Harp-Struck

Chapter Five: The Equine Waltz

“Really, a vampony? Oh my, what an interesting concept,” Octavia commented as she read one of the fan-fictions I had saved on my laptop. She had been quite adamant about not reading it, simply dismissing it as another piece of boring literature. But the moment I told Octavia the protagonist was her she grabbed my laptop with a “Let me see!” leaning her head right in to read it. “Well don’t get me wrong, I do have a taste for the finer things in life. But I never expected stallions to be on the menu. It certainly has a very chilling plot. Not to mention I’m in it, which is a bit of a bonus,” Octavia chuckled and sipped her tea.

“So is there any truth to this, Octavia? Apart from the vampony bit.”

Octavia put her hoof to her chin to recall the story. “Well yes, apart from the fictional vampony side of things there is some truth to this, but not very much. I do have a small mansion-like house here in Canterlot, but I use it more for parties rather than actually living there. I prefer to stay in Ponyville; the ponies that reside there are a lot more… tolerable, to say the least. But Mummy and Daddy do always ask me over for dinner, it’s just us usually. They like to know how I’ve been getting on in Ponyville and how I can possibly put up with Vinyl and her ‘unrefined tastes’ as they put it. Vinyl is a really good musician, in her own techno way. Though I do prefer classical don’t you?” She adjusted her little bowtie as she said that.

“Yes I do enjoy a good symphony,” I agreed. “But aren’t you worried she’ll remix one of your cello pieces, or one of your composers’ symphonies?”

Octavia gasped. “Oh my stars, I hadn’t thought of that.” Her eyes widened as the thought of having her beautiful cello recitals smashed to pieces by bass drops and wubs entered her mind. “If she were to do that…”

I shifted nervously as she began to seethe, her teeth grinding with rage growing inside her as she imagined Vinyl remixing her favourite composers’ pieces. In order to avoid provoking a symphonic rage in the musician, I changed the subject before she exploded. “Vinyl can’t be that hard to live with surely. Does she do the dishes?” I asked, wanting to clear up another rumour.

Octavia looked at me oddly. “Y-yes she does, she isn’t a lazy mare by any means. She always insists on helping out while I focus on my cello recitals. But there is one small problem, she cleans them with–”

“Wubs?”

“Yes, wubs! How did you know that?”

I shrugged. “Well she is a DJ after all, I’d expect her to have some music modified item around the house, like her bass cannon.”

Octavia nearly choked and spilt her tea at the mere utterance of the object. “Oh, I hate that blasted thing, oh, pardon my language. It cost me two thousand bits to replace and clear up all the acres of broken glass in my Canterlot house when she thought one of my high-class parties could do with a little more… bass.” She face-hoofed at the recollection. “So much glass and wubs and bwahs, I’m amazed that I didn’t go deaf.” She set her tea down on the table. “Oh, I’m sorry Mr Sheath, where were we before we got onto Vinyl? Oh of course, the story. I really don’t know how I could live with such pointy teeth, what if I bit my tongue?”

“So I take it you won’t be taking to the vampony lifestyle anytime soon then?” I joked, finishing off my tea and setting the cup and saucer down on the table by her cup.

Octavia nodded and smiled “No, I think I’ll take a rain check on that one… although...” She shuffled over on the couch closer to me, leaning into my face, merely inches from it. “I wouldn’t mind giving you a little nibble sometime, Winged Sheath.” Octavia smiled deviously, her eyes taking on an almost predatory look as she opened her mouth and ran her tongue across where her fangs would have been. My cheeks went a little bit red as I felt her breath on my face. Suddenly she made a lunge at me, hissing and baring her teeth like a bat. The sudden move made me jump back and fall off the arm of the couch, hitting the carpet with a loud thud. I scrambled to get to my feet and leap for the door, until I heard Octavia laughing. I looked up to see her giggling rather freely on the couch, throwing her manners out the window as she found herself unable to control her laughter. “Oh you should have seen your face! Weren’t expecting that were you?”

I put my hand to my jugular, making sure it wasn’t punctured. “I’m happier that I still have my sanguine life force running through me rather than how I look! Sweet Celestia, you had me there, Octavia.”

Octavia looked at her watch and rolled her eyes at the time before standing up to help me on my feet. “Well I’m afraid I must be going now. I’m late a little late for reviewing one of my acquaintance’s new compositions,” she looked down at the story on my laptop and grinned. “Maybe I’ll show him that story if his piece isn’t up to scratch; he’ll go whiter than the moon.” I laughed with her as I opened the door. “Thank you so much for the tea, Mr Sheath I hope we can schedule another one soon, it’s such a relief to take a break once in a while.”

