𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌: 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓂 𝒷𝑒𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓂

As time passed, and both unicorns formally introduced themselves, the tension seemed to fade a little, though Crystal seemed to be in complete control and at ease, deep down inside she wanted to simply turn back the hands of time, back to the point the mask had quite literally fallen off of her face, during her matches she had always worn a simple yet elegant mask, the mare did not like the idea of being in the spotlight, of being stopped in the middle of the street for either questions from reporters or those of enthusiastic fans, she cursed herself for having let her guard down just enough for her opponent to cut the ribbon of her mask through, sure in turn she had won her match and was once more the official champion swordsmare, but the price she had to pay was the calm and blissful life she had before this, there were also worse results of this, but she rather kept those thoughts where they belonged, in the back of her mind, in one of the darkest corners. Her thoughts were interrupted, as she heard the reporter clear her throat impatiently, though Crystal could easily pick of the reporters impatience, they showed a well practiced enthusiastic smile as they fired their first question. ''Lady Summer, Canterlot's own Swordsman champion for the 6th time in a row, there are quite some questions our readers have send to us when it was announced that you agreed to an interview' the reporter showed a hint of pride...or perhaps a bit of arrogance too, that they had managed to claim the spot to do the interview. The powder blue mare sipped her tea, as she gave the reporter her full attention, a small smile graced her lips as she put the tea cup down gently ''i am happy to hear so many ponies are curious about me, yet i wish to ask you if you could please call me by my first name, though i am honored to receive the title of champion for the 6th time, i prefer to keep all four hooves on the ground'' she stated as politely as she could, born and raised in status that was given or earned by noble houses, she preferred to keep her heads out of the clouds, after all she was a unicorn not a pegasi. After a understanding gesture from the reporter, the conversation was turned back onto track with the first few questions, Crystal raised her cup again as she listened to the questions, taking in the calming sent of her jasmine tea. ''Many of our readers have send questions varying from personal to questions as to why you have kept your identity a secret for all this time, and if you would have kept your mask had it not been for the incident at the match, the first questions will be more personal, with ponies wanting to know more about the mare behind the mask'' It took her quite some will power to not snort at the title of mare behind the mask, though deep down she hoped the questions would not become too personal, she did not mind answering a few, but she would draw the line at a few things, if that were to happen she would have to cut off the interview, which would no doubt leave some sort of mark on her reputation, and a bad taste in her mouth. ''Now after a light research of our own, we came to the discovery that though you are a unicorn, you were in fact not born in Canterlot, in fact not even in Equestria at all, yet you seemed to have moved here at quite a young age, and were home schooled from that point on, do you wish to tell your fans more about this?'' the reporter looked up from the papers in front of them, a clear glimmer of curiosity in their eyes, though also a hint of something else she could not quite place. Crystal set down her now empty tea cup, giving the reporter a warm and genuine smile before she replied '' I would love to, it is true i was not born within the land of Equestria, though i call it my one and only home, not many are Familiar with the Aurora isles, or its main isle and capital Rayoja, to be honest things there are quite similar as how things run here in Equestria, though when it comes to architecture it seems to have been left in the medieval times, the younger years of our princesses'' she smiled fondly at the memories of the houses and surroundings ''it has its own Flora and Fauna, i would recommend it for a vacation when somepony is in need of full relaxation and wants to leave the busy bustling places such as Canterlot or manehattan'' her smile faded just the slightest, practically unnoticed ''As for moving here, it was a decision of my own, yes it is true i was quite young, about 6 or 7 springs old, though i was in desperate need of a new start in life, do not get me wrong, i love that place dearly, though there are quite some painful memories tied to it...perhaps it is best not to discuss those at this moment'' she offered, as she once more managed a perfect warm and gentle smile. The reported nodded, taking their notes before they looked up at the mare again from their papers '' the place does sound quite...Quaint'' Crystal chose to let the tone and word slide, though deep inside she felt a small flare of annoyance at the way the unicorn chose the words, after a refill for their drinks, the reporter once more shuffled through some of the papers '' From what we gathered from the information available, it says you were not raised by your birth parents, but by close friends of your mothers side, your ties with your fathers side is either cut or has faded to a point it barely exists, though your grandmother is still quite active in your life, is that right?'' There it was, one of the reasons why she had hesitated about the interview, the personal sides of her life that she rather avoided discussing at all, though inside the familiar inferno of emotions started to stir, on the outside the only hint of hesitation made itself known through a slight fading of her smile, but she had promised....she had promised to answer the questions that were asked, if not now, it would certainly come at a later date, best to deal with this in the begin of the road she was on now, instead of bottling it all up for a storm of emotions to grow inside her. '' Again that is correct, i was raised a large part by my late mothers dearest friends, those she considered family herself, along with a great influence of my grandmother, as for my father.....he is no longer active in my life, he is still alive though simply....missing in action, he chose a different path instead of taking his responsibilities...'' Crystal swallowed as she caught her own words, there was a hint of a sharp edge to it, she did not hate the man, no not at all, though many had said or would say it was for the best that she forget about him completely, yet she could not bear the thought of doing so, she had already lost her mother, the least she could do was make sure that at least one of her parents was able to life their life to its destined end, even if she would have to remain in the shadows doing so. ''my grandmother...she is quite the stubborn mare, though were it not for her, i would be a ball of stress right now, under her strict and watchful eyes i sometimes get pushed into a more relaxing activity, whether it is a spa visit or a short vacation, shopping or simply catching up together over tea and dinner'' once more a gentle and sincere smile found its way to the surface, as she thought about the feisty elderly mare.