Playing the Heart's Strings

Twilight whistled while reading through the spell books on the table. The evening had turned out to be quite satisfying for her. She had started after they had finished cleaning the park after the contest. The last minute reunion her friends had set up to talk about her personal issue had turned out to be very useful for her, as they, especially Applejack, had supported her strongly.

“This one seems like a good choice... This one as well. Another one.”

Twilight mused to herself as she checked book after book. Surprisingly, there was quite an assortment of de-petrifying spells available.  She had spent quite a while reviewing the books she had selected with Lyra after her friends had said goodbye and left the library. She set the chosen books apart with the relevant pages marked. She trotted up next to the statue, looking up to it. She still felt the existence of a human was something unbelievable, despite its evidence being in front of her. Its stone form, so apart of a living, talking creature, didn’t really help matters; the scarce, ancient information that could be found in some books wasn’t very much helpful either.  She held to the desire in her heart of finding answers about its existence and how it had come to be in Equestria.

But as of now, there was another significance to its presence, one she was all too grateful for.  Thanks to the statue, she had been able to meet and know Lyra Heartstrings, a pony who had come and revealed something new to her, which she hadn’t experienced ever since meeting her friends. And she wanted to make sure she wouldn’t miss the chance given to her. Setting the spell books apart, she directed herself to another section of the library; among its books there were some that dealt with relationships. On multiple occasions, Rarity and Fluttershy had tried to convince her to read romance novels, but the few samples of reading she had done on those had convinced her they were futile material. She needed true assessment on the matter.

“Now, let’s see what can we find in here...”

The concert had been quite a success, despite the lackluster nature of the stomping of the crowd before her. Lyra knew better than to expect a heartful ovation from her audience of high-class ponies, but she did not expect in any way the light spectacle that had followed it. Somepony had summoned a sparkle ‘rain’ and created a perfect reproduction of her cutie mark in the sky. Marveling at the sight, she knew immediately who had performed such an act. She could not help but let the tears flow when she felt her eyes heavy, her tail swatting happily. Once the crying had subsided, seeing as how the audience was entertained looking at the performer of such an act, she retreated quietly backstage. She didn’t mind much that the crowd was looking elsewhere as she relished her music being appreciated, and the act that had been performed just for her own sake.

“Bravo! Bravo! You’re as magnificent as always, my dear Lyra!”

The one who called to her with an excited voice was a unicorn called Stage Lights. This light orange coated, dirty blonde maned unicorn with a theatre mask cutie mark was the Manne Theatre’s manager who set up Lyra’s performances there and also lent her a hoof many times when she needed it. He was also the top-billed actor in his acting troupe, residents of the theatre. He, impressively for a pony in the high spheres of entertainment, wore nothing more than a simple black jacket emblazoned with the theatre’s logo.  Lyra smiled as she approached him.

“Thanks, Stage. I’m pretty happy tonight, the audience was quite good.”

Stage looked at her with a pretty mischievous gaze in his dark orange eyes. “That’s quite the understatement, Lyra. Everypony outside is talking about the lights. Tell me, dear, who was it?”

The softest of blushes appeared in her face as she confronted the actor. “It was my friend Twilight Sparkle.”

He barely contained a gasp, taking a hoof to his mouth to cover it. “Twilight Sparkle, as in Celestia’s protegé?  The element of Magic?”

Lyra nodded, amused by Stage’s over the top reaction. He lowered his hoof and smiled at her.

“My, my, aiming high, aren’t we, Lyra?”

“Oh,come on. You know I’m not a climber, Stage...” answered Lyra, clearly quite bothered by his words.

“I’m just teasing you, darling. She is indeed quite a personality, anyway. “  Stage trotted lightly to Lyra, smiling deviously. He lowered his voice, though not quite whispering. “In fact, I’ll tell you something off-record. There might be in the future, a project concerning the story of the Elements of Harmony... I won’t tell you anymore, for the time being, but it is pretty much a sure thing.”

