I am starting to perceive what Licorice had been saying when she said that the Association wanted to dump me here in hopes that I fail. The past couple of months have been a failure in attracting customers and gathering data. It appears that many people in the Slums would rather risk illness than put their faith in me. However, it's not that I can't blame them. The tension between zebras and ponies has been growing recently, and I'm guessing that many ponies have been reading the news lately.

Tensions Rise as Negotiations Rage on within Zebrika

Zebrika and Equestria continue to draw out their negotiations within neutral grounds regarding the settlements on the Equestrian-Zebrikan border. The Zebrikans have insisted to push the settlements back into Equestrian space while the Equestrian government has insisted that they cannot move back without entering Deer territory. Ambassador Ren d'vous had the following statement: "We have insisted that we have no intentions of invading Zebrika, but they have continued to insist that we move back. If they cannot be persuaded, then we will likely continue construction without the consent of the nation." Princess Twilight Sparkle has insisted that a more peaceful solution is present. "There's no need to escalate tensions over some construction. If needed, the Council of Friendship will intervene and look to see if a more appropriate solution is possible." Zebrikcan ambassadors have declined to speak. According to a poll, 90% of Canterlot residents have agreed to continue the construction; 5% of Ponyville residents have agreed to continuing the construction; 75% of Manehatten residents have agreed to continuing the construction; Trottingham residents are at 62%; Las Pegasus residents are at 59%...

It continues like that for a while, but there's a very high consensus that zebras are being unreasonable, and thus, I'm suffering as a result. According to a few sources back from the Association, the Zebrikans have had trust issues ever since the Changeling attacks all those years ago. The fact that the Changelings are now a part of the unifying nations probably made everyone suspicious and unwelcoming, despite Princess Twilight's efforts.

As for my work, I'm afraid that things are still a challenge as ever. Besides the lack of trust, trying to determine the symptoms of the patient from a distance proved to be a fruitless endeavor. I could see the obvious symptoms, coughing, sneezing, noticeable discolorations that indicated irritated skin, but I couldn't as easily determine whether or not they have internal issues, such as digestive or circulatory issues. Even if I could gather that data, without the names of patients, it would look as if I were simply making up things as I went along.

The only things that were the highlight of the past couple of months have been the letters from my ~~colleagues~~ friends. It brought a smile to my face to hear how the others are doing. I keep the letters hidden in the loose floorboards so I don't lose them.

Septic has been working well as Las Pegasus's premiere practitioner. While I expected him to get right into the Las Pegasus lifestyle, I was instead shocked to find that instead, he was going on long rants about the cleanliness of the city, or more specifically, the lack of cleanliness. He apparently ranted so much, he got to speak with the mayor in person and he's being appointed as head of the Las Pegasus Disinfectant Committee, responsible for wiping out the disease spreading hot zones with tourist money backing him.

Dyspne ended up in Cloudsdale, I suppose because the Association assumed a pegasus was fit to work in a city of clouds. He began work on the physical fitness of the various residents, specifically, their breathing capacity. In doing so, he found that there was actually an increase in respiratory issues in the cloud factory workers due to poor factory conditions leaving quite a few of them with cloud lung. He immediately checked with the Wonderbolts to ensure that they were doing adequately, and as they were impressed with his skill, he was put to work in monitoring Wonderbolt breathing capacity and whether they can find ways to prevent exhaustion through lack of breath at high altitudes.

Dear Licorice is managing quite well in Trottingham. She told me that the constant gloomy weather and high moisture in the air was not the best way to improve the health of the residents. However, they wouldn't listen to her when she suggested fewer cloudy days. A "swift negotiation" later, and Trottingham was seeing sunnier days more and more. Many were grateful, and with the help of a few worker ponies, they had built her her own private clinic so she wouldn't have to work in the hospital. She's being hailed as Robin Root, Doctor of Trottingham. She said that it made her feel quite embarrassed, but I know she was milking it for all it was worth.

Everypony seems to be doing quite a bit better, and that's really all I can ask for. I haven't told them much information as fears not to worry them. Although, things have started to improve for me, even if it's by increments. Snow Cyclone did return, apologetic for the way she acted, and handing over 200 bits, well above the asking price. She said that she felt horrid for even thinking that somepony like me would try and harm her and explained that things in the city have just been a lot harder and way less trusting. She hardly knows anyone in her apartment, save for her bridge group and her grandson who lived with her. I told her there was nothing to worry about, and that she was the friendliest face that he'd seen. Since she'd received her medicine, she looked quite a bit sprier, tossing her snow-white hair back like she was in her 20's again. She would chat with me, offering me some baked muffins every now and then, a welcome inclusion after the consistent diet of boiled oats with the occasional carrot. She said that if she could, she'd convince her friends to come and take care of themselves there. She tried this month, but they were still unwilling to trust me. I told her to take all the time she needed and to come visit whenever she needed the company. She smiled brightly at me and nodded, and thus, I made my first regular customer.

Despite the way that things turned out, I think that I'm starting to make things work here. Regardless of what happens,, I feel that I can at least push farther and maybe, just maybe, make something out of this place. Sure, the Association has been riding me to finish my reports and it's put me on a lower and lower priority as a result, and people are quite shifty-eyed at me, but I feel like, if I hold steady, I can make it.

Good night, everypony.

Praise Celestia.

Author's Note

P.S.

Still haven't finished exploring the house. Quite a few papers and books still left unread. Sorted them all and moved them into the storage room for later uses.