Spectral Eclipse

by Relux_the_Relux

Enquiries

Four nights remain until the Nox Eterna Festival.

    This time he was ready. And by that, he didn't only mean he had taken his cloak out before sleeping to avoid any further accidents. But instead that he already had Cockcrow find out where Floating Rate was staying, sent a courier to the town hall to inquire on the landlord of the building from yesternight's incident (as he definitely didn't want to go there himself in order to avoid Mayor Mare) and already planned to interrogate Nurse Redheart tonight to possibly gain access to Ponyville's mortuary this way.

    Even the breakfast had been better prepared this night: Instead of any extraneously superfluous variety, only pancakes and omelets have been served along with the black tea. As solely the pancakes' crumbs remained, Dusk sniffed the aroma of the tea before asking his companion, "So, have you ascertained where Floating Rate and his family are staying?"

    Surprised for a second by the sudden question during a previously silent breakfast, Cockcrow quickly wiped the omelet bits from his mouth before promptly answering, "Yes sir. They are staying at the farm of his wife's family, the Sweet Apple Acres." Cockcrow continued to look attentively at Dusk expecting further questions.

    Upon hearing the family's name, Dusk took a sip and thought, 'Apple? Wasn't that the family of one of the ministers?' After swallowing, he addressed Cockcrow once again, "Good, we're going there immediately after breakfast."

    "Of course, sir," Cockcrow quickly answered before hurriedly gobbling the remainder of his omelet. Dusk quietly sipped his tea as he waited. The courier he had dispatched certainly wouldn't have the identity of the landlord soon. It would take them definitely some time to go through the land register, especially considering the condition the town hall currently is in. Enough time to interrogate the ponies at Sweet Apple Acres and have lunch. Dusk just hoped their meal of choice this time would be something less... sweet.

After passing a schoolhouse, which was closed due to the holinights, they were finally approaching the orchards of the Sweet Apple Acres. The new buildings of the expanding town encroached on the farm and distinctly marked its boundaries as for where edifices abruptly ended and trees began. Taking a look at the orchard as he trotted along the path, he could see a few earth ponies working on the field. Some of them attempted to take furtive glances at His Honorable Apprentice as he passed.

"That is the West Orchard, sir," Cockcrow eagerly pointed out, breaking the silence. And he also seemed eager to continue, "Here—".

Dusk Shine just gave him an annoyed glance from the side before focusing back at the orchard. Cockcrow decided it was best to go back to being silent. Returning his attention to the orchard, Dusk saw that it seemed they were installing some kind of irrigation system. Upon closer inspection, he could see that it was for some reason running parallel to a second already placed irrigation system. Also, striking Dusk as odd was the noticeable lack of sunstone in the area.

They could finally spot the location of the main farmhouse from a distance as a dome a light emerged piercing the eternal night sky. Noise could be heard as they approached, it seemed here the calm before Nox Eterna Festival wouldn't be present on this farm. Getting closer they could finally see the main farmhouse; A sizeable post-and-beam construction with bright apple-red walls and white frames. Etched in its wooden walls were stylized tree branches and apples. The farmhouse possessed a tower with a red apple as its weather vane.

Before the farmhouse lied two rows of small one-story wooden houses facing each other painted in a similar bright red. Together with the main farmhouse, they formed a kind of square.  They seemed to serve as workers' quarters as a multitude of them were passing through the yard to perform their various duties. Various strings of lamps connected the two rows of houses from roof to roof. Together with further lamps hanging from the windows of the main farmhouse and a few wooden post lamps they illuminated the early night.

Seeking somepony they could ask for Floating Rate and his wife, Dusk and Cockcrow entered the farm grounds by passing a small wooden arc adorned with vines. Having entered the grounds, the workers one by one took notice of the pair. Some seemed to simply try to ignore the duo; others kept taking furtive glances while avoiding going near them and a few were whispering to each other probably wondering if somepony at the farm had gotten in trouble with the Lunar Inquisition. Soon a clearing of ponies had formed around Dusk and Cockcrow as they trotted through the yard seeking somepony.

Cockcrow then pointed towards a large red earth pony that was instructing a few of the other workers. Dusk and he approached the stallion. Just as the stallion had sent another worker off, Cockcrow reached for his attention, "Hey, Big Mac! We were wondering if you could help us find someone here."