I nodded. “Yeah I know what you mean; my whole time here so far has felt like one big holiday. Yes I would like that very much, take care Octavia and keep an eye out for him, hmm?”

Octavia grinned and tapped her nose twice with her hoof. “Don’t worry I’ll be able to spot him a mile off, ta-ta.” And with that, she walked out and I closed the door behind her.

I collapsed on the sofa and sighed contentedly as I sank into the cushions.

At this point, it had been three months since that day I met Lyra. And what a whirlwind of fun I had had been since then. That duet we did had attracted quite an influential talent scout – the blonde Earth pony with the absurd name. In a matter of days we were guest performers playing alongside Octavia at a private garden party in an area of Canterlot which I had coined the name ‘Gatsby Row’ due to the fact you have less chance of seeing the host at these events than you had of meeting Gatsby himself at his own parties. They had probably died of crush syndrome trying to swim in their own wealth.

Lyra had also been kind enough to introduce me to her friends. Bon-Bon I had already met, Octavia who frequently came over for tea with me and Lyra, or just me, she didn’t mind either way, Colgate who has been keeping my toothpaste in ample supply – I’m surprised I haven’t died of fluoride poisoning yet. I haven’t met Vinyl yet though and Derpy has been busy with Doctor Whooves. Lyra and I started our tour of Canterlot with small concerts at first since Full-Bright had pulled in a favour for the ‘Gatsby Row’ one. He managed to get us slots in bars and restaurants to start. Simply serving as the background music that fell among the idle chatter of the nobles with a few occasional listeners. Then as our fame and popularity grew, so did the quality of the venues. Higher-class establishments, proper concerts at prestigious music halls. Full-Bright had even organised a private concert slot at one of Fancy Pants’s social soirées. So yes, at this point in my life and I was happier than I had ever been during my years on earth. I had a promising music career, my own home and best of all, peace. A luxury that Earth could only dream of achieving.

Over the last three months, Lyra and I had become very good friends. We had shared each other’s stories and grown quite comfortable living together, as Full-Bright had decided it would be easier for us to live under one roof so he could contact us more easily. Not to mention I had nowhere else to go. Though sometimes I still gave her giggle fits, like the time I did the break thumb illusion.

“You have your magic Lyra, but can you do this?” I took my thumb curled my other one and created the illusion with a feigned ‘AHH!’ Lyra gasped in horror as she scrambled for a cloth until I laughed and revealed my ‘broken’ thumb. “Ta-da!”

In hindsight, I shouldn’t really have done that since it took about eleven minutes for her to stop giggling like a madmare, and I nearly broke my thumb for real from the amount of times she made me do it again and again.

I had become more adept in playing my guitar as well – well I thought so anyway, me being the only human it was impossible to tell. I poured myself another cup of tea and opened the balcony doors of the middle class apartment Full-Bright had rented for us. I picked up my guitar from the table, sat down on a rather regal looking chair and began practicing again. My guitar’s notes floating away from the balcony and into the streets. Celestia’s sun was now at its highest point and was beginning to slowly fall. After a few songs or so, I set my guitar back down again, unable to distract myself anymore. I put my hands to my face before sweeping them up through my hair, sighing in exasperation. I took my tea and drank the lukewarm liquid in one gulp, hoping that it would make me think more clearly. Lyra had gone out shopping with Bon-Bon a few hours ago. She had offered for me to come, but I said I should stay home and practise my guitar playing. Plus if their talks turned to anthropology, Bon-Bon would have been outnumbered.

After they had departed – apart from the impromptu ‘tea break’ with Octavia – I had spent the last hour and a half pondering an idea. Lyra and I had been out on the town before with her friends or had a drink with Full-Bright after a concert, but we had never gone out together when it was just her and me. The subject had never come up. “Ahh, it’s no use, I can’t think of anything,” I picked up my guitar and headed back inside, grabbing my dry cleaned frock coat as I headed into my bedroom. I flung my frock coat onto the back of a chair as I reached under my bed and pulled out my trunk. I unclasped the catches and placed my guitar inside the cupboard behind me amongst my new clothes I had collected over the months. I took a moment to look through the trunk’s contents, picking up the dimension device and smiling. The ‘dream come true’ feeling returning once more. I put it back inside amongst my belongings and collapsed on my rather large bed, mulling over ideas on what I could do to surprise Lyra. I could take her somewhere. I thought deeper and then it hit me. The passes Rarity gave me… yes that’s it! I can take her there! I pumped my fist in the air in triumph.

I fumbled around in my trunk and found them in a small box. I grabbed my bit coin purse from my bedside table and placed it in my jacket pocket. “Now let’s see, dress code… high-class/regal. Right then, it is decided!” I put the passes in my shirt’s breast pocket, took out the Doctor’s dimension jump device and strapped it to my wrist. I keyed in Ponyville and the all familiar countdown appeared. I had a few things to pick up for the evening. “I shouldn’t be too long,” I said before the white flash appeared and I was gone.

