Last time, on Luna "Quest:"
 
Adventure!
 
You woke up to discover that Luna was missing! It became apparent she had somehow gone off course or was in some form of danger, as she was days overdue from her "important business."
 
Fearing for her sister's safety, Celestia organized a small search party. You couldn't just stand by, and so persuaded her to let you go. Thus you were given armor and a weapon, and set out with Shining Armor, Bear, and Golden to search for Princess Luna.
 
What you found in the Everfree was a mysterious old castle ground. Undaunted you proceeded to search the ruins.
 
Bear triggered a trap that nearly crushed him and Shining Armor, and was sealed off from the rest of the party. Finding a crescent emblazoned stone button of sorts, the partition was lifted.
 
But the ruins were far from safe.
 
Bear landed at the bottom of the staircase, a bloody mess from what soon stomped down the stairs after him.
 
Nightmare Moon.
 
Or so you thought. As the battle raged, it became apparent that this was not the actual Nightmare Moon. Only when you put a magic imbued artifact given to you by Celestia did the facade fade from the creature. It was some kind of stone golem, imbued with magic and quite deadly.
 
With a screech, the thing exploded, flinging you through a brittle wall and onto a nearby hill.
 
After recovering your senses, you dug your party members from the rubble. Shining Armor fired a magical signal flare, and collapsed.
 
Royal guards from a nearby garrison arrived with a carriage and a stretcher to take the wounded one at a time. Surprisingly, Luna's carriage and personal guards also arrived.
 
As she doted over your well being, the others were carted away for immediate attention.
 
Overwhelmed by what had happened, you did the only thing you felt right. You kissed Luna, firmly and passionately.
 
She accepted it, and you rode in her carriage back to the garrison, and subsequently the Royal castle in Canterlot.
 
That was days ago, and seems distant from your hospital bed.
 
Despite you insisting that you aren't injured, both Princesses and the entire medical staff demanded you stay in bed. Both to make sure you were healing properly, and to take notes on how your body repairs itself, apparently.
 
That's not to say it's been an unpleasant experience thus far, both Celestia and Luna taking turns staying at your bed side and making sure you're cared for.
 
Celestia and a handful of her upper echelon of guards listened to your initial report with concerned looks, but told you to rest before they came for a more detailed recounting.
 
It seems today is that day.
 
After your breakfast in bed, provided by a smiling Luna, Celestia and her guards come in, bringing seats to sit on around your bed. Even Shining Armor is wheeled in, a hind leg in a cast. He nods an acknowledgement to you, taking a place behind and to the right of Celestia, who sits beside her sister, to your right.
 
The medical staff leave the room after reporting your stable condition, and Celestia asks what you remember of your encounters.
 
You recount the Timberwolves, and one of the guards hand waves that section away.
 
"The Ruins are the most important factor of this story, please, skip ahead."
 
Everyone looks expectant, so you skip to exploring the ruins.
 
You recount entering, Bear tripping some trap, and the golem with the visage of Nightmare Moon. Luna appears shocked as this information is revealed to her, and everyone seems most interested in the golem, for obvious reasons.
 
When you finish, they have questions of their own.
 
"How did you defeat it?"
"Where did it come from?"
"Who was it targeting?"
"How powerful was it?"
"Do you think it was controlled, or automated?"
 
Celestia finally waves a wing, the small gust of air flapping your bed sheets as the motion silences her advisers.
 
"Please, one at a time," she says firmly, but politely, as she turns her gaze to you, "First, tell me. What was your reaction to its appearance?"
 
"Shocked. Afraid. Worried."
 
"Worried?" A guard says, genuine curiosity in his tone, "For your comrades?"
 
"Well, yes. But for L-, Princess Luna, as well."
 
[Luna points + 2]
The adviser allows a small smile on his face, and he nods silently.
 
Celestia smiles and looks at her sister, momentarily putting a wing around her.
 
Luna opens her mouth to say something, then rises from her seat.
 
"E-excuse me, I need to step outside a moment."
 
No sooner does the door shut behind her than some of the other guards begin questioning you, a couple in particular getting rather heated until Celestia once again waves everyone silent.
 
"Now, now, if you were in his position you'd have been concerned for her as well, would you not?"
 
They grumble amongst themselves before relaxing once again, only the guard who gave you the initial question not bothering to get upset, aside from Shining Armor, who just sits and listens.
 