"Of course, I'm glad to—" Big suddenly went silent as he faced the duo and now saw Dusk. Eyes-widened he answered briefly, "Yup!"

"I assume you're the overseer for this farm?" Inquired Dusk Shine.

After a short moment, he answered, "...Yup!"

"Then can you tell us where Floating Rate and his wife are?" Dusk asked.

Again after a brief pause, he replied, "...Yup!"

Then a moment of silence.

"So will you—" irritatedly Dusk began to ask before being quickly interrupted by the voice of an old mare.

"Oh don't mind Big Mac, he still gets a bit nervous when having to talk to... Ponies from the Lunar Inquisition," the voice explained. An old lime green mare came into view. Her white mane and tail were tightly packed in a bun and she wore an orange scarf with apples on it. She approached them slowly; Dusk guessed it was because of her age.

"I am Granny Smith, the owner of Sweet Apple Acres. And of course, we Apples are glad to help the Lunar Inquisition any way we can." She offered with a serene but tired smile.

"Then I guess you can tell us where Floating Rate and his wife are?" Asks Dusk with an almost incredulous this time.

She nodded, "Yes, yes, of course," she then slowly looked around as a few workers were still watching the scene unfold and an almost paralyzed Big Mac stood there before continuing, "If you  could wait inside for a moment."

Dusk glanced at Cockcrow for a second before answering, "Sure."

Granny Smith started moving towards the main farmhouse followed by the duo. "And... if you all want to taste some of our famous apple specialties while waiting naturally you can."

Cockcrow beamed at the mention, but Dusk quickly shot it down, "No, thanks. We don't want to inconvenience you too much, just a few questions to the couple. Also, we had a pretty filling breakfast already." Cockcrow simply stared at the ground in disappointment.

Now inside the house, they waited in the kitchen. Granny Smith had left them there, telling them she was going to check on the elusive couple. The kitchen somehow had an almost inexplicable anachronistic aura, as if it had remained unaffected and unchanged throughout all events from the outside. The walls were covered in teal and sea green wallpaper and the wooden furniture looked older than even the house's owner.

Dusk also noticed the owners were evidently proud of their family's namesake, as the drapes featured many green apples and green apple cutouts were nailed to the top of the wall cabinets. Seeing the depictions of apples only made Cockcrow more disappointed in having his appetite denied, as he sat down at the table, focusing his attention solely on the table itself. After a while had passed Dusk noticed somepony watching them around the corner from the hall.

"You know, it is probably not wise to try to spy on a general inquisitor, you know," cautioned Dusk causing Cockcrow to stand up and look towards the door, "Why don't you come in?" 

A cutiemarkless canary yellow colt wearing a pink bandana around his neck slowly came into view scratching his left foreleg and avoiding eye contact in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to creep on you, but..." Apologized for the colt, "But you came from Crescent City, right?"

"Yes, I did." Replied Dusk succinctly.

"So..." Said the colt in a hopeful tone looking up to Dusk, "You have met with my sister Applejack?"

So, this was where Dusk had heard of the Apple family before. Applejack. That was the minister of Agriculture. So he answered, "Sure, I've seen her around in the castle a few times before."

"How's she doing? Does she miss us? Is she planning to visit us?" Asked the colt stepping closer to Dusk. He could swear the colt's eyes were sparkling. It could have been just a few seconds, but to Dusk it felt like minutes of staring at the anticipating young colt with no answers before being interrupted by Granny Smith's voice.

"Applebuck! You shouldn't be bothering the Honorable Apprentice," she condemned him as she wrapped her foreleg around him and began to guide the disappointed colt out of the room.

Thinking he probably should say something to this colt, Dusk quickly blurted before he could leave the room, "Don't worry, I'm sure your sister still loves you even when she is not around. If your sister is away it is not because she wishes to, but because it is necessary to serve Nightmare Moon. And one should not refuse her calls."

Even though the colt's mood seemed to improve ever so slightly, the look Granny Smith gave him was pure poison. Dusk guessed this, similar to the town hall,  was now probably another place to avoid during his stay.

Granny Smith's expression soon softened as she faced the colt, "Why don't go play outside? I'm sure the officers will need some time alone with aunt Cider and uncle Rate."

