Chapter Six – Love Comes at a Price
Nidra's rest was disturbed by T who was groaning from the hangover from last night's stupor. Nidra quickly got up and shut the blinds. “Thanks........” T sighed as he was gripping his head.
“I'll get some things to help you.” Nidra stated as she headed for the door. She walked through the door and headed for the kitchen for some ice and possibly a med kit. As she was walking she bumped into somepony. It was her mother. “Oh! Sorry mom.” she apologized.
“It's okay, my child.” Luna comforted, “What are you doing up at this hour?” Nidra looked back at her room. “Hangover?”
Nidra sighed and nodded. “Well, I'm going to bed now. Good luck with T.” Luna winked and walked away to her chamber. Nidra blushed a little but shook her head and continued to the kitchen. In the kitchen, she grabbed some ice and put it in a towel and grabbed the nearest medical kit. She quickly went back to her room to help T. When she entered, T was on the bed slightly groaning still. “I'm back.” she quietly spoke as she sat beside T who looked over as Nidra lifted his head to see the glass shards from the cups.
“You should really control yourself next time, brother!” Claire spoke loudly as she entered, causing him to scream from the sudden sound. Nidra put him in a sound proof bubble and then rose to Claire's height. “What the hay was that for!?” Nidra yelled at her.
“Exactly one day after Anthea's death and he's already been to a bar and passed out at it. That's what!” Claire yelled back.
“It's hard on him!” Nidra pointed out. “Even though you're his older sister, he has been married longer than you!”
“Of course!” Claire huffed, “Turquoise Blitz! The star of my family!” Claire stormed out of the room and Nidra chased after her. Claire stopped after a while and shook her head. Nidra came to her front and waited for Claire to calm down.
Claire looked up at Nidra and sighed. “How long?” Nidra asked flatly as she knew what Claire was going through because she's seen it. Loads of times. “Two almost three weeks.” Claire confessed, “Please don't tell Lulu or T. I want to tell them myself.” Nidra did the motions of a Pinkie Promise. Now she can't go back on her word. “How's the morning sickness going?” Nidra asked as she smiled.
“Puked up a storm at three in the morning.” Claire smiled, “Illusion was dead asleep. Thankfully.”
“I can tell.” Nidra smiled again as they started to head back.
“Better tell them before it really starts to show.” Claire admitted and Nidra nodded in response.
They arrived at Nidra's room shortly afterwords to find T still in the same position Nidra left him in. “Hey, T. We're back.” Nidra spoke softly as she set the ice on his head. Claire lifted his head and held it in her hooves. Nidra used her magic to lift a pair of forceps. “T. I'm going to be straight forward with you.” she spoke softly, “This is going to hurt a lot. Be ready.” Claire gave him a pillow for him to squeeze. Nidra used the forceps to take a hold of the first shard of glass. T's breathing quickened as he felt the forceps make contact with the glass shard. Nidra yanked the shard out and T bellowed in pain.
After several pain-filled hours, several guards barging in, many glass shards, and a few bandages, T collapsed on the bed, exhausted from the pain and agony. He threw the ice off his head but Nidra put it back on. “The hangover isn't gone. Keep it on there.” she informed as she put it back on. T was in no mood or shape to argue so he just laid on his stomach. Nidra climbed into the bed with him and laid beside the kirin. T slowly nuzzled her on the neck and covered her with a wing, causing her to blush. “Thank you.” he spoke just below a whisper as he smiled.
“Just wanted to help you.” she admitted to him.
They did a little bit of small talk before somepony knocked the door. T was about to get up but Nidra gestured him to stay and he did as he was told. She opened the door and saw Luna with a guard. “Is everything alright mom?”
“Yes. Is Turquoise in here?” Luna answered as she saw the kirin laying on the bed. Luna and the guard barged in. “We have something for you.” the guard, now recognized as Night Shade, spoke. Luna gestured Nidra out. “We'll call you in when we're done.” Luna informed.
“Okay.” Nidra replied.
A few minutes passed and Luna called her daughter in. When Nidra entered, she saw Turquoise standing on the balcony in a night guard armor that they outfitted for him. It seemed to have a nice shine to the armor. Nidra stood in front of him. “Do you like it?” he asked, just above a whisper, trying to not aggravate his wounds. He smiled as he saw his answer. Nidra's wings were flared open and shaking as she blush to almost a dark pink. “The armor will have some getting used to.” Shade spoke, “So just to make sure it's all snug, you might want to fancy a little stroll.”
“I could go with that.” T agreed as he turned back to Nidra, “Would you like to join me, Nidra?”
Nidra looked at her mother who nodded. “Just don't get too wild.” she recommended before T and Nidra took off and landed out in the garden.
They walked a little before they found a gazebo over-looking a lake. They entered the gazebo and sat in the middle of it. As they sat, T noticed a small flower on one of the posts. He graciously plucked it and stared at it. Nidra was about to ask which one it was but then she realized it was the same flower as Anthea's cutiemark. “She would be very proud of you.” Nidra stated as she put a hoof on his shoulder.
“I know.” he sighed, “I never go back on a promise.”
“True.”
“Nidra?” T asked as he looked at her.
“Yes, T?”
“Would you like to, um, go on a date sometime?” He asked. Nidra was stricken with shock at the sudden question. “You don't have to if-” he was cut off by her hoof on his mouth. “Next Monday sound good?” she replied as she pulled the hoof away with a blush.
“Sure.” he smiled as he looked back at the flower.
That question sparked their love that will last......
….until the day they die.