Noise surrounded her, engulfed her. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted the source, a blinding light that began to spread across her entire field of vision. A wave of magic that emanated from the castle of Canterlot, bleeding into the sky.
She felt herself change... she could feel her limbs again, and her mind felt less fuzzy. Sharper, more awake, like stretching after a rest in a cramped, confined space. The noise at the back of her head became louder and less enticing, before finally being silenced altogether.
She looked around her with fresh eyes, free of changeling influence. Two ponies, bridlemaids like her, were rubbing their temples, also free of the Queen's terrible spell.
Ponies she didn't know... ponies, she thought, who wouldn't have cried at her funeral.
Lyra went silent after she finished her story. It took her a second or two to realize that her eyes had teared up, causing her fur to become darker and wet above her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away, hoping in vain that the counselor hadn't noticed, and thought that she was just tired.
Doctor Sharpe was far too sharp to fool, however.
"Go on," she urged. "You woke up from the Queen's control, and felt alone."
Lyra shrugged. "That's it. That's what happened."
The room was cozily furnished with bookshelves and potted plants, but it didn't fool Lyra: it felt just as sterile as a hospital. The counselor might wear a friendly smile, but in the end, she was a surgeon, using different tools.
"Lyra, nopony who was under the Queen's spell escaped without considerable psychological trauma. You mentioned something about nopony missing you if you hadn't survived the ordeal?"
"I didn't mean to."
"That's precisely why I think it's important," the Doctor retorted. "Lyra, do you have a lot of social interaction?"
Lyra swallowed. "Well... not so much."
"Don't you have any family? Friends?"
Lyra face brightened, pleased to have something positive to say at last. "I have one."
The doctor nodded, glancing at a list of names before continuing. "Yes, that's right, another pony who was here during the invasion."
"Bon-Bon," Lyra said. "We've known each other for years."
"And she's often around?"
"Well," Lyra admitted, "No. She has work."
"And I take it you don't talk about what happened that much?"
Lyra sighed in defeat. "No."
Sharpe adjusted her glassed. "I think that's the problem. It's why you've been feeling the after-effects of the invasion a lot more than most ponies, despite your remarkable resilience." She put her hooves together, as she always did when thinking. "Without anypony to regularly interact with, you've been left to your own negativity far too much."
Lyra listened attentively, but unfortunately Sharpe took one look at the clock before sitting upright in her seat. It was almost time for the next patient.
"Since our time is almost up, I don't suppose you could indulge me with a little exercise: I'd like you to take the time to talk to someone: not me, and about anything you want. Just to say hello. I think you will benefit from more equine contact outside of your current circle of... well, one."
Lyra frowned, a little offended at the idea. Make a friend? Surely Bon-Bon was enough, right? How childish did the doctor think she was?
Sharpe seemed to sense her misgivings, and a sly smile played her lips. "It's perfectly normal to be uncomfortable outside of one's routine, but sometimes it's important to make some changes to get better. And I think we both agree that we want you to get better?"
Lyra recalled the constant paranoia and insomnia, an entire week's worth of avoiding sleep and crowds, and recurring headaches. Even though she hated to admit it, she nodded. "Yes, I definitely want to get better."
Doctor Sharpe grinned. "Good! In that case, since my next patient is probably outside by now, I think you should get to it."
Lyra got to her hooves, and shook the counselor's hoof before trotting to the door.
Bon-Bon, coincidentally the next patient, was waiting on the other side. She got up and smiled at Lyra as she approached her. It turned out that Lyra wasn't the only pony that the memories of the ghastly invasion tormented.
"You done in there?" Bon-Bon asked, evenly. "The doc' done tormenting you with 'repressed fillyhood fears'?"
Lyra rolled her eyes. "Apparently, I'm supposed to make friends."
Bon-Bon's eyebrow raised itself dramatically. "And that'll help, will it?"
Lyra shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "I dunno', Bonny. I don't know much of anything anymore, I'm afraid."
Bon-Bon frowned, concern on her face visible. Before she could begin to worry herself, Lyra decided to cut the conversation short. There was no sense dragging their temporary encounter out if she was just going to get lectured at some more.
"I'll see you later this evening, okay?" she told her friend as she left the building. "I'll be... around."
Bon-Bon hesitated, then nodded as doctor Sharpe beckoned her inside.
"Do come in, miss Bon," she said. "We'll pick up where we left off, shall we?"
Lyra shook the mug rhythmically, causing the coffee inside to swirl around the edges. She ignored the noise of all the ponies of Canterlot, and tried to ignore the niggling sensation that somepony was watching her.
It was almost like the presence of that horrible changeling still lingered around her...
Lyra brought the mug to her lips, and took a long, relaxing sip. Best to forget about the whole ordeal, she thought to herself. No sense dwelling on it...
That was the key, she thought. She didn't need more friends: one was perfect. After all, she had Bon-Bon. She'd always have Bon-Bon, no matter what, and wasn't that what mattered?