Applebuck hesitated for a second before simply nodding and trotting outside.

"They are both waiting in the hall, should I send them in?" Asked the old mare now facing Dusk.

"Yes," Dusk confirmed, "however, please send one in at each time I would like to talk to them separately."

It looked for an instant that she would retort, however, whatever she wanted to say seemed to die on her throat as she swallowed before answering, "Of course."

They had set all chairs of the dining table aside leaving only two. One of them seating Dusk leaving the other for the interrogated. Before Dusk laid a thick folder that seemed to be filled with documents and reports from the operation but which in truth was filled only with his personal notes, some random stuff and blank pages to fill the folder and make it seem more intimidating than it actually was. Not that Floating Rate needed to know this. Cockcrow stood in the corner observing proceedings. 

After some murmurs coming from the hallway, a brown earth pony was sent inside with white spots and cutiemark was a boat full of bits. It was Floating Rate. Slightly hesitant at first, he swallowed and approached the Inquisitor with a sheepish smile. Floating Rate nervously approached his seat while shifting his gaze from the corporal to the inquisitor, before slowly sitting across the table to Dusk.

"Erm... good night, Inquisitor," greeted the boat renter tentatively.

"So... I guess you're a pretty heavy sleeper, aren't you?" Inquired Dusk, cutting to the chase.

Taken aback by the unexpected question, he asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well... I just think it would be pretty difficult to sleep with a pony being stabbed at your front door." Commented Dusk while eyeing his notes.

"And what are you insinuating I was doing instead!?" Exclaimed Floating Rate while standing up in outrage but quickly seating himself again when it looked Cockcrow might react. 

"With stories about the 'Ghost' going around," Dusk elaborated, "Don't you think that would be the perfect opportunity to show some discontent towards our Queen all the while shifting the blame towards somepony else?" 

"And why exactly would I have done that!?" Questioned Floating as he pressed his forehooves on the table.

"The night is a cold mistress, Floating Rate," answered Dusk with a smirk, "Maybe not the most desirable condition for a boat ride."

Trying to control himself the boat renter retorted, "Have you seen how much Ponyville grew? It doesn't matter if half the ponies now want to rent a boat if there are literally over ten times more of them here now! Turning my business into a crime scene is not exactly the most profitable scheme!"

"So, you're telling me you and your wife slept through a pony being bled out at your doorstep?" Inquired Dusk with an incredulous look while taking notes.

"Yes, I only saw the sorry state the 'Ghost' had left the doctor in when I left the house to prepare the boats," retorted the earth pony indignantly, "I would've spared myself the trip outside If I knew it."

"Did your wife also see the body when you did?"

"No, I immediately shouted for her to stay inside, of course" – Floating Rate sternly furrowed his brows – "because there was a body outside."

"Very convenient that your wife wasn't able to see the body," remarked Dusk dryly as he continued to scribble.

"What are you even imp—" His eyes went wide with indignation as he slammed his hooves on the table lifting himself up with fury. "Not only is my business closed but I can't even sleep in my home anymore because of your investigations! Why would I even gain from it, you genius?"

Dusk remained calm as Cockcrow approached and put a hoof on Floating Rate's shoulder indicating he should calm down and sit. Floating rate expression faltered for a moment before grumbling and sitting back down.

"Then I am sure you can tell me why the killer would be prowling around your place specifically?"  Dusk motioned his hoof towards Floating.

Floating Rate snorted and rolled his eyes. "Why would I know?"

"I mean, I would expect you to know your property well. And thus know what makes it attractive to attempt such an act there."

"But I do not know what goes in the mind of this crazy 'Ghost'-pony!" Exasperated while throwing his hooves up.

"Yes, it could be them. Just like could also be a copycat," Calmly pointed Dusk out. "I avoid foregone conclusions."

Looking for a second like he was going to snap, Floating Rate sighed and rubbed his hoof against his forehead. "I really wish the doc had picked another place to wander," groaned Floating Rate frustrated, "Exactly before the festival too, on top of it all."

"So, you think that instead of laying in wait somewhere in your property they were actively following Doctor Horse?" Dusk leaned forward, putting the quill down.