This time it was Lyra who opened her mouth widely; she barely avoided dropping her lyre to the floor. “You’re not kidding, aren’t you, Stage? Because I know you...”  Stage’s grin only grew wider as he looked at the surprised musician.

“Come around, dear, let me get you a celebratory drink...”

Some drinks and much chatting later, Lyra went straight to the bed in the room. Small beds, packed in equally small rooms, with a closet and a mirror, used by the performers when they had to stay for the night.  Lyra floated her lyre to the top of the closet and went to lie down, falling asleep almost instantly.

Lyra woke up pretty early (for her) the next day, fortunately without much of a hangover at all. She packed her things, looked around for Stage to say goodbye to him and head off to the train station to return to Ponyville.

She opened the flat’s door to find Bon Bon walking from one side to the other.

“Good timing, Lyra!  The contest will begin in only a couple of hours, and I’m picking everything up. Come on and help me.”

She found herself putting her things down and being led by her best friend towards the park, in which some more ponies than usual were standing around. As the stage in front was being set, a big oven was being carried by two burly stallions.

“The Cakes were kind enough to lend the equipment for this event. Pinkie did cover the expenses, though. Where does that pony get all her money?”

“Speaking of Discord...”

Pinkie Pie appeared, jumping around as she approached them.

“Hey, Bon Bon! Hey Lyra! Is a nice day today, isn’t it?”  She greeted them with her usual enthusiasm. Bon Bon just nodded with her head, unable to address what she considered now a bothersome pony. Lyra shook her hoof.

“Yep. Good luck, Pinkie!”  Bon Bon cast her a glare, which she ignored. Finally the preparations were done, and the park was slowly filling with ponies. When everything was deemed ready, a filly, who Lyra knew nothing about but had seen around town a couple of times with her friends, jumped out of the crowd and took on announcer duties. The contest officially began.

And then it ended. Lyra had never seen something so painful. For Pinkie Pie, that is. The energetic pink mare had been reduced to a sobbing wreck; most of the onlookers for the contest even flew the place after looking at her. Lyra would’ve liked to do so as well, but because Bon Bon was involved, she needed to stick around. Fortunately, her friend managed to sooth and comfort the pink mare, and it all had ended up well.

Until, that is, they had to pick the trash up.

“That. Was. Tiring!” she cried to Bon Bon as both made their way back home, carrying the leftovers and their possessions.

“I’m sorry, Lyra,” Bon Bon excused herself, “but it had to be done. I’ll give you a treat, ok? I’m glad this is all over...”

“Ok!” shouted the unicorn, content with her end of the stick.

After enjoying a good nap with the permission of Bon Bon, Lyra woke up in the tail end of the afternoon, early evening. She rubbed her eyes and looked to the ceiling. She then knew it was time to write another letter.

In Lyra Heartstrings’s room, there was a trunk below her bed. This trunk housed her clothes for special events and moments,which wasn’t very numerous. But also, it guarded a secret. In her study, Lyra sat down at her table. Illuminated only by a single, long candle, whose flickering flame brought a sinister shade to her face, contorted in concentration; she began composing a letter. The words flowed out of her with the same zealous fury she employed when playing her lyre. These letters were written quite constantly, depicting the best and worst instances of Lyra’s life, her thoughts, questions and desires.

The letters were meant for both nopony and somepony. They were a focus for the voices constantly nagging at the back of her head, though they would never be delivered. They were all safely guarded under Lyra’s clothes in the wooden trunk below her bed, completely sealed and unread by anypony, not even Bon Bon.

She finished her current letter, rolled it, and sealed it with a teal seal matching the color of her coat. She wiped the quil clean and put it in its place, along with the ink jar. She walked to her room, pulled the trunk to her, opened it and floated the clothing to her bed. There was a metallic box at the bottom, not very deep, but quite long.  She lifted its lid, lowering it at its side. Inside the long box was quite an amount of parchments, sealed up with the very same seal this last one had. She put it next to the next most recent letter, covered the box again and put the clothes on top of it. Closing the trunk, it went back to its place. She then sat down in the corner of her bed, her tail swatting around softly, her golden eyes looking straight at one of the walls as a painting of Coltzart returned her gaze.  It was then that there was a knock at the door downstairs.

