While Umbra was laid up being an expecting mother, life moved on without her.
Pleased with getting things handled, Morning strode through the halls of the castle with a faintly smug expression. Yes, she was one of the most responsible people in her house, at least if you asked her. A thump beside her announced an arrival. When she turned around to look at Tomtom, she immediately noticed that something was not right. "You're leaking."
Tomtom sniffled miserably, drawing his snot right back into his nose in a loud reverse trumpet. "Sorry." He rubbed at his wet nose with an arm, making a new mess. "Sorry."
Morning Dew recoiled a step from the sniffling, dripping mess that was Tomtom. "What happened to you?" She tried to keep the disgust from her voice.
"Don't feel good," Tomtom mumbled, wiping his nose yet again on his furry arm. His ears were drooping even more than usual and his eyes looked glazed and tired. "Everything hurts."
Morning considered the situation. Her first instinct was to get as far away from the messy tsuki as possible. But something made her pause. She thought back to how nice it had felt when her mother took care of her, even when she wasn't feeling very well.
"Come with me," she said decisively, gently guiding the sniffling Tomtom along. "We need to get you cleaned up."
Morning brought him back to her room and directed him to sit on a stool. She wet a washcloth and began gently dabbing at his nose and face, cleaning away the mess. Tomtom sat there sullenly, too miserable to bounce around like usual.
"What hurts?" Morning asked, trying to channel her mother's compassionate bedside manner.
"Everything," Tomtom repeated with a whimper. "And cold but hot. And nose won't stop." He rubbed at it pathetically.
Morning frowned. She didn't know any healing magic that could help with this. But maybe some tea and rest would help. She tucked Tomtom into her bed, bringing him some tissues and a warm drink. He blew his nose loudly before sipping the tea.
"Try to rest," Morning said, channeling her inner Umbra. "I'll...take care of you." The words felt odd on her tongue, but also satisfying, in their own way.
Tomtom offered her a tiny smile. "Thank you," he said, before dissolving into a fit of wet, hacking coughs. Morning dutifully held the wastebin for him to spit into, trying not to cringe too visibly.
It was going to be a long day. But Morning found herself feeling strangely protective of her miserable friend. Perhaps caring for others wasn't so bad, now and then. She shook her head at that thought. Was she becoming soft? No. She was a true and proper nightmare. Tomtom was a.... useful tool. One should take care of their tools, right? Yes. Yes! She felt confidence rebound in her, sure that she was just being pragmatic.
Of course she'd care for Tomtom. He couldn't assist her in any ventures looking like that. It was just the smart thing to do.
With that sorted out, she visited the kitchen. It was bustling with crystal ponies hurrying from place to place. They ignored her, at least at first. She bounded atop one of the counters and cleared her throat. They were still ignoring her. She scowled at them. Didn't they know who she was. "Excuse me," she barked out, eyes flaring with the trademark shadows of her house.
One chef passing by her paused. "Did you need something, little filly?"
"I'm not a filly..." She wasn't a pony at all, though she looked the part. "I require a bowl of soup. Something good for somecreature that's feeling bad."
The chef blinked in surprise at the imperious filly demanding soup from atop his counter. But once he got past her brusque tone, he recognized Morning Dew as Umbra's daughter.
"Of course, right away miss," he said politely, stepping around her to gather ingredients. Morning watched critically as he chopped vegetables, added broth and spices, and simmered it all into a steaming pot.
"This should help your friend feel better," the chef said, pouring a bowlful and placing it on a tray for her. Morning grudgingly added a "thank you" before exiting the kitchen, not wanting to appear too soft.
She brought the tray back to her room, where Tomtom was still miserably bundled in blankets. At the smell of soup, he managed to sit up with interest. Morning set the tray in front of him, wondering if he was too sick to feed himself. But Tomtom immediately grabbed the spoon in his shaky paw and began slurping down the soup.
"Good?" Morning asked after he'd inhaled half the bowl.
Tomtom nodded, his nose still dripping. "Thank you," he said sincerely before dissolving into more wet coughs. Morning pretended not to notice the fleck of soup that landed on her coat.
She busied herself tidying up while Tomtom finished eating. She still felt strange being so openly caring, but the warm feeling persisted. Perhaps she could get used to this friendship thing after all. Ugh, being raised by a pony-simping umbrum was rubbing off on her! She huffed, but she tended to Tomtom and the space around him. "I have been informed that warm soup freshly made with proper diligence can cure a creature of sickness."
She circled around in front of Tomtom. "Did it work?"
Tomtom inclined his head slowly. "Feel... better, little?" A bowl of soup wouldn't cure him, but being cared for and loved was certainly helping. "Glad have you. Good friend. Best friend." He reached a paw for her, but she danced out of the way.
He was her minion and sometimes mount! Not a friend... Nightmares didn't need friends. "Do you require anything else to aid in your recovery?"
Tomtom considered the question, his nose scrunched in thought. "Story?" he finally said. "Like hearing you talk."
Morning hesitated. She didn't usually tell stories for the sake of it. But if it would help Tomtom rest and recover...
"Alright," she conceded. "I will tell you a story." She thought for a moment before beginning.
