It was lovely.

I was sat at home, drinking a special tea blend that Twilight had insisted I try. I was surrounded by my animal friends and everything seemed to be peaceful and quiet.

Thud thud thud

Of course, peace never lasts.

I stand, feeling myself walking almost automatically to the front door. “Who is it?” I ask. You could never be too careful.

“Equestria Justice Department. Please open your door, miss.”

My eyes go wide instinctively, my breath catches in my throat, but I can feel him calming me down, whispering words of comfort into my ears. I take a deep breath and open the door. “Hello Officer.” I play it casually, can't let them suspect anything.

He stands there, eyeing me through his dark sunglasses, he's wearing a crisp suit and was unlike anything I'd seen in Ponyville before.

“I'm Agent Black and I work for the Night Watch, my associate Agent White is performing a perimeter check of your residence. May I ask you a few questions?” He said this all in a hurried, monotone voice, one that suggested that he had asked it many times before.

“What would you like to know?” His gaze, even obscured as it was by the sunglasses, was oddly penetrating. I had to fight myself not to cower away.

“Where were you the night of the thirteenth, two days ago?”

I took another deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, “I-I was at a party in Sugar Cube Corner. I left early and walked straight home.” If they had asked her, they had undoubtedly asked others, best not give them any reason to doubt her story.

The Agent tightened his jaw, several other muscles flexed along with it, “You live nearby the Sweet Apple Acres Farm, is that right?”

“Yes, my friend lives there. It doesn't take long to visit.”

“Then you may be aware of the recently demolished barn on the farm's property.”

I merely stared, my mouth was too dry to respond so I turn and wave for him to follow me into the cottage. I find my place at the kitchen table again, grabbing my tea and taking a big sip, it calms me a little, but more importantly, it helps me feel good enough to respond. “She told me they had plans for a new barn and that the old one needed to be demolished, so yes.”

At that moment, an earth pony dressed in a similar style to Agent Black emerges through the front door, he nods quietly and stands still in the doorway. Agent Black acknowledges the nod and turns back to me. “And on the night of the thirteenth, you would have walked past the barn to get home from the party at Sugar Cube Corner, is that right?”

“Would you like some tea?” I ask suddenly, my mind begins to panic, the smile plastered on my face begins to fade and I can see Agent Black staring at me.

Then I couldn't feel anything at all.

“Answer my question, miss.”

The smile returns, an icy calm with it. “That's the route I took, yes.” My voice is crisp, concise. I can see how the change forces the Agent to raise an eyebrow.

“Did you see anything unusual as you were walking by the barn? Ponies hanging around or looking suspicious perhaps.”

“I didn't see anything that night. Although I will admit to not paying much attention, I was frightfully worried about the animals, you see.” I turn my head and look into the living room where the various dens had began to produce small, furry and feathered heads. “May I enquire as to what these questions pertain?”

Agent Black tightened his jaw again. “I am not at liberty to discuss the details of an ongoing investigation. I thank you for your time, me and my associate will be going now.” He nodded to Agent White and they left the cottage without another word.

“It's nice to see that you're able to keep calm under pressure. 'Would you like some tea?' Honestly.” I feel the slow ascent into control and before I know it, I've got a cup of hot tea in my hooves and a creeping shame in the back of my mind.

“I'm sorry, I panicked. This must be really serious if the Night Watch is involved.” I put the tea down for fear of dropping it. I begin to fidget, but he keeps me placid. “You're right, I shouldn't worry. They probably just figured we might have seen something because we live so close. Nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.”

--

The promised image

As I've said, these aren't going to be long, but this is a story I feel like telling.