Having been on a plane for twelve hours with little sleep, I was not in the mood to talk. Something that my taxi driver couldn't grasp. Grumbling a few non-committal words didn't seem to deter him from conversation. I looked out of the window, blocking out his nasally and gratingly cheerful voice. Not that I could see much, considering it was 4am and raining. Brilliant!
The thrum of the engine could be heard faintly under the driver's rambling, along with the screech of the tires against the cobbled street. I watched building after building pass by through a misty haze. I sighed and adjusted my glasses before sitting up. I looked in the rear-view mirror and the driver caught my eye. Mercifully, he shut up. Not that I outwardly expressed my annoyance, no, no. I've been told that my deadpan expression gives me a certain, intimidating look. Once, my co-workers daughter compared me to a vampire, thanks to my extended canines that become visible when I smile. She wasn't scared though, apparently vampires are "cool"
I snapped myself back into focus and looked around the dreary brown interior of the cab. Nothing exciting, a bobble-head pony on the driver's dashboard, along with what I guessed to be a picture of his family obscuring the top of the windscreen. Well, we hadn't crashed yet, so he must know what he's doing.
After a while, I picked up the case I'd brought with me,inside were my transfer orders. Apparently I'm pretty good at what I do as the job came with the enticing bonus of a pay-rise, and the chance to work in the best facility in the country. If it weren't for my sleep-deprived grouchiness, I might've been happier.
Passing the final row of idyllic urban houses, we headed out of the city. The driver finally remembered to put his headlamps on, as we narrowly missed an oncoming car. I was tempted to snap at the guy, but I let it be. Since he found driving so difficult, I doubted having a full on argument would help much. So, as we aqua-planed closer to my location, with throaty coughs of protest from the engine, I felt ok.
The rest of the journey, I can't really describe: flashes of black, then an object, black, then a narrowly missed collision...yeah, nothing too exciting.
Then we came to the gates of Castle Von Dracula... uh, I mean, my new workplace,the iron gates hanging open like great ebony jaws.
I couldn't help but think "Abandon all hope ye who enter here." Not the greatest first impression, I'll admit.
Soon after passing through the gates, we came to a security terminal. The morbidly obese pony manning it refused to leave their spot and spoke through a vox in a disinterested tone:
"Name and business here?"
The driver answered for me "Y'alright mate? Just dropping off Dr. Sombra, like I was told."
In the same tone he replied. "Proceed. Welcome to Elysian Heights" To me, it sounded like I was anything but welcome.
"Elysian Heights, huh? Well, if it makes ponies outside sleep better...sounds like a hotel rather than an asylum... Everypony partying with Dionysus up in Elysian Heights! Oh God. Did I really just think that? I am tired"
We passed through the barrier with no further incidents and up to the foreboding manor of the Heights. It looked like a converted mansion, although whoever designed it clearly lacked imagination. High stone walls, with small windows, except for the lower floor which housed automatic doors and from what I could see of the interior, a waiting room set up. To my left, there was a small patch of shrubbery and a fountain. I suppose it looked more impressive in daylight rather than at 4am.
I didn't know why I had to be here right now. All I got on the phone was: "We'll sort everything out" Thank you Mr. Explicit! I was not happy.
I got out of the car with a grunt, gave the cabbie a few bits to shut up, grabbed my case and marched inside.
I reached the front desk with the fixedly smiling pony on the other side.
"Welcome. You're early; that eager for work?"
In other circumstances, that might've been funny. At present, I imagined slapping her. But I controlled myself and snorted.
"I haven't started yet! I'm Dr. Sombra. I'm here to meet Dr. Mi Amore?"
Her eyes seemed to light up.
"So you're the new Doctor we've heard so much about. You take a seat and I'll call her through."
So I sat down like a good patient and read a terrible magazine for some time. My eyes roamed around the sterile and lifeless waiting room. It felt like sitting in purgatory. Nothing to do but read about some mare or others breast implants and the story of some squeaky voiced teen idol.
I was about to go up to the desk again when a voice behind me called: "Dr Sombra?" I started and threw my magazine to the table.
"Yes?"
I got up and saw my new colleague.
"Dr. Mi Amore?" I stupidly asked a second after my last question.
She laughed. "Yes, that's me. Please, just call me Cadence. I imagine you're tired after your flight, I'll show you to your room. "
I didn't quite comprehend at first. "The staff live in the asylum?" alarm bells ringing in my brain.
She turned "Well, yes and no. The staff buildings are separate from the main facility, like a small village. Don't worry, it's very safe, if that's what you're afraid of." she smirked.
I cursed inwardly. "No, it's not like that. I've never worked in an environment with that setup. Usually we live a few minutes away"
"We're not like other facilities. That's why it's the best. As well as our Doctors of course. Apparently you're too, otherwise you wouldn't be here." She seemed troubled. I didn't want to say anything, so I just followed,
For some reason I was transfixed by her mane: tied in a bob, it... well...bobbed with every step, and that irritated me. I shook my head and she stopped suddenly as we passed into a garden area outside of the building. she turned to me, looking serious.
"I know you've just got here, but I'll tell you now so you're informed before our first consultation."
I nodded, fighting to stay awake.
"The patient I work with has these vivid delusions and they've recently manifested in an obsession with me. He seems to think I am a Princess and he's a Captain of some Royal Guard. It started out innocently enough, I didn't really note it till now,but I can't break him out of it; He's convinced we're getting married and I've been replaced by some fairy Queen. Nothing I say makes a difference. So I'm hoping you can lend a hoof."
"What's his name?" I asked.
"Shining Armour."