An hour or two later I returned to the apartment, nearly crushed by the boxes of items I had which tumbled on top of me as I got to my feet. I opened two to check their contents. “Unharmed, brilliant!” I took them into my room and set them in my trunk until Lyra returned. I didn’t have long to wait, in fact as soon as the catches on my trunk were back in place my heart leapt at the sound of the door unlocking. I rushed and grabbed my guitar from my cupboard and flung myself at the couch – surprisingly I didn’t knock it over. I struck at the chords nonchalantly as the door opened and Lyra walked in carrying shopping bags in her magic. “Hey Lyra, you want a hand with those?” I asked sitting up.

“Hey, Wingy; yes thank you.”

Not long after we met, Lyra had taken to nicknaming me ‘Wingy’. She was certainly better at coming up with nicknames than Bon-Bon. I took the bags from her and helped her unpack. “So how’d it go with Bon-Bon?” I asked, masking my question as small talk.

Lyra rolled her eyes as she recalled the events. “She’s okay I guess, she’s been pretty weird lately. We were having lunch and when I was talking about the private concert you and I did, she got all snappy, saying that you and our music are all I ever talk about.” She scoffed and looked at me. “I mean it’s not like I mention you every time Bon-Bon and I hang out, I’m just so happy I have a human friend.”

“Yeah, of course, you don’t mention me that much,” I said jokingly.

“Hey!” She punched me playfully on the arm. A few minutes later, we were sitting on the sofa together, with Lyra sitting back on her plot. She had been doing that a lot more recently since I came into her life. I guess she wanted to seem as human as possible around me. Playing true to her song I had even offered to teach her to stand on two legs and she has become very good at it.

“Okay Lyra, it’s all about balance.” Lyra had her hooves on my shoulders as she tried to keep herself from falling backwards.

“Woah, woah!” She stumbled but my right arm moved to support her back, catching her before she toppled over.

“Nearly, take it slow at first, ponies aren’t meant to stand this way so be careful,” I placed my hands on her grasping hooves and I slowly edged myself away, keeping hold of them until I finally released them, leaving her perfectly balanced on two legs.

“Okay, Lyra, try walking over to me.”

Lyra wobbled as she placed her right leg in front of her – forehooves stretched out for balance. Her first step landed wobbly and she nearly fell over.

“Slowly Lyra, slowly, that’s it.”

Lyra looked at me in feigned glare. She was like a foal taking her first steps – except Lyra was a full-grown pony defying gravity. Her next step was less faltered, the next was even better, the one after was perfect.

“You’re doing brilliantly Lyra! Almost there.” I spoke too soon.

“Woah, no-no-no, WAAH!” She tripped and fell forward, crashing into me and knocking me to the floor – the both of us laughing in a pile.

Since then she has gotten a lot better, though I suggested that she refrained from doing it in public just yet.

“So, Lyra, uh… do you fancy going out tonight, just the two of us?”

Lyra looked at me blankly for a second, she blinked once and a second later, her previous smile returned. “Sure, where shall we go?”

I smiled and rose from the sofa. “Ah, now for this you’ll have to close your eyes.”

Lyra looked at me, puzzled by the strange request. “Why?”

“It’s a surprise; we’re going to need a few things for where we’re going.”

The turquoise unicorn’s confused look immediately turned to one of excitement and she shut her eyes tight in anticipation.

“Hang on, I’ll be back in a sec.” I rushed over to my trunk and took out a long flat white box, tied together with a bow. The name ‘Carousel Boutique’ written in fancy scripture on the top. I walked back into the living room and placed the box on Lyra’s lap. “Okay, I want you to open this first.”

Lyra’s eyes opened to see the posh looking box in her hooves, her smile grew tenfold and she looked at me, her amber eyes wide with excitement. “Oh, what is it, what is it!” She quickly undid the bow and it fell to the floor. With the bow out of the way and lifted the lid. Her smile turned into an expression of sheer awe as she lifted the item from the box. This item was a silken turquoise dress with white accents on the shoulders flowing down the sides and ending at the skirt. The shoulders were adorned with two emeralds and a topaz gem brooch in the shape of a lyre was clasped on the chest. The colours matched her coat and mane to a tee. Luckily for me, the cost was spared – since the project itself for any other pony would have cost about three thousand bits. Lyra sat speechless, just staring at the garment before her. Her smile threatening to meet at the back of her head. I took one of her limp forehooves and put one of the VIP passes in it and her eyes turned to look.

