//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Questions // Story: Obsessions // by Derpyx0 //------------------------------// It started out as just an obsession, really. I didn't think it would escalate into so much. I though that she would drop it, as she did all of her obsessions. I thought that it wouldn't be a problem, that she would be fine. But you can't NOT have problems when you're dealing with another world, another race, can you? Of course, this was thought to be impossible, and nopony had ever heard of this before. They would have thought we were crazy! That's why we didn't tell anypony. Not a single soul. It was our not so little secret. But, it's impossible for a secret to STAY a secret, isn't it? I was making some tea when I heard a knock on the door. I trotted over to it, looking out the peephole. At my door was one of Celestia's Royal Guards. I gasped; what would one of them be doing here? I hadn't done anything against the law, had I? I hoped the hospital was okay! I let the guard in. "Come in," I said. He walked into my house, looking around. I was nervous. "I'm Redheart, take a seat. Would you like some tea? Oh, Derpy just brought over a-" The guard silenced me with his hoof. "It's okay, ma'am. But... a seat does sound nice," he said. I scrambled to grab a chair from my kitchen, without realizing we had walked into my living room. While rushing out of the room, I tripped over a chair, causing me to tumble to the ground. I got up, blushing furiously. The guard stifled a laugh. Without thinking (once again), I shot a glare at him. He quieted down after that. I trotted over to my red sofa and sat down. I looked at him. He looked at me. "So, what are you here for?" I asked. I looked him up and down. Definitely here on official business. I almost snorted. Why would I think anypony would be here for me? I mean, I'm not ugly. I have a white coat, and a light pink mane that I ALWAYS keep up in a bun. My cutie mark is a red cross with pink arrows in the slits. But, my neck is a little too long, and my flank is a bit too big. I've tried working out, but it doesn't help. With all the sweets I eat, I don't think I'll EVER be skinny! I know what you're thinking; "A nurse.... eating lots of sweets?!" but I can't help it. It's an obsession. Besides, I know ponies with much more dangerous obsessions, like her. "I'm here to ask you some questions. I know you must be hurting dearly right now, but we would like to get to the bottom of your friend Lyra's death. Since you were the last one seen with her... we thought you might have some answers." "Answers? I-" I faltered. I knew what had killed her. I knew why she wasn't here. But, I didn't know if I wanted to say. Plus, I wasn't really hurting over her right now, and talking about her might make me feel guilty. I had gotten over the hurting stage, and now I was angry and a tad upset. What she did to kill herself..... it wasn't right. "Who... who, besides me and you, would get to know this information?" I asked. The guard pondered my question. "Well, the authorities of course, and her family. You see, her family really wants us to find out how she died so they could have a- a 'proper burial'. And we thought that you might know something." I cringed. If I told the authorities, nothing like this would ever happen again. And, I know Lyra's family. They're really nice people, and they deserve to know how she died. But- but that's just the problem. How she died was, well, not good. Actually, it was illegal. But my big heart took over my mind. I knew Lyra's little sister personally, and she and her family are very religious. Funerals matter to them, and without knowing how Lyra died... Besides, she's dead, right? They can't punish her! They can punish you. You'll get in trouble, you'll be thrown in jail, you- "Shut up!" I screamed. The guard looked astounded. "Uh, sorry I, um," I stuttered. Now, when it came time to confess, I wasn't so sure. But I had to. For Lyra, and her family. "Yes, I... I have information on how she died." "Well?" the guard asked. He- I looked at his name tag- Blaze looked at me expectantly. "This might be a while. I'll go get some tea and muffins." I trotted out of the room before he could protest. When I went into the kitchen, I got out some herbs and started making some tea. While it was heating up, I warmed up some muffins and put them on a plate. When the tea was done, I poured it into some teacups and put them on a tray. When everything was stable in my hooves, I trotted into the living room. "Um, okay. Where to start?" "Wait, start? I thought you were just going to inform me on how she died?" "Yes, well, it's kind of a long story. You might want to get comfortable." I could just inform him on how she died, but I thought that a the punishment might be less harsh. "Alright. How long is this going to take? I have to report back in an hour." "I- I don't know. I've actually never told anyone this before. Actually, that's not true. They... they found out." I almost hit myself, remembering the time. Letting other ponies know our little secret was careless, hay, it was idiotic of me! "They?" "Well, that's later in the story." "Well then start the story!" he grunted, frustrated. I didn't want him to lose his patience, so I began. I took a deep breath. "Well, I guess it all starts with Lyra."