Attachment

The "therapy". as it's called, is simple. Cozy is led into a room filled with colorful images of nature drawn by fillies and colts and nothing else, and given an extended hug by the chaser -- or Cadance, whatever -- while she mutters soothing words of praise and encouragement.

It's dumb. It's all so dumb.

But Cozy kind of likes it, too.

Three days into the therapy, she's able to figure out why the warmth from Cadance feels so familiar. Cadance is a mother, and gives the same hugs to Fury Fart -- or Flurry Heart, whatever -- whenever she needs some comforting. Cozy didn't have any proper maternal figure growing up, and so her desire for Cadance's warmth is because she sees her as a substitute parent.

That was what Cadance herself told her. That if she receives a mother's love, she can start on the path to reformation. Because child villains are not just molded by the mannerisms and behaviors of the community at large; they are molded by terrible parents first and foremost.

Cozy scoffed at the idea. Called her out on how much of that was pure bullshit and how not every pony was of the "well done, son" or "well done, daughter" type, let alone her. She called it quits early and walked out.

But as she sits in her hospital room, she starts to think that maybe, just maybe, Cadance might be making a point. After all, she's the Princess of Love for a reason. Flurry Heart is growing to be a somewhat adjusted future heir.

But Cozy doesn't want to give up control. Does she even have control, here in this hospital? Control beyond just telling the nurses what she wants for her daily three meals?

She once had it, flying across Equestria in a desperate bid to escape her stone prison, resorting to running when she realized that her body had somehow grown while she was trapped and now she had bigger wings she had to deal with, and then flying again. She's not even sure how Cadance was able to spot her.

Now, she doesn't have any control. She's stuck in a dimly-lit hospital room, with nurses who stand guard outside her door and have to take her everywhere on the hospital grounds because these hoofcuffs weren't just on her for funsies.

It sucks.

But maybe, just maybe, the warmth can help with that.