Waiting lobby number eight, waiting lobby number eight. There was number seven, and there was number two, and there was fourteen...where was eight? Why in the world would they number the waiting lobbies if they were not in order? I might not be the most orderly and conventional mare, but even I wouldn't make things this confusing. Well, maybe I would, but not for stuff as mundane as a waiting lobby that people need to find so they can be with their families. This place wasn't even interesting to look at. It was like walking around an airport, except it had plain gray walls instead of nice big windows to see the planes taking off and landing. The lack of windows made it feel like I was down in the Well of Shade again, minus the bones. At least it had gift shops and a food court. Perhaps I should find the service desk and ask for directions. Security might help, too; they were everywhere. There were so many security guards decked out in heavy military gear that they made the TSA look like library monitors. They were guarding every door and every stall, even the restrooms, and it was never just one guard.
The place wasn't crowded, but some people were walking around, and a few clusters of three or four were looking around the area in equal confusion. It was easy to tell the Equestrians from the Earthlings, and not just that humans automatically came from Earth and that gaggle of griffins definitely wasn't born on Earth. The Equestrians tended to wear more clothing than the ponies from Earth. Why was this? Probably because they heard rumors that all Earthlings wore clothes, and the Equestrians didn't want to stand out. The fact that they were wearing an exorbitant amount of clothes that didn't even make sense in conjunction with each other didn't help either. I mean, a winter scarf, what looked like a prom dress, a lampshade for a hat, and galoshes all together? Yeah, you're a tourist. It's that winter scarf; you can't possibly pair that correctly with a lampshade.
Everybody else's family had been with them in Equestria and had stayed with them through the isolation period. They didn't have to find anyone when they got back here; they got to leave straight for home. Sunflower had wanted to help me find my parents, but Sunflower's family had been too eager to get going. Family came first. I could be disappointed, but I couldn't fault her for leaving me to fend for myself. It wasn't that big a deal. I just needed to find that silly lobby that they might as well be labeled as a vegetable instead of a number. Lobby number asparagus would have been a better name than lobby number eight.
Oh, wait, there it was, and it was right next to the food court. Happy dance time! I started prancing in place, followed by a moonwalk and some good headbobs. Yeah, feel it! Work it! Shake that flank! People were staring, but who cared?
I did stop dancing after a moment, but only because my tummy was a little rumbly. The food court had a Zombie Bob's Pizza. I might try to talk my parents into taking a minute to buy a spinach and artichoke pizza from there…or two…or three. The food at the center back in Equestria did not match their beds. No matter where you went, hospital food still sucked. Family first, then begging for edible food.
I scampered over to the appropriate lobby and entered. It was a big room with many chairs, benches, and a pair of ninety-six-inch TVs– one displaying the news and the other some game show. There were only five people present. Two guards, my parents, and-
"Russell!" I shouted with joy and flew at him, tackling him from the air and knocking him out of his seat before he had a chance to turn to look at me.
"No flying allowed!" one of the security guards shouted.
"Sorry!" I yelled, then rolled over, so I was no longer lying on my dazed boyfriend's head. "Russell, you okay? I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just excited."
He rolled over in the opposite direction and coughed, "Ugh! Give me a moment to breathe. You always know how to make an entrance. Good to see you, babe."
My ears flattened. "You aren't hurt, are you?"
"I'll be alright. I've been slammed down plenty of times while wrestling. You aren't the heaviest person to come down on my head," he said as he sat up. He then smiled at me. "You seem alright. I heard you hurt your head."
I rubbed my head. "I got stitches. Now I'll be scarred for life. I need cuddles." I blinked and then smiled sheepishly at my parents, who were both now standing over the pair of us. "Oh, um, sorry. Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. I missed you two too."
My mom crossed her arms, and I could tell she was doing her best not to smile. "You wouldn't object to me getting first dibs on cuddling you, would you?"
I hurried over to her and wrapped my forelegs and wings around her legs. My mom finally let her smile bloom and clumsily bent down to hug me. It was a tight hug.
"You are alright, right?" Stepdad asked. "We heard you were in a hospital and had been exposed to dark magic. We didn't get any more details about what happened, only that you had a concussion and had to wait to come back until they were sure you wouldn't bring back any dark magic or foreign illnesses."
I let go of my mom. "I'm feeling good. I do have a scar on my head, but I guess nobody can see it. I fought with a wall. I didn't win."
His eyebrows rose. "Must have been a tough wall. You've hit plenty before and never had to go to the hospital for it. What about that part about dark magic?"
I looked around. It was still just the guards, but that was still too much. "I don't think I'm allowed to talk about it in public. I can tell you about it after we get out of here." I looked at Russell. "What are you doing here? I'm happy to see you, but you'll miss classes. I don't want us both to be behind on classwork."
He rubbed the back of his head. "Ma insisted. She said, Boy, you better be there when your marefriend gets back. You can catch up on your classes, but you need to show her how much you care about her. That filly's a keeper. I was more than happy to agree with her."
I turned and hugged him. "Aww! That's so sweet, but you didn't need to do this. Now give me cuddles!"
And cuddles he gave–a nice big hug in his dark, white-splotted arms, my spotty-man. My mom hugging me felt great, but there was something even better about Russell's hugs.
