Perspectives

The gap between zero and one is infinitely greater than the gap between one and two. It's something most ponies don't realize. That first step between not having, and then having can mean the world to someone. It's that feeling that's crushed my heart and left me as a sobbing mess. Big things can seem so little from a different perspective, a farther one from here.

That must be why ponies walk by carelessly. I must seem so little compared to them. Maybe I am? Why would I be important…

My heartstrings feel so brittle, I'm surprised they haven't snapped yet. My will has, my mind has… most importantly my hope has.

I watch blurry figures pass by idly as tears continue to well in my eyes. There's a stagnation of motion at the center of my vision and I try to focus on it. It isn't long before the purple and white blob becomes recognizable.

“Lyra?” sure enough, the voice of exactly who I expected it to be speaks up. I wipe my eyes and then my nose with my suit sleeve. Immediately regretting the action with Rarity watching me.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to mess up your suit… it's a nice suit…” I trail off, looking down at the snotty sleeve disparagingly.

“Nevermind the suit, darling. How are you?” Rarity asks in concern. I hear a shuffling and look over to my side to see Rarity settling in beside me. She makes a face as she settles onto the dirty floor, but she endures it. This act of genuine compassion makes more tears well into my eyes and I choke back a sob. I obviously don't deserve such compassion.

“I'm fine.” I say, not convincing her in the slightest.

“Darling, I'm not calling you a lyre…” she pauses slightly to revel in her pun, which actually manages to draw a smile from my face. “but, you're lying there, looking as sad as I have ever seen any pony.” she points out. I look down at my dirty coat, and even dirtier jacket. I grimace slightly and manage to pull myself up.

“Yeah… I'm sorry. It's just been hard.” I tell her.

“Oh, most definitely. It's never easy. But I'm proud of you for taking the leap. You might not be so bad at this dating thing after all, or even with fashion. I love your little addition to your outfit.” I tilt my head slightly in confusion. Noticing my lack of understanding, Rarity slowly points towards her ear gently. I reach up to my own corresponding ear and my hoof brushes against a petal.

“Oh, no. This wasn't my doing. I didn't actually get this until just a while ago.” I smile lightly at the memory. It was a really sweet gift, I suppose I was just too engulfed in sadness to realize.

“Oh? From one of your friends?” Rarity guesses incorrectly.

“Um… I'd like to think we're friends. She was really nice to me, even before my date.” I think back on it with only a tinge of sadness. “I have no idea who she is though,” I admit.

“No Idea? That is… peculiar.” Rarity says.

“It was.” both times.

~

It was a bright morning, the sun up seemingly earlier than usual. Not that I'd know a lot about that, I'm usually up later, not earlier.

Yet somehow, surprisingly, the town is already up and ready to attack the day.

Keeping with the bright theme, Applejack is setting up her apple booth. She and all the other vendors are chatting amiably. Such happiness seems to illuminate the area further, almost surreally.

The pegasi clear some stray clouds that must have drifted in from the Everfree over night.

There are even a couple foals playing nearby. Everything is so bright, so happy. Today is definitely looking up. The world's happy and so am I.

Sure, I'm nervous as all tartarus, but I'm still happy. Today's the day. The big event.

Big event? I'm making this out to be much bigger than it has to be. It's just a date. My first date.

Maybe it is pretty big.

I arrive at Sugarcube corner just as their opening up and the succulent smell of fresh baked goods lures me inside enticingly.

“Hey, Lyra! What's the occasion?” Pinkie asks enthusiastically. I snap out of my stupor at that.

“O-occasion?” how would she know if there was an occasion?

“You're up before ten o’clock, there must be an occasion.” pinkie says playfully before turning serious, “unless you're not Lyra.” she says.

“Well… I have a date…” I say, rubbing my fetlock self consciously.

“Oh, who is she? Do I know her?” Pinkie asks excitedly.

“Her?” I mutter quietly.

“is it not a her?” Pinkie asks, tapping her chin. “Oh, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't make assumptions! Sexuality is a careful topic! I'm so sorry!” Pinkie says in a panic. “is it a him, or a they?” she asks nervously before adding another, “oh, or a xi I suppose.”

“xi? They?” I question, slowly growing confused.

“Some ponies don’t identify as male or female. Or maybe both male and female.” Pinkie supplys.

“It’s a she… I was more startled by how you knew, more than anything.” I say carefully.

“Well, I always figured you'd go out with Bonbon. I mean, let's be honest. You two are perfect for each other. But then she started going out with that stallion and I realized it wasn't meant to be. At least… not right now.” Pinkie says. I cringe a little at the mention of Bonbon.

“Oh, okay.” I reply, still a little unsure about how Pinkie knew about my staggering homosexuality.

“So, what can I get for ya!” Pinkie finally asks.

