//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: a shards lament 
// Story: Shards of a former Sin 
// by Bandana The Reaper 
//------------------------------//

First Aid moved the serving trolley to the side of the door, parking it.

'Time to wake the patient' she thought as she slowly pushed the door open, revealing the bed in which Void slept in 'that is, if she really did sleep tonight'.

First Aid had checked on the little filly three times during the night and altho she seemed to be asleep First Aid couldn't shake the feeling Void was only pretending.

First Aid put the tray with Void's breakfast on her back, keeping it secured with her wings before slowly trotting in, mentally taking note of the things that needed to be done.

'IV is half-full, needs to be changed in a few hours, write down the current pulse, going to need to change the bedsheets, check the air-tank' First Aid counted off as she carefully put the tray on the bedside table before turning to the bed and its young occupant 'should probably also bath Void now that shes conscious' First Aid put a hoof softly on Void's blanket covered wither.

“Void,” she spoke with a soft tone, ever so carefully nudging the filly to wake her “its time to wake up dear.”

The little unicorn stirred, one ear turning slightly towards First Aid's voice, head and body slowly following.

Void's pale gray eyes locked with First Aid's alum colored ones, the filly blinked, her eyes becoming focused as sleep left them 'why do I get the feeling that she's just pretending?' First Aid thought, keeping her doubt out of her posture she smiled at the little unicorn “good morning Void, did you sleep well?”

Void seemed to think the question over “...I am rested, yes” she said, turning over a bit more to lay more comfortable.

“That's good sweetheart,” First Aid said as she moved a lock of Void's mane out of her face 'shes so thin, no filly should be this thin' she thought, smiling kindly as she started pulling off the breathing mask “there we go,” she placed the mask on the air-tank and shut it of 'need to change it soon' she mentally noted down before looking back at Void “now then, shall we get to breakfast?”

Altho Void's facial expressions were minimal to non-existing (based on the little she'd been awake) most of the time, the mention of food were far easier to read, ears perking and eyes dilating a bit.

“I would like that please” Void said in a polite manner 'well, it seems polite, its so hard to tell with her voice being so... emotionless' First Aid contemplated as she helped Void sit up.

“Well then, lets begin then,” First Aid said with a cheery voice “first of is a glass of water,” she moved the glass to the filly's lips “slow, calm sips sweetheart” First Aid told the young unicorn.

“There we go,” First Aid said as Void finished drinking “now for the main course,” she placed the glass back on the tray and collected the bowl of soup “today its leek and cabbage soup” she proclaimed, almost expecting a complain about getting soup again, it never came.

As First Aid spoon feed Void she paid attention to how the little filly’s eyes looked in the light of day, they were fully focused on the food, but they didn't glow, could she have imagined it, was the darkness closing in last night also something she imagined? 'of course it was' First Aid told herself 'just a trick of the mind.'

“First Aid?” Void said, drawing the pegasus nurse's attention.

“Hm? Oh!” First Aid had been caught up in her thoughts that she'd stopped feeding Void.

'Dammit Aid, focus on your bucking job!' First Aid scolded herself “sorry dear, had my head in the clouds” she told Void with an embarrassed little smile.

Void's eyes slowly went from First Aid's own to above her head before locking with the storm cloud gray mare's eyes again “I... see,” the young unicorn said ('did... did she think I meant it literally?') “may... I have some more please?” Void asked, First Aid was almost positive the little filly’s ears and eyes showed the signs of worry 'shes afraid I won't give her more food...'

“Of course sweetheart,” First Aid said, placing her hoof over one of Void's “you need to build up your strength” with that said she once again started feeding her patient.

“And the last spoon,” First Aid said as she gave Void said spoon of soup before putting it back in the bowl.

At this Void's ears did fall 'oh you poor dear, you really are afraid you won't get more food' First Aid thought as she put the bowl back on the tray and picked up the little orange juice box, quickly putting the straw in before holding it up to Void “don't worry sweetheart, as I said last night we got to keep the servings small for now, but you'll be getting them more often,” she said, placing the box between the filly's hooves “so long as doctor Bandage and I see you can stomach what we give you we'll start making the portions bigger,” First Aid once again moved Void's mane out of her face “now you just drink your orange juice while I put the tray away, ok pumpkin?”

Void held the box softly between her hooves, turning her gaze from it to First Aid before again looking at the box “I... remember, thank you First Aid” she said before she began drinking.

'Crisis averted' First Aid thought as she picked up the tray and walked out of the room.

As she put away the tray on the trolley Cotton Swab trotted up to her “First Aid, is lil' Void awake?” she asked, keeping her voice down, just in case.

“Yes Cotton, she is,” First Aid answered, turning to young mare “she's wide awake and still has a good appetite,” she gave Cotton a small smile “I think she likes your cooking.”

Cotton grinned at the compliment “well ahm glad fer that, don' want tha lil' filly to think were givin' her uncle Bandage's cooking,” she said, rolling her eyes “ah swear, if it was posibl' ta burn and liquify toast he'd probabl' have dun it by now,” both mares shared a low giggle before Cotton continued “oh ah almost fergot why ahm here, sheriff Lone Star an' Braeburn are here.”

“Braeburn too?” First Aid asked.

“Yeah, came first thang this mornin',” Cotton answered “said he wanted ta tell Lone Star everythang that happened tha day he found lil' Void.”

“That's good,” First Aid said, thinking it over 'might learn something more about this 'Gaia' mare that brought Void here' “did you hear anything about how she ended up there?”

“Don' rightly know,” Cotton said “all ah got from it was that there were no tracks, as in none tah find.”

“None?”

“Had himself a good look'a'round, found none, even got help from tha buffalo mare, Lil' Strongheart, found no track that ain't his, his kin or anypony that he knows.”

“What about a pegasus?” First Aid asked “or a unicorn for that matter?”

“No hide nor tail Aid,” Cotton said in an almost eerie tone “as if tha lil' filly just appear and ah don' mean tha magic kind, no'se'ri.”

First Aid simply stared at the younger mare, arching an eyebrow “Cotton, that last part sounded more at home in one of those horror books you sometimes read,” she sighted, dragging a wing over her face 'I don't have enough coffee in me for this' First Aid thought as she looked at the now slightly embarrassed Cotton Swab “no matter, if Lone Star is here that means I got to get Void ready for him,” she nodded towards the trolley “can you take care of the dishes before you send the sheriff in?”

“ah, eh, yes First Aid” Cotton said, taking hold of the trolley and rolling it away.

First Aid sighed before returning into Void's room.

Upon entering she noticed Void had finished her orange juice and was currently studying the box carefully, putting it down in her lap to clumsily turn it before picking it up again 'is she having problems with her hooves?' First Aid thought as she spoke up “Void dear, the sheriff will be here in a moment.”