“Well, Lyra, do you like it?”

She didn’t answer.

I grew concerned and sat down beside her. “Lyra, are you all right; don’t you like it?”

“W-Wingy,” she said quietly, still transfixed by the dress. “Did you make this just for me?” Her eyes began to glisten.

“Yes I did, the dress is of my own design and was sewn together piece by piece by the most gifted seamstress in all of Equestria.”

Lyra turned towards me as I spoke, those jewel-like amber eyes locked on mine.

“For somepony as special as you, only the very best will do.”

Still silent Lyra put both her forehooves on my shoulders and gave me a light kiss on the cheek, before pulling me into a hug. I could feel her hoof rubbing my back affectionately. My hands were paralyzed, completely absorbed in the velvety texture of her coat as my arms wrapped around her to return the cuddle.

“I love it, thank you, Wingy. You’re such a sweet person.” Lyra took the dress in her magic and cantered off eagerly to her bedroom next to mine. She turned to me, her hoof on the doorway. “No peeking, Wingy.” She giggled and closed the door.

In the moment of solitude, I put my hand to where she had kissed me. My cheek felt hot to the touch – I didn’t need a mirror to know I was probably blushing. I felt a warm feeling in my chest wash over me and for a moment a feeling of anxiety hit me – I can’t really describe it but it’s like a feeling of, anticipation, like looking forward to something. A few minutes later the door to Lyra’s room opened and I found quite the beauteous sight. Standing in the doorway, was Lyra, clad in the beautiful dress. The fabric glided over the contours of her lithe form, the sparkles of the emeralds on the shoulders brought out the beauty of her entrancing amber irises – the real gems. “Well? How do I look?” Lyra twirled in the dress, showing how well it complimented her physique.

My voice was momentarily stolen from me, as my eyes struggled not to be blinded by her radiant beauty. Everything about her was perfect. “Lyra, you… you look absolutely amazing. Simply, unquestionably beautiful.” The compliment easily rolled of my tongue, since no tactfulness was needed. It was the truth.

Almost immediately, Lyra’s cheeks turned a deep shade of scarlet and I could have sworn I saw her eyes glistening. “R-really, I’m beautiful… you mean that?”

I nodded with the warm feeling in my chest returning. “I am merely stating what lies before my eyes, Lyra, the truth doesn't lie. You are the embodiment of beauty itself, even the princesses would be drawn back in awe of it.” I nearly recoiled as my compliment almost literally swept Lyra of her feet.

“Oh, Wingy,” she said, hurrying towards me and embracing me. “You’re such a gentlestal-uh, gentleman, your kind and sweet… thank you, Wingy.” She hugged me again, the sweet scent of perfume filling my nostrils.

After a few seconds, I pulled out of the hug and smiled. “There’s just one more thing, Lyra, darling,” I hurried back over to my trunk and took out a small box. This cost me nearly every last one of the bits I had saved. “Close your eyes Lyra,” she shut them tights as I opened the box and lifted out the object, carefully setting it on her head. I held a mirror to Lyra’s face and bade her open her eyes. She looked into the mirror and her eyes went wide at the sight. On her head was a gold tiara, the crown jewel was her lyre cutie mark, the wood of the lyre was jewelled with topaz gems and the strings made of cut emerald, literally crowning the ensemble. “What do you think, Princess?”

“P-Princess?” Lyra stammered, any more surprise and she would surely faint. “I’m a Princess?” She smiled at me, almost on the verge of tears. “Wingy…will you be my Prince tonight... Please?”

The ‘please’ at the end of that sentence struck right at my heart – I could do naught but accept. I bowed to her. “It would be an honour, My lady,” I said, before rushing off to change into my clothing I had designed for tonight. A few minutes later, I was dressed up in an outfit that would even be praised by today’s English officers for its beauty. It was my take on an 18th century British redcoat uniform – minus the tri-corn hat and those god-awful breeches. I adored the regal look, but the hat I felt was a bit too much and I had replaced the breeches with proper white trousers. My crimson coat was designed in a proper officer’s overcoat style rather than the typical cutting off below the waist and arcing round the back design – one that films had a habit of showcasing. I had the lapel’s patterns emblazoned with beautiful red and white stripes with gold buttons running all the way down them and I had replaced the black embroidery around the buttonholes with gold. The trim from the sleeve cuffs to the hemline was pure white. This brilliant jacket hung proudly over a double breasted shirt with red embroidery I had had made especially for it – along with sanguine coloured robe like tails sporting the same white trim at the front over my trousers. A pure white leather belt was clasped around my waist over a red sash and two small scabbard type straps on either side of my hips were clipped to the belt. My shoes were replaced with boots, which reached a few inches below my knees – polished to such a standard that if I looked into them I would probably be blinded by the shine. The pass did say the dress code was high-class/regal so I was hardy overdoing it. The design was inspired from a similar looking outfit from a certain game. “Well, Lyra, how do I look?”