You think you catch Celestia wink subtly at you before she asks the next question.
 
"So, how did you deal with the monster?"
 
"Well, after Bear told us in no uncertain terms it wasn't the Princess, I uh, charged it."
 
This makes every eye go wide, the exception being Shining Armor since he was there and saw it first hand. In fact, many turn to face Shining and ask if it's true.
 
He nods, "He sure did," he looks at you with the hint of a smile, "Though he could've done it sooner."
 
You smile back at him before continuing.
 
"The thing was approaching me anyway. But when I got close, something in my satchel started smoking. Turns out the amulet Princess Celestia gave me was burning hot. Not knowing what to do, I put the amulet around the creature's neck."
 
Celestia looks intrigued, and an adviser prompts you to continue.
 
"Well, it uh, exploded."
 
Murmurs begin to circulate about the small hospital room, theories of what could have happened abound.
 
When you elaborate on how exactly it reacted to the amulet, they conclude the magic held within the sphere must have overloaded the magical construct, causing its explosion.
 
"Why it would have willingly sought out the one carrying a device capable of destroying it is another matter," Celestia surmises.
 
Happy with your answers, the small council begins to depart, Shining Armor being wheeled into the hall by one of his compatriots, though Celestia stays at your bed side.
 
"Look, uh, if it was about the amulet," you stammer, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to be destroyed."
 
Celestia smirks and gently pats one of your legs with a hoof, "Don't worry about that. I can always imbue some other artifact with magic," she sighs, "Although that one was sort of special to me and my sister. Regardless, I can craft a new one in time."
 
She looks briefly towards the door, then back at you.
 
"Now, are you certain that creature had the appearance of Nightmare Moon?"
 
"Yes, I'm certain," you reply, "Even the others saw it. Heck, I'd still think it was the genuine thing if Bear hadn't told me it wasn't."
 
Celestia nods, "And that is why you hesitated, yes?"
 
"Yes. To my understanding, Nightmare Moon and Luna were one and the same in the past."
 
"And you were concerned she had somehow reverted to that hateful form," Celestia says, nodding gently, "Shining Armor told me you threw down your weapon and tried to reason with it."
 
She allows herself a smile once more, "It was noble, if a bit naive." Slowly the smile fades and her face becomes serious, "But you could have been killed out there. If this creature was every bit as dangerous as you and Shining Armor say, not to mention the condition Bear came back in, then I have to ask; What were you thinking, charging such a powerful creature like that?"
 
You didn't notice at first, but her voice has slowly risen and taking on a stern tone, and she's pacing back and forth on one side of your bed.
 
"I am disappointed in you, young Trainee."
 
"I thought I'd be able to distract it from Captain Shining Armor-"
 
"And then what? If I hadn't given you that pendant, which was supposed to be used if you found Luna weakened, you could have died."
 
"I wasn't going to just let it kill the others!" You find yourself replying loudly, trying to defend your decisions.
 
Celestia stays silent, her eyes looking into yours. Despite her scolding attitude, they don't seem to convey any anger.
 
"You have to think about the consequences of your actions," she says slowly, "If your brash actions hadn't worked I'd have lost three of my best soldiers and a being we know very little about who I said I'd protect."
 
She sighs, retaking her seat, "I know you did what you thought was right. And it's true, losing even one of you would have hurt. But you have to be more careful. Not only are you supposed to be a guest of mine, not a soldier, but think of the ramifications of your injuries, especially from this point forward."
 
"I'll be careful," you reply slowly, lowering your voice as well, "But if a friend is in danger I'm still going to do what I can to help them."
 
"I understand that," Celestia replies softly, "And I don't mean to make it sound like the entire situation is your fault. But you are something new and unknown to us. We have so much to learn from one another yet," she looks at the door, as though trying to look through it, "And….we care about you. Very much."
 
Something about Celestia seems….off. She no longer seems willing to meet your eyes, and something just feels….different. Not threatening, sort of familiar, but you can't put your finger on it.
 
"N-now, you're going to stay here until we're certain th-that you've healed properly."
 
Is her voice wavering? The great Princess Celestia?
 
This is not Princess Celestia, you determine. And you can only think of one powerful enough to change her appearance who also cares about you so much to put on such a charade.
 
"Luna?"
 
You attempt to silently get up from the bed, but the rustle of sheets makes "Celestia" turn her head in your direction with a gasp.
 
