Transcript of Session 00: Verdant Vines, Head Investigator
Date: April 26th
Time: 8:48 p.m.
Interviewer: Doctor Blue Sky, PhD
The first few minutes of this recording are of little consequence, and are muffled due to my recorder still being in my saddlebags.
I arrived the night before I was scheduled and headed for Miss Vines’ tent. When I entered, there were three ponies gathered around her desk, discussing a few particulars of their investigation.
Verdant Vines (VV): —Cage, can you post the guard assignments at the mess hall and the sleeping tents? I don’t want any confusion like on Saturday. The smoother we can run things, the quicker we can— Doctor Blue Sky? I wasn’t expecting you and your colleagues until tomorrow.
Blue Sky (BS): I saw no harm in taking an earlier train. I just wanted a chance to talk in private before my team arrives and we get started.
VV: Of course. Lantern, Pendant, Cage, we’ll finalize things tomorrow at 8:30. Get a good night’s rest.
As they left, one of the ponies appeared uneasy at the suggestion of rest. Given what I’ve been informed of, I assumed that this was Lantern. Miss Vines waited until the others had left before speaking with me. In that time, I had pulled out my equipment.
VV: I thought you said you wanted to talk in private.
BS: Apologies, I just need to record things for posterity.
Miss Vines gave me a perplexed look.
VV: Well, what exactly did you want to discuss, Doctor? According to Clover’s letter, I assumed you would have your agenda in order.
BS: I just wanted some… information from you. Anything you think would help my team before we start conducting interviews.
VV: I’m not exactly sure what information I can give. Were you briefed on what we found here?
BS: Generalities, yes. The basics of what I’d need to relate to you and the other investigators here, as well as the guards, of course. As for the actual documents, no, I have not been given access to them.
Miss Vines expressed some frustration with my apparent lack of knowledge, which I had been told was due to security reasons before I departed Canterlot. She scribbled a few things on the documents on her desk before continuing. From her appearance, she seemed exhausted.
VV: I’ll need to file some paperwork before I can release copies to you, or your team, but I’m sure it will help more than some summary. There’s a tent set up for you, three down to the left and then—
BS: Miss Vines, are you feeling well?
VV: Yes, for now. However, if I don’t finish this paperwork soon and get another late night under my saddle, that might change. The tent is three down to the left, right at the fork and then the fifth on the left. The two after it are for your colleagues. I’ve stationed one of my investigators—
BS: Have you been having any odd dreams, like some of your guards and agents have reported?
VV: No. I’ve stationed one of my investigators in the tent, Lantern, who will handle any scheduling or acquisition of documents you’ll need. You can start after noon tomorrow.
BS: Do you normally have any nightmares? Trouble sleeping?
VV: Doctor!
Miss Vines’ irritation was unmistakable as she glared at me, before softening her stance.
VV: Can we save this for tomorrow, please?
BS: Of course, my apologies. I just can see that you’re stressed and— Regardless, I did have a question about Lantern in particular: I was told he’s working a different schedule than the rest of your team?
VV: Yes. After having some… issues, he stays up at night and sleeps most of the day. It’s helped, a bit.
BS: I know you said I could start at noon, but would you object to my interviewing Lantern before he sleeps?
Miss Vines was once again preoccupied with her paperwork, including a new form that she quickly filled out and gave to me.
VV: Assuming he agrees, Doctor Blue Sky, I don’t see any reason not. Give this to Lantern when you see him.
BS: Thank you. Have a pleasant night’s rest, Miss Vines.
I was stopped before leaving the tent, having already turned off my recorder. Miss Vines just wanted to clarify that, no, she does not normally have dreams, or nightmares.