Lyra walked up to me, her eyes critiquing my outfit. “Oh wow, Wingy, you look like a soldier–” she ran her hoof along one of the lapels.  “–a handsome soldier out of one of those human history books I read.”

I gestured to the city outside the window. “Well, Princess, shall we head out?”

Lyra nodded eagerly. “Let’s go.”

And with that, dressed in our regal garbs we graced the streets of Canterlot. I had found out recently that my dimension device also had a map function. Which prevented us from getting lost as I had already keyed where we were going. Luna’s lustrous night was painted across the sky as we walked through the few nobles, possibly heading to their own events. I took notice of some of the younger stallions stealing second glances at Lyra as they walked past us. It couldn’t be helped really; any stallions in their right mind would be queuing up to woo a mare as gorgeous as she was. Our mouths nearly dropped to the pavement as our destination met our astounded eyes. ‘The Ballroom of the Two Sisters’ was one of the highest, if not the highest-class venue in all of Canterlot, second only to the illustrious Grand Galloping Gala. Classy, exclusive and extraordinarily expensive to acquire passes to this sky-high society event. My coin purse was full in readiness for the night, as I feared that by the end of this night the remainder of my saved funds would be substantially reduced. However, cost was the furthest thing from my mind, all that mattered to me at that moment, was Lyra. I gulped nervously as we approached the door, for instead of their being usual security at the doors two of Celestia’s royal guards were posted at the entrance.

“HALT!” They barked in unison, their wings unfurling over the door. Even though I was a good two feet taller than these guards were they still looked intimidating. Their deadpan expressions rivalling that of the grenadier guards that were posted at the gates of Buckingham Palace. “VIP’S ONLY!” I procured my pass from my pocket and Lyra showed hers. “Very well, ENTER!” Their wings furled, revealing the entrance.

I offered Lyra my arm. “Well Princess Heartstrings, shall we?” I smiled. Lyra nodded and raised her hoof, taking my arm as we headed inside. As we headed through the foyer, I felt my arm weigh down suddenly. I looked to see Lyra had raised herself up onto her hind legs, her dress covering her underbelly. I had prepared for this situation and designed the dress accordingly. Even with her new-found height, I was still a few inches taller than she was. As we entered the main hall, Lyra lowered herself back onto her hooves so as not to put too much strain on her legs.

We took a moment to admire the sight of the ballroom in all its glory. We humans may be more advanced in the technological area. But I can say this with absolute certainty, when it comes to architecture; we are still deep in the dark ages. The room was a mixture of night blue and Celestial white, each side dedicated to the two goddesses that ruled over Equestria. The walls were draped in highly detailed arrases of the Princesses. Some had stain-glass type impressions of the two Alicorns embroidered onto them. Others of the threats they had overcome. The defeat of Discord, the imprisonment of Nightmare Moon and her return. And the largest was a legendary illustration of the two sisters side by side, the sun and moon above them, the two Princesses together again. The sight of such unity nearly brought a tear to my eye at the fact that their bond had risen above so much hardship and was stronger for it. Now that is true royalty. “So Lyra, what shall we do first?” I asked dumbfounded, the sheer size of the place left both of us unsure of what to do and when.

“I-I’m not sure,” she replied, still admiring the wall hangings.

“Do you want to get something to eat?” I asked as I noticed a restaurant area on the Luna side of the hall.

Lyra nodded. “Sure, let’s go.”

       We trotted over to the restaurant area and after a bit of explaining to the hyperventilating maître d ́hôtel, we were seated by the window with an excellent view of the city before us.

I will say this, for a society where meat is absent from every table from here to the Griffin kingdom, they still have great food. Converting to vegetarianism wasn’t really as much of a problem as I had first thought – though I still missed a good roast. Well we all have to make sacrifices don’t we? After a delicious three-course meal, we went over to the bar and tried wine tasting. Although I knew it was to prevent intoxication, I still thought it was a waste to spit out such fine liquor after tasting it. It doesn’t really seem much of a credit to the vineyard it came from, to first compliment the taste of such a sought after wine, only to then spit it out again into a sink and yet such a display was still looked upon as couth. Lyra and I couldn’t supress our laughter as the snooty noble ponies politely sipped at their wine, before simultaneously spitting out said wine like a herd of llamas. After laughing at the flock of spitting nobles, we sat down by the large dance floor to rest our legs for a moment. After a minute or so, I asked the question I had been wanting to ask for ages. I rose up from my chair and offered her my hand. “May I have this dance, Miss Heartstrings?”

