//------------------------------// // Before the storm (Revised V2) // Story: Twilight's Sleepless Nights // by L_Wolf //------------------------------// Day 4 Morning Twilight couldn't get back to sleep; Spike stayed up with her and tried to get her to calm down. She had finally admitted to herself and to Spike why she had such a hard time sleeping. "Maybe you should go talk to someone Twilight," Spike offered. "I'm sure your friends could help you." "I don't know Spike, who could I talk to about this?" She asked him, all her friends were dear to her, but she didn't think any of them would be able to help her with this kind of problem. She moved to get out of bed, went over to the window and took a seat to look out of it. The weather patrol had started to move clouds in. It was still early morning, the sky was a deep royal blue with the faintest hints of Celestia's sun light starting to come over the horizon, she could see the clouds building from the pegasus ponies flying them in. "What about Rarity?" Spike asked her. She gave him a look, but saw he was actually sincere in his suggestion. Not just looking for an excuse to visit Rarity. She tilted her head a bit, unsure why he suggested her. "I know Rarity’s talent isn't in magic, but she is another Unicorn she might be able to offer some advice." Spike went on to explain his reason for suggesting her. Twilight thought about his suggestion for a few minutes. "Maybe Spike, I guess could go and talk to her about this later today," she replied before going back to her thoughts. She almost wished Trixie had been in town, after she and her friends had gotten her free of the control of the Alicorn Amulet, they had been on better terms and she was another unicorn with a talent in magic. She sighed to herself and got to her hooves, but Trixie was off performing in Manehattan, last she heard. She moved away from the window and went to her bathroom. She knew one of the things that Rarity would suggest would be a hot shower and that was something she could do on her own right now. She got into the shower and turned the water on. She relaxed under the hot stream of water. She felt the steaming water sooth away her worries and she relaxed, the gentle susurrus calming her nerves. It definitely helped her relax a little. She used her magic to grab some shampoo as well as a sponge and began to wash herself off. While Twilight was in the shower, Spike decided to get started with his chores early. He was worried about Twilight. As long as he had known her, he couldn't remember seeing her react like this. Sure, she had been a little overdramatic when it came to tests and forgetting things, but this was something else entirely. When she was a filly she had bad dreams and got scared, all fillies did, it was natural. Nevertheless, this was so different from a normal dream, or stress and he wasn't sure what to do to help her. Twilight had finished washing herself off, so she just relaxed under the hot stream of water until it started to go cold. She turned the water off, shook herself dry, and got out of the shower. She dried herself off with her fluffy towel before she started to brush out her mane and tail as she looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. She did feel a lot better now that she was clean and her mane and tail had been brushed. However, she still felt worried over the dreams. She turned and trotted down the stairs, she could smell the breakfast Spike had prepared. "Mmm, smells like pancakes again." She said as she went into the kitchen to confirm her beliefs. "That's right Twilight, I figured you deserved them." He said as he poured her a glass of tea, brought it over for her, along with the pancakes on a plate. He had also placed the butter and syrups out for her. "Though you already look a lot better you have the last few days." He added as he noticed the smile on her face and her brushed mane. "Thanks Spike, a good shower can do wonders." she said with a nod at him and smiled as she took a sip of her tea. "But I will still go talk to Rarity later today, and see if she has any advice about this." She added as she put some butter on her pancakes and dribbled some blueberry syrup on her pancakes. "Good idea Twilight. I think today should just be about you relaxing. No studying, or fretting over anything." Spike said as he looked over at her. She gave him a bit of a look. "I'm serious Twilight, all this studying can't be helping to ease your mind," he said more sternly than Twilight had seen the little dragon act. However, she realized he was right, the study and stress hadn't helped. "Okay Spike, maybe you’re right," she gave in and smiled at him. However, she wasn't sure what to do if she wasn't going to be studying. She hadn't really had any free time like this. Of course, she had days she didn't spend studying or working, like when she went to the Gala. However, that was different; she had stuff planned for those days. Spike smiled at her as joined her at the table with a bowl of small gems and a glass of his special blend of tea. "I'm sure after a good day of relaxing you'll be as good as new," Spike offered as he tossed a gem in his mouth and chewed on it. Twilight smiled at him, but she wasn't so sure herself. Usually, the best way for her to get over a problem was to study