//------------------------------// // Chapter III // Story: A Healthy Friendship // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// I yawned as I opened my eyes, blinking a few times before sitting up straight. Sleeping on the floor surprisingly wasn’t that bad after all. “Good morning,” Somnambula said casually as my head whipped up and to the side. She was laying on the bed, staring down at me with an unreadable expression as I gulped. I may have levitated her into the bed after she passed out on the floor. I was always raised to treat my guests better than myself. “Morning,” I grumbled as I awkwardly climbed to my hooves. It was a bit uncomfortable to be alone with her or well, any of the other Pillars alone, not just Somnambula. There’s just so much negative history there’s it hard to feel anything but uncomfortable. It was different yesterday because we were in public. Lots of other ponies to keep me distracted. “Stygian? Are you okay?” Somnambula asked as I inhaled and exhaled again rapidly. “Stygian?” The last thing I saw and felt before passing out was her jumping off the bed with a worried expression along with her soft wings wrapped around me. I groaned as I rolled over in the soft bed as something or somepony waved something that smelled terrible in front of my nose. “What in the world is that foul smell?” I demanded as I opened my eyes and Meadowbrook gave a relieved sigh as she set a bag down on a nightstand. “And where am I? This is not my room nor my house.” “You fainted. Somnambula carried you here to my clinic,” Meadowbrook answered as she turned around to open a fridge in the corner. “She was pretty worried, so was I.” She turned around and tossed me a water bottle as Somnambula shoved the door open, staring at me before trotting over and hugging me. “Thanks?” I said weakly as she stepped back. I still not one hundred percent certain on being hugged yet but I suppose it isn’t a bad feeling. “So why did he faint?” Somnambula asked as I looked at a nearby wall. “Well, it could be anything. Did you feel anything like chest pain, shaking, dizziness, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, lightheadedness, numbness of your hooves, nausea, feelings of detachment, and or any hot flashes?” Meadowbrook asked as she finally looked back at me. “Maybe?” I offered as she narrowed her eyes and I gulped. “Yes or no.” “He was breathing pretty rapidly and shaking,” Somnambula chimed in as she sat down in a chair. “Sounds like a panic attack to me. But why?” They both looked at me as I shrugged. I didn’t really want to say it was because of Somnambula. I didn’t want to hurt her or come off as rude like Starswirl used to so often long ago. “No idea,” I lied and sat back down. “I’ve been pretty stressed about my books I guess.” “Uh huh,” Meadowbrook said as she gave me a doubtful look. “I’d like to advise you lying to a pony who’s main thing is healing isn’t very smart. Not that I’m accusing of lying of course, just a very friendly reminder.” “I have no idea what made me panic and pass out,” I insisted as they both stared at me before nodding. “Okay,” Meadowbrook said after a moment that felt like hours. “But you’re staying here so I can make sure you don’t pass out again. I’ll bring you up some food shortly.” “I’ve never seen her without her dress before or you without your own clothes. Feels weird,” I muttered as we both watched Meadowbrook close the door behind her quietly. “I miss my cloak.” “You’re in luck because it’s right here,” Somnambula grinned as she lifted it up with a hoof. “And I agree, it does feel awkward wearing no clothes. But nopony else does and Equestria is moving forward, we must adapt as well.” I grudgingly agree with that. It seems like a completely different world. Hay, there’s barely any dark places left. I remember there used to be entire land in Equestria that were pitch black where I could barely see my own hoof in front of my face. And the stars were much brighter back then too. Ponies don’t know what they are missing these days. And it’s not like I could tell Princess Luna that the stars seem disappointing in a way now. Who knows what she would do to me. “You know, you can tell us anything,” Somnambula commented as I jumped slightly before looking at her. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. You did seem to be in deep thought for a good half hour there.” “It’s okay,” I reassured her as I shifted in the bed. “So this is Meadowbrook’s clinic? I wish I could see it from anywhere else other than a bed.” “Don’t worry dear Stygian, you soon shall,” Somnambula answered with a warm smile before she leaned forward to kiss my forehead and I froze. “Platonic kiss of course. I’m trying to be a better friend to you so please tell me if I cross any boundaries.” “You’re okay,” I answered and crossed my forelegs. “But why is Meadowbrook helping me?” “Because I care about you obviously,” Meadowbrook answered as she pushed the cracked open door all the way. Why she was faintly pink in the face, I’ll never know. “I brought soup.” She set the bowl down on a nightstand next to me with a spoon as Somnambula stood up. “I’ll give you two some space,” Somnambula coughed into a hoof and winked at me before trotting to the door. “I’ll find somewhere to sleep around here, sure I can find somewhere comfortable to rest at.” I idly considered offering her my house again but knowing her, she most likely would refuse in a heartbeat to stay here with us. “What are you doing?” I asked as I stared at Meadowbrook dropping next to me. “You’re in my bed after all Stygian. Figured you deserved better than the usual beds that aren’t the most comfortable,” Meadowbrook explained as she draped the blanket over her before her ears pressed against her head. “If it makes you nervous, I can go sleep elsewhere.” “No. It’s fine,” I answered as I levitated the bowl closer to me. “Just a bit surprised you would give your own bed to me. I’m not entirely certain I deserve it.” “None of that,” Meadowbrook placed a hoof over my mouth. “You deserve everything and more, believe me dear Stygian. I’d always give up my bed for you.” “We shall see,” I muttered as she removed her hoof. “It’s a very complicated thing, dealing with being a monster. And nopony relates to me.” “There is Starlight Glimmer,” Meadowbrook suggested as I tapped my chin against my hoof. I was a bit fond of her, she was quite nice. And she was the only pony to really who fought to convince the others to help me come back to Equestria. “What did she turn into?” I asked curiously as Meadowbrook shrugged. “I’m not certain, she was a bit shy about her past. I don’t think she likes me or the others much. We practically let Starswirl walk all over her because none of us were willing to stand up for him. I’m quite frankly just happy you’re still willing to associate with us after how we treated you,” Meadowbrook sighed as she folded her forelegs. “I do believe I was worse than you all,” I commented as she raised an eyebrow. “I became a monster of shadows. You were there.” “What did I just say about no self deprecation?” Meadowbrook asked flatly as she glared at me. “Right, sorry.” “As I was saying, your unfortunate change could have been avoided if we had just included you more and credited you more. At least Somnambula and I, we were the closest to you outside of Rockhoof. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself,” Meadowbrook propped her head up with a hoof. “I’m sorry again.” “I know. You’re still a very good cook. Maybe you can teach me one day.” “Tomorrow morning we can cook. If you wish, Princess Twilight requested us all in Ponyville, something about wanting to show us a mirror. I would like if you came along,” Meadowbrook smiled faintly as I nodded after a second. “Might be nice to see the scenery yet again. I do enjoy Ponyville and our old castle is nearby. I’ve been wanting to explore it lately,” I mused as Meadowbrook’s smile grew. “You should rest. It’s late Stygian,” Meadowbrook glanced out the window as I set the bowl back down gently. “And you?” Meadowbrook smiled again at me before she yawned. “Oh trust me, I’m going nowhere.”