//------------------------------// // 19~Flu Season // Story: Youngblood // by Centurion Pike-Wall //------------------------------// November 24th, 3095 Imperial Calender (1522 AD) Scootaloo's house Flurry knocked, before backing up and tapping her rear hoof. She looked up at the second story, knowing that the closest window to her on the second floor was DJ and Depressi's room. She almost considered yelling up there, but decided against it. She wanted to find DJ, not aggravate him. The door opened, drawing her attention back to that. Scootaloo said, "Oh, hey. What are you doing here?" "Have you seen DJ?", Flurry asked. "We were supposed to meet up today, but he's a no-show." "Oh, yeah. He's, uh, he's upstairs", Scootaloo said. "Why?", Flurry asked. "Guess there's no harm in it. Just don't tell Pinkie", Scootaloo said, adding emphasis on that last part. As if on cue, Pinkie Pie materialized right next to them, asking rapidly, "Don't tell me what?" Both of the other mares jumped, and Pinkie smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. But seriously, what's going on?" A loud series of racking coughs came from the second-story window, seemingly offering them an answer. "Uh", Scootaloo said. "Yeah, DJ's... come down with something." "He's sick?", Flurry asked, to which Scootaloo nodded. Pinkie zipped away, causing both of them to stare in the direction she had run off in. Flurry turned back, asking, "Is it bad?" "No, not really", Scootaloo said. "I had Dinky to drop by on her way back from the hospital. It's just a common cold. He'll be right as rain in a day or two." Before either could say anything, Pinkie Pie had returned. She held a wooden basket in her mouth, which was piled high with various items. A sealed pot of soup, a few lollipops, a big 'Get-well-soon' card, a bear plush, an ice pack, and a few balloons. "Uh, can I give this to him, or...?", she asked. Scootaloo just stared at her in dumbfounded amazement. "Pinkie, you haven't moved this fast since tailing Rainbow Dash before Gilda showed up." "Well, I know how bad it can feel to be sick, and I want to make him feel better and smile, and I'm sure that Rainbow would like it if I was uber-super-duper nice to him when she comes to visit and-" She likely would've continued rambling, if not for Scootaloo raising a hoof. "Look, I appreciate the sentiment. But, it's just the common cold. It'll be better for him if you just give him some space." "But can I at least see him?", Pinkie asked, giving Scootaloo a wide, hopeful smile and a set of big puppy-dog eyes. Scootaloo sighed. "I'm more partial to let Flurry in, since she and DJ are friends. But", she said, putting up a hoof when Pinkie began to pout, "I'll let you come in as long as you don't mess with Speedie and don't upset him." Flurry and Pinkie entered the house, Pinkie instantly making a bouncing b-line for the stairs. Flurry, meanwhile, stopped to notice the blanket, pillow, and hat sitting on and next to the couch. "What's all that?" "Oh, Depressi is sleeping on the couch while DJ is sick", Scootaloo explained. "No sense in anypony else getting sick." Flurry shrugged and followed Pinkie up the stairs to DJ's bedroom. Inside, DJ sat up in his bed, holding a small bead necklace while muttering something with his eyes shut. He opened his eyes when he heard them come in, revealing them to mildly bloodshot, complimenting the heavy bags under his eyes. The small table that he and his brother had used as a nightstand had been brought closer to DJ's bed with a box of tissues, a small cup of water, and a thermometer sat on. He said, "Sal-", before breaking down in a short fit of coughing. "Salve, Amicus. Miss Pie. How can help?" "I was just checking up on you, to make sure you were ok!", Pinkie said, hefting the basket in front of her and placing it on DJ's lap. "I got you this to help you feel better!" "Er, gratias?", he said, setting the basket next to the bed. Pinkie said, "Like that card says, I hope you feel better soon! Bye!" With that, she bounded off, leaving Flurry and DJ alone. DJ asked, "Did you come to do the same? Just, wish me better?" "Well, I came mostly just to see where you were, it being Saturday and all", she said. "But, yeah, I guess I am now." "I appreciate it, but it's not that bad", he said, rubbing a bit of snot away from his nostrils. "I'll just take it easy for a bit, and we'll resume next week. Does that sound-" He was interrupted again, this time by him opening and closing his beak. After doing this a few times, it ended in him letting out a sneeze: a high pitched, squeaky, and surprisingly adorable sound. Flurry just stood there, looking at him as he grabbed a tissue and wiped his nose. Before she could even open her mouth, he said, "Don't even mention that. Just don't." "Right", Flurry said. "Anyway, that's fine. We just go back to normal?" DJ sniffled and said, "Elama willing, yeah." "Who?", Flurry asked. "Elama, the God of Life", he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I don't have, nor have any interest in getting, a theology degree", Flurry said. "So, mind explaining it to me. Simply." "Ok. Elama is the God of Life, and the counterpart of Kuolema, the Goddess of Death", DJ said, holding up the small wooden necklace. Squinting at it, Flurry saw two small figures separated by a few beads: A knarled rod and a leaf. "Ok, but why pray to him?", Flurry asked. "Wouldn't it make sense to pray to, I don't know... the God of Medicine?" "He is the God of Medicine", DJ said. "Oh", Flurry said. "It goes beyond that though", he said. "Since he is the God of Life, he created all life as gifts to give to Kuolema. This, unfortunately, includes things like Mosquitos, Rats, and Parasites. Way some of the textbooks describe it, it's more than likely that bacteria fall under Elama's domain too." "Gifts?" "Yeah. I'm not the Priest Setronus's kid, but long-story-short, the two are lovers. By nature, the two are unable to be together: Part of the Sculptors balance or something. Anyway, Elama makes gifts in the form of living creatures, breathing life into them and sending them to his wife. And Kuolema keeps the ones that have proven themselves to be virtuous." "Huh", Flurry said. "That's... actually kinda sweet." "Yeah, I like it", DJ said somberly, lowering his head and sniffling a bit. "It's... a comforting thought, no? That what you are has inherent value? And you have something to look forward to after death?" Flurry looked at him, noting something about the way he said it. It was somber, like he was speaking from experience. "Is... something wrong?" His somber look suddenly snapped to one of fury, his eyes narrowing and his jaw growing tense. He said, "Like it's your fucking business!" Flurry backed up in shock, before her own eyes narrowed. "Alright then. I'll see you next week." She turned deftly to leave, before hearing a whimper behind her. DJ said, the anger and bile from his voice replaced with a soft regret, "Sorry. Sorry." Flurry continued to look ahead with such focus she could make out individual splinters on the wall opposite her. "It's fine. See you next week." She walked off, listening to a string of silent curses coming from DJ.