Attachment
Pre-Release
Previous ChapterNext ChapterThe closer Cozy gets to being released from the hospital, the closer she gets to Cadance.
When she wakes up, she calls out for "Mom". When a nurse comes in Cadance's stead, she whines and cries for "Mom" until she comes. No matter what, she refuses to be pulled away, and refuses to cooperate with the other nurses.
She wants to stay with Mom forever. And she's sure Mom wants to stay with her forever.
"Sweetie? We need to talk," Mom says, sitting on a bench outside a row of houses. "It's about your...erm...living arrangements. For after you're discharged."
"Okay!" Cozy chirps in response, sitting on the bench next to Mom.
"I'm aware you used to live in Ponyville before you got..." Mom hesitates. "...beaten by Twilight and her friends, correct?"
Cozy nods enthusiastically, only the first half of the question having been registered by her brain. She thinks she knows where she's going, and she can't help but wag her tail excitedly like a dog.
"If you'd like...would you like to live with me?" Mom asks. "You'd have Flurry Heart as a wonderful sister, and Shining Armor too. Oh, and of course, me."
"Yes! Yes, I'd love to live with you!" Cozy leaps towards Mom and wraps her front legs around her to give her a big hug. "Thank you so much!"
Cadance laughs. "It's no problem. How about we do this?" She points ahead of her. "There's a store over there that sells clothing. Not Rarity's...though I'm surprised she hasn't opened shop here yet." Her head swivels towards Cozy, and she smiled. "Why don't we go there and pick out some winter wear for you? We don't want you catching hyp-"
"Yes! Let's go!"
Cozy takes off, barely hearing the cry of Mom telling her to come back. She's so excited to go see this new store, to go shopping with Mom, that she can't wait for her to get off of the bench and get going.
It's not until a minute or two in that she stops and looks around and finds that Mom hasn't followed her.
She rushes back to Mom crying and blubbering that she was worried she would never see her again and that she was afraid she was lost.
Mom, for her part, comforts her new daughter, stroking her back and calming her down enough for the two of them to begin making the journey to the store together.
By the time Cozy is released from the hospital the day after, doctors can't figure out the reason for her abnormal change in behavior. All they can chalk it up to is "mental stability", and that's what goes on her medical chart.
Cadance tells them not to worry about it, that everything will be fine with Cozy once she gets used to her new home.
After all, her reformation tactics are going quite well.
Next Chapter