//------------------------------//
// Session #5 
// Story: Lucid 
// by Rutilus.Luna 
//------------------------------//

Recording - 14:00

"So, how was the vacation?"

"It was, revitalizing. I didn't realize how much I needed to take one."

"If I knew that all it took to get a paid vacation was to get licked by a psycho, I would just waltz up and ask her."

"If you thought there was any chance that she would lick you, you would have tried by now."

"You know me too well Nightshade."

"We've only been working together for the last 9 years. It would be a little insulting to not get to know each other at least in passing."

"I suppose so. It's weird to think that it has been that long."

"A bit. But it's been fun, all things considered."

"So what do you think of the Doc?"

"Redheart? She is, dedicated I suppose. I'm not sure whether or not she is a good fit here, truth be told."

"You think? So far I would definitely agree with dedicated. To what is where my doubts lie. Otherwise I think she is alright."

"Her loyalties?"

"Yeah. She seems more dedicated to this case rather then any other of her duties here. I know that she transfered here for the case, but it seems like that is all that she ever really cares about."

"I think I know what you mean."

*Door opens and closes*

"Is the patient rea- Oh, Miss Nightshade, it's good to see you back."

"Dr. Readheart, thank you. And to answer your question, yes, she is."

"Excellent. Pardon my rush, I merely need to speak with her as soon as possible.

*Door opens and closes*

"She seems frazzled."

"I agree, maybe it's her time, or maybe it's Mane-iac's and she needs supplies."

"As much as I should feel inclined to smack you, I somewhat missed your off sense of humor."

"Nighty, you missed me?"

"Don't press what little luck you have."

"Duly noted."





"Let me start this off by saying that I am so sorry, I had no idea that would happen."

"...What?"

"...You're not mad?"

"About?"

"The whole thing with your sister?'

"Oh, that. Am I supposed to be mad about it? I'm annoyed that I can't go and throttle her within in an inch of her life, maybe even past that, but that is about it."

"But..."

"What is there to but?"

"I heard the recording and I felt terrible about letting it happen. I was called away, I should have stayed."

"Quit being an idiot."

"Come again?"

"Quit. Being. An. Idiot. Shall I repeat it again? Turn it into a song and dance number. Currently I can pull off a mean worm."

"How can you be so nonchalant about this?"

"Because ponies hate me? Hi, I'm a super villain, and I go by the name Mane-iac. Did you suffer amnesia since the last time we've spoke? Maybe the straight jacket is the key after all. HA!"

"I...I don't understand."

"Clearly, must I spell it out for you?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I'm waiting for you explain."

"And I'm waiting for you to answer my very simple question."

"Seriously?"

"I'm a pony, not a donkey."

"Could've have fooled me. Besides, I thought you were a cat?"

"Oops, you caught me. Are you going to punish me now? I just don't know if poor little me can take it."

"I think that I will."

"I'm ready, be gentle."

"By ending this and getting back on topic."

"Spoilsport."

"Just focused. Please explain."

"You like to over think things all the time, you know that? Most ponies do."

"Go on."

"You apologize for my sister's behavior, which you had no control over. You say you would have stopped it, and maybe you would have, but that would require precognitive abilities the likes of Princess Luna. You treat this whole thing as if it was obvious, but I never spoke to you of my family. You had no idea what she is like. I suppose I could have declined, but I was feeling gracious that day with my time."

"You, are oddly forgiving."

"No, I'm not. Most ponies simply hold on to the little things far too long. Firefighters aren't blamed for letting fires start, that don't have the ability to tell when it is going to happen. They are damage control. You, are damage control. There is a large difference between forgiving and not harboring an irrational grudge. I would hardly consider myself forgiving."

"What would you consider yourself then?"

"Pragmatic."

"Your weapon of choice against the power ponies is a very large can of spray."

"I have certain appearances to keep up. Anypony can hold up another with a dagger of the like, but it takes class, elegance, and creativity to do what I do."

"Except for creativity, most would probably disagree."

"I lack the drive to care."

"I would suspect so."

"..."

"Would you like to tell me about your family?"

"Not really, no. A bit of a sore subject. A little more literal at the moment then usual."

"I see. If you ever feel up to it, I would enjoy listening."

"I can't imagine why, that is all that you do. Listen to this pony, that pony. 'Tell me your problems! I'm here to help!' Bah!"

"You're being defensive again."