Void looked up from the box, locking eyes with Aid's “I see, that is good,” she moved her hooves a bit forward, box wobbling a bit “I have finished the orange jui-” the box fell out of her grip, bouncing off the bed and landing on the floor “... I dropped it, apologies” Void said, ears falling a bit.

'That make it more plausible she does' First Aid thought as she moved forward, smiling kindly “no need to apologize sweetheart, it's just an empty box,” First Aid said as she picked up the box with her hoof before putting it on the bed end table, Void's eyes following the box 'or is she following my hoof' she thought 'and if so, why?' First Aid turned to the little filly “how are you feeling dear?”

Void seemed to think it over before looking at First Aid “less hungry, less thirsty, less in pain.”

“You're in pain?” First Aid asked in a worried tone, prepared to rush to the medicine cabinet the moment she had a good diagnose “what kind sweetheart?”

Void once again seemed to think the question over before answering “there is pain in my stomach, most likely do to lack of food previous to eating as well as pain as my stomach does its work with said food,” Void began “my lungs hurt when I take big breaths, my limbs hurt when I move too quickly, my throat hurt if I speak too long without rest, my eyes hurt if I stare out the window while the sun shines on the building next to this one, my-”

“Void!” First Aid said sharply, breaking Void's ramblings.

“...Yes First Aid?” Void said, tilting her head ever so slightly.

First Aid sighed “Void, dear,” she said, putting her hoof over Void's “what I meant was, does it hurt badly, bad enough to prevent you from talking with sheriff Lone Star?”

“...no, the pain is far from being as bad as before I was brought here by Braeburn Apple,” Void answered, lowering her head a bit “the pain I feel now are like small embers covering my body, there... bearable, compared to the eternal inferno of pain from... from when I was in f-father's-” Void was stopped by First Aid's hoof softly being placed over her mouth.

“Shh,” First Aid cooed to Void while cringing on the inside 'that monster, what kind of parent does this to there own child?' “lets not bring him up again, ok sweetheart?” First Aid said as she moved the mouth-covering hoof to stroke the little unicorn's cheek “now then, you're sure you feel well enough to talk to the sheriff?”

“For my sisters sake I will ignore any pain I might feel,” Void stated, her eyes seemed more focused “yes, I am well enough to talk to sheriff Lone Star.”

First Aid couldn't help but feel a little bit proud of the young filly's determination 'take that you bastard, our little Void can't be broken by a prick like you!' she stroked Void's mane while smiling “that's good Void,” she leaned in and placed a small kiss on the little unicorn's forehead (which brought a bit of confusion into Void's eyes) “now you just wait for a second while I tell the sheriff he can come in” with that said First Aid trotted out the door.

Waiting just by the door was doctor Bandage, Braeburn, Cotton (who was standing just a bit closer to the apple farmer than necessary) and sheriff Lone Star.

First Aid closed the door “she's ready doctor,” she said, speaking in a low tone “her readings are good, all things considered,” when doctor Bandage gave her a nod she turned to the sheriff “sheriff Lone Star, Void may be awake and coherent, but she is still very frail, both physically and psychologically so I'll have to ask you not to push her on subjects unless I or doctor Bandage approve,” Lone Star gave her an affirmative grunt and a nod “good, Braeburn.”

“Yes ma'am?” Braeburn said, ready to rush of on command if First Aid had one for him.

“I suppose you're here to check on how Void is doing,” First Aid said, holding up a hoof, stopping Braeburn before he began talking “as I said she is doing well enough to give Lone Star her statement, but I don't know if she will have the strength after this for another visit.”

“Oh, ah see,” Braeburn said, looking a bit down “ah'll just git out of ya w-” he stopped as First Aid once again raised her hoof for silence.

“As I said, I don't know if she'll have the strength after Lone Star, if she does I wish to give her a bath before putting her back in bed,” First Aid said, giving him a small smile “if I think she can stay up I'll have you sent in, I think it would do her good to talk to you.”

This got a big, goofy grin out of the stallion 'he's a bit like an overgrown colt when he does that' First Aid thought with amusement as she turned to the slightly distracted mare next to Braeburn 'and a certain somepony needs to focus while she is at work' “Cotton Swab.”

With a little jerk and the tiniest blush Cotton was at rapt attention “y-yes nurse First Aid?”

'Well, at least she goes from lovey-dovey to professional fast enough' First Aid thought as she addressed the junior nurse “Cotton, please prepare a bath for Void,” she began instructing “when you're done with that please get some new sheets ready so you can change Void's bed if I bath her.”

“Yes nurse First Aid” Cotton said with a nod before trotting off to do her new chores.

“Ah'll go an' wait at tha main room” Braeburn said before trotting off himself.

Doctor Bandage took the moment to clear his throat “well, lets-”

“One more thing Lone Star,” First Aid said, cutting off Bandage (who took getting interrupted by his own staff with stride) “Void has two sisters, she is in this state apparently do to her protecting them from her father and she is worried sick about them.”

“Yeah, when our lil' Void came out of her coma she was surprisingly coherent and calm about the state she was in, behaved more like an adult than a lil' one,” doctor Bandage said “thanked us for helping her, wanted to leave so that if her father came here the town wouldn't get punished for helping her, but First Aid put a stop to that nonsense.”

“When we asked her if she had any other family she went into shock, took us almost an hour before I deemed her stable again,” Bandage continued, pulling his hoof through his mane “scared the horseapples out of us all.”

“When Void did wake up she was screaming their names, I was worried she'd go into shock again,” First Aid said, her wings tightening to her sides in a pegasus self-hug “so please be careful about how you ask thing.”

“Ah understand nurse, doctor,” sheriff Lone Star said with a small nod to each of them “ah'll do mah best to keep tha questions from gitting her riled up.”

“Good, now, shall we?” doctor Bandage said, motioning towards the door.

First Aid entered first, followed by doctor Bandage and sheriff Lone Star.

“Good morning, hows my lil' patient doing?” doctor Bandage said with a cheery tone, smiling at Void “feel like taking on the world I hope.”

“Good morning doctor Happy Bandage, I am... better than I was before,” Void answered “though I highly doubt I would be able to take on the world even at full health, that is the domain of gods.”

First Aid gave of an awkward giggle “it's just an expression dear.”

“...oh” Void's ears fell ever so slightly, her gaze falling on Lone Star “would you perhaps be sheriff Lone Star?” she asked.

“That ah am lil' miss, that ah am” Lone Star answered with a tip of his hat.

“I was told you would might be able to help my sisters,” Void said, her hooves tightening on the covers “will you be able to help them?”

