Harmonic Blue Skies

One Saturday morning, Sky made himself vanilla pancakes. He’d learned the recipe from his mother when he was a teenager. Homemade pancakes were the only pancakes that satisfied him, as restaurant pancakes simply could not compete. He never ate them with maple syrup or fruit toppings, either. The pancakes were perfect just as they were, and he didn’t need anything else diluting their flavor.

After enjoying his breakfast, brushing his teeth and styling his mane, Sky headed outside to fly around the lake for a while. But as soon as he opened his door, he spotted an envelope sitting in his mail basket. “Probably just more junk mail.” he muttered to himself as he picked it up.

Sky read the writing on the front of the envelope and discovered that it was a letter to him from Lyra. He’d been waiting a few days to write to her as he’d promised, but now she had written to him first. He excitedly raced back inside to tear the envelope open and read Lyra’s letter.

Dear Sky,

I guess I’m the one writing to you first! Anyway, my parents are adding a big extension to their house, and they want an architect to design it. I suggested that they hire you, and they’ve agreed to meet you at their house today. I’ll meet you at the train station at 11, and then we can take the train to Canterlot! See you there!

- Lyra

Sky couldn’t believe what a great opportunity he’d been given. Since he didn’t have to be at the train station for another hour, he figured he had a lot of time to prepare for the visit and make himself look as good as possible. He grabbed his saddlebag and flew upstairs to get everything he needed.

Any time Sky started a new job, he always brought a pencil, a notepad and a tape measure with him, all essential supplies for site analysis. To boost his resume, he also brought pictures of his previous designs, which he kept sitting in a stack on his desk. Once everything was in the bag, he flew back downstairs and out of the house.

Since the Ponyville train station was on the opposite side of town, it took a while for Sky to get there, but he still arrived several minutes ahead of schedule. Since Lyra wasn’t there yet, Sky grabbed a newspaper to read while he waited.

“Rarity Opens New Store in Canterlot – meh, doesn’t really concern me.” Sky said to himself as he read the headlines. “Wind Rider Discharged from Wonderbolts – well, at least this is a little more interesting!”

Sky had been reading the newspaper for a few minutes when he felt somepony tap him on the shoulder. He turned around and saw Lyra smiling. “Oh, hey, Lyra!” he said. “You startled me there!”

“Hey, Sky!” said Lyra. “Sorry if I startled you. How long have you been here?”

“Four or five minutes, maybe.” Sky replied, scratching his head. “I got here kind of early.”

In the distance, both Sky and Lyra heard the whistle of the train. “Well, here it comes.” said Sky. “I hope I can make a good first impression on your parents.”

“Oh, I’m sure you will!” said Lyra. “Don’t worry about it!”

The train arrived, and Sky and Lyra boarded the first coach together. They sat down across from each other, and when there were no more ponies left on the platform, the train whistled again and departed the station.

Being alone with Lyra for the first time made Sky feel, as Pinkie Pie would say, nervicited. He was more comfortable talking with her now, but wanted to make sure he didn’t say or do anything wrong. He opened his saddlebag and pulled out the pictures of his previous work. “Here are some pictures of other buildings I’ve designed.” he explained. “What do you think?”

Lyra looked them over and was most impressed. “They’re amazing!” she exclaimed. “You have this modern, geometric style and it looks really cool! I’m sure my parents will love it too.”

“I hope so.” said Sky. “How many other architects have your parents consulted?”

“Just one.” Lyra replied. “He was an older architect from Canterlot, but apparently he was too stubborn, so my parents didn’t hire him.”

Sky chuckled. “Well, at the very least, I think I’m better than that guy.”

“From what my parents told me, it’d be hard to be worse!” Lyra laughed.

The train was now winding its way up and around the Canterlot mountainside, crossing wooden trestles over wide blue waterfalls. Sky looked out the window at the view. “Everything down below looks so tiny!” he remarked.

“It does!” Lyra agreed. “It’s a great view. Taking the train up to Canterlot is always fun!”

Eventually, the train reached the top of the mountain and arrived at the Canterlot station. It came to a halt, and Sky and Lyra disembarked. “Well, that was a fun ride.” Sky remarked. “How far is it to your parents’ house from here?”

Lyra pointed down the main road. “To get there, you have to follow the main road for a while and then turn down one of the side roads further into the city. It’s kind of a long walk, but we can both handle it, right?”

“Of course.” said Sky. “You’ll have to lead the way, though.”