The first thing you notice are the tears in her eyes as she gets up and pushes you back into a prone position.
 
"D-don't get up, you need your rest!" she says.
 
The voice that comes from her is not her own, but one still familiar to you.
 
"Luna, is that you?" you ask as she begins to tremble and tears begin to stream down her cheeks, as though washing away the rosy white tone of Celestia's coat as they reveal a dark blue.
 
She leans forward and buries her face into your stomach, her front hooves gripping you tightly as she begins to cry softly.
 
After a moment the rest of the illusion fades, and, sure enough, it's Luna clutching you like you're about to disappear.
 
You put your arms behind her head as she cries, stroking her mane and trying to tell her it'll be alright, chuckling at the efforts she went through to deceive you.
 
She nuzzles her face into your stomach even harder, but her sobs cease enough for her to try and talk to you through her tears.
 
"I-I'm sorry, I don't know what's come over me…"
 
You keep stroking her mane, until her awkward position gets to be too much on her and she climbs herself onto your bed, laying on you so her head rests against your chest, careful not to poke you with her horn.
 
She readjusts her hooves around your sides as she sniffles and her breathing steadies her eyes closed as she holds you.
 
Slowly her tears dry and she regains some semblance of composure.
 
"I…don't know what it is but, I can't stop thinking about what could have happened," she whispers meekly as she gives you a squeeze, "I…meant what I said, you know. That I…care about you."
 
You pull her upward, so that her front hooves are resting on your shoulders and she's straddling your waist, and you put your arms around her and pull her closely to you as she rests her head against the side of yours.
 
"And I care about you, Princess Luna."
 
You pull back and gently boop her nose with a finger, making her look confused as you say, "But I'm still alive, as you can see. So stop worrying about what could have happened."
 
Slowly she smiles before leaning against you once more, hugging you just as firmly as you hold her.
 
She sighs, "You're right. You're here, and safe. It's all I could ask for."
 
Luna gently nuzzles your neck, her hot breath making your skin tingle as you look down at her as she looks into your eyes.
 
She leans forward gently, and your lips meet.
 
Unlike the kiss at the ruins, this time Luna is completely relaxed as your lips part, then meet a second time, the slick smack of your lips parting again the only noise in the infirmary room other than your noisy heartbeat.
 
"Well, I knew the two of you were close, but consider me surprised."
 
The sudden voice makes you and Luna jump, Luna squealing briefly before covering her mouth with a hoof and blushing incredibly as she looks over her shoulder, one of her hooves still draped around your shoulder as she straddles you. You look over her shoulder towards the door as well, your arms still firmly locked in a hug around Luna.
 
Standing in the doorway is…..another Luna? What?
 
"What?"
 
The question is in your head and out your mouth before you can think. Two Luna's? What the…?
 
The Luna in the doorway looks at herself, "Oh, my apologies. I forgot about that," before focusing her magic. There's a gentle flash and suddenly Celestia stands in front of the door, a smirk on her face.
 
"As I was saying, I knew you two were getting close. But this seems a bit more than I expected given how long you two have known one another."
 
"What." You reiterate the question as a statement, your mind still not wrapping around what's going on here.
 
"S-sister! You could have knocked first!" Luna says, slowly pulling herself away from you to get off the bed and face her sister, who outright giggles at you and Luna's awkwardness.
 
"Oh don't mind me, I won't stop you. I was just checking in on you since you'd been in here for some time. But if you need more time alone for more….personal matters…."
 
You can't see Luna's face but you're sure she's blushing, though Celestia walks to her side and puts a wing around her, the two of them whispering.
 
Finally, they both giggle, Luna leaning into her sister and hugging her with a wing as well, before heading to the door. She waves at you, and you wave back, before she heads out into the hallway.
 
Celestia sees the look on your face and can't help but giggle a warm laugh, "I'm guessing you'd like to be filled in on what just happened?"
 
"Y-yes, please," you say, hastily asking, "You ARE Celestia, right? Not Luna?"
 
She laughs once again before sitting in a seat beside your bed and begins to explain.
 
"Yes, I am the real Princess Celestia. My sister, as you noticed, was very worried about you after you returned from your search in the Everfree. Well, she thought she would command you to stay in the castle from now on, but felt she couldn't ask you herself."
 
