Cold, white walls all around. Shades of blue trimming borders, and lighter shades worn by the nurses. The tile beneath her hooves clacked with every step she took, the cold slowly seeping in. Right now, she had no time to be cold. There wasn't much that could be done from her position, just as had happened every other time. Doctors and Nurses told her she would be just fine, that she was a strong pony. She believed every word that was told to her, but she couldn't help but fear the worst. This time, it seemed to have a heavier impact on her mental state than that of when her mother had been hospitalized the other dozen times.
Inquiry couldn't help herself, worrying as she did. Serene Bloom was all that she had come to have, especially after Dream Catcher had left. Something as simple as a cough was enough to have Inquiry convinced that her mother should stay home. Within her own mind, she was there to take care of her mother while her father was focused on his career and trying to support their family. What Inquiry and Serene bloom had was one of the most simplistic things a mother and daughter could have – a strong relationship. Even with the simplicity of things it was far more complicated under the surface. They cared for each other, even more than most would have. It wasn't that they were mother and daughter, they were also the best of friends. Telling each other everything, and braving the dark paths ahead together.
She took after her mother, both in physique and personality. Inquiry's coat was that of a light gray, almost white, with freckles just as her mother had. The cutie mark she earned stood bold, duo question marks tattooed on her flank. Her eyes faced out to the world, looking over them with a light, sky blue hue. Teal hair, curls flowing free was that from her father's side, along with her unicorn nature. There wasn't ever a moment when Inquiry wasn't worrying, anyone she ever knew always felt smothered if they even mentioned being slightly sick. One thing that she aimed to do for her friends and family was to make sure that they were happy. The thing is, she'd do nearly anything to make them happy, from sending them notes from 'Secret Admirers', to spending the last of her bits to get them their favorite meal. It meant everything to see that simple transition in somepony from misery, to that of joy. Even though most of her many prominent physical attributes originated from her father, she still felt more of a connection to her mother.
Serene Bloom was the caring and nurturing mother that everypony had ever wished for, and she always seemed to be the calmest of ponies. Even when she was infuriated belong belief, she spoke in a gentle tone behind lavender eyes. It never ceased to surprise anypony, but it was one of those that they would always welcome. The flower shop she owned was one of the many prides of her life, and every morning before work, she would stick a fresh, cream gladiolus into her flowing magenta hair. That flower was just one of those things in her life that made the day that much better, even if it was one of those days that she fell terribly sick. There wasn't anything that the doctors had ever been able to tell her about the sickness that she suffered. It was nothing that they had ever seen before, seeing as how they had never seen anything make a pony so weak and unable to walk. Through each hospitalization, she lived. They never were able to determine whether or not her condition was fatal, or just minor. Either way, she was hospitalized each time just to be safe about it, and for Inquiry – that was never something that she wished to see.
Inquiry paced back and forth just outside Room 250, or better a prison as she saw it. The doctor had entered just minutes before, requesting that she leave the room for a moment while he talked to her. Hoping that she would be able to eavesdrop on what they were saying, she paced as close to the walls as she could, with the idea that something that could settle her mind would seep through them. She was swimming in her own mind, oblivious to everything around her, except for anything that happened to restrict her path. Still lost in her own mind, Inquiry bulldozed straight into the door leading into Room 250. Needless to say she was back in the realm of the living, her mind forced back into reality by the door.
I really need to stop doing that... Inquiry told herself as she regained her bearings and rubbed her nose with a hoof. The doctor gave her a concerned look while she picked herself up, sighing as Inquiry smiled embarrassingly. A lone ray of sunlight pierced the room, warmly lighting Serene Bloom. Her once magenta hair had faded to a ghostly pink, a single tear hanging from her violet eyes. A plain, white bed sheet was strewn over her, light blue pillows contrasting it. An arm hung over the sheet, and her eyes focused on what of the outside she could see through a crack in the curtains.
“M-Mommy?” Inquiry whispered softly, her eyes swelling with tears.
“Inquiry, dear,” Serene Bloom called to her, a smile cracking upon her lips. “I'm so happy to see you!” A small cough escaped from her lungs.
“You should really ask the doctor about that cough,” She told Serene with worry, “You never know how bad it could really get.”
“Inquiry...”
“I mean, it could be a number of things that cough is coming from... Bronchitis, pneumonia, pertussis, the cold, or you could even maybe have asthma!”
“Inquiry, dear... Listen to me...”
“Its just I don't want you sick and you're in the hospital and it's never good when ponies are in the hospital. Ponies... don't come out of hospitals...” Inquiry said as the dams holding her tears back broke. They flowed heavily, as sobs escaped her and she held hooves over her eyes.
“Don't worry, it's all going to be okay,” Serene tried reassuring her.
Inquiry rushed over to her mother who was now sitting up, and threw her arms around her in an unbreakable grasp. “I'm just so scared... I don't want you to go!” She cried, the tears dripping onto Serene's shoulders.
“I'm not going anywhere, am I?” she asked Inquiry, gently redirecting her gaze into the eyes of her daughter, “I'm right here, and I always will be. There is no need to worry about me, I'm strong, remember?” she asked, smiling blissfully.
“I... I know...” Inquiry replied back, sniffling. “I'm just really worried about you is all. What did the doctor tell you anyways?”
“Nothing that is important, sweetie,” she spoke with a smile. “No need to worry.”
Inquiry could sense something about what she was saying, but she just couldn't place a hoof on it. “But if it wasn't important, then why did he have me leave?”
“He just wanted to know how much I weighed,” she said with a laugh.
“But Mom, you weigh –”
“Now, now Inquiry. That is something for you and I to know, isn't it?”
Inquiry finally cracked a smile, climbing up onto the bed with her mother and holding her tighter than ever. “Heh, I guess it is. I love you, Mommy.” Inquiry rested her head on Serene's chest, the steady heartbeat and gentle expanse of her chest as she breathed slowly lulling her to sleep.
“I love you too, my dear.”
But a few hours later, just after the setting of the sun, Serene awoke to a faint clicking and scratching noise. Standing beside her, looking down over her was the doctor taking notes with a pen held in his green aura. He didn't notice her wake, but as he was leaving the room, she spoke.
“Doctor?” She whispered, “Can I ask of you something?”
“Of course,” he replied in a whisper, “And you can call me Heartfelt, if you wish to do so.”
Inquiry stirred in her sleep, moving about slightly and stretching her legs. Serene stayed quiet for just a moment, as to not wake her. “What you told me earlier, do you remember that?” She asked with concern.
“Why, of course I do. Is there someone you would like me to contact about it?” Heartfelt asked her quietly.
“Just the opposite. What I am going to ask of you may seem simple, but I need you to promise me this one thing: Never tell my daughter, Inquiry,” She lifted her free hoof and pointed to the mare laying over her. “She wouldn't be able to handle the truth, so please, promise me this.”
“Ma'am, that I can promise you. Until the day I leave this world, I will keep this secret, and I will make sure no other doctor here tells her as well.”
“Thank you very much, Heartfelt,” she replied. “One more thing, if you would?”
“Sure thing, Miss Bloom,” He said with curiosity.
“Tell her I'll be just fine.”