Lyra giggled into her hoof. “Of course,” she answered politely as she took my hand and strode onto the dance floor with me. “How do humans dance, Wingy?”

My ears pricked up as the bars of a familiar waltz drifted from the stage. “Like this.” In one swift motion, I raised Lyra onto her hind legs, my left hand in her right hoof with my right arm firmly around her back.

Lyra looked at me in astonishment for a moment, her hooves holding onto me for balance as I listened to the song.

I then found an opening in the music and in two steps; I led her into a waltz.

“I’m not sure what to do, Wingy. I’ve never danced like this before.”

“Just…follow…my…lead,” I said, as I stepped in time with the music. I wasn’t a dancer by any means, but luckily I had learned to waltz from a few books I’d read – namely ‘Black Butler’ – and since this was a pony I was dancing with, the chances of stepping on any feet were literally zero. “One, two, three. One, two, three,” I muttered as we glided across the floor.

“You’re really good, Wingy I-woah-ha-ha!” Lyra exclaimed, as I sped up the movement as the music’s tempo quickened before I pulled her back into my arms for a moment. “That was amazing, whoa-aa!” I twirled her away from me, this time keeping hold on her right hoof before winding her back in again. Any ponies on the dance floor had stopped what they were doing and had crowded round the two beings dancing in a very strange way.

“That’s it, Lyra, you’re a natural!” I said to her as we spun around again, surprised she wasn’t dizzy from it all. As the song began to reach its conclusion, I decided to do a daring finishing move that I had seen in a film. I twirled Lyra around again for the final time, but instead of pulling her to my chest, I stepped sideways, her body naturally tipping backwards. At the last moment, my right arm slipped round her back and caught her, creating a perfect end, to a perfect song.

As we gazed into each other’s eyes, breathing heavily from our spectacle. Lyra did something I thought she would never do. As the applause from the surrounding nobles began Lyra shut her eyes and brought her lips to mine in a kiss – it was a very light one, a mere graze of the flesh barely registering on the senses. My heart pained in anxiety when I saw Lyra’s cheeks turn red almost instantaneously and she pulled away, a look of regret on her face. “Lyra, are you all right?”

She didn’t answer, she was even avoiding eye contact and this worried me greatly.

“I’m sorry,” Lyra muttered, before hastily trotting away from me into the crowd. Seeing that the performance was over the nobles returned to their idle chatter, the echolalia of voices and music filling the ballroom again. While others were bundled in a drunken stupor from actually having the presence of mind to swallow their liquor rather than spitting it out. I stood there paralyzed in regret, before the man in me kick-started my legs and I hurriedly headed in the direction of the balcony. To my surprise, I found her there, looking out at the stars. My breath began to falter as I saw her eyes her flowing with the beginnings of tears. I approached her slowly, each step pushing me back slightly as I forced my feet forward.

“L-Lyra...are you okay?”

Lyra shook her head.

“Did I do something wrong?”

Again, Lyra moved her head from side to side. “No…it was me…I-I… I shouldn’t have kissed you like that so suddenly...” She still refrained from eye contact; she simply stared down at the city below.

My heart began to sink as I decided it was time to ask her a question I had been wanting to know the answer to since I had met her, but had never found an appropriate time to. One doesn’t simply talk about this in normal conversation, but in light of what had happened a few minutes prior, it was now or never. I took a deep breath and spoke. “L-Lyra.”

The turquoise unicorn finally looked over at me, her eyes still teary.

I gulped, took a breath and asked it. “Are you and Bon-Bon…together?” I steeled myself for the inevitable.

“Yes...” Lyra’s tears spilled over her eyes as she closed them.

My breath caught in my throat, it was if my lungs had been paralyzed by her answer. So it’s true… no! my legs buckled and I fell to my knees, limp and useless from the shock. I buried my head in my hands, my eyes filling with tears. The white trim of my uniform curling over my boots as my emotion boiled over and my tears poured over my lids and rolled down my cheeks. I-I’ve failed. I nearly jumped as I felt a hoof on my shoulder. I looked up to see the beautiful turquoise unicorn, looking at me with those entrancing topaz gems I had fallen in love with. There was a smile on her face, shining through her tearful eyes. “L-Lyra, what are you–” I was cut off as she pulled me towards her and hugged me. My eyes were as wide as a pair of dinner plates at this sudden intimacy. “Lyra, why are you, I-I thought you were a–”

Lyra put her hooves on either side of my cheeks. “I love Bon-Bon very much but, well… she’s not you, Wingy… she’s not a human.”

I stared at her completely astounded, my lip quivering as I tried to master the English language again. “But I’m a male… doesn’t that bother you, at all?”  I asked twenty percent more confused as my brain tried to understand this outright baffling situation playing out in front of me.