Floating Rate opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself shortly before realizing it. After mulling over, "I guess not? Why would 'ghost'—," seeing that Dusk was about to correct him again he quickly added, "Or the copycat, be drawn specifically to the doctor?"

"Well, we have three possibilities here," posed Dusk, "One, the attacker was drawn to Doctor Horse, meaning the location was arbitrary," This was the best option for Floating Rate since it eliminated his main connection to the crime. "Two, the attack was drawn to your property, meaning the victim was arbitrary," This one was clearly worse. "And lastly three, both the victim and the location were predetermined." And like the previous one, this was not fortuitous for the interrogated.

However, for the boat renter, it seemed an option was missing. "Couldn't both the location and the victim be arbitrary?"

"Unprobable," Dusk instantly dismissed the proposal, "The murder must have been predetermined in some way in order to allow them a clean escape."

Now confronted with these three options, Dusk could now visualize the gears turning inside Floating's mind. And after a few seconds with hesitation, he chose his next words, "I mean... our property is a bit isolated but we don't really remember seeing anypony suspicious skulking around."

"why wouldn't Gh– I mean the attacker not kill me and my wife in our sleep while no one was around if they were targeting the place? Instead of waiting for another pony to pass by?"

"And there's a reason why you think someone would tail Doctor Horse instead of simply lurking in a secluded location." Dusk realigned his papers, looking unconvinced.

"He... um..." Floating Rate scratched his forehead as he tried to come up with a reason. "Since he is a doctor... He is a public servant, right?" Nervously satisfied with his own answer, he nodded, "yes, that would seem somepony who one would want to target if they were angry with Her Majesty."

Dusk had hoped to get more from confronting the couple. But he seemed just as clueless as anyone else about the attack. Of course, he didn't expect either of them would be the culprits but he knew this would be his only chance to talk to them. He needed to get the most of it now. He knew that it couldn't be just because Doctor Horse was a "public servant", it didn't match up with the other victims. Many of the cases were from ponies unrelated to the government.

Well, there was still the wife to talk to. Dusk signaled Cockcrow to tell them that she could come in when she was ready.

A green-maned beige earth pony peeked into the room. She looked apprehensively at Dusk and then Cockcrow, before taking a deep breath and entering the room. Her cutiemark were apples in a barrel full of water. With her eyes avoiding both Dusk's and Cockcrow's gazes, she moved towards her seat.

She sat down, keeping her head down.

After a few seconds of silence passed, before Dusk broke it. "So, you're green cider?"

"Y-yes, your excellency," she answered with a sheepish smile.

"You were sleeping at the time of the murder, right?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"So you didn't notice if your husband had left the house at the time?"

Taken a bit aback, she flinched. "He would never... M-my husband had no reason to do i-it!"

"Yet we only are certain of two ponies who were there at the time of the incident. You and your husband." Dusk paused for emphasis. "So, unless you were an accomplice I would expect you to provide clarity into this situation."

"I am a very light sleeper, I would have noticed if he had stood up in the sleeping hours,"

"A light sleeper," the Inquisitor exclaimed with a slight mockery in his voice as he shuffled through his papers, "yet still sleeping through a pony being stabbed at your front door?"

"I-I..." She swallowed. "I Really just didn't hear anything, I s-swear!"

"So it wasn't you who found the corpse?"

"No, my husband warned me to not look outside after finding the doctor," then with a pause she added, "He wanted me to spare the view."

"But you were the one to inform the authorities?" Dusk didn't know if that was true or not, but it was worth a shot.

"W-well, yes, as soon as my husband told me there was a body outside I called the authorities... didn't want anyone to suspect us," she pleaded.

Noticing her scratch her left foreleg with her right hoof, Dusk felt that there was something more there. "Is there any reason besides where it happened that we would suspect you?" 

"I saw the doctor sometimes pass through our property into the late hours." She spoke avoiding Dusk's gaze.

So this was a regular route for the Doctor, Dusk thought. "Did your Husband know about the doctor's late wanders?"

The mare stammered, "I-I mean, a pony wanting to walk along to stroll along the lake is nothing unusual."

"So you're telling me you were the only one that knew about the doctor's strolls then?" Dusk closed the file before emphasizing his stare at Green Cider.

"Y-yes— wait no, I mean maybe?", she took a deep breath to recollect herself, "I mean I didn't tell my husband, so I guess was the only one."