“Ah'll be doing mah best lil' miss, ah promise,” Lone Star said, pulling out a small notebook and pen from his hat while First Aid trotted over to Void's side, giving the young unicorn a kind smile while rubbing her hoof with her own “ah'll need to ask a few questions, if yer up for it.”

“I am” Void said, her whole being focused on Lone Star.

The first questions revolved around Void, her full name (it was simply Void), her age (she didn't know), where she was from (Broken mountain if he meant first place she had memories of, otherwise she didn't know) if she knew how she'd ended up in this state (her father had done this to her) among other smaller details.

Lone Star asked Void about Muffin and Rage, if she knew where they might be (she didn't) if somepony was with them (she was unsure if the other Sins were with them, but Bubbles would be with them without a doubt) he asked who the 'Sins' where (fathers key pawns) and who Bubbles was (her sisters and her dog).

Then Lone Star asked the question that caused Void to falter.

“Alright lil' miss, that will cove' tha basics,” Lone Star said, nodding to himself “Ah'm gunna need a description of ya sisters.”

“Description...” Void said, her voice losing volume near the end.

“Eyup, need them to sent to the guard an' police,” Lone Star continued “now then, since ya don't know yer own age ah'm asumin' ye don' know there age, hm?”

“...My sisters are the same age as myself.” Void answered after a short while, her voice still low.

“Triplets?”

“...Yes.”

“Hmm,” Lone Star looked over his notes “wha' are there colors?”

“...Rage's eyes are blue like mid winter ice and holds anger towards many,” Void began, her hooves tightening once again on the covers “Muffin's eyes are of a pink tone with a red hue around the edge, her gaze is happy, but people flinch the first time they meet her eyes.”

“An' there coats an' manes?”

“...” Void looked down at her lap.

“...lil' miss?” Lone Star said, looking up from his notes “Void?”

“...” Void remained quiet.

“Void?” First Aid asked, moving the little filly's mane behind her ear “is something wrong sweetheart?”

“...I need to use the chamber pot” Void said, her voice a mere whisper.

First Aid took only a second to process this before her eyes widened slightly in understanding “ok dear, I'll just get the bedpan,” she bent down under the bed to retrieve said article, putting it on the bed and started moving the covers when she stopped, looking over at the two stallions in the room with a frown “ahem” she pierced them with a glare.

Doctor Bandage's ears perked up “right, out,” he said quickly as he pushed Lone Star out the door, only looking into the room for a brief moment “just call and I'll have Cotton deal with the bedpan” he said before closing the door.

First Aid turned back to Void with a kind smile “now then, let me just get you on this and-”

“This will not work” Void interrupted, still staring at her lap.

“Don't worry dear,” First Aid continued, stroking Void's mane “I'll look away, I just have to hold you so you don't fall while you-”

“I speak of sheriff Lone Star's questions,” Void said, cutting First Aid off “he asks for things I can not give,” the young unicorn sagged, making her look even frailer than she already was “all this has given me is false hope, the only kind the gods allow me, here I should have been making my way b-back to f-father-”

“Void, Void stop that at once!” First Aid said with a stomp of her hoof, cutting off the filly before holding her close “Void, sweetheart, you have to explain, why do you think Lone Star can't help you?”

“It is because I can not give him what he asked for,” Void said, her cheek resting against First Aid's barrel “apart from their eyes and names I do not know what they look like now.”

First Aid blinked in confusion “y-you don't remember what your sisters look like?” 'just what did he do to make you forget them Void?'

Void shook her head slowly “it is not memory that is at fault, it is that my sisters have without doubt changed their appearance, perhaps several times, depending on how long I was in father's grasp.”

“What do you mean dear?” First Aid asked, quite confused by now.

“...First Aid, what do you see when you look upon me?” Void asked.

First Aid gave her a little smile “a sweet, polite little filly with a heart of gold.”

“...that is what you think First Aid, not what you see,” Void said, looking up at the mare “what do you see when you look upon me?”

First Aid thought Void's words over, then leaned back and looked at the filly in her hooves.

“I see a small, malnourished unicorn filly with pale gray coat, a willow like mane in the same color, eyes that are the same, behind them, behind the expressionless face I see emotions trying to get out.”

Void sighed, lowering her head “apart from the eyes, all you have seen is not what I once looked like.”

First Aid blinked in confusion “um, come again?”

“...You recall that I said I defied father?” Void asked, looking up at First Aid, when the mare nodded she continued “my defiance towards father is an extended one, going over about three years of evading being bound harder than we already were.”

“Void, I-I don't really understand” First Aid said to the little filly in her hooves, stroking her mane.

“Father is the champion of Nagmar, a demon god, fathers power grows as he commits acts of evil upon others,” Void explained, looking down again “or, when those father have bound souls with his magic do such acts... my sisters and I are bound by father for this purpose.”

First Aid paused for a moment, Void's words echoing in her mind 'bound by him, just what is that monster?' she thought as she looked at the filly 'and she said she's been doing this for three years and she can't be more than eight right now' First Aid pulled Void into a soft hug, continuing to stroke her mane 'all I can do right now is be here for her'.

“My sister and I, along with six others were bound as his 'sins', our purpose was to go out and spread fathers corruption across the lands,” Void continued, resting her head against First Aid's barrel “father strengthen the bound on my sisters and I bit by bit do to our... erratic nature, making it harder to do anything but fathers commands... until we found a loophole.”

“A loophole?” First Aid asked, ears perked.

“A spell that allows the welder to reshape flesh and bone, enabling us to change ourself,” Void answered, shifting a bit in the mare's embrace “although the bound is on the soul the body affects the soul enough to weaken it, giving us more freedom to find a more... permanent solution,” she sighed “it was not enough though, from time to time we had to do it again, as the bound would grow stronger over time or when father poured accumulated power into it... father did that more and more as time went on... until father took me from my sisters” Void shivered.

First Aid hugged Void a bit tighter, unable to come up with something to say 'this, this is absurd, none of that can be real... can it?' she thought, giving herself another pegasi self-hug 'and yet...'

Void looked up at First Aid “you do not believe me” it wasn't a question.

“I-I...” First Aid stuttered, trying to come up with a good answer 'come on brain, do your job!'

Void sighed and lowered her head “I do not blame you for not believing m-” she was silenced by one of First Aid's primaries covering her mouth before lowering to her jaw, softly pushing up until the mare and filly could look each other in the eye.

“I... I believe you Void,” First Aid said, stroking Void's cheek with her wing while giving her a small, kind smile “as outlandish as it all sounds, I believe you sweetheart.”

“...Thank you,” Void said with a whisper, leaning into First Aid's wing a bit “but I fear sheriff Lone Star will not believe me and-”

“Void dear,” First Aid interrupted “you don't know that so don't fixate on it, besides,” she continued a kind smile “I promised you I'd help you, and I keep my promises,” First Aid said, nuzzling Void's mane a bit “now then, when Lone Star asks about your sisters you tell him what you told me, ok pumpkin?”

