//------------------------------// // Lesson Two: Keep Soap Away From Luna // Story: Teachings of a Very Smart Cookie // by pokefreak13 //------------------------------// Smart Cookie dipped her hoof into the brass tub. Satisfied that the water was warm enough, she turned her attention on Celestia and Luna who were sitting on the floor. Cookie flashed them a smile, and the two siblings flew into the tub. Wisps of steam grazed their body. “Um, do y’all want some soap? Or is there a spell?” Cookie asked. Celestia chuckled. “Soap is fine. There is a bubble spell, but we haven’t mastered that one yet.” “Okay, then.” Cookie opened a cabinet and pulled out a glass jar half filled with a dull purple gel. She popped off the lid and dumped a few dollops of the gel. Almost instantaneously small bubbles appeared on the water’s surface. “It smells just like grapes!” Luna chimed. Cookie set the jar back onto the counter. “Eeyup. Mah friend, Clover, made it for me.” She tapped her muzzle. “Will y’all be fine by yerselves? Ah should probably start some brunch.” “Of course,” Celestia replied. Once Smart Cookie left, Celestia laid her head on the tub’s rim and sighed. The palace bathing chambers were a lot more open and elegant. Celestia scanned the room and smiled. Yet for some reason the coziness just works. She closed her eyes. The steam washed over her, allowing her muscles to relax. I wonder if this is what Mother meant by finding a paradise. Splash! Celestia bolted upright. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of Luna with her forelegs raised. An innocent smile dotted her face. Celestia lifted a hoof to her face and felt it completely drenched. “Luna,” Celestia hissed. “Yes, Tia?” Luna batted her eyes. “I’m trying to relax. Plus your splashing is getting the bathroom wet.” Luna tapped her horn. “Relax, I’ll just use my magic to levitate the water back into the tub.” Celestia crossed her hooves. “It’s still uncouth to splash ponies.”   “Ugh, fine.” When Celestia closed her eyes again, Luna swished her hoof in the water. The bubbles were beginning to dissipate, as was the grape scent. Luna tapped her muzzle and an idea formed in her mind. With a chuckle, Luna turned her attention to the jar. “Aaand levitate.” Luna whispered. Her horn lit up and a faint aura engulfed the open jar. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead as she tried to move the jar. Her aura lifted the jar a few millimeters off of the counter. That’s right! Come on jar, you can do it. The jar levitated right in front of Luna. With a triumphant smile, she released her magic. The jar plummeted and Luna’s hooves were outstretched to catch it, but her hooves were slippery due to the water and the jar crashed into the tub. Crabapples. Luna used her magic to feverishly levitate the cracked jar back onto the counter. She let out a sigh. “Luna, what did you do!?” Celestia screeched. Luna looked down, her eyes widened as mounds upon mounds of bubbles surfaced. The grapey perfume engulfed her senses, making Luna’s eyes tear up. “I just wanted more bubbles,” Luna whimpered while trying to squish the bubbles down. Celestia hovered above the tub. Tiny purple bubbles clung to her entire body from the neck down. “Come on, we need to get rid of this before Smart Cookie finds out.” “Ah think she already knows.” Celestia and Luna froze. Time seemed to crawl to a stop. Their eyes peered at Cookie who was leaning against the doorway. Luna’s mouth felt like a desert. “I-I can explain.” Cookie’s eyes narrowed. “Clean this mess up.” Her attention turned to Celestia. “Once ya get cleaned up, brunch is on the table.” “What about-“ Cookie shook her head. “Once ya finish cleaning ya can eat.” Celestia levitated some water to wash away the bubbles and a towel to dry off. She then flew over towards Cookie and the two disappeared back into the kitchen. Luna scrambled out of the tub. She gazed at the still growing mountain of bubbles. Her ears flattened against her skull. I’m going to pass out before I even finish cleaning this mess. Luna clambered to the head of the tub. With a flick of her magic, she lifted up the drainer. Water gurgled down the drain, leaving just the bubbles and soap residue behind. Well, when in doubt, levitate it out. Luna’s magic took hold of a chunk of bubbles. She searched around until she spotted a window. With a grin, she pushed the window open and tossed the bubbles outside. Luna wiped her forehead. Hey, this might not be so bad. Cookie entered the bathroom and raised an eyebrow at Luna, who was curled up next to the tub. She was snoring softly, water streaked across her body. Maybe ah pushed her a tad too hard, Cookie thought to herself. She tiptoed toward Luna and gently picked her up. With a twinkle, Cookie went back into the living room and placed Luna on the worn couch. Celestia trotted out from the kitchen, bits of buttery toast dotted her muzzle. “Did Luna clean up the bathroom?” Cookie nodded. “She’s out like ah light though. Help me wrap up her food fer later and the two of us can go an’ water the garden.” “Okay.” Celestia disappeared back into the kitchen. Cookie located a blanket draped over a rocking chair. She quickly covered Luna’s body with it. Once she was satisfied that Luna was comfortable, Cookie trotted towards the kitchen. “Mmm.” Cookie turned around. Luna was up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Hi, Smart Cookie, I’m hungry.” Luna yawned. “Yer food’s in the kitchen. Celestia and I are goanna be out back watering the garden. When yer ready ya can join us,” Cookie replied. “I’m ready,” Luna said. However, when she tried to hop off of the couch, drowsiness forced her body to plop on the floor. Cookie rushed to Luna’s aid and helped the filly back onto the couch. “No yer not, Just get some shut eye. Ah promise ya can help in the garden tomorrow.” “Promise?” “Ah Promise.” Luna drifted back to sleep. Her dreams completely full of bubbles.