“No problem!” said Lyra. The two ponies got off the platform and set off down the road together.

“So, what was it like growing up here?” Sky asked as they walked past Canterlot Castle.

Lyra thought for a moment. “You know, it was interesting to grow up surrounded by so many rich and famous ponies, but I never really got what all the fuss was about. It’s a beautiful city, but I definitely prefer living in Ponyville.”

“I guess you mainly come back here to visit your friends?” Sky asked.

“Pretty much, yeah.” Lyra replied. “My old friends and my parents.”

Further down the road, Lyra pointed to an old gray building with three tall purple spires. “There’s my old school! Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.”

“It’s a nice building.” said Sky. “I really like the spires. I take it you studied under Celestia herself here?”

“I sure did!” Lyra replied. “Celestia may be the ruler of Equestria, but she’s also an amazing teacher. She was always so kind and supportive to everypony in the class. Oh, those were good times!”

“It sounds pretty good to me!” Sky agreed. “You met your old friends there too, right?”

Lyra nodded. “Yep! Minuette, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine and Moondancer. We used to have so much fun doing lab experiments together. That was the best part of Celestia’s school!”

“Do you have any good stories about it?” Sky asked.

Lyra laughed. “Oh, yeah! Do you want to hear about the time Lemon Hearts got her head stuck in a beaker?”

“That sounds like a good one.” Sky chuckled. “Do tell!”

So Lyra did. “One day, the whole class was making salt licks, and it was Lemon Hearts’ job to clean the beakers before anypony used them. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but I think she spotted some grease at the bottom of one of the beakers. She stuck her head into the flask to take a closer look, and boom! She was stuck!”

Sky burst out laughing. “Why would she even do that?! I wouldn’t stick my head in it, I’d just wash it out!”

“I have no idea!” Lyra laughed. “Anyway, she started running around and screaming like a crazy pony, and Minuette and Twinkleshine had to chase her and pin her down. It took her ten minutes to stop kicking and screaming, and at that point Minuette and Twinkleshine could finally use their magic to pull the beaker off her head!”

Sky tried to contain his laughter. “Yeesh! What happened afterward?”

“Everypony just went back to what they were doing.” said Lyra. “Except for me. Lemon didn’t want anything to do with the beakers after that, so she made me wash them instead. She and I were lab partners for that experiment, and I did pretty much all the work because she was too traumatized to do anything!”

“Sounds like that was an interesting day!” Sky chuckled. “And I bet Lemon Hearts will never live that one down!”

Lyra grinned. “Nope!”

Lyra turned and led Sky down the next side road. “This is my parents’ street!” she said. “We’re almost there!”

“What house number do they live at?” Sky asked.

“Eighty-three.” Lyra replied. “It’s closer to the other end of the street.”

Sky looked at the nearest house and saw the number seven on the door. They still had some distance to go, but since he was with Lyra, he didn’t mind. “The houses on this street are really nice.” he remarked.

“They are!” Lyra agreed. “Most of the houses on this street are pretty old. Some were built more than a hundred years ago.”

“Around the same time as the Ivory Estate, then.” said Sky. “Just out of curiosity, what do your parents do for a living?”

Lyra smiled. “My dad was a famous classical musician back in the day. He performed at music festivals all across Equestria. He traveled less frequently after I was born, but as soon as I was old enough to control my magic, he started teaching me how to play the lyre.”

“How long did it take you to learn?” Sky asked. “I’ve never been able to play any instrument myself.”

“It took me a really long time to become as good as my dad.” Lyra admitted. “Even now, I probably won’t ever be as famous as him.”

“Well, I’d love to hear you play one of these days.” said Sky. “Do you have any shows coming up?”

Lyra nodded. “I actually have one next week! Me and the other musicians in Ponyville are doing our annual summer music show next Sunday. I’ll be performing some of my new songs there, and since you’re a friend, you’re welcome to come backstage too!”

Sky smiled and blushed lightly. “That sounds great! I’ll definitely be there!”

“Awesome!” said Lyra. “The music show is really fun, you’ll definitely enjoy it! Anyway, my mom was one of the managers of a tea company in Canterlot, but the company went bust after the owner gambled it away. That happened not too long after I graduated from Celestia’s school, and it’s why we moved to Ponyville for a few years. My mom got a job with a different tea company in Ponyville, but when the company opened a second location in Canterlot, my parents moved back here.”

“Cool!” said Sky. “Is your mom still working or is she retired?”