Lyra shook her head. “You’re not a stallion, Wingy… and I’ve always dreamed of having a human… Well you know a…a…”

“Boyfriend?”

“Boyfriend… and I’ve had so much fun since I’ve met you. We’ve got a nice home; a successful music career, you’ve made all my dreams come true. And tonight... well you had this dress made for me, you bought me this tiara and you took me here, you’ve just been nothing but kind to me. And I think I… I…” She trailed off, a blush now on her cheeks as she smiled embarrassedly at the floor. “Have a crush on you.”

The moment those words left her lips, the stopcock on my heart broke and spilled its contents. “Lyra… I-I’ve got to say it now. I’ve had feelings for you, since even before the first time we met. I’d heard about your interest in us, especially how you were always put down for studying something different to those around. But you stuck to your guns no matter what and I found that really amazing. Your determination is inspiring, you pushed boundaries and challenged the norm and that is one of the myriad of things I love about you Lyra. And since then, I have wanted nothing more than to be with you, hang out together, play music with you, spoil you and… well, love you.” I could feel my cheeks blushing hot as I stood up and took Lyra in my arms, my left hand holding her hoof. I put my other hand to her cheek and she did the same to me with her free hoof, the other wrapped around my back.

“Bon-Bon will always be my special somepony. But I want you to be my special somehuman… do you want to be my special somehuman, Wingy?”

I choked back my tears as I gave my answer. “More than anything in the world, Lyra.”

We gazed into each other’s eyes for what seemed like an eternity. I moved my hand across her to brush a curl of her mint mane from her face.

“Lyra, m-may I kiss you?” A single tear of happiness ran down my cheek in a small rivulet and dripped off my jawline.

“Yes, Wingy.” Lyra’s eyes were glistening as the moonlight reflected off of them. “You may...” She closed her eyes and parted her lips slightly, beckoning me to meet them. I paused for a heartbeat and leaned into her, the both of our lips meeting in a passionate kiss. My hand curled through her silky mane as we both savoured each other’s tastes, the feelings I had kept locked down tight in my heart finally flowing free. After a few mores seconds we both broke the kiss in need of air. I barely had time to inhale as she kissed me again, her lips hungrily snogging me now. Her silk covered chest was pressed into me so much so I could even feel her heart beating in her chest.

She tilted her head to coddle my lips more lovingly while her mane tickled my face. It heartened me that after all this time, she had, had feelings for me all this time and mine weren’t misplaced after all. I repaid in kind by cuddling her close as we continued to kiss.

My heart began to beat even faster as I felt her tongue poking at my teeth, my own tongue rose to my mouth’s defence at the intrusion and playfully fought with Lyra’s, before I lowered my defence and let her through. Her lips had a sweet, almost lime like flavour with a hint of tart. A taste in which I took time to indulge in thoroughly, until another lack of oxygen cruelly separated us. Getting our breath back, we gazed into each other’s eyes. “Lyra, tha-that was wonderful, you were wonderful I–” I was cut off as she pulled me into her wet lips one more time. A warm electric feeling shot through my chest as the wet smacking of our lips reached my ears. After a minute I slowly pulled away to look at her, my hand cradling her blushing face while the other rested on the back of her silken dress. “You want to head in for one last dance, Lyra?”

Lyra leaned in and kissed my cheek before lowering back onto her hooves. “C’mon, Wingy. Let’s show these poshie ponies how to really dance.” And with that we headed back inside, ready to dance the night away – well most of it anyway.

A few hours passed and we reluctantly dragged ourselves off the dance floor, realising that we were the only ones on it. We went over to the stage to thank the orchestra for their amazing performance and headed back to the main hall. I put my hand into my coat pocket and took out my pocket watch. I nearly recoiled at the time; it was two minutes past three in the morning. “By Celestia, where has the time gone?” I said, staring at the watch in disbelief. I looked over and saw Lyra supressing a yawn. “You want to head back home, darling?” I asked, stifling a yawn of my own.

Lyra nodded. “Yeah, I’m really tired, and my legs are hurting from all that dancing.” She came closer to me and pushed her chest up against mine, putting her head close to my ear in order to whisper. “And I’m feeling… really hot in this dress,” she added sultrily, getting me hot under my collar.