Well... no, Lyra thought. What kind of pony only had one friend? How many birthdays did she spend with just Bon-Bon, and how lonely did she really feel?
It wasn't like a lot of ponies wanted to be near the strangest pony of Ponyville.
She looked out the window of the cafe, and focussed on her reflection. She gave herself a manic grin, just for the sake of reminding her how absolutely insane she looked.
She chuckled , forcing herself to find the humour in the situation. No wonder nopony liked to hang out with her: she looked like something out of a little filly's nightmare when she smiled.
"Maybe the doctor's right... I do need to be more outgoing," she muttered to herself. Her smile fell as she realized the difficulties that entailed.
How did somepony go about making a friend? Maybe Bon-Bon would know: she had managed to put up with Lyra's eccentricities for years, after all.
Her friend should be finishing her session with the doctor soon, Lyra reminded herself. The poor mare had been probably cornered by some changelings. It had been only until well after the battle was over and the changelings expelled that they had found each other again. Bon-Bon had looked particularly shaken, and when pressed, refused to tell her what had happened.
Lyra's mood darkened. Changelings scared the living daylights out of her. You'd never know they were there, poisoning your mind or replacing your friends until it was too late. In fact, they might simply never come out of hiding, stringing you along like a puppet.
Like what happened to Lyra... like a puppet...
"Excuse me?"
Lyra almost screamed as the voice spoke, interrupting her reverie. She span around, eyes wild, the crazy grin still playing her lips.
The tall mare who had spoke flinched instinctively. "Wh-what?" Lyra asked.
Just chill, Lyra... she's probably harmless...
"Um... I was wondering if this seat was taken?" the stranger asked, gesturing to the seat opposite Lyra. "The rest of the cafe is rather full..."
Lyra swallowed.
"You talk to somepony," Doctor Sharpe disembodied voice reminded her. Lyra sighed, defeated.
"Nopony is sitting there," she answered. With a grateful smile, the stranger sat down, balancing a cup of coffee in her hooves, along with a slice of cake.
"Thank you," she said. "It's awfully busy today."
Lyra quickly appraised the tall earth pony: she was light pink, with a bright fluorescent mane, and dazzling eyes. Lyra squinted at her, concentrating intensely.
"Have we met?"
"I don't think so," the mare replied. "My name is Candy Cane." She extended her hoof over to Lyra, who briefly examined the offending appendage, before gingerly taking the pony's hoof. Gaining confidence, she shook it.
"Lyra. Nice to meet you."
Candy smiled. "Likewise. I'm sorry if I startled you."
Before she could stop herself, Lyra grinned, her pupils contracting and her lips pulled taut against her teeth. Drat! Why can't I smile normally?!
"It's fine!" she replied. "I just get awfully nervous, these days... it's the changelings," she confessed, lowering her voice. Candy tilted her head to the side, intrigued.
"I take it you were here when the invasion happened?" she asked hesitantly. Lyra nodded.
"Yes... I was even mind-controlled," she said. "By the Queen."
The earth pony's face fell in shock. "Oh, goodness. That... I didn't know." She picked at her cake, suddenly nervous. "You don't have to go on if you don't want to. I'm sorry I asked..."
Lyra shrugged. "It's fine. The only pony who knows is my doctor. And you, I guess. Huh," she grunted. "Dunno' why I told you that..."
"It must have been quite the shock. I was there, too," Candy went on. "I... got cornered by a bunch of them. It was terrifying."
"At least you weren't manipulated into hurting other ponies," Lyra joked, forcing herself to chuckle. It didn't feel very funny.
Candy Cane shrugged silently.
"It was awful," she said. "I can't believe that they'd do that."
Lyra tilted her head to the side. "How so?"
"Well, I mean, they can't all be monsters, right?" Candy said, almost hopefully. "Maybe there are others out there, that just... exist peacefully."
Lyra shuddered. It was not a comforting thought, despite using the word 'peaceful'. Changelings living like spiders, hiding away in the cracks and corners of the world was scary, not reassuring.
"I don't think I'd be very happy with that..."
"Well, maybe it can change," Candy suggested. "It may be a rocky beginning, but... maybe we could learn to make the changelings our friends? It wouldn't be so scary then, would it?"
"Well, I don't really make friends with anybody..." Lyra retorted. Candy shook her head with a giggle.
"Nonsense! You're making friends with me, right?"
Lyra hesitated, narrowing her eyes. Was that what was happening? Surely it took more effort than a quick conversation to be friends with someone... right?
"Are you sure? We've done nothing but... talk."
"Well, it's a nice first step, even if we never see each other again, right? Talking is where friendships begin. I'm sure you must have one friend, right?"
Lyra nodded. "Well, yes..."
"And you became friends by...?"
"Talking, I guess. Among other things."
"Well, that's that," Candy said. "Maybe if more changelings appear, and we talk a bit, they can be friends to us ponies too, just like the griffons and minotaurs. Although, it'd probably take time, too..."