"Eh-hem, sorry to interrupt."
I looked over at the entrance to the lobby and saw Phobia Remedy there, flanked by Tempest. The two security guards were both looking at the Warden of Fear nervously.
Phobia looked at the pair of guards. "You two may stand outside."
"Ma'am, we have been assigned-"
The Dreamwarden held up a wing. "I have the authority to override any order your supervisor may have given you if I am not putting anyone in danger. Tempest can guard us fine enough, and I request you leave. When the two individuals that I am waiting for arrive, you may come in to alert me and resume your posts inside. There are cameras here. It isn't like I'm being unmonitored."
The guards looked at each other, but both seemed to acknowledge that the Dreamwarden was right. She might not have absolute authority over them, but she could order them around to a degree. Dreamwardens were among the highest-ranking officials in the world. The two of them reluctantly left the room and shut the lobby door behind them. Tempest took position at the door, arms crossed, and the Dreamwarden focused on us.
"We did not expect a visit from you, Dreamwarden Phobia Remedy," Mom said breathlessly. "Did you visit each of the others when they came through too?"
Phobia shook her head. "No, but I am not here for our six wayward teens who got into trouble. I am here to wait. Crystal and Ulysses are due to return as well today. I'm simply here to pick them up. This is the waiting lobby I was assigned."
"You couldn't get someone to do that for you?" Stepdad asked. He then went wide-eyed. "Sorry, I meant no disrespect. I just heard you rarely leave Skytree unless you have to."
"No disrespect was taken," Phobia assured him as she walked over to a bench a short distance away from us and climbed on it. "Crystal is one of my personal bodyguards. I have many bodyguards, but only two personal ones. A Dreamwarden's personal bodyguard is absolutely devoted to their warden, but the Dreamwarden also gives the bodyguard a certain amount of devotion. They have our absolute trust. We listen when they have something to say. We care very much for their wellness, both physical and emotional. Our personal bodyguards are as much family as our blood, and just like I was here to greet my wife and offspring when they returned days ago, I am here again for Crystal. She needs even more care than my other family right now. She was hurt, and I have been worried about her. I also promised Psychic Calm that I would be here for his bodyguard as well. To make sure his remains are returned in one piece."
My eyes watered. "Wait…Ulysses died? I didn't know. Nobody told us. He just sort of vanished, and I forgot about him."
Phobia nodded and sighed. "It may have been discussed while you were still in recovery and not something your friends thought to bring up. My understanding is that Blanche and Jonathan were the ones more familiar with him and that their relationship with him was troubled. He will be buried without fanfare, but Psy is quite shaken to learn his friend is dead. As I said, they are like family. Even though they serve with the intention of laying down their lives for us if need be, the loss of one is devastating. Crystal was severely injured, but I'm happy she at least is coming back to me living and breathing, and she will make a full recovery in time."
I felt bad. I knew Crystal and Ulysses had been in the Well of Shade and had fought with the Pony of Shadows to help the others get away, but I hadn't even thought in all my time after waking back up to ask about them, not even when I didn't see them returning with us. How'd I completely forget about them like that?
Phobia looked at my boyfriend. "Russell Rice, correct? We haven't met."
Russell stood up. "That's me. You've heard about me?"
Phobia nodded. "Your dreams are beyond our reach, but I have other eyes and ears. I have a question for you, a bold one, if I may ask."
"Uh, sure, you can ask," Russell replied hesitantly.
Phobia focused a stern gaze upon him. "I know you know what your marefriend is being considered for. Tell me, if she were to get that job, what would you have her do if someone were to capture you and demand she gives them information in exchange for your safe return alive?"
"That's not fair!" I shouted, fluffing my feathers.
Phobia looked at me and didn't look impressed at my display. "Dreamwardens don't always get to deal with things that are fair, and sometimes we have to be direct, especially when dealing with those we do not know the mind of. I would have my answer."
Russell gaped, then lowered his head. He was silent for a few seconds before answering, "I'd want her to try to save me but not to give in to their demands. I understand the weight of the job you are considering her for, and I know the consequences of being close to her. I matter, but far more people than me can be hurt if she gives in."
I was crying now.
Phobia turned her attention to my parents. "And you? What would you have her do if your lives were on the line?"
Mom seemed ready to cry too. "This is a cruel question to ask."
"I am not needlessly cruel," Phobia replied. "I know your hearts; you can abstain from answering. Asking you simply hammers in the point. This is something for Rebecca to consider and consider soon."
"This is a test," I whimpered. It wasn't a question. I knew it for what it was.
"Psychic Calm was very devastated by Uylsess' passing and wishes to expedite his retirement. Our timetable is going to be advancing," Phobia said. "Expect many difficult tests in the coming days– some that your friends will fail. The question is, will you fail as well?"
The door opened, and a guard stuck his head in. "Madam Dreamwarden, the mare in a wheelchair is here…and the people pushing the coffin."
Phobia left her seat. "Let me attend to my friend then and do my brother the honor of returning his to him. A good day to you, Riddles and Mister Rice. I hope none of you ever have to have a day like the one I'm having."
I cuddled against Russell's legs and cried. No amount of cookies and cake could make me feel better.