s eyes widened. “U-Um…” She took a shaky step back and gulped.
“Don’t worry, Miss Shy,” Indrid began, “I’m not going to harm you.”
Fluttershy let out a half-hearted sigh of relief. “Well... um… a new beginning?” Uncertainty filled her voice, which didn’t go unnoticed by the reporter, who furrowed his brow.
“Is that really it?”
“W-Well… I imagine that it’s… um, something…” Fluttershy sunk back. “I don’t like to think about it…”
Indrid remained dead still for a several seconds before he finally wrote something down onto his notepad, after which he closed it and bowed. “Thank you for your time,” he said as he put his notebook into his saddlebag. “Do stay safe, Miss Shy, and have a good night.”
Fluttershy’s eyes widened in surprise. “Already? I’ve only answered a few questions though,” she said. “What about my friends?”
“I’ve asked you all of the necessary questions, my dear.” Indrid craned his neck to the side, waving a hoof at he did so. “I’m certain that my associates will be very pleased with the data that I have obtained about you.”
“About me?”
Indrid nodded. “As for your friends..” A chuckle left Indrid’s mouth. “I’ve already visited them.” A large shadow enveloped both of them. “Don’t worry though. I’ll be sure to give you my thanks in due time.” A few seconds later, a blindingly luminous beam of light surrounded Indrid and, within a second, he vanished, leaving Fluttershy alone. Without hesitation, she bolted back into her cottage, slamming the door shut and running over to Angel and Harry; her breathing heavy and her heart beating furiously.
The two animals jumped in surprise before looking down at the shaking pegasus.
“Guess that means we can go now.”
“You have the two, right?”
“Out back.”
“Excellent. We appreciate your hospitality, Miss Shy.”