Noble Declaration watched Lady Margherita trot out of the room with a confused expression while simultaneously wore a relieved face. Dots were starting to connect in Noble's head. The group around him shifted and murmured, wondering who was next. Much to everypony's surprise, Miss Melody called out his name.

Noble got up from the sofa with a heavy sigh and trotted forwards. Behind him, many of the guests questioned about him. He couldn't help but hide a smile. He was a newspaper writer and researcher, he hunted down stories and gathered them from other sources. He did all of this from behind the scenes, the only outward appearance he shows off is his name in every article he has ever written. Thus the confusion of the guests. They don't know him and he's okay with that.

Noble trotted into the dining room casually. Behind him the door closed. He paid no attention.

"Noble Declaration. Both Thatcher and Margherita have claimed your part in the tale. Whether or not you can confirm is yet to be seen." Miss Melody started off, her posture and speech posh and careful. Beside her, Noble noticed Miss Scratch made a subtle movement with her head. Rolling her eyes behind the glasses no doubt.

"You want to hear my story? Not whether or not I'm guilty or whether I know who the killer is?" Noble was quite confused. That's not how the books went or the articles, which came from Detective Vinyl herself!

The unicorn shrugged and put on a cocky grin. For added effect, she wiggled her forelegs in a smooth pattern.

"What Vinyl is trying to say, excluding unnecessary commentary, is that she would like the full picture. The most obvious suspect might be innocent and the least likely clue might be the biggest."

Vinyl nodded and flashed her smile. Noble might be young, but he wasn't a fool.

"I see. I assume you have Truth Incense? Odorless, featureless, and noiseless. Perfect tools for getting a suspect to confess." He was quite sure they were burning incense because of the look Margherita was wearing earlier. It looked like the pictures he gets sent to put in the articles.

Vinyl nodded with a toothy grin.

"I see. My full story then."

Vinyl nodded again.

"Alright."

Noble Declaration, a stallion with an early schedule, woke up before the sun had fully risen. He made his way down the hall and into the kitchen. The Thatcher's had generously given him the guest bedroom to stay in while he did his work. He honestly can't remember why he was allowed to stay here, but here he was.

In the kitchen, he made himself some toast and tea. He found a comfortable position by the table and got to work. This week's newspaper was about the Royal Wedding. Reactions from the nobles, interviews with the Elements of Harmony, conspiracy theories, the weather. After a while, you get a bit bored with all the news. But Noble kept trudging on, bringing news to the masses.

While he was working, Roof Thatcher, patron of the household, made his way down the stairs. He nodded sleepily to Noble's direction and made himself a hay sandwich, complete with extra daisies, just the way he likes them. The funny part was that he never remembers what's on his sandwiches.

He then made his way to the couch with last week's newspaper. That edition had a very detailed description of the Royal Wedding from some witnesses. Noble's personal favorite was from a mailmare. Many ponies claimed her fighting prowess was unmatched. Her and a certain cello player, the exact same that Margherita invited. Noble chuckled, sometimes the high and mighty truly are blind.

He was in the middle of writing down a headline for page three when she arrived on scene. Speak of Discord and he shall arrive, he supposed. Noble watched as the mare trotted down the stairs with a certain assuredness that spoke of being spoiled and entitled. Honestly, he would've disappeared a long time ago were it not for financial issues.

He nodded to her when she passed to be polite. She ignored him, that was okay. She then proceeded to destroy the poor toast her husband left her, that was okay too. He certainly wasn't going to say anything, he wanted to keep his head. Noble just hummed and continued working, getting in the zone.

Halfway through, he lifted his head and noticed that Thatcher had disappeared. Margherita was still sitting on the couch looking like a lost filly. He ignored her and decided that it was time for him to move. If Thatcher left, that meant he was going to come back with ponies and supplies and Margherita was bound to get angry at something.

Noble quickly picked up his newspapering supplies and booked it, heading towards the many offices. He dumped his stuff down and leaned back on the chair Thatcher had put out for him a week prior. The space was simple enough, plenty of room for his various news sources, interviews, pictures, stories, etc. There was even a mirror in one corner and a couch at the other.

Noble got up and trotted towards the mirror because why not. He looked at himself. Despite living here for a few weeks now, it was surprising how much fatter he's gotten. Granted, he wasn't fat, but the weight he's gained is a bit concerning.

Besides the added weight gain, Noble Declaration looked normal. A beige stallion with a yellow orange striped mane and tail. His eyes were a 'cute' blue, or so he's been told. Trotting around in a circle, he was able to glance at his cutie mark, a newspaper printing press, surprise surprise.