“She retired from the company last year.” Lyra replied. “My parents dreamed of doing this extension project for a long time, and now that they’re both retired, they can finally make it happen!”

After passing by a few more houses, Lyra and Sky reached their destination. Lyra’s parents’ house was a two-story light green stucco house with golden lining and shutters. The number 83 and the symbol of a harp were painted on the door. There was a large empty space between it and the next house. “Well, here it is!” said Lyra. “What do you think?”

“It’s nice!” said Sky. “I really like the colors. I imagine the extension’s going to be built in that empty space over there?”

“Yep!” said Lyra. “It’s been empty for as long as I can remember. I heard there was another house there once, but it’s long gone now. Anyway, let’s go meet my parents!” Lyra led Sky up the front steps of the house and rang the doorbell. Sky was nervous as he waited for somepony to answer.

Eventually, Lyra’s mother opened the door. She was an older unicorn with a cyan coat and a short lavender mane. She also wore a light blue satin skirt. “Hello, Lyra.” she said. “I’m glad you made it. Is this the Sky Scraper fellow you talked about?”

Lyra smiled. “He sure is!” She turned to Sky. “Sky, this is my mom, Spearmint Tea.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Spearmint.” said Sky.

“Pleased to meet you too, Sky.” Spearmint replied. “Although I would have expected you to wear something for this visit.”

Sky was a bit confused. He never wore clothes unless he absolutely had to. “Was I… supposed to?” he asked.

“Oh no, it’s all right.” Spearmint said hastily. “Please come in.”

Lyra and Sky followed her into the house. Sky thought that Lyra’s mother seemed a bit uptight, but he thought it best not to say anything to Lyra.

Spearmint led Lyra and Sky into the living room, where Lyra’s father was seated. He had a light green coat and a long turquoise mane with a white streak on either side, much like his daughter. He was about the same height as Emerald Leaf, and had a long horn. His cutie mark was very similar to Lyra’s. “Hello and welcome!” he said with a smile. He got up from the couch and shook Sky’s hoof. “I’m Orpheus Heartstrings. You must be Sky Scraper.”

“Yep. That’s me.” Sky replied. “Nice to meet you, Orpheus.”

“You too, Sky.” said Orpheus. “Lyra told us a lot of good things about you. She said you were a talented up-and-coming architect looking for a job.”

Sky smiled modestly. “Well, I’m interested to hear about this extension you want to build, and I’d love to help you design it. Lyra told me all about that, too.” Sky found it easier to introduce himself to Orpheus, as he seemed much more friendly and relaxed than Spearmint.

“Before we tell you about the extension project, I’d like to see some of your previous work.” said Spearmint. “Just so we know what type of designer we’re talking to.”

“Sure thing.” Sky opened his saddlebag and pulled out the pictures of the buildings he’d designed in Manehattan. He laid them out on the coffee table. “These buildings are all in Manehattan.” he explained. “I spent most of my career there before moving to Ponyville last month.”

Orpheus and Spearmint looked over the pictures. “These are great!” Orpheus commented. “Your buildings are so shiny and clean, and they definitely stand out from the buildings around them. I think your style is exactly what we’re looking for!”

Sky grinned. “Really? Thank you!”

“It may be, but have you ever worked alongside Canterlot’s most famous designers?” Spearmint asked.

“I studied under some of them at the Canterlot School of Architecture, but that was about it.” Sky explained. “I always preferred to do my own thing rather than copy what the professor said. I was definitely the most creative pony in the class. I wouldn’t have minded staying in Canterlot, but there were more opportunities in Manehattan at the time, so I went there instead.”

“I see.” said Spearmint. “Well, in any case, Orpheus and I had better explain our plan for the extension.” She sat down on the couch next to Orpheus.

Lyra gave Sky a pat on the back. “You’re doing great!” she whispered. Sky smiled and nodded to her.

“All right, so you probably saw the big empty lot next to our house when you got here.” Orpheus chuckled. “The house next door burned down many years ago, and nopony’s built another house there since. Recently, Spearmint and I bought that big empty lot, and now we can build our extension on it.”

“How big do you want the extension to be?” Sky asked. He pulled out his notepad and pencil so that he could take notes.

“It’ll be pretty big.” Orpheus replied. “Hang on, I’ll get the floor plan.” He got up from the couch and went upstairs. He returned a couple minutes later with the floor plan for the current house, and set it down on the coffee table.