She opened up the door to find Twilight at the other side. She was floating a large case and carrying a basket in her mouth which she put down before speaking.

“Good evening, Lyra. Are you doing fine?”

Lyra looked curiously at Twilight, and nodded.

“And Bon Bon, is she fine too?”

“Yes, she’s fine. She’s resting upstairs now.”

“Oh, ok. That’s good.” The unicorn smiled weakly. “Listen, Lyra. Would you like to come with me and star gaze? I’ve brought some sweets as well.”

Lyra looked at her curiously some more, Twilight’s tail swatted around nervously and she looked everywhere but in Lyra’s eyes. Finally Lyra smiled.

“Sure, I’d love that.”

“That’s great! I’ve got a great spot in mind.”

“I’ve never had a ride in a balloon! This is awesome!” Lyra cried, excited, as she and Twilight made their way to Rainbow Dash’s cloud house. She had offered it, going to sleep with Fluttershy at her cottage, for Twilight and Lyra to do their stargazing. Twilight blocked out mentally any other suggestions Dash might have made as they neared the cloud. Of course, the cloud walking spell was in full effect and soon they descended the balloon with all their equally enchanted equipment.

“Oh, cloud, you’re so fluffy!” screamed Lyra as she jumped around, testing the soft ‘floor’ below her hooves.

“Careful, Lyra, you might fall over,” advised Twilight, between laughs, enjoying the sight of her excited companion. She set up the telescope and next to it the picnic basket. She peered through the lens, looking around until she finally found a suitable target.

“Aha!  Come over here, Lyra!

The musician complied and was rewarded with the sight of many of the stars that could be seen in that Equestrian night. Twilight stood next to her, the closest she could without feeling intrusive, though Lyra didn’t seem to register anything. She pointed to each star that shone brightly as Lyra looked at it through the telescope and named it. Her heart jumped with each smile, each cry of amazement and each word that came from Lyra’s mouth.

They finally decided to lay off the stars for a while. Opening the basket, Twilight revealed all sorts of Apple family delicacies. The smell of the apple based confections filled Lyra’s nostrils.

“Thish ish deliciosh, ‘light.”  Lyra attempted to speak with her mouth full of apple cake. Twilight took a hoof to it, closing it.

“Now, Lyra, don’t do that... I know the Apple family food is delicious, but show a little decorum, will you?”  The musician swallowed and nodded. Twilight approached her, sitting by her side. Both for the first time contemplated and looked down to the town below, the only lights coming from it were the lamps in the streets and some houses. And from there, it was truly a very different sight that at ground level.  Lyra didn’t speak, just took on the sight quietly. Twilight turned her head and looked at her with a serene gaze. The time rushed past quietly until Twilight decided to finally speak.

“The last days have been quite fun, you know, Lyra.”

The addressed pony finally broke her gaze and looked at Twilight.

“They’ve been a little hard sometimes, and even sad, but they’ve never been dull. And I’ve had quite fun days with you.”

Twilight looked straight into Lyra’s eyes, a gaze which she held. And surprisingly, unexpectedly, she felt her chest warm, despite the cold of the night, even more noticeable up there in the clouds. She smiled softly.

“I think they’ve been great too, Twilight. I mean, I love my life greatly, but those last days have been simply fun. I’m happy to have them.”

Twiilight advanced towards her a couple of steps. “I’m happy to have them too. And I’m happy to have them with you.”

The warmth in Lyra’s chest intensified as she heard Twilight’s words. Her ears perked up and her golden eyes shone brightly. “Um, Twilight---”

“I like you. I like you, Lyra, and this feeling inside my chest wouldn’t let me off until I told you, regardless of whatever happened. I’ve had so little time for this, but I decided to get it out soon. And so, here I am with you, making a confession.”