"'So, why didn't I do it for her?' you may be asking yourself," Celestia says as she gauges your face for reactions, "Because I thought you were doing the right thing when you volunteered to search for her. We had our little talk before, you remember, and you made it clear you weren't going to be swayed away from pursuing her. No matter the consequences."
 
She smiles, "Well, should not a stallion, or a man, desire to protect those he cares about? I did worry about you, I truly did. But I understand the need for you to be there for her. She didn't take it as well. So she asked, well, begged really, to impersonate me so that you would listen to her. So she could make you stay here, where it's safe, probably forever."
 
Her smile widens, "But I think after your little moment together, she'll start to understand you can't command people to effectively stop caring about someone. To stop being willing to put yourself on the line for them."
 
She bows her head deeply, "I'm sorry for the deception, but in the end I thought it would be a way for you both to learn something."
 
"Although I may have been a bit tardy on my entrance. And to walk in on such a scene! If what Golden saw was anything like this, I can see why he'd be flustered."
 
"And…what of our relationship? Do you mind? Is it alright?"
 
Celestia puts her hoof to her chin, surprisingly, as though thinking about it seriously.
 
When she sees your nervous look she laughs and lowers her hoof, still smiling as she begins to speak seriously.
 
"Well, I think we have a good grasp of your personality now. You're courageous, if a bit brash. You're willing to put yourself on the line for her," she pauses, "I'm willing to guess that you'd support her through good times and bad as well, if the first two statements hold true."
 
Suddenly her cheeks tint red, ever so slightly, "The main concern is whether the two of you are….compatible. But I won't inquire about that, the medical staff can handle those kinds of concerns."
 
She regains her composure and looks you dead in the eye, all playfulness gone from her royal voice.
 
"Do you love her?"
 
"Yes," you reply confidently, locking eyes with Celestia.
 
The smile returns to her face as she rises, "Well, then I think you have your answer."
 
She giggles as she heads for the door, "Just don't let me walk in on another scene like that, alright?"
 
You nervously laugh, "Well, if my room had a lock on it…"
 
Celestia shakes her head, "Just…keep it in private. And take it slow. Considering how long you're going to be here I don't think you need to be in any hurry."
 
"Oh, and of course, treat her right. Otherwise…," the implication lingers in the air, and you nod, swallowing nervously.
 
"Good. Now, I need to check on Bear and attend to some business. You're free to check in on him if you wish. The medical staff will show you to his room. Otherwise, if you feel you're fit enough to get back to your studies, you can take the day off to rest and maybe do some reading. Tomorrow morning at the latest we continue our lessons."
 
And with that, Celestia leaves the infirmary room, leaving you alone and sitting in your bed.
 
You roll yourself off the infirmary bed, stretching your arms and legs, checking to see if anything is still sore or bruised. Your right shoulder hurts a bit, but it's just superficial you decide.
 
You find your clothes neatly folded on a counter on the far end of the room, and put them on quickly before heading into the hall.
 
A nurse and doctor see you exit the room and immediately rush over to you, making you perform a small series of movement exercises so they can confirm you're doing well enough to move on your own. When they're satisfied, they direct you to the room Bear is staying in, and you walk towards it briskly, wondering just how badly Bear is injured.
 
A loud beeping sound echoes from the room they pointed you toward, and you put some hustle in your step as the doctor and a handful of nurses dash to the room in question.
 
One of the nurses prevents you from entering, but you're tall enough to see over her at what's going on.
 
The doctor and three nurses are crowded around a heavily bandaged figure, the doctor giving orders and demanding medical devices as the beeping continues.
 
One nurse leads a thin, transparent, plastic tube from a device in the corner of the room, leading it toward the figure's face. When they unwrap his muzzle, you recognize the fur to be the shade of Bear's.
 
The doctor's head is in the way, but you can guess what the tube was for when the machine it comes from begins making a whirring noise, and the tube fills with a thin smattering of blood.
 
"Is he going to be alright?" you call out, asking the nurse at the door and any nurse not actively working something in the room.
 
"Please, sir, we're doing what we can for him, but you have to let the doctor concentrate."
 
"Is there anything I can do to help? Anything?"
 
The nurse shakes her head just as the beeping in the room stops, and the whirring shortly after. You look past the nurse once again to see the doctor wipe his brow, then nod at the nurses around him.
 
The nurse blocking the doorway moves aside, and the nurses who assisted the doctor exit the room, asking you if you're alright as they pass. You nod and ask about Bear, but they tell you to speak with the doctor himself.
 