the cause and come up with a solution. It's what she had learned and how she dealt with all her problems. However, she had done that since the problem started and so far, she hadn't come up with anything. If anything, the problem was just getting a lot worse, so she decided to gives Spike's suggestion a try. After breakfast, she put her dishes away in the sink and moved out to the main hall of the library. She looked out the window, the weather ponies had finished moving in the clouds. It hadn't started to rain yet but there was a storm planned for today. "Hmm I better head over to Rarity's before the rain sets in. Spike? You ready to go?" She called out to Spike, who was still in the kitchen. "Sure thing Twilight," Spike said as he came out of the kitchen and grabbed an umbrella for when it started to rain. Twilight used her magic to pick up Spike and set him on her back as she headed for the door. She opened the door and made her way outside as she closed the door behind her and started on her way to Carousel Boutique to visit Rarity. Day 4 Afternoon Twilight took her time as she headed to Carousel Boutique so she could enjoy the day. Even though it was overcast, the fresh air was nice and she enjoyed the smell of moisture in the air before it rained. She looked around the town as she walked down the street to her friend's place. Due to the impending rain, the streets of the town were empty. She knocked on the door of the boutique and waited for her to answer. It took a few minutes before Rarity opened the door to greet her. "Oh, hello darling." Rarity greeted with a pleasant smile and moved out of the way so Twilight could come in. She had on her glasses and looked as if she had been designing a new outfit. Once Twilight had gotten inside she closed the door and turned to face her visitor. "So Twilight, Spike, what brings you two here in this weather?" She asked her taking them to the living space and offered them a place to sit. Spike just smiled and stared quietly as Twilight sat him on a cushion before taking a seat on one herself. "Hello Rarity, I have something I wanted to talk with you about," Twilight said as she took a deep breath and looked up at her friend. "I'm not sure where to start though." Twilight admitted with a small sheepish smile. "Well, how about starting from the beginning Twilight?" Rarity suggested, she noticed the look in Twilight's eyes and it concerned her. "But of course, where are my manners? Let me get you something to drink. A nice cup of honey tea?" She asked Twilight who nodded at her. She had seen her friend get over-excited before, but this was different. Twilight’s expression really worried her. She went to the kitchen and prepared some snacks and pitcher of hot honey tea for herself and her guests. She brought the serving set out, and placed the mugs in front of Twilight, Spike and herself. She also set the tray of snacks down before she poured everyone a cup and sat down. "Now Twilight, please tell me all about it." Rarity said as she floated her teacup up and took a drink. Twilight nods at Rarity lightly and took a deep breath, "Well a few days ago I was performing an experiment with Spike, but something went wrong and there was a small explosion. Spike got hit in the head with a book." She looks over at Spike who was sitting nearby taking a sip of his tea and holding a cupcake. "Everything is fine now, but ever since that accident, I’ve been having these really bad dreams. They seem to be progressing to something though. And, from what has happened in the dream so far ..." she trailed off. Rarity was silent for a few minutes before speaking up. "That is dreadful my dear, simply dreadful. So you haven't been getting your beauty sleep?" Rarity said as she looked at Twilight, her eyes full of worry. "But of course you know that Spike is fine and there is no need to worry don't you?" "I know Rarity, but I can't help thinking about what could have happened if things had gone much worse." Twilight said as she look at the floor and sighed softly before taking a sip of her tea and looking back up at Rarity. "It's lucky Spike was hit with a book and the blast wasn't any worse than it was. In my dream he was hit with a shard of crystal that pierced his ... his heart." She said, her voice growing softer as she spoke and tears formed in her eyes. "And that is your problem right there. Twilight dear, you’re thinking too much about it." Rarity said as she looked at Twilight. "You simply must stop thinking about other outcomes. That is more than likely why you're having those dreams. You've been so focused on what could have happened that it's completely stressing you out. You must find a way to put it out of your mind." Rarity said as she levitated a napkin and used it to dry Twilight's eyes. Twilight considered what she said and nods at her slowly "Of course you’re right Rarity. Thank you, but I'm just not sure if I can do that." She gave a small smile, but sighed as she took another sip of her tea. "I just have a hard time clearing my mind when I have a problem like this." She admitted and looked back up over at Rarity with a slight frown. "I know dear, I know." Rarity said, while she watched Twilight quietly. "But you simply must try, or you'll never get a good night's sleep." She moved to get up, "Wait here, I