“...Yes First Aid” Void said, lowering her gaze.

“Now now Void, none of that,” First Aid tutted, putting one of her primaries under Void's jaw and pushed up softly again “eyes forward, mind forward, got to be strong for your sisters, now don't we?” she said, moving Void's mane out of the way again “and if you falter I'll be there helping you get back up again.”

“...Can you retrieve sheriff Lone Star please?” Void asked after a while “ I would like to continue.”

“Of course dear, but before that,” First Aid said, nodding towards the bedpan “did you need to go?”

“...oh, no, I did not,” Void said, looking from the bedpan to First Aid “I said that because I did not know what to say before.”

“Alright then,” First Aid put the bedpan back under the bed “I'll go get Lone Star then” she walked towards the door.

“First Aid,” Void quietly called out, the mare in question looked back at the filly “thank you, for strengthening my resolve again, I must not lose myself in despair while my sisters are in danger.”

First Aid's chest filled with pride over her patients words “you're welcome sweetheart”
she said with a small smile before slipping out the door.

“Did everything go well?” doctor Bandage asked when First Aid closed the door behind her “I know 'girl talk' of this kind usually involves a bathroom and a minimum of three fillies or mares, but I figured two girls and a bedpan would do in a pinch” he finished with a smile.

When First Aid raised an eyebrow he continued “serious though, what got her to clam up?”

First Aid sighed “well based what she told me its in fear of not being believed,” she said, shaking her head “and considering what Void told me its understandable.”

“Oh?” doctor Bandage said, scratching his jaw “and what did our lil' patient have to say?”

“She said that she doesn't know what her sisters look like anymore do to some kind of spell that can alter their appearance,” First Aid said with a frown “apparently there 'father' is such a evil stallion that he's the 'champion' of some demon god, Nagmar, and the bastard forced Void, her sister and six others to do bad things against their will with some kind of soul-binding spell to gain even more power,” the pegasus mare practically growled out” a-and the damned bucker keeped making the foals bindings stronger because they were resisting a-a-and t-they-”

“Nurse First Aid!” doctor Bandage barked “calm down!”

First Aid snapped to attention at the command before realising she'd been shouting at the end “I-I,” she stuttered for a moment before taking a calming breath “I'm sorry doctor.”

Doctor Bandage sighed “its ok First Aid, I'm pretty ticked off myself about this 'father', but we need facts, not ponies foaming at the mouth,” he held up a hoof “you're not foaming, so don't worry,” Bandage said as First Aid brought a hoof up to her mouth “now please, continue.”

“Um, yes,” First Aid cleared her throat “well Void an-” she began, only to be interrupted by Braeburn and Cotton.

“We heard shouting” Braeburn said, quickly moving up the corridor.

Cotton zipped past the apple farmer “Is everypony alrigh'?” she asked, ready to dash of at a moments notice to get whatever might be needed.

“Everything is fine,” doctor Bandage said, patting Cotton on her wither “I'll fill both of you in later,” he smiled “why don't you make Braeburn a cup of tea while he waits... and one to yourself” he gave his niece a quick wink.

Cotton blinked in confusion before getting what her uncle was getting at “yes doctor, righ' away,” she turned to Braeburn with a smile “come along mistar Braeburn” she grabbed his foreleg, pulling him along.

Doctor Bandage turned back to First Aid “you where saying?”

First Aid cleared her throat again “well, if I understood it right Void and her sisters found some form of body-altering spell and used it on themselves.”

“Body-altering?” doctor Bandage asked.

“Yes, well, Void seem to claim that altering the body affects the soul slightly, enough for weaken the 'binding', but not enough to break it, forcing them to over time repeat the process,” First Aid said, lowering her head “they've been doing this for three years.”

Doctor Bandage jaw dropped a bit “t-three years?!”

“Up until Void was taken away from her sisters, after that she's got no idea how long its been, but she is certain they've used the spell again,” First Aid continued, looking back at the door “apart from the eyes the filly in that room has changed everything about her, just to be able to keep her sisters safe.”

“Thats, well, quite frankly unbelievable,” doctor Bandage ran a hoof through his mane “but you were the one she spoke to so, your verdict?”

First Aid was still looking at the door “it sounds unbelievable, it should be unbelievable,” she turned back to the doctor “and yet I believe her, the way Void spoke of it all, even if half of it would be made up we're talking about the worse case of abuse on both a physical and mental level I've ever heard of,” First Aid swallowed, her throat feeling dry “Happy, this kind of ongoing trauma would have driven anypony insane by now.”

Doctor Bandage gave off a irritated grunt before turning to Lone Star “would this be enough to get lil' Void and her sisters into protective custody?”

“Ah say it would doc',” the sheriff -who'd been writing down everything that had been said- replied “ah still need tah hear it from tha lil' one tho', protocol an' such.”

“Well then, lets get this done with,” doctor Bandage said, motioning towards the door “I'd like to put out lil' patients mind to rest about all this.”

First Aid entered first, a calm, kind smile on her face to cover her previous outburst, she was quickly followed by Bandage and Lone Star.

“Here we are sweetheart,” First Aid said as she walked up to Void “sorry it took a little while.”

“That is alright First Aid,” Void said as she followed the mare as she moved “I presume you have calmed down now?”

“Calmed down?” First Aid said, tilting her head while still smiling.

“You were shouting before,” Void stated, her gray eyes looked with First Aid's alum “about father strengthening the soul-binding on my sisters and I.”

First Aid's smile lessened a bit, becoming more sympathetic than calm “yes Void, I've calmed down,” she said, moving Void's mane out of her face “now then, ready to continue?”

“I am, yes,” Void said, turning to look at the law pony “you had more questions sheriff Lone Star?”

“That ah did lil' miss,” Lone Star said as he looked through his notes “ya where abou' tha describe yer sisters manes an' coats.”

“...” Void turned to look at First Aid, sitting next to her, the mare gave her another kind smile and a nod while stroking the filly's mane with a wing.

Void turned back to Lone Star “I can not” she answered.

Lone Star nodded, scribbling it down “please explain tha reason fer this.”

Void told Lone Star what she'd told First Aid, elaborating when asked, Void would from time to time turn to First Aid, who would encourage her to continue.

“Well lil' miss, that covers almost all of it,” Lone Star said as he noted down the last part of Void's confession “jus' one bit left tah do.”

“What is required?” Void asked, awaiting Lone Star's question.

“Ah'll need a description of yer... 'father'” Lone Star said slowly, his eyes stoic, yet sympathetic.