You enter the room, a faint smell of iron mixing with the otherwise sterile environment as you get a good look at Bear.
 
He's bandaged nearly from head to hoof, his entire torso and his entire right front hoof covered in gauss, while a back leg has a cast on it and his head is bandaged pretty heavily as well. He's nearly unrecognizable.
 
"How is he?" you ask cautiously, and the doctor looks on at Bear as he answers.
 
"He's showing improvement, but it's only been three days since he was brought in. His injuries are quite extensive. His back leg is shattered in three places, his right shoulder has a fracture, he broke 3 ribs, punctured a lung, and has severe muscle tissue damage in most limbs. His lung keeps filling with blood, so he's going to need another surgery."
 
He shakes his head sadly, "Still, he holds on. And I have to say, if he hadn't been brought to us while a potion was circulating in him he would've died on the operating table."
 
"But he's holding on. And as long as he has that spirit, I'm sure we can get him moving around again. It'll just take time."
 
"Is he conscious? Can he hear me?"
 
The doctor shakes his head, "No, we've had to put him under sleep spells any time he comes up. The first time he did was nothing but screaming. It'd be inhumane to make him suffer like that."
 
"Should the operation to repair his lung be successful, he'll have months of bed rest ahead of him. After that, muscle therapy. He can pull through so long as the operation goes successfully, I'm sure of it. Still, he's going to have a lot on his mind. I wonder if he'll be able to cope with the possibility he may not be fit to be a soldier after he recovers."
 
"He'll be fine. I know he will be," you say, hoping your voice sounds as confident as you wish it was.
 
The doctor smiles sadly and nods before leaving the room.
 
You follow the doctor out of the room and inquire about Golden.
 
"Ah, yes, Bear's brother. He had some muscle damage from a magical attack on his system that rendered him unconscious. Magical healing methods were already enacted, and he's scheduled for minor muscle rehabilitation. He's conscious, if you'd care to visit him?"
 
You nod and the doctor has a nurse lead you down the hallway, past the front desk, to a better lit and more cozy looking room.
 
She knocks on the door frame and stands in the door way, "Mr. Golden, you have a visitor if you'd like to see them."
 
You hear an audible grunt, "Visitor? Who would come see me? Sure, send 'em in."
 
The nurse moves aside as you enter the room.
 
Golden lies in a comfy looking bed with white sheets, wearing a patient smock and looking bored.
 
"Well, well, if it ain't Jockey. Up and walking no less. We should all be so lucky."
 
"How're you feeling?" you ask as you take a few steps into the room, seeing a chair beside his bed.
 
"Oh, you know, just great. Get zapped and nearly blown up, or so I hear, and wake up in a hospital bed, feelin' like my limbs are made of jello."
 
You take a seat in a small chair next to his bed, "Look, Golden, I'm sorry. I should've acted faster. I-"
 
Golden stops you with a wave of a hoof, that flops around like he has little control over it, "Save it. I don't need your pity, your apologies. We did our duty. And we came out of it, scarred but alive," his hoof flops back onto the sheets, "Besides, had you not figured out whatever it was you figured out that turned that thing to a smoldering wreck, none of us would be here, right?"
 
"Besides, I wouldn't trade my devilish good looks for nothin'."
 
"Oh please, like you wouldn't want this body," you say, doing a mild flex and laughing.
 
He laughs too, "Yeah right, lookit your nose. It's, like, in the middle of your head. And I wouldn't know what to do with those squiggly bits at the end of my hooves."
 
The two of you laugh for a good few minutes, until tears form in the corner of Golden's eyes from laughter and he has to calm back down.
 
When he's finally near settled again he starts to talk.
 
"I overheard the nurse and doc talking about Bear last night, when they thought I wasn't listening," he looks at you with a weak smile, "These big ears aren't just for decoration, ya know."
 
The smile fades slowly, "I…heard about all the things wrong with him. How they think he can't be a soldier after he's fixed up, how he might not even be able to walk right again." He's staring into your eyes now, and a hoof flops weakly in your direction, "Do you….do you think he'll be alright, Jockey? Tell me straight, I can't get an honest answer from the nurses."
 
Some tears begin to stream down his cheeks, but he clenches his teeth and nods.
 
"Yes. Yes we will be."
 