"Since when has that been a big no-no?"

"It's not."

"You're not going to drop it are you?"

"Wasn't planning on it, no."

"..."

"Well?"

"Given my experience dealing with doctor's, I would say this is rather unorthodox. Usually it is a case of 'Why don't you talk to me about something?' 'No.' 'Darn.' What would your boss say if he heard about this gross breach of protocol?"

"If I was a gambling mare, I would wager that you are an unorthodox patient. That or he frankly wouldn't care."

"..."

"So are you going to talk about it? Or are we going to sit here for the next hour or so reenacting a vegetable garden?"

"I find that rude, our current vegetable garden is really quite pleasant. I'm friends with many of them. Better at listening then you."

"Maybe, but have you ever gotten a gift from them?"

"Really, a gift for me? You shouldn't have."

"Then I suppose it's a good thing I didn't give it to you yet then."

"Shock and awe, mares and gentlecolts we have a stone cold liar amongst our midst!"

"Quid pro quo."

"Gesundheit."

"This for that. It's old Equestrian. I do have something for you actually. But this one comes with a price, speak."

"A price, not much of a gift then?"

"Mane-iac."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"You are dedicated, I'll give you that. Most ponies give up around this point. Kudos to you."

"Thanks, I guess."

"I do appreciate your apology, even if I think that it was unnecessary. I do not like to spend time thinking about my family. Not enough fond memories for me to bother wasting what life I have left. Ask away."

"I don't mean to pressure you."

"Little late for that, don't you think?"

"I'm sorry I got caught up in pushing you."

"At least you manage to look adorable when you do it."

"I won't say that you are bad on the eyes."

"Finally, a compliment! I've sat here all this time stroking your ego and finally I get a little stroking of my own. HAHAHA!"

"..."

"Are you smiling?"

"I think that I am, yes."

"You should do that more often, I don't see many of them here."

"I...I will try."

"So you wanted to know about my family huh?"

"I think that it would help."

"Alright. Shoot."

"Let's start with your sister."

"What is there to say? She is a power hungry whorse."

"Is that it?"

"That is all that she is to me now."

"What did she use to be?"

"She, was my older sister. She helped me a lot growing up, I think. She wanted me to be like her. I suppose I was going down that path until the accident. She taught me about how to do up manes. Since my mother was never around, she sort of took on that role. At first I probably wouldn't have been as successful if it wasn't for her. Later on, she turned jealous and spiteful. She tried to turn father against me whenever she could. I loath her existence."

"I see. You mentioned that she adopted the mother role for you?"

"I guess."

"..."

"She tried to take care of me when mother was gone. So I suppose that she ended up raising me more then my own parents."

"What about your mother?"

"She fled when I younger, around five or so. I hardly remember her. I hope she is rotting in a field somewhere. Her actions broke father. He never pursued another ever again."

"I see. Did you ever try to get in touch with her?"

"Never had any reason to. She wanted nothing to do with me or my sister when she was around. Her leaving only hurt father. And for that I have no desire to ever see her again."

"I understand. You seem to hold your father in high esteem."

"He, he was special to me. He always pushed me to excel at whatever I did. Always had my back. I haven't seen him in such a long time. Nurse, can I ask something of you?"

"Certainly."

"When my sister was here, she said he had passed away. I need to know if she was lying or not. I need confirmation one way or the other. Please."

"I will do my best."

"Thank you."

"Mane-iac, are you alright?"

"..."

"Mane-iac?"

"I'm not sure that I want to talk anymore. I need to think."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay then. Before you go, I got you some dark chocolate."

"That's my favorite."

"I would imagine, you are being charged with regular thefts of their carriages."

"Good times."

"Mane-iac, if you need to talk, please let someone know. I will make time for you."

"Thanks."

*Door opens, closes*

"Hey Doc! Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Just a particularly revealing session. A lot of heart to heart. I think I'm making a significant amount of progress."

"Cool. Nightshade wanted me to pass along that she is having a get together for some co-workers and that you are invited."

"Oh, that's nice."

"That's nice? Will you be coming along?"

"Sure, I'm sure that I will be able to fit that in to my schedule."

"Nighty will be delighted."

"Yeah. Listen, I've got to go. Please turn off the equipment for me."

"You got it Doc. See you tonight."

*Door opens and closes*

"I wonder what the hay happened in there."

Stop - 16:00