First Aid felt Void stiffen under her wing, she covered the little unicorns back with it and squeezed comfortably.

“I...” Void began, her voice wavering a bit.

“Take yer time lil' miss,” Lone Star said, giving Void a small smile “ah ain't gunna rush ya.”

Void sagged in the bed, looking like she wanted to be swallowed by First Aid's wing.

“Eyes forward, mind forward sweetheart” a whisper touched her ear, she looked to her side, seeing First Aid give her a small nod and a small smile, her wing once again giving the little filly a comforting squeeze.

Void took a deep breath before looking back at Lone Star “...I am... unable to tell you what father looks like,” she began, her hooves kneading the covers in a slow manner “father is... incomparable, his body destroyed in battle with a man known as Valtir, father's soul remains do to father's role as Nagmar's champion.”

“What father looks like is unknown to me, but his presence I know far too well,” Void continued, seeming to sink deeper into First Aid's wing “it is... like tendrils of oily smoke choking your will, icy talons that claw at your soul as father's gaze falls upon you, the pit of despair you find yourself in while in father's presence, knowing that you are, at best, a pawn that father can use and throw aside...”

The heart-monitor slowly began beeping faster as Void went on.

“Father's presence is that of which malicious intentions become reality and the pure fall to vices,” Void lowered her head, her hooves pulled close to her body, along with the cover “father is... evil.”

For a while the only sound in the room was the heart-monitor beginning to slow down again and Lone Star scribbling down Void's statement.

“alrigh', that's almost all ah need,” Lone Star said with a small nod “ah just need one more thang then ah'll be able tah git this done.”

“What more is required?” Void asked, lifting her head slightly.

“Ah'm gunna need tha know yer... 'fathers' name,” Lone Star said, watching the filly's reaction “would he be using his real name?”

“...Father would use it, yes,” Void said, her mane once again covering most of her face “father wants all to know it, to speak it, to cower under it.”

“Can ya... tell me, lil' miss?” Lone Star asked.

“It is...” Void began, taking a shallow breath “it is E...” she stopped, swallowed before trying again “father's name is Ed...a...” Void brought her hooves up to her head, cradling it.

“Void, sweetheart, are you?-” First Aid began to ask, only for Void to put a hoof in front of the mares face, as if demanding silence.

“For my sisters sake...” Void spoke, her voice a whisper.

Void began again “father's name is Eda...” she gave of a small grunt “Eda...r...” she whimpered quietly, heart-monitor began beeping faster again, a vein in one of her eyes had busted, reddening the white “father's name is Edar...Edar...” a thin line of blood ran from one of her nostrils “Edar...E-Edar...”

“Void, Void stop!” First Aid shouted, moving so she was facing the little unicorn “Void your ble-”

“EDAROS!” Void part screamed, part cried before taking rapid breaths, not quite hyperventilating.

First Aid grabbed the breathing-cup and held it over Void's mouth to get more air, only for the little filly to push it away.

“C-chamber pot” Void croaked out before quickly pushing herself to the side of the bed opposite First Aid and threw up, splattering the floor with soup and stomach fluid.

“Void!” First Aid called out as she climbed up into the bed and moved the filly's mane out of the way with one hoof while the other one rubbed her back “its ok sweetheart, its ok.”

“Horseapples” doctor Bandage muttered as he bumped the door open “COTTON, GIT A MOP!” he shouted before walking over to his patient, a penlight in mouth and gave First Aid a little nod.

First Aid returned the nod before lowering her head to Void's (who was just breathing slowly) “Void, dear, I need you to look at doctor Bandage, can you do that for me?” she asked, when Void gave a little nod she patted the filly softly on her wither “good, now doctor Bandage is going to shine a little light in your eyes, not a strong one, its to check if your eyes react properly, ok sweetheart?” 'and see if you're suffering from some kind of stroke' First Aid added in her mind.

When doctor Bandage stood before Void -skillfully avoiding stepping in vomit and ignoring the smell- the filly slowly lifted her head for the doctor to examine.

“Well everything seems to be doing what its suppose to,” doctor Bandage stated after putting the penlight away “now for the mandatory stupid question, are you ok Void?”

“...I am... surprisingly well,” Void said with a hoarse voice “the backlash for speaking father's name was... far lighter than I thought it would be.”

“Backlash?” First Aid asked as she helped Void to lay back, using her wing to part support the filly, part cradle her.

“Father's name is cursed by the gods so that they who have let their souls be blackened by evil...” Void faltered for a while, lowering her head “or have had their souls infused with father's evil... will suffer for speaking it...”

A cold shiver went up the adults collective spine.

“Is everythang ok in 'ere?” Cotton asked as she entered with the mop and a bucket of water, then she saw the mess “oh” she moved forward.

“I am... sorry-”

“Oh hush sugarcube,” Cotton cut Void off with a smile “it ain't yer fault, ya was just not feelin' well” she said before starting to clean up the mess.

Void turned back to Lone Star “am I required to speak father's name again?”

“T-that won' be nesasary lil' miss,” Lone Star quickly spoke, not wanting the filly to have another... backlash “does it effect ya if anypony else is sayin' it?”

“...no, it will only affect the speaker and only if said persons soul is dark enough” Void answered, Cotton wondered what they were referring to, but didn't interrupt 'ah'll ask uncle later.'

Sheriff Lone Star looked at the name he'd written down, thinking over what he was about to do 'welp, only one way tah find out' he looked at the little unicorn again “how's it pronused, Edaros?”

Void didn't look worse than before and he felt like when she said it, a icetap along the spine and a low-boiling anger against the stallion that had done this to the bedridden filly.

“Yes, just less pronunciation on the 'o'” Void said, seeming to study Lone Star 'she's watchin' how ahm reactin' to tha name, ain't she?' the law pony thought as he wrote down the notice.

“That should do it,” Lone Star said, putting away the notepad “thank ya lil' miss, ah know this can't have been easy for ya.”

“...will it be enough?” Void asked, once again looking small and frail.

Lone Star gave her a small smile “don't you worry none lil' miss Void, it is,” he turned to doctor Bandage “ahm a gunna need copies of the victims medical reports from tha day she was brought in.”

“I have them in my office,” Bandage said, turning to giving First Aid a little nod before leaving with Lone Star.

First Aid ran her wing over Void's back, drawing her attention “Void dear, do you feel well enough for a bath?” she asked, moving her own mane behind her ear “Cotton prepared one just in case you were.”

Void gave her a small nod “I... believe I am.”

That's good, now then,” First Aid carefully removed the IV needle from Void's foreleg and the little pads -turning off the heart-monitor with a flick of her wing- on her chest before she drew the little filly closer to her with her wing “just climb up on my back and we'll get going, ok sweetheart?”