The redness of Twilight’s cheeks was only matched by Lyra’s own blush, which came soon after as both unicorns looked at each other.

Lyra’s mind raced while Twilight just looked at her apprehensively, pawing at the floor, which, given it was a cloud, dispersed slightly. As time passed in silence, Twilight’s ears flopped, the warmth in her chest diminishing somewhat. She bit her lip and looked at Lyra with sorrow in her eyes.

“Lyra, I... I just...” stammered the unicorn, only to choke with her own words. Lyra lifted a hoof to wipe Twilight’s tears and smiled tenderly at her.

“Don’t cry, Twilight. I understand.”

Twilight looked at her through gleaming eyes because of the tears. Lyra pushed her mane back and wiped some more tears, before bringing her face nearer to Twilight’s

“I’d be happy to share it with you.”  She deposited a light peck in Twilight’s lips before looking into her eyes again, with the same kind smile. The scholar was in shock, just hiccuping. She finally recovered enough to answer.

“Do you mean it, Lyra?”

“Yes, Twilight. Yes I do.”

Both mares then embraced, holding each other and closing their eyes. Once again silence fell. They only heard each other’s heartbeats. Finally Lyra opened her eyes, speaking quietly.

“Guess you really know how to play the heart’s strings, eh Twilight?”

Twilight chuckled, embracing her closer. “That was silly as always, Lyra. But I reckon’ you’re right.”

“Of course I do, Light.”

“Light?  Hmm... I like the sound of that.”

“Then ‘Light’ you’ll be.”

“Sounds good to me.” They separated, Twilight opened her eyes and both smiled at each other.

“Well, Lyra, how about if we head back and continue tomorrow. You’ll be there, right?”

“Of course, Twilight.”

They kissed again, this time in a kiss that lingered more, but was still fairly tame, only their lips pressed against each other. It still made each mare feel like if a small electric current had passed through their bodies.  They ended their kiss and got into the balloon, descending to Ponyville. Twilight left Lyra near her home, before saying goodbye and heading to the Library.

The next day, the whole group was at the library, with the exception of Applejack, who had loads of work in the farm and couldn’t excuse herself so easily anymore.  Twilight would later visit her, though, with the convenient excuse of returning the basket and thanking the family -once again- for the food.

They all, of course, demanded the whole story. Twilight wasted no time; in an instant she was sitting at a table with Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and even Spike, despite his insistence in that he was there only to accompany Rarity, sat around her to listen.

“Well, there were several steps. First, after you all left, I did a quick scan in some books that advised about relationships.”  Rainbow and Spike snickered, Rarity giggled, Pinkie Pie all out laughed and even Fluttershy smiled softly.

“What?! You all know I’m new to all these sorts of things.”

“I’m sorry, Twilight dear, we didn’t mean to offend you, accept all our apologies,” said Rarity while kicking Rainbow below the table, the pegasus had almost opened her mouth.

“Ouch! Watch it!”

Rarity ignored Rainbow’s glare. “Please go on, Twilight.”

“Well, I did some research and what all these books seemed to have in common was a necessity to make contact and speak.  So I decided to do that. I prepared the balloon, getting the basket Applejack had given me ready and then went out. Fortunately, I found Rainbow Dash and she agreed to let me use her house. Thanks, Rainbow Dash.”

Dash smirked, making sure to look at Rarity, who just hrumped.

“After that, I went to look for Lyra, and found her. Coming back here, we boarded the balloon and went over to the house, where we enjoyed a session of star gazing as we ate Applejack’s desserts.”

“Cut to the chase already, Twilight! I don’t need all this filler!” screamed Dash. Rarity threw a nasty look back at her.

“Honestly, Rainbow Dash, you have absolutely no tact. However, I must agree with her, Twilight dear. We are expecting to hear the most juicy details, after all.”

“Well,” Twilight let out an embarrassed chuckle. “After that, I did exactly that and confessed to her.”

