//------------------------------// // A Moment of Peace // Story: Enter Nurse Luna! // by Foxy Kimchi //------------------------------// “I come bringing food, sister!” Luna chimed as she entered the room, pushing a trolley of food with her. “Oh hey, Luna,” Celestia sniffed, her nose cherry red. She slowly shifted in bed, trying to sit upright on a small mountain of pillows. “Hungry?” “I am actually quite famished to be honest,” Celestia said as she sniffed yet again. “Well good thing I asked Head Chef Ram Sea to make you your lunch!” Celetia sat up a little more, her ears perking. “Oh, that sounds heavenly, Lulu. I really could use some good food right now.” Luna’s eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape as a shade of crimson took her face. “W—what did you just call me?” Celestia gave a sly smile. “Oh, don’t tell me you forgot your lil’ nickname when you were naught but a filly.” “I am not a filly!” Luna shouted, her face scrunched up while her cheeks were puffed out with a slight blush. “Oh hush, sister,” Celestia coughed slightly, a smirk still on her face. “If I recall, you enjoyed that pet name when we were young…” “I am not young anymore, I am a full grown mare!” Luna huffed. “But young enough to still be and always be my little sister,” Celestia replied with a smile. Luna stood there, her mouth slightly agape. She quickly shook her head. “Do you want your food or not?” “You’re right,” Celestia answered with a sheepish grin. “Sorry for teasing, Luna. It was wrong of me to do so.” Luna huffed, lifting her head slightly as she levitated a large bowl of soup and a small bed table. “Here, Ram Sea made you some vegetable stew.” “It looks wonderful, Luna,” Celestia said, her mouth watering ever so slightly. Slowly, she took a spoonful of her meal, closing her eyes as she took her time to savor the taste. Everything made by Chef Ram Sea was a masterpiece, no matter the dish. Celestia’s eyes opened as she swallowed, a slight frown on her face. “Is something wrong, sister? Does it not taste good?” “It is good, sister, but it is not great. Usually everything he makes is amazing. But this is just… good. Don’t get me wrong, sister! It is delicious. But by Ram Sea’s standard, it is as if it was missing something. Like it could have been better…” Luna darted her eyes around, tugging on her collar slightly. “Don’t be ridiculous, sister. It must be the flu that is affecting your taste. I heard that smell is a huge factor in taste, and since you cannot smell anything, it is altering the taste of the food.” Celestia grabbed a tissue and blew her nose. “Yeah, that must be it, Luna. I simply can’t smell anything right. My nose is so clogged right now.” Luna let out a small sigh. Phew… Celestia sat there, quickly finishing her meal. "So was the meal satisfactory?" Luna asked, a small smirk appearing on her face. “Quite,” Celestia replied. “See, I told you, sister.” “Told me what?” “I may have sneaked some alfalfa in there. Told you that you would grow out of your dislike of it.” The color instantly drained from Celestia’s face, her pupils shrinking. “Oh no…” “What now?” Luna asked nonchalantly. “I am going to be sick.” “Sister, stop being stupid, you already are sick…” “I’m going to be even more sick!” Luna slapped her face with her hoof. My sister is an idiot… “Luna, we need to make haste! Take me to the hospital so I can have my stomach pumped!” Luna hit her face even harder, wincing when she felt it sting. “Sister, calm down, I was just making a joke…” “What? You mean it was a cruel prank? How could you?” “Yes, it was just a prank,” Luna lied. “Okay, I’m sorry.” “That was quite mean, Luna,” Celestia said with a pout. “Yes, yes I know,” Luna sighed. “Anyway, feeling better?” “A little, still just feel awful all over,” Celestia replied. “I was afraid so. Here, I made this for you,” Luna said as she levitated a large glass. Celestia grabbed it with her hooves, staring at it. Her ears flattened as she looked at the black, viscous concoction. “Luna, what is this?” “It is medicine, a very powerful one. But it will make you feel better and help with your symptoms right now,” Luna answered as she sat down next to the bed. “No offense, but this looks disgusting.” “None taken. You are right, it is most foul. I tried a small portion earlier.” Celestia bit her lower lip as she stared at the vile sludge. “I don’t think I can do it,” she finally said. “Come now, you are a big pony. I am sure you can handle this.” “I c—can’t.” Luna chuckled slightly. “Sometimes, I wonder how you are the eldest when you act like a foal. Look, I brought dessert. I will give it to you if you finish all of the medicine.” Celestia looked at Luna warily. “What kind of dessert?” Luna smiled as she levitated a small bowl. “Rainbow sherbet. Something sweet, cool, and easy on the stomach.” And low in fat... “That’s cruel, Luna, you know I have a sweet tooth.” “Come now, sister, stop being so dramatic. Look, I promise that you will feel better the moment you take it. The sooner you take it, the sooner you can leave that bed.” Celestia sighed lowly in defeat. “Fine, I’ll do it.” She stared at the black liquid, gulping. If this taste as bad as it looks then this will not be pleasant. Closing her eyes, she placed her lips on the edge of the glass and quickly threw her head back, trying to chug it down as fast as possible. Celestia gagged the moment she finished it. She quickly threw the glass away as she held her mouth with her hooves, her face turning green. Her eyes locked on the small dessert her sister held in her hooves. She quickly swiped it and devoured it, desperately trying to rid the foul taste in her mouth. “By the Sun and the Moon, that was awful!” Celestia exclaimed as she lifted her head out of the dessert bowl, a small amount of sherbet stuck on her muzzle. “I know, isn’t it?” Celestia opened her mouth to reply, but let out a long groan as she leaned back. Her body felt heavy, the soreness in her joints slowly dissipating. “Feeling better?” Luna asked as she gently dabbed Celestia’s muzzle with a damp cloth. “Yeah,” Celestia drawled, her breathing becoming slower. Her eyelids felt heavy as she struggled to keep them open. “Luna, I feel really tired all of a sudden…” “Do not worry, dear sister,” Luna said as she fluffed Celestia pillows. “I just added a few herbs to help you sleep. I take it you did have a fruitful sleep last night, so now just rest.” She removed the small bed table and empty dishes, putting them neatly back on the trolley. She smiled gently as she slowly pulled up the blankets, tucking Celestia in. “Thanks, Luna,” Celestia sighed, her eyelids drooping even lower. “It is my pleasure,” Luna answered as she gently placed a damp cloth on her sister’s forehead. “I’ll just let you rest now—” “Wait,” Celestia weakly interrupted. “Before you leave, admit it. You like being called Lulu, don’t you?” Luna blushed as she averted her eyes slightly. “Fine… I do, but not in public and only by you…” “I knew it,” Celestia chuckled slightly. “Before I forget, Luna, I just want to say how much I missed you, and how I am so happy that you’re back. I can’t say it enough.” “I know,” Luna replied, her eyes becoming slightly damp as she gently patted Celestia's hoof. Luna watched as her sister’s eyes closed, her chest rising and falling slowly. “Sweet dreams, Tia.”