//------------------------------//
// Rest 
// Story: Tabula Rasa 
// by Rose Quill 
//------------------------------//

When Twilight stirred, she felt little better than when she had went to rest. She thought that if anywhere would provide a restful sleep, a dreamscape should be one. She groaned in disappointment when she realized she was laying on something warm and soft. She opened her eyes and saw that she was nestled up against Luna’s coat, the elder Alicorn’s wing draped over her.

“Welcome back,” Luna whispered.

Twilight sat up suddenly, her cheeks blushing red. “Sorry,” she babbled. “I just needed a little rest after the attack, and…”

The midnight wing slid over and laid across her lips. “You should be soft,” Luna warned, whispering still. “Our host slumbers yon.”

Twilight turned and saw Tabula asleep nearby, one leg kicking slightly in her rest.

“How long have you been awake?” Twilight whispered, turning back to Luna.

“It is difficult to judge time in a dreamscape,” the Princess of Dreams replied. “But I would venture no more than two hours. You slumbered over my withers, so I adjusted you to a more comfortable position. Am I to assume you did not rest well?”

Twilight nodded. “I feel as though I’ve been running for days.”

Luna sighed. “It is similar,” the Alicorn whispered. “While within a dreamscape, we cannot escape into our own dreams. To go for too long without dreaming, our minds will slowly shred against their own strain. Three days without dreaming will begin the onset.”

Twilight thought for a moment. “I think we’ve been inside for nearly a day,” she posited. “But I think we’re close to a breakthrough.” She glanced at the bandage around Luna’s side. “How is your wound?”

The Lunar Diarch stretched and shook her mane. “It does not pain me, though I will be weak for some time due to the poison that was within.”

Twilight sat up straight again. “Should I make a poultace?” she asked.

Luna patted the air between them. “Peace, Twilight,” she laughed. “My nature alone will bleed the venom from my body with time. You have no reason to fear for me. Though the explosion you caused after my being struck was truly impressive.”

Twilight blushed again. She wasn’t sure why simply talking to her mentor’s sister was causing these reactions. “I was worried about you,” she whispered shyly.

Luna’s eyes twinkled with merriment, and behind them, Tabula yawned.

“Are the two of you ok?” the Pegasus said sleepily.

“We seem to be ok for the moment,” Luna replied. “How are you now?”

“Tired of doubting myself,” she said. “I think its time to wake up and go forward. I can’t find out anymore trying to go backwards.”

“A fine plan,” Twilight said. “And I’ll be there to help in any way you need.”

“That’s good,” Tabula said, a slight blush rising to her face. 

“Do you have any idea how to wake me up?”