“We’re here right now.” Orpheus explained, pointing to the living room on the floor plan. “This big room at the back is the family room, next to the kitchen. When we build the extension, we’re going to take down the far wall and build out.”

“Dad, I think it’d be better if we actually went to the family room, so that Sky can see it.” Lyra suggested.

Orpheus laughed. “Oh, of course. Why didn’t I think of that? Follow me.” He took the floor plan and led Sky, Lyra and Spearmint out of the living room.

“This is a really nice house you have.” Sky remarked, admiring the elegant furnishings in the dining area and the kitchen.

“Thank you, Sky!” said Orpheus. “It’s an old house, but it’s stood the test of time.”

Soon they reached the family room. It was the largest room in the house, with shiny white walls and large clear windows. Orpheus and Spearmint sat down on one couch, while Sky and Lyra sat on the other.

“Anyway, the extension is going to be built that way.” Orpheus pointed to the far wall. Through the windows, Sky could see the big empty lot. It was nothing but grass.

“We want it to have four rooms.” Spearmint explained. “A sunroom, a game room, an extra bathroom, and an indoor pool, all on the first floor.”

Sky wrote everything down on his notepad. “Anything on the second floor?” he asked.

“We were thinking of adding a balcony.” Orpheus replied. “At the end of the hallway right above us.” He pointed to it on the floor plan.

“So that would be directly above the extension?” Sky asked.

“It’d be more of an L shape.” Spearmint replied. “Only part of it would be above the extension. The other half would stretch around the back and overlook the yard.”

“Um… okay.” said Sky. “That might be tricky to build, though, with the way this house is arranged.”

“We’re the clients.” Spearmint replied with a rather dismissive tone. “You’re supposed to design what we want. Surely you’ve designed balconies before.”

“Well, how about I just go out and survey the lot?” Sky suggested, trying not to be rude. “I’ll see how much space we have to work with.” He pulled his tape measure out of his saddlebag.

Orpheus nodded. “Of course.” He walked over to the back door and opened it for Sky. Sky thanked him and flew outside.

Sky flew higher up to get a better view of the empty lot. It was quite a bit smaller than the current house, but Sky had worked with tighter spaces before, so he figured it’d be okay. In order to add the balcony, the whole back of the house would probably have to be refurbished, which Sky had some doubts about.

Meanwhile, Lyra’s parents were debating whether to hire Sky. “This pony really has talent!” Orpheus lauded. “He’s young, smart, really creative, and he’s friends with Lyra. He’s the perfect fit for the job!”

“I’m not so sure.” Spearmint countered. “He never worked in Canterlot, and his style doesn’t fit with the popular architecture here. I told you we should have stuck with the established designers.”

Lyra sighed. “Mom, you’re being too harsh. I agree with Dad. Sky is an amazing architect, and he was listening to you and taking notes the whole time. You guys haven’t even hired him yet, and he’s already really passionate about helping you. I’d say he’s exactly the pony you want in charge of the extension.”

Spearmint thought for a while, then nodded. “All right, Lyra. You have a point. We’ll hire Sky Scraper. He’d better not disappoint, though.”

“Yay!” Lyra exclaimed.

“Well, that’s settled then.” said Orpheus. “I’ll get the paperwork for him to sign when he gets back.”

Having finished surveying the lot, Sky flew back into the family room. Lyra was waiting with a big smile on her face. “Guess what, Sky?” she said excitedly. “My parents have hired you! You just need to sign the paper and you’re good to go!”

“Really?” Sky exclaimed. “Already?”

Orpheus nodded. “Yes, sir!” He presented Sky with the paperwork and a pen. “Just sign your name here and it’s official.”

Sky took the pen and quickly signed his name on the dotted line. “Thank you so much!” he said with a grin. “I can’t wait to start work!”

“We’re glad to have you on board.” said Orpheus. “And since it’s after one o’clock, it wouldn’t be fair not to offer you lunch.”

“Thank you!” said Sky. “What’s on the menu?”

“How do smoked oatburgers sound?” Orpheus asked.

“Sounds good to me!” said Sky.

“Me too!” said Lyra. She turned to Sky. “My dad always makes the best oatburgers!”

Sky was thrilled to be working for Lyra’s parents. He now had the chance to spend a lot more time with Lyra, and he’d already made a great first impression on Orpheus. Spearmint seemed less enthusiastic about him, but he hoped that he could win her over soon. He was determined to not let Lyra or her parents down.