He sniffles loudly before pulling his hoof away from you.
 
"Well, you can walk. Get your ass outta here and go do something more productive. Do some target practice, for me."
 
"I'll try and hit a target this time," you say as you pat his right shoulder, earning a smile from him as he wipes at his eyes with his wobbly hooves.
 
"Ha ha, yeah. Good luck with that."
 
You tell him to take care before leaving, in search of Shining Armor.
 
You find him at the Training Grounds, sitting in a wheelchair on the sideline as he watches his men train. A nurse sits near him, probably to wheel him around if he wants to go anywhere.
 
He shouts the occasional order at a guard nearby, telling them to repeat an action, or spar again. Despite his leg being in a cast, he's still in charge.
 
You wave to the nurse, and she steps back indoors to let the two of you talk.
 
His chair is parked next to a bench, and you take a seat next to him as you ask him how he's doing.
 
"Fine, besides the leg," he says, tapping it with his other hind hoof, "Gonna be weeks before I can use it again."
 
He sighs, "Still, could be worse. Could be Bear," he shakes his head, "I hope he pulls through. I really do. And Golden. He'll be up in a week I bet, if he doesn't try and get some extra bed time out of it."
 
Shining Armor magics a small folder from a pouch in the side of his wheelchair, putting it in your hands as he apparently summarizes the documents within.
 
"Official report says it's some sort of magic leeching golem, or at least that's the theory. Not certain where it came from, though that crescent symbol might mean Nightmare Moon crafted it over a thousand years ago. Can't say for sure as Princess Luna has no memory of creating such a monster."
 
"Likely they're going to send a magic squad out there to scour for clues and see if there might be any more of them littered in the Everfree. With luck, they won't find anything."
 
You close the folder after reviewing the official statements, your vocabulary not quite enough to decipher all of it. You thank Shining Armor for summarizing for you, and he just nods.
 
You think for a moment before asking, "Did I do the right thing? Waiting, I mean?"
 
Shining sighs, "Normally, I'd say no. Swift thinking usually saves lives, doesn't spare them. But in this case it might've been for the best."
 
"I don't follow."
 
He coughs before continuing, "It advanced towards you while firing at me, remember? This was after Golden and Bear were taken out, mostly. Well, it walked AWAY from Bear and Golden to get to you. When the damned thing finally blew, you may have put the blast radius farther away from the two most injured. Had it been closer, or worse, on top of them……"
 
The sentence hangs in the air as you shiver just thinking about it.
 
"So yeah, I think you did the right thing. Whether you meant to or not is another matter."
 
You're about to go train when your leg feels like it's trapped, and you look down to see it encased in purple magic.
 
"Not today, it's getting late if you hadn't noticed."
 
You look at the sky and are surprised to see dusk approaching. Wow, you really didn't notice. Most the guards on the grounds are starting to pick up their gear and head to their posts or barracks.
 
You thank Captain Armor for his time, wishing him a speedy recovery as you put his documents back in the wheelchair's pouch.
 
"Save those wishes for Bear," he says with a smirk, saluting you. You salute in turn and surprise him by wheeling him indoors to the nurse, who smiles and thanks you.
 
"Oh," Shining Armor calls back, prompting the nurse to turn him around so he can address you better, "My sister and wife might be coming by, since I think Celestia may have told them I was injured in the line of duty. So if you see a young purple unicorn or a beautiful pink alicorn wandering about, tell them I'm in my quarters. And be nice to them, my sister is a bit of a prodigy. That and she's real inquisitive about stuff, so be patient with her. But that's if you see 'em, you should be focusing on your studies."
 
You thank him for the tip and think about what to do next.
 
You make a quick snack stop before dropping by the Library to grab a few books from the front shelves. Only after you start heading in the direction of the lounge area you usually meet with Luna in do you look at the books you grabbed.
 
One is a romance, titled "On a Gentle Evening Wind." You have no idea what the premise is, but it says it's a romance on the cover so whatever.
 
The other one is….a cook book. Weird, it doesn't have the images of food on the front like most cook books. Ah well, have to make do.
 
You find Luna in her lounge area, though she seems surprised to see you as you jog down the hall.
 
"They let you out already?" she asks, a smile slowly creeping onto her face as she gets up and briskly trots to you, putting her arms around you again and making you stagger as she leans heavily against you, "Are you sure you're alright?"
 