have something that should help." Rarity said before she headed back into the kitchen. She searched around for a few minutes before she floated down a canister of tea and opened it. She moved some of the tea leaves into a smaller canister. She brought the smaller canister out and gave it to Twilight. "This will help sooth you darling. Just have a cup before you go to bed. It helps me when I'm too stressed to sleep." She said to Twilight with a smile. Twilight took the smaller canister, she opened it she breathed in the aroma and smiled as she closed it and gave it to Spike to carry. "Thank you Rarity. Spike and I should get going before the rain starts though." Twilight said and got up; Spike moved to his feet and got the umbrella. "I do feel better talking about this and the tea should help. Thank you very much." Twilight said to Rarity with a smile. "You’re welcome Twilight. Please come to me if you need any more help," Rarity said and walked with them to the door and opened it. The sky had started to look gloomy outside as the clouds had gotten darker and there was soft rumble of thunder. "Oh my, you better hurry Twilight darling. It is starting to look rather dreary out there already." Rarity said to them, her gaze on the clouds in the sky. "You’re right Rarity, I'll see you later. Thank you again," Twilight said with a smile to her friend before she headed out the door and used her magic to place Spike on her back. She started to make her way down the streets to get back home at a quick trot. She glanced around at the dark clouds as she started to pick up the pace some more, she wanted to be back home before the rain started to come down. They had made it back to Twilight's place before the rain had started, though the threat was ever-present the whole time. Soft rumbles of thunder and a few flashes of lightning. The wind had even picked up some; Twilight used her magic to open the door and went inside with Spike as he kept hold of the umbrella and canister of tea. She closed the door after they got inside, Spike got off Twilight's back and put away the umbrella before he headed into the kitchen and put away the small canister of tea Rarity had given Twilight. "There isn't a lot to do with the weather like this Spike, how about some lunch?" Twilight suggested to the baby dragon as she went into the kitchen as well. She used her magic to take down some things for salad and some fresh apples. She hadn't had any of the snacks at Rarity's place, so she was hungry by now. "That sounds like a great idea Twilight; we missed our usual lunch time." Spike said as he looked up at her and drooled at the thought of food and Twilight just smiled and rolled her eyes lightly. She knew he had some of the snacks. He started to make a salad for both Twilight and himself. He put some apple slices in Twilight's and some small pieces of sapphire in his. Twilight smiled as she watched him before she got them both a bottle of apple juice and put it on the table. Spike brought over the salads and put them next to the juice. "I'm glad you had that talk with Rarity, I really think it'll help." He said as he got the silverware before taking a seat at the table. Twilight nods at him "So do I Spike, I feel better already after having talked with her. Just getting it all out into the open like that really seemed to have done the trick." She said as she put a straw in both of their drinks before she took a seat at the table. "This looks really good Spike." She said with a smile to the baby dragon. Spike smiled at her and took a drink of the apple juice. "Thank you Twilight," he said then considered for a few moments. "Since it's going to start raining soon. What do you want to do today? Since you would normally be studying and all." Spike said as he looked up at her. Twilight thought for a minute as she quietly chewed on her salad before she swallowed. "That's a good question Spike." She said as she thought about it for a few minutes longer before she looked at him. "We haven’t played any games in a while." She said with a smile, it had been a long time since either of them played games. Not since she was a little filly in Canterlot studying under Princess Celestia. Spike almost choked on the suggestion and looks at her "You really mean it Twilight? We haven't done anything like that in years." His asked her eyes were big and hopeful. He had tried to get her to take time off her studies to play games after she got older. Nevertheless, she never had wanted to so he had given up. "Of course I mean it, Spike." she said and smiled at him. She wasn't going to go back on her promise not to study and with the weather turning bad it they couldn't go out visit any of their other friends today. "Today we can have fun, relax, and play games." She continued with a smile. "Alright!" He said loudly with a big grin on his face before blushing and smiles at her. "Thank you Twilight, this is going to be great." He nods at her and both went back their lunch. Spike used the relative quiet of the time to come up with fun games for them to play to pass the time. Twilight just smiled; glad she made him happy with her suggestion. She could use a little fun herself; something about the dreams still bothered her, a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that wouldn’t disappear.