“Oh, um…” I take a look at the filled glass case that makes up the counter between Pinkie and I. Looking at all the various muffins and sweets, it's almost a little overwhelming, but eventually I settle on a cherry muffin. “I'll take a cherry muffin.” I eventually decide. Nigh instantaneously, Pinkie presents me with that exact muffin. The gesture was so quick I had to take a step back at first before gently lifting it with my magic. “Thank you, how much do I owe?” I ask graciously.

“No charge. It’s on the house, just go have a great date later on.”

“Will do. And thanks for the muffin.” I say.

“Anytime!” Pinkie says, waving me off. “Oh, wait!” I pause and look back to see pinkie rummage under the counter before pulling out a box of what looks like chocolates. “Give that filly some chocolate. Fillys love chocolate.” Pinkie says seriously.

“Personally I'm indifferent towar-”

“FILLYS LOVE CHOCOLATE.” Pinkie asserts.

“O-okay.” I nod hesitantly, taking the box in my magic as well. “Thanks, I guess.”

“You're absolutely welcome.”

~

“Thank you so much Rarity.”

“Again, it's no problem dear.” Rarity says for the fifth time today. I can't express how much it means to me. However, Rarity continually assures me that it's unnecessary. “Now go, have fun on your date.”

“That isn't for at least another three hours.” I assure her. Getting fitted had taken an hour. Longer than I expected, but a good way to waste time. “But, I should go finish getting ready.” I tell her, bowing my head slightly as I depart. As I turn away from the shop I'm met with a curious gaze. Some pony I'm not sure I've seen before.

I'm not Pinkie Pie and I certainly don't remember everypony in Ponyville. But a fully grown pony without a cutie mark is extremely rare. So rare in fact that I have never actually seen any pony like that. Until now, that is.

It isn’t long before our mutual curious gazes drive her to walk closer. I feel my own curiosity drawing me closer as well.

“Hey, you new to Ponyville?” I ask politely.

“You could say that. Yeah.” She says, tapping her hoof to her chin as she looks at my suit.

“Well, welcome to Ponyville.” I say.

“Thanks…” she says, still looking at me oddly. “What's the occasion?” huh? “You're awfully dressed up.”

“Oh, this? It's nothing.” I say, a bit embarrassed. She nods once before looking around slightly.

“You sure?” she says. “I'm not… fingerless.”

“What?”

“Nothing.” she says quickly. “So, Lyra was it?”

“Err, yeah.” did I tell her my name? I must have.

“What's with the chocolates?” she asks, pointing towards my haunch and the accompanying box. A suit I can write off as me liking them regularly.

“I'm going on a date.” I admit.

“Oh? With whom?” I blink slightly at the turn of phrase. She had purposefully avoided ending her sentence with a preposition, something only a handful of ponies I know do. All of which come from Canterlot, my old home. Did I go to school with this mare? I'm sure I would remember such a distinct mane, but maybe the red tips are recent? My mind struggles to find a pony similar to the one standing before me, but I can't think of any.

“A friend of mine, from Canterlot.” I say.

“Really, huh.” she thinks a bit before looking around slowly. Her eyes once again land on me. She leans in close, her face becoming uncomfortably close. Is she trying to kiss me? She stares hard and I blink, my cheeks growing red. She nods once before turning around abruptly.

“Need more information…” she says, moving her head from side to side in search. She pauses and glances back at me.

“Thanks a ton. Nice to see you again.” she smiles widely and bounces away in a similar manner to Pinkie.

Again?

~

“Lyra?”

“Minuette. You got a sec?” I glance around the empty waiting room at the dental office.

“Sure, it's not everyday you come by. What's up?” Minuette uses her magic to tidy up her work area.

“You remember our schoolmates from Canterlot, right?” I ask.

“Of course. I was class president.” Minuette remarks proudly.

“Was there a grey unicorn with brown hair?”

“Grey unicorn?” she asks herself. “No, there wasn't. Why?”

“Because there was this unicorn I met today that I thought might have been a former student as well. She almost seemed to know me…” I Muse, Minuette thinks for a moment.

“What was her cutie mark?” Minuette asks, bringing to mind all the grey unicorns she knows.

“She didn't have one.” I say.

“No cutie mark? How old is this mare?!”

“Our age. About.” I shrug. I felt more sympathetic than curious about that fact. To have lived so much of your life aimlessly…

“The poor thing…” Minuette says, “but she wasn't at our school. I don't know any fillies that didn't get their cutiemarks at our school.”

“Okay.” I kick the floor lightly as I think of alternatives. “Thanks anyway.” I offer a wave as I turn away and leave the building.

I can't really spend much more time on this, I have a date to go on soon.

~

“Lyra?”

I falter in my steps slightly, every muscle urging me to keep running. That falter is all it takes to send me falling to the floor, but some pony manages to catch me shakily in their magic.

“Woah, it's okay, I gotcha.” I glance up at my savior as she plants my hooves firmly on the floor. I sniffle and wipe my tears on the sleeve of my suit.