When she pulls back to look you up and down you give her a quick kiss, surprising her. She makes a little "Omph!" noise as your lips meet, and grins radiantly when you pull away.
 
"Feeling just fine now that I'm with you."
 
Her smile can't possibly get any larger as she hugs you once more before letting you go and resuming a proper standing stance, looking curiously at the books in your hand.
 
"What books are those? Something you want to read together?"
 
You hand Luna the romance while you decide to look over that cookbook a little more closely while you tell her you grabbed two books at random.
 
She looks at the book you handed her and giggles at the title, "Are you sure you didn't pick this one out yourself? The title seems almost fitting."
 
You laugh as well until you open your book, then your laughter stops in your chest.
 
Oh shit.
 
It's….an erotic cook book.
 
You stand staring at one of the more conservative images in the book, and your brow begins to sweat.
 
"What's the matter? You appear to be sweating, are you alright?"
 
You quickly shut the book, putting on a smile, "Aha, ha, yes, I'm alright. Let's uh, let's read the book you've got together tonight."
 
Luna raises an eyebrow, "What was in that book? Come on, show it to me."
 
Despite your insistence that there's nothing to show, her curiosity won't be stopped.
 
You finally resign and hand the book to her, your face turning red and your brow still sweating profusely.
 
She reads the title, the brief description, then she opens the book.
 
She turns one page. Then another. Then a third. Her eyes widening with every flip.
 
Her mouth drops open as she continues flipping pages, apparently unable to stop.
 
She hits the illustration section and just stares for a moment.
 
When she regains her ability to speak, the first thing she says is, "Well. It seems what you do with your food has certainly changed in my absence."
 
Her wide eyes look up into yours, "You…grabbed this at random, you said?"
 
You nod, "Yes, completely at random. I uh, didn't look at it until I got up here."
 
Luna just nods and flips another page of the cook book, though you can't tell if her fascination is good or horrified.
 
"Should I, uh, put it back?" you ask nervously.
 
She closes the book and sets it on an end table nearby, still looking a bit stunned, "N-no. I'll have it put back in the morning."
 
"Unless," she says, swallowing nervously, "Unless this was…something…you wanted?"
 
For once, you think that maybe that's going a little to fast for your tastes, though your imagination begins to run wild with Luna covered in whipped cream, those big eyes of hers looking at you suggestively…..
 
You have to physically shake your head of the thoughts, looking at Luna and saying as calm as you can, "N-no, we don't have to. Not now. H-how about we just…read that other book a little."
 
Luna nods, the two of you sitting on a couch some ways away from the erotic cook book, as Luna opens the romance novel and begins to read.
 
You sit upright against the couch, Luna half curled up against your leg while the book hovers in front of her, held in the air by her magic.
 
Her beautiful voice speaks slowly and softly, and soon the thoughts of the cook book are out of your mind. Mostly.
 
Her voice is soothing, carrying with it the peace of a night's breeze, and you scoff at the title of the novel once again as your eyelids begin to feel heavy.
 
Luna notices, and suddenly you're moving across the floor, but you aren't walking. You look about and see that Luna is carrying you down the hallway with her magic, romance novel hovering at your side as she smiles at you.
 
The next thing you feel is wonderful comfort. You blink and look about, wondering where you are. Must have snoozed for a moment there.
 
Your eyes adjust to the dark and you find yourself in a room that is not your own. It's dark and mostly shades of blue or dark purple, with white crescents adorning the bed sheets and some wall fixtures.
 
It's Luna's room.
 
You feel something squirm against your arm and turn to look at it suddenly.
 
Luna lies beside you, her front hooves draped carefully over you as she slumbers, the romance novel sitting on her nightstand beside the bed.
 
You move to remove your clothes, before realizing that doing so might wake up Luna. Not wanting to disturb her, you grudgingly keep your clothing on.
 
You lean over and gently kiss Luna on the head, trying not to poke yourself with her horn in the process. Perhaps she's not fully asleep yet, as she smiles and holds you a little tighter, murmuring softly in her half sleep.
 
You slink yourself back into a prone position, putting your arms gently around her as you feel her heartbeat against your chest. Her hair caresses your neck and arm, sending a soft feeling about your body that blends all too well with the softness and heat of the pony in your embrace.
 
You fall back asleep with Luna in your arms, a feeling of complete comfort and happiness ringing through your tired mind before you finally drift off.