"Did you see somepony that seemed to be following the doctor or maybe hanging around when the doctor was passing?"

"N-no, I mean we do sometimes get ponies walking alongside the lake. I-it is kinda beautiful when the water is quiet and the moon is reflected flawlessly from it." 

"So, did you not see anypony else on these nights?"

"Yes, but not into the sleeping hours, t-that is besides maybe some occasional drunkard... But not when he was passing by!" She pursed her lips pensively before remarking, "He... didn't look he was doing very well."

Now, this piqued Dusk's curiosity. "What do you mean by 'not doing very well'?"

"He looked a bit... distraught, " She scratched her foreleg as she considered her words,  "Actually it seemed to be getting worse by night... I don't think he was getting any sleep."

"Well, he is a doctor. It wouldn't be unexpected for them to be tired after a shift."

"Sometimes I saw him visibly shake, I thought if I should go out and see if he needed some help... but never worked the courage to do so. I feared he could be drunk... or..." She made her implication clear with the cuckoo sign. "I think I even got a glimpse of him talking to himself." She shuddered at the last statement. "I-I wonder if I should have done something. I—"

Dusk lifted his hoof, signaling that she could stop now. Cockcrow offered her some tissues for the tears that had been accumulating. She thanked him and took deep breaths as she wiped her tears.

But Dusk still had one last question. "Does your husband possess any scalpels?"

"Scalpels?" She looked puzzled at Dusk, "I don't remember ever seeing him with any scalpels. Why do you ask?"

Cockcrow said his good-byes to the Apples and thanked them for being given a bag of apple treats in the process, before joining Dusk who was checking his pocket watch at the farm's entrance.

"So... Sir, don't you think that you were perhaps... a bit too... harsh to the couple?" Cockcrow carefully inquired.

"Lives," and my merit before Nightmare Moon, Dusk thought, "Are at stake here. Their feelings here are of negligible concern here," Elucidated Dusk as he finished placing his pocket watch back into his cloak's pockets. "Now let's return, the courier certainly must have acquired what I asked by now and we don't have the whole night to stand here."

Cockcrow waved the apples good-bye one last time, before quickly catching up to Dusk.

Just as luck would have it, after meeting the messenger with the identity of his next interrogated, Dusk managed to find the pony he wanted on the way to his home. Unfortunately, it seemed the pony was less enthusiastic about meeting the Inquisitor and he picked up his pace as soon as Dusk approached. This led to Dusk having to pick up his own pace. Dusk kept following behind the green earth pony through the busy streets trying to lose him to the crowds until finally catching up to him while Cockcrow tried to keep up behind. "Sir, the inquisition needs you to answer a few questions." 

"I told everything I know to your colleagues who just have been questioning me for six hours," the landlord complained, "You could go ask them instead."

Vexed that the triumequat got to the landlord before him, Dusk matched his pace and pressed on, "Yes. Unfortunately, new information has come into our purview. And we need to double-check a few things with you."

"Well, then call me another day. I am a busy business pony and I don't have the time to be held the entire night in interrogations for a crime I am not even a suspect!" The landlord hurried up the most he could while trying to go as fast as he could while not galloping.

Dusk, while having to carefully dodge the other ponies in the streets while cantering, caught up once again. "You know, if you prefer I could just have my colleagues escort you to the Inquisition post and continue this conversation there." Dusk knew that currently, he couldn't actually do that as his investigation wasn't officially supported.

Some ponies in the street were starting to stare as they passed by. "I swear! One makes a single mistake hiring and you inquisitors descend like chupacabras upon a scapegoat!"

"This is not why I am—," Dusk was then interrupted by Landshark, who just had stopped and opened the front door of one of the new apartment buildings. 

"I just own the building! There was nothing in his background that was suspicious!" He then slammed the door. Two guards stared at each other unsure if they should interfere as Cockcrow caught up to Dusk.

 "Uh, I guess that isn't going to work, Sir. What a—" Cockcrow was surprised as Dusk immediately stepped away from the door into the streets and started scanning the windows. 

Ignoring the odd looks from Cockcrow, his eyes frantically searched the windows. Then he saw it, the lights in one of the apartments on the third floor had turned on. Focusing his eyes, he made sure if he could see a spot inside with enough space. 'That should be just in range,' Dusk thought. He took a deep breath.