At this, five pairs of ears perked up.

“So, what happened, Twilight?” asked Pinkie excitedly, letting go all her repressed emotions upon hearing it. Her tail was flopping around and she had a big smile on her face; all the others had curiosity plastered on their faces.

“Well, she was so silent for a while that I thought I had disgusted her. I was going to speak, when suddenly she told me that everything was fine. And she... kissed me...”  Her eyes went dreamy when she remembered their kisses. Rainbow Dash, Spike, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy fell over their chairs while Rarity gasped loudly and covered her mouth with a hoof.

“Are you serious, Twilight dear? That was a very unladylike answer for a confession...”

Fluttershy stood up slowly as everyone did around her. “Um, how was it, Twilight? If you don’t mind sharing, that is...”

“Right, Fluttershy. Well, the first was simply a light one, ended quickly, but I was still taken aback by it. I wasn’t sure what to think or do, so I just asked her if she was being serious, and she said yes; she was willing to try. We kissed again, longer and deeper, though not by much. It was.... electrifying.”

Rarity summoned a cushion to her before fainting. Fluttershy blushed strongly, Pinkie jumped around singing loudly and Rainbow screamed, lifting her hoof. Spike simply sat there, dumbfounded, looking at Twilight.  After some seconds, he recovered.

“So, uh, are you dating Lyra? For real?”

“Yes, Spike, it seems so.”

He considered her words while everypony around him recovered. Finally he lifted his gaze and looked at her.

“Well, I don’t know what to think, but if it makes you happy...”

She trotted around to him and covered him with her hooves, in a strong embrace. “Oh, thanks Spike. You’re a great assistant, and I’m not going to leave you behind, don’t you worry.”  She turned to Rarity. “Rarity, do you have some spare gems we can give to him?”

“Sure, Twilight, dear. I’ll look for them later and bring them over.”

Spike’s face brightened. “Thank you, Twilight, Rarity!”

“Oh, it’s nothing, Spike,” answered Twilight while nuzzling him. Suddenly a knock was heard in the library’s door, and on the other side Lyra’s shape could be seen.  Five bodies rose from the table.

“Well, darling, I better go and look for those gems, besides I’ve got quite the workload for today. Ta ta, everypony!”

“I’ve got to go and make sure Angel hasn’t eaten all the carrots again. Poor thing had a stomachache for four days...”

“I’ll be in charge of the twins soon, so I better get going!”

“And I’ve gotta go and make sure those clouds are properly bucked. Well, see you around!”

The four ponies stormed out of the library, not without offering big smiles and greetings to Lyra, who entered the library confused.

“Hey, Light, what was all that about...? Oh, hi, Spike!”

“Hi, Lyra! Excuse me, I’ve got to go and get something Rarity promised to me.” And with that, the small dragon went out and followed his crush, leaving the two ponies alone in the library. Lyra was still dumbfounded for some moments, but then she recovered and trotted to Twilight, nuzzling her softly, making her blush strongly.

“Good morning, sweet.”

“Oh, you’re just wasting names...” answered the flustered lavender unicorn.

“I don’t think it’d be a waste.” smiled Lyra.

Twilight smiled as well. “Well, no, it wouldn’t. “ She looked at the clock, which marked 8:45. “Hey, Lyra. I’ve got to go and return the basket to Applejack. Would you go with me? We can come back and begin work into the de-petrifying.”

“Sure, Light, I’d love to.” Twilight went to retrieve the basket as they both exited the Library, walking side by side the path to Sweet Apple Acres.

On the way to the Boutique, Spike stopped, recognizing a familiar feeling. Soon afterwards he expelled a green flame which materialized into a letter.  He opened the letter and read it.

My faithful student, Twilight Sparkle

In the past few days, I’ve been researching de-petrifying methods. I think I’ve found some suitable ones, but I’m quite busy at the moment. Once my agenda has opened up a little, I’ll visit Ponyville and assist you with the freeing of the human. Until then, keep working.

Princess Celestia