I feel her shifting slightly, her wings still holding me tightly against her soft form. My eyes gradually grow aware of the soft light of a lamp, and as I open them ever so slightly, I see a blurry close-up view of Luna's downy chest fluff. I could feel her breathing, her breaths steadily going in and out in a relaxed and highly relaxing manner. I heard her heart beating, and I nestled closer to her, half asleep. That's when I feel her hooves softly caress my back, the soothing feeling causing me to sigh and wrap my hooves around her in return. She nuzzles my ear and speaks, her voice no more than a comforting whisper.
"Sleep well, Twily?"
"Mhmm," I reply, nuzzling her soft fur. I knew it was a half truth, but I just didn't have the energy to say more. I'm too exhausted from a terrifying dream. Dreams could feel so real sometimes; those were the ones that make a pony wake up feeling wholly unrested and scared even after a full night's rest, as in my current case.
"I know you had a terrible dream, love," she cooed lovingly as she lifted my chin with a wing. Her beautiful cerulean eyes peered lovingly into mine, her expression highly concerned. "There are bags under your eyes, dear. Do you need more sleep?"
I try to muster up an answer, but to no avail. I simply nod, hot tears streaming down my face. I try to blink them away, but I know that in this instance, it won't help.
She pulls me into her embrace once again, stroking my mane as she lulls me to sleep.
I wake up wooly-headed, not uncommon after crying oneself to sleep. My head is tucked into Luna's chest once more, like a frightened foal hiding from a monster under her bed. I sigh once again as she kisses my horn, and for once I feel like I've slept decently. "Good morning," she says, hugging me with hoof and wing. "How do you feel?"
"Better," I reply, a yawn mixed in with my words.
She gently rolls me onto my back, and I feel her crushing embrace. She kisses me passionately, evoking a cut-off yelp of surprise. I press into the kiss, and when she pulls away, it feels like a yank to my heartstrings. "I love you, Twilight," she says as she nibbles my ear.
"I love you too, Luna."
She fidgets a little, sitting up. I sit up next to her, placing my hoof over hers. "Twilight, may I ask you something rather important?"
"Of course," I reply, nuzzling her affectionately. She seems hesitant to ask, as if she'll break me emotionally. She is like that around me; gentle, as if I am made of porcelain. Her cuddling is soft and comforting, and she's cautious with every step. I find it endearing, but we both know that I am not fragile physically.
"I, uh..." Her voice trails off for a moment.
"You what, Luna?"
"Do you care to elaborate on the dream you had last night?"
It was now my turn to hesitate. While I did want to tell her everything, a part of me wishes to keep it secret. The inside battle rages for what seems like an eternity, resulting in myself remaining silent for a short while before finally speaking up. "It started with me being alone in a burning manor..." I shudder a little as the vivid memory of the dream sinks in, and take a minute to compose myself before continuing my account of the horrifying dream.
"It started with me being all alone in a burning manor..." Twilight suddenly stopped, a visible shudder running through her slender and elegant form. My heart went out to her; I hated to see my marefriend so shaken up. Instinctively, I curl a wing around her, and she shudders once more. She breathes in and out, a tad rapidly at first before slowing to a steady pace. Whatever had occurred in her dream, it was not hard to see that it rattled her to the core.
"I couldn't escape. The building was on fire. I-I caught f-fire..." She sniffles, making a visible but futile attempt not to break down again. "Sorry, I'm not usually this emotional."
"It is alright," I reassure her, rubbing her back gently with my wing. I could feel her wet, sweaty fur, and I began to grow worried for her. "Dreams can often times stir up emotions that can be hard to contain, I know."
She leans into me, mumbling the rest of her terrifying account into my side. It is one of the worst dreams I have ever heard, especially so since it affected my Twilight so greatly. I feel wetness, the fear pressing her to her emotional limit. When she is finished with her frightening account, she looks up at me through beautiful but misty and lovably violet eyes. "It was so frightening, Luna," she says shakily, her voice cracking and tears threatening to break free.
"I know," I say. "But 'tis only a dream; it cannot hurt you."
"Thank you," she says, regaining control of her emotions as I hold her tightly, rocking her back and forth. She. She is back to her usual self after a half hour, though she still seems rattled quite a bit.
After recounting my dream, I slid off the bed and onto the floor, trotting over to the bookshelf as Luna went to take care of necessities. I search the shelf for a book related to dreams, finding several. I take them in my magic and set them next to my pile of books by the bed, also grabbing some quills, ink, and parchment. It is time to do what I do best: Research. Hopefully I'll be able to locate something on dreams and why they can be so vivid and frightening.
Luna came back after a short while, inviting me down to breakfast. It was time to face the day, and I hope that will help me to get my mind off of the dream that rattled me so much.
To Be Continued...
Author's Note
So there you have it! The sequel to Lost Within My Own Mind. I plan to make a series of this, so stay tuned!