Lyra chewed her lip, pensively. "Well... so long as they don't mind-control ponies..."
Candy nodded. "That would also be a good start."
Well, they mucked that bit up already.
Suddenly, Lyra remembered that she had promised to meet Bon-Bon at home... and she was probably already on her way. She stood up in one, sharp motion.
"Time for you to be off?"
Lyra nodded. "Yes! Sorry I can't stay to chat some more," she exclaimed, getting her bearings. "It was very nice meeting you!" she added as she trotted out the door, waving her new acquaintance good-bye.
Candy smiled, and sat down for a few additional moments. "Likewise! Have a safe journey home!"
Doctor Sharpe sat opposite his patient the next day, carefully reviewing her notes. No sense in getting some minor detail wrong, after all. It was better to be cautious than sorry. Some patients got really hung up over little details.
"So... miss Bon-Bon, how about we go over what we mentioned yesterday."
Bon-Bon sighed, leaning back on her lounger. "Well... we were talking about the invasion. And how I felt about it."
"And?"
"Why are we going over this again?"
"To get you in the same state of mind you were yesterday. To remember what it was you were feeling before. There was something there I can't quite pinpoint just yet..."
Bon-Bon took a deep breath. "I told you about how I felt guilty. Because of what that Queen did."
Sharpe nodded. "I don't think that was all there was... there was a lot of fear there, too."
"Well..." Bon-Bon began. "Yes, I suppose... now everypony hates changelings. I mean, I don't think they'd accept me even before, but now... now I think they'd lynch me if they ever found out. Even my best friend..."
Sharpe adjusted her glasses momentarily. "Miss Bon, Lyra has been through a traumatic experience. To her credit, she is taking it remarkably well. Initially, I was going to recommend her to a hospital, but her singular fortitude changed my mind."
Bon-Bon raised her eyebrow. "What was that about doctor-patient confidentiality?"
"I believe this to be relevant to your condition, and am willing to bend the rules on this occasion," she said slyly. "You won't tell, I hope?"
"Of course not," Bon-Bon replied. "I've become pretty good at keeping secrets."
"No doubt."
Bon-Bon bit her lip.
"I don't want to have to, though," she replied. "I mean... I've been hiding my whole life. I can't even keep track anymore. I keep on being afraid that I might slip up, that another changeling might use the same template I do, or my voice might fluctuate at the wrong time..." Bon-Bon looked up at the psychiatrist sadly. "Why can't ponies and changelings just be friends?"
"Because some friendships take time," Sharpe told her. "However, given the fact that you seem intent on bridging the gap between our species, I'm confident that we might one day find a new sense of camaraderie between our species."
"I hope so too."
The doctor began writing notes down, committing his patients fears and hopes to memory. Certainly, she was damaged by what her species had done... but not broken, and she was glad to see that.
"I know it's hard, but I'd recommend, when you're ready, opening up to Lyra," she said. "If you want to be here when you do that, that's perfectly acceptable..."
Bon-Bon gave a wry smile. "I may have already done something along those lines..." she admitted. Sharpe widened her eyes in surprise, amazed that Bon-Bon had taken such drastic steps so soon.
"Really? When?"
"Well, yesterday, when you told Lyra she should make another friend she could talk to... I may have briefly put on a disguise just for her..."
After all, I'll be whoever my friend needs me to be... even if that means becoming a new friend.
Bon-Bon returned to her home in the middle of the afternoon, and trotted inside the house with a businesslike air about her. It didn't take long for her to get assaulted by Lyra, bouncing around the room like a madpony.
"Hi, Bonny!" she exclaimed. "I made another friend today!"
Bon-Bon raised her eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Yes! After I talked to Candy Cane yesterday, I realized how easy it was! I had a long conversation with Joe the Doughnut pony! He's awfully nice!"
Bon-Bon chuckled, and leapt onto the couch, making herself comfortable as she settled in for the long haul. "Sounds like you're becoming a real social butterfly, Lyra."
"I know! I didn't think anypony would like a crazy' like me!"
Bon-Bon smiled, and rested her head on the arm of the couch, happy her friend seemed to be getting better.
Maybe one day, she might even be able to be herself around her, too. But she'd take that one step at a time. Some things shouldn't be rushed.
The end
Author's Note
This was originally intended to be another entry to the EFNW contest I was working on (just like everything else I seem to publish these days) but I liked the other two ideas I had better. They struck me as more consistent, I guess. Even so, I liked this idea enough to publish.
I'm certain I've seen Bonbon and Lyra changeling stories before, but I'm confident I've handles this is a relatively unique way even so. Also, Lyra is not human obsessed. *gasp*. Whatever shall we do?!
I'll be honest, when I saw Lyra for the first time, I didn't even pick up on the whole bench thing. I just remember that honest to goodness creepy smile. You know the one.
Please like, comment, all that good stuff. I always love feedback.