I giggled as Lyra's blush grew tenfold. “Come on then let’s get home,” I said, as we walked through the main doors of the ballroom and headed back into the chilly streets of Canterlot. The streets were almost completely barren of life at this hour as we hurried back to our apartment. There was a distinct nip in the air as we continued to walk down the pavement, my boots clicking on the ground with each step. I looked over to Lyra to see if she was okay. She was walking rather slowly, so I slowed my pace down so to not go ahead of her. Her hind legs were worn out from the strain of standing on them for almost all night. My heart jumped as I saw Lyra shiver from a rogue breeze that caught both of us. Immediately my hand reached for the coat of my uniform and pulled it off and placing it over Lyra’s shoulders, caring little for my own warmth. Granted it was a little big for her, but the size ensured that it would keep her warm until we got home.

“T-thank you, Wingy.” Lyra moved over to nuzzle her head into my side, pleased by my act of chivalry.

“You’re welcome, Lyra, I can’t have you catching a cold can I?” A couple more minutes later, we reached our apartment. I opened the doors with a sigh of relief before I stopped. Oh no, I forgot about the stairs, I thought as I stared at the daunting spiral staircase that seemed to ascend all the way to the cosmos. I looked at Lyra worriedly. My legs were clapped out too from twirling her around all night, but I knew that whatever pain I was feeling didn’t even come close to the gargantuan amount of strain Lyra’s hind legs had been put through tonight, since she wasn’t really meant to be standing on just those legs. Even though she had tried to ignore it, I could see her back legs trembling, unable to hold her up properly anymore. She clearly didn’t have the strength to climb the stairs in this state. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing her in pain; it was my duty as a man to help her. “Come on, Lyra,” I said as I slipped my arm under her forelegs and lifted her up. “Uuuup we go.” I stood back up, cradling Lyra in my arms as I began to ascend the staircase. Her beautiful silken dress was draping over my arm as I held her, my uniform’s coat acting as an extra blanket for her.

“W-Wingy, it’s okay you don’t have to carry me. I can walk.”

I stopped and put my hand to her cheek. “Lyra, your legs must be killing you. I can’t have you hurting yourself.”

“B-but your legs must hurt too, I don’t want you to hurt yourself for the sake of me.”

It heartened me to see how caring she was of my well-being. “To hay with my legs, you are all that matters to me and I will not have you ripping a muscle in your legs for my sake. I love you too much for that.” I bit my tongue to catch the words before they escaped my lips but it was too late. I could do naught but blush as she put her hoof around the back of my head and pulled herself up to kiss me. As she did so however, her tiara began slipping off her head, I saw it in the corner of my eye and I shot out a hand to catch it before it fell onto the floor. Lyra laid back into my arms as I placed the tiara back on her head. “Almost lost your crown, princess.” I smiled.

“I love you, Wingy.” She nuzzled her face into my neck lovingly before snuggling back down into arms as I continued up the stairs, letting nothing stand in my way. Lyra wasn’t too heavy, but my limbs were in a weakened state from burning up the boards all night, my calf muscles were pulsating as they threatened to give out. After thinking that this mountainous staircase would never end, I sighed in relief as the sight of our door gave me that last spur of energy to push forward.

“L-Lyra,” I breathed, panting heavily as the burst of energy I had left me. “We’re home, I… Lyra?” I nearly had to cover my mouth as I desperately fought the urge to ‘Aww’ at the sight in my arms. Lyra was snuggled in my coat, sound asleep, a little smile on her face as I heard her breathing softly. I felt tears running down my cheek as I looked at her. Lyra looked absolutely adorable, so relaxed and tranquil as she slept in my arms. I felt my smile grow and my flow of tears increase when I heard her stir and turn over, nuzzling the side of her head into my upper arm as she sighed in contentment, before drifting back off to sleep. I silently, but swiftly retrieved my key from my coat pocket, my left arm straining to hold her up as I unlocked the door, kicking it open and walking through. I clicked the light on with my nose and used my teeth to adjust the light strength to the lowest so it didn’t wake her, quite skilfully I might add given both my arms were occupied.

I shut the door as quietly as I could with my leg. I looked to see if Lyra had awoken, but she was still sleeping soundly in the warm confines of my coat turned blanket. Smiling, I quietly carried her to her bedroom and pulled back the blanket of her bed. I carefully lowered her down onto the mattress, she stirred for a moment, but as the comfort of the bed reached her body, she settled back down. I removed my coat carefully from under her and tucked her in. “Goodnight, Lyra,” I said, before walking out of the room, leaving the door ajar slightly. I began heading to my room, my vision blurred as I felt my legs and my eyes grow heavy. Sleep was beginning to grip me; I stumbled forward, landing on the couch with a soft thump. As the comfortable cushions pressed into my muscles, I could feel my power to resist the impending slumber dwindling, until I gave in to the fatigue. Slowly, but surely sinking into the beginnings of a well-earned rest. I sighed in exhaustion as the last remnant of my lucidity left me and I drifted off to sleep.

This night, marked the beginning of my more, romantic relationship with Lyra.