Wishful Children and Tugged Heartstrings

Self Help Session 1:

Troubles with Backgrounds

“Come on Lyra it’s not that bad,” spoke an ivory colored earth pony named Bon-Bon. Her curly two toned mane and tail swished slightly back and forth as she and her good friend walked the worn path to Town Hall, “Everypony is doing it.”

“Doing it?” Lyra joked, “Doing it! Bon-Bon you make it sound like a childish dare besides who in their right mind would join a pony support group besides the elements of . . .”

Lyra bashed down the door in mid-chat only to halt. Round sunglow eyes slowly pulled away from Bon-Bon’s cerise gaze to the Technicolor crowds hundred hind end salute. The floor of Town Hall was filled from Hindquarter to Hindquarter of familiar faces or should the mint furred unicorn say familiar flanks? She'd bet the white streak in her bright cyan mane and tale or better yet the Lyre cutie mark on her backside that she knew these ponies and some she'd never ever seen before in her life.

". . . Harmony . . ." Lyra muttered, "Seriously, since when did background ponies congregate without doing a giant song and dance number?"

She pointed her hoof around the room doing a quick head count. There was Derpy in the background sitting as far from the breakables as possible. She was a background pony. Another pony she remembered from a Saphire Shores concert, frothing and barking at the lips. Some mothers brought their colts or fillies along. Lyra balked from almost running into a giant jar. A gray stallion's head slowly burbled forth from the berry preserves. Jelly maker Berry Punch pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. Since she had to wheel the furniture dolly in order to bring the Jelly Addict in for group therapy.

"Since this is the only Self-Help Support Group from Vanhoover to the San Palomino desert," Bon-Bon added, "And it's not just for anypony."

"Well duh that's because all of Ponyville's mental institution is sardined in here," Lyra scoffed, and a sweet voice sang "Tah-Dah! Welcome to~ the Nuthouse."

"Lyra! Heartstrings! Of all the Nerve!," Bon-Bon gasped, she headbutted Lyra through the door. Lyra fell smack dab onto the floor with a ungrateful whomph, "It's a place where ponies can talk about their problems in Unbiased company and have a little limelight."

Bon-Bon offered a hoof. Lyra gladly took it up. They pulled each other to their feet.

"Really," Lyra asked, ears perked, her body all a shiver.

"Really," Bon-Bon reassured, "And honestly Lyra this might be a chance for you to act normal for a change. Show everypony how amazing you are without all the wierd antics and insane obsession with human hands."

Lyra shoved her way ungloriously past the crowd. Her battle cry reigning loud and clear. Up on her hind legs the unicorn stood waving her front hooves a flutter.  Much to everyone's amusement and sadly Bon-Bon's embarrassment. Even the leader of the group quirked a brow. Lyra's voice yelled loud and clear.

"I'M LYRA HEARTSTRINGS AND I HAVE A PROBLEM!" She coughed and in a queiter voice added, "I am here to complain to the whole world ma'am, why didn't equines get opossable thumbs?"