"I have it." Dusk proclaimed.

Confused, Cockcrow tried to ask, "You have wha—?"

Dusk then disappeared in a bright flash of light.

Falling on top of the couch as he reappeared, Dusk quickly began recomposing himself. Teleportation was quite taxing but now wasn't the time to appear tired. It seemed the landlord was still in the kitchen, as Dusk heard noises from there. Dusk quickly adjusted his cloak, magically wiped his sweat from his forehead and waited a few moments.

Coming out of the kitchen the landlord was frozen wide-eyed by the unexpected guest who now sat on his couch, dropping immediately the food plate he was holding.

Seeing his unconsenting host fail to produce words, Dusk spoke instead, "Now that we're alone, I would appreciate it if you could answer some questions, Mr. Landshark." Then taking a quill and a scroll out of his cloak's pockets he added, "I hope you have the records of tenants here".

Dusk exited the front door of the building while finalizing his notes. It seemed that no red earth pony mare nor lime-yellow pegasus stallion were living in that building. Which meant that Dusk would need another way to find them. He had an idea of how but not tonight, he had a certain nurse to talk to tonight. Putting his notes away he noticed that in the meantime, his companion had made himself busy with the treats from the Apples. Dusk cleared his throat to signal Cockcrow he was back.

Seeing Dusk, Cockcrow quickly brushed away the pie crumbles from his mouth. "So... you can teleport," Cockcrow remarked while unable to stare directly at Dusk, "I... Haven't seen a Unicorn do it before."

Seeing guards tell some passersby that have been staring to move on, Dusk reckoned teleporting in a busy street might have garnered a bit of attention. "There is a first time for everything, I guess," responded Dusk nonchalantly.

"So,—" Cockcrow looked tentatively towards the bag. "—Already hungry?"

"Yes," Dusk stared into the bag before dismissing it, "but not for sweets."

His companion disappointedly put the bag away. "Uh, yes, of course."

They continued towards the hospital, Dusk keeping an eye for something he could eat quickly on their way there. Passing by a kiosk called "NEBULA BURGER" which allegedly were "a true gift from the stars!" He decided to stop there and join the small queue. Somepony had enchanted it to glow showing Nightmare Moon giving a burger a hearty bite. Deciding to not comment on what he considered inappropriate Nightmare Moon imagery but keeping a mental note to file a formal complaint later, Dusk ordered a so-called "Midnight Comet". "A midnight comet coming right up!" A large Brown stallion announced the order would be coming right away.

Taking his hayburger with his telekinetic grip, Dusk dusk quickly disassembled it and began analyzing its components with his magic. Could never be too safe, especially considering what happened yesterday. The vendor just looked awkwardly before letting a forced laugh, "Is there something wrong, Sir?"

Everything seemed to be in order to Dusk, no poisons nor health code violations. He quickly reassembled the burger and passed the bits to the vendor. "No, it is fine."

Just as Dusk is about to take a hearty bite from his hayburger, he abruptly stops. His whole body going stiff. Then carefully with his magic, he cut the burger into such pieces that it looked like one had passed it through a square grid. When the burger was divided into an almost rectangular piece, he began to eat each of the individual pieces. Cockcrow observed curiously.

"Well, I guess, that is a... clean way to eat it,"

As if he was reciting a quote from memory, he utters in a dull tone, "Such improper etiquette would be unbecoming of the Queen's apprentice."

As his eyes darted at the myriad of posters that plastered the walls. Taking notice of one of the posters, in particular, he exclaimed with excitement, "Oh, look who is performing here on Ponyville these nights."

He was pointing to a poster advertising a series of raves on the nights leading to the Nox Eterna Festival near the old station including a special one during the Festival. But the main attraction, and probably the reason for Cockcrow's excitement, was the MC being a certain DJ-PON3.

Dusk rolled his eyes. "Of course, she would be here too." Having finished his meal Dusk decided to finally go find the landlord. After clarifying one last thing. "And no. We cannot go there."