Void slowly made her way up on First Aid's back, the pegasus aiding the filly with her wing 'shes so light' she thought, rising both wings to keep Void from slipping off and began making her way to the bathroom.

“Enjoy yer bath!” Cotton called after them in a cheery tone.

When First Aid entered the bathroom she found that Cotton had prepared quite well, the porcelain tub -Happy had bought it to replace the wooden one- was filled with about a hoof worth of water, five more buckets of water -three steaming warm and two lukewarm- two empty ones to mix for the desired temperature, coat scrub brush, mane brush, shampoo, soap, towels and... a rubber duck, currently floating along the edge of the tub.

“Alright Void, let get y-” First Aid began as she turned her head to look at the filly, only to catch her staring at the opposite wall.

When First Aid looked the other way she saw them both in the mirror mounted on the wall 'so that's what she's looking at' First Aid thought as Void lifted a hoof to slowly touch her face, horn and one of her ears.

“So this is what I look like now,” Void said, lowering her hoof “I truly look brittle.”

“Only on the outside,” First Aid added, giving her a kind smile “you're a strong, brave filly on the inside just waiting to get out,” she moved the wing behind the reflection and stoked Void's back “and she will with good food and plenty of rest.”

Void didn't comment on that and instead turned to look at the tub.

First Aid moved next to the tub “now then, you just slide off into the tub now, ok sweetheart?”

“Yes First Aid” Void said, beginning to slide off First Aid's side, the pegasus using her wing to slow the descent into the tub, back hooves connecting with the bottom, shortly followed forehoove-

*Squeek*

Void quickly drew one of her hooves up while just as quickly looked down, she'd stepped on the rubber duck.

“Whoops,” First Aid chuckled softly as Void tilted her head upwards “Mr. Ducky should watch where he swims.”

Void looked down at the yellow duck next to her, she gave it a soft poke with her hoof causing it to bop around a bit “it does not appear to be alive” Void stated, turning her head back to First Aid.

“No dear, its just a bath toy,” First Aid said as she poked the duck too, making it bop towards Void again “I guess Cotton wanted to make sure you got everything to make bath time as enjoyable as possible.”

Void looked down at the duck again and gave it another poke, it spun in place “...I fear I do not see the appeal in this.”

“I... um,” First Aid rubbed her cheek with a hoof “I guess it more for younger ponies, I can take it out-” she began, only for Void to nudge the duck closer to herself.

“Cotton Swab deemed it would make my bath enjoyable,” Void stated, the duck attaching itself -like light things in water tend to do- to her leg “I do not wish to insult her effort by removing something from it.”

First Aid stared for a moment before simply smiling “alright Void, if that is what you want,” she turned to the buckets and began mixing warm and lukewarm together before bringing the mix over to the tub “now dear, I'm going to start pouring some water over you so you might want to close your eyes for a bit,” First Aid lifted the bucket with her hooves, preparing to pour “just tell me if its too warm or cold.”

First Aid slowly began pouring water over Void's head and working her way back “Is the temperature ok Void?” she asked after half the bucket was emptied.

“It is good, thank you” Void said as she once again poked the duck.

“Alright then, one more time dear” First Aid waited for Void to close her eyes again before pouring the other half of the bucket over her, head to tail.

“Now then, time for the shampoo” First Aid stated, putting down the bucket and picking up the shampoo bottle.

“Shampoo?” Void asked, looking up at First Aid.

“Its like soap, just better for your mane,” First Aid answered, opening the bottle cap 'peach and jasmine,' she thought and smiled a bit 'that's very nice of you Cotton, giving Void your shampoo instead of the cheap one I use' “head forward and eyes closed please.”

Once Void did so First Aid began working the shampoo into the filly's mane, taking care not to work it too hard since Void seemed like she'd fall or break at the slightest pressure 'she might, considering how frail she looks' First Aid thought before mixing another bucket of water.

“Head up... and rinse” First Aid said, waiting for Void to tilt her head up before she poured some water over the filly's head again, getting most of the shampoo out “you can look again.”

Void did so, looking up at First Aid again “is... that it?” Void asked.

“I need to do your coat and tail first,” First Aid answered, a bit of concern entering her features “are you finding this... uncomfortable?”

Void shook her head slowly “no, I am simply curious” she said, lifting a hoof out of the almost (to Void at least) elbow deep water to poke the bottom of her hoof against the rubber duck, it bopped a bit away.

First Aid smiled a bit “alright then,” she said as she slipped on the scrub brush on her hoof and picked up the soap, lathering it up before turning back to Void, who was once again poking at the duck with the bottom of her hoof (this time the other one) “I'm going to do your back and sides now, tell me if you find it uncomfortable at any time.”

“Yes First Aid” Void said, pushing the duck close to her again before trying to lift it up with one hoof, only for it to slide off.

'So she does have problems holding things,' First Aid thought as she began to softly scrub Void's coat 'could it be do to her current condition? I'll have to bring it up with Happy later.'

First Aid worked Void's back, withers and sides before moving to sit in front of the little unicorn “Hoof please” she said, holding one of her own out to Void.

Void looked at the appendage in front of her before slowly placing her own thin one on the older pony's.

“Thank you sweetheart,” First Aid said with a smile and scrubbed down Void leg and hoof before letting go of it “other hoof please” she asked, receiving the other one, repeating the process.

When First Aid was done she put it down again “please turn around and stand, I'll do your hind legs and tail next.”

Void slowly spun in place until she had her back to First Aid before standing up, the pegasus mare noticed that Void seemed strained to stand 'of course she is, she couldn't even push past our wing' First Aid berated herself.

“First Aid?” Void said, legs wobbling do to the strain.

'This won't work, she'll fall over if she tries to stand on three legs' First Aid thought, thinking over how to solve this “sit down again sweetheart, I'll be back in a second,” she said, quickly leaving the room and returning with a hoof-stool “here, sit on this Void” First Aid placed the hoof-stool in the tub for the filly to sit on, raising her hindquarters just above the water.

“Alright then, now just place your fore hooves up on it as well and stretch one hind leg forward,” First Aid waited until Void did so, then scrubbed it down “other one please,” she repeated the process with the other leg “alright, now lift your tail a bit please.”

At this Void turned her head to look at her tail, after a few moment it began to raise.

“That will do dear” First Aid said as she worked the shampoo into Void's tail.

“There, now please step down again and I'll rinse out your tail and coat,” First Aid told Void, removing the hoof-stool once the filly had stepped off and mixed a final bucket of water “now stand up for a second sweetheart” once Void did so she poured the bucket over the little unicorn's coat and tail, getting the last soap and shampoo out.

“All done!” First Aid said with a smile, putting the bucket down “now then Void, do you wish to bathe for a little bit longer or do you feel like going back to your room?”