"Once upon a time there was a fearsome umbrum sorceress who lived in a dark cavern underground. She was greatly feared by all for her powerful shadow magic and wrathful nature."
Morning gestured dramatically as she wove the tale, shadows swirling around her. Tomtom watched with wide eyes, enraptured.
"But the sorceress was lonely in her cave of darkness. She longed for a friend, but everyone was too afraid of her. One day, a brave young explorer wandered into her lair. He saw through her fearsome appearance and approached her kindly. At first she pushed him away, for she did not understand his friendship. But the explorer persisted, and slowly taught the sorceress that light and kindness can exist even in the darkest places."
Morning's shadows receded as she finished the tale. She peeked at Tomtom, who gave a little clap despite his tiredness. "Good story," he said through a yawn.
Morning felt an odd glimmer of pride. Perhaps there was value in a tale well spun, just as her mother had said. And seeing it lift Tomtom's spirits gave her a surprising feeling of warmth. There were still many things she had to learn about friendship, it seemed.
One thing bothered her. Why did she invent that story of all things? An umbrum sorceress, that was fine. Yes, more tales should be told of such fearsome things! But one that was lonely?! Nightmares didn't get lonely! And getting friends? What was she thinking?
Morning clopped her hooves to the sides of her head, grunting with self-aimed annoyance. What drivel! It had tumbled out of her without thought, and she made a mess of her reputation in the process.
Fortunately, Tomtom was unlikely to spread tales of... Wait... No... He probably would. He would tell other tsuki, and then... No. The reputation of the Shadowhearts was on the line! How did she silence Tomtom? She glared at him, but he had fallen asleep, so comfortable in the nest and care Morning had provided.
Her anger fizzled at the sight of the big rabbit creature sleeping. Her... revenge could wait...
Morning's anger dissipated entirely as she watched Tomtom sleep. He looked so peaceful and content, it was hard to stay upset. With a sigh, she realized she didn't actually want to silence her friend. Even if the story she'd told was embarrassingly sappy.
She supposed there were worse things than having others think she was capable of kindness and friendship. Her mother certainly wouldn't mind. And wasn't part of having a friend trusting them? She would just have to trust that Tomtom wouldn't go around sharing her tale.
Feeling resolved, Morning turned her attention back to caring for her patient. She gently wiped Tomtom's still-drippy nose with a tissue and rewet the cloth on his head to keep him cool. His fever seemed to have gone down a bit thanks to the soup and rest.
Morning found herself smiling faintly as she tended to him. It was actually rather nice, knowing her actions were making him feel better. She was still Morning Dew, umbrum sorceress in training - but perhaps with a bit more heart than she realized. Having Tomtom as a friend was changing her, one small kindness at a time.
"Just don't tell anypony," she whispered to the sleeping tsuki. Her reputation was safe with him, she knew. And the story would make a good reminder that even nightmares could find friendship, now and then.
Ugh, it was still... a bit revolting, but she was Morning Dew, the final dew before the dawn, the darkest time. The coldest touch of an unfeeling grass, brushing with a dire chill on desperate legs. Yes, her name was perfect for her nightmarish self. She was a nightmare! But... who said nightmares couldn't play favorites? Tomtom was hers. She would keep him safe, and woe unto anything that dared to get in the way.
That included nasty colds. Morning nodded with complete confidence. "Nothing can stand in my way." Yes, that was the shadowheart way. Even a sudden army couldn't make them quit!
A pony entered without knocking. It was Anik, her brother, and roommate. He spotted the slumbering Tomtom. "Is he alright?" He could see the snoozing tsuki's nose was running.
Morning tensed sharply. Anik was about to figure out what she was doing! Blasted sun brother... "He is... ill." The truth, naked and exposed. "He is resting here."
"That's nice." He went right up and began fluffing up the blanket, making sure it covered TomTom just right. "Should I get something for him?"
Morning tensed, waiting for Anik's judgment or teasing. But it didn't come. He simply accepted that she was caring for her sick friend without making a big deal out of it.
Morning allowed herself to relax slightly. Perhaps she had misjudged her sunny brother. "I gave him some soup earlier," she said. "It seems to have helped some. But more fluids would likely aid the recovery process." She tried to sound nonchalant.
"On it!" Anik said brightly. He trotted out of the room without another word, returning shortly with a pitcher of water and some juice. He placed them gently on the bedside table within Tomtom's reach.
"There, in case he gets thirsty." He paused, then surprised Morning by pulling her into a quick hug. "You're a good friend," he whispered.
Morning stiffened, then awkwardly patted Anik's back, still not used to such shows of affection. "Well, he's not completely useless," she muttered. For her, that was practically a glowing compliment.
Anik just smiled knowingly as he left. "Let me know if you need anything else!"
Morning watched him go, thoughtful. Perhaps she had been hasty to assume the worst of her sibling. Clearly Anik understood the importance of maintaining one's image and reputation. He hadn't embarrassed her by making a big deal about her nurturing behavior. It seemed she could trust him after all.
Feeling oddly lighter, Morning turned her attention back to her patient. She would never admit it out loud, but having a friend - and a supportive brother - felt pretty nice.