He sighed and continued to work. He kept at it until he heard a door slam open with loud voices. He mused that perhaps some of the guests had arrived. He got up and stealthily peered through a window that overlooked the front door and his suspicions were confirmed. Two stallions, both unknown, and a mare. The mare he knew to be Mint. She came to him one day to speak of a supposed urgent business containing a ferret and scotch. It was most perplexing. If Mint was there, then one of those stallions must be her husband. He ignored them and went back to work.

Vinyl looked like she had a question so Noble stopped talking. Being a reporter and newspaper writer, one needs to recognize signs. The mare in question did a number with her hooves. Miss Melody glanced at her, nodded once, and then looked back at him.

"Mister Declaration, it seems you know a lot about these ponies. It would be very helpful if you could narrate their relationships along with your retelling, if you can, that is."

"Of course, and please, call me Noble. I have nothing to declare after all."

"If you wish."

Major Tomato, preferably known as Major Tom, was a Major in the war against the Abyssinians many years ago. Roof Thatcher, just a colt, was also in that war. Over time, the two formed a pseudo father-son relationship. Thatcher made sure after he got wealthy that Major Tom was well looked after.

As for Mint, she's just a farm filly Major Tom spotted one day and proposed to her on the spot. Her family being poor, her kind heart forced her into accepting. Almost all of her bits she gets from the Major goes to her family, keeping the rest for small acts of kindness around the village the two live in. Noble snorted. It's a miracle he hasn't ditched her yet.

As for the relationships with Margherita, it's quite simple. She hates Major Tom but adores Mint. She often says how similar their situations are.

Noble had nearly finished the first draft before noises of a carriage rolling up the driveway. More guests, he thought to himself. What a joy. Peeking through a small window, he saw the Archduke family clamber out of the rickety old thing.

Archduke Archduke, one of the most absurd names Noble had ever stumbled across and he's known many. The pitiful stallion loved gambling and drinking. A terrible and totally cliche character if you ask Noble. His ties to Thatcher lie in just being old friends. Apparently they went to school together.

Archduchess Archduchess came next with an extravagant frown and a worrinnoyed expression on her face. It was heartening to see as Noble never really cared for that pesky mare. Her ties to the family merely lie in Archduke himself. According to Noble, they've only had one child of whom they had to bury not long after birth. A sad day for all. Then that one child returned. Duke Embezzle. Noble never trusted that pony. Something in his eyes seemed...wrong.

As he watched, the mare was sent inside while Archduke and Embezzle stayed behind with Major Tom and Thatcher. He immediately lost interest when they went to get more scotch. Seriously, Thatcher had a terrible scotch problem. Instead he went back to work, the draft was nearly done after all. He was currently on the page that spoke of the insane success of Ditzy Doo's Mail Delivery.

An unknown amount of time passed before he finished. He sighed and stretched, cracking his back. He got up and packed away his draft into his saddlebags and made his way into the livingroom. Before he could step hoof into the room, he heard a commotion down the other hallway. Curious, Noble trotted out to the noise.

He was surprised to see the four stallions wasted and doing complete nonsense. Archduke Archduke was babbling about how the world was ending and how Coltfornia was sinking. Roof Thatcher was standing on a couch screaming to Major Tom who was writhing in agony on the floor. The pile of blankets that Noble had assumed was Lord Embezzle was actually just a pile of blankets, which meant Embezzle wasn't even in the room, unless he was a really good hider.

Deciding that he didn't want to be a part of...whatever this was, Noble backed out immediately and trotted towards the kitchen to grab some food. He almost made it there too before a door burst open and Noble slammed into it. He collapsed clutching his bloody noise and whined. Over the pain he heard four very drunk stallions.

Shifting to the side of the door, he saw the same exact stallions who were in the game room including Lord Embezzle! Noble decided to ignore everything and go upstairs to his room, which should be much quieter. He stopped to talk to Van Dime before making his way up the stairs and asked for food to be brought to his room. The butler nodded and bowed.

Vinyl stopped the story by waving her forelegs widely. She made some gestures that looked like a question. He was pleased to see he was right when Miss Melody translated.

"She's wondering about Van Dime. What does he look like? What's his relationship with everypony?"

"Huh. I've never thought about that. He's always in the background, helping out everypony. He also seems to have this casual thin smile everytime I see him...hmmm..." Noble drifted into thought. He was snapped out of it by a heavy thud, and Vinyl looked annoyed.

"What does he look like?"