Void looked down at the water, by now it was up to where her neck and barrel met, the rubber duck bopping past her “I believe this is enough bathing for now,” she looked up at First Aid “that is, if I am allowed to bathe again.”

“Of course you're allowed to bathe again Void,” First Aid said as she pulled out the plug (another reason for the porcelain tub, a bit of piping and emptying it was a breeze, now all that was missing was a water tank and a boiler to make bath time less of a chore) “I'd say at least one bath per week does the body good.”

While the tub drained First Aid spread out one of the towels on the floor along with the mane and coat brush before turning back to the now almost completely empty tub “now Void, I want you to wrap your arms around my neck and I'll lift you out, ok dear?”

Void needed two attempts to reach up before she could wrap her arms around First Aid, in which the pegasus put a leg around the little unicorns flanks and lifted her out and down on the towel.

“There we go sweetheart, now you can let go,” First Aid said, waiting until Void let go before picking up another towel began drying off the filly's mane and coat.

“...Father is not my real father” Void suddenly started, making First Aid freeze mid-rub.

“H-he's not?” First Aid asked, lowering the towel “then why do you keep referring to him as such?”

Void lowered her head, her slightly wet mane covering her face “it is because father imprinted a command upon the sins so that they would refer to father as such instead of simply him,” she ran her hoof in a small circle on the towel “that is, father is the lesser variant I can use.”

First Aid stared in shock 'is this Edaros so obsessed with control that he won't even let them call him anything else?' she thought, wondering once again how this little filly was still sane 'wait, didn't she just-' “Void, didn't you just use 'him' instead of father?”

“When I used 'him' I thought of 'male', not father,” Void answered, looking back at the tub “the imprint is... complicated, it leaves little room for disobedients.”

First Aid thought things over before placing a hoof on the unicorns back “Void, can you... can you tell me the other one, the one he imprinted?”

“...” Void kept staring at the tub.

“Void?” First Aid leaned closer.

“...master,” Void whispered, turning her head to look at First Aid with eyes more dead than alive “for I am a slave.”

First Aid's ears fell and her eyes began to water “oh sweetheart!” she scooped up the frail little filly in her arms and held her tight, wrapping her wings around them as well “I promise- I swear to Faust that I'll never let him hurt you ever again,” she rocked back and forth, nuzzling Void's mane “we'll find your sisters, that monster will be brought to justice and you three will be safe.”

“...have you calmed down now First Aid?” Void asked after a few minutes of being rocked back and forth.

“I, eh, I'm-” First Aid didn't really know what to say 'what is this, your first day? Get a hold of yourself Aid, your patient is more together than you!' her mind shouted at herself “yes, I'm ok now,” First Aid loosened her grip a bit, allowing Void to look up at her better “are you ok sweetheart?”

“I came to terms with the fate the gods gave me a long time ago,” Void said as her gaze fell upon the mirror again “I simply... go on.”

Once again First Aid didn't know what to say about this 'I... lets change the subject, its the best I can do now' she thought as she began loosening her grip more and more “lets get you dry and groomed, ok dear?”

“Yes First Aid” Void answered as she sat down on the towel again, letting First Aid dry her off before picking up the mane brush.

“Any particular way you want your mane done sweetheart?” First Aid asked as she began running the brush through Void's mane.

“... However you see fit this form” Void answered, her eyes closed.

“Alright then” First Aid keeped running the brush through the gray filly's mane, starting to form it a little.

“Stand please” First Aid said, waiting until Void stood on her shaky legs before doing her tail. “There, you can sit again dear” the moment First Aid said so Void's hind legs buckled, her little rump hitting the towel-covered floor with a quiet, muffled thud.

“Void!” First Aid stepped around the gray unicorn, placing a hoof on her cheek “are you ok sweetheart?” she asked a bit worried.

“I am,” Void said, her eyes still closed “standing on all four is... taxing.”

Hearing her say that First Aid's posture relaxed a bit “alright then,” she exchanged the mane brush for the coat brush, moving so that she sat in front of Void “I'm going to do your coat now so you don't have to stand.”

“Yes First Aid” Void said, still keeping her eyes closed.

First Aid began brushing, smoothing Void's coat, all the while the little filly keeped her eyes shut “any particular reason you you've been keeping your eyes closed dear?” First Aid asked after a while, brushing Void's barrel.

“...I suppose I wish to see the difference once I open them again” Void answered.

“Well in that case,” First Aid moved to sit next to Void, lowering her head to the filly's ear “you can open them now” she said in a hushed tone.

Void did so, seeing First Aid and herself in the mirror. Although Void still looked frail she did look better, most of her mane had been brushed back, two bangs split by her horn, there inner edges slightly obscuring the outer edges of her eyes, framing her face.

“So, what do you think?” First Aid asked, running a hoof over Void's back “I'm not a mane-dresser so I don't really know that much about styling, but I hope its good enough.”

Void remained silent, she lifted a hoof to the top of one bang and ran it down along its length before lowering it down on the floor again “...it looks very nice,” she turned to look up at First Aid “thank you.”

First Aid smiled “you're welcome dear,” she said, giving Void a little nuzzle on the head “now then, are you ready to go back to bed?” First Aid asked as she laid down next to the little unicorn “if you're up for it you can talk with Braeburn for a while.”

“I would very much like that” Void answered, taking another look at her reflection.

“Good, just climb up on my back again and we'll go back to your room” First Aid said with another smile.

First Aid waited while Void slowly made her way up on her back, moving her wings to keep her little patient steady “you ready?” she asked, looking back at Void, when she got a nod from her First Aid carefully got up and started making her way back to Void's room.

As they entered the room they saw Cotton Swab putting the finishing touches on the bed.

“Hey yer back, enjoy ya bath sugarcube?” Cotton asked, moving out of the way so First Aid could let Void of on the bed.

“It was... calming,” Void said as First Aid moved her into a comfortable position “thank you.”

“Yer welcome lil' one,” Cotton said with a big smile as First Aid put the monitor-pads on Void as well as prepare her for the IV needle.

“...First Aid,” Void said, making the pegasus halt in her work “what is that?” she asked, looking to the IV.

“Hm? Oh this is an IV drip,” First Aid said motioning to the liquid bag “ IV stands for Intravenous therapy, it is used to let liquid substances, such as blood, medicine, extra vitamins and the like directly into a vein,” she gave Void a smile “the word ‘intravenous’ means ‘within vein’."

“...I see” Void said, looking back down at the needle First Aid was about to use.

“Hey Void, ah got sumethin' for ya,” Cotton said from the other side of the bed, drawing Void's attention, she revealed a juice box.

Void was so focused on the box in Cotton's hoof she didn't even notice needle going into her vein.