“Y-you. It’s you.” I gasp, trying to stop my crying. It's really unsightly, and I hadn't planned on sticking around outside initially, I just wanted to go home and stop existing.

“Yeah, it's me. Are you okay?” she asks looking me up and down. “oh, no… the date…” she mutters. I can't help but whimper and nod at the fact it's so glaringly obvious. I don't know why I stopped, I just want to go home. I make my way away from her coldly and cast my head downwards.

“Lyra, are you okay?” she asks once more. I try to ignore the stupid question, I don't want to deal with anypony. As I take another step forward I feel something place itself between my ears. I summon my magic and pull it into my eyesight.

A flower.

Looking back I see the unicorn giving me a smile before politely ducking her head and turning away. I almost stop her, but my eyes tear up. I place the flower back behind my ear and collapse where I stand. After such a horrible afternoon I don't know how I deserve any kindness. I cry into my sleeves unabashadley.

~

“Who are you?” I ask myself idly. A new pony in town that I haven't actually met yet, she does seem to be all over the place. A situation the old me would have liked to take advantage of, but I suppose it's of no matter now. She's a good pony, assumedly, and that means I shouldn't kill her. She hasn't done anything, and my few moral principals hold me back.

“Still, Rarity, she certainly is active. She interacted with Lyra, had Twilight help her, and worked out a place to stay before noon. Not to mention afterwards… all the while I haven't seen her, and I believe I caught wind that she's evaded Pinkie thus far.”

I turn all this info over in my head. “Twilight seems to think there's something off about her… definitely something to look into. Later, though. I have a client to see tonight.” I say, grinning sinfully. I reach back and tighten my saddlebags as I get ready to depart.

I leave my boutique, but I should be back soon enough. I just have to pick the dear up and bring her back, then she and my basement can be very acquainted. After all, a canterlot pony must have something worth keeping as a trophy.

I make my way under the dim light of ponyvilles streets after dark towards the ponyville guest house. I see the guest house in the distance, but as I get closer I see a pony leaving. I duck out of sight quickly, hoping I wasn't seen.

As chance would have it, I wasn't. But, surprisingly, the mare I'm looking for is the one that just left the building. This certainly complicates things.

“Where are you going?” I ask quietly as I follow her silently through the streets. She makes a turn out of town and my suspicion level rises, she's heading directly for the Everfree.

I follow her for a while longer before we come to a stop. I wait a moment, looking around for whatever made her stop. Eventually it makes itself known.

“What do you want?” the mare asks worriedly. I almost step out, thinking she was referring to me, but another mare makes herself known.

“I'm not sure,” she says, brandishing a knife. I hold in a gasp, what is happening?

“If it's money you want, you can have it. Just leave my family alone.” she begs, tears starting to fall. The mare with the knife pauses and turns to the mare she's talking to slowly. From this angle I can tell who she is, even if I have never seen her before. This is the new pony in town.

“I really couldn't care less about them. Or money. I haven't much use for it.” she admits, waving her knife in her magic as she talks.

“Then what! What do you want!?” the mare cries. I can sense what's coming a lot sooner than she can and I tense up at the thought.

“Just tying up some loose ends. You see, you've hurt my friend Lyra terribly.” the grey unicorn thrusts the knife quickly and the other mare gasps as it pierces her chest. “Whoops, guess I've done the same to you.” the mare loses consciousness, I don't think she's dead yet, but with a wound like that death isn't far behind.

I haven't got a mare to kill anymore, that job was done for me. But now the question of what to do with the new mare. She's a killer, that's obvious… but should I kill her? To be frank, her reasons were much the same as mine. But she isn't like me, there was no passion in the kill. It was quick, Pointless. Does that make her worse? Is she worth killing.

“Wait.” I'm startled at the sound of my own voice. I watch as the new pony tenses up and turns to me curiously.

I levitate my own knife out of my bag for security and the other unicorn raises an eyebrow.

“Rarity? This certainly is a surprise.” she says, lowering her knife. I take note of the gesture and do the same with my own weapon. “I suppose I stole your kill then, sorry.” she says, bowing her head.

“You're… Sorry?” I am thoroughly confused about this mare, which is exciting.

“Yes… I suppose I am. Well, you needn't worry about me. I suppose I have overstayed my welcome. I'll see myself out.” I look at her confusedly, then her knife shoots up. I flick mine up quickly to block an oncoming attack, but it never comes. Instead, her knife is lodged firmly in her own chest. She chuckles lightly, coughing lightly. Blood seeps into her grey coat as it seems to grow even blander from a loss of blood. I watch wide eyed as this mare's life drains from her, taken by her own hooves.

I continue to stare at the body for a while longer before I get my senses about me and put my knife away. I abandon the body's, timberwolves will clean them up soon anyways. I ponder what I'd just seen, who was she and why would she kill herself? She didn't seem at all out of control of her own actions.

I make it back to the boutique, empty hooved, yes… but is it possible that I may have gleaned some higher knowledge from this? Who was she? Are we so different?