"Small gray stallion, dirty white mane, darker gray fetlocks and larger than normal. His cutie mark is uhh...I've never seen his cutie mark. He's always wearing this butler uniform that covers his flanks."

"Thank you, you may continue." Miss Melody said after Vinyl nodded with satisfaction.

Noble waited upstairs, entertaining himself with an interesting novel. It was about how to spend your time effectively. After making it halfway through the book did he realize that the butler never came in. He went downstairs to go check if something had happened.

He saw Margherita on the couch sighing contentedly and staring at the ceiling, besides her nothing was out of the ordinary, unless a missing butler counted. Noble stood there, thinking for a moment then decided to claim his snack. Rummaging through the fridge rewarded him with a block of cheese. Cutting himself several slices and returned the rest, he trotted away in search of the butler.

While he was passing a doorway, he heard a heavy thud and then a screech of despair. It was answered by a shaky voice unintelligible. Decided that something was off there, Noble pushed his way into a scene of...something.

"Thinking back, none of it makes sense."

Major Tom was standing looking frustrated mixed in with confusion and despair, next to him was the stallion Noble saw earlier with Tom and Mint. The mysterious stallion had a bushy mustache and a green beanie hat. He also had a flashlight gripped in his magic and he looked ready to strike. On the floor lay the bodies of the butler and Lord Branded.

"Wha...?" Was all he got out before getting whacked over the head.

Noble Declaration awoke lying on a couch, wrapped up in blankets. He stumbled out, groggy and disoriented. Nothing felt right, especially his head. He tried touching his head with a hoof but being on three hooves seemed too much and promptly collapsed on the quilted floor. He let loose a groan.

He had no idea how long it took for him to fully recover but when he did, he was capable of standing and trotting without tilting to one side. He took that as a win. He stumbled out of the room he somehow was in and nearly crashed into Poof Matcher.

"My good fellow, you need to consume less firewater next time." Poof smiled good heartedly.

"I'll ta...take that in mind." Noble clutched onto his new savior, determined to not let go. "Could you, mayhaps, keep me upright?"

"Sure...?"

"Noble Declaration."

"Poof Matcher."

He nodded and together they walked into the living room. Right after entering, they both grabbed a drink from Van Dine who didn't look less for wear. Poof guided Noble to a very comfortable looking couch.

"So, any reason you were in that room?" Poof asked after settling down.

"I have no idea why I was in there. Why?"

"Oh, that's just my father's personal study room."

"Ah, my deepest apologies then."

"Eh, it's fine."

After that, they started chattering over mundane things. And sooner or later, Thatcher arrived on scene looking just as disoriented as Noble was earlier. He beelined straight for Noble and sat down next to him, not even glancing to his son. Noble casted an apologetic look towards Poof but he was already gone, disappeared amongst the ponies.

Thatcher then struck up a conversation about the Royal Wedding and Noble was forced to listen. While he was 'listening', he did notice that Thatcher was sweating and that his eyes were shifting all over the place. It was quite curious.

Then lightning struck, and the world went dark.

"Everypony, please calm down! This is completely normal. Whenever lightning strikes nearby the lights turn off. It will come back on soon enough." Went Thatcher, his voice calm and assured.

"So, you're saying that when lightning strikes nearby, the lights will always go out?" Asked by a noble, Noble was pretty sure it was Lord Branded although he isn't a hundred percent sure. The lights flickered on soon after that.

Lightning struck again and the house went black. There was a scuffle and a metallic ring and then slow dripping as well as a gasp. Several shadows were in the distance but before he could make out any details, the light flickered on and the dead body of Poof Matcher was revealed. Near him was Van Dime, Lord Branded, and Lord Embezzle. Noble also took note on how unsurprised Margherita was.

Before anypony could say anything, Lord Branded pointed a hoof towards Van Dime and yelled. "It was the butler!"

Thatcher collapsed and Margherita followed quite soon after. It would've been hilarious were it not for the fact that Noble's newest acquaintance had just been killed.

"I'll...I'll take him to the undertaker." Noble offered since nopony was doing anything.

"No. Everypony will stay here, the body goes outside the back door and we can contact to anypony in a few minutes though. Soon a detective will arrive and an investigation will be done. Before that, I'm putting this building on quarantine." Miss Melody stood with a curious intensity.

Thatcher was the first to fall unconscious, Margherita was soon after and before she hit the ground, the screaming started.

"That's all I've got for now. I'll tell you if I have more."

Vinyl nodded slowly with a curious look. Octavia just looked confused.

"Good luck with finding the killer." Noble left.