“Doc' said since yer little accident before ya was gunna need a re-do, so here's ya go,” Cotton placed the juice box in Void's hooves “and ah'll be bringing ya another serving of soup, it will be smaller tho since we got tha' see if yer tummy agrees with it, if it does yer getting another serving” Cotton finished with a big smile.

Void looked from the box to Cotton, First Aid (who gave her another of her kind smiles) back to the box before lowering her head, her long bangs covering her eyes “...thank you” Void said, her voice a mere whisper.

First Aid ran her wing over Void's back comforting before turning to the other mare “Cotton, could you go tell Braeburn he can come in?”

“Sure” Cotton said, her gaze getting a little dreamy as she walked to the door.

“Oh and Cotton,” First Aid said, drawing the earth pony's attention “when you've done that and given Void her food go clean up the bathroom.”

The dreamy look Cotton had disappeared almost instantly “yes nurse First Aid” she said, leaving the room.

“...Do you dislike Cotton Swab?” Void asked, looking up at First Aid “whenever she seems happy to have something to do with Braeburn Apple you tell her to do something else.”

“Hm? Oh no no sweetheart, I don't dislike Cotton,” First Aid said, shaking her hoof in denial “I like her, she's a very good nurse and a wonderful young mare, but she's letting herself get distracted and I can't allow it while she's at work,” she gave Void a mischievous smile “besides, she's an intern so giving her little jobs like this is good training.”

“...oh” Void lowered her gaze back to the juice box and began sipping in the straw.

First Aid stroked Void's mane with a wing “I need to talk with doctor Bandage for a little while, but I'll be back soon, ok sweetheart?”

Void stopped drinking long enough to give the pegasus mare a 'yes First Aid' before going back to sipping orange juice.

As First Aid left the room she saw Braeburn come trotting up the hallway.

“Howdy First Aid, heard from Cotton ah could come in,” Braeburn said as he came to a stop in front of First Aid “how is she?” he ask in a hushed, slightly worried tone.

“She's okay, all things considered,” First Aid said, giving the stallion a calming smile “you can go in, but keep in mind not to bring up things about what happen to her, Void doesn't need any more reminders about that right now.”

“Yes ma'am” Braeburn gave her a tip of his hat before entering, First Aid saw Void's ears perk up seeing the apple farmer before closing the door.

The moment the door was closed First Aid's composure fell, her wings dropped slightly, ears folded back, tail pulled closer, head hung lower and her eyes got a more haunted look in them.

“Oh Faust,” First Aid whispered with a haggard voice as she brought a hoof up to her mouth “Oh sweet merciful Faust.”

'You need to talk with Happy,' First Aid thought to herself 'you don't get the luxury to have a complete breakdown, not now at least.'

She took a deep breath and pulled herself together as best she could before making her way to doctor Bandage's office.

“-nd these are the readings from last night,” First Aid heard doctor Bandage say as she entered the office “as you see theres- is there something the matter First Aid?” Bandage asked when his head nurse entered.

First Aid sighed as she closed the door behind her “Void told me something about Edaros” she said, making her way to Bandage's desk.

“Hm? what might that be?” Bandage asked while Lone Star pulled out his notepad again.

“He's not there father,” First Aid said as she sat down in a vacant seat “its some form of imprinted command that monster put on them and apparently 'father' is the mildest variant Void can use” her head lowered along with her withers.

Bandage gave Lone Star a sidelong glance, seeing the sheriff take notes before asking the question he had come to dread about this Edaros “um, Aid, what was the severe one?”

“She, she said it was master,” First Aid looked up, revealing her slightly haunted eyes “she said she was a slave.”

Bandage and Lone Star stared in silence, both stallions once again shocked at what had been revealed about Void, after a while Bandage turned to Lone Star “sheriff?”

“If ah didn' have enough ta put him away fer life before ah sure do now,” Lone Star said as she put the notepad back in his hat “ah need ta git back ta the office an' put together a report ta send with tha next train to Canterlot,” 'an' then ah'm going straight home ta hug mah daughter' Lone Star thought to himself “doc, nurse” he tilted his hat to the two medical ponies before leaving.

Once the sheriff had left Bandage turned to First Aid, who had been staring down in her lap since telling them about Void's 'father' “Aid, you okay?” he asked as he placed a hoof on her wither.

“...”

“Aid?” Bandage said again.

“...she asked me if I had calmed down,” First Aid looked up at Bandage, her eyes brimming with tears “Void told me th-that bastard was her master a-and that she was a slave and I-I held her close, telling her she was safe now a-and that we'd find her sisters a-and t-that he w-would never hurt them again,” her tears were falling freely now, her voice haggard “and after a while she asked me if I had c-calmed down Happy, when Void said s-she was a slave her eyes were dead a-and she asked if I had calmed down!”

Bandage slowly pulled First Aid into an embrace “its okay Aid, let it all out” he said, stroking her back as she cried into his neck 'this isn't easy for you Aid now is it, not with lil' Void reminding you?' Bandage mentally sighed 'you've been so strong for her Aid, all I can do now is be the one you cry on.'


~ ~ ~


Braeburn has left now, he needed to get back to the orchard, the fact that he stayed so long to just talk about trivial things either means he wants me to feel better by social support, he does not have that much to do at the orchard, what he does is not important, he is lazy or some combination of the ones, though I doubt Braeburn is lazy and he seems sincere in his concern towards me, though yet again I might be missinterping hi-

I am rambling... and self-narrating, neither is good, the rambling I can most easily deal with... I will deal with the other at a later time.

While Braeburn and I talked Cotton Swab returned with another serving of soup, it was wonderful, but sadly smaller.

I have learned many things by listening to Braeburn, what he talked about might not be important per see, but his expressions while he did are, I now have five individuals speech, body and facial expressions to work out an understanding of.

First Aid came back perhaps an hour after Braeburn had entered and told him I needed to rest some more...

Rest... I fear it, I fear that if I do I will once again return to the emptiness... and the tortures will begin again.

But I know I'll fall asleep eventually, this body is weak and I did not sleep during the night as First Aid told me to do...

First Aid... she had been crying, although she did not show it I can tell... I know the little signs from back when I used to cry... back when I could still cry.

First Aid... I lied to you, I lied to them to not be shunned, no one would help a monster...

The flesh-alter spell is far too slow to affect the soul-binding, it would never have worked...

The fact that that explanation was accepted as truth is... bittersweet, it paints my sisters and I as desperate, drawing their sympathy and gives us one more spider thread to hang on by over the abyss... but I also lied to the first people to show me kindness since... since Pride carried me when I was too injured to walk on my own.

I do not want to lie to them, but I must, after all...

Who would help a being that rips out the souls of others in order to take over their body?