I had been feeling the pressure for a while, but I didn’t recognize until it was almost too late:
I need to pee… What should I do!?
Instinctively, I braced myself for a fight with wakefulness. I’d had a lifetime of good dreams ruined by rising water pressure, but this one was too special to let go so easily. The only problem is that I was ready for a battle that never came.
Just like the rest of the day, I was so deeply grounded in the dream that I never once noticed normal signs of dreaming: periods of weightlessness, shifting viewpoints, time dilation… nothing. I began to wonder if I could wake up even if I wanted to.
It was an uncomfortable thought, but one that would have to wait. Even if it meant wetting the bed in the real world, all I cared about at the moment was relief. But I figured if the bedsheets were doomed either way, I’m much rather not embarrass myself in front of Dusty.
“Uh…”, I said as I rose to my feet.
Dusty looked at with a curious mixture of interest and disinterest, patience and impatience as she waited for me to finish my sentence. I lost my nerve and started to babble while by bladder grew more insistent.
“If you needed the outhouse, you should just say so,” she said as she rose to her hooves. “Come on then; I need to go too.”
I followed her to the stairs, relieved that she’d somehow interpreted my need. The wide double doors of the shop were still open so she stepped out into the darkness of the garden without hesitation while I, not knowing the way, did the best I could to stay close.
By the time we touched grass, it was taking a fair amount of concentration to hold back the flood and the sounds coming from the happily gurgling fountain weren’t helping. I began to sweat knowing that I was seconds away from disaster.
At last, Dusty stopped and gestured to a small hut, offering to let me go first. I nearly cried in relief and, though I struggled briefly with the door, quickly found myself inside. But as the door shut behind me and I glanced at the features inside, I had an important realization:
I have no idea how to use this!
********************
If only I realized my need sooner. I could have asked about it more casually or I might have been able to figure it out by myself.
But no amount of regret would save me from having to ask a mortified-looking Dusty for help. She begrudgingly explained the basics while blushing furiously; whether from anger or embarrassment I couldn’t tell. When I came out, I avoided eye contact and looked at the grass while she took her turn. I hoped it was my imagination that she slammed the door on the way in.
I awkwardly wrestled with what to do next. Should I go inside and wait there? Should I just stay here?
Humiliated, I tried to look anywhere except the outhouse where Dusty would soon be emerging. But after staring at the ground for a few moments the ambiance started to intrude on my brooding.
The grass under me was lush and cool. A gentle evening breeze caressed my fur and made the tree limbs wave rhythmically. A cricket lazily chirped from somewhere in the garden where fragrant plantlife and flowers grew. In the distance, the sleepy city was still with only a handful of ponies still wandering the streets and skies. On the horizon, swimming in an ocean of twinkling stars, the full moon gleamed brightly. And on its face, the mare in the moon, Princess Luna, lie sleeping.
Oh Princess Luna… I thought sadly. May the years pass quickly.
I stared at the moon as the fountain burbled and bubbled. The moon started to waver and the stars blurred; the sky seeming to become water itself. I started to feel light…
*squeak*
The door had hardly made any noise, but it might as well have been a cannon blast the way I jumped. My heart raced as I whipped my head around to face a pony whose body language left no mystery as to her current mood.
I didn’t feel up to talking anyway as something far more urgent now occupied my mind: I had almost fallen asleep. All of the surprises, the events of the day, and the strangeness of my situation lined up leaving me to face some extremely uncomfortable possibilities.
“You sleep here,” Dusty commanded; pointing with her hoof to a large round mattress on the floor. I had been so preoccupied that I didn’t notice we had gone inside and upstairs. I was too shaken to disobey and laid down on the mattress as instructed; curling my legs in tightly to squeeze away the fear I felt in my gut. I looked longingly at Dusty…
“But where will you sleep?” I said instead of what I really wanted to ask.
“I’ll sleep down in the shop. It’s hardly the first time,” she answered levelly as she magically pulled several blankets from the wardrobe. I was relieved that she didn’t seem angry anymore, but I didn’t want to watch her leave. I stared at the floor as she said goodnight.
“Goodnight Dusty!” I answered, hoping she didn’t notice the crack in my voice.
I heard her linger for a few seconds and I thought that maybe she had changed her mind. But when I looked up again, she was already gone.
I could hear the sound of her hooves clop on her way down the stairs; quieter and quieter until there was silence. Then, softly so she wouldn’t hear, I buried my face in the mattress and cried.
****************************
Soon enough, the tears ran out and fatigue set in. But as much as I wanted to close my eyes and rest, I was afraid of what would happen if I did.
So I stood and paced, trying to keep myself awake as I worried:
If this is a hallucination, what happens if I fall asleep? If I’m in a coma does sleeping here mean I won’t ever wake up for real?
I started to shake, but didn’t dare stop moving. I focused on my breathing, but still my mind started to drift…
Walk left! I commanded myself.
Was this one of those dreams that you spend a mini-lifetime in? Where you live in another world for weeks or years? I wasn’t sure that I believed that could actually happen and even then, were they this real? And did they keep you from waking even if you wanted to? I had tried several times to wake myself, but…
*BUMP*
The impact with the wall briefly filled me with energy, but I couldn’t shake the dizziness. I started panting and trotted lightly in place, trying to raise my heart-rate and oxygenate my blood, but it only worked for a few moments.
Walk right!
My mind was spinning and I found it hard to stand. I looked hazily at the mattress which seemed so warm and inviting; it practically glowed. I began to think that giving in would be easier… that it would end the misery. I felt myself letting go…
WALK LEFT! I demanded.
My senses started to dim and I lost track of time as my world became an endless sequence of tearfully fighting sleep’s gravity while I stumbled to and fro.
“Are you ok?”
I hit the wall hard as instinct told my legs to fling me as far from the sudden noise as possible.
My heart was racing and my senses came back into focus. After a few moments, I perceived Dusty standing in the hallway.
“Oh, hi. Did I wake you up? I’m sorry,” I babbled with false calm. Despite the storm of emotion within, I managed to keep a level voice and said, “I’m just not tired. I’ll be fine. You should go back to bed.”
Crystal briefly considered the situation; her face a mask. Then she said, “I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to sleep here.”
I tried to object, but Crystal ignored me and magically recalled her blankets from below which she placed on the floor by the window. Then she laid down and stared at me until I took the hint and did the same.
The adrenaline was wearing off and exhaustion returned. I still didn’t know what would happen, but at least now I wasn’t alone. I laid down again, and positioned myself so I could see her, resting my head on my hooves while she mirrored the movement.
She was resting in the corner of the room in a patch of bright moonlight. The bunched up blankets under her were probably only barely more comfortable than sleeping on the floor, but she said nothing and showed no signs of discomfort. Her head rested gently on her front hooves as she watched me silently.
From outside, I could hear the mysterious song of night birds and lost myself in the melody. The mattress cradled me and I relaxed into it. I became aware of my own breathing and a distinct but not unpleasant odor coming from the mattress.
My eyelids were heavy and I felt like I was floating, but I was no longer afraid. Because across from me was the glowing form of the irritable little pony who, despite the trouble and aggravation I’d caused her, was determined to keep watch over me. And I thought that if that was the last thing I ever saw, maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.
I wonder if this scent is hers…
And then, darkness.