Arriving at the Ponyville General Hospital, Dusk wondered how a small town as Ponyville was could support a hospital of this size. It had been one of the largest buildings in the town before the town's expansion and even with Ponyville's growth, it was apparent that little change had been made to it. However, now the hospital was no longer at the edge of the town but being fully surrounded by fellow structures. It seemed to be a busy night, which was to be expected considering the time of the year. Foals with broken limbs from the playing around in the fairs, victims of the seasonal flu spread by the increased influx of travelers into town for the festivities, ponies who in one way or another overindulged into the celebrations or the many ailments that come with the season.

Dusk and Cockcrow passed through the main entrance and approached the receptionist who seemed to be focusing on some paperwork at the moment. Dusk faked a cough to get her attention.

"What may I help you with,—". The beige mare looked up to address before blinking in mild surprise. "—Honorable Apprentice?" 

"We're to talk to a certain 'Nurse Redheart', could you please inform her that we're here?"

"Yes, right away, your excellency." She then passed it through the intercom that someone from the Inquisition was there to talk to Redheart. "Please take a seat, if you wish." She pointed to one of the available banks there at the nearby waiting area.

Dusk considered the crowdedness for a moment and politely declined, "No, thanks, we will just wait outside."

He observed some personnel going out on their smoke breaks as he waited. Cockcrow attempted unsuccessfully to start some small talk to Dusk's discontent. After ten minutes of waiting, the nurse appeared, coming out of the hospital's main entrance. The alabaster mare had bags under her eyes but still bore a friendly smile. They acknowledged each other with a nod. Dusk pointed to a quieter corner, away from the main entrance, to which they moved to.

"It is about your colleague's death," Dusk explained, "Doctor Horse."

She sighed, "Expected as much."

"I heard that you said that he was behaving strangely the weeks before his death. Hopefully, you wouldn't mind answering a few questions to clarify a few things."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Sure, I am glad to help."

"I heard that you claimed that the victim was behaving strangely in the two weeks leading to his death?"

"Yes," She ground her teeth for a moment, "it was clear that his time in duty had clearly and deeply affected him. He just... wasn't the same."

"So I assume you knew Doctor Horse from before his return, then?"

"Yes, we were foalhood friends," She nodded, "Just like most ponies who grew here in Ponyville together when it was just a rural town."

Dusk quickly retrieved quill and parchment from his robe. "So, how do you think he changed?"

"He became more and more absent-minded and became quite jumpy, especially around bugs. I thought at first that he just needed some time to clear his head. At first, I had hoped that given enough time and space he would recuperate but..." She stared at the pavement. "But his situation kept worsening... He kept going into these long late-night wanders that kept getting longer and longer. Whenever he had come in for his shift it didn't look like he had slept at all. In his last two days, he even kept saying he wanted to be left alone."

"I mean it is understandable that ponies when stressed, might want some quiet and not have to deal with others. You said he wasn't getting much sleep and coming back to work at this time of the year such behavior would make sense."

At this point, her voice shook. "I-I saw him doing that while completely alone."

"I see." Dusk paused. "Did the rest of the staff, also, take note of his strange behavior?"

"I had informed my superiors but they didn't see a reason to worry or at least told me not to. Keeping the schedule was deemed more important. It was not like we had many ponies to substitute for him the way the town is growing especially this time of the year."

But there was one other thing Dusk wanted to take care of while here. "Also, one last thing. Could you lead me to the morgue? I would like to take a look at the victim."

"I'm sorry but the triumequat ordered that the bodies should be only released with a direct order from them. And correct me if I am wrong but it seems you're currently only acting as a general inquisitor."  With what Dusk could almost swear was a sarcastic sigh she added, "There is nothing I can do right now, but I am sure you can easily get the papers from the triumequat and see the corpses."

Had nurse Redheart seen through my ruse? Dusk decided it was best to not react just in case. Maybe I could produce a forgery? "Of course, I will not pester you any further. I am sure you have enough to do already without murderers on the loose, I will leave you to your work."

"Thanks. I wish you success on your investigations, Honorable Apprentice." She waved before turning back to return to her post.

On his way home Dusk made some adjustments to his checklist. Without support from the triumquat and the danger of them finding out, he would need to get creative. But he won't be stopped. He wouldn't disappoint Nightmare Moon. Maybe he would even pay a "friend" a visit.

List of Tasks: D-4
As of necessary for: finding the “Ghost”