//------------------------------// // The Recovery // Story: Semper Pie // by deathtap //------------------------------// Twilight burst into the ward and rushed to Pinkie's bedside. There she was greeted by a bright smile, although it looked a little forced. Not because Pinkie was unhappy to see her friend, but because she looked so tired. Pinkie tried to speak, but her voice came out all croaky and broken. She coughed and swallowed, clearing her voice. Perhaps because her throat was still a little sore from all that screaming. “H-hi Twilight. What happened?” “You had a panic attack, Pinkie,” Twilight replied, clutching her friend's hoof tightly. “A panic attack?” Pinkie asked. Twilight turned to Redheart. “Why is her voice slurring like that?” “It happens sometimes after a panic attack. It's normal. It should go away soon. A couple of hours to a couple of days. Depends on her,” the nurse replied, shining a light into Pinkie's eyes one at a time. When she was satisfied, she smiled and put her flashlight back into her coat pocket. “Also, avoid certain things. We don't want to have another... ‘episode’, do we?” “Oh. Right.” Twilight looked at her friend. “How are you feeling?” Pinkie nodded. “O-okay.” Just then Applejack and Fluttershy entered the ward. Their smiles helped Pinkie recover a little more. “Thank goodness she's okay,” Applejack said, placing a hoof gently on Pinkie's pink poofy mane. “Gave us quite the scare there, missy.” “S-sorry,” Pinkie replied sighing and giggling a little. “I-I don't know what happened. Everything's just a blank.” “Don't fret none,” Applejack said when Twilight made a sign with her face. “Don't worry 'bout that right now. Just concentrate on feelin' better.” “Are you feeling better already?” Fluttershy asked. Pinkie nodded. “Uh-huh. Still a little loopy.” “Why's she talkin' like that?” Applejack asked. “Redheart says it's normal,” Twilight replied. “It'll go away soon-ish.” A knock on the window interrupted their conversion and Fluttershy opened it for Rainbow Dash. She dashed inside with a blue blur and hovered over the bed. “Pinkie-you're-awake-thank-Celestia-we-were-all-so-worried!” Fluttershy floated over and stood next to Twilight. “How are you feeling?” “My throat hurts. I don't know why.” The girls all exchanged uncomfortable looks. They knew why, but was it okay to tell her? Rarity walked in with a huge bouquet of flowers and placed them in a vase that she had brought with her. As she placed them on the table beside her friend, she gave Pinkie the warmest look she could muster and stroked her shoulder and foreleg. “Why, you look absolutely fabulous, Pinkie.” “Yeah?” Rarity looked over to the rest of her friends. “Have you told her?” “That she had a panic attack? Yes.” “I see. Well, are you going to tell her why?” “I don't think that's such a good idea,” Twilight began. “Redheart says it might set off another attack.” “Then what do you suggest we do? Keep it from her?” Rarity asked, stroking Pinkie's slightly deflated mane with a motherly touch. Pinkie made a face. “You know that I'm right here, right?” Rainbow booped Pinkie on the nose. “Don't worry about them. They're talking about boring stuff. Listen to me. I’m allergic to boring stuff. You know, I missed my favorite pranking buddy yesterday. Wait till I tell you about the greatest prank ever! I got Big Mac good.” That instantly brought Pinkie's attention away. “Oh yeah? What'd you do?” “My brother’s still sore at you for that, Rainbow. I’d lie low for a few weeks if I were you,” Applejack warned, a wide grin spreading across her face. “Ooh, ooh! Tell me!” Pinkie pleaded. Twilight and the four girls thanked Rainbow in their minds for her tact. Now they could talk in peace while Pinkie was distracted. They discreetly moved away from the bed while Rainbow's boasts filled the room. “Poor thing, she doesn't remember any of it,” Rarity stated quietly. “I am relieved, actually. You didn't know what it was like when she was having that attack. I've never seen Pinkie act that way before, and I don't want to ever again.” Twilight shuddered despite herself. “Well, what do you suggest we do?” Twilight thought about it for a moment. “I think we should avoid talking to her about Semper. My guards are all still trying to locate him, but in the meantime I think we have to find out about her past and try and figure out the source of that attack.” “Sounds easy. How do we go on about doin' that?” Applejack asked. “By asking the other members of her family. Just because Pinkie doesn't remember doesn't mean her siblings or parents won’t. They might help us find out what the problem is. We need to split up and go to each family member and ask about her brother.” “That's a great idea, but how do we find 'em?” the farm pony asked. Twilight smiled. “I've already asked for the necessary information. The perks of being a princess, I guess. Spike should be getting their addresses any moment now. We’ll split up and head out and find anything and everything that’ll help us. I've got to stay here with Pinkie just in case Semper does show up.” “Right. I guess I can go and talk to her ma and pa,” Applejack replied. “Thanks, AJ, but I don't think that's going to help. No offense, but if they live near the Badlands, then it's going to take you too long to get there and back. I'd rather have Rainbow or Fluttershy fly out, if that's okay.” “Aw, shucks. I didn't think o' that. Yeah, no problem.” “I don't mind,” Fluttershy said. “Rainbow can come too.” Twilight smiled. “Let’s see where the other members of her family live first. After that, we’ll decide who should go where.” All the girls nodded in agreement. Except Rainbow, who was still bragging to Pinkie. When the conversation finished, she hovered on over. “Hey guys, what’d I miss?” “Nothing much. I’ll fill you in on the way,” Rarity offered. “It was mighty noble of you to distract Pinkie for us.” “Huh? Noble? What’re you talkin’ about Rare?” Rainbow asked. Rarity sighed. Of course that wasn’t her intention. Still, it was a noble act. “Never mind, dear.” Twilight smiled at Rarity knowingly as they exited the ward along with the others, leaving her with Pinkie.